What was your favorite anime of 2011?

Can you believe that 2011 is already coming to a close? I swear, it feels like I just started writing that year a couple days ago. It's ridiculous how fast time can go when you're busy. It's also scary how fast we can age without even realizing it! My goal for 2012 is to slow things down!

At least I got to check out a lot of great anime this year. Much like any other years, there was plenty of great anime content to choose from. From comedies to serious series', I'm sure most of you managed to find a handful of programs that really tickled your anime fancy.

That goes for both localized content and shows that have only aired in Japan thus far. It can be hard to keep track of all the anime content that gets release every year, and I'm sure most of us will still be catching up on 2011 shows as we ring in the new year!

With that said, I'd love to hear from you guys on anime content in 2011 that you really loved. Fill us in on the shows that really struck a chord with you in 2011. What would you say is the best show of the year? Something that was really head-and-shoulders above the crowd.

Black Rock Shooter - second promo video

Well, what do you think? Does that make the show look better than the first promo trailer? Is this one of the series' you're looking forward to in the new anime season?

Old content, but new to me!

I've been a huge fan of Ghost in the Shell for many, many years now. I've seen the original theatrical release numerous times. I've also checked out the film sequel and the TV series as well. There's just so much to love about Ghost in the Shell, especially for those that are willing to put in some critical thinking time.

While I love the Ghost in the Shell series, I know others that really aren't into it. While my sister is open to watching any anime, she just didn't jive with Ghost in the Shell. She's tried the film a couple times, but by the end it just isn't her cup of tea. Sad indeed, but at least she gave it a shot.

While she may not enjoy it, that doesn't cloud her judgment when it comes to my interests. When Christmas was coming up, my sister was hunting down items that I might like. I'm quite easy to shop for, since my two big hobbies are very well known. I love games and anime, which lead her to the following purchase.

While I've seen the anime offerings of Ghost in the Shell, I've never actually read the manga. Now I'm quite curious to see just what's different in this version when compared to the film. Sure, this release may be very old news to most, but it's going to be a brand new experience to me!

What old manga/anime content are you just now enjoying for the first time?

Code of Princess: A game that I wish were an anime

You just watched the intro for Code of Princess, an upcoming Nintendo 3DS game in Japan. It's an original title not tied to any other license, but it still got itself a nice anime style intro. Nothing gets me pumped up for a game like an anime intro!

This game looks like it would be suited perfectly to the world of anime. I'd love to see an adaptation, but I doubt the game will sell enough to make that happen. At least we got a brief taste of what the game would look like if it did make a jump into fully-fledged anime.

The Question 12/26 - What did you watch this weekend?

I'm guessing that most of you guys and gals didn't watch any anime this weekend. With the holiday just passing, most free time was spent with family and friends. That doesn't mean that all you time was taken by the festivities, but I'm sure you had less than usual.

Did you manage to get any anime time in over the weekend? Did you load up on Christmas Eve just so you could get your fix before the big man came down the chimney?

Merry Christmas, anime lovers!

Just wanted to stop in and say Merry Christmas to all those that follow Anime Your Way. I'll be dropping by later today to show the anime goodies that I grabbed as gifts this year. I'm thinking I'll get some classics!

Are these the best anime soundtracks?

Lots of great soundtracks included in that list, but it's not meant to be some sort of 'official' best of list.  It's just an opinion on some fantastic anime soundtracks.  Are your favorites in there?  Do you think there's any must-listen soundtracks that aren't on there?

Link

What traditional cartoon would you like to see get an anime adaptation?

There are all different types of animation styles out there. I absolutely love animation in general, no matter what country its coming from or the style it is in. With that said, I do have to admit that anime seems to cater to my interests more than any other animation style, but I'll never shut out other animations because of that.

I've watched many a cartoon in my day, and I continue to watch cartoons to this very day. I really enjoy what cartoons offer, and that goes for the medium itself and not just the pretty colors. I take animation in all different tones, from goofy to serious and everything inbetween.

The animation here in the states is always more relegated to the slapstick humor and more traditional kid-oriented comedy. I don't see anything wrong with that at all. I really do enjoy it, but it's nice to have anime offer something other than the one-note approach that shows here in America seem to have.

With that said, what cartoons that aren't done in an anime style deserve to get a crack with some anime flair? Have you ever seen a cartoon and wished that it was handled in a more anime-style approach?

Japan - A look at Winter anime 2011/2012

Wondering what's going on in the world of Japanese anime for the Winter season? Look no further than this infographic, which gives us a nice rundown of the continuing shows and newcomers just around the corner.

Link

Anime for the holiday season

It's that time of the year! Many of us are in the holiday spirit, and wherever you turn you'll see a reminder. While I think some people might start celebrating holidays a tad too early, there's no denying that we're right in the thick of things right now. I've been taken over by the holiday spirit!

That means I'm down for anything holiday related. I'll play holiday-themed video games, watch holiday movies both old and new, listen to holiday music and even wear festive clothes! I know I can't overload since all the holiday goodness will be over in just a few more days, but I'm still looking for a certain something to tickle my anime fix.

How can I bring anime and the holiday season together? That's where I turn to you guys! I'm looking to learn about your favorite holiday-related anime features. Are there any series' that have holiday specials? How about anime films or series' that focus in on the Winter holidays?

If you know of any, please leave a comment or send over a tweet! I need my holly, jolly anime fix!

Another sneak peek at Redline

Yes, it really is coming out this January. We're finally getting the DVD/Blu-ray release, so let's celebrate with another look at the film!



Direct link here

.hack//The Movie Sekai no Mukou Ni Trailer

Here's a much better look at the upcoming .hack//The Movie trailer. I haven't watched/played any of this series in quite some time. I think the trailer has rekindled my interest!

The Question 12/19: What anime did you check out this weekend?

Ah, it feels so good to be back into the swing of things with anime. Having the busy holiday season wrapping up gives me a much better opportunity for anime viewing, and I've definitely been doing that!

As I've already said, I'm still working my way through High School of the Dead. I think after that, I'll need to get back into Gurren Lagann. I've been meaning to finish that one up for awhile!

What did you guys and gals check out over the weekend?

First Madoka Magica dub trailer released

A lot of people are unhappy with this one. Tell me what you think...

The Official Madoka Magica Trailer featuring the English Voice Cast from Aniplex USA on Vimeo.

Enjoying anime with a sibling

I know it can be hard to find someone that likes anime. It's fun to watch anime no matter who you're with, but having someone at your side to watch along with can make it even better. Even if you don't watch at the same time, it's still nice to know that you can turn to someone and tell them how excited you are about an anime, and hopefully they'll feel that way too.

I'm lucky to have a sister that enjoys anime. I know that she'll never judge anime the way that other people do. She's more than willing to give any anime a shot, no matter what the contents. Honestly, I think it's quite tough to find someone that won't automatically shut out certain entertainment options, especially when it comes to anime.

My sister has actually been away at college for the year, but she's coming home today to enjoy some Winter break. While she's around I know she'll have some free time. I plan on telling her about Angel Beats to see if it's something she might want to check out. I have a feeling she's really going to like it.

Do you have an anime-loving sibling? Have you ever tried to get your brother or sister into anime? How did it work out?

The awesome power of anime

I sure hope you've heard the news already, but if you haven't, I simply couldn't pass up discussing it.

Have you seen the Miyazaki film Castle in the Sky? Many, many people have seen it, and the classic anime just re-aired in Japan recently. It seems that the movie is as popular as ever in Japan. Just how popular is it? The airing of Castle in the Sky lead to a brand-new worldwide Twitter record.

Beyonce was the previous record-holder when it came to tweets per second. She had somewhere around 8,000 tweets sent out in a second related to her. What could be bigger than Beyonce? When it comes to Miyazaki fans, it's clear that Japan has a lot more passion for anime than Beyonce tunes!

Believe it or not, 25,088 tweets per second went out during a crucial moment in the Castle in the Sky anime. The magic word "Balse!" was the key that got people tweeting in unison with the movie's airing on TV, and this lead to our new Twitter record. Yes, that's a worldwide record.

Now an anime-related topic holds a Twitter world record. Maybe people will start looking into anime a bit more now!

Sengoku Basara: Samurai Kings - Season 2 promo trailer

I don't know...I'm not into the game series, which doesn't give me much reason to check out the anime either. I guess things went well enough with the first season to warrant the localization of the second. Perhaps I'm missing out on something? Any fans out there that can fill me in on why I should check this out?

Sentai Filmworks details upcoming slate of DVD/Blu-ray/Digital releases

HOUSTON, December 13, 2011 – Home video distributor Section23 Films today announced its March slate of releases; including GRAVE OF THE FIREFLIES. Now digitally remastered and restored, it is one of the rare films that truly deserves to be called a masterpiece. It will be released on DVD by Section23 client, Sentai Filmworks.

Product details follow, in order of release

Coming March 2012
Title: GRAVE OF THE FIREFLIES REMASTERED EDITION
Published by: Sentai Filmworks
Distributed by: Section23 Films
Run Time: 89 min.
Street Date: 3/6/2012
Format: DVD
Language: English & Japanese with English Subtitles
SRP: $19.98
SYNOPSIS: As the Empire of the Sun crumbles upon itself and a rain of firebombs falls upon Japan, the final death march of a nation is echoed in millions of smaller tragedies. This is the story of Seita and his younger sister Setsuko, two children born at the wrong time, in the wrong place, and now cast adrift in a world that lacks not the care to shelter them, but simply the resources. Forced to fend for themselves in the aftermath of fires that swept entire cities from the face of the earth, their doomed struggle is both a tribute to the human spirit and the stuff of nightmares. Beautiful, yet at times brutal and horrifying. Based on the retellings of survivor Nosaka Akiyuki and directed by Iaso Takahata (co-founder, with Hayao Miyazaki, of Japan’s legendary Studio Ghibli,) GRAVE OF THE FIREFLIES has been universally hailed as an artistic and emotional tour de force.

Title: KIMIKISS: PURE ROUGE COMPLETE COLLECTION
Published by: Sentai Filmworks
Distributed by: Section23 Films
Run Time: 625 min.
Street Date: 3/6/2012
Format: DVD
Language: Japanese with English Subtitles
SRP: $69.98
SYNOPSIS: Kouichi always thought of Mao as his little sister, but when she returns after living in France for several years, she’s definitely not his little sister anymore! Which makes the fact that Koichi’s mom has invited Mao to stay at their house while she attends the same high school a path that will be fraught with peril. Especially since Kouichi’s been trying to build a relationship with Yuumi, and the revelation that the cute new house guest is a non-related girl may become a full blown disaster by the time his best friend Kazuki, her sister Nana, her best friend Narumi, Asuka, Eriko, Mitsuki, Megumi, Eiji and all the other kids at school get overly involved. Little girls grow up in the most unexpected ways as young love, teenage angst and a little higher education all collide in KIMIKISS PURE ROUGE – THE COMPLETE COLLECTION!

Title: MARDOCK SCRAMBLE DIRECTOR’S CUT
Published by: Sentai Filmworks
Distributed by: Section23 Films
Run Time: 125 min.
Street Date: 3/13/2012
Format: DVD
Language: English & Japanese with English Subtitles
SRP: $29.98
SYNOPSIS: To stop the unstoppable you need the irresistible. To kill the un-killable, you need someone for whom death no longer has a meaning. And to catch the perfect serial killer, you need the one person who knows his methods the best… his last victim. Murdered and now reborn, the female cyborg named Balot exists for only one reason-to track down the man who killed her and bring him to justice. But can even the ultimate hybrid between ghost and machine take down a monster who wipes his own memory? Or will a shadowy cabal of gruesome mutants who want her body parts for their own perverse purposes get to her first? This new, special edition director’s cut of MARDOCK SCRAMBLE deepens the mystery of this hit anime, providing even more insight into the dark psyche of the cyborg assassin and her dangerous assignment!

Title: MARDOCK SCRAMBLE DIRECTOR’S CUT BLU-RAY
Published by: Sentai Filmworks
Distributed by: Section23 Films
Run Time: 125 min.
Street Date: 3/13/2012
Format: BD
Language: English & Japanese with English Subtitles
SRP: $39.98
SYNOPSIS: To stop the unstoppable you need the irresistible. To kill the un-killable, you need someone for whom death no longer has a meaning. And to catch the perfect serial killer, you need the one person who knows his methods the best… his last victim. Murdered and now reborn, the female cyborg named Balot exists for only one reason-to track down the man who killed her and bring him to justice. But can even the ultimate hybrid between ghost and machine take down a monster who wipes his own memory? Or will a shadowy cabal of gruesome mutants who want her body parts for their own perverse purposes get to her first? This new, special edition director’s cut of MARDOCK SCRAMBLE deepens the mystery of this hit anime, providing even more insight into the dark psyche of the cyborg assassin and her dangerous assignment!

Title: EF ~ A TALE OF MELODIES COMPLETE COLLECTION
Published by: Sentai Filmworks
Distributed by: Section23 Films
Run Time: 300 min.
Street Date: 3/20/2012
Format: DVD
Language: English & Japanese with English Subtitles
SRP: $59.98
SYNOPSIS: Shuichi Kuze’s been spending time with Mizuki Hayama and as they’ve been getting to know each other, they’ve been growing closer. Sadly, Kuze discovers that he’s contracted a fatal illness and decides to break all romantic ties for the little time left to him. Before he can break things off, however, Mizuki tells him that she loves him. Will her declaration change Kuze’s mind? In another city, in the not so distant past, Yuu Himura meets a girl who seems to know him, but he doesn’t know her. Soon enough, however, he remembers Yuko Amamiya, a girl he met long ago, and begins to rediscover the depth of their feelings for each other. Will Yuko’s love reach across time to find her true love once and for all? Kuze and Mizuki, Yu and Yuko… Intertwining fate, tragic, bittersweet and beautiful – EF ~ A TALE OF MELODIES.

Title: EF ~ A TALE OF MELODIES COMPLETE COLLECTION BLU-RAY
Published by: Sentai Filmworks
Distributed by: Section23 Films
Run Time: 300 min.
Street Date: 3/20/2012
Format: BD
Language: English & Japanese with English Subtitles
SRP: $69.98
SYNOPSIS: Shuichi Kuze’s been spending time with Mizuki Hayama and as they’ve been getting to know each other, they’ve been growing closer. Sadly, Kuze discovers that he’s contracted a fatal illness and decides to break all romantic ties for the little time left to him. Before he can break things off, however, Mizuki tells him that she loves him. Will her declaration change Kuze’s mind? In another city, in the not so distant past, Yuu Himura meets a girl who seems to know him, but he doesn’t know her. Soon enough, however, he remembers Yuko Amamiya, a girl he met long ago, and begins to rediscover the depth of their feelings for each other. Will Yuko’s love reach across time to find her true love once and for all? Kuze and Mizuki, Yu and Yuko… Intertwining fate, tragic, bittersweet and beautiful – EF ~ A TALE OF MELODIES.

Title: DREAM EATER MERRY COMPLETE COLLECTION
Published by: Sentai Filmworks
Distributed by: Section23 Films
Run Time: 325 min.
Street Date: 3/27/2012
Format: DVD
Language: English & Japanese with English Subtitles
SRP: $59.98
SYNOPSIS: Sometimes daydreaming can get you into trouble, but what do you do when it’s OTHER people’s dreams that you have to watch out for? Yumeji Fujiwara’s has the unique ability to predict what kind of dreams other people will have. But lately, his own dreams have taken a bizarre turn in which he’s being pursued by armies of cats. Stranger yet, Yumeji learns that the leader of the dream cats needs his body to access the Real World. And finally, the strange becomes downright weird when a beautiful girl suddenly drops on top of him and announces that she’s a Dream Demon looking for a way back to the Dream World! The fabric that separates reality and fantasy is torn to shreds, and Yumeji has a lot of sleepless nights ahead of him as he has to deal with both the dream stalking and a dream walking in DREAM EATER MERRY!

Title: DREAM EATER MERRY COMPLETE COLLECTION BLU-RAY
Published by: Sentai Filmworks
Distributed by: Section23 Films
Run Time: 325 min.
Street Date: 3/27/2012
Format: BD
Language: English & Japanese with English Subtitles
SRP: $69.98
SYNOPSIS: Sometimes daydreaming can get you into trouble, but what do you do when it’s OTHER people’s dreams that you have to watch out for? Yumeji Fujiwara’s has the unique ability to predict what kind of dreams other people will have. But lately, his own dreams have taken a bizarre turn in which he’s being pursued by armies of cats. Stranger yet, Yumeji learns that the leader of the dream cats needs his body to access the Real World. And finally, the strange becomes downright weird when a beautiful girl suddenly drops on top of him and announces that she’s a Dream Demon looking for a way back to the Dream World! The fabric that separates reality and fantasy is torn to shreds, and Yumeji has a lot of sleepless nights ahead of him as he has to deal with both the dream stalking and a dream walking in DREAM EATER MERRY!

High School of the Dead impressions - More violence...and way more fan service

Now that I have some more free time late at night, I'm finally getting back into my anime routine. I knocked out Angel Beats without any problem, and last night I had a chance to check out a few more episodes of High School of the Dead. I'm still on the first disc, but I'm definitely close to wrapping it up.

I can't think of a better show to contrast Angel Beats with. Angel Beats is a deep, engaging and philosophical series for those that are willing to put the time in with it. High School of the Dead is exactly what it looks like at first glance. It's loud, flashy, pretty, sexy and straight to the point.

What has my latest viewing brought me? I got more of just what I expected. There's a ton of zombie bashing with blood flying everywhere. There's a lot of pervy talk among the nerdier male role and the rest of the cast. Of course, there's a ton of fan service thrown in as well.

Actually, there's way more than fan service in one of the episodes I saw. Eventually we see most of the high school girls and one teacher take up residence in a friend's apartment. What's the first thing they do when they get there? They all take baths together, of course! This is an excuse to show almost every part of the girls you can imagine. Fan-service to the limit...but the limit is skipped over by the teacher.

Since the teacher is over 18, she can run around completely naked. The girls in the bath scene have their nipples covered up...barely. The teacher though, she's showing full frontal for most of the scene. Yes, this show sets out to give the guy audience exactly what they want from a popcorn movie...sexy and violence.

Really, if you're looking for more from this show, I don't think you're going to get it. I'm not done with the series yet, but I'm thinking High School of the Dead sets out to be nothing more than popcorn fodder, and that's just fine with me. I like to see that kind of mindless content from time to time. It's good for a smile and a laugh.

Of course, if the show becomes more than that as it continues, I'll be sure to address it!

Angel Beats - review

Angel Beats wasn't on my radar at all. I don't have the time to dedicated to anime that I'd like, which means I might miss out on a lot of shows and movies that might otherwise tickle my fancy. Angel Beats is one of those shows that I didn't even know existed until I saw a bunch of internet chatter about it.

I was reading some pretty strong reactions to the show, and almost all of them were positive. The thing is, I wasn't actually reading what the show was about. Looking at a few trailers may lead you to believe that this is just another high school drama, but that really couldn't be further from the case.

While Angel Beats may start out with a unique storyline, it also seems to follow typical action/fantasy anime fodder. You have a rather unusual main storyline that ends up playing second fiddle to the typical high school drama between students. While the first episode had me leaning in that direction, the subsequent episodes showed me how much the show really has to offer.

For those that don't know, here's the premise. A young man wakes up outside of a school where he finds a young woman aiming a sniper rifle. The man has no idea who he is or where he's come from, let alone who this girl is. Within the first 5 minutes of the show, we come to learn that the man is actually dead, and so are the other students at this school. The main character sets out to reclaim his memory and find out just why he and these other students are stranded at this school.

There's so much more too it than that, but I don't want to spoil the fun for you guys. A big part of Angel Beats is learning about the series' world as the episodes roll along. There will be a good stretch of episodes where you'll find yourself dying to learn more about just what in the hell is going on. More questions than answers will pop up at first, but the show does a good job at hinting towards what the future holds.

Eventually you'll have some major plot points revealed to you, but you never get the full explanation of events. I think that works for the show's vibe in this instance. Leaving things up to interpretation really makes you think, and with Angel Beats, it only enhances the experience.

A crucial part of that experience comes from the cast of characters. Again, in the beginning I didn't think much of the cast, but as I got deeper into the series, I was very happy to see characters get fleshed out in interesting ways. Everyone has an important story to tell and a reason why they're at this school. You may not find out the reason for all of them, but you'll get plenty of juicy information.

The series also dares to tread on some ground that most other TV series' and anime don't go. If you're not open to interpretations and various viewpoints on religion, Angel Beats might not be for you. No matter who you are, it will no doubt challenge your beliefs. I like a show that does that...I like a show that makes me think about who I am and what I believe.

While you're doing that, be prepared to shed a tear or two. While I didn't all-out cry during Angel Beats, there are plenty of moments where I did start to water up. This show has a handful of stories that are going to hit you hard and stay with you for a long time to come. Make sure you have some tissues for the ride, just incase.

Angel Beats really, really surprised me. What seemed like a shallow and systematic series in the early episodes turned out to be much more than that. Give yourself some time with the series and you'll start to see how things really grow. I promise that Angel Beats has a ton to offer for those that are willing to dive into your own thoughts, and aren't afraid of what you might come out with.

Professor Layton and the Eternal Diva - review

I'd think it's no surprise to most reading this blog that I'm a big fan of the Professor Layton series. Since I run a Nintendo-only blog, I talk a lot about franchises that only appear on Nintendo platforms. The Professor Layton series is one of those, and I've really come to love it as time goes on. That love of the series really pushed my interest in the film.

Of course, it was a pain in the ass to actually get my hands on the film! I didn't think it was ever going to get localized in the states, but after a very long wait that move finally happened. Once I actually ordered and received the film, I was chomping at the bit to drop it in and have a watch. What did I end up thinking of it?

The long story short, if you really like the Professor Layton game series, you should love the movie just the same. For those that don't know, the Professor Layton games are split between two major elements, story and puzzles. Puzzles make up the bulk of the gameplay, and the story is told through animated cut-scenes and still shots.

The movie offers up both puzzles and story, but the main content here is the storyline. The film itself is told through animation that is right in line with what you see in the games, so those familiar with the franchise should feel right at home watching the movie. Smooth quality and simple style gives the Professor Layton film a look that you don't see in much anime.

The story itself focuses in on a mystery that calls in Professor Layton and his assistant Luke to solve. The mystery involves a mysterious man that says he's offering one person the gift of eternal life. Of course, a bunch of people are interested in winning that prize, but they have no idea of the crazy adventure they'll go on to try and win that gift.

Again, this movie plays out just like the games. The story/plot is very lighthearted, but it does have a sprinkling of serious moments. It's going to tug at the heartstrings, and it'll also take some whimsical twists and turns. Some of the stuff you'll see is unbelievable and fantastic, but that's how it's supposed to be taken.

The only time you'll have to take thinking and bring it to the forefront comes from the puzzle solving. Just like the game, there are a handful of puzzles here to be solved. The story always gives the viewers time to solve the puzzles for themselves before it moves along, and it makes you feel like you're interacting on another level than most films provide. Nothing too taxing, but a nice way to integrate one of the game's major selling points.

The only real downside here would have to be the voice acting. The cast is a mix of competent voice actors and rather sub-par performances. The voice actors from the game return for their movie roles, but outside of that you'll get a new cast. It's clear that some of these people aren't really well versed in voice acting. You know things are pretty bad when I'm complaining about them!

With that said, everything else about the film is fun and entertaining. It won't win any awards, but it's a fun film that game fans should enjoy. The soundtrack is actually quite enjoyable as well, which matches up with the game series once again. Considering all these elements, I'd say Professor Layton and the Eternal Diva is well worth a viewing for anyone that has even a passing interest in the games.

The Question 12/12: What anime did you check out this weekend?

I've finally broken my streak! Now that things are calming down, I have a bit more time to watch some weekend anime. While it wasn't much, I did get to see at least one anime movie over the last couple of days.

Just like I said, I managed to pull together some friends for a Professor Layton and the Eternal Diva viewing party. I'll be giving my thoughts on that feature a bit later today. For now, I'd love to hear what you guys watched!

Top 20 anime themes of 2011

Durarara!! on Adult Swim - Episode 25 live-chat (starts at 12:30 AM EDT)

Subtitles and You: Reading the Action

I know I am in the minority on watching anime with dubs instead of subs. Hell, I know some anime fans won't even want to associate with me because I ignore the subs! That's a topic we've discussed many times in the past, and I'm sure it'll be revisited. For now, let's put aside those differences and look at subtitles in general.

The anime scene is full of people that prefer subs to dubs. Outside of anime, it's hard to find an average movie-goer that doesn't mind having to read subtitles. I actually saw people walk out of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon because they didn't realize it had subs. Yes, some people are that unwilling to compromise.

With that said, there are definitely some downsides to watching a movie or TV show with subtitles. Without a doubt, you're going to miss some of the action. Obviously any type of entertainment on a movie or TV screen is going to be heavily visual. When you're focused on reading through lines and understanding story, you're bound to miss some of the eye candy.

Do you find it hard to focus in on both text and visuals? Have you had issues with text scrolling through too fast? I'm sure that the more you watch subbed content, the easier it is to focus on the whole picture. Still, I'd love to hear your opinions on the constantly battling imagery and text.

Akira live-action adaptation sees leaked plot summary

I think we all knew this was coming, but I'm still sorry to bring it to you. If you're a fan of Akira, you might not want to read this leaked plot summary. This is indeed the real deal, coming from a casting call looking for extras. Get ready to see the Americanized version of Akira...

Kaneda is a bar owner in Neo-Manhattan who is stunned when his brother, Tetsuo, is abducted by government agents led by The Colonel.

Desperate to get his brother back, Kaneda agrees to join with Ky Reed and her underground movement who are intent on revealing to the world what truly happened to New York City thirty years ago when it was destroyed. Kaneda believes their theories to be ludicrous but after finding his brother again, is shocked when he displays telekinetic powers.

Ky believes Tetsuo is headed to release a young boy, Akira, who has taken control of Tetsuo’s mind. Kaneda clashes with The Colonel’s troops on his way to stop Tetsuo from releasing Akira but arrives too late. Akira soon emerges from his prison courtesy of Tetsuo as Kaneda races in to save his brother before Akira once again destroys Manhattan island, as he did thirty years ago.

I'm not even going to say anything. I'll leave that to you guys! What do you think of the direction for this Akira adaptation?

Link

Professor Layton and the Anime Party

It's been awhile coming, but my Professor Layton and the Eternal Diva DVD should be showing up tomorrow. I went from thinking that this movie would never see release in the states to painfully hunting down a copy for myself, but all that should come to a close tomorrow morning.

I'm always looking for new ways to introduce people to anime, and tomorrow I'm going to get that chance once again. I have more game-playing friends than I do anime-watching friends, but sometimes I can combine the two. That's what I'll have the pleasure of doing with Professor Layton!

My one friend doesn't have any interest in anime at all. I'm not giving up on her yet, but tomorrow will be the perfect chance to at least get her more into an anime mood. She's a big Professor Layton fan, and she's coming over to check out the movie! I'm sure she's not even thinking about it in anime terms, but I definitely am!

My Mom is into both games and anime, so she's definitely swinging by to check out the movie as well. The Layton games feed you anime along the way whether you realize it or not, so the transition to a full movie shouldn't be a big deal at all. I'm sure both gals will love it, and I'm going to love showing them some anime!

Pokemon 15th Movie - Teaser Trailer

Pokemon Movie 15 teaser trailer by Pokemonbwnet


Direct link here

Yes, there really have been 14 other Pokemon movies thus far. Just how many Pokemon movies have you seen?

Big-screen anime

There are a ton of anime movies out there. If an anime series gets somewhat popular, a movie release is almost inevitable. I can think of numerous anime series' that were well received enough to get a movie adaptation, if not multiple films. It's the ultimate way for fans to enjoy a show they've come to love!

When an anime hits the theaters, you can usually expect a few things. You'll get a higher level of production value, for sure. Even if the movie itself retains the same visual style as the TV show, you'll still see that the animation is smoother and more fluid. Even when you can't depend on the content being great, at least you know the visuals will be top notch!

There's one big issue I have with anime films, but it only relates to the situation outside of Japan. Our Japanese friends get to experience these anime film adaptations in theaters, but outside of Japan it very rarely happens. Our introduction to these movie adaptations usually comes from a home video release.

How many times have you been to an actual theater to enjoy an anime movie? It has to be a very high-profile or top-tier anime film to get a theatrical release in the states, and even then the actual number of theaters showing the film is few and far between. Have you been one of the lucky few to take in an anime in the theaters?

The Daily Show...Herman Cain...and Pokemon

I'm just going to let the clip speak for itself. One of the best anime-related bits we could hope for!

The Daily Show with Jon Stewart
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Japan's Big O Blu-ray box makes me very jealous

Oh man...now this is a set I'd absolutely love to own. It looks like a Japan-only deal for right now, but I'm hoping that but some stroke of pure luck, it'll wash up on shores here.

I've talked about The Big O a great deal in the past, as I think it's a pretty unique show. A great deal of anime is unique, but The Big O really stands out from the crowd. It's almost a perfect blend of anime sensibilities, Western-style art and old-school anime action. How it all came together the way it did will always intrigue me.

If you haven't seen this series yet, you should definitely find a way to check it out soon. As for me, I guess I'll start watching my box set again...if only to pretend that it's this Blu-ray edition.

Sometimes you just want pure fun

I mentioned High School of the Dead earlier today, and I have a feeling its a series that quite a few people have skipped over. At first glance, it looks like nothing more than an excuse to mix in pretty girls, skimpy clothing, zombies and tons of violence. Well, actually...you'd be right with that assessment. The thing is, sometimes that can be just what the doctor ordered!

There's plenty of anime out there that really makes you think. I honestly believe that anime storylines and subplots are some of the most involved and well thought-out tales that the entertainment industry puts together. That goes for traditional TV and film as well. The level of sophistication can be extremely deep, and you really have to pay close attention to get it all.

It's amazing to have that option, and it is indeed one of the big reasons why I love anime so much. With that said, that's not always what I'm looking for out of a series. Sometimes I just want to kick back, relax and not have to think while I'm enjoying entertainment. That's where something like High School of the Dead comes in.

Just as traditional movies have their 'popcorn' fodder, anime does as well. It's nice to mix in content that you can enjoy on a very basic level, and just smile and laugh at the absurdity that's taking place on screen. What do you think is one of the most basic, pure-fun anime series' out there?

The Question 12/05 - What did you watch this weekend?

As you guys probably guessed, I had high hopes of watching Professor Layton and the Eternal Diva. I was going to purchase it on iTunes and stream to the TV, but that plan was shot down when I found out the movie wasn't available. I still don't get why the press release states multiple digital versions, but not one of them is available.

I think I'm going to get back into High School of the Dead tonight. Should be easy to wrap that one up. While that's the extent of my lame anime adventures this weekend, I'd love to hear what you guys checked out!

Professor Layton and the Eternal Diva nowhere to be found

I've been waiting patiently to watch Professor Layton and the Eternal Diva. There was a long time there where I thought the film would never be localized. That went on for months and months, and then VIZ Media ended up securing the rights to it out of nowhere. Now the film is officially available in the states...or so VIZ Media says.

I've looked all over for a copy of the DVD at retail, but I've had absolutely no luck. I thought for sure that Best Buy would have a copy, but they don't even have it listed as being available in store at any of their locations. Every other retailer I went to after that didn't have a copy either.

I wasn't too miffed about this because I thought I could just go digital. The press release for the localization stated that the movie would be available on PSN, Amazon Instant Video, Netflix and iTunes. Unfortunately, I checked every one of those options to see that the film wasn't there. I can't find any explanation for it either.

This leaves me with just Amazon as an option to purchase a physical copy. I guess that's what I'm going to do, and while it's not a bad option by any means, I'm still wondering just what's going on here. Have any of you had any luck finding a copy in the wild, or catching it digitally?

Durarara!! on Adult Swim - Episode 24 live-chat (starts at 12:30 AM EDT)

TV show Community does an anime tribute

Who hasn't wanted to see an anime tribute featuring The Soup/Community's Joel McHale?! I know I have, and that's what this week's episode of Community features. Not the best light to paint anime in, and definitely not the best style, but it will still make you smile.

Reminder: Durarara!! Episode 24 live-chat tonight at 12:30 AM EDT!

Things started out so well for me and Durarara. Then my late-night free time just got eaten up, and it's been that way ever since. I'm going to have to pick up the series on DVD in order to wrap it up. I'm so far behind, but I hope you guys are still right up-to-date with the airings. We're almost at the end, gang!

The Limited Edition Madoka Magica box set is insane

Want to see what $75 will get you?

I'm not one to pick up limited edition games or anime, but I'm going to make an exception for this one. You're paying a bit more, but there's some really juicy extra content packed in there. Time for me to start saving!

Netflix anime: Now you see it...

I've applauded Netflix about their huge collection of anime in the past. I think it's fantastic to see such big anime support on the service, and we also know that the initiative is doing well for them. Just like Hulu, grabbing a couple million fans to watch a few shows is just as good as having one major hit.

Hopping onto Netflix and checking out an entire series or two of anime via streaming is absolutely fantastic. In just the few clicks of a button, you're ready to start vegging out. I'm sure we've all put away a few dozen episodes of a series easy, eager to get back the next day and check out the rest.

That's where the scary part comes in. A lot of people are complaining recently that Netflix is yanking anime series' with no warning. While new shows continue to get added to the service, some other series' just up and disappear without warning. Can you imagine watching a series you're really into, and then the next day you go to wrap it up, the show is gone?

Netflix could at least give us a warning that these series' are about to be removed from the service. I'm sure there are some instances where even Netflix doesn't know until the day before, but any amount of heads up on the situation would be greatly appreciated.

Have you had an anime series on Netflix disappear infront of your very eyes? Did it ever return, or have you been left hanging all this time?

Sentai Filmworks Licenses Studio Ghibli's "Grave of the Fireflies"

HOUSTON, December 1, 2011— Sentai Filmworks proudly announces the company’s acquisition of distribution rights for the critically acclaimed animation masterpiece GRAVE OF THE FIREFLIES. Based on the semi-autobiographical retellings of survivor Nosaka Akiyuki and directed by Iaso Takahata (co-founder, with Hayao Miyazaki, of Japan’s legendary Studio Ghibli, the studio that performed the animation duties for the film,) GRAVE OF THE FIREFLIES has been universally hailed as both an artistic and emotional tour de force, with famed critic Roger Ebert calling the feature “An emotional experience so powerful that it forces a rethinking of animation” and stating that “it belongs on any list of the greatest war films ever made.” Sentai Filmworks is extraordinarily honored to have been given the privilege of handling the digitally restored version of one of the art of animation’s true crowning achievements.

As the Empire of the Sun crumbles upon itself and a rain of firebombs falls upon Japan, the final death march of a nation is echoed in millions of smaller tragedies. This is the story of Seita and his younger sister Setsuko, two children born at the wrong time, in the wrong place, and now cast adrift in a world that lacks not the care to shelter them, but simply the resources. Forced to fend for themselves in the aftermath of fires that swept entire cities from the face of the earth, their doomed struggle is both a tribute to the human spirit and the stuff of nightmares. Beautiful, yet at times brutal and horrifying, it is a film that perhaps only the animated medium could render without completely overloading human senses, transforming the fog of war and the screams of the dying into what Ebert calls “visual poetry.”

Digital distribution of GRAVE OF THE FIREFLIES will begin through many outlets this winter, and a DVD of the digitally restored master will be in stores next year.

Blue Exorcist DVD, where have I been?

This is what happens when you're busy.  When I heard that officially localized Blue Exorcist episodes were coming out on DVD, I was really looking forward to them. Then the busy season came about, and all my anime interests kind of slipped my mind. I had forgotten all about the Blue Exorcist DVD release just until yesterday, when I thought of it on a whim.

To my surprise, the first DVD set is already out! Even better, the next set comes out in early January! People have been asking me for things I'd like to get this Christmas, and now I know at least one of them! I can't believe the release completely slipped my mind.

It looks like a really nice package as well. Have any of you guys/gals out there picked this one up yet? How many of you watched the series and plan on grabbing this set?