Movie Review: The Girl Who Leapt Through Time

"Aunt Witch" is fast on the uptake.

Movie Review: The Girl Who Leapt Through Time (2006) directed by Mamoru Hosoda Makoto thinks of herself as an ordinary high school girl, neither brainy or stupid, neither athletic or clumsy, usually good luck slightly outweighing the bad. She also enjoys hanging out with her buddies Koutaro (a serious lad who wants to be a doctor… Continue reading Movie Review: The Girl Who Leapt Through Time

Anime Review: Gokudo, Swordsman Extraordinaire, Volume 1

Gokudo is having another in his endless series of bad days.

Anime Review: Gokudo, Swordsman Extraordinaire, Volume 1 There Gokudo was, just trying to have dinner as an old lady ranted at him about destiny. So he did what any sensible young man would do in that situation. Stole her purse and left without paying his tab! Back in his room at the inn, he discovered… Continue reading Anime Review: Gokudo, Swordsman Extraordinaire, Volume 1

Anime Review: Thus Spoke Kishibe Rohan

Why is one of Japan's most successful manga creators broke?

Anime Review: Thus Spoke Kishibe Rohan Kishibe Rohan is one of the truly great manga creators. He’s known for his superhuman drawing and inking speed (when he’s motivated), weird plotlines, and being eccentric and egotistical. What is not known to the general public is that he’s actually superhuman, possessing a Stand Power named “Heaven’s Door”… Continue reading Anime Review: Thus Spoke Kishibe Rohan

Anime Review: Kodocha Volume 6: Sana’s Bombshell

Sana considers leaving her job.

Anime Review: Kodocha Volume 6: Sana’s Bombshell Sana Kurata is not your average sixth-grader. She lives in a mansion with her prize-winning author adoptive mother, and is an accomplished child actress, regularly appearing on the show “Zenjiro’s Kodomo no Omocha.” Pretty glamorous stuff. But sixth grade is not going well because the boys are acting… Continue reading Anime Review: Kodocha Volume 6: Sana’s Bombshell

Anime Review: Naruto the Movie 3: Guardians of the Crescent Moon Kingdom

Naruto has goals.

Anime Review: Naruto the Movie 3: Guardians of the Crescent Moon Kingdom (2006) directed by Toshiyuki Tsuru The ninja of the Hidden Leaf Village in the Land of Fire have been hired for a new assignment. The epicurean Prince Michiru of the Moon Kingdom and his spoiled son Hikaru are returning home after a long tour… Continue reading Anime Review: Naruto the Movie 3: Guardians of the Crescent Moon Kingdom

Anime Review: Golden Kamuy Season 3

Sugimoto's group is offered an indecent proposal.

Anime Review: Golden Kamuy Season 3 Note: SPOILERS for the previous seasons! Recap: A couple of years after the Russo-Japanese War of 1905, former soldier Sugimoto learns of a cache of stolen gold, the location of which is tattooed on the torsos of a number of escaped prisoners. He teams up with the Ainu girl… Continue reading Anime Review: Golden Kamuy Season 3

Movie Review: Ponyo

Ponyo is the Shockwave Runner.

Movie Review: Ponyo (2008) directed by Hayao Miyazaki Brunhilde’s father, Fujimoto, is a sorcerer in love with the sea, in the person of the Ocean Goddess Granmamare. He has long abandoned the land and no longer considers himself human. He’d prefer that Brunhilde and her sisters stay safe under his protection forever in the depths of… Continue reading Movie Review: Ponyo

Movie Review: Princess Mononoke

Holy places can be dangerous.

Movie Review: Princess Mononoke (1997) directed by Hayao Miyazaki When Prince Ashitaka’s remote village is attacked by an accursed boar monster, he is forced to slay the creature. But this passes the curse along to him in the form of scarring on his right arm that gives him superhuman strength, but sometimes takes control of the… Continue reading Movie Review: Princess Mononoke

Anime Review: SSSS Gridman

And this isn't even his final form!

Anime Review: SSSS Gridman Yuta has amnesia, that’s true, yet somehow Tokyo doesn’t seem quite right to him. Was it always so foggy in the city? And why is he the only one who can see kaiju (giant monsters) just casually hanging out in the distance? And did old model computers have superheroes talking directly… Continue reading Anime Review: SSSS Gridman

Anime Review: Saint Seiya: Knights of the Zodiac

From left: Dragon, Pegasus, Andromeda and Cygnus

Anime Review: Saint Seiya: Knights of the Zodiac The Greek gods are real. Well, kind of. They’re actually energy beings that periodically reincarnate in human bodies. Athena in particular is important, since her servants (called “Saints”) help her defend humanity against the more malevolent gods. Except that this time, the rebirth of Athena was accompanied… Continue reading Anime Review: Saint Seiya: Knights of the Zodiac