Anime Your Way

North American anime release schedule - March through June 2012

2012-03-02T12:58:00.001-08:00

Date Studio Title Format Est. Retail Additional Information

03/06/2012 FUNimation Hetalia - Axis Powers: Seasons 1 & 2 Collection DVD $44.98
03/06/2012 FUNimation Sands of Destruction: Complete Collection DVD $19.98 S.A.V.E. Edition
03/06/2012 NIS America House of Five Leaves: Complete Series Premium Edition DVD $59.99 Sub
03/06/2012 Sentai Filmworks Grave of the Fireflies DVD $19.98 Remastered
03/06/2012 Sentai Filmworks KimiKiss - Pure Rouge: Complete Collection DVD $69.98 Sub
03/07/2012 Aniplex of America Fate/Zero: Blu-ray Box 1 [Import] Blu-ray $498.98 Sub Only
03/13/2012 FUNimation One Piece: Collection 5 DVD $34.98
03/13/2012 Media Blasters Squid Girl: Season 1 Collection Blu-ray $59.99
03/13/2012 Sentai Filmworks Mardock Scramble - The First Compression (Director's Cut) DVD $29.98
03/13/2012 Sentai Filmworks Mardock Scramble - The First Compression (Director's Cut) Blu-ray $39.98
03/13/2012 Viz Media Bleach: Uncut Boxset 12 DVD $49.95
03/13/2012 Viz Media Kekkaishi: Boxset 4 DVD $49.95
03/20/2012 FUNimation Dragon Ball Z Kai, Part 7 DVD $29.98
03/20/2012 FUNimation Dragon Ball Z Kai, Part 7 Blu-ray $34.98
03/20/2012 FUNimation Fairy Tail, Part 4 BD+DVD $54.98
03/20/2012 Sentai Filmworks ef - a tale of melodies.: Complete Collection DVD $59.98
03/20/2012 Sentai Filmworks ef - a tale of melodies.: Complete Collection Blu-ray $69.98
03/27/2012 AnimEigo Hello Kitty - Growing Up With, Vol.1 DVD $12.98 Dub
03/27/2012 AnimEigo Hello Kitty - Growing Up With, Vol.2 DVD $12.98 Dub
03/27/2012 S'more Entertainment Bobobo-Bo Bo-Bobo: The Complete Series, Part 1 DVD $49.98
03/27/2012 Sentai Filmworks Dream Eater Merry: Complete Collection DVD $59.98
03/27/2012 Sentai Filmworks Dream Eater Merry: Complete Collection Blu-ray $69.98

April 2012

Date Studio Title Format Est. Retail Additional Information

04/03/2012 Echo Bridge Home Ent. Beyblade: Fierce Battle (movie) DVD $6.99 Dub
04/03/2012 Echo Bridge Home Ent. Pokémon Movies 4-7 Collection Blu-ray $29.99 Dub
04/03/2012 FUNimation Black Butler: Season 1 Collection BD+DVD $69.98
04/03/2012 FUNimation Black Butler II: Complete Collection BD+DVD $69.98 Limited Edition
04/03/2012 FUNimation Okami-san & Her Seven Companions: Complete Collection BD+DVD $69.98 Limited Edition
04/03/2012 Maiden Japan Polyphonica Crimson S: Complete Collection DVD $49.98 Sub
04/03/2012 Sentai Filmworks Motto To Love Ru: Complete Collection DVD $49.98 Sub
04/03/2012 Viz Media Pokémon Movie 14: Black - Victini & Reshiram / White - Victini & Zekrom DVD $19.97 Dub
04/10/2012 Aniplex of America Puella Magi Madoka Magica, Vol.2 DVD $39.98
04/10/2012 Aniplex of America Puella Magi Madoka Magica, Vol.2 Blu-ray $49.98
04/10/2012 Aniplex of America Puella Magi Madoka Magica, Vol.2 BD+DVD $94.98 Limited Edition
04/10/2012 FUNimation Oh! Edo Rocket: Complete Collection DVD $59.98
04/10/2012 FUNimation Sekirei: Season 1 Collection BD+DVD $49.98
04/10/2012 NIS America kimi ni todoke -From Me to You-: Volume 2 Premium Edition BD+DVD $69.99 Sub Only
04/10/2012 Sentai Filmworks Infinite Stratos: Complete Collection (w/OVA + CD) DVD $59.98
04/10/2012 Sentai Filmworks Infinite Stratos: Complete Collection (w/OVA + CD) Blu-ray $69.98
04/10/2012 Viz Media Naruto Shippuden Boxset 10 DVD $49.95
04/17/2012 Aniplex of America Blue Exorcist, Vol.3 DVD $37.48 Sub Only
04/17/2012 Discotek/Eastern Star Panda! Go, Panda! DVD $19.95
04/17/2012 FUNimation Heaven's Lost Property Forte: Complete Collection DVD $64.98 Limited Edition
04/17/2012 FUNimation The Legend of the Legendary Heroes, Part 1 BD+DVD $69.98 Limited Edition
04/17/2012 FUNimation The Legend of the Legendary Heroes, Part 2 BD+DVD $64.98
04/17/2012 FUNimation Tsubasa, RESERVoir CHRoNiCLE: OVA Collection DVD $19.98 S.A.V.E. Edition
04/17/2012 FUNimation Tsubasa, RESERVoir CHRoNiCLE: OVA Collection Blu-ray $24.98 S.A.V.E. Edition
04/17/2012 Sentai Filmworks Someday's Dreamers: Complete Collection DVD $49.98
04/24/2012 FUNimation Fullmetal Alchemist - Brotherhood: Collection 1 DVD $69.98
04/24/2012 FUNimation Fullmetal Alchemist - Brotherhood: Collection 1 Blu-ray $69.98
04/24/2012 FUNimation Fullmetal Alchemist: The Sacred Star of Milos DVD $29.98
04/24/2012 FUNimation Fullmetal Alchemist: The Sacred Star of Milos BD+DVD $34.98
04/24/2012 FUNimation Jyu-Oh-Sei (Planet of the Beast King): Complete Collection DVD $29.98 S.A.V.E. Edition
04/24/2012 Media Blasters Fushigi Yugi: Season 1 Boxset DVD $49.99
04/24/2012 Media Blasters Kite Blu-ray $24.99
04/24/2012 Sentai Filmworks Golgo 13: Collection 3 DVD $49.98
04/24/2012 Sony Pictures Iron Man: Complete Collection DVD $19.99
04/24/2012 Sony Pictures X-Men: Complete Collection DVD $19.99

May 2012

Date Studio Title Format Est. Retail Additional Information

05/01/2012 TRSI / Nozomi Ent. Dirty Pair: Original Features Collection DVD $29.99
05/01/2012 Viz Media Pokémon: Diamond and Pearl - Sinnoh League Victors: Boxset 2 DVD $19.97 Dub
05/08/2012 Media Blasters Kanokon - The Girl Who Cried Fox: TV & OVA Collection DVD $39.99
05/08/2012 Media Blasters Queen's Blade 2 - The Evil Eye: Complete Collection DVD $49.99
05/15/2012 Discotek/Eastern Star The Fantastic Adventures of Unico DVD $19.95
05/15/2012 Discotek/Eastern Star Unico: In the Island of Magic DVD $19.95
05/22/2012 Media Blasters Bakuman: Season 1, Part 1 Blu-ray $59.99
05/01/2012 Sentai Filmworks Psychic Squad (Zettai Karen Children): Collection 1 DVD $49.98 Sub
05/01/2012 Shout! Factory Transformers - Super-God Masterforce: The Japanese Collection DVD $29.93 Sub
05/01/2012 TRSI / Nozomi Ent. Dirty Pair: Original Features Collection DVD $29.99
05/01/2012 Viz Media Pokémon: Diamond and Pearl - Sinnoh League Victors: Boxset 2 DVD $19.97 Dub
05/08/2012 Media Blasters Kanokon - The Girl Who Cried Fox: TV & OVA Collection DVD $39.99
05/08/2012 Media Blasters Queen's Blade 2 - The Evil Eye: Complete Collection DVD $49.99
05/08/2012 NIS America Occult Academy: Complete Series Premium Edition Blu-ray $64.99 Sub
05/08/2012 Sentai Filmworks GetBackers: Complete Collection DVD $59.98
05/08/2012 Sentai Filmworks Guin Saga: Complete Collection DVD $79.98
05/08/2012 Sentai Filmworks Guin Saga: Complete Collection Blu-ray $89.98
05/15/2012 Discotek/Eastern Star The Fantastic Adventures of Unico DVD $19.95
05/15/2012 Discotek/Eastern Star Unico: In the Island of Magic DVD $19.95
05/15/2012 FUNimation Cat Planet Cuties: Complete Collection BD+DVD $69.98 Limited Edition
05/15/2012 FUNimation D.Gray-man: Season 2 Collection DVD $29.98 S.A.V.E. Edition
05/15/2012 Sentai Filmworks The Book of Bantorra: Complete Collection 1 DVD $59.98
05/22/2012 FUNimation Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood OVA Collection BD+DVD $24.98
05/22/2012 FUNimation Dragon Ball Z Kai: Season 1 Collection DVD $49.98 Re-release
05/22/2012 FUNimation Dragon Ball Z Kai: Season 1 Collection Blu-ray $54.98 Re-release
05/22/2012 FUNimation Dragon Ball Z Kai: Season 2 Collection DVD $49.98
05/22/2012 FUNimation Dragon Ball Z Kai: Season 2 Collection Blu-ray $54.98
05/22/2012 Image Entertainment Cowboy Bebop: The Movie / American Pop DVD $9.98 Double Feature
05/22/2012 Media Blasters Bakuman: Season 1, Part 1 Blu-ray $59.99
05/22/2012 Sentai Filmworks Planzet DVD $29.98
05/22/2012 Sentai Filmworks Planzet Blu-ray $39.98
05/29/2012 FUNimation Black Cat: Complete Collection DVD $29.98 S.A.V.E. Edition
05/29/2012 FUNimation Dragon Age: Dawn of the Seeker DVD $24.98 Dub
05/29/2012 FUNimation Dragon Age: Dawn of the Seeker BD+DVD $34.98 Dub
05/29/2012 FUNimation KenIchi - The Mightiest Disciple: Season 2 Collection DVD $49.98 Classic Line
05/29/2012 FUNimation Shiki, Part 1 BD+DVD $69.98 Limited Edition
05/29/2012 FUNimation Shiki, Part 2 BD+DVD $64.98
05/29/2012 Sentai Filmworks Gintama: The Movie DVD $29.98
05/29/2012 Sentai Filmworks Gintama: The Movie Blu-ray $39.98
June 2012 & Beyond
Date Studio Title Format Est. Retail Additional Information
06/05/2012 Warner Home Video ThunderCats (2011): Season 1, Book 2 DVD $19.97 Dub
06/12/2012 Aniplex of America Puella Magi Madoka Magica, Vol.3 DVD $39.98
06/12/2012 Aniplex of America Puella Magi Madoka Magica, Vol.3 Blu-ray $49.98
06/12/2012 Aniplex of America Puella Magi Madoka Magica, Vol.3 BD+DVD $94.98 Limited Edition
06/26/2012 Discotek/Eastern Star Lupin the Third: The Complete First TV Series DVD - Sub
06/29/2012 Aniplex of America Blue Exorcist, Vol.4 DVD $37.48 Sub Only
07/24/2012 Discotek/Eastern Star Golgo 13: The Professional DVD -
N/A FUNimation Strike Witches 2: Complete Collection BD+DVD $69.98 Limited Edition
N/A Media Blasters Ikki-Tousen Great Guardians: Complete Collection DVD $49.99
N/A Media Blasters Bakuman, Part 2 DVD $24.99

Link

Anime + Street Fighter + Ping Pong = Awesome

2012-03-01T13:01:00.002-08:00

I don't know why, but I think this video might have the ability to show people why anime can be so damn awesome.

Man turn's One Piece's Kabuto slingshot staff into a real-life item

2012-02-29T12:51:00.000-08:00

The horror of the never-aired Sailor Moon live-action adaptation for North America

2012-02-28T12:09:00.000-08:00

Yes...there really was going to be a live-action adaptation of Sailor Moon. Yes... it was going to be a TV series. Yes...it was tailored to American audiences, or so the people involved thought. Thankfully the project never actually made it to TV, but that doesn't mean we can't look at what might have been.

Get ready to cringe and gasp at this promo for the show before it was killed off. Trust me, it's worse than you can even imagine.

The Question 2/27: What anime did you check out this weekend?

2012-02-27T13:27:00.000-08:00

I'm not going to lie...I came very close to watching anime this weekend. Unfortunately, things got very busy for me. We had friend and family obligations, I had work stuff to do, and on top of all that our cat is having some health issues that he can't seem to kick. Constantly worrying about something doesn't put you in the best situation for enjoying your free time...or even allowing for it.

I sure hope you guys had a better and more anime-fueled weekend than I did! Leave us a comment and share what you watched!

Is Bleach's TV run coming to an end?

2012-02-24T12:47:00.000-08:00

It looks like a very popular, long-running anime series is going to see an end in the not-too-distant future. According to TV listings for TV Tokyo, Bleach is going to see its final episode air on March 27th. We don't have an official word from the companies involved with producing the show, but it certainly looks like things are coming to an end.

As usual with any big show, some fans are really upset with the news while others are saying the end is long overdue. If you're a longtime fan of the Bleach TV series, I'd love to hear what you have to say. Do you think the show overstayed its welcome or is it leaving us too soon?

The ever-popular bathroom scenes

2012-02-23T13:14:00.000-08:00

Fan-service is a huge part of anime. Even the most tasteful shows will throw in a tiny bit of fan-service here and there. It could be a slight upskirt shot, a belly shirt or a low-cut top. That's when things stay on the simple/cute side of fan-service. Then there's the complete opposite side where things get really steamy.

When it comes down to full-on fan service, I can't think of any other scene that is more prevalent than the bathroom scene. You can bet that at some point in one episode, all the girls will get together and take a bath. It happens in all sorts of series, as it appears this is the go-to place for sneaking in fan-service in a somewhat sensible, if not shameless way.

For example, please check out the scenes from High School of the Dead below. Do yourself a favor and mute the video.

That's a prime example of fan-service and bathroom scenes coming together in a big and not-so-subtle way. What other shows take fan-service to the next level with their bathroom scenes? Leave us a comment and let us know!

Is the U.S. anime industry dying?

2012-02-22T14:14:00.001-08:00

A pretty insightful and passionate look at the anime industry in the U.S., and how fans are both helping/hurting the situation.

How well did The Secret World of Arrietty do in its opening weekend?

2012-02-21T13:25:00.000-08:00

The Secret World of Arrietty debuted in the United States this weekend. It's not often that we see a big-name anime film land in theaters around the U.S., so we have to make sure to pay close attention when one does! Just how well did The Secret World of Arrietty do?

Believe it or not, the film managed to pull in $6.4 million. That may seem like a rather low number when compared to other big-name films, but this figure beats out the opening weekend for Ponyo in the U.S. by nearly 3 million. Something about The Secret World of Arrietty must have really clicked with movie-goers in the states!

Let's hope the movie continues to pull in good numbers as we lead into this weekend. Anything to give Disney more confidence in anime would be a great thing for exposure!

The Question 2/20: What anime did you check out this weekend?

2012-02-20T13:13:00.000-08:00

Another weekend, another missed chance of viewing anime. I actually did passively see some anime, but it wasn't with the intent of sitting down to view. A couple episodes of High School of the Dead were playing on the TV at a friend's party, and it definitely got a few comments from those that weren't expecting the amount of violence and sex that the show delivers!

Honestly, that's it for me. Didn't get a chance to view any more than that. I want to get out and see The Secret World of Arrietty while in theaters. I think I can pull that off, but I haven't had a chance to see when the best time would be. Hopefully some of you got a chance to check it out!

What anime did you manage to watch over the weekend?

Child psychologist blames anime for suicides

2012-02-17T14:38:00.000-08:00

Over the past two weeks in Russia, 6 children have committed suicide. The true motives behind the suicides hasn't been found yet, but child psychologist Olga Makhovskaya has taken it upon herself to give an answer. Out of all things, she blames anime.

"Of course anime by itself cannot be the cause of teenage suicides. But it is a visual art that attracts many teenagers and that intensifies all their feelings. And death, the heroics of death that is typical of the Japanese culture a lot more than other cultures, often serves as a measure of friendship or loyalty. To jump down from a high-rise together holding each other's hand—it is specifically typical of girls' behavior," she added. "Heroic adventures of girls, stories of inseparable friendship between girls—these are all anime stories. It is a whole subculture that despite varying story lines and styles all romanticizes death. And one cannot exclude indirect influence. It also erases borderline between reality and virtual culture. Sometimes virtual culture due to its graphic imagery appears to be brighter and richer than real life."

It's such a delicate topic to discuss. I feel that these events are so fresh that we shouldn't be labeling anything until a thorough investigation takes place. With that said, I cannot believe this psychologist is blaming anime. There's absolutely no connection to anime here. We don't even know if the kids watched anime, or what they watched if they did!

Music, movies, TV shows, video games and now anime. Every generation finds a scapegoat to explain away things they just don't understand. Let's just hope this anime blame is an isolated incident.

Link

Infographic: A look at the Japanese Spring 2012 anime lineup - Version 2

2012-02-16T15:15:00.000-08:00

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Pokemon Black and White: Anime Season 15 Promo Trailer

2012-02-15T13:27:00.000-08:00

15 years of the Pokemon anime and it's still going strong! Check out this minute preview of the upcoming Pokemon anime season!

Madhouse's Iron Man, X-Men series seeing DVD release

2012-02-14T13:13:00.000-08:00

- coming from Marvel and Sony Entertainment
- due out on April 24th
- two-disc sets
- feature all 13 episodes
- DVD sets will be English only
- no mention of Blu-ray
- $14 a piece

Link

The Question 2/13: What anime did you check out this weekend?

2012-02-13T12:51:00.001-08:00

I have been in such an anime lull lately. Work has been really stressful, my person life is extra busy and taxes were weighing down hard on me. I'm very thankful to have taxes squared away now, but there's still some business stuff that has to be taken care of.

While that's being worked on, I don't have much free time to do anything. That goes for both playing games and watching anime. I have my titles laid out and ready to watch. I just need to find the time to do so!

Did you manage to check out any anime this weekend? Share the fun times you had with me...if only so I can live vicariously!

Friday Night WTF - Lucky Star gets the Ievan Polkka treatment

2012-02-10T14:21:00.000-08:00

Strike Witches: The Movie - first trailer

2012-02-09T12:18:00.001-08:00

Arakawa Under the Bridge x Bridge is now shipping

2012-02-08T12:49:00.001-08:00

We are super happy to announce that Arakawa Under the Bridge x Bridge is now shipping to select online retailers across North America!

About Arakawa Under the Bridge x Bridge:
Just when you thought things couldn't get any weirder by the banks of the mighty Arakawa, they go ahead and get weirder by a whole lot. Rec, Nino, and the rest of the riverside residents return, and with the addition of another batch of nutty citizens the insanity gets turned up to eleven...thousand. Now Rec has to deal with a sci-fi loving comic nerd who's convinced he's a captain in the Earth Defense Force, and the less said about the Amazon woman living upstream with her demonic "female" Amazon followers, the better. On top of that, Rec struggles with the pressing issues of romantic expression, media obsession, weight loss, weight gain, beach parties, haunted houses, interplanetary travel, and the ever-present threat of global thermonuclear war!

Sengoku Basara Seasons 1 & 2 Now Available

2012-02-07T11:44:00.001-08:00

The Question 2/6: What anime did you check out this weekend?

2012-02-06T13:39:00.000-08:00

I am guessing that some of you were spending your weekend enjoying other activities, such as watching the Super Bowl. I don't know why, but a lot of people are surprised to hear that I'm not into sports! I guess a big, bearded guy just screams the sterotype of sports viewer!

The only 'sport' I'm into is WWE, but that's for another blog altogether! While I didn't watch the Super Bowl, I also didn't have time to watch anime. It was a friend's birthday, and we spent much of the weekend celebrating. You have to make sure you make your friends feel loved on their 30th!

While I was working and partying, did you watch any anime? Leave a comment and let us know.

NIS America announces Occult Academy Complete Series Premium Edition

2012-02-03T13:12:00.000-08:00

NIS America is excited to announce today that the horror comedy Occult Academy Complete Series Premium Edition will be available in North America this May!

About Occult Academy:

In the year 2012, the world is a wasteland invaded by aliens. Time travelers like Fumiaki Uchida are sent back to the year 1999 in order to destroy the "Nostradamus Key" to prevent the apocalypse. In 1999, Maya Kumashiro, the daughter of the former principal of Waldstein Academy (AKA Occult Academy), returns to the academy to replace her father. Despising her father’s obsession with the occult, Maya is hell-bent on running the school into the ground out of spite. Her plan is interrupted when she meets Fumiaki and learns of the forthcoming destruction of the world. They form a pact to look for the key.

Is Netflix giving anime more recognition in North America?

2012-02-02T13:00:00.000-08:00

Anime has had a following in the states for a long time now. Plenty of people know about the world of anime, but even with those fans out there, the result is a rather niche market. Due to budgets and knowledge of anime's existence, it's quite hard for localization houses in the states to bring attention to the masses.

Of course, the digital age has helped to bring in a much easier way to check out anime. Getting anime on demand or digitally through a computer/tablet puts an entire world of anime at your fingertips. While that's been a great thing for anime recognition, it still doesn't put anime right infront of those that don't know of it.

That's where Netflix comes in. While some may scoff at the anime that Netflix offers, there's no denying that it does supply quite a sizable library. The real big deal here is how it puts that anime content infront of eyes that would normally never see a single thing about anime.

If you're scrolling through the categories of movies and TV shows on Netflix, you will definitely come across the anime category. People unaware of anime may scroll past that category a hundred times over without notice, but that one day something could catch their eye. That's all it takes is once glance to get someone interested.

Just how big is Netflix's impact on spreading the word on anime? Is this a quiet revolution that we haven't been paying enough attention to? While anime fans continue to enjoy content, are new fans being made daily? Is this a rise in anime fan population that we aren't properly addressing?

North American anime release schedule

2012-02-01T13:00:00.001-08:00

Wondering what's going to see release in the next few months here in North America? Check out a handy release date guide below!

Check out the rundown for subsequent months here

Do you have an anime wallpaper collection?

2012-01-31T14:30:00.001-08:00

The image you see above is my current wallpaper. I went on a hunt for Redline wallpapers after watching the film last night. I'll have my review of Redline a bit later, but right now I'd like to discuss the wide world of anime wallpapers.

Over the years, I've had tons and tons of anime wallpapers. It's very hard for me to watch an anime and not find something to love, be it story or artwork. That usually leads me to grabbing an anime for it and keeping it up on my computer for a month or two.

Even if I didn't love an anime, I can usually appreciate the artwork for it. I really think it's easier to appreciate anime because there's so many elements to latch onto. Story and visuals can be separated or looked at as the whole picture, which makes up some pretty unique memories.

Unfortunately, over teh years I haven't been holding onto the wallpapers I used to use. They've found themselves left on old computers or deleted in favor of cleaning up my PC. Now I long for a collection of my anime wallpapers from all these years.

Do you archive your anime wallpapers? How often do you switch between them? Do you have an absolute favorite?

2012-01-31T12:36:00.001-08:00

That one time my Dad talked to me about anime

2012-01-30T15:57:00.000-08:00

My mother and sister are both into anime. They don't hunt out shows or films to watch on their own, but they're more than willing to check out whatever content I bring their way. I actually just got my sister to wrap up Angel Beats, which she absolutely loved. I really love sharing anime with my family members, but my Dad has always been the odd man out.

He just doesn't seem to have any interest in anime, or most animation for that matter. He likes old cartoons, but hasn't watched a new cartoon in a very long time. I don't know what it is that keeps him from checking out animated features, and I don't think he knows either. That's why I was so surprised to hear from him this weekend concerning anime.

I don't know what channel he was watching, but he happened to see a commercial for the Disney release of The Secret World of Arrietty, which is a Studio Ghibli. He caught the commercial and it really happened to catch his eye. He liked it so much that he actually called to ask me all about it. Looks like he's finally found an animated film he actually wants to see, and it's anime at that!

When was the last time you had a parent show interest in anime? Are your parents into anime or do they have really misguided ideas as to what it is?

The Question 12/30: What anime did you check out this weekend?

2012-01-30T13:37:00.000-08:00

I've got a bit of weird story for my weekend anime interactions. I actually didn't watch any anime due to being so busy, but still anime managed to sneak its way into my life. Oddly enough, the connection to anime came from my Dad! I'll be sharing that story a bit later today.

For now, I'd love to hear what anime you checked out over the weekend! Did you take a few hours to catch up on something in your backlog? Are you keeping up-to-date with the latest localized releases or shows airing in Japan? Leave a comment and let us know!

Cowboy Bebop director, composer reunite for 'Sakamichi no Apollon'

2012-01-27T12:57:00.000-08:00

Reuniting Cowboy Bebop staff is automatically a way to get me interested in an anime. Count me in for this one!

Berserk: Golden Age I - Egg of the Supreme King -- 6 minute trailer

2012-01-26T15:36:00.001-08:00

Tokitowa could be the closest thing to playing an anime yet

2012-01-25T12:19:00.000-08:00

You seriously have to check out this trailer for Tokitowa, an upcoming PS3 RPG. The team behind the project has been very vocal about their graphics engine, noting just how close it is to true anime. Don't be fooled by the profile scenes. The real amazing stuff comes in from the short gameplay blips.

Yes, the scenes of characters running around and fighting is actually gameplay and not just a video. That looks seriously impressive to me. I'm not much of an RPG fan, but now I'm dying for this to get localized.

The pressure of unauthorized anime broadcasts

2012-01-24T13:32:00.000-08:00

There is an absolutely huge world of anime out there for us to take in. I can't even keep up with the shows I'm watching now, but every week I learn about more shows that I want to check out in the future. It's a never-ending list of content that I feel interested in, and that I cannot complain about.

The problems come up when you actually want to sit down and watch that anime. Here in the states, viewing anime isn't nearly as easy as it is in Japan. I completely understand why that's the case, but it doesn't make it any easier being a fan here. You have to take what becomes available.

There are sites that stream anime legally, and there are also a bunch of officially localized DVDs and Blu-ray options out there. While that's all well and good, that doesn't mean you're always going to find that show that you want to see. Sometimes what you want just doesn't get localized.

There are other issues as well. Online options are never a sure thing. You could be watching a series on Netflix one week, and then the next it disappears from the lineup. The same can be said with Hulu or other streaming services. That leaves you hanging in the middle of a series with hardly any options. Even DVD and Blu-ray releases can be limited, making them quite hard to find. That pushes up prices, and paying $200 for a single DVD just doesn't make sense.

How do you combat the constant push to try alternative methods to support your anime habit? Are you against the illegal side of things or do you fully support it? How do you feel about fan translations in general? Is torrenting your main method of anime intake?

I really need to watch Bakemonogatari

2012-01-23T17:06:00.000-08:00

Caution: This footage shows some major spoilers for Bakemonogatari. I didn't even realize that until watching it, but with that said, I want to see this series even more now!

The style and level of animation are absolutely gorgeous, in my opinion. If you're a guy or gal that has checked out this series, please let me know if it's worth the time! Unfortunately, it looks like an official localization just isn't going to happen.

The Question 1/23: What anime did you check out this weekend?

2012-01-23T13:26:00.000-08:00

You want to know how busy I've been lately? I have been meaning to sit down and watch Redline, but I was waiting for it to actually come out. The problem is, the movie came out without me even noticing that the launch date has come and gone! I had been thinking that it was 'coming soon' for so long that the real release passed me up.

I've made good on my mistake though, as I just ordered the film off of Amazon. It should be here later in the week, and it'll definitely be a weekend viewing for me. That'll make up for my lack of anime fun this weekend. That, and the fact that I was feeling pretty damn sick.

I hope you are feeling healthy and managed to have some anime time over the weekend! What did you check out on your days off?

The SMOSH gang puts together a Death Note spoof

2012-01-22T11:54:00.000-08:00

Believe it or not, one of the members of SMOSH is a fan of my other blog, GoNintendo. I got to talking to one of the members, and we've become quite good email friends! Our emails lead to a discussion of Death Note, which they checked out on my recommendation. Luckily, they loved the show! Now I see they loved it so much that they made a spoof!

Just incase you're unfamiliar, SMOSH is the #3 most subscribed to YouTube channel out there!

Slam Dunk fans recreate anime intro with shot-for-shot live action adaption

2012-01-19T13:13:00.000-08:00

Anime fans...stop SOPA/PIPA!

2012-01-18T11:42:00.001-08:00

PROTECT IP / SOPA Breaks The Internet from Fight for the Future on Vimeo.

Infographic: A look at the Japanese Spring 2012 anime lineup

2012-01-17T14:20:00.000-08:00

Link

The sights of Anime Los Angeles

2012-01-17T12:00:00.000-08:00

I have a resolution for 2012. I need to make sure I get to at least one anime convention this year. I haven't been to an anime convention in a very, very long time. I'd love to get in on one, so I need to figure out what's the best option for me!

Anime Los Angeles is already out of the running, seeing as how it's happened already! If you're interested in seeing some of the sights of the event, check out the gallery of photos below. Certainly looks like all that attended had a great time!

Check out the full gallery here

The Question 1/16: What anime did you check out this weekend?

2012-01-16T11:50:00.000-08:00

I had a very busy weekend, which you might have been able to tell from the lack of updates on the anime blog. Things always sneak up on me and steal my time! I have grand plans of playing games and watching anime, but those quickly fall apart as the weekend sets itself into motion.

Hopefully you guys and gals had a better chance than I did. Did you check out any anime this weekend? What shows have you been pouring your time into? Did you have anime plans that fell through as well? Leave a comment on the blog or send over a Tweet and let us know!

A look at the Blade anime adaptation

2012-01-13T11:50:00.001-08:00

Yet another comic book/movie series turned into an anime! Here's a quick look at what you can expect from the anime adaptation.

Get More: Movie Trailers, Movies Blog

Direct link here

Sentai Filmworks & Maiden Japan Announce April Anime Release Slate

2012-01-12T15:08:00.001-08:00

Distributor Section 23 Films has let loose with the release slate we’ll see from both Sentai Filmworks and Maiden Japan come April 2012, some of which we already knew since they were new licensing announcements we just got yesterday. Those new ones included Motto to Love Ru and Polyphonica Crimson S, which were definitely nice pickups for those that enjoyed the previous incarnations and wanted more of it. But there’s more to be had beyond that. The Geneon license rescue of Someday’s Dreamers gets formalized here and we finally get a release for Infinite Stratos, which after a good bit of time in the digital realm is getting a DVD and Blu-ray release, which means an English language dub as well. Of particular interest to me and several others though is the inclusion of the third installment of Golgo 13 which will arrive, bilingual, in April as well, giving hope to finishing out the series in 2012. Check below for the full details:

Coming April 2012

Title: MOTTO TO LOVERU COMPLETE COLLECTION
Published by: Sentai Filmworks
Distributed by: Section23 Films
Run Time: 300 min.
Street Date: 4/3/2012
Format: DVD
Language: Japanese with English Subtitles
SRP: $49.98

SYNOPSIS: The insanity that began when a very naked (and very female) alien teleported into Rito Yuki’s bathtub (while he was in it) continues. And even though Princess Lala has finally started to admit her true feelings for the young man she’s inexplicably engaged to marry (as a result of what happened in said bathtub and Develuke customs,) her sometimes erratic technology and the snags and snarls of intergalactic politics and intrigue are still causing major problems. That transporter? Yeah, it still has the nasty habit of leaving the clothes behind. Alien bounty hunters? Yep, even more of them and they’re even more devious. Add body switches, alien skunks, a bathroom that changes size and shape, the inevitable sleepover that you just know it’s going to go horribly, horribly wrong (spoiler: it does.) Worst of all, there’s Valentine’s Day, and even in space you’ll be able to hear Rito scream! Love takes a quantum shift into the wrong gear and the star brakes are broken in the extra-special, extra-crazy extraterrestrial romance to end them all, MOTTO TO LOVE RU – The Complete Collection!!!

Title: POLYPHONICA CRIMSON S COMPLETE COLLECTION
Published by: Maiden Japan
Distributed by: Section23 Films
Run Time: 300 min.
Street Date: 4/3/2012
Format: DVD
Language: Japanese with English Subtitles
SRP: $49.98

SYNOPSIS: To bring law and order you need police, to make music you need musicians, and to make the former using the latter, you need a Dantist! Ever since he was visited by a mysterious spirit as a boy, Phoron’s wanted to become one of the elite battle bards who watch over the continent of Polyphonica. Yet even though he’s mastered the basic skills for singing the Commandia spells and operating a One-Man Orchestra, he’s been unable to summon the required spirit companion because of a promise he made to that first spirit: to sing only for her. But that silence is shattered and Phoron’s musical meanderings are over when his supernatural partner suddenly returns, intent on finalizing the ‘contract’ they made twelve years ago! Which would be great except for one thing: she’s not just any spirit, but the dreaded Corticarte, the Crimson Annihilator! But what the heck, sometimes you just you just have to grit your teeth and duet! Get ready for a musical partnership with more than its share of discord and a distinctly martial beat in Polyphonica Crimson S!

Title: INFINITE STRATOS COMPLETE COLLECTION
Published by: Sentai Filmworks
Distributed by: Section23 Films
Run Time: 325 min.
Street Date: 4/10/2012
Format: DVD
Language: English & Japanese with English Subtitles
SRP: $59.98

SYNOPSIS: Ten years ago, the development of the revolutionary Infinite Stratos powered exoskeleton changed the world’s balance of power overnight. Unfortunately, while the distribution of IS systems to every nation on Earth HAS ushered in a new era of peace, the fact that only women have thus far been able to pilot the Stratos systems has sent the relationship between the XX and XY-chromosomed halves of the human race into a spiraling tailspin! So when fifteen-year-old Ichika Orimura is suddenly discovered to be the first male with the ability to control an IS, whatever plans he might have had for his own future are tossed out the window even as he’s thrown to the wolves and enrolled at the otherwise entirely female Infinite Stratos Academy by order of the Japanese government! It’s One Boy Vs. All the Girls as Ichika get taken for a ride on some serious heavy metal in INFINITE STRATOS – The Complete Collection!

Title: INFINITE STRATOS COMPLETE COLLECTION BLU-RAY
Published by: Sentai Filmworks
Distributed by: Section23 Films
Run Time: 325 min.
Street Date: 4/10/2012
Format: BD
Language: English & Japanese with English Subtitles
SRP: $69.98

SYNOPSIS: Ten years ago, the development of the revolutionary Infinite Stratos powered exoskeleton changed the world’s balance of power overnight. Unfortunately, while the distribution of IS systems to every nation on Earth HAS ushered in a new era of peace, the fact that only women have thus far been able to pilot the Stratos systems has sent the relationship between the XX and XY-chromosomed halves of the human race into a spiraling tailspin! So when fifteen-year-old Ichika Orimura is suddenly discovered to be the first male with the ability to control an IS, whatever plans he might have had for his own future are tossed out the window even as he’s thrown to the wolves and enrolled at the otherwise entirely female Infinite Stratos Academy by order of the Japanese government! It’s One Boy Vs. All the Girls as Ichika get taken for a ride on some serious heavy metal in INFINITE STRATOS – The Complete Collection!

Title: SOMEDAY’S DREAMERS COMPLETE COLLECTION
Published by: Sentai Filmworks
Distributed by: Section23 Films
Run Time: 300 min.
Street Date: 4/17/2012
Format: DVD
Language: English & Japanese with English Subtitles
SRP: $49.98

SYNOPSIS: When can flunking a spelling test cause major problems? When you’re learning how to use magic, of course! And that’s exactly the situation fifteen-year-old Yume Kikuchi finds herself in when she travels to Tokyo to begin her apprenticeship as a licensed magic user. Unfortunately, Yume’s a country girl in the big city for the first time and there are a lot of new-fangled ideas to get used to. Like her new mentor, Oyamada, turning out to be a man instead of the expected woman! Add to that the fact that Yume’s not really very confident about her abilities to achieve her goal of a magic license and she might just jinx herself into failing! It will take a lot of helping hands from her equally challenged fellow students and even more aid from her teachers if she’s going to succeed, but in the end, the most important lesson she’ll learn may not even be about spellcasting. The process of growing up and discovering what lies inside your own heart is the most wonderful magic of all in SOMEDAY’S DREAMERS – THE COMPLETE COLLECTION!

Title: GOLGO 13 COLLECTION 3
Published by: Sentai Filmworks
Distributed by: Section23 Films
Run Time: 300 min.
Street Date: 4/24/2012
Format: DVD
Language: English & Japanese with English Subtitles
SRP: $59.98

SYNOPSIS: He never misses his target. No one has ever seen him kill and lived to speak of it. Any witnesses-beautiful woman or stray cat-become just collateral damage, part of the job. And now Golgo 13 is back with some of his most heartless cases ever. The targets this time? Accident survivors turned mindless terrorists. A disgraced politician’s mistress. A Trump-like CEO. Ocean pirates with a sniper of their own. And in the strangest assignment of all time, Golgo is hired to take out an 1800 Romanée-Monts Luisants. (Yes, he’s going to kill a bottle of wine.) Solve the puzzles-if you can-in the most mysterious, action-packed shoot-’em-up ever!

FUNimation email - 45% Off on Hetalia: World Series on Amazon

2012-01-12T12:16:00.001-08:00

Another series I've heard much about but haven't actually seen. With all these price drops and limited-time sales, I think I might need to blindly jump in on some content!

Kimi ni todoke Vol. 1 Premium Edition is now shipping to North American retailers

2012-01-11T12:39:00.000-08:00

We are happy to announce that kimi ni todoke -From Me to You- Volume 1 Premium Edition is now shipping across North America to select online retailers: Right Stuf, The Anime Corner Store, Anime Pavilion, Anime Castle, and The NIS America Online Store.

NIS America has been sending over anime-related press releases to me. I have to admit, I am not familiar with the anime above. Anyone care to fill me in on the finer details?

Sometimes it takes a second...third...fourth...fifth viewing

2012-01-10T11:07:00.001-08:00

I am not someone to admit defeat right away. I don't hit a wall and automatically give up on the task at hand. Without any pushback, life would be pretty boring! Working hard and persevering can be a wonderful thing for your mindset. Just keep at it and you'll get through your struggles!

I like to take this same approach with some anime. I personally don't need a lot to be impressed or entertain when it comes to TV/anime/video games. It's hard for me to not get some enjoyment out of a series or movie, so I really don't have to apply this rule to myself.

I do like to push that idea on others when it comes to certain anime. There are features out there that I know people will love, but they automatically shoot it down in the early stages. Making up your mind about a series after one episode just doesn't make any sense to me. You have to give time to let things grow, and you never know where the series will take you.

I just voiced this opinion with my sister and FLCL. She gave it a shot and just couldn't take its approach. I know that FLCL isn't for everyone, but with that said, I know that my sister will love it. She just has to get through the first episode and into the story itself. She's going to give it another shot based on our discussion, and I really hope this time she sticks with it.

What anime have you watched that just didn't click until multiple viewings had passed?

Fragile Dreams - The ultimate anime game

2012-01-09T13:47:00.001-08:00

It just dawned on me over the weekend. I've been running an anime blog for half a year now, and somehow I haven't managed to talk about Fragile Dreams. I completely screwed up on this one. Fragile Dreams is the perfect blend of both video games and anime, and it certainly deserves to have some features on the site.

Before I actually write out those features, I want to ask a few questions. Are you interested in anime-style video games? Do you own a Wii? Would you like to learn more about this Wii title and how it plays out perfectly for an anime fan? I don't want to put together features on the title if you're not interested in checking it out or learning more.

I promise, even if you don't like video games, you're going to love Fragile Dreams. It plays out more like an anime than any other title I've seen, and it tugs at the heartstrings so hard that you might have to get a few replaced. It's a game that may very well change your line of thinking on a number of topics. It can also really make you appreciate life in new ways.

The Question 1/9 - What did you watch this weekend?

2012-01-09T11:19:00.000-08:00

Again, I had another weekend that was just too busy to watch anime, but with my new plan of tackling shows one at a time, I know I'll be able to handle my viewing in a much better manner. It should also open up time during the week (late night) to view those shows I have lined up.

What I did do this weekend was share another anime with my sister. With every anime I show her, she trusts my judgment a little more. I really won her over with Angel Beats, so now I'm bringing her back to something that is a little less fresh on the market.

The show would be Birdy the Mighty, which I've talked about at great length on the site. I really think she's going to love it. My sister likes to watch anime that features love stories or some sort of connection between two characters, and Birdy definitely has that. You just have to keep with the series to see it grow.

Can't wait to hear what she thinks of it! For now, I'd really like to hear what you guys watched over the weekend!

NIS America announces kimi ni todoke -From Me to You- Volume 2 Premium Edition and new Standard Editions

2012-01-08T14:55:00.000-08:00

Santa Ana, CA (January 6, 2012) - NIS America announced today that their popular anime titles, PandoraHearts, PERSONA -trinity soul- and Our Home’s Fox Deity, will be available in standard edition packaging. Each standard edition set will come with the same bonus tracks and features as the premium edition, and a story guide leaflet for a quick overview of each episode. The standard editions are being made available to give our fans even more affordable options! Pandorahearts, PERSONA -trinity soul-, and Our Home’s Fox Deity Standard Editions (Volumes 1 and 2) will be available on January 24 at select online retailers, Right Stuf, The Anime Corner Store, Anime Pavilion, Anime Castle, and NIS America Online Store

NIS America proudly announced today that the high school romance kimi ni todoke -From Me to YouVolume 2 Premium Edition will be available in North America in April. In kimi ni todoke -From Me to You-, you will see how Sawako handles the realization that her feelings toward Kazehaya are romantic. Everybody’s first high school crush is always bittersweet. Sawako’s journey of love, friendship, and self-discovery will be packed into 2 Blu-ray discs and 2 DVDs. The premium edition comes in a highly collectible sturdy slipcase with the hardcover art book, Our Memories, a collection of memories from the main characters in kimi ni todoke -From Me to You-. Preorder at select online retailers: Right Stuf, The Anime Corner Store, Anime Pavilion, Anime Castle, and NIS America’s Online Store.

Your weekly WTF - Nimu Nimu Nimu Nimu...

2012-01-07T15:12:00.001-08:00

How long can you Nimu?

Happy 71st birthday, Miyazaki!

2012-01-06T15:16:00.001-08:00

Okay, technically Miyazaki's birthday was yesterday, but we can still wish the man a happy 71st, can't we?! I promise, if I knew him in person I would have remembered his birthday on the actual date!

I thought I'd put up this post in order to see you guys and gals share some of your favorite Miyazaki moments. The man is an absolute legend when it comes to anime films, with his works being recognized around the world for their quality and heartfelt nature. His body of work is amazing, and I'm guessing you have quite a few favorite moments.

What's your favorite Miyazaki film? What about your favorite character or moment? Leave a comment or send a tweet!

Falling in love with a fictional band

2012-01-06T12:49:00.000-08:00

I don't know if I've ever mentioned this on the blog, but I'm very, very picky when it comes to music. I won't put anyone down for listening to what they enjoy, but it's quite hard for me to find music that I really like to listen to. Imagine my surprise when I stumbled upon a band that I loved, but they're a fictional anime group.

The song above is performed by Girls Dead Monster, a fictional band inside the world of Angel Beats. The band plays an important part in the Angel Beats story, but we also get to hear them perform a number of songs. I'll be damned if they aren't a fun, upbeat band!

Yes, the music in the band is performed by two real-life musicians that can perform live, but it's not like the Girls Dead Monster band actually exists. That will only live inside the anime itself, and I doubt we'll ever hear another round of tracks from this band.

At least I can enjoy 15 tracks from Girls Dead Monster, thanks to a supplemental soundtrack release that accompanied Angel Beats. Girls Dead Monster may not be a real band, but they did get an album release. Those 15 tracks will always have a place in my iTunes library. They'll just make me sad when I hear them!

Best part about all of this? My sister came to me on her own and told me she really loved the band in Angel Beats. That's without any prodding or comment from me. Glad to know others really dig the music as well! I suggest hitting up YouTube to check out some more of their tunes.

NIS America announces BRAVE10

2012-01-05T16:12:00.001-08:00

NIS America is happy to announce our newly acquired anime title BRAVE10! It’s the heart-pounding story of a group of ninjas who will change the course of Japanese history forever! The story itself is a modernized interpretation of Sanada Ten Braves, a historically popular novel in Japan.

About BRAVE10:
A young ninja named Saizo Kirigakure is trying to find meaning and direction in his life when he encounters Isanami, who is fleeing from assassins. He manages to save her life, and she then asks him to act as her bodyguard until she reaches her destination. When they arrive in the protected territory of Sanada, Saizo falls into a meeting with Sasuke Sarutobi, leader of the famed ninja group. Sanada has gathered these bold and talented ninjas together in order to bring an end to Japan’s era of war. Meanwhile, Isanami’s mysterious hidden power comes to light... The untold story of these brave ten will come to life in this action-packed battle anime, BRAVE10.

Akira live-action adaptation hits a roadblock yet again

2012-01-05T12:43:00.000-08:00

Were you not into the live-action Akira adaptation that we talked about a few weeks back? If you cross your fingers really tightly, the whole plan for the movie might go away. Believe it or not, plans for the film have once again hit a major snag.

The production offices of the film have actually been closed down now at the request of Warner Bros.. All employees were told to go home while some more issues were worked out with the script. What issues have cropped up this time? Turns out it's all related to money.

Warner Bros. feels the movie's budget just isn't in line with what they can pull off, or what the project is worth in general. The budget currently sits at $90 million, which was a steep jump down from the $180 million budget that was originally proposed. Just where does Warner Bros. want the budget to go now?

The project can move ahead if script rewrites and shifts allow for a budget of $60 to $70 million. There will be two weeks' time where this budget can be reworked, but if the goal isn't met by the end of that time, the movie could be shelved indefinitely once again.

Some might say that's not such a bad thing.

Sentai Filmworks Licenses Someday's Dreamers

2012-01-04T14:26:00.001-08:00

HOUSTON, January 4, 2012— Sentai Filmworks is pleased to announce the recent acquisition of the anime classic SOMEDAY'S DREAMERS. Based on the hit manga by Kumichi Yoshizuki and Norie Yamada (originally released in North America by Tokyo Pop,) and with script supervision by co-creator Yamada, the twelve episode series was directed by Masami Shimoda (Boys Be..., 11 Eyes, Polyphonica) with character design adaptations by Michinori Chiba and Nobue Yoshinaga.

When can flunking a spelling test cause major problems? When you're learning how to use magic, of course! And that's exactly the situation fifteen-year-old Yume Kikuchi finds herself in when she travels to Tokyo to begin her apprenticeship as a licensed magic user. Unfortunately, Yume's a country girl in the big city for the first time and there are a lot of new-fangled ideas to get used to. Like her new mentor, Oyamada, turning out to be a man instead of the expected woman! Add to that the fact that Yume's not really very confident about her abilities to achieve her goal of a magic license and she might just jinx herself into failing! It will take a lot of helping hands from her equally challenged fellow students and even more aid from her teachers if she's going to succeed, but in the end, the most important lesson she'll learn may not even be about spellcasting. The process of growing up and discovering what lies inside your own heart is the most wonderful magic of all in SOMEDAY'S DREAMERS – THE COMPLETE COLLECTION!

SOMEDAY'S DREAMERS will soon be available digitally through many outlets, with a home video release this spring on DVD.

PR email

Direct, literal and liberal translations

2012-01-04T11:59:00.000-08:00

Apparently, it's very hard to translate anime and manga into something that makes sense in English. As we've seen time and time again in multiple features, dialog goes through some major changes as it gets translated and moved around from Japanese to English.

The comic above really does speak volumes for the state of translations right now. There are a few companies that do a great job of putting together translations that both play out well and seem to have a natural flow to them. Then there's the translations that take things too far in one direction or the other.

If I had to pick which I dislike more, I'd have to say that translations striving to be 'cool' are much worse than those that throw in heaping handfuls of Japanese verbiage. I don't need to hear curse words where there weren't any. I don't need characters to use phrases that are up-to-date with the teens of today. I don't want timely topics inserted into dialog where they needn't be.

Looking at the comic above, do you think it accurately portrays the dub and sub scene going on right now? Can you point out any huge offenders, or perhaps some features that buck the trend?

Set aside your money now for Grave of the Fireflies

2012-01-03T13:38:00.000-08:00

We posted up the press release awhile back, but I wanted to make sure I talked about this separately from that post. Grave of the Fireflies is going to see a re-release, thanks to Sentai Filmworks. The title will get a DVD/Blu-ray release, as well as a digital and on-demand option. Trust me, this is a film that any anime fan needs to own.

I've given my review of the film already, and hopefully my passion for it came through. I've seen a ton of anime in my life, and in that mix were some series' and films that were life-changing. Without a doubt, Grave of the Fireflies is at the top of that list. It completely altered my way of thinking.

I can't think of any other film, be it live action or animated, that touched me the way Grave of the Fireflies did. I promise you, it's going to make you take a few steps back from your day to day life. It'll make you quite introspective, and I'm sure you'll come away with a renewed appreciation for the life you live.

It's a very tough film to watch, content-wise. You're not going to like everything you see, but it all boils up into a very important message. Even if you think historical and war films aren't for you (like I did), push those feelings aside. This is a story about love, family, and just how precious life is.

Missing out on Grave of the Fireflies with this fantastic second chance would be a travesty.

My first anime of 2012 starts tonight: Clannad

2012-01-03T11:42:00.000-08:00

I'm going to do a much better job of chronicling the anime that I watch this year. I'm also going to make it a point to start and finish a series before I jump into a new one. I screwed myself over by jumping all over the place with anime last year. This year a better focus will help me to understand and appreciate the shows I'm watching.

As I said a few days back, I was lucky enough to get the Blu-ray version of Clannad for Christmas. It's not exactly the cheapest set, which is why I was surprised to actually get it as a gift. I plan to put the series to good use now, and I figure it's perfect to kick off the new year with.

I continue to hear great things about Clannad. The thing is, I've been trying to stay away from big details on the series. I've been basing my interest on impressions that others have posted online. It seems that the series manages to pull an emotional response from even the most hardened viewers out there, which signifies something special to me.

Was Clannad worth your time? Leave a comment and let me know. I'm going to let you know if I find it worth my time later tonight!

The Question 1/2 - What did you watch this weekend?

2012-01-02T11:47:00.000-08:00

The New Year is upon us! I can't believe how quickly it snuck up. I had so much that I wanted to get done in 2012 that I simply didn't have time to do. That includes a lot of anime watching. Maybe that will chance in 2012? I plan to try and make that happen!

Did you get to check out any anime over the weekend? I'm sure most of you were busy partying it up with family and friends, but maybe a few anime minutes managed to squeeze their way in. Leave a comment and let us know!

Personally, I didn't get a chance to watch any anime. I did happen to have a few conversations about anime though! That has to count for something...right?!

The first anime you'll check out in 2012

2012-01-01T11:25:00.000-08:00

Hey gang, happy new year to all of you! We made it into the next year, and I'm sure it's going to be chock-full of new anime greatness! There will be new Japanese shows and localizations that capture our hearts and minds, and I personally cannot wait to dive into that content!

Just because 2011 is over doesn't mean that we're all through with the shows that landed here last year. There are plenty of series that I need to get into. They've been sitting on my shelves or have been bookmarked for viewing later, and 2012 is my chance to catch up on those.

I want to make sure I set the tone for 2012 in a way that really starts things off with a bang. I have a few choices on which anime to start viewing first, but I haven't made my final decision yet. Something tells me that I should go with Clannad, since I hear so many great things about it!

What's the first anime you're going to watch in 2012? Maybe you've already started some anime viewing! Let us know what you're going to pick...or what you've already seen!

What was your favorite anime of 2011?

2011-12-30T12:17:00.001-08:00

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

2011-12-29T11:59:00.001-08:00

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!

2011-12-28T12:40:00.001-08:00

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

2011-12-27T13:11:00.001-08:00

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?

2011-12-26T11:42:00.000-08:00

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!

2011-12-25T07:43:00.000-08:00

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?

2011-12-23T11:58:00.000-08:00

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?

2011-12-22T14:05:00.001-08:00

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

2011-12-21T12:47:00.001-08:00

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

2011-12-20T13:08:00.000-08:00

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

2011-12-19T19:20:00.001-08:00

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

2011-12-19T15:17:00.000-08:00

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?

2011-12-19T13:13:00.000-08:00

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

2011-12-17T15:26:00.001-08:00

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

2011-12-16T12:39:00.001-08:00

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

2011-12-15T18:35:00.000-08:00

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

2011-12-15T12:22:00.000-08:00

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

2011-12-14T14:52:00.000-08:00

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

2011-12-14T13:17:00.000-08:00

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

2011-12-13T13:10:00.000-08:00

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

2011-12-12T16:08:00.000-08:00

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?

2011-12-12T13:16:00.001-08:00

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

2011-12-11T09:56:00.001-08:00

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

2011-12-10T18:21:00.001-08:00

Subtitles and You: Reading the Action

2011-12-09T12:58:00.000-08:00

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

2011-12-08T15:45:00.000-08:00

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

2011-12-08T13:23:00.000-08:00

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

2011-12-07T14:45:00.001-08:00

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

2011-12-07T12:12:00.000-08:00

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

2011-12-06T13:04:00.001-08:00

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
Get More: Daily Show Full Episodes,Political Humor & Satire Blog,The Daily Show on Facebook

Japan's Big O Blu-ray box makes me very jealous

2011-12-05T15:44:00.000-08:00

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

2011-12-05T13:41:00.000-08:00

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?

2011-12-05T11:26:00.001-08:00

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

2011-12-04T10:24:00.000-08:00

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)

2011-12-03T19:35:00.000-08:00

TV show Community does an anime tribute

2011-12-03T15:29:00.001-08:00

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!

2011-12-03T11:36:00.000-08:00

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

2011-12-02T15:45:00.000-08:00

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...

2011-12-02T12:52:00.000-08:00

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"

2011-12-01T15:39:00.001-08:00

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?

2011-12-01T13:04:00.000-08:00

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?

Okay, now I believe Redline is really coming out

2011-11-30T16:54:00.000-08:00

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?