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Shelf Life - Anohana
Paul digs into the nostalgic melodrama of Anohana to find out if the show lives up to its tearjerker reputation, plus all this week's new anime releases!
― You know all those stories about people paying for things in pennies? Well, it actually happened to me this week. I had the dubious honor of processing a payment made entirely in small change and mostly in pennies, all delivered in a dirty plasti...
Shelf Life - Is It Wrong To Expect A Hot Spring In A Dungeon?
Paul takes a look at this steamy DanMachi OVA (and its accompanying soundtrack CD) and runs down all this week's new anime releases!
― Shirobako is getting a new movie project, and I'm seriously pumped for it even though we don't even have a release date yet. I want more fictional anime production drama, and I want it as soon as humanly possible. Welcome to Shelf Life. Jump to this week's review: Is...
Shelf Life - My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU Complete Series
James Beckett reaches the memorable conclusion of Hachiman's unexpectedly romantic adventures, while Paul Jensen breaks down all this week's new anime releases.
― As I write this introduction, it's late at night and the people in the apartment next door are blasting music loud enough to rival a karaoke bar. I'll probably end up dealing with the problem in a civilized manner, but part of me really wa...
Shelf Life - March Comes in Like a Lion Season 1 Part 1
March Comes In like a Lion and quickly melts Gabriella Ekens' resistance to the charms of this beloved series. PLUS: all of this week's new anime DVD and bluray releases!
― It looks like Hinamatsuri will be one of my streaming review shows this season, and if the first episode is any indication, I'm going to have plenty to write about. That series looks completely bonkers, but in a good way. Good cr...
Shelf Life - Akiba's Trip
James takes a look at Gonzo's cartoonish clothes-stripping comedy, while Paul runs down all this week's new releases, along with a new Shelf Obsessed collection!
― It's Preview Guide time once again, and I'm back in the lineup after taking a couple seasons off. This spring looks like it'll be packed full of big sequels, bigger remakes, and some cool original stuff for good measure. There's no time l...
Shelf Life - Scar-red Rider XechS
Paul dissects a disastrous sentai-themed otome game adaptation alongside his rundown of all this week's new anime releases. Plus, a new Shelf Obsessed with an impressive manga collection!
― Holy crap, have y'all seen the insane box set that's coming out for The Legend of the Galactic Heroes? I haven't seen the series and I'm not sure I'd ever pay that much for it even if I had, but that's a darn imp...
Shelf Life - Girlish Number
Paul takes a peek at the more cynical side of anime production with this sarcastic comedy about when things go wrong in the industry. Plus, all this week's new anime releases!
― Well, I've now watched all of Laid-Back Camp, I've enjoyed it, and I still have no interest whatsoever in sleeping in a tent in the middle of nowhere. After all these years, I've finally found something that even a happy cas...
Shelf Life - The Life of Budori Gusuko
Gabriella delves into this dark fantasy film from the creators of the classic Night on the Galactic Railroad, while Paul breaks down all this week's new anime releases.
― I've been watching Dagashi Kashi 2 this season, and it's been an interesting experience. I don't think I've ever seen such a character-focused comedy sideline its most recognizable protagonist for so many episodes in a row before. ...
Shelf Life - Occultic;Nine Part 2
James braces himself for the final episodes of this scrambled Science;Adventure series spinoff, while Paul breaks down all this week's new anime releases.
― A day may come when Daylight Savings Time doesn't take me by surprise, but it is not this day. There's a unique displeasure in the realization that I'm about to lose an hour of sleep, as if I'm somehow being robbed by time itself. At least it on...
Shelf Life - Typhoon Noruda
Paul takes a look at the gorgeously animated directorial debut of Yojiro Arai and breaks down all of this week's new anime releases!
― You know what's pretty? Snow. You know what sucks? Six inches of snow on my car, plus a full coating of ice for good measure. Seriously, why do I need to go outside again? Welcome to Shelf Life. Jump to this week's review: Typhoon Noruda On Shelves This Week Bungo St...
Shelf Life - First Love Monster
Gabriella runs the gauntlet of yet another baffling manservice show with a monocle-popping premise, while Paul breaks down all this week's new anime releases!
― Is it possible to hug an entire anime series? I ask because that's exactly what I want to do with How To Keep A Mummy this season. That show is unreasonably, absurdly adorable and I love it. Welcome to Shelf Life. Jump to this week's review:...
Shelf Life - Tanaka-kun is Always Listless
Paul discovers a hidden gem in a surprisingly lazy package with this lovely slice-of-life comedy. Plus, all this week's new anime releases and a brand-new Shelf Obsessed!
― I've been working on putting together a Star Wars model kit recently, and holy heck that process is easier if you have a decent set of the appropriate tools. It's almost a relaxing experience when you don't have to threaten each ...
Shelf Life - Trickster Part One
James takes a look at the first half of a troubled, futuristic Ranpo Edogawa adaptation, while Paul breaks down all this week's new anime releases and Shelf Obsessed returns with more of your own anime collections!
― Hey, Valentine's Day is this week! Go watch some mushy romance anime, or maybe take out your romantic frustrations with something from the horror genre. Or, you know, just catch up on a...
Shelf Life - Super Lovers
Gabriella's patience is tested with a wildly controversial boys-love series, while Paul breaks down all this week's new anime releases!
― Sometimes your day job requires you to work 8-hour shifts on Saturdays (at least mine does), but sometimes you come home from that shift to find the enormous box of manga you ordered has arrived a day early. Life has a way of balancing things out, and now I get to...
Shelf Life - Ninja Nonsense
Paul finds out how this zany comedy from the mid-2000s has aged on blu-ray and catches up with all the rest of this week's new anime releases.
― We have not one, but two new releases this week that feature main characters who take a lot of naps. That's a terrible thing to have to write about when you're running short on sleep, my friends. Good thing I reviewed a super high-energy comedy to balance i...
Shelf Life - Clannad and Clannad After Story
James shotguns all 49 episodes of Kyoto Animation's beloved visual novel adaptation, while Paul breaks down all this week's new anime releases!
― My daily streaming review shows this season are A Place Further Than the Universe and Laid-Back Camp, which would normally give me a monopoly on all the comfy slice of life stuff. This ain't no ordinary season, though, and there are more shows in that genr...
Shelf Life - Haikyu!!
Gabriella takes to the court with this first season of the hit sports anime, and Paul breaks down all this week's new Blu-ray and DVD releases!
― I replaced my nine-year-old laptop recently, and I'm still in that magical honeymoon period with the new one. Everything about it is shiny and new, and I haven't yet felt the need to swear profusely at it or beg it to keep working for just one more day. I ...
Shelf Life - Squid Girl
Paul dives into a squid-diddly-umptious comedy from the tentacle-end of the 2000s, plus all this week's new releases and a Sailor Scout-shaped Shelf Obsessed!
― I enjoyed the first episode of A Place Further Than the Universe, but I can't say I share the main characters' interest in traveling to Antarctica. After the stupidly low temperatures we've had in the northeast lately, my desire to go anywhe...
Shelf Life - The 2017 Year In Review
Paul serves up the most discussion-worthy blu-ray and DVD releases of the past year, along with the last few new anime you can pick up before 2017 comes to a close.
― Welcome to 2018, and to the Year In Review edition of Shelf Life! We've got this week's new releases as usual, but in place of our regular review section I'll be taking a look at some of the more interesting titles that appeared in thi...
Shelf Life - Haven't You Heard? I'm Sakamoto
James plunges into the absurdly cool adventures of Sakamoto, while Paul breaks down all this week's holiday releases!
― Here it is: the last Shelf Life of 2017. I'll be doing a proper "year in review" next week, so for now it's business as usual. Thank you all for sticking with us this year, and welcome once again to Shelf Life. Jump to this week's review: Haven't You Heard? I'm Sakamoto On Shelves ...
Shelf Life - Tsukiuta The Animation
Gabriella finds out if this idol series starring one guy for every month in the year is worth watching, while Paul breaks down this week's truckload of special edition boxsets, along with a brand-new Shelf Obsessed entry!
― If you like big box sets with absurdly long runtimes, then boy is this the week for you. We've got four releases that go beyond the 1000-minute mark, two of which also come with ...
Shelf Life - Initial D Legend 1: Awakening
Paul gets into the recent film remake of this gearhead classic, along with all this week's new anime releases!
― I really liked the ending of Recovery of an MMO Junkie this week, but now I'm starting to realize that the early finale means I'll have to get through the rest of the season without it. You know a series is good when the thought of not having new episodes to watch makes you feel a little ...
Shelf Life - Flying Witch
James takes a look at this uniquely soothing series about witches in the countryside, while Paul runs down all this week's new releases and a festive Shelf Obsessed!
― It's that time of year when putting together the new release list becomes more of an adventure than usual. There's a bunch of stuff coming out as publishers try to make it in time for the holidays, prices are all over the place as ret...
Shelf Life - Joker Game
Paul checks out this historical spy thriller on Blu-ray along with all the week's new releases and a brand new Shelf Obsessed!
― By the time you read this, the madness of Cyber Monday will probably be in full swing. I'm not really hunting for anything big this year, but best of luck to those of you who are. At least mashing the refresh button on your browser is more civilized than spending hours in ...
Shelf Life - Persona 4: The Animation
Gabriella revisits the anime adaptation of this hit JRPG to see if it's worth watching on its own merits, while Paul runs down all this week's new releases along with a new king-sized Shelf Obsessed!
― Since in-game purchases seem to be a hot topic in the video game world these days, I figured I'd offer up a potentially obvious piece of advice as someone who's bought and collected all kinds of junk ...
Shelf Life - The Amagami SS Collection
James checks out both seasons of Amagami SS plus the OVAs to see if this girlfriend-swapping romance is worth watching. Plus, Paul breaks down this week's huge load of new releases!
― I noticed something cool about the current anime season this week. I normally start falling behind on the shows in my streaming queue at around the six-week mark, but at the moment I'm still up to date on everything I'...
Shelf Life - The Dragon Dentist
Gabriella takes a look at this TV movie from the artists behind Evangelion and many other Gainax classics, while Paul runs down this week's mountain of new anime releases.
― You know the overused comedy scene where a character sprints at full tilt toward a bus stop or train station, only to watch helplessly as their chosen form of transportation rolls away without them? That actually happened to me ...
Shelf Life - Love, Chunibyo & Other Delusions! Rikka Version
Paul finds out if this compilation film is worth watching for prior fans or Chunibyo newcomers. Plus, all this week's new anime releases and a Shelf Obsessed full of bishounen figures!
― Recovery of an MMO Junkie is one of my streaming review shows this season, and it's gotten off to a really good start over the last couple weeks. Between its charming romantic comedy and the inspired chaos of Gamers...
Shelf Life - Ushio & Tora
Gabriella takes a trip back in time to the '90s with a modern adaptation of a forgotten shonen gem, as Paul runs down all this week's new anime releases.
― I recently discovered that one of my coworkers at my day job plays the Fate/Grand Order mobile game, and we've been bonding over our experiences with the game's fickle character gacha system. He left me seething with envy when he picked up Franci...
Shelf Life - Occultic;Nine Part 1
James Beckett gets into the most challenging spinoff of the Science Adventure Series, while Paul runs down all this week's new anime releases!
― I don't think I fully realized how much I'd missed Mr. Osomatsu until the second season started. That show really is my kind of anime comedy: wildly creative, totally bonkers, and not at all afraid to toss the viewer's expectations out the window. While I'm...
Shelf Life - Shin Godzilla
Godzilla stomps his way to blu-ray this week, as Gabriella Ekens examines the footprints Hideaki Anno's version of the legendary monster left behind. Plus, all this week's new anime releases!
― My apartment building switched from air conditioning to heat this week, which would have been fine if I had been home at the time. I wasn't, of course, and so I eventually returned home to a 90-degree room wi...
Shelf Life - The Boy and the Beast
Paul Jensen takes a look at Mamoru Hosoda's most recent film along with all this week's new anime releases, and Shelf Obsessed is officially open for submissions once more!
― I was briefly tempted to buy a model kit the other day, but then I remembered one of my favorite stories from the old Calvin and Hobbes newspaper comic. Calvin buys a model plane, struggles with the tiny parts and incomprehensi...
Shelf Life - Fruits Basket
Gabriella Ekens revisits the classic shojo romcom on blu-ray, and Paul Jensen breaks down this week's huge heap of new releases!
― We've got a pretty wide variety of new releases this week, which means we also have a whole lot of options to explore. Let's jump right into it! Welcome to Shelf Life. Jump to this week's review: Fruits Basket On Shelves This Week Crusher Joe - OVA Collection DVD Discote...
Shelf Life - Hyouka Part 1
Paul Jensen takes a look at the long-awaited blu-ray of Kyoto Animation's unusual mystery series, along with a rundown of this week's new anime releases!
― I went to a screening of Lupin III: The Castle of Cagliostro last week. It was my first time seeing the movie, and I have to say it was a blast. If you're a Lupin fan or are interested in Hayao Miyazaki's early work as a director, it's definitely...
Shelf Life - Chihayafuru Season 1
Paul discovers the surprisingly wide appeal of this heartfelt josei story about an obscure sport. Plus, all this week's new anime releases!
― I started a new job this week. Considering that it's an entry-level part-time thing, the amount of paperwork and documentation required has been astounding. At one point, I'm pretty sure I had every form of official identification known to mankind collected in...
Shelf Life - Tamako Love Story
Paul takes on this somewhat-standalone sequel to KyoAni's Tamako Market that sets aside the series' comedy adventures to resolve its central romance. Plus, all this week's new anime releases!
― I went on a vacation of sorts this past weekend, by which I mean that I went to a place and spent money but never actually stopped working. This was my second year in a row attending the IndyCar race in Watki...
Shelf Life - Food Wars! Shokugeki no Soma
Paul finds out if Food Wars' flavor can match up to the hype, plus all this week's new anime releases!
― Watching Food Wars! Shokugeki no Soma for this week's review reminded me of my recurring problem with shows about cooking: they always make me ravenously hungry. The power of suggestion is a scary thing, especially in video form. Welcome to Shelf Life. Jump to this week's review: Food Wars! Shoku...
Shelf Life - Beyond the Boundary: I'll Be Here
Paul Jensen finds out if these movies can give Beyond the Boundary a more satisfying ending, plus all this week's new anime releases!
― I'm happy to see that the English dub project for Aria the Animation is doing well on Kickstarter. I own all of the old DVD sets of that series, and while its absurdly slow pace isn't for everyone, it's a delightful little slice of life show. Since it'll be a while ...
Shelf Life - The Big O
The noirish mecha action show that captivated countless anime fans in the early 2000s is back on bluray for the first time, and James Beckett is ready for showtime!
― You've probably already heard about the technical troubles we've had on the site lately. One side effect is that any Shelf Obsessed submissions that were sent to the Shelf Life email address over the past few days won't reach me. If yo...
Shelf Life - GATE
Paul Jensen finds out if this military otaku's dream soars or tanks across two seasons of action. Plus, all this week's new anime releases and a stacked edition of Shelf Obsessed!
― I picked up the first eight volumes of the Nichijou manga on sale recently, and I've been speeding through them at a ridiculous pace. If you enjoyed the anime adaptation (or are just in the market for a good comedy), I r...
Shelf Life - Monster Musume
Gabriella Ekens dives into the lewd and wacky world of monster girls, plus all this week's new anime releases including Sword Art Online!
― I went to a screening of The Ancient Magus' Bride last week (one advantage of living in a big college town is that the local theaters pick up a lot of anime events), and I have to admit I was pretty impressed. The art and animation were both strong, and the thre...
Shelf Life - School-Live!
James Beckett discovers surprising thrills and chills in this slice of life drama that's more than it seems on the surface. Plus, all this week's new releases and a new Shelf Obsessed!
― My daily streaming review shows for this season have a suspicious number of things in common. Both New Game and Gamers are video game-themed slice-of-life comedies (one about the people who make them, one about the ...
Shelf Life - Magi: The Kingdom of Magic
Paul dug the first series of Magi, but can the second series live up to its predecessor's quality? Plus, the complete rundown on all this week's new anime releases!
― My parents are shopping for a new car to replace a twenty year-old SUV that's on its last legs. I tagged along with them on a trip to a couple of dealerships during my most recent visit, and I remembered something important: even for a...
Shelf Life - Divine Gate
Not all mobile game adaptations are created equally, as clearly witnessed in the unfortunate case of Divine Gate. PLUS: all of this week's new anime DVD and bluray releases!
― It's Preview Guide time again! There have been a couple of nice surprises this season, along with some big-name titles and a few genuine stinkers. Check it out if you haven't already, but first we've got some new releases to s...
Shelf Life - Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic
Paul digs in to the sturdy Arabian Nights-flavored shonen action-adventure Magi, plus all of this week's new anime releases on DVD and bluray!
― I started playing the Fate/Grand Order game this week, and boy is it stingy with rare characters. I'm used to low odds from the Love Live rhythm game, but it still stings to keep getting three-star Julius Caesars when you know your five-star waifu is out th...
Shelf Life - Ultra Maniac
Is this forgotten magical girl romcom from the '90s trash or treasure? Find out after the jump, along with a rundown of all this week's anime releases and a very Maison Ikkoku Shelf Obsessed!
― I live on the second floor of an apartment building, so it's always surprising when one of the neighborhood cats appears on my tiny balcony. I'm not sure if it somehow climbs the fire escape ladder or just ju...
Shelf Life - Valkyrie Drive: Mermaid
Things get steamy on Shelf Life this week as Paul dives into the deep end of a fanservice yuri action extravaganza. Plus, all this week's new anime releases!
― I was going to talk about E3 this week, but then I watched the latest episode of Sakura Quest and decided I really wanted to rave about that show instead. I've been watching it all season, but it only just recently hit me that it's really wel...
Shelf Life - Himouto! Umaru-chan
James Beckett faces off with the world's laziest and craziest otaku imouto to see if her comedy adventures are worth owning on Blu-Ray, plus all this week's new anime releases!
― I spent the better part of last week driving around the northeastern US for family stuff, so I don't really have anything interesting to talk about this week. I can compare the quality of highways and drivers from state to ...
Shelf Life - Free! Iwatobi Swim Club
The boys of summer return for the first time in this unique release of a first season that came out after the second season. Plus, all this week's new releases and a Shelf Obsessed full of figurines!
― I've had a tough time keeping up with all the simulcasts I'm following this season, and I blame it on the warm weather. Not that I'm going outside, of course. It's just that there's so much for a car ...
Shelf Life - Crusher Joe: The Movie
Paul gets a faceful of '80s action with Crusher Joe and runs down all this week's new anime releases from Haruhi Suzumiya to Umaru-chan!
― After avoiding the bandwagon for as long as possible, I finally played a bit of Overwatch last weekend. I had some fun, I have a better understanding of why people love it, and holy moly I'm terrible at it. More power to anyone who has the reaction time and teamw...
Shelf Life - Ajin: Demi-Human
Gabriella Ekens discovers pleasant surprises and wicked twists from this CG adaptation of the popular thriller manga, and Paul runs down all this week's new anime releases!
― With the latest season of Natsume's Book of Friends earning high marks, I decided it was finally time to give the series a try. I'm watching it from the beginning, so I'm a few episodes into the first season as I write this. I'...
Shelf Life - Girls Beyond the Wasteland
Is there anything of worth to scavenge from this wasteland of bishoujo game characters? James Beckett is down to find out! Plus, all this week's new releases, and a very plushie-filled Shelf Obsessed!
― I'm watching Tsukigakirei this season, and I have to admit that it's a cute little show. I do, however, find myself constantly wanting to bonk the characters on the head and shout at them to be proac...
Shelf Life - Actually, I Am...
Gabriella Ekens explores a world of old-school monster girls in this overlooked harem comedy. Plus, all this week's new releases and a Vocaloid-tastic Shelf Obsessed!
― For some reason, I've been on a mid-2000s anime comedy kick recently. It started off with a few episodes of School Rumble, and has progressed into Cromartie High School now that I've unearthed my old DVD set of that series. Not every...
Shelf Life - Is the Order a Rabbit? season 2
Paul returns to the Rabbit House cafe for some more light and fluffy comedy, along with a breakdown of all this week's new anime releases, and a production cel-heavy Shelf Obsessed entry!
― I know that the scheduling is probably just a coincidence, but I really like how My Hero Academia gets new episodes early in the morning on Saturdays. Watching it while I eat breakfast gets me all nostalgic for t...
Shelf Life - Is It Wrong To Try To Pick Up Girls In A Dungeon?
James Beckett gets one last good look at the first hit season of DanMachi - and takes a little time to appreciate it. PLUS: this week's new anime releases!
― As you may have noticed while reading my initial episode review, I'm having a lot of fun watching KADO The Right Answer this season. It's kind of a slow series and my brain hurts from keeping track of all the characters, but it's also the kind ...
Shelf Life - Luck & Logic
Paul's luck runs dry this week when he has to sit through the likes of Luck & Logic. Hopefully, this week's other releases and a new Shelf Obsessed entry will make things better!
― I went to see Your Name last week, since I'm lucky enough to live near a theater that's playing it. Then I went to see it again a few days later, since I really liked it and wanted to inflict it on as many of my friends a...
Shelf Life - Heavy Object Part 2
Paul takes on the back half of Heavy Object's first season, which ratchets up the mecha action but still struggles a little in the story department. PLUS: this week's new releases!
― Now that we've had a week to revel in the returns of Attack on Titan and My Hero Academia, we're finally starting to get some good new stuff this season. Give Re:Creators a shot if you're in the mood for an action show,...
Shelf Life - Beautiful Bones: Sakurako's Investigation
Can this lady-Sherlock with a talent for osteology solve any mysteries worth watching? Paul Jensen deduces the answer, along with all this week's new anime releases!
― Maybe it's just my imagination, but it seems like each new anime season usually gets off to a slow start. We get a few days of reasonably average premieres, and then the heavy hitters show up. Well, that ain't the case this spring; bo...
Shelf Life - Kyousougiga
Gabriella Ekens plunges into the wildly creative world of Rie Matsumoto's frantic, fantastical family in Kyousougiga! PLUS: this week's new releases!
― Since I have relatives on both sides of the country, I'm used to the six hour ordeal of flying from coast to coast. Getting stuck in an airport for seven hours last Thursday after missing a connecting flight was a new and special brand of misery, how...
Shelf Life - Amagi Brilliant Park
James finds himself enchanted by this zany comedy from KyoAni that flew under the radar, and Paul breaks down all this week's new anime releases!
― I'm off on vacation visiting my extended family this week, so my brain is entirely too frazzled to come up with a clever or interesting introduction. Instead, I'll just jump right into it. Welcome to Shelf Life. Jump to this week's review: Amagi Brillian...
Shelf Life - 5 Centimeters Per Second
Before "your name." became a phenomenon, Makoto Shinkai made his mark on the world with another nostalgic drama. Paul Jensen checks out the Blu-ray, along with all this week's new releases!
― Sometimes real life syncs up with the anime that I review in unexpected ways. I watched 5 Centimeters Per Second for this week's column right before traveling to meet some people I haven't seen in a while. Sinc...
Shelf Life - Sengoku Basara: End of Judgement
James Beckett dives into this explosive season of the musou game hit, while Paul Jensen once again runs down this week in anime releases!
― We've seen a lot of Gundam titles come out on disc in the US in recent years, from the classics to the more obscure stuff. That's cool, but I've spent most of that time wondering when we'd see a new release of Gundam Wing. After all, it was the first series in t...
Shelf Life - Mobile Suit Gundam F91
This little-known Gundam movie has long been last to the sands of time, now available on Blu-ray for the first time. But is it any good? Gabriella Ekens finds out, plus all this week's new releases!
― I finally got started on my "watch popular anime that I skipped the first time around" New Year's resolution this week. Since the second season of Konosuba is airing now, it seemed like as good a time ...
Shelf Life - My Love Story
One of the most beloved romcoms in recent memory, My Love Story, is out on bluray from Sentai Filmworks, and James Beckett is here to let us know if it holds up. PLUS: all of this week's big new releases!
― We've got a ton of new releases to cover this week, so I'm going to use that to cover for my lack of clever or interesting thoughts to put into this intro paragraph. Let's get right into it, shal...
Shelf Life - Black Jack The Movie
Anime's most legendary Osamus (Tezuka and Dezaki) come together for a thrilling adaptation that became a '90s classic. Gabriella Ekens takes a closer look. Plus, all this week's new releases!
― This might be a side effect of reviewing anime on a regular basis, but one of the things I enjoy most is being surprised by a series, especially when a show turns out to have more to it than I expected. I sta...
Shelf Life - The Kawai Complex Guide to Manors and Hostel Behavior
This romantic comedy has one mouthful of a title, but is it worth watching? Paul Jensen finds out, after breaking down all this week's new anime releases!
― I downloaded the new Fire Emblem mobile game the other day, and it seems reasonably entertaining. I'm not all that familiar with the characters since I've played exactly one game in the franchise over the course of my gaming life, but the turn-b...
Shelf Life - Ultimate Otaku Teacher
Can this quirky teacher comedy measure up to the likes of GTO and Assassination Classroom? Paul Jensen finds out, along with breaking down all the week's new anime releases!
― I started re-watching Space Dandy on a whim recently, and it made me realize something: I almost never watch shows a second time these days. I remember going back through some old favorites as many as three or four times, but ...
Shelf Life - Shimoneta
This week, James Beckett finds out if the infamously nasty SHIMONETA is a filthy good time or just plain filthy. Plus, all this week's new releases!
― I'm not sure how the anime world reached a point where I'm more excited about a pair of monster girl shows than just about any other new title this season, but here we are. I'm calling Interviews With Monster Girls my early favorite just because I lik...
Shelf Life - Chaos Dragon
Is the fantasy action series Chaos Dragon so bad it's good, or just plain bad? Gabriella Ekens bravely tries to find out. PLUS: all of this week's new releases and more!
― I spent some time playing the new Battlefield game over the holidays, and it reminded me that I have a consistent pattern when it comes to playing multiplayer shooters. I start off slightly bemused by how pretty the game is and ho...
Shelf Life - Heavy Object Part 1
Paul returns to the world of deadly war games, powerful mechs, and fluffy penguins in Heavy Object, along with all this week's new anime releases!
― I look even more disheveled than usual, I've doubled my caffeine intake, and I've barely left my apartment in the past few days. Yep, it must be Preview Guide time once again. So far, this season's shows are covering a pretty wide range from "really goo...
Shelf Life - Good Luck! Ninomiya-kun
Is this forgotten harem comedy about a succubus with a fear of men worth digging up for a second look? Shelf Life has the answers, along with all this week's new anime releases!
― Anyone making any anime-related resolutions for the new year? Maybe catching up on that streaming backlog, trying a new genre, or picking up a long-coveted piece of merchandise? Personally, I'll be trying to fill in a few ...
Shelf Life - The 2016 Year In Review
Paul runs down the year's best releases and the year's best Shelf Life reviews, from Azumanga Daioh to When They Cry. Plus: a blast from the Shelf Life past!
― It feels like 2016 has been a crazier year than most, but I have good news: if you're reading this, you've made it! Time to wrap this year up and dive straight into a new one. I'll be taking a look at some of the more interesting anime we've ...
Shelf Life - Aquarion Logos Part 1
James Beckett returns to the world of Aquarion with its third series, while Paul breaks down all this week's new releases!
― The constant flow of new anime on disc still amazes me from time to time. You'd think most folks would already be at the bottom of their wallets after all that holiday shopping, and yet we've still got new stuff coming out this week like any other. There are even a handful of ...
Shelf Life - Omamori Himari
Paul takes a look at a forgotten little catgirl harem comedy from 2010 to see if its old motor still purrs. Plus, all this week's new releases!
― Earlier in the season, I noted that I was trying to keep up with around a dozen shows (not counting the ones I'm doing episode reviews for), and I wondered if I'd be able to keep up with them all. Well, we're in the home stretch and I'm still staying curre...
Shelf Life - Hana Yori Dango
Paul takes on the frequently frustrating melodrama of the classic shojo series, "Boys over Flowers." Plus, all this week's new releases!
― I can tell we're still a long way away from the heart of winter because I still feel annoyed instead of relieved when the forecast predicts more snow than we actually get. If it's going to snow, let's skip all the inconsequential flurries and get on with it! (Let...
Shelf Life - Aoharu x Machinegun
Gabriella enters a world of bishounen and airsoft with Aoharu x Machinegun, but is this strange creation any good? Plus, all this week's new releases!
― It's that magical time of Black Friday/Cyber Monday/General Holiday Season sales, and I hope you've already found some good deals if bargain-hunting is your thing. Since I moved into a new apartment a few months ago, I've been buying boring things l...
Shelf Life - Gatchaman Crowds Insight
James jumps back into the world of Gatchaman with its striking second season, while Paul runs down all this week's new anime releases!
― I can always tell if a video game has me hooked by how often I catch myself talking to the characters. I bought a car racing version of all those sports manager games recently, and I've already fallen into the habit of berating my imaginary drivers every time they ...
Shelf Life - Knights of Sidonia Season 2
This cel-shaded CG space opera continues into its second season with a renewed sense of purpose. Paul Jensen explores this set along with the week's other new releases!
― One thing I've noticed about reviewing anime is that strange things happen when you try to type too quickly. I have, on several occasions, turned Magical Girl Raising Project into "Magical Girl Raisin Project" while writing episode...
Shelf Life - Cobra The Animation
Gabriella takes a look at this 2010 revival of a classic '80s psychedelic space adventure. Plus, all this week's new releases!
― I had a lame joke ready to use in this week's intro, but then Funimation picked up the license for Nichijou - My Ordinary Life, and that's clearly much more interesting. I watched this show when it aired and was crushed when the original plans for a release were scrapped. ...
Shelf Life - Wake Up, Girls!
James returns to the world of WUG with a review of the Wake Up! Girls anime. Plus, all this week's new releases!
― I talked about my overly ambitious streaming queue a few weeks ago, and while a couple of shows have gotten the axe (farewell, Scorching Ping Pong Girls), I'm actually finding that keeping up hasn't been as tough as I'd feared. It certainly helps that there's a lot of fun stuff airing t...
Shelf Life - Golgo 13: The Professional
Osamu Dezaki's Golgo 13 film is the first to bring the iconic character to life in animation, but does it still hold up today? Paul Jensen take a look. Plus, all this week's new anime releases!
― I tend to drink a lot of tea when I'm writing reviews, so buying a new electric tea kettle a couple of weeks ago has improved my life in a noticeable way. Being able to heat water to exactly the right tempe...
Shelf Life - The Perfect Insider
Is the Perfect Insider a perfect mystery or just a perfect mess? Paul Jensen weighs in. Plus, all this week's new anime releases!
― I had a literal "Shelf Life" moment this week: I put together a small bookcase that I'd bought for my apartment a while ago. It looks pretty decent as long as you ignore the fact that I put the fake wood back piece on backwards so the cheesy cardboard side faces out. Cl...
Shelf Life - Re-Kan!
Paul tackles a frantic world of friendly ghosts in Re-Kan! Plus, all this week's new releases!
― There are still a handful of premieres left to cover in the Preview Guide as I write this, and I've already added twelve of the shows I've written about to my personal list of things to watch. That's far too many for any mere mortal to keep up with over a full season, so I guess I'm going to have to get ...
Shelf Life - Gundam Build Fighters Try
James leaps from one Gunpla battle to the next in a spirited viewing of Build Fighters Try! Plus, all this week's new releases!
― It's Preview Guide time once again, and I'm excited to be working on that deluge of new anime for a second season. Speaking of lots of new anime, we've got another big week of new physical releases, so let's jump right into it. Welcome to Shelf Life. Jump to this week's r...
Shelf Life - Super Gals!
Gabriella Ekens jumps back in time to the '90s with the trendy Super Gals! to see how this forgotten shojo gem has aged. Plus, all this week's new releases!
― It never fails. Whenever I have all the time in the world to work on the new release section, four or five things come out that week at most. But when I move to a new apartment and spend most of the week away from my work computer? Well, take ...
Shelf Life - Gundam Build Fighters
James takes his first step into the magical world of battling Gunpla in Gundam Build Fighters, while Paul runs down all this week's new anime releases!
― In my endless search for interesting things to talk about in these intro paragraphs, I completely missed a personal milestone: it's been over a year since I started my time at the helm of Shelf Life. I moved from just writing reviews to organizing ...
Shelf Life - Children Who Chase Lost Voices
Paul takes a look at a recent Makoto Shinkai movie with a more Ghibli flavor to see what it can offer anime fans both old and new. Plus, all this week's new releases!
― I had an introduction all ready for this week, and then the news about Crunchyroll and Funimation forming a partnership showed up. Serves me right for trying to get my work done early for once. This Answerman article explains things ...
Shelf Life - Punch Line
Paul tumbles down a wormhole of panty panic when faced with the mystery/comedy madness of Punch Line. Plus, all this week's new releases!
― By the time you read this, I'll be on my way home after going on vacation over Labor Day weekend. That means I'm writing this column earlier than usual in order to get it done before I leave, so hello from the distant past! It turns out time travel's easy as lon...
Shelf Life - Aquarion Evol
James dives into the wacky, innuendo-filled world of Aquarion Evol and does his best to make sense of it all. Plus, all this week's new releases!
― I spent about twenty bucks on an anime figure last week (Eli from Love Live, in case you're wondering), and now I'm fighting to hold myself back from buying more. I used to buy figures on a regular basis, and nothing quite beats that initial thrill of se...
Shelf Life - Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ
Shelf Life finishes up its run of Gundam reviews with the divisive final part of the original Univeral Century timeline. Plus, all this week's new releases!
― I started playing the farming game Stardew Valley last week, and it's taught me that I should never, under any circumstances, be allowed to name a real animal. My character owns three chickens named "Drumstick," "Buffalo," and "McNugget," and ...
Shelf Life - After War Gundam X Part 2
After War Gundam X ramps up the stakes in its second half, but is it enough to elevate the overall story? Plus, all this week's new releases!
― I think I've been doing this unconsciously for a few seasons now, but I've figured out a method of watching simulcast shows that's been working well for me. I follow the episodic comedies and slow-paced slice of life stuff from week to week, then start the m...
Shelf Life - Karneval
Gabriella takes us on a wild ride through the Lisa-Frank-trapper-keeper world of Karneval. Plus, all this week's new releases!
― I fell into one of the world's biggest time sinks the other day: shopping for anime figures online. After hours of price comparisons, shipping calculations, review browsing, and financial guilt-tripping, I finally decided to buy… absolutely nothing. Is there someone I can ...
Shelf Life - After War Gundam X Part 1
James takes a look at a not-so-exalted entry in the Gundam canon, while Paul runs down this week's new releases!
― So, it looks like Macross suddenly started streaming on Amazon last week. That's pretty cool, considering how influential the series has been. It's also pretty surprising, considering how much licensing drama it's gone through over the years. Before I run off to watch it, however, we've...
Shelf Life - Gasaraki
Paul takes on a blast from anime sci fi past with veteran anime director Ryosuke Takahashi's Gasaraki series. Plus, all this week's new releases!
― I've been too busy working this month to give Pokemon Go a try, and I'm not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing. On one hand, I've avoided the temptation to start a game that would undoubtedly devour my time like a swarm of starving termites. On t...
Shelf Life - Sekirei
Does Sekirei have enough bounce per ounce to be worth your time? Paul Jensen has the answers, plus all this week's new releases!
― I'm not sure what kind of licensing deal led to every episode of ReLIFE being available at once, but it's kind of convenient. By the time I finish watching it, I should have a backlog of at least a couple episodes to binge through on all the other shows I'm following thi...
Shelf Life - When They Cry: Kai
The second season of the blockbuster horror smash When They Cry is finally available on bluray - how well does it still hold up? Plus: an avalanche of new anime DVD and bluray releases!
― Working on the Preview Guide has taken up most of my time this week, and it's been kind of cool to have a legitimate excuse to watch the first episode of every single new show this season. The long and short of it ...
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