Film / Reviews Jun 25, 2020
‘A Whisker Away’: Don’t catnap on some feline fun
by Matt Schley
“A Whisker Away” milks the cuteness of animated cats to bring lighthearted fun to a story about loneliness and heartbreak.
Books / Reviews | RECENTLY PUBLISHED BOOKS ABOUT JAPAN Feb 23, 2019
'From Truant to Anime Screenwriter': A raw glimpse into the soul of an impressive talent
by Robert P. Largess
Filmmaker Mari Okada's own story, "From Truant to Anime Screen Writer," that of a child trapped in the prison of her hypersensitivity, is baldly and grimly told, a struggle against her demons of isolation, humiliation, and self-loathing.
Culture | CULTURE SMASH Jul 22, 2018
by Roland Kelts
"I still feel the loneliness of being hikikomori. Maybe I'm successful, maybe not. I can't tell. But I still feel the loneliness. The only difference now is that I can express my loneliness, my pain, and all those feelings in my writing. They don't ...
Film / Reviews Feb 21, 2018
'Maquia: When the Promised Flower Blooms': Mari Okada's visuals tell a moving story
by Matt Schley
Mari Okada is one of the most prominent — and prolific — writers in anime today. A native of Chichibu, Saitama, she's perhaps best known for penning a pair of deeply personal titles that take place there, "Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day" ...