⬈
⬋
-
+
The Mike Toole Show - The Magnificent 1997
anime
Mike straps in to his time machine for a trip back to the year 1997 to revisit some of his old favorites, from Battle Athletes to a little show called Berserk!
― This week, I'm finding myself stuck between stations. I've got a couple of pieces in the early stages, and one column that's almost done but just needs a little more detail to really make it work. Retrospective pieces are always good in a pi...
Series Premiere: The Reflection
anime
Studio DEEN and Stan Lee team up for this summer's new superhero anime, with a controversial artistic style. Our weekly series reviews begin here!
The Controversial Legacy of Final Fantasy XII
games
Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age is an ambitious remaster of a game with a notoriously rocky development and release. Dustin turns the pages of Ivalice history for a look back.
― There is perhaps no Final Fantasy game—and certainly no 3D entry in the series—which has been uncontroversial. Maybe that's the cost of a franchise where each iteration is wildly different from its predecessor, making group...
Genshiken: Second Season GN 9
manga
Genshiken seeks to steer its most questionable plot arc into safer waters in its surprisingly thoughtful ninth volume.
― Genshiken Second Season has been a bit of a mess. In contrast with the original series' sensitive and remarkably grounded approach to fandom circles, Second Season has shifted from a promising setup into outright harem comedy territory, its characters moaning about their own cliche...
The List - 6 Fantastic Female Friendships in Anime
anime
Whether they're taking down monsters or just surviving the trials of high school, these gal pals have each other's backs through the best and worst of times.
― Hello readers! As you may or may not know, I'm approaching my fifth anniversary as the author of The List. With the exception of brief hiatuses and reprints over the last year or so, that's roughly 250 columns written about anime and manga to...
Fate/Apocrypha — Episodes 1-3
anime
While we wait for the newest animated entry in the Fate series to arrive on Netflix, Kim Morrissy has a look at the first three episodes straight from Japan. How does this "Great Grail War" compare to its predecessors?
― Note: While Fate/Apocrypha is not yet available streaming in English, this review comes courtesy of our Tokyo correspondent who watched these first three episodes in Japan. Fate/Apoc...
Interview: Tokyo Ghoul (live-action) Director Kentarō Hagiwara
live-action
The director behind this challenging action/horror manga adaptation discusses the process behind bringing the shock and wonder of Tokyo Ghoul to life on the big screen.
― Just before its wide Japanese release, the live action Tokyo Ghoul film premiered at Anime Expo on July 3rd, 2017. Hundreds of people waited hours in line for a chance to see the film, whose screening filled the JW Marriot's Diamond...
Answerman - Why Aren't Anime Sales Figures Made Public?
anime
We'd really love to know exactly how well our favorite anime sold on Bluray and DVD. Why do they keep these numbers from us? Justin gets into it.
― Michael asks: I was wondering if you could explain the mindset behind why anime companies seem to be so secretive with their sales numbers. I could be wrong about this, but I don't see any benefit to not releasing how many units "title x" sold or how man...
Why Affordable Housing for Animators Matters (and What You Can Do to Help)
industry
Callum May takes an inside look at the Animator Supporters Dormitory Project that aims to give affordable housing to overworked animators. Find out how you can help support the lifeblood of the anime industry!
― If you're interested in finding out more about the anime industry, you'll undoubtedly come across numerous reports of struggling animators. For the most part, anime is not a practical way to ...
School-Live! Blu-Ray
anime
This one-of-a-kind combination of slice-of-life and horror starts strange and finishes strong. Theron Martin explores just what makes this series so special.
― The first episode of this series is one of the biggest cases of misdirection in anime history, as both the opening theme and first twenty minutes suggest that this is going to be a high-spirited slice-of-life series about schoolgirls. Sure, th...
This Week in Games - Accel World vs. Sword Art Online
games
The unimaginably popular worlds of light novel author Reki Kawahara collide in a new RPG. Dustin takes it for a spin. PLUS: Toy Story Kingdom Hearts and much more!
― Last column, I mentioned that Dream Daddy: A Dad Dating Simulator would be out this week, and that's still true despite a very last-minute delay. The developers put out a statement explaining that there were further bug fixes that needed...
Interview: Ali Project
music
The idol royalty behind a string of hit anisong themes from Code Geass to Kizumonogatari answers a few questions about her incredible career (and her incredible fashion!)
― ALI PROJECT doesn't have a hard time getting recognized – if you're not familiar with their signature aristocratic fashion style, then odds are you've heard at least a few of their unique, chart-topping anime theme songs, seen in ...
Kiki's Delivery Service Giveaway 75 minutes left!
anime
We've extended the entry deadline for Kiki's Deliver Service merch by half a day, which means you have 75 minutes to enter for you chance at some really cool Kiki's Deliversy Service merchandise and theatrical tickers.
― GKIDS and Fathom Events are partnering to bring Academy Award-winning Hayao Miyazaki's Kiki's Delivery Service to select cinemas nationwide for a special two-day event on July 23 & ...
Haruchika: Haruta & Chika BD+DVD
anime
Haruchika is just good enough to set viewers up for disappointment when it fails to deliver on its potential. Rebecca Silverman explains what went wrong.
― There are some shows that tease you with their mediocrity, occasionally showing flashes of, if not brilliance, than at least intrigue before turning around and slumping back into uninteresting and disappointing you all over again. Haruchika is one...
The Summer 2017 Anime Preview Guide
anime
Looking for a fresh Summer anime? Our complete guide to the entire season is available now.
Reviews Include: Gamers! - Classroom of the Elite - My First Girlfriend is a Gal - Magic Circle Guru-Guru - In Another World with my Smartphone - New Game!! - Angel's 3Piece! - Chronos Ruler - Princess Principal - A Centaur's Life - Hitorijime My Hero - Action Heroine Cheer Fruits - and much more! ― Welcome t...
Reviews Include: Gamers! - Classroom of the Elite - My First Girlfriend is a Gal - Magic Circle Guru-Guru - In Another World with my Smartphone - New Game!! - Angel's 3Piece! - Chronos Ruler - Princess Principal - A Centaur's Life - Hitorijime My Hero - Action Heroine Cheer Fruits - and much more! ― Welcome t...