An Interview with Ginger Root: Anime, Creativity, and the Journey to “Soarin’” from Sparks of Tomorrow

For Cameron Lew, the musician behind Ginger Root, anime has never been simply a visual influence or a passing interest. He describes himself as a “huge otaku”—and that enthusiasm has found its way into everything from his music videos to the aesthetic and world-building of his work. And now, that lifelong love of anime has… Read More An Interview with Ginger Root: Anime, Creativity, and the Journey to “Soarin’” from Sparks of Tomorrow

09.17.202609.21.2026 TwwkLeave a comment

First Impression: City the Animation

It’s a typical day in CITY. No, that’s not a grammatical error; this city is named CITY. And trust me, the citizens of CITY are just as unusual as the name. Whether it’s the gullible boy who wears a skirt for the sake of his horoscope, a chef accidentally drops not one but TWO orders… Read More First Impression: City the Animation

07.06.202507.06.2025 Josh1 Comment

First Impression: Sound! Euphonium 3

Being President of the Kitauji Concert Band is hard work, especially if you have a tendency toward the kind of inarticulate splutters and awkward gestures that get you mixed up in all sorts of highly melodramatic situations, like Kumiko Oumae. Flanked by her best friend, the cooly confident Reina Kousaka, as Drum Major and the… Read More First Impression: Sound! Euphonium 3

04.07.202404.07.2024 claire1 Comment

An Ode to the Women of Anime, Manga, & Light Novels

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. We’re also joined by our friend Atelier Gokujou, who shares a few faves with us from the perspective of a professional anime artist. From the… Read More An Ode to the Women of Anime, Manga, & Light Novels

03.08.202203.11.2022 Staff6 Comments

First Impression: The Heike Story

The setting is medieval Japan in an era where a loose word against the local lord can cost you your life—or that of your family member, as young Biwa learns tragically in the opening moments of this episode. The child has heterochromia, a fairly common visual trope in anime, but this particular case of the… Read More First Impression: The Heike Story

09.15.202110.07.2021 claire10 Comments

First Impression: Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid S

Tohru is the best maid out there. It’s simply an unquestionable fact—as a dragon, she’s best at everything she does, whether it’s destroying worlds or folding loads of laundry for Kobayashi, her human master. So when the local maid cafe boasts the best maids in town, Tohru can’t help but feel slighted. She decides to… Read More First Impression: Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid S

07.08.202107.08.2021 sleepminusminus3 Comments

Tamako and Kobayashi at the Thanksgiving Table

Recently, I’ve been on a Kyoto Animation spree. It probably started after I realized that continuous rewatches of Chuunibyou were probably not good for my productivity or my long-term enjoyment of anime. But I was infatuated with the irresistible charm of their storytelling. It’s really a testament to how well an animation studio does their… Read More Tamako and Kobayashi at the Thanksgiving Table

11.26.202012.02.2020 sleepminusminus6 Comments

Beneath the Tangles

connecting anime and christianity in genuine community

Tag: KyoAni