TRYING TO EXIST IN MULTIPLE FANDOMS AT ONCE

[mahou-shoujo-dandelion]

if

[arrowwanders]

I didn't realize how starved I was for a depiction of girlhood in anime that was not for the male gaze until I started watching Witch Hat Atelier.

I find myself subconsciously bracing for a voyeuristic camera angle or inappropriate interaction, and I feel a huge sense of relief when that doesn't happen. And then I get mad that I've been conditioned to expect that in anime about young girls.

In conclusion, I love Kamome Shirahama, and I love women in media.

[ijustliketrees]

It was so refreshing to find a manga that goes out of its way to tell the audience that sexual harassment is bad and it hurts people.

[ppapercrannne]

what really fascinates me about this manga is that its serialised as a seinen manga.

but i am sooo sooo sooooooo glad we have witch hat atelier because i am not used to seeing a main cast of girls in any media honestly. and its done so well. im making my mom watch the anime with me right now, and she keeps going "why are they doing that? you shouldn't follow weird people without knowing who they are!" (about the girls), and i go "ma! they're 12 year olds! we were all stupid then!"

[ppapercrannne]

Akatsuki no yona. Or, as i would like to call it, zeno’s suicide quest

[harlyvan]

anime that have female main character and it’s ACTUALLY well written

The twelve kingdoms

Had to put it first cuz it’s the most underrated anime ever tho the world building was crazy well written and the development of the main character was no joke

sound euphonium

Completely another underrated anime with amazing beautiful cast characters that every single one of them was beautiful and well written and I could never shut up about the mc and how she’s one of the best characters ever written

the apothecary diaries

Not that underrated but it’s literally one the best anime ever created, the drama the thriller the characters and their impact, everything is calculated and beautiful

yona of the dawn

Everyone who watched this anime would understand how much beauty in it like it’s been probably more seven years since I watched it and I still cling to it like crazy

Soul eater

One of the best characters design I ever saw and the bonds between the characters and duo and trios like you could never get enough of them

revolutionary girl utena

Been year since I watched this beautiful masterpiece anime and I still cry for Anthy, plus legend yuri anime and had one of most symbolism of all stuff that I ever watched

madoka magica

Changed the context of magical girl anime for me tbh, insane writing insane plot and insane twists like the anime was so crazy for pulling all those stuff on us one after another

violet evergarden

Insane character development, seeing her change from being war machine to beautiful amazing person was everything to me and I still mourn how short the anime was

Nana

Amazing characters writing amazing characters bonds and relationships, the relationship between nana and hachi still make my eyes tears they’re so beautiful and the writing of the show was so real

medalist

Completely underrated sport anime with one of the best student and teacher relationships ever and amazing characters especially the mc and was such a fresh experience in the concept of sports Anime tbh

[sotiredmostnights]

[gloo-oom]

[nik-knak]

ultimate (not) girlfriend privilege of wearing your (not) boyfriends clothes

[animebw]

Christ, and I thought Winter was a great anime season. Spring's premieres are scaring me. How is anime allowed to be this good.

MUST-WATCH

Agents of the Four Seasons: Stunningly beautiful cry porn from Violet Evergarden's author; this is the high-concept melodrama I live for.

A Hundred Scenes of Awajima: The best josei director adapting one of the best josei authors. First episode already got the waterworks flowing; this is gonna be something really special.

Kirio Fan Club: Chances are you haven't even heard of this show before. Fix that. Now.

Re:Zero Season 4: I cannot wait to be emotionally destroyed again.

Witch Hat Atelier: Exactly as good as it's hyped up to be. We've got a new fantasy anime classic on our hands, folks!

RUNNERS UP

Akane-Banashi: This would be an easy must-watch if the post-processing didn't give me a migrane. Consider it a testament to how damn good the writing is that it's still one of the season's best.

Botan Kamiina Fully Blossoms When Drunk: Yama no Susume but in college and replace mountain climbing with getting drunk. And also double the yuri content.

Daemons of the Shadow Realm: Never bet against the author of Fullmetal Alchemist, lads.

Marriage Toxin: Gay assassins fighting patriarchal norms with Studio Bones' animation behind it. In any less stacked season this would be in the top category no question.

The Ramparts of Ice: The Polar Opposites writer is back with a more dramatic look at teen relationships, and the character writing still whips ass. Another show that should be in the must-watch category but the competition is just that fierce this season.

WORTH A LOOK

Ascendance of a Bookworm Season 4: God, I'm not used to this show having an actual budget. Gonna take some getting used to.

Dorohedoro Season 2: Okay, show of hands, who else forgot everything that happened in season 1?

Go For It, Nakamura: The comedy's too screechy for my taste, but I'm digging the retro aesthetic and honest portrayal of being a dumb gay teen in love.

Needy Girl Overdose: This is either gonna be preachy, pretentious dreck or one of the bravest shows of the year. Check back in three months to find out which.

Nippon Sangoku: See above.

ON THIN ICE

Always a Catch: There's gotta be, like, one well-written villainness adjacent fantasy out there somewhere, right?

[floralcavern]

The difference between male wish fulfillment vs female wish fulfillment in romance anime

There’s kind of a different gaze that can be targeted to in romance anime. 

In male wish fulfillment anime romances, there’s usually a much heavier emphasis on the male love interest’s pov than the female’s. Also, women tend to be much more.. objectified and there’s an unnecessary amount of fan service. An example of this is Rent a Girlfriend and Don’t Toy With Me Miss Nagatoro. It’s more about the male lead being hit on by.. really horny women than actual romance.

However, in female wish fulfillment anime, it tends to be more told from the female’s perspective. The way the male love interest tends to be written is to make him emotional and aware and.. kind, rather than objectifying him or even making them horny, because women.. we don’t really want to be lusted after like that, typically. We’re already objectified enough. My favorite example is Kimi Ni Todoke: From Me To You. Kazehaya admits he’s a ‘pervert’ but in a respectful way. The writer doesn’t make him fully pure or naive or anything like that. He’s still a teen boy. But in this series, the male character is written to be sweet, emotional, and aware but he’s not stripped away from his inherent masculinity (nontoxic masculinity!). Not just.. a guy, if that makes any sense. Meanwhile, in male wish fulfillment anime, the women are just women, rather than characters. Again, I hope this makes sense!

Now, I’m not saying all romance anime that’s written from the female’s perspective is the best! I think MY Love Story!! is a good example of this! The main character is a male and he’s a genuine, total sweetheart while still having a sense of masculinity! And the female character isn’t objectified! And I would even say even say that this show could be considered a male wish fulfillment romance, based on how it’s written.

And then there’s shows for both, like Kaguya Sama: Love is War. In this show, the two love interests have complete equal power in focus, making them feel completely balanced and real. Neither are objectified and both get treated like humans. Same with The Apothecary Diaries, if not more so!

Anyways, sorry for this ramble. I just really like (well written) romance anime. And I will leave off with a list of romance anime recommendations!

•Kimi Ni Todoke: From Me To You (adorable, fluffy, amazing character development, doesn’t beat around the bush the entire fucking series. Half of the manga is pining and the other half is the complexities of being in your first ever relationship as you try to navigate it all)

•Snow White With The Red Hair (amazing female lead with cool world building and interesting dynamics)

•MY Love Story!! (SO CUTE! Amazing show about not judging appearances)

•My Happy Marriage (Really wholesome Cinderella type story)

•Kaguya Sama: Love Is War (hilarious. I actually recommend the dub. Genuinely really sweet)

•Sasaki To Miyano (so sweet it’ll give you cavities)

•Tomo Chan Is A Girl (there is sadly quite a bit of fanservice in this. I’ve seen way worse, but ya. If you’re wanting something to watch with your parents, this may not be it. Mostly just close ups on boobs)

•Monthly Girls Nozaki (romcom that leans really heavy on the comedy more than the romance, but I love it too much to not recommend. Watch it in the dub, you won’t regret it)

•Fruits Basket (Really sweet)

•Toilet Bound Hanako (THE MANGA! READ THE MANGA! DON’T LET THE TITLE WEIRD YOU OUT, I SWEAR IT IS INCREDIBLE! READ!)

•Komi Can’t Communicate (I would, however, like to apologize for Yamai ahead of time. The entire fandom hates her, don’t worry. There’s also quite a bit of fan service in this one 😔)

•Toradora (haven’t seen it in a while, but it’s a classic lol)

•Horimiya (Another romance anime that doesn’t beat around the bush!)

•The Ice Guy And His Cool Female Colleague (SO. CUTE. AGHHHH. Despite it being ice themed, it certainly makes me feel warm and fuzzy)

•Love, Chuunibyou, and Other Delusions (so silly, amazing story about maturity while also keeping your inner child alive)

•I Want To Eat Your Pancreas (be sure to bring tissues! You will cry!)

•Kamisama Kiss (I really like the characters and world building in this one. Sadly, we’ll probably never get another season 😔)

•Words Bubble Up Like Soda Pop (SUCH A CUTE MOVIE! Amazing feel good romance that just makes you happy)

•My Little Monster (not my usual first recommendation, but it’s an overall fun watch… still so desperately want another season. False hope lol)

•Ouran High School Host Club (an absolute classic romcom. Another situation where I actually recommend the dub)

•Apothecary Diaries (AGGHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!! …full stop. I love this show.)

•Princess Tutu (I LOVE THIS STORYBOOK SETTING! And Ahiru is so silly. She’s just a duck, she can’t handle all these responsibilities!)

•A Sign Of Affection (GEGERHSG SHHHH SHSVRVSBBSVSGWVVVV……… I really liked this show.)

•My Love Story With Yamada-Kun at Lv999 (I went into this show with low expectations because of the title only to come out giggling and kicking my legs, very cute show)

•The Fragrant Flower Blooms with Dignity (the people who hate on this show can back off. Quit treating short women like they’re children 😭)

[2tbk]

WHY AREN'T THERE ANY MARRIAGE TOXIN FIC?! There's so much potential with all the ships you could use, I hope I'll start seeing some once the anime comes out.

[ppapercrannne]

Ikr??!!! Im so close to writing myself (i dont write fanfic)

[demaparbat-hp]

Zuko painted his skin red each night with the even strokes of a prayer.

This was no Blue Spirit of the Deep Waters. This was Zuko and his rage. Zuko and his shame. Zuko and the cloak he donned in honor of the legend of a woman who covered her scars in paint and turned her grief into light.

Drenched in red and covered in shadows, the Painted Ghost bends lightning and flame in search of retribution.

This is Zuko's character design in Imperfect Canvass, a role reversal AU.

[need-him-pregnant-poll]

NEED👏THAT👏MAN👏PREGNANT *SEASON TWO* ROUND 2 POLL 7

TUMBLR! Who's getting pregnant?

Bruce Wayne/Batman (DC)

Viktor Nikiforov (Yuri!!! On Ice)

Voting ended onMar 31

PROPAGANDA:

[Bruce]

"He already has so many kids, its time to let him make some himself."

"He has so many kids already, he should birth one."

"He's already had so many kids come to him as pre-teens or teens, often with parents before him that he needs to "compete" with for his position as their parent, so it would be nice to have him not have that pressure for once. Also, whenever one of his partners turns out to be pregnant he tends to be very excited about it, and he's often shown to be very soft and kind to babies and small children, so it'd be nice to finally give him a baby of his own. And considering the fact that there's more than one storyline with one of Bruce's lovers being pregnant and leaving and then hiding/giving the baby away for adoption, him being the one who's pregnant would keep that from happening again. In conclusion, he's got kids, loves babies, is already a single parent, give the man a baby of his own!!"

"It's been a while since he adopted a kid, maybe his next one can be home grown."

"He's due another child. Pregnant Batman would probably have to take good care of his health."

"Just look at him. Plus, he'd be a wonderful mother."

"This guy is already a dad of like a million robins, so it's about time he made some himself."

"look at him. this man loves kids so much. he loves his kids so much, you know he wishes he could have birthed them himself. getting pregnant would fix him."

"I mean look at him. He has so many kids he was made to be a mother."

[Viktor]

"He'll for sure check all the stereotypes of an hormonal pregnant person, which will be very entertaining to watch."

"I read an omega!Viktor au that altered my entire canon view. He would enjoy being pampered and the attention. It's something new and exciting and surprising and he LOVES to surprise people. Also I think Yuuri would make a cute anxious dad attending the ultrasound."

[ppapercrannne]

Nooo you don't understand i need to see victor pregnant with yuri's kids, like WE NEED A WIN AFTER LAST YEAR

[ppapercrannne]

My absolutely favourite thing about the heated rivalry fever has been the reconnection i’ve had with yuri on ice and the fandom

[thy-lovelylionheart]

folks, the Percy Jackson

[ppapercrannne]

correction: the ragebaiter percy jackson

[captainjoongki]

2025 k-drama roundup!!

with the year ending (wtf) here is a list of my favourites and misses of the year in my humble opinion as a simple viewer.

favourite k-dramas of the year (RANKED)

beyond the bar

taxi driver 3

resident playbook

the art of negotiation

trauma code, heroes on call

romantics anonymous

moon river

k-dramas that i mostly 70% liked but ultimately missed the mark for me

typhoon family

our movie

as you stood by

head over heels

tempest

when life gives you tangerines (controversial, i know, but alas)

favourite k-drama romances/couples of the year (RANKED)

kang hyo min x yoon seok hoon, beyond the bar - utterly insane. took romance to levels one has never seen before in kdrama romance history. had 2 instances of skin-ship in the entire drama, ended on a vague note, and yet????? i swooned i fell i was utterly enchanted. tender and warm and cold and sad and lovely and everything i want from a kdrama romance.

oh yi young x gu do won, resident playbook

fujiwara sosuke x kang hana, romantics anonymous

crown prince yi gang x crown princess/dal, moon river

*of course kim doki x ahn goeun from TD are here also at like number 1 in my heart, but they're a seasonal pairing so i don't think they can truly fit into the year tag

and finally, the biggest k-drama disappointments of 2025 for me

when the stars gossip - possibly the worst kdrama ever made. if i were the cast, i'd pay to have the footage wiped from the internet

buried hearts - the most whack, poorly written, and frustrating female lead and romance. park hyungsik gave his all though and it got good ratings but jfc what a makjang mess

dear x - started off as recreating kdrama history, turned into slop. but kim yoojung deserves her flowers.

bon appetit your majesty - yes i know everyone and their mothers loved this but no. just no. master chef in joseon with the goofiest romance i have seen and the most half-assed ending ever.

tastefully yours - how do you not write a simple romcom properly. kang haneul and go minsi deserve a redo drama.

genie make a wish - this was bad! but the brain rot was fun! but still extremely bad writing wise, story wise, maybe even acting wise at times. just very dhar maan production vibes. did kim eunsook even write this, or did chatgpt??

squid game season 3 - lmao.

law and the city - a total waste of lee jongsuk. he turned into side character 500 and the plot was like 'let's make hospital playlist into a law drama but take away all the charm and fun <3'

a hundred memories - did shin yeeun beat the writer's grandmother up? utter shite on a nostalgia bait plate.

my youth - song joongki needed a fast check

love scout - i have been rooting for lee joon hyuk since his city hunter days, but there was just no chemistry i'm sorry and the plot was a snooze fest with a poorly written female lead.

and that's a wrap! here's to even more drama watching in 2026 ~

[landoscaroses]

someone on ao3 just wrote a landoscar fic and added a tag that said "i've read fanfiction about dudes kissing that is less gay than whatever the mclaren twinks have going on at the moment" PLS i am howling

[ppapercrannne]

its absolutely CRIMINAL of you to not tag the fanfiction (now send me the name. Please. ) :)

[callmesel]

Are people on Tumblr aware that you can customize your kudo message??

got it from this twt post (has more stuff in the thread)

og reddit post here