The season of change.
This is going to be a mix of a "Life Update" post and a "fandom" post.
Feels like only a few weeks ago I gave that massive update since coming back home, and now I feel compelled to do another one. So check this out:
After 30 years of hard work on my favorite series of all time, "Tekken," Katsuhiro Harada, the game's producer, has announced his retirement.
Regardless of how I feel about "Tekken 8" right now, this marks a massive change for the gaming industry and my favorite series (the name "Kazama" in my username comes from "Tekken" btw). Hot on the heels of the passing of Itagaki, known for producing some of the most impactful games in the "Dead or Alive" series, the FGC has been hit with some massive changes in the landscape of the genre and leaves large question marks about the future of the industry.
It's a bit sad and disheartening, because Harada has always been an active, engaged and charismatic producer outside of just being a game developer. He's well-known for interacting with fans at tournaments, online, and doing a wide range of interpersonal exploits that make him stand out as the figurehead of the series.
Even so, he has earned his retirement, considering his health and the waves of change within the industry. Tekken 7 and Tekken 8 feel like they've taken bold steps, maybe even grand deviations from what I've come to know and love about the series, but there was always a resonating core sentiment in gameplay, story, characters, etc. that always made this series feel like home.
To this day I remember being 4 years old playing "Tekken 3" with my dad and my cousins. The older I got, each next "Tekken" installment, we always met up and whoever had the newest "Tekken," we would always show up at their house and throw down. It became a bit of a family staple.
Additionally, the themes of complex family drama, albeit less fantastical in my own life, is always something that I resonated with. Despite my dad's family being well-connected, my other half of my family is full of drama and chaos. Actually, Harada once stated that the "Devil Gene" was an allegory for having a chaotic family, making it feel like your bloodline is actually cursed, and that is something I can certainly relate to.
So thank you, Harada-san. Enjoy retirement.
This is the End of an Era, but it also marks a beginning of a new one.
Because today, I also got notified that I have been accepted to my #1 Law School on my list!
Now, I'm still in the process of doing things to make it to where I can actually branch out and become a lawyer, so it's not a 100% guarantee, but I hope that this (combined with the fact that I may also be getting scholarship) moves the needle in that direction. I've had to call in for extra help and support to make this happen, and there have still been an annoying amount of obstructions that have made this process more difficult.
The past few weeks I've really wanted to just give up. The stress has gotten to me like never before, I haven't been to the gym as much, I feel more exhausted, and on top of the seasons changing and possibly having to cancel plans to see my family (my sister's 18th birthday is coming up), it has all seemed cumbersome.
Most of the days have felt like walking through thick mud. Even some of the people I've asked for support have either flaked out on me or just told me to kick rocks. But occasionally, there have been some signs that this might be the right option and that I just gotta hold on a little longer. And today, getting notified that my #1 school also wants me--that feels like a pretty good sign.
ADDITIONALLY:
More anime news, but of a less-descript nature.
There has been a lot of speculation on what this could mean, but news has emerged on social media stating that there a signs of a possible remake of the anime "Katekyo Hitman Reborn!"
So far the only thing I've seen is news of an IP or Website domain or something of that nature being procured that contains the "KHR" name. Internet sleuths are scrambling to clarify that the rumors don't automatically mean a full-on remake is on the horizon, but I also have seen some reports that Pony Canyon might pick it up.
Who's to say it's a full-on remake? It could just be a new line of merch or maybe a video-game or any number of other things for "KHR," but something is certainly better than nothing!
It's kinda ironic, because a few months ago, I was randomly getting inundated with a ton of reels about KHR, particularly clips of he anime and cool jp merch like figures and stuff. I love KHR, and even though I need to finish the last 3 seasons (I'VE BEEN BUSY, OKAY!) and thankfully they are still on Crunchyroll (b/c CR has a tendency to just drop shows I like) so hopefully I can finally binge watch it.
Oh, if I could binge watch the last 3 seasons of KHR while I'm at Law School, EVERYTHING I'VE GONE THROUGH WILL BE WORTH IT!
I actually might do my KHR Cosplay at this Convention this weekend. We'll see.
But yeah, this year has been full of "Ends of Eras."
The Pillows disbanded on February 1st (my heart still hurts).
The "Kingdom Hearts" mobile game project has been scrapped (on my birthday, too? I took that personally).
KHR might be getting a remake or some other new additions.
Harada is retiring.
I got accepted to Law School and hopefully can career change to be a lawyer.
I'm still powering through a lot of the stress of putting the pieces into place to do what it is I've been vying for for over a decade...But maybe this is a sign that this right. Maybe this is the sign that I gotta hold on just a little longer.
Until then...
