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Answerman - Why Do Streaming Anime Websites Still Use Flash?
Most anime streaming websites use Flash, which most people agree is a huge pain. Why don't they use the more accessible HTML5? Justin digs into it.
― Stefan asks: I notice that all the major anime streaming providers use Flash-based players for their desktop services. In view of the performance and compatibility advantages to HTML5 videos, why do you think this is the case? Is it a requirement impos...
Answerman - Is Anime Translated Faithfully In Other Languages?
Do non-English anime translations come directly from the original Japanese, or are they translated from the English version? Justin gets into why Spanish-language Pokemon sounds a lot like English-language Pokemon.
― Alfonso asks: The Latin American Spanish dubs of Sailor Moon and Pokemon used the American names of the characters on this region. While I haven't verified it myself, I would assume the...
Answerman - Are Physical Anime Releases In Danger?
Common wisdom dictates that most people watch anime streaming now - are DVD and Bluray headed for the dustbin of history? Justin chimes in.
― RPGothic asks: With streaming services such as Netflix and Amazon getting exclusive rights to series and anime programming blocks, plus the recent crunchyroll/kadokawa deal, what does this mean for the home video market? I know dvds and blurays sales are on th...
Shelf Life - Tonari no Seki-kun
Paul kills time and goofs off with Tonari no Seki-kun, a short-form sleeper hit out on bluray now from Sentai Filmworks. PLUS: an avalanche of this week's new anime releases!
― It's rare for one single scene to sell me on an entire series, but that's exactly what happened when I watched the first episode of Flying Witch last week. Near the end of the episode, the main character wanders off into the ...
The Mike Toole Show - Macross the Universe
A search for the Macross: Do You Remember Love bluray in Japan's DVD shops sends Mike on a trip through the storied franchise's history and all the weird legal problems that keep it out of American hands.
― Over a week into my Japan trip (yep, I'm still talking about that damn trip! Don't worry, it's almost out of my system), I still hadn't managed to figure out how alphabetical order worked in DVD a...
The List - 7 Weirdest Short Programs
Short-form anime has exploded in number over the last few years, ranging from comedy to drama to the downright surreal. Here are seven of the strangest!
― Japan's offering of short anime programs, ranging from five minutes to 15 minutes, has gotten more diverse in recent years. The format was previously relegated to flash-animated comedy like FROGMAN'S long-running Eagle Talon series or shoddy attem...
ANNCast - Spring Forward, Fall Back
Zac and Jacob wrap up the spring season and pick their favorites from the lot, including My Hero Academia, Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress and much much more, plus live questions!
― ANNCast Episode 257: Spring Forward, Fall Back Zac and Jacob wrap up the spring season and pick their favorites from the lot, including My Hero Academia, Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress and much much more, plus live question...
Answerman - Why Are Some Manga Printed In Such Limited Quantities?
If you're a fan of lesser-known manga (or in some cases, middle volumes of popular long-running series) tracking down copies can be a nightmare. Justin explains why.
― Melissa asks: I've been a longtime fujoshi and now that I've got a stable job and can really expand my yaoi manga collection, I've noticed that many series are out of print, making it hard for me to track them down. I know a lot of ya...
The X Button - First Impressions: Bravely Second: End Layer
This week: a look at Square Enix’s brand new Bravely Second! Plus Valkyrie Profile’s long-awaited return, a newly lost RPG, and a rediscovered fighting game!
― I hope you like Valkyrie Profile, because it comes up in this week's column yet again. And I actually have an excuse for discussing it, too! But first we have a mystery on our hands. It's rare for an unreleased video game to turn up, and it's...
Answerman - What Does The Deal Between Crunchyroll And Kadokawa Mean?
Kadokawa and Crunchyroll announced a very significant partnership this week, but what does it mean for those companies and for the industry? Justin gets into it.
― Notorious2122 asks: I'm a little confused by the recently-announced deal between Crunchyroll and Kadokawa. Does this mean that CR will get all of the anime that Kadokawa publishes in Japan? Do publishing companies in Japan make the deals ...
Answerman - What Happened With Anime Sols?
A few years back, a new anime crowdfunding platform emerged, promising to stream classic unreleased anime while raising money for DVD releases - and then it folded. Justin gets in to what happened.
― Sam J. asks: My question is the following (though whether it's an appropriate question for this column, I'll have to let you judge): What happened to Anime Sols? Did it have to happen? What lessons are ...
Shelf Life - Lupin the Third: Jigen's Gravestone
The Woman Called Fujiko Mine gets one more shot at glory with Jigen's Gravestone, a spinoff movie set in the same Lupin universe. Paul gets grim 'n gritty with it. PLUS: all of this week's new anime releases!
― So many new seasons have been starting up in the last week or so. New anime season! New baseball season! OK, those are the only two I can think of off the top of my head, but it still feels l...
Answerman - How Common Is It For Japanese Kids To Spend Time Overseas?
The mysterious overseas transfer student who is suddenly at the center of the story: you see it in countless anime, but how common is it? Justin gets into it.
― David asks: I've noticed that a common practice in anime to have a "foreign" character is to have them be someone born in Japan, but who moved to another country (it usually seems to be the US, although I believe I remember a few cases where...
The X Button - First Impressions: Star Fox Zero
This week: the sights, sounds, and gimmicky little robots of Star Fox Zero! Plus Assault Suits, Mega Man, and yet another game-industry departure.
― Last week, we heard a little bit about Valkyrie Profile 3. To be specific, we heard about Shuichi Kobayashi, producer of the new Star Ocean, keeping a Valkyrie Profile 3 proposal in his files. That's no real shock, of course. Game companies have plenty ...
Answerman - Why Would A Licensor Require a Dub?
Just how common is it for a Japanese company to require an English dub, like with Skip Beat, and why would any licensor demand that in the first place? Justin gets into it.
― Ryan asks: I have never thought of this until I read about the Skip Beat! kickstarter. Why would a Japanese company require a english dub for an American company to license a property? Wouldn't they be just as happy with a sub ...
Answerman - What's With All The Censorship Lately?
Justin cuts to the chase about what is and is not "censorship" and where all the content edits in anime and video games are coming from these days.
― James asks: I have been seeing much news about censorship in video games, recently, and I am wondering why it is still occurring; in this day and age, when people can access virtually anything instantly on the internet, how can companies still think th...
Shelf Life - Evangelion 3.33: You Can (Not) Advance
The third Evangelion movie gets another look from Gabriella Ekens, who has some advice for poor Shinji. PLUS: This week's avalanche of new anime releases!
― With most of the shows I was following over the winter already over (Is it time for Haikyu season 3 yet?), I started watching Gate on a whim last week. I've always been a little bit of a military otaku at heart, so I'm having a blast watching ta...
The Mike Toole Show - Grudge Match
All the ruckus over Batman v Superman gets Mike thinking about all the crossovers and team-ups anime has attempted over the years, including the new Cyborg 009 vs. Devilman!
― Since the movie came out a couple of weeks back, the entire nerd section of the internet has been buzzing about this new Batman v Superman film. Is it good? Is it really bad? Is Ben Affleck Batman better than Ben Affleck Darede...
The List - 7 Anime from When Maids Ruled the Earth
Journey with us back to a land before time, an era when sea, sky and land were dominated by the majestic, the proud, the beloved and eternal Maido.
― Anime cycles through trends, like all fictional media. Twilight gave rise to plenty of supernatural teen lit romance series trying to mirror Meyer's success while other authors are turning to fairy tale reimaginings to cater to Once Upon a Time viewers...
ANNCast - From The New World
Zac and Jacob didn't know going in that From The New World would become one of the best anime they've ever seen, but it sure was a nice surprise. Guest Max Holl joins the discussion.
― ANNCast Episode 256: From The New World Zac and Jacob didn't know going in that From The New World would become one of the best anime they've ever seen, but it sure was a nice surprise. Guest Max Holl joins the discus...
Answerman - Why Don't We Have A Subscription Manga Service Yet?
One reader wants to know why "The Netflix of Manga" doesn't appear to exist yet, and Justin digs into the many possible reasons why.
― Matthew asks: What's stopping an English language manga distributor (Viz, Yen Press, etc.) from incorporating an all access subscription model to their online libraries? Unlimited access for a monthly or yearly subscription fee seems to currently work well for the an...
The X Button - First Impressions: Nights of Azure
This week: A look at the darker turns of Gust’s new action-RPG! Plus arcade comebacks, Fire Emblem fallout, and a long-lost relic of the 1990s!
― I came down with a stomach virus last week, and it made me think about the mixed blessing of staying home sick when I was a kid. I'd stretch out in bed, sip flat 7-Up, read books and magazines, and maybe get propped up in front of the TV if I was well into...
Answerman - Why Haven't Light Novels And Visual Novels Caught On In America?
Light novels and visual novels have both had plenty of niche success in the US, but neither medium has broken mainstream - why is that? Justin considers the possibilities.
― Carl asks: I was wondering why light novels and visual novels haven't caught on in the US the way Anime and Manga have. While some Light Novels and arguably less Visual Novels have been translated they seem to be huge in Japan b...
Answerman - Is There A Future For "Spinoff" Anime Conventions?
Japan Expo USA is on hiatus indefinitely and a few other conventions "spun off" from larger events seem to be having a little trouble - is there a future for these shows?
― Chris asks: I see Japan Expo USA has gone into hiatus mode, and we're waiting on dates and a location for the next Otakon Vegas. Are these spinoff cons going to make it, and what's holding them back? Despite their popularity, ani...
Shelf Life - Kingdom Season 1
Funimation quietly released season one of Kingdom, a little-seen anime about China's Warring States period in a big DVD box. James takes a look. PLUS: this week's new releases!
― There are some weeks when nothing on the new release list really catches my eye, but this week ain't one of them. There's some really good stuff coming out, and a lot of it comes in comes in a big, shiny box full of merchan...
The List - 6 Steampunk Anime to Whet Your Whistle
If it looks Victorian and it has a bunch of gears and watch parts on it, then it's Steampunk! Anime has a rich tradition of embracing the steampunk aesthetic - here are six of the coolest!
― Steampunk is one facet of geek interests that even the uninitiated has probably seen at anime conventions thanks to cosplay. Steampunk versions of popular characters, be it Disney princesses or Ghostbusters, hav...
Answerman - What Holidays Are Celebrated Only In Japan?
Holidays are frequently strip-mined for use in anime storylines, but Japan's holidays often look a lot different from those in the West. Justin breaks it down.
― T. Brown asks: So many animes cover holidays like Christmas, Valentine's day, and White day, but at there any other holidays that are celebrated that are specifically Eastern or Japanese? It's true that Western holidays tend to get most of ...
ANNCast - Patience Rewarded
Zac and Jacob take a break before Spring Preview Guide to wrap up the winter season, hype up the spring and discuss the FLCL rebirth, the Escaflowne kickstarter and more!
― ANNCast Episode 255: Patience Rewarded Zac and Jacob take a break before Spring Preview Guide to wrap up the winter season, hype up the spring and discuss the FLCL rebirth, the Escaflowne kickstarter and more! You can listen to t...
Answerman - How Do Anime Companies Quality-Check Their Work?
There are a million little factors that can go wrong with any bluray - how do anime companies catch (or miss) all those little mistakes? Justin dives in.
― Brian asks: What sort of QA process to anime companies have? I ask this because it seems to me that I've come across a whole variety of issues that at points seem unacceptable for a retail release, such as a sub only show completely missing a spo...
Answerman - Why Aren't More Dubs Available For Streaming?
One reader observes that while subtitled anime is plentiful in the streaming world, dubbed shows still lag behind - why is that? Justin gets into it.
― Scotty asks: Do you know why site likes Hulu and Crunchyroll only let you steam the subbed versions of anime even if there is a dub available. I'm a paying member of both but they only have some dubs there but I know some shows actually have them. Ar...
Shelf Life - Free! Eternal Summer
Those swim boys are at it again, this time with a controversial dub - Gabriella Ekens dives in. PLUS: Your complete list of this week's new anime releases, and a new anime collection!
― Spring has sprung, and in my corner of the world that means that racing season is back in full swing. Just as some people obsess over baseball or football, I waste nearly every weekend from March through November wat...
The Mike Toole Show - The Fabulous Thunderbirds
Gerry Anderson's puppet adventure show Thunderbirds had an enormous impact on anime; Mike takes a tour through some of the franchise's weird, wild and occasionally successful anime adaptations.
― When I'm lucky enough to hit the road and head overseas, I often find myself looking for two distinct experiences. Of course, I'll seek out completely new things—unfamiliar food and drink, and local art and ...
7 Original Pokemon Rumors Unmasked
Back in 1998, the original Pokemon game spawned countless urban legends and rumors about hidden secrets in the game - here are seven of the most outlandish!
― The Pokemon game franchise's 20th anniversary is in full swing this year, with nostalgic revisits to Red, Blue and Green in the form of merchandise, game ports, and event tie-ins. When the games first debuted in the U.S. in 1998, few were expe...
Answerman - Why Do Companies Buy Rights For Territories They Don't Service?
Amazon is getting into the anime simulcast game, but their Prime service is available in a limited number of countries. Justin gets into the nitty-gritty of those rights.
― Corey asks: Hi! I'm asking this on the heels of the recent announcements from Amazon regarding Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress, and now the entire Noitamina lineup. Amazon announced global streaming rights to Kabaneri, even though ...
ANNCast - Beat The Clock
Ann Tomoko Yamamoto got Time of Eve off the ground on Kickstarter, and now she's back with the beloved - and underseen - shojo comedy Skip Beat, which has a big crowdfunding mountain to climb.
― ANNCast Episode 254: Beat The Clock Ann Tomoko Yamamoto got Time of Eve off the ground on Kickstarter, and now she's back with the beloved - and underseen - shojo dramedy Skip Beat, which has a big crowdfund...
The X Button - First Impressions: Senran Kagura: Estival Versus
This week: a rundown on the new Senran Kagura: Estival Versus cavalcade of ninja! Plus the PlayStation VR, Romancing SaGa, and a shocking piece of Fire Emblem’s past!
― I hope you're enjoying Anime News Network's expanded video-game coverage, including Gabriella's look at Fire Emblem's history. It's very thorough, but there's one minor piece of the series I'd like to examine in greater detail: its e...
Answerman - Who Watches Late Night Anime in Japan?
One reader wonders exactly who is watching something like Haruchika at 1:35am on a Wednesday. Justin has some insight.
― Ashley asks: Who does late-night anime in Japan target, age-wise? Lately it seems like when I talk about the intended audience for a late-night anime with my friends, a lot of them who only experience anime through a Western lens (i.e., only on Funimation, Crunchyroll, Adult Swim,...
Answerman - Are AMVs And Other Fan Works Really "Fair Use?"
Arguments about this one have raged forever: are AMVs and other fan works that use clips from anime really "fair use" or are they just copyright infringement? Justin digs in.
― Jake asks: I have been hearing a lot discussion over the last few months about fair use and how many artists are getting a lot of push back from the copy right holders. It has made me think about AMV's and there position at c...
Shelf Life - Terror in Resonance
Shinichiro Watanabe's terrorist teens get another look, plus this week's new releases and an anime collection you need to see to believe!
― I've been writing episode reviews for BBK/BRNK this season, and it's been an interesting little series to follow. The show uses CG character models instead of more traditional two-dimensional drawings, and it doesn't always work from an aesthetic standpoint. The...
The List - 6 Most Dangerous Military Organizations in Anime
Sometimes our heroes aren't fighting against just one villain and a few henchmen - sometimes they're taking on an entire globe-conquering military force.
― There are few tropes capable of mirroring real world fears like a world power gone corrupt and its military running rampant. The backdrop is a common one, be it a dystopian future or a righteous war against a neighboring nation. Heroes have fough...
Answerman - Why Do Voice Actors Work On Yaoi Drama CDs?
One reader wants to know why some Japanese voice actors (the straight ones, mostly) take yaoi and boys' love drama roles. Is there no stigma attached to playing gay in Japan? Justin gets into it.
― "Minako Sempai" asks: So this is something that I've always wondered about, most Yaoi manga tend to get adapted into drama cds or BL cds as some would like to call them. The male voice actors in these thi...
The X Button - Import Roundup with Shin Megami Tensei
This week brings imports for Raiden, Shin Megami Tensei, and bug superheroes! Plus Ace Attorney’s best news yet, Zero Escape victims, and Kirby in a robot!
― So what was your favorite part of last week's Nintendo Direct? Wait, scratch that. What was your least favorite part? The front-runner there appears to be Nintendo's announcement of Super NES games arriving on the 3DS Virtual Console...the New ...
Answerman - Are Manga Sales Increasing in the US?
Things seem pretty great in the world of manga publishing, but just how well is the industry doing? Justin breaks down some numbers.
― Cody asks: With book stores increasing their manga sections last year, and the amount of new series being picked up from different companies, is this a sign that people buying more manga is increasing? and if so do you think we'll reach a point where the price of man...
Answerman - How Do You Cast Celebrities In An Anime Dub?
The casting process for your average anime dub is pretty well-known, but what happens when you have American celebrities in the mix? Justin explains.
― John asks: When you cast a dub full of celebrities like Only Yesterday, how is that process different from casting a "regular" anime dub that uses the usual pool of actors? Anime dubbing is a decidedly low-end affair when it comes to the entertainmen...
Shelf Life - When They Cry Season 1
One of the most acclaimed horror anime series of all time finally gets a much-needed rerelease in America, this time on bluray. PLUS: the rest of this week's new anime releases!
― There are some weeks when one or two genres seem to dominate the new release list. I'll find myself thinking, "Wow, there's a lot of mecha stuff this week," or, "Son of a beach episode, where did this avalanche of harem co...
The Mike Toole Show - Dark Side of the Moomin
If you've been an anime fan for a long time, odds are you've seen these weird creatures called Moomin at some point. If you've ever been curious what they are and where they came from, Mike's got the full report.
― I'm jetting off to Japan in a couple of weeks, the better to cover Anime Japan for this here website. This isn't purely a work trip, though—my wife is joining me, and we're building a vaca...
The List - 7 Highly Questionable Videogame Adaptations
There are plenty of decent anime based on videogames, but the genre has kind of a crummy reputation for a reason: there are plenty of not-so-great game anime out there. Here are seven of 'em!
― Anime productions pull from a lot of places; in addition to manga and light novels, anime also routinely adapts storylines from popular videogames. While there are plenty of decent anime based on videogames, ...
ANNCast - Criticproof
Zac and Jacob discuss the Psycho-Pass movie before gabbin' about anime criticism - what makes a good review, mistakes they've made, and much more.
― ANNCast Episode 253: Criticproof Zac and Jacob discuss the Psycho-Pass movie before gabbin' about anime criticism - what makes a good review, the mistakes they've made, and much more. You can listen to the show on our player here, direct-download the MP...
Answerman - How Important Are Hit Anime Series?
Does the anime industry need big hit shows to survive, or do people buy anime "because it's anime" and that sustains the market? Justin gets into it.
― Phil asks: Is the anime business hit-driven like other forms of media or do people buy it "because it's anime" and that sustains the market? Anime is, by and large, a hit-driven medium. By that I mean, the majority of anime series do not turn a profi...
The X Button - Interview: Return to PopoloCrois
This week, we talk with XSEED’s Tom Lipschultz about the wonders of Return to PopoloCrois: A Story of Seasons Fairy Tale! Plus Black Rose Valkyrie, Bravely Second, and a retro-gaming debacle.
― A new Nintendo Direct airs later today, well after this column regularly shows its face. So I'll do what any proper pundit does: I'll make predictions. And when the Nintendo Direct actually broadcasts and con...
Answerman - Who Actually "Owns" An Anime?
If you aren't familiar with what a production committee is, it's one of the most crucial components of the anime production pipeline. Justin lays it all out.
― Chris asks: While watching Clannad for the first time, I noticed that Pony Canyon leads in the production committee (they're listed on top of the credits). Do they own the show, or is it Kyoto Animation's? Is it like how there are higher ups ...
Answerman - Who Polices Anime Copyrights?
If you've ever seen a Youtube takedown notice, you may have wondered just who or what is actually policing anime copyrights on the internet - Justin has the answer.
― Jacob asks: I'm seeing that there is Anime that is uploaded to YouTube by people that don't have copyrights. My question is Who is enforcing the Copyright (The Japanese Holder, The American License Holder, or the Manga Holder)? It depe...
Shelf Life - Lord Marksman and Vanadis
It's all big swords, big fantasy, and big... well, adventure in Lord Marksman and Vanadis, and Paul's never been readier for it. PLUS: This week's new releases, and a new collection to admire!
― I took a look at the promo clips from the Terraformars live-action movie the other day. I'm not sure they made want to see the whole film, but they did make me briefly consider going back and rewatching Star...
The List - Six Completely Dissimilar Twins
Everyone expects twins to be the mirror image of one another, but in these six cases, sibling rivalry takes on an entirely new meaning.
― Twins remain a topic that entertainment loves to revisit. Genetically identical people are used in horror to highlight fears of lack of individual identity. Fiction looks at twins as having a mythical connection from the time spent in the womb ranging from psychic...
Answerman - Can English-Speaking Fans Critique Japanese Voice Acting?
One reader's actor friend had some words for the Japanese acting in Fullmetal Alchemist, and asks Justin if it's possible for Western fans to critique Japanese voice acting.
― Eldar asks: Recently I showed an anime (it was Fullmetal Alchemist) to my close friend, who's a professional theatre director (he works on television these days) and while he liked what he saw (I think), one of his questions b...
The X Button - First Impressions: Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth
We dive into Digimon’s big North American comeback this week! Plus Super Robot Wars, Ys, Guilty Gear, and more!
― I wasn't kidding when I mentioned that Fire Emblem Fates spawned the first real video-game controversy of 2016. Nintendo's localization of the game changes a few things: the translators rewrote a scene where the player's avatar drugs a female mercenary to shake her fixation with beautifu...
Answerman - Why Is There Still So Much Smoking In Anime?
Public smoking is largely a thing of the past in the US, but it's everywhere in anime even now. Justin explains the cultural gap.
― Chris asks: Nowadays it's very rare to see people smoking tobacco in Western media, wether it be on tv shows or films. When it does happen, it's usually seen in a very negative light, mostly due to people in this day and age being more knowledgeable of the adverse effec...
Answerman - Why Are Dubs Only Made in L.A. and Texas?
One reader wants to know why every English dub they hear comes from one of two places: Texas or LA. What happened to all those other dub studios? Are they still around? Justin investigates.
― Luke asks: Since the turn of the decade, it seems the only places to record dubs are Houston (Sentai), the Dallas-Fort Worth area (Funimation) and Los Angeles (Aniplex, Bang Zoom!). Canada used to make dubs, in...
Shelf Life - Space Adventure Cobra: The Movie
Gabriella goes on a Space Adventure with a guy named Cobra and discovers one of the trippiest (and coolest) sci-fi anime films ever made. PLUS: all of this week's new anime releases!
― I wasn't quite sure what to talk about in my intro for this week until I found out that the Assassination Classroom anime is going to include the manga's as-yet-unpublished ending. That doesn't sound all that unusual ...
The Mike Toole Show - The Glitter Force Awakens
Netflix's Westernized version of Precure, the beautifully-named Glitter Force, sends Mike on a mystical journey through other bowdlerized versions of anime like One Piece and Cardcaptor Sakura.
― The last couple of times I've been down to visit my brother and his family, I've had the pleasure of talking to one of my nephews about anime. See, he's right in the middle of that sweet spot after first rea...
The List - 6 Anime to Satisfy Your Need for Speed
Slam that NOS button and get ready for six high-speed racing anime that will take you on a breakneck trial through the Night of Fire. On your mark!
― Japan's obsession with racing hit an all-time high in the 90s with enthusiasts drifting around mountain bends or speeding down the Bayshore Route in Tokyo. This bled over into anime too, with series looking to capture the rush of hobbyists for the ente...
ANNCast - Buncha Crunch
Victoria Holden and Evan Minto, the hosts of Crunchyroll's weekly podcast Crunchycast, finally stop by ANNCast to talk about what it's like working at Crunchyroll, the glory and the struggle of social media, and winter 2016 anime!
― ANNCast Episode 252: Buncha Crunch Victoria Holden and Evan Minto, the hosts of Crunchyroll's weekly podcast Crunchycast, finally stop by ANNCast to talk about what it's...
Answerman - What's The Deal With Engrish?
You've seen it all over the internet: hilariously misguided English phrases on public signs and clothing from Japan and other Asian countries. Where does it come from?
― Michael asks: Something I've wondered for a long time is why in so many anime, the characters will be speaking in Japanese and then randomly say a few English words. An example would be in shonen anime when a character announces the...
The X Button - First Impressions: Fire Emblem Fates
Find out everything you need to know for this week's biggest release with hands-on impressions of the Fire Emblem Fates special edition! PLUS: Street Fighter controversy and much more!
― Controversy grips the game industry this week, and it all stems from a single shocking issue: the newly released Street Fighter V makes Chun-Li's chest preposterous. This matter goes back to earlier exhibitions of S...
Answerman - How Come More Anime Characters Don't Have Tattoos?
We live in a world where anime characters suffer from a woeful lack of sweet tattoos. One brave reader wants to know where all the ink is - Justin gets into it.
― Matthew asks: Something I've noticed in anime is that they're aren't a lot of characters that have tattoos. By tattoo I mean purely aesthetically ink tattoos used as a means of self expression. Most tattoos that I've seen in anime are tatt...
Answerman - Why Did Saint Seiya Bomb In North America?
It's one of the biggest and most influential anime franchises in Latin America, but the mythical golden warriors of Saint Seiya just never found a big audience in the states. Why is that?
― Geoff asks: Saint Seiya is one of the most popular anime of all time worldwide, especially in Europe and Latin America, even bigger than Dragon Ball Z and Sailor Moon. It is a Shonen fighting series, the most suc...
Shelf Life - Shirobako Part 1
Paul learns a whole lot about ambition, teamwork and the anime industry in the first half of Shirobako, and digs around in this week's new anime releases.
― I started watching Dimension W right around the time its Toonami run was announced, and now I'm facing a dilemma. I'm enjoying the subtitled version and want to keep up with it, but you only get so many chances to watch anime on real, honest-to-...
The List - Six Manga & Anime About Raising Kids
Anime usually takes us on incredible flights of fancy, but when it gets down to earth, the results can be incredible. Here are six manga and anime about the trials and tribulations of parenting.
― Anime and manga target a wide array of age demographics. Sure, there might be more in the teenage bracket but whether you're an office lady or a second grader, there's a manga magazine for you. This includ...
Answerman - How Was Anime Retouched for Television In The Old Days?
A little history about how all those digital underpants wound up on our favorite naked anime characters over the years and the arcane methods used to draw them.
― Maria asks: I've been watching old English dubs of Samurai Pizza Cats and Sailor Moon from the 90s and I wondered how they 'Airbrushed' and edited various things out before the use digital software. I had heard that for the 90s dub of Drag...
The X Button - Voyage to Neptunia
This week: a look at the referential turns of Neptunia and Sega Hard Girls! Plus Mother 3 rumors, Kickstarter woes, and the secrets of Mega Man!
― It seems as though everyone's playing Firewatch this week. That's fine with me, because it's a very interesting game. Firewatch casts the player as fire lookout Henry, who monitors a patch of Shoshone National Forest in the late 1980s. Communicating only ...
Answerman - How Are Short Anime Series Shown on Television?
Short anime comes in a huge variety of runtimes and start times. How in the world do they keep the television anime schedule straight in Japan?
― K. Anna asks: I recently got into shorts last year with "I Can't Understand What My Husband Is Saying" and I was actually really surprised by the number of shorts that come out each year. But with each show varying in length starting with anything from two...
Answerman - Why Do So Many Anime Take Place in High School?
It's an inevitable question: why are so many anime series set in and around high school, or star high-school age folks? Justin gets into it.
― Julian asks: After watching a lot of Anime, depending on the demographic, a good chunk of it tends to take place in a high school setting or the characters, while not always, range from the ages 14-17. This has led me to believe or assume writers of Anime or ...
Shelf Life - Mobile Suit Gundam Part 2
Gabriella straps in to her mobile suit and conquers the second half of the original Mobile Suit Gundam series, along with all of this week's new anime releases!
― I spent most of this past weekend stuck in bed with a cold, but I did at least get a valuable life lesson out of the experience. While reading manga can be a good way to kill time, think twice before opening a volume of Monster Musume when...
The Mike Toole Show - Monster Girl Safari
Mike dons his pith helmet and goes on an expedition to observe one of the most unique (and suddenly popular) species of anime character: the Monster Girl. The journey will change him... forever.
― Lately I've been cruising up and down the aisles of my public library almost every day, because the library is a good place to go and do important research of a critical, academic nature. It's also a good p...
The List - Six Lost Mysteries of Anime
Mystery anime is back in vogue lately, but the genre is famously underrepresented in the US. Here are six mystery anime that still need an official US release!
― Recent anime seasons has shown a renewed interest in the mystery genre, from lighter fare like Haruchika to dark thrillers like this season's ERASED. This is boon for fans of an oft neglected genre, doubly so because its previous entries ra...
ANNCast - Supernerds: Civil War
Daryl Surat and Mike Toole return to Supernerds headquarters to chat about Turn A Gundam, Evangelion 3.33, Fullmetal Alchemist and much more! PLUS: a license announcement from Discotek!
― ANNCast Episode 251: Supernerds: Civil War Daryl Surat and Mike Toole return to Supernerds headquarters to chat about Turn A Gundam, Evangelion 3.33, Fullmetal Alchemist and much more! PLUS: a license announcement ...
Answerman - Why Are Americans In Anime Always Blonde?
One reader wants to know why Americans in anime are almost always portrayed as blonde-haired and blue-eyed. Justin Sevakis, a non-blonde American, explains.
― Dana asks: My question is how Americans are labeled in anime. I have read and seen a lot of anime and manga. In all of them, Americans are all drawn being blonde and blue eyed. This just irks me sometimes. I'm American and I have brown hair an...
The X Button - Hard-Boiled Detective Pikachu
This week: imports join the yakuza, the Asterisk War, and a Dragon Quest construction crew! Plus Detective Pikachu, 7th Dragon, a shooter with a great title and a DBZ game contest!
― I have the winners of my recent games-as-art contest, but I'll save them for this column's last stretch. That's because I have another contest to run! Bandai Namco's mobile game Dragon Ball Z Dokkan Battle starts up its...
Answerman - Why Do Guys In Yaoi Claim To Be Straight?
Justin navigates some of the fantasies and realities of the way men behave in yaoi manga and doujinshi, which, in a surprise to everyone, isn't particularly realistic.
― Quinn asks: Recently I stumbled upon "Sekai Ichi Hatsukoi - World's Greatest First Love" and all though I didn't know it was a yaoi title when I first started watching the show I did enjoy its story. However, one thing kept nagging ...
Shelf Life - One Piece: Season 7 Part 4
Paul hops onboard the Going Merry and wonders why the Straw Hat Pirates didn't need an anime critic onboard. PLUS: This week's big new releases, including Evangelion 3.33!
― I've been having fun watching Dagashi Kashi this season, but I have found one problem with the show. It's the same issue I ran into back when I was doing episode reviews of Gourmet Girl Graffiti: I simply cannot watch a series a...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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 ...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
The List - 7 Manga for the Canine-Inclined
There's a ton of cat manga out there, but when do dog people get their due? Well, just wait until you get a load of these puppies.
― Cats are undeniably the darlings of the internet thanks to their antisocial, self-serving characteristics. They easily mirror the nerd stereotype and those of us who spend untold hours at our desks see them as fluffy kindred spirits. Dogs, on the other hand, are consid...
ANNCast - Winter Wasteland
Zac Bertschy and Hope Chapman duke it out over Konosuba, gush over Lupin III and hash out the rest of the winter 2016 anime season!
― ANNCast Episode 248: Winter Wasteland Zac Bertschy and Hope Chapman duke it out over Konosuba, gush over Lupin III and hash out the rest of the winter 2016 anime season! You can listen to the show on our player here, direct-download the MP3 version here, or you can ju...
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