I’m officially psyched by these. Sakamichi – Art Blakey played over visuals that look like Jiro Tanaguchi, directed by Watanabe? Where do I sign? For Tsuritama, it looks as if Nakamura Kenji is again using an unusual visual style. Plus, Miyu Irino in full genki mode. Read more
NoitaminA has revealed its lineup for Summer and Fall. We already knew that Moyashimon was returning for summer, of course. I’m pleased to see a 5 year-old alternative series get a sequel, though truth be told I wasn’t a huge fan of the original. It’s stablemate will be Natsuyuki Rendezvous, […] Read more
OK, I really have to know – just what the heck is in the ramen bath? Seriously now, you’re combining two of my favorite Japanese things – onsen and ramen – and you aren’t going to show it? What a gyp – but I’ll admit, I found this last episode […] Read more
What a strange trip watching Inu X Boku SS turned out to be. An interesting thing happened this week: the sales figures for the first volume of Inu X Boku came out – and they were good. Very, very good in fact – about 11K in the first week. But […] Read more
On paper, Spring 2012 looks like the best anime season since 2007. There are quite a few extremely high-profile projects, several niche series of interest, and a theoretical return to form for NoitaminA after by far its worst season ever. Full previews and detailed analysis are below the fold. As […] Read more
"What Spring Series" Poll, Part II Surprised to see Kore wa Zombie do so well here. The non-anime series spark big interest, too. Thanks for voting! Read more
What Spring Series Are You Most Looking Forward To? Fate/Zero wins big, no surprise there – Sakamichi 2nd, with Hyou-ka surging late for third place. Read more
Maybe I’ll start re-watching this series next Tuesday… There’s not much left to be said about Chihayafuru that I haven’t already said in blogging 25 episodes. I love it – I love it to pieces, and I’m gutted that it’s over. The series is a mortal lock to make my […] Read more
I don’t want it to be true, but it is – this is the last Taichi Tuesday. I’m grateful to have had the chance to watch such a superb, heartfelt and thoroughly wonderful anime as Chihayafuru. I won’t lie to you – I’m pretty drained emotionally, and I haven’t even […] Read more
The anime community as a whole seems to take Bakuman almost entirely for granted, but I promise you, I never will. And with episodes as spectacular as the second season finale, hopefully more and more viewers will clue in to what an underappreciated gem this is. Readers of the blog […] Read more