In an episode where Hyouka switches up its normal format—instead of solving a mystery himself, Oreki has to create a mystery that someone else can solve—it’s appropriate that we also see a shift in terms of the stakes of the episode’s events. Where heretofore Hyouka‘s mysteries have been expressions of interior character realities, in episode 20 (which is really the precursor episode to the finale, in many ways) we see and feel the outside world starting to creep in on the comfy lives of the Classics Club.
Upgrading Mage in a Barrel
I’m going to keep this short.
Those of you who like to spend time poking around the blog may have noticed a couple of new things. I’ve changed primary fonts, have taken down a few old (read: not very good) blog posts, and have added a few other new things here and there.
Of these, the biggest addition is a new page nested under the “About the Blog” page, called “Donating to Mage in a Barrel.” This new page lays out a few details about why I’ve opted to open up this little fundraising campaign, so I’ll let you read those details there, but the long and short of it is that I’m asking you guys to support me just a little as I look to upgrade the backend of the blog (which will, in turn, result in better frontend content). For example, as I’ve started to increase my volume of writing related to cinematography in anime, it’s become increasingly clear to me that I need some sort of video capabilities on the blog to help illuminate more complex points. This upgrade would be a big step towards making that happen.
I’ve put up a donation button and tracker in the sidebar—once we’ve hit the goal, it’ll go away. Of course, donating is completely optional. I’m not going to implement paywalls or anything like that. But I would really appreciate your guys’ support so I can continue to create new and better stuff for you.
To donate, you can use the donate button or follow this link. If you have any questions about this, please feel free to ask in the comments!
Song of a Distant Idol: Performance Intimacy and Love Triangles in Macross Frontier
Love songs are a weird thing. By nature, they’re an expression of the most intimate of emotions, but the majority of the time they’re conveyed at a distance—sung from a radio, through headphones, or on a stage—and as a performance object to be heard by many, not one, thus stripping them of the personal emotion they ought to host.
But, for a little under two minutes in the middle of Macross Frontier, a love song connects.
Anime Weekly: Winter 2016, Week 3
Yet another narrative adventure through my weekly watching schedule, courtesy of a revival of sorts in my drive to blog and write things. I do apologize for the lack of updates recently; I think I burned out more than I realized. But I’m feeling it again, so let’s go!
Swing low, sweet anime chariot.
ERASED and the Cinematic Life
An analysis of ERASED‘s first three episode and the incorporation of cinematography into the functioning of the show.
The Universality of Particularity in Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinju
Winter 2016 Anime Party
In which I attempt to chronicle the full extent of my anime life from the past week or so, and lay out the path forward through the Winter 2016 anime season…
Eh, how do you blog, again?
First Impressions: Winter 2016 Anime (Part 1)
Guys, I’m going to be honest. Despite there being a number of shows I’m interested in this season, I’m not really looking forward to the return of the weekly show grind. But I’m doing it anyways, because I don’t know any other way to live. Said another way, I’m just too easily entranced by new anime stuff to stay away for long. And, perhaps more importantly, I believe in actively looking for the good anime out there, not just waiting for them to come to me.
So, here we go again. Winter 2016. Despite all my whining, there are actually a few shows I’m greatly anticipating, as well as a few shows that have already struck my fancy. So, let’s get to it. Take it away, Guppy~
The Top Anime of 2015
In my humble opinion, it’s always best the let the year sink in a little bit before making a list that declares the top anime of any given year. And so, that’s exactly what I’ve done—allowed my favorites of the year to pickle in an aging pot for a while before taking them out and shipping them off to be sold…err, sorry. Too much Harvest Moon these days. Anyways…
To see how things shook out during the year, check out my final rankings posts for each season.
Winter 2015 | Spring 2015 | Summer 2015 | Fall 2015
So, without further distraction, I present my top anime of 2015! Here’s the Best Girl of 2015 to kick things off!
Aniwords – The “Best” Anime of 2015 (Part 2)
After last week’s adventure with the word “best,” I thought it appropriate to come back again this week and talk about a similar, but slightly different word—”favorite.” Kind of fun how you can write entire columns on single words in a fandom context, eh? Hope you guys enjoy this one!
Mage in a Barrel 