Hey guys how’s it going? Weekly Check-In time with the theme being playing catch-up
Because of this, I watched one anime movie, one anime series, and one tv series. I read three novels off of Netgalley and six volumes of manga in various ways (physical, netgalley and digitally respectively). Onto the Media!
Anime Movie
A Whisker Away
This movie has a lot of emotion involved and also a lot of cats. I am strange and don’t mind animated cats but when it comes to real life cats, I frighten easily. However, with this movie cats only played as a visual as an animal imagining yourself as an animal instead of being living as a human because of how bad human life is to unhappy people. There’s a lot of feels involved, but there are also moments that were there that I felt like were added things for dramatic effect. Overall though, if you like Spirited Away and stories like that I believe you’ll like this. Because of these points, I have to give this a 3.5 out of 5 stars or 4 sushi 🍣 🍣 🍣🍣.
Anime Series
One Piece
This week’s watching of One Piece was a lot of much the same as previous. However, there are also a lot of intriguing stories (background on Zoro for instance but also an awesome time traveling aspect as well). Overall, I am really excited what happens next 4 out of 5 stars or 4 sushi 🍣🍣🍣🍣.
TV Show
The Great Food Truck Race
My family just finished season three of this show this week and we enjoyed how everyone worked from scratch how to become fantastic food truck sellers with some ups and downs that were unexpected. Whoever won, was unfortunately expected, however, I am still enjoying the show and we are still going to continue the show as much as we can. Because of these points, I am still giving this show a 4 out of 5 stars or 4 sushi 🍣 🍣 🍣🍣.
Novel
If This Gets Out
First, Trigger warnings for parental shame, car accidents, LGBTQIA+ ‘s being forced closeted,miscommunication, underraged drug use, and underage drinking.
Did you ever wonder what could have happened if Lance Bass was younger when he came out and dated one of the other band members in the process?? This book is for you. This presents the negative implications of being in a famous boy band that was negatively controlled by their record company especially when it comes to their image. Although at first, I wasn’t sure how this book was going to go, I appreciated what was presented such as the act of coming out as a public figure and what is best for yourself vs what is best for your career. There’s a ton of friendship feels, relationship feels, and family moments that makes the book deeper than I expected in a good way. Plus I loved all the music pop star education that shows the authors’ research in the music industry. My only gripe is that I had was that it took me a little bit more time to get invested in on one of the characters’ perspectives (I think I just was getting annoyed at some of his inner thoughts but I am sure this character is perfect for someone else to relate to). Because of these points, I have to give this book a 4 out of 5 stars or 4 sushi 🍣 🍣 🍣🍣. Check this book out on Dec 2021 if you’re interested!
Instructions For Dancing
This is a book that has a lot of different elements; romance,friendship, family dynamic, dancing, etc. But the overall theme is love. I love that there were a ton more profound quotes than I was expecting and the twist at the end! Ah! it made me feel a ton of emotions Overall, I have to say bookwise this will be now my favorite from Nicola Yoon, and I am definitely excited for more from her. 4 out of 5 stars or 4 sushi 🍣 🍣 🍣🍣. This is already out so please check it out if you haven’t already.
If The Shoe Fits
This book was my first from Julie Murphy and although I have heard fantastic things about her, I was still hesitant going into this book. However!!!!! I was pleasantly surprised with how much I truly enjoyed this book.
There’s a Cinderellaesque story in here but at the same time, it was the kindest Cinderella retelling I have read thus far. This was also the most behind the scenes reality show book I have read so far with a lot of background information on what it takes to create a “bachelor/bachelorette” type show but not in a crude way.
I also liked the fashion designer concept on top of the play on shoes (as a shoe/accessory girl that hit my heartstrings). I truly enjoyed all the characters also even the one I was supposed to hate because they felt real/three dimensional I could even imagine the actors who have played these characters.
Overall, I am excited to see what the future of this series holds and Julie Murphy is now on my radar because of these points, I have to give this a 4.5 out of 5 stars or 5 sushi 🍣 🍣 🍣🍣🍣. This comes out Aug 3rd 2021 so check it out when it does!
Manga
Series Starters
Nina the Starry Bride
Now this is a story that gives me some comparisions to a lot of the royalty period pieces; Yona of the dawn, Fushigi Yuugi, Story of Saiunkoku,etc. However, this time its an orphan posing as a princess in the castle. I think this story is very intriguing with the court politics, the use of constellations as a mythos/teaching, and of course the brimming romance that is most likely going to brew (I can just bet but, I have been wrong before) I think though, the only issue I had with this volume was that I couldn’t tell the main character from her companions at first (but that’s just me). Because of these points, I have to give this a 4 out of 5 stars or 4 sushi 🍣🍣🍣🍣. This is already out along with two other digital volumes so check it out if you can!
Series Continuations
Kiss Him Not Me
This volume was the part in the anime that made me fall in love with the series the leading lady trying her best to navigate the school festival and the guys’ first time at comiket (Japan’s version of a comic-con) and that was pretty hilarious and awesome. It also shows more about the guys’ feelings about the leading lady but overall this was a fun volume and I am excited to continue on. 4 out of 5 stars or 4 sushi 🍣 🍣 🍣🍣.
Boarding School Juliet
This is definitely a manga series that I feel like I am picking up when I am just looking for something to read that is silly yet dramatic and interesting. This introduces some malicious characters (even more than the main ones) and they develop an intense subplot that leaves on a cliffhanger. I love the romance that is developing and how they build each other up despite everyone else around them trying to build them down. We also learn more about the girl on the cover and I like how these people are becoming more three dimensional as the chapters go on. Because of these points, I have to give this manga a 4 out of 5 stars or 4 sushi 🍣 🍣🍣🍣.
Still Sick
This volume of this manga definitely has a back and forth feel between the main characters so there was a lot of confusion and miscommunication involved. It kinda felt more like a buildup of the characters/filler volume but still it was enjoyable, the art is beautiful, and I am excited to read the final volume. Because of these points, I have to give this a 3.5 out of 5 stars or 3 sushi 🍣 🍣🍣.
Lovesick Ellie
This volume made me invested in both characters which was definitely necessary for me personally to keep going with this series. There was also an added character to help elevate the male perspective which I appreciated. I think my only issue with this one, was that there was so much character development happening I wanted the plot to move, but that is also something I know that can be a personal issue that not everyone has. Because of these points, I have to give this volume a 4 out of 5 stars or 4 sushi 🍣 🍣🍣🍣.
My Androgynous Boyfriend
I was a bit hesitant when it came to this particular volume of manga because the previous volume was a tad bit deceptive when it comes to the relationship aspect and entertainment aspect. However, this volume made me feel more for the relationship and characters, but the entertainment aspect was allllll over the place. So much so that I was confused on the transition of the plot from one aspect to the other. Thankfully, it was easier than last time, although it was still difficult. I am not sure whether I am going to continue with the series or not, but I do recommend it if you are looking for a unique slice of life story. Because of these points, I have to give this volume a 3 out of 5 stars or 3 sushi 🍣🍣🍣.
The Week Ahead
This week is going to be continuing to catch up on some of things that have been on my backlog plus continuing forward and consuming the media I would like to consume. What about you guys? What did you read or watch this week? Did you have to catch up too? Let’s talk about it!
Sushirainbow 