Clik here to view.
The Flower Language of A Silent Voice Part 2: Marigolds and Miscellany
“People who know flower language will be able to interpret each one’s message and that’s great, but I made it so that even if you don’t you can feel something because of the shot’s layout or the...
View ArticleClik here to view.
The Flower Language of A Silent Voice Part 3: Cherry blossoms and the...
“People who know flower language will be able to interpret each one’s message and that’s great, but I made it so that even if you don’t you can feel something because of the shot’s layout or the...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Little Witch Academia on inspiration (again), Panda and the Magic Serpent,...
“There is the story about Hayao Miyazaki entering the anime industry because he was moved by Panda and the Magic Serpent. Then he watched the movie again afterwards and was disappointed by how bad it...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Color Theory in Shinobu Mail and the Monogatari Series
The Monogatari anime adaptation has always paid close attention to color. Although SHAFT can — and has been, rightfully so in my opinion — criticized for their lack of animation at times while drawing...
View ArticleClik here to view.
“I know everything. There’s nothing I don’t know”— more on color theory in...
When examining the Monogatari series’ usage of color, no other arc exemplifies the franchise’s attention to detail quite like Owarimonogatari‘s Shinobu Mail. Not only does this particular narrative...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Views of Ryuugu Komachi
The much-maligned — rightfully so, given their general lack of creativity — anime beach episode is a strong turning point in The Idolm@ster anime adaptation, part fanservice, part dig at the girls’...
View ArticleClik here to view.
“The Place of the Gods”— Made in Abyss
“Reg! You’ve even forgotten about the Abyss? This great pit is called the Abyss. And I found you in the depths of the Abyss. Thought that maybe you came up from the bottom of the Abyss, Reg! I mean,...
View ArticleClik here to view.
A vertical society — Cinematography and visual clues in Made in Abyss Episode 1
Whenever I hear “top-down” or “vertical” society, I recall Gatchaman Crowds. In that series, Rui Ninomiya references Japanese anthropologist Chie Nakane and her 1970 book Japanese Society, stating...
View ArticleClik here to view.
A Mother’s Gift: More on Made in Abyss and post-apocalyptic fiction
Any story that follows the monomyth, or Hero’s Journey — as named and made popular by Joseph Campbell and his The Hero with a Thousand Faces — involves a return. The return is one of the more...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Voices of the Abyss
“If someone other than a White Whistle sends information up from the Abyss, it will be considered ‘mere rumor.'” -Shiggy, Made in Abyss, Episode 3 Continuing with a fairly rigid adherence to the basic...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Memories of Tooe Gaen: Flower Language in Hanamonogatari Part 1
It is called “flower story,” after all. Hanamonogatari isn’t the most beloved of the Monogatari Second Season narrative arcs, but it has an oddly iconic scene. Airing half a year after the conclusion...
View ArticleClik here to view.
The Belly of the Whale: Cinematography shifts in Made in Abyss
Riko opens her eyes to an upside down view of Reg’s face. Even something as familiar to Riko as Reg’s face is inverted the first time she opens her eyes at the beginning of their journey. The fact...
View ArticleClik here to view.
I, Robot — Exploring Made in Abyss through Reg
“What in the world am I?” -Reg to himself, Made in Abyss, Episode 5 Thus far, Made in Abyss has followed the standard storytelling structure of the monomyth or The Hero’s Journey exclusively. Riko is...
View ArticleClik here to view.
In defense of Kou Yoshinari’s creatures in Made in Abyss
“I like everything but the monster animation. It’s too weird and jarring with the rest of the show” has been a common criticism of Made in Abyss since its much-lauded debut. In a world where praying...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Here in Monogatari Hell
For high school me, Jean-Paul Sartre’s No Exit was a revelation. It still has a firm place in my heart — The Little Prince was the first book I learned to read in French, but No Exit marked when I...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Made in Abyss on insatiable human curiosity
“That baby crawled towards the Abyss the moment she was let out of the Vessel, which is pretty darn creepy, right?” -Ozen the Immovable to Lyza the Annihilator, Made in Abyss, Episode 8 Upon learning...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Layers of storytelling in Made in Abyss
“But you know, less than ten percent of the creatures in the Abyss have even been named.” -Riko to Reg, Made in Abyss, Episode 10 An essential piece of any adventure or fantasy story involves...
View ArticleClik here to view.
The small details of Made in Abyss (or, layers of storytelling in Made in...
After last week’s pivotal episode, Made in Abyss‘ latest offering allows us and Reg to decompress a bit, further showcasing the strength of its atmospheric storytelling. This is one of the series’...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Messages from the Abyss
“I wonder who wrote that? It’s written overly large in crooked penmanship using old nether glyphs without any of the simplified forms. On top of that, the paper it’s on isn’t even paper. It’s an...
View ArticleClik here to view.
A Return to Card Captor Sakura: Cataloging flowers in Clear Card-hen and my...
*Sakura/cherry blossoms not included. Watching a reboot or sequel to a classic favorite is inevitably an awkward endeavor. I first experienced this in anime through Sailor Moon Crystal, a reboot of...
View Article