Acid Media

I have not dropped anything and I'm insane. Nothing really is disappointing to me like sure, there's a lot of mediocre titles but *somehow* I'm enjoying everything I'm watching. I've yet to check out Murder Mystery of the Dead as I'm struggling to find WHERE to watch it.

Haigakura is on indefinite hiatus starting with episode 8 which makes sense. The animation for it is disappointing and is a cop out. I feel bad for the author as she was really looking forward to it. I'm debating whether to pick up reading it.

Tokyo Override just released on the 22nd which I do need to check out as well!

Mononoke's movie releases on Thursday on Netflix which I am PSYCHED FOR.

For those in the US, Studio Ghibli fest features two of Isao Takahata's works: Pom Poko and The Tale of Princess Kaguya. Of which I have to see Pom Poko so that's my plan for tomorrow lol

Keisuke Matsurada is a 23 year old teacher who lives for driving and spends most of his free time racing at night. One day on his commute to school he crashes into a car with one of his students who’s big sister, Miho Kanda is the driver. She’s known by the street name of “Cinderella” and races on Miharashi Ridge. Rumors of the “King” who drives a CR-X and his return fire up the community to have a chance to duel him.

Only two chapters are available translated as of 11/19/2024, using Mangadex but my guess is that Keisuke is mistaken as the “Knight” driver, but the car that pulls behind him at the end of the chapter is the same model as him. It's funny that they insult the “86” which is in reference to Initial D’s star driver. The “my car is better than your car because of XYZ reasons" will always be a source of contention with street racers, no matter what period of time it is lol.

One day, Nobu comes home to his mother in a panic looking for his younger brother who’s gone missing and needs his medicine due to his medical conditions and loss of organs in a traffic accident that took his leg. He sees a game on the screen and by picking up the controller he gets sucked into the world of Drive-A-Live. Determined to save his brother, he makes friends with two girls and a mechanic to “save” him.

HOLY SHIT. The first two volumes have good pacing and you see how Nobu defrosts and shows the absolute joy in driving even if he’s hated and blames cars for his brother’s injury. However the third one opens on a  large timeskip of 6 months  and lets us know that Nobu is an unreliable narrator. He’s driven to “save” his brother because he believes it's HIS fault for the traffic accident. The bottle of medicine he brings is his depression medication, not the medicine Takea needed. However he’s so far gone in his delusion and guilt, Takea is upset for the way his big brother acts and feels like he took a part of his joy and happiness. He claims himself as the maker of this game to have helped people who needed an escape out of real life but it's hard to tell if this is even actually happening.

The art is FUCKING BRILLIANT. There's so much energy and the perspective shots of the races give me such a rush of adrenaline and euphoria. I wish it could've been longer because the biggest flaw is just how rushed the ending is, in trying to fit in everything to wrap up the story neatly.

Enjoy the panel dump lol

This is one of the most meaningful stories I have ever read. It's centered around patrons of a sex bar called Bar California. A place where anyone is welcome regardless of their identity. The first chapter and the one-shot focus on newcomers to the bar on wives who were interested to see what kind of place their husbands went to cheat at. The welcoming environment of the bar allows them to open up to another patron to come to terms with their feelings and identities outside the crippling standards of society. They leave changed from the bar feeling empowered to face the world and their failed marriages.

However, the focus of the story is around the patrons who are in the "minority" when it comes to their gender and sexual identities. The author, Rei Taki, put a lot of care into researching these various queer identities and presenting them in a way that is atypical and breaks from stereotypes. For example, an aromantic person who enjoys having sex and trying new things (yes, that is valid). The dialogue can come off as very heavy handed and "educational," especially when talking with characters who aren't minorities, but it's handled very well and avoids being patronizing in its tone.

There are so many moments within this story that have touched me and that I adore even from characters who aren't within my identity and can't relate to, as I'm a nonbinary masc-leaning, arospec, and asexual. It's a testament to the writing for creating recurring characters that are sure of themselves and the way they identify because the focus of this story is how this community of bar patrons finds acceptance with each other and inspires one another to stay true to themselves. More stories are needed that celebrate queer joy.

The story following Marie, a bi-gender individual who comes to the bar femininely dressed and working up to her coming out to their wife is so important as it's the first non-sex motivated patron of the bar and sets the tone for the rest of the series. In conversation, Marie reveals that only recently did she start presenting this way after stumbling across Bar California as the feminine side of him was buried due to living as socially expected to. She talks about how happy it makes her to come to this place and to be accepted, but fears that continuing to lie to her wife about her identity may create suspicions of cheating. It's an incredibly brave thing to come out, but even more so, to a person who’s known you for decades and who has seen you in a masculine light. The fear he feels is valid, especially with the rigidity of Japanese culture and society. There's an ageism stigma around change especially for older queer people and more of a social impact as you’ve spent a good amount of your life living and presenting heteronormativity. 

A lot of stories tend to focus on younger queer individuals, which isn’t a bad thing, but they are often romantically focused and, in the minority, when it comes to talking and exploring genderqueer identities. This is why Marie feels so special to me because older queer characters are, dare I say, MORE important to see within media because anyone, no matter their age, can “come out of the closet.” This representation is needed as a way to 1) be there for older queer people and 2) learn to have more empathy for people around you if someone in your life happened to identify differently.I love that it's a happy ending and that his wife still loves him even if she doesn’t completely understand how Marie feels. 

Yukihiro believes its better to live “normally” because society is unfair making assumptions of others, as his partner was accidentally doxed and ended up committing suicide. He sneers at the bar's existence, saying it's a basement for people to hide and it's hypocritical for offering hope. This bitterness serves as a front for the survivor's guilt he has for being left alive while the love of his life is gone. He's living in this state of grief and anger at the world; for the hateful nature of society. It’s proven at the funeral of his partner where reporters flocked to the gay friends who attended to demand an opinion of them shows how cruelly insensitive mainstream media can be. These aren’t stories to be sensationalized or put on display. Why do queer people have to express their hurt and devastation to appear more human to society? It's sad that Asashi decided to kill himself even if he had someone who loved him so dearly.

It isn’t until he talks with Yo, the bartender, who tells him how Asashi spoke of the kindness Yuki holds and only wishes him happiness for his future. This conversation helps to motivate him to look forward in life and allows the weight of guilt off his shoulders.  Later on, his friends hold a marriage ceremony at the bar; he lingers outside and declines to attend saying, “ I’m going to celebrate under the sun.” I find that line so profound. He is happy for his friends for making this decision but wistful for Asahi and the what-if’s if life had worked out differently.My wishful thinking is that Yukihiro chooses to live more openly as a gay man and is able to have his own happy ending in the future. He no longer needs the bar—as it reminds him of the past and as a place to hide—he wants to live under the sun authentically himself.

The symbolism explored with Amiru, who is aromantic but enjoys sex and experimenting with various partners within her mind’s narration being that of a fairy tale, is so neat. As kids, we generally grow up with the expectation of having a romantic relationship and finding the “one” in life, often with someone of the opposite gender. Children's media like Disney movies perpetuate this ideal, especially in the Renaissance Era with stories where romance is an underlying plotline with an ending of "happily ever after" of finding love and getting married. Society and even the motto “love who you love” within the LGBT+ space factor into how alienating of an experience it can be for aromantic and arospec individuals because romance and relationship expectations are everywhere. That's why it's beautiful that Amiru embraces being “the protagonist of her own life” with the reassurance from one of her sex partners to take the center of the stage of her story and happiness. Even without a romantic attraction, she is still a person who doesn’t deserve to be shamed for having different priorities.

The final part of the story, as it's been built up through the interactions with various patrons and Taaka’s curiosity, is centered around the bartender Yo. We learn that they created this place out as a way to meet with all kinds of people to try and find a label or identity that feels like it would fit them. The combination of childhood trauma that hindered Yo’s, whose name is actually Sumi, perspective on life and robbed them of their youth and innocence is then coupled with the loss of their sister that devastated them. The bar became a coping mechanism for Sumi to avoid the confrontation of reality, especially as they have a standoffish vibe when it comes to personal conversations with patrons about themself. In the story, as it's been 6 or more years, this survivor's guilt keeps them isolated from others even when surrounded by all sorts of patrons at the bar; they wouldn’t open up to others around them until Taaka came along. All these interactions haven’t provided Sumi “an answer” of how to exist or to accept themselves. 

Sometimes the easiest answers are right in front of you, and too much introspection, no matter the topic, can give you tunnel vision. Taaka tells them that “Q” stands for questioning, referring to people who haven’t, can’t, or intentionally choose to not label themselves. It's an eye-opening experience of validation to have a meaning that finally fits, especially after searching for an answer for so long brings Sumi comfort. Words are  powerful because of the way it gives people self-determination and freedom to express themselves. The author deliberately chose to write Sumi this way and ends the manga with them because representation is needed like this: to show that gender, like sexual and romantic orientation, is a spectrum.

Final Thoughts

I think this is a very well-written episodic manga that tackles various lesser-known LGBIA+ identities in a natural progression for the patrons of Bar California. Its message about community and finding acceptance with others if you open yourself to it, is endearing to me. There is so much doubt and gloom for the future for a lot of people, especially those in the queer community. Even though there are references to discriminatory remarks and prejudices while characters talk about the frustration of living their identity that comes from family, peers, or strangers, it is an overly optimistic tone. The art is absolutely stunning and at 20 chapters it's a fairly quick read. There IS EXPLICIT SEX IN THIS with one nonconsensual moment of forcing a kiss. but other than that, it's great.

Immediately when I started reading, I knew what else it made me think of. It definitely has a less refined edge than Blood on the Tracks but still matches his ambiguous writing style and short chapters with unreliable narration.

Follows a lovce triangel where childhood friends reunite, and one is presenting feminly now. It features al ot of confusion as

It's interesting in his afterwords, that the goal of the series to explore what is love and sex drive and what it is to be a man. From the first volume, it very much has underlying ace-spec tone to it. I think of this a more therapeutic exploration of Oshimi exploring his own youth and the pressure of holding up to the image of masculinity because of society.

The story is very much a vent work and features unreliable narration and emotions about romance. It was a fast read but I don't think I'd read it again.

So, after what 4 years, I finally finished the first season. I did enjoy it! It definitely moves very quickly. Nanami is a better teacher than Gojo for Yuji. Togi is a bro, and I love to see it.

The animation and the music are what made this show so enjoyable however, because the fandom....is..questionable and having experienced manga leaks for years even as it nears its end, did NOT endear me. Anyways: animation; like holy SHIT its eye candy and it so much fun and I love seeing everyone's abilities. I love those moments of attacks when the force of a punch turns it black and white. I'd wax on about all three composers and just...YES. Its hype for a reason.

Also, Mahito. Yes. I love villains for just being despicable and his powers are so interesting plus with his age being (???) young as a curse and just the steps of mental development can be seen in his dialogue is fascinating.

Somehow, I always find one shot BL manga at the bookstore… But this one made me cry.

It follows a salary man who typically eats by himself because of his family who made fun of him growing up as the lone adopted kid. He meets an elementary school kid at a park he offers an onigiri to, and from there becomes friends with this little boy and his older brother who is the same age as him. What follows is just this tender story about finding joy in eating, and being with people who bring you comfort.

The romance isn't the main aspect of it, as the focus is on him joining this found family and happening to fall in love with the older brother. I love that there is a time-skip chapter and its sweet to still see this wholesome family together. The art is also so pretty as well, I love slice-of-life stories.

The story follows a Natsuru Nanao, a soccer player whose new coach is an asshole so when it comes time to summer camp, he doesn't go. He's invited to stay with a classmate, Rio Suzumura who he paid to care for a stray cat, as he is too afraid to go back to his mom. They spend a short time together as he comes apart of Rio and her brother's small family unit, as their father is working out-of-the-country. However it quickly turns dark, when he discovers a human skeleton in the garden. Rio admits that shortly after her father left, her grandpa fell down the stairs and passed away, and with no adult in the house and the fear of being talked about, she buried him.

This quickly turns so sad and disheartening. Poor Rio, fought so hard to take care of her brother and protect their families' reputation. Just for it to not work...and her father to have actually abandoned them this whole time and for CPS to intervene. It's tragic that her name that gets slandered, I think it's very telling that society blames women. Even when they're the victim, all people can do is just wag their tongues, not realizing how much it hurts. Natsuru, in the lead up to everything being exposed to the public, fought off bullies and stood up for her to keep his promise towards her.

I feel so numb after finishing this. It hurts so much knowing these characters pain and a testament to an engaging and heartfelt one-shot.

A short 4-chapter one-shot following a high school girl and her manager at a bookstore. She falls in love with him and its pretty wholesome. He helps her to love books more and just bring her confidence, as she's working part-time to support her family, and her friends don't know this. I didn't really find the romance plot to be necessary and it's not realistic (thank God, a 10-year age gap would scare the fuck out of me cause NOPE.)

Wistoria : Wand and Sword

I was so here for this anime; the animation is stellar and magic society interesting. A very simple concept of MC wanting to be with his childhood friend but doesn't have a lick of magic. Cool- until there's no likeable characters and it just feels like its showing off flashy sakuga fight scenes. Not to mention the fucking fantasy racism with the dwarves which is just...gross? Who knows, I may binge the rest of it once its fully out? I definitely want to try watching it again.

No Longer Allowed to Live in This World

A Dazai-like Sensei character does not successfully die by double suicide with his beloved and is reincarnated into a fantasy world. He constantly uses his power of negativity and absorbing sleeping pills/poisons as his ability against monsters. Everyone fawns over him, and he can offer some good advice...on occasion. I just didn't see the point to keep watching it and dropped it after 5 episodes.

Failure Frame

The Isekai(?) Overpowered MC who is dark and edgy and wants to cause ruin upon the Goddess who brought him to this fantasy world, and most of his classmates who abandoned him to die as a "low" ranker with skills that cause harm. What bothered me most was 1) the 3D CG shots just don't blend and make all the monsters look awful and its BLAUGH and 2) having to hear about men npc's wanting to rape a female npc character just is annoying and gross.

Plus-Sized Elf

I think the only thing noteworthy is all the workout advice in it- of which I won't retain anything of it and the plus-sized fanservice exists. I personally just didn't want to waste my time with it anymore even though the episodes are short.

2.5-Dimensional Seduction

It was a cute nerdy experience of them first meeting but honestly, I did not vibe with this show. I'm sure this show is enjoyable, as people have compared it to Dress Up Darling and like it.

The Ossan Newbie Adventurer, Trained to Death by the Most Powerful Party, Became Invincible

I gave this like 5 episodes? But finding out the dude is actually super over-powered and not just trained to death...was disappointing. For a trashy fantasy series, it was pretty good and fun to watch. I just have a habit of rage quitting if something frustrates me or if you listen to how cheesy and horrendous this opening is, that will do it as well lmao. Rick and Raenette's friendship is really sweet. I think him having the same dream as these S-tier adventurers is cool and I do hope they achieve their goals by the end of the series.

Why Does Nobody Remember Me in This World?

I attempted to watch this 3 times, but it kept putting me to sleep so I dropped it.

Narenare Cheer for You

The only P.A. Works anime I've ever dropped. It was because of how irritating the line art is in color and how ALL the outlines of literally everything is in color. And when it comes to specific scenes, it gets muddled and that's why I couldn't stomach it past 2 episodes. I'm sure it's a cute cheerleading anime but the style of it was awful to me personally. WHY CAN"T THERE BE CRISP OUTLINES WHYYYYYYY.

Tasuketsu- Fate of the Majority

Ah yes, death games premise and where deaths aren't permanent cause you can ask a question and have loopholes which take away from the emotional impacts some character deaths have. I.e., the protagonist's best friend who came to life again with no reasoning behind it. The rules are so dumb but the power system interesting, I just didn't care to keep watching.

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Absolutely gorgeous art and detailed line work especially with clothing and strands of hair.

THE GAYS ARE WINNING IN THIS ONE.

A tender story about a maid who came from Japan to look for an author, and comes across Alice who takes her in. The grow closer and bond together and discover feelings for each other all while the impending engagement and marriage loom on the horizon. A story about following your heart and living to be true to yourself even if society looks down upon it.

I loved this story even though I tend to not read girls love stories because dysphoria happens. I was so afraid it would end...not happy but it does-even if its ambiguous, I'll take it. IN this period of time the story takes place, it makes sense for Alice to deal with these struggles as a noblewoman and having to upkeep appearances and all that.

I think I spent most of the time hating how pushy Haruhi was until after the Endless Summer Episodes. She grew on me like a leech...I think most viewers relate to Kyon's exasperation of her. Kyon's humor and sarcasm make him a good opposite to Haruhi's unrelenting selfish positivity.

Kyoto Animation and just 200's style is SO rich. It's a beautiful anime to watch.

One of my favorite episodes is #6 because by then, we know she's the center of the universe but also is a moment of vulnerability for Kyon to show he does care for her.

I would consider this a perfect rainy-day anime, it's just so cozy as episodic anime oftentimes are.

GOD EPISODE 9. THIS SHOW HAS WORMED ITS WAY INTO MY HEART- partially because I’ve had Kensuke Ushio’s score stuck in my brain ever since it came out. The way its so tender and heartfelt.

"We sort of lost sense of when to stop holding hands"- what a banger of a fucking line.

IT JUST KEEPS GETTING BETTER. YAMADA IS SO SMOOTH AND JUST I LOVE THIS SO MUCH.

The title to be “I want to be seen” is just so fitting for Kyotara. I need the candy wrapper she hands him to be a tattoo or something.

I absolutely adore this show and hands down, one of the best romance anime's in the last decade. There's just something so refreshing about just seeing these two characters grow, each with their own strengths and weaknesses. They aren't any common romance tropes, nor egregious miscommunication, which is just great.

The dub for season 2 is currently airing so enjoying that weekly on HiDive.

As of chapter 103:

I absolute adore how much fun the fight scene paneling and the art. I like that it's not a harem like most fantasy stories tend to lean towards even though Shin has two elves in love with him. The worldbuilding is done very well and I enjoy the conversations that are had. I'm excited to see where this story goes and if Shin will ever make it back to his own world. All the volume covers are just gorgeous color spreads. I know that reading it is what made me want to finish the anime (which was a disappointment, it's not worth anyone's time.)

He just lost his mom in a traffic accident, like it’s fair for him to be angry and want his dad. Even if he was under sole custody of his mom.

UMMMMM EXCUSE ME what was the spirit shadow thing that looked like him. I am enchanted with this music. Mamora Hosada’s style in this film feels very Science SARU esque. THE FUCKING MUSIC. THE INTRODUCTION OF THE BEAST KINGDOM WORLD IS SO EPIC.

This is absolutely gorgeous. I’m eating this up.

When he sees his mom, but it’s just a hallucination and she isn’t there. Ouch.

The difference between the two contenders of Beastman Lords is crazy. They’re now facing off against each other in a fistfight.

Huh, Iozen says that humans and beastman are seperate is because humans easily can get overtaken by darkness, and in this world could grow out of control. Makes sense to the shadow we saw after he said “ I hate everyone” at the beginning.

THE MUSIC. THE MUSIC AHHHHHH.

The kid roots for him and as he looks, he gets distracted and gets hit. The current lord stops between them and says he’ll take on any responsibility if Kyatu is a mistake. But that not all humans will let themselves be sealed up by the darkness.

The way he’s trying to eat rice and raw eggs, and just this bonding moment between teacher and pupil. The mink is losing it as Kumatetsu is trying to reach him how to handle a sword.

This movie is stunning to look at. It’s so vibrant and detailed and lived in.

I love how much they fight and argue. The Lord tells him to go on a pilgrimage with his pupil and so they go. Learning different abilities and strengths that exist within this world. The fact there’s so many different meanings of what strength is.

STUNNING JUST AHHHH.

Hmmmmis the way he sees his mother in the moments he needs her because of his inner darkness or just receiving within himself, like her spirit being with him.

This training montage of him copying Kumatetsu’s moves is so cute and endearing. The monk says they’re like father and son with him trying to mimic him.

The moment he realizes he knows his teachers movements and finds him predictable they agree to train eachother in return. He may not have power but he’s quick in his feet and getting better. He gets recognized by the other kids.

This is going to turn sad and deal with his inner demon AHHHHHHHH IM NOT READY FOR THIS. Also the kid of the other Lord contender looks like he is human. WHOAH and he finds the path back to the human world on accident, oh no.

NOOOOOO is him visiting and being enamored by the human world, is what leads to his darkness??? AGAGAHAHAHA. He’s now trying to go to college but needs a new identification card so he goes to the address of his dad. He sees his father on the street but he doesn’t recognize him at first but then asks if he’s Ren and gives him a hug.

WHY DONT YOU TELL YOUR FUCKING SENSEI WHAT’S GOING ON. LIKE HE CAN DEFINITELY HAVE ANOTHER PUPIL.

“ Do you think I can live a normal life?” BRO WHY WOULD YOU THROW AWAY WHAT YOU HAVE ARGHHHHH. Kyuta tries to have a conversation with him but it doesn’t work out and he leaves him.

The way he calls him out, because his dad is just assuming stuff. To say “ Let’s start over” negates everything that has happened. OMFG THE SHADOW THE SHADOW IS SCARY. GENUINELY SCARED FOR HIM. WHAT HAPPENS IF IT OVERTAKES HIM?? WHAT THEN??

He goes back to the Beastman world to find out the next day is when the match is decided to who will become Lord. I FUCKING CALLED IT THAT ICHIRIKO WAS HUMAN.

Tis now the match. KYUTA YOU HAVE TO APPEAR AND GIVE YOUR MASTER CONFIDENCE. PLEASE. THE WAY THEY ARGUE WITH EACHOTHER AND IT GIVES HIM CONFIDENCE. AHHHHHH. WHOAH. WHAT A WAY THAT THE BOTH OF THEM TOGTHER MAKE THE PERFECT TEAM AND BALENCE EACH OTHER OUT.

Damn ICHIRIKO is gonna be the darkness monster fr…sad times. I’m so happy but this won’t all be happy. NOOO HE’S BEEN STABBED IN THE BACK. OH SHIT THIS WHAT HIS FATHER TRIED TONPREVENT BUT IT HAPPENED ALREADY. NO, NO NO NO NO NO NO. HIS OWN FATHER FUGURE YOU KILLED. The sword within everyone’s hearts and WHOAH. OMFG had no idea where this was going.

WHY ARE YOU MAD BITCH. YOU KILLED HIS FATHER FIGURE.

He cant be dead. Oh thank goodness, he’s hooked up and in a hospital bed.

Now Iozen explains how he find his human kid who was just abandoned out in the rain. He says it’s his own conceit. Bro you could not have lied to him for this long, of course he has a complex which caused the darkness to grow.

He leaves to go look for ICHIRIKO to help him, and drive the darkness from him. I’M CRYING GUYS. Of course it would include the other two, they were equally as important to him growing up.

He goes to the human world and finds him. I love that he adheres to not unsheathing his sword in this fight. HOLY SHIT MAMORA STRIKES AGAIN. I have chills…I’m so scared. The dude makes a giant whale of darkness, the tie into the story of Moby Dick that REN has been learning all this time. And the fight within oneself and the battle against one’s inner darkness is AGHHH.

The destruction he caused, also that explosion was fucking beautiful to look at.

Awww Kaede’s words I think are the answer, for him to remember the love his family has for him. Kamatetsu is asking to be reincarnated so he can help Kyuta, because he knows his boy can’t do it alone however there’s no turning back when he does.

Man the whale animation is so pretty. This is absolutely stunning. THE MUSIC KICKS IN AND AHHHHHHH. NOOOO DON’T SACRIFICE YOURSELF JUST TO KILL HIM. AND HIS MASTER COMES IN REINCARNATED AS A LONGSWORD. HE WANTED TO BECOME THE SOWRD WITHIN HSI HEART. TO FILL WHAT HE’S MISSING. IM SOBBING. He kills the darkness within him yay!

He returns back a hero. But goes to live a normal life in the human world. I love that his master is happy for him. :)

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Honestly, the reason why the show stance out to me is because of how vibrant it is. From the character designs, the clothing, the background it’s so rich. Plus, the concept of being Isekai'ed and your magical power being online shopping is great. He’s not even a good cook, like with Shokegeki no Souma, he’s just doing what he can to make food efficiently. And then happens to meet his two companions, one who is insanely strong Fenrir and the other an adorable slime that he makes his familiars. The dynamics between the three of them is wholesome.

The vibes of this show are immaculate and having an anime you can turn your brain off to and enjoy is nice. The food also looks so delicious.