This week, many of us are mourning the passing of Isao Takahata, a co-founder of Studio Ghibli and also the director of some of its most acclaimed films. I myself have somehow never seen Grave of the Fireflies (though I’ve heard it isn’t exactly cheerful), so I tip my hat to him for his final film: The Tale of the Princess Kaguya.

In many ways, Studio Ghibli’s films have a reputation for empathizing compassion. In the case of Kaguya, it’s a proclamation of humanity’s capability for empathy. Based on a Japanese folk tale (which was also covered,..quite well in the TV special Big Bird in Japan), the film’s heroine loves the world and the people around her, but she finds herself in a prison–unintentionally created by her loving adoptive father–that causes for her moments of sheer bliss to be all too fleeting. It’s a beautiful, bittersweet masterpiece, with some of Ghibli’s best animation ever and an outstanding English dub to boot. Give it a rental (and have tissues ready).

If you’ve never been here until now, this is a place for “serious” discussions. And they don’t have to be “sad” things either. Sexuality, masturbation, concern of relatives and friends, other issues–all are fair game here.

So, without further ado, here are the guidelines:

1. Be respectful. That goes without saying.

2. Keep discussions “serious.” We have plenty of other places to joke around around here, but sometimes people are in a place when they’re in a need for a hug instead of a yuk.

3. Try your best not to make anyone feel worse. In other words, if someone says “I’m worried Trump is going to start a war overseas,” don’t respond by saying, “Yeah, he’s definitely going to.”

4. If politics and/or religion are brought up, do not try to turn the conversation into a debate. We have other threads for that. This is a safe space and should please be treated as such.

5. I’m not a leader bean, so tend to the mods if there are any issues, but I’m pretty confident that everyone will be nice here.

Well, that’s it. Have a blessed evening, everyone!

Choose kind.