Ayaka HIRAHARA

The Gallery - Comitia 90
This week, we head to Japan's largest convention devoted to original manga! On tap: how portfolio reviews are done in Japan, talking donuts, and a handy manga guide to "real" Japanese culture. Fun! 2009-11-22

Anime Festival Asia 2009
A big part of the Singapore festivities this weekend involves some of the biggest names in the anime business and their speeches at the Animation Asia Conference. Justin's blogging continues, with a rundown of the day's events. Updated 11/20 2009-11-20

ANNCast - This One's About Reviews!
It's an entire show about the dizzying highs and terrifying lows of reviewing anime with Mike Toole, Japanator's Brad Rice, and Anime World Order's Clarissa Graffeo. Plus: we mess around with the mixing board, and Witchblade on Bluray! 2009-11-20

Hey, Answerman!
This time in Answerman-land: Pseudonyms? Germany? Shonen tragedy? Yes! And more. Like, Hey Answerfans, to be exact. 2009-11-20

Claymore GN 15
The Whole Truth comes out, but other parts are actually more interesting, as Norihiro Yagi answers many long-standing questions and orients the series for its next climactic run. Although certain parts may be a letdown, there is still a lot to like.

Tegami Bachi: Letter Bee Episodes 1-6 streaming
This is an anime for those of us whose inner child does not dream of conquering the world, but simply making it a better place ... one delivery at a time.

Comic Party: Revolution DVD
Another in the growing field of otaku-life comedies. Although perhaps comedy is the wrong word. Aren't comedies supposed to be funny?

Tower of Druaga: the Aegis of Uruk DVD
Forget that it was based on a game only two generations removed from Pong; this is unexpectedly involving popcorn fare with a wickedly circular sense of humor. Good stuff all around.

Blue Drop Sub.DVD Complete Collection
An amnesiac girl enrolls in an all-girl boarding school where she meets and forms a tumultuous relationship with a secretly alien beauty in this sci fi-themed yuri series. Despite its gimmicky foundation, this nearly-overlooked gem is elegant in execution as it focuses more on developing its characters and relationships.

Fullmetal Alchemist: The Movie Blu-ray
Fullmetal Alchemist is a series for the ages, and even if this part of it doesn't quite live up to its earlier incarnation, it's well worth watching and definitely worth owning. Fans will deeply appreciate this better-looking re-release.

Hayate the Combat Butler Sub.DVD Part 2
The (small) boost in emotional content notwithstanding, this is still the series to hit up for a watching experience that is consistently fun and never taxing.

Magikano: The Complete Series DVD
This is a collection of gags in search of a plotline, and when it finally does find a story to tell, the change in tone is so abrupt that you end up wishing it had stayed pointless and stupid.

Dragonaut: The Resonance DVD part 1
A young man becomes obsessed with a young woman who can transform into an alien biomechanical dragon in this weak effort from Gonzo. While not a total disaster, it does not give much hope for the rest of the series.

Rosario + Vampire GN 9
If this is the kind of stagnation and dullness that permeates the monster world, then we should all be thankful for being human.

The Super Dimension Century Orguss Sub. DVD 1-2
A fun little giant robot lark that never takes itself too seriously and never devolves into complete frivolity, there isn't a whole lot to Orguss outside its entertainment value, which is hardly a damning criticism.