Welcome to My 5 Favorite Anime Blog Posts from 2022 Week 43!
Every week, I visit about 325 anime sites looking for posts that celebrate amazing moments in anime or otherwise blow me away with their wit and charm. The ani-blogging community constantly produces a lot of these posts. I hope this list helps you find some of them!
You can see a list of the sites I check here: Massive List of Sites!
ATELIER EMILY
LADY PROSPERA AND “THE TEMPEST” OF MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM: THE WITCH OF MERCURY
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. Anime can reach the artistic level of literature. Now, there’s (at least!) two ways you can take that. The first is that I’ll be dead and buried before we know if that’s true or not, because only through the lens of history can we declare something has reached that level. The second is that you might buy into the idea that anime, as any work of fiction, can rise to sublime heights just as a general principle. It can, more specifically, exhibit the characteristics of works we already recognize as literature.
I’m not saying that Emily Rand from ATELIER EMILY is making that argument. But this post caught my attention in part because it compared Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury to Shakespeare’s The Tempest. Going into the post, I had my doubts. After all, that’s a pretty bold comparison! But after reading it? She sold me. I now believe that this anime show compares in substance to a work of Shakespeare. Don’t believe me? Then you know what to do!
Confessions of an Overage Otaku
CHARACTER ANALYSIS: TOPH BEIFONG
I am hyper diligent when it comes to screening any work of fiction for accurate treatment of people with disabilities. The reason is simple: my son is deaf, and what I’ve learned by supporting him ignited a slow, deep, burning rage at stereotypes. If you are sympathetic to folks who are living with disabilities, then you have my undying gratitude — simply for being a decent human being.
When I watch an anime or consume any fiction, if I come across cliche, patronizing, or other demeaning depictions of people with disabilities, I will expunge that work of fiction from my life. As in, I will mentally delete it from my reality. Unless it’s particularly bad, in which case I might write a novel in response, just to show it who’s boss. And actually, I kind of did that.
On the other hand, an honest depiction, whether it be positive or negative (and believe me, there are too many examples of the latter in real life), will attract my attention. Avatar: The Last Airbender contained one such character, and her name was Toph Beifong. Which is why I read this post by The Overage Otaku on the site Confessions of an Overage Otaku with such enthusiasm. And, as expected, the post more than justified my faith in The Overage Otaku’s ability to judge and convey character. This was a seriously “some faith in humanity” restored sort of post. See if you agree!
Hanime on Anime
Shadow House: A Dark, Gothic Fairytale
I love reading reviews that tell me why a reviewer reacted to an anime. Sure, saying “dumpster fire” is fun and all, but it tells me nothing. Nor does “it was fun!” Why was it a dumpster fire? Why was it fun? Those are the kinds of questions I want to see explored. That’s why this post from Hanime on Anime on the site Hanime on Anime attracted my attention. After reading this review, I not only have a sense I’d like to see this show (yeah, it’s another candidate for my backlog!). I also have a sense of why I might like to see it! See if the review strikes you the same way.
The Magic Planet
Let’s Watch CHAINSAW MAN Episode 2 – Arrival in Tokyo
I think Chainsaw Man would be tough to review, especially if you’re enjoying the ride. The show is a media magnet. Everyone and their brother (as well as sisters and other blood relatives) has an opinion, and if yours doesn’t match, there might be no end of strife. So if you’re reviewing Chainsaw Man, first know this: you have my respect. You’re braver than I am.
But that alone wouldn’t qualify a review for celebration. In fact, it raises the bar. Because if a review has even a hint of pandering for the sake of clicks, I stop reading it. No judgement or anything; I’m just not interested in that. As I said in the previous section, I’m searching for reviews that reflect the reviewer’s thoughts on a series. That’s just what I found in Jane the Anime Witch’s review on the site The Magic Planet. I liked Chainsaw Man’s second episode, and seeing it through Jane the Anime Witch’s eyes deepened my appreciation. That’s exactly the kind of thing I’m looking for in a review! See if you have similar reaction!
Mono’s Rants
Wandering Witch: Journey of Elaina (Series Review)
I could say that I enjoyed Wandering Witch: The Journey of Elaina, but if you read my reviews, then you already knew that. And if you didn’t read my reviews, I doubt me just asserting my affection would mean anything. However, that doesn’t mean there aren’t opportunities for me to share the love! This review by 7mononoke on the site Mono’s Rants presented me with a great opportunity for just that. No, I’m not just celebrating it because it happens to talk about a lot of what I liked about the series. I’m celebrating the post because it represents an authentic review of the series from 7mononoke’s perspective. And seeing a serious through someone else’s eyes is awesome.
Want to Read More of My Favorite Anime Post Lists?
Want to explore more amazing anime blog posts? Check out the previous editions of My Favorite Anime Community Posts!
Want to Read Favorite Posts from Other Sites?
- Anime Feminist: Weekly Round-Up, 12-18 October 2022: Bayonetta Pay Dispute, D4DJ Lesbians, and Josei Recommendations
- Lesley’s Anime and Manga Corner: Anime Blog Posts That Caught My Eye This Week (October 21, 2022)
