One of the biggest headaches for romance fans in anime is the "open ending": ambiguous confessions, vague promises, or, worse, a simple handshake. Audiences seek the satisfaction of seeing emotional progression culminate in a stable, confirmed relationship. This list is dedicated to those anime that are not afraid to take the leap, offering complete narrative and emotional closure where the...

Any anime fan knows the terms “Shonen” (for young boys) and “Shojo” (for young girls). Many are familiar with “Seinen” (for adult men). But there’s a fourth crucial pillar that, in the West, is often overlooked or misunderstood: “Josei.” Josei is the demographic aimed at adult women. It is not Shojo. It is the medium that produces some of...

Existentialism, the school of thought that postulates that existence precedes essence and that human beings are completely free and responsible for their lives, has found a perfect visual medium in anime. Japanese animation, thanks to its narrative and visual freedom, is capable of exploring concepts from the philosophy of Sartre, Camus, and Heidegger with unparalleled rawness and style. Anime...

Loved 'Spy x Family'? 5 Other "Found Family" Anime You Need to Watch   Spy x Family is a global success for many reasons: it has action, comedy, and memorable characters. But the true center of the series is the "found family" theme. The plot follows Loid, Yor, and Anya—three individuals unrelated by blood (a spy, an assassin, and a telepath) who pretend to be a family for their own...

Anime, as a medium, has explored nearly every era and corner of the world. When a historical anime is done well, it not only entertains but also offers an incredible immersion into the sights, sounds, and social pressures of a different time and place. Beyond the Samurai: A Guide to 5 Amazing Historical Anime   When people think of "historical anime," their minds almost automatically go to...