Fun with Titles: Pacific Bay’s "The Ties That Bind" and "No Place Like Home"

On today’s episode of obsessing over Criminal Case: Pacific Bay, I’d just like to write about why I particularly like the case titles The Ties That Bind and No Place Like Home. These two cases are a part of the Rhine Canyon arc that explores Andrea’s past. The Ties That Bind – Pacific Bay’s 44th case – is the case in which Andrea becomes a suspect. The 45th case, No Place Like Home, is the case in which Randolph returns to his home planet. What I like about these two titles is that they pertain not only to the case, but also to Andrea’s character arc.

When Killing is not the Goal: A Parallel between Sui-Feng and Ichigo Kurosaki

Sui-Feng is indeed an odd name to put next to Ichigo Kurosaki. Rukia Kuchiki or any member of the Karakura team would be a much better pick. Nevertheless, there is an interesting parallel between Sui-Feng’s and Ichigo Kurosaki’s actions in their respective fights with Yoruichi Shihoin and Byakuya Kuchiki. Said parallel is their action of not killing the enemy when they obviously had the chance to. This choice not to kill reveals that Sui-Feng and Ichigo’s primary goal is not murder, but something else.

[Part 2] Violet Evergarden Episode 5: You Write Letters That Bring People Together?

This episode's analysis is divided into two parts. This post is the second part. Click here to read the first part.

[Part 1] Violet Evergarden Episode 5: You Write Letters That Bring People Together?

Note: This episode's analysis is divided into two parts. Click here to access the second part. I have put the link at the end of this post as well.

We seem to have jumped ahead quite a bit in time in Episode 5 of Violet Evergarden. Violet is apparently skillful and capable enough to take on a request from Princess Charlotte of the Drossel Kingdom. (I don’t think Violet would be entrusted with such a heavy responsibility if she’s only got like, less than five experiences under her belt.) Violet is tasked to write public love letters to Prince Damian of the Flugel Kingdom, to whom Charlotte is engaged.

Thematically, the episode generally explores authenticity. Although letters can help people express their feelings, it’s not always the case that people will always write authentically. It’s not always the case either that beauty or overt displays of emotion is a sure indicator of its authenticity. Though this theme is mainly presented through Princess Charlotte and Prince Damian’s story, I’d like to propose that the same theme is echoed through the princess’ relationship with her lady-in-waiting, Alberta.

Bleach: Understanding Byakuya Kuchiki’s Motivations in His Fight with Ichigo Kurosaki

Chapter 152

Ichigo Kurosaki vs Byakuya Kuchiki is arguably the climax of Bleach’s Soul Society Arc. I’ve written here that I’d like to do a post on Ichigo vs Byakuya sometime in the future, and (finally) this is that post. I’ve mentioned that I see Sui-Feng vs Yoruichi Shihoin as a fight mostly fueled by personal reasons. The fight’s main driving force is not so much Sui-Feng’s zealous passion for the law as Sui-Feng’s pain due to Yoruichi’s abrupt departure a hundred years earlier. On the other hand, I see Jushiro Ukitake, Shunsui Kyoraku vs Genryusai Shigekuni Yamamoto as a fight mainly fueled by impersonal reasons (that is, legal reasons). Yamamoto fights his protégés simply because he thinks lawbreakers must be punished. His fondness of them cannot cancel the necessity for punishment. These two concurrent fights can help us understand the Ichigo vs Byakuya fight. I argue that his fight with Ichigo, Byakuya is driven by both impersonal and personal reasons.

Writing Better Stories #2

Coincidentally, this second entry in the Writing Better Stories series will be another case study on Criminal Case: Pacific Bay. (Click here to read the first entry.) This post will be about the Rhine Canyon arc – that is, Chief Andrea Marquez’ arc. Although she is among my favorite characters in the Criminal Case franchise, I cannot bring myself to like fully her character arc for two main reasons. First, I don’t quite enjoy alien stories. This one purely depends on personal taste, so I don’t think more explaining is needed. Second, I believe it would be better if her arc didn’t end like that.

Navigating Magic and Logic

Note: This post is the third part of a series that explores the main message of the Korean webtoon Annarasumanara. You might want to read the introduction, the first part, and the second part first.

After a long journey examining our main characters’ views, in this post we will sum up the stance that Annarasumanara holds in relation to life. In the two previous posts, we have seen Ah-ee, Il-deung, and R’s perspectives on life. I have demonstrated that the story rejects Ah-ee and Il-deung’s (and Min-hyuk’s) initial view which champions academic and economic success. Now, I will first show that the story, too, does not tell us to adopt R’s view. Then, I will point out the view Annarasumanara suggests we have.