As mori is no longer an active fashion style, there is only so much content that can be made about it. I've been posting about mori things for years now, and while I don't plan on stopping any time soon, I'd like to diversify my content here a bit, so that I can post more regularly for your all.
So, that being said, I wanted to do something more mori adjacent, and do a year in review type reflection of things I've enjoyed this year, both mori and not. I hope you can enjoy and find a few things you might like yourself.
Music
My taste in music is, as always, very eclectic. However, I did find some new musicians and songs that I really enjoyed this year that have a mori feel to them. So here are a few of my recommendations!The Crane Wives
This band isn't new, but they are new to me. I only really started listening to their extensive catalogue this year, and I've really enjoyed it. Their sound is soft yet powerful, very relaxing and toned down, and has really meaningful lyrics.
I'd highly recommend anything from them, but a few of my favorites recently have been The Curse, Never Love an Anchor, The Moon Will Sing, and The Hand That Feeds.
Motion sickness by Phoebe Bridgers
This song was one of those that got played on tik-toks and reels a while back, and I really enjoyed the sound so I started listening to the whole song. It's melancholy, but overall relaxing. And I really enjoy the soft tones of Bridgers' voice. It's a great casual listen.
My Body's My Buddy by Tessa Violet and Brye
Words cannot express how much I love this precious song. It's all about loving yourself and your body, and feels like a warm hug and a therapy session all in one whenever I listen to it. It's been on repeat for me ever since it came out, and I highly recommend it to anyone.
Last Man on Earth by Anna Bates
This song isn't actually new, or new to me, but I did rediscover it this year and I forgot how much I enjoyed it. Although it's about an apocalyptic event, it's somehow whimsical and charming in its own way. The music is also just really good.
Song about America by Olive Klug
This one is a bit political, but as an American currently really struggling with the state of the world, it really speaks to me. It also has Joni Mitchell vibes, which I love, and a very strong classic folk feel. It's really gotten me through some hard times this year, so I hope it can speak to you too.
Tiny Habits
Tiny Habits is a phenomenal group. Their harmonies and soft sound are absolutely breathtaking. I recommend anything by them. My current favorite song is Tiny Things, but I've also really enjoyed One More and their cover of Landslide.
Games
I've played a lot of games this year. Most of them are not mori, but I want to talk about my favorites anyways. I'll try to tie them in, but honestly, these are just really good games that I recommend anyone check out.I have two categories of games this year, games that consumed my brain, and games that were cozy and fun.
Brain Worms
- Baldur’s Gate 3
Yes, I'm one of those people that was obsessed with Baldur's Gate this year. I had never picked up any game like it before, and I was convinced I wouldn't actually like it. I was wrong. This game was amazing. The stories, the characters, the gameplay, it's all so good.
On a "mori" note, the game has some really nice forest locations. And also druids. That's mori, right?
But really, the game is just a narrative masterpiece. I found myself really connecting with the world and the characters, and really invested in their experiences.
It is a bit more graphic than other games I've played, but I still highly recommend it. If you haven't picked it up yet and you are even slightly interested, do it. You won't regret it and it is well worth the price.
(My original artwork of my Tav character, Isra!)
- Talos Principle 2
This game is technically solarpunk, but to be honest, it gives major mori vibes. It almost all takes place outside in these gorgeous nature locations. It was honestly breathtaking.
The gameplay is puzzle based, so if you love a good puzzle game, some really fun and interesting characters, beautiful scenery, and some philosophy thrown in for a little spice, then you will really enjoy this game. I picked it up on a whim and it became one of my favorite games I've ever played. Highly recommend it.
Also, you can pet cats in it. What's not to love?
- Zelda Tears of the Kingdom
I know, this one is mainstream and everyone has played it. But man. It's just a really great game. I put so many hours into this game, and I don't regret it for a second. Exploring the landscape, meeting characters, thinking of ingenious ways to skirt around a fight because you're a wimp (maybe that's just me though...) is all so fun.
If by some miracle you haven't picked up this game, go ahead and do it. The first time experience of playing it is honestly indescribable.
- In Stars and Time
This game is not mori at all, but I cannot recommend it enough. It's a game about an rpg protagonist, stuck in a time loop. It has some heavy topics about mental health, but it is handled so well and is so impactful. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time, desperate to read every bit of dialogue. And it did not disappoint even for a second.
I don't want to spoil the gameplay, as it really is a game best played (or watched) blind. But I can guarantee you, you will have an impactful experience and hear a story you will never forget. Insertdisc5 did an amazing job with this one.
Cozy and Fun
- Chants of Sennaar
This game is like Heaven's Vault lite, and it was super charming and quick to progress through. It has fun challenges and exploration, as you scale a mysterious tower and learn to translate various in game languages.
It was fairly short, but very well done. A nice little puzzle game to curl up with.
- Sonority
This game is an indie game, and it feels like one. But for what it is, it has some unique puzzle mechanics centered around music, and some nice areas. The language localization was a bit... spotty to say the least, but it didn't distract too much from the gameplay.
It was also pretty short, but I had fun playing it and found the puzzles fun but not too challenging.
- A Little to the Left
This game saw a lot of popularity this year, as it should have! It's also a bit short, but it's a really well done puzzle game involving organizing items. It's exactly what it says on the tin, so if you think you would enjoy that, you probably will. And if cleaning in a game sounds awful to you, then you might want to skip this one.
I personally love organizing, so this game was a blast for me. I found myself returning to it for the daily puzzles over and over! Very cute and relaxing.
Places I Visited
I travelled less around Japan this year compared to other years, but I still visited a lot of charming places that I really enjoyed. Here are some of my highlights!Nikko
I've been to Nikko so many times at this point after moving to Tochigi. It's the most famous place in this prefecture, and that's for a reason.Nikko is a heritage site, known for it's beautiful and intricate temples. I've been able to visit it in all four seasons, and each is as stunning as the last.
Ashikaga Flower Park
Ashikaga Flower Park is most known for is Wysteria. I've visited in the peak season, and it truly is magical. But this year I had the chance to visit during a less busy time at rose season. The smell was amazing, and there were literally hundreds of kinds of roses. I'd never seen anything like it before. It was one of the most beautiful places I have ever been.Gunma/Mt Akagi
I had a chance to go to a very Yama Kei place. In fact, a yama kei anime takes place there! A mori character and her yama friends actually climb this mountain, Mt. Akagi, in Encouragement of the Climb.
I wasn't able to climb the mountain, but I did see some lovely natural sites in and around Mt. Akagi. The area is breathtaking. My best memory was when my brother, visiting me at the time, pulled out his kalimba and played a little tune as we sat at a beautiful overlook. Truly enchanting and a mori girl dream!
My Hobbies
I spent a lot of time this year focusing in on my hobbies. Here are a few highlights!
Artwork
I drew a lot this year! I completed inktober completely, with full pieces for each day, for the first time. I also started using my art instagram account more regularly, opened a toyhouse account, and completed 3 commissions! My art has improved a lot this year, and for the first time in my life I feel confident and comfortable calling myself an illustrator.
Here are a few pieces I liked this year.
Mireldis from Bella Sara (Commission for Asherah)
A Tinble (my original species)
Loop from "In Stars and Time"
An original creation, Bruna, for an art contest
Songwriting
For the first time in a long time, I wrote a new original song! This song is about my heart's home here in Japan, the town where I used to live but had to move from. It's very bittersweet, and all in Japanese. I'm hoping to record it and release it soon on my youtube channel, but that may be something for a later date.
Writing
I finished a final draft of my first full novel! It's still not published as of yet, but I am ridiculously proud of it. It's a fantasy novel and I hope to someday release it for everyone to read.
Game Design
I started learning game design this year, something I didn't think it was even possible for me to do. But somehow, I'm doing it! I completed my first fully functional demo, and I'm currently working on a full project. It may be years until it sees the light of day, and I'm not ready to share any teasers just yet, but I'm very excited about the progress I've made so far.
That's all for my year's review. But how about you my deers? What things did you enjoy this year? What are you proud of accomplishing? Where did you visit? I'd love to hear all about your year.
