#it balances comedy action and heartwarming well...

[milkbreadtoast]

guys i started reading this recently and let me tell you. You have to read this one.... ITS SO GODDAMN FUNNY. im having the time of my life... wholeheartedly rec

[cielomariel]

Finding Inspiration in '3 Idiots': Lessons for Life and Learning

Initially, I thought "3 Idiots" was just another boring, dialogue-heavy film, especially since I prefer action, thriller, and comedy genres. However, watching it with my family proved the old saying to be true: "Don't judge a book by its cover." Once I gave it a chance, this film was a touching, funny, and deeply meaningful story. It quickly became a favorite, and I recommend it to my friends, classmates, and anyone looking for a genuinely good movie.

Summary and Themes

"3 Idiots" is a transformative story about three friends – Farhan, Raju, and Rancho – and their journey through engineering school. Each character brings a unique perspective on the pressures of education and the importance of pursuing one's passions. The film's strength lies in its storytelling, blending humor, emotion, and insightful commentary on the educational system. It addresses serious issues, such as student suicides due to academic pressure, and offers hope through its message of following one's dreams and finding joy in learning.

My Journey as a Struggling Student

When I started college, I was uncertain and anxious about my future. The first semester was manageable as a full-time student. I could dedicate all my time to studying and learning new skills. However, things took a turn in the second semester when my family's financial situation worsened. I had to take up a part-time job to support myself and help out at home.

Balancing work and studies was incredibly challenging. There were days I thought about giving up, feeling like I couldn't handle the pressure. This is where Raju's story resonated deeply with me. His struggles with academic pressure and family expectations mirrored my own. Watching him persevere gave me the strength to keep going despite all odds. I often found myself repeating Rancho's mantra, "All is well," to calm my nerves during stressful times. It was a simple reminder to keep a positive outlook, no matter how tough things got.

Rancho's philosophy, "Pursue excellence, and success will follow; pants down," reminded me that focusing on being the best version of myself would eventually lead to success. Instead of aiming solely at getting high grades, I started concentrating on understanding and enjoying what I was learning. This shift in perspective allowed me to find joy in learning rather than feeling overwhelmed by the end goal of success.

The Power of Friendship

One of the most heartwarming aspects of the movie "3 Idiots" is the friendship between Rancho, Farhan, and Raju. Their bond reminded me of my friends, who have supported me through thick and thin. As Farhan and Raju relied on Rancho, I leaned on my friends during tough times.

There were countless nights when we studied together, shared notes, and encouraged each other. They helped me stay on track academically, but more importantly, they were there for me emotionally. On days when I felt like I was drowning in responsibilities, a simple snack break with my friends or a pep talk was enough to lift my spirits.

Moreover, the movie taught me that taking a different path and facing setbacks is okay. Rancho's wisdom, Farhan's courage to follow his dreams, and Raju's resilience have all been sources of inspiration. These characters showed me that success is not just about academic achievements but also about personal growth and the relationships we build.

Rancho's advice, "Aspire to be inspired," became my guiding principle. It reminded me to seek out inspiration in everyday life, whether through my studies, friendships, or personal experiences. This mindset helped me stay motivated and find meaning in my journey, even when the path seemed uncertain.

[themovieblogonline]

Ghostbusters Fan? 10 Must-See Scary-Funny Films

The Ghostbusters franchise is expanding with the all-new Frozen Empire. The film is already one of the most talked-about movies and is garnering praise from the critics as well. The iconic Ghostbusters are back on the scene! With the upcoming release of Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, fans everywhere are getting prepped to answer the call for another round of spooky thrills and hilarious scares. But what if you need a ghostbusting fix before then? Fear not, proton pack enthusiasts! We have the perfect cure for your Ghostbusters withdrawals. Here's a list of 10 awesome movies that capture the same spirit of mixing spooky chills with side-splitting laughs, just like the Ghostbusters themselves. 1. Zombieland (2009) If you want a dose of the undead with a healthy dose of humor, Zombieland (2009) is your pick. Starring Woody Harrelson, Jesse Eisenberg, and Emma Stone, this movie follows a group of survivors navigating a zombie apocalypse. Hilarious rules for survival ("Always double-tap") and witty banter make this movie a riot, with enough action and scares to keep you on the edge of your seat. 2. Men In Black (1997) Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones star as agents in a top-secret organization battling extraterrestrial threats in Men in Black (1997). This movie blends action, sci-fi, and laugh-out-loud humor, similar to Ghostbusters' blend of paranormal spookiness and slapstick comedy. Plus, those cool gadgets and iconic suits will have you feeling like a ghostbusting agent yourself! 3. Beetlejuice (1988) Beetlejuice (1988) takes the concept of "till death do us part" to a hilarious extreme. A deceased couple haunts their old house, desperately trying to scare away new residents. Enter Beetlejuice, a mischievous bio-exorcist with a flair for the bizarre. Michael Keaton steals the show as the wacky Beetlejuice, and the movie's dark humor and wacky visuals will leave you giggling long after the credits roll. 4. The Frighteners (1996) Michael J. Fox stars as Frank, a man who can talk to the dead and uses this "gift" to run a ghost-busting scam. But things get real when he has to face down a vengeful spirit that threatens the entire town. The Frighteners (1996) offers a clever mix of humor, suspense, and supernatural chills, keeping you guessing until the very end. 5. Scary Movie (2000) Scary Movie (2000) takes a hilarious jab at classic horror films, much like Ghostbusters playfully poked fun at the paranormal investigator genre. Starring Anna Faris and Regina Hall, this movie is packed with laugh-out-loud moments as it parodies iconic scenes from movies like Scream and I Know What You Did Last Summer. 6. Casper (1995) Casper (1995) is a heartwarming story about a lonely ghost who befriends a young girl. But don't be fooled by the sweet premise, there are still some spooky moments (especially when Casper's uncles show up!). This movie offers a perfect balance of humor, scares, and a touch of childhood wonder, similar to the way Ghostbusters manages to be scary and funny at the same time. 7. House (1985) An author with serious writer’s block decides to make his late aunt’s house his permanent writing nook. Little does he know, he’s about to get plagued by paranormal occurrences that have to do with dead soldiers from the Vietnam War.  8. Gremlins (1984) A small furry creature and a handful of simple rules. What could go wrong? Probably everything? Gremlins is the epitome of absolute mayhem and laughter, with a sprinkle of spook that will leave you entertained in the best way.  9. Evolution (2001) An alien invasion and faster-than-a-blink growth is a deadly combination that a meteor brings to Earth. Four science professionals need to get to the bottom of it before the earthly planet gets infested with creepy intergalactic creatures.  10. The Monster Squad (1987) All Universal Monsters in one feature? You’ll not want to miss The Monster Squad. The monster gang, led by Count Dracula, is on the hunt for a power-yielding amulet. However, it’s not a piece of cake when they’re face-to-face with a squad of 12-year-olds who will do everything to prevent the monsters from getting their creepy claws on the jewel.  Whether it’s dealing with Ghostbusters withdrawals or you simply want to binge-watch some equally comedic and scary movies, these have you covered. The horror-comedy genre is one tricky trick to master but these movies will allow you to experience the best of it.  Read the full article

[jaebird88]

My Personal Top Ten Anime of 2022

Between the new adaptations, sequels, movies, and original properties, there have been plenty of good shows that I feel anyone can dig into. To keep from taking up dashboard space, I’ll provide the list below with a break that will contain my thoughts on each title. This is also not ordered from best to worst, rather from what I would unabashedly say is great to it is good but may have some caveats to keep in mind.

Also, I tried my best to not to be repetitive, but it was difficult given how many shows on this list were mostly comedies to a degree.

(Top Ten of 2021)

Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury

Lycoris Recoil

Bocchi the Rock!

My Dress-Up Darling

Spy x Family

Princess Connect! RE: Dive S2

Love After World Domination

Skeleton Knight in Another World

Cyberpunk: Edgerunners

Chainsaw Man

1. Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury

While the first cour has not finished, I feel confident in saying this is my #1 favorite anime of the fall season. I honestly could not have expected this installment in the Gundam franchise to surprise me as much as it has. Starting off strong with the opening prologue and never losing its momentum while shifting gears to a high school setting that is mired with corporate politics and intrigue, and the occasional giant robot fight; the Witch from Mercury comes off as a worthy successor to the franchise.

2. Lycoris Recoil

Looking back on everything to have come out this year, Lycoris Recoil remained my favorite show of 2022. Between a memorable and likable cast and the excellent action set pieces, this original series stands out in my mind as being among the best in the subgenre of buddy cop stories, let alone the second best anime of the year.

3. Bocchi the Rock!

For being an adaptation of a four-panel manga, CloverWorks came out swinging in how they combined the main character’s neuroses with the kind creative imagination that can only be expressed through animation, as well as other mediums, to great comedic effect. Hitori Gotoh’s journey toward breaking out of her anxiety shell is as relatable as it is entertaining. Plus, the music is great, too.

4. My Dress-Up Darling

The second CloverWorks adaptation to make this list is one which caught me by surprise in how much I got out of it. Putting aside the romantic comedy aspect–which is among the better ones I have seen–what resonated with me the most is how it presents both primary characters as human beings who fall into archetypes.

5. Spy x Family

Last but not least of the CloverWorks adaptations is one of the most entertaining comedy/action/thriller anime to come out this year. And I feel it’s the most well-rounded in regards to balancing such a mixture of genres.

6. Princess Connect! RE: Dive S2

Of the sequel series I have watched this year, the show that’s meant to promote a game finishes off its story and ties up its threads, giving finality to its cast. It’s funny, heartwarming and heartbreaking, and features some of the best animation and music that should not be overlooked.

7. Love After World Domination

While My Dress-Up Darling strikes a good balance between the romance and the comedy, Love After World Domination leans more toward the latter in its spoof on the tokusatsu genre to great effect with its simple premise.

8. Skeleton Knight in Another World

The one isekai to make my list gives off similar vibes to other satirical stories from the subgenre, and I had so much fun with it. One’s mileage may vary with shows like this, so I will not say too much more about it.

9. Cyberpunk: Edgerunners

With no requirement needed to have played Cyberpunk 2077, Studio Trigger does well with the setting and tells a good story that can be viewed as a stark contrast to everything else I have watched this year. It is grim, it is unrelenting; it’s melancholy at its finest. There are no heroes in Night City. Only survivors.

10. Chainsaw Man

This may appear to be sacrilege to some, but I have a reason why I placed this adaptation of Chainsaw Man last. I can say that I did like the series on the whole and how it was presented. The director’s cinematic eye for storytelling is fine, even if the pacing is methodical and decompressed at times. Which I can understand as being a turn-off for some folks and any die-hard fans of the manga. I do look forward to a second season, whenever that will be.

[ubercharge]

since it’s getting an anime adaptation i’ll write a dungeon meshi rec real quick

dungeon meshi is a fantasy + food manga by ryoko kui following a group of adventurers who delve into a dungeon to save the sister of one of the characters after a dragon fight gone wrong. left without money and supplies, they continue on by subsisting on monster cuisine. it’s a fun premise that becomes deeper and more intricate as the plot progresses

the characters are great. every single one of them feels well-developed, they’re all interesting in their own ways, and their interactions with each other make for heartwarming and hilarious moments. i got super invested in them. the character design is fantastic; every character (major and minor) is distinct in design and personality.

the details about monsters becoming food comes together in a way that not only makes the food enticing, but makes the monsters biologically intriguing. the ways that kui turns iconic monsters into something you can actually imagine eating is impressive. repeatedly i’ve thought “this just makes sense” and it’s so satisfying (no pun intended). a lot of details exist in the manga, separate adventurer’s guide, and on [ kui’s blog ] that show you how much work was put into the worldbuilding & characters.

i rly enjoy the comedy. the way character dynamics play out, assorted visual gags, funny expressions, and general absurdity keep the overall tone a good fun time. it’s balanced out both by serious moments and the action you’d expect in a dungeon where the adventurers need to fight monsters.

i’m also a big fan of the art! it’s beautifully detailed for the characters , monsters, and environments. the delivery of everything whether it’s serious, ominous, action, comedic, or whatever else is so dynamic and a treat to look at

tl;dr: dunmeshi is a great manga so check it out or check out the upcoming anime adaptation by trigger! (there’s a 30s CM for it by trigger you can [ check out here ] if u want to see coloured pictures moving Now)

[kagehinataboke]

another anime recs list because a lot of good new ones have come out….

Komi Can’t Communicate

tags: slice of life, comedy, school

status: in progress,

i usually avoid school life anime like the plague but this one is very cute and wholesome, and the characters are so fun and diverse and just really lovable

recommend for fans of love is war, although it’s not nearly as unhinged lol

Spy X Family

tags: comedy, action/adventure

status: in progress, 7/12 episodes

obviously i had to talk about this, nobody better be snoozin on this chaotic & heartwarming shit ok

fairly unique premise, not sure what to relate it to… it sorta has balance: unlimited vibes?? either way, it’s a fun story and i honestly think fans of any genre could get into it

Skeleton Knight In Another World

tags: fantasy, action/adventure, isekai

status: in progress, 7/12 episodes

i usually avoid isekai as well bc they’re….well, garbage—but this one is so funny and unique and for some reason i like it a lot, maybe bc i just think Arc is funny? idk

anyway i recommend it to anyone tired of the same old over-used and gross isekai tropes and looking for a new take on it

Koi wa Sekai Seifuku no Ato de

tags: comedy, romance, action/adventure

status: in progress, 7/12 episodes

what’s not to love about this? i am literally obsessed. i am obsessed. he’s so awkward for a hero and she’s so unlike a villain that it’s funny, and together the whole enemies-to-lovers trope just blew me away

a very fun and endearing story that will have even the most cynical person laughing hysterically and also wanting a relationship like what these two have

Paripi Koumei

tags: music, historical (iffy but…reincarnation)

status: in progress, 8/12 episodes

do you ever want to watch an anime that lowkey makes no sense but you’re in the mood for a laugh? yeah this is the one. i kinda had no idea what was going on but in the best way, also the music is great

recommended for fans of the one punch man “i kind of get it but also what the fuck is even happening” vibe and also people who wished Carole and Tuesday was funnier

Aharen-san wa Hakarenai

tags: comedy, slice of life, school

status: in progress, 8/12 episodes

like i said i usually hate school life anime but this season is making me looking inconsistent bc i love everything about this

these two have such a funny, relatable, and endearing relationship, and the comedy isn’t cheap or annoying as it is in a lot of school life anime—but since this is an iyashikei (it’s supposed to be relaxing and “healing”) i guess it makes sense

i recommend to everyone tbh, but once again to those who like love is war bc this is a lot more similar to it

[storytime-reviews]

The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent Movie Review

Creatively unfulfilled and facing financial ruin, the fictionalised version of Cage must accept a $1 million offer to attend the birthday of a super fan (Pascal). When things take a wildly dangerous turn, Cage is forced to live up to his own legend, channeling his most iconic and beloved on-screen characters in order to save himself and his loved ones.

So firstly, I am a big Nicolas Cage fan. I love his films, you just always know you’re going to have a tonne of fun watching them, even if they don’t always make complete sense. But that’s what I love about them. So I was excited to see that The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent would feature Cage playing a fictionalised version of himself in what is a genuinely good satire. This film is not just full of meta references and laughs, it really does have heart.

This version of Nicolas Cage is a fantasy created through media and public perception, as well as his stereotypical roles and their associated memes. Yet The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent is a sincere love letter to the actor despite all of this. In fact the film is all the better for facing these stereotypes and cliches head on – such acknowledgement allows both the film and actor to move past them.

These meta jokes aren’t simply at the expense of Cage, rather they broadly focus on the egos of Hollywood. I loved the many references to films Cage has starred in, but importantly the film doesn’t over do them. It’s just enough fun for the absurdity of The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent without taking anything away from the truly heartwarming tale that it otherwise is.

The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent is at heart an emotionally driven film about a man discovering himself and re-discovering his own passions. Cage’s performance is both restrained, and completely over the top, when it needs to be. He plays into his own stereotypes, but simultaneously transcends them. This makes for a very well balanced film.

Not enough can be said about the comedic brilliance of Pedro Pascal, who shines as Cage’s partner in crime. Their chemistry is immediate and throughout the film they play off each other perfectly. They are well suited in terms of both humour and the more intense emotional scenes between the characters. The friendship that develops between the two of them is what drives the narrative forward and makes The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent utterly charming to watch. Both actors give outstanding performances.

Watch this film if you’re a Nicolas Cage or Pedro Pascal fan, if you enjoy bromantic action/comedy films, or even if you prefer more character driven films. The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent almost has something for everyone.

[pandaponderart]

Underrated Anime Part 1:

Hello my fellow Weebs, I’m back for some more Anime blogging, this time to talk about so not so well known ones. Some that have got forgotten with time, some that new Anime fans have maybe never heard of and the ones that I feel deserve more love and recognition. I’ve been watching Anime for about 13 years so I’ve seen a lot so this will be in at least 3 parts, so hopefully you like this and look forward to more. Til then enjoy, hope you can find some new anime you’ve never heard of thanks for reading and look forward to part 2!.

1. Azumanga Daioh(2002)

Starting off with an older Anime, and one of the best and earlier comedy, slice of life Anime that paved the way for a lot of other Anime in the same genre like Nichijou and Daily Lives of High School Boys. Off the wall and highly unrealistic, this comedy is completely over the top in the best way possible. it’s old but gold and should be crowned as one of the best comedy Anime to exist.

With the most lovable cast, you have Chiyo the 5th grader who is so crazy smart she gets placed in a high school class, then there’s Osaka, who’a real name is Ayumu Kasuga who’s named that because she‘s from Osaka. Osaka isn’t the smartest and neither is her other classmate Tomo Takino who will do anything to avoid studying. Then to balance out the cast is Koyomi Mizuhara aka Yomi, the smart one who keeps everyone in line and Kagura the sporty one. Then of course can’t forget to mention the teachers Yukari Sensei who is anything but the normal responsible teacher and to balance her out Minamo Sensei the responsible one. There’s no real plot with Azumanga Daioh but there’s not meant to be it’s just an over the top comedy slice of life, with moments that will make you laugh from your gut. It’s all about the characters and the ridiculous situations their put in and each one is a lovable idiot that really drives the show. Give this one a shot if you want a show that will put a big smile on your face the whole way through.

2. Eden of The East (2009)

Another older Anime, not everything on this list will be older Anime but there’s so many good ones like this!. Eden of The East is an action, mystery with elements of romance with one of the most unique stories I’ve seen in Anime. It’s a short watch being only eleven episodes with two movies following after which I recommend watching because they continue the story. I’m really surprised not more people know or talk about this show but it need to be talked about more!.

With one of the funniest and most bizarre starts to an Anime, our lead charcter Saki is on a trip to Washington D.C, when she gets in trouble for throwing a coin in the White House’s fountain she’s saved by a naked man who claims to be a terrorist. Not only is this mysterious man naked and claims to be a terrorist, he also has amnesia and is carrying a phone with 8.2 million dollars. Saki befriends this strange man and throughout the story they try to uncover more of his past, his involvment in an incident called careless monday and a dangerous death game with other players. They must also spend all of the money as instucted by the mysterious voice in the phone Juiz as well as try to save the world.

3. R.O.D The TV( 2003)

Ok I know I said this list wouldn’t only be older Anime but I guess the older Anime just has my heart and this one has a special place in mine. One of my all time favorites and one of the earliest Anime I saw and it still holds up to me til this day. It is hands down probably the most underrated show on this entire list and if you only watch one of these Anime please make it this one. The story is completely original, the characters are complex and endearing, there’s action, heartwarming moments, comedy and mystery, I wish there was more Anime like it, it deserves to be a classic.

It‘s a one of a kind show about the paper sisters Michelle, the oldest bubbly bookworm, Maggie the seemingly intimidating quiet giant. Then you have the youngest sister Anita who unlike her sisters hates books, she’s a bit rough around the edges but loves her sisters. Although they aren’t actually sisters they have a detective agency to help find lost books to help pay for rent while also doing odd jobs like being body guards. Their first assignment is to protect the author, Nenene Sumiragawa who is being threatened to be killed at her book signing. The paper sisters aren’t called that just because of their love of books, they can turn paper into weapons and whatever else they please, but each having their speciality. Nenene finds out they‘re paper sisters just like her friend who ‘s missing, Yomiko Readman and asks them for help finding her. They try to help Nenene find her friend, while solving other cases and saving the world with the power of paper.

4. Baccano(2007)

Probably the most well known but also I think one of the most under appreciated Anime, from Durarara’s creator, Baccano. I feel like most newer Anime fans won’t know this one and although it’s a beloved series by many, I still feel it’s underrated. Also another bias opinion shocker, it’s one of my absolute favorites but that’s why it’s here. It’s once again a shorter anime with only 13 episodes but it somehow manages to combine all of the storylines cohesively, it’s a wild ride full of mystery, murder, and magic that will keep you on board the entire time trying to piece everything together. Also warning it jumps around a lot so make sure to pay attention everything pieces together!.

Based in the 1930’s in the prohibition era you have several stories involving different characters going on but they‘re all connected to one thing the transcontinental train, the flying pussyfoot. Yes that’s actually the name of the train, why, still no idea but all these characters from different walks of life end up here somehow. Now to introduce some of these crazy characters, first off the goofy thieves in love Isaac and Miria, who aren’t the brightest but can steal just about anything. Lad Russo the sadistic hit man who loves to see people die, including fantasizing about killing his fiancé one day. Then you have the ones involved in gangs, all In different ones, but nonetheless involved in some sort of crime. First there’s Firo, the youngest of the Martello family and one of the immortals in the show, then there’s Jacuzzi Splot and his partner Nice, Jacuzzi is a big wimp and crybaby but will protect his loved ones with all he’s got and Nice is a bomb expert and his childhood food. Those are some of the main characters it’s such a large cast it’s hard to name and explain them all. This one is a must watch especially if you liked Durarara, jump on the hype train of this wild show.

5. Black Cat (2005)

Now quick disclaimer before I begin talking about this one, I haven’t watched this in years so it may not hold up as well as I’m remembering but when I watched it I really enjoyed it so that’s why it’s here. This was one of the earlier Anime I watched I’m pretty sure my friend showed me it but it caught my interest from the beginning. It’s not the most groundbreaking show to exist and I’ve heard that the manga is apparently better but that’s for almost every show. It’s got cool action, funny moments and a great cast of characters, plus not gonna lie I had a crush on train when I was younger. its just a fun show and definitely worth giving a watch!

Train Heartnett is an infamous cold blooded assassin who works for the organization Chronos, and because of his lack of empathy for killing he’s named Black Cat. But after a chance encounter with a bou hunter named Saya Minatsuki, they become friends and Train decided he wants to leave Chronos to pursue an honest living as a bounty Hunter. However chronos and particular his fellow member Creed Diskenth are not pleased with this and try to get Train to rejoin Chronos. Along the way Train teams up with fellow bounty hunter on the brink of broke Sven, the bio mech weapon and little girl Eve and master thief and seductress Rinslet Walker. Together they try to escape from Chronos and get enough money for their next .

6. Arakawa Under The Bridge(2010)

Where do I begin with this one first off, this is one of the weirdest Anime I’ve ever seen but just like Azumanga Daioh that’s what make it so good. Beautifully animated by Studio Shaft with some of the most colorful and visually appealing animation I’ve seen, it’s pure eye candy. it’s equally as strange as it is hilarious and it’s just a fun time that’s not meant to be taken seriously. So if you want a good laugh and something thats truly one of a kind in story and characters give this crazy show a shot.

The show begins with one of our main characters Kou Ichinomiya getting stuck by his underwear on a bridge by some kids, he falls into the river and is saved by a mysterious girl. Kou is the son of a wealthy businessman and his life motto is to not be indebted to anyone, so when he’s saved by this girl he asks what he can do. He finds out that her name is Nino and what she wants is to fall in love, so she asks Kou to be her boyfriend. At first Nino seems like a regular girl but she claims to be an alien from Venus and lives in a box under the bridge, not wanting to be in debt Kou agrees and begins living under the bridge with Nino. However Nino isn’t the only one who lives under the bridge there are many other strange characters like hoshi, the aspiring musician who wears a star on his head, and the captain who’s a human in a kappa suit. I highly suggest watching this strange sci-fi romantic comedy for something different and fun to watch.

7. 91 Days (2016)

The newest Anime on this list so far, see I told you it wouldn’t be only old ones!, this is also the darkest Anime on this list so far. This has been highly overlooked since it’s release in 2016, it reminds me of baccano and in parts like death note. If you like mafia movies or just a dark gritty story with some light hearted moments, it s short show but nothing is rushed and it’s solid from front to back and keeps you on the edge of your seat.

Just like Baccano, 91 Days takes place in the prohibition era in a town called Lawless where crime is rampant and illegal alcohol sales are thriving. In this town our protagonist Aviicio‘s family is killed by one of the mafia families, The Vanetti Family. He receives a mysterious anonymous letter telling him to return to lawless to infiltrate The Vanetti Family. He tries to befriend the families son Nero, to find an opportunity for revenge, the story keep you constantly guessing if they’ve truly become friends or if he’ll kill him. Please watch this wonderful mafia crime drama of friend vs foe.

8. Yamada Kun and The Seven Witches (2015)

This is one of the ones that I still really want to read the manga for because I just couldn’t get enough of it! i’m still hoping for a sequel one day! The premise of body swapping has been done many times in Anime and cinema as a whole but this one adds a unique enough of a twist to keep it fresh and interesting. I looked forward to watching this weekly each week meeting a learning about each new witch and learning what power they had.

Ryuu Yamada is a high school delinquent who wants a fresh start at a new school, despite the intention to start with a clean slate he soon falls into old habits of laziness and getting into fights. One day he trips on the stairs which leads to an accidental kiss with fellow student Urarara Shiraishi which causes them to switch bodies. Another student Toranosuke Miyamura learns that they can switch bodies and recruits them to his Supernatural Studies club. There they learn about the other seven witches that all have different powers

9. Arslan Senki (2015-2016)

The second to last of the list comes from the creator of my all time favorite Anime Fullmetal Alchemist, while it’s a very different series and not quite as good as FMA it’s still deserves a spot on this list and deserves your time. It’s hard not to compare it to FMA but it really is it’s own thing, and it actually came out before Fullmetal, it’s a historical drama about war and strategy and a character growing into his potential. Just as Hiromu Arakawa is known for there’s still some comedic moments and some great character development and a well done story, Plus if you like this there’s two seasons so there more to enjoy.

Ok I promise from this point forward I won‘t say anything more about Fullmetal Alchemist this is about Arslan Senki, here’s the story. In the year 320 the Kingdom of Pars is at war with the neighboring kingdom Lusitania. Pars is ruled by the ruthless king Andrangoras III who has a son who’s the complete opposite of him Arslan. Although he doesn’t know how to fight Arslan tries to prove his worth by joining the battle, but things take a turn for the worst when one of the kings officials betrays him. The once prosperous Kingdom of Pars is seized, and since Arslan is the kings son he must flee to avoid capture. So he sets off with his loyal bodyguard Daryun to find allies to help take back the kingdom. Knowing that Arslan is still alive he is still faced with pursuers from other kingdoms and the head of the Lusitania army, a mysterious man with a silver mask who knows a secret that could jeopardize Arslan‘s succession to the throne. Arslan is a gentle, kind person that doesn’t enjoy fighting, he must learn to fight and protect himself and gain the courage to lead an army to regain his home.

10. Shingeki No Bahamut: Genesis (Rage of Bahamut) (2014)

Leaving one of the best for last, not to be confused with the popular series with a similar name Shingeki no Kyojin(Attack on Titan) this show is just as good. One of the first shows from one of my favorite Anime studios, Studio Mappa. I had low expectations when I heard this was a card game adaptation from a new anime studio but I decided to check it out despite that and it was the best decision. This has all the elements of a great anime, the beautiful animation, the unique characters and the compelling story and all the cool action scenes are just a plus. There is a second season too but I’ll leave that for another time, ok time to stop gushing about this wonderful show, time for the story!.

Years and years ago the ancient powerful dragon Bahamut reeked havoc on Mistarcia, a land where gods and demons lived harmoniously with humans. The gods and demons manage to seal away Bahamut with the god key and agree to split it to keep him sealed. Now that the the peace has been restored we meet the main characters and one of my favorites the orange Afro haired bounty hunters Favaro Leone. Favaro is constantly on the run from his adversary and fellow bounty hunter Kaiser Lidfard who‘s main purpose in life is to get revenge on him. One day both of their lives are thrown into chaos when they meet the mysterious girl Amira who holds half of the god key sealing Bahamut and wants help reaching the land of Helheim. I also can’t forget to mention my other favorite character and the fourth member of this unlikely crew Rita the zombie necromancer little girl she is just the definition of cool. Then there’s the characters that want to steal the god key the demon Azazel and the knight Jean D’Arc who are constantly in the characters way but you’ll find out more about them in the show. These unlikely heroes must face the threat of the battle of gods and demons, the pursuers of the god key and incoming threat of Bahamut awakening.

[aq2003]

ranking every recent spidey movie because i am biased and contain opinions

spider-man (2002). this movie is pretty funny and dafoe (best part of the movie) kills it as green goblin. however it also aged badly with the special effects and Not Great Writing of the female characters™. tobey is great but i think he shines more in the later movies (which i will get to). it does a great job of setting up the characters and universe but it's also the most basic of the raimi trilogy imo. because while this is pretty cohesive narrative-wise it's still less enjoyable to me than the others (doesn't mean it's bad, just that it gets better from here). 6.5/10

spider-man 2 (2004). i think this is objectively the best live action spidey movie (even if i personally like 3 better). doc ock is my fav live action spidey villain and the fight scenes in this movie are just. iconic. the train scene obviously deserves every bit of the hype it gets. also this movie leans hard into my favorite spidey trope which is "peter struggles to balance his superhero life and civilian life" and i really love the plot point about peter's powers not working bc of the stress coming out of it. and the raindrops keep falling on my head montage is cinema tm. loses points for the very bad depiction of mj but this is rly the only problem i have with it. 8/10

spider-man 3 (2007). this movie has the biggest "over the top soap opera comic" vibes and god do i LOVE it. the plot is all over the place and it's clearly struggling to juggle the three villains but also i had so much fun watching it so it does not matter. this movie has my two fav scenes in the Entire raimi trilogy which are a) emo peter doing his stupid little walk and b) emo peter doing his stupid little dance. emo peter my beloved. you'll forever be in my heart and i'll never get tired of the memes about you. anyway it makes me a little sad that spidey movies from here on will be afraid to be this cheesy and stupid. 8.5/10

the amazing spider-man (2012). andrew is a great spidey you all were just mean. i like how the movie leans into him having to get used to his powers and the bit at the end where peter brings home the eggs to may was super heartwarming. there are writing decisions i have issues with most notably peter getting his start as spidey by hunting down any long haired blonde guy and how this plot point gets dropped without getting resolved (so the "responsibility" element is kinda missing from the origin to me). BUT skaterman peter is extremely lovable so i'll forgive him. also the lizard is such a hilarious villain. 7/10

the amazing spider-man 2 (2014). ok so i tried really hard to like this movie but. well. lmao. i will say that peter's suit/the overall visual effects look great and i think andrew's performance is the best part of the movie. and that part where electro's theme (?) plays in time when he destroys things is neat. everything else is just. a mess. enough criticism has been thrown at this movie so im not gonna delve into it but i do want to say that i really wish the tasm movies were written better bc there's so much potential in the characters/universe but the writing brings it down for me. 5/10

spider-man: homecoming (2017). i still love this movie i know it makes me a fake spidey enjoyer but still. it's adorable. it's part of what got me rly into marvel and it has a special place in my heart. hoco is not trying to be an origin story it's like this comedy hs movie w spidey elements and also works kinda as a sequel to an unseen origin and i like that (bc we have already seen the origin 2 other times). extra points for being the funniest depiction of high school and having my fav soundtrack out of the rest of the live action movies. However there are still definite sins committed adaptation wise that carry over to the rest of the mcu trilogy and they sting very hard rewatching this movie now. 7.5/10

spider-man: into the spider-verse (2018). cinematic masterpiece and the best superhero movie of all time i am sure that everyone with a brain can agree with me on this. every frame of this movie is so beautiful and it captures the comic book vibe so well. it's a love letter to spider-man as a character and you can tell how much passion was put into it. there are about 5 scenes in this movie that still make me tear up even though ive rewatched it so many times. miles my son . [peter b voice] i LOVE YOU i am SO PROUD OF YOU. beautiful soundtrack and animation, amazing action, top notch voice acting, it truly has Everything. i think the only spidey movies that will have a chance of being as good as this movie are its sequels. 1000/10

spider-man: far from home (2019). i hate this movie and every connection it makes with tony stark. this is because i love tony stark so much hes my favorite guy ever and this movie feels like slander towards him. way back on my sideblog i ranted about how besides the fact that peter isnt a legacy hero it fails at cementing him as a legacy in the first place, But Also this all gets immediately retracted in no way home so whats the entire point anyways. mj and peter are cute but are they worth it for the tony slander. no. i cant have normal opinions about this movie i'm sorry. 3/10.

spider-man: no way home (2021). i know. i know. everyone likes this movie. there's generally a lot to like, from the villains to the action to the previous spideys to the dynamic between the main trio. however i wish that this trilogy had not gone in this direction at all. there are lots of writing choices i super disagree with, the biggest one being may dying because a) the mcu cant stopping killing its important female characters and b) it retcons the previous implication that ben existed and had a hand in peter's origin. also i don't like the ending lmao. to me it feels like every individual mcu spidey movie shoots itself in the foot and makes it increasingly harder to build upon story-wise. 5/10

[deonideatta]

hi hi i heard you like chief kim and i'm here to get all the intel on why it's a good drama 😊 and what you love about park jae bum's other dramas 😊 pls let me know if there's romance bc that's the oxygen i breathe when i watch a show 💕

Hello!!! Thank you for asking me about Chief Kim!!!! I can go on about it for ages lol. This got a bit long so i’m putting it under a cut

Chief Kim (aka Good Manager) is a comedy office drama with 20 eps, and it aired in 2017. There isn’t a main romance plotline, but don’t let that put you off! It’s an incredible drama in so many ways. (tho there is a subtle romance side plot, but it doesn’t involve the main character and it’s never the main focus, though it is cute). It does feature a bromance that was so great that the two actors literally won an award for it tho lol, so there’s also that!

In a way, the general premise is somewhat similar to Vincenzo in that it’s the main character and an unlikely team of others fighting a big corporation. The comedic tone is also more or less the same. The drama follows Kim Seong Ryong (the titular Chief Kim, played by Namgoong Min), a man with a talent for handling numbers who goes from running a seedy accounting firm to quite accidentally becoming a champion of employees rights in one of the biggest corporations in the country. He originally joins the company with the goal of embezzling a lot money and moving abroad, but he gets swept up in office politics surrounding high executives and the sinister goings on surrounding the position he was recruited for, as well as the shady things the higher-ups want him to do and the suspicion of the other members of his department. Eventually he starts to work alongside them to fight the corruption of the higher ups, and quickly becomes the bane of top management’s existence by being so incredibly annoying that they begin to regret hiring him.

It’s the kind of drama that really gets you to laugh, while still being incredibly heartwarming. The main character is so unashamedly funny, and the character dynamics are all so warm, and none of it ever seems forced. The first tag for the drama on MyDramaList is “character development”, and that says a lot! There’s so much growth that goes on for all the characters, even some of the villains! It’s especially funny because to begin with all the good things Kim Seong Ryeong does are completely by accident, and he’s annoyed but also pleased with all the attention it gets him. Over time he begins to own it, and begins to actively try to stand up to the corrupt people at the top of the company. The other highlight for me besides the humor is definitely the characters. From the eccentric main character, to the no-nonsense second in command in his department Yoon Ha Kyung, to the aggressive finance director Seo Yul who is always eating (one of my all time favourite characters, played by 2PM’s Junho), to the janitor lady who always roasts everyone, there isn’t a single dull character, whether good or bad. And Seo Yul gets one of the best character arcs I’ve ever seen in a kdrama. You get to watch the characters struggle and triumph, and you feel for them because their struggles feel so real, and the drama really gets you invested in them. You see the ways in which they fight to survive as normal working class citizens and you want them to win.

It differs from Vincenzo in that the main character isn’t considered evil and loses his less savoury traits over the course of the drama (his character arc is one of becoming a more upstanding citizen), and the message is one of fighting against corporate greed using the corporate system against itself in order to make things better for the average working citizen. But there’s the same plotting, and the same feeling of rooting for the protagonist team to win as you watch them plot and plan. I never rewatch things, but i’ve rewatched Chief Kim twice already and i’m looking forward to rewatching it again soon (just writing about it is making me want to rewatch it right now lol). It especially hits well for me because i love office dramas, and the humor and the bromance are just right. (Also, not entirely related, but it’s the first drama Kim Seonho was in!)

Another Park Jaebum drama i can definitely recommend is The Fiery Priest! It’s also a comedy action drama with 20 eps (released in 2019), and it follows Kim Hae Il (Kim Nam Gil), a catholic priest with a real temper, as he works to solve the mystery surrounding the death of a senior priest. No romance there either, but it’s got the same humor as Chief Kim and Vincenzo, and the same overarching found family trope (that really shines for this one). It’s darker than Chief Kim, but not as dark as Vincenzo. The plot is very intriguing, and it’s the kind of drama you feel compelled to keep watching to see what happens next. And the host of characters in that drama is still one of my favourites to this day. Every character was incredibly written, and they all played vital roles in the overall story. Again, lots of character development all round, and great character arcs not just for the main character (even for a few of the villains!). Plus it was lovely to watch the various characters interact, get closer, and build relationships. Such an iconic squad. Not to mention how funny it is?? And the fight scenes??? In fact, I enjoyed it so much that when I checked Park Jaebum’s page on MyDramaList after watching it around June last year and saw Vincenzo as an upcoming project, I added it to my plan to watch list immediately even though there was only a single line of synopsis lol. It’s also got an absolute banger of a soundtrack!

When you think about it, all three (Chief Kim, TFP and Vincenzo) can be simplified to “guy with dubious past sets out to fight corruption and creates a great support circle in the process”. All three are dramas of finding people who care about you and are willing to fight alongside you, and fighting for your convictions/what you think is right. Each main character starts out as a somewhat solitary figure, and you get to watch as they each find people who are willing to fight alongside them and support them. What exactly those specific convictions are varies in each drama, but Park Jaebum writes the character development arcs incredibly each time, and the relationships between the characters are so real and so satisfying to watch. And yet the integrity of the main character in each drama is never compromised either, it’s shown that they can grow and become better without losing themselves. The growth is also in the way that they learn to work with and rely on others, because teamwork makes the dream work. And then to cap it all off he lets them have victories, and he makes it SO satisfying??? There are highs and there are lows, and you feel all of those right there with the characters, which makes the victories feel so so good. In each we see the ensemble cast get involved with the fight and the plotting, and we get to see all their epic plans and their execution, and the victories they win that build up over time. And it’s so satisfying to me! I love it a lot, just thinking about it is making me smile lol. It also shows how well humor and darker/more serious plotlines/events are balanced in the dramas, neither is compromised in favour of the other, but it always works so well that the humor never feels forced or out of place. As someone who doesn’t like overbearingly dark shows, I really appreciate that. They all give you lots to laugh at, while not losing any of the plot to the funny.

Of course there are differences, notably the romance, and the fact that Vincenzo is bad vs bad rather than good vs bad like the other two. They deal more with redemption (especially The Fiery Priest), but that works for the stories that are being told, and it’s very well executed.

It’s worth noting that Park Jaebum also wrote Good Doctor and 4 seasons of God’s Quiz. I haven’t checked those out yet, but I’ve heard good things about all of them. He also wrote Blood, I haven’t seen that one either but opinions seem to be split on how good it was. All of those are medical dramas (which is the reason I haven’t watched them lol, i can’t stand medical dramas) from before 2017, when he wrote Chief Kim. It seems he’s been on a roll since then, good for him and good for us lol. You can see everything he’s written on his MyDramaList page.

Overall I enjoyed the Park Jaebum dramas I have seen for first and foremost the comedy, but also for the warmth of the character relationships and for how well developed/written each character is. And I love how he balances the humor with more poignant/darker moments, I laughed a lot watching all three dramas, but I’ve cried over each of them as well. It’s a good balance to have, it gives you a good plot to be interested in, but doesn’t keep you stressed and sombre the whole way through. I’ve seen people say that Vincenzo wouldn’t be as good if it wasn’t so wacky, and I fully agree. It’s the same for both TFP and Chief Kim, and that balance is definitely what I appreciate most in Park Jaebum’s dramas. I know I will laugh, but I also know I will get an incredible plot and incredible characters, and that’s really important for me. Plus I know I can trust that there will be a good ending because the writer cares about his characters.

I definitely recommend checking out both TFP and Chief Kim after Vincenzo is done, especially since they’re so similar in terms of comedic tone and basic plot direction. If you ever get to watching either of them feel free to hmu to chat about it!! There’s lots of plot stuff that can be can discussed.

lol this got v long (i have lots to say about how much i love these dramas haha), but I hope it’s helpful!!!

[thecrazyanimegirl]

Winter anime 2020

And it’s time for another one of these lists. They kinda keep growing in number and it’s scary, but here it is! This season there were some continuation and some anime that got new seasons (ahiru no sora, chihayafuru, isekai quartet,  kaibukichou sherlock, iruma-kun, radiant, nnt) but here are the new anime we started ^^

{ Winter ‘18 }  { Spring ‘18 }  { Summer ‘18 }  { Fall ‘18 }  { Winter ‘19 } { Spring ‘19 }  { Summer ‘19 }  { Fall ‘19 }

BOFURI: I Don't Want to Get Hurt, so I'll Max Out My Defense.

This is a typical isekai with a game-like action and plot. It doesn’t have any deeper meaning, but okay for relaxing. Basically, if you want to take your brain out for a walk - watch this!

Darwin’s game

The manga is better. It always is, but here especially so. It has a really good concept - a battle to the death game in real life, but not as good execution with the anime adaptation, they skipped some of the really important parts. Don’t let that discourage you tho! It has a good character development and nice action scenes, which makes it quite good! And move on to the manga later ^^

Dorohedoro

A very interesting anime! Weird, but good! Not surprising tho, it’s mappa. The world in which the story is placed is, although very dark, refreshing and unusually good. The characters are unique, lovable, but weird... like really weird. The animation is a bit different, but it has it’s charm. Also, it has it’s fair share of blood and gruesome scenes, so skip it if you don’t like that. We loved it though! One of the favorites ^^

Hands off the motion pictures club! 

Soft. Just goddamn soft. The animation is a bit different and simplistic, but it fits the characters so well. This slice of life pulls you into the imaginative and colorful world of three high school girls who share the love for animation, and the viewer follows their process of getting inspired for plots for their anime and working on creating it. There is not much action going on, but it always leaves you with a positive feeling after watching it.

ID:Invaded

Yes. Watch it please. Awesome detective/ mystery story. The idea of entering a criminal subconscious (aka the id) is a unique and it gives new possibilities for detectives to find clues. The plot is very intriguing and keeps you on your toes. Its confusing at the beginning, but the story connects better after a few episodes and it makes you want to watch more. The characters are intriguing and their conversations well paced. (also great voice actors and music *-*) It has some darker scenes, murder and suicide mention, just thought I should mention that, but it’s an extremely good anime, so would definitely recommend!

If My Favorite Pop Idol Made It to the Budokan, I Would Die  

As you can see from the title, this is about a girl fangirling over her favorite idol and that’s it, that’s the plot. But, it’s somehow soft, nicely animated and the story is just enough for an episode a week. It shows both the idol and the fan side of the idol culture, especially the less famous groups. Overall, it’s not an anime that will knock you off your feet, but it’s a solid comedy with relatable characters ^^

Infinite Dendogram  

Generic entering-a-game anime. The point of the anime is that every persons possibilities are endless and everyone has the potential to develop into a strong person. Like we said, nothing new. It’s old, but cute concept. 

Jibaku Shounen Hanako-kun 

And we’re pretty sure most people already know about this one! It’s playful, colorful, cute as heck, the main girl gets a bit annoying, but it’s hella good! The story balances comedy with a school setting and a darker side involving yokai and evil things that lurk in the shadows, making it interesting to watch. The animation is pleasant to the eyes and the characters are great, what’s more to want ^^

Kyokou Suiri

The plot of this anime is more focused on logical and critical thinking rather than on action, though it may seem otherwise from the synopsis. The relationships between the main characters are kind of weird, but in a good way and their interactions are always interesting. We were pleasantly surprised to see the main female character to have a crush on a guy and still maintain her IQ level. Overall, it’s a good anime, it has good voice actors (Mamo-chan <3), but don’t expect to be kept on the edge of your seat.

Magia Record: Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica Gaiden  

If you watched Madoka, I’m sure you’ve heard about this release. We were happy that they kept the same dementia animation style, especially of witches. It kinda has a more positive vibe than the original but it still keeps some of the original darkness. There are a lot of new magical girls and more plot and action. It’s pretty good, but the original is better (we love them darkness).

Natsunagu! 

A very cute five minute anime about a girl searching for her friend who suddenly stopped answering her texts. The animation is cute and you have nothing to lose if you watch it.

Oda Cinnamon Nobunaga 

It’s about japanese warlords and historical figures, who are resurrected as dogs. Even though they’ve kept their personalities, they can’t say no to dogs drives (pet me hooman!). It’s cute, but not a lot of plot.

Pet

It has a very interesting idea of entering peoples subconscious and changing it, manipulating their memories in order to control them. But the executions of that idea is... meh, at best. The characters aren’t lovable or memorable, you don’t feel a connection to them. It’s one of those anime that at the end you say ‘It could have been so good’. But yeah, it wasn’t.

Science Fell in Love, So I Tried to Prove It 

The title says it all. Comedy, slice of life (but not really, the sample is not representable). You really start rooting for the main couple and they are funny at proving their love. It’s also educational, it does mention and explain some principles. It’s quite funny ngl. 

Smile Down the Runway

A heartwarming anime about a guy who wants to be a designer and a girl who is too short, but still wants to be a model. It’s a story about perseverance, hard work and pushing towards your dreams. Positive and emotional, and you find yourself cheering for the main characters. Perfect if you want a slow paced anime that includes character development. 

Somali and the Forest Spirit 

It’s heartwarming, has very clear animation and great voices. The concept is really interesting, the accent is on understanding others different than you and showing love and support. Basically, lots of emotions, it doesn’t have action or a complicated plot, but as a soft story, it’s pretty good. 

The Case Files of Jewler Richard

This show is so filled with emotions and softness, it’s amazing! It’s mostly peoples stories - problems and difficulties they overcome on their own or with help of the people close to them, which also have some connection to a jewel. The plot focuses more on the main characters in the later episodes. But the art is very pleasing and the main characters have good chemistry. Of course, it’s not for those who don’t like a bit more of a slow paced story, mostly based on storytelling and human interactions. But it’s still good ^^

Watched but got to lazy to properly review: Ishuzoku Reviewers (sometimes you just have to admire that someone had the imagination to come up with some of the episodes), Sorcerous Stabber Orphen (not terrible, not that good either)

[theglguidetowebcomics]

Full review: Girly

What’s Pink, insane, NSFW, hilarious, and somehow heartwarming at points? This comic is a ride and a half, and I’m genuinely surprised more people haven’t heard of this one… I’ve been wanting to talk about this one for a WHILE. 

So let’s talk about the elephant in this room… Because I think it just ate someone’s couch. 

Slightly NSFW review with spoilers below.

Girly, by Jackie Lesnick was a webcomic that ran between 2003 and 2010, (and really has some of those early webcomic hallmarks). Its monochromatic pink, vertical, with a poppy early cartoon feel. It’s also listed as a romantic comedy, which is… correct, but cuts a whole lot of what makes this comic good, short. 

This review was always going to be one of the 4 I really struggled with. And not just because I lost it the first time without a back up in a code glitch, got distracted by a pandemic, then procrastinated my way to finally making a second version in my new backup folder… No, well also yes but no. This was a comic I read when I was younger (and should NOT have read  when I was younger), and have always had a soft spot for. I’ll admit as much as this comic has its flaws or weird moments or just weirdness in general, its one of the few comics I’ve found myself rereading in its entirety more than once. And no matter how much I know it's coming, find myself sobbing, uncontrollably, at the final panel. There’s surprisingly a lot of heart in this comic, and a whole lot of honesty in just the direction the author took this weird little thing. But, first let me take of those rose tinted glasses as much as I can… (actually that might not work too well with a pink comic seriously whats with all these early 2000s lesbian comics being PINK?). And give this old comic a look and a bit of a dust. but , first...

Sex.

Getting to the point - page 3 of “Girly”

Girly is a NSFW comic. It’s not shy about it either. It hits the audience (and the main character) over the head with it literally in the first pages. It has sex positive characters, a sex positive world, some characters with… sex powers almost, and Dildos, a whole lot of dildos. Some even with smiley faces on them. It’s a pretty unavoidable part of the comic that makes up a large core of it’s humour and is baked into its wacky world. So if that’s not your thing, and it’s not really skippable in this case, you won’t like this comic.

But, if you’re alright with that part of it this might just be a hidden gem. Moving on.

Art

Artwork is always interesting in webcomics. They’re usually one man shows, have a weird niche / strong influences, and or usually go on massive journeys as the art improves. Girly is no different here. 

Girly starts out rough. Some poses are wonky and its a bit scratchy. Technically speaking it has a few issues, which is fine. Its a free webcomic, from the 2000s that didn't copy and paste faces. (Won’t name names, you know who you are). You can’t be too harsh on a free comic, though.

However, what the art style does, even early on is set the style and feel of the comic. Anime inspired faces, bold outlines, and blocky silhouettes that were really popular with 90’s and 2000s cartoons. It has a newspaper, manga comedy strip vertical style, too. It fits the style of story well as a poppy wacky story. It's the perfect art style it could take.

Its rough in the beginning, but moves on from its scratchy days, to loose pen brush, to finally a polished free hand poppy style. It gets more technically advanced as it goes along, but it keeps its core style throughout. It’s fun, a little unhinged, and just pares perfectly.

The one issue I have with the art is it comes off as a bit cramped. It certainly matches the energy of the story, but it also feels like it doesn't let the characters have any breathing room in the frame. It comes off as squashed, and can make some character poses hard to read. That’s the only complaint I can find though. The issue even fixes itself later in the story, but just very very close to the end. It looks great there, but the majority of the comic is a little cramped. Still that’s just a small complaint.

Nitpicking here but some panels need a lil more room

This a humour comic foremost. It's the biggest part of what makes Girly specifically Girly.

Humour

The humour is mostly wacky nonsense, playing off its insane characters, physics defying world, everything being dialed up to 11. It also works a lot like satire, poking at what influences it, and playing with cinematic expectations. The first page has Otra shooting someone into space on a rocket because they annoyed them, the first “adventure” the character’s go on is stealing everyone’s pants because they couldn’t find anything else to do. Then there’s the kidnapping adventures, knight trials, and slice of life shenanigans that happen. All of it as wacky as the last. I haven’t really found any other lesbian comics like it. Its not everyone’s tastes, but it is certainly unique.

If you’re into a willy wonka tunnel of over the top characters and plots, you’ll like Girly.

Characters

Girl is a LONG comic, it ran for 7 years. The art evolved, the story writing, jokes, and themes along with it. It was originally meant to run for only 50 strips... and it ended up with 764. 

so, there’s a lot to unpack.

Firstly, the premise of the story is somewhat simple. It focuses on Otra. The kinda straight man to the entire universe. She starts out almost depressed, out of place, and bored of the wacky inhabitants of her world. Until one of those wacky residents smacks her over the head with a giant dildo and won’t leave her alone for the next 7 years of run time. 

What follows is the sullen Otra being pulled around by the always cheery and zany nonsensical Winter as the sidekick for bizarre adventures. Otra’s depressive grounded view keeps the bizarreness funny, while Winter cuts through her negative attitude and causes a lot of the over the top plot. Leaving Otra to warm up to the world, and Winter to get less reckless as they balance eachother out. It’s a fun dynamic, and works as an emotional core of the story. No matter how weird the plot and rules of the world are, their relationship keeps the story somewhat focused and rewarding to see develop.

An example of bold wacky character designs from even early on

The comic isn’t just about them, though. As an ensemble comic there's plenty of side characters that go through arcs and beats as well. From el chubacabre, the man that woman find so irresistible that they sleep with him as soon as they see him; detective Clapjaw the street wise detective who is very bad at his job; Officer Hipbone and police guy from the cute P D; captain fist the ever popular bad at his job superhero who gets all the credit; the news reporter obsessed with captain fist; the woman with babies; Steak;  the elephants that just… appear and eat buildings; among many many others. A lot of whom also have nicely written character arcs and depth in later chapters. Many of the character however are simple and remain simple, which isn’t a bad thing. For such a large cast, having a diverse range of strange characters with strong identities and looks even if a bit simple stops it from getting bogged down. It strikes a good balance. Plus there’s plenty enough of characters with more depth later on. 

 All the character’s are insane, and over the top in a way that really sets up the world they live in and how it works... as dysfunctional as it is. There’s something very Cartoon Network about all the characters, but with some wider influences. something about  dumb characters, with very specific goals and quirks that work on their own physics to feed into the high energy insanity of the world. Its entertaining to read, and leads to a weirdly charming feel of the comic. 

Story and plot

For the bit people actually want to know about. What is it about?

Just a little bit of influences...

For the style itself the comic comes off as a mix between early 2000s slice of life-y anime, 2000s cartoon Network, and a dose of 2000s webcomic sarcastic action/adventure flare. It definitely has one of the most pronounced styles that I’ve seen, and even if it's very much a webcomic of it’s time it also goes a bit beyond that into something that feels personal to the author and honest. Its a batshit comic. But, it wears its influences on it’s sleeve and really plays with tropes and ideas the author found engaging at the time. It somehow comes off as refreshing in just how willing it is to go weird or niche for no other reason but because it wants to. It's what I appreciate most about the comic. It’s honest.

The overarching story of the comic is without a doubt about Otra and winter growing together as people. But with a comic that’s run for 7 years a little bit more happens in the journey, at least you hope it would. Girly runs on chapters, 15 in total (with 15 having sub chapters due to being the story’s climax), and each one of those chapters follows a different plot or adventure with Otra’s and Winter’s developing relationship gluing them together. 

The plots themselves are wild and vary a bit in quality. But for a long comic that’s understandable and expected. They go from solving elephant problems, super villains, body swapping, fantasy parodies, and all sorts of strange things. Sometimes a few plots drag and a few character arcs feel a bit bland. It still manages to be entertaining all the way through though. The plots themselves work to get the character’s to play off each other and explore the strange world it takes place in. Exploring evil teddy bears, or an entire town devoted to cheap gags. No matter what, all the plots work in fleshing out the world and pushing character’s out of their comfort zone or forcing them to change. There are some that are less fun than others, but none of them manage to be boring or useless. Which for a long comic such as this, is quite an achievement.

Conclusion

Girly is a hidden gem, Its an insane sex positive comic. A loose style and even looser physics. It’s bold and unabashedly itself. But, at its core it's about the love story of Winter, the wacky insane woman needing to slow down and open up, and Otra, a sullen woman who’s deemed herself only worthy of being on the outskirts of society. It’s two people growing together in a world that’s up to its ears in care bears, sentient dildos, earth shattering cloning, and jabs at 2000’s paste it comics. And somehow it all sticks together.

The characters resonated, at least with me, which may be the nostalgia talking. But by the end of the comic I can’t help but  think back on how long it took them to get there. The bits that made me laugh (a lot of them), the stupid parts, and the character’s arcs, as over the top they could be at times.  It may not everyone’s cup of tea. But it has a lot of heart at its core. (If you get past all the dildos). 

For all it’s flaws and weird bits. I still find myself going back to Girly. 

Maybe now, some more people will too.

[themovieblogonline]

Ghostbusters Fan? 10 Must-See Scary-Funny Films

The Ghostbusters franchise is expanding with the all-new Frozen Empire. The film is already one of the most talked-about movies and is garnering praise from the critics as well. The iconic Ghostbusters are back on the scene! With the upcoming release of Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, fans everywhere are getting prepped to answer the call for another round of spooky thrills and hilarious scares. But what if you need a ghostbusting fix before then? Fear not, proton pack enthusiasts! We have the perfect cure for your Ghostbusters withdrawals. Here's a list of 10 awesome movies that capture the same spirit of mixing spooky chills with side-splitting laughs, just like the Ghostbusters themselves. 1. Zombieland (2009) If you want a dose of the undead with a healthy dose of humor, Zombieland (2009) is your pick. Starring Woody Harrelson, Jesse Eisenberg, and Emma Stone, this movie follows a group of survivors navigating a zombie apocalypse. Hilarious rules for survival ("Always double-tap") and witty banter make this movie a riot, with enough action and scares to keep you on the edge of your seat. 2. Men In Black (1997) Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones star as agents in a top-secret organization battling extraterrestrial threats in Men in Black (1997). This movie blends action, sci-fi, and laugh-out-loud humor, similar to Ghostbusters' blend of paranormal spookiness and slapstick comedy. Plus, those cool gadgets and iconic suits will have you feeling like a ghostbusting agent yourself! 3. Beetlejuice (1988) Beetlejuice (1988) takes the concept of "till death do us part" to a hilarious extreme. A deceased couple haunts their old house, desperately trying to scare away new residents. Enter Beetlejuice, a mischievous bio-exorcist with a flair for the bizarre. Michael Keaton steals the show as the wacky Beetlejuice, and the movie's dark humor and wacky visuals will leave you giggling long after the credits roll. 4. The Frighteners (1996) Michael J. Fox stars as Frank, a man who can talk to the dead and uses this "gift" to run a ghost-busting scam. But things get real when he has to face down a vengeful spirit that threatens the entire town. The Frighteners (1996) offers a clever mix of humor, suspense, and supernatural chills, keeping you guessing until the very end. 5. Scary Movie (2000) Scary Movie (2000) takes a hilarious jab at classic horror films, much like Ghostbusters playfully poked fun at the paranormal investigator genre. Starring Anna Faris and Regina Hall, this movie is packed with laugh-out-loud moments as it parodies iconic scenes from movies like Scream and I Know What You Did Last Summer. 6. Casper (1995) Casper (1995) is a heartwarming story about a lonely ghost who befriends a young girl. But don't be fooled by the sweet premise, there are still some spooky moments (especially when Casper's uncles show up!). This movie offers a perfect balance of humor, scares, and a touch of childhood wonder, similar to the way Ghostbusters manages to be scary and funny at the same time. 7. House (1985) An author with serious writer’s block decides to make his late aunt’s house his permanent writing nook. Little does he know, he’s about to get plagued by paranormal occurrences that have to do with dead soldiers from the Vietnam War.  8. Gremlins (1984) A small furry creature and a handful of simple rules. What could go wrong? Probably everything? Gremlins is the epitome of absolute mayhem and laughter, with a sprinkle of spook that will leave you entertained in the best way.  9. Evolution (2001) An alien invasion and faster-than-a-blink growth is a deadly combination that a meteor brings to Earth. Four science professionals need to get to the bottom of it before the earthly planet gets infested with creepy intergalactic creatures.  10. The Monster Squad (1987) All Universal Monsters in one feature? You’ll not want to miss The Monster Squad. The monster gang, led by Count Dracula, is on the hunt for a power-yielding amulet. However, it’s not a piece of cake when they’re face-to-face with a squad of 12-year-olds who will do everything to prevent the monsters from getting their creepy claws on the jewel.  Whether it’s dealing with Ghostbusters withdrawals or you simply want to binge-watch some equally comedic and scary movies, these have you covered. The horror-comedy genre is one tricky trick to master but these movies will allow you to experience the best of it.  Read the full article

[potterology]

hi been following you and only realized that you like kdramas too, any recs?

omg hello hello!! this is weird I haven't gotten an ask in years lol anyways I've watched kdramas on and off for a long time so here’s a list of old/new shows that are memorable to me in no particular order~~~

1) do you like brahms?- man oh man as an introvert, this drama just slapped me with all the relatability. It has the perfect balance of melo, angst, and swoon. 10/10 would watch again just to see my bbies Kim min jae and Park Eun Bin get all heart eyes for each other :’) 

2) coffee prince- a true classic- u simply can’t call yourself a kdrama fan if u haven’t watched this one

3) misaeng- if u want fluffy, don't watch this lol it’s v realistic and painful but like..in a good way, highly recommend- acting and character development is top notch

4) because this is my first life- so so so good! one of the few dramas out there that actually do justice to both the main couple & it’s side characters!!

5) crash landing on you- I binged watch this in like a day and thank god that I started it when all the eps came out bc I would have prob dropped it since the later eps get kinda ridiculous tbh. regardless, u get chemistry! wonderful ost! hyun bin! Switzerland landscape! all chef’s kiss!!

5) reply series- I didn’t watch the second season, but the first and third are wonderful (even if my otp didn't make it in the third season.. still not over it)

6) hospital playlist- v wholesome. great friendship, fucking hilarious, ost is amazing. just an overall good show to watch

7) the secret life of my secretary- this came out like a year ago and had a bunch of ridiculous kdrama tropes which normally would make me drop a show BUT the actors had top notch chemistry and it just somehow worked. v fluffy and cute

8) my girl- I think this might be one of the first dramas I watched like waaayyy back so it’s very close to my heart. loved Lee Dong wook ever since hehehee

9) Scarlett heart ryeo- If u like to suffer like me, watch this. V painful. Don't get attached to any characters- that’s all I gotta say about this one

10) Gangnam beauty- real good, shows the crazy side of unattainable beauty standards and expectations for women in Korea (and honestly everywhere else) also if you like dramas where the male lead is just oh so smitten for the girl- this one is for u

11) extraordinary you- I recently just watched this as my “distraction drama” while waiting for new dylb episodes but ended up binging anyways bc its so funny and cute??? Like I love how they make fun of drama tropes so much it’s literally such a fresh plot line and the actress is great!! I feel like it’s hard to pull off her character but she balanced the aegyo/ bubblehead/ sympathetic character so well that it didn’t come off as annoying. V recommended

12) the idle mermaid- okay so from what I remember they cancelled this one so the ending was v abrupt but this drama was actually so good during its run!! I’m still pissed the episodes were cut down bc the storyline literally went from 0-100 real quick- but not in a good storytelling way lol. it had so much potential but I don’t think it got enough views or something so tvn said bye byeeee

13) suspicious partner- this is prob the only one on this list that I truly loved in the first half but dropped by like ep 14?? ji chang wook and nam ji hyun’s chemistry was simply radiating off the screen but the story line just kinda got mehhh by the end for me tbh and I ended up reading the recaps to see what happened in the end...I watched this as the episodes were coming out so if I was able to binge watch I would have prob finished it. regardless, the first 3/4 of this drama is truly superb, thus I’m gonna add it on the list

UPDATE: 2020 got me quarantined and watching so much kdramas- here’s more

14) Uncanny Counter- no romantic plot but my god this show is so good and action packed and heartwarming

15) Into the Ring- I did not hear about this drama at all when it was airing which is such a shame!!!! I saw a YouTube fan made video of it and got curious and my god this show is so fuckin good!!! The balance of comedy, politics and romance was superb. Gong and Sera are prob one of the best romantic couples in kdrama land. They got together pretty early to kdrama standards and normally you’d expect there to be a subplot where they’d break up or some shit but the writers said nah and we luv to see it :)) so many small intimate and mundane moments between our couple making my heart melt and all. If u like soft bois this one is for you!!!! Want a gong myself :’)

I got lots more so will update this post as I go but those are just ones I can name at the top of my head right now!!!

[wired-mk]

I watched the WBB movie tonight and here's a hopefully spoiler-free review!!

It's basically a deconstruction of the show where the bear's antics aren't taken as lightly and it's pretty damn shocking!!

Trout, you have a small dick, it's like the size of this walnut but way smaller

There's like...ONE Panlie moment but it's super short

The bears all sing a song together and its amazing (well Ice talks, but still)

There's a Grumpy Cat expy and she's really adorable??

One of the bears says something in the climax that will probably make you cry, and if that doesn't what happens afterwards definitely will

Further expands on how the bears met and why they consider each other brothers

The ending is very action-packed and heartwarming

San Francisco would definitely be very different, if the show were to continue! (I will not elaborate)

It was a lot more dramatic and serious than I expected, but manages to balance it out with great comedy and a bunch of meme references (I'd say my favorite joke but it's a spoiler)

In other words, PLEASE WATCH IT