Wonder Egg Priority ‒ Episode 13

To its credit, Wonder Egg Priority does do a hell of a lot with its finale's runtime. Unfortunately, most of it sucks.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/wonder-egg-priority/episode-13/.174643

MARS RED ‒ Episode 13

In fact, this finale is buoyed by its confidence, as it eschews any temptation to throw last-minute curveballs at its characters. Instead, its conclusion feels like a natural resting point.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/mars-red/episode-13/.174588

Fortune Favors Lady Nikuko

Fortune Favors Lady Nikuko feels like more of a character study and a series of slice-of-life sketches than a feature-length film. Its depiction of the life of a girl on the cusp of adolescence is very on-point, although its story ultimately doesn't leave a strong impression beyond that.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/fortune-favors-lady-nikuko/.174369

To Your Eternity ‒ Episode 12

This is another one of those episodes of To Your Eternity that is 95% climax, a thrilling and heartbreaking conclusion to the lives that have been touched and the bonds that have been forged in the latest step of Fushi's journey.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/to-your-eternity/episode-12/.174587

Interview: Fruits Basket the Final Director Yoshihide Ibata

The newest anime adaptation of Natsuki Takaya's classic Fruits Basket manga is drawing to a close. ANN reached out to director Yoshihide Ibata to learn more about his involvement with the project and his approach to making a Fruits Basket anime.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interview/2021-06-30/fruits-basket-the-final-director-yoshihide-ibata/.174056

Belle Is Mamoru Hosoda's 1st Film to Get IMAX Screenings

The official website for Mamoru Hosoda and Studio Chizu's new Belle (Ryū to Sobakasu no Hime, literally "The Dragon and the Freckled Princess") anime film...

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/daily-briefs/2021-06-30/belle-is-mamoru-hosoda-1st-film-to-get-imax-screenings/.174596

Tuesday, June 29, 2021

Adult Swim France Posts Rick and Morty, Totoro Claymation Short

Adult Swim France posted a claymation short on its Twitter account featuring Rick and Morty and My Neighbor Totoro characters. It depicts Morty and Summer...

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2021-06-29/adult-swim-france-posts-rick-and-morty-totoro-claymation-short/.174564

Welcome to Demon School, Iruma-kun Season 2 ‒ Episode 11

Clara really does have the remarkable talent for making any scene she's participating in more fun, and this episode is no exception.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/welcome-to-demon-school-iruma-kun-season-2/episode-11/.174527

The World Ends with You the Animation ‒ Episode 12

TWEWY the Animation has been one hell of a ride, going from one of the season's weakest premiers to a strong, emotional finale.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/the-world-ends-with-you-the-animation/episode-12/.174502

Odd Taxi ‒ Episode 13

Despite Odokawa's increasingly hard-boiled adventures, this world and these characters always felt bigger than this story. They extend into the past, and now, into the future.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/odd-taxi/episode-13/.174581

The ANN Aftershow - Hawks: Hero or Villain?

All eyes are on Hawks this week as the double (or triple?!) agent moves about city. Where's Best Jeanist? Who is the Meta-Liberation Army and what are their end goals?

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/aftershow/2021-06-29/.174531

This Week in Anime - All Aboard the Mugen Train!

Demon Slayer: The Movie: Mugen Train was the biggest film of 2020 and it finally made its way from theaters into living rooms. Nick and Steve take on the monumental task of evaluating the blockbuster and whether its financial success reflects its narrative cohesion.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/this-week-in-anime/2021-06-29/.174545

The Most Anticipated Anime of Summer 2021

ANN's editorial team has evaluated the competition and found the most promising entries for the next season. Which series are you looking forward to most?

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/feature/2021-06-29/the-most-anticipated-anime-of-summer-2021/.174158

Kaiju No. 8 Manga Temporarily Switches to Biweekly Schedule

The 38th chapter of Naoya Matsumoto's Kaiju No. 8 manga revealed on June 25 that the manga will temporarily switch to a new schedule of one chapter every...

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/daily-briefs/2021-06-29/kaiju-no-8-manga-temporarily-switches-to-biweekly-schedule/.174569

Monday, June 28, 2021

Moriarty the Patriot ‒ Episode 24

And that brings us to the end. It's not quite all's well that ends well, but everyone is moving forward.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/moriarty-the-patriot/episode-24/.174499

Junji Ito Draws Synopsis Manga For The Lighthouse Film

Famed horror manga artist and creator Junji Ito has illustrated a synopsis manga of Robert Eggers' 2019 film The Lighthouse to commemorate the film's release...

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2021-06-28/junji-ito-draws-synopsis-manga-for-the-lighthouse-film/.174478

Don't Toy with Me, Miss Nagatoro ‒ Episode 12

Given the sheer popularity of the character, I will be very shocked if this is actually the last we see of Don't Toy with Me, Miss Nagatoro in anime form. But for the time being, this is the end of our odd little journey with Nagatoro and her sufferin' Senpai.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/dont-toy-with-me-miss-nagatoro/episode-12/.174477

SEVEN KNIGHTS REVOLUTION: Hero Successor

The latest in a line of largely forgettable mobile game adaptations, SEVEN KNIGHTS REVOLUTION joins Hortensia Saga and King's Raid as a sad statement on where sword and sorcery fantasy fans can apparently continue to get their anime.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/seven-knights-revolution/hero-successor/.174448

Megalobox 2: Nomad ‒ Episode 13

The whole season has been chiefly concerned with how men can often feel forced to express their pride and masculinity in harmful and toxic ways, and how the powers-that-be will exploit that desperation for entertainment and profit.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/megalobox-2-nomad/episode-13/.174500

My Hero Academia ‒ Episode 102

So yeah, with Hawks' little message, MHA's stakes have gone from dead still to dead sprint in the blink of an eye. Suffice to say Deku and The Boys won't be getting your typical work study experience.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/my-hero-academia/episode-102/.174472

Zombie Land Saga Revenge ‒ Episode 12

For better or worse, it's impossible to predict what the anime will do next. I think that's for the better, though. If they truly aren't finished with the franchise, then they should go ahead and get even more bonkers.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/zombie-land-saga-revenge/episode-12/.174458

How Foreign-Born University Students Became Animation Coordinators on Wonder Egg Priority

When production began to fall apart, aspiring animators filled in to save the show. Kim Morrissy talks with FAR and Blou about the coordination effort and its reflection of the anime industry's current state.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/feature/2021-06-28/how-foreign-born-university-students-became-animation-coordinators-on-wonder-egg-priority/.173639

Goblin Slayer Novel 11

“A problem” is, in some ways, a good way to define the storytelling here on the whole. It's not a bad book, and the development of the desert nation is interesting, as are the new races who are introduced. But the interlude chapters in the first person feel disjointed and detached from the rest of the novel.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/goblin-slayer/novel-11/.174349

Maesetsu! Opening Act

Maesetsu! is a really enjoyable show… if comedy is your thing. If it's not, then it can be a bit of a drag, especially in its early episodes.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/maesetsu-opening-act/episodes-1-12/.174447

NIJISANJI VTuber Lulu Suzuhara Announces Retirement at End of June

NIJISANJI Virtual YouTuber Lulu Suzuhara announced on her Twitter account and YouTube channel on Thursday that she will graduate and retire from the group...

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2021-06-25/nijisanji-vtuber-lulu-suzuhara-announces-retirement-at-end-of-june/.174420

Pompo: The Cinéphile

Pompo: The Cinéphile is the perfect showcase of anime cinema – with equal emphasis on both words. Every single frame is packed with vibrant colors and flavors, with snappy transitions between animation-like and cinematic expression.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/pompo/the-cinephile/.174321

Back Arrow ‒ Episode 24

This sort of ending is the natural conclusion of many of my favorite super robot shows, where all physical limitations are cast aside in favor of burning passion and deity-punching goodness.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/back-arrow/episode-24/.174407

One Piece ‒ Episode 979

After the visual tour de force of last week's entry with Luffy, Law, and Kid attacking the Beast Pirates ship, I expected we'd have something of a “breather” episode this week.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/one-piece/episode-979/.174404

This Week in Games - Blazing Trails

Heidi's favorite Nintendo DS game is getting a remaster, the Demon Slayer fighter game is coming stateside, and Falcom announced a boatload of new Trails titles! Find out about here in This Week in Games!

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/the-x-button/2021-06-25/this-week-in-games-blazing-trails/.174411

How the Film Influenced Anime: The Seven Samurai vs. Samurai 7

Seven Samurai is one of the most influential movies ever made, yet its anime adaptation continues to languish in relative obscurity. We take a look back at both the 1954 film by Akira Kurosawa, and the 2004 anime series by Studio Gonzo.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/watch/2021-06-25/how-the-film-influenced-anime-the-seven-samurai-vs-samurai-7/.174396

Scarlet Nexus Giveaway

Scarlet Nexus (the game) drops today! Here's your chance to win it! Alternatively, we've got a code for 10% off Scarlet Nexus, or any other game in the 2Game store. This give-away is open world-wide!

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/giveaway/2021-06-25/scarlet-nexus/.174401

Super Cub ‒ Episode 12

And I imagine, at the end of this series, that some of you might be wondering, “Mercedez, did Super Cub stick the landing? Do you still stand by that claim?" Yes.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/super-cub/episode-12/.174352

This Week in Anime - Why ODDTAXI is Must-Watch TV

ODDTAXI is the tightly-written noir we didn't know we needed. Nicky and Steve look into why this walrus-starring mystery cannot be missed.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/this-week-in-anime/2021-06-24/.174355

Full Dive ‒ Episode 12

It still comes off like the bare minimum of a conceptual arc for a series that spent so much time jerking us around with a pointedly un-fun gimmick.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/full-dive/episode-12/.174362

Record of Ragnarok

Record of Ragnarok is a show of extremes. Both within the text and beyond it, this is an anime that rapidly oscillates between highs and lows in every respect. I feel that in so many ways it says a lot about the state of the industry.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/record-of-ragnarok/season-1/.174367

Golden Kamuy Manga Goes on Hiatus Until July 29

This year's 30th issue of Shueisha's Young Jump magazine revealed on Thursday that Satoru Noda's Golden Kamuy manga will go on hiatus, and it will return...

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/daily-briefs/2021-06-24/golden-kamuy-manga-goes-on-hiatus-until-july-29/.174389

Atelier Online Smartphone Game Launches in English on July 8

Hong Kong-based publisher Boltrend Games announced on its Twitter account on Wednesday that its English release of NHN Play Art and Gust's Atelier Online:...

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/daily-briefs/2021-06-24/atelier-online-smartphone-game-launches-in-english-on-july-8/.174368

MARS RED ‒ Episode 12

Regardless of whether or not the series has “earned” them, I'm still delighted each time MARS RED uses arthouse indulgences to communicate.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/mars-red/episode-12/.174317

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Inspires Suitcase Based on Nezuko's Box

In Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, Tanjiro carries his sister Nezuko around in a box strapped to his back. The box's design is now inspiring a snazzy suitcase...

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2021-06-23/demon-slayer-kimetsu-no-yaiba-inspires-suitcase-based-on-nezuko-box/.174216

Fruits Basket the Final ‒ Episode 12

This week's episode is the most devastating one yet, hitting us with a one-two-three punch of emotional catharsis for each of the three core Fruits Basket couples.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/fruits-basket-the-final/episode-12/.174313

Secret Urban Legends GN

Have you heard the story about the abandoned house where a girl still waits for her friends to finish their game of hide-and-seek? And what if mosquitos can carry on the grudges of those they feed upon, even after death?

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/secret-urban-legends/gn/.173631

Vinland Saga Manga Gets 'Important Announcement' on July 26

The August issue of Kodansha's Monthly Afternoon magazine revealed on Thursday that Makoto Yukimura's Vinland Saga manga will have an "important announcement"...

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/daily-briefs/2021-06-23/vinland-saga-manga-gets-important-announcement-on-july-26/.174236

The Saint's Magic Power is Omnipotent ‒ Episode 12

How much cheesiness is too much? That seems to be a balance that the final episode of The Saint's Magic Power is Omnipotent is trying to find, and it sort of wobbles back and forth on the issue.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/the-saint-magic-power-is-omnipotent/episode-12/.174311

North American Anime, Manga Releases, June 20-26

Sword Art Online: Alicization - War of Underworld, Smile Down the Runway anime; Sadako-san and Sadako-chan, If the RPG World Had Social Media manga ship

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2021-06-22/north-american-anime-manga-releases-june-20-26/.174310

To Your Eternity ‒ Episode 11

Okay. Now that I've finished my post-To Your Eternity routine of frantically pacing my office and screaming, “My boy! My precious lizard-faced boy!” for ten minutes without interruption, I think I might be ready to tackle this review.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/to-your-eternity/episode-11/.174309

Tokyo Revengers ‒ Episode 11

There is some short-lived tension over whether Draken will actually die, and it leads to probably my favorite scene when Mikey does the classic shonen leader speech – only to sneak off once Draken does pull through to quietly.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/tokyo-revengers/episode-11/.174276

The ANN Aftershow - Where the Hell are the Villains?!

After much anticipation for the next arc, My Hero Academia has...rearranged everything? Is the upcoming movie to blame? We were promised villains!

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/aftershow/2021-06-22/.174314

Higehiro ‒ Episode 12

I maintain that Higehiro has done a pretty good job of telling an emotionally resonant story about believably damaged and likeable people, but in recent weeks the show just hasn't had the visual chops or the storytelling skill to handle high melodrama.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/higehiro/episode-12/.174250

This Week in Anime - Tokyo Gear Rising: Revengereance

When former punk Takemichi gets a do-over, his friends and girlfriend's lives are on the line. It's time travel, now with more delinquents!

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/this-week-in-anime/2021-06-22/.174254

Blue Flag GN 8

The adolescent romance series comes to a close in this volume. How did this tearjerker wrap up its relationships?

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/blue-flag/gn-8/.173285

Live-Action Solitary Gourmet Season 9 Premieres on July 9

TV Tokyo revealed on Tuesday that the ninth season of the live-action series adaptation of Masayuki Kusumi and Jiro Taniguchi's Kodoku no Gourmet (Solitary...

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/daily-briefs/2021-06-22/live-action-solitary-gourmet-season-9-premieres-on-july-9/.174289

Combatants Will Be Dispatched! ‒ Episode 12

All in all, Combatants Will Be Dispatched! has had its ups and downs as a series. However, it has remained consistently entertaining throughout. Its irreverent shock humor has been a lot of fun and some of the jokes had me laughing uncontrollably.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/combatants-will-be-dispatched/episode-12/.174209

By the Grace of the Gods Season 1

This plainly isn't going to be a show for everyone. It's slow-moving and doesn't always use its plot points or characters as well as it might, and apart from their work “transferring” humans from earth to Seilfal, the gods are almost non-entities.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/by-the-grace-of-the-gods/season-1/.174140

Moriarty the Patriot ‒ Episode 23

We have arrived, then, at the final problem. Canonically, this is the story that originally introduced Moriarty, both as the Lord of Crime and in general, so it may not be overstating to say that this is the end goal of the entire series.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/moriarty-the-patriot/episode-23/.174199

Boruto Anime Enters New Arc, Reveals New Visual

The official website for the Boruto: Naruto Next Generations anime revealed on Monday that the anime will enter a new arc titled "Kawaki-hen Ōtsutsuki...

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/daily-briefs/2021-06-21/boruto-anime-enters-new-arc-reveals-new-visual/.174238

Re:Zero Browser Game With Original Story Launches in Japan in July

Game company EXNOA announced on Monday that it will release DMM Games' Re: Zero Kara Hajimeru Isekai Seikatsu: Kinsho to Nazo no Seirei (Re:ZERO -Starting...

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/daily-briefs/2021-06-21/re-zero-browser-game-with-original-story-launches-in-japan-in-july/.174187

Interview: Mars Red Director Kouhei Hatano and Screenwriter Jun'ichi Fujisaku

MARS RED has been taking anime viewers by surprise with its evocative tale of vampires living in Japan's Taisho era. ANN reached out to director Kouhei Hatano and screenwriter Jun'ichi Fujisaku to learn more about how this unique story was adapted.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interview/2021-06-21/mars-red-director-kouhei-hatano-and-screenwriter-junichi-fujisaku/.173077

86 ‒ Episode 11

Two weeks ago, Episode 9 ended with our beloved cast of characters marching off into the unknown. Since then, it's been a series of constant surprises; I had absolutely no idea where they're going or what's going to happen.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/86/episode-11/.174197

Vivy -Fluorite Eye's Song- ‒ Episode 13

All in all, this episode was shaping up to be a pretty solid ending to the series... well, until the moment it suddenly wasn't.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/vivy-fluorite-eye-song/episode-13/.174183

SPY×FAMILY GN 5

Anya may be the heart of both the Forger family and SPY x FAMILY entire, but not every volume can be just about her – it's called Spy x Family, after all.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/spy-family/gn-5/.174090

Shadows House ‒ Episode 11

You've got to love that John's first instinct is always to punch something. His crate, the boulder, and now a brainwashed Shaun are all the recipients of John's Mighty Fist of Justice.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/shadows-house/episode-11/.174182

Welcome to Demon School, Iruma-kun Season 2 ‒ Episode 10

I get it now – I understand why manga readers have been so excited for Balam-sensei's arrival in the anime: he is absolutely adorable.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/welcome-to-demon-school-iruma-kun-season-2/episode-10/.174180

My Hero Academia ‒ Episode 101

Twas the night before Christmas And all through UA Not a creature was stirring Save for Mineta, in his cage

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/my-hero-academia/episode-101/.174181

Those Snow White Notes ‒ Episode 12

Those Snow White Notes' finale is something that's crueler than just about any season-ending cliffhanger in recent memory, and I'm still not entirely sure how to feel about it.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/those-snow-white-notes/episode-12/.174163

Zombie Land Saga Revenge ‒ Episode 11

Saga sinks! Kind of! After a shockingly seafaring introduction, the girls of Franchouchou find themselves and the rest of Saga mired in the wake of the freak overnight typhoon.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/zombie-land-saga-revenge/episode-11/.174160

WAVE!! Let's Go Surfing

There's something fascinating about WAVE!! Let's Go Surfing, and it has absolutely nothing to do with the content of the show. It is, in many ways, emblematic of a kind of content-farm approach to media that is driven entirely by profit.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/wave-let-go-surfing/streaming-1-12/.174012

SSSS.Dynazenon ‒ Episode 12

Going into SSSS.Dynazenon, my initial question was whether it would "live up" to SSSS.Gridman. But that's inapplicable to the series, because it's clear that it's not a sequel or a spiritual follow-up, but a companion to it.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/ssss.dynazenon/episode-12/.174156

Rurouni Kenshin: The Beginning

On the thematic side of things, Rurouni Kenshin: The Beginning tells the story of two broken people, each driven only by their own singular, all-consuming goals.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/rurouni-kenshin/the-beginning/live-action-film/.173719

Bottom-tier Character Tomozaki ‒ Episode 13

The Bottom-tier Character Tomozaki anime is back with a half-length OVA episode. This one focuses on the soft-spoken and angelic Kikuchi, who despite her valuable supporting role spent most of the anime's runtime in the sidelines.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/bottom-tier-character-tomozaki/episode-13/.174063

Reimagining The World Ends With You

Are the anime staff doing a good enough job accounting for the differences between playing TWEWY or watching it and making sure its still an enjoyable experience that at least honors the original game?

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/watch/2021-06-18/reimagining-the-world-ends-with-you/.174113

Joran: The Princess of Snow and Blood ‒ Episode 12

With that, we've reached the end of Joran: The Princess of Snow and Blood, and the end of Sawa's journey of…revenge? I guess we can call it that.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/joran-the-princess-of-snow-and-blood/episode-12/.174102

Crunchyroll Originals Have Been A Disaster

Callum May evaluates the streaming services attempts at original content and Crunchyroll's questionable lack of clarity about its own projects, including its seemingly shuttered Tokyo studio.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/feature/2021-06-18/crunchyroll-originals-have-been-a-disaster/.173347