Emma A Victorian Romance

End of January Update 1/31/21

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Hey guys,

Is it just me or is the weather still kinda nasty outside? Right when I thought spring was on her way, we had a snowstorm that left us trapped indoors for a few days. It’s wild how one snow day can throw off an entire week, am I right? Anyway, I hope the weather is a lot warmer wherever you are reading this from.

In case you missed my big blog update of 2021, I’m thrilled to let you know that I’m returning to my traditional monthly updates that I used to do for years during the start of the blog! Along with making me more active on here, it’s also a nice return-to-form for me, given that I want to get back into the spirit of blogging and all. Anyway, let’s check out what I’ve been enjoying this past month.

Goal Reflection

Write Five Posts Each Month | With the publishing of this post tonight, I will have accomplished this goal for January!

Review More Anime | I published two anime reviews this month, one for Maria the Virgin Witch and another for Akudama Drive. More anime reviews to come.

Continue Writing Manga Reflections | I didn’t have much time to read manga in January. BUT, I did finish volume 10 of Yona of the Dawn this weekend, so hopefully I’ll have more Yona content for you all.

Write Posts for Video Content | Aside from the latest video over the BLACKPINK online concert, all of my videos have been uploaded here as blog posts. I do hope someone has been enjoying them. 🙂

Achieve 750 Followers | WE JUST HIT 700 FOLLOWERS A COUPLE DAYS AGO. Thank you so much for all the love and support!!! I think it’d be so cool to do something fun to celebrate, but I’m not sure what. (Or, if I should wait until the 750 milestone.) Regardless, many thanks again!! ^ . ^

What I’ve Watched

Emma: A Victorian Romance — If you’ll recall my recent video showcasing all the rewards I received from the Emma Kickstarter, you may remember that Nozomi Entertainment and RightStuf successfully crowdfunded an authentic English dub to go along with this 18th century Victorian romance. And guess what? It’s. AMAZING. I love it so much, it’s too perfect. Definitely planning on revisiting this title in a post, either to reflect on its intricate character drama or simply rave about the English dub!

Psychic School Wars — An odd little film about young love and time travel. Simply Gee and I talked about it briefly on Twitter. Yeah, it’s pretty, but the plot is all over the place. I may review it, but I’m more so happy that I finally got around to watching the Blu-ray on my shelf.

Maria the Virgin Witch — This Blu-ray watch turned out much better. In fact, I share my pleasantries with this title in my review (which you can read right here)!

MAGATSU WARHEIT — A terrible mutant-changing disease ravages through the land when a secret government project goes wrong. This series follows two boys on opposite sides of the discourse. I like the angle, but I couldn’t help but feel I was missing something critical about the plot . . . like, why is the MC all aged up in the poster, yet young in the series? I think this anime is a prequel project for the game. It was an ok watch.

Attack on Titan Final Season — Ironically, this one has a similar plot to the previous title. BUT THIS ONE’S DOIN’ THINGS RIGHT, lemme tell you! If you’re not watching AoT this season, I dare say that YES, you are in fact missing out on an epic in the making (to quote Funi on the series). Every episode is more mind-blowing than the one that came before, and I can’t believe it’ll all end here in a month or two!

The Promised Neverland Season 2 — Unlike the first season which knew exactly where it was going from the first episode, The Promised Neverland S2 got off to a weird start. It introduced some characters, then left them behind (?), so IDK if they’ll come back or not. The latest episode was more promising (heh) than the others, so I’ll still stick it out for the kids.

Wonder Egg Priority — Aside from AoT, this little curiosity is by far my favorite watch of the season. Each episode brings with it much emotional baggage, but also equally satisfying payoff as we watch young girls help each other combat their worst fears. With fluid yet trippy visuals and a bright color palette livening the scene, Wonder Egg borders on the creepy, the dreamy, and the sublime of what anime can deliver.

Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation — I know I’m not supposed to like this show to the extent that I do, yet here we are. While I don’t appreciate the MC’s personality, I can acknowledge the growth and development his character is undergoing in this other world. The series is also very well animated, especially during the spell-casting scenes. OKAY, and Rudeus is kind of a cutie. Only in that childlike cute sort of way. Sue me.

Skate-Leading Stars — Ahhh yes, a trashy shounen sports anime with semi-quality animation and 110% teenage ANGST. I’m clearly at home with this title. The latest episode really places Maeshima on a pedestal, and I don’t like that (I’m #TeamKubota all the way!), so I hope my boy Kubota will get to shine on his own in the episodes to come.

Horimiya — I finally got around to watching the first episode the other day and I can already tell this one’s gonna make my heart melt. I love the character designs, and I think Miyamura being bad at so many things (yet lookin’ so fine with all his tattoos and piercings) is absolutely hilarious. We also stan Hori as #BossMom, so Horimiya pretty much wins on all accounts for me!

Galaxy Express 999 — Currently on hold. Will revisit when I want to moan about the sadness of deep space.

What I’ve Read

At Night, I Become a Monster — I took to Insta to talk my thoughts out for this one. Yoru Sumino of Pancreas novel and anime fame has written a novel that tackles the issue of bullying in an interesting way. In a Kafkaesque manner, our protagonist Adachi finds himself waking up at night transforming into a terrifying monster. But, every morning, he reverts back to his shy, nonconfrontational school boy self. When Yano Satsuki, the subject of his class’ bullying and hatred, witnesses his transformation, however, the two form a peculiar bond. Never had I finished a book that I so quickly wanted to pick back up again and reread. I’ll have to review this one for sure.

Yona of the Dawn Volume 10 — Tae-jun catches wind that the object of his affection, Princess Yona, had actually survived her perilous fall—and that she’s roped up with a group of bandits!? Yona continues to win my heart. When I read the next two volumes, I’ll do a recap of all three together.

Night on the Galactic Railroad — Yes, it’s the classic Japanese fantasy novel by Kenji Miyazawa! I picked up a copy of the anthology by One Peace Books and I’m slowly making my way through it. 🙂

A lot of material’s been covered in January, and I hope to keep up this pace as we enter February. My last semester of uni will no doubt get tougher, but we’ll make it through, as we have these past 7 semesters (and every year of high school before this). Time sure flies, doesn’t it? I hope you’re all staying warm and keeping busy with your favorite anime, manga, games, music—what have you. The winter 2021 simulcast season is especially exciting, a little something there for everyone to enjoy. You ought to let me know what you’re watching down in the comments!

Thank you so much for reading and for following along with this blog of mine. I do love writing for you all, and I look forward to the next post!

– Takuto

“Emma: A Victorian Romance” Kickstarter Rewards!

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Emma is HERE!! 👏✨

Hey guys, I’ve got a super exciting video for you today that I’ve been waiting so long to fill! This is the “haul” of Kickstarter rewards I received for backing RightStuf and Nozomi’s English dub of Emma: A Victorian Romance.

Although I didn’t opt for everything the KS had to offer, I’m so satisfied with what I received. Let me know if you participated in the Kickstarter, as well as if you plan to pick up the series once it gets released to the regular anime Blu-ray market!

Interested in more anime, manga, or K-pop content? Subscribe to stick around!

Thanks for watching~!

– Takuto

Let’s Go Traveling! Five Fall Vacation Spots in Anime || The Animanga Festival

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Hello all, and welcome to my second official entry in The Animanga Festival, hosted by Auri and Nairne over at Manga Toritsukareru Koto!

Today we’re going on a vacation, all expenses paid, throughout anime—and right from the comfort of your own screen! Just as the title says, here we’ve got a few of my favorite anime hot spots I’d love to visit. I even themed our trip for the fall season just to add that realistic flair (you’re welcome). There’s a long journey ahead of us, so strap in, and let’s go traveling.

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Delight in the Refined English Air of Endor College

Mary and the Witch’s Flower

I know school is THE last place you want to be when on vacation, but hear me out: Most college campuses are beautiful in the fall, and Endor College is no exception. Although England is technically known for its smoggy air, this prestigious university floats high in the clouds, hidden from view.

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At Endor College, young witches learn about all things magic through their fantastical studies and whimsical teachers, not unlike Hogwarts. We may even bump into the famous headmistress, Madam Mumblechook, or the wacky Doctor Dee! College is a time of new beginnings—that’s why we’re starting here, and I hope you have a magical time.

Immerse Yourself in the Atmosphere of Victorian England

Emma: A Victorian Romance

Fall is Victorian weather. Rainy days, cloudy nights, always cool, and always busy preparing for winter. While we’re still in England, let’s make a stop at one of the luxurious estates the region is known for. Have you ever wished you could travel back in time and see what life was like for a wealthy and noble Victorian family? Well, now you can! Take your pick at touring and temporarily staying at the Jones Estate that the titular Emma loves visiting, the elegant Mölders Estate in Yorkshire, the traditional Campbell Estate in London, and other estates featured in the series—they’re all lovely, and very well-maintained by a hardworking team of maids, servants, butlers, cooks, and the like!

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Take a walk through their sprawling maze gardens, enjoy an elaborate and authentic feast in the great hall—just make sure to mind your manners at this stop. Remember, we are their honored guests. And who knows, you might even get the opportunity to dance with a handsome nobleman or fair noblewoman at one of the magnificent balls!

Room At the Nicest Lodging Ever in the Kind Country

Kino’s Journey

Not sure where it’s located, but here we are at our next stop: the Country of the Kind up in the mountains. Everyone who lives here seeks a life of kindness and respect, making them just about the nicest populace for a town you could ever stop through. The small country prides itself on its rich culture and village ancestry, which is reflected in intricate Italian architecture of this mountainside city. Take a walk down the spiraling cobblestone roads and admire the gorgeous fall forestry surrounding the country while munching on flaky, freshly baked pastries. The sweet cinnamon aroma of pastry shops is to die for!

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The famous traveler Kino regards this stop as one of the few that fellow travelers have actually been tempted to end their journeys at to start a new living here. The only caveat? Three nights is all we get, for then WOOSH, this village is gone, and nothing but wistful memories will remain. To say the least, it’ll be one country you’ll certainly never forget.

Witness Legendary Creatures Fly Freely in the Land of the Dragons 

The Ancient Magus’ Bride

I don’t know about you, but I’ve always been a dragon kid at heart. Our second to last stop is probably the most exciting on this list, especially if you, too, have wanted to see one of these beasts up close and personal. Who knows—maybe you’ll even get to fly with one and gaze down at the luscious landscape below.

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Gushing waterfalls, scenic nature hiking trails, and colorful dragons everywhere! Playing with the young dragons IS encouraged, so be sure to treat them to a few minutes of your time. Magic is in the air in the enchanting land of the dragons, so saddle up and get ready to soar in the clouds with one of nature’s most incredible creations.

Soak in the Ancient Waters of the Jusenkyo Hot Springs

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While we spent a good portion of this vacation touring places in Europe, I would be remissed if I didn’t allow us to spend our final destination relaxing at a hot springs. Taking us all the way out to the Bayankala Mountain range in China, this springs in particular carries with it an ancient history. Since long ago, people and animals have underestimated the water’s depths and have drowned in the various springs that make up Jusenkyo. As such, when a person mistakenly falls into one of these cursed springs, they might find themselves transforming into the creature of lore that drowned there.

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However, not all of the springs are cursed—but you should still stay close to the rocks! May relaxing in the springs, training with skilled martial artists, and admiring the natural landscapes of ancient China sooth your soul, strengthen your body, as well as rejuvenate your mind. And with that, our trip is complete!

How’s this for a travel itinerary through some of my favorite places in anime? Is this a vacation trip you’d be willing to go on? To keep with the fall theme (and not be as cliche as possible), I left out a TON of top-tier destinations. So, what other places in anime or manga do you think would be beautiful to visit in the fall? I’d love to hear your suggestions in the comments! ‘Till the next festival post!

– Takuto, your host