TV Review: Human Vapor (Japanese title “Gasu Ningen”) When Professor Sano is killed by a mysterious mist on live television, it’s a big case. So much so that police detective Kenji Okamoto (Shun Oguri) is pulled off suspension to lead the investigation. He has mixed feelings about running into Kyoko Kano (Yu Aoi), a television… Continue reading TV Review: Human Vapor
Tag: Japan
Manga Review: Homunculus Volume 1-2
Manga Review: Homunculus Volume 1-2 by Hideo Yamamoto “Car Man” is called that because he’s living in his car. For the last few weeks, he’s placed his automobile at the edge of a city park, marking the border between a homeless camp and the fancy hotel he used to visit frequently. He hasn’t quite fit… Continue reading Manga Review: Homunculus Volume 1-2
Manga Review: Billy Bat 1
Manga Review: Billy Bat 1 by Naoki Urasawa with Takashi Nagasaki Billy Bat is a private detective in a world of anthropomorphic animals. He’s a hard-boiled type in the noir tradition with a cynical personality who refuses to use his wings unless he absolutely has to. (Or perhaps he can’t fly at all.) His current… Continue reading Manga Review: Billy Bat 1
Manga Review: If Witch, Then Which? Vol. 2
Manga Review: If Witch, Then Which? Vol. 2 by Ato Sakruai (Japanese title Majo Raba Majo Reba) Previously: When Haruka was a child, he was severely injured and was only saved by a blood transfusion from his friend Maruna. Ever since, he’s felt that he’s owed her his life and wanted to repay her. This… Continue reading Manga Review: If Witch, Then Which? Vol. 2
Movie Review: The Bloody Fists
The Bloody Fists (1972) dir. Ng See-Yuen It is the 1930s in China. A certain fugitive named Jang Wu-dip (Sing Chen) attacks a dignitary’s automobile, but it turns out to be a police trap. (Jackie Chan is one of the cop extras!) The fugitive barely escapes. Cut to a rural village best known for growing Dragon… Continue reading Movie Review: The Bloody Fists
Manga Review: Japan Inc.
Manga Review: Japan Inc. by Shotaro Ishinomori It is the 1980s, and Mitsumoto Trading Company is attempting to navigate the “bubble economy” that Japan is experiencing. We follow the activities of a small group of their office workers, and in particular the contrasting efforts of the amoral Tsugawa and compassionate Kudo. Which approach is better,… Continue reading Manga Review: Japan Inc.
Anime Review: Tanzaburou Toujima Wants to Be a Kamen Rider
Anime Review: Tanzaburou Toujima Wants to Be a Kamen Rider First, let’s talk about Kamen Rider. It’s a children’s superhero television show that started airing in 1971 in Japan. In it, the evil organization Shocker, founded by surviving Nazis and their collaborators, wants to take over the world. To do so, they used cybernetic and… Continue reading Anime Review: Tanzaburou Toujima Wants to Be a Kamen Rider
Manga Review: Case Closed, Vols. 95 & 96
Manga Review: Case Closed, Vols. 95 & 96 by Gosho Aoyama Note: SPOILERS for past volumes, start with an earlier review if you’re new to the series! Quick recap: Conan Edogawa appears to be a child, but is actually the famous teen genius detective Shinichi Kudou (Jimmy Kudo in the dub), who’s been reverted to… Continue reading Manga Review: Case Closed, Vols. 95 & 96
Manga Review: Skip-Beat! Volumes 10-11-12
Manga Review: Skip-Beat! Volumes 10-11-12 by Yoshiki Nakamura Note: SPOILERS for earlier volumes! If you are just now finding out about this series, you may want to read earlier reviews first. Quick Recap: Kyoko Mogami dropped out of school to move to Tokyo with the boy she loved, Sho Fuwa, so she could support him… Continue reading Manga Review: Skip-Beat! Volumes 10-11-12
Book Review: The Luminous Fairies and Mothra
Book Review: The Luminous Fairies and Mothra written by Shin’ichro Nakamura, Takehiko Fukunaga & Yoshie Hotta, translated by Jeffrey Angles. The remote Infant Island, somewhere in the Pacific Ocean, was believed to be uninhabited. Thus the nuclear superpower Rosilica has been using it to conduct their atomic bomb tests. Now, word has come in that… Continue reading Book Review: The Luminous Fairies and Mothra