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The Apothecary Diaries presents an intriguing premise reminiscent of the Korean TV series Dae Jang-geum, with its complex protagonist entangled in court intrigues. However, throughout the story's progression, The Apothecary Diaries displays an unnatural plotline and uneven pacing.

One notable issue is the unnatural progression of Maomao's character within the Forbidden City. Despite being a woman in a highly restrictive environment, she effortlessly becomes an investigator involved in unique palace cases, sidelining her supposed role as an apothecary. Additionally, her seemingly predetermined connections within the palace, including her adoptive father's past as a court physician and her relationship with Lakan, a general, diminish her initially outsider ... status, making her a typical protagonist in similar stories. The subplot involving a maidservant being fired and Maomao being bought by Jinshi feels forced, diverting attention from the more compelling aspects of palace life and intrigue in concubine palace.

Further issues arise as the episodic nature of the series transitions into lengthy arcs. Some episodes build setups without delivering satisfying payoffs for several installments, only to rush through resolutions, leaving little room for meaningful development or impact.

Nevertheless, despite these shortcomings, The Apothecary Diaries still offers enjoyable elements. The diverse cast is engaging, and the world-building is captivating. The dynamic between Maomao and Jinshi is charming and displays excellent chemistry. Additionally, other cast members are equally compelling. Some moments evoke genuine emotion, enhanced by excellent insert songs, likely to resonate with many viewers and contribute to the show's potential for high ratings. It's regrettable that the story could have been woven more intricately, but it remains a compelling watch overall.

Kimetsu No Yaiba, in my honest opinion, comes across as a manga that, at times, feels hastily executed in terms of world-building, character development, and many other aspects that, in my view, are not well-delivered. I even find the action in some scenes to be somewhat dull (and I am specifically addressing the manga medium here, as the anime significantly elevates the quality of its action sequences). I perceive this as just another run-of-the-mill shounen battle manga, and towards the end, I was on the verge of giving up, almost tossing the book aside in disappointment. It seemed to me that the author was in ... a rush to conclude the story with a closure that felt somewhat haphazard.

Shingeki no Kyojin is a manga that leaves me somewhat perplexed when attempting to articulate my reading experience. On one hand, it is an action-packed narrative woven with tragedy, providing a gripping tale that, when coupled with the animated adaptation, delivers intense scenes that evoke fervent emotions as our characters valiantly confront, survive, and unfortunately, some meet their demise in the relentless pursuit by the Titans.

However, on the other hand, I find Hajime Isayama to be a writer who might not fully grasp the maturity required to handle such profound themes. Towards the end, I found myself shaking my head at the narrowness of the ... author's perspective, repeatedly reassuring myself that this is merely a work of fiction. Additionally, there are shortcomings in terms of closure, with certain aspects feeling inadequately addressed (or even hastily concluded). Despite these drawbacks, it cannot be denied that the journey itself is a remarkably captivating experience.

As a Biology graduate who has delved into the subject of ecosystems, Dungeon Meshi provides a breath of fresh air in the fantasy genre. The author meticulously considers the concept of the ecosystem of creatures within the dungeon, exploring why they can thrive inside it. The fusion of DnD elements, intricate details, humor, and of course, seemingly delicious cuisine, makes this manga a delightful and engaging read. Honestly, I was pleasantly surprised by how the story took a deeper, even darker turn in the middle, yet it never lost its charm as a slice-of-life cooking adventure.

Coming to a touching conclusion, I can confidently say that ... this is one of the best fantasy manga I've read. I commend Ryoko Kui for creating a world that continues to captivate. I hope she can bring the essence of the Dungeon Meshi world into her future works.

Odd Taxi, the first masterpiece I watched after taking a long break from watching anime. The culmination of all the story threads, climaxes, and twists left me in awe; in my opinion, it's a perfect anime that aligns perfectly with my taste.

By the way, one thing I really like about Odd Taxi is its storytelling style reminiscent of Ryohgo Narita (Durarara). The foreshadowing and the characters, both main and supporting, are brilliantly utilized and interconnected, even across different times and spaces, leading to a culmination of events and thematic elements as the climax. However, unlike Narita's style where all characters are eccentric and non-relatable, ... Odd Taxi manages to showcase down-to-earth yet intriguing characters that work well. This is also aided by presenting the characters in the form of animals, making their presence strong on screen (by the way, check out the works of the writer, Kazuya Konomoto, especially 'Setoutsumi,' which reflects his writing quality).

I used to watch "Welcome to the N.H.K." anime version in high school, I forgot about my impression of this anime and now after almost 4 years, I decided to read the manga version for nostalgia reason. Apparently, my age and situation make this anime more relatable than previous experience. I noticed some change in animation vs manga too like the use of drugs, a different conclusion for some characters, and the conflict is also more simple in the anime.

The manga itself has its shining moment like an interesting new conflict, expressive art, many funny scenes from its quirky character, and some dramatic scene that ... works in this manga version. Unfortunately, in the middle of the story, I found the two main characters became unbearable, fake development is done repeatedly, sometimes it feels too long for the character to be aware in the process of exploring the errors that make the story stagnant, and all these factors making execution of the story felt sluggish.

Overall, although the manga now its more relatable and have many details that are not in the anime version, "Welcome to the N.H.K." manga is full of unnecessary scenes that can be thrown to achieve the right execution and dramatic point. Therefore, I can not say this is a good manga, just average.