Media Blog
Picture by hbieser
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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Hokuto no Ken: Lessons in Resilience and Cultural Impact
Hokuto no Ken, created by Tetsuo Hara and Buronson, is one of the most iconic and influential manga of all time. Set in a post-apocalyptic world inspired by Mad Max, the story follows Kenshiro, the successor of a deadly martial art, as he navigates a lawless society devastated by nuclear war. With resources like water
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GTO: A Wake-Up Call for Change in Education and Society
Great Teacher Onizuka (GTO) is a manga that follows Eikichi Onizuka, an ex-gang member who becomes a teacher in a prestigious school, only to find himself in charge of a notoriously difficult class. His unorthodox personality and teaching methods challenge the conventional approach, gradually winning over the students who initially resist him. Onizuka’s mission is
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Battle Royale: A Deep Critique of Society and the Future of Generations
I watched Battle Royale on the recommendation of friends during my university years when I was studying Japanese. The movie sparked controversy but was also widely praised, notably by Quentin Tarantino, who listed it as one of his favorite films of the past two decades. Set in a dystopian future after a recession, a totalitarian
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Space Brothers: A Journey Beyond Rivalry
I was recommended the manga Space Brothers by Chūya Koyama, and its premise intrigued me enough to give it a try. As the title implies, the story revolves around two brothers who dreamt of going to space as children. The younger brother, Hibito, successfully becomes an astronaut for JAXA, while the older brother, Mutta, faces
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Letting Go: Reflections on Lithium by Evanescence
Lithium, the fourth track of Evanescence’s second album, released in 2006, is a hauntingly beautiful piece that showcases the band’s signature style. I first heard it thanks to a friend while studying Japanese at university in Paris, France. By then, I was already familiar with their debut album Fallen, particularly the evocative My Immortal. Evanescence
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Cool Runnings: A Tale of Culture, Dreams, and Unity
While browsing Disney Plus, I stumbled upon Cool Runnings by Jon Turteltaub—a movie that brought a smile to my face before I even hit play. Watching it again (this time not dubbed in French) reminded me of the unique charm that 90s movies had. It’s short, uplifting, and leaves you with a warm, fuzzy feeling.
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The Inspirational World of Yowamushi Pedal by Wataru Watanabe
I first encountered the manga Yowamushi Pedal when I joined Cannondale, an American bicycle company known for its high-performance bikes used in events like the UCI Road World Championships. Famous cyclists such as Peter Sagan have ridden these bikes. At the time, I didn’t even know how to ride a standard bicycle—I simply hadn’t had
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L’Enfer by Stromae: A Reflection on Depression
I was living in Japan when Stromae’s song L’Enfer was released, creating a buzz as it debuted in a unique way—during a live interview on French national news. Stromae, whose name is the reverse of “maestro” in French slang (verlan), is a Belgian artist with roots in Rwanda and Flanders. Drawing inspiration from Jacques Brel