Ayumi ABE

Shelf Life - Gaoing the Distance
Erin gets her fill of robot anime this week. Plus, Harry Potter minus the Dumbledore fanart.
- GaoGaiGar s1, disc 1
- Guyver complete BD
- Soul Eater pt 4
2010-08-16

Now Streaming: Nobody's Boy Remi 46-51 (Finalé) (s)
Remi now knows who his real mother is, but how will he ever get to her? Especially when he's in jail, having been framed for theft? It's the last six episodes! If you haven't started watching Remi yet, you'd better start now! [discuss] 2010-08-15

Now Streaming: Fist of the North Star Series II 1-43 (sub)
The most ridiculously violent children's show ever made (yes, this was supposed to be for kids) is back! Join Kenshiro on a journey across the globe as we all learn the value of friendship. And arterial spray. [discuss] 2010-08-15

ANNCast - Yes We Kun
Joining us this week is the CEO of Crunchyroll, Kun Gao, to talk about the company's future, how things are going right now, and their upcoming online manga thingy. Also: Zac and Gia try to fill a half an hour and mostly succeed! It's super fun! 2010-08-13

Hey, Answerman! - Generic Blues
This week on another harrowing episode of Hey, Answerman! Brian talks at great length about lousy generic shows and how and why they're made, touches a bit on digi-subbing with a digi-subber himself, and wraps it up with a big "Con Gripe" edition of Hey, Answerfans! 2010-08-13

Now Streaming: Shuffle 1-24 sub, 1-4 dub
When the doors into the realm of gods and realm of demons open on Earth, that can only mean one thing: some unwitting Japanese schoolboy is going to get the princesses of both wanting to jump his bones. 1-4 dubbed is here.
ALSO NEW TODAY:
Ragnarok the Animation 1-26 sub
Welcome to the NHK 1-4 dub
[discuss] 2010-08-13

Junjō Romantica DVD 1-3
The main couple of the story is actually the least worth wasting words on, and this is a serious problem for the show. There are good ideas with above-average execution, but they're lost in the noise of something not really worthy of attention outside its own world.

Crimson Cross GN
Does the world really need another vampire story right now? Digital Manga seems to think so. Perhaps it's the success of their Vampire Hunter D releases, a manga cult-classic, or maybe it's just certain outside influences. Either way, Crimson Cross is about as ‘vampire’ as you can get… unfortunately.

Highschool of the Dead episodes 1-6
How much you like this blending of horror and high school romantic comedy/drama clichés will largely depend on how jaded (or not) you are about the Zombie Apocalypse genre. It certainly delivers on its promise of plentiful action, bloody violence, and fan service, though, and tells a remarkably good story so far.

Hellsing GN 10
This isn't the series firing on all undead cylinders; it's the series cleaning up its loose ends before closing shop.

Naruto Season 3 Box Set 1
Sasuke tries to depart the Hidden Leaf Village, and Naruto tries to stop him, leading to their long-awaited head-to-head in this regrouped rerelease of earlier boxed sets. While some parts are tedious and typical franchise and genre flaws are evident, this set has some of the first series' best content, too.

Gunslinger Girl: Il Teatrino BLURAY
The bad news is that the improvements in plotting and strong new characters are overshadowed by a more negative difference between the seasons: the 1st was slow, but the 2nd is boring. Il Teatrino's writing is sharp, but its direction is limp.

Soul Eater DVD Part 4
If something in the show interests you, chances are it's resolved here, and probably via an earth-shaking butt-kicking.

Alice the 101st GN 1
Well suited to its place in the Doki Doki imprint, which bolsters series intended as go-betweens from shoujo to boys' love, Alice 101st achieves the shoujo character-driven charm with an inkling of boys' love bait for the fans. If you enjoy coming-of-age stories told in parallel to honing a creative craft, then Alice the 101st could very well be a book for you.

Master of Martial Hearts DVD
A capable high school girl gets involved in an all-women underground fighting tournament to save a new friend in this five-episode OVA from ARMS. A kissing cousin of Ikki Tousen, the series is largely not worth watching unless dependence on nudity-laced fan service works for you.

My Bride Is a Mermaid Season 1 DVD Part 1
Throws everything it has into high-energy humor, knowing full well that neither its plot nor its characters can carry it. And for the most part, it works.

Jing, King of Bandits: Seventh Heaven DVD
Trippy, lively, and fun, these three episodes deliver strongly on entertainment value while offering at least a bit of depth. One does not need to be familiar with the TV series or manga versions to enjoy them.