Monthly Archives: February 2025

Erased: Manga And Anime Review

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The commonly used phrase “Re” in anime actually stands for the word “again”. Re:Re (Again:Again) also just so happens to be the opening song for in my opinion, one of the greatest works of fiction to exist: Erased. The name Re:Re is a perfect way to pave an introduction to this classic, science-fiction mystery, as not only does the main character go through the same intense, thriller-filled experiences over and over again, but Erased itself also made me read and watch the story more times than I can count.

Erased (TV Mini Series 2016) - IMDb

Erased begins by narrating the pathetic, hollow life of 29-year-old failed manga artist Satoru Fujinuma in 2006. Due to this, Satoru works as a pizza delivery driver to make ends meet. Unexpectedly, after a singular life-changing encounter while delivering pizzas, Satoru awakens a special power that he calls “Revival”, an unexplained, supernatural ability that transports him (however many minutes he needs) back in time to “fix” a tragedy that is about to occur. For the next couple of weeks, “Revival” happens to Satoru almost every day, giving him the hero-like chance to save the lives of many strangers around him.

However, after an uneventful day out and coming home from work, Satoru is met with the horrifying, startling murder scene of his dear mother. To make matters worse, the neighbors come in at that exact moment, pinning Satoru as the suspected killer. In this hell-like scenario while running away and hiding from the police, “Revival” suddenly occurs once more, except this time, instead of time-traveling 1 minute, 5 minutes back in time, Satoru opens his eyes to find himself in the body of his 11-year-old self. He had traveled back in time all the way to 1988. Watch Satoru find his hero within as he tries to save the lives of three fifth-grade classmates who were kidnapped and killed in his past while also trying to identify the person behind murdering his mother in the future.

US] Erased (2016) - Satoru is sent 18 years into the past to prevent his mothers murder. By becoming friends with his shy classmate Kayo, Satoru hopes he can stop a series
Satoru Fujinuma, 2006, Age 29

I watched Erased (anime) for the first time many, many years ago. For the record, I had been an avid fan of mystery-genre fiction for a while, yet still, the emotional thrill while binging all 12 episodes in one day was ingrained in my memories and left an indelible mark in my heart for the rest of my life, all up until now. While the plot as described sounds very action-packed, in my opinion, Erased is much more like a reflective commentary on society, problems within households, friendships, the importance of believing others, love, and creating your role, your hero, no matter what it takes. The anime not only gave me the rush of intense drama, but also made me cry and wail, cheer for the friendships and progress made for Satoru and his peers, and even pause the show entirely to digest the weight of its emotions and ideas.

I thoroughly enjoyed the low-key tenseness of the tone throughout the show, as my interpretation of it is that it’s a reflection of Satoru’s inner turmoil. That being said, all the characters are all very well-developed, complex, and gain a better understanding of themselves as the show progresses as well.

Now here comes my opinion on the manga, which I have to say, is at least 100x better than the anime adaptation.

Erased, Vol. 1 (Volume 1) (Erased, 1)
Erased Manga ; Volume 1

Yes, you heard me right: anime adaptation. As what happens with most animes, Erased is yet another unfortunate victim of an animation production team taking the original manga and cutting out parts of the storyline to fit the budget. Except in this case, the anime not only cut out supplementary enjoyable moments but also a big, important chunk of the storyline and even the entire ending. You heard me right again– the entire ending of the Erased anime was in fact not the original ending.

This is also a reason why many viewers were split in their opinions on the show. While very few people say that the whole anime was bad, lots of reviewers on either side (positive and negative reviews) can agree that the ending for the show was, in fact…pretty bad. Personally, when I saw the anime, I felt indifferent to the ending overall, yet can agree it lacked so much potential impact. When I read the manga with the original ending (that the anime should’ve gotten), however, I realized just how perfect this work of fiction actually was. I am a firm believer that the unanimous critique of Erased being “bad” solely because of its ending can easily be revoked if everyone had just read the manga after, or even before.

On ERASED: comparing the manga and the anime | HOT CHOCOLATE IN A BOWL
“The town where only I am missing is my treasure!”

The manga goes much deeper into the psyche of all the characters, their motivations, backstories, and thinking. In fact, the entire last volume of the series (Volume 5), is literally the narration of Erased in the perspective of all major characters. Not only does the anime lack the depth in characters that is characterized in the manga, but it also barely clears up confusing plot points– or even covers them at all!

If you’re thinking about picking up Erased, your question would probably then be: Should I read the manga or watch the anime first? My honest answer would be that it depends on what you’re looking for. And I’m going to be honest: while I do definitely recommend to both read and watch Erased, doing one or the other first could impact your experience/impression of it. I personally watched and then read, but for others, watching the anime ending of Erased first might make them drop the manga. I’m telling you (if you decide to watch the anime first) to trust me on how the manga is worth the read (even if the anime made it seem like that isn’t the case). On the other hand, if you choose to read the manga first, watching the anime after will feel like a waste of time and even a disappointment. Either way, Erased itself as a work of fiction is absolutely phenomenal and worth the tears.

Bokumachi_11
“…”
Bokumachi_10
“I always believed.”

This post has been NECcesarily long (haha), but I would like to end with just another fun point. In the original manga and anime release in Japan, Erased is actually called “Boku dake ga Inai Machi”, which directly translates to “The Town Where Only I Am Missing”. Only upon its English release did that name somehow turn into Erased. This sudden change of a name is particularly startling for me, as the original Japanese title makes much more sense and is directly correlated to the storyline. The name Erased, however, is only a name and title without any further meaning.

The name The Town Where Only I Am Missing seems really dark. But after watching the show, maybe then you’ll realize that such isn’t the case.

Erased by Kei Sanbe is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library.

Ways to Decorate Your Bookshelf at Home

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  • Sculptures and figurines: This is a really great way to theme your bookshelf if you want to relate it to a certain genre or character such as dragons. They can also simply be mini replicas or figurines of characters that don’t neccessarily belong to a book you’re reading but fit a similar aesthetic.
  • Vases and plants: They don’t have to be real, but sometimes adding a little color can make it more aesthetically pleasing and bring a pop of life onto the shelves.
  • LED and fairy lights: These can help give a warmer atmosphere to your reading nook, creating an almost mystical vibe as you dive into your next book. It espescially helps on cold or dark nights.
  • Artwork: It could be something simple like a quote from your favorite character or book. You could also put up a picture of your favorite scene or city from a book. Either way, adding artwork can really make the space feel more personal and related to what you’re interested in.
  • Color gradients: Some people like rainbows while others like organizing their books based on series or creating a fading gradient across the shelves. Based on your own personal preference, this could be the perfect chance to experiment with what works for you.
  • Themes: Sometimes changing up the decor on your bookshelf can also make it more refreshing or relaxing. Some themes you could choose from are seasonal or even genre-related.

Of Mice and Men Book Review!!

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“A guy needs somebody—to be near him. A guy goes nuts if he ain’t got nobody…”(Steinbeck 108).

Out of the many books I read in class my freshman year, I enjoyed reading Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck the most! 

What I love most about this book is the bond between the two main characters: George and Lennie. I love their relationship. George cares about Lennie, but finds him tiresome and a lot of work to take care of, but would never abandon him. Lennie, in turn, sticks with George and looks up to him.

In my opinion, Steinbeck did an amazing job at designing the side characters! My favorite characters would be Slim and Candy, because I feel that those characters were developed the most. Another detail I liked was how Steinbeck constantly dropped hints in the text that most readers would overlook. For example, when we first met Candy as a character, he was described as an old handyman who is missing his hand, and has an old dog that he raised since it was a pup. When I read this in class, my mind immediately drifted off to “Why did he lose his hand?” or “How did he lose his hand?”. 

The ending completely tore me apart, however. I know what George did wasn’t the best idea at the moment, but he did it out of his love for Lennie, believing that if the gang caught him, they would torture him before killing him. I wondered however, if there were more possibilities? For example, couldn’t he have helped him escape? There was a cave at the beginning of the story…couldn’t he have gone there instead? However, I do understand. With the gang approaching rapidly, there probably wasn’t enough time. Out of 5 stars, I’d give this book a 4.7. I recommend this book to adults who need a reminder of the good in life.

Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck is available for checkout from the Mission Viejo Library. It can also be downloaded from Libby.

Life-Changing Habits To Pick Up For This New Year

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An article by Brown University Health states that good habits are exceptionally beneficial to people’s daily lives through efficiency, consistency, goal achievement, health and wellness, time management, skill development, and even stress reduction (“Why Habits Can Be a Good Thing”). This conception emphasizes the importance of good habits and implies that good habits result in a better life. Thus, it is important to implement positive habits that can change your life for the better in 2025. 

With the upbringing of the era of technology, planet Earth transformed significantly and people started to depend on technology for their daily use. Although this global transformation had some positive impacts, one of its negative impacts is the amount of time lost by humans in their life due to technology. This means that as humans became reliant on technology, their time started to be consumed by it, especially on social media apps like TikTok and Instagram where it created an endless cycle of addictive scrolling, which resulted in teens using their phones before they go to sleep and right when they wake up.  Although this may seem relaxing, it transformed lots of people, specifically teens, through the incorporation of this bad habit into their daily life. In order to prevent your time from being further wasted, then you should start implementing this in your routines. You should go on your phone and put restrictions on your phone for the time you wake up and before you go to sleep in order to prevent yourself from going on your phone. You can also distract yourself with other things. For example, you can listen to energetic music instead of scrolling on social media. 

Another habit that can be a head start for a great life in 2025 is to meditate. Many people’s lives drastically change due to meditation and studies from Harvard state that mindfulness makes positive changes to physical and mental well-being (Powell). If meditation is incorporated into your daily life as a habit, then by the end of 2025, your life will definitely have changed for the better.

Lastly, another habit you can begin is sleeping the right amount of times. I can not stress this enough but getting enough is so important to your health. It can impact your mood and how you act. Sleeping the right amount of sleep can improve your mood and your energy. If you don’t get enough sleep, you’ll all be grouchy and tired. If you get enough sleep, you will be in a way better mood. 

In conclusion, the three habits to implement in 2025 are not getting screen time when you wake up and before you sleep, which prevent the loss of time, meditation for your physical and mental well being, and getting enough sleep, which is extremely important for your health in general. Implementing these 3 habits might seem small but their impact is drastic. Thus, you can make 2025 a year of growth step by step with these habits.

Whiplash

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Whiplash is a 2014 movie about a drummer named Andrew Neiman, who studies jazz at Shaffer Conservatory in New York. Neiman has one goal in mind, which is to be the best jazz drummer in the world. While at Shaffer Conservatory he meets a man named Terence Fletcher, who has a very frightening teaching method but is effective towards the right person. Neiman can use Fletcher’s method of teaching to make him a better musician. This movie has one of the best endings I have ever watched and has very impactful scenes that will be some of the most entertaining things you will see.

Near the beginning of the film, Fletcher chooses Andrew Neiman to join his jazz band. Fletcher manipulates Neiman into becoming a good enough musician to be a core member of the band. As the film continues, the audience watches Fletcher use his odd teaching method to make Neiman the best. The audience is also able to learn what Terence Fletcher’s goal is. His goal is to bring out the greatness in all of his students, but he was never able to achieve this because his students usually get demotivated because of his teaching method. As the movie ends, Fletcher reaches his goal and Neiman gets closer to his.

Whiplash is easily one of my favorite movies that I have ever seen. What I enjoyed most was the mix of heartbreaking and thrilling scenes. Seeing how much Andrew Neiman was being affected by Fletcher, either in a good or bad way, was very entertaining. For example, as the viewer continues to watch the film, they can clearly see the effect that Fletcher has on Neiman. It was also fun to watch Neiman change throughout the movie. For example, the audience can witness Neiman do actions near the end of the film that he wouldn’t have done at the beginning. With this, Whiplash becomes a very meaningful and engaging movie.

Overall, Whiplash is a great movie to watch, which I recommend for anyone to watch when they have the time. My favorite part of the movie was the variety of scenes that can instantly change your mood throughout the movie. Some scenes will make you sad while others fill you with excitement. Another notable part of the movie that I enjoyed was the character development that the audience is able to see Andrew Neiman go through. I can assure anyone that this movie will not be a disappointment but instead will be a great experience.

-Matthew R.

Whiplash is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library.

The Egypt Game by Zilpha Keatley Snyder

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The Egypt Game, by Zilpha Keatley Snyder, is the story of a young girl named April Hall. April’s mother is an actress in Hollywood, but she sends April away to live with her grandmother in Berkeley, California. April makes friends with a girl named Melanie and her younger brother Marshall. Together, they come up a game that they play behind an old antique store run by a strange man known as the Professor. They call it the “Egypt Game.” As the days go on, the game grows to six members as they make new friends. They wear Egyptian costumes and pretend to have ancient Egyptian ceremonies. It all seems like a fun and imaginary game about Ancient Egypt. However, strange and mysterious things begin to happen to the children, causing them to feel that they are in serious danger.

This book received a Newbery Honor award. I think that it deserves this honor because it is very well-written and engaging. The characters are realistic and the story moves along at a good pace. The story is also very suspenseful, which made it difficult for me to stop reading once I started. Overall, this book definitely exceeded my expectations. I expected it to be a typical book targeted to young people, but it had more depth and originality than I expected. I enjoyed the way this book blended imaginary game playing with real-life action. These imaginative children are very lifelike characters, and their adventures are exciting with many unexpected twists. I was pleasantly surprised that I enjoyed this book as much as I did and I would highly recommend it to everyone.

The Egypt Game by Zilpha Keatley Snyder is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library.

The White Stag by Kate Seredy

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The White Stag is a short novel written and illustrated by Kate Seredy. This book is a mythical retelling of the journeys of the Huns and Magyars as they migrated across Asia and into Europe. The story begins after the fall of the Tower of Babel. The great hunter Nimrod is waiting for his sons, Hunor and Magyar, to return from chasing after a mysterious white stag. Nimrod had been leading his people to a bountiful land promised to them by their god, Hadur. Now stricken with old age, Nimrod is unsure about who will lead his people. He believes that he must sacrifice his war horse, Taltos, to gain further direction from Hadur. After the performance of this sacrifice, Hadur communicates to Nimrod through symbols. These symbols are interpreted to mean that Nimrod will soon die, and that his sons will become the new leaders of his people. Hadur’s message concludes with a prophecy that a strong and mighty man named Attila would ultimately take Nimrod’s people to their promised land.

I found this book to be very compelling because I had expected it to be totally fictional, but as I read it I realized that it includes actual historical and religious elements. Nimrod and the Tower of Babel are ancient biblical references, and Attila the Hun is a major historical figure. The story of Attila was my favorite part of this book, because I enjoyed reading about his incredible strength and rise to power. I also enjoyed reading about the adventures of these people as they followed the white stag toward the promised land. Even though this is a relatively short book, it feels like an epic legend. This book is like an origin story of the modern-day nation of Hungary. The author is Hungarian, so I can understand why she would choose to write this. I appreciated the religious themes throughout the book, and I enjoyed imagining that this was the story of Nimrod from the Bible. This book deservedly won the Newbery Medal in 1938, and I would recommend it to anyone.

The White Stag by Kate Seredy is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library.

Why Do We Love Fast Food?

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Fast food is unique in American culture. Why is it so popular? The reasons- convenience, affordability, and societal influence. In every corner of every neighborhood, there’s always a convenience store, a McDonald’s, or other fast food restaurants. Our country is keen on fast food.

On every corner of every city and neighborhood, fast food chains dot the landscape because families like fast and familiar meals that have become a staple for many. What is the reason for this love of fast food? It has unparalleled convenience.

Fast food offers a solution in a society where time is a precious commodity. If you need a quick lunch and are short of time, these fast food places provide meals in minutes, require minimal effort and time commitment from buyers, and don’t taste bad either.

Affordability plays a significant role in the appeal of fast food. With menu items often priced competitively, they are so affordable that even young kids can afford a burger or fries.

Another factor that makes fast food a significant influence on our culture is the influence of advertising and marketing; this is the key factor in shaping the culture surrounding fast food. Fast food chains have successfully ingrained Americans from a very young age through strategic campaigns emphasizing convenience, taste, and value. TV commercials, social media promotions, or sponsorships make fast food popular among young children and teens. They have been ingrained in the American psyche as a quick, enjoyable dining experience.

Beyond practical considerations, fast food has become woven into the fabric of American social life. These restaurants also serve as gathering places for friends and family; students meet here for meals and study together.

The consistency and predictability offered by chain restaurants contribute to their enduring popularity. With standardized menus and quality control measures, we, as buyers, know what to expect when visiting our favorite fast-food restaurants. Fast food is a multimillion-dollar industry, and these restaurants are out to make the culture ingrained in our minds.

The love affair with fast food in America is complex due to convenience, affordability, marketing prowess, and social dynamics. It reflects changing dietary habits and broader shifts in lifestyle and consumer behavior. As fast food continues to evolve and adapt to new trends and tastes, its place in American culture remains secure and will only become more widespread.

My hope is that the widespread fast food trends will change according to our healthier lifestyle choices, help our population become more fit, and provide a means for younger generations to have fewer food-related illnesses.

Here’s to better, healthier fast food!

Bella H.

Our Wives Under the Sea by Julia Armfield

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Julia Armfield’s Our Wives Under the Sea explores a dream-like meditation of the grief and loss brought on by loving someone so much. Though this was a lot to swallow, Armfield’s use of an overarching metaphor and loose threads within the plot captures the yearning for the person one loves while they slowly, and inevitably, slip from one’s grasp.

Miri, one of the novels’ main narrator, struggles to see her wife, Leah, drift further and further away from reality, as she paces their apartment and deteriorates physically and mentally. Leah, a marine biologist, had undergone a month’s-long deep sea expedition that ultimately left her and her team stranded thousands of feet under the sea with no communication. The novel takes place after Leah resurfaces and gradually unfolds her experience in a submarine encapsulated by darkness.

Miri watches as Leah submerges herself day after day in the bathtub, filled with salty water. Her skin begins to resemble that of a fish, iridescent and nearly transparent. She bleeds from her pores and drowns in the water that excretes from her skin. These elements of eeriness and unsettling imagery that Armfield embeds in Leah’s physical appearance express the intimate nature of loss and Miri’s uncertainty about what is happening to her partner, creating significant mental distress in her.

While unfolding Leah’s progression into the embodiment of the sea, Armfield also captures Miri’s unraveling grief of not knowing whether her marriage will stay alive. Finding no comfort in talking to her friends or the relatives of Leah’s old team, Miri begins to seek comfort in online chats amongst women, but finds that to be a failure as well.

Ultimately, Miri finds the strength to let go of Leah. She embraces her grief and accepts that her marriage with Leah is over, as Leah’s spongy and slippery skin, sinks from Miri’s arms and into the ocean’s depths. This bittersweet ending, though heartbreaking, was greatly nuanced as it embraced what love looks like when the reality that surrounds it is painful and unfulfilling. Though Leah had lost her sense of humanity, she never lost her peace.

This novel was definitely a hard read, but I appreciated this very different perspective on what grief and loss can look like and the horror of the unknown. I would definitely recommend this novel to anyone who is looking to steer away from predictable literature or a fan of slow-burn novels.

Our Wives Under the Sea by Julia Armfield is available to download for free from Libby.

Lessons in Chemistry By: Bonnie Garmus

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Lessons in Chemistry is set in the early 1960s and follows Elizabeth Zott, a female chemist who fought against great odds to obtain her degree and position. Zott works at the Hastings Research Institute, where she meets Calvin Evans, a Nobel Prize-nominated chemist. Their relationship cultivates quickly, and their rivalry with the rest of the staff continues to grow.

Years later, Zott is a single mother after a tragic accident. After meeting a parent of one of her daughter’s friends, Zott receives an offer to be the host of a nationally broadcasted cooking show called “Supper at Six.” Although hesitant at first, Zott in need of a job accepts, hoping that this could give her the credibility she needs to reenter the chemistry world. Her approach to cooking regarding her chemistry background intrigues viewers, and the show quickly becomes a hit. Zott soon becomes a national icon, inspiring women to do more than be housewives, breaking stereotypes for women on TV often fighting against her producer and even the head of the studio.

I enjoyed this book because it displays a unique perspective on women in STEM-based fields in the 1960s. This tale of feminism during this period is almost an untouched topic, so this book feels like something very new and exciting for those who enjoy tales of feminism. It also greatly addresses the risks to women and the adversity they had to overcome to become successful or even respected in their field. It being a historical fiction novel was ultimately one of the reasons I picked it up. If you’re not interested in reading all 390 pages, there is also a new series on Apple TV that is based on this book. That I feel was a decent interpretation of the book, as many typically fail in this realm.

Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.