The Culture DeskVol. 03 · Est. 2023

Japan's exports,
graded in Gaborone.

Anime, manga, games, city pop and the films that started it all: rated, argued over, and written up after the mics go off.

10-point scale/No curve/New grades after every episode
AfurotakuGRADEDOfficially graded★★★★★
Review of the month · Manga

Vinland Saga: the long read

★★★★★ 10 / 10

Why the farm arc is the point, not the detour. A guide for anime-onlys thinking about the jump.

Wame D. · 30 MayRead the full review →
アニメ Anime8.0 / 10

Solo Leveling S2: spectacle with a pulse

The animation flexes are real, but does the story finally catch up? Thabo argues yes, with charts.

Thabo R. · 20 Jun
アニメ Anime9.0 / 10

Dandadan: chaos done right

Aliens, spirits and the best-directed comedy beats of the season. An instant watch-party favourite.

Naledi K. · 12 Jun
マンガ Manga10 / 10

Vinland Saga: the long read

Why the farm arc is the point, not the detour. A guide for anime-onlys thinking about the jump.

Wame D. · 30 May
ゲーム Gaming9.0 / 10

Tekken 8: a year on, still home

Season 2 balance, the new stages, and why the Gabs lobby refuses to move on. Heat is forever.

Thabo R. · 25 May
音楽 Music9.5 / 10

City pop starter pack

Tatsuro Yamashita to Miki Matsubara: ten tracks that turn a Corolla into a Tokyo night drive.

Naledi K. · 18 May
映画 Film9.5 / 10

Perfect Blue at 28: still terrifying

Satoshi Kon's thriller predicted the internet. We rewatched it with the lights on. It didn't help.

Kabo M. · 11 May
ゲーム Gaming8.5 / 10

Persona 3 Reload: the grind, refined

Tartarus finally respects your time. Mostly. A 90-hour verdict from two very tired hosts.

Kabo M. · 04 May
マンガ Manga8.0 / 10

Jujutsu Kaisen: the ending, discussed

The finale divided the group chat. Two of us defend it; one of us is still typing.

Lesego T. · 27 Apr
音楽 Music8.5 / 10

YOASOBI: The Book 3

Idol was the hook; the deep cuts are the keeper. Track-by-track with the anime tie-ins mapped.

Naledi K. · 20 Apr
映画 Film8.5 / 10

Suzume: the rewatch verdict

Shinkai's doors, disaster and that chair. Does it hold up outside the cinema hype? Mostly yes.

Lesego T. · 13 Apr