We’re here - the Grand Final! After weeks of voting, debating, and some very hard choices, only two remain. The Grand Final: 🐉 Dragon Ball vs ⚙️ Fullmetal Alchemist Legacy versus mastery. Roots versus refinement. Only one will be crowned our community’s favourite anime. 🐉 Dragon Ball (ドラゴンボール) This is where it all began for countless fans. Dragon Ball didn’t just succeed—it defined what shōnen anime could be. Why it reached the Grand Final: Created the blueprint for training arcs, power growth, and rivalries A sense of adventure, humour, and joy that spans generations Characters that became global cultural icons An influence so deep that modern anime still echoes it This is anime history. Without Dragon Ball, the landscape looks completely different. ⚙️ Fullmetal Alchemist (鋼の錬金術師) A series often spoken about in terms of perfection. Fullmetal Alchemist balances action, philosophy, emotion and politics with rare precision. Why it reached the Grand Final: Exceptionally tight storytelling from start to finish Deep themes of sacrifice, morality, and responsibility A richly realised world and unforgettable cast A story that resonates just as strongly on rewatch This is anime at its most complete—crafted with care and purpose. 🗳️ THE FINAL VOTE This is it. Do you choose the foundational legend that shaped the genre? Or the storytelling masterpiece that refined it? 💬 Cast your final vote and share why—this is the one worth defending. 勝つのはどっちだ！？ (Which one will be crowned!?) 🏆🔥

Yesterday's winner was... Dragon Ball!!! Every choice now feels like a betrayal. Today’s matchup:⚙️ Fullmetal Alchemist vs 📓 Death Note Two titans of anime storytelling. Two very different visions of power, morality and consequence. ⚙️ Fullmetal Alchemist (鋼の錬金術師) Often held up as the gold standard of anime storytelling. Fullmetal Alchemist weaves action, philosophy, politics and emotion into a narrative that feels complete, purposeful, and deeply human. Why it belongs in the Final: - Exceptionally tight writing and world-building - Mature themes: war, loss, responsibility, and sacrifice - A cast where heroes and villains alike feel fully realised - A story that rewards reflection and rewatching This is anime that respects its audience and grows with them. 📓 Death Note (デスノート) A single supernatural object turns into the most dangerous weapon imaginable. Death Note is a relentless psychological duel that transforms justice into obsession and intellect into warfare. Why it earned its Final Four spot: - One of the most iconic concepts in anime history - Constant tension driven by mind games, not power levels - Characters that defined an era of anime fandom - A story that still sparks debate years later This is anime that challenges you to pick a side—and question it. 🗳️ Your Turn – Final Four Vote! Who earns a place in the Grand Final? - The balanced, philosophical masterpiece of Fullmetal Alchemist? - Or the razor-sharp psychological thriller of Death Note? 💬 Vote in comments and defend your choice—respectful debate encouraged. 等価交換か、神の裁きか？(Equivalent exchange… or divine judgement?) 🔥

Yesterday's winner was... Death Note!! We’ve reached the Final Four. Every series left standing has already proven itself. From here on, it’s legacy vs impact. Today’s matchup:🐉 Dragon Ball vs 🩸 Jujutsu Kaisen The origin of modern shōnen faces its most ferocious descendant. 🐉 Dragon Ball (ドラゴンボール) This is where the blueprint was written. Dragon Ball shaped how action anime works—training arcs, transformations, rivalries, and the joy of watching characters push beyond their limits. Why it deserves a place in the Final Four: - Laid the foundation for modern shōnen anime - Iconic characters recognised across generations - A spirit of adventure, humour, and constant growth - An influence so deep that even its rivals owe it something This isn’t just nostalgia—it’s the roots of the genre. 🩸 Jujutsu Kaisen (呪術廻戦) Fast, brutal, and uncompromising. Jujutsu Kaisen represents the modern evolution of shōnen—darker themes, sharper choreography, and a world where consequences are real. Why it earned its Final Four spot: - Industry-leading animation and fight choreography - A tone that blends horror, tragedy, and intensity - Instantly iconic characters and moments - A series that defines what current anime feels like This is shōnen sharpened to a blade. 🗳️ Your Turn – Final Four Vote! Who reaches the Grand Final? - The genre-defining legacy and timeless adventure of Dragon Ball? - Or the modern intensity and raw power of Jujutsu Kaisen? 💬 Vote with your comments and make your case—respectful debate encouraged. 原点か、進化か？(The origin… or the evolution?) 🔥

🗓️ Topic: Likes, Dislikes & Movies（好き・きらい・映画） For our next Ocha & Chat, we’ll talk about movies we like and don’t like. This week’s chat is inspired by the huge success of the movie Kokuhō（国宝）, which has been widely talked about in Japan. Let’s use this as a chance to practise simple opinion Japanese. 🈶 Key Grammar: Likes & Dislikes 👍 Likes ＿＿＿が好きです。 ___ ga suki desu. I like ___. ＿＿＿が一番好きです。 ___ ga ichiban suki desu. I like ___ the most. 👎 Dislikes ＿＿＿はあまり好きじゃないです。 ___ wa amari suki ja nai desu. I don’t like ___ very much. ＿＿＿はちょっと苦手です。 ___ wa chotto nigate desu. I’m not very good with / not a fan of ___. 🎬 Talking About Movies 映画（えいが） Eiga Movie ミステリー Misuterī Mystery アクション Akushon Action ドラマ Dorama Drama アニメ Anime Anime 🗣️ Example Dialogue ① A: 映画が好きですか。 Eiga ga suki desu ka? Do you like movies? B: はい、好きです。 Hai, suki desu. Yes, I do. A: どんな映画が好きですか。 Donna eiga ga suki desu ka? What kind of movies do you like? B: ミステリーが好きです。 Misuterī ga suki desu. I like mystery movies. 🗣️ Example Dialogue ② A: 日本の映画を見ますか。 Nihon no eiga o mimasu ka? Do you watch Japanese movies? B: はい、見ます。 Hai, mimasu. Yes, I do. A: アクション映画は好きですか。 Akushon eiga wa suki desu ka? Do you like action movies? B: ちょっと苦手です。 Chotto nigate desu. I’m not really a fan. 🗣️ Example Dialogue ③ A: 国宝を見ましたか。 Kokuhō o mimashita ka? Have you seen Kokuhō? B: まだです。でも、見たいです。 Mada desu. Demo, mitai desu. Not yet, but I want to see it. A: どんな映画が一番好きですか。 Donna eiga ga ichiban suki desu ka? What kind of movie do you like the most? B: ドラマが一番好きです。 Dorama ga ichiban suki desu. I like dramas the most. 🫵 Your Practice (Before the Call) Try writing 2 short sentences: ＿＿＿が好きです。 ___ ga suki desu. ＿＿＿はあまり好きじゃないです。 ___ wa amari suki ja nai desu. Example: ミステリーが好きです。 Misuterī ga suki desu. ホラーはあまり好きじゃないです。 Horā wa amari suki ja nai desu. Post below if you want feedback — I’ll help you 😊 Looking forward to chatting about movies with you at Ocha & Chat ☕🎬

Yesterday's winner was... Fullmetal Alchemist!!! The margins are razor-thin now. Every matchup hurts. Today’s matchup: 🔥 Blue Exorcist vs 📓 Death Note Identity and inner demons versus absolute power and moral collapse. Only one advances. 🔥 Blue Exorcist (青の祓魔師) Born as the son of Satan, Rin Okumura chooses to fight against his fate. Blue Exorcist blends supernatural action with themes of belonging, identity, and chosen family. Why it deserves its place: A strong core theme of choosing who you become Emotional conflict between destiny and free will Stylish action and a memorable cast A gateway supernatural anime for many fans This is anime about rejecting darkness without denying it exists. 📓 Death Note (デスノート) One notebook is all it takes to change the world. Death Note is a gripping psychological duel that turns intelligence into a weapon and asks how far justice can be twisted before it becomes tyranny. Why it earned its Final 8 spot: One of the most iconic and influential anime ever made Legendary mind games and unforgettable characters Constant tension and escalating stakes A story that sparks debate long after it ends This is anime that lives in your head rent-free. 🗳️ Your Turn – Final 8 Vote! Who moves on? The supernatural struggle and emotional heart of Blue Exorcist? Or the psychological brilliance and moral tension of Death Note? 💬 Comment below and defend your pick—respectful debate encouraged! 運命か、知略か？ (Fate… or intellect?) 🔥