Anime Review: Samurai Flamenco Masayoshi Hazama is an up and coming male model with a superhero fixation. Since superheroes don’t exist in real life, Masayoshi decides to become the first, as non-powered masked hero Samurai Flamenco. He goes out to fight minor crime like jaywalking and littering, and it doesn’t go well. His first adventure… Continue reading Anime Review: Samurai Flamenco
Tag: Japan
Manga Review: Vinland Saga, Book Two
Manga Review: Vinland Saga, Book Two by Makoto Yukimura To recap for those of you who haven’t read the review of Book One, Vinland Saga is set in the early 12th Century, the time of the Vikings. Our protagonist is Thorfinn, son of Thors, who serves in the war band of Askeladd. Askeladd murdered Thors, and… Continue reading Manga Review: Vinland Saga, Book Two
Anime Review: Kill la Kill
Anime Review: Kill la Kill In the indefinite future, Ryuko Matoi is the delinquent daughter of a mad scientist who arrives home after a long time away at school to find him murdered with one blade of a giant scissors. The killer, too far away to identify, has the other blade. Ryuko vows vengeance. In… Continue reading Anime Review: Kill la Kill
Movie Review: Kill Devil
Movie Review: Kill Devil (2004) A teenager wakes up on a deserted beach, sometime in autumn. He doesn’t remember who he is or how he got there, but the blanket he was under indicates he wasn’t on that beach by accident. He’s wearing a strange metal wristband with the name “Shougo” on it, so that’s… Continue reading Movie Review: Kill Devil
Movie Review: Chushingura (The 47 Loyal Ronin)
Movie Review: Chushingura (The 47 Loyal Ronin) (1962) As mentioned in my previous reviews of book and comic book versions, the tale of the forty-seven ronin is one of Japan’s great stories, based on true events. Briefly, in 1701, Lord Kira provokes Lord Asano into breaking the rules of the Shogun’s court, a crime that… Continue reading Movie Review: Chushingura (The 47 Loyal Ronin)
Manga Review: Weekly Shonen Jump (USA)
Manga Review: Weekly Shonen Jump (USA) It’s the first anniversary of my blog! To celebrate, I thought it would be nice to update the very first review that appeared here. http://www.skjam.com/2012/12/09/manga-review-shonen-jump-alpha/ Shounen Jump is still Japan’s number one best-selling manga anthology title. Although the primary market is still middle-school through high school boys, people of… Continue reading Manga Review: Weekly Shonen Jump (USA)
Anime Review: Servant X Service
Anime Review: Servant X Service Like America, Japan has had its economic woes in the last few years, with unemployment a serious problem for many people. One of the jobs considered “safe” and steady if not spectacular work, is being a civil servant. So it is that a certain city Health and Welfare Office comes… Continue reading Anime Review: Servant X Service
Anime Review: Mushibugyo
Anime Review: Mushibugyo It has been about a century since Japan was invaded by giant mushi (“insect” or “bug”, it’s a loose category) that rampage about, eating people and destroying buildings. In Edo, the capital, the shogunate government has established the office of the Mushibugyo (“Insect Magistrate”) to protect the city and its people. A new… Continue reading Anime Review: Mushibugyo
Book Review: Fortress Rabaul: The Battle for the Southwest Pacific January 1942-April 1943
Book Review: Fortress Rabaul: The Battle for the Southwest Pacific January 1942-April 1943 by Bruce Gamble Disclaimer: I received this book through a Goodreads giveaway on the premise that I would review it. This is the second of three books about the Southwest Pacific campaign during World War Two. The first book covered the fate… Continue reading Book Review: Fortress Rabaul: The Battle for the Southwest Pacific January 1942-April 1943
Comic Book Review: 47 Ronin
Comic Book Review: 47 Ronin by Mike Richardson and Stan Sakai The tale of the forty-seven ronin is one of the classics of Japanese culture. It’s based on actual events that occurred in 1701-2. Lord Asano was provoked into an offense that caused him to be sentenced to ritual suicide, his lands were confiscated, and… Continue reading Comic Book Review: 47 Ronin