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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

Ask Scratchy: How Do I Tell My Pal I Need Him to Be Better Friend?

By Dr. Scratchansniff

Jimmy Olsen of ‘Superman: The Animated Series’ needs some advice, and our house head shrinker, Dr. Scratchansniff, is here to help.

A Cartoon Lover’s Haven Lives in Brooklyn

By The Dot and Line

Are you in New York? Then go hang with our friends at “Spoons, Toons, and Booze.” You won’t regret it. Trust us.

‘Weathering With You’ Is the Wettest Movie of the Year

By Eric Vilas-Boas

Makoto Shinkai's follow-up to 'Your Name.' dramatizes its characters' feelings with rain.

cowboy funk bebop

A Tale of Two Space Cowboys

By Nicholas P. Garcia

Love Spike and hate Andy? We got bad news for you, pardner…they’re basically the same person.

The Best American Animation Writing 2018

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.

princess carolyn

Princess Carolyn Nailed the Best Joke in the 4th Season of ‘BoJack Horseman’

By Katie Van Brunt

It’s the crux of the show.

Ask Scratchy: I Slept for 54 Years and Can’t Remember a Damn Thing

By Dr. Scratchansniff

Faye Valentine of ‘Cowboy Bebop’ needs some advice, and our house head shrinker, Dr. Scratchansniff, is here to help.

A Spoiler-Free Review of ‘Philbert’ Season 1

By John Maher

Even the ‘Horsin’ Around’ star’s commendable performance can’t save Flip McVicker’s new prestige detective drama from itself.

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