In the hands of most creatives, a film that explores bullying, disability, and social isolation could become nauseatingly preachy. But with a script penned by K-On!!’s Reiko Yoshida and direction provided by Naoko Yamada, A ...
Read More »In This Corner of the World review
In the United States, terms like ‘liberty’ and ‘freedom’ are quintessential expressions, underscoring an emphasis on individualism. But in Japan, life has traditionally skewed toward collectivism. As such, the word, ‘ganbaru’ is ubiquitous in conversation. ...
Read More »Love Live! The School Idol Movie review
The expression of indefatigable determination is Love Live!’s dominant theme. Undoubtedly, the anime’s first two seasons drove this point home, as viewers watched the perpetually energetic Honoka Kōsaka rescue the Otonokizaka Academy from closure, as ...
Read More »Love Live! School Idol Project Season Two review
Anime centered around pop idolatry is hardly novel, with series such as AKB0048, Aikatsu!, Show by Rock!! and The Idolm@ster, each extending their own portrayal of the lives of teenaged songstresses. But with the exceptional ...
Read More »If Her Flag Breaks review
Undoubtedly, the premise of If Her Flag Breaks is satiated with potential. The inaugural entry in the thirteen episode first season begins as a commercial truck jackknifes and collides with a car, sending the vehicle ...
Read More »Boruto: Naruto The Movie review
Virtuous entertainment doesn’t just function as mere escapism, but often speaks volumes about our world at large. Take the recent theatrical release of Boruto: Naruto The Movie, a film which details Naruto’s tribulations after becoming ...
Read More »Sailor Moon R Season 2 Part 1 DVD review
For many Westerners, Serena Tsukino is the principal ambassador of anime, but that almost wasn’t the case. In 1995, DiC purchased syndication rights for the first two seasons of Sailor Moon (Bishōjo Senshi Sērā Mūn), ...
Read More »A Lull in the Sea Premium Edition review
If the success of an anime can be measured by its emotional impact, then the Mari Okada-penned Anohana: The Flower We Say That Day easily ranks among the medium’s best works. Alternating between life-affirming beauty ...
Read More »Pokémon: Diancie and the Cocoon of Destruction review
The latest Pokémon movie opens with a fundamental crisis, with the future of The Diamond Domain in peril. The Carbink, a tribe of peaceful, rock-like creatures have relied on a huge glimmering gemstone to keep ...
Read More »Coppelion: The Complete Series review
In media, the apocalyptic context is one of the most remarkable narrative stratagems to scrutinize humanity. Whether catastrophe occurs via George R. Romero’s infestation of zombies, Mad Max’s oil shortage and subsequent collapse of societal ...
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