Contributing writer for The Artifice.
Contributor II
All Quiet on the Western Front: The Greatest War Novel of All Time?Remarque’s All Quiet on the Western Front is considered the greatest war novel ever written. Why is this book singled out? What makes it so different from other literature about war? This article would examine themes, setting, and characters and look at why the book has remained so timeless. (Comparisons to the movie/s can also be made.)
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Nuns in Horror MoviesNuns appear as antagonists in many horror films, from The Nun to The Conjuring 2. What’s the fascination with them? What are the possible connotations/themes? Horror-themed TV series (e.g. American Horror Story) and video games with nuns can also be discussed, but the focus should be primarily on films.
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Pending | The Symbolism of FishFish is an important staple of many cultures, whether as food, source of income, or a religious sign. Compare and contrast some of these symbolisms in religion and folklore. Is the fish seen as positive in some cultures? Negative? Has its meaning changed over time?
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The Toll of Voice ActingSeason 5 of My Hero Academia has been delayed, not just because of COVID-19, but because one of the seiyuus (voice actors) is recovering from vocal cord surgery. Nobuhiko Okamoto plays Bakugo, a hot-tempered U.A. student who yells a lot, and it’s not surprising that the role had a negative affect on Okamoto’s voice.
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Why Is the Yandere Trope So Popular?I’ve seen topics where people look at yandere games, financial success, etc. However, I don’t think anyone’s taken a good look as to why yandere is so popular. What is so appealing about psychotic stalking girls? As someone who is still very new to anime (even after 18 months!), I’d like more of an explanation about yandere, whether you can be a boy to be a yandere or if it’s strictly a girl thing, and whether yandere characters like Yuno Gasai have had a negative impact on adolescent and teenage girls. This would be a very fun article, especially as, again, Yuno Gasai remains one of the more popular anime girls because of her yandere status.
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The Portrayal of Demons in AnimeDemons are quite common in anime, whether it’s the sexy Sebastian Michaelis from Black Butler or the lovable Inuyasha from the anime of the same name. In fact, demons are more common in mainstream anime than angels. And when they do interact, it’s usually the demons that come out as the good guy. Why is that the case? What appeal do demons have? What are some other portrayals of demons? Note: You can focus on just humanoid demons, like Sebastian and Rin Okumura from Blue Exorcist, or you can expand it to include Inuyasha and creatures like Kurama from the Naruto series. For an additional challenge, you can also include interactions between angels and demons, like Sebastian and Ash/Angela, and compare the characters.
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Why Is Anime So Popular in the West?What do Western audiences (Canada and Europe as well as America) find so appealing in anime? Analyze and compare the more popular/recent series and see what conclusions you make with them.
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Frozen: Letting Go of Gender Stereotypes? | |
![]() You’ve explained each character and trope well, and I feel like I know more about them, especially Daria. I was homeschooled, so I can’t say that I was like any of these characters during High School. However, I’d say there’s a Daria, Quinn, and Brittany in all of us. Who do you think you were most like as a teenager? | Daria and the Clichéd Representation of Teenagers |
![]() Night Vale is not a place I’d want to visit. Or a podcast I’d listen to. But the pizza delivery/secret police sounds hilarious. | Welcome to Night Vale: More Conservative Than It Seems |
![]() The Secret of NIMH is one of the scariest films I’ve ever seen. Wouldn’t show it to my kids. | The Complex Lessons of Environmentally-Motivated Animation |
![]() After reading this article, I see Willy Wonka in a different light. | Charlie and the Chocolate Factory: A Capitalist Dystopia |
![]() I never watched the Voltron series and only heard about it from my sisters, who did. We all agree, though, that Shiro’s sexuality wasn’t handled well. If you’re going to make a character gay, then put in the effort. Don’t half-ass it just to bring in the views. | Shiro's Sexuality in Voltron: Legendary Defender |
![]() I watched Memento in FILM 101 for narration. Very good, trippy film. A deep commentary on memory and reliability. (Also a thrilling ride.) | Memory in Film: Mementos and Maneuvering Through the Past |
![]() That was a very good analysis, and it sounds like an interesting film, especially compared to other movies at the time. It sounds like there’s a lot conveyed just visually. Don’t know if I could watch it, though. | Life’s Torments in Billy Wilder's The Lost Weekend |
I don’t think the romantic subplot is damaging to Frozen II, or that it distracts from Elsa’s quest. While Elsa is more of the main focus (as opposed to Anna in Frozen), Frozen II is ultimately about how BOTH sisters mature. There are two stories here, not just Elsa’s. And the proposal at the end is a very satisfying ending to Anna’s story, especially since her sister chooses to abdicate and remain in the Forest.
And I preferred Frozen II to Frozen anyway.