One Piece
While I haven't kept up 100% of the time, I always come back to One Piece. I just love the world and the characters, and its been part of my life for so long that I can't help but get excited as we inch ever-closer to the ending. I'm very happy to know that the anime is switching to a seasonal format for the first time since it began in 1999--I might start watching it again.

SPY X FAMILY
Another manga I've been following since around 2021, and it continues to be a fave. I genuinely think that this story is oft undersold; while it is a fantastic slice-of-life/comedy/action series, I think that people really don't emphasize that the author has some really beautiful and harsh things to say about the consequences of war. The most recent season enters the point in the manga where these themes really rear their head, and if you like that kind of thing then I'd highly recommend giving SXF a try, even if you think it's overhyped.

UNDEAD UNLUCK
One I had a lot of fun with, but ultimately I started losing steam right before the final battle. That said, I did finish it and I had a fantastic time since the characters are so endearing. The lead couple has such a hilarious dynamic, and they're both complete whack jobs. Match made in heaven.

Marriage Toxin
Still progressing through this manga in chunks whenever I feel like binging something. The art has a nostalgic feel to it, and I love the premise of the MC getting set up on dates to find marriage partner in order to spare his lesbian older sister from being forced into hetero-marriage. Fun subversion of the harem trope because he just keeps making friends with the women he meets, and also I do wonder sometimes if he's going to end up with the trans girl that is hooking him up on all these dates. Then again, this is a JUMP publication, so who's to say.

Gokurakugai
This is a manga with gorgeous art and a mysterious story. With chapters being monthly, it's slow going, but so worth it with each update. I think that I can count on this one really grabbing me by the throat as the action ramps up.

The Elusive Samurai
I was reading this a couple years ago, and decided to pick it back up to make the most of my JUMP subscription. Yuusei Matsui's art is sometimes offputting, but the comedy hits and I am genuinely intrigued by the historical RPF that's happening here. Great for a silly action story.

Chainsaw Man
Steadily keeping up with this manga, as I have been for the past few years, and I love the addition of Asa as co-lead to Denji. Fujimoto-sensei is one of the greats of this generation in my completely irrelevant opinion. Even if CSM isn't your thing, please give literally any of his works a try; he's a genius when it comes to making the most of the format. Just like everyone else, I do love Look Back, but Goodbye Eri is my personal favorite work of his.

Dandadan
A manga that has made me cry IRL multiple times, and with an anime adaptation that absolutely whips ass. I'm really not digging the amnesia arc right now but I trust Tatsu-sensei and I have faith that this is gonna resolve in a way that feels satisfying, especialy with recent developments on Okarun's side. Can't wait for Momo to be back to normal, though.

Dungeon Meshi
Finally finished this manga, and I'm so glad that Trigger is handling the adaptation. I'm going to be studying Ryoko Kui's art with a freaking magnifying glass; I love the way she draws bodies and variety in faces. Eagerly awaiting season two. I just know Trigger is going to put all of their horny energy into Laios for that one scene.

Jujutsu Kaisen: Modulo
A new story from Gege that I'm still trying to wrap my head around, but I'm already in love with the leads and the themes. The art is by Yuuji Iwasaki and gives me nostalgia for that early-Gainax feeling, with the JJK style mixed in. Really looking forward to where this one is headed, and I'll definitely keep following it into the new year.

Kurumizawa's Folly
This manga fucking blindsided me. Phenomenal art with a tense plot and a lead that is paradoxically the nicest and most manipulative man on earth. The co-lead also has much wrong with him. Without giving too much away: the yandere is the one that gets put in the basement. But don't worry, it really nice in there and he's getting enrichment.

To Be Hero X
I didn't care for this as a whole, but some arcs within it are amazing and the visuals are pretty good (most of the time). I can't wholeheartedly recommend it because some arcs are some real stinkers, and after enduring all that it ends in a goddamn cliffhanger. If you really want to try it, watch the first two arcs and then skip to the Loli and Ghostblade arcs. And the Ahu episode.

Wolf's Rain
I watched this on a friend's recommendation, and I bounced back and forth between the sub and the dub. The show has really impeccable and surreal vibes, and the soundtrack is just so haunting and lovely. A good winter watch!

Gekkan Shoujo Nozaki-kun
TBH I don't remember which parts I read but all I know is that I'm not caught up yet. That said, I know I probably had fun reading it. But as with most comedy and romance, I tend to put them down if there is not enough plot progression. GSNK you will always be famous for the Tomoda scene.

Sakamoto Days
I gave the manga and the anime a go this year, but honestly wasn't really grabbed by the story. Maybe I'll pick the manga back up if I run out of things to read, since I do like the action.The anime is not exactly a great adaptation and I likely won't go back to it, but I do like to listen to Sugita Tomokazu...

Alien Stage
I think my friends liked this more than I did.

Baccano!
I have this on DVD, and I hadn't rewatched it in some time so I think I blasted through the first three disks sometime in the spring. I should really get around to finishing it up. Awesome branching/converging story incredibly well-done dub and a soundtrack that I still blast to this very day. If you want some rowdy 1930s gangs on a train with a serial killer and immortals on board, I can't recommend this one enough. Watch this OP or else.

My Dress Up Darling
I finished the manga earlier in the year and I thought the romance was so sweet and well-executed. The newest season of the anime was also a treat, and I'm looking forward to the final arc getting animated as well. I didn't care for a few things in the manga, and I'm actually surprised and relieved that the blackface part was trimmed for the anime.

You and I are Polar Opposites
My best friend recommended this to me, and she hit the nail on the head; the art is so cute and the couple is so charming. As I tend to do, I'm transfixed by a side couple that has recently emerged in the story. My Curse.

HUNTER X HUNTER
Still trucking through HIATUS X HIATUS just like everybody else. Not much new to say about the story since we've been on this cruise ship for 1,000 years already.

Kaguya-sama: Love is War
Finally finished reading it after putting it off for months. I can't believe they fucked.

SK∞ the Infinity OVA
Cute but ultimately underwhelming. I think I let the hype carry me into this one, and that was a mistake.

Go Princess Pretty Cure
Every now and again I'll try watching a magical girl show because I like some tokusatsu and every single time I drop it because I just can't get drawn into an episodic monster-of-the-week anymore. It was really cute, and I know that its a good one, but I had so many other things occupying my time that this one fell to the wayside. Maybe one day...

Witch Hat Atelier
I'm only a few volumes into it, but I have really enjoyed taking my time and drinking in the artwork; Shirahama-sensei has a way with paneling and composition that blows me away with each page. I'm really looking forward to continuing this story, and taking inspiration from it since paneling isn't my strong suit.

Witch Watch
Manga that slapped me upside the head. I loved Sket Dance and I was curious to see what the author was up to, and it turns out he was writing my favorite romcom of the year with art that has improved by a mile since I last saw it. What the hell. The gag chapters don't always hit, but I was blown away by how wonderfully the characters and their changing relationships are handled. Yes I'm obsessed with the mess of a love triangle that the side pairing was going through for a minute there. The back half of the manga (at this time) has an arc that may make you raise your eyebrows but listen to me: Just Trust Shinohara-sensei. He's going somewhere with this. Also watch this OP and don't bother with the anime.

Astra Lost in Space
Binged this one in a week after catching up with Witch Watch. Very intriguing, and I was taken aback by the twist. A good short sci-fi with some truly surprising plot developments.

Fabricant 100
Read this on a recommendation from a friend, and the premise was so fascinating that I binged this one too. Be warned that this one has a pretty whack ending due to being cancelled, but if you want to see an insane woman, give it a go.

Kowloon Generic Romance
Watched the anime because I remembered hearing good things about the manga and got Sugita jumpscared. He shouldn't be allowed to voice romantic leads its unfair to me. Anyway, this is a story that has a retro style and explores the dangers of nostalgia through a mystery/sci-fi lens. I really enjoyed reading this and watching the anime adaptation, so take your pick; you're going to have a good time either way.

Firefly Wedding
This is a period romance in which the female leads is kidnapped and locked away for ransom, then bargains with her would-be executioner to marry him in exchange for rescuing her. He's a yandere wife guy and he will gladly kill and dismember anyone including himself over her. She's also got some stuff wrong with her but I'll leave that up to you. A really fun and bloody romance.

The Summer Hikaru Died
I still need to finish watching and reading this one but you don't need me to tell you how good this one is, now do you?

NEW Panty and Stocking with Garterbelt
THE BITCHES ARE BACK!!! MY FAVORITE SLUTS IN THE WORLD!!! So happy that Trigger got the rights to their insane baby back, and I had a blast meeting the new characters as well.

Ame To Kimi To
This is a nice and peaceful slice of life about a writer that finds a tanuki out in the rain and adopts him like a dog. He can write short phrases on a sketchpad which is pretty fun as well, but I think this show really shines in the quiet and contemplative moments where the lead character thinks about her life and her work, and what brings her most joy. Also great for testing your Japanese language comprehension, as most of the conversations are simple and the characters speak slowly.

CITY the Animation
WELCOME BACK NICHIJOU! This was anopther fun surprise during the summer anime season, and I laughed out loud at least once per episode. It's great to see Kyoani back in actino and working on something so fun with the creator of Nichijou, so I can't recommend it enough (though some of my friends did not find it as funny as me). Also, there's some hints of yuri in this.

Skip & Loafer
I just love seeing Shima step on rake after rake after rake, making the Tails Gets Trolled face every time. Mitsumi is so cute, and I really am rooting for her and commend her emotional maturity in the face of whatever the fuck Shima's got going on. Good luck overcoming The Trauma, buddy. You'll get there eventually.

Daisy
This is a webcomic I binged after I remembered that I started it a while back and then lost access to it very shortly after. I like the female lead and the can-do attitude after getting cheated on and murdered. The love interest isn't really too compelling but I'll give him a pass because he was funny as hell sometimes.

I Love Amy
Yandere Yuri with a Happy End. This was recommended to me and its another winner. The art style is outrageously cute and the cast is fun and has a lot of depth. Surprising amount of childhood trauma in this, but its relatable and does a great job of contextualizing why the leads are Like That. Highly recommend.

Netkama PUNCH!!!
Another rec that was genuinely hilarious, and two leads in a romance where they make each other worse in extremely compatible ways. Premise is that the lead gets clowned on by a streamer in an MMORPG, then plays a female character to catfish the streamer into giving him a bunch of expensive in-game items. And then the plan goes a little too well and he starts to feel bad for the guy, but the streamer is infuriating enough that he keeps fleecing him. Its great.

Frieren: Beyond Journey's End
Rewatched this after the new season's airdate was announced, mostly to refresh my memory while also getting my friend into it. I think this anime adaptation is a masterpiece, so if you haven't given it a watch yet, now is the time; the new season starts in just a few weeks.

The Fragrant Flowers Bloom with Dignity
My friend and I started watching this one to figure out what all the hype was about and after we got past the Apology Simulator 3000 part of the anime, this really took us for a ride. I love Kaoruko and Rintaro, and I wish them all the best. I continued with the manga and great news: it only gets better from here. If you are in the mood to read a light and sweet romance, this the one.

3Z Ginpachi-sensei
I'm gonna keep it funky with you; I'm probably going to drop this one. While the cast does an amazing job carrying the comedy, I only made it three episodes in and got bored after that. At least the anime staff is self-aware that its a cash grab.

MILKY☆SUBWAY THE GALACTIC LIMITED EXPRESS
Fucking unbelievably funny web series that I watched in both English and Japanese. Both audio tracks are great, and if you want to laugh for about 45 minutes, definitely watch this. Also the fight scenes are timed to the music in an incredibly satisfying way, which was a pleasant sensation in my rhythm gamer brain.

I Want to be a Wall
Very melancholy but hopeful and charming story about an aroace woman and her gay friend getting het married to keep their conservative families from pestering them. I read the first two volumes, but may pick up more in the future.

Daydream Hour
Lovely read after finishing Dunmeshi, and I was so happy to get a glimpse into Kui-sensei's beautiful mind. The extra details about the world and characters were a treat, and I got a lot of good laughs out of her commentary on her old sketches.

Severance Season 2
Yeah yeah I know, everyone was watching it, but for good reason. If you haven't, you should too. If you do, I highly recommend checking out the supplementary material like the Lexington Letter and The You You Are. Ben Stiller's social media are also a great place to see some truly stunning BTS photography--he's a hobbyist photographer and the shots he takes are breathtaking.

Doom Patrol
I finally got around to finishing this show after a year putting off the final season because I didn't want it to end. I think its the best thing that DC has on offer right now, and the character writing and depictions of mental illness/chronic illness/addiction in particular will stick with me for years to come. A superhero show about superhumans that are far too busy battling their demons and the curse of immortality to actually do much superhero-ing. Has my favorite iteration of Cyborg.

Flow
Watched this one night when I wasn't feeling well and I was really taken aback by how beautiful this movie was. Just a treat for the eyes, and an impressive feat in animation with limited resources.

On Becoming a Guinea Fowl
Watched on a whim at a small theater in Boston; I was floored by the way the story unravels gradually as we meet each of the family members in the days leading up to the funeral of the protagonist's uncle who was not exactly an upstanding citizen. A story about familial obligation, generational trauma, cycles of abuse, and misogyny.

Whisper of the Heart
I went on a Ghibli kick and tried to watch movies I hadn't seen before, or couldn't remember very well. I thought this was a really cute one, but it wasn't a huge standout to me.

Ocean Waves
This movie took me by surprise; I'd never heard of it, and I thoroughly enjoyed watching it. It's a coming of age story about two high school students, and the interpersonal drama between them actually made my jaw drop at certain points. These two are definitely making each other worse.

When Marnie was There
Mostly enjoyed the visuals in this movie, since the plot twist is telegraphed pretty early on. I did quite like the gradual development of the girls though. Oh to live in a mansion on the sea.

Princess Mononoke
My roommate had never seen this movie, so I rewatched it too and it is still a masterpiece. Definitely in my top 5 Ghibli films.

Ponyo
My 5-year-old cousin likes mermaids so I put this one on for us to watch together during Thanksgiving, and she liked it a lot. I also really enjoyed it; the last time I watched it was in theaters...

Castle in the Sky
I've rewatched this movie a few times, since I have it on blu-ray. It's another favorite of mine, and my roommate also hadn't seen it so I was more than happy to rectify that.

The Boy and the Heron
I missed this when it was in theaters, and I really was curious to hear the dub so I threw it on one night, brewed a nice pot of tea, and got comfy. I really enjoy when child characters are oddly responsible and stern for their age, so this was entertaining for me in that regard. The surreal scenes in the tower were especially beautiful to me.

Murderbot
I was completely unfamiliar with Murderbot Diaries, and this was a fantastic introduction. It's clear to me that the show was made with a lot of care and love for the source material, and I was surprised to learn that it wasn't uncommon for folks to interpret Murderbot as female. I think Skarsgård made for a great lead and I can see how, maybe based on Murderbot's mannerisms and our own devices having women's voices by default, that it was assumed to be feminine. I think that its an interesting avenue to explore.

Argylle
I'm a big fan of the Kingsman series, so I gave this a shot since its kind of in the same universe. Follows a writer of a spy novel series getting roped into helping an actual real-life spy. An action movie that is silly and enjoyable all the way through.

MythicQuest
I started this show and I'll gradually get around to finishing it; it was recommended to me by a friend and I think it has some really strong episodes. Game studio for a WoW knockoff as an office comedy.

Knights of Guinevere (Pilot)
I can't WAIT to see more of this. Gorgeously animated pilot seething with hate for Michael Mouse and what capitalism does to take advantage of nostalgia and hope.

Superman (2025)
Watched on the plane, and I had a good time. I think that it was a timely interpretation on the hero.

The Running Man
My cousins and randomly put on this remake since we were in the mood for an action flick, and we got really sucked in.

Sinners
You already know this was the movie of the year. I was very fortunate to watch it in 70mm film, and I'm so glad I had that experience. Listen to Ryan Coogler talk about film types here.

K-Pop Demon Hunters
Really delightful movie with great visuals and a fun soundtrack; it really feels like Sony has become the studio to dethrone Pixar. The movie was a little too fast-paced for me, but obviously great for kids. I loved when Huntrix dethroned Taylor Swift and restored the honmoon.

Frankenstein (2025)
GDT has done it again, and I think this may well be his magnum opus. Clearly the movie he always dreamed of making, and a testament to the beauty and humanity of monsters. I have many many thoughts about this movie, and I had the joy of seeing it right before Halloween in 35mm film, which gave it a soft and grainy quality that created a dreamlike feeling for a lot of shots. I'll be thinking about this for a very long time. CBS did a great profile and interview with him following the release of the film.

Stiller & Meara: Nothing is Lost
I was curious about this documentary in which Ben Stiller and his sister Amy go through their departed parents' belongings and video footage as they prepare to sell the apartment they grew up in. It was a very lovely tribute to the life and legacy, and you can see there was a great deal of reflection as Ben Stiller realized that he is in a lot of ways perpetuating cycles with his own children in the pursuit of making comedy and art.

Heated Rivalry
I only watched the first episode but so far I understand the hype. They could be wetter though.

Wake Up Dead Man
What a note to end my year on; I love the Knives Out series and this was yet another banger. I have a hard time deciding which of the movies is my favorite because they are all just That Good. Rian Johnson has this magical way of weaving together a mystery where the information is always there in plain sight for audiences to synthesize on their own, and makes rewatches so fun. If you have the chance to see this in a theater, do it.

Ado Hibana (Live in Baltimore)
This was a concert I hope I'll never forget--I feel so lucky to have had the chance to hear Ado sing live, and I regret not going during her first tour when she was in NYC. I legit cried during a couple of the songs, and I screamed and screamed and screamed.

MJ the Musical
I ended up seeing this because it was a gift from my cousin to our mothers and grandmother for us to see as a family. That said, it was a really well-crafted production, and the medleys were really fun.

Cabaret
Cabaret is one of my favorite musicals, and I feel extremely lucky that on my third time seeing it, I had the pleasure of seeing Orville Peck as the Emcee, which he blew out of the park. I also got the tickets via lottery, in the second row. There was also an absolutely bonkers moment in which the Emcee normally pulls a Nazi armband out of a box, but in this production he pulled out a blonde toupee in parody of Trump. The gasp I gasped.

Six
Another ticket lottery win, I took my mom to see this one and she loved it but I just had an alright time. RPF concert

Death Becomes Her
Yet another ticket lottery; also took my mom to see this show and it was easily one of the funniest things I'd seen all year. Two women who are best friends and want each other dead. This too can be yuri.

Operation Mincemeat
That last but not least of my ticket lottery wins, my friend and I went to see this show after if got extended for the third or fourth time (I keep losing track). We laughed our asses off, and I'd say this was definitely The Funniest Show I saw all year. If you get a chance to watch this, do it. RPF gone wild.

Twelfth Night (PBS Shakespeare in the Park recording)
The cast for this show was off the charts, with Lupita and Junior Nyong'o, Sandra Oh, Peter Dinklage, and Jesse Tyler Ferguson, among others. Funny and beautiful, with some modern adaptations to really make it fresh for a new audience. Take advantage of the fact that you can just watch it for free on PBS' website!

ReFind Self
This game is basically a personality test. You have a limited number of actions you can take in a world full of different ways to interact, and each thing you choose to do (and how long it takes you to decide to do it) determines your stats. At the end of a run, your personality is determined, with consecutive runs taking the prior runs into account. This was a very nice light play on my first run, and though I never went back for a second, I'll do a few more eventually, when the mood strikes. Its' definitely meant to be replayed.

Bomb Rush Cyberfunk
I finally beat this game after it sat on my Switch half-played for 2 years! I think its better than JSR in gameplay, but I think the story could've had a little more going on. I really enjoyed the surreal segments of gameplay, the grafitti tags were great, and the music went craaaazy. I'll never forgive YAPICO for ghosting me after I commissioned him for a birthday gift, though.

Twilight Princess
Early in the year, I tried to get my friend who only played BOTW to try an older Zelda game, and I figured she'd probably like TP so I lent her my copy and we played it together. It's still a favorite of mine; the vibes are impeccable, and I think it has one of the better thematic throughlines of a Zelda game. Also Midna is there. Here's my favorite video essay about TP.

Animal Crossing Pocket Camp Complete
I dropped $10 to save my Pocket Camp data as Nintendo ended service for the online component of the game, and I think its a big improvement, barring a few annoying things. I got several months of play out of this game on my commutes and I still have the widget on my phone.

Pokémon TCG Mobile
I think I played this for two or three months but as with all gacha games, I fell off pretty quickly. When you just keep rolling more cards and the numbers bloat more and more, the thing you're rolling for just stops being appealing. I did love looking at a lot of the card art, though, but I can do that on bulbapedia.

Stardew Valley
Listen. I wanted to feel like a functioning member of society for a while. I was unemployed, alright?

Fields of Mistria
LISTEN...CAN'T A GUY JUST MOW SOME HAY...

Soul of Sovereignty
Phenomenal visual novel from GGDG; the demo is free and I highly encourage you to play it. No I'm not going to tell you anything about it. Meet a kind man with sad eyes and something wrong with him, and a perfectly normal woman who has never done anything wrong ever.

Clinical Trial
homie's free visual novel is one of those works that has stuck with me through the whole year; I've thought about it at least once a week since playing it, and I am frequently checking if there is a way for me to send homie money as thanks for this absolute gem. You play as Angel as they make their weekly visits to a medical office, where a very autistic nurse named Lee administers doses of ADHD medication as part of a clinical trial. The story unfolds in a wonderfully suspenseful way, and the twists are incredible. homie let me give you money please

Detective Beebo
Played on a recommendation and I had a great time; its a murder mystery from the perspective of a detective trapped in a time loop, and he doesn't remember the loop (but you do!). Very interesting work and the multiple endings were really fun. Highly recommend.

Baldur's Gate 3
You don't need me to tell you the BG3 is fantastic. I know I'm late to the game but in my defense I didn't have a system that could run it until now.

Dorf Romantik
My friend bought this and I played it on a whim (gotta love that Steam family plan). It was very relaxing and basically is a hexagonal town creator with randomly generated tiles.

Deltarune
I was living and breathing this game for like a month straight after those new chapters dropped. I replayed the game fresh, and managed to beat the special bosses, though my friend's sister did take on the knight before the nerf so I can't take credit for that.

Spring Falls
A meditative game where you direct the flow of water to create waterfalls, pools, and water plants. I think I played it for 4 hours straight one day. (I was really stressed out in 2025, ok?)

Pentiment
Amazing; well-written, well-illustrated, and fun to explore. I haven't finished it yet, but I'm more than happy to take my time appreciating it. Easily a favorite of the year for me.

The MISSING
You already read my essay, right?

Sorry We're Closed
I started this game, and I really love it so far, but I get scared easily and the sound effects are just so uniquely gross at times that I have to take my headphones off. The art and music keeps sucking me back in, and the characters are delightfully weird in a familiar sort of way.

The Lexington Letter (Severance)
Really intruiged by the ramifications of this short story on the plot of the show, and I also really enjoy reading things that are mixed-media.

The You You Are (Severance)
Technically, I listened to the audiobook read by the actor that plays Ricken. I was literally laughing so hard I couldn't breathe. Please give this a listen if you like Severance.

The Official Severance Podcast
I took down a lot of little notes while listening to the podcast, and there were so many interesting details about the production of the show that made this a really worthwhile listen.

An Unauthorized Fan Treatise
A murder mystery that is formatted like a fangirl's blog full of wild speculation into the "secret romance" she made up about the actors who play the leads in her favorite fictional television show. At 45,000 words its a hefty read for one sitting but I get locked in. Great commentary on the nature of obsessive fandom and the harm of true crime.

The Empty Bowl
I picked this back up to listen to in the mornings as I get ready for work, and its such a peaceful way to start the day. Just two guys talking about the latest in cereal news with ambient waves crashing in the background.

Wonderful
I also returned to listening to this podcast on my commutes home. Since I work in healthcare its very easy to get worn down and even depressed after hearing people's stories about how the American healthcare system has failed them. This has been a good way to bring me back to earth in a positive way, especially when tragic news hits. There are still things that are wonderful in the world.

Victory Light
I was a huge fan of Desus & Mero and haven't been the same since the divorce, but Victory Light brings a very similar energy with Mero flanked by two even funnier cohosts. My favorite way to get the news; listening to Lizbel, Rainey, and Mero chop it up really makes me feel right at home, like I'm in the living room with my cousins.

The Read
I've been listening to The Read for close to a decade and I will not stop anytime soon; Kid Fury and Crissle are two of the funniest and insightful people I've had the pleasure of listening too, and the listener letters they get are truly unhinged sometimes.

Dollhouse Arsonist
This was a sefikura doujin I bought without knowing a single blessed thing about Final Fantasy VII and man is it great. I love this artists work so much, and I remember just staring at pages for minutes at a time taking in all the little details.

What Happens Next (Will Shock You)
I reread the comic from the top after it came off hiatus and boy did max graves come in swinging. There's a lot to be said about this comic, but to keep it short: if you were ever witness to or involved in tumblr drama, this is a fascinating read. WHN is about the fallout years after a murder involving several trans and queer characters in the midwestern US who are all coping very, very poorly (and posting online about it all the while). I also have a lot of thoughts about it as a nonwhite person in fandom. The comments section of the comic is also a great snapshot into the kind of people that this comic is about, which I'm going to emphasize is a neutral statement and not a judgement. After all, I'm reading the comic too.

The Song of Achilles
Finally got around to reading this after having it on my to read list for years...I blasted through it over the course of a few nights, and It is truly a very beautifully written book. All the accolades are well earned.

Everyone in my Family has Killed Someone
Really fun murder mystery in a locked ski lodge that was recommended to me by a friend. The premise is interesting, the narrator is funny, and the chapters highlighting how each relative killed someone was a fresh way to handle a story like this, especially as each focus chapter gives us new context for the mystery currently unfolding. If you like Knives Out, I'd recommend this book.

Everyone on this Train is a Suspect
Barely started this one; my digital copy automatically returned to the library, and I didn't bother to rent it again because the wait was ridiculously long. A friend told me it's not as good as the first book.

Slaves to Fashion
I picked this book up when I went to see the Black Dandyism exhibit following the 2025 Met gala. It was an amazing exhibit to see, and I did get emotional during my first visit, since it made me think so much about my grandparents and what they instilled in my cousin and I: that we deserve to look and feel like we belong here. Unfortunately I didn't finish the book as its a pretty dense read, but I am happy to have it on my shelf and do pick it up and read a section from time to time. Looking forward to getting through it in the coming months.

Morgana & Oz
A webtoon by Miyuli that I genuinely thought was about butch lesbians for several chapters before finding out that one of the leads was a boy. I'm still reading it though, and I'm looking forward to the final season.

The Blind Prince
Picked this webtoon up randomly and was pleasantly surprised by how much it sucked me in. The art is charming and the characters are funny; I'm very curious to see where this one leads since the worldbuilding feels really solid, and the chemistry between the leads is great.