“Myne. You see, I have a baby in my belly. You’re going to be a big sister.” Those simple words singlehandedly send Myne into a panic. For despite the vast sums of wisdom stored in her brain from her Urano days, she doesn’t know the first thing about pregnancy (who would bother trying to remember… Read More Review: Ascendance of a Bookworm: Part 2, Vol. 2
After having collapsed in Benno’s office due to the effects of the Devouring, Myne wakes up in a luxurious bed, surrounded by dark green curtains. As she’s wondering what new fate awaits her beyond those veils, she hears a familiar voice, Freida, who explains that after Myne collapsed, the guildmaster brought her to his home… Read More Review: Ascendance of a Bookworm: Part 1, Vol. 3
While out for a walk, Ai Ohto happens upon a dead firefly on the side of the road. As anyone would naturally do at such a solemn occasion, Ai fashions a shallow grave for the poor insect, and buries it under a small tree. Closing her eyes, she kneels down to pay her final respects,… Read More First Impression: Wonder Egg Priority
It’s been six years since the horrible disaster that wiped out huge swaths of land in the city of Ikebukuro. Still, science continues to advance, and the newest hit technology, the Theatrical Material System, promises to inject new life into the acting business with its 3D holograms and immersive special effects. Thanks to a friend,… Read More First Impressions: Gekidol
Sorao’s journey into the Otherside wasn’t meant to end this way. She lies in a puddle on the ground, unable to move, as the translucent, red-eyed wiggle-waggle (don’t ask about the name) wobbles through the air towards her. Of course, Sorao had heard of the monster while reading about the Otherside on the web, but… Read More First Impressions: Otherside Picnic
Christmas is swiftly falling upon the wood-framed town in which Cocoa and her friends live. That means Christmas trees, Christmas decorations, and Christmas shopping—and Cocoa’s ecstatic. Since she’s never been to a Christmas market before, and Rabbit House needs some ornaments, the group decides to take a collective trip to the market for some pre-Christmas… Read More 12 Days of Christmas Anime, Day 10: Is the Order a Rabbit?
Recently, I’ve been on a Kyoto Animation spree. It probably started after I realized that continuous rewatches of Chuunibyou were probably not good for my productivity or my long-term enjoyment of anime. But I was infatuated with the irresistible charm of their storytelling. It’s really a testament to how well an animation studio does their… Read More Tamako and Kobayashi at the Thanksgiving Table
After years of failed auditions, comedy duo Tokonatsu, consisting of Mafuyu Kogarashi and Fubuki Kitakaze, finally get their first break—a slot at Shoka-Yono High’s cultural festival! There’s a little bit of fine print, though: the slot was reserved for a four-person band whose lead singer called in sick hours before the performance. (And they’re not… Read More First Impression: Maesetsu!
Cocoa, Chino, and Rize are back to Rabbit House for another twelve episodes! Following up on the lively spring arc which capped off the previous season, Is the Order a Rabbit? BLOOM begins in the summer, which means fresh scenery, iced coffee, new work uniforms, and a trip to the town brocante (French for flea… Read More First Impression: Is the Order a Rabbit? BLOOM
Keiichi Maebara has recently moved into Hinamizawa, a quiet, sparse country town. He’s settling in well: the locals are sociable, the scenery is inviting, and his classmates are fun. Rena’s the clumsy-cute schoolgirl type. Satoko’s ingenious pranks keep him on his toes all the time, but Rika’s around to comfort him should he ever fall… Read More First Impression: Higurashi: When They Cry