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Shelf Life - August 12, 2019
From badminton to rugby, there's plenty of sports anime to choose from on retailer shelves today. Paul Jensen breaks down all the new anime and manga releases of the week in his last edition of the column.
― Welcome to Shelf Life! This is normally the part where I'd pick out some highlights from the new release list, but this week I've got some news to share instead. I'm taking on a new role at my d...
Shelf Life - August 5, 2019
The third season of Attack on Titan smashes its way onto blu-ray this week! Check out our full rundown of all the newest anime and manga releases.
― Welcome to Shelf Life, covering every week's new releases in anime, manga, and Japanese games! Actually, it's a pretty dry week for Japanese games, so it's just anime and manga this time. The third season of Attack on Titan is coming out on disc this we...
Shelf Life - July 29, 2019
The classically controversial Elfen Lied is finally available in a steelbook blu-ray collection! Check out all this week's new anime, manga, and game releases in our full list.
― Welcome to Shelf Life, covering every week's new releases in anime, manga, and Japanese games! We've got some interesting anime titles coming out this week, including a steelbook set for the always-divisive Elfen Lied. The ...
Shelf Life - July 22, 2019
It's a one-two punch of big video game debuts with Fire Emblem: Three Houses and Kill La Kill If. Check out our full breakdown of all this week's other new anime and manga releases!
― Welcome to Shelf Life, covering every week's new releases in anime, manga, and Japanese games! It's a case of "everything old is new again" on the anime front, with the recent Cutie Honey remake and a second OVA collec...
Shelf Life - July 15, 2019
There's a plethora of new hit manga out this week, from Goblin Slayer to BEASTARS to Skull-Face Bookseller Honda-san. Check out our full list of anime, manga, and game releases!
― Welcome to Shelf Life, covering every week's new releases in anime, manga, and Japanese games! The latest part of Boruto looks like the headline act in this week's anime lineup, while it's a week of endings and beginnings ...
Shelf Life - July 8, 2019
It's a great week for manga collector's editions, from Berserk to Knights of Sidonia and so much more! Check out our full list of anime releases this week.
― Welcome to Shelf Life, covering every week's new releases in anime, manga, and Japanese games! I'm still working my through the Preview Guide, but there's plenty coming out for those of you who actually have some free time this week. Things are...
Shelf Life - July 1, 2019
Cardcaptor Sakura, Steins;Gate 0, and Diamond is Unbreakable are just a few of this week's blu-ray debuts. Check out our full list of anime, manga, and video game releases!
― Welcome to Shelf Life, covering every week's new releases in anime, manga, and Japanese games! The list is full to bursting as usual, with the latest Blu-Ray sets for Cardcaptor Sakura Clear Card, Dragon Ball Super, and Jojo's ...
Shelf Life - June 24, 2019
MEGALOBOX, the throwback saga celebrating the legacy of Ashita no Joe, finally comes to blu-ray along with a plethora of other anime, manga, and video games in this week's full release rundown!
― Welcome to Shelf Life, covering every week's new releases in anime, manga, and Japanese games! We've got some big-name anime titles coming out on disc this week, including the third season of Overlord and t...
Shelf Life - June 17, 2019
Sailor Moon: Sailor StarS arrives on Blu-ray for the first time! Check out this week's full list of anime, manga, and video game releases!
― Welcome to Shelf Life! We've got a couple of big-name franchises headlining the anime release list, including a One Piece special and the latest Sailor Moon collection. On the manga side of things, Attack on Titan is getting a new "season 3" box set, and the bl...
Shelf Life - June 10, 2019
It's the end of an era for Naruto collectors, as the final DVD set of Shippūden hits retailer shelves. Check out this week's full list of anime, manga, and video game releases!
― Welcome to Shelf Life! This week's list of new anime releases includes a pretty big milestone with the final DVD volume of Naruto Shippuden, and major completionist points go to anyone who's collected all 38 sets. On the ma...
Shelf Life - June 3, 2019
Get pumped for the super-deluxe box sets of Akira Toriyama's Dragon Ball and DBZ manga, plus so many more anime, manga, and video games in this week's full release list!
― Welcome to Shelf Life! It's a long list as usual for new releases, with a pair of massive Dragon Ball box sets stealing the show as far as manga goes. The anime list is looking pretty action-heavy with rereleases of Black Lagoon a...
Shelf Life - May 27, 2019
Paul runs down all this week's new blu-ray, manga, and video game releases, from Maquia to Darling in the FRANXX!
― Welcome to Shelf Life, and to the second week of the new format! In case you missed the news last week, we've expanded our new release coverage to include printed volumes of manga and major game releases from Japanese developers. Since that can all add up to a stunningly long list, I'l...
Shelf Life - May 20th, 2019
Our column covering all the newest anime releases of the week has expanded to include manga and video games. Check out the new and improved Shelf Life!
― Welcome to a slightly different version of Shelf Life! Running a review every week has become less feasible from a cost and organizational standpoint in recent months, so we're trying a new format for the column. In place of those weekly anime revi...
Shelf Life - Adieu Galaxy Express 999
Paul takes a closer look at the concluding film to Leiji Matsumoto's space-faring epic, along with all this week's new blu-ray releases!
― A few weeks ago, I mentioned that I was going to spend this latest anime season catching up on shows I'd missed out on over the last couple years, and so far I've marathoned my way through two. If you skipped over Revue Starlight or Karakai Jozu no Takagi-san whe...
Shelf Life - Kokkoku
Paul reviews this time-stopping supernatural thriller and breaks down all this week's new blu-ray releases!
― We're coming up on the season for final exams, and for those of us who work in college libraries, that means interacting with a lot of panicked undergrads who haven't set foot in a library since their first tour of the campus. Luckily for me, I'm well practiced in the art of not making snark...
Shelf Life - Garo: Vanishing Line part 2
Gabriella reviews the final chapter of this wild gothic horror road trip on blu-ray, while Paul breaks down all this week's new anime releases!
― I picked up the new Ace Combat game on sale last week, and despite not having played anything in that genre since the previous console generation, I'm actually still decent at flying an imaginary plane. It's nice to know that some skills can stick around i...
Shelf Life - Ace Attorney
Paul finds out if this disappointing anime adaptation of Capcom's exciting game series has anything to offer Phoenix Wright fans, plus our full breakdown of all this week's new blu-ray releases!
― Since I'm taking a season off from our Daily Streaming Reviews, I'm starting to fill up my streaming queue with all the shows I've had to either skip or drop halfway through over the last few years. As it ...
Shelf Life - Dagashi Kashi
James takes a bite out of this sugary slice-of-life comedy about junk food, while Paul breaks down all this week's new blu-ray releases!
― Thing I learned this week: if you're going to pick up a late-night shift at your job, you probably shouldn't also pick up the morning shift for the next day. There is not enough caffeine in the world to overcome the crushing realization of "I was just here a few ...
Shelf Life - Galaxy Express 999: The Movie
Paul reviews this Leiji Matsumoto classic on blu-ray and breaks down all this week's new anime releases!
― Hey, it's Preview Guide time again! I'm taking a break this season, but the rest of the crew has all this season's new shows covered. I'm expecting the new Fruits Basket adaptation to be the big show this time around, but you never know when some obscure series is going to come out of nowhere a...
Shelf Life - Touken Ranbu: Hanamaru Season 2
Paul takes on a whole warehouse full of historical sword boys in the second season of Touken Ranbu: Hanamaru, plus all of this week's new anime bluray releases!
― To follow up on my intro from a couple weeks ago, I did buy the new Fate video game, and it had the desired effect of finally pulling me away from the mobile game. My login streak remains unbroken, though, because you can't not keep up you...
Shelf Life - Mitsuboshi Colors
Paul snuggles up with an adorable slice-of-life series about mischievous ragamuffins and breaks down this week's huge slate of new blu-ray releases!
― The good news: Cells at Work is getting a second season! The bad news: the opening theme from the first season has been stuck in my head since I heard the news, and as much as I enjoyed my brain's broken rendition of the lyrics the first three dozen t...
Shelf Life - Concrete Revolutio
Paul plumbs the psychedelic depths of this alternate-history superhero thriller, along with a breakdown of all this week's new blu-ray releases!
― There's apparently a new game in the Fate franchise coming out this week, and I hope it's good. Not because I don't already have a huge gaming backlog to deal with, but because I need an excuse to finally take a break from the Fate smartphone game. A pers...
Shelf Life - Garo: Vanishing Line
The Golden Armor returns once more for the wildly entertaining Garo: Vanishing Line part 1. Plus: all of this week's new anime DVD & Bluray releases!
― I lent my copy of the Tomorrow's Joe movie to a friend months ago, and he still hasn't watched it, let alone returned it. This is fine, however, because watching him confess his crushing guilt on a weekly basis is providing me with more entertainment...
Shelf Life - Just Because!
James dives into the turbulent waters of mushy teen romance with this curiously named series, while Paul breaks down all this week's new blu-ray releases!
― This season is shaping up to be a good one for comedies. The Quintessential Quintuplets is proving that an old-fashioned harem comedy can still be entertaining, Kaguya-sama: Love is War is excellent across the board, and I guess Domestic Girlfri...
Shelf Life - Urahara
Gabriella takes a look at an underrated magical girl show that takes place in the streets of Harajuku, while Paul runs down all this week's new blu-ray releases!
― Ever wake up on a Saturday and realize the last seven days have all been a blur? That happened to me this week. I know I wrote some reviews, finished reading a couple books, and drove a 500-mile round trip to visit some relatives, but I c...
Shelf Life - Space Runaway Ideon
James takes a look at an '80s mecha classic, while Paul breaks down this week's new blu-ray releases, along with a Yuri!!! on Ice-tastic Shelf Obsessed collection.
― I'm sure I'm just adding to an already loud chorus here, but y'all really should be watching Mob Psycho 100 (or catching up on the first season if you missed it). I can already tell I'm going to go back through this show a second or thi...
Shelf Life - King's Game
Paul subjects himself to one of the most hilariously bad entries in survival game horror, along with all this week's new blu-ray releases.
― I've had all kinds of problems getting my anime streaming apps to work lately, but at least this has given me an excuse to binge some nature documentaries. And yes, I absolutely make up obnoxious dialogue for the animals on screen, because that's the only corre...
Shelf Life - My Girlfriend is Shobitch
Gabriella takes on a particularly stiff and seemingly already forgotten comedy about sexually clueless teens - plus all of this week's new anime DVD & Bluray releases!
― Collecting things can be a strange process, especially when you look at it from an outsider's perspective. I recently tried to explain to someone why, when faced with a choice between two video games, I bought the one that cost more...
Shelf Life - Girls' Last Tour
Paul discovers the world's most heartwarming apocalypse anime and breaks down all this week's new anime Blu-ray releases!
― I can already sense my hopes of staying current with this season's simulcasts slipping away, but one series I've managed to keep up with is Run With the Wind. It's a nice little sports story with less of the typical teenage drama, and there's something wonderfully indulgent abo...
Shelf Life - Hells
Paul takes a look at Madhouse's avant-garde movie about the underworld with a dub produced by Youtubers, plus a brand-new Shelf Obsessed submission and all this week's new anime releases!
― By the time you read this, I'll probably be digging out from a foot or more of snow. I was totally planning on going outside and being productive over the weekend and definitely wasn't looking for an excuse to st...
Shelf Life - Princess Tutu
Paul discovers whether this mid-2000s magical girl classic has aged gracefully on blu-ray, plus all this week's new anime releases and a new mecha-filled Shelf Obsessed!
― It's Preview Guide time again! Actually it might be streaming review announcement time on the day this column comes out. They've rolling the new shows out pretty darn fast this season. Welcome to Shelf Life. Jump to this week's re...
Shelf Life - Land of the Lustrous
Paul unearths this gem of a fantasy series on blu-ray and shares his thoughts on what makes it so special, along with a rundown of 2019's first anime releases!
― Hello, 2019! We're back to business as usual just in time for the first releases of the new year, so let's jump right into it. Welcome to Shelf Life. Jump to this week's review: Land of the Lustrous On Shelves This Week Dragon Ball Super - ...
Shelf Life - The 2018 Year In Review
As the year's disc releases fizzle out, Paul runs down some of 2018's most notable moments in Shelf Life, and some of the most interesting anime our team has reviewed!
― 'Tis the season for “year in review” articles, and you'd better believe we're getting in on that action in Shelf Life. Here, you'll find a list of some of the most interesting and noteworthy titles we've covered this year, with two ...
Shelf Life - Lupin III: The Legend of the Gold of Babylon
Paul digs into a Lupin III movie with a truly fascinating production history, plus your weekly breakdown of all the newest anime releases!
― Before we jump into this week's new anime, I've got a little bit of housekeeping to take care of. I'll be taking next week off, so you won't see a new column on the 24th (don't worry, nothing's coming out that week anyway). We'll be back with a "year in review"...
Shelf Life - UQ Holder!
Gabriella plunges deep into the lore of Ken Akamatsu for this Negima! spinoff action series, while Paul breaks down all this week's new anime releases!
― I picked up the new Super Smash Bros. game this week, only to re-discover that I'm not very good at Smash games (and I never have been). Thankfully, the holidays should give me plenty of time to get better, or at least less comically awful. In the ...
Shelf Life - Scum's Wish
James checks out this sexually charged teen melodrama with a surprisingly heartfelt edge, while Paul runs down all this week's new anime releases!
― I saw Mirai last week, and it's an interesting film, particularly if you've seen any of Mamoru Hosoda's other movies. It's one of those stories that manages to be about children without being exclusively for children. If it's playing in your area, you m...
Shelf Life - Love, Chunibyo & Other Delusions! Take on Me
Paul checks out this sequel film that sends the Chū-2 crew on a road trip across Japan, plus a breakdown of all this week's new anime releases!
― It's Cyber Monday, which should hopefully mean that those of you on the hunt for bargains are finding plenty of good ones. It also means that some of this week's price links might be out of date (since I usually put these columns together on Saturday), so ...
Shelf Life - Terraformars Revenge
Paul checks out the crude but effective sequel to a troubled anime series about fighting giant bugs on Mars, plus a breakdown of all this week's new anime releases!
― Something about living in the Northeastern US has a tendency to warp one's mind in very particular ways. As I was digging my car out of half a foot of snow last week, I caught myself thinking, "The weather's not too bad today." You kno...
Shelf Life - Area 88
This classic '80s OVA gets a new release, but does it still hold up over thirty years later? Paul Jensen finds out. Plus, all this week's new anime releases!
― A friend of mine is headed to Anime NYC next weekend. I'm not, which means I get the dubious pleasure of having a thoroughly normal weekend while getting bombarded with texts and pictures from the convention. If you're going, have fun! If not...
Shelf Life - Made in Abyss
Gabriella plumbs the depths of one of 2017's best anime, while Paul breaks down all this week's new blu-ray releases!
― I already sang its praises in the Preview Guide, but go check out Zombie Land Saga if you haven't already. It's a delightfully twisted little comedy, a fun send-up of both zombie and idol shows. I know that sounds insane, but it works better than it sounds. Welcome to Shelf Life. J...
Shelf Life - 18if
James takes on one of the very strangest anime he's ever reviewed for Shelf Life, while Paul breaks down all this week's new blu-ray releases!
― Between writing the weekly streaming reviews, writing the simuldub preview, and reading the light novel for my own amusement, I'm currently at three different points in the story of That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime. Needless to say, my mind is curren...
Shelf Life - Convenience Store Boy Friends
Paul endures the baffling doldrums of this peculiarly titled romance anime, breaks down all this week's new home video releases, and features a manga-heavy new Shelf Obsessed!
― It sounds like Funimation and Crunchyroll are wrapping up their streaming partnership, so it might be time for some last-minute marathons if you only subscribe to one or the other. I'm just hoping this doesn't make life more...
Shelf Life - Angel Cop
This cyberpunk '80s OVA may be nostalgic for some fans, but it's hardly angelic. Paul finds out if anything about this vintage shlock holds up and breaks down all this week's new anime releases!
― I'll be writing our streaming reviews for That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime, and I am unreasonably pumped about it. I'm not expecting it to be the best show ever made, but something about the main pr...
Shelf Life - Princess Principal
The surprisingly poignant and gorgeously animated steampunk espionage thriller Princess Principal lands on home video. PLUS: all of this week's new anime DVD & bluray releases!
― It's Preview Guide time again! We've had a couple of unexpectedly good premieres already, with the most pleasant surprise for me being Zombie Land Saga. If you have a taste for dark humor, make sure you check that one out. ...
Shelf Life - Devilman
The legendary late 80's OVA version of Devilman goes under the microscope - plus all of this week's new anime DVD & Bluray releases!
― I visited my parents last week and made them watch Anohana, because I am an evil person who likes to make his family cry. Also, it's a really good show. Welcome to Shelf Life. Jump to this week's review: Devilman On Shelves This Week The Disastrous Life of Saiki K - ...
Shelf Life - Twin Star Exorcists
Twin Star Exorcists is finally out on bluray, and Gabriella Ekens is here to take it for a spin. PLUS: all of this week's DVD & bluray anime releases!
― Holy crap, we have a lot of new releases this week. You'd almost think it was the beginning of the holiday rush or something. Well, no matter how many titles get shoved out the door in a single week, we'll be here to cover them. Welcome to Shelf Lif...
Shelf Life - Saiyuki Reload Blast
The Saiyuki boys haven't been on TV since 2004, but that didn't stop them from getting a 12-episode resurrection last year, and now it's out on bluray. PLUS: all of this week's new anime DVD and bluray releases!
― I spent the weekend scrolling through a list of next season's new shows, and boy do we have some odd story setups headed our way. Dude gets resurrected as a slime in a fantasy world? Check...
Shelf Life - Ai Tenchi Muyo!
The venerable rom-com franchise Tenchi Muyo returns, but not in the way you might expect. PLUS: all of this week's new anime DVD & Bluray releases!
― I rarely end up revisiting any of my old streaming review shows, if only because writing about a series every week forces you to get just about everything out of it on the first viewing. However, I ended up breaking that pattern last week, and for Laid...
Shelf Life - I Am A Hero
An ordinary joe faces the apocalypse in the live-action manga adaptation I AM A HERO, plus your complete guide to this week's anime DVD & bluray releases!
― I started playing Nier: Automata last week, much to the delight of one of my library coworkers. He's adamant that the story will make me feel all kinds of feelings, but right now I'm just having fun running around and hitting stuff with a sword....
Shelf Life - Tomorrow's Joe: The Movie
Paul enjoys a classic film that encapsulates the legacy of one of the most legendary anime of the '70s, and breaks down this week's giant haul of new anime releases!
― I saw The Night is Short, Walk On Girl last week, and it's quite a trip. The visuals are fantastic, and the story walks a fine line between being surreal and relatable. If you get a chance to catch it in theaters, go check it out. Wel...
Shelf Life - No Game, No Life Zero
Paul takes a look at this prequel film that might be better than its source series, along with a breakdown of all this week's new anime releases!
― This week, I learned that those generic plastic Blu-Ray cases are surprisingly resilient. My review copy of No Game, No Life Zero got absolutely pulverized in the mail, to the point where the case now looks like somebody tried really hard to karate chop ...
Shelf Life - Aura Battler Dunbine
Back in the early 80s, the godfather of Gundam tried his hand at a fantasy-flavored mecha war epic - the result was Aura Battler Dunbine, a dizzying 49-episode Tomino tale finally out on bluray. PLUS: all of this week's new anime bluray and DVD releases!
― I'm finally getting a permanent office (read: cubicle) at my day job, which is a welcome step up from the computer on a table in a hallway I've b...
Shelf Life - Armed Girl's Machiavellism
Paul looks for a silver lining in this uninspired fanservice-fueled fighting anime and breaks down all this week's new anime releases!
― Since I forgot to mention it last week, I'll say it now: Nichijou is finally streaming in the US again, and you should go watch it. It's a clever, creative comedy with some fantastic moments of animation, and I regularly use it as a benchmark to judge any new serie...
Shelf Life - Lupin the 3rd: Bye Bye, Lady Liberty
Paul Jensen takes a look at the very first Lupin III TV special, and delivers a breakdown of all this week's new anime releases!
― Ah, it's good to be back! I had to take last week off because I was busy floating down a river. No seriously, I was white-water rafting as part of a friend's bachelor party, which was a lot of fun for those of us who weren't suffering from terrible hangovers. As for the ...
Shelf Life - Like the Clouds, Like the Wind
This made-for-TV romantic period piece might have been lost to time for English audiences if not for a recent license rescue. Paul enjoys this oddity along with all of this week's new anime releases.
― Since I didn't mention it last week, I'll use this space to point out that the Preview Guide for this season is up and running. In fact, by the time this column comes out, we should be just about done...
Shelf Life - A Spirit of the Sun
James digs into a terribly uneven 2006 TV special from Madhouse about a Japan plagued by natural disasters, and Paul breaks down all this week's new anime releases.
― I didn't go to see fireworks on the 4th last week, but I did go to see Fireworks the anime movie on the 3rd. That's some clever timing on the part of whoever's in charge of promoting the film. The movie itself is alright, and it's cert...
Shelf Life - Initial D Legend 3: Dream
Paul reviews this conclusion to the theatrical trilogy remake of the original Initial D story to see if it's still worth revving up to watch. Plus, all this week's new anime releases!
― Sometimes my life lines up with my review schedule in amusing ways. Right after reviewing an Initial D movie for this week's column, I spent the weekend in the grandstands at an actual sports car race. As I sat there...
Shelf Life - Grimoire of Zero
Gabriella Ekens reconsiders the adventures of a little witch and a mercenary tiger in Grimoire of Zero. PLUS: all of this week's brand new anime DVD & bluray releases!
― The library I work in is going through some renovations this summer, which sets up an interesting quandary: is there any point in telling people to be quiet when there's a bunch of dudes with power tools tearing up the lobby? Just a...
Shelf Life - Kado: The Right Answer
James delves into a divisive CG sci fi thriller from last spring while Paul breaks down all this week's new anime releases!
― I've officially hit the point in every anime season where I look at my streaming queue and think, "Aw, crap." Apart from the two shows I'm covering for streaming reviews, I'm weeks and weeks behind on everything. I sense a late-night marathon in my immediate future. Welcome t...
Shelf Life - Tokyo Ghoul: The Movie
Paul finds out if this live-action version of Kaneki Ken's story can live up to the gore and gristle of its source manga. Plus, all this week's new anime releases!
― A few months ago, a friend of mine mentioned that there was a badminton-themed anime in the works. I assumed he was joking, but it's totally happening, it's called Hanebad, and it's coming out next month. I assume there will also be a s...
Shelf Life - Anonymous Noise
Anonymous Noise promises to rock you, but comes up a little short. PLUS: all of this week's new anime DVD and bluray releases!
― I learned something while getting my measurements taken for a suit this week: being part of a wedding party is absurdly expensive. Between the clothing, the bachelor/bachelorette party, the wedding gifts, and all the travel involved, celebrating the lifelong happiness of y...
Shelf Life - Trickster Part 2
The Boy's Detective Club faces a reckoning in the conclusion of Trickster! PLUS: all of this week's new anime DVD & bluray releases.
― I had never heard of it until I saw Theron's review a few days ago, but Reborn as a Vending Machine, Now I Wander the Dungeon is now one of my favorite ridiculous light novel titles. I may have to give it a read just to see where it goes with that premise. Welcome to...
Shelf Life - Koro Sensei Quest!
Paul enjoys a bite-sized, RPG-themed spoof of Koro-sensei's adventures in Assassination Classroom, then breaks down all this week's new anime releases alongside a brand-new Shelf Obsessed!
― I got myself a Nintendo Switch last week, and my first impression of the thing was pretty darn positive. I plugged it in, turned it on, put in a game, and started playing. No insanely huge updates to download or...
Shelf Life - Yona Yona Penguin
Shelf Life takes a turn this week with a look at a quirky, Penguiny family film from a few years back, fresh out on bluray from Sentai Filmworks. PLUS: all of this week's new anime DVD & bluray releases!
― If you're not already watching Megalobox this season, you should absolutely put it on your list. It's been stylish and entertaining from the get-go, but the last couple of episodes have really ste...
Shelf Life - Anohana
Paul digs into the nostalgic melodrama of Anohana to find out if the show lives up to its tearjerker reputation, plus all this week's new anime releases!
― You know all those stories about people paying for things in pennies? Well, it actually happened to me this week. I had the dubious honor of processing a payment made entirely in small change and mostly in pennies, all delivered in a dirty plasti...
Shelf Life - Is It Wrong To Expect A Hot Spring In A Dungeon?
Paul takes a look at this steamy DanMachi OVA (and its accompanying soundtrack CD) and runs down all this week's new anime releases!
― Shirobako is getting a new movie project, and I'm seriously pumped for it even though we don't even have a release date yet. I want more fictional anime production drama, and I want it as soon as humanly possible. Welcome to Shelf Life. Jump to this week's review: Is...
Shelf Life - My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU Complete Series
James Beckett reaches the memorable conclusion of Hachiman's unexpectedly romantic adventures, while Paul Jensen breaks down all this week's new anime releases.
― As I write this introduction, it's late at night and the people in the apartment next door are blasting music loud enough to rival a karaoke bar. I'll probably end up dealing with the problem in a civilized manner, but part of me really wa...
Shelf Life - March Comes in Like a Lion Season 1 Part 1
March Comes In like a Lion and quickly melts Gabriella Ekens' resistance to the charms of this beloved series. PLUS: all of this week's new anime DVD and bluray releases!
― It looks like Hinamatsuri will be one of my streaming review shows this season, and if the first episode is any indication, I'm going to have plenty to write about. That series looks completely bonkers, but in a good way. Good cr...
Shelf Life - Akiba's Trip
James takes a look at Gonzo's cartoonish clothes-stripping comedy, while Paul runs down all this week's new releases, along with a new Shelf Obsessed collection!
― It's Preview Guide time once again, and I'm back in the lineup after taking a couple seasons off. This spring looks like it'll be packed full of big sequels, bigger remakes, and some cool original stuff for good measure. There's no time l...
Shelf Life - Scar-red Rider XechS
Paul dissects a disastrous sentai-themed otome game adaptation alongside his rundown of all this week's new anime releases. Plus, a new Shelf Obsessed with an impressive manga collection!
― Holy crap, have y'all seen the insane box set that's coming out for The Legend of the Galactic Heroes? I haven't seen the series and I'm not sure I'd ever pay that much for it even if I had, but that's a darn imp...
Shelf Life - Girlish Number
Paul takes a peek at the more cynical side of anime production with this sarcastic comedy about when things go wrong in the industry. Plus, all this week's new anime releases!
― Well, I've now watched all of Laid-Back Camp, I've enjoyed it, and I still have no interest whatsoever in sleeping in a tent in the middle of nowhere. After all these years, I've finally found something that even a happy cas...
Shelf Life - The Life of Budori Gusuko
Gabriella delves into this dark fantasy film from the creators of the classic Night on the Galactic Railroad, while Paul breaks down all this week's new anime releases.
― I've been watching Dagashi Kashi 2 this season, and it's been an interesting experience. I don't think I've ever seen such a character-focused comedy sideline its most recognizable protagonist for so many episodes in a row before. ...
Shelf Life - Occultic;Nine Part 2
James braces himself for the final episodes of this scrambled Science;Adventure series spinoff, while Paul breaks down all this week's new anime releases.
― A day may come when Daylight Savings Time doesn't take me by surprise, but it is not this day. There's a unique displeasure in the realization that I'm about to lose an hour of sleep, as if I'm somehow being robbed by time itself. At least it on...
Shelf Life - Typhoon Noruda
Paul takes a look at the gorgeously animated directorial debut of Yojiro Arai and breaks down all of this week's new anime releases!
― You know what's pretty? Snow. You know what sucks? Six inches of snow on my car, plus a full coating of ice for good measure. Seriously, why do I need to go outside again? Welcome to Shelf Life. Jump to this week's review: Typhoon Noruda On Shelves This Week Bungo St...
Shelf Life - First Love Monster
Gabriella runs the gauntlet of yet another baffling manservice show with a monocle-popping premise, while Paul breaks down all this week's new anime releases!
― Is it possible to hug an entire anime series? I ask because that's exactly what I want to do with How To Keep A Mummy this season. That show is unreasonably, absurdly adorable and I love it. Welcome to Shelf Life. Jump to this week's review:...
Shelf Life - Tanaka-kun is Always Listless
Paul discovers a hidden gem in a surprisingly lazy package with this lovely slice-of-life comedy. Plus, all this week's new anime releases and a brand-new Shelf Obsessed!
― I've been working on putting together a Star Wars model kit recently, and holy heck that process is easier if you have a decent set of the appropriate tools. It's almost a relaxing experience when you don't have to threaten each ...
Shelf Life - Trickster Part One
James takes a look at the first half of a troubled, futuristic Ranpo Edogawa adaptation, while Paul breaks down all this week's new anime releases and Shelf Obsessed returns with more of your own anime collections!
― Hey, Valentine's Day is this week! Go watch some mushy romance anime, or maybe take out your romantic frustrations with something from the horror genre. Or, you know, just catch up on a...
Shelf Life - Super Lovers
Gabriella's patience is tested with a wildly controversial boys-love series, while Paul breaks down all this week's new anime releases!
― Sometimes your day job requires you to work 8-hour shifts on Saturdays (at least mine does), but sometimes you come home from that shift to find the enormous box of manga you ordered has arrived a day early. Life has a way of balancing things out, and now I get to...
Shelf Life - Ninja Nonsense
Paul finds out how this zany comedy from the mid-2000s has aged on blu-ray and catches up with all the rest of this week's new anime releases.
― We have not one, but two new releases this week that feature main characters who take a lot of naps. That's a terrible thing to have to write about when you're running short on sleep, my friends. Good thing I reviewed a super high-energy comedy to balance i...
Shelf Life - Clannad and Clannad After Story
James shotguns all 49 episodes of Kyoto Animation's beloved visual novel adaptation, while Paul breaks down all this week's new anime releases!
― My daily streaming review shows this season are A Place Further Than the Universe and Laid-Back Camp, which would normally give me a monopoly on all the comfy slice of life stuff. This ain't no ordinary season, though, and there are more shows in that genr...
Shelf Life - Haikyu!!
Gabriella takes to the court with this first season of the hit sports anime, and Paul breaks down all this week's new Blu-ray and DVD releases!
― I replaced my nine-year-old laptop recently, and I'm still in that magical honeymoon period with the new one. Everything about it is shiny and new, and I haven't yet felt the need to swear profusely at it or beg it to keep working for just one more day. I ...
Shelf Life - Squid Girl
Paul dives into a squid-diddly-umptious comedy from the tentacle-end of the 2000s, plus all this week's new releases and a Sailor Scout-shaped Shelf Obsessed!
― I enjoyed the first episode of A Place Further Than the Universe, but I can't say I share the main characters' interest in traveling to Antarctica. After the stupidly low temperatures we've had in the northeast lately, my desire to go anywhe...
Shelf Life - The 2017 Year In Review
Paul serves up the most discussion-worthy blu-ray and DVD releases of the past year, along with the last few new anime you can pick up before 2017 comes to a close.
― Welcome to 2018, and to the Year In Review edition of Shelf Life! We've got this week's new releases as usual, but in place of our regular review section I'll be taking a look at some of the more interesting titles that appeared in thi...
Shelf Life - Haven't You Heard? I'm Sakamoto
James plunges into the absurdly cool adventures of Sakamoto, while Paul breaks down all this week's holiday releases!
― Here it is: the last Shelf Life of 2017. I'll be doing a proper "year in review" next week, so for now it's business as usual. Thank you all for sticking with us this year, and welcome once again to Shelf Life. Jump to this week's review: Haven't You Heard? I'm Sakamoto On Shelves ...
Shelf Life - Tsukiuta The Animation
Gabriella finds out if this idol series starring one guy for every month in the year is worth watching, while Paul breaks down this week's truckload of special edition boxsets, along with a brand-new Shelf Obsessed entry!
― If you like big box sets with absurdly long runtimes, then boy is this the week for you. We've got four releases that go beyond the 1000-minute mark, two of which also come with ...
Shelf Life - Initial D Legend 1: Awakening
Paul gets into the recent film remake of this gearhead classic, along with all this week's new anime releases!
― I really liked the ending of Recovery of an MMO Junkie this week, but now I'm starting to realize that the early finale means I'll have to get through the rest of the season without it. You know a series is good when the thought of not having new episodes to watch makes you feel a little ...
Shelf Life - Flying Witch
James takes a look at this uniquely soothing series about witches in the countryside, while Paul runs down all this week's new releases and a festive Shelf Obsessed!
― It's that time of year when putting together the new release list becomes more of an adventure than usual. There's a bunch of stuff coming out as publishers try to make it in time for the holidays, prices are all over the place as ret...
Shelf Life - Joker Game
Paul checks out this historical spy thriller on Blu-ray along with all the week's new releases and a brand new Shelf Obsessed!
― By the time you read this, the madness of Cyber Monday will probably be in full swing. I'm not really hunting for anything big this year, but best of luck to those of you who are. At least mashing the refresh button on your browser is more civilized than spending hours in ...
Shelf Life - Persona 4: The Animation
Gabriella revisits the anime adaptation of this hit JRPG to see if it's worth watching on its own merits, while Paul runs down all this week's new releases along with a new king-sized Shelf Obsessed!
― Since in-game purchases seem to be a hot topic in the video game world these days, I figured I'd offer up a potentially obvious piece of advice as someone who's bought and collected all kinds of junk ...
Shelf Life - The Amagami SS Collection
James checks out both seasons of Amagami SS plus the OVAs to see if this girlfriend-swapping romance is worth watching. Plus, Paul breaks down this week's huge load of new releases!
― I noticed something cool about the current anime season this week. I normally start falling behind on the shows in my streaming queue at around the six-week mark, but at the moment I'm still up to date on everything I'...
Shelf Life - The Dragon Dentist
Gabriella takes a look at this TV movie from the artists behind Evangelion and many other Gainax classics, while Paul runs down this week's mountain of new anime releases.
― You know the overused comedy scene where a character sprints at full tilt toward a bus stop or train station, only to watch helplessly as their chosen form of transportation rolls away without them? That actually happened to me ...
Shelf Life - Love, Chunibyo & Other Delusions! Rikka Version
Paul finds out if this compilation film is worth watching for prior fans or Chunibyo newcomers. Plus, all this week's new anime releases and a Shelf Obsessed full of bishounen figures!
― Recovery of an MMO Junkie is one of my streaming review shows this season, and it's gotten off to a really good start over the last couple weeks. Between its charming romantic comedy and the inspired chaos of Gamers...
Shelf Life - Ushio & Tora
Gabriella takes a trip back in time to the '90s with a modern adaptation of a forgotten shonen gem, as Paul runs down all this week's new anime releases.
― I recently discovered that one of my coworkers at my day job plays the Fate/Grand Order mobile game, and we've been bonding over our experiences with the game's fickle character gacha system. He left me seething with envy when he picked up Franci...
Shelf Life - Occultic;Nine Part 1
James Beckett gets into the most challenging spinoff of the Science Adventure Series, while Paul runs down all this week's new anime releases!
― I don't think I fully realized how much I'd missed Mr. Osomatsu until the second season started. That show really is my kind of anime comedy: wildly creative, totally bonkers, and not at all afraid to toss the viewer's expectations out the window. While I'm...
Shelf Life - Shin Godzilla
Godzilla stomps his way to blu-ray this week, as Gabriella Ekens examines the footprints Hideaki Anno's version of the legendary monster left behind. Plus, all this week's new anime releases!
― My apartment building switched from air conditioning to heat this week, which would have been fine if I had been home at the time. I wasn't, of course, and so I eventually returned home to a 90-degree room wi...
Shelf Life - The Boy and the Beast
Paul Jensen takes a look at Mamoru Hosoda's most recent film along with all this week's new anime releases, and Shelf Obsessed is officially open for submissions once more!
― I was briefly tempted to buy a model kit the other day, but then I remembered one of my favorite stories from the old Calvin and Hobbes newspaper comic. Calvin buys a model plane, struggles with the tiny parts and incomprehensi...
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