Welcome back to Library Loot! It feels like it’s been ages since I’ve written one of these up. I promise my manga reading hasn’t slowed down in the slightest. I just have gotten a…
Phoenix Talks Pop Culture Japan
Jul 20, 2024 • Subscribe
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Library Loot: MIRAI
In my first Library Loot post, I mentioned that I would cover both manga and anime – I haven’t cover anime yet. This has obviously changed with this…
Descent into Kamen Rider – Kamen Rider Wizard
Kamen Rider Wizard Magical creatures called Phantoms force humans into despair so that more of their number might be born. Protecting humanity from this fate is a survivor…
Descent into Kamen Rider – Kamen Rider OOO
When creatures known as the Greeed reappear on Earth after 800 years of sleep, one of their number, the disembodied hand Ankh, allies with the itinerant Eiji Hino…
Descent into Kamen Rider – Kamen Rider Fourze
Kamen Rider Fourze Gentaro Kisaragi transfers to Amanogawa High School and is determined to make friends with everyone there, even the students and staff who are turning into…
Descent into Kamen Rider – Kamen Rider W
Kamen Rider W The forward thinking ecological city Futo is facing corruption at the hands of the wealthy Sonozaki Family and the Gaia Memories they distribute to turn…
Descent into Kamen Rider – Kamen Rider Den-O
Kamen Rider Den-O The exceedingly unlucky Ryotaro Nogami, finds himself possessed by a creature from the future called an Imagin, and mixed up with a mysterious woman and…
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Library Loot: Behind the Scenes!!
Welcome to the second edition of Library Loot! This time is me revisiting a very long shelved manga series – Behind the Scenes!! by Bisco Hatori. It’s funny,…
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Library Loot: My Androgynous Boyfriend
I don’t think I’ve ever really mentioned that I am much more of a reader then a watcher. Growing up, it was way more acceptable for me to…
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Shin Kamen Rider
Despite its loving connection to the original, you don't need to know anything about the 50-year-running franchise to enjoy and understand this film. However, its reverence for the…
Shin Kamen Rider
Shin Kamen Rider is both a retelling of and an homage to the original 1971 Kamen Rider TV series. There are many recognizable characters and numerous
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Library Loot x Instagram Recommend: Alichino
I remember the very weird feeling of deja-vu, and maybe something akin to almost fear when the images appeared on social media. Within the brush strokes of Shurei…
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Library Loot – Rapid Reviews Vol. 4
Welcome back to another edition of Library Loot! Glad to have you back to peruse what I’ve been reading these past few months. With limited barriers, and no…
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Library Loot – Rapid Reviews Vol.1
Believe it or not, not every single thing I pick up from the library gets a solo review here on the blog. In changing how often I post…
Manga: Kamen Rider Kuuga
By Shelley Pallis. As Japan is rocked by a series of grisly murders, the Tokyo police set up a specialised task force to take down murderers that they…
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Review: Shin Kamen Rider
It’s the age old tale of Boy meets Girl, Girl’s father transforms Boy into Mutant Cyborg Grasshopper Monster, Boy & Girl fight evil underground organisation. With motorbikes.
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Library Loot: Night of the Living Cat
Library Loot strikes once again! I actually ended up picking up Night of the Living Cat after accidentally mistaking for The Walking Cat: A Cat’s-Eye-View of the Zombie…
Kamen Rider Saber Episode 10
Determined to confront his father and finally discover the motivation behind his betrayal, Kento recruits Touma and Rintaro for a final showdown with Calibur. The result of their…
First Look: Kamen Rider Saber
Young novelist Touma Kamiyama dreams of a lost past full of swordsmen and monsters, and a mysterious girl who he doesn’t recognise. While out delivering a present, he…
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shin Ultraman + shin Kamen Rider
Space Jesus and Bug Cycle
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Final Thoughts: Kamen Rider Gotchard
“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch…
Kamen Rider Saber Episode 7
Touma and Kento drop acid and finally make their way to legendary Desert of Avalon!…er, Soundstage of Avalon…Concrete Bunker of Avalon?
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The Birth of Kamen Rider
A look into the history of the creation of Japan's most iconic superhero (not Ultraman). My original Zimmerit article on the subject: https://www.zimmerit.moe/kamen-rider-behind-the-mask/ Zimmerit Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@ZimmeritEX Translations by @WindiiGitlord Sources: The…
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Kamen Rider Saber Episode 18
The Sword of Logos continue in their attempts to capture Touma, who is also struggling with Yuki’s demand that he be more ruthless and show more resolve in…
Holiday Review #1: KAMEN RIDER
For the second year in a row, I'm able to kick things off with a classic manga from Shotaro Ishinomori, and it might be the best one yet.…
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Kamen Rider Kuuga GN 1
This manga provides enough differences from its source material to bring something new to the table for long-time fans. It also works as a horror series for newcomers.
Holiday Review #1: KAMEN RIDER
For the second year in a row, I'm able to kick things off with a classic manga from Shotaro Ishinomori, and it might be the best one yet.…
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Shin Kamen Rider Film Review
My review of Shin Kamen Rider is now up over on Anime News Network.
Kamen Rider Saber Episode 13
So it turns out Kento wasn’t really dead after all! Ah well, if at first you don’t succeed….
Kamen Rider Saber Episode 5
Wait, what? What’s going on? Who is that? Where are we? A television show you say? Could’ve fooled me.
Kamen Rider Saber Episode 14
With the the shield around the portal book weakening, Touma and his allies must confront Calibur and his forces and prevent the dark Rider making his way to…
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Kamen Rider: Behind the Mask
Most people don’t know that Kamen Rider’s inception was the result of a long and troubled pre-production stage; months of shifting ideas marred by disputes over budgetary constraints…
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Final Thoughts: Kamen Rider Geats
“Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.”
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First Look: Kamen Rider Revice
The world faces a terrible threat in the form of Deadmans, a terrorist cult that aims to bring out humanity’s ‘inner demons’. Fortunately they’re opposed by the government…
Kamen Rider Saber Episode 3
The young man on the flying carpet introduces himself as Kento Fukamiya, a childhood friend of Touma’s. Before they can get too reacquainted though, another Rider bursts onto…
Kamen Rider Saber Episode 2
The mysterious stranger introduces himself as Rintaro Shindo, aka Kamen Rider Blades. He takes Touma and Mei to meet the mysterious Sophia, who explains the work of the…
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Kamen Rider Saber Episode 17
WIth the other Riders temporarily beaten back, Touma and Mai attempt to introduce Yuri to modern society, but they’re suddenly confronted by Legiel and the newly transformed Yeti…
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Kamen Rider Revice Episode 2
As Ikki struggles with the idea of joining Fenix and fighting Deadmans full time, the villains make their first move, tempting a downtrodden caddy to turn on his…
Kamen Rider Saber Episode 12
Touma premieres his highly anticipated new light novel “I Can’t Believe My Childhood Friend Died and Also A Clown Was There!”.
Kamen Rider Saber Episode 8
Touma is feeling the pressure of wielding the King of Arthur powerup…for some reason. His indecision leads to Ogami getting turned to stone, marginally improving the quality of…
Kamen Rider Saber Episode 4
Ogami is convinced of Touma’s good intentions and together the three Riders set off to rescue Sora. But their way is barred by an enemy from 15 years…
Kamen Rider Saber Episode 11
Angered and confused by the revelation of Calibur’s true identity, Kenzan sets out to confront him one-on-one, while the villains plan to ensnare the other Riders in battles…
Kamen Rider Saber Episode 6
A lot of things happen! Most of them are very ugly! None of them make sense!
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KAMEN RIDER BLACK 25TH ANNIVERSARY
1987 was a special year for Japan’s Toei Company. The anime and tokusatsu giant had several defining television programs that year. The...
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First Look: Kamen Rider Geats
So, a hundred Kamen Riders drop onto an island…
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First Look: Kamen Rider Gavv
A young man named Shoma flees from his mysterious enemies through a magical realm of doors, and falls through one to be washed up on a beach. Rescued…
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First Look: Kamen Rider Gotchard
Hopper! Steam! Shadow! Wood! Sword! Thunder! Power! Sleep! Cardcaptors of the Clow. expect the unexpected now!
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Library Loot (mostly): Ghost in the Shell: Arise
Back in 2013, I was busy at the weird cross roads of ending high school and heading into my college years. That meant that I was keeping loose…
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I Know You Rider – Kamen Rider Gavv First Impressions
Before even getting into Kamen Rider Gavv (Gavv), I do want to add a bit of context to my commentary. I’m 100% new to the world of Kamen…
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Kamen Rider Revice Episodes 3 & 4
Ikki and Sakura meet up with their childhood friend Ayaka Oketani, who is struggling with her little sister overshadowing her in their mother’s eyes. Things rapidly get worse…
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Kamen Rider Saber Episodes 19-21
This week on Saber, my patience with this cursed show finally runs out.