Unbeknownst to many, I ran a newsletter on and off for about a year or so. I loved writing the newsletter but a month or so ago, the plugin for the newsletter ran an update that completely messed with my other plugins. In order to save my site (dramatic exaggeration here) I disabled the newsletter plugin and decided the newsletter was done. But then I thought, why do I need a newsletter to specifically share random updates and thoughts that are not news or reviews?
So here we are, a weekly (maybe biweekly, maybe monthly, maybe whenever there’s a blue moon) update on what I’m working on creatively, watching, reading, thinking about, and whatever else I want to talk about.
Spring Anime
Spring 2024 is filled with so many good anime, and that’s not even counting My Hero Academia and Demon Slayer, which both return in May. Last season, I tried to pick one day of the week to watch everything and got terribly behind (and I’m still catching up on Solo Leveling.) This season, I’ve been seated almost every day of the week with something to watch. I am finding that watching an episode the day it comes out has just been easier to manage and gives me something to look forward to almost every day.
My tastes span across different genres and demographics, so there is a little bit of everything on my list. I have some on my initial list that I haven’t checked out yet that may get added on later, but for now, this is what I’ve been watching.
Current Watches
Train to the End of the Word – If you follow me on Instagram, you will know that I’ve been reviewing every episode weekly. I am SO into this show. It’s so weird and wacky but underneath it, it’s revealing a touching story about friends. I am unsure of what comes next with this anime and that I think is my favorite part. It is also an original anime, so there’s no telling if this will be just one season that wraps everything up or if there will be more seasons.
Spice and Wolf: Merchant Meets the Wise Wolf – Admittedly, I am behind on this anime even though there are only 3 episodes out. However, I will be making an effort to catch up today so I’m back on track. I never saw the OG series but it was always loosely on my list to check out since I have friends who love it. The first episode drew me in and it gives me the feeling that this will be a sweet and slow watch.
Tadaima, Okaeri – This is another one where if you follow me on socials, you know I cannot stop talking about it. OMEGAVERSE BOYS LOVE ANIME?! My name was all over this one. Surprisingly, I have not read the manga this anime is based on so everything is new and fresh. I love this anime so much already. It is so sweet and tender, that I cannot help but to blush and kick my feet the entire 23 minutes.
Bartender: Glass of God – Bartender comes out on Wednesdays, which makes it the perfect midweek pick-me-up. Each episode is a joy to watch. It reminds me of one of my favorite things about slice of life anime: the ability to make the ordinary, extraordinary. If it wasn’t because I try to avoid drinking on week days, I would be making a drink to watch along with every episode. Everything feels low stakes and its a good time.
The Many Sides of Voice Actor Radio – Another friendship-centered anime? Sign me up! Voice Actor Radio seems to be an ‘enemies to friends’, to maybe lovers story and I am enjoying it thus far. On the surface, it seems a bit superficial, but already from two episodes, I can see how it toches on the voice actor idol industry, self-worth, outside perception vs who you really are, and a lot more.
Wind Breaker – This is another I’ve been recapping every week over on Instagram! I am OBSESSED! This anime has subverted all my expectations and I am so glad. What I thought would be just boys fighting is turning out to be a heartwarming story of an outcast finding a place to belong. It’s funny and has the cutest cutaways. I count down to new episodes!
A Condition Called Love – I am also two episodes behind on A Condition Called Love but I will be catching up soon! I’ve heard nothing but amazing things about the manga from some of my favorite shojosie creators so I have been looking forward to this anime. I enjoyed the first episode and am excited to see the progression between the two leads.
Kaiju No 8 – I’ve been waiting for this anime ever since I interviewed the manga’s English translator David Evelyn on my podcast. And man, the wait was so worth it. I’ve watch the first two episodes subbed and dubbed, and both are amazing. I almost started the manga and I’m so glad I waited and am going into the anime blind. It’s so funny and the voice cast in both languages is amazing.
Non-Seasonal Anime
If you follow me on Threads, you’ll know I’m a new convert to Asian media that is not just anime! I’ve been deep-diving in the world of Korean BL live actions. I’ve watched a few already on the streaming platform Vikki and have some content about that coming soon! But, I recently discovered on Vikki a Chinese animation that I’ve been watching over the weekend called Cure / Jieyao.
Cure is based on the manhua Antidote by Zhe Wu. Zhe Wu also wrote another manhua I love called Run Wild! I started the anime not knowing it was by the same person. So when I got to googling, I was so happy to see the connection. The animation is Boy’s Love Lite (aka if you know, you know but people think they are BFFs.) Cure was available on Bili Bili before it shut down. I’m hoping someone else picks it up so I can read it once I’m done with the anime.
Upcoming Projects + Manga
Since the manga I’ve been reading directly ties into my next video projects, I figured I would combine them. I recently finished The Demon Prince of Momochi House manga and LOVED it! I am working on my video reviewing the anime and comparing it (in a non-manga spoiler way) to the manga. I’m about 80% complete with the research and script, so all that will be left will be recording and editing.
I’m also finalizing the script for my Cardcaptor Sakura video for my CLAMP analysis series. This one has taken me a long time but it is because I love Cardcaptor Sakura so much. But I also want to critique the things I don’t agree with appropriately (and boy, there’s a lot.) You guys know I’m a CLAMP girl through and through, but that does not mean they are above criticisms, especially for the very problematic and questionable things they have in a lot of their older work. Regardless, putting this script together has been challenging in the best way. I’m excited to get it completed and recorded.
Other TWOA News
I was approved for Fan Expo Philly as press and will be attending on May 4th! If you’re going and would like to meet up or say hi, please let me know! I’m excited to be back after a long time! I’m also going to be applying to Anime NYC and hopefully some other local cons.
Welp, this is it for the first of hopefully many update posts! See you next week (or whenever.)
