Chihayafuru: An Offspring of Shoujo, Poetry, and Athletics

Tags

Arata, Architecture, athletics, card game, Chihaya Ayase, Chihayafuru, Karuta, sports, Taichi

It was an absolute delight to once again see the entire crew of Chihayafuru. Each time I watch this anime I get chills, inspiration, and exhilaration all at the same time—a nice set of feelings, I would say—as if I’m trapped in this subtle yet impassionate spell of Karuta.

That Aniblog Tourney Thing and Some Updates

Tags

Aniblog Tourney, Chihayafuru

Lately I had been really off the beat when it comes to posting. I was transferred to a different department at work and I’m trying to make a case why they should grant me a scholarship (hopefully I get selected). But on the flip side, I will be on vacation and away for about two weeks (so yay to that!) and hopefully this much needed break will slow things down and get me back on my pace.

Anyway, I know it’s a bit late but I would like to thank everyone who visited my site and voted me in the Aniblog Tourney. I didn’t expect that I would go as far as the Last 16 considering my blog received criticisms. Whether I agree or not in all of those, I do acknowledged them and I will see what I can do to improve my site. So thanks for all the feedbacks, I really appreciate them.

But of course I didn’t just received criticisms. I’m humbled and grateful to know that some bloggers and readers acknowledged what I’ve been doing here. And before I end this ABT post, I would just like to properly thank some specific friends who really encouraged and supported my run in the tourney.

Blog Carnival: Ideal Anime Cast

Tags

Arakawa Under the Bridge, Chihaya, Chihayafuru, Dandere, Genki Girl, Hitagi Senjougahara, Holo, Kuudere, Nanami, Neon Genesis Evangelion, Nino, Rei Ayanami, Revolutionary Girl Utena, Senjougahara, Spice and Wolf, Tsundere, Yandere

Sometimes you want to watch a show that has an all-star cast wherein every character is over the top and you cannot even decide who to cheer for. Since Yerocha of Shades of Grey came up with a blog carnival idea of enlisting your ideal anime or manga cast, I decided that it’s the perfect time to unleash my fan girl mode.

I’m not really into heroes and villains that’s why instead of following the TvTropes formula of five heroes and a main villain, mine will be like the Idols formula–since this set-up is so in demand nowadays.

Let’s Face It. Expressions and Emotions in Chihayafuru

Tags

Arata, Arata Wataya, Chihaya, Chihaya Ayase, Chihayafuru, Emotion Theory, Expression, Kana, Kanade Ōe, Karuta, Shinobu, Shinobu Wakamiya, Taichi, Taichi Mashima, Tsutomu Komano, Yusei Nishida

There had been lots of theories about facial expressions. Two of the most common ones are: first, it’s a universal language that’s already in us which reflects our inner feelings. And second, it’s a cultural notion that we acquired through influence.

So it was said that the facial expression is the immediate reflection of a person’s emotions. Say for instance, if we see somebody smiling, we can tell that it represents joy and a scowl represents anger. Likewise when watching anime, we end up smiling whenever we witness happy moments and we feel anxious when our favourite characters are in jeopardy.

Such convincing atmosphere and emotions combined with intensified tones make the viewing experience so emerging, and this is one of the many reasons why I enjoy watching Chihayafuru. The beautiful aesthetics and faces of the characters craft it’s so easy to have fun and engage with the characters and plot.