The moral of this story? Check your e-mail often, and not a day late. Umm... sorry 'bout that, Gail. I'll buy you something pretty in the spring, okay?
Happy Thanksgiving Otakuites! With turkey day done and all those great holiday sales starting before the sun rises, here are some new releases that you might want to check out! 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!
My Santa: The holidays are anything but fun for a boy named Santa. Born on Christmas Eve it seems everyone is having fun except for poor Santa. With his parents absent and everyone else enjoying the Christmas season it seems as though he has just fallen through the cracks forgotten. But things soon change when a spunky Santa-in-training named Mai shows up to bring the Yule time cheer back to Santa. Containing 2 episodes this holiday special is the creation of Love Hina and Negima! creator Ken Akamatsu. Released November 18th and Rated MA the fan service series is a bit of eye candy for the fanboys. This series runs 55 minutes and contains the English and Japanese with English subtitles. MSRP $14.98 Rate: 1.5/5
Karin - Volume 6: Being the only blood making un-vampire in a family of blood sucking vampires has made life anything but a cake walk for Karin. But now her family is being hunted, her best friend has been bitten by her sister, she missed meeting up with her boyfriend and her grandmother has found a way to turn her into a normal vampire! Karin: The True Vampire - volume 6 contains heartbreaking episodes 21 through 24. Released November 25th and Rated 13Up, Karin is not your run-of-the-mill vampire story. This series takes colorful characters and wraps then up in a story line filled with comedy and a bit of drama for some interesting situations. This release runs 100 minutes and contains the English 2.0 and Japanese 2.0 with English subtitles. MSRP $29.98 Rate: 3/5
Pumpkin Scissors Parts 1 and 2: War is Hell. Lt. Alice Malvin is in command of the Imperial Army's Intelligence Section Three. As part of her duty after the Great War, she and the IS3 are responsible to hunt down tanks using only handguns. As governmental cover-ups start unraveling, Alice and the IS3 discover technology far beyond anything the army should have. Using the powers of super solider Randel, the IS3 team must do everything in their power to prevent Armageddon. Part One contains the first twelve episodes on two dvds and Part Two holds the remaining twelve episodes also on two dvds. The two box sets are sold separately. Released November 25th and Rated TV14 the action series is dramatic with moments of levity. This series runs a total of 600 minutes and contains the English 5.1 and Japanese with English subtitles. MSRP $59.98 Rate: 3/5
Ah! My Goddess - Season 2: Is this a blessing or a curse? Keiichi Morisato's life has been turned upside down when three Goddesses move in. When the forth Goddess makes her appearance things become even more complicated. Belldandy, Skuld, Urd and Peorth seem more preoccupied by their pecking order than with Keichi's safety. What's a poor college student to do with four gorgeous Goddess?! Containing the complete second season's 24 episodes on four dvds, Ah! My Goddess was released November 25th and Rated PG. This comedy series runs 600 minutes and contains the English and Japanese with English subtitles. Extras include commentaries with the English cast, production artwork, textless openings and ending. MSRP $69.98 Rate: 4/5
Case Closed - Season 3: One Truth Prevails as detective Jimmy Kudo continues to solve crimes while searching for the mystery behind his own unusual situation. Poisoned by some criminals and left for dead, Jimmy has been transformed into a child. Jimmy, using his new appearance and the alias Conan Edogawa as the perfect cover, continues to search for the truth. Season Three contains 27 uncut and unedited episodes on four dvds. Released November 25th and Rated the fan favorite crime mystery series continues with episodes 53-79. This series runs 635 minutes and contains the English and Japanese with English subtitles. Extras include character spotlight (Richard Moore), Conan's gadgets (wristwatch stun gun) and trailers. MSRP $49.98 Rate: 4/5
Shonen Onmouji - Volume 4: Through a city filled with ghostly apparitions and spirits of the deceased, Masahiro finds things much more difficult when he tries to help. While attempting to put to rest a wandering spirit of a border guard, Mashiro becomes possessed instead. Meanwhile Mokkun's strange behavior couldn't have started at a worse time since the demon he failed to capture has now kidnapped Masahiro's niece. The mystical Shonen Onmyouji volume four contains episodes 15 through 18. Released November 25th and Rated 13Up this supernatural thriller is filled with drama and action. This release runs 100 minutes and contains the English 2.0 and Japanese 2.0 with English subtitles. MSRP $29.98 Rate: 3.5/5
Tales of Phantasia: The Demon King Dhaos has broken through his bonds and plans on the conquest of the land of Midgard. A brave band of survivors have joined forces to fight against the evil Dhaos. Composed of a warrior, cleric, witch, summoner, archer and ninja they make the Heroes of Space and Time, the last hope for the world of Midgard. Tales of Phantasia: The Heroes of Space and Time contains the first four episodes in the series. Released November 25th and Rated 13Up the series is based upon the popular fantasy video game series. This release runs 120 minutes and contains the English 5.1 and Japanese 2.0 with English subtitles. Extras include production gallery, textless openings and ending. MSRP $19.98 Rate: 3/5
Air Gear - The Complete Collection: Ikki isn't a member of the Storm Riders but his battle with Buccha has all the AT pros a buzz. Gaining a lot of attention from those in the AT world has the rookie Ikki pulled in several different directions at once. Regardless of who wants Ikki, he has plans of his own to get to the top. Containing all 25 episodes plus a Special Trick (bonus episode), Air Gear is filled with bold characters, fan service and plenty of extreme skating action. Scheduled for release December 2nd and Rated MA, Air Gear was created by Oh! Great. This series runs 650 minutes and contains the English 5.1 and Japanese with English subtitles. Extras include one bonus episode, textless openings and ending. MSRP $69.98 Rate: 3/5
Kyo Kara Maoh - Season 2 Volume 9: Things in the Demon Kingdom have become extremely dangerous for Yuri and company. In an attempt to save Wolfram, Yuri becomes the one in need of rescue. As the face off with the Great One ends in defeat a traitor is uncovered and a major invasion by the Originators takes over the world. While the battles rage on, Yuri finds his battleground has now moved into a psychological realm. Fan favorite Kyo Kara Maoh - Season 2 will be released on December 2nd containing episodes 75 through 78 and Rated 13Up. This release runs 100 minutes and contains the English 2.0 and Japanese 2.0 with English subtitles. Extras include Geneon previews. MSRP $24.98 Rate: 3.5/5
Le Chevalier D'Eon - The Complete Series: Supernatural thriller with a historical French twist. Deadly battles, political intrigue and the mysterious powers of the Psalms await D'Eon as he becomes possessed by the restless spirit of his murdered sister Lia. Together they will uncover the truth behind her death at all costs. Containing 24 episodes in a 5 dvd set, Le Chevalier D'Eon is a must- see series. Scheduled for release December 2nd and Rated TV14 the series is a wonderful blend of solid story writing, interesting characters and gorgeous animation. This series runs 600 minutes and contains the English 5.1 and Japanese 5.1 with English subtitles. Extras include historical notes, commentary with ADR Director and English voice actors, Japanese promotional videos and trailers, textless openings and ending. MSRP $69.98 Rate: 4.5/5
Rozen Maiden Traumend - Volume 3: The Rozen dolls are caught in a dilemma, fulfill their father's dream via the "Alice" game or continue living the peaceful lives they have come to love. As the dolls set their resolve, their normal fun activities are overshadowed by the sad fate they each face. Containing episodes 9 through 12, Rozen Maiden Traumend volume three continues to blend gorgeous character design, solid story writing and well executed animation. The heavier heartbreaking dramatic storyline elements are balanced with some light and lively comedic moments. Released December 9th and Rated 13UP. This series runs 100 minutes and contains the English 2.0 and Japanese 2.0 with English subtitles. MSRP $29.98 Rate: 3/5
