Well, the week started out well for me: my school’s team had won their conference tournament, so they were heading to the NCAA’s. That explained a part of my absence. Another was the multitude of tests this week too, so I had to take care of that. Thursday I was certain would be the topper, as I attended a school related party (despite the rain) and had fun. I went back to my dorm, and was happy.

Then I heard on Facebook that a tsunami hit Japan.

I actually never thought that would happen, though it is possible (Japan is an island after all). However, they already had an earthquake, so the tsunami was just piling on. Now, as tens of thousands of lives have been lost and many people are homeless, we now have a potential nuclear reactor problem that would not be good for anyone. The only thing I can say is: wow. I can barely imagine how it would be like in Japan right now. The only event in my life where I experienced terror was 9/11, but I’m not so sure it can be comparable–just way too many dynamics and this was a natural occurrence.

Now before I link to all of the places talking about this story, just a few things I’d add:

1. I think it will be a while before Japan can recover from what just happened. Even with the resources they have, this was major damage, and clearly, everything entertainment, business, and food related will be affected for a while now.
2. How this will impact the anime/manga community? That is somewhat unclear, since reports are saying Tokyo was the least harmed out of the major quake/tsunami situation. But I don’t know–we already know some simulcasts have stopped, and there are some reports that planned animes can be canceled because of this. I’d also expect (at least for a few weeks) a loss of money across the board. But Japan thrives off of its manga/anime–we’ll know more soon.
3. Finally, just stop fighting a losing battle. What I mean by that is, this world is not perfect and pure. If you thought everyone would be sympathetic to the Japanese, well, that’s being naive. Sure, a high majority will slant to the good, but there’s that low percentage that thinks Japan got what it deserved.  You can’t change that percentage because there are just people like that. That’s how the Earth works. Now on to the links:

• Hundreds killed in tsunami after 8.9 quake–AP Malcolm Foster
• 8.9 Magnitude Japan Earthquake Could Become Deadliest in 90 Years–Yahoo Writer Saul Relative
• Major developments after Friday’s quake–Reuters
• Facebook: Japan Earthquake
• U.S. Nuclear Plants Have Same Risks, and Backups, as Japan Counterparts–New York Times Tom Zeller Jr.
• Quake Moves Japan Closer to U.S. and Alters Earth’s Spin–New York Times Kenneth Chang
• Second Blast Rocks Japanese Nuclear Powerplant–Voice of America Martyn Williams
• Japan earthquake and tsunami death toll expected to exceed 10,000; survivors worry about supplies–Washington Post Chico Harlan
• Building codes spared Tokyo from wider destruction–ABC Online Monique Ross
• Japan Earthquake: New Explosion Reported at Reactor–ABC News Akiko Fujita, Leezel Tanglao, and Jessica Hopper
• Japan earthquake hits automotive manufacters–Car Advice Tim Beissman
• Japan earthquake: how Twitter and Facebook helped–The Telegraph Henry Wallop
• Tsunami, quake survivors cling to hope–USA Today Calum Macleod
• Hundreds flee in Japan after Shinmoedake volcano begins spewing ash, boulders–New York Daily News Helen Kennedy
• Japan tsunami survivor Hiromitsu Shinkawa found 10 miles out at sea–Guardian Justin McCurry
• Japanese players worry after quake–ESPN AP Report
• Glimpses of mankind: Earthquake in Japan–Ambivalence, or it is Ambiguity Valence
• Earthquake, Tsunami, Nuclear Disaster in Japan–Avvesione’s Anime Blog
• The Moments You Wish Weren’t Real–Bokutachi No Blog Blindability
• Awareness of news on Japan..what news is fit to print?–Animemiz’s Scribblings animemiz
• Largest Earthquake in Japan–Mind of Miku MkMiku
• Tokyo Magnitude 8.0 is No Longer a “What if” Anime–Black and Blue Socks Janette
• Earthquakes and Tsunami Strike Japan–All About Manga Daniella Orhuela-Gruber
• Anime/Manga/Game Industry Members Update–Anime News Network
• Anime Fans Give Back to Japan–JanaiBlog Antz