One Piece Episode 492

play One Piece Unlimited Cruise SP 3DS

2011-03-28T21:28:00.002-07:00

Nintendo 3DS game features Whitebeard character with tremor-inducing powers

Bandai Namco Games announced on Wednesday that "in light of various circumstances," it is delaying the release of its One Piece Unlimited Cruise SP game for the Nintendo 3DS system from April 7 to a date to be determined.

The action game adapts Eiichiro Oda's original One Piece pirate manga and subsequent anime. Unlike the previous One Piece Unlimited Cruise games for the Nintendo Wii console, One Piece Unlimited Cruise SP offers the character Edward "Whitebeard" ("Shirohige") Newgate as a playable character. After eating the Gura Gura no Mi fruit and gaining special powers.

The fight with Vegeta piled the corpses high, so Gohan, Bulma and Krillin head to planet Namek, home of the last functioning set of Dragon Balls to revive a select few of the fatalities. Namely Piccolo, Yamcha, Tien and Chaozu. They've done this kind of thing before, so no complications are expected. Until Vegeta arrives, eyes on the prize of immortality and by extension the Dragon Balls that can grant him it. Soon enough, though, Vegeta is the least of their worries. Vegeta's boss, the aptly titled Emperor of Evil Frieza, has dreams of immortality also and he and his lethal cohorts are paving the way to eternal life with the bodies of those who stand in their way. And any bystanders unlucky enough to be nearby. Goku of course rushes to the rescue—if you can call training in space for half a season rushing—cutting a swath through ruthless underlings and body-swapping freaks in a race to go fist-to-fist with the universe's most powerful being: Frieza himself.

Dohran Chapter 7 6 5

2011-03-28T21:28:00.001-07:00

Aside from the prequel chapter, this work's only other advantage over its predecessor is that the artwork is more readable—as a monthly series it doesn't suffer from the same 18-page-a-week cramfests that the Negima manga has become notoroius for. If anything, the layouts are almost too conventional: squares and rectangles typically arranged in two or three rows, with action scenes that fail to break out of the mold. The character designs also adhere slavishly to the originals, and aside from a more youthful look and slightly different battle costumes, it's hard to spot anything distinctive about the characters. Also falling into the "don't really care what it looks like" category are the backgrounds, which typically range from generic high school scenery to generic battle scenery to generic interiors. Adding to that dullness is the overuse of tones to gray out almost everything in sight. And as for the claim that Negima!? in general is supposed to contain less fanservice than the original—well, what do you make of Negi still sneezing girls' clothes off, as well as a nude prepubescent girl in one of the climactic scenes?

http://www.mangareader.net/dohran

Magician (KIM Sarae) Chapter 31 32 33 34

2011-03-28T21:28:00.000-07:00

Magician
http://www.mangareader.net/1655/magician.html

Of course, this being a re-telling, the series tries to accelerate the pace of development by jumping straight into the Evangeline arc, and ending it a lot quicker as well. The results are, in short, disastrous. The whole point of the original Evangeline arc was to take that first step toward action-adventure greatness, to pit Negi against a challenging opponent and force him to stretch his abilities. By comparison, this interpretation tosses it off as a generic "hero defeats his first villain" battle, with a namby-pamby finale where everyone holds hands and becomes friends because Negi showed Evangeline the power of love. Come on, what happened to the complex relationship of a teacher and student as rivals? And for those who aren't comparing against the original, the fight will seem even more useless, as it does little else besides introduce the Pactio Card system—which in this series looks more like a merchandising tool than actual wizardry.

Rainbow Chapter 29 28 30 31

2011-03-28T21:24:00.001-07:00

The one bright spot in this story is found right at the beginning, with the entirely original "Chapter Zero," a prequel piece that fills in the blanks about how Negi graduated from magic school. As an action-packed magical combat showcase, it does a fine job of drawing the reader into the series ... only to pull a nasty bait-and-switch when things quickly revert to mediocre with the actual first chapter. Negi rushes to school, annoys Asuna right off the bat, and tries to establish his authority (which is hard to do when all the girls are fawning over how cute he is)—yes, if you've read the original, you've already read the start of this series as well. All it does is serve as a reminder of how unimpressive Negima was at the beginning and how it took many, many chapters for things to develop.

Rainbow
http://www.mangareader.net/1743/rainbow.html

BB Project Chapter 17 16 15

2011-03-28T21:24:00.000-07:00

BB Project

http://www.mangareader.net/830/bb-project.html

With the Negima franchise having blossomed so profusely in the past several years, it's time to clear up some misconceptions. No, it's not anything like Harry Potter, despite a British boy wizard in the lead role and everyone casting their spells in an ancient foreign language. It bears even less resemblance to Love Hina, despite a massive female cast and having been authored by Ken Akamatsu. What is true about the series is that the original manga is an ambitious, complex fantasy-adventure—but only after about Volume 12 or so. What's also true is that the resulting anime adaptation fell so far short of the original that they decided to give it another go with the exclamatory Negima!? anime, taking on a totally different storyline that could be told in the space of 26 episodes. And that's where the Negima!? neo manga adaptation comes in, making it essentially a copy of a copy of a copy.

Tripeace Chapter 10 9

2011-03-28T21:23:00.002-07:00

http://www.mangareader.net/tripeace

Negi Springfield is a ten-year-old boy who happens to be a genius in the field of magic. However, his wand-waving skills and training at a wizard academy in Wales could never have prepared him for his post-graduation assignment: teaching a class at an all-girls school in Japan! Surrounded by 31 teenage beauties, Negi's youthful charm quickly earns him some new friends—but some of his students, like feisty Asuna Kagurazaka, might take longer to warm up to him. Things get really serious when Negi discovers that one of his more rebellious students, Evangeline, is actually a vampire who has been preying on other classmates. Whether by magical firepower or more subtle methods, Negi's going to have to reform Evangeline if he wants to maintain his credibility as a teacher.

Aku No Hana Chapter 14 15 16 17

2011-03-28T21:23:00.001-07:00

Aku No Hana

http://www.mangareader.net/aku-no-hana

I first encountered Mitsuru Adachi via Touch. The series was one of the first to open my eyes to anime's potential and I credit it, along with Kare Kano and Berserk, with transforming me from a casual fan to a heavy-duty fanatic. To this day I rank it among anime's stone-cold masterpieces. I mention this so as to put the following in its proper context: By the end of these episodes I wasn't comparing Cross Game to Touch any more. I wasn't lining Ko up next to Tatsuya, I wasn't weighing Osamu Sekita against Hiroko Tokita, I wasn't even feeling nostalgia. I was just watching Cross Game. From me, there is no higher praise.

To Find My Brother Ara Chapter 38 39 40 41

2011-03-28T21:19:00.004-07:00

Mitsuru Adachi loves baseball, and it shows. Cross Game never looks better than when it's in the midst of a game. Pitching, fielding, and running motions are carefully researched and illustrated, and baseball poses are drawn for maximum (but still naturalistic) cool. Uniforms are lovingly designed, equipment is lovingly detailed, and each play lovingly staged. Honestly the series' animation, even at the height of a game, isn't anything to be proud of, but its use of unconventional editing, be it fragmented, elliptical, or even intellectual, to communicate the impact of in-game events is. As is its canny musical escalation and driving use of Kotaro Nakagawa's distinctive score. The character designs are simple, even by Adachi's minimalist standards, the crowd shots are some of the worst ever drawn (really, did the animators get their kids to draw those faces?), and the cloud-pans are getting really old, but what else is new? If you've gotten this far into the series, you've already come to terms with its stylistic shortcomings. And thankfully, the worst of them—i.e. the ones that worked counter to Adachi's customary understatement—have been curbed.

http://www.mangareader.net/1570/to-find-my-brother-ara.html

Delinquent Cinderella Chapter 8 7

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Praising the ending isn't meant to belittle the rest. The journey has its charms too. In fact, it's a delight from start to finish, filled with laconic humor and terse emotional insights, with keenly drawn characters and a quiet appreciation for the everyday joys of ordinary life. The cast's rapport is good, particularly as regards Ko and Aoba, whose verbal sparring is all tart retorts and easy chemistry broken by the occasional glimpse of the emotional icebergs—the biggest and gnarliest being Wakaba—that lie beneath the smooth surface of their comfortable relationship. Never has the "bickering couple" been done better. We've grown to love and care for these characters, all of them, much the way they love and care for each other, and it's one of the series' great pleasures merely to spend time in their company.

And let's not forget the baseball. The summer tournament supplies baseball matches in great quantities, and even the inconsequential ones are quickly paced and spiked with little surprises. The important ones are downright engrossing. Its sports action may be overshadowed by its personal and emotional content, but Cross Game is still a show best watched with a baseball in hand.

http://www.mangareader.net/delinquent-cinderella

Air Gear Chapter 311 312 313

2011-03-28T21:19:00.002-07:00

http://www.mangareader.net/137/air-gear.html

At its heart, though, dominating all else, are Ko and Aoba. Contrary, dishonest, and forever haunted by the shadow of the girl they both loved and lost, they've long been the emotional backbone of the series, and the nature and fate of their relationship is the big open question going into the final episodes. The answer comes in the very last episode, as Aoba realizes during the final heat of the game that Ko's biggest lie is his claim that he's a liar. It seems a simple thing, but coupled with Ko's answer to a question asked by Aoba several episodes previous, it changes everything. Suddenly earlier events take on entirely new meanings. The shift in Akane's affections, for instance, or Ko telling Akaishi to stop handing everything over to him. The full import of her realization takes just a second to hit, but when it does it hits with all the force of their fifty episodes of shared experience. It isn't just a good or even an excellent scene; it's a great one. It makes rewatching what came before a virtue, and watching what follows an unparalleled pleasure. It is, in short, the opening round of the most satisfying final (half) episode in recent memory.

GE - Good Ending Chapter 78 77 76

2011-03-28T21:19:00.001-07:00

The end of Cross Game is of course a baseball game. It's a fine game, the kind of dryly funny, unpredictable match that the series is known for. But that's hardly all it is. It's also a crossroads, a place where Cross Game's characters and ongoing relationships meet and take a turn towards their final destinations. Akane fights for her life and shifts ever so slightly the direction of her affections. Ko gives Akaishi a gentle push to be less selfless. Azuma picks up some of Akaishi's selflessness and moves further yet from his days as a baseball robot. Azuma's flighty older brother reaches the final punch-line of his running joke of a love life, Aoba's amorous cousin Mizuki makes a sort of peace with his own unrequited feelings, and even bratty one-time manager/idol Risa can be spotted taking another step towards full-blown baseball fandom. This isn't just some game; it's a slice of life, in the best, most profound sense of the term: broad, varied, and poignant.

http://www.mangareader.net/738/ge-good-ending.html

Gamaran Chapter 90 91 89 92

2011-03-28T21:19:00.000-07:00

Gamaran

http://www.mangareader.net/408/gamaran.html

The summer tournament is finally underway. For Ko and his longtime Seishu teammates, it's their last chance to get to Koshien, the holy ground of high-school baseball. It'll be a hard battle, especially since they'll have to get through Ryuou, the school that ended their Koshien dreams the year before. In the meantime Akane's health begins to deteriorate, putting extra pressure on the team—particularly Akaishi—while Ko and Aoba must at last have a reckoning with their own feelings. Regardless of the outcome, it'll be a summer to remember.

Medaka Box Chapter 92 93

2011-03-28T21:15:00.004-07:00

Medaka Box

http://www.mangareader.net/215/medaka-box.html

Manga Entertainment's production of the first volume offers a respectable set of Extras, which include standard stuff like clean opener and closer, some Japanese commercials and promo spots, and a 10-minute interview with the two lead seiyuu. A Gallery is also included, although it entirely consists of screen shots. Less typical is a collection of untranslated Japanese merchandise fliers.

On the whole, the first few episodes of Tactics just fail to adequately come together. Characters are not sufficiently defined or established, the plotting lacks originality and cohesiveness, and it has trouble finding a proper comic/dramatic balance. While the series does improve a bit as it progresses and offers a few good points, it's not enough for this one to be worthy of a recommendation.

Hanamaru Youchien Chapter 15 16 17 18

2011-03-28T21:15:00.003-07:00

The musical score is also not free of problems. Though it generally does its job, someone made the unwise decision to highlight the Shinto chant scenes with a musical selection ripped off from the original incarnation of “Charlie's Angels,” which will sound laughably corny to anyone old enough to remember watching “Charlie's Angels.” At least a smarter choice was made with the opener and closer, with the J-Rock tunes “Secret World” and “Unseen Power” providing a lively start-up and close-out to each episode.

Oddly, no credits are given on the DVD for the dub production, but the casting clearly indicates that it's an ADV effort. The only key cast member who isn't a long-time ADV regular is Blake Shepard, who's done only one major role prior to this series (he was one of the leads in Gilgamesh) but gets the lead role here. Whether or not Mr. Shepard is ready for such a prominent role is debatable, as his is the one questionable casting choice and some of his pronunciations for untranslated words are awkward. Everyone else is a good match, however, and all the other roles are capably-performed. The English script stays very tight in most places and does a remarkably good job of retaining the meaning of the “kagome” chant and still sounding right. The only iffy point here is whether or not “goblin” was the best translation choice for references to Haruka and Sugino.

http://www.mangareader.net/1091/hanamaru-youchien.html

Nononono Chapter 104 105

2011-03-28T21:15:00.002-07:00

http://www.mangareader.net/1464/nononono.html

The one thing the writing does do well is its exploration of Japanese folklore, such as the insight into the origins of the classic children's “kagome” chant/game, which well-traveled viewers may recognize from other anime titles. It also does occasionally get off a good series of gags, such as Haruka learning to use the power of his overwhelming bishonen looks on women, and starting with episode 4 the storytelling becomes more cohesive. Only one or two worthwhile episodes out of five is not a promising sign, however.

The one thing that Tactics does consistently do right is its artistry. Kantaro and Haruka have classic bishonen looks, while Suzu and Yoko are more typically cute for their ages, but all are drawn and costumed well, as are the recurring and supporting characters in each episode. (Though Reiko's clothing seems grossly inconsistent with the setting, which looks to be early 20th century.) Backgrounds are also nicely drawn and detailed. Full-sized demons and monsters look more ordinary, while the weird little “kid” monsters are the kinds of simple, cutesy designs you'd expect from a series for kids. Colors are sharp but not over-bright. The animation takes too many shortcuts to be given any praise, however, which results in action scenes that lack energy and fluidity.

Gakuen Babysitters Chapter 12 11

2011-03-28T21:15:00.001-07:00

Other faults appear in the characters and characterizations. Yoko, who fills the role of the practical-minded female housemate who's always grousing about money shortages, is a kitsune but nothing much is ever done with her special nature beyond fox ears occasionally popping up on her head. Suzu becomes a regular character without any clear justification beyond the need to have a cute little girl in Kantaro's posse, and Haruka's personality is so ill-defined and inconsistent that even by the end of five episodes one doesn't get a good sense of his character. It doesn't help maters that Kantaro isn't especially interesting, either. Other recurring characters, such as the editor Reiko and the ridiculous god Sugino, don't fare much better.

http://www.mangareader.net/1030/gakuen-babysitters.html

Issho ni Neyou yo Chapter 10 11 12 13

2011-03-28T21:15:00.000-07:00

Issho ni Neyou yo

http://www.mangareader.net/issho-ni-neyou-yo

A play on words created by homophones usually doesn't translate well into another language, which is how this series about demon-fighting ended up with such a seemingly inappropriate name. That's only the beginning of the problems, however. Tactics wants to be cool, comical, and the next big bishonen thing while also taking an insightful look at Japanese folklore, but all it really accomplishes is being a tepid monster-of-the-week series which looks pretty but offers little substance or cohesiveness.

Most of the faults in Tactics lie in the writing, which borrows material from better series rather than come up with anything new. The demon-hunting angle is fine but there's nothing fresh or exciting about this take on it, and attempts to make Kantaro's Shinto chants, which are the basis of his power, seem flashy and stylish come off as silly and overblown instead. The “writer dodging the editor” gags are purely recycled material; they were also done, and done much better, in Kodocha and Fruits Basket. (Is it an unwritten rule somewhere that writer characters in anime comedies have to go through this routine?)

Blazing Transfer Student Chapter 15 16 17 18

2011-03-28T21:10:00.004-07:00

Blazing Transfer Student

http://www.mangareader.net/blazing-transfer-student

Kantaro is a folklorist who's always had a gift for sensing and interacting with monsters and bears a scar on his chest which pains him in the presence of demons. Though he writes for a career, he also investigates strange phenomena and deals with spirits and monsters as a side job. Already served by a female kitsune (fox demon) he named Yoko, Kantaro has also long sought the “demon-eating goblin,” whose strength he admires. When he finally finds him, he names him Haruka and engages him as a servant as well. Together with the little girl Suzu and the occasional help of others, he faces off against entities ranging from possessing demons to mountain gods, each with their own story. All the while he continues to dodge his editor Reiko, who is constantly on his case about his writing deadlines.

Ocha Nigosu Chapter 38 39 40 41

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Aniplex splits the nine episodes across two disks which come in a case that, like the first part, has a see-through slipcover marked with police tape. Included in the case are series-themed postcards, while the second disk has a pair of music videos featuring the full-length, live-action versions of the original opener and closer. Aniplex also apparently has this warped notion that the English credits should classify as an Extra. (The openers and closers have the original untranslated credits.)

Many have claimed that Durarara!! decidedly drops off in its second half, but episodes 13-17 show little evidence of that. The pitfalls the storytelling has during this time – excessive use of introspection, nothing interesting about its teenage romantic relationships, relies too much on narration – have been pitfalls since the early episodes of the series, and events in the second arc are no less dynamic. If the writing is off after episode 12, it is only by a small step. There is still plenty enough going on at this point to keep a fan's interest and the end of episode 17 gives the promise of much more to come.

http://www.mangareader.net/744/ocha-nigosu.html

Hanza Sky Chapter 14 15 16 17

2011-03-28T21:10:00.002-07:00

The musical score also continues with the themes it established in the first third, although this is more of a plus. Makoto Yoshimori effectively uses his laid-back and light-hearted themes to promote the playful mood of scenes and comes up with some nice options for the more dramatic moments. Episode 13 institutes a new opener and a new closer, neither of which (especially in the case of the opener) is quite as good as the originals.

In these episodes Bang Zoom! gets its best English dub performance from Kari Wahlgren, who truly shines in capturing all of the personality quirks that spill out from Celty's headless body, but that is hardly the only good performance or wise casting decision. In fact, the dub's only real failure is recasting the characters from Baccano!, as the English voice actors used here neither feel nor sound right compared to the original English performers. The English script varies between being dead-on and broadly interpretive, but aside from the aforementioned flaw this is a top-rate dub job.

http://www.mangareader.net/hanza-sky

Dororon Enma-kun Chapter 7 8 9 10

2011-03-28T21:10:00.001-07:00

Dororon Enma-kun

http://www.mangareader.net/dororon-enma-kun

The structure of the series also continues to draw inspiration from some of anime's least conventional series, with clear influences from both Boogiepop Phantom and Baccano! still pervasive. Perspectives shift with each episode (and often within each episode), events sometimes repeat from alternate perspectives, and the bonus episode mostly plays out backwards. Like both of the aforementioned, this is also decidedly an ensemble cast show, as even Celty and Mikado only marginally get more attention and focus that other major characters and even they take back seats in some entire episodes. Unlike its predecessors, Durarara!! continues to glory in all of the anime and manga references it casually or deliberately tosses off, the most prominent being a couple of appearances by two characters from Baccano! – and given who they are (fans of Baccano! shouldn't have to guess), it is entirely plausible for those two characters to show up here, rather than just being the normal out-of-context cameo appearances, if one assumes that the two series share a common universe.

The artistry merely continues the standards set by the first third, with the only special new elements being a cool coloring trick pulled off in the scene where the Dollars gather and Shizuo's big fight scene. The practice of only coloring featured characters in crowd scenes is still an interesting gimmick but is also starting to feel a little lazy, especially combined with the rough edges of some characters and the simplified animation in some action scenes. The series can look sharp at times, does integrate in a lot of setting detail, and has some impressive use of CG effects, but there are definitely prettier series out there.

Kyou Kara Ore Wa Chapter 254 255 256 257

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http://www.mangareader.net/387/kyou-kara-ore-wa.html

The other main draw is the fun factor of watching all of these oddball characters interact with each other and deal with oddball situations. Celty gets the greatest attention and considerable more opportunity for character development, which saps her mysterious and flagrantly cool side in exchange for creating a supernatural creature whose idiosyncrasies run deeper than most humans; the notion that an immortal, headless woman could be afraid of aliens, freaked out by a hard-nosed cop, or girlishly in love is inherently amusing. The whole “I love you even without your head” relationship that she has with the doctor isn't even the most perverse romantic relationship in the series, either, and then the doctor's even loonier father shows up. Mikado's hesitant actions towards Anri are more typical and bland, but Anri and Shinra both get developments only vaguely hinted at in the first part. Shizuo has several moments of his own, including a glorious action scene where he gets to show off the true extent of his strength, and Izaya continues to redefine what it means to be an ass.

Smash Chapter 160 161 162 163

2011-03-28T21:07:00.000-07:00

Smash

http://www.mangareader.net/432/smash.html

And it is that plethora of sharp twists, turns, and revelations which give these episodes some of their greatest appeal. Most prominent characters introduced so far get caught in up these dramatic shifts; even the sexual harassment-prone teacher who has been interacting with Anri has his own twist, and one atypical for a character like him, too. The first big culmination of these developments comes in episode 11, when the trouble stirred up by a certain head wandering around Ikebukuro directly leads to the first in-person meeting of the Dollars, a wonderfully-executed scene well worthy of having been chosen by reviewer Carl Kimlinger as his Scene of the Year for 2010; even if you have guessed who many of the Dollars are, you will not have guessed them all. That is just the first of many surprising major developments, however, and that includes the way the series is plotted. The whole business with the Slasher, especially what the Slasher's motives are, plays out in a novel way and with connections that run much deeper into the series' backstory than will initially be apparent. In fact, the presence of Izaya in the story assures that everything is more connected than is initially apparent.

Sketchbook Chapter 87 86

2011-03-28T21:06:00.002-07:00

Sketchbook

http://www.mangareader.net/392/sketchbook.html

Aniplex's second installment in its scheduled three-part release of Durarara!! covers episodes 10-17, which wraps up the arc focusing on Celty's active quest for her head and contains the entirety of the main Slasher arc. It also includes episode 12.5 (the one involving the supposed aliens), a stand-alone intermission which was originally a DVD-only episode. Along the way the series shifts from its character introduction phase into its character and plot development mode, with some juicy results. Although these episodes are not without their weak points, the series' quirky spirit strongly persists as it delivers a highly entertaining run of episodes which includes the startling truths behind the natures of the Dollars and the Slasher, what really happened to Anri's friend Mika, and the situation with Celty's head.

Fire King Chapter 18 19 20 21

2011-03-28T21:06:00.001-07:00

Fire King

http://www.mangareader.net/fire-king

On any given day a million people traverse the streets of Ikebukuro. Most are ordinary souls simply going about their daily business but a few are extraordinary, such as a Headless Rider on the verge of recovering her head (which seems to be walking around on a different body), an impossibly strong bartender who finds himself the object of affection for a serial slasher, mysterious leaders of prominent gangs, a doctor with a fetish for headless women, and a man who perpetually wears a filter mask. Then there's the information broker who is covertly trying to orchestrate a war in Ikebukuro just to test a supernatural theory of his, a tough new cop who doesn't scare easily, a reporter who has a close encounter with the supernatural while trying to write an article on who's the strongest fighter in Ikebukero, various individuals who claim to have spotted aliens, and a scientist whose morally suspect efforts to help her brother just might run her afoul of the Dollars. Friends Mikado, Shinra, and Anri each have their own encounters with elements of this stranger side to Ikebukuro as a kinda sorta love triangle develops between them, but each has their own secrets which ultimately could play into the goings-on in Ikebukero in unexpectedly big ways.

Tough Chapter 170 171 172 169

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Artist Masayuki Taguchi's hunky heroes and buxom beauties may detract from Battle Royale's impact, but his is an unusual and very appealing style. There is a lot of detail in every panel, and although his character designs are sometimes bizarre, Taguchi gets a lot of human emotion into his drawings. But his over-the-top rendering of Battle Royale's wanton violence cheapens the horror of the situation. The brains splattering out of people's heads, the eyeballs dangling from their sockets, and the fountains of blood border on the ridiculous. The gore would actually be more horrific--and far more effective--if it were toned down a notch.

Overall, Battle Royale the manga is not as good as Battle Royale the movie. But it still manages to capture the macabre appeal of the film. Fans of the live-action incarnation should at least check it out. Newcomers to the shocking tale should definitely seek out the movie first, however. Though it will likely never be licensed for American distribution, legitimate all-region import DVDs with English subtitles are readily available for order online. Ultimately this deadpan spoof of TV and movie violence gone mad works best on the TV or at the movies.

http://www.mangareader.net/737/tough.html

Strobe Edge Chapter 37 38 36 39

2011-03-28T21:02:00.002-07:00

Strobe Edge

http://www.mangareader.net/448/strobe-edge.html

Mr. Kamon makes for a suitably sadistic villain, but he's impersonal: the kids don't know him. Unlike the movie's Mr. Kitano, he has no preexisting grudge against these children, and in this aspect the film is decidedly superior to the manga. As evil as he his, Kamon is just doing his job; he's not out to exact revenge on “deliquent” children who refuse to attend school. In fact, the entire concept of the Program being in place to whip Japan's children into shape is mysteriously dropped. This was a key point of the film - an early scene shows almost all of the students boycotting Kitano's class. The kids in the manga are way too noble to do such a thing.

This idealistic, heroic portrayal of the children is at odds with film's cast of normal everykids and is the manga's biggest weakness. Shuuya is presented as a macho, pretty-boy rebel instead of the slightly nerdy, unassuming protagonist from the movie. The main heroine, Noriko, has been transformed from an “ugly shrimp” to a typically hot anime schoolgirl. Martial-arts warrior Sugimura and cool-as-ice Shinji look like the kind of guys who could take on an army of evil monsters without batting an eyelash. The movie's greatest appeal is its stable of ordinary children stuck in an extraordinary predicament; the manga's hyperbolic characters are far less engaging.

Zettai Karen Children Chapter 252 253 254 255

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There is also a new addition to the cast, absent from the movie and barely mentioned in the novel, which adds greatly to the emotional impact of the story. Though her role is comparatively minor, the ill-fated Miss Ryoko provides motivation for the main characters and ups the chill factor of an already gruesome tale. The kindhearted foster parent of students Shuuya and Yoshitoki is staunchly opposed to the Program but never dreams that her own wards would be subjected to its horrors. After the children awaken on the island, Program Head Mr. Kamon gleefully recounts the torture Ryoko was subjected to after she objected to their inclusion in the game. Powerless to do anything about it, Yoshitoki launches into a rage with fatal results, while Kamon merely smiles.

http://www.mangareader.net/335/zettai-karen-children.html

High School Chapter 39 40 41 38

2011-03-28T21:02:00.000-07:00

High School

http://www.mangareader.net/high-school

Co-written by Koushun Takami, author of the original novel on which the movie was based, the manga sticks much closer to the plot of the book than the film version does. Takami takes more time to explore the backgrounds and motivations of the lesser players in his large cast. Paranoid, half-crazed characters that are dispassionately dispatched onscreen come across as sympathetic victims on the page. The political climate of Battle Royale's alternate future is also touched upon; the Imperial Japanese flag adorning everything from schoolbuses to water bottles suggests a totalitarian society in which Japan emerged victorious from World War II. And the notion of the Program as an enormously popular reality TV show is a brilliant bit of satire the movie chooses not to emphasize.

Nurarihyon No Mago Chapter 147

2011-03-28T21:01:00.000-07:00

Nurarihyon No Mago

http://www.mangareader.net/456/nurarihyon-no-mago.html

Adapted from the infamous live-action movie and novel of the same name, the one-and-only Battle Royale manga has finally been unleashed in the US. While not as hard-hitting as its better known (yet still officially unavailable in America) cinematic counterpart, the manga version retains all the controversy that surrounds the Battle Royale name. Introspective commentary on the public's appetite for violence, or merely crass exploitation in disguise? Either way, it's a story you'll likely never forget.

Like its previous incarnations, Battle Royale is supposedly a satire of media violence, yet it often revels in its own gore to the point of hypocrisy. The story works much more effectively as an emotional human drama--it is the characters' varied reactions to their horrible predicament that make it a truly remarkable and thought-provoking work. Some kids outright reject the game and commit suicide, others try to beat the system while most try merely to survive until the bitter end. And a few actually embrace it, like Mitsuko, the class slut who has no qualms about carving up her classmates in order live. The pantheon of characters exhibits every logical and illogical response imaginable. Unfortunately volume 1 of the manga doesn't have time to get into all of that just yet and covers little more than the exposition. But it's a morbidly enticing setup.

Wrong Soul Chapter 9 10

2011-03-28T20:59:00.000-07:00

e

http://www.mangareader.net/wrong-soul

In a nightmarish alternate-reality Japan, the most popular show on TV is “The Program.” Once a year a class of ninth grade students is chosen at random to participate in the ghastly event. Shuuya Nanahara thought his class was going on a simple field trip, but when they wake up on a deserted island the horrible truth is made plain. Each student has three days to kill all of his classmates; if more than one remains alive at the end of the third day the metal collars secured to their necks will explode and finish them all. Shuuya tries to think of a way out of the Program, but the madness and paranoia the game breeds makes it impossible to trust anyone. He may have found a friend in Noriko Nakagawa, but with classmates like Mitsuko Souma eagerly murdering her friends in a desperate bid to survive, they will be hard-pressed to live through the Battle Royale.

Otomegokoro no Jiyuugata Chapter 4 5 6 3 2 1

2011-03-22T23:09:00.000-07:00

The soundtrack, while not a stand-out individually, continues to do a great job of subtly enhancing each scene and setting the mood. The opener only gets used on episodes 5 and 7, and the closer is absent on episode 6, but both sound good when present.

Hard-core fans consider the performance of seiyuu Aya Hirano as Haruhi to be a legendary effort, and indeed it is hard to imagine the role being done any better in Japanese. That makes some big shoes for Wendee Lee to fill, but she isn't one of the most experienced of all anime-related English voice actors for nothing, and once one gets used to her voice in the role the caliber of her performance can be appreciated. Ms. Lee has often given her best efforts when voicing petulant characters, and while her performance here may not be the equal of the original, it's good enough. Crispin Freeman, who has proven in the past to be very good with sardonic characters, nails the key role of Kyon, even getting the right inflection in scenes where Kyon lets his mind wander in more naughty directions, and Stephanie Sheh gives an admirable effort in emulating the original performance for Mikuru. Other performances are acceptable. The English script does not stray too much from the subtitles, although it sometimes makes colorful adaptations; for instance, at one point an exclamation of “Huge!” becomes “Super-Size me!”

http://www.mangafox.com/manga/otomegokoro_no_jiyuugata/

Magikano Chapter 27 28 29 26 translate

2011-03-22T23:07:00.000-07:00

But the two main characters aren't the only reason to watch. The personalities of the key supporting cast members also become more distinct, Yuki finally gets to make extensive use of her (essentially magical) data manipulation abilities, and we finally get to see how Koizumi's powers work, too. The threat to Kyon comes up suddenly and out of the blue but makes senses within a certain twisted frame of thinking, and its consequences aren't ignored. Plenty enough weirdness goes on to keep the content from ever getting boring, and in a deeper sense the series can hold a great appeal for those who share Haruhi's viewpoint that the ordinary world isn't interesting enough. A few doses of action, spilled blood, misinterpreted scenes, details in background scenes (especially in episode 4) and minor fan services don't hurt, but like everything else the series does, it doesn't handle any of these normally. Also watch for the occasional eccentricity in the credits, too.

The artistry also continues to excel, with some occasional nice CG effects, good background art, and pleasing character designs which offer some fan service without being too blatant about it, all using a distinctive color scheme that is a bit more earthy and subdued than the normal bright displays. Character facial expressions are a particular delight to watch, especially in the way they illustrate the many moods of Haruhi or the blasé attitude of Kyon. The highlight comes in episode 4 in a scene where Haruhi merely glares at Kyon while he chews her out for her rash use of pictures of Mikuru. That is an expression you almost never see on girls in anime, and though brief it is also priceless, both for how it looks and the meaning it carries. The quality of the animation also shines through in both ordinary scenes and the action sequences, especially in the dance sequences in the closer.

http://www.mangafox.com/manga/magikano/

Akaneiro ni Somaru Saka Chapter 8 9 10 7 translate

2011-03-22T23:06:00.001-07:00

The one true negative so far to releasing the episodes in chronological order is that episode 6, which was the final broadcast episode, gives every indication of being a series closer despite the series being only halfway done. Will the remaining seven episodes feel only like denouement once the moment has passed? If the way episode 7 plays out is any indication, the potential impact of this negative is being overestimated. The series still has as much fun eccentricity going on as ever, and the story does still continue past what is seen in episode 6.

If you leave all the order-changing baggage aside, what you have left is an enormously fun series which remains a complete otakufest while not quite taking the traditional path. As the second volume proves once again, channeling the viewpoint through Kyon instead of through the title character or a neutral perspective is a brilliant move and one of many factors which separates the series from lesser efforts of its type. Never excitable and yet still fully a red-blooded teenage male, his sardonic running commentary makes him one of the year's best male characters. In these four episodes the romantic potential between him and Haruhi becomes more heavily implied, but unlike so many other teen-focused series, it's never more than implied; Kyon never admits that the reason he keeps hanging around Haruhi despite all the hassles she gives him is because he may be attracted to her, and one has to read Haruhi's utterly unadmitted interest in Kyon from her actions rather than watch her fantasize about him. On Haruhi's part, her moodiness and frustration over the inability to recognize and identify all the weirdness surrounding her makes the title of the series more clear.

http://www.mangafox.com/manga/akaneiro_ni_somaru_saka/

Mitsurin Shounen Chapter 10 11 12 9 translate

2011-03-22T23:06:00.000-07:00

For those who have not seen MoHS in fansubs, ardent fans have much lamented the switch to chronological ordering of the episodes on the DVD releases compared to the scrambled order of the original TV broadcast. That difference starts making its full impact here. The great advantage to having episodes 4-7 (remember, the first episode was episode 0) in this order is that the story makes a heck of a lot more sense this way, especially with episode 7 (“The Boredom of Haruhi Suzimiya”, aka the baseball episode) coming after the episodes which actually explain the whole business about closed spaces, the strange giants, what Koizumi's power is, and why it's so important to monitor Haruhi's mood. Some who saw the series in fansubs argue that easily making sense comes at the cost of the novelty of the out-of-order approach, but unlike the similarly-disordered Boogiepop Phantom the original scrambled order felt more like a gimmick than an actual integral part of the storytelling, so no big loss. Those who are going to get hung up on that can just start buying the Limited Edition versions from this point out, as the extra disc included in them provides a subtitled-only version of the series in the original broadcast order – an option not even available on the Japanese DVDs.

http://www.mangafox.com/manga/mitsurin_shounen/

Nijiiro Prism Girl Chapter 3 4 5 2 1 translate

2011-03-22T23:05:00.000-07:00

Cute, multitalented Haruhi Suzimiya subconsciously has the power of a deity and the SOS Brigade she has formed secretly includes the time traveler, alien, and esper she sought out, who are there to keep tabs on her – so much for an ordinary high school experience for Kyon, the lone mundane member. Worse, it seems that Haruhi getting bored can have bad consequences for reality, and so could revealing any of the truth to her, so Kyon must figure out what all these cryptic references to fairy tales mean and why Haruhi wants him around when a worst-case scenario arises. It also seems that the SOS Brigades members are not the only extraordinary individuals at the school, and one definitely does not have Kyon's best interests in mind. Later on, the SOS Brigade finds itself in a baseball tournament when Haruhi signs them up on a whim.

http://www.mangafox.com/manga/nijiiro_prism_girl/

Girl Queen Chapter 32 33 34 31 translate

2011-03-22T23:03:00.000-07:00

Extras are fair in number but unexciting. In addition to the standard trio of Geneon previews, a short promotional trailer, a set of commercials (at least one or two apparently for episodes in the third volume), and version 1 of the textless closer are offered. This volume does pack five episodes, though, and separates the language and subtitling options. Also look for a set of “No-No! Big Brother” stickers included in the case.

While some may be turned off by the inherent creepiness of the concept, those who give Koi Kaze a chance will find it to be a delicate, plausible, and heartfelt look at two siblings who are falling in love despite their own misgivings and all of the societal taboos against it. This is as atypical as anime romantic stories get, but you also won't see one told better. “Budding Attraction” ranks as one of the premier examples of anime storytelling across any genre in its continuance of a classic story of forbidden love. I do not easily give a maximum grade to any anime volume in any category, but this one deserves it.

http://www.mangafox.com/manga/girl_queen/

Teen Spirit Chapter 19 20 21 18 translate

2011-03-22T23:01:00.000-07:00

The musical scoring eloquently supports the story by highlighting key scenes with gentle, poignant piano themes while smartly remaining silent at other times. The pleasant opener and more amateurish closer are unchanged from the first volume. Also worthy of note is the attention to detail in the use of sound effects, such as the sound of sock-clad feet walking across a wooden floor at various points. All too often these details are overlooked unless they are intended to be meaningful to the scene.

The English script continues to stay reasonably close to the subtitles and is just as eloquent, while the English vocal casting continues to be a close match for the originals. The styling of the performances varies a little more from the originals in this volume than in the first one, but it's for the better. Newcomer Tiffany Hsieh shines in her role as Nanoka by straying just enough from the original performance to portray the credibility and emotion of the character in a way more conducive to the English language. In the process she delivers one of the best female English vocal performances of the past year. Patrick Seitz masterfully mimics, and even slightly improves upon, the delivery of the original Koshiro, while the rest of the veteran vocal cast turns in uniformly competent performances. All-in-all, it is a very good dub.

http://www.mangafox.com/manga/teen_spirit/

Money Ace X Chapter 19 20 21 18 Money Ace X

2011-03-22T22:59:00.002-07:00

The artistry and technical merits in this second volume are still the weakest aspects of the series, though I have upgraded my opinion of them since reviewing the first volume. Nanoka is well-detailed, realistically proportioned (she's small but not delicate), and by far the most visually appealing character. Although she is drawn younger than she's supposed to be (the birthday she has during this volume should make her 16 years old), she is also portrayed as being on the cusp between cuteness and pure beauty, a not uncommon look for girls of that age. Koshiro, by comparison, is almost distractingly square-jawed and rough-edged. The level of artistic merit on the supporting characters varies, but all are distinctive and only Koshiro's lecherous co-worker Odagiri is stereotypical. The quality of rendering on all of the characters varies greatly between close-up shots and views at any distance; in the former case detail is quite good, but it suffers in any shots where the characters are more than a few feet from the theoretical camera. Background art, while not bad, usually looks like pencil sketches. As a result, it starkly contrasts with the digitally-colored characters. The animation quality continues to be inconsistent; it looks quite good in select scenes but takes shortcuts in other places, leaving the impression that the producers focused most of the animation budget on a few key scenes. Thankfully lacking, though, are most of the exaggerated reactions seen in many anime romances. For all the artistic and technical faults of the series, it does handle quite well some details that are often overlooked, such as how natural Nanoka looks while sleeping in one scene or how convincingly mussed up her hair looks when she wakes up. This volume also gives Nanoka a wide range of wardrobe and hairdos, something that a lot of anime series focusing on a teenage character often skimp on.

http://www.mangafox.com/manga/money_ace_x/

Full Metal Panic! Sigma Chapter 40 41 42 39 translate

2011-03-22T22:59:00.000-07:00

http://www.mangafox.com/manga/full_metal_panic_sigma/

As is true with any quality romantic anime story, it is the characters which help really sell Koi Kaze. Koshiro is wholly believable, and Nanoka is utterly appealing. Supporting characters serve mostly as comic relief and framing devices for the main characters, but all of them serve those roles well. Although the story is still told primarily from Koshiro's point of view, this volume gives much more of a look into Nanoka's thoughts, focusing on her for the better part of two of the five episodes.

Rakka Ryuusui Chapter 15 16 17 14 Rakka Ryuusui

2011-03-22T22:57:00.000-07:00

Summary

After learning that she had passed the entrance examinations to enter the Sakuraba Girl's High School, Hayama Akiho, while attempting to escape from club recruitment staff, experiences love at first sight when she meets the president of the kyūdō club, Hokaze Minatsu...

Rakka Ryuusui is a 4-koma yuri comedy, and the setting is that of the kyūdō club in the school and its members.

http://www.mangafox.com/manga/rakka_ryuusui/

The first volume of Koi Kaze established the series as a superbly-written, mostly-serious romance far removed from the norm for anime romantic stories. This second volume not only retains those traits but also establishes the series as one of the best-written anime romances to date (SaiKano included) and the best-written series to be released in the States in the first half of 2005 (Paranoia Agent included). Granted, the subject matter—a relationship between an adult brother and a teenage sister which is developing in an incestuous direction—is likely to make some viewers uncomfortable, so this title is not for everyone. Those who can get beyond that, though, will find a flawless work of storytelling. Every thought, action, and reaction in the story—indeed, every word of the script—feels so natural, so real. How else could one reasonably expect a man like Koshiro, who has always had trouble expressing his emotions, to deal with the feelings he now has? How differently could you expect Nanoka, a serious-minded girl inexperienced in matters of the heart, to act concerning her developing fixation on her brother? Even when the two squabble with each other, it just feels right. The tone and pacing of the series are exquisite; although there are a few bits of humor here and there, this is a serious, low-key story wisely allowed to develop on a slow burn as the seasons change. Time and sensitivity are needed for this kind of delicate character development, so to move things along quicker, or make the story livelier, would sacrifice credibility. The slow pacing does not make this volume any less fascinating, however; even silent pauses are used effectively, a practice rarely seen in anime outside of Neon Genesis Evangelion.

Kimiiro Focus Chapter 10 11 12 9 translate

2011-03-22T22:56:00.000-07:00

Koshiro is consumed with guilt over his actions in episode 4, greatly fearful of what Nanoka may or may not have seen him doing that night, and still unsettled by his feelings for her, so he lashes out at his little sister. Things get even worse when seeing Nanoka walking home with a boy sparks jealously within him. Though he partly manages to rein in his feelings, and thus act more civilly and comfortably around and about her, he cannot escape or deny his attraction or bring himself to admit his feelings.

Nanoka, while frustrated by her brother's behavior towards her, seems to obsess over him so much that her friends label her as having a “brother complex.” Though she protests, her thoughts and actions suggest otherwise. Is the love she feels towards Koshiro just sisterly affection, or has it progressed beyond that?

http://www.mangafox.com/manga/kimiiro_focus/

Love Pheromone No.5 Chapter 12 13 14 11 translate

2011-03-22T22:54:00.002-07:00

http://www.mangafox.com/manga/love_pheromone_no_5/

For those who do have the right background knowledge, though, Gintama's fifth volume is another hilarious stream-of-consciousness trip through the social issues of today and 150 years ago. No topic is safe from Hideaki Sorachi's lampooning, whether it's historical drag queens or rowdy biker gangs, and the zany cast of characters injects fun into every scene. It's a shame that there's no ongoing story to follow, and that the pages can be eye-crossingly difficult to read at times, but it's a small price to pay for a good hearty laugh.

Donten Prism Solar Car Chapter 9 10 11 8 Donten Prism Solar Car

2011-03-22T22:54:00.000-07:00

At first glance, the art in this series might look just as sharp as the humor—fine lines, plenty of detail and hatching—but it falls short when it comes to actual storytelling. The level of detail ends up obscuring a lot of the physical and visual gags; for example, we can't see that Gin is comically running away from a ghost because there's so much else going on in the panel. In addition, the artwork often lacks the action that's needed to make slapstick comedy work—the characters look more like they're doing static freeze-frame poses rather than actually moving. (Imagine how awkward this must look during the biker gang race scene.) But there are still some visual strong points, like the well-developed backgrounds and buildings that bring historical Japan to life, inaccurate as it may be. Character designs are also another source of enjoyment, with this volume's highlights being Gin in drag and a "cute animal" that hides a fearsome face.

Sarcastic, in-your-face dialogue is the final key to unlocking this series' sense of humor—in fact, even the creator himself gets in on the action. "Dear Mr. Sorachi, are you aware that so-and-so wasn't born during the Bakumatsu era?" "Dear reader, are you also aware that there were no alien invasions during the Bakumatsu era?" Talk about putting a guy in his place. Trash-talk and bravado are all a part of Gin and company's vocabulary, and it's delightful to read a translation that "gets it" and captures that attitude. On the downside, the dialogue does take up a lot of room, making the already crowded layouts even more eyestrain-inducing. Sound effects are also kind of a mess: all the sounds have been removed and replaced with English equivalents, but instead of blending into the artwork, they just look even more visually jarring. And for a series that's so heavily dependent on Japanese culture, they don't give you any footnotes or glossary—good luck kids, you're on your own with this one!

http://www.mangafox.com/manga/donten_prism_solar_car/

Hokenshitsu no Shinigami Chapter 35 36 37 34

2011-03-22T22:50:00.002-07:00

At other times, though, the series earns its laughs with slapstick and character-based humor, which of course is universally appealing. The race against the biker gang in Chapter 6 is a classic example, as Gin and company rely on wacky tactics to win; the nearsighted ninja in the last chapter is another timeless gag carried to perfection (the poor girl keeps trying to talk to random objects because she can't see without her glasses). And who can forget the stereotypical Americans in the TV infomercials? Gin's hot-headed arrogance is also the source of laughter—like when his boastful words belie his fear of ghosts, or when he thinks he can run a convenience store by sassing all the customers. Only when the series tries to do "normal" Shonen Jump-style adventure does it fail, like when Gin and a friend have to rescue a little boy (a yawn-inducing chapter that takes entirely too long). Readers may also be irked at the lack of plot continuity—nothing ever connects to anything else, except for some storylines that span two chapters.

http://www.mangafox.com/manga/hokenshitsu_no_shinigami/

One Winter Chapter 5 6 7 4 3 2 1 translate

2011-03-22T22:50:00.000-07:00

Are you ready to laugh? Then switch your brains on, because the culturally literate humor of Gintama operates on a different level. On the surface, it may look like just another one of those "Ha ha look at silly people do silly things" comedies, but observant readers will laugh all the more because of the series' satirical edge. Volume 5's objects of ridicule include the following: beach episodes, J-horror clichés, Shonen Jump's obsession with powerful weapons, home shopping TV channels, yanki biker gangs, geisha culture, gay culture, kunoichi, and—in the author's notes—irritating readers who nitpick historical facts. But while there are plenty of laughs to be found, there really isn't a whole lot of plot, and the artwork can look stiff and confusing at times. Well, there's no such thing as perfect, right?

Even the gags in this volume suffer from imperfections—the make-fun-of-everything style of humor is a hit-or-miss affair, and the hits and misses often depend on personal taste. Chapter 4, for example, is about Gin's personal weapon being "the most powerful sword"—but readers will need to know the fantasy/adventure genre pretty well to get the joke. A couple of other comedic situations also require at least a basic knowledge of Japanese culture: the okama (drag queen) who runs a transvestite geisha house, for example, or the long-haired, toilet-dwelling ghost girl who goes around terrorizing the Shinsengumi. They say that knowledge is power, and in this case, cultural knowledge gives one the power to laugh at Gintama.

http://www.mangafox.com/manga/one_winter/

Youth Gone Wild Volume 12 Chapter 6 7 8 5

2011-03-22T22:48:00.001-07:00

Summary

Yating was working in a recording company until she was fired by her boss (a famous movie actress with a spoiled temperament). Discouraged and jobless, Yating decided to work in a pub where a famous group called "Gangster" regularly played. Along the way, she gets to meet this guy who has the most divine voice. Yating's luck then began to change when her uncle decides to retire and set up his own record company. He asks her to join in his ambition to create the most famous rock group in Taiwan. This is the story of how Yating, being the new manager, tried to create the ultimate rock band!

http://www.mangafox.com/manga/youth_gone_wild/

Edo-period Japan is in a state of culture shock: aliens have invaded, taken all the jobs, and made the samurai powerless by confiscating their swords. Amidst this collision of technology and tradition stands Gin Sakata, an odd-jobs man trying to make ends meet. As usual, Gin and his mismatched group of friends are taking on all sorts of challenges: a sea monster in need of slaying, a ghost that's haunting the Shinsengumi headquarters, a mad warrior in search of the strongest sword, a friend-of-a-friend who needs to be saved from a biker gang , a drag queen's son with an inferiority complex, and a nearsighted ninja on an assassination mission. Can Gin and friends survive yet another round of anachronistic misadventures?

Tenma no Ketsuzoku Chapter 20 21 22 19 Tenma no Ketsuzoku

2011-03-22T22:48:00.000-07:00

ADV has been promoting Le Chevalier as one of their hallmark titles for the year, and that can be seen in the effort put into the Extras. The disc itself is loaded with them, including extensive historical notes, English commentary tracks for episodes 6 and 7, a video of a Japanese promo event, clean opener and closer, and company previews. Over the last few years ADV has shown a penchant for occasionally including really odd extras on its DVDs, and the offering this time is one of the oddest yet: a cross-dressing pictorial featuring the English VAs for d'Eon (a very muscular David Matranga) and Lia (the sexy and relatively new Taylor Hannah) which has to be seen to be truly appreciated. Again included is a 20-page booklet including cast and staff credits, character profiles, an explanation of key terms, an interview with the series creator, and another round of script serialization. Another elegant slipcase covers the regular case, and the art box (not reviewed here) is also available with this volume.

If the delicious blend of action, intrigue, and the supernatural drew you in during the first volume then the second will not fail to sustain your interest and enthusiasm. Its clever adaptation of actual history remains a particular highlight.

http://www.mangafox.com/manga/tenma_no_ketsuzoku/

Mankai Darling Chapter 10 11 12 9 translate

2011-03-22T22:47:00.000-07:00

http://www.mangafox.com/manga/mankai_darling/

The musical score sounds even better. A good opener and somewhat disappointing closer frame the soundtrack, which doesn't get to show off as much as it did in the first volume but still offers consistently great supporting sound.

Picky listeners may not be satisfied with a couple of the more minor supporting roles in the English dub, but all of the performances in the key roles are, at worst, acceptable and in many cases quite close in style to the originals. The English script usually stays fairly close to the subtitles, but in at least two cases lines are spoken in Japanese (and given in the subtitles) that aren't represented at all in the English dub, and for no apparent good reason.

Super Lovers Chapter 5 6 7 4 3 2 1 translate

2011-03-22T22:46:00.000-07:00

And it's in its plotting where Le Chevalier truly shines. Though elements of magic and the supernatural have been inextricably woven into the tapestry of historical fiction presented here, they remain just important flavorings to a well-balanced and well-paced story of action, drama, political maneuvering, and intrigue rather than the focus. One doesn't have to be a history buff to appreciate the story, either. More ordinary scenes of d'Eon having to be reminded not to forget his betrothed Anna in his quest to avenge his sister stand quite well alongside the scheming of the Duke of Orleans and Madame de Pompadour, the well-choreographed swordfights, the compelling turmoil of Lia's spirit, or the reactions d'Eon gets when he dresses up as Lia for his companions and the Russian court. The machinations may not be quite as intricate as they are in Gankutsuou, but that same level of attention to storytelling can be seen here.

The animation production got spread around a lot for this series, and unfortunately that shows in the inconsistent quality of the artistry and animation, especially in episodes 5 and 6. The problems can be most clearly seen in the character designs during those episodes and the shortcuts used in the actual animation. The swordfights continue to shine, however, offering some of the best-animated examples of such fare, and when drawn to tight standards all of the characters not only look good but unique. Costuming is also a highlight, especially the dresses of Madame de Pompadour and the one d'Eon wears to look like Lia (who else wants to see someone cosplay that look?), and backgrounds always delight with their detail. Beautiful CG effects pop up occasionally in the interior views of characters moving through Versailles. Even with the quality control issues, Production I.G has still produced a good-looking series.

http://www.mangafox.com/manga/super_lovers/

Yureka Chapter 198 199 200 197 translate

2011-03-22T22:44:00.000-07:00

First, the historical perspective: the real d'Eon de Beaumont really did get sent to Russia by Louis XV to meet and intrigue with the Empress Elizaveta, and it was there that stories of him adopting the identity of Lia de Beaumont first arose. Also Giuseppe Balsamo, the Count of Cagliostro, really was known to have associated with the Count Saint-Germain, allegedly traded arcane secrets with him, and visited Russia. Thus certain parts of these four episodes are only minor but clever adaptations of actual historical events. As with some characters introduced in volume 1, dates have been fudged to allow characters to coexist for sake of convenience; Robespierre wasn't even born until 1758, and the Count of Cagliostro was too young in the late 1750s (when this story apparently takes place) and did not associate with Count Saint-Germain until much later. Still, the ingenuity with which this has all been worked into the plot allows for some inconsistencies to be forgiven, and as the Extras explain, the seeming historical incongruity of some characters is a result of them being composites rather than faithful singular representations (as in the case of the Duke of Orleans).

http://www.mangafox.com/manga/yureka/

Q.E.D. - Shoumei Shuuryou Chapter 20 21 22 19

2011-03-22T22:43:00.000-07:00

The Russian Poet Vorontsov seems the key to everything the Musketeers need to learn about the death of Lia and the plotting against France, but before they can pin him down he departs France in the company of a young Maximillien Robespierre. Ultimately they must pursue him to Russia, but first d'Eon must make amends with Anna and call upon help from Queen Marie to come to terms with the spirit of his sister within him. On the road the quartet of d'Eon, Teillagory, Durand, and Robin soon learn that their every move is not only being tracked but dogged by those who would see their secret mission fail, while suggestions of a traitor within Le Secret du Roi loom over them. Even a fateful encounter with Le Conte de Cagliostro and his Poet mistress cannot deter them from reaching St. Petersburg, where they seek to meet the Empress Elizaveta, whom Lia once helped protect from an assassination attempt. But given the Vorontsov was a Russian, is she now friend or foe? And what of the dangerous plots that swirl around her? To find out, d'Eon must attend a masquerade dressed as Lia.

http://www.mangafox.com/manga/q_e_d_shoumei_shuuryou/

Shiki Tsukai Chapter 9 10 11 12 8 translate

2011-03-22T22:42:00.000-07:00

http://www.mangafox.com/manga/shiki_tsukai/

Although not a flawless production, this first volume of Planetes is still a strong start to a series which has the potential to be one of the better releases of 2005. Its appeal lies in its ability to cut to the heart of what many fans like about anime: the realization on the screen of scenes which could not be duplicated in a real-life production. If it's been a while since a series set in space has truly excited or intrigued you, then this is a series you need to see.

Kuusou Kagaku Edison Chapter 6 7 8 5 4 3 2 1

2011-03-22T22:40:00.000-07:00

The only extra on the main disk is a Japanese audio commentary for the first episode, which is located on the “Scenes” menu for episode 1 and features obviously (and deliberately?) drunk members of the Japanese vocal cast. A second included disk contains a substantial list of extras, including company and series trailers, a gallery of images of orbital trash which have made their way back to Earth, two rather funny audio dramas which stem off from scenes in the series, and an array of interviews. English vocal cast members Kirk Thornton (Hachirota) and Julie Ann Thornton (Ai) each get some screen time, as does ADR director Tony Oliver. These interviews are rather inane and provide little real insight, but it's always interesting to associate faces with the voices. The feature interview is with two members of NASA's Orbital Debris Section, who outline the current state of affairs about orbital trash and what is being done about it, which is much more interesting. Conspicuously absent is a clean opener which allows a viewer to see print on the screen without the subtitles in the way, but hopefully that will show up in a future volume. As with the volumes of Otogi Zoshi recently released by AnimeWorks, both disks of this Bandai Entertainment release are included in a normal-sized DVD case, a trend I dearly hope continues. The slip cover for the case contains all the print, allowing the actual case cover to display unblemished artwork – a nice touch.

http://www.mangafox.com/manga/kuusou_kagaku_edison/

Kingdom Hearts II Chapter 39 40 41 38

2011-03-22T22:39:00.000-07:00

Summary

Based on the popular PS2 video game "Kingdom Hearts II," Sora, Donald, and Goofy continue there quest to find their friends King Mickey and Riku. A new enemy has arose from the darkness called Nobodies, creatures that have no hearts and cannot feel any emotion. Along with this new threat, a secret group of human nobodies called Organization XIII is out to gain something from Sora.

http://www.mangafox.com/manga/kingdom_hearts_ii/

The script for the English dub is as tight to the subtitles as it could realistically be expected to be; it even retains the uses of “sempai” by Ai. The same cannot be said, however, for some of the English performances. A couple of roles are outright miscast, especially Hachirota's friend Cheng-Shin; I have enjoyed Steve Blum's work in many other anime series, but he does not sound right here, nor is his voice even close to that of the original seiyuu despite his efforts to subdue his tone. Yuri does not sound at all Russian even though he's clearly supposed to be, but he doesn't sound that way in the original Japanese vocals, either. Many of the performances are a little overdone in their argumentative or whiny aspects, causing some characters to sound more irritating at times than they are probably supposed to sound. Unfortunately the English performances for the two administrators are dead-on (i.e. they really are that annoying in Japanese, too). Overall this is a somewhat disappointing dub, especially considering veteran cast involved.

Heads Chapter 15 16 17 14 translate

2011-03-22T22:37:00.002-07:00

The soundtrack, which is suitably light-hearted or dramatic as the scene warrants it, supports the artistry and storytelling well. The opening and closing numbers, both performed by Mikio Sakai (probably best-known for singing the themes to s-CRY-ed) are both solid numbers, especially the uplifting opener. Most significant about the sound on Planetes, though, is when it isn't heard. No sounds are heard when thrusters fire or object collide or debris is dropped to burn up in the atmosphere while in space. I applaud the restraint of the production staff in this regard, as I can name on one hand the number of other anime series with outer space elements which also keep outer space scenes silent. So that there does not seem to be dead space (pardon the pun), the writers have cleverly arranged for the ongoing dialogue between characters to continue via suit speakers while they are performing their outside duties.

http://www.mangafox.com/manga/heads/

Kokou no Hito Chapter 125 126 127 124 translate

2011-03-22T22:37:00.000-07:00

As with the writing, the artistry is at its best when showing characters in space or exterior shots of objects in space. The level of technical detail is exceptional and impressive, making this one of the best of all anime series to date in that regard. Character designs, while always very distinctive and realistically-proportioned, seem just a little flat, as do the color schemes and artistry in general. (And what's up with Ai's maroon-colored eyes?) Background detail is good, however, as is use of CG effects, while the integration with character animation is so flawless that the viewer is unlikely to notice. The frequent use of zero-G environments necessitates a much greater degree of motion by the characters than would normally be seen in a block of episodes with a relatively small amount of true action scenes, but the fluid, consistent animation proves well worthy of the task. The series also gets a lot of mileage out of the animation of facial expressions, though it does not resort to the use of hyper-exaggerated expressions seen in many light-hearted anime series. The opener, which features (and names) the central characters against a backdrop of animated versions of important scenes and people from the history of space exploration, is an artistic winner, while the closer, which features Hachirota progressing on a path toward space as he grows up, is also well-handled.

http://www.mangafox.com/manga/kokou_no_hito/

Be Heun Chapter 19 20 21 18 translate

2011-03-22T22:36:00.000-07:00

This first volume of Planetes guides its plot along as an exploration of what Half Section does through a focus on Ai Tanabe, their naïve and idealistic rookie member, and her foil, the cynical and jaded Hachirota. The series is always at its best when members of Half Section are shown doing their jobs, attending to matters specifically related to their job (such as Ai's training with her suit jets), talking about the hows and whys of what they do, or going through the daily aspects of life in space. The story sometimes gets bogged down when focusing on other matters, especially the silly and grossly overplayed business about pushy insurance salespeople in episode 3 or the tendency of arguments between Ai and Hachirota to overstay their welcome. The highly practical, chain-smoking Fee is effective as the voice of reason between the two, while even-tempered, animal-loving Yuri has little that's meaningful to say in an undeveloped supporting role. Supervisor Arvind Lavie and Assistant Section Manager (aka Chief) Philippe Myers, are more tedious than funny in their look-out-for-their-careers pandering. Most guest-shot and supporting roles are reasonably interesting, though a spoiled company president's son in episode 4 is also overwritten.

http://www.mangafox.com/manga/be_heun/

Omega Complex Chapter 5 6 7 4 3 2 1 translate

2011-03-22T22:32:00.001-07:00

The true beauty of Planetes lies in its realistic future vision and attention to detail. Its story assumes that, while there have been substantial gains in space travel, mankind is still traveling within its solar system without the benefit of hyperspace or warp gates or anything of that nature. Yes, you can take a vacation trip to the moon in the year 2075, but it's still a four-day trip. Artificial gravity is only achieved by spinning in space, so ships or areas of space stations which don't spin are strictly zero-G. Space stations and ships take common-sense adaptations to this reality, such as having bars on floors, walls, and ceiling for people to pull themselves along or hook their feet under when they want to stand in place. The rookie member of Half Section isn't able to just automatically jet around wherever she wants to right away, either; she actually has to (gasp!) practice at it. When the Debris Section crew is out in space doing their job the laws of physics are actually applied, and in a distinct rarity for sci-fi series, no sound is heard in space save that which comes over the suit intercoms. When in zero-G parts of space stations or spaceships, characters are shown as being at least slightly in motion if they had any initial momentum, a detail often ignored in other sci-fi series involving zero-G environments. The Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency is listed in the credits under the heading “Research Assistance,” and it shows. It's no wonder that NASA itself took an interest in this series.

http://www.mangafox.com/manga/omega_complex/

Onee-chan to Issho Chapter 12 13 14 11 English

2011-03-22T22:32:00.000-07:00

http://www.mangafox.com/manga/onee_chan_to_issho/

The idea behind Planetes is so simple yet so brilliant – make a sci-fi series which take a serious, highly technical look at the very real problem of orbital trash and the people who collect it. Yeah, we're really talking about a series about not-so-glorified space garbage collectors, but the fact that this is space adds entirely new dimensions of complexity and importance to their travails. The indispensable nature of their jobs does not elevate their status amongst their peers, however, because collecting trash, while necessary, isn't profitable. (Whether on Earth or in space, garbage collectors just don't get any respect!) To keep this from being too much of a drag, the series takes on a light-hearted tone when its members aren't buckling down to business. The result is a volume of five episodes which is occasionally funny and often utterly fascinating, though it sometimes gets bogged down in the annoying behavior of its characters.

I Love High School Chapter 9 10 11 8 I ♥ HS

2011-03-22T22:31:00.001-07:00

Yamato Onidzuka. Childhood bully, punk, and sports prodigy. His old childhood friends are terrified of him, as he used to bully and harass them on a daily basis. When he transferred to a special sport's school, it seemed like his friends' worst nightmare had finally come to an end. But now that he's back, it seems like the nightmare has returned. Join Megu, Yamato, and their 4 other friends on their hilarious roller-coaster ride known as High School!

http://www.mangafox.com/manga/i_hs/

As mankind moves into the second half of the 21st century and expands its travel and business in space, debris orbiting the Earth has become a serious safety hazard. Even a single bolt, when propelled around the Earth at speeds of as much as 8 km/sec, can do catastrophic damage. Thus have companies doing business in space established Debris Sections to deal with the problem of collecting and disposing of space trash. This is the story of “Half Section,” the Debris Section of one particular company, and the staff of misfits whose thankless job it is to keep orbital paths free of defunct satellites and other dangerous junk.

God Eater - Kyuuseishu no Kikan Chapter 5 6 7 4 3 2 1

2011-03-22T22:31:00.000-07:00

If the fight scenes in Bleach are like visual poetry, then the words the characters say to each other are ... actually too poetic, with a lot of loud, theatrical declarations of aggression. Give this translation credit for adding some flair and formality to the script—but then again, embellishments become necessary when the characters are basically saying "I have the power to defeat you!" "No, I have a hidden power that I shall use to defeat you! And here's how it works!" to each other over and over. Meanwhile, the use of original Japanese names for certain attacks (with footnotes in the margins) is a cumbersome technique and would be better replaced by simply using the translated names. Sound effects are edited in a somewhat awkward manner, and readers may find themselves distracted by the big, blocky English letters splayed across various panels to indicate yet another big noise as combatants clash with each other.

With our heroes now well past the no-name grunts at the gates of Hueco Mundo, but still ways off from directly facing the ultimate villain and his generals, this volume of Bleach provides an enjoyable (if not terribly deep) round of mid-level combat. The arrival of Soul Society's captains, and their unique modes of attack, add a much-needed spark of variety—and from a story perspective, they help to keep Ichigo and friends from completely burning out in battle. The overall arc itself still stays on a strictly linear path, though, with the only real development being a cleaning up of all the muddled subplots and multiple battlegrounds at the start of this volume. So stay and enjoy the fights, but don't expect any major plot twists to suddenly pop up—unless you count the surprising ways in which the heroes defeat their foes. Predictable as the triumph of good over evil may be, there's still an element of ingenuity when one does it without ever wielding a sword.
Grade:

http://www.mangafox.com/manga/god_eater_kyuuseishu_no_kikan/

Koisuru Heart ga No to Iu Chapter 6 7 8 5 4 3 2 1

2011-03-22T22:28:00.000-07:00

With these strange spirit attacks that border on outright magic, it's no surprise that Kubo's art also enters the realm of stylization and abstraction—after all, the laws of the real world already went out the window early on in the series. Obviously, the more outlandish the attack, the more striking it looks on the page: the middle battle of this volume takes the crown for aesthetics with Zommari's voodoo-like transformation and Byakuya releasing his thousand cherry blossoms, arguably the most elegant bankai of all the major characters. Kubo's natural gift for character design also helps to bring a unique style to each fight: every character has a unique silhouette, whether lanky or stocky or short or tall or somewhere else on that spectrum. And his gift for layout cannot be ignored, either, like the use of white space to help frame a shot in its panel, or the way he lines up panels in parallel—lots of verticals or horizontals in a row—to create a strong visual rhythm few others can duplicate.

http://www.mangafox.com/manga/koisuru_heart_ga_no_to_iu/

Watch Kore wa Zombie Desu ka? Episode 4 Subbed online

2011-03-21T19:42:00.000-07:00

Synopsis
Aikawa Ayumu is a normal high school boy. One day he is killed by a serial killer and revived as a zombie by a necromancer named Eucliwood Hellscythe. He starts to serve Eu as her guard but he happens to deprive the mahou shoujo Haruna of her magic power. Haruna orders Ayumu to fight against the anti-mahou shoujo system "Megalo" in her place.

Aired: 2011
Producers: Studio Deen
Genres: Action, Magic

Opening Theme
"Ma・Ka・Se・Te Tonight (魔・カ・セ・テ Tonight)" by Iori Nomizu

Ending Theme
"Kizuite Zombie-sama, Watashi wa Classmate desu (気づいてゾンビさま、私はクラスメイトです)" by Rie Yamaguchi with manzo

watch Kore wa Zombie Desu ka Episode 4 part 1

watch Kore wa Zombie Desu ka Episode 4 part 2

Kore wa Zombie Desu ka? 03 http://www.mediafire.com/?380394kw91abg0w

Tales of Phantasia
DVD 1
The plot also has a bad habit of jumping around a lot, and the concept of transition scenes seems foreign to the production; it just flat-out skips ahead to the next critical moment, without showing at all how the characters got there. This is, of course, a reflection of the content being assembled from highlight scenes from throughout the game, but other game adaptations have shown that it all can be put together with a much better flow than it has. And what's the deal with the weird naming conventions? A character named Mint? And how can you take seriously a series with a character named Claus T. Lester?

History's Strongest Disciple Kenichi Chapter 432

2011-03-19T00:45:00.006-07:00

This is the Neo-version of "Tatakae! Ryouzanpaku Shijou Saikyou no Deshi" (A martial arts manga by the same author and featuring many similar characters and events)

http://www.mangafox.com/manga/history_s_strongest_disciple_kenichi/

From its description, Alive sounds like the typical shock-and-awe apocalyptic thriller—yet the story carries itself with a surprising degree of levelheadedness. Even as the stakes are raised in the second volume, it rarely plunges into all-out action and violence; the occasional moments of bloodshed are all the more heightened because they're so rare. The slice-of-life surface, combined with the circumstances of the story, create an unsettling feeling: how can these scenes of suburban Japan look so normal when there are terrible things happening right now? Such is the disturbing contradiction of Alive, and with the story gaining momentum, it looks like there will be plenty more secrets and horrors to uncover.

The beginning of this volume picks up from the previous one with plenty of unanswered questions, from the countless deaths around the world to the bizarre behavior of Taisuke's friends. As it turns out, most of the thrill comes from these mysteries and mind games rather than pure action: How will Taisuke reach his friends? What are the intentions of the "comrades"? How can he defend himself against their abilities? Fortunately the answers to these questions start to pop up as the volume progresses: Taisuke meets a trucker headed north, he meets a "comrade" who isn't completely hellbent on destroying him, and he starts to understand how his own powers work. Readers, too, will start to understand the big picture as other characters relate their own experiences. The little boy that Taisuke meets provides some much-needed poignancy, balancing out the doom and gloom elsewhere.

History's Strongest Disciple Kenichi Chapter 431

2011-03-19T00:45:00.005-07:00

This is the Neo-version of "Tatakae! Ryouzanpaku Shijou Saikyou no Deshi" (A martial arts manga by the same author and featuring many similar characters and events)

http://www.mangafox.com/manga/history_s_strongest_disciple_kenichi/

However, this volume also ends up creating just as many new questions as the ones it answered, and while that's probably good for keeping the suspense going, it can also be irritating for those who simply want to know what's going on. The occasional glimpses of Megu and Hiro don't help much—all we ever learn is that they're currently in hiding under the care of another superpowered baddie, and Hiro is losing is mind. Thus the story's greatest strength also becomes its greatest weakness: it refuses to reveal all the cards, and in doing so keeps readers interested but also frustrated. The story may not seem slow-paced while reading it—Taisuke is always on the move, and a couple of fights fill the necessary action quota—but after realizing how little has been revealed after the second volume, it does feel like it's taking forever to get anywhere.

The clean, sharp-lined art provides an unusual counterpoint to Taisuke's dire circumstances; one would think that a world in crisis would look more gritty and blood-stained than this. Don't worry, there's some blood after all—but these gory moments happen just a handful of times in the book, which makes them all the more shocking when they come up. The depictions of suburban Japanese life are so ordinary that when a gruesome beheading pops out of nowhere, it's a disturbing experience on both a visual and cerebral level. Perhaps the style is too ordinary, though: Taisuke's character design is completely forgettable once the book is closed, and the same might be said of his supporting cast; meanwhile, the environments are depicted as bland expanses of buildings and greenery. In the end, only the action scenes remain memorable, with the characters' powers leading to some striking visual effects.

History's Strongest Disciple Kenichi Chapter 430

2011-03-19T00:45:00.004-07:00

This is the Neo-version of "Tatakae! Ryouzanpaku Shijou Saikyou no Deshi" (A martial arts manga by the same author and featuring many similar characters and events)

http://www.mangafox.com/manga/history_s_strongest_disciple_kenichi/

Dialogue takes a secondary role throughout this story, as most things happen through "showing" (that is, Taisuke's actions and decisions) rather than "telling." Most conversation occurs in a plain, everyday tone, although it occasionally reaches higher levels as some characters wax philosophical about the nature of death and the emergence of their strange powers. The translation also retains a couple of culturally unique Japanese phrases in the text ("Itadakimasu" being the most obvious example), but the glossary in the back explains all of them anyway, as well as a couple of other notes regarding everyday life in Japan.

What's good about this volume of Alive is that the mysteries of the "suicide virus" are starting to become clearer, and the story is definitely going somewhere. Unfortunately, it seems to be getting there at a frustratingly slow pace, as our hero takes his sweet time figuring out how to reach his friends and trying to understand exactly what's happening to him. At least there are some visceral action scenes to keep the excitement up, and the sight of such bloodshed against an ordinary, modern-day setting reminds us that this thriller means serious business. Are there greater perils in store for Taisuke? The last few pages in the book would suggest so. It might be a long time before he ever gets his friends back, or even makes sense of what's happening around the world, but following his adventure is a gripping experience nonetheless.

History's Strongest Disciple Kenichi Chapter 429

2011-03-19T00:45:00.003-07:00

This is the Neo-version of "Tatakae! Ryouzanpaku Shijou Saikyou no Deshi" (A martial arts manga by the same author and featuring many similar characters and events)

http://www.mangafox.com/manga/history_s_strongest_disciple_kenichi/

Koshiro, a professional wedding consultant, has recently been dumped by his girlfriend when he crosses paths with a cute high school girl. Though inappropriate due to their age difference (he's 27, she's 15), he winds up on what passes for a date with her, where he ultimately displays more of his feelings than he had intended. The awkwardness of the situation is heightened tenfold when the two discover that she, Nanoka, is the little sister that Koshiro hasn't seen in more than a decade – and she's moving in with him and his divorced father in order to attend high school! Never a man comfortable with his emotions, Koshiro must struggle to sort out feelings that just won't go away even in light of their status as siblings. And how does Nanoka feel about Koshiro? Could it be that she, too, has feelings for him as well, feelings that transcend their familial status, even despite Koshiro's moody nature?

History's Strongest Disciple Kenichi Chapter 428

2011-03-19T00:45:00.002-07:00

This is the Neo-version of "Tatakae! Ryouzanpaku Shijou Saikyou no Deshi" (A martial arts manga by the same author and featuring many similar characters and events)

http://www.mangafox.com/manga/history_s_strongest_disciple_kenichi/

Every so often a romantic anime story steps aside from the mold of stock characters and story elements to produce something truly special and different. Last year SaiKano went down this path by offering a serious, intimate, and tragic look at two teen lovers struggling to maintain a relationship despite the fact that one of them was gradually losing her humanity. In so doing it became one of the most powerful, compelling, and best-written anime titles to be released in the States in 2004. This year's entry taking the “path less traveled” looks to be Koi Kaze, an intimate and mostly serious look at a potential forbidden relationship, one that involves both improperly disparate ages and incest. Though the storyline sounds like something that could have come out of an episode of Jerry Springer, delicate care is taken in showing how Koshiro starts to develop more than just familial feelings for Nanoka despite the improprieties of the situation. We see him react awkwardly, even gruffly, to Nanoka's presence in his household as he tries to sort out what he really feels towards her and desires about her, an altogether believable reaction which also neatly sidesteps the inherent creepiness of the circumstances. Although we do not get to see inside Nanoka's head as much so as we do Koshiro's, we also get a look at her reality as she adjusts to living with a brother she's never really known while leading the very ordinary life of a 15-year-old girl. The possibilities here for future developments are both intriguing and compelling, though they may make some viewers uncomfortable.

History's Strongest Disciple Kenichi Chapter 427

2011-03-19T00:45:00.001-07:00

This is the Neo-version of "Tatakae! Ryouzanpaku Shijou Saikyou no Deshi" (A martial arts manga by the same author and featuring many similar characters and events)

http://www.mangafox.com/manga/history_s_strongest_disciple_kenichi/

While the series could not rightfully be called a romantic comedy based on the first volume, it does have a few comedic elements. A male co-worker of Koshiro's adds comic relief as a man obsessed with having a relationship with a high school girl, while a trip to an amusement park with Nanoka does not go so well for the apparently motion sickness-sensitive Koshiro. The hyper “Next Episode” bits are also good for a chuckle or two. None of the humor involves the pratfalls and exaggerated reactions typical of romantic comediy animes, though; even when being funny Koi Kaze retains a certain degree of sensibility. A finely-shaped – and, most importantly, believable – supporting cast includes the emotional father (cheery at times, inconsolably worried at others), an ex-girlfriend who clearly still cares for Koshiro but wasn't getting the emotional investment out of their relationship that she sought, a female coworker of Koshiro's who teases him about his relationships but is also starting to put the pieces together about the odd way Koshiro has been acting lately, and a friend of Nanoka's who is so intensely interested in starting a relationship with a boy that she's riding an emotional roller coaster herself.

History's Strongest Disciple Kenichi Chapter 426

2011-03-19T00:45:00.000-07:00

This is the Neo-version of "Tatakae! Ryouzanpaku Shijou Saikyou no Deshi" (A martial arts manga by the same author and featuring many similar characters and events)

http://www.mangafox.com/manga/history_s_strongest_disciple_kenichi/

The writing is certainly the highlight of the series, as it emotionally invests the viewers from the very first episode. One early defining scene finds Koshiro and Nanoka (whom he doesn't know is his sister at that point) in a ferris wheel car, where Koshiro completely breaks down while telling Nanoka not to throw away even an impossible love, since such true and pure feelings are both rare and something to be cherished. This scene not only could bring many viewers to tears (when was the last time the first episode of a series could do that?) but is also a clever foreshadowing of the very dilemma Koshiro's own heart will face. Nanoka's gentle effort to comfort Koshiro in that scene also helps set the tone for later events, as she cannot forget her brother's sensitivity even when he is being mean to her.

As great as the writing is, the artistry is a disappointment. A subdued, washed-out color scheme is used on background art which often looks like it was lifted from watercolor paintings. It frequently has a rough, unrefined look to it and is too clearly distinct from the foreground character animation. Koshiro's square-jawed character design is simple and uninteresting, as are those for many of the supporting characters, but the appealing cuteness of Nanoka's design almost makes up for it. The quality of animation is also sporadic; one gets the impression that the artistic and technical budgets were concentrated on one key character and a few key scenes while the rest was done on the cheap.

History's Strongest Disciple Kenichi Chapter 425

2011-03-19T00:44:00.000-07:00

This is the Neo-version of "Tatakae! Ryouzanpaku Shijou Saikyou no Deshi" (A martial arts manga by the same author and featuring many similar characters and events)

http://www.mangafox.com/manga/history_s_strongest_disciple_kenichi/

The other place Koi Kaze really shines is in its musical scoring. The gentle, piano-driven tunes flawlessly set the tone for each scene, and the musical director knows when to let the music lapse. The opener is equally pleasant, while the closer is a mix of good music (an extension of the scoring) with amateurish artistry and weak singing. On the plus side, the vocal credits list the role with both the Japanese and English voice actors at the same time, a style Geneon has sometimes used in the past, that I greatly prefer. The English vocal casting is about as close as you're going to get to sounding like the original seiyuu, with veteran Patrick Seitz (Onishi in Texhnolyze, the sophisticated Valentine brother in Hellsing) matched with newcomer Tiffany Hsieh in the lead roles and backed by a very experienced supporting cast. The quality of the English vocal performances is also a close match to the originals, which is due in part to an English script which fully retains the essential meaning of the original.

Though the graphic content in this volume is virtually nonexistent, it is loaded with mature situations and contains some adult content which is not appropriate for younger viewers. This is a series aimed at older teens and young adults and reflects the sensibilities of those age groups.

Nana to Kaoru Chapter 53 奈奈与薫的SM日记

2011-03-18T21:00:00.003-07:00

Summary

Kaoru is a 17-year old virgin who has a SM fetish. He always dreams about a SM relationship with his childhood friend Nana. One day Kaoru's mom decides to hide all his SM toys so he'll study for a change, by asking Nana to hide his toys. Nana finds the leather one-piece that Kaoru bought and tries it on but she accidentally locks it and doesn't have the key!

http://www.mangafox.com/manga/nana_to_kaoru/

As noted above, the soundtrack does a wonderful job of using its recurring themes to support and set the tone for any given scene while retaining the distinctive Yuki Kujira sound. The opener, which is dispensed with for the final episode, remains the same as it has been since the beginning, while the closer remains constant until the final episode. As before, the original Japanese closers are retained, with a replay following with the English credits.

The English dub has often been a weak point for the series, but it stands up surprisingly well in this volume. This may partly be because some of the weakest voices (especially Takumi's) get little or no screen time, or just because the heavily emotional content finally brings out the best in the English performers. Carol-Anne Day still shines in the pivotal role of Mai, but this time around hers is not the only good performance. The English script remains quite close to the original subtitles throughout.

Nana to Kaoru Chapter 54 奈奈与薫的SM日记

2011-03-18T21:00:00.002-07:00

Summary

Kaoru is a 17-year old virgin who has a SM fetish. He always dreams about a SM relationship with his childhood friend Nana. One day Kaoru's mom decides to hide all his SM toys so he'll study for a change, by asking Nana to hide his toys. Nana finds the leather one-piece that Kaoru bought and tries it on but she accidentally locks it and doesn't have the key!

http://www.mangafox.com/manga/nana_to_kaoru/

Anyone who has paid careful attention to the character dynamics so far should have little trouble predicting who is going to face off against who and what the outcome will be in the various battles. Because of that, and because she is the main heroine of the series, revealing that Mai is the last one standing should not be any kind of spoiler. The only surprises are what the Crystal HiME can do and how she gets released to do it, but you had to figure that something like that was going to happen before the series ended. None of the battles lack for tension, visual appeal, or thrill factor, making them as much a strength of the final volume as the excellent musical score.

The highlight of the artistry continues to be the character and Child designs and the flashy use of magical effects. Basic quality control also continues to be a problem (especially Mai's varying bust size), as renderings look needlessly rough in more comical moments and sometimes stand out too much against the backgrounds. Fan service is limited to some significant shots of undefined nudity, a few hands placed where they shouldn't be, and the more racy and suggestive content in the Extras. Animation supports the battle scenes well and is especially effective in portraying tears and facial expressions in the most emotional scenes, but it, too, has its weak points. It's still a good-looking series, just not as sharp as it could be.

Nana to Kaoru Chapter 52 奈奈与薫的SM日记

2011-03-18T21:00:00.001-07:00

Summary

Kaoru is a 17-year old virgin who has a SM fetish. He always dreams about a SM relationship with his childhood friend Nana. One day Kaoru's mom decides to hide all his SM toys so he'll study for a change, by asking Nana to hide his toys. Nana finds the leather one-piece that Kaoru bought and tries it on but she accidentally locks it and doesn't have the key!

http://www.mangafox.com/manga/nana_to_kaoru/

The final volume maintains the series' habit of attaching mildly to tremendously racy side bits onto the end of each episode which focus on a character featured in that episode, a habit which continues through to the end. The only other on-disc Extra, beyond company trailers, is a “Director's Cut” version of the final episode, which merely adds about a minute and a half of additional material near the very end. The Special Edition version includes the much-requested proper art box for the series, whose quality of production strongly suggests that it was the reason for the extra month of delay in the final volume coming out. The elegant maroon-colored lidded box, which is sized to horizontally store all seven individuals DVDs, is lined with snapshot-like character images on its interior and fronted with a cel featuring most of the HiME and key supporting girls set in front of a recessed backdrop of Fuka Academy, while a bonus image of Mai, Natsuki, and Midori graces the back. Made of heavy cardboard, the box is so solid that one could put substantial weight on it without fear of collapse. Any fan of the series will probably find it to be worth the additional price.

The final HiME battles rage and the Obsidian Prince brings his scheming to its climax as the series wraps up. Despite some niggling quality control issues in both writing and technical merits, it is nonetheless a fitting conclusion to one of the most entertaining of recent series.

Nana to Kaoru Chapter 51 奈奈与薫的SM日记

2011-03-18T21:00:00.000-07:00

Gamble Fish Chapter 65 斗鱼鬥魚

2011-03-18T20:38:00.002-07:00

The story is set at Shishidou, a school attended by rich and elite people. Tomu Shirasagi, a gambler, is a mysterious new transfer student who has come from a public school and faces the elitist environment. There, he declares a challenge toward any student and claims he will bring to ruin the whole school through a series of gambling matches. Nobody knows why he has come to that school or what the real motivations behind his actions are.
During any match, Tomu shows off all of his unique coolness and abilities.

http://www.mangafox.com/manga/gamble_fish/

As touched upon above, 8 Man After does have a very cool cyberpunk feel going for it. It has that dark and mysterious atmosphere that many people seem to love. The type of action that coincides with this is odd. With 8 Man being a "superhero", he spins around enemies at lightning speed as if he were superman. This gives off an unrealistic and out of place feeling at times. The animation reuses the same stock footage of 8 Man running over and over again and the frame rate is to slow. 8 Man's attacks at high speeds include nothing more that just a little flash on the screen as if he ran by and slashed really quick. It doesn't look too good. As a whole, the animation and action remains sub-par just as everything else about this release.

8 Man After: Perfect Collection is not a horrible disc, just exceedingly average. The atmosphere was good but the plot never went anywhere. The action wasn't completely horrible but it did nothing to try to save you from the ill-devised plot. Every element is just extremely second rate and none of them ever developed into any kind of high point. If you're not a fan of the original, who would probably want to see this anyway, there is no reason to buy this. Keep it as a rental only.

Gamble Fish Chapter 64 斗鱼鬥魚

2011-03-18T20:38:00.001-07:00

Gamble Fish Chapter 63 斗鱼鬥魚

2011-03-18T20:38:00.000-07:00

The story is set at Shishidou, a school attended by rich and elite people. Tomu Shirasagi, a gambler, is a mysterious new transfer student who has come from a public school and faces the elitist environment. There, he declares a challenge toward any student and claims he will bring to ruin the whole school through a series of gambling matches. Nobody knows why he has come to that school or what the real motivations behind his actions are.
During any match, Tomu shows off all of his unique coolness and abilities.

http://www.mangafox.com/manga/gamble_fish/

Seasoned anime viewers are pretty familiar with the concept of filler—throwaway episodes used to pad out a storyline when the source material wears thin. But filler can happen in manga too, as the lackluster fifth volume of Rin-ne proves. Rinne and Sakura's adventures, usually so full of wild twists and supernatural derring-do, have suddenly taken a nosedive on the degree-of-difficulty scale: they've gone from battling creatures of the underworld to running errands and solving the problems of high schoolers. After seeing (and conquering) the wonders of the spirit realm, why would anyone want to go back to this? Surely Rinne Rokudo has better things to do than alleviate teenage lovesickness and mend strained friendships.

The first few chapters are a brief reminder of this series at its best, with dramatic shinigami fight scenes, inventive (and often humorous) special attacks, and the complex interwoven relationships that are Rumiko Takahashi's trademark. The lines connecting Ageha, her sister, Rinne, and Rinne's dad are all filled in at last, although this satisfying revelation does require familiarity with the events of Volume 4. Action-packed scenes and character-driven plot points eventually give way to far less ambitious situations, however, beginning with Ageha's plot to win Rinne's heart by giving him an enchanted bento lunchbox at school. The plan, of course, goes predictably awry, but the bigger issue is seeing a school-romance cliché join forces with a supernatural cliché ... in the hands of a manga-making legend. Surely Takahashi ought to hold herself to a higher standard?

Gamble Fish Chapter 62 斗鱼鬥魚

2011-03-18T20:37:00.000-07:00

The story is set at Shishidou, a school attended by rich and elite people. Tomu Shirasagi, a gambler, is a mysterious new transfer student who has come from a public school and faces the elitist environment. There, he declares a challenge toward any student and claims he will bring to ruin the whole school through a series of gambling matches. Nobody knows why he has come to that school or what the real motivations behind his actions are.
During any match, Tomu shows off all of his unique coolness and abilities.

http://www.mangafox.com/manga/gamble_fish/

That higher standard never emerges, though, as this volume continues to drift on autopilot all the way to the last page. Meaningless one-and-done situations are all that await Rinne and Sakura as they continue to investigate spiritual matters: the curse of the library is nothing more than an immature unrequited love waiting to be resolved, and the track athlete's dilemma relies on the classic writer's crutch of making characters inexplicably stupid and uncommunicative. Surely all their problems would be fixed if they would just speak to each other honestly. At least the last scenario is interesting in the way it sheds some light on Sakura's childhood, as well as shifitng the chemistry by temporarily pairing her up with Rinne's rival Tsubasa. In the end, though, the character that Sakura encounters is just another throwaway figure, while the plotlines that really matter—like Rinne and Sakura's developing relationship, or the feud with Rinne's father—have essentially gone nowhere.

Watch Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica Episode 4 online Subbed

2011-03-18T09:13:00.000-07:00

Alternative title:
Puella Magi Madoka Magica
魔法少女まどか★マギカ (Japanese)

Director: Akiyuki Shinbo
Series Composition: Gen Urobuchi
Script: Gen Urobuchi
Music: Yuki Kajiura
Original Character Design: Ume Aoki
Character Design: Takahiro Kishida

Animation Production: SHAFT
Production:
Aniplex
Madoka Partners
MBS

watch Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica Episode 4 part 1

watch Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica Episode 4 part 2

Ghost in the Shell
DVD: Special Edition
Like a true heroine, principal character Motoko Kusanagi undergoes different levels of transformation throughout the story. Motoko's cyborg body causes her to question whether her personality and memories alone can set her apart as an individual; there's even an emotional element as she and Batou display an unexpected sort of affection for each other. Kusanagi and the other characters' dialogue may feel like it's been lifted from books on philosophy and computer science, but there's still a sense of personal self-examination. (Compare this to the much colder Innocence sequel, where it's more about Really Big Ideas than asking "Who am I?")

Claymore Chapter 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26

2011-03-17T07:13:00.001-07:00

In a world where monsters called Yoma prey on humans and live among them in disguise, humanity's only hope is a new breed of warrior known as Claymores. Half human, half monster, these silver-eyed slayers possess supernatural strength, but are condemned to fight their savage impulses or lose their humanity completely.

http://manga.animea.net/claymore.html

Sure, The Familiar of Zero's premise is derived from a long line of shounen romances about everyday Joes who are suddenly bonded to magical girls. Sure, Louise is a classic tsundere and the supporting cast is populated with quirky comedic stereotypes. Yes, director Yoshiaki Iwasaki (whose record of helming harmless fluff goes all the way back to El Hazard 2) has a relentlessly light touch that undercuts the more serious developments. And yes, his visual instincts are so pedestrian that one can't help but notice the limitations of J.C. Staff's purely routine animation. But frankly, who cares? It's been ages since a good-natured, mildly ecchi romance worth its salt hit the market, and while far from perfect, Zero is both suitably romantic and smart enough to dodge the serious pitfalls of its genre.

Iwasaki's light, upbeat tone does make the intrigue and frequent battles seem oddly inconsequential, an impression exacerbated by his flat action staging, and it also robs the darker turns that the plot takes—including a couple of dastardly betrayals and one shockingly sudden death—of their impact. But the failure of the plot as an adventure is secondary to its success as a romance. With his sarcastic spunk and unapologetic interest in the opposite sex, Saito makes a good foil for the aggressive, prideful, and surprisingly sympathetic Louise, their rapport equal parts attraction, growing mutual respect, and violent personality clash. The series' fantasy setting, though jokey, is fully integrated into the overall romance (Louise and Saito's bond as Master and Familiar is central to their relationship) and even the obligatory love triangle is genuinely workable, with Siesta sharing a viable, and far less volatile, chemistry with Saito. And as the series progresses, the silly magical hijinks and comically abusive relationships give way to an appropriately romantic second half that, thanks to Louise's ferocity and Saito's matter-of-factness, never grows syrupy and isn't afraid to let its characters commit.

Claymore Chapter 121 大剑猎魔战记

2011-03-17T07:13:00.000-07:00

In a world where monsters called Yoma prey on humans and live among them in disguise, humanity's only hope is a new breed of warrior known as Claymores. Half human, half monster, these silver-eyed slayers possess supernatural strength, but are condemned to fight their savage impulses or lose their humanity completely.

http://manga.animea.net/claymore.html

Replicating the success of Rie Kugiyama's unabashedly fetishistic Louise and Satoshi Hino's blithely confident Saito is no easy task. Of the English leads, Cristina Valenzuela is the more fortunate, as Louise has Eiji Usatsuka's blindingly cute design to fall back on. Valenzuela also has the good sense to tone down Louise's wilder swings, creating a slightly more mature variation on the character. Saito, on the other hand, is hobbled with a sadly generic design, leaving him entirely dependent on his actor. And unfortunately Jonathan Meza makes the fatal mistake of playing him with a quavering loser edge, effectively destroying his unflappable charm. Iwasaki is a veteran of romantic comedies (part of the reason, no doubt, that his action direction is so poor), but the little jolts of poignancy he teases from Louise and Saito's evolving relationship cannot survive a toned-down Louise and a dispiritingly limp Saito. Nicholas Manelick picks up some of the slack with his hilariously ham-handed take on womanizing self-aggrandizer Guiche, and most of the other supporting players are solid enough, but a romance drained of its chemistry is too sad a thing to be saved by humor.

Less crucial is Shinkichi Mitsumune's score, which is far more remarkable for its ability to keep out of the way (even when running on all cylinders) than it is for its musical qualities. It's the sonic equivalent of J.C. Staff's generic fantasy-world settings: pleasant, and in some cases downright pretty, but hardly a draw unto itself.

Claymore Chapter 120 大剑猎魔战记

2011-03-17T07:12:00.005-07:00

Claymore Chapter 119 大剑猎魔战记

2011-03-17T07:12:00.004-07:00

In a world where monsters called Yoma prey on humans and live among them in disguise, humanity's only hope is a new breed of warrior known as Claymores. Half human, half monster, these silver-eyed slayers possess supernatural strength, but are condemned to fight their savage impulses or lose their humanity completely.

http://manga.animea.net/claymore.html

On any given day, a million people traverse the streets of Ikebukero. Some are purely ordinary, such as color gang members, “gal” girls, illegal immigrants, anime/manga otaku, kidnappers, an underground doctor, pervert teachers, and a girl seeking to make a meet for a suicide pact. Others are decidedly not, such as a black Russian working at a sushi shop, an apparent bartender who tosses vending machines and uses street signs to fling foes aside, a seemingly supernatural slasher, and a decidedly supernatural headless biker/transporter, who is actually a type of Irish fairy who has come to Japan to seek her head, which may or may not be walking around on its own. Mikado Ryugamine, a young man who has come to Ikebukero to attend high school with his best friend from elementary school, either hears about or encounters all of these eccentrics and more as his friend introduces him to the district, but he also has adventures of his own when he tentatively makes friends with a shy, busty classmate whose best friend went missing while stalking a guy. He also meets Izaya Orihara, a notorious information broker who seems to relish stirring up trouble and messing with people's heads and has taken a noted interest in Mikado. Lingering in the background are the Dollars, a near-legendary Internet-based gang about which much is rumored but little concrete information is actually known.

Claymore Chapter 118 大剑猎魔战记

2011-03-17T07:12:00.003-07:00

In a world where monsters called Yoma prey on humans and live among them in disguise, humanity's only hope is a new breed of warrior known as Claymores. Half human, half monster, these silver-eyed slayers possess supernatural strength, but are condemned to fight their savage impulses or lose their humanity completely.

http://manga.animea.net/claymore.html

Every so often anime spawns one of these quirky series primarily about collections of eccentric characters doing eccentric things against a backdrop of normality. Durarara!! is the latest entry, a series which bears structural similarities to predecessors Baccano! and, to a lesser extent, Boogiepop Phantom. Like its predecessors, it spins out a seemingly disjointed collection of overlapping plot threads and background stories while developing a broad cast of characters and flavoring itself with more than just a hint of the supernatural. Perhaps not surprisingly, it also joins its predecessors in being based on a successful lite novel series; manga and game-based series which display this level of charming quirkiness are increasingly rare these days.

The success of the first nine episodes as entertainment value depends largely on how wrapped up the viewer gets in the individual stories of its broad ensemble cast, as this part of the series focuses far more on establishing characters than constructing a plot that is more than vaguely coherent. In fact, to claim that there even is a definable plot at this point might be overstating the case, although clearly Izaya Orihara and the lady in charge at the pharmaceutical company are independently up to something and the whole business with the missing head, which looks like it's becoming a uniting factor for multiple story lines as this set ends, clearly speaks to a deeper mystery. Even so, the persistence with which the series concentrates on its back stories and shifting perspectives, while it can be an attracting factor, is also the series' greatest weakness; there is simply too much of it for such a limited time frame, and that will not sit well with viewers who want more than a character study.

Claymore Chapter 117 大剑猎魔战记

2011-03-17T07:12:00.002-07:00

In a world where monsters called Yoma prey on humans and live among them in disguise, humanity's only hope is a new breed of warrior known as Claymores. Half human, half monster, these silver-eyed slayers possess supernatural strength, but are condemned to fight their savage impulses or lose their humanity completely.

http://manga.animea.net/claymore.html

Others, though, will find plenty enough riches in those character and perspective studies to keep them fully involved. The notion of a sexy, headless woman romping around on a motorcycle (which sounds like a horse) looking for her head while communicating with an iPod-like device is an intriguing one which certainly does not come up every day in anime, while Izaya Orihara certainly earns his honors as co-Bastard of the Year; his conversation with the suicidal girl on the roof in episode 1 is a masterpiece of low-key cruelty. The otaku couple which merrily offers to use certain manga as torture guides puts a different spin on the standard fanboy/girl shtick and the vending machine-hurling guy feels a bit fresher than the typical “always pissed off and violent” character. The Russian sushi guy is just plain weird, but in a good way, and the mysterious slasher offers a suitable taste of quirky menace distinctly reminiscent of Baccano!'s Rail Tracer. On the downside, the incest angle which comes up late in this set falls flat and the school-based elements have yet to show much that is special, but so far there is more than enough potential elsewhere to make up for that.

Durarara!! is also an otaku funfest. The first few episodes liberally sprinkle nods to other anime and manga titles throughout their content, including Darker than BLACK, Le Portrait de Petite Cosette, Shakugan no Shana, Bludgeoning Angel Dokuro-chan, Spice and Wolf, Yozakura Quartet, Ladies vs. Butlers, Hell Girl, Baccano! (of course), and Cencoroll. One episode has a brief scene of nudity, though prurient fan service is otherwise sparse, and these episodes do deliver some occasional bloody violence.

Claymore Chapter 116 大剑猎魔战记

2011-03-17T07:12:00.001-07:00

Claymore Chapter 115 大剑猎魔战记

2011-03-17T07:12:00.000-07:00

In a world where monsters called Yoma prey on humans and live among them in disguise, humanity's only hope is a new breed of warrior known as Claymores. Half human, half monster, these silver-eyed slayers possess supernatural strength, but are condemned to fight their savage impulses or lose their humanity completely.

http://manga.animea.net/claymore.html

Aniplex only included clean opener and closer as Extras, with English credits also given separately and full Japanese credits retained in the opener and closer. The nine episodes are split across two disks in a slipcase which includes bonus art and postcards featuring series characters. Aniplex did, however, call on Bang Zoom! for the English dub, and BZ responded by bringing in a lot of prominent names. The results are quite impressive, as nearly all roles are exceptionally well-cast (both for fitting the roles and for how they compare in vocal style to the Japanese originals) and performances sound smooth and natural. Bryce Papenbrook (son of the late Bob Papenbrook) sets the tone from the earliest scenes with a wonderful job as Mikado's best friend Masaomi, Kari Wahlgren may be an improvement as the voice of Celty, and even Spike Spencer pops up in a role where he doesn't sound like Shinji. The likes of Steven Blum, Crispin Freeman, Michelle Ruff, Yuri Lowenthal, and Patrick Seitz also populate this one, but the other most notable performance belongs to Johnny Yong Bosch as Izaya; he has never really voiced a total bastard role before (the closest is probably Lelouch), but he attacks this role with gusto and produces a satisfyingly slimy result. The script stays fairly close except where using more English-appropriate slang.

The first third of Durarara!! is not quite as crisp or intensely involved as its predecessors, partly because of a more casual style and partly because it takes much longer to get itself established. That fault cannot be explained away just by its greater length than its predecessors, although that may, perhaps, indicate that 24 episodes is a running time just a bit too broad for a series like this. Still, there is a lot here to build interesting stories from, and the last couple of episodes give the definite impression that things are just beginning to heat up.

Claymore Chapter 114 大剑猎魔战记

2011-03-17T07:11:00.000-07:00

In a world where monsters called Yoma prey on humans and live among them in disguise, humanity's only hope is a new breed of warrior known as Claymores. Half human, half monster, these silver-eyed slayers possess supernatural strength, but are condemned to fight their savage impulses or lose their humanity completely.

http://manga.animea.net/claymore.html

Conveniently packaged with six episodes in one volume, the fourth disc of Sorcerer Hunters also happens to be the last volume of the series. Released in North America by ADV Films, fans can easily complete their collection of the series with only four discs to worry about. Aside from the episodes, however, there is nothing spectacular about the disc. It comes with two features that are nothing to drool about, as one of them is a trailer for a variety of ADV series, and the other is a section of character biographies. The biographies are mainly recycled from previous volumes, and only contain two extra characters. The DVD insert is rather nice, as it doubles as a mini-poster and features a shot of Tira Misu wielding her whip. Despite the lack of extras on the disc, it is still a very good buy if just for the high number of episodes on it. In addition, the story takes a major upturn and is worth watching the entire series for.

Unlike the preceding episodes in the series, the last few have a continuity and flow that make them very fast-paced and exciting to watch. As the final confrontation between the Sorcerer Hunters and Zaha nears, the episodes begin to have a goal and purpose. In addition, viewers are finally treated to scenes from the characters' pasts that were continually alluded to but never really discussed until now. Interestingly, the space-time continuum is examined, as the Spooner Continent world is examined for the first time. Up until the end, it is just assumed that the Continent is just a fictional place created for the sole purpose of the anime. The fighting platform that Zaha uses, however, is a remnant from the world that the God of Destruction last destroyed, as remnants of subways, skyscrapers, and traffic lights litter the background. This explores the idea of a multi-world universe, one in which souls can travel freely once they have been reincarnated.

Bakuman Chapter 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26

2011-03-17T04:26:00.000-07:00

Bakuman Chapter 131 Baku-man 食梦者

2011-03-17T04:25:00.005-07:00

Bakuman Chapter 130 Baku-man 食梦者

2011-03-17T04:25:00.004-07:00

Bakuman Chapter 129 Baku-man 食梦者

2011-03-17T04:25:00.003-07:00

It's not easy to become and live as a mangaka, as Mashiro knows from his late uncle. At his 9th grade, while trying to keep up with reality, school and then normal job, he left his notebook with a sketch of Azuki, a girl he likes. Tamaki, a first rate student found it and trying to convince Mashiro to draw a manga with his story. Mashiro doesn't like the idea and tries to decline. Tamaki, however, tries to stick to dream and found out that Azuki also wants to be a voice actress and already got a good reply from a production company. Tamaki, then, brought Mashiro to her house and telling her his dream.... Mashiro then tells her that he will write a manga with Tamaki and will ask Azuki to voice their anime. Out of confusion, Mashiro asks her if the dreams become reality, will she marry him? She says yes, only if their dreams become true, and not otherwise!! Now, lives of wannabe mangakas begin!!!

http://manga.animea.net/bakuman.html

At its heart Kodocha is really just a standard but well-executed shojo series, one replete with love triangles, romantic rivals, uncertainties about the future masked behind cheery behavior, and all manner of ordinary domestic problems; in this volume, the issues are a friend who must change his name because his parents are divorcing and concerns about family secrets coming out. If one looks beyond the overcaffeinated enthusiasm of Sana and other silly little tidbits (what's up with Sana's mother's hair?), a real story which packs surprising depth can be found. The true appeal of the show comes from how well these serious parts are intermingled with, and balanced against, the zaniness. Too much energy can wear thin after a while, but Kodocha wisely uses the serious content as breaks to prevent Sana's behavior from becoming excessive. It can take a newcomer to the series a while to get used to this kind of pacing, but give Kodocha 2-3 episodes and it's likely to draw you in.

For all the merits of the more serious content, though, it's Sana's antics which are the true star. Imagine the energy of an entire elementary school classroom bottled up in one person and you more or less have Sana. Her portrayal walks a fine line between being entertaining and annoying, but thanks to skillful direction the former is most often true. (And given that this series dates to 1996, who would Sana grow up to be? Excel from Excel Saga, of course!) The dry, even-tempered, and “dangerous” Akito makes for a great contrast, allowing for the two to play off each other very well as their relationship develops further in this volume. Enough other goofy supporting characters hang around to assure that things always remain lively even when Sana isn't spazzing out, singing/rapping, or twirling so fast she can't stop. The highlight is the principal who looks like one of those life-sized round-bottomed punching bags that are designed to bounce back up when hit, while the white bat Babbit wears out his welcome real fast. (Although the running gag about how his emblem appears on just about everything in the series continues to be amusing.)

Bakuman Chapter 128 Baku-man 食梦者

2011-03-17T04:25:00.002-07:00

It's not easy to become and live as a mangaka, as Mashiro knows from his late uncle. At his 9th grade, while trying to keep up with reality, school and then normal job, he left his notebook with a sketch of Azuki, a girl he likes. Tamaki, a first rate student found it and trying to convince Mashiro to draw a manga with his story. Mashiro doesn't like the idea and tries to decline. Tamaki, however, tries to stick to dream and found out that Azuki also wants to be a voice actress and already got a good reply from a production company. Tamaki, then, brought Mashiro to her house and telling her his dream.... Mashiro then tells her that he will write a manga with Tamaki and will ask Azuki to voice their anime. Out of confusion, Mashiro asks her if the dreams become reality, will she marry him? She says yes, only if their dreams become true, and not otherwise!! Now, lives of wannabe mangakas begin!!!

http://manga.animea.net/bakuman.html

The artistry in both character designs and background is pretty basic, with common shojo stylings and color schemes which favor flat pastels for a light, inoffensive feel. While the art is done well enough to suit the needs of the series, it won't impress anyone used to recent digitally-enhanced productions. The same can be said of the animation: basic and loaded with short-cuts but sufficient to support the visual gags. By comparison the opener and closer look rougher still, although the dancing cast is a nice gimmick. The series fares better on the musical front, though, as its peppy opener and pop-themed closer bookend a musical score which does an excellent job at supporting the mood and energy of each episode; even the rap-flavored beats for Sana's songs are well-used.

FUNimation has a long-standing tradition of using English dub scripts that are more interpretive than accurate, and Kodocha is one of the more extreme examples of FUNi's “reversioning” efforts. The script keeps the original plot and characterizations intact in the episodes, but that's about it, and completely rewrites the “Next Episode” spots. Granted, more leeway than normal has to be allowed here because it would be nearly impossible to make a reasonable script that stayed accurate at the speed at which Sana operates, and the songs obviously had to be completely rewritten to be workable, but the changes are more than needed. The dub script also fails to pick up a few lines of voice-over by Sana in one particular scene in episode 15, which is a big omission since the voice-over wraps up a piece of the story which began in the previous episode. Beyond that it is a smoothly-flowing and well-written script, just not a particularly accurate one.

Bakuman Chapter 127 Baku-man 食梦者

2011-03-17T04:25:00.001-07:00

It's not easy to become and live as a mangaka, as Mashiro knows from his late uncle. At his 9th grade, while trying to keep up with reality, school and then normal job, he left his notebook with a sketch of Azuki, a girl he likes. Tamaki, a first rate student found it and trying to convince Mashiro to draw a manga with his story. Mashiro doesn't like the idea and tries to decline. Tamaki, however, tries to stick to dream and found out that Azuki also wants to be a voice actress and already got a good reply from a production company. Tamaki, then, brought Mashiro to her house and telling her his dream.... Mashiro then tells her that he will write a manga with Tamaki and will ask Azuki to voice their anime. Out of confusion, Mashiro asks her if the dreams become reality, will she marry him? She says yes, only if their dreams become true, and not otherwise!! Now, lives of wannabe mangakas begin!!!

http://manga.animea.net/bakuman.html

The unenviable task of tackling Sana's fast and varied vocal styles fell to Laura Bailey, who reuses a bit of her Tohru Honda voice from Fruits Basket but generally does a brilliant job of interpreting Sana into English, especially the rapping parts. This is a performance worth checking out even if you don't normally watch dubs. Jerry Jewell's dry, acerbic delivery for Akito does make him sound much older in English, but it's a nice complement to Sana and adults do comment on Akito's surprising maturity in these episodes so that's not out of line. Amongst supporting performances the brightest star is Chris Sabat, whose take on Principal Naru Naru outdoes the original seiyuu. Other supporting roles are adequate to good in both accuracy and performance quality. Overall it's a dub certainly worth watching if one isn't bothered too much by the lack of accuracy in the script.

FUNimation rarely skimps on extras, so this volume offers a few substantial ones in addition to company trailers. The Actor Commentary is rather inane and pointless, but the first part of an interview with director Akitaro Daichi is more satisfying. Also included is one of the shorts of the computer-animated Mr. Stain on Junk Alley, which will soon be available in a separate collection. Trust me, you'd be missing very little by skipping this! Regular FUNi DVD features, like being able to switch between the English and Japanese credits on the opener and closer using the Angle button on your remote, are also present, and thankfully FUNi has dropped their long-standing practice of providing “dubtitles” when the Subtitles option is turned on during the English dub, thus allowing a viewer to read the original Subtitles which watching the dub.

Kodocha is an easier series to jump into the middle of than most, as it introduces itself at the beginning of every episode, so this not a volume worth considering just for those who are fans of the series so far. If a hyperactive romantic comedy flavored with a bit of dramatic content and some real depth sounds like a fun view to you, or you've been following the series so far, then the fourth volume of Kodocha is well worth your while to check out.

Bakuman Chapter 126 Baku-man 食梦者

2011-03-17T04:25:00.000-07:00

Bakuman Chapter 125 Baku-man 食梦者

2011-03-17T04:24:00.000-07:00

It's not easy to become and live as a mangaka, as Mashiro knows from his late uncle. At his 9th grade, while trying to keep up with reality, school and then normal job, he left his notebook with a sketch of Azuki, a girl he likes. Tamaki, a first rate student found it and trying to convince Mashiro to draw a manga with his story. Mashiro doesn't like the idea and tries to decline. Tamaki, however, tries to stick to dream and found out that Azuki also wants to be a voice actress and already got a good reply from a production company. Tamaki, then, brought Mashiro to her house and telling her his dream.... Mashiro then tells her that he will write a manga with Tamaki and will ask Azuki to voice their anime. Out of confusion, Mashiro asks her if the dreams become reality, will she marry him? She says yes, only if their dreams become true, and not otherwise!! Now, lives of wannabe mangakas begin!!!

http://manga.animea.net/bakuman.html

The Skypiea arc has been pretty mechanical so far, chugging predictably through each of the usual shonen fightin' checkpoints. The wonders of Skypiea have been extensively toured, its culture and politics properly fleshed-out. The technologies and special powers particular to its inhabitants have been delineated and demonstrated. The locals have been established as sympathetic characters in their own right. The villain has been identified and been allowed to run freely amok, indulging his megalomania, frying Luffy's friends and innocent locals alike, and generally behaving like he's untouchable. The peripheral fights have been fought, Luffy has been detained in a snake's intestinal tract until the exact right moment, and just last episode the first punch landed in Eneru's waiting gut.

Some of the checkpoints have been difficult to sit through, particularly the less interesting underling fights and that ridiculous business with Luffy inside the snake (there has to be a better way of keeping your main character out of the fray). But that's over with now. The groundwork has been laid. Now it's pummeling time. Or so it should be. The pummeling begins promisingly enough. Luffy spends the first episode inventing bizarre new moves (Gum-Gum Octopus Fireworks, anyone?) and hitting Eneru until he folds in half and coughs up blood. It's immensely satisfying stuff after all those episodes of watching Eneru being an arrogant a-hole. And then Luffy ends up eighty-sixed with a giant golden shackle on one arm. Once it's clear that the series has devised yet another way of delaying the inevitable, the cathartic euphoria wears off some. By the time the series inserts a three-episode flashback into the heat of the battle, it's completely gone.

Starry Sky Episode 21 Starry Sky Starry Sky

2011-03-14T22:53:00.003-07:00

The musical score maintains the same opener and closer while supporting and reinforcing the action and drama nearly as well as it did in the first volume. The English voice acting also continues to do a good job of bringing its characters to life with the right personalities and attitudes, while the English script rewrites as necessary for a smoother flow, including some slight rephrasing of the Biblical phrases. Pronunciations for names are strictly European; no attempt is made to duplicate the Japanese interpretations. The one downside is the subtitles, which contain multiple typos, especially in episode 11.

As with the first two volumes, ADV has also given this one the deluxe treatment. An elaborate slipcover, styled to look like the book containing the Royal Psalms, covers a case which includes another extensive liner booklet. Among the inclusions this time are staff and cast credits, character profiles, blurbs about certain concepts which have come up in the first half of the series, a Gallery focused on the ending animation, and a script serialization for a background story that has not yet appeared in the animation. On-disk Extras include clean opener and closer, audio commentary for each episode which feature English voice actors and ADR director Stephen Foster, and another round of Historical Notes. This time the latter includes details on Elizaveta I, Aleksy Bestuzhev-Ryumin, Pyotr III, Ekaterina II, Saint Petersburg, and the Little Ice Age, which was taking place at the time of the story. Much of this is copied wholesale from Wikipedia, but its inclusion is nonetheless quite helpful for those who don't want to do outside research.

The plot is as complex as ever as the story wraps up its Russian arc. Still a great choice for anyone seeking some variety from typical anime fare.

Starry Sky Episode 20 Starry Sky Starry Sky

2011-03-14T22:53:00.002-07:00

The plot is what really matters here, though, and the third volume serves up a five-course meal of it, complete with dessert. You have Russians scheming to see Elizaveta get overthrown for a variety of different reasons, the Revolutionary Brotherhood involved for their own reasons, Elizaveta trying to reform Russia for the better, Ekaterina just trying to find a way to get through it all and keep her head, Queen Marie and Madame de Pompadour scheming back in Europe while Louis XV has his own priorities, and Lia herself still occasionally trying to take over d'Eon's body and inflict her own single-minded agenda. D'Eon, Robin, Durand, and Teillagory are the knights/spies caught in the center of it all, trying to complete their mission for one person while another wants them out of the way; one of the most telling scenes comes in episode 11, when within the space of a minute's time one powerful person in one palace orders them to be assisted, while another powerful person in the same palace orders them to be offed. Such delicious intrigue is a big part of what continues to make the series such a fun view.

As has been the case with prior volumes, the visual highlights are the CG renditions of palace interiors and the dazzling detail in the animation of the sword fights – one of them here, in a highly unusual move, briefly and impressively done from a first-person perspective. The series still makes a concerted effort to base character designs off of surviving portraits of the actual individuals wherever available, and maintains its high standards for accuracy in costuming. The quality control is still just a little too rough for the artwork to get a top grade, and the non-fighting animation can be a bit stiff in places, but it remains a good-looking series.