Anime Review: Gakuen Babysitters!
“Those who have left us won’t be coming back anymore but it’s not like we are alone in this world, so don’t think you have to stick it out on your own.” — Morinomiya Youko When Ryuuichi and his baby brother Kotaro lost their parents suddenly to a plane crash while on holiday, the brothers are left wondering how they will survive from now on with no other relatives take them in. But with the help of the Morinomiya Academy’s Chairwoman, the brothers now have another chance to grow up and live a stable life — that is under one condition… Ryuuichi must join the academy’s babysitting club and takes care of the faculty’s children. And there begins the journey of two brothers and the many people they will meet through this babysitting club. This anime is the perfect slice of life and heartwarming show for anyone who is interested in a light anime. Although I must warn you, you might need a tissue box by your side every now and then because I sure as hell did use up quite a bit of them.
Anime Review: Violet Evergarden
“I want to know what ‘I love you’ means…” – Violet Evergarden She was a weapon used in the war; she was just a tool…without a heart. Now that the war has ended, Violet must find a way to live after losing the one she held dearest. Grab your favorite snack, and possibly a tissue box, because this is an anime that you would want to binge. Get ready to be put through a whirlwind of emotions for this beautifully animated show.
Anime Review: Little Witch Academia
“Don’t forget, a believing is your magic!” —Shiny Chariot In this world, magic and witches are no secret, nothing is ordinary. For Akko, being a witch is what she has always dreamed about. Being the first human to enter the prestigious witch academy of Luna Nova, Akko faces many challenges to become a great witch, just like her beloved idol, Shiny Chariot. Making friends and changing hearts, Akko goes through her school years always with a smile and with the belief that she will meet Chariot again one day. (Caution: some spoilers ahead – read at your own discretion)
Anime Review: Darling in the Franxx
Set in a post-apocalyptic future where humanity is driven to near extinction by war against giant beasts for the right to live on Earth, the anime Darling in the Franxx is a 2018 action-mecha-packed anime with serious messages about humanity. Adapted from the original Japanese manga with the same title, Darling in the Franxx not only has eye-catching artwork and animation style but a great story that makes you rethink humanity’s existence on Earth – deep, I know, and it sure opened my eyes. (Caution: Spoilers Ahead! Read at your own discretion)
Book Review: Avengers of the Moon by Allen Steele
It takes a lot of moxie to decide you’re the one to take a character beloved from pulp magazines and anime and update it for a 21st century novel. Allen Steele has already proven that he has that moxie, having given us a novella on “The Death of Captain Future”, but that story wasn’t about Captain Future so much as about a fan of the pulps in which that hero first came to life. Twenty-odd years later, he’s at it again, but this time he’s gone all out to make Captain Future a hero for our times. Did he succeed? If by “succeed” one means creates a perfect pastiche of the hokey and wholesome tales of yore while subtly correcting for modern advances in scientific knowledge and attitudes about the Other, then he more than succeeds. Avengers of the Moon has all the feel of an early 20th century planetary romance, without any of the “mistakes” that let us smile behind our hands when reading the originals he draws on. It’s not set in the “distant future” year of 2015. There are no aliens living in caves on the moon or on the other planets in our solar system.* Weapons and gadgets and space travel are more plausible for modern readers (and cool as heck!). The nom-de-guerre of Captain Future remains but is treated as a childish embarrassment that others gently rib Curt Newton for adopting. Etc.
245. The Philosophical Mecha Panel at LonCon3
http://media.blubrry.com/skiffyandfanty/dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/archive.org/download/SandFEpisode245ThePhilosophicalMechaPanelAtLonCon3/SandF%20–%20Episode%20245%20–%20The%20Philosophical%20Mecha%20Panel%20at%20LonCon3.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Android | iHeartRadio | Podchaser | Podcast Index | Email | TuneIn | Deezer | RSSThe robot, the human, and the inhuman, oh my! Recorded at LonCon3 / Worldcon, this panel features David G. Shaw, Madeline Ashby, and Shaun Duke discussing mecha, the self, and the other compelling philosophical questions raised by the very notion of mecha. Here’s the panel description: When is a giant robot more than just a giant robot? Many of the best and most famous anime — such as Evangelion, Gasaraki, or Flag — use the mecha as a tool to explore politics, philosophy, and the human condition. What is the conception of the human explored in such series, and how is it mediated by technological experience? We hope you enjoy the episode! Note: If you have iTunes and like this show, please give us a review on our iTunes page, or feel free to email us with your thoughts about the show! Here’s the episode (show notes are below): Episode 245 — Download (MP3) Show Notes: The Panelists: David G. Shaw Madeline Ashby Shaun Duke Our new intro music is “Time Flux” by Revolution Void (CC BY 3.0). That’s all, folks! Thanks for listening. See you next week.
