This week's foray into Wano has more ups than downs and manages to be one of the more exciting connective tissue episodes. Despite lacking much in the way of action, we still get a lot of new developments as well as check-ins with several important crewmembers.
Firstly, Jimbei's scene was a delight. We have waited so long for him to officially join the crew and, at last, he has. It's easy to forget that while he has known Luffy for a long time and has a strong sense of the lad's heart, the same could not be said for the other Straw Hats. Watching him go on about excellent planning and seeking out heroic battles as – let me check my notes here – Sanji blasts off in a cloud of horny smoke is hilarious.
The Sanji-centric parts I am more mixed on. It's no secret that I'm not his biggest fan. On the one hand, both the noble prince shtick and trying to save damsels are in keeping with his character. Furthermore, Sanji doesn't do anything wrong here by my judgment: he hears someone in danger and leaps to their rescue. And he's right that there's a loss of dignity when it comes to assault. That said, we don't even have to go that far back in the Wano arc to see Sanji running around a bathhouse fully invisible so uuuuhhhhh, you know, those who live in glass houses and all that.
Speaking of glass houses though, he and I can both agree that Black Maria is mesmerizing because she exhibits important qualities like being huge and being evil.
But the episode has lots of other nice little touches. Sanji skidding to a halt being accompanied by a sort of Flinstonesy sound effect was great. Plus I dig the really funky 70s riff going on in the background of Chōpper's inspiring speech – it fits Wano's throwback vibes very well. Lastly, the rising of Onigashima from the land is, to my mind, one of this arc's more enduring visual spectacles yet.
So another solid episode that once again heightens the scale and excitement of Wano. If you thought the arc was slowing down any time soon, I'm afraid you were wrong.
If I were to sum up Hokkaido Gals Are Super Adorable! in a single word, that word would be “cute.”― If I were to sum up Hokkaido Gals Are Super Adorable! in a single word, that word would be “cute.” Shiki and Fuyuki's interactions are a mixture of playful (and sometimes sexual) teasing and heartfelt feelings as the two come to value each other. They have real chemistry—and that drives the anime stra...
Lucas and Steve catch up on the Hunter × Hunter manga in time for the long-awaited new chapter and gush about why, even with years between releases, Hunter × Hunter is worth it.― Lucas and Steve catch up on the Hunter × Hunter manga in time for the long-awaited new chapter and gush about why, even with years between releases, Hunter × Hunter is worth it. Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed...
Series previously inspired 52-episode anime in 1993― This year's 24th issue of Shogakukan's Weekly Shonen Sunday magazine revealed on Wednesday that Gosho Aoyama's Yaiba manga will be getting a new anime adaptation. Aoyama is supervising. The series follows the titular Yaiba Kurogane, a young samurai boy inspired by Miyamoto Musashi, the real-life swordsman who pioneered the Hyōhō Niten Ichi-ryū sty...
Based on the novel by former Nogizaka46 member Kazumi Takayama, trapezium asks its audience to follow one girl who will use anything, and anyone, to achieve her dream.― Trapezium is a strange movie, to say the least. On the surface, it's a rather simple movie that explores youth, their dreams, and the lengths they'll go to achieve those dreams. It's a coming-of-age story wrapped in the veneer of the...
ZeroReq011 remembers what made Spice and Wolf a story for the ages, from its fully realized world and economics to Holo and Lawrence's romantic chemistry.― Back when Funimation was still its own company and not owned by Sony, long before its in-house streaming service was terminated in favor of Crunchyroll's streaming platform, it owned a TV channel. Legal streaming had yet to dominate the Western a...
Anime will star Hiroshi Kamiya, Kotaro Nishiyama, Kotaro Nishiyama― Distribution company Remow announced on Tuesday that Yura Urushibara's Tougen Anki: Dark Demon of Paradise manga will get a television anime in 2025. The company revealed the trailer, key visual, and main cast for the anime. The anime's cast includes:
Kazuki Ura as Shiki Ichinose, the protagonist who inherits the blood of an Oni. Sh...
Nick and Chris recount some of the most frustrating anime cancellations, from the Yuri on Ice movie to the second half of Stars Align.― Nick and Chris recount some of the most frustrating anime cancellations from the second half of Stars Align to the 2007 JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Phantom Blood movie. Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by the participants in this chatlog are not the views...
Welcome to the rankings for the Spring 2024 season! The perfect place to check out which hidden gems might have flown under your radar.― Let's have a look at what ANN readers consider the best (and worst) of the season,
based on the polls you can find in our Daily Streaming Reviews
and on the Your Score page with the latest simulcasts. Keep in mind that these rankings are based on how people rated ...
Producer Masakazu Kubo shares the animation team's dedication to realism, including bringing in a pro golfer to produce the anime's sound effects.― 64-year-old Masakazu Kubo has been planning and producing anime for decades. He's had a major hand in everything from Pokémon and Detective Conan to Teasing Master Takagi-san and Dorohedoro. Recently, he sat down with us to talk about Tonbo!, his attemp...