Hal is a movie about a robot who becomes human as part of an outlandish attempt at “robot therapy”. In this instance we’re dealing with someone who’s not been able to cope with the death of a loved one and has withdrawn from the world. The robot “Q01” doesn’t just become human – they become […]
Steins;Gate: Fuka Ryouiki no Déjà vu movie review
Steins;Gate began life as a visual novel in Japan. It’s one of those games where the ‘player’ gets to read through like a book, with pictures of the characters, and occasionally has a choice to make that effects what happens next. It’s useful to know that those “make a choice now” moments are represented in […]
A review of Aura: Koga Maryuin’s Last War
Aura, by Seiji Kishi, is an anime that takes a look at school culture in Japan. In particular it looks at the “cool” kids at the top of the popularity pile in contrast to the less popular geeks.
A review of of Evangelion 3.0 You Can (Not) Redo
I enjoyed the series Neon Genesis Evangelion. I enjoyed it despite the “hero” Shinji being something of a milksop. I enjoyed it despite the weird ending. The ending was weird, I’m told, because they ran out of budget. Solution – lots of surreal stuff happens. Over. You’re left asking “What?” As sometimes happens with series […]
Sakasama no Patema: Patema Inverted review
This is the first time that I’ve enjoyed an anime while being barely able to watch it. Patema Inverted is about the brave and curious girl who goes exploring in her underground world of tunnels and ruins and discovers a horrible truth. The film is sci-fi to the extent that it is set after a […]
Little Witches Yoyo & Nene review
Intended for children, despite being directed by Takayuki Hirao responsible for Tokyo Fish Attack, Little Witches will entertain anime loving adults. I enjoyed it even if there was a tendency to throw in rainbows and hearts. Nene and Yoyo are are pair of curse breaking sisters. They’re Witches for Hire in a fantasy world. Yoyo, […]
A review of Fuse: Memoirs of the Hunter Girl
Fuse Teppo Musume no Torimonocho seems to be called either Fuse: Memoirs of the Hunter Girl or Fuse: A Gun Girl’s Detective Story in English. I think Hunter Girl fits better. Fuse by Masayuki Miyaji is a blend of fantasy and Japan history. There’s plenty of action here; samurai warriors and werewolves, with rooftop chases […]
Gusukobudori no Denki: The Life of Guskou Budori review
Surreal and Buddhist, I’m told. The Life of Guskou Budori is based on Kenji Miyazawa’s novel. A significant change in the anime is that the characters are anthropomorphic cats with the exception of spirit like entities from dream sequences which look like grotesque people. Cats are cute and all that but The Life of Guskou […]
Koto no ha no niwa: Garden of Words review
Garden of Words is a beautiful short, only 47 minutes, anime from Makoto Shinkai. It is a film about rain and feet. The animation is simply stunning. The first few minutes of footage, from the opening credits through to the introduction of the characters is remarkable. The scene of a branch dipping into a lake […]
All The Anime: Mysterious new anime distributor launches in the UK
Anime LTD is part mystery and part familiar. The familiar aspect of the new company, one that will manage anime distribution for cinema and home release, is in the form of Andrew Partridge. Partridge established and makes a success out of Scotland Loves Anime which takes hot Japanese anime releases and golden oldies to cinema […]
