If there was one animated feature that I can blame for ruining my childhood, I'd say it was Bambi. I still remember how shocked I was when I saw Bambi's mother got shot by some hunters in the forest. A lot of years have passed since then and I thought I have completely forgotten about the scene and how traumatising it was for a 5 year old. Come to think of it, I've never seen that film again after that. Maybe my subconscious tries to protect my fragile mind. Thanks to this episode, however, I was immediately reminded of that movie again. This episode also proves once and for all that Sunrise is evil. It's not enough that they feature one scene of a deer getting slaughtered, they seem to revel in the act by featuring more deers getting maimed by humans. Joking aside, this is a great looking episode which I'm sure would look great on DVD. Although the animation used during the fight scenes are not completely fluid, it still feels grand.
(Read the rest of this entry) (Entry meta)

Wait, what the f did I say? "Shouri" anime? What's a shouri? Did the Otaku Federation or more affectionately in some circles known as the NHK, and in the other circles/camps known as Genshiken coin this term? Or did Some overlords (Ahem The Third ahem) of this planet decided on that term? Did some secret Organization based in France (read: Le Soldat) planned this? Or is it just another marketing scheme by the horny and money grabby greedy directors at a studio by the name of Gainax (with the New Century Evangelion Scam)'? All right, all right, I'm over doing it...
(Read the rest of this entry) (Entry meta)

As you might know, Cardcaptor is a fanboy of the stylish loli by the name Eve of the Black Cat fame. Now that Yabuki Kentarou decides to include her in the supreme fanservice extraordinaire manga Toloveru, Cardcaptor is overjoyed beyond words. Moreover, Yabuki-sensei gives her a slight hint of Yuri this time. What more can [...]
(Read the rest of this entry) (Entry meta)

The new season started at the beginning of January, but there are a number of new series and OVAs in February.Number one for me is the first episode of the three-episode Ichigo Mashimaro OVA. There is lots of manga available to create stories from, and I except more of the hilarious, yet deep and humane humor that the original series gave us in 2005. One of the best ensemble casts in all anime: Nabatame Hitomi, Orikasa Fumiko (who is a comic revelation as Miu), Chiba Saeko, Noto Mamiko, and Kawasumi Ayako. Released 23 Feb.As for the others, I just don't know. The new series are: Kemono Soukikou Dancouga Nova, Yes! Pretty Cure 5, Naruto Shippuuden, Rocket Girl, and Ikkitousen Dragon Destiny. The OVAs are: Okane ga Nai, Fist of the North Star - The Legend of Toki, Fuyu no Semi, and To Heart 2 OVA. And ep2 of the Genshiken OVA and ep3 of Baldr Force Exe Resolution will be released. JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Phantom Blood, is a movie.Not being much of an expert on mecha, I can't say much about the Dancouga Nova designs, but they are designed, and the show is directed, by the smae person who did the Gravion animes and Fatal Fury. I can say that the VA cast looks great: Kuwashima Houko, Tai Yuuki, Ikezawa Haruna (Marimite/Yoshino), Gotou Saori, Fujiwara Keiji, Wakamoto Norio. It starts on 15 Feb and airs at 10:30 pm Thursdays.Yes! Pretty Cure 5 is a show for little girls, but the thing that will get me to watch one episode is the presence of the excellent voice of 20-year-old Sanpei Yuuko, who is rocketing to prominence after her role as Renton in Eureka7. She has recently taken over as Souta in Otogijushi Akazukin. It will be good to hear her do a female role. 8:30 Sundays, starting 4 Feb.Naruto Shippuuden is the latest series in that franchise, and bills itself as showing that Naruto himself has changed. 7:30 Thursdays, starting 15 Feb.Rocket Girl is about a girl who is chosen to be an astronaut because she is small and light. This is the director's first series, and the show is from a light novel published in the 90s. But the presence of VAs Nabatame Hitomi and Sendai Eri will definitely mean that I give it a chance. Midnight Wednesday, starting 21 Feb. Replaces Soukou no Strain, which ends the week before.Ikkitousen - Dragon Destiny continues the story of the original Ikkitousen, apparently with even more fanservice. The story is of three high schools fighting for supremacy, literally. They are named for the Three Kingdoms of Chinese history, and there are repeated slight parallels with that story. Once again, though, the cast looks great: Nabatame Hitomi, Asano Masumi, Chihara Minori, Kadowaki Mai, Shindou Kei, Kaida Yuko, Hina Satoshi, Inoue Kikuko. Naba-sama and Masumin are two of the most professional VAs of all. I am thrilled to see them headlining a show together. They do the show's radio program. Show airs 7:30 Mondays, starting 26 Feb.Okane ga Nai is a boy's-love one-ep OVA that has had its start date shifted back from January to Feb 9. Fukuyama Jun is bought by Kosugi Juurota (Morcerf in Gankutsuou). This will work, lol. Released 9 Feb.Fist of the North Star - The Legend of Toki. Great martial artist Kenshirou continues to try to bring justice to a land in chaos. Released 23 Feb.Fuyu no Semi -- Winter Cicada -- appears to be Bakumatsu-era boys' love. Two friends are separated by being on opposite sides in the fight to overthrow the Shogunate and establish the new Imperial rule in the 1860s. Stars Miki Shinichirou and Morikawa Toshiyuki. Released 23 Feb.ToHeart2 OVA. Released 28 Feb. A new director and a stripped-down cast make me think this could be yet another step down for a moe/harem title that wasn't that great to begin with. Released 28 Feb.Genshiken has a lot going for it. Hopefully this second episode of the OVA will be as good as the first. It shows the lives of otaku in a college club called the "Society for the Study of Modern Visual Culture." And has an excellent cast, including Kawasumi Ayako and Seki Tomokazu, the stars of Nodame Cantabile. Released 23 Feb.Ep 3 of the four-episode OVA Baldr Force Exe - Resolution, will be released on 9 Feb. It's the story of intrigues among a terrorist group, the security forces, and the army, in a world divided into real and virtual realms, rather resembling the Matrix world.JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Phantom Blood will be released 17 February, covering the first arc of the classic manga, which involves intrigue, adventure, evil, and vampirism in Victorian-era Britain and Europe.Cast, staff, and date/time details on my Winter 2007 Calendar.
(Read the rest of this entry) (Entry meta)

Jigoku Shoujo Futakomori, ep. 17: “Watching Silently” (Chindan no Manazashi) Another tragic tale, but this one is special as we get to see Ichimoku Ren’s origins and feelings. Summary and thoughts following the pics (click to enlarge): A samurai warlord enters the chambers of a princess, tossing the head of her husband on the floor. [...]
(Read the rest of this entry) (Entry meta)

The next in line after Haruhi, Mikuru gets the Max Factory treatment. Preorders are open for this PVC figure of the loli-moé SOS-dan member. Sadly, judging by the preorder status, it doesn’t seem to be doing so good. I guess Haruhi is a tough act to follow. I can’t exactly place my finger on any particular [...]
(Read the rest of this entry) (Entry meta)

Are you an IDOLM@STER fan? Oh yes you are. Admit it you fairy! We all know what you do at night with your pretty Polly princess dolls! Anyway, some adventurous soul went out and braved the throngs of 12 year old girls to grab a copy of the collectors edition of IDOLM@STER for the Xbox [...]
(Read the rest of this entry) (Entry meta)

Buy it here Title:
(Read the rest of this entry) (Entry meta)

This review is courtesy of Guest Writer Carey Anderson To fans of Yumiko Readman, now is a great time to rekindle your love for books with the R.O.D. (Read or Die) manga! The manga was first created after the series of light novels from the same author (Hideyuki Kurata) which then of course spun off into [...]
(Read the rest of this entry) (Entry meta)

Yomiko Readman, aka The Paper, is a Paper Master- a British Library agent with the special ability to manipulate paper in any way she wishes. It should come as no surprise that such a person is also an avid bibliophile, and so what better person to be asked to stick close to than up and [...]
(Read the rest of this entry) (Entry meta)