Matt THORN

Now Streaming: Heat Guy J 1-4 (d)
Geneon thought it would be the next big thing, but despite a short run on MTV, Heat Guy J fell on its face. And that's too bad, because it's quite a fun little noir action show (plus it's by the Escaflowne guy). Now Funimation's giving it a new lease on life, and we have the first four episodes dubbed. Come see what you were missing! [discuss] 2009-09-22

The X Button - Diabolical Machinations
This week: the Soul Eater games we just might see over here, plus the next Kingdom Hearts, Valkyria Chronicles 2, a new English trailer for Sakura Wars, and this week's Disgaea-related announcements. 2009-09-23

Anime News Nina! - 09-23-09
The mysterious world of Paola is revealed. 2009-09-23

Kannagi Fan-Art Contest Entries Page 2
18 more homages to our wonderful goddesses. 2009-09-22

Chicks On Anime - Shoujo in Academia
We talk shoujo with MCAD professor Frenchy Lunning, editor in chief for Mechademia, and co-founder of the annual Schoolgirls and Mobilesuits workshop. 2009-09-22

Shelf Life - Nabari no Go
We're going back to the basics this week with original Dragonball. Plus, ninjas and crybabies!
- Big Windup s1 pt2
- Dragon Ball s1
- Nabari s1 pt1
2009-09-21

D.Grayman Season 1 Prize Pack Give Away
Season 1 Part 1 DVD, Messenger Bag, T-Shirt, Coffee Mug, Buttons, and more... 2009-09-21

Astro Toy with Rob Bricken - Revoltech Eva Provisional Unit 05
A an all-new Eva unit from the all-new movie brings Rob all-new disappointment. 2009-09-20

Gankutsuou: The Count of Monte Cristo GN 3
The manga version puts the focus back on the most interesting character: the Count himself. As a result, the plot reaches full steam in a very powerful way—but sadly gets derailed in the later chapters.

Cencoroll
It's a film that defies any and all expectations of both medium and genre, that makes us marvel and has really little time to do much else.

Blade of the Immortal GN 20-21
Is everything one could ask for in a climax: violent, smart and brimming with gory schadenfruede.

Berserk GN 28
The clues it contains about the future direction of Guts' journey—and the relentless monster action—ultimately save it, but unless the series regains its bearings soon this will begin to qualify as a genuine slump.

Darker Than Black DVDs 4-6
The appearance of a new antagonist organization on the scene give the series its long-absent overarching story arc and introduces a great new character as the series races towards an ultimately rushed climax. A brilliantly off-the-cuff bonus episode rounds out one of the year's better series.

Tsubasa, RESERVoir CHRoNiCLE GN 22
It's a beauty to look at, but a pain to follow. But we continue following anyway, because the path of destiny still holds many more surprises.

Destiny of the Shrine Maiden Complete Collection
A love triangle forms between two reincarnated priestesses and a boy who represents part of their nihilistic foe in a series laden with fan service and mecha action but ultimately more focused on the development of the central characters' obsessive love. Not great, but not as trashy as it initially appears to be, either.

Hunter x Hunter DVD Set 3
Despite its new-found fondness for super-powered shonen tropes, it's as thoroughly enjoyable and mature as ever, though with the unmistakable scent of a series waiting for better things to come.

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.

Dragon Ball Z Season 8 DVD Set
The Z fighters meet the wizard Babidi and eventually also Majin Buu as the last major DBZ story arc begins. Although this block of episodes still clings to the series' action greatness, the cracks in its well-tested formula start to show here.