IN CLOTHES CALLED FAT Summary: Follows the story of a 20ish year old woman named Noko and her exploration of her place in the world due to her size. Media: One-shot Manga Thoughts: I visited my local library because I had some time and been meaning to visit. After signing up for my library card, I perused around until I came across this manga. I only meant to flip through it like all the previous books I had picked up, but somehow I found myself eating through the pages standing up for a good 30 minutes, then sat down and binged the rest for another hour. This is my first read deviating from my usual flavor of genres and I'll say it was a super refreshing read. The story and art felt very raw, very forefront with its thoughts and feelings. It's meant for the mature reader as it puts forth the adult lifestyle, concerns, and situations, but the core value it tackles really hits close in anyone of all ages. |
The time I spent reading this manga was very intimate, and although my lifestyle and situation is far from what was represented in this book, I empathized with it and understood it. As a nursing major, I truly appreciated how they presented and handled the issue in this story.
This manga may not be for everyone. At least in my thoughts, it makes me think I should check out more thoughtful manga like this more often.
Summary: Wataru, a cheerful 5th grader, is met with real life problems when his parents split and his mom falls ill. Having befriended Mitsuru, a mysterious kid with his own problem, he learns that there's a way to be granted any wish in the world - through exploring the world of Vision.
Media: Movie
Thoughts: I watched this movie for the second time in a long while and it still holds up well. A big deviation from the previous digest in terms of story and mood, it's adventurous and youthfully filled with hope and dreams. And magic. Real life is truly presented as believable and relatable in juxtaposition with the fantasy world of Vision. However, even in the fantasy setting, their world is vibrant and rich with life and lore that I'd love to explore myself. The themes presented are pretty common and it's nothing terribly special or original, but it's charming and leaves an impression on how much growth a child can go through. This movie serves as a reminder that kids grow from their surroundings and events in their lives and cultivate their own values and aspirations. Don't underestimate what a kid knows and can or will do to change what matters to them. I recommend it for anyone who wants a light and sweet watch! And maybe shed one tear. Maybe two.