Uchouten Kazoku – Episode 5

Last episode pulled the family together for the closest thing to a resolution the show’s demonstrated yet – but of course, this show isn’t normally about neat resolutions. It’s about people. That’s why it’s good. It employs great craft of storytelling, … Continue reading

Uchouten Kazoku – Episode 4

So, we’ve had three vignettes so far, each helping to illustrate the relationship between Yasaburou and his world, as well as his somewhat love-hate relationship with responsibility. He’s resentful of it, but actually a natural at it, and seems easily … Continue reading

Uchouten Kazoku – Episode 3

Alright! Time for the easily best show of the season. By virtue of its subtle plotting, incredibly naturalistic and understated dialogue, confident, meditative pacing, and realistic focus on family ties and community, Uchouten Kazoku has almost certainly lost the interest … Continue reading

Uchouten Kazoku – Episode 2

This season is shaping up nicely, and at the moment Uchouten Kazoku is its cornerstone. The first episode was unique, well-written, and extraordinarily sharply directed and animated. It seems like it might become an actually mature and thoughtful examination of … Continue reading

Uchouten Kazoku – Episode 1

I’m actually very excited for this one. The director’s pretty untested, but the source is the original writer of Tatami Galaxy, and the series composition is being handled by someone who wrote scripts for Serei no Moribito and GitS: SAC, … Continue reading

Fall 2014 – First Half in Review

It’s that time again! Forget earnest textual critique, emotional reflection, or thematic exploration, it’s time to PUT SHIT IN A LIST WOOOO. This season has offered us a ridiculous bounty of shows, and I’ve responded in kind by ruthlessly punishing … Continue reading

Summer 2014 Season Preview

We’re three quarters of the way through the season now, meaning it’s once again time to first tremble at the reality of our encroaching deaths and then swiftly distract ourselves with the thought of new cartoons. I don’t think this … Continue reading

Spring 2014 Season Preview

Well, we’re into the back half of winter, meaning it’s high time to stop suffering through whatever we’re currently watching and starting figuring out if next season will melt our jaded hearts. I’m pretty sure it will, in this case … Continue reading

Winter 2014 – First Half in Review

So, looks like we’ve reached the season’s halfway point-ish, meaning it’s time for me to once again go against all my misgivings about turning art into some kind of reductive hierarchy and make a big ol’ ranking of my current … Continue reading

End of the Year Podcast Part Two

More rambling about the year in review, this time covering our favorites from the Summer and Fall seasons, including Monogatari, Uchouten Kazoku, Kyousogiga, and whatever everybody else cared about. Also Kill la Kill, Gatchaman, White Album 2, Samurai Flamenco, etc. … Continue reading