Kathryn Hemmann

@kathrynthehuman

Reader of books and player of games. College professor and pokémon trainer. Writes about media and society. In love with monsters and magic. 🌿 🌿

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Kathryn Hemmann@kathrynthehuman· Jul 13

I recently had the honor of writing a review of Bold Breaks, which combines four substantial literary translations with a lovely set of introductory essays by the translators. I’d love to see more books like this! #JapanStudies #booksky 📚 My review: studiesonasia.scholasticahq.com/article/1647...

The front cover of Bold Breaks: Japanese Women and Literary Narratives of Divorce, an academic translation anthology available from University of Hawai'i Press.

Kathryn Hemmann@kathrynthehuman· Jul 12

Zelda & Ignizol 🔥 #LegendofZelda #illustration

A digital drawing of a chibi version of Zelda holding an Ignizol echo. The sweet little Ignizol is one of my favorite creatures that Zelda can summon in Echoes of Wisdom, and I like to think that she enjoys setting things on fire in the game as much as I do.

Kathryn Hemmann@kathrynthehuman· Jul 11

Kuro is a short and free-to-play homebrew PS1 horror game whose gothic story is as dark as its chunky retro polygons are cute. My #indiehorror review: digitalfantasydiary.com/2026/07/04/k...

The title screen of Kuro, which depicts a moonlit Shinto shrine rendered in retro PlayStation One graphics.

A screenshot from the game Kuro showing a scene in which your character enters a dark room that contains nothing but a television displaying static.

Kathryn Hemmann@kathrynthehuman· Jul 7

The sidewalk gardens in West Philadelphia are drinking up the rain 🌿

Fluffy blue hydrangeas with healthy green leaves.

Fluffy purple hydrangeas with healthy green leaves.

Kathryn Hemmann@kathrynthehuman· Jul 6

Keiichiro Hirano’s novel At the End of the Matinee is a star-crossed love story about two brilliant and exceptional people, and Juliet Winters Carpenter's translation is just as elegant and refined as the characters. #Japanesefiction #booksky 📚 My review: japaneselit.net/2026/07/05/a...

The front cover of the book At the End of the Matinee.

Kathryn Hemmann@kathrynthehuman· Jul 5

After an intense heatwave, it finally rained 🌿

A photo of beautiful and healthy white lilies growing in a sidewalk garden in West Philadelphia.

Kathryn Hemmann@kathrynthehuman· Jul 4

Charging solar beam 🌿 #Pokemon #illustration

A digital drawing of a happy little Bulbasaur sleeping in a sunny patch of clover. This was such a joy to draw! I bet it feels great to take an extra turn to relax and recharge. 🍀

Kathryn Hemmann@kathrynthehuman· Jul 1

The animate ball of fluff in action

Kathryn Hemmann@kathrynthehuman· Jul 1

Someone on Instagram accused my dog of being AI-generated, but alas. This is just what Pomeranians look like

A photo of my Pomeranian puppy Evie. The photo is taken from the back, and she looks like a perfectly ovular ball of fur. This is not!! created by Gen-AI but a real dog that sheds small mountains of real fluff all over my house.

Kathryn Hemmann@kathrynthehuman· Jun 30

Today is the last day to preorder Issue 4 of The Comics Courier! In this issue, editor extraordinaire @explodingarrow.bsky.social let me write about botanical horror and online toxicity in one of my favorite new minicomics. 🌱 Check out the Kickstarter here: www.kickstarter.com/projects/tif...

Two panels from Kristyna Baczynski's minicomic zine My New Hobby Craves Violence. A young woman talks to a gross-looking plant overgrowing its pot on her windowsill. She says, "You're growing so fast! We've got to post pics on the forum. They're gonna go feral for this!"

Kathryn Hemmann@kathrynthehuman· Jun 29

Kanako Nishi's 2005 debut novel Sakura is a difficult book to write about. It opens as a sweet slice-of-life story about three siblings in a loving family, but it goes to a very strange and disturbing place. #Japanesefiction #booksky 📚 My (very short) review: japaneselit.net/2026/06/27/s...

The front cover of Kanako Nishi's novel Sakura. The illustration depicts two hands petting the head of a smiling dog.

Kathryn Hemmann@kathrynthehuman· Jun 28

I love the Tears of the Kingdom sidequest at Snowfield Stable where Link has to go fetch the horse that got spooked when Ganondorf approached it as Phantom Zelda. This incarnation of Ganondorf is so clearly living his best life 💖 #LegendofZelda #comics

Ganondorf appears in the form of Zelda. He has scary demon eyes, and his hands are steepled below his chin as he grins. He thinks, “As Princess Zelda, Hyrule will be mine to command. No one will stand in my way!” The background is a screenshot of the Hebra Snowfield.

Ganondorf’s evil face (as Zelda) is now cute. His fists are clenched with anticipation as he thinks, “Now I can finally pet a golden horse!!” The background is a screenshot of Princess Zelda’s horse outside Snowfield Stable. I hope Ganon got to pet the horse at least a little.

Kathryn Hemmann@kathrynthehuman· Jun 27

And Roger is a Japanese visual novel about a married couple navigating the challenges of end-of-life care. The player-character is suffering from memory loss, and the brilliantly simple gameplay conveys what words cannot. My #visualnovel review: digitalfantasydiary.com/2026/06/27/a...

A cropped screencap of the title screen of the game And Roger. The graphic shows the game's two main characters, Sofia and Roger, as a happy couple earlier in their lives.

Kathryn Hemmann@kathrynthehuman· Jun 24

My story for @gloriosazine.bsky.social has been illustrated by the stylish and powerful Tuzpique on Instagram, who brilliantly captures the uncanny mystery and dark thrill of uncovering forbidden knowledge.

A promo graphic for the Final Fantasy VII zine Gloriosa featuring art created by @ Tuzpique on Instagram for the gothic horror story “A Minor Footnote.” The illustration shows Sephiroth surrounded by swirling mako-green mist as he uncovers forbidden knowledge about the Ancients.

Kathryn Hemmann@kathrynthehuman· Jun 24

I’m excited to share a preview of “A Minor Footnote,” a gothic horror story about Sephiroth in the secret basement library of the Shinra Manor prior to the Nibelheim incident. 🔥 This story appears in @gloriosazine.bsky.social, which is open for preorders here: gloriosazine.bigcartel.com

A promo graphic for the Final Fantasy VII zine Gloriosa featuring the opening passage of “A Minor Footnote,” a gothic horror story about Sephiroth in the basement library of the Shinra Manor prior to the Nibelheim incident. The text reads:

The basement of the Shinra Manor was colder than the mountain wind outside. Sephiroth, who had long ago learned to tolerate discomfort, barely noticed the chill. He turned another page.

The folio in his hands contained a fragmentary report on the Cetra, a legendary lost civilization said to be inhumanly proficient in guiding the energy of the lifestream. The label on the cardboard cover proclaimed the folio to be Project Compilation Record #VII-B: Subjects and Successors. The ink of the typed pages had faded to a dull brown, but it was still legible.

“‘The Ancients heard the voice of the Planet in dreams,’” Sephiroth muttered as he read. “‘They sang what they saw, and this harmony guided their actions.’”

Kathryn Hemmann@kathrynthehuman· Jun 22

哀を飲む collects seven stories from the past fifteen years of the popular writer Chiren Kina’s career. Kina writes in an intimate style while offering astute observations about romantic love after physical desire fizzles out. #Japanesefiction #booksky 📚 My review: japaneselit.net/2026/06/20/d...

The front cover of Chiren Kina's 2025 short story collection 哀を飲む.

Kathryn Hemmann@kathrynthehuman· Jun 15

Banana Yoshimoto’s 1988 novella Kitchen is a beautiful story about hope and comfort and finding your way forward in life. This was my first encounter with sympathetic depictions of transgender identity, and what a joy it was. #Japanesefiction #booksky 🌈📚 My review: japaneselit.net/2026/06/13/k...

The front cover of the UK paperback edition of Banana Yoshimoto's novella Kitchen.

Kathryn Hemmann@kathrynthehuman· Jun 14

My boy got a glow up 💚 #LegendofZelda #illustration

A digital drawing of Link from Ocarina of Time with a design inspired partially by the tapestry in the remake trailer and partially by the clothing worn by the people in Ordon Village in Twilight Princess.

Kathryn Hemmann@kathrynthehuman· Jun 13

Birds Watching is a short walking sim about a man who takes refuge at the top of a mountain while an unending fire rages below. As he does his best to survive, he realizes that birds can talk... and that they hate him. 🦉 My #indiehorror review: digitalfantasydiary.com/2026/06/06/b...

An edit of the title graphic for the 2026 indie horror game Birds Watching. An owl with spooky eyes watches you against the backdrop of uncanny mountain scenery.

Kathryn Hemmann@kathrynthehuman· Jun 12

This Is Amiko, Do You Copy? is about a neurodivergent girl who’s neglected by her family and bullied at school. Though Amiko herself is quite charming, Imamura asks serious questions about the society that denies her support and understanding. #booksky 📚 My review: japaneselit.net/2026/06/06/t...

The front cover of Natsuko Imamura's novella This Is Amiko, Do You Copy? The stylized cover graphic depicts a walkie-talkie emitting a widening circle of transmission rays interrupted by the silhouette of a young girl's face.

Kathryn Hemmann@kathrynthehuman· Jun 9

I might have teared up a little

The title screen of the Ocarina of Time remake from the June 9 Nintendo Direct announcement.

Kathryn Hemmann@kathrynthehuman· Jun 2

One of my favorite genres of Tumblr posts honestly

A screencap of a post on Tumblr made by @ byjove that reads: "could you imagine if it happened this pride month." To explain a little, but not too much: Imagine an incident involving a major American political figure that would make a lot of people around the world very happy if it happened. No violence necessary, of course. He's quite old, after all.

Kathryn Hemmann@kathrynthehuman· Jun 2

I'd like to share a preview of a short solarpunk story about the mossy robot gardener in Castle in the Sky that I wrote for New Winds, a Studio Ghibli fanzine. 🌿 It's a beautiful book filled with magic, and leftover sales are open here: studioghiblizine.bigcartel.com

A promo graphic for “The Last Heavenly Warrior,” a short fanfic story based on the Studio Ghibli movie Laputa: Castle in the Sky. In the illustration created by @ Cheesy_cryptid on Instagram, one of the movie’s moss-covered robot warriors stands in a grassy field and looks to the sky while holding a potted tree. The text, which is narrated from the perspective of the robot, reads:

Our garden has expanded across the castle. Migrating birds roost in the trees, bringing with them the seeds and spores of unknown lands. Fish of all sizes swim in the canals, and coral has grown over the rusted metal of the ammunition stores.

Kathryn Hemmann@kathrynthehuman· Jun 1

I got my contributor copy of New Winds, a Studio Ghibli fanzine! This is a truly gorgeous book, and I feel honored to be included. 🌿 Leftover sales are open here: studioghiblizine.bigcartel.com

A photo of the front cover of New Winds: A Studio Ghibli Fanzine. The zine is nestled between the leaves of a monstera plant and a pothos vine. In the cover illustration created by Rowan Clair (@ Rowanclair on Tumblr), two small totoros walk along a path overlooking a majestic forested valley.

Kathryn Hemmann@kathrynthehuman· Jun 1

Though it occasionally reads like a suspense thriller, Asako Yuzuki's novel Hooked is a dark cringe comedy about two 30yo women exhibiting their absolute worst behavior. As its title implies, this book is super addictive. #booksky 📚 My review: japaneselit.net/2026/05/30/h...

The front cover of the US edition of Asako Yuzuki's novel Hooked. It's bright (and I mean bright!!) magenta with a stylized graphic of a hooked fish.

Kathryn Hemmann@kathrynthehuman· May 31

Cute but mighty 💖 #LegendofZelda #illustration

A digital illustration of Zelda (and Tri) from Echoes of Wisdom. Perhaps it's presumptuous of me to say this about my own art, but I think they're very cute!

Kathryn Hemmann@kathrynthehuman· May 28

Two of my zines will be at the Biggest Little Zine Fair this weekend! I'm so proud of these strange little book babies for making it all the way to sunny California. 💚 Check out the event on its website here: biggestlittlezinefair.com

Photos of two of my zines flanking a graphic for the Biggest Little Zine Fair event whose text reads: Find my zines at Biggest Little Zine Fair, on May 31st from 11am-3pm at Recreational Coffee (at 237 Long Beach Boulevard in Long Beach, CA) or online at Biggestlittezinefair.com.

Kathryn Hemmann@kathrynthehuman· May 25

Nao-Cola Yamazaki's Beautiful Distance is a short novel about a man in his 40s watching his wife die of cancer. Despite the bleak situation, it’s a soft and gentle book, and I feel like my life is richer for having read it. #Japanesefiction #booksky 📚 My review: japaneselit.net/2026/05/23/b...

The front cover of the UK paperback edition of Nao-Cola Yamazaki's novel Beautiful Distance.

Kathryn Hemmann@kathrynthehuman· May 19

On this sweltering summer day, I want to share a fantastic commission that I got from the amazing @artofjax.bsky.social. All of Zelda's smoothies in Echoes of Wisdom look so cool and refreshing! ☀️ #LegendofZelda

A digital drawing of Zelda from Echoes of Wisdom enjoying a green apple smoothie against a breezy seafoam blue background. This illustration was drawn on commission by Artofjax here on Bluesky.

Kathryn Hemmann@kathrynthehuman· May 18

Asako Otani’s Hollow Inside is a literary novella about the mundane challenges of being a Millennial adult and the surprising lightness of the realization that your life isn’t going to follow the expected set of milestones. #Japanesefiction #booksky 📚 japaneselit.net/2026/05/16/h...