Rating stats

Hey, Answerman!
Great scott! Brian returns from his weekly Sensory Deprivation Chamber to answer questions about the Anime Expo debacle, more jabber about light novels, and the ever-present discussion about ero-manga. And then there's a Hey, Answerfans segment about gross food! Delectable! 2010-01-15

ANNCast - Macek Training
The man himself Carl Macek stops by for an epic-length chat that ranges from Robotech to Lady Death to Bleach! Also in brief: Durarara! and Space Adventure Cobra. 2010-01-15

Nabari no Ou DVD
There is a great story hiding here. Still, what plays out is far less than what Nabari had started with. It just isn't fulfilling on any level save for Miharu and Yoite's relationship. This was once the series' greatest point of intrigue, but at the cost of every other plot development, it's hard to make us care about it anymore.

Witchblade Takeru GN Collection
The only unique trait of this short series, it seems, is its basis on an American comic franchise—as opposed to other Japanese manga where the authors have to come up with their uninspired dreck all by themselves.

Monkey High! GN 8
It really should have ended something like four volumes ago, but even so Monkey High! remains an enjoyable entry in its chosen genre. A flawed and fun little conclusion to a flawed and fun little series.

Tokyo Majin DVD
Tokyo Majin does not know how to tell a comprehensible story. What it thankfully does know how to do is put on a wild, bloody show. Emotionally, the series hits some very effective highs, but it's necessary to keep your brain switched off to get any enjoyment out of the overall result.

To Love Ru DVD part 1
Yeah, this series about a girl-shy young man getting unintentionally betrothed to a sexy alien princess is unabashedly trashy, but it does exactly what it intends to do: deliver a lot of fan service and a good number of effective laughs. That makes any arguments about how lowbrow or retread it is largely irrelevant.

Rental Magica Sub.DVD Collection 1
The anime equivalent of the kid in school who tries so hard to be like everyone else that he becomes invisible.

20th Century Boys 1 (live action) DVD
Rather than a film, a chain of filmed events: an exercise in base narrative that drains the life from a lot of fine scenes before hanging them in a line like butchered beeves in a warehouse. Cool ending, though.

Gunslinger Girl OVA DVD
This DVD is largely forgettable, for completionists only, but will certainly satisfy fans who wanted to see more of Guise and Jean's souls laid bare…along with their chests in the beach scenes. At the very least, it's a harmless excursion for the story.

Aria The Natural Sub.DVD Boxset 2
This is a series that doesn't really go anywhere, and it doesn't have to. It's fine exactly where it is.

Kaze no Stigma DVD part 2
Somewhat surprisingly, the second half of this series about elemental magic users actually steps up its game a notch, thanks largely to improved writing and more fan service. While it should never be mistaken for a quality series, it at least does okay.

Star Ocean EX DVD 1
This anime is essentially an RPG with all the button-pushing removed. The appealing characters and bright artwork will draw you in, but don't be surprised if you find yourself wanting to hit the Triangle button and select "Use Common Sense" from the menu.