When experiencing another culture, whether it be travelling, consuming foreign entertainment or a cultural phenomenon, I always use my own lived experiences as a foundation in understanding the concepts. After which, I find research, usually pop-cultural references, to further understand the lived experiences of those whose culture I am experiencing for the first time. In combining these two steps, I am able to relay and critically understand cultures that are immensely different to my own.

When describing my first foray into K-Pop fandom, I heavily relied on my own experiences of fandom culture to begin to understand the intense immersion associated with K-Pop. Although seemingly unrelated, K-Pop fandom and the Twilight Saga held many of the same characteristics to me; that of complete devotion to a product.

In the first third of my blog post, I used auto-biographical concepts to create the foundation and emotional connection associated with fandom culture…

It’s not until writing these blogs and reflecting on how I interpret texts, that I have realised the significance of childhood experiences and memories. Growing up with a mother working for Disney in animation and a musician father, film and pop-culture were instrumental in the dialogue of our household. My parents’ keen interest in the arts and pop-culture is a fundamental element to my identity. So, it makes sense that my interpretation of film, particularly animation, are often deeply linked to vivid memories of my childhood.

Although having never seen Akira, the title name is something very familiar. Watching films at home as a child, I can remember my parents discussing the strong stylistic references and influence Akira (and anime in general) has had on the making of many American productions. I can remember walking into my mum’s office every day, which was more like a floor to ceiling animation…

When Roland Emmerich made the 1998 Godzilla remake, I’m almost positive he didn’t imagine the film resonating with a 4-year-old girl from small town Australia. With good reason, too. I mean the film is laced with violence, themes horror and a large lizard destroying New York City. It’s not exactly ideal viewing for young children. But in any case, for me, the year 1998 was the year of Godzilla and all associated merchandise (KFC Godzilla puppets in particular).  

Live tweet. 

Skip forward 20 years, I’m in class at University and we are about to watch the original Godzilla. Known in Japanese culture as Gojira, I had never seen the original film and was acutely unaware of its historical significance. To me, Godzilla was a pillar of my childhood, KFC puppets and Mathew Broderick. But, the significance of this film to Japanese culture and cinema is vastly different. My connection…