Risa AOKI

Killed Again, Mr. Detective? Volume 1 Manga Review

Nov 10, 12:00

manga

Killed Again, Mr. Detective? isn’t quite as good as it ought to be. ― As they say in the musical Gypsy, you've gotta have a gimmick. That feels particularly true for the mystery genre, where authors have been trying to outdo each other with quirky detectives since Hercule Poirot and his magnificent moustaches entered the scene in 1920's The Mysterious Affair at Styles. Over the years, fiction (manga ...

news

Teikoku Databank: 8 Anime Production Companies Closed Between January-September This Year

Nov 10, 12:00

industry

2 companies closed due to bankruptcy, 6 companies either suspended operations, had been dissolved ― The financial research firm Teikoku Databank published a report on November 5 noting that eight anime production companies have exited the market due to either bankruptcy or closure between January and September this year. Two anime production companies had gone bankrupt with debts of over 10 million y...

column

9 comments

Answerman - Conventions and Nostalgia

Nov 10, 10:00

9 comments

industry

How much of a role does nostalgia play in conventions? Answerman sorts it out. ― A Reader asks: Q: "I have been a long-time fan of attending anime conventions in the USA and enjoy going to panels, both professional as well as fan-driven. As I have gotten older, I have noticed an unusual trend with fan panels, which make up a good portion of the content, especially at small and mid-sized events. That...

interview

2 comments

Solo Leveling Composer Hiroyuki Sawano Prepares for LA Concert

Nov 10, 08:00

2 comments

music

Ahead of his solo concert in Los Angeles, the prolific composer shares “THE ANSWER” to our burning questions. ― If you've ever found yourself tapping your toes to the tunes of Solo Leveling, Gundam Unicorn, or Attack on Titan, it's all because of one man—Hiroyuki Sawano. Over the past twenty years, Mr. Sawano has established himself as the go-to composer for adrenaline-pumping anime scores—beats that...

review

100 Meters Anime Film Review

Nov 9, 12:00

anime

There’s a profound sense of weight, of sheer muscle-shredding, teeth-grinding effort during the running scenes. ― “Wow, the main character sure looks like Rafal from Orb: On the Movement of the Earth,” I thought during 100 Meters' opening few minutes, where young protagonist Togashi tutors his classmate Komiya in sprinting. Turns out that the movie, directed by On-Gaku: Our Sound's Kenji Iwaisawa, is...

game review

Once Upon a Katamari Game Review

Nov 8, 12:00

games

The beloved series’ grand return is a raucous roll-er coaster! ― Roughly twenty-one years ago, I was simultaneously bamboozled and bemused by a strange little game I'd plopped into my PlayStation 2. A fifth grader at the time, I'd been tasked with putting all the stars back in the sky alongside a tiny fellow simply known as the Prince...and we were going to do it with something called a “Katamari.” ...

news

32 comments

Square Enix Confirms Layoffs, Restructuring in N. American, European Publishing Operations

Nov 8, 11:15

32 comments

games industry

Reports state more than 100 workers in U.S., UK could be impacted ― In a presentation on Thursday on its earnings for the six-month period ending on September 30, 2025, Square Enix disclosed to investors that the company will be laying off employees in its North American and European publishing operations as part of restructuring of its overseas organizations. The restructuring will involve closing o...

your score

Your Anime Rankings - Best of Fall 2025, Oct 29-Nov 4

Nov 8, 01:00

anime

Tojima Wants to Be a Kamen Rider comes out #1 just ahead of SANDA — two standout shows brimming with originality. Find out where your favorites rank this week! ― Let's have a look at what ANN readers consider the best (and worst) of the season, based on the polls you can find in our Daily Streaming Reviews and on the Your Score page with the latest simulcasts. Keep in mind that these rankings are ba...

review

15 comments

Dealing with Mikadono Sisters Is a Breeze Anime Series Review

Nov 7, 12:00

15 comments

anime

This isn't just a love story, it's also one about family, insecurity, imposter syndrome, and the overall pressures of living up to the expectations forced on you by others. ― Are you looking for an anime about sisterhood to fill the empty hole in your heart that The Quintessential Quintuplets left? Then I might have an anime for you! I'm kidding…mostly, but the idea of a harem show specifically revol...

column

4 comments

This Week in Games - Interview with Nobuyuki Okajima, Producer on Full Metal Schoolgirl Action Game

Nov 7, 11:00

4 comments

games

We spoke with the producer about the sci-fi schoolgirl action game, as well as a condensed history of Dragon Quest, and Love and Deepspace its dark-skinned character rendering. ― Welcome back, folks! This past weekend was Kumoricon—and my first time covering it professionally! I have a few interviews from the convention that'll go up shortly; it was a fun experience and a delight to speak to the figu...

feature

The Fall 2025 Manga Guide After Dark (18+)

Nov 7, 11:00