Wow, I hope you had a good year so far we are about 5 days in already. I mean, I had, if you are referring to the daily imouto wallpapers on my phone running until next weekend, or the imouto blog posts I did to start the year. *dabs*

Still, doesn't hurt to wait for new Anime and music for the year as I dive deeper into the backlog (more of the latter will talk about that in a bit) as I continue to find stuff to fill in this quiet week in entertainment- Oh wait, there's 2nd cour stuff here this time anyways. *giggles* THANK GOODNESS I don't have to watch more than one of these considering I may want to give new series a try, but what's stopping me? *dabs* Oh, I'm a year older. *sigh*

Jokes aside because we are likely going to be sad again tomorrow IRL and as in me, but hey, Anime too today if the movie I'm watching is an indicator.

WOAH WOAH WHAT IS WITH THE OPENING ANIMATION haha nice. *giggles* You know what I'm talking about, naked Chinatsu- I mean, uh, Hina dreaming her time with Taiki. *laughs* Yeah, that's gonna hurt. ANYWAYS haha we are reading ahead of the script too soon, let's talk about the new episode (#AoNoHako13) which is the first of the 2nd half of this series! Well, 2nd cour, who knows if there will be a sequel. *silence* Anyhow, not like Taiki is too concerned with that so much anyways since Chinatsu is out for the nationals in another prefecture, but lucky for us, the finals for the badminton nationals is over the next town, which means we get to, uh, not be able to travel and eat good food and live at great lodgings? Yeah Haryu, I got you. *giggles* Too bad though, but on the upside, and this is pretty much the focus of the episode we are taking a break from the main couple...? Yeah, haha, and talking about Haryu's relationship with Karen. Oddly enough, so brave. *laughs* But as I hear them talk about how Karen as a kid wants to learn to swim but is bad at it and then just dragged Haryu into her life and thus everything else is history lol I know right where was that point for me, I am also starkly reminded that they, um, are also rather attractive for themselves. *giggles* Yeah, me, talk about laying pipe and skill and helping others and getting favours in return when you don't have a shining forehead, won't ya? *laughs* Anyways, Karen was here to cheer him on a match we know he's not going to win lmao, but that's obviously not the point. As we also hear Karen talk about their relationship to Taiki basically somehow hinting on what Taiki should do about his relationship with Chinatsu (NOT Hina-chan) (lol OOF) we also get to hear a heartwarming love story because damn I don't give ma girl a diary I wrote as a kid, I just send her to one of my cringe-worthy blogs which apparently even the teachers at school (the one guy lol) knew at the time which was bad, should've just took them down even back then tbh. *laughs* But yeah, Haryu is cool blah blah whatever lol, and of course despite the girlfriend being here to cheer him on... he didn't win against the legend. Yeah, maybe it's time to change the girlfriend, not enough motivation, dude. Then again, this is all I need. *laughs* All in all... Haryu and Karen look like a lovely couple. *laughs* But as I listen to the new ending theme song and am already crying up buckets... BRO, I'm going to need the volcano to dry up my tears when I have to see Akarin Hina-chan's heartbreak. *giggles* Well, put that on the tab, will ya? *laughs* Meanwhile, looks like Karen's words might have an effect on our poor boi Taiki, and that really depends on how they do it going forward. Because it's never too late for Taiki to ask Chinatsu out... even after the final match(es), and it still depends on how it goes. Haryu's defeat is rather obvious to predict, but for Taiki? I rather just roll a 20-sided dice. *laughs* We shall see dude, this might be the next best thing to cry to and I mean Chinatsu, if I haven't been crying for Hina already.

[TL:DR; "If you feel sorry for me for embarrassing myself, then you should teach me since you know how." And that's how I met your mom lmao *dabs*]

P.S. "If you run out of power, I'll send you more (high-fives) from here." Okay Taiki I think you meant support, right? Not what Chinatsu wanted though? *giggles* "You're kind of a flirt." LMAO Chinatsu please he's still a virgin- "The one asking for a high-five is clearly the flirt." Taiki you are not wrong but we aren't there yet with your crush so-

P.P.S. "Does (Chinatsu) sometimes stare off into space?" Wow can we get Ueshama on this, pronto? *giggles* "And then when you start eating snacks, she stares at you instead?" CAN WE GET UESHAMA ON THIS PLEASE *laughs*

[The opening animation just woke me up from this series haha as in coloured me impressed so here's more]

Wow Kyomoto, you totally ruined Fujino's life, it's all your fault. *laughs* Jokes aside and that is if you even understood the jokes of Fujino-sensei's work lmao, this rather short and straightforward movie (#LookBack) is basically a combination of their works. Okay, we need to look back further. (Get it? Because title drop-) This movie is about drawing. You might love drawing as a kid. I love drawing as a a kid even though I'm not good at it. I just use generative AI nowadays if that's any saving grace. *cringe* But yeah ignoring that lol and why did I even raise that up, artists in Japan are pretty much what you see in this series, doing the boring job of showing us what it means to tell a story, but through way more vivid means instead of words on a book or whatever viral videos that are on TikTok lol. They are also the reason for me, among many things, why (1) I bought Kawai Makoto-sensei's latest manga almost a decade ago about an android loving a human because I loved their art style when I saw Anime "Koufuku Graffiti" and because I regretted not buying their artbook instead, (2) do a review of (starting from this year hehe) every Comiket's new findings of artist books and specifically supporting original characters and ideas, and (3) why I spit on my art skills and took the easy way out by doing what everyone likes to do which is create some sort of art without being looked up upon. *silence* Okay, I still want to exercise my creativity even after all these years as the barrier gets lower even though different in meaning. Well, that's deep, so let's not talk about me no more. All comic artists start young. With Fujino doing columns ie. four-panel comics and is quite the pillar of the industry today, every idea that struck them (I didn't like the idea of using gender here since they were vague, so I'll stick with this) they penned it down into a short comic for the class school to laugh upon. It was such great talent, even I have been praised on making a tabletop RPG by the school disciplinarian in middle school all with a piece of paper. *dabs* Okay coming back I took years though. But one day, the teacher told Fujino that someone else is to join the ranks. As the school newspaper was only an A4-size piece of paper and they can't show the parents a full page of just comics lol, they were to share half that segment with Kyomoto, a junior who liked to draw just like them. Okay, I'm not going to talk about Fujino's ego back then, but it's pretty obvious we are trying to create an opportunity for this shut-in to come back so Fujino, tone that ego down, please. *giggles* Still, it didn't do much to them until, and yep this is where I read my first manga too not long after, you found out that there are people who are way more incredibly talented than you, even if they didn't had the ideas that you have. As an adult now, I would be amazed at such level of difference in skill or creativity, but for the elementary school student? It was jealousy. Not romantic, and with much hatred. To this, Fujino pushed herself to be better at drawing. Problem is, this left them way lost in the social space that is the school because if you were to compare your skills to a shut-in who had all the time to draw while your school life is blooming? I wouldn't even try. *laughs* But try as they did, and they were left in the lurch. No school life, just drawing. Sad, really. They got over it real quick though, as reminded by a friend of theirs, but we know it's not quite over yet.

Because Kyomoto never went to school, Fujino was tasked to pass them (ironically) their graduation certificate. (I know right, how were their grades still good...?) But instead of putting the cylinder down on the floor and leaving - and go learn karate so they can one day save Kyomoto lol never say never it was an option - they chose to walk through the empty(?) house which at the end of the corridor stood Kyomoto's room. Of course Fujino got found out, and turns out, Kyomoto did all of this... because they were a fan. Yup, imagining inspiring a generation of fans and artists and you got jealous seeing your fan's work which was better than yours. *cringe* But Fujino instead of just explaining why they stopped, they lied by saying because they were preparing for something big ahead. And oh boy did they carry this lie up to the ranks. No surprises there, they were having a ball of a time doing this together even before graduating from high school. Ah, those were the days. *giggles* Still, rather drifty of a dream even being told that they will get a serialization on one of the most popular comic magazines, but Kyomoto had other aspirations: They wanted to be better at drawing and go to an arts school. Probably won't be too much of a problem for Fujino since they can carry the can and hire assistants, but damn I wished they would've told them I'll wait for you to come back and let them join back the crew again. Also, not dunk on their buddy for years and told them they won't make it past the convenience store just because they are a shut-in? BRUH. *laughs* Anyways, they went on their own path, with Fujino creating the next bestseller comic out there, and Kyomoto... well, this is also when I thought where the drop will be, to be honest. Uh oh.

So, in case you didn't experience the invisible rivalry, and in case you didn't feel for their success, now let's talk about Fujino's downfall. I know this is also rather cliche but then again they did make the story right by NOT referring to KyoAni or anything else in recent years of news about art plagiarism lol OOF, but dude the guy could've also sued whoever shared his work online just like how many doujin artists are furiously trying to defend themselves from AI bots lol this guy doesn't even know. But instead, he just took an axe nearby and killed 12 people in an arts school. *cringe* I like how the movie doesn't tell you but I will, because Kyomoto is one of them. And again Fujino? Not meeting with them won't change a damn thing. Kyomoto lived for you, and they for sure died for you. For being better we can do anything to not reach that, and accidents are unavoidable though they should be frowned upon because look at those school shootings in America dude those are gross lol moving on, they are most entirely not Fujino's fault. I know, it's easy to self blame, and I'm already blaming myself for soaking in this scene like a sponge *sob* but yeah, ironically, Fujino realized that all this time, and I mean all this time seeing even her serialization in Kyomoto's room as of date and that jacket they have been wearing as a kid which I thought she would just wear it to move on... Kyomoto has always been Fujino's look back. Always behind them, and admiring. And I think that's what the movie is trying to show us. With sketchy animations (I mean, look at them animating the comic panels lmao) and much quicker transitions between music and lack thereof (this soundbar of mine is so power-saving it had time to mute itself before I hear a doorbell ring in this movie btw) and the focus on drawings even to the point of the most impact scenes... this movie has done its job. If it were to convey a message of loss and moving on, this movie did it. Looking back (ah hey) and yes sorry for sounding like an old man unlike this movie, I'm glad to have given it a try. The trailer I initially watched months ago didn't do enough of it justice, I promise you.

All in all... Fujino is me writing four-panel comics as I'm writing this four-paragraph review. *dabs* This is also the first time I've watched movies at home that required more than THREE tissue papers for my nose, and I'm not even talking about those for eyes. *sob* That's how good it was. Yeah, the first piece is always complimentary if it's emotional enough lol. Okay serious here, because this one... it hits hard. No longer are lengthy monologues or weird pointers or even narrations to explain thoughts like we can't feel. For this? Simple progress in between highs on a roller coaster, one drop, and it all ends. And they give you time to do that too. See, the best types of drama is when they don't say out their thoughts, and they did it. The ideal, is if crying was without music and you remember everything, and they did it. But that's also life, dude. All regrets and memories, if all that is the same to us now. But we still move forward, and I think this Anime did its job in showing that. Damn, I wish it would give a more definite ending like say we will finish the final volume maybe based on this traumatic experience, but again, there is a thinking point of showing you... well, that life goes on. That sort of, revival, meaning of life? It just has a different meaning now. *silence* Maybe I should stop watching sad movies on the new year, I'm taking longer time to recover to write these with every time I watch another. *sob*

[TL:DR; I think this whole movie might be also a euphemism for having creativity and talent, but never both. Even if so, and that is behind us. Because same. *sob*]

P.S. "A manga artist? Maybe. But sitting on the desk and drawing all day is boring." OOF GOTTEM haha shout out to "Eromanga-sensei" and "Kakushigoto" sorry this kid just dunked on you guys also they did just lived out their insult so *shrugs* haha

P.P.S. Okay not gonna lie? The reaction that Kyomoto gave when Fujino saw them for the first time? That uneasiness in agreement? Yeah, also me in elementary school. *laughs* This is too real, folks. Also everything about Kyomoto, but you know, I got over the introvert-ness. *dabs* Maybe. *laughs*

[I also took some time to think about how best to represent this, and what better way to do it the same way as the Anime? So not quotes, just more thumbnails... coming right up! *giggles*]

(*Links to Apple Music Japan, in English where applicable, of current year unless specified)

Okay, the new year listening spree is always long especially if I try to give Cwondo and somehow uku kasai a chance because I was dissatisfied with the former lol, but note that I also went through my backlog of live performances listening to Chilli Beans. and Kroi and many others all weekend so maybe we'll get something good...? Haha no chance. The above is from none of the live performances I watched though these are organic backlog. *giggles* Okay, maybe STUTS shouldn't be here but it's the only one song I liked so I'll put them in first.

I miss Bearwear last year already. *laughs* Oh, and don't mind the soundtrack, read above if you want to know why. *sob* There's a theme song so I'm giving that.

(*From Twitter/X; Information accurate as of writing)

Well, for what I have been listening all week, THE ORAL CIGARETTES' live definitely is a different feel even just on style so that's rad, I'll listen to more of them when I have time next week which I likely will. *giggles* Otherwise, I'm not pleased with SCANDAL's new song and SpecialThanks saving money making 1 video using 2 songs lol I don't even like the latter song, and I'm hyped for VELTPUNCH once again, what else is new. *laughs*

Oh and my news is be sure to check my special compilation of the year 2024, titled "I DO RULE" because I have no creativity and want to find a phrase that sounds like "idol". You're welcome for the subtitle LMAO

Currently on my agenda and now backlog after listening to songs all week, and Soko ni Naru is just there just in case none of them impress and because I listened to their live album. I cannot just jump back into their songs which aren't great when they weren't under major anyways. *laughs* (GOTTEM)

Not to exaggerate or piss off anyone because ma bro for starters didn't watch this harem of an Anime, but the new character trailers for Anime "Hyakkano" is just *chef's kiss* I can't even. *laughs* Masochist Rieri is just so good I have a feeling my own top rank for this category might be overtaken by her by the end of this season lmao, I don't know if Lynn-san's character is a reference to her (now retired) radio show theme songs lol no one will get this joke, and it has been a while since I heard of normal-speaking NonNon. And by that I mean super embarrassed and not idol so yeah not since that idol in "TanMoshi" I guess. *giggles* (Oh yeah, that kappa in "Tenshi Tsuki" lol) This is only happening next week though, so until then... oh I'm not done with the outro. *laughs* I'm going to watch the "Aharen-san" season 1 live airing on YouTube (without subtitles, yes, this is the official) so if you don't mind me I would like to chill out- OH DAMN I MISSED THE RAPPING EPISODE?? AND THE SPECIAL ENDING?? Well, at least I can look forward to when they kiss MUAHAHA see you guys next week.