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REVIEW | "You and I Are Polar Opposites" - Volume Five | B3crew.com

I don’t know what it is about You and I Are Polar Opposites, but something feels very off. It’s not that it has had a change in tone, nor is it because its characters are losing their charm. What it could be is the fact that there are all of these moments in its fifth volume that are manga rom-com staples, but they lack anything new or unique to it. Dare I say, it’s making You and I Are Polar Opposites lose its luster.

First, let me focus on the positive aspects of this volume. The duo of Tani and Suzuki still make for a great couple. Despite their differences, they find ways to bond and strengthen their relationship. A night making Christmas cake at Suzuki’s place (maybe) gives the couple their first kiss, all the while keeping things both cute and tense between the two of them. How Suzuki’s brother comes in and almost ruins the mood is also pretty entertaining, and his reaction to seeing another man’s shoes in the hallway is — without a doubt — great!

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ANIME REVIEW | "Witch Watch" | B3crew.com

Let me be frank: when I heard that Witch Watch was getting an anime adaptation, I wasn’t exactly excited. I had reviewed the first two volumes of the manga, and while it had potential, it felt like it was lacking something strong. Yes, Kenta Shinohara’s original work had some funny parts to it, and the premise was interesting. However, the jokes didn’t exactly hit their mark in the way they should.

But because I wanted to give it a chance, I sat myself down and watched the anime version of Witch Watch. And it’s a good thing I did, because Bibury Animation Studios (The 100 Girlfriends Who Really, Really, Really, Really, Really Love You) somehow found the missing element to the manga’s humor. The problem wasn’t the jokes; it was the format they were showcased in. In order to truly get the punchline to deliver that TKO, they had to literally be put into motion.

That’s right: Witch Watch works far better as an anime than a manga!

Click here to read the rest of the review!

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REVIEW | "Marriage Toxin" - Volume Seven | B3crew.com

One of these days, Gero is going to find the right woman. Of course, that’s the whole point of Marriage Toxin, the tale of a Poison Master looking to get hitched. There have been a good number of candidates, but there hasn’t been someone that I felt has been a woman who could match his tenacity. That is, until Volume Seven of Marriage Toxin, where we meet quite possibly his perfect match.

However, before she arrives, there’s the matter of Gero’s cousin Teruaki. Kinosaki has been kidnapped, and Gero must face off against Teruaki, who wants to stop his quest to get married. But as we quickly see, Poison Master versus Poison Master won’t be a simple fight, as the cousins throw everything and the kitchen sink at one another. Thankfully, Gero’s got a much better reason to live than Teruaki, as his desire for love overshadows the cousin’s bloodlust.

Click here to read the rest of the review!

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Duck Amuck in Japan | Episode 43: Bacon Tempura Sushi | B3crew.com

It's a super-sized edition of Duck Amuck in Japan, and it's a good thing because the boys are going on a long vacation afterwards! But first, King Baby Duck wonders how hot it has to get before clothing becomes optional. And speaking of clothes, our host gets very close to finding some big secondhand finds, with a big problem getting in the way of him owning them. But why is the episode titled "Bacon Tempura Sushi"? Well...do you see the freaking cover picture?!

King Baby Duck also went to a couple of concerts, from the sold-out Club Quattro gig of the pillows's frontman Sawao Yamanaka to more TsuShiMaMiRe. However, it all pales in comparison to AFLM and JonStar's experience at one of the final Blue Man Group shows in Boston...until they come back on a US tour, that is. Uma Musume explodes in popular, to the surprise of just about everyone! Anime Expo also had a lot of news, with a mixture of excitement for Rooster Fighter and "Why is this a thing?" for, sigh, Black Clover. But hey, new Sgt. Frog news tops it all off!

But it's the grand finale that offers the biggest servings: Summer 2025 anime first impressions! The returns of Grand Blue Dreaming, My Dress-Up Darling, and Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt have the boys excited. As for the new stuff, there's Ruri Rocks, Detectives These Days Are Crazy!, Gachikuta, and -- of course -- Takopi's Original Sin. Oh, and a little show called CITY.

Click here to listen!

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REVIEW | "Colette Decides to Die" - Volume Three | B3crew.com

Even with its grim title, Colette Decides to Die sparks a plethora of joy. Watching as Colette and Hades grow closer brings big smiles and a feeling of happiness whenever I read about them. In its third volume (technically Volumes Five and Six), Colette Decides to Die introduces us to a new god and a new feeling from the apothecary: one that itches for exploration. But first, Colette’s got a job to do!

The first patient to arrive for Colette is the god Dionysus, whose love for wine has bitten him in the behind. Not a lover of the Underworld, Dionysus tries to get back to the surface so he can get better and party once more. Fortunately, Colette comes up with a plan to make Dionysus fall in love with the Underworld. It takes an army of the cutest skeletons around to show why the tastes, the sights, and even the clothing of the Underworld are not something you should ever scoff at.

Click here to read the rest of the review!

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REVIEW | "Dandadan"  - Volume Thirteen | B3crew.com

It used to be that the fate of the world would rest on the shoulders of one single person. At least, that’s how it was in many shonen manga series and some Western comics. However, as the years have gone by, we have seen that attitude change, as there isn’t just one hero in the story; there are many. The thirteenth volume of Dandadan demonstrates this well, and while we’ve known there are other heroes besides Momo and Okarun, it’s here where we can see they are just as strong as them!

The volume continues with the backstory involving Vamola’s past. Her planet was under attack by other aliens, to the point where all men were enslaved. Things look bleak, until Vamola and her team decide to keep on marching forward until they either win or die trying. However, as they go on a rescue plan, it turns out that maybe some folks aren’t worth saving, as their cowardice takes over the minute they’re let go.

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ANIME REVIEW | "My Hero Academia: Vigilantes" | B3crew.com

I’ll admit: I’m biased when it comes to My Hero Academia: Vigilantes. The spinoff of Kohei Horikoshi’s hit Shonen Jump series did something that other spinoffs failed to do: expand the world in an intriguing manner. So when word got out that studio Bones would be bringing it to life in the same way they did the main series, I was legitimately excited. As I told many, when it comes to Vigilantes, this is the good shit!

But there’s a problem, one that I totally forgot. Yes, My Hero Academia: Vigilantes is the better story, and it certainly has the better characters. What I totally forgot about this spinoff is that it takes a bit of time before it really starts firing on all cylinders. Just how long, you ask? Well…the entirety of the first season?

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REVIEW | "Girl Crush" - Volume One | B3crew.com

A confession: I’m not into K-POP. It’s not for the lack of trying, but because I’ve dived so deep into the J-POP scene, I’ve told myself that I need another me in order to give the same amount of attention to what the Korean music scene has to offer. With that being said, I get that there’s a lot that goes into Korean music, ranging from the songwriting and the choreography to even how an artist looks. I appreciate seeing all of this on display in Midori Tayama’s Girl Crush, a story that showcases everything a person has to do to make it in the scene.

But right off the bat, there’s a problem with Girl Crush: its choice in protagonist. We begin with Tenka, whose childhood is rocked when her mother has an affair with another man. She becomes cold and distant, with all of the classmates keeping away from her. That is, until the popular boy Harumi drags her into a game of dodgeball. At that point, Tenka aims to stand out in class, excelling at school, sports, and dancing, all so she can be worthy of Harumi.

Click here to read the rest of the review!

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Shameless Tuesdays: Livre 165 | Duncan Lloyd | B3crew.com

We can all use a little rewinding these days, be it to undo past mistakes or alleviate stress. Duncan Lloyd understands this well, with his new album Unwound (available this Friday) being a great tool to get into chillax mode! "Laugh So Loud", which features The Cloud Nothings’ Joe Boyer, is about dealing with pretending to be fine when things really aren't. Yes, it's a gloomy theme, but it's presented in a way that's both bouncy and sincere. Meanwhile, "Rituals" deals with the daily mundane habits we all do in order to get through the day. "One Step Closer to the Dam" takes the moment things are about to break and steps hard on the accelerator. After all, if it's bound to explode anyway, why not just speed up the process? But as we wait to be Unwound, Duncan Lloyd finds the heart of the melody in this week's Shameless Tuesdays!

Click here to listen!

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REVIEW | "Fly Me to the Moon" - Volume Twenty-Eight | B3crew.com

Finally, we’re getting some answers. Tsukasa’s immortality has been known for a while in Fly Me to the Moon. The question was, how does it work? And can it be reversed? Nasa has spent many, many volumes of this series researching his wife’s unique situation. In Volume Twenty-Eight, the mystery behind Tsukasa’s power is revealed, and — as you can guess — it’s a complicated matter.

But first, we have a little dinner night between Tsukasa and Himari, who may be onto the former’s secret. Years ago, Tsukasa saved Himari’s life by sacrificing her own. Well…it looked like it, but — again — magic immortality powers. Himari needs to see if she’s the same person, as Tsukasa may also be a legendary figure from folklore called Yao Bikuni, the Deathless Nun. To do that, Himari attempts to make Tsukasa injure herself while she prepares dinner.

Click here to read the rest of the review!

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REVIEW | "Kagurabachi" - Volume Three | B3crew.com

You’ve got a powerful sword, a super-sized black market auction, and a keeper who can only access the contents of said auction. On top of that, skilled sorcerers are guarding the auction and its contents with their very lives. If the one running the auction dies, the contents vanish without a trace, never to be seen again. That’s a lot for Chihiro to swallow in the third volume of Kagurabachi, as he aims to get back the Shinuchi.

Fortunately, Chihiro’s got himself a good team of allies to help him out. Those ally numbers go up with the appearance of Hakuri Sazanami, who makes an interesting first impression via his bloody nose and bloodshot eyes. He also happens to have a common goal as Chihiro: stop the auction. But before they can even start to prep for the mission, another issue arises. Her name is Hiyuki Kagari, and she wants Chihiro’s blades!

Click here to read the rest of the review!

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REVIEW | "Sakamoto Days" - Volume Seventeen | B3crew.com

A good volume of Sakamoto Days showcases the strengths of Taro and Shin, but a great volume puts everyone’s skills on display. Volume Seventeen does exactly that, with both hero and villain giving it all that they got. And why wouldn’t they? After all, when the head of the JAA is in your sights, you’ll want to do anything you can to either kill or rescue him.

There are bombs that are about to go off at an Assassin Exhibition. Chairman Asaki is partaking in the museum, going so far as to take any artwork he desires for his own collection. But it’s not his asshole-like tendencies that are making him a target for X; it’s because taking him down means destroying an entire assassination agency. Fortunately, Asaki’s got some people within and outside the organization looking out for him.

Click here to read the rest of the review!

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Duck Amuck in Japan | Episode 42: The Very Best Horse Girl | B3crew.com

So much on the plate of this week's Duck Amuck in Japan, your belly will expand like Oguri Cap's! King Baby Duck witnesses the final icontinew concert featuring singer Hima, and is rattled with glee over Akai Kurage! But some secondhand clothing shop searches have our host finding his favorite team jerseys for criminally-low prices! Dandadan gets a special exhibition at Sunshine City, and AFLM shares some final tallies for his Solarion Sun Kickstarter! A week at the cinema has KBD seeing both 28 Weeks Later... and the new Miss Kobayashi's Dragon Maid movie, and AFLM revisits the original Pokémon anime.

However, nothing excites KBD, AFLM, and JonStar more this week than the launch of Uma Musume: Pretty Derby! Is the mobile F2P everything they hoped it would be? Which horse girl are they training with the most passion? And what could Cygames do to make the ultimate Uma Musume experience? Plus, JonStar shares more Steam Next Fest demo thoughts, including a couple of big surprises!

Click here to listen!

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REVIEW | "The Elusive Samurai" - Volume Fifteen | B3crew.com

The Elusive Samurai has always been a feast for the eyes. Whether it’s the comedic facial expressions or the over-the-top violence, Yusei Matsui’s alternate history manga knows how to pull off pure eye candy. But in its fifteenth volume, The Elusive Samurai saves its most detailed of visuals for one part of the story that seems to get overshadowed by everything else: the weaponry. And boy, do these utensils of death sparkle like a mofo!

It’s a good thing readers get some slick weaponry to watch in action, because Tokiyuki will need it. Once again, he’s trying to win back Kamakura, after swearing allegiance to Go-Daigo’s southern court. But when Hojo Yasuie is held captive by the enemy, Tokiyuki has two choices: surrender or watch his uncle die. Naturally, he takes the third option: fight commanding general Shiba Magojiro.

Click here to read the rest of the review!

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REVIEW | "The Way of the Househusband" - Volume Thirteen | B3crew.com

Our star may be called Tatsu the Immortal Dragon, but The Way of the Househusband hasn’t been immune to poor storytelling. For a while now, the series has had its ups and downs regarding its entertainment value. In fact, I had feared that author Kensuke Oono might have taken his former yakuza characters as far as he could, resulting in now-stale writing from here on out. But surprisingly, Volume Thirteen of The Way of the Househusband proves that there’s still plenty of gas left in its tank.

How does this volume of The Way of the Househusband start off? Well, why not pigs?! Watching as a wild boar terrorizes Tatsu and the gang never gets tiresome, as it rams into the tough guys like a bowling ball making a perfect strike. But the real punchline is who puts a stop to the boar, and it’s the least-likely person you could imagine. It makes for a strong opening chapter, as it showcases how good this manga is with physical comedy.

Click here to read the rest of the review!

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REVIEW | "Mostroscopy" | B3crew.com

Luchadors aren’t just professional wrestlers; they are also master entertainers. In the 1950s, it wasn’t uncommon to see a big, masked lucha libre starring in a movie, and that movie would normally be a mixture of sci-fi schlock and B-graded horror. Still, these films had plenty of fun with their story and characters, with the over-the-top silliness working well with actors who took things too seriously. Maybe it’s because of my love for these films of old that I have a soft spot for Oribe Ware Games’ Mostroscopy, a 2D fighter brimming with Mexican sci-fi horror spirit.

First off, is Mostroscopy a great game? Well…no, not really. This fighter is a bit bare bones, with there being only a story mode, an online-less Versus mode, and Training and Challenge Modes that felt the same as one another. Story mode is even a little short, with you only fighting seven or eight of the sixteen playable characters. (There’s also a final boss character, but he’s currently unable to be unlocked.)

Click here to read the rest of the review!

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REVIEW | "Call of the Night" - Volume Twenty [FINALE] | B3crew.com

Nazuna rests on my lap as I type this. No, not the real Nazuna, mind you (we don’t have that sort of technology yet), just a plushie of her I found for ¥300 at an anime shop in Shinjuku. It feels so weird to be writing about the final volume of Call of the Night, a series that began when Kotoyama heard the song of the same name (“Yofukashi no Uta”) by hip-hop kings Creepy Nuts. My journey with this manga first began in May 2021, and yet it feels like it’s been a lifetime following Ko and Nazuna’s story.

Alas, all great things must come to an end. And in Volume Twenty of Call of the Night, Ko deals with having to say a long, slow goodbye to the vampire woman that stole his heart. Even after reading these last few chapters, there’s a part of me that just doesn’t want to say so long yet. Yes, we’ve got Season Two of the anime coming in a little bit, and Kotoyama stated that he’d maybe return to these characters someday. But something about getting to that 200th chapter makes it feel like I’m having to bid farewell to a dear friend.

Click here to read the rest of the review!