Play It Cool, Guys: Laughing at your mistakes

Play It Cool, Guys is a cute and wholesome anime about a group of guys who are clumsy. They push doors that say “PULL”, or vise versa. They are the type to panic about losing their phones while being on their phones, or grab a shoehorn instead of an umbrella by mistake. This is not a Boys Love series, by the way.

I wouldn’t consider myself a clumsy person, but I’ve had my share of embarrassing moments. Moments that make me cringe whenever I am reminded of them. Moments that make me want to lock myself in my house and never come out for ten years. I think it’s my reaction and some negativity, but hey, I’ve gotten better. It used to be a hundred years instead of ten. Hahaha.

But when I see these guys make embarrassing mistakes, they move on from them. Especially Shiki, who laughs whenever he does something clumsy or embarrassing. I really admire his positivity.

In Episode 12, Futami makes a few mistakes in a handball game. He isn’t doing his best. Later on, he has a thought that I found really inspiring. “If you have to have lame moments no matter how you live, then I want to at least be a guy who can laugh them off.” FYI, I don’t like the word “lame” in there but I believe it’s a translation (mis)choice more than anything. I think you can get the gist of what he’s trying to say.

I want to be somebody that can look back and laugh at my embarrassing moments. I don’t know when it’ll happen, but I feel hopeful that I can overcome these mental challenges one day. One step at a time, right?

Play It Cool, Guys is currently airing. The show will be wrapped up in a few weeks – perfect timing if you want to start now. 😉 (Unless you’re a binge-watcher like me…)

Play It Cool, Guys – Screencaps

I fell in love with the anime, Play it Cool, Guys. Unfortunately, I haven’t heard many people talk about it. It’s underrated and deserves more attention! There aren’t many pictures of the characters posted online, so here we are. I’ll do it myself!

This anime is very wholesome, and the characters are so lovable. The episodes are only 10 minutes, which isn’t nearly enough time. I need more! I plan to go into more detail about the main reasons I like the show. I’m still gathering my thoughts at the moment but stayed tuned. ^^

Watching The Way of the Househusband: Learning Things from Anime

I’ve come to appreciate and enjoy The Way of the Househusband a lot. I recently finished Season 2 of the anime as well as the Netflix live-action, The Ingenuity of the House Husband (2021). As you may know, the series follows a legendary former yakuza member, now turned house husband. Tatsu manages the cooking and cleaning in the house for his family – his wife, himself, and their cat – and he’s also really involved in the community. He has hobbies such as crafting, and he’s exceptionally skilled at all of these things. He has a wealth of knowledge, is budget conscious, and knows how to scope out the best deals.

I found a lot of educational value in watching the series, and I even tried out a couple of the activities shown in the series. In Season 2, Episode 4 of the anime, Tatsu makes an air freshener out of baking soda and lavender essential oil. I love lavender and happen to have lavender essential oil at home and empty glass jars, so that’s what I did. I put one in my room and another one in my washroom. Best of all, it was inexpensive.

In Season 2, Episode 4 of the anime, Tatsu buys a felting kit and felts a cat. I became really inspired when I watched that episode, and guess what? That’s exactly what I’m going to do. I’m going to look for a felting kit and felt something of my own. I’ve never felt something before, but I love crafts and I think it’ll be fun to try something new.

I plan to watch the Japanese drama, Gokushufudo (2020), which is different from the Netflix live-action. I just love the series because it’s so chill and covers topics I’m interested in. I wouldn’t say that I find housework fun, but it’s interesting to see how everything works because Tatsu explains his process. It’s an entertaining and fun watch, AND I’m learning at the same time. ^^

P.S. The actor who plays Tatsu in The Ingenuity of the House Husband (2021) voices Tatsu in the anime.

Platinum End – Episode 1-9 Impressions

I’m a huge fan of Death Note so naturally, I had to check out Platinum End.

Platinum End is a killing game in which the winner becomes the god of the world. Mirai Kakehashi is granted wings and red arrows that make people fall in love with him. He learns that his childhood friend and crush, Saki Hanakago, is also a god candidate. Things become complicated when a god candidate that goes by the name of Metropoliman begins killing other god candidates. Kakehashi and Hanakago team up with another god candidate, and they try to stop Metropoliman.

I didn’t go in thinking that Platinum End would be on the same level of greatness as Death Note. After all, it seems too difficult to make something at the same high standard. However, I couldn’t help but compare Mirai Kakehashi with Light Yagami of Death Note. Although I was not a Kira supporter, I prefer Light Yagami over Mirai Kakehashi any day. They are opposites. If anything, I felt frustrated watching Kakehashi’s behaviours and words in the show. He has no backbone, and he doesn’t act when he needs to. Does he want to stop Metropoliman or not!? I may be a bit harsh, but I also don’t understand his logic. He rushes in to stop Metropoliman, but then he hesitates in the crucial moments.

Hanakago does not stand out at all. She’s also unhelpful in stopping Metropoliman. I thought she had changed in episode 9. I was excited (even though I thought it was an unbelievable and dramatic change) but perhaps I was wrong.

The events in Platinum End are random. The characters have no plan when they try to stop the villain. Metropoliman, on the other hand, is intelligent. I can think of a long list of characters from other shows that can do a better job than Kakehashi and his group.

The characters feel so unbalanced. I’ve written about intelligence and ambition, but even the characters’ appearances seem so unbalanced. Kakehashi and Hanakago look so plain compared to Kanade Uryu (Metropoliman). Even the other villains so far have more eye-catching designs (e.g., Mimimi Yamada, Hajime Sokotani).

I’ve been complaining a lot. I don’t think I’m being nitpicky, though. I really enjoyed a certain episode, as it was exciting and intense. However, I finished episode 9 and have yet to experience that again.

The question is whether to continue this series or not. There are 24 episodes, so we haven’t reached the halfway mark yet. At this point, I’m reluctant to recommend this anime.

For those of you who are watching this show, what do you think?

The Way of the Househusband Netflix Anime – Final Thoughts

I know that most of my anime blogger friends dislike this adaptation; some even strongly dislike it. This is probably an unpopular opinion, but I actually enjoyed it quite a bit. Since the episodes are short, I binge-watched this pretty quickly.

I have read a bit of the manga and was looking forward to the Netflix adaptation.

The animation was bad. Yeah, I don’t disagree with what people are saying at all about that. However, I got used to it quickly. After an initial reaction, the animation didn’t affect my enjoyment of the show at all.

It’s a good comedy anime. The premise is interesting, the episodes are funny, and the main character is likable. I watched it with subtitles and thought the Japanese voice actor for Tatsu was perfect. In a way, the animation made some parts even funnier.

It’s a lighthearted and fun watch. If you can get past the animation, it’s really not that bad. I recommend checking it out. Of course, there’s always the manga to fall back to.

I will definitely be watching the second part of the series!

Heaven Official’s Blessing – Special Episode Screencaps

I reached a blogging milestone and hit 101k views! ^_^ Thank you for checking out my blog.

The Special Episode for Heaven Official’s Blessing, also known as Tian Guan Ci Fu, recently came out. It takes place after the first season.

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Xie Lian complimented San Lang. ^_^

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There’s a ton of Boys Love content in China now. Not to mention, BL is super popular. Although, the closest to a kiss we will see is probably an indirect kiss via drinking from the same bottle (which happens in this donghua and even in a yogurt commercial). It also happened in the Chinese drama, Guardian, but with a lollipop.

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Yes… San Lang left Xie Lian a ring.

I loved this special episode because I loved seeing moments of just the two of them. It was very intimidate.

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The ending song was a treat because we saw the events from San Lang’s point of view. This is his true form; his real name is Hua Cheng and he is a Ghost King. He looks older, is taller, and has an eyepatch. The wedding scene is from the first episode and the other photo is from the time Hua Cheng painted Xie Lian. He painted in his true form!

One thing that’s interesting is that in the original, San Lang calls Xie Lian “Gege” which means “older brother.” However, it’s changed to his name in the official English translation. I suspect it’s to avoid confusion or to prevent Westerners from thinking there’s incest involved or something like that. I feel that “Gege” is more intimate. There’s definitely no incest – think about how some people call their significant others “Baby” or some other nickname.

Anyway, this Special Episode is a must-watch if you’re a fan of the series!

Winter 2021 Anime Impressions

I thought I would try out a new format with bullet points.

Attack on Titan: The Final Season

• I think it’s great and don’t agree with the animation complaints on Twitter. It’s one thing to be unsatisfied with the show, and another thing to send hateful comments to the director and animators. I’m thankful that we have a final season.

The Promised Neverland Season 2

• I am enjoying it, but I liked the setting in Season 1 more. There’s something terrifying about being trapped in a place while knowing that you are livestock.
• I always feel that something bad will happen. Even when something good happens, I am unconvinced.
• You can read my Season 1 Impressions post here.

Horimiya

• I am enjoying it. I love Miyamura, both his looks and personality.
• I like both of Miyamura’s looks.
• Piercings are attractive.

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Cells at Work BLACK

• I watched the first episode, but I’ll probably binge it some time in the future.

Wonder Egg Priority

• Amazing animation.
• The first episode was strange, but I’ll probably continue it when more episodes are out.

Yes.

Dr. Stone: Stone Wars

• Plan to watch.

Jujutsu Kaisen (Continuing)

• I love so many characters, which is rare for me. I love Yuuji, Gojou, and Sukuna.
• My favourite character is obviously the villain, Mahito.
• I want to see Sukuna more.
• It’s like a mix of Demon Slayer and Parasyte.

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Mo Dao Zu Shi Q (Continuing)

• Since the episodes are only five minutes long, I will binge the rest of the series when it is completed.
• Speaking of which, I am so excited for MDZS Season 3. My favourite character, Xue Yang, will finally make his appearance.

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Of the airing shows, my favourites are Jujutsu Kaisen, Attack on Titan: Final Season, and The Promised Neverland Season 2. Let me know if there’s a Winter 2021 anime you recommend~

[Review] Moriarty the Patriot (2020)

Anime: Moriarty the Patriot / Yuukoku no Moriarty (2020)

As a fan of the Sherlock Holmes series by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, I became interested in Moriarty the Patriot. The anime is better than I expected. Unlike the books, the main character in this anime is Moriarty. He is a criminal consultant that actively encourages people to commit murder. It is not necessary to know about the original Sherlock Holmes from the books.

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From left to right: John Watson, Ms. Hudson, Sherlock Holmes, and Lestrade.

Synopsis: William James Moriarty is a wealthy mathematics professor. He also works as a criminal consultant. In an era where the rich treat the people of lower standing like dirt, Moriarty is the dark hand behind the curtain. He provides murder plans and aids people in killing the rich. Mid-way through the series, detective Sherlock Holmes is introduced. Moriarty tests Holmes; Holmes does the same.

Thoughts: In this anime, the protagonist is the villain. I think this anime does it well. It kind of makes you think, Whose side am I on? Moriarty’s victims are the wealthy who have committed terrible crimes against the poor. Is Moriarty a good guy, after all? And, what am I supposed to feel? Am I supposed to feel “content” or “satisfied” when a “villain” dies?

I think that Moriarty is evil, but other people may disagree.

The characters are a bit different from the books, which is refreshing in some ways. For example, Holmes can be rude to Watson and becomes frustrated more easily.

Moriarty and Holmes make great enemies because of their differences. As explained by Moriarty, Holmes’s method of solving cases involves studying the evidence and going to trial, whereas Moriarty will use psychology and illegal methods to prove his theory.

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I recommend this anime! Not only is it interesting, but it also made me think a lot about classism and “good vs. evil” issues.

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Slight spoilers for Season 2, which will come out in Spring 2021:

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The appearance of Mycroft Holmes!

Finally, a cute screencap of Holmes and Watson:

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Anime X-Change: Time of Eve

A lot of bloggers, including myself, are participating in Anime X-Change, an event hosted by Jon Spencer Reviews. The gist of it is: you are assigned a partner –> your partner recommends a show –> you watch it –> you write about it.

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My partner is @nobelmonsters on Twitter and I was assigned to watch Time of Eve.

I had never heard of this anime before and knew nothing about it, except that it was a Sci-Fi anime. I was excited to watch Time of Eve because it was different from what I normally watch. Not only did I finish the series in one sitting, but I also enjoyed it enough to watch the movie the next day.

Synopsis: This story takes place in the future. In Time of Eve, it is normal to have an android housekeeper in your home. They look the same as humans; without a halo, one probably wouldn’t be able to tell the difference. The androids are bound by strict rules. While checking his android – Sammy’s – activity log, Rikuo Sakisaka notices a strange activity. Curious, he checks it out with his classmate, Masakazu Masaki. They find themselves in a cafe called Eve no Jikan (Time of Eve). The cafe has one rule: “No discrimination between humans and androids”. Rikuo and Masakazu visit the cafe nearly every day and learn about the stories of the cafe’s regulars.

Thoughts: As I mentioned earlier, I really enjoyed this anime. I liked how the cafe was a safe space for humans and androids to intermingle. I also liked learning about the individual stories of the cafe’s regulars. My favourite episode was the last episode, which was focused on Masakazu and his robot housekeeper, THX. I cried when I watched it, which is strange if you think about it. Robots shouldn’t have feelings, so why did I feel empathic towards THX?

Differences between the series and the film: The movie basically condenses the series. I recommend watching the series over the film. Afterward, you can watch the movie or directly skip to the ending. The main difference is that at the end of the film, you learn more about a certain character.

In the end, I was pleasantly surprised that I enjoyed Time of Eve. I feel appreciative towards Anime X-Change because I watched a show that I would have never watched otherwise. I absolutely recommend this anime.

Thanks for reading. 🙂

Heaven Official’s Blessing – Episode 5 Screencaps

I watched the episode twice today, which is something I never do. The episode was so amazing, I couldn’t help it. T_T

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I’m surprised this got past the censorship.

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Xie Lian was worried that San Lang was a ghost and was blocked by the talismans. He checked outside a couple of times. San Lang came back with materials needed to build a door because Xie Lian was lacking one. T_T

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Xie Lian got caught staring.

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Xie Lian and San Lang/Hua Cheng act like a married couple already. Jokes aside, I love this kind of wholesome relationship.