A San Japan 7 Adventure

Well, it's finally here! Here is a video consisting of our trip to San Japan!

Sailor Moon Crystal: Episode 2 (Review)

After coming back from my weekend trip to the 7th annual San Japan anime convention, I immediately watched the second episode of the new Sailor Moon anime reboot. Even though there is not so much to say since much of the details I said in the review of the first episode are the same: more close to the manga with some aspects from the original Sailor Moon anime.

"Act 2: Ami, Sailor Mercury" (or Episode 2 for short) is an adaptation of the second chapter from the original manga, and we are introduced to the second Sailor Guardian, Sailor Mercury. In the original anime, Sailor Mercury isn't introduced until Episode 8, and even though it did contain aspects from the manga, the story in the episode was a bit different from the one in the original chapter. However, even in the reboot episode, there are only some slight differences from the original manga, but it remains faithful.

Until the third episode premieres next month, we will be awaiting the next episode of Sailor Moon Crystal.

Written by Nolan Schmidt

Sailor Moon Crystal: Episode 1 (Review)

On July 5, the first episode of Sailor Moon Crystal premiered worldwide, and I was one of the many individuals who watched it. From what I seen in the trailers thrilled me more and more each time until the episode was finally released. What did I think of it? Let's find out. Beware that this review contains spoilers.

From the opening moments of the episode, I began like the first episode of the original series did where Usagi wakes up and realizes that she is late for school. Of course, unlike the original anime series, this first episode is very close to Naoko Takeuchi's original manga where much of the story gets to the point. We see Usagi trip over Luna, and we also see Mamoru in a tuxedo outside the jewelry store from which becomes an important aspect for the climax of the episode. As much I can say, even though there are a few changes from the original first manga chapter, it remained pretty faithful to the source material.

Of course, there is the animation, which is quite fluent and artistic, and the designs that are close to Takeuchi's illustrations in her manga. Plus, there is the transformation scene which combines both CGI and traditional animation. Finally, with the return of Kotono Mitsuishi as Usagi/Sailor Moon, brings a somewhat nostalgic feel to this reboot, and both the opening and closing songs are enjoyable.

The episode itself was really good, and I have high hopes with this particular series. Now, I just have to wait for the next episode for the full introduction of Sailor Mercury.

- Nolan Schmidt

Anime Talk: Episode 2

For the second episode of Anime Talk, John Paul (my fellow collaborator) and I review the first episode of Sailor Moon Crystal in this audio-only episode. We also briefly talk about the recently announced Viz Media English dub for the original anime and home video release, and our upcoming trip to the San Japan Anime Convention in San Antonio, Texas.

- Nolan Schmidt

Azumanga Daioh (Manga Review)

So, for the first time, I am reviewing a manga! And for my first manga review for this blog, I am reviewing Azumanga Daioh.

Azumanga Daioh is a school-life comedy manga by Kiyohiko Azuma (Yotsuba&!), and it is based on a group of girls' three years of high school. A majority of the manga itself is presented in four-panel strips, which are called yonkoma, but a few of the "chapters" are sometimes presented in the traditional way. In an interesting fact, the title itself, which translates to "Great King Azumanga," is actually based on several aspects. Azumanga comes from both the author's name and the word "manga," and the series was serialized in a shonen manga magazine known as Dengeki Daioh.

As mentioned before, the manga is based on a group of high school girls during their three years of high school. The series itself focuses on six main characters and four supporting characters. Out of the group of girls is Chiyo (a gifted 10-year-old who was able to attend high school), Sakaki (an animal lover), Ayumu "Osaka" Kasuga (a transfer student from Osaka, Japan), Yomi (who mostly gets aggravated by the next mentioned character), Tomo (who is very obnoxious), and Kagura (who tries to rival Sakaki at athletics). From the supporting cast, there is Yukari Tanizaki (the girls' homeroom teacher), Minamo "Nyamo" Kurosawa (the physical education teacher), Kimura (a male teacher who is obsessed with high school girls...creepy), and Kaorin (a female classmate who has a crush on Sakaki). Much of the manga is based around the events at the school and after-school hours involving either the girls or the teachers. Each yonkoma is very comical in its own way, and entertaining at the same time.

Even though the manga has been released as four volumes, it is currently available as an omnibus (which contains all four volumes) from Yen Press. And yes, there is an anime adaptation, which I will eventually get to one day. I highly recommend Azumanga Daioh if you are a fan of light-hearted comedy based around school life.

- Nolan Schmidt