Featured Articles tagged as "History and Culture"
Grave of the Fireflies: History Behind the Most Devastating War Anime
Hotaru no Haka (Grave of the Fireflies) is an anime film released by Studio Ghibli and directed by Isao Takahata. It is based on a semi-autobiographical short story written by the late Akiyuki Nosaka. Find out how Grave of the Fireflies brings the history of World War II to life.
The Evolution of the Anime Nose
With every generation we have different animators and mangakas. As such, each generation of anime viewers has enjoyed a slightly different art style than the one before it. But how has this changed the style of the anime nose?
Kimono, Yukata, Hakama and Other Anime Clothes!
For some reason, cute anime girls get even cuter when they don traditional Japanese clothing! But there are so many kinds to choose from! Find out which characters wear what kind of kimono in this article!
Top 20 Must Watch Anime Classics of All Time
Check out these 20 must watch anime classics! All of them are popular anime that are considered genuine masterpieces and have set important milestones in the history of anime. Some have unique visuals, some have complex characters, and some have both. Let's take a whimsical stroll down memory lane!
Spooky Monsters From Anime
Oni and yurei and yokai, oh my! It's time to learn about Japanese folktales and how they got started. Let's look into various creatures to see which go bump in the night!
Japanese School Life: Bukatsu
In anime, Japanese students spend a lot of their time at school, including after classes end. Bukatsu, or afterschool club activities, are a huge part of growing up in Japan, providing tons of life experience and unforgettable memories! Let's learn more about them!
Strange Creatures From Japanese Folklore
Like any culture, Japan has an extensive collection of legendary and mythical monsters. Some are helpful, some are harmful, and others are downright strange. Let's talk about some monsters from that third category, as well as the mark they've made on Japanese entertainment.
Traditional Japanese Games in Anime
Some of the most common cultural references in anime pertain to traditional Japanese games. The competitive scenes of Go and other games is a great setting for rivalries and passions to play out in. Let's talk about four of the most popular Japanese games and the shows that they inspired!
Neverending Evolution of Anime: The History of Anime
Just like anything else, anime has a deep and rich history in which it was first founded. Did you know it has been around a century since the creation of anime? How long did it take for anime to become famous outside Japan? If you're searching for answers, look no further.
Anime in Real Life: Osaka
This issue of AiRL takes us out of Tokyo to beautiful Osaka! So many anime are set in or have scenes in this area. Hold tight as we embark on a whirlwind tour of both the city itself and its surrounding wards!
Death Note: The Power of Names
Knowing a name comes up as one of the most vital struggles in Death Note, as the focus of the series is the game of deception. The importance and relevance of names may not be so far behind in our own reality. In some places and situations, just knowing a name can mean life or death.
History of the Samurai and their References in Gintama
Gintama may be based on fictional events and characters, but there are also real-life references that are featured in this popular anime series. One of these references is the samurai, the ancient warriors who helped shape Japan and its history. Learn more about the samurai and Gintama here!
Common Cultural References in Anime: Golden and Silver Week Holidays
The annual string of holidays known as Golden Week and its rarer little brother Silver Week are a godsend for the overworked citizens of Japan and your favourite anime characters. These holidays are a common plot device for characters to take time off to do something, but what exactly for?
Anime Linguistics Lecture: San, Chan, Kun, Sama
Honorifics are an important part of the Japanese language - in anime and in real life! They can define many levels of relationships between individuals. If you want to learn more about how and when these suffixes are used, why not take a moment to read this article?