As the 99th graduating class of the Seisho Music Academy prepares for their annual review, “Starlight”, aspiring actress Karen Aijo is happy just to have the chance to be in the cast. But when Karen’s childhood friend Hikari mysteriously arrives after years abroad, Karen quickly learns that there is more going on at Seisho than the normal drama classes. Following Hikari late one night, Karen discovers an elevator that takes her deep below the Earth, where the secret auditions for the leads in Starlight is underway… a competition that is fought with real weapons as well as song and dance! Goaded by the giraffe in charge of the trials, Karen throws caution to the wind and takes the stage herself… but will she be ready to survive the ultimate contest of drama and skills that is REVUE STARLIGHT? Rating: TV-14 (D)
Most high school girls would be proud that their father is a famous writer, but Ao Horie’s father is an EROTIC writer, a purveyor of pornographic prose. He’s authored hundreds of dirty books and it has definitely warped his twisted sensibilities. Since Ao thinks that anyone who learns about her father is going to assume that Ao is at least somewhat like her pornographic papa, Ao’s solution is to just not talk to other people, especially boys. All she wants to do is study and get good grades so she can go to a school far away from her family. And that’s why Takumi Kajima is driving her crazy! He keeps trying to talk to her, distracting her, and causing her to think about the kind of things she’d rather not think about… which is why, suddenly, AO-CHAN CAN’T STUDY! Rating: TV-MA
Since Satogahama High School was an all-girls school until recently, they’ve never even had a boys baseball team. Arihara Tsubasa isn’t the kind of girl who waits for boys to lead the way, however, so she makes an unauthorized announcement that the Girls’ Baseball Team is seeking members! But that was the easy part! Now she has to find the four other girls required to form a school club, and then four more girls to make a team. At least Arihara’s best friend, Tomoe, can fill one position, but then they’ll have to get creative. If that means co-opting cheerleaders, student council members, reporters from the school paper and even an archrival from Junior High, then so be it! They’re not running away from the ball; they’re fielding it and running for home in CINDERELLA 9! Rating: TV-PG
It’s a new school year and Kasumi, Arisa, Saya, Tae, and Rimi are thrilled to finally be second-year students. Even more exciting than becoming upperclassmen, however, is the fun they have while performing in their band Poppin’ Party… until things get out of control when the girls publicly announce that they’re going to do their own concert before they’ve really studied the issue. Suddenly they’re committed to doing something that’s a lot more difficult than it seemed, and the pressure is doubled since their musical rivals in Roselia, who’ve also announced a live concert, are way ahead of them in planning! But you can’t stop the music, and with a little hard work and help from other groups and some talented newcomers, Poppin’ Party fever will soon be popping up all over in BANG DREAM! 2ND SEASON. Rating: TV-14
Sometimes all it takes to change your life forever is a chance encounter. Since the death of his mother, Tomoya has distanced himself from his abusive father and seems on a path of self-destruction. Nagisa’s poor health has left her a year behind in school, but she longs to restart the now disbanded Drama Club. In an impulsive moment, Tomoya agrees to help her and they soon find themselves joined by others in desperate need of support and emotional healing. Join the Club and meet the ambitious Tomoyo, who dreams of becoming class president; Kotomi, a troubled genius with a secret past; and the mysterious Fuko, whose disassociation with the world is so severe that she seems to be fading away as the sentimental, the surreal and the supernatural merge together in the acclaimed anime classic CLANNAD! Rating: TV-PG
Even though he’s only 14, Yukiya wants to become the best online DJ anyone has ever heard. But becoming famous isn’t easy, and it’s made even more difficult by his father’s odd instructions to never touch hands with anyone else. So, while Yukiya spends every moment he can working on music videos, he knows that hard work alone may not be enough to achieve his goals. He needs something else. Something different. And then he finds the Ziggurat. It’s another world, a place that Yukiya can access just by touching hands with another person. Any other person. That’s something that no one else has ever been able to do before. And that ability makes Yukiya an extremely valuable commodity that some people will be willing to do anything to control in W’Z! Rating: TV-14
They’re the life of the party and always find themselves in the spotlight — and no, we’re not talking about the girls from BanG Dream! (Not all of them, anyway.) We’re talking about extroverts, those outgoing rays of sunshine who thrive on being the center of attention.
Last month we talked about our favorite anime introverts, but now it’s time for the anime extroverts to take center stage. After all, that’s where they belong, so join us as we give the introverts a break and gush about some of our favorite extroverts!
Misaki Ayusawa fought hard to earn respect as Seika High’s first female student council president, but her personal life has been in shambles since her father left her family deep in debt. To pay off the bills, Misaki’s taken a job on the side, but it’s one that no one at school can ever find out about. It would just be too humiliating for her classmates to learn that she’s secretly a… gasp!.. waitress at a maid café! And, of course, when someone does discover her double life, it’s the worst possible person: her aloof and much too handsome classmate, Usui Takumi. Can Misaki convince Usui to keep her apron in the closet? And what is his silence going to cost her? Now that her Maid life has been made, there’s a Devil to be paid in MAID-SAMA! Rating: TV-14
For 10,000 years, the vampire Count Magnus Lee has stalked the night, sustained by a thirst for blood and human women. Unfortunately for the Count, the woman he has chosen as his next conquest isn’t ready to surrender to his inhuman lusts, and, as the daughter of a werewolf hunter, Doris Lang knows how to save herself: by enlisting the aid of the mysterious Vampire Hunter known as D. However, while D might be able to defeat the Count and his army of undead, his protection comes with a blood price of its own. Is it a cost that Doris will be willing to pay? Featuring the art of acclaimed designer Yoshitaka Amano and remastered in high definition, the epic animated fantasy that launched the anime revolution is back as you’ve never seen it before in VAMPIRE HUNTER D! Rating: TV-MA (S,V)
Eiji Busujima was a delinquent in middle school, but now that he’s in high school, he’s trying to put all that behind him. He’s even joined the literature club! Unfortunately, while Eiji’s heart might be in the right place, his face didn’t get the memo, and if his scowling, slit-like eyes don’t scare people away, then his attempts at senryu poetry probably will. But there’s one member of the literature club who isn’t easily intimidated: Nanako Yukishiro, an odd but cheerful young woman who never speaks and communicates only through senryu poetry! So, when the meddling president of the club decides to encourage a relationship between this strange literary pair, the haiku is sure to fly! The most important words are left unsaid when an ex-delinquent becomes the target of a write-by romance from a SENRYU GIRL!
Kakeru Kurahara was a track star in high school, but after losing his money gambling, the only running he’s doing is fleeing after shoplifting food. Then Kakeru’s escape route crosses paths with Haiji Kiyose, and he gets a chance to change his life’s direction. A fourth-year college student, Haiji has dreamed of entering the famous Hakone Ekidan relay marathon, but he’s been one runner short of a potential team… until he sees Kakeru blow past him like the wind and knows he’s found his critical tenth man. Of course, it won’t be easy convincing Kakeru to join, and the rest of the team includes such questionable choices as a chronic smoker and an underweight otaku, but they’ve all got legs and Haiji will make sure they learn how to use them to RUN WITH THE WIND! Rating: TV-14
Kawanuma West may be a public school, but some of its students are about to get private lessons in sex ed courtesy of four very attractive teachers! To be clear, none of our lady educational professionals begin their semesters by writing “get involved with a fortunate male member of my class” in their daily planners… but strange and inexplicable things keep happening to thrust our teacher/pupil combos into sexually charged situations where something’s bound to happen! Whether it’s falling into water, doors ripping off clothing, or that frequent staple of Japanese school life, the accidental breast/face collision, these poor ladies just can’t help it. And what are the guys supposed to do as they’re pulled deeper and deeper into titillating TILF traps of epic proportions? It’s time to come and learn in Why the Hell are You Here, Teacher!? Rating: TV-MA (D,S)
Growing up in a candy store is just a daydream for most kids, but for Tamako, it’s her real life. And, yes, most of the time it’s pretty sweet! Tamako gets to create new flavors, hang out with her friends and discover all kinds of ways to have fun. There are difficult parts, though, and one of them is figuring out her relationship with Mochizo, whose family runs a rival shop. Does she really like him or is she just experiencing a candy crush in TAMAKO MARKET? Then, get ready for a double scoop of Tamako goodness as Tamako and her friends prepare to finish high school. It’s exciting, but sad too, as some of them will be moving away… including Mochizo. Sometimes life is sugary and other times it’s bittersweet in TAMAKO LOVE STORY! Rating: TV-14
Even when you’re fortunate enough to live in a place as beautiful as the country village of Asahigaoka, you should never turn down the chance to explore someplace else. So, when Suguru wins a free trip to Okinawa just as the summer vacation is coming to an end, the town’s entire school… all 5 students and 1 teacher, plus the local candy shop owner… can hardly wait for their 3-day trip to begin! Between kayaking, swimming and meeting new people, there’s always something fun happening, but the best part of all is that big city girl Hotaru and her new small-town friends all get to explore the wonders of Japan’s famous vacation destination together. Prepare for the perfect trip as the whole gang boards the plane for NON NON BIYORI - VACATION! Rating: TV-PG
Natsuo Fuji has a serious crush on one of his teachers, Hina Tachibana, but since he knows he has zero chance of ever being in a relationship with her, he lets his friends talk him into going to a party where he meets Rui. One thing leads to another and then, well, neither of them is a virgin anymore. Unfortunately, it wasn’t what they expected, but that’s fine. They’re just ships passing in the night and they’ll never have to see each other again, right? Except when Natsuo’s father announces that he’s getting married again, Natsuo discovers that he’s getting two new step-sisters as well. Now there’s a problem, because one is his teacher, Hina, and the other is Rui. Yep, the family dinners at Natsuo’s house are about to get REALLY awkward in the UNCENSORED release of DOMESTIC GIRLFRIEND! Rating: TV-14
Welcome to Mysteria Academy, where the secrets of magic are taught to an eager student body composed of humans, gods and demons. Of course, it takes an unusual degree of tolerance for these groups to mingle freely, but thanks to this unusually diverse and inclusive educational experience, the most unlikely friendships are bound to spring up. Which is how Anne, a human honor student who happens to be a Princess, finds herself growing increasingly close to Grea, a half-human/half-dragon who also happens to be a Princess. Sure, fairy tales would have you believe that relationships between Princesses and Dragons are bound to end up badly, but that doesn’t take bonding while shopping and trips to the beach into account, let alone the fact that what they’re feeling may be a little more than just friendship in MYSTERIA FRIENDS! Rating: TV-14 (V)
Today is June 19, and that means we’re here to wish you a happy Juneteenth!
In case you don’t know, Juneteeth is especially meaningful for us since we’re located near the Galveston Delta. Per juneteenth.com, “Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. Dating back to 1865, it was on June 19th that the Union soldiers, led by Major General Gordon Granger, landed at Galveston, Texas with news that the war had ended and that the enslaved were now free.
Note that this was two and a half years after President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation - which had become official January 1, 1863.
Juneteenth today celebrates African American freedom and achievement, while encouraging continuous self-development and respect for all cultures. Juneteenth serves symbolically, and in reality, as a reference point from which to measure and appreciate the progress and contributions made by African Americans to this society."
We understand the significance of June 19th and the calls to commemorate the anniversary of the formal end of slavery in the United States. To celebrate Juneteenth this year, we wanted to spotlight some cosplayers, personalities and Black-owned businesses* in our industry… and beyond!
*Sentai is not affiliated with any of the following parties or organizations. We just think they’re cool!
But the formal end of slavery in the United States was not until at least December 6th, 1865?
And I recall that Kanye West tweeted about slavery was still ongoing in the USA and would not end until the 13th Amendment was altered, as it still allows for legal slavery:
