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Violet Evergarden: Recollections.
A recollection of the 13-episode series, that first introduces us to the story of the "Auto Memory Doll"; Violet Evergarden.

The recap doesn't manage to capture everything the actual anime has to offer, which isn't surprising for a recap. Instead, it chose certain parts that shortly and clearly explains Violet's circumstances, and how she came to be an Auto Memory Doll. It also highlights a few stories out of those people, she touched with her writing: Luculia Marlborough and her brother, the writer Oscar Webster who lost his daughter Olivia, and little Miss Ann Magnolia and her mother. So, a lot has been skipped.

Many ... are gonna be extremely disappointed with this, as there's no new visuals, scenes or anything for that matter. It's purely a recap made if scenes taken directly from the series. But it also serves as a bittersweet reminder of what we've experienced, to those who've seen all the episodes, specials and movies. The tears we've shed and the story we've witnessed.

In the end, it's up to personal experience - this is either gonna be extremely boring because of the lack of new stuff, or nostalgic, sad and yet less painful, compared to the first-time experience.

Impulsively, this happed to be the first BL-manga i bought in a physical form - it seemed adorable, so I was very excited to read it!

The manga contains its main-story "Would You Like To Be a Family?" (plus a bonus chapter) and two additional stories, "Kuma's Feelings" and "The First Love Psychology" which are all independent from each other.

In the mainstory, the standoffish Takemura and friendly, chatty Natsui are coworkers from different departments, who coincidentally meet each other while out shopping - Natsui, who's a single-father, shopping with his son Mori - invites Takemura over to eat. The first of their many upcoming dinners ... together. It's a sweet, enjoyable story, though it's not surprising that since the manga is so short (specially because of the extra stories), that you don't really get to experience the characters in depth. Their stories are explained in a simple manner (currently no spoilers, while I wait for admin approval for official synopsis). Personally, I ended up liking Takemura and Mori's relationship, they were so sweet and funny! The same goes for the short stories.

Overall, it's a short typical BL, not standing out much, though sweet nonetheless. I would recommend this to read when chilling and needing a little smile, and if you like BLs. The art is cute and the erotica parts are very short, and barely show anything (easy to skip a page, if reading in public). May you enjoy the read!

"What does 'like' mean?"
An Uncomfortable Truth is a psychological thriller revolving around the pair of brothers - Yoseob and Jaeha, where we also meet important characters such as Yura and Taeoh.

Despite what it might seem at first, DON'T mistake this for a typical "yandere guy falls romantically in love with his brother, and are willing to hurt/kill/cut off people from brother's life, while said brother remains completely oblivious and/or accepts yandere guy for who he is (omg incest, yandere, happy ending, etc.)".

Because it's really not like that. It's a story where the beginning starts with revealing the ending - "Yoseob (...) is in the police ... station convicted of stabbing 8 civilians with a knife", and we're told about the past and what happened, that's lead up to those events. Though it changes perspective for the four main characters, and therefor it reveals and explains a lot. It's a story of incredibly unfortunate events, with so complex characters that acts/has acted in ways, which has lead to all these events. Stories based on cause-effect coherence. Most of the time, you'll probably feel bad for the characters, but since it's deep down in the psychological genre, you'll (hopefully) be completely pulled in by the story, its explanations and how it's tied to each of the characters.

It's an intense manga, so I'd advice you to give it a try! A good few-hours read, and if you like complex characters with harsh/rough pasts, that have lead them to become who they are, you might enjoy trying to determine how you feel about some of them - who's the "bad" and "good" guys, if they are such people amongst the main characters. And it got a pleasing and pretty artstyle as well + full color pages!

"I like you."

“Kimi to Boku is a must watch show (…) it’s one of those anime's where you can come home from a rough day of work and watch.” (Jebbika) “Male or female, old or young; it's an anime for everyone!” (RWM13)
Those are the kinda comments that encouraged me to start watching Kimi to Boku (You and Me). And they were truly right. This slice-of-life series showcases the ordinary lives of four - later five - teenage boys. It’s but a simple concept, that still has managed to be entertaining, fun and sweet. It might be a fun series to watch an episode of, by the end ... of a long day. It might be a series to decide to binge. Either way, it will bring you a joyful feeling of content, seeing them enjoying themselves together, making memories, meeting new people - and despite them being together most of the time; each person gets their individual growth.

The series is about friendships, memories and growth - together those bittersweet aspects that life will bring. It has a lovely flow through it’s episodes, and can I say that I personally ADORE each time the opening and ending songs gradually start playing, by the beginning/end of the episode. It’s such a perfect build-up to the mood of the series, and makes it impossible to skip it. You can’t help cherishing the small things!

In conclusion: a must watch show - no matter when or where you decide to do. Take your time!
It’s a pleasing and enjoyable anime, with a sweet and simple art-style, lovely characters, great opening- and ending songs (ouch my feels, whenever I hear them) - it’s not perfect but that’s just like that bittersweet life it intends to portray.

Emotionally, I’d rate this movie either a 9 to even a 10.
The movie is a large insight on the lives of Haruka and Makoto, after Rin left for Australia, and the “best” swimming team they could have, had to seperate. How do you move forward when you’ve already experienced the best?

[Slight spoilers ahead!]
Haruka and Makoto are first-years in middleschool. Even though the pair’s unsure at first, through some tricks and troubles, they end up joining the school’s swimming club together with Haruka’s new classmates: Asahi Shiina and Ikuya Kirishima.

But a team requires teamwork, and friendship isn’t something you can create just like that. ... New members with different personalities, swimming experience and ways of thinking has the group carrying its portion of struggles, which affects the entire team. Each of the characters are forced to confront each of their individual problems, and - with some help - come to realize their reason for swimming. Asahi and Ikuya aren’t just stand-in friends/teammates for Nagisa or Rei (though they do make their sweet apparences!) but must work through their own struggles as well, to bond as a team. The team’s conflicts leave you feeling frustrated, sad and conflicted in their place, and you learn to understand all the characters - even some you might’ve felt a bit annoyed with at the beginning.

The movie shows how important mental state, relations and one own’s well-being can affect those around you - and the things you care about. Swimming isn’t just swimming, and neither is feeling confident, friendships, family-relations or change. There’s lot to overcome to become stronger! Learning plays a major role.

Overall a great experience, and the calm after the storm personally left me feeling really satisfied and happy. The movie did a great job covering both the past of Makoto and Haruka, while also having its own story and letting us get to know more new characters, you just end up taking a liking to.

The characters learn that even after experienced the best swimming - you can still learn work with the new people towards that same goal. You can learn to embrace the past, the future’s changes, and love the faces that await you by the end of the route, even as they change throughout time!

May you enjoy the movie! Have fun!