Luc DURAND

Hey, Answerman!
THIS TIME: Why don't anime openings have sound effects? Where's the cultural uproar about teenage anime fans that are into yaoi and hentai? And what's up with the otaku "stigma"? And a new Hey, Answerfans too! WHOOSH! 2010-02-05

ANNCast - What'Chou talkin' bout?
Producer Joseph Chou, the man behind Appleseed: Ex Machina and Halo Legends stops by to chat about his various projects and drops some info about the live-action Evangelion! Also: Legend of the Galactic Heroes! 2010-02-04

Gallery: Range Murata at the Taipei International Book Exhibition 2010
A look at Range Murata's illustration demo at the Taipei International Book Exhibition in Taiwan. 2010-02-04

The X Button - Ninja Science
This week: Tatsunoko vs. Capcom is reviewed, a major new RPG emerges with a predictable name, Disgaea keeps talking, and we measure the injustice done to Metal Warriors. 2010-02-03

Anime News Nina! - 2010-02-03
Myoopi gets a little blue. 2010-02-03

Hanamaru Kindergarten Episodes 1-4 streaming
Hanamaru Kindergarten returns to the essence of slice-of-life humor, places it in an adorable classroom environment, and proves to the world that Cute Is Not Dead.

Gundam UC Volume 01
This first episode really feels like a short but impressive feature film, complete with a big budget and a movie-sized plot. A beautiful entry into the Gundam franchise thus far and a promising start for Universal Century fans.

Blade of the Immortal DVD 3
Less a self-contained series than a mega-sized version of one of those one-off OAVs from the 80s and 90s that were made as primers for their infinitely more comprehensive print versions.

The Skull Man DVD
A newspaper reporter and his young photographer sidekick investigate reports of a mysterious masked killer in this 2007 mystery/horror tale from Bones. Its surprising complexity, numerous plot twists, and sometimes brutal violence can certainly keep a viewer involved.

Honey and Clover DVD Box Set 2
Flows, with all the eddies, detours and tributaries of life, straight to an offbeat but hugely satisfying conclusion. Bring on season two.

Fullmetal Alchemist GN 22
The endgame is in full swing, and the final goal is in clear sight, but how our heroes are going to get there ... is anyone's guess.

So-Ra-No-Wo-To episodes 1-4
An all-female military platoon plays music to the sky in a fortress at the edge of a war-ravaged civilization in this very different moe title. Despite some generic elements, its premise, setting, and tone distinguish it from other titles of its ilk and get it off to a good start.

Death Note Relight DVD 2
There is merit to this release in its greater wealth of new footage and improvements on Mello and Near's overwrought episodes. Still, it's only "better" for the fans, and the uninitiated should always just turn to the original series.

Blassreiter DVD part 2
In the end, the second half of this series about nanomachine-created monsters and those who fight them proves sufficiently entertaining, though flaws in the writing prevent it from ascending to top-tier status. It is at least a slight improvement over the first half, however.

Case Closed: Countdown to Heaven DVD
There are juicy morsels to be had for fans of almost every character, and yes, there is a murder mystery, but really this is a movie for those who want to see Gin's villainy given the big-screen treatment.

Nurse Witch Komugi DVD 1
Boob jokes and fanservice pepper this show like Naruto headbands at Anime Expo. [T]his is a show that's neither plot-driven nor character-driven, but exists only as eye candy.