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Old Otaku's Notebook
  • Reviews

    Secrets of the Silent Witch Review: A Heartfelt Story of Personal Growth

    ByEddie "Mokusen" 2025-10-07

    Promotional Still for Secrets of the Silent Witch © 2024 Matsuri Isora, Nanna Fujimi/KADOKAWA/Serendia Academy PR department. North American License Holder: Crunchyroll. Used for editorial purposes. This Secrets of the Silent Witch review comes from an older male otaku who rarely enjoys reverse harem setups—I can only think of Fruits Basket and Ouran High School Host…

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  • Reviews

    Finding Beauty in Fleeting Moments: A Review of Summer Pockets

    ByEddie "Mokusen" 2025-09-29

    Promotional Still for Summer Pockets © VISUAL ARTS/Key/Torishiro Island Tourist Association. North American License Holder: Crunchyroll. Used for editorial purposes. An Exploration of Nostalgia and Maternal Bonds Summer Pockets is the latest heartbreaking offering from the visual novel studio Key, responsible for titles such as Kanon, Clannad, Angel Beats, and The Day I Became a God….

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  • Reviews

    Apocalypse Bringer Mynoghra Review: A Confusing Isekai That Reinforces My Worst Fears About the Genre

    ByEddie "Mokusen" 2025-09-28

    I’ve made my feelings clear that most isekai anime are trash. Apocalypse Bringer Mynoghra reinforces this conviction with painful clarity. Allow me to issue a fair warning upfront: this review contains more spoilers than I typically include, as the anime’s numerous flaws require detailed examination. Promotional Still for Apocalypse Bringer Mynoghra © Fehu Kazuno,Jun,MICRO MAGAZINE/MYNOGHRA Project….

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  • Reviews

    With You in the Rain Review: A Hidden Iyashikei Gem That Deserves Your Attention

    ByEddie "Mokusen" 2025-09-21

    The Perfect Rainy Day Discovery Promotional Still for With You in the Rain ©Ko Nikaido, KODANSHA/With You and the Rain Project. North American License Holder: Crunchyroll. Used for editorial purposes. On the type of rainy day that she loves, an author known to us only by her family name of Fuji discovers an animal that…

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  • Culture

    Understanding Wa: How Japanese Social Harmony Shapes Anime Narratives

    ByEddie "Mokusen" 2025-09-09

    A key Japanese concept essential for fully appreciating anime is wa (和), translated as “harmony.” This refers to peaceful unity and accord within a social group, where members prioritize the community’s well-being over individual interests. While this sounds inherently positive, wa’s application in anime narratives often reveals its darker implications—serving as a lens through which…

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  • Reviews

    See You Tomorrow at the Food Court Review: A Brief but Beautiful Slice of Life

    ByEddie "Mokusen" 2025-09-08

    Six episodes of genuine friendship that showcase cultural differences and natural dialogue. Promotional Still for See You Tomorrow at the Food Court © ©2024 Shinichiro Nariie/KADOKAWA/Project See You Tomorrow at the Food Court. North American License Holder: Crunchyroll. Used for editorial purposes. Overview: When Less is More (Unfortunately) Although not a true example of mono no…

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  • Reviews

    Apocalypse Hotel Review: CygamesPictures Delivers Compelling Original Anime

    ByEddie "Mokusen" 2025-09-032025-09-03

    Promotional Still of Apocalypse Hotel © Original Creator: CyberAgent and CygamesPictures. Production Studio: CygamesPictures. North American License Holder: Crunchyroll.Used for editorial purposes. Overview: CygamesPictures’ Original Vision During the Spring 2025 anime season, CygamesPictures released Apocalypse Hotel, an original anime that wasn’t derived from any pre-existing source material. This imaginative sci-fi series showcases a hotel run…

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  • Hot Takes

    Hot Take: Why Anime Streamer Ratings Can’t Be Trusted

    ByEddie "Mokusen" 2025-09-02

    Promotional Still of Reincarnated as a Neglected Noble: Raising My Baby Brother With Memories From My Past Life, abbreviated as SHIROHIYO © Original Creator: Yashiro. Production Studio: Studio Comet. Publisher: TO Books. North American License Holder: Crunchyroll. Used for editorial purposes. Anime streamer ratings have become a joke. Take Crunchyroll’s handling of SHIROHIYO. At first,…

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  • Themes & Tropes

    Why Isekai Anime Is Still So Popular—Even When It’s Bad

    ByEddie "Mokusen" 2025-07-082025-09-01

    Image from The Eminence in Shadow, episode 1: “The Hated Classmate” © Original Creator: Daisuke Aizawa. Production Studio: Nexus. Publisher: Kadokawa. North American License Holder: Sentai Filmworks. Used for editorial purposes. The most formulaic genre in anime continues to dominate—and there’s a reason why Isekai has become anime’s junk food: predictable, creatively bankrupt, and somehow…

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  • Culture

    Teru Teru Bōzu, Umbrellas, and the Cultural Magic of Rain: A Journey Through Japanese Weather Folklore

    ByEddie "Mokusen" 2023-06-302025-09-01

    Image from Non Non Biyori Repeat, episode 4: “I Made a Teru-teru Bouzu” © Original Creator: Atto. Production Studio: Silver Link. Publisher: Kodansha. North American License Holder: Sentai Filmworks. Used for editorial purposes. Sometimes the most profound cultural discoveries come from the simplest observations—like wondering why your poncho seems to make the rain stop. When…

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