Over the last 15 years, Makoto Shinkai has emerged as one of the leaders of a new generation of anime directors who are pushing storytelling in interesting new directions. In Suzume (Suzume no Tojimari—literally, “Suzume’s Closing or Locking,” 2022), the title character begins as a normal high school girl, living with her aunt. Her mother […]
Archive for the ‘Anime’ Category
ANIME REVIEW: “Lonely Castle in the Mirror”
September 24th, 2023 
Martin Goodman Some stories must be told, especially to those caring enough to understand them, lest they eventually destroy the teller. Such is the theme of Keichi Hara’s 2022 anime, Lonely Castle in the Mirror. (Henceforth “Castle” for the purpose of this review). Adapted from a novel by Mizuki Tsujimura, The story concerns seven middle-school students who […]
Interesting Portrayals of Gay Men in Manga/Anime
June 12th, 2023 Charles Solomon EDITOR’S NOTE: This week the Annecy International Animation Festival commences – and in support of their spotlight on Animation, Pride and Diversity, we asked our anime expert Charles Solomon to suggest some recent gay manga (and anime) we should be more aware of. As the recent summit in Hiroshima spotlighted, Japan is the only G7 […]
REVIEW: “Suzume” An Epic Anime Event
April 12th, 2023 Jackson Murphy The breathtaking love story, Weathering with You was my favorite animated movie of 2019. Makoto Shinkai, the writer/director of that Annie nominee, as well as 2016’s acclaimed Your Name, returns with another triumph. Suzume is a spectacular anime adventure that makes you believe in the unbelievable.
INTERVIEW: Greetings To “Goodbye, Don Glees!”
January 12th, 2023 Jackson Murphy GKIDS’ Goodbye, Don Glees! screened in theaters in September, was recently released on Blu-Ray and DVD, and is now one of the 27 qualified films vying for 2023 Best Animated Feature Oscar nominations. This story of three friends on an unforgettable journey is packed with adventure, humor, heart and purpose. Director Atsuko Ishizuka explains the […]
“One Piece Film Red” Amasses $9.3M In North America
November 7th, 2022 Lauren Ashton Crunchyroll’s One Piece Film Red, a film by Toei Animation, opened in theaters across North America, Germany and Australia/New Zealand this past weekend. The anime film has been well received by audience members and critics during its phenomenal opening weekend, leaving the film with an “A” on CinemaScore and 95% Rotten Tomatoes. One Piece Film, […]
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Tags: Anime, Crunchyroll, One Piece Film Red, Opening Weekend, Toei Animation 
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BOOK REVIEW: “The Shonen Jump Guide to Making Manga”
October 29th, 2022 Charles Solomon As a quick glance at any bookstore or Amazon will confirm, the popularity of manga in the US has produced a flood of how-to books aimed at adolescent/teen-age artists. In addition to the general books, there are specialized volumes focusing on everything from accessories to hair styles to furry characters and mecha. An unscientific sampling […]
TRAILER: “Evangelion:3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon A Time”
October 24th, 2022 Jerry Beck The acclaimed producer and distributor of animation for adult and family audiences, GKIDS, has announced it has added exclusive IMAX showings of Evangelion:3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon A Time, to theaters nationwide, happening on November 30th only. The IMAX shows will be proceeded by screenings of EVANGELION:3.0+1.01 THRICE UPON A TIME – the final installment of the […]
Dragon Ball Blasts Its Way Into Heritage Auctions’ First Ever Anime Showcase
October 13th, 2022 Lauren Ashton Heritage Auctions plans to offer the very best lots from the renowned Dragon Ball franchise in its Anime Showcase sale, The Art of Dragon Ball. On November 17th, there will be more than 200 rare and essential pieces crossing the auction block. Expect to see highly graded trading cards, original production cels from Dragon Ball, […]
Masaaki Yuasa: An American Cinematheque Retrospective
July 19th, 2022 Jerry Beck In celebration of the critically acclaimed new film, INU-OH, the American Cinematheque in Hollywood and GKIDS are proud to co-present this retrospective for one of the most visionary artists in all of animation, Masaaki Yuasa. Yuasa will appear in person for a Q&A during two of his films.
INTERVIEW With “The Deer King” Director Masashi Ando
July 8th, 2022 Jackson Murphy Masashi Ando, animator on such iconic Japanese animated films as Princess Mononoke and Spirited Away, now directs his first feature, The Deer King. This R-rated movie coming to theaters nationwide through Fathom Events this Wednesday and Thursday July 13th and 14th (with a regular release on Friday July 15th) is about a mysterious disease killing […]
“NADIA: The Secret of Blue Water The Complete Series” Available on 4K August 2
June 2nd, 2022 Jerry Beck Available August 2nd, 2022 from GKIDS with distribution by Shout! Factory, the release boasts an all-new 4K restoration, and includes all 39 episodes of the series in both the original Japanese and an English dub, as well as a number of bonus features including a new booklet featuring character and mechanical designs from the series, […]
GKids to Distribute Atsuko Ishizuka’s “Goodbye, Don Glees!”
May 19th, 2022 Jerry Beck GKIDS announced today it has acquired the North American distribution rights for Goodbye, Don Glees!. Produced by the acclaimed Studio Madhouse, the film is the first original feature from writer/director Atsuko Ishizuka, who previously directed the widely lauded series A Place Further Than The Universe. Goodbye, Don Glees! follows the story of three friends over […]
Gkids To Release “The Deer King” in Theaters during July
May 11th, 2022 Jerry Beck GKIDS announced today it will bring The Deer King, the new feature from Japanese animation veterans Masashi Ando and Masayuki Miyaji, to cinemas nationwide this July. Continuing their partnership with Fathom Events, fan preview events for The Deer King will play in cinemas nationwide on Wednesday, July 13th (Japanese language), and Thursday, July 14th (English […]
INTERVIEW: “Pompo The Cinephile” Director On Amazing Movie About Movies
May 3rd, 2022 Jackson Murphy Pompo The Cinephile is about young film fanatic and assistant, Gene, who gets the opportunity of a lifetime in Nyallywood when his boss, famed B-movie producer Pompo, selects him to direct a new movie she has written. Pompo’s film is a drama headlined by Martin Braddock, one of the most acclaimed male actors in the […]
