Tag: High School

Want to Know What’s on Crunchyroll This Summer? There’s These Top Five Hot Picks….

From giant monster romcoms and supernatural ninja battles to fantasy adventures featuring dragons and cats, just what is hot on Crunchyroll this Summer looks fantastic!

Crunchyroll This SummerThere are plenty of returning anime favourites and new series coming to Crunchyroll this Summer, and these are my top picks. From romcoms to fantasy adventures, there’s a little something for everyone. Who needs fun in the sun when there’s a dragon flying nearby?

To be serious, The Cat and the Dragon is my number one choice. When I first heard about this series, I thought it was a one-off concept. It’s also unrelated to Robin Lane’s book of the same name. Perhaps that’s one possibility the original work never received an English translation. Whatever the reason, hopefully strong ratings will encourage a publisher to bring the source material to English-speaking audiences.

Kaiju Girl Caramelise

LIDENFILMS, July 2

Kaiju Girl CarameliseRomantic comedy meets giant monster chaos in Spica Aoki‘s Kaiju Girl Caramelise. Based on the manga of the same name, the story follows Kuroe Akaishi, a shy high school student suffering from a rare condition that causes her to transform into a gigantic kaiju whenever her romantic feelings spiral out of control.

Life becomes increasingly complicated when she develops feelings for popular classmate Arata Minami. Every blush, racing heartbeat, or awkward encounter risks triggering another destructive transformation.

Directed by Teruyuki Omine at LIDENFILMS, the anime blends high school romance with monster movie spectacle. What sets the series apart is how Kuroe’s transformations serve as a metaphor for the overwhelming emotions that accompany first love.

Black Torch

100studio, July 4

Black Torch AnimeBlack Torch adapts Tsuyoshi Takaki‘s supernatural action manga and follows Jiro Azuma, a rough-around-the-edges teenager descended from a line of shinobi. Thanks to a unique ability, Jiro can communicate with animals, a talent that leads him to a mysterious stray cat named Rago.

Unfortunately for Jiro, Rago is actually a powerful mononoke, one of the supernatural spirits lurking in the shadows of modern Japan.

After the pair becomes fused into a symbiotic relationship, Jiro is drawn into a secret conflict between humanity and powerful supernatural beings. The story combines ninja action, Japanese folklore, and urban fantasy while delivering plenty of explosive battles.

Directed by Kei Umabiki at 100studio, the production also features music by Yutaka Yamada, known for his work on VINLAND SAGA. Readers who enjoyed series such as Blue Exorcist or Noragami may want to keep an eye on this one.

The Cat and the Dragon

OLM, July 4

The Cat and the DragonWhat began as a series of short stories published online through Shōsetsuka ni Narō eventually became a manga and now an anime. It was originally a series of tales about a baby dragon raised by cats. Even as the felines would go about their business in the woods and elsewhere, some would soon be hunted and slain!

Humanity’s relationship with the nearby fauna may well teeter on the brink of war, but for the dragon, what he wows to do as a guardian with polymorphic abilities, is to prtect the peace. But is that enough?

Fortunately, this serpent knew what he is and not what he isn’t, and wants revenge. Just when local villagers think wild cats are the least of their worries, can an everlasting peace be negotiated?

The World’s Strongest Rearguard

MAHO FILM, July 5

The World's Strongest RearguardAfter dying in a tragic bus accident, overworked salaryman Arihito Atobe finds himself reincarnated in a fantasy world filled with labyrinths, monsters, and adventurers known as Seekers.

Rather than receiving a flashy combat class, Arihito discovers he possesses the mysterious “Rearguard” job. While not a frontline fighter, the class specializes in strengthening allies through powerful support abilities, allowing him to enhance attacks, bolster defences, and keep his companions alive during dangerous expeditions.

Produced by MAHO FILM, the series leans heavily into RPG-style mechanics, dungeon exploration, party building, and character relationships. Fans of support-class protagonists and game-inspired fantasy worlds may find this a refreshing alternative to the usual overpowered hero formula.

Tomb Raider King

Studio EEK, July 8

Tomb Raider KingBased on the popular Korean web novel and manhwa, Tomb Raider King enters the anime arena with a premise that should immediately appeal to fans of regression and power-fantasy stories. In a world where mysterious tombs containing ancient relics suddenly appear, powerful organizations race to claim artifacts capable of granting extraordinary abilities.

The story follows Ryoga Goriki (Jooheon Suh in the original Korean version), an experienced relic raider who is betrayed and left for dead. Instead of dying, he awakens years in the past before the appearance of the tombs. Armed with knowledge of future events, he sets out to seize the world’s most valuable relics before anyone else can reach them.

Animated by STUDIO EEK, the series combines treasure hunting, supernatural powers, revenge, and strategic battles. While comparisons to other regression stories are inevitable, its focus on relic acquisition and archaeological raids helps it stand apart.

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.

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In IDW’s A Haunted Girl, Life is Never Easy When Considering the Nightmares Cleo Sees….

Every once in a while, there’s a remarkable comic book that explores the battle people with Depresssion has, and A Haunted Girl adds an extra supernatural depth to make the read work.

A Haunted Girl #1 Comic Book CoverIDW Publishing

Life has not been the same for Cleo Newman ever since she claims she can see dead people. In A Haunted Girl #2, this young teenager will have to be careful about whom she tells about her visions as she attempts to reintegrate back into society and school. In the first issue, readers find her in the hospital, recovering. She attempted suicide as she could not cope with her life; And in the latest chapter, readers get a glimpse at why her world became what it is.

Following her sports injury, nothing has been the same. As a result, she’d rather let the days wither away, instead of thinking that maybe she should find a new sport or hobby to enjoy. Her father (a single parent) is trying his best to motivate, but when these spirits show up, either they’re holding her back or she’s part of a prophecy which still has to reveal itself.

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The Final Word on Rise of the Pink Ladies is that the Story Can’t End on that Cliffhanger!

Although the music in Rise of the Pink Ladies doesn’t hit the same high notes as the cinematic musical, it’s still a fun look at the pressures one can find in high school life set in California.

Grease Rise of the Pink Ladies Season One
Available to stream or purchase on home video (Amazon link)

Spoiler Alert

There are many reasons I believe Rise of the Pink Ladies (RotPL) works as a prequel to the world known as Grease. Although the time takes place about two years before the cinematic musical, it’s easy to see how it ties all together. The two tweens who eventually become the supporting leads in the story that shaped the IP are recognizable, and yay for Rizzo! Although I didn’t catch the series when it was streaming, I’m thankful Paramount sent me the home video release to evaluate this series.

Because of internal shuffling of the company’s assets and perhaps also low ratings, the decision to cancel and remove the series was not out of malice. It’s now on Apple TV and Amazon, but as for whether there’s more story to tell, I’ll answer that at the end.

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Revel Guts Web Comic is Getting a Dark Horse Treatment with a Trade Paperback!

Fans of the anime subgenre of magical girls will get to enjoy Sparks as its collected into a trade paperback for all to enjoy in print!

Revel Guts Sparks Volume 1 Portals Original CoverClass is in session in this new magical school series, beginning with Sparks Volume 1: Portals! This fresh LGBTQ+ coming-of-age fantasy tale began as a webcomic by Revel Guts, and will be available in a print edition from Dark Horse Books in July 2024.

In a world rising from the ashes of destruction, Human society thrives only through their complex alliance with the magical Satyr. Philo has always been the worst student in his class at the academy, with powerful magic he can barely control. His lack of ambition and discipline is about to catch up with him as graduation day looms. When he’s paired to train together with the aloof star student Atlas, Philo’s magic backfires, teleporting them both far from home. Now, their futures depend on them working together to make it back to their school in time.

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When All You Need is Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken to Save the Day!

When Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken goes from being a zero to hero, this classic Hero’s Journey is appropriate.

Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken Movie PosterRuby Gillman, Teenage Kraken, is definitely going to be expanded upon following its theatrical run. Whether one goes to see it on the big screen or after it’s run on streaming services, the room left for growing this world is certainly evident.

In what I loved from this coming of age tale is that the hero finds her self-worth. It’s an enjoyable film. Although what’s presented is no different from Turning Red, the legends to which this story borrows from is not limited to one legendary monster. There may be more hiding in plain sight, and we’re not just seeing it. Hopefully a television series is considered since this world is ripe for expansion!

What’s introduced is but a start for the title character (voiced by Lana Condor). She’s a very socially awkward teen who later learns she can command respect when she wants to make it so. But before she can become that hero, she has to learn about her heritage. That’s because when her parents left the sea life behind, they decided that it’s best not to tell her anything. Thankfully, it’s all disclosed later in the story.

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