Recording summary · September 2016
My obsession with Japan is over..
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Overview
Daniel discovered Neon Genesis Evangelion at age 16 or 17, which ignited an intensive interest in anime and Japanese, leading to study via yesjapan.com and a two-year online relationship with Sayaka that ended when she met someone else.
After working at his father's company and saving money, Daniel spent five months in Osaka, navigated initial loneliness, attended a Japanese language school, and had an unofficial relationship with a Korean woman at his guesthouse.
Daniel retook his English GCSEs and returned to Japan on a working holiday visa, had a turbulent relationship with a French girlfriend, and entered a five-year cycle of traveling between Japan, Korea, the UK, and Taiwan.
Daniel's former obsession with Japan and anime ended after experiencing everyday reality there; he retains conversational Japanese ability but prefers living in England, citing amenities like healthcare, safety, benefits, and online shopping.
Sayaka married a man from the Czech Republic, and Daniel engaged in intermittent online communications while reflecting on whether an in-person meeting would have altered their connection.
Daniel lives contentedly at his parents' house, works a 40-hour contract job motivated by the search for a long-term partner after ending five years of joblessness, and documented his past to preserve memories against potential future forgetting.
Themes
Discovery of anime series such as Neon Genesis Evangelion, Naruto, Bleach, Death Note, and Hellsing, and studying Japanese through yesjapan.com
Online relationship with Sayaka, subsequent breakups, and later communications involving her and her Czech husband
Employment at his father's office, savings, and his five-month trip to Osaka including language school and relationships with Sayuri and a Korean guesthouse resident
Working holiday in Japan, conflicts with a French girlfriend, and a five-year cycle of travel between Japan, Korea, the UK, and Taiwan
Loss of interest in anime, media, and travel to Japan, alongside perspectives on life in England and current Japanese conversational ability
Current living situation at his parents' house, ending five years of joblessness with a 40-hour contract job, and motivations concerning a future partner
Video documentation of personal history driven by concerns over future memory loss, with consideration of a follow-up video
Developments
A Japanese girl approaches Daniel at a shopping mall and invites him to eat together.
Daniel enrolls in a 3-month Japanese language school course.
The Korean woman Daniel was involved with departs Japan on a ferry.
Daniel skips his final Japanese language school graduation day and leaves the course unfinished.
The Korean woman returns to Japan for one week to spend time with Daniel before his flight back to the UK.
Daniel decides to retake his English GCSE exam.
Daniel travels to Japan on a working holiday visa, quits his job after approximately four months, and travels to Korea following a breakup with his French girlfriend.
Daniel sends an email to the Czech partner of his former online girlfriend Sayaka and receives a reply.
Sayaka sends Daniel a Facebook message wishing him a Happy New Year.
Daniel messages Sayaka to inform her that he secured employment.
Daniel concludes the recording after stating that drinking beer made him sleepy and dizzy.
Uncertainties & gaps
Daniel is uncertain whether he was 16 or 17 when he first heard spoken Japanese by switching DVD audio settings.
Daniel was unsure whether his connection with the Korean woman constituted an official relationship.
Daniel noted he might potentially change his mind about visiting Japan in the future despite his present lack of interest.
Daniel did not know whether Sayaka read his message about finding a job or intentionally ignored it.
Daniel questioned whether his feelings for Sayaka would have persisted or dissipated if they had ever met in person.
Daniel questions whether his current job can support him long-term and enable independence.
Daniel questions whether his past experiences in Asia and Japan will eventually lead to something meaningful.
Whether a part two video will be produced if significant information was left out.
Whether Daniel will develop dementia in the future and rewatch the recording.