The Roundup: Summer 2018 Volume 9

As we hit the penultimate Roundup for the summer, this batch of episodes feels like a mixed bag. Almost every episode is half good/half bad to varying degrees. At least Planet With delivers some strong moments and Asobi Asobase, is still consistently great. Here’s hoping we can get a stronger finish next week.

The GLORIO Fall 2018 Anime Guide – Part 1

Following hot on the trail of our season preview podcast, Aqua, Iro, Zigg and Gee have an in-depth look at the upcoming anime season. In this first part, we give our two cents on, amongst others, the spiritual successor to Tiger & Bunny, a new project by the creator of the Zero Escape games and a clash for the ages between the two biggest light novel adaptations in anime history.

Ultraman R/B Episode 7 & 8

Blu, emotionally wounded after almost killing a friend as Ultraman, cannot transform. He later overcomes the problem because he’s the hero Japan needs. Aizen, sick of the duo’s poor showing as Ultramen, transforms into an Ultraman himself and beats the stuffing out of them.

The Roundup: Summer 2018 Volume 8

This was a solid week for anime, but with a significant typhoon and earthquake hitting Japan in the past few days it’s a bit hard to take writing about cartoons seriously. Many events and even some anime have been postponed, but none of that is important compared to the impact on the lives of those affected by these disasters. Please take care. That said, most of the Roundup anime did air and so the show goes on.

Ultraman R/B Episode 6

An ex-police officer and friend shows up at the Minato household for their once-every-four-years rock paper scissors tournament. Due to Aizen’s meddling, she later becomes a monster and almost dies.

The Roundup: Summer 2018 Volume 7

This may be the week we remember for Planet With finally living up to its potential. Or we may remember it as the week Hanebado finally fell off a cliff from its usual level of quality. Or maybe both? Time will tell, but we can at least say for sure that Asobi Asobase is really, really funny.

First Look: Kamen Rider Zi-O

Sougo Tokiwa is an 18 year old high school student who is convinced he’s born to be a King. It turns out he’s right, as time travellers from the year 2068 arrive and tell him he’s destined to become history’s greatest tyrant. Now it’s up to Sougo to decide whether he’s going to fall to villainy or embrace the heroic legacy of his 19 Heisei predecessors, as he takes the throne as Kamen Rider Zi-O! 

OP/ED Op-Eds: The Best of Summer 2018

Is anime music — shudder to think — becoming mainstream? Just the other day, I was browsing through a CD store and found an EP by some symphonic metal band covering Attack on Titan songs, just like that, out in the open. Should something like that even be allowed? By the way, did you know…

The Roundup: Summer 2018 Volume 6

Apologies for the late post, I’ve been away from home the past few days. But hey, we’re back now and we even have Artemis with us this week! As for the anime, the Roundup shows were mostly solid across the board, although you may notice the conspicuous absence of Revue Starlight. Sorry folks, it was time.

The Roundup: Summer 2018 Volume 5

I guess it’s Problematic Episode Week here at the Roundup as I am forced to mete out social justice all over the place. OK, maybe I’m exaggerating a little but I’m just saying I’d rather be talking about how Asobi Asobase is slowing becoming my favorite show of the season and less about how Chio’s School Road can’t get Kabaddi girl off the screen.