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Hey NinjaMeow,

It’s been a little while since we last exchanged messages, and I wanted to reach out to wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! ༶･･༝﹡˖˟ ⸜₍⁽ˊ꒳ˋ⁾₎⸝ ༝﹡˖˟･･༶

Just wanted to check in and make sure everything is going okay on your end. I really hope you’re doing well and that this season brings you peace, happiness, and a little bit of time to relax!

Take care, and all the best to you and your loved ones for 2025!

Hi how are you?
Thanks for accepting!

Hey, I hope this message finds you well! I apologize for the delay in replying, and I appreciate your patience; life has been quite hectic lately, and finding time to sit down and compose a proper message has been a bit challenging. Moving forward, I'll do my best to keep our messages a bit more succinct to make it easier on both of us.


I started my Pokémon journey with Yellow, where I was stuck with Pikachu as my starter, so I didn't have the luxury of choosing from a trio. I never really got into naming my Pokémon back then and have always struggled to come up with good ones, feeling uninspired most of the time, and often ended up with unimaginative ones. Crystal was probably my most played Pokémon title from childhood. Like you, I almost always went for the fire starter Cyndaquil, finding it to pack the most punch. My playstyle back then was all about overpowering opponents with a couple of over-leveled Pokémon. Support moves and strategies were lost on me; it was brute force all the way. But as I've grown, I've come to appreciate the variety in Pokémon and their roles in a team.

Growing up, my handheld gaming experiences were limited to the Game Boy Color and Advance, where I played up to and including the Gen 3 games of the franchise. When the DS era dawned, I mistakenly believed I had outgrown the Pokémon craze. Little did I know, my passion would reignite in adulthood. Around 2015-2016, a fierce craving for Pokémon struck, leading me to acquire a New3DS along with Pokémon X and Omega Ruby. It was a nostalgic journey revisiting the franchise after years of hiatus. Rediscovering the magic, I backtracked through the titles I had skipped, particularly relishing the Gen 5 era - while Gen 1 will always hold a special place in my heart, viewed through the lens of nostalgia, I consider the Gen 5 titles among the franchise's finest.

To wrap up the Pokémon talk, a few years back, when I had a bit more free time, I used to enjoy challenging myself by doing a Nuzlocke challenge of an older game. If you're not familiar with it, a Nuzlocke challenge is a set of rules that you self-impose when playing a Pokémon title, which makes the game a lot more challenging. The basics are that you have limited encounters - typically, you are only allowed to catch the first wild Pokémon encountered in each area, and no others. If you fail to do so (it faints or runs away for whatever reason), your encounter for that route is considered forfeit. Secondly, there's a dying mechanism - any Pokémon that faints is considered unusable and must be released or permanently boxed. So, if you run out of Pokémon and new encounters, you can't progress, meaning that you've failed the challenge and must restart the game. There's a bunch of other rules that one can enforce on top of that like level restrictions or limiting the amount of items that you can use in battles, so on and so forth. It can become quite challenging depending on how lucky you are with your encounters and it adds a whole new layer of strategizing for each battle.


Other than Pokémon, on these older consoles, I only ever played The Legend of Zelda, another franchise that I'm a big fan of. I have a very fond memory of a particular summer vacation back from my youth that I spent in the countryside with my grandparents when I played a lot of Oracle of Seasons and Oracle of Ages. The nostalgia from those games and that period will always bring a smile to my face whenever I think about them.

When I first got my Switch, it was solely to play Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, which turned out to be an absolutely amazing experience. If you haven't played it yet, I would highly recommend giving it a go. Alternatively, Tears of The Kingdom is another fantastic option, and if I had to choose between the two, I would lean towards the latter. It feels more polished, with a lot of quality-of-life improvements. Plus, while it includes some Easter eggs and throwbacks to the previous title, you can easily pick it up and play it as a standalone without having played the previous installment. It's definitely worth checking out! Have you had the chance to explore these titles yet?


Animal Crossing holds a bittersweet place in my gaming life. While I had been aware of the franchise, New Horizons was the first title that I picked up, and it was the perfect game for me when it came out since it was released during the pandemic. I poured countless hours into the game, meticulously curating my island, befriending villagers, catching all the things for the museum, interbreeding flowers to get all the colours - all of it, the lot...Then, I changed my console.

I bought a Switch OLED and gave my old Switch to a relative, transferring all the data from the old switch to the new one, including the data stored on the external memory, never anticipating the heartbreak that awaited me. When I launched Animal Crossing on my new device, my save file was gone, and I was greeted by a new game. My heart sank. You see, Animal Crossing lacked cloud saves at that time, and I had lost all my progress, everything.. I remember breaking down and crying for almost an entire day. I tried everything to get my old save back, scoured forums for a solution, only to discover that there were certain files stored locally on my old Switch that needed to be manually transferred — a fact I had been unaware of.
To add salt to the wound, the relative who had received my old console formatted it, erasing not only my cherished island but also the countless memories and hours of dedication I had poured into it. The thought of starting anew felt overwhelming, and I couldn't bring myself to embark on that journey again.

I've since heard that cloud saves have been implemented, so you should be fine and not have to ever worry about losing your island, which I do hope never happens to anyone ever again. If you have ever faced a similar rollercoaster of emotions in your gaming adventures, you'll probably know what I'm talking about. It's probably akin to your reasoning of safeguarding your Nintendogs cartridge.

Kyle sounds like an interesting character, even if he's not exactly a hyena, I hope he'll come visit your island soon! It's fascinating how different animals inspire characters in games. Your love for hyenas is really evident! It's great to see your enthusiasm for finding connections to your favorite animals in games, isn't it? As for the Minecraft update, I hadn't heard about it, but now I'm intrigued! Adding spotted and striped hyenas as wolf types is such a unique addition. Thanks for sharing, I'll definitely have to check out the new update! Althoug it's been some time since I last booted up Minecraft, hopefully my PC can still handle it.


After our conversation about Persona 5, I did a bit more digging and ended up picking up both Persona 5 Royal and Tactica. Persona 5 Royal, as you mentioned, is indeed just a refurbished version of the original, while Tactica takes place concurrently with the events of Persona 5 and offers a different narrative and play style. Luckily, I stumbled upon a retail store offering the two titles bundled at a discount for Easter, so I couldn't resist the opportunity.
However, amidst the excitement of acquiring these games, I find myself yet to carve out the time to sit down and delve into them. With the hustle and bustle of life, I'm hoping that May will bring a bit more tranquility and afford me some quality gaming sessions.

It's always fascinating to hear about your strategies and preferences with different heroes in Overwatch! Thanks for also mentioning some of the old guard that I am familiar with, as both Junkrat and Soldier were solid damage picks back in my time as well, each with their own unique advantages. Always loved Junkrat's toolkit, although I too struggled with implementing it properly.
As for Venture, he sounds like quite the formidable addition to the roster! It's understandable to have concerns about their balance, especially with such a versatile skill set. I checked out the patch notes that you linked, to get a better understanding of Venture's mechanics, but your description of his abilities was more than clear, though I can imagine facing him as a ground-locked support must be challenging. Hopefully, the developers take player feedback into account and make any necessary adjustments. He has been officially released for a few weeks now, how has your experience with him been?

Have you had a chance to dive into any new games lately, other than Overwatch I mean, or are there any titles you're eagerly anticipating the release of?


Remember when I mentioned my excitement for After God? Well, I couldn't resist any longer and decided to treat myself. As an Easter present to myself, I went ahead and bought all six volumes of the manga in Japanese! They arrived not too long ago, and let me tell you, they're even more stunning up close. The covers are truly a masterpiece, and I can't help but admire them every time I walk past my bookshelf. And the best part? I was pleasantly surprised that I didn't have to pay any customs fees after all! It feels like fate was on my side for this one. I'm so pleased with my purchase, and I'm eagerly awaiting the next volume in the series. It's been an absolute joy diving back into the world of After God, and having the physical copies to leaf through makes it all the more special. Can't wait to chat with you about it if you ever decide to pick up the series!

And, since we're on the topic of manga, I also wanted to say thank you for recommending Our Wonderful Days — it was the perfect read for me after finishing The Summer You Were There. I absolutely loved it! The story was so heartwarming, and I really enjoyed getting lost in the Slice of Life setting. It's amazing how much can be packed into just three volumes. And since I brought it up last time, I wanted to share that The Summer You Were There finished in the 8th position (out of 50) in the "Manga We Want To See Animated" category at Anime Japan 2024! I'm still keeping my hopes up for it to get an anime adaptation somewhere in the future. (I included a link, if you're curious to see what other titles made it on the list).

Also, since we last talked, I've started reading The Apothecary Diaries, and I'm really enjoying it. The mystery elements combined with the subtle romantic subtext are keeping me hooked. I'm already thinking about starting the anime adaptation once I'm caught up with the manga volumes that have been released.

Sometimes it takes a little bit to get into a story, especially with the first chapter setting the stage. I'll be curious to hear how you find Don’t Call it Mystery as you continue reading. Let me know if it starts to grow on you or if your feelings about it change. And if you come across any other manga recommendations in the meantime, I'm all ears!


It's fascinating how certain genres of movies have that unique ability to captivate us like no others. I completely resonate with your preference for horror, mystery, and thriller genres; there's something about the suspense and intrigue that keeps us on the edge of our seats. And it's wonderful that you can still find joy in classic films like the old Disney movies and other nostalgic gems from your childhood. 'The Last Unicorn' holds a timeless charm — for me, it always evokes the feeling of early spring, like a breath of fresh air after a long winter. And 'Nightmare Before Christmas' is simply enchanting, with its perfect blend of visuals, storytelling, and music. It's remarkable how movies like these can leave such a lasting imprint on our tastes and preferences. 'Killer Klownz from Outer Space' as your favorite horror movie is a unique choice indeed! It's intriguing to hear about the different paths that lead us to our favorite films. As for my favorite movie, well, that's still up for debate — there are so many great ones out there, it's hard to choose just one.

It sounds like you've turned your room into a true reflection of yourself, and that's such a wonderful thing! Having a space that tells a story about who you are can be incredibly comforting and inspiring. The idea of creating an atmosphere with fairy lights and glow stars sounds so magical; it's those little touches that can really transform a room into a sanctuary. And a Bluetooth speaker setup for background music sounds like the perfect addition to set the mood. Awesome!

I'm currently in the process of refurbishing an apartment that I am really looking forward moving into - which I hope will be by the end of this year. I can't wait to leave my fingerprint on my place as well, just like you mentioned. I have a bunch of stuff that I bought in anticipation for that moment, most of it still in cardboard boxes, that I intend to hang up and display once I move in. It's going to be so satisfying to finally unpack those boxes and add my personal touch to every corner of my new home. Can't wait!


It's been wonderful catching up with you and I'm eagerly awaiting your response and hearing more about what's been happening in your life. Take care, and I look forward to our next conversation. Wishing you all the best until then!

Heya, always good to hear from you! I'm glad our chats have been enjoyable for you too!

I've got to admit, my experience with Overwatch is a bit limited, as I have only played the latter part of the Early Access and up to about the time Sombra was released, and I haven't kept up with the game afterward too much, so I've never heard of half the heroes that you mention. (⌒_⌒;)
She had to have been released somewhere around Christmas, because I remember spending that winter holiday playing a ton of ranked matches with friends, but as the new year rolled around most of us had to study for exams, and we just never picked the game back up after that it seems.

But your passion for the game and your role as a support player really shines through. I can totally relate to what you said about poor aim; I've never been too big on playing shooters either – that's exactly why I gravitated towards support roles too. It's nice to be able to contribute without worrying too much about hitting those precise shots, but then again, for the most part, I like to play the role of a healer or tank in almost all the games that I end up playing with friends.


As for my tastes in gaming, I've always been more of an RPG person myself - The Witcher, The Elder Scrolls or Dragon Age would be some franchises that I've enjoyed during my gaming career, to name a few. Also, MMORPG's like World of Warcraft have taken up more of my time than I'd care to admit, but those days are far behind me now.
My current PC isn't exactly top-of-the-line either, so my gaming options are pretty limited these days. Still, since you mentioned it, I'd love to dive into Baldur's Gate 3 at some point, having played both the previous installments back in the day. The D&D setting has always been a favorite of mine, and I have fond memories of playing games like Neverwinter Nights or Icewind Dale back in my youth, even going so far as to geek out with a handful of real-life friends back in my university years when we would meet up almost every Saturday or Sunday and play Dungeons & Dragons.
But as we grow older, life tends to take us in different directions.. I digress, there's a ton that I could reminisce about, and I don't want to bore you with my life's story.


You mentioned only recently getting a laptop to play on; I'm curious, were you a big console gamer before that? For me, I've always been more of a PC player. The only consoles I had growing up were Nintendo ones, and I have a lot of fond memories of playing various Pokémon titles on them, a franchise of which to this day I am a big fan. Even now, if there's an event happening, I boot up my Switch for some Pokémon adventures, although I have to admit I was a bit disappointed by the latest installment, Scarlet/Violet. Despite its promising features and being hailed as the first real open-world mainstream title, the game's launch was marred by frame drops, bugs, and glitches. Even after multiple patches and two DLCs, it still feels a bit clunky at times.

While I'm not much of a mobile gamer myself - I actually use the PC client for Honkai: Star Rail, I did take a gander at Cookie Run: Kingdom after you mentioned it. I watched a bit of gameplay, and I have to say, I really like the cutesy look of it! It seems like a lot of fun.


I know the feeling all too well! I've been meaning to watch the Yuru Camp△ Movie before Season 3 finishes by the end of spring so I can jump straight into that. As for Mononoke, it does seem to have a unique art style, I can see how someone might interpret it as something out of a fever dream. I might check it out myself once I clear some of the titles that have been piling up over the past few seasons.


Let me rephrase my previous statement a little bit, since I don't want to come across as a complete philistine. I do indeed watch the OP/ED of animes at least once or twice before deciding to skip them or not. It's also the fact that some openings have a nasty habit of spoiling who the baddie of that specific show or arc is that makes me skip stuff on occasion.


Since we are on the subject, I really liked all of the Persona 5 songs that you shared with me. The start of Life Will Change feels like it's straight out of a Spy X Family opening, and I love the chill, jazzy vibe of Beneath the Mask, which I probably enjoyed the most. If you feel like it, you can go ahead and share more stuff with me, without having to worry about formatting!

Interestingly, although I could call myself a JRPG enjoyer, I've never tried any of the Persona games. I have done a bit of research since your post, and I'm thinking of picking one up for my Switch since there are a few titles available for it. Are the titles connected in any way, or is it possible to pick any of them up without needing knowledge of the previous installments? If so, which one would you recommend the most? Also it is a bit confusing since the same title seems to have different types of gameplay - like Persona 5 having a Strikers Edition and a Royal Edition, what is that about? Are those two different games, each having their own narrative? Could you clarify the differences for me, if you are in the know and are able to?


It seems like this year's manga challenge has some really nice titles on it. I've already come across another one that I really like the premise of and will probably check out - Usuzumi no Hate, but this one only has 2 volumes released thus far and only in Japanese, so I'll have to search for some scanlations.
I also glanced over Witch Watch before picking any of the titles on the list myself, liking the cover and the premise, but got deterred a bit by the score. I know it's subjective and that it should not be a criteria for not picking something up, so I think I might just circle around back to it.

Speaking of not judging anything by an arbitrary score, let me tell you about my excitement for After God. I couldn't devour its volumes fast enough! The art style is simply captivating, with the mangaka's mastery evident in every panel, especially the full-page panels which are just amazing. What truly impressed me was the narrative's balance, seamlessly blending action-packed scenes with lighter moments, all without resorting to forced humor. Even the occasional gory scenes, which you know I'm not a big fan of, felt integral to the story and never gratuitous.
I was so taken by the series and really wanted a to support the author by purchasing the volumes, but unfortunately, the only place I found all six of them in stock was Amazon Japan, and sadly the shipping fees to my corner of the world were more than the price of all the volumes combined, not to mention that there would also be customs taxes on top of that, so it proved a bit prohibitive and I ended up not ordering them after all. I still want a physical copy of the manga, so I'm torn between saving up and buying the Japanese ones or waiting for the licensed English translations to be released, with the first volume expected to be released somewhere at the end of this year.

I checked out the synopsis of Don't Call It Mystery, and its premise seems intriguing. I'd love to hear your thoughts once you've read it, as I've grown to trust your taste in manga.

On another note, I considered exploring Whisper Me a Love Song initially, but ultimately returned to Frieren for a bit of a palate cleanser. I've caught up with its offcially licensed English releases, but the cliffhanger ending has left me eager for more. Perhaps I'll resort to unofficial scanlations for the next volume.
Our Wonderful Days sounds like a delightful read, particularly since it's already completed and consists of just three volumes, which I can go through in one sitting, give the time. I'll give it a go after finishing The Summer You Were There, for which, as a side note, I voted in the category "Manga we want to see Animated". The results will be revealed at the upcoming Anime Japan 2024 event at the end of this month. Fingers crossed!


Indulging in a movie marathon with your brother, especially when you're both horror aficionados, sounds like an absolute blast! You've already dubbed him your "horror buddy," and it's heartwarming to hear about the bond you share over the same genre. Your stories of sibling camaraderie - be it your older brother who sparked your love for manga, or the tales of binge-watching sessions with the younger one - resonate deeply with me. They make me reflect on the dynamic between siblings, and I can't help but feel a tinge of envy. Being an only child, I've often wished for a sibling with whom I could share my passions, interests, and hobbies.

While my own tastes have shifted slightly towards psychological thrillers and mysteries over the years, there's something undeniably special about classic horror flicks. The Alien and Scream franchises hold a nostalgic place in my heart, and I'm genuinely excited for their upcoming installments. It's always refreshing to see new installments in beloved series. Here's to hoping they deliver the same adrenaline-pumping thrills and iconic moments we've come to love.

Take care and looking forward to our next chat!

Not that I intend to spam your profile with messages or anything, but I've noticed that today is a very special day for you, so..

Happy Birthday NinjaMeow, I wish you the happiest of birthdays! (*・ω・)ﾉ”┌iii┐♡

May your day be sprinkled with laughter, surrounded by those you cherish and love, and filled with the magic that only birthdays bring. Wishing you all the anime binge-watching you can handle!

Here's to celebrating another successful trip around the sun, and a new year packed with unforgettable adventures, cherished memories, and endless joy! Cheers to you, and to many more amazing journeys ahead!

Hey there! No worries at all about the delayed response, seriously!

I totally understand that life can get busy, and it's completely fine to take your time with replies. Your messages are always worth the wait, so please don't feel any pressure to rush. Whenever you're up for chatting and have a spare moment, I'm here to continue our conversations. Just know that I really appreciate the effort you put into your responses, no matter when they come.
Also, I just wanted to take a moment to express how grateful I am to have befriended someone like you on MAL. The whole reason I joined was to keep track of the anime I was watching and maybe discover some new titles. Never have I expected to find such a like-minded person to chat with about our common interests. It's been really enjoyable exchanging thoughts and recommendations with you! (❁´◡`❁)

Speaking of common interests, It's amazing how much we seem to be kindred spirits in our gaming tastes! Back in the early days of Overwatch, support was my go-to role, with Mercy being my main but Lucio coming in as a strong second, and a bit of Ana occasionally after she was added to the game. However, as the game grew in popularity, I noticed a shift in the player base towards elitism and toxicity, which made it less enjoyable for me.
I do miss those days when gaming was just about having fun with friends. Sadly, nowadays, I hardly have time for extended gaming sessions. The only game I'm really playing at the moment is Honkai: Star Rail, although every now and then, on a rare Friday or Saturday evening, a few friends and I manage to align our schedules to play something together. However, more often than not, we end up spending more time figuring out what to play than actually playing something!


I've actually been working my way through my On-Hold list lately. Currently, I'm knee-deep in the Toaru Majutsu/Railgun franchise. It's been quite the journey — I even had to create a personal blog post to keep track of the different watch orders! The watch order can get pretty confusing and convoluted, with certain episodes from one show having the potential to spoil the narrative of an entire series, so in the end, I opted for the simplified chronological order, and I'm really happy with my choice.
I've noticed that you have at least one of the titles in the franchise on your Plan to Watch list, so if you ever decide to pick it up and feel like you need a bit of help figuring out in which order to watch the shows, my post might come in handy, so I'll leave you a link to that here.

As for School Live, it's next in line probably. I've paused it since I am in the habit of watching anime before going to bed and it had the effect of keeping me up - I was always expecting something really bad to happen and I just know that something will happen to the little dog by the end of the show and I couldn't keep watching further, had to go for something more light. But I really enjoyed how cutesy a zombie apocalypse can be portrayed, so I'll definitely have to toughen up and power through it eventually.
And since you mentioned Death Note, it's a bit bittersweet for me. It stirs up unwanted feelings because I started watching it with my ex-partner, and we never got around to finishing it before we broke up. Now I find myself having a hard time picking it back up again, although I really liked it..maybe somwhere in the future, when I'm in a better spot, I might give it another go.
Odd Taxi somehow slipped by me unnoticed, but I will be remedying this, having already added it to my Google Sheets Watch List based on your recommendation (Shiki as well), so thanks for that!

When it comes to anime openings, I have a bit of a confession to make—I sometimes find myself skipping them. (//ω//)
For me, the real draw of an opening is definitely the song. If I'm hooked on the music, there's no way I'm fast forwarding through the opening. I'd say about 85% of the appeal for me lies in the music.

However, there are exceptions. Every now and then, the art style is particularly captivating, and I find myself watching the opening regardless. The Monogatari franchise is a standout example for me. Not only does it have incredible soundtracks (some of which I still find myself humming out of the blue occasionally), but the visuals are stunning as well. Heavenly Delusion had another opening that I couldn't bring myself to skip and the opening theme song by BiSH made it even better, and just enhanced the opening even more.
Lastly, more of a nostalgia mention, but I'd be remiss not to mention Trigun's opening—it holds a very special place in my heart as one of the first anime series I watched in its entirety.

And since we're on the subject of songs, I'll leave some of my favorites down below - in no particular order, although I might have forgotten to add a few since I accidentally managed to delete my Spotify playlist containing my favorite OP/ED songs a while ago. Maybe there are some that you'll enjoy in the mix, if you ever find yourself having the time to listen. I'll also make sure to add a Spotify/YouTube link to make it easier for you. I hope you find something you like! ヽ(○´∀`)ﾉ♪

Anime	Song	Notes
Toradora!	Pre-Parade (プレパレード)	Alternate Version
Nekomonogatari: Kuro	perfect slumbers
Bakemonogatari	Ren'ai Circulation (恋愛サーキュレーション)
Nisemonogatari	Platinum Disco (白金ディスコ)
Monogatari Series: Second Season	chocolate insomnia	Entire album with all Monogatari Openings
After-School Hanako-kun	Koi! Koi Koi (来い！濃い恋)	ED of the OVA, but I do wholeheartedly recommend the show
The Quintessential Quintuplets	Sign	ED of the first season
Call of the Night	Yofukashi no Uta (よふかしのうた)	ED of the show, again would recommend
Komi Can't Communicate S02	Koshaberi Biyori (小喋日和)	ED of the Second Season
Heavenly Delusion	innocent arrogance
[Oshi No Ko]	アイドル	Have yet to watch the series, but love the song
Dropkick On My Devil!	神保町哀歌/Jinbocho Elegy	Not an OP/ED, the song was part of an OVA*

*For some reason, this song stayed with me long after watching the show. To this day, I find myself humming it quietly every other day. I couldn't resist including it in the list, perhaps for a bit of whimsy. Admittedly, its charm might not fully translate without familiarity with the show, but who knows, you might still appreciate its vibe.


As this message is getting quite lengthy, there's one more thing I'd like to share. I recently decided to participate in MAL's You Should Read This Manga 2024 event. For my selection, I opted for The Summer You Were There, a genuine underrated hidden gem in my view. Despite its Yuri tag, it offers much more than meets the eye. Without spoiling anything, I've found it to be a profoundly moving and bittersweet tale. Even though I've yet to finish the last two volumes, it already had me bawling my eyes out a few times. If you ever feel inclined to explore a heartfelt narrative that tugs at the heartstrings, I wholeheartedly recommend giving this manga a chance.

There's also After God I've picked from the aforementioned manga titles list. It stands in stark contrast to the other title I've selected, offering a completely different, dystopian experience. Although I've only read the first volume and the first few chapters of the second installment so far, I've been impressed by its world-building, storytelling, and artwork. I'll likely have more to share about it in my next reply once I've delved further into it.

Again, there's no rush with replying; take your time!
Until next time, I hope all is well with you and wish you a wonderful start to your spring!

P.S. I sure hope there is no character limit on messages here (๑﹏๑//)

Hey there!

I can certainly understand how significant story changes and alterations to characters or monster designs might impact the overall experience when it deviates from the source material, especially if its very dear to you. It's always a bit disappointing when an adaptation doesn't quite capture the essence of the original work, but, in my opinion, more often than not, such works are hard to bring to life in a live-action or TV adaptation without heavily relying on CGI, which will never be faithful to the original.

Well, based on your keen recommendation skills, it seems that you have me figured out already when it comes to my tastes in anime. Someone has certainly been doing their homework!

Funny that you should mention Summertime Render, it has been on my watchlist for a while now, and I'm genuinely looking forward to watching it. Have you been peeking at my anime preferences by any chance? (｡•̀ᴗ-)✧
Either way, it's a solid recommendation - mystery and suspense are right up my alley, and I'm excited to dive into it in the near future, and the fact that both you and your partner were hooked speaks volumes!

Regarding Jojo's Bizarre Adventure – I've had it recommended to me by most anime-loving real-life friends too, but there's just something about it that doesn't quite click with me, and I can't quite put my finger on it. But given the constant praise it receives, I might just have to give in and watch it eventually. Sometimes, the hype is too much, and you just have to check it out for yourself, right?
If you've ever encountered this kind of situation with other highly recommended shows, you'll probably know what I'm talking about. I appreciate the suggestion, and I understand you weren't sure if it would be my cup of tea, but your insights are always appreciated.

Your love for anime with unique animation and character styles is palpable through your soliloquy, and to piggyback off of that, I only recently finished Toilet-Bound Hanako-kun, and since you brought up unique animation, I'd be remiss if I didn't mention how much I loved its unique visual charm, and the colour palette that felt like a whimsical painting coming to life. The show's artistic flair added a layer of magic to the narrative, and I thoroughly enjoyed it! Looking forward to the upcoming season this year.


Lastly, there's no need to apologize for the rambling – I love hearing your thoughts and get your perspective, feel free to ramble and pour your heart out in your replies! (´꒳`)♡

Thanks a bunch for the recommendation! I'm always on the lookout for new reads to add to my list, and Sweet Home sounds intriguing—I'll definitely check it out once I've cleared up my current reading list a bit more.
By the way, have you had a chance to watch the Netflix adaptation of Sweet Home (I've noticed that it has one)? Given its decent score on Rotten Tomatoes, I'm curious to know if it lives up to the source material and whether or not it's worth watching.

Feel free to drop more recommendations anytime, both manga/manhwa and anime - if you happen to stumble upon something you really enjoy make sure to let me know, I'm always on the lookout for hidden gems. I'll make sure to add them to my reading/watching lists and will circle back to them eventually.
And thanks for clarifying the manga/manhwa/manhua distinctions! Always good to have someone in the know.

Also, totally get what you mean about navigating through external sites for tracking anime/manga - there's some dodgy places out there, it's like a little adventure in itself.
That's why I mostly rely on the friend I mentioned when it comes to shows I can't find on Crunchyroll or other similar streaming platforms. She's a much braver soul than I am, and she's not shy about navigating the more shadier parts of the web when it comes to getting her fix of anime or manga, so she's my provider when it comes to stuff that I am unable to find on my own.

Have a great week and happy reading/watching!

Hey NinjaMeow,

Wanting to watch shows with friends is a great way to stay focused and makes perfect sense to me, as I, too, have my own watching habits to keep me from getting sidetracked by multiple shows at once.
In my case, I prefer waiting until a show has been completely released before starting it. This way, not only can I fully immerse myself in the story, but I can also watch episodes back-to-back if I get hooked, and it eliminates the element of having to wait between episodes for the next one to be released.

The only downside with this approach that I can think of is that one can get overwhelmed by all the titles that have piled up over time and be uncertain about which show to go for next. I've fallen victim to my own hubris as well, as I have stockpiled quite the backlog of shows that I've been meaning to watch from releases over this past year.
But I'll start working on my watchlist from spring and summer of '23 in the near future, starting with "Oshi No Ko", most likely.

As for this season's releases, I have already added around 15 shows to my watchlist - some of which you've already mentioned. Although It'll probably have fewer titles on it by the time Spring comes around. To name a few, Bokuyaba Season 2, Sasaki to Pii-chan or Akuyaku Reijou Level 99 ar some that stand out for me, although I am on the fence about the last one. There's also Frieren and The Apothecary Diaries that I am really looking forward to, and I'll be picking those up as soon as they've finished airing.

You mentioned being a big fan of manhwa, and I'm going to have to apologize in advance for my ignorance, but from what I could gather, manhwa is the Korean equivalent of the Japanese manga, or am I mistaken? I had no idea that MAL does not cater for manhwa enthusiasts as well, I find it odd since their database seems really inclusive.

I don't know if this is of any help to you - if you want to keep track of your library or not, nor do I know if they do a better job than MAL does at tracking manhwa, but a friend recently introduced me to this website, since I've only just started getting into manga myself. She is a big manga fan, and uses this website to keep track of her library, find out about new releases and/or new translations and also discover new titles.
I hope that it will be of some use to you, if it's something that you haven't known of beforehand. (*^‿^*)

Hey there! It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance! (*ˊᗜˋ)ﾉ

No need to worry at all – life gets busy, especially around this time of year, and I completely understand. Just glad to connect with you whenever, looking forward to catching up, maybe share some anime recommendations and make some nice memories!

Speaking of which, I'll be taking this opportunity to wish you a belated Happy New Year! May this year be filled with fresh starts, exciting adventures, and abundant blessings. May you achieve all your goals and dreams! Here's to making the most of the time ahead and creating wonderful memories! ⋆˚✿˖°

So, have you set any goals or made any resolutions for this New Year? And how about anime - any new shows or new seasons of old ones that you are looking forward to?

Omg Thanks!! (⁠◍⁠•⁠ᴗ⁠•⁠◍⁠)
Melissa is so coolll, she pretty and strong at the same time. But Sadly the story reach the end before I could see their child T-T

✿ Thanks for accepting! Nice to meet ya!!! ✿
It's okay, I also couldn't always check my notifications ww

You're welcome, thank you very much for accepting. Pleasure.

I've mostly been using batotoo to track things, plus they have most of the best translations I've been able to find! I've used mangaowl a few times as well but not the others yet. I'll be sure to look into that manhwa as well, I need some good angst in my life ><

I don't think I've heard of any of those actually, I'll add those to my plan to read as well! It always feels like I've barely read anything since most of the manhwa I read aren't on MAL lmao. ANGST IS GOOD YAYYY, that's also the genre I've been reading a ton of lately so that will be great for me, I'll take whatever you have ahah