Jeoffrey

Because I’m not popular, I decided to rewatch WataMote — the story of a high school girl obsessed with popularity. Once again, I found myself rolling with laughter and cringing at the same time. Tomoko's inner world and her biting remarks about ordinary people are so relatable, it's almost embarrassing. This anime is incredibly original. Tomoko is an amazing character, wonderfully voiced, just like her brother. The series is full of interesting storylines and creative visuals, so there’s never a dull moment, even though it’s quite episodic and focuses on the same themes. When I first watched WataMote in 2013, it really resonated with me, and I loved it. I’m happy to say that even after more than ten years, it still holds up (and I’m still not popular). 9/10

A good movie, but not exactly groundbreaking or unforgettable. It was still a pleasant watch with relatively likable characters, both the main duo and some of the supporting ones they encountered along the way. The pace was a bit uneven at times, but the animation and music were nice. The story was decent, but for me, it lacked intensity, emotional depth, and development of some themes. It also could've used more of that legendary charm. Despite elements of the Japanese world, there wasn't much magic to it for me. I would've liked more moments to build the relationship between the main duo, especially since the movie is called My Oni Girl — you'd expect romance to be the primary focus. Instead, it dealt more with family troubles and the (in)ability to express emotions, which might resonate more with a Japanese audience than it did with me. I was hoping for more romance and fantasy. That said, there were parts I really enjoyed. I liked the whole journey and the encounters the main duo had along the way, which felt warm and human. In short, it was a good movie — not something that'll stay with me for long, but a film I'd watch again. 7/10

A delightful little mini-series perfect for the littlest viewers. If I were 3-5 years old, I'd likely be enamored with this charming shark's adventures, eagerly discovering something new in each episode and I'd probably sing along to that weird closing credits song. It turns out my inner child won't allow me to rate this little shark any lower than 6/10.