Otaku USA Spring 2025 Issue Now on Sale!
It's that time again! The latest issue of Otaku USA Magazine is on the newsstands, and this time I have five pieces in the latest magazine. I've been doing my best not only to keep up with the latest titles coming out, but (where I can) to read or play the source material. It's been making the recent seasons much more interesting and giving me a lot more to talk about with you guys as I put these articles out!
Nina the Starry Bride marks the first of my two reviews—a really gorgeous romantasy series for which I have indeed been reading the manga (and continue to even after the anime has finished). It's a pretty series with a dangerous love triangle, promises of magic, and a unique mythology. I can only hope there will be further seasons to bring to life what I've seen in the manga.
Orb: On the Movements of the Earth is my second review this issue, and is one of my absolute favorite shows of both the fall and winter season. It's a buried treasure that hasn't been getting nearly enough attention. I especially love it as someone with an interest in astronomy and Medieval history. But even if those aren't fixations for you, I still feel like everyone would like this at least a little.
And now, feature time! I'll Become a Villainess Who Goes Down in History falls into that very specific brand of isekai I'm totally into: reincarnated as a villainess. But it also falls under the heading of protagonists who have no idea what wonderful people they're being and how they're improving the world around them. I'm glad I got a chance to talk this one up.
On the other end of the spectrum is The Do-Over Damsel Conquers the Dragon Emperor, which... I had some issues with. On the bright side, writing this feature gave me the opportunity to talk about writer choices and how even having a "legitimate explanation" for something unsavory is still glorifying something unsavory. No hate to anyone who enjoyed it—I kinda can't get past a couple that's 19 and 10 is all.
And back on the up side—I close with a feature on Magilumiere Magical Girls Inc. Much like Orb, Magilumiere ended up very ignored and passed over. It's a darling series that deserves more attention, especially if you're a grown-up magical girl fan looking for something that isn't a grim and depressing subversion. It's nice to know there will be a second season, and I hope to do more coverage then.
Pick up the latest Otaku USA at your local newsstand, and keep an eye on the official site for more articles from me and others every day!
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