Crow Zero 1 & 2

It's a VERY dark movie. No, I'm not talking about the theme of the movie but the cinematography and the set. From the uniform of Suzuran All-Boys High School to the messy and dull classrooms to the terrace where Serizawa(the head of the school gangs) hangs out to Genji's (wannabe head) father's den - everything was gloomy.

Japan Habba 2014

If you have been reading my blog, you should know very well that I am a Japanophile (perhaps not BIG TIME still I like Japanese culture enough to write this post and attend Japan Habba). It started with Manga, Anime, Dramas & Movies in the year 2008, and it's still going strong.

By the way, my love for Japan and Japan related things is not restricted to the media. I studied LEAN OPERATIONS at college and also did a 3 months internship at Toyota Motors. If you know anything about LEAN then you will understand why I love the Japanese way of doing things so much.

Also, I am a HUGE fan of Jun Matsumoto.

Japan Habba 2014 was a tenth year anniversary - a festival to celebrate the presence of and enthusiasm for Japanese culture in Bangalore. Though I have been living in Bangalore all my life, this year's fest was my first time. I even coordinated one of the events/shows - Origami and Kirigami (Japanese paper art). All in all, it was a learning experience, even FUN.

And well...this year's theme was Daruma doll. 

As far as events are concerned, both Japanese and localites did put a good show for the audience assembled at Mt Carmel College. Japanese people recited chorus music, performed drums, danced to bollywood music, while Bangaloreans played many skits in Japanese and entertained us equally.

There were many stalls outside the auditorium where they sold used books, manga and magazines that was imported from Japan, and various other handmade Japanese accessories. They also taught few enthusiasts how to write (a few letters) both Kanji and Katakana. There was another stall where students could learn about university exchange programs and other courses that Japan offered to Indians.

At one corner of this exhibition, we could try Kimino and I did so.

I even got my name written in Japanese - both Kanji and Katakana. 

I also bought two Japanese novels. I cannot read yet, but I hope to learn this year (also Korean).

Here's my handmade Japanese purse.

A Japanese girl writing my name in Katakana.

There's another thing that should be definitely mentioned when we speak about Japan Habba and that is Bangalore Anime Club cosplaying characters from Naruto and Bleach.

If you missed it this year, just remember there's always a next time, and make sure you don't miss it again.

Sword Of The Stranger

Sword Of The Stranger

Do you think the world revolves around you? The Emperors of past surely thought so. They wouldn't be playing with people's lives, otherwise. They even wasted their lives chasing power, riches and women, when they were expected to commit themselves to the greater good of the world. And immortality - why the heck would someone want to live forever? What would they achieve living so long? At least, I would be bored to death. I know it.

Origin - Spirits of the Past

If you are wondering whether I am on an anime watching spree then you are right. You see, I met a bunch of anime lovers last month and copied as many anime movies and series as I could from them. And all that I do these days is watch them.

Avatar - The Last Airbender

The battle between good and bad is an overused concept. Be it movies or novels, we see and read how the so called guardian of the good takes on baddies single handed. Somehow we aren’t tired of this idea yet. I guess life is a constant battle between good and bad – sometimes against of inner selves and other times with people of this world – so we will never get bored of this theme.

The devotion of suspect X

Wikipedia says Japanophilia is an interest in, or love of, Japan and anything Japanese and one who has such an interest or love is a Japanophile. For the Japanophile I am, I had to read the book ‘The devotion of suspect X’ written by Keigo Higashino. It was a must read to me and I’m glad that I decided to read it.

The Elephant and the Rising Sun

Weird or not, my college wanted me to do an organizational structure study in a manufacturing company even before the classes started, hence I went to Toyota Kirloskar Motors Pvt LTD to learn something about the organization and everything else that the assignment demanded. People who know me, personally or not, also knows how much I’m obsessed with Animes, and Japanese and Korean dramas. I’m sure that you, whoever you are, is wondering what’s the link between my obsession and the college assignment. Well, if you didn’t know already, Toyota is a Japanese company and it merged with Kirloskar groups in the year 1998 and formed Toyota Kirloskar Motors. 

No, I’m not going to write about either my college assignment or Toyota. I just wanted to share my opinion about the Japanese people whom I encountered during my 30 days internship at Toyota and also about the misconceptions that we have about them.

K's and J's

Choi Si Won-oppa

I have been very active on twitter these days and whoever follows me there knows because I always spam their time-lines with my tweets about animes, Korean and Japanese dramas, movies, books and my rants about other mundane things. I didn’t even spare my Facebook wall. I wonder how many people have blocked my feeds, though they were polite enough not to unfriend me or ask me to stop spamming their walls with mushy status updates and pictures of anime characters and Korean celebrities.

An animated world

Zero and CC from Code Geass

 Image Courtesy: Hiino

“What in the world should I write about?” this question was haunting me since last few days. No, it’s not writer’s block. It’s just that I had too many things on my mind. Firstly, MBA admissions and then other otiose things. However, I was never busy when it came to watching Animes (Japanese toons) and reading Mangas (Japanese comics). I have watched almost all the anime series that my friends recommended yet the list of animes that I want to watch shows no sign of exhaustion. Though, I don’t understand Japanese and watch either English subbed or dubbed version of the anime, I still love watching them. I have also learnt few Japanese words and I do not find Japanese names hard-to-pronounce anymore.

Ramen Girl

How many more retakes had he intended to take? It was very tiring. Well, I cannot blame him entirely because he wouldn't have asked for any retakes if I had played my role the way he wanted it. After all, he's one of the best directors who never compromise for anything and wouldn't accept anything lesser than what's on his mind...not even for the not-so-important scenes.

All I had to do was to look into my co-actor's eyes and tell her that I loved her. It should have been easy because I had done it plenty of times with the same actor but I wonder what was so different today. Why weren't my expressions up to the mark according to the director? Yuri is a fine actor and a friend since my starting days as an actor, hence we share a very good chemistry. So, what was the problem? I couldn't figure out.

Unlike many unfortunates who do anything for living, I got the opportunity to do something that I enjoy doing. I agree that I did crave for fame and recognition at the beginning of my career but it did not take very long for me to recognize that I enjoyed my work better when I did not think about getting appreciated for the same.

Goodbye

This post has been published by me as a part of the Blog-a-Ton 13; the thirteenth edition of the online marathon of Bloggers; where we decide and we write. To be part of the next edition, visit and start following Blog-a-Ton.

I was so obsessed with this particular television series that I wouldn't miss any of its episodes, no matter what. The storyline was so good that it made me want to watch it over and over. It might sound insane but I suppose that I was in love with the protagonist and about whether I still posses such strong feelings for him or not, I do not know. However, he's on my mind often, more than he ought to be. You must be wondering whether am I not misinterpreting my feelings for him and it could be that I’m just attracted to him. Trust me! I've seen more good looking men than him but none have managed to haunt my thoughts and dreams for so long. It might not be love but surely not just an infatuation.