Akira ITO (lyricist)

ANNCast - Bosch Spice
Johnny Yong Bosch joins Zac and Justin for a chat about conventions and a whole bunch of Twitter questions, but before all of that, it's the downfall of ADV Films and the questionable dub of Sgt. Frog. Do it now! 2009-09-03

Now Streaming: Sergeant Frog 1-4(d)
It's the same Sergeant Frog, except with 100% less Japanese puns and 70% more American pop culture references! Is it still funny? Funnier, maybe? Check out Funimation's new reversioned Sergeant Frog, right here! [then tell us what you think here] 2009-09-03

Anime News Nina! - 2009-09-02
It's the final nail for Kuu-tan. 2009-09-02

The X Button - Conflict and Chaos
This week's X Button delves into Dissidia: Final Fantasy, a promising Okami sequel, a new Level-5 RPG, an old Lupin III puzzle game, and Muramasa art that's probably not safe for work or bookstore shelves. 2009-09-02

What's Happening with ADV Films
Stop all the speculation about ADV's fate. This is the final word in Internet speculation on this topic... till the next press release at least. 2009-09-01

RIGHT TURN ONLY!! - The Despair of the Letter Bees
RTO is in despair again! That's because Sayonara, Zetsubou-Sensei is reviewed this week, along with Tegami Bachi, Ikigami, and the shoujo-est version of X-Men EVER. 2009-09-01

Shelf Life - Bubble Teatrino
Taking orphans off the streets and putting guns in their hands. That's the way to go.
- Darker Than Black DVD 5
- Gunslinger Girl: Il Teatrino complete
- Sorcerous Stabber Orphen complete
- When They Cry complete
2009-08-31

Bleach Season 3 Uncut Box Set
This boxed set, which constitutes the second half of the original Soul Society arc, brings the series to its first major plot climax. Along the way it showcases (for better or worse) all of the characteristic traits of long-running shonen action series and how the franchise puts its own twist on them to make this series so immensely popular.

Genshiken 2 DVD 1
This isn't just a comedy or a slice-of-life drama; it's an indispensible snapshot of the otaku zeitgeist.

Sakura Wars Complete Collection
Spiritually powerful young maidens pilot mecha to defend the imperial capital in a steampunk version of 1920s Japan in this TV series based on a popular video game line. This economical rerelease gives newer fans a chance to experience one of the most popular series of the early 2000s.

Ristorante Paradiso Episodes 1-11 Streaming
“Love comes in all shapes and sizes,” opines Nicoletta late in this attractively modest but affective anime series about the staff of a restaurant in Rome based upon a standalone manga volume of the same name by Natsume Ono. This straightforward sentence is the true theme and raison d'entre of Ristorante Paradiso.

Gundam 00 DVD Season 1 Part 1
A worthwhile watch for anyone who doesn't mind their entertainment with more brain than heart.

St. Dragon Girl GN 2-4
St. Dragon Tail might actually have been improved if it were doing something blatantly and ridiculously “wrong”…'cause as banal shoujo puffery, it just isn't doing much of anything right. Don't give it a second thought.

Yokai Doctor GN 2
Some of the stories achieve enough depth to break the mold (or at least, make the best use of the mold), but otherwise, this volume of Yokai Doctor fails to reach its potential.

Hayate the Combat Butler Sub.DVD Part 1
If you're hunting the market for a low-investment comedy that keeps the chuckles coming and never overreaches itself, then Hayate is your man; particularly if your anime trivia is up to snuff.

Moribito DVD 4
Though the story drags a bit through this run of three filler episodes, the series still looks great, offers another amazing action scene, and does its job well in world-building and character development departments. That should be enough to sustain fans until the meat of the main story returns.

Black Lagoon GN 7
Bigger isn't always better, and setting up a massive, all-encompassing storyline sometimes has a way of backfiring on itself.

Hotel Africa GN 1
A unique work that successfully blends short story, memoir and personal drama ... the writing and characters are so well-developed that it reads more like an illustrated version of a modern literary novel.