Caffe Mocha
BLACKPINK: Light Up The Sky – An Intimate Look at the World's #1 K-Pop Girl Group || Review
A brief, spoiler-free review of the 2020 documentary film, "BLACKPINK: Light Up The Sky," produced by Netflix, and directed by Caroline Suh.
The story of the #1 charting K-pop girl group finally gets told, and the whole world is watching.
BLACKPINK IS IN OUR AREA for today's video!! We're gonna talk about YG Entertainment and Netflix's latest K-pop documentary film, "BLACKPINK: Light Up The Sky," which was just released on Wednesday, October 14th! No spoilers, so feel free to watch before or after viewing! (Also, there's lots of fan rambling in this one, just thought I'd let you know 😉)
I LOVE THESE GIRLS WITH ALL MY HEART, and I hope these sentiments reach you as well! As much as I wanted to write out a review for this one, it just felt more natural to film a video instead. So, here it is, and I sincerely appreciate all those supporting my YT channel.
"When you're working in a group, everyone has their place and a role. And when everyone settles into their roles, that's how synergy is born. That realization changed my outlook. When everyone is where they need to be, big things can happen."
I've actually known BLACKPINK longer than I have BTS, so this film was extra special for me to watch. While it needn't be said, this is a certified "Cafe Mocha" film here at the cafe, and one that you should totally check out if you're a fellow BLINK, OR if you're wanting to get into BLACKPINK and the K-pop scene and maybe don't know where to start. Trust me, you've found a great place. To those who have seen it, you'll definitely have to let me know what your favorite part of the film was in the comments!! 🖤💖
I'll try to come back soon with a formal update explaining what's going on with the blog, and where we should go from here. But for now, enjoy the video, and I'll see you soon. 'Till next time~!
Tagged 2020, BLACKPINK, BLACKPINK Light Up The Sky, BLINK, Caffe Mocha, documentary film, k-pop, Netflix, review
Den-noh Coil: The 2000s Sci-Fi Anime You Never Watched (But Should) || Review
A brief spoiler-free review of the original 26-episode Spring 2007 anime "Den-noh Coil" (also translated as "Dennou Coil"), animated by Madhouse, created and directed by Mitsuo Iso.
Nostalgia, Child's Play, & the Internet
In the near future, people have integrated augmented reality their daily lives through the use of specialized cyber glasses. A virtual world of "E-spaces" overlays Daikoku city's electronic infrastructure. Viruses hide in plain sight, yet only glasses wearers can see these virtual hazards. Children in particular find immense joy in tracking down old abandoned E-spaces and using them for their own game. Hacking spaces, switching servers, discovering damaged domains—it's like the coolest game of geocaching you could ever play! Some have even taken interest in hunting for metabugs, small gems which can be converted into currency or special items in the digital world.
This brings us to Yuuko "Yasako" Okonogi and her family, who have just moved to Daikoku City despite rumors of some people mysteriously disappearing. While searching for her cyberdog Densuke, Yasako encounters Fumie Hashimoto, a playful classmate and member of "Coil." Comprised of other community youngsters, the small unofficial detective agency helps glasses wearers solve various cyber troubles. The girls' meeting also brings Yasako's snappy grandmother back into her life, who just so happens to run a shop that sells illegal tools which interact with the virtual world AND is the bright mind behind Coil.
Like any program, however, there are many bugs in the system, dubbed "illegals." Some are lost, aimlessly wandering the digital landscape to eternity. Other illegals exist to cause mayhem, and some are harmless yet like to follow humans around, much like a household pet would. Another girl, Yuuko "Isako" Amasawa, is also investigating these corrupt spaces, but her abrasive hacking style (and attitude) deters her from making friends. The kids in Coil are determined to discover the truth behind the mysterious viruses and disappearances, but little do they know what corruption lurks on the dark side of the web.
Virus Attacks & Friendly-Fire Hacks
For the entirety of the series, Yasako serves as our blank canvas as Fumie guides us through the ins and outs of the virtual world. The two girls become best friends, and Fumie's intelligent yet loud personality meshes well with Yasako's soft naivete. Navigating through scary virus attacks and friendly-fire hacks from their fellow classmates, the go quite well together as a pair.
But, if there's one giant brick wall stopping them from having fun in this digital space, it's going to be Yuuko Amasawa. To avoid confusing the two Yuuko transfer students, the kids call her Isako. And boy is Isako one tough nut to crack. She's standoffish, rude, and totally not interested in making friends; rather, her eyes are set solely on collecting metabugs for her own personal mission.
To complicate matters, the incredibly obnoxious and bratty Daichi Sawaguchi (along with his self-named "Hackers Club" goons) are also trying to snatch up metabugs, drawing out much of the conflict in the series' first half. As things get weirder and weirder on the digital side, these hidden secrets tell of disastrous things happening in Daikoku City. Maybe, just maybe, the forces undermining the kids' efforts will allow them to start seeing eye-to-eye.
Given that practically the entire cast of this one is made of children, I'm SO glad that the English dub from Maiden Japan cast all the young boys with female dub actresses. (It just helps avoid the cringe of hearing a 30-year-old man voicing a ten-year-old.) I've never heard a dub where the children—to this extent—act and sound so much like children should. These kids are FUNny and are a hoot to watch! (And I LOVE Specs Granny!!)
Whether chasing down urban legends, stalking haunted hotspots, or connecting dreams and memories across time and digital spaces, these kids go on quite the coming-of-age journey. Together, they prove that the Internet can be a fantastic place for self-discovery—but also a potentially hazardous landscape without practicing proper safety.
Integrating CG with the Digital World
Although the show has a quiet, lukewarm start to it, the talents at Madhouse breathe astonishing life into Den-noh Coil. Mitsuo Iso not only directed AND created the entire story—he also drew many of the key frames himself! His style is jerky yet detailed, full of motion and expression. There's some really well-animated character work done here, and it's all in the details. Whether fidgeting children, readjusting glasses, or making silly faces, the animation fully encapsulates the behaviors and mannerisms of goofy 6th graders.
Despite coming from an era of anime where the use of CGI was almost purely experimental, the 3D CG works remarkably well here since Den-noh Coil's world is deeply intertwined with the digital space of the Internet. Muted, drab, washed-out Tokyo landscapes provide a unique, small-town community atmosphere to the series. Much of the AR special effects work is done with CG, giving us a nice distinction between the bleak watercolor skies of the real world and the quirky (yet dangerous) E-spaces that the kids are so fond of exploring.
I also found the entire soundtrack of the show to add a unique quality to Den-noh Coil. The series is accompanied by soft acoustic guitar and the quiet cascade of digital sound effects whenever the kids are dueling in back alleyways. Tsuneyoshi Saito's OST, as with most of his other works (most notably Fafner), showcases the strengths of orchestral music. If we're not getting weaving wind ensembles, we may hear the solemn beat of tribal drumming, or even the tender, evocative enchantment of the piano. It's classic, and this kind of music will always win me over.
Connection, Disconnection, & Loss
Den-noh Coil takes a bit to get going, but enjoy its comedy/slice-of-life beginning. Trust me. These early-middle standalone episodes explore youth, life, and living side-by-side with this digital world, and are by far some of the strongest in the series. (The beard episode was especially great.) I'd argue that the episodic direction in the middle is far stronger than the main overarching story. Then again, I just find that the episodic style suits the series' world and setting better.
About two-thirds of the way in, this sci-fi adventure kicks up the mystery with a starkly different plot set in motion. The character drama in the middle is also strong and even stronger at the end, which ties in well with the creepier subjects of the series' finale. It's a striking tone switch, but it really makes for an exciting finale.
These days, no one talks about Den-noh Coil (which is partially why I was drawn to it in the first places). I think that's sad, because it's more relevant now than it ever was in 2007 when it first came out, and I can't help but think how highly people would praise the series if it was put out today. Certainly, it's one creative piece of sci-fi.
Den-noh Coil tackles themes of connection, disconnection, loss, extinction, living within boundaries, and learning to push beyond certain limits. It explores what can go wrong in a world that lives side-by-side with technology, a world that can be hacked AND hack you just the same. Some stories are silly and eccentric; others are thought-provoking and startlingly philosophical. If you're wanting an anime that explores transience in the digital age and you're tired of being directed to Ghost in the Shell or Serial Experiments Lain, go give Den-noh Coil some love. It's TOO overlooked and under-appreciated, and I guarantee it's the early 2000s sci-fi anime you never watched—but absolutely should.
What is real? Does being able to touch things make them real? If something can't be touched, does that mean it isn't real? What things are really, truly here? What things are actually here for sure? — Yuuko "Yasako" Okonogi
I had to sit on my rating for Den-noh Coil for a while. On one hand, it's slow, a bit drab, and unnecessarily confusing with all its technobabble nonsense. On the other, however, it's surprisingly dynamic and full of interesting ideas. And you know what, it's for these reasons that I welcome Den-noh Coil as a certified "Cafe Mocha" title. THIS right here is what we call an anime gem, and you should seriously consider adding it to your watch list if you love sci-fi or augmented reality in the slightest! Had I watched it as a child, I couldn't even begin to imagine the boundless fun I would've had with it! Are you one of the rare few who have seen Den-noh Coil? Please let me know, as I'm looking for fellow Coil kids to love this show with! Thanks for reading, 'till next time!
Tagged adventure, anime, augmented reality, Caffe Mocha, connection, Den-noh Coil, Dennou Coil, digital age, drama, interesting, internet, kids, Madhouse, mystery, nostalgia, philosophical, review, sci fi, slice of life, technology, thought provoking, underappreciated, virtual world
Our Dining Table: Growing Closer One Meal at a Time || Review
A brief spoiler-free review of the standalone BL manga "Our Dining Table," story and art by Mita Ori, and licensed in English by Seven Seas Entertainment.
Boys' Love for the Soul
Despite his excellent skills in the kitchen, salaryman Yutaka has always struggled with eating around others since he was little. This changes when he encounters a hungry little boy named Tane and his much older brother Minoru. Eager to eat more of his tasty onigiri, the two brothers invite Yutaka over to teach them how to make his delicious food. Slowly, Yutaka starts developing an appetite for their warmth and acceptance around the table—as well as feelings for Minoru and his little family. This is the story of love that starts at the stomach, and gradually grows more heartwarming one meal at a time.
This slice-of-life shounen ai manga made waves in the manga community when it was announced for release by Seven Seas Entertainment. At the time, I wasn't reading much BL, but even I heard about this highly anticipated title and was eager to pre-order my own copy the minute it went on sale. As a one-shot BL manga, Our Dining Table reads quick, closing out the story in just eight chapters. It even includes a short epilogue that, well, I won't spoil for you. But it's great, and it brings adorable closure to a story that I otherwise could've kept reading for decades.
To make the deal even sweeter, Mita Ori's art is stuff to drool over. She draws food well. Very well. Too well. I grew envious of Minoru and Tane whenever Yutaka brought his cooking supplies over to their house. Right off the page, you can practically smell the delectable dishes they make together. The characters themselves are also drawn with a soft aesthetic to them, Tane in particular being the cutest little rugrat I've ever seen in manga! The way his eyes light up upon seeing whatever they're having for dinner is an image I'll never forget. I also love how Mita Ori used Tane's childish stick-figure drawings as a transition to telling Yutaka's backstory. Very clever and effective.
Bonding Over Food
In both his personal and professional lives, Yutaka is a character who seems deeply misunderstood by those around him. People can be shallow and selfish, not to mention non-inclusive, and over time, being an outcast just becomes commonplace. We should always care for our friends and family, but things happen, and sometimes you find yourself eating alone at the dinner table each night. This is Yutaka's life. Or perhaps, I should say was, as now he has Tane and Minoru in his life, and they really do change everything for him. Tane and Minoru aren't just good company for Yutaka—they're companions, the kinds you'd want with you your whole life, and I'm so glad they met.
Minoru and Tane aren't without their sad family story either, though. Their mother passed away when Tane was just a baby, and Minoru has had to step it up as a parental figure to raise Tane in her stead. He loves his baby brother, but not everyone takes kindly to a 23-year-old who drags his 4-year-old brother with him wherever he goes.
It's a good thing Minoru isn't alone in his efforts, however; the brothers also have their loving father who makes a living as a potter, and their grandmother who looks after them by sending them off with nutritious meals whenever she can. Not everyone accepts or respects each others' family lives, so the fact that Minoru and Tane can come from a place of understanding and accept someone like Yutaka into their home really is a delightful thing. It's like seeing two lost souls find each other in the dark—their own glimmering light complements the other, and as they grow closer, they only radiate with a brighter glow and comforting presence.
A Gentle Foodie Read
Mita Ori's story about food, family, and friendship takes pride in the little things. Enjoyed are the quiet moments of tender living and merely existing with others, but celebrated are the joys of cooking and the sheer happiness that can come from cuisine when it's made from the heart. Although Japan's winter draws closer and colder, the bond between Tane, Minoru, and Yutaka only grows warmer and more wholesome.
Our Dining Table is just about the sweetest, most gentle foodie manga you will ever read. Yes, it is BL, but don't let that label send your mind down the gutter. Through soft gestures, Mita Ori's story is wholly dedicated to building meaningful bonds that capture the day-to-day life of two men from very different families, and how they intersect at the crossroads of food.
From cover to cover, this standalone slice-of-life BL manga promises to deliver pleasant vibes and positive energy, even when addressing the loss of a loved one. This is BL manga for the soul, and easily one of the best stories I've ever had the pleasure of enjoying. It is an honestly written manga with solely pure intentions, and however wonderful and filling the ending is, I assure you this—you will only be left hungry for more.
I'm so happy. So stupidly, totally happy. To think eating with someone could bring me this much joy. — Yutaka Hozumi
Guys, I'm speechless. Really, this is the fastest review I've ever written, and while it's also one of the shortest, I can't think of anymore praise that I can give this manga. THIS is what a "Cafe Mocha" manga title looks like. It's not perfect, and it doesn't need to be. The story, characters, and art style just have to speak to me in a way that I not only connect with but love unconditionally, faults aside. Sure, Mita Ori could've elaborated more on Minoru's father's job, their mother, or Yutaka's job. But she didn't need to—the characters feel alive enough as-is, and the story speaks for itself. I really, really loved this manga, and if you did too, please let me know your favorite part about this endearing little title! I honestly can't recommend this book enough!!
We're almost at the very end. Tomorrow, I will at last be diving into Yuhki Kamatani's critically acclaimed Our Dreams at Dusk. Although it will likely not be a full series review (due to time restraints), I hope nonetheless that you will enjoy my final Pride Month post. Besides, I'll probably return and do a full review anyway, just not in June. 'Till then, friends, I'll be looking forward to it!
Posted in All Anime Reviews, manga
Tagged BL, boys love, Caffe Mocha, cute, food manga, innocent, manga, Minoru, Mita Ori, Our Dining Table, pride month, review, Seven Seas Entertainment, shounen ai, slice of life, soft, Tane, wholesome, Yutaka
Claudine: Sexuality, Tragedy, & Growing Up Transgender || Review
A brief spoiler-free review of the standalone manga title "Claudine," story and art by Riyoko Ikeda, and licensed in English by Seven Seas Entertainment.
19th Century French Romance
Since he was eight, Claudine was convinced he was born into the wrong gender. He grows up beautifully, more so than any of the men and women in Vernon, yet struggles through life with a series of depressing relationships. Only a handful of people reach out to Claudine and see him for who he is, but no one truly understands his heart. Claudine simply wishes to find true love, yet his efforts continue to end in tragedy as he is unable to be accepted as a man by society and his peers.
As a piece of historical fiction, Claudine offers a timeless story full of heartbreak. Riyoko Ikeda of The Rose of Versailles fame paints a picture of France that is rich in culture, but also a bit too melodramatic at times. Characters overreact to the smallest things with vivid expressions that can dominate several panels, which can make the read feel overwrought with agitation.
Without spoiling anything, some characters even dare dedicate their entire lives to destroying the hearts of others—an unfortunate trend which feels straight out of a wild telenovela or K-drama. Or, you know, The Rose of Versailles. This kind of thing might work well with a long-running series. But as a single volume work, the repetition of shocking reveals can feel overwhelming and excessive.
All that said, however, very few manga can make a drama feel as compelling as Riyoko Ikeda does, and to that I applaud Claudine. As a standalone piece, this is the kind of artistic mastery that most short story mangaka may struggle with. Here, the romance feels real, but so does the grief and misery that comes with rejection. Claudine explores sex and gender identity in a way that is poignant, respectful, and anything but forgettable.
"But Claudine, You're a Girl"
Not sure of what to do with her own child, Claudine's mother takes him to a psychiatrist who reappears at a few major junctions in Claudine's life. This was customary for the time, as being gay or trans was considered an illness, and thus treated as something that would eventually "go away" just as it came. We know now that this is far from fact. However, this is the best Claudine's mother could do, and I believe she meant well by it.
Claudine's father Auguste, on the other hand, was a mostly good man. A "large-hearted, manly dilettante with a variety of interests," Claudine's father was the only one willing to raise the child as he saw himself. Claudine expressed interested in equestrianism, hunting, sports, literature, and world history, to which his father only helped to provide the best resources to raise Claudine just as well as his other three accomplished sons. Loving Claudine wholly, Auguste says it himself: "That she doe not have a man's body is honestly a mistake on God's part."
We follow Claudine through childhood flings, teenage romance, and relationships in adulthood. The women he encounters transform his life, although whether these interactions are for the better or not is definitely up for question. There's one particular childhood lover, Rosemarie, who annoyingly clings to Claudine and causes him nothing but trouble. As he navigates through life, Claudine finds that it isn't wrong of him to be a transgender person so much as that being trans is just highly ill-advised when no one can accept you for it. His emotions are understandable, and his actions are largely respectable.
Friends, strangers, and even his own family turn Claudine away from them on account of their own ignorance. A deeply seeded disgust for gay and transgender people plagues the populace of 19th century France, and—as it has continues to do today—only serves to ruin Claudine's life. Despite his graceful air, his love of knowledge, and his deep compassion for helping others in need, Claudine is dejected again, and again, and again by women who have mixed love and kindness with lust and sin.
Why We Have To Do Better
This is a breathtaking manga. Although it was published way back in 1978, so much of this shoujo-ai drama can speak for the view of transgender individuals held by most conservative-minded people today. The story is highly relevant, and I'm so thankful Seven Seas was able to publish it when they did. Their restoration of this vintage shoujo manga is gorgeous, and the large trim format is greatly appreciated.
More than feeling upset, frustrated, or annoyed at the terrible ways Claudine was betrayed, I can only really sum up my thoughts on the ending with this: Claudine's story is a sad one. It's tragic, it hurts, and yet it's an unfortunate end many transgender people find themselves meeting. Guys, it's tragedies like this that remind me we still have a long way to go. For people like Claudine, for people who are confused or still in the closet, for people who are out and proud of it—We have to do better. So. Much. Better. And that begins with accepting these identities—NOT just acknowledging them.
From cover to cover, Riyoko Ikeda explores gender and sexuality, identity, culture, and self-acceptance in a coming-of-age tale so sorrowful and heartfelt that I can only want to express how important Claudine's story is. It is works like this that can easily impact people, and even leave behind impressions that can hopefully change lives for the better. Certainly, I won't be forgetting Claudine anytime soon.
They lived together, deceiving the world, behind the backs of their friends. But like a flower waiting for rain, their caged love finally surged out, shining. I believe this was a true love, surpassing all preconceived notions, entirely moving. — Claudine's doctor
What a great read this was. Riyoko Ikeda's art style is not only iconic, but truly emblematic of early 70s and 80s shoujo manga. Sure, it's a bit over-the-top at times, but what would a Riyoko Ikeda manga be without her signature dramatic twists and sparkling style? For telling an admirable albeit tragic tale about a respectable transgender man and his struggles with finding love and self-acceptance, I welcome Claudine as a "Cafe Mocha" title, a rating reserved only for the bests out there. Did I mention that the dad is actually a GOOD guy in this one? Normally it's the other way around, so this was quite a pleasant surprise!
Anyone else read Claudine? I'd love to hear your thoughts on this old but classic shoujo read. I'm so glad I got to include a manga with a transgender focus this month with something like Claudine. My next Pride Month post will be over something much more modern, Bukuro Yamada's Melting Lover, so please look forward to that! 'Till next time!
Tagged Caffe Mocha, Claudine, drama, France, historical, identity, love, manga, pride month, review, Riyoko Ikeda, romance, sad, self-acceptance, Seven Seas, shoujo ai, tragedy, transgender, vintage
Seven Days: Will You Still Love Me When Monday Comes? || Review
A brief spoiler-free review of the 2-volume manga series "Seven Days – Monday to Sunday," story by Venio Tachibana, art by Rihito Takarai, and re-licensed in English by SuBLime Manga.
What Started as a Joke . . .
One week. That is all the time any lucky girl who dates Seryou Touji will spend with him. You can't hate the guy, though. After all, he supposedly makes you feel like the most special person in the world during that time. Rumor has it that at the start of the following week, he'll date the first person to ask him out that Monday morning, no tricks—and no strings attached either.
Curious about the mysterious first-year playboy himself, equally attractive third-year Shino Yuzuru decides to jokingly ask Seryou out one morning. True to the rumors, however, Seryou takes Shino's offer seriously, and thus begins Shino's fleeting seven days with him.
Although license rescued and released by SuBLime Manga, a company typically known for grabbing some of the harder yaoi works on the BL market, Seven Days much more belongs in the shounen ai or even school romance genre. Nothing about the story is explicit, making it the perfect gateway BL for newcomers ready to wet their feet.
Within just 13 chapters (or one omnibus volume), the entire story wraps up well enough to not warrant a continuation. Shino and Seryou's week of dating and hanging out is also well-paced. Each day is divided into chapters, which means we literally are getting the full play-by-play for this awkward dating situation that started out as a joke but turned into much more.
Not Gay, But Gay Enough
What made the story somewhat difficult to get into was the fact that, technically, neither of our boys here are gay. That is, Shino and Seryou don't actively seek males as a dating preference to females; if anything, they're both well-known ladies' men, and they know it, too.
So, how can two "straight" dudes fall for each other? For one, they're both undeniably the hottest men in their school. Second, they share a pastime together—archery—which often leads to the start of many conversations (and playful teasing). Third, and this might just be me reading into it, but Seryou might actually have been gay from the start. The first-year can't seem to fall in love with any of the many girls he dates. Yet, when approached by Shino that Monday morning, he doesn't refute him. It could be that he was curious all along, and took the offer when it came to him.
It's a little frustrating to cheer two guys on when neither is really into the same sex (unless . . . ), but at the same time, it's amazing what dating one another allows the boys to see about themselves. Despite his graceful nature and pretty face, Shino is a pretty laid-back, impolite guy, not to mention being seriously blunt about everything he notices. Dating Seryou makes Shino realize that his worst traits really can hurt people—but also that they are what make Shino himself.
Then there's Seryou, also a pretty boy but drastically bad at reading people. Unlike Shino, Seryou wears his expressions on his face, and even though he thinks he's being transparent, Seryou isn't as good at knowing others as he might believe. In fact, he's kind of shallow in his romantic encounters, which Shino quickly picks up on. Even though he can let girl after girl live their high school fantasy, at the end of the day, Seryou doesn't even save their contact information on his phone. He sure was quick to memorize Shino's number and email by heart, though . . .
The Look of Early 2000s BL
Although Ten Count was the first yaoi series I've ever read, I'm definitely no stranger to the BL genre. I've seen plenty of screenshots of early 2000s BL manga on the internet and have flipped through my own fair share of yaoi manga at used bookstores. It's nice to finally have purchased my own copy of one of these works, and I feel even more pride in having it displayed on my shelves. Seven Days is a nice little title to have for sure.
Aside from the license rescue stirring news in the manga community, however, what initially pushed me to buy and read Seven Days was because it shared the artist of Ten Count, Rihito Takarai. Having recently been acquainted with her series work, I wanted to see how her older art held up. Boy, has she improved. But also, WOW, she's been this good from the start!?
Takarai knows how to draw pretty boys. Both donning that signature uke and seme look with their tall, lanky, yet athletically built figure, Shino and Seryou walk like gods among men. Their chiseled features, large eyes, and pointy noses hold all the indications of desirable beauty, especially of BL characters in pre-2010 works. Perhaps you could call Seven Days an early 2000s time capsule that most would still love and enjoy today.
It was probably the hair styling, however, that first caught my eye and stays in my mind now. Shino's medium-long chestnut hair creates an elegant, almost foreign bowl-cut look. Similarly, Seryou's longer black hair would make anyone who had it look like a thug, but on him serves to make him look dashing and poised. The use of scenery (LOTS of fences), while modest, also sets the scene for this cute slice-of-life romance. Also, likable female characters are present in this manga—and they're NOT evil, hooray!
The Perfect Gateway BL
I swear, this really is one of those stories where a whole week of "not knowing how the other feels" could've been resolved by Tuesday night had Shino and Seryou sat down for five freakin' minutes and just talked it out like any normal couple would. It's annoying how characters can feel like they're just being strung along, only to find out by the end that their partner was "madly in love with them the whole time." Especially in this story where the reader can be unconvinced of author Venio Tachibana's intentions, it can come across as a strange case of queerbaiting. Trust me when I say it that Shino and Seryou are falling for each other, though—they just might not know it yet.
And that's the huge draw of Seven Days: Shino and Seryou aren't your typical BL pairing. Neither knows what they want, both in themselves and in relationships, and that makes finding love all the more difficult. While I bite back and wish Tachibana was more transparent about their love, I also find myself realizing that, yeah, I'm not sure I could so easily admit my own feelings if I were in their situation either.
Surprisingly full of more introspection than it'd have you believing, every single chapter of Seven Days was a gift. Force yourself through this playful senpai-kohai shtick and it'll be the longest week of your life. However, with a little patience, you might unexpectedly find yourself relating to this drama that spans just seven short-lived, transient days.
I wonder how many girls stood right here and closed their eyes just like this? And when they did, how did Seryou respond? — Shino Yuzuru
I had to flip back at some of the chapters to write this review and, ahhhh, it's such a cute story! I wish I could read more stories with Takarai's art in it, but that's all I've got for now. Seven Days was definitely stronger than Ten Count, but I think I still like it about the same, if not slightly more. With very little to complain about, Seven Days is a wonderful "Cafe Mocha" title here at the cafe! If you only get to read one shounen ai story, this is my go-to rec for the time being. Have you read Seven Days? I'd love to hear your thoughts down in the comments! My next Pride Month post will likely be a first impressions on Candy Color Paradox, so please look forward to that. 'Till next time!
Tagged BL, boys love, Caffe Mocha, cute, early 2000s, manga, Monday to Sunday, pride month, review, Rihito Takarai, romance, school, Seryou Touji, Seven Days, Shino Yuzuru, shounen ai, slice of life, SuBLime Manga, Venio Tachibana
Millennium Actress & Our Obsession with the Chase || OWLS "Devotion"
Chances are that if you were linked here from another blogger pal, then you might be new. To those first-timers, "Hi, I'm Takuto, welcome to my anime cafe!" For the OWLS blog tour's third monthly topic of 2020, "Devotion," I wanted to give special spotlight to a recently rescued and released anime film that I'm sure many fans of the early 2000s era might recognize: Satoshi Kon's magnificent Millennium Actress!
When we talked about fandoms, we show our appreciation and support by buying merchandise, cosplaying, writing fanfiction and etc. In fact, our appreciation can end up looking like a sign of religious worship. For this month, we will be talking about how certain characters express devotion to others, objects, and values. We will also be discussing how devotion can turn into an unhealthy form of passion and obsession and the implications of that.
I've got an interesting angle for this one that I hope you guys will enjoy. Thanks Lyn for the prompt!
A brief discussion of the 2002 anime film "Millennium Actress," animated by Madhouse, directed and based on the original story by Satoshi Kon and Sadayuki Murai.
A Once-in-a-Lifetime Opportunity
Have you ever been starstruck? You know, met or have worked with someone so cool, famous, or at least well-renowned in your area that you find yourself absolutely mesmerized by this person's presence, their every word? Well, that was budding filmmaker Genya Tachibana to Ginei Studio's star actress, Chiyoko Fujiwara, many decades ago.
Now, at the turn of the millennium, the legendary studio is set to be demolished. As an ex-employee, Genya decides to honor this occasion with a special commemorative documentary about Ms. Fujiwara herself. Having retired at the height of her career, the sweetheart of Shouwa Era cinema has lived a reclusive life up in the mountains. With the hour now at his chance, an eager Genya cannot be more excited to place his lifelong idol back in the spotlight one last time.
As a young lover of film and the industry, Millennium Actress quickly won my heart. Navigating through over a thousand years of Japanese history, the film seamlessly bobs and weaves through entire eras by showcasing all of the major roles Chiyoko has played throughout her prominent career. Nearly an hour and a half of carefully crafted cuts and quick visual tricks culminate in an experience that is as unique as it is autobiographical and personal to this now very tired, very humble elderly woman.
Chiyoko's narrative gracefully guides us through the three major periods of her life: adolescent fame, her blossoming teenage years, and her still-yet accomplished adulthood. Specifically, we see how a young girl's early encounter with love shaped the rest of her life. Driven by romance and adventure yet saturated with the pains of drama and missed opportunities, Kon's film—with Chiyoko's character—lives on today to inspire an entirely new generation.
A Fateful Encounter Under a Full Moon
From samurai to spacesuits, Chiyoko Fujiwara has played them all throughout her fabled career. To call her a person of passion would be an understatement; very few actresses can embody the wide range of personalities appropriate for acting as a woman living in so many different historic eras, as well as so many countless roles. And yet, our "millennium actress" is capable of being the perfect heroine for all time! So what drove the idol of Genya's dreams to become a master of her craft? Well, like it might happen for any of us: she fell in love.
Before she became a household name, Chiyoko was caught in an incident which involved her helping an injured man. Although he supposedly may have been an "art thief" on the run, that didn't stop childhood Chiyoko from being swept off her feet that fateful night. In their short time, they bond over simple life pleasures together, one of those being the moon.
Chiyoko looks up at the night sky, remarking how beautiful the full moon will be tomorrow. But the "man with the key" says that it is most beautiful now, for once the full moon is here, it only begins to wane. Whereas, it is under this this sky that you can spend the whole night looking forward to what the moon will become.
I think that this single, beautiful metaphor is representative of the entire film. I'm sure the mysterious man with the key who lives day-to-day may value this philosophy due to his risky occupation. But after her date with destiny, Chiyoko won't ever be able to shake the man's charm from her memory. In a long-winded and tiring search spanning a lifetime, Chiyoko scours all of Asia for any chance to reunite with the man. Even when she loses the one symbolic representation of their relationship—the key which unlocks "the most important thing"—she never stops longing for his love. She chases after him, and relentlessly so. After all, the chase kept her excited—-kept her living on the edge of love, forever—-and allowed her to feel eternally young at heart even as her hair grayed and memories began to fade.
It Was Never About the Destination
Hidden high up in this quiet mountain home is a thousand years of Japanese cinematic history just waiting to be narrated. Chiyoko's deep reflections of the past take Genya and the viewer on an illusory journey through the saga of an actress's career and her incredible filmography. As the actors in her life blend with the characters on screen, the tatami beneath their feet shifts from stage to stage, and the present completely blends with the past.
This is the extraordinary tale of a phenomenal actress who was so devoted to pursuing the love of her life that she stumbled through a legendary film career in the blink of an eye. Similarly, we also see how a fan's positive and passionate devotion to his idol can lead to wondrous outcomes with the right intent behind them. Though the remarkable actress may have retired at the height of her career decades ago, Satoshi Kon's directorial magic absolutely has you convinced that the curtain on her life's stage has yet to fall.
Does Chiyoko ever see the man with the key again? Well, does it really matter? If nothing else from this story, what we come to understand is that when we have our eyes set on only one thing in life, the meaning for everything else can start to fall from our view. Perhaps, just perhaps, we had what we really wanted all along. Like the night before a full moon, maybe the longing for some things—the journey itself—is more satisfying than the destination will ever be . . .
And so, as Genya presents an elderly Chiyoko with the very key she lost so many years ago, she at last finds what "the most important thing" to her was. After a long pursuit spanning a thousand years, it finally dawns on her that perhaps she was never in love with the man to begin with—she was just lost in the tremendous thrill of the great chase.
After all, it's the chasing after him I really love. — Chiyoko
Some beauty really is timeless. There's so much cinematic and storytelling gold here that I could write a hundred—no, a thousand—posts on this film. I'm definitely glad I held off on this one for as long as I did, but even more so thankful to Eleven Arts and Shout! Factory for licensing this gorgeous film (the Blu-ray restoration is terrific)! Need I say more for now? Millennium Actress may just be the best film Satoshi Kon ever made, a certified "Caffe Mocha" for all those who know how I do things around here. But what are your thoughts on this timeless classic? I'd love to hear them in the comments!
This concludes my March 27th entry in the OWLS "Devotion" blog tour. My dear friend Mel (Mel in Anime Land) went right before me with a post on K-pop and idol culture that you can read right here! Now, look out for Megan (A Geeky Gal) with a post on one of my favorite romance anime, My Love Story!!, this coming Monday, March 30th! Thank you so much for reading, and until next time!
Posted in All Anime Reviews, OWLS
Tagged anime, beauty, blog tour, Caffe Mocha, classic, devotion, drama, film, historical, life, march, Millennium Actress, OWLS, romance, Satoshi Kon
The Loneliest Girl in the Universe: A Thrilling Ride Through Space || Review
A brief spoiler-free review of the young adult fiction novel "The Loneliest Girl in the Universe," written by Lauren James, originally published in 2017 by HarperTeen.
Adrift in Space
Carrying with it the hope of humankind, The Infinity continues its noble trek through the blackness of space, despite all but one of its crew having died on board in a horrific accident years ago . . .
Although she bears the title of first child born in space, Romy Silvers only has connection to her therapist on Earth and her wits to occupy her as she drifts alone in deep space aboard The Infinity. But to her surprise, Romy's mundane life in space suddenly picks up when she finds out that a new NASA ship, The Eternity, has set course to meet her on her long, lonesome journey to a new planet—and sooner than she ever could have anticipated.
While initially eager to unite with another of her kind, cryptic emails from both Earth and J, the friendly pilot of The Eternity, start to trigger anxiety-filled memories of the past and terrifying visions of the future. Perhaps, as she quickly realizes, there are worse things than being alone . . .
The Infinity is the biggest, most expensive scientific mission in history. I get to be the very first person to see the results. I'm so lucky. — Romy
A slow-build yet gripping sci-fi thriller with a sprinkling of romance throughout the journey, the plot of The Loneliest Girl in the Universe begins leisurely by showing us several chapters of Romy's character and daily routine, but rapidly escalates in the last third of the novel (AKA the big plot twist part). To build this energy up, author Lauren James features a countdown system instead of traditional chapter titles or numbers, most beginning with "365 Days Until The Eternity Arrives," then "364 Days . . ." and so on.
The book's printing is quite large and generously spaced out, making these 300 or so pages seem like they just fly by. It helps that James writes short chapters, most being no more than a couple pages. Like a series of diary entries strung together in one large narrative, we quickly get a feel for who Romy is, and why things like people—not the black abyss of space—scare her most of all.
Finding Strength in the Darkness
Lemme begin by getting it out there: If you're wanting a story with strong feminist energy and mental illness rep, this one's all for you. Romy may only be sixteen years old, but given her scary close relationship with loneliness and anxiety, she's one hell of a ship commander. I really appreciate the mental illness rep going on here. Romy's severe anxiety doubles as both something she must learn to accept (or fight) AND a first-person story-telling trick: the unreliable narrator.
Sometimes we have to question whether the sights and sounds Romy experiences in the night are real terrors or nightmares stirred by her anxiety, and Lauren James handles the balance between the real and surreal with incredible deft and care. James has created a feminist character who's stronger than she knows, and following her journey has me inspired to face some of my own fears with isolation and nihilism.
It's hard to focus on the future when the past is so distracting. — Romy
One of Romy's qualities that I absolutely commend is how—despite having the ability to spoil herself—she always puts the needs of The Infinity first. Always. It's her ship, clearly, and she feels strongly for it just as how any of us would for our own children. When ship efficiency emails start to suggest that Romy observes using less electricity by turning out the lights early or conserve water by taking shorter showers to maintain ship's water supply, she obliges, even if the message's sender seems sketchy.
She knows that being the sole commander of The Infinity comes with it the responsibility to maintain the vessel; making necessary sacrifices is just one part of the job. This respect and care for her ship—her home—is no doubt a trait she inherited from her dutiful parents, especially her good-natured father whom Romy was especially close to. As the story unravels, we gradually find out how they met their end, as well as the understand the tragic events that occurred during Romy's early childhood that led to her being alone.
My life is a gambling chip thrown carelessly across the universe in the hope it'll land somewhere my descendants can survive. I represent the culmination of centuries of human achievement and exploration. But who cares if my name goes down in history, if no one remembers who I really am? — Romy
Thrilling to the Very End
If you couldn't already tell, I had a blast getting to know Romy and speculating with James as to what interstellar travel may be like in the near-distant future. I also loved the messages of longing and learning to love yourself, even if that process can be slow, confusing, and often painful. While I had my suspicions about certain plot twists, I was completely thrown off by the exciting change of pace near the finale—what a fantastic ending! It makes me appreciate even more the 150-200 pages of careful build-up that Lauren James so meticulously crafted—and I was already enjoying the adventure since the first page!
For those looking for THE perfect solitude-vibes title during this quarantine we're all under, I cannot recommend The Loneliest Girl in the Universe enough. Lauren James has laid out a carefully plotted journey beginning as early as the title itself. There's also a lot of references to pop culture—including YouTube, Netflix, and even fanfiction communities—that help bring Romy and her situation to life.
Just know, though, that this isn't your typical fluffy long-distance romance plot. Sometimes the story is uplifting and kind, but other times it's really gonna try and scare ya—don't underestimate that part. Intelligent, suspenseful, and deliberately cautious, The Loneliest Girl in the Universe is thrilling to the very end—even in its quietest moments.
This voyage was never meant to be easy. It was meant to be important. — Romy
Man, what a wonderful, terrifying, and weird little book this was. Special shoutout to Natalie (Book of Bee) over on YouTube for recommending it to her viewers—it was delightful! While not technically an anime or film, I'll gladly welcome The Loneliest Girl in the Universe here as a certified "Caffe Mocha," a rating reserved only for the best works! If you read this novel, PLEASE, tell me what you liked or disliked about it in the comments! Also, if you've got any recommendations that are similar to this one, be sure to leave those too. 'Till next time!
Tagged anxiety, book, Caffe Mocha, drama, fiction, Lauren James, love yourself, mental illness, novel, recommendation, review, romance, Romy Silvers, sci fi, space, The Loneliest Girl in the Universe, thriller, young adult
Sword Art Online: Alicization is Fantastic (But you should still read the books) || Review
A brief spoiler-free review of the 24-episode fall 2018 anime "Sword Art Online: Alicization," animated by A-1 Pictures, directed by Manabu Ono, and based on volumes 9-14 of the light novel series by Reki Kawahara.
A New World of Legends & Lore
We know the soul to be a fairly abstract, complex concept—and yet, genius scientists at the private institute Rath have mapped out its innumerous intricacies down to the tiniest electrical signal. The Soul Translator is unlike any full-dive interface that came before it, as it connects users by interacting directly with their Fluctlight, the technological equivalent of the human soul. To perfect their system, they enlist the aid of SAO survivor Kazuto Kirigaya, whose experience in VR worlds is, well, unique to say the least. At Rath, Kazuto works part-time to test the system's capabilities in the Underworld: the fantastical realm generated by the Soul Translator.
While his confidentiality contract forces any memories created by the machine in the virtual world to be wiped upon returning to the real world, Kazuto vaguely recalls a name—Alice—and looming feelings of frustration.
All looks well for Kazuto's part-time gig, until one evening while escorting Asuna Yuuki home. A familiar shadow from old Aincrad days mortally wounds Kazuto in a fight, but when Kazuto awakens, he doesn't find himself in a hospital bed, but beneath the tall trees of a forest. Somehow, he's been forcefully plunged into the Underworld—and with seemingly no way to escape. With no where else to go, he sets off on a long quest for Central Cathedral, a tower that soars high into the clouds, which might contain the answers he seeks—including the dark secrets holding the fabric of this entire world together.
Once again, SAO is forcing light novel technological babble down our throats and naming it science. Call Kawahara's musings with the concept of a physical soul the first major sci-fi plot hole in this newest story, but the series rolls with it anyway. Once you add in the fact that time experienced in the Soul Translator can be sped up by several hundreds or slowed way down, we might as well abandon all sense of realism and embrace fiction—as it should be.
All-in-all, SAO continues to be an engaging action fantasy series with a splash of sci-fi at its core. Unique to this newest story arc (the longest one in the series, might I add), is the central focus on the theme of adventure. You could say that SAO's always been an "adventure" series, and I wouldn't disagree. But Alicization takes a more traditional approach to the genre. In Underworld, there are villagers, craftsmen, and other occupations customary of an old-fashioned fantasy adventure world. There are also magical rituals that the residents of Underworld engage in, spells, if you would, or "System Commands" as a gamer might know them. There's more world-building in this single half of Alicization than in all of SAO's other VRMMO worlds combined—and to think that there's ten times more to explore in the novels!
The Problem with Pacing
To be fair, even the source has this trouble, with one chapter encompassing the span of several years and THREE volumes chronicling a mere 24 hours. As far as I'm concerned, this marks Alicization's second half as having one of the longest days in anime history, and one of the greatest battles of attrition ever written. In true fantasy adventure style, resources become scarce the closer our hero(es) get to the tower. Just when you think you have it all figured out, expectations quickly get flipped on their head. Never have I had so much fun with the unpredictability of a narrative than I did while reading/watching Alicization.
Regardless of how you are consuming Alicization, it goes without saying that the story is full of deep lore, despite the rapid pace to fully appreciate it all. One of my favorite gimmicks from the series was how each Divine Object (AKA weapon) had a story to it, a history that plays a massive role in how to wield it correctly and unlock the blade's full potential. Discovering how each foe's blade was constructed (typically through the glorious art of combat) shows the depth of world-building and creativity that Kawahara has invested into this series.
In fact, the warriors we meet along the way (and their loyal weapon of choice) were SO cool that I was expecting lots of thrilling fights . . . which we only kind of got. While SAO continues with the theme of survival and the struggle to live, the fight scenes end so quickly that you're left with very little fear for our characters' well-being. After the visual marvel that was Ordinal Scale, I was expecting longer fights, more world-building, and more explanation, and while everything here is a good start, it's not something I'd turn in for a final project. This story made me want so much from the fight scenes in particular, yet the rapid pace unfortunately leaves little to grapple with.
In general, there's a lot of "dangling the carrot" with crucial story elements that the books thoroughly explored but the anime had to cut. Switching gears to something entirely new happens without warning, and this knowledge whiplash can leave viewers unsatisfied. This adaptation, despite totaling 50 episodes by the end, will be missing A Lot. For instance, there's much more to the origin and purpose of the Gigas Cedar that anime-onlys will never get to understand, and that world-building element is crucial to helping define the personalities of many of these characters (like Eugeo).
Boy with the Flaxen Hair
The characters, OH the characters. I love the Alicization cast. Seeing Kawahara's stylish knightly character designs come to life with splendidly textured armor and brilliant color palettes is especially a treat. For me, the titular Alice Synthesis Thirty was one that benefited the most from this adaptation. Maybe it was actually hearing her low, authoritative voice (thank you Ai Kayano), but every righteous word she speaks hold incredible weight to her character, and we are blessed that she has some of the best lines in the entire series. She is sure to play a critical role in the show's second cour, no doubt about it.
Speaking of best lines in the series, I have to give it up to Alicization for giving us one of the coolest villain stories in anime. Administrator's presence is legitimately chilling and terrifying. She's a diva of chaos, yet so divine in her destructive ways. The allure of her calculating, piercing, silver eyes draws you in, marking her as manipulative, cruel, and obsessed with vanity and control. In this world, she is absolute authority, perfect stasis, and serves as a thrilling antagonist when pitted against the little mage in the library, Cardinal.
What makes Alicization so special to many fans (myself included) is the addition of Eugeo, Kirito's faithful friend that he meets upon waking up in Underworld. He's the boy with the flaxen hair, and few are as hardworking, kind, dedicated, and endearing as this country kiddo. Eugeo is the softest boy, the bestest boy, and he'll make you tear up more than once for sure (BLESS his VA Nobunaga Shimazaki).
Watching Kirito's quirks and mannerisms both clash and rub off on Eugeo during their Swordsman Academy years fills me with so much life. As he grows from humble woodsman to a noble knight protecting the human realm (and beyond), it becomes no contest that although Alice may carry the name of the series, Eugeo holds the heart. I think giving Kirito a companion—a friend—like Eugeo makes him seem more human than anyone else could.
Kitito's headspace has always been crucial for understanding why this narrative is compelling, and the anime is notorious for cutting a lot of that out. While Aincrad, Fairy Dance, or Gun Gale weep, Alicization suffers. This entry in the franchise was the one able to prove to me that KIRITO IS A LIKABLE CHARACTER. But once again, the anime doesn't give enough of his inner dialogue to completely convince you, which is deeply saddening cause, yeah, I like Kirito now.
Kirito's inner turmoil about whether to save Alice Synthesis Thirty or the Alice Zuberg from Eugeo's childhood—that which is the hero's ultimatum—is almost entirely omitted, making the final fight seem significantly less weighty and stressful than it should. Eugeo's sad struggle to connect with his family is vaguely mentioned, despite it being the anchor holding him back in the beginning arc (and being key manipulation for his actions near the finale). And I haven't even started on the knights! I'm telling ya, read the books!
An Ambitious Project
I thought Fate UBW was wild, but wow, the digital effects work for Alicization is just nuts. Absolutely stellar coloring, layering, lighting, textures, special effects—you name it. The fights are exciting and fluidly animated, yet some of the camera angles and visual distortions don't pay off as well as they may have been intended to. Some combat moments feel stiff or unrealistically warped, detracting from the thrill of battle. Other fights have awkward choreography, but otherwise decent direction from Manabu Ono. A quick shout-out to the background artists, as Alicization is full of beautiful scenery—the scaling of the landscapes is truly awe-inspiring!
Given its rapid pace, huge ensemble of colorful characters, and reliance on high-energy fight sequences, animating the entirety of the Alicization was an ambitious project on A-1's part. With a grand 50 episodes spanning across several seasons, it's almost expected that animation quality will eventually dip in parts. Although most of the shots themselves are beautiful, there is no shortage of impossible midair jumps and lofty sword swings to be found. That said, the opening confrontation with the goblins and the light-show spectacle of Kirito and Eugeo vs. Fanatio boast thrilling, gorgeous animation.
So, it's a bit of give-and-take, but overall a very solid production minus some awkward fight choreo here and there. (The Blu-ray edits bring drastic improvement the broadcast version, including vibrant lighting and layers of cool new special effects previously unseen!)
Wherever might the visuals stumble, the music soars. Kajiura makes SAO always worth it. Easily her best work with the series yet, Kajiura continues to create strong themes for these characters. The iconic "Swordland" theme (reprised here as "Sacred Swords") will never not make my heart fill with overwhelming feelings. Listening to "Gigas Cedar," "Sometimes she feels lonely," "Tenderness and Strength," "Climbing up the wall," "Quinella," and "She won't stand for it" remind me of the chivalry, nobility, and courage of Eugeo, Alice, and all the other knights.
Manabu times these epic theme drops with all the crazy special effects of swords clashing and rippling energy beams to create utterly perfect sound direction. It's an enchanting soundtrack rich with melancholic piano solos, delicate harp ballads, dramatic orchestral and choral tracks, and inspiring percussive anthems—heck, it wouldn't be far off to call this one of my favorite OSTs in all of anime. ALSO, LiSA's "Adamas" is best OP!!
Pulling Everything Together
The larger themes that SAO has been playing with since old Aincrad days finally come to the forefront in Alicization's legendary first half: What it means to live in a virtual world. What value virtual life has. The irony of fate. Desire and temptation. The cruelty of love. Obsession and deception. What it means to control. The roles of power and influence. What it means to be the hero. Defying our program to do what we think is right. And whether painful memories that only cause grief are worth keeping. Yes, SAO has always been this deep, and it only gets better.
With mystic foreshadowing, emotional highs and lows, excellent dialogue that is both powerful and poetic—these are the things that I want from not just SAO, but a true fantasy epic; the deeply integrated sci-fi background makes it all the more unique and fascinating. Each development builds on the one that came before, yet in a way that makes everything you previously knew to hold so many different, often construed and conflicting meanings. Again, the use of dramatic irony is highlighted, especially in some of the mid-late developments.
Wrought with dynamic character motives, a tightly written story, music that is equal parts enchanting as it is epic, and loaded with many twists and turns, SAO has never been this intriguing. BUT, it runs at an uncomfortably fast pace, almost too fast to revel in the intrigue of each world-shattering reveal. In the moments where I wanted Alicization to slow down and tell me more, it'd only rush along further.
That doesn't stop the adaptation from being a highly entertaining watch, however—and one that I'll continue to recommend for years to come. A tale woven with misfortune and heroism at every bend in the road, few stories have left me as shocked and caught off guard as the one Alicization has told so far. I eagerly await to see how War of Underworld picks up the pieces from this thrilling first act in what is sure to be a brilliant conclusion to this grand fantasy epic in the making.
Love isn't about control. Nor is it something you can gain as a reward or in a transaction. The same way you water flowers, you give it continuously. I'm sure that that's what love is! — Eugeo
Now, even I know that skipping the books of any series to watch the movie will involve leaving much of the original story left behind. But, at the same time, I can't force it upon a person to read TEN freakin' books just for this. That said—you won't regret it, that I 100% guarantee you. You're probably already so sick of hearing this, but Alicization really is a different beast from its predecessors. So please, consider checking it out if you thought you already might've given up on the franchise.
Thanks to Alicization, I came to love these characters and their world, felt new things about characters I thought I already knew everything about, and fell in love with a story. Since I have read the novels, my review is a bit biased, I realize. However, I'm still going to give Sword Art Online: Alicization the "Cafe Mocha" rating, sealing it as one of the most entertaining anime I've ever watched (and one of my favorite stories ever told)!
I know opinions are pretty well divided by this point, and that's understandable. But, to those who enjoyed this first half of the Alicization story, what did you like most about it and why? Who's sticking around for the second half of War of Underworld? I'm such a big SAO geek, and I'd love to hear your thoughts on the series, positive or negative, in the comments! Who knew I could ramble on about this series for so long? Thanks so much for reading, and until next time everyone!
Tagged A-1 Pictures, adventure, Alice, Alicization, anime, Caffe Mocha, Eugeo, fantasy, Kirito, Manabu Ono, Reki Kawahara, review, sao, sci fi, sword art online, Yuki Kajiura
Given: Broken Heartstrings & Unforgettable Sounds || Review
A brief spoiler-free review of the 11-episode summer 2019 anime series "Given," animated by Lerche, directed by Hikaru Yamaguchi, and based on Natsuki Kizu's manga of the same name.
Rocky Starts, Aching Hearts
Between playing basketball at high school and dabbling on the guitar in his small band, Ritsuka Uenoyama has found himself stuck wandering the lonely desert of academic boredom. He dozes off in class, sleeps during break, and only looks forward to jamming out with a couple of upperclassmen college friends in the evening.
One day, he sees a classmate of his, Mafuyu Sato, cradling a broken guitar on a secluded staircase. Although Uenoyama makes nothing of restringing Mafuyu's red guitar for him, Mafuyu becomes completely attached to the dark-haired musician and insists Uenoyama teach him how to play it. Uenoyama initially shrugs him off, but when he hears Mafuyu singing for the first time, his voice leaves a deep impression on him. He can't get it out of his head, and eventually finds himself drawn to Mafuyu's aloof yet mysterious allure.
Given is a single story split among four separate narratives, each with their own unique perceptions of the conflicts presented throughout the series. Equal parts slice of life and drama, the series follows four students in an amateur rock band and the dual romantic relationships that form among them: between shy vocalist Mafuyu and passionate guitarist Uenoyama, and between the caring bassist Haruki and stoic yet silly drummer Akihiko.
Given is also a BL adaptation, and it doesn't ever stray from that intent (which I respect). But hear me out. At most, the series presents its shounen ai relationships with genuine care and realism. It's far less sugarcoated than most BL anime out there, and frankly just a really good romantic drama about curious feelings and the closet. This particular set of 11 episodes tells the story of the band coming together, their complex feelings toward one another, and specifically the growing relationship between Uenoyama and Mafuyu leading up to their first performance. The series never felt rushed, nor does it end too optimistically to be true, which is probably what I appreciated most out of the series—aside for the characters themselves, of course.
Complicated Feelings, Complex Characters
The main focal point of this series is around Uenoyama and Mafuyu's relationship, which admittedly has a rocky start and is only littered with more misunderstandings as they go along. But somehow, like with most love stories, the two make it work.
From the get-go, Uenoyama is about as relatable as they come. Uncomfortable with relationships (in general), unsure of how to express his feelings, questioning what these sudden emotions of his are and where they come from—the whole confused teen-sexuality shebang. We see jealousy build up in Uenoyama as he unravels Mafuyu's past relationship with another boy, and how this jealousy and regret slow down his performance both on the court and in the practice room. His declining musicianship is called into question by Haruki and Akihiko, and from there the upperclassmen work to help out his love life (and in their own unique ways). I just love Uenoyama's character arc, and I'm really satisfied with how he grows from a dense lump of laziness to a person who actively seeks to understand both himself and his partner.
Mafuyu. Oh lost little Mafuyu. Cute little Mafuyu. This kid really does resemble a puppy, no lie! Introverted, quiet, and reserved, Mafuyu is on a quest to reconnect with a person from his past, unbeknownst to any of his new band mates. He's never picked up an instrument before, yet seems to have a talent for singing. This secret agenda AND hidden talent of his are what guide him to Uenoyama and the band. Little does he know that through their mutual love for music, Mafuyu's past is dragged out into the open and exposed—but also cared for and carried together with his newfound friends. While I personally found the plot spinning him in some moments that were a bit too melodramatic, I still like Mafuyu a lot, even if he isn't the one I identify with most.
Haruki and Akihiko, bassist and drummer, are the other pairing in this story. While doomed with an obsessive, unrequited love, Haruki secretly fawns over Akihiko, even if the guy's a big musclehead. It's unfortunate that Akihiko just might already have a partner, but manbun can't help himself anyway. The way Akihiko sleeps, the way Akihiko compliments him in practice—Haruki just can't get enough. But as the band's "leader," he is torn between resisting his urges and pursuing his own happiness in love, despite this directly violating his philosophy that relationships between band members just doesn't work out in the long run.
More of Haruki and Akihiko's relationship will be explored in the 2020 Given film, but I really like these two dorks a lot (especially manbun) and how they make the effort to support one another and their band mates. Such bros.
Iridescence in Motion
Lerche really is my favorite animation studio, without a doubt. Given boasts a visually bright style to highlight the beauty of youth and the joys of love in this series about those two very concepts. While the screen is light and colorful nearly all the time, we see color drain as winter sets in towards the end of the series—the pivotal climax where potential heartbreak lies. I use the term iridescence because, like emotions, these luminous yellow, tangerine, and turquoise filters shift when we see the same set from a different angle. It's clean. And it's aesthetically pleasing.
Giving new meaning to the phrase "lighting design," Hikaru Yamaguchi's strong direction really shines in both the intense moments and those of tranquility or thoughtfulness. And the attention to detail in the instruments is NUTS, not to mention the studio painting a timeless picture of modern day Tokyo. The guitars, amps, and drums look AND sound incredibly authentic, and the detailed city backgrounds are delicately crafted with architecture that mirrors real life Shibuya and Machida, down to the last little street sign and business advertisement. Lerche makes anime reality look even better than REAL life in this beautifully made series.
Character designs also glow with this attractive and cute aura while maintaining respective ages. (It's nice to see college dudes that LOOK like college dudes and not 40-year-old men!) Speaking of characters, I don't really give shoutouts to seiyuus unless they particularly stand out to me, but wow, here we've got four fantastic leads! Shougo Yano brings to Mafuyu a high-pitched innocence that has made characters (and fans) fall for his charm left and right. Yuuma Uchida gives Uenoyama a grumpiness and stubbornness that suits his character so very well. Masatomo Nakazawa makes hearts swoon as Haruki, and I just adore his sass whenever Akihiko requests something of him. And none other than Takuya Eguchi brings this lovable lug to life, perfectly capturing Akihiko's serious and goofy sides.
A music anime has to have good music in it, obviously, and Given does not disappoint. Michiru provides a musical score full of chill blues guitar, casual jam session rifts, and delicate melodies to make any grown man cry. My favorite piece of music from the show is the energetic yet wistful OP "Kizuato" by Centimilimental. Mafuyu's VA sings for us the tender ED, "Marutsuke," which appropriately features animation of a puppy rolling around during the theme. Mafuyu also gets his own little song that I won't spoil for you, so all-in-all, you're in for a real treat with the music this time around!
A Given from the Start
Is it okay to be happy when you know someone you loved had to suffer for it? The answer, of course, is yes. So long as we are alive, we will always have the chance to be happy. What matters most is whether you are able to accept what has passed and move on for yourself. That's what Mafuyu has to find out for himself; Uenoyama just nudges in the right direction, and even gives him happiness in the present.
Having watched the series, there's still lots I want to know about. What happens to the characters from here? Does the band go on to perform more concerts? Does Uenoyama still write music for Mafuyu to sing? For now, however, this is a strong step forward for BL anime, and incredible representation for the genre as a whole.
I like music anime, great romance stories, and studio Lerche. Perhaps it was a given from the start that I'd love this show, but the series has proven that if you surround yourself with positive influences, good things will surely come your way. At times painfully resonant, other times light-hearted and fun, Given will continue to pluck at your heartstrings both throughout each emotional episode and long after the series is over.
Hearts are like guitar strings. They won't play sound if they're too loose. You have to wind them up until they're about to break, and that's when they become a wave the hit your eardrums. — Ritsuka Uenoyama
Yeah, I liked this one a lot. No surprise here, but Given is certified "Caffe Mocha" stuff, and easily one of my favorite titles from 2019. I wonder who will pick up the license for this gem and give it the physical release (and dub!) it deserves. Until then, I'll keep recommending this title through Crunchyroll—as all of you should be doing! I'm happy the reception for this series was so overwhelmingly positive, but I'd still love to hear your thoughts on Given or this review down in the comments. (Plz, I'm lonely and need someone to love this show with!) Until the next review, this has been
Tagged 2019, anime, BL, Caffe Mocha, drama, Given, Lerche, love, Mafuyu, music, review, romance, shounen ai, slice of life, song, summer, Uenoyama
Perfect Blue: Life is Anything But Glamorous || Review
A brief spoiler-free review of the 80-minute 1997 anime film "Perfect Blue," animated by Madhouse, directed by Satoshi Kon, script by Sadayuki Murai, and loosely based on the novel "Perfect Blue: Complete Metamorphosis" by Yoshikazu Takeuchi.
Fantasy & Reality
Rising star Mima Kirigoe has just announced her retirement from her Japanese idol group to pursue an acting career. While she tries to convince herself that this is what she wants to be doing with her life, others couldn't be in greater opposition. Namely, her fans, and one deranged creep in particular who begins to stalking her. As the people responsible for her career change are gruesomely murdered one by one, Mima herself starts to teeter on the edge of sanity.
From the genius mind of Satoshi Kon comes the bizarre story of a singer-turned-actor desperately trying to escape from the delusional head space that is causing the lines between fantasy and reality to blur. The film is swamped in Kon's signature quick-cut directing style, with creative transitions, wacky visual perspectives, and bright colors guiding the eye through this terrifying narrative.
Kon's attentiveness to defining the boundaries of fantasy and reality is exemplified in Perfect Blue. Sometimes we are shown Mima acting in a scene, while other times the stage is very much mirroring reality. Figures from Mima's imagination haunt both her visions of reality and the viewer's perception of it. You often find yourself asking, is this a dream? Or, perhaps, the nightmare that Mima's reality has become?
Set at the dawn of the Internet Age, this psychedelic trip puts the viewer on a wild roller-coaster ride through the darker tunnels of human emotion. Paranoia, loneliness, and fear are thoroughly explored in this masterful film that demonstrates what the psychological thriller genre of entertainment can do when a gripping story is met with heart-pumping suspense and a clever directing style that shows you exactly what it wants, when it wants.
Living in Duality
Perfect Blue begins at the end. That is to say, the end of Mima's career as a pop idol, and the beginning of her acting career. Despite being a beloved icon on stage, her back stage life is actually a realistic mess. Her apartment is cluttered, and she's so in-and-out all the time that the cheese she buys at the beginning of the film expires a few scenes later. Mima is, to be frank, just another teenage girl trying to make a living in modern day Japan.
As such, it's no surprise that Mima's idol career was suffocating her. Much like a high school memory, sure, she had fun. But maybe it's time to move on now. She is characterized by a sense of modesty and passion for her work, although she's perfectly fine with moving on to a new phase of her life. That is, until the industry starts to exploit her talents.
Without going into spoilers, I merely can offer this small sentiment: We really don't have any idea of how the industry works, unless we are actively a part of it. In the world of money and fame, it's not about you want to do, but rather about what other people want you to do. Sure, a girl can give her verbal consent, but that doesn't necessarily mean she would be comfortable with being used for someone else's gain. As an actor, you serve the director, and sometimes that can conflict with your own moral values as a person.
As the story goes along, Mima becomes a victim of forced maturation. This includes being thrust into horrific rape scene that, despite knowing it is fake, scars her poor young mind. She is also met with increased anxiety, depression, PTSD, and even a separation of self by means of superstition. This delusional mindset causes negative thoughts to rise, as in so long as someone is Mima, who really cares if Mima is Mima. How the mind repairs itself and subconsciously shields you for self-protection is absolutely incredible, and that underlying theme is what ties every red thread in Perfect Blue together in one complex, disorienting knot.
Sensation, Perception, & Direction
Madhouse boosts Perfect Blue's production value with an unbelievable amount sensory detail work that I can't even begin to comprehend. Flashing stage lights, rattling AC units, the motor noises of a 90s desktop computer, the gentle hum of a fish tank—it's almost sensation in excess, which is just what this film needs. Transporting us to modern day Japan, the attention to detail enhances the setting, and makes the story feel all the more real.
Another gift of watching this film is getting to understand the iconography that makes it so famous beyond being just a really good movie. The bath scene where Mima curls up and screams, bubbles rising from the air of her trapped emotions is particularly beautiful. Seeing Mima hold a knife in midair against a flashing digital backdrop of own image embodies the epitome of suspense. And although creepy in context when paired with the scary music, the scene where Mima chases her dancing, skipping pop idol self through a hospital building conjures up true feelings of horror and hysteria.
Speaking of music, Masahiro Ikumi's music score for the film adds an eeriness that today's horror anime just can't compete with. When we're not jamming out to light idol music from the 90's (or listening to it in the elevator . . .), pounding sound board effects, uneasy remixing, and metallic screeching accompany a wailing chorus of uncanny cries. It sounds unpleasant, and it is. But, without Ikumi's OST, I doubt Mima's experiences would've felt as intense and life-threatening as they were.
It's A Maddening, Cruel World
Perfect Blue takes an introspective look at how fantasy can shape reality, and vice versa. In subtle ways, it asks the question that, as creators of some kind of content, what do we owe our consumers? Are we ever miscommunicating with our readers and viewers, and how would we know? Also, if our successes define us to some extend, how long will they cast shadows into our future?
The world is cruel, scary, and unfair. If it can take something from you, it will. And it won't give anything back. But Perfect Blue also tells us that if any of these thoughts we are having bother us, then it's all reality because these thoughts still shape how we feel in real life. Even the most seemingly sane people in our lives . . . We have no idea what they may be going through. Life is a performance, a stage, and if we don't tell people about what's going on, they might not ever know.
In that way, Mima's story is one about winning yourself back. What does it take to feel confident in my words and thoughts, and how can I get to that place—that's what I got from Perfect Blue.
A harrowing journey through a young woman's psyche as she tries to escape from the fever dream that her reality is becoming, Perfect Blue effectively uses deception in anime to play with his viewer's mind. The perception of reality cannot be trusted, especially as the psychodrama heightens towards the climax. But WOW is it a compelling mystery. You actively want Mima to figure out what's wrong with her life—you want her to solve the case. And with a sucker punch ending that'll hit ya right in gut, the whole experience comes to a satisfying conclusion.
Believe it or not, for a story that began with existential worry and cleverly crafted chaos, the ending of Perfect Blue provides an outlook that favors hope, confidence, and independence. And seeing the light of those perfect blue skies completes this wild yet captivating journey through the complexities of the human psyche.
The truth is that today more than ever, I wanted to have a good time with you. — Mima Kirigoe
While I would recommend this film to every fan of anime out there, it IS full of gratuitous sex and violence. So, if either of those are triggering to you, definitely steer clear for a bit. More than just thrilling, suspenseful, and entertaining, Perfect Blue ponders so many ideas, from how the internet will forever change privacy, to the savagery in the entertainment world. A compelling mystery by master storyteller Kon himself, "Cafe Mocha" certified Perfect Blue can truly make you feel genuinely scared for your life (especially if you watch this at midnight by yourself like I did, eep).
I'd love to hear what you think of this classic film down in the comments! Special thanks go to GKIDS for rescuing this long out-of-print title and giving it a lovely Blu-ray remaster—they really are the best! Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go binge Love Live! . . . you know, to maintain my own sanity. 'Till next time!
Tagged anime, anxiety, Caffe Mocha, classic, delusion, depression, duality, eerie, fantasy, film, horror, mystery, perception, Perfect Blue, psychological, reality, review, Satoshi Kon, thriller