manga | Geekscape

Geekscape Reviews: Satoru Noda’s ‘Golden Kamuy’ Vol.1

by Natalie KipperJune 7, 2017

Satoru Noda’s Golden Kamuy reminded me of one of those old American Westerns. The main character, Saichi “Immortal” Sugimoto is a veteran of the Russo-Japanese war, trying to find a cache of gold that was hidden by a mysterious outlaw. He is joined by the young girl, Asirpa, a member of Japan’s indigenous Ainu people. The pair’s dynamic is fun to observe and brings a lot to the flavor of the manga.

GOLDEN KAMUY © 2014 by Satoru Noda/SHUEISHA Inc.

There is a plenty of action contained within these pages, much of which includes projectile weapons of some variety. Noda does a great job of mixing up the battle scenarios so each skirmish feels unique.

One of the highlights for me was the focus on Ainu culture. Over the course of the first volume, Asirpa teaches Saichi about the equipment used for hunting, survival skills, and even cooking. The segment with Asirpa and Saichi cooking squirrel was particularly amusing. There is also use of Ainu words in some of the dialogue. It added a sense of authenticity to Asirpa’s character.

The story so far is mostly set in the snowy mountains of Hokkaido and, after reading, I got the sense that the author must have had some experience surviving outdoor cold weather conditions. It wasn’t just the characters’ expressions (although those were fantastic – I got cold just looking at them!) but also the methods they used in various situations, like building an emergency fire for warmth. I don’t want to spoil how they went about starting the fire because it was brilliant.

The character art is relatively simple, with a clean look that is pleasing to the eye. It is in the landscapes and portrayal of animals that this artist really shines. The mother bear and cub that Saichi encounters early on are a perfect example of that.

I give volume one of Golden Kamuy a solid 5 out of 5. The story and setting are one that aren’t usually touched upon in this entertainment form and Satoru Noda does a phenomenal job keeping the reader engaged. If you are looking for a great shōnen manga that doesn’t involve ninjas or alien warriors, I highly recommend you give Golden Kamuy a look.

[This review is based on a sample provided by VIZ Media. All opinions are my own.]

‘Splatoon’ Manga To be Brought West, Courtesy of Viz Media

by Natalie KipperMay 21, 2017

Whether you are a squid, kid, or just a plain old lover of manga, you are sure to be excited with what VIZ Media has planned. The publishing house has teamed up with Nintendo to bring the manga novelization of the family-friendly shooting game, Splatoon, to English readers. Created by Hinodeya Sankichi, the series follows four Inklings – beings that can switch from humanoid to squid forms at will – as they are swept up in the turf war that encompasses the majority of the video game’s content.

The series is scheduled to launch later this year, exclusively in print form (sorry, Kindle readers!). I would not be surprised if the first volume’s release was timed with the launch of the game’s sequel, Splatoon 2, coming to the Nintendo Switch. It is also expected to ship in late 2017. I would be interested to see if the manga covered the story through the sequel as well. Only time will tell!

Are you excited about this upcoming release?

Geekscape Unboxes: The Loot Anime April 2017 Crate!

by Natalie KipperMay 14, 2017

Things took a dark turn when I went to unbox April’s Loot Anime crate. The shipment’s theme was “Humanity” and drew inspiration from the franchises Attack on Titan, Black Lagoon, and School-Live! If the titles involved don’t already give you a sense of the box’s tone, the monthly poster erases all doubt: Humans are no longer at the top of the food chain in this scenario. Let’s take a look at the items Loot Crate has provided for us in the event of the apocalypse.

The illustration on this month’s poster/inventory list is created by Low Zi Rong, Wong Su Ling, and Collateral Damage Studios. Return readers know the drill: flip the poster over to reveal descriptions of what you will find in your crate. This time, four of the five items are exclusive to Loot Anime.

This month’s manga is School-Live!, written by Norimitsu Kaihou with art by Sadoru Chiba. The story follows four girls in a Japanese school club (The School Living Club, to be precise). The dark twist is that the group live at the school as the last remaining survivors of a zombie apocalypse. With cutesy visuals and a thoroughly unsettling premise, it reminds me of Madoka Magica.

The pull-out poster inside the cover is exclusive to Loot Anime.

The phone charm for this month features a battle-worn Yume, armed to the teeth and covered in gore. This isn’t one I am particularly fond of.

April’s crate comes with two items for Attack on Titan, the first of which is a Banpresto prize figure of Levi Ackerman of the Survey Corps’ Special Ops Squad. The figure stands approximately three inches tall. It did require some assembly to get the figure to stand on the base but it was not difficult (unlike that Luffy figure that continues to haunt me).

This is the only item in the crate that is not exclusive to Loot Anime.

The second Attack on Titan-themed accessory was a pouch and notebook set. I was a bit disappointed in one particular design choice, the pencil’s shape. The thing is shaped like a shoebox. I have no clue how I am going to sharpen it. Yes, I get that it is suppose to resemble the weapons used in the show but this is completely impractical. Also, the poster mentioned there being three pencils included. I only received one.

As for the rest of the set, the notebook bears the Wings of Freedom crest and is filled with graph paper. The leather pouch that holds both the notebook and pencil also has the crest on its front. The back of the pouch has a strap that opens with a snap closure, in case you wanted to attach it to your belt or something.

I found the final item, the Black Lagoon coaster set, to be useful. The coasters have cork board on the bottom and printed metal on the top. The color on the metal portion is impressively vibrant and I liked the faux bullet holes design in both the coasters as well as the container. I could actually see myself using these.

If this unboxing has you interested in subscribing, you can get some money off of your first crate either by following this link or entering “Geekscape” into the promo code area upon checkout.

[This unboxing was based on a sample provided by Loot Crate. All opinions are my own.]

Geekscape Unboxes: The Loot Anime March 2017 Crate!

by Natalie KipperApril 7, 2017

Loot Crate’s Loot Anime subscription explores the possibilities of tomorrow with March’s “Future” crate. The concept of the future has inspired many different anime and manga series and this month celebrates four of them: Clockwork Planet, Psycho-Pass, Kiznaiver, and Ghost in the Shell: Arise.

This month’s cyberpunk-flavored art poster was illustrated by Lim Wei Lin and Collateral Damage Studios. Flip the picture over to get an overview of what can be found in this month’s crate. This time, every item included is exclusive to the subscription service.

Loot Anime loves to turn their boxes into clever props that are relevant to the month’s theme. This month is a futuristic-looking laptop. I noticed the little chat going between Yume and her friend Akane on the bottom of the “screen.” Cute touch.

Clockwork Planet, a manga by the creator of No Game No Life, was the monthly book this time. The book itself is not exclusive to the Loot Anime however subscribers are treated to a special alternate cover. The volume is relatively thick, with 209 pages.

The one item I had a some issues with the USB drive themed to the weapons found in Psycho-Pass. Problem number one should be obvious. The thing looks like a gun. Kids have gotten shot for having squirt guns. How does this seem like a good idea? Let’s say that isn’t something you are concerned about. There is still problem number two. The drive’s capacity is 2 gigabytes. That is nothing in today’s technological world. Not very futuristic. Minor by comparison is problem number three. To open and close the compartments that allow access to the drive’s plug there is a hinge that is incredibly hard to open and close. It took me so long the first time that I had my doubts as to whether that was the correct way to open it. Closing it is even worse. The device just won’t stay closed for very long. I don’t know if it is just mine that has this issue but it definitely is not user-friendly.

The anime Kiznaiver is represented by a standard mousepad. The art is lovely and as far as mousepads go it is of a decent size. Being a laptop user, I have no use for this however. What a shame.

The “wearable” for this month was a t-shirt featuring Major Kusanagi Motoko from Ghost in the Shell: Arise. I was actually impressed by how soft the shirt felt. The printing on it isn’t terribly thick but it looks and feels like it should survive a run through the washing machine.

The final item was the ever-popular phone charm. This month’s sort of baffled me though. Usually the charm draws inspiration from that month’s poster. And while Yume can be seen in both the charm and the poster in the same outfit, the feel is totally different. It isn’t like Loot Anime has done non-cutesy phone charms before. The “Demi-Human” and “Blade” crates both had charms that were better suited to their themes. I don’t understand what happened here.

March 2017’s Loot Anime crate wasn’t my least favorite but it definitely felt like the most confusing. The choices made were ones I would not have thought would work and in truth, I don’t think that they did work all that well.

Next month’s crate is “Humanity” and will feature items from Attack on Titan, Black Lagoon, and School-Live!

If this unboxing has you interested in subscribing, you can get some money off of your first crate either by following this link or entering “Geekscape” into the promo code area upon checkout.

[This unboxing was based on a sample provided by Loot Crate. All opinions are my own.]

Geekscape Review: ‘Ghost in the Shell’… and thoughts on that ScarJo casting!

by AllieHanleyMarch 31, 2017

Opening this weekend is the much anticipated live-action film “Ghost in the Shell.” The story is based off of a Japanese Manga (1989) and the cult classic animated film of the same name (1995) from Japanese creator Masamune Shirow.

There’s a self appointed army of critics out there that are going to tell you this film sucks chiefly because it doesn’t have an Asian in the title role.

I am not that critic but that doesn’t mean the story doesn’t suck.

“Batou” played by Pilou Asbæk getting his eyes robotically enhanced.

“Ghost in the Shell” is a day-in-the-life of a cop who is investigating some murders that are politically motivated; And it’s also the plot of “Blade Runner” if you want to boil it way down to its essence with the classic story of “Frankenstein” thrown in for origin and motivation.

The visuals are nothing less than stunning and I believe on that alone a fair amount of people will be satisfied with this rendition of “Ghost.” The color palettes and the majestic city views have so much texture and grit you can almost believe this is our future.

The real reason “Ghost” legitimately is not winning me over is the lack of story development as well as the very thin characters. However, I will concede that “Ghost” is more of a day-in-the-life story and not a life story if you get my drift.

Even so, “Ghost” feels like a much bigger story and we only get a slice of it in the 106 minutes. It’s rare that you ever see a story lack of feeling too short. I can’t help but think if director Rupert Sanders had included 12 minutes of more scenes supporting character development that it would have made a world of difference. As is, “Ghost” feels shallow and I have no real vested interest in any character.

In my view “Ghost” could be an episode of any cop show on TV, throw in the Monster from Frankenstein as the lead detective, dress up the setting with futuristic visuals and then you would have “Ghost in the Shell.” I feel like I am stomping all over some of your beloved memories of the anime but this film rendition just doesn’t hold up to today’s standards.

The story revolves around “Major,” a robot with a human brain. Her creators have mixed messages on how they define her existence. One considers her to be a weapon, while another sees her as a human inhabiting a robotic body/shell. Further, to make it all work, “Major” doesn’t remember her previous life (just like Frankenstein’s monster). In response to the missing memories she is told by her creators a fabricated story. One also emphasizes “that we are not our memories but we should base ourselves on our actions.”

“Major” is more robot than human, even in the way Johansson portrays her. The lack of humanity in the character also contributed to a disconnect between her human narrative, and I can’t help but think of the original “Robo-Cop.” It’s hard to feel anything for “Major” because she doesn’t seem to be feeling anything herself except two small scenes. One where she pets a dog, and another when she meets her human mother. Even so, “Major” is so confused by it, and there is no other stand-out scene where you can actually feel anything for the character, even when she is facing death.

Let’s switch gears and talk Paramount’s decision to cast Scarlett Johansson in the role and the critics who are tearing this film up based on that.

What did we learn from Kevin Costner’s “Field of Dreams?” If we build it, they will come. Sorry that’s just not true when applied to the film making process despite what a wide assortment of film critics seem to be saying by denouncing “Ghost.” Their reasoning is based on an internal quota count of Japanese actors lacking in lead roles.

Those same film critics seem to think that you can make a film out of a cult classic, that had moderate success, fill it with Japanese actors and that will equate to financial success for Paramount Studios who is shelling out millions of dollars to produce. Honestly, would you get out of your leather recliner positioned squarely in front of your big screen / surround sound home theater to pay $11 each and $30 for popcorn and drinks to see a film with no one you recognize?

Some of you might, because you grew up with the Manga and you enjoy Anime. However, the amount of people required to make this a financial success have never even picked up a Manga let alone seen the cartoon. So how do you make it a financial success?

Well you have to contend with the thought process of many Americans who consider this when selecting a film: Should I stay home and avoid having to deal with parking, the snot nosed kids and their parents who think it’s okay to bring a horde of small children to a PG13 film (that will neither sit down, shut up, and refrain from kicking the back of my theater chair), as well as the guy who smells like he’s never brushed his teeth in his adult life?

Is this somehow more appealing than just staying home and re-watching the director’s cut of “Blade Runner.” It’s true. Why do you think “Netflix and Chill” has become so popular… skip that thought.

That’s the reality of the movie-going experience in most towns who don’t have The Alamo Drafthouse that won’t put up with that behavior. I almost forgot, there’s also that annoying idiot who checks his/her phone every few minutes. If that’s you, for Gods sakes knock-it-off, you are rude!

So there are fellow critics condemning the film and calling it whitewashing and cultural appropriation.

The fact is Americans are staying home more often than not despite the increase in box office revenue (increase attributed to cost per ticket, and money spent on 3D, IMAX, and concessions). So when a studio plans to spend big money on a film, they aren’t checking in with the political climate of film critics who think they are gatekeepers to society’s thirst for films. They are checking in too what sells. That’s why we have so many brainless “Fast and Furious” sequels. Love you Vin!

Ladies and Gentleman, Scarlett Johansson is what sells. If you made “Ghost in the Shell” with an entire cast of Japanese actors (because it’s based on a Japanese story) then you might as well be making a film that is going to be released in Japan. When they made “Godzilla” (2014) with Aaron Taylor Johnson and Bryan Cranston no one went nuts, especially when Godzilla was attacking San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge (or was it the Bay Bridge?). Dang it, Godzilla is Japanese, it should have been attacking a bridge in Japan! Please, give me a break.

If the source material is Japanese why does that equate to having to have Japanese actors in it? I’ve seen Romeo and Juliet done a zillion ways in all sorts of languages and films from countries outside of England.

Casting well known actors in title roles is nothing new for Hollywood. Condemning “Ghost” claiming cultural appropriation steps outside of the bounds of being a film critic in my opinion. When did film nerds graduate to casting films in Hollywood? There’s a union in Hollywood dedicated to the entire craft of casting. It’s not about just the acting, its also about the bank each actor represents in relation to the budget of the film… in relation to how much the film could possibly make. If studios didn’t pay attention to this we wouldn’t get films like “Star Trek” and the reincarnation of the Star Wars Universe.

More importantly, the subjective qualification of Art should never be based on the day’s political trends. To do so, smothers the entire process of creation.

When you start casting films based on a quota of nationalities (notice I didn’t say Race) then you are defeating the purpose of art.

A movie like “Ghost in the Shell” couldn’t have been made without a Westerner in the lead and be an International success. The possible returns were too risky and the studio made the right call in casting her. If only, they had paid attention to the potential robustness of the story as much as the casting.

So film nerds get off you high horse and look at the economics, and further the choices of the film makers. Films are today’s pop culture, and if the market doesn’t support it and the demand is not there, then studios would not make it. If you insist on denouncing a film because it lacks your subjective list of nationalities rather than the merits of the film, then you are ultimately being a hypocrite. Let the art form speak for itself without having political motivation drawn into the opinion. This film is being released world-wide. Isn’t it better to have a mix of nationalities in the cast, than all Japanese? It’s a futuristic story and I see all nationalities co-existing in the future and living as one massive singular group.

Finally, I love science fiction films. There was a time when Hollywood wouldn’t touch science fiction. Nothing was being made because it all sucked and no one would go see a science fiction film in the theater unless it had Ridley Scott or James Cameron attached. If moviegoers don’t trek to the theater then we don’t get anymore science fiction films. If they don’t make bank then what are the chances of a film like “Arrival” even being made. Making a Hollywood movie is part art, and part business and critics who review need to stay out of politics and focus on the merits or lack of for the film they are reviewing.

To ensure the success of frankly, not a very ingenious story, Paramount did the right thing; they cast super star Scarlett Johansson in the title role of “Major.” The end.

“Ghost in the Shell” never explores these characters nor gives me any idea why they are willing to die for “Major.”

Bottom Line:

If you set your expectation to something lower than mind blowing, you might like it. The biggest thing going for “Ghost” are the visuals. There are no details left undone. I especially enjoyed the wide angles of the city where you can see what a possible futuristic Earth might look like complete with advertising in every nook and cranny. Those aspects reminded me a great deal of “Blade Runner” as already mentioned. The soundtrack has it’s moments but why didn’t they go with someone like Junkie XL or Daft Punk? That would have taken it next level in that department instead we get an average sound track.

Since this is just an ultra glamorized version of “Blade Runner” and even some aspects of “Tron,” I am going to give it a passing grade, but barely. The issue is that the story has way too thin a line of one-dimensional characters. You never get to see enough of them to really understand their motivations, even the villain. The only actor who gets a shadow of a chance to have some substance is Juliette Binoche, who plays one of the scientists who takes a motherly role over “Major.” She is the only character that makes the most sense in only that we get to see the repercussion’s of her decisions and her own way of dealing with them. The rest of the characters, even “Major,” have little substance.

Final Score: 2 1/2 out of 5

Rating:

PG-13 (for intense sequences of sci-fi violence, suggestive content and some disturbing images)
Genre:

Action & Adventure, Drama, Science Fiction & Fantasy
Directed By: Rupert Sanders
Written By: Jonathan Herman, Jamie Moss
In Theaters: Mar 31, 2017 Wide
Runtime: 106 minutes
Studio: Paramount Pictures

Geekscape Reviews: ‘The Legend Of Zelda: Twilight Princess’ Vol. 1

by Natalie KipperMarch 16, 2017

I know many of you are up to your pointy ears immersing yourselves in the world of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild but even when you take a breather, you can still stay connected to the history of the series with VIZ Media’s new manga, The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess by Akira Himekawa. The first volume hit shelves March 14 but Geekscape was fortunate to get an early copy.

Truth be told, I never got very far in this entry in the series when it was on consoles (and what I did experience, I don’t really remember) so I was extra-excited to finally progress through the story. And what a story it is! If you played the game in either its Gamecube, Wii, or Wii U forms than the overall plot should be familiar but, guys, Link talks in the manga! That alone should be a reason to at least give it a look.

TM & © 2017 Nintendo. ZELDA NO DENSETSU TWILIGHT PRINCESS © 2016 Akira HIMEKAWA/SHOGAKUKAN

If you are like me and did not experience the story prior to the manga, here is a brief run-down. The story opens on a mysterious kingdom, The Twilight Realm, and its ruler, the Twilight Princess Midna. After a cruel betrayal by the old Twilight Realm king’s advisor, Zant, the scene switches over to Link, who leads a peaceful life in the idyllic Ordon Village. A good portion of the first volume is dedicated to Link’s interactions with Ordon Village’s residents and does a great job of fleshing out Link as a character. The world of the Twilight Realm and that of Ordon Village only start to clash near the end of volume one.

The art is drawn beautifully. I liked how the Twilight Realm had a lot of dark tones and shading while scenes in Ordon Village had a lighter palate. It helped set a contrast between the two locales. The art style is more realistic than previous Zelda manga which had a more cartoon-y vibe. Some of the monsters were a bit on the freaky side and there is graphic violence included (it isn’t awful but more than I was anticipating). I can see why this was rated “T for Teen.”

The one gripe that I can see some people having with this one is the pacing. If you were looking for an intense, action-heavy first volume, you find yourself slightly disappointed. There is plenty of action at the end but it isn’t consistent throughout. It personally didn’t bother me. It actually made it feel more like a video game somehow, with a slow build to the character heeding the call to be a hero.

I loved this first volume of The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess and bestow unto it a 5 out of 5. If the rest of the manga is anything like this first book, I would say we have a real winner on our hands. Gamers and fantasy fans alike will find an thoroughly engrossing story and one that I look forward to continuing.

[This review is based on a sample provided by the publisher. All opinions are my own.]

Sorry, Do You Mean “Yaoi”?: Yuri on Ice Anime Review (No Spoilers)

by Ajay StephensJanuary 20, 2017

Yuri on Ice is an enlightening tale of love, courage, and self discovery. This series manages to grab the audience by the feels and hit them hard with a heartwarming love story. Yuri on Ice can appeal to anyone because its depiction of love can be interpreted in many different ways. You don’t have to be a fan of figure skating or tall, sexy, silver haired Russians to enjoy this series.

STORY

Yuri on Ice follows 23 year old Japanese figure skater Yuri Katsuki as he recovers from a devastating loss at the Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final. After his loss, Yuri loses his love for skating and faith within himself. With no motivation to keep skating, Yuri decides to retire. This is until the talented Russian pro figure skater, Victor Nikiforov, randomly appears and offers to be Yuri’s coach. Together the two work hard to prepare Yuri for the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating.

As Yuri is preparing for the Grand Prix, he struggles through mental and emotional barriers. His loss last season traumatized him forcing him to create this mindset that he’s not good enough to be a skater anymore. The thought of failing causes crippling anxiety that overrides his love for skating. Victor notices these problems and does everything in his power to support Yuri. As the two embark on a journey of self discovery and a quest for love they come to realize that everything they were longing for was right there in front of them.

MY THOUGHTS

This is my first yaoi anime and I had no idea that I would fall in love with the genre. This series was one of the most hyped up anime of the season. I usually stay away from such anime. But for some reason I decided to watch it and I don’t regret that decision. Yuri’s story hit home. I may not be a sexy figure skater but I do understand Yuri’s struggles. The emotional turmoil, the mental anguish are things that I and many people suffer through everyday. This anime helps an individual that is going through those things to realize that they are not alone. I highly recommend this anime, especially if you are going through a rough time.

On the technical side, in my opinion there should have been more than 12 episodes (why does anime have to be so expensive to make!?>_<). Despite there only being 12 episodes the pacing was actually good. I can’t say that about many anime with the same amount of episodes. The character development was amazing and the story (though it may have been “predictable” given the genre) was enjoyable. The animation was clean and fluid. The soundtrack was pure perfection. I can’t stop listening to it (please send help!). Everything about this anime fit in perfect harmony, yet I am unsatisfied. I need a season 2 pronto!

To address the Sub vs Dub battle, I would recommend dubbed. Let me explain. Yuri on Ice has a diverse cast of characters from all over the world and you can’t hear their accents in the subbed version. If you want to get the most out of the anime watch the dubbed version. To judge for yourself watch the first episode in sub and dub down below. I assure you that you’ll fall in love with the dubbed version.

https://youtu.be/WewsgJewJfw

https://youtu.be/rfYI5MwxnNc

Genre: Sports, Yaoi; Original run: October 5, 2016-December 21, 2016; Episodes: 12

Geekscape Reviews: ‘Tomie: Complete Deluxe Edition’ By Junji Ito

by Natalie KipperDecember 15, 2016

[This review is based on a sample provided by the publisher.]

Master of horror, manga-ka Junji Ito, known for the manga series Uzumaki and Gyo, plies his trade once again with the haunting Tomie. This book is rated “T+” for Older Teens and with good reason. The stories contained within stick with you long after the book is closed.

tomie-review-page-119 — © Asahi Shimbun Publications Inc.

The chapters might be considered a series of separate incidents if not for Tomie’s appearance in all of them. And just who is Tomie? She is a young lady with the supernatural ability to charm men into a murderous rampage and, even though she is usually one of the victims, Tomie always comes back (and often in bizarre, almost nauseating, ways). Her ability to regenerate tends to lead to a sort of anxiety for the reader because even though a character may feel relief that Tomie is “dead,” we know better.

tomie-review-page-145 — © Asahi Shimbun Publications Inc.

Ito’s art style lends itself to the well to the story. The images can be quite grotesque, as well they should be. Even the relatively “normal” scenes are a bit unsettling. I chalk it up to the expert use of light and shadow.

The English translation is superb. The dialogue is genuinely disconcerting. Just about every line feels weighted with a sense of foreboding. I appreciate the ability to carry over that emotion from language to language.

tomie-review-page-31 — © Asahi Shimbun Publications Inc.

I will be honest, Tomie isn’t the sort of book I would choose to read. Horror is not a genre I particularly care for. I do, however, acknowledge that this title does an excellent job of what it sets out to do: spook the reader. I am still legitimately freaked out from reading this. Between the art style, the well-done translation, and the overall creepiness of the stories themselves, Tomie is a horror fan’s dream (nightmare?) come true, earning it a 5 out of 5.

tomie-review-page-242 — © Asahi Shimbun Publications Inc.

Junji Ito’s Tomie: Complete Deluxe Edition releases December 20 in hardcover print for $34.99 as well as digitally on the Viz Manga app and Nook, Kobo, Kindle, iBooks, comiXology, and GooglePlay stores.

Geekscape Unboxes: The Loot Anime November 2016 Crate!

by Natalie KipperNovember 30, 2016

It’s time again for another Loot Anime unboxing, brought to you by Loot Crate! The theme for this month’s theme is “Blade” and there is no denying that there are plenty of anime titles with swords, similar sharp objects, and the people who wield them.

The monthly poster this time takes the dramatic approach, breaking the art into three panels (complete with sound effects) to illustrate mascot Yume expertly wielding a katana. Flip the poster over for the details on what goods you’ll find in the crate.

And here is this month’s phone charm, Yume as a swordswoman in chibi-form. There isn’t much to say about about this one. I think I prefer this to what I had anticipated it would be, some sort of sword just hanging there. But all the same, it doesn’t feel like it has the same flavor that the previous charms have.

Included this month was the first manga volume of Sword Art Online Progressive with a (very shiny) variant cover exclusive to Loot Anime. I know the whole SAO series is super-popular but it isn’t my cup of tea.

Okay, this item was pretty awesome. It is letter opener modeled after Guts’ sword from Berserk! This thing had some heft to it and the cloth wrapping around the hilt was a nice touch.

Another item was this Gintama mini wall scroll. I say “mini” because while most wall scrolls I see are too big to hang on a door, this one would probably fit on the inside door of a locker.

I don’t know why these Bleach lounge pants seem like such a bizarre add-in to me. I mean, in the Loot Wear crates, you get freaking underwear for crying out loud. The fabric is a nice, soft jersey but I just don’t see myself wearing this thing.

Just like how August’s box transformed into a desk, this month’s container was supposed to be able to turn into, well, something. As you can see from the photo, I never managed to finish this one. It wasn’t for lack of trying either! Many a curse word was uttered before I decided to call it quits.

This month’s crate was a bit of a disappointment. The licenses utilized felt overused and the items, besides the letter opener, were on the boring side. I know that the whole gamble/surprise is a big part of what makes these subscription services so exciting but it also means that, odds are, there will be things that don’t appeal to me on occasion. This was one of those times.

If this unboxing has you interested in subscribing, you can get some money off of your first Crate either by following this link or entering “Geekscape” into the promo code area upon checkout.

Geekscape Unboxes: The Loot Anime October 2016 Box!

by Natalie KipperNovember 7, 2016

I hope you brought an appetite because this month’s theme for Loot Crate’s Loot Anime is “Delicious.” Food- and cooking-themed series take the spotlight and I am super-excited to show you what is inside! Let’s take a look:

As in the past, the inside of Loot Anime’s box is decorated according to the theme. I noted the cola, a favorite of Umaru-chan, whose show is represented in the crate.

The month’s poster art is illustrated by littlereddo and features the crate’s mascot, Yume, surrounded by delicious sweets as far as the eye can see. Flipping the poster over reveals descriptions of the crate’s contents. Of the six included items, five are exclusive to the subscription box!

Despite being the only non-exclusive item in this month’s box, the Himouto! Umaru-chan “I love Cola” Trading Figure was my favorite in the bunch. It was made by Good Smile Company, the Japanese figure company responsible for Nendoroids and figma, and I could tell the trading figure is of a similar high quality. It is a slightly hefty weight and the paint job is clean. The figure comes with a small clear pedestal for display.

The Gudetama plush was a close second favorite. The toy is a little more than palm-sized and has PVC pellets in the bottom of his belly along with the fluff. Gudetama himself is a soft minky fabric while his yolk bottom and bacon “blanket” are felt.

The anime version of Sweetness and Lightning has been a big hit on Crunchyroll. I haven’t gotten around to seeing it yet (I am hooked on Yuri!!!! On ICE) so I was excited to see the manga packed in. Loot Anime’s print of the manga has an exclusive variant cover.

The only real weak link in the box was the Naruto: Shippuden ramen bowl. Sure, it is cool that you get a replica of the one that Naruto uses in the show but with the care instructions of “Do not microwave,” “Do not Soak,” and “Hand wash only,” it is clear this for display only. I much preferred the bento box that was packed in a few crates prior. A display-only bowl seems like a waste to me.

While not as useless as the bowl, the included Food Wars! Shokugeki no Soma apron is “for costume use only.” I guess cosplayers would get a kick out of this one at least.

This month’s phone charm was definitely my favorite iteration of the item so far. The little parfait looks sweet and the accompanying spoon is a darling addition.

While two of the six items were a moderate bummer, I am still happy with this month’s crate. The excitement I got from the other four items easily overshadowed any disappointment I felt from the bowl and apron. As always, it is clear that Loot Crate put a lot of thought into what series are to be included with the themed box.

If this unboxing has you interested in subscribing, you can get some money off of your first Crate either by following this link or entering “Geekscape” into the promo code area upon checkout.

Geekscape Unboxes: The Loot Anime September 2016 Box!

by Natalie KipperOctober 10, 2016

[This unboxing is based on a sample provided by Loot Crate.]

Loot Crate‘s Loot Anime subscription box line, created in partnership with Crunchyroll, is celebrating those that are more than human with September’s Crate. The theme is “Demi-Human” and looking at recent anime, there is a wealth of series to choose from. And as an added bonus, every item included is exclusive to Loot Anime.

Here are the contents of the “Demi-Human” crate, five items total.

Also included is a poster with themed art on side and item descriptions on the other. The poster stars Yume, the mascot of Loot Anime.

The Loot Anime phone charm this month is a broken Yo-kai mask. It is reminiscent of Ichigo’s mask in Bleach, which is perfect because the series is also represented in this Crate.

Next up is the first volume of One Punch Man, written by One and drawn by Yusuke Murata. While the manga itself isn’t an exclusive, the one from Loot Anime has an exclusive variant cover.

The Bleach watch is the most impressive item in this shipment. Its quality was superb and it looks like a lot of care was put into designing it. The watch face uses the kanji for 3, 6, 9, and 12 instead of the actual numbers. Another cool detail was Ichigo’s Zangetsu sword replacing one of the watch’s hands.

Twin Star Exorcists‘ heroes, Rokuro Enmado and Benio Adashino, are the stars of a super-soft shirt. The print reminds me of the ones from shirts sold at anime conventions in the early 2000’s.

The final item is a standee keychain set from Tokyo Ghoul. The two characters included are Ken Kaneki and Touka Kirishima, drawn in a chibi style. The art is printed on some kind of hard plastic. Unfortunately, it is only on one-side. It is still nice and all but it would have been so much cooler if it had both front and back artwork.

Those standees can be used to create a little diorama using the inside of the box. Unlike August’s Crate, there was no assembly recquired to bring out this box’s extra feature.

Loot Anime’s “Demi-Human” Crate is a winner in my eyes. Like last month, every item appears to be thoughtfully chosen. I was also pleased that all of the included items were some degree of an exclusive item.

If this unboxing has you interested in subscribing, you can get some money off of your first Crate either by following this link or entering “Geekscape” into the promo code area upon checkout.

Celebrate The Launch Of ‘Super Mario Adventures’ At Nintendo NY

by Natalie KipperSeptember 13, 2016

If you are anywhere in the vicinity of Nintendo NY (formerly Nintendo World) in New York’s Rockefeller Center on October 7, I would totally head on over for a grand shindig to honor release of VIZ Media’s Super Mario Adventures.

The book is a compilation of manga, written by Kentaro Takekuma and illustrated by Charlie Nozawa, that ran in issues of Nintendo Power from 1992 to 1993. As one would expect, the story follows Mario and Luigi and their adventures to rescue Princess Toadstool and thwart Bowser. The entire series is contained within the single full-color volume. Super Mario Adventures will retail for $14.99.

At the Nintendo NY event, party-goers can expect themed cupcakes, photo-ops with Mario and Luigi, plus an autograph/ Question and Answer session with surprise VIZ Media guests. Attendees who purchase Super Mario Adventures at the event will also receive an exclusive poster (while supplies last). The release party takes place on Friday, October 7 from 6PM to 8PM.

Are you planning on attending? Let us know in the comments!

Geekscape Unboxes: The Loot Anime August 2016 Box!

by Natalie KipperAugust 31, 2016

Geekscape has partnered up with Loot Crate to bring you, dear readers, this unboxing of the August 2016 subscription box in the Loot Anime line, made in partnership with Crunchyroll. Befitting the end of the Summer season, the theme of this Crate is “Back to School.”

For this unboxing, I was assisted by my plush cat, Rolo. And without further ado, let’s open this sucker up!

Who would believe that a normal-sized box held so much stuff? What’s more all of the enclosed goods were exclusive to the Crate! You’ll see what I mean in the next set of photos.

The first item was the poster containing the theme’s artwork. On it, we see the Loot Anime’s mascot, Yume (the girl with purple hair), enjoying a bento with her buddies during a break in the school room. Flip the poster over and you’ll see a break down of what is inside this month’s Crate. See all those “Exclusive” marks? Every single item is either made or available in some special capacity for subscribers.

The item I was most jazzed about finding inside my Crate was this Revolutionary Girl Utena bento box. This iconic item of Japanese culture is from A Crowded Coop. Look at all those compartments! It even came with chopsticks that fit within the box. I am in love with this thing.

Being a huge Persona fan, it is safe to say I was thrilled to get volume 1 of the new Persona 3 manga, published by Udon Entertainment. I will note that this manga will eventually be available outside the Crate; we just got first.

There were also a set of four Takara Tomy A.R.T.S. charms from Fruits Basket. Each character is wearing little cosplay caps bearing the animal they are possessed by (with the exception Tohru and her onigiri). From the left to right: Hatsuharu (cow), Yuki (rat), Tohru, and Kyo (cat). The figures themselves are very detailed and I was impressed with the paint job on the faces and uniforms.

Next up was a tie themed to Danganronpa‘s Monokuma. This tie was very high-quality. Even the box impressed me, with different pictures of Monokuma on each side.

Here is the tie modeled by Rolo. Doesn’t he look classy?

The Digimon Adventure Tri item in the bundle was a set of three prints. The prints were not big, each one a little bit bigger than a postcard.

There was also a magnetic message board featuring Koro-sensei from Assassination Classroom. The board has magnet strips on the back to secure it to a board as well as a stand to prop it up on a table or desk. The marker (with eraser on the cap) writes in white against the black backdrop. The board comes with three magnets that let you give Koro-sensei different moods (there is also a standard image printed on the board itself).

The final item was a phone charm made in the image of mascot Yume’s school notebook. It has a earphone jack plug as well as a loop, giving you two methods of attaching it. The art style is cute and matches that on the inside of the box. Speaking of which…

This Crate can be transformed into a desk (a rather cute one at that). The instructions say that all you need are scissors but I ended up using a small amount of tape in the end as well. The assembly was quick and easy.

I was thrilled all around with the contents of this month’s Loot Anime Crate. I think it did an excellent job of matching the theme while tying into current and classic anime titles. I also appreciated that some of the items were of a practical nature (that bento box, man).

If this unboxing has you interested in subscribing, you can get some money off of your first Crate either by following this link or entering “Geekscape” into the promo code area upon checkout.

VIZ Media To Publish ‘Super Mario Adventures,’ ‘Twilight Princess’ Manga

by Natalie KipperAugust 16, 2016

It is a big day for those gamers who double-dip into the realm of manga. VIZ Media has announced their acquisition of two very special titles: Super Mario Adventures and The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess.

Super Mario Adventures, written by Kentaro Takekuma and drawn by Charlie Nozawa, first appeared in the pages of Nintendo Power magazine. They ran from from 1992 to 1993. This full-color manga is a collection of those works. Super Mario Adventures will be available beginning this October.

If you have any experience with the Mario series, then you can probably guess the plot. Princess Toadstool gets kidnapped by Bowser and Mario and Luigi spring into action to rescue her. Nostalgia abounds, to be sure.

The second title, The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess by Akira Himekawa, follows the plot of the similar-titled game. Expect lots of wolf-Link action. This series will debut in March 2017. To tide you over until then, I would highly recommend the Viz’s other titles in The Legend of Zelda series.

Geekscape Interviews: Kazue Kato – The Creator Behind the Hit Manga Series “Blue Exorcist”

by Kari LaneJuly 27, 2016

One of the guests of honor at Anime Expo 2016 was Kazue Kato, the creator behind the hit manga series Blue Exorcist, which is also a successful anime series (season 2 comes out in 2017 and there is also a film). She took a moment to speak with us (via a translator) about her process, her visit to the United States (this was her first time here!), and more!

Read on to learn about the beloved series creator Kazue Kato!

How has your experience at Anime Expo been?

I wasn’t sure how many U.S. fans there are, and I came to Anime Expo not really understanding that. It was my first time seeing my U.S. fans, and it was the first time that I could visually see all of these fans that are reading my comic. Yesterday, I was able to meet them during the autograph signings. I was actually able to meet all my fans live and in person and get their reaction and feedback. They are very warm. I was very touched by their friendship and support.

Did you see many cosplays of your characters?

Yes. Yesterday, at lunch, there were some Rin cosplayers who came in to where we were having lunch just by pure accident, so it was fun.

There were a lot last year.

You are saying compared to this year?

Yeah, because they screened the film.

I see.

You kind of touched on it a little bit, but how has your stay in the U.S. been so far?

My stay in the U.S. has been a lot of fun. I have been doing some sight seeing in between too. It was my very very first time in the U.S. so…

Welcome, welcome.

I’ve always kinda looked to the United States through movies and TV that I see, so I am really excited to be here.

Who and what inspires you?

Oh, Hollywood films and TV. I get a lot of influence from anything overseas pretty much.

How do you come up with your character designs?

I try to read as much manga as I can and design things in a way where they are easy for readers to understand. That aspect is really important to me. I work in my own tastes while taking that into account.

What are some of your favorite mangas to read?

I get asked that pretty often. At this point, it is getting hard to have a favorite.

What are your top three manga?

Maybe Sato Zakuri, but I’m trying to think of what I have read lately, but I can’t think of anything. In the past, there was Akira and Neon Genesis Evangeleon, but lately Attack on Titan and what else… There is also Kimi ni Todoke… but I am not sure there is a U.S. release for that [ed note: it’s published in North America by VIZ Media]. Oh, From Me to You is the English title. My Love Story and some other Shojo manga. So, not the top three, but those are the ones that are current.

Your art has changed a little bit over your career. Would you like to talk about your growth as an artist?

So, this is based on Time Killers?

Yes. (In Time Killers, a collection of Kazue Kato’s short stories, she talks at the back of the manga about how her art has changed over the past 5-9 years).

Back in the day, I was just drawing because I liked to draw. But now, I am very conscious about how my fans, how my readers, will understand and read my works so it has changed that way. There is more of a fan input influence compared to when I first started. So, now, I feel like my older habits are starting to come back these days. I am always sort of teeter tottering between my habits versus giving my fans what they want. Yeah, that is about it.

What do you enjoy drawing the most and what is the hardest thing to draw?

Let’s see. Do you mean characters or manga?

In general.

Let’s start with the hardest – the story and how to build the story is really difficult. The regular pattern is that we are really working on the story so much that I have to cram the drawing process. I feel like I have more… I am starting to feel a little bit more joy in the story and the storytelling process compared to back in the day when that was just really hard. It was a struggle. I am starting to find the joy in the storytelling part too. As far as the drawing… Yeah, there’s parts where I can just… like it was breathing air, completely effortless. When I am really in that concentration zone, it is great.

With the first question we kind of touched on this, but when you started drawing characters for Blue Exorcist, did you have any idea that it would be as big as it is now?

My life has had a lot of mistakes and things that haven’t gone well, so being able to… At first I thought, I mean now it is series, but I thought I would only have one or two volumes and that was it, but it is an entire series now, so that was unexpected.

Who is your favorite character?

I get asked that often, but I keep answering that I don’t really have a favorite. I might pick one now… I like everyone. Maybe, just for the record, I will say Rin. Yeah, because Rin took a lot of effort to develop his character.

It is like a parent having to pick their favorite child.

It is very similar, yeah.

Do you have more in store for Blue Exorcist?

In the manga or the anime?

Manga.

There are things coming up. I would definitely like to make it more fun and entertaining.

Your self-portrait is a rabbit… Why the fascination with rabbits?

Yeah, people ask me that pretty often. That one derives because I just generally like animals. When I was a child, I tended to draw more animals than humans. In Japan, there are a lot of rabbit toys. There are these little characters called Sylvanian Families and they are these biped animals that are about this big and a little bit furry. And the main family of the Sylvanian Families series is a family of rabbits. So, with that, I would always be drawing rabbits all the time. So when I would write letters to friends, in the little corner next to my names I just draw a little rabbit. It is from those days and I kind of continued doing it.

Ah, kawaii (cute). Have you been to the bunny island in Japan?

I know about the cat one, but… is it a theme park?

No, I went in October. It is just an island where there is a hotel and you can stay there. When you walk out the front door, they are everywhere. You can feed them and they will come sit on your lap.

Kawaii.

It is very pretty. It is a beautiful island.

Yes, I am Japanese and I didn’t even know that.

Next field trip – it is research.

*laughs*

You can pick which one speaks to you, but which character, short story or manga are you most proud of?

Hmm what am I most proud of? That is a cool way of phrasing it. I wish I had a really good response. Maybe just having had a career in drawing. Maybe, overall… Right now, there is nothing I could say I am really proud of because I am in the middle of that career process, but having not quit. Yeah, I think I am about to come upon that… This is what I am going to be proud of. That is definitely a goal, to create something I am proud of.

What are you currently working on?

Mostly Blue Exorcist and maybe contributing a little bit to the anime, but nothing outside of that. Yeah, and developing the next big storyline.

Another one stemming off that, as a manga artist and character creator, how are you liking the anime version of your creation?

Yes, so Sasaki-san, Keigo Sasaki, is the character designer. So my manga is actually living and breathing, moving on the screen. Everyone has been telling me that he has really captured who and what my characters that I created are about. I have been getting good feedback. Before the anime started, I was told that there are some isms, my isms that in my characters and I was worried how that would transfer over to anime, but now Sasaki-san … you know his version of my characters are obviously equivalent, but it has been a smooth transition. I think it really had to be Sasaki-san doing the character design, otherwise, it would have been difficult to capture everything. There is a new season of the anime coming out and Sasaki-san is in charge of that as well.

How did you feel when you first watched the anime of Blue Exorcist?

It didn’t really hit me, there was no, “this is really happening”, it did not quite hit me. It was like, “oh. they’re moving.” And even around me too, everyone is like “Wow, it is an anime now”.

That is great. Thank you very much.

Thank you.

Geekscape Reviews: ‘The Heiress And The Chauffeur’ Vol. 1 By Keiko Ishihara

by Natalie KipperMay 27, 2016

[This review is based on a copy provided by the publisher.]

Keiko Ishihara’s The Heiress and the Chauffeur, one of the newest series for Viz Media’s Shojo Beat line, is a love story set in Japan’s Taisho Period. It is a time when “new money” families begin to emerge in Japan. For Sayaka Yoshimura of one such family, like others before her, acceptance by society does not come easily.

Of course, Sayaka doesn’t seem to care a whit. She is mainly absorbed in dealing with her chauffeur and childhood acquaintance, Shinobu Narutaki. The young man is clearly smitten with her but being of a lower class, such a relationship would be forbidden. It is obvious through her actions that Sayaka reciprocates Narutaki’s feelings but isn’t entirely aware of them herself.

The first volume of a two-part series, this half spends most of its time establishing relationships: Sayaka with her classmates, Narutaki with others of his rank, and of course, Sayaka with Narutaki. This is all well and good but there was not much progress in the story until chapter 3, the second to last chapter in the book (and my favorite, incidentally).

I hope things pick up in the second volume because it was still an enjoyable read. The art style is lovely and uses a lot of floral motifs in backgrounds and effects, which I somehow found fitting. The writing was also great. Each character felt like they had their own voice: Narutaki spoke more formally to members of higher stations; Sayaka spoke freely as you would expect from a young person of her social rank; and even side characters like Kazuko and Fumi had their own way of speaking.

Volume 1 also includes an adorable bonus story, “Luca and the Bandit.” I loved it! Not terribly long, the story follows a thief and two siblings. I can’t go into much detail without spoiling the ending but I will say the story’s inclusion added a great deal of value to the book in my eyes.

Fans of romantic manga or nonviolent period pieces should give The Heiress and the Chauffeur a look. With its excellent translation, pleasing visuals, and entertaining bonus story, I would give Volume 1 a rating of 4 out of 5.

Ojousama no Untenshu © Keiko Ishihara 2011/HAKUSENSHA, Inc.

Geekscape Reviews: ‘Monster Hunter: Flash Hunter’ Volume 1

by Natalie KipperApril 25, 2016

[This review is based on a sample provided by the publisher.]

As a fan of Capcom’s Monster Hunter series, I had high hopes for VIZ Media’s first volume of Monster Hunter: Flash Hunter, featuring art drawn by Shin Yamamoto and a story penned by Keiichi Hikami. Unfortunately, only some of those expectations were met. As one would anticipate, the manga caters to those that have played the games but it goes so much in that direction that the book’s story is lacking in depth (at least in volume 1).

I don’t generally like to start a review off on a negative note but I feel like the story or lack thereof should be addressed sooner rather than later. I think if I wasn’t as excited for this title as I was, I wouldn’t have been so disappointed. But that is the problem. The majority of people who will pick up this manga are going to be fans. And from my experience, those readers are also going to have experience with manga on some level.

The story centers around a hot-headed hunter named Raiga from the village of Dundorma. Volume 1 mainly outlines how he meets his teammates, the skilled gunner Keres and the bookish Torche. After Keres and Raiga meet, they are constantly butting heads, leading most of their exchanges to basically boil down to arguments (see the page above for a good example). The remaining dialogue is either flavorless or, in the case of hunting scenes, reads like a strategy guide. The characters get hung up on details of hunting strategies, equipment, and items. I can definitely see this being a turn-off for unfamiliar readers.

The manga’s art is a double-edged sword. Fans can clearly identify the sets of armor each of the characters are wearing as ones from the video games. Even in action sequences, you can pick them out. Same goes for the monsters. When a monster appears for the first time, a bare-bones bio is listed for it but, once again, fans will have no trouble naming them. The art for Qurupeco and Rathian impressed me the most.

So what’s the negative side of the art? With the exception of a few intro pages, The backgrounds are sparse at best. The Monster Hunter series has some fun environments and it’s a shame that they weren’t included as backdrops.

I would give volume 1 of Monster Hunter: Flash Hunter a 2 out of 5. Yes, the series has potential (and it still could improve in volume 2) but as it stands, that potential is wasted. I would have been happier with an art book drawn in this style.

Geekscape Reviews: ‘GOODNIGHT PUNPUN’ Vol.1 By Inio Asano

by Natalie KipperMarch 18, 2016

[This review is based on a sample provided by the publisher.]

I admittedly don’t have much experience in the whole coming-of-age genre. But when it came time to review the first volume of Inio Asano’s GOODNIGHT PUNPUN, that didn’t seem to be much of a problem. This manga is completely unlike anything I have ever read. The story follows Punpun Punyama, a boy (who is portrayed as a cartoony bird) growing up in a dysfunctional household in Japan. Volume One covers elementary school life up until the beginning of the first year of middle school.

OYASUMI PUNPUN © 2007 Inio ASANO/SHOGAKUKAN

One of the first things you notice when reading is that, beyond Punpun and his family, every other character is drawn as a normal human. The one exception is God, who looks as though he may be a photograph of a afro-headed, bespectacled, smiling man. I can’t help feeling that there is a deeper meaning to that choice, perhaps to display a sort of hierarchy in Punpun’s reality. All the same, to see such a great contrast contained within a single page can be a bit jarring.

OYASUMI PUNPUN © 2007 Inio ASANO/SHOGAKUKAN

The majority of Punpun’s interactions in Volume One are with his Mother’s younger brother and his classmates, specifically Harumin, Komatsu, Shimizu, and his crush, Aiko. The design for these characters is to be applauded because they all felt like real people with real flaws. Punpun’s uncle is definitely not ready to take care of a child and says thoughtless things at times. Shimizu is portrayed as having some hallucinatory mental disorder, in which he sees and hears things others do not and has delusions. His friends call him a “liar” and often disregard the things he says. And Aiko? Well, without spoiling too much, let’s say she has a different view on life then most.

Whoever handled the English translation did a stellar job. Each line reads as though as if it was originally written is English. The dialogue maintains the nuance I expect was in the original. I will say I am dying to know what Punpun’s prayer, “Dear God, Dear God, Tinkle Hoy,” was in Japanese.

Is GOODNIGHT PUNPUN for everyone? No. The story is, at several points, very upsetting and because it takes place in a real world setting, it resonates more. It deals with some very heavy themes and situations. However, if thought-provoking manga set in the real world is your jam, you can’t go wrong with GOODNIGHT PUNPUN.

Capcom’s ‘Monster Hunter’ Does Manga in ‘Flash Hunter’

by Natalie KipperMarch 15, 2016

Grab your great sword and some traps and prepare to head to your favorite book supplier! Viz Media is releasing Monster Hunter: Flash Hunter in English.With Monster Hunter Generations releasing this Summer, the timing is perfect for the series to create a buzz in the manga scene. The series is written Keiichi Hikami with artwork by Shin Yamamoto.

Veterans of the games will be familiar with the story’s universe but for newcomers, here is what Viz Media has to say about the setting as well as a teaser for the first volume:

It is an age when monsters rule the world, soaring through the sky, treading the earth and filling the seas. Humanity survives on the fringes, relying on a special kind of hero to defend the people from danger – the Monster Hunters!

In the opening volume of the series, hunting giant man-eating beasts is no job for the weak-hearted, but along with courage, it takes skill and experience to be a good Hunter. It also takes good teamwork. Raiga and his comrades are experts now, but when they started down the path of the Monster Hunter, they lacked these qualities. When they head off to confront the dragon-like Queropeco, they quickly learn that this flaw could cost them dearly…

As a fan of the video game series, I am looking forward to this one. The games’ plots always seemed to take a backseat to the gameplay and multiplayer action. It will be a nice change of pace to experience a bonafide Monster Hunter story.

Look for Monster Hunter: Flash Hunter both in print and digital form (available on Nook, Kobo, Kindle, iBooks, comiXology, Google Play, BOOK WALKER, and the Viz Manga app) when the first volume releases April 12.

Kari’s Manga Corner: ‘Assassination Classroom’

by Kari LaneJanuary 26, 2016

Before I read Assassination Classroom, I had actually seen part of the movie on my flight to Japan. At the time I thought, “What is this strange movie?” Then I noticed the face of the teacher, and realized I had seen that face before. What teacher you may ask? Well, there is an alien creature here on Earth and he is going to destroy the planet unless the students of class 3-E can assassinate him by the end of the school year.

The students of class 3-E are not your typical kids. Their class is considered the reject class by the rest of the student body because you are sent there if you have poor grades or you cause trouble. Now, they are also assassins in training. The teacher, later named by the students as Koro Sensei, makes a deal with Earth’s leaders that he will not destroy the planet if these particular students can successfully assassinate him.

As you can guess from the plot, there is tons of action in this series. The action scenes play well and you can see the fights unfold. There is actually a lot of humor as well. What the teacher says and how it interactions with the human students creates a lot of funny moments. The particular art style is a little on the cute side and is like Love Hina and Negima!

Where does this thing come from? Why does he want to destroy Earth? Why these kids? Will they be able to complete their task of assassinating the alien creature? If you’re looking for something with an intriguing plot, action and humor, you should check out Assassination Classroom. This is definitely a fun one!

Geekscape Toys: Girl Ranma And Shampoo Enter Bandai’s ‘Ranma 1/2’ S.H. Figuarts Roster

by Natalie KipperJanuary 22, 2016

I would wager that pretty much anyone who watched anime in the 90s has at least heard of Rumiko Takahashi’s martial arts comedy gem, Ranma 1/2. The series’ characters are a focus in a new S.H. Figuarts line, the most recent additions being the female version of the titular fighter, Ranma followed by the Chinese Amazon, Shampoo.

Ranma in female form (or as Kuno would call him, “The Pigtailed Girl”) will come packaged with an articulated body, a stand for posing, four interchangeable facial expressions, a sword, a fighting staff, a kettle, and “chudo-n” special effects piece. This figure will cost ¥5,184 and release January 30.

Shampoo, one of Ranma’s many suitors, is scheduled to release in June of this year. No other details were given. But from looking over these product shots, we can gather that she will at least come with a bowl of ramen and a delivery box from her grandmother’s Cat Café.

Would you want to order either of these figures? Let us know in the comments!

[source: Tamashii Web via Crunchyroll]

Soon You Can Add ‘Splatoon’ To Your Manga Library!

by Natalie KipperJanuary 11, 2016

Nintendo’s hit alternative-FPS Splatoon has already invaded multiple aspects of geek culture, like cosplay and fan art, and now the squid-kid hybrids have set their crosshairs on our bookshelves.

Japanese magazine Famitsu announced that the game is set to receive not one, but two manga adaptations. The first is a four-panel comic, Honobono Ika no 4-Koma, by Kino Takahashi, the artist behind the Terra Battle play diaries. The second series is entitled Splatoon Play Manga and will showcase different artists and depict their experiences with the game. Release dates for either series have not yet been revealed.

Which artists would you like to see illustrate a Splatoon manga?

[via Crunchyroll]

Ultraman Returns In A New Manga Series

by Josh JacksonAugust 17, 2015

Viz Media has announced that the iconic Japanese superhero sci-fi series, Ultraman, will make its return courtesy of a new Manga series.

In case you’re unfamiliar with the series, Ultraman debuted in the late 1960’s and has since gained a worldwide audience. In Japan, the hero has become a cultural icon, triggering a pop culture phenomenon. After an ordinary human gained the power of the Giant of Light, an ordinary human gained the power to fight off giant monsters, or “kaiju”, that looked to destroy the Earth. The rest as they say, was history.

The manga series picks up years after the TV show ended. Following Shinjiro, an ordinary teenager who’s father happens to be the original Ultraman, the power that he inherits becomes the only thing that can stop a new threat, one that requires a new kind of hero.

Ultraman releases its first volume on August 18th in both physical and digital formats. Written by Eiichi Shimizu with artwork by Tomohiro Shimoguchi, the first book retails at $12.99.

Share your Ultraman fandom in the comments, and take a look at the full press release for all the details.

VIZ MEDIA LAUNCHES THE NEW ULTRAMAN MANGA SERIES

Kinetic Superhero Action Series Updates The Iconic Japanese

Sci-Fi Property For A Whole New Generation Of Manga Fans; Series To Launch In Print And Digitally

San Francisco, CA, August 11, 2015 – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest publisher, distributor and licensor of manga and anime in North America, announces the brand new ULTRAMAN sci-fi superhero action manga (graphic novel) series, which is set to debut in print and digitally on August 18^th.

The series, written by Eiichi Shimizu with artwork by Tomohiro Shimoguchi, is inspired by the original classic Japanese superhero TV show that ran in the late 1960s and remains hugely popular in Japan as well as with international audiences. ULTRAMAN Vol. 1 is rated ‘T’ for Teens and will carry a print MSRP of $12.99 U.S. / $14.99 CAN. The series also launches digitally the same day via VIZManga.com and the VIZ Manga App, as well as from the Nook, Kobo, Kindle, iBooks, comiXology, and GooglePlay stores. Future editions of ULTRAMAN will be published quarterly under the VIZ Signature imprint. In Japan, the series currently appears in Hero’s magazine.

Decades ago, a being known as the Giant of Light joined together with Shin Hayata of the Science Special Search Party to save Earth from an invasion of terrifying monsters called Kaiju. Now, many years later, those dark days are fading into memory, and the world is at peace. But in the shadows a new threat is growing, a danger that can only be faced by a new kind of hero – a new kind of ULTRAMAN… Shinjiro is an ordinary teenager, but his father is the legendary Shin Hayata. When he learns that his father passed on the “Ultraman Factor” to him and that he possesses incredible powers, nothing will ever be the same again.

VIZ Media recently welcomed Eiichi Shimizu and Tomohiro Shimoguchi for their first-ever professional appearance in the U.S. as official Guests of Honor at the 2015 San Diego Comic-Con.

“In Japan, Ultraman is something of a national symbol, an iconic superhero that is instantly recognizable and universally loved, and we’re excited to bring the brand new manga to a new generation of fans,” says Mike Montesa, Editor. “The series wonderfully updates the classic sci-fi property with cinematic action sequences and sleek character designs. Catch the exciting return of this legendary hero this summer!”

Eiichi Shimizu worked on the story, script and mechanical design for ULTRAMAN. Tomohiro Shimoguchi provided character design and art. Together, the two have formed a creative dream team to produce a number of works including ULTRAMAN (Hero’s) and Kurogane no Rainbareru (Linebarrels of Iron, Akita Shoten). In addition to comics, they have expanded their field of interest to include character designs for video games and action figures.

For more information on ULTRAMAN or manga titles published by VIZ Media, please visit www.VIZ.com.

Geekscape Interviews: Julietta Suzuki On What It Takes To Be A Manga Artist

by Kari LaneAugust 11, 2015

Many manga readers dream of becoming manga artists. What does it take to make it as a mangaka (manga artist)? I spoke with the successful manga artist, Julietta Suzuki, about her career and what inspires her.

Q: How has your experience at Anime Expo been?
A: I just walked on the floor, quite a few people, a lot of cosplayers. It seems like there are a lot of visitors from all different countries and I felt the passion. It looks like a lot of fun.

Q: How does it feel to be a Guest of Honor with Viz Media?
A: I feel honored and very thankful.

Q: Whose artwork has inspired you?
A: Are you talking about manga?

Q: Yes.
A: Any genre? It doesn’t matter?

Q: Yeah, anything.
A: When I was a kid, I used to play an RPG game “Dragon Quest” and that inspired me a lot. I played a lot.

Q: Do you feel that your art style has changed over your career at all?
A: Yes, it has changed.

Q: What is your favorite thing to draw?
A: Stories – the human drama.

Q: What do you find the hardest to draw?
A: I am supposed to finish like 30 pages in two weeks, so time is very tight. And within those 30 pages I will have to set up in that area what is exciting so I have to include that in the story and how to figure that out. How to figure out the structure is the hardest part.

Q: What advice do you have for aspiring manga artists?
A: In the States?

Q: Anywhere.
A: In Japan, it is actually not too hard to become a mangaka, but the difficulty is to continue drawing, but don’t be afraid. If you are inspired to become a mangaka, try to knock on the door and try to come to this world.

Q: What do you like about Shojo as a genre or a style?
A: The genre of Shojo manga basically revolves around human drama, so that is what I would like to draw. So, in general, I very much like to draw it.

Q: In terms of your work, what are you most proud of?
A: Right now, the current work is Kamisama Kiss / Kamisama Hajimemashita and so far we have got twelve volumes and drawing those volumes, I have learned quite a few lessons just by drawing them. Just the mere fact that I made it this far, I feel very proud of it.

Q: What is next for you?
A: With the next work I would like to try to target an even higher quality of work.

E3 2015: ‘One Piece Pirate Warriors 3’ Continues To Prove That ‘Dynasty Warriors’ Makes Everything Awesome.

by Josh JacksonJune 30, 2015

Look, if you’ve played any of the One Piece Pirate Warriors games, you don’t need me to tell you what to expect. Even if you haven’t, but played anything from Hyrule Warriors to Dynasty Warriors, this upcoming game based on the insanely popular manga series is going to be more of the same. With that said, this is far from a bad thing, since it’s been proven time and time again that the wackiness of Luffy, his crew, and his enemies lends itself quite well to destroying hundreds of enemies at a time. Promising to be a bigger, more realized version of the entire One Piece experience, our hands-on time showed that it’s on a path to do just that.

As you would expect from any type of Warriors game, this 3D beat em up will have you choosing from one of the many characters introduced across the hundreds of episodes One Piece has aired. Covering everything from when Luffy first set sail from Fushia Village to the latest story arc in Dressrosa, and told through a 3D comic book/cell shaded hybrid visual style, it’s safe to say that you’re going to be playing this for a VERY long time.

Naturally, all of this story content is amplified by the huge amount of people, (and reindeer,) you’ll be able to take down entire armies with. From the main crew consisting of Luffy, Zoro, Chopper, Nami and the like, all the way through Shanks and Ace, and new characters like Sabo, Donquixote, Doflamingo and Fujitora, you’ll never have a time where you feel like the game is too short on characters. If one isn’t enough, you can even take a partner with you into battle, triggering screen clearing special and double team attacks when the right conditions have been met. Did you expect anything different from an anime title?

As you progress, the main goal is to travel across the map and capture bases, which usually involved beating down waves of enemies until a boss shows up. Objectives change as the game progresses, with the hopes of keeping the repetitiveness to a minimum. Even then, if you’re a One Piece fan, (and seriously, what are the chances you’d be reading this if you weren’t,) then it’ll be its own reward to see your favorite characters on screen, using their insane abilities to do what they do best. And based on the episode count, it’s definitely fighting, not actually finding treasure.

If you’re not a fan of these kinds of games, it’s not likely that Pirate Warriors 3 will change your mind. However, if you love the anime, love beat em ups, or love games with a ton of content, then this latest One Piece title is shaping up to be worth setting sail for. Make sure to stay tuned as more details emerge, and be sure to check back for all your gaming coverage!

One Piece: Pirate Warriors 3 is set for a Summer release on the PS3, PS4 and Steam.

E3 2015: ‘Sword Art Online: Re Hollow Fragment’ Takes Fan Feedback To Heart

by Josh JacksonJune 28, 2015

Back in August, when Sword Art Online: Hollow Fragment released for the PS Vita, it was generally agreed that the game was serviceable for fans of the popular anime and manga series, but its slow battle speed, grind heavy game play, and poor translation ultimately kept it from being as great as it could have been. With that in mind, Namco Bandai has gone back to the drawing board with Sword Art Online: Re Hollow Fragment, taking fan feedback to make an improved version of the game. Joining many other popular Vita exclusives and jumping ship to the PS4, our hands on time showed that in this case, the move to consoles is like night and day.

If you missed our review of the original game, Hollow Fragment picks up at the end of the first half of the anime, branching off into its own “what if” scenario as Kirito and his friends continue to climb the 100 floors of Aincrad. Still stuck within an MMORPG where players who die in the game die in real life, the group must fight to survive long enough to complete the game, which will set all of the survivors free.

With the ability to team up with characters from the show, (some of which haven’t appeared yet at this point in the story,) level up abilities and weapon skills and build relationships with those around you, each floor has its own set of challenges and bosses before you can proceed to the top. The second part of the game is the game exclusive Hollow Area, where the meat of the game lies. Here, players can explore its huge environments with a friend through co-op play, or pair up with another CPU teammate to tackle its challenges. Featuring over 100 hours of game play if you were to complete everything this massive game offers, that time is likely going to be cut down thanks to the sped up battles.

While playing, it was instantly noticeable how much faster the game moved. In what felt like it was close to twice the speed, each one of Kirito’s attacks took much less time to cast and execute. Considering the game plays similar to what you’d expect from KOTOR or the original Dragon Age, the real time turn based combat never felt plodding like it did before. Naturally, this change applied to your teammate as well, forcing you to stay on your toes with a larger sense of urgency, especially when taking the praise mechanic into account. Trying to send the appropriate message to your partner to boost their morale mid fight was as important as ever, while managing your aggro, skills and health to take down tough enemies.

Thankfully for us, the game play wasn’t the only feature to get a boost from the new hardware. After being reformatted for big screen HD gaming, the world of Sword Art looks much more vibrant with its brighter colors and smoother frame rate. While cycling through the battle banter, the new translation was immediately noticeable, replacing the awkward wording and sentence structure with something that resembles functional English! It’s obvious that the localization team and developers learned from our complaints of the original, which will hopefully leave us with a more enjoyable SAO experience.

From what we’ve seen so far, Sword Art Online: Re Hollow Fragment seems to improve on the Vita version in nearly every way. If you missed out on the original or want an excuse to run through the game again, this is looking like your best chance to experience the definitive version of the game. With a second game, Lost Song, also launching this year, it’s clear to see why this is a good time to be a Sword Art fan.

Look for both games for PS4, with Lost Song returning to the Vita this fall.

Kari’s Manga Corner: ‘Seraph of the End’

by Kari LaneJune 26, 2015

Vampire stories are pretty common nowadays. Many writers try to change it up or put a new spin on the genre. Seraph of the End takes place in a world where vampires have taken control. In a post-apocalyptic future, a mysterious illness kills everyone over the age of 12. Then the vampires appear and the remaining humans, mere children, flee underground. Young Yuichiro is determined to kill every vampire – they killed his sister and his best friend, and pushed humanity into the shadows. Will he be strong enough to fight back? Does humanity have any hope?

I found this series rather interesting. It starts off with a young boy filled with just blind rage set to fight all vampires, but it expands when he meets a more organized force with the same mission. Yes, it is somewhat formulaic – unskilled youngster wants revenge, meets someone that teaches them how to fight and then the real battle begins. This version, however, still felt very intriguing. Seraph of the End has a similar vibe and art style to Blue Exorcist (which is an awesome series!).

If you like action, mystery, young people taking on the world and the supernatural, then check out Seraph of the End!

SERAPH OF THE END, Vol. 1 · Rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens ·

MSRP: $6.99 (U.S. / CAN) · Available Now!

Download the free VIZ Manga App for Android and iOS devices at www.VIZ.com/apps.

To learn more about VIZ Manga, please visit www.vizmanga.com.

E3 2015: ‘Naruto Ultimate Ninja Storm 4’ Is As Over The Top, (And Over Dramatic,) As Ever!

by Josh JacksonJune 24, 2015

So as you may or may not know, the main Naruto series wrapped up late last year. With the story coming to fruition, that leaves the video games wide open, with the ability to feature a full roster, expanded abilities, and some of the craziest jutsu’s you’ll likely ever see. Considering the Ultimate Ninja Storm series always manages to take things to an even higher level than its source material, and I knew that Storm 4, the upcoming title that looks to explore the finale of the Fourth Great Ninja War, would not disappoint. As expected, the E3 demo had more of everything when it came to its five playable characters. More moves, more awakenings, more flashbacks, more angst… It’s what we’ve all come to know and love about the Naruto franchise!

Having the option of fighting with up to two partners for support, Storm 4 doesn’t veer far from the game play of the previous games. Starting battles in a more dynamic way, with each team clashing at the center of the stage before the fight starts, each ninja will be able to mix up normal attacks, special attacks, substitution counters, and Ultimate Techniques to take out their opposition. Using techniques from the final chapters of the manga, characters like Obito debuts in his Six Paths form, while Edo Madara and Sasuke can each fight as or unleash their Susano ability, which results in some wildly over the top scenes. Even Sakura got a significant update, mirroring her crowning achievement in the final chapters. What adds an even more authentic touch, is like in previous games, defeating enemies with an ultimate jutsu results in a flashback, with the winning character delivering some inspirational, sometimes angsty internal dialogue. Just wait until they start crying blood!

Now that I mentioned it, fighting AS Susano is pretty great. As veterans might have figured, this is Madara and Sasuke’s Awakening ability, which is a powerful transformation that’s triggered when low on health and after the super meter is charged beyond capacity. Not allowing the Uchiha clan to have all the fun, Naruto can go full Nine Tails mode, firing off Bijuu Bombs like nobody’s business. Sakura’s chakra release reveals her full strength, with each landing blow resulting in an earth shaking pause. I have to say, watching Awakened Sakura in action was the highlight of my time, since the game finally captured how much of a badass she can be. Then again, it took almost 700 chapters for the manga to realize it, so the game gets a pass.

If you’ve played a Storm game before, you know what to expect, only now, with a bigger, better roster and move set. If you’ve never played them before, these games just might be the mindless, button mashing fun you’ve been looking for. Considering I’m still having so much fun with the game after I’ve played every one in the series since it debuted, it shows how much fun summoning a giant fox on top of ninjas can be.

Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4 wraps up the series this fall, for PS4 and Xbox One.

‘LBX: Little Battlers eXperience’ Builds Its Way Onto The Nintendo 3DS

by Josh JacksonJune 2, 2015

The return of Chibi Robo wasn’t the only Nintendo news involving pocket sized machines. As one of the few announcements separate from what was revealed in the weekend’s Japanese Nintendo Direct, it was revealed that LBX: Little Battlers eXperience was headed to the West this summer!

Based on the anime and manga of the same name, LBX features customizable battle robots using over 130 models and 4000 parts. After making your robo your own, you can pit it against your friends in six player local skirmishes, battling it out for machine supremecy.

If the concept sounds a lot like Nintendo’s own Custom Robo franchise, you’re not the only one who spots the resemblence. While Chibi is getting its chance in the spotlight again, LBX sounds like it could be a suitable stand-in for Ray and the rest of the customs. However, considering that it’s developed by Level-5, (of Professor Layton, Fantasy Life and Ni No Kuni fame,) and based around a popular, multi property franshise in Japan, it’s safe to say that LBX just might deliver.

What are your impressions so far? Would you rather have a Custom Robo title, or are you just as excited to give the new game a shot? Sound off below and tell us what you think!

LBX launches on August 21st.

Geekscape Reviews ‘Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection F’ (Possible Minor Spoilers!)

by Josh JacksonApril 12, 2015

*Note: While there won’t be any major plot reveals in this mostly spoiler free review, small details will be covered throughout the review. Read at your own risk!

In the years that I’ve been a Dragon Ball Z fan, it’s been really easy to get caught up in things like power levels and storyline hype. As time has passed, my memories of the classic anime series has shifted from the impressive power of villains like Majin Buu to a growing appreciation for what Frieza represented as a character. The self proclaimed emperor of the universe brought DBZ to a much darker place by serving as both the one responsible for the plight of the entire Saiyan race with his immense strength and the perfect antithesis to the eternally pure hearted Goku. Arrogant, powerful, and cruel, the only likable thing about the guy was that he was so much fun to root against! So to say I was thrilled when the follow up to Battle Of Gods would revolve around the revival of the iconic villain would be an understatement, but not without a few worries. Namely, how would Frieza be able to stand a chance after the main cast had grown so much since their time on Namek? Fortunately, Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection F does a mostly satisfying job of giving the villain the showing he deserves, with plenty of surprises to keep Akira Toriyama fans as a whole happy. However, it’s not without a few concessions to the established lore.

Resurrection F wouldn’t be much without an actual resurrection, which comes to pass thanks to Sorbet, who continues the trend of food based names. As a member of the famed Frieza Force who has taken over as its leader since the destruction of Namek, Sorbet and the remnants of the army have had to bide their time before being able to accomplish their true aim, the return of their leader. After tracking down some familiar faces on Earth who have accumulated six of the seven Dragon Balls, Sorbet intimidates them into giving up their wishes after uncovering the final ball, leading to the return of one of Goku’s greatest foes. Except… he’s revived in the same form as he was when he died. So… in pieces. After a trip to the regeneration pod and a bit of plot magic, Frieza is fully restored, and eager to pay Goku back for the humiliation caused by his defeat.

Golden Frieza shines in his battle against Goku. Get it?

Right off the bat, Resurrection F amps the audience up for what’s sure to be what promises to be an adrenaline filled rematch that revisits what I feel is the most iconic battle in franchise history, and it delivers on all fronts. Being able to watch Frieza be so unapologetically evil is just so much fun, whether he’s terrorizing his enemies, or abusing his henchmen. Even more impressive however, is how this fairly early enemy is made to seem like such a threat early on. Veering a bit into spoiler territory, the most impressive reveal of the entire film to me was when the catalyst for his much talked about Golden Frieza transformation is the result of him training for a mere four months. While not a big deal on its own, it’s mentioned that he was so naturally powerful, that he had never trained before this point. Sure, it’s a bit of a convenient plot point, but the fact that four months of training puts him at a level where he can go toe to toe with Goku, who has an additional decade plus of experience since their previous fight, helps explain where his characteristic overconfidence comes from.

Naturally, an antagonist is only as good as the protagonists he goes against, leading to the assembly of one of the most varied supporting casts in any DBZ movie. While most movies revolve around the Saiyans and their immense power, it was great to watch forgotten favorites like Tien, Krillin, and even Master Roshi, (who hasn’t had a significant battle since World’s Strongest), take on hundreds of foot soldiers in an incredible fight sequence against an entire army. Knowing that a common complaint of the series has been about how most of the cast has been pushed aside for Goku and Vegeta, you wouldn’t be able to tell in this film, since each gets a decent amount of time to shine. In fact, even a non Dragon Ball character gets a chance to show what he can do, but I won’t give away the surprise here.

Master Roshi with some much needed screen time.

Speaking of, the attention paid to the cast goes for both inside and outside of fights, since a few refreshing scenes show what life is like in the world outside of the fighting bubble. Despite some of these scenes dragging to the point that it slows down the movie a bit, it was great to see how normal society functions for those who aren’t shooting energy out of their hands. I mean, Krillin has a job! Doesn’t get any more real that that.

But despite each character getting their moment in the spotlight, the focus eventually shifts back to Goku, who remains as simple minded and kind as always. Picking up after Battle Of Gods, him and Vegeta have spent the last few years training with Beerus, the God of Destruction, and his handler, Whis, in order to master the Super Saiyan God form. At this point, it’s expected. I mean, when are Goku and Vegeta NOT training? But get this… Is it possible that these two actually get some character development from Whis’ guidance? When the inevitable battle on Earth takes place, Goku’s usual demeanor won’t cut it, leading to some shocking developments that force him to change the way he approaches his enemies. Will it stick? Probably not. But it was an interesting development to experience as a longtime fan, especially when anime movies have the reputation of being mostly irrelevant to the overall story.

Super Saiyan God Super Saiyan? Or is it Super Super Sayian God? Super Duper Saiyan?

Sure, this all sounds super serious, but I’m happy to say that in between all the doom and gloom surrounding revenge plots and threats of planetary destruction lies a strong sense of humor that was more often found in the original Dragon Ball series compared to Z. If Battle Of Gods had one flaw, it was that it was too silly, leaving some fans dissatisfied with the amount of action that came with the final fight. While I might have been afraid of a knee jerk reaction to eliminate all humor going in to Resurrection F, I was pleasantly surprised to see every character, from top to bottom, delivering laugh out loud moments even during the fights. And yes, even Frieza gets to have a few lighthearted moments. Just one thing though, Toriyama really needs to drop his pink, swirly poop obsession.

It might be impossible to put together all these plot pieces without creating a few continuity issues. All things considered, this film does an amazing job of re-establishing old characters into a post Majin Buu world. Yet, the film’s biggest flaw lies with ignoring previous established rules that ended up being ignored. Why can Goku turn into a Super Saiyan God without the help of other pure hearted Saiyans? Why is Gohan degrading in power even more than before? Why does he even need to go Super Saiyan when Mystic Gohan was supposed to be his stronger, permanent form? Why is Frieza’s version of Hell, (which is hysterical, by the way,) so different from the established Hell he was in at the end of the Majin Buu saga? And on that note, while I appreciate addressing Majin Buu at all, why does Frieza act like he didn’t know Buu was awakened when he was watching Goku fight him?

Considering that these small nitpicks are the worst the movie offered, it shows how solid of a film Resurrection F truly is. Acting as a crowd pleasing film that satisfies on all levels, and what we get is one of the most well rounded films in the DBZ catalog. Dare I say, though I might need the hype to die down a little to say for sure, as of now, I feel like F is a strong contender for best movie in the entire franchise! Featuring a more varied cast, a great sense of humor, incredible fight scenes and a surprising ending, F is a can’t miss experience for any DBZ fan. And honestly, who isn’t?

tl;dr:

+ Solid writing that manages to create believable scenarios, character growth and endless excitement.

+ Gorgeous animation that isn’t reliant on 3D animation.

+ Manages to find a near perfect balance of humor vs. action.

+ Satisfying scenes that find ways to surprise while making every character feel important.

– Inconsistencies with the established canon is bothersome.

– Middle portions of the movie drag a bit.

– Toriyama’s strange poop obsession.

Final score: 4.5/5

Tag: manga

Geekscape Reviews: Satoru Noda’s ‘Golden Kamuy’ Vol.1

‘Splatoon’ Manga To be Brought West, Courtesy of Viz Media

Geekscape Unboxes: The Loot Anime April 2017 Crate!

Geekscape Unboxes: The Loot Anime March 2017 Crate!

Geekscape Review: ‘Ghost in the Shell’… and thoughts on that ScarJo casting!

Geekscape Reviews: ‘The Legend Of Zelda: Twilight Princess’ Vol. 1

Sorry, Do You Mean “Yaoi”?: Yuri on Ice Anime Review (No Spoilers)

Geekscape Reviews: ‘Tomie: Complete Deluxe Edition’ By Junji Ito

Geekscape Unboxes: The Loot Anime November 2016 Crate!

Geekscape Unboxes: The Loot Anime October 2016 Box!

Geekscape Unboxes: The Loot Anime September 2016 Box!

Celebrate The Launch Of ‘Super Mario Adventures’ At Nintendo NY

Geekscape Unboxes: The Loot Anime August 2016 Box!

VIZ Media To Publish ‘Super Mario Adventures,’ ‘Twilight Princess’ Manga

Geekscape Interviews: Kazue Kato – The Creator Behind the Hit Manga Series “Blue Exorcist”

Geekscape Reviews: ‘The Heiress And The Chauffeur’ Vol. 1 By Keiko Ishihara

Geekscape Reviews: ‘Monster Hunter: Flash Hunter’ Volume 1

Geekscape Reviews: ‘GOODNIGHT PUNPUN’ Vol.1 By Inio Asano

OYASUMI PUNPUN © 2007 Inio ASANO/SHOGAKUKAN

OYASUMI PUNPUN © 2007 Inio ASANO/SHOGAKUKAN

OYASUMI PUNPUN © 2007 Inio ASANO/SHOGAKUKAN

Capcom’s ‘Monster Hunter’ Does Manga in ‘Flash Hunter’

Kari’s Manga Corner: ‘Assassination Classroom’

Geekscape Toys: Girl Ranma And Shampoo Enter Bandai’s ‘Ranma 1/2’ S.H. Figuarts Roster

Soon You Can Add ‘Splatoon’ To Your Manga Library!

Ultraman Returns In A New Manga Series

Geekscape Interviews: Julietta Suzuki On What It Takes To Be A Manga Artist

Kamisama Hajimemashita © Julietta Suzuki 2008/HAKUSENSHA,Inc.

Kamisama Hajimemashita © Julietta Suzuki 2008/HAKUSENSHA,Inc.

Kamisama Hajimemashita © Julietta Suzuki 2008/HAKUSENSHA,Inc.

Kamisama Hajimemashita © Julietta Suzuki 2008/HAKUSENSHA,Inc.

E3 2015: ‘One Piece Pirate Warriors 3’ Continues To Prove That ‘Dynasty Warriors’ Makes Everything Awesome.

E3 2015: ‘Sword Art Online: Re Hollow Fragment’ Takes Fan Feedback To Heart

Kari’s Manga Corner: ‘Seraph of the End’

E3 2015: ‘Naruto Ultimate Ninja Storm 4’ Is As Over The Top, (And Over Dramatic,) As Ever!

‘LBX: Little Battlers eXperience’ Builds Its Way Onto The Nintendo 3DS

Geekscape Reviews ‘Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection F’ (Possible Minor Spoilers!)