You’ve likely noticed that the flooring in Japanese rooms looks different than what we are used to in the West. This type of flooring is called tatami and, like many things in Japan, it’s quite interesting. What is Tatami? A tatami is a type of mat used as flooring material in Japanese rooms. Traditionally, the core is made from rice straw. Tatami produced in modern times often uses compressed wood chips or polystyrene foam boards. The History of Tatami Originally,…
The origin of Kit Kat, the chocolate-covered wafer bar, goes back to 1911 when British confectionery company Rowntree trademarked the term. It wasn’t until the 1920s that production started, and became wildly successful. Most people are familiar with the traditional Kit Kat which is milk chocolate over crispy wafers. There have been variations like white chocolate, dark chocolate, and mint. You might be surprised to hear there are a lot more Kit Kat flavors you’ve probably never seen. That is…
When browsing for anime shows to watch, you probably come across several genres you’re not familiar with. One of the most popular genres is shounen. You’ll also see this written as shonen or shōnen but they all mean the same thing. Shounen is a genre aimed at a younger male audience and literally translates to ‘few years’. Although that’s the technical definition, in the real world shounen appeals to both men and women of all ages. It’s also much more…
Anime is a form of art, unlike any other. There are a lot of anime series out there that have amazing animation, stunning character development, and an engaging storyline worthy of a binge-watch. What gets to people about an anime series is the waiting between seasons, and the chance the show will be canceled without a satisfying ending. That is where the anime movies come in! Anime movies are made for fans both young and old. There’s a type of…
Anime and….sports? Do those two things even go together? That was our initial reaction to various sports anime we saw scrolling through shows to try. We put off watching them for a long time until we finally forced ourselves to watch at least one episode of Haikyuu!, the anime about volleyball. It only took a few episodes and our skepticism quickly faded away. We’re not even sports fans in real life, but several of the sports-related anime are now among…
Sugar and spice and everything nice- welcome to the best of the Shoujo world! What Does Shoujo Anime Mean? Shoujo ( 少女) is a genre of anime and manga created to appeal to a largely female audience. Works labeled as shoujo typically evoke feelings of youthful happiness- think cherry blossom petals, first kisses, and unicorn magic. While themes of romance, comedy, and the simple pleasures of domestic life prevail in shoujo works, some shows do delve into more morally-gray territory….
Whether you are a fan of subs or not, you have to admit that there are some pretty great dubbed anime floating around. Dubs are a great way to enjoy your favorite show with minimal effort. By watching dubs, you can focus on the anime itself instead of having to read small subtitles. If you are looking for some of the best dubbed anime, look no further to the critically acclaimed series below. From romance to action, there is a…
Squelching with bloodshed, brutal gore, and horrifying depictions- the following horror anime are not for the delicate of heart. But for those who wish that Halloween was year-round, the following horror anime will give you the chills and shivers you crave! From body horror to psychological thrillers, the horror genre draws out those terrible things that go bump in the night. Ghosts, ghouls, demons, and murderers lurk within the shadows of these scary shows- ready to surprise and give viewers…
Feeling a bit down? The shows in this collection will give you a warm-and-fuzzy feeling that is sure to lift your spirits! Look elsewhere for violence, adult content, stressful situations, and morally gray decisions- these are happily wholesome shows that focus on the good things in life. While the characters in these shows do overcome challenges and encounter interesting situations, the tone is kept light and playful. These are shows with uplifting messages, a healthy dose of humor, and an…
With edge-of-your-seat battle scenes, breath-taking twists, and meticulous character development- there are many reasons why fans want more anime like Hunter x Hunter. It’s been one of the most popular and well-loved series for over two decades! With its humble beginning as a manga first published in 1998, Hunter x Hunter gained immense popularity and was adapted into an anime in 1999. The first anime series ran for 2 years and had 62 episodes. To keep anime fans intrigued, there…