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September 28 2015, 5:32 PM

White Box Warriors

We have two types of warriors in this update, but the show that's actually about war in the traditionally understood sense turns out to be rather dull: Carlos finds that Samurai Warriors commits the deadly sin of making history and geography boring. At least it's not yet another Oda Nobunaga show?

But the other type of warrior in question are the people whose sweat, tears, and pain mix with creative energy to give us anime and to let this site even exist in the first place: I'm talking about the animators. And no show gives us a better look at them than does Shirobako, which to me is nothing less than a masterpiece. This review was long overdue....

Next week brings us (very) dirty jokes and hikikomori. Until then.

-Nick Browne

 
September 21 2015, 11:05 PM

School Idol Sake

Today, Carlos soldiers on with what might be the last we see of the Love Live franchise: he and some of his other anime-loving friends were lucky enough to catch the American theatrical release of Love Live! The School Idol Movie, and he has fun with it in spite of its foibles (I realize that I promised something else of his for this week, but that'll be along next time...my mistake).

In the meantime, I had a lot of fun with the short series Wakakozake, which is one of the better food-centered series I've seen and a nice solo outing for Miyuki Sawashiro. If you're a foodie, take a look.

Two new releases, hot off the animators' brushes: now it's time for me to get some other reviews done. Until next time!

-Nick Browne

 
September 14 2015, 1:02 PM

"Ladies and Gentleman....THE BEAT- ....er, TEAM NICOMAKI!"

It just might be time to start screaming, but not for the reason you'd think: in spite of what English-speaking audiences might guess, Allen's pick of today is far more likely to please fans of J-Pop and male-targeted eroge VNs than fans of England's Fab Four. Indeed, pop music abounds in both of today's reviews!

First off, White Album 2 ultimately doesn't have much more to do with its predecessor (which we don't currently have a review of) than it does with the Beatles' strangest and messiest album. Allen gives it a (narrowly) passing grade because the music is pleasant and the show barely, barely starts to dig into some of the issues behind the usual love-triangle schlock, but he's ultimately not that convinced by it.

Our other pick of the day, as promised, is also a sequel of sorts, though a more direct one this time: Carlos' take on the Love Live franchise continues, with a review of the second season. This time, the romantic elements aren't swept under the rug, and according to him, the show is much better for it.

Carlos should be back with at least one more game-based review next week, though not one that induces nearly as much (if any) squeeing. And with that....

"NICO NICO NII"

'til next time.

-Nick Browne

 
September 7 2015, 12:01 PM

Is it Wrong if We Give This Love Live Thingamajig a Second Look?

Well... no, that wouldn't be wrong would it? But before that, I'm going to post my review for the somewhat cumbersomely named Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon?, and a very belated review this is. Then again, that's what happens when us Scandinavians gets a rather odd 60 day streaming delay placed upon ourselves. Also, Japan; shorter show titles. Please.

The... delay... for the other review might've been partially our fault, though, because it's not that long ago either that Carlos went on a Love Live binge, and found out that before tackling the second season, he should give us an alternate take on the review for Love Live! School Idol Project, a show he thinks would have been better if they hadn't taken out all the lesbianism in it. And been a bit more daring with its songs. And... well, read on and see.

And with the stage set, Carlos will return next week for the second season. And maybe we'll throw in another review too. See you then.

-Stig Høgset.

 
 
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