From classic novels like those by Jane Austen to modern film, the romantic comedy has relied on miscommunication to generate angst, humor, and suspense. Smoking Behind the Supermarket with You has played with that idea from a distance throughout its nine episodes thus far, with Slow-sa-ki never being able to tell Tamaya apart from her… Read More Smoking Behind the Supermarket with You, Ep. 9: He’s Already Thomas
At the heart of the Ghibliesque historical drama Cocoon – One Summer of Girlhood, lies the most brutal yet compelling of metaphors for coming of age: the silkworm and its cocoon. You see, the silkworm spins its silk into a protective cocoon at the pupae stage, akin to its teenaged years, but tragically, it is… Read More Film Review: Cocoon – One Summer of Girlhood
While the two parts of each episode of Smoking Behind the Supermarket with You don’t always align thematically, they do with episode eight. Each presents two stories about connections with memory—one about a lost object and the other about the show’s favorite addiction. Let’s jump in! The Shift Yamada realizes that she’s misplaced the pocket… Read More Smoking Behind the Supermarket with You, Ep. 8: Right As Daisy
We’re back, baby! Well, Smoking Behind the Supermarket with You never left for some of you, but for those of us who watched all the mini-episodes when they debuted early, we’ve been waiting for new material ever since. And finally, episode seven starts the all-new content—and with it, a series of posts giving brief impressions… Read More Smoking Behind the Supermarket with You, Ep. 7: Raises, Ghosts, and Blushing
Our man on the ground, T.R. Racki, watched the world premiere of To You in the Beyond at Anime Expo 2026. The film releases in Japan later this year. A sixteen-year-old girl washes ashore on a remote Japanese island. Her first word in the year 2026 is “1974.” Kazuki, a fifteen-year old boy, takes refuge… Read More Review: To You in the Beyond
Anima, the narrative feature debut by director Brian Tetsuro Ivie, is described as a sci-fi comedy drama. It’s also a road movie. That’s a lot of labels for a 96-minute film to carry. And while Anima touches all those notes with an understated sincerity, it’s probably best described more simply: it’s a story about two… Read More Review: Anima (2026)
It’s concert time for the band Primary Color! Lead guitarist and vocalist Kana Ichikawa is about to belt out a brand-new song called “To Be Continued”. What’s so special about this song? Well, it was co-written by her little brother, the cringe lord, love-struck dork, Kyotaro Ichikawa, and is based on his feelings about his… Read More Film Review: The Dangers in My Heart: The Movie
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Watch Something Genuine, our interview series that cuts through the noise and focuses on the people behind the costumes, in front of the mics, and watching anime, just like you and me. Season two premieres on May 27th.