Over 400 in-depth anime reviews, Japanese lessons, and more.
Thinking too much about anime since 1998.
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Latest Review Lupin III: The Secret of Mamo
A textbook example of how the first in a series isn't always the best.
Latest Review Spice and Wolf II
More smart, sharp-tongued, thoroughly entertaining economic adventures with an added emphasis on substantive romance.
Latest Review Wedding Peach DX
A thoroughly enjoyable four-shot that defies the self-imposed limits and traits of the genre.
Latest Akemi's Anime Blog Posts
Notes and musings about what we're currently watching, as well as goings-on in Japan.
Site Status Update (and secret project introduction)
07/23/2014
AAW's unplanned hiatus is the unfortunate side effect of our editor having a stroke, the proprietor buying a house, and my inability to do more than one big project at a time. The positive side effect is that it's time to announce what the heretofore-secret big project is.
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Sweet Blue Flowers Manga Finale Notes
08/10/2013
After reading the Sweet Blue Flowers manga finale, I'm torn between having enjoyed the characters and being satisfied with the conclusion and the nagging disappointment that the whole thing was lacking in narrative skill and the end was particularly rushed.
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Detroit Metal City Notes
03/06/2013
Detroit Metal City is a situation comedy about a nice guy getting into awkward situations because he moonlights as the lead singer of a death metal band. The setup sounds good, and the execution is better than funny--it's hilarious.
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Eden of the East Movies and Fridge Rage
12/15/2012
Eden of the East starts with a bang in the TV series, then follows it up with two movies, the second of which ended up being a prime example of what I shall call Fridge Rage.
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RightStuf Holiday Sale Underway
11/21/2012
RightStuf's obscenely cheap Holiday Sale is here again! We list some favorites among the even-larger-than-usual list of dirt-cheap anime to empty your wallet.
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Summer Wars Notes
09/13/2012
Summer Wars is a bit like a cross between Omoide Poroporo, a lighthearted Satoshi Kon film, and WarGames, and while it's not a perfect film it has quite a bit going for it.
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What's New at AAW RSS Feed
Mar. 15, 2013
In honor of the late Naya Goro, unforgettable voice actor of Zenigata, a review of the not-so-good classic Lupin III: The Mystery of Mamo.
Industry Newsfeed
News Provided by Anime News Network
Rurouni Kenshin: Hokkaido Arc Manga Takes 1-Month Break
2025-08-01 at 03:20:44
Manga resumed serialization last month after 1+ year hiatus Full Article at ANN
Shiravune Reveals Release Dates for Steam Versions of Aquapazza: Aquaplus Dream Match, Utawarerumono: Zan Games
2025-08-01 at 02:43:16
AQUAPAZZA: Aquaplus Dream Match releases on September 25, Utawarerumono: ZAN releases on October 23 Full Article at ANN
Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake Game Previewed in New Trailer
2025-08-01 at 02:25:49
Game to launch for Switch, Switch 2, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC via Steam/Windows on October 30 Full Article at ANN
Konami Reveals Momotaro Dentetsu 2 Game for Release on Switch, Switch 2 on November 13
2025-08-01 at 01:53:49
Game to have 2 maps for eastern, western Japan Full Article at ANN
NIS Announces Hono Gurashi no Niwa Game for Switch, Switch 2, PS5, Steam in July 2026
2025-08-01 at 01:36:27
Team behind Yomawari series make countryside life simulation game Full Article at ANN
Romancing Saga 2 Remake Game Launches for Switch 2
2025-08-01 at 01:11:49
Remake launched for Switch, PS5/4, PC in October 2024 Full Article at ANN
Backstabbed in a Backwater Dungeon Anime Reveals More Cast, Staff, October 3 Debut
2025-07-31 at 23:00:00
Hana Hishikawa, Shiori Izawa, Ayumi Mano, more join anime's cast Full Article at ANN
The Other World's Books Depend on the Bean Counter Anime's Teaser Reveals Cast, Staff, January TV Premiere
2025-07-31 at 23:00:00
Kent Itō, Tomoaki Maeno, Seiichirō Yamashita, Hiroki Tōchi join cast of anime by Sasaki and Miyano staff Full Article at ANN
Digimon Beatbreak Anime's Video Reveals More Cast, Staff, October 5 Premiere
2025-07-31 at 20:36:58
Tomoyo Kurosawa, Arisa Sekine, Yohei Azakami, more join cast; One Piece's Hiroaki Miyamoto directs Full Article at ANN
generAIdoscope Omnibus Film Produced Entirely With Generative AI Debuts on August 29
2025-07-31 at 19:00:00
Film features stories directed by novelist Otsuichi, One Cut of the Dead cinematographer Takeshi Sone, Bloody Chainsaw Girl's Hiroki Yamaguchi Full Article at ANN