12 Days of Anime #4: Friendship in Blood Blockade Battlefront

“You really are a nice guy, person who didn’t give me his burger.” – Nej There’s something inherently comforting about fast food. It’s cheap, convenient, sinfully greasy and downright delicious. Fast food often evokes feel-good memories of childhood (thanks to the insidious power of fast food conglomerate marketing campaigns saturating children television programming). I have […]

12 Days of Anime #3: Tenacity in Assassination Classroom

“I’ve always wanted to be the fiery coach in a sports drama. Unwavering, no matter the adversity you face. To reward that spirit, Coach Koro will impart upon you the training and strategy that will allow you to win!” -Koro-sensei There is a universal appeal to the underdog story. And Assassination Classroom (Ansatsu Kyoushitsu, also […]

12 Days of Anime #2: Conviction in Garo: The Carved Seal of Flames

(This post is the second in a series called “12 Days of Anime”, a blogging tradition that encourages anibloggers–both novices and veterans alike–to look back on the past year and discuss 12 anime moments. There’s no registration process involved–just start writing daily posts about your memorable anime moments this year on December 14th and keep […]

12 Days of Anime #1: Compassion in Death Parade

(This post is the first in a series called “12 Days of Anime“, a blogging tradition that encourages anibloggers–both novices and veterans alike–to look back on the past year and discuss 12 anime moments. There’s no registration process involved–just start writing daily posts about twelve of your memorable anime moments this year on December 14th […]

Lights, Camera, Action! The Art and Science of Entertainment in Amagi Brilliant Park

A little late to the party now that Christmas’s gone and passed, but it seems fitting to conclude this year’s 12 Days of Anime with a post on Amagi Brilliant Park. People celebrate the holidays in a number of different ways, but many of them do so with family and friends. And what’s more quintessential […]

Mothers and Sons in Garo: The Carved Seal of Flames

“Men are what their mothers made them.” -Ralph Waldo Emerson Garo: The Carved Seal of Flames reminds us that behind every hero, Mom’s involved. It goes without saying that heroes generally want to be like their fathers–strong, brave and heroic–but it’s often really their mothers who play a huge role in shaping their people they […]

The Sinister Right? Handedness and Morality in Parasyte: the maxim

Shinichi: Human life is precious, isn’t it? Migi: I don’t understand. I only value my own life. I have never considered the life of any other being valuable. Shinichi: You are an animal. An insect. Migi: Is that your attempt to be disdainful? Human discrimination of left hands enjoys a long and illustrious tradition. Despite […]

Dudes and Their ‘Do’s’: Female Sexuality and Hair in Gonna be the Twin-tail!!

“No matter what the situation…the correct answer is always twintails!” -Mitsuka Soji Hair can be deep, real deep. For females especially, hair is a girl’s best friend. And it’s not too hard to see why. Hair can make people look good and girls often spend tons of money on hair care products to keep their locks […]