I turned 35 this April and I am in a very reflective mood. The notes in this piece discuss current anime watches like Naruto, the nature of black artistry today, and reading Toni Cade Bambara.
“We’re all starving for legitimate adult dramas with charismatic performers that neither talk down to the audience nor are skittish about the complexity that comes with being grown."
I haven't seen Challengers, but this is something I think about a lot. Sometimes I wonder if our standards for film have been lowered after the pandemic, as well as the arguably lesser "star system" we have today.
"Getting older is a fucking privilege. Being 35 has just the right seasoning."
As someone who's more or less around that age, I'm really happy to read this, so thank you.
I loved this recent newsletter, almost reaching the same age as you, really made me take a step back and do a bit of reflection on my self, it was a little scary though haha. I was intrigued reading about your anime dive. Have you watched "The Woman Called Fujiko Mine" and "Dear Brother..." (Oniisama e...), having followed your writings for a while, I think you'd also enjoy those if you haven't already watched.
Reflection is usually scary for me too. So, I feel you! I haven’t watched the second of those anime works. Thank you for the recs. I’m still relatively new to the medium so I’m always hype to hear about cool shit. “Fujiko Mine” my boyf discovered at 1am one night but I’ve only seen a little. I thought it looked pretty fun and wild.
If you love melodramatic, beautifully dressed, gay, slightly disturbed but iconic ladies, this will be up your alley lol. Also slapping! It's about girls who attend a prestigious High School that has their own American inspired Sorority that they would like to be in and.... drama ensues.
It's by the author Riyoko Ikeda who is mostly known for her most popular work "The Rose of Versailles", which is a Historical drama set during the French Revolution starring the character Oscar, a woman raised like a son by her father who goes on to be a commander for the Royal Guard at Versailles.
Her most well known works usually include themes about sexuality, gender and class.
Also, still keeping to the realm of anime because you seem to like stuff that gets WEIRD (I mean that as a compliment), you should check out the film "Belladonna of Sadness" it's a psychedelic art film from the 70s.
Okay, lemme not ramble on anymore. Again, I love your writing! So hearing about you give your perspective on a medium like this that I deeply love (including you not being that into Naruto, that I also never really got into, fuck Sasuke!), makes me supper giddy. My friend and I can't wait for your upcoming book! No matter the subject matter! Happy musings!!
"But in many ways, I write for the girl I once was who was so desperate to connect and mired in an all-consuming loneliness she turned to the page to survive." is such a beautiful and true sentiment, i felt #seen by it!! happy belated birthday ♥
also i know you reviewed one piece's live action when it came out, but how did the anime treat you?
Such god-tier, beyond perfect writing from a true blue Great!!! You are too amazing for words and are just so beyond words ingenious and impeccable!! Your emphasis on operating from a standpoint of pleasure has truly changed my life and has made so many tough days far more vibrant and meaningful. you deserve a year and onward as beyond perfect as you— never enough praise and loveee!!❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
You continue to be one of my favorite cultural critics. I hope 35 is sweet to both you and your mom. I'm also turning 35 this month, so cheers from (I'm assuming) one Millennial Taurus to another!
Oh wait, you said Aries season right there, duh. Still, wishing you a happy belated birthday and many happy returns! Also I'm gonna check out Black Clover. I love Food Wars.
haha yeah i’m an aries. ♈️ i was just encroaching upon taurus season as i tend to do lol. i hope you enjoy black clover. i’m having a blast getting into it.
"Are y’all not embarrassed to tell exceedingly rich artists that community investment doesn’t matter and their success on the grounds of representation is enough progress for us that there is nothing else they should do?" Oh. OH. Well then!!!
“We’re all starving for legitimate adult dramas with charismatic performers that neither talk down to the audience nor are skittish about the complexity that comes with being grown."
I haven't seen Challengers, but this is something I think about a lot. Sometimes I wonder if our standards for film have been lowered after the pandemic, as well as the arguably lesser "star system" we have today.
"Getting older is a fucking privilege. Being 35 has just the right seasoning."
As someone who's more or less around that age, I'm really happy to read this, so thank you.
I loved this recent newsletter, almost reaching the same age as you, really made me take a step back and do a bit of reflection on my self, it was a little scary though haha. I was intrigued reading about your anime dive. Have you watched "The Woman Called Fujiko Mine" and "Dear Brother..." (Oniisama e...), having followed your writings for a while, I think you'd also enjoy those if you haven't already watched.
Reflection is usually scary for me too. So, I feel you! I haven’t watched the second of those anime works. Thank you for the recs. I’m still relatively new to the medium so I’m always hype to hear about cool shit. “Fujiko Mine” my boyf discovered at 1am one night but I’ve only seen a little. I thought it looked pretty fun and wild.
If you love melodramatic, beautifully dressed, gay, slightly disturbed but iconic ladies, this will be up your alley lol. Also slapping! It's about girls who attend a prestigious High School that has their own American inspired Sorority that they would like to be in and.... drama ensues.
It's by the author Riyoko Ikeda who is mostly known for her most popular work "The Rose of Versailles", which is a Historical drama set during the French Revolution starring the character Oscar, a woman raised like a son by her father who goes on to be a commander for the Royal Guard at Versailles.
Her most well known works usually include themes about sexuality, gender and class.
Also, still keeping to the realm of anime because you seem to like stuff that gets WEIRD (I mean that as a compliment), you should check out the film "Belladonna of Sadness" it's a psychedelic art film from the 70s.
Okay, lemme not ramble on anymore. Again, I love your writing! So hearing about you give your perspective on a medium like this that I deeply love (including you not being that into Naruto, that I also never really got into, fuck Sasuke!), makes me supper giddy. My friend and I can't wait for your upcoming book! No matter the subject matter! Happy musings!!
"But in many ways, I write for the girl I once was who was so desperate to connect and mired in an all-consuming loneliness she turned to the page to survive." is such a beautiful and true sentiment, i felt #seen by it!! happy belated birthday ♥
also i know you reviewed one piece's live action when it came out, but how did the anime treat you?
i LOVE the anime and i’m up to date with one piece. really enjoying the egghead island arc the anime is in now.
#11 was a gift 🔥🔥🔥
Such god-tier, beyond perfect writing from a true blue Great!!! You are too amazing for words and are just so beyond words ingenious and impeccable!! Your emphasis on operating from a standpoint of pleasure has truly changed my life and has made so many tough days far more vibrant and meaningful. you deserve a year and onward as beyond perfect as you— never enough praise and loveee!!❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
You continue to be one of my favorite cultural critics. I hope 35 is sweet to both you and your mom. I'm also turning 35 this month, so cheers from (I'm assuming) one Millennial Taurus to another!
Oh wait, you said Aries season right there, duh. Still, wishing you a happy belated birthday and many happy returns! Also I'm gonna check out Black Clover. I love Food Wars.
haha yeah i’m an aries. ♈️ i was just encroaching upon taurus season as i tend to do lol. i hope you enjoy black clover. i’m having a blast getting into it.
"Are y’all not embarrassed to tell exceedingly rich artists that community investment doesn’t matter and their success on the grounds of representation is enough progress for us that there is nothing else they should do?" Oh. OH. Well then!!!