Earwig and the Witch

Goro Miyazaki returns to the director's chair for a film that "looks and feels dramatically different from any previous Studio Ghibli production."

source http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/earwig-and-the-witch/.168495

Saturday, January 30, 2021

Failure Frame LN 1

Failure Frame: the isekai light novel that dares to ask, “What if the goddess that summoned class 2-C to another world had the emotional maturity of a high school mean girl?”

source http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/failure-frame/ln-1/.168794

Higurashi: When They Cry – GOU ‒ Episode 17

There could be witches involved, there could be an anime-original supernatural entity, everything is new at this point the options are endless.

source http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/higurashi-when-they-cry-gou/episode-17/.168961

The Promised Neverland Season 2 ‒ Episode 4

The last episode took us to right around Chapter 50 of the source material, and by the end of Episode 4 we're technically covering story beats from Chapter 110 and beyond.

source http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/the-promised-neverland-season-2/episode-4/.168930

Interview: Gust Brand Manager and Atelier Ryza Producer, Junzo Hosoi

Anime News Network had the opportunity to interview Gust Brand Manager and Atelier Ryza Producer Junzo Hosoi about the alchemy behind Atelier Ryza's success and charm.

source http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/feature/2021-01-29/interview-gust-brand-manager-and-atelier-ryza-producer-junzo-hosoi/.166879

2.43: Seiin High School Boys Volleyball Team ‒ Episode 4

I guess that speaks to my main worry about 2.43 at this point: There's a lot going on already, and I'm not sure it can responsibly sustain it, especially when there's still a whole sports show in here.

source http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/2.43-seiin-high-school-boys-volleyball-team/episode-4/.168928

Lawmaker Yamada Explains Implications of Proposed Copyright Guidelines on Cosplay Income

"On the other hand, what does relate to the issue of derivative works is how creators can collect money in the age of mass reproduction over the internet. There are aspects of the current legal system that are out of step with the digital age."

source http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2021-01-29/lawmaker-yamada-explains-implications-of-proposed-copyright-guidelines-on-cosplay-income/.168845

Quintessential Quintuplets ∬ ‒ Episode 4

“Seven Goodbyes Part 3” tries to cram 2 fairly different emotional climaxes into a single episode, with varying results.

source http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/quintessential-quintuplets/episode-4/.168925

Puyo Puyo Tetris 2 Game Launches for Steam on March 23

Sega of America announced on Wednesday that the Puyo Puyo Tetris 2 game will launch for PC via Steam on March 23. The game is getting a limited-time Steam...

source http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/daily-briefs/2021-01-28/puyo-puyo-tetris-2-game-launches-for-steam-on-march-23/.168911

Log Horizon: Destruction of the Round Table ‒ Episode 3

One thing is clear from these three episodes: the Adventurers of Akiba need to get with the program and start involving the People of the Land much more than they have been in the day-to-day business of running the city.

source http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/log-horizon-destruction-of-the-round-table/episode-3/.168856

Atelier Ryza 2: Lost Legends & the Secret Fairy

It manages to attain a certain Animal Crossing-like simplistic charm at times, but even those small pleasures are marred by some serious quality of life issues.

source http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/game/playstation-4/atelier-ryza-2/lost-legends-and-the-secret-fairy/.168831

Black Clover ‒ Episode 161

As chilling as this episode can be as things get deadly, “classic” is also the best word to describe how things went down this episode.

source http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/black-clover/episode-161/.168832

Toei Animation Refuses Labor Negotiations With LGBT Union Member

"[Its] Precure series sends a message filled with hope when it comes to gender expression. Its influence is felt not just in Japan, but across the world. I am deeply disappointed that it is this company that has performed such an injustice."

source http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2021-01-27/toei-animation-refuses-labor-negotiations-with-lgbt-union-member/.168819

Back Arrow ‒ Episodes 1-3

The show has heart, an interesting setup, and great fight sequences - I think I'm sold on this one.

source http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/back-arrow/episodes-1-3/.168838

The Heartbreaking Sacrifices Made in The Promised Neverland

In a world designed to exploit and consume humans like cattle, The Promised Neverland is full of victims. Are Isabella and Krone complicit, victims of deadly system, or something in between?

source http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/feature/2021-01-27/the-heartbreaking-sacrifices-made-in-the-promised-neverland/.168828

Tuesday, January 26, 2021

Gintama The Semi-Final Net Anime Also Gets Cast Commentary Track

The online dTV service revealed on Wednesday that Gintama The Semi-Final, the new net anime special in the Gintama franchise, will have a commentary audio...

source http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/daily-briefs/2021-01-27/gintama-the-semi-final-net-anime-also-gets-cast-commentary-track/.168840

This Week in Anime - How Does Kuroko's Basketball Keep it Fresh?

The sports series that sailed a thousand ships has landed at Netflix with a brand-new dub. Steve and Jean-Karlo suit up for the court to see how many points they score against the beautiful boys of Kuroko's Basketball.

source http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/this-week-in-anime/2021-01-26/.168829

Otherside Picnic ‒ Episode 4

The series here proves it can sit at an effective crossroads of emotional and conceptual storytelling, exploring ideas rooted in manipulating our very human feelings.

source http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/otherside-picnic/episode-4/.168816

My Next Life as a Villainess: All Routes Lead to Doom! Novel 8

After two decidedly lackluster volumes focusing on Katarina's post-school life as an employee of the Magical Ministry, My Next Life as a Villainess: All Routes Lead to Doom! is finally back on its feet.

source http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/my-next-life-as-a-villainess/all-routes-lead-to-doom/novel-8/.168301

Suppose a Kid From the Last Dungeon Boonies Moved to a Starter Town ‒ Episode 4

Apart from the various awkward distractions though, LasDan puts on a pretty strong fourth episode here, even if, less than a month in, it feels oddly like a season finale episode.

source http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/suppose-a-kid-from-the-last-dungeon-boonies-moved-to-a-starter-town/episode-4/.168809

Cells at Work! Code Black ‒ Episode 5

Our long suffering human body is fighting an uphill battle after major causalities against invading gonorrhea.

source http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/cells-at-work-code-black/episode-5/.168804

Cells at Work!! Season 2 ‒ Episode 3

I had tons more fun with this episode's foray into autoimmune responses and blemishes than I expected!

source http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/cells-at-work-season-2/episode-3/.168802

One Piece ‒ Episode 959

One Piece in the Wano arc continues the tradition of Yet Another Exposition Episode that has so many moving parts it is hard to do much more than skim the surface.

source http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/one-piece/episode-959/.168762

Yashahime: Princess Half-Demon ‒ Episode 16

If you couldn't tell, this was yet another episode of Yashahime that made me absolutely furious with how poorly written and executed it was.

source http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/yashahime-princess-half-demon/episode-16/.168486

Man and His Cat GN 3

If there is a category for “feel-good manga of the year” in any book award, I would nominate A Man and His Cat immediately.

source http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/man-and-his-cat/gn-3/.168448

Virtua Fighter's Polygon Pants Get Loving Fan Recreation

The popular Instagram account Polygon Forge has recreated the iconic low-polygon pants depicted in the original Virtua Fighter arcade game. The video shows...

source http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2021-01-25/virtua-fighter-polygon-pants-get-loving-fan-recreation/.168775

Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation ‒ Episode 3

Combined with Rudy's incremental growth and the lessons he is learning and this a good series so far – if you can put up with Rudy.

source http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/mushoku-tensei-jobless-reincarnation/episode-3/.168756

Just What the Heck is Genshin Impact?

With the game's major story arcs still being very unfinished, you might be wondering just what Genshin Impact's player base is spending so much time on. But once you set foot in Teyvat's big, open environment, you'll definitely start to understand: this world was built for lots of replayability.

source http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/feature/2021-01-25/just-what-the-heck-is-genshin-impact/.168416

EX-ARM ‒ Episode 3

Because when Akira and Alma fight her, it's not merely another brilliantly, perfectly awkward fight sequence in an abandoned, empty CG building, but a poetic ode to the battle between human ingenuity and the greed of automation.

source http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/ex-arm/episode-3/.168751

End of Evangelion Scene Lovingly Recreated As a "House" in Terraria

The Neon Genesis Evangelion: The End of Evangelion film produced a veritable wealth of iconic scenes and imagery that fans and writers alike have continued...

source http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2021-01-24/end-of-evangelion-scene-lovingly-recreated-as-a-house-in-terraria/.168728

Jujutsu Kaisen ‒ Episode 15

The fight itself is definitely the action highlight of the episode, with some well-implemented 2D/CG blending and solid choreography that shows off Aoi's immense strength, which Yuuji can barely keep up with.

source http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/jujutsu-kaisen/episode-15/.168725

World Trigger Season 2 ‒ Episode 3

Kitora and Kuroe's fight against the remote-controlled Trion soldier starts us off, and while it doesn't necessarily resolve, it reaches an effective stalemate pretty quickly.

source http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/world-trigger-season-2/episode-3/.168727

Wandering Witch - The Journey of Elaina Novels 1-3

Beautiful as it is, the 2020 anime adaptation of Jougi Shiraishi's original light novels Wandering Witch - The Journey of Elaina is but a pale imitation of the source material.

source http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/wandering-witch-the-journey-of-elaina/novels-1-3/.168722

Horimiya ‒ Episode 3

With his earrings and tattoos, Miyamura has created a self unknown to everyone at school, one he alone is comfortable and familiar with.

source http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/horimiya/episode-3/.168724

So I'm a Spider, So What? ‒ Episode 3

The episode ends with Kumoko in possibly her greatest peril yet. And the monkeys, which I felt was the best early fight scene in the novels, are coming next.

source http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/so-im-a-spider-so-what/episode-3/.168705

Laid-Back Camp Season 2 ‒ Episodes 1-3

Laid-Back Camp is first and foremost a tactile experience. It's a synthesis of sensory information, both real and implied, crafted by a team of talented animators infusing the beauty of the natural world into your screen.

source http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/laid-back-camp-season-2/episodes-1-3/.168723

Shiren the Wanderer: the Tower of Fortune and the Dice of Fate

If you love roguelikes as a genre and want to experience one of the most satisfying, well-crafted examples of the genre, you owe it to yourself to pick Shiren the Wanderer up.

source http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/game/switch/pc/shiren-the-wanderer/.167572

Berserk Exhibition in Tokyo Delayed

The official Twitter account and website for the "Dai Berserk Ten" exhibition for Kentarou Miura's Berserk manga revealed on January 13 that the exhibition...

source http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/daily-briefs/2021-01-23/berserk-exhibition-in-tokyo-delayed/.168716

Friday, January 22, 2021

Higurashi: When They Cry – GOU ‒ Episode 16

I have a big problem with this episode and this time it's not because it upends the Higurashi status quo. I just find the moral of it pretty reprehensible.

source http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/higurashi-when-they-cry-gou/episode-16/.168702

Dr. Stone: Stone Wars ‒ Episode 1-2

Outside of showcasing the merits of the series' story structure, these first two episodes also hint to us about Tsukasa's glaring weakness.

source http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/dr-stone-stone-wars/episode-1-2/.168671

Cuddle Up With Sleepy Kuroko's Basketball Plushies

Miracles they might be, but the top basketball players of Teikō Junior High and Seirin High deserve a good rest every now and then.

source http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2021-01-22/cuddle-up-with-sleepy-kuroko-basketball-plushies/.168574

2.43: Seiin High School Boys Volleyball Team ‒ Episodes 1-3

If the establishing episodes of 2.43 seemed a bit too heavy and melodramatic to be your bag, I think the third episode, more representative of the show's true face a la Shin, may warrant another look.

source http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/2.43-seiin-high-school-boys-volleyball-team/episodes-1-3/.168666

Girls' Frontline Show Confirmed as TV Anime by Asahi Production

The official website for Warner Bros. Japan and Sunborn Networks' animation based on Sunborn Networks' Girls' Frontline opened on Friday and confirmed...

source http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/daily-briefs/2021-01-22/girls-frontline-show-confirmed-as-tv-anime-by-asahi-production/.168689

A White Rose in Bloom GN 1

Ruby and Steph both attend an elite boarding school for girls somewhere in Europe. Ruby, younger by a year, has no real reason to interact with Steph until the two of them are the only girls to stay at the school over Christmas break...

source http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/a-white-rose-in-bloom/gn-1/.168525

This Week in Anime - Who Are the Villains of Attack on Titan?

In its final season, Attack on Titan has flipped the script on its heroes and villains. Our once righteously vengeful protagonist stopped toeing the line in pursuit of his ideals, leaving the audience to ponder exactly who is the villain here?

source http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/this-week-in-anime/2021-01-21/.168609

Wonder Egg Priority ‒ Episodes 1-2

For now, I'd wager that Ai's salvation lies less in the almost-certainly-hollow promise of Koito's resurrection, and more in the bonds she's forging with both the egg girls and her coworkers.

source http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/wonder-egg-priority/episodes-1-2/.168587

Days of Love at Seagull Villa GN 1

The romance, therefore, has a lot of work to do to conquer the women's assumptions about each other and to steer them in the right direction.

source http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/days-of-love-at-seagull-villa/gn-1/.167872

Interview: Akudama Drive Assistant Director Yoshifumi Sasahara

Sasahara looks back on his role as an episode director, screenwriter, and storyboard artist on episode 6 plus details about that Anime Awards-nominated fight scene!

source http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interview/2021-01-20/akudama-drive-assistant-director-yoshifumi-sasahara/.168550

Black Clover ‒ Episode 160

The first blows of the Clover Kingdom/Spade Kingdom conflict were struck, but those were just warm-ups. Now the conflict is starting to get serious.

source http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/black-clover/episode-160/.168573

Cells at Work! Code Black ‒ Episodes 3-4

Seeing this entire cast espouse the sacred duty of fornication for 20 minutes is, figuratively and literally, fucking hilarious.

source http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/cells-at-work-code-black/episodes-3-4/.168572

Suppose a Kid From the Last Dungeon Boonies Moved to a Starter Town ‒ Episodes 1-3

Overpowered fantasy light-novel protagonists are of course a dime-a-dozen these days, but LasDan's implementation of its particular powerhouse, the adorable and awesomely-named Lloyd Belladonna, does an interesting job from the start of uncoupling his role from the actual focus of the story.

source http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/suppose-a-kid-from-the-last-dungeon-boonies-moved-to-a-starter-town/episodes-1-3/.168549

One Piece ‒ Episode 958

However, I think the brilliance of the way Oda uses bounties is that they are as much a direct measure of power as they are a measure of political importance in the setting.

source http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/one-piece/episode-958/.168505

Asadora! GN 1

Asa is the kind of spitfire heroine that's easy to get behind – she's vulnerable in what she doesn't say and afraid of pretty much nothing, possibly because if she stops to be afraid she'll never get moving again.

source http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/asadora/gn-1/.168082

Channel Great Sage With This Soft and Squishy Rimuru Replica

Both the slime and human forms of That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime's Rimuru Tempest have inspired numerous merchandise ranging from figures to cushions...

source http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2021-01-19/channel-great-sage-with-this-soft-and-squishy-rimuru-replica/.168309

Yashahime: Princess Half-Demon ‒ Episode 15

Finally, after fourteen goddamned episodes, the show has finally seen fit to stop jerking us around and explain what happened with Inuyasha, Kagome, Sesshomaru, and Rin.

source http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/yashahime-princess-half-demon/episode-15/.168255

PREVIEW: Twenty Hours with the Princess Connect! Re:Dive Mobile Game

If the worst thing I can say about the game is that I'm annoyed I can't play more of it, that should give you a hint as to how much I have enjoyed it so far.

source http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/feature/2021-01-19/preview-twenty-hours-with-the-princess-connect-re-dive-mobile-game/.168514

Hellsing Ultimate Holds Digital Art Collection Sale

A digital collection of artworks from the Hellsing Ultimate OVA is on sale until January 25 through digital artwork vendor Anique. 12 pieces of high-definition...

source http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2021-01-19/hellsing-ultimate-holds-digital-art-collection-sale/.168355

Blue Flag GN 5

Mami's greater presence forces Taichi to think a bit harder about his relationship with Futaba, although that mostly comes in the form of him looking surprised or confused for the greater part of the volume.

source http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/blue-flag/gn-5/.167216

Kemono Jihen ‒ Episodes 1-2

What's not entirely clear is whether Inugami was being completely altruistic when he took Kabane with him back to Tokyo. The conversation he has with a mysterious woman whose smile is distressingly predatory might suggest otherwise

source http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/kemono-jihen/episodes-1-2/.168494

Bottom-tier Character Tomozaki ‒ Episode 1-2

Even from just the second episode alone, it's easy to see why Mimimi is a fan favorite. Not only did the animators seem to give her movements the most attention, she's got chill unlike anybody else in this story has so far.

source http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/bottom-tier-character-tomozaki/episode-1-2/.168501

Attack on Titan The Final Season ‒ Episode 6

Maybe this is why this episode has me reflecting so much about the ramifications of political manipulation, conspiratorial thought run amok, and all the other factors that have contributed to the sense of political unrest

source http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/attack-on-titan-the-final-season/episode-6/.168499

EX-ARM ‒ Episodes 1-2

It's not like the wonderful readers of ANN would purposefully vote for a show they thought was universally horrendous just to make somebody suffer through it for comedy, right?

source http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/ex-arm/episodes-1-2/.168496