Anime/Manga Reviews

Thoughts on anime and manga I've watched/read in recent times

• A Bride's Story (manga) - The best representation of Central Asia that I've seen in Japanese media - not that there's swathes of competition. Incredible set of characters, fascinating historic setting (during the Russian conquest) and excellent research on the part of Kaouri Mori, who you can tell is a real enthusiast for the region.
• Golden Kamuy (manga) - The research that went into this series is incredible. Noda was advised by experts on the Ainu, Nivkh, Uilta and other indigenous peoples, and linguists were consulted to ensure the accuracy of the various languages used in the manga other than Japanese. Incredible efforts aside, its just a really fun series with a cast of awesome characters that can even teach you some overlooked history - lots of characters are based on real figures.
• Is Love The Answer? (manga) - I still feel so happy when I remember this exists. There are lots of people in Japan who are locked in when it comes to LGBT+ issues, and I think this manga can both help people understand the asexual life experience and why it needs to exist as a label and be accepted, as well as help ace people figure themselves out.
• Kowloon Generic Romance (anime) - I'm always interested in anime set in real world locations other than Japan, and Kowloon Walled City is about as unique as it gets. It's kind of... drama-mystery-scifi series, so I won't say too much. Ended up watching a documentary about the real Kowloon immediately upon finishing the series.
• Megazone 23 (anime OVA) - This feels like what an AI would give you for the input '1980s anime OVA'. Extremely fun, action packed and has some banger music with charming animation. However, the story was all over the place.
• Ayako (manga) - Peak Tezuka. The titular character's entire life really hits you in the feels. The series also has educational value as a good demonstration of post-war Showa Japan. It certainly taught me some history.
• Crime and Punishment (manga) - I was initially excited to read Tezuka's take on a Russian literary classic, but unfortunately its not a good adaptation. Severely lacking in substance, loses all of the original story's complexity. Just read the novel.
• CITY (manga) - Spiritual sequel to Nichijou. I think its a bit less funny, but still a very amusing way to pass a few hours. I read most of it on my flights to/from Uzbekistan.
• Ergo Proxy (anime) - Watched this with several uni friends. It's one of those shows that I think is very good, objectively, from an artistic perspective. And certainly, I had fun watching it. However, I don't think its a 10/10 as some of my contempories do. My favourite episodes were the sillier ones, like the game show insanity.
• The Cat Returns (anime movie) - Watched with my sister over the summer holidays, very charming. Probably one of the weaker Ghibli films overall, mostly because its lacking in depth, but its still a nice side story to Whisper of the Heart.
• Pom Poko (anime movie) - Another one on a Ghibi binge while visitng my sister. Quite unique and I appreciate the environmental message, but feel like it dragged on too long and was rather repetitive.
• From up on Poppy Hill (anime movie) - Really sweet, the seaside town setting kinda reminds me of Aberystwyth. Deals nicely with obscure complexities that can occur in relationships between people, and I found the resolution to be perfectly satisfactory. Stunning background art, as is often the case with Ghibli films.