Out and About: Eigakan - Mirai no Mirai

Out and About: Eigakan

Welcome to Out and About.

Actually, it would be more appropriate to say: Welcome back.

Completing a single review for LofZOdyssey – Anime Reviews requires many hours of sitting in front of my computer. As such, there are often not many chances to go outside. My Out and About series was an attempt to leave my workspace and find anime — as the name suggests — out and about in the real world.

Seeing how I have only done two Out and About posts and the last one was over two years ago, it’s reasonable to assume things have not gone as intended.

That changes now.

I still plan to attend anime events and locations whenever possible. Yet instead of waiting for those instances to show up, why not take advantage of something much more accessible? Since I live in Japan, I have the opportunity to go to movie theaters and watch anime films on the big screen.

This is Out and About: Eigakan (eigakan being Japanese for movie theater).

Anime Hajime Review: Attack on Titan - Junior High

***Warning, the following may contain spoilers for Attack on Titan: Junior High. Reader discretion is advised.***

Series Synopsis

For centuries, humanity has lived in fear of titans. Death and tragedy are daily occurrences, and the fighting never stops. In such a world, one Eren Yeager (voiced by Yuki Kaji) has dedicated his life to killing all titans.

But that’s a different story. For now, Eren has a more pressing concern: middle school.

Eren and his close friends Mikasa Ackerman and Armin Arlert (voiced by Yui Ishikawa and Marina Inoue) spend their days studying, as well as avoiding the titans who enjoy stealing their lunches.

As part of class 1-04, Eren, Mikasa, and Armin make many new friends. Along with that, the trio joins the unofficial Survey Club as an attempt to get back at the bully titans.

With plenty of familiar faces and events, expect a much lighter take on a worldwide phenomenon.

Anime Hajime Review: Golden Kamuy

***Warning, the following may contain spoilers for Golden Kamuy. Reader discretion is advised.***

Series Synopsis

Saichi Sugimoto (voiced by Chikahiro Kobayashi) is a hardened veteran of the recent Russo-Japanese War. After the horrors of battle, Saichi has come to remote Hokkaido to keep the promises he made to his fallen comrades.

While there, Saichi hears rumors of a missing stockpile of gold. The stash was stolen from the native people of Hokkaido, the Ainu, and the murderous thief was sent to jail before revealing its location. While in prison, the mastermind tattooed a map to the gold onto his fellow inmates. Following a massive jailbreak, the pieces of the map are now scattered across the land.

Seeing this as his chance to do right by his friends, Saichi decides to go after the gold. However, he soon realizes this is a job he can’t do alone.

Saichi comes across a young Ainu girl named Asirpa (voiced by Haruka Shiraishi). Asirpa is also interested in the gold, but not for monetary reasons. Her father was one of the ones killed during the original theft.

Anime Hajime Review: Death March to the Parallel World Rhapsody

***Warning, the following may contain spoilers for Death March to the Parallel World Rhapsody. Reader discretion is advised.***

Series Synopsis

Ichirou Suzuki (voiced by Shun Horie) is a video game programmer, and he has entered the death march for his latest project. Overworked and stressed, Ichirou breathes a sigh of relief upon finishing his job. Now, at long last, he can finally break away for a short nap.

When he wakes up, Ichirou finds himself in the world of what appears to be the very video game he had been working on. This dream of his includes fantasy monsters, old world settlements, and beings from many different races; as well as access to, of all things, an in-game menu screen. It is here where Ichirou notices three crucial details.

One: His character’s name is Satou. Two: He is only a Level 1 adventurer. Three: This dream of his is, in fact, not a dream.

Ichirou, now Satou, is indeed in a land of magic and danger, and his first challenge is an oncoming hoard of high-level enemies. In a panic, Satou unleashes his most powerful spell and successfully eliminates everything. This causes Satou’s level to skyrocket, and in an instant, he becomes the most powerful fighter in existence.

Anime Hajime Review: Gakuen Babysitters

***Warning, the following may contain spoilers for Gakuen Babysitters. Reader discretion is advised.***

Series Synopsis

Ryuichi Kashima (voiced by Kotaro Nishiyama) has always taken care of his infant brother Kotaro Kashima (voiced by Nozomi Furuki). The boys’ parents’ adventurous side usually kept them away from home.

Then the unimaginable happened.

On one of their adventures, Ryuichi and Kotaro’s parents, sadly, passed away. Now the two brothers only have each other, and nowhere to go.

Fortunately, Ryuichi and Kotaro get an offer to stay at the prestigious Morinomiya Academy. The only condition is, Ryuichi must join the fleeting babysitters club at the Morinomiya Daycare. Happy to have a place for his younger brother to live, Ryuichi accepts the terms.

After years of experience with Kotaro, Ryuichi quickly adjusts to watching over this hyper-energetic group of toddlers.

Thanks to Ryuichi’s hardworking and cheerful attitude, as well as a little help from the kids, the babysitters club soon becomes the talk of the school. From there, it is anyone’s guess as to what kind of trouble this group of children and their caretakers may get into.

Anime Hajime Review: Comic Girls

***Warning, the following may contain spoilers for Comic Girls. Reader discretion is advised.***

Series Synopsis

Kaoruko Moeta (voiced by Hikaru Akao) is an aspiring manga artist who specializes in four-panel comic strips. Unfortunately, “specializes” is a bit generous. Try as she might, Kaoruko can’t seem to hit upon a concept that resonates with readers.

Hoping a change in environment will get her out of her slump, Kaoruko moves to a Tokyo based dormitory which houses many up and coming manga artists. Although it is for the sake of her passion, this is a big step for the timid Kaoruko. To her relief, though, her fellow housemates soon become her best friends.

Koyume Koizuka (voiced by Kaedo Hondo) is an energetic romantic who draws shojo manga. Ruki Irokawa (voiced by Saori Onishi) loves cute things, but to her chagrin, is highly skilled with more adult imagery. Tsubasa Katsuki (voiced by Rie Takahashi) is a successful shonen manga artist who often goes to great lengths to create her stories.

Kaoruko, Koyume, Ruki, and Tsubasa have their own styles. However, their goal is the same. These four wish to better their craft and pen the next great manga for their fans to enjoy. With these artists supporting one another, their dream is sure to become a reality.

Anime Hajime Review: Uma Musume Pretty Derby

***Warning, the following may contain spoilers for Uma Musume: Pretty Derby. Reader discretion is advised.***

Series Synopsis

In a world similar to our own, famous racehorses are reincarnated as horse girls. The spirit to run is alive and well in these competitors, and they are all shooting to be the best of the best.

Japan’s racing scene’s newest face, Special Week (voiced by Azumi Waki), has big dreams of becoming the number one horse girl in the country. However, the road before her will not be easy.

At every turn, Special Week faces obstacles that seek to challenge her will and her drive. There are going to be times when she will feel the elation of victory. Unfortunately, the bitter sting of defeat is never too far away.

With each stumble, every horse girl must make a choice. Do they throw in the towel, or do they push forward? If any of them wish to reach the top, the answer couldn’t be clearer.

However, despite everyone putting in the work and the effort, there can only be one winner.

Anime Hajime Review: Working'!!

***Warning, the following may contain spoilers for Working’!!. Reader discretion is advised.***

Series Synopsis

Welcome back to the friendly neighborhood Wagnaria. As always, the staff of this small family restaurant are happy to take their customers’ orders with a smile. And if you’re okay with the occasional oddity, you, too, can have yourself a relaxing meal at an affordable price.

Having worked for Wagnaria for a while now, Souta Takanashi (voiced by Jun Fukuyama) has grown quite accustomed to his job, and he has become one of the eatery’s most skilled employees. Not only that, Souta has managed to fit right in with his fellow co-workers, all of whom he considers dear friends.

Aiding Souta is the veteran waitress Popura Taneshima (voiced by Kana Asumi). Without fail, Popura can pick up everyone’s spirits even during the busiest of lunchtime rushes.

No one ever said working at Wagnaria is an easy job. In fact, some shifts can get a little weird. If nothing else, though, that just means there is never a dull moment.

Anime Hajime Review: Devils' Line

***Warning, the following may contain spoilers for Devils’ Line. Reader discretion is advised.***

Series Synopsis

Rumors are going around of people being drained of their blood. Word on the street is, these crimes are the work of frightening creatures known as devils.

For Tsukasa Taira (voiced by Yui Ishikawa), such rumors have little bearing on her. However, she soon discovers that devils are, in fact, very real.

Tsukasa is saved by a mysterious cop named Yuki Anzai (voiced by Yoshitsugu Matsuoka). During the rescue, Tsukasa received a small cut. Upon seeing the sight of fresh blood, Yuki’s identity as a devil comes out.

Yuki’s violent bloodlust manifests, but he manages to control his urge to feast before he can harm Tsukasa. Unexpectedly, though, this encounter didn’t scare Tsukasa. On the contrary, she saw an incredible amount of pain and suffering in Yuki’s eyes.

It was at that moment, Tsukasa fell in love with a devil.