So, we've been stretched a bit thin video-wise lately, and Gia said I could handle Quick Picks by myself this week, but...well...I was trying to do some cool explosions in the background, and I kind of destroyed our camera...so...that's why it's late...and...um...TEXT QUICK PICKS THIS WEEK! FOR THE WIN! YEAH! THIS S@#% JUST GOT REAL! A-a-and stuff! First up, MY pick, Detroit Metal City volume 4. If you haven't already started up on the fantabulous adventures of Johann Krauser, also known sweet, kind kindergarten teacher Soichi Negishi. What a double life to live. I know what it's like to be under constant pressure to be a hard-living death metal rocker when all you really want is to sit back and listen to some ABBA.Then there's Gia's manga pick, Arata: The Legend. It's from Yuu Watase, who is mostly known for her shoujo works like Fushigi Yugi, but Arata is actually a shounen series from Shogakukan's Weekly Shounen Sunday. The influence is pretty obvious though. I mean, come on. Arata dresses up as a girl in the first chapter. Yeesh. True to Watase form, I believe there's some jumping around from world to world or something too. Whatever! (Gia is currently peeking over my shoulder and telling me to say that she's also planning to check out Alice in the Country of Hearts volume 2.) Moving on, this was a BIG BIG BIG WEEK for me in anime. Oh my gosh. I mean, first there's Evangelion 1.11 You Are (Not) Alone on Blu-Ray (and DVD!), which I've already watched eight times...not including all those times I rewatched the scene with topless Rei. Er, I mean, with fascinating exposition about Rei's relationship with Gendo. Yeah. That.And and and and GUNDAM UNICORN! I cannot WAIT for this to air on a big screen at VIZ Cinemas, so I didn't! But the Blu-Ray release is gooooorgeous! Gia insists that if you're not interested in the mech stuff, and I don't know why you wouldn't be, then you may want to know that FUNimation is rereleasing The Familiar of Zero's first season as a Viridian collection for $39.98. SNORRRRRRRE. (Actually, the fanservice was pretty good. BUT THERE AREN'T ANY MECHS!)So that's your Quick Picks for the week! Here's the list of all the releases, with our picks bolded as usual.  Anime and Manga Releases for 3/7-3/13, 2010 Manga Releases Title Publisher SRP Date .hack//Cell v1 TOKYOPOP $10.99 03/09/10 Alice in the Country of Hearts v2 TOKYOPOP $10.99 03/09/10 Arata: The Legend v1 VIZ Media $9.99 03/09/10 Blood Honey v1 (Yaoi) TOKYOPOP $14.99 03/09/10 Detroit Metal City v4 VIZ Media $12.99 03/09/10 Dragon Ball Z VIZBIG v6 VIZ Media $17.99 03/09/10 Dry Heat (Yaoi) DMP $12.95 03/10/10 Gakuen Alice v10 TOKYOPOP $10.99 03/09/10 Gay's Anatomy: Episode Zero (Yaoi) Media Blasters $11.99 03/07/10 Hanako and the Terror of Allegory v1 TOKYOPOP $10.99 03/09/10 Haru Hana The Complete Collection TOKYOPOP $16.99 03/09/10 InuYasha v46 VIZ Media $9.99 03/09/10 Maria Holic v3 TOKYOPOP $10.99 03/09/10 Momo Tama v4 TOKYOPOP $10.99 03/09/10 Peace Maker Kurogane v3 TOKYOPOP $10.99 03/09/10 Swan v15 CMX $9.99 03/09/10 Switch v13 VIZ Media $9.99 03/09/10 Takeru: Opera Susanoh v4 TOKYOPOP $10.99 03/09/10 This Ugly Yet Beautiful World v2 TOKYOPOP $10.99 03/09/10   Anime Releases Title Publisher SRP Date Evangelion 1.11: You Are (Not) Alone (BD) FUNimation $34.98 03/09/10 Evangelion 1.11: You Are (Not) Alone (DVD) FUNimation $29.98 03/09/10 GaoGaiGar Season 2 Media Blasters $29.99 03/09/10 Kenichi: The Mightiest Disciple Season 2 Part 1 FUNimation $49.98 03/09/10 Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn v1 Bandai Visual JP $49.98 03/09/10 Naruto Shippuden v7 VIZ Media $24.98 03/09/10 The Familiar of Zero: Complete Season One (Viridian Collection) FUNimation $39.98 03/09/10 You're Under Arrest: Full Throttle Collection 1 Sentai Filmworks $39.98 03/09/10   Miscellaneous Releases Title Publisher SRP Date The Twelve Kingdoms (Hardcover Novel) TOKYOPOP $19.99 03/10/10 Vampire Hunter D v14 (Novel) Dark Horse $14.99 03/10/10  What are you going to buy!?
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With the unstoppable onslaught of irresistibly cute trap Hideyoshi from “Baka To Test To Shoukanjuu”, I’d near forgotten an anime DVD set was due out for the hilarious yuri/trap comedy “Maria†Holic”. After spotting the release advertised at Archonia, didn’t hesitate and soon purchased it, seeing the price was quite fair to boot. Released by Sentai Filmworks, the [...]
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Also, two penultimates: A Tale of Poor Sisters (volume 3) and Kunimitsu (volume 26); Shounen Magazine In Demand properties School Rumble 8 and Tokkyu! 9; and the latest Nurse Diary (volume 8) in which we peek into the lives of regulars Doctor Togo, Doctor Kato, and Kumasuke Gonda. Skip Beat! © Nakamura Yoshiki/Hakusensha (Serialized in Hana to Yume) Published in Indonesia by PT Elex Media
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Here is a provisional tabulation of sales of the first DVD/BD releases of 2009 anime.Heading the list -- no surprise -- are Bakemonogatari and K-On. Next comes the new Suzumiya Haruhi, showing that Kadokawa's marketing sense reigns supreme. Then comes a big surprise, at least for me: the next title is Hetalia Axis Powers 1. Fujoshi power?Posted on 2channel 26 February 2010. Provisional listing of sales of first releases of anime which began broadcast in 2009 -- 32 titles in all:- rank/sales/broadcast season/title/media/release date - 1. 79,789　summer　 Bakemonogatari BD/DVD released 2009/9/30 2. 51,192　spring　 K-On! BD/DVD 2009/07/29 3. 31,851　summer　 Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuuutsu 2 DVD 2009/08/28 4. 28,027　winter　Hetalia Axis Powers 1 DVD 2009/04/24 5. 24,653　autumn　To Aru Kagaku no Railgun BD/DVD 2010/01/29 6. 23,434　spr　Fullmetal Alchemist 2 BD/DVD 2009/08/26 7. 20,945　sum　Hetalia Axis Powers 2 DVD 2009/10/23 8. 15,643　spr　Gintama 4 DVD 2009/10/28 9. 15,541　spr　Suzumiya Haruhi-chan no Yuuutsu DVD 2009/05/29 10. 13,983　spr　Queen's Blade 1 BD/DVD 2009/06/25 11. 13,904　aut　Darker than Black 2 BD/DVD 2009/12/23 12. 12,340　win　Natsume Yuujinchou 2 DVD 2009/04/22 13. 12,014　spr　Sengoku Basara DVD 2009/07/01 14. 10,497　aut　Kimi ni Todoke DVD 2009/12/23 15. 9,760　spr　Higashi no Eden BD/DVD 2009/07/29 16. 8,671　aut　Sora no Otoshimono DVD 2009/12/25 17. 7,917　spr　Hayate no Gotoku 2 BD/DVD 2009/08/21 18. 7,632　aut Seitokai no Ichizon DVD 2009/12/11 19. 7,593　spr Pandora Hearts DVD 2009/07/24 20. 7,250　aut Queen's Blade 2 BD/DVD 2009/12/22 21. 6,996　spr　Saki DVD 2009/07/15 22. 5,482　win　Chrome-Shelled Regios DVD 2009/03/27 23. 5,287　sum　Spice & Wolf 2 BD/DVD 2009/10/7 24. 5,281　sum　GA Geijutsu-ka Art Design Class DVD 2009/11/6 25. 4,799　sum　CANAAN BD/DVD 2009/10/21 26. 4,591　aut　Kaempfer BD/DVD 2009/12/23 27. 4,548　win　Maria†Holic DVD 2009/03/25 28. 4,523　sum　Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei 3 DVD 2009/9/30 29. 4,459　aut　Nogizaka Haruka 2 BD/DVD 2009/12/23 30. 4,387　win　Minami-ke 3 DVD 2009/04/08 31. 4,283　sum　Princess Lover DVD 2009/10/23 32. 4,028　aut　Tegami Bachi DVD 2010/01/27For those who can read Japanese, here is the original list, which gives full titles and a bit more detail about the disc editions:2009年テレビアニメDVD/BD 1巻累計売り上げ(暫定版) *1. 79,789　夏　化物語 第一巻 ひたぎクラブ (完全生産限定版) [BD+DVD]: 2009/9/30 *2. 51,192　春　けいおん! 1 (初回限定生産) [BD+DVD]: 2009/07/29 *3. 31,851　春　涼宮ハルヒの憂鬱4 笹の葉ラプソディ(第1巻)限定版 [DVD]: 2009/08/28 *4. 28,027　冬　ヘタリア Axis Powers vol.1【初回限定版】 [DVD]: 2009/04/24 *5. 24,653　秋　とある科学の超電磁砲 第1巻 <初回限定版> [BD+DVD]: 2010/01/29 *6. 23,434　春　鋼の錬金術師 FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST 1 [BD+DVD]: 2009/08/26 *7. 20,945　夏　ヘタリア Axis Powers 第5巻(第2期)【初回限定版】���DVD���10/23 *8. 15,643　春　銀魂 シーズン其ノ四 1 (完全生産限定版) [DVD]: 2009/10/28 *9. 15,541　春　涼宮ハルヒちゃんの憂鬱とにょろ���ん☆ちゅるやさん 最初(第1巻) (DVD) 2009/05/29 10. 13,983　春　クイーンズブレイド 流浪の戦士 第1巻 [BD+DVD]: 2009/06/25 11. 13,904　秋　DARKER THAN BLACK-流星の双子- (1) [BD+DVD]: 2009/12/23 12. 12,340　冬　続・夏目友人帳 1 【完全生産限定版】 [DVD]: 2009/04/22 13. 12,014　春　戦国BASARA 其の壱 [DVD]: 2009/07/01 14. 10,497　秋　君に届け Vol.1 [DVD]: 2009/12/23 15. *9,760　春　東のエデン 第1巻 (初回限定生産版) [BD+DVD]: 2009/07/29 16. *8,671　秋　そらのおとしもの 限定版 第1巻 [DVD]: 2009/12/25 17. *7,917　春　ハヤテのごとく!! 2nd season 01 (初回限定生産) [BD+DVD]: 2009/08/21 18. *7,632　秋　生徒会の一存 第1巻 限定版 [DVD]: 2009/12/11 19. *7,593　春　PANDORAHEARTS DVD RETRACE:1 [DVD]: 2009/07/24 20. *7,250　秋　クイーンズブレイド 玉座を継ぐ者 第1巻 [BD+DVD]: 2009/12/22 21. *6,996　春　咲-Saki- 1 [DVD]: 2009/07/15 22. *5,482　冬　鋼殻のレギオス第1巻 (限定版) [DVD]: 2009/03/27 23. *5,287　夏　狼と香辛料II【1】 [BD+DVD]: 2009/10/7 24. *5,281　夏　GA 芸術科アートデザインクラス vol.1(初回限定版) [DVD]: 2009/11/6 25. *4,799　夏　CANAAN【1】 [BD+DVD]: 2009/10/21 26. *4,591　秋　けんぷファーVOL1(初回限定生産) [BD+DVD]: 2009/12/23 27. *4,548　冬　まりあ†ほりっく 第1巻 [DVD]: 2009/03/25 28. *4,523　夏　懺・さよなら絶望先生 第一集【特装版】 [DVD]: 2009/9/30 29. *4,459　秋　乃木坂春香の秘密 ぴゅあれっつぁ♪ 第1巻 <初回限定版> [BD+DVD]: 2009/12/23 30. *4,387　冬　みなみけ おかえり 1〔初回限定版〕 [DVD]: 2009/04/08 31. *4,283　夏　プリンセスラバー! Vol.1 [DVD ������������������������������������]: 2009/10/23 32. *4,028　秋　テガミバチ 1 [DVD]: 2010/01/27
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Gia, John, and AHR discuss Maria Holic, SkullMan, One Piece, delicious Japanese snacks, dioramas, and other items both on- and off-topic.
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Number 1: The Plot   Kanako = Highly romantic transfer student. A lesbian who is allergic to men. Mariya = A sadistic male who masquerades as a girl. He's the grandson of the academy's chairperson. Matsurika = Mariya's emotionless, yet obedient maid. She is a font of verbal abuse for all who surround her. Maria+Holic = A sadistic comedy that's wrung from the shell of a Yuri Romance   Number 2: The Pedigree A thirteen episode series reeks of style. Those familiar with the Anime Sayonara Zetsubo Sensei will notice a familiar vibe. Not only was it the same animation studio (Shaft), but even the same director (Akiyuki Shinbo.)   Number 3: The Ending Animation   <object width="640" height="385"> <param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/rZB-7SE_tVg&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1&amp;"> </param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"> </param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"> <embed wmode="transparent" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/rZB-7SE_tVg&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1&amp;" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"> </embed></param><param value="transparent" name="wmode"> </param></object>   Title: Kimi ni, Mune Kyun Performed by: Yuu Kobayashi Eye catching and addictive would be the two things I say about this ED. Well, assuming you don't check out the 1983 original!   Number 4: One release for the full series   Yep, this novelty doesn't get old. So many times I am willing to look beyond a price point if it gets me "all" of something.   Number 5: I guess the Opening Animation isn't terrible either.      <object width="640" height="505"> <param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/pOHwVZc6QYY&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1&amp;"> </param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"> </param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"> <embed wmode="transparent" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/pOHwVZc6QYY&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1&amp;" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="505"> </embed></param><param value="transparent" name="wmode"> </param></object>      Title: HANAJI  Performed by: Yuu Kobayashi I mean, I "guess" its alright. While less adorable/rewatchable than the ED, its got a catchy beat and really conveys the weird style of the series, and the relationship between Mariya and Kanako.  The Visuals  And there you have it. Go get Maria+Holic: The Complete Collection, from Section23.
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Should Cross-dressing and Gender Bender anime like Otome Wa Boku Ni Koishiteru, Maria†Holic and Kashimashi be considered an Yuri anime? Related posts:Class S – The Biggest Cliché in Yuri Anime
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As I did last year, here is the list of what I thought the top 10 anime EDs of 2009 were. Enjoy! 10. “Kimi ni, Mune Kyun” by Yu Kobayashi, Asami Sanada and Marina Inoue – Maria Holic ED This was kind an odd ED, though it probably fit the series in that regard.  It kind of [...]
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Otaku club from Meiji University, the biggest otaku club in Japan, held a seiyuu event called "Himitsu no Tea Time" (trans. Secret Tea Time). The event featured two seiyuu who voiced the main characters in anime Maria†Holic, Sanada Asami and Kobayashi Yuu. The two came wearing the school uniform from the academy which the anime/manga takes place at.She has quite a good hand-writing, though. I would have never guessed that, judging from her scribbles.One part of the event was "Drawing Corner". Yes, drawing corner with the gifted artist Kobayashi Yuu. She definitely didn't let anyone down and answered to the expectations, as you can see in the picture above. Such a unique, nonpareil artwork can hardly be put into words. Make your own view on it. That is, provided you can still do the viewing part.But Kobayashi is really cute, isn't she? How can she produce such "uncute" scribbles is a mystery to me.The event was probably a good one on the whole. At the end, Kobayashi and Sanada answered some questions. They both said that the best thing to go with onigiri is sake, that the most important thing for recording is sneakers, and that they drink water during recording. They also concurred when they were to replace XX in "XX Fall". XX, in their opinion, should state for "appetizing". Some of the other conversation revolved around food as well. They sure like to eat, don't they?
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First part of my 2009 in Review article. Only shows I’ve completed watching are in this list, divided in to four tiers of descending “accumulative entertainment value”. GOD Tier Bakemonogatari Senjougahara-fascination in full swing. Toradora Poor Ami~n :( Maria+Holic “o..o..o..o..onii-sama no. IJIMEKKOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” Ristorante Paradiso Almost made me gay for megane-jiisan’s Eden of the East Mass Naked NEET Event. Seitokai no Ichizon I’m still rooting for Key-kun’s Harem [...]
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