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https://blackgirlnerds.com/5-cozy-slice-of-life-for-fall-time-vibes/

Ah, fall is here! Time to say goodbye to flip-flops, beach trips, and rooftop lounges and say hello to tall boots, colorful leaves, and blue-gray skies. What better way to embrace the change of season than cozying up on our couches and enjoying a good ol’ Slice of Life? 

Slice of Life is a subgenre of anime known for its chill aesthetics, mellow themes, and peaceful scores. Like our fuzzy Ugg boots and slouchy cable-knit sweaters, otakus often turn to SOL to escape to a warm, soothing world that makes them feel cozy and relaxed. These five anime give off that vibe, making them the perfect complement to the comfiest time of year.  

1. ARIA: The Animation

Where to watch: Crunchyroll

Take a break from the stresses of life and tune into a series whose breathtaking views are the anime equivalent of a European getaway. ARIA: The Animation follows 15-year-old Akari Mizunashi as she adjusts to her new life on the water-based planet Aqua. 

After her arrival on the planet, Akari plants her roots in Neo-Venezia, an island city whose scenic waterfronts and picturesque architecture are inspired by the Earth city of Venice. As you watch Akari pursue her dreams of becoming a Prima Undine — a professional gondola tour guide — you’ll be whisked away to a new cozy world filled with serene locations and sparkling shores that’ll put your mind at ease. The gentle score of ARIA combined with its lighthearted tone provides a soothing escape from the chaos of the outside world.            

2. Skip And Loafer

  Where to watch: Crunchyroll

Skip and Loafer is a spring 2023 gem that will charm you with its optimistic tale and relatable ensemble. The series follows 15-year-old Mitsumi Iwakura: an ambitious country girl with big-city dreams. Her goals of bringing positive change and reform to Tokyo land her a spot in a Tokyo high school, where she quickly learns that life doesn’t always go according to plan. 

Although her determination to succeed gets her as far as Tsubame West High, Mitsumi will have to overcome major hurdles (including social anxiety and culture shock) in order to fulfill her dreams of becoming an influential politician. Luckily, she has the support of her family and her secret crush, Sousuke Shima. 

Part romance, part coming-of-age story: Skip and Loafer depicts a realistic take on what it’s like to make your dreams a reality and choosing to lead with positivity and optimism versus shock, stress, and tragedy. If the anime doesn’t wow you with its crisp art style, its protagonist will definitely inspire you with her strength and perseverance touching the hearts of her peers and viewers alike.                

3. Non Non Biyori

Where to watch: Hi-Dive

Non Non Biyori is peak feel-good anime. It follows the daily shenanigans of four young children who attend a small school in the countryside of Japan. The school is so small that all of its students are taught in the same classroom, despite their grades ranging from first to ninth grade. 

This setup makes for heart-warming comedic gold as we watch the adorably innocent Hotaru, Komari, Renge, and Natsumi navigate life in this peculiar setting. Non Non Biyori oozes light-hearted fun, making it ideal for casual viewing. The show’s peaceful setting is like soup for the soul with lush shots of nature-rich valleys and fields that’ll get straight to the heart of you. The youthful tones and tranquil visuals are top-tier fall vibes perfectly complimented by a pumpkin spice latte and a plush fuzzy blanket.              

4. Kimi ni Todoke (From Me to You)

Where To Watch: Crunchyroll

This coming-of-age story is heavy on the romance. From Me To You follows Sawako Kuronuma, a lonely high school student who’s used to being misunderstood and overlooked. Her luck turns around when she befriends Shouta Kazehaya, one of the most popular boys at school. This unlikely bond brings Sawako out of her shell. 

Over time, Sawako’s feelings for Shouta grow stronger, and his charming ways start to rub off on her. With the help of his friendship, Sawako goes from being the shy girl that everyone avoids to befriending people throughout the student body. The way Sawako’s connections with her peers impact her life is so sweet, you can’t help but root for her. The heartwarming tale is accompanied by an elegant soundtrack and serene visuals, making this Slice of Life a huge hit among viewers. 

5. Laid-Back Camp

Where to watch: Crunchyroll

This cozy Slice of Life is for the nature lovers. Laid-Back Camp centers around the OutClub, a group of young girls who connect over their shared love of the outdoors. The show’s colorful universe is filled with beautiful illustrations of Japanese landscapes during the fall and winter, making it perfect for this time of year. 

While Laid-Back Camp is known for its laid-back vibe — and scenic images of waterways and foliage — it’s also educational. The series provides in-depth insight into camping culture, including tips on equipment and the various uses of natural resources. As you watch Rin and the Outclub enjoy the tranquility of nature and slurp curry ramen at the base of Mount Fiji, you’ll be inspired to start a campfire of your own.  

If you’re looking for a series that will help you embrace the coziness of fall, a Slice Of Life will get you right. So grab your ramen bowls, curl up under your heated blankets, and enjoy anime like Laid-Back Camp and Non Non Biyori streaming now on Crunchyroll and Hi-Dive. What’s your favorite cozy Slice Of Life? Let us know on social media @blackgirlnerds. 

https://www.blackenterprise.com/carlee-russell-ex-reveals-couple-had-little-argument-before-abduction-hoax/

The fake abduction of Carlee Russell raised many questions about why she would do such a thing. Her ex-boyfriend appeared on a podcast and discussed the events leading up to the hoax.

Thomar Latrell Simmons, Russell’s ex, said on the 205 Boyz podcast Saturday that the two had a “little argument” before her staged abduction, People reported.

Simmons said he was on a trip to New York with Russell before she faked her disappearance. The ex-boyfriend said on the podcast that after the trip, “… we had a little argument, but it wasn’t nothing to kidnap yourself over.” Simmons called the argument “light” and claimed the two went on tours and “had fun” with family on the trip. People reported. He said, “We were going and taking tours to the Statue of Liberty, the Brooklyn Bridge, the ferry. We were eating. We were good.”

Simmons added that he was “confused” about why Russell would fake her abduction when asked if he noticed a change in his ex-girlfriend’s behavior after they visited New York.

Simmons was previously accused of several things on social media after it was discovered that Russell faked her disappearance. Some said he was a cheater, and others said he was in on the hoax. The 205 Boyz podcast host explained that some also said Simmons was not in a relationship with Russell and used her staged disappearance to get clout. He denied the accusations but said on the podcast, “I’m trying to promote myself off this situation. I’m not doing it for clout. I just have this situation … I have the opportunity to make something of myself … I’m going to take the opportunity and run with it.”

People reported that Russell was charged with two misdemeanors for staging her disappearance in July. The charges include “false reporting to law enforcement and falsely reporting an incident,” the outlet noted.

Simmons said he is currently not in contact with his ex-girlfriend.

https://www.blackenterprise.com/naomi-campbell-prettylittlething-collection-nyfw/

Naomi Campbell started New York Fashion Week in a boss way by debuting her personally designed PrettyLittleThing collection.

The legendary supermodel ripped the runway with other models to show off the 70-piece collection she created with designers Edvin Thompson and Victor Anate, Vogue reports. The collection consists of mesh minidresses, faux-fur coats, sleek pantsuits, and bedazzled accessories that mark Campbell’s debut as PLT’s creative director.

Held at NYC’s famed Cipriani’s, attendees included fashion A-listers like Bethann Hardison, Patti Wilson, Alton Mason, and Julia Fox. Campbell noted her United Kingdom roots while expressing her pride as a New Yorker at heart.

“PrettyLittleThing is a company that’s reached an audience worldwide. With streaming, you can also show wherever you want these days,” she said.

“And besides, I’ve lived in New York most of my life, even though I’m a Brit.”

Campbell took her new creative director role at PLT to bring on “emerging” Black talent in fashion to co-design her debt collection.

“I met Umar Kamani [cofounder of PrettyLittleThing], and I loved that he embraced that I wanted to work with young emerging talent and share the platform. So here we are!” Campbell said.

Now as a creative director, Campbell is still a model first who worked hard at the fashion show to make sure the models were on point,” People reports.

“I was nervous,” she admitted after the show. “I just wanted to make sure the girls were ok, that they could walk okay, that everyone’s going to be strong and poised.”

She continued. “I was saying, ‘Strong, strong, strong, strong’ and ‘be yourself, let your personality show.’”

Campbell’s PLT collection comes just ahead of her appearance in the Apple TV+ four-part docuseries called The Super Models, along with Cindy Crawford, Linda Evangelista, and Christy Turlington.

RELATED CONTENT: Naomi Campbell Partners With BMW to Release First XM Model

https://nerdist.com/article/ahsoka-sabine-wren-found-ezra-bridger-star-wars-rebels-reunion/

Since the start of Ahsoka, Mandalorian warrior, Jedi trainee, and former rebel Sabine Wren (Natasha Liu Bordizzo) has been single-minded about her objective. It’s to find her old friend Ezra Bridger, who exiled himself, and Imperial Grand Admiral Thrawn, into unknown space at the end of Star Wars Rebels. When we meet Sabine again in Ahsoka, years have passed since she lost her Ghost crewmate. But despite training as a Jedi under Ahsoka (Rosario Dawson), she still had one goal in mind—find Ezra. She even allowed ex-Jedi mercenaries Baylan Skoll (Ray Stevenson) and Shin Hati (Ivanna Sakhno) to find Thrawn in order for her to locate her friend as well. And in episode six of Ahsoka, “Far, Far Away,” that reunion finally took place.

Sabine Is Taken to Grand Admiral Thrawn, Demanding to See Ezra

Taken to the planet Peridea in another galaxy, as a willing prisoner of Baylan Skoll and Morgan Elsbeth (Diana Lee Inosanto), Sabine confronts her old enemy, Grand Admiral Thrawn (Lars Mikkelsen). Since she helped Skoll by not destroying the orb that contained the map to Peridea, Baylan promised to allow Sabine the chance to find her lost friend. Thrawn lets Baylan keep his word to Sabine (to an extent). He gave her an animal called a howler and intel on Ezra’s location. She journeys into the wilds of the planet looking for her friend.

As she travels across the bleak terrain of Peridea, Sabine encounters bandits and then a species called the Noti. The aliens look like adorable anthropomorphic snails. They can curl up into their shells and hide from predators, appearing to be rocks. If it sounds like the trolls from Frozen, well, it’s because they’re very much like the trolls from Frozen. When Sabine tries to talk to the Noti she encounters, she notices it is wearing a symbol of the Rebel Alliance. She realizes this creature must know Ezra. She follows the Noti to his village, a settlement of several homes that look like larger versions of their shells. Soon, she discovers her old friend from the Ghost crew, Ezra Bridger, is living among the Noti. Eman Esfandi plays adult Ezra.

Sabine Wren and Ezra Bridger Reunite At Last

Seeing one another after a decade, Ezra and Sabine hug it out. Ezra is now a full-grown man, as it’s a been a decade since the events of the Rebels finale. Sabine hesitates to tell Ezra details about how she found him, probably realizing that he’ll be deeply disappointed knowing her actions might help bring Thrawn back home. How that conversation will go down will have to wait, as right now the two old friends are just happy to see each other.

Unknown to Sabine, Thrawn has sent Baylan Skoll and Shin Hati out to kill them. Thus, Thrawn sort of keeps Baylan’s word by allowing her to find her missing friend. What he forgot to mention was he’d be willing to kill her right after. But we have a feeling neither of these old friends is going down so easily.

The post AHSOKA Delivered a Heartwarming Reunion Between Two Friends appeared first on Nerdist.