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The List - 6 Fantastic Female Friendships in 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.

Interview: Tokyo Ghoul (live-action) Director Kentarō Hagiwara

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.

Why Affordable Housing for Animators Matters (and What You Can Do to Help)

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!

This Week in Games - Accel World vs. Sword Art Online

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!

Interview: Ali Project

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!)

The Controversial Legacy of Final Fantasy XII

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.

Interview: Konomi Suzuki

She's the rising star behind a solid stack of anisong hits, including themes for Re:Zero, Akashic Record of Bastard Magic Instructor and more, and we had a few questions for her.

The Summer 2017 Anime Preview Guide

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!
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ep. review

Altair: A Record of Battles ‒ Episode 3

"Each episode has built on the previous one to make this an engaging story with a fascinating political and historical fantasy background."
ep. review

Revolutionary Girl Utena ‒ Episodes 15-16

"It's been a while since the last review, so let's continue our journey through the Black Rose Arc by getting a little personal."
ep. review

Rage of Bahamut: Virgin Soul ‒ Episode 16

"Our heroes are finally en route to forming a concentrated force against Charioce."
review

Fate/Apocrypha — Episodes 1-3

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...
ep. review

Series Premiere: Vatican Miracle Examiner — Episodes 1-3

"It's just trying to do so much, in a sandbox that it might be too unfamiliar with, that it comes across as a campy cheese-fest with little depth to speak of."
ep. review

Series Premiere: Made in Abyss — Episodes 1-3

"Riko is this story's Dante, Reg is her Virgil, and together they've set off to find out what really hides in the shadows at the center of the world."
column

Answerman - Why Aren't Anime Sales Figures Made Public?

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...
review

School-Live! Blu-Ray

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...
ep. review

Series Premiere: Gamers! — Episodes 1-2

"With sharp comedy and surprisingly strong character writing, Gamers! has a good chance at standing out in a crowded genre."
ep. review

Boruto: Naruto Next Generations ‒ Episode 16

"Denki and Iwabe's unlikely friendship helps drive home the theme of using individual strengths to overcome weakness and sheds some additional light on both characters' personalities."
ep. review

Series Premiere: My First Girlfriend is a Gal — Episodes 1-2

"While these first two episodes definitely wallow in crudeness most of the time, they also show flashes of potential substance."
ep. review

Sakura Quest ‒ Episode 16

"After one more misguided misadventure from Kadota clues the Tourism Board team into something lurking beneath the surface of Sakura Pond, they set out in search of answers."
review

Haruchika: Haruta & Chika BD+DVD

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...
ep. review

Series Premiere: Classroom of the Elite — Episodes 1-2

"If it can navigate the intersection of melodramatic school drama and incisive cultural commentary, this could be a pretty great show."
ep. review

Series Premiere: Fastest Finger First — Episodes 1-3

"A show that might seem middle-of-the-road to some is actually my pick of the summer so far."
column

Answerman - Why Do People Make Curry Rice When Camping?

According to anime, it's possible - and common - to make Japanese-style curry when camping. But is it all just an elaborate, mouth-watering fantasy? Justin chimes in. ― Cole asks: What's up with curry and rice being the camping meal of choice? Seem like cooking rice and making curry (chopping vegetables and meat) make this meal one of the most inconvenient and more difficult meals to prepare outside...
review

Kakegurui — Episodes 1-3

While this psychosexual thriller about high-stakes high school gambling won't be available on Netflix for a few more months, Kim Morrissy's got the scoop on its first three episodes straight from Japan. Is Kakegurui worth hyping up? ― Note: While Kakegurui is not yet available streaming in English, this review comes courtesy of our Tokyo correspondent who watched these first three episodes in Japan. ...
ep. review

Series Premiere: In Another World With My Smartphone — Episodes 1-2

"This series starts with the bare minimum of ambition and hasn't even managed to fulfill that."
ep. review

Series Premiere: Magical Circle Guru-Guru — Episodes 1-2

"Magical Circle Guru-Guru is a must-see for RPG enthusiasts, nostalgic 90s anime fans, and anyone who enjoys a good fantasy comedy."
ep. review

Season Premiere: New Game!! — Episodes 1-2

"New Game's appeal as a moe workplace comedy remains intact, and the show's newfound dramatic ambition has already yielded an impressive result."
ep. review

Series Premiere: Elegant Yokai Apartment Life — Episodes 1-3

"Despite my criticism of the execution, the show is progressing in an interesting direction, and I'm happy to be more invested now than I was after the first episode."
ep. review

Series Premiere: Welcome to the Ballroom — Episodes 1-2

"This is an engaging start to the show and a pretty good adaptation of the manga."
interview

Interview: Walküre's Minori Suzuki and JUNNA

The passionate idols of Macross Delta's Walküre were in Los Angeles for the first time ever this summer, breathing fire on stage for an ocean of thrilled fans. We had a few questions for them. ― The latest in a long line of idols birthed by the legendary Macross franchise, Minori Suzuki (as Freya in the series) and JUNNA (as Mikumo Guynemer) flew in to perform for their overseas fans as part of the A...
column

Vice & Luna - The Best Part of the Convention

At every convention big or small, there's a place you can go where everybody knows your pain...
review

Outlaw Star BD+DVD

The '90s action classic has finally arrived on Blu-ray, but have Gene's adventures aboard the Outlaw Star aged gracefully? Chris Farris finds out. ― Outlaw Star occupies an unusual space in western anime fandom. The show ran on Cartoon Network's Toonami block around the turn of the millennium, enjoying repeated success through re-runs of its 26-episode season. It also featured heavily in Toonami's ad...
ep. review

Series Premiere: Restaurant to Another World — Episodes 1-3

"There's something undeniably wonderful about a dish you only get to eat every so often."
ep. review

Series Premiere: Love and Lies — Episodes 1-3

"Despite my initial misgivings, I wound up unexpectedly invested in the soap-opera levels of romantic entanglement these teenagers are getting themselves into."
ep. review

Series Premiere: Clean Freak! Aoyama kun — Episodes 1-3

"This is certainly an unusual entry in the soccer anime genre and, thanks to its comedy-sports combo, a memorable one too."
ep. review

One Piece ‒ Episode 797

Happy 100th One Piece review to Sam Leach! The Whole Cake Island arc is just getting started, as we approach the 800th episode of the show!
interview

Interview: THE IDOLM@STER CINDERELLA GIRLS

The dazzling pop idols of THE IDOLM@STER CINDERELLA GIRLS spill the beans on their first-ever American performance. ― THE IDOLM@STER is a massive mixed-media pop franchise that needs very little introduction. With more than a decade in the limelight, dozens of games, a handful of well-received anime series and countless live idol events, THE IDOLM@STER has long held its place among the most revered i...
column

Answerman - Why Can't Some Older Anime Be Remastered?

Some older anime get sparkling, crystal-clear remasters, while others have muffled audio and compromised video - why is that? Justin gets into it. ― Geoffrey asks: There are some older series (especially Toei series) that can't be properly shown in HD because the original materials (usually the audio) were lost or junked. Why is that? Why would they get rid of the original masters? For Saint Seiya, ...
column

Shelf Life - Magi: The Kingdom of Magic

Paul dug the first series of Magi, but can the second series live up to its predecessor's quality? Plus, the complete rundown on all this week's new anime releases! ― My parents are shopping for a new car to replace a twenty year-old SUV that's on its last legs. I tagged along with them on a trip to a couple of dealerships during my most recent visit, and I remembered something important: even for a...
review

Review: Pokémon the Movie: I Choose You!

This reimagining of Ash's origins as a Pokemon Trainer in Kanto has the unique opportunity to entertain nostalgic fans and newcomers alike. Callum May finds out if this exciting Pokemon project can stick the landing. ― Aside from the increased production values, Pokemon the Movie: I Choose You! is a clearly distinct experience from the original tale. For example, Brock and Misty make no appearance wi...
ep. review

Series Premiere: A Centaur's Life — Episodes 1-2

"A Centaur's Life is the first monster girl anime I've seen to get into the geopolitical situation of a world populated by fauns, angels, and merfolk."
ep. review

Series Premiere: Princess Principal — Episodes 1-2

"This alternate-history spy series freely mixes standard anime conventions with early 20th-century aesthetics to create one of the season's most distinctive titles."
ep. review

Series Premiere: Knight's & Magic — Episodes 1-3

"It remains to be seen if the series can become anything other than well-designed wish-fulfillment."
ep. review

Series Premiere: Katsugeki! Tōken Ranbu — Episodes 1-3

"This show's slick ufotable action is not only very pretty but also surprisingly newcomer-friendly."
ep. review

Dragon Ball Super ‒ Episode 99

"Now, every knock out matters as nobody wants to be the next universe to lose all ten of their members."
ep. review

Series Premiere: Altair: A Record of Battles — Episodes 1-2

"It's tempting to write this off as Arslan 2.0, but Mahmut is a much tougher character and the world more overtly political than in Arslan."
ep. review

Re:CREATORS ‒ Episode 15

"This episode offers a lot of meat for fans to sink their teeth into, and we wouldn't want it any other way."
review

Kakegurui GN 1

While you wait around for Netflix to finally release this season's anime adaptation of Kakegurui, Rebecca Silverman can tell you whether the original psychosexual gambling manga is worth reading! ― Do you like to take risks? We're not talking “eat the expired leftovers” type risks, though – more like a “wager $40 million that eating the expired leftovers won't make you sick” situation. If that sounds...
ep. review

My Hero Academia ‒ Episode 28

"There are a lot of really solid threads as we begin the next arc, each one demonstrating something new for the show."
column

The List - 7 Characters Who Just Can't Resist Cats

In this classic edition of The List, nobody's a bigger fan of felines than these seven victims of catscratch fever! Does your own love for kitties compare? ― This column was originally published on May 30, 2015. Dogs may be man's best friend, but it's cats that rule the internet. Scientists have gone so far as trying to classify the key qualities that make up "cat people" and "dog people." Male cat ...
review

Spice & Wolf Novel 18

Spice and Wolf returns after five years for a collection of follow-up short stories, which serve as a bridge to the new upcoming spin-off. Theron Martin has the details. ― Though the main story of Spice and Wolf officially ended with novel 17, author Isuna Hasekura apparently couldn't resist tossing off a few follow-up short stories, which originally appeared on his publisher's home page. These are c...
ep. review

Rage of Bahamut: Virgin Soul ‒ Episode 15

"For what's otherwise a simple adventure romp, Virgin Soul presents a decently nuanced conception of war."
ep. review

Sagrada Reset ‒ Episode 15

As we close out our weekly coverage of Sagrada Reset, Gabriella runs down what went wrong with this troubled production.
review

Tokyo Ghoul (Live-Action Film)

Tokyo Ghoul makes the jump from manga to anime to a live-action film. Does the original story's spirit survive the translation? Gabriella Ekens finds out. ― Tokyo Ghoul has been one of the biggest manga hits of the past few years. As these big hits often do, the franchise recently received a live action film adaptation. These types of movies have been a mixed bag in the past, so I didn't harbor many ...
column

Answerman - Why Are Anime Soundtracks Missing Songs?

Every now and then you'll buy an anime soundtrack and it turns out to be missing one or two tracks you were counting on - why does that happen? Justin explains. ― Pearl asks: Sometimes I wait months for the release of a certain anime soundtrack just to hear one specific piece of BGM, only to find that it's nowhere to be found on the disc! For example, Yona of the Dawn has several tracks that are mis...
feature

The Best (and worst) Summer 2017 Short Anime

Every season there's a small mountain of anime under 15 minutes long - here's our guide to the best and worst short anime of the Summer 2017 season! ― James Beckett At last, it's time to check in on the shorts premiering this season, and we're starting off with AHO-GIRL, a ten or so minute comedy centered around the lives of Yoshiko Hanabatake, and her perpetually miserable counterpoint, Akkun. Like ...
review

Black Butler: The Movie BD+DVD

Can this much darker live-action re-imagining capture the campy magic of the original series? Rose Bridges finds out if this Black Butler movie's got enough bite to be worth a taste. ― You can tell just from that synopsis that we're not in standard Black Butler territory anymore. This live-action film departs from the source material in its very first scene, plunging us into modern-day Japan rather t...
column

This Week in Games - Don't Dig Up Your SNES

Dustin examines the curious case of Unholy Night, a Super Nintendo game released on a cartridge in the year 2017. PLUS: Splatoon 2, Fire Pro Wrestling and much more! ― The Netflix Castlevania has some real problems—chief among them its over-reliance on 90s-approved gruesome edginess—but gosh darn if I didn't end up being super into it. It's an adaptation that both respects the source material and cre...
review

Sword Oratoria: Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon?

Is this Aiz-focused spinoff worth watching, or does drifting too far from the main story take us too far away from what makes it special? Theron Martin has the answers for devoted DanMachi fans. ― The Sword Oratoria anime is based on a light novel series that is a concurrently-published spin-off of, and complement to, DanMachi, in much the same way that A Certain Scientific Railgun is related to A Ce...
ep. review

Sakura Quest ‒ Episode 15

"After last week's more thoughtful downtime, Sakura Quest feels truly "back" in this episode, and I'm all too happy to have it."
ep. review

Boruto: Naruto Next Generations ‒ Episode 15

"Episode 15 offers little in the way of surprises or subverted expectations."
column

Answerman - How Does An Anime Studio Go Out Of Business?

We've been reading in the news lately about anime studios going bankrupt - how does that even happen? Justin gets into the wild world of anime finance. ― boy kano asks: How can an anime studio goes bankrupt? If they receive money from a publisher like Kadokawa, surely it can cover up the cost of making an anime title. Anime studios can and do go bankrupt, and in the last few years, at least one or t...
feature

3DCG in Anime: An Introduction

CG in anime can look pretty crummy sometimes, but before you throw the CG baby out with the CG bathwater, read this article and get an education on the hows and whys of 3D anime. ― The prevalence of social media has had a big effect on media criticism, whether it is well-intentioned, innocuous fun or genuinely toxic attacks. A title as popular as Berserk getting a new and by all means subpar adaptati...
review

Castlevania

Fans of Konami's legendary vampire-slaying game series have waited decades for an adaptation; is Netflix's Castlevania the OVA they've been waiting for? ― I didn't have a particularly compelling reason to keep my expectations high for Netflix's Castlevania adaptation – nobody did, really. I've been in love with Konami's sidescrolling vampire series since it debuted in the 80s and have followed the fr...
ep. review

One Piece ‒ Episode 796

"Not enough of the Seducing Woods has been outright bad enough to criticize, but even my iron-clad patience can only handle so much, especially when there are so many bigger picture ideas being teased elsewhere."
column

Vice & Luna - The Brutal Alley

Comic-con continues, and Maybell's dark day in Artist's Alley isn't quite over yet.
review

Review: Mary and the Witch's Flower

"If Mary and the Witch's Flower proves one thing, it's that Studio Ghibli has nurtured enough talent to match Miyazaki's raw skill." Our review of Studio Ponoc's first feature is live now. ― “Who will be the next Miyazaki?” is a question that is often asked, but it's yet to receive a satisfying answer. Hayao Miyazaki's personality has dominated the Studio Ghibli brand for so long that it's doubtful t...
feature

Anime Spotlight - Princess Principal

Profession: Spy
Mission: Female High School Student
― Princess Principal Official Website: http://www.pripri-anime.jp/ Twitter: @pripri_anime Introduction Characters Cast & Staff Gallery On air starting July 9th, 2017 Available at: Key Staff Director: Masaki Tachibana (.hack//Quantum (OAV), Tokyo Magnitude 8.0 (TV)) Series Structure: Ichiro Ohkouchi (Angelic Layer (TV), Azumanga Daioh (TV), Berserk:...
feature

PC Impressions - Danganronpa Another Episode: Ultra Despair Girls

The "harrowing, horrifying, macabre, and generally icky" Danganronpa spinoff finally gets a PC port, and Dustin dares to give it a spin. ― I'm enough of a post-ironic 90s child to have allowed “rad” to slip back into my vocabulary as a catch-all for things that are pretty good, but there's no better word than that to describe the style of Danganronpa Another Episode: Ultra Despair Girls—as long as yo...
column

Answerman - Why Is Anime Dialogue Recorded After Animation Is Done?

DIalogue for many Western cartoons is recorded before animation is done; in Japan, the animation is done first. Why is that? Justin gets into it. ― James asks: Some time ago, you stated that one of the major differences between western animation and Japanese animation is that, in western animation, all dialogue is recorded first, and then the animation is done to match the dialogue, while, in Japane...
ep. review

Season Finale: Atom The Beginning ‒ Episodes 11 & 12

"If you give a thing a consciousness, how far do your responsibilities go?"
column

Shelf Life - Divine Gate

Not all mobile game adaptations are created equally, as clearly witnessed in the unfortunate case of Divine Gate. PLUS: all of this week's new anime DVD and bluray releases! ― It's Preview Guide time again! There have been a couple of nice surprises this season, along with some big-name titles and a few genuine stinkers. Check it out if you haven't already, but first we've got some new releases to s...
review

KanColle: Kantai Collection BD+DVD

The command of the Girls Fleet is yours in this high-concept anime about anthropomorphized WWII battleships; Theron Martin dons his admiral's cap for a closer look. ― The Strike Witches franchise features teenage witches who essentially become anthropomorphized WWII-era fighter planes in an effort to fight off alien invaders. Arpeggio of Blue Steel features young women who are avatars of revamped WWI...
ep. review

Dragon Ball Super ‒ Episode 98

"This episode is solid as any action-focused Dragon Ball Super outing, but the cherry on top is its dark ending."
ep. review

Rage of Bahamut: Virgin Soul ‒ Episodes 13-14

"With these two episodes, Rage of Bahamut: Virgin Soul has finally entered its second cour."
ep. review

Re:CREATORS ‒ Episode 14

"I have to think that someone on the bad guy side will eventually get an inkling about what the good guys are attempting to do."
column

The Mike Toole Show - Searching for Star Blazers

It's a top-shelf, lavish remake of a smash hit sci-fi anime series many Western fans would love to get their hands on - so why did Mike have to import it from Italy to watch it legally? ― I tried to be patient for Star Blazers 2199. I skipped out on pirating the series; that's not really something I do anymore, unless the title in question only ever came out on VHS in 1988. When Voyager Entertainment...
review

Vinland Saga GN 8

Vinland Saga continues to be compelling as Thorfinn searches for sponsors for his trip to Vinland and somehow ends up with a dog and a baby instead. ― The violence of Makoto Yukimura's Viking epic Vinland Saga has waned. It was an important factor in hero Thorfinn's early development – without his time with Askeladd and his armies, Thorfinn would never have developed either the ambition that he has t...
ep. review

My Hero Academia ‒ Episode 27

"Is My Hero Academia the kind of show that would have sparked my imagination as a kid, or does it just hit the right buttons for me as an overthinking adult?"
column

The List - Six Underrated Anime Witches

While everyone's rushing to Netflix to watch Little Witch Academia, these lesser-known sorceresses are still missing their day in the spotlight. Here are six witches ready to cast their spell on you! ― Studio Trigger's Little Witch Academia television anime was just released from its streaming prison at Netflix, which means fans will finally get to follow Atsuko, Sucy, and Lotte on their magical adv...
review

A Bride's Story GN 8

A Bride's Story takes a more lackadaisical turn for an unexpectedly rejuvenating volume. Nick Creamer pores over this volume's strengths. ― After the high theatrics of the sixth volume battle, volume eight at last returns us to the village of Karluk and Amir. With the danger passed, this volume focuses on the long recovery, as the many members of their village band together to repair the damage to th...
ep. review

Sagrada Reset ‒ Episodes 13-14

"So far, One Hand Eden has been Sagrada Reset's best arc in that it might actually be interesting if I cared about the characters at all."
column

Answerman - Why Doesn't Netflix Simulcast?

Netflix has some of the biggest titles of this season like Fate/Apocrypha and Kakegurui, so why don't they release each episode weekly? ― Alexandre asks: Lately, people are upset at streaming services such as Amazon and Netflix and their lack of weekly streams. This causes people to pirate their "exclusive shows" as opposed to waiting to watch them later in one sitting. Why exactly do these services...
feature

What the Heck Happened to Berserk?

Thanks to its truly bizarre CGI animation efforts, fans often came away from Berserk's recent TV series revival disappointed, but what went wrong with this production behind the scenes? Callum May has the answers. ― “I want to see what will happen if we make a Berserk TV anime mainly with 3DCG animation.” - Tetsuro Satomi (LIDEN Films) To call Berserk's new adaptation “divisive” would be an understat...
review

Little Witch Academia Episodes 1-13 Streaming

Little Witch Academia's first TV season is finally available on Netflix, and it's definitely worth the wait. Rebecca Silverman digs into the details. ― After the usual gap that comes of Netflix licensing a series for streaming, Little Witch Academia's TV series is at last legally available to North American audiences – and it's worth the wait. Loosely based on the two short films of the same name, Li...
feature

Anime Spotlight - In Another World With My Smartphone

15-year-old Mochizuki Touya ends up dying due to a mistake by God, and starts his new life in another world. All he has in this new world is his body that God powered up for him and his smartphone. ― In Another World With My Smartphone Official Website: http://isesuma-anime.jp/ Twitter: @isesumaofficial Story Characters Cast & Staff Gallery On air starting July 11th, 2017 Key Staff Director: Takeyuk...
ep. review

Sakura Quest ‒ Episode 14

"It's interesting that leaving the sleepy rural town setting actually makes Sakura Quest feel more leisurely-paced."
ep. review

Interviews with Monster Girls ‒ Episode 13

"Interviews with Monster Girls is back, if only briefly, with a bonus episode at the summer festival."
column

This Week in Games - Breath of the Wild: The Master Trials

The first DLC pack for Breath of the Wild is out - is it just filler material, or is it worth the price of admission? PLUS: Code Vein, Gundam and much more! ― Fun personal fact about me, the guy who runs a column about Japanese games: last week's coverage of Tokyo Xanadu was my very first experience with a Nihon Falcom game. Given its regard as one of the weaker games in their catalog and how much I ...
feature

The Best and Worst of the Spring 2017 Season

The final chart of the Spring 2017 season is here - find out which of your favorite spring anime made it to the top of the charts 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 t...
review

Mobile Suit Gundam MS Igloo Blu-Ray Collection

Lauren Orsini finds out if the Gundam franchise's first foray into full CGI is worth checking out for casual or hardcore Gundam fans and comes away with two very different answers. ― You won't see any dwellings made of ice blocks in Mobile Suit Gundam MS IGLOO, but it turns out that's not the only meaning of the word. In military terms, an “igloo space” is a structure for storing ammunition and explo...
ep. review

Boruto: Naruto Next Generations ‒ Episode 14

"Though it heavily relies on tropes common to the Naruto series, episode 14 serves as a satisfying, full-circle conclusion to the Ghost storyline."
feature

How to Get Into Fate/Grand Order

The Fate universe expands to the world of free-to-play mobile games, and Gabriella Ekens is here to shepherd you through this strange - and fun - new world. ― From a business perspective, cell phones are the future of gaming. Mobage (short for “mobile games”) is the Japanese term for this genre of video games that can fit in your pocket. While its usage there is pretty expansive, in the West it refer...
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Answerman - What Is Uyoku Dantai?

It's a polarizing political group that shows up occasionally in anime like Highschool of the Dead, but it's rarely explained - Justin digs in. ― Manuel asks: I've recently watched the last three episodes of Highschool of the Dead, where it introduces Saya's parents and their supporters, then I read that in the original manga they're actually a group called Uyoku Dantai, and they needed to be toned d...
review

Pandora in the Crimson Shell: Ghost Urn BD+DVD

This odd combination of Ghost in the Shell and Excel Saga finds itself torn between two flavors that just don't mix. Theron Martin explains what went wrong. ― Ever imagine what a series would look like if it combined cyberpunk trend-setter Ghost in the Shell with wacky comedy series Excel Saga? This Winter 2016 series is the answer in both figurative and literal senses, as it is based on a concept by...
game review

Final Fantasy XV: Episode Prompto

This short - but engaging - Final Fantasy XV side story might not fill you up, but it's much more satisfying than the game's previous DLC. Dustin digs in. ― Final Fantasy XV's DLC didn't get off to a great start. Coming off a tremendously flawed launch where certain aspects of the game—you already know which ones—felt anywhere from “half-baked” to “completely unfinished,” the notion of turning around...
column

Shelf Life - Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic

Paul digs in to the sturdy Arabian Nights-flavored shonen action-adventure Magi, plus all of this week's new anime releases on DVD and bluray! ― I started playing the Fate/Grand Order game this week, and boy is it stingy with rare characters. I'm used to low odds from the Love Live rhythm game, but it still stings to keep getting three-star Julius Caesars when you know your five-star waifu is out th...
review

The Rising of the Shield Hero Novel 8

Naofumi gets sent back to start in this volume of Aneko Yusagi's fantasy series when he lands in yet another world with its own set of heroes. ― If the previous volume of Aneko Yusagi's The Rising of the Shield Hero was all about major plot development and finally beginning to understand the hero phenomenon, this book is about getting back to zero – literally in at least one sense. Volume seven ended...
ep. review

One Piece ‒ Episode 795

"There's some noticeable padding, but I had a lot of fun with this episode as a great example of what makes a One Piece arc exciting. "

For all articles, see the archives