Tag: Based on Manga

In Time Patrol Bon The Future Isn’t Written Back to the Future Style

Although Ream Stream is a hokey name for the heroine in Time Patrol Bon, she’s a better “Doctor Who” type of character than the current one on Disney Plus/BBC.

Time Patrol Bon Publicity StillPart Two Will Be Available on July 17, 2024 on Netflix

Time Patrol Bon is a fairly faithful look at various legends and unsolved mysteries from around the world. Whether that is concerning a moment of history, part of mythology or a missing person, just how Bon Namihira (Akihisa Wakayama and Griffin Burns in the dub) gets involved is because he’s seen things which can put his timeline in peril.

As a result, a young time lord is watching him and has recruited him into the agency she works for. They monitor anomalies that can disrupt history. In some ways, what’s presented is like early episodes of the Irwin Allen series, Time Tunnel. And for spicing it up for fans of Marvel’s Loki to enjoy, there are some shared aspects I liked.

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The Deets on Ghost in The Shell: SAC_2045 Home Video Release

Fans who have only seen Netflix’s compilation of Ghost in The Shell: SAC_2045 can finally see the series as originally intended.

Ghost in the Shell Distro SheetShout! Studios
Release Date: July 29, 2024

Get in on the action as Ghost in The Shell: SAC_2045, the Production I.G. (Haikyu!, Attack on Titan) and Sola Digital Arts (ULTRAMAN) cyberpunk anime series makes its North American Blu-Ray™ debut in select e–commerce stores from Anime Limited, distributed by Shout! Studios.

Originally based on the 1980s manga Ghost in the Shell by Masamune Shirow, this latest revisit to the long-running series brings viewers to the franchise now set in a future with super-advanced technology and for the first time ever in full CG animation.

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Simply Irrestiable! City Hunter on Netflix

Here, we look at what made the City Hunter franchise change over time, and look at the latest entry which is surprisingly faithful to what makes it great.

Netflix City Hunter PosterStreaming on Netflix
Release Date: April 25, 2024 (USA & Canada)

Part of City Hunter’s appeal lies in the fact it’s a very hilarious buddy film about Ryo Saeba (Ryohei Suzuki), a merc who really loves his women while taking out crime in Shinjuku, Japan. Sometimes his behaviour gets in the way of getting the job done, and this is something Hideyuki Makimura (Masanobu Andô) dislikes. And despite warning him to not put his moves on his sister, that’s because he’s knows what his partner can do, and is overprotective. And when he dies in the line of duty, he hopes this sweeper will do the right thing and be more like a brother to her.

The anime was really popular in the 90s, and many of the episodes were based on the manga published the decade prior. In today’s woke culture, his actions would not be tolerated and despite this character’s low-brow behaviour, the love for this franchise over the years remained strong. As a result, a fair number of reboots and reinterpretations look at other aspects of Ryo’s career.

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Zom 100: Is That Bucket List of the Dead Half Empty or Half Full

Just how many things Akira managed get done in Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead is a game in itself, as we couintdown this infinite progression!

zom 100: bucket list of the dead netflix posterNetflix

Sometimes it is tough to find a unique zombie film that can take this genre to the next level. Whether that’s with blending it with some other style or just coming up with a unique story idea. I waited for October to roll around before watching Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead. And what it delivers is perfect for those wanting another reason to avoid swimming in the sea. Although that season is over, what’s revealed here is a compressed version of the manga (and perhaps the television show too).

Now that some appetites have been whetted, I doubt anyone wants fish sashimi that’s way past their date of expiry. Instead, what’s presented here isn’t quite like Zombieland. What I find is a hodge-podge mix of George Romero style commentary, an attempt to compress the manga/anime into a singular film and a protagonist who isn’t alwaya 100% there.

Here, Akira Tendo (Eiji Akaso) is pretty much a slave. Although he has a good job at a corporation, life isn’t sweet as his boss pushes him around, and he’s asked to burn the midnight oil. Pretty soon, he just wants to quit. But before he can do that, a pandemic has wiped out most of Japan and those who haven’t been infected by this mysterious virus have to fend for themselves. His skills as a football star don’t really amount to anything in this film.

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When There’s Nothing Left. What Can The “Lonely Castle in the Mirror” Offer?

Had this home video release included a featurette interviewing directors Keiichi Hara and Takakazu Nagatomo explaining the film, I’d appreciate Lonely Castle in the Mirror a lot more.

Lonely Castle in the Mirror Blu-ray Cover
Available to purchase on Amazon USA

Now Available on Home Video
Shout! Studios & GKIDS

Fans of Mizuki Tsujimura‘s Japanese fantasy book are more likely to purchase the animated adaptation of Lonely Castle in the Mirror than others, and honestly, I feel it shouldn’t be avoided. It deals with a difficult narrative in how to deal with life when it deals you lemons. It’s not just about bullying. And what’s taught here is that there are ways to find empowerment.

Although what’s shown doesn’t get deep into self-improvement, perhaps I should look at Tomo Taketomi’s manga instead. This movie follows the misery Kokoro (Ami Tôma) faces daily. She’s been teased, intimidated and perhaps more. With nowhere to retreat, how she manages at home is equally isolating, and it’s a shame.

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The Guardians of Wonder are Ready to Strike at Hollywood Fringe!

It’s Fringe Festival season and while its rare to have a show truly dedicated to otakus, Alicein Project wants to change all that with The Guardians of Wonder!

The Guardians of Wonder LOGOIn Los Angeles, the Fringe Theatre scene is even more spectacular when considering the range of talent who have learned the Arts here. The Hollywood Fringe Festival is world renowned! And they will be hosting The Guardians of Wonder, an anime themed spectacular, spectacular by Alicein Project! 

This team is better known for their stage adaptation of the popular video game “NieR:Automata,” and “YoRHa” series. It promises to fuse everything fans adore from anime, manga and video games into one really big show, if we’re to borrow a phrase from Ed Sullivan. 

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