Chobits
(Volume 1)
It's a geek fantasy come true, she's a beautiful girl -AND- a personal
computer. Pioneer's release
of fan-favorite robot-girl series Chobits is a charmer, and not just
because it's funny and full of fan-service, but (if you can wait
until the REAL story around episode
10), it's a marvelous and mysterious animated essay on man's
love-affair with technology. Created by CLAMP (who
seem to be capable of doing no wrong), the series is insightful and
intriguing with good balance on the characters.
Pioneer
has done an excellent job on the dubbing, and the DVD contains a
few nice extras. After you've sampled the first disc, you'll be dying
for more,
and of course, who could live without *also* having the soundtrack and manga?
If you liked Video
Girl Ai, you'll love Chobits.
FLCL
(Fooly Cooly) - Vol. 1
FuriKuri pokes
fun at everything in a bizarre self-referential way, while being
absolutely the most intentionally obtuse series since Excel
Saga. Created by Studio
Gainax, this set of 6
episodes contains enough character, storyline and wit to have
actually been 4 times as long. You're going to need to watch every
frame, because, believe us, some of it goes by so fast it'll make
your head spin.
For
those of you living on chaos theory, you'll learn a thing or two
about yourself in the complete and total madness of this show's slice-of-life,
stylistically-intense, coming-of-age screwball-comedy. Combined with
the most awesome rockin' soundtrack we've
ever heard, this is 6 episodes that may be the greatest anime ever.
Get all the DVDs.
Sorceress
Lina Inverse, the main character, is an egotistical, bad-tempered,
rash, greedy, loud-mouthed, liar who cheats, steals, beats up her
own friends, and is just about un-like-able in every way, and she's
the hero of the story! This should give you an idea of just how bad
the bad guys have to be in this type of setting. Naturally, this
makes for some pretty interesting action and humor. Now that we think
about it, we *can* understand the hub-bub about Slayers -- it's good
stuff!
Sailor
Moon - Season One
Complete and Uncut (Japanese Language Edition)
Drool, drool, pant, pant! The unreleased version of Sailor
Moon is finally on our shores! If you thought the English-dubbed
version of the show was cool, watch out! This complete and uncut
version is darker, bloodier, and has many more plot twists than what
was shown on American TV. Now find out *why* this show has the insane
legion of fans it
ardently deserves. Be prepared to laugh, be shocked and shed lots
and lots of tears.
This
boxed set contains all 46 episodes (some never aired in the US) of
the show's first season, as a set of 8 DVDs (with optional English
subtitles) packaged in a handsome foil-stamped art-box. Usagi never
had a treatment so nice. In the name of the Moon, you shall buy this!
Shaolin
Soccer
Holy Frickin' Kermit Jesus! It's Seven
Samurai meets Dragonball
Z! This is the greatest movie ever! Director/actor Stephen
Chow uses comedy and clever digital effects to
make the most outstanding soccer-movie, love-story, kung-fu-film of
all time! Stop whatever you're doing and see this movie RIGHT NOW.
Even if you hate soccer you'll love this flick. From the title theme
to the closing credits, this film is so ingenious and well put-together
that the moment it ends you'll feel the urge to watch it again.
This
may be the closest we've ever come to wearing-out an indestructible
DVD. Prepare to buy another DVD player because you'll burn out the
old one watching this over and over. Vastly entertaining and with
a hilarious ending, this film is worth every cent spent making it,
and every cent buying it!
Raijin
Comics
[Magazine Subscription]
Okay, this is not a toy per se, but it's certainly the gift that
keeps on giving. Get it for a friend, get it for a relative, or get
it for yourself, because these are serialized Manga, just like the
big "Shonen Jump" type, telephone-book sized, weekly manga
books in Japan.
With "City
Hunter", "Fist of the Blue Sky", "Baki the Grappler", "Bow
Wow Wata" and more between the covers (along with some insightful
stuff on Manga and Japanese Culture in general), plus everything
lovingly translated into English (but still reading right to left),
it's a manga-lover's dream come true. Read your manga just as the
Japanese do!
Animation
The Whole Story Howard
Beckerman is an animation historian and
instructor in NYC who has spent more than
30 years working everywhere in the industry.
His voluminous memory for everything germane
to animation is without equal. He is the "Yoda" of
animation, and he will train you, young
jedi. It is with this preface that we proudly
present to you this informative tome that
not only will hand-hold you through the
basics, but teach you the very foundations
that the art of animation is based on --
that animation is the art of movement,
and *not* merely the movement of art.
The
book includes a world history of animation, how to design characters,
write stories, do the animation, get it onto film or video
and all about working in the field or doing your own productions.
He also provides practical advice on how to set up and run
a studio. For example, he points out that there are three main
aspects to running a successful studio: landing jobs, being
able to do the work required, and getting paid for the work
that's been done. He then points out that as a general rule,
an individual shouldn't attempt to do more than two of those
functions. It's good advice, and a small example of the wisdom
that's packed into this book. Whether you are a newcomer to
the field or a seasoned veteran, this book deserves a spot
on your shelf.
The
DC Comics Guide to Inking Comics
For the budding illustrator and animator, learning to ink,
and ink *properly* is an essential skill. Even with all the
fancy computer coloring,
nothing adds dimension to illustrations like good use of line
weight, textures, and light & shadow.
Using DC
characters and comics as examples, Janson's lively, step-by-step
instructions are informative, exciting -- and clear enough
for even a beginner to follow. In addition, every technique
shown in the guide conforms to actual industry standards (i.e.
learn this book, and get a job!). Even seasoned professionals
will find something to learn here. It is crammed with great
art and excellent examples of the art of inking, and is easily
the best book we have seen on the subject.
Just
as you settle peacefully between tracks 2 and 4, track 5
will jarr you back to life (or make you stand on the gas
pedal!). With a variety of musical styles represented,
there's something for everyone here; trust us, just get it.
You won't be disappointed.
Akira:
Original Soundtrack [IMPORT] Akira broke
so much new ground for anime the world
over, you never run out of spots to tout it. One of
the most kinetic, unique and original movie soundtracks
ever, this album was also a ground-breaker using a bizarre
combination of percussion wooden instruments to produce
the kind of sound you've never heard before until you hear
this.
Definitely worth running through the car's sound system. Guaranteed "drive-faster" music
![Akira: Original Soundtrack [IMPORT]](images/index_page/200310/music02-akira_box.jpg)
