When Your Name (2016), directed by Makoto Shinkai, hit theaters, it was a massive sensation. I heard the buzz back then but didn’t catch it, having only seen Shinkai’s earlier work, The Garden of Words (2013). It wasn’t until recently that I finally watched Your Name, admittedly late to the party compared to most fans….
A legendary animated classic, The Little Mermaid (1989) is etched in everyone’s memory. It dives straight to the heart of Ariel’s quest for love with Prince Eric, cheered on by all. In contrast, The Little Mermaid (2023) follows a similar path but stirs mixed reactions, facing backlash before many even watched it. The 1989 version…
Introduction I’ll start with a bit of frustration about recent animated films. Many movies, like Scooby! 2020, are based on simple fairy tales or lighthearted stories—like those from the Brothers Grimm—that have no business tackling heavy social issues. Yet, they’re packed with themes reflecting America’s current cultural debates, and it’s honestly exhausting. Scooby!, a kids’…