This unconventional romance combines beautiful art with nuanced storytelling to deliver a truly unique coming-of-age story. Rebecca Silverman has the details. ― There's something deliberately uncomfortable about After the Rain's apparent central premise – that a seventeen-year-old girl is not only crushing on a forty-five-year-old man, but that she's persistent about acting on it, and he's not quite ...

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12 comments

This Week in Anime - Is Hero Mask Worth Watching?

Dec 11, 16:24

12 comments

anime

It's the newest sci fi crime thriller anime on Netflix, but in an overcrowded genre, does this series bring anything special to the table? Nick and Steve find out the hard way. ― Hero Mask is the newest sci fi crime thriller anime on Netflix, but in an overcrowded genre, does it bring anything special to the table? This week, Nick and Steve find out the hard way. Disclaimer: The views and opinions e...

game review

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REVIEW: Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

Dec 11, 10:00

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games

At long last, the definitive version of Nintendo's beloved fighting game series is out on the Nintendo Switch. Branden Johnson finds out if this edition really lives up to all the hype. ― The level of excitement in the Smash Bros. fan community has probably never been higher. For all intents and purposes, this is the game. The one that has everything we could possibly want (okay, except for Waluigi)....

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11 comments

Answerman - Why Do I Hear Echoes of Japanese Voices in Dubs of Old Anime?

Dec 10, 13:08

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anime

Every now and then when you're watching an old dub, sometimes you'll hear faint echoes of the Japanese track behind it. What's responsible for this phenomenon? Justin digs in. ― Sami asked: Why does the Japanese dialogue track sometimes leak to music & SFX track used for dubs? I've noticed this issue in many dubs of older anime. Also many of the ME Tracks have this weird "ghosting effect" in which t...

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18 comments

Shelf Life - UQ Holder!

Dec 10, 12:00

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anime

Gabriella plunges deep into the lore of Ken Akamatsu for this Negima! spinoff action series, while Paul breaks down all this week's new anime releases! ― I picked up the new Super Smash Bros. game this week, only to re-discover that I'm not very good at Smash games (and I never have been). Thankfully, the holidays should give me plenty of time to get better, or at least less comically awful. In the ...

review

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Wolf & Parchment: New Theory Spice & Wolf Novel 3

Dec 10, 10:00

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novels

This more low-key adventure for Col and Myuri does a great job expanding the series' world, but the transition from lore to drama isn't as smooth as fans might hope. Theron Martin has the details. ― The first novel of this “next generation” sequel to Spice and Wolf dealt with events that could have world-shaking consequences, while the second volume dealt with events that could reshape an entire regi...

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8 comments

The Mike Toole Show - Jump-ing Ship

Dec 9, 18:08

8 comments

manga

Big changes are coming to the way Shonen Jump gets distributed in the US - but this wouldn't be the first time! Join Mike on a journey through the history of Shonen Jump in America. ― The summer of 2002 was an inflection point for anime and manga in North America. Hamtaro debuted on Cartoon Network in June, positioned as a new kids' favorite, complete with toys at major department stores. Tokyopop we...

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18 comments

The List - 7 Ho-Ho-Horrible Santas

Dec 8, 13:00

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anime

Get ready for the holidays with seven of the strangest Santas from across anime history. ― The holiday season is upon us, although department stores started blaring Christmas music over the intercom well before Thanksgiving. Whether you're already over the festivities (STRESS! AWKWARD FAMILY GATHERINGS!) or will be up on Christmas morning with bells on, the season is on its way. The holiday is a sha...

Huckleberry no Bōken (movie)

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