Black Butler (GN 6)

ANNCast - Omega Men
Everyone's at Otakon right now! Except for Zac and Justin, who, abandoned on the west coast, decided to tape an all-fun, mostly-Twitter-time-podcast that involves Katanagatari, Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood, Captain America and more! Plus: sandwich chat! Who could ask for more? 2011-07-29

Otakon 2011

Otakon 2011 is underway in Baltimore, MD! Check back daily for panel reports, cosplay photos, and more!

Now available:
Hatsune Miku Live in LA 'MIKUNOPOLIS' Behind the Scenes
Funimation Industry Panel
Aniplex of America
Nobuo Uematsu
Bob Shirohata and Akira Sasanuma
Opening Ceremonies 2011-07-29

Jason Thompson's House of 1000 Manga - Apocalypse Zero
Jason has decided to write about Apocalypse Zero. You're welcome. (WARNING: this article is NSFW. You've been warned.) 2011-07-28

Interview: Michio Fukuda, Director of Nura: Rise of the Yokai Clan ~Demon Capital~
A few moments with Michio Fukuda, who is directing his first full-length anime series, Nura: Rise of the Yokai Clan ~Demon Capital~. We talk about his influences, the pressure of adapting a popular Shonen Jump series, and more. 2011-07-27

A Certain Scientific Railgun GN 1
Overall this is a choppy, somewhat uncertain book. The main plot is good and could be worth reading if only Kamachi could stick to it and stop side-tracking into unimportant territory. In some ways reading this is like being told a story by someone who can't stay on topic – you know the plot's in there somewhere, if he could just get around to telling it.

Antique Bakery Sub.DVD
A nice place to hang out, made nicer by the universally nice guys who run it, and human enough that you don't really mind that the whole thing is one giant snort-worthy fantasy.

Itazura na Kiss GN 5
Despite the characters' development in this volume, Naoki is still a jerk and Kotoko is still a flake. Aspects of the tale feel overdone or hackneyed, but Tada's story is still a timeless and compelling one of boy-meets-girl that should not be missed by romance fans.

Strawberry Panic! Novel
This omnibus edition contains all three light novels, which offer a story that has as many differences in comparison to the anime version as it does similarities. Fans of the anime, yuri lovers, and fans of romantic drama should appreciate it.

Dragon Ball Z Kai Blu-Ray part 5
This block, which omits the Garlic Jr. Saga, wraps up the lingering details of the earlier arcs and then sets the stage and the early scenes for the upcoming major mid-series arc. It does not showcase the series at its best but does offer some surprises and solid short battles.

Katanagatari DVD/Blu-Ray 1
A saga that can be as maddening as it is fascinating—but this flawed work is still an ambitious one, and for that Katanagatari deserves credit.

Transformers: The Headmasters DVD
All but requires your being familiar with the ins and outs of the Autobots and Decepticons of the 1980s to get the most from the show, but any fan of vintage mecha with some time on their hands will surely get plenty of kicks out of this set.

Arakawa Under the Bridge DVD/Blu-Ray
You can't really resent a show for calculatedly bizarre behavior when you keep falling in love with the people who are doing it. Or when they keep cracking you up.

Kamisama Kiss GN 3
Nanami proves to be a much stronger heroine than Sakurakoji's Misao, never giving in to her distress and actively attempting to come to her own rescue. It is unlikely that this similarity is deliberate, but shoujo readers who are fed up with Black Bird may find solace here.

Angel Beats! Complete Collection
Dead teens seek to defy God in a Purgatory-like school setting in this newest offering from one of the creative minds behind Kanon and Clannad. Its excellent balance of music, humor, action, drama, and emotion make it one of the best and most complete series so far this year.

Black Lagoon DVD 2
Ready for another generous dose of bloody, foul-mouthed, ass-kicking mayhem colored by some quality character development? It may not have quite the style of its predecessor Cowboy Bebop, but it lacks nothing for look, sound, or entertainment value.