Days with My Stepsister – 08 – Time to Relax
After checking with Saki’s mom about how best to approach her, Yuuta asks Saki again about the pool outing with Maaya and the others. But Saki is adamant that she’s not going, and even if Yuuta wants to, she’s not going to give out Maaya’s contact info without her permission. It’s an even curter exchange … Continue reading "Days with My Stepsister – 08 – Time to Relax"
Oshi no Ko – 19 – You Asked For It!
Aqua and Akane are already resolved to draw out The Real Arima Kana, but she also gets support from Himekawa Taiki. He can sense that Akane is trying to steal the show and is determined to deter her, even to the point of resorting to “air glasses” since contact lenses scare him. When Taiki-as-Blade squares … Continue reading "Oshi no Ko – 19 – You Asked For It!"
Logging off VTuber Legend
I missed last week’s episode of VTuber Legend, and it’s often only when you miss a scheduled episode that you realize you didn’t miss it. It’s been clear that this show is all about the various (admittedly nicely designed) VTuber characters bouncing off each other online, and little else. It was neat to get a look … Continue reading "Logging off VTuber Legend"
Days with My Stepsister – 07 – Ayase in Chains
We begin this week’s episode by catching up on the last few days of Ayase’s diary entries, as she tries to put her evolving feelings into words. She’s grateful for everything Yuuta has done and wants to pay him back, but she also curses herself for starting to act like “a character in a novel,” … Continue reading "Days with My Stepsister – 07 – Ayase in Chains"
Oshi no Ko – 18 – Not Like This
Akane watches backstage as a poorly-timed sound effect washes out one of Sakuya’s lines and Kana seamlessly ad-libs so that the audience gets the information they couldn’t initially hear. Sakuya tips his cap to an actor who’s been at it all her life, and admits he’s never had an easier time acting beside someone. Even … Continue reading "Oshi no Ko – 18 – Not Like This"
Days with My Stepsister – 06 – Rooting for You
The same day Yuuta’s best mate (whose voice seems miscast as he sounds like he’s pushing 40 years old) asks him if he’s seeing Narasaka Maaya, Maaya herself joins him and Saki on a walk home together. She’s come to help Saki study for an exam tomorrow, but ends up helping Yuuta, who has little … Continue reading "Days with My Stepsister – 06 – Rooting for You"
Oshi no Ko – 17 – A Minute of Greatness
The Tokyo Blade 2.5D stage play begins, and we get to watch a good chunk of the first act from the same perspective as the audience. The combination of traditional stage work, video, projection, lighting effects, wire work, and pyrotechnics all combine to form an immersive and compelling experience. The titular Blade and Kana’s Tsurugi set … Continue reading "Oshi no Ko – 17 – A Minute of Greatness"
VTuber Legend – 05 – #CringePrinter
Awayuki reacts to the reveal of Live-On’s fourth generation, but is perturbed to learn the first newbie, Souma Alice, is a hardcore Awayuki/Shuwa-chan stan. Her room is lined with photos and she’s recorded every second of ber beloved’s audio. She immediately follows her introduction by asking if she can be Awayuki’s woman. Awayuki is taken … Continue reading "VTuber Legend – 05 – #CringePrinter"
Oshi no Ko – 16 – Fated Rivals
Were it not for Aqua, Akane doesn’t think she’d be here. So it stands to reason she wants to save him. It’s not love per se, simply obligation, and recognition that whatever else he is, Hoshino Aqua is a good guy. So even when he tells her he’s trying to act his way to the top … Continue reading "Oshi no Ko – 16 – Fated Rivals"
VTuber Legend – 04 – #BeginnerItasha
Thanks to her monetization, Awa is finally able to buy a “Long Fit” a kind of all-in-one fitness device. Naturally, she streams her first use of the device (though not the unboxing, which is more Chami’s thing). While Hikari breezes through the highest difficulty level, both Awa and Shion struggle due to their not being … Continue reading "VTuber Legend – 04 – #BeginnerItasha"