By: Beata Garrett | @clearsummers There’s so many great things to say about Arcane, the Netflix show animated by Fortiche and based on characters from League of Legends, but my favorite analyses from fans of the show are about family. Arcane’s first season begins and ends with the fracturing of family as two sisters, Vi and Powder (later known as Jinx), are torn apart, reunited, … Continue reading Arcane Family Dynamics: Vander and Vi
By: Beata Garrett | @clearsummers Oh boy, Ai Yazawa has done it again. I’m always fascinated by how Yazawa depicts relationships and the incredibly messy emotional entanglements and issues her couples go through. I read the Paradise Kiss: 20th Anniversary Omnibus Edition, which I’ve been meaning to do for a while, and it did not disappoint on this end. Of course, the messy couple at … Continue reading Paradise Kiss – Bad Romance Done Right
By: Beata Garrett | @clearsummers
My first thought after leaving Jujutsu Kaisen 0 is that the price and trip to see it in theatres wasn’t worth it. In many ways, the movie is perfect if you know what you’re getting into and if you love the manga, because the movie’s very faithful to it. It’s arguable whether this makes it a good or bad adaptation, but the end product is nevertheless bland and pretty forgettable.
To prepare for the movie, I reread Jujutsu Kaisen 0 the manga, which was released before Jujutsu Kaisen (the manga). Jujutsu Kaisen 0 follows Yuta Okkotsu, a boy who’s haunted by his childhood friend, Rika. Her cursed spirit captures the attention of jujutsu sorcerers, who sentence Yuta to be executed since they fear her being too powerful and uncontrollable (sounds pretty familiar). Yuta’s journey to break Rika’s curse sets him in the path of many dangerous characters, including Geto Suguru, an evil sorcerer intent on destroying humanity.
Disclaimer: This post contains discussions that may be triggering for some readers. Content warning for death of a child. By clicking “Read More,” you understand that you may encounter such content. Reader discretion is advised.
Continue reading “Jujutsu Kaisen 0 – An Okay Movie that Shines Sometimes (Review)”
By: Beata Garrett | @clearsummers Since Turning Red (2022) came out, there’s been a multitude of backlash and criticism of the Pixar movie that’s set my teeth on edge. I’m not talking about the fair criticism of the characters and plot or the “It just wasn’t for me,” but about comments concerning the “relatability” of the movie and concern over the lessons it teaches. Vox has … Continue reading Turning Red – Honor Your Ancestors, Respect Your Child (Review/Analysis)
By: Beata Garrett | @clearsummers
Disclaimer: This post contains discussions that may be triggering for some readers. Content warning for child abuse, child neglect, and trauma. By clicking “Read More,” you understand that you may encounter such content. Reader discretion is advised.
Continue reading “Kotaro Lives Alone: It Takes a Community to Raise a Child (Review)”
Source: https://sevenseasentertainment.com/series/skip-and-loafer/ By: Beata Garrett | @clearsummers In celebration of Skip and Loafer’s anime adaptation, I want to recommend the manga to those interested or on the fence about reading it. I can safely say that Misaki Takamatsu’s manga is one of the most feel-good mangas I’ve read in a while. Skip and Loafer begins with country girl, Mitsumi, moving to Tokyo and beginning high … Continue reading The Gentle Empathy of Misaki Takamatsu’s Skip and Loafer
By: Beata Garrett | @clearsummers I first read Kasane by Daruma Matsuura a year ago, and I loved it even as I was torn on how to feel about its depiction of beauty standards and gender norms. Matsuura’s work is a fascinating study on the blurred lines between acting and living, as the plays performed on stage hold up a mirror to Kasane’s own life … Continue reading Sinister Transformations and Duality in Kasane, Vol. 1 (Review/Analysis)
By: Beata Garrett | @clearsummers I always return to Studio Ghibli’s Whisper of the Heart during the lowest emotional points in my life, specifically those concerning my career and life goals. I first watched it in high school, then in college when I was at a loss about my Major, and now after graduating, and nearing the age of twenty four. Thankfully, I’m in a better place and … Continue reading Whisper of the Heart: The Highs and Lows of Youth and Self-Discovery
By: Beata Garrett | @clearsummers I’ve spent a few good months starting and stopping Tokyo Revengers, and recently decided to give it another go. I wanted to give it a fair shot but I refuse to continue watching after Episode 15. I don’t know whether it gets better or worse from there, but it doesn’t matter because I’ve seen enough. Tokyo Revengers is one of the worst … Continue reading Tokyo Revengers is the Worst Shounen I’ve Ever Seen
By: Beata Garrett | @zhongxia246 Tribe Nine is set in Neo-Tokyo, where the government decided that the only way to stop its warring gangs was by promoting XB, also known as Extreme Baseball. All disputes are settled through the game that is a fun twist on regular baseball. It has most of the same rules with the main differences including entire cities functioning as fields … Continue reading Tribe Nine (Review)
