It brought us Mario Maker, Splatoon, Super Mario 3D world and Bayonetta 2, and now it's toast. Dustin salutes the Wii U on the eve of its demise. PLUS: Overwatch's Sombra and more! ― First, a note: please be excellent to each other, people. Now let's forget our problems for a few moments with the most beautiful of distractions—video games. Farewell, Wii Hardly Knew U We heard that the Wii U would be ...

review

3 comments

In Search of the Lost Future BD+DVD

Nov 10, 10:15

3 comments

anime

This VN adaptation squanders its interesting plot in a poorly-paced bid to cram in too many other story elements. Rebecca Silverman breaks down what went wrong. ― Light novels may have overtaken visual novels as anime source material lately, but their adaptations are still around, as In Search of the Lost Future reminds us. Based on the 2010 visual novel of the same name, the story follows the six me...

feature

24 comments

The Biggest Animation Highlights of Fall 2016

Nov 9, 11:00

24 comments

anime

As the year's fall anime slate reaches its midway point, Kevin Cirugeda explores this sakuga-heavy season's most jaw-dropping and soul-warming animation showcases! ― Every now and then we're blessed with particularly strong anime seasons, batches of new series with a surprising wide range that gives any viewer at least something to treasure. This wonderful fall didn't quite sneak up on us though, the...

review

0 comments

Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? On the Side: Sword Oratoria Novel 1

Nov 9, 10:00

0 comments

novels

This DanMachi side story explores the adventures of Aiz, but is it essential reading for franchise fans? ― The DanMachi franchise has been successful enough that a spin-off novel series should come as no surprise. And no other supporting character is as worthy of a new storyline focus as Aiz Wallenstein, the inscrutable savior, idol, and love interest of original protagonist Bell Cranel. The result i...

feature

21 comments

The Best and Worst of the Season So Far: Week of Oct 29-Nov 4

Nov 8, 15:25

21 comments

anime

Flip Flappers shoots up the rankings this week, while Bungo Stray Dogs takes a precipitous plummet! Find out where your own favorites rank! ― Our team of reviewers are following 27 anime series of the Fall 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 rankings are bas...

feature

6 comments

Interview: Studio SHAFT president Mitsutoshi Kubota

Nov 8, 11:00

6 comments

anime

At this year's first annual Akiba Fest, Studio SHAFT's president sat down with a roundtable of interviewers to discuss his career and philosophy for creating great anime! ― Mitsutoshi Kubota is the president of Studio Shaft, which is currently celebrating its 40th anniversary. His body of work includes popular and diverse titles ranging from the Hidamari Sketch, Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei, and Bakemono...

review

0 comments

Tokyo Ghoul GN 7-9

Nov 8, 10:00

0 comments

manga

Tokyo Ghoul cements its Gothic roots in these three volumes, which mark a major change for both Kaneki and the overall direction of the story. ― Tampering with the makeup of humanity, be it physical or psychological, has long been a subject of literary fascination. One of the first to take the idea in a specifically Gothic direction was Matthew Lewis' 1796 novel The Monk, which saw its lead character...

column

65 comments

Answerman - Why Do Voice Actors Perform Multiple Roles In Dubs?

Nov 7, 13:00

65 comments

industry

In many anime, you'll find the same Japanese voice actor playing multiple roles - why is that? Justin gets into it. ― Kevin asks: I've been notching that in the credits that some of our voice actors play 3-5 characters. While in the Japanese's cast all voice actors have a different person and only play one person. Why is that? Also some voice actors in japan play characters that have only a single l...

column

15 comments

Shelf Life - Cobra The Animation

Nov 7, 11:00

15 comments

anime

Gabriella takes a look at this 2010 revival of a classic '80s psychedelic space adventure. Plus, all this week's new releases! ― I had a lame joke ready to use in this week's intro, but then Funimation picked up the license for Nichijou - My Ordinary Life, and that's clearly much more interesting. I watched this show when it aired and was crushed when the original plans for a release were scrapped. ...

review

75 comments

Review: The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya Blu-Ray

Nov 7, 10:01

75 comments

anime

Ten years after it set the otaku world on fire, does Haruhi Suzumiya still hold up as a slice-of-life comedy adventure? Nick Creamer cracks open this time capsule. ― It can be difficult to picture now what a big deal The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya once was, with cosplay, fandom clubs, countless Hare Hare Yukai videos, and an overwhelming convention presence once dominating the scene. One of my fir...