Recently, I cleaned out my wardrobe. I pulled two large garbage bags of clothes to donate. I don’t need a month’s worth of clothes that I don’t wear. However, I felt a strange reluctance to donate them. I’m attached to some because they were gifts. While I sorted, some Japanese and Ainu folklore came…
Examining Animation: Marin’s Embarrassment
During one scene in My Dress-up Darling, Marin stands in a bikini while Wakana takes her measurements so he can make her cosplay outfits. At one point, Marin’s self-control breaks down and her embarrassment bursts forth. Let’s look at this little scene’s animation. I will be working with an animated gif that I’ve exploded into…
For the Love of the Hobby: How Not to be the Best
I feel the drive to be the best, or at least be good, at everything I do. Beyond being impractical–after all, no one can be good at everything they do–trying to be good at a hobby can ruin the hobby. Sometimes, it’s good to be mediocre. It’s good to remember fun should come first. The…
Japan’s Ancient Wisdom and You
The wisdom of Japan and China remains valuable for us today. Like the wisdom of Stoicism, we can look toward the past for lessons on how to live in the present. If you are a Christian who studies Scripture, this idea shouldn’t be new. But many Christians hesitate to add outside wisdom to their lives….
Darwin’s Game
Darwin’s Game reverses the isekai premise: it brings the game into the real world. Kaname Sudo stumbles into the death game blindly and must learn how to survive. The game pits people into death battles against each other for points and rank. Points and rank can be cashed in for real-world money or weapons from…
Akebi’s Sailor Uniform
Akebi’s Sailor Uniform is a healing anime by CloverWorks, the same studio that produced the recent My Dress-Up Darling. The story follows Akebi as she joins an all-girls school for the first time. She wears a sailor uniform, made by her mom. However, the school no longer uses sailor uniforms as their official dress, but…