Everyone's busy with the holidays, so how 'bout something light? Nina mistakes a crystal pearl for candy, and ends up with two hot young magicians to protect both her and the crystal that she just can't seem to pass. Whole thing subbed, first four dubbed. [discuss]
Sayonara, Zetsubou-Sensei GN 4 This series looks at what makes us human, and finds something far greater than warmth, or wonder, or madness, or despair. It finds laughter. 2009-12-24
ANNCast Holiday Special - Part I Justin & Zac shoot the breeze about the last 10 years of anime history in Part One of the ANNCast Holiday Special. Hope you like meandering reminiscence! 2009-12-22
Interview: Mamoru Hosoda The director of The Girl Who Leapt Through Time and Summer Wars talks about his inspiration, social media and the success of his first feature. 2009-12-22
RIGHT TURN ONLY!! - Ninjas of the Sea It's the last RTO of the year! And what better way to go out than with reviews of Children of the Sea, Fullmetal Alchemist, Ninja Girls, and a World Manga of the Month that makes us wish it would come out more frequently. 2009-12-22
Shelf Life - Tears to Fears Erin tackles an alien invasion, and learns a thing or two about girls' kendo.
- Bamboo Blade pt 1
- Blue Drop complete series
- Tears to Tiara part 1
Sayonara, Zetsubou-Sensei GN 4 This series looks at what makes us human, and finds something far greater than warmth, or wonder, or madness, or despair. It finds laughter.
Spice and Wolf DVD A wolf goddess who no longer feels needed takes on humanoid form to accompany a traveling merchant in this surprisingly mature, and very different, fantasy series. The naked wolf girl might get your attention, but the wonderful character dynamics and unique plots will keep you coming back.
Sgt. Frog DVD Season 1 Part 2 Other than a waning of the first set's novelty, nothing has changed. Which is a good thing. Energetic and occasionally gut-knottingly funny, not to mention basically harmless, this is five hours of guilt-free fun.
Gundam 00 DVD Season 1 Part 3 Doesn't rectify its shortcomings so much as it steamrolls them with brute narrative force. A propulsive ending to an often uneven first season.
Bamboo Blade DVD part 1 Despite a shaky start, the first half of this light-hearted series about the building of a high school girl's kendo team soon becomes a fun and astonishingly endearing look at the passion that sports can induce in its participants. Familiarity with, or interest in, kendo is hardly necessary.
Clannad After Story Sub.DVD 2 Tomoya and Nagisa start formally building their lives and family together, but tragedy awaits, as this Key/Visual Art's title concludes. Though generally well-written and very emotionally powerful, the series pushes its drama too far and too hard, requiring a cop-out ending that will disappoint some.
Naruto Shippūden DVD 1 Gets the ball moving again after the filler of the first series, returning to the machinations of the Akatsuki and pushing its characters up a couple of levels power-wise. Slow moving, but at least it moves.
Dragon Ball DVD Season 2 Uncut Set Here the series is in balance: an action-packed tale told with rare humor and something even rarer—a genuine sense of adventure.
What a Wonderful World! GN 2 In the long run, Asano says, we are what we choose to make of ourselves—and it is that idea, more than any particular character or storyline, that permeates this entire series.
Shonen Onmyouji DVD Boxset Yes, it is exactly about a boy who must use his amazing powers to save the world, but such a clichéd description doesn't begin to explain the surprising layers of depth in this historical adventure.