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.
-
Ninja Scroll: Lessons on Action, Purpose, and Truly Living
Ninja Scroll is a 1993 Japanese animated jidaigeki-chanbara film written and directed by Yoshiaki Kawajiri. It is said to have influenced the Wachowskis in the creation of The Matrix franchise. The quality of the animation is spectacular, with dynamic fight sequences and a cast of unique characters, each possessing distinct abilities. This combination makes it
-
Slash: Lessons on Music, Influence, and Our Global Role
Can we truly understand the madness we condemn? Slash (real name Saul Hudson) is a guitarist most known for being the lead guitarist of the band Guns N’ Roses. He has been one of my favorite guitarists for a long time, and though all the hype and stories, the excess and the “show business” surrounding
-
Can We Change Our Minds? American History X and the Power of Influence
How does trauma shape our beliefs? American History X is a 1998 American drama film directed by Tony Kaye and written by David McKenna. Edward Norton and Edward Furlong star as two brothers involved in white power skinhead and neo-Nazi movements. This movie is quite emotionally charged and left a strong impression on me, making
-
Can Kiroro’s Songs Help Us Reflect on Life, Love, and Gratitude?
Kiroro is a Japanese pop duo from Okinawa that debuted in 1996. I listened to them when I was still in high school, particularly their songs “Mirai e,” “Best Friend,” and “Akikaze.” I loved the simplicity of their music—though some might call it naive, why complicate things that don’t need to be? How does “Mirai
-
Can L’École du Micro d’Argent Teach Us About Inequality and Change?
How does Nés sous la même étoile challenge our perception of fate? I AM is a French hip-hop band, and I deeply appreciated their best-selling album, L’École du Micro d’Argent (The School of the Silver Mic), when it was released in 1997. Some pop culture references, like Star Wars and Dragon Ball, made my 12-year-old
-
Prisoners: Can We Break the Cycle of Hatred and Revenge?
What does Prisoners teach us about morality and justice? Prisoners is a 2013 American thriller film, directed by Denis Villeneuve and written by Aaron Guzikowski. Hugh Jackman and Jake Gyllenhaal take on the leading roles, delivering performances that are both remarkable and deeply unsettling. Jackman portrays Keller Dover, a father whose daughter goes missing—presumably kidnapped—while
-
Sakanaction’s 怪獣: Can Knowledge and Future Generations Break Society’s Chains?
Sakanaction just released its MV for the song 怪獣, which serves as the opening for the anime Chi. The anime’s broadcast concluded this Sunday in Japan. Since watching Chi, I have enjoyed this song, its rhythm, and, most importantly, the message conveyed through its music video. The MV aligns perfectly with the lyrics and the
-
Diablo 2: A Reflection on Addiction, Cooperation, and the Dopamine Loop
Diablo 2, along with its expansion, Diablo 2: Lord of Destruction, is undoubtedly one of the games I’ve played the most. Released in 2000 and 2001 by Blizzard, these games captivated me so deeply that I spent as much time as possible playing outside of school hours. In retrospect, it made “sense”: the game offered







