What Whitney's Watching

The next decade of entertainment and art will have no cultural identity and there will be nothing that sets the 2020's apart from the late 2010's in terms of art, music, or anything creative and we will achieve a level of mundane and dull in our art that the world has never seen before. "Damn, sis this is bleak as hell is everything all right at home? Are they abusing you at your job like what's good sis what's tea?"  And to that I say, I'm not being abused at work, everything is more or less the same with me, but thanks for the concern! "Oh well... that's cool, glad you're doing okay... that was still dark as hell please explain I'm about to unstan you I'm scared.." While I think it's pretty self- explanatory, I'll tell you what I mean, since I'm a caring and thoughtful blogger. *eyeroll* Essentially, the biggest and most successful movies and TV shows made in the last couple of years are either re...

Watching new movies and TV is getting harder and harder. Not simply because it sucks and originality is dead, but because as a black woman who desperately wants to see her self represented correctly, it's no longer worth it to watch these shows. And a lot of them do truly suck but that's besides the point. Why is it so hard for television and movies to represent black women, specifically dark skin black women, as full human beings? Why do you dusties insist on disrespecting us every time you think to put us in your hack shows and movies?? Is that what the MAGAts want? Those must be the coins you're going after because I really don't see a reason why in 2019 black women only exist in shows and movies to be punching bags or the comically evil, one note villain other than "yes, we hate them let's make sure everyone will always hate them forever, muahahahaha." Even shows we consider as brilliant and well done do this and I know for me, it makes me never want t...

The internet has been disgusting this week. Not that it isn't usually disgusting but this week has been so gross that I couldn't even think to write about anime. I was too busy dragging white supremacists to hell on my burner twitter to even begin to write a follow-up about anime zaddies. Or anything else anime or manga related and it's all because of a damn mermaid. Now, for those of you blissfully unaware of the bullshit around you, I'll fill you in on what's going on. This past week, Halle Bailey of the singing duo Chloe and Halle, was officially named as the actress cast to play Ariel in Disney's live action remake of the The Little Mermaid, another movie in a long, seemingly unending wave of Disney lazily and shamelessly milking the teats of their old properties for loose change. Upon hearing the news, I'll admit I was very indifferent. A part of me really dislikes these movies and sees them as nothing more than shameless retcon cash-grabs and I had mad...

A LOT of people watch anime. Like, a stupid amount of people I'm not kidding. In fact, randos on Quora estimate that 2 to 3 BILLION people watch anime. With that many people binging on their couches until 2 am every day or sneaking episodes at work because they're irresponsible, you'd think more people would be proud and open fans, right? NO because they're embarrassed as hell of being a weeb and tbfh, they have every right to be. A lot of  the more extreme weebs are embarrassing and obnoxious and while I appreciate everyone being enthusiastic about their anime, it's clear that y'all quizzing strangers about Goku's power level or arguing in public about why your waifu is the ultimate waifu or some shit is putting people off and ultimately, it's damaging the community at large. Even I have found myself pulling away from the anime community, and in ways that I'm not exactly proud of. *special effects sound usually associated with time travel* Pi...

Last year, I had the pleasure of going to my first anime convention. It was an incredible experience with amazing cosplay everywhere, panels with new and interesting content, and so many different creators that I nearly burned through all of the money I had. It was honestly one of the best days of my life but the most beautiful part, was the community I found. Everywhere I looked there was a woman who looked like me having the time of her life. Whether she was buying merch at the artist alley, or dancing to anime openings at a sing along panel, or posing for pictures in her bomb cosplay, they were there and then it hit me- even though these are expensive women, specifically black women, that like anime or manga or K-pop or whatever NEED to be going to these conventions. Period!! Now, I understand the hesitation, I really do. The idea of going to a con is very unappealing upon first thought. Many of us are introverted and shy and while there is nothing wrong with that, it does ma...

Do you ever find yourself desperately thirsting over that hot teacher you met at that overrated beer garden last Saturday? You ever zone out watching the same BTS Jimin fancam performance for the 36th time? Held eye contact with a human male for longer than three seconds? If the answer is yes to any of these questions then guess what... you might be a little thirsty and you need to get some help for that. "But Whit, how in the hell do I stop being so thirsty? As every new moon passes during this dry spell my strength wanes and I feel my life force draining!" Well,... first of all...yikes that sounds really painful and I'm sorry about your life force and everything but you really shouldn't worry about it too much. "Why wouldn't I worry about something so pressing?! What about my loins!!!?" Truly I don't know how to respond to that but if you're an avid anime or manga consumer then thankfully, there is a very effective and safe solution ...

Just like a great album can be the soundtrack to a point in our lives, great opening music is the soundtrack for any anime and sets the tone of the entire arc. The same way that, if you are going through something difficult or traumatic, listening to sad music will ultimately make it sadder and solidify that time in your life as tragic. On the flip side, if you’re experiencing a raggedy or boring summer, a good album or soundtrack will give you something about that summer to remember fondly and improve the recollection you have about that summer. It’s the reason your locals are still going on and on about summer ‘16 as if it was a damn movie and not just the summer after Kanye's last viable album was released. With this being said, you would think more emphasis would be placed on anime opening music. Or that at least more spaces would be dedicated to anime openings on the various fan ran YouTube channels and forum. But there isn’t and it’s crazy and I h...