Category: Japanese

In the Movie Trapezium, Not Every Idol Singer Will Have Another’s Back

Although Trapezium is not a true look at the Japanese idol industry, what’s presented certainly scratches the surface.

Trapezium Movie PosterAvailable to view on Crunchyroll

Another star is born and whether the anime movie Trapezium truly explores what goes on in creating an idol singer depends. This tale is allegedly based on a story by Kazumi Takayama, a former member of Nogizaka 46. If true, the insights are not that many. I believe this film is more of a satire than anything else.

When this character drama is atypical, there’s none of that hyper intensity from Pompo the Cinephile (movie review) here. Here, the much slower story focuses on Azuma Yuu (Asaki Yuikawa), whose desire to be famous requires her to be something worse. While she’s almost like Ally Campana from the aforementioned film, her charming attitude isn’t immediate. Ranko (Reina Ueda), Kurumi (Hina Yomiya) and Mika (Haruka Aikawa) are her friends. Together, they are training to be Japan’s next top talent.

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A Bubblegum Crisis and Crash is Available From MediaOCD!

The love I have for Bubblegum Crisis is rather obvious, and as for why upgrade, it’s worth it for Holiday in Bali, the live-action travel journal featuring the voice actresses.

Bubblegum Crisis Perfect Collection
Available to order from MediaOCD or Amazon USA

Many older fans will still rave over Bubblegum Crisis, and have no problem buying a re-release as video technology improves. When the audio fidelity is amped up too, maybe one day a simulated concert experience is possible! Also, the 90s was an anime Renaissance which helped show to western audiences that this genre is unique. With the release of Bubblegum Crisis: The Complete Collection, I can say I got everything from my VHS and laser disc days gathered onto two compact discs. And there’s a 50-page booklet containing interviews and staff memories too! Although this is mostly text, I’m fine with that because I own the art books.

I started wanting the latter because of AnimEigo’s covers. They are a testament to how diverse my collection is and I got the latter album cover signed by Kenichi Sonada when he attended Emerald City Comic Con close to a decade ago! Although I missed getting the crowdfunded version of this latest release which had a special art book, I’m sure I could track down the Japanese version. But after meeting Sonada-san and asking for something complete different from others (to have him draw me anime style), it’s tough to top that!

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Demon Slayer Movie: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle is Coming and Where To Find It!

The first chapter of the Demon Slayer Movie: Infinity Castle trilogy will be coming and it’s a global roll out!

Demon Slayer Movie
©Koyoharu Gotoge / SHUEISHA, Aniplex, ufotable

The Demon Slayer Movie titled Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle is wasting no time to spread the love at North American theatres this Fall! As the first film in the epic trilogy from the famed animation studio Ufotable, nobody wants to delay this work following its Japanese premiere on July 18, 2025. In what’s special is that this tale forms the first part of the Infinity Castle trilogy. It takes place after season four and that finished its American run almost exactly a year ago.

IMAX and other premium large formats will present this latest film. The film will be available in both Japanese with English subtitles and dubbed in English.

From the Press Release

International release dates include (with additional dates announced later):

  • August 14: Malaysia, Singapore, Pakistan
  • August 15: Cambodia, Indonesia, Vietnam
  • August 20: Philippines
  • September 11: Mexico, Chile, Peru, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Caribbean (Jamaica, Aruba, Suriname, Trinidad & Tobago, Curacao), Central America, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Paraguay, Uruguay, Venezuela, Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Ethiopia, Georgia, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Iraq, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Lithuania, Macedonia, Netherlands, Oman, Portugal, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Switzerland (Italian-speaking), Syria, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates
  • September 12: India, Mongolia, Spain, Bulgaria, Estonia, Finland, Kenya, Latvia, Nigeria, Norway, Poland, Romania, Southern Africa, Sweden, Turkey, United Kingdom
  • September 17: Belgium, France, French-speaking Africa, Luxembourg, Switzerland (French-speaking)
  • September 18: Moldova
  • September 25: Austria, Germany, Switzerland (German-speaking)

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When Coping With Loss, Ghost Cat Anzu is Here to Save the Day!

Although available on digital last month, the movie Ghost Cat Anzu is finally available on home video. That way, this feline won’t get away at all, since he’s like a welcome member of the family. There’s no added features in this release, and that’s just fine.

Ghost Cat Anzu Bluray Cover
Available to order on Amazon USA

GKIDS & Shout! Studios

Ghost Cat Anzu is a rather strange spirit, and he’s ready to manifest for folks who want a little help in their lives! With the home video release, fans can hit the pause button if they want to compare this cinematic adaptation with the manga. When the print edition is ongoing, that need find out what he’s been up to since has my curiousity maxed out! I’m sure to read about what else this bakeneko is up to won’t kill me.

People adore this big giant cat (voiced by Mirai Moriyama) because he’s like Norm from Cheers. In the dub, Jason Simon sounds like George Wendt too! Everyone in the town knows his name. And when he acts more like a human than that of an oversized feline, I suspect there’s more to him than meets the eye. Although he’s a little rough around the edges, that’s okay.

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Takin’ Care of Business “The Anime Business” Isn’t Like Handling A Barrel of Monkeys, Hopefully

In this insightful look into the early days of The Anime Business, some people were taking a gamble regarding distributing cartoons made in another country.

The Anime Business Title CardAnyone curious about how “The Anime Business” started in North America will be interested in a brand-new monthly documentary that’s now streaming on YouTube. It’s an insightful series that talks to the pioneers who started the many operations that brought titles like Bubblegum Crisis and Dominion to this country, and later into the 90s, even Ranma½ too!

AnimEigo and MediaOCD produced this work, and learning about the challenges involved made me want to follow the project to its current state. I’m unsure if this series will go that far, but I will wait for those episodes. I’m also sure that at some point, the host will find someone to talk to from Harmony Gold to discuss Robotech and the embargo they once had to stop the original Macross series from appearing in North America.

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After 45 Glorious Years, Mobile Suit Gundam: GQuuuuuuX -Beginning- Delves Into What Ifs….

This cinematic presentation of Mobile Suit Gundam: GQuuuuuuX -Beginning- brings the first four television episodes together and shows an alternate future for this franchise.

Mobile Suit Gundam- GQuuuuuuX -Beginning-GKIDS
Spoiler Alert
Now playing at select cinemas near you.

Mobile Suit Gundam is back with GQuuuuuuX -Beginning-! Not only does it reimagine the events from the original television series but also explores a huge what if scenario. Here, Char Aznable (Yuuki Shin) is the antihero who claims the RX-78-2. He’s the ultimate Mr. Bad Guy, and after he steals that said mech and christens it as the “Red Gundam” to win the One Year War, both he and his mech disappear! As for when that happens, before or after Char’s Counterattack, I’m not sure. The first act moves very fast, and I’d have to rewatch.

Consequently, I have to ask will he return? Instead of getting to the answer, the movie presentation jumps ahead by a few years, and introduces Amate Yuzuriha (Tomoyo Kurosawa). This teen finds life in a colony space habitat frustrating. Life in high school isn’t all that good either, and this leads to the usual tropes involved in many an anime.

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