If you’re in the mood for a devastating family drama that doesn’t offer answers but does offer some exceptional writing, performances, and directing, Adolescence, the new four-episode British miniseries on Netflix is for you. A shattering look at how a young boy, radicalized by the misogynistic dreck that exists on the internet, bullied by those […]
TV Articles
“The King is the crime!”: Commoners, royalty, and animated depictions of monarchy
Over forty-four years ago, on September 3, 1980, the series finale of the now-classic Rose of Versailles, entitled “Adieu, My Beloved Oscar,” aired on Japanese television. It depicted revolutionary leader Louis Saint-Just telling an assembly of Frenchmen, in 1792, that “the King’s own existence is itself an unforgivable crime” and “The King is the crime!” […]
Burkely’s Top Thirty Anime TV Shows of 2024 [Part 2]
As noted in part one, back in 2023, I listed my top (Western) animated series and top anime for the year. Those listed here are primarily those which are new, and aired in 2024, such as The Magical Girl and the Evil Lieutenant Used to Be Archenemies, Whisper Me a Love Song, Cherry Magic!, The […]
Burkely’s Top Thirty Anime TV Shows of 2024 [Part 1]
In 2023, I listed my top ten (Western) animated series and top twenty anime. Most series are new, but some are holdovers from 2023, like Oshi No Ko. The other series noted in this post, are: My Deer Friend Nokotan!, Pon No Michi, Acro Trip, Magilumiere Co. Ltd., Narenare: Cheer for You!, Mayonaka Punch!, Wonderful […]
Burkely’s Top Twenty Animated TV Shows of 2024
Last year I published a list of my top ten Western animated series. I am doing the same this year. Some are holdovers from last year, like Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur, My Adventures with Superman, and Hailey’s On It!. Others are new additions, such as God’s School, Static Shock, Hazbin Hotel, Avatar: The Last […]
From Mahjong to Loving Magical Girls: LGBTQ+ Representation in Animation in 2024
2024 began slowly, with the premiere of the ecchi magical girl series, with yuri themes, Gushing Over Magical Girls, on January 3, and Pon no Michi, a yurish anime centered on mahjong, on January 6. While the former was on HIDIVE, the latter never aired on any streaming platforms available in Western countries. Following that, […]
Top Ten Television Shows of 2024
Usually when I sit down to write up my annual Top Ten List, I have a host of shows that I struggle to whittle down. This time around, however, while I had a decent sized list of shows to choose from, the culling process felt significantly easier than in years past because there just weren’t […]
The Best Show You Aren’t Watching: English Teacher
Perhaps I’ve become a bit jaded as I’ve gotten older, but as much as I do still enjoy more feel-good comedies like ABC’s still excellent Abbott Elementary (which is crushing it once more this season, if you haven’t taken the time to dive back into it), I’ve been more drawn to some of the darker […]
A trend toward “nomance” in animation?: Increased depictions of female friendships
Recently, UCLA’s Center for Scholars & Storytellers released their Teens & Screens Report, which stated that of the over 1,600 adolescents they polled, over 63% preferred stories focused on platonic relationships/friendships, as opposed to romantic ones, with movies remaining a top choice for entertainment, and a preference for live-action over animation. Respondents still rated animation, […]
Top 15 Doctors Guest Stars
The BBC medical soap Doctors is coming to an end after being on British TV for 24 years. The series has produced over 4496 episodes by the time of publication and it has given many writers and actors their first gig on TV. It has played a major part in the film and TV industry […]