Finding a “Passion”
Kannagi Ch29 Pg25
Kannagi Ch29 Pg26
Note: this is the same thing as my post on Danny Choo’s, though this does go a bit more in depth.
For those of you who keep up with the manga version of Kannagi on One Manga, this is from the most recently scanlated chapter, ch 29. (Sorry for spoilers… though I don’t think in this case it’s spoiling very much.
This character (no name yet) defines the process of finding a passion in his/her (i cant tell) way.
It really piqued my interest, mainly because I’d say I am Jin’s position. That is, I really don’t know where I’m going in life or what my passion is.
Well, my first impression was that of an action potential. ^^; Like, the action potentials in neurons. Yeah, too much Biology. Whatever.
Anyway, so, this definition is pretty interesting. On the one hand, it implies a sort of fate: it is already fated what our calling is, we just need to fulfill all the requirements, then we will become aware of it and pursue it. I don’t know if I exactly agree with this fate part. I’d say that there are multiple paths one can take and multiple passions waiting to be discovered inside us.
I do think the 3-category thing hits it home pretty well. Environment, talent and interest pretty much summarize all the factors which go into such a process, but I’m not so sure about the part where he/she says that if their sum reaches a certain point, then it’s settled. I think that interest really outweighs the other two factors. If you aren’t motivated at all, it really isn’t a calling. It’s more like you’re being forced into something you don’t want to do. In a modern era where resources are readily available to most of us, environment really plays less of a role as it used to.
This also definitely reminded me of Honey and Clover. Though Takemoto’s journey of self-discovery was a lot more… journey-like. I don’t think I’d even call this a journey, more like going to the park and meeting some weird child who probably knows more about life than he does. *sigh*
Actually, I don’t like the word “passion” so much. It seems like it’s a bit overused these days. Though I do think it’s clearer than saying “calling.”
Eden of the East
Reminds me of Honey and Clover.
That’s all I have to say.
UPDATE: They have the same character designer, Chika Umino.
I guess that’s why the main character looks like Morita and the facial expressions are all Honey-and-Clover-esque.
The ED also reminded me of Honey and Clover (esp. that food OP)
The Problem (?) with Blogs (at least, my problem.)
I spend a lot of my time reading anime blogs, especially more opinionated ones. Of course, I usually have my own opinion about an anime, but I read them to gain new perspectives on the anime I watch. But recently, it seems as if I just absorb those opinions into my own. My own voice seems to be lost in an avalanche of other opinions. Each thing I read shapes what I think.
So what?
This probably says something about me. I don’t really have the strongest opinions in the world, and I usually believe what I read. Does that mean I should stop reading blogs? I’d say not. This might just be a phase: confusion about what I think I believe. It’s easier to say what somebody else thinks than to formulate my own opinion (religion?). Hopefully I’ll grow out of it. Maybe it’s just part of growing up. I wouldn’t know.
I remember reading somewhere about a psychological study which showed that one person could change the opinions of a whole group just by asserting his or her opinions over and over again, by staying to it. Opinionated blog writers are sort of like that, voicing their opinions over and over again. Though, it is probably human nature to express one’s opinion. At least, to some. For the rest of us, we just listen and absorb. It’s easier than independent thought.
I’m not saying that blog should not be opinionated, or, to put it another way, bias. Humans are biased by nature; a nonbias human does not exist. That’s kinda why I think that news companies which advertise “unbias reporting” are pretty ironic. You want unbias reporting? Make a machine to do it. And even then, a person made the machine.
I’m sure there are some people out there who write their own blogs. I might even read your blog from time to time. I’m not telling you to stop writing what you think. Even if I did, it wouldn’t stop you. I could say, take a step back and thing about the effects of what you write. But I won’t. I mean, is it wrong to express one’s opinions? I’d say not. After all, what am I doing right now? I don’t really care what you think or do in response. Do whatever, really. (Please don’t burn me?)
Maybe problem isn’t the best word. Is it really a problem? Maybe this is simply a trait that makes us human: the ability to integrate outside opinions into our own. But never before has so many different opinions been available to a person. With the advent of the Internet, one can connect to so many more people, read so many more things. Is there a limit?
I don’t know. I really don’t. All I can say is, human nature is pretty flawed. Or maybe it was just fit for another time.
…
It seems like I’m giving blogs and the Internet some pretty bad rep right now. I’ll write something of the other opinion soon. Hopefully. Though it seems I’m very bad at posting these days.
Japan Trip 2009: Days 0 and 1
Yeah. So, this is Derek, currently in Japan, around Shinjuku.
3/23/09 – Day 0:
Our flight to Japan was delayed due to an accident in Narita Airport, so we stayed in a hotel near LAX. The hotel was provided by the airline company we were flying with, Singapore Airlines. Singapore Airlines actually has some pretty good crisis management, giving us hotel rooms, 2.5 free meals, the weird living kit things, and Belgian chocolates as we walked on the plane. Our tour group also had to rearrange some stuff, pushing our tour one day back. Which basically means I don’t get my extra free day in Tokyo. *sigh*
The Flight – Day 0.5: (technically 3/24/09, because of time zone stuffs)
Nothing much to say here, ‘cept that Singapore Airlines has a huge selection of mostly recent movies, music, games and TV shows (no anime though. *sigh* when will they learn 
). I watched way too much, including Slumdog Millionare, Quantum of Solace, Madagascar 2 (I haven’t watched the first one yet… go figure.), some random episodes of Tom and Jerry, The Simpsons, Scrubs, and a whole lot of random other stuff. For games, they had not only a Gameboy Color Emulator with quite a few games, but also some Popcap games (yeah, random, I know.), and some others. Pretty crazy. Though, I really should’ve slept more.
3/25/09 – Day 1:
We arrived in Japan around 3 PM local time. After customs, my brother and I ditched the tour group and went to Akihabara, and loot the place. Well, at least buy some stuff. We spent a few hours there, visiting most of the major shops: Animate, Gamerz, Aso Bit City, Toranoana, and a few others. We also visited a few arcades and watched some pretty damn amazing players. We didn’t buy too much, since we will be visiting there again, hopefully. Once we got back to the hotel in Shinjuku, we ate some cake to celebrate my brother’s 19th birthday.
Without further ado, here’s the modest loot we bought from Akiba (with pictures! :O) (sorry about the horrible quality – point-n-shoots fail.)
OM NOM NOM.Wait, this isn't loot!
From the left: Lucky Star fan, Rin shirt, Saber cup, Index mousepad
From the left: Kyou shirt, Kara no Kyokai CD/DVD set, Yukkuri shiteitte ne!-esque plushes, Reimu shirt
Some random ads picked up at Akiba.
Wait a second.... that sounds a bit familiar... (It says "Take it Easy Campaign" on the envelope)
I went to Akiba last year for Summer Comiket 74 in August, and my bro and I noticed some differences from Akiba then and Akiba now. Basically, there was a major influx in both Vocaloid and Touhou goods. I think I can guess why.
For Vocaloid, the influx of goods has been due to the announced commercial release of the Good Smile Company “Black Rock Shooter” and “The World is Mine” figures, plus the release of CD’s by various Nico Nico Vocaloid artists.
For Touhou, this change was due to the production of the (unofficial) Touhou anime released during Comiket 75 (December ‘08). After the release of the anime, maybe people thought that it was ok to start releasing commercial goods of their own, maybe due to the misunderstanding that the anime was produced by a commerical company due to all the high-class seiyuu. But, after all of this, Touhou merchandise still remains mostly a grassroots movement. Or perhaps ZUN became more allowing about mass production. While starting to branch out into more mass production, goods are still made by fans, for fans.
I’d say this simply goes to show the power people have. In a Web 2.0 era, people have much more leverage than ever before, and we see they are using it. Fans create media, and commercial companies use the. Here’s to more such advances in the future.
I’ll be posting tomorrow, if I don’t feel too lazy. (I’ll also try to take a lot more pictures…) Until then!
International Saimoe up and running!
Come one, come all!
Vote for the most moe of them all!
Pretty self-explanatory. And I probably won’t be posting my votes. Just cause. (More like, I forgot and closed the window on accident)
And, this time ’round, because the unofficial Touhou Project anime, Touhou is finally in! Epic win or what? (Sadly, only the characters who showed up in the anime. Which means, no Cirno ⑨. QQ)
And that’s not to not include all the epic moe characters from the past few anime seasons. So, go vote!
(Thanks to Meimi132 for posting this on DC!)
Tomoya’s Heroic Journey
Yeah. I came out of hibernation. Temorarily.
So, I haven’t had much time to watch anime lately, let alone write a post. Like, I’ve still got a few hours of homework left, plus some tests and project. Oh dear. But, procrastination is key, so here we go! This’ll be short though.
I just watched Clannad ep. 22. So this is what I have to say.
(And, if any of you are confused as heck what happened, go read Sankaku Complex for some epic spoilers explanations)
Basically, Tomoya overcame his fear of change. He was scared that the change brought about by his actions would result in the death of Nagisa and Ushio. But, he overcomes this fear through some epic time-travelling/foresight/light orb skills.
No, really.
Well, I think he realizes that if he doesn’t change, he won’t get laid nothing good will happen to him. It will just be a cycle of emo-ness and sorrow, being pissed at his dad, the city, and the world. So, when given the choice again, he chooses change, even after much hesitation. He is rewarded for his courage to change, plus his good deeds (taking the form of the light orbs), and gets Nagisa and Ushio back in the alternate reality.
That’s it for now. Might add some quotes (from Eclipse subs, mind you) later, if I feel up to it. I’ll also explain the title in another post.
In other news, I’m going to Japan during my school’s Spring Break, which is next week. I’ll be visiting around Tokyo as part of a tour group, and am leaving on Monday. I will definitely keep yall posted! Maybe even add some pictures… (Pictures? What’s this?)
Well, that’s it for now. Night! (depending on where you live, of course.)
EDIT: Just read Jason’s post on the last episode. I couldn’t of said it better myself:
It’s not the best ending.
She’s not the best girl.
But it’s the best story.
Such a story simply couldn’t have happened with any other girl. Just wouldn’t have worked.
Here’s to more heart-wrenching KyoAni x Key! (C’mon, Little Busters!)
Busy, busy, busy…
So, I haven’t really been updating very much. As a feeble excuse, I’ve been busy with random school crap, including running my school’s anime Japanese Culture Club.
Here’s a treat (something I posted on DC.com just a second ago): an article from the Wall Street Journal.
It’s basically about how Japanese students are reading/saying Obama’s speeches to practice English.
Interesting, huh? It makes me laugh because it’s being done from a dude at Kaplan Japan. If you don’t know, Kaplan is one of the biggest test (SAT, ACT, AP) prep places/authors around where I live. I’ve got a few of their books on my shelf (sad but true).
The Wall Street Journal is pretty cool about Japan stuff: for example, a while back, they had an article on Lucky Star and its effects on the Washinomiya Shrine and surrounding community.
Well, I’ll try to update more, but don’t expect too much.
Actually, for yall who actually are going to read this, I have a question. What would you want to do in a club about Japanese Culture? What would you expect from it? It’s not that I don’t have idea (sorta), but I want to hear what you think too. Thanks!
The year of Cirno (9!)’s epicness is over 9000!
Spring:
04/2009: Haruhi season 2 (technically not season 2, but a complete remake) OR JUST A REBROADCAST. grrr.
04/2009: Full Metal Alchemist 2 (following the manga this time!)
04/2009: Hayate 2
04/30/2009: Spice and Wolf OVA (hopefully followed by season 2)
Fall:
TBA: Shana 3
(credits: Moetron)
New Toradora ED
As the title says, theres a new Toradora ED. Not that that should be news to anybody.
Anyway, I was thinking of doing an analysis of these lyrics again, but it’s not too hard or challenging.
There is one issue, though.
I noticed that the lyrics from the CoalGuys sub and the lyrics from {Words of Songs} didn’t match. (Well, not just the basic wording and stuff. Something that actually changes the meaning of the lyrics.)
While I trust {Words of Songs} more (sorry CoalGuys =/), I liked the lyrics that the fansub had better. Even if they (possibly) weren’t true.
Below, the {Words of Song} version is placed as the template, and if the CoalGuys fansub is different, it will be on the side and bolded.
Italicized words are not in the short version, and therefore were not subbed.
Orenji
On a sleepless night (On nights when I can’t sleep)
I sigh all alone (I heave a heavy sigh to myself)
How’s everyone? (What about all of you?)
I feel kind of lonely
That’s not like me
So stop laughing
It’s just that I don’t know
My true self
Into the broad earth, a single seed (A single seed in a vast landscape)
Extended its roots (Sprouted its roots)
And bore fruit that was still unripe (It bore a fruit that was still unripe)
The fruit wants to hurry up/And turn orange-colored (The fruit that wants to turn orange as soon as possible)
Basking in your light (by basking in your light)
My ideals and dreams only expand (My ideals and dreams keep on flourishing)
Notice me, hey (Come on, notice it already)
I tried to eat/An orange today, too (Today, I ate an orange)
But it was still sour and I cried (but I cried because it was still sour)
Because it’s unlike me to leave any behind (It reminded me of myself, so I couldn’t throw away the rest)*
I ate it all (so I ate it all)
I loved it; I felt like crying (I love you; It makes me cry)
I loved it; I loved it (I love you; I love you)
Even if they’re similar, they’re different
Mandarins and oranges
Friends and lovers
And our 2 hearts, too
I didn’t want to get hurt
So I fled
When I did that, not even light
Would shine upon me
They’re miracles, right?
Encounters and love
Seeds and buds
Even for the fruit that was still unripe
The color orange makes me recall
The sunset glow that I saw
On that day
It seemed as if our 2 shadows
Held hands together
I wondered if the oranges
Would turn sweet someday
Or would they wither?
I didn’t want to learn of my future
So I ate it all
It was sour…
I loved it, but I felt like crying
I loved it, so I felt like crying
The fruit wants to hurry up
And turn orange-colored
Basking in your light
My ideals and dreams only expand
Notice me, hey
I tried to eat
An orange today, too
But again, it was sour and I cried
Because it’s unlike me to leave any behind
I ate it all; I loved it
I felt like crying; I loved it
I loved it
I loved it; so sour
I felt like crying; I loved it
Man, that is long, ain’t it.
Now, I don’t know any Japanese, so first, I applaud both parties for translating anything from Japanese to English at all.
The most significant change is the underlined bolded line with an astrick at the back. Between the two translations, the means changes a lot. But it might be easier to explain that by weaving into my analysis of the lyrics below:
(when I quote the song, I will keep the formatting scheme I stated above for who translated and short vs long version.)
I think you really could take this two ways. One, you could assume that it’s only Taiga as the narrator of the lyrics. Two is that you could say that everybody is narrating the lyrics. I’ll try to look at both.
“It’s just that I don’t know/My true self.” This line can easily be seen to be Taiga, or any of the characters. I think Toradora is special in the fact that all the characters can fit into this. It implies how all the characters have a hidden side to themselves that even they may not know.
“Into the broad earth, a single seed/Extended its roots/And bore fruit that was still unripe.” The fruit, first of all, probably symbolizes the narrator(s). This “unripe fruit” thing, I’m guessing, is a lack of maturity for the fruit and the person.
“The fruit that wants to turn orange as soon as possible.” An unripe orange is usually green, while a ripe one is… well, orange (big surprise, huh). Basically, the person(s) want(s) to mature. This may be because if they mature, they may learn more about themselves in the process.
“by basking in your light.” I think that this light is the object of the narrator’s affection. It’s easier to see that when looking at the next reference to light: “I didn’t want to get hurt/So I fled/When I did that, not even light/Would shine upon me.” Because love is known to be painful, the narrator tries to flee from it, but realizes she cannot grow as a person without love.
“I tried to eat/An orange today, too/But it was still sour and I cried/It reminded me of myself, so I couldn’t throw away the rest.” We can see how the person and the fruit are symbols of each other, and their immaturity is also accented. If we look at the fansub version we see that eating the immature/unripe fruit shows that the person is also not mature yet, while it’s a lot harder to use the {Words of Songs} one.
“I loved it; I felt like crying (I love you; It makes me cry)
I loved it; I loved it (I love you; I love you)”
Again, there is a slight difference between the fansubs and the {Words of Songs}.
The fansub version basically assumes that the narrator is talking to the “light”, or the object of his/her affection.
In this case, I would lean toward the {Words of Songs} one, as it just seems more relevant. Though, it wouldn’t make sense (at least to me) why the narrator would like the sour one better than a ripe one. It could have to do with the narrator accepting him/herself for who he/she is, but, personally, I wouldn’t want to be reminded how immature I am (which I am sometimes).
…I’m too lazy to analyze the long version lyrics, but I think you get the idea.
I’m also not analyzing the OP. At least, not now. Gotta finish watching Index, then going to sleep 
Well, I guess that’s it. If you want to know, I doubt I’m going to try to analyze the plot of Toradora and stuff. Simply because there are bloggers out there that can do such a better job at it than I can.
And sorry for not posting the loot post like I promised. D:
Clannad and Change (Yes we can? …Can we?)
Warning: MAJOR Clannad spoilers.
“Do you like this school?
I really, really like it.
But, nothing can remain the same forever.
Even fun things and happy things, nothing stays that way forever.
Even then, can you still bring yourself to like this place?”
-Nagisa, Clannad episode 1 (Sprocket subs)
Change is a major theme in Clannad. It really isn’t that apparent until After Story, but it is hinted at in season 1. For example, the quote above are some of the first lines (are they? I don’t have the episode on me) in the anime, and it talks about how the world always changes, and people need to change with it. Another example of change or the resistance to change is Tomoyo’s impetus to become class president: to preserve the cherry blossom trees on the walkway to the school. Tomoyo, in this situation, is an example of one who does not want her surroundings to change because of the memories the location has. (I’m sure there are more examples of change/resistance to change in season 1, but I can’t think of any right now/don’t have the episodes/should be asleep >_>)
However, the change theme becomes more apparent in After Story. In episode 14 (there might be examples earlier), when Tomoya first sees the new restaurant where Nagisa works, he finds himself feeling uncomfortable at the sudden change and urbanization that has occured to build the restaurant. Later, Nagisa tells him that their old high school is being renevated to build new classrooms, tearing down many old buildings, including the Drama Club’s old room. Tomoya becomes irritated, because he has many precious memories of him and Nagisa first meeting there, and wants to keep those memories alive:
“I’m not angry. I’m just unsettled. Because, you know. The clubroom for the drama club is in the old building. Isn’t it the place of our memories, where we worked hard? …So I had a little problem with that.”
-Tomoya, Clannad After Story episode 14 (Sprocket subs)
Later, in episode 15, Nagisa’s dad, Akio, reveals to Tomoya the place where which he calls “Nagisa’s double,” a place where he took her at a moment of urgent need, when she was on the brink of death. However, the used to be grassy land with trees is being destroyed to build a hospital.
Tomoya finds himself going to that grassy knoll, and he meets Akio there. Akio says:
“The city continues to change.
Nothing ever remains the same.
That’s what it means for people to live.”
-Akio, Clannad After Story episode 16 (Sprocket subs)
Tomoya goes on to say that, if the construction were stopped, perhaps Nagisa would get better as well. Akio laughs at this, saying that there is no way that could be true. At this point, we can see the difference between Akio and Tomoya. Akio, in this scene, acts like one who has expierence. Akio probably felt similar to what Tomoya did once. However, he has matured to a point where he realizes that change will enevetably happen, and he simply has to accept it. Tomoya shows his inability to accept the change going on around him. He simply wishes everything to stop, and for him and Nagisa to be happy forever.
This, of course, is not possible.
At the end of episode 16, Nagisa dies. Tomoya regrets having ever met her, and feels as if he should have simply avoided her from the beginning.
By this point, I think that Nagisa represents the change in Tomoya’s life. Tomoya, before he met Nagisa, had a pretty boring, static life, where nothing really change. He hung out with Sunohara, cut class, sat around and did nothing, etc. But everything changed when he met Nagisa. Nagisa propelled him to new heights, changing him into a completely new, respectable person. Each supported the other. However, Tomoya has to learn to cope with rapid change going on in his world. He may not be able to accept Nagisa’s death, and, looking at the preview for episode 17, it looks as if Tomoya’s life has gone into decline. Tomoya’s mind is probably stuck in the moment right after Nagisa died, and he is unable to accept this sudden change.
Taking a leaf from Eternal’s book, let’s examine the lyrics of the opening to Clannad After Story.
Lia – Toki o Kizamu Uta
“I’m only looking at the spilling hourglass
When I turn it upside-down, look, it starts up again
I wonder if I’ll be able to someday enter
The advancing time that only ticked away
Midway on the slope that only you passed through
Many warm spots of sunshine appeared
Here by myself, I’m reminiscing
About the tender warmth
It’s only you, it’s only you
Who I loved
My eyes tear up in the wind
And you become distant
I’ll remember forever
Even if just about everything changes
It was just one, it was just one
Ordinary thing
But in the brilliance that I’ll show you, there’s only one thing that was fulfilled
I’ll protect it forever and ever
The chilly days continue, even though it’s already spring
On a morning when I woke up earlier than the alarm clock
You’re standing there
Making breakfast for three
It’s only you, it’s only you
Who isn’t by my side
Up until yesterday, you were right by my side, looking at me
It’s only you, it’s only you
Who I loved
It’s a song that I sing
Only with you, only with you
It’s our, it’s our
Time passed together
I don’t want to
Continue on my own
I’ll remember forever
Even if this town changes
No matter how much sorrow I’m to encounter
I’ll show you when I was truly strong
C’mon, let’s go; we’ll start walking on the sloped road”
(translation from here)
“It’s only you, it’s only you/Who isn’t by my side/Up until yesterday, you were right by my side, looking at me…” …wow, foreshadowing somebody’s death much?
“Time passed together/I don’t want to/Continue on my own…” If we imagine Tomoya singing this, it would fit him perfectly right at this time (’cept the female voice part.). We see that the singer does not want to go on with life without her loved one, which reflects Tomoya’s current situation perfectly.
“I’ll remember forever/Even if this town changes/No matter how much sorrow I’m to encounter/I’ll show you when I was truly strong/C’mon, let’s go; we’ll start walking on the sloped road” This is the point which Tomoya still needs to accomplish. He needs to learn to move on with a constantly changing life. Hopefully, by the end of the series, Tomoya will have matured enough to be able to do so.
Now, onto the ending:
Lia – TORCH
“I was watching the drifting clouds
I felt the changing color of the sky
For we who have come to a standstill, we notice
The song that the shifting world constructs
As if pulling it in with my outstretched fingers
I search for the one and only thing that doesn’t change
I hold the torch in my hands
A little guide sign leads into tomorrow
I turn the words said on that day
That still echo now into a vow and go on
I forgot about the old winds
I hum the timbre of nostalgia
It tells the imprisoned us
The story that starts from this place
As if pulling it in with my outstretched fingers
I search for the one and only thing that doesn’t change
If you look up, the torch
Is a little lamp that connects us to the past
As long as our bond exists
We can continue to be ourselves
The brimming torch
Is the little light that shines on the present moment
Oh, the torch that I hold in my hands
Become the words that lead into tomorrow, eternally”
(translation from here)
Yet again, we see that the song fits Tomoya perfectly. “As if pulling it in with my outstretched fingers/I search for the one and only thing that doesn’t change…”
“For we who have come to a standstill, we notice/The song that the shifting world constructs…” This “we” seems to work for Tomoya yet again.
“If you look up, the torch/Is a little lamp that connects us to the past/As long as our bond exists/We can continue to be ourselves…” This torch actually could be lots of things. I’d say it’s probably Tomoya’s memories of Nagisa. He is only able to stay himself by thinking of her and her alone.
It seems to fit perfectly, does it not?
(Yeah, the analysis on the songs are lacking a bit. But I’d say its pretty self-explanatory.)
Change is an even more fitting theme if we look at the current events. Obama, whose platform advertised one would would bring about change, was inaugurated less than two weeks ago. (as if you didn’t know.) If you didn’t get it, the title references this. Of course, it is highly unlikely that KyoAni has uber clairvoyance and predicted this all to happen as they were making Clannad After Story. However, it is nice to see the connections.
Another theme that might be interesting to explore would be the parallel world with the lost girl, but I guess I don’t have the time for it. Night~
(I’ll be adding to this as the anime goes on. If I have time, I’ll also add some pictures/screencaps. Maybe I’ll add screenies by each quote.)
Next post: probably my first showoff loot post! i’ve uploaded some pics, but there’s only so much you can do with a point and shoot… really need to get a DSLR some time.
