August is the best month for a researcher, not only for the holidays but also for the free time it provides for scientific dissemination. I officially started this project in September 2023, when I had the opportunity to do my International Stay in Kyoto ๐ฏ๐ต. Since then, I’ve continued to work on this research line because I enjoy playing and analyzing slow and cozy games, especially those focused on childhood and teenhood in Japan.
I decided to continue working on this even though there are magnificent and international researchers studying all about relaxing games. I don’t ignore their findings; in fact, I use them as my theoretical framework. So, please, don’t cite me when there are many (and senior) people who have come before me ๐ค. As I said, my main focus within this huge line of research in Game Studies is to observe Japanese video games where I, as a player, embody a child or a teen protagonist. What is my agency as a kid in a (generally) calm ludofictional world?
August is the best month to start this virtual space because it’s the time when most “Bokunatsu” and “Bokunatsulikes” stories begin. Characters like Boku, Satoru, or Shin-chan are just a few examples of protagonists who start a summer adventure โ๏ธ. What do I mean by “Bokunatsulike”? Well, you’ll find the answer in this blog and in my published papers. I invite you to explore this space and discover all about childhood in Japanese fictional worlds!
These days, I’m playing Boku no Natsuyasumi for the very first time, on its 2006 PSP version. This is possible thanks to fans who have translated this exclusive Japanese game into Spanish, and I’m very grateful for this opportunity to play as Boku in Yamanashi myself. So, I’m saying goodbye now because I have a lot of errands to run. My relatives want me to learn how to work on the farm.
Bye-bye!
Playing the Calm 