My Hero Academia and the Horrifying Nature of Quirks

My Hero Academia is one of the most bizarre anime series I have ever seen. Not because it’s challenging, or intricate, or even that high concept, but because it lacks any semblance of logic. Now, that’s not to say I don’t like My Hero Academia. On the contrary, I watched both seasons with great enthusiasm,ContinueContinue reading “My Hero Academia and the Horrifying Nature of Quirks”

Manga Review: Kanai-kun (Matsumoto x Tanikawa)

In 2014, mangaka Taiyo Matsumoto released a 48 page picture book, exploring attitudes towards death. It was a collaboration with famed poet Shuntaro Tanikawa, and the artwork and manuscripts were also presented as an exhibition at the Parco Museum in Shibuya, Tokyo. Recent events in my own life have led me to rediscover this heartfeltContinueContinue reading “Manga Review: Kanai-kun (Matsumoto x Tanikawa)”

Top 10 Japanese Movies

Greetings, perusers. I’m taking a short break from Watched This Month as I have been quite preoccupied recently, but wanted to take this leisurely day to instead write about some of my favourite Japanese films. If you know me — which you probably don’t — then you’ll know I adore Japanese cinema, which has aContinueContinue reading “Top 10 Japanese Movies”

Manga Talk: I Am a Hero

Kengo Hanazawa’s manga I Am a Hero ended just the other day, after eight years of publication. The ending has divided readers—understandably so—as it leaves many questions unanswered, but I don’t believe it’s as open as it seems. Warning! Spoilers below. After the showdown atop the Sunrise building in Tokyo, a group of survivors manageContinueContinue reading “Manga Talk: I Am a Hero”

Manga Review: Gintama (Hideaki Sorachi)

“At its heart Gintama is a science fiction human pseudo-historical comedy. The bottom line is that this is a nonsense manga. But I don’t believe in telling readers what to think, so read it any way you like.” – Hideaki Sorachi Set during the 19th century in an alternate-reality Edo that has been conquered byContinueContinue reading “Manga Review: Gintama (Hideaki Sorachi)”

Manga Review: Billy Bat (Naoki Urasawa)

Billy Bat is an intricately woven mystery-thriller; it’s a manga where twists and turns are around every corner and one which you will have to invest quite a bit of time into before any kind of revelation or payoff, but my is it gripping. We begin with Kevin Yamagata; a Japanese-American cartoonist whose series BillyContinueContinue reading “Manga Review: Billy Bat (Naoki Urasawa)”

Movie Talk: All About Lily Chou-Chou

Title: All About Lily Chou-Chou (リリイ・シュシュのすべて) Director: Shunji Iwai Screenplay: Shunji Iwai Starring: Hayato Ichihara, Shûgo Oshinari, Ayumi Itô, Yû Aoi Released: Oct 2001 (JP), Jul 2002 (US), Aug 2002 (UK) Ever since I discovered All About Lily Chou-Chou in 2006, it has held a special place in my heart. Along with Takeshi Kitano’s Sonatine,ContinueContinue reading “Movie Talk: All About Lily Chou-Chou”

Manga Talk: Platinum End

Death Note and Bakuman authors Takeshi Obata and Tsugumi Ohba started their new series back in November, 2015. The manga – titled Platinum End and published monthly in Shueisha’s Jump Square magazine – introduces us to Mirai; a dejected youth who attempts suicide in the opening pages. Moments before his death, Mirai is saved byContinueContinue reading “Manga Talk: Platinum End”

Manga Review: Ping Pong (Taiyo Matsumoto)

Like much of Taiyo Matsumoto’s work, Ping Pong includes the same level of energy and surprising depth that outshines its basis to the point of sheer brilliance. Ping Pong – contrary to the title – is less a story about table tennis and more about the coming of age of two polar opposite individuals. TheContinueContinue reading “Manga Review: Ping Pong (Taiyo Matsumoto)”