One of the most eagerly awaited anime titles is finally ready to make its debut. Adult Swim/Toonami’s Lazarus is the latest series from Shinichirō Watanabe. It’s easy to get caught up in comparing this new series to the classic anime series Cowboy Bebop or any of Shinichirō Watanabe’s other works because of the high bar set. So to put it plain and simple from the start, Lazarus stands strong on its own, delivering impressive animation, a solid story, and some stellar voice work. 

The series takes place in a not too distant future where a genius neuroscientist, Dr. Skinner, creates a pain medicine which essentially cures all pain worldwide. What the world didn’t know was that the miracle cure had a hidden side effect, where users will all die in three years. We pick up at this moment where the world is alerted to the shocking news. The twist? If anyone can find him within 30 days, he will give the cure. If not, humanity and the world as we know it will essentially come to an end. 

Off the bat, the first thing that stands out in the series is the way movement is portrayed. The cinematography, the direction, the animation, all work in tandem to bring so much life into the series. Details of background scenes are given great attention. You get a real cinematic feeling at times. 

The first episode really feels like a flex, showing off its animation, action, and story at once. Not to say the rest of the five episodes aren’t as strong, but the setting of the first episode really let the entire creative team show off. If I have to nitpick, there are a couple tiny moments where the animation looks off, usually in zoomed out, big picture moments where character details aren’t as important. When they do show up, they’re limited to only a few seconds. The surrounding scenes still remain incredibly animated, and it often gets right back into its normal style and look. The situation is in no way similar to a recent adult swim series. 

I enjoy the way we find ourselves in different settings. It helps to build out this world and it finds our crew in different kinds of scenarios. We find them taking in personal moments, and others while on the job. Every city scene is full of so much life, complexity, and feels huge. The main story is also peppered with moments from the rest of the world and they come to terms and deal with the shocking news in different ways which I found to be unexpected. 

Reminding us of when the story is taking place, the use of futuristic technology and images help create a really believable world. It is somehow just like our world, but with added intrigue. From cars to drones, they seem like a real possible future for our own world.

Character designs are full of life and fit each character. I enjoyed the way we slowly learn about each character through their actions, conversations and way they carry themselves. Each of the team members are more complex than they seem. They often have monologues or long inner thought moments, providing details about their past, intentions and more. They project their intentions through their spoken words. 

The team assembled is full of all different personalities, and the reasoning for their assembly is clever as well. Axel lives for the thrill of it all. Some may say he’s out of his mind and he’s not one to stay still. Jack Stansbury does an incredible job showing his often carefree bliss in the thick of it. From the smooth talking to the subtle chuckles during big action scenes, Jack really rounds out the entire character. Doug is calm and collected on the surface, but you can tell he’s got a lot going on in his brain. Everything he does is to the point and intentional. Jovan Jackson does a great job selling his whole demeanor. Chris can be a wildcard. She’s a chameleon, easily adapting to any situation she finds herself in. Luci Christian crafts a sense of intrigue in how she voices the character. Leland at first appears to be young and doe eyed, but Bryson Baugus balances his upbeat demeanor with his ability to think on the fly and get down to business. Jade Kelly’s Hersch is to the point, but still not completely trustworthy. She does wonders walking that line. Elaina might be used the least often in the first four episodes but Annie Wild has a lot of fun with her in episode five. She manages to bring both timidness and confidence all at the same time. The way her voice doesn’t often fluctuate or show all too much emotion conveys her character well. All around, the voice acting is so well done, believably bringing their respective roles to life. The English dubbed episodes were provided for review so I can only speak to their performances.

For an even fuller experience, some jazzy musical cues are peppered throughout, making it feel upbeat and nostalgic. While other times there are high pulsing electronic beats, helping build to action sequences. The music works hand in hand with the animation and story being told.

Of the five episodes provided, I really love all of the character work in episode 3. It was a quieter episode at times, but just as important. Episodes 1 and 4 show off so much of the show’s confidence. Episode 4 has a story which was made just for me, from the setting, to the music to the story. A fun character which I hope we get to see more of appears in episode 5. There’s this one moment in that episode which took me out momentarily when a sort of “product placement”/direct mention of a product we use today is used as a plot point. Besides that, I thoroughly enjoyed each of the five episodes. 

There is a great feeling of mystery flowing from episode to episode, as the team figures out new pieces to the objective of finding Dr. Skinner, and in doing so, the cure. Often, what they think they’ll uncover ends up going in a different direction, keeping the viewer on their toes as well. While there is an ultimate goal, episodes don’t always feel like their sole purpose is to get to that result. They stand on their own effortlessly. 

Timely, fresh and captivating, Lazarus offers a great sense of humor which balances out the heavier notion of the plot, along with the multiple action sequences. The series seems on course to deliver a really solid and impressive ride. Episodes get stronger and even more confident as the series goes on. I can only imagine where the story will take us, and I’m sure we’ll be in for even more surprises along the way!

Lazarus premieres April 5 on adult swim’s Toonami block at midnight. Episodes will stream next day on Max. 

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Initially set to air on Cartoon Network and HBO Max (that alone shows how long it’s been in the works and finally is getting to air), the series highlights the always age appropriate themes of breaking societal norms and expectations. Andy is tasked with finding who she is as an individual and where she fits in. This leads her down a path to follow her dreams. By doing so, is she willing to stay true to her internal compass? The same is to be said for many of the characters she comes across on her journey. It is a true underdog story. 

This vibrant and creative universe in which the story takes place has a very strong focus on wrestling and fighting. Wrestling dominates all aspects of life. Everything else is seen as less. You can feel the love the creative team has for wrestling. Careful details to moves and fighting styles are shown throughout. The creative way in which these fights play out are some of the best moments of the series so far. 

The serialized plot grows with each episode, threading a very compelling story. On its own, the series premiere episode feels ever slightly incomplete. The decision to premiere the series as a two episode, back to back premiere makes so much more sense. It helps expand the show beyond its basic premise and shows off a little more of what is to come. You can feel the confidence of the creative team grow with each episode.

The animation style is incredibly engaging. It is sleek and clean while also gritty along the edges. Great character designs help make each character feel distinctive and true to their quirks and personalities. The voice acting brings humor, charm and allows each character to come to life. Sydney Mikayla, who voices Andy, really does a great job, especially when it comes to her inner thoughts. You can feel her internal turmoil and thought process with her intonations and emotions on full display. The sound effects and reaction shots peppered throughout the episodes show off the care to details and enhance specific moments. It feels fresh in the sense that there’s truly nothing like it out there. The fight scene in episode four is where things take off to another level and truly shine. The combination of the animation and the storyline in that episode highlights the real potential for the series. 

While it contains traits similar to anime series, airing on adult swim’s late night Saturday block, it is not your typical Toonami series. It is similar in some ways to My Adventures with Superman, which also aired in the same timeslot, with its heart at its core as its guiding light. Still, the first three episodes feel targeted to an even younger audience, making it feel noticeably less Toonami than the rest of the current lineup. Scheduling wise, it would almost make more sense to air as a lead-in or lead-out to “Checkered Past” or “Toonami Rewind.” Then again, in a world of evolving viewing practices, it will likely find its biggest audience streaming on Max, allowing viewers to find it at their own pace, or even binge it later on. In week two, it also is airing as a lead in to the Toonami premiere of Mashle, which in a way almost makes a lot of sense. They both have their moments of zany and over the top humor (which is 99% of the plot of Mashle!) which might complement each other well. 

After four episodes, Invincible Fight Girl is off to a fun start and will hopefully continue to grow further. Once you see episode four, the real standout episode, you will see how everything truly comes together, and recognize the real potential this series has. Its heart, drive and intention are laid out fully. This could be the turning point where it makes more sense as an adult swim/Toonami series. Regardless of where it airs, I’m just glad it’s actually getting to be seen by audiences. It will absolutely find a passionate fan base, especially on Max. I’m just not completely sold that the scheduling is the most ideal to give it the best chance to succeed. Hopefully these ten episodes help make a splash and we can get more down the line!

Invincible Fight Girl premieres November 2 on adult swim’s Toonami block. Episodes air on Max the following day.

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While I’ve never read the original manga by Junji Ito, which the series is based on, it appears to be a pretty straightforward adaptation. It was announced there will be some changes to the series to consolidate the storlines, though the main story will remain. Viewers need to know nothing going into the series as it sets up its story fairly quickly. You are instantly pulled into this ominous and eerie world. 

The detail and work put into every scene makes it such an impressive masterpiece. I couldn’t help but be in awe of what was on screen at every moment. Each hand drawn movement is stunning. Every shade and shadow brings life to every character and background. The motion is fluid and captivating. Nighttime scenes are somehow even more stunning using unique shading and lighting to really create something special. Even the use of different sound effects helps to amplify scenes to greater heights, leading to even spookier vibes in an instant. Cracking sounds in a pivotal scene in the premiere gave me goosebumps. 

If you were hoping it would provide for spooky Halloween vibes, it is absolutely creepy and pulls you in. A lot of story is told in the course of an episode. It moves quickly, ramping up with intensity. Before I knew it the episode was over and I was dying to see what came next. Even the ED has spooky vibes leaving you with an eerie sense after witnessing some truly outrageous moments. 

Just enough backstory is given to each character to develop them as fully realized characters. You don’t need to know too much as the story is mainly about where they are going forward. The voice acting is really well done. Subbed or dubbed, whichever your preference, you will have a great experience. Having seen both, they equally deliver solid performances, effortlessly breathing life into the characters. 

Judging a series based on one episode is often tricky, and I’ve been fooled before. Fortunately, Uzumaki delivers so much in the one episode made available that I can only extrapolate that the following three episodes will provide for some even creepier moments. There is so much packed into a short period of time, but every moment is intentional and has meaning. Having a solid template in the acclaimed manga to work from likely helped it shine. 

The final results of the series truly make the wait well worth it. The extra time, care, and attention to detail in the production helped make this viewing experience even more enjoyable. These spirals! They’ll have you seeing them everywhere and questioning them as well!

The runtime of the first episode is a regular length half hour episode, with future episodes set to premiere in extended time slots for episodes two and three at the very least. 

Uzumaki premieres September 28 in Japanese with English subtitles on adult swim’s Toonami block. The English dub will premiere October 3 on adult swim. The series will also stream on Max.

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Blue Lock the series sees a group of promising young soccer players enter an intense special program to try and find the best striker to help Japan compete on the world stage. The main focus of the series is from Isagi’s perspective but it features other characters like the one featured in the movie, Nagi. What we knew of Nagi from the series is that he isn’t fully committed to soccer initially, but is still somehow exceptional at the game. This is in contrast to Reo who knows what he wants and strives to be the best. The two work together as a unit, bringing out the best in each other. We know as they progress through the program, their paths begin to diverge as Nagi witnesses what it is like to actually care about the game. 

Heading into BLUE LOCK THE MOVIE -EPISODE NAGI-, I anticipated getting to see more backstory for Nagi and Reo before their entry into the Blue Lock program as the two came in together. While there is some of that portrayed, the movie is essentially a concurrent re-telling of what we saw of Nagi and Reo’s time in Blue Lock, and a good chunk of that which we didn’t see before, mainly from Nagi’s perspective. We get to see many appearances from characters we eventually meet in the main series, but during earlier rounds and in different matches. As such, most of the movie is already spoiled by what we know from the first season. There’s a certain simplicity to the straightforward movement through the different games and rounds which really enforces the feeling of a recap. There’s less payoff for each outcome, but it still feels great jumping back into the world of Blue Lock. 

The movie surprisingly has a slightly different feel to it than the main series likely due to the uneven pacing. There is less intensity built up as we fly through rounds, not allowing for more fleshed out moments and true character growth. Part of the charm of the series was witnessing each character leveling up in real time. Through that, we got to know them even more. Nagi and Reo enter the program at such a high level of talent. There are matches and games which see them tested, but there was a certain charm to Isagi’s constant need to improve which is easier to root for. We know Nagi begins to truly level up once he crosses paths with Isagi, so the wait for that moment is well anticipated. The contrast between the two really makes for a compelling story and makes the first season truly come to life as they interact more and bring out more in one another. 

In terms of animation, it appears to be ever so slightly different from the series, but it still retains the feel of Blue Lock. Characters are slightly less detailed, while on occasion some scenes have some impressively animated sequences. There’s definitely more of a cinematic feel to it in terms of the direction and certain angles portrayed on screen. 

The iconic Nagi scenes where he catches the ball midair or changes the direction and momentum remind us why he’s such a memorable and great character. Seeing his lack of true passion for the game turn into the character he becomes is such a great progression. 

As we get closer to the moment we see Nagi meet up with Isagi and his team for the first time, I felt a deeper connection to the movie. When they do show up, there’s something so instantly exciting seeing them in their elements once again. We know how they get Nagi fired up. This is when the movie truly begins to come into its own. 

Viewers of the series know the eventual outcome of the movie’s story, and oddly, Nagi’s “betrayal” of Reo when he wants to reach his own self potential is somewhat underwhelming from his direct POV. Had there been more time to flesh out the movie and get a deeper understanding of their relationship, the second time around could have hit harder. 

Having watched the English Dub version of the movie, it features all of the same cast returning and more. The familiar voices helped bring me right back into the world. You really need to have watched the series in order to truly appreciate the movie as it requires a bit of previous knowledge. There’s a worthwhile post credits scene which will only get you even more excited for the upcoming new season. 

I didn’t really know much about the manga spinoff which inspired this movie and in some ways, I can imagine a situation where the adaptation would have been better served as a separate series. This would allow for more connection to characters and allow the viewer to feel a deeper connection to Nagi and Reo. 

While not vital to the overall Blue Lock experience, the movie provides some new perspectives into the life of Nagi, Reo, and their journey so far. It retains some of the excitement and humor of the series, while not really hitting the emotional highs and intense moments which made the series stand out amongst other sports anime. Even ever so slightly underwhelming, in the end, it did get me even more excited for the upcoming new season, helping to bridge the gap during the wait for more. The series is set to return this October and will consist of 14 episodes.

BLUE LOCK THE MOVIE -EPISODE NAGI- premieres June 28 in theaters in Japanese with English subtitles and dubbed in English. Season two of Blue Lock premieres in October.

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Shoyo Hinata and the rest of the Karasuno High volleyball team continue their run at the Spring Nationals, this time facing their fellow underdog rivals Nekoma High in the third round. It’s a fun matchup where the two teams really know the other well. Their interactions on the court highlights how everyone continues to level up due to their rivalry. It is such a fun match to watch due to the respect, admiration, and desire to win between the two teams. 

I especially loved the way Kenma is utilized in the story. His friendship and rivalry with Hinata helps the story stand out. As with past matches, there are some players who have bigger focuses on them than other this time around. We see their struggles, their inner battles, and the way they adjust when the time is needed. Your favorite player may not have a huge role overall, but everyone gets a moment or two to shine. 

The film retains its classic humor. We’re introduced to some hilarious new Hinata faces. It utilizes its humor along with some of its more lighthearted moments to balance out more intense and emotional scenes. I felt like Yachi watching the movie. Endless stress and anticipation, nerves, and excitement all at once. Time flies by fast in the 85 minute long film as the intensity picks up. It is well paced and flows naturally.

The transition from To The Top to the film is seamless as it feels like the previous season just ended and flows right into the next part of the story. One of the best parts was the focus on a whole match which makes the movie feel similar to the way season long arcs played out. When the score kicks it, you really get the sense that this is a movie, not just a new season.

While it may not an ideal place to jump into the series, the film does enough with context clues and flashbacks (Hello nostalgia! Look how far everyone has come!) to provide enough backstory and information to anyone who may not know too much about the series. It’s clearly an important moment in the course of the overall series, but will be entertaining for anyone watching.

Since the animation style changed in the previous season, I’ve become accustomed to everyone’s new looks. The film is just as well animated, maybe even better than some of the scenes in To The Top part two which felt under-animated at times. It’s familiar, yet pushes its limits even further.

Some great new movements and “camera angles” we haven’t seen used often before help the film stand apart. There’s one sequence towards the end that is one of the coolest animated scenes yet in the whole series from an unexpected perspective that builds with intensity and leaves you on the edge of your seat. The audio that goes along with it only enhances it to even greater heights. That scene will stay with you and highlights how a series about Volleyball can be so impressive.

The English dub voice cast does a great job jumping right back into character even with the gap since the last series aired. Some intense guttural screams even made my vocal cords hurt as I watched. The commitment is impressive and provides for a wonderful experience. While I didn’t view the film with English subtitles, I’m sure vocally the original Japanese cast does a wonderful job as well.

It is hard to believe this is the beginning of the end of HAIKYU!! unless there’s something in the works we’re not aware of yet. A second final movie is already confirmed to be coming. It’s going to be a really hard time letting go of these characters when it feels like there is still so much more to explore! 

HAIKYU!! The Dumpster Battle does not disappoint and will leave fans begging for more. This series continues to show how a sports anime can be so much more than just about a sport. There is real human emotion, imagination and love put into every moment. 

HAIKYU!! The Dumpster Battle premieres May 31, only in theaters. Run time: 85 minutes. Language: Japanese with English subtitles & English dub. 

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Clark, Lois, and Jimmy each find themselves on even more personal journeys. Searching for their past, trying to find their place in the world, and family relationships push each character this season. Sometimes it leads to compelling conflict between the friends which is greatly appreciated. They still care for each other, but they may not be communicating their personal wishes in the best way. Creatively they could just brush over some of these details, but these little moments help craft more long term stories. 

Exciting and intense scenes help to build even more tension this season. It honestly feels more adult swim than Cartoon Network this time around. There is a more grown up sense portrayed, yet it retains the joy, optimism and charm that everyone fell in love with in the first season. Premiering episodes on Toonami feels like a natural placement. Many times last season, the episodes performed better in the ratings on the late night block than their original earlier timeslot.

Threats from villains, some of whom we’ve already encountered, continue to grow. More layers are given to these characters, and we see that there are bigger issues brewing than we thought behind the scenes. All of these, of course, will come to a head at a later point as they continue to build the story through the season. 

Characters are compelling as ever, with lots of thought put into each moment and action everyone takes. There seems to be even more purpose and intention to actions taken by our heroes and their adversaries. I love the series’ creative sense of humor. It’s natural, realistic and feels grounded. As the season dives deeper into the lore of Superman and those around him, it leads to some emotional moments. All the while, it remains truthful to its storied history while finding ways to make it feel current.

Visually the new season is just as cheery and exciting to watch. Every moment on screen invokes a nostalgic feeling. It’s playful and a joy to watch. The voice acting remains on point, bringing so much dimension and layers to each character. The core three of Jack Quaid, Alice Lee, and Ishmel Sahid truly bring the characters to life. They feel even more fully realized with each actor having a firm grip on their identities. You can hear the pain, emotion, and glee in every well thought out moment. 

This season is one not to miss. It is a true gem and is setting up for an even more exciting season. You can tell the creative forces behind the series are doing it all with their hearts on their sleeves.  

My Adventures with Superman Season 2 premieres May 25 at midnight on adult swim’s Toonami block.

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Following the release of her comedy special, Deborah Vance finds herself in the next stage of her long and storied comedy career. Her team and management look to propel her even further, standing by her side, all in on advancing her career even more. Like magnets, Deborah and Ava yet again find their way back to each other, but with them both realizing things can’t remain the same as they were before completely, or they could completely repel one another. 

Ava and Deborah’s deep connection leads to them rubbing off on each other even more. The chemistry is electric when they are together on screen. Watching them banter back and forth or bicker amongst themselves is a sight to behold. I really enjoyed seeing the growth both characters have gone through based on their past and underlying mutual respect for one another. They are still the same brash and stubborn people but somehow have picked up on each others charms, strengths and weaknesses. The results vary with each engagement, sometimes complicating their often fragile connection. The back and forths between the two, lobbing insults and jokes at one another, brought so many smiles. It’s like family reuniting. We see their unabashed emotions amplified. They’re constantly deflecting their true feelings and taking out frustrations on one another. It is truly writing, acting and comedy at its best. 

The series continues to thrive in this almost silent confidence where characters are so fully realized and lived in that they feel completely real, existing in our real world. It’s almost as if we’re witnessing a documentary on these characters because of how believable they come across. There are really no weak links this season. Every character has their purpose in the bigger picture and their stories pay off within the arcs of the season and series as a whole so far.

Jean Smart continues to give a performance like no other. There is so much nuance she brings to the role. Deborah is constantly having to deal with her age, relationships, the complexities of being a woman in the industry, society, family dynamics and so much more. All of this weighs heavy on her and Jean Smart navigates them all with such finesse. 

Hannah Einbinder feels even more comfortable in the role of Ava this season. She brings more intensity, more emotion and carries her own against Jean Smart. You can feel Ava’s growth with each situation she finds herself in. There is more confidence, while still finding the cracks in her character which brings out more vulnerability. 

The smallest gripe I had last season remains where some of the supporting cast still could use more attention as Deborah and Ava continue to dominate the overall story. Marcus’ arc could have benefited from more attention but it completely makes sense in the three season arc of his story. There are times I wish they all had bigger storylines to round out more complete storylines rather than little bits here and there. But still, all the little pieces come together offering more season long satisfaction. While wanting more, their placement through the season is vital. Remove one and the scene wouldn’t land as well. In group scenes where Deb’s team is all assembled it is comedy gold. It reminds me of some of the funniest Veep scenes where there are no weak links to the comedy bit and everyone is fully in the moment. Even Kayla finds a bigger role this season with a much welcomed payoff. As always, the guest cast is once again impressive. 

Over the course of the nine episodes, one of the more interesting themes was the idea of sacrifice and compromise. What are you willing to do to achieve a goal or position? Where is the line that you are not willing to cross, and if you do cross it, what does that mean for you? There are multiple characters struggling with these ideas throughout the season. Some take the whole season to reach, while others have sudden realizations about who they have become and ponder if it is time to make a change. The theme has been present throughout the series, but everyone really has a come to moment where they decide to go for it, to take a bold risk, or even step away for their own well being. 

The instant the season ended, it left me craving more. It is set up where there must be a fourth season because the bold choices that characters make. Each will set up for an even juicer potential new season. The stakes have been raised and I have faith we will see it all play out. 

Bold, emotional and cleverly funny, season three will entertain everyone who chooses to continue on this extraordinary ride. 

Season three of Hacks premieres May 2 on Max with two episodes weekly. 

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The entire Hornsby family and their company are made up of pretty terrible people who seem to be trying their best, but often fail. The series thrives when it leans into the dysfunction in all of their lives. Season two dives further into all of the family dynamics giving moments for each member to equally shine. Deb, played by Jessica St. Clair, remains my favorite character. In the episodes made available for review, Deb seems to get a lot of focus. We get to see her interactions with the business aspect of the company, when specifically it impacts her, while also giving her character even more to do on a personal level. We continue to see the rest of the family deal with issues at home, work and school as well. They always seem to somehow get caught up in each others shenanigans of the week.

Recurring gags and uncomfortable moments stand out in this series and continue to make me laugh a lot. A blank stare or a prolonged maniacal laugh can invoke such a funny moment! The entire family is deranged for the actions they take, but it provides for truly hilarious entertainment. There is always a person or force out for them and yet somehow they persevere, reinforcing the over the top humor. Even the moments where things go majorly wrong, they find a way to make it a win for themselves. 

Who knew a snack food empire could lead to such a funny series! Royal Crackers has truly found its stride and fans are in for the same kind of humor and awkward situations kicked up even higher in the new season. If you didn’t care for the first season, I think there is a chance you will find more to enjoy this time around. 

Season two of Royal Crackers premieres February 29 at midnight on adult swim. Episodes stream next day on Max. 

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