Anime: Aoi Bungaku
Talk about amazing graphics. These scenes were one of the reasons both Spider Thread and Hell Screen were so enjoyable, despite the changed story line. So Hell Screen was episode 12 and was purposefully linked to Spider Thread, through the use of the same setting and the same despotic king. It’s actually a really interesting … Continue reading
Anime: Aoi Bungaku
I’m going start with The Spider’s Thread, because it was the episode that was shown first and there is a reason for that. So spoiler alert! You have been forewarned. I’ve come to the realization that most of the adaptations (at least those that I’ve watched) in Aoi Bungaku are not “true” adaptations. What do … Continue reading
Book: Japanese Short Stories – The Spider’s Thread
Only 6 pages long, it won’t take you more than 15 minute to get through. The Spider’s Thread tells the story of Kandata and exactly how evil he is. Even after being thrown a lifeline out of hell, he continues to think only of himself which naturally leads to his downfall (quite literally). The story … Continue reading
Book: Japanese Short Stories – The Hell Screen
One of the great japanese classics. It was really painful to read. But I think that’s most likely a translation issue. I did manage to get through the entire story and enjoy it though. It reminded me very much of Vathek. It’s the mixture of supernatural and tragedy with strange plots afoot. What really … Continue reading
Book: Japanese Short Stories
Ryunosuke Akutagawa is lauded as the father of short stories in Japan. I’ve heard a good deal about a number of his stories, but this is the first time I’ve had the opportunity to read them. In this collection that I read, majority of the stories took characters from popular folklore or famous people in … Continue reading
Anime: Moyashimon Returns
Yes I’ve raved about the first season. It was brilliant after all. The second much-anticipated season however, was equally brilliant in my opinion. I know that a lot of fans were disappointed. Sure it wasn’t as funny, nor was it original anymore. It became more like a drama. But honestly, that doesn’t make it any … Continue reading
Book: Marcovaldo
I thought that this book would be like Into the War by Italo Calvino as well, but how wrong I was. I enjoyed this collection of short stories immensely. Although set in the real world, it’s still retains all the fantastical elements that Calvino is just a master of. These twenty stories are sorted into season, … Continue reading
Book: Classics for Pleasure
Love letters. That’s what each entry about each author feels like. Love letters. The breadth and depth of knowledge that Michael Dirda has on each author is astounding. It’s not just the authors he is acquainted with. It’s their works. The beauty of their writings, the reason why they have captured generations. Not only does he give … Continue reading
Anime: Prince of Tennis: Eikokushiki Teikyuu Shiro Kessen!
There’s just something about Prince of Tennis that keeps me coming back for more. Maybe it’s all the pretty boys, maybe it’s just insane moves, or maybe it’s the amount of crack that each season or movie serves up. Seriously. At this point of time, one shouldn’t really take the plot seriously. A street … Continue reading
Book: Untouchable
Books are constantly expanding your horizons and pushing boundaries. It’s always interesting to read books that give you a new perspective. Untouchable does exactly that, by delving in the life of a sweep and latrine-cleaner who is part of the untouchable caste in India. By virtue of his family and their job, Bakha is … Continue reading
Living. Loving. Learning. 