Shoujo’s Shojo “Tells & Tropes” Master List <3

You've probably never looked at a title and wondered, "Is this shojo?" and let's be honest; you'll also probably never need to ask. The hallmarks of shojo are usually pretty obvious on sight, but at some point I began wondering if anyone ever bothered to make a master list of the tells, tropes, and subtropes. …

What are the ends and means of honor? — A Case for “Hakuoki Reimeiroku”

Hello! If you're new here, welcome! If not, you may already know all this, but I'm a lover of reverse harem romance. I mean, honestly, what's not to love? Poke fun if you want, but I'm aware of my own proclivities. (And handsome men? I mean... bonus!) But this isn't a post about reverse harem …

Welcome to the Fandom!—CQL 陈情令 The Untamed Watch Order

Welcome to… The Black Parade! No, I’m kidding... The Untamed! 陈情令! CQL! The fandom is a fun place to be, but it can be fraught with peril! Be aware of problematic fan art! Appreciate that MDZS and CQL are different (and CQL is better *wink*)! Go ham! You: MDZS? CQL? Me: LMNOP!!!You: ...Me: Yes, I …

Favorite Character (30 Day Fandom [CQL] Challenge, Day 1)

If this challenge ends in even one reader giving CQL (aka "The Untamed") a shot, I'll be so excited. *The usual disclaimer applies; I'm pants at "favorites." Please just assume that, sometimes, my "favorites" are simply one of a few (or even several) options that I may like.*Further disclaimer applies: If you don't know what …

Sci-fi and Sparkles: Shoujo and Scott Design an Anime (pt 1)

"In the year 2675, intergalactic exploration has reached new heights. Alien species commingle between solar systems in matters of science, trade, military, and socialization. Higashi Yumi has grown up within this world and is pursuing a degree in interstellar archaeological sciences when the discovery is made: an abandoned solar system on the outskirts of explored …

From the Heart of a Dying Man (or, “In Sickness and in Health”) — Souji’s Journal

From the Heart of a Dying Man (or, "In Sickness and in Health") -- Souji's Journal, Preface Shoujothoughts Summary: No, that sounds stupid. That sounds like something Hijikata-san would write in some harrowing story of his life; God knows the last thing I’d ever wanna do is sound like that bastard. Let’s try again. Notes: …

“I… like him. Probably more than I think I do.” –Fanfiction Friday (03/23/18)

Fandom(s) featured this week: "Hakuouki" No Longer Strangers Fleru Lilas "Hakuouki" -- Updating as of Feb, 28 2018; 48 chapters "Kazama/Chizuru. Chizuru has been separated from the Shinsengumi during the war and plans to pursue them alone. However, when Kazama appears and declares he is also going to Ezo, Chizuru asks to accompany him. Now …

Hakuouki: Oni Dreams (poetry, HijiChi inspired)

*reposted/reformatted for blog purposes* -Hakuouki: Oni Dreams- In the night-every night-he can feel it. Pulsing. Burning. Aching. Closing his eyes, he holds his breath. He waits. The images come. These sored dreams are, for all their perversion, everything he cares to remember. And yet, he fights to forget. The sensation, reminiscent of the quench of …

“Captains, On Her” (Poetry Collection — Hakuouki)

Hijikata: I hold her hand, so small, in mine. As our fingers intertwine, as her thick hair tangles in the crook of my neck, as her tears fall silently, one hand gripping tightly my yukata… her lips even now refusing to say my given name, too much even as she's shaking… Only now do I …

Watch Along: Marmalade Boy, ep. 5 (DUB)

If that last episode preview was anything to go by... Does that robot record everything? I feel like this will be a filler episode. Ginta is so impatient. Yuu stepped out at just the right moment. Yuu is kinda pissed, but he's just being so him about it. Yuu just looks at Ginta like, "This …