Welcome to My 5 Favorite Anime Blog Posts from 2022 Week 51!
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 writes a lot of those 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!
Anime Feminist
The Beautiful Masculinity of Mob Psycho 100
Well. I have to apologize. I’m going to start on a soapbox. If you don’t want to read a mini-rant, please feel free to skip to the next paragraph. Ready? Okay. I detest the phrase toxic masculinity. I abhor it. It is an abomination before my eyes. Not because people use it. But because people have to. In my world, the concepts of “toxic” and “masculinity” are not compatible. Nothing toxic is masculine; nothing masculine is toxic. I define my masculinity. In short, it’s a negotiated range of behaviors that center on me partnering with my wife to take on the the world — and providing top cover for my kids. Nothing else is masculine.
Thanks for letting me get that out of my system.
One disappointment I have with some genres is that they trivialize violence. There’s gunfire all over the place. It’s like gunfire is a cheap way to generate excitement. One of the things I like about Chainsaw Man is that it conveys a sense for the destruction a single bullet can visit upon the world. Turns out, there’s another show that conveys such a more mature, considered view of violence, and that’s Mob Psycho 100. I know this (because yes, the show’s in my backlog!) because I just read this post by Ro on the site Anime Feminist. This post paints a very attractive picture of the show and its characters. I found it eye-opening, and I’m sure you will, too! See what you think!
I Drink and Watch Anime
Chainsaw Man ep9 – The Dining in Tokyo is To Die For
Ever time I feature one of Irina’s posts from I Drink and Watch Anime, I face a challenge: what am I going to say about her writing that I haven’t said before? There are only so many ways I can say “insightful” or “approachable” or “knows how to take blindingly complex topics and make them fall-off-a-stool-simple.” But for the sake of you, dear readers, I’m willing to take on the challenge. Because Irina gave us another insightful and approachable (I won’t make you sit through the rest!) take on episode 9 of Chainsaw Man. I find her impressions and opinions about Makima to be captivating. Plus, the GIF she chose for her featured image reinforces her points! See if you agree!
Mechanical Anime Reviews
THE AQUATOPE ON WHITE SAND: THE REALITIES OF FINDING DREAMS
In case you’re keeping score (because I am), it’s backlog 2, me 1. I’m watching Chainsaw Man, but I need to watch Mob Psycho 100 and now I’m about to talk about a post about another series I still need to watch. This time, it’s The Aquatope on White Sand. I would humorously blame Scott from the site Mechanical Anime Reviews for adding to my backlog, but a) it wouldn’t be true (I’d only be kidding) and b) I want to focus on how clearly he painted a picture of what this show tried to do. After read it, I’m ready to stop writing and start binging. I won’t; my to-do list is too full! But I want to, and I think that’s a sign of a good review. See if you have a similar reaction.
Mistakes Cheerio for Chesto
Understanding Extremity – Made in Abyss: Retsujitsu no Ougonkyou
I found Made in Abyss: The Golden City of the Scorching Sun to be very difficult to review. When I watch a show, I try to open myself to the characters and situations. I try to understand the writer’s intent so I can fully immerse myself into that world. The thing about the world of Made in Abyss is that it is a so brutal and so seductively realistic that it can hammer my emotions emotions. As in, it can trigger feelings of real trauma. As a writer, I am in awe of its ability to affect me. But as a human, damn, this show hurt to watch.
Sometimes, a work like this evokes a reaction so intense it’s difficult to look at it directly. We have to compare it to other things we’ve experienced. That way, we can establish a mental distance that makes the work easier to approach. Also, we can establish a common base for our conversation. That’s what Spencer did on the site Mistakes Cheerio for Chesto. By comparing Made in Abyss: The golden City of the Scorching Sun to other shows, the post helped me think about some of the more painful aspects of the show — and make a kind of peace with it. See if you have a similar reaction!
The Visualist’s Veranda
Demi-chan wa Kataritai (Re-Watch) (Merry Days of Anime 2022)
Thank heavens we can end on a series I’ve seen! My pride as an anime fan has taken quite a beating lately! This post from Kapodaco on the site The Visualist’s Veranda talks about the series Interviews With Monster Girls (which I’ve read should really be translated as “Demi-chan Wants to Talk” — which I think fits better!). I adored this show when it aired; I still rewatch it from time to time. It’s actually one of the shows I might review as a throw-back (like I’m doing for I Couldn’t Become A Hero, So I Reluctantly Decided To Get A Job this season). What did I like the show so much? Let’s let Kapodaco answer, because this post described exactly why the show is so memorable and emotionally appealing. See if you agree!
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, 7-13 December 2022: Gekiga Manga, Rankin/Bass Rudolph’s Creation, and Why “Bara” is an Outdated Term
- Lesley’s Anime and Manga Corner: Anime and Manga Blog Posts That Caught My Eye This Week (December 16, 2022)
Oh dang, I didn’t that the past would have that much of an affect. Glad you liked it and thanks for sharing!
I thought it was a great post — interesting and thought-provoking at the same time! And you’re welcome!