Join Our Newsletter
  • Visit Our Store
  • Come Write for J-List!
J-List Blog
Visit J-List - Your Favorite Online Shop and Friend in Japan
  • Featured
  • News
  • Gallery
  • Product Reports
  • Your Friend in Japan
No Result
View All Result
J-List Blog
  • Featured
  • News
  • Gallery
  • Product Reports
  • Your Friend in Japan
No Result
View All Result
J-List Blog
No Result
View All Result

The “I promised I wasn’t gonna cry” Anime Starter Pack

Peter Payne by Peter Payne
8 years ago
in Your Friend in Japan

We hope you’re enjoying the all-new J-List website. Just a reminder: certain products like magazine and snack subscriptions, iTunes cards and game downloads are still not up, but will be soon. For English visual novels and eroge via download, please visit JAST USA.

One thing I write about often is that anime succeeds because it allows viewers to tap strong emotions in a way that few other types of media can imitate. Whether it’s agonizing over the final scene with Menma’s ghost in AnoHana, riding the roller coaster that is a good Key anime like Clannad or Kanon, following the journey of Mirai and Yuki home after a terrible earthquake or waiting for the inevitable winding down of Isla’s 9-year lifespan in Plastic Memories, anime is able to make viewers care about characters in a way that seems impossible for Hollywood. I often find myself drawn to shows that tell a story in a realistic way, like Toradora, which features a scene in which the two characters try to elope…but nothing comes of their efforts because the real world doesn’t work like that. Another outstanding work is the film 5cm Per Second, about a boy and girl having a long-distance relationship, though of course real life isn’t a fairy-tale world, and this affects the outcome of the story. Which anime works have you been affected by?

One interesting theme that’s become common in anime recent years is 中二病 chunibyo, usually translated as “eighth graders’ disease” or “middle school second year syndrome.” It’s a reference to the way students in their second year of junior high school often create fantasy worlds inside their minds as a way of dealing with the stress of Japan’s strict education system and the changes that come with puberty. The term was coined in 1999 by comedian and talent Ijuin Hikaru who used the term to describe his own troubled years growing up. Themes of chunibyo are a big part of such series as Steins;Gate (Okabe’s Houin Kyouma persona), Suzumiya Haruhi and (of course) Love, Chunibyou and Other Delusions. Recently I was re-watching the classic film Fight Club and amused myself by viewing the film as a chunibyo story, which it kind of is.

This Wednesday, November 11, has been designated by the Ezaki Glico company as International Pocky and Pretz Day, since 11/11 looks like four Pocky sticks lined up, ready to be eaten. To help celebrate all Japanese snacks including Pocky and Pretz, Nestle Kit Kat and more, we’re having a big sale this week only. Get $11 off any order of Japanese snacks above $40 with code POCKY2016! (Good through next Monday).

Tags: ClannadeducationerogeJAST USASteins;GateUSAvisual novels

More Posts Like This

The 13 Best Anime Series Blog
Your Friend in Japan

The 13 Best Anime, according to My Anime List!

by Peter Payne
2 months ago

We've taken a look at the 13 worst anime according to the popular website My Anime List, which aggregates reviews...

Best Anime Kiss Moments Blog Post
Your Friend in Japan

What Are the Best Anime Kiss Moments? J-List Customers Respond!

by Peter Payne
5 months ago

One of the ways we knew there was something "different" about anime is when we saw our first anime kiss...

Bad Anime Translations

Why Do Fans Hate Bad Anime Translations So Much?

6 months ago
Perverted Science Girls Are The Best

Why Are ‘Perverted Science Girls’ in Anime So Much Fun?

8 months ago
What Anime Affected You Deeply? Blog Post

What Anime Affected You Deeply?

8 months ago
The History Of Tsundere Anime Girls

Why Are Tsundere Anime Girls So Great?

10 months ago
Next Post
The history of "yuri" fanservice

The history of "yuri" fanservice in anime

Trending Today

Why Is Umi Yatsugake So Popular
Your Friend in Japan

Why is Umi Yatsugake The Most Popular JAV Actress?

2 days ago
Roxy Migurdia Blog Post
Figures

This is the Roxy Migurdia Figure We All Needed!

4 days ago
Tan Fighters List1 6
Featured

Lovely Tanned Fighters Who Need No Protection

6 days ago
Why Are There So Many Characters Named Sakura
Your Friend in Japan

Why Are So Many Anime Characters Named Sakura?

4 days ago
Summer Heat Anime Fan Service
Your Friend in Japan

Summer Heat! What Were the Best Fan Service Moments This Season?

2 weeks ago
Get the Newest Figures from J-List - Your Favorite Online Shop and Friend in Japan
What Autumn 2023 Anime Will J List Watch
Your Friend in Japan

The J-List Autumn 2023 Anime Guide! Which Anime Should You Watch?

by Peter Payne
September 28, 2023

TenPuru, Episode 12 [END]: Where Are You Looking?

Comic Con Africa Is a Slice of Global Otaku Culture

The J-List Autumn 2023 Anime Guide! Which Anime Should You Watch?

Bibury Animation 100 Girlfriends Who Really Love You

New Slime Isekai OVA, Coleus’ Dream, Releases PV

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Discord
  • YouTube

© J-LIST. All trademarks, characters and images are property of their respective owners.

No Result
View All Result
  • Featured
  • News
  • Gallery
  • Product Reports
  • Your Friend in Japan

© J-LIST. All trademarks, characters and images are property of their respective owners.