Media Blog
Picture by hbieser
The 7 Shapes â 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 Shapesâhidden 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 cherishâŠ
were more than just entertainment?
Each post below explores the presence of wisdom, balance, willpower, empathy, and moreâthrough the lens of popular culture.
Letâs rediscover what inspires us, one tale at a time.
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Ranma Âœ: A Nostalgic Dive into Identity and Societyâs Evolving Norms
Read more: Ranma Âœ: A Nostalgic Dive into Identity and Societyâs Evolving NormsI recently discovered that Netflix has released a new version of the anime Ranma Âœ, created by Rumiko Takahashi. It brought back memories of watching the original series on French TV through the iconic program âClub DorothĂ©e.â France was ahead of its time in importing and broadcasting Japanese animation, giving us the privilege of experiencing…
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Oshakashama by Radwimps: A Reflection on Hypocrisy and Society
Read more: Oshakashama by Radwimps: A Reflection on Hypocrisy and SocietyI was introduced to the song “Oshakashama” by Radwimps by yet another drummer friend. As a bass player, I have often sympathized quickly with drummersâthe rhythm section of a band needing to play in sync to create the foundation on which the other instruments and vocals can work freely. The better the foundation, the better…
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Rediscovering Life Through Lost in Translation and the Power of Reflection
Read more: Rediscovering Life Through Lost in Translation and the Power of ReflectionIâve watched Lost in Translation several times. The first time I saw it, I was told about a movie set in Japan starring Bill Murray. At the time, I was still learning Japanese at university. Watching it again after living in Japan for a while, my perception of the film had naturally shifted; living in…
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Lessons from Kimba the White Lion: A Call for Mutual Understanding and Global Citizenship
Read more: Lessons from Kimba the White Lion: A Call for Mutual Understanding and Global CitizenshipI watched the anime version of Kimba the White Lion on French TV as a child. The manga, written by Osamu Tezuka, the creator of Astro Boy and Black Jack, dates back to the early 1950s. Though Disney has never officially confirmed it, many striking similarities exist between Kimba the White Lion and their iconic…
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Uplift Spice’s “Justice”: A Dark Reflection on Society and Inequality
Read more: Uplift Spice’s “Justice”: A Dark Reflection on Society and InequalityI first discovered Uplift Spice through their song Kanojo, introduced by the now-defunct French television channel, NoLife TV. Despite not being as famous as the major hits dominating the Japanese music scene, their music left a lasting impression. I was surprised when a drummer friend of mine turned out to be a big fan of…
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Green Book and the Power of Cultural Understanding
Read more: Green Book and the Power of Cultural UnderstandingWhen I watched Green Book for the first time, I was shocked by how Viggo Mortensen transformed himself for the role. While I hadnât seen many of his movies before, his portrayal of Aragorn in The Lord of the Rings still holds a special place in my memory. The 2018 film, directed by Peter Farrelly,…
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From the Rose of Versailles to a Vision for Global Equality
Read more: From the Rose of Versailles to a Vision for Global EqualityThe Rose of Versailles is a classic shojo manga written by Riyoko Ikeda, which I first encountered as the anime adaptation, Lady Oscar, on French TV during my childhood. As a boy, enjoying a show targeted toward girls meant keeping it somewhat secret. The weight of peer and societal pressure was astonishing, even as a…