Twenty years ago, I watched my very first episode of Pokemon and began my lifelong journey into the world of anime, manga, and JRPGs. I couldn’t tell you the exact date, but I can tell you the episode was “The Flame Pokemon-athon!” and that I was both confused and delighted by this weird show with electric mice and flaming horses. I can also tell you I swiftly fell in love with … [Read more...] about [History] Nonconforming in the ‘90s: How Pokemon’s gender variance caught the hearts of generation
[Review] Z/X Code reunion – Episode 1
What’s it about? As a child, Azumi survived the interdimensional war between humanity and the Z/Xes, only to almost succumb to a mysterious illness. Years later, she wakes up in a tank to find a Z/X being named Rigel standing before her. She agrees to become Rigel's partner to survive. Now they’re off to a special school for humans who have partnered with Z/X, but it seems like … [Read more...] about [Review] Z/X Code reunion – Episode 1
[Review] Special 7: Special Crime Investigation Unit – Episode 1
What’s it about? Nanatsuki Seiji has just achieved his dream of making detective, only to get embroiled in a bank robbery on his day off. While trying to aid the hostages, he encounters cynical commander Ichinose Shiori and his special unit, Section 7, a group of human and inhuman officers infamous for their reckless methods. After Seiji helps them save the day, he... suddenly … [Read more...] about [Review] Special 7: Special Crime Investigation Unit – Episode 1
[Review] Ascendance of a Bookworm – Episode 1
What’s it about? Having just landed a job as a librarian, all Urasu wants is to spend the rest of her life surrounded by books. But after a freak accident, her soul is whisked away to another world where books are rare and bookstores don’t even exist. What’s a desperate bookworm to do? Why, make her own books, of course! Content Considerations: Animal death (used for … [Read more...] about [Review] Ascendance of a Bookworm – Episode 1
[Review] Ahiru no Sora – Episode 1
What's it about? Upbeat, undersized Sora can't wait to join his high school basketball team—too bad they're a team in name only, given that the club has been taken over by the local delinquents. But Sora has never backed down from a challenge before, and he isn't about to let anyone take him away from the game he loves. … [Read more...] about [Review] Ahiru no Sora – Episode 1
[Feature] Nichijou and the Everyday Epics of High School Girls
In the first episode ofNichijou, high schooler Yuuko holds up the final octopus weenie in her lunchbox, smugly announcing that she saved the best part of her meal for last. She moves to eat it—only to have it slip from her chopsticks. With DRAMATIC slow motion and INTENSE music, we watch Yuuko and her friends’ FUTILE ATTEMPTS to save the sausage from the floor, followed by … [Read more...] about [Feature] Nichijou and the Everyday Epics of High School Girls
[Feature] A Girl Worth Fighting For: Kingdom Hearts III and the mystery of the missing heroines
MAJOR SPOILERS for the entire Kingdom Hearts franchise, including the end of Kingdom Hearts III. The first Kingdom Hearts game launched just over seventeen years ago, and I’ve been an avid fan and sometimes-apologist of the series ever since. Despite its (in)famously convoluted storyline, the character relationships and emotional blend of melancholy, hope, and … [Read more...] about [Feature] A Girl Worth Fighting For: Kingdom Hearts III and the mystery of the missing heroines
[Feature] Lady Leads & Sidekick Lads: Flipping the script in Team Rocket’s “Training Daze”
The Team Rocket trio have never been your typical villains. With a tenacity only matched by their incompetence, an enduring love for one another, a closet full of exquisite crossplay, and enough puns to sink the St. Anne, they’re about as charming as "bad guys" can get. So perhaps it’s no surprise that their special backstory episode defies as many conventions as they do, … [Read more...] about [Feature] Lady Leads & Sidekick Lads: Flipping the script in Team Rocket’s “Training Daze”
[Review] Sirius the Jaeger – Episode 1
What's it about? In 1930, a group of European monster hunters known as the Jaegers arrive in Tokyo to track a gang of vampires. Meanwhile, Japan's own police force has their hands full finding an escaped serial killer and dealing with a group of Robin Hood-esque thieves. Could the sudden flurry of crime be related? … [Read more...] about [Review] Sirius the Jaeger – Episode 1
[Feature] All Folks Bright and Beautiful: The casual gender diversity of Heaven’s Design Team
The Heaven’s Design Team manga follows God’s R&D Department as they take requests from on high (literally) to populate the earth with new animals. Similar to Cells at Work!, it’s an edutainment series that balances comical interactions between coworkers with mini-lessons about some of the world’s most unique, clever, or just plain terrifying critters. As the kid who … [Read more...] about [Feature] All Folks Bright and Beautiful: The casual gender diversity of Heaven’s Design Team
[Review] Karakuri Circus – Episode 1
What's it about? After his father's mysterious death, 11-year-old Masaru Saiga is fleeing from a nefarious group who seem to be after his family's company. He meets Narumi Kato, a man with impressive combat skills who will die if he doesn't regularly make people laugh. Then, just when all seems lost, a powerful puppeteer called Shirogane appears to serve as Masaru's bodyguard. … [Read more...] about [Review] Karakuri Circus – Episode 1
[Review] Radiant – Episode 1
What's it about? In a world where demons called "Nemesis" corrupt everything they touch, those who survive the encounter become magic-wielding sorcerers. Humanity fears and hates the sorcerers, but the young apprentice Seth is determined to change that. … [Read more...] about [Review] Radiant – Episode 1
[Review] Boarding School Juliet – Episode 1
What's it about? There's an ongoing feud at the prestigious Dahlia Academy between the "White Cat" West Dormitory, led by Juliet Persia, and the "Black Doggies" Touwa Dormitory, led by Romio Inuzuka. As powerful fighters, the two leaders have been rivals since childhood. But Romio has a secret: He's actually been in love with Juliet the entire time! CONTENT WARNING for … [Read more...] about [Review] Boarding School Juliet – Episode 1
[Review] Hinomaru Sumo – Episode 1
What's it about? Ushio Hinomaru's dream is to become a yokozuna, but he's too short to be allowed into professional sumo wrestling. He's not going to let that stop him, though. By becoming the greatest high school sumo wrestler, the pros will have no choice but to change the rules so he can join! CONTENT WARNING for discussion of sexual harassment. … [Read more...] about [Review] Hinomaru Sumo – Episode 1
[Feature] Emma’s Choice: The gender-norm nightmare at the heart of The Promised Neverland
CONTENT WARNING: Discussions of sexism and violence against children; disturbing imagery. SPOILERS for The Promised Neverland, Volumes 1-5 (Chapters 1-38). Since it began serialization in Viz’s Shonen JUMP, The Promised Neverland has garnered well-deserved praise for its twisting narrative, tense story beats, and compelling characters. But this series is more than a … [Read more...] about [Feature] Emma’s Choice: The gender-norm nightmare at the heart of The Promised Neverland
[Review] We Rent Tsukumogami – Episode 1
What's it about? In Edo-period Japan, siblings Okou and Seiji run the rental shop Izumoya, but they've also gained a reputation for solving problems and mysteries (many of the supernatural kind). This is thanks to their collection of tsukumogami—old, cherished objects that have become deities over time—who can see and hear what others might miss. … [Read more...] about [Review] We Rent Tsukumogami – Episode 1
[Review] Grand Blue Dreaming – Episode 1
What's it about? 20-year-old Iori moves to his uncle's seaside town for college, where he quickly gets roped into joining a bro-tastic diving club who primarily spend their time drinking and stripping. … [Read more...] about [Review] Grand Blue Dreaming – Episode 1
[Review] Holmes of Kyoto – Episode 1
What's it about? High schooler Aoi works part-time at an antiques shop in Kyoto, observing and learning from the young shopkeeper nicknamed "Holmes" who has a keen eye for people and artwork alike. … [Read more...] about [Review] Holmes of Kyoto – Episode 1
[Review] Late Night! The Genius Bakabon – Episode 1
What's it about? The classic manga The Genius Bakabon gets its first new anime adaptation since the 1970s. Is there still a place for its cast and their brand of comedy in the modern world? … [Read more...] about [Review] Late Night! The Genius Bakabon – Episode 1
[Review] Phantom in the Twilight – Episode 1
What's it about? Inspired by the letters her great-grandmother sent home, Ton and her best friend Shinyao decide to study abroad in London. When Ton chases after a strange thief who's stolen their luggage, she soon finds herself embroiled in a paranormal battle involving three young men who all work at a cafe founded by her own great-grandmother. What is this organization, and … [Read more...] about [Review] Phantom in the Twilight – Episode 1