Category Archives: Essays and Ramblings

My extensive essays or opinionated rants about a certain topic (usually anime related)

How do you decide which anime to watch?

Posted on July 12, 2010 by Yumeka

I started following seasonal anime sometime in 2006. Since I don’t have the time or motivation to check out every series each season (or even half), and I also have an aversion to dropping anime and I don’t like to … Continue reading →

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The ethos of self-sacrifice in anime

Posted on July 7, 2010 by Yumeka

Nausicaa’s selflessness always makes me cry A common trope that I’ve noticed in all genres of anime is the many scenes of dramatic self-sacrifice. Even if it’s a comedy series, even if it’s a character who’s not particularly noble, self-sacrifice … Continue reading →

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Angel Beats!: concluding thoughts and inquiries

Posted on June 28, 2010 by Yumeka

もうおやすみ by u Since I’ve already written a fairly long post examining the appeal of Angel Beats!, on this post I’ll be discussing the opinions and questions I have about the series after completing it…

Posted in Anime Reviews, Essays and Ramblings | Tagged , , | 20 Comments

To adore or to analyze anime?

Posted on June 25, 2010 by Yumeka

Over the years I’ve met all kinds of anime fans, both in real life and online, who love anime in different ways. I’ve come to realize that there are perhaps two main relationships to anime that fans could have…

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How understandable is anime iconography?

Posted on June 21, 2010 by Yumeka

The immortal sweat drop We all know that anime utilizes a lot of unique animation techniques, stylized facial expressions, and iconography to emphasize certain character emotions and story points. These elements make anime stand out among Western animation, but I … Continue reading →

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Why do we like anime songs?

Posted on June 18, 2010 by Yumeka

For any anime we watch, chances are we’ll take an interest in the songs for that series, particularly the openings and endings. Many of us, myself included, become quite enamored with anime songs to the point of listening to them … Continue reading →

Posted in Essays and Ramblings | Tagged , , | 34 Comments

My most favorite non-Japanese comic

Posted on June 16, 2010 by Yumeka

Back in January I wrote a post about my most favorite non-Japanese cartoon. Today I’m following up with that idea and writing about my most favorite non-Japanese comic. I’ve always been an avid fan of animated movies and TV shows, … Continue reading →

Posted in Anime Lists, Essays and Ramblings | Tagged , , | 12 Comments

The experience of watching anime with my mom

Posted on June 11, 2010 by Yumeka

My mom’s favorite anime Although there are plenty of exceptions, most anime fans are teenagers or young adults. As with other things, the generation gap makes it difficult for older people to get into something like anime…

Posted in Essays and Ramblings | Tagged , , | 24 Comments

Anime – blurring the distinction between masculine and feminine

Posted on June 9, 2010 by Yumeka

In a week and a half from now, my gig as an anime enrichment teacher for the local YMCA will come to an end. After spending nine months at thirteen different elementary schools and experiencing well over 200 kids’ reactions … Continue reading →

Posted in Essays and Ramblings | Tagged , , , | 21 Comments

Reminiscing about my anime crushes

Posted on June 4, 2010 by Yumeka

He was my dream man I’m sure many of us do, or at least did at some point in our fandom, develop crushes on certain anime characters…

Posted in Essays and Ramblings | Tagged , | 19 Comments