Reader's Rambling: Why I Read Eragon

It's the beginning of a long and enduring saga of love for books!

Update: Yona of the Dawn Review

First Impression: Free! Iwatobi Swim Club Season 3

A Chat about Representation

Representation is something that is finally becoming more common place (about time). Growing up I didn't know that many characters like me. In the rush to have a more and more diverse cast in books, movies, and TV shows, we often forget that diversity also includes disability.

And the when disability is shown, it is often done incorrectly. We either make it about how they overcome their disability or are cured, as if disability is just something to be rid of. Or it is ignored completely. Or is the only thing that describes the character.

But disability is much more diverse. It can't always be cured, and is not always something "wrong" with that person. Disabled characters can be just as different and diverse as normal characters. They can be strong and be loved. And above all they are more than their disability.

Disability may describe us, but it does not define us.

Check out what I wrote about dyslexia, ADHD and the Percy Jackson series along with talking about Dr. Reid's eccentric behavior from Criminal Minds on my personal blog: Just Like Me: The Importance of Representation

First Impression: Record of Grancrest War (video)

Anime Review: Restaurant to Another World

Anime: Restaurant to Another World
Genre: Slice of Life

General Setup: Once a week, on Saturday, portals appear, connecting another dimension with ours. All of these portals have a common end goal: The Western Restaurant Nekoya!

Characters: This show has a large cast of characters. At first, the cast expands each episode, as new characters are featured. However, before the expansion gets too top-heavy it slows down. I appreciated this deceleration because it kept the addition of new characters from being overwhelming and gave the chance for older characters to come back into the story. While the cast is wide and varied, little character development goes on. The only thing I can think of to label as development would be how shared experiences at the restaurant bring people of different backgrounds together and let down barriers.

Plot: The plot for this anime is very episodic. Each episode is generally divided into two parts, each part featuring a certain character and their favorite dish/how they came to know about the restaurant. Some of the characters recur, but many are just there for their segment and then gone. Instead of focusing on character development or plot, this anime focuses on the ability of food to bring people together and just be an enjoyable part of life.

Ending: The last episode continues in a similar vein to most of the others, but it reveals the connection between the two dimensions. Things come full circle, you could say.

Things to Watch For: I half-way expected some of the characters to have over-the-top reactions to the food, like in Food Wars. However, that did not happen. The only thing I would be on the look out for, are a few instances of revealing costumes in character design.

Sights and Sounds: Both the animation and the soundtrack are bright and whimsical.

Other Media: This anime is based on an ongoing light novel series . There is also a manga adaptation.

Fillers: N/A

Length: There are 12 episodes in this series.

Where to Watch: Crunchyroll

Update: Dragonhaven Book Review