INSiGHT: NEO Magazine: Issue 193

Taking a more grounded approach to the spookiest month of the year, is the latest issue of NEO, once again with a tantalising flip cover layout. For the main side there's Promare, the latest film from Studio Trigger; founded by the artistic masterminds behind the visually spectacular Gurren Lagann and Kill La Kill. For the other side there is an in-depth look at the history of the Shenmue franchise; from humble yet expensive beginnings on the Sega Dreamcast, to its long absence and re-emergence as a Kickstarter and Sony-funded production.

NEO takes a turn for the unusual this month with a number of abstract articles. Like Language That Pops! an article which explores the use of Onomatopoeia words in the Japanese language, which deviate quite a bit from English usage (words that suggest the sound they make, like 'Neigh' or 'Meow'), or Cells at Work!, a series collection that re-imagines every inner element of the human body as a fully operational miniature world, and all the complications that come with fighting off outside diseases and keeping the systems going. Lastly there's an unexpected new pop-up cafe in the UK city of Brighton; an Artbox luncheonette based on the popular Pusheen the Cat character and featuring themed snacks and plushies for purchasing. 

Aside from the long awaited Shenmue trilogy topper, there is a good selection of game reviews and coverage in this issue. First up are reviews for the Nintendo Switch exclusive Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age, and The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening. Next is a brief write-up for the remaster of Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch. Capping things off nicely is the Down in the Dungeons feature, which explores the influences that Japanese Role playing games have had on Anime and Manga, and vice versa. NEO issue 193 is available now from all good retailers.