Akemi's Anime Blog

Notes and musings about what we're currently watching, as well as goings-on in Japan. Check it out.

Real-life Ponyo Village Saves Bay From Destruction

10/01/2009

News from Japan: Tomo no Ura, the town used as a basis for Ponyo, has won a lawsuit to stop Hiroshima prefecture from filling in part of the bay to build a parking lot. ...
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Two Symbolic Takes on WWII

09/29/2009

The cracked mini-history-lesson-comedy Hetalia Axis Powers and Valkyria Chronicles take such opposite angles on retelling WWII it's hard to believe they're based on the same actual event. ...
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What's New At The Site

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Nov. 1, 2009

Two double reviews: Lengthy discussions of the spectacular Code Geass and its mostly-disappointing sequel R2, plus the disturbing Bludgeoning Angel Dokuro-chan and its not-so-disappointing sequel. Also another review from reader Chainclaw, of Steamboy.

Jun. 9, 2009

New reader review from deep in the backlog of Ninja Scroll: The Series by longtime contributor Chainclaw, the first of several.

Jun. 1, 2009

New official reviews of the fun Allison and Lillia, season 1 and season 2, and the hilarious Kyouran Kazoku Nikki.

Apr. 4, 2009

New official review of Dennou Coil.

Mar. 29, 2009

New official review of Popotan and a reader review of Batman: Gotham Knight by longtime contributor Wolfwood.

Mar. 21, 2009

New official review of Shadow Star Narutaru and a reader review of Eureka Seven by Jared Prewitt. More of both to follow.

Feb. 22, 2009

Though it's been up for a few days already, we're going to give the blog thing a shot, with commentary on what we're currently watching. This isn't in place of any reviews; rather, it's making my internal notes public in the hopes some might find them interesting, plus a few side bits of commentary that didn't fit anywhere else on the site. We're also going to try and add bits of Akemi's commentary on interesting goings on in Japan, if her schedule permits. Also, since the blog is more about process than product, it makes more sense to post details with what's going on at the site there rather than here; the news feed will, thus, return to what it was in the old days, more of a brief list of changes. The blog is linked from the home page or available at blog.animeworld.com; feel free to comment if you love or hate the idea--it's a work in progress.

And on that note, two new reviews today, both of rather goofy comedies: The crazy, funny Akahori Gedou Hour Rabuge and the weak Itsudatte My Santa. Also fixed the review search, which was somewhat broken.

Jan. 1, 2009

Welcome to 2009: today we celebrate AAW's tenth birthday. '08 was a rather quiet year here, and we did hope to have something a little more exciting ready for an anniversary announcement, but it's not ready yet, so oh well. Instead, just a thank you to all of the 10 million people who've visited AAW over the past decade, and a wish of a good 2009 to all.

Aug 16, 2008

New reviews! First another unexpectedly good Geneon comedy, Dokkoida?!. Second the obscure action-western Early Reins.

And third, our first two reviews to include Blu-ray info: Yukikaze and SOS Tokyo Metro Explorers: The Next. We figured that, since the silly next-gen format wars finally ended it was time to get on the boat, in particular reviews of the ridiculously expensive not-quite-imports from Bandai's Honneamise label, like these two, to help you decide if it's really worth quadruple the price of the DVD for a high def version.

More stuff and reader reviews to follow in the near future.

June 5, 2008

New review today of one of the funniest things the editorial "we" have seen recently, Daphne in the Brilliant Blue. The review actually isn't quite done, but it turns out RightStuf is running a clearance sale on a bunch of Geneon DVDs, among which is Daphne for a paltry $5 a disc, so we wanted to spread the word while the gettin's cheap.

Also at work on plenty of other stuff, but we'll wait until it's more finished to talk it up.

Archive of old "what's new" things.

Industry News

News Provided by Anime News Network

2009 Pokémon Film on U.S. Cartoon Network Today (Updated)

2009-11-20 at 15:46:22
Pokemon: Arceus and the Jewel of Life just opened in Japan 4 months ago Full Article at ANN

Durarara, Fumihiko Sori's To Video Clips Streamed (Updated)

2009-11-20 at 13:14:57
Anime from Baccano author, Vexille director to debut over next two months Full Article at ANN

Trigun: Badlands Rumble Film's Teaser Trailer Posted (Updated)

2009-11-20 at 11:49:44
Film based on Yasuhiro Nightow's manga to open on April 24; staff, cast return Full Article at ANN

Mai Mai Miracle's 1st 5 Minutes from Madhouse Streamed

2009-11-20 at 11:32:55
6 more minutes also on YouTube, Nico Nico Douga's new Madhouse Channel Full Article at ANN

New York Times Manga Best Seller List, November 8-14

2009-11-20 at 09:40:56
Vampire Knight, Naruto, Ouran, Black Bird, Maximum Ride, Rosario, Negima, Soul Eater, D. Gray-Man, Tsubasa Full Article at ANN

Kiss×sis Manga Gets 4th Original Anime DVD Green-Lit

2009-11-20 at 03:40:08
TV anime already revealed for Bow Ditama's "forbidden" romance Full Article at ANN

Tono to Issho 4-Panel Gag Manga Gets Anime Green-Lit (Updated)

2009-11-20 at 03:15:00
Ohba-Kai's comedy of generals during Japan's tumultuous sengoku period Full Article at ANN

NisiOisin's Katanagatari TV Anime Ads Streamed

2009-11-20 at 02:47:48
Bakemonogatari author's 12-volume novel animated as 12 monthly specials Full Article at ANN

Space Battleship Yamato Underpants for Sale in Japan

2009-11-20 at 00:50:45
Designs feature ship's trademark wave motion gun, icons from space opera Full Article at ANN

Arashi's My Girl CD Debuts on Top of Weekly Chart

2009-11-19 at 23:57:00
Berryz KOUBOU's Inazuma Eleven tie-in "Ryūsei Boy" also ranks at #5 Full Article at ANN