Kimi to Tsuzuru Utakata, or The Summer You Were There, is the sort of manga you approach expecting full well to be sad, and it still manages to leave you utterly devastated by the end. It’s the sort of manga where you earnestly hope for the happiness of all involved, though, deep down, you realise that seldom is reality so simple. It’s a manga where turning to the next page transforms into a daunting task, with each chapter feeling like another step towards an unavoidable conclusion.
If I stay here, on this page, time stands still. If I stay here, on this page, the inevitable will
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Dec 29, 2023
Akebi-chan no Sailor-fuku
(Anime)
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Akebi's Sailor Uniform is off-putting.
This review is based on the first few episodes. As such, this isn’t a review of the whole series, but I’ll be discussing the overall directorial choices that I found uncomfortable. The best term I’ve heard used to describe Akebi's Sailor Uniform is “voyeuristic.” It feels oddly intimate, frequently utilising point-of-view and close-up shots. These shots tend to be focused on the bodies of the underage characters: lips, ears, torsos, and especially feet. This isn’t unheard of—after all, Naoko Yamada would often aim the camera down at characters’ feet in K-On! However, unlike Yamada’s framing that felt meaningful, here it comes across ... 
Sep 10, 2023
Adachi to Shimamura
(Manga)
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Adachi to Shimamura is unlike most girls’ love manga. Whereas other shoujo-ai stories tend to be fluffy, trite, and unchallenging, Adachi to Shimamura deliberately embraces discomfort. Characters in this series are maladjusted; the main couple’s chemistry is stilted, and their conversations often feel unnatural. At points, It can be downright difficult to read. Among these instances, “Shimamura’s Sword” stands out in particular as one of the most raw and emotionally poignant chapters in its genre. That’s all to say, Adachi to Shimamura is engaging, in a uniquely uneasy way. If you’re looking for a comforting romance series, however, this manga is not for you.
May 19, 2023
Eiga Daisuki Pompo-san
(Anime)
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Pompo: The Cinéphile is an enjoyable, but ultimately surface-level delve into the world of filmmaking. The movie boasts stellar visuals, with vibrant colors, smooth animation, and creative, Edgar Wright-esque editing. However, its conflicts are hurriedly resolved in ways that feel overly feel-good and simplistic, to the point of bordering on sappy. Moreover, while the film has a message, it appears reluctant to explore it in any meaningful manner. That's not to say "Pompo" is bad, though—it's a fun, albeit shallow, ninety-minute romp.
This review needs more information! Is the story unique? If it was predictable, did you enjoy it anyway because you like this genre/set-up? Do you think ... 
May 19, 2023
Following a six year wait since season two, and a two-and-a-half year wait since the Legend of Crimson film, Konosuba returns—with a spinoff. Stripped of its most entertaining aspect, the main quartet's chemistry, An Explosion on This Wonderful World proves rather dull; Our new cast of characters, although large, comes across as one-note, and the plot fares no better, creating an altogether middling experience.
This review needs more information! Is the story unique? If it was predictable, did you enjoy it anyway because you like this genre/set-up? Do you think the art style is fitting for the story? Do you think others will enjoy/dislike this series, even if you ... 
Feb 2, 2023
Cyberpunk: Edgerunners
(Anime)
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Cyberpunk: Edgerunners follows student-turned-mercenary David Martinez's ultimately futile struggle against Night City.
From the very moment his Sandevistan gave him a taste of freedom, David seemed destined to fail. The allure of conquering Night City would propel him down a self-destructive spiral much too overwhelming to escape. It’s unclear whether he truly believed he could succeed; nevertheless, he was pressured forward by those who depended on him, those he loved, and the city itself. Although David claimed to be special, he was not any different from the average resident of Night City. Edgerunners is about failure; all those who dare challenge the system are destined to ... 
Jan 9, 2023
Houseki no Kuni
(Anime)
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Houseki no Kuni, or Land of the Lustrous, follows Phosphophyllite, one of the many personified gems defending an alternate Earth, on her path forward in a strange and unfamiliar world. Phosphophyllite's journey is one of the most gripping narratives put to television; It is compelling, emotional, and thematically dense. This adaptation is only elevated by its production quality from studio Orange, whose work cannot be overstated. Bar the occasional sound engineering issue or rough-looking shot, this show is breathtaking, with music that ranges from whimsical to terrifying, and unforgettable imagery that will remain with its viewers for weeks on end. Land of the Lustrous is
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Jan 4, 2023
86 follows Lena, a military commander of the Republic of San Magnolia. Despite outwardly promoting equality, this republic operates under established systems of oppression, where pureblooded Alba are considered superior, while oppressed groups like the 86 are drafted into their ongoing war. Although admittedly, this premise sounds on-the-nose, 86 may surprise you with its complexity. The show offers a dual point of view, alternating between Lena and a group of the 86 she virtually commands. From a white savior complex to outright racial supremacy, the anime's portrayal of discrimination and its effects on those groups oppressed by it are varied and engaging. Paired with strong
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Jan 4, 2023
Kage no Jitsuryokusha ni Naritakute, or The Eminence in Shadow, is an example of an adaptation that failed to understand its source material.
The Eminence in Shadow is a genre parody—at least, it's supposed to be. In reality, this show plays out like any other power fantasy Isekai. The adaptation is comedically dry and tone-deaf, to the point of wondering if it was even meant to be a comedy in the first place. This review needs more information! Is the story unique? If it was predictable, did you enjoy it anyway because you like this genre/set-up? Do you think the art style is fitting for the story? Do you think ... 
Jan 4, 2023
Maria†Holic
(Anime)
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Maria†Holic is the most interesting comedy you haven't heard of.
That's not to say this show is the funniest romantic comedy; it isn't. It doesn't have the best cast, nor does it have the greatest narrative. It hasn't aged the best, either. However, Maria†Holic is one of the more interesting shows of the school-based gag genre. This is another catholic schoolgirl Yuri, yet its main love interest isn't even a girl, but a crossdresser who frequently chastises the audience. Our protagonist is a nose-bleeding, perverted lesbian—one whom the narrative treats as a punching bag at any given point. This anime doesn't have characters or themes, so ... |
