Celebrating the Women of the Anime, Manga & Light Novel Industries

Happy International Women’s Day, everyone! In honor of the day, we here at BtT are excited to celebrate some of our favorite women working in anime, manga, and light novels. This is our second year marking the holiday in this way. When I started this project last year, I was under the impression that these… Read More Celebrating the Women of the Anime, Manga & Light Novel Industries

Endo & Kobayashi Live! Part I: God Speaks Like an Otaku!

One day after school, Aoto Endo and Shihono Kobayashi become gods. One minute they’re playing Kobayashi’s beloved otome game Love Me Magically! (Magikoi), fangirl-and-boying over the tsundere villainess Lieselotte, and the next, they are being hailed as gods by the in-game male lead, Crown Prince Sieg, who can suddenly hear their voices. Fun premise for… Read More Endo & Kobayashi Live! Part I: God Speaks Like an Otaku!

Suletta Mercury, Part II: Of Maxims, Mothers, & Murder

There’s a meme going around these days featuring Miorine, Suletta and the caption: “Daddy issues make you a people pleaser. Mommy issues make you, like, a sociopath.” And after the post-credit scene of the final episode, things kind of look that way. In a few short moments, Suletta Mercury—that lovable ball of social anxiety in… Read More Suletta Mercury, Part II: Of Maxims, Mothers, & Murder

The Courage of Bocchi the Rock, Or Free Will & How to Use It Well

The feeling of helplessness is among the worst experiences in life. The complete, utter lack of control. The despair that leads to resignation. It’s an awful emotion. But it’s also a learned one. It arises when we are faced with the perceived inability to make a choice, and it’s this perception that Hitori “Bocchi” Gotoh,… Read More The Courage of Bocchi the Rock, Or Free Will & How to Use It Well