INSiGHT: NEO Magazine: Issue 184 (Review)

The first issue of 2019, 184's primary cover features the popular anime My Hero Academia as its head-liner for the NEO Awards of 2018, being the winner for Best Franchise. Covering a wide range of media, these awards give recognition to anime in all its forms, as does the article on Streaming Shows of the year. The flipside of the issue celebrates the long awaited arrival of the epic Square Enix/Disney crossover, Kingdom Hearts III, with a look into the worlds that can be explored and the classic characters that Sora, Donald, and Goofy will meet.

With the celebration of the old comes a curious look into the new, as upcoming shows like Modest Heroes, Weathering With You, and 20 Seiki Denki Mokurko look set to captivate new audiences in2019. Prospective visitors to the Land of the Rising Sun will want to check out Japan Journeys, which covers the titular company's tour-based operations, ranging from manga-focused hotspots to Bonsai gazing.

Issue 184's gaming content is largely Nintendo-focused; the spotlight going to Japanese Idol Mahiru Kurumizawa and a newly purchased copy of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate for Switch. Also covered in the issue is the surprisingly-popular-in-Japan Fitness Boxing, and the Switch port of New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe.

Rounding things off are a number of manga articles, one taking a look at the saucy Mini Berry magazine, an Extract for Breaks, a 'Coming of Age' story with a focus on two boys, and a Western artist highlight for Al Sanya, otherwise known as Retrorobosan.

NEO Magazine Issue 184 is available now from all good retailers.