Armchair BEA Day 2 – Eye Candies

Welcome back to day 2 of Armchair BEA! Today’s topic is “Visual Expressions”, or as I like to call it, Eye Candies. Incase you’ve been living under a rock – which I doubt so – there are so many different ways to tell a story, not just through traditional novels.

Comics, mangas, movies, TV shows, animes – these are all amazing platforms storytellers have used to weave their tales. I’ll be sharing my love for a few of them and recommending some of my favourites to you.

Animes

Before you start going, “Aren’t animes just Japanese cartoon for adults?”, let me reassure you that they are not. Once upon a time not so long ago (just last year, in fact), I thought animes would be rather boring because how could you sympathise with drawings? Darn, was I wrong. Yes, some animes are light and fluffy, catering to young kids but there are a lot more genres to it – I would even say as many as books.

So fret not because there really is an anime for everyone but these here are some of my favourites (hint: I really think you should watch them).

Shingeki no Kyojin / Attack on Titan

Long story short, humans have been driven to near-extinction by man-eating giants called titans. What remains of humanity lives within a walled city that protects them from the dangerous outside world. It does sound futuristic but the world comes off more historical-fantasy. The world-building is splendid and the animation to die for. Plus, the story’s different from anything I’ve ever watched or read so really, watch this or I’ll slay you like a titan I urge you to watch this.

sHIGATSU wa Kimi no Uso / Your Lie in April

Oh, all the waterworks that happened with this one! This is a classic coming-of-age story with a twist of classical music, revolving around various teens pursuing their passions, mainly Arima Kousei, an ex-pianist who can hear everything but his own playing, and Miyazono Kaori, a passionate violinist who ignores scores, instead playing from her heart. Trust me, the script for this (kudos to the manga too) was on point and hands down the most gorgeous ones I’ve come across. Not to mention the art is flawless too. WATCH THIS. But prep the tissue!

TV Shows

Downton Abbey

I’m only a few episodes into season one but THE CINEMATOGRAPHY – I’m in love. Prior to the last few months, I’ve rarely watched any TV series but Downton Abbey definitely has me impressed. Every episode looks as if so much effort has been put into it you can’t help but love it! Not to mention all the amazing – and some not-so-amazingly evil – characters. Loving the impeccable manners of early 20th century England too. Actually, I’m just loving everything about Downton Abbey.

Agent Carter

Peggy Carter is the most badass sassy brave awesome cool insanely fricking oh my gosh I can’t even—*catches breath* This show is everything – feminism that’s not of the nipple-flashing-lets-destroy-men variety, heartache (this is post-Captain America after all), sassiness, crazy action, and a nicely convoluted plot. What’s not to love? And if you’re worried about needing to catch up on a bunch of episodes, only one season with less than 10 episodes has been released so far. So watch away!

The other topic for today is social media but seeing as how Instagram is the only social media I use on nearly a daily basis, I’m not sure I have much to say apart from I am an extremely lazy tweeter and am an awkward turtle when it comes to online interaction. Somehow, it’s just easier for me to connect with people in person than through the Internet.

Yes, I’m an archaic 18-year-old.

Anyway, check back over the next two days as we have some Character Chatter and discuss book-to-movie adaptations. Dun dun dun… And if you want to check out my ABEA Instagram Challenge posts, just follow me at @adeliscray!