Animated action dramedy feature Ultraman: Rising is going to be one of the biggest at-home hits of the summer. You can watch it starting next Friday June 14th on Netflix. Emmy-winning director Shannon Tindle (of Lost Ollie and Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends) and Emmy & Annie-nominated co-director John Aoshima (of DuckTales and Gravity Falls) […]

Over the last 15 years, Makoto Shinkai has emerged as one of the leaders of a new generation of anime directors who are pushing storytelling in interesting new directions. In Suzume (Suzume no Tojimari—literally, “Suzume’s Closing or Locking,” 2022), the title character begins as a normal high school girl, living with her aunt. Her mother […]

Some stories must be told, especially to those caring enough to understand them, lest they eventually destroy the teller. Such is the theme of Keichi Hara’s 2022 anime, Lonely Castle in the Mirror. (Henceforth “Castle” for the purpose of this review). Adapted from a novel by Mizuki Tsujimura, The story concerns seven middle-school students who […]

EDITOR’S NOTE: This week the Annecy International Animation Festival commences – and in support of their spotlight on Animation, Pride and Diversity, we asked our anime expert Charles Solomon to suggest some recent gay manga (and anime) we should be more aware of. As the recent summit in Hiroshima spotlighted, Japan is the only G7 […]

The breathtaking love story, Weathering with You was my favorite animated movie of 2019. Makoto Shinkai, the writer/director of that Annie nominee, as well as 2016’s acclaimed Your Name, returns with another triumph. Suzume is a spectacular anime adventure that makes you believe in the unbelievable.

GKIDS’ Goodbye, Don Glees! screened in theaters in September, was recently released on Blu-Ray and DVD, and is now one of the 27 qualified films vying for 2023 Best Animated Feature Oscar nominations. This story of three friends on an unforgettable journey is packed with adventure, humor, heart and purpose. Director Atsuko Ishizuka explains the […]