Okay, now I believe Redline is really coming out

This lovely promo comes from the latest issue of Otaku USA...

I've written about this anime a few times, and I always talked about the many release dates it has gone through. All of those dates fell through, but here's the first one I really believe! When you get your print ads out there, you know it's the real deal!

Now we know with almost 100% certainty that Redline will be available to purchase on Jan. 17th. How many of you guys and gals are going to pick it up?

Buy the anime, get the soundtrack?

There are a lot of things about anime that I love, and the music of certain series' usually goes hand-in-hand with that. There's some really fantastic music in anime features, and it only helps to bring you closer to what you're watching. Certain songs can pull you into an experience or heighten your interest in a character or scene.

What sucks about enjoying that music is having to buy it separately from the movie or series itself. I'm shelling out hard-earned cash to pick up an anime, and that's not good enough to grab the soundtrack. Why is it that my money is good enough to get the video, but not the accompanying music?

This becomes even more of a problem when dealing with anime. Sometimes the soundtracks tied to features never see an official release in the states. You have to find proxy outlets that will send you the soundtrack, but you'll have to pay much inflated prices for your music. I'm sorry, but paying over $40 for a single CD just doesn't make much sense to me!

How do you feel about music tied to anime? If you purchase a film, do you feel that its okay to hunt out a download for the music you want? Do you try to get the music legally, and once all the official outlets are exhausted, then you hunt for a not-so-legal copy?

How many series' are you in the middle of?

When it comes to games and anime, I think I may have a bit of ADD. The thing is, I don't lose my interest in any of these entertainment ventures. I just don't have the time to watch/play any of them when I start, but I still can resist the call of the latest and greatest!

I've worked myself into quite a predicament with anime. I am in the middle of so many series' that I'm starting to lose just where I was. Storyline details that were fresh in my head are now distant memories. Character traits and side stories are now floating somewhere around in the back of my mind, and I don't know what belongs where!

If I had to actually sit down and count how many series' I am actually in the middle of, I'd easily guess over 5. That is absolutely ridiculous, and it's hurting my experience with those anime. It's not right to sift through so many and lose my way along the stretch. The series' I'm watching deserve more respect from me.

How many anime series' are you in the middle of right now? Does that actually work well for you? Are you someone that can watch multiple series' at once and not get lost, or do you need to focus in on one or two to really keep things straight in your mind?

Coping with a giant backlog

I think this is true for most people. There's just not enough time in the day to do what you want to do. There are certain obligations we all have, be they from school, work or family. If you want to function on a day-to-day basis, these are the sort of things you have to do.

We've talked about this before, and how it can lead to an 'issue' with what you do in your entertainment time. It's very important to have time to enjoy yourself, because it can't be all work all the time. The problem arises when you have eyes for play time, but little time to get it done.

Eyes are bigger than your stomach. We've all heard that statement before, and it's definitely true with my anime collection. Whenever there's a deal to pick up some new content, I'll do my best to make sure I grab it. Unfortunately, it's hard for me to find the time to actually appreciate that content.

Tonight I'm going to check out Angel Beats. I don't know how far into the series I'll make it, but I'm definitely going to pop it in. I have to get myself out from under my backlog. I have to make time where there isn't any, and while it may not be the optimal setting, watching anime while working seems like the way to go.

Angel Beats impressions in a few hours, my friends!

The Question 11/28: What anime did you check out this weekend?

I've got some great news for you guys and gals. It's finally time for me to get back into the swing of things when it comes to the anime site! I am writing my last 'big' review of the holiday season tonight, and it'll be posted up tomorrow. That means I'll be free to talk anime like I used to!

I'll be taking a more steady approach to the site, if a bit reserved from what I originally was doing. I think I can crank out 2-3 articles a day for the blog, and that starts today. It's good to be back, my friends.

Now...what did you watch over the weekend while I was gone?!

Durarara!! on Adult Swim - Episode 23 live-chat (starts at 12:30 AM EDT)

The Question 11/21: What anime did you check out this weekend?

We are in the home stretch, my friends. The holiday season only has one big game left, as far as Nintendo first-party games go. Mario Kart 7 comes out on 3DS early in December, and then after that things should calm down considerably. That means back to a regular anime blog schedule!

But for now, let's get to our usual Monday question. What anime did you get to check out over the weekend? Did you pick up something new? Did you go back to an old favorite? Did you watch something on TV or DVD?

Durarara!! on Adult Swim - Episode 22 live-chat (starts at 12:30 AM EDT)

Could Kristen Stewart be Akira's Kei

Yes, this could indeed become a reality. Twilight actress Kristen Stewart has been offered the role of Kei in the big-budget live-action remake of Akira. I haven't seen any of the Twilight movies, but I know just having the ties to that series is going to be enough for people to dislike her in the role of Kei.

What do you guys think about the casting decision? Keep in mind that nothing is official at this time, and no deal has been made. It's just the way things are being approached right now.

The Question 11/14: What anime did you check out this weekend?

I've got some good news and bad news about my weekend anime viewing. The bad news is that I didn't have time to watch any anime at all, let alone sit down with a TV or any other entertainment medium. The weekend was quite busy, as I had to squeeze a podcast in with a trip to NYC for the launch of Super Mario 3D Land.

What's the good news, you ask? I actually did find the time to pick up a new anime that I had been planning to! I now am the proud owner of Angel Beats, which is something I can't wait to jump in on. Could this week be the week? I sure hope so!

Now, make me feel better by telling me about all the wonderful anime you saw this week!

Durarara!! on Adult Swim - Episode 21 live-chat (starts at 12:30 AM EDT)

VIZ details upcoming digital manga releases

VIZ Media continues to lead the digital manga (graphic novel) revolution with a variety of new titles just announced for November that are available to read online on VIZManga.com and also for digital download on the VIZ MANGA App for the Apple iPad™, iPhone™ and iPod™ touch.

Among the notable new releases will be the two latest editions of NARUTO – Volumes 54 and 55 – which will be made available on VIZ Media’s digital platforms several months in advance of their print counterparts. This is part of the SHONEN JUMP DIGITAL WARP, a speed-up of selection titles to bring North American readers up-to-date with Japanese releases to prepare fans for the debut of the digital WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP ALPHA in January 2012.

NARUTO Vol. 54 · Rated ‘T’ for Teens · Available Today!
Viaduct to Peace: Naruto and his team engage in an intense battle with the Akatsuki organization as both sides seek the power to determine the future of their land. Internecine fighting weakens the Akatsuki, but will their dark forces sideline Naruto?! Print edition debuts on January 3rd, 2012.

NARUTO Vol. 55 · Rated ‘T’ for Teens · Available November 21st
The Great War Begins: Evil masterminds Kabuto and Madara instigate a skirmish with Naruto and friends on Turtle Island. The Allied Shinobi Forces prepare to attack, but are they ready for Kabuto’s horde of reanimated dead ninja?! Print edition debuts on March 6th, 2012.

November also sees the debut of two titles from the critically acclaimed Natsume Ono. RISTORANTE PARADISO weaves a story around the lives of the staff of a restaurant in Rome, and in the follow-up manga, GENTE, continues to follow the character’s romances, heartaches, hopes and dreams.

RISTORANTE PARADISO · Rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens · Available Now!
At the age of 21, Nicoletta travels to Rome to find her mother, Olga, who abandoned her long ago. Nicoletta finds her at Casetta dell’Orso, a charming little restaurant owned by Olga’s husband. The staff of bespectacled gentlemen welcomes Nicoletta warmly, but Olga’s reception is not so pleasant. Olga has never told her husband that she ever had children–and he must never know.

GENTE Vol. 1 · Rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens · Available November 14th
Buona sera! Welcome to Casetta dell’Orso, a quaint little restaurant in the heart of Rome. The food’s delicious, but the handsome staff of bespectacled gentlemen is the real draw. Follow these dashing men home and witness their romances, heartaches, hopes and dreams in this delightfully whimsical continuation of Natsume Ono’s beloved RISTORANTE PARADISO.

Additions to 17 popular VIZ Media series are scheduled for November, with over 30 new manga volumes scheduled to make their digital debut. Updates include the rock-and-roll romantic drama of AI ORE and the courtly royal intrigue of THE STORY OF SAIUNKOKU, as well as the supernatural adventure of BLEACH, the ongoing high seas pirate fun of ONE PIECE, and the kinetic sci-fi action depicted in new weekly chapters of NEON GENESIS EVANGELION.

Link

Sentai Filmworks Licenses UN-GO

HOUSTON, Nov 8, 2011—Sentai Filmworks is proud to announce the acquisition of UN-GO (pronounced An Go,) the eagerly awaited new series from Fuji TV’s prestigious noitaminA animation block and mega animation studio BONES. Loosely inspired by a collection of detective stories by Japanese literary giant Ango Sakaguchi, the all star production transposes the action to a gritty near future, post war Tokyo, and is helmed by director Seiji Mizushima (Full Metal Alchemist, Mobile Suit Gundam 00, Daiguard) with a storyline by his Full Metal Alchemist collaborator Shou Aikawa (Blood Reign: Curse of the Yoma, Martian Sucessor Nadesico, Ghost Slayers Ayashi.) In yet another unique twist, character design duties will be split between illustrator pako (Rental Magika) and Loveless and Earthian manga creator Yun Kouga (Mobile Suit Gundam 00.)

He pursues his job as the ‘Last Great Detective’. Others call him the ‘Defeated Detective’. What’s certain is that he’s Shinjurou Yuuki, a young man with a passion for mysteries and a talent for solving them that has made him the target of dark forces now stirring within the sinister underworld of a near future Tokyo. That could prove lethal, given that not even the other ‘good guys,’ including the police, are exactly on Shinjouro’s side. Fortunately Yuuki’s not completely on his own, and with the aid of his uniquely talented associate Inga, he’s ready to cut a swath through the veils of secrecy that have been laid before him. Get ready for mind against matter and a lot of cloak and dagger as the ultimate battle of clue and deduction begins in UN-GO!

UN-GO will soon be available digitally through many outlets, with a home video release next year on DVD and Blu-Ray.

Link

The Question 11/07: What anime did you check out this weekend?

The holiday season is absolutely killing my productivity on this blog. I am only able to churn out one article a day, but that's better than nothing. I'm definitely not abandoning the blog. I just have to focus on work first, since work pays the bills. When the holiday season dies down, you can expect content here to pick back up.

This week is particularly grueling. I have two very big reviews that I have to wrap up before week closes up. That means I've had next to no time for anything but game playing/analyzing/reviewing. No anime for me over the weekend, but I'm hoping you guys managed to fill that void for me!

Durarara!! on Adult Swim - Episode 20 live-chat (starts at 12:30 AM EDT)

And this is why people hate anime dubbing...

Angel Beats or Clannad?

No worries, I'm not asking which one is better. I honestly don't know which one I will find more enjoyable. What I do know is that I've seen a lot of people talking about these two series' lately, and it's been perking my interest quite a bit. Now I find the allure of either title hard to ignore!

Of course, the only reason I would ignore either is because I simply don't have the time to watch anime that I own right now! That's not going to stop me from eventually jumping into these shows. I just have to figure out which one I want to go with first!

Now that I've found out both Angel Beats and Clannad are available on Netflix, that's going to make it much easier for me to check them out. They're just waiting for me...staring me in the face everytime I happen to check out my Netflix account. Now I just have to pull the trigger on one!

Which one would you suggest I check out first? I know there's a ton of Clannad fans out there, but I'm interested to see if there's spillover for Angel Beats. I'm counting on your responses, guys!

Berserk: Golden Age I - Egg of the Supreme King - theatrical trailer

Direct link here

Kite getting live-action adaptation

- "full-on female actioner"
- "gritty realistic action"
- will be in movie form
- shot in South Africa for US$12 million
- directed by David R. Ellis of Snakes on a Plane fame
- synopsis: "a young woman living in a failed state, post-financial collapse, where the corrupt security force profits on the trafficking of young women. When her father, a cop, is slain by someone dirty inside the force, she vows to track the murderer down with the help of her father's ex-partner—never realizing he is, in fact, the man who had her father killed."
- begins filming next January

link