Wano continues unabated. This go around we get more time with the Akazaya Nine, which is great to my mind as they are critical to the entire arc. While they may be a large contributing factor to the length of the arc, I think the characterization of the Akazaya Nine has on the net been worth the time invested. The coming battle with Kaido feels truly momentous because we have such a close knowledge of all of Oden's retainers.
The showdown between Kanjuro and Kiku is terrific stuff. Kanjuro sending out drawings of headless horsemen is just a cool fantasy concept generally. More specifically, the agony of Kanjuro reveling in the anguish he is causing through betrayal as a testament to his acting skills make it sting that much more. I liked Kiku framing it as Kanjuro speaking ill of her friend and cutting him off before he could besmirch the person she feels she has lost.
The Luffy and Yamato scenes are great too. Any time Luffy is breaking the shackles that bind someone, I'm going ape for it. But the real treasure (other than the friends we made along the way) is the shot of Luffy and Yamato sticking their heads through the ceiling. The way they have their heads clunked together and are bending the board like a Looney Tunes bit, it's one of my favorite comedy beats in the entirety of Wano. I love these too goofballs, and it's heartwarming that they have connected over Ace and are now clowning it up together.
Big Mom returns to the scene in all her glory. I'm a known mark for Big Mom being evil, but the icing on this whole cake is the yokai designs. They are delightfully simple and sadistic little doodle monsters, and further exemplify Oda's penchant for creativity even in the midst of the grand delivery of his biggest arc yet. Just seems like the creativity well is never dry for him.
As Slam Dunk reached its final stretch, I can see why this series is considered the sports classic that it is today.― This is the largest batch of Slam Dunk episodes that I've reviewed thus far. Originally, I wanted to review the show in more even seasons, but given its overall pacing and release, it wasn't easy to find a moment where it felt right to stop and start again. However, as we approached ...
Main cast, staff, teaser visual, video revealed― A website opened on Thursday to reveal a television anime adaptation of Kogitsunemaru's Izure Saikyō no Renkinjutsu-shi? (Someday Will I Be The Greatest Alchemist?) light novel series, which will premiere in January 2025. The website also revealed the anime's main cast, staff, and a teaser promotional video and visual. The novel series' illustrator Hi...
Anime adapts manga by Crossing Time creator― Futabasha revealed on Friday that Yoshimi Sato's Kakushite! Makina-san!! (Hide! Makina-san!) manga is inspiring a television anime that will premiere next year. Futabasha unveiled a teaser visual for the anime. The risque romantic comedy manga's story centers on Eita, an introvert mecha otaku high schooler who has a crush on the school's most popular girl...
James and Lynzee discuss the latest episode of Yatagarsu. Plus, GoHands keeps making anime, and we don't know WHY.― Yatagarasu Gets Violent! James and Lynzee discuss the latest episode of Yatagarsu, in which Wakamiya plays his hand to find out the truth behind his older brother's scheming to obtain the throne. Plus, GoHands keeps making anime, and we don't know WHY; Hunter x Hunter manga is on its ...
Making a sequel to Code Geass is a daunting task. But with its fantastic main character and a story that doesn't undercut what came before, Rozé of the Recapture is on the right track.― Making a sequel to Code Geass—especially one set close to the end of the series—is a daunting task. Any story that involves an ongoing war massively undercuts both the finale of the original anime and the sacrifices ...
The Switch sequel console is finally happening! The details are scarce, but you can find out more in this week's column. Also: an interview with El Shaddai's Sawaki Takeyasu, Microsoft layoffs, and more.― Welcome back, folks! What a wild week this has been for the gaming industry. We'll go further into it, but jeez. This past week also saw the disappearance of Capcom's Dark Void and Dark Void Zero. ...
The Code Geass creator discusses his new project with Web3 company Azuki, Enter the Garden, and his hope that this new path could help the medium evolve.― Los Angeles-based Web3 anime-styled brand Azuki and advertising conglomerate Dentsu debuted the first nine-minute episode of their joint anime endeavor, Enter the Garden, on April 30. The episode, which has already racked up a quarter of a million...
If I were to sum up Hokkaido Gals Are Super Adorable! in a single word, that word would be “cute.”― If I were to sum up Hokkaido Gals Are Super Adorable! in a single word, that word would be “cute.” Shiki and Fuyuki's interactions are a mixture of playful (and sometimes sexual) teasing and heartfelt feelings as the two come to value each other. They have real chemistry—and that drives the anime stra...
Final volume ships in fall― The 25th compiled book volume of Yuki Sato's Tomodachi Game (Friends Games) manga revealed on Thursday that the series will end with the 26th volume's release in fall. The story, based on Mikoto Yamaguchi's original concept, centers on Yūichi Katagiri, a young man with a perfect student life who has four friends with difficult lives. His peaceful daily life comes to an e...
Lucas and Steve catch up on the Hunter × Hunter manga in time for the long-awaited new chapter and gush about why, even with years between releases, Hunter × Hunter is worth it.― Lucas and Steve catch up on the Hunter × Hunter manga in time for the long-awaited new chapter and gush about why, even with years between releases, Hunter × Hunter is worth it. Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed...
Based on the novel by former Nogizaka46 member Kazumi Takayama, trapezium asks its audience to follow one girl who will use anything, and anyone, to achieve her dream.― Trapezium is a strange movie, to say the least. On the surface, it's a rather simple movie that explores youth, their dreams, and the lengths they'll go to achieve those dreams. It's a coming-of-age story wrapped in the veneer of the...
ZeroReq011 remembers what made Spice and Wolf a story for the ages, from its fully realized world and economics to Holo and Lawrence's romantic chemistry.― Back when Funimation was still its own company and not owned by Sony, long before its in-house streaming service was terminated in favor of Crunchyroll's streaming platform, it owned a TV channel. Legal streaming had yet to dominate the Western a...