Not Another Kid Movie

Anime is Taking Over

People love anime. Like, love anime. A new study found that nearly a third of all people on Earth watch anime once a week. That’s billions of people.

While Asian viewers account for a bulk of those viewers, the numbers in the U.S. are shockingly high — with 12% watching…daily? These numbers can’t be right, can they?

Damn. Why the hell am I recommending obscure ‘60s French cat flicks? I should be talking more anime!

Let’s be honest, we know our kids are doing heavy lifting with those stats. Are you watching with your kids? If you aren’t, it’s time to start. The study found that people watch anime because of the “storytelling depth, emotional nuance, and cultural diversity.” Three great ways to build character from the couch.

In previous editions of NAKM, I recommended anime films Suzume, Porco Rosso, Spirited Away, Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind. And I reviewed the bizarre anime Ghost Cat Anzu.

If you don’t watch anime, but want to dive in, there’s an easy place to start: Studio Ghibli. Most of the films are available on HBO Max. And several are in theaters. In my Summer Preview edition, I told you about the classics being re-released this fall.

If you want more, you can find my Anime Starter Pack with film and TV recommendations below. Before you ask: No, KPop Demon Hunters on Netflix is not an anime. It’s Korean. Not Japanese. And now that I acknowledged the movie’s existence, I guess I’ll have to do a review — oh wait, what’s that? A bird? A plane? It’s Superman! (saving my ass)

Kanpai!

Brendan

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My Pint-Sized Review of Superman

Director James Gunn knows how to throw a party on screen. He builds emotions with interesting characters, stunning visuals, and ear worm needle drops to build toward memorable cinematic moments.

You’ve seen it before in all three Guardians of the Galaxy films.

Superman isn’t the tightly scripted story you saw in GotG, which makes sense. It’s harder to tell an underdog misfit story — Gun’s specialty — when the focus is on the most famous, most celebrated, most powerful superbeing on the planet.

In the film, Gunn snags premises from our society’s current headlines and wields them like kryptonite to smash through Superman’s super persona. The movie is very much an “of the times” story, looking at how public perception can be used to bludgeon people with good, selfless intentions.

Superman skips Kal-El’s backstory to focus on one moment in time. However, it doesn’t skip several heartwarming moments where we see how Superman’s relationship with his Earth parents made him the (Super) man he is today. 

There are emotional moments but the film never gets too heavy and doesn’t take itself too seriously. It’s a message but not a heavy-handed one.

The violence, though, can get a little heavy handed. There are a few intense fighting moments that can be hard to watch for younger viewers. In this DC universe, Superman takes a licking. Frequently. From his enemies and from his dog Krypto. Lots of lickings from Krypto.

And Krypto is why one fight caused my five-year-old to go from covering her eyes to cheering out loud. She wasn’t the only one in the crowd cheering that moment.

You don’t need a drink to celebrate at this party. Superman will sweep you off your feet if you let him. Don’t read bullshit reviews (other than this one) or trolling Reddit posts from people who just found out Superman isn’t from Earth.

Just go enjoy the movie. It’s fun. You will have fun. Unless you’re an asshole. Then you will not have fun.

In theaters: Now

Rating: PG-13 (Me: 8+)

Director: James Gunn

Starring: David Corenswet, Rachel Brosnahan, Nicholas Hoult

Run time: 2h 9m

Post-credits scenes: One mid-credits, one post-credits

Bathroom breaks: According to RunPee…

• 29:05 when Lex Luthor says, “This is what we came for.”

• 1:01:35 when Lois says, “This haircut should be against your vows.”

• 1:28:00 when the newscaster hits us with unnecessary exposition

Sequel? More like a Universe

If you liked Superman, check out these films and series:

• Superman (1978) (6+)

• Superman: Man of Tomorrow (2020) (6+)

• Superman: The Animated Series (1996-2000 series) (6+)

• My Adventures with Superman (2023-? series) (6+)

• DC League of Super-Pets (2022) (5+)

Fresh Cuts

The latest family films to hit all screens. Not all are winners. Watch at your own risk!

In Theaters 📽️

• (July 18) Smurfs

• (July 25) The Fantastic Four: First Steps

• (July 25) Summer Wars (2009 re-release) (7+ anime!!!)

On Disc 📀

• (July 29) Thunderbolts (2025) (9+)

News You Can Use (and Sometimes Booze)

• Industry: California is finally throwing down tax credits to retain its animation industry, which has been leaving for greener pastures.

• Theaters: AMC now offers 50% off tickets on Tuesdays for Stubs rewards members. The theater chain already dropped Wednesday ticket prices by 50% for members.

• Indy: Is a reboot in the works for Indiana Jones? Could be.

• Bond: Arrival and Dune director Denis Villenueve will take over Bond franchise. Probably not coming anytime soon.

• Garfield: Yay. A sequel. <insert confetti emoji>

• Merch: LAIKA is celebrating 20 years with some cool gear and other products.

Papa Do Preach!

Brendan’s Super Fantastic Anime Starter Pack!

I’m skipping Studio Ghibli films to take you on a (slightly) deeper dive.

Secret Gardens Solve Everything Anime

This is the first anime not made by Studio Ghibli to earn an Academy Award nomination. It’s now streaming on, guess where, Crunchyroll.

That not enough of a recommendation for you? Ok. Like the best anime, Mirai is beautifully hand-drawn with CGI flourishes. Its story is equally enticing — about a boy who feels overwhelmed by his newborn sister and escapes into a secret garden where he finds his late mother — and an older version of his younger sister. This one grabs your heart and holds on. Not in a hostile Disney-like way, but in a pleasing, loving way. As I said, you can stream on Crunchyroll. The better option for viewing quality, as always, is in physical media — go buy the Blu-Ray to unlock the full artistry of anime.

Otherworldly Anthropomorphic Chaperone Anime

The characters and plot of The Boy and the Beast are simple. They won’t stun you. The hand-drawn world with touches of CGI will stun you. The film takes its main character (and you) into a fantasy realm that feels ripped from a Studio Ghibli film. It’s gorgeous and bustling with creativity. If your child craves action, don’t worry, you’ll find some incredible set pieces here surrounded by comical moments. The Boy and the Beast is a spectacle you can stream now on Crunchyroll.

Star-Crossed Crush Anime

This is a standout of the new era of anime — where CGI is embraced to fill the screen with wondrous cityscapes, culinary treasures, and charming characters who charm their way past your tough guy defenses. It’s about two star-crossed teenagers whose bodies are swapped. They set out to find each other and <turns the cheese up to 11> find themselves in the process. Despite this being a pubescent body-swap film, Your Name. is safe for younger viewers. To stream this modern classic, you’ll have to rent it or subscribe to Crunchyroll — a fantastic anime-focused streaming service.

For Your Eyes Only

What to watch after THEY go to bed.

Akira (1988)

This one is not for kids. Not even as a Too Soon? Akira is bloody. It’s violent. It’s also one of the most incredible spectacles ever burned into celluloid. The opening chase will hook you — not just the action, but the phenomenal cityscape in the background. Your expectations will be set on high at the get-go. You won’t be disappointed by what follows.

Akira is about a bike gang leader trying to save a friend who has undergone government-sanctioned ESP experiments following the government’s nuclear bombing of Tokyo. Did you get all that? It sounds crazy. But it works. There’s a reason Akira is considered the all-time great anime. This story doesn’t work with live actors and special effects. Warner Bros. found that out the hard way — owning the rights for two decades before letting them go this June. Stream Akira on Crunchyroll — or better yet, purchase the 4k SteelBook set — now on sale everywhere.

Stir Things Up! Anime Edition

Find the best bar on any block in Japan and you’ll see whiskey highballs. Like most anime, they’re light and breezy but still pack a punch.

Whiskey Highball

Ingredients:

• 2oz Japanese whiskey

• 6oz Soda Water

• 3 ice cubs

Ingredients:

• Lemon twist

Instructions:

1. Chill: Add an ice cube to a highball glass. Stir it with a metal spoon until the glass is chilled. Pour off any remaining water.

2. Ice: Add another ice cube.

3. Pour: Add the whiskey and sodar water.

4. Ice²: Add an ice cube to the top.

5. Zest: Add a lemon twist.

Cheers!

The Man Behind the Mask

Thanks for reading and subscribing!

I am a former television news journalist who now writes about movies, parenting, and tech online (and occasionally on paper). My number one job, though, is making sure my girls grow up with steady heads on their shoulders. I think our shared movie nights have a positive impact on their self-esteem and develop an awareness of the world around them. I relish every night — except for maybe Baby Geniuses. I got through that one with my good friend George Dickel.

Brendan Knapp