Thursday, December 31, 2020

Happy New Year From the Anime World — Part II

New Year's is the most important holiday in Japan, with families gathering to share big feasts and visit their local temple. New Year's cards (nengajō)...

source http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2020-12-31/happy-new-year-from-the-anime-world-part-ii/.168041

Soul Eater - The Perfect Edition GN 2

This volume, despite some awkward structuring, does a great job of building on the strengths of the previous chapters and expanding the unique fantasy setting we only barely learned about before.

source http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/soul-eater-the-perfect-edition-gn-2/.167731

This Week in Anime - Does Yashahime Recapture Inuyasha's Magic?

The adventures in the world of Inuyasha continues, starring the offspring of everyone's favorite half-demon and his stoic, beautiful brother. Does Towa, Setsuna, and Moroha's exploits recapture the magic that made the original a huge hit?

source http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/this-week-in-anime/2020-12-31/.168018

Lupin III THE FIRST

Lupin III THE FIRST is a good Lupin movie and a plain old good film. Fluidly animated, well-written, and full of references and nods to earlier works, it has a bit of something for most viewers to enjoy.

source http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/lupin-iii-the-first/.167823

The Newspeak and Twisted History of Legend of the Galactic Heroes

The Legend of the Galactic Heroes is a monumental achievement in 1980s fiction. Yet, it is probably more relevant now than ever before. Matthew Roe, takes another look at the seminal sci-fi classic, examining its historical influences and use of propaganda.

source http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/feature/2020-12-30/the-newspeak-and-twisted-history-of-legend-of-the-galactic-heroes/.167994

This Week in Anime - Akudama Drive is High-Octane Insanity

What initially seemed like nothing more than a stylish brawlfest, and Akudama Drive certainly is some of that, turned out to be waaaay more punk than anyone expected.

source http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/this-week-in-anime/2020-12-29/.167993

Our Last Crusade or the Rise of a New World

While these episodes do raise some somewhat interesting plot threads, they seem too enamored with playing to anime norms to develop anything fresh or compelling, either on their own or as a very loose Romeo and Juliet-type scenario.

source http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/our-last-crusade-or-the-rise-of-a-new-world/episodes-1-12/.167879

The Best Anime of 2020

Check back each day for new top 5 picks! Today: Nicholas Dupree, Rebecca Silverman, and Steve Jones countdown their favorites & don't miss the best characters of the year!

source http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/feature/2020-12-29/the-best-anime-of-2020/.167605

One Piece ‒ Episode 956

Zoro testing out Enma to save Wano (by rather unceremoniously cutting off a huge chunk of it) is bombastic and marvelous. Zoro has consistently gotten amazing moments at nearly every turn and this is no exception.

source http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/one-piece/episode-956/.167935

Hypnosis Mic -Division Rap Battle- Rhyme Anima ‒ Episodes 12-13

Okay, so the writing for this show overall is, well, not great. The appeal of Hypnosis Mic is squarely on how affable you find the cast whether it's pitch-perfect Doppo or that little shit Ramuda.

source http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/hypnosis-mic-division-rap-battle-rhyme-anima/episodes-12-13/.167967

Yashahime: Princess Half-Demon ‒ Episode 13

While Miroku and Sango do show up to provide some much-needed connective tissue to the original InuYasha, Yashahime's story is as stagnant and shapeless as it has ever been.

source http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/yashahime-princess-half-demon/episode-13/.167909

Warlords of Sigrdrifa ‒ Episode 12

Well, there were no surprises in this episode, which played out like a generic anime finale – the final boss gets beaten with the power of friendship and they all live happily ever after.

source http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/warlords-of-sigrdrifa/episode-12/.167916

Makoto Shinkai Talks Demon Slayer, Hints at His Next Work

He started writing the script around the time Japanese government announced a state of emergency. He said that "the mood of the times is indelibly etched into the script."

source http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2020-12-28/makoto-shinkai-talks-demon-slayer-hints-at-his-next-work/.167930

Attack on Titan The Final Season ‒ Episode 4

The primary focus of this episode is on the latest addition to Attack on Titan's expansive roster of characters: Willy Tybur, the heir of the family that ostensibly controls the fate of all Marley.

source http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/attack-on-titan-the-final-season/episode-4/.167906

Maison Ikkoku Collector's Edition GN 2

The second volume of Maison Ikkoku's Collector's Edition has some serious ups and downs. While it contains the unquestionably worst chapter of the entire series, it has some of my favorite moments as well.

source http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/maison-ikkoku/collector-edition-gn-2/.167829

Akudama Drive ‒ Episode 12

Akudama Drive brings its wild journey to a halt in about the most satisfying way I could have hoped, wrapping up the story and its component themes in a bold and thought-provoking place.

source http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/akudama-drive/episode-12/.167905

Gen Urobuchi's OBSOLETE Anime Takes on Votoms OP

The video depicts the Votoms iconic opening theme "Destiny of the Flame," but with the OBSOLETE characters and mechs portrayed in the visuals instead.

source http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2020-12-28/gen-urobuchi-obsolete-anime-takes-on-votoms-op/.167814

Jujutsu Kaisen ‒ Episode 13

I don't think there's going to be much at all for me to nitpick in “Tomorrow”, which is a holy hand grenade of pure badassery that MAPPA is all too happy to throw right into its audience's faces.

source http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/jujutsu-kaisen/episode-13/.167884

Final Fantasy XIV is the Best Final Fantasy Game

Initially maligned for its many issues, Callum May details the history of Square-Enix's MMORPG and how it bloomed into the best Final Fantasy entry.

source http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/feature/2020-12-28/final-fantasy-xiv-is-the-best-final-fantasy-game/.163505

Magic Knight Rayearth II 25th Anniversary Box Set

Magic Knight Rayearth's next three volumes look at the aftermath of what the three girls from Earth did not in the context of broken fairy tales, but in terms of a society built on rules that almost forces them to break in the first place.

source http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/magic-knight-rayearth-ii/th-anniversary-box-set/.167374

Manga Planet Licenses 5 Manga from Hobby Japan

Titles include DEATH BALL, Kouichi desu ga Isekai de Joushu Hajimemashita, Hagure Yuusha no Estetika, 'Jouhai Shogun, Mata Yabureru,' Ayakashi Convenience

source http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2020-12-27/manga-planet-licenses-5-manga-from-hobby-japan/.167885

The Day I Became a God ‒ Episode 12

It's the worst kind of ending that trips face first into asphalt, and then confidently declares that the blood in its mouth is victory wine, yet is so predictable it can't even work as trainwreck viewing.

source http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/the-day-i-became-a-god/episode-12/.167878

Assault Lily Bouquet ‒ Episode 12

I can't really say that Assault Lily Bouquet is one of the worst anime I've watched, but it's definitely been one of the most consistently baffling.

source http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/assault-lily-bouquet/episode-12/.167877

Love Live! Nijigasaki High School Idol Club ‒ Episode 13

“School Idol Festival (The Place Where Everyone's Dreams Come True)” may sound like a Fall Out Boy song title with all the sarcasm scrubbed off, but it's mostly a victory lap for Nijigasaki and one last chance to let the cast just be their goofy selves.

source http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/love-live-nijigasaki-high-school-idol-club/episode-13/.167875

Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear ‒ Episode 12

From the very start, Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear has been a show about an overpowered protagonist smashing through every problem she faces with relative ease—until these last two episodes, anyway.

source http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/kuma-kuma-kuma-bear/episode-12/.167788

Unnamed Memory Novel 1: The Witch of the Azure Moon and the Cursed Prince

Unnamed Memory has a lot of potential. As the storytelling evens out and Furumiya grows more confident in the story they want to tell, things become increasingly interesting. It's a shame it takes so long to reach that point.

source http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/unnamed-memory/novel-1/.167436

Sword Art Online: Alicization BR Limited Edition

At the end of the day, Sword Art Online: Alicization doesn't quite use its premise or story as well as it could. It has its high points, but largely dodges the bigger issues and doesn't always treat its characters well.

source http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/sword-art-online/alicization/br-limited-edition/.167395

Why Shaman King? The Reboot You Can't Miss

With a new trailer under its belt, it's time to get hype about the upcoming reboot. Toby Adeyemi discusses how he fell in love with the original and why the story is just as exciting almost 20 years later.

source http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/feature/2020-12-25/why-shaman-king-the-reboot-you-cant-miss/.161963

This Week in Anime - Jun Maeda Goes for the Jugular

Nick and Steve are once again plagued by the sorrowful machinations of Jun Maeda in That Day I Became a God. You won't make it out without going through a few tissue boxes.

source http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/this-week-in-anime/2020-12-24/.167787

Happy Holidays from the Anime World

Get yourself in the holiday spirit by checking out these holiday greetings from artists and companies within the anime and manga industry!

source http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2020-12-24/happy-holidays-from-the-anime-world/.167708

Re:Zero's Rem & Ram Inspire Casual Maid Nightwear

Re:Zero's Rem and Ram are known for wearing French maid outfits to work, but even the most hard-working of maids need some downtime. The Village Vanguard...

source http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2020-12-23/re-zero-rem-and-ram-inspire-casual-maid-nightwear/.167683

The Magnificent Grand Scene GN 1 & 2

If you love Princess Tutu and miss CMX's release of Swan, you owe it to yourself to pick up MediaDo's digital-only release of Cuvie's The Magnificent Grand Scene.

source http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/the-magnificent-grand-scene/gn-1/.167560

Sleepy Princess in the Demon Castle ‒ Episode 12

At the end of the day, this is a comedy series above all else, and that it manages to get some more serious points in there as well is just a sign of how well its world-building works.

source http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/sleepy-princess-in-the-demon-castle/episode-12/.167711

Khara Holds Final Evangelion Film's 1st In-House Preview Screening

Studio Khara revealed on Twitter on Monday that it held its first in-house private screening of Evangelion: 3.0+1.0: Thrice Upon A Time (Shin Evangelion...

source http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/daily-briefs/2020-12-22/khara-holds-final-evangelion-film-1st-in-house-preview-screening/.167721

TONIKAWA: Over The Moon For You ‒ Episode 12

If episode 12 is, indeed, the final TV episode of this series, then it is almost as bland a season finale as one can possibly imagine.

source http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/tonikawa-over-the-moon-for-you/episode-12/.167648

The Gymnastics Samurai ‒ Episode 11

The way The Gymnastics Samurai handles the resolution of everything left is probably the most surprising thing it does here.

source http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/the-gymnastics-samurai/episode-11/.167649

Digimon Adventure: ‒ Episode 29

Reviewing Digimon Adventure: can be such a roller coaster these days. Watching the show constantly upending itself and confusedly changing directions in bids to figure out its identity.

source http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/digimon-adventure/episode-29/.167669

I'm Standing on 1,000,000 Lives. ‒ Episode 12

What will Game Master make of Yusuke's declaration at the end – that he's going to pursue what he sees as justice, even though he knows that doing so is the height of arrogance? Sadly, we will have to wait until the second season to find out the answer to that question.

source http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/im-standing-on-1000000-lives/episode-12/.167627

Tencent Is Seeking To Hire a "Pokemon Consultant"

Encyclopedic Pokemon fans who poured thousands of hours into the franchise's games and other media have now become a source of talent that companies producing...

source http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2020-12-21/tencent-is-seeking-to-hire-a-pokemon-consultant/.167631

Akudama Drive ‒ Episode 11

Akudama Drive understands that you simply cannot have a sci-fi anime climax without a little sprinkle of human instrumentality seasoning.

source http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/akudama-drive/episode-11/.167644

Detective Conan: The Crimson Love Letter

The twenty-first Detective Conan (Case Closed) film, Detective Conan: The Crimson Love Letter, brings viewers someplace they're more likely to be familiar with from an entirely different series: a karuta tournament.

source http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/detective-conan/the-crimson-love-letter/.167645

Warlords of Sigrdrifa ‒ Episode 11

I said in the last review that I didn't have high expectations for the climax, but there was one thing I was expecting: Cool plane fights. And in that regard, this episode delivered.

source http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/warlords-of-sigrdrifa/episode-11/.167673

The Irregular at Magic High School: Visitor Arc ‒ Episode 12

Despite the inclusion of a terrorist plot, the purpose of this episode is to develop Ayako and Fumiya by showcasing the relationship between the two.

source http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/the-irregular-at-magic-high-school-visitor-arc/episode-12/.167677

Yashahime: Princess Half-Demon ‒ Episode 12

The single biggest issue facing “Night of the New Moon and the Black-Haired Towa” is that the titular main event of the episode barely matters at all.

source http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/yashahime-princess-half-demon/episode-12/.167652

Jujutsu Kaisen ‒ Episode 12

"To You, Someday” is one of those odd anime episodes that functions both as climax and setup at the exact same time.

source http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/jujutsu-kaisen/episode-12/.167647

Love Live! Nijigasaki High School Idol Club ‒ Episode 12

That scene of Ayumu going “Oh, yeah, sure, that all sounds great” through a meeting about her own concert is maybe the most real-to-life depiction of a high schooler in all of Love Live! history.

source http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/love-live-nijigasaki-high-school-idol-club/episode-12/.167646

The Day I Became a God ‒ Episode 11

Somehow, this episode manages to make all of the baggage and strange creative decisions that preceded it just melt away.

source http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/the-day-i-became-a-god/episode-11/.167670

The Apothecary Diaries

This take on Chinese-influenced fantasy works in part because of how intelligently it handles things, and that starts with Maomao. She is every bit as clever as Saiunkoku's Shurei or Ascendance of a Bookworm's Myne and probably both more streetwise and conscious of the intricacies of her setting than either.

source http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/the-apothecary-diaries/manga-volume-1/.167398

Hokuren Federation of Agricultural Cooperatives Produces 2nd PR Anime

The Hokuren Federation of Agricultural Cooperatives, Hokkaido's top Japan Agricultural Cooperatives group, has released the second episode of its PR anime....

source http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2020-12-20/hokuren-federation-of-agricultural-cooperatives-produces-2nd-pr-anime/.167540

Fate/Stay Night: Unlimited Blade Works Complete Blu-Ray Box Set

The action, on the other hand, is unassailable. The concept of legendary figures duking it out is super fun, and Unlimited Blade Works delivers.

source http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/fate/stay-night/unlimited-blade-works/complete-blu-ray-box-set/.167246

hololive Virtual YouTuber Shirogane Noel Promotes Mystery Beef Bowl

hololive Virtual Youtuber Shirogane Noel's favorite food is gyudon (or "beef bowl"), a popular Japanese comfort food consisting of rice topped with beef...

source http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2020-12-19/hololive-virtual-youtuber-shirogane-noel-promotes-mystery-beef-bowl/.167248

Chainsaw Man Manga's '2nd Part' to Feature 'School Arc'

A stage presentation at the Jump Festa '21 event on Saturday revealed that the second part of Tatsuki Fujimoto's Chainsaw Man manga will feature the manga's...

source http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/daily-briefs/2020-12-19/chainsaw-man-manga-2nd-part-to-feature-school-arc/.167630

Wandering Witch - The Journey of Elaina ‒ Episode 12

Elaina flies into a foreboding place called “The Country Where Wishes Come True” and is immediately greeted with 15 different Elainas. That's right, it's a whole Danganronpa of Elainas.

source http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/wandering-witch-the-journey-of-elaina/episode-12/.167612

Higurashi: When They Cry – GOU ‒ Episode 12

This arc is still playing it straight but there was a hint in the opener that it could take a turn. There were a few times where it seemed like instead of fighting this battle the clean way, maybe the Sonozaki's will just murder Teppei at the festival.

source http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/higurashi-when-they-cry-gou/episode-12/.167613

Schick Japan Launches 4th Evangelion Campaign in Time for New Film

Schick is also holding a contest that will give away 300 original bath towels to lucky customers. The towels feature artwork of Rei Ayanami, Asuka Shikinami Langley, and Mari Makinami Illustrious.

source http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2020-12-18/schick-japan-launches-4th-evangelion-campaign-in-time-for-new-film/.167608

Anime News Network's Winter 2021 Anime Trailer Watchalong

Anime News Network executive editor Lynzee Loveridge, video producer Jacki Jing, and Discotek producer Mike Toole sat down to watch everything from That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime to The Promised Neverland to Sk8 the Infinity!

source http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/feature/2020-12-18/anime-news-network-winter-2021-anime-trailer-watchalong/.167606