Today is Coming of Age Day in Japan for those who turned 20 years old in the previous year. The occasion has put me in a nostalgic mood as lots of my life’s first milestones are also turning 20. There was the passing of my mother due to cancer who died before I could have an adult conversation with her. My first New Years in Florida, which would go on to be my home for 16 years. It would also be the year I got my driver’s license and first car. Along with the license I became friends with some amazing people who remain friends to this day. My choice of music that year was Metallica’s Load/Reload double album. The song, “Mama Said”, being a standout with my mom’s death still fresh in my mind. All taking place in 1997.
Yes, a year of changes. I almost said reckoning but that would come further down the road. No, 1997 even with all its up and downs, was a happy year. I can only hope that 2017 will be the same.
I just found out about Thunderbolt Fantasy and I can’t figure out why I’m only watching it now. The creator, Gen Urobuchi, is a phenomenal Japanese writer for all kinds of media, who in my opinion, is one of the most twisted creators out there. I first came across his work with the light novel Saya no Uta, a Lovecraftian Horror Story that frankly is nothing more than a Gordian knot of terror and tragedy. I highly recommend it.
Speaking of horror, I have been reading I Am Hero by Kengo Hanazawa. On the surface it appears to be just another Zombie Apocalypse story but in actuality, I think, is a clever exploration of the psychological issues and social pressures facing Japan’s people these days and Hanazawa does this masterfully with visceral illustrations that he plays out from the perspective of the “Hero” of the story, Hideo Suzuki, a 35 year-old Manga Creator who is both mentally ill and suffering 17 year-old disease. Any fan of psychological horror and zombies should love this book.
I would end this by mentioning the horror that is USA politics but that’s depressing. Stay strong people!