Ani-Zone 23

ANI-ZONE 23 EPISODE 17: Dragon Half and Ruin Explorers

On this episode we continue our look at the 90's fantasy anime trend with a look at two smaller works. The screwball comedy of Dragon-Half, with its goofy characters and unique for the era design, and Ruin Explorers, a short form series with solid characters and possibly inspire some later fantasy works in its own right. 

ANI-ZONE 23 EPISODE 16: Slayers and Lodoss War

On today's episode of Ani-zone 23 We take a look at two of the giants of late 80's early 90's fantasy Anime, Record of Lodoss war and Slayers. Both have had profound effects on Anime in terms of character tropes, storytelling, with their influences being felt even in the modern era isekai anime that currently saturates the anime landscape. 

ANI-ZONE 23 EPISODE 15: Shonen Jump's Transition

One of the biggest names in Shonen action manga and anime today is Shonen Jump. However in late 70's and early 80's Jump saw a number of series that set the template for the series they would run that would dominate the world of anime through out the beginning of the 21st century. We take a look at series such as Dragon Ball, City Hunter, Fist of the North Star and more as we take discuss how Shonen Jump changed over the course of the 1980's

ANI-ZONE 23 EPISODE 14: Royal Space Force, Gainax Origins

In today's episode we discuss the first major work from a studio that help redefine the anime industry and define anime fandom through the 90's. With expansive world building and fantastic animation we take a look at the first commercial entry in the catalog of Gainax, Royal Space Force: The Wings of Honnêamise

ANI-ZONE 23 EPISODE 13: DIRTY PAIR

On this episode of Ani-Zone 23 we have a a follow-up to our Crusher Joe episode, we look at the adventures of Kei and Yuri, The Lovely Angels. Or more infamously the "Dirty Pair". One of the earliest franchises to feature strong female protagonists, Dirty Pair has a legacy that lasts to this day. 

ANI-ZONE 23 EPISODE 12:SONODA

Today on episode 23 we look at the works of a creator that has a love affair with the city of Chicago as we look at the notable works of Kenichi Sonoda. From his work on Gall Force, high octane Riding Bean and finally the explosive Gunsmith Cats.

ANI-ZONE 23 EPISODE 11: Mighty Space Miners

Usually our Tales of the Tape require a lot of digging to find. Not “Mighty Space Miners”. This rough gem of Hard Scif-Fi has come out on tape, (sub and dub), DVD and one was one of the first ADV titles “rescued” after the crash. None of which changes the fact that only 2 chapters out of a planned 6 were ever made. We give what there is a real going over. Finding what it does well and trying to find out why it missed its audience, and whether it ever had a chance to reach it.

ANI-ZONE 23 EPISODE 10 Area 88

We talk of Area 88, a show about Air Combat, pretty boys, prettier girls and angst. Proof that Kaoru Shintai learned well from Leiji Matsumoto about torturing your characters. We touch on the manga, one of Viz’s “initial 3”, talk a LOT about the initial 3 OVAs, and cover the TV series that came long afterward. We also bring up the show’s excellent restructuring in adaption as well as its multiple penetrations of non-anime gaming culture.

ANI-ZONE 23 EPISODE 9: Crusher Joe

Today we check out Crusher Joe, an old school property that's about 2 degrees of separation form 90% of anime fandom. An old-style Space Opera, that embraces vibes from a long time ago, brings together duel Giant Robot shows, spun off a much more famous.. Pair, and is the secret daddy of an Anime American Legend.

Ani-Zone 23 Episode 8: Matsumoto Part 1- The Early Lejiverse

In today's episode of Ani-Zone 23 We discuss the beginnings of the legendary creator Leji Matsumoto by taking a look at some of the earliest entries of the Lejiverse