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Naruto Shippuden ‒ Episode 467
"Although Ashura and Indra's epic battle has yet to begin, seeing how each son tackles the challenge issued by their father is fairly entertaining, if entirely predictable."
Battle Rabbits GN 1
Not-so-ordinary high school boy Kaguya is about to have his world changed when he learns that he's actually a Battle Rabbit, a race of rabbit people from the moon charged with protecting the Earth in this bizarre but fun new series from the creators of 07-Ghost.
― Seven Seas has made a practice of licensing monster girl manga series, so now it's time for something a little different – a monster boy. ...
Twin Star Exorcists ‒ Episode 13
"This episode certainly wasn't perfect in its execution, but it contained enough suspense and genuine emotion to keep with the general bar of quality I've come to expect from the show."
Answerman - How Is Anime Changing Visually These Days?
We talk a lot about storytelling changes, but how has anime progressed technologically in recent years? Will anime eventually be produced in 4k? Justin digs into it.
― Jake asks: The one thing I find really interesting about watching anime from many different decades is seeing the evolution and overall visual improvement anime has gone though. In general I have an eye for telling at least roughly wh...
Complex Age GN 1
Complex Age presents a thoughtful look at how hobbies, such as the heroine's cosplay, can affect the so-called real world in a first volume that promises an interesting series to come.
― Most of us maintain a separation between our work lives and our home lives. Many times that's because we simply need the emotional rest, but sometimes it's because our home lives involve hobbies that we'd just as soo...
One Piece ‒ Episode 748
"Overall, the Silver Mine arc is looking to be as mild of a filler experience as they come."
Shelf Life - Lupin III: Alcatraz Connection
The master thief and his posse head stateside in this never-before-released Lupin III TV special. But how does it hold up to the rest of Lupin's adventures? Plus, this week's new anime releases!
― By the time you read this, I'll be several days into my first appearance on the ANN Preview Guide. It's Saturday as I write this, and I think I've already watched as many premiere episodes in two days as I...
Re:Zero -Starting Life in Another World- ‒ Episode 14
"As much as I hate to put it this way, this series is at its very best when its content is at its ugliest, and this episode is at least as ugly as episode 7."
Series Finale: Haven't You Heard? I'm Sakamoto ‒ Episode 12
"It's been a wild ride, but the time has come to bid farewell to everyone's favorite teenage man-god."
Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ Sub.Blu-Ray Collection 2
The formerly comedic MSG ZZ takes an unexpectedly dark turn in its divisive second half. Lauren Orsini explores what went wrong for this unusual Gundam entry.
― In the first half of Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ, there were already signs that this comedy show was verging toward a major tonal shift. If the joking tone was already jarring after the grim events of its prequel, Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam, this show...
Season Finale: Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress ‒ Episode 12
"Studio Wit must have absolutely killed themselves to complete this jaw-dropping season finale. It's a staggering aesthetic achievement for any fan of glorious spectacle."
Food Wars! The Second Plate
"Fire up the grill - Food Wars! is back in top form."
JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Diamond Is Unbreakable ‒ Episode 14
"Between the Italian restaurant episode and and this manga artist episode, these one-off scenarios have been finding more interesting hooks."
Season Finale: Shōnen Maid ‒ Episode 12
"Despite everything it did right, the show rarely rose above “good” or “pleasant,” although that was probably what it was going for."
Don't Be Cruel [2-in-1 Edition] GN 1
This boys' love double feature contains two complete different stories that happen to star the same characters. Rebecca Silverman examines which of these two romantic tales outshines the other.
― This may sound disingenuous, but Don't Be Cruel's first two-volume omnibus really is two different books. By this I mean that while volumes one and two are about the same characters, the stories they're invo...
Series Finale: Assassination Classroom season 2 ‒ Episode 25
"The series has been hit-or-miss at times, but it's much easier to forgive a show's mistakes when it ends on a strong note."
Shonen Hollywood: Holly Stage for 49 Sub.DVD
Shonen Hollywood takes a more down-to-earth approach to the idol anime business, but does it succeed in finding its own voice? Nick Creamer investigates.
― Shonen Hollywood is reflective of two major emergent trends in anime: shows about idols and shows about attractive young men aimed at a largely female audience. Given that, it'd be easy for many fans to dismiss the show as “not their thing,” parti...
Naruto Shippuden ‒ Episode 466
"The anime-original story elements introduced thus far have done a decent job of fleshing out the Otsutsuki family's history."
Anime Spotlight - Handa-kun
Everybody can't help but follow the misadventures of Handa-kun!
― Handa-kun Visit the Official Site Story Characters Trailer Cast & Staff Gallery On air starting July 7, 2016 (JST) Key Staff Director: Yoshitaka Koyama ("Noramimi" series, "Kero Kero Chime") Series Supervisor: Michiko Yokote ("Prison School", "Shirobako" as Series Composition) Character Design: Mayuko Matsumoto ("KanColle", "Gingitsun...
Gonna be the Twin-Tail!! BD+DVD
This lighthearted parody of otaku fetishes has its moments, but there may be only so many pigtail jokes you can pack into twelve episodes.
― How much do you like pigtails, or twin-tails as they're known in anime? Probably not as much as Soji, the protagonist of Gonna be the Twin-Tail, one of the weirder otaku parodies to come out in recent years. Soji is obsessed with the hairstyle to the point where...
Interview: Unified Pictures and Vampire Hunter D
Last year, Unified Pictures announced a new Vampire Hunter D TV series - now they're back with more details, some exclusive concept art, and a Kickstarter proposal!
― In June of 2015, it was announced that a new Vampire Hunter D animated coproduction was in the early planning stages, but since that time there have been no further publicized developments. Ahead of their Anime Expo 2016 panel, we touch...
Anime Spotlight - Love Live! Sunshine!!
Nine high school girls, led by second-year student Chika Takami, are driven by one seriously big dream: To become the next generation of bright, sparkling “school idols”!
― Love Live! Sunshine!! Visit the Official Site Story Characters Trailer Cast & Staff Gallery On-air starts July 2016. Key Staff Director: Kazuo Sakai ("Mushi-Uta" as director, "Mobile Suit Gundam AGE"as episode director) Series Co...
Anime Spotlight - Fate/kaleid liner Prisma☆Illya 3rei!!
A battle to grant the magical girl's normal yet grand wish begins!
― Fate/kaleid liner Prisma☆Illya 3rei!! Visit the Official Site Story Characters Trailer Cast & Staff Gallery On air starting July 6, 2016 Key Staff Chief Director: Shin Oonuma ("Kokoro Connect" sa chief director, "Baka and Test - Summon the Beasts" as director,"WATAMOTE" as director) Series Composition: Kenji Inoue ("Baka and Test -...
Answerman - Why Does Fanservice For Girls Get So Much Blowback?
Fanservice for guys is a standard part of the anime experience, but we're entering an age of equal-opportunity ogling, and there's a lot of complaining about that. Justin digs into it.
― Eric asks: I keep hearing negative things about fan-service for men(like how the women are unrealistically curves, wear way tor revealing outfits, etc), but i haven't heard anyone saying the same thing about fan-ser...
Season Finale: Joker Game ‒ Episode 12
"Here at the end, Joker Game's disinterest and dismissal of human emotion seems like the show's biggest failing."
The Best and Worst Anime of Spring 2016
The Spring 2016 anime season is wrapping up, so it's time for our reviews crew to pick their best and worst shows of the season! My Hero Academia, RE: Zero and more - and don't forget to tell us yours!
― Spring is wrapping up, which means it's time to poll our Daily Streaming Reviews team and find out which shows they loved the most, and which shows they'll try the hardest to forget! Once you're done...
Fairy Tail BD+DVD 20
The beginning of the Tartaros Arc marks a dark shift in tone for the adventures of Natsu and friends. Rebecca reflects on what changes the anime has made to the even grimmer manga version of these events.
― The Tartaros Arc of Fairy Tail is one of the darkest thus far – and that's toning it down quite a bit from the manga. While this show usually takes what I think of as the Soul Calibur Approach to ...
One Piece ‒ Episode 747
"So far the Silver Mine arc seems to be playing out as a greatest hits of One Piece's more memorable filler arcs."
The Best and Worst of the Season So Far: Week of June 17-23
We're closing in on the final week, and the rankings are starting to firm up - Assassination Classroom makes a play for the top spot! Where did your favorite shows wind up on 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...
Re:Zero -Starting Life in Another World- ‒ Episode 13
"Subaru has dug himself a hole, and watching him struggle to get out of it should be fun."
Berserk: Past, Present, and Future
With a new Berserk anime adaptation on the horizon, series superfan Brittany Vincent takes a look at how this legendary manga has been adapted to the screen over the years and what we can hope to see from the upcoming continuation.
― Kentaro Miura's Berserk is twisted, grim, and otherworldly. It also happens to be one of the greatest dark fantasy series ever penned. From its humble beginnings in Mont...
Vice & Luna [06-28-2016]
The crew finds out what's inside that glittering cocoon when Vice's parenting skills are put to the test!
― Enormous thanks to @pumpkinfriend for today's amazing frontpage marquee art! Art: Lanny Liu Script: Zac Bertschy Editor: Jacob Chapman
Orange (live-action film)
The critically acclaimed shojo manga Orange is getting an anime adaptation this summer, but Theron Martin has a review of the live-action movie right now! How does this romantic tale translate to the big screen?
― The first two volumes of Ichigo Takano's manga have already been released in the States, and its anime adaptation is one of the most anticipated shows of the Summer 2016 season. Before the ...
Season Finale: Sailor Moon Crystal: Season III ‒ Episode 39
"Sailor Moon Crystal was still far from perfect as this episode shows, but it feels like it's moving in the right direction."
Answerman - How Will Brexit Affect The UK Anime Market?
How does the recent Leave vote in the UK affect that country's anime market, which is an important player in the global anime industry? Justin considers the future.
― Grace asks: British anime fan here. How will the impending exit from the European union of the United Kingdom affect our anime and video game industry? Will it have any international impact? At the time I'm writing this, it's been a fe...
Shelf Life - Medaka Box
Paul peers into the depths of Medaka Box to find a world of crazy twists in this extremely unusual adaptation of a story from the author of the Monogatari series. Plus, all this week's new releases!
― Memory can be a funny thing, especially when it comes to remembering things that you watched or read a long time ago. I pulled an old Armored Trooper Votoms DVD off my shelf the other day and was only ...
Season Finale: My Hero Academia ‒ Episode 13
"If a second season hadn't already been confirmed, then I'd say this is a pretty disappointing way to end an otherwise exceptional series."
The Girl Who Leapt Through Time BD+DVD
Beloved anime director Mamoru Hosoda's first original feature has a brand-new Blu-ray special edition, but how has the film held up over time? Nick Creamer takes a look back into the past to find out.
― Mamoru Hosoda, along with Makoto Shinkai, has the dubious honor of often being referred to as the “next Miyazaki.” There's no real meaning to this description, of course - it generally just means “an ...
Season Finale: Flying Witch ‒ Episodes 11-12
"Flying Witch concluded with a pair of episodes that demonstrated the show at its most magical, at its most mundane, and at its most comfortable."
Season Finale: High School Fleet ‒ Episode 12
"It feels like the show is throwing everything it has at this last episode, and the results are certainly exciting to watch."
Inside the 10th Anniversary Higurashi When They Cry Exhibition
The Higurashi franchise turns ten years old this year, so Animate celebrated this June with a special art exhibition, and we've got a detailed look at all the displays.
― Independently published manga and videogames have steadily been gaining popularity in Japan, and a small handful of these independent works have been adapted into anime series. Recent examples range from Ojisan to Marshmallow, Hetal...
Season Finale: Tanaka-kun is Always Listless ‒ Episode 12
"For now, we must wave goodbye as Ohta carries Tanaka's limp body off into the sunset."
Nisekoi: 2 Blu-Ray Part One
Nisekoi continues with an underachieving set of episodes that drive the series further into harem territory. Theron Martin explores what this sequel gets right.
― Nisekoi: is the 12 episode 2015 follow-up to 2014's Nisekoi, and familiarity with the predecessor series is expected. (The intervening OVAs, which are not available in English in any official form, are less important, since some of their ev...
Haven't You Heard? I'm Sakamoto ‒ Episode 11
"The intentionally ill-defined Fukase's devious machinations help raise the stakes as Haven't You Heard? I'm Sakamoto heads into its endgame."
Shōnen Maid ‒ Episode 11
"Episode 11 is needlessly slow in certain spots, and its first half has a meandering feel."
JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Diamond Is Unbreakable ‒ Episode 13
"JoJo's Bizarre Adventure doesn't delve into real earnest stories about families and relationships that often, but it shows quite a bit of savvy when it does."
Season Finale: Kiznaiver (Episode 12)
"I had a fine time with Kiznaiver, and am eager to see what's next for its very talented director."
Ace Attorney ‒ Episode 13
"This week, Ace Attorney showed its sweet side with a story about Phoenix, Miles, and Larry's childhood friendship."
The List - 7 Horrible Girlfriends
Run for your life from these wicked waifus! They may look cute and innocent on the outside, but these seven girls are definitely too deadly to date.
― The long-anticipated companion piece to 8 Horrible Boyfriends! Let's be fair, some of these women are downright nuts. The term yandere was coined for the sweet-on-the outside-but-possibly-murderous-on-the-inside girl. They'll love you forever, whether...
Series Finale: Ushio & Tora ‒ Episode 39
"This was a pitch-perfect shounen adaptation that will be sure to draw fans for years to come."
Review: Zero Time Dilemma
The latest installment in Kotaro Uchikoshi's ambitious story-driven series is a riveting sci-fi tale that takes no prisoners.
― Zero Time Dilemma is a game that almost didn't happen. Development was put on hiatus in 2012, citing poor sales of the Zero Escape series in Japan as the cause. The previous game, Virtue's Last Reward, ended on a tremendous cliffhanger that looked like it could be forever un...
Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress ‒ Episode 11
"As always, Kabaneri is an exercise in contradictory extremes, as the cleverest writing moment in the show gets undercut by rushed, bombastic execution."
ANNCast - Kiznaiver Fight
Zac, Jacob and their guest Nick find themselves emotionally connected by the wounds they endured watching Trigger's sensationally artistic spring series, Kiznaiver! PLUS: was The Lost Village supposed to be funny?
― ANNCast Episode 264: Kiznaiver Fight Zac, Jacob and their guest Nick find themselves emotionally connected by the wounds they endured watching Trigger's sensationally artistic spring ser...
Answerman - How Is Anime Transported To Other Countries?
When an American company licenses an anime series, how do they actually "get" the show? Justin digs in to the way your favorite shows get delivered to you every week.
― Shem asks: How do anime studios send and/or accept animation frames overseas? Over internet or physically sending memory disks? What technology are they using? Do anime streaming sites also get the anime masters physically like in Ja...
Assassination Classroom season 2 ‒ Episode 24
"This penultimate episode foregoes the usual big final action scene in favor of a calmer, more emotionally nuanced resolution."
Season Finale: And you thought there is never a girl online? ‒ Episode 12
"In the end, the series doesn't at all accomplish what it set out to do, but its little victories make the show a mild success overall."
Ten Must-See Anime Classics You Can Stream
The best classic anime isn't only on DVD anymore - if you've been looking for a big pile of awesome retro anime to dig into, look no further! Daryl Surat picks 10 of the best classic anime you can watch free right now.
― I was a guest once again recently at AnimeNEXT, where I sacrificed seeing a convention-exclusive episode of Inferno Cop to do what I always do: run panels where I show people video c...
Yona of the Dawn BD+DVD Part One
Yona of the Dawn sets a new high bar for eastern-themed fantasy shojo, but not without some hiccups along the way. Theron Martin takes a look at this adventure's highs and lows.
― Based on its first half, Yona of the Dawn may become the new standard-bearer for Eastern-themed shojo fantasy adventure. Despite some irksome quirks, its tale of a young heroine who must become empowered through hardship do...
Interview: Ray Chiang, SPJA CEO, on Anime Expo 2016
With an enormous guest lineup, Anime Expo 2016 is bigger than ever and it's right around the corner. We spoke with the SPJA's brand-new CEO about what to expect this year, and all those controversial policy changes.
― 2016 marks the twenty-fifth anniversary of Anime Expo, the country's largest anime convention, hitting a new record attendance in 2015 with 90,500 fans – and they're hoping to crack six...
Twin Star Exorcists ‒ Episode 12
"The biggest things bringing this episode down are middling production values and a sense of rushed storytelling."
Season Finale: Bungo Stray Dogs ‒ Episode 12
"There was no preview this week, so we're definitely going to be left hanging until the second cour premieres in October."
The X Button - Interview: Grand Kingdom
This week: we talk with the director of the beautiful strategy-RPG Grand Kingdom! Plus Berserk, Mighty No. 9, and the latest in game decorations!
― The X Button takes a short summer vacation next week, as I'm moving. And when you're moving, you go through all of your possessions and realize just how much crap you're keeping. For example, I discovered that I saved almost every Flying Warriors and Lit...
Concrete Revolutio: The Last Song
In its final season, Concrete Revolutio fully embraces its fantastical storytelling and biting historical commentary to thunderous impact. Nick Creamer dives into this ambitious series.
― Concrete Revolutio's first season ended in fiery riots, as the student supporters of superhuman vigilantes demanded both greater government accountability and greater superhuman autonomy. But the house won that batt...
Answerman - Why Is Liking Kids' Stuff Such A Bad Thing?
One reader wants to know why there's such a huge stigma on adults who enjoy TV shows and movies aimed at children, and how that impacts anime fans. Justin gets into it.
― Kasra asks: I was reading your earlier column, Why Is Animation Only For Kids In The US? I was asking why do we care so much if animation or anything in the nerd culture considered adult by some in the society.I know Reddit of youn...
One Piece ‒ Episode 746
"This episode covers a lot of the cool stuff we tend to look forward to in these post-arc episodes."
The Rebirth of Sailor Moon Crystal
It's safe to say Sailor Moon Crystal had a rocky and controversial start - but now, in its third season, is it finally becoming the show fans wanted? Rebecca Silverman investigates.
― With any franchise that has a strong fanbase, a reboot or reworking of the source material is going to make some waves. That has certainly proven true for Sailor Moon Crystal. Where once fans could simply be divided abo...
Saekano: How to Raise a Boring Girlfriend Sub.Blu-Ray Set 2
The second half of Saekano seeks to be a clever commentary on otakudom and almost succeeds, but it definitely gets bogged down by some of the very tropes it tries to lampoon.
― There are risks inherent to making an anime about the creation of another anime-like product. One of them is becoming too absorbed in the intricacies of the process, which Saekano manages to steer clear of. They are not so luc...
The Best and Worst of the Season So Far: Week of June 10-16
My Hero Academia comes roaring back into the top 5, but what had to fall to make space for it? Find out how all your favorite shows performed 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...
New Weekly Comic: Vice & Luna
Three years after Anime News Nina, ANN's new weekly comic series debuts with our first two chapters!
― Vice & Luna #2 is also available now: click 'next' below for more! Art: Lanny Liu Script: Zac Bertschy Editor: Jacob Chapman
Psycho-Pass The Movie BD+DVD
Production I.G.'s hit franchise gets its first big screen adventure, with Gen Urobuchi back in the writer's seat. Jacob Chapman delves into the Blu-ray release to see what this movie has to offer returning fans.
― If you were hoping to see the Sibyl system shaken by the events of this theatrical Psycho-Pass adventure, you may want to curb your enthusiasm. Production I.G. clearly knows when they have ...
Sailor Moon Crystal: Season III ‒ Episode 38
"While this episode could certainly have been done better, it's also one of the more impressive in terms of getting the emotional intent of the story across."
ANNCast - You're In The Game Show
E3 is over so that means it's time to talk videogames with Todd Ciolek, Dave Riley and Heidi Kemps! The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Resident Evil 7, Overwatch and much more!
― ANNCast Episode 263: You're In The Game Show E3 is over so that means it's time to talk videogames with Todd Ciolek, Dave Riley and Heidi Kemps! The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Resident Evil 7, Overwatch and ...
Answerman - Why Are Bishonen More Popular Than Beefy Guys?
"Hot guys" in anime tend to be lanky and feminine rather than big and beefy - why is that? Justin gets into it.
― James asks: The character archetype of the bishōnen, a male who is smooth, graceful, and elegant, while lacking "rough" features, such as facial hair or oversized muscles, is popular in Japan, but less so in the western world. In fact, most westerners use the phrase "pretty boy" (a close...
Shelf Life - 8 Man After
Paul dives into a vintage reboot of the classic 8 Man series to see what nostalgic anime sequels were like before they were commonplace. PLUS: this week's new releases!
― I'm feeling a little sentimental as Assassination Classroom enters its final run of episodes. I've covered the show for four out of my eight seasons of simulcast episode reviews, which means that I've spent about half of my career ...
Re:Zero -Starting Life in Another World- ‒ Episode 12
"What saves the episode from utter mediocrity is the underlying meat."
Joker Game ‒ Episode 11
"Well, it took 11 episodes, but here near the end of Joker Game, the show's setting has finally gone full Nazi, as we peek once again into Colonel Yuuki's past and present actions in Germany."
To The Abandoned Sacred Beasts GN 1
In this alternate-history take on the US Civil War, soldiers become legendary monsters to fight humanity's battles and find there's nowhere left for them to go after the war. Theron Martin analyzes this unusual story.
― Manga-ka duo Maybe has seen their first effort adapted into an anime licensed in English (Dusk Maiden of Amnesia) and their second picked up by Crunchyroll Manga (Tales of Wedding Rin...
Series Finale: Kumamiko - Girl meets Bear ‒ Episode 12
"I found a lot to enjoy about Kumamiko over the course of its run, but it's hard not to feel like that was completely spoiled by its ending."
Season Finale: The Asterisk War ‒ Episode 24
"Episode 24 marks the season finale for The Asterisk War, and indeed, it does handily wrap up the most immediate story arc. However, it doesn't come even remotely close to wrapping up the whole story."
My Hero Academia ‒ Episode 12
"Make no mistake, this is All Might's episode."
Tanaka-kun is Always Listless ‒ Episode 11
"It's school festival time, and Shimura and Katou are in charge of building and orchestrating 1-F's haunted house."
High School Fleet ‒ Episode 11
"Aside from some minor hiccups, this episode does its job of ramping up the level of excitement for next week's big battle."
Ace Attorney ‒ Episode 12
"This show can be good when it owns its lighter mood, but woefully meh when it tries to be sentimental."
Series Finale: Concrete Revolutio ‒ Episode 24
"This final episode isn't quite as bombastic as the one that preceded it, but it was still powerful thanks to its themes and well-animated battle scenes."
My Favorite Song - The Silver Siren
A girl is transported to a strange new world and becomes its most feared villain in this popular web novel. If you're ready for a more shoujo approach to light novel adventure, this is definitely worth checking out.
― While the increased interest in publishing light novels has been a boon for many readers, there's also been a definite trend towards picking up series aimed at a male demographic – many...
Haven't You Heard? I'm Sakamoto ‒ Episode 10
"This week's Haven't You Heard? I'm Sakamoto starts strong and never lets up."
JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Diamond Is Unbreakable ‒ Episode 12
"Though we still have the threat of Red Hot Chili Pepper and his Stand user rearing their ugly heads into the picture, this episode centers around what's probably the most tender story beat in the season yet."
Kiznaiver ‒ Episode 11
"As the story's narrative fundamentals and larger conversations continue to be creaky, Kiznaiver shined in the details once again this week."
For all articles, see the archives