“Are you willing to die for me, then?” — on processing, expressing, and forgiving (inspired by anime “Given”)

Think about your first love. Not your first crush. Not the first time someone caught your eye. Think about your first love. Have you been there yet? Now tell me, did it hurt? Please be aware that this post gets very honest, and it isn’t about only romance. The first time you're in a relationship, … Continue reading “Are you willing to die for me, then?” — on processing, expressing, and forgiving (inspired by anime “Given”)

Why aren’t we talking about Mo Dao Zu Shi? (A take on 魔道祖师, or “Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation”)

People aren't talking nearly enough about Mo Dao Zu Shi (魔道祖师, AKA "Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation"). I saw pretty art on Twitter and went hunting, only to find this GORGEOUS work that had me first reading 75 chapters of the manga before marathon watching a full season of donghua (Chinese animation) in one day. One … Continue reading Why aren’t we talking about Mo Dao Zu Shi? (A take on 魔道祖师, or “Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation”)

If you ever wanted BL anime without any of the BL, “DRAMAtical Murder” is the title for you! (sub/dub)

Embracing BL (not yaoi which is different and not my thing, personally) as an anime genre made available new titles for my viewing pleasure, not the least enjoyable of which has proved DRAMAtical Murder (DMMD). However, for all the scandal of its source material (more on that later), the anime itself is tame in both … Continue reading If you ever wanted BL anime without any of the BL, “DRAMAtical Murder” is the title for you! (sub/dub)

“In Spite of How I Truly Feel Inside” -_ midpoint impressions of “Banana Fish” (sub)

[Author's Note: This is not a full review, but an impression post. A review will come after I finish the series.] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SwXSqv63iUA&t=8s I first heard of Banana Fish through---surprise, surprise---Twitter. Initially, my interest was peaked by still images from the title being compared to stills from Yuri!!! On Ice. (You all know how that show's relationship … Continue reading “In Spite of How I Truly Feel Inside” -_ midpoint impressions of “Banana Fish” (sub)

“Narumi couldn’t remember what pair of underwear she was wearing.” — A Review of the Relatable “Wataoki: Love is Hard for Otaku”

Wotakoi: Love is Hard for Otaku (alternately, Wotaku ni Koi wa Muzukashii) is a slice-of-life romantic comedy cataloging the hi-jinx created by Narumi, a major otaku, and her equally nerdy friends as they navigate the relationships between them. I found so much to relate to within this title, and convalescing at home left me plenty of … Continue reading “Narumi couldn’t remember what pair of underwear she was wearing.” — A Review of the Relatable “Wataoki: Love is Hard for Otaku”

Memories of a Past Life and Love: Musings on “The Betrayal Knows My Name”

There is much to be said for shadows, heartbreak, and betrayal. The Betrayal Knows My Name, alternately known as Uragiri wa Boku no Namae wo Shitteiru (or Uraboku for short) centers around an orphaned teenage boy named Yuki who is about to graduate high school and move on to his unsure yet promising future. His chances are … Continue reading Memories of a Past Life and Love: Musings on “The Betrayal Knows My Name”

“Low-key but Obvious Thorny Bondage” (Or, Episodic Commentary on “The Betrayal Knows My Name”)

We all knew it would happen sooner or later, right? After watching Yuri!!! On Ice (which is NOT a Boy Love; FIGHT ME), it was only a matter of time until this gateway drug positioned me fittingly to observe a whole new world of Shounen-ai; and observe I did, from the shadows of the YOI fandom, … Continue reading “Low-key but Obvious Thorny Bondage” (Or, Episodic Commentary on “The Betrayal Knows My Name”)