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Durarara!! ×2 The Third Arc ‒ Episode 4
"It feels like the climax is coming together like never before, incorporating every character and subplot in creative ways to seal Ikebukuro's last story."
Mr. Osomatsu ‒ Episode 17
"All of episode 17's skits share a common theme: fan-favorite space-case Jyushimatsu."
Utawarerumono: The False Faces ‒ Episodes 16-17
"We get the full Haku origin story, and boy is it a doozy!"
Snow White with the Red Hair ‒ Episode 16
"Things are certainly heating up, both emotionally and in terms of the plot...although this episode doesn't always do the best job of showing that."
Dimension W ‒ Episode 4
"As with all mysteries, I can't really judge the story's success until the end, but this first part is suspenseful and entertaining at least."
Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans ‒ Episode 17
"There haven't been enough Gundam battles lately and now that we're back in space, I hope this wild choreography becomes our new normal."
Schwarzes Marken ‒ Episode 4
"While Lise's arrival and reconnecting with Theodor is the early feature, the combined mecha/naval fleet action actually forms the bulk of the episode."
Umineko When They Cry Episode 5: End of the Golden Witch Volume 2 GN 11
Umineko devolves into a tedious debate about the rules of the Golden Age mystery in a volume that's all about the genre without actually giving us much mystery.
― It's time to ask yourself, are you reading Umineko: When They Cry because you like the story and Ryukishi07's style of telling it, or are you reading it because you have a deep investment in the philosophical discussion of mystery novels, f...
Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash ‒ Episode 4
"Grimgar had lulled us into a false sense of security (albeit one with some niggling doubts), but things are going to have to start moving from this point on."
Haikyu!! Second Season ‒ Episode 17
"One of the more satisfying episodes, allowing two second-tier characters to come to the fore."
Luck & Logic ‒ Episode 4
"This plot has the depth and complexity of an after-school special, and looking pretty isn't enough to save it."
My Monster Secret GN 1
My Monster Secret opens with a by-the-numbers but endearing set of harem shenanigans, full of fun characters and ridiculous faces.
― The harem bar has been somewhat raised as of late. While the harems of years past could get away with occasional hot spring shenanigans and the promise of a kiss, modern sex capers like Prison School and Monster Musume throw lust and nudity front and center, accompanyin...
BBK/BRNK ‒ Episode 4
"Each episode of this series has featured flashes of brilliance, but it continues to struggle with turning that potential into a strong finished product."
Shōwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjū ‒ Episode 4
"It's a slower episode than usual, but Shōwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjū continues to be a strong production."
Heavy Object ‒ Episode 16
"The team's return to Alaska has proven to be one of Heavy Object's stronger story arcs thus far, which is an encouraging sign for the remainder of the season."
Dagashi Kashi ‒ Episode 4
"Dagashi Kashi pulled off its most consistently funny episode by far this week, featuring two half-episode stories that were each more compelling than almost any of its prior material."
GATE ‒ Episode 16
"With so much going on and interacting so neatly, the faults are few."
The List - 7 Manliest Bromances
Everyone has found themselves inspired by a deeply-felt friendship between two big manly men; here are seven of them that will bro you away!
― Valentine's Day (also known as Singles Awareness Day) is sneaking up. If you're one of the many without a significant other on the sugar coma-inducing holiday, have no fear. Even if romance isn't on your to-do list for the 14th, there's plenty of room for bro...
ANNCast Episode Two Hundred and Fifty - Outlaw Star
Zac, Hope and special guest Karl Olson reach into the pantheon of Toonami classics and return with Outlaw Star, seemingly everyone and no one's favorite sci-fi action-adventure. Beware of psychic cacti.
― ANNCast Episode 250: Outlaw Star Zac, Hope and special guest Karl Olson reach into the pantheon of Toonami classics and return with Outlaw Star, seemingly everyone and no one's favorite sci-fi acti...
Lupin the Third (TV 2015) ‒ Episode 17
"This series in general has excelled in never letting audiences get bored, but this is one of the most fast-paced, eyes-glued-to-the-screen segments so far."
Answerman - Should FUNimation Be On NASDAQ?
One questioner thinks it's time for anime companies like Funimation to go public on the stock market, along with all the risk and reward that could entail. Justin has a few thoughts about that.
― CastMember1991 asks: Now with Funimation launching a streaming service that serves as the anime industry's answer to Netflix, I think it's time for Funimation (or its parent company G1200 Media) to file for...
Animator Expo Season Three: What's Worth Watching
There's another crop of wildly creative shorts available in the kaleidoscope of awesome known as the Animator Expo (including a new Evangelion short!) and Kevin Cirugeda is here to guide you to all the best stuff.
― The end of Animator Expo's free online distribution is quickly approaching, possibly marking the last time this animated anthology will be easily available. Khara's project to put to use ...
Girls Beyond the Wasteland ‒ Episode 4
"Four episodes in, Girls Beyond the Wasteland has yet to show me what it has to offer."
Honey So Sweet GN 1
A seemingly mismatched pair of high schoolers tries to sort out their relationship in this new shoujo series that is as sweet as its title.
― Spiritually, Honey So Sweet has a lot in common with Robico's My Little Monster. Both stories feature high school age heroes who frighten their classmates (and even got suspended for the same reason on the first day of school) and the girls they love, neither o...
Assassination Classroom ‒ Episode 26
"The journey from idea to disastrous result in the episode's first half is entertaining enough on its own."
Naruto Shippuden ‒ Episode 446
"This re-imagining of events is laughable instead of memorable, shallow instead of moving."
ERASED ‒ Episode 4
"The problem with Satoru is that even as an adult, he wasn't an adult."
Haruchika – Haruta & Chika ‒ Episode 4
"It's encouraging that HaruChika is willing to dispense with the formula to try out new plots related to other characters already in the band."
Active Raid ‒ Episode 4
"Sena and Kuroki's conflict is already well-established, and the actual episodic conflict here wasn't particularly exciting, so there just wasn't too much to hold onto."
The X Button - Delay of Games
This week: what happens when games like Mighty No. 9 get delayed, and why it matters! Plus Super Mario discoveries, Fire Emblem problems, and a new Mistwalker RPG hint!
― The deadline for the latest X Button contest draws near, as you all have until midnight Friday to submit your entries! It's for the sake of art, after all! We've all heard arguments about how video games are Art With a Captial A, s...
Genshiken: Second Season GN 7
Madarame and Hato’s romantic foibles dominate a volume of Genshiken that sees the manga demonstrating its old strengths from outside its dramatic comfort zone.
― The trials of young Madarame continue in Second Season's seventh volume, as both he and all his improbably suitors struggle to deal with their feelings. As befitting a harem story, in the wake of Madarame breaking his hand (again) after lear...
KonoSuba – God's blessing on this wonderful world!! ‒ Episode 3
"While the episode does still have a fair amount of humor, it is nowhere near the laugh-fest that episode 2 was."
Myriad Colors Phantom World ‒ Episode 4
"It took four episodes, but Phantom World finally got a story worthy of its pretty artistry."
Gintama ‒ Episode 307
"Another epic-looking arc is beginning next week, marking the first time Gintama has immediately jumped from one serious arc to another."
Lupin the Third: The Complete Guide to Films, TV Specials and OVAs
Our resident Lupin expert tackles the rest of the famous thief's adventures, running down every single TV special, film and OVA!
― Welcome to the second and final installment of our guide to Lupin The Third! In this segment, I'll cover all of the franchise's feature films, animated TV specials (an enormous chunk of Lupin's animated legacy) and OVAs. Lupin's episodic TV adventures are covered here in ...
Answerman - What Do The Changes To Oscar Rules Mean For Anime?
They're making a bunch of changes to the rules for Academy Award voting, but what does that mean for the anime that occasionally gets nominated? Are anime's Oscar chances changing?
― Bill asks: I've been hearing a lot lately about changes to the rules for voting in the Oscars. What does this mean for anime? Will this make it easier or harder for anime to get recognized by the Academy? Indeed, much a...
One-Punch Man GN 4
One-Punch Man continues to be a very funny parody of the superhero genre as Saitama's heroing-for-fun lands him in what's supposed to be the hot seat with other jealous heroes.
― One of the most effective attacks you can wage on a person is to go for their ego. Bullies have known this for years, and you'd think that this would work doubly well on those people with superpowers and lists of rankings an...
Durarara!! ×2 The Third Arc - Episodes 1-3
"At long last, it's the beginning of the end for Durarara!!"
Prince of Stride: Alternative ‒ Episode 4
"This episode saw Ayumu face his demons head on, to mixed results."
Mr. Osomatsu ‒ Episode 16
"Episode 16's first story is one of the funniest Fist of the North Star/Mad Max parodies I've ever seen."
The Ancient Magus' Bride GN 3
The Ancient Magus’ Bride turns inward in its third volume, challenging the uneven relationship at the heart of its magic and mystery.
― The third Ancient Magus' Bride opens in blood and thunder, as the attack on Chise that closed out the last volume prompts a wild response from Elias. Shedding the trappings of his nearly-human form, Elias billows across full-page spreads in black and bone, spine brea...
The Best and Worst of the Season So Far: Weeks of Jan 1-21
A new season has begun and we're off to the races with our daily streaming user polls! Find out how ERASED, Grimgar and the rest of this season's new shows are stacking up according to your ratings!
― Our team of reviewers are following 27 anime series of the Winter 2016 season and readers are rating each episode as the reviews go up. So let's have a look at what ANN readers consider the best (and w...
Snow White with the Red Hair ‒ Episode 15
"Things are clearly heating up, and I feel like these first three episodes have been trying to get us to the real jumping off point for this season's main plot."
Schwarzes Marken ‒ Episode 3
"The meat of this episode is the story, and at least one half of it shines."
Answerman - What Does Darker Than Black's License Withdrawal Mean?
Funimation's license for Darker than Black recently expired, and Aniplex chose not to renew it. What does that mean for that show, for Funimation and for the industry? Justin gets into it.
― Stan asks: I heard the news of Funimation losing their license to Darker Than Black. People speculate (or is it confirmed?) that the license was taken away by Aniplex of America. So I was wondering, is this one ...
One Piece ‒ Episode 727
"After an awesome fight episode between Fourth Gear Luffy and Doflamingo, I'm more-or-less done with any of the citizens of Dressrosa stuff."
Shelf Life - Turn A Gundam: The Movies
James finds out whether or not the Turn A Gundam movies are a decent substitute for the series, along with all of this week's new anime releases on DVD and bluray!
― I got buried under a landslide of teenage nostalgia last week. First Sentai Filmworks announced that they were planning a new physical release for Azumanga Daioh, then Discotek Media did the same with Cromartie High School. I watched (a...
Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? Novel 4
Bell's defining defeat of the Minotaur has qualified him for Level 2 as an adventurer, a feat which shocks Eina in this fourth light novel.
― The main story in the fourth DanMachi novel was directly adapted into episode 9 of the anime. The episode did feel like it had rushed things a bit, but not until I read the novel version did I appreciate how much. However, the source material only supplied 161 ...
Dimension W ‒ Episode 3
"After two episodes of intense plot setup, it's nice to get some downtime with our main characters."
BBK/BRNK ‒ Episode 3
"After two weeks of big battle scenes, BBK/BRNK has finally settled down enough to give us a more detailed picture of what's going on."
Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans ‒ Episode 16
"From the slum dwellers to the demonstrators to the people in power, everyone has a horse in this race, and this episode is sure to inform their upcoming decisions."
Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash ‒ Episode 3
"Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash is a slow burn, but if it's still holding your interest, I feel like we're going to be rewarded."
The Mike Toole Show - Awesome Unadapted Manga
Mike digs into a big pile of great manga that, against all odds, have never been adapted into anime, and wonders what some of your favorite unadapted manga are.
― Last week, amid the bustle of Arisia, Boston's biggest science fiction fan convention, I did something I'd never done at a con before: I focused on books. I met con guest of honor John Scalzi, the Redshirts and Old Man's War guy, and had hi...
Review: Garakowa -Restore the World-
Theron Martin enters the world of Garakowa, a film that shows a whole lot of ambition and creativity but has a few storytelling issues that get in the way.
― Originally called D.backup, Garakowa is the creation of the duo Physics Point, who won the right to have their concept adapted into animated form as part of a contest conducted by Pony Canyon back in 2013. Although the creators may be newcomers ...
Luck & Logic ‒ Episode 3
"This entire plot was a misstep for me. What's working for me, however, is the growing character development."
Haikyu!! Second Season ‒ Episode 16
"You know those episode endings that just make your jaw drop a little as you whisper “oh hell” under your breath? This would be one of those."
Dagashi Kashi ‒ Episode 3
"Dagashi Kashi isn't funny enough to survive as a comedy, but it could certainly work as a slice of life if it continues to treat its characters like people."
The List - 6 Villains That Saved the Day
Sometimes all it takes to save the day is a bad guy with a change of heart. Here are six anime where the villain became the hero!
― The heroes might be the stars of the show, but a work of fiction is really made by an awesome antagonist. Someone the audience loves to hate or finds catharsis through a villain's disregard for the rules in lieu of getting what they want. The audience grows attachment t...
Heavy Object ‒ Episode 15
"All things considered, the show's return to its first location is looking like a successful one for now."
Die Wergelder GN 1
Hiroaki Samura subtitles his new series "Bad Bitch Action," and while that's only true of a few of the characters, this is still an intense, disturbing, and sometimes funny series that means it when it says its for mature audiences.
― Can you put a price on a life? According to the ancient Germanic practice of wergeld (also spelled “wergild”), you sure can – the word means “man payment” and refers to...
Shōwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjū ‒ Episode 3
"I'm a big fan of the pacing so far – the extended flashback structure allows me to enjoy the momentary story beats while also predicting how they could build up to the first episode."
GATE ‒ Episode 15
For much of the series Tuka has been mere eye candy, the pretty elf girl who's usually around but doesn't actually do much. Episode 15 finally brings her to the forefront.
Lupin the Third (TV 2015)
"After months of waiting, the new Lupin III: Part IV anime (otherwise known as "Blue Jacket") has finally arrived on American shores."
Answerman - Who Makes Anime Opening Sequences?
An opening sequence can be the chief way people are sold on a show and can live on long after the show's relevancy has faded. Justin explains how these little works of art get made.
― Adam asks: You've talked before about how music gets chosen for opening and ending sequences, but I'm curious about the animating side of it. I've noticed most openings and endings specifically credit a single storyboa...
ANNCast - Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Anime Magazine
Otaku USA editor Joseph Luster stops by the show to talk about his long and impressive career as an anime writer, and what it's like working for the last remaining anime magazine in America.
― ANNCast Episode 249: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Anime Magazine Otaku USA editor Joseph Luster stops by the show to talk about his long and impressive career as an anime writer, and what it's like worki...
Assassination Classroom ‒ Episode 25
"Of Assassination Classroom's various attempts at depicting a serious conflict, this is one of the show's better efforts."
Lupin the Third: Where to Start and What's Worth Watching - TV Edition
The first part of Reed Nelson's mega guide to the entire Lupin the Third franchise covers the best episodes from every single season of Lupin's television adventures!
― Every so often I see the question: “I want to get into Lupin the Third, where do I start?” Like other long-running anime, Lupin boasts dozens of anime installments, not to mention the original manga, video games, and live-action film...
Naruto Shippuden ‒ Episode 445
"With no conceivable end in sight, Jiraiya's Ninja Scrolls keeps chugging along at a punishingly slow pace."
Sailor Moon R Part II BD+DVD
The quality is better (although not perfect) in Viz's release of the second half of Sailor Moon R, where Chibi-Usa's true history (and goal) is revealed.
― Arguably, part two of Sailor Moon R, the second of five original seasons in what has come to be known as Sailor Moon Classic, is where the story starts to get good. Less subjectively, it's where the story returns to the manga storyline (more or le...
Girls Beyond the Wasteland ‒ Episode 3
"Now that the team has been formed, aspiring visual novel producer Sayuki Kuroda is going to teach her crew how to actually make a game."
ERASED ‒ Episode 3
"As a traditional thriller, ERASED certainly knows how to build its dramatic hooks into the fundamental elements of its storytelling."
Vinland Saga GN 7
The tale of Ketil's farm comes to an end here as Thorfinn puts his new "first resort" for conflict into practice in this chapter of Makoto Yukimura's Viking saga.
― The phrase “move on” has many connotations, ranging from a simple shift in the topic of conversation to a much more drastic lifestyle change. In the seventh omnibus of Makoto Yukimura's Viking tale Vinland Saga (comprising volumes thirtee...
Haruchika – Episodes 1-3
"The show's production values are disappointing, but luckily, there's also a lot to love here."
Myriad Colors Phantom World - Episodes 1-3
"I have to give Phantom World some credit for trying to play against expectations and function at least a little out of the standard mold, but it still lacks the spark to stand out."
Active Raid ‒ Episode 3
"Active Raid continues to be a fairly strange mix of pieces and tones, gyrating wildly between scifi anime silliness and workplace drama, never quite sure exactly what show it wants to be."
KonoSuba Episodes 1-2
"KonoSuba is brilliant at doing exactly what it's doing right now: poking fun at both its base concept and all of eccentricities that commonly get associated with it."
Sword Art Online: Progressive Novel 3
Some aspects of the writing improve as the story moves to a new floor which poses fresh types of challenges, but other problems still linger.
― One of the most appealing features of the Progressive retelling of SAO's Aincard story arc is that it has the time to explore all the floor-to-floor variations which make Aincard the dynamic setting that it should have been. That is more evident in this novel...
Gintama ‒ Episode 306
"Even at this late stage, I'm amazed by how seamlessly this nutty series is able to slip into serious mode."
Prince of Stride: Alternative - Episodes 1-3
"Prince of Stride seems to know that it's already about an impossible sport, so why not tell its story through increasingly unlikely events?"
Which Anime Made You Cry?
Anime has the ability to pull our heartstrings and make us weep like all great entertainment. Our team of critics reveals which anime moment, episode or ending made them burst into tears - and we're dying to hear yours, too!
― A few weeks back we ran an interest piece on a survey of adult Japanese anime fans about anime that made them cry. That got us thinking – which anime, in the long history of ou...
Answerman - What Are Japanese Student Councils REALLY Like?
Is it true that high school student councils in Japan are all-powerful organizations that rule the nation's high schools with an iron fist and limitless resources? Not quite.
― Jason asks: As an avid anime watcher and a high school student in the US, I've noticed that most student governments in anime are organized in the same way and do the same things, however they differ drastically compared to t...
Review: Tamako Market Blu-Ray
Tamako Market may not reach the heights of its director’s previous work, but is still a polished and endearing effort.
― Tamako Market is a less-storied entry in the Kyoto Animation canon, but certainly not for lack of talent. The show represents the reunion of director Naoko Yamada and series composer Reiko Yoshida, the team responsible for the blockbuster hit K-On!, its sequel, and its indulgent bu...
Resident Evil Zero HD Remaster
One of Dave Riley's fondest videogame friends and a cult favorite entry in the Resident Evil series comes back with a facelift and a new suite of features, but can Dave go home again?
― Resident Evil Zero, a prequel featuring Resident Evil 1's ultra-wimp, Rebecca Chambers, places the eighteen-year-old rookie medic in her own grueling, eight-to-ten hour, zombie-shotgunning adventure. Backing her up is...
Anime Spotlight - BBK/BRNK
Can these 5 teenagers take on the burden of saving their world?
― BBK/BRNK Visit the Official Site › Story Characters Trailer Cast & Staff Gallery Broadcast Begins January 9, 2016 (JST) Key Staff Character Design: Yusuke Kozaki (Fire Emblem Awakening, NO MORE HEROES) Music: Masaru Yokoyama (Your Lie in April, Plastic Memories) Introduction Can they pull it off? Story Let's talk about "BBK/BRNK". A w...
Mr. Osomatsu ‒ Episode 15
"This week's Mr. Osomatsu has something for everyone."
Luck & Logic - Episodes 1-2
"Luck & Logic has something for everyone, but risks pandemonium by tossing all these elements into just one anime."
One Piece ‒ Episode 726
"One Piece 726 is the kind of episode I would have recorded off of TV as a kid so I could watch it again and again until the tape broke."
Answerman - Why Does Unfinished Manga Get Adapted To Anime?
One reader wants to know why so many anime based on manga go into production long before the manga's even close to finishing. Justin gets into it.
― Jessica asks: Hi, I don't know if someone asked this question before but I will ask anyway. I just finished watching Ao Haru Ride and its been bothering me. Why does the anime industry adapt from manga series that are already running, showing no signs o...
Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash
"Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash is clearly not going to be quick with the reveals or particularly speedy with the plot, and actually that's okay."
Snow White with the Red Hair ‒ Episodes 13 & 14
"It isn't easy to make a second season live up to the high expectations of the first, and the first of the two new episodes of Snow White with the Red Hair doesn't quite pull it off."
Shelf Life - Sketchy Birds
Paul and Gabriella climb out from under an avalanche of this week's new releases to discuss
― The start of a new season of episode reviews has kept me distracted enough that I don't have a particularly entertaining introduction lined up this week, so I'll just point out that I'm happy to see Assassination Classroom back in action. Nothing says "fun" quite like a yellow mutant octopus monster dude. W...
Lucifer and the Biscuit Hammer GN 9-10
Biscuit Hammer outdoes itself with an extended finale that soars above its already-impressive early material.
― When I reviewed the fourth collection of Lucifer and the Biscuit Hammer, I expressed some disappointment at the lack of climactic emotional payoffs matching the earlier volumes. As it turns out, Biscuit Hammer was apparently just saving all the big stuff for the finale. Here in the story's ...
Dimension W
"If you're fond of its more classic sensibility, Dimension W is one of the most exciting new shows this season."
Schwarzes Marken episodes 1-2
"Although Schwarzes Marken is unquestionably a sensationalist work, its second episode does reinforce that it is going to cleave close to actual history."
Utawarerumono: The False Faces ‒ Episodes 14-15
"It's time for another double-decker of U2warerumono episodes, along with another king-size game of Good News and Bad News!"
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