Life wasn't easy for us anime fans 20 years ago, and it wasn't just because people heard that you liked something called 'Outlaw Star' and instinctively wanted to cram you into a toilet.

I'm not saying that a girl can't be the hero of a story because human traits would make her too fragile or weak. I'm saying that in these specific plots, the characters would totally act and react in a different way than what we got.

Sometimes cartoons have to literally throw adults a bone to keep them interested.

Lots of history's greatest ideas have odd beginnings -- but sometimes breakfast spaghetti should just be left in its respective fictional universe.

It's a huge tale that starts with puberty and ends at death.

It's almost like TV writers were daring someone to try their monstrosities. We accepted.

Thomas' home is a realm of fear and despair, of racism and hopelessness. And the only person immune to all of it is Thomas himself.