It’s an anime movie. I am at least finding them a bit more often than in the past, but they still come out in a dribble, compared to other offerings. This is an odd one, more so for the apparent CG than the plot, which smells rather “Matrix”-y. This is “Blame!” (“Buramu!”). (more…)

I am starting to notice another trend cropping up and that is the throwback style in anime. I have seen a few shows that are trying to mimic what I call the First Wave of Anime (1962-1969 or thereabouts), like when “Astro Boy” first made it to the shores of America. This is an apt description, as “Atom: The Beginning” (“Atomu za Biginingu”) tells the story of things before “Astro Boy” became Astro Boy. (more…)

Japan has a rich tradition of ghosts and hauntings and possession. It is almost part and parcel of their culture, right up to the present days. It’s that I am seeing a lot of shows recently regarding yokai and demonic possessions and haunted (or cursed? I’m not certain) objects that intrude on a ‘normal’ society that acknowledges that they existed, but don’t exist in this current age of sobriety and science. Thus, this convoluted introduction to “Tsugumomo”, where the past meets the modern. (more…)

OK, this is a squealing girl anime, where a grouping of divergent female types somehow get together to help each other with their particular struggles, one in another series of X chromosome shows that seem to be proliferating like mad. This one is “Hinako Note” (“Hinako Nōto”), although the original premise is rather appealing. (more…)

How should I refer to these shows? Estrogen-heavy? X chromosome only? Ladies Night Out? I am seeing a larger-than-normal amount of these female-centric shows, not just in the lead cast, but overall, as if guys don’t really exist, except as background characters. And with another entry in the “Girls Who Save the World” category, we are now brought to “Twin Angel Break” (“Tsuin Enjeru Break”). (more…)

Animes about the arts are a high abundance genre. Having just completed one about rakugo, I was interested in kabuki. I do not know if this is the show to fully explain the art form, but we have a goodly attempt with “Kabukibu!” (more…)

I guess I will never understand the Japanese fascination with maids. Yes, my favorite anime, “Mahoromatic”, is about one, but never anything like this kind of situation. She was merely an android; this one is, well…. Greetings are extended from “Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid” (“Kobayashi-san Chi no Meidoragon”). How can you get a dragon maid? Well, it’s nice that you asked. I’ll bring out some green tea and cookies and explain it to you. (more…)

Hooray, (or, perhaps, hooboy) another stupid rom-com, and this one is more inane than its predecessors, but it is executed in a rather charming way. Although the title is “Love Tyrant “ (“Ren’ai Bōkun”, also known as “The Very Lovely Tyrant of Love”), it could also be called “Kiss Note” and there are a ton of references made in that direction. Dang, her notebook looks like that of its cousin. Oh, down to the story….. (more…)

This is a show that had a terrible capsule description, in that you thought you were getting into the thrilling and exciting world of…negotiations! Yes, I can feel you getting all a-quiver as we delve into land sovereignty issues and treaty discussions. Fortunately, this series is nothing like that at all. In fact, it is a rather tense and terse drama about meeting and dealing with an extra-terrestrial who possesses enormous powers. This is “Seikai Suru Kado”, (stylized as “KADO: The Right Answer”). (more…)

This is a show with a fairly standard concept, but brought forth in disturbing and dangerous realities. The idea is very simple: what if your artwork came to life and invaded YOUR world? A caliber of reverse isekai? Thus, the approach to “Re:Creators” (“Re:Kurieitāzu”, stylized as “Re:CREATORS”). (more…)