Otaku Links: Hint hint
Bakumatsu Rock, one of the shows I am reviewing for ANN, ended this week. I was more disappointed by the ending than by the show overall. I also wrote about…
Reporting on subculture with empathy and understanding
I like to think of the Small Press Expo as one enormous Artist’s Alley. For a weekend, the Marriott Bethesda’s largest ballroom is devoted independent artists and publishers from all over…
Otaku Links: Epic stuff
In this beautiful short film, two Anime Expo attendees share why they cosplay. The Amazing Life of Sean Smith, the Masterful Eve Gamer Slain in Libya. Mainstream media take note: often the most…
Lessons learned from professional anime reviewing
Today marks the third week of my professional anime reviewing career. As you might have noticed, I’ve been reviewing Free!, Bakumatsu Rock, and Nobunaga Concerto every Wednesday on Anime News Network. I…
Gunpla 101 Updates
There’s no good time to get sick, but Friday morning is probably one of the least opportune times to come down with something. Quarantined in my apartment, I made the…
Otaku Links: Let’s review
For the next few weeks, I’m going to start these out with my weekly reviews, which go live on Wednesdays. Here’s Free! Eternal Summer episode 10, Bakumatsu Rock episode 10,…
How I became the Otaku Journalist
Every now and then, students and aspiring journalists write to me for advice about entering the field. Here’s an email I sent recently, published with permission. I was wondering if…
Otaku Links: The silver lining
The Internet, especially our little otaku/gamer/geek corner of it, has been terrible this week. I don’t blame you if you’d rather go outside. But if you’re stuck at your screen,…
My reviewing gig at Anime News Network!
Update: Read all about ANN Streaming Reviews here! All right, I already pushed back publishing once, but everybody knows about it. I blabbed about it in a podcast at Beneath…
Anime romance for grown-ups
I’m watching Blue Spring Ride this season. (To be honest, I started because I love Futaba’s hairstyle, and I’m still debating with myself whether or not it’d be too awkward…