50 Things You Didn’t Know About Highway
I totally walk like this when people are going to ask me questions…
Or maybe you do already. I think there’s probably a few surprises in here, the first one being “He didn’t already do a 50 questions post?” No, I never got around to it, but for the 7th Anniversary of Metanorn, I thought I’d lead the way for the new folks and answer these questions. Unlike that skylion guy, I never lie… but I do admittedly dodge the question a few times. So read on and be *waves hands* amaaaaazed! Or bored. Up to you.
1. Who is your favorite male anime character?
Issei Hyoudou, from High School DxD. He’s pretty much everything you could want in a male lead: fun, silly, and he makes progress and betters himself.
2. Who is your favorite female anime character?
Marika Kato from Mouretsu Pirates. She would be a great role model for anyone to model their personality on.
3. What is your favorite anime soundtrack?
I’m not much into the background music of shows, it’s just not something I listen to outside of the show. Except for the Girls und Panzer soundtrack, which I like because of its frequent use of the Ooarai Jogakuin theme. But for the total package of music from an anime, it would be Love Live!
4. What is your favorite anime opening + animation?
猛烈宇宙交響曲・第七楽章「無限の愛」 – “Mouretsu Uchuu Koukyoukyoku: Daishichi Gakushou ‘Mugen no Ai’” from Mouretsu Pirates. In fact, I seem to like a lot of songs done by Momoiro Clover (Z) as well.
5. What is your favorite anime ending + animation?
A tie between Witch Craft Works with “Witch☆Activity” and Girls und Panzer with “Enter Enter Mission”. Apparently I like chibi bouncy EDs. There is a runner up, tho…
6. What is your favorite anime scene?
The best part of the sequence, but if you must…
”もう一度”
happy now?
7. If you could meet an anime character, who would it be?
This is one where the situation is more interesting than the anime character, because there aren’t really any anime characters that I’d want to have a chat with. I’d want it to be something like Marika Kato from Mouretsu Pirates, because that means I’m in the future with cool spaceships and interstellar travel.
8. What anime character is similar to you in terms of personality?
I’d like to say Houtarou Oreki, but it’s probably someone a lot less flattering to me.
9. What is your favorite thing about anime?
The possibilities that they’re willing to explore in setting and plot.
10. What is your least favorite thing about anime?
When odious aspects of culture (particularly otaku culture) rear their head and make an appearance, giving some people justification to continue with poisonous mores.
11. Who is your favorite anime couple?
Yumi Fukuzawa and Sachiko Ogasawara. Not romantic, but so much love.
12. Who is your favorite anime animal?
Dunno if I have one. They’re usually just distracting characters.
13. What anime would make a good game?
Not an original answer, but Log Horizon.
14. What game would make a good anime?
I’m going to branch this out from games and say a book: Starship Troopers, a faithful adaptation of the book (there is no Starship Troopers movie!), would be something I’d love to see.
15. What was the first anime you ever watched?
Maybe not the best ever, but got me hooked.
The first that I ever watched from beginning to end as an anime was probably Blue Seed. The first that really got me watching anime as a fan was Sekirei.
16. Do you ever think you’ll stop watching anime?
Think? No. Will I? Certainly.
17. What is your favorite genre of anime?
Romance and Slice of Life.
18. What is your least favorite genre of anime?
Horror and Fighting.
19. Are you open to watching anime with people you know?
Yes, I love to share my love of anime and the wonderful experience therein with other people. I just don’t have many people interested in watching.
20. Have you ever been to Japan?
No, I have not. I harbor thoughts of going sometime, but that’s not the reason I’m learning Japanese.
21. What anime was the biggest let down for you?
Hyakka Ryouran Samurai Brides. I usually don’t anticipate shows, but thought the first series was good fun and nicely stylish. The second series was just awful, with just the barest glimmers of hope, enough to just make it worse when it had a terrible ending.
22. What anime was better than expected?
Many many shows are better than expected. As I said, I don’t anticipate shows much, but the ultimate “better than expected” show has to be Girls und Panzer. It’s my favorite anime, and it was just completely off the radar, because there wasn’t much information out about it.
23. What is the best anime fight scene?
Going for broke
Ankou Team vs. Kuromorimine, Miho vs. Maho, the climactic battle in Girls und Panzer.
24. Who is your anime waifu?
I don’t have one. I just don’t think like that.
25. What was your favorite video game as a child?
As a child? I played so many video games, and think of so many of them fondly. But I can’t really pick out one from when I would be considered a “child”.
26. Most embarrassing moment?
There are many moments of personal shame that I don’t care to recount.
27. Can you drive or own a car?
The Indy 500 for one (Picture by The359, via wikimedia)
Apparently I’m rare among people who do this exercise. I drive very well, I own a car (a Honda Accord Hybrid). I enjoy driving, and enjoy lots of things about cars, including auto racing.
28. Are you mature?
I think I am. But that’s also not a reason to not enjoy things, even if other people would think they’re ‘childish’.
29. What year were you born?
1971
30. Do you prefer cats or dogs?
Cats. I have 2 cats now, and have pretty much always had at least one cat. I’m not really interested in the extra upkeep a dog requires. Plus they’re so indelicate.
31. Describe yourself physically.
Big and fat? 6′ 2”, 250 pounds.
32. What would you name your first child?
At the moment, if I were to have a girl, I’d name her either Tsubasa or Tsukasa. I just love those names. But that’s not going to happen.
33. What is the worst injury you’ve ever had?
I’ve dislocated my right shoulder twice.
34. What is your worst habit?
I’ve taken some lessons from Hasebe…
Slacking off at work.
35. Do you drink or smoke?
Nah. I’m too self-conscious about drinking. And smoking’s been right out since I tried it once in second grade.
36. Do you have a tattoo?
No, not interested.
37. Are you a morning person or a night person?
Night person. I’m routinely up past 2 AM.
38. Have you ever slept past midday?
Not terribly uncommon (from Hoshizora e kakaru hashi)
Quite a few times.
39. Do you regret anything?
Of course I do. But I’m happy with the way things are now.
40. Can you count the number of friends on one hand?
Number of people that would probably consider me friends not on the internet? Probably. I don’t have a lot of people close to me. I have some people that are probably between ‘acquaintances’ and ‘friends’, but no really close buds.
41. Do you wear glasses?
I always wear sunglasses outside (and always polarized glasses). Other than that, no.
42. Are you a picky eater?
No, although there are foods I just don’t eat.
43. Would you die for someone?
Probably not. It’s not in my nature to be anywhere near enough danger that someone would die.
44. If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
In general I find the concept of superpowers stupid.
45. Do you believe in the supernatural?
Believe in? No. Do I think that there are things that we don’t know about or haven’t been explained yet? Yep.
46. Would you rather be rich or famous?
Rich, because then I could be famous if I wanted to. Being famous doesn’t necessarily mean you’re rich.
47. Have you ever committed a crime?
Yes, shoplifting as part of that second grade bad period.
48. Pirates or Ninjas? Ghost or time traveler?
I’d guess Pirates. And Time Traveler all the way.
49. Does someone have a crush on you?
It would be flattering, but I hope not.
50. Are you in a relationship.
And totally high school sweethearts, too. I didn’t propose at graduation, tho.
I have been married for almost 20 years, and with the same person for over 25 years. Yes.
About Highway
Proving that you don't have to be young to love anime, I enjoy all genres and styles of shows. If it's not hurting anyone else, you should never be ashamed of what you like!
POWUH: Meta Team and Meta-Analyst with 3844 comments
Ganbare~ Onii-chan~~ 🙂
POWUH: Meta Team and Spammy Tamer with 7115 comments
BTW, I don’t mind if you guys ask other questions. I might answer them.
Offer applies only to me.
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10997 comments
POWUH: Meta Resident with 1557 comments
51) What’s your favorite book and/or series?
52) Glass half-full or half-empty?
53) Will you crossplay as Hestia (source: Anime North 2015)?
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10997 comments
I’ll have you know my lies are certified GOLD! Ya’ll are lucky to have them!
What? No Pitfall, or Action! or Pong? Frogger? C’mon you fed Frogger a gazillion quarters, if not that, then the wire-frame Star Wars stand up arcade machine….
POWUH: Meta Team and Spammy Tamer with 7115 comments
If you’re going to insist on something like that, then I’ll say the original Sega Monaco GP. Actually, I can’t remember super liking a lot of old games even if I remember playing them even a lot. And one thing I’ve definitely learned: That stuff is much better in your memory. Don’t ever play old Atari games. “What the hell? This sucks…”
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10997 comments
I played a few PS1 games and they didn’t live up to the old hype. Atari 2600 games had a touch more charm. For Sega it was pretty much Sonic and EA Sports NHL early Nineties games.
POWUH: Meta Team and Meta-Analyst with 3844 comments
*sells skylion for money*
Let’s go party people. 😛
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
Hmmm…. I actually didn’t pay any mind that you hadn’t made this post yet. It’s kind of overdue, though, after making your two year mark among the ranks.
Small wonder there’s rarely any agreement between us when it comes to anime taste and their shows. We’re complete opposites of one another. Well, something that can’t be reconciled. At least that’s out of the way.
POWUH: Metanorn Lover with 163 comments
What anime is that wedding picture at the end from?
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
Amagami SS
POWUH: Meta Resident and LN Informant with 1529 comments
I have a question about the Hyouka picture you’re using.
What kind of mysteries do they solve? (ie. Who stole the Cooking Club’s funds, who is blackmailing the Student Council President to approve the Anime Club’s continued existence, etc…)
I’ve never watched it but all I know is that it’s a mystery show, and I’m be planning to see it soon. I’d like to know what I’m getting into.
POWUH: Meta Team and Spammy Tamer with 7115 comments
I don’t know if it’s mysteries like that. It’s more about the main characters than that, and more around the people in the club wanting to find out things that other people already know (but aren’t all mysteries that anyway?).
It’s hard to talk about it much without giving stuff away. But I think it’s a terrific show.
POWUH: Meta Team and The Mad Scientist with 5525 comments
So Highway was a delinquent child in 2nd grade and then he changed his ways? I hope you don’t think I’m rude when I say that sounds kind of cool…
POWUH: Meta Team and Spammy Tamer with 7115 comments
Yeah, that was probably the ‘coolest’ I’ve ever been, and it’s probably overstating it to say ‘delinquent’, and I’ve made up for it by being completely square since then. It was the influence of my older next door neighbor (who, with the benefit of hindsight, was looking more for a lackey / patsy).
POWUH: iLurker with 8 comments
What an awesome way of way of celebrating your 7th-year anniversary! I didn’t know the answer to so many questions and loved getting to know some fun facts about Highway 🙂 Hyouka, Girls und Panzer, Mouretsu Pirates, so many fantastic anime I didn’t realize we both love.
I am saddened by your answer regarding some day dropping anime. I hope that isn’t true, though maybe you will some day stop writing about it. I can’t imagine why anime would ever be something you’d stop, given the fantastic movies that occasionally come out. There are plenty of adults who watch Disney movies well into old age–animation isn’t age-specific. I think as long as you love good stories, there’s a good change there will always be some type of anime you’ll want to watch.
Also, congrats on your almost 20 years of marriage!
POWUH: Meta Team and Spammy Tamer with 7115 comments
Thanks for coming by, Marina! The answer about stopping watching was more the inevitable result that you can’t do anything forever, due to lack of existing. 🙂 I can’t see quitting, but I’m sure that something will happen or I will shuffle off this mortal coil. Not planning on that anytime soon, tho.