Blake Planty - Archive Writer Profile »
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ESSAY: Taming Self-Image in BEASTARS
It's a wild world out there
Under the fur, theatre kid drama, and high school backdrop, Beastars is a fiercely sincere depiction of what it means to find self-acceptance. Hit the jump for more.
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ESSAY: The Magic of Kyoto Animation's Cosplay Love Affair
Can a cute dress save the world? Yes
What do rock 'n roll, dragons, teatime, and otaku all have in common? Cosplay, and lots of it. Hit the jump for more!
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FEATURE: Celebrating Kiki's Delivery Service and the Art of Being a Girl Witch
What's magic got to do with it?
On the 31st anniversary of Kiki's Delivery Service, it's time to ask: What actually makes a good witch?
Hit the jump to find out!
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From Bakeneko to Bakemonogatari: The Secret History of Catgirls
What's a catgirl to a nya-believer?
Where in the world did catgirls come from and what does it have to do with kabuki, ghosts, and horror movies? The truth is hairier than you think. Let's take a deep dive into the world of yokai and a passion for animal ears on cute girls and find out!
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The Bizarre Claymation History Lesson You Can Watch on Crunchyroll
Welcome to a surreal Olympics across time and space
The 1964 Tokyo Summer Olympics and ancient Greece might not be so different after all.
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The Beauty of Takako Shimura's Queer Slice-of-Life
Is everyday life nothing but flowers?
Sweet Blue Flowers and Wandering Son go beyond the surface level of day-to-day life and into the wonderous highs and bitter lows of LGBTQIA+ adolescence.
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What I Learned After 'Outgrowing' Card Game Anime
You activated my trap card! Angst and drama!
I thought I outgrew card game anime, but the truth is I've always loved a brilliant duel for honor, glory, and bragging rights. But what do these series have in common with the evergreen competitive sports anime genre — and why in the world do I keep coming back to these series years later? Hit the jump to find out.
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What Makes a Hikikomori Hero?
No man is an island ... But that doesn't mean he can't try
The shut-in hikikomori protagonist may seem like a nobody, but behind that fortress of solitude hides a truly unique type of hero.
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Who Are the Best 'Bad' Teachers of Anime?
It's time to get educated about these unlikely homeroom heroes!
On this Teacher's Day, we take time to look at some of the most legendary teachers to ever grace the classroom. Did your favorite make the cut?
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Donyatsu is a Sweet, Unexpected Surprise
May I offer you an adorable donut cat for a sweet slice-of-apocalyptic-life?
Post-apocalyptic landscape? Check. Donut-shaped cats? Check. Even in the end times, just vibing is still perfectly valid. Donyatsu suggests we all chillax. Read on for more about this delightful gem!
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How Isekai Took Cyberpunk’s Role in Anime
Or how I stopped worrying and learned to love another world
How far has cyberpunk anime come in recent years, and where does it go from here? The next generation of cyberpunk anime is already here and we might not even know it!
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Is Dio a Real Vampire?
It's time to take Dio back to vampire school!
Dio Brando is best known for stopping time and gorgeous hair, but is he really that great of a vampire? How do you even judge a vampire? By how much blood they drink? By how much they sparkle? Like everything in JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, vampires might actually be more bizarre than they seem.
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Why "Bad" Dubs Are Good
What makes a "bad" dub good and how has dubbing anime changed over the years?
Anime dubs have changed a lot, but what makes the "bad" ones "good" and how can we love them so much? Ever since the 90s, weird, funny, and downright crude anime dubs have existed. But although they may be different, they bring a whole new perspective to some of our favorite shows. Hit the jump to find out how!
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Embracing Osamu Tezuka's Love For The Surreal
In the shadow of Astro Boy, Osamu Tezuka's adult manga still continue to speak to us.
Everyone knows about Astro Boy, Princess Knight, and Kimba—but what about Osamu Tezuka's fearless adult work? Let's celebrate Tezuka's birthday with a look at some of his most ambitious manga.
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Satoshi Kon Will Always Be in Our Memories
Long before Perfect Blue, Satoshi Kon was already showing us the unsettling side of the human mind
Nearly a decade after his passing, Satoshi Kon's earliest works are still changing our lives. Beginning as an assistant to Akira artist Katushiro Otomo, Kon quickly set the world ablaze with his mind-bending animation and directing. Read more about how Satoshi Kon and his works after the jump!
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