Love Y’all: Lonely catgirl seeks decently written anime polycule
While there is a rise in polyamorous romance in Japanese anime and manga, I must regretfully report we still have a ways to go.
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Transmasculinity and queer sexuality in the works of Ikeda Riyoko
Unlike many other gender-bending stories of the time, which often fall back on a “born in the wrong body” story, or a Mulan-style passing narrative, Ikeda acknowledges a wide range of trans experiences, and the complex ways in which trans experiences are socially constructed, and historically specific, intersectional, and, above all, personal.
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SHY, Stardust, disability, and the double empathy problem
Shy’s embrace of a Double Empathy Problem framing reveals larger tensions in the struggle for autistic self-determination, both allowing a deeper understanding of the process of Stardust’s self-conception and also revealing the limits of the mainstream culture’s understanding of “empathy.”
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Giant Robots Against Colonialism: Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch From Mercury’s Shakespearean roots
Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury is a show that does not just wear its inspirations on its sleeve but builds on them. One such reference point is William Shakespeare’s The Tempest, from which G-Witch borrows three characters: Prospero, Ariel, and Caliban. In doing so, G-Witch spotlights colonialist readings of the play, envisioning a world where the colonized can break away and heal from oppression by joining together.
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Chatty AF 196: 2023 Fall Mid-Season Check-In (WITH TRANSCRIPT)
Toni, Caitlin, and Peter try and fail to check-in on the biggest anime season ever in a reasonable amount of time.
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What Tomo-chan Is a Girl! gets wrong and right about gender-nonconformity and sexual assault
Using heartfelt sincerity and character-driven plot twists, Tomo-chan is a Girl! has quickly become one of my favorite shows, in spite of some thoroughly discomfiting scenes that detract from its comedic highs and powerful story.
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Genre conventions and a gentle story of recovery in My New Boss is Goofy
Momose’s trauma is a constant throughline in the series, but we can rest assured that he’s going to be okay—while there are dark moments, the light-hearted nature of the show and its clear placement as a fluffy, bit-based comedy reassure the audience that ultimately this will be a kind story that lets this wounded person have a good time.
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Chatty AF 195: Vinland Saga Retrospective – Part 2 (WITH TRANSCRIPT)
Toni, Caitlin, and special guest Annie Phan return to discuss VINLAND SAGA’s critiques of slavery, the portrayal of violence, and also some hot boys.
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Anime Feminist’s Seasonal Backlog: Overlooked Comedic Gems
Tackling your backlog can be intimidating, so we’ve sorted through ours to bring out some older favorites you might have missed!
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Raising a Girl With Agency: Long Live The Queen versus Needy Streamer Overload
What does it take to raise a girl? According to one genre of games … it takes day-to-day event scheduling to get all the right stats in all the right places.
