Nerdology 101: The Defeated Warrior Princess and the Barbaric King

Hey, humans! Welcome back to Nerdology 101. This week, I’ll be sharing my thoughts on an anime titled The Defeated Warrior Princess and the Barbaric King. Let me tell you, I was expecting to like this one, but it turns out that I don’t. In the words of Timone and Pumba, “Not like, LOVE.” So, let’s get into some nerdologyy!

The Premise

This is by far where most of my praise is going to stem from. As the title implies, a powerful lady knight is defeated in battle by the next Great Chief of the Barbarians. He takes her captive. Despite all her suspicions that he plans to torture her for information, use her as a sex toy, and so on, he informs her that his intent is to court her. You see, the Barbarians have a long, established tradition of kidnapping lady knights and courting them, then eventually marrying them. Here’s where things get interesting, though: The Barbarians are actually great people. No, not in the expected ways of romance anime, but more in the real world sense. Serafina, the lady knight FMC, is from a society built on what is essentially the anime-world equivalent of a eurocentric society. It’s a patriarchal society based in obviously false religious ideology where sex and the human body are demonized.

The Barbarians have very different views and beliefs. The main reason they choose these lady knights is because they love strong women. Further, it’s completely normalized for men and women to be nude in front of each other in non-sexual ways. They bathe together and whatnot without anyone making a big deal of it. They also don’t see sex as a taboo. There’s no “women need to protect their virtue” purity culture nonsense in the Barbarian world view. What they do have, however, is a deep respect for wildlife. When they hunt and kill, they honor the loss of life, using every part of the being killed possible—which I believe the author intended to be representative of pre-colonial Indiginous practices. There's a culmination of other features in the tribe that represent other marginalized groups. Beyond the culmination of traits that reflect these groups, other aspects are that they main a true account of history, rather than one framed through a religious or patriarchal lens, have several tribes of fae, elves, etc. as allies, and don’t hold grudges or resentment in the way that was normal in Serafina’s homeland. Ultimately, she’s falling in love with him throughout the anime because he’s introducing her to a decolonized world-view and treating her as an equal partner—both things she had longed for before leaving her homeland.

This premise reminds me a lot of books like Heart of the Shadow King by Sylvia Mercedes, where what the FMC thought would be a horrific arrangement based on the things she was conditioned to believe in her homeland turn out to be life-changing experiences that allow her to claim a more true sense of freedom. All in all, this anime went a lot deeper than I’d originally expected. Starting out, I was expecting your average goofy, fun, adorable romance anime, and though it does have those elements the overall premise was a lot more meaningful than I originally expected. I found that I appreciated the thought the writers and studios put into this. I also find it amusing that they chose to do this now as the U.S. is facing such great attacks on diversity and Japan is announcing that it’s buffing up it’s DEI protections. The social commentary in here could not have come at a better moment.

The Romance

Oh, you thought you were getting out of here with out a mushy rant? Na. It’s a romance anime. While the premise added an intriguing layer to the anime, it’s definitely not the only thing I enjoyed about it. Veor, the Barbarian King, is EVERYTHING! First, let’s talk about the fact that even though they make a huge deal of him being hot as hell when he shaves his beard, I’d devour the fuck outta that man with it too. While we’re on the subject, though: Serafina—smash, Kodansha—smash, the list goes on and on.

Now that that’s out of my system…

Veor and Serafina are so cute together. They have this awesome balance of cutesy and chaos. He’s protective, but never overbearing. Thoughtful, respectful, considerate, honest, and fun. She’s curious, open-minded, willing to learn and understand his culture better, earnest, hard-working, powerful, and more. The dynamic is by far one of the healthiest relationships in anime. Even with the cultural learning, he never frames it as him thinking of things the “right way” and her thinking of them the “wrong way”. He respects choices she makes out of the beliefs she was raised in just as he does any other, but also explains the ways his culture thinks differently. Ultimately, her choice to adopt more of his beliefs is Serafina’s to make and she’s choosing to every step of the way. Ultimately, though, he gives the distinct impression that he’ll want her whether she chooses to believe what he does or not.

Overall

After all is said and done, I’d say that The Defeated Warrior Princess and the Barbaric King is a yes for me—if you couldn’t tell. I’ve enjoyed it a ton. It’s definitely going to be up there in my personal favs for the season (I know, the season is long over. I’m so behind. Between the move, the NY trip, and the editing I was toast for a while there. I’m still playing catch up.). Anyway, yeah, definitely check out the anime if you have a chance. That’s about all for this segment. Come by against next Friday at 3PM EST for another segment of Nerdology 101. Until then, have a nerdy week!

Nerdology 101: It’s Romance Anime Season!

Hey, nerds! Welcome back to Nerdology 101. You know I have a “fire in my belly” (Natsu, Fairy Tail reference) this week because it’s romance anime season! There’s quite a few I plan on checking out this season and so I’m doing a blog post on which ones I’m most looking forward to. To be clear, these have already aired. I wait until it’s near the end of the season and then binge because I’m not masochistic enough to tolerate a weekly release schedule. So, yeah, this is the beginning to my romance anime season. Let’s get into some Nerdology.

1. The Warrior Princess and the Barbaric King

   First up, we have The Warrior Princess and the Barbaric King. Briefly, it follows Seraphina, the strongest female knight, on her journey down the isle to marry the barbarian king.

   It’s definitely up my alley. The animation style looks great, but it’s interest to me doesn’t stop there. First, it looks like there’s an age gap. If I had to guess, this Seraphina appears to be between 20-25 while the Barbarian King has to be around 50. I like this because, while the age gap is pretty large, Seraphina is framed as a highly skilled warrior, is still an adult woman (and not in that weird way anime’s sometimes do where they say she’s __, but she looks 12). So, it’s an age gap, but not in a super creepy way from way I can gather. Thus, I am definitely looking forward to this anime.

   Reference:

   Title: The Warrior Princess and the Barbaric King

   Aired: April 9, 2026

   To learn more: https://myanimelist.net/anime/60028/Himekishi_wa_Barbaroi_no_Yome

2. The Ramparts of Ice

   Next, we have The Ramparts of Ice. This one is giving Toradora, but more love triangle-y. To summarize, it follows Koyuki, a high school girl that seems cold, but is really just insecure. She meets two guys and stumbles into a friendship with them. And so, drama presumably follows.

   What’s appealing to me here is the tropes and vibes that are similar to other animes that I’ve enjoyed. This looks like it’s gonna be super cute and I’m sure I’ll love it.

   Reference:

   Title: The Ramparts of Ice

   Aired: April 2, 2026

   To learn more: https://myanimelist.net/anime/60852/Koori_no_Jouheki

3. An Observation Log of My Fiancée Who Calls Herself a Villainess

   Now, there’s An Observation Log of My Fiancee Who Calls Herself a Villainess. You already know this one is gonna be the shit because the title is long, but it’s about a very bored prince who is dragged out of said boredom by his self-proclaimed villainess of a fiancee.

   This one gives me 7th Time Loop: The Villainess Enjoys a Carefree Life Married to Her Worst Enemy vibes. Arnold is forever a favorite anime cruch of mine (I have like 90,000 favorites so I’m not sure that means anything), but I’m thinking Crowned Prince Cecil Glow Alfostar from this new show might make it 90,001 because this anime already has me hooked. It’s probably the one on this list that I’ll check out first. Who can blame me? I’m pretty sure every anime-lover has one of these long-titled anime with starring Victorian-inspired princes that love watch their surprising princess do unexpected things until they fall hopelessly in love with her. It’s a timeless vibe and I one I can’t wait to relive.

   Reference:

   Title: An Observation Log of My Fiancee Who Calls Herself a Villainess

   Aired: April 6, 2026

   To learn more: https://myanimelist.net/anime/61687/Jishou_Akuyaku_Reijou_na_Konyakusha_no_Kansatsu_Kiroku

4. Mao

   Last but not least, we have Mao. This one is supposed to be the new age Inuyasha, written by the same author with a similar story.

   For those who have been following along for a while, you probably know Inuyasha holds a special place, even among my 90,000 and hopefully 1, because

   A. It was the first animes I watched knowing that it was anime when I was watching it.

   B. It was one of my greatest inspirations behind the priestesses (Kikyo was the inspiration, mostly) from The Islands of Rune Universe.

   So, naturally, I have high hopes for Mao, though I am torn between watching it to be the same and wanting it to be different. Somehow, I’m sure the author, Rumiko Takahashi, will deliver on both, as long as the studios consulted with her properly instead of doing that annoying thing they do where they adapt the manga but completely ignore everything that made it good.

   Reference:

   Title: Mao

   Aired: April 4, 2026

   To learn more: https://myanimelist.net/anime/62048/Mao

Anyway, that’s it for this weeks segment of Nerdology 101. I’ll see you back next week for another. Until then, have a nerdy week!

Nerdology 101: Fictional Crushes

Heyyyyy! How are all my nerdy peoples? If you’re new here, welcome! This is Nerdology 101 and I’m your resident nerd, Maria Levato. This week I wanted to dive into the topic of fictional crushes (from my experience, every nerd has them. No need to be shy about it). I’ll be sharing a few of my own, but also discussing them in a more broad sense. With that being said, why don’t we get started with some NERDOLOGYYYY?

Experiencing a romantic or sexual attraction to a fictional character is a pretty common occurence. From the “Hear me out” cakes on social media to the existence of BookTok/Bookstagram/Booksky a lot of people have come to terms with that fact. In fact, many of us have built entire communities around our fictional crushes. This phenomenon has been around much longer than these communities, though. Back in the ancient time of the millenial, those of us who embraced fictophilia were often outcasts and it was hard to find people who could relate. Do you know what I would have given as a kid to know I wasn’t the only one waking up at 5AM to watch Inuyasha because I had a crush on Sesshomaru… and Inuyasha… and Koga…? (I don’t have a problem, I don’t have a problem). Nowadays, though, my list of fictional crushes extends beyond anime and other cartoon characters. Characters from books such as Nikolai Sokolov and Rayne have also taken me by storm.

So, why do so many of us experience this attraction to fictional characters so intensely? It’s simple, really. Knowing they’re not real doesn’t change the fact that they fulfill a real need. The need is often for safe spaces to experience romance, partners who are emotionally open to us, and sometimes even to explore fantasies we can’t safely explore irl for one reason or another. In most cases, this is healthy and can have a positive impact in helping people better define their needs in a human-to-human romance. People who don’t know what they’re looking for tend to end up in bad relationships. These fictional crushes can help us to better understand ourselves, what we’re looking for, and learn how to communicate that to a potential partner. What many view as a form of escapism, I view as a potentially theraputic outlet for exploring ourselves and our desires.

Now that I’ve said as much, let’s talk about my top fictional crushes from each of my nerdy realms:

1. Anime - Vanitas and Noe (The Case Study of Vanitas)

   Yes, I count them as ONE fictional crush because I wouldn’t want to be with one unless the other was also present. While they’re both hot and I acknowledge some part of this has to do with an MMF fantasy, they also fulfill different needs. Vanitas is passionate, wild, obsessive, and capable of embracing my particular brand of insanity. He’d be the perfect partner for the enemies-to-lovers, banter-y arguing part of my desires. Noe, on the otherhand, is sweet, affectionate, and loyal above all else. I’d find that fulfilling in the moments that I just wanna curl up and cuddle. I can totally picture him letting me lay my head in his lap and read a book without interrupting me—just being glad to have me close. Together, they make a perfect boyfriend.

2. Gaming - Kaeya (Genshin Impact)

   Kaeya has a flirty nature, relaxed vibe, and a bit of a mysterious element while also remaining a safe guy. I think he has broad appeal that most people who’re attracted to men can get into. It’s easy to consider him my top gaming crush.

3. Books - Samkiel (Gods and Monsters by Amber V. Nicole)

   Samkiel is ideal in pretty much every aspect. I’d have zero complaints. If I listed every aspect of him that I love, this blog post would never go up because I’d likely spend the rest of my life completing that list.

4. Special Mention: Atem (Yu-Gi-Oh)

   What do you mean he’s an ancient Egyptian pharoah with a tiny ball of fur that can take out Blue-Eyes White Dragon?! Of course I love him. Lol.

   Anyway, who are your top fictional crushes? Let me know. As always, I’ll be back next Friday at 3PM EST for the next segment of Nerdology 101. Until then, have a nerdy week!

Nerdology 101: Fall of Freedom

Welcome back to Nerdology 101! I’m Maria, your fellow nerd, reporting from my desk as I cling desperately to my coffee (one of my cats is after it).

This week, I wanted to talk about the Fall of Freedom movement. If you don’t know what that is or why it matters, you’re in the right place.

The Issue:

Censorship is on the rise across America. According to the American Library Association (ALA), 2,452 different books were targeted for censorship in 2024. That’s a lot of books for a country that claims to free speech as one of its core values. These attacks will only increase as many continue pour fuel on the fire that leads to them. What’s so bad that they don’t want us to read it? Well, if the ALA’s 10 Most Challenged List is any indication, anything written about women’s issues, LGBTQIA+ issues, anti-authoritarism, or racial issues. As with anything, these challenges disproportionally target members of marginalized communities.

Beyond banned books, we’ve seen it in other aspects of life as well. Social media is another example. The censoring of certain language, particularly in a way that softens it (I.E. killed turned into unalived, rape turned into graped, pedophile turned into PDFile, protest turned into music festival.), has grown into a common phenomenon. There’s a danger in that. When we soften the language we’re using to describe such weighy subjects, we start participating in our own censorship and downplaying the seriousness of real issues.

Don’t think for a second this doesn’t apply to you too, anime and gaming lovers. Where do you suppose anime’s like One Piece, featuring powerful anti-government themes, are going to be accessible if speech in disagreement with authoritarian policies continues to be censored? Nerds are just as much a part of this as the rest of us. We’re a community that thrives on living outside of the normal social practices, oftentimes embrassing alternative lifestyles, hobbies, and interests. Censorship is a dangerous road and one that we’ve seen play out many times in media both media and history.

The Movement:

What Fall of Freedom is doing is putting out an urgent call to a community with a long history of getting louder when told to shut up. The artists, the writers, the creatives, and the nerds. They want the anime-loving painter making fan art and the aspiring writer who barely has a platform to speak out against this censorship alongside more prominent names. That’s what this movement is about. Together, we will use our voices through our chosen mediums to let those who target our passions know we will not be silenced.

What Can I do?

The answer to that lies in your creativity and knowledge. Authenticity is key in this movement because our point is that authentic, diverse, and yes—critical—voices matter. Whether you host a reading of a banned book, post on social media, paint or design an image of what censorship looks like—what erasure feels like—it matters. Express yourselves and be sure to put Fall of Freedom’s logo on it so everyone knows you stand with the other creatives who are expressing themselves. Your voice matters and I’m looking forward to watching as they sound off in solidarity with this movement.

Will that even work?

You may ask yourself why this plan would work? Because it always has. The Dark Ages didn’t end because the powers that be decided to stop censoring artists; The Dark Ages ended because artists decided not to comply. Anti-war art during the Vietnam War is another great example here. The unpopularity of that war wouldn’t have been nearly as widespread if not for journalists, artists, writers, and people who were willing to help the masses see and understand what the atrocities truly felt and looked like. Art has always been a match unhesitant to ignite change. That’s why all throughout history oppressive powers have sought to silence creatives. It’s the demonization of the Gaelic language and it’s literature. It’s the books the Nazi’s burned. It’s the information hidden in South Africa during Aparthied. It’s the Indigenous stories that were dragged from their ancestral homes and forced onto reservations with the people meant to tell them. Writers and artists of all kinds have always been able to create change. Those in power wouldn’t be attacking us if we weren’t a threat to their power.

We must once again take our stand against censorship with Fall of Freedom’s movement and beyond. Every voice matters and I encourage you to use yours. No effort is too small or too big. Share a post, make a post, write a poem or a blog, go to an event, host an event—it doesn’t matter what you do as long as you speak up. Fall of Freedom’s webite provides more information as well.

Don’t forget to comment and let me know how you decide to use your voice. I’ll see you back next Friday at 3PM ET for the next segment of Nerdology 101. Have a nerdy week!

The Authors Guild is supporting this movement. Visit their website for more information on how they are standing up against censorship.