Decisions And Other News.

Been a while since my last entry. Been working, and the usual life stuff. 

I've made a decision last weekend. I am going to learn japanese! I'm just waiting on my paycheck so i can go ahead and buy the first two books on the japanese written language, Hiragana and Katakana. Later I'll study Kanji the third written type. I've gotten advice that starting to learn the written part first is a good place to start, and it does makes sense as if you can't read a language like japanese you will struggle in actually learning it properly. But I'll study it about an hour every day I think. (depending on energy level of course) and then get a hold of more study material as I progress.

I do have a goal of going to Japan (Tokyo) before I'm 40 (preferably 35) but that's not the main reason I want to learn the language. I have a love for anime and manga and as such I would like to not be depending on a)localized anime (you know with subtitles)/manga or b) fan translations. And if I know japanese I can just order straight form there anything I'd like to read/watch(or games I'd like to play but hate the english dub).

Hm.. Going to need a japanese keyboard soon don't I (that and the "font pack")? 

Plus japanese is to me a beautyful and awesome language! 

I've discovered a nice "new" anime via a music video on YouTube. Busou Renkin. I've seen a few episodes and I really like it and while it's a bit creepy in some areas it's a good anime. 

And this week I've seen Gedo Senki and Neko No Ongaeshi both movies from Studio Ghibli and both wonderful stories. 

I have started on Book 1 of Berserk. So far a rather brutal manga. still trying to get the story but I've just read two chapters so far. 

Yeah I'm rather immersed in this kind of thing right now. But it's all good! :-)

Other than this I'm playing a little and hanging out online. 

Tonari No Totoro

A review

A.K.A My Neighbor Totoro.

Creator: Hayao Miyazaki of Studio Ghibli

Rated E for everyone , production year 1988, cinematic release in Norway 30th march 2007. Watched in japanese with Norwegian subtitles.

So I watched this for the first time ever this wednesday evening. I'd had a crappy prank pulled on me at the end of my work shift and was rather miffed and not really in the best of moods. So I needed something to take my mind off things. 

Oh my lord! Did it ever!

Okey short plot summary first.

It's about a four year old girl called Mei and her big sister Satsuki, they are moving to this old house in the forest with their father while their mother is in hospital for unknown reasons. And then little Mei meets the forest guarding/spirit Totoro and an adventure unfolds. I'm not going any further as I want everyone to watch this movie.

I was so taken with the art style and the artistic workmanship that had gone into the movie and the story is just great. A gem, a treasure really. I've watched quite a few movies out of Studio Ghibli and mr. Miyazaki has been involved in all of them in one way or the oher and that studio has become one of my favourite outlets for anime. Art and storytelling meeting in an animated medium. Quality.

I felt a level of happiness watching this that I rarely do. The movie simply was a joy to watch. I highly recommend it to anyone. I went to bed feeling all warm and fuzzy all over and inside.  Yes this all sound really corny and silly don't it? Well I don't care! I was made truly happy by this movie and it's like a bunch of puppies and kittens kind of good. You know? Oh and I want a cat bus too!! 

My highest recommendations.

Watch it, you will thank me later