Book Review: The Game Master’s Book of Random Encounters

Book Review: The Game Master’s Book of Random Encounters by Jeff Ashworth I’ve been a fan of the various iterations of Dungeons and Dragons since 1979, when I first encountered people who played the game. While my involvement has waxed and waned over the years, I still enjoy reading the game products. One of the… Continue reading Book Review: The Game Master’s Book of Random Encounters

Manga Review: Mao, Volumes 11-13

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

Anime Review: Undead Girl Murder Farce

From left to right,: Tsugaru, Aya and Shizuku.

Anime Review: Undead Girl Murder Farce (also advertised as “Undead Murder Farce”) Aya Rindo was turned into an immortal being during the Heian Era of Japan, keeping the appearance of a young woman but gaining knowledge and perceptiveness according to her chronological age. About a year before the story begins during the Meiji Period (Victorian… Continue reading Anime Review: Undead Girl Murder Farce

Manga Review: Magus of the Library 1

Manga Review: Magus of the Library 1 by Mitsu Izumi On a fantasy world with a vaguely “Middle Eastern” culture, the invention of the printing press was relatively recent, so public libraries themselves are a new and exciting thing. The village of Amun has only had a library for a few years, the merchant Ossei… Continue reading Manga Review: Magus of the Library 1

Comic Book Review: Peripety Volume 1

Comic Book Review: Peripety Volume 1 by Sam Medlock (aka Mushkikizou-chan) A young elf awakens with no memory. He has apparently been attacked, but it’s not clear by who or what. An elf girl named Sepa found him in the woods, and brought him to the cottage of herself and her healer brother Irelusuke (Relli… Continue reading Comic Book Review: Peripety Volume 1

Movie Review: Seven Samurai

Six of the seven.

Movie Review: Seven Samurai (1954) directed by Akira Kurosawa It is in the Warring Stages period of Japanese history, but between major battles, so many samurai and soldiers are at loose ends, and bandits roam the countryside. An isolated farm village learns that the local bandit gang that already took their rice harvest is coming back… Continue reading Movie Review: Seven Samurai

Manga Review: Orochi: The Perfect Edition 2

Manga Review: Orochi: The Perfect Edition 2 by Kazuo Umezz Quick recap: Orochi is a seemingly immortal being in the shape of a young woman who can pass anywhere from high school to college age. While her name evokes the eight-headed serpent of Japanese folklore, Orochi does not appear to be of ill intent. She’s… Continue reading Manga Review: Orochi: The Perfect Edition 2

Book Review: Scarecrow

Book Review: Scarecrow edited by Rhonda Parrish This anthology is part of the “Magical Menageries” series, each volume focusing on a different type of critter. A previous volume, Corvidae, dealt with crows of various types. Thus it’s not surprising that there’s a collection featuring their archenemies. While the aesthetic of humanoid beings of straw lends… Continue reading Book Review: Scarecrow

Comic Book Review: Yokaiden 1

Comic Book Review: Yokaiden 1 by Nina Matsumoto Shamoji Village is way out in the boonies of Japan. It’s said that there is a portal to the yokai realm in the nearby forest, and certainly the area has more than the usual number of those mysterious creatures. Most of the villagers are afraid of the… Continue reading Comic Book Review: Yokaiden 1

TV Review: Seven Swordsmen

Master Shadowglow sets some high expectations.

TV Review: Seven Swordsmen aka “Seven Swords Descend from Mount Heaven” In 17th Century China, the Qing Dynasty now rules where once the Ming Dynasty did. Many Han resent their new Manchu overlords and pockets of rebellion are everywhere. To help quell the resistance, the Qing have banned the practice of martial arts by ordinary… Continue reading TV Review: Seven Swordsmen