It doesn't look as bad as Return of the Prince—however, that is an incredibly low bar to set and damning with faint praise more than anything else. ― Workshop Battle is a major step up from Return of the Prince. It is a far more focused story with an understandable core conflict. Bam is trying to keep everyone he cares about safe at his own expense. At the same time, his new friends and Khun are putt...

feature

15 comments

Was D.Gray-Man Actually Any Good?

Jan 29, 09:00

15 comments

anime

I think part of the reason that D.Gray-man, as a series, stood out to so many people is that it used death as an overarching aesthetic and theme. ― There are plenty of things that a lot of long-running shonen series have in common, from over-the-top fights to themes of friendship and perseverance. One common complaint often thrown at some of the bigger shounen series is the lack of permanence and wei...

column

25 comments

This Week in Anime - Snuggling in with Cozy Anime

Jan 28, 12:00

25 comments

anime

Chris and Coop discuss their comfort watches for those days when you just want your anime to be the equivalent of a mug of hot cocoa. ― Chris and Coop discuss their comfort watches for those days when you just want your anime to be the equivalent of a mug of hot cocoa. Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by the participants in this chatlog are not the views of Anime News Network.Spoiler War...

review

Living With Him Manga Review

Jan 28, 12:00 manga

If you want something a little less spicy and a little bit more wholesome, there’s plenty here to make your heart flutter as a smile creeps across your face. ― I've never been to Japan, so I can't comment on how its society at large views same-sex relationships. But there seems to be a consistent theme in these stories where people never seem to entertain the notion that two guys could be romanticall...

column

29 comments

Answerman - What are "Gyaru," and Why are They Popular in Anime Again?

Jan 27, 14:00

29 comments

anime

Jerome defines "gyaru" and their place in the anime landscape. ― The internet asks: What are "gyaru," and why are they popular in anime again? I love talking about Japanese subcultures, and I love assessing their impact on broader global pop culture at home and overseas. I hadn't thought much about gyaru since my first encounter with a couple of “gyaru girls” back in Shibuya in 2007. It was during o...

feature

17 comments

The Depiction of Hikikomori in Japanese Pop Culture: Can the Anime Industry Help 'Social Recluses' Break out of Their Shells?

Jan 27, 13:00

17 comments

anime

Maja Djordjevic compares the real struggles of hikikomori with their depictions in anime and how Japan is trying to offer solutions to families. ― Distorted representations are endemic to pop culture. By definition, the latter upholds the target ‘popular’ narrative and its basic purpose — instant gratification delivered by means of entertainment. When tackling complex concepts, pop culture prevalentl...

review

13 comments

The Rose of Versailles Anime Film Review

Jan 27, 12:00

13 comments

anime

How do you adapt a seminal classic that took 14 volumes of manga and 40 episodes of TV to tell into a feature film? You make it a musical. ― The Rose of Versailles is one of the seminal works of early shōjo manga. With over 23 million copies sold worldwide, it's no surprise that it still holds a place in popular culture over 50 years since its original release. This brings us to this new MAPPA-animat...

your score

7 comments

Your Anime Rankings - Best of Winter 2025, Jan 1-21

Jan 26, 23:55

7 comments

anime

Here comes our first rankings of the Winter 2025 season, and returning favorites such as Orb and The Apothecary Diaries are hogging the spotlight! ― Let's have a look at what ANN readers consider the best (and worst) of the season, based on the polls you can find in our Daily Streaming Reviews and on the Your Score page with the latest simulcasts. Keep in mind that these rankings are based on how pe...

review

8 comments

Demon Lord, Retry! R Anime Series Review

Jan 26, 12:00

8 comments

anime

This is a bad sequel in almost every way. Barely a thing has improved over last season, and many of its flaws have been carried over to here. ― Demon Lord Retry! R is a bad sequel in almost every way. Barely a thing has improved over last season, and a lot of its flaws have been carried over here. The action is as flat as ever. The animation barely moves an inch. The battles are unengaging and anti-...