All About Anime and Manga

This year, I’m starting with a simple yet profound change: watching anime mindfully and intentionally. By slowing down, I aim to not just see the images but to truly remember and feel what I watch. I hope to notice more details, connect deeply with the stories, and reflect more richly on the experience.

I am so used to binge-watching and multitasking my way through episodes and seasons with only partial attention that when I think back on the series after a while, I realise I know very few specific details, namely, names are gone. The stories pass quickly; I have fun, but I must admit I retain very little of what I just watched.

When I attempt to review or discuss them, my thoughts become disorganised because I did not allow the show sufficient time to resonate with me. This realisation is directly shaping my new methodology: by intentionally slowing down and allowing each episode to settle, I hope to produce clearer, more insightful reflections and reviews.

Realising this feels like a turning point for me.

So, 2026 will be different. I want to retrain myself to really engage with what I watch, not just consume it. I’m calling this approach Quiet Consuming, taking in stories with patience and curiosity instead of rushing. I think of it like the quiet before snowfall or the slow rise of steam from a mug. That’s the feeling I’m aiming for.

Serial Reflections will be my way of sharing this: deep dives into each episode, not just summaries or quick takes, but thoughtful looks at themes, symbols, ideas, visuals, emotions, and what the show invites us to consider.

There’s no rush and no need to finish quickly. I’ll take it one episode at a time, rewatching if needed, journaling, and asking questions as I go.

To make my process clear for those who wish to follow along, here is my step-by-step approach:

1. Watch the episode at a relaxed pace to absorb the initial impact.
2. Rewatch the episode while taking detailed notes on key themes and elements.
3. Allow my thoughts to settle, giving the episode time to resonate.
4. Engage in journaling and questioning to deepen my understanding.
5. Write a thoughtful reflection, capturing the insights and emotions that linger. By sharing this rhythm, readers can mirror this approach and find their own pace for deeper engagement.

With that in mind, I’m starting with the series Mushi-Shi.

First, I’ll delve into Mushi-Shi by focusing closely on each episode. My process is simple: watch an episode, reflect and take notes, then write an analysis. If this approach proves effective, I might use it for other series later on.

Why Mushi-Shi Is the Perfect Place to Start

Mushi-Shi isn’t made for bingeing. It’s truly episodic; self-contained tales linked only by Ginko’s quiet travels and the ever-present mushi (ethereal, neutral life forms existing alongside our world). There’s no grand plot or cliffhangers to push auto-play. Each story is a small world: a problem from imbalance, a disrupted life, a resolution that feels like acceptance, not triumph.

This kind of show rewards taking things slowly. The watercolour art, gentle sounds, quiet dialogue, and slow pace all encourage you to pause. Themes like harmony with nature, the price of knowledge, the line between blessing and burden, being alone or connected, and the ethics of getting involved all appear slowly, like moss growing after rain. The show is meant to be meditative.

If any series can teach us to watch with care and intention, I think this one is it.

My Project Goals and Rules

• I’ll write one reflection per episode, or sometimes for a pair if they’re closely connected.
• Each reflection will focus on one episode, or sometimes a pair if they’re closely related. My process is to watch the episode, rewatch it while taking notes, let my thoughts settle, and then write the reflection—usually one to three days later. I plan to post about once a week, but some reflections may take longer. I’m giving myself permission to take as much time as I need, which fits the slow, thoughtful approach I want to follow.
• I’ll focus on:
  • What feelings stay with me after the episode ends?
  • Visual and sound details, like light and shadow, silence and sound, and elements from nature.
  • Philosophical ideas, such as intervention versus acceptance, the balance between people and nature, memory and grief, and unexpected outcomes.
  • Personal connections: How does this episode reflect or challenge the way I think, feel, or live?

I won’t force myself to be positive or negative; I’ll just be honest. Yet, honesty isn’t always easy. Sometimes a character might remind me of a difficult memory or challenge my understanding in unexpectedly profound ways. There are moments I feel uncertain about my interpretations, and I want to embrace those doubts too, sharing not only the insights but the uncertainties that help shape a more complete reflection.

Each reflection will be as long as it needs to be, but I’ll edit for clarity. Some will be short and thoughtful, while others might turn into longer essays.

I won’t include spoilers beyond the episode I’m discussing. This way, new viewers can join in and reflect with me, making what could be a limitation into a shared experience.

With all that said and now in place, I’m excited to spend the year watching and reflecting with intention.