March 2021 Update

I watched so many films and TV shows this month. Here is the list:

Films:

All six Tinker Bell movies. Here they are in the order I liked them, the first being the best:

1. The Great Fairy Rescue

2. Secret of the Wings

3. The Pirate Fairy

4. Tinker Bell

5. The Legend of the NeverBeast

6. The Lost Treasure

Next, there's Moxie (it's good, but it needed better disability rep, and any queer rep), Whip It (2009) (generic by today's standards, and inappropriate and condoning with some issues), Bram Stoker's Dracula (1992) (definitely a ridiculous, so-bad-it's-good shlock fest that tries to do too many things at once), Ophelia (2018) (underrated, and Daisy Ridley needs more praise and attention), Finding 'Ohana (too long and pretty boring, and it's full of clichés, contrivances and cringey performances from the child actors, but the diversity is appreciated), Wonder Woman 1984 (a fun and relevant superhero flick; the only real downside for me is Diana's blind obsession with Steve Trevor over her own home and mother and fellow Amazons), The Favourite (my second viewing, and I still think it's overrated, and I dislike historical costume dramas altogether, so maybe I'm not the best judge; plus the sound/music choices and editing is annoying and obvious), Professor Marston and the Wonder Women (I love it, it's one of my new favourite films, and I don't know why I didn't think much of it the first time I saw it years ago), Brokeback Mountain, The Devil Wears Prada, The Handmaiden (2016) (holy crap!), and Soul.

TV:

Harley Quinn season 1 (the second season isn't available in the UK yet, and I'm so mad about that because I want to see what happens next - specifically with Harley and Ivy! They're the best! Now this is a proper adult cartoon), Tokyo Mew Mew (oh my goddesses, it's been years since I first saw this, and watching it now, I'm sad to say I am disappointed; at fifty two episodes, it's not nearly developed enough, and I only recommend it to hardcore Magical Girl fans, and to people who don't mind hearing "Aoyama-kun" five billion times), Adventure Time (oh wow - and everything else aside, Marceline is the best, and Obsidian is an effing masterpiece), Over the Garden Wall (overrated, and I forgot about it after finishing it in under two hours), and Danny Phantom (more fun and funny than I thought it would be - a good glimpse at mid-2000s nostalgia).

Book rereads:

Princess Academy - Read review here.

Wonder - Read review here.

Whisper - Read review here.

Artemis Crescent - Fairy Pokémon Trainer - Cards (2021)

All 28 of them!

Girl-Themed Yugioh! Cards (2021)

All 222 of them!

Manga Review - 'Our Dreams at Dusk: Shimanami Tasogare, Vol. 1' by Yuhki Kamatani

Content warning: attempted suicide, depression, homophobia, homophobic slurs, sexism.

'Our Dreams at Dusk: Shimanami Tasogare, Vol. 1' is a contemporary manga that features both yaoi and yuri themes, by nonbinary mangaka Yuhki Kamatani. It is harrowing and hard-hitting in how it depicts issues of homophobia, internalised homophobia, and coming out in Japan. Attempted suicide is a huge cloud and motif in the whole volume, it is that dark and depressing.

How any society can function and call itself human - and how any family can call themselves loving - when they treat queer people so abysmally, I cannot fathom it. It is monstrous; especially where the youth, the most vulnerable of people, are concerned. No one is safe, healthy, decent, loving and happy whilst discrimination continues to exist. The system of "normalcy" is corrupt and toxic. It's not just unfair, it's deadly.

There is a glimmer, a peak, of hope in 'Our Dreams at Dusk', however. It reminds me a little of 'Fruits Basket', in how the main character, out of the midst of tragedy and/or ostracization, stumbles upon a new found family in the outskirts of society, who accepts them for who they are, and the individual family members are more like the protagonist than they'd thought.

Destroying and renovating old houses is the business of the "Drop-In" centre (well, it's a volunteer group, really), and the metaphor of breaking down walls also meaning to break down your own inner walls and find self-love, respect and acceptance is apparent and amazing. How cathartic and relieving that must be; 'Our Dreams at Dusk' contains some tools for therapy to go with its story.

Additionally, sexism towards women and the outdated expectations placed on them is depicted (as is sexism towards men, for sexism and homophobia are linked; it's to do with conservatism and toxic masculinity). Then there's the same-sex marriage movement in Japan.

Every subject in this short modern manga is important and relevant, no matter where you live in the world.

Is there a fantasy element to the manga? It's ambiguous in this volume, as far as I can discern. There is a typo or two in the English translation, as well. Not every character is developed (or named in-story more than once, for that matter) so far, either.

I still recommend 'Our Dreams at Dusk', whatever your sexuality. I can imagine that it will be difficult or even triggering for queer readers - it pulls no punches. Those who are considering coming out of the closet to family and friends won't find much comfort in it. But depending on where your home is and who you know, acceptance can take time (too much time in the 21st century, if you ask me). This manga at least lets the LBGTQA community know that it is just that, a community. They are not, never have been, and never will be, alone.

Discrimination, ignorance, hate - it is a continuous battle that we all must keep fighting.

Love is love.

We are all in this together.

Final Score: 3.5/5

P.S. Something I related to personally and positively in 'Our Dreams at Dusk' is the volunteer groups for local conservation activities. I used to take part in projects like those taking place in the manga when I was at university (I never knocked down any walls, though, but I'd like to try), so that was a surprising small nostalgia trip. It's a life affirming reminder of what I can still do in my life, too. To help people and be productive and active in my community. 

Manga Review - 'Goodbye, My Rose Garden, Vol. 1' by Dr. Pepperco

Content warning: talk of suicide, depression, homophobia, sexism, xenophobia, racism.

A sophisticated, beautiful and intricately-written-and-drawn historical fiction yuri manga, set in England in 1900.

'Goodbye, My Rose Garden' (how I love these yuri and yaoi titles) is a story of forbidden love between Hanako Kujo, a young Japanese woman who has just moved to England to follow her dream of meeting a famous novelist and becoming a novelist herself, and Lady Alice Douglas, a noblewoman who appears charming and well put together, but is in actuality severely depressed to the point of planning her own suicide.

This is brought on by living in a society that won't accept her for who she is; that views her as a sin and a disease. For Alice, being herself, loving whoever she loves, is not only shameful and disgraceful for a woman in her position, it is dangerous. She and her family could wind up dead, one way or another.

She has another secret as well, which society will scorn and criticise her for, but that's a major spoiler, not to be disclosed carelessly here.

Hanako, Alice's new maid whom she had picked up outside of a publishing house, fervently believes that love should be free. She is a woman ahead of her time, and for one who is surviving purely on luck in a foreign country in 1900, I think she is remarkably brave, underneath her naïve and flustered demeanour. She is boldly determined, no matter her goals.

You know where this is going, and it would be evil of me to give away any more information about these two great, revolutionary women, and their relationship with one another. Experience their struggles, their hardships and their loves through reading the volume yourself.

(Although, admittedly, Hanako and Alice's worlds-apart class and power division is only slowly deconstructed in the first volume.)

'Goodbye, My Rose Garden, Vol. 1' is also a love letter to bibliophiles. It loves libraries, bookshops, writing, and the experience of reading books that make you happy; that make you momentarily forget about the world and the present. Or not, as every reader is different. There are references to Oscar Wilde (very significant), and other authors.

It goes without saying that the manga is well researched. Sexism and homophobia are explored more than xenophobia and racism, but each issue is touched on suitably in relation to the story being told (religion? The English monarchy? They're blips on the radar at this point). It is as authentic as it is delightfully drawn. The range of character expressions, for example, is astounding.

There is a darkness to the manga's gracefulness, and an intriguing mystery that is interconnected to the main LBGTQ relationship. It's there to heighten the dynamic substance, to keep readers coming back.

'Goodbye, My Rose Garden, Vol. 1' - it is rosy, all right. The "black spots" only make it even more enticing. Nothing and no one can be perfect, after all.

Here's to another awesome recently published yuri manga that's checked off my list.

Final Score: 4.5/5

Manga Review - 'Failed Princesses, Vol. 1' by Ajiichi

2026 EDIT: Part of my new bookshelf clear-out. This is one of the books I have decided to give away, because it no longer brings me joy, or I am no longer interested in it, or I otherwise will not miss it.

Final Score: 3.5/5





Original Review:



More shoujo-ai than yuri, and it's a high school comedy manga, with hijinks aplenty. But 'Failed Princesses' is cute, and contains good messages about empathy, breaking BS social cliques, finding out who your real friends are, trying new things, not judging people, standing up for what you believe in, and basically calling people out on their shit. And looking pretty while doing it.

Yeah, it might not be completely groundbreaking - cuteness and appearances still matter to the characters - and it doesn't look as though that mentality will change further down the line (or at least, not significantly in the face of a wider sexist culture). But there is a parody element to 'Failed Princesses'. I adore that it's also about otaku culture, and the mangaka seems to know and love a lot about it. The character development is clear and done well, in my opinion; even if not in the "cuteness in girls doesn't matter, WTF is wrong with you?" department.

'Failed Princesses, Vol. 1' - an opposites-attract manga that will tickle your funny bone, and make you think of yuri and shoujo-ai titles like 'Girl Friends' by Milk Morinaga (there are some similarities). Recommended for light and fluffy fun.

Final Score: 3.5/5

Manga Review - 'Doughnuts Under a Crescent Moon, Vol. 1' by Shio Usui

'Doughnuts Under a Crescent Moon' is the first in the sample of contemporary yuri manga titles I've decided to read, and it is absolutely beautiful and wholesome. Especially considering that the main characters are adults. Ordinary, working class adults.

One of the women, Uno Hinako, has been trying hard to fit into society's traditional feminine woman role her whole life. It's the reason for why she's working for a fashion and make-up magazine, and for why she cares so much about her appearance. She is expected to fall in love, get married and have kids already.

But it's not happening. She's never fallen in love with any man, and so she thinks she's wrong and broken. Defective in some way. That she's not normal. That's what limited, boxed gender roles and conservatism straight out of the fifties does to you.

Uno is depressed - society's expectations of her have forced her into her own worst enemy, have made her hate herself and not systematic prejudice at large. She is unmotivated, insecure, has low self-esteem, and is terrified of being alone (keeping up appearances means clinging to work friends she doesn't really like).

But she finds she is happy when she gets to know and hang out with Asahi Sato, a cool and sombre woman who also works at her fashion company. Asahi is also unmarried, and five years older than Uno, and she doesn't seem to care what other people think of her. Uno is in awe of this serious and hardworking social outcast.

They bond over lunches; lunches that include food in bento boxes. But specifically, they bond over doughnuts. Cat-decorated doughnuts with holes in the middle. It is the sweet food, with or without holes in them, eaten under any stage of the moon, that makes these women feel whole and happy. They need to be careful about their money, but their concern for each other makes them buy food for one another. Uno even starts visiting Asahi's home, and cooking, with Asahi's younger sister eagerly eyeing them.

More than the doughnuts, Uno and Asahi make each other whole.

Bottom line, 'Doughnuts Under a Crescent Moon' is a career woman's yuri manga that's so sweet and touching and enlightening that it almost aches. I'll be honest, I wanted to pick it up mostly because of the title - sweet foods from a bakery and crescent moons are among my favourite things in the universe! And cats!

With the LBGTQ content or not, Uno's depression, her fear of disappointing her conservative family and friends, and of being alone in an unforgiving and outdated culture full of stigma - it is harrowing and relatable. Asahi, too, is three-dimensional (it's implied that her parents are deceased and she has to support herself and her sister all on her own) and kind of adorable. Workplace sexual harassment is another issue that's touched upon in a serious light.

But there is hope on the horizon, however, that's like milky way starlight and sugar, mixing into the night sky like cookie dough. In a doughnut-shaped galaxy, where pretty crescent moons are common sights when stargazing. The couple don't kiss yet in the first volume, but it'll get there.

Here is a new manga (2020!) that I strongly recommended to anyone. Start the progress, and keep the conversation going.

Final Score: 5/5