Manga Talk: JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure, Part 1 – 3

If you know anything about anime or manga, then you’ve probably heard of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure. If not, then perhaps you’ve seen the memes. Either way, it’s a series that carries with it a certain renown. Beginning with Part 1, which began publication in 1987, the manga is now on Part 8, with an animeContinueContinue reading “Manga Talk: JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure, Part 1 – 3”

Manga Review: Monster (Naoki Urasawa)

The story goes that Naoki Urasawa toyed with penning a manga set in the medical field early in his career, but met resistance from his editor. Now, almost two decades since Monster concluded, it’s clear to see it was not only – against his editor’s predictions – a landmark work for Urasawa in terms ofContinueContinue reading “Manga Review: Monster (Naoki Urasawa)”

Manga Talk: Bio-Booster Armor Guyver

Guyver is a classic — the manga began early in 1985 and is still published to this day. Written and illustrated by Yoshiki Takaya, it follows a high school student named Fukamachi Sho, who stumbles upon a strange device that envelopes him, and subsequently allows him to transform into the Guyver, which is a sortContinueContinue reading “Manga Talk: Bio-Booster Armor Guyver”

Alita: Battle Angel — Trailer Impressions

I am currently swamped with deadlines, fighting off procrastination, and trying to whip up thousands of words a day before I succumb to the indolence of the Christmas period, but I had to give myself a break, for something momentous has occurred. The first trailer for the live-action adaptation of Battle Angel Alita has arrived.ContinueContinue reading “Alita: Battle Angel — Trailer Impressions”

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)”

Movie Review: Death Note (2017)

Title: Death Note Director: Adam Wingard Screenplay: Charles Parlapanides, Vlas Parlapanides, Jeremy Slater Starring: Nat Wolff, Lakeith Stanfield, Margaret Qualley, Shea Whigham, Paul Nakauchi, Willem Dafoe Released: 25ᵗʰ August 2017 In the process of adapting a book or television show to film, there are undoubtedly numerous considerations. However, before deciding what material to exclude, whatContinueContinue reading “Movie Review: Death Note (2017)”

Movie Review: Ghost in the Shell

Title: Ghost in the Shell Director: Rupert Sanders Screenplay: Jamie Moss, William Wheeler Starring: Scarlett Johansson, Takeshi Kitano, Pilou Asbæk, Michael Pitt Released: Mar 2017 (US & UK) Well, what do you know. They’ve only gone and made a live-action version of Ghost in the Shell. This would have been a dream come true forContinueContinue reading “Movie Review: Ghost in the Shell”

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)”