Review: Yotsuba&! vol. 12

I’ve been following Yotsuba&! since its debut in the U.S. back in 2009, and I wait in anticipation for each volume’s release more than any other of the many series I own.  It is an ongoing slice of life manga series created by Kiyohiko Azuma.  I recommended this in my Manga Holiday Wishlist.  It’s a great title to pick up and introduce to children and newcomers of manga.  This volume has become my favorite of the series thus far.  The simple setting and antics of the little girl Yotsuba are extremely relatable.  Any parent will soak up the familiar scenarios of children getting into things they shouldn’t.

Since it’s so modest to begin with, there isn’t much to say in terms of the story.  Yotsuba learns how to tie a bow, the basics of telling time, and how to cook curry with the help of her neighborhood friends.  She has a fun (yet horrific) time with blue paint, and she gets a bicycle helmet that’s pink and blue.  Throw in a camping trip and you have the gist of this volume.  It’s a manga that is incredibly human and laid-back, not meant to wow but to peacefully entertain.  There laughs to be had with this installment, but the majority of the time I found myself sitting back and smiling at how sweet the scenes were.  I never felt like I had to rush to get to the good parts; I instead took my time, leisurely flipping through the pages.

News: Two More Reveals for Attack on Titan Cast

FUNimation has revealed two more major characters for the anime series Attack on Titan.  The English dub will premiere at the company's panel at Anime Boston, March 21 - 23.  The final voice actors will be announced in the days before the convention.  However, FUNi has said that Eren's voice actor won't be revealed until the day of the premiere.

News: Next Two Batches of Attack on Titan Cast

FUNimation has revealed two new batches of voice actors for the upcoming anime called Attack on Titan.  The dub is planned to premiere at Anime Boston, March 21 -23.  As the convention nears, more of the cast will be announced and shown on the company's blog.  A major character has finally been revealed, and I have to admit I'm a little happy with the choice.

News: First Batch of Attack on Titan Cast Revealed

Via their blog, FUNimation has revealed the first batch of voice actors for a few of the rolls in Attack on Titan.  Subscribers got the news and a sneak peak of the dub early.  More of the cast will be given out to the public as Anime Boston nears.  The English dub is due to premiere during the convention, which takes place March 21 - 23.  Also, the company detailed what items will be included in the Collector's and Limited editions of the DVD.  They are exclusively available at FUNimation's online store.

News: Watch Dogs Release Date

Ubisoft has confirmed the release date for their new IP, Watch Dogs.  It is planned to release May 27th.  The date was initially leaked by a UK retailer called GAME via twitter.  It will be available for Xbox ONE, Xbox 360, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, and PC.  A Wii U release will not be arriving until later.  The company has sent out a release trailer of the game, revolving around the story.  You can find it over at Game Informer to watch it (just click on the link).  The trailer was actually leaked earlier today before Ubisoft's official announcement.

News: Viz Media to Translate Naoki Urasawa's Master Keaton

Viz Media announced earlier today that the company would be bringing the manga called Master Keaton to the States.  It will be published in twelve volumes and have a rating of T+.  The expected retail price will be $19.99.  The series originally released in Japan in 1988 and lasted until 1994.  An anime adaption of it was made in 1998, and an OVA continuation was created in 2004.  Geneon Entertainment picked up and released the animation in the United States, but it has been out of print for quite some time.

News: New-Gen Mass Effect Trilogy a Possibility

A recent tweet from BioWare Edmonton and Montreal general manager Aaryn Flynn has indicated that a next-gen Mass Effect trilogy is being discussed internally.  It was in response to a question of whether or not a PS4 and Xbox 1 re-release for the series was possible.  Flynn said that it was great to hear fans would be interested in a next-gen re-release; he says that if solid plans can be put into place they'll likely make a go of it.  The question posed to him was specific to a console remaster, so it is unclear if it would be available to PC as well.

Seeing the influx and success of recent HD remasters in the gaming market, I bet this project will most likely be approved.  Also, the popularity surrounding the Mass Effect series doesn't seem to be subsiding any time soon.  Even with the controversy around the third installment's ending, it is a fondly remembered and highly recommended action RPG.  If this remaster does get released on the PC platform alongside next-gen consoles, I would gladly make an additional investment into the sci-fi series.  I currently own all three games, and they're always fun to revisit.  A HD version of the first Mass Effect would definitely be something I'd want to get my hands on.

If this project is approved, hopefully the next Mass Effect title won't be negatively impacted.  It would be bad if it pulled away time and team members from the new installment.  I'll keep my eye out for more updates.

*source GameInformer

*image from Google Images