As always, just passing on words of wisdom from the authentically Japanese staff member (as opposed to the fake ones)... that she also happens to be the one who gets sent all the review DVDs is purely a coincidence, I'm sure...
The leaves are falling and the brisk autumn air reminds us it's time to give thanks for all the great new anime coming out for our viewing pleasure. In our Review Round-Up we checked out a few new releases from FUNimation to give you the heads up 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!
The Familiar of Zero: Hogwarts gone harem. The Familiar of Zero is a magical misadventure comedy that follows mage Louise who is the worst student at Tristein Academy and the unfortunate familiar she summoned. Fan service, magic and mayhem fill the episodes of The Familiar Zero. Containing episodes 1 through 13 the box set consists three discs. Released November 4th and Rated 13UP the series has colorful characters, plenty of panties and a boy stuck in a strange new world where he is virtually a slave. This series runs 300 minutes and contains the English and Japanese with English subtitles. Extras include previews, textless openings and ending. MSRP $59.98 Rate: 2/5
Guyver - The Complete Box Set: Discovering the Chronos Corporation's greatest weapon is the end of the world Sho Fukamachi has come to know. Running for his life from the army of Guyver's is now his new life and his only hope is the bio armor he now controls. Guyver - The Complete Box Set contains 26 episodes on 5 discs in three slim cases. Released November 4th and Rated MA, Guyver is a sci-fi action adventure series. This series runs 600 minutes and contains the English 5.1 and Japanese with English subtitles. Extras include commentaries, manga to anime comparisons, production sketches, trailers, textless openings and ending. MSRP $69.98 Rate: 3/5
Dragon Ball Z - Season 7: Uncut and digitally remastered, Dragon Ball Z Season 7 is the latest box set to be released in the series. Containing episodes 195 through 219 on 6 discs, the set includes the complete Great Saiyaman and World tournament sagas. Life has gone on for the Z-Fighters since the defeat of Cell. Goku's son Goten and Vegeta's son Trunks have become the newest Saiyans while Krillin took some time to tie the knot. But the time has come for the crew to reunite with the World Martial Arts Tournament around the corner. Released November 7th and Rated PG, this series runs 565 minutes and contains the English voice track with original Japanese music, English with the TV Broadcast music and Japanese with English subtitles and original music. MSRP $49.98 Rate: 3/5
Tsubasa RESERVoir CHRoNiCLE: Renegades and Strays - Volume 9: "There is no such thing as coincidence, there is only inevitability". Tsubasa RESERVoir CHRoNiCLE: Renegades and Strays contains episodes 37 through 40. As Syaoran and crew push forward on their journey through worlds in search of Sakura's missing memory feathers, they find each new world filled with familiar faces and new dangers. From a twisted storybook world to a road trip to remember, the adventure continues. Released November 11th and Rated PG. This series runs 100 minutes and contains the English 5.1 and Japanese with English subtitles. Extras include character guide, world guide, textless openings and ending and trailers. MSRP $29.98 Rate: 3.5/5
Black Blood Brothers - The Complete Series: Vampires and humans find a new threat as the brutal Kowloon Bloodline begins to rise. With the help of negotiator Mimiko, Jiro and his younger brother Kotaro try to make their way to a safe haven called the Special Zone. Unfortunately the rise of the deadly Kowloon Children will force Jiro to wield the Silver Blade in battle once again in order to save those he loves. Black Blood Brothers - The Complete Series contains 12 episodes on 3 discs in three slim-pack cases. Released November 11th and Rated MA the series is This series runs 290 minutes and contains the English and Japanese with English subtitles. Extras include the Japanese commentaries, original TV spots, original commercials, sneak peeks, textless openings and ending, and trailers. MSRP $49.98 Rate: 4/5
Yu Yu Hakusho: Ghost Files - Season Three: From 14 year old delinquent to life saver to Spirit Detective, life after death is much more dangerous for Yusuke Urameshi than his days fighting in the streets. As the Dark Tournament nears an end Yusuke must find the strength to continue on through all adversity in order to save the World of the Living. The complete uncut third season of Yu Yu Hakusho contains episodes 57 through 84 on 4 discs in two thin-pack cases. Released November 11th and Rated PG. This series runs 600 minutes and contains the English and Japanese with English subtitles. Extras include character profiles, trailers, textless openings and ending. MSRP $34.98 Rate: 3/5
When They Cry - Volume 5: Shion is blood thristy for revenge over the disappearance of Satoshi. Dark and disturbing the secrets of one small village is bathed in blood and the littered with the corpses of the cursed. Torture is the name of the game for Shion in her twisted search for the truth. From stabbing a small child to whipping a deceased old woman, there are image that may be disturbing to some viewers. When They Cry - Volume 5 contains 4 violent episodes wrapped in a bizarre mystery. Released November 11th and Rated 16UP the series is filled with images of torture and contains strong language. This series runs 100 minutes and contains the English and Japanese with English subtitles. MSRP $29.98 Rate: 2.5/5
Love and Honor: Directed by Yoji Yamada, Love and Honor is a live action Japanese drama which was nominated for 13 Japanese Academy Awards. The story follows a samurai with dreams of one day training children in the way of the warrior but, unfortunately, his duties within the castle would shatter his dreams and test his honor. Heartbreaking drama will bring tears to the eyes and the tissue box close. There is some sword play but it takes a backseat to the emotional struggles experienced by Shinnojo and his beautiful wife Kayo. Released November 11th and Rated PG13 the fill is an excellent live action film. The motion picture runs 125 minutes and contains the English and Japanese 5.1 with English subtitles. MSRP $24.98 Rate: 4.5/5
Ghost Hunt - Volume 2: Terror in the classroom brings the Shibuya Psychic Research team to a high school overrun with demons. A deadly curse, a student suicide and one out of control school house game pushes Mai to the edge. But this is only the beginning for the team as the hunt takes them from school yard to high atop a church spire to the depths of a legendary torture chamber. Ghost Hunt - Volume 2 contains episodes 14 through 25 on 2 discs. Released November 18th and Rated TV14 this supernatural thriller is a must see for those who love a good ghost story. This series runs 276 minutes and contains the English and Japanese with English subtitles. Extras include Ghost Hunt manga pages, character case files, ghost sightings, trailers, textless opening and ending. MSRP $49.98 Rate: 3.5/5
Coyote Ragtime - The Complete Box Set: Prison breaks, billions in booty and deadly lolita androids is only the beginning to the adventure. "Mister" is busting out of prison for a chance at Pirate King Bruce's billions before the destruction of Graceland. With a hot PI and the government on his tail the bullets will fly and blood will spill. Coyote Ragtime - The Complete Box Set contains 12 episodes on 2 discs. Released November 18th and Rated TV14 the series is and action adventure series with plenty of babes, bullets and bombs. This series runs 300 minutes and contains the English 5.1 and Japanese 5.1 with English subtitles. Extras include production artwork, textless openings and ending. MSRP $49.98 Rate: 3/5
Darker Than Black: Volume 1: Dark and deadly, Contractors are assassins who live on the fringes, using their supernatural powers to do the dirty work to those willing to pay. Darker Than Black follows the mystery, action and drama behind the dubious work of the Contractors and one in particular, the masked killer BK201, the Black Reaper. Darker Than Black contains episodes 1 through 5. Scheduled for release November 25th and Rated MA the series is best viewed by mature audiences. This series runs 120 minutes and contains the English 5.1 and Japanese with English subtitles. Extras include Ep 2 commentary, cast auditions, production art work, textless opening and ending. MSRP $29.98 Rate: 4.5/5
Sasami: Magical Girls Club - Volume 2: Love and friendship make the bonds between the members of the Magical Girls Club unbreakable. With the concerns of her friends and their magic backing her up, Misao sets out on a journey to a distant mystical realm. Sasami and the rest of the club will do what they can to make sure their timid friend is safe on her move. The Tenchi Muyo spin off Sasami: Magical Girls Club contains episodes 14 through 26 on 2 discs in one case. Scheduled for release on November 25th and Rated PG the series is a magical girl adventure. This series runs 320 minutes and contains the English and Japanese with English subtitles. MSRP $39.98 Rate: 3/5
