Tokyo
Godfathers The third film from Satoshi Kon (Millennium
Actress, Perfect
Blue) rachets the state-of-the-art of anime film-making up another notch.
This movie is simply astounding. Every nuance and detail of the characters is
brilliant. Most live-action films do not contain this kind of depth of character
and story. And of course, this being a Kon film, just when you think you know
what's going on, he twists it on it's ear, and it becomes a very different film
from what you were expecting!
The film centers on three homeless people, and how their lives are affected by
finding an abandoned baby in the trash. Setting out on a quest to find the original
mother, they get themselves into a variety of adventures, while they each learn
about each other and the true checkered past each of them carries in their hearts.
We won't give away the ending, it's just amazing. Tokyo Godfathers deserves to
win best picture -- not best animated picture, but best picture -- it's just
that damn good. This DVD release is NOT dubbed, but presented in Japanese with
English subtitles -- as it should be.
Voltage
Fighter Gowcaizer
From the director of Fatal
Fury! A series of destructive earthquakes have destroyed half of Tokyo. The
cause is something dark and sinister. It lies within the Belnar Institute in
the form of its leader, Shizuru Ozaki - a man who possesses an incomprehensible
power. His goal - to become immortal, at all costs. The Belnar Institute is a
school for exceptional students. Attending it are two young men - Isato Kaiza
and his friend Kash. Each possesses a powerful gem called the Cazier Stone. With
these gems, they transform themselves into the armored heroes Gowcazer and Hellstinger.
Along with sexy women warriors Karin and Shaia, the mysterious, powerful exchange
student Kyosuke Shingure and his beautiful servant Kubira, they proceed to take
on the evil Oziaki.
Based on the popular video game, Voltage Fighter Gowcaizer is an adrenalin rush
- a sensory experience of overwhelming proportions. Allow yourself to be swept
up into this spectacle, then sit back and enjoy the ride. Note: Not for kids
-- contains some nudity.
Birdy
the Mighty - Double Trouble
Super-Excellent-Action abounds in this OVA series that is done with a surprising
amount of humor and taste. Birdy is an intergalactic cop who accidentally kills
an innocent bystander -- bumbling high-schooler Tsutomu, and she is forced to "merge" with
him to save his life. Suddenly Tsutomu finds that there's another person living
inside him -- and it's a girl!
With fight scenes and costuming reminiscent of Gatchaman,
the series has a lot going for it. Tsutomu's English voice actor does a superb
job of making him really seem pathetic, and as such, he and Birdy become the
perfect "Odd
Couple". Director Yoshiaki
Kawajiri (Ninja
Scroll, Bloodlust)
never let's it get dull, the action is either comedy or brilliantly done fights. "Birdy" is
an often overlooked jewel in the anime bin -- don't let this get away from you.
Speed
Racer - Episodes 1-11
An anime-classic if there ever was one! Who doesn't have fond memories of this,
one of the greatest and most influential anime series of all time? Of course,
when we were all six years old, we had no idea that Speed Racer was "anime",
just that it seemed 'better' than the junk being thrown at us on Saturday morning.
Now revisit those faded childhood memories with this awesome DVD package!
Join Speed, Trixie, Spridle and Chim-Chim (and Racer X) as they take on the
likes of Skull Duggery, the Car Acrobatic Team and the Mammoth Car! The DVD
also includes
a cool interactive tour of the Mach-5, that often imitated, never duplicated,
incredible fantasy car of every boy who ever breathed. Fave-Sound-Effect -- when
the Mach-5 jumps "chuu-chuu-chuu!"...
The score is
phenomenal and sucks you deeply into the movie. Animated by the same studio that
would also eventually give us the quintessential Miyazaki
masterpieces, it's a tour-de-force that's enjoyable by both kids and adults
alike. The Last Unicorn was easily the best film of the Rankin-Bass
studio, and (if you've never seen it yet), the haunting images will stay
in your heart forever.
Gilco
- Pocky Mens
Pocky isn't just a snack-food,
it's a full-blown addiction.
Those who know us, know there's no stopping eating these darn things. They are
delicious, crumb-free and very handy, since no chocolate winds
up on your fingers. It's the perfect food while watching anime, or just watching
TV or surfing the web.
Simply stated, Pocky is a stick-shaped biscuit/cookie covered in a chocolate
or flavored
coating. You'll need to order them by the dozen, as the box disappears before
you realise you've eaten so many. When you start getting the shakes from Pocky
withdrawal, that's when you realize you're going to have to support this habit.
Pocky is one of mankind's greatest inventions -- that's how much we love this
stuff.
Full
Metal Panic
High-school secret agent Sousuke Sagara is assigned to
protect honor roll student Kaname Chidori from a large
band of international terrorists! What could they
want from her? This translated manga, based on the popular
anime series of the same
name, is a stunningly fresh blend of humor, romance, action, impressive artwork,
whacky characters, and quite a few original ideas.
Shouji Gatou does a spectacular job at designing some of the most well-drawn
characters ever seen in manga. Combined with such an awesome plot, this manga
is a must-have. Considering this is one of ADV's first
forays into the world of manga publishing in the states, we are impressed. Can't
wait for more!
Complete
Idiot's Guide to Karate
Maybe you've watched enough episodes of Hukoto
No Ken or Ranma
1/2 and you feel that you're ready to pull off some of those wonderful Martial
Arts moves. Except that you're a complete klutz and tripping over your own
feet. This book comes to the rescue. Although Karate is
but one of the many martial arts, it's got the best overall workout, and will
get you in shape enough to try some of the others.
Even if you're already taking classes
at a local dojo, this book will teach the things the classes might have glossed
over, such as belt-rankings, how to tie the belt properly, proper foot stance,
and always keeping your head protected. Furthermore, the book looks at the roots
of the arts and the philosophy behind them -- something you don't see at most
dojos. It's an invaluable guide that may even save your life one day if you happen
to get into a scuffle. Osu Sensei!
Neon
Genesis Evangelion II
If you're nuts about Evangelion,
then this is for you! From the kinetic, Arabic-styled "Angel Attack III" to
the mellow chords of "Moment When Tension Breaks", there's a little
bit of everything is this soundtrack album. Released by Pioneer/Geneon,
the CD reflects the series' depth of feeling and character development, two things
that are becoming scarcely seen on TV or the movie screen, especially here in
the states.
A fantastic musical experience by composer Shiroh
Sagisu. Definitely good listening for that long road trip. And you'll definitely
enjoy their take on "Fly
Me To The Moon" (an old Sinatra favorite).
Last
Exile Soundtrack
Also from Pioneer is this BGM, and here's the sequel to
this release! If you've read our review of the series,
you'll know that this show's got everything going for it, and is one of the coolest
things we've seen in a long, long time!
Now enjoy the awesome soundtrack to this excellent series. Heavy on the percussion,
utilizing wooden instruments and chimes, it is balanced with flute, giving it
an airy feel complementing the sequences of flight. The arrangement, however,
is modern electronica-esque, which again, meshes with the visuals of the series,
a combination of the old and the new. Overall, exceptional stuff and a CD worthy
of many repeats in the car stereo.
Steamboy
This is a steam punk anime adventure by Katsuhiro Otomo (of Akira fame). This
film looks
quite amazing - and the level of detail is fantastic...
Anime
Hasshin
Lorraine Savage has been doing anime fanzines longer than many of you reading
this have been alive. Her site is loaded with good stuff.
Steamboy 