JPOP video of the week!

Ryuusei by TiA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K76QCVqKbbA

Ready for Valentine's Day???

img cred:

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/393713192402742377/

Naruto and Sakura!

December, Month of Unlikely Anime Couples!

 Naruto and Sakura

img cred:

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/318066792411216995/  

img cred:
http://goldknight.rubberslug.com/gallery/master_query.asp?SeriesID=29941

img cred:
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/232709505722659529/

img cred:

Pinterest:  https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/a8/f2/53/a8f253bab67a50cc09e2fbde4773479f.jpg

Tumblr:  http://electric-firefly.tumblr.com/post/116115157712/x-artist-permission-to-post-please

Some Cool Anime Quotes!

Hi everyone! Here are some great anime quotes that I think show how cool anime really is. These are the memories that keep me an "Otaku" even when the times get difficult and there isn't really much time to marathon some anime. Anyway, instead of the rant, here goes!

"My house?!" Ken-sama to Gintoki
"Now that you have changed you can build 100 houses" Gintoki's reply, episodes 1-2.

"People need to live their lives with a clear conscience. When you want to walk a straight path, somehow you get yourself stained with mud. However, as long as we never give up, one day, the mud on you will dry up and fall off" Gintoki, episode 97.

"To be lost is an answer, so lets promise never to lie about it" Translation of the song "Ryuusei"/Artist-TiA, Naruto (original) ending 6.

Watch Gin-Tama on Crunchyroll.com and also the shounen anime, Naruto is there!

The Hokage Selection Process

Leaf Hokage Tsunade

The main focus of the anime Naruto is the main character's dream to one day become Hokage of the Leaf Village. The Leaf Village is the capital of the Leaf Region in Naruto, as every region has a village capital. Then the Hokage is the supreme leader of that village and region in the Naruto world. But what a lot of fans sometimes forget is the actual selection process to become Hokage. This article is a refresher course on the Hokage selection process.

The first Leaf Hokage, Hashirama Senju

First of all, that the Hokage is the strongest in the village is true. It goes deeper than that though, since the Hokage has the best worldview and plan for action out of everyone in the village. That's what they call an ideology or a person's plan for life and action. There might be another ninja just as strong as the Hokage but with a different ideology and won't be chosen to become the next Hokage.

Almost Hokage blues :(

And actually the next candidates are selected by someone from another region, the fire region by the Fire Daimyo. Then the candidate has to be approved by a jonin vote of jonin from the Leaf Village. So the next hokage technically has to be known all over the land and be chosen by someone from another country!

Then the hokage has to be liked by everyone in the village. Or they could stage an uprising and go up against him or her. Truly, it's way more complicated than Naruto makes it seem when he boasts and proclaims that he will "BE THE HOKAGE ONE DAY!"

But I think its possible (I haven't made it that far in Shippuden).

Naruto has what it takes... Passion! 

Will Naruto make it to this day?

Still having the Almost Hokage Blues... :(

JPOP video of the NIGHT!

Lovers by 7!!
She's a cute J-rocker

JPOP Video of the Day!

Diver by NICO Touches the Walls

One of the opening themes of Naruto Shippuuden!

JPOP video of the day!

Bluebird by Ikimonogatari

JPOP Video of the NIGHT!

Joe Inoue - Closer

Joe Inoue is a Jrocker that knows perfect english!

Psychology of the Shounen Hero, Part 1

Shounen is a type of storytelling in Japan aimed at young males. Battle shouen is a subset of shounen where the main character is also a hero and battles the forces threatening his or her way of life.

The hero archetype has been defined by C. G. Jung as the constructs that personify the hero. While the hero archetype isn't restricted to "hero stories" alone and can also apply to dramas and comedies. But I've noticed themes in shounen stories that may be different from the original limits of defined hero and villian archetypes. It might be just because in America we are used to the Superman or Spiderman who is straightforward and to the point, in most cases.

The shounen hero sometimes makes sacrifices. This may or may not be the same as originally defined. For example, in Bleach, Ichigo Kurosaki had to sacrifice his spiritual energy to defeat the arch-nemesis Aizen Sousuke. It's not clear if Ichigo's spiritual energy will make a comeback...




The shounen hero sometimes has an opposite character who's abilities are similar and different at the same time. For example, in Naruto Shippuuden, Naruto and Sasuke are rivals. Naruto's signature attack, the Rasengan, can only be done when he has his clones helping him stabilize the orb. That implies that he draws on the strength of his friends to fight. While Sasuke, his rival uses another signature energy attack where he grabs his opposite arm to bring out the energy. Which surely indicates self-reliance and may also indicate the pain, both physical and mental, of such an attack. Physcal pain being from the production of the electricity and mental pain from being alone. this theme may have also been portrayed at the beginning of the second Shippuuden movie where a lonely Sasuke fired a chidori electric blast into a waterfall while at the same time holding his head under the waterfall. I would take a guess that the creators wanted to portary Sasuke's bitterness at being lonely, and also showing a semblence to training.

 Right before Sasuke practically electrocuted himself :(

You shouldn't have ran away from your friends O.o Just jokes..

Shounen stories will often host a character who has an uncontrollable shadow side tied to the very bad guys they face. These shows include, Naruto, Yu Yu Hakusho, Bleach, DragonballZ, and others. Usually one would think that the hero can control every aspect of themselves and that's usually the case at the end of the story or arc. The heroes often struggle with their shadow intensely througout the story and may even fight or make temporary sacrifices to it but only to control it in the end.



I told you! Reading can be fun! ^_^
Stay tuned for part 2!

Naruto Shippuuden Uniqlo OVA (Spoilers!)

The song is:
Mayonaka No Orchestra by Aqua Timez

JPOP Video of the Night!!!

Ryuusei (Shooting Star) by TiA

Very Inspirational!!! Also Night-time themed!!!

»English Translation«

~I believe your promiseIt's a true heart to give me courage
Always I feel it
The precious time with you~

I feel the wind as I stop to turn towards tomorrow I try to see the stardust by the street light while we’re wrapped in each other “Every star shines differently” you said But when you smile, you’re shine brighter than all of them You’re like a shooting star, and isolated like a swallow bird Cutting your way through the darkness of night The clock ticks away the days, and time flows away But we won’t forget lonely days “Why am I this way” you ask Don’t you think about that Right now, the fact is that you are you Though there may not be anything inside your pockets That important person will remain in your heart Your dream is like a shooting star, like a rainbow after rain Together with the light in your heart If you keep losing you way, know there’s only one answer you’ll have to swear that you'll try honestly without cheating “Did I do something wrong? Did I not do something wrong?” When you think like that, extend your hand towards the sky Open your arms even more Raise them higher and higher This way you can grab onto your boundless future Time is like a shooting star, pulled by a long tail of light Because it needs shoot through space with a twinkle It won’t return a second time today, so turn around and be strong so that you can swear that you’ll never give up!

And I also got a D.Grayman parody of the naruto theme... Just because I'm watching D.Grayman

Otaku Helping Others! Part Eight!

Today's "Otaku Helping Others" post is about:

Friendly Fighting!!!

I've noticed in anime and manga something that seems alittle bit wierd to me.

"Oh they get along well enough to fight", That's what you usually hear when two main characters and allies get into arguments and fights over who's better or cooler.

You might have wondered that yourself as an anime fan....

What does this mean?

I'll explain through my expert knowledge:

When two main characters usually guys fight and argue, though they're fighting pretty hard they're not fighting for any reason or goal. They might say they want to see who's stronger but they don't want to prove anything in the end. They just enjoy each other's company enough to express it in fighting.

This is different from a rival!!

Two rivals fight because the sole purpose is best each other. That is the ONLY purpose of a rivalry. 

Sasuke and Naruto became rivals but their relationship has become different from a rival, in appearances.

What is different from a rival?

An evil fluffer-sucker who just wants to advance some evil goal or evil desire. Keyword: Evil

Well that's a spoiler but here...

Evil fluffer-sucker -------------------------------->

Krillin is one tough man to fight Frieza.
Frieza is evil... That's where Goku comes in and becomes Super Saiyan, blonde hair, high power... But that's not the goal of this post.

Back to my spiel... When two friends fight for no reason or just argue with each other, they have no real goal in it. They're just passing time...

It's harder in real life to tell this and easy at the same time.

If your friends lightheartedly joke with you (about you) or you might have random fights that's not so bad as long as it doesn't progress to RIVALRY or EVIL FLUFFER-SUCKER.

So enjoy the lighthearted jokes and random punches with friends... As long as your returning them!

And not all friends have to fight, if you're properly watching....

This is RPGHero signing out!

RPGHero's Top Ten Shounen Anime Openings

RPGHero ranks Shounen Anime Openings by a few criteria. Actually the only cred this has is the ranking.
1) How many battles involving main characters and powerful enemies are in the opening? The more of these the higher the rank.
2) Does the opening have to do with the arc that the story is in currently? Closer to what's going on in the show is higher.
3) Do the scenes and the music mesh together so what you are watching/hearing seem like one distinct entity? I.E. you will think that the music was made for the anime and the anime scenes made for the music.
4) Does the opening include main bosses? More main bosses the higher the rank.
5) Do the lyrics correspond to the arc? Closer to the story = higher rank.
6) Does the main character or supporting main characters use high level attacks? I.E. the cooler the attacks shown the higher the rank.
7) Overall Epicness. Enough said.

10. Yu Yu Hakusho Opening (Full)


9. Dokan Dokan Paradise - Dragonball Kai


8. Jap - Sengoku Basara


7. Detarame na Zanzou - Blassreiter


6. D-technolife - Bleach



5. Paper Moon - Soul Eater


4.  Tie!
Listen to the Stereo - Katekyoshi Hitman Reborn and Gekidou - D. Gray.man




3.Hakanaku mo Towa no Kanashi - Gundam 00


2. Tie!
Kokoro No Chizu - One Piece and Golden Time Lover - Full Metal Alchemist Brotherhood




1. THE WINNER!
Sign - Naruto Shippuuden

THE MOST EPIC!!!
Naruto isn't even the main focus of this opening (Spoilers ahead). Sasuke and Naruto's mentor Jiraiya are the only characters with fights. Sasuke's being the main reason he wanted to be a ninja, to get revenge. Closes a whole climax for the show. Naruto is shown losing control to the beast within him and then gaining control at the end, after his mentor had *gulp* passed, as he cries a single tear. Definitely one of the most epic openings in all of shounen anime. *Did I mention that Jiraiya's toad summon swings and rips part of Pain's summon Cerebus' head right off??

Otaku Helping Others! Part 5

Hey all! RPGHero here!
I usually don't make an "Otaku Helping Others!" post until after about a week has passed since the old one. But I had an idea for a new one that I have not written down in my planning.

Today's post is about!
The Aftermath of Being a Loser, Becoming a Winner!

What do I mean you say??

We've all felt it in our lives, that feeling that we're not good enough, that we can't do anything worthwhile, that we're losers. And sometimes before or after that, other people will call us losers and make fun of us... u.u

So what do we do after getting that feeling?

Many of us just want to give up, and we feel hopeless...

But don't give up! If you don't lose your courage and heart, you can become a winner!

 In "Naruto", the main character for which the show is named is an outcast. All of his thirteen or fourteen year old life he's been made fun of, ostracized, and put down by basically everyone in his village. Turned out as a baby the village used his body to seal the horrible monster that ravaged their village and killed many (spoiler free). All his life he was singled out as a born loser because of that. But to Naruto, it seemed like he was just a loser. He didn't know why... He spent many days alone and lonely.

   Well, all I can say is that Naruto worked hard non-stop for years. Naruto didn't back down from any challenge. People continued to reject him until he started to prove that he was important. Now in the new Shippuuden series, everyone remarks about how wrong they were and how screwed they'd be if it weren't for Naruto. Tried to keep it spoiler free.

My next point is gonna be told with an AMV...

This was made by Youtube channel "Newg4teforever".

In those clips from the show, "One Piece", a pirate named Bellamy told Luffy that being a pirate for the reason of searching for dreams and legends is bullshit. Luffy allowed himself to get beat up by the man because he wasn't going to fight a fight against someone who doesn't believe in his way of life. Soon after Bellamy and his crew hurt one of Luffy's friends and that's when he cut loose on those fools... I think the AMV tells it pretty well. The point is DON'T LET PEOPLE TELL YOU WHAT YOU ARE LIVING FOR, WHAT YOU ARE STRUGGLING FOR. Because that is up to you. I'd be like Luffy and not even fight those types of people, they are not worth your time.

There are many examples of this in anime but I think I've shed some light already.

This is for everyone who might be bullied, or hated on, put down, or ostracized. Don't give up because of what other people say. If you follow your dreams, you will be a winner no matter what!!!

And watch One Piece and Naruto for inspiration! Like us!

This is RPGHero signing out!

Otaku Helping Others! Part 4

Today's "Otaku Helping Others!" post is about...

~Making Friends~

Aizen and friends ^^

Ooops

Tomoya and his true friends ^^

Its easy to make friends, in fact it's  so easy it's hard!

It's not easy in shounen anime,  you know how they say the best romances start off as friends?? Well in shounen the best friendships start off as rivals! That want to kill each other!

 

When Piccolo and Goku first met Piccolo wanted to rule the world and put humans in slavery. Goku wanted to beat Piccolo and eat a couple dozen turkeys (since Goku is addicted to food). The two later became friends and Goku's son Gohan even thinks of him as an uncle. Especially since Piccolo sacrificed his life for Goku's son later on.

Ichigo and Renji had a similar story. Ichigo wanted to save Rukia from execution but Renji wanted Ichigo to stay out of thier business. After Ichigo kicked his butt the two later became good friends especially because Ichigo saved Rukia who Renji likes. Renji forever remains weak though.

Is it me or does it seem like the more negative rival becomes the weaker person later on... 

Well that's cool but friendship is cooler!

Ooops that one got mixed in with the rest... Some rivals never become friends but remain rivals for an entire series... *Cough* Naruto *Cough*

What about making new friends you say?

Well even introverts can make friends! Take hope my e-friend!
And introverted guys usually meet a girl that wants to be their friend...

 Kyon sat in front of Haruhi at school. She later recruited him to be part of her supernatural/alien awareness club. He was dragged into the situation and made new friends... With an esper, alien, and a time traveler... who joined the club posing as regular students. Kyon later found that Haruhi can change the universe. Lucky!!!

Tomoya met Nagisa walking to school. He is an introverts introvert. He comes with dad problems, poor school attendance, and a lackluster or should I say first-class lack of motivation. He meets a girl who asks him to walk her up the hill to school and the two become best friends and then lovers!

Take heart even if you're not an introvert or fated to meet that special girl. You can still make friends. Let's look at the formula for a lasting friendship!

1. Have common interests!

In Yakitate Japan, Azuma found friends in his co-workers who all share a love of making delicious bread!

2. Have similar goals!

Luffy's crew are all friends who all want to find One Piece and live the pirate life! However the admirals and marines don't like pirates and they're strong... Along with ruthless pirates...

3. Need each others support!

In Tsubasa Chronicles, the band of friends stick together because without each other they may not find their way back to their own dimension. They become friends through their struggle to get to their home dimensions.

\4. Having someone to rag on!

 Jet always listens to Spike's problems. And likes to rag on him from time to time...









5. Possibility of going out!

I think that's the only reason Risa and Otani stayed friends... Even though they argued alot and had height issues.

6. RED STRING OF FATE?

Chansu and I almost discussed this at length... Does there exist a RED STRING of fate that ties two people together?? Well I really don't know... But I would think that it would make for a lasting friendship. and I don't know this anime...

Hey! If all else fails don't give up! RPGHero is friendless except for a few good people, even if they are just Chansu and Deretsun...

This is RPGHero signing out!!!

Otaku Helping Others! Part 2

For today's "Otaku Helping Others" post the subject is:

HAVING A DREAM!

Luffy: "I'M GONNA BE KING OF THE PIRATES!"

We are otaku. We watch way more anime than the average person. Even if we are busy with work or school we still find time for watching anime. Suprisingly, through all of my anime viewing I've found another meme or concept that links many anime shows and Japanese culture itself. That meme is having a dream or goal.

You might have thought, "what is my dream"? You might have thought of something that you're aspiring toward and then thought, "is my dream worth anything?" or "is my dream beautiful?". And if you're not creating bombs or other destructive material (the creating bombs part was told to me by my mentor) then the Japanese through anime and personality will tell you, "ANY DREAM IS GREAT AND BEAUTIFUL!".

Take Azuma Kamuma from "Yakitate Japan!"

Yakitate Japan is an anime about a teenage boy who aspires to be a bread creator who can create a bread that can be known as Japan's signature bread, like French bread is France's signature bread. But really? Bread? A whole anime dedicated to bread? Well the anime was so thoughtfully created that the making of the bread and the emotions of the people involved are so great that people can't stop watching it! So even if you're dream is to be a baker then you're dream is a honorable one.

What about Onizuka from "Great Teacher Onizuka"

The choice of picture aside. Onizuka aspires to be the greatest teacher in all of Japan. He's got alot of vices (being lazy, a yakuza member, a virgin, a porn watcher, etc) but he puts them all aside to chase after his dream and they don't get in his way. In fact when he's inspired by his dream he inspires his students to be better people!

Naruto is an anime where the character has, "an impossible dream". Most characters that have dreams in anime have impossible dreams. In Naruto's case he wants to be the Hokage of the Leaf Village, the title held by the strongest and most badass ninja. Naruto starts out as a class clown who's got no power at all and he's gone through alot... He's still not Hokage in the story but he certainly is a badass ninja right now in the current story.

There's many more characters like Ash Ketchum from Pokemon who wants to catch every Pokemon and/or be the best Pokemon trainer in the world. The show is more than 500 episodes long and he's still not the best Pokemon trainer yet...

For a recap, and take some notes, it's great to have a dream and the more IMPOSSIBLE the dream is the better because everything's possible with determination!

I'm a member of the penpal website Interpals and I'd casually chat with any Japanese penpal and if I so much as mention something like trying to get a degree, writing a story, or even having a small anime blog. Even if I'm like yeah man it's whatever they'll tell me, "You're dream is very great" or "You have a good dream". It always humbles me because we're all people with problems and for someone to say that to me, it shows me that anime is doing it's job there. No I was just kidding. It shows me that anyone who can inspire others whether they be asian, white, black, spanish they're truly great people. That's why I'm here to tell you to keep working on your dream no matter how big or small it is. It's your dream and that's all that matters. (And my mentor specifically said as long as you're not making bombs or destructive material, i.e. not trying to hurting others). If your dream can HELP anyone, even just yourself, DON'T GIVE UP!

This is RPGHero signing out!

Double Header!

Closer by Inoue Joe

I just had to put this one on right now!

RPGHero's Jpop video of the Night!

Toumei Datta Sekai by Hata Motohiro
Also the current opening of Naruto! And the insert song of my life...


What did I really lose on that day?
I forgot long ago

We lost sight of each other in the twilight
What's more; we were unable to return

Somewhere our brittle, broken hearts
Try to hide behind strong words
Try to hide

Farewell, although we couldn't be together
We will carry on
Even in a world where you no longer exist, I will run
Passing through each day's pain
Passing through

The scent of grass of the broken glass in the “wounded” summer
Hey, where are you now?

In the time you have hated muddy water which was clean before
I have grown up

The reflection from the surface of the water was wobbling
Even now, the light still shines
The light still shines

Farewell, we waved hands that day
What had changed you
And yet, I’m still living
Overcoming my urge to cry in the night

What did I really lose on that day?

Farewell, although we couldn't be together
We will carry on
I’ll make the world run
Someday when I see through the future
Seeing through 

Lyrics posted by Ryan85 on JpopAsia

Hey My Blood Type is B!

Another analysis of Type B personality is:

Type B
People with Type B Blood are curious about and interested in everything. That's may be good, but they also tend to have too many interests and hobbies, and they tend to get all excited about something suddenly and then later drop it again just as quickly. But they do manage to know which of their many interests or loved ones are the ones that are really important, the ones they should hold on to. B Types tend to excel in things rather than just be average. But they tend to be so involved in their own world or become so carried away with something that they neglect other things. They have the image of being bright and cheerful, full of energy and enthusiasm, but some people think that they are really quite different on the inside. And it can also be said about them that they don't really want to have much real contact with others.

The peeps I that share my type yo!