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Opinion Personal

It’s All a Matter of Perspective

I’d planned to finish seasonal anime stuff before my husband and I left on an out-of-town vacation – obviously, that didn’t happen (the vacation was fun and much-needed, though!). It’s funny, though, how I start looking forward to the next season when I’m done with the current one, but while I’m still in the midst of the current season I always have the urge to write about unrelated things. I’m sure it’s a side-effect of my anxious and avoidant personality issues. Anyway, I spend a decent amount of time keeping up with ani-Twitter in general and recently caught a thread in passing regarding the state of anime simulcast streaming. The specific conversation was in regards to some of the less user-friendly aspects of streaming websites, as well as how those sites might be disinclined to make changes or updates because of a (specific?) group folks who “evangelize” legal streaming in spite of its perceived problems. The thread got me thinking about the situation we’re in to the point I thought it was worth writing about.

To put it plainly, one could argue that I’m one of those streaming evangelists. When I present panels at anime conventions, part of the information I often provide to the audience are the legal channels by which they can view the anime I’m discussing. I also use the official English translations of the titles when they’re available, so that when people are searching for anime they’re more likely to find those viewing avenues instead of “unofficial” ones. To me, operating this way isn’t as much out of a sense of duty (although I do know a couple people who work within the US industry side of things), as it is a perception of how much easier it is than what I used to have to deal with to watch anime.

Like a lot of fans of my generation, I’ve had a long-standing relationship with fan-subs and other unofficial means of viewing anime. Let me tell you, the means of access that we have now is leaps and bounds more user-friendly than the mish-mash of torrent or direct-download websites and video formats that were the norm many years ago. Without going too far into it (again), for a long time there were no good central hubs of anime acquisition, no standardization of formats until much later in the game, and there was often some kind of delay between broadcast and episode availability for the simple reason that people were volunteering their time to perform unpaid fan-work to translate and encode video files. And you often didn’t have much of a choice in the quality of the translation; I still have some video files from the early-ish 2000’s where a native Italian-speaker translated a series into English because no one else was doing it – it was a good service to the community, but it definitely doesn’t read that well. On the upside, there was a much more direct line to translators in those days, along with supplementary notes about translations. I feel like I learned a lot from people whose language and cultural knowledge of Japan was more expansive than mine and I suspect (and hope) some of those individuals are able to do paid translation work nowadays.

“Chotto, shitsukoi desu yo!” – Shitsukoi (しつこい) translates to “obstinate” or “persistent.” The context is that a man has approached this woman on the street about a “job” (forced prostitution) and won’t leave her alone. From “Tokyo Tribe 2” translated by Kanji Subs.

That isn’t to say that modern streaming translations are altogether infallible or always superior to fan translations. While I suspect that some criticisms of streaming translations come from fans whose familiarity with the techniques of translation and understanding of the Japanese language might not always be top-notch, I’ve also been in situations where my rusty grasp of Japanese and my decent English ability have been able to suss-out some unsatisfying “official” translation choices. In some cases the problem may be as minor as dialog that doesn’t “flow” properly in English; translation is always a push-and-pull between forces that demand slavish accuracy and those that translate more liberally in service of fuller localization. I’m more on the side of liberal translations myself, as long as the original intent is preserved, but there’s absolutely a great deal of wiggle room.

Panty says, “yarou” (野郎), a suffix meaning “wild or uncouth” (literally “field boy”) that, in context, often has negative connotations. Panty is mad because the announcer was wrong about her career. The word “yarou” doesn’t have a sexuality component; a better and less problematic choice (imo) would have been a term implying a lack of intelligence. Official Funimation streaming translation.

In other cases I find that language sensitivity is an issue that even official, vetted translations have trouble avoiding. The examples that stick out to me are those that use gendered or sexual slurs in place of more general or neutral words. While I love Panty and Stocking with Garterbelt in large part due to its general vulgarity, the official English translation makes some of these kinds of missteps. It definitely says something about our culture when insults towards male characters are so frequently focused on their lack of perceived masculinity, and the series is full of them. Even back in 2010 when this series was released, though, I feel as though words like “f*g” or “s*ssy” were already perceived as insensitive and generally off-limits, even if the reasoning wasn’t as clear to many people; the fact that these subtitles were not only produced, but were also not subsequently edited and finessed when I think it would have been easy enough to fix at least the online version, just goes to show that paid professionals have their blind-spots and other subjective challenges. For every Land of the Lustrous or Made in Abyss, which have translations that consciously use gender-neutral language for non-binary characters, there are several other anime translations that stumble. Let’s not forget that Yuri!!! On Ice, an anime released only 2 years ago that’s largely about a romantic relationship between two men, still had a subtitle translation that assumed a potential lover’s gender when none was implied by the Japanese word used.

Here, Victor uses the term “koibito” (恋人), which translates to “lover” and is gender-neutral. This line takes place after mentioning Minako, Yuri’s ballet instructor – it’s an understandable (though somewhat careless) error which was corrected in Funimation’s English Dub. Official Crunchyroll streaming translation.

It’s easy enough to be an armchair translator when you’re not the one sweating to complete an episode translation under a deadline, and I think that’s something many of us, whether we’re enthusiastic about anime streaming services or not, forget to acknowledge. Language is full of nuances, idioms, and complications; to expect a translation put together at odd-hours of the day (which sometimes becomes a reality if an anime’s scripts aren’t available with enough lead-time), quickly and with little opportunity for translation-checking, to be perfect right out of the gate is always going to be unreasonable, no matter how talented the translator.

I agree, though, with some criticisms of streaming services, mostly in regards to the inability of viewers to provide feedback about errors or other aspects of the viewing experience. While I do think that some translation criticisms boil down to pedantry or one’s desire for one language to reflect another one like a mirror (rather than as, for example, a different instrumental arrangement of a popular song), as I’ve mentioned there are choices that are more obviously actual mistakes – mistakes that have remained in place for months or years, based on the screen captures I took for this piece today. If there were some obvious feedback button on an episode’s streaming page where users could report a language issue, time-stamped at the appropriate point in the episode, that might be helpful to quell some of the complaints. This would, of course, require a new set of resources, including employees available to read and determine the veracity of the complaints, as well as a way to easily change subtitles or re-upload files, but it could be an avenue for innovation that hasn’t been explored yet. To Crunchyroll’s credit, they’ve already shown that they can respond to ad-hoc user feedback; earlier this anime season, they added a content warning to the first episode of Goblin Slayer after users responded to the unexpected shocking nature of certain scenes.

Oh, Lupin… from “Lupin III: Part 2,” Episode 155, screen cap from Crunchyroll.

Ultimately, though, some rough translations and other relatively minor issues aren’t enough to scare me off from being a streaming evangelist. While I hate to beleaguer the point, as I’ve said my earlier fandom years were defined by fly-by-night translation groups, hard-to-acquire digi-subs, and a general decentralization of fan spaces that made it a lot of work to be an anime fan. This time period had its perks, not the least of which was its frontier spirit and its enduring illusion of being somehow more “special” because of its niche qualities. Unfortunately, anime fandom was also a bastion of sexist gate-keeping and online (and in-person) harassment, both things I experienced many a time in supposedly “welcoming” spaces. Streaming services, many of which, like Amazon or Netflix, are general-use and present anime alongside other popular media, have helped bring anime out into the light, thus inviting new and more diverse fans and helping to drown-out at least some of the jerks. A lot of non-anime fans I know have at least heard of Crunchyroll and are familiar with what anime is and what some of the popular series are (and I no longer have to keep explaining that anime isn’t “Japanese cartoon porn!”). And streaming is easy, relatively inexpensive, and available in high-definition – all things my college-aged self only dreamed about. The only thing streaming isn’t is permanent, and that’s something I hope changes; while buying digital downloaded episodes on Amazon or iTunes is definitely an option, it’s still an imperfect one. As someone with a collector’s tendencies, I prefer to own the things I like, and that’s becoming more difficult.

I’m sure in 10 years we’ll all be preoccupied with some other very passionate debate about anime consumerism. The streaming landscape may have changed completely by then, and with every improvement there may be an equal amount of new, unforeseen problems to deal with. I don’t fault people for wanting more convenience and user-friendliness from their hobbies and experiences. However, I also think it’s important to take stock of what we have now, and to be thankful for the challenges that have been addressed and overcome; myself from 10 years ago would be blown away by the things we fans have access to today. Though I’m not trying to come across as some old crone waving her broom around and yelling at kids to “get off my lawn!” I do think that seeing the transformation firsthand (similar to the transition between analog to digital video and audio formats and the continual increase in internet speeds, to name a few other technological advances from my lifetime) has allowed me the perspective to give a little leeway toward companies providing me a much-welcome service that I thought I may never see. And I’ll definitely keep letting people know that it exists!

And as a palate cleanser, an actual parody sub. “Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure” by Duwang subs.
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First Impressions Reviews

Autumn 2018 First Impressions – Tsurune

Minato Narumiya is beginning his freshman year at the local Kazemai High School. Mr. Tommy, adviser to the Japanese archery Club, is keen to recruit Minato, as well as his childhood friends Seiya Takehaya and Ryohei Yamanouchi. Ryohei convinces the reluctant Minato to attend the Club’s orientation, where he also meets Kaito Onogi and Nanao Kisaragi. Singling Minato out, Mr. Tommy introduces him as a rare Japanese archery talent and asks him to demonstrate in front of everyone. However, Minato’s arrow fails to hit the mark because he is afflicted by a serious condition. – ANN

Streaming: Crunchyroll and HIDIVE

Episodes: TBA

Source: Novel

Episode Summary: With a new school year comes a fresh start, and Minato needs one; after the death of his mother, most of the household responsibilities have fallen on his shoulders. At a new school where he expects to know very few people, he thinks he might be able to fade into the background enough to go home rather than joining a club (which he doesn’t have time for anyway). This plan falls apart quickly as several factors come into focus. First, his neighbor Seiya is one of the few people from his previous school attending the same high school, so they end up having to interact as a matter of course. Secondly, the two boys reunite with Ryohei, a friend from their elementary-school days who transferred away in middle school. Thirdly, the high school is hoping to resurrect its Kyudo – traditional archery – program, and Minato may end up right in the middle of it.

Minato has some history with the martial art, though he’s adamant that his domestic responsibilities necessarily keep him from getting involved in the newly-re-established club. His friends, suspecting that his internal desire might win-out against his perceived familial obligations, manage to get him to come to the first club meeting. But it turns out that Minato is carrying some additional baggage and the resulting anxiety results in missed shots and a some subsequent bad feelings. As he mulls the situation, he finds himself drawn to a hilltop Kyudo practice field within a shrine as the moon glows above. There he meets a mysterious archer, one with beautiful form and perfect aim.

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First Impressions Reviews

Autumn 2018 First Impressions – Ulysses: Jeanne d’Arc and the Alchemist Knight

During France’s Hundred Years’ War with England, Montmorency, the son of a noble, immerses himself in the study of magic and alchemy at a school for knights. However, after France’s defeat at Agincourt, the school is disbanded and Montmorency is forced to flee. While on the run he meets a miraculous village girl named Jeanne. – ANN

Streaming: Crunchyroll and Funimation

Episodes: 12

Source: Novels

Episode Summary: Montmorency, along with his friends Richemont, Charlotte, and Philip, attend a school for the children of nobles. The backdrop of their carefree school days is the Hundred Year War between France and England. Though they all realize that their friendship will likely come to an end as their families take their places within each faction of the conflict, right now they choose to cling to them as a last bastion of innocent joy. Montmorency has taken it upon himself to try to learn alchemy in order to protect the lives of his friends, but his “master,” a mysterious old alchemist named Nicholas Flamel, is unwilling to train him in this dark art.

Eventually Richemont is called away to join her family in fighting the English, while Philip returns to her father, who has allied with England. Montmorency, realizing that he cannot change things through his own physical power, chooses to enter into a pact with the devil. He summons a fairy named Astaroth, who instructs him in concocting the “Elixir.” Imbibing the elixir will allow him to join with the Philosopher’s Stone (a relic from his family) and gain immense power. He realizes, after what he believes is an unsuccessful attempt at distilling this concoction, that 7 years have now passed.

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Special Features

Aniblog Feature – Crow’s World of Anime

This post was originally written for the November 2018 (and revival) issue of Mangaverse, the anime, manga, and comics ‘zine published by the National Fantasy Fan Federation (N3F) which I am currently in charge of editing. If you are interested in contributing to Mangaverse, please contact me at jessi@s1e1.com. I am always on the lookout for writers and artists!

This post has been minimally-edited to include hyperlinks, and to adjust some wording; the bulk of the post is unchanged from its original form.

Crow’s World of Anime

Does anime criticism always have to be, well, so critical? As a blogger, anime fan, frequent convention panelist, and yes, a self-described critic, that’s a question that I often ask myself. I think that writing about anime or any other medium is often a balance of positive and negative opinions, and how we choose to strike that balance is part of how we define ourselves, our presence, and our voice. I find that, while it’s tempting to spend a lot of time picking apart anime that I don’t like (and I certainly do that when I feel like I can justify it or I have something I think is important to say), it’s often much more fulfilling to speak highly of the anime I do like. When something is wonderful the impulse to share it with others is sometimes one of the best ways to form connections with like-minded fans.

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First Impressions Reviews

Autumn 2018 First Impressions – Anima Yell!

Kohane Hatoya is a girl who loves to be helpful to others. After she moves from middle school to high school, she becomes fascinated with cheerleading, and she starts a cheerleading club at her high school. Joining Kohane in her cheerleading activities is the experienced Hizume and Kohane’s childhood friend Uki.  – ANN

Streaming: Crunchyroll

Episodes: 12

Source: Manga

Episode Summary: Kohane has a formative experience one day when she happens to see a group of cheerleaders performing a routine outdoors. She decides to join her high school’s cheer squad in the upcoming school year, but the joke’s on her – there isn’t one. Not one to wither in defeat, Kohane decides to create her own club, but faces an uphill battle in both recruitment (not even her friend Uki seems interested in joining) and skill level (she’s a beginner who can’t even pronounce “cheer” correctly).

Kohane recognizes her classmate Hizume as one of the squad members who inspired her that fateful day, but Hizume’s a tough sell; she’s dealing with some emotional baggage that’s caused her to give up on the sport all together. Still, Kohane spends the next several days practicing her skills, including trying to overcome her fear of heights. When she jumps out of a tree to support Hizume in her emotional time of need, Hizume finally seems convinced. But they’ll still have to find three other people willing to give their new cheer club a chance.

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Personal

Something Nice – Treasure Hunting

Sometimes you just wanna look cute.

As you can probably tell from the general lack of posts, it’s been a rough few weeks or so. Mental health has always been a struggle for me, and with the stress of the US elections (and aftermath), some long-term dental work (ugh), and various job-related stresses (I love my job, but it keeps me very busy and often leaves me mentally exhausted) I haven’t had much cranial strength left over to do any writing. I’ve actually avoided most corners of the internet aside from communicating directly with others; this is unusual for me, but sometimes I just need to stay away. There are also other factors that occasionally cause me to disengage with anime fandom more specifically for brief periods, though for right now I’m not interested in going into much detail about that for fear of harping on the same sorts of things too often. Needless to say, sometimes a break is in order (this is actually the first time I’ve sat down at my desktop computer at all in several days, though I’ve likely posted a thing or two now prior to this particular post being scheduled).

In addition to my general lack of internet presence, I’m still not particularly concerned with writing speed or volume anymore; as I told an audience at a recent convention, I may not be the fastest with my first impressions, but I am the slowest! Reviews will get done when they’re done, and I want them done to my specific standards. I’m more about maintaining an archive of reviews than I am being up-to-date anyway; friends of mine tell me that they appreciate being able to look up anime they’re interested in, and many of them aren’t weekly anime-watchers, so the relationship works well.

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First Impressions Reviews

Autumn 2018 First Impressions – Release the Spyce

A lone high school girl named Momo attends a high school in the city of Sorasaki. Unbeknownst to everyone, Momo is an agent who works for the private intelligence agency Tsukikage, that protects the city and its people. Under the tutelage of her senior Yuki, and her other friends, they keep the peace in the city. – ANN

Streaming: HIDIVE

Episodes: 12

Source: Original

Episode Summary: Momo is a high school student with a unique set of talents – not only does she have an excellent sense of smell, but she can tell how people are feeling and if they have any maladies simply by licking them. Her sense of sight and her general perception are great as well. Case-in-point; she spots what she thinks are people running around a factory late one night, even though her mother can’t see any of it. Still, her biggest concerns are social in nature; with the new school year she’s in a class with none of her friends, so she aims to make some new ones.

After a rough first day she’s approached by a couple of outgoing classmates who invite her to dinner at an… unorthodox curry restaurant. It seems like her lonely school year might be shaping up into an opportunity for new friendships after all! It’s only later, after Momo finds a police-officer acquaintance held hostage by some scary-looking criminals that she discovers her new friends have something else up their sleeves – they’re members of Tsukikage, a spy organization that aims to topple the underground criminal group, Moryo. When Momo is given the choice between joining Tsukikage or having her memory erased, she chooses the former – perhaps this will be the opportunity that she’s needed to help build up her own flagging confidence.

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First Impressions Reviews

Autumn 2018 First Impressions: Radiant

Seth is a boy who seeks to become a great magician, and a group of witches who seek to travel to the Radiant. Radiant is a mythical land that spawns monsters called “Néméses” which fall to the world from the sky. While traveling, they are also hunted by The Inquisition – ANN

Streaming: Crunchyroll and Funimation

Episodes: 21

Source: French Comic

Episode Summary: The demonic “Nemesis” have mysterious origins; they might be Heaven’s punishment or they could be monsters ejected from Hell. Those who encounter these beasts, should they survive, are forever changed by the experience. Most become “cursed” by magical power, which they in turn use to defend the rest of Humanity against the Nemesis. Seth is one of these cursed sorcerers, or at least he aims to be one; currently he’s just an apprentice to Alma, an experienced magician and Nemesis-hunter. His enthusiasm for magic is not matched by his actual skill, and this tends to cause friction between Seth and the rest of the local town.

One day, Seth and his friend Tommy witness something horrific streaking across the sky – Seth recognizes it as a Nemesis egg and he sends Tommy to evacuate the townspeople. Seth decides to take on the challenge of defeating the Nemesis on his own since Alma is off fighting elsewhere. The task soon proves overwhelming as the monster rebukes every one of Seth’s tricks and weapons. Just as he’s about to be crushed, the monster is blasted away by a group of 4 wandering sorcerers who’ve arrived just in the nick of time.

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Special Features

Just for Fun: Cozy Anime for a Cold Day

This post was originally written for the November 2018 (and revival) issue of Mangaverse, the anime, manga, and comics ‘zine published by the National Fantasy Fan Federation (N3F) which I am currently in charge of editing. If you are interested in contributing to Mangaverse, please contact me at jessi@s1e1.com. I am always on the lookout for writers and artists!

This post has been minimally edited to include hyperlinks, as well as for some minor spelling/grammatical corrections.

Though the Winter holidays are still a ways off, the snow has already been falling here in Minnesota. It makes me want to curl up under a blanket with a cup of tea and some good anime to watch. Obviously as the icy wind whistles outside, not just any anime will do. This time of the year calls for the type of anime that prompts warm feelings in viewers. Here are a few of my favorite anime that I like to watch when I need that “cozy” feeling.

Natsume’s Book of Friends

Takashi Natsume can see yokai, a skill that has always caused him strife and driven others from him. When he’s adopted by some of his distant relatives, he begins to learn more about his grandmother, who also had this supernatural ability. Reiko Natsume kept a “book of friends,” a list of names of the yokai she defeated. Takashi, with the help of the cat-shaped spirit Nyanko-Sensei, returns the names of the yokai to their owners and begins to learn more about his family’s history.

While this series features its share of emotional intensity and moderate peril for its protagonist, it’s also an anime that, above all else, shows that Takashi’s kindness and warmth are often preferable to the weaponized exorcisms that his antagonists use to battle yokai. This is also a series that, like many Japanese anime, makes atmospheric use of the passing seasons. The sultry heat of Summer, the colors of autumn, and yes, even the softly-falling snow of winter, feature heavily as supplementary mood imagery throughout the show’s six seasons (and likely its upcoming feature film as well).

The entire series is available to watch at Crunchyroll.com. The first four seasons were released on DVD by NISA

Ristorante Paradiso

20-something Nicoletta travels to Rome to confront her absentee mother, who left her behind to marry a man. When she arrives that the restaurant her mother co-owns with her husband, Nicoletta is taken by surprise; the restaurant is staffed almost entirely by attractive middle-aged men in glasses, which is apparently one of her mother’s peculiar preferences. Nicoletta’s angry confrontation quickly morphs into a cooking internship opportunity, and eventually she finds herself falling for Claudio, one of the waiters (and recently-divorced).

May-December romance aside (though, even as someone uninterested in those sorts of things in real-life I was thoroughly convinced by this example!), this series based on the manga of the same title by quirky author Natsume Ono, is the definition of atmospheric warmth. Not only does delicious food and wine feature heavily in the show, it also portrays gentle and humanizing character relationships with good humor and a palatable doses of drama. If you’re in the mood for a romantic dinner over flickering candlelight (or just a quiet night in alone), this is the perfect helping of wit, warmth, and grown-up sensibilities.

The series is available to watch at Crunchyroll.com and for DVD purchase from publisher Lucky Penny.

Flying Witch

Makoto Kowata is a 15-year-old recently-graduated witch who moves to Aomori Prefecture to live with her relatives and finish her high school education. While there she hones her magical skills and interacts with the many magical aspects of her adoptive home. She even inspires her young cousin, Chinatsu, to become interested in natural magic and following in Makoto’s magical footsteps.

Fans may complain about anime series that “don’t have a plot,” but those are rarely as inherently charming as Flying Witch. While the show is decidedly light on story elements or conflict, it has a singular handle on its portrayal of natural magic and the inherent humor of a world in which magical spells are possible (and even useful!… sometimes). Aomori’s semi-rural setting is almost a character itself, providing a backdrop that feels as though it cold be populated by friendly spirits and magical creatures alike. And little Chinatsu steals every scene with her child-like reactions and sense of humor.

The series is available streaming on Crunchyroll.com and Hidive.com. The series is available on disc from publisher Sentai Filmworks.

Girls’ Last Tour

Years of war have brought society to its twilight years. To escape the deadly conflict, Chito and Yuuri, along with their all-terrain vehicle, are sent away to wander the desolate world and find some way to survive. They travel through the broken-down landscape in search of fuel and food, and through doing so rediscover the wonder of some of the things humanity has since lost.

It may seem odd to label a post-apocalyptic tale as “comforting,” but Girls’ Last Tour is an anime series of many odd contradictions. While the atmosphere of the series is at times melancholy, it is also defined by its main characters’ adventures in rediscovery and their behavior, which mirrors that of almost any other teenage friends – past, present, or future. There is also an element of quiet that permeates the series; without other characters around the echoes of the characters’ voices between vacant buildings and the crunch of their boots in the constantly-falling snow are striking. This may not be comfort food for everyone, but for those who can handle some bitter with their sweet I recommend it highly.

The series is available streaming on Amazon Prime and Hidive.com. The series will be available on disc from publisher Sentai Filmworks in January 2019.

Laid-Back Camp – Read my Series Review

Nadeshiko has little experience out in the wilderness, so when a trip to see Mount Fuji takes a turn due to weather, she doesn’t know what to do. Luckily she meets Rin, a girl her age who’s an experienced camper. Though Rin is a bit of a loner, she and Nadeshiko strike up a friendship that inspires Nadeshiko to join their school’s outdoors club. While both girls enjoy camping in their own way, through their relationship they both learn to appreciate the experience of roughing-it outdoors.

Laid-Back Camp is the quintessential relaxation anime; set against the backdrop of Mount Fuji and the colorful autumn leaves, the characters do nothing more but enjoy each-other’s company, learn about camping gear, cook great food over a campfire, and sleep in tents and sleeping bags. There’s really not that much too it, but what’s there is chicken soup for the soul aimed with pin-point accuracy. As someone who’s apprehensive about going outside most of the time, this series’ portrayal of cool-weather camping even started to wear down my resolve.

The entire series is available to watch at Crunchyroll.com.

***

As fans with different tastes, what’s comforting for one of us might lack that special warmth for someone else. I encourage you to think about the anime that brings you joy and to enjoy it as you watch the snowflakes accumulate (or, if you live in a warmer climate, as you get the opportunity for a nice quiet day to yourself).

Categories
First Impressions Reviews

Autumn 2018 First Impressions – SSSS.Gridman

Yuta Hibiki awakens with amnesia and the ability see things that others cannot. He first encounters a Gridman in the reflection of his friend Rikka Takarada’s computer and it tells him to “Remember his calling,” but Yuta doesn’t understand what this means. Later, in the distance, he sees an extremely large monster but it doesn’t move. It’s only when Yuta gets to school that the two sightings make sense: a monster attacks and the hero Yuta saw in the computer screen pulls him within the computer and transforms Yuta into a giant hero named Gridman. – ANN

Streaming: Crunchyroll and Funimation

Episodes: 12

Source: Original

Episode Summary: Yuta Hibiki wakes up in his classmate Rikka’s living room remembering nothing about who he is or why he’s there; he learns that Rikka discovered him collapsed on the street outside her home, and is a bit irritated by his continued presence. What’s more worrisome is that Yuta has started to hallucinate; he sees an image of a costumed hero called “Gridman” on a monitor of one of Rikka’s mother’s old computers. No one else can see the mysterious Gridman, so Yuta decides to play it off as well as he can. After Rikka does some detective work to find out where he lives, she walks Yuta home.

Yuta learns that his parents are out of the country, so tries to take care of himself as best he can. His friend Utsumi picks him up the next morning and makes sure he gets to school. All seems relatively well considering the circumstances. But Yuta senses the shadow of a beast lurking around the town’s horizon; yet another image that no one else sees or acknowledges. As the day turns to evening, though, the beast awakens and begins to tear into the city. Yuta hears a voice in his head and he makes his way back to the old computer in Rikka’s home where he sees Gridman. Yuta is pulled into the computer and joins with Gridman to fight the kaiju, ultimately tearing the robotic creature apart. This unorthodox way of defending the city appears to be Yuta’s destiny, but the workings of this partnership, as well as the roles Rikka and Utsumi might play, are still a mystery to all.

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