Matt CAMPBELL

The X Button - Into the Blue
This week: a BlazBlue review, a new Rune Factory, Sky Crawlers: Innocent Aces, yet another Final Fantasy spin-off, and the Samurai Pizza Cats game that might have been. 2009-07-07

RIGHT TURN ONLY!! - Shana no Kiss
Sometimes it's nice to read real books with words in them. That's why the new Faust is being reviewed this week! Other highlights: Shakugan no Shana, Kimikiss, and a Reader's Choice with lots of pretty boys... 2009-07-07

Astro Toy with Rob Bricken - Stick with Dark Mospeada
Rob checks out a new toy from an old series, Genesis Climber Mospeada. 2009-07-05

Vampire Hunter D: Pale Fallen Angel Parts 3 and 4
Things only get more complicated for D as his mission to escort the Baron concludes in this twelfth American release of the Vampire Hunter D novels. Though many interesting things happen, it still has the same strengths and weakness as most previous novels.

Kimi ni Todoke GN 1
Kimi ni Todoke is hands down one of the best new English-translated manga series of 2009. Read this one even if you are not ordinarily a shoujo manga fan. It is simply not to be missed.

A Drifting Life GN
A Drifting Life is about the men behind the manga and the ways in which they and the art form they cherish grow to maturity. A must read for anyone who styles him- or herself a serious anime, manga, or indie comics fan.

Gurren Lagann the Movie: Crimson Lotus Chapter
Gainax gets a chance to do a second, high-gloss polish over some of their favorite scenes from the show... and charge its legions of fans full ticket price to watch edited-together TV episodes they've already seen dozens of times.

Clover -Omnibus Edition- GN
Although only three of the four parts (and four of the projected six volumes) have ever been published, you might be excused for thinking that Dark Horse's attractive new single-volume omnibus edition of Clover, ostensibly released to celebrate CLAMP's 20th anniversary this year, is the final word on this haunting cyberpunk-styled tale.

Pluto GN 3
Pluto is more than just a thriller—it's a classic sci-fi examination of artificial intelligence, and the progression of that debate is just as crucial as the progression of the story itself.

Black Bird GN 1
A bodice ripper with lots of bodice ripping but no sex (at least in the first volume)? And lots of blood drinking but no vampires (yet)? That would be the deliciously dirty Black Bird by Kanoko Sakurakoji (Backstage Prince).

Law of Ueki DVD Complete Series Box Set
Light, peppy fun throughout and unexpectedly satisfying in conclusion, it's an underdog of a show that manages to win in the end. What could be more appropriate?

Ponyo
Ponyo is, from its very first frame to its very last, a pure fairytale. And ultimately, that may be why Ponyo may be considered something of a letdown by longtime fans of the artist. If Princess Mononoke was a sumptuous 7-course meal, Ponyo is a well-crafted crème brulee.

Shugo Chara! Episodes 38-51 Streaming
... stands out as one of the defining works of its genre and of its era. Which is not too bad for a heroine with multiple personality disorder.

Oh My Goddess! GN 21
... this is Fujishima on autopilot, and he's done better work. The precise artwork is there, the cute laughs are there, but without something to really drive the story, it's just a lot of people running around like chickens trying to un-magick [the fourth goddess] Peorth.