Manga Review: Mao, Volumes 11-13 by Rumiko Takashashi Quick recap: Nanoka Kiba is by this point not at all an ordinary Japanese schoolgirl. Years ago she was transported to the Taisho Era (the 1920s) and “cursed” by the cat spirit Byoki. When she reached puberty, Nanoka became able to pass between the 21st Century and… Continue reading Manga Review: Mao, Volumes 11-13
Tag: blacksmiths
Book Review: Secret Murder: Who Shall Judge?
Book Review: Secret Murder: Who Shall Judge? by Ellen Kuhfeld Ragnar Forkbeard, iron-monger, and Olaf Far-Traveler, trader in exotic goods, have come from Surtsheim in the north to Northlanding, the falls that block boats from coming any further up the Great River. It is time for the great spring fair and the merchants have come… Continue reading Book Review: Secret Murder: Who Shall Judge?
Movie Review: Hang ‘Em High
Movie Review: Hang ‘Em High (1968) directed by Ted Post Jed Cooper (Clint Eastwood) used to be a lawman in Saint Louis, Missouri, but got tired of that job. So in 1889 he moved to the Oklahoma and Indian Territory. He used money he’d saved up to purchase cattle from a Mr. Johansen. Unfortunately, that man… Continue reading Movie Review: Hang ‘Em High
Movie Review: The Man with the Iron Fists
Movie Review: The Man with the Iron Fists (2012) directed by RZA Jungle Village is a lawless town, inhabited by various clans (most named after animals) that engage in frequent turf wars. The Blacksmith (RZA) is one of the few important neutral parties. He uses his skills to make superior weaponry for anyone who can pay… Continue reading Movie Review: The Man with the Iron Fists
Movie Review: The Return of the Five Deadly Venoms
Movie Review: The Return of the Five Deadly Venoms (1978) directed by Cheh Chang, aka Crippled Avengers Tao (Kuan Tai-Chen) once used his Tiger-style kung fu for good, clearing out bandits and such, and became prosperous as a result. Unfortunately a gang (coincidentally also called “Tigers”) decided to strike back at Tao, and when they found he… Continue reading Movie Review: The Return of the Five Deadly Venoms
Book Review: Blade of Mad Vision
Book Review: Blade of Mad Vision by Danith McPherson Austin Swiftbrooke’s sister Skylar disappeared two years ago on the planet Callister. Practicing his fencing alone in the natural “arena” near the human colony without her seems hollow, but is a connection to her, and a way of showing he hasn’t given up hope Skylar’s alive.… Continue reading Book Review: Blade of Mad Vision
Manga Review: Rin-Ne Volumes 38-40
Manga Review: Rin-Ne Volumes 38-40 by Rumiko Takahashi Quick recap: Rinne Rokudo is a shinigami, a psychopomp who helps the spirits of the dead move on to the afterlife. But he is partially human, so his powers are relatively weak and he often has to resort to special devices that cost money. Between that and… Continue reading Manga Review: Rin-Ne Volumes 38-40
Anime Review: Demon Slayer
Anime Review: Demon Slayer For hundreds of years, oni (“demons” or “ogres”) have infested Japan. These monsters roam at night, finding human victims to kill and eat, usually in that order. Opposing them are the order of Demon Slayers, armed with special swords that are one of the two known ways to kill a demon.… Continue reading Anime Review: Demon Slayer
Book Review: The Sorcerer’s Apprentice
Book Review: The Sorcerer’s Apprentice edited by Jack Zipes Most likely, when you saw this title, you immediately thought of the Fantasia sequence with Mickey Mouse, or perhaps the more recent Disney film with Nicolas Cage. But the multiplying of brooms is only one aspect of the tales gathered under the general title of “The… Continue reading Book Review: The Sorcerer’s Apprentice
Book Review: Popular Book of Western Stories
Book Review: Popular Book of Western Stories edited by Leo Margulies The title of this 1948 paperback may seem a trifle misleading (“if it’s so popular, why have I never heard of it?”) but makes more sense when you learn that it came out from the publishing company Popular Library. Leo Margulies, a long-time pulp… Continue reading Book Review: Popular Book of Western Stories