Following 1979’s Galaxy Express 999, Yoshinori Kanada had become one of the top animators in Japan and would go on to be an inspiring figure for many of the artists that emerged throughout the foll…
Jun 4, 2022 • Subscribe
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Production Assistants and the Production Side
A while ago a manual on the job of a Production Assistant (制作進行) was published by the Association of Japanese Animation (AJA), defining what this job is and…


Motion/Movement
Writing about animation isn’t easy. In my experience, the two pitfalls you’re bound to run into at some point are evaluation and description. Evaluation means that you have…
The Way of the Househusband and Interesting Production Choices
Production I’m sure that most people don’t really take much notice to who produced an anime but in blogging circles it was a bit of a deal that…
Pluto and Yamada-kun and the Seven Witches
It’s, goodness, two weeks away from Thanksgiving. The days get darker earlier, which sucks because now I...
Pluto and Yamada-kun and the Seven Witches
It’s, goodness, two weeks away from Thanksgiving. The days get darker earlier, which sucks because now I leave work when it’s dark outside. It’s also getting cold in…


Ao Ashi – 24 (End) and Series Review
Not the title I was hoping to use. Read more


Bankara – Meiji Japan’s Anti-Fashion Movement
As the era of the samurai ended and Japan rushed towards modernization, a rough-scrabble fashion movement called the Bankara rose in opposition.
Ao Ashi – 07
「ユース初陣」 (Yuusu uijin) "The First Youth Match" Once more I'm struck by the parallels between the two superficially disparate series Ao Ashi and Dance Dance Danseur.


Ao Ashi – 10
Ao Ashi continues to cruise both on and off-screen. Read more
Ao Ashi – 02
「東京シティ・エスペリオン」 (Toukyou shiti esuperion) "Tokyo City Esperion" This is a genre where the great ones are always marathon and never sprint.


Ao Ashi – 11
It's not only freemasons who're obsessed with triangles. Read more


Ao Ashi – 23
I'm going to be seriously pissed off if Ao Ashi is a one-and-done adaptation. Read more
Ao Ashi – 05
「オレンジ色の景色」 (Orenji-iro no keshiki) "Orange Scenery" Now the pedigree really shines through.


Ao Ashi – 15
That was the most interesting pure soccer episode I've seen since Giant Killing. Read more
Ao Ashi – 11
「東京都リーグ第1節 成京高校戦」 (Toukyouto riigu dai 1-setsu narikyou koukou-sen) "Tokyo Metropolis League Section 1 Seikyo High School Match" It's not only freemasons who're obsessed with triangles.
Ao Ashi – 12
「EAGLE EYE」 "EAGLE EYE" The beautiful game is not simple.
Ao Ashi – 10
「譲れないこと」 (Yuzurenai koto) "No Compromises" Ao Ashi continues to cruise both on and off-screen.


Ao Ashi – 03
The really good days in anime, when they happen, still get my juices flowing. Read more


Ao Ashi – 05
Now the pedigree really shines through. Read more


Ao Ashi – 04
Ao Ashi is a more straightforward show than Dance Dance Danseur, as you'd expect - but that's not a criticism. Read more


Ao Ashi – 06
This showdown between Hoozuki and Sugimoto could get interesting... Read more


Ao Ashi – 13
If Production I.G. felt they needed to do something special for the occasion, they succeeded. Read more
Ao Ashi – 04
「CROW」 (Crow) "Crow" Ao Ashi is a more straightforward show than Danseur, as you'd expect - but that's not a criticism.


Ao Ashi – 16
It's only when one sufficiently masters a skill (or position) to the point where they can act on instinct that they can really succeed. Read more
Ao Ashi – 03
「最終試験開始」 (Saishuu shiken kaishi) "Final Test Start" The really good days in anime, when they happen, still get my juices flowing.


Ao Ashi – 18
These are pretty decent times to be a sports anime fan. Read more


Ao Ashi – 19
I would very much appreciate no more breaks from Ao Ashi. Read more
Ao Ashi – 06
「最初のファン」 (Saisho no fan) "First Fan" This showdown between Hoozuki and Sugimoto could get interesting…
Ao Ashi – 09
「広がるサッカー」 (Hirogaru sakkaa) "Broad Soccer" Gotta walk before you can run.
Ao Ashi – 08
「夜練」 (Yoru neri) "Night Training" It's a Togashi sort of week.


Ao Ashi – 07
Once more I'm struck by the parallels between the two superficially disparate series Ao Ashi and Dance Dance Danseur. Read more


Ao Ashi – 02
This is a genre where the great ones are always marathon and never sprint. Read more
Ao Ashi – 01
「ファーストタッチ」 (Faasutotatchi) "First Touch" I’m not prepared to say whether Ao Ashi will be the next great soccer anime, but I am prepared to say this premiere met my expectations…


Bocchi the Rock! Complete Production Notes And Final Impressions
Bocchi the Rock has been a wonderful mix of ridiculous comedy and compelling character growth. Now that it’s over, though with hopes to return, let’s take a final…


Yamada-kun to 7-nin no Majo (Yamada-kun and the Seven Witches)
This manga is about a delinquent type student named Yamada getting involved with the seven witches of his high school. These witches have supernatural powers that are activated…


Review: “Black Box: The Memoir That Sparked Japan’s #MeToo Movement”
Ito Shiori's arresting memoir, Black Box, has been credited with starting #metoo in Japan. Now her seminal book has a superlative new English translation.


Anime Production Behind The Scenes!
Layouts, Genga, Genga Corrections, Douga, Cel Sheets, Composite... So much that goes into making a single frame of animation! Edited by @TeeHallumsYT SUPPORT US ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/totallynotmark FOLLOW…
The Lucifer and Biscuit Hammer and Monthly Girls’ Nozaki-kun
Welcome to episode five! We’re halfway to a milestone. Around this time in the Taiiku Podcast, I imagine I sort of had an idea of what the heck…
The Lucifer and Biscuit Hammer and Monthly Girls’ Nozaki-kun
Welcome to episode five! We’re halfway to a milestone. Around this time in the Taiiku Podcast, I...
Happy Halloween from Kitaro, Akuma-kun, and Dororon Enma-kun!
While knocking on the front doors of strangers and sticking your fist into a shared bowl of candy might not be the move this year, you can always…
Devil Boy, Dororo, Dororo, Dororon Enma-kun, GeGeGe no Kitaro
Production I.G. and Two Great Sports Anime
"However, I think both 'Kuroko no Basket' and 'Haikyuu' excel for a number of reasons."