For academics, the end of the term is pretty much the storm before the calm before the storm. Once we’re done grading final exams and establishing grades, our lives are suddenly quiet until the beginning of the next term. (glances at Shiraishi-kun’s empty chair) We might almost say “too quiet,” until we remember that everyone needs some time off now and then.

This time, Joel asks via Facebook, “Do you prefer simple comedic anime or more philosophical ones? You have to choose only one.“ Well, naturally when faced with such a choice, my instinct says to choose both. And often we do get to choose both when it comes to anime. But if I had to choose only one, I think that I’d probably go with comedic anime. More philosophical anime series are higher stakes, with the potential for a higher reward, to be sure. But it seems to me that comedy shows have a better chance at succeeding at their goal, or at least are less likely to fail at it. My experience (which may certainly differ from yours) is that it’s easier to get me to laugh than to get me to think. More philosophical series have a variety of unpleasant ways to become shipwrecked, including my simply being unable to get what they’re laying down (coughEvangelioncough), whereas I generally find that the worst outcome for a comedy series is that it fails to be funny, at least for me.