The Rise, fall and re-rise of Anime piracy on home video

I take a look at how Anime piracy on physical media is rearing its less ugly head again in recent years.

For the record: A guide to collecting Anime soundtracks on Vinyl

In which I share some tips to not destroy your bank account when hunting for Anime related tunes.

Manga Review: GREY By Yoshihisa Tagami

Let’s rewind to the year of 1994. I’d only just discovered the wonderful, heady world of Japanese Animation and comics…

Leiji Matsumoto: A Tribute

On the 20th February the world learned that Manga and Anime legend Leiji Matsumoto had died aged 85 on the…

Like a phoenix from the ashes! Resurrection of the blog!

Greetings fellow anime lovers and retro anime scholars. It’s been way too long. Where have I been? I’d love to…

OTAKU YEAR IN REVIEW 2021

I cast an eye back over what I watched and read in 2021 (New and old).

Of Magnums and Mokkori: 36 years of CITY HUNTER

I cast my eyes over an entire anime Franchise I’ve been watching over the last year. A very iconic one too!

Kentaro Miura (1966-2021): A Tribute

In which I talk about the recent passing of a manga icon.

Action figure review: Fist of the North Star Kenshiro “Super action statue”

My first action figure review on this blog and it’s a good one!

The B.S. of “Otaku cred” and nerd identity

A brief rant about the futile antics of certain groups of people and their yawnsome adventures in superiority.

Of Fists and Cyborg Femboys (In pursuit of collectable “Holy grails”)

I found some cool stuff online recently. Stuff it had taken a while to find…..

Mecha March: Power Dolls (1996)

I delve into a 25 year old OVA based on a series of games that never came west.

STATE OF THE BLOG/OTAKU YEAR IN REVIEW 2020

What i’ve been up to and what I hope to achieve going forward in 2021.

On being an Anime fan at 40!

It’s all in the title. I’m older, wiser and I still love this stuff.

Famous Detective Holmes (AKA Sherlock Hound) (1984)

I take a look back at a an anthropomorphic classic of yesteryear.

PROMARE (2019)

In which I break convention and talk about a much more recent anime release I saw at the cinema.

Rumik World: THE LAUGHING TARGET (1987)

I revisit one of Rumiko Takahashi’s lesser known works.

STATE OF THE BLOG: October update Post

In which I assure you that I am definitely not dead.

B-Movie Theatre: BAOH THE VISITOR (1989)

In which I take a look back at an anime OVA from the creator of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure, Hirohiko Araki.

PROJECT A-KO (1986)

Take me down to parody city……

So I started Dragon Ball Super……

I thought it’d be interesting to check out a modern sequel to a retro classic. One I’ve been putting off for a while…..

My Anime origin story

I look back at how I got into this stuff in the first place….

RED PHOTON ZILLION (1987)

I look at an old school gem that has long been kept from the west with an interesting history…..

DALLOS (1983)

I take a look back at the dawn of the OVA.

2 Years already? A 2nd Anniversary Post

Wow. Doesn’t time fly?

Happy New Year post! Looking back at 2018 (OTAKU YEAR IN REVIEW)

Thought I’d kick off the year with a bit of reflecting as well as looking forward.

FIST OF THE NORTH STAR: Lost Paradise Review (PS4)

In which I return to continue the 35th anniversary celebrations by reviewing Ken’s latest videogame.

Kenshiro and me: Celebrating 35 Years of Hokuto No Ken! (Fist Of The North Star)

Join me as I stroll down memory lane (wearing a ragged post apocalyptic poncho) and talk about my undying love for an iconic franchise.

5 OF MY FAVOURITE MANGA THAT STARTED DECADES AGO (AND AREN’T FINISHED YET)

In which I take a look at some manga that have been around almost as long as I have (and one that’s been around even longer).

B-Movie Theatre: LILY C.A.T. (1987)

The first in a potential series in which I talk about anime that some people find kinda bad….but I actually quite like!

IT’S JAPANESE ANIMATION……BUT IS IT ANIME?

Some thoughts on the definitions of “anime” and the cartoons of my youth.

LABYRINTH TALES (AKA NEO TOKYO) (1987)

In the mood for something unique from the era of hand drawn anime? Then check this out.

GHOST IN THE SHELL: STAND ALONE COMPLEX Limited Edition Blu Ray set (Unboxing Impressions)

Look what arrived in the post today. It looks nice….but is it the edition we’ve been waiting for?

Casshern Retrospective Part 4: CASSHERN SINS (2008)

In the final entry of our Casshern retrospective we take a look at the most recent series SINS.

MUSINGS ON BEING A 38 YEAR OLD STILL OBSESSED WITH TOYS (PARTICULARLY ANIME RELATED ONES).

A collection of thoughts on why I enjoy the hobby.

HOKUTO NO KEN & THE “E-ONE” BOOK: The future of digital manga?

I take a look at an innovative new manga reading device and re-experience a shonen classic in a whole new way.

Anime OVA Review: 3X3 EYES (1992)

Is this series an immortal classic? or does it deserve to die?

ARMOURED TROOPER VOTOMS Retrospective Part 3: BIG BATTLE (1986)

We delve into the world of Chirico Cuvie once more….

INTRODUCING THE RETRO MECHA PODCAST!

A new project for 2018!

OLD SCHOOL ANIME/MANGA STUFF I’M LOOKING FORWARD TO IN 2018

Demons, Robots, Saiyans, Kenshiro and more retro goodness inbound!

RETRO ANIME FANS AND THE ETERNAL BACKLOG

I discuss the agony (and the ecstasy) of our friend and enemy: the backlog.

Anime Movie Review: PHANTOM FLYING SHIP (1969)

I talk about a film that I tell any anime fan willing to listen about.

MAKING FRIENDS THROUGH ANIME Part 2: Days Gone By

Another trip down memory lane regarding friends who touched my life through the magic of shared fandom.

ARMOURED TROOPER VOTOMS Retrospective Part 2: The Last Red Shoulder (1985)

In the second of my articles on Armoured Trooper Votoms I look back at the second installment in the Votoms anime series: the OVA “The Last Red Shoulder”

ADVENTURES IN CROWDPRODUCTION: My time with Animeigo

I reflect upon my time as a subtitle proofreader for Animeigo’s recent Blu Ray release of Riding Bean (1989).

ARMOURED TROOPER VOTOMS Retrospective Part 1: The TV Series (1983)

I rewatch a classic piece of 80’s anime in the first of a series of articles about Armoured Trooper Votoms!

ANIME IN THE UK: A FLASHBACK TO 1994 AND BBC’S “MANGA!” DOCUMENTARY

I revisit a UK documentary about the emergence of anime and manga in Britain. How have things changed since it aired?

Review: CRUSHER JOE The Movie (1983)

I dig into a rare treat, a classic anime movie I’d not already seen but have always wanted to!

Casshern Retrospective Part 3: CASSHERN (2004)

I take a look back at the 2004 Live action movie adaptation of Casshern. Is it worth your time?

The “Westernisation” Of Anime

In which i discuss re-edited US friendly anime and how it continues to cast a shadow over the legacy of old school shows both classic and obscure.