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Whether you realize it or not, you’ve probably seen a film from the Fast saga. Maybe it was the scrappy debut about street racers and a cop who learn to see eye-to-eye, or it’s the one where they drive the car on a disintegrating rope bridge. The Fast & Furious franchise has always held a ubiquitous presence in pop culture. While often mocked for being completely unrealistic and overly dramatic, the fact that the series drifts into these accusations is a big part of why it’s so successful. The highly anticipated next chapter, Fast X, shows absolutely no sign of slowing down, and the franchise is made better for it.
For those intimately familiar with the Fast saga, you know that while cars are the point, they’re also besides the point. The true star is “Family” with a capital F. This family consists of the Torettos and the allies and loved ones that make up our Fast crew. By surrounding these characters with beloved stars, both domestic and international, Fast saga has created a feast for our senses, and Fast X carries the torch beautifully.
We have our normal band of bros, Dom (Vin Diesel), Lettie (Michelle Rodriguez who is fantastic in Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves), an older Little B (Leo Abelo Perry) and Mia (Jordana Brewster) as well as the welcome return of Sung Kang as Han. We also see our lovable scamp Hobbs Shaw (Jason Statham). And what group would be complete without Roman (Tyrese), Ramsey (Nathalie Emmanuelle) and Tej (Ludacris)?
In Fast 9 we met Dom and Mia’s estranged brother Jakob (John Cena), and he’s returned, tasked with carting Little B to safety. There are even more cameos by legend Rita Moreno, Brie Larson, Scott Eastwood, Dame Helen Mirren, and the incomparable Charlize Theron to help (or hinder) Dom on his latest mission, this time with the addition of Jason Momoa as the bad guy Dante.
So what’s Dante’s damage? Turns out that back in Rio, when the Fast gang liberated a safe and sent it flying down the freeway, one of the unintentional casualties was Dante’s father, Hernan Reyes (Joaquim de Almeida). Dante and his father were close, and Hernan passed down a very important message: “Do not allow death when suffering is owed.” Dante has taken this message to heart and has vowed to hunt down the one he holds responsible: one Dominic Toretto.
This film may be the best one of the Fast saga (though I’ll save my judgment until the final two films come out). It still manages to top itself stunt-wise, even when calling back to previous stunts. Reality no longer exists; physics is but a concept, gravity an option, and anything is possible — especially if you have a car like Dom’s.
The franchise entry shows three significant changes from Fast 9 that help elevate it and the series.
First off, Dom and Lettie are separated and allowed to do their own thing. I’m not the biggest fan of the romance between these two, but they are excellent partners. Being able to escape the one-sided hero worship for a while was healthy and a relief.
The second thing they did was allow John Cena to be funny. When we met Jakob in Fast 9, he was mean and angry, but you could see the heart underneath. There was some speculation that Cena’s humor was toned down to not upstage Diesel, but whatever the reason, the film suffered for it. We know John Cena to be extremely funny and his humor was sorely lacking. Now that he’s firmly inserted back into the family, he’s able to loosen his tie a little bit. The scenes between him and Little B are some of the best of the film.
Finally, they hired Jason Momoa! Jason Momoa really said, “Category is Villainous Glam” and showed up and showed out. How do you convey utter terror with man-bun pigtails? Ask Momoa; he could teach a masterclass. At first I thought maybe he was doing a bit much, but there’s so much to be said for commitment. Momoa creates one of the most evil, dynamic and engaging villains in the Fast universe. Cypher (Charlize Theron) is awesomely bad in her own way, but she’s more about self-preservation. Dante has absolutely no effs to give, and it’s glorious. He paints his nails cotton candy pink and has pedicure parties with corpses. The man is over the top, and it’s thrilling to watch the Family reason with someone so gleefully unreasonable.
The runtime is significant, but the time is filled well with very little lag. Another thing I realized is that while I hadn’t actually seen Fast saga films 5–8, the exposition of this film — though heavy handed — is easy to digest and extremely helpful. As with any Fast movie, there are a ton of characters, a lot going on, and each storyline fits into the next well. And the way they set up the next movie isn’t cheap, but it is extremely exciting.
Of course, you do have to manage your expectations. Fast X is an action film through and through. Vin Diesel aims and misses for emotional depth consistently and there are some overly schmaltzy sentiments, but these small flaws can easily be swept under the run the second Lettie basically plays Double Dutch with her motorcycle. It’s a feast for the eyes and a perfect option when you want to shut your brain off and watch two beefy men go at it.
I was able to attend a 4DX screening, which introduces immersive elements into the movie watching experience. We were flung around in our seats, and it even snowed and rained. But even without these accouterments the film was a thrillride and must be seen on a large screen.
Fast X comes out May 19, 2023.
Whether you realize it or not, you’ve probably seen a film from the Fast saga. Maybe it was the scrappy debut about street racers and a cop who learn to see eye-to-eye, or it’s the one where they drive the car on a disintegrating rope bridge. The Fast & Furious franchise has always held a ubiquitous presence in pop culture. While often mocked for being completely unrealistic and overly dramatic, the fact that the series drifts into these accusations is a big part of why it’s so successful. The highly anticipated next chapter, Fast X, shows absolutely no sign of slowing down, and the franchise is made better for it.
For those intimately familiar with the Fast saga, you know that while cars are the point, they’re also besides the point. The true star is “Family” with a capital F. This family consists of the Torettos and the allies and loved ones that make up our Fast crew. By surrounding these characters with beloved stars, both domestic and international, Fast saga has created a feast for our senses, and Fast X carries the torch beautifully.
We have our normal band of bros, Dom (Vin Diesel), Lettie (Michelle Rodriguez who is fantastic in Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves), an older Little B (Leo Abelo Perry) and Mia (Jordana Brewster) as well as the welcome return of Sung Kang as Han. We also see our lovable scamp Hobbs Shaw (Jason Statham). And what group would be complete without Roman (Tyrese), Ramsey (Nathalie Emmanuelle) and Tej (Ludacris)?
In Fast 9 we met Dom and Mia’s estranged brother Jakob (John Cena), and he’s returned, tasked with carting Little B to safety. There are even more cameos by legend Rita Moreno, Brie Larson, Scott Eastwood, Dame Helen Mirren, and the incomparable Charlize Theron to help (or hinder) Dom on his latest mission, this time with the addition of Jason Momoa as the bad guy Dante.
So what’s Dante’s damage? Turns out that back in Rio, when the Fast gang liberated a safe and sent it flying down the freeway, one of the unintentional casualties was Dante’s father, Hernan Reyes (Joaquim de Almeida). Dante and his father were close, and Hernan passed down a very important message: “Do not allow death when suffering is owed.” Dante has taken this message to heart and has vowed to hunt down the one he holds responsible: one Dominic Toretto.
This film may be the best one of the Fast saga (though I’ll save my judgment until the final two films come out). It still manages to top itself stunt-wise, even when calling back to previous stunts. Reality no longer exists; physics is but a concept, gravity an option, and anything is possible — especially if you have a car like Dom’s.
The franchise entry shows three significant changes from Fast 9 that help elevate it and the series.
First off, Dom and Lettie are separated and allowed to do their own thing. I’m not the biggest fan of the romance between these two, but they are excellent partners. Being able to escape the one-sided hero worship for a while was healthy and a relief.
The second thing they did was allow John Cena to be funny. When we met Jakob in Fast 9, he was mean and angry, but you could see the heart underneath. There was some speculation that Cena’s humor was toned down to not upstage Diesel, but whatever the reason, the film suffered for it. We know John Cena to be extremely funny and his humor was sorely lacking. Now that he’s firmly inserted back into the family, he’s able to loosen his tie a little bit. The scenes between him and Little B are some of the best of the film.
Finally, they hired Jason Momoa! Jason Momoa really said, “Category is Villainous Glam” and showed up and showed out. How do you convey utter terror with man-bun pigtails? Ask Momoa; he could teach a masterclass. At first I thought maybe he was doing a bit much, but there’s so much to be said for commitment. Momoa creates one of the most evil, dynamic and engaging villains in the Fast universe. Cypher (Charlize Theron) is awesomely bad in her own way, but she’s more about self-preservation. Dante has absolutely no effs to give, and it’s glorious. He paints his nails cotton candy pink and has pedicure parties with corpses. The man is over the top, and it’s thrilling to watch the Family reason with someone so gleefully unreasonable.
The runtime is significant, but the time is filled well with very little lag. Another thing I realized is that while I hadn’t actually seen Fast saga films 5–8, the exposition of this film — though heavy handed — is easy to digest and extremely helpful. As with any Fast movie, there are a ton of characters, a lot going on, and each storyline fits into the next well. And the way they set up the next movie isn’t cheap, but it is extremely exciting.
Of course, you do have to manage your expectations. Fast X is an action film through and through. Vin Diesel aims and misses for emotional depth consistently and there are some overly schmaltzy sentiments, but these small flaws can easily be swept under the run the second Lettie basically plays Double Dutch with her motorcycle. It’s a feast for the eyes and a perfect option when you want to shut your brain off and watch two beefy men go at it.
I was able to attend a 4DX screening, which introduces immersive elements into the movie watching experience. We were flung around in our seats, and it even snowed and rained. But even without these accouterments the film was a thrillride and must be seen on a large screen.
Fast X comes out May 19, 2023.
Buffy is widely recognized as the most iconic vampire/werewolf/demon Slayer in popular culture. However, there was another Slayer within Buffy the Vampire Slayer’s seven-season run whose dark nature sparked discussions of a potential spinoff series. Portrayed by Eliza Dushku, Faith Lehane is a character born out of misery and self-reliance. She stood as Buffy’s polar opposite, making a significant impact during the beloved show’s run. And just like Buffy’s, Faith’s story continued after the TV show had concluded, moving into Dark Horse’s comic book adaptation.
Faith first appeared in the series’ third season as somewhat of a tragic antagonist. She was introduced as the new Slayer who, much like Buffy, was called to take on the responsibility of banishing the forces of evil. But she was portrayed with a more carefree and rebellious attitude, which contrasted with Buffy’s more disciplined and cautious approach to the monster slaying. Where Buffy saw killing as a necessary evil, Faith initially enjoyed it, and her moral struggles and willingness to cross the lines Buffy wouldn’t ultimately lead her down a darker path.
And even though she’s friends with Buffy in Season 3, she ends up betraying both the eponymous Slayer and her friends, siding with the villainous Mayor Wilkins, whom she saw as a father figure. Faith made one significant appearance in Season 4, after which she was imprisoned, and wouldn’t appear in the series again until Season 7. However, she did receive a redemptive arc in Angel, a Buffyverse spinoff series. She first appeared in Angel Season 4 — which coincided with Season 7 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer — where we saw her deal with the guilt and the consequences of her past actions.
Season 4 of Angel was a significant turning point for Faith, as she started to understand the potential for personal growth and change, gradually developing a more profound understanding of her role as a Slayer. This paved the way for her reintegration into the main series, in which she helped Buffy defeat the First Evil in Season 7. So, her storylines and character development on Angel actually complimented the events happening in the seventh season of Buffy. However, she continued to make an appearance in Angel‘s Season 5, even after the main series had ended.
The Buffyverse didn’t end with the conclusion of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Sure, the series didn’t broadcast anymore, but the narrative was continued in the Dark Horse comic series. In the comics, Faith’s development continued past that of a secondary character, or even an anti-hero, and into that of a full-blown hero in her own right. The comics saw her take on a leadership role by working with both Giles and Buffy to train new Slayers since her unique experiences — particularly her past mistakes — made her an excellent mentor who was capable of guiding new Slayers through various challenges they might face.
However, not everything was rosy for Faith either; throughout the comic series — which narratively covers Season 8 through Season 12 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer — Faith often struggled with feelings of inadequacy and guilt over her past actions, especially the events of Season 3. Yet, she continuously strove to make amends and be a better person, demonstrating surprising levels of resilience and determination given her outwardly tough or harsh exterior. Her love for being a Slayer faded over the years, though she did take contractual jobs from Giles, especially assassinations of rogue Slayers that were a potential threat to Buffy.
Faith was given a prominent spot in the comic series’ narrative, and her journey took her all around the world. She went on innumerable missions with Giles and Robin Woods — someone she actually seemed fond of — most of which revolved around dealing with rogue Slayers or helping them on their own paths to redemption. So, it’s safe to say that her journey and quest for redemption didn’t end with the Buffy the Vampire Slayer television series. Instead, she continued to grow, change, and make amends for her past.
Faith’s metamorphosis from a reckless and self-centered young Slayer to a mature and responsible leader is one of the most compelling arcs in Buffyverse. Despite her traumatic upbringing and the personal demons and consequences she faced, Faith proved that it’s possible to overcome adversity and make a positive difference in the world. Her journey to redemption serves as a reminder that even the darkest of paths can potentially lead to growth and eventual salvation.
Despite the lack of Faith-centered series — and the fandom has been clamoring for one — Faith Lehane’s made a lasting impact on the Buffyverse. Her character continues to resonate with the fandom thanks to the captivating blend of strength, vulnerability, and the enduring quest for redemption. And though she might’ve started as a character defined by what she could take, Faith ultimately became a character defined by what she could give — guidance, wisdom, and a second chance, not just for others but for herself as well.
May is here and I’m baffled…where did the year go?!Oh well, it is time for another seasonal Manga Bookshelf Spotlight. From some indie picks ranging from apocalyptic setting to coming-of-age, I was busy reading. Here is a perfect time for a seasonal check in to spotlight a few gems on my physical and digital bookshelves for anyone looking for some new manga to read! Otakus who love flowers, twisted families, queer longing, body snatching and more–you name it! I got it!
Crescent Moon Marching
Creator: Hamachi Yamada
Publisher: Azuki
Genre: Seinen
Age Rating: TEEN
Available Formats: Digital
Ongoing or Completed: Ongoing
Localization Team: Arthur Muira (Translation & Adaptation) Bari Shager (Lettering), Gergő Rácz (Proofreader)
D.S. Jay (Quality Assurance), Glen Isip (Cover Design)
To escape the stress of city life, high school, and her overbearing mother, Mizuki runs away from home to spend spring break with her aunt in the countryside. The teen missed the chance to make friends at the beginning of the semester, she’s always in a cramp school and most shockingly– she realizes that there’s nothing that she’s passionate about! She’s led a dull life guided by her strict mother who commands good grades above all. At her aunt’s coffee shop, she meets Akira, a high school trumpet player who introduces her to the world of marching band! Crescent Moon Marching introduces Mizuki, whose life was missing color, passion, and anything that made her heart sing and come to life!
Shoutout to my fave manga app, Azuki, for once again making this season’s manga bookshelf list! Hamachi Yamada’s series had such a strong first chapter that stunned me: I love a good coming of age manga where the young adult characters find that spark, that one thing that just clicks for them. Like Yatora in Blue Period stumbling across that painting, here Mizuki is forever changed after seeing Akira’s high school marching band in action.
Crescent Moon Marching is an amazing story of a teenager who never committed herself to anything and starts discovering who she is through the comradery of the marching band she joins. Wanting to be on the same page with others means she’s yearning to take the first step and the next and the next. With Yamada’s expressive artwork that highlights facial expressions, it is easy to be enamored with just the first few chapters that dive into the intricate details of musical instruments, marching band need-to-know, and Mizuki’s dive into belonging.
Recommended for: Those who love the coming-of-age and slice of life vibes via manga, band geeks, and their fans approved manga
Moebana
Creator: Hidari Yokoyama
Publisher: Shueisha
Genre: Shonen
Age Rating: 12+ (TEEN)
Available Formats: Digital
Ongoing or Completed: Completed, published on the MANGA Plus app
Localization Team: Ella Donaldson (Translation) YKS Services LLC (Lettering), Katherine Tran (Editing)
High-schooler Tsukumo Fukakusa is a lovable teen obsessed with an anime called Bouquet Garden: that features human idol characters based on flowers. There’s a place at school that he regards as his “Holy Land:” the back entrance of his school where he always secretly admires the flower arrangements displayed there. One faithful day, he goes from being the boy who looks at the flowers to being recruited by the school’s ikebana club. Ikebana, known as the centuries-old Japanese art of arranging flowers, is a new world for the happy-go-lucky boy with a knowledge of flowers to enter and find new challenges and happiness. Hidari Yokoyama’s manga, which took me by surprise, is sold as an “Ikebana x Coming-of-Age School Life Drama.”
Tsukumo, who is described as a bright and cheerful person, meets and is paired with the gloomy and socially awkward Tsubasa Dewakuni. Moebana is a Shonen manga with a surprising twist that is uniquely Japanese and full of heart and a lot of fun, truly. It does have its familiar Shonen beats with competitions and rivals, and it is quite wholesome, if not a little short (less than 28 chapters). It has an engaging narrative about an outsider, a newcomer entering an already established world set with legacies, emotional histories, and traditions with a backdrop of loving flowers. I loved Moebana for the rich storytelling and the way that we are connected with our loves, here it is a love of flowers.
I adored the way both Tsukumo and Tsubasa found ways to use their great love of arranging flowers to comfort, inspire, and encourage others, including themselves–the beautiful twist in the last chapter that connects two of my favorite characters is a subtle one that just may be one of the best twists in all of the more recent manga.
Recommended for: Folks who love manga about otaku, fans who like their Shonen in small bursts, people who want an introductory to Ikebana or love reading about the Japanese art and pastime
Heavenly Delusion
Creator: Masakazu Ishiguro
Publisher: DENPA BOOKS
Genre: Science Fiction
Age Rating: 16+ (OLDER TEEN)
Available Formats: Digital & Physical
Ongoing or Completed: Ongoing, Five Volumes as of May 2023
Localization Team: Ko Ransom (Translation), Patrick Sutton (Proofreading) Glen Isip, Nicole Dochych, Brandon Bovia (Production)
I may not love living through an apocalypse, but I sure do love reading about them! Heavenly Delusion switches through the point-of-views of two groups: Tokio and children inside a special facility and Maru and Kiruko who are out fending for themselves. The manga takes place after some calamity has befallen Japan, and the place is mostly a wasteland with survivors here and there, eking out a living. Tokio and the other children he’s grown up with have been raised in a nursery-style setting by robots and a few adults, safe from the ravages of the wasteland outside its walls. Maru and Kiruko have been traveling across Japan on a special mission that constantly keeps them in danger and discovering new things of a time before, searching for a place called “heaven.”
Masakazu Ishiguro’s work successfully had me intrigued by the end of volume one and wanting more. This apocalyptic land is an interesting one with man-eating creatures that are hauntingly terrifying, promising offerings by survivor camps of humans, and the mystery of the place called heaven. There are several reveals in just the two volumes of manga that I devoured that have surprised me, shocked me, wrecked me, and made me happy that this is my gateway to this mangaka’s work. Existing and thriving in the science fiction genre, but also slightly fantastical, I am immediately invested in this engaging dark story of survival, growing up and living a life–manufactured or not. Also, there’s an anime adaptation!
Recommended for: Folks who love post-apocalyptic stories, people who read manga centering mostly child characters, lovers of science fiction, and shocking reveals
The Girl That Can’t Get a Girlfriend
Creator: Mieri Hiranishi
Publisher: Viz
Genre: Autobiographical
Age Rating: TEEN
Available Formats: Digital & Physical
Ongoing or Completed: Completed, One Volume
Localization Team: Arthur Muira (Translation & Adaptation) Bari Shager (Lettering)
I don’t believe that the manga industry is lacking when it comes to LGBTQIA+ content, yet I feel a little victory chant in my heart every time I see more releases. The Girl Who Can’t Get a Girlfriend “is an autobiographical journey about one lesbian mangaka’s search for a hot, short-haired girlfriend,” claims the back cover. Based on true events, it follows the queer awakening of the creator and her challenging journey of finding love, losing it, and moving forward. Look–there’s cringe, severe second-hand embarrassment, and a lot of discovery and growing pains on the pages here in Mieri Hiranishi’s manga debut.
I am really enjoying this flood of autobiographical manga being published, and the gems we’re able to read. It is a refreshing take on a queer woman figuring out who she is and making an effort to acknowledge that romanticizing others and relationships gets her nowhere. Originally, the first version of The Girl Who Can’t Get a Girlfriend was published online to webcomic fanfare, cheered on by fans. (Which I’m finding is not uncommon for manga nowadays, as it was for I’m a Terminal Cancer Patient, But I’m Fine.) I think what I love the most about Hiranishi’s manga is the very sincere and honest way she shares her story via manga. Her retelling of her navigating her first attempts at a love life and figuring out her sexuality is an endearing ride that left me rooting for her.
Recommended for: Fans of autobiographical manga, readers who love romance, folks who want more comedic manga to read
What manga is a must read on your bookshelves this Spring? I’d love to know. Sound off in the comments or via our social media channels! See past Seasonal Bookshelf spotlights here!
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