A blog that will cure your apathy and inspire your dreams...
Warning: All who watch anime, play video games, like J-music and K-music, and the like... ARE OTAKU!
Japanese animation is well loved all over the world. Most of us, usually think that it is more popular in the country of France than anywhere else in the world. The French are addicted to anime tropes and J-animation and are highly attuned to trends in anime, manga, video games, and otaku culture.
The truth in style is quite different. The way anime culture is centered around introspective, expression, truth, and openness betrays to another European locale, the United Kingdom. Anime in style and them may actually have their basis on English culture, as in based off of British culture. Everywhere you may find in anime and manga themes, allegories, and allusion to more popular ideas or even loanwords, that are rather British than French.
Gundam 00 and XXXholic
Both have references to English tea time in the afternoon. Tea time in the United Kingdom, especially Great Britain is followed and well-liked by all British people.
Rurouni Kenshin and Revolutionary Girl Utena
Sword sport fencing is played seriously and competitively in both. Fencing is similar also to jousting, but the former being played while not piloting a horse.
Ouran Host Club
The main character eventually falls in love with the "prince" of the Ouran Host Club. Though, you would watch the entire short series to figure out what happens in it.
Eden of the East and C: Soul and Possibility Control
There is an obvious allusion to a paper note that kind of possibly looks like it may have the Queen's silhouette on the face of it. So, that is actually a reference to the UK and not any other country (that one being France) that might heart anime also...
There are more general themes, TV tropes, and archetypes NOT specifically mentioned here. We're just trying to give you some food for thought about why people like anime! Keep an open mind and just feel the emotions that the anime represents. It's not a big deal if the French are more vocal about their anime style but the English love anime too!
Thanks for reading!
This series is dedicated to "Delicious Ca-ke", because in Japan ca-ke is COOL and ROMANTIC! For females and males alike, the Japanese celebrate various offshoots of culture that are dedicated to the good life and a well mannered set of ways to have fun and be humane or human. One of these, is for their people as a ethnicity, to enjoy and place value on cake.
Though they would rather use the derivative loanword which sounds and is pronounced like.
Humor, the ability to laugh
and make someone else laugh, is one of the best ways to be the best
person in the room. All over the world, with its movies, tv shows,
and cartoons, laughter is in high demand because we all just want to
feel good while watching TV.
Does milk really come out of your nose when you laugh???
English dub has some funny yet violent Urahara jokes...
Japanese dub shows Urahara as overly positive, like people who are good at Zingers!
Urahara is the only anime character I could find who executes Zingers almost as well as an American comic. Since the "zinger" is more purely American humor than actually from Japan or anime.
Zinger - A joke that follows a serious tone or awkward situation that serves to lighten the mood and make the listeners lighter and happier. These jokes can keep the flow of positive energy on the speaker and their speech.
Shinpachi is always using "straight-man routine" because his character is a "straight-arrow" good guy.
Straight-man routine - The blunt and forward reaction to either a solemn or outlandish topic or situation that makes the speaker assume the role of a "straight arrow" person. People relate and might laugh because of the situation's unusual weight on the speaker.
Gif version!!! (See of you can get the joke from the animation)
Class-clown / Star-of-the-Show - These jokes always come from a speaker who is the most popular character and they're either witty in general or are so outlandish in their critique of something else that the whole room is uplifted to the same popularity that the speaker enjoys and employs. :D
Goku from the DB, DBZ, DBGT, etc... series...
Goku from DBZ exemplifies "Class-clown / Star-of-the-Show" humor because of his outlandish reactions in the Dragon Ball world that show his easy-going optimistic personality.
Okabe frequently finds himself in situations where the other characters are trying to intimidate him... And he tries to be intimidating to be funny but it doesn't always work. It does make him look funny and like a good person.
Intimidator - These aren't always jokes but they are somewhat threatening in nature so that the person that they're directed to is laughed at because of their inferiority to the speaker.
Mio the main character of MM!
Mio from MM! is pretty intimidating and she's got the ability to be funny because she makes the viewers feel her rage!
Awakawa Under the Bridge
This is a great example of "Intimidator" humor that makes the viewer laugh but they're not really intimidating her. (They are tough guys in "tough clothes" lol)
Gintoki's cutting and witty remarks kind of make him a "pure host" because all of the other characters in Gintama look to him for moral support. Whenever everyone else looks to you for moral support, you've got the ability to use "Host" or "Hostess" humor in the real world!
Host / Hostess - The speaker controls the room or the other characters by happily patronizing as many of them as possible at once, usually with a combination of other humor and some kind of innate, natural based charm.
Saito is very sarcastic and very sardonic so its really hard to tell which one he is more. That's what makes "Welcome to the NHK" popular, funny, and well-watched all over the place.
Sarcasm / Sardonism - Use of either a very forward tone in a difficult or laughable situation or the disparate comparing of two very different ideas while shedding a pretentious positive or negative light on the conversation topic to the audience. Always downplays the situation or the topic at hand.
Natsume Yuu-jincho
Nyanko-sensei, the calico cat pictured, is a sarcastic talking cat that accompanies Natsume as his familiar, kindred spirit, or even as a guardian angel (but the Japanese people would rather say "familiar" for animal or "kindred spirit" for angels).
Neko-sensei and Natsume react sarcastically to something that someone says to them. They're a great team even when Nyanko has to sock it to Natsume.
Chi's Sweet Home
Chi always has cute reactions that make me laugh!
Cute / Moe Humor - Almost forgot one, this kind of humor is about lighthearted and warmhearted laughter after seeing a cute scene, cute character flustered, or a cute person in a funny situation!
Hey readers! Happy New Year to You All! Read on for a New Year Otaku thought on fate and destiny...
What about destiny and fate? They're usually grown-up, mature words but as anime fans and otaku, we've wondered about this question almost forever. Anime and manga makes them seem like these questions are nothing special, if you're a main character you just change everything you want, that's all there is to it, right? In IRL or the "real world" it's a bit different or rather let's take a look at the world of anime.
In DBZ, a character can enter a serious bureaucracy world when that Z warrior loses a fight and subsequently loses their Z life. Goku and Vegeta always went to the same place when they lost a Z-fight. In other words, the place they go to is the processor of lives, kind of like a re-imagined "River Styx" or the "Underworld". Goku calls it heaven but Vegeta could have only come back to inspire Goku, with no clothes as Goku was being panhandled by Frieza. Why wouldn't Vegeta just run "Snake Way" and come back like Goku after training with King Kai on his gravity harsh planet? That might have been harder but it beats barely being the main character's inspiration...!
In Bleach, however, everything changes since there's a whole hidden dimension called the "Soul Society" that supposedly uses "reishi" as oxygen and water for soul reaper characters or also as food for the monster Hollow creatures. Either way, the real world dimension didn't operate by "reishi" or spirit energy, but life energy. The monster hollows in both, try to eat "reishi" or life energy by hurting soul reapers or human beings. Bleach then is every action-paced, right? But nobody does anything other than defend themselves from monsters...
There's then Natsume Yuujincho where Natsume's grandma had made friends with hundreds of folk spirits that are as scary as ghouls or ghosts but they're really not so bad at all. Natsume had to put together all of his knowledge of his grandma to make new relationships with them all and even the folk spirits that were less amicable toward him and his family. Some of such spirits wanted nothing more than to move on, even though they were immortal... Natsume had to decide how to help and spend time with them all without becoming trapped in their problems, himself...
But then there are anime like Yu Yu Hakusho, Clannad, and Toradora. What they all have in common is ailing family bonds met with new relationships in the absence of presence or help from any family. It would be cool though, don't you think, if life was a Toradora and love overpowered distant family members or Yu Yu Hakusho and face the spirit demons while getting a second chance at a seemingly normal life. Maybe however in real life fate is not so clear and plug and play. They say you won't know when you're dead (the scientists), but that could be a loaded crocker. You always know when your destiny is calling and the world of anime has given its fans, the gift of optimism and laughter!
Aren't us fans and otaku, us imaginative people and dreamers, lucky for those dreams that those manga-ka, the creators of responsible for changing the way animation and animation media changes our lives? FOR SURE!
Life as an otaku can get pretty boring. You probably eat, sleep and live to watch anime or marathon your series. One's outer life seems fleeting as friends and family wonder if you'll spend some time with them. All us otaku want to do is live more meaningful anime-trope themed lives and love the otaku way...
Don't let other people have all the fun in life. They are not the envy of the party because they're inherently cool, it's just because those seemingly extroverted people are popular now... You've got it in you, as an otaku, to actually, "Be The Best!" Your months and/or years of slaving away in front of the HD screen are actually in your favor! (fingers crossed)
(￣^￣ï¾’)＼(_ _ ;)
To spruce up your "Mundane-Days", try to talk more. Even if you're introverted and/or shy don't let that stop you. If you think about it, spending time outside of your inner Universe can only help your cause, right? So when you go to the store or are out and about, try to talk to at least one new person. Even if they talk to you first or even try to, you can make the best of the moment and "GO!"; as they say in those popular shounen anime.
Start off with some chat or small-talk. Be as charming and anime-esque as possible in your native language. Even more, add an extra catch phrase like, "That's awesome!" or "You can count me in!". Even if you can't put in those anime-esque que phrases, try your hardest to make a new friend. Remember to ask for his or her name. Then if possible even ask for his or her number or email address. Try to see someone you like again!
Don't take anything for granted because today's world isn't about mystery confrontations or missed connections anymore. Get to the point and have some fun while you're out there, showing up!
The world, and maybe even the Universe, was made for people like you, passionate otaku in the way of anime characters. Watching anime and reading manga is what the authors of those media want you to do so that your "Mundane Days" could be transformed into the inner glow of the anime or manga star! Don't be surprised but if your parents or family know anything about your otaku ways, they see and understand the goodness of anime, even if they only watch a few minutes of your favorite show with you LOL.
When you finally become more extroverted, talkative, spontaneous and "social", the world will surely appreciate your own "SPARKLING" self! The Otaku Reviewers knows this for a fact!
Have an awesome day! The one that you want!
Also this is a cool relationship-themed AMV from: Admin LonerTone
Fans of the anime series, Bleach, wonder which of Ichigo's main rivals, either Ulquiorra or Grimmjow, from Aizen's Espada deserve more of the credit for rivalry. Both Grimmjow and Ulquiorra have managed to defeat Ichigo at different times on his journey through Hueco Mundo or even before he went there by confronting him in KaraKura town which is his home. Since Ichigo was the link between the regular world and the Soul Society, the substitute shinigami, both Grimmjow and Ulquirra wanted to face off against him and get rid of him for Aizen. Both fights were close and Ichigo would've lost both times if it weren't for something unexpected...
Ultimately, the choice is up to you...
Bleach, Espada: Grimmjow
Grimmjow fought Ichigo to defeat him and prove that his Hollow nature was stronger than Ichigo's. Ichigo seemed enamored with Grimmjow's power and almost perceived that his shinigami power was not enough to protect KaraKura town. Ichigo nearly defeated Grimmjow.
Bleach, Espada: Ulquiorra
Ulquiorra acted as Aizen's right-hand power in exchange for numerical increases to his hollow-form number, in the Hueco Mundo hierarchy established by Aizen himself. Before Aizen's control of Hueco Mundo, hollow-forms did not observe hierarchy.
Eren will be haunted by his feelings whether or not he wins!
Maybe you've heard this phrase in a Jpop song before...
"Hanasa-nai" (Romanization)
"Won't let go" (Translation)
We all have feelings that we just won't let go no matter what. Let's keep this blog post short and to the point. Those feelings are sometimes inexpressible and intangible. It's our otaku fandom and aspiration to be more like the main characters of an anime that allows us to keep trying to find those feelings and use them to make happier. It's basically your duty now that you're an Otaku!
Like in Bakuman, Mashiro seems like he's always working tirelessly to make a successful anime and marry his crush. But it goes deeper than that because Mashiro is so in love with anime and manga that he's never fazed by hard work and his more skilled rival. In fact, Mashiro's kimochi is so strong that he probably wouldn't have it any other way than work tirelessly because he makes it FUN!
Takagi isn't pictured but Takagi's kimochi lies more in the expressing of his story in manga form. Takagi's kimochi and feelings are in every story. Just like our feelings are in everything we do! Ganbare! Try to have stronger good feelings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Naruto and Sakura?
Naruto's crush on Sakura is another example. He can't express his love for her because he knows she loves Sasuke. ...and as a future Hokage, Naruto can't stand to live in a world where a comrade would desert the leaf village. Naruto's unexpressible kimochi can only be resolved once he convinces Sasuke to return to Leaf village. But Sakura is onto him and notices that his kimochi is stronger than any normal person.
Maybe she actually begins to like him for his tsuyoi kimochi!
It's a girl's world!
Don't forget the girls of anime! A lot of girls just want to fall in love with their crush. All the girls in Toradora have unexpressible kimochi that they won't let go even if each other has the same feelings. This happens in real life a lot. Don't give up girls! One day your crush will like you back and choose you over your friends!
Sakata Gintoki is arguably the choice candidate for best bachelor in anime. He's got it all. Sakata Gintoki, he's somewhat of an enigma also. The man is near or in his mid-twenties, making him a good role filler in a Seinen, or genre of anime where the main character is more mature. Gintoku resists stereotypes and is a self-proclaimed jack-of-all trades. Despite his unpredictable life and friends, his number one best trait is... that he is a shounen hero.
Gintoki defines his life, by the bread he gives away and not the bread he makes... O.o
Somehow Gintoki gets into friendly quarrels...
Gintoki doesn't always have it easy though. There are times, many times, that Gintoki gets stuck in a rut. The only thing is, Gintoki's key to being the best is that when he gets stuck in a rut it's usually because he jumps into every problem that his friends have. Is that what makes Gintoki such a prime bachelor?
Gintoki's adventures took him to some strange places. In one story, he got turned into a cat for carelessly peeing on a pet cemetery for cats and helped the stray alpha cat take down cat catchers that were mining cat balls and using an alien lion to fight all the stray cats in town. Yes, you read that correctly.
But Gintoki doesn't let those kind of setbacks phase him. He takes them with a kind of sarcastic, tongue-in-cheek attitude that characterizes a generation. Just a generation that Gintoki is a bit early to be a part of, being that he's in this twenties. The anime came out in the mid-2000's by the way but that doesn't matter because there aren't any time skips in Gintama, yet. Well there was a year timeskip I think, but it's not official.
As the "Odd-Jobs Gin-San", Gintoki doesn't go on missions or want to be the best. In fact, all Gintoki wants to do is take odd jobs for anyone, no matter what. That makes him kind of amenable and able to fit in with all kinds of people. No matter how strong of a shounen hero he is, he considers himself to be a regular guy in the prime of life but he'd rather make fun of the irony of being in the prime of life because right after the prime of life is the decline... But Gintoki makes it seem funny!
Over the course of his earlier life, Gintoki went through a lot of ups and downs. That was before he started "Odd-Jobs Gin-San" and helped the town take on random adventures. The world he grew up in was unfair too. He lost people who were important to him and lived the life of a poor homeless teenager, until he was helped out by others. You could say that Gintoki didn't have it easy and made it, in part, because he had really good friends, a good teacher, and someone who helped him out first.
Once Gintoki did start to change and his life got better. He realized what was really important in life. It's not that you're a shounen hero and you can fight anyone all the time. Gintoki lets himself be himself all the time. That's what makes him really popular and sometimes gets him in trouble...
Gintoki's past life seems to always play a factor in his adventures. He IS a full-fledged shounen hero and his success depends on both defeating strong enemies and saving his friends from evil... Usually his enemies are way stronger than him at first and it seems like Gintoki will lose because he's never training. But the strength of the beliefs he gains from his everyday life always help him remember the right thing to do to win!
Instead of balancing his ego, Sakata Gintoki does not, which results in a balanced ego. I guess it's an Eastern Taoist/Zen kind of thing...
That is what makes Sakata Gintoki, the best Seinen anime character.
This blog, "The Otaku Reviewers", was started in February of 2010 on this very same platform, Blogger. At first, it was a venture into the informational and informal world of comics, anime, video games, and Japanese culture. In other words, just a random blog.
Over time, the founder of the blog credited with the pseudonym "RPGhero" was joined by two fellow bloggers and friends with the names "Chansu" and "Deretsun". Together the three bloggers looked up interesting Japanese culture facts, recommended new anime, talked about their own "otaku" interests, and traveled across the United States to various anime conventions.
There have been off periods when the blog ceased production of content and there have been times when there would be dozens of blog posts per week. The schedule varies depending on the lives of the people behind the alias'. However the pattern is that we always get back into the game with even newer information about Japanese culture, anime, video games, and other nerdy hobbies.
The motto of our blog is:
"A cure for your apathy and an inspiration for your dreams. ...Applies to Otaku, anime fans, J-pop junkies, and the like"
The purpose is to blog about cool stuff related solely to anime and otaku stuff. There's no other reason we're doing this.
If you like our blog, please support us in however small a way that you would like. We appreciate our readers!
Japanese animation is well loved all over the world. Most of us, usually think that it is more popular in the country of France than anywhere else in the world. The French are addicted to anime tropes and J-animation and are highly attuned to trends in anime, manga, video games, and otaku culture. 
