Review by: Sandra Scholes
There are few Anime magazines out there in the UK, so this one is essential reading for those who want to read up on the latest on the Japanese culture scene. From anime, Asian film, J-Culture, music and cookery, action figures, there is an article for it that goes as in-depth as you need.
And if you didn't already know from the cover, this issue concentrates on that firm shonen fan favourite, Akira. Originally set in the future, Akira over the years has now got to the point where it is in the past, so it gives us an idea how it's creator, Katsuhiro Otomo saw how 2019 would look. The expectations were of more technological advancements in a dystopian almost destroyed world from an atomic disaster. The story follows a handful of characters, Kaneda, Kei and Akira who act as rebels in a new world that don't tolerate those who don't conform. Unlike other kids who attend school and swot up on exams, these guys would rather race around on bikes and bunk off. Akira was required watching when I was younger and anime were being animated in more sophisticated ways, using digital graphics to create another more perfect, less fuzzy look.
Funny Fantasy:
I mentioned in one of my previous reviews that there were more comedic anime series being released this year, maybe done to cheer us up during this most difficult year. From Is It Wrong To Try To Pick Up Girls in A Dungeon?, ZonoSuba, to Interspecies Reviewers and Little Witch Academia; this is the year for anime humour whether it's bawdy or just plain amusing. It serves to take our mind off the issue of Coronavirus. It's good to take a break from all those serious anime like Akira and Attack on Titan. Andrew Osmond's article reflects on how funny these series are and how much they poke fun at RPGs and fantasy in general; especially Interspecies Reviewers. When I first heard about this title, I mistook what it might have been about!
Real Japan:
Most of us have a love of Japanese culture, but only know so much about the country, so to give us a fresh perspective on other aspects of Japanese culture, Mark Guthrie tells us most Japanese people don't know what they miss most about their country until they have lived away from it for a while. Several ex-pats give Mark their accounts of what they love about their Homeland, and what I read surprised me a lot.
Ramen Rated:
Since seeing the dish on many Naruto episodes, I wanted to try it, so it wasn't until Wagamama opened in the UK that I and the fella did, and never went anywhere else. As we know, cup ramen differs from what you'd get served at Ichiraku's and the folk over at Neo have listed their best cup and packet ramen they think could be closest to that restaurant experience
Posters:
I am reminded of my younger days when I collected Smash Hits magazine for the printed lyrics to popular songs of the time and the posters. There are a fair few in this issue of the most popular anime at the moment, of course, there is also a double-page poster of the cover for Akira.
Overall, there are the usual topics in Neo such as their anime and manga reviews and what is best to buy merchandise wise, not forgetting Neo Artist Showcase and Cosplay Corner. There's a lot to like here.
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