#op your art style is gorgeous hello !!

[chocosnowflake0]

im sorry but is that narinder's cloak thing sown onto corrupted bishop! lamb's outfit?

i don't know if it's cause i have had an emotional morning but genuinely trying to hold back tears right now fuckkk, aAAaa the implicATioNsss, trying to piece the story through the design and every detail is just making me wanna cry moree why does lamb have so many cat skulls is it like an in memory/trying to keep nari's memory close or or i fhujfesihr

your art design is absolutely gorgeous op, wonderful work and as always your style is so pretty, dunno why i always love how you draw lamb's snout if that makes sense

it's very shapes/pos

hello anooon And yes! thats Nari's cream cloak, the upper part of it at least. Their cat's gone and now its time for the Lamb to keep going by themselves which... didnt go well btw. I mentioned somewhere in a post some weeks ago that the Lamb would be kinda lost without Narinder by their side and imma holdin' onto that idea. Fluffy soft thing rolling into madness once they noticed they (for some reason) are not able ot revive Nari 👀

THEYCRYHEREHEREANON /PATSPATSINTENSIFIES tysm, honey! <3 Here to gib y'all some furry floofy lamb to enjoy Also,,, sum au sketches ; )

The Fox here to give terrible advises -> corrupted Lamb starting a whole cat genocide campain thanks to him. the cats skulls are just victims trophies since skulls arent the type of bones needed for rituals -

/dissapears sorry if my english slipped somewhere, its rusty af

[puryartist]

Hello, I present to you Elsa with 1700s hair, oh and with her updo too

I tried to make the first one resemble her braid style. Long time I ever drew Frozen fanart again. This time she got more human proportions.

OP your art style is so gorgeous.

[transmasc-wizard]

I saw your tags on the "most played video game hours" post about just starting to be a Gamer this year, and now I'm curious. What are your favorite games? I know you mentioned Hollow Knight, but what else? Are you a platformer person, or is Hollow Knight an exception to a pattern?

I'm just curious bc most of my friends or acquaintances are very big RPG people, like Dragon Age or BG3 (which tracks since most of my friends are also dnd/ttrpg people), and/or life sim (stardew valley, the sims, fields of mistria, etc.) people. There are a couple outliers though, like the DM of my Curse of Strahd game who's really into Hollow Knight, and two of the players in our Sat/Sun group who are huge horror game fans (Dead By Daylight, the new Silent Hill 2 remake, Resident Evil, that sort of thing).

And since I know your tastes kinda span all three of those things (you mentioned Hollow Knight, you play dnd, and you're a horror fan), where your gaming niche is. If it's one of the things I've brought up or if it's something totally different. (Mine is super specifically turn-based combat RPGs, either story-based, or roguelikes/lites. BG3, P:WotR, Slay the Spire, Wildermyth, etc.) It's okay if you don't think you have a niche yet, or even you never think you'll develop one, I'm just curious. I don't know that many writeblr people who do much gaming.

OH, and I wanted to mention the game I just bought on Wednesday, because it seems like something that might interest you/just has a cool concept in general. It's called Elsinore, and it's sort of like a mix of a visual novel and also a Sims game, but it's based on Hamlet, and you play as Ophelia, and it's a timeloop that you slowly learn more about after dying over and over (you are doomed by the narrative after all) until you eventually reach an "ending". I have yet to play it, but I've heard very good things, and I'm super excited to get into it when I'm in the mood for a game that requires a little more thinking than my combat-heavy RPGs. The art style is gorgeous, and Ophelia's design is a Black woman, and she looks stunning.

Okay, that's enough of a mega-ramble from me, hahaha. It's after midnight and I'm just getting over being sick, so I'm making even less sense than usual. I'm just nosy.

As per usual, ignore the main url, this is Morri @six-improbable-things / @memento-morri-writes (oh how I regret making these two sideblogs, since I really like keeping my blogs and social circles separate, but alas, it's been years, and I'm too entrenched and stubborn to make a new account and move over all my stuff.)

(this might take the cake for the longest, most rambling ask I've ever sent in my life, which is saying something. I'm so very sorry.)

hello I spent all day watching vox machina for the first time with my girlfriend so i am only now getting to this

so Hollow Knight is currently my favourite game, as my hours indicate, and i do like the platform elements. currently the only other platformer I've played is celeste, which I'm like... 4 levels into out of 9? and I like it. and then not a platformer but one of my favourite games is Omori as well, which... probably tracks with who I am as a person.

but primarily I actually like playing survival horror co-ops with my friends :) we play lethal company a TON together, modded and unmodded, and we just yesterday spent almost 5 hours playing Nuclear Nightmare. I'd say that's the gaming experience I look forward to most. I like the combination of horror built worlds and incredibly silly times with friends. (I also play, like, roblox. with them. but that's not for the *game* it's just for the *friends* while survival horror games are For The Game.)

that visual novel sounds rlly interesting !! the only visual novels I've played are doki doki literature club, good lord everyone at my high school reunion is a trans man and they're all hot, and life after magic (wildly different vibes lol). so I don't have much of a VN like niche or anything yet, but elsinore sounds interesting and I am adding it to my video game wishlist :)

[norelationtoatticus]

Hi, I have accidentally become a connoisseur of children's picture books, and here are some of our tried-and-tested faves!

Books my kid enjoyed straight out of the womb (and I would recommend all of these in their board book version):

Black Cat & White Cat, by Claire Garralon

High contrast black and white visuals for newborns

Baby Beluga, by Rafi

Classic, gorgeous art

Can read it or sing it

You could give the baby a Beluga stuffie to go with it, boom, perfect easy gift

Love In The Wild, by Katy Tanis

Super bold, simple colors on solid backgrounds, good for baby eyes

Inclusive, teaches that queerness is natural 🌈

References interesting science and nature stuff, so it grows with the kid

Hello, Hello, by Brendan Wenzel 

He has an amazing art style

Another one that is bold, vivid colors on white backgrounds, so good for baby's eyes

Introduces tons of different animals, and good for talking about body features (ex: noses, ears, wings, etc)

Kitten's First Full Moon, by Kevin Henkes

A little kitten thinks the moon is a bowl of milk... and she wants it

Black and white

More fun to read-aloud than a lot of books for this age range

The Night Is Deep And Wide, by Gillian Sze

Black and white for high contrast

Weird, rhythmic, great vibes, good bedtime book

Books my kid likes best now (she is 2.5, and all of these are ones that she and I enjoy reading together at bedtime):

Swashby and the Sea, by Beth Ferry

Grumpy old pirate makes friends with a little girl and her granny, with some help from the meddling sea

Funny, really fun to read aloud and do a pirate voice

Good, whimsical, well-paced story, very satisfying to read, even as an adult

The art is inclusive, as one of the 2 main characters is a little Black girl

Pretty Kitty, by Karen Beaumont

Old man accidentally adopts 10 cats

Funny and fun to read out loud

But also, oh my god this one makes me cry. Not my kid, though. She hasn't noticed the layers of it yet

I notice some new detail in the art of this one every time I read it

Perfect for a cat-loving family

There Are No Bears In This Bakery, by Julia Sarcone-Roach

There are, in fact, bears in the bakery

You have to read this one in a film noir detective voice, it's a requirement

Good story, very charming

Really well written, some very clever similies and descriptive language

My Friend Earth, by Patricia MacLachlan 

Mother earth guides you through seasons and eco scapes, showing reverence and care for all creatures

Lovely, rhythmic, flows nicely to read aloud

Gorgeous art, and each page has cut-outs, flaps, and layers

All The World, by Liz Garton Scanlon

I really don't know how to describe the plot of this one, but it's lovely and I want to live in it

Simple, soft, and easy to read out loud, great bedtime book

Together We Grow, by Susan Vaught

Farm animals won't let a fox family take shelter during a rain storm, but one brave little duckling changes everyone's minds/hearts and welcomes them

Adorable art and story

Not a lot of words, but lots of detail in the pictures, so it's a good one to talk about while reading

Nice message of inclusion and overcoming bias

I'll Meet You In Your Dreams, by Jessica Young

Makes me cry every time I read it lol

Lovely, whimsical, great bedtime book

A kid will read this one as a sweet, fantastical promise to have nice dreams together. A parent will read this one and think about their own mortality and how much they love their kid

Hope this helps, OP! Good luck!

(Also, just throwing this out there: if anyone else ever wants modern children's picture book recommendations, message me! We read a ton!)

My SIL has asked for books instead of cards for her baby shower, does anyone have some recommendations? I’m completely out of my depth lol.

[nights-lament]

RWBY Volume 8, Chapter 1 Thoughts and Opinions

HELLO, INTERWEBS!!! At long last, we are back with more RWBY, and with it, more RWBY Thoughts and Opinions! After the absolute roller coaster that was Volume 7's cliffhanger finale, I can not imagine the insanity that awaits us this Volume. So, without further ado, here are my various thoughts and opinions on Chapter 1 of RWBY Volume 8, "Divide"

SPOILERS BELOW:

Hmm, starting off with a mysterious woman scrubbing floors, and...wait, is that...no...

I really like the way they juxtapose Cinder scrubbing with her scratching the chair. Very symbolic.

Yick, something about organic architecture just gives me the willies. I mean, is the whale aware that they double as a building complex? Can they feel the diabolical ongoings of it's rib cage? Creepy stuff.

Oof, outright taking credit for grabbing the relic, Cinder? Yeah, no way that's going to bite you in the ass.

Oh my. Mercury, Emerald, AND Hazel have new looks this season. I'm sure I'll warm up to them eventually, but right now Emerald's and Hazel's aren't really doing this. For Hazel, the outfit is all right, but the hair is a bit boring compared to his originals. Mercury's is ok, but is it just me, or is he basically wearing Yang's V4-6 outfit? I mean, it works, but still.

"Without you, I am nothing." That...didn't sound like the first time she's said that. It almost sounds like something Salem's drilled into her head for years. Cinder may be irredeemable in my opinion, but I do love a good tragic backstory.

You know, I guess would make sense for the crater to be the slums area. Can't imagine living directly under a floating landmass would be considered prime real estate.

Ooh, this old man has badger paws. I don't think we've seen that kind of Faunus trait yet.

D'aaww, Nora gave Oscar a soft hug rather than her usual glomp. So cute ^-^

I'm interested in how Oscar not telling them about Oz is going to play out.

Ok, their is a lot going on in this bar-base worth talking about, but for some reason I am fascinated by the picture of (i'm assuming) the founders in the background. What interesting designs they have. I feel like they have a story, and I would like to hear it.

Penny's dejected demeanor is giving me all of the feels Q_Q

Not sure how I feel about the rift forming between RWBYJNRO, though I guess we'll have to see where it goes. At least we have people like Jaune playing mediator.

I will say, though, I look forward to seeing Ren and Nora apart. As much as I love them as a couple, I'd very much like to see them operate as individuals.

God, Ironwood trying to manipulate Penny like that.

And there it is. Ironwood has truly revealed his true feelings, and his motivation for his attempt to launch Atlas. He isn't making a tactical retreat in order to form a new plan altogether. He's abandoning the fight altogether, leaving Remnant to die so that he and Atlas can live. It's funny, he wanted to avoid becoming Lionheart, but he was a coward too.

"Everything that follows will be on your hands". That motherf-

You know, we don't see a lot of corpses on this show, do we? Penny got better, Amber's screentime ended as she died, Roman got eaten, Pyrrha got an express viking funeral, etc, and a lot of others were only corpses for seconds before we never saw them again. They did a good job selling how proper dead Clover is here.

Ok, I don't know squat about Hospital layouts. Is it normal to have the morgue right outside of an emergency room? I mean, I guess it saves some travel time should things go wrong, but still, seems like a great anxiety generator for the patient, especially with both rooms having windows. "That's where I'll be going next."

I like the new metal arm. The fact that you can see all of the internal stuff makes it feel like it was quickly put together for the sake of urgency, while still looking cool.

Man, that rendition of "Hero" in the background. Chilling.

Is Winter getting a new look already? I must say. I like the look of the braces, and the ponytail is a vast improvement over the bun.

JESUS H CHRIST IRONWOOD!!! I THOUGHT HE WAS GOING OUT THERE TO ARREST THEM!!! THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN A PRETTY BIG FASCIST MOVE, RIGHT!? HE JUST SHOT CHAD JAMES IN THE FACE!!!

What really interests me is everyone's reactions. Elm and Marrow are incredibly shocked, Harriet and Winter share their little look of doubt, and then there's Vine who just...doesn't react at all. Either that or it's all in his eyes, which we can't really see from here. Either way, not a huge reaction from him. Methinks the Ace-Ops and Winter might be starting to doubt the horse they bet on.

I find it interesting that Salem doesn't know how the Relic works, but then I suppose it makes sense, seeing as Oz probably placed them into the vaults almost immediately after finding them, so this is probably the first time she's even seen one in person..

Ok, OP time, and buckle up, guys, gals, and nonbinary pals, because this one is going to be a doozy.

-First off, the song sounds pretty good, but it seems like it's going to go through the same cycle as the rest where it doesn't do too much for me at first, but has me headbanging like a metalhead by the end of the volume

- Mantle glitching out between peaceful and wartorn is a wonderful effect. Definitely fills you with a sense of dread.

-The individual shots of Team RWBY are absolutely gorgeous. Conceptually, it's the standard "where we started and where we're at", but the composition is worthy of a chef's kiss. I think I've found my new wallpaper.

-The Ace-Ops appearing on Clover's pin is nice, but what I find interesting is Harriet and Qrow appearing back to back, especially with Harriet looking so angry. Is Harriet going to double down on her loyalty to Ironwood and go after Qrow?

- It seems Robyn is going to be Qrow's main source of support this season, though the bars seem to suggest they might be in custody for a while.

-Oscar seems to be in Salem's stronghold, which doesn't bode well for our farmboy, also, WHY DOES SALEM HAVE DEMON WINGS!? Emerald's Volume 5 illusion wasn't this scary looking!

-I feel like their's symbolism showing Team RWBY's weapons paired together like that, but I feel like it's too early to say what of. Looks pretty, though

-Ren and Nora standing so far apart. It hurts my soul! Interesting how, while Ren looks away, Nora actually turns towards him.

-I didn't notice Winter's change of expression/outfit before passing by Weiss. She went from looking confident and slightly condescending to full with doubt.

-Not a lot to say about the quick shots of Whitley and Willow other then the fact that they both look worried. The image of the Schnee Snowflake shattering, however, is VERY interesting.

-I'm always a sucker for some good ol' chess symbolism. I find it interesting that while Salem's pieces dissolve into creatures of Grimm, Ironwood's simply dissolve, leaving him alone. Perhaps shooting a fellow councilman in the face right in front of his inner circle doesn't play out as well for him as well as he thought it would.

- Speaking of the classics, also gotta love me some reflection artwork. Watts seems to be working behind Pietro's back while Pietro (presumably) works to get Amity running, while secretly worrying about Penny, whose reflection cracks, possibly symbolizing her resolve. I worry for her.

- The snowflake turning into a flower petal in Ren's hand, while a similar petal passes Nora by. I don't know what this means, but I'm intrigued.

- It seems Ruby and Yang won't be completely be at odds, judging by the look they give each other before going into the action shot.

- Hmm, while Cinder pulls a Za Warudo on the fight scene, you can see a dejected Emerald and a pissed off Neo, still moving, among the heroes. Interesting...

-Almost as interesting as Cinder grasping her Grimm arm before being engulfed in flames. Perhaps Salem pulled a Wormtail's Silver Hand with that arm.

-Is this the first time we've seen the Staff of Creation in it's entirety? I remember wanting to include it and the Lamp in my RWBY Vol 7 spritesheet, but couldn't find any images of it's bottom half. I like the little jewel on the bottom.

-Wow, CRWBY went full Kingdom Hearts with the heroes falling through the ice, and I absolutely LOVE IT! This op has some of the most gorgeous visuals the series has ever seen.

-HAPPY EVER AFTER HAPPY? NEVER AGAIN Daaaaaaamn, that's awesome. It kind of reminds me of a line from Red Like Roses Part II, "This bedtime story ends with Misery Ever After". It's incredibly haunting.

-Almost as haunting as the sketchy art style that flashes in between the words, particularly the part that shows Penny's eyes going red before the rest of her does. Did we predict Watts hacking Penny a volume too early?

-The final shot of Crescent Rose alone stuck in the snow. Damn. The theme of this op seems to be "foreboding as all hell"

Damn. Damn! DAMN! This was, without question, the best OP RWBY has ever had. By, like, a lot. The visuals were some of the best the show has ever had to offer, the foreboding is through the roof, and the symbolism is incredibly clever. I don't envy them when it comes time to make Volume 9's, because this will be a very tough act to beat. I am so happy to have RWBY back, and I am both excited and terrified to see what this show is going to do next.

[shadows-twilight]

RWBY Volume 8, Chapter 1 Thoughts and Opinions

HELLO, INTERWEBS!!! At long last, we are back with more RWBY, and with it, more RWBY Thoughts and Opinions! After the absolute roller coaster that was Volume 7's cliffhanger finale, I can not imagine the insanity that awaits us this Volume. So, without further ado, here are my various thoughts and opinions on Chapter 1 of RWBY Volume 8, "Divide"

SPOILERS BELOW:

Hmm, starting off with a mysterious woman scrubbing floors, and...wait, is that...no...

I really like the way they juxtapose Cinder scrubbing with her scratching the chair. Very symbolic.

Yick, something about organic architecture just gives me the willies. I mean, is the whale aware that they double as a building complex? Can they feel the diabolical ongoings of it's rib cage? Creepy stuff.

Oof, outright taking credit for grabbing the relic, Cinder? Yeah, no way that's going to bite you in the ass.

Oh my. Mercury, Emerald, AND Hazel have new looks this season. I'm sure I'll warm up to them eventually, but right now Emerald's and Hazel's aren't really doing this. For Hazel, the outfit is all right, but the hair is a bit boring compared to his originals. Mercury's is ok, but is it just me, or is he basically wearing Yang's V4-6 outfit? I mean, it works, but still.

"Without you, I am nothing." That...didn't sound like the first time she's said that. It almost sounds like something Salem's drilled into her head for years. Cinder may be irredeemable in my opinion, but I do love a good tragic backstory.

You know, I guess would make sense for the crater to be the slums area. Can't imagine living directly under a floating landmass would be considered prime real estate.

Ooh, this old man has badger paws. I don't think we've seen that kind of Faunus trait yet.

D'aaww, Nora gave Oscar a soft hug rather than her usual glomp. So cute ^-^

I'm interested in how Oscar not telling them about Oz is going to play out.

Ok, their is a lot going on in this bar-base worth talking about, but for some reason I am fascinated by the picture of (i'm assuming) the founders in the background. What interesting designs they have. I feel like they have a story, and I would like to hear it.

Penny's dejected demeanor is giving me all of the feels Q_Q

Not sure how I feel about the rift forming between RWBYJNRO, though I guess we'll have to see where it goes. At least we have people like Jaune playing mediator.

I will say, though, I look forward to seeing Ren and Nora apart. As much as I love them as a couple, I'd very much like to see them operate as individuals.

God, Ironwood trying to manipulate Penny like that.

And there it is. Ironwood has truly revealed his true feelings, and his motivation for his attempt to launch Atlas. He isn't making a tactical retreat in order to form a new plan altogether. He's abandoning the fight altogether, leaving Remnant to die so that he and Atlas can live. It's funny, he wanted to avoid becoming Lionheart, but he was a coward too.

"Everything that follows will be on your hands". That motherf-

You know, we don't see a lot of corpses on this show, do we? Penny got better, Amber's screentime ended as she died, Roman got eaten, Pyrrha got an express viking funeral, etc, and a lot of others were only corpses for seconds before we never saw them again. They did a good job selling how proper dead Clover is here.

Ok, I don't know squat about Hospital layouts. Is it normal to have the morgue right outside of an emergency room? I mean, I guess it saves some travel time should things go wrong, but still, seems like a great anxiety generator for the patient, especially with both rooms having windows. "That's where I'll be going next."

I like the new metal arm. The fact that you can see all of the internal stuff makes it feel like it was quickly put together for the sake of urgency, while still looking cool.

Man, that rendition of "Hero" in the background. Chilling.

Is Winter getting a new look already? I must say. I like the look of the braces, and the ponytail is a vast improvement over the bun.

JESUS H CHRIST IRONWOOD!!! I THOUGHT HE WAS GOING OUT THERE TO ARREST THEM!!! THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN A PRETTY BIG FASCIST MOVE, RIGHT!? HE JUST SHOT CHAD JAMES IN THE FACE!!!

What really interests me is everyone's reactions. Elm and Marrow are incredibly shocked, Harriet and Winter share their little look of doubt, and then there's Vine who just...doesn't react at all. Either that or it's all in his eyes, which we can't really see from here. Either way, not a huge reaction from him. Methinks the Ace-Ops and Winter might be starting to doubt the horse they bet on.

I find it interesting that Salem doesn't know how the Relic works, but then I suppose it makes sense, seeing as Oz probably placed them into the vaults almost immediately after finding them, so this is probably the first time she's even seen one in person..

Ok, OP time, and buckle up, guys, gals, and nonbinary pals, because this one is going to be a doozy.

-First off, the song sounds pretty good, but it seems like it's going to go through the same cycle as the rest where it doesn't do too much for me at first, but has me headbanging like a metalhead by the end of the volume

- Mantle glitching out between peaceful and wartorn is a wonderful effect. Definitely fills you with a sense of dread.

-The individual shots of Team RWBY are absolutely gorgeous. Conceptually, it's the standard "where we started and where we're at", but the composition is worthy of a chef's kiss. I think I've found my new wallpaper.

-The Ace-Ops appearing on Clover's pin is nice, but what I find interesting is Harriet and Qrow appearing back to back, especially with Harriet looking so angry. Is Harriet going to double down on her loyalty to Ironwood and go after Qrow?

- It seems Robyn is going to be Qrow's main source of support this season, though the bars seem to suggest they might be in custody for a while.

-Oscar seems to be in Salem's stronghold, which doesn't bode well for our farmboy, also, WHY DOES SALEM HAVE DEMON WINGS!? Emerald's Volume 5 illusion wasn't this scary looking!

-I feel like their's symbolism showing Team RWBY's weapons paired together like that, but I feel like it's too early to say what of. Looks pretty, though

-Ren and Nora standing so far apart. It hurts my soul! Interesting how, while Ren looks away, Nora actually turns towards him.

-I didn't notice Winter's change of expression/outfit before passing by Weiss. She went from looking confident and slightly condescending to full with doubt.

-Not a lot to say about the quick shots of Whitley and Willow other then the fact that they both look worried. The image of the Schnee Snowflake shattering, however, is VERY interesting.

-I'm always a sucker for some good ol' chess symbolism. I find it interesting that while Salem's pieces dissolve into creatures of Grimm, Ironwood's simply dissolve, leaving him alone. Perhaps shooting a fellow councilman in the face right in front of his inner circle doesn't play out as well for him as well as he thought it would.

- Speaking of the classics, also gotta love me some reflection artwork. Watts seems to be working behind Pietro's back while Pietro (presumably) works to get Amity running, while secretly worrying about Penny, whose reflection cracks, possibly symbolizing her resolve. I worry for her.

- The snowflake turning into a flower petal in Ren's hand, while a similar petal passes Nora by. I don't know what this means, but I'm intrigued.

- It seems Ruby and Yang won't be completely be at odds, judging by the look they give each other before going into the action shot.

- Hmm, while Cinder pulls a Za Warudo on the fight scene, you can see a dejected Emerald and a pissed off Neo, still moving, among the heroes. Interesting...

-Almost as interesting as Cinder grasping her Grimm arm before being engulfed in flames. Perhaps Salem pulled a Wormtail's Silver Hand with that arm.

-Is this the first time we've seen the Staff of Creation in it's entirety? I remember wanting to include it and the Lamp in my RWBY Vol 7 spritesheet, but couldn't find any images of it's bottom half. I like the little jewel on the bottom.

-Wow, CRWBY went full Kingdom Hearts with the heroes falling through the ice, and I absolutely LOVE IT! This op has some of the most gorgeous visuals the series has ever seen.

-HAPPY EVER AFTER HAPPY? NEVER AGAIN Daaaaaaamn, that's awesome. It kind of reminds me of a line from Red Like Roses Part II, "This bedtime story ends with Misery Ever After". It's incredibly haunting.

-Almost as haunting as the sketchy art style that flashes in between the words, particularly the part that shows Penny's eyes going red before the rest of her does. Did we predict Watts hacking Penny a volume too early?

-The final shot of Crescent Rose alone stuck in the snow. Damn. The theme of this op seems to be "foreboding as all hell"

Damn. Damn! DAMN! This was, without question, the best OP RWBY has ever had. By, like, a lot. The visuals were some of the best the show has ever had to offer, the foreboding is through the roof, and the symbolism is incredibly clever. I don't envy them when it comes time to make Volume 9's, because this will be a very tough act to beat. I am so happy to have RWBY back, and I am both excited and terrified to see what this show is going to do next.

[anyeas]

(hi!) if u receive this u make somebody happy. go and send this to ten of ur followers who make u happy or somebody u think needs cheering up. if u get it back even better 💕

(hello!) tysm for sending this ! ! im a huge huge fan of your op art tho im not�� in the fandom ! but your art style is gorgeous !

[uniformbravo]

a bunch of winter 2020 anime first impressions from Me

Koisuru Asteroid / Asteroid In Love

ok ive already professed my love for this one so i wont get too much into it but basically it’s Extremely cute & im way invested in the two (HOPEFULLY romantic) leads bc their relationship is so sweet so far aaaaaaa

like do u SEE this shit im actually tearing up hgnfhrognfghdjfnjg

this show is Pretty and Cute and Space-Themed and Probably Gay what more do u Need. i love it 10/10

Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken!

so fucken good, this is the one i was most excited for based purely on the art style/animation and god did it deliver, everything is such a treat to look at i fuckin LOVE a setting w/ just as much personality as the characters

and My Goodness the Characters, 3 distinct girls w/ strong designs & personalities that aren’t like super moe/catered to cishet dudes heLLO

we Love a gremlin protag & her chaotic neutral best friend & the “fuck you dad i want to make anime” dreamer they meet........

also HELL YEAH it’s about making anime and they don’t even use that as a gimmicky set piece, the art is a huge part of the story and the detail with which it’s explored in the first ep gives me high hopes for the rest of the show aaaaa so excited to see where this one goes after that BANGER of a first episode

Jibaku Shounen Hanako-kun

switching gears to a less great one lol..... so the thing is this show’s visual aesthetic absolutely fucking slaps in a way that’s so rare to see in a sea of samey anime art styles, like the character designs are unique and everything is so damn colorful, the backgrounds alone blow me away w/ how fuckin Pretty they are??? LOOK at this shit

and just. this show has a lot of stylistic flourishes that make it like 100/100 Certified Good-To-Look-At Anime

which makes every other aspect of the show that much more disappointing lmaoooo like ok i can deal w/ a mediocre story if the visuals slap, which they Do, but also these characters look 10 & we’re doing the whole sexualizing minors thing which fucking BLOWS it’s so uncomfortable to watch........... i feel like it’s one of those things where they’re trying to justify it by being like “o well hanako’s like a thousand year old spirit or whatever so he’s not REALLY underage” but fuckin. fuck off he looks and sounds like a Young Boy yall know what ur doing ugh

it’s not a thing that happens Constantly throughout the episode, really just a few moments here and there, but it is in the op pretty prominently so i feel like it’s gonna be a Thing that keeps happening so idk if i’ll stick w/ this one in particular which is a Damn Shame bc it really is such a gorgeous looking show im mad

number24

ok ngl just from the character designs alone i rly didn’t think this one was gonna make as good a first impression as it did??? i guess the huge ensemble cast of pretty boys reminded me of last season’s actors: songs connection, which uh. was Not great,

so i went into it totally expecting it to be all shitty but it rly surprised me, i found it so intriguing? the characters are actually really endearing so far...... i love how it doesn’t try to shove the entire cast in our faces in the v first ep but instead starts out w/ a small handful and lets us spend a lil time w/ them while only giving assorted Hints and passing impressions of the others, that was nice

also love how very not “generic sports anime” it is right off the bat by dropping us right into the middle of these characters’ story instead of doing the whole “bright-eyed first year joins the team and fights his way to the top” sorta deal- which you’d think would be a confusing and awkwardly paced approach but in this case is handled surprisingly well, especially because it seems like it’s gonna have a lot more elements of a character drama than a straight up classic sports anime (which i am Super here for)

(there is a lot of rugby in the op though so we’ll see how things go, it’s only been 1 ep after all)

the air drop into the characters’ established lives makes introductions a lot more organic as well; since the characters are already familiar with each other we don’t have to sit around watching everyone introduce themselves to the protag, we get to infer their relationships and general opinions of each other through their various interactions & it’s a thousand times more engaging imo!!

i mean we do have this other first year joining as a manager and our protag did deliberately say he learned everyone’s names/info after deciding to become a manager so im sure we’ll be getting those character introductions anyway, but well. we’ll cross that bridge if/when we come to it

also i believe this takes place in college rather than high school?? i couldn’t pay attention to every detail but i definitely got that kind of vibe in which case Hell Yeah another welcome deviation from the norm babeeyyyy (i just checked and it Is college yeehaw)

basically what im saying is im tired of tropes & number24 just no clipped past the first 25 chapters of the sports anime formula and also it’s set in university AND it seems to be character-driven & im living thanks thank u

Pet

ok ill be honest i completely forgot that i watched this one lmaooo (which should give u a hint as to what i thought of it *thinking emoji*)

the art style’s whatever and the animation’s whatever, nothing special there. the show is like, dark?? more stupid than dark idk it feels a little bit “welcome to my twisted mind” but the twist is homophobia w/ a mild side of ableism, and also an entire episode of suspense wondering if im gonna have to watch this black side character die (he doesn’t, so there’s that at least)

honestly i cant even remember what drew me to this show enough to put it in my plan to watch, i guess the premise sounded interesting enough (something about controlling minds and erasing memories?), but mature psychological shows usually aren’t really my scene, especially when they’re executed.... Like That. i did kind of enjoy the twist at the end, mildly, though i feel like it was pretty obvious in hindsight and the only reason i didn’t see it coming is bc i can be astoundingly shortsighted when it comes to things like that (aka im DUMB)

since it took until the very end of the episode to Really introduce our dynamic duo tho, i feel like this ep was more of a prologue than anything and the Real show is gonna begin in ep 2, which is great n all but uh. idk if i care enough to give that a watch tbhhhh. i might just to see what the show has to offer but really truly honestly cant see myself sticking this one thru to the end lmao rip

--

hate to end on a bummer note like that but hey that’s all i got for this post ! i have more shit to watch so i’ll probably end up making like a part 2 w/ more impressions but this is getting long enough that it’s becoming kind of a pain to keep adding more so thats it for now boiyoeiyeoii

[courage-a-word-of-justice]

Double Decker 12 - 13 (FINAL) | Golden Kamuy 23 - 24 (FINAL) | Merc Storia 11 - 12 (FINAL) | Zombieland Saga 12 (FINAL) | Gridman 12 (FINAL) | Cells at Work! 14 (OVA) | Shield Hero 1 | Boogiepop 1 - 2 | Egao no Daika 1

Trigger warnings for rape and slavery in the Shield Hero commentary.

Double Decker 12

Deana’s actually kinda tsundere…that’s kinda amazing to see, really.

I noticed Doug’s phone says “Dr. Apple”. Haha.

Kirill’s special. But why? You never answered that, people! Update: It’s because his antibodies are an antidote for Anthem.

There appears to be a Shell logo on one wall of Derick’s bar…LOL. Shell exists in real life. Why do we want it in an anime, now…?

I laughed so hard when I saw the landlady with what remained of Seven-O, hahaha.

Travis and Sophie, huh? Is it a ship or a working relationship? Who knows?

Oh! This didn’t make sense until Derick declared the bus was a bar. Rigggggggggght.

Kirill, believe in the Doug that believes in you…or something like that…

Kirill’s holding two guns, so when Cooper says, “Put down the gun,” which one does he mean???

“And Then There Weren’t None!” – Parodying (Agatha) Christie again, I see? (Referring to Hyouka’s Why Didn’t They Ask Evans parody, Why Didn’t She Ask Eba?.)

Golden Kamuy 23

How did “pig food” in a sentence become so terrifying???

Why is Tsurumi’s head leaking???

*Sugimoto bashes the earless twin with his prosthetic foot* - Well, that’s one way to get a leg up on someone…okay, I’ll see myself out.

Merc Storia 11

If Orthos is complaining about rain, why is he a water-element unit in the game???

This show is gorgeous. Not to mention the backgrounds look like they’ve been ripped out of the game…

Aw, Orthos is kinda cute. Kinda tsundere. I wonder if he wanted to hear “happy birthday” from Raviol…?

Every time I watch through the ED, I think Raviol’s going “Geddof me!” to Yuu.

Zombieland Saga 12 (FINAL)

The Yuugiri slap returns!

The 21st of December seems to have been the original airdate of this episode…

Karatsu-jou is Karatsu Castle, quite obviously.

Wait…does this mean Kotaro Tatsumi’s real (last) name is Inui? Or was this a “I changed my name bcause my mother/I (re)married” thing?

There’s an end of episode segment…keep watching.

That was…such a non-ending! This definitely needs a season 2 if it wants to finish its storyline! Plus, Yuugiri, Tatsumi and Tae never got their focus episodes!

Gridman 12 (FINAL)

What the heck was up with that smoke cloud? It looked so real, and yet so out of place!

Ooh, I see Anti now has the ability to transform by himself…although I should’ve figured that out last episode, since I think that happened then as well.

*Anti gets stabbed with Alexis’s sword* - What the hck just happened to my garbage son??? (refer to This Week in Anime for how that nickname came about for Anti)

Eyy. So you’re saying Gridman was a magical girl robot all along? Haha…hahahaha.

So basically, it’s Boueibu LOVE! but with less meta. With lessons of mortality instead of the Kabuki Rule. Akane’s basically female!Kinshiro, right down to the hairdo…

Wow…someone really ran out of budget. It’s literally just a slideshow, but with black and white over it.

Oh, there’s actually a nice piano song in the background. So maybe I was wrong about the budget…? I don’t really want to go and watch the slideshow again, y’know.

There’s a random live-action segment at the end of this show??? Wuh??? What do I need to expect next, a talking meteorite??? (referring to Dimension High School)

Okay, seriously??? What was up with live-action Rikka???? I don’t get it… Update: Okay, so the live-action girl was Akane, not Rikka. That’s why it was so confusing…

Double Decker 13 (FINAL)

I laughed really hard at the explosions. Probably because I Photoshopped someone into a picture of an explosion and the scene with Kirill being shoved forward by an explosion reminded me of it…

I wanted Max to slap Travis, as weird as that might be for a show like this (but not for a show like Zombieland Saga). A punch in the gut’s good too, though.

“To be continued?” – Oh. Ohh. Ooh…Heh. I already knew there were some extra episodes, but at this point, there’s no ruling out a season 2, either…hmmm. I really wouldn’t mind a season 2, y’know.

Golden Kamuy 24 (FINAL)

For some reason, I’ve ben referring to Hijikata as “old fart” for the length of this episode (meaning “not long”). He’s an impressive old fart, to be sure, and he was hella nice-looking in his heyday, but in the age of Golden Kamuy, he’s still an old fart.

I thought “Say hello to my little friend” was from Scarface, not…whatever Tsurumi’s pulling here. (commnt made in jest with straight face)

Seriously, what happened to ruin Nopperabo/Wilk’s face, anyway?

Someone make me a Civil War poster with Golden Kamuy characters, stat!

Wait, so Kiroranke, Asirpa and co. are headed north to meet up with Kiroranke’s allies, which could cause a civil/national war. Hijikata and Blockhead Dick-sensei (forgot his name) are headed south due to the info they got from Inudou’s hut (the chapel). I’m pretty sure that’s what just happened, but…I could have missed a bit and then I’d be wrong.

“Send the beloved child on a journey” is a Japanese saying, by the way. That’s (probably?) what Sugimoto’s referring to when he talks with the boat captain (the elder Koito). Oddly, the elder Koito seems to drop the last O from “-dono”, which seems to be a Satsuma thing…?

Cells at Work Special Ep (Ep 14)

Oh, you can see the effector cell amongst the other T Cells! Hello there!

I remember studying stuff about how a cell divides…man, that was at least 2 years ago! You’re making me feel old…

*Helper T Cell appears* - Gaddangit, Kazuma! (from Noragami)

Merc Storia 12 (FINAL)

There’s just something too awfully cute about a brother leaving the “nest”.

Even birds need to learn to fly. I wonder why Orthos didn’t…?

Ah! It’s one of those low-level hooting monsters! I’ve seen them in the game but I don’t know what they’re called…Update: They’re called Goldories. Spoke too soon…

Well…that’s a bit frustrating. That’s the second non-ending this season…hey! I’ve seen that elephant in the game! Plus that slime! (LOL, I’m so easily distracted…)

Ooh, that non-ending. I’ll give it a piece of its mind by giving it an average rating on my AniList!!! Rah!!! Anyways, see ya later…for 2019 anime.

Shield Hero 1

First anime of 2019 and it’s this one. Hoo boy – I’ve read one chapter of the manga, courtesy of CR. It’s gonna get nasty down in here, judging by the buzz that seems set to replicate Goblin Slayer’s…

Oh…that’s not a very favourable opening, the “It was all a dream” opening. Sure, it was gripping and showd Raphtalia (saw her name in promo material from ANN), but f*** if it weren’t overused at this point in time…

I always thought Shield Hero started out like Fushigi Yuugi…speaking of which, is that no longer on Crunchyroll?

Motoyasu’s got his own spinoff, so I’m hoping I’ll get to know him well over the next 12 weeks or so.

I find it interesting that they put the heroes together to reveal they’re from different versions of Japan so quickly. I’m pretty sure that didn’t happen in the manga.

Honestly, that “NOOOOOOOOOOOo!” could be an awesome reaction GIF. Just sayin’.

Sigh…Myne, Myne, Myne…you and your ways with Naofumi…

(Trigger warning: rape discussion) See? As I said, I knew this was going to happen. The thing is that it played out a lot more clearly in the anime than it did in the manga. As much as I don’t like the trope of “rape as accusation” enough (enough to have never encountered it before), it would be hypocritical of me to say I haven’t used it before – it appears in Half-Paid Heroes. However, one year out from having written it (due to the #MeToo movement), I can only say “rape is so not on”. I do not condone rape, but from a storytelling perspective it’s the perfect trope to make a character look like a monster and it makes a clearly false accusation have more oomph behind it, so…let’s just say Shield Hero’s doing its job here, making me despise Myne and the system in this world. Besides, I only stand on the side that does the better story.

For some reason, Naofumi’s “You can shove it all up your a***!” demand reminds me of when I’m angry and doing unreasonable demands…which means it’s won me over now.

I just realised…there hasn’t been much music until now…

(Trigger warning: slavery discussion) Oof. Now they’ve gotten to a new low of depravity in this show. Naofumi’s probably gonna buy a slave…again, I don’t condone this, but I assume Raphtalia is here.

Yep, even without knowing past ch 1, I was right on the money. That’s Raphtalia!

Poppies, huh? The symbol of bloodshed. What a perfect flower for this show, which demonstrates Naofumi’s blood, sweat and tears…

As much as I don’t condone some of the acts done in this show, I see some huge potential. Even if it’s got controversy flying around it like flies, I’ll stand with it. Are you with me?

Boogiepop 1 – 2

Double length premiere…oof, this’ll be tough on my spare time. Lately, I’ve been told to clean up the house a bunch and doing all manner of other things, so it’s just eating up time on all sides.

OP start is…for some reason, never a good start. For some reason, I just don’t like it. Maybe that might be the fact I was taught to start with a compelling opening scene when I was a fiction writer, though.

The subber got so bored they even subbed the Dengeki Bunko logo in the corner…wow. (sarcastic)

For some reason, the art style reminds me of Banana Fish (or Parasyte). Must be the chara designs.

This seems to be coated in a fine film of 90s edge. Or maybe the early 2000s, because that’s when this really comes from. C’mon, Takeda doesn’t even seem surprised when his mouth hangs open!

Notably, Boogiepop uses boku.

Wait, I don’t get why Boogiepop is called that. They pop the boogie(men)? That right?

I started zoning out and fiddling with my wrist in the middle of this episode. That’s another bad sign…

Wow, that ending’s really minimalist.

Currently, this episode raises more questions than it answers. Its overall impression level is trending slightly towards the negative. There must be a double premiere for a reason, though…let’s move on.

Wait - Kirima Seiichi? Is he Nagi’s father??? How did I not notice that earlier?

That manticore business seems to be correct…according to Wikipedia.

This doesn’t add up. Taniguchi. Kirima. Maybe Taniguchi is the name of the mother/father and Kirima is the name of the other parent? Update: Spoke too soon on this point and a previous one.

Kirima’s OS appears to be Windows 10 with a few adjustments.

Wait, but isn’t Suema meant to be the girl’s surname? Or is it Kinoshita? Update: It’s Suema. Kinoshita is another girl.

This white-haired man is the one from last episode, right? I didn’t really recognise him since there’s always terrible lighting plus he was wearing orange then, but yeah. Can’t believe I didn’t connect the dots there either.

White-haired man seems to be like Anti from Gridman. I presume he’s Echoes…? Update: Yup, Echoes it is.

Egao no Daika 1

This sounds like it’s outside my field of expertise, but I’ve been proven wrong before with Planet With, not to mention Toshiki Masuda is a character called Huey Malthis. It seems to be pretty standard Princess and the Pauper fare though…

There’s just a bunch of tablets with fancy-looking English on them…the heck?

Is it just me, or did the mecha game have the solitaire success sound effect…?

Ooh, I sense animosity regarding Japan’s emperor abdicating within this show (in a metaphorical sense)! I could analyse this show to bits, maybe…

The CGI in this actually ain’t that bad. Then again, we are talking about mechs here…

Oh, end of episode segment. Keep watching…

Well, I noticed the characters go off model if you’re paying attention to something you shouldn’t be, but otherwise, it’s a respectable first episode…respectable, but fairly average.

[geekysweetie]

Top 2018 Nintendo Switch Games for Girls

30 New Games For Girls on the Nintendo Switch in 2018

One of the most popular posts on this site is our Top 2017 Nintendo Switch Games for Girls

With a new year, I decided to take a look at the upcoming releases for the Switch in 2018 and make a few suggestions as to what games girls should be looking out for in the year ahead. (There may be a few games that released in Q4 of 2017 also on this list as I wasn’t sure of a few of the release dates). Enjoy! And leave me a comment to let me know what games you’re looking forward to on the Switch in 2018. 🙂 I’ll also soon add a list like this for PS4 and PC games as well.

Top 2018 Nintendo Switch Games For Girls

1.) Project Octopath Traveler

Originally scheduled for a 2017 release, and part of our Top 2017 Nintendo Switch Games for Girls list, Octopath Traveler blends gameplay elements from 16 and 32 bit classics such as Chronotrigger and Saga Frontier. The retro game feel is sure to appeal to many visitors of this site. But that’s not all, Project Octopath Traveler also offers a variety of endings and a branching plot line that is shaped by decisions you make within the game.

 2.) Kirby Star Allies

He’s pink, cute, and the gameplay is fun. Kirby has been a fan favorite of Nintendo gamers for several decades now. In his new adventure, up to four players can join in and you can combine different power ups, as demonstrated in the Nintendo Direct Video above.

3.) Toe Jam & Earl Back in the Groove

Toe Jam & Earl was a childhood favorite of mine. I spent countless hours (or days, or weeks) playing the original two games on Sega Genesis with my best friend. It’s one of the best multiplayer games of my childhood and this new take on the classic, originally slated for 2017, will grace Switch consoles now in 2018. For those unfamillar with the franchise, you run around colorful crazy worlds with zany characters and crazy powerups playing as 2 funky hiphop aliens.

4.) My Time At Portia

My Time At Portia is a cross platform title that features sandbox gameplay in a large open world enviornment. It blends together many gameplay elements from Harvest Moon, Stardew Valley, Rune Factory, and Atelier. In this game you can raise animals, grow crops, and restore an abandoned workshop. The developers say the game takes place in a post apocalyptic world where humans are few and that you search for relics from the past to create inventions for the betterment of society. Also just like in Harvest Moon and similar games, all of the NPCs have their own schedules, they will go to work, school, and have their own stories for you to discover by interacting with them.

5.) Avabel Online

This is perhaps an interesting one to make the list. Avabel Online is a free to play MMORPG that is already available on many platforms, including Android and IOS devices which makes it already portable and playable on the go. Despite that, I’m including it in the list because I do think the gameplay will appeal to girls. Right now, for example, they are running a special Sanrio promotion (makers of hello kitty). You can get cute (sometimes strange) items to decorate your house or dress up your characters. https://avabelonline.com/landing/sanrio

6.) Moonlighter

A Shopkeeping RPG Simulation game with retro style graphics. You can explore and fight for valueable treasure, as well as craft your own items, and then sell them in your shop. You can also communicate with the NPCs to discover what items they want to purchase. The dungeons are procedurally generated and present new challenges and new loot each time.

7.) Atelier Lydie & Suelle: The Alchemists and the Mysterious Paintings

Coming in March 2018, Atelier Lydie & Suelle: The Alchemists and the Mysterious Paintings is the first Atelier title to hit the Nintendo Switch. Atelier games focus on gathering ingredients and crafting new items. As you can see from the trailer, they feature beautiful anime graphics, and deep stories. Their gameplay is often long, and at times it can get tedious, however, for those who love crafting and exploring, Atelier offers the ultimate crafting system.

8.) Destiny Chronicles

This game looks beautiful, and it is inspired by many classic JRPGs. It features action combat and extensive skill tree customization as well as a light hearted humorous story line. You can enchant and upgrade your equipment, as well as interact with your party members and NPCs.

9.) Revenant Saga

With a level cap of 999, and tons of equipment to collect, Revenant Saga looks to offer some incredible replay value. The ability to tranform in battle and unleash special powers makes combat fun and exciting. While the cute and colorful graphics and dark fantasy story are sure to appeal to fans of classic JRPGs.

10.) Wonderboy: Dragon’s Trap

This remake of Wonderboy III lets you play as a girl. It also lets you toggle between the original Sega Genesis graphics and soundtrack, or the all new graphics and soundtracks created for this release.

11.) Untold Legacy

The retro style graphics appeal to me (and probably most of the readers of my blog). But what really appeals to me is this statement that the Devs make about the storyline: “You will be brought to tears as you uncover the twists and turns in this emotionally story-driven experience that will leave you shocked and surprised as you discover the secrets the world of Touchstone has to offer.” – I am a sucker for a heart tugging story. The Devs also indicate that “The Untold Legacy sets out to recreate some of the most heartfelt and gut wrenching moments imaginable.” These two statements make me very interested in this game.

12.) Yoshi

This game features an art style similar to Paper Mario, and the main character is the lovable, Yoshi, the green dinosaur who first debuted in Super Mario World. The colorful graphics and addictive platformer style gameplay make this game perfect for our list of 2018 Nintendo Switch Games for Girls.

13.) Croixleur Sigma

With a 9/10 and “Very Positive” Rating on Steam, this anime style hack-n-slash RPG is coming to Switch in 2018. The gameplay is reminicessent of several of the newer Hyper Dimension Neptunia games. The local 2 player co-op makes it perfect for the Nintendo Switch. And playing as the cute anime girls make it a game girls will love to play together.

14.) Your Four Knight Princess Training Story

A “Raising Sim” similar to games such as Princess Maker and Graduation 95. Gematsu has an excellent article detailing how you will train your princess in this new 2018 Nintendo Switch Game. Basically it involves scolding or praising your princess at various times, for example during conversations or while exploring dungeons. The story and characters change based on your decisions and how you raise your princess. The princesses each have various parameters that you can train to unlock new skills or increase their stats to help them in battle.

15.) Legrand Legacy Tale of the Fatebounds

Legrand Legacy Tale of the Fatebounds is an impressive indie title with full 3D cinematics and FMV cutscenes. It features tactical turn based combat and interesting city building and mini game mechanics. I’m really looking forward to this title which releases later this month (January 2018).

16.) Shin Megami Tensei V

I haven’t taken time to organize these recommendations in any kind of “ranking” system, but if I had to pick just one game on this list to play in 2018 it would be Shin Megami Tensei V. Atlus’ dark RPG franchise that sparked the Persona spin off games is one of my favorites.

17.) Tohou Sky Arena Gensoukyou Kuusen Hime

This looks like an anime brawler with cute girls and exciting special moves. It’s visually very pretty and looks like combat will be fun too.

18.) Valkyria Chronicles 4

A new title in the tactical Strategy RPG series, Valkyria Chronicles. I’m a huge fan of this series, and this one looks great. It’s due out in March 2018. Valkyria Chronicles is a Sega series known for excellent characters and story lines as well as fun Strategy RPG combat.

19.) The Longest Five Minutes

This humorous RPG launches in February 2018. The tale begins at the end, as you are facing the demon king, but suddenly you’ve lost all of your memories. From there, regain your memories, remember who you are, where you’re from, where you’re going, and your reason for fighting the demon king. The cute and colorful graphics and retro feel are sure to appeal to my readers.

20.) Mulaka

With gameplay reminiscent of Zelda or Castlevania, this action RPG features a story and game world that draw inspiration from Mexican culture. The gameplay trailer above shows various abilities and fighting styles, including the ability to transform into different animals.

21.) Yono and the Celestial Elephants

How could this game NOT make our list??! Look at that elephant. LOOK AT IT!! Has there ever been a cuter video game character in the history of video games? Nope. This adorable little game looks kawaii and charming AF and seems to have some fun puzzles to solve too.

22.) Wandersong

Play as a traveling bard in this cute, happy, colorful paper-cut-out style world. Coming in early 2018.

23.) Goragoa

This puzzle game features gorgeous artwork and requires some outside the box thinking. The soundtrack is also lovely and I’ve heard the story is quite sad as well.

24.) Wargroove

Wargroove promises to be easy to pick up, but difficult to master. Up to 4 players can take control of an army and command it to victory. The colorful retro style graphics really look great and gameplay looks fun and interesting.

25.) Penny Punching Princess

An Action RPG in Which Money Makes the World Go Round. That’s what Nintendo has to say about their latest RPG that lets you bribe monsters to fight for you. Many are comparing this game to Tingle’s Rosy Rupee Land – a game which I’ve never played (nor even heard of).  The colorful and cute graphics caught my eye. I’ll be checking this one out in 2018.

26.) Fallen Legion: Rise to Glory

Nintendo promises new content and features in this release. “Combining both Fallen Legion: Flames of Rebellion and Fallen Legion: Sins of an Empire for the first time on one console, Fallen Legion: Rise to Glory includes all new art, Exemplars, monsters, bosses and challenges not found in the original releases. I’d somehow not heard of this game until now, so now seems the perfect time to pick this one up.

27.) Lost Sphear

From the creators of I am Setsuna, comes a new JRPG for the Nintendo Switch in 2018.

28.) Dragon Quest Builders

Originally part of the 2017 Top Nintendo Switch Games for Girls, this title got pushed back to February 2018.

29.) Mega Man 11

Fan favorite, and often requested, a new sequel in the Mega Man franchise is arriving on Nintendo Switch in late 2018.

30.) Bayonetta 3 – NINTENDO SWITCH EXCLUSIVE

Perhaps one of the most exciting announcements, and why I saved it for last, is that a new Bayonetta Game has been announced and it will be available ONLY for the Nintendo Switch.

Top 2018 Nintendo Switch Games for Girls was originally published on GeekySweetie.com - Geeky & Kawaii Anime, Tech, Toys, & Game Reviews & News

[hermanwatts]

SUPERVERSIVE: A Look at Slice of Life

Slice of life was never my favorite genre, but there are a surprisingly large number of excellent slice of life anime out there, some of them among my favorite shows of all time. Below I’ll highlight some of the best.

JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure Part 4: Diamond is Unbreakable

Yes, this is slice of life and no, I’m not being ironic. Diamond is Unbreakable is the fourth part of the JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure Saga. This time around our protagonist is Josuke Higashikata. Josuke is a typical Japanese high school student living with his single mother in the seemingly quiet town of Morioh. He’s popular with the girls, has great hair, and is generally a pretty swell, if goofy and a little mischievous, guy.

  Naturally, nothing is as it seems. It turns out Josuke is the son of Joseph Joestar, the protagonist of JoJo’s part 2. He has the Stand ability Crazy Diamond, which has the power to break apart and repair whatever it can punch. And not everything in the little town of Morioh is quite as quiet as it seems. In fact, you might say it’s all a little bizarre…

JoJo’s tends to tackle a different genre every part, and while slice of life isn’t the first thing you think of when you think of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure, it is a surprisingly effective fit. The cast of part 4 is the most likable of all the JoJo casts, and this is in no small part due to the time we spend seeing them hang out and go on their weekly adventures. Despite having a spectacular villain in Yoshikage Kira (whose episodes are admittedly the best parts of the show), it’s that slice of life, teenagers-just-messing-around vibe that makes part 4 feel so unique. Of course, it helps that part 4 also has some of the coolest Stand battles in the entire series as well. Highly recommended.

Ancient Magus Bride

Chise Hatori is a sixteen year old Japanese girl who has totally given up on life. Unloved, unwanted, and alone, she makes the decision to sell herself into slavery, under the theory that at least the person who buys her would want her around.

At the auction she is bought for an enormous sum of money by a mysterious mage with a…cow?…horse?…skull in place of a head. The mage, Elias, is hundreds of years old, and after giving Chise a home in Britain and treating her with kindness, he tells her his true motive: To make her his apprentice and, one day, his bride.

“Ancient Magus Bride” is an utterly gorgeous show, both visually and musically, with one of my all-time favorite soundtracks – “Here” has to be one of the greatest OP songs of all time. It is impossible to listen to it and not understand the sort of show you’re about to see, to get a sense of the otherworldly fantasy that makes up its heart.

And heart is the name of the game. “Ancient Magus Bride” is full of heart. It takes its time, building up the unusual relationship between Chise and Elias and expanding its world. Luckily, both Chise and Elias – especially Elias – are compelling and fascinating characters.

But it’s no secret that the true draw of Ancienct Magus Bride is its setting. “Ancient Magus Bride” technically takes place in the modern day but feels timeless. The way it captures the world of fairies and magic is dead-on perfect: Dangerous, mysterious, and inhuman, but beautiful too. The rules are never fully explained but it all makes an intuitive sort of sense: This is just how magic works.

In its second half the show drops in quality a bit, but it’s nothing extreme – certainly not a “Death Note” level collapse. In fact I wouldn’t call it a collapse at all. It remains high quality until the end, though I have a big issue with a writing decision made in the finale. But that’s ultimately a small part of what is overall a fantastic, and highly superversive, show. VERY much recommended.

Dennou Coil

Dennou Coil follows the daily lives of a group of children who live in the fictional city of Daikoku. The children have adventures and navigate school and relationships. Nothing special. Your typical kid show….with one difference.

“Dennou Coil” takes place in a cyberpunk future where special glasses overlay a virtual world on top of the real one. The virtual world has realistic animal AI and is incredibly tactile, seemingly a part of the landscape as much as physical objects. Hacking is illegal, but in the kids’ world, hackers are at the top of the social totem pole. And maybe there’s more to the virtual world than meets the eye. Maybe it’s not so virtual after all…

Ah, I love “Dennou Coil”. It’s absolutely fantastic, up there with my very top tier of shows along with standouts like “Death Note”, “Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood”, and “Silver Spoon”, among others. The setting is one of the coolest I have EVER seen. “Ordinal Scale”, which also used this idea, didn’t do it justice. All of the ramifications, good and bad, of such a system are thoroughly explored.

The animation and art style are also top notch. I’ve seen comparisons to Ghibli but I think the style is closer to Mamoru Hasoda than anything Ghibli has done. It feels incredibly distinct, and very fun to look at.

At the risk of sounding kind of social justice-y I also like the fact that the main character isn’t your typical adorable moe girl. She isn’t ugly or anything like that, but she’s average looking and kind of nerdy. It’s a refreshing change.

The mystery that undergirds the plot is also fantastic. The episodes leading up to the finale get increasingly intense, reaching an explosive and incredibly superversive climax. This is more than a merely excellent show, but a transcendently brilliant one up there with the greatest anime of all time. I can’t recommend it enough.

Haibane Renmei

An giant egg pops up out of nowhere in a mysterious town called Glie. A girl, who is soon given the name Rakka, hatches from the egg, where she grows wings after hatching. The girl has no memories of her life before she ended up in the egg, yet is able to talk and function normally; all she can remember is a vague dream of falling.

We learn quickly that this is a normal occurrence in the town. The winged people – who are soon given halos as well – are known as the Haibane. They live in abandoned buildings and can take or use whatever items the regular humans leave behind. Despite this arrangement the humans treat the Haibane kindly, and the Haibane in turn work various jobs throughout the town, up until the day they take their “Day of Flight” and leave forever. Throughout the show Rakka slowly learns more about the origins and secrets of the Haibane and about her best friend, Reki, the oldest Haibane who hasn’t yet taken her Day of Flight.

That’s a long set up for a pretty high concept show, and to its credit the show takes advantage of that concept. “Haibane Renmei” starts off as a dreamlike and fascinating slice of life, but as the story goes on and some of the mysteries slowly get answers the bits and pieces add up into a sort of psychological mystery centering around Rakka and Reki.

It’s hard to say anything more about it, because what makes this show great – and it is great – is best experienced without knowing about it in advance. It is an in-depth exploration of the themes of redemption and forgiveness, ending with the conclusion that life really does have inherent value and meaning. The slice of life elements are interesting because the setting and concepts being explored are interesting, but what brings it to the next level is the nuance and intelligence with which it explores its themes and resolves its character arcs. Once again, this is very highly recommended.

Silver Spoon

I already wrote about “Silver Spoon” at length, so I’m keeping this short. “Silver Spoon” is the story of Hachiken, an extremely intelligent first year high schooler who succumbed to intense pressure from his overbearing father and bombed his entrance exams. At the recommendation of a counselor he makes the decision to go to an agricultural school, presumably to get a new perspective on life. And that’s the story. No fancy sci-fi or supernatural elements here.

Mostly what I want to do now is clarify something: I don’t think I made it clear enough that I REALLY loved this show. It’s so good, it shares an honor with “Magi” as being the only unfinished anime whose story I decided to continue through the manga (which is also fantastic and highly recommended – man I hope it gets a season 3 one day…).

The characters are fantastic, and it shares the theme from “Fullmetal Alchemist”, Arakawa’s other masterpiece, of exploring the value of life, this time through the food we eat. The soundtrack is gorgeous and it has some of my favorite tracks in anime, like “Hello Especially”, which somehow manages to have a Japanese-country twang to it. Like “Dennou Coil” before it, this is a slice of life that transcends the category of “Great”. It is among the best anime I’ve ever seen, and I can’t recommend it enough. Considering it’s me we’re talking about, you KNOW it has to be great at everything it does if I’m recommending it despite it having no real action, magic or gadgets. It really is THAT good.

Robotics;Notes

Robotics;Notes is the story of Kaito and Aki, two childhood friends, now in high school, who start a robotics club with the goal of building a giant robot of their own and winning a robotics competition. As the story unfolds a conspiracy is discovered involving the company that makes the robotics ubiquitous in society, ultimately culminating in a one on one battle to, uh…actually I’ll let you all see that one for yourself.

Nobody ever really remembers “Robotics;Notes” exists, yet it was a big enough deal at the time it came out to get a dub. It’s too bad, because I honestly love the show. What makes it are Kaito and Aki. Kaito starts off looking dangerously like he’s going to become unbearable quickly, with the “gimmick” that he’s obsessed with video games and will only do favors for someone if they can beat him in a game. It becomes clear pretty quickly, however, that Kaito’s too-cool-for-school attitude is a persona he uses to cover up the fact that he’s a compassionate and kind person, willing to go out of his way to help people and prepared to make sacrifices for those he’s closest to.

Aki is great as well. She’s your typical super-cheerful anime heroine, whose boundless optimism and drive to accomplish her goals move much of the plot. Like with Kaito, this exterior masks an interior depth, with her optimism fueled largely by a deep-seated fear of failure and the ever-present feeling that she’s somehow disappointing her more intelligent older sister, whose parting words before leaving their home constantly haunt her. The likability of the leads is the main thing that keeps the viewer invested in their story.

The conspiracy underlying the whole plot ends up getting convoluted and more than a little absurd, but I can’t deny that it lead to more than one great scene and a cool as hell finale. It’s a shame this show has become so forgotten, because I highly recommend it.

Interesting side note: “Robotics;Notes” is one of a series of shows that takes place in the larger “Steins;Gate” universe, but outside of a couple of very subtle references this can basically be ignored completely.

I have watched two other slice of life anime, “Clannad” and “March Comes in Like a Lion”. While neither was bad, per se, I did not like either show for a variety of reasons I may go into another time.

I can confirm that, for those of you who like such things, each show has a very good dub but “Silver Spoon”, which has no dub at all, and “Diamond is Ubreakable” (“Clannad” also has a horrendous dub, incidentally). “Diamond is Unbreakable” may have a good dub, but I can’t tell you as I’ve never seen it.

I’m quite glad I decided to give slice of life a shot in the end. If I hadn’t, I’d have missed out on some excellent shows. Give them a shot and see for yourself.

Next up: Recommended comedies. It’s coming!

SUPERVERSIVE: A Look at Slice of Life published first on https://sixchexus.weebly.com/

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South Africa’s Top 10 Instagrammable Wine Farms

Fact: There are over 568 wine farms in the Winelands offering first-class views and outstanding wines. So let’s just caveat right at the start to say that picking our top 10 Instagrammable wine farms was no easy feat. Points went to the variety of activities available, location and sheer jaw-dropping power. While each to their own, we don’t think anyone could deny the likes these wine farms would collect on your feed:

1. Bosjes

It’s almost like a mirage. A relative newcomer to the 300+ year old wine industry, Bosjes (meaning ‘small bushes’ in Dutch) is a luxury country estate located in the Breedekloof Valley. When the estate first opened in 2017, the now much-lauded chapel (designed by Coetzee Steyn from Steyn Studio) stole the show on Instagram, thanks to the dramatic glass walls and white curves of the roof. Located just over an hours drive from Cape Town, this gorgeous destination produces wine grapes, olives, peaches and proteas. Besides the avant-garde chapel, there are photo ops all around, including the Chapel Gardens, the Bosjes Kombuis and Tea Garden. A perfect day trip.

Image credit: @visitsawinelands via Instagram

2. Babylonstoren

We’d be shot if Babylonstoren wasn’t on our list, as this is the Winelands’ Instagram Mecca. And for good reason too! Since opening their doors in 2010, Babylonstoren has focused on surrounding all visitors with a thoughtfully designed and curated offering. No stone has been left unturned – quite literally. This 200-hectare farm, dating back to 1692, lies in the Drakenstein Valley (halfway between Franschhoek and Paarl). The 3.5-hectare garden is not only beautifully manicured, but it also supplies three award-winning restaurants on the property. Between the cactus garden, the greenhouse, the spa (boasting a stunning salt room built with blocks of Himalayan salt no less!) and the scent shop, your Instagram won’t know what hit it.

Image credit: @babylonstoren via Instagram

3. Boschendal

One thing South African wine farms know how to do very well is to offer more than just wine to its visitors. These days, most wine farms are turning into coveted destinations, ensuring there is something for everyone. Boschendal is leading the way with this concept, offering TWO tasting room spaces (the Cellar Door and Manor House), Die Werf (a fine-dining restaurant) as well as a deli, a farm shop and butchery, a spa, manicured gardens, picnics, mountain bike trails and of course, guesthouses for those wanting to spend more time there. Between all of these activities, there is also a rich history dating back to 1685, when the estate was granted to a Huguenot refugee Jean le Long. But we won’t judge you if you’re just there for a shot in Die Werf’s bathroom – a surprisingly unmissable space for a snap!

Image credit: @lindatravelholic via Instagram

4. Beau Constantia

Now, before you start thinking that only places beginning with a ‘B’ are worthy of Instagram, don’t worry – we have plenty of other wine farms from all letters of the alphabet to share! But before we do, let’s give a shout out to Constantia’s little gem – Beau Constantia. After devastating fires destroyed the fynbos and pine forests on the property in 2000, the slopes were cleared and terraced, thereby exposing the great potential for the planting of vineyards. Pierre and Cecily Du Preez purchased the 22-hectare property in 2002, and since then, the striking vineyards have gone on to produce an impressive range of cultivated varieties including Viognier, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Franc and Malbec. What makes this a gem are the sweeping views (all the way to False Bay on a clear day) from the top of Constantia Nek, as well as access to one of the best-rated restaurants in Cape Town, Chef’s Warehouse. The balance between cutting-edge cuisine and a laid-back atmosphere make this an Insta-friendly hotspot.

Image credit: @traveller24_sa via Instagram

5. Vergelegen

Don’t worry if you can’t pronounce it – you’re not alone. But that’s not the point of this idyllic wine farm. As South Africa’s second oldest estate, this location is brimming full of history and atmosphere, inviting visitors to take a slow walk around the 17 manicured gardens (remember to take a shot in front of the tree planted in 1700!) or dine casually or top-end at the estate’s award-winning restaurants. What’s extra lovely is that if you have little ones with you, there is an excellent child-friendly playground outside the Stables Bistro, which is not only practical but also designed with good aesthetic and safety in mind.  Side note: If you have a chance, book a cellar tour to check out the modern, multiple level, gravity flow cellar first hand! Totally Insta-worthy, trust us.

Image credit: @loungetraveller via Instagram

6. Delaire Graff

There’s good reason for Delaire Graff being known as the ‘jewel of the winelands’ and lands itself as one of our top 10 Instagrammable wine farms. Located between the Hottentots Holland mountains and overlooking the vineyards of Stellenbosch, the estate belongs to Laurence Graff OBE – Chairman of Graff Diamonds Holdings. No expense has been spared in creating a perfectly executed tasting room, spa, hotel, restaurant and retail store. One of the most striking spaces to visit is the heavily-guarded on-site Graff Diamonds jewellry store, which houses pieces comfortably priced in the hundreds of thousands. But for a perfect shot, our recommendation is to sit outside on the Wine Lounge terrace at sunset, enjoying a tasting and soaking in a truly breathtaking view that will have your followers sending you heart eyes.

Image credit: @marianarage via Instagram

7. Cape Point Vineyards

When you think Noordhoek, ‘wine farm’ might not immediately come to mind. But as it happens, Cape Point Vineyards is situated at the very end of Chapman’s Peak Drive in Noordhoek. This mountainous location means the venue overlooks the Atlantic ocean, the False Bay coast, as well as a vast area of fynbos leading up to the coastline. The views are nothing less than breathtaking – where else do you get direct ocean and vineyard views? As it’s within Cape Town city limits, this is a great spot to head to for a wine tasting followed by a leisurely lunch, or if you’re up for something a little more romantic, a picnic on the lawn next to the lake (yes, a lake). Hello pretty!

Image credit: @theladykairuz via Instagram

8. Spier

So remember we mentioned how South African wine farms are really good at becoming destinations? Spier is another example. It’s actually quite hard to keep up with how much they have going on – whether it’s an art exhibition (this past summer they had a super Instagrammable ‘Light Art Festival’), a new restaurant opening (Vadas Smokehouse has an American-style pecan nut pie that will make you want to drive out there just to try it), or an Eagle Encounters birds of prey rehabilitation centre, there is A LOT to take in (and take photos of) at one of the oldest wine farms in South Africa. Beyond the perfectly manicured gardens, the hotel is found in a cluster of colourful, flat-roofed buildings that are reminiscent of homes in the historic Bo-Kaap – inviting visitors to walk around and get lost in the bucolic beauty of this private paradise.

Image credit: @spierwinefarm via Instagram

9. Mullineux & Leeu Family Wines

When you hear the words ‘Mr Singh’ and ‘Franschhoek’ together in one sentence, you know the outcome is going to be nothing short of amazing. And so it is with Mullineux & Leeu Family Wines. First opening in 2016, The Leeu Collection’s founder Analjit Singh partnered in Mullineux & Leeu Family Wines alongside Chris and Andrea Mullineux, the skilled winemaking duo behind these award-winning wines. The Wine Studio, their elegant tasting venue, is housed on Leeu Estates. Upon entering the estate, you will be gobsmacked at how much attention to detail there is across the 68 hectares (168 acres) of landscaped gardens, manicured vineyards and indigenous fynbos. As Mr Singh is an avid gardener himself, the Leeu Collection properties have been stylishly and meticulously landscaped and is worthy of your feed. As is the wine, the spa, the hotel and just about everything else on this pristine property.

Image credit: @nk_smalls via Instagram

10. Spice Route

Last but certainly not least is another Cape Winelands ultimate ‘destination’ – the Spice Route. Named after the historic Dutch East Trading Company shipping route, this restored wine farm houses a diverse collection of artisans that celebrate Cape culture and flavour. While the main call to action is the Spice Route Wine tasting room located in a cosy cellar-inspired space, there is a veritable cornucopia of activity to keep all visitors busy. Start the day with breakfast at Chefs Liam Tomlin and Neil Jewell latest restaurant, Jewell, which has a picturesque view of the Simonsberg mountains. Next up, head for a beer tasting at one of the Cape’s pioneering craft beer breweries, CBC, before enjoying a chocolate tasting next door at DV Chocolate. If there’s room for lunch, try a burger special at Barley & Biltong, before wrapping up the day with a coffee at DV Cafe.

Image credit: @beatrizcontessoto via Instagram

There you have it, our top 10 Instagrammable wine farms! We’re confident to say that by the end of the day, you’re pretty much guaranteed to have filled up your phone memory with all of the images you’ll take between tastings and adventures. Snap, upload – and don’t forget to tag us on Instagram! And if you have any other wine farms worth mentioning, let us know in the comments below. 

Planning a trip?

Want to know more or have any questions, let an Explore Sideways expert help you plan an experience you will never forget!

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South Africa’s Top 10 Instagrammable Wine Farms

Fact: There are over 568 wine farms in the Winelands offering first-class views and outstanding wines. So let’s just caveat right at the start to say that picking our top 10 Instagrammable wine farms was no easy feat. Points went to the variety of activities available, location and sheer jaw-dropping power. While each to their own, we don’t think anyone could deny the likes these wine farms would collect on your feed:

1. Bosjes

It’s almost like a mirage. A relative newcomer to the 300+ year old wine industry, Bosjes (meaning ‘small bushes’ in Dutch) is a luxury country estate located in the Breedekloof Valley. When the estate first opened in 2017, the now much-lauded chapel (designed by Coetzee Steyn from Steyn Studio) stole the show on Instagram, thanks to the dramatic glass walls and white curves of the roof. Located just over an hours drive from Cape Town, this gorgeous destination produces wine grapes, olives, peaches and proteas. Besides the avant-garde chapel, there are photo ops all around, including the Chapel Gardens, the Bosjes Kombuis and Tea Garden. A perfect day trip.

Image credit: @visitsawinelands via Instagram

2. Babylonstoren

We’d be shot if Babylonstoren wasn’t on our list, as this is the Winelands’ Instagram Mecca. And for good reason too! Since opening their doors in 2010, Babylonstoren has focused on surrounding all visitors with a thoughtfully designed and curated offering. No stone has been left unturned – quite literally. This 200-hectare farm, dating back to 1692, lies in the Drakenstein Valley (halfway between Franschhoek and Paarl). The 3.5-hectare garden is not only beautifully manicured, but it also supplies three award-winning restaurants on the property. Between the cactus garden, the greenhouse, the spa (boasting a stunning salt room built with blocks of Himalayan salt no less!) and the scent shop, your Instagram won’t know what hit it.

Image credit: @babylonstoren via Instagram

3. Boschendal

One thing South African wine farms know how to do very well is to offer more than just wine to its visitors. These days, most wine farms are turning into coveted destinations, ensuring there is something for everyone. Boschendal is leading the way with this concept, offering TWO tasting room spaces (the Cellar Door and Manor House), Die Werf (a fine-dining restaurant) as well as a deli, a farm shop and butchery, a spa, manicured gardens, picnics, mountain bike trails and of course, guesthouses for those wanting to spend more time there. Between all of these activities, there is also a rich history dating back to 1685, when the estate was granted to a Huguenot refugee Jean le Long. But we won’t judge you if you’re just there for a shot in Die Werf’s bathroom – a surprisingly unmissable space for a snap!

Image credit: @lindatravelholic via Instagram

4. Beau Constantia

Now, before you start thinking that only places beginning with a ‘B’ are worthy of Instagram, don’t worry – we have plenty of other wine farms from all letters of the alphabet to share! But before we do, let’s give a shout out to Constantia’s little gem – Beau Constantia. After devastating fires destroyed the fynbos and pine forests on the property in 2000, the slopes were cleared and terraced, thereby exposing the great potential for the planting of vineyards. Pierre and Cecily Du Preez purchased the 22-hectare property in 2002, and since then, the striking vineyards have gone on to produce an impressive range of cultivated varieties including Viognier, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Franc and Malbec. What makes this a gem are the sweeping views (all the way to False Bay on a clear day) from the top of Constantia Nek, as well as access to one of the best-rated restaurants in Cape Town, Chef’s Warehouse. The balance between cutting-edge cuisine and a laid-back atmosphere make this an Insta-friendly hotspot.

Image credit: @traveller24_sa via Instagram

5. Vergelegen

Don’t worry if you can’t pronounce it – you’re not alone. But that’s not the point of this idyllic wine farm. As South Africa’s second oldest estate, this location is brimming full of history and atmosphere, inviting visitors to take a slow walk around the 17 manicured gardens (remember to take a shot in front of the tree planted in 1700!) or dine casually or top-end at the estate’s award-winning restaurants. What’s extra lovely is that if you have little ones with you, there is an excellent child-friendly playground outside the Stables Bistro, which is not only practical but also designed with good aesthetic and safety in mind.  Side note: If you have a chance, book a cellar tour to check out the modern, multiple level, gravity flow cellar first hand! Totally Insta-worthy, trust us.

Image credit: @loungetraveller via Instagram

6. Delaire Graff

There’s good reason for Delaire Graff being known as the ‘jewel of the winelands’ and lands itself as one of our top 10 Instagrammable wine farms. Located between the Hottentots Holland mountains and overlooking the vineyards of Stellenbosch, the estate belongs to Laurence Graff OBE – Chairman of Graff Diamonds Holdings. No expense has been spared in creating a perfectly executed tasting room, spa, hotel, restaurant and retail store. One of the most striking spaces to visit is the heavily-guarded on-site Graff Diamonds jewellry store, which houses pieces comfortably priced in the hundreds of thousands. But for a perfect shot, our recommendation is to sit outside on the Wine Lounge terrace at sunset, enjoying a tasting and soaking in a truly breathtaking view that will have your followers sending you heart eyes.

Image credit: @marianarage via Instagram

7. Cape Point Vineyards

When you think Noordhoek, ‘wine farm’ might not immediately come to mind. But as it happens, Cape Point Vineyards is situated at the very end of Chapman’s Peak Drive in Noordhoek. This mountainous location means the venue overlooks the Atlantic ocean, the False Bay coast, as well as a vast area of fynbos leading up to the coastline. The views are nothing less than breathtaking – where else do you get direct ocean and vineyard views? As it’s within Cape Town city limits, this is a great spot to head to for a wine tasting followed by a leisurely lunch, or if you’re up for something a little more romantic, a picnic on the lawn next to the lake (yes, a lake). Hello pretty!

Image credit: @theladykairuz via Instagram

8. Spier

So remember we mentioned how South African wine farms are really good at becoming destinations? Spier is another example. It’s actually quite hard to keep up with how much they have going on – whether it’s an art exhibition (this past summer they had a super Instagrammable ‘Light Art Festival’), a new restaurant opening (Vadas Smokehouse has an American-style pecan nut pie that will make you want to drive out there just to try it), or an Eagle Encounters birds of prey rehabilitation centre, there is A LOT to take in (and take photos of) at one of the oldest wine farms in South Africa. Beyond the perfectly manicured gardens, the hotel is found in a cluster of colourful, flat-roofed buildings that are reminiscent of homes in the historic Bo-Kaap – inviting visitors to walk around and get lost in the bucolic beauty of this private paradise.

Image credit: @spierwinefarm via Instagram

9. Mullineux & Leeu Family Wines

When you hear the words ‘Mr Singh’ and ‘Franschhoek’ together in one sentence, you know the outcome is going to be nothing short of amazing. And so it is with Mullineux & Leeu Family Wines. First opening in 2016, The Leeu Collection’s founder Analjit Singh partnered in Mullineux & Leeu Family Wines alongside Chris and Andrea Mullineux, the skilled winemaking duo behind these award-winning wines. The Wine Studio, their elegant tasting venue, is housed on Leeu Estates. Upon entering the estate, you will be gobsmacked at how much attention to detail there is across the 68 hectares (168 acres) of landscaped gardens, manicured vineyards and indigenous fynbos. As Mr Singh is an avid gardener himself, the Leeu Collection properties have been stylishly and meticulously landscaped and is worthy of your feed. As is the wine, the spa, the hotel and just about everything else on this pristine property.

Image credit: @nk_smalls via Instagram

10. Spice Route

Last but certainly not least is another Cape Winelands ultimate ‘destination’ – the Spice Route. Named after the historic Dutch East Trading Company shipping route, this restored wine farm houses a diverse collection of artisans that celebrate Cape culture and flavour. While the main call to action is the Spice Route Wine tasting room located in a cosy cellar-inspired space, there is a veritable cornucopia of activity to keep all visitors busy. Start the day with breakfast at Chefs Liam Tomlin and Neil Jewell latest restaurant, Jewell, which has a picturesque view of the Simonsberg mountains. Next up, head for a beer tasting at one of the Cape’s pioneering craft beer breweries, CBC, before enjoying a chocolate tasting next door at DV Chocolate. If there’s room for lunch, try a burger special at Barley & Biltong, before wrapping up the day with a coffee at DV Cafe.

Image credit: @beatrizcontessoto via Instagram

There you have it, our top 10 Instagrammable wine farms! We’re confident to say that by the end of the day, you’re pretty much guaranteed to have filled up your phone memory with all of the images you’ll take between tastings and adventures. Snap, upload – and don’t forget to tag us on Instagram! And if you have any other wine farms worth mentioning, let us know in the comments below. 

Planning a trip?

Want to know more or have any questions, let an Explore Sideways expert help you plan an experience you will never forget!

Speak To An Expert

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Three-Episode Test: Ink's Spring 2018

Welcome to the Three Episode Test, where Ani-Gamers contributors give you the low-down on what they're watching (or not) from the current simulcast season and why.

Aggretsuko

Streaming on Netflix

All I know of Sanrio is its ambassador of kawaii, Hello Kitty, and that the company has a gamut of similar cute and humorous characters focused towards garnering the attention of children and their parents’ salaries. (Needless to say, I don’t pay Sanrio much mind.) So that makes Aggretsuko – an overworked, overstressed, red panda office lady who privately pops the cap on her bottled-up public frustrations via a combination of self-hypnosis, beer, and death metal karaoke – Sanrio’s shadow and one of my new favorite characters. I’m watching this show as someone just about to hit 40 and currently saddled in a job where work is constantly piled upon my shoulders because I appear to be able to take it. This cartoon, much like the metal Aggretsuko loves and sings, is catharsis pure and simple, but it’s also really good.

The contrast between sweet and suffering is obviously the entire concept of this character/series, but what brings out the all-too relatable humor in that sadness is all the details that this fifteen-minute short certainly doesn’t have to include. There’s some above-and-beyond camera work that gives select scenes depth and vibrancy. Certain frame compositions intimate adult internalizations with scary accuracy. Contrasting the simplistic line art and solid, bright colors of public life with the scratchy lines and murderous color palate of a Sanrio-ed Devilman Crypanda for private thoughts is perfect. And reactions shots as well as comedic timing are on point 100% of the time. I watched three episodes for this column entry. Now that I’ve finished this review, I’m binging the rest, and you should too.

Crossing Time

Streaming on Crunchyroll

I should have known better to put faith in a series with a description that starts with onomatopoeia. This series of shorts tells “The various stories … that occur during the time spent waiting at a railroad crossing.” (A Romantic’s dream!) While the concept sounds like something begging for anthology participation a la Space Dandy or demanding the intimate attentions of a movie maker such as Makoto Shinkai, this series of shorts simply lacks soul. Absolutely nothing is visually engaging; you’ve seen this scenery – the yellow and black striped arms, the alternating red warning lights, the tracks, the trains – as it is presented here a million times over in various anime. People with true vision would find a way to tune the environment to complement the story being told, but Crossing Time, as far as Episode 3, relies on dialog to carry the entirety of its dramatic content … and the writing simply isn’t up to being thusly tasked. Even though it’s a short, the fact that the promise outweighs the follow-through is unforgivable. After all, if I can imagine something better, what do I possibly have to gain from watching? Dropping this like a rock to save me from drowning in yet another anime stream.

Cutie Honey Universe

Streaming on HIDIVE

Fear not a loss of sparkles or flowers; if you’ve got a hard-on for classic shoujo character designs (given a modern finish), uncensored violence, loads of yuri, and skin exposed by battle-damaged onesies, the newest addition to Go Nagai’s Cutie Honey franchise has you (not necessarily its heroine) … covered. Even if you don’t find anything appealing about that opening sentence, this title might still have a few things worth your time. There’s a lot of goof here – from ridiculous monsters and the tried-and-true, double-faced master villain to the band of delinquents with (slightly) veiled hearts of gold and even good ol’ sit-com yuks.

Cutie Honey was always one of the magical girl variants I’ve wanted to check out. So much like the Masaaki Yuasa Devilman Crybaby that dropped last season or the Ashita no Joe spinoff (MEGALOBOX) this season, Cutie Honey Universe is the body into which I’m dipping my big toe – feeling out the temperature via a modern incarnation to gauge interest in an older property … and (I think) that’s ok. Sure, I may not get the twists or references, but the show is entertaining as hell, and I’m gonna be watching each episode, as soon as it airs, every week.

Gurazeni: Money Pitch

Streaming on Crunchyroll

Bonda Natsunosuke, a left-handed middle relief pitcher for the Jingu Spiders, is in the twilight of his career and has yet to make an impression. He’s obsessed with his contract rate (a mere ¥18 million) and those of the batters he faces. He’s memorized all their stats but lets them intimidate instead of inspire. Bonda firmly believes there’s money in the banana stand under the mound, but can he dig in hard enough to dig it up?

I can’t really pin down why I like this show so much. It’s got everything I hate about baseball, including baseball and the deluge of stats that fans of the sport constantly spew. Luckily, the importance of the latter is rendered next to worthless by the way the animation and voice acting carry tension and emotion in every scene. The CGI is actually pretty good in comparison to other series; the motions of pitching fooled me a few times and offer a fluidity that I can only think to call video game sexy. This is a series about stress from earning your keep in a competitive field, its impact on self-worth, and the value of friends, and the show’s cast is entirely made up of 20-somethings and older! Like I said earlier, I’m not sure why I really enjoy watching this show (possibly for general sympathy for the MC), but I’m definitely gonna keep watching to see who the heck the cute woman with the picnic basket is in the ED!

Isekai Izakaya: Japanese Food from Another World

Streaming on Crunchyroll

Unlike Restaurant to Another World, where a door opened to multiple parallel worlds, Isekai Izakaya so far only focuses on one linked-in dimension – a medieval Western European(-ish) nation. This device works in that it shows how the popularity of the food served at the modern day izakaya wows the palates of the past and does a good job of showing how word of mouth brings business to the shop. Unfortunately, that’s the selling tool of which I’m most weary and tired. The focus on presentation, indulgence, and reaction seem more advertisement for a nation’s cuisine than dramatization of enjoyment.

The expression of reactions in theme with character station is charming but also wears thin pretty quickly; I’m here for the food and drink and reactions, and overthinking is the enemy! The show also seems written to try to appeal to the success of similar series, but tries too hard; forced humor (whatsontap is cute as a one-off gag but runs dry real quick) and overblown reactions are the bane of this 15-minute short that seems all the more extended for such tactics. Adding to my distaste for this series is the permanent overlay of the series title, episode title, and the Sunrise bug. This is nothing less than annoying and also makes for cluttered reading when dialog translations are on screen. All of my grievances (save the Sunrise bug) are nullified with the really solid Episode 3, but I’m afraid too many bad experiences have soured me on this series. After my third trip to Isekai Izakaya, I’m closing out my tab on a good note but not coming back.

MEGALOBOX

Streaming on Crunchyroll

Ashita no Joe (aka Champion Joe) is one of those anime series I’ve always meant to see, so on the 50th anniversary of the manga’s original debut date, I decided to at least check out the 2018 spinoff. The art in MEGALOBOX looks like Cowboy Bebop, but the animation comes across as owning 2018 production values. The art is a direct retro style, but movement, framing, and camerawork all speak to having learned from the past. This anime is, to coin a made-up term, retro-gorgeous™ to the point that I wonder if it’ll speak to the current generation of anime fans. (We’ve reached a brink, folks.)

I want to describe the color palate as ruddy – a fairly, if I do say so myself, apropos descriptor for a series about a blood sport. And the fact that the art style doesn’t come across as “clean” speaks a lot to what this series is actually about. While I’ll forever love the drama behind an underdog story, I specifically love that this series, at least so far as Episode 3 is concerned, introduces issues on a personal level and expands them to include their influence on/reaction to social class strata and citizenship issues. On a lighter note: even though I’ve never read nor seen any of the previous iterations, I gotta say Junk Dog choosing his new name at the end of Episode 2 made me well up in some weirdly embedded sense of faux nostalgia. Also, Emi Nakamura's (Laughing Salesman NEW OP) contribution to the ED is wonderful. There’s no way in hell I’m not watching this until the end.

Steins;Gate 0

Streaming on Crunchyroll

This is in no way a starting point for viewers new to this series. Things have changed, and to realize how as well as why that divergence is important thematically as well as plot-wise, viewers are going to need to have watched the original series and the movie (Déjà Vu). And while my reaction is admittedly tainted by a great love for these characters, the primary problem with this show remains: it is obviously faithful to its visual novel origin. Recognizing that fact, no matter how many times in-show jokes try to own it, can easily douse the flames of interest or taint the viewing experience for many. However, the writing, both conversational and situational, is really good and does not baby the audience.

[Speaking of babying, SG0 adds a loli character. (But she's really 21!) How ... depressing.]

The audience, after a pretty great cold open, is dropped into a new world – one with an all-too familiar ending. This world, thanks to the research of a certain deceased scientist, is obsessed with extrapolated memory-driven AI.  WHAT COULD GO WRONG? To say I’ve been waiting for the conflict introduced in the very beginning of Episode 3 is a truth – one I regrettably feel obliged to report as a prediction come true. (If it were not for the predictable nature of the source material, the anime might be more surprising.) Steins;Gate is a love letter to sorrow junkies, so needless to say, I am down for all future twists from this animated heart wrench.

tada never falls in LOVE

Streaming on HIDIVE

A comedy with balls almost as big as those on its cat. Gaijin transfer student … photography club … yada yada. What really makes this show is its quick pacing and sucker punch visual gags. (The famous character relegated to a barfly in a coffee shop FLOORED me, but Episode 3’s direct narrative nod to said character is utterly disappointing.) That’s not to totally disregard the show’s in-show show, “Rainbow Samurai,” which is amazing, but all I’m sayin’ is that that that joke won’t be worth half as much if an entire episode of tada never falls in LOVE isn’t an actual episode of “Rainbow Samurai” (sans any characters, at least visually, from the former). That said, Episode 3 secured my viewership with the risks this comedy is willing to take regarding narrators.

It’s almost sad that the entire anime does not take place in that coffee shop; the bits in classrooms and with the photography club maintain an engagingly energetic air but stop short of being particularly memorable. And thankfully, tada never falls in LOVE is not the typical learning anime dedicated to cameras. (I think there was one, 30-second explanation of indicators on an SLR camera’s menu display?) Instead, the show revels in having fun with its delivery and toying with viewer expectations. So no matter the setting, the comedy is what will keep me coming back week after week.

originally appeared on Ani-Gamers on April 27, 2018 at 1:00 PM.

By: Ink

[airoasis]

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The Ultimate Girlfriend Getaway Guide to Las Vegas

Vegas is the ultimate girls’ destination any time of year. Growing up in Southern California, I’ve been there more times than I can count. Whether you visit in the summer, or over New Year’s Eve like I recently did, there’s so much to see and do in Sin City.

Here’s the ultimate girlfriend getaway guide to Las Vegas!

(source)

Where to Stay

Last Vegas has a massive array of hotels. I love The Venetian and The Palazzo because every room is a suite and can easily sleep four girls. As a major perk, these stunning hotels are reasonably priced so it’s a good excuse to treat yourself.

The Cosmopolitan has gorgeous rooms with options of up to three-bedroom suites. Winner of the most Forbes five-star awards in the world, the Encore at Wynn is another top luxe pick.

The Delano and Vdara are great options too. They don’t have gaming or smoking and are all-suite. They’re also part of a larger complex, so it’s easy to get around and find 24/7 entertainment!

Blowouts at Drybar at Miracle Mile

This is the prime spot to get gorgeous. With a full bar, a DJ, and a photo booth, the Drybar at Miracle Mile is a blast. The stylists are incredibly skilled and will have you feeling ready for a night out on the town.

I love their saying in the salon, “Blowout. Drink. Repeat!”

Dining Experiences

Yardbird: Hello, comfort food. This place has the low-key gourmet southern fare of your dreams. Show up in jeans and a T-shirt or a formal dress, and indulge in bourbon cocktails, insanely delicious biscuits, cauliflower, and the best devilled eggs I’ve ever had. Pictured above!

Giada at the Cromwell: I adore the super-girly and chic vibe of this Italian eatery run by celeb chef Giada De Laurentiis.

Lago at Bellagio: We got the best seat in the house here for the fountain show, which was an amazing experience. The small tapa-style plates are perfect to share, so you can try a bit of everything.

Libertine Social at Mandalay Bay: We loved the upscale pub grub here. They’ve got fun small plate options so you can share with your girls and try all of the unique foodie creations.

More Luxury Options:

Mr Chow: Treat yourself to Mr Chow at Caesars Palace. This place is the ultimate in luxury and has a champagne cart to boot!

The Twist at Mandarin Oriental: The Twist at Mandarin Oriental is another one of my faves. With great views of the Strip, this French luxury hot spot is a must-try.

Pedal to the Metal at SPEEDVegas

Admittedly, I was scared to even try this, but SPEEDVegas is truly one of the most thrilling things you can do in Vegas. Race around the track in a Ferrari or Lamborghini to try to beat your bestie’s speed.

I hit 147 MPH!

Take a Helicopter Tour

While it’s definitely pricey, it’s well worth it. There are so many breathtaking sights to see all over the region. Get an unparalleled view of the Las Vegas Strip at night, or go for a bird’s-eye view of the Grand Canyon.

Sundance Helicopters and Maverick Helicopters both have an impressive selection of tours!

SHOP my favorite Vegas essentials!

Turn on your JavaScript to view content

Downtown Las Vegas Art Scene

In recent years, however, the Downtown area has experienced a revival through art and projects like the Life is Beautiful Festival! There is so much you can see just walking around here.

Also known as 18b, the Las Vegas Art District has a cool restaurant and bar scene. Check out the Mob Museum and stroll the streets to stumble upon some up-and-coming local art.

If you’re lucky enough to be there during the beginning of the month, the “First Friday” event is a must-see. 10,000 culture vultures flock to the area for live music, top art, and local food.

Read More: The Life is Beautiful Festival

Seven Magic Mountains

As if the natural beauty of Nevada wasn’t already incredible enough, there is also a striking art installation called the Seven Magic Mountains that you’ve got to check out.

Comprised of seven stacks of colorful boulders, that stand over thirty feet high, this installation sits just outside of Las Vegas in the Ivanpah Valley. The exhibition opened May 11, 2016 and will be on view for two years– so don’t miss it!

See a Show!

One of the best shoes I’ve seen in Vegas, and one I’d recommend for any girls’ trip is Absinthe at Caesars Palace. The experience is a hilarious combination of cabaret and acrobatics that make up a provocative variety show!

Absinthe entertains to no end, so make sure to grab your tickets ahead of time!

Neon Museum

Explore the history of this crazy city at the “Boneyard” of vintage Vegas signs. From quirky to iconic neon signs, there is so much to take in here– signs from old casinos and other businesses displayed outdoors on over 6 acres!

Happy Half Hour at the High Roller

As the world’s tallest observation wheel, the 550-foot-tall High Roller is an unforgettable experience. The Happy Half Hour ticket gives you a thirty-minute ride with an open bar. Go for the sunset trip and be sure to bring your camera.

You’ll definitely have the best view of the Strip!

(source)

Cocktail Experience

The Chandelier Bar in The Cosmopolitan is one of my top spots for a drink. It has a unique selection of cocktails that vary on each floor, and the place has endless photo ops.

For 180-degree views of the city, get to Skyfall Lounge at Delano Las Vegas, and then hang out with the cool crowd at The Dorsey for some yummy cocktails.

When you are in the arts district, you can mingle with the locals at the Velveteen Rabbit.

Live It Up

You don’t have to wait until nighttime to party in Vegas. During the “summer” months, March-September, in Vegas you’ll find tons of beach clubs and day parties that offer tons of fun with your girls poolside!

My Favorite Day and Nightclubs

Day: Encore Beach Club is the prime spot for a awesome pool party on the Strip. Spend the day lounging and drinking around the pool with your girls!

Day: Daylight Beach Club at Mandalay Bay is a bit smaller than other beach clubs, but has an epic stages and great cabanas available for reservation.

Night: Marquee in The Cosmopolitan is always hopping and has my favorite atmosphere.

Night: XS is super chic and has a top lineup of DJs at Wynn Encore– I love it because it is half indoor, and half outdoors so you never have that claustrophobic feeling.

Night: TAO hosts one of the hottest nightclubs and lounge, while also offering an outside terrace with great view of the Vegas Strip.

READ NEXT: A Girlfriend Getaway at The Ritz-Carlton, Rancho Mirage

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The Ultimate Girlfriend Getaway Guide to Las Vegas is a post from: The Blonde Abroad

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