Anime Review: Joran: The Princess of Snow and Blood

Sawa takes a moment to smell the flowers.

Anime Review: Joran: The Princess of Snow and Blood Sawa Yukimura runs a small used bookstore in Tokyo in 1931 and takes care of her adopted little sister Asahi. The bookstore is often closed, though, as Sawa is also a member of the secret government assassination squad codenamed “Nue.” She’s also the last known survivor… Continue reading Anime Review: Joran: The Princess of Snow and Blood

Manga Review: Iron Wok Jan! 2

Manga Review: Iron Wok Jan! 2 by Shinji Saijyo, with supervisor Keiko Oyama Jan Akiyama’s grandfather Kaiichiro was one of the two greatest chefs of Chinese cuisine in Japan. He took Jan into the mountains for years to train him in the culinary arts. But Kaiichiro Akiyama died, and his final instructions were for Jan… Continue reading Manga Review: Iron Wok Jan! 2

Manga Review: Case Closed, Volumes 74, 75 & 76

Manga Review: Case Closed, Volumes 74, 75 & 76 by Gosho Aoyama Time for three more volumes of our favorite manga about a teen genius detective stuck in the body of a little boy! Volume 74 begins with the conclusion of the hostage situation in Kogoro Mouri (Richard Moore in the American version)’s office. After… Continue reading Manga Review: Case Closed, Volumes 74, 75 & 76

Manga Review: Rin-ne Volume 33

Manga Review: Rin-ne Volume 33 by Rumiko Takahashi Quick recap: High-schooler Rinne Rokudo is a shinigami (death spirit) partially of mortal human descent. As such, his powers are less than those of full-blooded shinigami, and he must use special booster items to perform his job as a psychopomp. Rinne’s assisted in bringing wandering spirits to… Continue reading Manga Review: Rin-ne Volume 33

Manga Review: Devilman G Vol. 1

Manga Review: Devilman G Vol. 1 story by Go Nagai, art by Rui Takato Dateline: Tokyo, in the present day. Or rather, the present night. Three strangers who met on the internet get together for a night of drinking. Susumu, Sacchan and Deathmask. Deathmask heads out alone, and Susumu manages to convince the heavily drunk… Continue reading Manga Review: Devilman G Vol. 1

Anime Review: Baki (2018)

From left to right: Retsu Kaioh, Kaoru Hanayama, Mitsunari Tokugawa, Baki Hanma, Doppo Orochi and Gouki Shibukawa. Or as Kaoru likes to call them, "Idiots from Planet Strong."

Anime Review: Baki (2018) Baki Hanma is not your average high school student. He may look normal if a teensy bulky and with a dull expression on his face with his school uniform on, but once he doffs his outer clothing, it’s clear that he’s possessed of superior musculature and covered in scars. For in… Continue reading Anime Review: Baki (2018)

Manga Review: Princess Jellyfish 03

Manga Review: Princess Jellyfish 03 by Akiko Higashimura Quick recap: The all-women apartment building Amamizu-kan, home to jellyfish-obsessed artist Tsukimi and her nerdy friends, is threatened by gentrification. They have a champion in the person of Kuranosuke, a prominent politician’s black sheep son who likes to dress in women’s clothing (and looks really good doing… Continue reading Manga Review: Princess Jellyfish 03

Manga Review: Bakuman. Volume 11

Manga Review: Bakuman. Volume 11 story by Tsugumi Ohba, art by Takeshi Obata Moritaka Mashiro’s uncle was a one-hit manga creator whose work appeared in Weekly Shounen Jump back in the day.  After the end of that series, he worked himself to death trying to come up with a new hit.   Warned by this example,… Continue reading Manga Review: Bakuman. Volume 11

Manga Review: Tokyo Mew Mew, Volume One

Manga Review: Tokyo Mew Mew, Volume One by Mia Ikumi & Reiko Yoshida At the turn of the millennium, Ichigo Momomiya is a junior high school student with a crush on her handsome, smart and athletic classmate Masaya.  He seems to be a bit oblivious to her feelings though, being consumed with a passion for… Continue reading Manga Review: Tokyo Mew Mew, Volume One

Manga Review: Swan Vol. 1

Manga Review: Swan Vol. 1 by Kyoko Ariyoshi Masumi Hijiri is the daughter of a widowed sculptor, who has enjoyed her ballet lessons since she was a little girl.  She loves to dance, and watch others perform in ballet.   But stuck in a small city in rural Hokkaido, there just isn’t the chance for truly… Continue reading Manga Review: Swan Vol. 1