Haikyuu enthusiasts, rejoice! “Haikyuu!! THE MOVIE: Decisive Battle at the Garbage Dump” is officially making its way to the Philippines!
@SM_Cinema has confirmed the exciting news, announcing that the eagerly awaited screening of “Haikyuu!! THE MOVIE: Decisive Battle at the Garbage Dump” will take place somewhere in May exclusively on SM Cinemas as detailed in their post on X.
Following its debut in Hong Kong and Macau on April 11, and Taiwan on April 12, the movie will journey through various markets including Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, and India in May.
The well-loved sports anime will delve into the much-anticipated showdown between Karasuno and Nekoma, promising fans an unforgettable experience.
Having premiered in Japan on February 16, the film has soared to incredible heights, raking in an astounding ¥81.9 billion (~US$541 million) in box office revenue, making it one of Japan’s highest-grossing films of all time.
Can hardly wait for it! All rise, my Karasuno and Nekoma moots!
“Solo Leveling” is a South Korean web novel series by Chugong that has been adapted into a popular webtoon and light novel, and eventually an anime series produced by A-1 Pictures. The narrative focuses on Sung Jin-Woo, in a world where portals connect it to a realm filled with monsters and dungeons. Initially deemed as the weakest hunter, he swiftly transforms into a figure akin to a protagonist in a video game, where strength levels up with each encounter, evoking a sense of gratifying progression reminiscent of classic RPGs.
The allure of “Solo Leveling” lies not only in its captivating storyline but also in its innovative premise. The emergence of gates, unleashing hordes of menacing creatures, sets the stage for a thrilling spectacle similar to the grandeur of “Pacific Rim.” This infusion of sci-fi elements heightens the stakes, propelling the narrative forward with an exhilarating blend of action and intrigue.
Central to the series is Sung Jin-Woo’s evolution, a character arc with both depth and nuance. His transformation evokes parallels to the enigmatic Light Yagami from “Death Note,” as he grapples with newfound power and the moral implications it entails. The last episode very much showed this as he gains the title “Shadow Monarch” and the ability to bring the dead back to life as his “shadow army.” This juxtaposition of strength and darkness adds a layer of complexity to his character, elevating him beyond the confines of a typical protagonist.
(photo via A-1 Pictures)
While I thought the animation quality falls short of the visuals by its contemporaries like “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba” or “Mob Psycho 100,” the discrepancy is mitigated by the sheer strength of its narrative, with its exciting plot twists and compelling character dynamics.
One area of contention, though, lies in the episodic endings, which often culminate in frustrating and anticlimactic cliffhangers. While effective in maintaining suspense, these abrupt conclusions annoy the hell out of me. Nevertheless, this minor flaw does little to detract from my overall enjoyment of the series.
When it comes to the series’ supporting characters, “Solo Leveling” showcases a diverse ensemble, albeit with less impact. While some secondary characters leave an impression, others fade into the background, their potential untapped. Yet, this is forgivable since this is just the first season.
In conclusion, “Solo Leveling” emerges as a captivating addition to the anime landscape, boasting a compelling narrative and memorable characters. Despite its minor flaws, it left me eagerly anticipating its second season and beyond. As the journey continues, “Solo Leveling” stands poised to captivate audiences with its potential and immersive world-building. I highly recommend it.
You can stream and watch Solo Leveling on Crunchyroll or Netflix if you are in the Philippines.
“Would You Like To Be a Family?“ is a collection of three one-shot BL stories. The first story is about coworkers Takemura and Natsui – opposite in personality but very similar in some ways. While Takemura likes to keep to himself due to a high school trauma, Natsui is loud, cheerful, and well-liked by his colleagues. Natsui is also a single father. After an invitation to dinner, their relationship blossoms into something neither of them expected.
story and art by Koyama
I did enjoy it. It was sweet, short, and generally feel-good. I loved that Natsui is sensitive to Take’s feelings and doesn’t make him feel out of place. I loved the single dad aspect of the story; it brings something different to the table.
The other two stories are way shorter than the first, both set in school—an angsty story about Kuma and Yagi, and Harada and Kodama. These two short stories tackle the concept of navigating young love and exploring their identity. Both are fun and quick reads, though not as impactful as the main story.
Overall, I’ve enjoyed reading these stories. I love me some happy endings, so this collection is a total win for me.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars Paperback, 176 pages Expected publication: September 21st 2021 by LOVE x LOVE
A copy of this book was provided by the publisher, TOKYOPOP, LOVE x LOVE via Netgalley for an impartial and honest review.
The Summer of You is the story of two high school students – Chiharu Saeki and Wataru Toda, who found themselves bonding together for their shared love of movies. One day, Saeki confesses his love for Toda. Toda was unbothered and just accepted it, and both boys continue to spend their summer going to film spots of their favorite movies. As time goes by, Wataru realizes that he may not be as unaffected by Saeki’s declaration.
I enjoyed reading this short (Boys Love) BL manga. I particularly loved the relaxed ambiance of the story. Every time that they were having a conversation, it feels like there’s feel-good music playing. I loved that there’s no villain here, and the boys were simply going with the flow. The easy acceptance of Wataru towards Saeki was lovely and kind. Both characters are likable.
“You can’t just go turning a person into a memory.”
“I could never say what I wanted. It was that boy who changed me.”
That little backstory about Saeki’s childhood was a bit cringy, but I guess people like that exist. I thought the conflict was realistic, I mean, sometimes, you have to let go for you to move on, but most of the time, that is not always the case.
Reading this manga gave me a bit of a break from reading heavy novels with gore, ghosts, and family drama. It’s very refreshing, and I am looking forward to reading more about the boys and more from the author.
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Paperback, 256 pages Published June 1st 2021 by Kodansha Comics (first published July 28th 2017)
A copy of this manga was provided by the publisher, Kodansha Comicsvia Netgalley for an impartial and honest review.
About the Author Nagisa FURUYA (古矢渚, Furuya Nagisa) is a Japanese mangaka, best known for being the author & artist of Kimi to Natsu no Naka, Futari no Lion, My Summer of You, Gunjou no Subete, and Number Call.
What a super cute story! Makoto is the son of the President of the company where Hirai works as a secretary. Makoto’s been in love with Hirai since they first met and Hirai feels the same way but their four years age gap hinders Hirai to take action towards the young boy. A company scandal resulted to Hirai getting fired but Makoto’s intervention cleared everything up leading to a promise that someday, he’ll be the one to protect the older guy.
I loved how Hirai totally waited for Makoto before finally doing it (although it was instigated by Makoto himself – very prevalent in Yaoi). The drawing isn’t that polished but they’re cute as well and the writing was simple, but overall very much enjoyable.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
About the Author: ANBE Akira: かんべ あきら
Likes: Travelling, watching movies, eating. Hates: Strong, bitter things
Blurb: Iku and Keita have been buddies since childhood, and have played sports together their whole lives… until their final year in middle school, when Keita’s baseball career abruptly ended as a result of the severe injuries he sustained when saving Iku from being hit by a truck. Ever since that accident, Iku has distanced himself from both the game and his friend, presumably out of guilt. Can these two friends patch up their differences, and become something more…?
Jeez, the feels of this one! I would have liked a more detailed version of Keita’s accident and not just a recounting of Iku’s mom about it. Overall, I really did enjoy Iku and Keita’s interaction, though, I was grasping to connect well with them because although they have great interaction, they’re just far too few in between. Just the same, this was an exciting pick for me. The ending is specially wonderful! Absolutely sweet and adorable!
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Paperback, 194 pagesPublished February 8th 2011 by Blu (first published November 2007)
“I can no longer fly as high as I used to. Is that okay?”
“When all my thoughts of him coalesce… a clear blue sky appears behind him. Even if there comes a day you won’t be able to fly anymore…I will always stay by your side looking far ahead, the vast, infinite sky reflect the colours of my thoughts of you.” “
All along,Fukada thought that Sakae only sees him as a father figure even though they are colleagues now. When Sakae was still a student, only Fukada was able to see through him inspiring him to become a better person promising that he’ll always be there for Sakae. Their reunion was a big shock for both that send them to examining their feelings for each other with Sakae holding on to the promise he was given years before.
The flow of the story was enjoyable from the start until that sweet ending. I thought it was more on the line of student – teacher affair but the premise of this one is much better methings. There are no awkward scenarios at all – just fluffy cotton candy clouds and rainbow butterflies all around them. Another uber-sweet yaoi romance for ya’ll sappy souls!
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Published October 11th 2011 by Digital Manga Publishing (first published August 5th 2008)
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