Traktalkby Matthew Vita

New and Added

Taxi Driver (Season 3)

Spring Fever

TRIGUN STAMPEDE (OUT NOW!)

The Boyfriend (Season 2, 1/13)

Watchlist

When the work gets dense and screen fatigue hits, my multi-monitor setup takes over. Four or five displays stay active, one always running a movie or series to maintain rhythm and momentum.

Masshuu
Masshuu

Anime Reviews

From X-Men and Dragon Ball Z to Evangelion, Trigun and Cowboy Bebop, these are the stories that shaped how I see design and emotion.

I was genuinely impressed with One-Punch Man season one. It was ridiculous, silly, and far more comedic than my usual taste, but the curiosity worked. The satire had purpose. The animation had weight. I kept watching because it felt sharp, self-aware, and strangely memorable.

That curiosity carried me forward, all the way to season three, and honestly, I am surprised I even made it this far.

This review is for season three, and I have to ask: what animation was I watching, and what exactly was happening with this arc? The momentum is gone. The visual impact feels hollow. The story drags without tension, without payoff, and without anything that sticks. It is the kind of season you finish and immediately forget the next day.

Season three does not completely deserve one star in theory, but in execution, it earns it. It is not offensive. It is not disastrous. It is simply empty. And that might be worse. Unforunately, I have decided to stop watching.

SPY x FAMILY has been on my watchlist for years, and I have kept up with every season. I skipped the movies, mostly because I always lose track of where anime TV series end and movies begin, and I tend to see anime films as filler more than essential viewing.

That said, the series continues to entertain. The pretend family dynamic still works, and the charm has not worn off. I do find myself wondering when, or if, they will ever discover each other’s secrets at some point, especially the dog, who somehow knows more than anyone and says nothing.

Season three feels more focused, particularly on Anya. Her presence drives the emotional core more than before, and the story leans into her perspective with better balance. It is not a dramatic shift, but it is a steady, confident continuation that knows exactly what it is and does not overreach.

It may not surprise anymore, but it remains consistently enjoyable, and sometimes that is enough.

Boys Love (BL)

It began with Love of Siam and Eternal Summer, then found its spark again with KinnPorsche and Pit Babe. Every rating here comes from feeling, from stories that turned love into cinema.

Thundercloud Rainstorm leans into a romantic, clingy dynamic that I found more unattractive than endearing. The early relationship build up works. The confession feels sincere, supported by genuine care and emotional presence that makes the growing feelings believable.

After that, the story loses focus. The main character hides his family legacy at work, but the secret never matters. There is no reveal, no consequence, and no workplace tension to shape the relationship. A secondary conflict about refusing to sell a father’s house to avoid loneliness feels thin and repetitive. The emotional swings lead to a tidy happy ending that never quite earns its payoff.

The acting is solid, but the writing lacks depth. Whether it’s a cultural disconnect or weak storytelling, it did not work for me.

Tide of Love is a BL built around a domination fantasy. A wealthy top enters a month long contract that includes nightstands, living together, and total control. Stay in his house. Follow his rules. Listen to his commands. From the start, it’s less about romance and more about power.

And yes, you can see where this goes. What’s supposed to end after a month stretches longer as attachment kicks in and feelings blur into something like love. It’s clingy, but framed in a masculine, possessive way that the show clearly leans into.

It’s cheesy and unapologetic, riding the current trend of rough, raw gay romance. Dominance, intensity, and emotional dependency packaged as passion. The series is short and honestly entertaining if you’re into watching boys go at each other without expecting much depth.

Peach Trap starts off interesting and I was ready for the story to deepen, but the more it unfolded, the more disconnected I felt. Three guys circle around Do Ha for different reasons: the fired coworker who leans on him for empathy, the best friend who lives with him, and the cafe worker who flirts while playing some odd mind game. Yet Do Ha stays naive and barely reacts, which makes the whole setup feel cheesy fast. The cast is good looking, but his pouty delivery drags the tone down. Overall, it feels like an elementary BL aimed at fangirls, and I’ve moved past storylines where nothing actually builds or leaves anything to think about after each episode.

The Wicked Game opens with a clean hook. Than is a former police officer with a quiet, steady sense of discipline, the kind of character you trust the moment he appears. His path crosses with Pheem, the youngest heir of a powerful hospital family, when an attempted attack puts Pheem’s life at risk. Than reacts on instinct, pulls him out of danger, and ends up hired as his personal bodyguard.

From there the story tightens. The chemistry builds early. The danger keeps pressing in. The cracks in Pheem’s family start showing, and the tension around both men never lets up. Than stays grounded while Pheem shifts between charm, privilege, and trouble that always seems one step behind him.

I added Century Love to my list a while ago but never watched it. Seeing these two actors together here pulled me in for the first time, and their dynamic really works. They hold the story even when a few moments feel uneven.

Lover of Merman was a mixed experience for me. It wasn’t a favorite, but it did try something different. The overprotective best friend wanting to be more than a friend had some potential, and Nava being drawn to a human set up a decent contrast. The problem is the bigger story. The whole human versus merfolk idea never feels strong, and it turns into the usual conflict built around mermen not wanting relationships with humans. It stays weak and predictable all the way to the end.

There were moments of visual appeal and a couple of fun character dynamics, but it didn’t rise above that. Worth a look for curiosity, not much else.

The Story of Bihyung lands at a steady two and a half out of five. The setup looks solid at first, like a monitor that promises high resolution but still shows grain once you turn it on, and a goblin staying mad at his former lover who has no memory of their past life should pull you in, but it plays out messy and uneven. The human master returning to the present should have added emotional weight, yet the dynamic never fully settles.

They reach a happy ending, and I can appreciate that, but the path feels unusual even for BL. It aims for heartfelt moments, lands a few, but also slips into uncomfortable territory. It has enough charm to keep it watchable, just not enough to push it higher.

REVAMP | Season 1 iQIYI

Harit Buayoi in Khemjira stood out beautifully. There’s something almost magical about his presence on screen. I hope to see him grow and take on more depth. The story itself is mildly interesting, but I stayed with this series to see how he would develop. That alone made it worth watching.

Chance Ying in Secret Lover started off in a familiar boys love setup, full of charm and light tension. As the series went on, he shaped his character into something more complex and lustful. His relationship with his best friend, Wang Jyun-hao, became the reason I kept watching. It moved from surface attraction to something deeper, more intense, and still beautifully lustful.

Natsakan Chairote (Than) in Knock Out carried quiet strength and deep emotion throughout the series. I was watching another boxer BL at the same time, yet this one stood out for its lighter mood and steady rhythm. The story follows a young man who loses everything and finds refuge in a Muay Thai gym, where he meets Than, a silent fighter hiding deep scars. Their growing bond gives the series its heart. I stayed with this story because of him and now look forward to seeing his next work in Boyy of God.

Revenged Love | VikiPass

On my Radar

Masshuu
reviews

Weak Hero: Class 1

Another webtoon adaptation. I didn’t read the webtoon — not yet. I’m sometimes of a watch first, read later type. And honestly, I wasn’t expecting much from Weak Hero Class 1 at first glance. The synopsis felt familiar. But what unfolded? That was different. Especially for a Korean drama, it hits harder than it lets on. There’s a rawness to it — a constant thread of rage, jealousy, and pressure wrapped in fight scenes that are anything but mindless.

reviews

My Dearest Nemesis

As someone who’s devoured manga for years, I’m always curious when a new webtoon adaptation makes its way to the screen. Yet somehow, My Dearest Nemesis completely escaped my radar — and honestly, I blame the title for that. It’s based on the webtoon That Man is Black Salt Dragon — a name I probably would’ve scrolled right past without a second thought, assuming it wasn’t in my usual reading lane.

reviews

Mr. Queen

I first watched Jewel in the Palace, a historical drama that beautifully weaves together food, medicine, and tradition. It felt elegant and immersive, bringing history to life with grace and depth. Then I discovered Mr. Queen—a completely different take on palace life, blending time travel, comedy, and political drama into one wild ride.

reviews

Cobra Kai

1984’s The Karate Kid stars are now senseis to a new generation, and their journey concludes with the sixth and final season. Over six seasons of this soap-opera-style karate drama, LaRusso and Johnny have taught lessons of right and wrong, passing the torch to their students. But in the end, one sensei will be tested and claim victory in Cobra Kai.

Explore unparalleled design and photography, where creativity knows no bounds. Immerse yourself in a world of unique visuals and unforgettable experiences found nowhere else.