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This Week in Anime - For Whom The GalPalchemist Exists
For Whom the Alchemist Exists takes more cues from Fushigi Yugi than Sword Art Online and it might just be a match made in heaven.
― Isekai and gacha games aren't usually a winning combo for high-quality entertainment. Add Macross creator Shoji Kawamori to the mix though and you just might find yourself waxing poetic about mushroom house interior design. For Whom the Alchemist Exists takes more cues...
This Week in Anime - The Sick, Sad World of Cells at Work: CODE BLACK
It's a hard life out there for a cell, especially when the body is breaking down around it! It's every cell for itself in This Week in Anime!
― It's a hard life out there for a cell, especially when the body is breaking down around it! Cells at Work Code Black takes the edutainment angle of the original and ramps up the drama when the host isn't isn't in peak condition. It's every cell for itself in...
This Week in Anime - Are the Changes in The Promised Neverland Working?
The changes to the story were apparent almost immediately, creating a dividing point between manga readers. Nick and Steve jump into the man-eating survival horror series to find out just how well the anime original route is going.
― Before the second season premiere, staff for The Promised Neverland anime series announced there would be some changes to the adaptation with supervision by the manga's...
This Week in Anime - The Hard-Hitting Action of Jujutsu Kaisen
Jujutsu Kaisen is a certified hit with its perfect mix of horror, action, and comedy. Nicky and Nick discuss the finer points of the series from its terrifying villains to the ANN staff's flawed appreciation of bodacious ladies.
― Jujutsu Kaisen is a certified hit with its perfect mix of horror, action, and comedy. Nicky and Nick discuss the finer points of the series from its terrifying villains to...
This Week in Anime - How Does Kuroko's Basketball Keep it Fresh?
The sports series that sailed a thousand ships has landed at Netflix with a brand-new dub. Steve and Jean-Karlo suit up for the court to see how many points they score against the beautiful boys of Kuroko's Basketball.
― The sports series that sailed a thousand ships has landed at Netflix with a brand-new dub. Steve and Jean-Karlo suit up for the court to see how many points they score against the b...
This Week in Anime - Who Are the Villains of Attack on Titan?
In its final season, Attack on Titan has flipped the script on its heroes and villains. Our once righteously vengeful protagonist stopped toeing the line in pursuit of his ideals, leaving the audience to ponder exactly who is the villain here?
― In its final season, Attack on Titan has flipped the script on its heroes and villains. Our once righteously vengeful protagonist stopped toeing the line in...
This Week in Anime - Isekai Until I Die
The Winter 2021 season brought us almost 40 new anime series to choose from and among those were the requisite isekai series, of course. Steve and Jean-Karlo go world-hopping to find which series will give you the most bang for your buck.
― The Winter 2021 season brought us almost 40 new anime series to choose from and among those were the requisite isekai series, of course. Steve and Jean-Karlo go ...
This Week in Anime - Just Who is Boogiepop?
Written by Perfect Blue's Sadayuki Murai, Boogiepop Phantom is a supernatural take on obsession, memories, death, and how we're all connected.
― A practically impenetrable horror anthology, Boogiepop Phantom premiered nearly two decades before Boogiepop and Others despite being a sequel. The series brings together director Takashi Watanabe, probably known best for Slayers of all things, writer Saday...
This Week in Anime - The Night is Long is a 90 Minute Bender
Let's take a trip down memory lane where bars are open, booze is flowing, and impromptu musical theater is the name of the game.
― Let's take a trip down memory lane where bars are open, booze is flowing, and impromptu musical theater is the name of the game. Masaaki Yuasa returns to adapt another Tomihiko Morimi story after his work on Tatami Galaxy. Where will our heroine end up is her bar-hopping...
This Week in Anime - Is Hypnosis Mic Worth Watching?
One of the craziest premises to come out of anime, Hypnosis Mic imagines a world where government sanctioned rap battles can solve problems from turf disputes to bank robberies. Is this show wildly entertaining or full of dead beats?
― One of the craziest premises to come out of anime, Hypnosis Mic imagines a world where government sanctioned rap battles can solve problems from turf disputes to bank...
This Week in Anime - The Blood-Soaked World of Onyx Equinox
Does this CR original have the makings of an action-packed hit or is it a gore-packed spectacle (or both??)
― Crunchyroll's dark adventure series follows Izel as he attempts to rescue his sister's soul and stop the evil mechanizations of the heartless gods that manipulate his world. Does this CR Original have the makings of an action-packed hit or is it a gore-packed spectacle (or both??) This serie...
This Week in Anime - Does Yashahime Recapture Inuyasha's Magic?
The adventures in the world of Inuyasha continues, starring the offspring of everyone's favorite half-demon and his stoic, beautiful brother. Does Towa, Setsuna, and Moroha's exploits recapture the magic that made the original a huge hit?
― The adventures in the world of Inuyasha continues in Yashahime: Princess Half-Demon, starring the offspring of everyone's favorite half-demon and his stoic, beau...
This Week in Anime - Akudama Drive is High-Octane Insanity
What initially seemed like nothing more than a stylish brawlfest, and Akudama Drive certainly is some of that, turned out to be waaaay more punk than anyone expected.
― Akudama Drive's premiere was full of colorful characters and neon-bathed background art. What initially seemed like nothing more than a stylish brawlfest, and Akudama Drive certainly is some of that, turned out to be waaaay more punk...
This Week in Anime - Jun Maeda Goes for the Jugular
Nick and Steve are once again plagued by the sorrowful machinations of Jun Maeda in That Day I Became a God. You won't make it out without going through a few tissue boxes.
― Almost one year to the day since TWIA revisited Angel Beats, Nick and Steve are once again plagued by the sorrowful machinations of Jun Maeda in That Day I Became a God. You won't make it out without going through a few tissue ...
This Week in Anime - How CG Lupin Stole the Show
Anime's favorite thief is back in a shiny, three-dimensional form. Director and writer Takashi Yamazaki previously helmed the blockbuster Stand By Me Doraemon and Lupin III THE FIRST is looking to continue his successful streak of releases.
― Anime's favorite thief is back in a shiny, three-dimensional form. Director and writer Takashi Yamazaki is no stranger to bringing beloved franchises into CG a...
This Week in Anime - Is Talentless Nana Worth Watching?
This is MHA's twisted little sister and she's out to assassinate all her superpowered classmates before they grow up into dangerous adults.
― Early trailers made Talentless Nana out to look like a My Hero Academia hanger on, but let me ask you a question, did MHA include an extended necrophilia joke? I think not. This is MHA's twisted little sister and she's out to assassinate all her superpowered c...
This Week in Anime - Haikyu!! is at the Top of its Game
Karasuno is flying high as ever as they face off against their strongest opponents yet: the Miya twins and Inarizaki High in a bid to take Nationals.
― Karasuno is flying high as ever as they face off against their strongest opponents yet: the Miya twins and Inarizaki High in a bid to take Nationals. The staff change over hasn't held back our favorite volleyball boys as they make their journey to th...
This Week in Anime - Big Order is a Trashy Treasure
A writer by the name of Nicholas Dupree thought that he won the upperhand when he was guaranteed one (1) TWIA column about the animated travesty known as BIG ORDER. Let's just say no one made it out of this excursion with a Happy Meal.
― A writer by the name of Nicholas Dupree thought that he won the upperhand when, in exchange for watching Eiken, he was guaranteed one (1) TWIA column about the anim...
This Week in Anime - Noblesse This Mess
One of Crunchyroll's two airing original series is based on the Korean webcomic Noblesse and follows a vampire in high school. Also there's a lot of well-animated fights! But what is it really about?
― One of Crunchyroll's two airing original series is based on the Korean webcomic Noblesse and follows a vampire in high school. Also there's a lot of well-animated fights! But what is it really about? ...
This Week in Anime - Does Great Pretender Stick the Landing?
In August, the This Week in Anime team was enthralled by Wit Studio's heist-comedy series The Great Pretender. Now the series is back with its finale arc, but does it continue its swindler shenanigans or fall flat?
― In August, the This Week in Anime team was enthralled by Wit Studio's heist-comedy series The Great Pretender. The original series stars Makoto "Edamame" Edamura, a small-time crook tha...
This Week in Anime - Kimagure Old Town Road
The breakout work of the late Izumi Matsumoto, KOR laid the foundation that romantic comedy anime continue to build on to this day. Let's take a walk in the footsteps of one of the originals!
― A veritable classic in the anime romcom scene, Kimagure Orange Road brought us the first Madoka and anime fans couldn't get enough of her. The breakout work of the late Izumi Matsumoto, KOR laid the foundatio...
This Week in Anime - Why You Should Try Heaven's Official Blessing
The series is just one of the latest offering as China pivots to domestic animation. Jean-Karlo and Nicky check out the show and how it handles the source material's subtext.
― Heaven's Official Blessing marks a first for U.S. anime streaming: it's Funimation's first streaming Chinese animated series. Produced by Haoliners and Chinese streaming giant bilibili, the series is just one of the latest of...
This Week in Anime - Is Magatsu Wahrheit Zuerst Worth Watching?
Nick and Steve check in on the mobage adaptation about two guys on the opposite sides of war filled with political conspiracy and mutants?!
― The steampunk tale of intrigue slipped under the radar for Daily Streaming this season. Nick and Steve check in on the mobage adaptation about two guys on the opposite sides of war filled with political conspiracy and mutants?! This series is streaming on Funi...
This Week in Anime - Begonia, I Hardly Knew Ya
The 2016 film by the Legend of Korra's studio is now streaming for free on Tubi TV. Jean-Karlo and Nicky look at the emotional ode to Chinese mythology in This Week in Anime!
― South Korean studio Studio Mir is loved by fans for its work animated hits like The Legend of Korra, Voltron: Legendary Defender and Aaron McGruder's The Boondocks. The studio's labor of love, Big Fish and Begonia is now stre...
This Week in Anime - Why Jujutsu Kaisen is Horror-Action Perfection
Sunghoo Park and studio MAPPA's Jujutsu Kaisen anime is a blend of horror, action, and comedy with a pitch-perfect cast of weirdos.
― Sunghoo Park and studio MAPPA's Jujutsu Kaisen anime is a blend of horror, action, and comedy with a pitch-perfect cast of weirdos.The series offers the philosophy of life and death, action spectacle, and a cursed finger for audiences to chew on. Steve and Nick lay ou...
This Week in Anime - Why Sleepy Princess is the Queen of Our Hearts
So you're a princess captured by the generic RPG's Big Bad. Your cell is drafty, the stone floor is cold, and you're the type that could feel a pea beneath a mountain of mattresses. What's a princess to do?
― So you're a princess captured by the generic RPG's Big Bad. Your cell is drafty, the stone floor is cold, and you're the type that could feel a pea beneath a mountain of mattresses. What's a pr...
This Week in Anime - Why You Shouldn't Sleep on Dragon Quest
The familiar can be comforting and in the case of Dragon Quest: The Adventure of Dai, it's a trip back to old school shonen.
― The familiar can be comforting and in the case of Dragon Quest: The Adventure of Dai, it's a trip back to old school shonen, starring a plucky young boy and his mission to protect his monster friends. The series is lovingly animated with character designs influenced by Drago...
This Week in Anime - What The Hell is Going On in Yamibou?
Long unavailable in English followed by years of waiting for the release to come out, Yamibō is now available in the anime streaming world. But what is this world-hopping story starring a lady with a floppy hat and a stoic school girl even about?
― Long unavailable in English followed by years of waiting for the release to come out, Yamibou is now available in the anime streaming world. But what is ...
This Week in Anime - Is Moriarty the Hero We Deserve?
Sherlock Holmes' arch nemesis gets an anime makeover, but Moriarty isn't just a pretty face. A criminal for the people, this supergenius is all about murdering the rich to give rights to the poor.
― Sherlock Holmes' arch nemesis gets an anime makeover, but Moriarty isn't just a pretty face. A criminal for the people, this supergenius is all about murdering the rich to give rights to the poor and he'...
This Week in Anime - My Poor Eiken Back
"I saw a lot of people trying to explain away Eiken as a 'parody.' Those people are cowards and fools. Eiken is exactly what it wants to be."
― Only spoken in hushed tones across the internet, Eiken may be one of the most cursed anime put to film. A veritable "Test of Courage," Steve and Nick try to survive Eiken's yogurt slide and many, many (literal) bananas. CONTENT WARNING: This OAV is full of a...
This Week in Anime - Is Higurashi Gou as Terrifying as the Original?
Ryukishi07's horror sound novel lives AGAIN and Hinamizawa will never be the same. Nick and Nicky settle into the desolate countryside town to see what mysteries they can uncover and somehow develop a hankering for fried chicken.
― Ryukishi07's horror sound novel lives AGAIN and Hinamizawa will never be the same. Nick and Nicky settle into the desolate countryside town in Higurashi: When They Cry – ...
This Week in Anime - Does Dorohedoro's OVA make Hole's Dump into Dumplings?
Dorohedoro is back with a selection of wild one-off stories. Find out how Nikaido got in the gyoza business and how one ephemeral creature makes sure all those fried dumplings taste terrific.
― Dorohedoro is back with a selection of wild one-off stories. Find out how Nikaido got in the gyoza business and how one ephemeral creature makes sure all those fried dumplings taste terrific. This OAV is stre...
This Week in Anime - Does Re:Zero's Subaru Stand a Chance?
Subaru's death count has continued growing but we're far from answering the mysteries of Re:Zero. Nick and Steve look back at the most recent season and see where Subaru currently stands in a world full of witches and intrigue.
― Subaru's death count has continued growing but we're far from answering the mysteries of Re:Zero. Nick and Steve look back at the most recent season and see where Subaru cu...
This Week in Anime - Does Dear Brother Still Hold Up?
Lush still shots and shifting floods of emotion characterize this anime long unavailable in English until now. But what does a series like Dear Brother offer a modern audience?
― The Rose of Versailles manga creator Riyoko Ikeda and anime adaptation director Osamu Dezaki are together again in for the shojo soap opera classic Dear Brother. Lush still shots and shifting floods of emotion characterize ...
This Week in Anime - Buggin' Out With Aragne: Sign of Vermilion
Steve and Nick come to wildly different conclusions about Saku Sakumoto's one-man bugathon!
― Saku Sakumoto's passion project Aragne: Sign of Vermilion is a 75-minute ride filled with horror trope under the sun. Serial killers, abandoned factories, psychotic breakdowns, and more bugs than Gnat Attack. If this insect cocktail sounds atrocious, well, Steve is going to do his best to sell you on it! Th...
This Week in Anime - Is Gibiate a B-Movie-Style Masterpiece?
Sometimes an illustrious staff does not equal an impressive production. Enter Gibiate, a series with time travel, samurai, mutating monster people, and the silliest twist in years.
― Sometimes an illustrious staff does not equal an impressive production. Enter Gibiate, a series with time travel, samurai, mutating monster people, and the silliest twist in years. Join Nicky and Steve as they slide thr...
This Week in Anime - Bleach the Witch
Tite Kubo is back in a big way with the anime adaptation of his newest manga, Burn The Witch. Dragons wreck havoc, burninating across the English countryside. Ninny and Noel are two witches who seek to manage dragons before they get out of control.
― Tite Kubo is back in a big way with the anime adaptation of his newest manga, Burn the Witch. Dragons wreck havoc, burninating across the English count...
This Week in Anime - Is Rent-a-Girlfriend's Kazuya Bad or The Absolute Worst?
Steve and Nick give this season's most insufferable bro the roasting he deserves.
― We've seen some pretty insufferable romance anime protagonists in our time. Sometimes they're offensively boring and sometimes they get their head lopped off by a spurned lover ala School Days. Then there's bumbling Kazuya of Rent-a-Girlfriend who treats every conflict like one he can lie his way out of instead of fa...
This Week in Anime - The Made in Abyss Movie Will Crush Your Soul
The new film Made in Abyss: Dawn of the Deep Soul is a whole new level of hell as our spritely spelunkers finally come face to face with Bondrewd and his sinister machinizations.
― The Made in Abyss anime series is hardly known for its sunshine and rainbows but the new film Made In Abyss: Dawn of the Deep Soul is a whole new level of hell as our spritely spelunkers finally come face to face with Bon...
This Week in Anime - Does Dragon's Dogma Deliver the Goods?
Nick and Nicky find Netflix's latest foray into anime bogged down by its nihilistic worldview.
― In 2012, Capcom released the Dragon's Dogma hack-n-slash video game and it went on to sell over a million copies. This new Netflix anime series shares almost nothing in common with it except for the "Mature" content rating. Will our embittered protagonist Ethan manage to overcome the sinful monsters in f...
This Week in Anime - Time to Get Decked
Deca-Dence is revving up for its big finale this week and the show has certainly gone some places. Human avatars, penal colonies that shovel literal shit, and hope that the system that grinds its people to dust can be overthrown.
― Deca-Dence is revving up for its big finale this week and the show has certainly gone some places. Human avatars, penal colonies that shovel literal shit, and hope that t...
This Week in Anime - The World Sinks 2020
Japan Sinks 2020 floats between devastation and rap battles, shark attacks and weed cults. Japan Sinks 2020 definitely has a message, but is it an effective one?
― Science SARU's take on the sci-fi classic takes one Japanese family through hell and back as the islands of Japan sink into the sea. The series floats between devastation and rap battles, shark attacks and even weed cults. Japan Sinks 202...
This Week in Anime - Just Who is Captain Harlock?
Has a manlier man every roamed the seven seas of space? Board the aptly named Arcadia of My Youth and embark on an adventure full of space witches, space chivalry, and a sword with lasers!
― Has a manlier man every roamed the seven seas of space? Board the aptly named Arcadia of My Youth and get ready to embark on an adventure full of space witches, space wars, space chivalry, and a sword with laser...
This Week in Anime - Appare-Ranman Is Off to the Races!
If you've been sleeping on this series, you're missing out on one of the best ensemble comedies of the year. See why Nick and Nicky can't get enough of Appare and Kosame and their race across the wild, wild west!
― One of the many productions delayed due to COVID-19, P.A. Works' Appare-Ranman is back in full force. If you've been sleeping on this series, you're missing out on one of the best ensembl...
This Week in Anime - WTF is Going On in Children of the Sea?
Studio 4°C's Children of the Sea movie's ever-expanding lens begins on one fateful adolescent summer before zooming out to ruminate on life, death, and the meaning of everything.
― The studio behind Mind Game, Studio 4°C, takes on Daisuke Igarashi's manga Children of the Sea to create a sumptuous visual feast. The movie's ever-expanding lens begins on one fateful adolescent summer before zooming out...
This Week in Anime - Pretty Pretty Precure
It happened. Hell froze over and Precure is legally streaming!
― It happened. Hell froze over and Precure is legally streaming! Crunchyroll has introduced the larger anime community to the magical girls that diehards already knew were special. What makes PreCure awesome? Nick and Micchy dive into the first six episodes of the most recent season to pick best girl and explain why Pegitan must be prote...
This Week in Anime - Aggretsuko's Heavy Metal World Gets Dark
Our favorite red panda is back with a brand new season packed to the brim with ennui, workplace burnout, and the idol world fraught with demanding fans and haters. How will Retsuko survive this time?
― Our favorite red panda is back with a brand new season packed to the brim with ennui, workplace burnout, and the idol world fraught with demanding fans and haters. How will Retsuko survive this time? ...
This Week in Anime - Is SUPER HXEROES Sexiness a Bug or a Feature?
One (1) guy and his entourage of lady friends use their sexual powers to fight humanoid bugs called Kiseishuu that threaten to sap all the sexy time energy out of the populous!
― It's finally time for the Battle of Nicks as Nicholas "Nick" Dupree and Monique "Nicky" Thomas discuss this season's other unabashed sex comedy SUPER HXEROES: "H"EROES SAVE THE WORLD (caps necessary). The show follows one (...
This Week in Anime - Great Pretender is a Devious Joyride
Edamura, a small-time crook, quickly finds himself pulled into the high-stakes world of fleecing millionaires alongside the devious Laurent. Also, did we mention there are cats?
― Wit Studio's latest anime is a jet-setting affair starring con artists and the scummy jerks who had it coming. The original series stars Makoto "Edamame" Edamura, a small-time crook that quickly finds himself pulled into t...
This Week in Anime - Peter Grill and the Spunky Bunch
In the running for the raunchiest show of the season is Peter Grill and the Philosopher's Time. What's the latter half of the title mean? Who cares!
― In the running for the raunchiest show of the season is Peter Grill and the Philosopher's Time. What's the latter half of the title mean? Who cares! Peter's too busy staving off the salacious of affections of every Tina, Diana, and Harriet who want a ...
This Week in Anime - Is the New My Hero Academia OVA Killer or Filler?
I know we all miss the comfort that a school schedule can bring. Oh, not that one. I'm talking about UA and the Quirk-y heroes in training of My Hero Academia!
― I know we all miss the comfort that a school schedule can bring. Oh, not that one. I'm talking about UA and the Quirk-y heroes in training of My Hero Academia! Season 5 is coming someday, but until then there's a new OVA out that takes us b...
This Week in Anime - Who Keeps Giving Yamakan Money?
Honestly, we'll all probably end up blocked on Twitter (if Yamakan isn't booted off the service again).
― Crunchyroll recently added director Yutaka "Yamakan" Yamamoto's latest film, Hakubo (Twilight). The 45-minute film carries a lot of baggage, thanks mostly to the long history of its director's mean-spirited commentary towards colleagues, otaku, and even assault victims. Nick and Steve try the im...
This Week in Anime - The Strangely Dark World of Unico
Who's ready to see a pastel unicorn baby face off against the undying evil of aristocracy?
― The inimitable Osamu Tezuka teamed up with Sanrio to create a cute little unicorn to add to the company's mascot roster, but it wouldn't be a Tezuka joint without some questionably adult themes. Who's ready to see a pastel unicorn baby face off against the undying evil of aristocracy? Disclaimer: The views a...
This Week in Anime - Siege on Cybertron
Your beloved alien 'bot vehicle boys are back but this time the war is at home. Is this grittier entry in the kids' toy franchise a masterpiece in disguise?
― Netflix dropped the six-episode Transformers: War for Cybertron Trilogy: Siege!, the first part in a planned animated trilogy by Polygon Pictures. Your beloved alien 'bot vehicle boys are back but this time the war is at home. Is this grittier...
This Week in Anime - What Has Re:Zero's Subaru Learned?
Subaru was a divisive character but as we follow his journey through season two, Subaru continues to grow into, dare I say, a good person?
― Subaru was a divisive character in the original Re:Zero and understandably grated on some viewers' nerves. As we follow his journey through season two, Subaru continues to grow into, dare I say, a good person? Micchy and Nick look at the jam-packed first four e...
This Week in Anime - Is God of High School Living Up to the Hype?
It's the action-packed anime of the summer but is amazing battle choreography enough to carry an entire show? Micchy and Nick adjust their halos for God of High School!
― It's the action-packed anime of the summer but is amazing battle choreography enough to carry an entire show? Micchy and Nick adjust their halos for God of High School! Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by the participan...
This Week in Anime - Goddamn, It's Gundam Time!
The original 1979 anime series can be a bit cumbersome to new fans like Nicky, but fortunately Gundam.info's official YouTube channel is offering the condensed movie trilogy for free!
― Yoshiyuki Tomino changed anime as we know it with the debut of Mobile Suit Gundam, the genre-defining mecha show that birthed a franchise that continues to this day. The original 1979 anime series can be a bit cumber...
This Week in Anime - What the Hell is Happening in Deca-Dence?
Mob Psycho 100 director Yuzuru Tachikawa successfully pulled a fast one on even the most seasoned anime viewers with Deca-Dence's big reveal in episode two. Nick and Steve lay out what the heel-turn means for the show's themes and why it's the "must watch" of the season.
― Mob Psycho 100 director Yuzuru Tachikawa successfully pulled a fast one on even the most seasoned anime viewers with Deca-Dence'...
This Week in Anime - Ladies Hentai Gets Short-Shafted
New TWIA initiate Nicky joins the crew but her first assignment is delving into the obscure reaches of Coolmic, a mobile manga service focusing on translating all that lady-targeted smut that's adapted into an anime each season.
― New TWIA initiate Nicky joins the crew but her first assignment is delving into the obscure reaches of Coolmic, a mobile manga service focusing on translating all that lad...
This Week in Anime - How Does Pokémon Journeys Measure Up?
Ash's decades-long journey to be a Pokémon Master gets a little change-up with the addition of brand-new co-protagonist Goh. Is the new friend enough to refresh the franchise?
― Ash's decades-long journey to be a Pokemon Master gets a little change-up with the addition of brand-new co-protagonist Goh. After the non-stop hilarity of Sun & Moon, how does Pokémon Journeys: The Series measure up? Discl...
This Week in Anime - Black Jack and the Gang Punch the President
Nick and Steve turned to famed director Osamu Dezaki's version of the story which pits Black Jack against horrific foes...including the (not) United States.
― Manga creator Osamu Tezuka has many iconic characters to his credit: Astro Boy, Kimba the White Lion, Princess Sapphire, Hyakkimaru, the Phoenix, and Unico, to name a few. Of his many recurring characters, none are perhaps as dark as Black Jac...
This Week in Anime - The Castle of Ghibliostro
Micchy and Steve look back on Hayao Miyazaki's feature film debut, starring a reimagined Lupin. How did the Ghibli master interpret Monkey Punch's famous thief?
― In the lull of summer season premieres, Micchy and Steve look back on Hayao Miyazaki's feature film debut Lupin III: The Castle of Cagliostro. The classic 70s film features a different Lupin and an interesting connection to Disney's The Gr...
This Week in Anime - BNA Pulls the Trigger
Underneath the furry folks that inhabit Anima City is the all too familiar darkness of discrimination, social disparity, and a character Nick calls "the most despicable villain Trigger's ever delivered."
― Hot off their hit film Promare, studio Trigger is back with BNA: Brand New Animal, now streaming on Netflix. The anime is easily one of the studio's most thematically ambitious. Underneath the fur...
This Week in Anime - The Messy Drama of Fruits Basket
Shigure shows another side, Akito's terror continues, and more of Kyo's back story is revealed. Micchy and Steve look at how the fluffy romp turned into an emotional rollercoaster.
― The new anime adaptation of the landmark shojo manga Fruits Basket broke new ground this season, moving into plot threads that weren't previously animated. Shigure shows another side, Akito's terror continues to haunt t...
This Week in Anime - What is Going On in One Piece Stampede?
Nick attempts to guide the uninitiated Steve through the barrage of One Piece references, let's see how it turns out.
― Funimation blessed us with 60 days of One Piece Stampede, the 2019 anime film that brings Luffy and the Straw Hat crew to a festival by and for pirates. What they find is every one-off character the pirate world has to offer. Nick attempts to guide the uninitiated Steve through the...
This Week in Anime - The Incomparable Otaku no Video
Long before Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken! introduced the world to the creative forces of Mizusaki, Kawamori, and Asakusa, Gainax produced the one-of-a-kind mockumentary, Otaku no Video.
― Long before Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken! introduced the world to the creative forces of Mizusaki, Kawamori, and Asakusa, Gainax produced the one-of-a-kind mockumentary, Otaku no Video. One part animated story abou...
This Week in Anime - Cat Got Your Tongue?
Studio Colorido brought powerhouse scriptwriter Mari Okada to pen the new coming-of-age cat story A Whisker Away, now streaming on Netflix. How does it all shake out?
― Studio Colorido caught fan's attention with its impressive Puzzle & Dragons mobile game ads and continued to impress with full-length animated features like Penguin Highway. Now the studio has switched out adorable birds for the inte...
This Week in Anime - Is Tower of God Living Up to Expectations?
Crunchyroll's action-packed original Tower of God is hitting the right spot with viewers, but the TWIA crew has a much different take on the show and Bam and Rachel's relationship.
― Crunchyroll's action-packed original Tower of God is hitting the right spot with viewers according to the streaming company, but Nick and Micchy have a much different take on the show and Bam and Rachel's "relationship....
This Week in Anime - Glip Glop Gleipnir
It's a sexy kigurumi death match when Shūichi Kagaya finds himself transformed into a giant mascot character and entangled with fellow student Clair Aoki. Oh, and sometimes Clair climbs inside Shūichi and gets all up in his sinewy muscles. It's Gleipnir, ladies and gentlemen!
― It's a sexy kigurumi death match when Shūichi Kagaya finds himself transformed into a giant mascot character and entangled ...
This Week in Anime - What the Hell is Going On in Dorohedoro?
There's never been anything quite like Q Hayashida's Dorohedoro. Sorcerers, hell-adjacent mobsters, and... giant flesh-eating cockroach that plays baseball?
― There's never been anything quite like Q Hayashida's Dorohedoro. Sorcerers, hell-adjacent mobsters, a giant flesh-eating cockroach that plays baseball. MAPPA has brought the strange manga series to life at a rip-roaring pace but parsing out th...
This Week in Anime - Is Mamoru Hosoda's Mirai Any Good?
Got baby sister blues? So does Kun, but he'll need to go on a big journey to learn just how important family really is. Can a 4-year-old carry a whole film? Well...
― Growing up is tough work for a kid but 4-year-old Kun is in for a doozy as he goes traveling through time and space to learn the important lessons of family...some more harrowing than others. Does Mamoru Hosoda capture the magic of chi...
This Week in Anime - Kakushigoto is the Go-To Cushy Show of Spring
Steve and Nick strap-in for puns, parodies, and family drama as they examine Kōji Kumeta's Kakushigoto.
― Steve and Nick strap-in for puns, parodies, and family drama as they examine Koji Kumeta's Kakushigoto. The series' stunning visuals are the backdrop in a story about one father's quest to keep his daughter from finding out his line of work as an ecchi manga artist. The premise seems thin; can i...
This Week in Anime - Is City Hunter: Shinjuku Private Eyes Worth Watching?
Ryo Saeba is back with guns blazing to introduce all the new kids to his City Hunter charms, but is the latest installment in the decades old franchise bringing anything new to table? Nick and Micchy discuss what works well and what should have stayed buried in the tech bubble.
― Ryo Saeba is back with guns blazing to introduce all the new kids to his City Hunter charms, but is the latest installmen...
This Week in Anime - The Sweet Life of Villainess Catarina Claes
"You know how a lot of isekai is traditional masculine wish fulfillment wrapped up in fantasy dressings with at-best questionable politics sprinkled on top? Well, what if I told you it didn't have to be like that."
― Catarina Claes didn't realize she was dropped into the world of her favorite romance sim until a sudden bonk on the head causes her to recover all her past memories...including the secr...
This Week in Anime - Thanks for the Memories
Nick and Micchy plug in to RetroCrush to check out of the service's streaming gems: Katsuhiro Otomo's Memories, a trifecta of short films adapted from the Akira creator's story collection. Time to fly to the far reaches of space and back to cogs of the all-too-familiar warmachine.
― Nick and Micchy plug in to RetroCrush to check out of the service's streaming gems: Katsuhiro Otomo's Memories, a trif...
This Week in Anime - Why Kaguya-sama is a Pitch-Perfect Romcom
In its sophomore season, Kaguya-sama: Love is War Season 2 proves that it is still one of the best anime comedies in recent years. What makes Miyuki and Kaguya's battle of hearts so enthralling?
― In its sophomore season, Kaguya-sama: Love is War Season 2 proves that it is still one of the best anime comedies in recent years. What makes Miyuki and Kaguya's battle of hearts so enthralling? Nick and S...
This Week in Anime - Is Drifting Dragons Worth Watching?
Drifting Dragons has it all: high-flying adventure, mouth-watering food, a likable cast, and very thinly veiled allusions to the highly controversial practice of commercial whaling. Steve and Micchy take a ride on the Quin Zaza to find out if Polygon Pictures managed to stick the landing.
― Drifting Dragons has it all: high-flying adventure, mouth-watering food, a likable cast, and very thinly veile...
This Week in Anime - Is Re:Zero Better Without Subaru?
The further adventures of our death-defying hero Subaru are delayed until July but Crunchyroll is currently streaming The Frozen Bond, the OAV that benches Subaru in favor of focusing on Emilia's murky past.
― The further adventures of our death-defying hero Subaru Natsuki are delayed until July but Crunchyroll is currently streaming Re:ZERO - Starting Life in Another World - The Frozen Bond, the OA...
This Week in Anime - Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045 is Flipping Insane
The newest iteration is Netflix's Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045 and, despite some highly questionable art direction, turns out to be more promising than it appears. It's also totally bonkers.
― Sci-fi anime owes a lot to Masahiro Shirow's Ghost in the Shell. Since the original anime film's premiere in 1995, writers have revisited Major Kusanagi's world with varying levels of success from the iconic G...
This Week in Anime - Does Promare Still Bring the Heat?
Trigger's Promare took to American theaters like a fire storm, yet among all the fervor, This Week in Anime alum Nick never saw the film. He and Steve hash it out to discover what works and how this movie ignited a fandom.
― Trigger's Promare took to American theaters like a fire storm, expanding to more and more showings. Ecstatic fans of lovable firefighter Galo and his hot-and-cold rival Lio turn...
This Week in Anime - Why Hi Score Girl II is a Perfect Gamer Romance
Haruo and Ono continue their fighting game rivalry-turned-friendship-turned...something more? Gaming dorks they may be but their romance is a guaranteed KO.
― Netflix dropped the arcade nostalgia bomb that is Hi Score Girl II on its streaming service. Haruo and Ono continue their fighting game rivalry-turned-friendship-turned...something more? Gaming dorks they may be but their romance is a guarante...
This Week in Anime - Presenting Osamu Dazai and The Taints
Famous literary authors travel into their most famous works to correct wanton corruption at the hands of The Taint in this mobage adaptation.
― Famous literary authors travel into their most famous works to correct wanton corruption at the hands of The Taint. This mobage adaptation premiered last month before swiftly being caught in the mountain-size pile of anime hiatuses. Does this version of Osam...
This Week in Anime - Is the Digimon Reboot Worth Watching?
The characters are back for a reboot with a splashy new coat of paint and some particularly adult problems...and it's only episode 3!
― Digimon introduced a generation to anime, evolving monsters, and the evils lurking within technology. The characters are back for a reboot with a splashy new coat of paint and some particularly adult problems (pandemic not withstanding). If you missed the Digi-Desti...
This Week in Anime - Bedknobs and Bunny Girl Senpai
It's a time-travelling trip through a myriad of emotional highs and lows in Rascal Does Not Dream of a Dreaming Girl. Steve and Nick try to follow the rabbit trail only to discover...we've been here before?
― It's a time-travelling trip through a myriad of emotional highs and lows in Rascal Does Not Dream of a Dreaming Girl. Steve and Nick try to follow the rabbit trail only to discover...we've been...
This Week in Anime - Are Any of Those Netflix Anime Actually Good?
After two years in the game, Nick and Micchy look back at everything from the viscerally horrific A.I.C.O. -Incarnation- to the stupefying Sword Gai.
― Netflix Originals have been a staple of This Week in Anime since launch and we've had plenty of fun poking and some the service's less than stellar productions. After two years in the game, Nick and Micchy look back at everything from the viscerally ...
This Week in Anime - Why the Violet Evergarden Movie is a Real Tear-Jerker
Kyoto Animation's beautiful Violet Evergarden I: Eternity and the Auto Memory Doll film won over even our most stalwart of critics. Nick and Steve find out why the movie won't leave a dry eye in the house.
― Kyoto Animation's beautiful Violet Evergarden I: Eternity and the Auto Memory Doll film won over even our most stalwart of critics. Nick and Steve find out why the movie won't leave a dry eye in...
This Week in Anime - Project A-Ko is A-OK
The new streaming service RetroCrush launched last month with a host of beloved classic titles, including the original toast-eating-perpetually-late-school-girl A-ko!
― The new streaming service RetroCrush launched last month with a host of beloved classic titles, including the original toast-eating-perpetually-late-school-girl A-ko! Project A-Ko first debuted in 1986 and cemented itself as an anime...
This Week in Anime - Things Get Awkward in the Idol Romcom Oshibudo
Eripiyo is a one-woman fanclub for underground idol Maina from the group ChamJam. Can romance blossom between a fan and an idol...and should it?
― Eripiyo is a one-woman fanclub for underground idol Maina from the group ChamJam. Her obsession has made her a financial wreck as each and every yen goes toward supporting her shy favorite. Can romance blossom between a fan and an idol...and should it? Di...
This Week in Anime - What Makes the MMO Anime BOFURI Stand Out?
"That's BOFURI's secret formula. So many of these shows have gamer protagonists, but BOFURI possesses enough wisdom to realize that the strongest gamer of all is the anti-gamer."
― MMO, fantasy, and isekai anime series usually focus on high adventure, thwarting nefarious plots, and defeating big bads for the safety of the land's denizens. Then there's BOFURI's Maple, whose primary goal is doing what...
This Week in Anime - 3 Years Later, Haikyu!! Is Still Flying High
The kids from the concrete are back to prove that the match against Shiratorizawa wasn't just a fluke. Micchy and Nick check in on the good bois of Karasuno.
― The kids from the concrete are back to prove that the match against Shiratorizawa wasn't just a fluke. Hinata and Kageyama will have to hone their volleyball techniques further if they want to claim the Nationals trophy. Micchy and Nick check...
This Week in Anime - Does Magia Record Live Up to Its Predecessor?
Magia Record has some big heels to fill. As the anime successor to Madoka Magica, can the series step out of the magical girl behemoth's shadow?
― Magia Record: Puella Magi Madoka Magica Side Story has some big heels to fill. As the anime successor to the genre-defining Madoka Magica, can the series step out of the magical girl behemoth's shadow? Does its gacha game roots give it a handicap or does ...
This Week in Anime - Is Lu Over the Wall Worth Watching?
Director Masaaki Yuasa tries mermaids on for size in his film Lu over the wall. Yuasa hasn't missed a beat in his latest offerings but does Lu keep the flow going or are its waters too choppy?
― Director Masaaki Yuasa tries mermaids on for size in his film Lu Over the Wall. Yuasa hasn't missed a beat in his latest offerings but does Lu keep the flow going or are its waters too choppy? Disclaimer: Th...
This Week in Anime - Was BEASTARS Worth the Wait?
Based on Paru Itagaki's manga, the anime might look like a high school drama that happens to star anthro animals but throw in a murder plot, tense interspecies relationships, and a lot of complicated sexual feelings and you've got a one-of-a-kind series.
― It's been a long wait, but BEASTARS is finally available for streaming on Netflix. Based on Paru Itagaki's manga, the anime might look like a hig...
This Week in Anime - Why We Can't Keep Our Hands Off Eizouken
Masaaki Yuasa's latest series hones in on the artistic passion behind the anime we all love and the business of making it.
― Three passionate high school kids set out to make their anime dreams a reality. Model-turned-animator Tsubame loves to animate the fluidity of motion, Midori's imagination is always moving a mile a minute, and Kanamori loves nothing more than running a finely tuned business. T...
This Week in Anime - Can Smile Down the Runway Make It Work?
The shōnen formula takes on the fashion industry in Smile Down the Runway!
― Ikuto is a poor kid with a bad haircut and big dreams of debuting his designs on the high fashion runway. Chiyuki was born with all the promise in the world to be a top model but has to prove that drive and dedication mean more than centimeters. The shōnen formula takes on the fashion industry in Smile Down the Runway! You ...
This Week in Anime - What the Heck is Going on in 22/7?
Standing out from the dancing and singing crowd is harder than ever, so what is it about 22/7 that has everyone talking? And just what IS The Wall anyway?
― The world of idols is vast, ranging from underground groups trying to break into the limelight to giant productions with nearly half a hundred members. Standing out from the dancing and singing crowd is harder than ever, so what is it about 22/7...
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