Kanpai Kronicles

Kanpai Kronicles

Talking about all things Japan: the weird, the wonderful, and the *yabai*. Join Norm and Holly as they share their experiences having lived there, what they've observed about Japanese society from many different angles, whilst getting in some laughs and cries in between!

  1. 02/01/2022

    Kanpai Special: Sid is Here! | Kanpai Kronicles 14

    In this special episode, Sid is here to join us! As another member of the Asakadai SQWAD, Sid's here to share with us his story studying at Rikkyo, and all of the usual Asakadai shenanigans that occurs. Enjoy! Timestamps [00:00:00] Lock your doors people![00:03:44] Introducing: Sid[00:05:46] Sid's Yokai of the week[00:08:53] Superstitions exist to instil behaviors for control[00:14:52] Sid's journey to Rikkyo[00:19:01] Certificate of Eligibility problems[00:27:19] The first week of signing papers[00:30:55] Sid's first day at Asakadai dorm[00:34:58] Hanging out for the first time[00:37:05] Rikkyo experience: Sid's perspective[00:45:17] Magical train instinct[00:50:35] Clubbing logistics[00:55:08] Going to concerts was free real estate[00:59:25] Sid's favourite memories in Rikkyo[01:08:43] When Sid really met Holly[01:22:14] Messing with Asakadai people[01:29:12] Sid's scary or bad experiences[01:55:00] We don't really pay attention to things outside of Japan during exchange[02:00:45] Isolation from dancing in a circle [02:05:58] What to do with the Asakadai Squad again?Links Yokai of the Week: https://yokai.com/kappa/Follow Holly here: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hotaru.chi_/Twitter: https://twitter.com/hotaruchi_YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCozAFQfdEfhjmyafFjesaqgFollow Norm here: Twitter: https://twitter.com/thisaintnormYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClRCbVifuTpvHn6WVcJaXdA/videos

    2h 17m
  2. 01/31/2022

    Happiness, Gratitude and all that good shit | Kanpai Kronicles 13

    In this episode, we talk about happy memories! What makes us happy? How did it evolve over time? Norm and Holly take a tip down memory lane as we look back at our happiest memories growing up, and how it eventually evolved into gratitude over time. Also, we talk about what an e-boy Yokai would look like...so look forward to that chemical romance! Timestamps [00:00:00] Intro[00:00:12] Football and getting our first names[00:05:11] J-Dramas and dumb memories at the dorm[00:10:48] Welcome to the show![00:15:46] The Gaijin building of Rikkyo University[00:18:53] The Yokai of the Week[00:36:20] What would spawn an eboy Yokai?[00:43:13] What's the first thing that comes to mind when we think of happiness?[00:54:48] The Years of Angst[01:04:13] Uncontrolled freedom can be dangerous[01:11:20] Seeking happiness on a deeper level[01:22:34] It's hard pointing out the happiest moment of our lives[01:27:00] Favourite happy memory in Japan[01:36:17] Finding happiness now[01:44:45] Putting chapters in our happiness[01:49:22] Happiness as defined by other peopleLinks Yokai of the Week: https://yokai.com/chouchinkozou/Coffee & Vanilla: https://mydramalist.com/37567-coffee-vanillaFollow Holly here: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hotaru.chi_/Twitter: https://twitter.com/hotaruchi_YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCozAFQfdEfhjmyafFjesaqgFollow Norm here: Twitter: https://twitter.com/thisaintnormYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClRCbVifuTpvHn6WVcJaXdA/videos

    1h 55m
  3. 01/31/2022

    The wonderful world of love hotels | Kanpai Kronicles 12

    In this episode, we dive into the wonderful world of love hotels! Exploring the concept of sex in Japan, the convenience of these buildings and all the crazy themes that exist there, Norm and Holly go design their own while navigating around this wonderfully uncomfortable topic. Enjoy! Timestamps [00:00:00] Intro, Priming for Lust[00:02:36] Dealing with religious family members[00:05:53] Introducing the show and Happy Thanksgiving![00:10:26] Celebrating Thanksgiving as an excuse for gratitude[00:14:40] A shot to your declarations![00:18:19] The wonderful world of love hotels[00:20:48] Japan After Dark[00:29:58] The accepted taboo of sex in Japan[00:34:01] The booming business of anonymous sex[00:41:01] The behaviour will still exist[00:44:14] Yokai of the Week[00:50:52] Is there a Ms Shirime? And depictions of Yokai in Manga and anime[01:04:41] Themes galore in love hotels[01:10:02] The liberation found in SM[01:14:11] A f**k trip across Japan[01:20:31] How would we design our own love hotel?[01:32:47] Our personalities don't always match to our sexual desires[01:39:54] Questioning celibacy and the difficulty of supporting a familyLinks Yokai of the Week: https://yokai.com/kejourou/11 Bizarre Japanese love hotels: https://tokyonightowl.com/11-bizarre-japanese-love-hotels/Follow Holly here: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hotaru.chi_/Twitter: https://twitter.com/hotaruchi_YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCozAFQfdEfhjmyafFjesaqgFollow Norm here: Twitter: https://twitter.com/thisaintnormYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClRCbVifuTpvHn6WVcJaXdA/videos

    1h 53m
  4. 11/23/2021

    Anime, Weaboos, and Engineered Nostalgia | Kanpai Kronicles 10

    In this episode, we talk about anime! But not just the Narutos, One Pieces, and Bleaches: we talked about the childhood anime that we grew up with, our relationship with anime fans (aka. weaboos), and the real implications of what each of the genres represent. This isn't a discussion for everyone unless you're a fan of cultural implications and anthropology too, but enjoy nonetheless! Timestamps 00:00 Intro02:06 Daylight Savings and a crazy Deepavali drinking night07:07 Yokai of the Week22:50 Childhood anime and Digimon vs. Pokemon31:31 Getting a larger worldview and growing perspectives through anime39:45 To be wrapped up in a fantasy world43:33 The origin of weaboo, and Japan as a 'perfect world'54:15 What we consume skews our impression of a country1:07:00 We understand countries through the lowest barrier of understanding1:12:43 Creating anime to provoke discussion and bring up issues1:18:35 Perfectly engineered nostalgia, and compensating for what a culture is missing1:32:16 Sexualisation of Asian Men and trends breaking stereotypes1:37:42 Becoming more skeptical of attractions after the Hallyu Wave1:46:18 Not many people in Japan watch anime as much as we do1:54:09 Manga recommendationsLinks Yokai of the Week: https://yokai.com/suikanobakemono/Psycho-Pass: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psycho-PassDance! Subaru: https://myanimelist.net/manga/6888/SubaruPromised Neverland: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Promised_NeverlandFollow Holly here: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hotaru.chi_/Twitter: https://twitter.com/hotaruchi_YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCozAFQfdEfhjmyafFjesaqgFollow Norm here: Twitter: https://twitter.com/thisaintnormYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClRCbVifuTpvHn6WVcJaXdA/videos

    2h 5m
  5. 11/02/2021

    Preparing to live in Japan | Kanpai Kronicles 7

    In this episode, we talk about what to know, bring, and research when moving to Japan! From things you don't need to bring to necessary recommendations and logistics to consider, we give you the rundown on what you need to set up ASAP! WARNING: This episode contains graphic themes, namely because of our chosen Yokai of the week. If you're not a fan of graphic/violent imagery, please use the timestamps below to skip to the main topic! #PocariSweatBoyz Timestamps: 00:00 Intro2:03 Catching up8:42 Lockdown messed with our sense of time12:33 We relate more with the obscene15:40 (EXPLICIT) Youkai of the week: Enkou30:55 Moving to Japan: What should you prepare?34:36 Should we bring personal items?38:38 Holly sharing her experiences moving in for work40:07 The little things you have to worry about42:43 Trust your own medicine49:03 When in doubt, seek a Japanese colleague50:19 Pocari Sweat, Elixir of Life53:55 Ukon to save you from binging alcohol54:48 You should know this before entering1:01:05 Japan loves long-term contracts1:11:49 Prepare clothes for 4 seasons1:21:25 Winter is dependent on the region1:26:26 The mentality you should have when moving to Japan1:36:34 How do you act in a foreign environment?Links Yokai of the Week, Enkou: https://yokai.com/enkou/Follow Holly here: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hotaru.chi_/Twitter: https://twitter.com/hotaruchi_YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCozAFQfdEfhjmyafFjesaqgTwitch: https://www.twitch.tv/hotaruchiFollow Norm here: Twitter: https://twitter.com/thisaintnormYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClRCbVifuTpvHn6WVcJaXdA/videos

    1h 42m

About

Talking about all things Japan: the weird, the wonderful, and the *yabai*. Join Norm and Holly as they share their experiences having lived there, what they've observed about Japanese society from many different angles, whilst getting in some laughs and cries in between!