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

Fist of the North Star: A Review

For many years, Toei Animation tend to create some amazing anime based off of popular manga series like Sailor Moon, Dragon Ball, and One Piece. Along with these, there is one that I really like due to its story and characters, and the anime I am talking about is Fist of the North Star.

Fist of the North Star (Hokuto no Ken) was adapted from the manga series of the same name written by Buronson and illustrated by Tetsuo Hara, and it is famous for its ultra-violent story based around Kenshiro, who is the successor of the Hokuto Shinken technique. The manga itself was presented in Weekly Shonen Jump from 1983 to 1988, and the series was given its own anime in 1984. This particular anime would include both Hokuto no Ken and its anime sequel, Hokuto no Ken 2, spanning the anime into a total of 152 episodes. The both parts of the anime series and the 1986 anime film was directed by Toyoo Ashida, who directed the anime film adaptation of Hideyuki Kikuchi's Vampire Hunter D.

Hokuto no Ken is separated in four arcs that are based off of the first 136 chapters of the manga. In the first arc, we are instantly introduced to Kenshiro, who is on a quest to rescue his fiancee, Yuria, from his former friend, Shin. We are also introduced to the two young companions that follow him throughout his journey: Bat (who is a troublemaker) and Rin (who loves and cares for Ken ever since he saved her life in the first episode). During the series, we meet other characters such as Rei (who uses a technique known as Nanto Suichoken), Mamiya, Toki (one of Kenshiro's adopted brothers), and Raoh (who will become the main antagonist for the series).

The sequel anime, Hokuto no Ken 2, is based of chapters 137 to 210 of the manga, and starts off after a time skip from the events of the final fight in the previous series. Together, Kenshiro, Bat, and Rin must fight against a corrupted ruler, and Kenshiro then returns to the land that he was born in to save Rin once again. This part of the series was much shorter since it was only based on two arcs from the manga, and the rest of the manga was never adapted into any other anime series.

I really enjoyed the first part of the anime series, but I did get bored while watching the sequel as it felt like (without giving away too many spoilers) it was repeating the formula of the first series. However, I highly recommend this particular anime series, and I am planning on reviewing the 1986 animated film when the time comes.

The Fist of the North Star anime series is currently available on DVD from Discotek Media.

Written by Nolan Schmidt

Sailor Moon in the USA!

Earlier this year, I discussed in an article the North American fan base and history of the anime adaptation of Sailor Moon, and how, with the announcement of Sailor Moon Crystal, that an anime company here in the United States would have a great chance of getting the rights.

As of yesterday, the prayers of Sailor Moon fans in the United States have been answered when a certain anime distribution company announced that they got the rights. Who is this certain anime distribution company? The company that was lucky enough to get the rights is none other than VIZ Media!

That is correct. VIZ Media announced that they acquired the rights to the original Sailor Moon anime, and they have also acquired the rights to Sailor Moon Crystal as well. However, that isn't all, folks! VIZ Media also announced that they will be streaming subtitled episodes of the series on both Neon Valley and Hulu on May 19th, and that Limited Edition Blu-ray sets of the original series will be released as well.

Now, that the Sailor Moon anime will be coming back to the States, fans of the series will be prepared for what shall be THE YEAR OF SAILOR MOON!

Written by Nolan Schmidt