Hirosato OONISHI

The X Button - Get Serious
This week: a look at recent downloadable games, plus Final Fantasy Versus XIII, Marvel vs. Capcom 3, a Demon's Souls follow-up, and a game that's hard to pronounce. 2011-02-01

RIGHT TURN ONLY!! - Nura of the Dead
Smells like bad spirits this week with Nura: Rise of the Yokai Clan and Highschool of the Dead making their RTO debut! Plus you won't believe what I have to say about my little sister in the Import of the Month! 2011-02-01

Brain Diving - Lunar Landing
Game Arts released a Lunar: Silver Star Story novel on Kindle! And Brian read it! Who knew? 2011-02-01

Durarara Part 1 Give-Away
Durarara Part 1, in your mailbox, for free.... what are you waiting for ? 2011-01-31

Shelf Life - I Am Xam
Erin breaks in her new Blu-Ray player with some exciting new stuff, then threatens to run away and join the circus.
- Kaleido Star s1
- Sengoku Basara: Samurai Kings s1
- Xam'd Lost Memories pt 2
2011-01-31

The Mike Toole Show - Ishinomori's Story
Mike explores the legacy of Shotaro Ishinomori, the celebrated creator of Cyborg 009, Kamen Rider and much more. 2011-01-30

Kaleido Star Season 2 + OVAs DVD
Basically a 25-episode version of one of the first season's brisk three-episode arcs. Infuriating in its first half and delightful in its second.

The Sacred Blacksmith DVD
This eclectic mix of moe-flavored romantic comedy with RPG-styled action fantasy is not without its problems, but it does features some strong relationships, an undeniable level of sincerity and conviction in some scenes, and nice character designs.

Black Bird GN 7
Some readers' hearts may flutter when Kyo pulls Misao into his embrace, but just as many will be as quick to yell out a warning to run as fast and far as she can.

Durarara!! Part 1
The casual style and overemphasis on character studies prevent them from getting anything going quickly, but the first nine episodes still offer a rich and entertaining array of quirky characters (both normal and supernatural) populating Ikebukero.

20th Century Boys GN 13
We may be living in a 21st century where none of this stuff (thankfully) ever happened, but the way the story is told still makes it intensely real.

11 Eyes DVD
This adult visual novel adaptation at least tries something different by spinning a dark, violent tale about super-powered teens drawn into supernatural conflict, but aside from a handful of quality scenes the caliber of writing necessary to pull off the series' concept is not present.

Vampire Knight GN 11
Given the task of following up the Rido arc, this volume is no rote continuation; it's the beginning of something new, something grand, something—in patented Vampire Knight style—seriously screwed-up.

The World God Only Knows Episodes 1-12 streaming
At turns amusing, heartwarming, bizarre, and even breathtaking, this is a series that—based on its description alone—never deserved to be this good. And yet it is.

Gantz
A functional mid-range sci-fi actioner, but for anyone who's even moderately familiar with Oku's original work, there's something very, very wrong here.

Peepo Choo GN 3
This final volume doesn't make up for the series' often slapdash execution, but it does bring Peepo Choo's stronger points to a predominantly satisfying finish by continuing to explore the culture shock they share.

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.