Welcome to a meeting of the East of Everywhere film club. Today, we're stepping into the enchanting, heartbreaking, and deeply philosophical world of Studio Ghibli and its master director, Hayao Miyazaki. Why do films like Spirited Away and Princess Mononoke resonate so powerfully, even decades after their release?

This isn't just a film review; it's a deep dive into a worldview. In this solo session, I'm exploring the three core themes that I believe make up the "Gospel of Ghibli": his complex reverence for nature, his unwavering faith in the resilience of youth, and his profound belief in the spiritual dignity of work. This is my attempt to understand the magic behind one of the greatest storytellers of our time.

FILMS DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODE:

• Spirited Away (2001)

• Princess Mononoke (1997)

• My Neighbor Totoro (1988)

• Kiki's Delivery Service (1989)

JOIN THE CONVERSATION:

► What's your favorite Ghibli film and why?

Thanks for joining East of Everywhere! If this episode made you think, the best way to support us is by sharing it with a friend and leaving a 5-star rating on your podcast app.

✉️ Join Boy Meets Inbox

🐦 Follow us: @BoyMeetsEast on X • Instagram • TikTok

📺 Watch on YouTube: youtube.com/@BoyMeetsEast

🔄 Your Boy's other adventures:

• Required Watching – deep dives into must-see films for filmmakers.

• Emerging – real-time screenwriting insights from rising writers.

Until next time, keep exploring—and keep learning!

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Boy Meets East is built on a foundation of curiosity. For our second-ever episode, we wanted to prove that by turning the microphone over to you. We asked a simple question to our friends, family, and early supporters: "What is your single biggest question about Japan, Korea, or China?"

The response was incredible. In this special "Mailbag" episode, we dive into these foundational questions, offering thoughtful, well-researched, and beginner-friendly answers. From the practical ("What's the real difference between their languages?") to the cultural ("Why is bowing so important?") to the philosophical ("Is 'honor' the same as it is in the West?"), this episode is a rapid-fire deep dive into the topics you're most curious about.

This is what Boy Meets East is all about: starting a conversation and learning together.

In This Episode, We Answer:

• Question 1: "What are the real differences between Chinese, Japanese, and Korean languages? Can they understand each other?"
• Question 2: "Why is bowing such a big deal, and are there different kinds of bows?"
• Question 3: "I see so many people wearing masks in shows and photos, even before 2020. What's the reason?"
• Question 4: "Is the concept of 'honor' in samurai films anything like real life today?"
• A call for future "Mailbag" questions from you, the listener.

Resources & Links:

• Want to submit a question for our next Mailbag episode? Get in toch

Follow Boy Meets East:

• YouTube: [Link]
• Instagram: [Link]
• Twitter/X: [Link]
• Goodreads: [Link]
• Support our deep dives and get exclusive access on Patreon: [Link]

Thanks for joining East of Everywhere! If this episode made you think, the best way to support us is by sharing it with a friend and leaving a 5-star rating on your podcast app.

✉️ Join Boy Meets Inbox

🐦 Follow us: @BoyMeetsEast on X • Instagram • TikTok

📺 Watch on YouTube: youtube.com/@BoyMeetsEast

🔄 Your Boy's other adventures:

• Required Watching – deep dives into must-see films for filmmakers.

• Emerging – real-time screenwriting insights from rising writers.

Until next time, keep exploring—and keep learning!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After a month of "firsts"—my first bowl of real ramen, my first K-Drama while studying Korean, my first attempt at Hangul—one word keeps coming up: "authentic." We're all chasing it. The "authentic" experience, the "real" deal. But what if that chase is a trap?

In this solo "Field Notes" episode of East of Everywhere, I'm grappling with this powerful and complicated idea. We'll explore why the search for cultural "purity" is a flawed mission and propose a different, more honest way to approach our journey of discovery. This is a look at the core philosophy that will guide everything we do here at Boy Meets East.

JOIN THE CONVERSATION:

► What does "authenticity" mean to you? This is a big topic in our Discord community. Join the conversation: [Link]

If this episode made you think, the best way to support us is by sharing it with a friend and leaving a 5-star rating on your podcast app.

Thanks for joining East of Everywhere! If this episode made you think, the best way to support us is by sharing it with a friend and leaving a 5-star rating on your podcast app.

✉️ Join Boy Meets Inbox

🐦 Follow us: @BoyMeetsEast on X • Instagram • TikTok

📺 Watch on YouTube: youtube.com/@BoyMeetsEast

🔄 Your Boy's other adventures:

• Required Watching – deep dives into must-see films for filmmakers.

• Emerging – real-time screenwriting insights from rising writers.

Until next time, keep exploring—and keep learning!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.