Dreams Do Come True (If You Make Them)

Once again, I have gone more than a year without blogging. Are blogs even a thing anymore in this day and age of social media? Regardless, in my absence, I managed to make one of my dreams come true.

JLPT N2、無事に合格しました！

Ooh, I was not expecting this at all! The results of the JLPT were made available today and I’m happy to say that I managed to pass N2! That’s another step closer to fulfilling my childhood dream of being (officially recognized as being) fluent in Japanese (and employment!).

Role Language of Yandere Characters in Anime

One of the amazing things about anime is its versatility. By that, I’m not referring to its ability as a medium to tell a wide range of stories. I’m talking about its ability to be used as a case-study in a plethora of classes. Here’s a little write up I did for a Japanese linguistics course analyzing the speech of everyone’s favorite yandere characters.

Enjoy… or else~

(Seriously, I had to go through a ton of academic readings in Japanese for this and it was not easy…)

Going to Japan… Again?!

I can’t believe it. It’s like I’m still in a dream.

A couple of months back, at the recommendation of my teacher, I took part in the annual Japanese Speech Contest that’s organized, supported and sponsored by some of the most distinguished and renowned companies and organizations.

After two months of hard work and instruction by my dedicated teachers, I am glad to say that I have managed to come away from the Grand Finals with the top prize in the tertiary category this past weekend. One of the prizes is a trip to Japan and home stay in Shizuoka which I will be going for at the end of the year. In addition to that, I shall be extending my stay for about a week.

Once again, I really do have to thank the wonderful teachers from the National University of Singapore’s Center of Language Studies for all their guidance and support. I would definitely have not been able to achieve this without their help. Personally though, it’s not the prize that makes me happy, but the fact that I was able to do my teachers and parents proud gives me the greatest satisfaction.

…and with that, I wonder where I should go this time round. One thing’s for sure. Considering the fact that my speech was essentially a thank you letter to anime for playing an integral part in my life, Akihabara will be undoubtedly be a priority on my itinerary.

Japanese Popular Culture and Soft Power

Another semester, another academic paper on one of my all time favorite topics, Japanese popular culture. This time, it deals with the relationship between Japanese popular culture and Soft Power, the ability for one country to control another country’s wants and values through non-traditional means.

By now, it really shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone that my interest of Anime and Japanese popular culture extends beyond the boundaries of a mere hobby. Right now, it’s also a big, big part of my academic life. As the old adage goes: “Do what you love, love what you do, and you’ll never have to work a day in your life”.

Well, technically speaking, that’s complete bull because, believe me, writing this paper was not an easy task to accomplish. Hours of research, sleepless nights and sweat went into this paper and I’m ecstatic to say that all that effort was not in vain as I got quite a good grade for it.

As with all the other papers on my blog, the rest of this post will be sans pictures.

With that, I present to you the final draft of my work, untouched, for your reading pleasure. It can get rather technical at times, but I do hope you enjoy reading it. (^.^)

Attending a Japanese Summer Festival (in Singapore)

Here on Actar’s Reviews, we’re not all about Anime and Figures and Japanese Popular Culture, but Traditional Japanese Culture as well.

Today, I went down to the Japanese Summer Festival held in Singapore, organized by the Japanese Association, Singapore. The Summer Festival is widely celebrated in Japan and is a staple in Slice of Life Anime like Lucky Star and Ichigo Mashimaro. The Summer Festival is held every year at the Japanese Primary School (Changi Campus) and aims to provide an authentic Japanese Summer Festival experience in Singapore.

It is an exceedingly popular event and is attended by both Japanese and locals alike. This being my first time at the event, I brought along my camera so that I could share the experience with all of you.

First, the multitude of stalls selling everything from traditional Japanese food to festival favorites to small souvenirs.

Next, we come to the game stalls. Many Summer Festival essentials are there including the Shooting Gallery and Balloon Yo-Yo Fishing. Sadly, Goldfish Scooping was axed by the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority.

Lastly, we have the traditional Bon-odori (Bon Dance) where anyone can gather around the main stage and join in the festivities. Once night falls, the even commences.

With that, the Summer Festival comes to a close. While there were no fireworks, JAS did a bang up job in recreating the feel and atmosphere of Summer Festival in Japan. Me, my family and everyone else there certainly had a blast.

Actar’s Reviews 212 – Digivolving Imerialdramon Paladin Mode

The White Knight and the strongest Digimon of the ‘Digimon Adventures’ continuity gets a toy rendition that truly conveys the splendour of the on screen character.

Start of Summer Vacation Acquisitions!!!

– Digivolving Growlmon/WarGrowlmon Japanese Version
– Tamashii Web Exclusive S.H.Figuarts Kamen Rider Joker
– Wave’s Beach Queens Misaka Mikoto
– Tamashii Web Exclusive S.H.Figuarts Cure Rouge and Mint + Special Stand Set

Complete Set of Heartcatch! Precure Role-play Toys including:
– Kokoro Perfume + Carry Case
– Shiny Perfume
– Kokoro Pot
– Flower Tact
– Shiny Tambourine
– Heartcatch Mirage

– Cure Doll Cure Black
– Cure Doll Cure White
– Cure Doll Cure Melody
– Cure Doll Cure Rhythm

– Cure Doll Cure Blossom
– Cure Doll Cure Marine
– Cure Doll Cure Sunshine
– Cure Doll Cure Moonlight
– S.H.Figuarts Cure Blossom
– S.H.Figuarts Cure Marine
– S.H.Figuarts Cure Dream
– S.H.Figuarts Cure Lemonade
– Cure Module

– Kamen Rider W DX Double Dirver
– Kamen Rider W Fang Memory (First Release Ver + Special Joker Memory)

– Azone’s 1/6 Scale Fate Testarossa Doll
– Kamen Rider 555 Deforide Kamen Rider Faiz
– S.H.Figuarts Kamen Rider W CycloneJoker
– AmiAmi Nymph
– Figure-Oh Magazine Exclusive DX T2 Joker Memory
– Kamen Rider W DX Prisim Bicker
– Kamen Rider W Trigger Magnum
– Kamen Rider W Skull Magnum

– Ichigo Mashimaro Anime Guide Book

OMG! Time sure flies. Within a blink of an eye, it has already been almost a month since I’ve posted something on this blog! Anyways, the reason that I’ve been away for so long is because of my finals, which just ended this past week (as stated on my Youtube Channel). Now that it is three months of freedom, it’s time to crank up the dial to 11 and get some posts, reviews and Anime watching done!!! First off, let’s start off with the stuff that I’ve acquired over these past two months. Basically, these things are the stuff that I’ve refrained from opening till summer break and now’s the time to indulge!!!

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Actar’s Reviews 196 – Spirit Digivolving Susanoomon

The ultimate fusion of KaiserGreymon and MagnaGarurumon, the Legendary Warrior Susanoomon!

Actar’s Reviews 195 – Spirit Digivolving MagnaGarurumon

The second of two Japan only figures from the Spirit Evolving Digimon Frontier line, MagnaGarurumon!