Music has always been important in anime, but especially in recent years. This year alone, at least seven music series aired, specifically BanG Dream! Ave Mujica (also known as Ave Mujica – The Die is Cast), Flower and Asura, Harmony of Mille-Feuille, Maebashi Witches, Princession Orchestra, You and Idol Pretty Cure, and Rock Is a […]
Author: Burkely Hermann
K-On Complete Collection Blu-ray Review [Part 2]
This review continues from part 1, which examined the themes, characters, and plot in seasons 1 and 2 of K-On!, a slice-of-life musical series. This review will examine the K-On! film, the special features, English dub, and more, within the Blu-ray collection. K-On! the Movie, which released in theaters in early December 2011, and on Blu-ray and […]
K-On Complete Collection Blu-ray Review – Part 1
K-On! is a slice-of-life series based on a manga with the same name by Japanese artist Kakifly. Kyoto Animation produced the series. It began as a thirteen-episode first season in 2009, followed by a twenty-six episode second season in 2010, various animated shorts, a few OVAs, and a 110-minute film in December 2011. K-On! follows […]
The “Lumberjanes” Animated Series That Never Was
Earlier this month, ND Stevenson had an announcement. He is a writer best known for helming She-Ra and the Princesses of Power, which is an animated re-boot of the classic 1980s series She-Ra: Princess of Power, and for his webcomic (and later) graphic novel Nimona. He told interviewers from Comic Book Club that the animated adaptation of […]
Knights of Guinevere “Pilot” Review
On September 19th, Knights of Guinevere, an animated mature sci-fi psychological thriller, with body horror and macabre qualities, premiered. It dropped on the YouTube channel of Glitch Productions, an indie animation powerhouse. The pilot was co-created by Dana Terrace, John Bailey Owen, and Zach Marcus. All three worked on The Owl House. Terrace was the creator. […]
MechWest Episodes 1-3 Review
I’ve watched many indie animations this year. One of my favorites is MechWest, which is streaming on YouTube. This indie action-adventure series is by David “Dave” Gallagher, and co-written by Clifford James Taylor and Noah Gallagher. It begins with a robot/mech, witnessing the death of its two compatriots. Soon, a spunky teenage girl named Pearl West (voiced […]
Female friendship and queerness across girl-centered anime
In mid-August, queer media critic Kira Deshler wrote on her newsletter, Paging Dr. Lesbian, about how many queer fans of Wednesday believe that titular character Wednesday Addams (played by Jenna Ortega) loves her best friend, Enid Sinclair (played by Emma Myers). Undoubtedly, fans of this popular ship, known as Wenclair, will be disappointed by the […]
It’s time for… some piracy!: Examining fictional pirates in animation
Earlier this month, there was news that a new spinoff sequel of Steven Universe was in production, entitled Steven Universe: Lars of the Stars. Animation Magazine described protagonist Lars Barriga as an “eternal teenager and space outlaw.” It said that the series will follow him “and his pirate crew” as they “smuggle contraband, evade the authorities, and […]
Black animation at the crossroads?: Diversity, corporate mandates, backlash, and hope
I recently came across a piece in the St. Louis American about Iyanu: Child of Wonder, which is based on a Nigerian graphic novel by Roye Okupe and Godwin Akpan, which incorporates Yoruba mythology and stories and was produced by a Black-owned animation studio (Lion Forge Animation). While this series, said to be influenced by […]
A Retrospective Look at the Classic 1990s Yuri Anime “Dear Brother” [Part 2]
The first part of this review focused on episodes 1-35, noting the connection to other series, and plot of those episodes, including abolition of the sorority, Fukiko’s abuse of Rei, growing romantic love between Nanako and Rei, and the heart-wrenching (and accidental) death of Rei. As a warning, this review discusses sensitive topics such as […]










