Following on from reading a friends blog (Roman_Irishman) on here, I would just like to discuss anime and Japan in general - I am no Japanophile I must stress, and I don't worship everything they do. I have a heavy interest in history and world cultures. Anyway, I have recently been in an anime kinda mood, thanks to watching one of the best anime films I've seen in a recent years - The Girl Who Leapt Through Time. I'm not here to promote the film (even though it was great by the way). But it did get me in the mood to watch another one of my favourites: Princess Mononoke. Princess Mononoke has alot of hidden references and messages about Japanese culture, and more importantly, Shinto. Some people fail to realize how big a role Shinto plays in the Japanese way of thinking and doing things. I don't pretend to know everything there is to know about this subject, and I'm always learning and am fascinated with it. If you look through alot of anime, and games, you'll see a general running theme about the relationship of humans and nature - this isn't just restricted to Miyazaki's masterpieces. You'll often see it in games like Final Fantasy, Zelda and Okami (obviously). Shinto and Japanese culture are inseparable. Running themes of feeling or being impure, and wanting to clear ones mind and/or body through their actions. The coming of Spring and signifying a fresh beginning. Having harmony with nature. Anime and games alike draw inspiration from these. I'm not entirely sure where I'm trying to go with this, I'm just rambling on about what I see. If anybody is also interested in this subject, or just want to discuss it, then feel free to comment. I've only just quickly wrote this, so I may write some more on the subject once I've done abit more thinking.