Spring 2016 – Week 5 Spotlight – The Shanghai International Settlement in Joker Game

The fourth episode of Joker Game had an astonishing setting, both in terms of its historical context and for the presentation of its story.  Yet, how was such a locale and situation even possible for a plot like this?  This episode was set in Shanghai and between 1937 and 1941, during the height of the Second Sino-Japanese War when Japan was invading and controlling large regions of China.  You may be wondering, with war between Japan and China raging across the nation, how was such a setting possible for Joker Game to utilize?  How was a military police unit, Chinese revolutionaries, and America and British citizens able to coexist in such a place with such turmoil and conflict?  This post on the fourth episode of Joker Game attempts to describe all the details and history of the Shanghai International Settlement and why it was such a remarkable setting for this episode’s narrative.

Spring 2016 – First Impressions (Part 4)

This post reviews: Tanaka-kun wa Itsumo Kedaruge, Kiznaiver, Hai-Furi, Flying Witch, Sansha Sanyou, Tonkatsu DJ Agetarou, Kuromukuro, and Big Order.

Spring 2016 – First Impressions (Part 3)

This post reviews: Joker Game, Sousei no Onmyouji, Bungou Stray Dogs, Anne Happy, Koutetsujou no Kabaneri, Sakamoto desu ga?, and Shounen Maid.

Winter 2016 – Week 3 Anime Review

For Week 3: gushing about the setting of Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu, questioning Satoru’s treatment of Hiromi in Boku Dake ga Inai Machi, a personality shift with a positive cause in Dimension W, and highlighting the brilliant animation in Kono Subarashii Sekai ni Shukufuku wo!

Spring 2015 – Week 12 Anime Review

Hi. I’m still alive.

Last week: questioning the relevance of Isla being a robot in Plastic Memories, considering the skill of the professionals playing the instruments in Hibike! Euphonium, Joseph Joestar’s amazing achievement at the end of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Stardust Crusaders – Egypt Arc, and criticizing the monotonous comedy in Ore Monogatari!!

Spring 2015 – Week 3 Anime Review

This week: concerns over the content and direction of Plastic Memories, determining a time and place for Arslan Senki, censorship in Fate/stay Night: Unlimited Blade Works, and the wonderful return of Kakyoin in JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Stardust Crusaders – Egypt Arc.

Winter 2015 – First Impressions (Part 1)

This post reviews: Yuri Kuma Arashi, Kantai Collection (KanColle), Junketsu no Maria (Maria the Virgin Witch), and Koufuku Graffiti.