Chiya-Pop Guff "January Edition"

Hello and Good Morning Everyone, Welcome to the January Edition of Chiya-Pop Guff. In Chiya-Pop Guff, I take a step back from the algorithm-fueled frenzy and just have a chill conversation about the movies I’ve watched, the games I’ve played, and the songs that have been on repeat — the kind of stuff you’d talk about with friends during a late-night call or a random cafe meet-up.

Whether it’s a random indie film that surprised me, a game I finally got around to finishing, or a track that got stuck in my head for days, you’ll find a little bit of everything here. No hot takes just for clicks — just honest vibes, some mild overthinking, and a love for storytelling in all its forms. This month I watched quite a few movies and got around listening a few album and these are the few that caught my liking to write something about it.

It’s quite rare for me to watch rom-coms, and even rarer for me to actually like one — but this movie was exactly that. At its core, it’s a very generic rom-com with a predictable storyline and an ending you can see coming from miles away. But honestly, that’s not always a bad thing. Sometimes that’s just what you want. What really worked for me was the comedy. It wasn’t loud or over the top; it was subtle, well-timed, and somehow landed perfectly for my sense of humor. The jokes feel natural rather than forced, and that alone makes the movie enjoyable. There’s nothing extraordinary here that will blow your mind or completely grab your attention — no groundbreaking storytelling or unforgettable twists. But that’s not what this movie is trying to be. It knows its lane and sticks to it. If you generally enjoy rom-coms, this is definitely something you should check out. And for someone like me, who rarely vibes with the genre, the fact that I found it genuinely funny makes it an easy recommendation.

Oh, how I would’ve absolutely loved this movie as a kid. I mean, even now it’s still pretty nice. It’s goofy, silly, and it has its charm. The animation looks clean and lively, and there’s a certain softness to it that makes the whole experience pleasant to watch. Story-wise, though, it’s very meh. But then again, it is a kids’ movie, so I didn’t go in expecting anything deep or groundbreaking. That said, I do feel like this is one of those movies that will really divide audiences — you’ll either enjoy the silliness and vibe with it, or you’ll just straight-up not like it at all. The animal jokes are genuinely very funny, though. A lot of them land way better than I expected, and some are clever enough to work for adults too. And maybe because it’s aimed at a younger audience, the emotional aspect actually hits harder. There’s a lot of heart in the movie, and those moments are handled pretty well.

Where it slightly slips is in character development. The focus stays almost entirely on two main characters, and whenever the story tries to shift attention to others, it feels sudden and underdeveloped. Those transitions could’ve been smoother and more fleshed out. Technically, the animation and sound design do a good job of carrying the movie. The pacing is decent, and visually it never feels dull, even when the story does. Overall, if you’re in the mood for a decently animated, goofy, light-hearted movie, this is definitely a go. But if that kind of tone isn’t your thing, there’s a good chance you might not like it very much.

This movie felt incredibly soft, emotional, and heartwarming all at once. There’s a quiet tenderness to it that stays with you long after it ends. The slow, melancholic direction actually works in the film’s favor — it doesn’t rush you through the emotions, it lets you sit with them, absorb them, and feel them fully. That gentle pacing is what makes the movie so interesting and intimate. Both actors have done a phenomenal job here. Their performances feel natural and lived-in, never forced or overly dramatic. The chemistry between them is subtle but powerful, and it makes every shared moment feel meaningful.

The movie gives off strong Perfect Days and Past Lives vibes — not in terms of plot, but in how it makes you feel. It’s reflective, quietly painful at times, and deeply human. It has this way of making you question your own outlook on life, relationships, time, and the choices you make without ever explicitly telling you what to think. From a technical standpoint, the cinematography complements the tone beautifully. The soft lighting, muted color palette, and restrained background score all add to the melancholic atmosphere without overwhelming the story.

Overall, this is a really beautiful watch. It’s the kind of movie that makes you feel a little heavy but in the best possible way. If you haven’t watched We Live in Time yet, It’s definietly a recommendation.

Genuinely, this has to be one of the most overhyped franchises out there. Now that I’ve finally watched the ending of the entire series, I can confidently say it just doesn’t justify the years of waiting, endless speculation, and wildly exaggerated fan theories. The payoff simply wasn’t worth the buildup, and it honestly feels like the directors slipped up hard in the final stretch. What bothered me even more was the blatant product placement. The amount of ads stuffed into the show is awful — and not even subtle. It really breaks immersion and makes certain moments feel more like commercials than storytelling, which is frustrating for a series that once relied so heavily on atmosphere and tension.

That said, this was a great series at one point. It had everything going for it early on. I genuinely believe the show would have been far better if it stayed grounded — focusing on the small town, smaller character arcs, and contained mysteries instead of constantly trying to escalate the scale. Once it went bigger and bigger, it lost a lot of the charm that made it special in the first place. The core plot idea is still very unique, and the initial seasons deserve credit for setting up such an intriguing world. But by the end, it feels stretched, overdone, and a bit hollow emotionally.

If you’re bored and just want something familiar to pass the time, this might still be a go. But if you’re expecting something truly satisfying or memorable by the end, I’d honestly say it’s a pass.

This anime is finally back after so long, and yeah, I was genuinely excited to see how the story would move forward. From what I’ve heard and what’s being set up, the narrative is about to get a lot more interesting and complex as this season progresses and even further down the line. You can already feel that shift happening, where things start getting darker, heavier, and way more layered than before.

I honestly think Jujutsu Kaisen is one of the best new-gen animes out there right now. The plot feels fresh, the power system is well thought out, and the world-building keeps expanding without feeling messy. It balances action, horror, and emotional weight really well, which isn’t easy to pull off. The art style is another huge win. It’s sharp, expressive, and perfectly fits the tone of the story. And having a solid studio behind it just elevates everything — the animation during fight scenes is insanely fluid, impactful, and cinematic. You can tell a lot of care goes into choreography, camera movement, and sound design, which makes every battle feel intense and memorable.

Overall, it’s a very strong return, and if the show keeps this momentum going, it’s going to be an incredible ride. Definitely a must-watch if you’re into new-gen anime.

I actually liked this album, even though nothing from it really made its way into my playlist. Don’t Be Dumb feels more like a project you sit with rather than something you keep replaying individual tracks from. It’s cohesive, moody, and very much Rocky doing his thing without chasing hits. Frank Ocean being on the album was definitely a highlight. From a technical standpoint, the mixing and sound design are solid, and the album flows well from start to finish. It doesn’t drag, but it also doesn’t peak very hard — which might be why nothing really stuck with me enough to add to my playlist.

Overall, I enjoyed listening to it, but more as a full experience rather than a collection of standout tracks. It’s a good album, just not a memorable one for me.

It’s very unlikely for me to pick up a book, and this is actually the first time I’ve covered one in this newsletter as well. But I’ve been wanting to get into reading and slowly build a habit around it(not performative at all), just genuinely wanting to read more. And honestly, I think this was a great book to start with. The writing is very easy-going and accessible, it never feels heavy or intimidating. You don’t have to push yourself through pages — the story grips you pretty quickly and makes you want to keep reading, which is exactly what I needed as a beginner. It flows smoothly, and before you realize it, you’re already a few chapters in. Talking about the story itself, it’s well written and engaging without trying too hard. The characters are likeable and feel grounded, which makes it easy to stay invested in what’s happening. Nothing feels unnecessarily complicated, and that simplicity works in the book’s favor. Overall, it’s a good book and a really solid starting point if you’re trying to build a reading habit. For me, it did exactly what it needed to do — it made reading feel enjoyable rather than like a task.

And that’s a wrap for this month’s edition of Chiya-Pop Guff.

Whether it’s a cozy Nepali film, an emotional video game journey, or a movie you watched just for the plot , there’s always something worth sharing over a good cup of chiya.

Thanks for reading — genuinely. If anything here made you curious, made you smile, or made you want to queue something up for the weekend, that’s all this newsletter is about.