Before we go into our review of the week, the staff members at T.H.E.M. Anime would like to offer our condolences for the sudden passing of Zac Bertschy. It's always hard to hear about someone as young as him dying, and our thoughts go to his family, both biological and Anime News Network staff alike.

And who gets to follow up on these sad events but Allen. He takes a look at Beatless, which he finds... interesting enough. Meaning that the show apparently raises a lot of issues, but don't really go very indepth with any of them. So take that as you will.

Well, that's our week. It looked like it'd be another pretty normal week, but... no. I hope you all are doing well.

-Stig Høgset.

Addendum (5/28): Carlos went and wrote up an editorial about Zac's passing, so make sure to go read it.

About five years and a month ago, I reviewed a TV series that was basically another entry in a growing list of weird "kinda-sorta based on WW2, but with cute girls" anime shows. Said show was also, unlike some of the others, based on a videogame franchise that grew in leaps and bounds, and as those things are wont to do, it eventually attracted people who wanted a piece of the WW2 cute girl pai. And so, we find ourselves here at Azur Lane's boarding plank, as the game has -- much like its foremother -- gained not only secondary games, but also its own TV series. Which is where we're at now. Confusing? Well, the show can be just so to its detriment, depending on whether you've played the original game or not, and... well, I have many things to say about it. Just go in and read. (Full disclosure: I do like the original game. Yes, I know it's a bit grindy, but I've had fun with it.)

Next week, Allen will look into the soul of machinery and electronics. See you all then.

-Stig Høgset.

Our pick of the week, courtesy of Allen, is Altair: A Record of Battles, which is about as straightforward a title as you can get. Allen finds it an interesting period piece as long as you don't necessarily desire historical accuracy in your entertainment.

Next week will also sorta kinda be based around a very big historical event, and also definitely not. It also stands in the shadow of another franchise, more or less, even though it's probably just as well known. So... see you all then.

-Stig Høgset.

That's not an advert for my services, mind you. It's the concept of our show of the week, and one that I have to say rather unexpectedly looked me straight in the eye and gave me a knowing wink. That show is Interspecies Reviewers, which was too hot for FUNimation or something, because their stream disappeared right quick, as did a lot of other sources sans a few. Like the Australian Wakanime stream. But yes, as I'm going to reiterate in my opening paragraph: if the topic of sex -- or even prostitution -- in a fantasy world where that is actually a safe job option offends you, well... there's always next week. But interestingly, what I found with this show was a surprisingly tasteful look at the sex industry. Yes, it's crude and tacky at times, but very, very rarely in an offputting way. I had two complaints about the show, so go read the review to see what those are.

And that's it for this week. Next week, we'll deal with a vastly less controversial topic: politics. See you all then.

-Stig Høgset.