I spent too much time translating this year to read much of anything, so you’re not getting a proper end of year post.

In any case, we’ve entered that awkward space between seasons. The taint of anime, if you will. Perhaps zoomers would more readily understand it as the Backrooms of anime, a liminal space where you’re chased around by video essays singing praises for the latest prestige shounen until you phase through the floor and plummet toward the next heap of shows. Don’t worry, there’s plenty of isekai to break your fall. You know, fans of the Backrooms and adjacent media would probably get a kick out of Otherside Picnic. I think there’s some serious potential in pushing it with that crowd. But I digress.

Otherside Picnic and Castlevania 2 have taught me that it’s a risky proposition to traverse supernatural territory at night, so consider this post a sort of encampment, a safe haven until the dawn has broken and the creepy crawlies have retreated. Soon it will be safe to seek out an exit once more, but until then, join me in pondering what has passed and what is yet to come. Continue reading “the [E]nd of anime” →