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?