Administrator, radio guy & #edfringe review collector for @BritishComedy. Reviewer for @AnimeUKNews. Author of @clampdownbook. Autistic. He/Him
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Articles by Ian Wolf
Appleseed: Deluxe Edition Review
Before getting into the review proper, I would like to say that I was really looking forward to reviewing this manga: a sci-fi classic, produced luxuriously and released in the highest standard. Then I ended up breaking my arm, and realised I had to review a massive hardback containing over 800 pages, not only dealing with my injury and the delays it would cause catching up with work, but simply contending with the problems of carrying a book this huge.
Hand-in-Hand with Mu-chan: Lessons from My Autistic Daughter Volume 1 Review
Warning: This manga features someone contemplating suicide. It’s not often you come across a manga that feels like it relates to you specifically. Most manga series are fantastical. Even the ones set in places that we’ve all been to like school are very often based on some bizarre scenario. Thus, this review makes for a pleasant change, given that it is something very much based on reality, but it is about the condition that I have myself.
Golden Man Volume 1 Review
Superhero manga Golden Man is, arguably, of particular interest at this very moment, because as this series is just now becoming available in English, in Japan the manga is finishing this month – so if you do speak Japanese, you might want to avoid spoilers before you get the chance to read it from the start.
From Our TBR Pile… July 2026
It’s July and too hot to do much except seek the shade and read a book or two! If you’re looking for some manga or manhwa recommendations, the Anime UK News team are here to help… Level Up with the Gods Volume 3 by B.
Wild Love: A BL Guide to the Animal Kingdom review
Warning: This is an 18-rated adult title not suitable for children. This manga also covers subjects that some readers may find disturbing. Before getting into anime and manga, I had other passions. I got into the furry fandom before manga (hence my penname), and I’ve always liked comedy.
From our TBR pile: Pride Month June 2026 – some LGBTQIA+ recommendations
At Anime UK News, we’ve been covering LGBTQ+ themes and stories in manga, light novel and manhwa for as long as whenever…so Pride Month is an excellent time to share some more recent titles from our toppling TBR piles! His Favorite Volume 13 by Suzuki Tanaka OT (SuBLime Manga) review by Ian Wolf Some books in our TBR piles have been waiting to be read longer than others.
Bad Girl Volume 1 Review
There are some people who try too hard to achieve what they want, whether it be something creative, scientific or romantic. Yuu Yuutani, the titular Bad Girl in this manga by Nikumaru, certainly falls into the last of these categories. Yuu is in love to the point of obsession with Atori Mizutori, the head of her school’s disciplinary committee. In order to try to get her attention, Yuu decides to act like a bad girl: getting ear piercings, modifying her school uniform, dyeing her hair and so on.
From Our TBR Pile… May 2026
Our TBR piles might not be shrinking at Anime UK News, rather the opposite…but that’s good news because we’ve always something interesting to read at hand – and to recommend! A Returner’s Magic Should Be Special Volume 6 by Usonan (story) and Wookjakga (illustrations) (Ize Press) reviewed by Noemi10 Desir’s party is on a break from Hebrion Academy, and they decide to join Romantica in her home country, the Prilecha Kingdom.
Ashita no Joe: Fighting for Tomorrow Omnibus 5 Review
As we pass the half-way point in this classic manga, Joe Yabuki has reached his lowest ebb in terms of his boxing career. Of course, those familiar with the story will know that Joe is no stranger to adversity, being a drifter, going to prison, and recently taking part in a match with his rival Rikiishi in which his old juvie colleague died in the ring. However, the “ghost of Rikiishi” still haunts Joe, which has led to him losing his last three matches. This is where this omnibus picks up.
From Our TBR Pile… April 2026
We really love reading manga and manhwa here at Anime UK News…so that must be why our TBR piles never seem to shrink; if anything, they’re growing taller! So here are our reviewers with some new recommendations for April… Jungle Juice Volume 5 by Hyeong Eun, Juder (art) (Ize Press) reviewed by Noemi10 The Breeder’s faction attacks Nest, and their goal is to get rid of Professor Ji, Nest’s strongest weapon.
From Our TBR Pile… March 2026
We’ve reached the Spring Equinox – but even if the night are getting shorter, there’s always time to pick up on the next volume in a favourite series or try something new! Looking for inspiration?
Ashita no Joe: Fighting for Tomorrow Omnibus 4 Review
When you participate in a physical and violent sport such as boxing, sometimes things can go tragically wrong. This is clearly evident in the fourth collection of this classic manga. It picks up mid-fight, with ex-drifter Joe Yabuki currently facing off against his former juvie rival Rikiishi. Joe does manage to land a blow to Rikiishi’s head, causing him to collapse into the back of the bottom rope, but it is ultimately Rikiishi who wins the bout. However, it is Rikiishi who ends up the worst.
Moscow 2160 Volume 1 Review
When it comes to certain types of creative work, you sometimes get the impression that people are relieved when it breaks from what’s the most dominant form of its type. For example, when it comes to anime and manga, you might get the impression: “Oh, it’s not isekai. That’s different.” When it comes to alternative history, I suspect a similar reaction is: “Oh, it’s not about the Nazis winning the war.
From Our TBR Pile… February 2026
It’s raining (or snowing, depending where you are) and dreary outside – so why not curl up by the fire with a good manga or manhwa to while away the worst of February and transport you elsewhere! Welcome to Demon School! Iruma-kun Volume 18 by Osamu Nishi (Vertical) reviewed by Noemi10 The Misfit Class students are preparing their show for the Music Festival, and they couldn’t choose something easy! They opt for the hell dance in which all 13 students need to perform in synchrony.
Tokyo Mew Mew New – Season 1 and Season 2 review • Anime UK News
There appears to be a trend of anime studios readapting magical girl series for more modern audiences. Sailor Moon has had multiple adaptations, a new version of Magic Knight Rayearth is coming soon, and a few years ago Reiko Yoshida’s manga Tokyo Mew Mew was given a modern remake, having originally been adapted for TV 20 years earlier.
Demon Lord 2099: The Complete Omnibus Review
Having reviewed the original light novel nearly four years ago, it was nice to revisit Demon Lord 2099 in this manga version. While we’ve seen the anime version of the series that came out at the end of 2024, the manga was until now the only adaptation of the story not available in English. Originally published in three volumes, Yen Press have released the entire work as a single omnibus.
Anime UK News Review of 2025 Part 2: Manga, Manhwa, Light Novels and Danmei
2025 has been a strangely muted year for big new manga announcements – although manhwa/webtoons seem to be thriving in digital and print, even the expensive but attractive colour print volumes. Shonen Jump titles still dominate the top sales figures (it’s difficult to outsell One Piece and Jujutsu Kaisen!) But although we enjoy the traditional shonen titles at Anime UK News, we also love to read and review many other works from different demographics.
Anime UK News Review of 2025 Part 1: Anime
It’s been a year in which new anime series proliferated, so fans have had plenty of titles to choose from. But has quantity meant quality? Scotland Loves Anime celebrated another successful season in Glasgow, London and Edinburgh and there have been more cinema screenings than in any other year of shonen-related films, with Demon Slayer packing them in all around the world.
What Do You Call This Trash? Review
WARNING: This manga covers subjects including attempted suicide. When you’re reading stories about stalking, you’re going to expect certain tropes, and while some of these come up, What Do You Call This Trash? does take us in some unexpected directions. The stalker in question is a girl named Akira Ebiguchi, who was dating a boy called Kai Konatsu for a while before he left her because she was way too possessive. What Kai does not know is that his younger brother Yuuto is in love with Akira.
CLAMP Official Artbooks: COLOR Kuro & COLOR Shiro Review
Reviewing books can be complicated when dealing with different publishers, and they don’t come any more complicated than dealing with the work of a group of people who have been creating manga for over 35 years among different companies in their homeland, leading to the situation that two different collections of their art are being released by two different companies at the same time.
From Our TBR Pile… New Manga and Manhwa Recommendations! November 2025
Wondering whether to continue with a manga series? Or just on the look-out for a new title? Our reviewers are here with some more suggestions from their TBR piles! The Moon on a Rainy Night Volume 7 by Kuzushiro (Kodansha) reviewed by Darkstorm The summer is now over, so Kanon and Saki are gearing up for the school festival, with their class maid café and choir contest.
Thunder 3 Volumes 6 & 7 Review
It has been a while since I’ve last covered Thunder 3, and having returned to it my overall reaction is somewhat mixed. With the “Small 3” now calling themselves the “Thunder 3”, Pynotaro, Tsubame and Hiroshi have now joined the fight proper, with Pynotaro having gotten himself onto one of the alien spaceships where he finds his missing sister Futaba.
On and Off: Work-Life Imbalance Volume 2
While once again this is a short volume compared to most manga, On and Off: Work-Life Imbalance continues to be entertaining. We return to follow the relationship between Sotaro Amata and Akira Hanku, colleagues in the same office who are unaware that, in private, they both have a big taste for fashion, with Sotaro into Lolita and Akira into punk. In fact, when they are dressed in their styles, they can’t even tell which gender the other is, let alone recognise each other from work.
Isekai Metaller Volume 1 Review
Upon first learning that there was an isekai manga in which the protagonist is a metalhead, my first thought was: “Of course there is! There’s an isekai covering just about every person, scenario or object these days. I won’t be surprised if there was a series somewhere called I Died Having a Dump and was Reincarnated as Toilet Paper in Another World.” (And if there isn’t, someone will now do it.
BBC gains rights to Pokémon Horizons: Season 3
The BBC will release the third season of Pokémon Horizons, entitled Rising Hope, on iPlayer on 27th October. Thanks to the BBC continuing their broadcast rights of the new series, UK viewers will be able to watch the series once again before US audiences, who do not get to watch it until January 2026 on Netflix. Although not confirmed yet, it is assumed the episodes will also be broadcast on CBBC, as have the other series.
Summer 2025 Overview
Is the concept of four distinct anime seasons a year still valid?
Ashita no Joe: Fighting for Tomorrow Omnibus 3 Review
The life of teenage drifter-turned-boxer Joe Yabuki has always been tough, but now things go up a level as Joe finally makes his professional boxing debut. With his coach Danpei failing to get a licence for his boxing gym, thus meaning Joe cannot register as a pro, Joe, as ever, takes things into his own hands, going into the dressing room of pro fighter Wolf Kanagushi and knocking him out, with the press in full view.
Natural History Museum to host Pokémon Pop-Up Shop
London’s Natural History Museum (NHM) to host a Pokémon pop-up shop in the new year. Marking the 30th anniversary of the franchise, the official Pokémon website reports that between 26th January and 22nd March, the Cranbourne Boutique within the museum will be turned into a special shop selling among other items apparel, stationery and a brand-new exclusive plush toy.
From Our TBR Pile… New Recommendations! September 2025
As the nights begin to draw in, there’s more time to enjoy reading a good book (manga, light novel or manhwa!) and the reviewers at Anime UK News are here again with some recommendations, including mid-series volumes that are well worth your time! K-On! Shuffle Volume 3 by kakifly – reviewed by Ian Wolf The Pop Music Club continue to develop their skills.
The benefits of women’s sports
The National Junior College Athletic Association’s Region 19 — which comprises 26 two-year colleges in New Jersey, Delaware and eastern Pennsylvania — is proud of its women’s sports opportunities. During the 2024-2025 academic year, 999 female student-athlete participants across 10 sports, fielding a total of 104 women’s teams. This is a significant increase from 855 female student-athletes during the 2021-2022 school year (a 17% increase in female participation across the region).
From Our TBR Pile… New Recommendations! August 2025
We’re keen readers at Anime UK News, alternating between reading our own purchases to requested review copies and back again. Here, in the first of what (we hope) will be monthly articles, our reviewers share their first impressions of titles and volumes that are new – or new to them! Is the Order a Rabbit?
Dead Rock Volume 3 Review
I’m not sure how many shonen manga there are where so early on in the story someone you believe will be one of the central figures in the entire thing gets killed off, but given that Dead Rock is set in a demonic world, this series is prepared to be brutal. We return to the action in the Dead Rock’s school library, where Yakuto is trying to search for a book which will reveal God’s weakness, in the hope that Yakuto can carry out his plan of killing him.
The Fable Omnibus 8 Review
Once more this thrilling crime manga mixes it up with some comedic moments in this omnibus, which sees things take a big turn for those at the top. Valentine’s Day is approaching, and hitman The Fable, currently working at a design company under the name Akira Sato, has been given a job to make some flyers. Meanwhile his pretend sister Yoko is sharpening up her own fighting skills. However things at the Maguro Group (who are hiding the two) are taking a turn for the worse.
Initial D Omnibus 6 Review
This feels like a very unusual omnibus of Initial D, mainly because the lead character Takumi does not do any racing. The reason for this is at the end of the previous collection when Takumi lost a race in which the engine of his Eighty-Six blew up. As a result, his dad Bunta puts a new, more powerful engine into the car. However, when Takumi first drives it, he finds it to being slower than before, with the car not being able to use its full power.
Summer 2025 Preview
DAN DA DAN returns for a second season! Call of the Night is back! Kaiju No.8, My Dress-Up Darling…is this Summer Season made up of nothing but much-heralded anime sequels? Well, fortunately, no.
Thunder 3 Volume 5 Review
Well, it’s taken five volumes to get to this point, but at long last the central characters in Thunder 3 are finally getting involved in the fighting that has been going on around them. With the rebellion by rebel group Rebellion (yeah, I’m still annoyed by the lack of creativity with the name) fading away as the last surviving members finally succumb to the side-effects of the “Empoweral” drug, the Small Three of Pynotaro, Tsubame and Hiroshi jump into battle – literally.
Spring 2025 Overview
It’s always a little sad to see all the buzz advertising the new anime season when the current one is only three-quarters through its run. Suddenly all the once-shiny Spring series are ‘so last season’ and we’re being urged to look forward to all the new Summer titles instead! And yet those last few episodes can result in a triumph of story-telling as a series fulfils its early promise and delivers a satisfying and moving conclusion. Has it been a memorable season?
Tokyo Babylon: CLAMP Premium Collection Volume 7 Review
It has been rather strange reviewing this book. Partly this is due to the experience of reliving Tokyo Babylon, having been reviewing these new releases from Yen Press since 2023. However, there is also the issue that while this is the end of the series, it’s not the end for the characters within it. The previous volume ended with Subaru Sumeragi about to declare his love for Seishiro Sakurazuka, who is in hospital recovering from the loss of his eye.
Dead Rock Volume 2 Review
The new series from Fairy Tail creator Hiro Mashima continues to build on the groundwork established in its first volume, creating a fantasy manga that should become increasingly enjoyable. The students of Class F in Dead Rock, the elite school on level 666 of the demon world, are beginning to settle down. Well, as much as you can settle down when you have already wiped out another class and one of the students has an overwhelming desire to kill the principal, who claims to be God.
On and Off: Work-Life Imbalance Volume 1 Review
Given that we recently published an article about gender non-conforming characters for Pride Month, it seems fitting that one title that has just come out has two leads that fit this mould. On and Off follows the lives of two 27-year-old office workers, Sotaro Amata and Akira Hanku. At work, Sotaro is a popular guy and the subject of office talk about how cute he is, while Akira is stern with others around her, including Sotaro, and something of a loner.
Drifters Omnibus 1 Review
If you are at all familiar with the name Kohta Hirano, it’s most likely as the creator of Hellsing, a manga that very much feels like a mixture of every single B-movie theme you can think of, featuring as it does vampires, buxom women and Nazis (including a Nazi catboy dressed as a Hitler Youth). Hirano’s follow-up series, Drifters, features many of the same elements, albeit in an isekai setting.
Gender? We Hardly Know Her! Anime UK News Celebrates Gender Non-Conforming Characters for Pride Month 2025
On Anime UK News, we’re celebrating the anime and manga characters that break gender norms, the ones who do not conform to the binary, the ones who celebrate who they are and make us love them, regardless of how they choose to identify. Gender? We Hardly Know Her! Darkstorm One of my first exposures to gender non-conforming characters was Haruka Tenoh, aka Sailor Uranus.
The Fable Omnibus 7 Review
In this edition we see a return to the more comic side of The Fable, but also the return of old enemies. Having survived an attempt on his life by the Taihei Detective Agency and getting a promise from the wheelchair-bound Hina that she will learn to walk again in six months’ time, the hitman known as The Fable (aka Akira Sato) can get back to something at least resembling a normal life. He continues his work at the Octopus Design Company, where things are busy.
Initial D Omnibus 5 Review
In this latest omnibus edition, Takumi Fujiwara ends up learning things the hard way both in and out of the car. We begin mid-race with the Emperor team, with Seiji Iwaki driving a Mitsubishi Evo IV, racing against Takumi in his panda-coloured Eighty-Six.
Thunder 3 Volume 4 Review
At the beginning of my review of the previous volume of Thunder 3, I wrote that while there was little attention paid to the main heroes, there was plenty of action to keep the reader entertained. In this fourth volume, even the action starts to feel a bit of a drag. Most of this edition concerns the ongoing rebellion being organised by a group of humans called Rebellion (unimaginatively).
Ashita no Joe: Fighting for Tomorrow Omnibus 2 Review
Since my review of the first omnibus of Asao Takamori and Tetsuya Chiba’s classic boxing manga, Vertical/Kodansha’s release of Ashita no Joe has been nominated for an Eisner Award. This should be no surprise given the prestige the series already has, but also the fact that you cannot put this book down once you’ve started reading it.
Mono Volume 2 review
As the anime adaption of mono continues on Crunchyroll, it’s time to take another look at the original manga as the series catches up. Once more Satsuki, An and Sakurako of the cinephoto study group continue to embark on more travels, partly to help local manga artist Haruno, who is creating a title based on their passion for photography. This second volume begins with a visit from motorbiker vlogger Kako using Satsuki’s action camera to film Haruno at work.
Spring 2025 Preview
New anime TV series for Spring have been springing up on all the usual streaming channels since April began – but what’s this? We can’t watch Yaiba yet in the UK – Lazarus (Shinichiro Watanabe) is only showing on All4 in a US dub – and Your Forma only seems to be available on YouTube at the time of writing.
The Fable Omnibus 6 Review
The end of the previous collection was definitely dramatic and that drama only continues to escalate in this latest edition. We begin by following the aftermath of a shocking incident at the workplace of The Fable, the hitman currently in hiding and working under the name Akira Sato. One of his co-workers, Etsuji, who has been stalking fellow co-worker Misaki, has become so depressed with everything that has gone on around him that he tries to stab Misaki to death then and there in the office.
Dogsred Volume 1 Review
We don’t tend to review VIZ Media titles much on Anime UK News as we don’t get review copies, but I wanted to give my views on this title, which I purchased myself, for a few reasons. First of all, I’m a fan of ice hockey (I support my local team, Billingham Stars) so out of all the reviewers on the website I guess I’m the one WITH the most in-depth knowledge of the game. Secondly are the somewhat troubled origins of Dogsred.
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