Day 19 The Anime to Video Games Pipeline

So "maybe" in the year of 2000 my first exposure to Video Games was at my grandma's House were I watch my brother play with the PlayStation 1 and playing an demo disc containing all the PS1 games that came out or coming soon to release, games like Crash Bandicoot   and Intelligence Cube. 

Seeing all the different games with different genres you can play blow my little mind. My first thought was wanted more of this so I can play, but that other part of my head was scared and was overwhelmed, which frustrated me now on why didn't I play beforehand. 

But either way that was my way participating: watching other people playing video games, the only days that I do play video games was if it was easy or shut up my scary imaginations in my head and play the game!! And still to this day, that was my mato. 

In the year of 2001 I saw alot of video games coming out and knowing that was a little crazy show called TechTV-the network shifted toward broader tech-related content such as gaming and pop culture; and shows like The Screen Savers, Nerd Nation and most famously: X-Play.

And with that my Obsession of finding and try to watch the games was a go! The List of endless for me in the 2001: 

Franchise like: Final Fantasy IX and Final Fantasy X begins my love of the magic, setting and characters of the series; Super Smash Bros. Melee and seeing my cousins playing that series for the first time and watching all the other  famous video game mascots duck it out! And that not the first Fighting game I saw too it was Super Street Fighter II Turbo/Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike, Tekken 4, and Guilty Gear 1 + X (I saw surprisely alot of Cosplay of that series in the 2000s) 

Then it was hack and slash games like: Devil May Cry

And first-person shooter games: Halo: Combat Evolved

And the many, MANY, violent and crude games like Doom, Grand Theft Auto series and Conker's Bad Fur Day (funny enough, to say it tricked me too is an understatement) 

And Sonic! Oh Man, I can be here all day talking about my favorite hedgehog speedster, but I want to save that story for later, but all I have to say is: thanks to myself at a summer camp and seeing Sonic Adventure 2 for the first Time.

It's thanks to all Video Game magazines and sometimes the internet for letting me know all the games I've just listed; Magazines like: Electronic Gaming Monthly, Game Informer, Game Developer magazine, Nintendo Power and even the Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine and BOY! Did I learn alot! Both about the games, the developments and creations of a whole and people who love games as a whole too.

And during the 2001 I've also heard of this magical yet technical place; in a far away land of Los Angeles where New game Console and Video Games are showcased and Announced in one huge building and it was Called: E3. 

And to think little me thinking if I save enough money: it was my dream to visit this magical place...As if! 😅

As during my video game journey was going smoothly, I've meant with a New (yet familiar) problem and this was my first exposure to this phenomenon as a little girl too! The whole "girls can't play" (or just "girls can't enter subject here") and seeing this the first time Really confused me one: There are female programmer,developers, writers and other more in the gaming market. Two: I've seen MANY girls and woman from little girls to grown adults woman play many genres of video games.  And three: ...well, that's should be it. 

So really don't get all the boys and even grown adults men get so pressed, technical and get even Mad of something that does exist and not hurting them. 

For example: let's Use Kingdom Hearts series and the Final Fantasy series as a whole; because these two series are quite popular with the girls.

In the year 2002, summer vacation was almost over (and was about to enter kindergarten), but I was still at my home relaxing watching Kim Possible on Disney channel until I saw that famous commercial...

I saw the commercial game Kingdom Hearts the action role-playing game strangely featuring characters and world settings from Disney animated features... I was both confused and starstruck by the setting and the animation of this series that wanted to know more about it, 

Then one day on my last play day of vacation me and my brother visited my other cousins home to baby sit, and as I was just walking around the house taking a tour (in other words:I was bored) then I went to my cousin bedroom and then I saw it... the Kingdom Hearts game on her bed. Just laying there. And me just staring at in awe. I saw the PlayStation 2 next to her TV and knew exactly I need to do. 

I quickly ran to my cousin and asked her if I can play it and surprising she said yes! So I ran back to her bedroom, turn on the Tv and PlayStation 2, open the disc and pop in the game disc in the console; ive heard the famous PlayStation 2 startup and was getting excited and then....the opening starts

"I've been having these weird thoughts lately.....is any of this for real or not?." 

That ominous quote and the iconic opening combined featuring Utada Hikaru was just breathtaking! 

The 3D Animation 

The Character designs 

The MUSIC!!

And to to top it off, the game start titled music came in and I just fell in love, but then something bad happened, Once i gone the game sequence and head straight to the gameplay. I Froze. 

The back of my head was talking negative to me and I freakin Froze! Little me was getting overwhelmed again and I paused the game! I don't know what came over me, but i Quickly walk out of my cousin room, went to living room and just watch TV like nothing happen. Till this day I regrated not finishing the game, but That didn't stop me trying to find and learn more Infor and gameplay of the game.

Speaking of gameplay and Learning, I've found out more about the history of Final fantasy (and other JRPGs from Square) On Tech TV in a documentary back in 2004 (it was called "Icons") and a separate disc from Final Fantasy XII: Collector's Edition in 2006 a friend in middle school gave me. 

But, back in 2001; the one game that made me notice the series a whole was Final fantasy X (FF10) and boy! was it hyped up! everyone back in Kindergarten really wanted to get this game and that don't even get started on the teens either, they been want it too. I wanted to see more of this game but, no luck or time for me to check it out until one day in my Kindergarten school In the beginning of May, a random boy (who was one of the cool kids in the school) brought in a disc called  Jampack Demo Disc Winter 2001 witch feature Demo like: Dynasty Warriors 3, Kinetica, Extermination, SSX Tricky and of course...Final Fantasy X! 

The kids in our classroom were (including me and my old friend) surprised and exhilarated! Once it was recess: The boys went straight to the Gaming station (It was actually called the Computer Learning Room, but the whole class agreed it sound lame for a room that had: Three iMac G3s, three CRTs connected to a PlayStation 1 and 2, and N64) and pop it in the PlayStation 2. Me and other random two girls also wanted to see the demo too, but one of the boys said "You cant come, only boys can see," and another said "Yeah, you know don't know this!"  And my Responds: I do knows this!" and (ironically + perfectly timed too) pulled out the Official U.S. PlayStation magazine + Game Informer magazine Infront of them. (I brought them with me so I can read them during lunch time when I alone to myself or at the front office when im ready to be picked up) They all saw the magazine and stand there in silents, when the cool kid said: "They can come if they want to." Not only did I save my tail, but also the other girls too. 

Once they put in the disc, and boot up the console, We all saw a janky 3D girl character introducing to the demo and more, and the other options of games to play. The cool kid then said: So, which one yall want me to play?" Everyone in the room Responded: Final Fantasy X!! 

And so He did...everyone in the room went quite, we saw the Square logo and then THAT iconic Music started playing and seeing all 7 different characters siting around the fire while one of them (named: Titus) climes up a hill and looks afar at the sunset...then the title dropped; already Me and the two girls were in amazed by the beautiful setting, and the game just getting started, next thing we knew the 3D animation drastically changed with the main character laying in a water all wet (That definitely caught the girls eyes) and then his eyes open and the music changed from melancholy piano to Rock, it caught all of us off guard, but that didn't stop us from head banging to the music. There was a lot going on too: from the strange fantasy water sport, to a mysterious yet cool looking guy (Named: Auron) on top of a building and a Huge tsunami coming in destroying buildings and once were all set in on the game sequence the cool kid started playing and From the looks of it, it looked easy so far; Though is was a Demo. Then as Titus and Auron were done fight off the "Sins" a giant moving sky portal open and sucked both of them up! and that's were the demo ended on. We some groan while others say "No!" just when things were getting good. 

As the others Boys were playing SSX Tricky; me and the other girls went to Comfy Room (aka: The Library Room) and read one of my Gaming magazine I pulled out, including one Animerica Magazine together. Probably one of the peak moments in my Kindergarten years.

From that point on in 2005 I was fascinated with Final Fantasy series and all thanks to that one cool kid, gaming guidebooks and especially YouTube; I've remember all the gameplay, Trailers for other spinoffs and main titles, Parody Videos and GMV (Game Music Videos).(I even made my self a playlist of all gaming moments and random videos on YouTube of my memories)  So, it doesn't matter if im a girl who love Kingdom Hearts and Final Fantasy Series because I've got many other games I know, want to know of and finely fully playing them!

Which comes to my main problem: Me having the courage to play the game! And during my not so middle class life: I've found out that its not just me; there are other Guys and Gals who are also struggled in life and money and had to read guidebooks and magazines and Watch YouTube gameplay videos and they still do! (since Gaming has been getting expensive too) so they (including me) try to find other alternatives ways to play games like: emulating or Pirating them as a whole.   

As Im doing this blog; I now have a PSP and a Gameboy SP with games for me to play. Not only am I proud of myself for overcoming my fear, but this was just the start of my gaming journey,!

As of right, keep discovering and searching new and old video games, Keep griding until YOU have fun and Stay Golden! 💛  

 

Day 18 grateful what I had then, learning what I needed to know and want!

 

I was not raised in a rich/stable life.

All of our past life were small, rusting and fairly affordable house (back then in the 90s/2000s) one of them being an apartment. But regardless, I was well fed, we had an computer, but we didn't had the internet until 2002 So, I had to stick with educational computer games (which was fun for me) and and if we want a little more entertainment; we even had video games console that even I was surprised we had and played, the big names I can remember playing was Saga Saturn, Game cube and Nintendo Wii. Sadly my mom and dad gave those console away to the prawn and goodwill (but its my mission get those console back including the console I've always wanted with my own money!)

My dad had alot of boxs of comic books in his garage and introduced me the cool, tensed, edgy and awesome world of Comics. 

But unlike with Video Games and Comics; Anime was a different story, I had no merchandise at all; it was my father again who had all the anime DVDs, CDs and books (Only half percent of them DVDs were Bootleg) and Toy/Figures.

Meanwhile in the 2003 I was already dreaming my ultimate Cozy Otaku/Woman Cave with my own drawn illustration and a PACKED List of Anime DVD/Manga I've always wanted, but the real reason I really wanted my own Cave: is when I saw an blog post online about the difference Otaku/Anime fans rooms with different settings and designs with photos online showing off there Collections, But alas if I wanted to make that happen I had to take my time, Save ALOT of money and be patience.

As of right now, I have a fair good amount of DVD, CD, Anime Figures and other stuff and if I really Think back; I'm thank full for mother and father for raising me right and loving me good enough on the roof under our head to keep on living, even if it was raining inside some times from the hard times, I've grown to bring an umbrella along the road. 

So, as of right now: Take your time with your money and yourself and stay Golden 

Day 17 To be noticed... The Right Way 🫶🏾

You know. Being a black fangirl in my childhood was very weird. 

Like I said before, I was one of the easy targets to bash on because of the ways I've acted, the ways I've talked and the ways that I've dress differently, not because they didn't like it, but its because I wasn't following the code of an Black person stereotype; either to fit the code of our own people or to be comfortable of being the butt of a joke to white people.

Black fans in fandom, back in the older days like the 60s, 70s and 80s has be complicated as heck, even for being quiet: you either don't get noticed cause you were quite and shy but, still want to be heard, OR you do get noticed; but for being "different" outside of group the wrong kind (basically getting called a Nerd). So it took deadcaction to enter a group to fit in to by another group that is rejected by an even bigger society that don't respect the geek and nerd culture. 

Take William Thomas III for example, he was one of the few black people who started one of the oldest anime club in America back in 1982.

Where his club was running a screening of "Final Yamato" as well as Japanese Live Action and other Animation in General and by 1985 Bill (one of William friends) had made it an independent group and renamed it as the Philadelphia Animation Society. 

Being led by a personality such as William, He was one of our people in the Early days of Japanese Anime Fandom that shared and tell His love of the Genre to others.  

And even after Bill's death in 2015, the remaining members decided to keep their group going on their own still this day! 

Then In the 90s, where the real anime boom was beginning with a debut show called toonami showing anime like Sailor Moon, Ronin Warriors, Voltron, Robotech and most importantly Dragon Ball Z, which was a black crowd favorite, and many more in the 90s. It was a great year getting involved in a genre the black community have never seen before.

Then you go to the 2000s and we definitely saw a differences. Cause even Adult Swim gave more anime, showing anime like: Cowboy Bebop (seeing character like Punch and Coffee blow my mind!),YuYu Hakusho, Lupin the third, Big O, witch Hunter Robin, Fullmetal Alchemist and much more; and with even more anime that came in, the black community grew even bigger. With more attending in Anime Clubs, getting more into cosplay and fanart many more. 

What was once considered a niche subculture in America, has become deeply embedded in Black pop culture. From fashion and music to social media and conventions, the Black community has embraced anime not just as a form of entertainment but as a medium of expression, identity, and creativity.

But beneath all the positive. Comes the negative.

And that perfectly described the early 2010s; Physical media almost fading from the fad and tech including the internet was growing more people online, that also include in the anime fandom too and that also means more angry, ignorant and self-conscious white kids, teens and even adults are even more confident and proud of there hatred towards black folks online.

Because let's address the elephant in the room: Japan has had an rocky yet strange history with Black American. From seeing the first black samurai to, Japanese people tried there hardest to gaslight us and themself or even erase between a small history beween black/Asian history, but we're quickly brainwashed by the white Americas and make us look like were something different.

For Example: in the early 1830s, the Northeastern states, Minstrel Shows were the epitome of promoting racism. Minstrel Shows were everywhere in America. It was another way of fueling stereotypes against Black people that were put in place to ruin our self esteem & to teach us to hate ourselves & each other, Which means it's gone global too... 

From unrealistic behaviors to the many, many, MANY blackface during its long history of anime 

It’s characters like the ones above that shows anti-Blackness & further the idea that Black people as a whole are less than human beings. Especially when the representation of Black people treats them as if they’re animals.

And that made little me feel confused and  uncomfortable...

But, back in the 2000s there was one character that that blew my little girl brain...

Afro Samurai

The most badass character I've seen!

written and illustrated by manga artist Takashi Okazaki for a dōjinshi manga magazine called "Nou Nou Hau" from November 1998 to September 2002

He was Inspired by listening and showed his love for hip hop and soul music in the black community 

It follows the life of Afro Samurai, whose father the owner of the No. 1 headband was killed by a gunslinger and the owner of the No. 2 headband. Afro would sets on a journey for revenge. 

 I remembered Seeing this back in 2005 and seeing the pilot video from anime studio: Gonzo and witness the Awesome Animation and memorable music: 400 Years by Cyne, Next Time by Gang Starr (My Personal Favorite) and Run to the Sun by N.E.R.D. which open up more of my music taste for me. And being successfully greenlited, made into an actual series with memorable creative team between Okazaki himself, Gonzo, THEE Wu-Tang Clan member RZA and FREAKING Samuel L. Jackson voicing the main character...like WHAT!! 

It was truly a treat to the black community in the 2000s. 

But back to the 2010s, and although the negative was growing...our proudness and creativity was growing still growing in the black community along with anime itself. 

You can definitely see a change in representation of Black people for the better. For example… We have great anime like 2008 Michiko To Hatchin that respectfully depicted Black people in the best and non offensive way possible. And heres more of my favorite...

To name a few💗:

Claudia LaSalle- Super Dimension Fortress Macross (1982)

Uub- Dragon Ball GT (1996)

Casca- Berserk (1997)

Jason Ozuma- Hajime no Ippo (2000)

Cyborg 005 /Geronimo Jr. And Cyborg 008/Pyunma- Cyborg 009 (2001)

Glenda- Petite Princess Yucie (2002)

 Bob Makihara- Tenjho Tenge (2004)

Yoruichi Shihouin, Kaname Tosen And Jackie Tristan- Bleach (2004)

Dutch- Black Lagoon (2006)

Villetta Nu- Code Geass (2006)

Issa Mihotoke- Air Gear (2006)

Darui, Killer B, and Karui- Naruto Shippuden (2007)

Kilik Rung- Soul Eater (2008)

Agil (Andrew Gilbert Mills)- Sword Art Online (2009)

Miyuki Ayukawa- Basquash (2009)

Canary- Hunter x Hunter (2011)

Mohammed Avdol-  JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Stardust Crusaders (2021)

Nils Yajima (Nils Nielsen)- Gundam Build Fighters Try (2014)

Rock Lock (Ken Takagi)- My Hero Academia (2016)

Carole Stanley- Carole & Tuesday (2019)

Ogun Montgomery & Charon- Fire Force (2019)

Onyankopon- Attack on Titan-S4 (2021)

And of course Huey & Riley Freeman- The Boondocks (2005) (Yes they count!)

Which comes to my conclusion: why bother being racist to black people NOW in 2026 for a pathetic reaction or to be dominant when we the black community been knew that we have the higher up in our creative history.

As of right now, Stay Blessed and Stay Woke Black History month💚🖤🧡✊🏾 and Stay Golden 💛

Day 16~Love is in the Air~💘

 

The weather is warming up quite a bit, all type of candy/Many chocolate are stocked up to be bought or made, Flowers, cards and other lovely gifts to give our love ones or boyfriends and girlfriends and all the singles people are more crude than usual...

Yes, it's February and Valentine is coming closer So that Means more Anime to watch if your in the mood for Love. 

And made My personal list of perfect Shoujo/Josei Episodes OVAs and Movies for YOU to watch:

Movies:

Your Name

The Garden of Words

Howl's Moving Castle

5 Centimeters per Second

Doukyusei

The Last: Naruto The Movie (trust me: its half romance half Action Shonen...)

Series:

MAISON IKKOKU

Kodocha

His and Her Circumstances

Honey and Clover

Kanon

Clannad

Ef - a tale of memories

Kimi ni Todoke: From Me to You

Lovely★Complex

Kamisama Kiss

Love, Chunibyo & Other Delusions

Place to Place

My Love Story!!

My Happy Marriage

A Sign of Affection

Wotakoi: Love is Hard for Otaku

The Dangers in My Heart

Bloom Into You

Tonikawa: Over The Moon For You

The Fragrant Flower Blooms with Dignity

Another Bonus!...My Other go-to Favorite romance Movies

Chocolat

Kate & Leopold

Sleepless in Seattle

Notting Hill

Four Weddings and a Funeral

When Harry Met Sally...

Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist

My Big Fat Greek Wedding

Music and Lyrics

Amélie

Shakespeare in Love

All Cinderella Movies

So As of right now, have a great Valentine with your lover Or Friends (even online Friends), show and give other lovely Gifts and Stay Golden 💝💛💌

Day 15 It time to be REALLY Free!! Bringing back OCs, Ships and Fun!

 

So...As you were scanning my new year resolutions you may have notice that one of my to dos have make an OC...and that because ive never made one before.

Think about all those years in my childhood of loving Dragon Ball, Bleach and Keroro Gunso I never made an OC, fanficion, fanart, headcandons, or Even an AMV and that because of two reasons:

1. I was very young and didn’t know how to work or have my own laptop or the computer programs to make art or AMV, cause my family was kinda low on the money side. 

2. I was scared to create them.

Scared to be called Names like: Cringe, Gay, or any name on the book to make me feel defeated. But seeing all the different arts and crafts back in the early 2000s from the amazing, cute, weird, dark, low to high level quality of art that I've seen was breath taking for little me. It also taught me to stop holding back what you love and show your voice with the powers of creativity and thoughtfulness for the author work with much appaud, criticism and inspiration. 

So now in 2026, we to be more courageous, more creative and show more confidence of what we love! 

Day 14 Never Stop Buying and Pirateing Media!!!

 

Let me set the scene for you: you been hearing from other Anime fans talking about this niche old anime that's good. like 10/10  good you so look for it on any streaming app and it's either not there, you have to pay for it or it series or movie is leaving soon. 

Well, I'm here to tell to take matters in your hands now, and that's buying the DVD/VHS or just pirate it.

Now buying CAN be easy if you know what your doing

1: Please start slow! You don't need to rush your self into buying a bundle of DVD and VHS in a week, month or in one day just look like this room!

or this! 

Take your time and save your money wisely 

2:You choose your favorite movies Or Tv shows that you always wanted. Any kind!

3: find a local media store near you (Like goodwill or a Niche video place) or buy them online cheap (which can be tough if you look hard enough) 

And if that didn't work best for you... Try Pirating 

Look, I know we've been told to never Pirate stuff online but, the big companies are either; making our media go worse by deleting important information like books, Tv shows, Movies, Histories and many more, plus are really taking more than helping. 

So search online like Youtube or TikTok and find some simple tutorials on how to Properly Pirate Media (DVD, CDs, even Books)

Now in the year of 2026 Companies are now more evil than ever; it time we fight back or even domain our right for our Arts and Entertainment

So as of right now, be more courageous on Arts and Media and Stay Golden 💛

My New Year Resolutions in 2026

 

Hello Guy, snice its a new year Finally decided to give me a pick me up and make some new resolutions for myself; some will be easy, others im not too sure, but I may never know, cause it only starts by me starting with time and patience 

So in the meantime, Here's my list 

Post more discussions and stories on my blog   

Get CD player + DVD player

Get a New Laptop (Thinkpad would be nice)

Edit more videos for YouTube and for others 

Decorate my Car 

Donate more! + Save more Money

Dye my Hair Dark Red (Skunk style)

See more Movies in Theaters 

Create a Fun Personal Website 

Create My own Keronians (Aka Orikero)OCs Appearance, Stories, Lore and Commission art 

Cook and Bake more 

Do more Arts and Crafts (Painting, pottery) 

Just Go out or Hang out with others more 

And that's all I can think of for right now, So as of right now: Do your own Resolutions, Wish me and Stay Golden.