Princess Jellyfish (2010)

Title: Princess Jellyfish
Rating: PG-13
Run Time: 23 minutes
Release Date: October 15, 2010
Genre(s): Anime, Series, LGBTQ+, Comedy
Production Co.: Brian's Base
Director: Takahiro Oomori
Starring: Mitsuki Saiga, Kana Hanazawa, Junichi Suwabe


Who would I recommend this to?
Anyone looking for queer-friendly anime.

What is this about?
A crossdresser helps a jellyfish-obsessed girl and her roommates.

When would be a good time to watch this?
As soon as you can.

Where does it take place?
Tokyo, Japan.

Why did I decide to watch this?
I took am a bit obsessed with jellyfish.

How did I like this?
It's really cute! I adored all of the characters, although I wasn't fully invested in Shuu's side-plot. The makeovers were fun! And I desperately want a jellyfish dress.

Have you seen Princess Jellyfish? What did you think?
If not, would you watch it?

Time of Eve (2008)

Title: Time of Eve
Rating: PG-13
Run Time: 18 minutes
Release Date: August 1, 2008
Genre(s): Anime, Series, Sci-Fi, Drama
Production Co.: Studio Rikka
Director: Yasihiro Yoshiura
Starring: Jun Fukuyama, Rie Tanaka, Rina Satou


Who would I recommend this to?
Those who are interested in the line between humans and AI beings.

What is this about?
A cafe were humans and androids freely mingle.

When would be a good time to watch this?
On an evening for contemplation.

Where does it take place?
Future Japan, probably.

Why did I decide to watch this?
It was short and sounded really interesting.

How did I like this?
I really liked it! I'm already partial to robot media, so I liked seeing a world where androis are commonplace, if not quite accepted.

Have you seen Time of Eve? What did you think?
If not, would you watch it?

A Little Snow Fairy Sugar (2001-02)

Title: A Little Snow Fairy Sugar
Rating: PG
Run Time: 23 minutes
Release Date: October 3, 2001
Genre(s): Anime, Series, Fantasy
Production Co.: J.C.Staff
Director: Shinichirou Kimura
Starring: Masumi Asano, Tomoko Kawakami, Kaori Mizuhashi


Who would I recommend this to?
Kids.

What is this about?
A little snow fairy (named sugar) finds a girl who can see fairies and wrecks havoc on her life.

When would be a good time to watch this?
While babysitting?

Where does it take place?
Japan, somewhere.

Why did I decide to watch this?
It sounded kind of cute.

How did I like this?
I didn't really. A few episodes caught my attention and made me feel things, but for the most part I was either bored or severely annoyed. One of my least favorite tropes is someone determined to help but just makes things worse and can't seem to grasp that it's NOT the thought that counts, which is sadly Sugar's entire personality.

Have you seen A Little Snow Fairy Sugar? What did you think?
If not, would you watch it?

Fena: Pirate Princess (2021)

Title: Fena: Pirate Princess
Rating: PG-13
Run Time: 23 minutes
Release Date: October 3, 2021
Genre(s): Anime, Series, Adventure
Production Co.: Production I.G
Director: Kazuto Nakazawa
Starring: Asami Seto, Ryouta Suzuki, Takahiro Sakurai


Who would I recommend this to?
I'm not sure.

What is this about?
A young woman escapes a brothel to become a pirate captain and find a lost island.

When would be a good time to watch this?
Whenever.

Where does it take place?
The oceans around Europe.

Why did I decide to watch this?
I like pirates.

How did I like this?
I didn't like it at first, because Fena is an annoying shouty heroine for comedic effect, even though she just had her virginity auctioned off?!!? The tone was all wrong. I did settle in once I got past the first few episodes. However, it's not that exciting or interesting.

Have you seen Fena: Pirate Princess? What did you think?
If not, would you watch it?

Erased (2016)

Title: Erased
Rating: R
Run Time: 23 minutes
Release Date: January 8, 2016
Genre(s): Anime, Series, Suspense
Production Co.: A-1 Pictures
Director: Tomohiko Itou
Starring: Chinnosuke Mitshushima, Aoi Yuuki, Minami Takayama


Who would I recommend this to?
You?

What is this about?
A man who can travel back in time to stop tragic events, it sent back 18 years to prevent a classmate from getting kidnapped after he's framed for his mother's murder.

When would be a good time to watch this?
Soon.

Where does it take place?
Hokkaido, Japan.

Why did I decide to watch this?
It had good ratings and I like time travel.

How did I like this?
I was immediately hooked! I was rooting for Satoru to fix the past, but I also desperately wanted to know who was really behind all of this. I had my suspicions, which felt obvious, but I didn't really get the ending.

Why was he doing this? He just came across as a stereotypical villain with the whole "I would have gotten away with it, if it wasn't for you pesky kid!"

Have you seen Erased? What did you think?
If not, would you watch it?

Yuri!!! on Ice (2016)

Title: Yuri!!! on Ice
Rating: PG-13
Run Time: 23 minutes
Release Date: October 6, 2016
Genre(s): Anime, Series, Drama
Production Co.: MAPPAA
Director: Sayo Yamamoto
Starring: Junichi Suwabe, Kouki Uchiyama, Toshiyuki Toyonaga


Who would I recommend this to?
Someone who needs a smile.

What is this about?
Finding yourself in your passions.

When would be a good time to watch this?
When you need a smile.

Where does it take place?
Around the world.

Why did I decide to watch this?
I've heard really good things.

How did I like this?
I wasn't sure about it at first, because I'm not into figuring skating. But then there were soooo many little moments that just made me smile, sometimes so wide my face hurt! It's just so cute and special!

Have you seen Yuri On Ice? What did you think?
If not, would you watch it?

Zootopia (2016)

Title: Zootopia
Rating: PG
Run Time: 1 hour 49 minutes
Release Date: March 4, 2016
Genre(s): Animation, Drama, Adventure
Production Co.: Walt Disney Animation Studios
Director(s): Byron Howard, Rich Moore, Jared Bush
Starring: Ginnifer Goodwin, Jason Bateman, Idris Elba


Who would I recommend this to?
THE WORLD!

What is this about?
The first bunny cop takes her first case and tries to prove that predators aren't all bad.

When would be a good time to watch this?
Immediately.

Where does it take place?
Zootopia.

Why did I decide to watch this?
Originally, because it's Disney. Now, because it's awesome.

How did I like this?
 I love this movie! The themes of stereotyping and prejudice are not subtle, but done in such an accessible way. And everything makes me cry!

Have you seen Zootopia? What did you think?
If not, would you watch it?

Mean Girls (2024)

Title: Mean Girls
Rating: PG-13
Run Time: 1 hour 52 minutes
Release Date: January 12, 2024
Genre(s): Comedy, Musical
Production Co.: Paramount Pictures
Director(s): Samantha Jayne, Arturo Perez Jr.
Starring: Angourie Rice, Renee Rapp, Auli'i Cravalho


Who would I recommend this to?
No one, really.

What is this about?
Girls who are mean.

When would be a good time to watch this?
Never.

Where does it take place?
North Shore High School.

Why did I decide to watch this?
Morbid curiosity, since the original movie is a masterpiece.

How did I like this?
I mean...it's not good, but it's not terrible. It's mainly the acting that is bad. Like I did not believe most of this characters. A lot of the songs are good, and the singing was good. But...did we need this remake? It's missing the charm of the original. This just felt like they were trying too hard to make it relevant to the recent generation, and they just fell flat.

Have you seen Mean Girls? What did you think?
If not, would you watch it?

Hazbin Hotel - Season 1 (2024)

Title: Hazbin Hotel
Rating: TV-MA
Run Time: 25 minutes
Release Date: January 19, 2024
Genre(s): Animation, Series, Musical, Comedy
Production Co.: A24 Television
Creator: Vivienne Medrano
Starring: Erika Henningsen, Stephanie Beatriz, Blake Roman


Who would I recommend this to?
Those who like their cartoons dark and musical.

What is this about?
The princess of hell runs a hotel in the hopes of redeeming sinners.

When would be a good time to watch this?
Immediately.

Where does it take place?
Hell.

Why did I decide to watch this?
I adore Hell of a Boss and had watched the original pilot awhile back.

How did I like this?
The music is sooooo good! "Poison" and "More Than Anything" were stuck in my head. I love this world! And for whatever reason, darker humor works for me, along with the more touching moments.

Have you seen Hazbin Hotel? What did you think?
If not, would you watch it?

Pokemon 4Ever: Celebi - Voice of the Forest (2002)

Title: Pokemon 4Ever
Rating: G
Run Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Release Date: October 11, 2002
Genre(s): Anime, Adventure, Sci-Fi
Production Co.: Pikachu Project 2001
Director: Kunihiko Yuyama, Jim Malone
Starring: Veronica Taylor, Rica Matsumoto, Rachael Lillis


Who would I recommend this to?
Whoever is watching Season 4.

What is this about?
Pokemon poachers and time travel.

When would be a good time to watch this?
Right before the final four episodes of Season 4.

Where does it take place?
The Forest.

Why did I decide to watch this?
I was watching Season 4.

How did I like this?
I really liked this one! It seemed more grounded in "reality" rather than some random thing Ash and friends must face just because it's exciting.

Have you seen Pokemon 4Ever? What did you think?
If not, would you watch it?

Pokemon: Johto League Champions (2000)

Title: Johto League Champions
Rating: G
Run Time: 24 minutes
Release Date: August 3, 2000
Genre(s): Anime, Series, Sci-Fi, Adventure
Production Co.: OLM
Starring: Veronica Taylor, Rachael Lillis, Eric Stuart


Who would I recommend this to?
Pokemon people.

What is this about?
Young Pokemon trainers make their way to another tournament, and the friends they make along the way.

When would be a good time to watch this?
Whenever, but after Season 3.

Where does it take place?
Across the Johto region.

Why did I decide to watch this?
Because I'm still enjoying this series.

How did I like this?
It's Pokemon. It's fun. Not as many touching moments as in previous seasons, but still fully enjoyable.

Have you seen Johto League Champions? What did you think?
If not, would you watch it?

Winnie the Pooh (2011)

Title: Winnie the Pooh
Rating: G
Run Time: 1 hour 12 minutes
Release Date: July 15, 2011
Genre(s): Animation, Fantasy, Musical
Production Co.: Walt Disney Animation Studios
Director(s): Stephen J. Anderson, Don Hall
Starring: Jim Cummings, Craig Ferguson, John Cleese


Who would I recommend this to?
Very, very little kids.

What is this about?
Talking forest creatures get up to hijinks.

When would be a good time to watch this?
Uhhh...like baby time.

Where does it take place?
The Hundred Acre Wood.

Why did I decide to watch this?
Originally, because the DVD came with another DVD I bought. Now, just to complete my marathon.

How did I like this?
This is my least favorite Pooh media. I feel like they made the characters way too dumb, rather than their usual silly, charming selves. Perhaps I'm just too old for this one?

Have you seen Winnie the Pooh? What did you think?
If not, would you watch it?

Do It Yourself!! (2022)

Title: Do It Yourself!!
Rating: PG-13
Run Time: 23 minutes
Release Date: October 6, 2022
Genre(s): Anime, Series, Comedy
Production Co.: PINE JAM
Director: Kazuhiro Yoneda
Starring: Konomi Inagaki, Kana Ichinose, Ayane Sakura


Who would I recommend this to?
Slice of life anime fans, I guess.

What is this about?
Five girls start a club for making things by hand in a wold full of mechanization and automation.

When would be a good time to watch this?
Whenever.

Where does it take place?
Gatagata Girl's High School in future Japan.

Why did I decide to watch this?
It sounded cute.

How did I like this?
It's pretty cute, but didn't fully hold my attention. I didn't particularly care for any of the girls. They're not bad or annoying, they're just not very interesting. We also don't really see much of this supposedly high tech future which is the whole basis of starting a DIY club.

Have you seen Do It Yourself? What did you think?
If not, would you watch it?