Awesomecake's Blog

Anime Relations: Chihayafuru

Exempt: Mushishi (season 1 was 2006 despite season 2 being withing 2010's), Natsume Yuujinchou (season 1 2008), FMA (started 2009, ended 2010), Monogatari (bakemono 2009), Things that started in 2009, but ended in 2010 or later basically

50. Koe No Katachi
https://myanimelist.net/anime/28851/Koe_no_Katachi
Great movie thats really emotional! The beginning especially was very difficult to watch, for the right reasons. It explores how bullying effects both the victim and the bullies as they mature. I think it reveals the need for emotional education and the need to develop empathy, as well as bringing to light an important social issue that is often forgotten. Lower on the list partially because i couldn't specifically identify with any specific character so i can't say how realistic it felt to me. But still an incredibly powerful movie that brings a strong start to the top 50

49. Akatsuki no Yona
https://myanimelist.net/anime/25013/Akatsuki_no_Yona
I loved this show when it first came out. One of my favorite shows of all time is 12 Kingdoms, and this does in many ways feel like a spiritual successor. It goes over the fall and rise of Yona, as her kingdom undergoes a coup, and her father and family is murdered. She swears revenge and builds herself up from the bottom, as a once sheltered princess to a true warrior and strong person that can overcome the immense obstacle before her of restoring her kingdom. It is lower on the list, because it does kind of devolve into fanservice via Bishounen during the middle and doesn't actually end. But its still a strong strong show, and I'm always a sucker for strong female characters which I always appreciate to see.

48. Yuri on Ice
https://myanimelist.net/anime/32995/Yuri_on_Ice
It had to be on the top 50. It is also the first of MANY sports anime on this list, and what a strong start it is. It tells the story of Yuuri Katsuki, who was once one of Japans premier figure skaters, he's been losing faith in his abilities and has been considering retiring, but is given a second chance when a video of him practicing a routine by champion skater Viktor Nikiforov and he takes Yuuri under his wing. It has a clear narrative of Yuuri learning to express himself through skating and finding himself with the aid of his coach Viktor. I WOULD HAVE WANTED MORE GRATUITOUS YAOI, it was tastefully subdued but i just think that the resolution could have been far more satisfying, and it is very overstated how big of an effect it has on the show. Because they didn't go all the way, I did feel a little dissapointed but it still is a very good show that easily earns a spot in the top 50

47. Kimetsu no Yabiba
https://myanimelist.net/anime/38000/Kimetsu_no_Yaiba
One of my favorite shounen of recent memory. A very strong start that hearkens back to my favorite manga ever, Rurouni Kenshin, and continues to bring the action with interesting and engaging fights and villains. I really like Tanjiro, but i fukken hate the other guys. THEY'RE SO ANNOYING. They scream at everything!! Still a great show, can't wait to see what happens.

46. Shokugeki no Souma
https://myanimelist.net/anime/28171/Shokugeki_no_Souma
FOOD PORN, THE ANIME. It actually inspired me to cook more. Its shocking how interesting they were able to make cooking. EVERYTHING LOOKS SO GOOD. I also love that they were able to connect it to ideas of creativity in cooking vs following perfect recipes. Lots of interesting characters, super interesting plot and battles. Awesome show.

45. Garo Honoo no Kokuin
https://myanimelist.net/anime/23311/Garo__Honoo_no_Kokuin
GARO! GAROOOOOO! I kept up with it for its dope opening, and ended up loving the plot. It is a kind of classic justice, vs the evil that lives in the hearts of humans type of story but its done well and it comes across as quite mature. Characters struggle with the ideas of killing things that were once humans, and keeping themselves focused on the greater good rather than whats right for themselves. It has great fights, cool characters and awesome transformation scenes. Later seasons really fell of for me as it felt more trivial and more child targeted, but this first season really hit the spot for me, check it out if you want something cool!


44. Tonari no Kaibutsu-kun
https://myanimelist.net/anime/14227/Tonari_no_Kaibutsu-kun
Its felt like ages since i've seen this, but It did leave an impact on me as one of my favorite romance shows of recent memory. It takes characters that are very different from eachother, but grow close naturally and start having an unexpectedly large impact on eachother's lives. I loved how Shizuku became more expressive throughout the show because of Haru's antics, and how they both needed eachother by the end. Very well done romance.

43. Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic
https://myanimelist.net/anime/18115/Magi__The_Kingdom_of_Magic
I BINGED THIS SO HARD WHEN I GOT INTO IT. Aladdin is probably my favorite shounen protagonist. He's a young, pure and impressionable boy with a great responsibility before him that he doesn't fully understand. But the more he learns about the state of the world, the more he comes to realize how grave and important his responsibility of a Magi, to choose a king that would steer the world in the right direction. This show has such great worldbuilding that does a fantastic job of setting the stakes, and creating a lovable cast of characters. I feel like the power levels in this show got very very high, very very fast but everything stayed interesting throughout, and i really want to see how it ends.

42. Hanebado
https://myanimelist.net/anime/37259/Hanebado
The next of MANY sports shows on the list! It is also one of the most recent, coming out late 2018. It showcases how far the medium has come i think. It has very dynamic and beautiful animation that wouldn't have been possible in the previous decade and is perfect for the top 50 on this list for that reason. I think sports anime should feel dynamic as it showcases motion, and its the kind of feeling that i don't think you can properly capture with live action. The beautiful animation is also tied to a very good story that showcases the aspirations and expectations placed upon the young athletes, touching on one of my favorite aspect of sports anime which is, what the actual point is of putting such humongous effort into what is for some, a hobby and for others a very risky endeavor that may not even pan out into a career for the future.

41. Mob Psycho 100
https://myanimelist.net/anime/32182/Mob_Psycho_100
Mob is a super lovable protagonist. He starts out a shy boy, who's scared of expressing himself or showing who he really is due to his psychic powers and their possibility to hurt people. But the more that happens to him the less able he is of suppressing his emotions or powers, and he explodes with all of it during especially trying times. Its a wonderful story of Mob learning how to be himself in a healthy way, and its done in a very interesting and entertaining way that really makes you root for him. I'd like a little bit more out of the plot, it feels a little generic in that regard, but this is one of the first anime on the list that tries to elevate itself with strong underlying themes of finding one's identity. Also the muscly gym guys are the best lmao.

40. KonoSuba!
https://myanimelist.net/anime/30831/Kono_Subarashii_Sekai_ni_Shukufuku_wo
Had to include an isekai since those did absolutely explode over the last 10 years, it had to be this. Although its a parody of sorts, its a super entertaining one that I couldn't put down, and it stays great throughout. I also do think that it brings to light that isekai's do tend to be a male power fantsy of sorts where the hero who is useless in the real world is allowed to be a great hero in the other world. In this Kazuma when sent to the different world he brings the goddess Aqua to suffer alongside him as he tries his best to rid the world of evil. Whats notable about it, and why i say that this and isekai's are a male power fantasy is that Kazuma is surrounded by female party members who by all means should be incredibly powerful in their own right, but are held back by something that makes them incredibly incompetent for one reason or another. Aqua can only do party tricks, megumin can only do one spell, and lalatina is a masochist. It makes kazuma essentially the most functioning member of the squad. I haven't really decided if its doing this ironically or not, but regardless it is super funny.

39. Violet Evergarden
https://myanimelist.net/anime/33352/Violet_Evergarden
Just picked this up again, glad I did. Its the story of a war veteran and orphan, Violet who's only upbringing was actually fighting in that war. After it, she struggles to learn what it is to understand human emotion by writing letters for various clients to express their innermost thoughts. Through this she starts to understand the weight of what she did as a soldier, and what it means to connect to people and love. Really beautiful show that is also visually gorgeous. Definitely a must-watch from this decade!

38. Space Patrol Luluco/Inferno Cop
https://myanimelist.net/anime/32681/Uchuu_Patrol_Luluco
YAAAAAAAAAS. I wanted to include Luluco since it hit a special place for me by taking inspiriation from american cartoons (like loony toons or dexters lab) that are able to tell stories in a much shorter time frame and do so in hilarious ways. Luluco is special for me because unlike other shorts that spawned within this decade, it does have an ongoing story of Lululuco learning to love and be herself in ways that only Trigger/Gainax can deliver. I also HAD to include Inferno Cop, because FUKKEN INFERNO COP. ARE YOU SERIOUS???? Shit is bananas.

37. Kimi no Na wa
https://myanimelist.net/anime/32281/Kimi_no_Na_wa
A real tear jerker to be sure. two completely seperate people are body swapped, and come to understand eachothers lives and trials in their daily life. And through their body swapped adventures they mature and are able to help eachother sort through their problems and soon come to want to meet eachother truly, falling in love despite not knowing the other. I think part of the context actually does need to be understood through the lens of a japanese person, since that is the setting, pitting the country side life vs the city life specific to japan. But even without that context you can still appreciate the emotions and the characters.

36. Yakusoku no Neverland
https://myanimelist.net/anime/37779/Yakusoku_no_Neverland
This had me on the edge of my seat! It hit an itch that i haven't had scratched since the likes of death note, where characters have to outssmart eachother to gather information and live. Here orphans are harvested for their organs and sold off to mysterious creatures. They live in a world completely controlled by them, and have no idea! That is until the eldest and smartest stumble upon that secret and start planning their escape. It teaches the importance of thinking critically about society and its rules, what really serves the people and to fight for the right to live freely.

35. In This Corner of The World
https://myanimelist.net/anime/15227/Kono_Sekai_no_Katasumi_ni
Glad I watched this anime. I still can't handle grave of the fire flies, but this is a different WWII anime that gives a unique perspective on the event and how it shapes the Japanese identity. Its about a woman who is married off to a different family before the war, and comes to find ways to live and be happy despite not really having much control over being married off. It showcases that although the Japanese spirit is resilient and strong, sometimes it is important to move on and find ways to be creative and live for the future. Like with Anime!

34. Mobile Suit Gundam: Unicorn
https://myanimelist.net/anime/6336/Mobile_Suit_Gundam_Unicorn
It really is quite possibly the best Gundam out there. It takes the classic ideas of gundam and filters out the bullshit. Gundam can be really annoying sometimes, with horribly written villains, crazy over the top powerups for no reason and bonkers plots, but this one nails all those aspects and keeps the core of what makes gundam great, and transforms it into something special. It continues the idea of looking at human society that although has advanced to be able to live in space, is still making the same mistakes like racism and war, refusing to evolve.

33. Promare
https://myanimelist.net/anime/35848/Promare
YAAAAAS GAY KISSING IN MUH ANIME. Its small, but we take those. Trigger nailed the dynamic animation, interesting characters and music, and tackles a very relevant issue in modern society in environmentalism. Glad they decided to do a movie, since it really allowed them to push the animation in ways that wouldn't be possible for a 24 episode long series. The pacing and plot flowed amazingly too as a movie, with not a dull moment and all of it relevant to Galo's releltless spirit and good intentions as he learns more about himself and the world around him without losing his sense of duty and righteousness.

32. Kaze ga Tsuyoku Fuiteiru
https://myanimelist.net/anime/37965/Kaze_ga_Tsuyoku_Fuiteiru
SPOOORTS. This time its running! It takes the concept I introduced in my Hanebado explanation of "Why actually put so much effort into sports" and really fully explores that idea into a much more complete story. Here the answer to that seems to be for self-improvement, and the feeling of accomplishment. Experienced runner Haiji Kiyose ropes in former highschool running star Kakeru Kurahara against his will into the largest relay race course japan has to offer, and does it by recruiting a group of complete amateurs to train them to qualify for the race. Its incredibly interesting taking a look at how the different characters react to having this new goal thrust upon them, and seeing what they take away from it at their various skill levels. It definitely inspired me to be more active.

31. Megalo Box
https://myanimelist.net/anime/36563/Megalo_Box
SPOOOOORTS. This time its mecha-assisted boxing! It probably has the best first episode of any anime here, or at least the one that made the biggest impression on me from the beginning. It takes after the likes of Ashita no Joe, the classic boxing anime and both focusses the story, and modernizes it. Perhaps the most interesting part of the show is its setting, and what the sport of boxing means in this society. It allows for people to spring into stardom through their boxing ability alone, so for a nobody like "Junk Dog" who doesn't even have a real name, the sport makes it so that he can be independent, and live his life the way he wants to. The character of Junk Dog is a great contrast to that of the Yuuri, who although is the reigning champion and the most powerful man in boxing is tied down by his obligations to his sponsors, where Junk Dog can be free. It really takes sports anime in a different direction than the others on the list and really makes me want to watch Joe someday.

30. Panty and Stocking with Garterbelt
https://myanimelist.net/anime/8795/Panty___Stocking_with_Garterbelt
Panty-stocking, panty panty stocking OH! Dope show, dope soundtrack. Main theme is literally escapism and breaking boundaries/ expectations of society, and thats exactly why i love it because its just so damn fun. Again, taking some inspiration from american cartoons, but does it in a way that only gainax can.

29. Bakemono no Ko
https://myanimelist.net/anime/28805/Bakemono_no_Ko
I didn't think i'd love this movie as much as I did, but it really is fantastic. It explores the life of a boy who's mother has died and who's father abandoned him. He runs off to live on his own, and ends up in a strange alternate fantasy world filled with animals and beasts. I did really identify with their exploration of manhood here, as it focusses on the relationship this boy has with a bear (implied to be his estranged father), how the boy learns from him and comes into his own as a person, and teaches the bear a lot about himself as well. Mamoru Hosoda's films really are beautiful and will be seen again on this list.

28. 3-gatsu no Lion
https://myanimelist.net/anime/31646/3-gatsu_no_Lion
SPOOOOOORTS. Kind of... This is actually Shogi. Not an physical sport definitely, but it does share some elements since it does involve entering tournaments. It, like Megalo Box does portray the game as a means to be able to live and provide for one's self. And it does so in a beautiful way. Rei Kiriyama doesn't have a family of his own, but took after his adoptive father's hobby of shogi and became a genius of the game. It thoroughly explores his relationship with Shogi as at first being a way to connect with his father figure, to something of a comfort for him in a time of loss, something that allows him to gain money, and also as a means to connect with people. Kiriyama has gone through a lot in his life, and is essentially alone but learns to appreciate his life and that it is worth living despite the hardships.

27. Dororo
https://myanimelist.net/anime/37520/Dororo
A tezuka classic returned! I loved seeing a classic format of episodic shows return in the modern era! Defintely a joy to see, and i'm a sucker for samurai! This concept is also so damn cool. its about a boy who's father sells the soul of his son to demons in order to satisfy his ambitions as a feudal lord. The boy however, doesn't die despite being born without skin, any senses or limbs. As the boy grows however he is given prosthetics and regains his body and senses by defeating the demons who took his body. Its another show about finding one's own humanity. Through his travels in killing the demons, he also meets a variety of people and learns more and more about the world and what it means to be human, growing closer as well to his companion Dororo. Would have preferred a stronger ending, but definitely one of my recent favs.

26. Mahou_Shoujo_Madoka★Magica
https://myanimelist.net/anime/9756/Mahou_Shoujo_Madoka%E2%98%85Magica
Classsiiiiic. This set the decade off right with mind bendingly gorgeous for the time visuals and a twist on classic magical girl anime, that people should know by now. EZ top 50

25. Little Witch Academia
https://myanimelist.net/anime/33489/Little_Witch_Academia_TV
Triggggeerrrrr. Another hit from this studio that has struggled a bit since the transition of gainax to trigger, but did hit it home with this one. Magic when its portrayed in media always carries themes of making dreams a reality, and this is no different, and does it with fantastic flying colours. Akko always admired the performances of Shiny Chariot, who although isn't respected in the witch community for being just performances, did at least inspire people with their beauty and wanted to make Akko do something great. As she grew however she did learn that maybe her heroes and dreams weren't like what she thought they were, but since she believed in it so much and was inspired so thoroughly she was able to become the emodiment of what she thought Shiny Chariot was. Beautiful story that was well excecuted!

24. Kuragehime
https://myanimelist.net/anime/8129/Kuragehime
YAAAAAAAAS. One of the best Josei anime around. Josei tend to focus on women having to adapt to the expectations of society. In this show we have a whole housing complex of Hikikomori/NEETs that are unable to face society. They can't deal with men, jobs or anything to do with beauty. However Tsukimi has a chance encounter with a beautiful woman, who happens to be a crossdresser Kuranosuke who tries to subvert the expectations society places on him. Through their meeting Tsukimi is able to face things she never thought she could and learn a lot about herself and about growing into a woman. Definitely a dope show. The top 25 is where we start getting into some truly special anime!

23. Psycho-Pass
https://myanimelist.net/anime/13601/Psycho-Pass
Were starting to get some complex stories! excellent worldbuilding! This is a society where technology allows for the existence of a "crime coefficient" which is a number that people have based on their likeliness to commit crimes. When their number gets too high, they can be arrested and the enforcer weapons start working on them. This examines the very nature of what is considered crime by society, as it isn't always clear in practice what the right thing to do is, but as an enforcer of the law, their instructions are clear. it takes after the likes of classics like ghosy in the shell to create a sci-fi for a more modern audience.

22. Akagami no Shirayuki-hime
https://myanimelist.net/anime/30123/Akagami_no_Shirayuki-hime
What a great anime, definitely a hidden gem, and one of my favorite romances of all time! Shirayuki is the apple of many a man's eye due to her red hair. She is sought after by meny men, to the point where she struggles to live with the expectations of so many people riding on her. However she is saved by a prince and comes to start working in his castle as an apothecary. This is a great show for women as it carries themes of keeping one's own independence during love. Shirayuki works very hard to provide for herself as an apothecary and doesn't want hand outs from anybody, and wants to maintain this independence despite starting to develop feelings that would tie her to the prince, which may be forbidden since she is not of nobility!

21. Flip Flappers
https://myanimelist.net/anime/32979/Flip_Flappers
AHHHH WHAT THE FUCK IS THIS SHOW!!!! Amazing thats what. Its the second coming of FLCL in terms of off the wall batshit crazy and i loved every second of it. May be a bit of a niche show that isn't for everyone because of its insanity, but its definitely something special. Cocona is a normal girl living a normal life, going to school and shit without any particular goals or anything, she just does her thing. UNTIL ONE DAY she is dragged off by a stranger in the the world of PURE ILLUSION, where literally anything can happen. I don't even want to try getting into it. But suffice to say its a show about the importance of creativity and imagination. If Cocona stuck to her regular routine and didn't try things he life would be so dull and she wouldn't have any idea who she is or what she wants out of life. But because of the world of pure illusion, she formed relationships, she grew and found parts of herself she didn't know she had and became a reall ass human. this show is so dope! Not for everyone, but I love it.


20. Koi wa Ameagari no You ni
https://myanimelist.net/anime/34984/Koi_wa_Ameagari_no_You_ni
Speaking of hidden gems! I just happen to watch this one day because of a music video, and i'm so glad I did. Its about the forbidden love for a middle schooler and her 40 year old manager at her job. GASP. Usually i'd steer clear of things like this because japan can get pretty weird, but i'm glad i stuck to this. Akira Tachibana was a track star until she had a horrible accident and could no longer run. She was shown kindness by a manager at a cafe she happened to pass by and fell in love instantly. Because of the age difference she couldn't tell him, but this love helped her get through such an especially trying time where she lost a huge part of her life. The form of love in this show really shows how much it instills hope into people and I really identified with that and found it beautiful. I also LOOOOVE the art style in this show. If it wasn't for the classic 80's looking drawings i don't think i would have been able to look past the age thing, but the style kept the feelings pure in a way. WATCH THIS.

19. Boku no Hero Academia
https://myanimelist.net/anime/31964/Boku_no_Hero_Academia
BREH. This show is so GOOD. I tried not to watch it for so long and then ended up binging like 3 seasons in 2 days lmao. Its such a fantastic shounen, and the dynamic of All Might being an inspiration to keep trying and be a force of good in the world is great! it highlights the importance of being a good influence for future generations and once you grow to fill in the roles to make the world a better place. FUCK MINETA THOUGH I HATE THAT GUY

18. Katanagatari
https://myanimelist.net/anime/6594/Katanagatari
Katanagatari was such a special show to me for so long. It came at a time when i was really uncertain for the future of anime and if there was going to be good things coming out, and then this happened right at the start of 2010. It was different in that it was released in 12 50 minute episodes rather than 24 minute ones. the formatting worked so well for it as it allowed them to create a totally unique pacing for an anime both in terms of how the episode was structured and how it was released. Since it was monthly, it entertained me for the whole year. I think to truly appreciate it you do need some context into marial arts or samurai shows, as it has a lot to do with "creating the ultimate sword" Which ends up being shichika himself. Even without that you can come to appreciate him realizing his humanity (much the same way as in dororo) but this comes along with it the pursuit of marial arts and what it means to devote one's self to the craft. Shichika WAS a sword, he was a tool used to kill people with no identity of his own. I loved seeing him develop alongside togame who has nothing else except her ambitions. they were a good pair. Great fights also!

17. Shingeki no Kyojin
https://myanimelist.net/anime/16498/Shingeki_no_Kyojin
!!!!!!! This show brings the hype. I wasn't sure which shounen i should put higher, this or My Hero, but Titan won out in the end because of its amazing third season. It does tend to stick to one aesthetic and tries to keep pushing the action without any time to spend for rest or mourn loss, but the it does absolutely succeed in keeping the intensity. Ultimately the reason why its higher up though is because it has more powerful underlying themes and complex ideas in its plot. It has to do with standing up as an individual in the face of an oppressive society against fear to do what is right and what might be against the norm, as well as coming together as a group to create a future. It does have a lot to do with the Japanese identity as well, carrying themes of nationalism against invaders (breaking of the wall=coming of the black ships before Meiji) The people of the wall has to modernize, becoming titans as well to establish themselves as their own people again.

16. Sayonara no Asa ni Yakusoku no Hana wo Kazarou (Maquilla: When the Promised Flower Blooms)
https://myanimelist.net/anime/35851/Sayonara_no_Asa_ni_Yakusoku_no_Hana_wo_Kazarou
Fantastic ass movie! Its about a race of people who have incredibly long life-spans and live secluded from the world until they are brought to the world of men, and most of them are killed. One girl however Maquilla must live on her own, her life span in a sense becoming a curse in many ways. She fights off the hopelessness of loss, and finds a reason to live through her chance encounter with a baby that has lost its parents and she raises it, despite that it would age much faster than her. Her struggles with the will to live were incredibly powerful, also made me super respect my mom!

15. Sakamichi no Apollon
https://myanimelist.net/anime/12531/Sakamichi_no_Apollon
I almost didn't finish this. I was such a scaredy-cat my first time cause i couldn't handle some of the more emotional parts of this. But its about finding yourself, in this case through Jazz. Kaoru always follows the rules and only plays classical music but learns to express himself through jazz! it sounds simple when i say it out like that, but its excecuted so well. I loved that his relationship was more of a brotherhood with Sentarou, and it was awesome to see the dynamic of those two with Ritsuko as Kaoru couldn't shake the feeling of being an outsider or that he was in the way until way later. Its the dynamic of these three's relationship that really elevates this show, along with its awesome soundtrack and its encouragement to get out there and make mistakes! It did inspire me.

14. Ookami Kodomo no Ame to Yuki
https://myanimelist.net/anime/12355/Ookami_Kodomo_no_Ame_to_Yuki
Mamoru Hosoda! THIS MOVIE. THIS FUKKEN MOVIE. Its about family, its about growth into your own person, its about the struggles of life and the concequences of choices, and coming to appreciate having life in the first place. Hosoda really makes beautiful movies. I htink his films were one of the best things to come out of anime during the decade and takes up the torch of miyazaki beautifully.

13. Saraiya Goyou
https://myanimelist.net/anime/7588/Saraiya_Goyou
the 2010's had no shortage of interesting niche anime, and this was one of my favorites of those. What sets apart this anime is how mature its perspective is. this is about a samurai who is very skilled but is a total pushover and lets himself get used by the people around him. It gets him into trouble as he drawn into a gang called the Five Leaves, and he's enthralled by the willpower and confidence of its leader Yaichi. As he is drawn into the gang he learns more about its members, who have all had their misdeeds in the past and had to live with the consequences, which is what brought them into the gang. I think it deals with a part of humanity that is often overlooked as it doesn't idealze it as so many other anime. It takes a hard look at how people deal and live with their mistakes in the past and how adults accumulate many things over the course of their lives, while also in the end drawing a kind of beauty in it as they do find solace in being a part of this community.

12. Ping Pong the Animation
https://myanimelist.net/anime/22135/Ping_Pong_the_Animation
SPOOOORTS! This time its mother fucking Ping Pong! Hell yeah. This takes the ideas introduced in things like Hanebado and The running anime and puts it to the N'th degree. Why would you ever put effort into Ping Pong?? Because its fun? because you don't want to lose? As a career? Just for the sake of struggle? How far would you go to achieve your goals? One person winning means destroying the dreams of the person you beat. Its a vicious dog-eat dog world that in the end could be completely meaningless in the grand scheme of life, but people do it anyway. This show has a way of making the ideas feel larger than life. The different animation style and visuals give this show a completely different vibe, but somehow it creates a one of a kind experience that enhances the excitement of the sport.

11. Kill la Kill
https://myanimelist.net/anime/18679/Kill_la_Kill
Trigger started off with a bang and easily one of the best things to come out in the 2010's. Its over the top action as only Gainax/Trigger can deliver. Its an important show with a surprising amount of depth that examines the expectations of women in society, and their sexuality. They are simultaneously sexualized and expected to remain pure, what about their own desires how can one gain the means to be their own individual and do what they want to do in life? The idea of clothing is tied here to a person's role and has different expectations tied to them. The whole "nudist" thing is that people should be able to decide their lives for themselves free of expectation or rules. When they cast off their clothing, they can start to decide what they want their lives to be like for themselves. It was also crazy hype, with awesome fights and cool characters. Bonkers, but thats part of what makes gainax/Trigger special for me.

10. Haikyuu
https://myanimelist.net/anime/20583/Haikyuu
SPOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOORTS! This time, its Volleyball! I really didn't see this one coming. I thought Ping Pong would top the list. I thought this was going to be just another shounen sports anime. I thought! But this is actually something special. It has so much depth because it has a wide range of characters. Ping Pong explored its themes incredibly thoroughly but a lot of it did feel like it was delivered through exposition and was very direct. But this explores many of the same ideas, but much more naturally through the lives and perspectives of different characters, and does it in a way where you can see it materialize very directly through actual volleyball games. The games themselves are so incredibly fun and exciting. THE BLOCK OMG. I love how it symbolizes the net of the volleyball games itself as a barrier, and that getting over it is tied to the ability to overcome obstacles, to improve evolve and grow. Thanks to so many well devoloped characters, the relationship of the team really carries it to new heights like the complicated rivalry of Hinata and Kageyama. I really didn't think i'd love the show this much.

9. Vinland Saga
https://myanimelist.net/anime/37521/Vinland_Saga
I REALLY DIDN"T THINK I"D LOVE THE SHOW THIS MUCH. It literally still airing, but i can see how good it is. Its from the same Mangaka as Planetes, which is usually in my top 10 of all time. The dude knows how to put together a fukken story. It starts slow, but its necessary. I'm absolutely certain that when Vinland Saga is finished it will be permanently in my top 10 anime. Thorfinn is such a good character. When you compare just the relationship he has with his father, you can already see what a complex character he is. He loved his father so much and respected him, not just because he was strong but also in the way he acted and treated people. It examines the expectations of men in society. Here in the form of what it means to be a warrior, but you can extend it to manhood in general. As thorfinn grows he swears revenge for the murder of his father, but this leads him down a completely different path of growth and he is confronted with the idea that he isn't growing into the same kind of person that he respected his father for. AND THATS JUST ONE CHARACTER RELATION. When you add the prince's character in there and Askelladd. Oh god. Like OMG this show is going to be so good. BUT its not done yet, not even close. Thats why its ONLY at 9, but it has so much room to grow.

8. Kaze Tachinu
https://myanimelist.net/anime/16662/Kaze_Tachinu
The 2010's also saw the retirement of the great Hayao Miyazaki. I had to put this film up here. Its such a beautiful retrospective on Miyazaki's life and perspective on his body of work. How he sacrificed many things in life to create his art and though he did achieve it in a sense there is still so much regret as a result. It has the complex feelings and maturity of someone nearing the end of their life. It was a feeling expressed beautifully through one of Japan's foremost airplane designers during WWII. Its a truly beautiful movie in a completely different way than any other Ghibli or Miyazaki movie.

7. Made in Abyss
https://myanimelist.net/anime/34599/Made_in_Abyss
What a fucking show. Oh. My. God. I really didn't know what I was getting into. It starts off so innocently. But. This desire. this aching feeling of curiosity. Once you notice it, once it takes hold you can't ever go back to the way you were before. What a cool concept, that i really haven't seen expressed so completely by any other show ever. And I really do identify with it. I think thats how you grow as a person. And once you grow, or learn something you really can't go back to who you were as a child. You are a new person. It was absolutely incredible how they what happens when you do try to go back, and its not pretty. Such an incredible concept, with unexpected twists and reveals made it a really emotional and unforgettable show. I can't wait for season 2.

6. Usagi Drop
https://myanimelist.net/anime/10162/Usagi_Drop
This anime was so special for me. Its quite possibly one of the best slice of life anime ever made. Its so adorable, the relationship of Daikichi and Rin is so special. Its very similar to something like Wolf Children or Maquilla, in that it shows the kind of things parents do for their children, and how strong it makes them. But I think where those movies expressed that through putting them in different fantasy situation, this one just directly showed it through living life. Slice of life anime are special because they find something extraordinary in everyday life, and this did exactly that with parenthood. It made such an everyday thing feel so special and beautiful. Not top 5 because fuck the manga.

5. Hourou Musuko
https://myanimelist.net/anime/8426/Hourou_Musuko
OK. OKOKOKOKOKOKOKOK. This is a landmark anime. I don't give a flying fuck what anyone else thinks. I didn't think it was possible to have transexuality expressed like this so blatently and thoroughly in any media, and here it is in an anime. I have nothing but respect for Nitori. They explored themselves in a way that society did not prepare them for, and it questions a lot of notions that people take for granted and turns them on their head. Like why are so many things gendered in the way they are and why are certain things weird for so many people? I think it was absolutely essential for this to take place in an elementary school as it allows for a person to develop during a time when as kids there may not be that many differences between genders, so these concepts can feel foreign to someone like Nitori. It really did influence the way I think and is one of the main reasons why I was able to explore myself as well.

4. Yuri Kuma Arashi
https://myanimelist.net/anime/26165/Yuri_Kuma_Arashi
YURI KUMA. Ikuhara is a madman and I love it. Its the second coming of utena, but like with bears and weird shit. It makes me so happy. I think one of the main reasons i love Yuri so much is that when it comes together it feels like such a triumph. Because the whole world is against them, and thats something that Yuri Kuma gets across so well. Its the world building, its the judgment of people around you, its that people actually want to see you fail and be miserable for no good reason. So the emotions and feelings expressed feel so potent. Its so visceral. I don't think any straight anime can compare to that kind of triumph of overcoming the whole world just to be with the person you love.

3. Devilman Crybaby
https://myanimelist.net/anime/35120/Devilman__Crybaby
As much as I wanted the top 5 to be all gay shit, Devilman earned it. I am kind of a sucker for things like good and evil and the corruption of the human heart. Things like this are all about how the ambition of people can make them do horrible things, and to keep your sense of self through it all to do things you know are right can be very difficult. The plot was so intense and paced beautifully, it just keeps growing and growing until the stakes all of a sudden encompass all of humanity! The director of this was actually the same as Ping Pong! He has a way of structuring episodes to make them feel very very intense.

2. Yagate Kimi ni Naru
https://myanimelist.net/anime/37786/Yagate_Kimi_ni_Naru
OK BACK TO GAY. Ikuhara makes gay stuff that is incredibly abstract, but much the same way that i liked Usagi Drop for being direct with its slice of life portrayal of parenthood, I also really like Bloom into You for its very direct portrayal of love in its most unexpected form. I just... I JUST couldn't handle it. How everything in the beginning felt so bleak, how they just didn't even understand love in the slightest until it happened. Everything is just perfectly portrayed and I related to it every step of the way. Sometimes i felt like Yuu, others it was Touko but i just loved this show so much.


1. Chihayafuru
https://myanimelist.net/anime/10800/Chihayafuru
SPOOOOOOORTS. This time its the best card game known to humanity. Karuta! What is that? well if i explained it to you, it'd sound like the lamest thing ever, so whatever! Although you may not think its a sport at first, the show takes great time to show exactly why you'd be wrong. and how this is a sport where anyone can compete regardless of age, gender, or intelligence. It takes similar concepts of previously mentioned titles, of "why bother playing this game?" and there that question is so much more important because unlike ping pong, boxing, running volleyball or even Badminton, this is a fukken card game played with poems the perfection of this craft really is probably meaningless. In Megalo Box boxing was a means to provide for ones self, even in ping pong it was unlikely, but you could become a pro. But Karuta, is done for karuta's sake alone. For the sake of having a goal, and Chihaya's single minded pursuit of this game is like love in its purest form. Just an intense deep love of the game. The beauty of Karuta and Chihayafuru is in just how much the game becomes a part of who the characters are. Through the poems, through playing the game they find themselves in ways they never dreamed of before they started. Even in Ping Pong, which preached so much, and made the game feel larger than life, more important than anything else, even in Haikyuu which was so incredibly exciting and had a vast array of characters that grew through the game, IN niether of these shows were the characters so intensely and passionately tied to the game. Their drive, their love and their just how much they derive their sense of self from the game drives the stakes of every match far beyond that of any sports anime. AND ITS NOT EVEN JUST ABOUT THE GAME. Thats not even to mention the love triangle, how the people that are tied to the game become so important to the character. And it ALSO has a deep contemplation of the point of playing Katuta in the real world, and if it really is worth it to put one's entire directed effort into the game. THIS SHOW IS FUKING AMAZING.

Anime Relations: Toradora!

Toradora is what i'd very much like to call the pinnacle of the highschool romance genre. I'd like to, but I haven't actually seen all highschool romances. What I can say however is that it sets the bar very very high.

As with my previous entries, this is not a recommendation review or anything, I'm giving my impressions and thoughts of the anime, and it does contain spoilers, so don't read unless you've seen Toradora. Though I feel like this post in particular is more review-like than the others. I hope you like it.





At first glance however, one might not see why this show is such a standout. Some might like it, but wouldn't say its the GOAT, others might even call it generic. Which is understandable. In the beginning especially, it relies on several common tropes and cliches of the genre. There are tsundere's, perky popular girls, an obligatory beach episode, they work on their cultural festival, and it starts off with one of those traditional, unlikely pairings where they'll slowly learn to appreciate eachother (most notably seen previously in Lovely Complex). However there's a big difference between using a cliche or trope as a substitute for good writing, and using the tropes for specific purposes in a show to enhance the story. Cliches can play their part in a good story. Toradora does a good job of using them to "prepare" you (heh) by setting your expectations for the show, and then tearing them down. Toradora is a great highschool rom-com about growing into maturity, which wouldn't be possible without those tropes.

For those that don't already know. School is fake. It is a fake world created for students that has an ecosystem with rules completely separate from the rest of the world. This fake-ness is at the heart of Toradora. Everyone is fake, and they slowly come to know it. Everyone has an outward persona that others recognize them by.



Taiga for instance is the palmtop tiger, she creates trouble and gets feared by the people around her, but she's actually a clumsy softie at heart, who has a crush on Kitamura. She's also come to be known as one of the most notable Tsundere's ever, possibly because of how long her facade of how she feels lasts throughout the anime. Ryuji likewise is feared for having scary looking eyes, but we find out early that he's a weirdo that likes cleaning and takes good care of his mother, he's supportive and caring. It may feel like he's most genuine throughout, but thats only because he's the protaginist. How he's seen by others is definitely different from how others see him. Kitamura is outwardly responsible, but he only does it because he loves the Class president, he wants to be a rebel but keeps his feelings locked inside. Minori is energetic, friendly to everybody and confident, but we find out from her moment with Ryuji being locked in the store cupboard that she's actually scared all the time, she sings and acts energetic even more when she's scared (she also does the best job of hiding her feelings, but we find that out later). And pretty much all of the supporting cast is hiding something too.

In the beginning we are shown their standard highschool lives. We are introduced to their facades, and are shown how they maintain them. Taiga in particular takes great pains to maintain her image by being threatening and doesn't want to seem like she relies on Ryuji. They try to act like nothing is going on between them, but something is and they actually become quite close, and people around them start to take notice. Later on Taiga doesn't want to admit that she cant swim since it would break her image, and also didn't want to seem like a child for having small boobs. All of these times are when Taiga wanted to maintain her image, so people wouldn't find out who she really is.

But these moments that establish the importance of the facade make it really special when we do see their true selves come out. One of my favorite moments is the previously mentioned time with Ryuji and Minori in the shed, where we get a first glimpse of the real Minori. Ryuji liked the image of Minori since she was the only girl who seemed friendly to him, but didn't really know her. I'm sure you can also think of other powerful moments of catharsis where characters have their feelings released. They're somewhat scarce early on, mostly keeping between Taiga and Ryuji themselves. For instance, we already knew Ryuji was a good cook and a neat freak, but the other characters only find out at the beach house, and they're quite surprised. Later on in the second half, the feelings start to come out. We find out that Minori actually really likes Ryuji but doesn't want to sacrifice her future, Taiga loves ryuji too (that fucking christmas episode, RIP my heart), Kitamura's feelings for the class president, Ryuji's mother's past, Taiga's father. All of these moments of catharsis are only made possible by the set up in the beginning, where characters keep their true selves hidden behind a mask or cliche.





The change is brought about masterfully by, who I think is my favorite character in the show, Ami. She is introduced fairly early on, but only after we are fully introduced to the other characters and their everyday lives. She's the most clearly two-faced character we meet, being selfish, arrogant, self-absorbed and calculating but on the outside being ditsy, considerate and naive. Thanks to kitamura we are shown both sides immediately, and her persona is broken down early. However, once others start to see her for who she really is she likewise begins to realize that she isn't the only one that has things to hide and thanks to her selfish nature makes it her mission to reveal the secrets of the people around her, presumably since hers was revealed. Her perceptiveness is brought about by her time in the real world, working as a model. This draws attention to the real world being, well, real, and the school being a place of fakeness. Graduating and joining the real world goes hand in hand with maturity and destroying these persona's and falsities. We can see this even in the structure of the episodes. In the beginning the majority of the episodes are about school life and their events, but past the cultural festival and christmas party they are barely in school at all.

This winding tale of coming into maturity and destroying our outward personas isn't possible without those generic tropes, since its those that establish the ingenuine-ness of the show and its those that are destroyed to make way for the cathartic release of emotion that makes this show truly special, as the show itself comes into maturity. Part of why I said in the beginning why I'd like to consider this the "pinnacle" of the highschool romance genre is that part of what it takes to be a part of the genre is to use those tropes associated with it. Toradora takes the tropes and uses them for the purposes of the story, in doing so it cast them aside. Simultaneously establishing itself within the genre to gain widespread appeal, but also breaking free from the obscurity of other shows that do. If you followed the show and value the growth of the characters you can't identify with the tsundere archetype or the school days they had anymore because you know its fake and want something genuine. How the heck would another higschool rom-com assoviate itself as part of the genre and separate itself from the rest of the pack without copying Toradora? I have no idea, and it makes Toradora a tough act to follow and truly one of the best. imo...


So thats what I think about Toradora. I feel like I could have worded this one a bit better, it felt less structured than my other ones but it still got the point across. If you read it, please leave a comment since i wanna hear what others think too, and see you next time. I think i'll do Kenshin again since thats the one I have the most ideas for at the moment.

Anime Relations: Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan - Tsuioku-hen, Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan

Rurouni Kenshin is quite possibly my favorite thing. Its a series that I was introduced to as a kid, and then fully explored when I was a slightly older kid, and have come to cherish and understand as a young adult. I somewhat took it for granted when I read it when I was younger, but now I am truly amazed at how rare and wonderful it is for a long running shonen series to keep a consistent level of quality throughout, never forgetting its characters, offering meaningful interactions and progressions always. Rurouni Kenshin is not just a great shonen series, its high class literature in disguise, and I want to go over a little bit of why I think that is.

For those that don't know, the subtitle for Rurouni Kenshin is Meiji Kenkaku Romantan, or Meiji Swordsman Romantic story. Those three words Meiji, Kenkaku and Romantan are the three ideas which link everything in the story together and give it structure. The following analysis will look at how these ideas are linked, and how they contribute to the story I intend this just to be a somewhat quick overview of the concepts in relation to the series and won't go into to much plot detail. I'm not gonna go over absolutely everything in the series, because that would take a loong time and may spoil the series for people that haven't figured this stuff out.

That being said, as before with my previous Chihayafuru entry, this is not a review or a recommendation. It is an analysis and me pointing out some things I notice in a show that I love, so don't read this unless you have experienced kenshin in some form (preferably the manga, but the anime/OVAs are good for this too)

Rurouni Kenshin

So, I've said that Meiji Kenkaku and Romantan structures the manga, but lets go over what they actually mean individually.

Meiji refers to the change of the era and what comes along with it. Meiji is supposed to stand for peace, industry and more rights for commoners. These are the reasons why kenshin fought in the bakumatsu. He wished to bring peace to the nation, so commoners wouldn't have to live in fear of either bandits or the government. A successful revolution means the successful implementation of these values. Though Meiji also obviously refers to the government itself. Watsuki tries to show, especially in the beginning, the hypocracy of the meiji government. Policemen are permitted to carry swords, which violates their own ban, and they abuse this power. Assassination and vying for power in the government still happen. And while internal struggles are still very threatening to the stability of the government, there are also external threats, people that don't like the new policies introduced, claiming it means japan is weak and prefer the more warlike system and are willing to tear down the new japan that kenshin has fought for. Kenshin must ensure that the government he fought for survives.





Kenkaku refers to kenshin's life as a swordsman. Kenshin fought in the bakumatsu, and killed many people, but they were also fighting for what they believed in. Realizing the value of human life he swore off killing forever, renouncing the values of satsujinken (swords that take life) and adapted katsujinken (swords that give life), his vow is represented in the sword he carries, the sakabato, which allows him to carry it out. His vow is contradictory to the nature of a samurai, as swordsmanship is a means to kill. The kenkaku element of kenshin is a constant inner struggle against one's own nature. Breaking his vow means going back to his former self, Hitokiri Battosai. But also, when kenkaku is viewed in conjunction with Meiji, the weight of his vow becomes clear. Kenshin constantly struggles to uphold his vow, if he breaks his vow then he renounces everything he fought to build in Meiji, and it really will be a false government. If he breaks his vow, the government is a sham and the lives he took are meaningless. So from here we see that kenshin's personal values are inherently tied to the fate of japan. They are equivalent. If the government falls, kenshin has failed, if kenshin fails (his vow) then the government falls.


Romantan, or romance, is just as important. I take this to not just mean that kenshin can get into a relationship, but this refers to the personal happiness of kenshin and the people around him, or the most human element of kenshin. Kenshin, has renounced his life as a hitokiri and has become a rurouni, a wanderer with no destination. His vow that lead him away from his kitokiri self came from a realization of the value of human lives. It is not enough that he vows to not kill again, He struggles with the guilt of what he's done. As someone who takes lifes, why does he deserve life? He took the possibility of happiness away from other people, so he does not deserve happiness, that is why he serves others. The struggle of romantan is that kenshin can find this happiness, and forgive himself for what he's done. After explaining the other elements, the connection that romantan has to them might seem clear already. If he breaks his vow, he will be Hitokiri Battosai, a killer who takes the lives and happiness of others, and would be unfit to settle down. Kenkaku and Romantan are inherently tied together in this case. But lets not forget about meiji. As an era that stands for peace, swords have been renounced. As a swordsman, kenshin stands inherently opposed to the values of this new era. So how can Kenshin, a swordsmen live in an era that has renounced swords? He is obligated to find his own personal peace and that of those around him, since if he does not he will not be upholding the values he fought for (EVERYONE to live in peace, which includes himself and the lives/happiness of everyone)



Kenshin walks a fine line, a swordsman who doesn't kill is paradoxical, but he must find a way to do so if he is to find happiness and uphold the values he fought for. If he kills, his life up to that point will have been meaningless; the government will be founded on a lie and crumble, if that happens the lives he took and what he fought for will be meaningless and he would no longer be able to live in peace, for a killer cannot find peace while destroying the peace of others. He must prove that one can be a swordsman that doesn't kill, while upholding the government and finding peace. If he cannot do any single one of these three things, he will have failed.


So, that was just an overview of the overarching themes that structure the series, as well as a vague relation to the plot. Welcome to the tip of the iceberg. There's a lot to this series that I wanna go over, but this will suffice for now. I was considering going over the first chapter of the manga, looking at how these are established and how they relate to the plot/characters but that might make this entry too long, I might do that in a separate entry, or edit this later on. I do plan to do more of these dedicated to kenshin, but in the meantime you might wanna read through kenshin with what i've said in mind, cause Meiji Kenkaku and Romantan applies in some combination to absolutely everything in the series.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this! If I could trouble you for one more thing, it would be to leave a comment. It is very nice to know that people have read what I wrote, and I like hearing what people think about the things that I like <3. My next entry will probably be either about FLCL or maybe Toradora.

Anime Relations: Chihayafuru

So I decided to actually use the blog feature on MAL. I enjoy thinking about anime and why I like certain shows, so I decided to write about it. This is the first of what will hopefully be quite a few. I might just use this to organize my thoughts/impressions of certain anime, or they might be more analysis type things like this one. Please do comment. I would like to know what people think, both about the show itself and what i've written about it.

This isn't a review, its me analyzing and pointing out some things I noticed. So don't read if you haven't watched the show before.



Chihayafuru is an anime that really caught me offguard. I went into it not really expecting much, thinking the premise was a little strange. I mean, I hadn't even heard of Karuta before. But I'm glad I did decide to watch it, because it quickly became one of my favorite anime and it will be for years to come.

Part of its genius is how it presents the game itself. It establishes it as not only a sport but one that everyone can play. How it does these two things eventually becomes why the show became so beloved by its fans.

A lot of the little gags in Chihayafuru come from name-calling actually. Almost everyone has a nickname that identifies one notable characteristic to classify them. Chihaya is beauty in vain, Taichi is Eyebrows (lashes?), Nishida is Porky, Komano is Desktomu, Kana is called forehead by Harada and identified by her boobs by everyone else. Then there's other characters like Hyoro (retro-kun) and Sudo the sadist. These highschoolers get stereotyped in real life, and sometimes they do identify with these characteristics, but they find their real selves through karuta. One of my favorite scenes is where Chihaya asks her club members what to do about a boy that asked for her number and Taichi responds calmly saying that noone that hasn't seen her play karuta can date her. Chiyaha decides that he's right and drops the matter. Its cool not only because its one of the few times Taichi acts on his latent feelings for Chihaya, but it also means that Karuta is such a part of who she is that this random stranger wouldn't know the first thing about her.



We can definitely see how her personality shines through her playstyle. From the first episode, we see how single/absent minded she is, she doesn't stop to think about changing in the middle of a hallway. But on the other hand she is very strong willed and will stick to her convitions and what she feels is right (defends Arata from the teasing of the class, wholeheartedly wishes to grow the Mizusawa Karuta club). When she plays we see this in that she doesn't really have much of a strategy most of the time, she wants to go as quick as she can to the cards and uses only her ears and speed to do so.

Though their playstyles their true selves are revealed to eachother and the audience. The stereotypes they have for eachother slowly fall away as they learn more about the game and how eachother plays. Nishida is the biggest example of this. Everyone calls him porky and never really stopped to think about how he feels, before Taichi. This is a sign of respect that Taichi shows for Nishida, and he reciprocates by acknowledging his own skills at leadership, respecting him above Chihaya. The two then also share an interesting competitive relationship as they are both B class, striving to be A class players. This mutual respect they have is possible because of karuta, it is the basis of their relationship and through it they come to understand who the other one is.

The stereotypes themselves also serve a humongous purpose, apart from being there to be torn away for mutual understanding. Since the release of Chihayafuru, interest in Karuta has skyrocketed in Japan (and in the west we actually know what it is now). Its because of the readily identifiable characteristics/categories that outsiders and onlookers who don't understand the game can get into it. Nishida shows you don't have to be particularly athletic, Chihaya and Kana show that girls can play it, Taichi shows that cool/popular people that can do it and along with Desktomu shows that you can do it if you care about schoolwork and if you are smart. Each of them finds a different way to relate to, and expand their game through their characteristics. Men and women, fit and unfit, attractive and unattractive, smart and stupid (chihaya), everyone can play karuta. From these surface level characteristics we are introduced to, the game brings us more in depth into each of them, drawing us in by these characteristics (you will find one category you fall under) and showing us the individuals underneath. Its very well done imo.

But if its not just those elements alone that make Chihayafuru what it is. One of the best things that the show did was showing us the how they were like as children waay in the beginning. If we were just shown this karuta obsessed lunatic, how she forces people to join her club unwillingly and were expected to like her and care about what she does then the it wouldn't have half the viewership. We would have been like the students that peeked in, saw that the game was hard and the people that play it are crazy and left. Those students and even Kana and desktomu initially don't believe they could ever get that good at the game. You must be magic, or be some super talented god to be that good. Instead we are shown that Chihaya started somewhere. She at one point was at the mercy of some karuta god-lunatic and could not take a card. But instead of being one of those other students, because of her unwavering single minded personality she was able to focus on one card, take it, and with it she found a part of herself along with a new wave of confidence that lead her to become the A class player we see in the first episode. Because of that episode we are able to take a look at the whole scope of her life as a karuta player and how it fits among others. Thoughout the series, we the viewer who still have never played the game probably get to latch on to the other newcomers like Kana and Desktomu, and later the other two, and appreciate how far Chihaya has come. She gets to be someone else's senpai or god of karuta while still chasing her own. The child episodes not only allow us to empathize with such a crazy character, but also track her progress and appreciate it.

(lmao Taichi is doomed) waaah* cries in corner


So those are my thoughts about Chiharafuru. Tell me what you think <3

I didn't really get into things like plot, or how it presents the game as a sport or how dense it is, I might do something like that later on. I feel like I could have structured this one a little bit better, but oh well its a start. Future blog entries will probably have to do with some of my other favorite things like FLCL or Rurouni Kenshin. I feel like there's lot of complex stuff in both of those that people don't really appreciate, especially kenshin. For those I'll probably do an analysis on themes and structure, and maybe have separate entries for character studies.