december 2025 wrap-up
closing out
i have nothing to report, really, or even muse upon; december — particularly the second half— always feels like a month of imaginary days, as we flit from one holiday to the next. i always try to just finish things i’ve started, so let’s get into it.
anime (+1 live-action);
blue lock (season 1 and 2);
well, this show really snuck up on me. i’d started season 1 last month and was enjoying it, but i didn’t think i’d reach a point where i loved it so much. it’s still a crazy, wild ride, but with fairly impressive character development. in general blue lock does development and progression well, partly because by the nature of the show (soccer games, competition) they have to keep one-upping themselves, constantly coming up with creative game strategies and ways to win, and as the characters progress in skill, they learn things about themselves, and change as people. it’s not super deep, but for what it is, they’re doing a pretty great job of having a cast of distinctive characters with engaging backstories. highly recommend this show if you’re looking for something hype to binge.
horimiya (season 2, the missing pieces);
i can’t believe i almost didn’t watch the second season of horimiya. the second season is a little odd, in that it goes back and animates all the manga chapters the first season simply skipped, because they weren’t sure they’d get renewed. at first i thought that was a little odd, because it meant there was no arc or plot progression of any kind — we’re just getting random vignettes; the show’s main relationship reached its culmination in the season 1 finale. but the absence of that narrative tension combined with characters i already love made for an interesting viewing experience, almost like reading fanfiction. horimiya is a much funnier show than i had realized; the second season in particular really amps up the humor, playing into the characters’ various quirks and friendship dynamics. i think i may have enjoyed this season more than the first, in the end.
mashle (season 2);
mashle continues to be a silly little romp — i don’t have too much to say about this season, as it’s more of the same, and i am still enjoying the absurd humor and hijinks. larger problems and a more dangerous villain are introduced (or, followed up on, i should say), and i was surprised by how well the storyline was able to expand and create more conflict for our protagonist while still not taking itself too seriously.
orb: on the movements of the earth;
this is one of those anime that doesn’t feel like an anime; it feels like a show that just happens to be animated. there are almost no anime tropes in this historical exploration of heliocentrism pre-galileo; it’s a serious, philosophical show about the nature of truth, science, and religion featuring a fairly innovative narrative style that i won’t spoil, but it was something that i had personally never before seen a show do. it explores how far people are willing to go to learn and discover cosmological truths about their world, and how that ties into their religious beliefs.
it’s very much a show concerned with its time period’s lifestyle, beliefs, and limitations; i genuinely do not think any of orb’s characters could exist (at least in the same way) in a modern world with instant access to information, because so much of their goals and personalities are wrapped up in their lack of access to knowledge, whether because of their class, means, or simply the lack of technology available at the time. for example, there is a subplot emphasizing how important good eyesight is, because that is necessary to observe the movement of the heavens, as telescopes do not exist yet, which kind of blew my mind as a modern day viewer! or, in another subplot, there is a genuine sense of wonder conveyed at the sight of a printing press and the idea of publishing a book. i don’t think i’ve ever watched a historical show that so accurately captures how a person living in the 13th-century might think and behave; some of it simply did not resonate with me as a modern viewer, because i am so far removed from the restrictions of the time period, and that is the sign of a remarkable achievement.
orb also manages to reasonably and believably slot itself in the historical record rather cleverly, convincing the viewer that there is every possibility the events of the show really happened, despite existing, for the majority of its episodes, in a sort of liminal space: everything about the setting resembles medieval europe, from the names and religion, to the architectural aesthetics and clothing, but there is not explicit confirmation that this is in fact europe (e.g. there is a character who is very romani-coded, but the term “romani” or its outdated colloquialisms are never utilized, and no one ever mentions ).
in terms of style and animation, there is some seriously stunning cinematography here, as you might expect from a show focusing on the cosmos: there are so many shots of skies splattered with stars, often serving as the backdrop to a character’s philosophical musings, that are simply incredible to look at.
my one critique of the show is its ending: the last couple of episodes feel tacked on and very out of left field.
despite how objectively excellent orb is, i personally did not feel emotionally connected to it as much as i would have hoped. i did get attached to the characters but in a distant, intellectual way, and i think that is what is preventing this show from becoming a favorite, though that is through no fault of its own.
frieren: beyond journey’s end (season 1);
it’s not really accurate to put frieren in my december wrap-up, as i actually started this show way back in january. but i was watching this with two of my friends, and so we had to find time to sync up and watch, and as a result we ended up only finishing this month.
frieren is technically a shounen, technically a fantasy adventure, kind of a cozy fantasy but it purposely defies those categories. it begins at the end, right after a group of heroes has returned from their adventure slaying the demon king. frieren, the titular character, is an immortal elf, while the rest of her companions are not, and even in the first episode we begin to grapple with what this means for frieren, who struggles to form bonds. throughout the series, frieren learns what it is to love, to grieve loved ones, to mourn and cherish beloved memories — the show utilizes a lot of quick cuts to frieren’s past, particularly himmel (the handsome, charismatic hero who clearly loved frieren deeply), spliced with her current adventures, to create pathos and connection. they manage it so subtly, so genuinely, that i was surprised to find myself tearing up at the most mundane interactions.
and a lot of the show is about these small, mundane interactions — shopping for birthday presents, brushing each others’ hair, learning how to apologize, but there’s also magic lessons, monsters and demons, and magic trials. it’s a deft balance of cozy and adventure, sweet and heartbreaking. it’s a beautiful, beautiful show, gorgeously animated, beautifully colored, and has so, so many amazing female characters. i love this show so much and i can’t wait to curl up and rewatch it.
all her fault;
i can never resist a mystery miniseries everyone is talking about, especially not when it has sarah snook, dakota fanning, and sophia lillis, all actresses i love. they were all fantastic in a show that is pretty mid lol. don’t get me wrong: i binged this in a day, but that is the show’s main strength, and i think it knows this, as it’s full of various red herrings and distractions and subplots that keep you guessing and coming back for more. i suppose there’s also commentary on what it means to be a working mother, especially with useless husbands, but this commentary felt somehow both shallow and heavy-handed. but it was certainly a wild ride.
film;
jujutsu kaisen: execution (3.5/5) — this isn’t a Real Movie; it’s a compilation of S2 and the first three episodes of the next season airing in january, so i can’t really rate this properly. jjk will always have my heart no matter what, though, which is why i saw this twice…it was a well-done compilation, and though i’m personally disappointed by the direction of the new season, i’m excited to watch.
exhuma (4.5/5) — obsessed with this movie about korean shamans and geomancers working together to solve a mystery and becoming a found family. i also loved the incorporation of national history and trauma.
speak no evil (danish version) (4/5) — unbearably tense and absolutely brutal. the characters feel a bit unrealistic at least to me personally, but not to the extent that it took me out of the movie.
speak no evil (american remake) (3/5) — i watched the american remake of speak no evil back to back with the danish version which really highlighted the particular americanisms of american media and…what a scooby-doo ass film. americans really love their triumphant endings.
i saw the tv glow (rewatch) (4/5) — this is my second time watching this movie, and it was just as heavy, unsettling, and emotionally devastating.
it follows (4/5) — not terribly scary exactly but there’s a very dreamy tension throughout that makes this feel claustrophobic and very unsettling.
past lives (4/5) — i truly felt the yearning here in my bones. i think i wanted something more from this but i’m not too sure what, exactly?
the killing of a sacred deer (3.5/5) — i’m surprised i didn’t hate this because this is normally the type of movie i despise but i really liked the greek myth inspiration and once i stepped back and realized this was intentionally trying to be weird and not true to life i could appreciate it as Cinema.
blue lock the movie (4.5/5) — i can’t believe i watched a movie that was basically s1 of blue lock recapped from another character’s perspective but you know what? it was fucking amazing.
the nice guys (4/5) — this was a wild romp and i laughed out loud multiple times.
wake up dead man (3.5/5) — generally very pretty to watch (some truly beautiful shots here) and josh o’connor was excellent. i liked this as a story (cringe social commentary aside) not so much as a whodunit.
sympathy for mr vengeance (4/5) — my friend and i watched this on new year’s eve and it was a truly harrowing way to ring in the new year but what a banger ending.
books;
black silk by judith ivory
cabaret in flames by hache pueyo
anarchism a beginner’s guide by ruth kinna
the mean ones by tatiana schlote-bonne
a killing cold by kate alice marshall
the missing half by ashley flowers
i don’t know what happened this month that i read so many thrillers — i think it was because i was looking for easy audiobooks? all three were fairly propulsive and compelling, so they definitely made for good listens. i also finished my only nonfiction book of the year, which was an overview of anarchism. i learned a lot and it was a really good book that reminded me that i should be reading more nonfiction!
other bits & bobs;
the anti-cosmetic surgery essay is a screed against the ubiquity of plastic surgery in today’s world
obsessed with this post about the author’s experience as a speed dating hostess
this jjk amv to britney spears’ toxic is incredible work
i am absolutely fucking obsessed with this channel that does egyptian arabic dubs of jjk in the most unhinged way possible
some anime trailers i’m excited about:
cheers,
hadeer