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Oshi no Ko GN 1
Don't judge this manga based on its back cover copy; it has more in common with Perfect Blue than idol fare like Love Live!
― Warning: of necessity, this review will contain some spoilers not covered in the book's back copy. If you pick up Oshi no Ko based solely on the back copy and expecting the cute story of an obstetrician caring for his favorite idol during her pregnancy, you are bound to be dis...
Muv-Luv Alternative Season 2
Major revelations will be blithely glossed over, and new characters are thrown at the audience who get one or two scenes to make clear that they're supposed to be somewhat relevant or important, but with no connective context as to why.
― There's an element of presumed prestige to the back half of this Muv-Luv Alternative anime adaptation. And why shouldn't there be? The original visual novel is a pr...
The Legend of Mana: The Teardrop Crystal
The possibilities in The Legend of Mana: The Teardrop Crystal seem endless. Sadly, a show is not just possibilities and vibes— The Teardrop Crystal struggles with executing a meaningful plot.
― I went into The Legend of Mana: The Teardrop Crystal anime with a very patchwork understanding of the original game. I have never played the original title from 1999 nor had a chance to play the recent remaste...
Fire Emblem Engage
Fire Emblem Engage has had a rough time coming. The art style left a lot of people unconvinced, and it's coming on the heels of the widely-beloved Fire Emblem: Three Houses. How does Intelligent Systems' newest strategy RPG hold up?
― Fire Emblem Engage has had a rough time coming. The title was weird, the art style left a lot of people unconvinced, and it's coming on the heels of the widely-beloved ...
Pokémon Master Journeys: The Series (Episodes 49-90)
This is where Pokémon: Journeys shines the most, taking familiar past elements and putting a twist on them in the present day to progress the story forward.
― After dealing with a major threat to the Galar region, Ash and Goh continue their journey as if nothing had ever changed. Still, it feels like we're finally getting into the significant challenges that both of our protagonists were bound to fac...
Natsume and Natsume GN 1
With his terrifying smile and heart of gold, Natsume-kun is basically a CGCT protagonist in a high school boy's body.
― Natsume Shiranui has a problem, and it's different from the one you might expect. From a glance at the cover, you would expect that the biggest issue he faced came from people being terrified of his apparently horrible case of resting evil face. But instead, his problem is that he d...
One Piece Odyssey
The presentation is top-notch the entire way through. There are plenty of gorgeous action sequences during combat, voice acting for a large majority of the game's dialogue, and a rich and beautiful world that is easy on the eyes.
― Disclaimer: I received a review copy of this game for the purposes of the review with the pre-order bonus DLC. Additionally, though I am a good ways into the main story, I...
Qualia the Purple LN
Qualia the Purple is one of those stories where much of the enjoyment comes from having as little idea as to where it's going when you first experience it.
― Qualia the Purple is one of those books that can be challenging to review. Yes, there's the point that it deals in some dense scientific concepts and also dips into very dark, messy places as far as its material. But mostly, Qualia the Purple is...
Shin Ultraman
Shin Ultraman presents us with intrigue and heavy questions about humanity's place in the world, the many threats of the future, and the many frightening things that lurk in the shadows waiting to take advantage of our ignorance.
― You can summarize Shin Ultraman thusly: in many of the shots taking place in the SSSP ofice, SSSP member Taki's model of the USS Enterprise is proudly seen on his desk, su...
That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime: Scarlet Bond
There's one thing that prevents Scarlet Bond from becoming a genuinely memorable entry in the Reincarnated as a Slime franchise: Rimuru Tempest himself.
― That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime: Scarlet Bond is somewhat of a rarity in original tie-in films to TV anime that are adapted from another medium. Most films in this vein are either not in continuity or are so removed from the main story that...
Fist of the North Star GN 7
Good points: Some of the best material in one of the greatest manga of all time
Bad points: We have to wait three months for the next release ― This is the best of what Fist of the North Star has to offer. There are many legendary moments throughout the series, and certainly, there are higher highs and more iconic moments than what happens here in Volume 7. But I think this stretch of chapters helps...
Bad points: We have to wait three months for the next release ― This is the best of what Fist of the North Star has to offer. There are many legendary moments throughout the series, and certainly, there are higher highs and more iconic moments than what happens here in Volume 7. But I think this stretch of chapters helps...
ATOM: The Beginning Volume 2
Volume 2 manages to build on the first volume and take narrative risks as Six encounters more deadly foes after the conclusion of the robot fighting tournament.
― Atom: The Beginning Volume 2 manages to build on the first volume in surprising ways while also playing it somewhat safe in the action department. I think the shortest possible review is that if you enjoyed Volume 1, I think Volume 2 will a...
Honey Lemon Soda GN 1
Is this romance about a bullied teen all sweet and no substance? Rebecca Silverman checks out Honey Lemon Soda to find out.
― It seems to be a universal truth that middle school is hell. Even if you were one of the lucky ones who came through relatively unscathed, the middle grades are a time when everyone is trying to sort out themselves while suffering under the slings and arrows of adolescence and...
Pokémon Journeys: The Series Episodes 1-48
As we prepare to reach the end of Ash's journey, MrAJCosplay looks back on Pokémon Journeys' victories and squashed potential.
― After becoming the first official champion of the Alola region, Ash Ketchum returns to Pallet Town and is ready to start a new adventure. However, right from the jump, Pokémon Journeys seems to be just as interested in the franchise's history as it is interested in advancin...
You Like Me, Not My Daughter?! GN 1
This age-gap romance between a 20-year-old and 32-year-old might not be for everyone, but there's a sweet story hiding underneath.
― Age is a funny thing. We've all read manga that equates being over thirty with being middle-aged, and that really drives home the idea that along with being a simple set of numbers that delineates how long you've been alive, age is also very much a social construct and ...
Captain Corinth GN 1
At this point in genre saturation, a space soldier being dropped into a medieval fantasy planet feels positively revelatory.
― We've been conditioned to think of isekai as either a case of transportation/summoning, being reborn, or some other form of portal fantasy. But Captain Corinth takes a different approach: the protagonist of this sci-fi isekai story ends up on a new planet that no one in the G...
Summer Time Rendering
Stealth dropped on Hulu this week, Summer Time Rendering is an anime you don't want to let wither in your queue. Kim Morrissy's review is here.
― The biggest problem with Summer Time Rendering is the Disney+ jail. The show got a staggered release across different regions, with minimal marketing to boot. Chances are that this title may have slipped you by, even though it's among the best anime of 2022...
Black Rock Shooter: Dawn Fall
Does this edgy sci-fi story make for good popcorn entertainment? Maybe, but you might not remember any of it when it's over.
― Black Rock Shooter is such a weird franchise. I wouldn't necessarily say that it's reached mainstream status, but it is still a recognizable name and seems to have garnered some cult status in certain circles (could you believe that all of it started with just a simple drawin...
Encouragement of Climb: Next Summit
This fourth season of Encouragement of Climb is a satisfying resolution to Aoi Yukimura's story, but it does get off to a bit of an odd start.
― This fourth season of Encouragement of Climb is a satisfying resolution to Aoi Yukimura's story, but it does get off to a bit of an odd start. The first four episodes are compilations from the first three seasons, with a couple of short original segments thr...
Helck GN 1
A human makes a play for demon king, stating he hates humankind just as much as a demon should. He just has to convince Red Vamirio, and her suspicions are running high.
― Have you ever been so strongly convinced about someone having ulterior motives that you obsess over proving it? That very relatable idea is at the heart of this first volume of Helck, which can be neatly divided into two parts. The...
Blue Box GN 2
Blue Box continues to surprise its readers, but it's about time Chinatsu got more time in the spotlight.
― Blue Box is a manga that exists in that sweet spot between a well-paced slice-of-life romance and a traditional sports story. While the series doesn't reach the massive highs that either of those genres has to offer, the two feed into each other enough to create a mostly enjoyable experience. In...
Romantic Killer GN 1-2
The source of the Netflix anime series, protagonist Anzu isn't interested in romance, and unlike most manga, Romantic Killer never dumps on her or cajoles her into picking a boy.
― Romantic Killer's strongest asset is almost certainly its title-fulfilling heroine. Romance stories with romance-averse main characters are hardly uncommon, but Anzu takes it to a heretofore-unseen level. There's a pointed...
Surviving in Another World as a Villainess Fox Girl! Novel 1
Miku's twin sister Claire has been saying weird things since they were two about how she used to live in a place called “Japan” and now she's living in an “otome game.” How does this take on the 'reborn into my fav visual novel' hold up?
― Surviving in Another World as a Villainess Fox Girl is one of those titles that is more interested in hooking the reader than actually describing the book. It's no...
Witch On The Holy Night
I can imagine kinetic novels being a tough sell for most gamers, but for people who are fearless of text in their stories, Witch on the Holy Night has lots to offer.
― Reviewing a kinetic novel is a curious thing. There's no gameplay to discuss or criticize, and there aren't any mechanics to discuss. What you have is a story. The good news is while Witch on the Holy Night is a prequel to Lunar Legend...
Lonely Castle in the Mirror
One day, seven troubled middle schoolers find themselves transported to a mysterious castle on the other side of their bedroom mirrors...in this new world they might just find the strength to survive.
― When it comes down to it, Lonely Castle in the Mirror is a commentary about one of Japan's most prevalent ongoing problems: school bullying. The viewpoint character of the film, Kokoro, has been bulli...
Loved Circus GN
This feels like a volume created by somebody whose eyes are bigger than their stomach. The ambition for the piece is clear, but the execution does not go far enough to make this story feel particularly worthwhile.
― It's an old trap, but a good one: office worker Kei has become a frequent customer of a hostess named Momo, and before he quite understands what's happened, he has driven himself into deb...
So What's Wrong with Getting Reborn as a Goblin? GN 1
Is the main character reborn OP? Yes. Is there a built-in harem aspect? Yes. But simply put, this book works better than its title and genre might lead you to believe and is worth checking out.
― If you are familiar with Nazuna Miki's other works, you may have an inkling of where this title is headed. Many of their previous titles have the word “harem” in them prominently, and while this one does not...
Kaguya-sama: Love is War -The First Kiss That Never Ends-
Continuing on directly from the final episode of Kaguya-sama: Love is War Ultra Romantic, this film is all about the fallout—namely the complete and total destruction of the status quo.
― Note: This review contains spoilers for Kaguya-sama: Love is War -Ultra Romantic-. Continuing on directly from the final episode of Kaguya-sama: Love is War -Ultra Romantic-, this film is all about the fallout—namel...
Seven Deadly Sins: Grudge of Edinburgh Part One
While clearly only the first half of a story, this CG outing provides interesting character development for Tristan and great monster designs.
― You have to be pretty into Arthurian lore to know that the parents of Tristan (of Tristan and Isolde fame) are a couple of relatively minor characters named Meliodas and Elizabeth. Fortunately for us, original manga author Nakaba Suzuki did know, and this se...
Be My Love, My Lord GN
A power imbalance between the male leads will either hit or miss with readers in this story about the wealthy but lonely Reiji and his beastman caretaker Tsubaki.
― Be My Love, My Lord has the kind of premise that usually raises a lot of red flags for me. Relationships between an employer and their servants have an inherent power imbalance that can quickly come off as exploitative if not handled corr...
Yakuza Fiancé: Raise wa Tanin ga Ii GN 1
The squeamish will want to pass on this dark romantic comedy. You'll need a tolerance for Do-S style male leads to stomach it.
― The arranged marriage while in high school is a staple of manga romance. So too, is the young heir to a major yakuza family, and it is hardly uncommon to see those two tropes merge in a single story. That is the case here, but if you are expecting a straightforward romantic...
The 13th Month
This unique interpretation of Sleeping Beauty features beautiful artwork and an impressive voice cast. The only snag is some rather clunky gameplay mechanics.
― We all know the story of Sleeping Beauty, or at least the versions by Charles Perrault, the Brothers Grimm, and Walt Disney. The fairy tale known as ATU 410 tells of a king and queen desperate for a child who finally have one later in life. T...
Afro Samurai GN 1
Striking art can't make up for a barebones story with little narrative or characterization to chew on.
― I remember watching the Afro Samurai anime well over a decade ago on late-night television. The novelty of seeing a Black protagonist in anime aside, the show radiated this cool, sleek style with a fearless confidence that was very easy to get swept up in. It didn't hold your hand or try to push a...
YoRHa: Pearl Harbor Descent Record – A NieR:Automata Story GN 1
This manga is for the established NieR fans; new fans will have a hard time getting into this one volume of YoRHA as a standalone story.
― Us longtime fans of Yoko Taro's Drakengard/Nier multiverse have long since become accustomed to the franchise's shenanigans when it comes to media that stretches beyond the main videogames of the canon, but here's a quick primer to get you up to speed: To serve as...
Jojo's Bizarre Adventure: Stone Ocean Episodes 25-38
JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Stone Ocean is Hirohiko Araki's magnum opus, the culmination of a journey spanning over 100 years and six generations for its characters and a decade for anime viewers.
― Forgive me if I start to edge into the sentimental at some point during this review. Jojo's Bizarre Adventure: Stone Ocean is Hirohiko Araki's magnum opus, the culmination of a journey spanning over 100 yea...
The Hunters Guild: Red Hood GN 1
Kawaguchi's understanding of the original fairy tales adds a novel twist to this shonen action series that makes for an exciting read.
― You all know the story of Little Red Riding Hood, and you may even know the tale of Peter Stumpp, an early werewolf. Both of those are brought together here in this title from one of Kohei Horikoshi's (of My Hero Academia fame) former assistants – The Hunters Guild:...
Orochi: The Perfect Edition GN 3
The horrors of war and its generational effects take center stage in the third omnibus from horror mangaka Kazuo Umezz.
― If there is a theme to this third omnibus volume of Kazuo Umezz's horror manga Orochi, it is that we can't always know everything about someone from the face they present to the world. While both stories in this volume, “Stage” and “Combat,” also deal with sons' relationships with...
Blitz Volume 1
Blitz appears to be a sports manga with a focus on chess, but it fails to sell game newbies to the strategy behind the game.
― Blitz is an interesting manga. It is very much in the vein of a typical sports manga, particularly school-based sports manga. You've got a young competitor entering a brand-new world where he must learn the rules of the game and face ever tougher challengers as he grows in sk...
New York, New York Omnibus 2
While New York, New York is marked by the time it was written, it is ultimately a fulfilling work of fiction about two married men in a time that wasn't ready for them.
― For modern readers of BL, Marimo Ragawa's New York, New York may feel very different from what they are used to. Rather than taking an idealized view of gay male relationships, the series, which dates to the mid-1990s, instead attem...
Romancing SaGa -Minstrel Song- Remastered
With such an old installment being given new life in this modern age, is there something modern players can enjoy in this blast from the past?
― The SaGa series is considered a beloved classic franchise amongst many RPG circles. They've had mechanics that have been directly inspired by and have led on to inspire other popular RPG franchises. Romancing SaGa -Minstrel Song- Remastered is a remaster of ...
Matcha Made in Heaven GN 1
Fleeing an abusive fiancé, Chako returns to her rural roots and, through a matter of survival, might have found a real romance.
― All of us reach our breaking point eventually. For Chako, it's one big thing that pushes her towards it, and more of the realization that her life in the place she's moved to isn't quite what she's looking for. In her case, that would be the big city of Tokyo, where she mo...
Rainbow Days GN 1
If the anime failed to hold your attention, you'll want to check out the source material for a much more entertaining read.
― About a third of the way through this volume, I became reasonably certain that I reviewed the anime version of this title and that it didn't leave much of an impression on me. This absolutely turned out to be the case, and I'm delighted to say that the manga is much more fun. ...
The Apothecary Diaries GN 5 & 6
Whether you read the original light novels, the manga, or both, The Apothecary Diaries mysteries are interesting enough to keep you turning the pages.
― While it's natural that there would be differences between a light novel and its manga adaptation, the most striking change between The Apothecary Diaries' source material and its manga version comes down to focus. Both versions of Natsu Hyuga's Chin...
Hi, I'm a Witch, and My Crush Wants Me to Make a Love Potion GN 1
Rose is the most recent Witch of the Lake. She lives a largely solitary existence until she saw and fell for the knight Sir Harij Azm. Imagine her shock when he shows up asking for a love potion!
― Presumably one of the first things to cross your mind upon reading the title of this book is, “This is an adaptation of a light novel, isn't it?” That is, in fact, correct, although the novel's title was t...
Hikaru in the Light! GN 2-4
Hikaru in the Light! has characters that are easy to root for, and there are breathtaking moments of brilliance.
― They say that nothing ever dies on the internet. Once it's there, it's there forever, and that means that yes, Hikaru will always be “Mop Girl” in its undead reaches. But that doesn't mean that she has to look herself up to be sure. Yes, “never Google yourself” is one of the hard lessons...
The Holy Grail of Eris Novel 2
If you're a fan of historical mysteries and want to see a little something different with a villainess light novel, The Holy Grail of Eris is worth giving a chance.
― Note: you can read our review of the first volume here. You really can't always tell who you can trust, can you? For the late Scarlett Castiel, it was less a question of whether or not they deserved her faith and more about her firm bel...
Lost Lad London GN 2
If the threat of racism was simmering beneath the surface of the first volume of Shima Shinya's mystery series Lost Lad London, it's definitely bubbled to the top in the second, as Detective Ellis struggles to keep Al safe.
― It's a terrible truth, but a truth nonetheless: people are often judged by the ignorant based on their race. If that fact was simmering beneath the surface of the first volume o...
Quintessential Quintuplets the Movie
Now in U.S. theaters! If you've somehow managed to remain unspoiled about the ending of The Quintessential Quintuplets, then this movie will finally resolve your burning questions...but it could have looked better while doing it.
― If you've somehow managed to remain unspoiled about the ending of The Quintessential Quintuplets, then this movie will finally resolve your burning questions. It does an i...
Mahjong Parlor of Love GN
A better-than-usual translation from Media Do isn't enough to sell this middle-of-the-road BL title.
― It's best to say this first: Mahjong Parlor of Love, another BL title licensed by Media Do, has a substantially better translation than previous titles from the same line that I have reviewed. The translation is fluid and natural, and if the cover shows the usual English title confusion, that's in n...
Pokémon Scarlet and Violet
The new mainline title has sold over 10 million copies and is the fastest-selling game in Nintendo history. It has a boatload of innovative and call-back features for fans but...it also runs like garbage.
― Have you heard of the fable of the Monkey's Paw? Or the idea of having one's wishes granted but not in a desired form or manner? That is probably the best way that I can describe my feelings towar...
CLAMPdown
A sometimes flippant tone, jokingly referring to its readers as "cunts," and strange insistence that Miyuki-chan in Wonderland is "porn" is bound to alienate some CLAMP fans from Ian Wolf's otherwise breezy read.
― It needs to be said that I perhaps went into CLAMPdown with the wrong expectation. This is not an academic book, nor is it really a particularly deep or thought-provoking analysis of the w...
Cherry Magic! Thirty Years of Virginity Can Make You a Wizard?! GN 3-5
Because the third volume is still in the “getting there” mode, volumes four and five end up feeling a little more rewarding, because we're finally getting the payoff from three books of Adachi stumbling around his own emotions.
― You might think that being suddenly given the ability to read the minds of those you touch would make dating easier. And to a degree, it does – Adachi, who became a “wizard”...
The Skull Dragon's Precious Daughter GN 1 & 2
If you enjoyed Somali and the Forest Spirit, there's a very good chance that you will like Ichi Yukishiro's The Skull Dragon's Precious Daughter.
― There is one very obvious comparison to be made here, and it's actually one that holds up pretty well across these two volumes: if you enjoyed Somali and the Forest Spirit, there's a very good chance that you will like Ichi Yukishiro's The Skull Dragon's ...
The Weakest Tamer Began a Journey to Pick Up Trash Novel 1
The Weakest Tamer probably didn't need to be an isekai story in the first place, but it offers an entertaining story of a girl and her trash-eating slime nonetheless.
― If there's any one piece of this novel that stands to be controversial, it's the fact that it's isekai. That's not because isekai is inherently bad or a divisive topic in general; by this point I daresay all of us know where we stand ...
Be Very Afraid of Kanako Inuki! GN
Fans can hope that Kodansha's release of Be Very Afraid of Kanako Inuki! is testing the waters for a (re)release of her works because this slim volume is a collection of some of Inuki's favorite short stories she's written.
― Despite being a prolific horror manga creator, very few of Kanako Inuki's works have been released in English – Dark Horse translated School Zone and the now-defunct CMX release...
Kamen Rider Kuuga GN 1
This manga provides enough differences from its source material to bring something new to the table for long-time fans. It also works as a horror series for newcomers.
― There's an odd sense of comparisons and contrasts in the situational timing of Titan Comics' release of the Kamen Rider Kuuga manga. We're living in a timeline where another Kamen Rider-related manga, FUUTO PI, is getting its anime a...
Gungrave G.O.R.E
The controls might be the biggest hurdle in Gungrave G.O.R.E, but once the more exciting locations and bosses appear, this action game has enough charm to smooth over its shortfalls.
― Wow, it's been 18 years since Gungrave: Overdose released on the PS2! Gungrave was one of many weird, mid-budget games you could find on that old console, the likes of which you don't see as often anymore. The thing yo...
I Fell for My Friend's Older Sister + My Older Sister's Friend is Annoying
Originally a series of Twitter comic strips, Azusa Kina's collection of stories is more about vibes than actual plot.
― Sometimes I wish I could just say “that was cute” about a story and leave it at that, especially when it's not one that warrants a deep dive. While I do try to find appeal and merit in even the simplest of stories, what happens when the series in question was written as a diversion?...
The Princess' Smile Novel
Seeing our leads blossom and thrive in each other's company is the major draw of this light novel, but it holds our attention by also having an especially good translation by Jenny Murphy.
― Some people just can't catch a break. Sara seems to be one of them – orphaned at age twelve shortly after her family's finances collapsed, she's taken in by the king of Saleilles both due to her distant relation ...
Tiger & Bunny 2 14-25
The last set of episodes for the much anticipated Tiger & Bunny sequel will bring you closure, but it fails to connect its shiny new characters with its audience.
― I'm not going to pretend they're a fully representative sample, but all the Tiger & Bunny fans I know are tired. It's been years since the show first aired, and as the fandom has aged, it's gone from a continuous stream of output and disc...
Lupin Zero - Episode 1
We get a first look at Lupin's mysterious past in this new series about the wily thief.
― Lupin III has always had a mysterious past. While we have learned various bits and pieces over the decades about the days before he gained the title of greatest thief in the world, the basics—his place of birth, ethnicity, and even his relationship to the original Arsène Lupin—are vague at best, and contradictor...
Sonic Frontiers
The Blue Blur's latest foray into 3D shows promise for future installments but still lacks the polish fans were hoping for.
― Sonic the Hedgehog is a franchise that continues to impress me with its ability to persevere even in the face of constant frustration. Despite revolving around an anthropomorphic hedgehog whose main gimmick is running fast, it's almost impressive how often Sega has tripped ove...
Resident Evil Village: Shadows of Rose DLC
What ties this all together is a rather beautiful conclusion to Ethan's story and while that conclusion might be predictable, it is no less emotionally rewarding.
― SPOILER WARNING: As this expansion takes place after the major events of Resident Evil Village, there will be some story spoilers for the sake of context. Please do not try to play this expansion without first completing the base game. If...
Suzume no Tojimari
Beautifully animated, emotionally resonate, and adeptly scored, Suzume no Tojimari's primary flaw is it feels too similar to Shinkai's previous works, your name. and Weathering With You.
― When it comes down to it, Suzume no Tojimari is the story of a girl on a literal journey to overcome her deeply seated trauma—a trauma she shares with a sizable portion of Japan. Suzume is a survivor of the 2011 To...
Waccha PriMagi! Episodes 40 - 51
While not perfect and with some loose ends left forgotten, overall Waccha PriMagi! is a solid magical girl idol show, one that manages to land more than it misses
― Throughout Waccha PriMagi's run, one question has oft been repeated: what's your PriMagi? For superstar Jennifer, the answer has ultimately boiled down to “my relationship with Ruhme.” While this does set up something of a parallel betwee...
Nana & Kaoru GN 1
BDSM-curious should check out Nana & Kaoru, a manga that respects the realities of its subject matter (and is pretty hot).
― An English localization for Nana & Kaoru has been a long-anticipated dream for both fans of cheesecake and BDSM enthusiasts alike. After years of false starts, Denpa and Fakku came together to release it in America finally. And thankfully, it's pretty much everything fans could...
Ultra Kaiju Monster Rancher
This game will surely please Ultraman fans with plenty of kaiju to discover. If only it was easier to pull our favorite monsters.
― Ultra Kaiju Monster Rancher is quite literally Monster Rancher with the beloved kaiju from the Ultraman series replacing the usual stand-bys like Suezo. As a Monster Rancher, you'll earn a breeding license to raise and train kaiju on your ranch. As you train your kaiju, ...
Bayonetta 3
Bayonetta 3 is a game of extremes. One moment, it is mind-blowingly awesome as you smoothly fight through hordes of enemies. The next, it is rage-inducingly frustrating as the game grinds to a halt mid-climax for a game of Rock, Paper, Scissors.
― © Nintendo © SEGA published by Nintendo Bayonetta 3 is a game of extremes. One moment, it is mind-blowingly awesome as you smoothly fight through hordes o...
Tokyo Aliens GN 1
This first volume of Tokyo Aliens is a solid start to what looks like a promising series, but plays it safe in regards to what's in store for future volumes – perhaps a bit too safe.
― This first volume of Tokyo Aliens is a solid start to what looks like a promising series, but plays it safe in regards to what's in store for future volumes – perhaps a bit too safe. The manga makes an excellent first ...
Tatami Time Machine Blues
As far as Science SARU productions go, this one threads the needle of accessible and off-beat better than most.
― It actually took a while for it to dawn on me that this was a bona fide sequel to The Tatami Galaxy. The thing about Tomihiko Morimi's novels is that they frequently share motifs, to the extent that it wouldn't have surprised me at all if Ozu, Watashi's mischievous friend, showed up in so...
Avant-garde Yumeko GN
A lot of us develop strong obsessions or attachments to certain things at various points in our lives. For some it can be sports, for others it can be love, but for the titular Yumeko of Avant-garde Yumeko, it's the penis.
― A lot of us develop strong obsessions or attachments to certain things at various points in our lives. For some it can be sports, for others it can be love, but for the titular Y...
Did I Seriously Just Get Reincarnated as My Gag Character?! GN 1
The first volume of Did I Seriously Just Get Reincarnated as My Gag Character?! is funny, looks good, and doesn't have a mean bone in its body, making it an easy pick for a quick escape into a sillier world.
― Did I Seriously Just Get Reincarnated as My Gag Character?! is not a manga that has a lot of surprises, but it is surprisingly sweet and comfy to read. Look, I've made no secret of my general d...
Amnesia: Later x Crowd
On their own, these fan discs are pretty short but paired together they offer Amnesia fans satisfying, extended stories, especially for Orion fans.
― Following on the heels of the Nintendo Switch re-release of the classic otome game Amnesia: Memories, Amnesia: Later x Crowd presents two fan discs previously unavailable in English release. If you're not familiar with the concept, a fan disc is an offi...
Dragon Ball: The Breakers
Dragon Ball: The Breakers could use an injection of the excitement and intensity of its source material.
― Dragonball is one of the few media franchises whose iconic villains remain embedded in modern-day cultural consciousness, and games like Dragonball Xenoverse have fully capitalized on that lasting appeal to just run wild with the franchise's lore. In fact, if you're a fan of those games in parti...
One Piece: Film Red
One Piece Film Red is a bombastic film that manages to spin a fun yarn in an interesting setting.
― Note: I will attempt to remain spoiler-free as much as possible but note that if you have not seen the film some minor spoilers may follow. One Piece Film Red is a bombastic film that manages to spin a fun yarn in an interesting setting. Whether that rates as a strong showing or run-of-the-mill meh wil...
Housekeeping Mage From Another World Novel 1-3
Call it “isekai for grown-ups.”
― Call it “isekai for grown-ups.” Shiori's experience being swept away to another world is miles away from the reverse harem antics, reborn villainesses, amazing powers and cheat skills, and heroic feats of most young adult-targeted isekai tales, and that means that she's got a lot more to contend with than even the edgiest of overpowered edgelords. She's no bright-eye...
Chronicles of the Hidden World Novel 1
If you have the patience to wait for the story to unfold, this is a fascinating book, and watching it unfold in subsequent volumes should be an interesting reading experience.
― Despite its somewhat cheery and innocuous title, Chronicles of the Hidden World, subtitled How I Became a Doctor for the Gods, is a fairly dark story. Its protagonist/narrator Yae is reborn from our world into one that greatl...
Tearmoon Empire GN 1-2
Tearmoon Empire's manga adaptation sets itself apart from its brethren just enough to feel fun and different, and Mia's unwitting actions as a force for good are very entertaining.
― By this point we're all familiar with several permutations of the isekai genre, and while reincarnated villainesses and overpowered young men remain the most prevalent subgenres, the yarinaoshi loop, where a character di...
The Elusive Samurai GN 1-2
It's clear that the story is walking a fine line between known history and wished-for adaptation, and the plot is relatively slow-moving despite a lot happening.
― We all have our own special skills. Some of us are excellent fighters, others are impressive bakers or dancers. Hojo Tokiyuki's talent? He's awesome at running away. If that sounds like a weird premise for a historical samurai manga, well,...
Atom: The Beginning Volume 1
This first volume gives us a glimpse of many possible trajectories for the story, and the connection to Astro Boy is definitely a strength in its favor.
― Atom: The Beginning is a very intriguing manga. This first volume gives us a glimpse of many possible trajectories for the story, and the connection to Astro Boy is definitely a strength in its favor. For reference, I've read Astro Boy, but that's ...
Fist of the North Star Volume 6
Many of the seeds and ideas planted in the early chapters have fully come to fruition. The drama of the Hokuto Shinken successors is in full swing.
― Fist of the North Star Volume 6 covers what may be the most recognizable stretch of events in the entire story. While I think it would be easy to make a case that there are individual events, fights, or villains that stand out from others, I think the m...
Monster Kids: How Pokémon Taught A Generation to Catch Them All
The new text on the gaming phenomenon that took America by storm is chronicled here with mixed results. Callum May reviews "Monster Kids."
― While it may be no pioneering feat to give a retrospective on the years of Pokémania, Daniel Dockery's Monster Kids: How Pokémon Taught A Generation to Catch Them All is one of the more complete attempts. Despite the extended title, it's not just a book about Pi...
Sword Art Online the Movie -Progressive- Scherzo of a Dark Dusk
Scherzo of a Dark Dusk is very much Asuna's story. Not only do we get a large focus on her and Kirito's growing friendship, but we see the continuation of her rocky relationship with Mito—her once “one true friend” from the real world.
― Sword Art Online the Movie -Progressive- Scherzo of Deep Night is the second Sword Art Online Progressive film, and it picks up the story a bit less than a month aft...
Gold Kingdom and Water Kingdom
The film sticks so closely to the source material that the nearly two-hour run time is almost a frame-by-frame animated retelling of the single-volume manga.
― Previously known for her work on the TV anime series Btooom!, Kotono Watanabe makes her directional film debut with Gold Kingdom and Water Kingdom. Her eye for storytelling is sincere, keeping to the source material while making subtle changes...
Orient Episodes 13-24 Streaming
On the whole, Orient's second cour isn't quite as good as its first. But the final episode hits hard, even if it's clearly not the end of the story.
― If there's one significant way in which Orient differentiates itself from its fellow shounen action titles in the second half, it's in the fact that Musashi isn't all-powerful, or even well on his way to being so. After his link to the Obsidian Goddess...
Black Paradox GN
Black Paradox can come off like a 'hybrid' or 'experimental' work, depending on how familiar you already are with Junji Ito's repertoire.
― Originally published in 2009, Black Paradox can come off like a 'hybrid' or 'experimental' work, depending on how familiar you already are with Junji Ito's repertoire. Opening with a conceptual story that wouldn't be out of place among the author's one-shots, it ...
Dandadan GN 1
A lot of manga have bawdy humor and fail, but Dandadan manages to make it work by displaying its heart alongside its horror and humor.
― It has to be intentional that the first volume of Dandadan is coming out shortly before Halloween, right? The series has been running in Shonen Jump for over a year and has been available online for about as long. It's also not available on the app, so I always skip...
Voice of the Cards: Beasts of Burden
The Voice of the Cards: Beasts of Burden is an effective, low-stakes concept with solid execution, with a lot of love put into it from creatives that had a lot of fun playing with the concept.
― The roots of role-playing games lies in tabletops, but it's easy to forget that with how elaborate their presentation can get. With all of the games that try to simulate the systems of a tabletop game, it's r...
The Case Files of Jeweler Richard Novel 1
If there's any one difference between the original light novels of The case files of Jeweler Richard and its manga and anime adaptations, it's that in the books, Richard is much more human.
― If there's any one difference between the original light novels of The Case Files of Jeweler Richard and its manga and anime adaptations, it's that in the books, Richard is much more human. We certainly saw flas...
Formerly, the Fallen Daughter of the Duke GN 1
In many ways, Formerly, the Fallen Daughter of the Duke is a standard work of villainess isekai, but there's enough here to warrant a look.
― Poor Claire. As the eldest of the duke's two daughters, life should have been perfect: she had a loving family, was betrothed to the crown prince of her nation, and at age fifteen was destined to be blessed with great magic powers. Charlotte seemed to be an ado...
Teppen—!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Laughing 'til you Cry
Despite the seeming disinterest from the English-language streaming crowd, I think there is something compelling, something unique that can make Teppen—!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! worth taking a look at.
― The quality of all entertainment is subjective to some extent, but the case for comedy can get especially contentious. What is uproariously funny to one person can fall firmly flat for another; it's why "know ...
Cowboy Bebop: Supernova Swing Vol. 1
Cowboy Bebop The Comic here provides the opportunity for a second chance—a window into the alternate reality Netflix was hoping to occupy with the franchise as an ongoing multimedia empire.
― It can provoke equal feelings of schadenfreude and sadness looking over the copy for the collected version of Cowboy Bebop: Supernova Swing. Yes, it's only a little bit funny to see this touted as a tie-in to th...
Drip Drip GN
Drip Drip probably has one of the strongest starts to a self-contained single-volume story that I have read in quite some time.
― Drip Drip probably has one of the strongest starts to a self-contained single-volume story that I have read in quite some time. Paru Itagaki's works are usually far from subtle, but they make up for that with interesting misdirections and just the right amount of comedy. T...
BASTARD!! -Heavy Metal, Dark Fantasy- Part 2
Almost everything is ramped up in this second half—from the violence, to the action, to the comedy.
― Netflix finally decided to give us the second half of BASTARD!! -Heavy Metal, Dark Fantasy-, the anime equivalent of playing a D&D game with level 20 characters while someone blasts metal music in the background. I won't waste too much time going over the general appeal of BASTARD because if you're r...
No More Heroes III
No More Heroes III is like if I went into my backyard and dug up a time capsule from the early 2000s, opening it up to find all these old video games, arcade pictures, and VHS tapes of shows that I tried to record.
― The best way I can describe No More Heroes III is that it's like if I went into my backyard and dug up a time capsule from the early 2000s, opening it up to find all these old video game...
Aoashi Episodes 13-24
Ashito's suddenly slammed with an unexpected change. Iss this position change-up enough to hold viewers' attention for the anime's second half?
― If there is one persistent issue that plagues many sports anime series, it's the reluctance of coaches to actually coach. That's absolutely true of Aoashi, and it feels even more important to point out in its second cour, which sees protagonist Ashito sudde...
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