U – U (Retro Review)
U (Yu Shirota) – U Retro Review by Jen Wang Fans of the early Sailor Moon and Prince of Tennis musicals know Yu Shirota as a triple threat: acContinue reading…
Category: Reviews
Critical analysis of the sounds and stories shaping modern Japan. From the visceral energy of live rock, pop, and idol performances to the subtle mastery of award-winning manga and deeply personal films, our reviews offer an expert lens on the craftsmanship, production, and cultural legacy of Japanese media.
exist†trace – WORLD MAKER (Review)
exist†trace WORLD MAKER Review by David Cirone Title track “WORLD MAKER” launches exist†trace’s latest album with a confident call to actContinue reading…
Rookies – Episode 6 (Review)
ROOKIES Episode 6 Review by David Cirone SUMMARY Episode 6 of the series is where Rookies goes from good great, when so many traditional “haContinue reading…
Yoko Yazawa – Lady No. 5 (Review)
Yoko Yazawa Lady No. 5 Review by David Cirone Lady No. 5 is another great vocal showcase for Yoko Yazawa, who continues to come into her own Continue reading…
Black Butler (Film Review)
Black Butler (Kuroshitsuji) (film) Review by Jen Wang A return to monarchy, big pharma trying to control the 1%, and sexism galore—the futurContinue reading…
Mio Soul – Subliminal Melody (Review)
Subliminal Melody Mio Soul Review by Jen Wang The challenge was simple: for 52 weeks, Mio Soul sat in a Starbucks with half an hour to creatContinue reading…
101A – Traveler in Room Zero (Review)
101A Traveler in Room Zero Review by David Cirone 101A starts Traveler in Room Zero with the relaxed, drifting “Swallowtail,” a dreamy and reContinue reading…
Yoko Yazawa – Bad Cat (Review)
Bad Cat Yoko Yazawa Review by David Cirone Powerhouse pop-punk vocalist Yoko Yazawa always brings her A-game, but the heavy production on titContinue reading…
Pinky Doodle Poodle – Pinky Doodle Poodle (Review)
Pinky Doodle Poodle Pinky Doodle Poodle Review by David Cirone Pinky Doodle Poodle has always been about bait-and-switch: a wolf of a band hiContinue reading…
Budo Grape – Amsterdam (Review)
Budo Grape Amsterdam Review by David Cirone Budo Grape’s latest release Amsterdam delivers the journey promised by its album art, sending tContinue reading…