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ANNCast - Kemono Replicants
Zac and Jacob spit a whole ocean of hot takes on the Blade Runner anime, the untimely betrayal of Kemono Friends, One-Punch Man Season 2 and your Twitter questions!
― ANNCast Episode 307 - Kemono Replicants Zac and Jacob spit a whole ocean of hot takes on the Blade Runner anime, the untimely betrayal of Kemono Friends, One Punch Man Season 2 and your Twitter questions! You can listen to the show on ...
The Irregular at Magic High School Novel 5
Despite the usual writing issues, this volume of short stories is a nice breather between arcs for the characters. Rebecca Silverman has the lowdown.
― Chronologically speaking, this fifth novel in the Irregular at Magic High School franchise fits in-between the second and third arcs of the anime – after the Nine Schools Competition and before the Yokohama Disturbance. Skipping over it in terms of an...
Season Finale: Gamers! ‒ Episode 12
"This series had a few rough edges, but it offered more than enough entertainment to justify some kind of a sequel."
This Week in Anime - Where Did "My First Girlfriend is a Gal" Go Wrong?
Straddling the line between romcom and fanservice show is no easy feat, but this gal-stacked effort falls on its face. We break down where this milkshake turned sour.
― My First Girlfriend is a Gal could have straddled the line between romcom and fanservice show gracefully, but the end result was less than successful. This week in anime, Jacob and Steve suss out where things went sour for these gals....
She and Her Cat GN
Makoto Shinkai's story of a young woman's life through the perspective of the cat she rescued is uniquely poignant. Rebecca Silverman explores this heartwarming tale.
― Have you ever seen the bumper sticker shaped like a pawprint that reads, “Who Saved Who?” That is the essence of Makoto Shinkai and Tsubasa Yamaguchi's manga version of Shinkai's short anime She and Her Cat. The story is told from the...
Boruto: Naruto Next Generations ‒ Episode 26
"So far, the field trip arc has proven to be about Kagura, with Boruto and his crew serving as prominent supporting characters."
Season Finale: Classroom of the Elite ‒ Episode 12
"This episode managed a tricky balance, simultaneously coming off as both a conclusive ending and the opening act of a much larger drama."
Season Finale: In Another World With My Smartphone ‒ Episode 12
"It seems fitting for a series like Isekai Smartphone to wrap by avoiding resolution for a conflict that should be easy to solve."
Column - Why Don't Manga Publishers Announce When Books Go Out Of Print?
Manga volumes go out of print all the time with no warning - why does it work that way? Justin gets into it.
― Bill asked: Why are manga licensees so cagey about when books are close to going out of print? Usually theres no way to tell If something is on its way out, or even fully out of print, until it's only available for jacked up prices on eBay. As consumers we tend to think of physical media --...
Magical Circle Guru-Guru ‒ Episode 12
Our coverage of Magical Circle Guru-Guru wraps for the season as Nike and Kukuri complete a major quest in preparation for their fight against the final boss.
Elegant Yokai Apartment Life ‒ Episode 13
"This episode isn't bad, but it left a bit to be desired to go beyond merely being pleasant."
Season Finale: New Game!! ‒ Episode 12
"This is a very strong ending, partly because it feels like New Game saved the best for last."
Marvel vs. Capcom: Infinite
Several changes have been made to this fighting game's new installment, but not all of them are for the better. Dustin Bailey gets into it.
― The new story mode in Marvel vs. Capcom: Infinite has all the characters trapped in a pair of worlds awkwardly smashed together out of pieces from their respective universes. Marvel's AIM laboratories host not only MODOK, but also the BOWs of Resident Evil, smu...
Danganronpa V3: Killing Harmony
To call the end of Danganronpa "shocking" would be an understatement! Jacob Chapman takes on the controversial final chapter in this SPOILER-FREE review.
― Prior to the release of this (second?) conclusion to the main Danganronpa trilogy, series creator Kazutaka Kodaka was emphatic in several interviews that this "new semester" would be completely open to newcomers. While it would bring closure to th...
One Piece ‒ Episode 806
"Its general tone is the most distinctly One Piece out of all the Whole Cake Island episodes yet."
Season Finale: A Centaur's Life ‒ Episode 12
"It's a pretty low-key affair, one final celebration of all the most prominent characters, and a chill way to send off the whole thing."
Answerman - What's With All the Bondage Humor in Anime?
Why is something as risqué as S&M such an easy go-to for comedy even in family-friendly anime? Justin Sevakis has the answers.
― Brandi asked: what is up with anime and the S&M fetish? I'm not talking about hentai. It mostly comes out in the form of one of the men on the show turning out to be some kind of over the top masochist. I've seen this joke over an over again. Most recently in D-Frag! and i...
Dragon Ball Super ‒ Episode 108
"Universe 7 is down three members in the Tournament of Power, and as they move on up to fighting tougher and tougher opponents, they'll need all the help they can get."
Season Finale: Knight's & Magic ‒ Episode 13
"It was nice to watch K&M build, developing and improving in the same way as many of the machines it focused on."
Shelf Life - Fruits Basket
Gabriella Ekens revisits the classic shojo romcom on blu-ray, and Paul Jensen breaks down this week's huge heap of new releases!
― We've got a pretty wide variety of new releases this week, which means we also have a whole lot of options to explore. Let's jump right into it! Welcome to Shelf Life. Jump to this week's review: Fruits Basket On Shelves This Week Crusher Joe - OVA Collection DVD Discote...
Season Finale: Princess Principal ‒ Episode 12
"While I came away from the episode feeling like they could have done more, the show definitely delivered a satisfactory ending nonetheless."
Chihayafuru Season 1 Premium Edition BD+DVD
This adaptation of the award-winning manga about karuta is finally available to own in a fancy special edition box! Bamboo Dong explores just what makes this series so special.
― On paper, Chihayafuru would probably be considered a sports anime. The characters spend most of their time training for, talking about, and playing sports. And most of the action and tension revolve around the outcome of spo...
Welcome to the Ballroom ‒ Episode 12
"The show returns from the Brink of Despair this week by introducing new female characters who aren't just wilting wallflowers and actually using ballroom music during dance scenes."
Season Finale: Katsugeki! Tōken Ranbu ‒ Episode 13
"Katsugeki! Touken Ranbu wasn't the most emotionally sophisticated or thematically intriguing show, but it ended well enough to tell its story in a rewarding manner."
My Hero Academia ‒ Episode 37
"This episode delivers all the emotional thrust you might expect from this scenario, although it never quite reaches the spectacular highs that I was ready for."
The Reflection ‒ Episode 10
"I've never quite known what was really going on in The Reflection, but this week is the first time it's actually affected my ability to enjoy the show."
Platinum End GN 2
Ohba and Obata's newest manga thriller expands its cast and slips into a comfortable rhythm for its second volume. Nick Creamer dives in.
― Platinum End's first volume established a cheekily cynical platform for a thriller. Opening with our suicidal hero Mirai, it proposed a scenario where twelve human candidates for godhood would have to fight it out, each of them blessed with some mix of angelic po...
Season Finale: Vatican Miracle Examiner ‒ Episode 12
"Vatican Miracle Examiner has been many things over its twelve-episode run, but I don't think “miraculous” is a word I would use to describe any of them."
Altair: A Record of Battles ‒ Episode 11
"All of this is leading up to a wedding worse than anything dreamed up by George R. R. Martin."
Rage of Bahamut: Virgin Soul ‒ Episode 23
"At this point in the series, I am exclusively invested in the fates of several characters who are extremely unlikely to get happy endings."
The List - 7 Drastic Character Design Changes
When a manga's art is too complex to animate or a series has been on the air for a long time, artistic changes are bound to arise. Here are seven of the most striking shifts in a character's style.
― The transition from manga to anime isn't always a seamless process. Projects hire character designers to reinterpret static artwork into something that can be animated in a manageable way. This can mean...
That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime GN 1
This isekai adventure takes a turn for the slimy as its protagonist enters a fantasy world in perhaps the worst form possible. Theron Martin has the details.
― Isekai stories are pervasive in the Japanese light novel market these days, and stories where the world-jumping involves reincarnation with mind and memories intact are swiftly becoming more popular. We've already seen some odd twists on that ...
Made in Abyss ‒ Episode 12
"Even when the vignettes of Made in Abyss don't tie together in a tidy manner, everything ends up connected in the end."
Review: Neo-Yokio
It's an original anime by Vampire Weekend frontman Ezra Koenig and famous actor Jaden Smith, along with a celebrity voice cast. What could possibly go wrong? Mike Toole investigates Netflix's latest original.
― They finally did it, folks: they animated Jaden Smith's Twitter account. That was what I thought after hearing Smith's character, Kaz, unwind the first of many bizarre pronouncements, in a bid...
ANNCast - Nap Squad
Zac and Jacob tackle Kenji Kamiyama's Napping Princess, plus the end of summer anime, new movies, and plenty of your questions!
― ANNCast Episode 306 - Nap Squad Zac and Jacob tackle Kenji Kamiyama's Napping Princess, plus the end of summer anime, new movies, and plenty of your questions! You can listen to the show on our player here, direct-download the MP3 version here, check out the show on Stitc...
Answerman - Why Don't Anime Musicals Get US Releases?
Japan has an ocean of stage musicals based on anime, from Naruto to Sailor Moon - why don't they ever get released in the States? Justin considers the angles.
― Bunny asked: Sailor Moon's new musical cast were guests at a state anime convention, but I don't see it getting much further than that. We only have fansubs as a source, but I'd like to support it legally. I was wondering what would it take ...
Interview: God Eater and Code Vein's Yusuke Tomizawa
The producer behind these anime-style action RPGs shares his inspirations as a developer and his ambitions for the simultaneous worldwide release of Code Vein!
― A long-time employee at Bandai Namco Entertainment, Yosuke Tomizawa is best known as the producer for the God Eater franchise. The God Eater games feature co-op multiplayer monster hunting within a story-focused experience. He is currently w...
The Controversial Politics of Classroom of the Elite
So besides T&A, what is this season's Classroom of the Elite really about? Gabriella Ekens explores its takes on Nietzsche, Rousseau, and even other anime!
― What's the best way to organize society? How much power should be vested in the general population versus an elite leadership? And how should people be educated as to their best interests and true capabilities? Political philosophers have been m...
Dragon Ball Z Kai: The Final Chapters Blu-Ray Part Three
DBZ's saga comes to a close as heroes gather from across the universe to defeat Buu once and for all. Sam Leach dives into the conclusion to Toriyama's original epic.
― It's time for the final installment, not just of The Final Chapters, but of DBZ Kai as a whole. Before the recent movies and Dragon Ball Super, this was the definitive climax of Akira Toriyama's work. Appropriately, the Buu saga is ma...
Gamers! ‒ Episode 11
"This feels very much like what you'd get if you went to a fantasy theme park with a couple of RPG nerds."
New Game!! ‒ Episode 11
"It's nice to see New Game's dramatic ambition come back as we approach the end of the season, and the series does a solid job with this episode."
This Week in Anime - The Best and Worst Moments of Re:Creators
Now that Re:CREATORS has concluded, did it live up to the promise of its premise? This week in anime, we break down where the series soared and where it sank.
― Now that Re:CREATORS has come to an end, did the show live up to the promise of its premise? This week in anime, Nick and Jacob break down where the series soared and where it sank. Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by the particip...
Interview: Natsuko Takahashi
The screenwriter behind next season's URAHARA offers insights about how anime fandom has changed over the years and how Crunchyroll is perceived within the industry.
― Natsuko Takahashi is a veteran writer in the anime industry, having worked on the screenplay for projects like Gankutsuou: The Count of Monte Cristo, Moyashimon, and Tokyo Magnitude 8.0. Although she wasn't officially announced as a gu...
Series Finale: Sakura Quest ‒ Episode 25
"Overall, Sakura Quest was a mix of the typical and the surprising, in the same way that a forgotten small town can seem nostalgically familiar but still hide its own endearing quirks."
This Week in Games - Senran Kagura: Peach Beach Splash
Dustin gets wet and wild with the girls of Senran Kagura on the PS4, along with this week's biggest news and other new game releases!
― You may have heard that homebrew developers—hackers, if you're feeling nasty—found a fully emulated version of NES Golf on board every shipping Nintendo Switch. After seemingly endless mystery surrounding why the ROM was there, they eventually discovered how to activ...
The Seven Deadly Sins: Season 1 BD+DVD
This straight-to-Netflix shonen manga adaptation is finally available to own on home release! Rebecca Silverman finds out if it was worth the wait.
― After an initial run on Netflix, the anime adaptation of The Seven Deadly Sins has arrived on Blu Ray and DVD. This season, which covers roughly the first fifteen volumes of Nakaba Suzuki's original manga, is a combination of interesting references to t...
Boruto: Naruto Next Generations ‒ Episode 25
"Not only does this episode give us a glimpse of the world outside of the Hidden Leaf, it marks the show's return to being an ensemble action-comedy."
Classroom of the Elite ‒ Episode 11
"It was pluses and minuses in this week's Classroom of the Elite, as the island arc moved toward its endgame."
Season Finale: Fastest Finger First ‒ Episode 12
"This anime had my favorite premise of the season and characters I wanted to know more about, but it lacked the execution to do either of those things justice. "
Magical Circle Guru-Guru ‒ Episode 11
"In easily one of the best episodes of the series so far, Magical Circle Guru-Guru sets up a new story arc without overloading the audience with content."
In Another World With My Smartphone ‒ Episode 11
"Once again, Isekai Smartphone's most damning weakness is its startling unwillingness to even try."
Answerman - Why Is Sentai Filmworks Phasing Out DVDs?
Sentai Filmworks made a big announcement about phasing out DVDs forever - but why? Justin has a few ideas...
― Jake asked: I was reading a recent article that stated Sentai Filmworks was essentially phasing out their DVD releases by 2019 and are primarily going to release Blu-ray only with a few exceptions. I know you have got this question in the past on who buys DVD's Vs. Blu-rays which seems to b...
Interview: Dai Sato
One of anime's most prolific screenwriters discusses his legacy of work on Eureka Seven, Cowboy Bebop, Samurai Champloo, Ghost in the Shell, and what it takes to succeed as a writer in the industry.
― Dai Sato is one of anime's most prolific and accomplished screenwriters. He was the series composer for Eureka Seven and Ergo Proxy, and also wrote individual episodes for numerous series including Cowb...
Elegant Yokai Apartment Life ‒ Episode 12
"This episode had a clear idea of what it wanted to say and managed to do so without any significant hiccups."
The Best Anime About Nerds
Many anime revolve around the lives of otaku and other oddballs, but how many actually get their depictions right? Paul Jensen shares his best recommendations.
― The video game-themed comedy Gamers! has drawn a fair amount of attention this season, and not just for its wicked sense of humor. This show seems to have a strength that many anime series try and fail to obtain; it feels like Gamers really ...
Metroid: Samus Returns
Samus is back in this expansive, extensive remake of Game Boy original Metroid II, but can it capture that old Metroid feeling? Dustin suits up to find out...
― There's a lot of bombast to a title like Samus Returns. Not just a nod to the original Metroid II subhead, this is indeed the return of Samus after an interminable hiatus for the Metroid franchise. It's been thirteen years since the last 2D M...
The Reflection ‒ Episode 9
"Despite The Reflection's flagrant disregard for television episode structure, I still find myself enjoying the show."
Season Finale: Tsuredure Children ‒ Episode 12
"Tsuredure Children came to an abrupt end this week, finishing off a charming season with one more dose of warm fuzzies."
Season Finale: Love and Lies ‒ Episode 12
"Unfortunately, for all of its angsty histrionics and wheel-spinning, Love and Lies ends up not having anything to say at all."
This Week in Anime - How Meta Does Re:Creators Get?
What did this anime about fictional characters confronting their makers have to say about the creative process? This week in anime, we tackle the conclusion of Sota and Altair's story.
― Re:CREATORS is a story about fictional characters meeting the people who created them, but just how far does its metafictional rabbit hole go? This week in anime, Micchy and Steve follow Sota and Altair's tale all th...
Danganronpa V3: Killing Harmony
To call the latest chapter of Danganronpa "shocking" would be an understatement! Jacob Chapman takes on the controversial V3 in this SPOILER-FREE review.
― Prior to the release of this (second?) conclusion to the main Danganronpa trilogy, series creator Kazutaka Kodaka was emphatic in several interviews that this "new semester" would be completely open to newcomers. While it would bring closure to th...
Easing into Ys
It may never grab the spotlight like other long-running JRPG series, but the Ys games have a long legacy and a strong pedigree. With a new game on the horizon, here's everything a beginner needs to know.
― At one time a premier role-playing franchise that stood toe-to-toe against the likes of Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest, a variety of factors prevented Nihon Falcom's Ys from achieving the mainstrea...
Season Finale: Restaurant to Another World ‒ Episode 12
"As these twelve episodes stand, this was a solid dish, but perhaps one that could have used just a little more seasoning."
Season Finale: Clean Freak! Aoyama kun ‒ Episode 12
"It had its funny moments, but in the end, Clean Freak! Aoyama kun never fully figured out what it wanted to be."
Knight's & Magic ‒ Episode 12
"This penultimate outing for the series does a great job of showing how far the series has come, proceeding on the same level as the ever-escalating technology that drives its story."
One Piece ‒ Episode 805
"With Sanji's flashback finished and Luffy's battle with Cracker nearing its end, the Whole Cake Island arc is getting ready to change gears, and what's coming next is a wild ride all its own."
A Centaur's Life ‒ Episode 11
"It's been a weird atonal mess of a show, but the characters grew on me, and its quirky observations on life are often super-accurate."
Princess Principal ‒ Episode 11
"Overall, Case 23 is every bit of what the penultimate episode for a series like this should be."
Answerman - What is "Video Post-Production"?
You see it in the credits of anime blurays and DVDs all the time - but what does "video post-production" actually entail? Justin has the answer.
― Craig asked: Just finished watching the third Berserk film, The Advent and in the credits I saw your name. for Video post production. What exactly do you do in terms of post production(clean up, video/audio compression, restoration?)? Do all companies who...
Shelf Life - Hyouka Part 1
Paul Jensen takes a look at the long-awaited blu-ray of Kyoto Animation's unusual mystery series, along with a rundown of this week's new anime releases!
― I went to a screening of Lupin III: The Castle of Cagliostro last week. It was my first time seeing the movie, and I have to say it was a blast. If you're a Lupin fan or are interested in Hayao Miyazaki's early work as a director, it's definitely...
The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya BD+DVD
One of the most compelling adventures in the Haruhi saga finally arrives on Blu-ray! Nick Creamer takes a look at this uniquely engrossing film.
― After the madcap adventures and slapstick comedy of Haruhi Suzumiya's first two seasons, the anime series was capped off with a film unlike anything that had come before. Somber, slow-paced, and introspective, The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya represent...
Dragon Ball Super ‒ Episode 107
"I was already happy with the Master Roshi episode we got a few weeks back, but I think I like this one even more."
The Mike Toole Show - All About 'I Give My All'
Mike's quest for unlicensed anime leads him to the strange case of "I Give My All", a racy OVA from the 80s that was very nearly released here... until it wasn't!
― As part of the work I do with the Discotek gang, I occasionally work on some cool shows that were once licensed, but never really released on video in the west—you know, the really good anime, like Fighting Foodons. As the years pass, the...
Welcome to the Ballroom ‒ Episode 11
"Everyone ought to have learned a little something from this exercise, which we should see going forward into part two of the story."
Katsugeki! Tōken Ranbu ‒ Episode 12
"With everyone from the First and Second lined up to get their moment of glory, I'm concerned the show won't have enough time to give us much insight into its characters' feelings."
How Mari Okada Went From Shut-In to Anime Director
The inimitable screenwriter behind Hanasaku Iroha, anohana, and Anthem of the Heart just released her autobiography. Kim Morrissy shares the recent director's enlightening story.
― Mari Okada recently became a topic of discussion when it was announced that she was directing an original anime film at P.A. Works. For many, this news came as a surprise, because unlike most anime directors, Okada has no ...
Generation Witch GN 1
These episodic adventures of modern, everyday witches are charming if a little light on lasting impact. Theron Martin delves into Generation Witch.
― Witches as commonly portrayed in anime and manga – flying around on a broomstick sporting a long pointy hat – are decidedly a Western phenomenon, but that hasn't prevented them from popping up in Japanese media on a regular basis over the years. Generat...
Series Finale: Re:CREATORS ‒ Episode 22
"The finale of Re:CREATORS may not be the most exciting of episodes, but it's the absolute perfect ending for this series."
My Hero Academia ‒ Episode 36
"The students' Final Exams continue as we knock out the remaining challenges in the lead-up to Midoriya and Bakugo's match against All Might."
Altair: A Record of Battles ‒ Episode 10
"Things are really heating up for Torqye, and Mahmut's going to have to really step it up if he wants to be successful."
Rage of Bahamut: Virgin Soul ‒ Episode 22
"This episode continues the final quarter's fairly steep downward trajectory, delivering not much in the way of action to make room for a lot of character reveals that don't make much sense."
Vatican Miracle Examiner ‒ Episode 11
"While this episode is about three times sillier than anything from the Hitler arc, it's only about ten percent as entertaining."
Made in Abyss ‒ Episode 11
"With only an episode's worth of screen-time under their belt, Nanachi has already managed to become a delightful and essential addition to Made in Abyss' universe."
The List - 7 Worst School Teachers
School is back in session for the fall, but you'd better hope your new instructors aren't anything like these terrible tutors!
― It's the final week of summer, although most retail stores skipped straight to pumpkin season a few weeks ago. Deny it all you want, but the back-to-school grind is here which means notebooks, packed community college parking lots, and a handful of new instructors trying t...
No Game, No Life Zero
Despite being a far-flung film prequel to its source material, No Game No Life Zero might just outshine the original TV series. Kim Morrissy breaks down what makes this movie shine.
― No Game No Life Zero isn't like the No Game No Life you've seen before. It takes all the interesting themes of the original TV series and peels away all the fanservice and frivolities, resulting in a tonally different n...
Anime Spotlight - INUYASHIKI LAST HERO
Ichiro Inuyashiki, a dull-looking elderly employee who has been diagnosed with terminal cancer, is struck by a UFO falling from the sky and reborn with a mechanical body.
― INUYASHIKI LAST HERO Official Website: http://www.inuyashiki-project.com/ Official Twitter: @inu_noitamina Official Facebook: https://ja-jp.facebook.com/inuyashiki/ Introduction Characters Cast & Staff Gallery Premiering on Octob...
ANNCast - Little Witch Academia
Zac and Jacob smack their brooms together and head on a magical journey through Studio Trigger's foray into family-friendly fantasy: it's Little Witch Academia!
― ANNCast Episode 305 - Little Witch Academia Zac and Jacob smack their brooms together and head on a magical journey through Studio Trigger's foray into family-friendly fantasy: it's Little Witch Academia! You can listen to the show on our ...
Answerman - What's The Worst Anime Release You've Ever Seen?
There have been a LOT of really screwy anime releases, discs with the wrong subtitles and audio tracks, but what's the WORST one? Justin has one in mind...
― Anonymous asked: Just curious, what's the single worst anime home video release you've ever seen? From any era, VHS, DVD, bluray, whatever the single worst one you can think of is. In Japan, the worst release has to be of the film Gundress, whi...
Interview: Studio Ghibli Theme Singers Azumi Inoue & Yuyu
The singer behind the legendary theme songs for Totoro, Laputa and more talks about her incredible career alongside her daughter, who is following in her mother's footsteps.
― Even if you haven't heard of Azumi Inoue, you're probably intimately familiar with her work; Inoue sang some of the most iconic and internationally-recognized theme songs for several classic Studio Ghibli films, including Castl...
What is the "Absolute Territory"?
"Zettai ryōiki" refers to one of the most popular fetishes in anime that you may never have noticed before! Eric Stimson explains what makes this "absolute territory" of ZR so widespread.
― Anime is rife with fanservice, which often means pandering to fans' favorite fetishes. Some are fads that burst onto the scene and then fade without ever really disappearing, like maids 15 years ago, catgirls 20 y...
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