Behind The Nihon Review

Anime fans thankful to director Shiniciro Watanabe will always exist in this world. His work on anime such as Cowboy Bebop remain as effective gateway titles in the Western anime sphere. Although much of this may have to do with the clear western influences in his work, I believe few would deny his prowess and talent for directing. It is no small wonder then why his return to the director’s chair for this season’s Sakamichi no Apollon would be an interest catcher all on its own.

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The eroge in question: Otome ga Tsumugu Koi no Canvas

Controversy erupted across the online Japanese eroge community when scenario writer Kazutaka (Twitter) wrote a scathing article on her personal blog attacking a previous employer for their sloppy management and lack of morals. Having worked previously for major Japanese game corporations, among them Square Enix and Sega, she turned freelance before establishing her own business, currently working on a project called Topology. This post is a translation of her 5 April 2012 article, which details the problems she faced writing the scenario for a certain unnamed eroge.

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The small valleys of the Country of Chihaya lie between the two imperial giants, the Country of Boys and the Country of Girls, posessing culturally the traits of both of its titannic neighbors, yet unique in its own traditions. Fields of rice are plentiful by mid-summer, and the plains are as golden as the sun in Autumn. Gentle are its winters. But perhaps its one unrivaled beauty lies in the plum blossoms of Springcoming, when its inhabitants celebrate the arrival of warm weather with song and dance.

                                                                                    -Records of the NHRV Historian

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The four best shows this season has to offer.

When I look back at past anime seasons, I feel that it’s been a very long time since a single anime season could wow me. For a while, I have believed that anime as a whole is somewhat inconsistent, and I was hoping for the one season that would make me go “Anime is having a revival here!” Perhaps my wish may have been granted, as currently Spring 2012 just might be the best that the industry has to offer.

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Another season, another podcast, another chance to take a crap on the worst anime of the last season. Except not really, we passed over Guilty Crown this time. We actually recorded this podcast about a week ago, but it’s only now getting published because it proved to be difficult to cut together, owing to how much my co-host this time, TypicalIdiotFan, rambles on (along with other technical problems I won’t bore you with). We actually recorded more than an hour of the conversation, but the final cut of the show is just 26 minutes, so when you listen to it, keep in mind that you’ll only hear the best parts. Here’s the line-up for this episode:

0:25 Intro and Mr. TypicalIdiotFan Goes to Sakura-con (Washington)
2:12 Nisemonogatari
7:17 Ano Natsu de Matteru
12:41 Zero no Tsukaima F
17:01 Inu x Boku SS
21: 06 Listen to Me, Girls, I’m Your Father!

This episode is 26:06 and there’s moderate spoilers for pretty much every segment. Listen here:

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Or download the show.