Update

Hola  konnichiha,

It's been a very long time since I've updated this blog. For those of you that have taken a interest in this blog, thank you. I know there are much better blogs out there about Japan or it's culture that are kept up to date regularly. That being said let me explain why have not updated in so long and what I plan to do with this blog in the future.

The reason this blog has so spars is because I will be graduating this year and I have very little time to update anything in my life. And the new blog I do have (school assignment) took all the time I was planning on dedicating to this blog. Furthermore I do not know the next time I will be able to blog again due to my schedule.

Originally I had planned to continue learning the Japanese language independent of all formal training. I had even considered purchasing Rosetta Stone to help in this process. But to be truthful, I i'm too busy to even to begin to look into this.

Now I'm not sure when the next blog will be up :(

Take care and hope to write more soon!

[C]: Anime in Review

Today's review [C]:

[C]:The Money of Soul and Possibility Control, is an anime thats story-line  is drawn from today's current economic (in particularly Japan) condition. The series features a futuristic and religious undertones to it. The religious tone can be seen in the actions of the characters greed (hence the use 666 = the mark of the beast), while the futuristic aspect comes from the use of technology in gaining access to the "Financial District" (an parallel universe that actions directly influences the real world). Both appear throughout the the first episode. 

If I had to compare this series to another anime it would be Eden of the East.

 The similarity is found in the plot lines of greed, technology, power and ideology of god complex. 

The anime itself is well animated if not a little "dull" or "unfinished" in it's coloring (this is my personal opinion. I tend to like anime that is "glossy" and "high in color") The anime is also realistic in itself representation of the characters, setting (not counting the the alternate-universe and objects used throughout the plot. 

Overall, I feel that this anime is a worth-while time consumer ( the series is on-going) with realistic themes that do get dark, if the first episode is any predictor of future events. 

*note: sorry for the delay in postings and vocabulary, in the next few weeks I will have more time for postings and tweets. 

Sayonara

Durarara!!: Anime in Review

Durarara, is the story of a the several characters interconnected throughout the Ikebukuro portion of Tokyo Japan. The series features modern yet supernatural setting in the daily lives of this cast of characters. Out most of the Animes, Durarara stood out. The illustration is clean cut and the CGI technology used in certain scenes brings the series to life.

You can find Durarara on sites like Cruchyroll.com, animecrazy.com or animefreak.tv. That 's all for now. Sorry for the delay very busy with summer session of school.

Peace!

Yūshoku

Hey Guys,

It's been a while I know. I just wanted to give an update as to why I have been so busy lately. 2) I have been studying and taking finals 2) I've been looking for summer work 3) I been prepping for summer class 4) I just overall been a busy girl.

Hoping that some people are still reading this I would like to say thank you for taking to the time to read this blog. I have not forgotten about my Word of the day (this will be changing to word of the week and weekend today!) , I just been busy. So to make up for the long absence, here is a student video production (one of my finals) of the cuisine of Japan and one chefs' experience in cooking traditional and non-traditional Japanese favors, textures and styles.

Presenting: Yushoku (Dinner)

This video is strictly for educational purposes only, any copyright materials used  is used in a educational setting only( it may not be redistributed).
If you are in the Philadelphia area try looking Tokyo Japanese Restuarnt up. Hope you enjoyed this presentation! 

Guilty: A Drama in Review

Yoi Ban (Good Evening),

In this posting I will be reviewing 2010's drama Guilty: Akuma to Keiyakushita Onna (the women who made a pact with the devil). This Japanese drama centers around a woman named Nogami Meiko (played by Kanno Miho) (trivia: most Asians last names appear before their first names!), who has been falsely tried and found guilty of killing her nephew and brother-in-law. The series focus on Nogami's plans to exacted revenge against those who have done her wrong. You can check out the entire series (11 episodes total) at http://www.mydramalist.com//front/dramalist-ajax.php?dramaid=356

{spoiler Alert}

I found that this series was unique in that the main character was had already severed her time and seems to be living a peaceful/accepting lifestyle as a Pet Groomer ( I want this job, jk). There are so many characters that play into the various twist and turns throughout the series that by the time you get to the end you are never expecting the true person behind the plot to be the boss/friend of Nogami!


I hoped you have enjoyed this drama review ( there are sooooooo many dramas! If you have any suggestions post a comment and I'll let you know how I felt in the next Drama in Review posting.)


Until next time's Anime review, Yoi Yoru (Good Night)

Perfume

Ohayō (Good Morning),

If you read the posting "Work Hard, Play Harder" you will be pleased that I have finally gotten around to doing a Music Review ( and eventually and Drama Review) for the Japanese girl group Perfume.

The music of Perfume is something that I  not seen in the U.S. market before. If I were to compare them to any previously successful girl group (state side) it would be Destiny's Child.

Perfume's sound is a mix of  traditional Japanese folk music, house and techno beats, futuristic bacground and catchy pop lyrics. Here is a sample of the groups sound and style:

"Voice" by Perfume

Along with having a distintive sound the girls style is unquirely Perfume. The concepts for their videos are nothing I have seen in not only the U.S. but other countries such as South Korea (who's music I enjoy as well). Four words I'll use to their group style is corky,cute,colorful and cynchronized ( I know it's spelled with a S . . . but for this purpose please ignore)!

Another reason to add Perfume to playlist would be that they are acomplished concert masters (yes, coin this pharse)! They've had sold out concerts in venues such as the Tokyo Dome ( which is not an easy feat.) Check out this clip:

Thank You Speech

And just in case your not convinced that their the greatest girl group ever the real deal in Japan here is are sample clip of their performance (see the sweat drop?):

Edge(Mix) Performance by Perfume

I hoped you enjoyed this latest additon of The Nippon Student, till next time bye! 

Word of the Day

Konnichi ha (or Kon'nichiwa),

If you haven't noticed The Nippon Student has an official Twitter page!  There you can find new vocabulary in the "Word of the Day" post @nipponstudent . During the week, once a day new words will be submitted along with any updates, so if your not following why not join!