Manga Review: Popcorn Romance by Tomoko Taniguchi Ryouta and Zenta Yamazaki were orphaned a few years ago, but have stayed in Tokyo to finish high school and pursue their dream of being professional musicians. However Zenta, always a frail lad, is dying in the big city. He needs fresh air and honest work, so the… Continue reading Manga Review: Popcorn Romance
Tag: Hokkaido
Book Review: Godzilla and Godzilla Raids Again
Book Review: Godzilla and Godzilla Raids Again by Shigeru Kayama As you might have noticed from past reviews on this blog, I’m a pretty big fan of Japan’s greatest daikaiju, Godzilla. I’ve seen almost all the movies and TV shows, as well as read the comic book adaptations. But I was unaware that Shigeru Kayama,… Continue reading Book Review: Godzilla and Godzilla Raids Again
Manga Review: Weekly Shonen Jump 2023
Manga Review: Weekly Shonen Jump 2023 by various creators It’s the eleventh anniversary of this blog! As every year, let’s take a look at the long-running colossus that is Weekly Shounen Jump! One Piece has moved on from the Wano storyline to one involving frequently referenced mad scientist(s) Dr. Vegapunk, who is not as cool… Continue reading Manga Review: Weekly Shonen Jump 2023
Manga Review: Ultimate Muscle Battle 24
Manga Review: Ultimate Muscle Battle 24 by Yudetamago Years ago, Kinnikuman (“Muscle Man”) was the world’s worst superhero. When he wasn’t causing disasters due to his profound stupidity instead of stopping them, civilians were actively embarrassed to be saved by him. (This is, after all, a man who flew using the power of compressed farts.)… Continue reading Manga Review: Ultimate Muscle Battle 24
Manga Review: Case Closed, Volumes 77-79
Manga Review: Case Closed, Volumes 77-79 by Gosho Aoyama Recap: Conan Edogawa is actually Shinichi Kudou (Jimmy Kudo in the U.S. version), a genius teen detective who was poisoned by the Black Organization and now has the body of a pre-teen. This makes it more difficult for him to get listened to, but he keeps… Continue reading Manga Review: Case Closed, Volumes 77-79
Anime Review: Golden Kamuy Season 3
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
Anime Review: Golden Kamuy
Anime Review: Golden Kamuy Japan may have won the Russo-Japanese War in 1905, but not all of the soldiers came home…not even the living ones. Sugimoto, nicknamed “Immortal Sugimoto” for his ferocity and amazing ability to survive battles and wounds, came home just long enough to learn his best friend’s widow was going blind. He… Continue reading Anime Review: Golden Kamuy
Manga Review: Swan Vol. 1
Manga Review: Swan Vol. 1 by Kyoko Ariyoshi Masumi Hijiri is the daughter of a widowed sculptor, who has enjoyed her ballet lessons since she was a little girl. She loves to dance, and watch others perform in ballet. But stuck in a small city in rural Hokkaido, there just isn’t the chance for truly… Continue reading Manga Review: Swan Vol. 1
Manga Review: Black Jack 2
Manga Review: Black Jack 2 by Osamu Tezuka Before Osamu Tezuka became a full-time manga creator, he was a medical doctor. He drew upon this training and experiences with Japan’s medical establishment for his work on Black Jack starting in the 1970s. Black Jack (birth name Kuro’o Hazama) is a brilliant physician and surgeon who is… Continue reading Manga Review: Black Jack 2
Anime Review: Erased
Anime Review: Erased (Japanese title Boku Dake ga Inai Machi “The Town Without Me” or “The Town Where Only I Am Missing”) The year is 2006, and Jun “Yuuki” Shiratori is on Death Row for the abduction and murder of three children back in 1988. Very few people still believe that he’s innocent, considering the substantial circumstantial… Continue reading Anime Review: Erased