Is this you? As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.
Claim your profile
Articles by Che Gilson
Origin [Review]
Origin [Review] by October 20, 2023 In 2048, Tokyo has become the terminus of the Eurasian railroad, bringing in criminals and illegal immigrants from across the continent. Gang violence rubs shoulders with cutting-edge technology. The rails are ruled by AEE Cybernetics, a juggernaut of a megacorp that ruthlessly swallows its competitors.
The Legend of Steel Lady Nanase is Just a Taste of What In/Spectre Has to Offer
The Legend of Steel Lady Nanase is Just a Taste of What In/Spectre Has to Offer by Otaku USA Staff July 30, 2021 Featured Spotlight: VIZ Media Who is Steel Lady Nanase? Is she really the ghost of a teen idol who faced an untimely demise, or is she a flesh and blood copycat wreaking havoc on the streets? The reality behind it is stranger than fiction, which is the perfect way to describe the yokai-filled world of In/Spectre, available to order on Blu-ray and digital.
Dawn of the Witch [Manga Review]
Dawn of the Witch [Manga Review] by Che Gilson July 30, 2021 Saybil, a young man with no memory of his past, is the worst student at the Wenias magic school. If he fails, he’ll be expelled and his memories will be sealed away. Desperate to keep the memories he’s made at school, he joins a special class led by eccentric professor Loux Krystas, the Dawn Witch. His classmates include Hort, a gifted witch who signs up as a sort of graduate student, and Kudo, a sullen “Beastfallen” lizard-man.
Nina The Starry Bride [Manga Review]
Nina The Starry Bride [Manga Review] by Brianna Fox-Priest July 28, 2021 Rikachi’s latest shojo series, as the afterword explains, was not originally intended to be a fantasy. At its core, it’s a basic rags-to-riches love story: the prince rescues a pauper girl, takes her in, lavishes her with riches that would make anyone swoon, yet our maiden isn’t buying it—well, not yet, at least. Everyone and their mother knows this story.
Juné Finishes June by Announcing Three More BL Manga Licenses
Juné Finishes June by Announcing Three More BL Manga Licenses by Danica Davidson June 30, 2021 Juné, the yaoi imprint of Digital Manga Publishing, has been living up to its name by announcing a number of new licenses throughout the month. On the last day of June, they’re announcing three new titles they’ve licensed: I Should Not Love You by Chise Ogawa, Tsumasaki ni Kourozu by Aki Aoi, and Depth of Field by Enjo. These manga will be available both physically and digitally.
Juné Bringing Complete Series of Only the Flower Knows to Print
Juné Bringing Complete Series of Only the Flower Knows to Print by Danica Davidson June 11, 2021 Juné, the yaoi imprint of Digital Manga Publishing, has shared more than one tease about news this month. Last Friday it revealed the release dates for future volumes of Twittering Birds Never Fly, and today it’s sharing new acquisitions for print titles.
The Ancient Magus' Bride OAD Reveals First Promo
The Ancient Magus’ Bride OAD Reveals First Promo by Joseph Luster June 4, 2021 The saga of the anime adaptation of Kore Yamazaki’s The Ancient Magus’ Bride manga continues with the upcoming three-part The Ancient Magus’ Bride: Nishi no Shonen to Seiran no Kishi OAD series. This one will feature an original story, and two new cast members have been revealed along with the OAD’s first promo.
Mushoku Tensei Anime's Return Delayed from July to October
Mushoku Tensei Anime’s Return Delayed from July to October by Joseph Luster May 19, 2021 The Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation anime—which adapts the light novel series of the same name by Rifujin na Magonote—was originally set to return this July, but those plans have changed. According to an update on the official website, the second cours of the adaptation will now premiere in October. The announcement cites “various circumstances” for the delay, so they’re being pretty vague about it.
eBay to Ban Hentai and Yaoi Sales, But Penthouse and Playboy Sales Still OK
eBay to Ban Hentai and Yaoi Sales, But Penthouse and Playboy Sales Still OK by Danica Davidson May 18, 2021 eBay has announced a new “Adult items policy” that will go into effect on July 15. Multiple items that have been legal to sell and purchase on eBay will be banned, and eBay specifically calls out “sexually explicit anime, comics, books, animation, manga, hentai, yaoi” as being part of that ban.
Super HxEros [Manga Review]
Super HxEros [Manga Review] by Robert McCarthy May 16, 2021 I love superheroes and have since long before the current Marvel movie fad. So when an erotic superhero manga came up for review, I took the job. Super HxEros delivers perfectly serviceable harem comedy. There are indeed boobs aplenty. It even has a decent plot: aliens powered by erotic energy fighting superheroes powered by erotic energy. The bare bones must have made a great pitch in this age of superhero blockbusters.
Shikimori's Not Just a Cutie [Manga Review]
Shikimori’s Not Just a Cutie [Manga Review] by Che Gilson May 16, 2021 Accident-prone klutz Izumi has terrible luck. The one bright spot in his awkward school career is his girlfriend Shikimori, an undeniably cool girl with good grades, the looks of a model and the reflexes of a cheetah. For some as-yet-unknown reason she’s fallen for the hapless Izumi and spends her days defending him from cars, trips, falls and errant cutlery.
Sunday Without God [Anime Review]
Sunday Without God [Anime Review] by Gerald Rathkolb May 16, 2021 An entirely different type of being Would you rather live a beautiful lie or a painful truth? This is one of the questions that is asked in the 2013 series Sunday Without God, one of the most interesting series that you probably never saw. Sunday Without God, based on the light novel series by Kumihito Irie is set in a world where, 13 years prior to the series starting, all of humanity lost the ability to be born and die naturally.
Kingdom of Z [Manga Review]
Kingdom of Z [Manga Review] by Che Gilson May 14, 2021 Sad-sack zombie outbreak survivor Satou Masaru has “victim” stamped on his forehead. Just as he’s about to meet his gruesome end in the undead jaws of his former classmates, he’s rescued by two girls from his school, Miki and Karin. Miki is an ambitious genius who plans to use the apocalypse to establish herself as Queen of Japan, and Karin is just happy to unleash her violent impulses on hordes of zombies.
The Witch and the Beast [Manga Review]
The Witch and the Beast [Manga Review] by Che Gilson May 14, 2021 The Witch and the Beast: ©Kousuke Satake/Kodansha, Ltd. All rights reserved. Guideau, who solves magical cases for the Order of Magical Resonance along with the mage Ashaf, is a cursed being who looks like a teenage girl with a savage temper, but in truth is something else entirely. Many of the duo’s cases are on the mundane side, wrangling magical beasts and opening bespelled boxes for owners who lost the key.
Space Is the Place! Kids Rock in These Sci-Fi Anime
Space Is the Place! Kids Rock in These Sci-Fi Anime by Kara Dennison May 13, 2021 Could you survive on a strange planet? The wonders and terrors of space seem daunting in our favorite sci-fi anime. But some of them star kids who brave new planets and uncharted galaxies way better than we ever could. From an 80s classic to a relatively recent release, here are three series featuring teams of kids as intergalactic heroes. Can you think of any more sci-fi youngsters who deserve attention?
The Ancient Magus’ Bride Gets New Anime Project
The Ancient Magus’ Bride Gets New Anime Project by Danica Davidson March 10, 2021 Kore Yamazaki, the mangaka behind The Ancient Magus’ Bride, has a lot going on right now. For starters, The Ancient Magus’ Bride is receiving a new anime project, debuting in September. The first step of the new project will be the original anime DVD Mahō Tsukai no Yome: Nishi no Shōnen to Seiran no Kishi ( translated as The Ancient Magus’ Bride: The Boy From the West and the Knight of the Mountain Haze).
Hatsune Miku Inspires Cherry Blossom Café
Hatsune Miku Inspires Cherry Blossom Café by Danica Davidson March 8, 2021 Hatsune Miku is going to be Sakura Miku for a short time. Just after the news she’s getting her own animated show, she’s traded her blue twin tails for cherry blossom pink hair so that she can have a limited time cherry blossom café. The Sakura Miku café will be available at Animate Café in Akihabara and Osaka. Take a look at what’s on the menu.
Animated Series Announced for Hatsune Miku
Animated Series Announced for Hatsune Miku by Danica Davidson February 26, 2021 Hatsune Miku’s franchise continues to expand with the announcement of an animated series, with plans for webtoons and comics to follow. Crypton Future Media, the Japanese company that developed Miku, is teaming up with Graphic India and Carlin West Agency to do this.
Happy Yaoi Day!
Happy Yaoi Day! by Danica Davidson August 1, 2013 Did you notice today’s date? It’s August 1, which means it’s 8/1 or 801 . . . which means it’s Yaoi Day! If you’re in the mood for yaoi, shonen-ai, BL, you name it, here’s a list of places for you. Digital Manga Publishing Digital Manga Publishing is probably the best-known publisher of yaoi, and that’s for a reason.
The Ancient Magus’ Bride Manga Is on a Short Hiatus
The Ancient Magus’ Bride Manga Is on a Short Hiatus by Danica Davidson February 4, 2021 The Ancient Magus’ Bride manga is officially on hiatus, but it won’t be for much longer. Its pages were missing in the February issue of Monthly Comic Garden, and the March issue, which ships this week, will also lack a chapter from it. The good news is that creator Kore Yamazaki is not ill or hurt. The hiatus appears to be more related to Japan’s state of emergency and how much it can throw things off.
Okadama Airport Might Change Its Name to Hatsune Miku Airport
Okadama Airport Might Change Its Name to Hatsune Miku Airport by Danica Davidson January 12, 2021 Hatsune Miku has been busy in the fight against COVID, but fans want more for her. The Okadama Airport is thinking about ways to build up its business, and it might just change its name to the Hatsune Miku Airport. The Okadama Airport is located in Sapporo, and Miku is already an ambassador there.
Who Says Warriors Can’t Be Babes? [Manga Review]
Who Says Warriors Can’t Be Babes? [Manga Review] by Shaenon K. Garrity January 1, 2021 In a fantasy world that feels like an old 16-bit RPG, a handsome young hero inspires a wide-eyed little girl: “When you grow up to be a big, strong warrior, we’ll travel the land together!” She’s so inspired, in fact, that she trains nonstop and grows up into the most powerful warrior alive.
Jack Flash and the Faerie Case Files [Manga Review]
The Ancient Magus’ Bride: Jack Flash and the Faerie Case Files by Che Gilson January 1, 2021 Prepare to be swept away again. This spin-off of The Ancient Magus’ Bride could have been another cheap cash grab to exploit the popularity of the original, but Jack Flash creates a unique new setting. The pastoral countryside of England is left behind for the streets of New York City.
Barakamon [Anime Review]
Barakamon [Anime Review] by Michael Goldstein January 1, 2021 A stroke of genius John Lyndgate once said, “You can please some of the people all of the time, you can please all of the people some of the time, but you can’t please all of the people all of the time.” Seishu Handa, a prodigy calligrapher at the startling young age of twenty-three, has apparently never heard of Lyndgate.
Only Trust Your Bokuto
Demon City Shinjuku [Anime Review] by Daryl Surat October 18, 2020 Only Trust Your Bokuto 32 years following its release, 1988’s Demon City Shinjuku still remains the greatest anime ever made about a teen chopping up horrible monsters and the occasional buff wizard using a wooden stick, with the sporadic support of a little person grenadier on jet-propelled roller skates and a girl with a ring that fires laser rays. For reasons unacceptable, there is little competition.
Kimagure Orange Road Creator Izumi Matsumoto Dies at 61
Kimagure Orange Road Creator Izumi Matsumoto Dies at 61 by Matt Schley October 12, 2020 Izumi Matsumoto, the creator of lauded manga Kimagure Orange Road, died on October 6, it was reported today. He was 61 years old. Matsumoto had been diagnosed with cerebrospinal fluid hypovolemia, a condition that occurs when the body’s cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is in a “reduced state,” and spinal stenosis, a narrowing of the spaces within the spine that can put pressure on spinal nerves.
Spend Without Fear
The Millionaire Detective [Anime Review] by Kara Dennison September 28, 2020 Spend without fear The spring and summer 2020 seasons have been rough on anime, especially those just starting out. Some that were only an episode or two in were cut down in their prime, having to rely on the good-will and patience of viewers to hang on after only a handful of episodes.
Cosmo Familia [Manga Review}
Cosmo Familia [Manga Review} by Che Gilson August 29, 2020 Confusing at first, Cosmo Familia settles into a weird groove by the end of the first volume. It begins with mystery heaped upon mystery, with so many things going on and so little context that it’s hard not to feel dislocated. The patient reader will be rewarded with a strangely compelling tale of cute alien invaders, time travel, and magical girls. But it takes a while to get there and the book isn’t without flaws.
After-School Bitchcraft Manga Review
After-School Bitchcraft [Manga Review] by Che Gilson August 11, 2020 In After-School Bitchcraft, Ririka Kirise looks like a typical trendy kogal and hangs out with a gang of fellow gals at school. She harbors a secret ambition her party pals would never understand: to become a veterinarian. Too bad Ririka isn’t the brightest crayon in the box. One day, hoping to get extra help from her chemistry teacher, she bursts in on him performing magic.
How to Train Your Devil Manga Review
How to Train Your Devil [Manga Review] by Che Gilson January 24, 2020 How to Train Your Devil is exactly what it looks like on the cover. It checks off every ecchi box possible in a manga that’s not outright porn. But as grossly pandering as it is, it’s also … pretty funny. Zeno Zebia, hero of ages, is tasked with saving humanity from the Devil King. She returns from her mission with an infant devil, son of the Devil King and his only surviving heir.
The Alchemist Who Survived Now Dreams of a Quiet City Life [Review]
The Alchemist Who Survived Now Dreams of a Quiet City Life [Review] by Che Gilson January 17, 2020 Young Mariela is possibly the last alchemist alive. A stampede of magic-eating monsters 200 years ago forced her to use a suspended animation spell. She thought she’d sleep a few weeks at most, but she awakens to find she’s been out for two centuries. Those missing years have wrought many changes. The city she called home is mostly in ruins, and out of the surviving sections has arisen Labyrinth City.
100 Years Quest [Manga Review]
Fairy Tail: 100 Years Quest [Manga Review] by Che Gilson January 17, 2020 The stars of the hit fantasy Fairy Tail are back for a brand new adventure. Old fans are sure to be pleased by this new series, but new fans might have some trouble coming on board. The background and politics of the Fairy Tail wizards’ guild are barely explained and the running gags are likely to fall flat for new readers. However, there’s still a lot to enjoy in Fairy Tail: 100 Years Quest.
Monster and the Beast [Manga Review]
Monster and the Beast [Manga Review] by Che Gilson January 5, 2020 Liam, a handsome and hedonistic traveler, is “saved” from either pleasure or pain by Cavo, a demon who answers Liam’s cries of …let’s say distress. Cavo rescues Liam from some unscrupulous forest guides and his reward is Liam’s relentless flirtation. A fun twist on the “Beauty and the Beast” fairy tale ensues, as the gentle demon is introduced to the human experience by the sexually aggressive rogue.
Divine Raiment Magical Girl Howling Moon [Manga Review]
Divine Raiment Magical Girl Howling Moon [Manga Review] by Che Gilson January 4, 2020 Since the dawn of Sailor Moon, authors have been coming up with ways to subvert magical girl tropes, to greater and lesser success. Howling Moon is another attempt at an adult magical girl series. But where works like Puella Magi Madoka Magica are smart, dark reworkings of the formula, Howling Moon is … not.
Happy Sugar Life [Manga Review]
Happy Sugar Life [Manga Review] by Che Gilson December 11, 2019 On the surface, Happy Sugar Life looks like a generic cute shojo manga, and the back cover copy doesn’t shed a lot of light on the actual plot. But this twisted thriller is basically Dexter as shojo manga. Satou Matsuzaka seems like a typical high school girl, despite a reputation for being a little loose. She works at a maid café, supposedly lives with her aunt, has friends, smiles and laughs, and is popular in school.
Mythical Beast Investigator [Review]
Mythical Beast Investigator [Review] by Che Gilson November 20, 2019 Ferry Eachna is a mythical beast investigator. She keeps the peace between humans and the magical creatures of the world, settling disputes and investigating the causes of any trouble that crops up. Ferry’s obvious empathy for the mythical beasts makes her a fair arbiter of justice. She listens with patience to both parties and judges fairly. And woe to any who raise a hand against her.
[Review] The Ideal Sponger Life
[Review] The Ideal Sponger Life by Che Gilson August 23, 2019 The Ideal Sponger Life: © 2017 • Tsunehiko Watanabe • Jyuu Ayakura / Shufunotomo Infos Co., Ltd. © Neko Hinotsuki 2017 Office drone Yamai Zenjiro is summoned to a strange fantasy world by the hot woman from his sex dream. For some readers, the fact that this book opens with a sex scene will be either an instant turn-off or the only reason to keep going.
Escape Journey [Review]
Escape Journey [Review] by Che Gilson November 21, 2018 In this reunion romance with a twist of awkward and a splash of drama, Naoto and Taichi were secret lovers in high school, but lust soon turned into animosity. Several years later, they’re reunited in college. Naoto is looking forward to making friends and kicking his college career off right. He immediately runs into Taichi, who is not only at the same school, but sharing the same major.
Little Devils [Review]
Little Devils [Review] by Che Gilson November 9, 2018 Super-cute shenanigans ensue in this light-hearted exploration of what happens in a video-game-style world after the quest is over. Not too long ago, the King of All Devils rose up and took over the world. God anointed the hero Byron to save the world from the evil King. After attaining level 99, Byron slayed the Devil king and … the Devil’s body split into 12 adorable little devil children.
Coyote [Review]
Coyote [Review] by Che Gilson September 23, 2018 Romeo and Juliet get a supernatural makeover in Coyote. Yes, it’s werewolves vs. gangsters in this scorching male/male romance. Coyote is a member of a werewolf clan that’s been hiding its presence from humanity for the last 70 years. The reason for this is the illegal trade in werewolf parts, a trade overseen by the Galland crime family. Tensions between the Galland mafia and the werewolves are coming to a head.
Black Torch [Review]
Ninjas, mononoke, and shady intelligence agencies get an action-packed mash-up in Black Torch. Street tough Jiro Azuma might look like a petty criminal, but he uses his ninja training to defend helpless animals, which he can talk to. This unique ability leads him to rescue a wounded black cat in the woods. The cat, Rago, is a mononoke, or vengeful spirit, recently released from captivity.
Endo Yasuko Stalks the Night [Review]
Hungry for You: Endo Yasuko Stalks the Night [Review] by Che Gilson August 26, 2018 Billed primarily as a story of friendship, Hungry for You is closer to horror comedy, with an emphasis on the comedy. Dreary Yomai Town is the site of mysterious disappearances. Three teenage girls have vanished, and the culprit seems to be Endo Yasuko, a girl with no family and a taste for flesh. Endo befriends/ bribes her classmate Shizue into “feeding” her to slake her hunger.
Sleepy Princess in the Demon Castle [Review]
Sleepy Princess in the Demon Castle [Review] by Che Gilson August 18, 2018 When the Demon Kingdom kidnaps the Princess of Goodereste, it’s the demons who get more than they bargained for. Princess Syalis’s reign of terror begins during her first night as a captive in the demon palace. The pillow is rough and lumpy and even noisy. So, using her seamstress skills, she gathers materials for a more comfortable sleep. She goes on to ravage the Demon Kingdom, RPG-style.
Crisis Girls [Review]
Crisis Girls [Review] by Che Gilson August 3, 2018 The aptly named Crisis City is protected from all manner of evil by The Undertaker: Grave Digger Kaede! This intimidating moniker belongs to an adorable little girl with a ton of power. Kaede is one of several children, dubbed the Crisis Girls, born with cursed blood that gives them superpowers. The authorities, realizing that these supergirls could turn into supervillains, assigned them guardians to raise them as protectors of the common good.
Graineliers [Review]
Graineliers [Review] by Che Gilson July 22, 2018 Luca is a young man living in a world where seeds contain miraculous powers. The seeds are tightly controlled by a government organization called Graineliers, but Luca needs money to support himself and his shut-in father and takes up raising illegal amaranth for profit. One night, when the Graineliers come knocking, Luca winds up ingesting some seeds and falls into a coma for two years.
Gantz Omnibus Volume 1 [Review]
Gantz Omnibus Volume 1 [Review] by Che Gilson April 1, 2018 Gantz is a nihilistic orgy of violence, death and nudity. First published in 2000, the series is shaping up to become enshrined as a classic of horror, sci-fi, and action manga. The story follows the brutal misadventures of self-involved horndog Kei, his nicer friend Kato, and Kishimoto, a girl Kei sexually harasses. One day Kei makes the mistake of helping Kato rescue a drunk who falls on the subway tracks.
Nameless Asterism Volume 1 [Review]
Nameless Asterism Volume 1 [Review] by Che Gilson March 25, 2018 Shiratori wants everything between herself and her best friends Washio and Kotooka to stay the same forever. But nothing stays the same. Since the first day of school, the three friends have been inseparable. But Shiratori harbors a secret crush on Washio. She was happy to keep her feelings to herself—until she discovers Washio is in love with Kotooka.
Jauna and the Dragonewt’s Seven Kingdoms Volume 1 [Review]
Jauna and the Dragonewt’s Seven Kingdoms Volume 1 [Review] With likable characters and a story that’s cute from out of the gate, Juana and the Dragonewt’s Seven Kingdoms gets off to a promising start, but staggers a little in the execution. In a far future, humans, also known as Muernandes, have been extinct for ages. Replacing them are the dragon-like Guardunes, or Dragonewts. Nid, one of the Dragonewts, makes his living digging up ancient human artifacts and selling them to collectors.
A Strange and Mystifying Story [Review]
A Strange and Mystifying Story [Review] by Che Gilson February 18, 2018 Akio Yamane’s cursed bloodline means he’s destined to die young, and no sooner does his grandfather kick the bucket then the curse kicks in. But Aki’s grandfather also left him one last gift: a petrified tooth. With it, Akio accidentally summons the smoking hot wolf guy Setsu. A bored family guardian, Setsu amuses himself by granting a wish to those who summon him.
Queen’s Quality Vol. 1 [Review]
Queen’s Quality Vol. 1 [Review] by Che Gilson February 11, 2018 Queen’s Quality is a sequel to QQ Sweeper and isn’t the best place to jump on board. If you haven’t read the previous series, it’s hard to catch up on the plot or get invested in the characters. While Motomi does a decent job of introducing new readers to protagonists Kyutaro and Fumi, it’s obvious that they have a long history together that readers just joining the story are missing. The secondary characters aren’t as well developed.
Show More
loading
Actions
Is this you?
As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.Get in touch with Che
Contact Che, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.
Learn more about Muck Rack