Hey guys how’s it going? Weekly Check-in time where I let my birthday week dictate my media consumption.
Because of this, I was able to watch and read quite a bit. I watched four movies, one anime, and one TV show. I also read eight volumes of manga and four novels. Onto the media!
Movie
Daydream Believers: The Monkees’ Story
This movie was a trip! Most of the actors were foils of who they were playing and were really amazing. However, the beginning of it dated it in the 2000s instead of the original time the Monkees came to be, plus there was no set conclusion. However, it was fun and hilarious and definitely felt like a Monkees episode with some behind the scenes peeks. Because of these points, I have to give this a 3 out of 5 stars or 3 sushi 🍣 🍣 🍣.
Star Trek
This is a movie that I wasn’t sure I was going to like because of the humor being too much at times, but I feel like this movie created a nice reboot that balances the campiness of the original Star Trek series, but the seriousness of some of the other Star Trek shows in the franchise. This also helped me to see the origins of Kirk and Spock without feeling bored by it or in passing. It also explains how some other characters are put on the ship/how they become the main crew members. My only issue I had was with the time traveling aspect with how the characters that know that time traveling exists just shrug it off like its nothing and that there aren’t consequences. Plus for the romantic relationship that’s in here I wish I had more backstory on that but I may never know. Overall though, its a lot of fun and easy to watch and if you need an entry point into Star Trek, this is a good movie to start with. Because of these points, I have to give this a 4 out of 5 stars or 4 sushi 🍣🍣🍣🍣.
Hampstead
This was a very unexpected movie with a ton of hilarious lines, a moral lesson about land deeds, and how people can change each other’s lives for the better even if they are completely opposites. There are some intense discussions but otherwise I would highly recommend 4 out of 5 stars or 4 sushi 🍣 🍣 🍣🍣.
Anime Movie
Kase-san and Morning Glories
I can definitely see what the fuss is about with this movie! It discusses how a first relationship blossoms like flowers and how much they love and care about each other. The ending was also very adorable because of the epic train scene. Overall, this was an amazing movie I have to now read the manga this movie was based on because I’m invested in the characters! I just wish there was more. Because of these points, I have to give it a 4 out of 5 stars or 4 sushi 🍣 🍣🍣🍣.
TV Show
Loki
My dad and I decided to watch this show and I was pleasantly surprised with how much I love how this is so far. We think its similar to Dr.Who but different and interesting with a fascinating ship that is currently sailing 😀. Its funny, interesting, and twisty. Overall, I am curious what’s going to happen next and both my dad and I are enjoying the ride. The only issue we have is there are some slow points that can be confusing. Because of these points, I have to give this a 4 out of 5 stars or 4 sushi 🍣 🍣🍣🍣.
Anime
Fruits Basket Reboot
So I watched the last episode of this series finally after a week of avoiding it (I didn’t want it to end ok!). I have to say that as a fan of the original anime, this was more fulfilling and I felt more from this. The lessons of friendships and relationships along with some of the paranormal aspects of it made a lot of sense and gave me all of the feels. The only issue I have with this (and im sure this is just an anime issue) was with some of the pacing especially with the final season with things being wrapped up in the final episode but no journey getting up to that point. Thankfully I will be reading the manga to get this journey but still. Overall though, I definitely can see why everyone loves this series and its characters. Because of these points, I have to give this a 4 out of 5 stars and 4 sushi 🍣 🍣🍣🍣. Highly recommend this series especially the reboot.
Manga
Series Starters
A Girl & Her Guard Dog
This is a manga series that I saw randomly on Amazon and this gave me the honeyblood vampire manga vibes but more exciting and interesting. There is a 10 year age gap in this story but its more humorous than weird in my personal opinion. It also shows how a person in a new place who lives in the yakuza lifestyle adjusts in a typical high school setting. I enjoyed this because of the humor and the character dynamic. Theres a little violence but not much as it could be. Overall, I enjoyed this manga and I am excited to continue more in this series. Because of these points, I have to give this a 4-4.5 out of 5 stars or 4 sushi 🍣 🍣 🍣🍣.
After Hours
This volume of manga was very unique especially when it comes to the dark jarring artstyle. There’s quite a bit of education on how DJing and VJing work which I appreciated. I also appreciated the little music notes and author notes throughout the volume. The girls are also very interesting especially Kei but I want to know more about Emi since it seems like she has a lot more baggage than what she is letting on. Overall though, I am curious how this series is going to continue and I really enjoyed the unique artstyle. Because of these points, I have to give this volume of manga a 4 out of 5 stars or 4 sushi 🍣 🍣🍣🍣.
My Boss’s Kitten Vol 1 and 2
This is a manga series that I sort of knew what to expect but at the same time, I had no idea. Theres a lot of smut (in a good way) and plot about two people trying to discover who they want to be after losing who they previously loved. These volumes go so fast that I read one and two in one sitting. They also have more or less the same plot. My only issue with this manga is the formatting. They show a lot of sneak peek of the next volume that makes the reader think there’s still story when there isn’t. Because of these points, I have to give these both 4 out of 5 stars or 4 sushi 🍣 🍣🍣🍣
Series Continuations
The Springtime of My Life Began with You
This is still continuing to be a sweet series with the characters going backwards when it comes to being friends instead of being in a relationship which is something that is not expected from a romance. The leading lady also decides to write a novel which is interesting also. The bonus story from the leading guy’s perspective with how he felt during the first chapter made me love him! At first, I wasn’t sure how I felt about him but the bonus story made me love him. Overall, this is a fun time with a ton of self-discovery. Because of these points, I have to give this manga a 4-4.5 out of 5 stars or 5 sushi 🍣 🍣 🍣🍣🍣.
Laid Back Camp
I am definitely glad to be reading this series. It explains more about varying tools and locations of camping in Japan, a building of a good friendship, and more characters being added in with making it either fun or confusing we will see what happens. I love how the girls try to figure out different aspects of camping that they like best or how they experiment to make their overall camping experience better. Its a truly fun series that I would highly recommend. The only issue I have that the reason I cannot recommend this to absolutely everyone I know and love is number 1. in this particular volume there was alcohol consumption in it with someone being drunk (no worries it wasn’t underage but still) and 2. I understand that for some people, they need color in their manga especially when it comes to landscape etc. Because of that, you may want to check out the anime instead (which I will eventually). Overall though, I love this manga series and I am excited to continue on. 4 out of 5 stars or 4 sushi 🍣🍣🍣🍣.
High School Debut
So this was a reread that I never got a chance to review and man this was just as good as the last time I read it. The friend group is awesome, the moral lessons learned were very profound, and the relationship at least to me feels very healthy for a high school relationship. I definitely recommend it for a teens first manga. Because of these points, I have to give it a 4-4.5 out of 5 stars or 5 sushi 🍣 🍣🍣🍣🍣.
Tropical Fish Yearns for Snow
This is essentially a volume that discusses how to navigate friendship and build up to a sweet relationship. It continues where the first one left off but also has some more plot like navigating communication with a friend on the phone and going to a Summer festival (love those in manga/anime by the way). Overall though, I am curious how everything is going to turn out and its a fantastic manga if you want something for the summer. I just wish there was a little more communication between the two main girls. Because of these points, I have to give this manga a 4.5 out of 5 stars or 4 sushi 🍣 🍣🍣🍣.
Novel
The Love Song of Ivy K.Harlowe
This book is one that I believe a lot of people are not going to be able to read this. The author has listed the content/trigger warnings in the beginning of the book but I will give you the highlights, there’s a lot of unorthodox behavior with partying (in not the safe way) and toxic friendships.
There are a ton more intense scenes especially towards the end with panic attacks and post traumatic stress disorder symptoms so if that is something you are not comfortable reading please don’t read this.
Other than the items listed above, there is a lot of self-discovery when it comes to friendships and relationships with one person impacting someone’s life not necessarily in the romantic sense. There’s a variety of representation in sexuality and illness which was a pleasant surprise but there were some moments that I did not necessarily agree with but with the story plot the way it was, it definitely fit.
Overall, this book is definitely going to stick with me although reading it itself can be a tough experience for emotions and for someone who has difficulty understanding love it can be especially tough. Because of these points, I have to give this book a 4 out of 5 stars or 4 sushi 🍣 🍣 🍣🍣.
Majesty
This was something that I decided to read because of the theme. Going into this book after the first one, I was thinking it could have gone one of two ways. It could have gone too predictable or it could have gone too off the rails that I could have been like nope nope nope this is dumb and dnfed it.
However, I was pleasantly surprised with how much I enjoyed this book and how well love and self-discovery was executed here.
I loved seeing everyone’s new relationships and how they interpreted love with others as well as themselves.
There was also a lot of girl power involved as well with sisterly and friendship bonds.
Lastly, the antagonist perspective was unexpected but at the same time fitting considered the character but it makes me wonder, do you think she’s actually going to marry him or what? And secondly is the guy really that stupid??? Apparently so. We may never know though. But the other guys were awesome.
Overall, this was a very entertaining novel (and im definitely glad I didn’t listen to the audio this time that took forever) and I recommend it for people who love drama, girl power, and alternative american history. Because of these points, I have to give this book a 4 out of 5 stars or 4 sushi 🍣 🍣 🍣🍣.
Amanda
Ok so this Christian Romantic Comedy went deeper than I ever could of expected it to. Theres a lot of discussion with chronic illness and how people could not believe the patient or just can’t find what is causing the pain. Theres also representation of someone being in the foster system that we definitely need more representation in adult romance that is done very well.
The social media aspect was also done right, although I was hoping for it to be a little more realistic at points.
The love was so deep and emotional that I almost cried at a couple of parts. I loved the music that they shared with each other and profound words.I have to say at this point, this is my favorite book in the series. The second -chance romance aspect was so beautiful.
I do however, have two things that I wanted to present not necessarily negative things but they do need to be said. I will warn you that this book in the series does have the most religious influence because of some Bible passages and music. However, in this aspect, it amplified the story because of the emotions that are already present. The other aspect that I was actually annoyed by was that this book felt a lot shorter than the others previous with more of the other couples (the other couples weren’t bad buttt……) I wanted more from this particular couple and to make this one shorter was a tragedy.
Overall, I loved this book and am curious if the last single lady will get a book or not. Because of these points, I have to give this book a 4 out of 5 stars or 4 sushi 🍣 🍣 🍣🍣.
Never Saw You Coming
This book is one that I believe that a lot of people may think its jarring but at the same time, it could help a ton of people too teens as well as adults. Some caveats first: Number one, if you are uncomfortable with religious influence and beliefs being put into your media, do not read this. I will also add that if you are questioning your faith and trying to understand how you personally feel about your faith, you may get a lot out of this book, I know I certainly did. Number 2. Even though this is following other characters, this is a companion book to More than Maybe by the same author and does spoil some points in that book. Because of that, I recommend reading that one first or if you haven’t, read that too. I hadn’t yet, however I had been meaning to so now I am going to.
Ok now that those caveats are out of the way, this is a fantastic book as a whole. There’s a ton of discussion, but also a ton of romance and self-discovery as well. If I were to recommend this book to a specific person in general, it would be to someone who has lost their way not religiously per say but just someone who may need to feel that they aren’t alone and that other people feel the same way they do and can move forward and be happy slowly and surely.
My one issue with this though, is that there were moments that I was unsure what was going on feeling like we were just getting scenes of their lives and not an all encompassing story especially when it comes to the epilogue. Overall though, I loved this story and I am excited to read more from this author. Because of these points, I have to give this a 4 out of 5 stars or 4 sushi 🍣 🍣🍣🍣. Please check out this book when it comes out on September 7th 2021.
The Week Ahead
So for the week ahead, I will probably be slowing down because of things starting to happen with work etc. However, I am really excited to continue more on reading more of my review books because of trying to make my Netgalley score higher but ultimately as you know I mood read/watch quite a bit so we will see. What about you guys? What did you read or watch this week? Did you get as much as consumed as I did? Let’s talk about it!
Sushirainbow 