Japanese Comic Ranking, August 26–September 1

Anime Expo 2009

Anime News Network's wall-to-wall coverage of Anime Expo 2009 begins!

Available Right Now:
Funimation
Yaoi Press
Viz Media
Industry Roundtable: Commercially Successful OEL Manga
Keynote Day Two: Shawne Kleckner on the State of the Industry (now with full transcript)
Evan Miller's Staff Blog
Aniplex
CMX Manga
Bandai Entertainment
Gurren Lagann Movie Review
Right Stuf - Nozomi Entertainment
Keynote, Day One: Introducing Manga in a Struggling Economy
Opening Ceremonies
2009-07-01

Eureka Seven 1-8 - Streaming free on ANN!
Fresh from its run on Cartoon Network, don't miss the action-packed aerial mecha combat of Eureka Seven, the highly acclaimed series from Bones! Episodes 1-8 are available now both dubbed and subtitled! The rest of the series will be up shortly. 2009-07-03

The X Button - Fighters History
This week: Raiden Fighters Aces is scrutinized, followed by the new Toshinden, an old Orguss game, and a PSP dungeon-maker with a ridiculously long title. 2009-07-01

Anime News Nina! - 2009-07-01
Kevin's romantic nightmare is over... or is it? 2009-07-01

A Drifting Life GN
A Drifting Life is about the men behind the manga and the ways in which they and the art form they cherish grow to maturity. A must read for anyone who styles him- or herself a serious anime, manga, or indie comics fan.

Gurren Lagann the Movie: Crimson Lotus Chapter
Gainax gets a chance to do a second, high-gloss polish over some of their favorite scenes from the show... and charge its legions of fans full ticket price to watch edited-together TV episodes they've already seen dozens of times.

Clover -Omnibus Edition- GN
Although only three of the four parts (and four of the projected six volumes) have ever been published, you might be excused for thinking that Dark Horse's attractive new single-volume omnibus edition of Clover, ostensibly released to celebrate CLAMP's 20th anniversary this year, is the final word on this haunting cyberpunk-styled tale.

Pluto GN 3
Pluto is more than just a thriller—it's a classic sci-fi examination of artificial intelligence, and the progression of that debate is just as crucial as the progression of the story itself.

Black Bird GN 1
A bodice ripper with lots of bodice ripping but no sex (at least in the first volume)? And lots of blood drinking but no vampires (yet)? That would be the deliciously dirty Black Bird by Kanoko Sakurakoji (Backstage Prince).

Law of Ueki DVD Complete Series Box Set
Light, peppy fun throughout and unexpectedly satisfying in conclusion, it's an underdog of a show that manages to win in the end. What could be more appropriate?

Ponyo
Ponyo is, from its very first frame to its very last, a pure fairytale. And ultimately, that may be why Ponyo may be considered something of a letdown by longtime fans of the artist. If Princess Mononoke was a sumptuous 7-course meal, Ponyo is a well-crafted crème brulee.

Shugo Chara! Episodes 38-51 Streaming
... stands out as one of the defining works of its genre and of its era. Which is not too bad for a heroine with multiple personality disorder.

Shikabane Hime: Aka Episodes 1-13 Streaming
Shikabane Hime is no brainless gorefest; it's a hard-hitting action-horror hybrid with an inward bent that keeps its gut-crunching violence anchored in human realities.

Pretty Cure Episodes 1-14 Streaming
Though slavishly formulaic and distinctly kid-oriented, this series about two starkly contrasting 8th graders who become a magical girl duo still looks good enough, and is distinguishable enough in its action components, to warrant at least a sampling by anime fans with diversified interests.

Black Lagoon DVD 2
Ready for another generous dose of bloody, foul-mouthed, ass-kicking mayhem colored by some quality character development? It may not have quite the style of its predecessor Cowboy Bebop, but it lacks nothing for look, sound, or entertainment value.