A mob of wild deer come to greet me as I exit my lodge. Continuing on from my expedition to two of Nara’s most aesthetic temples, I next decided to stay at a lodge named Deer Park Inn surroun…
Apr 13, 2022 • Subscribe
More like this


Do the Deer in Nara Bow Differently Since the Pandemic?
The pandemic changed all of us. It also apparently changed the deer at Nara, whose behavior shifted as human contact decreased.


What is The Nara Deer Antler-Cutting Ceremony?
Beneath the sprawling canopies of ancient trees in Nara, Japan, an ancient ceremony unfolds with the arrival of autumn.


Temples and love hotels and deer… oh my! (Nara)
Having spent a good few hours exploring the old capital of Asuka, it was time to properly experience the place which came after.
Getting by in Ikebukuro West Gate Park
Gangs, drugs, underground life, immigration issues, shady deals, single mothers trying to stay afloat, and many more. For a title like Ikebukuro West Gate Park (shortened as IWGP),…
A Magical Girl Retires, by Park Seolyeon
Every once in a while, I choose a book by it’s cover. ^_^ In the case of A Magical Girl Retires, by Park Seolyeon the title and synopsis…


Wild Adapter by Minekura Kazuya
I have disappointed a HUGE number of my friends by not loving Saiyuki. I have one friend, in particular, who is so hopeful that I will eventually love…


Reconstructed Majesty: A Tour of Ancient Japan in Nara
Explore Japan’s earliest history in these impressive archaeological sites around Nara Prefecture.
Day 9 - Travelogue Nara - Deer, Pikachu Donut, Daibutsu Temple, Kasuga-Taisha, Kohfukuji Temple
Back to Day 8 - Kyoto Part 1 - To Fushimi Inari Shrine and The Mountain Summit I had a giant bowl of instant udon noodles, buttered raisin…


Manhwa Review | The Pain in My Neck by Face Park
Kim Sumin has not been feeling well. He’s sick constantly, to the point that he can barely leave his apartment, and has been forced to take a leave…


Practical Advice for Staying Connected in Japan
A reliable mobile connection is vital for staying connected in Japan. Learn how Mobal can help with these practical tips.


Staying On a Balanced Diet of Anime!
Every year when the weather starts getting warm and sunny, and the produce stands offering dew drenched lettuces, purple carrots, and berries fresh from the fields are starting…


Chuunibyou in the Wild
After living and teaching English to middle schoolers in Japan for two years, I’ve just realized that I haven’t written anything about something that, according to anime, should’v…
Amagi Brilliant Park: A Fantastically Flawed Theme Park
I think you guys know a lot my tastes in media from my posts, right? For instance, Full Metal Panic. For the past few years, Mecha March has…


My Deer Friend Nokotan Episode 7 Review – A Deer Customer
For once, Koshitan isn’t the butt of jokes


Kotatsu: Japan’s Way of Staying Warm in Winter
It's kept Japan warm for over 500 years. So why is it disappearing from Japanese homes? A short history of the kotatsu (and how to buy one).


Animecast: Staying Power and Promptness In Anime Reviewing
The hosts of the Otaku Spirit Animecast are here to give the rundown on anime news of today. Listen in and get caught up, or just get their…
Animecast: Staying Power and Promptness In Anime Reviewing
The hosts of the Otaku Spirit Animecast are here to give the rundown on anime news of today. Listen in and get caught up, or just get their…


BLog: Wild, Wild Wildlife
BLog reviews recent boys love, yaoi and LGBTQ+ English translation manga. Wild, Wild WildlifeStory and art: Hyougi KijimaTranslation: ???Publisher: KumaRelease Date: January 15, 2021 Oh, short stor…


Erased: It’s a Wild Ride
Let me just gush about this anime for a minute. You’ll find no in-dept analysis or theorizing here. I just wanted to express how much I loved this…


My Deer Friend Nokotan Episode 6 Review – A Nonlin-deer Episode
Nothing important happens; just weirdness.


A Wild Optimus Appears! New “Transformers: Wild King” Figures & Anime Revealed
With Transformers EarthSpark seemingly at the end of its run, Takara Tomy has announced a new Transformers anime. In fact, this is the first Japanese-produced show in 10…


Kageki Shoujo!! – 05 – Staying in the World of Dreams
Trigger Warning: this episode frankly depicts bulimia and the practice of binging and purging. Some time has passed; the girls are now in their summer unis, and Ai…


TONIKAWA: Over the Moon For You – S2 07 – Staying Cool In a Bigger World
When the summer heat arrives, Tsukasa and Nasa realize that the air conditioner in their little home doesn’t work at all. Nasa naturally knows enough about air conditioners…
TONIKAWA: Over The Moon For You, TONIKAWA: Over The Moon For You Season 2
Park Chanwook: Park Chanwook’s shorts
This episode, Chris (@antoniuspius) leads Kory (@taiikumenco) and Chris (@gokuffy) through Park Chanwook’s multitude of commercials shorts....
Deer Diary
I watch Anige 11 pretty religiously. I’ve missed only one episode, and I did so intentionally out of principle (because what’s the point of being religious is you don’t…
TONIKAWA: Over the Moon For You – 08 – Nostalgic in Nara
The big day (well, evening) has arrived: It’s time for Tsukasa to meet the parents! When they arrive in Nara, she notes that they’re near the Kasuga Grand…


10 Essential Items for Staying Warm during Winter in Japan
Gear up for winter in Japan with ten essential items to keep you warm all throughout.


My Deer Friend Nokotan Episode 4 Review – The Deer Club Is In Danger?
The Deer Club is in danger???
Staying Humble and Young at Heart as a Manga Fan
So I found out about an event that happened around Anime NYC weekend last year that involved Crunchyroll working with a organization dedicated to teaching manga literacy to…


My Deer Friend Nokotan Episode 2 Review – Deer God, There’s A Menhera Siscon!
You can probably tell I’m having a blast with these deer pun titles.


Wild Hearts
Wild Hearts feels like a variant of Monster Hunter Rise, but does it offer enough to stand on its own two feet?


The Fire Hunter – 03 – Staying Useful
Koushi meets more members of the Okibi family, including his new lovely sister Kira, who is a year older than him. Up to that point, she’d led a…


The Slumbering Nightmares of Nara Dreamland
An abandoned haunted house that offers more thrills in death than it did in life.
Popcorn Pulse 69: Napalm in the Wild
With the more recent explosion of superhero movies starting just after Iron Man proved that characters who weren’t sad about their dead parents could be a success, it’s…
Storytelling in Zelda: Breath of the Wild
Many people criticized The Legend of Zelda Breath of the Wild for its lack of storytelling. As I revisit the game, I struggle to understand their viewpoints. After…
Ikebukuro West Gate Park – Denshi no Hoshi by Ishida Ira
Once again, I was looking for something interesting on Funamation’s streaming site and came across a new anime called Ikebukuro West Gate Park. I found at least one…
A Wild Last Boss Appeared!, Vol. 1
By Firehead and YahaKo. Released in Japan by Earth Star Novels. Released in North America by J-Novel Club. Translated by Kevin Chen. Sometimes you get books where the…
A Wild Last Boss Appeared!, Vol. 2
By Firehead and YahaKo. Released in Japan by Earth Star Novels. Released in North America by J-Novel Club. Translated by Kevin Chen. I am a big fan of…


This Week in Anime - The Staying Power of the Monogatari Series
This week, Chris and Steve talk about Monogatari's long-lasting appeal—and see how far they can go before mentioning the infamous toothbrushing scene.
11 Moments In Anime 2024, #9: A Wild Bunny Girl Dub Appeared!
So...Rascal Does Not Dream of a Bunny Girl Senpai. An anime series from October 2018 that, while it didnt exactly break any new ground in terms of romantic…


J-Music Exchange/Rate ー Suki Nara Towanai by Gesu no Kiwami Otome (Album Review)
If a picture is worth a thousand words, what more a music video?
Deer King Novel!
My copy of the Deer King novel finally arrived! Expect a review of that in the near future.
The Deer King
By Andrew Osmond. Masashi Ando is co-director of The Deer King; he’s also the film’s Chief Animation Director, Character Designer and Storyboarder. Before Deer King, Ando had an…


The Deer King
Ando's talent lies in creating emotional impact through subtle character animation, even within a dense story. The emotional buildup and father-daughter relationship is brilliantly portrayed from the first…
The Deer King
By Jonathan Clements. Supposedly, life has returned to normal in the lands of Aquafa, but there are still unwelcome echoes of the past. The Empire of Zol maintains…


Nahoko Uehashi’s ‘THE DEER KING’ | NOW IN THEATERS
From directors Masashi Ando and Masayuki Miyaji comes THE DEER KING, a sweeping fantasy epic that marks the directorial debut of acclaimed animator, Masashi Ando. Based on…


My Deer Friend Nokotan Episode 1: The Deer Necessities
I was ready to lose brain cells going into this show. Yes, even in show like this I must call on Utena for help.


My Deer Friend Nokotan Episode 3: Deer Club Assemble!
All four members of the main cast together at last.