I’ve been keeping up with the One Piece manga for many years now, though I don’t write about it all too often because I don’t feel the need. When the subject is one of the most gargantuan works of fiction in history, it’s not hard to find opinions, articles, podcasts, and videos discussing—or even dedicated entirely to—One Piece. However, the events of recent chapters, particularly the actions of certain characters, have been so significant that I feel compelled to share my thoughts. Naturally, I’m going to be talking about HUGE SPOILERS for the One Piece manga. To the anime viewers and anyon ..read more

​​ Not a particularly momentous month for Kio Shimoku tweets, but still a decent variety. https://twitter.com/kioshimoku1/status/1763087352812220736 ３月２９日(金)配信開始の「楽園」第４４号電子版からひと足早くご紹介・その16は木尾士目「Spotted Flower」。事態解決に向けて元カレが企画したのは…。 コミックス『Spotted Flower』第６巻まで絶賛発売＆配信中！！！ pic.twitter.com/DGuf37oOmG — 楽園編集部 (@rakuen_info) March 26, 2024 Spotted Flower Chapter 45 is out in the physical edition of Rakuen (digital is end of March). Kio also shows off all the issues of Rakuen he’s collected. ここで旧キットエルガイムMk-Ⅱをご覧ください。改造を頑張ってるけど、まだ理想ではない…… https://t.co/Znf235bvil — 木尾士目＠はしっこアンサンブル全8巻 (@kioshimoku1) M ..read more

When the Virtual Youtuber group “hololive English Advent” debuted last summer, something in particular caught my eye: The twin demon guard dogs known as FUWAMOCO listed Genshiken as one of their favorite anime. As a fan of the series (in case you haven’t noticed), it was exciting to know there were a couple of VTubers with a fondness for Genshiken. But it left me wondering, who is their favorite character? Last month, Fuwawa and Mococo did one of their popular karaoke streams—one that later turned out to be a special stream to announce their move to Japan. As if to call back to some possible ..read more

On a recent trip to Japan, I walked past a shrine. Next to that shrine were statues of Dragon Quest monsters. Seeing them reminded me of the sheer impact of those games and the artist whose memorable designs helped to entrench the series in Japan’s popular imagination. We now live in an age where Toriyama Akira is no longer with us. As the creator of Dragon Ball and Dr. Slump, as well as the iconic artist of Dragon Quest and Chrono Trigger, his influence is nigh-unmatched. There are maybe two or three other series that are as pivotal to shounen manga as Dragon Ball, and Toriyama even casts an ..read more

​​Spotted Flower voice comic! Genshiken LINE stickers released! And more from February! https://twitter.com/kioshimoku1/status/1752718198527681003 Spotted Flower has a voiced manga version now! …Unfortunately, I can’t seem to register for the site no matter how many times I try. If anyone has better luck, let me know! 主演声優さんは ダンナ　濱健人さま 奥さん　末柄里恵さま 奥さんの友達　髙津はる菜さま です https://t.co/ny0r2eBWc8 — 木尾士目＠はしっこアンサンブル全8巻 (@kioshimoku1) February 1, 2024 The cast: Husband: Hama Kento Wife: Suegara Rie Wife’s Friend: Takatsu Haruna ..read more

Kio Shimoku just released a set of Genshiken LINE stickers! Best of all, they’re available outside of Japan (unlike so many others). He recently went through a process of deciding which lines from the manga to include, and had even asked fans for suggestions. All of them are from the original series, rather than Nidaime. Interestingly, rather than just using his old art, Kio actually drew them anew: Note that there are certain words that have been censored, I assume to conform to LINE’s policies. Do you have any favorite stickers? Naturally, mine are all the Ogiue ones.  ..read more

It’s February, which means the day everyone with romance in their hearts looks forward to. That’s right: It’s new Precure anime time. And with Precure Full Bloom and Soarin’ Sky Precure finished, I’m hoping to have reviews of both series done this month. Of course, the must-watch show for me this season is Bang Brave Bang Bravern. The culture clash between a very super robot and a gritty realistic world is hilarious, and I want to see where it all goes. This month is also a momentous time for two of my favorite VTubers. La+ Darknesss, fresh off a new outfit reveal, will be having her first sol ..read more

Tweets for a new year, including the announcement of a planned set of Genshiken LINE stickers! https://twitter.com/kioshimoku1/status/1741474307232989382 An Ohno from Genshiken drawing for 2024, the Year of the Dragon. https://twitter.com/kioshimoku1/status/1741398801632641332 A Genshiken drawing used for the cover of a 2014 issue of Monthly Afternoon. ふむむ……ちょっと検討してみます — 木尾士目＠はしっこアンサンブル全8巻 (@kioshimoku1) January 4, 2024 Kio considers making Genshiken LINE stickers, and then decides to do some investigating ..read more

Welcome to 2024! I mentioned having some fun surprises last month, and I let the cat out of the bag on Twitter a few days ago: I attended Comic Market for the first time! While I don’t have a schedule fully planned out, you can expect the next couple months to have at least a few blog posts about my experience at Comiket, as well as other bits of my trip to Japan. I’m actually a bit worried about them overshadowing other topics, including the new anime season, but hopefully it’ll all work out. May the Year of the Dragon bring fortune to everyone, but especially my Patreon subscribers: General ..read more

A round of tweets by Kio Shimoku to end the year, including a special illustration of Ogiue! 遅ればせながら、おめでとうございます！ — 木尾士目＠はしっこアンサンブル全8巻 (@kioshimoku1) December 1, 2023 Kio wishes the manga author Hayamira Senjin a happy 52nd birthday. まぁあの人、才能ある女性に弱いところがあるっぽいので……ｗ — 木尾士目＠はしっこアンサンブル全8巻 (@kioshimoku1) December 2, 2023 In regards to Not-Sasahara, Kio mentions that he seems to be weak to girls with talent. 始めた時は弱っちくて「王になる」とかまったく思えなかったのが、進めるうちにいつのまにやらその実感を持つようになってきました……不思議。うまいですねぇ。 — 木尾士目＠はしっこアンサンブル全8巻 (@kioshimoku1) December 2, 2023 Halfway through Elden Ring. Kio thinks the game is amazin ..read more