More like this
In Memoriam, Zac Bertschy
Okazu is not a globally influential news site, so we’re not in the habit of reporting deaths. We’ve lost a few friends over the years. Today we’re joining…
In Memoriam, Anime-Style
Though many countries have their own versions of holidays to celebrate the dearly departed, Memorial Day being on the last Monday of May is a uniquely American thing.…
Zac Bertschy: In Memoriam
Zac Bertschy was a true friend to all of us in the community, and he's left a truly indelible mark on so many of our lives. He will…
In Memoriam – Yasuo Otsuka (1931-2021)
Yasuo Otsuka is, without doubt, the most important and influential animator in anime history. We retrace his career and legacy to pay respects to the man.
In Memoriam: Akira Takarada, Godzilla’s Favorite Co-star
Japanese actor Akira Takarada passed away in Japan on March 14 at the age of 87. He had a long career stretching back to 1954, ending only with…
Weekly Round-Up, 20-26 May 2020: In Memoriam
AniFem Round-Up Beyond UNIQLO: Tips for supporting Japan’s indie fashion designers Daz Skubich provides a primer on the world of street fashion and how enthusiasts the world over…
In Memoriam: Jimmy Wang Yu, Pioneering Kung Fu Star
Jimmy Wang Yu died in Taipei on April 5, 2022. (He was 78 or 80, depending on different sources.) He was an international kung fu star in the…
[Links] 21-27 August 2019: Politics in Dark Souls, an Anti-Groper Stamp, and a KyoAni In Memoriam
AniFem Round-Up [Feature] Virtually Feminist? The pros, cons, and possibilities of virtual idols Julia Mascetti peers into the world of virtual idols, the drawbacks of digital perfection, and…
Memoriam-o-rama: Ogiue Maniax Status Update for April 2023
April is cherry blossoms in Japan, and their fleeting nature is associated with an aesthetic valuing of the ephemeral in Japanese culture. I normally don’t get all poetic…
Hiking in winter in Japan
From isolated trails to distant interactions with curious wild macaques, here are our favourite things about hiking in winter in Japan.
That Lame Fight in In/Spectre
I’ve highly enjoyed the past few episodes of In/Spectre, but the battle of Steel Lady Nanase vs. Kuro has much for me to gripe about. If you haven’t…
Filled In
Author: Ukari (translated with author’s permission, please visit their website to see the original Japanese works!) To say here is far, The post Filled In first appeared on Kowabana.
In/Spectre
By Andrew Osmond. Watching the series In/Spectre may put you in mind of one of the most prominent displays at the huge manga exhibition mounted at the British…
In/Spectre
An interesting mystery and exploration of truth with strong classically Japanese cultural spirits, albeit with somewhat shallow and annoying characters at times.
A Weekend in my Life (in Japan)
While the vast majority of my uploads these days are my diary entries instead of travel posts, I recently realised that I could make things even more personal.…
In Search Of… Fafner in the Azure
Good morning and welcome to a New Year to all of you wonderful people out there in the Otakusphere. It is once more time to talk about my…
In Defense of Subjectivity in Anime Blogging
Having any sort of online communal experience is a weird thing. We all experience things in different ways so it can already be a little tough to understand…
The Biggest THREAT in Made in Abyss
The biggest threat in made in abyss season 2, this new season of made in abyss leaves absolutely nothing out of the manga. Riko and Reg get the…
Licensed in Silk – a Mixed Nikkei’s Journey in Studying Kimono in Japan
Newly licensed in the wearing of kimono, Rin takes a look back at what drew her closer to the traditional clothing - and to her own heritage.
This Week in Anime - Made in Abyss Ignites Firestorm in K-Pop Fandom
Chris and Steve revisit the dark fantasy series' controversy after several K-Pop idols come under criticism for watching or reading the series.
Day 6: Believing In Akko That Believes In Her That Believes In Magic
On the sixth day, on the sixth night, in the sixth celebration of the 12 Days of Anime I discovered some real magic. The magic of believing in…
Day 6: Believing In Akko That Believes In Her That Believes In Magic
On the sixth day, on the sixth night, in the sixth celebration of the 12 Days of Anime I discovered some real magic. The magic of believing in…
Review: In/Spectre Episode 5 Best in Show
Quick Summary In In/Spectre episode 5, “A Monster of the Imagination,” Saki Yumihara and Kotoko Iwanaga watched as Kurou Sakuragawa fought Steel Lady Nanase. Saki was beside herself:…
Review: In/Spectre Episode 8 Best in Show
Quick Summary In In/Spectre episode 7, “She Who Spins Fiction,” Kotoko Iwanaga felt terrified. Not of an attack by the Steel Lady Nanase. Not because she was afraid…
This Week in Anime - Getter in that Robo!
Old school mecha fan Jean-Karlo introduces Steve to the world of Getter Robo Arc, subterrainian dinos, insect troops, and how it's all one big metaphor for nuclear power.
Life in Japan Episode 1: Christmas in Kyoto
The start of a new KFC holiday tradition - Kyoto For Christmas. Read more
Darling in the Franxx: A Lesson in Disappointment
If you haven’t gotten the hint from many of my essays for the last month or so, I have a weakness for mecha anime. It’s just such a…
The Eminence in Shadow – 02 – Toiling in Obscurity
Kagenou Minoru is hit by Truck-kun, then resurrects as Cid, the infant son of a noble family, while maintaining all the intelligence and awareness of his 18-year-old self.…
Review: In/Spectre Episode 1 Best in Show
Quick Summary In In/Spectre episode 1, “One Eye, One Leg,” Kotoko Iwanaga took one look at Kurou Sakuragawa and fell in love. She even saved his life, which…
Review: In/Spectre Episode 4 Best in Show
Quick Summary In In/Spectre episode 4, “Idol Dies by Steel Beam,” after their close encounter with Steel Lady Nanase, Saki Yumihara took Kotoko Iwanaga back to her apartment…
Review: In/Spectre Episode 9 Best in Show
Quick Summary In In/Spectre episode 9, “The Committee to Conquer Steel Lady Nanase,” Kotoko Iwanaga, from her seat in the back of the car, began her attack on…
How to Watch Made in Abyss in Order
The deeper you go, the more disturbing it gets – That's Made in Abyss. That is ultimately the charm of this series. It does disturbing things to
Review: In/Spectre Episode 3 Best in Show
Quick Summary In In/Spectre episode 3, “The Rumors of the Steel Lady,” Kotoko Iwanaga, with Kurou Sakuragawa by her side, concluded her business with the mountain serpent spirit.…
Vampire in the Garden (Vanpaia in za Gāden)
You know the very-real genre known as “not-quite-tearjerker”? Yep, that one – absolutely something real that you’d find in a video store, or in the list of categories…
Review: In/Spectre Episode 2 Best in Show
Quick Summary In In/Spectre episode 2, “What the Guardian Serpent Heard,” Kotoko Iwanaga received a request to help a mountain serpent spirit resolve a complex problem, and she…
The Year in Japan's Rap in 10 Songs
plus a list of the 50 best Japanese rap songs of the year
Review: In/Spectre Episode 6 Best in Show
Quick Summary In In/Spectre episode 6, “Logical Fiction,” Kotoko Iwanaga put her prodigious experience as goddess of wisdom to work on the problem: Coming up with a more…
NO ONE is SPARED in Made in Abyss
Made in Abyss has some of the most ruthless character treatment in anime, you will not find any other anime that willingly puts so many good characters through…
Review: In/Spectre Episode 7 Best in Show
Quick Summary In In/Spectre episode 7, “Preparing to Conquer the Steel Lady,” Kotoko Iwanaga felt exhausted. On the heels of Steel Lady Nanase’s first confirmed murder, Kotoko’s mission…
#MeToo in JET: Verdict in Sexual Assault Case
A former JET Program participant who suffered sexual assault has won a civil lawsuit against Nagasaki Prefecture.
Every Gunpla Kit Released in 2024: In Progress!
This year, we’re doing things a little differently at Gunpla 101. For the last 10 years, I have written a monthly update of Gunpla pre-orders and new releases.…
Shipgirls in thighhighs: My year in Azur Lane
Once again, this isn’t the game review post I had planned next. That one is still on its way. But I can’t possibly post more than two proper…
Review: In/Spectre Episode 11 Best in Show
Quick Summary In In/Spectre episode 11, “The Ultimate Fiction,” Kurou Sakuragawa had tried to grasp a future thread, but he found that by himself, he couldn’t reach it.…
I watched “Your Lie in April” in April
So I was planning to watch “Your Lie in April” for a while now but I decided to wait for April to come. I avoided this anime for…
Review: In/Spectre Episode 12 Best in Show
Quick Summary In In/Spectre episode 12, “She Who Defends Order,” Kurou Sakuragawa redoubled his efforts against Steel Lady Nanase, who made an incredible attempt to fight back. Ultimately,…
Star’s experience in Supernatural: Kyokou Suiri (In/Spectre)
Watch the trailer This series is about two unlikely people who meet in a hospital. Both have a secret that they can see yokai and spirits. The girl…
Review: In/Spectre Episode 10 Best in Show
Quick Summary In In/Spectre episode 10, “Dueling Factions,” Kotoko Iwanaga launched the second phase of her attack. While Kurou Sakuragawa fought Steel Lady Nanase to keep her occupied…
The Most EVIL Character in Made in Abyss
The most evil character in made in abyss: Wazukyan. He has done some very questionable things that led to what happened to the 6th layer in season 2.…
Fashion in Anime
As someone who is obsessed with fashion/style and Anime this video means a lot to me today I analyze and dissect different anime drip while changing into different…