Striking art can't make up for a barebones story with little narrative or characterization to chew on.
Dec 17, 2022 • Subscribe
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Afro Samurai: Resurrection Anime Movie Review
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The Elusive Samurai GN 1-2
It's clear that the story is walking a fine line between known history and wished-for adaptation, and the plot is relatively slow-moving despite a lot happening.
Kekkon Afro Tanaka
The latest in the Afro Tanaka comedy series about the life of afro haired Hiroshi Tanaka that focuses on his life as a newly married man who is…
Tista GN 1
From the creator of SpyxFamily comes a difficult story, replete with themes of what we owe those who "save" us and just how much power any one person…
Tista GN 1
Before there was SPY x FAMILY there was Tista. Tatsuya Endō's first serialized work shares some themes with his latest – heroine Tista Lone is an orphan who
Helck GN 1
A human makes a play for demon king, stating he hates humankind just as much as a demon should. He just has to convince Red Vamirio, and her…
MAO GN 1
Takahashi's latest seems to borrow elements from her previous popular works, but does it add anything new to her tried and true recipe?
FANGS GN 1
FANGS is a story that is most likely going to have the most appeal for readers who enjoy both vampires and BL, and it will probably still have…
Life GN 1
Two decades after its initial release, Life presents a viciously recognizable picture of the social hellscape that middle and high school can be.
Ayashimon GN 1
This volume is packed with everything from yakuza action to twisted backstories to humans against monsters. Does this manga from the creator of Hell’s Paradise manage to bring…
Centaurs GN 1
Dark historical fantasy doesn't get much better than this.
Higehiro GN 1
Is there actually some insightful character stuff present that looks like it can take full advantage of this arrangement? The answer is surprisingly yes for a good chunk…
SINoALICE GN 1
This manga adaptation of the popular mobile game gambles on a risky decision: to deliberately confuse its readers on what's real and what's just a dream.
MonsTABOO GN 1
Take a bit of social commentary on twisted, corrupt adults, add in schoolgirls who use monsters as transformed weapons to fight them, and then throw in a game…
Dandadan GN 1
A lot of manga have bawdy humor and fail, but Dandadan manages to make it work by displaying its heart alongside its horror and humor.
Barbarities GN 1
Barbarities' first volume is an interesting opening to a political BL tale. The politics and the side romance may be a little more intriguing than Joel and Adam…
Ayashimon GN 1
Most of us have probably tried it at some point. What “it” means varies, but the definition is always “something that works in my favorite story.” Whether
Semelparous GN 1
It feels more like the book is interested in gratuitous girl-on-girl groping than in exploring or creating a relationship.
Otherside Picnic GN 1
Otherside Picnic creates a creepy world that gives a sense of vast, unexplored space and dangers lurking just below your line of sight.
Captain Corinth GN 1
At this point in genre saturation, a space soldier being dropped into a medieval fantasy planet feels positively revelatory.
Kemono Jihen GN 1
Kimono Jihen is a combination of folklore, fantasy, and horror. It's got a beating heart underneath the grimness and this volume is a solid start to the series.
Choujin X GN 1
From the same creative mind that brought us the hit manga series Tokyo Ghoul comes another rather dark outing from creator Sui Ishida. If you were a fan...
Shadows House GN 1
Anime viewers may get a lot more out of this introductory volume of the manga that inspired it, because if you're armed with a bit more knowledge, the…
Kageki Shoujo!! GN 1
Like its heroine, Kageki Shojo!! is just getting started but shows enormous promise.
Usotoki Rhetoric GN 1
Set in 1926, this rural detective tale follows a teen sleuth who can tell when people are lying.
Tokyo Aliens GN 1
This first volume of Tokyo Aliens is a solid start to what looks like a promising series, but plays it safe in regards to what's in store for…
Sakura's Dedication GN 1
Despite it's title, this manga is less an aggressive pursuit and more about a guy who is very concerned about making his new girlfriend comfortable around him.
Mame Coordinate GN 1
This manga about modeling tries to balance the glam with the less than savory aspect of the job, but is the problem really its protagonist?
Tesla Note GN 1
Because the anime adaptation made some questionable artistic choices, it's worth mentioning that the manga is much more attractive on the art front.
Hello, Melancholic! GN 1
This is by and large an extremely familiar story – but that doesn't mean it can't be a good one if told well, and through this first volume,…
Rainbow Days GN 1
If the anime failed to hold your attention, you'll want to check out the source material for a much more entertaining read.
Seaside Stranger GN 1
It's just as much about how Shun comes to understand that he deserves to be happy and that Mio truly does love him for (rather than in spite…
Yuri Espoir GN 1
Yuri Espoir is an odd combination of froth and sadness. The way that the world seems hellbent on crushing Kokoro under the burden of false heteronormativity is undeniably…
Nana & Kaoru GN 1
BDSM-curious should check out Nana & Kaoru, a manga that respects the realities of its subject matter (and is pretty hot).
Tephlon Funk GN 1
Inspired by Cowboy Bebop and Spike Lee films, Tephlon Funk is a lot, but I think that ultimately that's a good thing.
Sakamoto Days GN 1
A retired assassin finds domestic bliss and opens a convenience store, but the crime world isn't ready to let Sakamoto go.
Dark Gathering GN 1
I mean it when I say I wasn't expecting to be terrified from reading Dark Gathering. This surprise isn't a downside. That this story was able to genuinely…
Great Pretender GN 1
The story of the Great Pretender is one of a good person trying desperately to be a bad guy in a world where everyone is out for themselves.
Heart Gear GN 1
Sci-fi fans will find a lot to love in this Isaac Asimov-inspired story about an artificial lifeform becoming human through its interactions with a human child
Lovely Muco! GN 1
There's a satisfying simplicity in following the life of Muco and her owner.
Megaton Musashi #07 — Afro Rap
Suddenly, out of nowhere, hip hop. I'm not totally sure the deal with Lupin at the moment, though I'm on the fence about continuing anyway. It looks…
Weekly Round-Up, 23-29 March 2022: Afro Samurai Anniversary, Wage Gap Statistics, and Shoujo Recs
AniFem Round-Up If the Belt Fits: The battle for trans characters in fighting games In honor of Guilty Gear‘s Testament coming out as agender, we’re rerunning C.S. Nangland’s…
Afro Samurai, The Rising of the Shield Hero, The Twelve Kingdoms
Samurai 8: Chapter 1 Review
Overall Rating: 8.75/10 Plot/Story: 8.5/10 Art/Design: 9/10 Characters: 8.5/10 Action/Fights: 9/10 Synopsis Hachimaru (a terminally ill, homebound child on life-support) is granted an o…
The Gymnastics Samurai – Episode 1
The Gymnastics Samurai is not quite the Dad Sports Anime it appears to be, and I don't yet know if that's a good thing or not.
Fungus and Iron GN 1
This story about a dyslexic soldier finds itself excited to play in the dystopian sci-fi genre space, but ends up merely splashing in the shallow ends of its…
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.
Tearmoon Empire GN 1-2
Tearmoon Empire's manga adaptation sets itself apart from its brethren just enough to feel fun and different, and Mia's unwitting actions as a force for good are very…
My Special One GN 1
The romance moves abruptly in this one, as spurned schoolgirl Saho attempts to reconcile her feelings for hot idol Kouta despite being burned by a handsome guy in…
Show-ha Shoten! GN 1
Stephan Paul's translation largely carried what ended up being a surprisingly involved and unique underdog story involving two aspiring comedians.
Kaiju No. 8 GN 1
After months of people begging me to get into Kaiju No. 8 and me dragging my feet, I can definitely say: they were all right, I should have…