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KADO - The Right Answer ‒ Episode 9
"If you've been waiting for this series to lay its cards on the table, that wait is officially over when this episode's second half changes everything."
Clockwork Planet ‒ Episode 10
"This episode's first act was decent action-adventure entertainment, even if the show's roughshod animation limited the overall success of each scene."
Love Tyrant ‒ Episode 10
"A sleepover at Seiji's provides a welcome half-hour of breezy entertainment, even as more serious matters once again loom on the horizon."
Tsukigakirei ‒ Episode 9
"This episode was Tsuki ga Kirei at its best: endearing, understated, and achingly true."
Saekano: How to Raise a Boring Girlfriend Flat ‒ Episode 9
"This episode revolves around a majorly earth-shaking issue for Aki."
Dreamin' Sun GN 1
This earlier work from the creator of Orange isn't quite as polished, but it combines an honest look at depression and anger with shoujo romance tropes in interesting ways. Rebecca Silverman has the details.
― Originally published in Margaret magazine in 2007, a transfer of rights to a new publisher has resulted in a re-release of Ichigo Takano's Dreamin' Sun and its translation into English. (Takano...
Sagrada Reset ‒ Episode 10
"Finally, Kei and Sumire sit down to have a much-needed chat."
Sakura Quest ‒ Episode 10
"We're nearly through the first round of establishing arcs for Sakura Quest, which means it's finally Ririko's turn in the spotlight!"
The Royal Tutor ‒ Episode 10
"Fortunately, The Royal Tutor once again manages to infuse serious plot developments with enough humor to take off the melancholy edge."
Prince of Stride: Alternative BD+DVD
This otome game adaptation eschews most reverse harem tropes in a surprisingly fun story about a bizarre blend of track and parkour. Rebecca Silverman gets into this show's Stride.
― If you were wondering, the “alternative” in Prince of Stride Alternative comes from the fact that this 2016 series is based on a 2015 otome game simply called Prince of Stride. That's mildly surprising, because the show ...
Boruto: Naruto Next Generations ‒ Episode 10
"The plot thickens as additional light is shed on the overarching mystery in this week's Boruto: Naruto Next Generations."
Answerman - Why Isn't More Anime Shown On American TV?
There are countless hours of US cable television programming to fill, and yet only a few hours a week are filled with anime. Why is that? Justin gets into it.
― Kyle asks: How come some English dubbed anime only get released straight to DVD here in the US and never air on American TV? I know that a handful of them do air on Anime-only channels, such as the FUNimation Channel and Neon Alley, and also...
Natsume Yūjin-Chō Roku ‒ Episode 9
"Despite the things that go bump in the night, sweet interpersonal moments keep this show on message."
Horus: Prince of the Sun (Little Norse Prince) Blu-Ray
The directorial debut of Isao Takahata is now available on Blu-Ray for the first time. Theron Martin details how this ambitious film has held up.
― Also known in English as Little Norse Prince Valiant, this 1968 movie holds a place in anime history for two important reasons. It marks the directorial debut of Studio Ghibli co-founder Isao Takahata and his first collaboration with Hayao Miyazaki, who i...
SukaSuka ‒ Episode 9
"Chtholly gets the lion's share of screen time, and this is easily one of the best articulations of her perspective that we've gotten thus far."
Akashic Records of Bastard Magical Instructor ‒ Episode 10
"The start of this arc throws out such a bevy of potential story directions that it's hard to imagine the series wrapping things up neatly in two more episodes."
Grimoire of Zero ‒ Episode 9
"It looks like the show will be doing its best to maintain its upward trajectory for the remainder of the season."
Yowamushi Pedal New Generation ‒ Episode 22
"This build-up episode manages to fill twenty minutes without offering any real payoff."
Sound of the Sky Sub.Blu-Ray
Sound of the Sky marries wartime drama and slice of life storytelling in a rich and beautiful mix. Nick Creamer explains what makes this series special.
― Sound of the Sky opens with new soldier Kanata Sorami heading off to her first post, a guard post at the border city of Seize. Stark cliffs and cozy tiled roofs introduce us to her new city, a rustic town that's currently in the middle of a festiva...
One Piece ‒ Episode 791
"If you're down to watch Luffy and crew wild out in a Willy Wonka style environment, then you'll probably be A-OK for the next couple episodes."
Atom The Beginning ‒ Episode 7
"Despite having a whiff of filler about it, this episode does a good job balancing character development for Ran with the growing tension of Six's entry into the Robot Wrestling tournament."
Alice & Zoroku ‒ Episode 9
"With plenty of laughs, fun interactions, and character insights, episode 9 helps move the current storyline in the right direction."
Answerman - Is Shonen Jump Still Popular?
You often hear about Shonen Jump's declining print circulation in Japan - is Shonen Jump's star fading, or are times just changing? Justin explains.
― Jake asks: I had recently read an article on ANN that stated that shonen jump, arguably one of the most well known and popular manga magazines, had recently dipped below 2 million regularly purchased issues. This is down over two-thirds from there hig...
The Eccentric Family 2 ‒ Episode 9
"Overall, this episode was definitely below par for The Eccentric Family, but it still got us where we needed to go."
Shelf Life - Free! Iwatobi Swim Club
The boys of summer return for the first time in this unique release of a first season that came out after the second season. Plus, all this week's new releases and a Shelf Obsessed full of figurines!
― I've had a tough time keeping up with all the simulcasts I'm following this season, and I blame it on the warm weather. Not that I'm going outside, of course. It's just that there's so much for a car ...
Lu over the wall
Masaaki Yuasa's first family film may seem strangely similar to Ponyo at first, but it has a handful of charms all its own. Kim Morrissey weighs the movie's pros and cons.
― When Masaaki Yuasa, the auteur behind Ping Pong the Animation and The Tatami Galaxy, announced that he would be making not one but two anime feature films, there were a fair number of question marks. With his superflat drawings a...
Dragon Ball Super ‒ Episode 93
"The bulk of this episode returns to the Universe 6 Saiyans, who have been thoroughly enjoyable so far."
Attack on Titan ‒ Episode 36
"In the span of a few episodes, Ymir has become one of the most compelling characters in Attack on Titan, due to the complicated and powerful love she has for Christa."
Granblue Fantasy the Animation ‒ Episode 10
Granblue Fantasy takes its turn at a Sleeping Beauty story with this week's tragic turn of events.
Uncomfortably Happily GN
Yeon-Sik Hong's autobiography of his move from Seoul to the mountains explores the difficulty of adapting to rural living and his efforts to become an adult. Rebecca Silverman dives in.
― Yeon-Sik Hong's Uncomfortably Happily, originally published in two volumes in South Korea and here given the omnibus treatment by Drawn & Quarterly, is the sort of autobiographical piece that makes you think about y...
Eromanga Sensei ‒ Episode 9
"Eromanga Sensei largely goes without its title character this week, and the result is an even more rote harem fanservice fest than normal."
Re:CREATORS ‒ Episode 9
"Magane is the star of the episode, and the whole plot revolves around the not-so-little games that she's playing."
My Hero Academia ‒ Episode 23
"This is the point where My Hero Academia graduates to being something that people are going to carry with them for the rest of their lives."
Rage of Bahamut: Virgin Soul ‒ Episode 9
"The gang runs into old friends in prison who have been there for a while, making this whole thing more like a high school reunion than a state-sanctioned punishment."
Sword Oratoria ‒ Episode 8
"While this episode raises a lot more questions than it answers, the subject matter is so interesting that it doesn't matter; it feels like we're finally getting to the real story of Sword Oratoria."
The List - 7 Questionable Anime-Original Endings
When there's not enough source material to do the job for them, sometimes anime adaptations go in disappointing directions! Here are just seven examples of anime that dropped the ball at the most crucial moment.
― Anime-original ending can be known to cause viewers to uncontrollably gnash their teeth or scratch their heads. For some of the most incongruent cliffhangers, the reasoning is often that a...
Corpse Party: Blood Covered GN 3
While a few big mysteries are starting to resolve, the logical gaps in this horror thriller are beginning to widen as well. Rebecca Silverman has the details.
― With each subsequent omnibus edition of Corpse Party: Blood Covered, the decision to release the series as two-in-one volumes makes more sense. Not that the game adaptation isn't capable of holding our attention, but the major plot points app...
KADO - The Right Answer ‒ Episode 8
"This isn't the first time Tsukai has been cast as the show's voice of dissent, but it feels like she gets a better chance to make her case this time around."
Clockwork Planet ‒ Episode 9
"The only saving grace of this episode is the ending, which finally seems to be righting the ship and steering the series in a slightly more interesting direction."
Spring 2017 Manga Guide: Light Novel Roundup
From Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash to Rokka, there are plenty of light novel series premiering this spring - here's a look at some of the most exciting new titles.
― Light novels, which are roughly equivalent to young adult fiction in the west, are increasingly being used as the basis for both manga and anime series. Luckily for us, there's been an interest in translating and publishing them for English...
Answerman - What Are The Yakuza Like In Japan These Days?
Times have changed a lot since the peak of yakuza activity in the 1960s. So what is yakuza life and business like now in 2017?
― Khada asks: I'm Italian and we have the "Mafia", however the situation with them is different from the past.. Usually they just have abusive property or ask for money in people's shop, but they are not a big treat like in the past, everyday police just find and arrest mafi...
ANNCast (Video) - A Silent Voice
Zac, Jacob and the hosts of This Week in Anime take on both the highly acclaimed manga and the brand-new film adaptation of A Silent Voice.
― ANNCast Episode 298 - A Silent Voice Zac, Jacob and the hosts of This Week in Anime take on Kyoto Animation's adaptation of the smash manga, A Silent Voice. You can listen to the show on our player here, direct-download the MP3 version here, check out the show...
Love Tyrant ‒ Episode 9
"As a parody of the harem genre, Love Tyrant has allowed itself to get unconventional with its takes, and this episode dances around the idea that someone can only having feelings for one person at a time."
The Asterisk War [Limited Edition] Blu-Ray 4
The Phoenix Festa comes to a close as The Asterisk War wraps up its second season. Did this magic high school light novel adaptation ever manage to break out into something more? Rebecca Silverman explains.
― The Asterisk War has made repeated mention of the corporations that run the world in lieu of governments (the IEF) over the course of its two seasons, but without really digging in too deeply. N...
Saekano: How to Raise a Boring Girlfriend Flat ‒ Episode 8
"Seeing Megumi spend alone time with Aki does help bring his romantic options into focus."
Tsukigakirei ‒ Episode 8
"After seven episodes of halting and fumbling and feeling insecure, the two of them finally seem like a happy couple."
Sagrada Reset ‒ Episode 9
"Following last week's revelations regarding Sumire's fate and ability, this episode takes us back to the immediate aftermath of her death."
Sakura Quest ‒ Episode 9
"Sakura Quest took on a lot of issues front-loading the setup for this cooking arc last week, so seeing its somewhat relaxed way of settling those issues in this next episode is surprising."
This Week in Games - Valkyrie Drive: Bhikkhuni
Dustin takes a preview copy of Valkyrie Drive for the PC out for a spin and somehow manages to keep his clothing intact. PLUS: Nier: Automata sells like existentially nihilist hotcakes and more!
― The ARMS Global Testpunch happened over the weekend, and I played it. A lot of it, actually, and I ended up hitting nearly every single time slot, even getting up early a couple of days to play through the ...
Boruto: Naruto Next Generations ‒ Episode 9
"The sparring match between Boruto and his aunt contains some of the best raw action this series has featured to date."
Delicious in Dungeon GN 1
Equal parts fantasy RPG and cooking manga, Delicious in Dungeon finds fresh culinary uses for all those pesky basilisks and slimes! Theron Martin digs in.
― Jokes about cooking and eating critters encountered in a dungeon have been around nearly as long as tabletop fantasy RPGs themselves. However, these have almost always been one-shot gags in D&D-themed comics. To my knowledge, this is the first no...
Natsume Yūjin-Chō Roku ‒ Episode 8
"It's one of the storylines this show has executed expertly since its very first season: a bittersweet yokai love story."
The Royal Tutor ‒ Episode 9
"This week's episode confirms that whatever Heine's old occupation was, it involved more than teaching Viktor arithmetic."
Answerman - How Are Anime Opening And Ending Themes Chosen?
How exactly do the people involved an anime production go about choosing the songs for their opening and ending themes? It's a little complicated.
― Andrew asks: I was wondering about the process behind Japanese companies licensing songs to be used in anime (openings, endings, insert songs). It seems like a simpler process when the producer of a band is also doing the score, as is the case with Mado...
The Best and Worst of the Season So Far: Week of May 20-26
My Hero Academia drops few slots while One Piece rockets up the chart - find out how your favorite shows performed in our weekly user rankings!
― Our team of reviewers are following 27 anime series of the Spring 2017 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 a...
Sekai Ichi Hatsukoi - Seasons 1 & 2 + OVAs DVD
This 2011 boys-love series plays by the book a little too much, but there's still enough sweetness and unique flavor here for fans of the genre. Rebecca Silverman weighs in on the full series release.
― Sekai Ichi Hatsukoi - The World's Greatest First Love, based on the manga of the same name by Shungiku Nakamura, originally aired in 2011, but its 2017 release on DVD is surprisingly well-timed; as of...
Akashic Records of Bastard Magical Instructor ‒ Episode 9
"For this episode not doing anything that impressive, it still came together pretty well."
SukaSuka ‒ Episode 8
"While last week's episode set up the next big conflict for Willem and friends, this episode makes their upcoming rescue mission a bit more personal."
Grimoire of Zero ‒ Episode 8
"It's really nice to see a show finally come together and deliver the kind of entertainment you always knew it could."
Yowamushi Pedal New Generation ‒ Episode 21
"It wasn't all the same old, same old, but there was enough reiteration to stagger the Inter High's already plodding pace."
This Week in Anime - Silent But Deadly
Nick and Micchy take a breather to discuss A Silent Voice, as the tension and violence ramps up in Attack on Titan, SukaSuka, Re:Creators, and My Hero Academia for an explosive week in anime!
― Previous Weeks in Anime Week 1 - Week 2 - Week 3 - Week 4 - Week 5 Nicholas Dupree got into anime in high school, and manga even earlier. From One Piece to The Promised Neverland, he's the man to talk to if it...
Umineko When They Cry Episode 6: Dawn of the Golden Witch Volume 3 GN 15
The episode ends with a return to form as Ryukishi07 plays with both Knox's Commandments and S.S. Van Dine's Rules for mystery.
― Dawn of the Golden Witch may be simultaneously the least conclusive arc of Umineko: When They Cry and the one that gives us the most hints at real answers. This especially large omnibus volume does finish the arc, but it also gives us an incomplete game – Battler is unable...
Vice & Luna - 05/30/2017
Comic-con doesn't start for nearly a week, but Vice & Perry decide they better get in line right now!
―
Answerman - How Is Coffee Brewed In Japan?
In anime, you often see people brewing coffee using unique, single-cup methods - are coffee machines just not that common in Japan? Justin's got the answer.
― Alvin asks: I noticed that in many anime series, characters are depicted brewing coffee either by pouring hot water over the grounds in paper filters or using instant coffee in homes and shops, including coffee shops. Are coffee brewing machin...
The Games That Defined Platinum's Legacy Are Back
An in-depth look about what Vanquish and Bayonetta - newly resurrected in shiny PC ports - say about the legacy of the legendary company that birthed them, PlatinumGames.
― In certain ways, the story of PlatinumGames is a tragedy. Founded in 2009 by ex-Capcom developers whose credits include the likes of Resident Evil, Devil May Cry, and Okami, the goal of the new company was to escape that corporate...
Shelf Life - Crusher Joe: The Movie
Paul gets a faceful of '80s action with Crusher Joe and runs down all this week's new anime releases from Haruhi Suzumiya to Umaru-chan!
― After avoiding the bandwagon for as long as possible, I finally played a bit of Overwatch last weekend. I had some fun, I have a better understanding of why people love it, and holy moly I'm terrible at it. More power to anyone who has the reaction time and teamw...
Snow White with the Red Hair 2 BD+DVD
The second season of this charming fairytale romance finally comes to Blu-Ray! Theron Martin details what makes this particular shojo adaptation so special.
― The second season of Snow White with the Red Hair aired during the Winter 2016 season, covering episodes 13-24. Given the firm declaration of commitment from Zen near the end of the previous season and Shirayuki's generally secure position as a...
One Piece ‒ Episode 790
"For once, the shine of the anime's modern look is not at all in conflict with the earthier tone of the story."
Dragon Ball Super ‒ Episode 92
"This episode is an odd 50/50 divide between the best and worst parts of this mini-arc."
Alice & Zoroku ‒ Episode 8
"Despite its focus on new characters, this week's Alice & Zoroku is among the show's strongest episodes yet."
The Eccentric Family 2 ‒ Episode 8
"Now that both the brotherly scions of Kyoto are gone, the next generation must find their own way."
Eromanga Sensei ‒ Episode 8
"Sometimes savvy execution assists in delivering such divisive material."
Granblue Fantasy the Animation ‒ Episode 9
"Although not much actually happens in the episode, it still manages to set up the next major battle/plot point while being enjoyable in a “calm before the storm” sense."
Attack on Titan ‒ Episode 34
"When it's operating at Peak Insanity, Attack on Titan has a way of making the most out of even the slightest bit of development."
The Mike Toole Show - Hollywood Blues
Mike picks over the bones of the Hollywood Ghost in the Shell, catalogs the best adaptations so far, and wonders where live-action anime might go after this.
― This year's convention season is rockin' and rollin'. This week, I'm on show number three of 2017, enjoying the sights and sounds of Anime North up in Toronto. I come up to Canada for this show, and it's always an interesting time. I admire Ca...
Food Wars! Shokugeki no Soma GN 18
Food Wars is still going strong as the Polaris Dorm gets ready to take on Azami Nakiri's corrupt new administration. Rebecca Silverman has the details.
― There is rarely a dull moment in Yuto Tsukuda and Shun Saeki's Food Wars! Shokugeki no Soma manga, and while there's a small breather between storylines of this volume, the action is as intense as ever despite the climbing volume numbers. This eight...
Re:CREATORS ‒ Episode 8
"This is one of the meatiest episodes to date, fully demonstrating the breadth of its quality characterizations."
My Hero Academia ‒ Episode 22
"This will likely go down as one of the fan favorite showdowns of the sports festival."
Rage of Bahamut: Virgin Soul ‒ Episode 8
"This is the first time that production problems interfered with the show's ability to be entertaining, resulting in an uncharacteristically dour experience."
Berserk ‒ Episode 21
"Seeing Berserk run out of everything just when we reach a moment fans have been anticipating for such a long time is unfortunate."
Sword Oratoria ‒ Episode 7
"For a story that's nominally about her, Aiz is one of the least interesting things in it, even during this week's fight scene."
The List - 7 Harem Anime Where All the Choices Are Insane
Being surrounded by sexy love interests might seem like paradise to some, but one fan's heaven is another fan's hell. Here are seven harems with no good apples to choose from!
― Harem anime is a well-established romance sub-genre, and while most incarnations these days put our hero into a magical world outside of his own, romance options have spanned trains, transforming soda cans, and potential lit...
UQ Holder! GN 9
UQ Holder’s ninth volume makes the most of its prolonged training arc material. Nick Creamer weighs the pros and cons of Ken Akamatsu's latest series.
― UQ Holder has always been an inherently strange shounen property. With its focus on a team of heroes who are all gifted with some form of immortality, the manga has at time had trouble offering compelling opponents for its protagonists. And main char...
Revolutionary Girl Utena ‒ Episodes 8-9
"Questions upon questions flood Utena's universe after this game-changing ninth episode."
KADO - The Right Answer ‒ Episode 7
"Whenever an alien shows up and starts giving away advanced technology, it's only a matter of time before someone tries to make money off the situation."
Clockwork Planet ‒ Episode 8
"Even when a giant robot is laying waste to the city, it still feels like the story is going nowhere."
Sagrada Reset ‒ Episode 8
"This three part arc culminates in Kei solving not one, but two different ladies' problems, all without a hint of distress or uncertainty on his part."
Answerman - Is Netflix A Salve For The Anime Business?
Could Netflix's influence solve the many production and salary woes plaguing the anime industry? Justin considers the angles.
― Earl asks: The trailer for the new Castlevania anime came out today and my coworkers and I were remarking on the animation quality. It's an American production (despite what I thought initially), but it got me thinking... Would Netflix-style contracts/production be a way ou...
Love Tyrant ‒ Episode 8
"Despite being a parody of the whole harem genre, Love Tyrant delivers a surprisingly straight take on the ridiculous battle action and backstory complications of shows like Love Hina and Tenchi Muyo."
The Kick-Ass Women of Attack on Titan
From fearsome warriors to gluttonous goofballs, Attack on Titan's cast is filled with a variety of colorful female characters. Rose Bridges explains what makes its cast of ladies so unique.
― Spoiler Warning: This article contains spoilers for the Attack on Titan anime up through episode 31, and also vaguely alludes to events from the Attack on Titan light novel "Lost Girls." Since the first season's...
ANNCast - Psycho-Pass
Zac, Jacob and special guest Gabriella Ekens stitch their brains together for a deep dive on the entirety of PSYCHO-PASS - both seasons (yes, both seasons) and the film.
― ANNCast Episode 297 - Psycho-Pass Zac, Jacob and special guest Gabriella Ekens stitch their brains together for a deep dive on the entirety of PSYCHO-PASS - both seasons (yes, both seasons) and the film! You can listen to the show...
Miss Hokusai BD+DVD
Miss Hokusai demonstrates the power of articulating life as it is lived, presenting a rich portrait of both its historical moment and its charming heroine.
― The great painter Hokusai is one of the most famous and internationally renowned artists in Japanese history. Responsible for works as recognized as The Great Wave off Kanigawa (itself an element of the vastly influential 36 Views of Mount Fuji)...
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