Ako SHIMAKI

Shelf Life - The Nana Diaries
Is life as we know it real? Or is it just a figment of our anime? Find out this week.
- Baki the Grappler s.2 Box
- Black Cat boxset
- NANA live-action
- Zegapain v. 2, 3
2008-04-06

The Click - April 5 - 11
Calmly and soothingly rest your buttocks in your favorite armoire, with a smooth vintage Chablis in one hand, and a fine humidor in the other, and let the wafting waves of TV listings slowly drift in front of your eyes in a most dignified manner. It's The Click! 2008-04-05

Hey, Answerman!
It's an all-new Hey, Answerman! This week: the death of the DVD market, anime fans who think they're creative geniuses, a bunny picture and a surprise cameo! All that and your answers to last week's Hey, Answerfans! 2008-04-04

The Twelve Kingdoms Novel 2
The original novel on which the anime's second story arc was based comes to life with a focus on the long-absent kirin Taiki. A wonderful world and wonderful writing make this novel just as engrossing as the first one.

Tweeny Witches DVD 1
While this decidedly nonconformist magical girl series may have some problems, lack of vision and creativity are not among them. Worth a look even by those who do not normally care for the genre.

Gintama GN 5
On the surface, it may look like just another one of those "Ha ha look at silly people do silly things" comedies, but observant readers will laugh all the more because of the series' satirical edge.

Shuffle! DVD 1
Fans of harem romantic comedies might be able to tolerate this bland and uninspired exercise in brazen stupidity, lame jokes, and disgusting sweetness. All others should stay well away.

My Dearest Devil Princess GN 2
Expect some mild entertainment in this volume, but let us never forget the series' true purpose: boobs, butts, and easily removable clothes.

Phoenix DVD 3
Allows itself to get preachy and metaphysical at the end, but delivers plenty of cruel twists of fate, epic-scaled plotting, and mythical inventions before it does. All that, and the meaning of life too. You just can't beat that.

5 Centimeters Per Second DVD
This story of longing and connections, told in three parts, has the all the style, elegance, and eloquence of Makoto Shinkai's previous works. It may not show much variety, but it proves again that no anime director is better at making this kind of story work.

Super Robot Wars OG Divine Wars Sub.DVD 3
Sure the series is a pastiche, but it's a pastiche that hits on everything that can make mecha series big, brainless fun. Thoroughly preposterous, terribly juvenile, and undeniably cool.

Yumekui Kenbun: Nightmare Inspector GN 1
Exploring the world of nightmares, uncovering secret twist endings, and doing it all in old-school, pre-war Japan sounds like a wonderful time ... until you realize you're being fed the same story over and over.

Haruka -Beyond the Stream of Time- GN 1
If you removed Haruka's resemblance to Fushigi Yuugi, there wouldn't be anything left but bones.

Trinity Blood - The Movie
While not Gonzo's best or most original effort, this sharp-looking movie version takes the first four TV episodes and runs them together in a promotional tool topped by a great English dub. A nice way to sample the series before its upcoming release.