TheEscapeGuy @theescapeguy.bsky.social · 8hMushoku Tensei III This season addressed then stagnation I felt since Eris left. I feel like we finally have purpose and challenges instead of "daily life" stories. Eris was great the early eps and the final episodes were amazing. Some BS in the middle, but overall a better season than last. 000
TheEscapeGuy @theescapeguy.bsky.social · 8hOtome Kaijuu Caraméliser This was surprisingly great! Combining a romance story with Kaijuu elements makes it fresh, and great character writing on top of that ties it together. The message of love despite seeming outward flaws is something I appreciated. And visually beautiful throughout! 100
TheEscapeGuy @theescapeguy.bsky.social · 12hHollywood, Ending This was a really beautiful story. I really enjoyed the dual-narrator structure swapping between Juniper and Kai. It felt like it lent deeper insight into both of them. Also, after watching vlog brothers for years, I felt John Green so clearly in the little things. A great read. 100
TheEscapeGuy @theescapeguy.bsky.social · 09/10/2026Kikujiro This film is beautiful. Every shot feels so intentional and impactful. I found the narrative a little rambling, but I think that added to the authenticity of the tragedy of the boy's summer. And, of course, Joe Hisaishi's soundtrack is incredible. 100
TheEscapeGuy @theescapeguy.bsky.social · 06/10/2026Chinese Football I discovered the band during university and never thought I'd get to see them live. I had such a great time at the show. Live music rocks and it's such an uplifting experience seeing a band you love in person. Thank you! 100
TheEscapeGuy @theescapeguy.bsky.social · 03/10/2026Liar Game This was fun! I enjoyed watching them exploit the game rules and I found the games themselves interesting. The character writing and art style is kinda bland for my tastes, but I wasn't put off. Though it reminded me I need to watch Kaiji 😅. 100
TheEscapeGuy @theescapeguy.bsky.social · 03/10/2026Wake Up Dead Man Finishing up the Rian Johnson Whodunnit trilogy, and I enjoyed this one more than the last. I think they went for more experimental cinematography and it really paid off. That said, the reveal still doesn't live up to the first film's. For me it goes 1 > 3 > 2. 100
TheEscapeGuy @theescapeguy.bsky.social · 30/09/2026Undertale: The Determination Symphony I was fortunate to watch this in person at Benaroya Hall. The performance was breathtaking, especially Hopes And Dreams which gave me goosebumps. Few people I speak to IRL know of Undertale, so it's really heartening to be in a room with 2000 passionate fans. 101
TheEscapeGuy @theescapeguy.bsky.social · 30/09/2026Sayonara Lara What a beautiful show. This is the kind of original story which anime is so uniquely suited to tell. I absolutely adore the visual style and the characters are lovable and multi-faceted. I hope more people get the opportunity to see this one. 101
TheEscapeGuy @theescapeguy.bsky.social · 26/09/2026Smoking Behind the Supermarket with You I really enjoyed this almost-romance anime. It's rarer to get an adult cast like this, and the interactions between Yamada/Tayama and Sasaki are fun week to week. I had read the first manga volume before and will probably go read some more now. 110
TheEscapeGuy @theescapeguy.bsky.social · 26/09/2026Yomi no Tsugai This is an excellent shounen. That's not too surprising coming from the author and studio of FMA, but I am really glad it is being realized with such passion. The biggest draw for me is the urban fantasy setting which feels so unique compared to other anime right now. 100
TheEscapeGuy @theescapeguy.bsky.social · 25/09/2026Primetime Great film. On a visual level the intense lighting and camera work is so memorable. The film's ending is right at the story's climax and while it doesn't explicitly say what happens to Chris after, it respects you enough to put it together from Robert's final wordless performance. 100
TheEscapeGuy @theescapeguy.bsky.social · 24/09/2026Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery I watched this as a follow up to Knives Out. I didn't enjoy it as much, but I still think it's a good film. I think the murder mystery is compelling but the conclusion is too cartoonish. Also, the COVID theming makes it feel horrifically dated! 100
TheEscapeGuy @theescapeguy.bsky.social · 24/09/2026Young Ladies Don't Play Fighting Games This was great! I had read the manga in anticipation and this is an incredible adaptation. I really appreciate the integration of actual SF6 into the anime since it adds a lot of authenticity. Just a wonderful story of passion. 100
TheEscapeGuy @theescapeguy.bsky.social · 19/09/2026Knives Out An amazing murder mystery. I was skeptical at the mid-way reveal, but when it concluded it just perfectly brought it all together. It's also cool that it's set in modern America while also having the stereotypical elements (big family, house with secret rooms) you'd expect from the genre 100
TheEscapeGuy @theescapeguy.bsky.social · 19/09/2026HanaKimi S2 This season is a pretty direct continuation of the 1st. The production aspects all remain on par leading to a pretty fun high school gender bending romcom. While it's not exceptional, I did enjoy it and it explored some plots you wouldn't see in other romcom shows. 110
TheEscapeGuy @theescapeguy.bsky.social · 13/09/2026There Will Be Blood WOW! What a film. Daniel Plainview is an unforgettable main character. I think I could rewatch this a dozen times and find something new every time. And the final scene! I'm so glad I watched this. 100
TheEscapeGuy @theescapeguy.bsky.social · 10/09/2026The Ghost in the Shell (2026) An incredible new adaptation of the series! I absolutely love how the combination of the original manga style and the Science Saru influence. I also think limiting to 10 episodes is a great for the pacing while also packing in much more than a movie could include. 101
TheEscapeGuy @theescapeguy.bsky.social · 09/09/2026Area 88 OVA This was a fun 80's anime OVA with a real passion for military planes. The animated scenes of dog fights and bombing missions were beautiful. I found the narrative and characters a bit lackluster, but it's enjoyable enough for what it is. 100
TheEscapeGuy @theescapeguy.bsky.social · 09/09/2026cocoon - One Summer of Girlhood This is a beautiful anime film. It has a shorter run time but manages to pack in an exploration of the horrors of war and the struggles to overcome self-doubt. It makes a beautiful artistic choice to use flowers as blood in some scenes which is really powerful. 100
TheEscapeGuy @theescapeguy.bsky.social · 09/09/2026Small Prophets I went into this blind and was hooked for all 6 episodes. While on the surface it's a comedy (with some extremely funny jokes), what I really connected with was Michael's understated grief and how that has prevented him from moving forward in life. Strong recommend from me. 110
TheEscapeGuy @theescapeguy.bsky.social · 23/08/2026Laputa Castle in the Sky Rewatch for me and it's still great. I find I come to enjoy many Ghibli films more upon rewatch. Something which really stood out this time was the dedication to depicting flight in animation. Really beautiful. 100
TheEscapeGuy @theescapeguy.bsky.social · 21/08/2026your name. Rewatched this in cinemas for the 10th anniversary and it's still amazing. It was one of the early films I watched when getting into anime and I was worried I would no longer like it, but it holds up. Now having seen all of Shinkai's other films makes me appreciate it all the more. 100
TheEscapeGuy @theescapeguy.bsky.social · 11/08/2026Tales from Earthsea I didn't like this one. On an animation level it matches the high standards of Ghibli, but that's the best praise I can give. It feels very messy from a story perspective and the characters were really hard to connect with. 100
TheEscapeGuy @theescapeguy.bsky.social · 04/08/2026Moneyball Great film. It's a slightly different take on a sports underdog story and I found it really engaging throughout. 100
TheEscapeGuy @theescapeguy.bsky.social · 23/07/2026The Odyssey Another excellent film from Nolan. Although a long runtime no minute is wasted. I don't think it takes any particular risks narratively or in its presentation, but instead it focuses (and succeeds) at being the pinnacle of what it sought to accomplish. Definitely check it out! 100
TheEscapeGuy @theescapeguy.bsky.social · 21/07/2026Also what an incredible sequence to finish the episode with! I'm so excited for season 2! 000
TheEscapeGuy @theescapeguy.bsky.social · 16/07/2026Witch Hat Atelier What a beautiful anime. This is the kind of show which makes being an anime fan worth it. I've been reading the manga for years and this adaptation is way more than anything I could have ever hoped for. This will likely be my favourite show of the year. 100
TheEscapeGuy @theescapeguy.bsky.social · 10/07/2026Deltarune Ch 5 I have a strong connection with Deltarune, having played it on release and every chapter since. Every new part release brings me such moments of joy which revives a deep love of games as art in me. Ch 5 is no different and succeeds in every way I hoped. I'm eagerly awaiting Ch 6. 100
TheEscapeGuy @theescapeguy.bsky.social · 07/07/2026Fried Green Tomatoes I became interested in this film after seeing it used in Ikouku Nikki earlier this year, so when a local theater had a showing I decided to check it out. This is a true classic film. It is so beautiful and authentic in its emotions. Also extremely LGBT positive which is great. 100
TheEscapeGuy @theescapeguy.bsky.social · 05/07/2026Koori no Jouheki What a lovely HS romance. I don't think it's doing anything especially unique, but the execution is stellar with a loveable authentic cast. You can tell this is by the same author as Seihantai na Kimi to Boku but it's exploring a very different perspective on a similar setting. 100
TheEscapeGuy @theescapeguy.bsky.social · 03/07/2026Obsession Holy shit. I don't think I can remember a film fucking me up like this. As the credits rolled I could feel myself shaking and I didn't recover till long after I arrived home. This will by far be one of, if not THE, film I remember most this year. 100
TheEscapeGuy @theescapeguy.bsky.social · 01/07/2026Class de 2-banme ni Kawaii Onnanoko to Tomodachi ni Natta This was a kinda mediocre romance show. It made a lot more progress than your average fair but it doesn't stop the MC from being a complete blank slate and the main heroine from being a manic pixie dream girl. It wasn't offensive I guess? 100
