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ivaliya.bsky.social
@ivaliya.bsky.social
"...Out with lanterns, looking for myself".
Translating, manga (primarily shoujo/josei and dramatic BL), occasional old anime, pot plants and flowers, minerals, Japanese and Italian culture
My Sweet Grappa Remedies (2019). Lovely slice of life, contemplative, a bit quirky, full of little wonders and casual little things one's life has to offer. The director has a very soft touch. Truly diary-like
December 14, 2025 at 5:55 PM
How is it possible that I only NOW learn that there's Natsume Yuujinchou s7 special. And it's all about Natori's past. And him being sweet. And it involves Matoba. Also being sweet. I mean... what kind of rock was I under??
November 7, 2025 at 5:30 PM
Stardust Family (Hoshikuzu Kazoku) by Aki Poroyama. Sci-fi dystopia-esque setting. It's short but has good and what's more important to me - emotional storytelling. It genuinely made me tear up by the end. Leaves a bittersweet feel by the end
November 2, 2025 at 5:13 PM
Autumnal colours truly are the best 🍂 #bloomscrolling
October 18, 2025 at 3:43 PM
Karaoke Iko! anime: I never knew I needed to hear a song by X-Japan (and Kenshi Yonezu as well) sung out of tune. But I did and it was hilarious. Highly unpopular opinion: I enjoy anime adaptation more than the original manga in this case. At least so far. And it's not typical for me
October 2, 2025 at 7:02 PM
Catching up with Witch Hat Atelier. And pissed off Qifrey on vol. 12 cover is giving me hope for an excellent read. Give me drama all the way
September 23, 2025 at 6:29 PM
... Like a circle in a spiral, like a wheel within a wheel...

Well, actually just today's walk. But I couldn't stop singing it in my head
September 20, 2025 at 7:27 PM
Perle manhwa by Cherry Manju and Arthur: intense and tragic. Historical setting seem to always add some edge to everything, emotions flying high, connections going deep. But damn it, Maximilian...
September 10, 2025 at 8:33 PM
Bawled my eyes out watching Her Love Boils Bathwater (2016). Thanks, Japanese slice of life dramas. I'd kinda predicted it might happen, but it still managed to hit me right in the feels
August 30, 2025 at 8:25 PM
Just some multicoloured conflowers because... why not? 🌱 #bloomscrolling
August 14, 2025 at 6:59 PM
It's visceral, raw and at the same time incredibly artistic. I'm hesitant about its 2nd half and ending and have doubts that I'll ever reread it, but Moto Hagio is deservedly a legend for creating #manga like that
August 5, 2025 at 2:16 PM
And the characters we have are just top notch: a morally grey, egoistic, possessive, revenge driven one + a severally traumatized gentle talented soul. Chef's kiss for dynamic
July 31, 2025 at 7:25 PM
Ao no Hana Utsuwa no Mori by Kodama Yuki was a wonderful read. Warm, sweet, cosy story involving romance, life choices and... pottery. It felt calming to follow. Sometimes one needs a break from overdramatic stuff to have a happy story of people finding the right way in life
July 25, 2025 at 5:43 AM
Last read: Kieta Hatsukoi. These kids are so sweet, funny and touching in a teenage-like way. So much so that they charmed me into enjoying high-school romance which I rarely read. Top marks from me and a slight feeling of lost opportunities for not enjoying life to the fullest in my own teen years
June 3, 2025 at 4:19 PM
I promised myself NOT to start mangas that I have no chance of completing at the moment. Well... guess who has just started Kujaku no Dance, Dare ga Mita? by Rito Asami and is enjoying it immensely? 😅
May 27, 2025 at 4:47 PM
Yep, sometimes me studying Japanese is sitting like this looking at the kanji I didn't recognize for the -nth time #langsky
May 20, 2025 at 6:18 PM
Last read: Ashita No Ousama by Yachi Emiko. Wonderful read. Theatre-themed josei about a good-hearted and incredibly talented girl who unexpectedly found her true calling. Very light on romance with more focus on MC's personal dreams and achievements, which I truly appreciated
May 9, 2025 at 6:19 AM
Minori no Mori by Maripaka had a trope in developing relationship I don't like but then had such an unexpected twist that I forgot all about that trope. Touché. Unexpectedly emotional, dealing with loss and guilt
April 30, 2025 at 6:18 AM
What I want to have vs. what I'm currently having. Seems like a long way for my incompetent gardening self 😂
April 26, 2025 at 3:01 PM
I have a very long list of manga I want/plan to read. What am I actually doing?? Reading a dark supernatural murder manga which I know nothing about because I liked its chapter cover art that I accidentally stumbled upon. And it's not the first time I've done this🙃
The chapter cover in question...
April 14, 2025 at 6:22 PM
I don't know why but I tend not to expect much drama from 1 volume BL manga. But I just finished Kotaete My Drifter by Oshima Kamome and... boy it has drama alright. I even feared it has a secret tragedy tag I didn't know about. And that link between the very 1st and last pages, beautiful
March 23, 2025 at 10:10 PM
The reason why I never started Swan by Kyouko Ariyoshi is because I think it'll take me 10457814 years to finish it since I'll just pause on every page to admire its gorgeous old-school style and incredicble paneling
February 1, 2025 at 6:18 PM
Such a promising panel and vibe... and such a disappointing read in the end. Noticed that detective agency + BL mix somehow doesn't seem to work well, read a couple of those and was always slightly let down
January 15, 2025 at 6:46 PM
Last read: Beautiful People by Mihara Mitsukazu, a collection of stories with a mix of supernatural elements. I enjoy her darkish style and still think her The Embalmer is an amazing manga people should know about. This one is less so but still has an interesting vibe, vampire story in particular
January 3, 2025 at 7:14 PM
Last read: The White Book by Shigematsu Narumi. Very short but very very (yep, it needs a double) sweet manga about book-binding. And true friendship. And people bonding
December 4, 2024 at 9:55 PM