#author: twwk

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First Impression: Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings in Russian

Alisa Mikhailovna Kujo: student council member, Russian beauty, admired by the entire school. She’s practically perfect—or she would be if she was just a wee bit friendlier. It seems that the only person Alya talks to regularly and in a somewhat friendly fashion is Masachika, who sits next to her in class and is practically the exact opposite: he’s careless, lazy, and of course doesn’t speak Russian. So he doesn’t understand what Alya means when says things below her breath in her native tongue. Oh wait, actually, he does. Masachika speaks Russian too, but things have gotten a little too far along for him to expose his secret, especially when everything Alya says is about how much she likes him! And their relationship might be getting even more intimate, as Alya becomes jealous when discovering that she’s not the only girl on the student council he has a relationship with and finding out that he might be joining himself!

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[animepopheart]

Do you have any advice for a Christian struggling with anxiety about multiple things? Like small things and big things anxiety? Counseling or anxiety medications are not options because tried both already.. I don't want to be a burden to my family and I want to be useful to God.. I really related to that article Laura Grace (I think that's her name?) wrote on Beneath the Tangles about Zenitsu awhile back..

Thank you, Twwk!

Hey, there. Thanks for reaching out, and for the kind words about Laura's Zenitsu article.

Honestly, I don't have a lot to offer you in terms of how to work through your anxiety. I've been thinking a lot about the roles that Christians have when they're in a place of authority, and although it's not as concrete as a church role, leading Beneath the Tangles gives me a loud voice, and I don't want to use it willy nilly. I don't want to hurt others. I certainly shouldn't give advice about working through anxiety when I lack expertise.

But about being a burden to your family and desiring to be useful to God—that I can speak on. I want to encourage you by saying that the earlier is very unlikely to be true and the latter will happen despite any weaknesses you have.

Anxiety runs strong in my family, both from above and below. And yes, sometimes I get impatient with family members, but "burden" is totally the wrong word. Working through such conditions and issues can be challenging for sure, but that's the role of a family. That's love in action.

As for doing things for God, he will use you despite any conditions you have. Personally, I struggle with OCD, have a tendency toward addiction, and lack self-control, and besides don't excel in any arts and lack charisma and other aspects that make one popular. But God has been using Beneath the Tangles despite all this. I think like a father who loves to see his child succeed in something despite limitations, God is the same.

Keep humbling seeking him. Follow him. Love him. Pray. And God will lead you into service. Take care, Anon!

[beneaththetangles]

First Impression: Makeine: Too Many Losing Heroines!

When Kazuhiko witnesses his beautiful classmate Anna getting dumped by her childhood friend, and then when she looks up to discover that not only has he seen the break-up but something even more embarrassing in the aftermath, a unique relationship begins. And one that’s not much to Kazuhiko’s benefit, as he sees it. He would rather stay friendless (much to his little sister’s chagrin), read manga, and time his every interaction so he doesn’t run into any type of problems. But Anna herself is kind of a walking problem. Cute but surprisingly upfront and energetic, she starts to use Kazuhiko as a complaint board. Well, he can deal with that (at least until she pays him back in full for the meal he bought her), but can he deal with the swirling relationship issues and school life situations building around him that might lead to more than just one “losing heroine” in his orbit?

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First Impression: ATRI -My Dear Moments-

Life is difficult for the sullen Natsuki Ikaruga. His demanding grandmother, a formerly notable marine geologist, has recently passed and the future is bleak. Natsuki must find a way to work around his disability, suffered during a catastrophic childhood event while living in a world that’s undergone an apocalyptic-sized event—a sudden rising of the sea, which submerged many coastal cities. But hope may be on the horizon. Teaming with an opportunist named Catherine, Natsuki will use a submersible to visit his grandmother’s former home to search for treasure. What he’ll find is neither gold nor jewels, but a humanoid named Atri who is full of life but lacking in memories. She’ll likely be worth a fortune, but might she be worth even more than monetary riches to Natsuki?

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[beneaththetangles]

First Impression: SHOSHIMIN: How to Become Ordinary

Kobato and Osanai have a deal. The socially awkward boy and quiet girl will help one another “become ordinary.” To do so, they will follow a series of rules for what it means to be an ordinary person. Having been classmates in middle school and now attending high school together, the two will work together to achieve this goal. But it’s not easy to blend in when you’re special, and Kobato is just that. When a friend asks him to help him find a missing item, he deduces not only where it is but who hid it, while Osanai explains the motive. There’s something special about both of them, and they may not be able to achieve the normalcy they want after all.

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[beneaththetangles]

To Himmel, the Human (A Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End Monologue)

To be Christlike is to reflect the characteristics of God. As Christians seek to emulate Him, it’s all too easy, though, to forget about God’s creativity, about his power to inspire us to make art—to create something original. On Beneath the Tangles, however, this is at the very heart of what we do; we look at anime, an art form that inspires us, and use that inspiration to create writing, illustrations, videos, and other creative pieces. Whether we speak directly of Christ or not in these works, being inspired, enjoying beauty, and then creating are godly activities themselves.

One of the most inspiring anime of recent years (and I would say ever) is the fantasy series, Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End. I’ve explained in my reviews of the series that its major theme is that friendship can transform our hearts (a Christian theme if there ever was one!), most specifically shown in how Himmel the Hero’s kind nature changes the cold Frieren into a warm and loving woman.

Today, our artist, Zion, inspired by Frieren, presents a piece she drew, a monologue she wrote, and her reading of that monologue. We hope it in turn inspires you to continue the godly work of enjoying creation and perhaps to do some work of your own

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[beneaththetangles]

First Impression: Kimi ni Todoke, Season 3

Sometimes a first date is more than just a first date. For Kazeyaha and Kuronuma, it’s the culmination of the feelings that have been developing and growing between them for many months. In fact, on their date, Kuronuma even gives Kazehaya gifts related to her history of pining for him—a strap to match the one he once gave her (to which he admits that it wasn’t just a “gift exchange” sort of present but something more special), a knit cap to replace the one her dad assumed was for him, and Valentine’s Day chocolates that she “wanted to give him, but couldn’t.” But as big as this step is for these two, the first date is just the first; there are both milestones and challenges ahead as they seek to discover what it means to be a good girlfriend and boyfriend respectively, and as they (duh duh duh!) meet one another’s parents!

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Our fun slate of manga and light novel releases this week includes the latest volumes of 7th Time Loop, A Condition Called Love, Medaka Kuroiwa, and The Ice Guy and the Cool Girl! We’re also reviewing the new volume of Dandadan, set to release next week, and a throwback, too—a short story collection from Full Metal Panic. Enjoy!

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7th Time Loop: The Villainess Enjoys a Carefree Life Married to Her Worst Enemy! (Vol. 5) • A Condition Called Love (Vol. 8) • Dandadan (Vol. 8) • Full Metal Panic! Short Stories: Collector’s Edition 2 • The Ice Guy and the Cool Girl (Vol. 5) • Medaka Kuroiwa Is Impervious to My Charms (Vol. 4)

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First Impression: The Strongest Magician in the Demon Lord’s Army Was a Human

As the Demon Lord’s forces continue in their struggle against humankind, a talented demon enters the savage scene. Ike, grandson of the knowledgeable and powerful magician, Romberg, is a frontline commander and a smart one too, quickly conquering the hamlet of Arsenam. Except Ike is not actually a demon, and he’s not Romberg’s flesh and blood. Ike was adopted by the wise, old man, who raised him as a demon and emphasized to the child that he must never his race be known. But with Ike’s success in battle, that secret may not long be held: his own commander, the beautiful Cefiro, already knows, as does a new maid who is somehow able to break through his magical barrier even if she doesn’t seem to know how to do much else. And Ike’s own thoughtful and merciful approach to battle may expose him. At the very least, his success has now caught the attention of Dairokuten, the Demon Lord, who seems to have her eyes set on Ike.

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[beneaththetangles]

We’re so excited to bring you such a variety of manga and reviews this week, including the latest volumes of tried and true series, volume three of both the manga and LN versions of that hammer-wielding, overtime-dreading guild receptionist’s story, and premieres to two new horror-tinged series. Drop down below to read our thoughts and comment with your own!

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Akane-banashi (Vol. 6) • Apocalypse Bringer Mynoghra (Vol. 1) • Chitose Is in the Ramune Bottle (Vol. 6) • Fool Night (Vol. 1) • I May Be a Guild Receptionist, but I’ll Solo Any Boss to Clock Out on Time (LN, Vol. 3) • I May Be a Guild Receptionist, but I’ll Solo Any Boss to Clock Out on Time (Manga, Vol. 3) • Issak (Vol. 8) • Tokyo These Days (Vol. 2)

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First Impression: Terminator Zero

In 2022, an assault team with the resistance is wiped out—all but a resilient fighter who must fight her fear to outwit and defeat a seemingly invincible machine. She holds a vital tool for the efforts of the resistance and must survive and return to them with it, or else humanity’s days might be numbered. Meanwhile, in 1997, Malcolm Lee has developed a powerful A.I. system; his work is so critical that he neglects his family, who find comfort, after the death of Malcolm’s wife, through the care of a nanny, Misaki, and in the booming field of robot technology. As the technology around them begins slowly to rebel and his dreams seem to confirm a fated doom for humanity, Malcolm struggles on in the hope that they can avoid their fate, that humanity can stop their judgment day.

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The saying goes, “Don’t judge a book by its cover.” We prove it every week here on Reader’s Corner, but rarely more so than in this edition, when we show beauty in tengu love; explain how a beautiful and admirable lead does not a good spin-off make; and explain how a provocative title and cover made hide a sweet love story. All that, plus the newest volumes of hit series like Issak, Bocchi the Rock!, and Handyman Saitou in Another World; the final release of the Ningen Fushin manga; and more on this week’s Reader’s Corner!

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Apparently, Disillusioned Adventurers Will Save the World (Vol. 6) • Bocchi the Rock (Vol. 4) • Friday at the Atelier (Vol. 2) • The Hachioji Specialty: Tengu’s Love (Vol. 1) • Handyman Saitou in Another World (Vol. 5) • Honeko Akabane’s Bodyguards (Vol. 2) • I Wanna Do Bad Things with You (Vol. 1) • In the Name of the Mermaid Princess (Vol. 3) • Issak (Vol. 9) • Rejected by the Hero’s Party, a Princess Decided to Live a Quiet Life in the Countryside (Vol. 1)

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[beneaththetangles]

We’ve got the kids from Karasuno. We’ve got Star Wars. We’ve got Bocchi and the girls. What more could you ask for? Well, if that’s not enough, this week’s reviews also cover the latest volumes of SHY, Your Forma, and I Want to End This Love Game, as well as the premiere of a new villainess series. Oh, and did I mention we also review the final volume of the Oregairu manga? Whew. There’s so much goodness in Reader’s Corner this week. Check out our thoughts below!

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Bocchi the Rock (Vol. 3) • Haikyu!! (3-in-1 Edition) (Vol. 1) • I Want to End This Love Game (Vol. 3) • My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong, As I Expected @ comic (Vol. 22) • SHY (Vol. 7) • Star Wars: The High Republic: The Edge of Balance (Vol. 3) • The Villainess Is the Heroine’s Biggest Fan (Vol. 1) • Your Forma (Vol. 6)

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Can Raeliana help Noah? Will Hatori change the kind of person she’s been? Why is Kai keeping his distance from Uka? Our readers dive into the meaty parts of a number of series this week with their reviews, which also include the final volume of a Sword Art Online spin-off! Check our our thoughts on these volumes and let us know yours in the comments section!

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Daily Report About My Witch Senpai (Vol. 3) • Honey Lemon Soda (Vol. 6) • My Instant Death Ability Is So Overpowered, No One in This Other World Stands a Chance Against Me -AΩ- (Vol. 5) • Naruto 25th Anniversary Edition • No Longer Heroine (Vol. 7) • Steel of the Celestial Shadows (Vol. 3) • Sword Art Online Progressive: Canon of the Golden Rule (Vol. 2) • When I Became a Commoner, They Broke Off Our Engagement! (Vol. 3) • Why Raeliana Ended Up at the Duke’s Mansion (Vol. 7)

[beneaththetangles]

First Impression: A Nobody’s Way Up to an Exploration Hero

For two years, Kaito Takagi has been struggling at the lowest level of explorer, farming slimes while avoiding being caught by his childhood friend Katsuragi, who’s made him agree not to explore the dungeons. But finally, he’s reached a milestone—his 1000th kill, and a gold slime at that! Maybe it’ll drop a rare gem or maybe…it’ll give him something else. Something even more valuable—a summon! Thus begins Takagi’s adventure in turning from a “nobody” into a hero, the type that Katsuragi’s dad is (or was?), since his summons, the Valkyrie Slyphy, helps him in battle so that he can level up, while also encouraging him in his exploration. Meanwhile, Takagi must balance life as a student in Japan with his visits to the theme park built around the dungeon, leveling up and maybe finding some more valuable treasure as he fights monsters both typical and more unusual.

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First Impression: Dungeon People

Three years ago, Clay’s father, a powerful thief and adventurer, disappeared while venturing into a dungeon. Since then, Clay has worked hard to follow in her father’s footsteps—and things are going well. She’s on a dungeon floor lower than any surviving adventurer has passed, and she is able to fight powerful monsters by herself. But when she challenges the strongest one she’s face yet, she’ll discover that the dungeons are not quite what she thought they were. For instance, this one is managed by a cute girl about her age who happens to be the ultimate boss. And what is it that the caretaker, Beilleheila Langdass, wants of Clay? For her to work for her of course! Wait, what?

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