My Top 3 Favorite Anime of 2018

In a year defined by escalating insanity, outrage, and non-stop affronts to human decency, the world of Japanese cartoons was a much needed escape. That can likely explain the common characteristics of my three favorite shows this year. These series all presented an empathetic view into the world of their characters. Here the forces of …

My Hero Academia: Two Heroes Review – Heroism with Heart

There is just such pure optimism at the heart of My Hero Academia, an optimism that is routinely portrayed in the most genuine and expressive way possible. While it's battle-shonen pacing and slavish recreation of panels that were better served in manga can hurt its appeal at times, Bones adaptation is nothing short of a marvel to …

A Silent Voice Review – Bullying and Redemption

Kids are cruel, and there is no shortage of depictions of this cruelty in the world of film. The annals of cinema is littered with bullying heels, and under-aged villains who ridicule the protagonist for their perceived differences. Whether it's this year’s realist Eighth Grade, the bountiful Hughes-esque teen-comedies of the 80s, or the hyperbolic …

Anime Summer 2018: First Episode Recommendations

At first blush, it seems as though we have a decent crop this season, with a sprinkling of comedies, hot-blooded action, and some juicy character dramas. Using my highly scientific process of sifting through the Anime News Network's Season Preview Guide,  I've selected seven shows for culling. I don’t entirely believe in the “three episode” …

Toradora Series Review: The King of Rom-Coms

Modern anime is often criticized for being increasingly niche and cliche-driven. While that claim is somewhat reductive, it is also partially true. The difficult prospect of creating a hit-manga or animated series is made easier when that property is being targeted at an existing market. While a sizable percentage of new anime series released each …

Thunderbolt Fantasy: The Sword of Life and Death Review

*Spoilers ahead Oh Thunderbolt Fantasy, how I’ve missed your weird marriage of wuxia, Taiwanese puppet animation, and maximum ham-level anime flourishes. For the uninitiated, Thunderbolt Fantasy was a 12 episode TV series created and written by Gen Urobuchi, one of the premier auteurs in the world of anime. Urobuchi coordinated the collaboration between Nitroplus, Good …

Mary and the Witch’s Flower: Quick Review

As Ghibli prepares for its (alleged) final release, the torch has been passed to the recently formed Studio Ponoc. Created in 2015 as Miyazaki and Takahata announced their retirement and the eventual shuddering of their legendary animation studio, Ponoc is made up of many ex-Ghibli employees who have sought to carry on the legacy of …