Welcome to the Ballroom (TV)

Answerman - Who Are The Ainu People?

Apr 20, 13:00

manga

After a high-profile spotlight in the new spring anime Golden Kamuy, some readers are curious to know more about Japan's Ainu population. Justin is happy to oblige! ― Eric asked: I'd watched the first episode of Golden Kamuy, and that anime and even its original manga had mentioned about the people of Ainu in Japan in which I know they're somewhat similar to the Native American Indians in the Americ...

feature

20 Years Ago: The Best Anime of 1998

Apr 20, 12:00

anime

With one enormous smash hit after another, it's hard to overstate just how big a year 1998 was for anime - thankfully, Daryl Surat is here to run down the biggest and brightest hits of that spectacular year. ― We've reached the point now where multiple generations of anime fans have relied on the Internet as their primary means of organization and interaction, to the point where they accept it as giv...

review

4 comments

Hunter × Hunter: Phantom Rouge BD/DVD

Apr 20, 10:00

4 comments

anime

This movie offers a pleasant but nonessential side quest for anyone who misses spending time with the Hunter x Hunter gang. Nick Creamer has the details. ― With the Hunter x Hunter manga on consistent hiatus and the future of its anime adaptation even less certain, an anime-original tie-in film like Phantom Rouge can feel almost like a kind of narrative life support. I love Gon and Killua and their f...

column

8 comments

This Week in Anime - Uma Musume Means Horse Girls

Apr 19, 13:25

8 comments

anime

This series galloped into the new season with a truly bizarre premise that hasn't yet drawn much attention. We make hay about this uniquely equine sports/idol show while it's still sitting pretty in the spotlight. ― Uma Musume Pretty Derby galloped into the new season with a truly bizarre premise that hasn't yet drawn much attention. This week, Nick and Micchy make hay about this uniquely equine spor...

feature

Interview: One Piece Animation Director Shigefumi Shingaki

Apr 19, 13:00

anime

A few fun questions for Shigefumi Shingaki, long-tenured animation director for Luffy and the straw hats and the man behind that incredible Strong World OVA! ― Toei Animation director Shigefumi Shingaki's resume of animation work might appear a bit short at first glance. He cut his teeth on Doraemon and picked up key animation work on series ranging from Dragon Ball GT to Air Master. Don't let the sh...

column

13 comments

This Week in Games: Kirby Star Allies

Apr 19, 12:00

13 comments

games

Amidst an absolutely punishing amount of Sega news, Heidi finds time to finally catch up with Kirby's latest adventure. The verdict, plus all of this week's explosive game news! ― Here I was thinking this was going to be another pretty lazy week for gaming news. Then everything happened. Where do we even start? Well, let's look at a company near and dear to my heart: SEGA ANNOUNCES SO, SO MUCH This w...

review

12 comments

Keijo!!!!!!!! Limited Edition BD/DVD

Apr 19, 10:00

12 comments

anime

This absurd action comedy about the most fanservice-fueled sport in the world is finally available in a limited edition stuffed with goodies. James Beckett dives into the curvaceous world of Keijo!!!!!!!! ― To determine whether or not to invest time and money in Keijo!!!!!!, you need only to ask yourself if you like: Exceedingly silly and completely over-the-top sports showdowns Animated boobs Animat...

column

28 comments

Answerman - Why Do Some Series Have Long Gaps Between Seasons?

Apr 18, 12:00

28 comments

anime

One Piece shows up every week without fail, but there are gaps between seasons in My Hero Academia. What gives? Justin explains it all. ― Emily asked: I've been wondering why some anime have gaps of a year or more between seasons and others have gaps of a few months or just continue for long periods of time. I've also noticed that the number of long running series (especially those with lots of fill...

interview

Interview: Polygon Pictures President Shuzo John Shiota

Apr 18, 11:00

anime

The president of Japan's most famous 3DCG animation house goes in-depth on the future of his art form, what Netflix means for the industry, and much much more. ― When it comes to 3D anime in Japan, there are few names more notable than Polygon Pictures. After producing award-winning action TV series for American TV, like Star Wars: The Clone Wars and Transformers Prime, they started producing anime f...

review

6 comments

My-Otome Complete Series BD/DVD

Apr 18, 10:00

6 comments

anime

This sequel to My-HiME isn't as beloved as its predecessor, but it still has plenty of its own charm to offer. Theron Martin has the details. ― My-Otome is the 2005 follow-up to 2004's My-HiME. For most of its run, it appears to be an alternate-world version of My-HiME, where the original cast is transplanted into a new setting but with different lesser roles, but details later in the series' run sug...

feature

Anime Spotlight - FULL METAL PANIC! Invisible Victory

Apr 17, 23:10

anime

Jindai High School gained back its peace after the defeat of the powerful Amalgam enemies, Gauron and Gates. However, this peace didn't last for long... ― FULL METAL PANIC! Invisible Victory Official Website: http://fullmeta-iv.com/ Story Characters Cast & Staff Gallery Premieres on April 13th, 2018 Key Staff Director: Katsuichi Nakayama (The Good Witch of the West (TV)) Series Composition: Shoji Ga...

column

11 comments

This Week in Anime - Rocking and Socking with MEGALOBOX

Apr 17, 12:00

11 comments

anime

Since it's an anime-original production, nobody knew what to expect when Megalobox punched its way into the new season. This week, we pick our jaws off the floor to discuss this boxing series' strengths and future potential. ― Since it's an anime-original production, nobody knew what to expect when Megalobox punched its way into the new season. This week, Nick and Steve pick their jaws off the floor ...

feature

364 comments

The Spring 2018 Anime Preview Guide

Apr 17, 11:57

364 comments

anime

The Spring 2018 Anime Season has begun - check back daily for fresh reviews of all of this season's premieres!
Available Now: Spring 2018 Shorts featuring Aggretsuko - Wotakoi - Full Metal Panic! Invisible Victory - High School DxD Hero - Doreiku the Animation - Steins;Gate 0 - Butlers x Battlers - Last Period - Yotsuiro Biyori - Golden Kamuy - and much more! ― Welcome to Anime News Network's Sprin...

column

Vice & Luna - Mind the Gatemaster

Apr 17, 10:35

just for fun

You can't watch a frame of Fate/Zero until you've played every last route of the original visual novel - so says the gatemaster! ―

review

Bungo Stray Dogs: Dead Apple

Apr 17, 10:00

anime

The Gifted's supernatural abilities separate from their bodies for a Yokohama battle royale in Bungo Stray Dogs' theatrical debut! Lynzee Loveridge breaks down the highs and lows of this big-screen experience. ― Homeowners insurance in Yokohama must be exorbitant, because it seems like the place is always on the brink of caving in on itself. In the series' last installment, it was killer mind-control...

giveaway

Digimon Adventure tri.: Loss Blu-ray/DVD Giveaway!

Apr 17, 00:00

anime

The fourth Digimon Adventure tri. film can be yours. Shout! Factory is giving away 3 Blu-ray/DVD copies of Digimon tri.: Loss each to three lucky winners! ― The fourth Digimon Adventure tri. film can be yours. Shout! Factory is giving away 3 Blu-ray/DVD copies of Digimon Adventure tri.: Loss to three lucky winners! Synopsis Loss picks up where Confession left off! The DigiDestined must try to reconn...

giveaway

The Cat Returns Ticket Giveaway!

Apr 15, 00:00