How TikTok Is Changing Anime Fandom (and Boosting the Popularity of Older Series) (Otaquest)

As anime becomes ‘cool’ and reaches broader audiences outside of the always-online subset of long-term, ‘hardcore’ fans, the barometer for popularity is no longer in the hands of an impassioned Twitter commentator or a person writing for an anime website or blog. These fans won’t mind that Netflix releases Beastars months after the show has […]

Kingdom Hearts 3 Reminds Us Why Video Games Need Epilogues (Fanbyte)

‘This is a limited example. Yet it’s a sign that games have the potential to deliver additional side content that further engrosses players in a world— not just a single adventure — while allowing them to experience the consequences of their actions.’ You can read this piece over at Fanbyte.

‘Funeral Parade of Roses’ and Queer Identity in Early Japanese Cinema – Your Japanese Film Insight

‘Much of the media discussion on LGBTQ+ identity at this early-postwar period occurred from grassroots activism and community building, while cinema floundered. Outside of those early examples of onnagata appearing in early Japanese cinema, Japanese cinema often took influence from the Meiji-introduced ideals of heteronormativity even in period works such as samurai films, where the […]

The Real-Life City of Durham in Moriarty the Patriot (Otaquest)

‘The series has grown from strength to strength since its opening episode premiered at the beginning of last month, but that’s not what I want to focus on here today. You see, just as he did in the original stories by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Moriarty is a professor at Durham University, and a number […]

How Ubisoft Reflections is Helping Newcastle’s Games Industry Grow Home (Kotaku UK)

‘Ubisoft Reflections is a positive force within its local community, and the industry at large. Alongside events like the Great Exhibition and work with local educational institutions like the North East Futures UTC, the studio also points towards a more positive future for the area as a whole.’ You can read this piece over at Kotaku […]

More Than Pretty Boys: Understanding the Massive Popularity of Hypnosis Mic: Division Rap Battle (Otaquest)

‘Being driven by charismatic voice actors enhances the musical core of the franchise, in this respect. Each character sounds and acts so differently from one another that it results in tonal shifts not traditionally found in the genre. In a live venue, it brings a new atmosphere to a live hip-hop performance, creating a unique […]

NieR, 10 Years Later – Yoko Taro’s Magnificent Embrace of Gaming’s Gray Area (Otaquest)

In comparison to the polished presentation and refined if controversially-linear gameplay of XIII, NieR felt crude and dated almost immediately.. Yet ironically, NieR is emblematic of change and a transition within the wider gaming industry, and now feels like a game ahead of its time in the wake of the phenomenal success of its unlikely […]

Valkyria Chronicles 4’s Sexual Harassment Problem is Unacceptable in 2018 (VG24/7)

‘This year has been defined by the #MeToo movement, and women around the world have been speaking out against decades of sexual harassment, assault, and mistreatment from men in positions of power… Unfortunately, it seems Valkyria Chronicles 4 didn’t get the memo.’ You can read this article over at VG24/7.

What Compels Someone to Create a 350-Page Fan-Theory on Their Favourite Game? (Otaquest)

‘At the end of the day, the thing that compels a fan to create something like this isn’t for attention, to fix flaws or anything like that. They enjoy this series and want to create something fun for themselves that others can also enjoy.’ You can read this article over at Otaquest.

Why Idols? How Becoming a Fan Taught Me To Be Critical of My Preferences (Otaquest)

‘While I know many people can relate to me if I recount the joys and heartbreak many feel as a fan of their favorite musician, most would understandably raise an eyebrow if I were to tell them my experiences came within the comradery of idol fandom. Whether in person in sold-out concert halls and arenas, […]