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Anime DVD Reviews
RahXephon - Threshold (Vol. 1)
RahXephon - Threshold (Vol. 1)
RahXephon is a deep, complex seinen (animation for a young-adult male audience, more mature than shonen), literate in scope with nuances that only serious anime fans will appreciate. RahXephon resembles Neon Genesis Evangelion in many respects, with plenty of action, loads of drama, some extremely painful (but exceptionally well executed) tragedy, and gobs of character development.

RahXephon - Threshold (Vol. 1)The story follows 17 year old Kamina Ayato's progress through an ongoing global war, his search for the answer to the eternal question, "who am i", and his battle with the emotions he feels for others. The plot is thick and full of unanswered questions which can make it confusing at times, but the answers are there in an awe-inspiring conclusion, and layers upon layers of depth. RahXephon requires multiple viewings before it all makes sense, but when the light bulb comes on, you'll feel the revelation.

Voices of a Distant Star
Voices of a Distant Star
Ever wanted to make your own anime? Well, here's a film by someone who did! Although it looks like a professional studio production, Voices of a Distant Star is a personal film, made almost entirely by a single artist, Makoto Shinkai. Considering the arduous task of doing most of the work singlehandedly, the results are astounding.

Voices of a Distant StarThe art is beautiful and the storyline is both simple and touching -- an interstellar romance, (talk about a long-distance relationship!) with Einsteinian space/time forces working against them.

This is the start of something new in anime -- films made as personal statements, without traditional studios, and, thanks to computer technology, a single artist can express his or her vision with no limitations or compromises.

Dai-Guard - Hostile Takeover (Vol. 1)
Dai-Guard - Hostile Takeover (Vol. 1)
It's retro-silliness when a "retired" robot is again called into duty to save the world! Dai-Guard takes place in a future where "Shogun Warrior" types have become tourist attractions from the heyday, but are now considered obsolete. But when a old threat re-awakens, it's up to the hastily slapped together crew to pilot the robot (much to the chagrin of the robot's owners!) and save humanity.

Dai-Guard - Hostile Takeover (Vol. 1)Dai-Guard is a fresh, entertaining, thought-provoking, wonderful combination of humor and action and drama that brings with it an important message -- just because it's old doesn't mean it's not useful! The animation is slick, and it's good to see those old-style robots doing what they do best, which is slamming 100 foot-tall monsters into the sides of mountains!

Heat Guy J - Super Android
Heat Guy J - Super Android
The setting is the oceanic city-nation of Judoh. Androids are against the law here, due to the danger of misuse. There is one important exception: Heat Guy J-Super Android. He is created by the City Safety Management Agency to combat crime. Along with his partner, special agent Daisuke Aurora, they go out into Judoh's violent underworld, combating formidable criminals that push each of them to the limits of their abilities.
Heat Guy J - Super Android
Directed by Kazuki Akane, this DVD series delivers a gritty sense of the back alleys of a sprawling metropolis, compelling visuals of dizzying action, breathtaking panoramas, slick-looking mecha, and an endless assortment of fascinating characters along with tight, gripping storylines.

Shogun
Shogun
James Clavell's masterpiece of a novel was many American's first exposure to Fuedal Japan, Japanese customs and culture, and the first to cast away many of the stereotypes we held about Japan. This brilliantly handled mini-series (featuring some American's first views of John Ryhs Davis and Toshiro Mifune) captures the flavor of the book, and adds plenty of action to boot!
Richard Chamberlain strikes again!
Not seen on TV since the early 80's, many of you reading this now have probably never even seen this (or are too young to remember), so this may be a real treat for you. Starring the legendary Richard Chamberlain, we remember learning some of our first Japanese words by watching this. Wakarimasu, Angin-San!



Our Favorite Toys, Models and Gizmos
Disney's Magic Artist Cartoon Maker
Disney's Magic Artist Cartoon Maker
Although this product is aimed at small children, and it's loaded with pre-made Disney characters, and it's only 10 bucks, you'd be inclined to pass this by. Well, *DON'T* -- because this product is one of the very few that has a true 'flipbook' function and allows you to create your own cartoons of any length you desire. You can draw your own characters, (using the included Magic Artist Deluxe CD) and slowly but surely animate them, color it in, import background art and even create a full length film using this software.

Disney's Magic Artist Cartoon MakerConsidering the price, this is a very high-quality package full of advanced features. Too many features in fact, for it's stated age range. Even adults will find some of the tools challenging. It's like getting two nice pieces of software for half the price of one. Get this, and start making your own anime films. Mac and PC CD-ROM.



 Anime.com Recommended Books:
Astro Boy, Vol. 1
Astro Boy, Vol. 1
Here's where it all began. The anime "rosetta stone", the starting point for everything we know as anime and manga today is contained in this single seminal work. Created by "Manga-no-kamisama", Dr. Osamu Tezuka, this comic book lead to the animated series which became the worldwide phenomenon we all know and adore.

Astroboy: Old school Manga that started it all...Of interest to Tezuka fans is that the book is peppered with commentary by Tezuka (obviously, before his untimely death), as well as translation into English by Fred Schodt (author of Manga Manga! & Dreamland Japan). Young and old alike will enjoy this manga, with art and stories as only the God of Comics himself could tell them. Every anime collection should begin here, because this is where anime was born.

Japanese Beyond Words: How to Walk and Talk Like a Native Speaker
Japanese Beyond Words: How to Walk and Talk Like a Native Speaker
Simply learning the language is not enough if you want to go to Japan and blend in as best you can. Just as an English dictionary doesn't cover slang, and they don't teach New York City hand-gestures in schools, there are many nuances to Japanese conversation in everyday life that do not appear in 99% of the language-instruction courses and books.

That's where this super-useful volume comes in to fill that gap. Contained within are the things you need to know to get by in Japan, and *not* be treated as "Gaijin". When the day comes that we find the time to go to Japan, this book will be required reading during the flight. Campai!

Intron Depot 3: Ballistics
Intron Depot 3: Ballistics
Masamune Shirow (Ghost in the Shell, Appleseed), is one of the most influential manga artists of our time. His art, a clever mix of sex and sci-fi, is simply beautiful. Mixing traditional drawing with the latest CG/3D techniques, over the past 10 years, Intron Depot 3: Ballistics features some of Masamune Shirow's best artwork to date along with commentary from Shirow, specific to each illustration, in both English and Japanese, side by side.

Intron Depot 3: BallisticsPlease note that this book is shock-full of adult content. Kiddies, stay as far away from this one as possible. Big guns and hot babes are something your impressionable eyes are not ready to see. You have been warned.


Music and Soundtrack Selections:
FLCL Soundtrack
FLCL Soundtrack
This release by Pioneer/Geneon is simply rockin'! The soundtrack to one of the most awesome anime mini-series ever is hard-rocking bass and guitar goodness. The Pillows, a Japanese rock-group, combining head-banging, edgy punk rock with some soulful guitar, the garage-band sound here is somewhere between The Ramones and Nirvana, which ain't such dusty company. The ever popular "Ride on Shooting Star" is right there as track 2, but deeper into the album are some of the more interesting tracks (our fave, track 20, is Naota's "head banging" transformation theme).

Get this, get this, get this is all we can say. Incredible music from an awesome anime. If this album doesn't get you to air-guitar (and/or drive really, really fast), then you just aren't an anime fan.



Upcoming Events and Cool Links:

Astroboy Online
The official site for everyone's favorite atomic powered boy.

HyperRescueRobot
Japanese Giant Robots are REAL! By the way here is the English translation.






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