Fanfare

Hey, Answerman!
Note: the following Hey, Answerman! contains frank discussions of sexual material, nerdy dialogue, and season-related content. 2009-08-07

Anime News Nina! - 2009-08-05
Nina and Kevin discover the latest otaku craze. 2009-08-05

The X Button - Guilty Motivation
This week: a brief chat with the men behind Guilty Gear and BlazBlue, followed by looks at an R-Type Command sequel, Windy X Windam, Mystic Defender's anime roots, and the unholy alliance between Naruto and Tekken. 2009-08-05

ANNtv - Otakon '09 Cosplay Fun Reel (part 2)
You ready for more cosplay? Check out even more of the best and the bizarre at Otakon 09! And don't forget, Part 1 is still here. [discuss] 2009-08-04

Kaze No Stigma DVD
The first half of this series about a cool and cocky wind magic-user and his temperamental fire magic-user cousin is hardly awful but definitely does not stand amongst the better recent efforts of its type. Weak writing and overripe characterizations eventually cause what little early promise it has to wither.

Phantom Episodes 1-13 Streaming
A beautiful, slowly engrossing and occasionally surprising anti-action action anime. Perhaps Bee Train's best series of this stripe since Noir.

Baby & Me GN 14
This isn't Baby & Me's best volume—that honor goes to the wringing thirteenth volume—but it is in many ways the most representative one.

Fullmetal Alchemist: Premium OVA Collection DVD
Decidedly for hardcore fans of the original show, the short running time and the forgettable nature of most of the shorts will be enough to make most fans hesitate before buying. However, two segments are compelling enough to make the disc a necessary purchase, in the end.

Naruto Box Set 13 DVD
Naruto and his revolving supporting cast complete missions in the Land of Birds and Land of Sea, amongst others. Despite some amusing moments and one decent story arc, this set represents one of the lowest and least memorable stretches of the first series.

Fullmetal Alchemist GN 19
The series has always been packed with high-flying adventure moments, but you can just tell when you run into the ones that really matter. And this is one part of FMA that really, really matters.

Vampire Knight GN 7
The seventh volume of Vampire Knight, among the strongest of the series published thus far, hits all of the requisite fangirl squeal buttons…and then some.

Gakuen Alice Sub.DVD
From its opening frame, the series exudes a pure, honest desire to entertain that is no less endearing for not being backed up with the skill to pull it off.

Oh My Goddess! (2nd Ed) GN 12
Keiichi. Belldandy. Together forever. Why mess with a formula that works?

Romeo x Juliet: Romeo Collection
Shakespeare's classic tragedy about teenage love and woe comes to anime in a stylish fantasy reinterpretation by Gonzo. The dynamics may be a bit different, but an effective blend of action and drama forms a backdrop for this beautiful exploration of the pain and joy of fresh young love.

Welcome to the NHK DVD 2
Despite the occasional good laugh, the series usually plays better taken as straight drama and character study. It may not be the most purely entertaining series, but that makes it no less interesting to watch.