I think I have a greater appreciation for the silly Nanami episodes after several full rewatches of RGU

On my first watch, I was so hooked on the mystery and intrigue of the main plot that all I wanted was to find out what was going on, so every time a Nanami episode came on I’d be like oh great this means I have to go another full episode without finding out more about this story!

But now that I know everything that happens, the Nanami episodes provide a much needed respite from the darkness of the main storyline. Plus I am able to interpret/appreciate their value and symbolism outside of comic relief as well

I don't have a lot of followers but sharing anyway!

I am sooo sick of hearing people online say "I like anime but I hate how the female characters always suck and there's boobs everywhere :("

Fun fact, did you know? That not all anime has terrible female characters who are oversexualized? Because I'm starting to realize that there are people who genuinely don't know that. It is not all anime. I promise.

Here's a list of anime that do not oversexualize women*:

A Silent Voice

Anohana

Barakamon

Baccano!

Chihayafuru

Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu

Hyouka

Josee, the Tiger, and the Fish

Kimi ni Todoke

March Comes in like a Lion

Mob Psycho 100

Monster

Monthly Girls' Nozaki-kun

Mushishi

Nichijou

Odd Taxi

Orange

Pluto

Run with the Wind

Vinland Saga

Your Lie in April

And while we're at it, how about some shows with particularly good/complex female characters (in my opinion)?

Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood

Toradora

Puella Magi Madoka Magica

Revolutionary Girl Utena

The Promised Neverland

To Your Eternity

Wonder Egg Priority

*(Disclaimer that I haven't seen some of these in a while, if I somehow missed something egregious, let me know and I'll remove it from this list)

This is definitely not an exhaustive list, this is simply shows I know and like. I am certain there are more and I would love if people would add on to this list. I am just frustrated by seeing tons of comment sections where people lament that there aren't anime where girls don't have their boobs out all the time. There are! They exist! Please watch them! Thank you.

Omg, I don't know how I missed this (this ask is from March LOL)

Let me start with Toradora!

Favorite Character: Taiga! I love her! I know she's very controversial but I think if you get her you get her and if you don't you don't. She's so interesting and complex and has great character development. However I think I love all 5 members of the main quintet equally so this was tough to pick lol

Favorite Arc/Episode/Scene: there are sooo many scenes that I love but the scene where Taiga goes to beat up Sumire and then Sumire proceeds to confess to Kitamura not knowing he's listening... peak cinema.

I also think the school festival arc is really fun and a great moment for Taiga and Ryuuji's development.

Character I Think is Underrated: Considering literally everyone hates Taiga I was inclined to say her, but I do think people tend to overlook/underestimate Kitamura so I am going to pick him :)

Character I Think is Overrated: I love every single character in Toradora and I think they all deserve hype so I honestly don't think anyone is overrated. I also don't interact with the fandom (if it even exists) often enough to know which character gets too much hype

Favorite Ship/Pairing: Basic af but I adore Taiga/Ryuuji so much. I think the way you get to see their relationship develop and their feelings for each other develop is so precious.

Although if I'm going non-canon, Minori and Ami have potential if you ask me!

Something I Love About the Show/Movie: I've said this a million times before but Toradora has one of the most realistic representations of teenage love I've ever seen. I think it just nails the different ways love can manifest when you're a young person, and handles it with a lot more respect than some other pieces of media do.

Thank you for sending this ask! Sorry it's so late!! I will do the others in a separate post!

WYSW: Our Beloved Summer

*spoiler free!* (WYSW = Why You Should Watch)

Our Beloved Summer focuses on a pair of former high school classmates, one who was the top of their class and another who was at the very bottom. While they were still in school, a documentary was made about their situation and it went viral due to their comedic dynamic and surprising chemistry. Right after the documentary was finished, against all odds the two fell in love and started dating. 10 years later, a documentary sequel is proposed, however the now working adults are no longer together and seemingly hate each other. What happened?

That's all you need to know going in, but if you like romcoms you're already in the right place. From the protagonists Yeonsu and Ung, to Ung's childhood best friend/practically surrogate brother Jiung, to the strange and impulsive young pop star NJ, to Yeonsu's quirky and nosy coworkers, each and every character is likable but complex enough to feel real.

This show is very pleasant and easy to watch. While there are heavier topics sprinkled throughout the series (and I can't deny I teared up at times) it is overall a very soft and fluffy show. One of the main themes the series focuses on is that who you are in high school does not necessarily reflect what your future will look like, and you can't judge others based on superficial notions of success.

The show also has a surprisingly vulnerable portrayal of how poverty can harden people in ways not often talked about. I found this to be one of the most compelling aspects of this series that gives it some much needed depth.

This is a side note but as someone who watches a lot of anime where the average age of a protagonist is like, 17, I really love that this show focuses entirely on characters in their late 20s. Really, most kdramas are centered around working young adults, so if that is something you value I'd highly recommend looking into more of them.

Seriously though, if you haven't watched any kdramas this would be a good one to start with. I actually watched this show with my mom. She had never seen a kdrama before, and she really loved it! Especially if you like rom-coms, I'd really recommend giving Our Beloved Summer a shot.

Thanks for reading,

-threecheersforinking

Drama Review: Reply 1988

**spoilers ahead**

*if you haven't seen the show, read my spoiler free WYSW post first!!*

This post will continue what I started with Boys Over Flowers (where I wrote a long unsolicited dump of all my thoughts on a show I really loved). And, needless to say, I really loved this show too. I honestly haven't cried this much at a tv show in a long time, and that's saying something because I cry very often. I think I teared up at least once every episode, and don't even get me started on the final episode because I'm pretty sure I was full on crying for at least 1 hour straight.

I guess the reason I was so attached to this show, and likely the reason this show is so popular, is because it's so relatable. Even if you haven't lived in that one particular alley in Ssangmun, most people can relate to growing apart from friends, moving out of their parents' house, leaving their childhood behind, etc. I felt like I watched this at a really appropriate time in my life, and maybe that's why I was especially emotionally impacted by it.

WYSW: Reply 1988

*WYSW = Why You Should Watch*

**this review is spoiler-free!**

As someone still fairly new to kdramas myself, I really believe that Reply 1988 is the perfect kdrama for someone who's never watched one before. If you like slice of life, coming-of-age stories, and large casts, this is a great show for you.

The story focuses on several families living on the same block in Ssangmun, Seoul, South Korea, starting in the summer of 1988. The families are very close friends due to living in proximity, and they are able to share in each other's happiness and each other's struggles.

Honestly, while watching this show I found myself consistently envious of the families' sense of community. One of the first scenes in the show starts off with a typical dinnertime for the families. The teenage children of each of the families are being sent to share and trade food items, to the point where nearly everyone is eating the same several foods. While crossing paths with his friends during this trade process, one of the characters notes, "why don't we just eat together?"

While the majority of the family members (both adults and children) are important and developed characters in the story, the protagonist of the show is Sung Deok-sun, the only girl in the group of 5 same-aged friends on the block. I found her very energetic, likable, and realistic. In general, all of the characters felt very real, like they could've been people and families you may know in real life. You will certainly get attached to these characters and miss them when the show is over; I know I did.

While there are definitely serious moments on occasion, it is overall a lighthearted and funny family show that will lift your spirits. You can also expect some off-beat humor, including a goat-bleating noise inserted after comedic or ironic moments where one might normally expect a laugh track.

If you've never watched a kdrama before and are interested in checking them out, I'd highly recommend Reply 1988 to be the one you start with. If you already know and like slice of life and situational comedies, then you will be familiar with this type of story.

Thanks for reading!

-threecheersforinking

My Favorite Character from each of my Favorite Anime

Hi! I’ve done a few separate posts about my top 10 anime and my favorite anime characters, but I decided I’d combine those ideas into one post and try and pick out my favorite character from each of my favorite anime. This is going to be hard because I know I have multiple favorites for most of these, but I will do my best. Let’s go!

Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood- Hohenheim

I usually cycle between Ed, Hohenheim, and Mustang being my favorite character, but recently it’s been Hohenheim. I think he’s both under appreciated and misunderstood by the FMAB fandom. Long story short, I love characters riddled with guilt (not sure what this says about me lol). If you’re interested, I’ve already written a whole post about how much I love him!

Revolutionary Girl Utena- Utena

I always shift between Utena and Anthy being my favorite, but I really have loved Utena from the start. I find it very compelling how she hides her internal anguish behind her cheerful, positive persona.

Toradora- Taiga

I’ve already written so much about Taiga (in this post, spoilers) so there’s not much else to say besides that I’m the number 1 Taiga defender. I love her, she reminds me of myself in some ways, she’s great. I think she’s the perfect example of a ‘flawed’ protagonist.

Chihayafuru- Chihaya

Chihaya is such a ray of sunshine, comic relief, and a total fuck up, and yet she is an incredible karuta prodigy and the protagonist of the show. She is also one of the most realistic neurodivergent-coded characters I’ve ever seen. I think it’s fun how she defies expectations as well; she has the appearance of a beautiful cool model, but as soon as other characters talk to her they realize how much of a nerd she is.

March Comes in like a Lion- Hina

There are a lot of sub-plots and semi-important characters in this show, but the side character that I was always the most interested in was Hina. I think the way she is so open about her emotions is inspiring, and as she goes through hardships it’s nice to see how she matures while also maintaining her cheerful attitude.

Your Lie in April- Tsubaki

I haven’t watched this anime in a long time, but I do know that when I first watched it my favorite character was Tsubaki for sure. Her unrequited love plot line was heart wrenching and compelling.

Love is War- Ishigami

I also cycle between a few favorite characters in Love is War (I adore both Shirogane and Kaguya of course) but at this point in the story in the anime, Ishigami is my favorite. I think he is such a realistic portrayal of an insecure, awkward teen, and I love how noble and selfless he is behind the scenes.

Haikyuu- Kageyama

What else is there to say, truly? I loved Kageyama the second he was introduced. His dynamic with Hinata is what makes the show, and his stubborn, cold personality is something I tend to be drawn to when it comes to my favorite kinds of characters.

Madoka Magica- Homura

Sayaka is a really really close second, but after finishing the series for the first time I couldn’t get Homura’s story out of my head. Her determination and willpower are honestly unmatched, and each new watch of the show makes me appreciate her more.

Monster- Dieter

I feel like Dieter may seem like an odd choice for a favorite; as you may expect, Tenma (many people’s favorite I’d assume) is probably a close second for me. But I think I liked Dieter so much because he was proof that love and support are capable of saving even the most traumatized individual. He was so cute and I loved how much he loved Tenma.

If you made it through this whole thing, thanks for reading! Also, I highly recommend watching all of these, I’ve linked my spoiler free reviews in the titles if you haven’t watched them and are interested in finding out more.

Thanks for reading!

-threecheersforinking

Review: Boys Over Flowers

*this review will contain spoilers!*

Hi everyone! This is going to be an extremely long, unsolicited recap of all my thoughts about Boys Over Flowers. I don't know a single person in my real life who has watched this, so I'm using this blog as my space to infodump because this show has become my new hyperfixation. If anyone at all ends up reading this, I really appreciate it! But this is mostly entirely for myself lol.

As someone who is pretty deep into the shoujo anime world and just recently getting into kdramas, I have heard of this show in passing many times. Kkotboda Namja is referenced in Korean media a lot and Hana Yori Dango is lauded as a classic shoujo in the manga sphere, so I figured it might be good to watch the show just to be able to get all the references and consume a piece of shoujo history. Originally, I thought it would be a mindless watch that I might have to force myself to finish; I started off concerned about getting through 25 episodes, but in the end, I ended up wishing there were more lol.

I'm gonna be honest, when I first started watching it, I was like uhhh this is... kinda bad. especially in the beginning. But I became endeared to the quirks I originally criticized. The slow motion dramatic replay shots, the shaky camera, the questionable acting skills all are an essential part of the show itself.

In general, the story was more compelling than I was expecting. But the characters were undoubtedly the best part of the show for me. I always find myself getting attached to media where characters are the focus, and I believe that's why I enjoyed this so much. So I am going to go into each character a bit more in depth.

Blog Update

A while ago when I last made a blog update, I announced that I wanted to start working on a youtube channel to accompany this blog. Well, since that post I've realized something important: I really hate editing videos! lol. I haven't completely given up on it though, I might try again when I have a bit more bandwidth, but like wow do I hate it. And since I do this blog for fun, what's exactly the point if it feels like a chore? The reason I wanted to make youtube videos in the first place was to make my reviews more accessible and be able to share my thoughts with a broader audience, so I might try something like a podcast instead. That might be easier. But yeah as for now the youtube thing is on hold. Oops.

Also, another announcement: I've gotten really into kdramas and jdramas recently, so I've decided to start writing reviews/recs/WYSW/etc for those as well. You may have noticed a First Impressions review for a jdrama is already up on my blog. Obviously I'm not going to stop writing anime/manga reviews, I'm just adding live action dramas to what I already write about. I'm sorry if anyone is upset at this or expected this blog to stay anime/manga only, but once again this is my blog I write for fun so I can do what I want.

Anyway, thanks once again to everyone who has stuck with me and still likes my reviews! I still find them very fun to do. So you can look forward to more manga, anime, kdrama, and jdrama reviews from me. Thanks again!

-threecheersforinking

First Impressions: Good Morning Call

*this review is spoiler free!*

This is a part of my series First Impressions, where I talk about my thoughts on a show after only watching a few episodes of it. In this case, I've seen 2 episodes so far.

I just started watching the Japanese drama Good Morning Call (2016). This show is about two high school students trying to live independently for the first time, however they get scammed into signing the same exact lease for the same apartment. In an effort to save money, they decide to stay in the apartment together and attempt to make this living situation work for them both. Perhaps romance will follow? (of course it will, this is a romcom)

Usually, I am a sucker for these kind of classic shoujo romcom shows. I am typically pretty open minded to questionable acting and writing choices in k/jdramas as long as the overall plot and dramatics are generally entertaining, but I am not sure yet how I feel about this one.

I think the protagonist Nao is kind hearted and cute, but she makes some very questionable decisions early on that make her very frustrating. To be honest, she's kind of a bad roommate! At least at the beginning. She directly disobeys multiple of the reasonable boundaries that Uehara sets, and has blatant communication issues, which makes it hard to root for her. And I have a higher tolerance than most when it comes to 'annoying' characters, so I can imagine other viewers might have even more negative feelings about Nao.

As for Uehara, I think he's a fairly standard 'cold' male love interest. He's actually a lot nicer and more reasonable than I expected him to be. When Nao disrespects one of his boundaries he doesn't even get as mad as I expected him to, or honestly as mad as I would have been if I were in his situation lol. I do think he could use a smidge more of a personality, although this may be an acting issue rather than a writing one.

I'm not yet at a point where I think I need to stop watching, but with every new episode I've been kind of on the verge of giving up. I think it's a strong concept with the potential to get better but I don't feel super drawn to any of the characters yet, which is a big indicator that this show might not be for me.

If this is a show you like and really think is worth the watch, please feel free to give me some spoiler free encouragement in the replies. Thanks for reading!

-threecheersforinking

Hey, thanks for the ask! I don't mind at all, I love talking about my favorite things!

I actually have a post up about my top 10 favorite anime, but I don't talk much about those other types of media on this blog, so I'll just give one top favorite from each and why I like it so much.

Favorite manga: 20th Century Boys

I love Naoki Urasawa and this series is just so unique, creative, and compelling. I read each volume back to back without reading anything in between because I was so invested. it's one of the only longer form manga series I own in its entirety.

Favorite book: Murder on the Orient Express

I really love mystery novels in general but especially Agatha Christie's. For an author whose works came out literally a century ago, in my opinion she has a surprisingly modern perspective on crime, violence, and murder, and it's why so many people have tried to emulate her style in the past 100 years.

Favorite movie: When Harry Met Sally

Best rom com ever (in my opinion), flawless friends to lovers execution, I can watch it 100 times and not get sick of it. Just an excellent movie and makes me happy every time.

Favorite TV series: Twenty Five Twenty One

This show is absolutely gut wrenching, but it got me through a really difficult time in my life and truly changed my perspective on love and romance. It will always be extremely important to me.

Thanks for asking that, I hope you all got to know a little more about me through this because I normally only ever talk about anime!

Thanks for reading,

-threecheersforinking

Anime Review: Pluto

*this review is Spoiler free!*

Hi everyone! I'm back for the first time in a while with a review of Naoki Urasawa's Pluto anime that debuted on Netflix in the fall. Let's check it out!

Here's a short summary of the plot: Pluto focuses on a detective robot named Gesicht who is on the case of a serial killer who's targeting both beloved well known robots and humans who champion for robot rights. He hopes to find the killer while grappling with the knowledge that he is a target himself.

I think the series started off a little slow/rough, but I was hooked by the end of the first episode. The episodes are all 1 hour long, which allows for more time to develop the plot in each episode. As a mystery anime enthusiast, I thought the story was super compelling. The characters are all extremely likable, even if they appear for only a short time, and they all have memorable designs and characteristics. I was especially fond of Epsilon and Atom.

Something everyone should know going into this series is that Pluto is a retelling/reimagining of one storyline in the Astro Boy canon. Astro Boy is an extremely popular comic series in Japan that originated in the 1950s, and Naoki Urasawa was given permission to adapt the story in 2003. I’ve actually never seen or read anything about it, and I was worried at first that I'd be confused. However even though I had no prior knowledge of Astro Boy I had no issue following the story of Pluto. If anything, it just made me more curious about the original series and made me want to check it out later.

I will say, some of the animation in this series I was less than pleased with; during moments that in other anime would typically be higher budget, more detailed, or a higher frame rate, in some cases actually looked worse than the regular non-action scenes. This may be due to my personal gripe with the use of 3D models in 2D animation, so I'll write it up as a me thing for now. Either way, in my opinion the animation is definitely the least impressive aspect of this series.

Overall, this was a very enjoyable show and honestly a great introduction to Urasawa's works for someone who might not be familiar. I highly recommend this series to anyone who enjoys mystery or sci-fi anime.

Thanks for reading!

-threecheersforinking