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Last edit: 2024-6-10
Edit: 2024-6-10
It looks like I've triggered an algorithm that has identified me as someone who consistently tries to manipulate the percentages either up or down. Oh, well.....

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
Kizumonogatari Part 3: Reiketsu (movie) Masterpiece
I was mesmerized by the scene where Aragawa is returning and you just know that the other shoe is about to drop -- you just don't know exactly what it will be.
Kodomo no Jikan (TV) Good
Lolicon.
Kodomo no Jikan: Anata ga Watashi ni Kureta Mono (OAV) Good
Lolicon.
Koi Kaze (TV) Excellent (dub & sub)
Heavy on the drama; those requiring action in their anime need to look elsewhere.
Kokoro Connect (TV) Excellent (dub & sub)
I can't help but identify with the characters.....
Komi Can't Communicate (TV) Masterpiece (dub & sub)

Komi-san wa, Komyushō Desu., "Komi Has a Communication Disorder"

Notice the framing in the above image; also, please note that everyone but Komi has their mouth open while Komi is holding forth both a notebook and a pencil.


Komi Shōko


Tadano Hitohito


Osana Najimi

"It sounds like a romance anime. It also looks like a romance anime. The way the score swells when Komi and Tadano communicate via blackboard enforce that: “Yep, this is a romance”.
"And then the series continues. More characters enter the story. And it dawns on you.
"It is a comedy.
[...]
"What I want to say is: I identify with Komi
[...]."
Bright Eyed and Bushy Tailed blog

Links from Anime World Senpai

https://epicstream.com/article/how-does-komi-cant-communicate-tackle-social-anxiety
https://epicstream.com/article/where-did-komi-get-her-communication-issues-in-komi-cant-communicate
https://epicstream.com/article/how-did-komi-cant-communicate-showcase-toxic-friends
https://epicstream.com/article/komi-cant-communicate-season-1-ending-explained

"Why Komi is NOT Popular in Japan (Komi Can't Communicate)" | That Japanese Man Yuta (YouTube)

  • Mission #1
    "It's just, I wish I could speak."
    The animation is different; among other things it seems to allude to the manga's drawings.
  • Mission #2
    "It's just a childhood friend."
    Tadano Hitohito introduces Osana Najimi, who is transgendered and identifies as a girl, to Komi Shouko.
    Mission #3
    "I'm not a killer."
    Najimi decides to become Komi's 2nd friend.
    Mission #4
    "It's just my first errand."
    Najimi sends Komi to a coffee shop as an exercise; but Komi is unable to speak at all to the barista.
  • Mission #5
    "It's just stage fright."
    Mission #6
    "It's just a cell phone."
    Mission #7
    "It's just a student election."
    Mission #8
    "It's just an accidental call."
    Mission #9
    "It's just a game."
  • Mission #10
    "It's just a physical."
    Mission #11
    "It's just a crush."
  • Mission #13
    "It's just a fitness test."
    Mission #14
    "It's just veggies. Garlic. Lots of lard. Soy sauce."
    Mission #15
    "It's just a blood pact."
  • Mission #16
    "It's just a joke."
    Mission #17
    "It's just shopping."
    Mission #18
    "It's just the hair salon."
    Mission #19
    "It's just an unsettling feeling."
    Mission #20
    "It's just a study group."
    Mission #21
    "It's just summer break."
  • #22
    "It's just the pool."
    #23
    "It's just shaved ice."
    #24
    "It's just a library."
    #25
    "It's just a park."
  • #26
    "It's just Obon."
    #27
    "It's just a festival."
    #28
    "It's just the end of summer."
  • #29
    "I'm just a country girl."
    #30
    "It's just a video game."
    #31
    "It's just a part-time job."
    #32
    "It's just... something on your face."
  • #33
    "It's just sports day."
    #34
    "It's just emotional pangs."
    #35
    "It's just photo stickers."
  • #36
    "It's just a performance for the culture festival."
    #37
    "It's just festival preparations."
    #38
    "It's just flyers distribution."
    #39
    "It's just the culture festival eve."
    #40
    "It's just maids."
  • #41
    "It's just the culture festival."
    #42
    "The After-Party"
    #43
    "After-Party" Wandering Son Encyclopedia page
    6
  • Komi Can't Communicate (TV 2) Excellent (dub & sub)
      Episode Reviews
    1. The animation is extraordinary! I suspect it was to generate some online chatter.....10/11
    2. It's absolutely hysterical to see Yamai trying to see Komi's underpants! So this is basically a slice-of-life episode.....9/11
    3. Watching almost everyone miscommunicate with Komi is pretty funny! 10/11
    4. Watching the episode being presented in medias res is both funny and informative! 10/11
    5. the 1st 7½ minutes are just hysterical! And that's even more impressive when you consider that the OP didn't even start until the 3rd minute! 10/11
    6. I was smiling at the end. 10/11
    7. Komi spoke! KOMI SPOKE TO TODANO!!! 11/11
    8. This episode is both funny and touching!!! 11/11
    9. Kyoto class trip. 11/11
    10. Valentine's Day 11/11
      • It's pretty hysterical to see Yamai obsessing over a tear in Komi's tights.
      • Certain segments of this episode are weirdly animated.....
    11. Todano and Komi become flustered on White day.
      Please keep in mind that in Japanese culture that a black cat is considered to be an omen for a girl/woman to eminently become romantically involved with a boy/man. So the black cat is Komi and the tan tabby is Todano.
    KonoSuba – God’s blessing on this wonderful world!! (TV) Excellent
    Interesting plot hook; nice ED; good action sequences. The OAV has a hysterical -- if surprisingly muted -- ending.
    Kuro no Su - Chronus (movie) Masterpiece
    It's only 25 minutes -- just take the time to see if you enjoy it! (I did.)
    Kurogane Communication (TV) Decent (dub & sub)
    The last girl on planet Earth finds out that that there's one last boy as well. Things ensue.....

    This was produced in the late '90s -- I guess that would explain some of the production's style.....
    Pros:
    -Nice ED
    Cons:
    -The animation makes me wonder just what kind of budget the studio had to work with.....
    -The tsunami episodes defy physics!
    -Ep.#13 -- graphics are decidedly mediocre.....
    -Same thing w/ep.#14, too
    -Ep.#18 too
    -Ep.#20: How do robots become physically tired?
    -Ep.#21: meaningful deaths*
    -Ep.#22: animation improves
    *I was wrong.

    It's odd just how many dings I placed against this series; but for me "The Ending is Paramount" (h/t Tristan "Arkada" Gallant).

    Kyōkai no Kanata: Idol Saiban! - Mayoi Nagara mo Kimi o Sabaku Tami (ONA) Very good

    Beyond the Boundary
    3 ep.s -- 7 min.s/ep.
    see Beyond the Boudary -I'LL BE HERE- Past (movie)
    1. Thank the goddesses that this was only ~7 minutes long.
    2. Well, if you can turn off your brain so as to enjoy the brain candy, then it's enjoyable.
    3. This one was actually amusing! "Will wonders never cease?"
    4. OK, so this one was actually amusing as well! (so long as you turn off your brain)
    5. Amusing as well.
    With a total run time of ~35 minutes, I wouldn't call it a waste of time -- so I'll rate it at 9/11.
    Kyousougiga (TV) Very good
    Pro: The OP

    Con: deus ex machina

    Last Exile (TV) Good
    The back story of Alvis E. Hamilton and Exile is not fully explained.
    Last War of Heavenloids and Akutoloids (movie) So-so
    Compilation film. Watch the TV series; it's much better.
    A Letter to Momo (movie) Excellent (dub & sub)
    I was debating about whether or not to rate it at either 9/11 (Very Good) or 10/11 (Excellent); when I reflected about the goblins/guardians, I decided that they are excellently flawed protagonists.
    ADR Director: Michael SinterniKlaas

    Casting Director: Stephanie Sheh

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