Category Archives: Essay

Why It Works: The Living World of Ancient Magus’ Bride

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The Ancient Magus’ Bride’s first prequel episode came out last week, so of course I had to dig in for Why It Works. This adaptation is definitely doing a strong job of capturing the offhand style of magic that makes the manga so charming, even if its story isn’t really focused on the relationship that keeps it strong. My only real complaint is the somewhat impersonal CG layouts – I briefly mention them in this article, but they were certainly at the back of my mind pretty consistently through my viewing. But aside from that, this was a beautiful and very atmospheric premiere!

Why It Works: The Living World of Ancient Magus’ Bride

The Ancient Magus' Bride

 

Our Aimless, Priceless Days: Tamako Love Story

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“Here’s a song about nothing and everything at once / all the minutes and the months / nothing and everything at once.”
– Superchunk

Today is probably not going to be an exciting day. I have a couple of articles I should finish, starting with this longer essay on Tamako Love Story. I’ll work through a few emails as well, and then probably go out for lunch. In the afternoon, I’ll get more work done and then maybe spend some time with my housemates. I might end the day by going to see a movie, or possibly just lounge around and play some videogames.

A day like that can fade into the blur of days, as they pile up and turn into moments and memories and years. When we look back, such days can often disappear entirely. Humans have a tendency to try and make narratives out of the discordant world we live in; things outside of our control happen according to a tangible pattern, while our own lives contort themselves to present villains and victories, turning points and moral conclusions. Lives lived fade into peaks and valleys, where a simple day of doing what you must and living until the next becomes a lost fragment of the whole.

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Why It Works: A Eulogy for the Dogs of JoJo, Part Two

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And so my retrospective of the dogs of JoJo concludes with a tribute to JoJo’s most noble hero: Iggy the Fool, who gave up his life so an asshole Frenchman may live. Us stalwart dog lovers salute you, Iggy. You did the best you could in a game you weren’t meant to win.

I’ve enjoyed writing these very silly articles, so I’ll probably think up more nonsense to cover soon enough. I hope you enjoyed them too!

Why It Works: A Eulogy for the Dogs of JoJo, Part Two

JoJo's Bizarre Adventure

The Secret of Love Live’s Success

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Time for a new ANN editorial! I’m diving into Love Live this time, talking about the specific and very noteworthy strengths that make this show so compelling. Love Live embodies a fair number of the qualities that make anime appealing as a medium in general, so I was happy to have a chance to discuss some of its major accomplishments. I could easily talk about camp or communal engagement for far longer than one editorial (and I have before), but for now, I’m happy to have a semi-reasonable excuse to write the phrase “Nico and Maki’s potato marriage” in a critical context. ANYWAY!

The Secret of Love Live’s Success

Love Live Sunshine

Why It Works: A Eulogy for the Dogs of JoJo, Part One

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JoJo has been terribly and consistently unkind to its dogs, and I for one have had enough of it. Part of being a critic is accepting that sometimes you have a moral responsibility to write a two part article in memory of fictional animals. I didn’t choose this duty, but I will not shirk my responsibilities. Dear dogs of JoJo, please accept this offering in memory of your sacrifice.

Why It Works: A Eulogy for the Dogs of JoJo, Part One

Love Live Sunshine

Why It Works: Tsumugi’s Great Adventure

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Today I got to write a piece on Sweetness & Lightning for the first time, which was nice. The show honestly doesn’t offer that much to dissect a lot of weeks, but the Tsumugi-focused episode was a clear standout, so I had plenty to talk about. Hope you enjoy the piece!

Why It Works: Tsumugi’s Great Adventure

Sweetness & Lighting

The Dramatic Layer Cake of Inside Out

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It’s interesting how fan communities often lionize the idea of “thematic depth” in stories, as if fiction with an underlying philosophical message is somehow more worthy than works that are largely concerned with having a good time. It makes sense for a few reasons – we see complexity as an inherent good, we see works that are trying to change the viewers’ minds as more challenging or morally profound, we more deeply connect with the works that taught us something new, etcetera. But it’s also a little funny to me, since there’s no type of art more prone to sermonizing than family entertainment.

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Why It Works: Yukako’s Fairy Tale

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I returned to JoJo again this week, unable to avoid the temptation of talking about a Yukako episode. Unfortunately, this article isn’t really about how Yukako herself is awesome – it’s more about the framing of her Cinderella story, and the influences it’s drawing on in both a narrative and visual sense. Hopefully that still sounds pretty entertaining!

Why It Works: Yukako’s Fairy Tale

JoJo's Bizarre Adventure

Why It Works: Emotional Distance in Orange

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Today I discuss Orange’s somewhat unique framing device, and the interesting way it colors our relationship with Orange’s characters. Some mild philosophy of the viewer shenanigans for your Saturday afternoon.

Why It Works: Emotional Distance in Orange

Orange

Why It Works: Anatomy of a Rat Fight

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I took another stab at JoJo this week, breaking down some of the genre craft stuff that made one of the recent episodes so effective. JoJo’s just a really easy show to talk about, particularly this season – it’s got a wide variety of clear strengths, and yet tends to be strong in ways that make it quite different from most anime. I’m sure I’ll find my way back to covering it again!

Why It Works: Anatomy of a Rat Fight

JoJo's Bizarre Adventure