The latest reviews from Animation World Network. https://www.awn.com/ en-US 15 Tue, 16 Dec 2025 17:11:48 -0800 Wed, 17 Dec 2025 02:51:03 -0800 https://www.awn.com/vfxworld/re-view-frankenstein-acts-love-and-forgiveness Oscar-winning filmmaker Guillermo del Toro’s most complete work to date transforms Mary Shelley’s iconic 1818 novel from a cautionary tale of the perils of hubris into a redemptive fable about the ability to forgive. Dr. Maria Elena Gutierrez https://www.awn.com/vfxworld/re-view-frankenstein-acts-love-and-forgiveness Tue, 16 Dec 2025 17:11:48 PST Reviews https://www.awn.com/animationworld/winter-tv-anime-roundup-shooting-santa-and-monstrous-mermaids Columnist Andrew Osmond looks in on some of the top current shows, including ‘Sanda,’ ‘The Monster Wants to Eat Me,’ and ‘Touring After the Apocalypse.’ Andrew Osmond https://www.awn.com/animationworld/winter-tv-anime-roundup-shooting-santa-and-monstrous-mermaids Tue, 16 Dec 2025 15:08:04 PST Reviews https://www.awn.com/animationworld/re-view-kpop-demon-hunters-beauty-broken-glass Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans’ hit animated musical about a trio of women battling against a band of demons intent on taking over the world presents big ideas with a deceptively light touch; its gorgeously accessible imagery and brisk toe-tapping pace are as catchy as the lyrics of its songs. Dr. Maria Elena Gutierrez https://www.awn.com/animationworld/re-view-kpop-demon-hunters-beauty-broken-glass Mon, 01 Dec 2025 12:46:01 PST Reviews https://www.awn.com/animationworld/anime-anthologies-star-wars-versus-chainsaw-man Andrew Osmond looks over 2 new shorts series, Season 3 of ‘Star Wars: Visions’ on Disney+ and ‘Tatsuki Fujimoto 17-26’ on Prime Video. Andrew Osmond https://www.awn.com/animationworld/anime-anthologies-star-wars-versus-chainsaw-man Fri, 14 Nov 2025 15:24:37 PST Reviews https://www.awn.com/animationworld/superhero-santa-cross-species-couple-and-gaming-rom-com-new-anime-round Columnist Andrew Osmond looks over 5 new TV anime, including Science Saru’s ‘Sanda,’ the romantic ‘Let’s Play,’ a new ‘Digimon, the girl-meets-wolf ‘With You, Our Love Will Make It Through,’ and the space mystery ‘Gnosia.’ Andrew Osmond https://www.awn.com/animationworld/superhero-santa-cross-species-couple-and-gaming-rom-com-new-anime-round Mon, 20 Oct 2025 14:11:48 PDT Reviews https://www.awn.com/animationworld/violent-anime-sunao-katabuchi-and-black-lagoon Andrew Osmond considers one of the best violent series and how its director showed that anime is so much more than violence. Andrew Osmond https://www.awn.com/animationworld/violent-anime-sunao-katabuchi-and-black-lagoon Thu, 09 Oct 2025 18:17:58 PDT Reviews https://www.awn.com/animationworld/kyoto-animation-does-sketch-comedy-nichijou-and-city Anime columnist Andrew Osmond considers the 2 comedies by the beloved studio: this summer’s ‘City The Animation’ and its predecessor from 2011, ‘Nichijou: My Ordinary Life;’ weighing them up, he argues newer isn’t always better. Andrew Osmond https://www.awn.com/animationworld/kyoto-animation-does-sketch-comedy-nichijou-and-city Mon, 06 Oct 2025 11:51:25 PDT Reviews https://www.awn.com/animationworld/demon-slayer-whole-story-animes-champion-world In the wake of ‘Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle’s remarkable box-office last weekend, columnist Andrew Osmond looks at the history of the franchise and gives his thoughts on the new film. Andrew Osmond https://www.awn.com/animationworld/demon-slayer-whole-story-animes-champion-world Thu, 18 Sep 2025 17:33:28 PDT Reviews https://www.awn.com/animationworld/periphery-osamu-tezuka Anime columnist Andrew Osmond explores the fringes of the iconic ‘God of Manga’s work: strange short films, magnificent fantasy sagas and doodlings on Disney. Andrew Osmond https://www.awn.com/animationworld/periphery-osamu-tezuka Thu, 04 Sep 2025 16:28:49 PDT Reviews https://www.awn.com/animationworld/dragon-ball-one-piece-profile-toei-animation Anime columnist Andrew Osmond looks at the history of Japan’s oldest and largest animation studio that began as Nihon Doga before making seminal hits that include ‘Sailor Moon,’ ‘Mazinger Z,’ ‘Candy Candy’ and many others. Andrew Osmond https://www.awn.com/animationworld/dragon-ball-one-piece-profile-toei-animation Thu, 28 Aug 2025 16:35:52 PDT Reviews https://www.awn.com/animationworld/tokyo-exhibition-pays-tribute-leiji-matsumoto Anime columnist Andrew Osmond profiles the great artist, famed for ‘Galaxy Express 999,’ ‘Captain Harlock’ and ‘Space Battleship Yamato,’ and offers a glimpse of what’s on show. Andrew Osmond https://www.awn.com/animationworld/tokyo-exhibition-pays-tribute-leiji-matsumoto Thu, 21 Aug 2025 13:59:25 PDT Reviews https://www.awn.com/animationworld/midsummer-anime-update-dan-da-dan-and-more Midway through the summer crop of animated serials, columnist Andrew Osmond looks in on three fan-favorite titles: the Science Saru actioner plus ‘My Dress-Up Darling,’ and ‘The Summer Hikaru Died.’ Andrew Osmond https://www.awn.com/animationworld/midsummer-anime-update-dan-da-dan-and-more Thu, 14 Aug 2025 14:31:00 PDT Reviews https://www.awn.com/animationworld/more-summer-anime-horror-takopis-original-sin Disturbing content ahead! Columnist Andrew Osmond considers a just-ended Crunchyroll miniseries from ENSHIYA studio about grade-school bullying, horrific cruelty and a twee tentacled alien. Andrew Osmond https://www.awn.com/animationworld/more-summer-anime-horror-takopis-original-sin Thu, 07 Aug 2025 11:47:32 PDT Reviews https://www.awn.com/animationworld/animes-hot-new-horror-summer-hikaru-died Columnist Andrew Osmond gives his first impressions on the new series about 2 inseparable best friends… until one returns from the mountains and is no longer himself, now streaming on Netflix. Andrew Osmond https://www.awn.com/animationworld/animes-hot-new-horror-summer-hikaru-died Thu, 24 Jul 2025 16:31:52 PDT Reviews https://www.awn.com/animationworld/leviathan-studio-orange-and-anime-steampunk Columnist Andrew Osmond assesses the newly released Netflix series, its CG production studio, and the proud tradition of anime steampunk. Andrew Osmond https://www.awn.com/animationworld/leviathan-studio-orange-and-anime-steampunk Thu, 17 Jul 2025 15:58:12 PDT Reviews https://www.awn.com/animationworld/cosplay-comedy-my-dress-darling-returns Season 2 of the series hit Crunchyroll this week, and anime columnist Andrew Osmond looks at how this teen comedy-drama manages to be both sweet and sexy. Andrew Osmond https://www.awn.com/animationworld/cosplay-comedy-my-dress-darling-returns Thu, 10 Jul 2025 17:23:15 PDT Reviews https://www.awn.com/animationworld/elio-anime-and-original-animated-films Amid alarm over the latest Pixar film’s weak box-office opening this week, and fears about films with ‘original’ stories vs. sequels, Andrew Osmond looks at how IPs co-exist with originality in anime movies. Andrew Osmond https://www.awn.com/animationworld/elio-anime-and-original-animated-films Thu, 03 Jul 2025 12:34:50 PDT Reviews https://www.awn.com/animationworld/sing-bit-harmony-and-anime-musical Columnist Andrew Osmond enthuses about the musical comedy, now on Crunchyroll, and how not all anime musicals feature pop idols. Andrew Osmond https://www.awn.com/animationworld/sing-bit-harmony-and-anime-musical Thu, 26 Jun 2025 15:48:03 PDT Reviews https://www.awn.com/animationworld/children-sea-and-summer-time-rendering-2-summers-ayumu-watanabe Anime columnist Andrew Osmond looks at 2 anime from the noted director – a film and a TV series – that are both set against summer sun, are easy to overlook, and are very good. Andrew Osmond https://www.awn.com/animationworld/children-sea-and-summer-time-rendering-2-summers-ayumu-watanabe Thu, 12 Jun 2025 13:27:03 PDT Reviews https://www.awn.com/animationworld/binocular-briefs-june-2025 AWN’s latest survey highlights a selection of under-the-radar animated shorts currently making their way through the festival circuit — or newly available online. Chris Robinson https://www.awn.com/animationworld/binocular-briefs-june-2025 Wed, 04 Jun 2025 13:28:50 PDT Reviews https://www.awn.com/animationworld/place-further-universe-one-best-anime-ever Andrew Osmond celebrates Atsuko Ishizuka’s wonderful adventure series about 4 girls going to Antarctica, how it follows classic story traditions, and how it mixes ‘moe’ with drama. Andrew Osmond https://www.awn.com/animationworld/place-further-universe-one-best-anime-ever Thu, 08 May 2025 15:29:22 PDT Reviews https://www.awn.com/animationworld/haibane-renmei-and-aria-animation-look-mellow-anime Andrew Osmond discusses 2 vintage series, one made when the premise of being reborn into a new world wasn’t yet a hackneyed trope, the other about ordinary, everyday lives that’s far from just a ‘slice of life’ tale. Andrew Osmond https://www.awn.com/animationworld/haibane-renmei-and-aria-animation-look-mellow-anime Thu, 01 May 2025 15:25:47 PDT Reviews https://www.awn.com/animationworld/young-ones-or-why-cant-anime-heroes-grow Andrew Osmond wonders why so many anime characters are teenagers or younger, and whether that’s holding back the medium. Andrew Osmond https://www.awn.com/animationworld/young-ones-or-why-cant-anime-heroes-grow Thu, 24 Apr 2025 17:42:57 PDT Reviews https://www.awn.com/animationworld/spring-anime-season-superheroes-green-gables Anime columnist Andrew Osmond has been looking at some of the new shows that started streaming this month. Andrew Osmond https://www.awn.com/animationworld/spring-anime-season-superheroes-green-gables Thu, 10 Apr 2025 16:21:10 PDT Reviews https://www.awn.com/animationworld/binocular-briefs-april-2025 AWN’s latest survey highlights under-the-radar animated shorts that are currently making their way through the festival circuit - or are newly available for online viewing. Chris Robinson https://www.awn.com/animationworld/binocular-briefs-april-2025 Tue, 08 Apr 2025 15:52:02 PDT Reviews https://www.awn.com/animationworld/lazarus-swordplay-and-hip-hop-samurai-champloo With ‘Cowboy Bebop’ director Shinichiro Watanabe’s newest anime launching this Sunday, AWN columnist Andrew Osmond reviews a classic series the legendary filmmaker made in 2004… set in samurai Japan and boasting a strikingly different soundtrack. Andrew Osmond https://www.awn.com/animationworld/lazarus-swordplay-and-hip-hop-samurai-champloo Thu, 03 Apr 2025 15:05:58 PDT Reviews https://www.awn.com/animationworld/binocular-briefs-march-2025 AWN’s latest survey highlights under-the-radar animated shorts that are currently making their way through the festival circuit—or are newly available for online viewing. Chris Robinson https://www.awn.com/animationworld/binocular-briefs-march-2025 Fri, 28 Mar 2025 11:01:43 PDT Reviews https://www.awn.com/animationworld/ne-zhas-journey-hand-drawn-classic-all-time-champion Andrew Osmond crosses over to Chinese animation this week, to consider ‘Ne Zha 2,’ the highest grossing animated film in the world. Andrew Osmond https://www.awn.com/animationworld/ne-zhas-journey-hand-drawn-classic-all-time-champion Thu, 27 Mar 2025 15:37:08 PDT Reviews https://www.awn.com/animationworld/witch-watch-or-watching-tv-anime-big-screen AWN columnist Andrew Osmond reviews this week’s cinema preview of the series, coming to both Crunchyroll and Netflix in April, reflecting on the rise of TV anime in American theaters and elsewhere. Andrew Osmond https://www.awn.com/animationworld/witch-watch-or-watching-tv-anime-big-screen Thu, 20 Mar 2025 14:45:58 PDT Reviews https://www.awn.com/animationworld/power-voice-flower-and-asura-and-wave-listen-me AWN’s anime columnist Andrew Osmond looks at 2 series about the spoken word, though he doesn’t necessarily subscribe to the notion that the idea of animation celebrating what Chuck Jones referred to as ‘animated radio’ shows the medium’s decline. Andrew Osmond https://www.awn.com/animationworld/power-voice-flower-and-asura-and-wave-listen-me Thu, 13 Mar 2025 16:03:07 PDT Reviews