This is the double empathy problem - that what we often call 'empathy' is just 'emotion & intent guessing' & many aspects are very culturally-bound. It is much easier to make inferences about internal states if you understand, culturally, who you're observing & what the situation demands.

angel's egg has been on my mind since the first time i've ever watched it; such a good movie with beautiful visuals. + shichiro kobayashi's backgrounds have me by the throat