#Otaku review

[webdiggerxxx]

ೃ༄ੈ✩‧₊˚

[1nternetangel]

Figure review: Lucky star FREEing mini figures ^_^ I love theseee theyre my only lucky star figures so far! They all come with a second hand pose that you can switch out :3 the only issue is that the parts of the figure come apart easily, but that makes sense since im pretty sure these r older figs. Overall they are super cute and look nice next to my larger figures =^_^= 10/10

[mastacell]

I Wasn't Ready. DANDADAN Episode 7 Review

[beneaththetangles]

Film Review: The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim

In the 21 years since Peter Jackson’s monumental trilogy of masterpieces, The Lord of the Rings content has been a mixed bag. But when news broke out that The Lord of the Rings was getting an anime prequel movie canon to Peter Jackson’s trilogy, I couldn’t help but get excited.

The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim is the largest global premiere of an anime feature film in history. It is directed by anime veteran Kenji Kamiyama (Jin-Roh: The Wolf Brigade, Ghost In The Shell: Stand Alone Complex) and stars Brian Cox, Gaia Wise, and Miranda Otto reprising her role as Eowyn in the form of narrator. The film is set 183 years before The Fellowship of the Ring and tells the tale of the house of Helm Hammerhand (Brian Cox), the legendary king of Rohan, for whom Helm’s Deep in The Two Towers is named.  After Freca (Shaun Dooley), the lord of the Dunlendings, approaches Helm with a proposal of marriage between his son Wulf (Luca Pasqualino) and Helm’s daughter Hera (Gaia Wise), Helm kills Freca, leaving Wulf an enemy of Helm’s house in search of revenge. Wulf’s war of vengeance leads Helm and the people of Rohan to make a last stand in the stronghold of the Hornburg as Hera leads the resistance against Wulf and his army.

So is The War of the Rohirrim worthy of the Peter Jackson trilogy’s legacy? Yes… mostly.

(Read More)

[angeloftheodd]

“Let’s play!” - Princess Peach 👑🎀✌️🌸

The world needed a new game with Princess Peach as the protagonist and it’s so sweet! 💘 Princess Peach: Showtime! is a cute game that has something for everyone. 🫶 I finished the game with my partner earlier this week. 😸 I love all the different Peach personas and looks! 🥰 I thought the Detective Peach levels were harder than the final boss. 🕵️‍♀️ I 10/10 recommend this game. 💯 Thanks, Nintendo! 💖

🍒 My Instagram (angel0fthe0dd) 🍒

🫐 My Xitter (GhiaWasHere) 🫐

[mysticdragon3md3]

Back then, it was the era of "edgy and dark". Comic books tried to fit "extreme" and "X" into every new superhero name. Everyone wanted to be grimdark and violent, like Spawn, Venom, and The Dark Knight Returns. "Vulnerability? Whimsy? I don't know them!" That's essentially what that era was. So all these comic book fans, trying to be so "super serious" and "super cool" did not like the light-hearted party tone of Marvel vs Capcom 2's music. Those were weird times. "I Wanna Take You For A Ride" is great. And I love 8-Bit Big Band's cover of it.

[animehouse-moe]

Mahou Shoujo Magical Destroyer: Opening

You can watch the opening here.

Yeah, this is just a post about the opening (the episode will come later), because this is arguably the closest we can get to a perfect representation of the essence of Inagawa's work. It's.... stunning. It's art.

So, I think to begin I'll sort of preface what the theme of the opening (and of the work overall) actually is. It's a bit of a mouthful, but it's about the stifling of individual expression due to societal and cultural expectations that weigh on each person. In essence, breaking out of the shell that has been forcibly placed on someone, in this case, Magical Girls.

Let's get it started then, shall we? Sort of surprising is the fact that the 4 girls in the start of the opening are driving along the beach in a car with the top down, not a real care in the world. But, in concert with the existence of water throughout the episode, this is only the surface of the characters. What is shown on the outside, what can remain above the surface. It dulls the feeling of freedom, makes you realize the restrictions placed on them so that they can be afforded that freedom.

Of note in this seen, we see that Anarchy has a fruit in her hand. But, before she eats it she pushes a hole into it, allowing some of the juice to escape. To me, this is obvious symbolism for their interests. They don't want what everyone else wants. Nobody wants a damaged fruit in the same way that nobody wants a magical girl that isn't "pure" or "right". It's her acting out against the norms of society and fighting her way towards what she wants.

Next, we have an interesting scene with Otaku Hero. We find a fish in a glass of water, confined by its surroundings, trapped within. Nowhere to go, no way to move forward, Otaku Hero puts the fish in his mouth. Is it faith? Submission? Something else entirely? Whatever it is between man and fish, it is a relationship of dependence. For the fish to exist within its trapped surroundings, it requires Otaku Hero. It's "freedom" is dependent on being saved by another. And at the end of the day, it just ends up deposited in someone else's glass. For all its struggles, it remains confined. Even in the face of a Hero, the fish cannot escape its glass.

And this is exactly what the opening tells us about the girls. Sure, in the "regular" forms they're afforded some type of freedom, but if they want to express their "other" sides which don't conform, they're left trapped. They only become Magical Girls when underwater. Only when drowning beneath the tide of expectations and requirements, sinking deeper into the abyss of societal and cultural norms forced upon them are they themselves.

And this is where Otaku Hero comes into play. He is the first to betray expectations. He delivers the fish to its new form of confinement, and punches the man holding the glass. Wandering, he finds the girls underwater, decorated by ribbons or threads that connect them to Otaku Hero. Now this is a double-edged sword. It shows how Otaku Hero is their "savior", but also what drags them to the bottom of the ocean of expectations and requirements that they sink in.

Regardless of his connection and nature to the girls, just like with the fish, he reaches out for them, but this time he "frees" them. To what degree are they really free if it's at the hands of a savior though? Of someone that perpetuates the preconceptions and norms that suffocate the girls?

Regardless, their true form is unleashed in something that is needed to be experienced to be understood. Violence, vulgarity, depravity, flirtation, teasing, killing, breaking apart, atomized. It is the representation of all the repression that faces the girls. It's a breakdown of reality and society that allows the individual true freedom of expression.

So, I'm no expert with the meaning of flowers, but each Magical Girl here holds their own type of flower (as does Otaku Hero later down the road), which most certainly relates to their stories somehow. I'm just not sure how because I don't know all of the flowers that adorn the various characters.

And lastly, we finished off with a recreation of The Last Supper, with Otaku Hero at the center. In line with the rest of Inagawa's work, he mocks religion here. He jokes about The Last Supper, about Otaku Hero being the lord and savior of his story, and the Magical Girls being his apostles in what can only be inferred is akin to a religious war between humanity and Otakus. It's a hilarious mockery, of both religion and Otaku Hero. Of the concept of a savior, of the expectations placed upon those that don't conform to expectations. The magical girls are once more "normal", and forced to side at this table, glares cast downward, for the sake of Otaku Hero.

And don't even get me started on stuff like the music. The whole thing is a rage against establishment and society, as it talks about rioting, rampaging, and all manner of other things.

Just an outstanding opening that exemplifies the core of Inagawa's opus, of his form of expression in media. It's a love letter to not just art, but specific his art.

[y0uc4n7kn0w]

Day 3 of Weebsmas: Family Friendly Anime Recommendations

Welcome back to another day of Weebsmas! We are here to give another recommendation list for you all! As a reminder we collaborate on these posts to give you a wider range of selections of, this time, Family-friendly Anime for everyone to watch. We consider these as great first-step introductions into anime for kids as well as adults that like light-hearted humor. Spy x Family Honestly, part of…

[penguintruth]

Some of my old Dragon Ball Z videos, edited for YouTube standards.

[cadencewishes]

(´๑•_•๑)

[macabresymphonies]

Edomae Elf really suprised me after the first episode. I expected it to be a show around the level of Umaru-chan where we are just meant to marvel at the cutness of being a shut-in dumbsterfire, but the subtle themes of a changing world? Contemplations on mortality and what it means to live forever? Finding an anchor in things that remain unchanged? Like what are these deep-ass themes doing in my comedy slice of life, count me in. Still confused why elfs of all things, but it sort of fits? Like maybe the reverse isekai scenario and the most traditional enviorment possible (shinto shrine) clashing is really on theme.

[1nternetangel]

Figure review: Hatsune Miku AMP+ Figure Birthday 2023 ver <333 Honestly this figure was kind of an impulse buy and I kind of regret it... (T ω T) I mean it's very nice and well made but it's just not my style (；ω；) I do love the addition of the microphone she's holding tho! The pose is cute but a little strange... and I just don't love the eyes or the hair too much... Im sorry miku I give u a 5/10 T_T

[mastacell]

WTF of A Lot of SH!!!D!! DANDADAN Episode 9 Review

[curried-mermaid]

A Review: The Disabled Tyrant's Beloved Pet Fish Vol. 1

Author: Xue Shan Fei Hu Publishers: Seven Seas Entertainment Age Group: Teen Genre: Danmei, Boy Love, Historical Fantasy, Isekai, Drama, Friendship Type: Danmei, Light Novel

Content Warnings: Political Backstabbery, some violence Spoilers ahead

Plot

He’s the perfect catch…or he would be if he wasn’t the pet fish of the future tyrant emperor. 

Li Yu wakes up to find he’s been transmigrated into the body of a fish. The less-than-helpful (even scammy) Moe Pet System tells him he has to change the tyrant’s personality, changing the future. Only… he’s just a pet fish, how the hell is he supposed to do that? 

Li Yu quickly learns that if he doesn’t follow the quests he’ll turn into fish bones and ash. If he accomplishes these quests he’ll be human again. Now, if only he could find a way to catch the tyrant’s attention before this cat eats him! 

I found this plot a great read. The challenges that Li Yu is up against and how he handles them are unique and refreshing. There’s plenty of comedy in this along with seriousness. As shown by these examples taken from the book (some of my favorite lines):

“…someone had stolen both His Highness’s fish and his underwear? There was clearly something wrong with this thief” (187).  “Li Yu continued to act like a cute little squid in the face of Prince Jing’s fish-targeted eye lasers” (250-251). *for reference Li Yu ended up in an ink bowl after they found some ink on him.

This series does an excellent job balancing the comedy and serious story telling, along with some sparks flying (as we expect from a danmei). 

Character Development

Li Yu is an interesting character of a human turned fish. He’s very relatable in that he freaks out about things, worries about others, but always comes up with a plan to accomplish his goals. He tries to be meticulous but he always misses something, creating clues for Prince Jing to put together throughout the novel. Li Yu can be mature and also childish. His character makes for a fun read. 

Prince Jing is mute and technically the heir to the throne, but he doesn’t qualify since he’s mute. He’s cold, doesn’t care about others, is a violence then questions later type of person, but also very intelligent. As he interacts with his pet fish, we see him become softer over the course of the series. It’s very endearing. 

Wang Xi is Prince Jing’s eunuch caretaker. He’s cared for him since he was little and knows what all of his movements and emotions mean. He’s in essence, the translator for Prince Jing and the rest of the world. He’s very loyal to his master and willingly does his job. 

The secondary characters and antagonists are all interesting characters, even if some of them follow typical historical drama cliches. What makes it fascinating to interact with these characters is how they react to Li Yu, his relationship with Prince Jing, and how Li Yu chooses to deal with them. 

World-building

The world-building is subtle at first as we only get descriptions when Li Yu can see. This isn’t very much as he’s kept in a porcelain container until the emperor gifts Prince Jing with a large crystal fish tank. This world is based off a web novel that Li Yu was following before he was transmigrated. He knows what plot points he needs to be aware of and how it’ll affect Prince Jing. The original web novel has Prince Jing fall in love with a delicate concubine, Chu Yanyu. Only that doesn’t happen this round (mostly from Li Yu being in Prince Jing’s life). Li Yu learns from this experience that the major plot will change but sub-plots will still continue. This gives him the drive to help prevent death to secondary characters, especially ones he likes such as Prince Jing’s cousin, Ye Qinghuan, one of the only family members that Prince Jing lets visit him. 

Themes

Everyone needs a companion that can understand them and reach their heart. While this is a semi-serious danmei, I feel like this theme works really well. It’s only after changing the story so Prince Jing has a pet fish that he begins to change. He sees some of himself in this fish, a pet that cannot express itself but with a few gestures and looks, just as he does. 

Observations & Predictions

Li Yu will continue to warn and help Prince Jing navigate the different plots happening around him, while developing a stronger bond with him. We already have hints of sparks flying between the two (at least on Prince Jing’s side). It’ll be interesting to see what happens as Li Yu uses his abilities to transform into his temporary human form. Will he interact with him on purpose or continue to make it seem like accidents? 

I’d love to see their relationship blossom into something more than a bromance. We may get that, but Li Yu will have to go through an emotional arc to realize those feelings and come to terms with it. He may refuse them at first as he was supposed to be with Chu Yanyu according to the plot (even though that plot no longer exists). 

I see Prince Jing developing stronger feelings for him, and maybe even trying to put the moves on Li Yu in his human form. 

I found the writing for this really strong. The unique voice of Li Yu moves the story really well. Anyone who likes Danmei (boy love) should give this a read. 

Recommendations

Similar Plot:

Scum Villain’s Self-Saving System By: Mo Xiang Tong Xiu

Historical Danmei:

Ballad of Sword and Wine By: Tan Jiu Qing

The Husky and His White Cat By: Rou Bao Bu Chi Rou

Stars of Chaos By: Priest

Heaven’s Official Blessing By: Mo Xiang Tong Xiu

Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation By: Mo Xiang Tong Xiu

Danmei, but not published in English (have to find translations online)

The Emperor’s Favorite Imperial Concubine is an O By: Gu Zhijun

Transmigrated as the Villain’s Cat By: Su Zening

After Playing the Fool and Marrying the Blind Villain By: Nei Sei

[beneaththetangles]

Romance? We’ve got it. Emperors and princes? We’ve got that, too. Ronin and god-battling scientists? Why yes, we’ve got that also. And don’t forget a maid and an idol! This week is full of the stuff we love in manga, but do we love these manga that feature them? Check out our reviews below to find out!

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365 Days to the Wedding (Vol. 2) • After God (Vol. 2) • Always a Catch!: How I Punched My Way into Marrying a Prince (Vol. 1) • The Boy I Loved Became the Jaded Emperor (Vol. 2) • Everyone’s Darling Has a Secret (Vol. 1) • Heroine? Saint? No, I’m an All-Works Maid (And Proud of It)! (Vol. 1) • Vagabond Definitive Edition (Vol. 1)