Josh A. Stevens

Josh A. Stevens

@joshastevens.com

Anime PR and writer who loves Pokémon and is a massive Mari Okada fanatic. By-lines at Anime UK News, Crunchyroll etc. He/Him. www.joshastevens.com

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The Summer 2026 anime season was one of the best and busiest I've seen in years. So, I had to join the Anime UK News team to discuss 3 of my highlights: - Jaadugar: A Witch in Mongolia - Kaiju Girl Caramelise - Goodbye, Lara (just in case we needed MORE discourse)

I really dislike that @magic.wizards.com are introducing God Packs. They completely warped Pokémon and One Piece. I specifically got more into Magic because of what those games became. Also, reducing the commons/uncommons in Collector Boosters without any replacement or price reduction?

A shame that @crunchyroll.com has borked the subtitles for their biggest show of the season. I can’t put my finger on if it’s just a timing issue or if lines are missing entirely, but “The Apothecary Diaries” Season 3 episode 1 is unfortunately currently unwatchable in this state.

Finally found a couple of OP17 packs in the wild. I know that the value hunters hate this, but the Panda Man cards ARE the chaotic funny spirit of One Piece. I pulled an SR in my other pack but idc because this one’s funny.

ReZero’s Season 4 finale somehow cleared the bar already set by the incredible animation in earlier episodes. Emilia vs Volcanica was easily the highlight - being slick and action-packed, while also true to Emilia’s precious dorkiness. Please announce Season 5 soon…

Much has been said in recent years about anime becoming mainstream, but I think both “Mononoke” Chapter 3 and “The Ramparts of Ice” being mentioned in TV Choice - a listings magazine found in every supermarket and newsagents in the UK - really cements that. Also, they know ball.

“Young Ladies Don’t Play Fighting Games” might have had the best final episode I’ve seen in a while. Absolute peak absurd Shonen hype where being an idiot is somehow a superpower, frankly putting a lot of actual Shonen anime to shame, mixed with yuri angst, and a dash of Rocky.

I’ve seen a few games do this, but “Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave” has a feature where you can toggle the appearance of insect-like enemies. I have friend who has severe arachnophobia, so this neat to see.

“Live for love, not for the laws”. This week’s Goodbye Lara episode ending with that absolute mic drop. A summary of Grace’s life, a call to action for Mari, and basically saying “gay rights” all in one line. Incredible.

I haven’t really paid attention to Magic the Gathering lore, but hearing about Jace’s crimes against dogs in Reality Fracture is making him kill-on-sight for me. The heck you mean Yoshimaru is now a stray, and Jiang Yanggu no longer has Mowu?! What does Jace have against dogs?!

Rest in peace Tim Curry. I’ll always remember him for his delightfully dishevelled performance as a the Cat King in the English dub of Studio Ghibli’s “The Cat Returns”. I usually prefer to watch films in their original language, but make an exception for him.

“My Adventures With Superman” Season 3 was wonderful. Kara was a standout, but I also loved how intense the action was, and how the season explored who Clark Kent is without Superman. I’m a big anime nerd, so I love how MAWS embraces its inspirations. Please renew for Season 4!

The Incredibles 3 sounds like it’s certainly taken notes from Tiger & Bunny. A corporate sponsored superhero league, an older hero questioning his relevancy now he’s past his prime…

After all the hype and goodwill from Season 1, what a disappointment X-Men 97 Season 2 has been. Incredibly unfocused and rushed right through to the ridiculous finale. Instead of a new season every year, I’d prefer Marvel Studios take the time to find a new direction.

“My Adventures With Superman” Season 3 is absolutely mogging “X-Men ‘97” Season 2 (and a good chunk of weekly anime if I’m honest), but I don’t know if people are ready for that conversation.

Not sure what anime to watch this season? I contributed to @animeuknews.net’s preview roundup with my early thoughts on: - Jaadugar: A Witch in Mongolia - Kaiju Girl Caramelise - Goodbye, Lara Read about them and more at the link below: ⬇️⬇️⬇️

The wonderful folks at Anime Limited have done it again. AKIRA is set to tour the country with a BRAND NEW 35mm print - the first to be struck worldwide in decades. Premiering at BFI Southbank from 14-19th August. Read more ⬇️⬇️⬇️

My Adventures With Superman S3 E5 was phenomenal, and easily the best episode of the show to date. Intense throughout with the oppressive force of Hank, and the dread of the iconic “Death of Superman” hanging overhead. Anything felt possible, which made it so thrilling to watch.

Kaiju Girl Caramelise is finally an anime! I first discovered the manga while studying "Screenwriting: Adaptation" at university. The 20-page short script became my highest-marked work. To celebrate, I'd like to share my screenplay, and what it taught me about adaptations.

Supergirl has taken over the internet. I've always thought that My Adventures With Superman is an anime-inspired show done right - it learns and applies to its own medium, rather than just imitating. All the love I've seen (and felt) for Kara has proved that. Article below: ⬇️⬇️⬇️

I like how the “Destroy All Humans, They Can’t Be Regenerated” manga’s translation notes are so thorough that they even point out anachronisms (the manga is set in 1999).

Also, while not direct comparables, did Paramount not see how well “Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle” and “Chainsaw Man: Reze Arc” performed this year? Even without the huge audience numbers in Asia, there’s enough crossover, and clearly demand for teen/young adult animation. Crazy.

“Kaiju Girl Caramelise” is finally getting an anime! Fun fact: I wrote a short film based on the manga for my Screenwriting: Adaptation class back at uni. I only had 20-pages, so could only adapt Vol. 1 and needed an original ending. It was the highest grade of my entire degree.

The finale of Pokémon Legends: Z-A is the most intense and cinematic in series history, with a mix of absurdity and poignancy that speaks to the game’s strong character writing. So much discussion has focused on the technical aspects, but Game Freak deserves props for the story.

I won’t say much due to spoilers, but it’s a shame to see a major outlet criticise Pokémon Legends Z-A for supposedly not having a certain something, only for my time with the game to make me realise that they clearly didn’t finish the game’s story :/

With JRPGs in particular, there’s always been a discussion on how much a critic has to play before writing a review. I’ve had these discussions myself back when I used to review games. So, I do appreciate that. Pokémon narratives are pretty short by JRPG standards, though…

With “My Adventures with Superman” leaving Channel 4, I finally made time to watch it, and wish I had sooner. It’s really heartfelt, and it pays homage to anime in a way that feels more charming than usual attempts by western media. I just hope HBO Max launches in the UK in time for Season 3.

I’ve been watching “My Adventures With Superman” before it disappears from Channel 4, and I’ve been loving all the subtle anime references, but a nod to OUTLAW STAR was not on my bingo sheet. Series was already great with Lois and Kara, but now it’s undeniably the GOAT.