Jukebox: Matryoshka

Believe it or not, Japan can make other music aside from peppy pop! It has a vibrant underground music scene, which over the years has developed into an influential force to be reckoned with. In Jukebox, we take a look at the versatility of the Japanese music industry — beyond the realm of anime and other geekery.…

OP/ED Op-eds: Hikari no Rasenritsu [Rozen Maiden Träumend]

Rozen Maiden is an odd franchise, one that veers somewhat uncomfortably between silliness, surreality and deadly seriousness. Despite being about (literal) living dolls, it generally managed to avoid overt creepiness, instead weaving an intriguing story of identity, loss and companionship. Also talking dog detectives and rampaging hoovers.  The two shows (the original Rozen Maiden and its somewhat…

Steins;Gate Review

Spring season of 2011 was definitely a great time to be an anime fan. Denpa Onna made us want to believe in aliens, Nichijou brought KyoAni out of their comfort zone and was absolutely hilarious, but, above all that, was the sometimes gripping sometimes hilarious time travel tale of Steins;Gate Never have I ever watched…

Jukebox: Brand-New Idol Society

Believe it or not, Japan can make other music aside from peppy pop! It has a vibrant underground music scene, which over the years has developed into an influential force to be reckoned with. In Jukebox, we take a look at the versatility of the Japanese music industry — beyond the realm of anime and other…

Penguindrum Collection 1 Review

Every so often someone creates a masterpiece that can only exist in animated form – or more specifically, can only exist as anime. Putting infamous director Kunihiko Ikuhara back in the director’s chair and pairing him with critically acclaimed studio Brain’s Base was certainly enough to grab everyone’s attention, even before we knew a single detail about the series itself. The result of their union is something beautiful, strange, and not for everyone, but they very well may have achieved that goal.

OP/ED Op-Eds: Dango Daikazoku [Clannad]

Jun Maeda is best know for his work as a writer with the visual novel company Key, but it’s perhaps a lesser known fact that he also has a hand in composing the soundtracks for his projects. That includes the opening and ending songs of the popular anime adaptations of Kanon, Air, and Clannad, most of which are based on selections of music from the original VNs. The most famous of all these is also the simplest: “Dango Daikazoku”, the ending song for the first part of the Clannad series.

OP/ED Op-Eds: Trust Me [Durarara!!]

Durarara!! is by common consent one of the best shows of recent years, it’s heady blend of slice of life storytelling, supernatural hijinks and urban exploits resulting in a show that defied easy classification. It was a show that straddled many lines, and so it is with its closing theme.

OP/ED Op-Eds: Shiroi Kokoro [Oreimo]

Love or hate the series, one cool thing Oreimo had going for it was a new ending song for every episode. Each of the female cast members gets their chance to step up to the mic, but even with more popular actresses like Ayana Taketatsu and Kana Hanazawa in the mix it’s Saori Hayami’s “Shiroi Kokoro” that stands out as the best.

My Little Title Can’t Be This Silly!

Caught In The Carnage Between My Girlfriend and My Childhood Friend. Despite my Adolescent Delusions of Grandeur, I Still Want a Date! I Have Very Few Friends. Girls, Listen To Your Father! As Long As There Is Love, It Doesn’t Matter If We’re Siblings! Don’t Problem Children Come From Another World? My Youth Romantic Comedy is Wrong, As…