Author Archives: Vic

Yu-Gi-Oh! Creator Apologizes for Getting Political with His Characters

Yu-Gi-Oh! Creator Apologizes for Getting Political with His Characters

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Yesterday we posted about an illustration by Yu-Gi-Oh! creator Kazuki Takahashi that urged readers to vote while expressing frustration with Japan’s current government. With an election right around the corner on July 21, Takahashi likely thought he had his heart in the right place, but fans felt he crossed a line when using his popular characters to make such an overt political statement.

While fans acknowledged Takahashi’s right to freedom of speech, many of them didn’t take too kindly to phrases like “selling out the country” and “dictatorship” being put in the mouths of Yugi and the Dark Magicians. Thus, Takahashi has since issued an apology.

Here’s what he said in response:

“It seems I’ve caused some trouble. After taking various points of view into account, I would like to offer a deep apology to all fans for having the characters make political proclamations.”

The Bittersweet Message That Separates Pom Poko From The Rest Of Studio Ghibli

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Twenty-five years later, and the lessons from Pom Poko continues to ring true. It’s a harsh look at the damage that humanity can do to its environment, wrapped up in the comical antics of shapeshifting raccoons. It leaves you feeling complicated, disappointed, but also more aware. It may have a different flavor than most Ghibli films, but it’s still a strong one, and it urges you to not look away.


What do you remember most about Pom Poko? Let us know in the comments!

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Noelle Ogawa is a contributor to


When I was young, I spent a lot of time watching animated movies on video, and it was especially easy to find new titles from the small Japanese video store a few blocks away from my house. Ever since my father had brought home My Neighbor Totoro, I was enchanted with Studio Ghibli, and I wanted to watch everything that they’d put out so far. The Ghibli ga Ippai Collection had just been released, so I could stock up on titles, with one of those titles being Pom Poko. I remember sitting down, expecting to see something in the vein of Laputa: Castle in the Sky or Kiki’s Delivery Service and getting something far different.


I enjoyed the movie, no question about it, but it didn’t make me feel good the way the other Ghibli films did. It didn’t make me feel miserable (that honor would go straight to Dog of the Flanders) but I didn’t experience the magical feeling of wonder that usually comes from finishing a Ghibli film. It was overall a very perplexing experience. It’s been 25 years since the movie’s release, and now that I’m an adult that …read more

Protect Your Hearing with One Piece Earplugs

Protect Your Hearing with One Piece Earplugs

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Let the Straw Hat Pirates preserve your hearing at concerts, block out your roommate’s snoring, or help you catch some Z’s on a flight!

A limited-time collaboration between One Piece and Silencia ear plugs features piratical branding. Each package contains two pairs of foam ear plugs, each with a Straw Hat logo on the outer side, and a small plastic carry case with character logos scattered across it. Even when you’re done with the ear plugs themselves, the case is great for keeping spares in.

The set will go on sale for 648 yen on July 20.

>> Silencia One Piece Product Page



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Kara Dennison is a writer, editor, and interviewer with bylines at VRV, We Are Cult, Fanbyte, and many more. She is also the co-founder of Altrix Books and co-creator of the OEL light novel series Owl’s Flower. Kara blogs at karadennison.com and tweets @RubyCosmos.


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