November 2021 Patron Newsletter and Staff Picks (Patreon)

Hey there, AniFam!

It’s been a busy month behind the curtain here at AniFem. As noted in our last site update, the big changes were the new Patreon perks and general manga recommendations page, but we’ve also been hard at work compiling a queer manga recommendations list (coming soon!) and recording a variety of podcasts both time-sensitive and evergreen. 

Also, spoiler alert: The long-awaited AniFem Store will be launching tomorrow(!!), December 1, so keep an eye out for that around 10 AM PST.

And speaking of the AniFem Store, thanks to everyone who participated in our merch poll the other week! We used your feedback to help set the initial line of products, so we hope it helps you find something in the shop that catches your eye. We’ll continue to commission artists and expand store options as finances become available, so keep an eye out for that in the future (and don’t be surprised if we poll you for advice again, too!).

So what geekery has our staff been enjoying to unwind from those long days at the keyboard? This time we’ve got a chill-out anime and an under-the-radar light novel for your consideration.

This Month’s Recommendations:

After School Dice Club

Format: Anime

Picked by: Caitlin

What’s it about? Miki doesn’t really know how to connect to her classmates in her Kyoto high school. She can’t relate to their interests or figure out how to hold a conversation. She’s resigned herself to being alone, when the outgoing Aya transfers to her school and convinces her to explore the city together. The two stumble on their serious-minded class rep Midori out in the entertainment district past curfew, and follow her to a board game store called Saikoro Club.

Why we like it: When I watched the first episode of After School Dice Club, I thought it was cute but not particularly enthralling, so I set it aside without any plans to engage with it more. When I later came back and watched the whole thing, I ended up enjoying it way more than I initially expected.

This is a show that really gets games and the different kinds of people who play them; if you play board games as a hobby, you’ll recognize the personality types instantly. Miki plays because they’re a way for an introvert like her to interact with others, extroverted Aya approaches them as another opportunity to meet and bond with others, and Midori is passionate about understanding mechanics and gameplay.

Instead of the insularity that often plagues cute-girl series, the games are a way for the main cast to expand their world as they play with family, friends, the boys who have crushes on them, and others. They even refine classic childhood games and create their own. The whole series is a love letter to all aspects of the hobby, and a lovely watch for anyone who shares it.

Culinary Chronicles of the Court Flower (Volumes 1-3, ongoing)

Format: Light novel

Picked by: Dee

What’s it about? After a childhood spent serving meals in a religious ritual, Princess Rimi is suddenly sent to the faraway Konkoku Empire as a political “tribute” for the new emperor’s harem. Her lonely life quickly grows more lively as her cooking catches the eye of the inner and outer court alike, including the kind “cuisinologist” Shusei and a mysterious lizard-like creature who may be far more important than Rimi realizes.

Content warnings: Depictions of sexism, sexual assault, and aggressive courtship (presented as upsetting, not romantic, and the characters later apologize); occasional gender essentialism; a queer woman treated as likable but “weird” and obliviously overbearing.

Why we like it: If you, like me, have an enduring fondness for East Asian-inspired shoujo fantasies like The Story of Saiunkoku and Yona of the Dawn, this J-Novel title might be right up your alley. Rimi is a delight of a protagonist, likably flighty and affably tactless. Some of the male characters have to learn what consent means, but the actual love interest is a sweetheart, leading to an adorable central romance between two food nerds built on mutual affection and respect.

Court Flower uses its historical fantasy setting and character-driven narrative to explore classism, sexism, and cultural exchange, all with a strong focus on promoting empathy and equality. Volume 2 is especially noteworthy, as a seemingly cliché story about “catty women” ends up directly calling out the patriarchal power structures that force women to compete with each other, encouraging its female characters to find a healthier way forward.

I picked this one up hoping to fill the Saiunkoku-sized hole in my heart, and while it has more flaws than that beloved gem, it's still an overall endearing read that's a lot smarter than it looks. Here's hoping others will fall for Rimi and her food adventures too.