It’s 2019~! Happy new year to all of the sweet princes and princesses that visit the Kawaii Palace~ The new year is a very important holiday in Japan. Shrines are visited in traditional formal wear to ask for blessings and luck in the coming year…and the beautiful and timeless kimono is the clothing of choice for this occasion! While there are customs to follow when wearing such garments full of history, it’s exciting to experiment with your look to create something new! Are you looking to try wearing kimono to celebrate the new year? Here are a few ideas of how to incorporate modern-day styling into your traditional kimono outfit~
What is a “tsundere” character? {Anime Tropes Explained}
It’s time for another “Anime Tropes Explained”~! Today’s topic is a rather mysterious one–every time I approach it, it gets flustered and calls me names before running away!
Can you guess what popular archetype we’ll be discussing in this lesson…? If you guessed the “tsundere” personality trait…you’re right! Follow me as I explore the ins-and-outs of a tsundere character…if I can manage to get close enough to keep it from slapping me…and you better keep reading this post, b-baka…
From ‘Ookami-san to Shichinin no Nakama-tachi’.
How is Christmas Celebrated in Japan? {Culture Lesson}
The holiday season is here! Christmas is celebrated all around the world–each country with their own unique folklore and traditions. And Japan is no different! So just how is celebrate Christmas in Japan…? Let’s find out in today’s “Japanese Culture Lesson”~!
The Ultimate Otaku Holiday Gift Guide! 2018 Edition
Artwork by morikuraen.
The holiday season is upon us! It’s a time of cheery music, delicious treats, and…lots and lots of shopping! Do you know what you’re getting for your family and friends this year?! Maybe you have a friend, sibling, or relative that you know is a super big anime fan, and are looking for that perfect something for under the tree to surprise them with. Heck, maybe you’re even shopping for yourself–no shame in that! Today I’m exploring the many different kinds of otaku (a.k.a. hardcore anime fans!
) and coming up with awesome and cost-effective gift ideas for each one. You’re guaranteed to find a super kawaii gift for someone who love, so read on to get inspired~!
The journey to being a published mangaka in ‘Comic Girls’ {Anime Review}
There’s no doubt that the beautiful animation and artistry of anime and manga attracts artist from around the world~! Are you someone who likes to draw? Maybe even an up-and-coming mangaka or animator? Imagine growing up in a dorm full of aspiring manga artists, all working to improve their craft while also juggling their studies…wouldn’t that be the dream?!
About two months ago I watched ‘Comic Girls’, an anime that aired in the spring of this past year. The plot is just what I described above–a shy, crybaby girl who goes by Kaos travels to the city to live in a dorm full of other artists to pursue her dream of becoming a published manga author. If you like to draw, or have any sort of creative pursuits, then this heartwarming story is sure to interest you…!Read More »
10 Relaxing Anime + Game Songs for Studying
Artwork by makokujira.
Hi everyone! For those of you who are students–school is now in session! Your midterms or final exams may be coming up…It’s a stressful time for all, but don’t worry! Hii-chan is here to help you pass your exams while still expressing your otaku spirit, with this music playlist of relaxing anime, J-pop, and videogame songs that will help you concentrate!
Floor-length anime hair…in real life?! Hair model Momoco
Photo from Momoco’s blog.
There are countless anime heroines with beautiful hair the length of their entire body–think of Chii from Chobits, or Hatsune Miku‘s long twintails! Super long hair inspires ideas of elegance, old-fashioned femininity, and a touch of fantasy. It’s a gorgeous sight that you’ll never witness in the real world…or will you?!
Photo from Momoco’s Instagram.
Momoco-san may look like your average girl, but she’s been working hard on something that’s going to break world records…her super long hair!
The wonderfully weird world of ‘Hausu’ {Halloween film review}
October is here! Halloween is fast approaching…and it’s the perfect time of year foooor…you guessed it–scary movies~! Now, I don’t know about you, but while I can appreciate creepy aesthetics, I actually have a rather weak stomach. Gory slasher flicks are hard for me to sit through, and jumpscares have me through the roof…!
But there’s a fantastic movie that I like to bring out every Halloween, that’s the perfect mix of horror, camp, and humor…and that movie is Nobuhiko Ôbayashi’s ‘Hausu’.
Now, Japanese horror films are often considered a genre of their own by movie buffs–and there are so many classic J-horror movies to choose from! “Ju-on” (“The Grudge“), “Audition”, and “Ringu” (“The Ring“) are just a few films that come to mind when thinking about the genre. These movies are famous world-wide, and have even come to set the standard with certain horror movie tropes (like spooky ghost girls with long black hair! ). But the film we’re discussing today is infamous in a different way…The plot is absurd. The acting is cheesy. The special effects are hokey. But the reason that this movie has so many fans throughout the world is because, well…there’s just nothing else like it! It’s one of those movies that’s hard to describe–you just have to jump in and experience it! But, this is a blog with words, so I’ll do my best to introduce you to this trippy world full of blood-spewing cats and dancing skeletons…
8 kawaii beauty products for the fall season!
Original artwork by nae-nae.
Fall is finally here in full-swing! It’s a time to admire the beauty of the crisp falling leaves, and think about the new beginnings in our life–whether that means starting a new year at school or starting a new job. Whatever new path you’re embarking on this season, let’s face it with your best look! Here are 8 of Hii-chan’s favorite makeup and beauty products to help you look like the ‘main protagonist’ you’ve always wanted to be~!
Assorted Face Mask set by Etude House ~
Depending on where you live, climates may be changing to harsher winds and colder temperatures–so before you put your makeup on, don’t forget to pamper your skin first! This affordable face mask set by famed Korean makeup brand ‘Etude House’ comes with a variety of different kinds of masks with cute themes–like ‘Manuka Honey‘, ‘Green Tea‘, and ‘Damask Rose‘–each with its own healing properties. Help your skin be purified and sparkling before the day with these masks, in order to put your best face forward~!
What is ‘moe’? {Anime Tropes Explained}
If you’re a fan of anime and manga, then you’ve probably come across this mysterious word–maybe you’ve read it in description for a pretty female character, seen it used as a description for an anime’s art style, or heard an anime character mutter “moeee~” in response to something unbearably adorable. But what does it mean, exactly? Let’s get to the bottom of this “moe” mystery!
From the anime ‘Milky Holmes’.