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Homunculus is defined by one word: unique. In my opinion, the manga starts with an incredible arc that includes meaningful settings and characters, and really seems to engage the reader with the absurdity of the main event(s)-- trepanation. The buildup of characters is good, and we see a lot of growth in all of them. But it is largely figurative. Homunculus is a philosophical manga that relies on metaphors to convey most of its ideas, so you have to really pay attention to understand the symbols portrayed in it. This lasts for a while, but towards the end it just devolves into the ramblings of ... a narcissist who cannot face reality, and who begs and cries out for an outlet to validate himself and his regrets. The symbols devolve into self-serving symbols that uncover the slop that builds the character, never really showing anything but self-rooted hatred and a desperate attempt to find a way out of his own self.

But this is what I find beautiful. The main character, Nakoshi, is an example of the strife many people go through when finding their own identity. Personally, I feel like he exhibits the same forlorn yearnings that I do when I can't figure out what is "wrong with me". This is a universal experience for everyone who is human, and Nakoshi shows an extreme version of this self-search that resonates with the reader. This on top of such amazing artwork.. just take the scene with the sand girl and water-Ito at the table together. Beautiful. It also represents more hidden aspects of personality, such as the battles those who are queer deal with in regards to their sense of identity through gender and sexuality, with the story and development of the bright and wealthy scientist Ito.

Homonculus is a manga that will show you perspective. It has ups and downs, but ultimately, it is something that you think about after putting down. I highly recommend it!

Attack on Titan has always had its fair share of realism, but this was really the cherry on top. This season showed background and filled in some gaps in the story, but at the same time showed peak animation combined with the original majestic sound of the original and classic AoT songs like "Bauklotze" combined with scenes that have you gripping the edge of your seat anticipating what happens next. Take the hangar scene, with the clock ticking down and the last of our beloved crew putting up the ultimate fight against time! It was truly an experience. But the cherry on top was the ... way that this season and ending. This last season showed the very nature of humanity. How everything that we do historically is a repetition of past events in different circumstances, in a different font. Suffering is universal and infinite, and that is just how the world works. In a constant cycle of suffering and enduring. A bitter truth that highlights the main theme of the show: a constant struggle against unfortunate circumstances in hope for change, only to find temporary victories and solace, with true freedom forever being out of reach. It shows a beautiful tragedy, which is what Attack on Titan ultimately is.