“Meta,” or self-reference, is one of those things that fascinates me and has since I learned about recursion in computer programming. A subroutine that calls itself! Ye gods! What a concept! Now, meta is one of those things that appeals to people whose minds are spectacularly twisted, like mine. My buddy Derekl is also one […]
Read more "The Seven Levels of Meta"I’ve generally liked the way Shinichiro Watanabe handles female characters. He seems to find a way to avoid simple tropes. Cowboy Bebop: Faye Valentine is seriously hot but she is strong and avoids the Princess in Peril and Girlfriend stereotypes. Ed is completely unique, a free-range child. Samurai Champloo: Fuu is small and physically weak […]
Read more "Character Analysis: Lisa Mishima"Full Metal Panic was one of the first series I watched way back when, and while I kind of liked it, it wasn’t mind-blowing to me the way Cowboy Bebop and Black Lagoon were. That’s kind of unfair, of course: Cowboy Bebop routinely blows minds and as an adult viewer I was struck by the […]
Read more "Admiral Baby: Full Metal Panic"I don’t think it’s an original observation that the fundamental driving force in Neon Genesis Evangelion is love. The basic plot is driven by Gendo’s love for his lost wife Yui and his desire to find/recreate/rescue her. The resolution, at least as expressed in the manga version and The End of Evangelion OVA, is driven […]
Read more "Love is the Drug: Neon Genesis Evangelion"I like Teen Titans Go. It’s fast, sloppy, dynamic, full of good gags and great acting. I think I can say that because I’m not especially wedded to the characters. There are people out there who are fanatical fans of the Marvel Cartoon Universe, and these people find Teen Titans Go to be an absolute […]
Read more "Not Really Relevant Post: Teen Titans Go"The Outsider is a character who comes from another world in some way; a different country, a different social class, a different planet, a different species, even a different gender. (Your Name, anyone? Although Inside Mari is a better example.) The Outsider is a useful narrative tool because people have to explain things to them. […]
Read more "The Outsider: Elias Ainsworth"As a writer I keep telling you about stories I have written when they drop. (There’s another one coming up soon!) But every once in a while I have to plug a buddy, too, because after all, we’re all in this together. My buddy Lexy Wolfe (If you know what the word “Ticanee” means you’ll […]
Read more "Buddy’s Book on Sale"