María José CASTRO

Now Streaming: Baccano! 1-2(d)
It was one of last year's most intriguing new shows, with an ecclectic blend of 1920s style, mafia action and mysticism. If you've never seen it before, or are just curious about the dub, now's your chance to check out the first two episodes for free! Then you can talk about it here... 2009-09-09

Kannagi Fan-Art Contest
Win the entire Kannagi DVD series, and other special gifts. Artist winners and randomly drawn winners. 2009-09-09

The X Button - Source Codes
This week has Todd reviewing Fate/Unlimited Codes, dissecting the latest Bleach game, studying Contra Rebirth, and then laughing with childlike glee over Capcom's Okamiden. 2009-09-09

Anime News Nina! - 2009-09-09
A little bonding time with Nina and Paola. 2009-09-09

Ghost Hunt Give-Away
Win a copy of Ghost Hunt The complete series Boxset and Ghosthunting Texas (America's Haunted Road Trip), by April Slaughter. 2009-09-08

Chicks On Anime - Honey & Clover
We chat Honey & Clover this week, and get a little heated over the lovable Hagu. 2009-09-08

Shelf Life - Re-release-a-palooza
So many re-releases, so little time.
- Grave of the Fireflies
- The Wallflower boxset
- UFO Ultramaiden Valkyrie: OVA Collection
- xxxHolic boxset
2009-09-07

Where Has Love Gone? GN
It is never, ever a good sign when the mangaka herself admits that she “kinda failed at this series.” How do you dispute her own good judgment?

Natsu no Arashi! Episodes 1-13 Streaming
Natsu no Arashi!'s heady mix of silliness, sexiness, nostalgia, romance, melodrama, and the utterly surreal is sure to sweep viewers up and away like a fast moving summer storm.

Rosario + Vampire GN 8
It takes a certain talent to achieve mediocrity in the genres of school comedy, suspense, and action all in the space of one manga volume.

Gestalt GN 1
Only the most devoted of Yun Kouga fans. The rest of the manga reading world is safe sticking with the likes of Loveless and Earthian and leaving Gestalt to its remote little island.

Boys Over Flowers GN 36
Eleven years and thirty-six volumes...for this?! The disappointment is almost inconceivable in its scale. It's awfully hard not to feel cheated as Boys Over Flowers limps dejectedly to an anti-climatic finish line.

Azumanga Daioh The Complete DVD Collection
A must buy for anyone who has not yet had the pleasure of watching Azumanga Daioh in its entirety. Oh, and be sure to pay close attention—it might be on the exam!

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 Wing DVD 5
For the Gundam Wing fans, this is a good buy.