Author Archives: Bobduh

Hidamari Sketch – Episode 1

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Hello everyone, and welcome back to Wrong Every Time. Today we’re embarking on a new journey, as I explore the first episode of a beloved franchise that I have basically zero experience with. We’re checking out Hidamari Sketch today, and as usual, I’ll begin by laying down what I actually know about this franchise. First off, I know that it’s one of the most enduring slice of life franchises out there, both in terms of its actual number of seasons, and in terms of its ongoing acclaim and cultural relevance.

I also know that it’s one of the core shows that defined the theoretical “SHAFT aesthetic,” a loose collection of stylistic choices that frequently includes flat, abstract backgrounds, single-tone colors, rapid closeups, creative and diegetic typography, mixed media compositions, dramatic character design shifts, and that beloved head tilt. Akiyuki Shinbo is credited as head director on basically all SHAFT productions, but given Hidamari’s other director Ryoki Kamitsubo would leave the production after the first season, leaving it entirely in Shinbo’s hands, it seems fair to assume that Hidamari Sketch is one of SHAFT’s most directly Shinbo productions.

Finally, I also know that Hidamari Sketch is about art students, and that their heads are very wide. With all that established, let’s explore one of SHAFT’s most iconic and beloved productions!

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Spring 2020 – Week 12 in Review

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Another precious week has slipped through our fingers, but fortunately, by collecting my thoughts on the movies I watched, I can still affirm those lost days truly existed. I plowed through a pretty diverse set of features this week – one ’70s classic, one acclaimed recent feature, an off-the-beaten-track horror film, and the latest film by one of my favorite directors, Mamoru Hosoda. I’m actually getting pretty close to the point where I’d be comfortable writing an overall “best anime films” list of some kind, which is something people have been asking about for years, but which I haven’t felt well-watched enough to attempt yet. In light of that, feel free to recommend any essential anime films I should check out, and please enjoy this latest Week in Review!

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The Girl in Twilight – Episode 4

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Hello everyone, and welcome back to Wrong Every Time. Today we’ll be continuing our exploration of 2018’s The Girl in Twilight, where we last witnessed the disastrous conclusion of Nana Nanase’s short-lived betrothal to her celebrity idol. Though Nana claimed she was breaking things off due to her very sensible desire to not be called Choco Banana, in truth, it was coming to terms with her mother’s remarriage, and realizing her stepfather was genuinely concerned for her, that helped Nana comfortably embrace her old life. And ultimately, she ended up getting a sweet battle suit in the bargain, so I suppose all’s well that ends well? Either way, the resolution of Nana’s arc has returned The Girl in Twilight to its neutral position, and I’m eager to see what character insights or social commentary our next dimension-hopping trip offers. Let’s get to it!

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Flowers, Expectations, and the Perils of Interactive Fiction

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I had a variety of subtopics in mind for my return to Flowers, and we’ll probably get to a few of them, but at the moment, I can only really feel one strong emotion towards this game: resentment. There are many unique dramatic tricks only made possible by interactive art; but at the same time, there are just as many potential dramatic hurdles, and ways in which your narrative trajectory can be contradicted by your gameplay options. For many games, this disconnect is most apparent in their treatment of violence – characters will torture themselves over difficult moral questions in cutscenes, and then we’ll return to controlling them, and happily murder hundreds of people. In Flowers’ case, it came in a different, but equally frustrating form: a blunt and unexpected fail state.

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Symphogear AXZ – Episode 4

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You know what, screw it, we’re watching more Symphogear. Everyone’s presumably still stuck inside due to COVID, and at this point, it’s beginning to feel like time has no meaning, and the world has spun off its axis entirely. Fortunately, that’s precisely the right attitude to take into Symphogear, which concluded its last episode on the line “believe it or not, this is a great place to pick a fight with God,” and has refused to make much more sense than that at any point in its distinguished run.

I could tell you that last episode helped clarify season four’s narrative trajectory, but you’d know full well I’d be lying. Symphogear narratives are essentially driven by a massive switch labeled LOVE EACH OTHER and KILL EACH OTHER, which seesaws between modes seemingly at random, while ensuring each episode receives its allotted combination of charming relationships and thundering explosions. Symphogear is the anime equivalent of an adrenaline shot and a warm hug, and I think that’s a combination we could all use in these dark days. Let’s get to it!

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Spring 2020 – Week 11 in Review

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Hello everyone, and welcome back to my little corner blog. My media adventures were diverse and rewarding this week, as I explored films ranging from recent South Korean highlights to one of the very first noir films, along with a film that’s known mostly for introducing the world to the concept of Sean Connery in bright red underwear. I remember years ago, I’d frequently find myself paralyzed in choosing what films to watch by the inherent opportunity cost – as someone who didn’t watch that many movies, I didn’t want to “waste” any of my film-assigned time slots with a misguided pick. These days, I’m watching movies all the goddamn time, which actually makes me feel a lot more free to watch whatever comes to mind at any given moment. Let’s explore more of the treasures of this rambling journey, as we burn through another Week in Review!

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Hugtto! Precure – Episode 14

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Hello all, and a warm welcome back to Wrong Every Time. Today I am thrilled to be returning to the world of Hugtto! Procure, after altogether far too long of a break. We’re even returning on a particularly exciting moment – having finally connected with Lulu emotionally during the climax of the previous episode, we might finally be due for charming odd-couple bonding between the ever-exuberant Hana and the literally robotic Lulu. Classic sitcom shenanigans, here we come!

Tonal expectations aside, Lulu’s arc has been foreshadowed through moments of hesitation and doubt since nearly her first appearance. Having been presumably built by Criasu Corp, and spent her whole life within their corporate, hierarchical structure, Lulu’s liberation feels like Hugtto’s most dramatic example so far of its principle theme: that our current circumstances are not our destiny, and that we can transform ourselves to become the adults we want to be. Simultaneously, rescuing Lulu will also stand as Hana’s most dramatic expression of her signature power: the ability to inspire others through her faith in them, and help them arrive at a happier self-image. Let’s enjoy more of these two’s adorably goofy relationship as we return to Precure!

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Pokemon Sun and Moon – Episode 12

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Hello folks, and welcome back to Wrong Every Time. Today I’m delighted to be returning to Pokemon Sun and Moon, and also pleased to report that I have no real clue what we’ll actually be doing this episode. Given Ash just recently completed his first Grand Trial, followed by Kaki’s somewhat delayed focus episode, my assumption is that we’ll be getting the gang back together this time, and enjoying another ensemble episode with the whole class. Beyond that, it’s also been quite some time since Team Rocket made anything but a cursory appearance, so I’m guessing we’re about due for another of their dubious schemes. But however things play out, I’m sure the sun will shine brightly, waves will lap gently, and pokemon will battle fiercely through another Alolan day. Let’s get to it!

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Kaiba – Episode 3

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Past shimmering stars and an aurora of souls, Kaiba has fled. Pursued by Vanilla, the cruise liner’s bloodthirsty head of security, Kaiba has run through cities and slums, stowed away in luggage compartments, and fired off in an escape pod, seeking a reunion with the one he loves, or perhaps just an escape from this world’s injustices. But in a world like Kaiba’s, there is no true escape from violence or injustice; with capitalism having even claimed dominion over our bodily autonomy, violence and injustice are woven into the system itself. Even in our own world, homes can be stolen, families ripped apart, and lives destroyed, all with perfect legality and systemic support. In a world where even your body isn’t yours to keep, where can you possibly run to, and what can you consider home?

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Spring 2020 – Week 10 in Review

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Hello everyone, and welcome back to Wrong Every Time. I’ve got plenty more thoughts on a variety of movies for you all today, opening with even more exploration of Hayao Miyazaki’s early films. I also continued to deeply wound myself through repeated exposure to the filmography of Hirokazu Kore-eda, and even watched through Greg Daniels’ much-maligned new Netflix production. There’s a lot of media to cover and I’m sure you all have busy Wednesdays to get back to, so let’s not waste any more time, as we run down more of film and television’s bounteous treasures in another Week in Review!

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