Axis Powers Hetalia

Hetare (ヘタレ): incompetent
Italia: country located in south-central Europe
Hetare + Italia = HETALIA

Alternate Title: ヘタリア Axis Powers
Studio: Studio DEEN
English Liscensor: FUNimation Entertainment
Episodes: 52 (season 1)
               48 (season 2)
Demographic: Shojo
Genres: comedy
Related Content: Hetalia Axis Powers (manga)
                         Hetalia World Series (ONA season 2)
                         Axis Powers Hetalia: Paint it White! (movie)

New Release! Blue Exorcist

Alternate Title: Ao no Exorcist (青の祓魔師)
Creator: Kazue Kato
Publisher: Shueisha
English Publisher: Viz Media
Volumes: 5
Demographic: Shonen
Genres: supernatural, action, fantasy
Related Content: Ao no Exorcist (anime)

Soul Eater

A sound soul dwells within a sound mind and a sound body.

-Maka Alburn, Soul Eater

Alternate Title: ソウルイータ

Studio: BONES

English Liscensor: FUNimation Entertainment
Episodes: 51
Demographic: Shonen
Genres: action, adventure, comedy, supernatural
Related Content: Soul Eater (manga)
                         Soul Eater: Monotone Princess (Wii game)
                         Soul Eater: Plot of Medusa (Nintendo DS game)
                         Soul Eater: Battle Resonance (PS2, PSP game)
                         Soul Eater Not! (manga side-story)

What? Too Soon?

Several anime, manga, and game titles depicting disaster scenes caused by earthquakes, tsunamis, or nuclear reactors have either been altered or completely taken off the air due to the current circumstances in Japan. Tokyo Magnitude 8.0, in particular, has hit home with its plot about a huge tremor that originates from a large ocean trench and shakes Tokyo to its core. This dramatic story about survival during such a horrible disaster almost foreshadowed the events of March 11, 2011. Japan’s Animax channel has pulled Tokyo Magnitude 8.0 from its lineup and replaced it with the best episodes from Lupin III and other classic anime series. On Thursday, the publisher Nihonbungeisha announced it would suspend the Hakuryū Legend yakuza manga from its Weekly Manga Goraku magazine, in light of the massive damage caused by the earthquake on Friday the 11th. The manga’s current Nuclear Power Mafia story arc focuses on the “dark side of the nuclear power industry,” according to Dai Tenoji, storywriter and artist. He developed the story a month prior to the disaster currently afflicting his home. Other productions, such as Precure All-Stars DX3 Mirai ni Todoke! Sekai o Tsunagu Niji-Iro no Hana, Takashi Otsuka's third film to combine the casts of all the Pretty Cure (Precure) magical girl television series to date, opened in theaters today after having its tsunami scenes edited out. Re-runs of older anime depicting similar story arcs have been completely pulled off the air out of consideration to the public’s feelings and suffering during this trying time in Japanese history. Even games, like nuclear-themed Root Double, are being affected by the disaster.

I think it wise of the creators, distributors, publishers, and other anime/ gaming industry staff to have taken such measures to ensure that the content being released is not “remenicent of the disaster”, as some have stated. It’s unfortunate for the creators of such series to have their months-worth of work and creativity to go unappreciated, however, the effects of the magnitude 9.0 earthquake are obviously still being dealt with.

In regards to fanart being released on sites like Pixiv, a number of works titled “Hang in there, Japan!” have arisen, in attempts to make light of the situation. Some argue that the nature of the art is borderline insensitive. Though the fans’ intentions are good, many artists and Japanese citizens have found that it is too soon for such content to be published. In fact, an artist posted a letter voicing his frustration on the matter. “it fills me with murderous rage,” he states, “to see the words ‘good luck!’ posted at a time like this.” He equates this action to having a person say this to him immediately after he lost his parents in an earthquake years ago.

I'm sure that, eventually, some of these episodes and story arcs will be aired and published. I think it's a matter of time - the people of Japan need time to recover and rebuild their lives.

Blank Slate - Manga Review

Alternate Title: Akusaga (悪性 -アクサガ)
                       L'empreinte du mal (French)
Creator: Aya Kanno
Publisher: Hakusensha
English Publisher: Viz Media
Volumes: 2
Demographic: Shojo
Genres: adventure, mystery
Related Content: Blank Slate GN 2

Disasterous 8.9 Earthquake and Tsunami Hit Japan

A devastating 8.9-magnitude earthquake struck Japan at 2:46p.m., Friday March 11th, followed by violent and frequent aftershocks. Said to be the most powerful in Japan’s recorded history, the initial earthquake was centered near the east coast of the island nation, killing hundreds. Thirty-foot waves swept their way inland as far as 6 miles, hitting several northeastern prefectures, including Miyagi. Tsunami warnings have been issued for most of the Pacific Rim. The Tokyo Broadcasting System has reported widespread damage, with a high number of casualties and over 500 people missing.

Azumanga Daioh! - A Manga Review

Why so moe?

Alternate Title: “Great King Azumanga” (あずまんが大王)

Creator: Kiyohiko Azuma
Publisher: MediaWorks
                Shogakukan (re-release)
English Publisher: ADV Manga (former)
                           Yen Press (current)
Volumes: 4
Demographic: Shonen
Genres: comedy, slice of life
Related Content: Azumanga Daioh! (anime)
                          Azumanga Web Daioh! (ONA - original net animation)
                          Azumanga Daioh – The Very Short Movie
                                      (Sample preview of the anime)
                          Azumanga Daioh: Supplementary Lessons (extra chapters)

Who must we thank for modern Anime?

BAMBI!

Welcome!

Hey there, folks! It’s Christina here, ready to give you all a peek into the colorful world of anime and manga. All are welcome to join in on the fun, both fans and non-fans alike. I’ll be covering a number of anime-related topics including: profiles of the biggest names in the industry, anime and manga reviews, music highlights, new releases, and more.