It seems, by now, that Blu-Ray rocked HD DVDs in the market war. Now that that battle has ended, some interesting new trends are arising...
According to a marketing company named GFK, 64% of all Japanese Blu-Ray sales are for anime. No surprise that in the country of Anime, Hollywood blockbusters aren't all the rage. Still, 64% is a significatn part of the market share.
Apparently, Blu-Ray anime sales totalled 3.8 Billion Yen in one 9 month period ($42.86 Million USD). If my trend hunch is on point, I'd want to recommend to you all that it's never too late to put that PS3 on your Holiday Wish-List. =c)
Here's a press release from Viz about new "edgy" mangas that are out. 2009 is upon us, so this might not be the latest news, but I'm all about edgy. I'm wondering if any of you might have any favorites from this list, or want to post a review of any of these new mangas. Let me know. I'd love to hear what you guys think. And of course, if you haven't yet heard about these new releases, take a peak:
New Releases Offer A Variety Of Intriguing Fantasy/Action Adventure Tales As Well As New Shojo Titles With A Twist From Internationally Acclaimed Creators
San Francisco, CA, NOVEMBER 21, 2008 – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), one of the entertainment industry’s most innovative and comprehensive publishing, animation and licensing companies, has announced several eagerly awaited new manga series scheduled for release throughout the Fourth Quarter of 2008.
Seven new series are set to debut, beginning this month, and feature a variety of captivating stories designed to appeal to Teen and Older Teen readers. The new series include BLANK SLATE, NORA: THE LAST CHRONICLE OF DEVILDOM, SOLANIN, CAPTIVE HEARTS, GABA KAWA, WE WERE THERE and ST. DRAGON GIRL.
“We are looking forward to bringing a diverse range of titles in Q4 which will range from slice-of-life stories to romance and more!” says Evelyn Dubocq, Sr. Director of Public Relations, VIZ Media. “As the 2008 holiday season approaches, manga fans will have multiple strong VIZ Media releases to choose from in every genre.”
SOLANIN • Rated “T+” for Older Teens • MSRP: $17.99 US / $21.00 CAN Available Now!
College graduates struggle to cope with the real world and music offers refuge in this modern manga with an American indie comic attitude. Meiko Inoue is a recent college grad working in a job that she hates and having issues with her freeloading boyfriend. Straddling the line between her years as a student and the rest of her life, Meiko struggles with the feeling that she's just not cut out to be a part of the real world.
SOLANIN was written and illustrated by award-winning creator Inio Asano and was originally published as a two-volume series but will be released by VIZ Media in a striking omnibus edition that includes six color pages. This touchingly realistic story was brought to life through Inio Asano’s distinctive art style and excellent writing. SOLANIN is part of VIZ Media’s Signature line, an imprint featuring manga for the experienced comic reader who seeks sophisticated stories with exceptional art.
NORA: THE LAST CHRONICLE OF DEVILDOM • Rated “T+” for Older Teens • MSRP: $7.99 US / $9.50 CAN • Available Now!
Nora, an unruly demon, has defied his Dark Liege one too many times. For the sake of his "education," Nora is sent to live among mortals and enters a bond of servitude with cool-as-ice star student Kazuma Makkari. But this relationship is destined to become a match made in Hell. Kazuma now must learn the ways of the underworld while Nora discovers more about the "real world" than he ever thought possible. When the seal for Nora's form is released he becomes Cerberus, the vicious dog of disaster. But Nora can only use magic when Kazuma grants him permission, and he doesn't grant it easily. The Dark Liege wants the pair to team up and crack down on renegade demon factions in the human world, but first they must find a way to get along. NORA: THE LAST CHRONICLE OF DEVILDOM is Kazunari Kakei's first manga series and originally debuted in Japan’s Monthly Shonen Jump magazine. Blending the conceptual appeal of supernatural cliffhangers like DEATH NOTE with the aesthetic design elements of manga series like FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST, the series will appeal to fans of character-based, supernatural genre franchises like Hellblazer and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. In Japan, the popularity of NORA: THE LAST CHRONICLE OF DEVILDOM eventually spawned a second series called SUREBREC: NORA the 2nd, which also premiered in Monthly Shonen Jump.
BLANK SLATE • Rated “T+” for Older Teens • MSRP: $8.99 US / $10.50 CAN • Available Now!
BLANK SLATE is an edgy new shojo manga series by Aya Kanno that heightens the level of drama with plenty of social and political intrigue. Zen's memory has been wiped, and he can't remember if he's a killer or hero, and a lot of people want to keep it that way. Zen's unearthly charm attracts a veritable rogues' gallery of mysterious and shady characters, each with their own agenda. A bounty hunter becomes obsessed enough to become Zen’s new partner, while the daughter of a prominent General treats him like some sort of guru. But when Zen meets a mysterious doctor who may know him from the past, he learns that the real secret of his lost memory is definitely more sinister than saintly. Creator Aya Kanno first came to the attention of North American fans with her manga, SOUL RESCUE, and her latest series, OTOMEN, is currently serialized in Japan's popular BetsuHana magazine and is set to be published by VIZ Media in early 2009.
WE WERE THERE • Rated “T+” for Older Teens • MSRP: $8.99 US / $10.50 CAN • Available Now!
WE WERE THERE is a best-selling shojo manga by Yuki Obata that depicts the life of a high school freshman named Nanami Takahashi as she falls for Motoharu Yano, the most popular, carefree boy in class. For Nanami, it's first love, but Yano is still grieving the death of his girlfriend who died tragically the year before. Nanami begins high school with big hopes of making new friends. But as her crush on Yano intensifies, she soon learns that he may have too many secrets for her to handle. WE WERE THERE was a smash hit in Japan, with volume one being reprinted an amazing 22 times in only three years, and the manga was also developed into a popular animated series. Creator Yuki Obata won the Shogakukan Shinjin Comics Taisho Kasaku Award in 1998 for her debut, RAINDROPS, and she went on to win the prestigious 50th Shogakukan Manga Award for WE WERE THERE.
CAPTIVE HEARTS • Rated “T” for Teens • MSRP: $8.99 US / $10.50 CAN • Available Now!
CAPTIVE HEARTS is one of the major manga releases by Matsuri Hino that first established her as one of the top creators in the shojo genre. Carefree Megumi Kuroishi was living a life of luxury until the day a girl named Suzuka Kogami walked into his life. All of a sudden, Megumi finds himself kneeling at Suzuka's feet and prostrating himself like a servant! What Megumi doesn't initially know is that his family is cursed to follow the orders of the Kogami family. Can anything be done about Megumi's captive state or is he doomed to see Suzuka as his master forever? Matsuri Hino burst onto the manga scene with her first title WHEN THIS DREAM IS OVER, which was published in Japan’s monthly shojo manga magazine LaLa DX. She has gone on to gain international acclaim for her subsequent works like MERU PURI and the gothic-tinged VAMPIRE KNIGHT (both published domestically) and her ornate and eye-catching visual style has greatly impacted the manga scene both in Japan and North America as more fans discover her unique stories.
ST. DRAGON GIRL • Rated “T” for Teens • MSRP: $8.99 US / $10.50 CAN • Available December 2
Momoka Sendou, nicknamed "Dragon Girl,” and Ryuga Kou are childhood friends. Momoka is a skilled martial artist while Ryuga is a Chinese magic master who banishes demons. The action heightens when a demon serpent king that appears only once every hundred years to select a bride abducts Momoka's friend, Shunran. Will Momoka and Ryuga be able to defeat this powerful entity before Shunran is lost forever? In order to increase his power, Ryuga calls on the spirit of a dragon to possess him, but the spirit enters Momoka instead. Now the two must unite forces and fight the demon together in this exciting fantasy shojo adventure from Natsumi Matsumoto. St. Dragon Girl was a popular hit in Japan that also spawned a sequel, St. Dragon Girl Miracle.
GABA KAWA • Rated “T” for Teens • MSRP: $8.99 US / $10.50 CAN • December 2
Gaba Kawa is a new supernatural shojo story from Rie Takada, who also created the popular Happy Hustle High and Punch! (both available from VIZ Media). GABA KAWA introduces readers to Rara, a young and spunky female demon who is only supposed to cause mischief in the mortal world and draw humans to the dark path. She's not supposed to help mortals and definitely not supposed to fall in love with them! But that's just what happens when Rara enters high school, where a hot guy named Retsu Aku calls her "Gaba Kawa,” referring to someone who is so persistent, it’s cute. But while demons gain power by causing mischief, the opposite is also true – if Rara uses any of her powers to help mortals, she'll immediately lose that very power. And if she loses enough power, she'll disappear! What's a "Gaba Kawa" demon to do? Readers will delight in the funny and romantic answer.
Creator Rie Takada has captivated millions with her innovative shojo series PUNCH! and HAPPY HUSTLE HIGH, which have sold more than 80K copies in North America combined. Her whimsical artistic style, called chibi (meaning short person" or "small child"), is an exaggerated style of manga illustration that’s currently the rage in Japan and is characterized by hyper-cute and often very petite characters bursting with bubbly personalities. The style also lends to a fun degree of comedy and zaniness that further typifies the chibi genre. GABA KAWA was also serialized in VIZ Media’s SHOJO BEAT magazine
Big news for fans of one of the better anime series of the last few years, Eureka 7. A feature film, to be titled Eureka 7: Psalms of Planets, is in the works!
For those of you new to Eureka 7, Twitch offers up a better description than I can give:
Eureka Seven tells the story of a young boy named Renton, whose life just plain sucks. That is, until a giant robot crashes into his house. Piloted by a girl named Eureka, this encounter will lead Renton to be pursued by the military and pulled into a web of drama, intrigue, and non-stop action. Renton’s time to daydream is over.
Set against the backdrop of a military dictatorship, Eureka 7 takes a young boy and throws him into the middle of resistance fighters, the girl he’d be in love with if he knew what that meant at this stage of his life, and a giant robot. A bunch of giant robots, actually. It’s equal parts coming of age story and large scale action, as much about Renton figuring out what it means to grow up as it is about his fight for freedom, and in its best moments it plays an awful lot like Neon Genesis Evangelion with the whining and abstract mysticism stripped out. I like this show a lot and can’t wait to see what they do with the feature ...
Renton Thurston is a 14-year-old boy who lived with his mechanic grandfather in a backwater town. Every day he dreamed of being with the mercenary "Light Finding Operation (LFO)" aircraft pilot group "Gekkostate" and riding "Trapar" particle waves-- a sport called "reffing"-- with their charismatic leader Holland, especially when faced with his father's acclaimed past or his grandfather's desire to protect him. When a young girl named Eureka riding the original LFO, the "Nirvash typeZERO", asks his grandfather for a tune-up, she inadvertently brings the attention of the military to the garage; as a result, the garage is destroyed and Renton is forced to deliver a new type of interface-- the "Amita Drive"-- to the Nirvash. After a heated fight in which the Nirvash destroys the military LFOs by unleashing an immense amount of power, Renton is invited into Gekkostate. However, he quickly realizes that behind the facade of a traveling group of mercenaries is a very bitter reality.
According to Wikipedia, the film was announced in the May 2008 edition of Newtype and is set to be released during Golden Week in 2009. The creators say the film will still feature Renton and Eureka, but expect to see a new mythos. Hmm, could be interesting...
Japanamerica is an eye-opening book masterfully written by author Roland Kelts. And if you’ve found your way to this article, you’d most likely benefit from checking it out. As a newcomer to the world of anime, but a life-long lover of Japanese culture, this book helped me begin to make sense of all the anime that’s out there, how it got here, where it’s going, who’s reading it and why. I’ll readily admit to feeling a bit overwhelmed by the sheer volume of what’s currently available, but this book gave me a bit of history while bringing me up to date, and maybe even more importantly, raised some important questions about where anime’s headed.
“Cartoons? Aw, that’s kid stuff.” Being brought up in the United States, it’s safe to say that this sentiment is, for the most part, accurate. Only in the last decade did animated shows begin to make their way into our living rooms during the evening prime-time hours. They crept in slowly: MTV had Beavis and Butthead, The Simpsons piggybacked on Tracey Ullman, and Comedy Central pegged us in the face with that big wet snowball, South Park. Prior to this, animated shows were basically confined to Saturday mornings, and it’s audience was usually watching it in footsie pajamas. You can tell in less than five minutes by its complex plots, existential subtext, and philosophical quandaries, that anime’s got serious depth. Decidedly not kid stuff. While mainstream media would not be the first to admit it, Americans do have an appetite for more than our current animated fare. Cartoon Network has picked up on this by offering it’s adequately named Adult Swim lineup. Late-night shows ranging from Robot Chicken to Aqua Teen Hunger Force tap into a formula that the Japanese have had figured out for a while now: animation+adult subject matter= ratings and customer satisfaction. The relatively recent influx of all forms of anime shows that not only will Americans watch it, but they will go out of their way to find whatever is new, different and on the cutting edge.
One of Kelts’ major objectives in Japanamerica, is bringing to light the fact that the artists who create anime are not going to be able to keep up with it’s rapidly growing worldwide demand. He quotes Steve Alpert, an American who has lived in Japan for over thirty years working in the anime industry, spending the last ten working at one of it’s most respected venues, Studio Ghibli. Alpert sees the workforce rapidly diminishing: “ ...younger animators may feel oppressed, afraid to try anything [new] because it has already been done before, and done brilliantly...[then there are] the temptations of technology--opportunities for growth in CGI and elsewhere.” For now, it seems that there is enough of a backlog to keep America’s hunger for anime satiated, but going forward there is the looming question of not only content, but also authenticity. Who will the new animators be? If they are not Japanese, will the images and storylines truly be considered anime? Kelts suggests that if Americans were to produce anime, there would have to be a restructuring of the way business is done: “ [In anime,] the artist is in charge, not the producer who procures the funding, and not the consumer who buys the tickets...[the anime] lives or dies by the sword of its own merit.” There is an understandable skepticism when it comes to this process because, as we know, in American mainstream media, it’s money that leads the way--controlling what’s available, endlessly trying to shape our tastes. In Japan there is a palpable respect for both the artist and the public; this way of thinking frees up an endless stream of creativity for the artist who in turn produces innovative anime that captivates its audience. Add to this the simple fact that Japanese culture has evolved for centuries in an extremely isolated environment, creating a very specific set of social mores and references that Americans are not likely to understand or relate to, and you’ve got a somewhat altered result--is it still anime?
Japan’s limited understanding of intellectual property is another topic Kelts is fiercely devoted to. Born to a Japanese mother and an American father, he has a unique point of view that seems to be pulling for Japan as he quotes Katsumi, a young, frustrated animator: “Japan is intrinsically scared of investing in the media industry because it is not perceived to be “real”...anime needs to inflate a financial bubble where investors can come to believe in a future worth of intangibles.” Kelts points to the fact that Japan had built its reputation as a master creator of things like electronics and cars. Without a working comprehension of what it means to sell an idea, Japan has been taken for a ride. Too many times animation studios have (unknowingly) sold their rights; getting a heady, hefty initial sum, only to find out later that their share was paltry compared to what could have been had they held on to their rights. The Japanese also seem to be bewildered by America's voracious anime appetite. Seen by natives as a culture-specific medium, anime addresses Japanese concerns and fantasies that may be inappropriate outside of their animated world. In the States, we are known for saying (and doing) whatever comes to mind--and at times, made to suffer the consequences. Why would we need such an outlet? Turns out, Americans are broader-minded than networks bigwigs had anticipated. Kelts interviewed Charles Solomon, an animation critic who writes reviews for the New York Times and NPR--he’s got a theory: “[Anime] appeals to young Americans specifically at a time when institutions of government don’t seem to represent them....a pervasive theme in anime is...military-industrial corruption that is pervading society and using people against their wills...[this] does resonate with people today.” And military corruption is only the tip of the iceberg as far as anime themes go. As Japanese artists carefully fuse animation with deep societal issues to satisfy their own desires, the rest of the world is looking over their shoulder--finding a new, uninhibited way of looking at what used to be viewed as simply “cartoons.”
Being an adult who grew up watching cartoons as a kid, my perspective, until recently, has been that animated fare was a thing of the past. I saw cartoons as nostalgia, not addressing the life I now navigate as a “grown-up.” The re-immersion process has been slow, but I can honestly say that some of the loudest laughs I’ve had have erupted from a mixture of astonishment, disgust, and utter hilarity while watching episodes of Conan O’Brien-era Simpsons and Seth MacFarlane’s Family Guy . The laughs have reeled me in-- now I am much more open to checking out an animated show when not too long a go I would have clicked right past. Anime’s introducing me to another world of animation where the graphics are sharper and more realistic, the content is more surreal and cerebral, and the opportunity to explore other cultures is all there for the taking.
A writer of both fiction and non-fiction books, a lecturer at the University of Tokyo, and a permanent resident of both New York and Tokyo, Roland Kelts is devoted to and entrenched in his subject matter in Japanamerica. This article has only touched on some of the major points in his book--Kelts also explores the mutual admiration and respect of American and Japanese animators, anime as a multi-media marketing machine, the melding of the two cultures and much more. It’s a quick and fascinating read that can only add another dimension to the anime you already enjoy.
Finally, here in the US we will be able to get oppai mouse pads! Up until recently, the only way you can grab these awesome takes on cushioned mouse-pads was to order directly from a store in Japan. None of my local suppliers had them except for one that look liked a sad attempt by an American anime-drawing hopeful. Thanks to my good friends and direct-from-japan supplier, Mile-Stone we can now see more here. You can pick up your very own here. They won't be out for another month or two but I'm glad we don't have to pay about $80-$100 for these.
Releases Include Debut Of New Series HUNTER X HUNTER And Standard As Well As Deluxe Box Set Editions Featuring Special Collectible Figurines That Expand DVD Libraries For DEATH NOTE, BLEACH, NARUTO, BUSO RENKIN, INUYASHA And BLUE DRAGON
San Francisco, CA, NOVEMBER 20, 2008 – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), one of the entertainment industry’s most innovative and comprehensive publishing, animation and licensing companies, has announced a dynamic array of new animated titles scheduled for release throughout the Fourth Quarter.
The new releases include the long-awaited launch of a new series – HUNTER X HUNTER – as well as a variety of DVD Box Sets, Special Editions and single disc editions of popular series including BLEACH, NARUTO, DEATH NOTE, BUSO RENKIN, BLUE DRAGON and much-loved classics like INUYASHA.
New Series Debut:
HUNTER X HUNTER DVD Box Set Volume 1 • Rated “T+” for Teens • MSRP: $49.98 US / $64.99 CAN • Available December 9
Based on the popular HUNTER X HUNTER manga series by Yoshihiro Togashi (also published by VIZ Media), this new fantasy action series introduces audiences to Hunters, a special breed of adventurers dedicated to tracking down treasure, magical beasts, and even humans. But such pursuit requires a license, and less than one in a hundred thousand can pass the grueling qualification exam. Gon might be a country boy, but he has high aspirations. Despite his aunt's protest, Gon decides to follow in his father's footsteps and become a legendary Hunter. The journey begins on the long, arduous road to the Exam Hall, where he meets Leorio and Kurapika, two applicants with the same determination. Gon and his two companions must now prove their worth and earn the right to call themselves Hunters! The HUNTER X HUNTER DVD Box Set Volume 1 contains the series’ first 15 episodes on 3 discs.
BUSO RENKIN Releases Include
BUSO RENKIN DVD Box Set Volume 2 • Rated “T+” for Older Teens • MSRP: $49.98 US / $64.99 CAN • Available Now!
BUSO RENKIN is based on a popular 10-volume fantasy adventure manga series by Nobuhiro Watsuki (also published by VIZ Media). The Alchemist Warriors Kazuki and Tokiko continue their war against the evil homunculi. But the awakening of Victor, the "King" of all homunculi, triggers the dark force lurking within Kazuki. Cursed with the black kakugane, he becomes a marked man. Hunted by their former allies, Kazuki and Tokiko find help from the most unlikely source, and as the showdown in this century-long battle nears its conclusion, the future rests in the hands of one young man. Kazuki must make a final decision that no one, not even Tokiko, could have predicted! The BUSO RENKIN DVD Box Set Volume 2 features episodes 14-26 on 3 discs as well as bonus material including special behind the scenes footage and a full-color collectable booklet.
BLUE DRAGON Releases Include:
BLUE DRAGON Volume 2 • Rated “A” for All Ages • 4 Episodes • MSRP: $14.98 US / $19.99 CAN • Available Now!
BLUE DRAGON is an exciting animated adventure inspired by the popular Microsoft Xbox 360 Role Playing Game. The game and animated series also feature memorable characters designed by Akira Toriyama, the creator of the best-selling DRAGON BALL series of manga (published in North America by VIZ Media and featured in SHONEN JUMP Magazine). In BLUE DRAGON volume 2, Shu and his fellow shadow wielders are determined to seek help at Jibral Castle. When they are finally granted an audience with the king, Zola requests permission to view the all-important Book of the Beginning. But during an attack by Grankingdom, seven key pages of the book are stolen, and the group decides to set off on a dangerous journey to Grankingdom itself!
BLEACH Releases Include:
BLEACH THE MOVIE: MEMORIES OF NOBODY • Rated “T” for Teens • MSRP: $29.98 US / $39.99 CAN • Available Now!
Adapted from the wildly popular animated series and a best-selling manga series (both distributed and published in North America by VIZ Media) by acclaimed Japanese artist Tite Kubo, BLEACH THE MOVIE: MEMORIES OF NOBODY begins as unidentified beings known as “Blanks” start popping up. They are soon followed by a Soul Reaper named Senna who makes them disappear. Puzzled by these unknown beings and the even more mysterious girl, Ichigo and Rukia set out to learn more, but uncover an evil plot when a menacing clan tries to kidnap Senna. Banished from the Soul Society long ago, the clan’s leader has sent the World of the Living and the Soul Society on a collision course, and Senna seems to be the key to his diabolical plot for revenge. Can Ichigo and his fellow Soul Reapers save the two worlds from annihilation?
BLEACH Volume 13 • Rated “T” for Teens • 4 Episodes • MSRP: $24.98 US / $34.99 CAN • Available Now!
Television luminary Don Kan'onji brings back Yuzu, Jinta, and Ururu as his Karakura Superheroes to revive his flagging show--with Kon serving as mascot! In the Soul Society, Rukia's execution is imminent. Luckily for Ichigo and his comrades, some of the Soul Reapers have taken their side and help break Chad, Ganju, and Uryu out of their prison cell. While Ichigo struggles to complete his bankai training, Renji emerges to rescue Rukia, but finds himself face to face with none other than Rukia's brother, Byakuya Kuchiki. Will Renji's bankai prove strong enough to defeat his own captain? BLEACH Volume 13 features 4 action-filled episodes as well as exclusive collectable stickers.
DEATH NOTE Releases Include:
DEATH NOTE Volume 7 With Limited Edition Collector’s Figure • Rated “T+” for Older Teens • 4 Episodes • MSRP: $39.98 US / $49.99 CAN • Available Now!
With his memory recovered and Higuchi of the Yotsuba Group out of the way, Light can put his master plan into motion and march humanity closer to his perfect world. Then a new investigative force steps forward to challenge Kira – the SPK, headed by a boy genius named Near. Near's first plan of action is to get his hands on a Death Note, and when Light's sister Sayu is kidnapped it just might get him closer to his goal! Production art, audio commentary and interviews with the voice cast are also featured. The special Collector’s Edition includes a limited edition figurine of Mello.
DEATH NOTE Volume 7 Standard Edition • Rated “T+” for Older Teens • 4 Episodes • MSRP: $24.98 US / $34.99 CAN • Available Now!
Disc-only edition features the same content as the Collector’s Edition but without collectable figure.
DEATH NOTE DVD Box Set Volume 1 • Rated “T+” for Older Teens • MSRP: $69.98 US / $89.99 CAN • Available Now!
Volume 1 box set features episodes 1-20 of the animated supernatural mystery series based on the hit manga by Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata (also published by VIZ Media). Meet Light Yagami, a brilliant but bored high school student whose life is changed when he finds the Death Note, a notebook dropped by a rogue Shinigami, or god of death, named Ryuk. When Light discovers that any human whose name is written in the book dies, he vows to use its power to rid the world of evil. But every action has its consequences, and Light soon finds himself in a life or death battle of wits with the mysterious genius detective called L. Humanity itself becomes the battleground to determine what form of justice will prevail! Bonus features of this set include audio commentary, behind the scenes interviews with the voice cast and a production art gallery.
DEATH NOTE Volume 8 With Limited Edition Collector’s Figure • Rated “T+” for Older Teens • 4 Episodes • MSRP: $39.98 US / $49.99 CAN • Available December 30
When Mello realizes that he may be Kira's next target, he bursts into the SPK headquarters to retrieve a picture of himself – and gives Near a piece of information that may prove to be an invaluable advantage: some of the Death Note rules are fake. With this information in hand, Near's suspicions of the task force, and Light in particular, become certainties. Now that he's in the spotlight once more, Light decides it's time to recruit some new disciples. Bonus features of this set include audio commentary, behind the scenes interviews with the voice cast and a production art gallery. The special Collector’s Edition also features a limited edition figurine of Shidoh.
DEATH NOTE Volume 8 Standard Edition • Rated “T+” for Older Teens • 4 Episodes • MSRP: $24.98 US / $34.99 CAN • Available December 30
Disc-only edition features the same content as the Collector’s Edition but without collectable figure.
NARUTO Releases Include:
NARUTO THE MOVIE 3: GUARDIANS OF THE CRESCENT MOON KINGDON • Rated “T” for Teens • MSRP: $29.98 US / $39.99 CAN • Available Now!
Naruto, Sakura and Kakashi team up with Rock Lee to protect Prince Michiru and his son Hikaru on their return home to the Crescent Moon Kingdom in this latest full-length NARUTO feature. The mission initially seems easy enough, until the royal family becomes a royal pain! Prince Michiru can't help indulging his son, even buying him a circus along the way! Naruto has a tough time putting up with both the spoiled Hikaru and a saber-toothed tiger, but the real adventure begins when they reach the Land of the Moon and find themselves facing a villainous uprising. Does Naruto have what it takes to save an entire kingdom? The special 2-disc set also offers several bonus features including “The Story of Naruto: Growing Up a Ninja” as well as “Teamwork: The Art of Group Recording” which gives insights into the film’s voice cast. An interview with the NARUTO THE MOVIE 3 producers and the original Japanese movie trailers are also included.
NARUTO UNCUT DVD Box Set Volume 10 Special Edition • Rated “T+” for Older Teens • MSRP: $69.98 US / $89.99 CAN • Available Now!
Naruto's pursuit of Sasuke is halted by the most fearsome of the Sound ninja--Kimimaro, a ninja with an uncompromising loyalty to Orochimaru and a hair-raising Kekkei Genkai! But the Leaf Village has sent another able-bodied ninja to assist in the fight, the newly recovered Rock Lee! While the Leaf genin continue their battles against the Sound, Naruto finally catches up to Sasuke at the Final Valley, the legendary site at the border of the Land of Fire. There, Sasuke and Naruto must face each other in their most devastating battle yet, and Sasuke must make a terrible choice in his quest for power that could decide both their destinies! The NARUTO UNCUT Box Set Volume 10 features 15 episodes (121-135) on 3 discs as well as an exclusive Katsuyu (6 of 6) Summoning Creature collectable figurine.
NARUTO UNCUT DVD Box Set Volume 10 Standard Edition• Rated “T+” for Older Teens • MSRP: $49.98 US / $64.99 CAN • Available Now!
Disc-only edition features the same content as the Special Edition but without collectable figure.
NARUTO Volume 29 • Rated “T” for Teens • MSRP: $19.98 US / $24.99 CAN • Available Now!
While Neji unleashes his Byakugan on the spider-like Kidomaru, the others continue their pursuit of the Sound ninja and the coffin containing Sasuke. Shikamaru plans a successful ambush, but the victory is short-lived when the most fearsome Sound ninja yet arrives to bring Sasuke to the impatient Orochimaru. Leaving Shikamaru and Kiba to battle the last two of the Sound Four, Naruto chases down their new challenger Kimimaro on his own – but does he have what it takes to win against this formidable foe? Single disc edition features 5 episodes.
NARUTO Volume 30 • Rated “T” for Teens • MSRP: $19.98 US / $24.99 CAN • Available November 25!
Kiba and Akamaru together try to outwit the dual ninja Sakon and Ukon while Shikamaru faces Tayuya and her mysterious flute. But Naruto is up against perhaps the most intimidating challenger of all--Kimimaro! With an undying loyalty to Orochimaru and a gruesome Kekkei Genkai, Kimimaro may be Naruto's undoing--until help arrives in a most unexpected form! Naruto's now free to follow Sasuke, who has emerged from the coffin and is racing toward his destiny at Orochimaru's hands. Single disc edition features 5 episodes.
NARUTO UNCUT DVD Box Set Volume 11 Special Edition • Rated “T+” for Older Teens • MSRP: $69.98 US / $89.99 CAN • Available December 16
Sasuke has gone to Orochimaru, and Sakura and Naruto are determined to get him back! Jiraiya, concerned they'll act recklessly, persuades Tsunade to send them on an official mission to the Land of Rice Paddies, hoping to discover Orochimaru's hideout. With Jiraiya at their side, can they fail to bring Sasuke back? Then, an escape from a maximum security prison brings Naruto a blast from the past! Mizuki, the teacher who long ago betrayed the Leaf, is on the loose, and Iruka once again joins Naruto in pursuit of the renegade ninja! The NARUTO UNCUT Box Set Volume 11 features 14 episodes (136-149) on 3 discs as well as an exclusive Naruto Mininja (1 of 6) collectable figurine.
NARUTO UNCUT DVD Box Set Volume 11 Standard Edition • Rated “T+” for Older Teens • MSRP: $49.98 US / $64.99 CAN • Available December 16
Disc-only edition features the same content as the Special Edition but without collectable figure.
INUYASHA Releases Include:
INUYASHA SEASON 6 DVD Box Set Deluxe Edition • Rated “T” for Teens • MSRP: $119.98 US / $149.99 CAN • Available December 2
As if battling demons and searching for the Sacred Jewel shards weren't tough enough, Kagome also faces the battles of a very modern-day student, like preparing for a school festival and a love scene in the class play! But demons wait for no one, and soon enough Kagome is back in the past, encountering demon women that test the bond between Miroku and Sango, a woman who's mysteriously in love with Inuyasha's brother Sesshomaru, and an ancestor of the boy with a crush on Kagome in the present day! The INUYASHA SEASON 6 Special Deluxe Edition features 20 episodes (127-146) on 4 discs and also includes an Inuyasha Collector’s Watch.
INUYASHA SEASON 6 DVD Standard Edition • Rated “T” for Teens • MSRP: $99.98 US / $129.99 CAN • Available December 2
Disc-only edition features the same content as the Deluxe Edition but without collectable watch.
Check out these cool Anime toy called "Soundrops" I stumbled upon at the XSp blog. They remind me of the YakBaks I used to play with as a kid. I wish you could record onto the Soundrop and make it sound like you are in the Anime with your favorite characters. I want a soundrop, they look fun. Does anybody remember the YakBak? Register at Otakuden to post!
It’s called a “Soundrop”, and I got the “Moe” version.
There were lots of game options, and some famous anime ones… I think it was Bleach sounds.
But only a few Moe versions.
I remember one of them was a maid saying something with “goshujin-sama” in the middle… and the other was just a random exclamation sound.
I ended up picking this tsundere loli version. Had to. Here’s how it sounds:
An American Pokemon maniac (32), calling herself “PikaBelleChu” and proclaiming herself a “PikaHolic”, has set some record or other, nightmarsihly festooning her domicile with Pokemon goods (specifically Pikachu) and going so far as to cosplay the creature obsessively.
She claims record worthiness and demands recognition for her collection of over 8,000 Pikachu goods. She even has an itasha. Her is a quote from the collector herself:
"My name is Belle AKA.PikaBelleChu. I am a Pika-Holic, I have over 8,000 collectables of the little guy and even owning one of the official Pokemon Pikachu Cars, I named PikaBug. I love to cosplay as different characters and most well known for my Poke’Womon Princess Creations of which are copyrighted. Based like the Disney Princesses only with Pokemon. I attend many anime conventions, car shows and do lots of events for children. Official Pokemon Events,Birthday parties, School events and so on mostly as the Pokemon Character Ash cause I can do his voice dead on. I am also a cartoonist and paint many murals around my town and teach children art classes at a local craft store. I am also a big Disney nut and attend the parks whenever I can, I used to work for Disney playing the roles of Belle and Jasmine in the parks in the shows and other events in the parks. Now I do alot of promotional things with Pokemon as there characters and my Poke’Womon Princesses… and one day I shall Catch Em’ All…"
Common sense, and this case amongst others, suggests that however disturbing the obsessiveness of Japanese otaku may seem, whether in cosplay, collection, or plain terror inducement, they are nonetheless equalled by their overseas equivalents in all cases.
The first 8 minutes of the upcoming CG movie “Resident Evil: Degeneration” can now be streamed at IGN. You can start watching Here. As usual, they cut when it just get to good part ^^;
After watching the preview, I’m so looking forward to this. DVD and Blu-ray will be on sale on December 30th, 2008
VIZ MEDIA ANNOUNCES AVAILABILITY OF BLEACH AND DEATH NOTE UNCUT FOR DOWNLOAD ON XBOX LIVE
Episodes Of Two Of The Hottest Animated Series To Sweep North America Are Now Available For Download-To-Own From Leading Entertainment, Gaming And Social Networking Outlet
San Francisco, CA, November 11, 2008 – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), one of the entertainment industry's most innovative and comprehensive publishing, animation and licensing companies, has announced the availability of the hit animated action series BLEACH and DEATH NOTE (both Uncut and English dubbed) on the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment console from Microsoft. Fans in the U.S. will now have the ability to watch these episodes on a Download-To-Own (DTO) basis through Xbox LIVE for 160 Microsoft Points per episode.
BLEACH features episodes 1-41 dubbed in English with more to be added, and DEATH NOTE features the full 37-episode series dubbed in English. The two series join NARUTO Uncut, which has been offered on Xbox LIVE since November 2007 and currently features episodes 1- 52 dubbed in English as well as episodes 1 – 24 subbed (with English subtitles), with more to be added. Episodes and more information are available at: www.xbox.com/live.
“The anime genre enjoys a huge following among millions of avid Xbox 360 owners and the addition of the BLEACH and DEATH NOTE series to the Xbox LIVE library will be a big attraction,” says Scott Nocas, group product manager for Xbox LIVE.
Xbox LIVE provides viewers with easy access to hundreds of full-length TV shows for Download-To-Own and the latest feature films for Download-To-Rent. Xbox 360 is also the first gaming console to offer Standard and High Definition TV shows and movies via digital distribution. Xbox LIVE currently includes a worldwide social entertainment network reaching more than 14 million members and offering 24/7 online access to gaming, movies, music, TV shows and more.
“We are very excited to team with Xbox LIVE to feature episodes of BLEACH and DEATH NOTE,” says Ken Sasaki, Vice President, Strategy & Business Development, VIZ Media. “The combination of the hottest television and movie programming, video gaming and social networking interaction makes Xbox LIVE a compelling platform to present these smash hit animated dramas. As the convergence of digital technology presents an innovative new way to access and download a wide array of content, we look forward to fans across the United States turning to Xbox LIVE for the latest in online animated programming from VIZ Media.”
DEATH NOTE (Uncut): Rated TV-14
DEATH NOTE is based on the manga series of the same name and is currently one of the hottest animated titles in Japan. The series depicts the adventures of Light Yagami, an ace student with great prospects but who is bored out of his mind. All of that changes when he finds the Death Note, a notebook dropped by a rogue Shinigami death god. Any human whose name is written in the notebook dies, and now Light has vowed to use the power of the Death Note to rid the world of evil. But when criminals mysteriously begin dropping dead, the authorities send the legendary detective L to investigate, and he is soon hot on the trail of Light, who must now reevaluate his one noble goal. Dedicated website at www.deathnote.viz.com.
BLEACH (Uncut): Rated TV-14
BLEACH follows the story of Ichigo Kurosaki, a fifteen-year old student with the ability to see ghosts. His fate takes an extraordinary turn when he meets Rukia Kuchiki, a Soul Reaper who shows up at Ichigo's house on the trail of a Hollow, a malevolent lost soul. Drawn to Ichigo's high level of spiritual energy, the Hollow attacks Ichigo and his family, and Rukia steps in to help but is injured and unable to fight. As a last resort, Rukia decides to transfer part of her Soul Reaper powers to Ichigo. Ichigo, now a full-fledged Soul Reaper, and Rukia join together to face the challenges that lie ahead. Dedicated website at www.bleach.viz.com.
When asked what is a translation, many people would probably reply that it is converting words from one language to another. Although this is fundamentally correct, the true beauty of translation lies not within the words, but is held deep inside the thoughts, feelings, and emotions that those words try to convey.
And that, friends, is where the fun comes in! Most anime fans I have talked to seem to think that accuracy in translations is most important. Of course, we do not want to put words in the original author's mouth, but by aiming solely to translate word for word, the accuracy of those original thoughts behind the words begins to become skewed. By 'localizing' a translation into a different culture, you can better convey those feelings the author originally intended to portray.
Just for fun, I take this idea one step further and try to harmonize a song to a specific anime character. It's a little more complicated with matching voices and personalities, but it's quite fun when you have the time.
Anime
It seems, by now, that Blu-Ray rocked HD DVDs in the market war. Now that that battle has ended, some interesting new trends are arising...
Here's a press release from Viz about new "edgy" mangas that are out. 2009 is upon us, so this might not be the latest news, but I'm all about edgy. I'm wondering if any of you might have any favorites from this list, or want to post a review of any of these new mangas. Let me know. I'd love to hear what you guys think. And of course, if you haven't yet heard about these new releases, take a peak:
Big news for fans of one of the better anime series of the last few years, Eureka 7. A feature film, to be titled Eureka 7: Psalms of Planets, is in the works!
Japanamerica is an eye-opening book masterfully written by author Roland Kelts. And if you’ve found your way to this article, you’d most likely benefit from checking it out. As a newcomer to the world of anime, but a life-long lover of Japanese culture, this book helped me begin to make sense of all the anime that’s out there, how it got here, where it’s going, who’s reading it and why. I’ll readily admit to feeling a bit overwhelmed by the sheer volume of what’s currently available, but this book gave me a bit of history while bringing me up to date, and maybe even more importantly, raised some important questions about where anime’s headed.
Finally, here in the US we will be able to get oppai mouse pads! Up until recently, the only way you can grab these awesome takes on cushioned mouse-pads was to order directly from a store in Japan. None of my local suppliers had them except for one that look liked a sad attempt by an American anime-drawing hopeful. Thanks to my good friends and direct-from-japan supplier, Mile-Stone we can now see more here. You can pick up your very own 
