Komi Can't Communicate ‒ Episode 2

This episode represents what I hoped this series would turn into – a story about communicating and the difficult hurdles that many people take for granted.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/komi-cant-communicate/episode-2/.179041

Lupin the 3rd Part 6 ‒ Episode 3

Even if Holmes won't be appearing in every episode of this series, detectives and mysteries will be a recurring factor. The actual problem in this episode is that the 'mystery' simply isn't very good.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/lupin-the-3rd-part-6/episode-3/.179040

Dahlia in Bloom Novel 1

Dahlia in Bloom feels less like a complete novel and more as if the author had a collection of really interesting ideas and decided to just throw them into book form without really bothering to fully develop any of them.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/dahlia-in-bloom/novel-1/.178515

Blue Period ‒ Episode 5

While Yatora knows intellectually that art is a creative field, the first time he truly understands that comes this week, when he is surrounded by people who are much more immersed in the art world than he is.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/blue-period/episode-5/.179034

Sakugan ‒ Episode 4

This episode makes for a mixed pit stop for our story, with the upside being that the parts I liked look to be the parts actually sticking around past this week's end credits.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/sakugan/episode-4/.179008

The Strongest Sage With the Weakest Crest GN 3-5

The more interesting aspects of the story and world that were introduced in the sophomore volume take a backseat to much more mundane exploits, most of which rely on the fact that Matty is super powerful and awesome.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/strongest-sage-with-the-weakest-crest/gn-3-5/.178697

Platinum End ‒ Episode 4

We follow a growing cast of gullible fools as they waltz into Metropoliman's kill zone, and to the show's credit, it's easily the most engaging moment-to-moment drama so far.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/platinum-end/episode-4/.179005

takt op. Destiny ‒ Episode 4

The old “three episode rule” has reared its head—the fourth episode of takt op. Destiny represents a marked step down in production and narrative quality from the first three.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/takt-op-destiny/episode-4/.178975

This Week in Games - Stars Align

For this week's Halloween column, Heidi investigates the "spooky" possibility of Warner Bros. making its own Smash-like fighting game. There's also the new Star Ocean game announcement—will it be a trick or a treat?

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/the-x-button/2021-10-29/this-week-in-games-stars-align/.178971

Banished From The Heroes' Party ‒ Episode 4

As much as Rit clearly wants to live alongside Red and spend every waking moment with him, going cold turkey on the adventuring looks to be a little less than healthy for her mental state.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/banished-from-the-heroes-party/episode-4/.178938

Ranking of Kings Ending Theme Gets Adorable Animated Music Video

"Oz." by yama, the delightful ending theme song of the Ranking of Kings, premiered the full version of its ending sequence last Friday. yama's official...

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2021-10-29/ranking-of-kings-ending-theme-gets-adorable-animated-music-video/.178981

When Will Ayumu Make His Move? GN 1

Fresh off the heels of Teasing Master Takagi-san comes another manga that firmly fits into this newly-established “teasing” genre that has really gained a fan base in the past year.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/when-will-ayumu-make-his-move-gn-1/.178842

The World's Finest Assassin ‒ Episode 4

What's interesting about this episode is the moral dilemma at its heart: At what point does pretending to be kind become true kindness?

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/the-world-finest-assassin/episode-4/.178939

Katsuhiro Otomo 'Complete Works' Project Delayed to Next January

The official Twitter account for Kodansha's planned "Complete Works Project" for Katsuhiro Otomo's manga announced on Wednesday that the project has been...

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/daily-briefs/2021-10-28/katsuhiro-otomo-complete-works-project-delayed-to-next-january/.178973

Tales of Luminaria Smartphone Game Launches on November 4

The official Twitter account for Bandai Namco Entertainment's Tales of Luminaria smartphone game announced on Thursday that the game will launch in Japan...

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/daily-briefs/2021-10-28/tales-of-luminaria-smartphone-game-launches-on-november-4/.178954

Muv-Luv Alternative ‒ Episode 4

When the show does decide to actually slow down, its choice of what to focus on is… questionable.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/muv-luv-alternative/episode-4/.178932

The Heike Story ‒ Episode 7

We are only roughly halfway through the entire story. Kiyomori sends one of his sons to Nara to confront the warrior monks—needing light, they set a building on fire.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/the-heike-story/episode-7/.178923

The Fruit of Evolution: Before I Knew It, My Life Had It Made ‒ Episode 4

The Fruit of Evolution is an anime that exists, and this week, I watched a new episode of it. For some reason, it got me thinking a lot about proctoring standardized tests.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/the-fruit-of-evolution-before-i-knew-it-my-life-had-it-made/episode-4/.178882

Patrick Imbert, Director of The Summit of the Gods

The award-winning director's newest film adapts Jiro Taniguchi's manga about fearless mountain climbers as they take on Everest. Find out team's own hurdles getting the story from book to screen.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/feature/2021-10-28/patrick-imbert-director-of-the-summit-of-the-gods/.178861

Metroid Dread

The gameplay of Dread is similarly spectacular. A lot of the DNA from Samus Returns – Mercury Steam's first Metroid project – is present here, albeit with the fat shaved off the bones.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/game/nintendo-switch/metroid-dread/.178755

My Senpai Is Annoying ‒ Episode 3

This week's episode was definitely a step back compared to the first two in terms of comedy and variety, but I still found myself walking away mostly satisfied with what I came here for.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/my-senpai-is-annoying/episode-3/.178873

BELLE Director Mamoru Hosoda at the Animation is Film Festival

Anime News Network met with Hosoda on the red carpet to discuss his futuristic retelling of the classic fairytale, including how 'beauty' has evolved in the last 300 years.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/feature/2021-10-27/belle-director-mamoru-hosoda-at-the-animation-is-film-festival/.178860

AMAIM Warrior at the Borderline ‒ Episode 4

This episode actually does a lot to address some of my concerns about AMAIM from its introductory episodes, though it's definitely not perfect about getting there.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/amaim-warrior-at-the-borderline/episode-4/.178865

The ANN Aftershow - Is Jujutsu Kaisen Better than Demon Slayer?

Lynzee and Jacki welcome back James to check in on how Mugen Train is going in its new format -- is it worth stretching out for eight whole weeks? Also: Irina: The Vampire Cosmonaut, takt. op Destiny, Fruit of Evolution, and The Faraway Paladin!

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/aftershow/2021-10-26/.178864

Mieruko-chan ‒ Episode 4

Miko grows increasingly frayed by her nonstop visions of the otherworldly. The bath scene feels especially disconcerting, and that's even if we ignore the return of the out-of-place fanservice.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/mieruko-chan/episode-4/.178830

The Faraway Paladin ‒ Episodes 1-3

In terms of the old three-episode-test (is that still a thing?), I feel like The Faraway Paladin passes with flying colors. Tension, mystery, excitement, world-building – I'm genuinely eager to see where this one goes this season.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/the-faraway-paladin/episodes-1-3/.178836

How Do You Live? Novel

Much like how reading the novels of 18th-century author Fanny Burney can explain a lot about Jane Austen's work, reading How Do You Live? gives us insight into the works of Hayao Miyazaki.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/how-do-you-live/novel/.176182

One Piece ‒ Episode 996

The scale of this arc – by every possible metric – is immense. We are witnessing so many plot threads, character arcs, and narrative themes coming to a head here at Wano that it can be a bit dizzying.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/one-piece/episode-996/.178794

Irina: The Vampire Cosmonaut ‒ Episode 4

As it turns out, however, this week's entry is actually something of a downtime episode, a breather presented for the characters before Irina goes into intense isolation training with the next episode.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/irina-the-vampire-cosmonaut/episode-4/.178793

86 Season 2 ‒ Episode 15

While the events of the episode itself are generally pretty calm, we see plenty of images of crows perching, clearly signaling the death and destruction to come.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/86-season-2/episode-15/.178807

This Week in Anime - Tawawa on Monday, Ganbare Dōki-chan on Tuesday

Nick and Steve check out two NSFW series featuring the likes of a fantasizing office worker and the mishaps that come with big ol' honkeroos.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/this-week-in-anime/2021-10-26/.178825

Blue Period ‒ Episode 3

For Yatora, the quest to improve is at least two-fold. He needs to understand art on a different level, not just as something that he personally finds fulfilling, but as something that fulfills other people.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/blue-period/episode-3/.178771

The aquatope on white sand ‒ Episode 16

And then, in a genuinely shocking twist that is delivered with perfect staging and sound design, the episode reveals the driving motivations for Haebara Chiyu.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/the-aquatope-on-white-sand/episode-16/.178754

Komi Can't Communicate ‒ Episode 1

The path to finding 100 friends when the act of speaking instills so much physical fear in you sounds more daunting than a lot of other end-of-the-world stakes you see in other anime. Even if you can't relate to that struggle, the show's attention to detail and directing makes you really feel the weight of how much Komi has probably gone through in silence.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/komi-cant-communicate/episode-1/.178780

Fena: Pirate Princess ‒ Episode 12

Of all the things I expected Fena: Pirate Princess to remind me of, a Stephen King novel was not on my list.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/fena-pirate-princess/episode-12/.178789

Sakugan ‒ Episodes 1-3

But even the best robots can't save a show without good characters, so thankfully our father-daughter duo go above and beyond carrying their weight in that regard.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/sakugan/episodes-1-3/.178758

Yuki Yuna is a Hero: The Great Mankai Chapter ‒ Episode 4

I won't deny that I was pleased to see them bring Gin back for a guest spot as we rounded Togo's internal struggles up to her retrieval in the second episode of Hero Chapter.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/yuki-yuna-is-a-hero-the-great-mankai-chapter/episode-4/.178752

PREVIEW: Shin Megami Tensei V

Atlus is priming to assault fans with another wave of demons with Shin Megami Tensei V, the next entry in the hallowed JRPG series coming this November 12th for the Nintendo Switch.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/feature/2021-10-25/preview-shin-megami-tensei-v/.178777

Restaurant to Another World Season 2 ‒ Episodes 1-3

It's a miracle, and honestly, that's what good food is: miracles that emerge from baking, braising, broiling, grilling, sauteing, and whatever else we do to raw ingredients.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/restaurant-to-another-world-season-2/episodes-1-3/.178738

Streaming Premiere of Lupin III Part 1 Anime's English Dub Delayed

TMS Entertainment announced on Saturday that it has delayed its planned world premiere of the English-dubbed first episode of Lupin III Part 1 on Sunday....

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/daily-briefs/2021-10-24/streaming-premiere-of-lupin-iii-part-1-anime-english-dub-delayed/.178801

This Week in Games - The Departed

Heidi revisits the industry contributions of the late Hiroshi Ono, known to his colleagues and fans as Mr. Dotman. ALSO: A Sega staffing shake-up and the return of Froggy Chair.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/the-x-button/2021-10-22/this-week-in-games-the-departed/.178690

Yakuza Lover GN 2

Instead of just weeping prettily, Nozomi Mino shows she's willing to draw Yuri as messy, even ugly in her anger.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/yakuza-lover/gn-2/.178590

Ranking of Kings ‒ Episodes 1-2

Despite the adversity from nearly every human around him, Bojji wants to believe in himself and make his father proud, but he's facing a world with customs that are not designed for him.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/ranking-of-kings/episodes-1-2/.178744

Digimon Ghost Game ‒ Episodes 1-2

The franchise finally looks like it's being updated for an actual modern audience while taking advantage of some of the creative conventions that come with telling this type of story in this specific day and age.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/digimon-ghost-game/episodes-1-2/.178742

Platinum End ‒ Episodes 1-3

The script feels intimately familiar with the machinations of a conniving megalomaniac who's happy to murder and scheme his way to godhood, but the average teenager is an enigma of vagaries and platitudes.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/platinum-end/episodes-1-3/.178721

Gaku Kuze's Torimania Manga Moves to Manga Park

Hakusensha's Manga Park website and app announced that Gaku Kuze's (Life Lessons of Uramichi-Oniisan) Torimania manga will move from Square Enix's Gangan...

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/daily-briefs/2021-10-21/gaku-kuze-torimania-manga-moves-to-manga-park/.178710

The World's Finest Assassin ‒ Episodes 1-3

Now, info dumps like this can be boring when animated. However, what keeps this episode interesting is that it's more than just an introduction to magic: it's an introduction to a new main character.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/the-world-finest-assassin/episodes-1-3/.178686

Banished From The Heroes' Party ‒ Episodes 1-3

While Red saw Rit as just another member of the party, Rit sees Red as the person who believed in her at her lowest point—who convinced her to stand up and do what was right for her kingdom.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/banished-from-the-heroes-party/episodes-1-3/.178685

takt op. Destiny ‒ Episodes 1-3

What takt op. Destiny is, at least so far as these first three episodes are concerned, is an exceedingly entertaining and well-produced action-adventure anime with a great premise, a strong cast, and some absolutely kickass fight scenes.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/takt-op-destiny/episodes-1-3/.178680

Witch Hat Atelier GN 6-8

This returns us to one of the themes of the series – that magic is something that should never be viewed as mundane.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/witch-hat-atelier/gn-6-8/.178612

Muv-Luv Alternative ‒ Episodes 1-3

I respect a show that gives us a two-sentence explanation of tropes we're all to familiar with these days, but that instantly-infodumped context makes it clear that we are absolutely watching an accelerated adaptation.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/muv-luv-alternative/episodes-1-3/.178678

This Week in Anime - Is The Heike Story Accessible for Newcomers?

Science SARU and Naoko Yamada's retelling of a 12th century story with a supernatural twist. The story is well-known within Japan, but can newbies still follow along?

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/this-week-in-anime/2021-10-21/.178667

The Heike Story ‒ Episodes 1-6

Biwa gives us an entry into the complex tale, and she also ties the anime to performed versions of Heike Monogatari over the centuries, because biwa players are known to have been part of its legacy in terms of keeping the story alive.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/the-heike-story/episodes-1-6/.178666

Love Live! Superstar!! ‒ Episodes 11-12

Alas, “Song For All” is the final episode of Superstar!! for now, and we wrap this season up on a note that's both anticlimactic and thematically perfect for this entry of the franchise.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/love-live-superstar/episodes-11-12/.178643

The Night Beyond the Tricornered Window ‒ Episodes 1-3

There's something distinctly selfish and self-serving about Hiyakawa's behaviors, most notably that he appears to think that if it can happen and he wants it to happen, it simply should.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/the-night-beyond-the-tricornered-window/episodes-1-3/.178630

The ANN Aftershow - What're You Watching Right Now?

Lynzee and Jacki surf through anime limbo in search of this season's big hit. Also, what the hell is going on in Platinum End? Is takt.op Destiny awesome or boring? Is Ranking of Kings the fantasy epic we've been waiting for?

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/aftershow/2021-10-20/.178632

The Tale of the Heike in Text and Animation

Rebecca Silverman looks at the original classic story that inspired Science Saru and Naoko Yamada's beautiful, historical anime series.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/feature/2021-10-20/the-tale-of-the-heike-in-text-and-animation/.177892

My Senpai Is Annoying ‒ Episodes 1-2

Before I sat down and watched the first two episodes of My Senpai Is Annoying, I had been feeling particularly drained from the everyday struggles of adult life. But now I have a huge grin on my face and my heart feels full!?

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/my-senpai-is-annoying/episodes-1-2/.178601

AMAIM Warrior at the Borderline ‒ Episodes 1-3

The one thing AMAIM definitely does start off strong with is its action. Part of that is just the novelty of having 2D robots in a TV production, but there's just strong action fundamentals here.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/amaim-warrior-at-the-borderline/episodes-1-3/.178597

This Week in Anime - In the Evergarden of Good and Evil

The conclusion of Violet's story is here; love, loss, and picking up the pieces of war. Nick and Steve look to see if the gorgeously rendered finale sticks the landing.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/this-week-in-anime/2021-10-19/.178583

Irina: The Vampire Cosmonaut ‒ Episodes 1-3

I'm curious as to how the intrigue both within the government and relating to geopolitics might develop, and the handling of points in that parachute training made it clear the show could make even those more procedural elements endearing.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/irina-the-vampire-cosmonaut/episodes-1-3/.178589

Her Royal Highness Seems to Be Angry GN 1 & 2

Although Her Royal Highness Seems to Be Angry does borrow from a lot of other stories, or at least to share distinct similarities with them, it manages to bring everything together in a way that's good enough to stand on its own.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/her-royal-highness-seems-to-be-angry/gn-1/.176366

Cyborg 009 Bgooparts Delete Manga Enters 'Final Battle'

The December issue of Akita Shoten's Champion Red magazine revealed on Tuesday that Tsuguo Okazaki's Cyborg 009 Bgooparts Delete manga is entering its...

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/daily-briefs/2021-10-19/cyborg-009-bgooparts-delete-manga-enters-final-battle/.178595

The aquatope on white sand ‒ Episode 15

This episode continues to settle viewers into Tingaara, and showing us how starkly different it is from Gama Gama.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/the-aquatope-on-white-sand/episode-15/.178494

Love After World Domination

An super sentai hero and his archenemy from an evil organization are the focal point in Love After World Domination, a comedy that is both genuinely funny and sweetly romantic.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/love-after-world-domination/volume-1/.178526

Fena: Pirate Princess ‒ Episode 11

I'm honestly not sure how this show is going to wrap things up. I'm not sure it can. I've enjoyed it, but I do think they may have written themselves into a corner with this one.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/fena-pirate-princess/episode-11/.178519

Yuki Yuna is a Hero: The Great Mankai Chapter ‒ Episodes 1-3

Yuki Yuna as a franchise has always functioned best when it's walking that thin line between putting its mighty magical girls through wringers both physical and emotional.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/yuki-yuna-is-a-hero-the-great-mankai-chapter/episodes-1-3/.178560

Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation 2nd Part ‒ Episodes 12-14

At this point, though, it's hard to anticipate just how Rudeus will get directly involved with the larger-scale events, and it's this low-key intrigue that makes his coming-of-age story continuously interesting.

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/mushoku-tensei-jobless-reincarnation-2nd-part/episodes-12-14/.178557

Your Fall 2021 Daily Streaming Reviews Schedule

This season's Preview Guide featured a lot of variety, so it was interesting to see where the poll results landed. Check here to see how the Daily Streaming reviews were divvied up!

source https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/site-news/2021-10-18/your-fall-2021-daily-streaming-reviews-schedule/.178520