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The Mike Toole Show - Gundam of the Century
With Gundam MS IGLOO finally arriving on Blu-ray, it might seem like the entire UC library is finally at Western fans' fingertips, but Mike Toole has thoughts on some Gundam gems you might still be missing!
― Last month, MS Igloo, the oddball 3DCG member of the Mobile Suit Gundam family, came out on Blu-Ray, finally replacing the long out-of-print Bandai Visual USA release. I mentioned this on my Twi...
Answerman - Why Do Fans Ask Inappropriate Things At Convention Panels?
Fans ask weird, awkward and inappropriate things at anime convention Q&A panels all the time. Why does it happen so much?
― Jake asked: I enjoy attending conventions once or twice a year and one of my favorite things is attending panels with the Japanese animators, directors, producers, and voice actors. I find it interesting to find out more about there experiences in the industry and their influen...
Answerman - What Should We Expect from the Sony - Funimation Deal?
Sony Pictures TV is absorbing Funimation. What should we expect? Justin provides the facts (and some informed speculation).
― Lots of people asked: I just saw the big news that Sony Pictures TV is going to acquire a 95% stake in Funimation, and I am really concerned. What will this mean for Funimation releases, their deal with Crunchyroll, their dubs, and their streaming platform? Press releases abo...
This Week in Anime - What the Hell Just Happened in Vatican Miracle Examiner?
From two-headed babies to a cryogenically frozen Hitler, this Catholic-flavored mystery series has gone off the rails. Nick and Jacob make it their sacred mission to figure out how we got there.
― It may have seemed like a normal mystery series on the surface, but there's more than sacrosanct sleuthing going on in the world of Vatican Miracle Examiner! This week in anime, we try to exorcise the madne...
Vice & Luna - Let The Good Times Roll
Vice's secret identity has been uncovered - and now he'd better make a quick escape from Comic-con!
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Answerman - What Is That Little Stamp That Japanese People Use To Sign Papers?
You often see characters in anime using a little stamp for signing documents. What's the deal with that stamp?
― Qashmal asks: I realized from watching Girls und Panzer (also mentioned in Miss Kobayashi's Dragon Maid) that people in Japan have something called "personal seal," which, I assume, works like an autograph or signature. If it's an organization, I can understand why a seal is needed, but w...
Shelf Life - Monster Musume
Gabriella Ekens dives into the lewd and wacky world of monster girls, plus all this week's new anime releases including Sword Art Online!
― I went to a screening of The Ancient Magus' Bride last week (one advantage of living in a big college town is that the local theaters pick up a lot of anime events), and I have to admit I was pretty impressed. The art and animation were both strong, and the thre...
The List - 7 Wildly Impractical Giant Robot Designs
These mecha might win the gold for creativity, but they're hardly combat-ready. Would you pilot any of these automated oddities into battle?
― Big robots routinely mean big business, maintaining a place in anime fandom thanks in no small part to Gundam creator Yoshiyuki Tomino and staples like Voltron, Macross, Neon Genesis Evangelion, Eureka 7, Escaflowne, and Patlabor. While many series remain nos...
ANNCast: Resurrection
Zac, Jacob, and Discotek's Brady Hartel round up the summer 2017 anime season, plus Anime Expo, San Diego Comic-Con, Castlevania and much much more!
― ANNCast Episode 301 - Resurrection Zac, Jacob and Discotek's Brady Hartel round up the summer 2017 anime season, plus Anime Expo, San Diego Comic-Con, Castlevania and much much more! You can listen to the show on our player here, direct-download the M...
Answerman - What Do Manga Artists Think Of Dirty Doujinshi?
There are mountains of smutty doujinshi for every anime, manga and game under the sun - but what do the original artists think of it in Japan? Justin explains.
― Aloysia asks: I understand that there's several mangaka that create BL/yuri doujinshi but there's also who don't. So how do they react to BL/yuri shipping? Do they get angry "My characters are not gay!" or just ignore it? Doujinshi, or smal...
This Week in Anime - What's Really Going On In A Centaur's Life?
This world of mermaids, satyrs, and centaurs may seem peaceful at first, but are there more complex politics in play under its surface? Wild horses couldn't drag us away from solving this mystery!
― The world of A Centaur's Life is populated with six-limbed wonders like angelkin, goatmen, mermaids, and of course centaurs instead of the four-limbed humans of our world. But is there something deeper go...
This Week in Games - Remember That Ghost in the Shell Shooter?
Dustin straps in for a look at the recently-relaunched Ghost in the Shell online shooter to find out if it's still worth joining Section 9. PLUS: Pokemon GO, Dragon Ball FighterZ and much more!
― Splatoon 2 is out, and it's great. It's been dominating game time for me since the weekend, and that's been across every single mode—casual, ranked, single-player, and Salmon Rush. But just because there's a...
Answerman - Why Aren't Tezuka and Ishinomori Anime Popular In The West?
Fans of Astro Boy, Cyborg 009 and other timeless classics have long asked: why isn't this stuff more popular with American audiences?
― Nik asks: Osamu Tezuka and Shotaro Ishinomori are two of my favorite manga/anime creators. My favorite aspect of their works is the "retro" and "rounded" look of the characters. Properties like Cyborg 009, Kikaider, and Astro Boy are extremely appealing to me in an ...
This Week in Anime - What's Stain's Real Problem With Heroes?
My Hero Academia's newest villain is bloodthirsty to a shocking extreme, but does he have a good reason to hate heroes so much? This week, we take a look at the world through his creepy red eyes.
― Welcome to our new twice-weekly format for This Week in Anime! Going forward, two members of our team will discuss just one hot new anime topic in each column, starting off with a discussion of My Hero Aca...
Vice & Luna - The Leaked Jedi
Perry's dedication to the True Fan Comic-Con Experience wavers when the footage he's waiting to see leaks while he's in line...
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Answerman - Is It Ethical To Import Anime From Other Countries?
Anime fans in the UK will often import low-price American anime box sets - but is that ethical? What's the impact on their own local anime distributors? Justin gets into it.
― Jason asks: What do Japanese licence holders think of people in the UK importing US region 1 discs? How legal is this? Some times a show never seems to get a UK release and isn't available for streaming either. Japanese produc...
Shelf Life - School-Live!
James Beckett discovers surprising thrills and chills in this slice of life drama that's more than it seems on the surface. Plus, all this week's new releases and a new Shelf Obsessed!
― My daily streaming review shows for this season have a suspicious number of things in common. Both New Game and Gamers are video game-themed slice-of-life comedies (one about the people who make them, one about the ...
The Mike Toole Show - The Magnificent 1997
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...
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.
― 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...
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...
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!
― 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...
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...
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...
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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, ...
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...
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 ...
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...
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...
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...
Vice & Luna - The Brutal Alley
Comic-con continues, and Maybell's dark day in Artist's Alley isn't quite over yet.
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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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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 ...
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...
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...
Answerman - Why Are So Many Anime's English Titles Total Nonsense?
Justin explains the process by which some of our favorite anime have some of the strangest English titles.
― Yen asks: What group usually originates a show's English title? Some shows seem to have indecipherable word salad titles that almost too obviously come from the original Japanese team. And while truly graceful titles sound like they're the product of native English speakers (Kids on the Slope...
Answerman - How Do You Get Over Anime Burnout?
It can strike when you least expect it: absolute anime burnout! Justin shares his tips for getting out of an otaku slump.
― Michael asks: For about three years, I watched a lot more anime than I ever had before. It was pretty much the only media I was consuming and it wouldn't be uncommon for me to be watching eight to ten shows at the same time. Well, as it happens when you overdo it, I got burned ...
This Week in Anime - Hugs for the Good Boys
As This Week in Anime changes gears for the next season, Nick and Micchy say their goodbyes to all the good boys in Attack on Titan, Berserk, and Love Rice, as other shows soldier on into the summer!
― Previous Weeks in Anime Week 1 - Week 2 - Week 3 - Week 4 - Week 5Week 6 - Week 7 - Week 8 - Week 9 Nicholas Dupree got into anime in high school, and manga even earlier. From One Piece to The Promised...
Vice & Luna - Here Comes Mr. Goodtimes
He's the rowdiest convention goer the Enchanted Grove Comic-Con has ever seen, and he might be in really big trouble...
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Answerman - Why Do Some Anime Change Studios Between Seasons?
Justin gets into some of the many reasons why an anime might jump to a different production studio between seasons.
― Jun asks: I noticed that sometimes a show with multiple seasons have different studios working on them. For instance, the first season of My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU is produced by studio Brain's Base while the second season was handled by studio feel. Why does this happen sometime...
Shelf Life - Ultra Maniac
Is this forgotten magical girl romcom from the '90s trash or treasure? Find out after the jump, along with a rundown of all this week's anime releases and a very Maison Ikkoku Shelf Obsessed!
― I live on the second floor of an apartment building, so it's always surprising when one of the neighborhood cats appears on my tiny balcony. I'm not sure if it somehow climbs the fire escape ladder or just ju...
The Mike Toole Show - By the Book
Mike devours the Sound! Euphonium and Legend of the Galactic Heroes novels and then can't help but compare them to their anime adaptations? Which is better: the book or the movie?
― You can tell what a big anime nerd I am because of all of the books I've been reading lately. Just in the past couple of months, I've killed off the first of Hayao Miyazaki's essential two-part essay collection, Starting ...
The List - 6 Worst First Kisses in Anime
Sometimes your first kiss is magical, but if you're an anime character, this adolescent milestone can get too weird for comfort. Here are six first kisses that the smoochers might want to forget.
― A first kiss can be a special, a treasured moment shared between two romantic partners. Or it can be haphazardly stolen by some jerk trying to one-up his friend or caused by a pratfall down a flight of st...
Answerman - How Do Small Indie Theaters End Up Showing Anime?
One of the best places to see anime in the theater is at an independent cinema - but how do these mom 'n pop theaters get the films? Justin gets into it.
― Kevin asks: Going based off the Kizumonogatari movies, Mahouka movies, and plenty others, a lot of anime movies which get theater releases tend to be in small private theaters. How did these theaters get these anime movie screenings? Was it compa...
ANNCast - Rumiko Talkahashi
Zac and special guest Dawn from the Anime Nostalgia Podcast reveal their undying love for Rumiko Takahashi, titan of manga, creator of timeless classics like Urusei Yatsura, Ranma 1/2 and more.
― ANNCast Episode 300 - Rumiko Talkahashi Zac and special guest Dawn from the Anime Nostalgia Podcast reveal their undying love for Rumiko Takahashi, titan of manga, creator of timeless classics like Urusei Y...
This Week in Games - Arms
Dustin goes a few rounds with Nintendo's noodle-armed fighting game for the Switch just in time for the summer. PLUS: Konami controversy, Rap Rabbit's demise, Sega Forever and more!
― Even covering it from the comfort of a home office, the sheer volume of E3 was positively exhausting. My heart goes out to the poor writers in the trenches, and even more to the poor fans who paid money for the mostly u...
Answerman - What Happened To The "Watch This Program In A Well-Lit Room" Warnings?
Ever since one Pokemon episode caused an unanticipated medical emergency, there have been viewer warnings in front of many anime on TV. Why are they starting to go away now?
― Chris asks: Back in the day, after that infamous episode of Pokémon gave viewers seizures, many anime would start with an on-screen warning to watch with the lights on and at a safe distance from the TV. A bunch of my late-90'...
This Week in Anime - Mostly Blood
The biggest shows of the Spring season pull out their biggest twists and bloodiest climaxes this week, but some are more successful than others. From Re:Creators to Kado The Right Answer, Nick and Micchy cover this gory week in anime!
― Previous Weeks in Anime Week 1 - Week 2 - Week 3 - Week 4 - Week 5Week 6 - Week 7 - Week 8 Nicholas Dupree got into anime in high school, and manga even earlier. From...
Vice & Luna - Artist's Alley Blues
Maybell discovers that Artist's Alley is a lot more brutal than she might've been expecting.
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Answerman - Quick Answers Part 3
It's time for another lightning round - theme parks in Japan, live-action anime adaptations, the fate of Yahoo Japan auctions and more!
― It's time once again to tackle the questions that I couldn't get a whole column's worth of information out of! Ready? Let's go! Chris asks: What will happen to Yahoo! Japan after the finalization last week of Yahoo!'s merger with / absorption into Verizon? Some of...
Shelf Life - Valkyrie Drive: Mermaid
Things get steamy on Shelf Life this week as Paul dives into the deep end of a fanservice yuri action extravaganza. Plus, all this week's new anime releases!
― I was going to talk about E3 this week, but then I watched the latest episode of Sakura Quest and decided I really wanted to rave about that show instead. I've been watching it all season, but it only just recently hit me that it's really wel...
The List - 7 Anime About the Woes of the Workplace
Beyond the bubble of high school life lies the 9-to-5 grind of the working world, a place many anime fear to tread. These seven shows are prepared to run the rat race!
― The world of adulthood is wracked with responsibilities. There's the nine to five grind, house maintenance, bills, and sometimes even a spouse or children to take care of at the end of the day. This isn't the world of swords and sor...
Answerman - Will China or Korea Ever Compete With Anime?
You might expect China and Korea to have their own robust slate of anime for Japan and the world to contend with - but why hasn't that happened?
― Marlon asks: It seems that the Chinese and South Koreas want to have their own equivalent of the anime/manga market. With their webtoons and such, Chinese investors seem to be putting a lot into forming their own market like Japan, even licensing or creat...
ANNCast - Programmed To Feel Pain
Friends from the Internet Dave Riley and Graziella Mattie join Zac to stare longingly into the void with Nier: Automata. PLUS: Persona 5 and our most anticipated games from E3!
― ANNCast Episode 299 - Programmed To Feel Pain Friends from the Internet Dave Riley and Graziella Mattie join Zac to stare longingly into the void with Nier: Automata. PLUS: Persona 5 and our most anticipated games from E3! ...
This Week in Games - Seven E3 Takeaways
Dustin has seven major takeaways from this year's E3, and we promise they aren't all about Dragonball FighterZ. PLUS: next week's new releases, including Nintendo's ARMS!
― E3 sure did happen. As always, it was a rough combination of the celebratory creativity of an entire medium and the cynicism its marketing and business has cultivated over the years. But look: video games are cool, the people who ...
Answerman - Is It Still Socially Unacceptable To Be An Otaku In Japan? (Revisited)
Justin takes another crack at his answer to a question from last week - is the social stigma around being an otaku in Japan still prevalent?
― Today we're gonna revisit a question we published last Friday, submitted by James: I have seen a rather large number of anime and manga series in recent years in which a character (either male of female) is extremely popular and successful at school and with ...
This Week in Anime - Yutapon Cubes
My Hero Academia steals the show with a jaw-dropping battle, but the shockwaves just keep coming with dark twists in Attack on Titan, Re:Creators, and even Anonymous Noise. Nick and Micchy have their hands full for this week in anime!
― Previous Weeks in Anime Week 1 - Week 2 - Week 3 - Week 4 - Week 5Week 6 - Week 7 Nicholas Dupree got into anime in high school, and manga even earlier. From One Piec...
Vice & Luna - Based on a True Story
Vice is confronted with the full Comic-Con outdoor line waiting experience, and he may never be the same again.
―
Answerman - Why Are Hentai Characters Labeled As Being Over 18 (Even When They're Not)?
Justin explains what might be the oldest trick in the hentai industry localization book.
― Yousef asks: I noticed most DVD and Blu-ray releases of hentai contain a message stating that all participants in the work are 18 years of age or older; however, this seems to be incredibly subjective and in many cases not true (I've heard interesting stories first hand from one licenser on how this has been w...
Shelf Life - Himouto! Umaru-chan
James Beckett faces off with the world's laziest and craziest otaku imouto to see if her comedy adventures are worth owning on Blu-Ray, plus all this week's new anime releases!
― I spent the better part of last week driving around the northeastern US for family stuff, so I don't really have anything interesting to talk about this week. I can compare the quality of highways and drivers from state to ...
The List - 7 Brother-Sister Romances That Went Too Far
Things get incestuous in this edition of The List, with seven couples who might be a little TOO close for comfort.
― This week, we're talking about the elephant in the anime viewing room. It's a particular type of "forbidden relationship" that crops up on a pretty regular basis, where dudes have a chance at sleeping with their sisters. I'm not going to pretend to know why this trope is common beyond...
Answerman - Why Is It Socially Unacceptable To Be An Otaku In Japan?
Generally speaking, Japanese society still shuns the otaku - why is that? Justin has a few ideas.
― James asks: I have seen a rather large number of anime and manga series in recent years in which a character (either male of female) is extremely popular and successful at school and with their friends, but hides the fact that they are an otaku (approximately the Japanese equivalent of a nerd in weste...
This Week in Games - The Modest Life of Virtual Console
In the calm before the E3 storm, Dustin considers the legacy and future of Nintendo's Virtual Console service. PLUS: Pokemon, Final Fantasy Dissidia, more old Mega Man games and much more!
― Good god, E3 starts next week. Though I'm fortunate enough to not be going to LA, there's still a hint of dread mixed in with all the excitement for what's coming. It's a flood a-coming, one which comes in the af...
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...
This Week in Anime - It Came From DeviantArt
Re:Creators takes some fanfic-tastic turns, while the stakes shoot much higher in Rage of Bahamut and The Royal Tutor. Nick and Micchy discuss all this and more in shows from Attack on Titan to My Hero Academia!
― Previous Weeks in Anime Week 1 - Week 2 - Week 3 - Week 4 - Week 5 - Week 6 Nicholas Dupree got into anime in high school, and manga even earlier. From One Piece to The Promised Neverland, ...
Vice & Luna - Comic-Con Justice
Luna strikes a blow for freedom while showing Maybell the ropes at the Enchanted Grove Comic-Con.
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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...
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 ...
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...
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...
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 ...
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...
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...
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!
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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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
This Week In Games - Fire Emblem Echoes
An ancient Fire Emblem game from the depths of the Famicom library gets resurrected on the 3DS - but is it worth your time? PLUS: Mario's got a gun, Netflix for games and much more!
― If you've followed this column for a while, you've probably noticed that I've got a taste for a lot of the games Nintendo puts out. Yet I've never delved deep into Fire Emblem. I played the first Western release when it...
Answerman - Why Do Colors In Blu-ray Re-Releases Of Classic Anime Look Different?
Anime on bluray sometimes looks very different from the way we might remember it - Justin explains how it's a little less scientific than we might think.
― Stanley asks: I have a technical question about Blu-ray transfers, particularly the film to Blu-Ray ones. I've been starting up a Blu-Ray collection recently and was looking at some comparison screenshots from a lot of classic anime titles and fi...
This Week in Anime - The Mouth of Madness
Nick and Micchy have a lot to chew on this week as the tension ramps up in everything from Re:Creators to My Hero Academia, and even Boruto and The Eccentric Family! Plus, just what the heck is Heybot, anyway?
― Previous Weeks in Anime Week 1 - Week 2 - Week 3 - Week 4 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...
Vice & Luna - 05/23/2017
Going to comic-con is EXTREMELY serious business - at least, according to Perry.
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Answerman - What Are Those Radio Exercises Kids Do In Japan?
You see it all the time in anime - the radio plays simple instructions and folks gather to do some basic calisthenics. Is that really a thing in Japan?
― Matt asks: Anime often depict radio calisthenics as something geared toward children or older people, but everyone always appears aware of what it is. Are radio calisthenics as ubiquitous as they appear? And what made them so popular? Radio Taisou,...
Shelf Life - Ajin: Demi-Human
Gabriella Ekens discovers pleasant surprises and wicked twists from this CG adaptation of the popular thriller manga, and Paul runs down all this week's new anime releases!
― With the latest season of Natsume's Book of Friends earning high marks, I decided it was finally time to give the series a try. I'm watching it from the beginning, so I'm a few episodes into the first season as I write this. I'...
The List - 6 Villains That Saved the Day
Sometimes it takes a bad guy to do a good guy's job! These six anime heels embraced the glory of being hero for a day in this Classic edition of The List.
― This week is a repeat! Sometimes antagonists can turn a new leaf and become the anti-hero we all deserve. Take a look at these six examples. The heroes might be the stars of the show, but a work of fiction is really made by an awesome antagonist...
ANNCast - Supernerds United
Justin Sevakis, Daryl Surat and Mike Toole reconvene to take on Berserk, Ghost in the Shell, retro anime rereleases and a whole bunch of your Twitter questions!
― ANNCast Episode 296 - Supernerds United Justin Sevakis, Daryl Surat and Mike Toole reconvene to take on Berserk, Ghost in the Shell, retro anime rereleases and a whole bunch of your Twitter questions! You can listen to the show on our play...
Answerman - Why Is Random English Used So Much In Japan?
You see random English words used all over anime - in the credits, roadsigns, even in the dialogue. Why is that? Justin gets into it.
― "Hiruzawa Nakari" asks: Why do many official anime websites have their main navigation links ("Top, News, On-Air, Story, Cast & Staff," etc.) in English? Are they trying to make site international, or is it because it just looks cool? Those websites are clearly not ...
This Week in Games - Utawarerumono: Mask of Deception
It's a visual novel! It's a strategy RPG! It's a visual novel AND a strategy RPG! Dustin takes the second Utawarerumono game out for a spin. PLUS: The end of Hitman, Rap Rabbit and much more!
― It's tough to pick out a game less anime than the recently rebooted Hitman, but I can't avoid taking a moment to lament the fate of IO Interactive under the Square Enix umbrella. That new Hitman was an utter d...
Answerman - Why Aren't New Dubs Made For Old-School Shows?
There are a few exceptions, like Escaflowne and Sailor Moon, but most older anime don't get new English dubs. Why is that? Justin has an answer.
― Leigh asks: I'd like to know why dubbing companies don't take more chances on old-school anime. I mean, just look at how long it took my favorite character, Locke the Superman, to get a subtitled DVD release for his feature film. There's a market for nost...
This Week in Anime - Worst Pun Contest
Nick and Micchy catch up on some surprisingly adorable escapades in Rage of Bahamut and Grimoire of Zero, and the most colossal ball of them all finally drops in Attack on Titan...
― Previous Weeks in Anime Week 1 - Week 2 - Week 3 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's Shonen and it Jumps. He co...
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