What’s it about? Sakuta is a withdrawn social outcast whose life changes when he sees his senpai, former child star Sakurajima Mai, walking through the library in a bunny costume—and no one can see her but him. Mai and Sakuta are both victims of “adolescence syndrome,” an urban legend that causes social perceptions of a person to manifest as physical effects. CONTENT WARNING … [Read more...] about [Review] Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai – Episode 1
[Review] Between the Sky and Sea – Episode 1
What’s it about? After all fish mysteriously vanished from Earth’s seas, Japan created “space fish tanks” in order to preserve sea creatures and the ability to fish for them. Seventeen-year-old Haru is determined to become a space fisher, but winds up in over her head on her first day, and up against naysayers who don’t think girls have any place in space fishing. CONTENT … [Read more...] about [Review] Between the Sky and Sea – Episode 1
[Review] The Girl in Twilight – Episode 1
What’s it about? Asuka and her friends have been coming to the same spot and performing an internet ritual they hope will take them to another world. They’re shocked when it actually works, sending them to a strange digital desert with monsters and a strange swordfighter who looks just like Asuka. The Girl in Twilight has the feel of a throwback in more ways than one. The … [Read more...] about [Review] The Girl in Twilight – Episode 1
[Review] Forest of Piano – Episode 1
What’s it About? Grade-schooler Kai is an outcast at school, looked down on because of his poverty and his single mother’s job as a sex worker. His only solace is an abandoned piano in the forest, which only makes sound for him. When he makes friends with transfer student Shuhei, who’s been training as a pianist since age four, his world slowly begins to open up. If the … [Read more...] about [Review] Forest of Piano – Episode 1
[Interview] Japanese LGBTQ+ fans talk about the legacy of Banana Fish
CONTENT WARNING for discussions of pedophilia, victim-blaming, and sexual assault. SPOILERS for the Banana Fish manga. Banana Fish has been quite the subject of discussion now that the new anime is out, with many Western viewers discovering the series for the first time. That discovery has also sparked a maelstrom of discussion around the chaste love story between Ash and … [Read more...] about [Interview] Japanese LGBTQ+ fans talk about the legacy of Banana Fish
[Review] Frankenstein Family – Episodes 1-2
What’s it about? Tanisu and his siblings are the children of mad scientists; while super-genius Tanisu was able to grow up comparatively “normally,” his siblings were the subject of body modifications and other experiments. Now that their parents have been arrested, the kids have been left to navigate the world on their own. Anime streaming schedules are getting stranger and … [Read more...] about [Review] Frankenstein Family – Episodes 1-2
[Review] Muhyo & Roji’s Bureau of Supernatural Investigation – Episode 1
What’s it about? Pint-sized Muhyo is an executor of magical law, tasked with punishing the crimes of spirits. He and his teenage assistant Roji run a detective agency where those with supernatural woes can seek help. The final also-ran of the summer season, Crunchyroll quietly released this middle-grade horror series a few days ago after the furor of premiere season had … [Read more...] about [Review] Muhyo & Roji’s Bureau of Supernatural Investigation – Episode 1
[Review] Happy Sugar Life – Episode 1
What’s it about? Satou has never loved anyone before, until the day she meets sweet grade schooler Shio-chan and takes her home. Now Shio has become Satou’s one source of happiness, keeping her dark thoughts and violent impulses at bay. But apartments don’t pay for themselves, and the longer Satou is away, the more her veneer begins to crack. CONTENT WARNING:Discussion of … [Read more...] about [Review] Happy Sugar Life – Episode 1
[Review] Lord of Vermilion: The Crimson King – Episode 1
What’s it about? An event called the Great Collapse rendered everyone in Tokyo unconscious; when many awoke a week later, a great plant had grown around the perimeter of the city and a red mist now keeps anyone from entering or leaving. College student Chihiro is the last to wake, five months later, after being plagued with strange dreams and seemingly gifted with strange … [Read more...] about [Review] Lord of Vermilion: The Crimson King – Episode 1
[Review] Angolmois: Record of Mongol Invasion – Episode 1
What’s it about? The time is the 13th century. Jinzaburou Kuchii, formerly a general to the shogunate, is being exiled alongside a ship of other prisoners to Tsushima, the southernmost island of Japan. On arrival, the exiles learn that they’re expected to fight off the oncoming invasion by the Mongol Empire. … [Read more...] about [Review] Angolmois: Record of Mongol Invasion – Episode 1
[Review] Dropkick on My Devil!! – Episode 1
What’s it about? When a summoner contracts with a demon, the demon becomes a servant until the summoner’s death. So begins Jashin-chan’s quest to murder Yurine and get back to Hell. Unfortunately, she’s not having much luck. … [Read more...] about [Review] Dropkick on My Devil!! – Episode 1
[Review] The Master of Ragnarok & Blesser of Einherjar – Episode 1
What’s it about? Yuuto was transported through time to Yggdrasil, a society on Earth from the Bronze Age. Using his still-functional smartphone, he researched tactics and technology and rose to become the patriarch of the Wolf Clan. His goal is to unite all of the land’s groups under one banner, so that he can find a way home. … [Read more...] about [Review] The Master of Ragnarok & Blesser of Einherjar – Episode 1
[Review] Music Girls – Episode 1
What’s it about? Hanako is the daughter of a musical prodigy, just returning to Japan after touring around Europe. She’s never seen an idol before, but she’s immediately captivated by the C-list group “Music Girls” performing in the airport. Hanako seems to be just what the group needs to catapult to stardom, picking up choreography instantly and noting each performer’s … [Read more...] about [Review] Music Girls – Episode 1
[Review] Angels of Death – Episode 1
What’s it about? A young girl named Rachel wakes up in a strange room with no idea how she got there. Trying to find a way home, she finds cryptic messages on the wall, strange voices on the elevator calling her a “sacrifice,” and frightening men trying to kill her. This is it, folks, the comedy of the season. It somehow escaped from 2005 and is here to charm us with its … [Read more...] about [Review] Angels of Death – Episode 1
[Review] Chio’s School Road – Episode 1
What’s it about? Chio is a first year high schooler who just wants to go through life unnoticed. Unfortunately, her daily life to school is plagued with trials both absurd and mundane. The good and bad thing about short-form comedy like this is that on the one hand, what you see is a pretty good indicator all the way through; on the other hand, if you’re not hooked by the … [Read more...] about [Review] Chio’s School Road – Episode 1
[Review] How NOT to Summon a Demon Lord – Episode 1
What’s it about? Takuma Sakamoto is a shut-in who’s poured all his time into creating an unbeatable character in the MMORPG Cross Reverie. When two adventurers, Shera and Rem, enact a ritual to summon and enslave a powerful helper, Takuma is sucked into the game in the body—and with the powers—of his character Demon Lord Diablo; however, because his character is able to reflect … [Read more...] about [Review] How NOT to Summon a Demon Lord – Episode 1
[Review] Mr. TONEGAWA Middle Management Blues – Episode 1
What’s it about? Tonegawa Yukio is the legendary number two of the Teiai Group, a money management firm with obviously shady ties. This is the tale of his daily struggles—to meet his boss’s demand for a thrilling death game, and to remember the names of his identically dressed subordinates. … [Read more...] about [Review] Mr. TONEGAWA Middle Management Blues – Episode 1
[Review] ISLAND – Episode 1
What’s it about? Setsuna washes up on Urashima Island with no idea who he is and only a few memories: that he’s a time traveler from the future, that he needs to save a girl, and that “Setsuna” must die. He meets another girl, Rinne, who also appeared on the island five years before, and seems to share his fate. CONTENT WARNING: NSFW screenshots … [Read more...] about [Review] ISLAND – Episode 1
[Review] FLCL Progressive – Episode 1
What’s it about? Hidomi, a junior high student who wears headphones to keep out the world, has been having dreams about her body falling apart and turning into a robot. Her average life implodes when robots start attacking, a strange woman hits her with a car, and a horn starts growing out of her head. … [Read more...] about [Review] FLCL Progressive – Episode 1
[Perspectives] The People’s Hero (Some People Not Included): The exclusion of queer viewers in LUPIN THE 3rd PART 5
![News report on a smart phone. caption: as Lupin's lover, wherever [Jigen] goes, Lupin will be close by."](https://i2.wp.com/www.animefeminist.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/lupin-2-1.jpg?fit=750%2C418&ssl=1)
Perspectives articles focus on the feminist-relevant impact particular stories or characters have had on the writer. These are personal essays meant to highlight a variety of marginalized voices and experiences, and as such may contain views that challenge or contradict the experiences of other readers. As always, we encourage you to share your own stories in the … [Read more...] about [Perspectives] The People’s Hero (Some People Not Included): The exclusion of queer viewers in LUPIN THE 3rd PART 5