Otaku USA Summer 2025 Issue Now on Sale!
It's that time again: time for a new issue of Otaku USA magazine! Big thanks to everyone who keeps picking up and reading these issues. It's a lot of fun being part of this mag, and I love the opportunity to talk at length about both new and classic series.
This particular issue was a very busy one for me, with six separate columns! So if you're an enjoyer of me writing about anime a whole lot, this will be one to grab.
First up is my review of Ameku M.D.: Doctor Detective. Between the memes about "what if House was an anime girl" and my own work as a writing advisor for medical school applicants, this was an interesting watch. All that said, I consider this an absolutely fab show... and one that does something that even my beloved House didn't always manage.
Also up for review is the new adaptation of Ranma 1/2. I am, in fact, a big fan of classic series getting reboots (see Yaiba on the cover!). And considering the original series was one of my first anime, I wanted to get in there and give my thoughts on this latest version. Spoiler: I liked it and it's good.
On to features, of which I penned three. Headhunted to Another World: From Salaryman to Big Four! is indeed another isekai offering, but I kind of loved this. Like Magilumiere before it, this takes a relatively standardized genre and stretches it to tell a story about the importance of unique skill sets. I always love a show where people whose skills aren't flashy or "cool" get a chance to shine.
On the other end of the spectrum is my review of season 2 of Shangri-La Frontier. Or, as Paul Chapman rightly calls it, "The Adventures of John Darksouls Who Is Good at Video Games." Calling it an isekai misses the entire point, even if you could call it one on a technicality. This is a monumentally great series about the hobby of gaming—possibly one of the strongest anime made on that front so far. And any opportunity to talk about it from that angle is an opportunity I shall take.
Finally, at least in features, I cover TASOKARE HOTEL. This is one of my recent pet anime, based on a mystery/room escape mobile game. The game itself was Very Okay, with a lot of the Okay-ness being down to a messy localization. But I'm thrilled that the anime has turned out as it did, and fascinated with the choices made to turn an interactive experience into a compelling TV series.
Last but not least, I've invaded a new section for me: games! I offered my thoughts on the demo of Genso Manège, a newly-localized otome visual novel. Between the art and the story, this was absolute catnip for me. So I'm glad to have given it a boost to our audience!
The new issue is on newsstands now. If your local magazine seller doesn't stock it, you can order a copy from the website. You'll also find daily news and features there, including regular reviews and articles from yours truly! As always, thanks so much for your support—and keep spreading the word!
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