> excellence in storytelling (plot)

609 Bedtime Story takes a simple plot premise and absolutely wrings out every inch of it's possibilities. I went into this show almost completely blind, and each consecutive plot twist delighted me without feeling like it was trying to be shocking. The choose your own adventure ending was a particularly good choice, resonating strongly with the themes of the story. 

There is something so compelling about taking such a bizarre and surreal story as an asteroid ending the world, Yuma's possible super powers, and Meguru assuming Madoka's life... then juxtaposing it with such a simple and human story of forgiveness and reconnection. Beat for beat, this story was beautiful and strange and perfect.

Semantic Error may be a short and simple love story drawing on some of the most common tropes of all time, but it does so with such intention. This series is perfectly aware of the constraints of it's budget and timeline, and has bitten off the perfect amount. Sometimes, a simple, sweet, and silly story of two people learning to understand and love each other is best.

The place where Until We Meet Again really shines is giving appropriate time and weight to it's story and characters. I love that we are afforded so many episodes to truly explore who all four of these individuals are and how their stories have intersected. Despite aging tropes and ad placements, UWMA hold a gorgeous story at it's heart, and one that is rarely beaten by shinier productions.

While I strongly disagree with a lot of Not Me's statements on politics and activism, I absolutely adored the premise of this show. This show took me by surprise several times with it's willingness to really go there with the plot and to let the characters truly struggle with their values and position. I loved the choices of when to be violent and cruel, as well.