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Tag: essay

Movies

An Ode to ‘Up’ a Decade After It Broke Our Hearts

May 28, 2019December 30, 2019 Isabel GalweyComments Off on An Ode to ‘Up’ a Decade After It Broke Our Hearts

A personal reflection on Pixar’s most poignant tearjerker, 10 years after it came out.

fullmetal alchemist brotherhood
TV

The Only Way Out Is (Not) Through (Alchemy)

April 8, 2019December 29, 2019 John MaherComments Off on The Only Way Out Is (Not) Through (Alchemy)

All traumatized children would bring their parents back to life if they could. The Elrics show us why the past should stay dead.

madoka magica
TV

Inside the Godhood in ‘Madoka Magica’

September 28, 2018May 6, 2019 Fiona DayComments Off on Inside the Godhood in ‘Madoka Magica’

Let’s unpack why Madoka was a holdout among her friends.

powerpuff girls
TV

Why So Many Early ’00s Cartoons Couldn’t Escape the Male Gaze

June 15, 2018May 9, 2019 Shelby PeakeComments Off on Why So Many Early ’00s Cartoons Couldn’t Escape the Male Gaze

Animation has long been a boys’ club—and the 21st Century has mostly been no exception. Until now.

morty sanchez
TV

Morty Is Mixed, Just Like Me. And That’s Complicated.

June 7, 2018May 9, 2019 Izzy KingsComments Off on Morty Is Mixed, Just Like Me. And That’s Complicated.

The soul of ‘Rick and Morty’ is a mixed-race boy who goes on inter-dimensional adventures. What do we expect of him?

TV

‘Trigun’ Celebrated Its 20th Anniversary Last Month. I’ll Never Forget Its Story.

May 30, 2018April 25, 2020 Wyatt ErchakComments Off on ‘Trigun’ Celebrated Its 20th Anniversary Last Month. I’ll Never Forget Its Story.

A look back at Vash, Meryl, and one of the most powerful anime series ever.

julia real folk blues cowboy bebop
TV

How the Invisible Hand of Julia Drove the Plot of ‘Cowboy Bebop’

April 27, 2018May 9, 2019 Victoria FreyreComments Off on How the Invisible Hand of Julia Drove the Plot of ‘Cowboy Bebop’

It’s impossible to get her out of your head.

my funny valentine faye cowboy bebop
TV

To Faye, From Faye: Be Your Own Goddamn Valentine

April 20, 2018May 9, 2019 Maya GittelmanComments Off on To Faye, From Faye: Be Your Own Goddamn Valentine

A poetic love letter, from one kickass survivor to another.

jupiter jazz cowboy bebop
TV

The Hidden Parallels in ‘Cowboy Bebop’—and Its Links to Cormac McCarthy

April 18, 2018April 18, 2020 John MaherComments Off on The Hidden Parallels in ‘Cowboy Bebop’—and Its Links to Cormac McCarthy

Spike is Gren? Spike is Vicious? Spike is Odin, the wanderer god whose ravens represent thought and memory? Spike is Cormac McCarthy’s nameless Kid from ‘Blood Meridian’? Good questions.

ballad of fallen angels cowboy bebop
TV

I Watched “Ballad of Fallen Angels” and Have So Many Questions

April 6, 2018September 7, 2022 Bruce BohriComments Off on I Watched “Ballad of Fallen Angels” and Have So Many Questions

The fifth episode of ‘Bebop’ is one of its best, but I never watched the rest of the show. Here are all the things I still wonder about.

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EDITORS PICKS

WTF Is Felix Colgrave Smoking?

By John Maher

And can we have some before we watch any more cartoons?

Marceline’s Best Tunes, Ranked

By Sarra Sedghi

Songs of heartbreak, loss, and pilfered fries in ‘Adventure Time.’

The Best American Animation Writing 2017

By The Dot and Line

A roundup of our 15 favorite stories about cartoons published during the past year by outlets not called The Dot and Line.

Farewell, Log Lady. Plank Will Never Replace Your Log.

By John Maher

Was Jonny from ‘Ed Edd n Eddy’ an homage to Margaret from ‘Twin Peaks’? If so, he’s a sweet but unsatisfactory successor.

The Crippling Terror of Leaving Your Stoop

By Rob Ryan

On Hey Arnold! and the glamor of struggle—a part of Nicktoons Month!

Mike Lazzo Leaves Adult Swim

By John Maher

The executive vice president and creative director of Adult Swim has retired from the network after more than 40 years in entertainment.

the critic jay sherman

Why We’ll Never See a Show Like ‘The Critic’ Again

By Siena Koncsol

Could anyone, even Jay Sherman, filter through the cacophony of voices in today’s fandom?

the big o roger smith

Batman in a Gundam: The Stylized Greatness of ‘The Big O’

By Alex Costello

It’s the perfect show for lovers of jazz, film noir, and giant robots.

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GREATEST HITS

If You Love ‘The Last Jedi’ Here’s the Anime to Watch Right Now

By Eric Vilas-Boas

Sequels that mine the dark corners of the soul, fix the flaws of their predecessors, and are filled with gorgeous imagery always go down in history as the best of their lot.

end of ze world

The Creator of ‘End of Ze World’ Reveals His Secrets: Exclusive Interview

By Marley Crusch

Ahead of his live YouTube Q&A tomorrow, Jason Windsor, creator of legendary viral video “End of Ze World” and its sequel “End of Ze World: Probably for Real This Time!” reveals (almost) all.

2017 editorial | Editorial by MysteryThemes.