Hey guys, I'm just playing the messenger for The Great Gail again. She had some reviews she wanted to share...
The time has finally come to check out the latest batch of anime DVD releases! In our Review Round-Up we checked out a few new releases and give you the skinny on what they are about. Did you love the DVD and want everyone to check it out? Hate it and want to make sure no one suffers through watching it? Let's hear it! Please feel free to share your thoughts in the Comments on this review and let other Otakuites hear your opinions!
VEXILLE: Released May 20th, VEXILLE is a CG animated film by Director Fumihiko Sori and the team behind the 2004 version of Appleseed set to the musical score by Paul Oakenfold. The science fiction story of VEXILLE takes place in 2077 in a world where Japan has closed itself off from the rest of the world. It is up to a fighting force known as S.W.O.R.D. and it's agent Vexille to determine if the Japanese have been developing banned robotic biotechnology. A technology which as been forbidden due to it's threat to humankind. Rated PG-13, there is some strong language, violence and action. VEXILLE runs 105 minutes and contains the English 5.1 and Japanese 5.1 surround sound with English subtitles. MSRP $29.98
Balder Force EXE: Released May 20th, Balder Force EXE is a wild ride into the Wired World. Hacker Souma Toru knows the land of the logged-in well since he and his gang of hackers once had the run of the place, until tragedy came to call. After his gang disbanded, Souma joined the ranks of a military organization charged with protecting hidden data within the vast network of servers. Torn between two worlds the only question is: what is reality? Rated MA, the series is intended for a mature audience. Balder Force EXE runs 120 minutes and contains the English audio and Japanese with English subtitles. Extras include the original preview, textless songs and trailers. MSRP $29.98
Full Metal Panic! The Second Raid - The Complete Series: Released May 20th, FMP! TSR - The Complete Series contains the entire uncut 13 episode series on 4 discs in one tri-fold box set. The series continues to follow the adventures of high school student and Mithril mercenary Sousuke Sagara as he and his comrades face the threat of Amalgam. Rated TV14 but does contain some scenes that may be offensive to younger viewers including violence, strong language and some nudity. Full Metal Panic! The Second Raid - The Complete Series runs 320 minutes and contains the English 5.1 audio and Japanese 5.1 with English subtitles. Extras include 4 art booklets (over 72 pages of interviews, character profiles and production art), bonus OVA, bonus episode 000, tour at Japanese self-defense force, 7-part featurette: location scouting in Hong Kong, Dawn of the Light Novel, audio commentaries on all episodes on all episodes on all episodes and textless songs. MSRP $59.98
Hell Girl Volume 6: Released May 20th, the sixth volume of Hell Girl contains four episodes. As vengeance loses meaning, perhaps it's best to put it all behind. However, fate has other things in mind. Drawing the past into the future and the accused into the path of the damned, all will come within Hell Girl's domain. Rated MA the series is intended for a mature audience. Hell Girl Volume 6 runs 100 minutes and contains both the English 5.1 and Japanese with English subtitles. Extras include Office Kitchenette of Hell, textless songs and trailers. MSRP $29.98
Dragon Ball Z: Released May 27th, the Dragon Ball Z digitally remastered double feature contains The Dead Zone and The World's Strongest in a collector's tin case. In the Dead Zone, Gohan is kidnapped and Garlic Jr. is gathering the Dragonballs to wish for immortality. As Goku, Krillin and Piccolo rush to save Gohan, Garlic Jr. summons the Eternal Dragon. With Garlic Jr. creating a "Dead Zone" to suck the heroes into oblivion it's up to Goku to unleash his hidden powers, but will it be enough? In The World's Strongest the sinister Dr. Wheelo has been freed from his icy tomb. In need of a body on Earth the evil Dr. Kochin kidnaps Piccolo and Master Roshi to determine who is the strongest fighter. But when Goku, Gohan and Krillin come to their friends' rescue they find Wheelo's target for mental domination is Goku! Rated TV14, the movies have multiple audio options including English voice with original Japanese music in 5.1 surround, English voice track with US music in 5.1 surround or the Japanese voice track with original music. MSRP $29.98
Dragon Ball Z Season 5: Released May 27th, Dragon Ball Z Season 5 contains 26 uncut digitally remastered episodes on 6 DVDs. The Z-fighters gather their forces in a effort to combat the Android menace that has been set loose upon the planet. Things get worse when Dr. Gero's most lethal creation, Cell, has risen from the shadows. Destroying cities with powerful attacks, Cell does his creator's evil bidding. It's up to the Z-fighters to find a way to stop him before he completes his quest to absorb the Androids and achieve his invincible Perfect Form. Rated PG the DVDs contain multiple audio options including English voice with original Japanese music in 5.1 surround, English voice track with US music in 5.1 surround or the Japanese voice track with original music. MSRP $49.98
One Piece - Season 1 - First Voyage: Released May 27th, One Piece Season One contains the first 13 uncut and unedited episodes on 2 DVDs contained within two thin disc holders within a space saving box. Luffy the Straw Hat Pirate and his ragtag crew are ready to set sail in pursuit of their dreams of wealth, fame and power in the Grand Line. Rated TV14 the episodes run 320 minutes and comes with both English 5.1 and Japanese with English subtitles. MSRP $49.98
Just in case you missed these recent releases:
Hell Girl Volume 5: Released April 8th, Hell Girl volume 5 contains the uncut episodes 19 through 22. A pretty possession, a fiery reputation. A daughter lost and a lover spurned. While the reasons for revenge may vary, the reporter's desire to stop it remains the same. But beware, for vengeance slips ever closer. All will come within Hell Girl's domain. Rated MA the fifth volume runs 100 minutes and contains both the English 5.1 and Japanese with English subtitle audio options. Extras include the Top Secret Hell Conference, textless songs and trailers. MSRP $29.98
Witchblade Volume 6: Released April 29th, Witchblade volume 6 contains episodes 21 through 24. Emotionally drained Masane is fast approaching the end. While her life crumbles around her there is a bit of good news, Wado's been unseated and Takayama's taken charge. With the apocalypse on the horizon, a solitary soldier takes her place in the cruel history of the Witchblade. Rated MA this release runs 100 minutes with both the English 5.1 and Japanese with English subtitles. Extras include Japanese cast interview: voice of Maria, Japanese TV spots, textless songs, 12 page insert booklet and trailers. MSRP $29.98
