Anime

Sonic the Hedgehog

2011-05-06T16:15:00.000-07:00

Sonic the Hedgehog is a video game series released by Sega starring and named after its mascot character, Sonic the Hedgehog. The series began in 1991 with the release of Sonic the Hedgehog on the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis, which was responsible for turning Sega into a leading video game company during the 16-bit era.

The Sega division responsible for the first game in the series was called Sonic Team, and the group has since developed many titles in the franchise. Prominent members of its initial staff included programmer Yuji Naka, designer Naoto Ohshima and game planner Hirokazu Yasuhara. Other developers of Sonic games have included the American Sega Technical Institute, Japanese Dimps, Canadian BioWare, and British Traveller's Tales. While the first games in the series were platform games, the series has expanded into other genres such as action-adventure, fighting

Nearly all games in the series feature a blue hedgehog named Sonic as the central player character and protagonist. The games detail Sonic's attempts to save the world from various threats, primarily the evil genius Dr. Ivo "Eggman" Robotnik, the main antagonist of the series. Robotnik's aim is to rule the Earth; to achieve this, he usually attempts to eliminate Sonic and to acquire the powerful Chaos Emeralds.
Sega Mega Drive and add-on systems (1991-1996)
Green Hill Zone from Sonic the Hedgehog (1991)

The first Sonic game, titled Sonic the Hedgehog, was a platform game released in 1991that featured protagonist Sonic running through the game's levels in order to foil Doctor Robotnik's attempt to take over the world The game focused Sonic's ability to run and to jump at high speeds with the use of springs, slopes, and loop-the-loops.[2] Its sequel, Sonic the Hedgehog 2, a platform game released in 1992, increased the overall size and speed of the series' gameplay and was the best selling Genesis game of all time. The game introduced Sonic's sidekick, Miles "Tails" Prower, who followed Sonic throughout the game, and the "spin dash" maneuver, which allowed Sonic to boost forwards quickly when stopped. The next sequel, Sonic the Hedgehog 3, was a third platform game in the Sonic series released in 1994.The game introduced a temporary shield maneuver, added new shield types to the series, and allowed Tails to fly under a player's control It also introduced a new character, Knuckles the Echidna, who served as an additional antagonist with Doctor Robotnik for the game. Sonic & Knuckles, another platform game in the Sonic series, was released later in 1994. The game introduced Knuckles as a playable character with gliding and wall climbing abilities and allowed gamers to plug in Sonic the Hedgehog 3 to the top of the Sonic and Knuckles cartridge as part of the game's "lock on" functionality. This allowed gamers to play the game as it was originally intended; the games were intended to be one title, but were split due to space and time constraints.
There were several Sonic games for the Mega Drive that were not 2D platform games. Sonic the Hedgehog Spinball, released in 1993, was a pinball simulation modeled after the Spring Yard and Casino Night Zones from the first two Sonic games.The game, unlike general pinball simulations, had an overall goal of collecting all the Chaos Emeralds in each level and defeating the levels' bosses. It was one of the few video games that had elements from the cartoons Sonic the Hedgehog and Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog. The references are visual only. Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine was a puzzle game similar to Puyo that was set in the Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog universe Sonic 3D Blast, an isometric, 2.5D platform game released in 1996 and developed by Traveller's Tales, featured Sonic running through pseudo-3D environments while trying to rescue Flickies from Doctor Robotnik.

The Sega Mega Drive/Genesis had "add-on" systems that incorporated Sonic titles. Sonic CD, released for the Mega-CD/Sega CD, was a 2D platform game released in 1993. The game introduced the character Amy Rose[ and featured levels that differed depending upon whether Sonic was in the past, present, or future time frames. Knuckles Chaotix, a spin-off released in 1995 for the Sega 32x, featured Knuckles and a new group named Chaotix fighting against Dr. Robotnik.The game featured a two-player cooperative system in which the on-screen characters were connected by magic rings. There was also Sonic Eraser, a puzzle game released exclusively on Meganet, which required the use of the system's modem.

Top ten anime way how to make money

2009-07-24T18:31:00.000-07:00

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anime history

2009-07-24T02:33:00.000-07:00

Anime began at the start of the 20th century, when Japanese filmmakers experimented with the animation techniques also pioneered in France, Germany, the United States, and Russia. The oldest known anime in existence was screened in 1917 - a two minute clip of a samurai trying to test a new sword on his target, only to suffer defeat. The first talkie anime was Chikara to Onna no Yo no Naka, released in 1933.

By the 1930s, animation became an alternative format of storytelling to the underdeveloped live-action industry in Japan. Unlike in the United States, the live-action industry in Japan remained a small market and suffered from budgeting, location, and casting restrictions. The lack of Western-looking actors, for example, made it next to impossible to shoot films set in Europe, America, or fantasy worlds that do not naturally involve Japan. Animation allowed artists to create any characters and settings.

The success of The Walt Disney Company's 1937 feature film Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs influenced Japanese animators. In the 1960s, manga artist and animator Osamu Tezuka adapted and simplified many Disney animation techniques to reduce costs and number of frames in the production. He intended this as a temporary measure to allow him to produce material on a tight schedule with inexperienced animation staff.

The 1970s saw a surge of growth in the popularity of manga—which were often later animated—especially those of Osamu Tezuka, who has been called a "legend" and the "god of manga".[10][11] His work and that of other pioneers in the field, inspired characteristics and genres that are fundamental elements of anime today. The giant robot genre (known as "Mecha" outside Japan), for instance, took shape under Tezuka, developed into the Super Robot genre under Go Nagai and others, and was revolutionized at the end of the decade by Yoshiyuki Tomino who developed the Real Robot genre. Robot anime like the Gundam and The Super Dimension Fortress Macross series became instant classics in the 1980s, and the robot genre of anime is still one of the most common in Japan and worldwide today. In the 1980s, anime became more accepted in the mainstream in Japan (although less than manga), and experienced a boom in production. Following a few successful adaptations of anime in overseas markets in the 1980s, anime gained increased acceptance in those markets in the 1990s and even more at the turn of the 21st century.more

Anime Clip Art, Pictures and Graphics

2009-03-22T19:05:00.000-07:00

Adding clip art, pictures and graphics to your Web site adds a personal touch. Now your readers can not only read what your site is about but they can also see what your site is about. Clip art, pictures and graphics are especially necessary when you have a Web page that is specific to a certain subject. They can make the subject come alive and make you readers want to keep coming back for more.

Anime and anime TV shows are very popular. They have been for many years. As a matter of fact, many of the shows I watched as a child are considered anime. Now my children watch anime TV shows and they are, by far, their favorites.

This is why I have added a clip art section for anime clip art, pictures and graphics. Some of you may already have a Web page where you make use of anime, pictures and graphics and some of you may be thinking about it. If so then these Web sites will really come in handy for you.

Blade of the Phantom Master

2008-12-15T17:11:00.000-08:00

Blade of the Phantom Master:
Shin Angyo Onshi
Anime video Review

Long ago, the legends say, there was a secret army. Unseen until needed, these warriors struck from the shadows, protecting justice and defending the Jushin Empire from both tyrants and thieves. They were called the Amen Osa, The Phantom Masters. But now Jushin has fallen, yet from the ashes of destruction, a hero has appeared to defend the people. His name is unknown, but there are clues. Is he the last of the Amen Osa?

Shin Angyo Onshi is the story of Munsu, an angyo onshi — a government agent of the mythical country of Jushin who travels the country incognito and roots out corrupt officials and warlords to restore the peace and bring justice to the common people. He has access to a phantom army he can summon via a magical amulet, and his fighting prowess is second to none. However, as the story begins, Jushin has fallen, and Munsu wanders the ruined countryside cleaning up the shattered remains of the once glorious country.

This is an anime based on a Korean manga (Manhwa) serialized in Sunday GX, published by Shogakukan. It is a real first in that it is a Japanese anime with Korean producers, based on a Korean manga published in Japan that is heavily based on Korean folklore. This work is the brainchild of writer In-Wan Youn and artist Kyung-Il Yang, who grew up reading and enjoying manga despite not knowing much about Japanese culture. In the same way, they believed that Japanese readers would enjoy reading a work drawn from a Korean cultural background as long as it was interesting. In this fashion, they have seamlessly integrated an eclectic array of Korean culture and folklore into an amazingly woven tale.

The characters who drive the plot are also wonderfully developed. Munsu is as anti-hero as an anti-hero can possibly get. His stout stance in his principles and seeming lack of morality and kindness at times (much to the dismay of anyone within range of his guns) hide a darker past. Often, his amoral solution to any problem is just to kill everyone. Sando, his servant (and sometimes bodyguard) is totally opposite from him: innocent, naive, and sweet, she is often taken aback at Munsu's seemingly incoherent acts. Despite her prodigious fighting skill, she still has much to learn, but Munsu's poor communication skills (he doesn't clue her in on what he knows) obviously make him a difficult master to properly serve.

You *really* need the manga to appreciate this film as the plot moves through a little too quickly, trying to shove a great deal of detail into a very small space. At least read the Wikipedia article before trying to digest the film. However, if you're a fan of action, and aren't too picky about trying to understand what's happening, then by all means, forge ahead. There's more than enough blades flashing, gunfire, and decapitations to keep anyone happy. The film covers only a small portion of the overall manga, so let's hope for a sequel!

Black Lagoon

2008-12-15T16:35:00.001-08:00

Black Lagoon
Manga Review

After easily making our list of top-ten coolest animes we'd love to be stranded on a desert island with, the manga for this awesome series makes life worth living after all. It goes much more in-depth, as only a manga can (by not being limited to a 22-minute episode), with all the internal politics only hinted at within the series.

The manga also delves much deeper into the moral and philosophical quandaries that are expressed in the anime series. The manga exudes existentialism, essentially asking the reading to accept that values and morality are things we create in our own minds, and furthermore, objects that we assign value to are essentially meaningless, if viewed outside the context of "normal" society.

All this and more as well as a ton of exciting action as Revy blasts anything that moves (while wearing as little as possible), combined with the political struggle between the Russian, Italian, Columbian and Chinese Mafias, all of whom either want to hire the Black Lagoon team, or see them dead and buried.

And poor Rock is in the middle of it all, trying to sort out the insanity of the situation, while also trying to come to terms with many of the philosophical points made during the course of the manga, as he sorts out his own personal demons and learns more about Revy's dark past.
Black Lagoon
Anime video Review

Rokuro Okajima is a meek, mild-mannered, middle-manager nobody working a dead-end, life-draining, white-collar, meaningless job for a giant, faceless corporation. However; his business trip in South-East Asia turns from pleasure cruise to terror when modern-day pirates board the ship to take the corporate data he is transporting. Grabbed initially as a hostage, he finds that he is expendable (according to his boss), and so, he joins with Dutch, Revy and Benny, who make up the crew of the Black Lagoon, a 'privateer' operation run from a PT Boat that takes on any job offered to them.

This series pleasantly surprised me. It is much, much better than you would expect. None of the characters are exactly what they would seem from the start, and each evolves into something else along the way. Furthermore, the team ends up playing politics with the Russian, Italian, Columbian and Chinese Mafias, all the while trying to stay one step ahead of the authorities and various others that may want them dead.

The director is clearly having fun — each episode starts serenely, like a peaceful sunrise, and then quickly evolves into complete anarchy. The action sequences are astounding; MADHOUSE is doing a top-notch job on this anime series. Even the end titles are a shocker.

And while "Rock" is the central protagonist, it's obvious to any fanboy with a libido that psycho-bitch, gun-crazy Revy is going to be the favorite and the subject of many blogs. Her dark past is meant to be in stark contrast to Rock's mundane existence.

Black Lagoon combines the dark and cynical nature of Fight Club with the non-stop action of a John Woo film. It also manages to be insightful and thought-provoking without being preachy. All the intrigue and philosophy behind the series is communicated by the action and the staccato dialog. It also presses buttons on the viewer, because South Seas Piracy is a very real threat and it is interesting to see these killers to be human as well.

This anime series is rife with cigarette smoking, foul language and significant bloodshed. It is however, startlingly accurate in the portrayal of the life of a soldier of fortune immersed in the criminal underworld of the china seas. Amen. Hallelujah. Peanut Butter.

Reviewed by Brian Cirulnick, July 2007

Below: Scenes from the Black Lagoon anime video.

Birdy the Mighty

2008-12-15T16:35:00.000-08:00

Birdy the Mighty - Double Trouble

Super-Excellent-Action abounds in this OVA series that is done with a surprising amount of humor and taste. Birdy is an intergalactic cop who accidentally kills an innocent bystander — bumbling high-schooler Tsutomu, and she is forced to "merge" with him to save his life. Suddenly Tsutomu finds that there's another person living inside him — and it's a girl!

With fight scenes and costuming reminiscent of Gatchaman, the series has a lot going for it. Tsutomu's English voice actor does a superb job of making him really seem pathetic, and as such, he and Birdy become the perfect "Odd Couple". Director Yoshiaki Kawajiri (Ninja Scroll, Bloodlust) never let's it get dull, the action is either comedy or brilliantly done fights. "Birdy" is an often overlooked jewel in the anime bin — don't let this get away from you.
more

The Big O

2008-12-14T20:50:00.000-08:00

The Big O
Anime DVD Review

The Big O has been often described as 'What if you combined Batman and Giant Robo?' But it is way more than that. It is pure, hardcore, literary-quality science fiction wrapped in style and sophistication, referencing everything from Isaac Asimov to Kurt Vonnegut. Meet Roger Smith, a man who fights crime in a double breasted all black suit, and he's got a giant robot (but does he control it, or does it control him?). Roger's companion is a female android who is more like MTV's Daria than anything else. She's like nothing you've ever seen in anime before. Be in awe of Dorothy, her power, her magnificence, her improbable size to mass ratio, her sardonic monotone comments, and her hidden, but deeply felt emotion.

The Big O: Outstanding!Simply put, The Big O is everything that we admire about Anime. It has taken American pop culture references and made them its own. Then it augments satire with some brilliantly executed scripts that actually make you think. Combined with one of the most intense, dramatic and downright gothic soundtracks ever recorded, (and one of the most hysterical opening theme songs ever), The Big O is both parody, homage, and something unique all it's own. It may be one of the best anime series ever made, and at a mere 13 episodes, it ends with you screaming for more.

Reviewed by Brian Cirulnick, Summer 2002

Big O Soundtrack
Buy from Amazon.com
Big O Soundtrack
Anime Soundtrack Review

Awesome, magnificent, powerful and earthshattering are some of the adjectives we could use to describe this soundtrack. But mere words are unable to express the sheer scale of this seminal work. Running the gamut from subtle to audacious, this is simply the greatest music made for any anime since Yamato.

Big O SoundtrackThanks to a full orchestra, the music actually sounds "big", and you feel the power in the notes. Track 4 "Name of God" will send a chill down your spine and leave you with goosebumps. Yes, it's that good. Included, of course, is R. Dorothy's "wake up Roger!" piano solo. Stick that in your alarm clock bucky. Big O rocks, and this soundtrack will rock your house.

Reviewed by Brian Cirulnick, November 2003

Big O: Sound Score II for Second Season
Buy from Amazon.com
Big O: Sound Score II
for Second Season
Anime Soundtrack Review

We had already reviewed the first season, and its soundtrack, but when Cartoon Network co-produced an entirely new season of Big O, out come some more stunning music. This collection includes some re-ochestrated favorites from the first season as well as the new music from Season 2, PLUS, welcome bits that were heard in episodes from both, but never made it to the first album.
Our Dorothy!
Basically, it's great stuff overall. Gothic, jazzy, fun and somber, it's the music that really makes Big O the show that it is (that is, apart from a killer storyline, amazing art direction, and of course, everyone's favorite sardonic android...) Big O rulez.

Reviewed by Brian Cirulnick, June 2008

anime source

2008-12-14T16:21:00.000-08:00

Convention Coverage: Anime Festival Asia 2008
Over the weekend of November 22-23, the country of Singapore held one of its signature anime expositions. Anime-Source.com ASRT Staff Member Jsy3k attended the 2-day con with camera in-hand. Read on to see his coverage of the press preview-day and his impressions of the weekend overall.

Living in Japan: The Cost of Living
The latest installment in my series educating the anime/manga-fans out there about the realities of living in Japan. This month, we're talking about money and how far a couple hundred thousand yen will get you. Don't get too excited though... it may sound like a lot... until you realize that one yen is only equal to about one US penny.

What's New this Week: Even More Manga!

Do you come around Anime-Source every now and then? Well, we'd like to thank you. Like any work or production, we would love to hear feed back. What would you like to see more of? What don't you like? Is there a section you visit more than others?

The manga staff have kindly put together new manga for you to read. Four awesome titles to put on your list.

What's New this Week: Survey Results!

Hey folks. Our front news page has been swarming with activity and I'm sure you know why. One of our biggest events had recently ended. Now the results are complete! How did your picks do this year? Any surprises? If you missed out on voting this year, I guess you'll have to wait another year. But don't worry! We have vast ideas for surveys, so stick around and see what we bring up.

Releasing the survey results wasn't the only thing that happened. "Read More" to find out what other updates have occurred.

With the first 50 characters taken care of in
Wave 1, I'm sure everyone is now looking forward to the rest. Well, wait no more!
It's that wonderful time of year again when we announce the results of one of our biggest fan-surveys of the year!! In October, we opened the polls asking members and visitors to vote for their Favorite Characters of All-Time. This is the third year we've done this, and though the procedure has generally been the same each time, the results are always drastically different.

Did you vote? Did your characters place well? It's time to find out!!

Have you eagerly waited for the next set of results? Well, here you have it. So far, you have probably seen the top characters for ranks 100-25. Are we giving you the rest? NOT YET! "Read More" to find the link to the article for Wave 3.

Beck: Mongolian Chop Squad

2008-12-11T20:44:00.000-08:00

Beck OST
Anime Soundtrack Review

Not Beck the 90's hipster who's most famous for "I'm a loser baby", but Beck: Mongolian Chop Squad, the kick-ass drama that makes you want to pick up a guitar and have a life. Filled with the wonderful and inspirational music from the TV series, The Beck Soundtrack is just about everything you could hope for in an anime OST.

As others have pointed out, the only glaring omission is "Hit in the USA" is not on this album, but all the other great songs such as "Slip Out" and "I've Got a Feeling" are there and overall, it's a pretty good balance of the best of what the series has to offer.

If Beck has recently made your life a better place to be, then you'll need this soundtrack to complete your metamorphosis.

Beck: Mongolian Chop Squad
Anime DVD Review

Tanaka Yukio, better known by his nickname Koyuki is a 14 year old who feels disconnected from life in general. He leads a pretty normal, lousy teenager life until, through the act of saving a mismatched dog, he meets guitarist Minami Ryuusuke, and becomes involved in Ryuusuke's new band BECK. Koyuki's life starts to change as the band struggles towards fame. Even girls start to like him. Maybe life isn't so crummy after all.

Being released by Funimation in July 2007, we predict that Beck will skyrocket to the top pick for every teen/tween (emo or not!), and will very likely become a regular part of Adult Swim. The music rocks. The story speaks volumes and the characters hit just the right notes.

Beck doesn't rely on giant mecha battles, super-powered ninja showdowns, speed-line swordplay, or any of the other anime cliches to keep the audience interested. Instead, it uses something rarely seen in anime or manga -- real character development and characters that you are actually interested in to hook the audience and keep them watching episode after episode.

Soap opera formula? Yes. Does it work? Absolutely. Watching Koyuki's social life and musical talent develop are pretty compelling, and probably will act as a powerful metaphor for your own sad existence. Keep trying grasshopper, things do get better.

Reviewed by Brian Cirulnick, June 2007

Beck: Mongolian Chop Squad
Manga Review

Beck is a dog. We're not saying this as an insult. It's absolutely true. Beck is a big old dog that's been through one too many violent scraps. This has left one too many scars. So many that his body looks like a patchwork quilt. But he isn't the focus of this manga despite the title of this book.

Beck's owner is rock-and-roller Ryusuke Minami. He's sixteen years old but he's already got a reputation (both good and bad) in both the music business and with girls. He and his sister just returned to Japan, and might have gotten too strong an influence from their stay in America. But they aren't the focus of this manga.

Ryusuke has gotten chummy with Izumi Ishiguro. She's a fourteen year old with a smashing body. She's a big fan of the hot group, Dying Breed. She heard that Ryusuke used to be in a band with their guitarist, Eddie. As the two got to know each other better, they found they had similar tastes in music. But she isn't the focus of the manga.

Izumi used to be classmates with Yukio Tanaka. He's fourteen years old. He's not doing too well in school. He considers his life incredibly dull. He himself is incredibly dull. He has no interests to speak of. His tastes in music don't rise too far above anime theme songs. If this keeps up, Yukio fears he won't have anything worth writing about in his autobiography. (He doesn't even know if he can write an autobiography.)

Beck: Mongolian Chop Squad is a manga by Harold Sakushi. It is the story of Yukio Tanaka, the boring fourteen year old. One day, he found himself involved with these other characters. One day, he found himself captivated by music. One day, he found his life turned upside-down. Now, boring isn't that big a problem with him. And, he's wondering if music (a subject he was never really interested in) is his calling. He's also wondering if he has to get into all these scraps. Does getting a life really have to hurt?

Reviewed by Lawrence Sufrin, October 2006

Music video by Beck performing The New Pollution with Beck Hansen [Video Director], Bart Lipton [Video Producer], Eric Zumbrunnen [Video Editor] (C) 1996 Geffen Records
Beck - Gamma Ray
Music video by Beck performing Gamma Ray with Autumn de Wilde [Video Director], Sarah Gersbach [Video Producer], Meghan Gallagher [Video Producer], Danger Mouse [Producer], Beck [Producer] (C) 2008 DG
Beck Music video ⓒ 2005 Copyright: UMG All Rights Reserved,

Battle Angel

2008-12-11T20:24:00.000-08:00

Battle Angel Alita ep. 2 3/3 (DUB)

Battle Angel Alita ep. 2 3/3 (DUB)Sernabiskcza!

Battle Angel Alita - Rusty Angel 3-3
Esta es la última parte del primer OVA de Gunnm. Si les ha gustado este primer OVA esten atentos en las respuestas de video por el segundo OVA, además recomiendo que busquen los mangas para que com

Battle Angel Alita 3D CG
I found this a while back, it's what I used for Battle Angel A-Lita, it's some 3D CG Footage of Battle Angel/Gunnm in the Motorball game.

Battle Angel
Anime DVD Review

Based on the Yukito Kishiro's manga Battle Angel Alita, this film is a symphony of intense action sequences and shadowy mixtures of color coupled with a darkly cinematic soundtrack. Alita is a perfectly deadly heroine with a leather-clad style that anticipates The Matrix and is now part of the canon of Blade Runner-inspired anime cyberpunk.

The action keeps the plot moving at breakneck speed, so character development often seems to happen in leaps; you'll want to read the manga to learn more about Galley/Alita and her world. Nevertheless, we heartily recommend this DVD as a "must see, must own", and the manga series is complex and profound.

Barefoot Gen

2008-12-11T20:00:00.000-08:00

Barefoot Gen

Anime Review

Ending on a more hopeful note than the spectacularly depressing Grave of the Fireflies, Barefoot Gen is still a gruesome, horrifyingly realistic look at the bombing of Hiroshima as seen through the eyes of a young boy. Although originally produced in 1983, and looking crude and cartoonish by today's standards, the film is still a powerful statement against war, and an incredible tale about the effect of the atomic bomb on a boy's life and the lives of the Japanese people.

Gen Nakaoka is on his way to school when the bomb detonates. He makes his way back to his home through hellish scenes of ruined buildings, corpses, and hideously mutilated survivors. Although his family is still alive, Gen and his pregnant mother are unable to free his father, sister, and brother from the burning rubble of their house and must leave them to perish in the flames. His mother goes into labor during their flight and his new sister is born amid the devastation. Holding the infant, Gen tells her to remember the horrors, so that they never occur again.

And Gen is a tough kid, able to withstand immense hardship without losing his focus on keeping his family alive. In the end he comes across as a true hero, and in the face of adversity, Gen manages to maintain his cheerful spirit and never loses hope that things will get better for him, and for the entire nation of Japan.

Keiji Nakazawa attracted widespread attention in 1973, when he published the first installment of his semiautobiographical manga, Barefoot Gen. Nakazawa was 6 years old in August 1945, when the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima. Most of his family was killed in the blast, and the artist survived through sheer luck. Nakazawa's continuing story now fills seven volumes (nearly 2,000 pages). In addition to two animated features (also written by Nakazawa), three live-action films and an opera have been based on Nakazawa's alter ego.

There aren't too many animated films you could label as "culturally and historically important", but this is one of them. Grab this newly re-mastered DVD set as fast as you can and remember the horrors, so that they never occur again.

AzuManga Daioh

2008-12-11T19:40:00.000-08:00

AzuManga Daioh
Manga Review

Before there was Lucky Star, there was AzuManga Daioh. It's not as cavity cute as Lucky Star and not as much inane humor either but the storyline is much more coherent and that much crazier to even things out. AzuManga Daioh started off as a comic strip before it was turned into an anime so it's only a matter of time that a compilation of the comic strip was put together into an actual manga book.

AzuManga DaiohAzuManga follows the lives of six girls in high school. Between their crazy sicko teachers and their own insecurities, high school has never been so interesting. There is little Chiyo-chan, the most adorable little 10-year-old genius to ever be alive. Everyone is jealous that she is smart AND rich but she's so cute that no one can really hate her for long. If you visit her at her huge house, you might see her riding her giant dog, Mr. Tadakichi, around like a horse.

AzuManga DaiohOsaka (this isn't her real name, just a nickname) constantly obsesses about Chiyo-chan's ponytails and frequently daydreams about how Chiyo-chan has detachable ponytails that she switches between seasons. There are times she thinks that they can make Chiyo-chan fly or maybe she's really a robot and the ponytails are switches to turn her on and off....Yeah...Osaka is not too grounded in reality.

If you are wondering why Osaka ended up with the nickname Osaka, you will have to thank Tomo-chan for it. Always energetic, always talking without thinking, and always doing everything without thinking Tomo-chan. It's a wonder why this girl hasn't been killed yet. Surprisingly, Tomo-chan actually has a friend despite all this: Yomi.

AzuManga DaiohYomi is the complete opposite of her luckily; I don't think the school can take another girl like Tomo-chan. Quiet, studiously, and always the constant voice of reason, Yomi instills a calm about her that is rather like an eye of a storm.

Another person that instills a bit of calm in the school would be Sakaki: the gifted athlete and champion of all small cute things. Most of the students in the school think that Sakaki is mature, cool, and aloof because she's confident in her athletics and do not need the approval of those around her. Sadly, only Chiyo-chan in her own innocent way know that Sakaki is too shy to say that she wants the approval of her fellow classmates. She doesn't want to be known as the girl that wins trophies for the school; she just wants all things small and cute and huggable to love her and allow her to take care of them.AzuManga DaiohLast but not least, you have Kaorin... you don't really see much of her except when she's ogling Sakaki... I think she has a crush on her.

And then, you have the crazy sicko teachers. The most normal of these teachers is Miss Kurosawa. She's very nice and, most of the time, in full control of herself as she teaches gym class. You start seeing kinks in her armor emerge the minute her old friend, Miss Yukari, start calling her "Nyamo" though. Miss Yukari, on the other hand, probably never grew up from her days as a teenager. She is always obsessing how she compares to Miss Kurosawa and has the social graces of a rampaging bull. Her students love her despite her social awkwardness; since she never grew up from her days as a teenager, she's practically still one of them.

AzuManga DaiohBetween Miss Kurosawa and Miss Yukari, they have to protect all the female students from the odd, lecherous Mr. Kimura. He has a thing for female high school students; even little Chiyo-chan who is only 10-years-old is not safe from Mr. Kimura's scheming.

So if you liked Lucky Star or if you've watched the AzuManga Daioh anime already and loved it, you should pick up a copy of the manga and check it out.

Reviewed by Carolyn Whu, February 2008

Below (top to bottom): The charaters Chiyo, Osaka, Tomo, Sakaki and Kagura from AzuManga Daioh animated series. Found via AzuManga Daioh Image Gallery!

Avatar

2008-12-11T19:20:00.000-08:00

Avatar: The Last Airbender

It was the time of the great unbalance. The world of man had divided into four nations representing the four elements (Earth, Air, Fire and Water). Each nation fought the other for total domination of the world.

Only the Avatar can save the world now. Regrettably, he is a twelve-year-old boy. An Airbender of great power named Aang who has been locked in ice for a century. Now, he's out and not quite ready for the challenge he must face in this bleak, desolate realm.

Fortunately, Aang has found some new friends in a waterbender named Katara and her warrior brother Sokka. He's going to need all the friends he can get as he confronts the great armies of the four nations. Can the Last Avatar reunite humanity and save his world?

Avatar The Last Airbender is the surprise hit series from Nickelodeon. It's probably the best-animated series they've come up with since The Mysterious Cities of Gold (a show it resembles in some ways). It is an intelligently written epic with all the impact of Lord of the Rings. Leave it to a childrens' network not to talk down to children. The scripts here are more mature than most of the shows running on ABC-TV during prime time.

To describe the characters and the complex web of schemes and counter-schemes that permeate this saga would make you believe that it would be all too much for the little kiddies. Do not worry; they'll appreciate the fact that they're not being talked down to. Besides, if you raise them on good stuff, they'll want good stuff when they're adults. I applaud the show's success. Perhaps there is hope for American television after all.

Aura Battler Dunbine

2008-12-08T16:52:00.000-08:00

Aura Battler Dunbine
Tales of Byston Well (Vol. 1) -
with Series Box
Anime

If you thought that Escaflowne was original in it's combination of giant robots and medieval settings, see the series that Escaflowne blatantly ripped off — the original, and still the best, Aura Battler Dunbine! Show Zama is transported to the alternate world of Byston Well to become an "Aura Battler," the pilot of a mecha powered by spiritual energy.
The series features some of the most unusual and original mecha designs ever seen in anime, the design is both functional and yet, somehow graceful. With characters that are everything from standard anime to red-headed tinkerbell, the series is a potpourri of ideas that spawned a thousand other animes. The animation is a little dated looking, and suffers from a TV budget, but it's a classic that old-school fans have loved for decades, finally available on DVD here in the US.

Astro Boy

2008-12-08T16:03:00.000-08:00

Astro Boy
The Complete Series (2003)
Anime

No expense was spared to create this lavish 2003 'remake' of the classic series, the animation is breathtakingly lush and vivid — easily topping most big-budget features in terms of production value. Some episodes aired on cartoon Network, but this boxed-set contains the complete series of 50 episodes, including 29 never before seen in the US, as well as a featurette "The Making of Astro Boy".
Astro Boy!
Astro Boy is the classic anime story of a permanently youthful robot boy modeled after the son of a research scientist, Dr. Tenma. Originally intended to be kept a secret, the atomic-powered robot becomes a renowned superhero who fights for justice and peace for humans and robots alike.

Reviewed by Brian Cirulnick, April 2005

Astro Boy, Vol. 1

Here's where it all began. The anime "rosetta stone", the starting point for everything we know as anime and manga today is contained in this single seminal work. Created by "Manga-no-kamisama", Dr. Osamu Tezuka, this comic book lead to the animated series which became the worldwide phenomenon we all know and adore.

Astroboy: Old school Manga that started it all...Of interest to Tezuka fans is that the book is peppered with commentary by Tezuka (obviously, before his untimely death), as well as translation into English by Fred Schodt (author of Manga Manga! & Dreamland Japan). Young and old alike will enjoy this manga, with art and stories as only the God of Comics himself could tell them. Every anime collection should begin here, because this is where anime was born.

Reviewed by Brian Cirulnick, March 2004

Astro Boy Lighter and ID Case

Anime Goodies Review

Anime does not advocate smoking, but this item is just so damn cool, we had to highlight it. Having a lighter, however, is always handy, as you can at least give a light to girl next to you at the dance club. And this piece is a great conversation starter that may get you her number...

Combined with the equally cool ID case (also made from stainless steel), this item is guaranteed to turn heads wherever you flash it. Celebrate your old-skool style with Astro Boy, *the* most recognizable animated character since Mickey Mouse.

Recently I picked up Astro Boy: Omega Factor for the GBA. I have been hearing wonderful things about this game since its release, but everytime I had the cash to get it, I couldnt find it. Good thing I finally did:

This game rocks! Lets not mince words. This is one of the most enjoyable game experiences Ive had in awhile, portable or otherwise.

Astroboy is just such a great character. A metal pinnochio if you will. All of his moves and abilities are faithfully recreated for this game. Not only that, but this game has an interesting and fairly deep story.

The control is spot on. Every move can be pulled off easily and with enough practice you can almost be invicible. As for the audio is…well, it didnt annoy me, so it must be alright.

What about the graphics? They are amazing! Ive never seen so many great effects put to use on the GBA except maybe in Zero Mission. The sprites are big and beautiful and the environments are varied and teaming with life. Plus, everything is wonderfully animated with plenty of frames. No cutting corners on this game. Yes, there is some slow-down when lots of stuff is onscreen, but its not a big deal. To be honest, it almost feels like (but I know it wasnt) intentional. Kind of like bullet time for the big intense moments.

The game also has a lot of replay value. Not only are some new story elements opened up after you beat it, but there are also some other cool goodies that I wont spoil for you. Oh, and when this game lets you select ‘Easy’ ‘Medium’ or ‘Hard’ they mean it. On easy mode you can kill every boss with your laser in no time. On hard, every enemy can kill you in a second. This is a great thing, if you ask me.

Basically, if you enjoy action games like Contra, Metal Slug and Alien Hominid, this portable will fit right in. Games like these are the reason everyone loves Treasure. Plus, any game that can make me put Minish Cap on the back burner has to be good, right?

Aquarion

2008-12-08T08:03:00.000-08:00

Aquarion
Anime

This is the dawning of the age of Aquarion, the age of Aquariooonn, Aquarrioooonnnn!

Eleven years before the start of the series, a disaster only referred to as the "Great Catastrophe" destroyed significant parts of the world and killed off many of its inhabitants. Along with that disaster came the appearance of the "Shadow Angels", a winged humanoid species, who have been in slumber for twelve thousand years. They begin to harvest the remaining humans on Earth, like cattle, to extract their life force from them, which serves as energy and nutrition to the Shadow Angels. (It's a cookbook, a cookbook!)

As ordinary weapons proved ineffective against the giant fighting weapons of the Shadow Angels, scientists were able to excavate technologically advanced fighter planes called "Vectors" to fight against them, but Vectors could only be piloted by "Element Users", aka youngsters with special powers from around the world.

Gathered and trained to pilot the Vectors, it is discovered that the vectors can link together to form the giant fighting machine "Aquarion".

From Shoji Kawamori, the anime legend behind Macross Plus and The Vision of Escaflowne, with an original soundtrack by Yoko Kanno (Cowboy Bebop, GitS:SAC, Wolf's Rain), Aquarion sports an all-star creative team, so, this ain't just another giant robot show. If nothing else, Aquarion looks amazingly awesome, the visual style is a knockout punch that leaves you gasping, tongue-wagging artwork of an inundation of production value. Apparently, there's no lack of funding for this particular anime, and every dollar is on the screen.

So, if you're after a top-notch action series, look no further. Sure, it borrows heavily from Evangelion, but, that's part of what we love about it.

Below: Scenes from Aquarion.

Armitage

2008-12-08T07:44:00.000-08:00

Armitage - Dual Matrix
Anime Video Show

Before The Matrix and before Ghost in the Shell there was Armitage, one of the original cyberpunk heroes. This sequel to Poly Matrix puts Armitage in the middle of a struggle for robot rights as she tries (unsuccessfully) to hide her dual life. And amazingly, she has reproduced, but how is the question that everyone wants to know.

Chock full of mind-blowing, dynamic conflict as well as a direction style that keeps you guessing as to what will happen next, Armitage is an excellent series to keep track of. Like Patlabor, it's full of big issues, enormous action and larger than life characters.

Character design sheet from Armitage.

Earth Maiden: Arjuna

2008-12-08T07:17:00.000-08:00

Earth Maiden Arjuna
Anime

Personally, any chance to listen to the work of composer Yoko Kanno is reason enough to sit through any TV series. Regardless, you'll find Shoji Kawamori's Earth Maiden Arjuna to be a serious mind-blower. The director who gave us "Escaflowne" and "Macross" has gotten very personal and created a unique ecological tale that is not only worth watching, but should be required viewing.

Taking place in the present day Tokyo, the plot surrounds a young woman who is near death after an accident, but, as part of her second chance at life, wakes up to her surroundings and how she is needed to protect the well-being of the planet she has previously taken for granted. When Juna realizes what she must do, she's endowed with the strength of the Earth to combat spiritual, snake-like destroyers born from human waste called the Raaja, but before she can even think of purifying the world she must first purify herself.

The art and animation can be considered excellent, with its smooth mix of cel animation, computer imagery, and live-action footages. The enthralling music suits the series perfectly, which is no surprise since the great Yoko Kanno is the one behind it.

Part environmentalist expose, part romance, part coming-of-age story, Earth Maiden: Arjuna will dazzle your eyes, ears, mind, and spirit.

Arjuna Original Soundtrack -
Into the Another World
Anime Soundtrack Review

It's no secret we're fans of the work of Yoko Kanno, a composer who's eclectic range is matched only by her unbridled creativity. Her ability to fuse disparate musical styles into a cohesive and scintillating blend is nothing short of revolutionary.

Earth Maiden: Arjuna is an anime series regarding ecological disaster, that may just come to pass as prophecy in the coming years, but regardless of your feelings for the direction and storyline, there's no denying that the soundtrack is a joy, Kanno's at top form here and the music is compelling and refreshingly original.

Below: DVD Covers for the Earth Maiden Arjuna series from Japan.

Arcade Gamer Fubuki

2008-12-08T04:04:00.000-08:00

Arcade Gamer Fubuki
Anime DVD Review

And now for something completely different. From the screenwriter of Cowboy Bebop and Escaflowne: The Movie and the animation director of RahXephon comes this little bit of weirdness. Fubuki is a girl whose only goal in life is to be the best at arcade games. In normal life, she's a total spaz, but when it comes to arcades, Fubuki's a whiz with special super-powers. When an evil organization steals her special abilities, she and her friends must battle the wackiest bunch of video game villains in order to halt a conspiracy for world domination!

It's light and fun faire for everyone. Not unlike Animation Runner Kuromi, this DVD has appeal just from being fresh and inventive and not depending on a long, drawn out storyline. Everything you need to know is laid out in the first few minutes and the rest of the film is watching the fun unfold.

Reviewed by Brian Cirulnick, June 2004

Appleseed

2008-12-08T03:44:00.000-08:00

Appleseed Ex Machina
Anime DVD Review

I thought 2004's CGI Appleseed movie was about as good as it was going to get for the franchise, but I stand corrected. Appleseed Ex Machina is a tour-de-force of edge of your seat action wrapped around a solid love-triangle storyline, wrapped around a decent sci-fi plot.

Appleseed Ex MachinaProduced by John Woo (yes, John Woo!) it's full of his signature style of gunplay with lots of slo-mo bullets and enough detail to have you watching it again and again just to experience everything that's happening all at once. It's detail overload in fact, and can become mind-numbing at times trying to absorb it all.

But this movie gets its heart from the love triangle, which is thankfully handled in a mature manner. Deunan and Briareos' loving, intense relationship gets plenty of cute moments, despite the tension brought about by Tereus, and Briareos' fear that Deunan will prefer him as a flesh and blood lover. Tereus, to his credit, is a well-developed rival, with a lot of Briareos' rough kindness, but also insecurities of his own.

In all, this film succeeds where the previous one failed. The look is different this time around. I think I preferred the 2004 film's style, but this incarnation of Appleseed more than makes up for it with a far more solid storyline and characters. Also, this time, they are definitely making anime that you'll want to watch in High Def.

Appleseed Ex Machina
Appleseed
Manga Review

The manga Appleseed really is the standard by which all other manga are judged. Although Masamune Shirow is more widely known for creating Ghost in the Shell, it is with this long-running manga series that he became appreciated as a master storyteller. As a cyberpunk piece of fiction, it is without equal.

Appleseed mangaThe world that Appleseed takes place in—a near-future, post-WWIII city-state utopia—is exquisitely crafted and detailed. Into this city comes Deunan Knute, a nomad street-smart soldier from the destroyed outer territories, and her cyborg partner, Briareos.

The series initially introduces the characters and their new home on the island of Olympus. But once the stage is set and the pieces are in place, action erupts that carries through the rest of the book. It turns out this "utopia" is full of strife and factional in-fighting between ruling classes.

From here the central thematic conflict of the series is established: the human race's two options of (1) pursuing their every desire, thereby dragging their whole world into destruction, or (2) changing their very nature to preserve the present sterile utopia forever. This is essential reading for anyone interested in science fiction.

The series is awash with action, amazing technical designs, and great characters, all of which is rounded off by a nice dose of humor which does not detract from the very serious plotline. Shirow's artwork is simply gorgeous, and displays a flair for design, both architectural and mechanical, that shows up in some of the niftiest vehicles, buildings and mechs ever seen in a comic (or any medium). His character designs (some of whom are partially mecha themselves) are attractive, and exhibit that flair and style that makes this manga such a joy to look at.

Appleseed manga

Appleseed
Buy from Amazon.com
Appleseed
Anime DVD Review

Geneon's release of the groundbreaking anime mega-hit from last summer is armed and dangerous. A stunning film to look at, it is also amazing that they managed to condense Shirow's awesome manga series down to 90 minutes without losing the impact and overall message of the story.
Appleseed
Fully 3-D animated, it still manages to maintain a cel-animated look and feel - the film is a marvel from the technical standpoint and marks new high ground in the art of anime film-making. Loaded with a decent voice-cast, plenty of kick-ass action, and a visual punch that is sure to please, Appleseed is a blast!

Appleseed - Original Soundtrack
Anime Soundtrack Review

Appleseed broke new ground in advancing the art of the animated film, and the awesome soundtrack that accompanies the astounding visuals is no exception. Loaded with killer beats, the album is a standout in the electronica/techno/trance/house/dance realm.

This two disc set contains both the third party songs contributed towards the film as well as the orchestral BGM score.

On Disc 1, the stand out track is the Boom Boom Satellites "Dive for You." Paul Oakenfold's "Burn Attack" is a DJ style techno song & Basement Jaxx's "Good Luck" is a house/dance anthem you can picture being blared in a underground dance club in New York. Atom's "White Car" has a nice combination of crazy beats overlaid with each other very unusual and subtle ways. And there's plenty more where that came from.

Some soundtracks mix up the beats and the orchestra, but this one separates the two. In combination with Disc 2 (the BGM), this is a good balanced soundtrack, and depending upon your mood or taste, you can play Disc 1 or 2 as you please.

The AniMATRIX

2008-12-08T03:25:00.000-08:00

The AniMATRIX
Anime

Take Americas most popular cyberpunk movie and combine it with nine short computer films by top Japanese and American anime directors, elaborating on THE MATRIX's themes and subplots, and you've got the makings of a winner of a DVD. The Animatrix is about as cool as it can get, essentially Ghost in the Shell meets Robot Carnival.
Featuring segments directed by such greats as Peter Chung (Aeon Flux, Reign), Shinichiro Watanabe (Cowboy Bebop, Macross Plus) and Takeshi Koike (Ninja Scroll), The Animatrix promises to be an action Tour-De-Force, while also providing background into the world of The Matrix. Four of the ANIMATRIX stories are penned by the Wachowski Brothers, with the remaining five written by the anime directors themselves.

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Forget the old plain Windows background. With AllAnimeDownloads.com, you have a choice of thousands of unique wallpapers from all animes & themes to personalize your desktop.

Animation Runner Kuromi

2008-12-08T02:58:00.000-08:00

Animation Runner Kuromi 2

This sequel to the popular and insightful Animation Runner Kuromi continues the misadventures of the newbie anime producer stuck between a rock and a hard place trying to get the animation done for the TV show that she is working on.

This time however, the studio is now working on three shows simultaneously, they are critically understaffed, and, if this wasn't enough stress, the boss brings in a maverick producer to get the jobs done, but he eschews quality control and direction, focusing on meeting the deadline at any cost.Animation Runner Kuromi Any anime fan really needs to have this as a part of their collection. Not only is it a fairly accurate view of what goes on inside an average animation studio in Japan (when it's run by misfits), but it's a highly satirical look at the entire process of making a cartoon. From the constant compromises and sacrifices that have to be made in order to meet deadline to the personal problems that each artist may bring to the table, to the fact that everyone draws differently, and yet the final result needs to look seamless, Animation Runner Kuromi 2 covers all aspects of what happens while these cartoons get made, and yet it itself is a cartoon.

As with the previous version, the extras on the disk also make it worth the price - you get essentially a "Roman Album" worth of extra stills and sketches, character designs and model sheets.

If you ever thought of working "in the business", then you should definitely pick this up (along with the original), as Kuromi is an eye-opening, appealing, funny, biting look behind the scenes of anime production.

Reviewed by Brian Cirulnick, June 2006

Animation Runner Kuromi
Buy from clickbank.com
Animation Runner Kuromi

This charmer of an OVA is rife with inside-jokes about working at an animation studio in Japan. An Otaku-fantasy come true, Kuromi learns that it's hard work and requires more self-confidence than she thinks she has.
Animation Runner Kuromi
Anime fans who want to know how the magic happens will find the film, as well as the extras included on the disk, both insightful and just a little bit frightening.

Not since The Duck Factory have we been this pleased to see something that shows what it's like on the other side of the pencil. Kuromi deserves a spot on your shelf, right next to some books on how to draw and how to do animation.

Ai Yori Aoshi

2008-12-07T19:34:00.000-08:00

Ai Yori Aoshi - Faithfully Yours
Anime

East meets West in a culture clash comedy! An excellent romantic-comedy that explores the clash between Japan's modern and traditional values. An arranged marriage gone wrong, as the groom-to-be doesn't want to return to the clan that caused him emotional and physical pain, yet his bride-to-be is completely devoted to him.

The series is so skillfully directed and executed that at the end of each episode, we found ourselves scanning through the closing and opening credits so we could see what happens next! Even the dialog is handled appropriately — she speaks in complete, ultra-polite sentences, he uses contractions and slang. When she moves in with him, despite his objections, can he remain a gentleman?

Reviewed by Brian Cirulnick, March 2003

Ai Yori Aoshi
Anime Soundtrack Review

If you remember our review of this series, you'll know we're nuts about this show. It's the smartest, sweetest, most satisfying romantic comedy since In this soundtrack cd (BGM), the juxtaposition of modern, bouncy are set against more traditional sounding Japanese music that complements and highlights the culture-clash that is the focal point of the series.

Ai Yori Aoshi explores something most anime have dared not touch — that while Japan screams headlong into embracing Western values, it continues to stubbornly hold on to it's traditional culture, We were impressed that the music alone could communicate that.

Reviewed by Brian Cirulnick, January 2005

5 Centimeters Per Second

2008-12-07T19:07:00.000-08:00

5 Centimeters Per Second
Anime DVD Review

Here's the only thing you need to know about this movie: Makoto Shinkai.

For those of you living under a rock for the past few years, Shinkai has pretty much been hailed as "the new Miyazaki" for his exceptional ability to craft an amazing story with compelling characters and infuse it with amazingly awesome artwork. His first film was a labor of love done almost entirely by himself (Voices of a Distant Star), which he then followed up with the critically acclaimed "The Place Promised in Our Early Days", both of which, if you haven't seen yet, you really, really, REALLY need to.

Like now. Stop reading. Go see these films.

Okay, if you're back now, Makoto Shinkai had expressed that, unlike his past works, there would be no fantasy or science fiction elements in this film. Instead, "5 Centimeters" would attempt to present the real world from a different perspective, giving a realistic view of the struggles many face against, time, space, people, and love.

The title 5 Centimeters Per Second comes from the speed at which cherry blossoms petals fall, petals being a metaphorical representation of humans, reminiscent of the slowness of life and how people often start together but slowly drift into their separate ways.

The film is split into three acts that are major points in the life of Takaki Tono as he makes friends, falls in love, and yet, slowly drifts away or loses touch as we all do, by the forces of life working against us. It's a heart-wrenching and believable tale of a common ordeal, something we all face, but because of Shinkai's poignant and emotional direction combined with breathtaking artwork; these simple moments create an indelible impression and sweep us away in the deceptively simple story.

In short, 5 Centimeters Per Second is both a masterpiece visually as well a stunning achievement in storytelling and you really, really, REALLY need to see it. Right now. Stop reading.

Below: Scenes from 5 Centimeters Per Second, the level of detail is just

Afro-Samurai

2008-12-07T18:32:00.000-08:00

File this one under "Oh yeah".

Super bad-ass of the world Samuel L. Jackson returns to reprise his role as the ass-kicker of all ass-kickers in a production that can only be described as 'totally over the top', with lavish production values and more than enough action to satisfy even the most die-hard of action fans.

Afro Samurai: ResurrectionAlso included to up the ante is Lucy Lui, playing Sio, a beautiful seductive and sadistic mastermind plotting to destroy Afro Samurai. As if that weren't enough, additional casting includes Mark Hamill as Bin, Sio's manservant and protector, and Yuri Lowenthal (the voice of Sauske in the hit anime series Naruto) as Kuma, the teddy bear-headed warrior from the original Afro Samurai series.

If you liked Spike's first Afro Samurai (and really, who didn't?), then you'll find plenty to admire about this re-visited re-romp of re-venge. More is better and this has got more of everything.

Reviewed by Brian Cirulnick, December 2008

Anime Game

The only question to ask here is — what took them so long to get this out? I mean, duh, Afro Samurai was only *the* biggest event of last year for anime fans, and Spike TV delivered an excellent, high-octane, tour-de-force of butt-kicking awesomeness.

Afro Samurai (for XBOX360)We can only assume this is being geared to prep us for the second TV series or the movie, but nevertheless, we're happy to have it, as the game is an excellent, high-octane, tour-de-force of butt-kicking awesomeness.

The most amazing aspect of this game is the look, which is actually more painterly and artistically styled than the anime series itself was, with an almost airbrushed, watercolor, designer-marker feel, which is quite attractive and really shows off the graphics capabilities of the Xbox360 and PS3.

Giggity...

Reviewed by Brian Cirulnick, October 2008

Afro-Samurai

Statement of Bias — I'll watch *anything* with Samuel L. Jackson in it - even Snakes on a Plane! So, it should come as no surprise that I found this pairing of Jackson, anime, and the Spike TV network to be a real hoot. And in no way whatsoever does it disappoint — costing an obscene $1 million per episode, this Gonzo-created, over-the-top extravaganza is loaded with bloody carnage, action-on-top-of-action, and fight scene followed by fight scene — heck, we don't even get to the beginning of the plot until well into episode two!

Afro SamuraiWhat plot there is — Afro Samurai is the story of a Black samurai in a futuristic yet feudal Japan who is on a mission to avenge the wrongful death of his father. Afro is a warrior who travels a solitary path encountering a myriad of enemies, friends, and challenges beyond imagination. To become "number 1", you have to kill "number 2" and then the current "number 1". It sounds easy, but it's not.

Afro Samurai blends traditional Japanese culture, funky technology and hip-hop to create a brutally fresh entertainment experience. Nothing is what it seems, and in a bizarre twist right out of a Satoshi Kon film, Afro even has to battle a Ninja teddy-bear (with really disturbing eyes).

Additionally, this "Director's Cut" release include never-before-seen footage (stuff too hot even for Spike!) as well as "behind the scenes" looks into the music production, voice acting and animation creation. While none of the extras are terribly deep, they are informative.

Reviewed by Brian Cirulnick, July 2008