The Otakusphere: Bad manufacturing, inner lives and a whole lot of spiky hair

So I have to start by being honest. I feel like every time I do one of these lately, I’m apologizing for skipping a week. I suppose really it’s my own loss. There probably were dozens of really great posts that I didn’t read because I was busy playing Witcher 3 or Trails of Cold […]

The Otakusphere: Independent art, island blogs and let’s get this started again

Some may have noticed that I skipped The Otakusphere last week, and for that, I apologize. It was a rough one last week, and by the time I got done with my work week, I just wanted to turn on No Man’s Sky and go cruising through the stars. So that’s what I did. I […]

The Otakusphere: Mecha, coronavirus and too many beers

I normally limit myself to a single beer in one 24-hour period. Mostly, this is because I’m no longer 23 and can’t just bounce back from a night of drinking like nothing happened. Well, last night, I decided I really wanted a second beer, and I paid the price by needing to sleep until 11 […]

The Otakusphere: Coronavirus, coronavirus, coronavirus everywhere

I usually try to make these Otakusphere openings snappy and quick, but this week it’s all about the novel coronavirus. I worry about being too flip about a disease that is costing people their loved ones. It seems inevitable that talk about COVID-19 would come to The Otakusphere. Here in the states, it’s sending people […]

The Otakusphere: Free markets, Artsy films and fine hats

I’m a man of many habits. Some — like going to work — are very prosocial and make sure I can continue to survive. Some — like playing video games — are a way for me to shut off my worries into a little box so I don’t have to think about them for a […]

The Otakusphere: Semantics, Internet culture and a dash of anxiety

I have zero theme for this week in The Otakusphere. It’s a combination of exceptionally personal posts next to posts about what you need to know to be an otaku. That said, this was a pretty stellar week out there in the ani-blogging universe. I’ve already finished my coffee, so let’s get into another fun-filled […]

The Otakusphere: Everything is coming up iniksbane

You ever have one of those days where every song on the radio is about you? Or every show on the television seems to be speaking to your view of the human condition? It could just be the opening lines from the Friend’s theme song, or those lines in the Deathcab’s Grapevine Fires. There are […]

The Otakusphere: Love, love, love and loneliness

It looks like I’m doomed. I simply can’t escape Valentine’s Day this week. Love (or at least cards and romance shows) is in the air across The Otakusphere this week. I even got my own Valentine’s Day card specifically done by Jon Spencer. It’s all about Chirico Cuvie. Jon says it’s his come hither look. […]

The Otakusphere: Politics, gatekeeping and anime hair physics

I’m not sure if you noticed, but I’ve got a sweet new masthead for this feature, done by my friend Jon Spencer. At least that’s what I assume his name is. I just wanted to give him a shout out. It’s gotten me jazzed about getting revving up the engine and taking a tour around […]

The Otakusphere: Different perspectives, #anitwitwatches and I can’t stop copying Crow,

I got some good news this week. After bemoaning that normally the anime films only come to Spokane or Seattle, I learned Weathering with You is actually playing right here, in the town I live in. So I don’t need to travel for five hours. Neat-o. Granted, I waited a bit too long before making […]