Sixtyfour years ago, Emperor Hirohito was heard over the Japanese radio announcing the nation’s surrender and the end of World War 2. Today some pray for the deceased, some prefer to spew the usual political crap (like the recurring Yasukuni issue, that’s brought out every single year), many think on what that dark period of human history means for us all.

Japan (like most other countries) was left horribly scarred by World War 2. Seeing two cities obliterated by the first atomic bombs, experiencing a crushing defeat and the humiliantion of their national pride, seeing their leaders tried and often executed as war criminals could not leave the Japanese people unaffected. Such effects deeply embedded themselves in their culture, and are often visible, even if subtly, to this day.
As that generation fades away, corroded by time, their memories live on in the culture they created, and in the products of such culture. Videogames (alongside Manga and Anime) are one of such products. Read more