Anime

If you haven’t read the manga or seen the anime based on it, you’re really missing out, because One-Punch Man is absolutely amazing! The premise is pretty easy to explain: a young man named Saitama decides to become a hero, for fun, and after an intensely rigorous training regimen (100 push-ups, 100 sit-ups, 100 squats, and 10km running. Every. Single. Day.), he becomes so powerful no enemy can withstand more than one of his punches. He’s then confronted with the only foes he can’t beat with his fists: the unshakeable ennui of being completely unbeatable, the boredom of being unchallenged, and the malaise of everyday life in Z-City. If you still don’t want to believe me, just take a look at all of this incredible fan art One-Punch Man has inspired, check out the artists’ sites, and have your mind changed, because not enjoying Saitama’s adventures is only hurting yourself worse than consecutive normal punches.

The ultra-popular Attack on Titan anime series has finally made its way to the video game world, with the minds behind the Dynasty Warriors franchise --- Omega Force and Koei Tecmo --- charged with the transition. I was hesitant to truly get excited for this new game, as I didn’t think Attack on Titan fit well into Omega Force style of game, but I’m happy to say that playing the game has proven me wrong... for the most part.

This past Monday, August 22nd, saw the end of one of the Big Three shonen manga of the 2000s (alongside One Piece and Naruto), and what was at one time one of the most popular shonen titles in the world. Tite Kubo's Bleach published its 686th and final chapter, "Death and Strawberry," in the latest issue of Viz's Weekly Shonen Jump. In anime and manga circles the reaction has been celebratory, but also somewhat muted. Given that Bleach ran for over a decade, and spawned a highly successful anime, four feature films and many stage musicals, and is still a merchandising and cosplay bonanza, why is that? The truth is, to most Western fans at least, Bleach overstayed its welcome.

In honor of the caped crusaders of the convention scene, ComicsAlliance has created Best Cosplay Ever (This Week), an ongoing collection of some of the most impeccable, creative, and clever costumes that we’ve discovered and assembled into a super-showcase of pure fan-devoted talent.

Pretty much ever since the original webcomic by ONE premiered in 2009, fans of the superhero spoof One-Punch Man have been aching for an anime adaptation. Last fall, Madhouse --- the geniuses behind Summer Wars and Death Note, among other things --- granted their wish with a 12-episode anime based on the manga by ONE & Yuusuke Murata, which the record will show we at ComicsAlliance are big fans of. Now, thanks to Viz Media and Adult Swim's Toonami block, an English dub of that anime is finally available Stateside. So how is it? Pretty damn good.

Most anime is adapted from manga, often produced by the manga publisher to raise awareness and sell it overseas. But what about the anime shows or film that go the other way, adapted from the screen to the page? How do those works hold up, and what changes or stays the same? That’s what Screen & Page aims to explore. This week, we're talking about an anime that set the internet on fire because of all the ways that it does --- and doesn't --- break the magical girl genre: Puella Magi Madoka Magica!

In honor of the caped crusaders of the convention scene, ComicsAlliance has created Best Cosplay Ever (This Week), an ongoing collection of some of the most impeccable, creative, and clever costumes that we’ve discovered and assembled into a super-showcase of pure fan-devoted talent.

In case you've been off the grid lately, Pokemon Go came out in the US and some other countries exactly one week ago today! And what a week it's been. Nintendo's stocks have shot sky-high, millions of gamers are discovering the concept of physical exercise, and CA's own Chris Sims was last seen roaming the Great Smoky Mountains armed only with a portable generator and wifi signal booster in pursuit of the legendary Ho-Oh. In honor of our new national pastime, this week we're recounting the time eternal ten-year old Ash Ketchum and his best buddy Pikachu fought God in Pokemon: Arceus & The Jewel of Life!

Most anime is adapted from manga, often produced by the manga publisher to raise awareness and sell it overseas. But what about the anime shows or film that go the other way, adapted from the screen to the page? How do those works hold up, and what changes or stays the same? That’s what Screen & Page aims to explore. This week, we're talking about the weird action-comedy with even weirder sexual politics: Kill la Kill! Please note that this piece digs into issues of sexual harassment and assault.

This upcoming July 4 weekend, there'll be fireworks and hot dogs galore across America. And if you're in Los Angeles, you'll be seeing those amidst a sea of Hatsune Miku wigs and people blaring J-pop from their phones at Anime Expo. The largest anime con in America --- and easily one of the largest American cons period --- Anime Expo takes place from July 1-4 at the LA Convention Center. Like any good convention, there's a wealth of exclusives. Bluefin has announced its exclusives are Gundam model kits and products --- or "Gunpla" as some call it --- as well as two brand-new figurines of Super Saiyan Goku and Final Form Frieza.