News

Anime News Nina! - 2012-09-19
Another piece of the Gundam model is found! 2012-09-19

The X Button - U of N
This week, there's a heap o' news about the Wii U launch, Bayonetta 2, Shin Megami Tensei IV, Earth Defense Force, and a certain relic of the 1990s. 2012-09-19

The Stream - Connect Five
The season is almost over, and a few of the simulcasts are wrapping up. See which ones are still on top this week, and which are taking turns for the worse. 2012-09-18

Interview: Chihayafuru's Asaka Morio, Kunihiko Hamada, Takuya Tsunoki
A chat with a few of the Chihayafuru creative team about their experience working on the series. 2012-09-17

Astro Toy - Figma Princess of the Crystal
David checks out a figma of Mawaru Penguindrum's sort-of magical girl. 2012-09-16

Fractale BD+DVD
Fractale is clearly a story that has something to say - it really wants you to think about the world Clain lives in. That it can do this and still tell a good story without getting preachy is high praise.

Oblivion Island: Haruka and the Magic Mirror Blu-Ray + DVD
Given the visual style and family-friendly themes, comparisons to the works of Pixar are inevitable—which is hardly fair. This one aspires to be like the best, but only gets as far as "pretty good."

Haibane Renmei DVD
Not all series that are licensed-rescued and rereleased are truly deserving of such treatment. This one is. It is a triumph of mystery, sentiment, and low-key storytelling from the creator of Serial Experiments Lain.

Blue Exorcist Sub.DVD 4
All of the issues with character and clichés, all of the episodes that failed—everything burns away and all that's left is pure, visceral exhilaration. As it should be.

Bunny Drop GN 6
Bunny Drop's sixth volume is an emotional ride in a different way than its first four. This isn't the story many of us fell in love with, but with this volume there is a definite return to the strength of storytelling that marked Rin's early childhood.

Shangri-La DVD
While this 2009 series about a calamitous near-future has the pieces necessary to be good, the assembly process goes awry. Each of its good points can be balanced out by a negative one.

Knight in the Area Episodes 1-25 Streaming
When the soccer action is running fast the show is good fun. When it leaves the field to explore tragedy and healing and other delicate things, however, it's anything but.

One Piece Season 4 Part I DVD
Overall the Davy Back Fight isn't the most powerful or interesting of One Piece's many arcs. It is, however, silly and fun, and viewers in the know will appreciate some of the foreshadowing that has been added.

Shakugan no Shana Season 1 BD+DVD
Two subsequent seasons of diminishing returns have taken some of the shine off of Shana, but it's still a fine example of how to do genre entertainment right: with skill, with intelligence, and most of all, with heart.

Ergo Proxy Complete Collection DVD
Ergo Proxy tries to be the ultimate encyclopedia of high-concept science fiction ideas—and almost pulls it off.

Ristorante Paradiso GN 1
With its focus on a grown-up setting and cast, a harem of sophisticated men, and being open about your feelings instead of causing drama, this is the perfect pick for anyone who's tired of reading about shy high school girls and their cutesy little crushes.