How far would you go to save a friend? We never expect it will be that far; that it will be too far, and will push beyond the bounds of what we’re willing or have the capacity to offer. Instead, so…
May 23, 2022 • Subscribe
More like this


Drowning in Faith
If the world around you was empty and dead, what would lead you to carry on anyway? Angel’s Egg (Tenshi no Tamago) is a 1985 anime film from Mamoru…
Pick of the Week: Drowning, Fungus and Lovesickness
SEAN: Gotta admit, I am most curious this week about what Japan does with Deadpool: Samurai. Given it’s Deadpool, I expect it may be a bit more violent…


Drowning in fiction and fantasy
Fair warning, a lot of personal stuff here. I try to separate this out from the regular fare. I even considered not posting this since I wrote it…
Pseudo Harem #08 — Drowning in Pussy
I can still hear the damn BGM. Impressions: Maybe I'm just in a bad mood or something, but this episode was really grating on me through the…


Kazuki Takahashi’s Death Ruled as Drowning
The Japan Coast Guard in Nago, Okinawa, announced today that Yu-Gi-Oh! creator Kazuki Takahashi died from drowning, according to results from a court-ordered autopsy. The cause of death…


Free Resources for Artists
A wealth of information on animation, design, storyboarding and more.
The Original Foley Artists
Until the late 1920s films were all silent, with musical accompaniment generally provided live by a pianist. You might have seen clips of silent films with some very…


Artists on the Edge
The trials and tribulation of fringe manga artists.


Tattoos and Books of Friends
I have been thinking about getting a tattoo and I just want to blabber on about it with you guys!


The iDOLM@STER// An experience similar to drowning.
I’m frightened by this show. If you were to take the experience of a visual novel and turn it into an anime, it would be The iDOLM@STER. Boasting…
Manga Artists Make Tezuka Tributes
This week marked the 23rd anniversary of Osamu Tezuka's passing. He died on February 9th, 1989 . While it's much better to celebrate the li...
Unsung Voice Artists: Norma McMillian
Many female voice artists have found fame due to their association with popular animated characters. Mae Questal, June Foray, Nancy Cartwright, and Jean Vander Pyl lent definitive voices…


Interviews with Artists: Zi Xu
Editor: Samantha Ferreira Anime Herald: What is your origin story? Zi Xu: I am an illustrator who was born in China. I came to the US when I…


Natsume's Book of Friends Season 7
Natsume's Book of Friends Season 7 is currently streaming on Crunchyroll....
Natsume's Book of Friends, Natsume's Book of Friends Season 7
Hello, friends!
I know that right now is kind of a scary time for many, so I wanted to take a moment to make a post of free resources that…
ULTRAMAN, Anne of Green Gables, Ghost in the Shell, Maison Ikkoku, Mashin Hero Wataru


The Matchbreakers: The Scammy World of Japan’s Break-up Artists
They say they can get you the love of your life - even if they're already married. Enter the morally bereft world of Japan's wakaresaseya.


Five More Incredible Fire Emblem Artists
So after doing this the first time and highlighting some of my favorite artists I realized I barely scratched the surface regarding the number of talented individuals that…


The Con Artists’ Color Awards 2024
Happy New Year, everyone! 2024 marked the 15 Year Anniversary of the Con Artists’ formation. Guys…what?! How did we even manage this?! Thank you for following along with…


The Con Artists’ Color Awards 2021
Happy New Year, everyone! 2020 was tough for many folks, and while there are plenty of challenges ahead, we hope you all stay safe, healthy and happy in…


My Five Favorite Fire Emblem artists
If you follow me on Twitter, I guess X now but I’m nowhere near used to that name, then you know that I love art and have a…


The Con Artists’ Color Awards 2022
Happy New Year, everyone! 2022 has brought us inflation so high, it’ll melt a hole through your bank account. Don’t worry, it’ll match the hole that’s being burned…


AI vs ARTISTS - Drawing Dragon Ball
AI vs Real life artists in a Dragon Ball Drawing competition! AI generated artwork has been taking the world by storm lately and I thought it would be…


Manga artists challenge 'harmful books' labels
Plus: Avex forms anime and video production holding company; Hotel workers strike during Anime Expo; Toei Animation taps Latin American market; and more


Look Back (Film) – Artists Loving Art
Look Back Recap Stuff From a review and writing perspective, I can only add a few things from seeing the original post I made about Look Back’s manga…


The Con Artists’ Color Awards 2023
Happy New Year, everyone! 2023 has continued that oh so joyous inflation from last year! Aren’t you thrilled?! Minus that, we hope your year has been eventful and…
The Art of Pitching Shows to Friends
I, for one, find that I am incredibly hard to pitch a show to. I like what I like and if you’re not pitching something to me correctly,…
Tower of God Ep.7 – Fairweather Friends
So this time I actually got mad t the episode for ust ending ike hat, out of the blue, when I wasn’t expecting it at all. I hd…
Pick of the Week: Yona and Friends
MICHELLE: There are a few things coming out this week that appeal to me a great deal, not least of which is the latest Yona of the Dawn,…


How 'Natsume's Book of Friends' Explores Compassion
Natsume's Book of Friends is a currently ongoing shoujo manga that since its release has become a hit series in both Japan and America. Both the anime and…


Manga Artists, Child Pornography, and the Influence of Manga, Part 2
In the first part of this article, I examined the effects associated with pornography use, both child and adult, and how they encourage personality traits that can lead…
قضية Kemono Friends
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيمأي متابع أنيمي في 2017 لا بد وأنه قد سمع بهذا الاسم، كيمونو فريندز، أحد أنجح وأشهر أنيميات عام 2017 بل وحتى في السنين الأخيرة.…
Friends or Something
Barem sits down for some lunch, Taiki's run at nationals ends early, and Edens Zero -finally- comes to an end! 5:04 - Undead Unluck 211 16:21 - Blue Box 154 23:53…
Naoko Yamada & Friends
By Andrew Osmond. Naoko Yamada is the best-known female director in anime. Most of her directing credits are for TV series made at Kyoto Animation, where she spent…


Review: Isshuukan Friends
This is the last post which will be made on Meepinganime. It’s kind of sad, isn’t it? From here on out, we’re renaming ourselves to something totally different,…


Interviews with Artists: My Name is Tran
Header Image: Six Crimson Cranes by My Name Is Tran Editor: Samantha Ferreira Anime Herald: What is your origin story as an artist? Tran Nguyen: I grew up


Manga artists embrace advanced 3D CG tools
Plus: Anime rises in South Africa; Crunchyroll settles class action lawsuit; Employing people with disabilities in anime production; and more
Jpop – Top Five Picks Female Artists 2020
It’s that time of the year again, and the first of this decade! This particular year though, due to personal circumstances, I have reduced my picks from 10…
Jpop – Top Five Picks Male Artists 2020
It’s that time of the year again, and the first of this decade! This particular year though, due to personal circumstances, I have reduced my picks from 10…


Manga artists embrace advanced 3D CG tools
Plus: Anime rises in South Africa; Crunchyroll settles class action lawsuit; Employing people with disabilities in anime production; and more


How Does Piracy Affect Korean Webtoon Artists?
A common argument in favor of piracy is that unofficial distribution gives artists free exposure. However, the artists themselves don't see it that way.


Manga artists embrace advanced 3D CG tools
Plus: Anime rises in South Africa; Crunchyroll settles class action lawsuit; Employing people with disabilities in anime production; and more
First Impressions for #Animexchange: Natsume’s Book of Friends
Giving my first impressions of Natsume’s book of friends, a series with a lot of charm, but a few problems.
Pick of the Week: Old Friends And New
SEAN: There’s always an embarrassment of riches when it’s Viz week. That said, I can see no reason not to pick one of my favorite manga series of…
The Dawn of the Witch #04 — But Friends!
This episode went from extremely boring to complete mess very abruptly. Impressions: Man, the awful animation continues to do this show no favors whatsoever. Nor does its…
Completly Objective Review of Natsume’s Book of Friends – Blame Scott
Genre : Supernatural, Slice of Life, drama, Everything that’s good with the world Episodes: 74 over 6 seasons, 6 OVAs and a movie Studio: Shuka There are few…


Natsume’s Book of Friends – Season Seven End of Season Thoughts
So this post is coming out a bit later then I initially anticipated. I had faithfully followed Natsume on a weekly basis when it first started airing last…
Phoenix Talks Pop Culture Japan
Natsume's Book of Friends 4, Natsume's Book of Friends Season 7, Natsume's Book of Friends


This Side of Japan's Best of 2023: The Friends List
We wrap up our best of 2023 coverage with selections picked by friends of the newsletter


This Side of Japan's Best of 2024: The Friends List
We wrap up our best of 2024 coverage with selections picked by friends of the newsletter


Taiyo Matsumoto talks shop with one of his favorite artists, Fumiko Takano
This conversation was published December 2006, when the Tekkon Kinkreet movie came out in theaters and Matsumoto was in the early stages of Takemitsu Zamurai. The artist he’s talking…