Release Updates

Now Streaming: Nabari no Oh 1-4 (d)
Into teenaged ninjas? Is Naruto not emo enough for you? Then how about the first 4 episodes of Nabari no Oh? The rest of the series will be coming up in a few weeks. [discuss] 2010-03-20

Astro Toy: Soul of Chogokin Mazinger Z Hen
David's soul burns with heroic pride as the amazing Soul of Chogokin Shin Mazinger Z rocket-punches its way into his heart. 2010-03-21

ANNCast - Viewers Like You II: Electric Viewgaloo
It's ANNCast call-out number two! Everything from FUNimation blurays to HBO's The Pacific to Hollywood anime adaptations to Hajime no Ippo to west coast dub studios to Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is discussed and much much much more! 2010-03-19

Hey, Answerman!
Yowza! This week on another one of these Hey, Answerman column-things, Brian is asked tough questions about libel in manga form, character-versus-plot, and how to hire famous manga authors! Plus the usual Flake and Hey, Answerfans answers in droves! 2010-03-19

You're Under Arrest Second Season Sub.DVD
The first few episodes are light and weak, but a major plot development leads to a serious look at the core relationships and provides the kind of shake-up the series desperately needed to break free from its rut.

Starting Point: 1979-1996 (book)
This collection of essays, interviews, and speeches spanning 17 years should be required reading for any dedicated Miyazaki fan or prospective animator, but one need only have a respect for animation (and those who make it) to appreciate the insight it offers.

Ghost Hound Sub.DVD 2
After taking a familiar premise and making something alien of it, the series unfortunately lapses back into conventionality at its end, defeating by a razor margin its aspirations of greatness.

Bleach GN 30
The most memorable fights are often not the ones of brute strength, but the ones where the heroes must conquer the villains in their heads. It's a principle that is exemplified in this volume of Bleach.

Yozakura Quartet DVD Complete Collection
Super-powered youths struggle to protect a town where demons and humans peacefully coexist in this run-of-the-mill offering. Though not bad and at least mildly entertaining, it is a little too bland and underdeveloped to leave much of an impression and is not as sexy as advertised.

Baka and Test Episodes 1-4 Streaming
Just waiting to charm the pants off of anyone who stumbles upon it. Or at least those among them that can stomach the occasional stinker of a rom-com cliché.

Neo Angelique Abyss Sub.DVD
Those who are easily distracted and entertained by pretty things will quickly feel like a cat trapped in a room full of catnip-stuffed mice, and the cover price of these two DVDs is almost worth it based on animation quality alone.

Eureka Seven GN Collection 1
It's not just a recitation of giant robot battles and alien adventures, but an honest tale of love, friendship, and growing up, set against the backdrop of an epic planetary struggle.

Arata: The Legend GN 1
What's going on around Arata seems interesting, yet it's hard to care when he spends the vast majority of his time whining about how betrayed he feels.

Claymore BLURAY
The Blu Ray version of this dark, graphic fantasy series about blond female warriors wielding big swords offers very little that the original DVD releases did not. Though the series shows pronounced shonen influences, it is still, at essence, a very human story, and that makes all the difference.

Argento Soma DVD 1
Argento Soma has arrived suddenly and with little fanfare, but it is a pleasant surprise.