All meetings might be somewhat of a miracle

From Baccano!

During the early 1930s in Chicago, the transcontinental train, Flying Pussyfoot, is starting its legendary journey that will leave a trail of blood all over the country. At the same time in New York, the ambitious scientist Szilard and his unwilling aide Ennis, are looking for missing bottles of the immortality elixir. In addition, a war between the mafia groups is getting worse. On board the Advena Avis, in 1711, alchemists are about to learn the price of immortality.

Based on the award winning light novels of the same name, this anime adaptation follows several events that initially seem unrelated, both in time and place, but are part of a much bigger story—one of alchemy, survival and immortality. Merging these events together are the kindhearted would-be thieves, Isaac and Miria, connecting various people, all of them with their own hidden ambitions and agendas, and creating lifelong bonds and consequences for everyone involved.

Scheduling Wargames, always handy for a coup or false flag op

from Legend of Galactic Heroes

The Legend of Galactic Heroes

The Legend of Galactic Heroes (Ginga Eiyuu Densetsu) is a series of science fiction novels written by Yoshiki Tanaka, and adapted to a classic anime series produced by Kitty Films and animated for the most part by Artland and Magic Bus, running from 1988 to 2000.

In humanity's distant future, two interstellar states - the monarchic Galactic Empire and the democratic Free Planets Alliance - are embroiled in a never-ending war. The story focuses on the exploits of rivals Reinhard von Müsel and Yang Wen Li as they rise to power and fame in the Galactic Empire and the Free Planets Alliance. None of this content has been officially released in the English language. However, fan translations of the anime to English are available. A new anime is in production right now too.

"It's politicians who toy with power. It's opportunistic soldiers like in Amlitzer. No, it's citizens who have turned over rulership to politicians instead of participating in it. The people have democratic principles on their lips but can't spare the effort to safeguard it. The collapse of the government is the sin of its rulers and leaders. The collapse of democracy is the sin of every citizen." 

Admiral Alexander Bucock (episode 53)

This is the truth. Exchange alliance for western civilization, Amlitzer for the war on terror, and there you have it: Our reality.

 

Another quote from the next episode of a meeting of two great characters in this series whose names will be ommitted to not spoil anything:

"I only offer a counterpoint to your ideology. I believe that an ideology, seen from another side, must give rise to a counter-ideology. I merely point out that such a counterpoint must exist."
"So no ideology is supreme and no ideology stands alone? Is that your conviction?"
"No, that's just what I was thinking, I wouldn't call it a conviction."

And a clip (minor spoilers) how government works

On break till RSI completely healed

Just a heads up that I'll be silent but will be back, RSI is not improving just getting worse it seems so going back to the doc on monday. In the meantime everyone can watch Neon Genesis Evangelion (Neo On Gene(s) Sis Eva Angel Lion Ion), which ends in a 2 episode Zen Mindfuck of epic proportions that kicked me harder than any Alan Watts lecture could. Going to bed, I was thinking "I wish I woke up sooner, again" in a double meaning, spiritually and literally as my biorhythm had me going to bed at 4 at night and waking up way too late. Got called out of bed this morning at exactly 11.11, thanks universe for the confirmation! Don't know where Dedroidify is heading but I confess I'm surrendering to a spiritual symbolic worldview that I just can't seem to keep ignoring to have a fulfilled life.


I found out just now that the creator of the series says there is no meaning in it. That's funny because that's what people often are trying to convince me about life and I disagree on both counts. Here are the themes from the wiki page. I also think it's awesome that he doesn't tell us what to think but trolls us into finding our own answers as he distances himself from that process, which always comes across better than explaining the supposed meaning of a story. Like people trying to convince you what to believe, I usually disagree with those too! See you all soon.

Tarot and Anime

Shoji Kawamori is a Japanese anime creator, screenwriter and mechanical designer, of the series he has worked on I am nearing the end of Vision of Escaflowne and have started watching his new series Nobunaga the Fool. Both heavily feature the use of Tarot so if you're interested in learning more about the Tarot or just seeing it used in fiction, give these series a try.



The main character Hitomi (meaning: "Pupil (eye)") does tarot readings in the series which have effects on future events, she also uses a pendulum. Every episode begins by showing a tarot card which often has a connection to the story of that episode, sometimes blatantly, sometimes more subtle. (from what I can recognize, I'm still very much a tarot novice). I should add that this is a Shoujo anime which means it's targeted towards a female viewership, which is really noticeable and if it weren't the tarot aspects and the mechs I wouldn't have kept watching.

Here are the opening scenes

Only 2 episodes have been released of this anime, it's a bit silly at first in using historical characters alongside mechs but nonetheless really entertaining so far. In the first episode Leonardo Da Vinci introduces himself to Jean D'Arc by saying he works for King Arthur and offers her a Tarot card. She draws the Star and gets an explanation. Apparently they drew up an entire deck, we've seen two so far, the Star and the Lovers and both look amazing.

Do you know any works of fiction that uses the Tarot? Please let me know. Meanwhile I'll listen to David Goddard's audio series again, I should probably find a good book on the tarot too (the one I got with my cards from a dutch author isn't that good.) so I can finally get to know them by heart.

The most inspirational video you'll ever see and won't understand a word of

Well he does say "don't worry, be happy!" "Ganbare!" means do your best. Known for his passionate and energetic character, former professional Tennis player Shuzo Matsuoka.

The adventures of Jesus & Buddha, Oh Japan...

Jesus Christ and Gautama Buddha, the founders of Christianity and Buddhism, are living together as roommates in a Tokyo apartment while taking a vacation on Earth. The comedy often involves jokes about Christianity, Buddhism, and all things related, as well as the main characters' attempts to hide their identities and understand modern society in Japan. Each chapter shows how they go about or react to an average day, though they also go sightseeing or visit amusement parks.

Kuroshio Sea - 2nd largest aquarium tank in the world

Kuroshio Sea - 2nd largest aquarium tank in the world

Give this some time to load before watching...otherwise you won't have smooth playback

This was shot at the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium in Japan.

The main tank called the "Kuroshio Sea" holds 7,500-cubic meters (1,981,290 gallons) of water and features the world's second largest acrylic glass panel, measuring 8.2 meters by 22.5 meters with a thickness of 60 centimeters. Whale sharks and manta rays are kept amongst many other fish species in the main tank.

Will Power - The Greatest Power

Welcome to Orochimaru's Hideout, stargate alert!

In the anime Naruto, Sasuke left Konoha village to train with the evil Orochimaru to become powerful enough to avenge his entire family clan's death at the hand of his own brother Itachi. In exchange for the training, the deal between the two is Orochimaru gets Sasuke's body to transfer to as he has found a way to transfer his consciousness to other bodies if the current one is worn out. One day, Orochimaru and Sasuke are sparring, quite extremely as usual.

Sasuke VS Orochimaru, both Trance-formed Orochimaru seems to be defeated at first,
but he inserted a sedative to be released when his 'body' was cut.

Suddenly Sasuke finds himself in Orochimaru's mindspace...

Not really impressed with it either

later scene, Sasuke walks away from the scene, on Orochimaru's blood

Kabuto, Orochimaru's loyal servant is confused and terrified, and asks..."Which one are you now?"

"Which one do you think?"

Sasuke activates his Sharingan, his Clan's "Bloodline power"
and shares the memory of his victory with Kabuto.Exclames Orochimaru as Sasuke overtakes himKabuto witnesses the "Transference Ritual",
intended to transfer Orochimaru's consciousness to Sasuke's body.

Sasuke's power grows quickly "Sasuke's will is eroding the space!"
"Love is the law, love under will. Nor let the fools mistake love; for there are love and love. There is the dove, and there is the serpent. Choose ye well! He, my prophet, hath chosen, knowing the law of the fortress, and the great mystery of the House of God."
Aleister Crowley - Liber al vel Legis 1:57

"Any Jutsu you use will have no effect before these eyes."
What a Winner Script!

"You should realize that by now." Indeed, Orochimaru
made the fatal mistake of thinking he could oppose Sasuke's will.
"This can't be! I am the one to unravel the order of this world..." Orochimaru"Everything... will be mine!"

Orochimaru's pathetic last words before being eaten by his own symbolic choice of creature, the Serpent. Or, the Order-imposer gets devoured by the Galactic Center resonator - the Monster.

Samurai Champloo's Mugen's Philosophy

Mugen's philosophy, from the anime Samurai Champloo 1x04

(from the creator of Cowboy Bebop)

...

(says the guy in the back)
(says Mugen)
I kinda like how he thinks.