Let me tell you a story about a quiet Friday evening.

For manga specifically, I pointed her toward —but with a serious warning: it’s dark, violent, and emotionally devastating, but also one of the most beautifully drawn and deeply human stories ever told. “If you want to see the pinnacle of art and storytelling in manga, read the ‘Golden Age’ arc.” She did. She hasn’t been the same since.

I grinned. This was the moment.

And now? Lena sends me recommendations. She’s deeper in the rabbit hole than I am.

That rainy night turned into months of shared recommendations. We watched for its slick fights and lovable characters, read Chainsaw Man for its chaos and heart, and sobbed through A Silent Voice about bullying and redemption.