Tuesday, May 26, 2026

Anime Riverside 2026 This Weekend

 

Anime Riverside
May 30th and 31st, 2026
Riverside Convention Center
$ 

Woah, is the precursor to AX already here? Yes, Anime Riverside is here to pump you up for all things anime. So get prepared with a smaller con, but still big on community at this anime convention. This one packs a lot of voice talent since it's such an easy drive from LA. So, go through whose gonna be at it to see if you wanna meet your fav voice actor in person.  There's much more than that, go the web-site above and check the full list of all to see and do there this year.



Other than that downtown Riverside basically bends to being an anime convention for two days. 

Some tips: 

There is plenty of parking, just look online or plan ahead. Don't pay a huge amount nearby, just walk a few blocks to save cash. Same with food. I think the Food Lab is a rip. If you find any place that looks good nearby to eat, sadly that's the usual price. The 24 ramen spot is open for real all night and day. Sadly, it will be insanely busy, because everyone is an otaku going. And, it's pretty good.

 We weren't happy about it last year, but check in is still oddly away from main street, you got to shlep all the way around to get your pass. So plan ahead to be walking around the convention center or getting dropped off near check in.

We always recommend the Anime Wrestling, check the times and bring shades, hats and sunscreen. Buy some cold drinks. Sadly, they haven't learned that it needs to be shaded. Watch cosplayers beat each other up in the veil of wrestling.

Fewer panels this year...no Super Saiyan Scream Off! Check out the full list of panels here. The JoJo Pose-Off!is still going, thank goodness!

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Monday, May 25, 2026

Only In Monroe with Guest Host Stephen Colbert

 

If you need something to watch this Memorial Day or through the week, check out this episode of Only In Monroe with guest host Stephen Colbert. He started the Late Show, by coming out a doing the show out in Monroe and he's ending it here. And, it's comedy gold.

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Kinokuniya Offically Returning To Little Tokyo & Kadokawa Has Retail Stores Called Manga Spot?

We already wrote about it, but it looks like Kinokuniya's aiming for June for opening, but don't have an official date. It's still very funny as it was in Weller Court, right next door for years. We can only guess they were priced out with rent and then to come back right next door...chef's kiss.

It looks like Kadokawa is going to try harder with their retail stores in the US. Don't think we've ever seen a Manga Spot. Nearest to us in San Diego.

via ANN 

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Terrible Trailers/ Fun Watches: Buffet Infinity & Human Vapor

Ughhhh, my poor eyes and my poor cinephile heart. Who cut these trailers? Did an algorithm cut the Netflix one? Sheesh.
 
Anyway, here's two new things you should stream or rent.
 
First up, if you like late night, weird stuff and some good ol' funky horror let me introduce you to Buffet Infinity. What starts off seemingly as a fight between competing restaurants only seen through local commercials slowly descends into cosmic horror level threats. It's so ingenious and so good with a small budget. Each commercial seems so real until it gets to the cursing and violence later on. You'll laugh at how a restaurant commercial seems to be gaining sentience and is kind of a bitter douche towards it's only competition. Each new commercial it makes making fun of a different type of restaurant or just being a$$. 
 
Here's BD's review. 
 
 
I'm sorry, but the trailer, totally loses anyone's appetite for Buffet Infinity. 
 
Even after watching the movie the trailer is not justified. It doesn't really make sense why it doesn't just cut clips from the commercials from the film or the makers didn't just make another commercial for Buffet Infinity, the real in-story restaurant. It's baffling Yellow Veil didn't tell them they had to do a new one. Just see the actual film. Throw-away the trailer.
 
Buffet Infinity is available for rent or buy online multiple places online.
 

 G-d this trailer blows...and I don't mean from ruining key moments from the series. Wait, yes I do. I'll admit this is the Philippines Netflix teaser, but I doubt it'll change if they release a English one. Except, a bad dubbing.

It's from an and old Toho property Human Vapor, which probably should be changed to The Human Vapor. In any case, is seems someone gets superpowers and fights corruption in modern Japanese society. But, the trailer right here sort of took out the suspense and made it feel all over the place. It was so randomly cut. We get the inklings that a female detective reporter or detective is gonna go looking for him and try and find the truth behind why he gets powers, but the rest is just going by too quick.
 
I noticed a lot of Netflix teasers/trailers are cut this way and with awkward end points. Spend the money on and end point for the trailer.
 
Hey, I don't want it to be a "Surf Dracula" thing. Human Vapor better turn into gas first episode, but whatever person or AI cut this sure made some strange choices. 
 
Still want to see it, I'm assuming whomever cu the trailer didn't work on the show. Sadly, the reverse of the first trailer we watched, which went way to artsy and weird.
 
Human Vapor is out July 2 only on Netflix.
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Friday, May 22, 2026

Things From Another World Closing @ CityWalk Sept 30th & Marvel Cosmic Invasion - DLC #1: Cyclops & The Thing

Sad news as Things From Another World is closing at CityWalk, September 30th this year. Some version of the comic book store has been gracing CityWalk for decades. 

Losing it means losing a precious starting point for people to get into comics. The same comics where all the movies, shows and games (like the DLC will be ending this post on comes from). Things From Another World being in such a well known area for any tourist or young Angeleno would be use in tandem for multiple special events related to superhero movies or special signings like the one I'm posting below.

This is a real shame, but is happening after Dark Horse Comics, which owns Things From Another World got restructured and many older staff were laid off. They're apparently creating a Games Division, but don't want to do deal with any sort of brink-n-mortar-retail.

We're going to miss it. And, CityWalk is gonna be much lamer without it. 

And, we're probably not getting Pokemon Center at CityWalk ever. I once reported rumors of that happening years ago. But, I have to think the standards are too high to maintain one on par with a Japanese store with how much we pay people in America.


 In not sad news, The ever-lovin', blue-eyed Thing and eye punch beams Cyclops are new DLC for Cosmic Invasion out now wherever the game is available. 

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The Furious Monday & Beyond

If you're lucky enough to "really" have the day off Monday, go see The Furious thanks to Big Bad Film Fest in Gardena Monday. If not, wait for a Beyond Fest screening or until it's in theaters for real June 12th.

Sigh, I'm sorry, but I'm just not digging the artists Lionsgate is choosing for The Furious posters. Seems there's gonna be a series? The latest one from Vincent Aseo just doesn't grab me, just like the last one didn't. Props for giving artists a try though to make the movie stand out.

Can't wait to see the pummeling and bloodshed!
 


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Halloween Horror Nights Auditions June

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