This Week in Games - Judgment Looms

Yoshinori Ono leaves Capcom for the Fate/Grand Order giant Delightworks and the Yakuza series spinoff Judgment's latest update is teasing...SOMETHING!

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/the-x-button/2021-04-30/this-week-in-games-judgment-looms/.172282

The Hidden Dungeon Only I Can Enter 1-12 Streaming

There is not a single novel aspect of The Hidden Dungeon Only I Can Enter, but at this point the appeal of this particular collection of tropes is the familiarity of it all. Most importantly, it's light-hearted.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/the-hidden-dungeon-only-i-can-enter/12/.172032

Thursday, April 29, 2021

Kyoto Int'l Manga Anime Fair Returns in September

The official website for the Kyoto International Manga and Anime Fair confirmed on Friday that the event will take place this year at the Miyako Messe...

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/daily-briefs/2021-04-30/kyoto-intl-manga-anime-fair-returns-in-september/.172288

Megami-ryō no Ryōbo-kun TV Anime Premieres in July

The official website for the television anime of Ikumi Hino's Megami-ryō no Ryōbo-kun (Dorm Mother of the Goddess' Dorm) manga revealed on Friday that...

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/daily-briefs/2021-04-29/megami-ryo-no-ryobo-kun-tv-anime-premieres-in-july/.172283

The Best Crunchyroll Spring 2021 Anime Series

Every three months close to 40 new anime series are released into the wild in hopes of finding their audience. If you're still trying to whittle down your Crunchyroll queue to the cream of the crop, here are the five series you absolutely do not want to miss based on my impeccable taste.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/feature/2021-04-29/the-best-crunchyroll-spring-2021-anime-series/.172272

2nd One Piece Live-Action, Anime Hybrid Ad Shows the Cast as Children

The food delivery and takeout app "menu" continued its collaboration with the One Piece with its second hybrid live-action and animated television commercial...

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2021-04-29/2nd-one-piece-live-action-anime-hybrid-ad-shows-the-cast-as-children/.172242

Yasuke

Despite playing with expectations of what a historical anime should be, Thomas's Yasuke really feels like the only way I'd want Yasuke's story to be told.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/yasuke/.172206

This Week in Anime - How Does Vivy Reinvigorate the AI vs Humanity Trope?

The future of virtual idols looks bleak in Wit Studio's new original series. Diva dreams to live up to her namesake but a weird time-traveling teddybear has other ideas for her. Like preventing an impending war between AI and humans.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/this-week-in-anime/2021-04-29/.172230

Super Cub Motorbike Anime Listed with 12 Episodes

The official website for the television anime of Tone Koken's Super Cub novels revealed on Wednesday that the anime will have 12 episodes. The anime's...

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/daily-briefs/2021-04-29/super-cub-motorbike-anime-listed-with-12-episodes/.172232

Jank Runk Family Manga Returns from Hiatus on May 11

This year's 10th issue of Akita Shoten's Young Champion magazine announced on Tuesday that Hiroshi Takahashi's Jank Runk Family manga will return from...

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/daily-briefs/2021-04-28/jank-runk-family-manga-returns-from-hiatus-on-may-11/.172227

Odd Taxi ‒ Episode 4

Odd Taxi swerves away from Odokawa's story this week in order to do a brutal hit on the most deserving candidate I can think of: gacha.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/odd-taxi/episode-4/.172191

MARS RED ‒ Episode 4

This week, MARS RED compounds its vampire-tinged military intrigue, further explores the tensions of the Taisho period, and takes some cues from zombie flicks.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/mars-red/episode-4/.172190

Fruits Basket the Final ‒ Episode 4

We're approaching a point in Fruits Basket the Final in which the characters are THIS close to breaking the curse, and the dysfunction that plagues the Sohma family is beginning to noticeably bubble to the surface.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/fruits-basket-the-final/episode-4/.172164

To Your Eternity ‒ Episode 3

Considering the testimonials of dozens of Twitter users and several personal acquaintances, the only preconception I had of To Your Eternity was that it was going to make me cry. We're talking Made in Abyss levels of raindrop tears and snot bubbles, baby.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/to-your-eternity/episode-3/.172159

Show By Rock!! Stars!! Episodes 1-12 Streaming

Show By Rock!! Stars!! brings all of the bands from the previous three seasons together, and while that does make for a crowded cast, it also gives us a very full picture of just what the Midi City music scene really has to offer.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/show-by-rock-stars/episodes-1-12/.172014

Interview: Yasuke Director LeSean Thomas

Mercedez Clewis sat down with director LeSean Thomas to discuss the mystery of Yasuke, creating a new hero, and why Thomas doesn't create anime for otaku.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interview/2021-04-28/yasuke-director-lesean-thomas/.172172

Tokyo Revengers ‒ Episode 3

Takemichi is all heart, no brains, and the opening minutes of this episode feature him getting the few brain cells he has left beaten out of him. But that's actually what he wants – to face the hurt he ran away from all those years ago.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/tokyo-revengers/episode-3/.172156

Higehiro ‒ Episode 4

Something I am really appreciating about Higehiro so far is that, for the most part, the characters are all very good about telling each other what's on their minds

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/higehiro/episode-4/.172150

The ANN Aftershow - Emo Battle! Tokoyami's Time to Shine

The second match kicks off and the spotlight is on Tokoyami this week as he faces off against his Class 1-B counterpart, Vantablack. The two shadowy boys will have to outwit one another and Tokoyami has an ace up his sleeve thanks to his recent tutelage under Hawks.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/aftershow/2021-04-27/.172184

This Week in Anime - Why the Hell are there Ninjas on the Moon?

After Funimation recently beefed up its catalog with five Naruto films, Nick and Nicky decided to travel both time and space to find the true origins of Boruto's existence and how close he was to being snuffed out by a weird moon ninja.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/this-week-in-anime/2021-04-27/.172149

WWE President: WWE Sells 'Multi-Episode Anime Series' to Crunchyroll

WWE President and Chief Revenue Officer Nick Khan revealed during a webcast of the WWE's first quarter 2021 results on Thursday that it has "sold a multi-episode...

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/daily-briefs/2021-04-27/wwe-president-wwe-sells-multi-episode-anime-series-to-crunchyroll/.172179

Trapped in a Dating Sim: The World of Otome Games is Tough for Mobs Volume 1

For myself, where Trapped in a Dating Sim: The World of Otome Games is Tough for Mobs excels is in how it captures youthful frustration. The primary antagonist could be said to be unfair social norms and expectations of its fantasy world.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/trapped-in-a-dating-sim/the-world-of-otome-games-is-tough-for-mobs/volume-1/.172036

Back Arrow ‒ Episode 16

I felt that the political binary was purposefully simple so that the audience would not have to think much about while the robots were punching. It's become clear that are things much, much more nuanced than they initially appeared.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/back-arrow/episode-16/.172106

One Piece ‒ Episode 971

You should be watching One Piece. It is full of drama and pathos, a tale of legends being made and hearts being broken. Of what it means to be family and the cost of protecting others.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/one-piece/episode-971/.172107

The World Ends with You the Animation ‒ Episode 3

In a way, TWEWY the Animation is one of the most interesting “ads” for a video game franchise to date. It's beautiful, stylish as heck, and has really great voice acting, but...ultimately, it's hard not to shout, “Go play the game then watch this!”

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/the-world-ends-with-you-the-animation/episode-3/.172109

Why Seven Seas Altered Its Light Novels

The recent discoveries of omitted paragraphs and rewrites in Seven Seas' light novel releases reignites censorship fears in the fandom community. What led to the changes and why was the negative reaction so strong?

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/feature/2021-04-26/why-seven-seas-altered-its-light-novels/.171956

Eternally 23: Remembering the Creative Works of Osamu Kobayashi

In a tweet seemingly written by him before his passing, he laments that he “still had work he wanted to make,” but that someday maybe he'll be “reborn” to make good work once again.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/feature/2021-04-26/eternally-23-remembering-the-creative-works-of-osamu-kobayashi/.172073

Vivy -Fluorite Eye's Song- ‒ Episode 5

One big question has been looming in the background of the series so far: How are Vivy's actions—which have allowed AIs to prove that they will give their lives to save humans—supposed to stop the rapid evolution of AI?

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/vivy-fluorite-eye-song/episode-5/.172095

Don't Toy with Me, Miss Nagatoro ‒ Episode 3

We're only three episodes deep into Don't Toy with Me, Miss Nagatoro, and already I'm reckoning with the detection of more subtleties than I may have expected from this show.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/dont-toy-with-me-miss-nagatoro/episode-3/.172093

Shadows House ‒ Episode 3

What are shadows? Or rather, Shadows? We're only on episode three of Shadows House, but the answer to that question already looks as if it may be troubling.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/shadows-house/episode-3/.172091

86 ‒ Episode 3

After a brief teaser of the trauma yet to come, 86 employs the time-tested tradition of letting us get to know the characters while they're bathing.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/86/episode-3/.172094

Uma Musume Pretty Derby Season 1

Once you're past that odd conceptual hurdle, Uma Musume does actually work pretty well as a sports show. There's an abundance of focus on training regimens from what basically amounts to running really fast.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/uma-musume-pretty-derby-episodes-1-13-streaming/.171959

SSSS.Dynazenon ‒ Episode 4

It's interesting to think that, for all the bombastic beastly battles the show treats us to weekly, it's still got a very ‘slow burn’ feeling to its progression.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/ssss.dynazenon/episode-4/.172071

Welcome to Demon School, Iruma-kun Season 2 ‒ Episode 2

Ameri promptly assigns Clara and Asmodeus to other battlers and tells Iruma he'll be joining the student council for the time being. It's a great chance for her to maybe finally figure out what the hell she feels for him. Probably.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/welcome-to-demon-school-iruma-kun-season-2/episode-2/.172088

My Hero Academia ‒ Episode 93

Just when Tokoyami thought he'd found a kindred spirit, he discovers that Kuroiro isn't the honorable duel-to-the-death kind of edgelord, but rather the scheming, laughs-evilly-while-reading-Death-Note kind.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/my-hero-academia/episode-93/.172089

Cracking Your Antisocial Shell with Bottom-Tier Character Tomozaki

Fumiya Tomozaki is a schlub, but he doesn't have to be. Eric Stimson looks at the lessons in this series about turning a jaded "zero" into someone who has real happiness in his life, and how they can work for you, too.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/feature/2021-04-24/cracking-your-antisocial-shell-with-bottom-tier-character-tomozaki/.171601

Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway

Hathaway, as a film, is sort of an odd beast as it spoils its big twist early on and then pretends that it hasn't for the rest of the film. It also expects viewers to be intimately familiar with the events of Char's Counterattack.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/mobile-suit-gundam-hathaway/.171929

The List - 10 Best Spring 2021 Anime Openings

Our top 10 picks are in for the best spring 2021 anime opening songs. Put up your dukes, 'cause there's gonna be a fight.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/the-list/2021-04-24/.172064

Touken Ranbu Game's English Version Launches on April 27

The official English Twitter account for Nitroplus and DMM Games' Touken Ranbu Online game announced on Thursday that the game's English release will launch...

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/daily-briefs/2021-04-24/touken-ranbu-game-english-version-launches-on-april-27/.172037

Japanese Museums Hold Pokémon Fossil Exhibit

Museums will display illustrations of the games' Fossil Pokémon alongside information about the extinct creatures that inspired them

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2021-04-23/japanese-museums-hold-pokemon-fossil-exhibit/.171926

Zombie Land Saga Revenge ‒ Episodes 1-3

The premiere is a reset button of sorts, reacquainting us with the whole gang, and reestablishing the stakes—while playfully dancing around lingering questions like how Kotaro managed to resurrect seven zombies in the first place.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/zombie-land-saga-revenge/episodes-1-3/.172069

This Week in Games - Ace Greatness

We're finally getting the The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles with not-Sherlock! Also: who pulled the plug on the Sakura Wars mobile game? Heidi talks all of this and more in This Week in Games!

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/the-x-button/2021-04-23/this-week-in-games-ace-greatness/.172042

How NOT to Summon a Demon Lord Omega ‒ Episode 3

This week's episode wastes pretty much no time making apparent that, in the established dispute between the Church and the city's Lordship, the Church definitely weren't the Good Guys.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/how-not-to-summon-a-demon-lord-omega/episode-3/.172031

Blue Flag GN 7

In the aftermath of Toma's confession, rumors are flying all over the school and everyone has an opinion. Everyone, that is, except the three people who matter: Taichi, Futaba, and Toma himself

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/blue-flag/gn-7/.171746

How BOFURI Defies Gamer Expectations

BOFURI's Maple is an inspiration to everyone who has been told they were playing a game 'wrong,' even when that playstyle brought them immense enjoyment.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/feature/2021-04-23/how-bofuri-defies-gamer-expectations/.171662

Fairy Ranmaru ‒ Episodes 1-3

It's Fairy Ranmaru's unapologetically loud sexuality that first got me to take note and when voters were too cowardly to pick it, I decided to rectify the situation myself. You cannot control me. We're going to follow this muscular manshow until someone inevitably yells, "Daddy!"

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/fairy-ranmaru/episodes-1-3/.172020

Super Cub ‒ Episode 3

I suspect that their friendship will be more than that: not romantically. Rather, I think that Reiko and Koguma will be bonded over their love of Cubs, and the freedom they've brought each girl.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/super-cub/episode-3/.171990

Full Dive ‒ Episodes 1-3

I guess that pacing is as good a place as any. The first episode alone spends a solid half of its runtime showing our hero Yuki trudge through his shitty real-life just to set him up for his experiences in the shitty game life.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/full-dive/episodes-1-3/.171991

Asadora! GN 2

While Asa and the old pilot are looking for the rest of her family, they witness a strange sight: a giant tail or tentacle rising from the sea, right near where a giant reptilian footprint marks the spot where Asa's house used to stand.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/asadora/gn-2/.171898

This Week in Anime - The Daily Lives of High School Boys is Comedy Perfection

What makes a comedy not only good, but timeless? The Daily Lives of High School Boys might have nailed down the formula by blending irreverence with characters too stupid to chew their own food.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/this-week-in-anime/2021-04-22/.171985

Restaurant to Another World TV Anime Season 2 Listed

The official website for Kadokawa's Monthly Shonen Ace magazine is hosting a cover image of the magazine's June issue, and the image lists a second television...

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/daily-briefs/2021-04-22/restaurant-to-another-world-tv-anime-season-2-listed/.172003

In the Land of Leadale VR Isekai TV Anime Unveils 1st Visual

The official website for the television anime of Ceez and Tenmaso's In the Land of Leadale (Leadale no Daichi nite) light novel series unveiled the first...

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/daily-briefs/2021-04-22/in-the-land-of-leadale-vr-isekai-tv-anime-unveils-1st-visual/.171997

The Saint's Magic Power is Omnipotent ‒ Episodes 1-3

part of what's fun about this series thus far is that it isn't just a romance – it's also about Sei trying to settle in to a new life she had no idea was coming.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/the-saint-magic-power-is-omnipotent/episodes-1-3/.171978

Joran: The Princess of Snow and Blood ‒ Episodes 1-4

Even though there is a lot going on in this first quarter of episodes, it just so happens that reckless binge-watching may just be the ideal way to consume Joran, as ridiculous a spectacle as it has turned out to be.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/joran-the-princess-of-snow-and-blood/episodes-1-4/.171966

Odd Taxi ‒ Episodes 1-3

Reading like Taxi Driver with a splash of A Scanner Darkly, and looking like a forgotten Nicktoon, Odd Taxi builds its offbeat crime thriller out of wry observational humor, seedy characters, and talking animals.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/odd-taxi/episodes-1-3/.171953

I Hear the Sunspot: Limit GN 3

Given that it's dealing with some heavier, more reality-based themes than we typically see in BL manga, that's a major positive, and even as this volume flirts with a couple of major tropes, it still remains grounded and full of heart.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/i-hear-the-sunspot/limit/gn-3/.171862

Interview: Chainsaw Man Creator Tatsuki Fujimoto

Tatsuki Fujimoto's Chainsaw Man shocked and delighted audiences around the world. With the conclusion of the manga's first part, we interviewed Fujimoto about the manga's creation and got his thoughts on the upcoming anime.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interview/2021-04-21/chainsaw-man-creator-tatsuki-fujimoto/.171315

'Girlfriend, Girlfriend' Anime Premieres on July 2

The official website for the television anime of Hiroyuki's Girlfriend, Girlfriend (Kanojo mo Kanojo) manga announced on Wednesday that the series will...

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/daily-briefs/2021-04-20/girlfriend-girlfriend-anime-premieres-on-july-2/.171948

PREVIEW: Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne HD Remaster

The rise of the Shin Megami Tensei series in the US can be charted back to Nocturne on the PS2. Atlus and Sega are now remastering the third numbered SMT game for modern consoles and PCs. We sat down with the Switch version to check it out.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/feature/2021-04-20/preview-shin-megami-tensei-iii-nocturne-hd-remaster/.171815

This Week in Anime - Indie Visionaries and Alternative Animation

This week the team is highlighting animation that goes off the beaten path, be it stop-motion, sand art, and even puppetry. Here's to a celebration of anime in all of its forms.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/this-week-in-anime/2021-04-20/.171904

Monday, April 19, 2021

Magical Girl Site's Kentarō Satō Works on New Manga

Manga creator Kentarō Satō revealed on Monday that they are working on a new manga. Satō revealed a rough storyboard for the new manga, but did not reveal...

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/daily-briefs/2021-04-20/magical-girl-site-kentaro-sato-works-on-new-manga/.171923

Higehiro ‒ Episodes 1-3

The only reason that I can take Higehiro seriously as a narrative is because the show takes itself seriously. It characters are written as intelligent, nuanced, real people, and they all take the time to discuss their feelings, and the reality of their situation

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/higehiro/episodes-1-3/.171906

Super Cub ‒ Episodes 1-2

Most of the episode is spent with Koguma slowly realizing that her world is, after so long, opening up. It's beautifully executed, to the point that I was brought to tears multiple times for this very sweet kid who just…has been so alone.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/super-cub/episodes-1-2/.171908

Back Arrow ‒ Episode 15

The situation in Lutoh spirals out of control. The people of Lutoh's anger over the war has grown to a fever pitch, and they begin to demand Princess Fine's execution for this situation.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/back-arrow/episode-15/.171866

Log Horizon, Undertale, and the Tales Game Mechanics Can Tell

Like Undertale, Log Horizon is a great example of a game-based story whose creator also pondered how game mechanics can be used to tell certain stories that couldn't be properly conveyed otherwise.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/feature/2021-04-19/log-horizon-undertale-and-the-tales-game-mechanics-can-tell/.171161

Don't Toy with Me, Miss Nagatoro ‒ Episodes 1-2

Is this in fact part of the gimmick? Am I too to be bullied by Miss Nagatoro as I spend these weeks wondering how to properly articulate how I feel about her? This better not awaken anything in me.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/dont-toy-with-me-miss-nagatoro/episodes-1-2/.171847

Tokyo Revengers ‒ Episodes 1-2

Takemichi is mentally an adult. He knows he's going against full-on dangerous criminals who could very well kill him, and is fully unequipped to face that kind of danger.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/tokyo-revengers/episodes-1-2/.171853

86 ‒ Episode 1-2

Fiction is full of allegories for racism, and while 86 clearly isn't all too apt in that regard – fridging its only brown character in minutes – there is an attempt at nuance.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/86/episode-1-2/.171850

Vivy -Fluorite Eye's Song- ‒ Episodes 1-4

If two AI working together to stop the robot apocalypse weren't enough of a twist on the genre, there is a second one.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/vivy-fluorite-eye-song/episodes-1-4/.171852

Shadows House ‒ Episode 1-2

Emilico is, at this point, far too naïve to suspect something sinister going on beneath the surface. In fact, she's so naïve and precious that it feels like setup for a later spectacular revelation of some sort of terrible truth.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/shadows-house/episode-1-2/.171845

Welcome to Demon School, Iruma-kun Season 2 ‒ Episode 1

Wait, wait, wait. Didn't the final episode of the first season of Welcome to Demon School, Iruma-kun show us that Iruma had turned evil? So why is he still his adorable, dorky self in the first episode of the new season?

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/welcome-to-demon-school-iruma-kun-season-2/episode-1/.171849

How NOT to Summon a Demon Lord Omega ‒ Episodes 1-2

So is it actually the fault of sexy skyward sniper Laminitus for closing down the church and demanding taxes from them? It's hard to say at this point.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/how-not-to-summon-a-demon-lord-omega/episodes-1-2/.171844