Demelza Ward
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reporterdem.bsky.social
Demelza Ward
@reporterdem.bsky.social
Writer by day, hero of fantasy worlds by night. Bookworm. Talks about Japanese media. Writes for @animeuknews.net & @anime-atelier.com. A founder of @otakuarchivists.bsky.social. Opinions are my own. She/her. 日本語OKでもまだ勉強

https://linktr.ee/reporterdem
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Figured I'd take the chance to write up a (warning: long) blog post highlighting some of the work I'm particularly proud of over the years for AUKN. I'm surprised I found the energy after being at work, but I was feeling inspired today I guess.
A Ten Year Review: AUKN Edition
As I write this on October 23rd 2025, it has been ten years since my first AnimeUKNews review was published. Which I think makes for the perfect opportunity to look back on some of the things I&#82…
curiositi.es
I will never understand why the successful dodge counter attack button in Raidou is Y + B, rather than A + X (A is dodge anyway so your thumb is right there!). I have missed the prompt so many times since I hit my thumb on the stick directly below instead T_T
December 3, 2025 at 6:55 PM
Still can’t decide how I feel about Strobe Edge. It’s better than Ao Haru Ride in a lot of ways, but shares some of the same annoying tendencies in its male lead. He’s less off putting overall tho, I guess?
December 3, 2025 at 3:34 PM
I thought the Vampire Knight Memories final volume was out today but it’s actually still a couple days. Which I guess is fine since i can’t send it over here until my November books are ready and that’s held up by A Man and His Cat being on back order…
December 3, 2025 at 10:13 AM
Apple Music yearly replay is out, honestly not shocked lol. Don’t feel like it’s terribly different to usual.
December 2, 2025 at 11:21 PM
I will say Narumi’s story in Raidou has not at all gone the way I expected. Which is honestly surprising. Everything else feels very standard Atlus.
December 2, 2025 at 9:03 PM
If you told me a small publisher was going out of business I’d believe you, but Yen Press? Come on now. People complaining about their issues obviously haven’t been the long term customers used to their delays.
December 2, 2025 at 7:17 PM
Taking part in the Anime-Planet Secret Santa again this year. Just picked up the first volume of the manga I was recommended and Bookwalker JP still has a good anniversary coin back promotion on, so earned enough for another couple of manga if I want. But might pay for my BL magazine subs with them.
December 2, 2025 at 2:47 PM
Halfway through Vol 1 of The Amazing Village Creator. Feels like it speed runs the village building (this is supposed to be slow life!), and I really cannot deal with the maid who fell in love with MC when he was 3(!) so I think this is a drop. By the Hero Without a Class author which explains a lot
December 2, 2025 at 12:34 PM
Reposted by Demelza Ward
BANANA FISH no longer has an English dub on Amazon
December 1, 2025 at 10:53 PM
Reading Log for November

Did well this month despite being so busy!
Reading Log: November 2025
November means Scotland Love’s Anime time \o/ That does mean less reading (in theory anyway), but I think on the whole it has been a good month. I enjoyed a break to watch anime on the big sc…
curiositi.es
December 1, 2025 at 1:55 PM
Now that life and work has quietened down I’ve gone back to my ‘minimum 5 page of a JP novel a day’ challenge. I do great reading my manga, but sitting down with an untranslated novel has just not been working. And I really want to change that. It’s hard but it doesn’t get less hard not doing it.
November 30, 2025 at 11:54 PM
They had me with Tomoya Nakamura in the cast. Sounds interesting, big change from the crime drama he was in last (which was fun tbf!)
「虎に翼」ハ・ヨンスが「DREAM STAGE」で事務所社長役、中村倫也と夢の舞台目指す

イ・イギョン、キム・ジェギョンも出演

▼コメント・韓国ロケの様子はこちら
https://natalie.mu/eiga/news/650140?utm_source=bluesky&utm_medium=social

#ドラマドリステ
November 30, 2025 at 11:45 PM
Hit chapter 8 of Raidou, still not convinced Narumi isn’t going to be some kind of misguided villain in the end. (And no not ‘Naruto’ thank you autocorrect…)
November 30, 2025 at 6:18 PM
Reposted by Demelza Ward
I Want to Love You Till Your Dying Day Volumes 2 and 3 Review

The more time Sheena spends with Mimi, the more she discovers about her unusual abilities. A girl afraid to set foot on the battlefield and another known as a ruthless killer - what will become of their relationship as they grow closer?
I Want to Love You Till Your Dying Day Volumes 2 and 3 Review
The more time Sheena spends with Mimi, the more she discovers about her unusual abilities. A girl afraid to set foot on the battlefield and another known as a ruthless killer - what will become of their relationship as they grow closer?
animeuknews.net
November 30, 2025 at 10:02 AM
As far as banished from / kicked out of the party series go, The Banished Court Magician Aims to Become the Strongest has actually been pretty good. Really enjoying hearing Kishou Taniyama as the current villain too, been awhile!
November 29, 2025 at 5:56 PM
Since I finished Yotei I’ve gone back to my Switch. Resumed Raidou remastered, just started chapter 6.
November 28, 2025 at 10:15 PM
Reposted by Demelza Ward
Hey just so you know Amazon decided to give us an AI ENGLISH DUB of Banana Fish instead of actually hiring real voice actors
it is fucking hot garbage
#bananafish #anime
November 28, 2025 at 11:56 AM
After yesterdays fiasco, I got my box today~ Not really a book heavy one since it was mostly to get Mamoru’s new album and tour stuff, there’s only any books at all since I ended up getting last months TV Guide Person and wanted to get over the free shipping from animate to the forwarder for it.
November 28, 2025 at 2:22 PM
Reposted by Demelza Ward
I love that the new Jimbocho used bookstore guide has 本なら売るほど as its cover! This love letter to used books is the perfect face for the town of used bookstores.
November 28, 2025 at 1:02 PM
Reposted by Demelza Ward
Nezumi’s First Love Volume 1 Review

Nezumi's a hitman for the yakuza who couldn't imagine ever falling in love, but then she meets Ao. Could he be the boy to soften her heart? And what does getting involved with a hitman mean for his future...?
Nezumi’s First Love Volume 1 Review
Nezumi's a hitman for the yakuza who couldn't imagine ever falling in love, but then she meets Ao. Could he be the boy to soften her heart? And what does getting involved with a hitman mean for his future...?
animeuknews.net
November 28, 2025 at 10:02 AM
I read volumes 4-9 of Hirayasumi this month, which is unusual for me as I often get distracted from binge reading stuff even when I own it all. I got really into because there was more plot, but it has managed to incorporate that while keeping a hold of the gentle relaxed atmosphere.
November 28, 2025 at 1:22 AM
I finished Ghost of Yotei. Overall enjoyed, but have more problems with the story than I did Tsushima. It was still a really good when it came to Atsu’s story, it’s just stuff surrounding that’s not as strong imo.
November 27, 2025 at 7:51 PM
Ugh the package I was looking forward to was arriving today, but there was no one in to sign for it at the buildings office (unusual) and they rang me but I missed it and they didn’t answer when I called back. So I guess I’m stuck until tomorrow now. :(
November 27, 2025 at 11:03 AM
Reposted by Demelza Ward
Tsubaki-chou Lonely Planet Volume 9 Review

Akatsuki's normal editor is out on sick leave, so now he's working with substitute Sayoko Uneda. At first, Fumi gets on perfectly well with the newcomer but as time goes on, could she prove a rival for her boyfriend's love?!
Tsubaki-chou Lonely Planet Volume 9 Review
Akatsuki's normal editor is out on sick leave, so now he's working with substitute Sayoko Uneda. At first, Fumi gets on perfectly well with the newcomer but as time goes on, could she prove a rival for her boyfriend's love?!
animeuknews.net
November 26, 2025 at 10:02 AM
This Light Novel is Amazing 2026 rankings are out. Feeling a mixture of ‘oh I recognise all but two of these from the main categories’ and ‘man no one is gonna license this (also Gamers)’. Nice to see some relative newbies rank so highly tho!
November 26, 2025 at 4:55 PM