Perfect Blue (DVD)
Get ready for an entirely different type of anime film. This one has no giant robots and no space battles. Instead, this mind-bending psychological thriller takes place in modern-day Japan and is chillingly realistic in its portrayal of a pop-idol turned actress losing her grip on sanity as she is stalked by a fanatic-turned-killer. The director does an outstanding job of blurring the lines between her delusions and the TV role that mirrors her real-life problems — so much so that you begin to suffer from the same problem she does — which is that you cannot tell what is real and what's not.

And believe us, you won't be prepared for the ending — well, we don't want to give it away. Let's just say that we were shocked. This is fantastic example of how anime can be used to tell an adult, dramatic story that doesn't have to involve a toy tie-in. Groundbreaking and innovative, you'll definitely find this film to be far above the usual fare. Attention, Anime Studios in Japan - please make more films like this one!

The Big O (DVD)
The Big O has been often described as 'What if you combined Batman and Giant Robo?' But it is way more than that. It is pure, hardcore, literary-quality science fiction wrapped in style and sophistication, referencing everything from Isaac Asimov to Kurt Vonnegut. Meet Roger Smith, a man who fights crime in a double breasted all black suit, and he's got a giant robot (but does he control it, or does it control him?). Roger's companion is a female android who is more like MTV's Daria than anything else. She's like nothing you've ever seen in anime before. Be in awe of Dorothy, her power, her magnificence, her improbable size to mass ratio, her sardonic monotone comments, and her hidden, but deeply felt emotion.

Simply put, The Big O is everything that we admire about Anime. It has taken American pop culture references and made them its own. Then it augments satire with some brilliantly executed scripts that actually make you think. Combined with one of the most intense, dramatic and downright gothic soundtracks ever recorded, (and one of the most hysterical opening theme songs ever), The Big O is both parody, homage, and something unique all it's own. It may be one of the best anime series ever made, and at a mere 13 episodes, it ends with you screaming for more.

Robotech Macross Saga Legacy Boxed Set (DVD)
Robotech exploded onto the American scene and inducted entire legions of anime fans into our ranks. Next to Star Blazers, it may be the single most relevant TV series in terms of how many people call it the first "true" anime they ever experienced. Combined from three different TV series in Japan, given a makeover in terms of script and a whole new soundtrack, the producers at Harmony Gold blended together some of the best anime had to offer at the time.

And included in this set is the best of the best - Macross, which spawned imitations, sequels, and really gave us the entire 'transformer' craze in the first place (thanks to the ever-popular transforming Valkyrie mecha - still one of the most convincing concepts ever designed). And then there's the Macross itself, certainly the most giant of giant robots, using aircraft carriers as arms and holding an entire city inside of it. Macross proves that excess is success, and very few have ever done it this well on this scale.

Kiki's Delivery Service
Seriously, how can you go wrong with Phil Hartman voicing the cat! For that alone, this is worth watching. Plus, Kiki is voiced by none-other than Spiderman's sweetheart, Kirsten Dunst. Overall, this is one of the best dubbing jobs ever done for an anime film that has come to America. And of course, the film itself is pure Miyazaki. Beautiful execution and animation, enchanting Jo Hisaishi musical score, and the subtle, slow-burning to boil story that is the trademark of every film from Studio Ghibli.

The master storyteller weaves a magical world where witches are part of the community, and Kiki, a witch in training, has to start using her broom and flight powers in a delivery service role to help make ends meet. Through this premise, he builds a girl-to-woman coming of age story, with all the requisite problems of life on your own, and learning to rely on yourself, and learning about self-confidence. The struggles Kiki deals with are the sames ones we deal with every day, they are just a little bit different - because, after all, this is a Miyazaki film. There's something for all of us to learn from Kiki, and what it teaches us are the things we should carry in our hearts forever.

Captain Scarlet DVD Box Set
Of all the Gerry Anderson Supermarionation shows, Captain Scarlet has the most realistic looking figures, the most imaginative scenery and equipment, and it's just generally the coolest looking of all of them. The Japanese have a serious love-affair with Thunderbirds, but Captain Scarlet has a special place in our hearts - the show is just so damn bizarre and with those South Park overtones (the main character dies every episode - except that he comes back - because he cannot be killed!), you'll see here where everyone else stole their great ideas from.

Plus the episodes contain a veritable whos-who of British cinema behind the scenes. Both Derek Meddings (special effects guru) and Barry Gray (musical genius) went on to contribute to the James Bond films, and of course, Gerry and Silvia went on to produce epics like Space:1999 (best art direction - ever!). But every episode is not to be missed. Like some kind of GiJoe doll heaven come-to-life, action figures in action, toys that go boom, this is every 7 to 70 year old boy's dream come true.