Otakon Raises More Than US$34,000

Convention began asking for donations in January due to unforeseen costs of last year's COVID-19 cancellation

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2021-03-01/otakon-raises-more-than-usd34000/.170098

Hetalia World Stars Anime Debuts Streaming on April 1

The official website for the new anime of Hidekaz Himaruya's Hetalia World Stars manga revealed on Friday that the anime will debut on the Anime Store,...

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/daily-briefs/2021-02-28/hetalia-world-stars-anime-debuts-streaming-on-april-1/.170091

EX-ARM ‒ Episode 8

In his memoir, Hayao Miyazaki noted his own initial reluctance to accepting what he had watched. “At first, I was appalled. It made my eyebrows tremble to even take the images in, and I stormed from the room just to escape the sensation."

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/ex-arm/episode-8/.170089

Tokyo Day by Day: 365 Things to See and Do!

A lot of us had to cancel travel plans when the pandemic struck, and considering we're all anime fans here, I'm willing to bet quite a few of you reading had trips to Tokyo scheduled.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/tokyo/day-by-day/365-things-to-see-and-do/guidebook/.164745

2nd BanG Dream! Episode of Roselia Anime Film Opens on June 25

The official website for the BanG Dream! Episode of Roselia anime films revealed on Sunday that BanG Dream! Episode of Roselia II: Song I am., the second...

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2021-02-28/2nd-bang-dream-episode-of-roselia-anime-film-opens-on-june-25/.170068

Rent-A-Girlfriend Anime Season 2 to Air in 2022

The "Event to Kanojo -EveKano-" event announced on Sunday that the second television anime season based on Reiji Miyajima's Rent-A-Girlfriend (Kanojo,...

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/daily-briefs/2021-02-28/rent-a-girlfriend-anime-season-2-to-air-in-2022/.170066

The Night Beyond the Tricorner Window GN 4-7

This is a series with BL elements that has the potential to reach a much wider readership than many other series featuring romance between two men.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/the-night-beyond-the-tricorner-window/gn-4-7/.169230

Set Sail with One Piece Treasure Cruise Producer Tomoya Yoshizawa

Ahead of ONE PIECE Treasure Cruise's sixth anniversary, Anime News Network was able to talk to Producer Yoshi to discuss his favorite moments from the series and how the game has evolved over the last six years.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interview/2021-02-26/set-sail-with-one-piece-treasure-cruise-producer-tomoya-yoshizawa/.169934

The Saint's Magic Power is Omnipotent TV Anime Premieres on April 6

The official website for the television anime of Yuka Tachibana and Yasuyuki Syuri's The Saint's Magic Power Is Omnipotent (Seijo no Maryoku wa Bannō Desu)...

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/daily-briefs/2021-02-25/the-saint-magic-power-is-omnipotent-tv-anime-premieres-on-april-6/.169985

Higurashi: When They Cry – GOU ‒ Episode 21

Since what takes place in this episode is pretty straightforward, lend me your patience while I do some Higu-sleuthing.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/higurashi-when-they-cry-gou/episode-21/.169975

Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World- (Season 2) ‒ Episode 21

The anime has generally been excellent at conveying the weight of its dialogue scenes through clever storyboarding, but this episode had a bit too much "talking heads" for my liking.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/re-zero-starting-life-in-another-world/episode-21/.169936

Wonder Egg Priority ‒ Episode 7

Wonder Egg Priority's most singularly-focused episode to date intently follows Rika on her journey, scrutinizing her through the lenses of her various relationships, and tempting her with some its bleakest material yet.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/wonder-egg-priority/episode-7/.169928

Black Clover ‒ Episode 165

All throughout this episode, I kept wondering, “if this is the big confrontation against a Dark Triad member, where the hell is Nero?” Looks like the final scene of the episode answered that question.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/black-clover/episode-165/.169886

That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime Season 2 ‒ Episode 7

Of all the previous episodes' cliffhangers, only one is resolved on-screen. All the others are either resolved off-screen, aren't addressed, or turned into a new conflict altogether—which is more than a little bit of a letdown.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/that-time-i-got-reincarnated-as-a-slime-season-2/episode-7/.169887

Evangelion Lipstick Ad Releases Key Animation Frames

In November last year, Evangelion pilot-turned-model Rei Ayanami appeared in an animated ad for Japanese makeup brand KATE. On Friday, the ad campaign...

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2021-02-24/evangelion-lipstick-ad-releases-key-animation-frames/.169888

Log Horizon: Destruction of the Round Table ‒ Episode 7

I recognize that I'm very likely being directly influenced by having read the novels available in English, but even without that, it still seems likely that others will find the Elias/Leonardo fight underbaked when compared to other aspects of this episode.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/log-horizon-destruction-of-the-round-table/episode-7/.169894

Healin' Good Precure Streaming

Where the show really succeeds, however, is in truly separating itself from the norms of magical girl series.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/healin-good-precure/streaming/.169908

Higurashi: When They Cry – GOU ‒ Episode 20

This episode hones in on Satoko's continuing isolation from Rika, her attempts to course correct, and ultimately opening up the door that will lead to Rika's torturous loop.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/higurashi-when-they-cry-gou/episode-20/.169874

One Piece ‒ Episode 963

For one, seeing young Whitebeard and crew is a real treat. Pops is, as always, a balm for weary souls such as mine.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/one-piece/episode-963/.169811

Otherside Picnic ‒ Episode 8

Different people fear different things." That's a wisdom espoused this week on Otherside Picnic as our characters contend with a more curious, even cuddly kind of cryptid compared to the colloquial creepypastas confronted previously.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/otherside-picnic/episode-8/.169856

Bottom-tier Character Tomozaki ‒ Episode 7

This episode is a bit oddly arranged. The election itself ends anticlimactically halfway through the episode, and the rest of it is concerned with the aftermath.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/bottom-tier-character-tomozaki/episode-7/.169809

Ragna Crimson GN 1

The visual excitement and artistic fidelity are both beyond excellent. Every frame a painting, to borrow a well-known phrase. Daiki Kobayashi's line work is so crisp, everything has a level of precision and edge that perfectly fit.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/ragna-crimson-gn/vol-1/.169823

Laid-Back Camp Season 2 ‒ Episode 7

After last week's dance with danger, Laid-Back Camp settles back into its usual tempo of exploratory coziness with Rin and Nadeshiko's parallel solo camping adventures.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/laid-back-camp-season-2/episode-7/.169716

Attack on Titan The Final Season ‒ Episode 11

It speaks to the raw power of Isayama's storytelling that this confrontation between Kaya and Gabi works so damned well, so long as you can accept the broader and more humanistic interpretation of what is happening here.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/attack-on-titan-the-final-season/episode-11/.169845

This Week in Anime - Crackin' the Shell of Wonder Egg Priority

Easily one of the most dense anime series airing this season, Wonder Egg Priority examines the thorny world inhabited by teen girls, their insecurities and traumas, and the desperate bid to save them all.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/this-week-in-anime/2021-02-23/.169850

The ANN Aftershow - Attack on Titan Episode 70 - Gabi Doesn't Deserve the Hate

Gabi and Falco as they make their escape from the Paradis Island Eldians and encounter Kaya who brings them to a familiar farm. The people on the farm will test Gabi's idealism of who truly is "good" and "evil."

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/aftershow/2021-02-23/.169872

Touken Ranbu Game's English Version Confirmed as Not Launching Yet

The official English Twitter account for Nitroplus and DMM Games' Touken Ranbu Online game confirmed on Monday that the game's English release is not launching...

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2021-02-23/touken-ranbu-game-english-version-confirmed-as-not-launching-yet/.169860

Kemono Jihen ‒ Episode 7

I'm sure we're all left with the same very important question after this week's episode of Kemono Jihen: what the hell is Inari having Nobimaru do that he instantly recognizes an artificial insemination syringe?

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/kemono-jihen/episode-7/.169802

So I'm a Spider, So What? ‒ Episode 7

Even if I wasn't already enamored with this franchise from the novels, episode 7 would have hooked me deeply.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/so-im-a-spider-so-what/episode-7/.169717

Sk8 the Infinity ‒ Episode 7

Okay, we had a lot of fun at the beach last week, but even then Sk8 the Infinity was sure to remind us that there were some issues brewing for our boarding boys.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/sk8-the-infinity/episode-7/.169749

Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation ‒ Episode 7

Actually, calling the episode “predictable” may not be fair. A more accurate statement might be that the episode follows progressions wholly natural and logical for what it is and what it has shown before, including in its use of humor.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/mushoku-tensei-jobless-reincarnation/episode-7/.169806

Interview: Studio No Border on SK8 the Infinity Skateboard Designs, Original Projects, More

In 2018, acclaimed French artist Thomas Romain founded Studio No Border, a multimedia creative studio based in Japan. We spoke to Camille Le Guilloux, project manager at Studio No Border, about the studio's role on SK8, as well as its own projects.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interview/2021-02-22/studio-no-border-on-sk8-the-infinity-skateboard-designs-original-projects-more/.169681

Jujutsu Kaisen ‒ Episode 19

I hope I'm not repeating myself too much when I say just how impressive it is that we've gotten five whole episodes of what is essentially an extended battle sequence, and I'm still not getting bored or impatient.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/jujutsu-kaisen/episode-19/.169747

Hatsu*Haru GN 13

Over the course of its thirteen volumes, Hatsu*Haru has been many things, but perhaps its most remarkable achievement has been in the successful reversal of the typical gender norms of the shoujo romance.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/hatsu-haru/gn-13/.169656

Katakoi Lamp GN

Katakoi Lamp is sweet and charming, a soft story about two men stumbling into love.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/katakoi-lamp/gn/.169440

Quintessential Quintuplets ∬ ‒ Episode 7

Alright Quints, you got me. Decades of shonen romcoms had me conditioned to buy Nino's misheard confession hook, line, and sinker.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/quintessential-quintuplets/episode-7/.169685

This Week in Games - One Direct-ion

After almost two years, Nintendo delivered another full-length Nintendo Direct to the world, and the internet's attention turned once again to the house of Mario to see what sort of joyous surprises they would unveil.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/the-x-button/2021-02-19/this-week-in-games-one-direct-ion/.169641

Burn the Witch: Fairy Tales and Shōnen Storytelling

From the creator of Bleach, Burn The Witch takes a straightforward, yet fascinating approach towards the shōnen formula that puts it at odds with a more classical form of storytelling: fairy tales.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/feature/2021-02-19/burn-the-witch-fairy-tales-and-shonen-storytelling/.169707

The Slime Diaries Anime Reveals 2nd Key Visual, April 6 Premiere

The official website for Fuse and Mitz Vah's That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime novel series unveiled the second promotional video, second key visual,...

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/daily-briefs/2021-02-19/the-slime-diaries-anime-reveals-2nd-key-visual-april-6-premiere/.169702

Black Clover ‒ Episode 164

This episode picks up right where the last episode left off, continuing (though, frustratingly, not finishing) the confrontation between Dante and Yami while also spending much of its time looking in at additional Heart Kingdom battles.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/black-clover/episode-164/.169572

That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime Season 2 ‒ Episode 6

If Rimuru survives, he can't let what happened stand. He has to wage war with Falmuth—a war that Falmuth is unlikely to win once their surprise attack tactics are known.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/that-time-i-got-reincarnated-as-a-slime-season-2/episode-6/.169579

Blue Flag GN 6

This volume also looks at how "normal" is affecting Taichi and Futaba's relationship as college looms, how it plays with beauty standards, and even just the basic idea of family.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/blue-flag/gn-6/.168785

Touhou Project: From Fan-Made Games to Consoles

Created across 1995 and 1996 by one-man developer ZUN, the Touhou Project fandom has taken on a life of its own with doujin games of every stripe. Ant Cooke looks at some of most interesting creations in the series.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/feature/2021-02-17/touhou-project-from-fan-made-games-to-consoles/.169407

Otherside Picnic ‒ Episode 7

I'm just saying, the worst that happens to me is I wake up with a bad hangover, whereas these two end up on an unintentional trip to a dangerous alien dimension that communicates via fear.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/otherside-picnic/episode-7/.169556

Bottom-tier Character Tomozaki ‒ Episode 6

While I may have had some problems with this episode from a writing perspective, the visuals struck me as pretty good for a bridging episode without many key events.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/bottom-tier-character-tomozaki/episode-6/.169510

Haru's Curse

Love is what we cling to, but holding on too tightly can stifle personal growth or smother the other person.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/haru-curse/gn/.169211

This Week in Anime - The Boobs and Battles of Fatal Fury

This Week in Anime has special guest Heidi Kemps of This Week in Games joining Jean-Karlo to look back on Masami Obari's cheesecake-fueled action spectacle Fatal Fury: The Movie

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/this-week-in-anime/2021-02-16/.169569

Mermaid Saga GN 2

The story focuses on familial relationships, particularly parent and child. It's a different and much more interesting angle on the central thematic exploration of the downsides of immortality, and how it strips people of their humanity.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/mermaid-saga/gn-2/.168927

The ANN Aftershow - Attack on Titan Episode 69 - A Sound Argument

Attack on Titan Episode 69 "A Sound Argument" revealed secrets of Mikasa's past, Zeke's possible end game, and Historia is pregnant?!

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/aftershow/2021-02-16/.169504