Hey, Answerman! This time on Hey, Answerman! Brian gives you his thoughts on Studio Ghibli, deciphers the difference between a Director, an Episode Director, and a Series Director, and singlehandedly "saves" anime. Plus a very rude new Flake and Hey Answerfans!
2009-12-18
Interview: Shiro Sasaki You may not know his name, but you certainly know his work. Meet the Music Producer behind some of the biggest anime soundtracks in history, and the supervisor of luminaries Yoko Kanno, Yuki Kajiura, and many more.
2009-12-18
ANNCast - Hey, man, there's a Beveridge here! Chris Beveridge from AnimeonDVD.com stops by to chat about life, the universe, and his insane anime watching schedule. Plus: the baffling popularity of Spice and Wolf, and James Cameron's Battle Angel.
2009-12-17
Buried Treasure - Cosmo Police JUSTY This 80s ESPer space opera could have been one of the seminal works of 80s anime. It's not. In fact, it's pretty flawed. But that doesn't mean there's nothing here to enjoy.
2009-12-17
Colors Trilogy Give-Away Win all three volumes of this trilogy exploring love and life for a girl on the cusp of adulthood.
2009-12-16
Interview: Tsuguhiko Kadokawa Kadokawa Pictures is one of the biggest names in anime production, and its chairman and CEO Tsuguhiko Kadokawa is paying close attention to the changing market worldwide. He also talks about Haruhi Suzumiya.
2009-12-16
The X Button - Counting Down This week: the best games that went unnoticed this year! Plus Mega Man 10, this season's major Final Fantasy, changes afoot in Sakura Wars, and Todd's tale of how Fist of the North Star almost wrecked his childhood.
2009-12-16
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.
Sgt. Frog DVD part 1 Froglike aliens attempt to invade Earth, only to wind up attached to its inhabitants, hobbies, and conveniences, in this parody-laden, family-friendly comedy series. Few series peak higher with their humor or more consistently offer healthy laughs in this highly accessible endeavor.
Honey and Clover DVD part 1 Five art college students and one of their professors share the trials and tribulations of art, school, life, and love in this long-awaited adaptation of a popular josei manga. Despite its flaws, it shows potential, and those who survive a seemingly directionless start should find it involving.
Tears To Tiara Sub.DVD part 1 A resurrected Demon King turns out to be anything but that in this timely, good-looking 2009 adaptation of fantasy RPG console and ero games. Though most of its components are very typical for series of its type, quality lies in the cracks amidst the more mundane content.
Ikigami GN 3 "What would you do if you had 24 hours left to live?" One of the answers ends up being the series' most emotionally challenging story yet, a showdown between two flawed personalities that can only end in tragedy.
Genshiken DVD 1 A loving portrayal of anime fandom which looks at the behavior and passions of otaku, the first volume of this series is a well-made and lightly-humorous gem which should be on the shelf of any anime fan. Also includes the first episode of the bonus OVA Kujibiki Unbalance.