Your Score: Week #99 of Fall 2023 Simulcasts

mono Anime Series Review

Aug 27, 12:00

anime

mono is an anime where the slice of life is done right, and makes for a worthy successor of its sibling series Yuru Camp. ― When I shipped up to Anime Boston this year, I distinctly remember a big banner advertising mono on display for any ongoers mozying their way up the escalator. Its display almost seemed boastful, as if it wanted to swallow people going further and further up the escalator with m...

convention

11 comments

The Legal and 'Soft' Censorship Affecting Manga in America

Aug 27, 09:30

11 comments

manga

Daniel Cruz of PEN America emphasized the toll censorship can take on authors: “Authors stop writing the content that's getting censored.” ― Panels about manga being targeted by book-banning campaigns have had a regular presence at anime conventions for as long as I can remember. In light of the current political climate (be sure to read Coop Bicknell's deep dive into the state of manga censorship in...

interview

Tower of God Creator SIU Looking Back on the Series a Decade Later

Aug 27, 09:00

korean

Since its debut, the series has evolved into a full-fledged franchise, with adaptations in anime, mobile games, and other formats. Despite its immense popularity worldwide, its creator, SIU, had never met his North American fans in person before. ― Tower of God, one of the most iconic titles on WEBTOON, has captivated global readers with over 1.3 billion cumulative views. Since its debut, the series ...

news

Japan Post, Good Smile to Suspend Most Package Deliveries to U.S. Due to Tariffs

Aug 26, 14:00

industry

Packages over US$100 in value no longer accepted beginning on Wednesday ― The Japan Post announced that effective on Wednesday, it will temporarily suspend package delivery to and from the U.S. for packages exceeding US$100 in value and consumer goods, citing recent legislation surrounding import tariffs. Personal items under US$100 in value, as well as small EMS packages will still be accepted for ...

column

17 comments

This Week in Anime - Sekiro, AI, and Auteur Directors

Aug 26, 13:00

17 comments

anime

As Steve says, "A studio does not make an anime. People make anime." But what tools should those people be using? Chris and Steve discuss. ― As Steve says, "A studio does not make an anime. People make anime." But what tools should those people be using? Chris and Steve discuss. Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by the participants in this chatlog are not the views of Anime News Network.S...

review

To Sir, Without Love: I'm Divorcing You Novel Review

Aug 26, 12:00 novels

If you’re looking for true love, it’s in short supply in this series – in a healthy way, at least. ― Last year, I reviewed the first volume of the manga adaptation of To Sir, Without Love: I'm Divorcing You. I said at the time that the story was somewhat uncomfortable, and that, paradoxically, it would have benefited from being slightly more explicit, and that I was curious to read the original light...

review

Farewell, Daisy: Jun Mayuzuki Short Story Collection Manga Review

Aug 25, 12:00

manga

Mayuzuki’s sheer unpredictability and gleefully ribald storytelling are a breath of fresh air. ― Jun Mayuzuki is one of my current favorite manga authors, mainly for her most recent work on the still-ongoing Kowloon Generic Romance (the excellent single-season anime adaptation concluded only last season). I jumped at the chance to review this collection of her early manga work, some of which predate ...

column

Answerman - Why is Demon Slayer So Popular in Japan?

Aug 25, 11:01

anime

What's the secret behind Demon Slayer's intense popularity? According to experts, it's a lot of things. ― Lynzee asks: “Why is Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba anime and manga so popular in Japan?” Demon Slayer is popular in Japan for the same reasons it is popular everywhere else, and that is a good thing because not many of my Japan-based anime industry friends wanted to comment either on or off the...

game review

6 comments

Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar Game Review

Aug 25, 09:00

6 comments

games

If you've never played a farm sim before, Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar might be a great place to start. ― There's a major difficulty when it comes to reviewing Story of Seasons games: they're slow. Moment-to-moment gameplay is repetitive (you're doing the same tasks daily over and over), the game can take a long time to throw new wrinkles in the formula at you, and even fervent playing means that i...

interview

20 comments

Influencers Gigguk, Dillon Goo, and OtakuVS On Making Their Own Anime

Aug 25, 09:00

20 comments

anime

One might scoff at the notion: “Influencers are making anime now?” Such reductive thinking conflicts with the reality that the lines between industry professionals and content creators have been steadily blurring. ― GeeXPlus made waves here at Anime Expo by announcing GeeXProductions, a new IP division. As an internet influencer talent agency, GeeXPlus has been a supportive home for a range of varie...

game review

3 comments

Shinobi: Art of Vengeance Game Review

Aug 25, 08:00

3 comments

games

This a must-play game for both existing Shinobi fans and newcomers alike. ― Shinobi: Art of Vengeance is the perfect balance between modern sensibilities and nostalgia, making it one of the best action-platformer games of 2025. This will inevitably gain comparisons to Koei Tecmo and The Game Kitchen's Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound which was released last year due to both utilizing similar ninja archetypes,...

review

15 comments

The Twelve Kingdoms: Shadow of the Moon, Shadow of the Sea Novel Review

Aug 24, 12:00

15 comments

novels

Whether you read the old English editions or missed them, it's worth picking this up, because you don't have to be an isekai fan (modern or otherwise) to appreciate a book this good. ― The isekai genre has taken a hit in recent years. For many, the term has become inextricably linked with storytelling shortcuts, male power fantasies, villainesses, and other tropes that have become so paper-thin from ...

news

Farming Life in Another World Anime Gets 2nd Season in 2026, Game

Aug 24, 09:36