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Last edit: 2021-12-27
I try to add enlightening commentary, but let's face it:
I'm far from perfect.

For cartoons that are not listed in the encyclopedia please click here.
    EDIT: 2020-12-31
    I have seen two three videos that examine the concept of "classics" from distinctly different perspectives:
  1. Gigguk | Garnt Maneetapho

  2. Mother's Basement | Geoff Thew

  3. Bonsai Pop | Mike ?
EDIT: 2020-04-11
In this video YouTube user Gigguk (Garnt Maneetapho) talks about SAO in the context of gateway anime.
    2 Videos That Share a Common Theme:
  1. "The Greatest Thing Anime Has Done"|Gigguk (Garnt Maneetapho)
  2. "A Love Letter to a Place Further than the Universe" | Isla McTear (Line/link added 2020-06-24)
EDIT: 2020-06-10
3 Different Perspectives On the Importance of The Ending EDIT: 2021-05-10
Geoff Thew ("Mother's Basement") has a fascinating video essay on the concept of "sakuga".
EDIT: 2021-12-27
10 Anime That Are Fantastic But Hard To Recommend
Anime only continues to get more and more mainstream, but these are 10 anime we wouldn't want to recommend even though they're great.
By Jacob Buchalter
(posted on cbr.com on 2020, Mar 30)
Seen/Read All (public list) Rating
My Neighbor Totoro (movie) Excellent
2020-06-17
I had no idea that I had never rated this movie before -- and I've even seen it in a theater! But I do not recall if I've seen the dub. I'm not rating it at 11/11 because I'm not a young child.
My-HiME (TV) Very good (dub & sub)
Rise of the Dark Magical Girls
  • A second viewing of the series is required in order to understand and appreciate the hidden meanings of all of the exhibited mannerisms and allusions of and by the various characters "in the know". Also, the very last scene alludes to the spin-off series.....
  • I would have rated it higher; but so many of the girls are objectified.....
  • The OST is good! (All of it!)
My-Otome (TV) Good
The plot really doesn't get into gear until about ⅓ into the series..... Also, sexual intercourse denies the girls their agency?!
My-Otome 0~S.ifr~ (OAV) Very good
Watch this prequel AFTER watching Mai-Otome.
My-Otome Zwei (OAV) So-so
Mysteria Friends (TV) Excellent (dub & sub)

Episode length is ~15 min.s.....
  1. There seems to be a fair amount of symbolism; foreshadowing, perhaps?
  2. Grea moults and consequently/subsequently has a body image issue.
  3. I like the way Grea says "no" to Anne; quite unexpected.
  4. Anne takes Grea with her on a shopping trip; they end up sorta getting intimate on a boat.....
  5. So why are children fighting a battle on school grounds? Where are the adults?! Just watch.....
  6. It's the beach episode; need anything more be said?
  7. "Hide & Seek" (Nice graphics!)
  8. School festival episode (focus is on play)
  9. Grea & Anne are upset with each other.
  10. Bittersweet beginning (prelude to goodbye)
    The Ending is Paramount
"Mysteria Friends is this Winter's Secret Steamy Yuri Romance"|Michelle Liu & Steve Jones
Nabari no Ou (TV) Very good (dub & sub)
Napping Princess (movie) Good (dub & sub)
Pros:
    The English dub is very good.
  • The CGI is very interesting.....
  • The scene at 1:09:10 is one that emotionally resonates with me.
Cons:
  • I'm going to have to rewatch it ─ there are a number of plot elements that I don't understand. Therefore, my ranking of 10/11 for the sub version will have to be revisited.....
  • Unfortunately, the plot is a mess. In my entry for Origin ~Spirits of the Past~, I wrote:
    I love the opening sequence, but the movie ends with more of a whimper than a bang.....
    From Theron Martin's review:
    What it lacks is a soul. A lot of things that look and sound good go on, but the story has all the depth, development, and spirit of an average fantasy RPG computer game.
    This movie has the opposite problem ─ it has a soul, all right; but it lacks a compelling, overarching narrative. I really, really, really wanted to give this movie a higher ranking ─ it has so much wasted potential.
Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (movie) Excellent (dub & sub)
Negadon: The Monster from Mars (movie) So-so
Negima! (TV) Decent (dub & sub)
Neo Ranga (TV) Good (dub), Very good (sub)
It concerns three sisters and their pet god.....
1st OP

1st OP lyrics

2nd ED

Broadcast 2nd ED

2nd ED slideshow

The Most Interesting Thing About Neo Ranga

Netsuzou Trap -NTR- (TV) Excellent
12 ep.s (10 min.s/ep.)
Theron Martin's review is much better than anything that I might write.....
While the series occasionally hints at some deeper point in its storytelling or characterization, Netsuzou Trap -NTR- works best as merely trashy fun. It does have some complexities, but the show doesn't dwell on them long enough to properly examine its potential themes, clearly selling itself more on girl-on-girl sex appeal than anything else.
NieA_7 (TV) Excellent (dub & sub)
This is a quirky series. If you are looking for bright colors, fan service or action, then you will be disappointed.
Night is Short, Walk On Girl (movie) Masterpiece

1st of all, let me issue a massive caveat about my rating. This is an art house film; so your enjoyment will be in direct proportion to your tolerance for the art house genre.

  • symbolism in 1st 4½ minutes is definitely going over my head.....
  • art house film (graphics/character design, musicals/duets)
  • nice OST! (w/ the exception of the musicals/duets)
  • The musicals/duets actually improve at the end.....
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