Media Blog
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The 7 Shapes — Reflected in the Stories We Love
Not only in the magical world of Esperia, but right here on our beautiful planet Earth, we can also find echoes of the 7 Shapes—hidden in plain sight.
While we may not possess the magical powers of the Espers, we carry within us a human equivalent of their StarDust:
our incredible brain.
What if we looked at the world around us with greater awareness?
What if the stories we read, the movies we watch, the anime, manga, and books we cherish…
were more than just entertainment?
Each post below explores the presence of wisdom, balance, willpower, empathy, and more—through the lens of popular culture.
Let’s rediscover what inspires us, one tale at a time.
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Inside Out 2: Navigating the Emotional Rollercoaster of Puberty
We watched the sequel to Inside Out the next day with my wife, and as expected, following the conclusion of the first movie, the story centers on Riley, now 13 years old, as she begins her journey through puberty. With this pivotal life stage come new emotions—Anxiety, Envy, Embarrassment, and Ennui—joining the core cast of
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Castle in the Sky: A Reflection on Environmentalism and Collective Awareness
I was recommended to watch Castle in the Sky from Studio Ghibli, directed by Hayao Miyazaki and released in 1986, while I was studying Japanese at university in Paris. I had already seen Princess Mononoke and The Cat Returns from the same studio, but I had not yet watched this one. It was a delightful
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The Dark Side of the Moon: A Timeless Masterpiece by Pink Floyd
I first heard of the album The Dark Side of the Moon by Pink Floyd, released in 1973, through a live version of a cover by Dream Theater, which I was listening to frequently after high school. Once I experienced the “real material,” I was utterly amazed. This album has since become one of my
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Inside Out: Understanding Emotions and Embracing Balance
We recently watched the movie Inside Out, released in 2015, produced by Pixar Animation Studios for Walt Disney Pictures, and directed by Pete Docter. The sequel was released on streaming platforms recently, and on a recommendation from my wife’s sister, we decided to watch the first installment before diving into the second. The story centers
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Ai no Uta: A Tale of Emotional Growth and Connection
Ai no Uta is a Japanese drama that aired in 2005, starring the talented Miho Kanno as the lead character. While the story may be predictable, its charm lies in the heartfelt performances and relatable themes. Personally, I found the drama enjoyable, partly because of my admiration for the lead actress and the overall pleasant
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Bohemian Rhapsody: A Timeless Masterpiece and a Mirror of Society
I remember owning the Greatest Hits I & II set from Queen, released in 1994 in France. At the time, I was still in primary school, unfamiliar with the band’s background and with limited understanding of the English language, yet I enjoyed the music immensely. However, like many children, I was impressionable. When peers told
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Avengers Endgame: A Decade of Marvel Cinematic Brilliance
I went to see Avengers: Endgame, released in 2019, with a French friend also living in Japan who is a big fan of Marvel movies. This film marvelously concludes the Infinity Saga, which began with the first Iron Man movie released in 2008. At three hours long, the movie’s runtime felt anything but lengthy while
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Woman: A Japanese Drama About Healing, Motherhood, and Emotional Growth
We watched the drama Woman a few months ago, my wife and I. My wife admires the main actress, Hikari Mitsushima, and she was eager to share this drama with me as one of her favorites. For those unfamiliar with Japanese dramas, they are typically mini-series of 10 to 12 episodes, broadcast weekly on television.