Hey guys how’s it going? Weekly Check-in time where I essentially went into my Otaku rabbit hole.
Because of this, I watched 5 anime 😱 and listened to one podcast. I also read 7 volumes of manga 😱😱, 1 graphic novel, and finished 1 novel that has been on my list for a month!!! Onto the media!!!
Anime
Record of Ragnarok
Watching the anime compared to the first volume of the manga, I can completely understand why people don’t like the animation style vs the manga artstyle. This is an interesting story but there are moments the animation feels choppy. I also feel like the changes in narrators can be jarring as well. Overall though, its still intriguing and I am curious to see how the anime and the manga finishes. 4 out of 5 stars or 4 sushi 🍣 🍣🍣🍣.
Phantom of the Idol
I’ll be honest, when I saw that this anime existed based on the manga, I was excited but worried too. There is a lot of CGI animation with the performances, but otherwise it reminded me so much of full moon wo sagishite, ginban kaleidoscope, and Uta no princesama all at once. It’s a true adaptation to the manga and gave needed life. The songs are also all amazing as well. Because of these points, I have to give this anime a 4 out of 5 stars or 4 sushi 🍣 🍣🍣🍣.
One Piece
This series still continues to be amazing, and I am also glad I read the manga for the highlights but also because the anime clarified some things that the manga presented. Overall, though where the dub ended was such an impactful point that it was a bad spot in my opinion. Because of these points, I have to give this a 4.5 out of 5 stars or 4 sushi 🍣🍣🍣🍣.
Tonikawa:Fly Me to the Moon
I will be honest; this series is okay at this point, but maybe I was expecting more from it? Its possible. I think also its one I can put down and pick back up without worrying about missing something. Overall, it’s an okay series but not something I can see obsessing over. 3.5 out of 5 stars or 3 sushi 🍣🍣🍣.
Tsurune
This is a show that has been on my list for a while. It’s because several podcasts and bloggers have recommended it. For me, I would say for fans of Chihayafuru and Run with the Wind but I am sure Free fans would enjoy it as well(I haven’t watched Free so take that with a grain of salt). I also appreciated the multi generational perspectives. However, there are some moments that make the series (both seasons) slow paced. Because of these points, I have to give this a 4-4.5 out of 5 stars or 4 sushi 🍣 🍣🍣🍣.
Manga
Series Continuations
Cherry Magic! Vols 2-3
This manga series continues to be beautiful and slow paced. At the same time, I think I want more different chapters from all four characters instead of just one. Overall, though, I think I want to continue on with the manga series, but I will take my time. Because of these points, I have to give this a 4 out of 5 stars or 4 sushi 🍣🍣🍣🍣.
Yona of the Dawn vol 25-28
Honestly this series continues to be intriguing and politically charged. I truly loved every second of it. The romance is continuing to be amazing, and the humor is lovely. I am also glad there is more about the dragons in these volumes. I just wished I could continue on reading it. Because of these points, I have to give this a 5 out of 5 stars or 5 sushi 🍣🍣🍣🍣🍣.
Fangirl Vol 2
I will be honest; I was hesitant to read this volume of manga because as much as I love this story and am grateful for new readers to read it, I know there will be aspects that will be missing and also, I knew that in some sense, it wasn’t going to be the end of the story. I was correct on where it ended (about halfway through the novel), and the romance was adapted beautifully. However, the family aspect wasn’t much touched. I am hoping that things even out in the other volumes, but who knows frankly. I also feel like Simon Snow took up too much again, but I know from the novel it already does that, so that’s a source material issue, not a manga issue. But I love the art style, and I am ecstatic to continue the series. 3.5 out of 5 stars or 4 sushi 🍣🍣🍣🍣.
Graphic Novel
Pixels of You
Honestly………I would not really recommend this to anyone except as an art book to teens……. ok ok I know that is very extreme. But as much as I appreciated what the characters accomplished(AI or otherwise) and the photography aspects, there was no really set plot….. there was no point to it in my opinion and I say I don’t recommend it to teens because of some of the adult subjects that are presented getting high off of pain killers, settlements from a lawsuit, AI oppression. All valid points that didn’t have a set direction to go……The characters were also flat at best….. and nice looking. The black pages were also too random, and I didn’t understand what the point of them were. Overall, I’m sorry I wasn’t a fan of the story, but the art is amazing, 2.5 out of 5 stars or 2 sushi 🍣🍣.
Podcast
Dub Talk
This podcast is one I like listening to because of the camraderie, the expansive knowledge, and the variety of anime that are presented. I wish that I watched more anime that they cover, but they’ll happen eventually. 5 out of 5 stars or 5 sushi 🍣 🍣🍣🍣🍣.
Novel
The Prince of Starlight
This is a very character driven story. Because of that, it may take some time for you to read it (it took me a month but that’s more a me issue than a book one). It is though, one that is more slice of life mixed Asian fantasy. I found that with that in mind, I was able to pick it up and put it back down and know what was happening to an extent, but it also can be a drain for someone who isn’t ready for that story at the moment. Especially in the beginning. It has the atmosphere of the donghua series of heaven’s official blessings etc. and I would highly recommend it for those fans. I think my absolute favorite moments were the times that the characters were figuring things out and just getting along but the romance (if you could call it that its very slow burn) is in the background and the friendships were in the foreground. But my least favorite was that there was one too many mini missions. I think the story would have benefitted from one less to keep the middle from being too long. Overall though, I would highly recommend this, and I am excited to see what the other books have in store. 4.5 out of 5 stars or 5 sushi 🍣🍣🍣🍣🍣.
The Week Ahead
Wow, this past week, I caught up on things but also tried some items on my list that have collected dust for a while!!! I want to continue that process the week, maybe even the month, ahead. What about you guys? What have you read watched or even listened to this week? Let’s talk about it!
Sushirainbow 