Is this still considered quarantine? I’m limiting my exposure to others, especially considering the health concerns of myself and loved ones. So I’ll be at home continuing to watch anime in my free time. Let’s be honest, even if it wasn’t quarantine I’d be doing that. Instead of continuously updating my original post https://empathmeetsanime.com/2020/04/09/quarantine-watch-list/ I figured I’d start this new post. Overall I enjoyed the majority of the anime I watched and I wanted to track them. In case you’re wondering, the * is for the ones I loved (keeping in mind I tend to prefer comedy, romance, sports, or slice-of-life anime; so if you dislike those they may not be for you).
I just finished watching Soredemo Sekai wa Utsukushii / The World is Still Beautiful on VRV / Hidive. I like Princess Nike. She’s authentic, funny, feisty, positive, upbeat, hopeful, and caring. When it comes to standing up for others she doesn’t hesitate. She’s fierce and determined. She saved the King from an assassination attempt and rescued a friend from kidnappers who wanted to rape her. It’s an overly predictable shoujo anime with a happy ending. If you’re into humor, a strong female lead, and predictable romance, I recommend giving this a watch.
I guess he said that nicer than Mugatu did in Zoolander, “Do me a favor and lose five pounds IMMEDIATELY!” Although, five kilograms is like eleven pounds…so Mugatu’s comment might be less absurd.
Who is all that food for?! What’s worse than being on a calorie restricted diet? Seeing food you can’t eat on a calorie restricted diet!
When you’re hungry and a man hiding behind a floral arrangement offers you something, something that you hope is carbs, you go for it! Don’t ask questions.
I’d skip over too!
Wait a minute…did she tell the Chef she loved him before telling her own fiance?! Granted, he did not hide behind shrubbery to sneak her food, so I get it. I started Weight Watchers last week and believe me, I totally get it.
She did not shove those carbs in her mouth fast enough.
I guess that’s a rhetorical question.
Uh oh! Now everyone knows you tried to sneak carbs Nike!
I’m watching Soredemo Sekai wa Utsukushii / The World is Still Beautiful on VRV / Hidive.
I just finished season three of Kuroko’s Basketball on VRV / Crunchyroll. By far, my favorite episode was the one titled “The Greatest Present.” Knowing that Kuroko’s desire all along was to play basketball with his friends, instead of it being a constant battle of who was the best, it was great seeing that dream fulfilled. For his birthday, the Generation of Miracles reunited to play street ball.
We even got to see Aomine smile!
I can understand why Momoi was brought to tears seeing her friends reunited.
To commemorate the occasion of course you need to take a group photo!
Afterwards they celebrated Kuroko’s birthday with his Seirin teammates at Kagami’s. Other friends joined the party too. It was a very wholesome ending to the show, and it wrapped everything up nicely. Plus it was great seeing all the characters relaxed and being themselves.
How fancy. I probably would’ve just ordered pizzas. These guys make cooking look easy.
Of course some rivalries remain.
For someone who is known for having a lack of presence, it’s ironic how integral Kuroko was in uniting everyone. Fun chaos and everyone bonding in celebration! If you haven’t watched this episode yet, check it out!
But Luna has a valid point. I’m watching Sailor Moon on Hulu. My little sister always loved this show, but it’s my first time watching the series (except for the occasional episode I’d watch with her, when we were kids). Wait, did Tuxedo Mask actually do anything when he came, or did he just throw a rose, some emotional support, then run off into the night? Well we can’t underestimate emotional support! I’m only on episode five, so I’m sure there’s room for growth.
“I depend on me.” Alright I’ll send Usagi the video below as motivation. However…Tuxedo Mask is still welcome, even if he just wants to watch anime and chill.
I’m watching Kuroko’s Basketball / Kuroko no Basket on VRV / Crunchyroll. I have a Haikyuu void and wanted to watch a sports anime that was uplifting. I attempted to watch Battery on Amazon Prime, but then I started getting the vibe that was not going the direction I was hoping. I may give it another chance down the road. So far Kuroko’s Basketball is exactly what I was looking for.
Tetsuya Kuroko, one of the esteemed members of the Generation of Miracles (a group of elite players from Teiko Junior High) is now attending Seirin High. He was on a team that always won, but he’s looking for something more. In this aspect, he reminds me of Haiji Kiyose from Run with the Wind / Kaze ga Tsuyoku Fuiteiru. Kiyose was looking for the an answer essentially to the question, “what is running?” I think Kuroko is looking for what is basketball. In episode five, of season one, Kuroko has a conversation with his former teammate, who was also a member of the Generation of Miracles, Ryouta Kise. Kuroko thinks there’s more to basketball than just winning, and he wants to find out what that is.
Kise really wanted Kuroko to attend the same high school as him, so they could continue playing together. Kise views Kuroko as a friend and enjoys being around him, and sees him as a valuable teammate. So he was disappointed that Kuroko rejected him. It reminded me of Haikyuu’s Ushijima telling Oikawa, “you should’ve come to Shiratorizawa” (with slightly less intensity).
He must have abs of steel with balance like that.
At Seirin High School, Kuroko meets an impressive player named Taiga Kagami. Together, they’re a fearsome duo on the basketball court. Kuroko, with his seemingly lack of presence, and Kagami with his impressive build and abilities, help Seirin win their first practice match against Kaijou High (Kise’s school). Initially people are dismissive of Kuroko, until they see him in action. He is the linchpin for Seirin’s basketball team. His stealthy maneuvers, and misdirection, contribute to the effectiveness of their plays.
One phenomenal skill Kuroko has is being aware of his surroundings and reading people and their intentions. It might seem trivial, because in sports often athleticism prevails, but it is vital. It helps him play as an instrumental member of the Seirin team (especially since he is considered weak in other aspects). This ability is also helpful in day-to-day life. Being aware of his surroundings, means he noticed what was happening behind him on the basketball court, and ran over to help before Kise and Kagami even noticed. Demonstrating his strength of character and integrity, Kuroko ran over to intervene on behalf of the bullied students without hesitation.
It’s one thing to notice an injustice, but it takes a certain level of strength, character, and integrity to stand up against it (especially if you’re alone). The students didn’t ask for his help, but I’m sure they appreciated Kuroko’s intervention. In real life, cases of bullies and injustice, may call for action that isn’t direct. But sometimes direct is the right approach.
I’m glad there are still guys like that these days, especially in real life. We need them more now than ever.
Just in time, Kagami and Kise show up to help. Despite being opponents during the practice game, Kise and Kagami join forces to support Kuroko when he stands up to the bullies. The trio take on the entire group of bullies, and emerge victorious. The students are in awe.
After their stand against the bullies, Kagami lectures Kuroko about being aware of the consequences of one’s actions and safety. Kuroko’s response provokes Kagami’s ire, but Kise chuckles and commends Kuroko for being amazing. I have to agree with him. Not a lot of people would get involved to help others, especially strangers, but Kuroko did without hesitation.
Seeing how happy Kise is after their brief game against the bullies, shows how much he enjoys playing with Kuroko. Plus he admires the strength of character he has, and who Kuroko is as a person.
I’m enjoying Kuroko’s Basketball / Kuroko no Basket. Hopefully the rest of the series will be just as enjoyable. Give it a shot and see see what you think.
The DVD for Yamada’s First Time / B Gata H Kei was on sale, so I bought it. This show is funny, awkward, and sweet. Yamada thinks she needs experience (of the sexual kind) to become an adult, and is on the prowl for “sex friends.” However she hasn’t had a boyfriend yet, and the concepts of romance, relationships, and intimacy are all new to her. She thinks “cool guys” will find her lame for not being experienced, so she’s hoping to find an inexperienced guy to learn the ropes with (pun intended). Yamada runs into Kosuda at a store, and decides he’s the one she wants to lose her virginity to.
Kosuda is the sweetest guy. He’s thoughtful, considerate, sincere, and respectful. Meanwhile Yamada is self-absorbed, obnoxious, and arrogant. Yamada is the school idol, she’s beautiful, and knows it. But even she is self-conscious at times.
Thankfully Yamada has Takeshita as her best friend, and she helps to keep her grounded. Or at least tries her very best to keep her grounded. Takeshita endures Yamada’s incessant questions about relationships and sex. Yamada’s absurd ideas to lose her virginity are over the top. In addition to Takeshita, Yamada has a spirit guide…of sorts. Although some of the advice she receives seems questionable.
Yamada is hot and cold with Kosuda, since she gets embarrassed whenever she’s doing something outlandish in an effort to seduce him. He’s already attracted to her, if she would relax things would work out. But where’s the humor in that, right? She thinks very highly of herself, and believes Kosuda is fortunate that she’s considering him. Her narcissism is a tad off-putting.
Yamada’s little sister, Chika, has a totally different demeanor. Unlike her big sister, she’s grounded, has tons of guy friends, and is enjoying life without undue pressure (as she should be, especially at her age!).
Often Chika appears in the background to silently judge her sister and it’s the funniest thing. In this scene Yamada is jealous, and thinks Kosuda has a girlfriend. It’s just desserts, because she didn’t appreciate him for the wonderful person he is, she was too focused on what a prize she was. She’s drowning her sorrows with soda.
And who could forget the time when Chika could only look on with concern, at her sister’s obsession with learning how to use a condom. Safe sex is important…but did she need to buy that many boxes to practice with?!
Kosuda took Yamada out on Christmas Eve. His older sister helped him plan the perfect date. He was thoughtful, considerate, and generous. He bought her a lovely pair of earrings. Of course being the true pervert she is, Yamada has made an assumption of why the earrings were selected as a gift (Freud would have a field day with her). Hey…wait a minute, is that why my ex-boyfriend gave me that beautiful pair of diamond earrings for Chirstmas that year…..
I just finished episode four of the anime. I truly hope Yamada will realize what a great guy Kosuda is. Yes she is pretty, yes she is desired by many at their school, but Kosuda is a genuine guy who treats her well. She can relax and be herself with him. There’s no reason to plan such elaborate scenarios to entice him. He’s already smitten with her as she is. Yamada initially saw Kosuda as a conquest, but their growing affection for one another is apparent. I hope she realizes this, and appreciates him, before he gets snatched up by his childhood friend Miyano, or another girl.
Below are videos to enjoy if you want to get a feel for the show (there are spoilers so watch at your own risk). And I hope you like the Counting Crows, since the people who made these two videos did.
I’m watching Senryu Girl / Senryuu Shoujo on VRV / Hidive. It’s a light-hearted anime. The episodes are short, like 10 minutes or so, and it follows the blossoming romance between Yukishiro Nanako and Busujima Eiji.
***SPOILERS AHEAD***
Nanako and Eiji are in the literature club at school. They, along with their club’s president, Katagiri Amane, meet daily after class to create Senryu poetry. Amane sees the growing affection between her friends and supports them, often behind the scenes. The characters we meet along the way add to their adventures. Nanako’s family is so loving and so supportive. Her Father adores her and his overreactions are amusing. The family is used to his antics so they tend to ignore him. Eiji’s little sister, adores Nanako upon their first meeting. Eiji’s pet bunny has a disgusting habit, but good for a chuckle (exactly one chuckle). It’s an interesting contrast seeing the delinquent reputation Eiji has, versus the genuine and kind person he truly is (the bunny just adding to his wholesome appeal). Eiji’s friend, who he calls his big sister, Otsuki Koto has some questionable motives. In some ways Koto is is helpful, like when Nanako asked for her assistance in becoming fit. In other ways, her secret love for Eiji leaks out, and she can be troublesome. When she invited herself to Eiji’s room, she showed up in a bikini to tempt him. Meanwhile Eiji’s little sister doesn’t give her a second glance, which likely means she pulls these stunts often so it doesn’t faze anyone. On the opposite end of the spectrum, during the same episode, Nanako is beside herself trying to find a bathing suit. She prefers a modest approach. Neither bathing suit, or style is “better”, it’s up to an individual’s preference and comfort level. But it’s interesting to see how different these two girls are, that are both in love with Eiji. Ultimately Koto supports them and helps Amane behind the scenes in encouraging them to become a couple.
My favorite episode of Senryu Girl, is the last one. We see how Eiji and Nanako meet and become friends. Their relationship is supportive, they accept each other as they are, and they’re very sweet to each other. If you’re looking for the simplicity of young love without drama, and you like a quick watch since the episodes are so short, give this show a try. It has a peaceful and happy ending, and it’s a relaxing show to watch.
If I had a shoe to fling, it actually would’ve been at Sawako Kuronuma and not Ume Kurumizawa. Why you ask?
Don’t get me wrong. I strongly dislike Ume Kurumizawa. She’s an awful human being, and she deserves whatever is coming her way. However. Shouta Kazehaya grabbed Sawako Kuronuma’s hand, and basically confessed to her, by asking her out. Kuronuma was so clueless, she didn’t even realize what was happening. Kazehaya seemingly satisfied that she at least doesn’t harbor romantic feelings towards Ryu Sanada, is okay to leave it as it is for the moment. But honestly! If I had a shoe to throw at Kuronuma I would have. How frustrating! How dense is she! On top of her thinking Kurumi was a friend. It is clear as day that Kurumi is manipulative and fake. But even so, she would’ve realized that Kazehaya was asking her out if she had been in Kuronuma’s spot! Sigh. I guess there’s next season of Kimi Ni Todoke to watch.
Empath Meets Anime 
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