An enjoyable and engaging exploration of the destructive impact of a subject’s fixation on gaining the (m)Other’s love and that the often-ignored truth that becoming a mother is not that self-evide…
Dec 9, 2023 • Subscribe
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Motherhood (母性, Ryuichi Hiroki, 2022)
A mother and daughter find their relationship forever frustrated by the roles placed upon them in Ryuichi Hiroki’s adaptation of the Kanae Minato novel.
Motherhood changed how I write about anime
This will be my third Mother’s Day as a mom. This time last year, I was still recovering in the hospital after giving birth. (It had been an…
Celebrate Motherhood and New Life with Kimono Maternity and Newborn Photography
Looking to commemorate a pregnancy or new birth? Connect to Japanese traditional culture and celebrate this momentous occasion with photography that includes original kimono costumes for pregnant and…
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Yamabuki (2022) review [IFFR 2022]
“A beautiful socially-engaged narrative that explores the very fact that, by being grasped within the societal network of relations, one cannot but influence the other and become influenced…
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Eleven Greed (2022) [JFFH 2022]
Despite its obvious low-budget nature, Soejima delivers a highly entertaining and engaging action-thriller.
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Straying (2022) review [Camera Japan 2022]
A pleasant and charming exploration of the fact that, within the game of love and romance and beyond, subjects often rely on acting-out to reveal to the other…
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Melting Sounds (2022) review [OAFF 2022]
“Kahori Higashi’s debut is impressive.”
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Random Call (2022) review [OAFF 2022]
Ohkanda’s narrative proves that one does not need a big budget to deliver a narrative that touches the spectator.
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Stone Steps (2022) review [JFFH 2022]
A great indie narrative that highlights the need for the parental and the traditional Other to aid the subject to embark on the path of his own desire.…
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Angry Son (2022) review [OAFF 2022]
“An incredibly rich and deep narrative that not only delivers a satisfying coming-of-age story but also an elegantly delivered social commentary on some of the frictions marking Japanese…
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Shaman’s Daughter (2022) review [JFFH 2022]
A genre mish-mash – a cocktail of light-hearted comedy, family drama, bloody thriller, and ghostly romance – that is not only pleasant but offers the spectator a rich…
WeebSack 2022
Hello and welcome back to another video also happy new Year! This one is a bit different from my normal uploads since I started making longer content on…
2022 Retrospective
As we say hello to 2023, it's time to take a look back at the many highs and hilarious lows of 2022... 2:01 - 2022 Recommendations 3:16 - Liar Game 5:30…
BLUE LOCK, Cipher, Crossing Time, Dororo, Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead
Winter 2022
Happy New Year! I’m aware January is almost over but I’m still taking this as a win that I managed to send this post out while it was…
Farewell 2022
Happy New Year! We have entered into 2023 and so I decided to look back and reflect on the podcast and life in 2022. Lets go down memory…
Farewell, 2022…
This post is brought you by Nijiyon Animation, an upcoming short anime adaptation of a 4-koma manga series by Miyakohito which is based on Love Live! Nijigasaki High…
Love Live! Nijigasaki High School Idol Club, NIJIYON ANIMATION
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Our House Party (2022) review [OAFF 2022]
Kawanobe delivers a very touching and emotional story about homosexuality in Japan.
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Goodbye Cruel World (2022) review [Japannual 2022]
“A stylish exploration of the cruel call for destruction that structures the perverse criminal field.”
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In The Distance (2022) review [Japannual 2022]
“A very pleasant slice-of-life narrative that elegantly shows that bonds between subjects are that much more genuine if they are grounded in the acceptance of the other’s radical…
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Two On The Edge (2022) review [Japannual 2022]
“A touching experience that highlights that the desire to be loved, for better or worse, is the ulitmate guide the neurotic subject within the societal field.”
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Kingdom of The Apes (2022) review [JFFH 2022]
Shugo Fujii proves that he is the master of indie-thrillers.
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One Day, A woman (2022) review [JFFH 2022]
“Mihiro Kaneko’s incredibly rich performance does not only engages the spectator from start to finish, but allows Yuko’s subjective turmoil, her flight from the societal Other, and her…
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Short Movie Time: Outsourcing (2022) review [OAFF 2022]
“A very satisfying satirical short thta shows that, within the job-seeking process, only the image matters.”
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Convenience Story (2022) review [Fantasia Film Festival 2022]
Miki delivers a great psychological mystery narrative, yet it might not be for everyone.
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Far Away, Further Away (2022) review [OAFF 2022]
“A beautiful film that elegantly explores the role the imaginary plays in marital failure as well as in the beginning of a new romantic bond.”
Fall 2022 Preview
Ahh autumn, truly the season of change. As hot snaps and long summer days give way to changing leaves, colder weather, and the always ubiquitous combo of Uggs…
Akiba Maid War, Welcome to Demon School! Iruma-kun, Urusei Yatsura, LOVE FLOPS, Chainsaw Man
Spring 2022 Schedule
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Noise (2022) review
A highly satisfying experience that delivers suspense as well as good dose of touching emotionality.
Wandering (2022) review
With his poetic sensitivity, Sang-il Lee delivers a rich tapestry of genuine emotionality and a powerful affirmation of the fact that the affirmation of the subject lies beyond…
Summer 2022 4
I think that’s the gateway to the next world. Kuro no Shoukanshi has Kelvin as the one reincarnated to a fantasy world. We learn that he gave up…
OAFF 2022 Special
Hello everyone, In this special episode of Heroic Purgatory, John and Jason discuss their favorite movies from the wonderful 2022 Osaka Asian Film Festival. Timestamps:2:53 - Media Consumption19:12 - News23:42…
Winter 2022 1
Looking over the previews at Random Curiosity, where I get most of my information, I didn’t see a single show I was excited about. I’m going to do…
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Hello everyone, In this special episode of Heroic Purgatory, John and Jason discuss their favorite movies from the 2022 New York Asian Film Festival. Timestamps:1:48 - Media Consumption10:32 - News17:13…
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And so, the new season has begun, right in a moment when I have almost no free time. Long story. But here’s the start of my Fall 2022…
OAFF 2022 Special
Hello everyone, In this special episode of Heroic Purgatory, John and Jason discuss their favorite movies from the wonderful 2022 Osaka Asian Film Festival. Timestamps:2:53 - Media Consumption19:12 - News23:42…
Tsuyukusa (2022) review
A narrative of subtle affection carried by the layered performances of the cast.
Summer 2022 Plans
AstroNerdBoy takes a moment to spell out his anime and manga plans for the Summer 2022 cour. Is there anything new on his docket?
OAFF 2022 Special
Hello everyone, In this special episode of Heroic Purgatory, John and Jason discuss their favorite movies from the wonderful 2022 Osaka Asian Film Festival. Timestamps:2:53 - Media Consumption19:12 - News23:42…
Sunday Retrospective (2022)
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Arata: The Legend, JUJUTSU KAISEN, MAJOR 2nd, One Piece, Spriggan
Review: Hero (2022)
Hero 世间有她 China/Hong Kong, 2022, colour, 2.35:1, 115 mins. Directors: Li Shaohong 李少红 (I), Chen Chong 陈冲 [Joan Chen] (II), Zhang Aijia 张艾嘉 [Sylvia Chang] (III). Rating: 6/10.…
Summer 2022 Preview
Summer is the season of waves-surfing the water waves, suffering the heat waves, and of course-tuning into new anime on the air waves. This summer we have some…
Uncle from Another World, Lycoris Recoil, Shoot! Goal to the Future, TEPPEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Laughing 'til You Cry, Utawarerumono
Convention Rankings 2022
With the end of Yama Con, my conventions for 2022 are done and I won’t be attending another one till the middle of January 2023 so with that…
Ribbon (2022) review
Non, in short, proves with her first feature film that she has a future as screenwriter and director.
Ribbon (Non, 2022)
A young student wrestles with her sense of purpose when her graduation exhibition is cancelled in Non’s charming directorial debut.
2022 in Review
2022 winds down as catastrophically as most other recent years. The war in Ukraine grinds on. A "tripledemic" rages in the US. Covid has ret...
Rageaholic (2022) review
“A great dystopian narrative that clearly gives expression the director’s fear of certain right-wing tendencies that linger within Japanese society.”
Otakon 2022: Wrap
It’s really nice to get back to my “home” convention and run through it as if nothing happened since 2019. I enjoyed the humid Chesapeake Bay summer as…
Winter 2022 Preview
Alas, it is winter (depending on where you live) with bone-chilling winds blowing their way through the bare, dreary trees. Like the winter trees, this anime season is…
JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, Love of Kill, ORIENT, Requiem of the Rose King, JoJo's Bizarre Adventure
Special - NYAFF 2022
Hello everyone, In this special episode of Heroic Purgatory, John and Jason discuss their favorite movies from the 2022 New York Asian Film Festival. Timestamps:1:48 - Media Consumption10:32 - News17:13…