If you like shows where the friendships are really good and men and women can be genuinely supportive of each other, plus like clothes, swearing, comedy and a lot of hot people, Survival of the Thickest on Netflix. I had never heard of it till a week ago and that was my loss.
I can’t tell you how much I love watching grown people being properly good friends.
It swings through a lot of issues like cheating, the stresses of being a creative and self sabotage, and how hard it is for men (especially black men) to seek therapy when they need it and never once plays any of that for cheap laughs. The show is as good a friend to the characters as they are to each other. I’m halfway through season 2 and already sad there’s not loads more (yet).
realizing that the throughline of all my recent most loved shows is a beautiful, painful, unsettling but necessary portrayal of grief and its accompanying guilt and loneliness and occasional hope
I just watched the movie The Witch from 2015 and honestly, I just want to share my experience with those of you who haven’t watched it yet. I had heard a lot of positive things about it before I watched it but I did not think I would like it as much as I did. It’s incredibly creepy and there was multiple times during the movie that I was so unsettled I muttered “holy shit.”
While most horror movies relies on jumpscares, The Witch builds up the suspense during the whole movie so even when something scary happens the tension is still there and it just ends up making everything so much scarier. There’s a lot of long, lingering shots of not only the characters but also the scenery and I could honestly write a whole essay on how the movie was filmed. That coupled with the music score really created such an eerie vibe. The place the movie takes place is beautiful and dreadful at the same time and the props, clothing and buildings used in the movie looks incredibly realistic.
I watched the movie together with my dad and we both agreed that the acting was spectacular, especially that one scene with Caleb (if you’ve seen the movie you know what I’m talking about).
The ending had me on the edge of my seat and I couldn’t look away. Really, one of the best movies I’ve seen in a while and it has now become one of my favorite horror movies. If you haven’t seen The Witch and like horror movies then I strongly recommend you watching this.
With this one I am going with films that I personally enjoyed and rewatched more than once and not necessarily universally acclaimed best films:
1) Der Himmel über Berlin directed by Wim Wenders
2) Pane e tulipani directed by Silvio Soldini
3) Le Rayon vert directed by Éric Rohmer
4) Todo sobre mi madre directed by Pedro Almodóvar
5) Le fate ignoranti directed by Ferzan Özpetek
Shout out to actor Bruno Ganz who appears twice in this list. The way the character he portrayed in Pane e tulipani speaks is just so charming: the character’s favorite story is the Italian epic poem from the XVI century called Orlando furioso and as a foreigner he uses a delightful outdated and poetic language inspired by it in his every day interactions. I realize now that some of these films have themes in common too.
National Anime Day was a couple days ago, but here's a belated post for it with some stuff I'd recommend that I've watched/rewatched in the past year. This is not necessarily stuff that came out in the past year (though a lot of it is), but just stuff I've seen and would recommend.
薬屋のひとりごと | Kusuriya no Hitorigoto | The Apothecary Diaries based on the light novel by Hyuganatsu, with art by Touko Shino, which was also adapted into a manga by Nekokurage (Square Enix) and Minoju Kurata (Shogakukan)
Light novel summary: "In the East is a land ruled by an emperor, whose consorts and serving women live in a sprawling complex known as the hougong, the rear palace. Maomao, an unassuming girl raised in an unassuming town by her apothecary father, never imagined the rear palace would have anything to do with her-until she was kidnapped and sold into service there.
Though she looks ordinary, Maomao has a quick wit, a sharp mind, and an extensive knowledge of medicine. That's her secret, until she encounters a resident of the palace at least as perceptive as she is: the head eunuch, Jinshi. He sees through Maomao's façade and makes her a lady-in-waiting to none other than the Emperor's favorite consort... so she can taste the lady's food for poison!
At her lady's side, Maomao starts to learn about everything that goes on in the rear palace-not all of it seemly. Can she ever lead a quiet life, or will her powers of deduction and insatiable curiosity bring her ever more adventures, and ever more dangers?"
The light novel and first manga are available in English via Square Enix. The second manga, Maomao's Notes on the Inner Palace, is available via Viz. The anime is ongoing, with season 3 to be released in October 2026, and an anime film also planned for release in December 2026.
黄泉のツガイ | Yomi no Tsugai | Daemons of the Shadow Realm based on the manga by Hiromu Arakawa
Manga summary: "In a world where certain humans command mighty supernatural duos called Daemons, it is the birthright of "the children who sunder day and night"—twins Yuru and Asa—to rule over these powerful entities.
Separated from a young age and unaware of the truth of their birth, brother and sister must fight to make their way back to each other, claim their birthright, and save the world..."
The manga is available in English via Square Enix. The anime is currently airing.
I wrote an Ivan/Asuma fanfic for the series.
葬送のフリーレン | Sōsō no Furīren | Frieren: Beyond Journey's End based on the manga by Kanehito Yamada and illustrated by Tsukasa Abe
Manga summary: "Decades after their victory, the funeral of one her friends confronts Frieren with her own near immortality. Frieren sets out to fulfill the last wishes of her comrades and finds herself beginning a new adventure…"
The manga is available in English via Viz, and is currently in indefinite hiatus (though the English translation is ongoing). Season 2 of the anime recently concluded, and is available to stream on Crunchyroll. Season 3 is set to air in October 2027.
I wrote some fanfic for the series.
やか貴族の休暇のすすめ。 | Odayaka Kizoku no Kyūka no Susume | A Gentle Noble's Vacation Recommendation based on the light novel by Misaki, with light novel illustrations and character designs by Sando, and adapted into a manga by Momochi
Manga summary: "When Lizel mysteriously finds himself in a city that bears odd similarities to his own but clearly isn't, he quickly comes to terms with the unlikely truth: this is an entirely different world. Even so, laid-back Lizel isn't the type to panic. He immediately sets out to learn more about this strange place, and to help him do so, hires a seasoned adventurer named Gil as his tour guide and protector.
Until he's able to find a way home, Lizel figures this is a perfect opportunity to explore a new way of life adventuring as part of a guild. After all, he's sure he'll go home eventually... might as well enjoy the otherworldly vacation for now!"
The light novel is free to read in Japanese (there is no official English translation). The manga is available to read in English via Tokyopop (Volumes 1-10). The anime concluded and is available to stream on Crunchyroll (it stopped around chapter 33 of the light novel/volume 6 of the manga).
I wrote a Gil/Lizel fanfic for this.
ギヴン | Given based on the manga by Natsuki Kizu
Manga summary: "Ritsuka Uenoyama is bored with it all—with school, with his basketball club, and even with his one true passion: playing guitar. That is, until the day he finds his favorite hidden napping spot occupied by a strange boy cradling a broken-stringed guitar. At first, Uenoyama is nonplussed by Mafuyu Sato and his slightly odd behavior, but when, on a whim, he asks Mafuyu to sing, the power of that song pierces him to the core."
The manga is available to read in English via Sublime, and has been adapted into an anime and three animated movies, as well as a live-action drama.
I wrote a crossover fanfic for this with Wing (Hunter X Hunter)/Murata Ugetsu.
ガンバレ! 中村くん!! | GANBARE! NAKAMURA-KUN!! | Go For It, Nakamura-kun!! by Syundei
Manga summary: "Nakamura is a shy and painfully awkward boy who has fallen in love at first sight with his dreamy classmate, Hirose. But there’s one problem: they haven’t even met! And that may be for the best, at least in Nakamura’s eyes. After all, he’s a total klutz that could totally bungle things before they even begin! But when he finally gets a chance to speak one-on-one with Hirose, will his worries cease or will he make a spectacular mess?"
The manga is available in English via Seven Seas and the anime is currently airing.
I wrote a Nakamura Okuto/Hirose Aiki fanfic set after the end of volume 2 of the manga.
カラオケ行こ! | Karaoke Iko! | Let's Go Karaoke! and 夢中さ、きみに。 | Muchū sa, Kimi ni | Captivated, by you based on the manga by Yama Wayama
LGK manga summary: "Nothing worries Satomi Oka more than the upcoming final choir competition of his middle school career -- right up until he is accosted by a stranger from the shadows who demands, “Let’s go karaoke!” As a yakuza, Kyouji Narita doesn’t scare easily, but a terrifying prospect has driven him to seek Satomi’s help. The boss is holding a karaoke contest, with the loser forced to get a tattoo to be selected and torturously applied by the boss himself! Oka has been to many vocal rehearsals over the years, but never one-on-one karaoke sessions with a gangster!!"
CBY manga summary: "Hayashi’s frank, guileless demeanor quietly draws the attention of classmates and strangers as he counts all the stairs in school, photographs street signs, and dries sweet potatoes on the classroom balcony. In a world shaped by conformity, Hayashi is refreshingly and unapologetically true to himself. Conversely, Nikaidou has worked very hard to perfect a gloomy, dour façade that keeps his classmates far, far away. While much of the school regards Nikaidou as a bad omen, one student catches a glimpse behind the mask and-undeterred by rumors of bad luck and supernatural powers-begins to pick away Nikaidou’s carefully crafted persona…"
Let's Go Karaoke! is available as a manga via Yen Press, as is Captivated, by you. The anime adapted both manga into one series, and is complete. The sequel to Let's Go Karaoke!, Famiresu Iko, is complete and available in Japanese. There's been no announcement that Yen Press will translate it. Let's Go Karaoke! was also adapted into a live-action movie.
I wrote a fanfic set after the end of Famiresu Iko.
夏目友人帳 | Natsume Yūjin-chō | Natsume's Book of Friends based on the manga by Yuki Midorikawa
Manga summary: "When Reiko was Takashi's age, she bound the names of demons and spirits in her Book of Friends, enslaving them to her capricious whim. Now Takashi is the owner of the book, and the creatures will do anything to get their names back."
The manga is ongoing and available in English via VIZ. Season 7 of the anime aired in 2024.
異世界の沙汰は社畜次第 | Isekai Office Worker: The Other World's Books Depend on the Bean Counter by Yatsuki Wakatsu, with light novel illustrations and character design by Kikka Ohashi, adapted into a manga by Kazuki Irodori
Light novel summary: "One day, twenty-nine-year-old accountant Seiichirou Kondou is accidentally transported to another world. As compensation, the Romany Kingdom promises to take care of all his living expenses, but the workaholic Seiichirou still asks for a job. Once he’s placed in the Royal Accounting Department, he starts whipping his lackadaisical colleagues into shape. But when he gets in over his head and nearly dies from overwork, the handsome Commander Aresh steps in to save him, and the two develop a unique physical relationship… as a form of medical treatment?!"
The light novel (volumes 1-3) and manga adaptation (volumes 1-6) are available in English via Yen Press. Yen Press has not yet said anything about translating light novel volume 4, which released in Japanese in April 2026, or manga volume 7, which released in Japanese in October 2025. The anime adaptation is complete (though it only adapted part of light novel volumes 1-2/manga volumes 1-6).
I've written a couple Aresh Indolark/Kondou Seiichirou fanfics for this.
プロメア | Promare
Summary: "Thirty years have passed since the appearance of the Burnish, a race of flame-wielding mutant beings, who destroyed half of the world with fire. When a new group of aggressive mutants calling themselves Mad Burnish appears, the epic battle between Galo Thymos, a new member of the anti-Burnish rescue team Burning Rescue, and Lio Fotia, the leader of Mad Burnish, begins."
I saw this in theaters when it first came out, but I rewatched it again recently and it's still a lot of fun :3
나 혼자만 레벨업 | Solo Leveling based on the light novel by Chugong, and adapted into a manhwa by Dubu
Light novel summary: "E-rank hunter Jinwoo Sung has no money, no talent, and no prospects to speak of-and apparently, no luck, either! When he enters a hidden double dungeon one fateful day, he’s abandoned by his party and left to die at the hands of some of the most horrific monsters he’s ever encountered. But just before the last, fatal blow… PING! [Congratulations on becoming a Player.]"
The light novel is complete and available in English via Yen Press. The manhwa is complete and available online via Tapas and Tappytoon, and as an ebook and physical release via Yen Press. The sequel, Solo Leveling: Ragnarok, is ongoing and available as a novel via Tapas. Its manhwa adaptation is available online via Tapas and as an ebook and physical release via Yen Press. There are two video games for it, as well. Seasons 1 and 2 of the anime are complete, and there's been no announcement on the release of further seasons (season 2 concludes in light novel volume 4/manhwa volume 7).
I've written a Sung Jinwoo/Choi Jongin fanfic for this.
Spy x Family based on the manga by Tatsuya Endo
Manga summary: "Not one to depend on others, Twilight has his work cut out for him procuring both a wife and a child for his mission to infiltrate an elite private school. What he doesn’t know is that the wife he’s chosen is an assassin and the child he’s adopted is a telepath!"
The manga is ongoing and available in English via Viz. Season 3 of the anime aired in 2025, and an OVA for the series aired in 2023. There's been no announcement about season 4.
I wrote a Loid/Yuri fanfic for this.
この男子、魔法がお仕事です。 | This Boy is a Professional Wizard
"Chiharu is the wizard in charge of the magical crisis counter-measure division. His days are stressful until he meets Toyohi at his favorite bar, and the two hit it off. The two begin a budding relationship, until an accident at work causes Chiharu to devote more time to his work, and begin to push Toyohi away."
とんがり帽子のアトリエ | Tongari Bōshi no Atorie | Witch Hat Atelier based on the manga by Kamome Shirahama
Manga summary: "In a world where everyone takes wonders like magic spells and dragons for granted, Coco is a girl with a simple dream: She wants to be a witch. But everybody knows magicians are born, not made, and Coco was not born with a gift for magic. Resigned to her un-magical life, Coco is about to give up on her dream to become a witch…until the day she meets Qifrey, a mysterious, traveling magician. After secretly seeing Qifrey perform magic in a way she’s never seen before, Coco soon learns what everybody “knows” might not be the truth, and discovers that her magical dream may not be as far away as it may seem…"
The manga is ongoing and available in English via Kodansha, along with the spin-off series, Witch Hat Atelier Kitchen. The anime is currently airing.
イエスかノーか半分か | Yes ka No ka Hanbun ka | Yes, No, or Maybe? based on the light novel by Michi Ichiho, with art by Lala Takemiya, and adapted into a manga by Yukimura
Light novel summary: "Kunieda Kei is the up-and-coming Prince Charming of the evening news. Inside, he’s the opposite: brash, hot-tempered, and prickly as can be. For years, Kei has successfully juggled his private and professional personas—until a chance meeting with a stop motion animator threatens to bring it all crashing down. But is that really as frightening as the possibility that someone might love and accept both sides of who he is?"
The light novel is complete at three volumes, and available in English via Seven Seas. The animated movie adapts light novel volume 1, and is available in English. The manga is ongoing, and also available in English via Seven Seas.
鎧真伝サムライトルーパー | Yoroi-Shinden Samurai Troopers
Summary: "When the seal of the Demon Realm shatters, demon soldiers surge into the Human World, tearing through everything in their path. Five young warriors rise to meet the invasion, summoning their legendary armor and charging headfirst into battle. With every clash, they cut through the invading demon hordes, unleashing their power to drive the invasion back. They are… the Samurai Troopers!"
YSST has one completed cour and is available on Crunchyroll. Cour 2 is planned to release in July 2026. The original series, Yoroiden Samurai Troopers, is available on multiple platforms, including Tubi. YSST is the sequel.
Official Upload Series Trailer 2020 | Subscribe ➤ http://abo.yt/ki | Robbie Amell Series Trailer | Release: 1 May 2020 on Amazon Prime Video | More https://K...
Rewatching Upload... y’all it’s SO SO good even the second time around, I can’t stop. So many funny moments, the romance development is peak and the embedded philosophical discourse is so deep you don’t even notice until all the questions start swirling in your brain. I can’t wait for season two.
