I'm a 30-something student affairs professional, technology enthusiast, and all-around geek. trdaisuke@trdaisuke.com
1 min read
This video is what made me want to watch K-On in the first place. If you haven't seen it, take a look! Azunyan insists!
Watch "K-ON!! Ending theme - Don't Say Lazy" on YouTube
Even AZUNYAN wants you to watch it, even though it was before she was there!!
1 min read
[...]
This is too long for a prologue. However, the above really is just a prologue, nothing else. The real action comes from this point onwards, starting the next day. It might have started tonight, but it doesn't really matter.
The next day was December 18, when even the mountain breezes were frozen. That day, I was thrown into the abyss of fear.
Let me say this in advance: it was no laughing matter.
2 min read
So, I know several websites have trivia, spoilers, or explanations of different things mentioned within the Melancholy of Suzumiya Haruhi and its related shows, but I wonder if anyone has ever sat down and written or filmed an annotated track to go along with the Haruhi books or episodes. There's just so much there!
Sure, the first time I saw the show, I knew nothing specific about the characters, world, or context, except everyone's mistaken first impression about Haruhi. However, the second time I saw the show, it would have been nice to have right there sort of a "Pop-Up Video" kind of commentary that goes along with the show. Most of what I've learned about the comments, jokes, homages, and references contained within the series have come from this or that website or forum - all around the place. I'm the kind of person who would rather have it right there. Like all the notes in a copy of The Annotated Lolita. Just so much more convenient.
Also, as I read the books, I kept thinking back to the episodes. There are so many little details that are different between the books and the movies, and the books give me a completely different appreciation for what might really be going on. Kyon's suspicious narration, minute changes that make the red herring theory more plausible... I think it's good for people who watch the anime to learn a little bit more about the light novels, since the light novels are the real canon.
I wonder if I would ever get around to it. Grad school's got me tied up and busy. Maybe I'll get around to it someday... or maybe someone will read this and beat me to it. いいアイデアでしょ？Ah well. as long as it gets made. I think it'd be useful.
2 min read
So on Facebook last weekend, the meme was to post a picture from a childhood cartoon as your profile picture. My picture was my favorite, Sailor Venus, from Bishoujo Senshi: Sailor Moon.
It struck me how little I had thought about what had once been a major obsession. The show, the characters, and the fan community were such a huge part of my life in high school. I started watching Sailor Moon just as I was starting to learn more about the internet.
I was part of a super-nerdy online forum through ASMR (A Sailor Moon Romance), which was where I first developed an online presence. It was an RPG forum/messaging board, and I got way too involved. (You can see the super-nerdy details here.)
My first relationship was somewhat founded upon Sailor Moon - my first girlfriend was a pretty big fan too. We used to tease each other about being Moonies.
I dated another girl who (arguably) shared much in common with my Minako adorée.
I own all the seasons of Sailor Moon in Japanese on DVD. Only two of the seasons are 100% legitimate. I have seen all the episodes, including the fifth season, which was never released in the States.
Maybe it's pathetic, but I feel like I have recaptured a small piece of my youth. God bless Sailor Venus.
Ah, nostalgia...
