Kakashi (Japanese: 案山子, lit. Scarecrow) is a 2001 horror film based on the Junji Ito manga of the same name. The film follows Kaoru Yoshikawa, whose search for her missing brother Tsuyoshi leads her to Kozukata, an isolated village that seems to harbor dark secrets. Plot The opening text narrates the tradition of “Kakashi”, where humans would burn animal and human hairs to…
Joō no Hana (Japanese: 女王の花, lit. “The Queen’s Flower”) is a Japanese historical romance manga series written and illustrated by Kaneyoshi Izumi. The story revolves around Aki, a cheerful princess who is treated coldly by others, despite her royal title. One day, Aki meets Hakusei, a slave boy with golden hair and blue eyes. The two form a bond, overcoming their differences in status;…
I Want to Escape from Princess Lessons (妃教育から逃げたい私, Kisaki Kyōiku kara Nigetai Watashi) is a Japanese light novel series written by Izumi Sawano and illustrated by Miru Yumesaki. It was serialized online from August 2018 to May 2019 on the user-generated novel publishing website Shōsetsuka ni Narō. It was later acquired by Shufu to Seikatsu Sha, who have published two volumes…
Hanabi-chan Is Often Late (ハナビちゃんは遅れがち, Hanabi-chan wa Okuregachi) is a Japanese comedy manga series written by Ranpu Shirogane and illustrated by Mamimu. It has been serialized online via Hero’s Inc.’s Comiplex website since November 2019 and has been collected in seven tankōbon volumes. A short-form anime television series adaptation by Gaina aired from July to September 2022. Characters Hanabi Hana Ariake (有明ハナビ花, Ariake Hanabi Hana) Voiced by: Azumi Waki…
Gamerz Heaven (Japanese: ゲーマーズヘブン!, Hepburn: Gēmāzu Hebun!) is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Maki Murakami. It was serialized in Mag Garden‘s Shōnen manga magazine Monthly Comic Blade from 2002 to 2005 and published in four volumes. Plot The story follows young gamer Kaito Suzuki, who one day discovers a video game that transports the player to a different dimension. Upon reaching this strange new world, Kaito…
Fate/Extra (stylized as Fate/EXTRA) is a dungeon crawler role-playing game developed by Type-Moon and Imageepoch and published by Marvelous Entertainment for the PlayStation Portable. The game takes place in a parallel universe to the visual novel Fate/stay night. It was released in Japan on July 22, 2010. Aksys Games localized the game for North America and released it on November 21, 2011. Three editions of the game were released in North America: a…
Elemental Gelade (Japanese: エレメンタルジェレイド, Hepburn: Erementaru Jereido, also translated as “Erementar Gerad”) is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Mayumi Azuma. The fantasy adventure is a tale of a group of five who are on a journey to Edel Garden, the birthplace of mystical beings called Edel Raids who are described as “living weapons”. The manga series has been adapted into…
Dandadan (ダンダダン) is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Yukinobu Tatsu [ja]. It has been serialized in Shueisha‘s Shōnen Jump+ app and website since April 2021, with its chapters collected in 15 tankōbon volumes as of July 2024. An anime television series adaptation produced by Science Saru is set to premiere in October 2024. Plot Momo Ayase is a high school girl who believes in ghosts but not…
Cardfight!! Vanguard (Japanese: カードファイト!! ヴァンガード, Hepburn: Kādofaito!! Vangādo) is a Japanese multimedia franchise jointly created by Akira Itō, Satoshi Nakamura, Mitsuhisa Tamura, and Bushiroad president Takaaki Kidani. It currently consists of multiple anime television series, an official trading card game, a manga series, and an anime/live action film. Anime In July 2010, an anime television series was green-lit by TMS Entertainment under the directorial supervision of Hatsuki Tsuji. Music is composed by Takayuki Negishi…
Bakuon!! (ばくおん！！, lit. “Roar!”) is a Japanese manga series by Mimana Orimoto. The series began serialization in Akita Shoten‘s seinen manga magazine Young Champion Retsu from February 2011 and has been collected in fifteen tankōbon volumes as of 20 January 2022. An anime television series adaptation by TMS Entertainment/8Pan aired between April and June 2016. Plot The series takes place at Okanoue Girls’ High School (丘乃上女子高等学校, Okanoue Joshikōtōgakkō), where girls are permitted to ride…
Afterschool Charisma (Japanese: 放課後のカリスマ, Hepburn: Hokago no Charisma) is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Kumiko Suekane. It was serialized in Shogakukan‘s seinen manga magazine Monthly Ikki from April 2008 to September 2014, and its chapters were compiled by Shogakukan and released into twelve volumes. The manga is licensed in North America by Viz Media, and is partially available online at their website. It is also licensed in Taiwan…
1122: For a Happy Marriage, simply known in Japan as 1122, is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Peko Watanabe. It was serialized in Kodansha‘s seinen manga magazine Monthly Morning Two from September 2016 to May 2020, with its chapters collected in seven tankōbon volumes. A seven-episode live-action television drama adaptation premiered in June 2024. Characters Otoya Aihara (相原二也, Aihara Otoya) Portrayed by: Masaki Okada Ichiko Aihara (相原一子, Aihara Ichiko) Portrayed by: Mitsuki…
