It’s the beginning of November so that can only mean one thing: the return of Youmacon. The state’s biggest anime convention is back in Detroit this weekend, and it continues to grow. The main base of operations will be the Renaissance Center again, but dozens of events will also be taking place at Cobo Center, … Continue Reading →
I know they’re out there, but U.S. anime distributors don’t tend to pick up a lot of titles for kids if they’re not fighting series, so Funimation’s “Oblivion Island: Haurka and the Magic Mirror” is a real treat. Brightly colored and sweetly told, “Oblivion Island” is a story about memories of childhood and how important … Continue Reading →
If you haven’t seen it on the main site yet, be sure to check out Detroit News photographer Donna Terek’s “Donna’s Detroit” piece on Midtown’s new Chou Anime. I never thought I’d see it, but Detroit has a real maid cafe patterned after the cafes featuring perky waitresses in maid outfits. I would have expected … Continue Reading →
“Robotech” is one of the grand-daddies of anime in the U.S. Personally, I never watched it. I preferred “Battle of the Planets” and “Voltron,” myself. But earlier this week, my colleague Ursula Watson waxed rhapsodic over her memories of the series. I promised a giveaway, and a giveaway you shall have. I’ve got the complete … Continue Reading →
And yet another interesting anime series is brought down by a prepubescent obsession with breasts and panties. I really wanted to like this one. Funimation’s “Rosario + Vampire” sounded like it could be fun. And it has great music — very “Addams Family” in places with the harpsichord. It’s about Tsukune, who gets rejected by … Continue Reading →
// Youmacon, Metro Detroit’s biggest anime convention, is back this weekend, ready to take over the Detroit Mariott at the Renaissance Center this weekend from Thursday night through Sunday. And it just keeps growing. Attendance was 9,000 last year, and when I ran into con chair Morgan Kollin at a “Real Steel” screening a few … Continue Reading →
“Night Raid 1931: Complete Collection” (Sentai Filmworks) – I love a good period piece, and “Night Raid 1931″ certainly seems like a good period piece. Set in Shanghai in, well, 1931, it’s got drama, action, intrigue, great clothes, cats and psychic powers. What’s not to like? Sure, that sounds like an unusual mix, but it … Continue Reading →