For a game that seemed so simple when I first learned of it, I’m finding myself continually surprised by how many different ways there are to look at Karuta. It almost acts as a mirror held up to each character, revealing their true nature to the audience – and eventually, […] Read more
Not that anyone should care, but the first chapter of tonight’s episode was like a travelogue of my first visit to Japan… The mystery of Shinryaku Ika Musume’s setting is solved, thanks to a sightseeing trip Eiko and Takeru take with Ika-chan after Chizuru’s running has worn them down. It’s […] Read more
I can think of very few fictional characters that exemplify the old adage “double-edged sword” better than Yuno Gasai. Or if you prefer, “Can’t live with ‘em – can’t live without ‘em”. In this case those old sayings are quite a bit more literal than normal – but then, there’s […] Read more
“Please, Master Rikuo – do that thing with me again…” It’s almost as if Nurarihyon has been saving double entendres for two years, and did a massive download for the first five minutes of this episode. “He did it with Zen, too?!” Never mind the expression on Itaku’s face when […] Read more
As predicted in this space, a big-screen adaptation of Doctor Who has been confirmed. Interestingly, it sounds as if Matt Smith will not play The Doctor and Steven Moffatt won’t be writing, so it doesn’t explain the odd gap in next year’s “Who” schedule. Fans will remember that their were […] Read more
Shakugan no Shana III – 06 We’re still basically in setup mode with Shakugan no Shana, though the episodes are moving briskly enough to be interesting. Outlaw is preparing for the climactic battle with Bal Masque in Tokyo. When I see anyone try to organize flame hazes, I’m always reminded […] Read more
I confess, I’ll be very interested in seeing what the fans of the first series think of this week’s Hunter x Hunter. To me, they seem a pretty surly and hard to please lot – much the same as they’re saying about me when it comes to Last Exile… I […] Read more
We’re five episodes in, and Last Exile is starting to settle into a comfort zone. It might not be exactly what I’d like it to be, given the choice, but at least the series is establishing a clear (if somewhat bipolar) identity. It’s worth noting that the fifth episode is […] Read more
It seems as if the episodes where Ben-To is at its best are often the ones where it’s also at its worst. By contrast it was neither this week, and the episode was undoubtedly the safest and most straightforward one so far. It was interesting just how much of a […] Read more
If I’d made the claim midway through the first season that an episode of Bakuman would be arguably one of the most intense anime episodes for months, I’m pretty sure just about everyone would have said I was crazy – and the line would have formed behind me. Well, guess […] Read more