Welcome to my favorite anime community posts from 2021 week 07!
Every week I look for posts that celebrate amazing moments in anime or otherwise blow me away with their wit and charm. I check hundreds of sites, and I can tell you that the ani-blogging community constantly produces a ton of amazing posts. I hope this list helps you find some of them!
Here’s the list of the sites I check!
My Favorite Anime Community Posts from 2021 Week 07
Anime Feminist
You Don’t Have to Kick Ass to Be Kickass: Shoujo fantasy and the value of the noncombatant hero
When I was high school, I tried to write a novel. That’s not remarkable; I’ve been trying and failing to write novels all my life. What was remarkable was that even I, at age 14 or 15, knew my plot. The problem was, I’d unconsciously copied Star Wars. Which had, of course, copied — or paid homage — to tons of works that came before it. Even as a stupid kid, I knew that I didn’t want to write cliches, but even the works I most admired, like The Lord of the Rings, ended in a huge battle (or a huge battle followed by a small battle). So what was I complaining about? The science fiction/fantasy writer Ursula K. Le Guin gave the perfect answer in an interview — that I’ve never been able to find since! Well, until I find it, I’ll take comfort in knowing other writers have the courage to explore alternative fictional climax structures. Once such writer is Dee on the site Anime Feminist. This post, as you can see from its title, talks about a specific kind of hero. But wait, you might say! A hero isn’t the plot! True, but the core concept — challenging what action/heroism means — is the same. See if you agree!
Another Anime Review
Suppose a Kid from the Last Dungeon Boonies Moved to a Starter Town
I almost chose Suppose a Kid from the Last Dungeon Boonies Moved to a Starter Town to review this season. The reason I didn’t choose it had very little to do with the series itself. Instead, it found itself up against a ton of great content. It came down to Boonies or The Hidden Dungeon Only I Can Enter. Basically, I had to choose: Did I prefer Marie or Emma Brightness? On one hand, Marie was a witch and had a cool hat. On the other hand, Emma, Noir’s childhood friend, actually shared a kiss with Noir. In the first episode. Of a harem comedy! I’ve never seen anything like it! All kidding aside, I also went with The Hidden Dungeon because Olivia’s attitude is absolutely delightful. Still, I wonder what might have been… Or I would have to wonder if I didn’t come across David’s review on Another Anime Review! Looks like I missed a good one. But I can always watch it later, and the odds of that happening just improved! See what you think!
Beneath the Tangles
Review: Mysterious Girlfriend X (Blu-Ray)
Before anime, I was lukewarm on romance. Sure, I enjoyed the budding love between Éowyn and Faramir. Come to think of it, I liked the story of Lúthien and Beren even better! But if you recognize those characters, you know they’re from the The Lord of the Rings, which gives you an idea of what I thought was romantic. Then came anime. Toradora made a huge impression on me. For one thing, it was way more realistic than The Lord of the Rings (I mean, there are only so many Silmarils, right?). Also, Toradora had some great character and humor, which I thought were very appealing. Then I watched Mysterious Girlfriend X. My view of tan lines has been forever changed… If you want to know what that means, please check out this review by Josh on the site Beneath the Tangles. It’s a great peek into the wholesome and tangled goodness that is Mysterious Girlfriend X.
Shallow Dives in Anime
Fate/Stay Night’s Shirou Emiya and Sakura Matou: Love bound by Duty and Protection
Speaking of romances, if you think about the Fate franchise, which characters do you think of as romantic couples? I suppose it depends on the order in which you watched the series. For me, I first think about Shirou Emiya and Saber/Arturia. Then I think about Shirou Emiya and Rin Tohsaka (and wow, does she have a formidable sneer or what?). But the thing is, I haven’t seen Heaven’s Feel, and I just learned that I missed out on what might be the most affecting of Fate’s couples! How did I learn of this grievous oversight on my part? I read this post by Dewbond on Shallow Dives in Anime, that’s how! This post again involves Shirou Emiya, but this time with a character I only dimly knew about from my forays into the complex maze that is the Fate franchise. Who is it? Why might it be the most affecting? There’s only one way to find out!
Starting Life from Zero
So, about The Promised Neverland Season 2…
Where do you go from up? It’s an old cliche, but it contains a grain of truth. Sometimes a powerful start to a series can raise expectations that climb ever higher as the series progresses. The Promised Neverland is an example that’s been on my mind alot. From season 1’s very first episode until its very last, the show demonstrated phenomenal suspense and character drama. It even featured an amazing villain in Isabella! I wondered, as I waited to watch the first episode of season 2, if this new season could possible live up to its own expectations or — fingers crossed! — exceed them. So, did it? I hate to say for sure until I see the final episode, and I do enjoy watching each episode, but… Instead of me fumbling around, why don’t you check out Mari’s post on Starting Life from Zero? The post raises some of the points I think are worth talking about. Give the post a read and 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!
Much love for the nod as always Crow.
Really enjoyed your take on Shirou and Sakura. The perspective on Shirou really hit home.
Marie has a very cool hat! And thanks for the mention! There are a lot of shows this season that I’d like to watch, but just don’t have the time yet. Like you, I hope to eventually go back to some. . .
I thought working from home that I’d have more time! Boy was I wrong…
Yes, Mysterious Girlfriend X is one of the most unique takes on Romantic Anime I’ve seen in a long time. I mean a LONG time. I think the only other show that comes close to just outright weirdness is an old show called “Midori Days”, which…yeah…that is a whole ‘nother level of weird. But I digress.
Thank you so much! I am beyond flattered that you featured my article!
“I think the only other show that comes close to just outright weirdness is an old show called “Midori Days”, which…yeah…that is a whole ‘nother level of weird. But I digress.”
I’d never heard of Midori Days. Looks like it’s streaming on Tubi, which apparently legal (since Fox bought them before Disney bought Fox). I’ll have to check it out — thanks for the suggestion!
“Thank you so much!”
You’re welcome! I really enjoyed reading your perspective on Mysterious Girlfriend X!