Given Anime: Healing and the Importance of Elders

Screen Shot 2019-08-01 at 7.17.17 PM — *© Given*

*Warning this review contains spoilers and please be advised that this article contains discussions about suicide and suicide ideation*

Where do I even start with a wonderful show like Given? Continue reading “Given Anime: Healing and the Importance of Elders” →

Glass Mask Anime (2005): The Rivalry between Maya and Ayumi

Screen Shot 2019-09-01 at 1.39.10 PM — © *Glass Mask*

*Warning this review contains spoilers*

Glass Mask is a classic shoujo manga that started in 1976 about a young girl named Maya Kitajima who dreams of becoming an actress and goes through plenty of hardships in order for her dream to come true. Thanks to the anime adaptations that came out in 1984 and 2005, Glass Mask has gained immense international popularity and continues to be Suzue Miuchi’s best work. Continue reading “Glass Mask Anime (2005): The Rivalry between Maya and Ayumi” →

BANANA FISH – A Bittersweet Experience

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*Warning this review contains spoilers*

The animated version of Banana Fish ended in late December of 2018 and I still feel exhausted. I had a lot of hope that the anime would address the problematic aspects of the series and make much-needed updates to amend those issues, but ultimately for the better or worse the anime left a bitter taste in my mouth. Continue reading “BANANA FISH – A Bittersweet Experience” →

Banana Fish and the Real-World Racial Politics of 1980’s America [AnimeFeminist]

Screen Shot 2019-12-27 at 8.00.16 PM — © *Banana Fish*

This article was published on November 7, 2018, on AnimeFeminist. Banana Fish was probably the most emotionally exhausting series I have ever read. Despite many painful moments, I was impressed by the immense research Akimi Yoshida did for the series and how she was able to depict how pervasive white supremacy is throughout all sectors of society. However, those historical events depicted in the series can be painful for new QTBIPOC (Queer, Trans, Black, Indigenous, People of Color) readers. Please read the original article on AnimeFeminist.

Achieving Whiteness Through Social Mobility in Gankutsuou [AnimeFeminist]

Screen Shot 2018-08-26 at 5.56.37 PM — © *Gankutsuo*

This article was published on December 27, 2017, on AnimeFeminist. In this article, I discussed why Gankutsuou is the best adaptation of the Count of Monte Christo and how the effects of colonial violence felt in the book was conveyed properly in the anime. Please check out this article on AnimeFeminist.

Trauma & Resilience in Skip Beat! [ShojoPower]

Screen Shot 2018-08-26 at 11.20.16 AM — © *Skip Beat!*

This is an original article that I wrote for ShojoPower on July 10, 2017, about why Skip Beat meant so much to me during my teenage years and helped me deal with my mental health. Please check out this original piece on ShojoPower.