Published: 1985 (Shinchosha) Setting: Tokyo, “The Town” Summary: In Murakami’s favorite novel, our main characters shuffles information as he shuffles around the Tokyo underground. In alternating chapters, Murakami builds a Tokyo city-scape full of data inquirers professors, and Inklings (based on kappa), while also building an imaginary town within the mind of our main character. Our main character,Continue reading “Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World-Haruki Murakami”
Author Archives: wblake2
Tokyo Vice-Jake Adelstein
Published: 2009 (Random House and Pantheon) Setting: Saitama and Tokyo, Japan Summary: Jake Adelstein is a reporter, one with a code and a conscience and eventually an axe to grind. Through his various run-ins with cops, sex workers, other reporters, and the yakuza Adelstein learned that the underbelly of Japan is ultimately as dark andContinue reading “Tokyo Vice-Jake Adelstein”
Pokemon 204: The Big Balloon Blow-up
Airdate: June 14th, 2001 Summary: Our heroes roll up on a crop circle, or is it a parking zone? No, it’s a hot air balloon landing zone. Ash’s gang meets up with a boy named Skylar, who is using the X on the ground as a target! Ash meets Skylar’s dad, who gives our groupContinue reading “Pokemon 204: The Big Balloon Blow-up”
First Person Singular-Haruki Murakami
Published: 2020 (Bungeishunju) Summary (of each story): Cream: A young man gets stood up by an old piano partner and decides to sit on a park bench. He has a panic or stress-induced attack and hallucinates. His hallucinations bring him a form of reprieve he can come back to that allows him to forget momentsContinue reading “First Person Singular-Haruki Murakami”
Dance Dance Dance-Haruki Murakami
Published: 1994 (Kodansha) Setting: Tokyo, Hokkaido, Honolulu, Hakone Summary: In the fourth and final installment of the “Trilogy of the Rat”, Murakami answers the question, what happens after you lose everything? He answers this by positing that all you need to do is dance in step with what is going on around you. I, theContinue reading “Dance Dance Dance-Haruki Murakami”
Pokemon 203: Doin’ What Comes Natu-rally
Airdate: June 7th, 2001 Summary: Our heroes are on the way to Olivine City when they run into a boy with a naughty Natu. They make their way to a street performer festival. Brock hogs the noodles and Cubone is throwing their bone around. There is enough food, comedy, and Pokémon for the whole family.Continue reading “Pokemon 203: Doin’ What Comes Natu-rally”
Pokemon 202: Turning Over a New Bayleef
Airdate: May 31st, 2001 Summary: Our friends are taking a mid-day break. Bayleef comes out of her ball, and becomes a little too excited when seeing Ash, trampling him. Bayleef does not know how to control her strength. Ash is a little rough on Bayleef, chastising it for its Tackle. Ash even chastises Bayleef whenContinue reading “Pokemon 202: Turning Over a New Bayleef”
Pokemon 201: Current Events
Airdate: May 24th, 2001 Summary: Our friends are in a field near a windmill. Ash lets his Pokémon out and Chikorita is smitten with Ash per usual. Team Rocket enters the building near the windmill, while Ash and Chikorita go looking for firewood and get stuck in the building. Pikachu hears Ash, but can’t getContinue reading “Pokemon 201: Current Events”
Pokemon 200: The Heartbreak of Brock
Airdate: May 17th, 2001 Summary: Our friends are on the way to Olivine City, and decide to stay in a park. A Nidorina runs to take a drink near the gang, and a girl named Temaku runs after it but trips. Brock catches her in his arms, and she falls in love with him. TemakuContinue reading “Pokemon 200: The Heartbreak of Brock”
Pokemon 199: The Art of Pokemon
Airdate: May 10th, 2001 Summary: Our friends make it to Whitestone, and Team Rocket adores the marble. As they walk into the town they run into a group of Smeargle drawing all over the town. The Smeargle are chased by a group of rioters. In the group, an old man named Jack Pollackson pipes upContinue reading “Pokemon 199: The Art of Pokemon”
Will Reviews Things 