Episode 1055 of One Piece manages to swing the pendulum back in the other direction vis-à-vis my interest level and deliver a solid mix of stories with action, pathos, and comedy.
The most important element is that Nico Robin is present and we see her smile, and this is not at all biased on my part.
In terms of other elements that I guess appear in the episode too, we get a fair bit of focus on Sanji. Queen is chasing him about and zapping him with lasers—and hey, if you can't enjoy a cyborg dinosaur pew-pewing the place up with laser beams, then what can you enjoy—in addition to being a big goof. More than that though we get Sanji partaking in a bit of body horror and psychological torment at the thought of Judge's experiments on him. I think that this angle with Sanji is the most effective for me by far; there's no fear quite like wrestling with the trauma your parents have foisted on you, and the impact is even greater when you realize it was purposeful. It gives the mid-fight power-up a sinister edge and opens the door to interesting character development for Sanji (something he sorely needs, among other things).
Kanjuro's moments are well-handled too. He's not exactly an admirable character, yet at the same time, there is an understandable sympathy for what has happened to him and the anger he bears toward the Kozuki clan. The level of commitment he has when running his brush across the floorboards, envisioning the shadow-faced crowds cheering for him—it's a poignant and dramatic moment. Definitely one of the more memorable villains in an arc full of them.
And Kinemon talks to Usopp and Nami using nothing butt but farts. Folks: this is what anime is all about.
Nexon announced TV anime in January― The Korea Economic Daily newspaper reported on Wednesday that Blue Archive The Animation, the television anime of Yostar and Nexon Games' Blue Archive smartphone role-playing game, will premiere as early as next year in Japan, and that Nexon is planning a follow-up television anime or film if the anime proves popular. Nexon describes the original game's story: Th...
Manga launched in 2014― The July issue of Kadokawa's Monthly Comp Ace magazine published on May 25 the final chapter of the first part of Hugin Miyama and Satoshi Ōshio's Overlord manga, the adaptation of Kugane Maruyama's light novel series of the same title. The manga launched in Kadokawa's Monthly Comp Ace magazine in 2014. Kadokawa published the manga's 18th compiled book volume on March 25. Yen...
Daisuke Namikawa voices Takeru Sengoku; Omoinotake, Ami Sakaguchi perform theme songs― The staff for the Horimiya: The Missing Pieces (Horimiya -piece-) anime unveiled a new promotional video and visual for the anime on Friday. The video reveals and previews the anime's theme songs, and also announces a new cast member and the anime's July 1 premiere date. The anime will premiere on Tokyo MX and MBS...
Nobunaga Shimazaki, Yumiri Hanamori, Mikako Komatsu join cast― The official website for the television anime of Saisou's Story of a Small Senior in My Company (Uchi no Kaisha no Chiisai Sempai no Hanashi) manga began streaming its full promotional video for the anime on Friday. The video reveals and previews the anime's opening theme song "Honey" by Tōya Kobayashi, and also announces more cast and s...
Kitamura plays Nemona, Nakai plays Brassius in 10th episode on June 9― The official Twitter account for the Pokémon anime revealed on Friday two new cast members for Pokémon Horizons: The Series, the new anime in the Pokémon franchise. They will appear in the series' 10th episode on June 9. Eri Kitamura plays Nemo (Nemona in English), a Champion-ranked trainer Kazuya Nakai as Colza (Brassius in Engl...
There's a satisfying simplicity in following the life of Muco and her owner.― I like dogs. Most of the time, they're beautiful majestic creatures that would give their life for the simplest things, but I don't love them because they're often trying to be loyal. I love them because, from our perspective, dogs have perfected the art of finding joy in the most mundane and simplest elements of life. I w...
We have the latest on all things Dragon Quest, including Adventure of Dai jumping into the gaming world. Plus: Nintendo Force kickstarts a book on Satoru Iwata's legacy, Tokimemo news, and more!― Welcome back, everyone! I'd like you all to know I've been making slight progress on a chain of floating islands near a castle in Xenoblade Chronicles 3. With any luck, I'll be storming that castle by July....
Character designer and chief animation director Tomokatsu Nagasaku and line producer Eiichi Koshiishi discuss their artistic endeavors, exploring the craft that goes into the latest iteration of the franchise.― Anime Central welcomed Illinois anime fans last weekend. Among the creatives present were character designer and chief animation director Tomokatsu Nagasaku and line producer Eiichi Koshiish...
Web novels with overpowered protagonists have a niche appeal, so why are so many adapted into anime? It all comes back to the production committee system.― Eric asked:
Why is there a recent trend in making the protagonists of anime—especially isekai—so overpowered? In shows like One-Punch Man, That Time I Got Reincarnated As a Slime, and Isekai Cheat Skill, the heroes are so far ahead of their oppo...
Lynzee and James discuss the latest episode of Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury, reflect on Heavenly Delusion as the main events coalesce, and that devastating episode of Oshi no Ko!― The Gang Starts a Space War Lynzee and James discuss the latest episode of Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury as Miorine and Guel head to Earth to negotiate but unknowingly help set in motion an inte...
The novelty of big girl-small girl isn't enough to make for the dragging, unfocused plot.― Why yes, I did see Honey, I Shrunk the Kids when I was younger. All joking aside, I will start with some positives here. One of the high points of the entire manga is its artwork and panel layouts. The background and character designs are full of life, with exquisite detail and extra shading to give them an ad...
It's the height of the sports season, and championships are in full swing. While sports tournaments play out this season, Birdie Wing's got different ideas for its golf tournaments.― It's the height of the sports season, and championships are in full swing. While sports tournaments play out this season, Birdie Wing's got different ideas for its golf tournaments. This series is streaming on Crunchyr...
According to co-star Romi Park, Eren voice actor Yuuki Kaji "walk[ed] around the recording studio crying the whole time after the recording of The Final Chapter Part 1."― The MAPPA STAGE 2023 event was held on May 21, 2023, at the Tokyo Garden Theater. Many fans gathered at the venue for the event, which featured performances of popular MAPPA titles such as Hell's Paradise, Campfire Cooking in Anoth...
Psycho-Pass Providence is how Akane reaches her breaking point—and, surprisingly, it's not solely the Sibyl System's fault.― 2019's Psycho-Pass 3 presented a status quo far different from what we expected from the anime up until then. Most of the main cast was absent, having joined Frederica at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and, more shocking still, the main character of the entire Psycho-Pass st...
We're looking for a an ad sales representative. Entry level position, no experience necessary.― Read the FAQ and related forum threads before e-mailing us.Do not CC multiple ANN e-mail addresses with your application. If you do, your application will not be considered. Send your application only to the e-mail address listed for the position. Ad Sales Anime News Network is looking for someone to assi...
They have all your favorite manga in a surprising number of languages!― I hate to admit this, but many of the museums we've been to have been relatively empty, maybe a couple of people around. Not the case for the Kyoto International Manga Museum. It was packed (on a Thursday, no less). Dozens of people filled the store and lobby, multiple people in each room, eagerly looking at each display. It war...
Tengoku Daimakyo stops its descent with a stellar episode! With lots of ups and downs in the cumulative, 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 based on ho...
Street Fighter Six respects what came before and, in some ways, effectively passes the torch onto a whole new generation of fighters.― With its iconic characters and robust techniques, Street Fighter has gone down in history as one of the most influential fighting game franchises of all time. However, Capcom has not always treated it as such throughout the years, with the release of Street Fighter V...
Gundam's latest installment, The Witch From Mercury, redefines the legacy of the franchise while on the track to becoming one of the season's best sitcoms.― Whoever said one has to follow the path laid by others? Gundam's latest installment, The Witch From Mercury, is the perfect example, as the series redefines the legacy of the franchise while on the track to becoming one of the season's best sit...