[Archive] “Erased” falters while executing an intriguing premise

In mid-2012 a series called “Sword Art Online” began airing that would rock the anime fandom.  Drawing popular and commercial success and intense critical ire in equally-large volumes it is now ranked as the second most-watched series on anime review-aggregator site MyAnimeList.  Early this year Tomohiko Itou, the director of that series and its equally-controversial sequel, returned with a new series, “Erased,” that greatly excited the community as a whole, as well as many of “SAO”’s detractors with its intriguing premise.  But does it deliver on that promise?

[Archive] “Rakugo” is a masterful period piece

Every year you can generally count on there being at least 2 or 3 anime that will turn out to be unique and memorable experiences that will stand the test of time, that remind us fans of the medium that there is in fact a purpose for our seemingly-irrational devotion to these Japanese cartoons.  Shouwa Genroku Rakuga Shinjuu is the first such series this year.