Based On Anime Archives | Otaku No Culture

From Nostalgia to Grit: Racer X and Speed Racer Reignite the Track

Racer X and Speed Racer return in a bold comic reboot, blending high-octane action with emotional depth, stunning art, and a shared universe in the making.

Racer X Vol 1 Trade Paperback — Catch Racer X as a trade paperback Feb 2026. Preorders available on Amazon USA

Mad Cave

Racer X and Speed Racer are back on track to rejuvenate an age-old franchise that not every anime fan may remember. Sure, the Wachowski Brothers (as they were known then) gave us a live-action version, but not everyone was exactly heading to theatres for it. That film was praised for its wildly colourful, hyper-stylized visuals, though its faithfulness to Tatsuo Yoshida’s original creation is debatable.

I loved it for those visuals alone—it’s a surreal fusion of anime and pop-art sensibility that only this team of filmmakers could dream up. And that hubba-hubba in the trailers? Well….

The new comics take a more grounded approach, which feels like the perfect evolution. Both stories explore the emotional and moral engines driving their heroes, especially the bond between Speed and Rex. Rather than just focusing on life in the fast lane, they bring heart, regret, and family legacy to the forefront.

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Gatchaman at Mad Cave Studios. The Story So Far…

Fans of Gatchaman (not Battle of the Planets) will love everything that’s being developed to bring this original sentai team to the modern audiences! And what I offer is summary of what has transpired since the comic book’s launch mid last year!

Gatchaman Volume One Trade Paperback Cover — **Available to purchase on Amazon USA**

Ever since Gatchaman returned to the anime fandom’s radar, I’ve been paying attention. Not only did I want to remind myself of what went on in the animated front before touching the comic book continuation, but also my love for this Space Ninja Team got reignited. Who knows, maybe I can find a model of the God Phoenix at a reasonable price.

The first trade paperback collecting the first six issues is out (Amazon link), and although that did not include the one-shots, that’s okay. I flipped to the back and found out that it will be released later this year. This publisher has been steadily releasing individual issues every month, and what I offer is a quick recap, information about upcoming releases, and/or a review. Spoilers are ahead.

Continue reading “Gatchaman at Mad Cave Studios. The Story So Far…”

My Summer With Gatchaman and Space Ghost, Two Comics Worth Reading Anywhere! (Part One)

Fans of the classic or even new material set in the Gatchaman universe will enjoy this continuation!

Gatchaman #1 Comic Book Cover This Summer, two cartoons from the 60s and 70s are getting a huge reboot in the comic book front. Not only is there Gatchaman from Mad Cave Studios but also Space Ghost from Dynamite Comics! The latter is now out, and I’m anxiously waiting for the release of the second issue to read before going further–that will be a separate article.

In America, the former is better known as Battle of the Planets. Although this series wasn’t the same as the Japanese broadcast because of editing out problematic elements for Western audiences, as a kid, I wasn’t aware and still enjoyed it! Even though some aspects don’t stand the test of time (namely the inclusion of the robot narrator), I fondly think back to this series because G-Force’s plane could transform into a bird of fire; I even made a LEGO model that’s loosely based on that design! (but I won’t dare set it on fire)

I can’t wait to see what this East Coast publisher is preparing. To whet fans’ appetites, the publication offered during Free Comic Book Day shows readers what to expect. There’s three stories in all, and none of these prologues are vital to know what’s coming.

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Two Shows in One Disc. Spirited Away: Live on Stage, A Blu-ray Review

Spirited Away: Live on Stage could’ve been made better by including the soundtrack like the box set anniversary releases, but that’s okay.

Spirited Away Live on Stage Blu-ray Case — **Available to purchase on Amazon USA**

GKIDS & Shout! Factory
Released Nov 14, 2023

Anyone who did not catch Spirited Away: Live on Stage can enjoy the best of both versions on home video! Although this release doesn’t contain any bonus features that look at behind the scenes, to have the two shows as played by Kanna Hashimoto and Mone Kamishiraishi in the title role, Chihiro, in one single release is a Ghibli fan’s dream release come true.

I wasn’t sure if this film would play in Canada, as locations and dates weren’t offered many weeks in advance. Thankfully, Cineplex eventually added more screenings which included my home town, but I was in Seattle that weekend. I didn’t plan to visit the States just to get my Ghibli fix–it was pure luck that I was at the right place and right time. What was presented at the Regal and where I sat made me feel like I had a front row seat to a live show rather than something broadcasted on a screen. My experience can be read here.

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Summer Lovin’ with Kimono Cats Latest Update is Here!

You can’t just pop every balloon that floats around in Kimono Cats. It requires players to pay attention to win m’lady’s heart.

Kimono Cats Title Card Summer is here, and for most people, that means taking an enjoyable walk to enjoy the season! Some may want to visit the park or head to the beach for a stroll along the boardwalk. That’s the vibe Kimono Cats by HumaNature Studios is going for, and in this much anticipated update, you’re playing an unnamed hero with a female companion whom he’s courting. While this “narrative” isn’t fixed as it now offers gender-neutral character designs/customizations, I’m glad the game is being future-proofed!

As for how far the default mode goes, there are a lot of levels to hit, and I’m still not done! Here, players are primarily throwing darts at balloons so that their contents will drop for me to catch and give to Miaow. Her reactions rate how well your progress is. Part of the goal includes winning her heart. It’s a scenario often found in many high school anime in one form or another. As a festival takes place and teens attend it, there’ll be a scene where the boy has to take on some game to win a prize for his girlfriend. Continue reading “Summer Lovin’ with Kimono Cats Latest Update is Here!”

Jumplight Odyssey. You’re Steering this Videogame Demo to Nostalgia.

In Jumplight Odyssey, you can build, expand, and customise the Catalina’s decks to create a personalised ship on your journey to the fabled Forever Star.

Available on Steam

League of Geeks has a free playable demo for Jumplight Odyssey, a roguelite colony sim inspired by genre staples and classic ‘70s sci-fi anime. The demo is available to download during the Steam Next Fest, now taking place (June 19-26, 2023), and this sneak peek is looking very retro! This latest project, from the studio behind the hugely successful indie hit, Armello, promises to be a hit.

Here, players start a career as captain of the SDF Catalina. As the overseer, you’re not only preparing to go explore strange new worlds, but also managing the crew of your star cruiser. Here, you can customise the ship’s decks with dozens of fully placeable objects, and do a lot of roster checks so everybody is happy. Like in Yamato (aka Star Blazers), you’re sometimes involved in making sure there’s no conflicts between crew, especially if they have a bridge position.