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Bungo Stray Dogs ‒ Episode 10
"The series may have finally gotten to where it needs to be, and things are definitely looking up on the whole."
Answerman - Why Were Some Animation Techniques Banned?
Our recent interview with Dragon Ball Super creative staff mentioned "banned animation techniques" - what are those techniques? Well, it's time to talk about the Pokemon seizure episode!
― Miroslav asks: I have read one of your recent interviews with one of the animators of Dragon Ball Kai/Super. He said that they had had to redrawn many scenes because they had been drawn with techniques that are no...
Twin Star Exorcists ‒ Episode 10
"This week, the show knows its limitations and works within them, instead of just trying to ignore them."
Overlord Novel 1
The skull-faced hero from 2015's popular fantasy series Overlord is back in the first volume of the light novel series the anime was based on. Theron Martin sees how it stacks up to the adaptation.
― The 13 episode Overlord anime series aired during the summer 2015 TV season, but first came this novel (the first of 10 to date) by author Kugane Maruyama. It was originally published online in 2010 and ...
One Piece ‒ Episode 744
"It's a classic example of an episode with good story content, but nothing to write home about in the execution."
Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ Blu-Ray
It's a direct sequel to Zeta Gundam, and it's hilarious! Lauren Orsini discovers the hidden pleasures of this otherwise somewhat confounding entry in the Gundam franchise.
― The first two Gundam shows were serious business. In Mobile Suit Gundam and Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam, director Yoshiyuki Tomino wasn't afraid to kill off even beloved main characters to prove a point. So it must have been a major ...
Sailor Moon Crystal: Season III ‒ Episode 36
"Last week the Sailor Guardians stole a corpse from a hospital. This week they make the brilliant decision to take the elevator in a building controlled by an evil entity."
Your Lie in April Vol. 2 Blu-Ray
The tragic conclusion of Your Lie in April is out on bluray now - Theron Martin takes the long view on a show that generated plenty of controversy as it aired.
― Let's cut to the chase: the second half of Your Lie in April is, at least in part, a tragedy, somewhat in the spirit (though definitely not the style) of major “tragic girl” tales like Air and Kanon. Enough hints were dropped about this dire...
Re:Zero -Starting Life in Another World- ‒ Episode 10
"Re:Zero's streak continues with another strong episode, bringing it closer to Best of the Season potential."
Kumamiko - Girl meets Bear ‒ Episode 10
"As usual, Kumamiko is at its best when it draws on the quirkiness of small town life."
My Hero Academia ‒ Episode 10
"My Hero Academia is back to taking its time, but the slow pace feels more fitting now that we're in a proper arc."
Flying Witch ‒ Episode 9
"Flying Witch is consistently able to bring humor and a sense of reality to its slow-paced activities, and this episode was no exception."
Kiznaiver ‒ Episode 9
"Kiznaiver's ninth episode was a culmination of all that has come before, a capstone and breaking point that represents the series in full."
The Lost Village ‒ Episode 10
"In this week's The Lost Village, Mitsumune met God. God didn't really help explain much, though."
Yamibo DVD
This 13-episode mind-bending series based on an adult visual novel is a true oddity in more than one way.
― This 13-episode series is a true oddity in more than one way. It originally aired in 2003 but then languished for 9½ years before finally being picked up by Media Blasters in 2013. They originally solicited the title for a late 2013 release, but the title then languished again with unspecified ...
High School Fleet ‒ Episode 9
"I've heard of “monster of the week” shows before, but High School Fleet might be one of the first series ever to qualify as a “battleship of the week” show."
Ace Attorney ‒ Episode 10
"Adapting the Ace Attorney story to anime didn't make it any better, but it didn't make it any worse, either."
Haven't You Heard? I'm Sakamoto ‒ Episode 8
"Sakamoto has to work for his happy ending this time around."
Shōnen Maid ‒ Episode 8
"Fans of Shonen Maid's lighter side are sure to have blast."
The Asterisk War ‒ Episode 22
"I just don't understand why an episode like this is coming up this late in the season given the pacing the series has used so far."
Tanaka-kun is Always Listless ‒ Episode 9
"In this episode Tanaka-kun meets his ultimate nemesis: a milkshake."
JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Diamond Is Unbreakable ‒ Episode 10
"This episode is bluntly titled "Let's Go Eat Some Italian Food", and I love it."
The List - 7 Genre Trends of 2016 So Far
We're about halfway through 2016, so here are seven noteworthy genre trends in anime - including all those reboots and male harems you've been seeing lately.
― Each season, viewers are treated to over 20 new shows ranging from the latest entry in a long-established mecha franchise, an adaptation for Shonen Jump's top-rated manga, or a vehicle in a multi-arm merchandise-selling machine. Certain stapl...
Gakuen Alice DVD
Nozomi's re-release of this deceptively cute series from 2004-05 proves that Gakuen Alice is still a show worth watching.
― Outwardly adorable, Gakuen Alice, based on the manga of the same name by Tachibana Higuchi, is actually one of the darker children's anime to be released in English, even though the anime is a bit lighter than the original manga. The story is set in a special school, Alice Acade...
Concrete Revolutio ‒ Episode 22
"With its tight focus and many important revelations with big implications, this episode of Concrete Revolutio stands tall and strong."
Ushio & Tora ‒ Episode 36
"This episode tells a story in parallels, with Hyou's arc coming full circle at the same time as the central conflict with the Hakumen."
Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress ‒ Episode 8
"Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress knows what the people want, and the people want Zombie Hunters on Motorcycles."
Big Order ‒ Episode 8
"Twists and turns are thrown at the audience with such wanton abandon, it's almost impossible to figure out why anyone is doing anything."
Assassination Classroom season 2 ‒ Episode 21
"It's just about time for Assassination Classroom to go out with a bang, but that doesn't mean there isn't room for some last-minute comedy."
Naruto Shippuden ‒ Episode 463
"While by no means action-heavy, episode 463 makes a colorful, adeptly-animated dent in the fight against Kaguya."
Answerman - Why Do Anime Movies Play On Weeknights?
If you've ever wondered why you had to go see the Psycho-Pass movie (or just about any anime theatrical release) on a Tuesday night, Justin has your answer.
― Jake asks: I have noticed that cinematic anime movie releases have increasingly become more and more popular events here in the US in the last year or two. But the one thing I find unusual is that they only do very limited showings on a Wednes...
ANNCast - Super Lovers 64
Dawn from the Anime Nostalgia podcast stops by to debate which era of retro anime is objectively the best one, but we get completely sidetracked discussing this week's Super Lovers. You've been warned.
― ANNCast Episode 261: Super Lovers 64 Dawn from the Anime Nostalgia podcast stops by to debate which era of retro anime is objectively the best one, but we get completely sidetracked discussing this ...
Your Ultimate Guide to Anime Ending Credits: Part III
The third installment of our in-depth look at the people who make the anime you love covers the most stressful jobs in the industry and what you might not know about outsourcing animation!
― It's been a while since the previous chapter of this guide following the ending credits of TV anime, attempting to shed some light into its production. Hopefully that break allowed everyone to catch up with the p...
orange: The Complete Collection 2 GN 2
Orange's final volume brings things to a bittersweet but satisfying conclusion, but comes with a big trigger warning for suicide. Also included is an aggressively adorable five-chapter romance, Haruiro Astronaut.
― Manga, and fiction in general, is not always the best portrait of real life. It often hits upon truths, but ultimately people read fiction to escape, to live a fantasy for a while. Ichigo ...
And you thought there is never a girl online? ‒ Episode 9
"It was probably inevitable that a fanservice-focused episode would pop up eventually."
The X Button - First Impressions: Kirby: Planet Robobot
This week: the mechanized magic of Kirby: Planet Robobot! Plus The Last Guardian, Twinkle Star Sprites, and a long-lost piece of history!
― This week brought news about The Last Guardian, a notable game on two counts. It's the next game from one of the industry's most acclaimed creative minds, and it got delayed an awful lot. This is also another opportunity for me to feel old, because I remember a ...
Baccano! Novel 1
Years after the Baccano! anime found success with fans and critics alike, the first volume of the original novels has finally been published in English. Gabriella Ekens takes a look at how it holds up after all this time.
― The Baccano! series is already fairly well known amongst Western anime fans for its anime adaptation. Released in 2007, it led to a brief Ryohgo Narita fandom that followed into D...
Twin Star Exorcists ‒ Episode 9
"The show sacrifices some potential character drama to gain a much needed adrenaline boost for the plot."
Joker Game ‒ Episode 9
"I'm glad that part 2 of Double Joker was able to pay off the rivalry established in part 1 with so much bite."
Bungo Stray Dogs ‒ Episode 9
"Bungo Stray Dogs' recent foray into a longer story arc is definitely a good thing, if only because it has resulted in a better balance of humor and action than we saw in earlier episodes."
Answerman - When Did Cosplay Start?
There's some confusion about when and where cosplay actually got its start; Justin details the origins of this social phenomena and the unexpected place it began!
― Anonymous asks: I've heard it said that cosplay originated in America in the 90s, but that doesn't seem like it's true. Is it? Cosplay definitely started far, far earlier than the 1990s. Whether or not it started in America really depend...
Is Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress Just An Attack On Titan Clone?
These two post-apocalyptic action series sure do look and sound a lot alike, and they even share a director - but there's a lot more to Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress than that. Jacob Chapman argues his case.
― The countryside has been devastated by undead humanoid monsters, forcing humanity into packed walled cities ruled by fear and a rigid class structure. Then disaster strikes when those monsters ...
After War Gundam X Sub.DVD
Gundam X has never been highly regarded, and yet it features a sentient dolphin. Lauren Orsini discovers what's holding this show back from true greatness.
― A full twenty years after its release in Japan, After War Gundam X has finally made it to English speaking audiences. This show came out in 1996, just a year after Gundam Wing, and has continued to live in its shadow. Gundam Wing was not only su...
The Best and Worst of the Season So Far: Week of May 20-26
It's an action-packed week with real winners and losers on the charts - Kiznaiver shoots up as a sudden rival for the top spot, while Kabaneri sinks like a stone! See how your favorite shows placed!
― Our team of reviewers are following 25 anime series of the Spring 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...
Requiem of the Rose King (GN 4)
Aya Kanno's take on Richard III continues with more conflict for Richard as he struggles to decide whether it is better to have emotions or to simple strike them down as Warwick continues to take his role as "kingmaker" a little too seriously.
― There's always a question when reading historical fiction and something that says that it's “based on” previous well-known works: how close will the author s...
One Piece ‒ Episode 743
"True to form, just as the One Piece anime is finally, finally about to depart Dressrosa and bid it farewell, it needs to slow things down."
Interview: The World's Biggest Visual Novels with Visual Art's
Visual Art's CEO Takahiro Baba, character designer Na-Ga and music composer Shinji Orito discuss the incredible success and behind-the-scenes details of some of their biggest games, including Air and Angel Beats!
― Three members of Japanese visual novel company Visual Art's – CEO Takahiro Baba (left in picture), character designer Na-Ga (not pictured by request), and music composer Shinji Orito (rig...
Sailor Moon Crystal: Season III ‒ Episode 35
"As the song goes, the darkest hour is just before dawn, and for Sailor Moon Crystal, that hour seems to be now."
Answerman - How Do Publishers Decide Whether To Release A Blu-ray Remaster?
Justin breaks down how exactly your favorite old shows get selected for big fancy high definition remasters on bluray, and why some classics get left in the dust.
― It's a holiday weekend, so we'll take an easy one this time. Nadeem asks: I buy physical media as I am a collector. With that said, I've been trying to improve my collection by purchasing Blu-rays instead of DVDs or upgrading my older DV...
Shelf Life - Wake Up, Girls! The Movie
Yutaka Yamamoto's idol singers get their very own prequel movie, out now on bluray from Sentai Filmworks. PLUS: all of this week's new anime releases!
― With all the craziness that's been going on in the last few days regarding anime on Hulu (see this Answerman article for the details), I'm reminded of why it's nice to own stuff on disc. Forget all that stuff about video quality and dependence on a ...
Re:Zero -Starting Life in Another World- ‒ Episode 9
"The writers have clearly shown that they know what they are doing on everything but Subaru's long-winded dialog, so I am eagerly looking forward to how this resolves next week."
Bodacious Space Pirates: Abyss of Hyperspace Blu-Ray
This 2014 follow-up to the 2012 TV series retains the series' storytelling feel and features strong technical merits, but those expecting a continuation of established plot lines may be disappointed.
― Abyss of Hyperspace is the 2014 movie follow-up to the 2012 TV series, at least in the sense that it continues the timeline of the animated part of the franchise; its events are set during a break befo...
Kumamiko - Girl meets Bear ‒ Episode 9
"One of Kumamiko's strongest episodes yet."
Flying Witch ‒ Episode 8
"This episode feels something like a Flying Witch-themed Spirited Away."
Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress ‒ Episode 7
"This is a pretty good way to do a breather episode, taking time out to sow more seeds for the thickening plot and endear us to the train's many passengers."
My Hero Academia ‒ Episode 9
"It's obvious that the two segments stood as individual chapters in the manga, so the show is making some attempt to speed things up."
Kiznaiver ‒ Episode 8
"The machinations of Yamada drew the cast even closer together this week."
Tanaka-kun is Always Listless ‒ Episode 8
"Mark your calendars, everyone – May 28th is Ohta Day."
The Mike Toole Show - Youth in Re-Voltes
Netflix's brand-new Voltron series has Mike remembering Voltes V, another giant robot show with an incredible and bizarre production and release history!
― In a couple of weeks, we'll see a brand new version of Voltron hit Netflix, bringing forth yet another iteration of World Events Productions' localization of Toei Animation's super robot series Golion. This latest version has caught my interest fo...
High School Fleet ‒ Episode 8
"The show takes a step forward by going back to doing what it does well, but it also takes a step back by surrounding the good stuff with too many nagging problems."
Ace Attorney ‒ Episode 9
"This episode was a mixed bag of quality—high quality music, low quality animation, and a reworked plot from the game falling somewhere in between."
blanc et noir: Takeshi Obata Illustrations Artbook
Takeshi Obata's illustrations from 2001-2006 get the deluxe treatment in this gorgeous artbook.
― Even if you aren't a fan of the series he has illustrated, it is hard to deny that his artwork is impressive. Showing a firmer grasp of human anatomy than many other mainstream mangaka along with beautiful composition skills, Obata's artwork isn't just good manga art, it's good art. While I recognize tha...
The Asterisk War ‒ Episode 21
"Story flaws, banal dialog, and uninspired musical choices make for one of the series' lowest points."
Haven't You Heard? I'm Sakamoto ‒ Episode 7
"Within the course of a single segment, Perfection Personified actually finds himself at several disadvantages."
Concrete Revolutio ‒ Episode 21
"It's frustrating to see Concrete Revolutio falling back into some old bad habits."
Ushio & Tora ‒ Episode 35
"This episode appeals to our hearts, reminding us just why we feel that emotional pull toward so many of the characters."
The Lost Village ‒ Episode 9
"Our unwieldy bus-full of miscreants are slowly making their way to the finish line."
JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Diamond Is Unbreakable ‒ Episode 9
"I'm totally in love with the cast and aesthetic of Diamond is Unbreakable, but I'm still waiting for an episode that has that significant "oomf" for me."
The List - 7 Anime to Ring in the Summer
The summer is just about here and what better way to spend those long hot months than parked in front of your favorite anime? Here are seven perfect shows to get your summer going.
― Summer is quickly taking hold as temperatures climb and the school year winds to a close. Three months of freedom are knocking on your door. You can spend your time at cookouts, watching blockbusters in the oasis of you...
A Silent Voice GN 6
A Silent Voice’s sixth volume is a structurally self-conscious expression of its greatest strength, the generous insights it provides into all of its characters’ secret lives.
― It's always an interesting experience when a new volume of A Silent Voice comes out. On the one hand, I immediately want to rush through it - the story is a masterpiece, after all. It has an intimacy of characterization that'...
Joker Game ‒ Episode 8
"This episode re-opens a woefully unexplored conflict we first saw hinted at in the show's first episode: Spy-vs-Spy."
Shōnen Maid ‒ Episode 7
"This episode marks the first time the show has some genuine surprises up its sleeve."
Big Order ‒ Episode 7
"It honestly feels like the story is being made up every week as it goes along."
Assassination Classroom season 2 ‒ Episode 20
"This episode provides Assassination Classroom with an opportunity to slow down and give the characters a moment to breathe."
And you thought there is never a girl online? ‒ Episode 8
"This time around, Netoge gets fully serious about a real and significant modern problem."
ANNCast - Kabaneri Sauvignon
Zac wants Jacob to explain why Kabaneri of the Iron Fortressis more than just another Attack on Titan - plus Sakamoto, Tanaka-kun and more with special guest Lauren Orsini!
― ANNCast Episode 260: Kabaneri Sauvignon Zac wants Jacob to explain why Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress is more than just another Attack on Titan - plus Sakamoto, Tanaka-kun and more with special guest Lauren Orsini of Forbes and ...
What Makes Magical Girls So Popular?
They're an anime staple, embraced by audiences of all ages and types, and are frequently described as "empowering" - but what is it exactly that makes magical girls connect with so many people?
― Sailor Moon just got remade, Madoka Magica was the biggest anime hit of the past five years, and US-made cartoons are getting more mahou shoujo-tastic by the day. I think it's fair to call magical girls, you...
Answerman - Where Is All The Anime On Hulu Going?
An enormous portion of Hulu's anime catalog disappears suddenly on June 1; Justin unpacks why that's happening and what it means for the industry.
― Michael asks: I noticed quite a few anime titles on Hulu expiring in the coming days. From what I can tell, it's more than usual. Do you think this is a sign of Hulu losing interest in anime as a whole and only want to focus on their American television...
Naruto Shippuden ‒ Episode 462
"This week's Naruto Shippuden closes out another promising filler arc on a thoroughly baffling note."
The Birth of Kitaro GN
Drawn & Quarterly has curated previously unpublished stories from Shigeru Mizuki's Kitaro manga for its original audience: kids. It's largely successful in this thrillingly gross and creepy volume.
― Before Natsume had his Book of Friends or Nate put on his Yokai Watch, there was Kitaro. Shigeru Mizuki's tales of the yokai boy have been popular since their publication in 1960, and technically even be...
The X Button - Lost in Anime Licenses
This week: we look at promising developers now sunk deep in the anime-game swamp! Plus a Mighty No. 9 debacle, a returning Square RPG, and a Pac-Man celebration!
― Pac-Man turned 36 years old this May 22, and there are a few ways to celebrate. You can dress up as Pac-Man and run around alleys until the authorities intervene. You can listen to "Pac-Man Fever" and its varied remixes. You can ignore th...
The Heiress and the Chauffeur GN 1
This cute Taisho-set romance blends historical social expectations with a sweet romance devoid of creepy shoujo tropes.
― Despite a title that sounds like a Barbara Cartland novel, The Heiress and the Chauffeur's first volume is a cute Taisho-set tale of fairly basic shoujo proportions. The story follows seventeen-year-old Sayaka Yoshimura and her slightly older chauffeur, Shinobu Narutaki, as they n...
Twin Star Exorcists ‒ Episode 8
"Easily the most confident and composed the show has felt since it's premiere, promising good things for the future of the series."
Bungo Stray Dogs ‒ Episode 8
"This week, Atsushi gets to prove that he is more than just the cute sidekick of Bungo Stray Dogs at last. "
One Piece ‒ Episode 742
"It's finally time to say adiós to Rebecca."
Answerman - Do Foreigners Work In Anime?
One reader wants to know whether or not non-Japanese people ever actually work directly in the anime industry - Justin runs down all the various ways they do.
― Lucas asks: Not sure if you already answered this question before, but I was just wondering how open the anime industry is when it comes to foreigners directly working on the development of anime. Are there cases of foreigners managing to ge...
Hunting for Rare Anime Swag in Japan
For the hardest of the diehard otaku in Japan, finding the ultimate limited edition items comes with a serious price, and now that retailer exclusives are all the rage, it's a jungle out there.
― There are two Japanese phrases that describe serious Japanese collectors rather well. Roughly translated they're “Japanese people can't resist the words ‘limited edition’” and “Always buy sets of three. One ...
UQ Holder! GN 5
UQ Holder seems to be establishing a solid rhythm in its fifth volume, and finally coming into its own as reliable entertainment.
― It's been a rough ride, but it seems like UQ Holder is finally developing some consistency. With Fate having just barely fallen into Kirie's trap at the end of volume four, this volume opens with a climactic chapter of Fate and Evangeline throwing everything they have at...
The Best and Worst of the Season So Far: Week of May 13-19
Kiznaiver leaps up the charts while Assassination Classroom drops like a rock - what other chaos awaits your favorite shows in our weekly user rankings?
― Our team of reviewers are following 25 anime series of the Spring 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 worst) of the season. Keep in mind that these r...
Review: Rage of Bahamut: Genesis BD+DVD
One of the most critically acclaimed videogame adaptations ever, Rage of Bahamut: Genesis is out on bluray now. Theron Martin swashbuckles his way through the set.
― Now this is how you make a game adaptation! Specifically, Genesis is a companion piece to the app-based card battle game Rage of Bahamut, which at the height of its popularity had a worldwide English language user base in excess of three...
Kumamiko - Girl meets Bear ‒ Episode 8
"This episode of Kumamiko gets off to a fun, pleasant start by offering viewers a cooking lesson."
Sailor Moon Crystal: Season III ‒ Episode 34
"Don't you just hate it when your sickly best friend's father turns her into a cyborg and then gives her over to his evil lab assistant to be used as a vessel for an evil entity?"
Answerman - Why Is It Unusual For Japanese People To Use Computers?
"Oh, you also use computers?" is a common phrase you might hear in anime; why is "using a computer" is still sometimes treated as a hobby in anime?
― Shomik asks: When I was watching Tanaka-kun is Always Listless, which takes place in the present day, as well as playing the visual novel Root Double, which takes place in 2030 (and written a year or two ago), I come across lines like "Oh, you can use ...
Shelf Life - Bodacious Space Pirates: Abyss of Hyperspace
Everyone's favorite short-skirted space bucaneers are back with a feature-length film bursting with positive energy and some decent animation - Paul takes a look. PLUS: this week's new releases!
― Memorial Day weekend carries a little extra significance for strange folks like me who follow motor racing. The Indianapolis 500 and the Monaco Grand Prix are both held on Sunday, which means I can watch t...
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