It's the start of a new anime season, but for the TWIA folks that means diving into the troughs of anime history. This time, Chris joins up with alumni columnist Jean-Karlo to excavate Toka Gettan. Ready for a wave of mid-00s adult visual novel nostalgia?
Jan 12, 2023 • Subscribe
More like this
This Week in Anime - Key, The Landmark Visual Novel Studio
The visual novel studio Key created some of the most heartwrenching stories adapted to anime. Christopher and Steve look back on CLANNAD, Kanon, Planetarian, and more to see…
This Week in Anime - Visual Novels Aren't A Joke
Now that the Type-Moon's visual novels have a new lease on life in English, Lucas and Steve look at other great entries in the medium. Visual novels aren't…
Pokemon Masters EX Delivers on 25 Years of Nostalgia
Pokémon Masters EX has been my obsession throughout 2021 and what struck me the most was its events and storytelling.
Visual Novel: Kiss the Demiurge
So just a few things before i get started. First I’d like the thank the developers for sending me a free copy of this vn. Now I’m usually…
This Week in Anime - The Boys in Toyland
Coop and Chris explore the world of marketable plastic goodies and how anime can turn out to be a half-hour toy commercial.
This Week in Anime - The Anime Movie Magic
Lucas and Steve discuss the new and old trends of anime in movie theaters.
This Week in Anime - Fan Anime
The new Berserk animation has been disavowed, but is this the only case of publishers coming down hard on fan creations? Steve and Chris dive into the world…
This Week in Anime - The Movie Game
Chris and Steve dig into the venerable institution that is game-based movies and anime and the relationship between anime and video games.
This Week in Anime - On the Grid
Chris and Coop can't contain their excitement about Gridman Universe—even as they wonder why it took so long to get an official release.
Visual Novel: Chaos;Child
Chaos;Child is the sequel to Chaos;Head, with the story dealing with the aftermath of the events in Chaos;Head. It is also part of the SciADV series just like…
LoveChoice — Visual Novel Review
If you like romantic stories and can appreciate visual novels with added gameplay elements, then LoveChoice is an option I recommend.
Mizuchi – Visual Novel Review
Here’s a spoiler-free review on a thought-provoking, multicultural visual novel!
Mizuchi – Visual Novel Review
Here’s a spoiler-free review on a thought-provoking, multicultural visual novel!
PockeDate! — Visual Novel Review
It irks me how much more interesting the pitch for PockeDate is compared to the actual visual novel that you get to play.
S.H.E.L.T.E.R. – Visual Novel Review
While most eroge stick to the anime look and feel, S.H.E.L.T.E.R. settles for a more western look. It's certainly unique, but...
Unlicensed Visual Novel Hell
It doesn't beat a fan translation or official release, but for unlicensed visual novels it's the best you can probably do.
Kiss the Demiurge Visual Novel Announced
Yuri Eureka announce their first Visual Novel about a gay magical girl joining a “magic club”. It’s Kiss the Demiurge.
Slay The Princess — Visual Novel Review
I went into Slay The Princess confident that I was far too clever to be manipulated by a video game. I was wrong.
This Week in Anime - Which Anime Witch Is This?
Chris and Steve put on their pointy hats and hop on their brooms to magic up some witchy anime.
Summer 2024 Anime Week 2: This Week in Anime!
July 13th, 2024 We are well into the Summer season! Now that I’ve seen at least the first episode of most of the shows from this season, I…
This Week in Anime - Are the Anime Awards Broken?
What were the biggest snubs of the Anime Awards, and did what earned their rightful place as one of the best? Or is the whole thing a cover…
This Week in Anime - The Algorithm Demands More Anime
Christopher and Steve look into the recent mini-trend of content creator-focused anime series and how it reflects current entertainment trends.
This Week in Anime - The Wheel of Anime Adaptations
Chris and Lucas look at where anime series come from when you get down to the nitty-gritty of adaptation from other mediums.
This Week in Anime - The Anime Community's Leak Culture
Nick and Steve discuss the recent episode leaks and how they connect to the anime community's larger culture of speedscans and other leaked announcements.
This Week in Anime - Halloween Anime Spooktacular
Happy Halloween, anime fans! We have a special TWIA on this extra spooky Tuesday. Nick and Nicky discuss their favorite horror series and compare notes on which anime…
This Week in Anime - Anime Strike Out
Chris and Coop discuss the patchy history of anime on Amazon.
This Week in Anime - Shigeru Mizuki
Halloween may have passed but that won't stop Nicky and Steve from taking a deep dive into the OG of horror manga, Shigeru Mizuki.
This Week in Anime - Sophmore Slump
Coop and Chris try to answer the eternal question: does it matter if the sequel is as good if it takes too long to show up?
This Week in Anime - Shelf Life
Collecting anime on disc has Coop and Chris beside themshelves.
This Week in Anime - Looking Back
Steve and Lucas discuss creator Tatsuki Fujimoto and director Kiyotaka Oshiyama's Look Back film in all of its heartbreaking glory.
This Week in Anime - Utena's Revolution
Coop and Steve experience the ultimate destiny apocalypse with Revolutionary Girl Utena.
This Week in Anime - Conventional Gatherings
Chris and Lucas talk anime conventions, and why a smaller one focused on one IP can be a very different (and delightful) experience.
This Week in Anime - Disc World
Coop and Lucas discuss the importance of physical media. Bonus: libraries may soon be able to stock Kpop Demon Hunters on disc!
This Week in Anime - The Failings of Industry
Sylvia and Coop break down recent unfortunate developments in the manga industry.
This Week in Anime - Can't Beat the Classics
Chris and Coop explore the sadly underpopulated world of classic manga in English.
Winter 2025 Anime Week 4: The Appeal of “Mid” Anime
February 1st, 2025 I watch a lot of anime. I’m watching over 25 anime this season alone and I have over 800 completed anime listed on my MAL…
Anime, Manga, & Visual Novel / Otome Companies on Bluesky
A list of anime, manga, visual novel / otome companies that are now on Bluesky
This Week in Anime - Sex in Anime is Complicated
Nick and Lucas use last week's Chainsaw Man manga chapter as a springboard to discuss sex and sexuality in manga, from messy to raunchy to endearing depictions.
This Week in Anime - Snuggling in with Cozy Anime
Chris and Coop discuss their comfort watches for those days when you just want your anime to be the equivalent of a mug of hot cocoa.
Winter 2024 Anime Week 6: The Mid-Season Report
February 10th, 2024 We are in Week 6! Time really flies and now we find ourselves at the midpoint of the season. So today, I wanted to take…
This Week in Anime - The Best OPs and EDs This Season
Our columnists share their favorite new OPs and EDs this season, from Magical Destroyers to G-Witch season 2. Which themes tickled your fancy?
Him, the Smile, & Bloom Visual Novel Review
Although Him, the Smile, & Bloom wouldn't be the first otome game I'd recommend, it's still a good time.
Heart of the Woods – Visual Novel Review
Here are my thoughts on Heart of the Woods, the very first release of Studio Élan!
Visual Novel Review: Stella of the End
Key decided they wanted to rehash the plot of Nier Replicant and Code Realize. ⚠️There are some story spoilers please be warned.⚠️ Ok so honestly I don’t have…
What’s your favorite visual novel?
Favorite VN from Japan? From another country? Favorite VN that is NOT a dating sim (we’ll make a separate post for that), or subgenre you’d like to see…
I made a visual novel!
If you’re reading this blog, that probably means you’ve at least got a tangential interest in cartoon teenage girls saying things written by grown men who have never…
Tuition Academia – Visual Novel Review
While obviously a rip-off, there is a lot more to Tuition Academia than you would think. My Hero Academia meets Metamorphosis? What?
Visual Novel: Steins;Gate 0
So the main reason that I chose to read this is so I could finish reading it before the English translation comes out in a few days (and…
Katawa Shoujo — Visual Novel Review
My recommendation remains unchanged. Katawa Shoujo is a fantastic visual novel both for avid readers and rookies alike.