I think this is the closest I'll ever get to watching something relatively recent. I might start the reboot of Fruits Basket so we'll see, but for now this is a true statement. Honestly the reason I started this was because I was scrolling through the IG Discover page and saw a set of screenshots from the anime. They looked really interesting so I thought I'd give it a go. And it was a roller coaster honestly. Also a good reminder of how good anime with a plot is. The mystery kept me going and really I watched all of it in three days, which is pretty good considering all the work I had for the week teehee~ Maybe I should recommend my little sister to watch this one. She's gotten pretty interested in anime as of late; during her spring break she binged watched a whole like like Kaichou wa Maid sama, Haikyuu (S1 and S2), Promised Neverland, and she's watching Anohana right now. Although she keeps telling me Anohana isn't interesting smh.
{Spoilers because there's a plot}
So, for those of you who don't know, Toilet-bound Hanako-kun is a supernatural story that takes place in a school that's both a junior high and high school I guess. There's rumors about the Seven (Apparition) Wonders of the school floating around. Our main heroine Yashiro Nene seeks out the seventh wonder Hanako to ask for her wish to be granted. However, Hanako refuses to grant her wish in the quick-magic sense so she takes drastic measures which in the end have her end up as Hanako's assistant. From there she's enlisted to clean the bathroom Hanako inhabits and help him spread rumors to keep the other wonders alive. All of the wonders seem pretty scary, but most of them are nice or at least the story is written in such a way that even if they're temporarily scary, there's still a little bit of comedy thrown in there to make it less scary. A favorite on-going joke is Nene's legs which apparently resemble daikon or the fact that she's not popular with boys. It's an endearing narrative overall that switches between a comedy and mystery all under the umbrella of the overarching supernatural yokai theme that goes on. There's lots of likable characters that they meet along the way like Tsuchigomori and Yako (aka kitsune udon lol).
The third MC is also endearing in his own way: Minamoto Kou. He's the second son of a long line of exorcists, but he's still learning his way and lives in the shadow of his older brother Teru. But he's a really pure and nice kid who's trying his best to figure out if exorcising spirits is the right thing to do in every situation. You could go as far as to say it's a bit like an allegory for the US prison system. Perhaps we shouldn't just throw everyone in jail for any crime and instead have a reformative system rather than a punitive one. Or perhaps I'm just reading too much into this after watching the new Maleficent movie and trying to analyze why they thought it was a good idea to make this second one. Who knows?
There's also this underlying mystery of Hanako that's explored throughout the story. But we never find out the whole truth which is both disappointing, but also appropriate for the pacing of the story I feel. If we were to find out in these brief 12 episodes, it'd feel a little bit like cheating. I hope that this series becomes really popular and we can get another season. I really enjoyed the gothic lolita vibes that the show gave off. It was a great balance and juxtaposition of a spooky supernatural but also a cuteness to it that made it easy and enjoyable for a scaredy cat like me to watch.
Overall, it was an excellent watch. It was comical, engaging, entertaining, and mysterious all packaged into one that kept me watching and wondering. I hope that more people could watch this and enjoy such beautiful art. I mean even just looking at Nene and how cute she is, she almost gives the show a shoujo vibe. But most definitely if you like yokai shows, I think you would really enjoy this one and its format which is reminiscent of other shows I've watched similar to this in the "problem--->solution" in each episode with overarching mysteries spread throughout to give a variation in pace. It was so jam-packed actually that at some points I wanted a filler arc of just our three MCs having fun at a school festival or something like that. I didn't get that, but I really craved it. I guess it's my slice of life side coming out. Watch for some good mystery and strange humor :')
Wednesday, May 27, 2020
Wednesday, May 20, 2020
Anime ATM 104 Akatsuki no Yona (Season 1)
WOW! Okay a little backstory, a while ago, and by a while ago I'm pretty sure like 2 or 3 years ago, S recommended that I watch Akatsuki no Yona. I was like "Oh yeah I'll get around to it eventually" but obviously I haven't did until now. And that was a mistake. Akatsuki no Yona is SO GOOD. I'm so happy I started it, even though I did so in the middle of quarantine and in the middle/tail end of midterms season, but it's alright. Also, I was inspired to start this because I saw some random anime account that posted a series of screenshots of Hak and...I fell in love. Haha. It's only kind of a joke.
It's been so long since I've watched an anime with plot. Okay I did watch Boku no Hero Academia. And yes that does have a plot. But there was something about the pacing of this anime that really gelled with me. Each arc was around 4-ish episodes and it felt really satisfying to see Yona grow and her cohort of fellow OP characters. I think that's what I've been doing wrong all along really. I kept relegating myself to just fluffy shoujo stuff thinking that that's what I really enjoy. But actually, having gone back to something with plot was so refreshing and I binged 9 episodes in one day. That's how good it was.
Anyways, this is a pretty old anime; it came out in 2014. So, there's probably lots of good reviews out there, but let me just glorify it further.
{Spoilers!}
A basic synopsis would be there's this princess named Yona in Kouka Kingdom that lives a really privileged and pampered life. She thinks her life is super great, she's about to turn 16 and her father is a great, if a little softhearted king, not believing in war or weapons. This anti-violence agenda irks some of the kingdom and leads to Yona's childhood friend Su-won leading a coup to murder Yona's father. The king dies and Yona was next, but she escaped with her bodyguard and other childhood friend Hak.
From then on, Hak and Yona end up as travelers around Kouka Kingdom under instruction by Ik-su, a priest who can communicate with God to find the four dragons from the creation myth of Kouka Kingdom. There's different arcs that follow their happening upon each of the dragons and the adventures that they have together. That's a super cheesy description, but in the most simple terms that's what happens.
I think what I found most engaging about the whole thing was the fact that the pacing was really nice. It was the right proportion of action happening while also character development and interpersonal relationship building. For example, when you think about Shinha and his sub-arc, there's a little bit of everything. You've got this little kid that just wants to make friends, but has been shunned because of rumors about his powers causing people to be paralyzed and then his mentor dies after becoming blind (oml when he put the bells on his mask so Ao would know where he was) there was a lot of heavy stuff going on there. But there was also this relationship built between him and Yona as the two are able to find support in one another as Yona is able to bring him into the light and Shinha offers her comfort and strength. In the same vein, all of the dragons in their own way lend their strength to Yona after realizing the benefits that it gives each of them and the bond that ties them altogether.
It was a nice touch too to have each of the dragons come from four incredibly different backgrounds. It gave diversity beyond just them having four different powers, but also delved deeper into how each dragon trait would be accepted by people and how each of their backstories led to them leading four different lives. Still they all converged and are on this shared quest with Yona and Hak.
It was really heartwarming as well to see how the group is growing in terms of numbers but also in terms of character development. It wasn't just an instant connection between them or Yona not doing anything to prove herself, there was a mix of everyone doing their part to better themselves.
I'm still not really sure how I feel about Su-won. I think from a purely political standpoint, he might be good for the kingdom. The sub-arc where he goes to the Earth Tribe and hypes up the Earth General was super smart. He bolstered the tribe's morale, strengthened its economy and inter-kingdom trade, and sized up the Earth General's willingness to side with him. Su-won is super clever which both I respect and am intimidated by.
However, just from the first season I feel like it could end up where the four dragons and Hak help Yona rule the kingdom as the ending shows a table with multiple chairs around it instead of a throne. I feel like that could indicate her success, but if she does succeed it'll be bittersweet. But of course it would also be revenge and justice for the late king that was killed for his anti-violence agenda. However, Yona's travels through the kingdom and different tribes is showing that the late king's policies were rather neglectful. There's many hard truths to swallow in the show and I think different people could have different takeaways, but regardless I think this show is wonderful.
Please don't put it off for years like me before watching it. I highly recommend it. I'm a fan of the characters, their growth, the story's pacing, and the weird sort of OP/ED music style between the first 12 episodes and the last 12. Go check out the anime if you haven't already to know what I'm talking about.
P.S. As you can see, I've run out of scheduled content really so I'll just be posting whenever I get the chance. Unfortunately, this blog is no longer my priority, but it is my hobby! So I'll keep updating it of course whenever I do finish something. Until then, take care!
It's been so long since I've watched an anime with plot. Okay I did watch Boku no Hero Academia. And yes that does have a plot. But there was something about the pacing of this anime that really gelled with me. Each arc was around 4-ish episodes and it felt really satisfying to see Yona grow and her cohort of fellow OP characters. I think that's what I've been doing wrong all along really. I kept relegating myself to just fluffy shoujo stuff thinking that that's what I really enjoy. But actually, having gone back to something with plot was so refreshing and I binged 9 episodes in one day. That's how good it was.
Anyways, this is a pretty old anime; it came out in 2014. So, there's probably lots of good reviews out there, but let me just glorify it further.
{Spoilers!}
A basic synopsis would be there's this princess named Yona in Kouka Kingdom that lives a really privileged and pampered life. She thinks her life is super great, she's about to turn 16 and her father is a great, if a little softhearted king, not believing in war or weapons. This anti-violence agenda irks some of the kingdom and leads to Yona's childhood friend Su-won leading a coup to murder Yona's father. The king dies and Yona was next, but she escaped with her bodyguard and other childhood friend Hak.
From then on, Hak and Yona end up as travelers around Kouka Kingdom under instruction by Ik-su, a priest who can communicate with God to find the four dragons from the creation myth of Kouka Kingdom. There's different arcs that follow their happening upon each of the dragons and the adventures that they have together. That's a super cheesy description, but in the most simple terms that's what happens.
I think what I found most engaging about the whole thing was the fact that the pacing was really nice. It was the right proportion of action happening while also character development and interpersonal relationship building. For example, when you think about Shinha and his sub-arc, there's a little bit of everything. You've got this little kid that just wants to make friends, but has been shunned because of rumors about his powers causing people to be paralyzed and then his mentor dies after becoming blind (oml when he put the bells on his mask so Ao would know where he was) there was a lot of heavy stuff going on there. But there was also this relationship built between him and Yona as the two are able to find support in one another as Yona is able to bring him into the light and Shinha offers her comfort and strength. In the same vein, all of the dragons in their own way lend their strength to Yona after realizing the benefits that it gives each of them and the bond that ties them altogether.
It was a nice touch too to have each of the dragons come from four incredibly different backgrounds. It gave diversity beyond just them having four different powers, but also delved deeper into how each dragon trait would be accepted by people and how each of their backstories led to them leading four different lives. Still they all converged and are on this shared quest with Yona and Hak.
It was really heartwarming as well to see how the group is growing in terms of numbers but also in terms of character development. It wasn't just an instant connection between them or Yona not doing anything to prove herself, there was a mix of everyone doing their part to better themselves.
I'm still not really sure how I feel about Su-won. I think from a purely political standpoint, he might be good for the kingdom. The sub-arc where he goes to the Earth Tribe and hypes up the Earth General was super smart. He bolstered the tribe's morale, strengthened its economy and inter-kingdom trade, and sized up the Earth General's willingness to side with him. Su-won is super clever which both I respect and am intimidated by.
However, just from the first season I feel like it could end up where the four dragons and Hak help Yona rule the kingdom as the ending shows a table with multiple chairs around it instead of a throne. I feel like that could indicate her success, but if she does succeed it'll be bittersweet. But of course it would also be revenge and justice for the late king that was killed for his anti-violence agenda. However, Yona's travels through the kingdom and different tribes is showing that the late king's policies were rather neglectful. There's many hard truths to swallow in the show and I think different people could have different takeaways, but regardless I think this show is wonderful.
Please don't put it off for years like me before watching it. I highly recommend it. I'm a fan of the characters, their growth, the story's pacing, and the weird sort of OP/ED music style between the first 12 episodes and the last 12. Go check out the anime if you haven't already to know what I'm talking about.
P.S. As you can see, I've run out of scheduled content really so I'll just be posting whenever I get the chance. Unfortunately, this blog is no longer my priority, but it is my hobby! So I'll keep updating it of course whenever I do finish something. Until then, take care!
Wednesday, May 6, 2020
Manga Match 100 The Memorandum of Kyouko Okitegami
I think after I introduced V to the last manga (Manga Match 99) he felt like he had to one up me so he gave me this one. I was a little bit skeptical to be honest, especially after he dubbed Kyouko as "waifu material" which is kinda gross. But I decided to pick it up anyways and ended up really liking it. Some parts were a little bit scary, and it has to do a lot with murder mysteries which I'm not really good with, but it did stimulate my brain and was a really well-written mystery manga. The only thing is, don't be deceived. Even though it says that the manga is finished, really it's only volume one so the bigger overarching questions have yet to be addressed which upset me. I thought I would find out who wrote on her wall and the origins behind the Forgetful Detective by the end but I didn't!
The story revolves around this very unfortunate man that always gets accused for things he hasn't done or otherwise gets caught up in rather unfortunate happenings named Kakushidate Yakusuke. He often hires this detective named Kyouko Okitegami to help him solve his problems. She's very good at her job, but she can't take any long-term job that would take more than a day to solve because once she falls asleep her memory resets to when she was around 17 years old. This in itself is a frustrating mystery. I wish I knew why this happened to her.
Almost every episode is a different mystery case that Kyouko has been hired to solve with a pretty regular format that all mysteries go through, just at a heightened pace because of Kyouko's time limit. It's a regular shtick for her to talk about getting paid; we stan a ruthless businesswoman. There's definitely a lot to say about each of the cases that she solved, but I think to go into each one would kind of take away from the whole magic that the story evokes. So I'll leave it at that, but wow mysteries are truly addicting to read. I actually skipped my section to stay in bed and read this manga; that's how good it was.
The story revolves around this very unfortunate man that always gets accused for things he hasn't done or otherwise gets caught up in rather unfortunate happenings named Kakushidate Yakusuke. He often hires this detective named Kyouko Okitegami to help him solve his problems. She's very good at her job, but she can't take any long-term job that would take more than a day to solve because once she falls asleep her memory resets to when she was around 17 years old. This in itself is a frustrating mystery. I wish I knew why this happened to her.
Almost every episode is a different mystery case that Kyouko has been hired to solve with a pretty regular format that all mysteries go through, just at a heightened pace because of Kyouko's time limit. It's a regular shtick for her to talk about getting paid; we stan a ruthless businesswoman. There's definitely a lot to say about each of the cases that she solved, but I think to go into each one would kind of take away from the whole magic that the story evokes. So I'll leave it at that, but wow mysteries are truly addicting to read. I actually skipped my section to stay in bed and read this manga; that's how good it was.
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