#dungeon meshi is ok and frieren is also ok

[800-dick-pics]

im tryna watch these cutesy elf animes and its just not hitting! why are ppl lying out here!

slice of life anime is boring to me, no plot twist? no murder? no backstabbing? just some magic bitches traveling? i feel like all media is getting prettier so ppl are hyping that up but the stories feel so bland

like even the "edgy anime" feel sanitized now, ppl were hyping up oshi no ko like it was the next death note, like if u think aqua is even close to being like light yagami then yall didnt watch the same anime, oshi no ko is an idol anime with some mystery, its not a true murder mystery

#me #personal #vent #dungeon meshi is ok and frieren is also ok #these are not animes i will remember in 6 months from now #oshi no ko's first episode was actually pretty good but its 90 mins long so ofcourse youre sucked in but again it is just ok #bring back the animes where that guy found his lil sister cut up in gift boxes! #i either watch stupid as hell shit like bleach jjk and inuyasha or shit thats pretty fucked up theres no inbetween #if its stupid i can turn my brain off and if its actually edgy and well written then hey i can actually turn it on and not guess the plot #this is why i stopped watching bongo stray dogs bc its tryna be funny and serious and its like i get the story but its feels like it should #be one or the other

[randomnow]

if i had a nickle for every time I read a manga with a depth of feeling and caring so strong and emotional moments that hit so hard it positively effects my world view with an equally amazing anime adaption in 2024 I'd have 2 nickles, which isn't a lot but it's weird that it happened twice

#so #how r u guys doing #i know frieren started last year but i only found out about it last week so i'm counting it also it's still airing #dungeon meshi #frieren #its funny bc i'm coming to dungeon meshi from previously reading the manga #while going the opposite route with frieren #and yet both are equally amazing #in very different ways #frieren makes me introspective and weepy while dungeon meshi makes me go “huh.... ok” but in the best way

[tirralirralirra]

something I love about having read/watched frieren and dungeon meshi concurrently is getting to see that, despite their similar broad genres (fantasy, DND-esque settings, failure op elf girls /lh), they are two very distinct stories that ultimately achieve the same* thematic goal through different narrative means.

like you have frieren's contemplative, almost slice-of-life style storytelling that focuses on how the connections between people make an impact, and how it's beautiful to cherish the memories of those we love, even the small ones (especially the small ones), and that being alive is so, so beautiful because of those things. Then juxtaposing this with the overall narrative of a literal journey to a land beyond in order to meet with the dead, while not losing focus on those that are alive. Frieren as a story takes time to explore the small things that make life beautiful (fields of flowers, the beauty and not the power of magic, stargazing and sunsets with your friends).

and then you have dunmeshi's tight narrative arcs that are built around urgency (saving falin, first from digestion, then from...chimera-ization), but also continually return to the same concept as a core tenet to both the literal narrative structure around meals and the overall story: to eat is a privilege of the living. That there is joy to be found in eating because it means you are alive, that you survived. That taking time to take care of yourself is honoring your life. That death is a part of life through the acts of killing monsters to eat, and that the dungeon's condition where a soul remains tethered to the body is unnatural.

For that last bit, I love how we're just introduced to the concept in the beginning as a bit of world building, something you might just take at face value of, "oh, I guess this is how this works in this story", and over the course of the story the characters start to interrogate that reality, culminating in Marcille's realization at the end that they took death for granted because of the dungeon's condition:

[ID: Manga panel of Marcille looking down in thought and saying "Look, this might sound a little weird, but...I think the entire point of this journey we went on....was learning how to accept death.]

(Panel is from the ehscans version, will update with official eng when the final volume releases)

I also love that the story takes the time to say, look, you can be in a hurry, but you still need to take care of yourself. Eat well, sleep well, What will you achieve in the service of yourself or others if you don't take care of the most basic qualities to survive first? The most recent episode is a good example of that with the focus on shuro vs. laios, and then there's this reinforcement of the idea by the end:

[ID: Dungeon meshi manga page showing Laios, Chilchuck, and Senshi shouting "A balanced diet!!" "R-regulating our daily rhythms!!" "And moderate exercise!!" respectively, followed by the three in various poses in front of the word "VICTORY" and Laios saying "If we watch these three points...we'll naturally work our way to strong bodies!!"]

Anyways this is all very disorganized and I have other things I need to do and I could write a more cohesive, actually organized thought piece on all of this with like, coherent points, but I don't really like to delve into literary analysis on my fandom account. it just lives in my head, rent free. thank you for coming to my ted talk tumblr. don't expect to see more of this, lol.

*I say same goal, which is not to say the only goal. stories can have more than one theme, it's ok if you disagree with me on this, but please bear in mind that I'm speaking very, very broadly.

#dunmeshi #dunmeshi spoilers #frieren #frieren spoilers #esque thoughts #dungeon meshi #delicious in dungeon #meta esque

[desperatecheesecubes]

March Wrap up part 2!

Green Lantern (2023) 9

Dates Read: 14 March

Review: 3 stars

Thoughts: I liked that the guardians had left a backup lantern source on Earth, felt very fitting considering how many Corps members are from the planet-it’s gotta be getting ridiculous to the other races. Loved the back up with Jessica as well. All in all I’m having good fun with this run.

Spider Gwen Smash 4

Dates Read: 14 March

Review: 2 stars

Thoughts: Wow what a bad end! So rushed and it didn’t even finish things. Ill get to the … annual?? Special??? Special I think-eventually. Right now I’m just disappointed. That being said I will forgive every sin if MJ and Gwen make out. I am a simple woman.

Speed Force (2023) issues 1-3

Dates Read: 14 March

Review: 3 Stars

Thoughts: Picked this run up for my boy Kon tbh. It’s not the most engaging-he’s the only character of the line up that I’m invested in-but it’s ok. I’ll read the rest of it as it’s uploaded to DCU. I will say it struggles with pacing though. I don’t vibe with the way the characters just run somewhere and barely explain to the reader what they’re doing, it feels both sloppy and lazy. I understand they were going for a flash vibe but… I’m not a fan.

Jay Garrick: The Flash 1-4

DatesRead: 14 March, 15 March

Review: 3 stars

Thoughts: Oh I’m LOVING this one so far. It’s so fun to read, the pacing is great, and the art is a joy. Also my girl Courtney is here!!! I’ll be reading the rest of this on DCU as well.

The Moon That Takes You Back by Hala Alyan

Dates Read: 14 March

Review: 3 stars

Thoughts: this made me feel like an idiot multiple times lol. Between the formatting struggles (not the publishers fault!!! Just the nature of the work!!) and the authors use of metaphors I was fucking lost for a lot of it. But what I did get a grasp of struck me hard. If you’re going to read this read it physically.

Spirit World 1-6

Dates Read: 14 March, 15 March

Review: 3 stars, 4 over all

Thoughts: I want Xanthe to get an ongoing immediately. I really enjoyed this! John and Xanthe had a really good dynamic and I enjoyed Cass even though she was really only there to be a well known Chinese character or perhaps even the token Bat selling the comic. Whatever she deserves all the comics. I reccomend picking this one up if you were on the fence.

Birds of Prey (2023) 3-7

Dates Read: 16 March, 17 March

Review: 3 stars

Thoughts: This run continues to be a delight. I had as many problems with the guest artist as everyone else did but other than that all these issues were fun. I’m not entirely sure how I feel about Sin’s new status quo… I will have to wait and see I think. Delighted that Barda and Cass are staying on for the next arc. I might start reading into more of Barca’s comics because I’m enjoying her so much here.

Frieren Beyond Journeys End 7-10

Dates Read: 17 March, 24 March, 25 March

Review: 3 stars (7-8) 4 stars (9-10)

Thoughts: Frieren is always lovely but I’m VERY invested in this golden city business they’ve got going on.

Dungeon Meshi 4-8

Dates Read: 17 March, 19 March, 21 March, 30 March, 31 March

Review: 3 stars, 4 stars (volume 7)

Thoughts: Oh yeah y’all weren’t kidding this gets way more intense as soon as they achieve their initial goal. I read these almost obsessively. I will continue to do so. I’ll have to get around to actually watching the anime for both this and Frieren. As it is I’m just reposting gifs lol. I hope they get physical English releases….

Superman (2023) 13

Dates Read: 20 March

Review: 3 stars

Thoughts: A fine end to the arc. I’m not sure how on board I am over all with Luthor being an anti hero rather than a villain but I don’t have any major complaints.

#mine #literature #monthly Wrap Up

[fzzr]

What I'm Watching, Winter 2024 Anime Season

Oh god oh fuck there is so much anime. There are several things this season where I read the source material before the anime was out, which is an unusual thing for me. I'll see how I feel about that sort of foreknowledge.

New Stuff:

Akuyaku Reijou Level 99: Watashi wa Ura-Boss desu ga Maou dewa Arimasen (Villainess Level 99: I May Be the Hidden Boss but I'm Not the Demon Lord) - This spends most of the first episode being as generic as it is possible to be. Every part of the villainess base setting is using factory settings. The only twist is the villainess used the metagame power leveling from the usual reincarnated as a nobody set, and that in turn is used in the most generic way possible (I ground out one dungeon for a decade and now I'm broken).

Chiyu Mahou no Machigatta Tsukaikata (The Wrong Way to Use Healing Magic) - A very slight twist on the Isekai formula where the protagonist is not the chosen one but he's special anyway. I read this recently so I'm interested in how they handle the adaptation. So far so good, especially in the character department.

Dosanko Gal wa Namara Menkoi (Hokkaido Gals Are Super Adorable!) - Another one where I read the source. Just wait until everyone realizes this is actually an ad for Hokkaido tourism! Also a very sweet little romance, give it a watch. They really didn't need to add two cup sides to the female protagonist though.

Dungeon Meshi (Delicious in Dungeon) - Everyone is very excited about this one. I am not as much as some, but I do get the appeal.

Himesama "Goumon" no Jikan desu ('Tis Time for "Torture," Princess) - Comfy subversion of bad situation? Where did this microgenre come from anyway? (See also Sleepy Princess.) Anyway a cute nothing show. I'll drop it if it gets boring.

Kekkon Yubiwa Monogatari (Tales of Wedding Rings) - Aw yeah, time for some isekai harem bullshit. Tits out in episode one, this show knows what it's about.

Loop 7-kaime no Akuyaku Reijou wa, Moto Tekikoku de Jiyuu Kimama na Hanayome Seikatsu wo Mankitsu suru (7th Time Loop: The Villainess Enjoys a Carefree Life Married to Her Worst Enemy!) - This is mainly a shoujo romance with a sprinkling of villainess tropes, rather than strictly following the usual redeem-my-past-life pattern. I'm interested enough to continue, provisionally.

Metallic Rouge - Robots? Aliens? Asimov stuff? The worldbuilding here is all over the place but I think I'll like this once I get my head around it.

Ore dake Level Up na Ken (Solo Leveling) - Another one I read recently, been looking forward to the anime. So far so loyal. Not sure how this one only got one cour, unless it's one of those split-by-six-months deals we've been seeing.

Oroka na Tenshi wa Akuma to Odoru (The Foolish Angel Dances with the Devil) - This is my kind of romcom trash. Let's see how they handle the smug angel resentful demon dynamic.

Saijaku Tamer wa Gomi Hiroi no Tabi wo Hajimemashita. (The Weakest Tamer Began a Journey to Pick Up Trash) - Is this a healing taming anime? I might be OK with that.

Sasaki to Pii-chan (Sasaki and Peeps) - After a double length first episode that speedruns establishing a merchant princess/80K gold/etc type cross-world import business/local restaurant it launches into a completely different show. I wonder what they'll do with the crossover premises. Also shout out for main character being just a guy in his late 30s, not some secret gamer or misunderstood loser.

Yuuki Bakuhatsu Bang Bravern (Brave Bang Bravern!) - A super robot premise drops into a real robot world. This is having a lot of fun making the real and super robot tropes collide.

Sequels:

Urusei Yatsura (2022) 2nd Season - We are so back!

Ongoing:

Kusuriya no Hitorigoto (The Apothecary Diaries) - This ended last cour with a significant status quo change and is now well into establishing a new one.

Sousou no Frieren (Frieren: Beyond Journey's End) - This is continuing at the same sedate pace as ever, and it's still great.

Undead Unluck - More more I'm still not satisfied.

Shangri-La Frontier: Kusoge Hunter, Kamige ni Idoman to su (Shangri-La Frontier: Crappy Game Hunter Challenges God-Tier Game) - I'm glad this got as much space as it did. It's really better than one would expect from such a relatively basic concept (guy is good at video game).

Hall of Shame (Dropped already):

Bucchigiri?! - I don't need another high school delinquent fighting anime.

Gekai Elise (Doctor Elise: The Royal Lady with the Lamp) - Double reverse isekai! She died into a body in our world, then died again and woke up in her original body. I was going to watch this one, but then I picked up 7th time loop and liked that way more. I don't have space for two shoujo, so this had to go.

Sengoku Youko - Ehhh. This felt a bit too generic youkai flavored shonen to be worth the whole 37 episodes it promises. Pass.

#anime #winter 2024 anime #seasonal anime #what i'm watching #original post