Oshi no Ko s3 episode 6

Rating: A- Much of the story territory covered by this episode was also dealt with in the last regular episode of the live-action TV version, but I infinitely prefer this version of how Kana’s potential scandal is handled. That’s because this version both provides a lot more context and portrays Kana in a way muchContinue reading “Oshi no Ko s3 episode 6”

Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End 2 episodes 4-5

Episode Rating (both): B Episode 3 ended with Stark and Fern set to go out on a date, and the first half of episode 4 deals with how that date plays out. The whole affair is as awkward as might be expected. Stark definitely tries, but he’s still operating more off a pre-set plan thanContinue reading “Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End 2 episodes 4-5”

Movie Review: Scarlet

Scarlet is the latest original project from Mamoru Hosoda, the director acclaimed for movies like Summer Wars, Wolf Children, and BELLE. In this case the story is more an original take on one of the classics of English literature: Shakespeare’s Hamlet. This being anime, this naturally wasn’t going to be a straight or close adaptation;Continue reading “Movie Review: Scarlet”

Oshi no Ko 3 episode 5

Rating: B+ After four episodes focusing primarily on Ruby, the series finally remembers that Kana is a core part of the cast rather than just a bit player and gives her some love. Almost too much of it, in fact, and plenty enough to set up the franchise’s next major crisis. Kana is, understandably, atContinue reading “Oshi no Ko 3 episode 5”

Oshi no Ko 3 episode 4

Rating: A- Oshi no Ko has quite the reputation for the plot twists it throws out, but nothing which happens in this episode really counts. That each of the big events in this episode would eventually happen was fully predictable, and that they would all converge is both logical and fits the series’ presentation style.Continue reading “Oshi no Ko 3 episode 4”

Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End 2 episode 3

Rating: A- So even a series as grand and respected as this one ultimately has to break down and have a hot springs episode. But that just means it’s going to be done Frieren-style. Once again, the episode is divided into two distinct parts, this time connected by a common theme: experiencing the hot springsContinue reading “Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End 2 episode 3”

Oshi no Ko 3 episode 3

Rating: B+ While I expected this series to take a markedly different angle on the cosplay scene than Dress Up Darling or 2.5 Dimensional Seduction, I’m not sure I quite expected what we got in this episode. But as usual, the series uses it as an opportunity to examine behind-the-scenes issues in the entertainment industry.Continue reading “Oshi no Ko 3 episode 3”

Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End 2 episode 2

Rating: B+ This episode firmly falls into the “events while traveling” part of the series, which many fans of the franchise would argue is where the series is at its strongest. Indeed, even though this isn’t one of the series’ more exciting and impactful episodes, there’s still a lot to like and a lot ofContinue reading “Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End 2 episode 2”

Oshi no Ko s3 episode 2

Rating: B+ One of the recurring themes of the franchise has been the somewhat cynical notion that nearly every successful move in the entertainment industry – even ones that seem fully spontaneous to a layman – has actually been carefully calculated. When characters in this franchise have acted without rigorous planning and intent (Akane slappingContinue reading “Oshi no Ko s3 episode 2”

Zombie Land Saga: Yumeginga Paradise

Yumeminga Paradise, which screened in American theaters on January 19th, is a direct sequel to Zombie Land Saga Revenge. Though it does provide a brief summary of past events from both TV seasons at its beginning, this is not an entry point for the franchise, as full familiarity with all previously-established characters is assumed. TheeContinue reading “Zombie Land Saga: Yumeginga Paradise”