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Autonomy, aliens, and a study in female character agency with 16bit Sensation
16bit Sensation is (unfortunately) a useful case study for what we talk about when we talk about character autonomy, active versus reactive characters, and how a narrative suffers…
Evangelion, alienation, and Japan’s 1990s economic crisis
In a time wracked by despair, paranoia, and economic devastation, Evangelion captured the nihilistic zeitgeist of a nation and its citizenry.
Weekly Round-Up, 8-14 May 2024: Aggretsuko’s Commodified Rage, Medical GoFundMe, and 50 Years of Hana to Yume
AniFem Round-Up BanG Dream! It’s MyGo!!!!! and the value of letting female characters suck Soyo is a relative rarity for the music gacha subgenre: a sympathetic member of…
What anime most epitomizes the 2000s to you?
Were you watching anime in the 00s? What’s the snapshot of the era to you? If you’re younger/started anime later, what does 00s anime look like to you?…
Chatty AF 206: Bakemonogatari Watchalong – Episodes 9-15
Toni, Vrai, and Peter return for Nadeko Snake and Tsubasa Cat and anguish over the now-unfinished streaming status of the series.
Designer, DJ, and model Senanan’s latest fashion brand wants to make kawaii for everyone
Senanan has worked in the worlds of fashion design, music, and modeling; she talked with us about returning to work after becoming a mother and her latest project.
Designer, DJ, and model Senanan’s latest fashion brand wants to make kawaii for everyone
Senanan has worked in the worlds of fashion design, music, and modeling; she talked with us about returning to work after becoming a mother and her latest project.
BanG Dream! It’s MyGo!!!!! and the value of letting female characters suck
This show ended up being a standout, not just in the BanG Dream! universe but in the realm of idol/music anime more broadly.
Weekly Round-Up, 1-7 May 2024: Black BL, Mental Health Chat, and KOSA Updates
AniFem Round-Up From Takarazuka to Terayama: The influence of queer theater on Revolutionary Girl Utena Looking into the queer outsider theatre that Ikuhara drew inspiration sheds fascinating new…
What’s your favorite romance trope?
Is it different for comedy vs drama? Is it different for LGBTQ+ romance vs het? Has a specific series ever pulled off a trope you otherwise loathe?
2024 Spring Three-Episode Check-In
A quarter done already? This is one oddball spring, though there are still some standouts worth investing your time in.
Train to the End of the World, Unnamed Memory, Viral Hit, A Condition Called Love, Mysterious Disappearances
From Takarazuka to Terayama: The Influence of Queer Theater on Revolutionary Girl Utena
While the influence of theater on Utena isn’t subtle, uncovering those histories can be like finding little Rosetta Stones to help you parse a show that prides itself…
Weekly Round-Up, 24-30 April 2024: Skateboarding Josei, pixiv TOS Changes, and They Were Eleven
AniFem Round-Up Queerness and the Power of “Subtext” in Sound! Euphonium & Liz and the Blue Bird Why sapphic audiences were drawn to Eupho, what makes it frustrating…
What series that you love only became great in the second half?
Was the first half messy or just underwhelming? Do you have an example within a single cour? Multiple seasons? Does it make it difficult to recommend/how do you…
Chatty AF 205: 2024 Winter Season Wrap-Up
Vrai, Peter, and Alex take a much delayed look back on the 2024 Winter anime season, where some of our bottom titles managed to pull out some good…
Weekly Round-Up, 17-23 April 2024: North Korean Animators, Ice Adolescence Cancelled, and 30 Years of Tokyo Pride
AniFem Round-Up 2024 Spring Premiere Digest All our spring premiere reviews in one place, plus some updated content warnings for shows with multiple episodes out. Anime Feminist Recommendations…
Which anime girl deserved better?
Best girl from a good show, but she could’ve been used better? Best girl who’s great, but the show was a trainwreck? Show that’s worth watching just for…
Anime Feminist Recommendations of Winter 2024
We had a warm winter of romance---whether it involved middle school students, office workers, or giant robots.
A Sign of Affection, Brave Bang Bravern!, Cherry Magic! Thirty Years of Virginity Can Make You a Wizard?!, The Apothecary Diaries, The Dangers in My Heart
2024 Spring Premiere Digest
Licensing frustrations aside, there are a number of titles to look forward to this season.
Unnamed Memory, Vampire Dormitory, Whisper Me a Love Song, Re:Monster, The Fable
Weekly Round-Up, 10-16 April 2024: Supporting Animators, Simulcasting Woes, and Controller Layout Presets
AniFem Round-Up Grandpa and Grandma Turn Young Again – Episode 1 Sometimes, it’s good to remember that humor is cultural….but boy, was this still a dull slog. Mysterious…
Mysterious Disappearances, Unnamed Memory, Grandpa and Grandma Turn Young Again
What was your favorite Winter 2024 anime?
Favorite new series? Favorites sequel/continuation? Series that surprised you, for better or worse?
Whisper Me a Love Song – Episode 1
I had a wonderful time, but your experience will likely depend on how willing you are to stretch your disbelief over the premise.
THE NEW GATE – Episode 1
I love a series that presents an interesting premise and then does absolutely nothing with it, don’t you?
KAIJU No.8 – Episode 1
It’s worth following a few more episodes just to see what the hype is about.
YATAGARASU: The Raven Does Not Choose Its Master – Episode 1
Yatagarasu’s focus on the women themselves grants them a little narrative autonomy even if the system itself reduces them to political pawns.
Oblivion Battery – Episode 1
If I had a nickel for every anime MAPPA made about a promising middle school athlete starting high school with amnesia, I’d have two nickels. That’s not a…
Chillin’ in Another World with My Level 2 Super Powers – Episode 1
An isekai protagonist who's actively anti-slavery! We've cleared the lowest bar!
The Many Sides of Voice Actor Radio – Episode 1
It's okay, but so far the leads' chemistry isn't terribly convincing.
Viral Hit – Episode 1
Viral Hit is a show about frustrations with the medical system and exploitation when working online—something that’s sadly relatable across cultures.
As a Reincarnated Aristocrat, I’ll Use My Appraisal Skill to Rise in the World – Episode 1
Strap in, everyone, because we have a lot to unpack here.
Unnamed Memory – Episode 1
But I’m not sure from this first episode whether the show has the writing chops to sell its romance convincingly.
Mysterious Disappearances – Episode 1
Sumireko is fantastic, but the show is being strangled by obtrusive fanservice.
Grandpa and Grandma Turn Young Again – Episode 1
Sometimes, it’s good to remember that humor is cultural....but boy, was this still a dull slog.
Weekly Round-Up, 3-9 April 2024: Shoujo Sci-Fi, Aerith, and Early Bias Training
AniFem Round-Up I Was Reincarnated as the 7th Prince so I Can Take My Time Perfecting My Magical Skill – Episode 1 Starts cute before an uncomfortable camera…
Go! Go! Loser Ranger! – Episode 1
Despite leaning hard into absurdity, Go! Go! Loser Ranger! feels like it has some earnest regard for the genre it’s parodying.
Vampire Dormitory – Episode 1
Its leads are good kids, but your interest will depend on your feelings about het crossdressing stories and tolerance for limited animation.
What’s your most anticipated Spring 2024 premiere?
New series? Sequel or returning show? Have any shows surprised you so far, positively or negatively?
Tadaima, Okaeri – Episode 1
I would love to be able to recommend this show as a fantasy of domestic life for queer people, but it doesn’t even really function as that.
Jellyfish Can’t Swim in the Night – Episode 1
This coming-of-age drama is easily the stand-out of the season so far, barring a couple significant stumbles.
Mission: Yozakura Family – Episode 1
This definitely isn’t going to be a smash hit like Spy x Family, but if nothing else it’s a fun popcorn show.
Chatty AF 204: Bakemonogatari Watchalong – Episodes 1-8
Toni leads Vrai and Peter on a watchalong through the first eight episodes of the late ‘00s collaboration between NIsioisin and Studio SHAFT that was as infamous as…
Tonbo! – Episode 1
Head to the course with Tonbo and Igarashi, a child golf prodigy and a man down on his luck who happen to meet when the latter leaves traditional…
Tonari no Yokai-san – Episode 1
What a lovely and laid-back show about building community.
The Fable – Episode 1
Likely to fall into obscurity on Disney+, unless the casual anime viewer has been secretly dying for tongue-in-cheek deadpan homage to the aesthetics of 70s hitman manga
Astro Note – Episode 1
Will Astro Note stand on its own, or will the classic Takahashi Rumiko romance it loves to homage cast too long a shadow?
A Condition Called Love – Episode 1
A Condition Called Love has some promise, although it remains to be seen whether it’ll live up to that.
HIGHSPEED Étoile – Episode 1
The entire episode felt like I accidentally stumbled onto a random NASCAR race on TV with no context as to who these characters are.
A Salad Bowl of Eccentrics – Episode 1
If this premiere wasn’t so sodden with fanservice I’d be inclined to call this charming and be intrigued for more, but as it is I’m left a little…
WIND BREAKER – Episode 1
Sakura Haruka already seems like a great addition to the "teen gangster with a heart of gold" squad.
Bartender: Glass Of God – Episode 1
I liked Bartender: Glass of God well enough, but its lofty claims gave it an air of pretension that I couldn’t really get past.