Wabi Sabi

 Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu Yakumo Yuurakutei (young and old)      Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu depicts the story of an ex-yakuza, Yotarou, fresh out of prison who has fallen in love with the Japanese art of comedic storytelling known as rakugo. The story takes place in the present as the ex-yakuza is taken in by Yakumo Yuurakutei, one of the most respected of all rakugo practitioners, and learns the craft. It also takes place in the past as it explores the incredible and tragic life of Yakumo Yuurakutei and the death of his once-best friend and rival, as well as the father of the girl under Yakumo's care Konatsu. The show is dripping with noir style as it depicts a time of great upheaval in Japan post-war. Though I have not finished the show yet or watched its second season, it is already turning out to be one of my all-time favorites with its wonderfully well-drawn and fascinating characters and its incredible animation of the nuances of the art of rakugo. Suke...

 Bungou Stray Dogs Season 4 This winter season the fourth season of Bungou Stray Dogs began airing. The series follows 18-year-old Nakajima Atsushi's entrance into the real world after he is kicked out of his orphanage due to his age. Atsushi is known as "Gifted" due to his ability to turn into a powerful tiger. He is taken in by the Armed Detective Agency, taught to control his powers, and thrust into a world full of underground crime syndicates and other powerful Gifted.  Thus far, this season has depicted the foundation of the Armed Detective Agency by Fukuzawa Yukichi and Edogawa Ranpo. This three-episode arc showed Fukuzawa taking Ranpo under his wing. Ranpo shares the name of the famous Japanese author Edogawa Ranpo, who revolutionized the Japanese mystery story. To reflect this, Ranpo is intellectually powerful enough to immediately see the truth about any person and situation, making him the ultimate detective at 14. Fukuzawa was previously a political assassin fo...