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Anime Today goes inside the Tokyo International Anime Fair!
Posted on: Fri Mar 30 00:00:00 CDT 2007

Episode 37Listen NowEnhanced Podcast (.m4a)Audio Only Podcast (.mp3)
 

Episode run down:

Shawne’s back from Japan and between bouts of jet lag, we cornered him into the conference room to talk with Kris and Judy about his impressions of this year’s Tokyo International Anime Fair. If you’d like an insiders take on the business days, which aren’t open to the general public, be sure to listen to both parts of this roundtable discussion.

Leaping into spring, Chad’s got pre-order fever in the latest segment of What’s Hot in the world of anime and manga. Uso Deshou tests your anime knowledge followed by Shawne spreading excitement (and savings) on titles from Bandai Entertainment with his latest sale. Then Kris and Judy kick off the first part of their special TAF edition of the Anime and Gamers’ Guide to Japan.

We'll be back with the winners of the To Heart and Linda Linda Linda contests, and we’ll also bring you up to date on the latest Shingu and Gravitation contests. Judy-sensei will be teaching us how to purchase tickets in this episode’s Japanese 101 lesson. Vic’s back for his final Stuf that Cuts, with his cut up of Right Stuf’s own Comic Party. Kris, Judy and Shawne then continue their discussion of the exciting exhibits that were at TAF. If you’re listening to the enhanced version of the podcast, be sure to keep an eye on the album art for some of Shawne’s snapshots from the show. We’ll also post them in the show notes at AnimeToday.com. And finally, we have a few reviews that our customers, and listeners, have posted in our online store.

 

What's Hot?

Hostilities reach a fever pitch and the final countdown hastens near. The SRT offensive is launched, but Sousuke has abandoned his post! Cryptic messages from a bloody past lead the young mercenary to face his demons. What will become of him, Kaname and all their comrades? Find out in the last, action-packed volume of Full Metal Panic! The Second Raid on May 1st.

They arrive in silence and darkness. They descend from the skies and have a hunger for human flesh. They are everywhere. Parasites. Alien creatures who must invade -- and take control of -- a human host to survive.

Once they’ve infected their victims, they can assume any deadly form they choose: monsters with giant teeth, winged demons, creatures with blades for hands. However, most have chosen to conceal their lethal purpose behind ordinary human faces. No one knows their secret… except one ordinary high school student. Shin is battling for control of his own body against an alien parasite, but can he find a way to warn humanity of the horrors to come? Find out when Parasyte, by Hitoshi Iwaaki, makes its uncut manga debut on May 1st.

Just three days before their high school festival, guitarist Kei, drummer Kyoko and bassist Nozumi are forced to recruit a new lead vocalist! They choose Korean exchange student Son for the job, even though her Japanese is rough. Now, it’s a race against time to learn the three songs they need to participate in the event’s rock concert! The live-action, film fest favorite Linda Linda Linda takes center stage on May 8th.

When nomad soldier Duenan Knute and her cyborg partner Briareos leave the abandoned cities and demilitarized zones of the “Badside” for the urban utopia of Olympus, things seem to be taking a turn for the better. They join the police force but soon discover that Olympus’s peaceful fascade hides a dark secret: a violent struggle between human and cyborg with the potential to plunge what’s left of the world into war… and genocide. Rediscover the Shirow Masamune manga that inspired not one, but two anime adaptations, when the new edition of Appleseed Graphic Novel 1: Promethean Challenge debuts on May 9th.

The world is getting smaller by the second: Thanks to the machinations of the rogue scientist Zorndyke, all land at sea level has begun to succumb to the expanding oceans. Billions have died, and now mankind is at war with his army of waterdwelling hybrids. The last hope lies with an international fleet of submarines led by Blue Submarine No. 6 and its pilots, Kino and Hayami. Together, they and the rest of the fleet must defeat Zorndyke at his Antarctic base of operations before he floods what’s left of the world’s remaining land! Get this complete OVA -- an early work by Gonzo and one of the first anime to combine 2D and 3D animation techniques -- when the Anime Legends Blue Submarine No. 6 Complete Collection is released on May 15th.

Save 25% or more on these titles by preordering them from RightStuf.com at least 10 days before their street dates. Get another 10% off by joining the Got Anime purchasing club for Frequent Buyers.

Full Metal Panic! The Second Raid DVD 4 (Hyb)

Full Metal Panic! The Second Raid DVD 4 (Hyb)

Parasyte Graphic Novel 1 (208 pgs)

Parasyte Graphic Novel 1 (208 pgs)

Linda Linda Linda DVD (S) LiveAction

Linda Linda Linda DVD (S) LiveAction

Appleseed Graphic Novel 1: Promethean Challenge (184 pgs)

Appleseed Graphic Novel 1: Promethean Challenge (184 pgs)

Blue Submarine No. 6 DVD Complete Collection (Hyb) (Anime Legends)

Blue Submarine No. 6 DVD Complete Collection (Hyb) (Anime Legends)

   
 

Check out the PREORDERS and the Got Anime? Purchasing Club!

 

Shawne's Specials and Spreading Excitement Sale!

Shawne's Specials and Spreading Excitement Sale!

It’s the season of the sakura, and I’ve been told that now I’m back from Japan, the trees are in full bloom. Looks like I missed out this year. At least the weather here has improved. From blizzard to 80s in 2 weeks. Bizzare.

You don't have to be a member of the SOS (or ASOS) Brigade to appreciate our new sale! We're spreading excitement - and savings - on your favorite DVDs, UMDs and CDs from Bandai Entertainment! From classics like Gundam (in all of its variations) to newer stuff like Eureka Seven, My-HiME and .HACK//roots! Best of all, this sale includes pre-orders like The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya!

From now until April 8, take 40% OFF the retail price of all DVDs and UMDs and 33% OFF the retail price of all CDs from Bandai Entertainment. (Again, this includes pre-orders!)

Just use the reusable coupon code SOS when you check out through RightStuf.com!

If you’re a got anime member, you can stack your extra membership discount on top of this sale for even more savings! This is a great time to sign up - you probably can recover much or all of the membership cost with your sale order. Check out www.gotanime.com for more details on how you can become a member today!

If you’re not sure which titles are eligible for the sale, just check out the "Bandai Savings" link on the upper right hand corner of the main page of the store! Remember though, Bargain Bin, weekly special and closeout items are not eligible for the coupon because they're already discounted even more than the sale! And again, this sale ends at 11:59pm central time on April 8.

There are plenty of great titles in the weekly specials that you should take a look at! Check out the many value priced thinpak box sets, learning Japanese books, and merchandise items that we have on sale this week. Let your wallet rejoice with the savings.

After my 14 hour plane ride back from the other side of the world, plus coming back to a desk full of fun, I’m really looking forward to a restful weekend.

 

Wolf's Rain DVD 1 (Hyb): Leader of the Pack + Artbox + Plush + CD (Limited)

Wolf's Rain DVD 1 (Hyb): Leader of the Pack + Artbox + Plush + CD (Limited)

Scrapped Princess DVD Complete Collection (Hyb) (Anime Legends)

Scrapped Princess DVD Complete Collection (Hyb) (Anime Legends)

Gundam SEED Destiny DVD 6 (Hyb) Special Edition w/shirt

Gundam SEED Destiny DVD 6 (Hyb) Special Edition w/shirt

Cutie (Cutey) Honey: The Movie DVD (S) LiveAction

Cutie (Cutey) Honey: The Movie DVD (S) LiveAction

Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya DVD 1 (Hyb)

Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya DVD 1 (Hyb)

Eureka Seven DVD 6 (Hyb)

Eureka Seven DVD 6 (Hyb)

.hack//Roots DVD 1 (Hyb) + Artbox/CD/Game/Tshirt

.hack//Roots DVD 1 (Hyb) + Artbox/CD/Game/Tshirt

Galaxy Angel A DVD Complete Collection (Hyb)

Galaxy Angel A DVD Complete Collection (Hyb)

Gundam, Mobile Suit Zeta DVD 1 (Hyb)

Gundam, Mobile Suit Zeta DVD 1 (Hyb)

Fantastic Children DVD 1 (Hyb) Special Edition w/CD

Fantastic Children DVD 1 (Hyb) Special Edition w/CD

Witch Hunter Robin DVD 1 (Hyb): Arrival

Witch Hunter Robin DVD 1 (Hyb): Arrival

Cowboy Bebop DVD 1 (Hyb) (episodes 1-5)

Cowboy Bebop DVD 1 (Hyb) (episodes 1-5)

My-HiME DVD 7 (Hyb)

My-HiME DVD 7 (Hyb)

Eureka Seven Original CD Soundtrack (2 Disc set)

Eureka Seven Original CD Soundtrack (2 Disc set)

Wolf's Rain Original CD Soundtrack

Wolf's Rain Original CD Soundtrack

Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex: Be Human CD

Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex: Be Human CD

See all of Shawne's Weekly Specials!
Check out the Bargain Bin!

 

The Anime and Gamer's Guide with Kris and Judy

Photo from TAF 2007

Photo from TAF 2007

Photo from TAF 2007

Photo from TAF 2007

Photo from TAF 2007

Photo from TAF 2007

Photo from TAF 2007 Photo from TAF 2007
Photo from TAF 2007 Photo from TAF 2007

Tokyo International Anime Fair (“TAF”): http://www.tokyoanime.jp/en/

Tokyo International Exhibition Center (“Tokyo Big Sight”): http://www.bigsight.jp/english/

 

Right Stuf Contests and Updates

Linda, Linda, Linda Contest Congratulations to the winners of our rockin’ Linda Linda Linda contest: Stephen L. of Bethesda, Maryland, Peter S. of Fox Point, Wisconsin, and Kassandra O. of Olympia, Washington! Courtesy of Viz and Shojo Beat, each of you will soon be receiving a gift pack celebrating the May release of Linda Linda Linda, a live-action film about four aspiring rock chicks who are determined to play at their school’s annual festival.

Each pack contains:
- an advance copy of the Linda Linda Linda movie (and you’ll be receiving it more than a month before it's available anywhere!);
- a copy of "Meet the Blue Hearts," a Japanese import CD by the band whose song inspired the film's title;
- a Linda Linda Linda movie poster;
- and a copy of February's music-themed issue of Shojo Beat with all you need to know about the film!

To Heart Congratulations to the winners of our To Heart contest: Steven M. of Worchester, Massachusetts, Scott C. of Noblesville, Indiana, and Paul N. of Omaha, Nebraska! Each of you will be receiving your very own three-volume set of the out-of-print, English-language version of the To Heart manga! This particular contest is over, but there’s still a lot of great stuff to see on our To Heart site! Check out toheart.rightstuf.com. It’s been updated with new character profiles, plus new avatars and wallpapers of your favorite characters, including “Multi” and the rest of the cast up through the third volume!
Gravitation We’re going to the dogs for our next Gravitation giveaway… or more precisely Shuichi is donning a dog costume! Head over to gravititation.rightstuf.com, and click on the contest link. Two lucky site visitors will win a plushie of Shuichi in his dog suit! Just be sure to get your entry in before April 13th! The winners will be announced on our next podcast!
Shingu Check out our newly re-launched site for Shingu: Secret of the Stellar Wars at shingu.rightstuf.com. The thinpak will be “landing” at RightStuf.com and retailers near you on April 24th, but right now, you can find out more about the series, download new wallpapers and avatars, get your questions answered at our official SHINGU forum on AnimeOnDVD.com and – of course – enter our new SHINGU contest! Play our SHINGU match game for your chance to win the entire series on DVD with the exclusive first-run art box and T-shirt! (PLUS, five runners-up will also receive SHINGU t-shirts!) Again, go to shingu.rightstuf.com before April 27th to get your entry in and discover the mysteries of SHINGU!

 

Mini Japanese 101 with Judy-sensei!

 

Vic Annato's Stuf That Cuts: Comic Party

My brothers and my sisters! The appointed place, at the appointed time, is here and now. It is at this moment comrades, that this review show brings forth the ultimate in anime series analysis! Prepare to embark upon a podcast segment destined for total world domination. Not by that of loaded weapons, huge mechs, or giant swords - but by that of fan comics! Craft to the max, on this, the final segment of: The Stuf That Cuts.

Hey there everyone, Vic Annato on the mic. Doing that thing we love to do every-other-week right here on Anime Today. Stuf That Cuts, slicing it up, one more time. For this week, I thought I’d mix things up a bit, and do a special series review segment for a comedy show that’s got a little bit of everything. This time, I’m talking about the action that burns from within. That of aspiring, young, manga-ka. Get excited y’all; here comes the final cut-up review. On the hilt of our blade, it’s: Comic Party.

Alright, let’s get to it. The original Comic Party, is a real stand-out anime comedy. It has a unique knack going for it, in that the series combines many different forms of anime fandom into one particular production. It’s something special to see in any anime series; even today. Which is to say, makes it something of a gem; in that regard.

The story follows the life of a young high school student: Kazuki Sendo. An exceptional illustrator with a born talent for artistic creation. It’s not until his fellow classmate (and overdramatic otaku) Taishi, explains the world of fan comics to him, that things really get to cooking. However, Taishi is much more than just a casual fan, he’s obsessed with the world of fan comics and will settle for nothing short of world domination; through doujinshi. This, of course, will all be based-off of Kazuki’s original designs. Problem is: Kazuki only has something of a minimal interest; in the whole thing.

Alongside his fellow classmate, cute-and-perky Mizuki (who HATES the doujinshi-lifestyle and what it’s doing to Kazuki), our three adventurers round out the main story. It’s from this world of high-sales conventions, printing press perils, and fanboys a-plenty that our beloved protagonist is absorbed into the grand-spectacle of fan culture, known as: Comic Party.

While most of the story tends to revolve around Kazuki, and how he attempts to balance-out his personal life, with manga creation; there are several other supporting characters that really help to draw the series out. Yu and Emi: Fellow doujin authors and rivals to the end, Reiko: a cosplay fan who sews and models her own designs, Chisa: the cute and bouncy printing-press delivery gal, Aya: an incredibly shy, but powerfully moving fellow author, and Ikumi: one of Kazuki’s very first fans, and an a true inspiration to his choices about the important things in life.

It’s a wonderful cast of characters, each with their own unique quirks and plotlines. The fact that they all run so seamlessly together, really helps to make this story a winner. No matter what aspect of the anime or otaku lifestyle you’re into, you’ll most likely find some element of it; in this series. Comedy, drama, action, even romance – Comic Party’s got a shade of them all.

Turning the page to the final chapter, let’s kick it to the act factor.

All things said, the original Comic Party is a fantastically amusing comedy, designed with some great animation, character artwork, and a visually-compelling storyline. It rounds out nicely, and features enough references from other series, that the appeal is large enough to attract fans from many different audiences.

Extra content is in fair supply, as well. Included are: Japanese voice actor interviews, art galleries, and special “bonus” mini-episodes that detail the events of the character’s summer vacation.

The final verdict is this: The original Comic Party is one of the best anime series I’ve seen produced to date. Although its main-draw may be a comedy (and slightly romantic) theme, there are so many added elements to the package, that clearly mark this series as one to check out. From the colorful character design, moving story, and references to other anime series, the total presentation is well-packaged and truly speaks of quality. Fans of just about every anime genre, will most-likely take something positive away from viewing this title.

For those of you that are interested, a sequel is also available from ADV Films in the form of: Comic Party Revolution. This three volume OVA, continues the story shortly after where Comic Party ends, but changes a lot of elements along the way. Without giving too much away about the conclusion of the original, Revolution places our colorful cast in the collegiate setting, adds a revised art style, and features a decidedly different structure; while still expanding on the Compia universe.

Well everyone, we’ve had a lot of fun around here. It’s been a great trip to review some of my favorite series with y’all, and I really hope that I’ve been able to add some unique insight and balanced structure to your anime buying obsessions.

For the last six months, you’ve heard me say “that’s a look at the stuff that cuts.” Well guys, you were cutting it up, just as sharply. Attending cons to chat it up with VA’s, chilling with you crew to watch the latest DVD’s, or even that impulse anime-buy that you just HAD to have. I think it’s awesome to see such a veritable love for something as prolific as the Japanese animation landscape has become here in North America.

Sharp as steel, but cool to the touch. Never underestimating the power of the muffin; that’s been a look at the Stuf That Cuts.

Comic Party DVD Thinpak Collection (Hyb)

Comic Party DVD Thinpak Collection (Hyb)

Comic Party DVD Box Set (Hyb)

Comic Party DVD Box Set (Hyb)

Comic Party DVD 1 (Hyb): A New World + Limited Edition Slipcase Artbox

Comic Party DVD 1 (Hyb): A New World + Limited Edition Slipcase Artbox

Comic Party Revolution DVD 1 (Hyb): Let's Get this Party Started!

Comic Party Revolution DVD 1 (Hyb): Let's Get this Party Started!

 

Afro Samurai

 

What our customers are saying

Bleach DVD 1 (Hyb)

Bleach DVD 1 (Hyb)

Saikano Complete Collection DVD Set

Saikano Complete Collection DVD Set

Wild Adapter Graphic Novel 1 (192 pgs)

Stellvia Complete Tin Set (Hyb)

 

Music this episode featured from:

Read or Die (R.O.D.) TV Original CD Soundtrack 2

Read or Die (R.O.D.) TV Original CD Soundtrack 2

Read or Die (R.O.D.) TV Series DVD MegaBundle (Hyb) w/CDs

Read or Die (R.O.D.) TV Series DVD MegaBundle (Hyb) w/CDs



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