Ashita no Nadja / Tomorrow’s Nadja – 01 & 02

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Tomorrow’s Nadja’s (2003) main claim to fame is that it was the opening series for Toei’s Sunday morning Super Hero Time, between Ojamajo DoReMi (1999-2003) and Futari wa Precure (2004). As TV Tropes says: “airing right after the end of one Cash-Cow Franchise, and before the beginning of another.” Let’s just say it was not the show for that timeslot. DoReMi’s zany elementary-school witch hi-jinks, and Futari wa’s thrilling battle choreography both meshed well with the over-the-top togusatsu of Super Sentai and Kamen Rider. Nadja apparently did not.

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Pretty Cure: Feminist From the First

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If you’re a Precure fan in the US, articles on the series can be hard to find, and the few that appear often dismiss it as a toy-selling vehicle. Funny that you never hear that about Pokemon! Luckily I can paste プリキュア in a search and find great articles in the Japanese press! I’ve found some interviews with Washio Takahashi, the creator of Pretty Cure. Usually you see Precure credited … Continue reading →

Bandai / Toei messed up?

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On August 4 of this year, one of the Precure events for children was held in Tokyo. They’re popular, featuring all sorts of activities, including a live-action stage battle and dress-up corner where girls can transform into their favorite current season Cures and have their photo taken. Something was missing this time. There are outfits for Cure Sky, Cure Prism, and Cure butterfly, but none for Cure Wing! Maybe the … Continue reading →

Geeky Self-Improvement: Stella Women’s Academy, High School Division Class C3

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There’s a genre of anime i like, usually under slice-of-life or iyashikei, where the main character’s dissatisfied with their life and wants to make a change. They want to make friends and stand out from the crowd. With Yura in this series, it’s her first day at a new school, and she’s failing to make an impression. Maybe joining one of the official school clubs is the solution!

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Pretty Cure: I love the writing!

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I’ve been impressed by the writing on the Pretty Cure series from the very first. It’s a great example of Hopepunk, positive and uplifting, with the characters making tough decisions and coming up with different solutions and unconventional tactics. They make things better, but not perfect.

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Otaku Month – Time To Celebrate Your Passions!

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What’s an Otaku? An otaku is someone passionate about their unconventional interests, and spends considerable time, thought, and/or money in support of them. People usually think of anime and manga fans, but in Japan it would also include trains, martial arts, traditional/historic clothing, gaming, etc.

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