Hi all ^.^

February has come and gone in a sprint. While I’ve been fully immersed in anime-related activities, I’ve also been stretched thin as my annual March anime con draws near. Let’s revisit my 2026 blog goals, what I’ve been currently watching, and other things that have occupied the Lunar New Year month.

Blog Goals

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1. Make it to the end of the year with all 12 monthly updates posted. We’re 2 for 2, even if I’m technically uploading this on March 1.

2. Finish a few projects I had started/continued in 2025. I reeaalllly need to finish my daily vlogs for last year’s Japan trip. When I started, they were fairly short posts, but then they started getting longer as I added more details from various events and activities. I ought to go back to short ‘n sweet if it means finishing it up.

3. Watch my entire physical backlog of anime. This year’s Lunar New Year Special, Chihayafuru, is helping me accomplish this. That said, I did just order a couple Blu-rays from the Crunchyroll Store sale. Give and take, ya know?

4. Write a reflection post for at least one anime each month. I was ABOUT to have a Chihayafuru post ready, but I decided to opt for Love Through a Prism instead. Now I simply need to write the post . . . It should be out soon, so March will have at least 2 anime reflection posts.

5. Watch at last 26 anime released from 2021 to 2025 (not including films). FIVE so far! Godzilla S.P., Lord of Mysteries, Fire Force Season 3 Part 1, Ranma 1/2 (2024) 2nd Season, and Love Through a Prism.

Recently Watching

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Fire Force Season 3 Part 1 – An exhilarating follow-up to season 2. Although they share the same director, season 3 supports much of the same wacky, cinematic symbolism of season 1, which I personally prefer. I own the manga and have read it to completion, and I’m continually astounded at how David Production adapts this nearly frame-for-frame, maintaining the energy and spirit of the manga even at a breakneck pace. If content got cut, I honestly couldn’t tell you what did. I’ve brazenly upheld Fire Force as the next great 60-ish episode “COMPLETE” shounen epic, a kind of Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood which defines this current generation (flaws and all). So long as Part 2 stays the course, I won’t have to eat my words. And the scene where Captain Obi hoists a battle-exhausted Shinra on his back? TEARS to mortal mens’ eyes.

Ranma 1/2 (2024) 2nd Season – I love, love, LOVE Ranma. Always have, always will. The Netflix-produced Mappa remake’s second season introduces Ukyo, my favorite okanomiyaki-flipping fighter, as well as the gremlin panty thief Happosai. It’s so weird watching Happosai’s perverted antics outside the context of the 90s, but here we are – uncensored and uncut. With less time to mill around than the classic animated series, however, the Ranma remake moves at a good clip to maintain comedic timing and dramatic reactions. Genuinely, the remake makes me giggle at nearly every gag. Either that or shake my head in involuntary solidarity with the series’ own characters. I’m sincerely hoping that 2026 will bring a season 3 announcement. It would be such a shame to leave Ranma and Akane where the 2nd season’s curtain closes.

A Place Further Than the Universe (REWATCH) – After finally getting my hands on the Blu-ray from Shout Factory/Anime Limited, I’d been begging my schedule for a chance to plug YoriMoi back in, my first revisit since 2018. Some of the more emotional bits seemed slightly less resonant this time around, though that could be for three separate reasons: 1) Different me of then vs. now; 2) I knew the “twists” coming; 3) I gave the English dub a shot this time. It’s likely that this third reason is the culprit, not because the dub cast is poor but more so that the original Japanese audio is that amazing. Saori Hayami voices Yuzuki Shiraishi, and I’m biased for this actress through her role as the band club president from Sound! Euphonium, saxophonist Haruka Ogasawara. Regardless, I’m set to go to an anime con this March (more info down below) where two of the English dub actors will be there, so this was also an exercise in prepping myself for the con. Whether dubbed or subbed, YoriMoi remains inspirational for my travel ambitions. (Though I was shocked to remember that they don’t actually *arrive* at Antarctica until, like, 7 or 8 episodes in! In my memory, they were there by ep 3!)

Love Through a Prism – As the years go on, it’s increasingly rare that a new anime breaks into my favorites list. Any imagined top 25, 50, or 10 has long since been solidified and colored by the rosy lens of nostalgia. Then comes along Love Through a Prism to completely change my mind. I don’t think it’s a very fitting localized title (nor is the original Prism Rondo any better IMO), but that’s just about my only complaint with this historical romance drama animated by Wit Studio. The animation combines the sharp, hyper-detailed polish of Lord of Mysteries (i.e., the “new high quality” look) with the period drama elegance of Violet Evergarden or Emma: A Victorian Romance. Wit’s always featured sprawling, hand-painted landscape background arts in its titles. For an anime about painting and the art of creation, I need to have an art book on my shelf ASAP! And the monochromatic visuals for the timeskip? *chef’s kiss*

I also watched this one dubbed BECAUSE it had English accents, and can I say that Lili Ichijoin is just THE most adorable Japanese transfer student in an Edwardian London that I’ve ever had the pleasure of following. Her enduring personality reminds me of Tohru from Fruits Basket – combined with the whimsy and forwardness of a Castlevania character. And then there’s the rest of the cast: the shamelessly prideful sculptor Joffrey O’Brien, the ridiculously outgoing go-getter (and Lili’s kind-hearted dorm mate) Dorothy Brown, the charismatic artist and economics whiz Peter Anthony, the cute boy-next-door Shin, the domineering Lady Catherine, and the local space cadet and academy heartthrob himself KIT motha-fkin CHURCH. God how I’ll miss this fantastic, unique, and talented crew of college students. Oh yeah, REAL ANIME COLLEGE STUDENTS. I really felt like I bonded with each of them during Lili’s time as a student at Saint Thomas Art Academy.

If you’re at all interested in art, historical dramas, or cross-class romances, you owe it to yourself to watch this one. It might join your favorites list, too. And the premise is an instant sell: Lili Ichijoin is allowed to pursue her art abroad, but unless she makes the top of the class, she’ll be forced to return home to run the family’s traditional kimono boutique in Japan.

Chihayafuru – Speaking of admirable students whom I only wish the absolute best for in life . . . Awkward, passionate Chihaya and her karuta club members are all my children. The closest spiritual comparison of this show that comes to mind is Haikyuu!! When you’re able to convince me that a sport/hobby that I’ve got no initial stake in whatsoever is somehow the single most compelling, soul-binding activity on this planet, you’ve earned a respectful win. My favorite parts are actually when the histories of the classic text and language intersect with the major themes of an episode or a character’s struggle. As such, Kanade is a top contender for fave character. But I also adore Taichi cause, well, he’s Taichiiiiii: a hottie, dreamy and smooth, yet also still sorting out his passions. And he’s cOMPLETELY AND HELPLESSLY DEVOTED TO CHIHAYA OHMYGOD I’M NORMAL ABOUT THEM. Eherm. Get it together, Eyelashes – I’m rootin’ for YOU!

I’ll have more to report once I’ve finished the second season. Right now, I’m 15 episodes in, which means only 10 eps left in S2 and all 24 eps of S3. I’d like to do S3 on Blu-ray, but IDK when the next Sentai sale will be. If I don’t get to S3 as part of 2026’s Lunar New Year Special, know that it’ll be the first priority once I get my hands on the BD. Chihaya, you’re a keeper~!

Anime Concerts and Con Prep

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Violet Evergarden Live Concert

Around Valentine’s Day, I had the pleasure of visiting the city to catch the Violet Evergarden Live Concert Tour. In addition to a live orchestra performing scores from the series/films while scenes from the anime were projected on screen, the vocalists for the series’ opening, ending, and insert songs also gave performances with the ensemble. Put simply, the three ladies are amazing. Evan Call’s scores for Violet Evergarden are already emotionally charged. In the dark of the concert hall, I was swept up by the orchestra and vocals. And now I want to rewatch all of it. Which, you know, I totally have the time for.

Genshin Impact – Lantern Rite 2026

For the past 5 years, I’ve celebrated the Lunar New Year celebration in Genshin with its annual Lantern Rite tradition. I thought the story pacing was a bit lacking in the end, especially compared to 2024 (11 OUT OF 10) and 2025 (STILL REALLY GOOD). But when the harbor is alight with glowing amber lanterns and the sky full of fireworks, my complaints matter little when considering we welcomed the main star of this year’s tale – Zibai, the graceful envoy from the moon. Zibai marks my first 5-star character to go C1 within a single banner. Like Xianyun, she’s an adeptus whose wisdom, charm, and attitude I’m completely smitten by. Since the festival concluded, I’ve been milling around Piramida, exploring the northern isle of Nod-Krai for the first time and getting cozy with Illuga, heh.

Making Cosplay

Each year around now, my hobbies tend to take the back seat so that I can prep for the anime con I like attending in March. I’ve got three cosplays lined up: Ryoga (from Ranma 1/2), whom I’ve done before so this one’s a breeze; Shinra/Hinawa (from Fire Force), of which I’ve also done but need to decide which of these two characters I want to do again; and Kinich (from Genshin Impact), whom I trialed last year with just the clothes. This year, I’ve been working on making his signature weapon, “Fang of the Mountain King,” a giant claymore of EVA foam with built-in LEDs. Above are a few progress pics. I ran out of contact cement (oops), so my goal is to finish the build by the end of next week. I usually post cosplay photos on my Instagram, so follow @ takutoac if you’re interested!

I’ll have that Prism Rondo post out hopefully sooner rather than later. ‘Til then, let me know what you watched this February or if you did something fun. Thanks for reading!

– Takuto