Rating: A- No matter her situation, Maomao can’t stop being Maomao. The narrator spoke to this at the end of episode 1, and we’ve seen countless examples of it over the course of the series, but nowhere is that statement more true than in this episode. Though not treated as a hostage, that’s what MaomaoContinue reading “The Apothecary Diaries, episode 43”
Author Archives: Theron
Spring 2025 Mid-Season Report, part 2
See here for part 1. This half of the report covers the rest of the titles I’m following that didn’t make part 1. All of these titles have hit either episode 6 or (in most cases) episode 7 since part 1 was posted. Additionally, a look at one title which debuted too late to makeContinue reading “Spring 2025 Mid-Season Report, part 2”
Spring 2025 Mid-Season Report, part 1
With the Spring 2025 season entering its seventh week, it’s time to take a look at how some of the season’s titles are doing so far. While I’ve taken a conscious effort to be a bit more conservative on my viewing list for this season, I still wound up following 20 series which debuted orContinue reading “Spring 2025 Mid-Season Report, part 1”
The Apothecary Diaries, episode 42
Rating: A- On a couple of occasions in this series’ run, we’ve had episodes where Jinshi was either functionally or completely absent. However, this episode is, I believe, the first one where Maomao has nothing more than a cameo appearance. Remarkably, that doesn’t weaken the series one bit because it still has Jinshi, and he’sContinue reading “The Apothecary Diaries, episode 42”
Review: The Rose of Versailles (2025 movie)
No list of the most important and influential of all manga titles would be complete without including The Rose of Versailles. Its 1972-73 publication transformed the shojo genre by introducing fully-rounded characters, complex plotting, deep exploration of sexuality and gender roles, and permanent deaths, thus elevating the genre from being just kiddie fare. It inspiredContinue reading “Review: The Rose of Versailles (2025 movie)”
The Apothecary Diaries, episode 41
Rating: B+ The writing and pacing of The Apothecary Diaries have always been skillful at providing some answers while continuing to raise other questions, and episode 41, “Fox Village,” is no different. It provides a couple of big reveals but nowhere near the full truth on what’s going on and redirects some previous mysteries. MuchContinue reading “The Apothecary Diaries, episode 41”
The Apothecary Diaries, episode 40
Rating: A I expected the intrigue to ramp up a bit with the return of Loumen to the Rear Palace, as a person with his insight, expertise, and experience is the kind of person who could be a catalyst for action even if he’s not directly part of it. Episode 40 shows how completely IContinue reading “The Apothecary Diaries, episode 40”
The Apothecary Diaries, episode 39
Rating: B+ (first part), A (second part) More so than most episodes of this series, this one is a composition of two completely different parts, one which has its serious aspects but is lighter in general and one which is almost completely serious and introduces a potentially major development for the setting’s status quo. TheContinue reading “The Apothecary Diaries, episode 39”
Review: I May Be a Guild Receptionist,but I’ll Solo Any Boss to Clock Out on Time
In Alina Clover’s fantasy world, adventuring is a real (if dangerous) profession and an Adventurers Guild exists to manage job requests and dungeons left behind by a lost, more powerful predecessor civilization. Alina isn’t an adventurer, though, or at least not officially; she opted instead to become a guild receptionist, partly on the recommendation ofContinue reading “Review: I May Be a Guild Receptionist,but I’ll Solo Any Boss to Clock Out on Time”
The Apothecary Diaries, episode 38
Rating: A- One of the neatest aspects of this series is the depth of its cast. Maomao and (to a lesser extent) Jinshi are clearly the stars, but all four of the high-level concubines also have their strong appeals: Gyokuyou is the clever and mischievous one (as we see again in this episode), Lihua isContinue reading “The Apothecary Diaries, episode 38”
USA Anime 