Anime just inspires people sometimes and makes them want to learn or pick up something.
And that’s what this particular list is all about. I’ll be talking about 5 things that I got suckered and bamboozled into learning or wanting to learn. And it’s all because of anime, that tricky and addicting and engaging medium.
This particular topic was suggested to me by Leap250, who covers a variety of topics on his blog. Currently he’s participating in a heated competition where he, The Pantless Anime Blogger, Irina, and Astral Gemini try to predict what happens in three particular shows that are airing in Winter 2018. He also translates interviews, translates songs, features quick looks, and writes reviews! I would say my favourite post written by Leap250 would be the one where he shows a lot of love for Takami Chika. It’s hard being a Chika fan since You fans like to exaggerate Chika’s faults, but he does a great job defending the mikan maniac! He also knows mahjong so he’s automatically 50% cooler than most people.
Alright, here goes!
Play Mahjong – Saki Achiga-hen
Well, we all know that I love mahjong too much. Guess I better spill more guts and spice things up a bit.
I started really learning how to mahjong in my fourth year of university as I was failing Econometrics (which is basically a course about statistics that focuses on economics) after watching Saki Achiga-hen. Saki got me somewhat interested in mahjong back in high school, but I only fooled around in a flash game without bothering to learn the specific rules.
The spin-off changed everything for me. I love mahjong. I love how even the right move isn’t always the correct move. The blend of skill and luck is so alluring. Yes, I realize that my mood fluctuates way too much because of this board game yet I can’t look away.
…just kidding. I have a love and hate relationship with this board game and right now I HATE mahjong because I lost connection in a game and dealt into a hand while I was out. Guess I’ll have more time to do more things now…
Work in the Fast Food Industry- Hataraku Maou-sama!
I never felt like I belonged in university. Bombed a lot of classes and tests, drank a lot, screwed around. The classroom environment just was boring and wasn’t for me.
Seeing the Demon Lord Satan having fun and (barely) squeak by as a McDonald employee made me consider dropping out of college and just start working at some fast food joint. I simply wasn’t having fun at college.
But sunk cost fallacy kept me in school and I eventually earned my degree.
Drink Hard Liquor – Psycho-Pass 2
Hmmm. I had already been exposed to vodka and whisky because of my (now) ex-girlfriend by the time I watched Psycho-Pass 2. Before I had met her, I stuck to inoffensive and mild beers (Stella Artois and Japanese beer, mostly). But then she introduced me to drinking spirits.
I had learned how to drink such stuff the college/party way: chug shot down and follow with a chaser. Whatever works, right?
But the way Ginoza Nobuchika just lounged about in his bachelor pad while drinking bourbon/Scotch whisky (my memory fails me) in a tumbler just looked so classy. I wanted to give it a try. And I did. Who knows if I’m successful, though? I sure don’t.
Sorry, the picture isn’t of Ginoza Nobuchika and is actually from Psycho-Pass. My bad.
Cover Anime Songs – Loveless
“Michiyuki” is still one of my favourite songs. Back then I really really loved it and wanted to cover it while playing piano (I took some lessons in the third grade but I’m largely self-taught).
I (vocally) covered “Michiyuki” on my Soundcloud, but here’s an old video in which I demonstrate my rusty piano skills and my lackluster singing and my crappy laptop mic (which is all I had at the time). I went with my natural singing voice here instead of the forced falsetto I usually use, haha. As a frame of reference, this recording took place back in the summer before my second year of university.
I intend to cover this song again in the future.
Cook Paella – Baka to Test to Shoukanjuu
If an idiot like Yoshii Akihisa can make paella, then so can I. That line of reasoning makes sense, right? Right?
…Be that as it may, I have never learned how to make paella manifest to this day.
Aaaand that’s all, folks!
Questions, comments, and concerns are welcome as always!
I started playing Go because of Hikaru No Go, and got interested into Mahjong because of Saki.
But you are the first person I saw that got interested in spirits (the non-college way) because of anime. That’s so cool!
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Oooh, Hikaru No Go and Saki got you interested in Go and Mahjong?? I think you’re way cooler!
Thanks, though ;__;
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Hahaha, thank you
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Maybe that’s what I should have done to help me cope with all of my econometrics classes. But, yes, sunk costs being what they are, sometimes it’s best to stay the course if it keeps me out of the fast food kitchen. Mah-jong sounds like a great game to occupy time and perhaps rid me of the stresses of daily life.
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Right…those econometrics classes were very difficult.
Yeah, I think mahjong does that just fine. I just also worry about sunk costs since games do take time and we could be doing other things. It worked for me back in uni, though.
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That’s quite an insight. I think the one thing I wanted to do after watching anime on and off for two decades is to cosplay, learn the words to the song lyrics and draw my otp. Haha.
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Those are all very fun and admirable activities!
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Remy, you are on a solid roll with these great posts! 😀
Let’s play mah-jong together! 😉 I’ll teach you!! I also want to be a sophisticated liquor drinker, though whiskey burns too much for me lol.
I think the things Anime has wanted me to do is: cook – the way that Souma does in Food Wars, Cycle like everyone in Yowamushi Pedal/Run like the boys in Price of Stride, and play the piano like Kousei in Your Lie in April.
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Thanks, Zel!
Oh, that would be nice!
Haha yeah whiskey isn’t for everyone. Being classy is though! Maybe.
Ohhh those are all great shows and activities. Nice choices!
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This is such a nice idea, hurray for Leap-san!
Hmmm…. Volleyball, ice skating, a lot of sorts really for me, but I always wanted to learn those so…. Does that count nii-san?
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Thanks, Auri!
Mmm I would say those still count. The manga or anime you’ve consumed only made you stay interested right?
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Maou would probably scold you and say not to underestimate the world of fast food. The path to full-time employment is long and arduous and full of customers who may or may not be your long-time rivals who want to kill you.
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I was definitely not giving the world of fast food the respect it deserved when I was younger. You’re totally right.
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Again another enjoyable post by you, this is something I’ve not thought of yet myself. XD
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Haha thanks, Lita!
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New follower here! Anime has made me want to do so many things… Kakegurui has made me want to learn how to gamble so I did… breiftly in Vegas… and then I decided never again because I hate loosing money. Lol
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Haha yeah anime is too good at doing that.
Oh yikes! You’re brave. Good call on cutting your losses though.
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It’s almost too good at doing that though lol
And yeah, slots it’s easy to stop. Everything else not so much lol
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It’s funny because after everything I wrote about Chika and her greatest accomplishment — Dia is my best girl :3
> “he’s automatically 50% cooler than most people”
I wonder if this changes at all when I say my favorite yaku-combo to go for is a mere mentanpin-sanshoku-iipeikou xD
lol I was the opposite; I was “taught” early on how to drink hard liquor, and only learned to down a beer properly because of a failed relationship, lol
And I guess to share another thing (aside from Riichi Mahjong) that I learned from anime: Ayatori! or “Cat’s Cradle”, which got my interest from when I saw it in the anime Canaan.
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Ohhhh?! Well, I’m not too surprised knowing that Chika ain’t your girl, but I didn’t know it was Dia!
That’s…getting to be a bit much, haha.
Ohhh yikes. Sounds rough!
Canaan! Haven’t watched that yet. Glad to hear it inspired you!
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Yeah, though S1 it was Yohane xD
Well, more like it’s the only hand I’m confident with building really. I don’t even count points, haha!
It’s all good. A learning experience, lol
Ohh, would recommend it then 😀
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YOU TRAITOR
Ah…yeah counting points is a bit hard for me too.
Haha totally agree.
Oh? Will keep it in mind then!
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Yes…Ginoza is super classy.
And the song’s great! I really admire how you can play piano and sing at the same time. Maybe many people can, but it still never fails to impress me~
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He is…but I still love Masaoka even more. That moment near the end of Psycho Pass still gets me so sad.
Thank you! My piano skills have rusted unfortunately, but I’ll try to bring it back up to re-earn your admiration, haha.
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Ha ha! I’m sure we all strive to learn and do things because of the anime we watch… I was not so inspired to run out and get a job at MacDonalds… Although, the Devil is a Part-Timer was a GREAT anime!! Ha ha!
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Haha yeaaaah…
Oh, I’m glad you liked that show, too!
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Ahh, you know how to play the piano! That’s so cool! (And you have a Rilakkuma merch!) I have a lot of things I want to learn because of the shows I watch and it’s somehow frustrating. >w<
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At one point in time I did! Thanks!
(Yesss Rilakkuma is great!)
Mmmm anime is so good at influencing (or brainwashing) us! ;w;
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As Matt just said, this post idea is actually genius. Whenever we think about what Anime Gave us, we restrict it to learning about Japan or a few Japanese words; it’s amazing to realize that in reality, it’s much more than that. Great post!
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Anime sure is great isn’t it?
All credit goes to Leap250!
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What a cool idea for a blog! I’d never really thought about this before but yeah, anime has inspired me to do (and makes me want to do) so many things! Though I can guarantee my list would be half family friendly and half R-rated for sure!
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Leap250 deserves all the credit!
Haha I understand
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I don’t know if I can say that I actually know how to play mahjong. I grew up around aunts and uncles and even my grandmother who plays (and they’re very sensitive about their ‘luck’) so I’m quite familiar with the game. I didn’t know there is an anime that revolves around it! ^^
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Ohh, cool! My parents never wanted me to learn mahjong so I taught myself. I think some family members are into it and are into gambling…
Mmm I know what you mean haha.
Oh, there’s a few here or there. There’s more mahjong manga, though!
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Yes, some even play it for hours or even days straight when it involves money..
Btw, is remy short for jeremy?? 🙂 I assumed it was from an anime! And will be looking forward to your covers! Even if it’s only to admire how you play the piano. I always wanted to learn that too.
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Ohhhh wow they’re hardcore.
Mmmm basically! Remy as a name is a lot cuter than Jeremy, after all.
Haaah my piano-playing skills have really gone downhill. But, well, it’s never too late to learn! You can go dabble with piano, too!
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You should rerecord your singing with better quality equipment.
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Hmmmm not sure if people still care about such an old song. Seasonal anime is just so popular.
At this point I would have covered a shortened version of this song twice already, too: here (5 years ago) and for my 1 year anniversary (about 9 months ago).
But thank you for the input!
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Voice of an angel does not deserve crappy recording equipment!
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Oh hush you
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