Category: Japanese

The Animated Selections of Fantasia 2025 Guide

When this year’s slate of animated films is terrific, perhaps it’s time to travel to Quebec for Fantasia 2025!

Fantasia 2025 Movie PosterFantasia 2025 will soon be here, and this year looks very promising because of its animation slate. I always gravitate to this section since the films are often quick to continue playing at other events and head to distribution faster than the live-action works. Plus, when instant fans of the first entry in this list can see it even without attending, the presence is more than feline.

That’s because I’m a cat enthusiast. And when Takashi Miike is involved, just what’s offered may well top what last year’s Night of the Zoopocalypse did! This particular film (movie review link) did not screen at Fantasia, but I’m sure it would have been a contender had it finished post-production. Without further ramblings, I offer a list of feature length animated works to look forward to at this event at Montreal, Quebec.

Once when the event releases its full guide, I’ll also offer a top ten picks on what to see too.

Continue reading “The Animated Selections of Fantasia 2025 Guide”

Supernatural Mayhem Unleashed: DAN DA DAN: Evil Eye Delivers An Excellent Intro of Season 2!

Dan da Dan Movie Poster Evil EyePlease check local listings for screenings near you

DAN DA DAN: Evil Eye is a movie version of the first three episodes of season two of the television series and not every theatre chain advertised this. Thankfully, I knew and it helps define what I knew is coming. Overall, it’s a welcome continuation for those craving that continuation following last episode’s cliffhanger. The wait was not long for me, as I just finished watching the home video release of season one from Shout! Studios.

Had this release targeted a theatrical run, I’m sure more effort would have gone into creating a better experience. Otherwise, what I knew from the broadcast version might have been amped up a lot more. Here, Momo Ayase (Shion Wakayama) continues to be the girl in charge as she and Ken “Okarun” Takakura (Natsuki Hanae) deal with aliens, ghosts, and other strange goings-on in town.

Continue reading “Supernatural Mayhem Unleashed: DAN DA DAN: Evil Eye Delivers An Excellent Intro of Season 2!”

Beyond the Spectrum: The Colors Within Unveils a Picture of Self-Discovery

The Colors Within is a heartwarming “Iyashikei” anime that explores self-discovery and communication through the journey of a young girl. Despite being unsure of herself, what she learns can teach viewers too.

The Colors Within Blu-ray release
Available to purchase on Amazon USA

GKIDS & Shout! Studios

When I’m a fan of Science Suru’s films, especially when dealing with fantasy, The Colors Within is a change of pace. This sentimental work directed by Naoko Yamada (A Silent Voice, Liz, and the Blue Bird) and writer Reiko Yoshida differs significantly from this studio’s other works. While some similarity exists with Lu Over the Wall and Inu-Oh on the surface level, because music is central in both works, the narrative arcs are very different.

Their latest home video release is for fans who enjoy slice of life moments. The bit of magic used here concerns Totsuko Higurashi (Sayu Suzukawa), a high school student, who sees other people’s auras. I use this description over simply saying colors, because the difference between reading auras and seeing varied tones is negligible.

Continue reading “Beyond the Spectrum: The Colors Within Unveils a Picture of Self-Discovery”

MediaOCD Prepares Romeo’s Blue Skies For Mid-Summer Release

Perseverance and hope are two key themes wonderfully explored in Romeo’s Blue Skies and for those who missed the broadcast run, it’s coming to home video!

Romeo's Blue Skies DVD Cover
Also available to preorder on Amazon USA

Anime distributor AnimEigo and parent company MediaOCD announced today the home media Blu-ray release of the anime series Romeo’s Blue Skies on July 29th. And for fans of the 1941 Swiss novel “Die Schwarzen Brüder” (“The Black Brothers”), by Lisa Tetzner, this adaptation is quite the emotional journey. This second release under the new Ruined Childhood label shows there’s plenty of classics to go around, and after Nobody’s Boy Remi (review link), perhaps it’s best to stock up with plenty of boxes of tissue nearby!

From the Press Release:

One of the best loved installments in Nippon Animation’s legendary World Masterpiece Theater line of TV series that spanned generations, Romeo’s Blue Skies makes its North American debut in a remastered wide-screen edition. This 33-episode series was produced in 1995 by Nippon Animation and was directed by Kozo Kusuba with screenplay by Michiru Shimada and character designs by Yoshiharu Soto.

Pre-orders are available now at:

https://www.mediaocd.com/romeos-blue-skies

When You’re Feeling Sad
and Lonely, Look to the Sky

Romeo, a poor kid living in a Swiss village, bravely sells himself into servitude as a chimney sweep to save his family. On his way to Milan, he meets a mysterious boy named Alfredo, and they become fast friends. Life as a chimney sweep is hard and dangerous. But together, and with the help of some new friends – the “Black Brothers” – Romeo and Alfredo find themselves striving for a better life.

Romeo's Blue Sky Still

A Series That Captivated The World

Romeo’s Blue Skies was never released in English. American broadcasters deemed it too emotional for domestic audiences. But worldwide it was loved and was broadcast in Italy, Spain, Morocco, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Qatar, Indonesia, South Korea, Bahrain, Iran, and U.A.E.

​Anime fans are invited to discover why this gem is still beloved 30 years after its original broadcast.

Romeo’s Blue Skies Blu-Ray Features:

$59.95 USD (SRP)
33-Episode Series Remastered in HD Widescreen
Series Presented in Original 4×3 SD
Clean Opening and Ending (SD)
Original TV Promos (SD)

1080p / Japanese 2.0 Stereo DTS Master Audio / English Subtitles / 3 discs / dual layer / AVC @ 17 MBPS / Region Free

Naruto the Gallery World Tour!

Just where Naruto the Gallery is headed next is still under wraps, but there’s hope for North America based on what we’ve been hearing.

Naruto the Galltery Title CardAs new fans of anime discover the wonders of Naruto, those in Europe have a chance of experiencing his saga in a special touring art exhibit. TokyoPOP’s Live Events division is managing this event, and the longest scheduled stop may well be in Berlin, Germany from August 27, 2025, and run until November 24, 2025, which makes this news particularly exciting.

This series’ impact is very clear since, like King Tut, there are fans worldwide who want to know his appeal. In the series, Naruto’s quest to become his village’s top shinobi is fraught with peril, and although the manga and anime series concluded, new adventures are chronicling Boruto’s story (his son). Also, a new series is rumored to be released this year. The exhibit will focus on the epic journey of Naruto and Sasuke.

Continue reading “Naruto the Gallery World Tour!”

Returning and New Animated Series Worth Tuning In For!

Although there isn’t a huge slate of new animated series to debut in the coming months, what’s presented is a wylde selection from North America and Japan

Phineas and Ferb leading the charge for summer animated seriesNow that we’re well into Spring and school is almost over, some kids may well want to laze about watching various animated series on television while others go to camp. Alternatively, some families may well be preparing for going on a massive vacation. Whatever the case, the upcoming slate of programming is small, but I’ll be tuning in to watch at least half of the returning if not new shows.

What’s offered is a handful of series coming out not only here in North America but also Japan. These are shows I’m looking forward to, and list includes broadcast dates where possible.

June 2025
Phineas and Ferb—Season 5

When the beloved step brothers return with new summer adventures, just what these two can get up to is only more chaotic fun, and more tales about what makes this pairing the oddballs that they are. When Michael Bublé and Meghan Trainor have guest roles, there’s something to be excited for!

Continue reading “Returning and New Animated Series Worth Tuning In For!”