Public (and private) opinion and belief are often swayed most by what would be convenient, helpful, exciting, or easy rather than objective truths.
In/Spectre and the Unfortunate Truth about the Truth
Mediocrity VS. Squandered Potential
Is it better to have a show be fantastic with some really bad parts, or to have one be pretty okay with no detractors?
The Role of Role-Playing in Goblin Slayer
What makes Goblin Slayer so special is how faithfully it recreates the Tabletop RPG experience. For me it brought to life what I always wanted D&D to be. Without that context, it can come off as low-effort.
Changing Hurts – How Land of the Lustrous Helped Me Say Black Lives Matter (Spoilers)
It’s time to grow up some. And after this, many things will not be the same. Nor should they be. It’s bittersweet, but it’s definitely for the best.
“Uhm, aCksHually?” – On the Anima and Animus
“Uhm, aCksHually? Kara no Kyoukai (I refuse to ever call an anime by its English name) is really good because.." Here's some extra context that makes it less convoluted anyway.
Why Sound! Euphonium is The Best Shonen
In watching Euphonium’s first season I saw my first year in High School and my first year in College. That same tireless obsession and passion for improvement and mastery of an art.
Monogatari Final Thoughts
At its best moments, Monogatari is a masterpiece of experimental animation, visual style, and storytelling. It’s a series of artistic, metaphorically supernatural occurrences rooted in Japanese folklore that apply on a much wider scale, dissecting deep-seated beliefs and ideologies held by society at large while feeling intimately personal. At its worst moments, Monogatari is a horny fan-service filled indulgence that sugarcoats predatory, pedophilic and incestual themes and behaviors with a flimsy excuse of meta-commentary and loopholes to make it easier on the viewer to not feel guilty and admit that they are, in essence, consuming and enjoying a consequence-free fantasy in which the hero can get away with sexual harassment because he’s (most of the time) a “nice person.”
Monogatari and Problematic Media
The idea that you’re either “all for” or “all against” something is absolute baloney and downright childish. The good, interesting, and beautiful parts of Monogatari don’t nullify, make up for, or make the terrible parts “worth it.” The terrible parts of it don’t mean that Monogatari doesn’t bring anything to the table.
Opinion Piece: Otherworld Mediums
I feel that Maquia is an excellent example of the power of what I like to call "otherworld" mediums of fiction, such as stories told in fantasy or sci-fi settings, and animation in general, when it comes to drama and eliciting an emotional response. I consume fiction for a variety of reasons, but I want... Continue Reading →
At a Glance Anime 