gottalovesteak:

Reasons why Boris from Life Of Boris and Gopnik Gaming will always be my favourite youtuber:

honest kdrama reviews

asianasianasianasian:

these are all the kdramas that ive watched and im just gonna put them all here and what you should know about them 

THIS IS WORTH READING IF YOU WANNA WATCH ANOTHER GOOD KDRAMA TRUST ME 

*no particular order 

reply 1997

  • set in the 90s
  • follows a group of friends and how they stick together during this time
  • two guys that go after a girl and the drama is a guessing game on who ends up being her husband 
  • good life lessons 
  • good ost (original soundtrack) 
  • it’s hilarious 
  • not a typical kdrama, very original 
  • what stuck out with this drama is it’s creativity. you’ll never watch a drama like this bc of the setting 

reply 1994 

  • set in the 90s (this is a series but they are all different stories) 
  • follows a group of friends and how they stick together during this time 
  • once again trying to figure out who is the husband
  • good life lessons
  • good ost 
  • also hilarious 
  • very original 
  • if you don’t do well with second leads as in you have sls (second lead syndrome) then you will most likely fall for the guy that isn’t the husband but tbh it depends on you 
  • what stuck out with this drama is also the setting. all of these are different settings and they don’t have the same plot

reply 1988

  • set in the 80s-90s 
  • uGH this drama honestly gets to me it’s so fricking good. 
  • if you’re thinking rn that you dont want to watch these dramas bc it’s set in the old times WATCH THESE I GUARANTEE YOU WONT REGRET IT
  • this is the highest rated kdrama in history trust me it’s good 
  • it’s a little bit slow in the beginning but it picks up and it’s worth it 
  • same kind of idea as the previous reply series 
  • everything about this drama is amazing. everything. 
  • this one is different from the other reply series bc it’s not as easy to guess who the husband is. 
  • the director is really good and there is a lot of foreshadowing and clues that you’ll have to work hard to find 
  • this drama is so well put everything connects together 
  • you will fall in love with all the characters they’re so funny ok im done

queen in hyun’s man 

  • ok don’t skip this drama just bc it’s historical 
  • the plotline is basically this guy from the joseon dynsasty time travels to modern day and meets this girl (and obv you know what happens next) 
  • super cute drama and funny 
  • the couple actually ended up dating too!! they broke up but still 
  • what stuck out was the amazing chemistry for this drama 

city hunter 

  • this really smart guy who is also amazing at hunting meets this girl who works as the bodyguard for the blue house 
  • a lot of secrets 
  • it’s a very heavy drama as in there’s a lot to take in and understand 
  • highly rated drama tho 
  • what stuck out is the creative plot line 

rooftop prince

  • after the death of this crown prince’s wife, he time travels 300 years later and meets this girl who looks like the deceased princess 
  • the guys in this drama are so funny and cute and you’ll love them 
  • similar to queen in hyun’s man so if you watch that watch this 
  • what stuck out was the plot and the comedy 

you’re beautiful 

  • this girl who has a twin pretends to be her brother and ends up joining this kpop group lol 
  • she’s pretending to be a guy but she ends up falling for the singer 
  • super funny 
  • you’re gonna love the other guys in this drama they’re so cute and funny 
  • what stuck out was the cold main lead i love when it’s a cold guy falling for the girl lol 

innocent man

  • oh man this drama.. it’s a melodrama first of all 
  • honestly i don’t even like melodramas bc theyre sooooooo hard to keep watching like it’s just so ongoing 
  • this drama tho.. it’s got song joong ki and lee kwang soo so i mean cmon
  • it’s got funny moments 
  • it’s an amazing plot line. the guy takes the blame for his gf who murdered a man and when he gets out of jail she marries this sugar daddy. he’s obv pissed and tries to get back at her by “falling in love” with the girl who’s dad is the ex-gf’s sugar daddy (ik it’s complicated). but then he actually starts falling for the girl and yeah 
  • it’s worth watching im not gonna lie just try it 
  • what stuck out was song joong ki bc he’s amazing 

dream high

  • lol this drama well it’s got singing first of all 
  • basically all these people who go to this music school and everyone has an interesting story to them 
  • actually pretty inspirational 
  • it’s one of the dramas that you just must watch heading into kdrama 

boys over flowers 

  • well if you know anything about kdrama you’ve prolly heard of boys over flowers. if not, you’re in for a ride
  • it’s the kdrama that EVERYONE knows and has seen
  • the heirs is basically the same as this btw but this is the original
  • a group of elite boyz and this one poor girl and she falls for the rich boi
  • it’s much more complicated than that

playful kiss

  • this drama :)))
  • typical cold popular boy falls for dumb girl honestly she’s so dumb it kills 
  • basically this girl’s house crumbles after an earthquake (only her house bc it’s crap lol) and so they move into the guys house bc their parents are super close together
  • it’s so so funny lol and it’s very lighthearted through the entire drama 
  • it’s one of my faves you gotta watch it 

it’s okay that’s love

  • this man is a mystery writer and a radio dj. he meets a psychiatry student and they both fall in love but man they got problems of their own. he’s got an obsession and she also has an issue psychology wise 
  • it’s comedy but it’s also not at times it’s good 
  • the characters make it so entertaining once again kwang soo is in it 
  • what stuck out is the interesting plotline 

princess hours

  • so basically this normal high schooler gets to marry this cold hearted crown prince and they start off w a really weird relationship but then you see how the two of them grow together 
  • it’s so weird and funny 
  • the leads are very cute even though theyre super awkward at times
  • the guys are super hot so like yeah  

personal taste

  • another cold man warm hearted girl 
  • the girl thinks that he’s gay so she takes him up as a roommate 
  • it’s funny and it’s got lee min ho 
  • the second lead actors are kinda annoying but you can deal 

hi! school love on

  • this is one interesting drama let me tell ya 
  • it’s not as popular but it’s pretty good 
  • this angel becomes a human in order to save someone
  • it’s interesting bc you’d never find this kind of drama  
  • the actors and actresses are very cute 
  • it’s a cute innocent kind of show 

to the beautiful you 

  • oh this drama 
  • another cute kind of drama filled w delicious looking boys
  • this girl goes to a boys school and pretends to be a boy 
  • she falls in love w this guy who is super athletic but also cold hearted 

heartstrings

  • it’s set in an art university and it’s about pursuing your dreams
  • a music kind of kdrama 
  • good music in here obviously 
  • the lead actor is hot 
  • he is also cold god i love cold guys 

cheese in the trap

  • another cold guy drama heh 
  • basically this guy that has it all (looks money etc) has a dark side to him and he falls for this girl who is poor but she is v smart and he tries to help her 
  • it’s pretty interesting i dont think it’s similar to the normal kdrama 
  • cute actors everywhere 

emergency couple 

  • this is one funny drama 
  • it’s got song ji hyo from running man she’s perfect 
  • basically the two main actors were once married but then they divorced and years later they end up working in the same hospital 
  • there’s sls in this so be careful 
  • it’s a medical kind of comedy drama 

you who came from the stars

  • one of the most popular kdramas and highly highly rated globally
  • it’s quirky in the beginning but it’s worth it trust me 
  • this alien crashes on earth during joseon dynasty and he lives till modern day 
  • he’s perfect and all his senses are like 4x better than humans 
  • he meets this stuck up snobby actress and the rest is history 

the heirs

  • basically the same as boys over flowers (see above) except it’s not so dragging and the annoying parts/concepts aren’t in this one 
  • the actors are all cute and you’ll fall in love w so many people

the master’s sun 

  • this one is precious to me 
  • it’s got the best ost ever it’s so good 
  • this girl is able to see ghosts and they always bother her 
  • one day she meets this guy that is able to get rid of the ghosts when she touches him 
  • so she comes off as a stalker bc she’s always trying to touch him to get rid of the ghosts
  • this is so original and every episode is interesting 
  • it’s funny and you’ll love the secretary. the old man is the best 

my princess 

  • this normal average girl ends up being a princess after secrets of her birth come out and this man who is v successful gives everything up in order to serve and protect her bc of his grandfather’s creed 
  • it’s a typical kdrama but it’s good and it’s super cute 
  • you’ll love the main lead he’s so handsome and the drama is v cute
  • you get to watch how an average girl starts from the bottom and works her way up to become a princess 

secret garden

  • you will not watch a kdrama like this ever trust me 
  • basically this cold rich guy and this cool stunt lady meet at this weird place and drink some weird potion and the next day they switch bodies 
  • they randomly switch bodies and it’s super funny and weird and so they have to deal w each other 
  • it’s funny and it’s v interesting 
  • another one of the super highly rated dramas 

suspicious partner

  • an ongoing drama rn but it’s so good omo
  • this girl in training to be a prosecutor breaks up w her bf and later on is the suspect for murdering her ex. the main lead actor (my bae ji chang wook) is a prosecutor and he is able to save her but risks his job (it’s ok he builds his own firm) 
  • all the characters are super fun and quirky and this drama will make you laugh and will make you feel scared at times but it’s a real mystery and comedy and it’s super good 
  • good drama to make your friends watch for the first time. i did it w a girl who didnt think she’d like kdrama and she watched 17 episodes in one night soooo 
  • no annoying love triangles 

fight my way 

  • also an ongoing drama 
  • this is such an inspirational drama
  • a group of friends that once had dreams when they were younger are now working in average jobs and they live off of their paychecks. they still want to pursue their dreams even though it seems to be too late for them
  • it’s so so so funny and the main actor is so hot 
  • this drama is just perfect in itself 
  • it depicts real life REAL life!! it stays away from typical kdrama scenes and honestly this one will move you 

strong woman do bong soon 

  • highly rated kdrama 
  • the actors are so so cute 
  • and when i say cute i mean they are the definition of cute 
  • it’s a hilarious drama that’ll make you cry w tears 
  • this girl has superwoman strength and she becomes this rich guy’s bodyguard but it’s much more complicated than that 
  • she’s out to get the bad guys 
  • this girl is so independent you will love this drama if you’re sick and tired of the typical helpless damsel in distress

hwarang 

  • HOT HANDSOME BOYS EVERYWHERE
  • it’s a historic drama but it’s good
  • this no name guy goes to the capital and his best friend was just murdered so he’s out for revenge but little does he know he ends up being a part of the elite group of hwarang boys that are built to protect the kingdom 
  • the bromance is stronger than the romance and you will love the bromance trust me 
  • the SLS is really strong in this one so watch out 
  • sorry im too excited but the boys in this drama are all perfect and so cute
  • there’s a lot of secrets in this one 

healer 

  • another ji chang wook drama he’s so hot 
  • this is centered around a case that has a lot of secrets. it’s a big mystery and this man is trying to go after people related to this case in order to solve the mystery
  • you got a fighter boy who has a history himself and he meets this chill girl
  • she’s a strong independent woman and you will love the action in this drama 
  • everything about this drama is good 

you’re all surrounded

  • such a quirky funny drama
  • a group of people (best squad ever) are all detectives and theyre out to catch the bad guys 
  • a different case every time and you would think there’s no comedy but trust me there’s lots 
  • the characteres are all super funny and loving 

she was pretty 

  • first of all major SLS so fall for the right boy 
  • this girl that used to be super pretty turns “ugly” and then glows up again
  • the main lead used to be a super ugly and chubby boy but he would comfort the girl all the time 
  • they were supposed to meet up but he thought this pretty girl was her bc he didn’t think she would look that ugly 
  • it’s a funny drama and youll like all the characters
  • the ost is really good 

oh my venus 

  • oh man this drama 
  • similar to she was pretty, the girl has a major glow up
  • she also used to be the shit when she was younger but when she grew up she became really fat
  • this guy who is super successful ends up taking her in and helping her change into the person that she wants to be 
  • it’s funny and it’s a sexy and hot drama 
  • they’re super cute but man they really got it goin this couple 

kill me heal me 

  • orgjoiwejfor first of all if youre reading this and you havent watched it already, watch this. 
  • before i get to the plotline, lemme tell ya, this drama has all the genres. it’s a real comedy and mystery and it’s just perfect
  • SO. this man has DID (dissociative identity disorder) also known as multiple personality disorder. he has seven personalities that haunt him and in order to try to suppress it, he hires a personal psychiatrist 
  • this is such a good drama you will laugh and cry and it’ll get you 

  • lol this is gonna sound weird but trust me it’s good 
  • this popular comic series ends up turning into real life when the girl gets sucked into the comic and basically she’s livin a fake life in a comic
  • it gets complicated when the plot of the comic becomes real life and the villain is out to get them 
  • it’s super complicated bc this girl is literally falling for a cartoon character who isn’t real but this one is another must watch 
  • it won’t be boring at all during the episodes 

oh my ghostess

  • this is another drama that is super good 
  • this ghost takes people’s body and controls them and one day she takes this quiet and very introverted girl’s body 
  • she ends up being stuck in it and it sounds bad but throughout the drama, the ghost and the girl help each other in order to get what they want 

goblin 

  • boi idk how i forgot to add this drama
  • this is def another one of those dramas where you’ll be like wtf is this plot what is this drama bc it’s just so…. interesting
  • the second lead male actor and other supporting actors are super cute omg i die 
  • the ost is good too mmmm
  • alright get ready for another complicated plot… so the main character, kim shin is a v honorable general and the young king is jealous so he kills him. buT GUESS WHAT! this bih comes back alive as a goblin so he basically lives an immortal life. so fastforward to oh you know like 900 years, he’s looking for his human bride who is the only one who will be able to release his curse so that he can turn into ashes and stop living (the guys done w earth he’s been on for too long) 
  • so yeah then the goblin saves this pregnant lady and she dies but the baby lives and the baby grows up with the ability to see ghosts and bc she was supposed to die, grim reapers look for her 
  • i dont wanna hit u w too much plot so yeah go watch it it’s good

let me know what you guys think of the dramas and feel free to message me if you wanna know more about something 🙂 i promise im nice 

If you’re ever bored, here’s a list of Studio Ghibli films you can watch for free.

zjoy:

allydsgn:

sexualcrack:

Castle In The Sky (1986)
Grave of the Fireflies (1988)
My Neighbor Totoro (1988)
Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989)
Only Yesterday (1991)
Porco Rosso (1992)
Pom Poko (1994)
Whisper of the Heart (1995)
Princess Mononoke (1997)
My Neighbors the Yamadas (1999)
Spirited Away (2001)
The Cat Returns (2002)
Howl’s Moving Castle (2004)
Tales from Earthsea (2006)
Ponyo On A Cliff From The Sea (2008)
The Secret World of Arrietty/The Borrower Arrietty (2010)
From Up on Poppy Hill (2011)

If any of the links stop working, please let me know so I can fix it.

For Castle In The Sky, wait for the free user button to be clickable and it will send you to the video.

how do I not share this, though (HIGHLY RECOMMENDING HOWL’S MOVING CASTLE IT’S MY FAVORITE)

Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1984)
The Tale of the Princess Kaguya (2013)
The Wind Rises (2013)

taggerbug:

Afghan women talk about The Breadwinner film: x

Angelina Jolie interview: x

And finally, the trailer:

Watch The Breadwinner, and appreciate the film for what it is: This is a beautiful film directed by a woman, executive produced by a woman, voiced by Afghans, and about Afghan women and their experiences. 

Thanks for reading.

K-Drama Recommendations

dropboxofthoughts-blog:

People close to me or those who follow me on Twitter would know how it seems that I always recommend every single K-drama I have just finished watching. That’s not true though. At least, I don’t recommend /all/ that I watch, only most HAHA. 


Thus, I have decided to organize my recommendations into a list consisting of my top favorite K-dramas with the reasons why I watched them and why I recommend them for others to watch. These reasons may be highly subjective as they weren’t exactly reviewed technically.

NOTE: These are K-dramas I recently

watched

(from 2 years ago up to now) which means there are other great (classic) K-dramas that I did not include only because I remember these ones better. 

1. Pinocchio

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Why I watched it:
It stars Lee Jongsuk, one of my all-time favorite actors. Besides, it has an
interesting plot: a girl who hiccups every time she lies, a terrible past involving the guy she likes and her mom, and the leads characters’ struggles to reach their dreams in the media industry. 

Why you should
watch it:
This drama is arguably my number one favorite K-drama because unlike
most other dramas whose plot revolves mainly around the couple’s romance and
the troubles surrounding their happily ever after, this drama deals with wider,
more substantial issues (e.g. the ethics of the media industry, family). Also,
Pinocchio is unlike other dramas whose plot seem to lose direction halfway
through, or whose premise lacks depth resulting to it getting boring and drags
on, or having a promising start but  not
being able to wrap things up cleanly later on. This drama has many layers
gradually getting revealed. What you thought was the main problem actually has
a deeper aspect to it. It’s not just about jongsuk and shinhye’s
romantic-slash-niece-uncle relationship nor is it a typical love triangle. The
supporting characters also prove important to the overall story, even those who
seemed to be very minor characters at first. Character growth can be observed and the
ending is appropriate, without leaving loose ends.

2. You who Came from the
Stars

image

Why I watched it:
Jeon Jihyun, Kim Soohyun, and a love story between a sassy actress and an
alien. Who wouldn’t be interested?

Why you should
watch it:
It’s a comedy (Jeon Jinhyun’s Cheon Songyi will make you literally
LOL), drama (watch out for Kim Soohyun’s crying scenes!), and romance (there’s
undeniable chemistry between them + Do Minjoon’s subtle but sweet, protective
antics) all rolled into one. There’s a reason behind this drama’s immense
popularity -be it the characters and how the actors accurately portrayed them,
the unique storyline, the creepy antagonist, or all of them.

3. I Hear your
Voice

image

Why I watched it:
It was really popular at that time (no doubt why!) and it had an interesting
story.

Why you should
watch it:
Older woman – Younger man (who, incidentally, can read minds!!) romance
but it is in no way awkward. If anything, that made everything even cuter and
sweeter (that backhug is still the best backhug in the history of kdrama!). Plus, the woman being strong and modern (although sometimes an adorable fail, especially when Jongsuk reads her mind) and the guy being a pure, innocent high schooler adds to the cuteness and uniqueness of the drama. This closely rivals Pinocchio as my all-time favorite kdrama (which isn’t
surprising since they had the same writers, and Jongsuk as lead). It has a
neatly written story, with depth and substance (tackling the concept of what
makes people monsters and other ethical issues in the background of various
legal cases).

image

4. Reply 1997

Why I watched it:
The lead character is a kpop fangirl (which means I can relate). And I love Eunji and Shin Soyul.

Why you should
watch it:
It’s a perfect coming-of-age drama. Aside from successfully showing
character growth for each one of them, it had a unique and very interesting way
of storytelling, by means of flashbacks. It keeps you hooked since every
episode seems to end with a cliffhanger, leaving you curiouser and curiouser. The characters’ diversity is also an interesting factor -two kpop fangirls, two sets of potential couples, two secretly in-love bestfriends, and the funny guy. I also like how it dealt with homosexuality, with one of the them being secretly in-love with one of their guy friends.

image

5. School 2015

Why I watched it: Yook Sungjae. And because I loved the earlier series School 2013 too.

Why you should watch it: It’s an inspiring drama. Although it is set in a high school, it has universally relatable themes of dreams, love, friendship, and family. Bullying is portrayed in a straightforward, honest manner which made the antagonist very unlikable and makes people realize how serious a crime bullying is. The love triangle was an interesting storyline, with both males being likable, unlike in Filipino dramas where one is bound to be a jerk. However, the second male lead’s character was written so much better than how the other guy’s was. They also built up his relationship with the female lead so much more that the ending actually became disappointing. Symptoms of second male lead syndrome can be expected. On the other hand, the female lead’s acting is extremely commendable as well as the way the characters were written. It would’ve been nicer though if they were able to follow through the subplots concerning the other students because they were able to deal with them closely at first, only to leave loose ends. It makes the viewer ask what happened to some of the minor characters. Still, on the overall, the drama is a good watch. 

image

6. Plus Nine Boys

Why I watched it:
Two words: Yook Sungjae.

Why you should
watch it:
 Although I watched this primarily because I have just finished School 2015 at that time and needed more Yook Sungjae, I wasn’t at all disappointed. It’s very light and easy to watch and has one of the most satisfying endings for me. It’s not your
typical happily ever after. It’s not
predictable such that everything suddenly fits into place. Still, you’ll be left smiling at how things
turned out. The plot is simple and the portrayal is realistic. I especially
love the scenes where the three brothers interact with one another or with
their mom and uncle because it depicts a very normal everyday scenario not
unlikely to happen in real life. It has its fair share of heart fluttering and comedic scenes but for me, what sets this drama apart is really how realistic and
normal (often undramatic) it is.

double-trouble-couple:

#kdramawomensweek Day 2: Resistance

Do Bong Soon (Strong Girl Bong Soon/Strong Woman Do Bong Soon)

At the beginning of the series Bong Soon doesn’t want her powers; she thinks that her super strength makes her seem unfeminine, and she just wants to live a normal life. But as the series goes on she realizes that she has to use her powers to protect innocent people who can’t stand up for themselves. She protects the ones she loves and she never shies away from a fight. If somebody hits her, she hits back twice as hard. At the end of the series she accepts her powers as part of who she is and embraces her job as a modern-day superhero.

Goblin Review

languagemajor:

image

WATCH THIS. That is all. 

No, seriously, don’t waste time reading reviews, just go start it now.  I can’t recommend this series enough.  Maybe it’s the obsession I’ve had with Gong Yoo since Coffee Prince all those years ago (which may have been my first KDrama). Maybe it’s the pure visual beauty of so many of the scenes. Maybe it’s the unrivaled Goblin/Reaper bromance or the mellow, emotional soundtrack. Whatever the magic ingredient is, it’s working on so many levels.  

Pros: 

  • The Fantasy: Unlike some other dramas where the fantasy world is downplayed after a sweeping beginning, Goblin consistently delivers delightful, magical elements in every episode. Goblin and Reaper use their abilities in both phenomenal and mundane ways. Eun-tak has ghost friends. The past weaves seamlessly into the present through a reincarnation storyline. This keeps the viewer firmly immersed in an alternate reality. I feel like I’m vacationing in Goblin-land come Friday and Saturday, and that’s a good place to be.  
  • The Acting: RADIANT performances by Lee Dong-wook (2nd lead show-stealer for sure) and Gong Yoo followed closely by the touching female leads. I was also surprised by Yook Sung-jae, who plays Deok-hwa. He gets the chance to express other emotions besides self-absorbed chaebol in later episodes and for an idol-turned-actor (who many have low standards for) I was deeply moved. I think his performance in episode 11 could rival any veteran actor in the same role. 
  • The Plot: For the simple fact that the two main men aren’t after the same girl, it’s already head and shoulders above most KDrama storylines.  
  • The Aesthetics: Want to rest your eyes? Here, have a lusty Gong Yoo standing between gravestones overlooking a glorious Quebec City backdrop. Or a contemplative Gong Yoo walking through a flowering buckwheat field. Or a grieving Gong Yoo meeting his bride in the rain by the ocean.  Or an angry Gong Yoo chopping a boat in half in ancient times. Did I mention Gong Yoo? Oh, and the cinematography, lighting, fashion, and color concept is ok, too.  
  • The Music: Although there are a few cheesy, crooning love songs in the mix, probably so you don’t forget you’re watching a KDrama, the soundtrack is stirring and plays with my emotions. 
  • The Writing: Writing and delivery are two sides of the same coin, and since I mentioned acting already, I want to give credit to the writers for making me roll around laughing, gasp in suspense, and cry heaving sobs in almost every episode.  

Cons: 

  • The Drag: Yes, it can and does drag at times, especially if you’re not invested in the emotion of the moment. The show hooks viewers with the characters themselves more than a fast-paced plot. So although the plot is mysterious, intriguing, and occasionally thrilling, if you’re not buying into the characters in and of themselves, I can understand some episodes seeming slow (I’m looking at you, ski-lodge).  
  • The Backpack: My other pet peeve is packing most of the action and plot advancement into the last few minutes of each episode. Watching the series live is a mistake I’m sure many fellow impatient fans have made, since my fingers have callouses from all these cliffhangers.  

All in all, this is a show that sticks with you long after watching. Unlike other shows on right now (*cough* Legend of the– *cough*), which are enjoyable but not profound, I find myself thinking about Goblin throughout the week. Its magical charm will burrow a home in your heart. It isn’t over yet (only 2 more weeks). But since every episode has delivered, I’m confident the ending will be warm and satisfying. Please don’t betray my trust! 

-Le Le 

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Okay, question. Before following you, I hadn’t even HEARD of animorphs. And I see it a lot from you. What is it?!

derinthemadscientist:

Animorphs is the story of five ordinary teenagers who discover that aliens invading their planet. They meet an alien from a race that opposes the invaders who gives them the ability to shapeshift into animals to fight the invaders and protect their planet. Cue wacky hijinks and cool animal shapeshifting and awesome space adventures!

Except not. Animorphs takes the whole ‘teen superheroes get up, go to school, save the world’ trope and deconstructs it HARD. The kids aren’t even close to equipped to deal with this war; the enemy is huge, powerful, and ruthless. Super-healing comes as a happy side effect of their shapeshifting, which is a good thing because they get into physical combat a LOT and are constantly being disembowelled and having limbs ripped off and soforth. Also, the invaders are body-snatchers, who climb into the heads of their victims and control them utterly, being privy to their every thought and memory, meaning that all the ‘enemies’ whose throats the kids rip out in battle are in fact innocent slaves. One of the kids finds out almost immediately that his older brother, who he loves and respects, is a helpless slave of the enemy, living a nightmare in his own head — and who would kill his little brother without hesitation if he ever found out who he was. The bad guys use the kids’ high school and the local boy-scout-esque community group as tools of manipulation and recruitment, meaning that the kids are surrounded constantly not only by enemies but by innocents being led straight to the enemy and they can’t do a damn thing but watch it happen. A main character tries to commit suicide in book 3 and I think the PTSD nightmares start about book 5. The kids can’t tell their parents why they wake up screaming, of course, any more than they can hug them and tell them they love them right before going into a deadly battle — their parents might be under the control of the enemy, and could kill them at any moment.

As the series goes on, the war gets more complicated. The violent, knife-covered alien footsoldiers the kids are constantly fighting in battle aren’t so violent. The bad guys aren’t so bad. The good guys aren’t so good. And these kids, who are thirteen when this all starts, have to figure that out, because there’s nobody else to do it. Is it okay to use biochemical warfare against the enemy? Is it okay to keep fighting and kill innocents in defense of other innocence? Is it alright to use drugs against the enemy, even if the side effects have negative consequences for their slaves? The Big Bad has a habit of decapitating henchmen who fail, and the Animorphs sometimes need to work against their leader’s enslaved brother… what if the Big Bad kills him? Can they back off, sell out part of the human race just to protect a human they happen to know and love? Eventually, a resistance movement develops among the body snatchers and some of them refuse to take unwilling hosts and will only inhabit volunteers — but where’s the line between free consent and coercion when you’re trapped between opposing forces in a war, when your family is in danger? 

Despite having six main characters (they pick up an alien to join them shortly into the story), the protagonists are as well developed as the grey areas they fight in. The character development is amazing as you watch the war break them all in different ways. The charismatic kid who is nominated leader mostly because he has no glaring flaws prohibiting him from the job has no choice but to take it seriously, and can’t show weakness or fear, so he lets nobody help him as he slowly breaks inside and starts treating people like pawns. The clear-sighted realist and head strategist who deals with tragedy with humour, using jokes and sarcasm to hold the team together and give them roles to hold onto, who gets better and better at planning until he realises that the plans and outcomes are all that matters to him even if they involve the death of people he loves… and thinks of this as a good thing. The brash bombshell with more courage than anyone, who shields her friends with her strength and her body and leaving nobody to shield her, who deals with her fear by doing her job until the anger and rage and violence is all that’s left. The philosophising environmentalist, who entered the war as a force of nature nominated to save her planet and has to compromise on line after line until she doesn’t even know how to protect her friends any more. The neglected orphan with no connection to any human being, who finds friends in the fight and fights for them, not humanity… knowing that when it’s over, he’ll have nothing. The alien cadet who just wants to go home and somehow ended up with the honour of his famous brother and the fate of a planet on his shoulders, who tried to operate under his own people’s laws and moral code in a completely different world. 

It’s really good, basically. And it’s been released online for free here: http://animorphsforum.com/ebooks/