Recording summary · September 2016
[2016-09-17] My obsession with Japan is over.. [lQXalZehahw]
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Overview
Daniel discovered Neon Genesis Evangelion in sixth form, sparking an interest in Japanese media and language study through yesjapan.com.
Daniel engaged in a two-year online relationship with Sayaka, which ended when she met a man from the Czech Republic, prompting heartbreak and leaving work at his father's company after saving money.
Daniel traveled to Osaka, Japan, to meet Sayuri, separated after a month, faced isolation at a guesthouse, and later attended language school while developing a relationship with a Korean guest.
Following a return to the UK, Daniel retook his English GCSE, secured a working holiday visa, traveled repeatedly between Japan, Korea, and the UK, and eventually lost interest in Japanese anime and pop culture.
Daniel reflected on past relationships, secured a 40-hour contract job, prioritized life and stability in England while living at home, and recorded his memories to prevent forgetting them while declaring no intention to return to Japan.
Themes
Discovery of anime, Neon Genesis Evangelion, and Japanese language acquisition through yesjapan.com.
Online romance, breakup, and subsequent reflections regarding Sayaka.
Travels to Japan, guesthouse experiences, language school attendance, and romantic connections with Sayuri, a Korean guest, and a French partner.
Shifting personal priorities, disillusionment with Japanese culture and anime, UK employment, and recording memories.
Developments
Daniel discovered an image from Neon Genesis Evangelion in sixth form, bought the DVD, set the audio to Japanese, and purchased yesjapan.com lessons.
Daniel communicated daily with Sayaka via MSN Messenger and Skype for roughly two years until she ended the relationship.
Daniel quit a five-month job at his father's company after saving approximately £6,000.
Daniel traveled to Osaka, separated from Sayuri after a month, and spent five months in Japan.
Daniel sat alone in a mall for a month until invited by a Japanese girl to eat, subsequently enrolling in a three-month language school course.
Daniel began a relationship with a Korean guest at his accommodation, missed his language graduation after her departure, and met her again for one week before returning to the UK.
Daniel saved money to secure a working holiday visa, worked four months in Japan, quit after breaking up with a French girlfriend, and departed for Korea.
Daniel repeated travel between Japan, Korea, and the UK four times over five years, concluding with a journey across Korea, Japan, and Taiwan.
Sayaka married a Czech man, relocated to the Czech Republic, and messaged Daniel on Facebook around Christmas of the previous year.
Daniel messaged Sayaka on Facebook regarding new employment, but she did not reply.
Daniel secured a 40-hour contract job while residing at the family home.
Uncertainties & gaps
Whether Daniel was 16 or 17 when he first heard Japanese.
Whether the relationship with the Korean woman was an official girlfriend relationship.
Whether the UK return and GCSE retake took place in 2010.
Whether Daniel might change his mind next year regarding traveling to Japan.
Whether Sayaka saw the Facebook message regarding the new job or ignored it.
Whether Daniel or the online contact would have had mutual romantic feelings if they had met in person.
Whether the current 40-hour contract job will prove long-term and support permanent independence.
Whether past investments and experiences traveling to Japan will lead to constructive outcomes.
Whether major details were missed and whether a second part will be produced.
Whether Daniel will develop dementia later in life.