You’ve probably noticed that today sucks. I wasn’t surprised when the news dropped that the Supreme Court has the draft in hand which will signal their vote to overturn Roe v. Wade. The obvious joke here would be to say, “I’m not surprised, but I am disappointed.” But “disappointment” is too mild an emotion. I’m furious and devastated. I’ve basically spent all day scrolling Twitter, then doing some work for like five minutes until I get too distracted to keep focusing on it, then going back to Twitter, etc etc. In other words: today is a comfort media engorgement day.
We’ve had way too many days like this in the past few years. Few have made me wonder if I should get into villainous capes with high starched collars, but still. In this era of Crap, perhaps you have cultivated your own go-to comfort media. But perhaps you’ve finished your series, or you’re simply looking for something new. If so, here are some suggestions.
Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar
Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar is a classic fun and silly comedy. But unlike most fun and silly comedies, this one was written by and stars women—Kristin Wiig and Annie Mumolo, to be exact. Barb and Star is about two ladies who decide to leave their Midwestern town for the first time ever and go wild on a tropical weekend vacation. As a native Midwesterner myself, I think Wiig’s and Mumolo’s accents alone are hilarious. It’s joyous and delightful and ridiculous, which means it’s perfect for days like today. And I’ll never look at culottes the same again.
Any Musou game
If you’re unfamiliar with musou or “Warriors” games, it’s basically a string of titles from Koei Tecmo where you beat up 1000s of enemies at once. I cannot particularly impart to you how satisfying and cathartic this feels—especially when you’re mad. It helps that musou games aren’t difficult, either, though many have a hard setting for those who want a challenge.
One of the games most responsible for getting me through 2020 was Pirate Warriors 4 (the One Piece musou). I even made a secret Twitch series called “Let’s Embody Sexy Ladies And Beat the Crap Outta Stupid Guys.” However, if you’re not into One Piece yet (see below), there are tons of other IP with Warriors games: Hyrule Warriors and Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity for Zelda fans; Persona 5 Strikers for Persona 5 people. There’s also Fire Emblem Warriors, even though Three Hopes is two months away, and the “traditional” Dynasty Warriors series. You can find all these for basically any platform.
One Piece
I have pushed my One Piece agenda on this site very, very frequently. But let me just say this: you’d be hard-pressed to find another series that exudes kindness, joy, and humor while also having an explicit anti-authoritarian streak. I watched the clip of Luffy punching the ever-living sh*t out of a Celestial Dragon (think big Trump energy) over and over again as a release of tension on Election Day 2020. There are absolutely political themes in One Piece which ring depressingly true to today’s America. Which is exactly why it’s so cathartic to watch the series’ heroes confront would-be authoritarian figures head-on.
Parks and Recreation
I’m about to make a very embarrassing confession: I’ve never watched Parks and Rec. I know. I KNOW. But I know the series is important to many, many people. And I know it serves as an optimal Comfort Show to a ton of my friends. So, hell, maybe this is the one I will take for a spin tonight. Although … maybe dwelling in the BS in the American governmental system might hit a little close to home at the moment? But at the very least, it can take us all back to a slightly simpler time when Chris Pratt was likable and Joe Biden was a funny crush to have.
Untitled Goose Game
Sometimes, when I’m mad or upset, I have to fight back an impulse to be an asshole, just for the hell of it. Welcome to Untitled Goose Game, where you are an asshole, just for the hell of it—except as a goose. Untitled Goose Game is a hilarious puzzle game that involves stealing children’s glasses, stealing people’s newspapers, and posing as a statue to scare the crap out of a gardener. It’s petty and brilliant and very cathartic.
Most Studio Ghibli Films
If you want your comfort viewing to have a streak of today’s melancholy, the Studio Ghibli library is always there for you on HBO Max. Most Ghibli films—notably Spirited Away and My Neighbor Totoro—do have a sad streak in them, so if you want something lighter, go for Ponyo. If you want something for environmental anger and warrior ladies, go for Princess Mononoke or Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind. If you want environmental anger and tanuki balls, there’s Pom Poko. Avoid Grave of the Fireflies, though—way too sad for these kinds of moments. You should maybe also avoid Earwig and the Witch, mostly just because it’s bad.
A Short Hike
A Short Hike is a perfect one-day game. Even though it’s technically open world, you can finish it in a couple hours. I was tempted to put Animal Crossing New Horizons on this list, but just the thought of all the weeds which have absolutely accrued on my island makes me feel stressed and ashamed. However, A Short Hike has the cute, calm, ‘n’ comforting spirit of Animal Crossing and combines it with the joy of exploration of Breath of the Wild. Despite the above trailer being for the Switch, A Short Hike is widely available on gaming platforms. And… like… $8.
Turning Red
This is another one if you’d like your comfort with a side of gut-punching and tears. I will be straight with you, again: I have yet to watch Turning Red, either. (My excuse is Mom Stuff.) But goddammit, tonight’s the night. Turning Red is a film that empathetically depicts all the emotional turbulence of being a teenage girl and how difficult it is to reign in all those emotions. It’s a nice reminder that, for as callous the world is, there is still a community that Understands.
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