How far would you go for your beliefs? If your faith called for it, would you give up your life? What if, to get to heaven, you were called upon to take your OWN life? Sound bizarre? To a sect of Buddhists called Shugendo it wasn’t. These monks and nuns are known now as the…
Year: 2013
Midoricon 2013 Coverage Pt. 1
“What other convention can you just stop in the middle of the road and talk to someone you just met?” That sentence perfectly described Midoricon 2013. I’m not sure what the guy’s name was that said it, but it came up in a conversation with him while we were literally standing in the middle of…
Yaoi: Hate for Boys’ Love
As a librarian, I firmly believe people should have access to information and literature of all types. Yaoi isn’t a genre I have any interest in reading, but many of you will say the same about my beloved Roman history books. It is okay to like and not like something; that is what makes each…
Missing Miyazaki
At the age of 72, Hayao Miyazaki announced his retirement from film making. For those few of you who don’t know, Miyazaki is one of the most influential anime film maker with titles like Princess Mononoke, Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind, and Castle in the Sky. Many people think Miyazaki’s films are overrated….
Kaze no Stigma
Mafias of magic users? Sounds like a war waiting to happen…only it wasn’t. Kaze no Stigma (Stigma of the Wind) is an alright anime. Kazuma Kannagi was a useless heir to the fire family considering he, well, couldn’t use fire magic. He left the family be become a Contractor, a person who makes a contract…
Meatball Machine
I have a guilty pleasure: I like to watch B flicks. It is a side effect from growing up watching Mystery Science Theater. Meatball Machine caught my eye one day when I browsed Netflix. It sounded terrible. Boy, I was right! It wasn’t even terrible in a good way. Meatball Machine is a Japanese B…