Look Into My Eyes (One Shot) Look Into My Eyes is a one-shot manga about an idol group on the verge of disbanding. While it appears that most of the members are ready to move on to bigger and better things, one of them can’t let go, and in the early pages of the manga… Read More Otaku Reader’s Corner: December 2020
Well, the school year is progressing nicely, and I’ll be darned if I don’t see everyone hard at work. Sensei is impressed! Even Shiraishi-kun is opening his textbook and handing in homework on occasion. Do you think he might actually pass? I certainly hope so. Not that it matters. After all, every class has a… Read More Ask Sensei: Shiraishi-kun Edition
Well, ’tis the season, folks. Of course I don’t mean that season: however, there are still two seasons before that one, and this coming one will probably involve my doorbell ringing. I will let Bella the cat answer it, of course. So what do you all think of this new anime season? I must admit I’m… Read More Ask Sensei: Trick Or Treat Edition
Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu: Sukeroku Futatabi-hen Descending Stories: Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu Annalyn – 9/10 The first season of Rakugo Shinjuu captured me through, among other things, its beautiful animation and music, fantastic storytelling, fallible and relatable characters, and skilled use of motifs like candles and specific rakugo stories. It was real and painful and lovely.… Read More Winter Anime 2017 Review (Part 3/3)
I’ve written about love and community many times. This is partially because these themes show up so much in anime, and partially because I’m always learning more in these areas. Sometimes, relationship themes come across as cheesy and overdone. Such anime have an overdramatic “friendship is magic” or “moral of the story” feel, and they do… Read More Annalyn’s Corner: Why Community Is a Repeated Theme
“No matter how I try to wipe it away, your love continues to cling to me.” —Eight Generation Yakumo, Descending Stories: Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu episode 8 Yakumo, formerly known as Kikuhiko, formerly known as Bon, has never been the most cheerful of men. He has a lifelong habit of pushing people away, only letting them… Read More Annalyn’s Corner: Rakugo Shinjuu and Life-Giving Love
The ninth episode of Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu is marked by conflict that leads to separation. It’s also marked by beautiful animation, but I decided to focus on the conflict instead. [Spoilers ahead. If you haven’t watched the latest episode yet, I recommend you do, even though the big events in this episode were rather predictable.… Read More Annalyn’s Corner: Rakugo Shinjuu’s Traditionalists and Rogues