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The X Button - Roundup Sides
This week: the X Button’s strange and new awards for 2015! Plus new Smash characters, Kojima’s next move, the latest final PSP game, and some commercial signs!
― Gravity Rush Remastered is out in Japan. I've talked before about the game and its box set, which includes Kat and Dusty figures for an apparently exorbitant amount. But I haven't talked about its Japanese commercial. It's cute enough in it...
Answerman - Why Do Some Classic Anime Never Get Re-Released?
Justin runs down some of the reasons why plenty of anime from the 80s and 90s never saw a release in English and maybe never will.
― archivisth asks: Why have some shows, often of quite decent quality, never been reissued on modern digital media, like DVD, when all sorts of other stuff has? Some examples include OVAs like Oz, Sanctuary, Hi-Speed Jecy and Tomoe ga Yuku; and movies like 1992's Hashire...
Answerman - Does Uncensored or Re-Animated Anime get Streamed?
Broadcast anime is frequently full of mistakes or edited nudity that get fixed later for bluray. Do these versions wind up getting streamed anywhere?
― Miguel asks: Most TV series are made on a tight schedule and because of that Blu-ray and DVD releases are usually fixed up here and there, series with nudity and gore are also usually censored because they can't air nudity on TV. My question is, if a...
Shelf Life - Capture the Flag
This week: Gabriella straps in for some vintage 1979 Gundam action, while Paul determines what happens If Her Flag Breaks. Plus: the last big flood of anime releases for 2015!
― As far as I can tell, there's no new anime coming out on disc in the US next week. Like, genuinely none at all. Not a single, solitary disc, not even a rerelease of some obscure OVA from ten years ago. If that turns out to b...
The Mike Toole Show - The Anime Cult
Mike gets his Thetan levels checked while perusing the wierd, wild and seldomly profound world of anime made by religious cults.
― There were some dark portents at the turn of the millennium, but I don't think any were darker than the widely-circulated announcement that the Church of Scientology had commissioned a Japanese partner to produce an anime TV series based on Battlefield Earth, church found...
Answerman - Why Do Anime Discs Go On Clearance?
How DID that copy of UFO Ultramaiden Valkyrie wind up at $2.99 in the discount bin? Justin gets in to the whys and hows of anime DVDs going on clearance.
― Andre asks: I always scour discount video bins for anime when i get the chance. Stuff from the 00s boom haunts them, with old Geneon, ADV & Funi discs to be had for cheap. But I've noticed some stuff never turns up, like Media Blasters, Honneamis...
The List - The 6 Most In-Demand Japanese Voice Actresses of 2015
We tallied up the six busiest, most in-demand voice actresses working in Japan right now, the ladies you heard most often during the anime of 2015. The results may surprise you!
― Last year we counted the most in demand English voice actors and actresses after Nikkei Entertainment published a similar list for the Japanese voice acting industry. We're keeping up the tradition by stepping into Nikkei ...
ANNCast - Custom Zaku
Zac and Hope talk about One-Punch Man, Iron-Blooded Orphans, Noragami, Utawarerumono, Digimon, a whole lot of other anime, and at no point do they discuss Star Wars. PLUS: Live questions from the chat!
― ANNCast Episode 246: Custom Zaku Zac and Hope talk about One-Punch Man, Iron-Blooded Orphans, Noragami, Utawarerumono, Digimon, a whole lot of other anime, and at no point do they discuss Star Wars....
The X Button - Expert Ease
This week: Todd unboxes the Xenoblade Chronicles X limited edition! Plus: King of Fighters returns, Final Fantasy, Ni No Kuni, Street Fighter, Sony’s PlayStation Experience, and much more!
― Xenoblade Chronicles X is the sort of game meant for special-edition packaging. It's a gobsmackingly huge journey across an alien world where the player finds towering creatures, massive robots, and a generous f...
Answerman - Why is it so tough to buy Japanese digital media downloads?
Ever try to buy a song digitally, from a Japanese website? Ever actually succeed at doing that? Justin explains why it's so weirdly difficult.
― Vanessa asks: Hello, is it impossible to buy Japanese digital media from any website while living outside of Japan? Cds and books are easily attainable from Amazon Japan, which even will display the website in English for foreigners. While browsing mp3s and...
Answerman - How Does Old Anime Get Remastered?
Older anime shows are coming in out in HD at a remarkable clip, but how do these shows go from dusty and neglected to sparkling and new for the bluray treatment?
― Julian asks: So I know a couple people who like to collect old animation cels, and I've read before that materials get lost or destroyed so that when it comes time to re-master a show they have to use old releases (see the new Eva BD). My...
Shelf Life - Dragon Lagoon
This week it's all fighting and explosions as Black Lagoon and Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection F get full reviews, along with a complete list of this week's new anime releases!
― I've had a pretty bad run with the holiday season post office lottery this year. Everything from presents for my relatives to review copies for this column have spent extra time in shipping limbo. Maybe we should all unite and ...
The List - 6 Idols that Fandom Forgot
Anime idols have sung and danced their way into the hearts of otaku everywhere for years now, but here are six examples where the phenomenon failed to ignite.
― The popularity and success of the idol genre is undeniable; Love Live continues its almost unbelievable hold on Japanese otaku, and shows like Idolmaster: Cinderella Girls burn up the bluray sales charts. Unfortunately, not every idol anime ...
ANNCast - Visual Novel Invasion
The folks from Sekai Project, who just released a little visual novel called Clannad in English for the first time, are taking the visual novel world by storm. Today, they stop by ANNCast to talk about the past, present and future of the company.
― ANNCast Episode 245: Visual Novel Invasion The folks from Sekai Project, including co-founder Chris Ling, PR manager David Bruno, and European PR manager...
Answerman - How Is Online Streaming Doing in Japan?
Streaming video services are completely ubiquitous in America, and it's the #1 way people keep up with new anime, but how do these services perform in Japan?
― Wayland asks: So apparently everyone in US and Aust is loving streaming services, (despite issues with people trying to get on the US site). I've also heard that it hasn't really taken off in Japan, yet. Hulu wasn't really able to make a dent...
The X Button - Net Started
This week, it’s an import watch with Shining Force fighters, knightly warfare, and a game all about Twitter squabbles! Plus Super Robot Wars, Darius, and another developer’s exit!
― We had fun last week. Koei Tecmo's Facebook page alluded to Dead or Alive Xtreme 3 not coming to North America or Europe due to potential issues over the game's ribald depictions of women, and arguments exploded. Koei Te...
Answerman - Why Are Anime DVDs More Expensive Than Western Animation?
Your average new anime series on bluray costs about $60, while your average new American TV series costs about half that. Why is that?
― Cody asks: I have a question about retail price differences between Japanese animation and Western animation, specifically regarding series. For example, if I wanted to buy Maoyu on Blu-ray from Amazon, I'd be paying $34.77, yet season four of Legend of Korra is on...
Shelf Life - Umi, Myself, and I
This week on Shelf Life: the second half of Turn-A Gundam and a low-key, relaxing journey through some tough adolescent feelings with Umi Monogatari. Plus this week's releases! You can't go wrong!
― Thanks have been given, turkeys have been eaten, and we're in the midst of the frenzied holiday sale season. If you went out and fought the crowds last Friday, congratulations on surviving the hordes of ...
Answerman - Why Do Delta Airlines Flights Have Japanese Movies?
Delta flights are routinely loaded with mainstream Japanese movies, including subtitled live-action anime adaptations and often anime itself. Why is that?
― Jake asks: I recently was on a red eye Delta flight to the west coast over the holiday and was flipping through the movie section on those new tablets they now have built into the seats and found something quite surprising. I was expecting to fi...
The Mike Toole Show - Hip to Be Square
Mike contemplates exactly how the bizarre comedy Papuwa landed on Western shores. Believe it or not, the answer may lie with Final Fantasy! Didn't see that coming, did you?
― Last Christmas, my editor, the inimitable Zac Bertschy, took notice that the Right Stuf's online holiday sales blitz included the complete set of a TV series called PAPUWA. He immediately called attention to this, so I followed ...
Answerman - Why Is Sunday So Dead At Anime Conventions?
Sundays are usually a ghost town at any given convention, no matter how popular the show is. What's up with that?
― Chris asks: I somehow made it to three major anime cons this year (Anime Central, Anime Weekend Atlanta, and Youmacon), and every time I was surprised and dismayed by the retrenchment from the dealer's room on Sunday. At each of these cons, a number of informational booths simply weren...
The List - 6 Times Evolution Went Horribly Wrong
Anime is overflowing with villains playing God, trying to determine the next stage of human evolution. Here are six times where mankind was the endangered species.
― They say people never change. Humanity, as a whole, seems to have reached its physical limit. We're taller and faster. We climb higher and jump further. In fact, much of the next stages seem tied to possible biotech and enhancing existi...
The X Button - Vanishing Point
This week, Todd scrutinizes some missing pieces of Mario, Sonic, and other popular series! Plus Dead or Alive controversy, Disaster Report’s rebirth, and the quest for holiday games.
― This may be the first X Button to arrive on Thanksgiving, due to the new schedule. I'd like to use the opportunity to mention Thanksgiving-themed video games, but I've noticed a problem. There aren't any. It's rare to...
Answerman - Why Are Some Gundam Series Getting Simultaneous Dubs?
Gundam Unicorn and Gundam The Origin both got simultaneous English dub releases, while a lot of other Gundam is released subtitled-only. What's up with that?
― Matt asks: I've been surprised how first Gundam Unicorn and now Gundam the Origin have been getting simultaneous dubs upon release. Even though Unicorn's North American release got thrown into the chaos surrounding Bandai Entertainment's clos...
Answerman - What Made The Big Anime Conventions So Big?
Anime conventions are bigger than ever, with the largest attracting nearly 100,000 people in 2015. How'd they get that way?
― Brandon asks: I've been able to attend a few conventions, spend way too much at some, and meet new and old friends at others. However, when I look at the conventions and the news you all cover from events like Sakura-Con or Anime Expo, I wonder “What made these specific conve...
Shelf Life - Familiar with Zero
Shape-shifting dragons, love charms, talking swords, and sentient trading cards abound in this week's Shelf Life, featuring this week's releases and full-length reviews of Familiar of Zero and Wixoss! Plus: a new reviewer appears!
― After spending more than a few Saturday mornings looking up prices for the new release section of this column, I've found that I can usually guess which shows will be ch...
Answerman - Why Does Funimation License Shows They Won't Dub?
Funimation has said they only license shows they think are worth dubbing - so what's up with the sub-only releases of OniAi and Buddy Complex?
― Steven asks: Until recently, Funimation dubbed everything they ever released. So now that some shows like Buddy Complex and OniAi are going to DVD as subtitle-only, why do they bother? Funimation has stated outright, on ANNCast among other places, that they...
ANNCast - A Game Show to Surpass Metal Gear
The X Button's Todd Ciolek and Fast Karate's Dave Riley once again return to ANNCast to talk all things video games: Undertale, Final Fantasy XIV, Fallout 4 and much much more!
― ANNCast Episode 244: A Game Show to Surpass Metal Gear The X Button's Todd Ciolek and Fast Karate's Dave Riley once again return to ANNCast to talk all things video games: Undertale, Final Fantasy XIV, Fallout 4 and much mu...
The X Button - One Sleuth Prevails
This week: Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth’s producer talks about comebacks and more! Plus the latest version of Link, the return of Valkyria Chronicles, and some good Gravity Rush news!
― Oh, Xenoblade Chronicles X. You can't stay out of trouble. Mere weeks ago, the American and European versions of the game stirred controversy with entirely justified alternations of an underage character's outfits. No...
Answerman - What's Wrong With Fan Translations?
Some champion fan translations. Others champion professional translations. Someone asks Justin to clarify his position on this.
― James asks: Why do you and the other staff of Anime News Network seem to have a dislike for (unofficial) fan translations of Japanese animation and manga? How do those media affect you and your website in any way, and do you have some personal stake in the matter? BIG STU...
Answerman - What Will The Trans-Pacific Partnership Do To Anime?
There's an enormous trade agreement on the table right now that could impact the anime industry and, in particular, the legality of fanart and other fan-created works. Justin gets into it.
― Usakun asks: I haven't been following news about the impending Trans-Pacific Partnership very closely, but most of what I am hearing now is increasingly negative, at least from fans living in Japan and how they ...
Shelf Life - The Ghoul, the Bad, and the Ugly
Another avalanche of this week's new releases, alongside full-length reviews of Tokyo Ghoul and Please Twins, two shows that really couldn't be more different.
― One would think that, after two and a half decades of dealing with daylight savings time, I'd be used to this time of year by now. One would be wrong, though, because I feel a tiny flash of personal outrage whenever I go outside around 5:30...
The Mike Toole Show - Sports Anime Spikes Back
Mike lowers his sunglasses, ties up the net and gets ready for an onslaught of volleyball anime, including Attack No. 1 and the omnipresent Haikyuu!
― Earlier this year, my convention buddies the Reverse Thieves ran a panel at Otakon called “I Hate Sports,” as a vehicle to introduce fans to sports anime they might have otherwise ignored due to a lack of interest in the sporting activities themselves....
The List - 6 Anime Based on Eastern Legends
We've been over anime based on fairytales, but what about all those anime based on Eastern myths and famous bedtime stories? Here are a bunch of 'em!
― In 2013, I wrote up a list focusing on reimagined fairy tales. A few focused on Eastern fairy tails (Fruits Basket, Saiyuki, Ceres, Celestial Legend) the other five pulled from Western staples like Cinderella, Snow White, and The Little Mermaid. Enou...
Answerman - Why Can't I Change The Subtitles and Audio on My Blu-rays?
Sometimes when you're watching anime on an R1 Bluray you can't turn off the subtitles or change the audio while you're watching. What's up with that?
― Before we get started, a foot note to a previous column... My assessment of the English-speaking acting scene in Japan was quite scathing, but was only part of the story. There is, as it turns out, a small community of actual, professional multi-ling...
The X Button - Eating Well
This week is an import array with God Eater, 7th Dragon, and a scary night out! Plus Street Fighter debates, Zodiac: Orcanon Odyssey, and a Project X Zone bonus!
― This column deals with video games most of the time, but I figure I can squeeze in a tangentially related piece of news once a year. I normally use my allotment when Dark Horse releases a new volume of Eden: It's an Endless World!, but th...
Answerman - Why Is Anime Getting More Popular In The West (Again)?
Anime seems more popular than ever in the West, with merchandise and DVDs common on store shelves and convention populations exploding. What happened?
― Joachim asks: If i look around me, there's more and more people starting to like anime. and i love that. but of course those people are all of western origin and not japanese, so my question is: why is anime growing so much in popularity in the west...
Answerman - Why Are Adapted Dubs Still Being Made?
You hear fans complain about one thing more than anything else: heavily rewritten and whitewashed English dubs of kids' shows like Yu-Gi-Oh! and Pokemon. But why do these hatchet jobs still exist?
― Mitchell asks: So I wanna know, why do bad dubs continue to exist to this day? I find it odd that dubbing companies out there still continue to do things that they know will annoy the fans like replace b...
Shelf Life - Full Metal Disorder
An enormous truckload of new releases appears as we head into the Christmas season, plus full reviews of Full Metal Panic Fumoffu and Inari Kon Kon!
― I feel like I've been visited by the ghost of franchises past this week. I reviewed a series that I first watched when I was around fourteen years old (see below) and played entirely too much of the newest Halo game, whose predecessors were the most w...
The List - 6 Times It Was All Just A Dream
It's one of the most predictable and unpopular endings in storytelling history: the hero wakes up and everything you just saw was a dream. Here are six times anime went to that well!
― Considered one of the cheapest writing tactics in the book, "it was all dream" is so notoriously denounced that it occurs more often as a punchline nowadays than as an actual plot device. Classic examples include The ...
Answerman - Why Don't I Find Anime Comedies Funny?
One reader wonders why he can't connect with anime comedy the same way so many other fans seem to. Justin gets into it.
― Jsphro asks: I'm a casual anime fan, only watching a small handful of shows a year. One genera I've had always had hard time grasping my enjoyment on is Comedy. Very few anime have ever made me laugh, which I don't know is either the fault on the creators for making something un-...
ANNCast - Saved You a Kleck
Right Stuf CEO Shawne Kleckner returns for a round of the tough questions: what's up with Gundam in the US, the state of the industry in 2015 and much more!
― ANNCast Episode 243: Saved You a Kleck Right Stuf CEO Shawne Kleckner returns for a round of the tough questions: what's up with Gundam in the US, the state of the industry in 2015 and much more! You can listen to the show on our player here, ...
The X Button - Long Division
This week, we talk with the creators of the new RPG Indivisible! Plus Street Fighter, Guilty Gear, NieR: Automata, and yet another potential fashion disaster.
― I didn't expect another Nintendo controversy so soon. A few weeks after the company stirred debate by replacing bikinis with Zelda and Metroid outfits in Fatal Frame: Maiden of Black Water, a similar fuss arose over Nintendo's upcoming Xenob...
Answerman - Does Japan Have Otaku For American Animation?
Are there Japanese fans of American animated shows like South Park, Family Guy and Rick & Morty? Do they resemble American anime fans? Justin gets into it.
― Christopher asks: With the anime/otaku industry being a fairly robust fandom in the west, I was wondering: is that mirrored for western animation/cartoons over in Japan? Are there groups that work on fansubbing new episodes of Steven Universe a...
Answerman - Why Isn't American Animation Outsourced To Japan?
American animation used to be outsourced to Japan all the time - obviously that isn't the case anymore. What happened, and where is animation outsourced to these days?
― Abe asks: Why are so many American animated shows sent to Korea for main production and not Japan? The Japanese animation industry seems to be a more logical choice considering how much animation is produced there compared to the am...
Shelf Life - Finer and Dandier
A boatload of this week's new releases PLUS full reviews of two fantastic shows: Space Dandy season 2 and Tamayura!
― As I was putting together the list of this week's new releases, I noticed that we're getting quite a few lower-priced rereleases of older titles. Most of the big companies have at least one product line for bringing their older licenses back into circulation, and it's nice to be able...
The Mike Toole Show - The Secret of Mr. Osomatsu
In the wake of the success of Osomatsu-san, Mike takes a look at that show's source material and its connections to other eternally-popular gag manga from the 60s, like Doraemon!
― There's a new TV anime running at the moment called Osomatsu-san ("Mr. Osomatsu," natch), which is actually based on a gag manga and anime about six dumb brothers from the 1960s. It should come as absolutely no surprise to...
The List - 6 Times Anime Went Full Halloween
Halloween episodes are commonplace in American television, but you don't see it quite as often in anime. Here are six spooktacular instances of anime getting into the spirit.
― Christmas and Halloween are easy themed go-tos for Western television programming. The former is also common in anime where Christmas is synonymous with "romantic date." Halloween, on the other hand, has only recently caught ...
Answerman - Is Japan Over-Reacting To Ai Takabe's Arrest?
Ai Takabe is a voice actress who was recently arrested on drug charges in Japan. The kick in the pants the Japanese justice system is giving her seems excessive; is this business as usual?
― Dimitri asks: Today I noticed a huge uproar in regards to Ai Takabe and her arrest for drug possession and potential usage. Now would this not have interested me, was it not for the fact that here whole presence...
ANNCast - Ghoul Runnings
Justin Sevakis returns to ANNCast just in time for Halloween to answer a bunch of spooktacular (and spooktacularly off-topic) questions! Hope and Zac are along for the ride.
― ANNCast Episode 242: Ghoul Runnings Get the Flash Player to see this player. Justin Sevakis returns to ANNCast just in time for Halloween to answer a bunch of spooktacular (and spooktacularly off-topic) questions! Hope and Zac...
The X Button - Blasting Away
This week, Todd considers the history and fate of light-gun games! Plus Gravity Rush 2, more Trails in the Sky, and some strange Sonic sightings!
― With Halloween approaching, now's a good time to pull out your favorite scary games. I assume you'll be dressing up and going to parties or passing out candy when the actual holiday arrives, but a creepy game is invaluable during the buildup. And you hav...
Answerman - How Popular Are American Movies In Japan?
Justin delves into the Japanese box office and just how American films stack up to Japan's domestic output when it comes to the bottom line.
― Cordelia asks: I noticed that in Japan, American movies are highly popular such as Titanic and Frozen for examples. I even heard Harry Potter and Pirates of the Caribbean are really popular and are some of the top grossing movies there. Are American films rel...
Answerman - Are There More American Otaku Than Japanese Otaku?
Someone asks whether or not there are more American otaku than Japanese otaku, and Justin tries his best to figure that out.
― Randall asks: Given the rising attendance figures at anime conventions here in the US, comparing to attendance figures from the (two?) comikets and assuming that such convention attendees would be considered otaku if living in Japan, is it possible that the US now has more o...
Shelf Life - One Good Turn
A particularly head-turning installment of Shelf Life includes all of this week's new releases and reviews of Turn-A Gundam and Sasami-san@Ganbaranai!
― I was all set to gripe humorously about the number of new releases that I had to look up this week, but then I saw the schedule for next week. And the week after that, and the week after that. The holidays are upon us, which means mountains of new a...
The List - 6 Ridiculous School Uniform Designs
When you're trying to come up with ways to make your school uniforms pop in a medium with stiff competition, sometimes you come up with some... less than practical outfits.
― School uniforms are an anime staple. Plot settings regularly take place in middle school or high school and the sheer number of anime, manga, and light novel series released each year means character designers and artists have ...
Answerman - Do Anime Creators Pay Attention To Reviews?
Does the production staff of an anime pay attention to the reviews their show gets, either from Japanese or American media? More importantly, how do they handle reviews via social media?
― Norman asks: Id like to ask if any of the anime studios or production committees that pay attention to review scores or ratings from any Japanese review sites or even large English anime review sites like ANN? Is ...
ANNCast - Angel Beatings
Jun Maeda's tearjerking afterlife dramedy Angel Beats! failed to melt Zac's cold black heart, but Hope Chapman and Brady Hartel are here to tell him why he's wrong. Here come the waterworks!
― ANNCast Episode 241: Angel Beatings Get the Flash Player to see this player. Jun Maeda's tearjerking afterlife dramedy Angel Beats failed to melt Zac's cold black heart, but Hope Chapman and Brady Hartel are h...
The X Button - Might Be Wrong
This week: a look at the good and bad of Mighty No. 9! Plus Konami’s latest problems, Final Fantasy’s newest nostalgia bait, and some Fatal Frame lingere controversy!
― I could talk about Hideo Kojima leaving Konami, about how the next Harvest Moon War will shake out, or about how neat Undertale is. However, there are more pressing concerns. Fatal Frame: Maiden of the Black Water is out in North Ame...
Answerman - How Did American Manga Releases Become Right-To-Left?
Justin recalls exactly when and why manga releases in the US became "authentic", reading right-to-left.
― Carlo asks: When I first started reading manga in the late nineties, a lot of the books were printed in left to right format instead of right to left. What was it that made US companies decide to change to the Japanese style? Prior to 2002, the vast majority of manga released in English was "flo...
Answerman - Why Are OVAs Formatted Like TV Episodes?
OVAs are straight-to-video animation, so why are they frequently formatted exactly like television shows?
― Alec asks: I am a big fan of both Gunbuster and Diebuster and have noticed that both contain an opening video and framing for a commercial break. I am assuming that Diebuster was merely following the lead of Gunbuster in this regard. But as for Gunbuster, was this put in place in case it ever ...
Shelf Life - Don't Panic
It's a bountiful cornucopia of this week's anime releases, plus fresh reviews of Argevollen and Full Metal Panic: Fumoffu!
― I'm going to take a brief detour from my usual quips and observations to point out that the Mets and Cubs are playing one another for a shot at the World Series. I don't follow baseball as closely as I once did, but that's still an amazing clash of perpetual underdogs. If some...
The Mike Toole Show - It's Always Tsuneo
Mike takes a grand tour through the work of the late great Tsuneo Kobayashi, he of Midori Days, Twelve Kingdoms and Naruto -The Last- fame.
― It's getting to be that creepy time of year when I put “Monster Mash” by Bobby “Boris” Pickett on repeat. Halloween and the Day of the Dead are closing in, so what better time to do a big list of spooky, scary anime—hey wait a minute, I hate making lists like t...
The List - 7 Vampires That Don't Suck
Okay, so, they do, technically - they ARE still blood-drinking children of the night - but we mean 'suck' in the pejorative sense.
― Bram Stoker's Dracula and F. W. Murnau's Nosferatu immortalized vampires in the public consciousness as dangerous, shape-shifting monsters living off the lifeblood of virginal humans. Sexually-charged metaphors aside, some theories have argued that the legends are mere...
Answerman - Is The Anime Glut And The American TV Glut The Same Thing?
Most everyone acknowledges that we're in a "content bubble" both for anime and American TV. But how much similarity is there between these two overproductive industries?
― Chris asks: Over the Summer, there was a lot of talk about “Peak TV”, the idea that there is more good scripted TV being produced than there are viewers with time to watch it. The argument was succinctly made by FX's John Landgraf...
The X Button - Artful Ways
This week, we talk with the producer of Sword Art Online: Lost Song! Plus Phoenix Wright, Yo-Kai Watch, and a Nintendo relic rarely seen in public!
― I was at the New York Comic Con for about five hours total last weekend. That gave me time to do little more than wander the floor and take part in the Anime News Network panel. My thanks go out to the audience members who picked Dog Soldier and the dr...
Answerman - Where Do The English-Speaking Actors In Japan Come From?
Every now and then you'll hear a native English speaker in the cast of a Japanese-language track for an anime. Where do those voice actors come from, and do they get a lot of work?
― Matthew asks: I recently watched Terror in Resonance, and was surprised to hear the American characters (as well as--occasionally--Five) speaking English. I imagine this is relatively rare, so I was wondering--what are ...
Answerman - Do Edited-For-Television Versions Of Anime Get Preserved?
Sometimes people really like anime that's been edited for television and want to preserve it for posterity... but does anyone make those versions legally available?
― Kevin asks: In cases of shows that have "Edited for TV" versions, such as YuYu Hakusho and Rurouni Kenshin, what happens to them? Do they get stored away? Do they exist somewhere on the Funimation or Bang Zoom's servers? You see, I've ...
Shelf Life - Breaking Wind
This week's treasure trove of new releases, plus reviews of Sentai Filmworks' Windy Tales and Brynhildr in the Darkness!
― By the time this column comes out, I'll be getting ready to come home from a ten-day vacation with my extended family. While my relatives are generally lovely people, visiting them means traveling to places where the Internet connection can barely handle standard-def video and t...
The List - 7 Beauty & The Beast Couples
If you don't read this list of mismatched couples before the last petal falls on your 21st birthday, you'll be cursed forever. On the plus side, maybe all your anime figures came to life.
― One character is capable of immense, sometimes even supernatural strength while their partner is an example of grace and elegance. The two work as a balancing act for one another, with the "beauty" often calming ...
Answerman - What Would've Saved Manglobe?
Justin examines the conditions and potential causes of what might've triggered Samurai Champloo studio Manglobe's recent bankruptcy.
― Amanda asks: Last week we heard that Manglobe, the animation studio that made Samurai Champloo, Ergo Proxy, Karneval, Samurai Flamenco and a bunch of others had filed for bankruptcy and went out of business. I know they were in trouble for a while and a number of the...
ANNCast - Falling Together
Brady Hartel joins Zac and ANN's interest editor Lynzee Loveridge for an in-depth discussion about the new fall anime season, and a whole boatload of other stuff! One Punch Man, The Perfect Insider, Concrete Revolutio and more!
― ANNCast Episode 240: Falling Together Get the Flash Player to see this player. Brady Hartel joins Zac and ANN's interest editor Lynzee Loveridge for an in-depth discussion ...
The X Button - Cat Fantasy
This week: imports pop up with Monster Hunter spin-offs, new anime adaptations, and a modern take on an RPG classic! Plus the latest Street Fighters, Project X Zone 2 additions, and the closest we’ll come to another Valkyrie Profile!
― You'll notice that the X Button has a new time slot. It's airing Thursdays, right between Battery Park and The Weber Show! We're in Must See TV territory now, folks! ...
Answerman - Does A Stronger US Dollar Help Anime Companies?
With the yen weak against the dollar, does the exchange rate help US anime companies when it comes to licensing fees? Justin explains.
― Branko asks: With the strength of the US dollar right now, I wondered, how much does the value of a currency affect the profitability of an anime when it gets licensed abroad? While a strong dollar hurts US exports, is it actually a benefit to American companies li...
Answerman - What Makes An Anime A Crossover Hit?
Justin examines what it takes to make an anime series a hit in the west. It isn't an exact science, however.
― Ahmed asks: As a person who is unfamiliar with the way the anime world works, I've seen enough of peoples' reactions, including several of my friends', to know that Attack on Titan is really popular to the point where I'm slightly annoyed at how much it's being hyped (I just wish that Jojo'...
Shelf Life - Under The Sea
Paul and Gabriella take in two very, very different shows: A Lull in the Sea and Sabagebu! Plus: an enormous flood of this week's new releases.
― I'm rather fond of the brief lull between anime seasons. For a week or so, we all get to reflect on the ups and downs of whatever shows we followed and scour the latest round of simulcast announcements for the shiny new titles that we're looking forward to...
The Mike Toole Show - Follow the Melos Brick Road
Run! Melos is a greek story known to Japanese schoolchildren, which means there are a ton of anime adaptations of it that have almost never seen the light of day in the US. Sounds like a job for Mike!
― The air's getting cooler, the leaves are turning, and in my neck of the woods, the kids have all gone back to school. Fifth-graders are probably discussing their summer reading - popular fare, no doub...
The List - 7 Adventures on the High Seas
If nautical nonsense is something you wish, these 7 anime feature deck-swabbin', treasure-hunting, ocean monster-fighting thrills on the open ocean. Just try not to get sea sick.
― Before man ventured into space, he wondered about what lay out beyond the horizon in the vast open sea. Maps were adorned with monsters; sea serpents and boat-wrecking squid. Mermaids (or were they manatees?) flicked thei...
Answerman - Why Did Funimation's Attack On Titan Subtitles Fail?
Justin dissects the recent Attack on Titan subtitle mishap with an in-depth look at the incredibly tricky world of digitally-delivered cinema.
― Bill asks: Funimation just had a very public failure of its subtitles for the live action Attack on Titan theatrical release, when the line "I've been waiting for this day!" got stuck on the screen while the movie continued playing. Funimation blamed a tech...
ANNCast - A Funi Feeling
Funimation's Justin Rojas and brand manager Jennifer Fu stop by to announce some fall season shows, discuss how to sell anime to Americans, what's up with Evangelion 3.33, and much more!
― ANNCast Episode 239: A Funi Feeling Get the Flash Player to see this player. Funimation's Justin Rojas and brand manager Jennifer Fu stop by to announce some new fall simulcast shows, tell us what's up with Evange...
Answerman - How Popular Are Anime Songs In Japan?
Anime fans know anime music - a mountain of pop songs comes with every new anime season, but how popular are all those songs in Japan itself?
― Fredrik asks: I've been to Japan twice, and one thing I noticed (and was disappointed about) is the relative lack of prominence of anison in Japan. I didn't get to hear radio much but in the few times I did most of the time they were playing non-anison J-Pop...
Shelf Life - That's Extremely Raven
Paul does double duty and takes in the rest of Tokyo Ravens and The Comic Artist and His Assistants, along with a long list of this week's fresh anime releases!
― Coming up with an anime or manga title is easier than you might think. Just take the word "Tokyo" and add a second word that vaguely describes your series. It worked for Tokyo Ghoul, it worked for Tokyo Godfathers, it worked for Tokyo Rave...
The List - 6 Smarties with Blue Hair
Anime characters with blue hair are often portrayed as smarter than the rest. Here are six of 'em, all up in your grill with their smarts and their blue hair.
― One of the first things new fans notice that sets anime apart visually from western animation is the non-standard hair colors. Western animation might dabble in this, especially if the character is supposed to be rebellious, but most charact...
Answerman - How Can I Get Anime Soundtracks on Vinyl?
Vinyl is everywhere, taking over the remaining music stores and warming the hearts of audiophiles across the country. But where are all the anime soundtracks?
― Kyuubei the 3rd asks: I recently got back into vinyl. I was wondering who do I ask to get an anime soundtrack on vinyl? I know Wicked City's BGM is getting a release soon, but who do I talk to about getting a recent soundtrack on vinyl (such...
The X Button - Saber Rattling
This week: crowdfunding cases for Saber Rider, mecha strategy, and a long-lost series! Plus Tokyo Game Show wrap-ups with Persona 5, Ni-Oh, and the newest face in Street Fighter V!
― There'll be no X Button next week, since I'm taking a vacation. But don't worry. I'll make sure that my next column covers all of the important video-game sights in my hometown of Dayton, Ohio! I might not be joking, ei...
Answerman - What Are Those Japanese Shows Where Celebrities React To Videos?
If you've ever turned on a TV in Japan, odds are you've watched celebrities - actors, athletes, you name it - reacting to clips of food or animals. What's up with that?
― Chris asks: Every now and then, some tidbit of news will come to us in the form of a Japanese TV show where guests or panelists in a studio or person-on-the-street-style participants are seen reacting to some video clip. The partic...
Shelf Life - Patlabor Dispute
This week's new releases, a Shelf Obsessed you have to see to believe, and reviews of Hamatora and the third Patlabor film. What more could you ask for?
― As I compile the lists of new releases each week, I can't help but notice that we've been seeing a lot of big, expensive collector's editions lately. I'd hesitate to spend over a hundred dollars on anything except my all-time favorite shows, but I...
The Mike Toole Show - Love Live! The School Idol Column
Mike takes in the Love Live movie and gazes starry-eyed at the wonder, the excitement, the passion, and the disposable income of Love Live fandom.
― “You are awake and about to head to the theater, yes?” my wife, Prairie, texted me. I turned to the four women in front of me. “Hey, can I take your photo?” I asked. They quickly agreed. So I texted back this picture of (left to right) Starlightslk as El...
The List - 7 of Evangelion's Strangest Tie-In Goods
When it comes to merchandise exploitation, Evangelion is the Star Wars of Japan - and here are seven of the outright oddest knick-knacks the franchise has spawned.
― This year's the 20th anniversary of Hideaki Anno's genre-defining giant robot anime. The series has cultivated a large fan following dedicated to its immersive lore. Viewers still argue for Rei or Asuka and its iconic characters have, f...
Answerman - What Will Happen To A Convict's Voice Acting Work?
Voice Actor Scott Freeman was recently convicted of a crime and imprisoned; what happens to the work he's done that's already out there, and what are the responsibilities of the company that hired him?
― Lee asks: With the recent imprisonment of Scott Freeman, what is likely to happen with future releases of shows that he has already dubbed? I am a big fan of both Highschool DxD and Baka and Test am...
ANNCast - Supernerds vs. The World
Daryl Surat and Mike Toole return to the Supernerds headquarters for a couple hours of easy, breezy anime talk! PLUS: Metal Gear Solid 5, Symphogear, Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust and more!
― ANNCast Episode 238: Supernerds vs. The World Get the Flash Player to see this player. Daryl Surat and Mike Toole return to the Supernerds headquarters for a couple hours of easy, breezy anime talk! PLUS: Metal G...
Answerman - Whatever Happened to Manga Entertainment? (PART TWO: UK Edition)
As it turns out, a whole lot is happening with Manga UK; Justin gets the inside information from Animatsu Ltd. CEO Jerome Mazandarani in this exclusive report.
― In Monday's installment, I wrote in detail about how Manga Entertainment had fallen far from their place of dominance in the late VHS era, when they had such titles as Ninja Scroll, Macross Plus, Ghost in the Shell and Perfect Blue. The his...
The X Button - On With the Show
This week: the first chunk of the Tokyo Game Show brings Todd’s favorite news all year! Plus new Street Fighter characters, more Kingdom Hearts, and a great bonus costume for Dead or Alive.
― This week brings the Tokyo Game Show, and with it some news I've wanted to hear for a long, long while. Before I get to that, however, Nintendo has a new leader up for discussion. The tragic loss of Nintendo Pr...
Answerman - Whatever Happened To Manga Entertainment?
Justin recounts the fascinating tale of Manga Entertainment, once the biggest name in anime in the US, but now a shadow of its former self. PLUS: the Answerman column is turning 15 years old!
― I was chatting with Zac last week when the two of us came to a major realization: In just a few short months, the "Answerman" column on Anime News Network turns FIFTEEN YEARS OLD. Think about that for a secon...
Shelf Life - Captain SNAFU
This week's new releases, including the 2003 Fullmetal Alchemist on bluray. Plus: reviews of Captain Earth part 2 and SNAFU in HD!
― Well, folks, it's my second appearance as the new Shelf Life guy, and that can only mean one thing: I've managed to go a whole week without causing the column to burst into flames! Go me! Really, though, thank you for your support and continued readership. Let's jump r...
The List - 7 Dessert-Obsessed Manga
These seven dangerously sweet manga insist you eat dessert before your dinner.
― Elegant tea houses, delicately decorated cakes, and equally gorgeous chefs populate this week's sister list to "7 Manga To Improve Your Cooking." These manga focus on finding sweet love or using a little magic to become the next great patissier. Life is short, eat dessert first. 7. Yumeiro Pâtissière A children's manga,...
Answerman - How Are English Dub Voice Actors Cast?
If you've ever wondered exactly how voice actors are chosen for roles in anime dubs, Justin has the rundown for you.
― Dakota asks: After watching Shirobako I gained a general understanding of how the Japanese voice actors are cast for anime. The process was basically what one would expect, but it got me wondering: How do English distributors like Funimation choose who will voice each roll? I know t...
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