This year The Hunger Games franchise, one of Lionsgate’s most successful and lucrative franchises, comes to an end, unless they follow that up with spinoffs and/or prequels. But if it were truly to end, then the studio would need to find another brand. They recently acquired the rights to the Power Rangers movie, and have already hired Project Almanac‘s Dean Israelite to direct the film, although a January release doesn’t bode well for it.
However, they may be banking on an adaptation of Naruto, a popular Japanese anime and manga written and illustrated by Masashi Kishimoto, to be their next big franchise. More on this story below.
Neon Alley 24/7 Streaming Anime Network
Available on Playstation 3, Xbox 360
Launch Date: October 2, 2012 Viz Media
Price: $6.99 Monthly Membership
They say it takes a month to really get to know someone (okay, no one really says that, I just needed to set up this review, okay?). After a month, with any luck, all the quirks and vices that drive us to love or hate someone have began to bubble to the surface. It’s from there that we decide whether to keep the relationship going or not.
Streaming anime network Neon Alley and I have been courting for the past month, and I have got to tell you: things are looking good.
Neon Alley works like no other streaming anime service out right now. Unlike Crunchyroll or Hulu, Neon Alley runs exactly like any cable network with a full slot of programmed shows airing with episode one. It’s a novel idea that harkens back to the days of Cartoon Network’s Toonami.
Okay, a television network that plays all anime, not that special, right? Wrong, dead wrong [says while pointing an accusatory finger].
Shonen Jump World Trigger By Daisuke Ashihara
Toriko By Mitsutoshi Shimabukuro
Dragon Ball By Akira Toriyama
One Piece By Eiichiro Oda
Naruto By Masashi Kishimoto
Cross Manage By KAITO
Nisekoi By Naoshi Komi
One Punch Man By Yusuke Murata Viz Manga
Release Date: February 11, 2013
Cover Price: 99¢
Okay, I have to be honest. When I was assigned to start reviewing Shonen Jump, I had much catching up to do. One Piece is on chapter 698 and Naruto is deep into its 600s as well, not to mention, there is a ton of manga in here that I am wildly unfamiliar with. That being said, I have taken up the arduous task of catching up on these manga, full-time job and personal hygiene be damned.
I am still working on getting my knowledge of current storylines completely up-to-date. So, bear with me if I forget to mention that someone is the brother of the widow who was once a demon but is now a soccer player, or something like that.
Now, without further ado, let’s dive into the recent Shonen Jump (confetti falls from the ceiling, somewhere in the distance a dragon roars).
Students of the Unusual™ comic cover used with permission of 3BoysProductions
The Mercuri Bros.™ comic cover used with permission of Prodigal Son Press