Heyyy, guess who hasn't checked his e-mail in like a week...
Happy New Year my fellow otakuites! If you didn't get your fill of anime from Santa be sure to check out this latest batch for ideas of new DVD's to ring in 2009! In our Review Round-Up we checked out a few new releases from FUNimation and Geneon 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!
Red Garden - Collections 1 and 2: Chic, stylish and deadly, Red Garden is a supernatural thriller in the vein of Gantz. The series follows the tale of four high school girls as they become swept up in a centuries old feud between two clans. Caught between the world of the living and the dead, the only way to survive is to fight. The series does occasionally break into song but otherwise stays true to the supernatural action and mystery of the series. Containing a total of 22 episodes, 1-12 in Collection 1 and 13 -22 in Collection 2. Released December 2nd and Rated MA, this series runs 600 minutes (300 minutes each set) and contains the English 5.1 and Japanese with English subtitles. MSRP $49.98 each Rate: 3.5/5
Dragon Ball GT, Season 1: Digitally remastered and uncut, Dragon Ball GT Season One is the latest box set to be released of one of the most popular and influential anime series of all time. This set includes the Black Star and Baby Sagas. Season 1 contains 34 episodes on five discs in one fold out case. Released December 9th and Rated PG, this series runs over 780 minutes and contains the English with original Japanese music, English with TV Broadcast music and Japanese with original music and English subtitles. MSRP $49.98 Rate: 3/5
Lyrical Nanoha - Complete Box Set: The Jewel Seeds, 21 artifacts from an ancient magical civilization, have been spread across the galaxy. Young fledgling mage Nanoha Takamachi becomes Lyrical Girl Nanoha to seal the Jewel Seeds and protects the Earth, but another girl appears who desperately tries to collect the seeds for a far more dangerous purpose. Released December 9th and Rated 13Up this magical girl adventure series has some fan service images including partial nudity. The series runs 325 minutes and contains the English and Japanese with English subtitles. DVD Bonus material includes the textless opening and ending. MSRP $59.98 Rate: 3/5
Tokyo Majin - Part One: Dark Arts Chapter: A mysterious wave of deaths plague Tokyo and it's up to the students of Tokyo Majin to stop the otherworldly murderers. These five unlikely saviors will face off against the undead, alchemists and zombies in their mission to stop the final apocalypse. Containing 14 supernatural episodes on two DVD's this series is best viewed by a mature audience due to violence. Released December 9th and Rated MA. This release runs 350 minutes and contains the English 5.1 and Japanese with English subtitles. MSRP $59.98 Rate: 3/5
The Story of Saiunkoku - Season 1 Part 2: In the vein of series such as the Twelve Kingdoms and Fushigi Yugi, The Story of Saiunkoku follows the tale of Shurei Hong, a princess whose family had fallen upon hard times. Taking advantage of a chance of a lifetime, Shurei has the chance to change the emperor's lackluster leadership and gain a great reward. Containing episodes 16 through 27. Released December 16th and Rated 13Up This release runs 300 minutes and contains the English and Japanese with English subtitles. Extras include an interview with Director Hiroyuki Tanaka, episode 8 commentary, trailers and textless songs. MSRP $59.98 Rate: 3/5
Claymore - Chapter 2: The Point of No Return: The Point of No Return continues to follow Clare as she and her new traveling companion rid the world of demons. This edition tells the tail of the Claymore that saved Claire as a child and continues to show the weakest of the Claymores come into her own. Containing episodes 6 through 10, Claymore chapter 2 was released December 16th and Rated MA. This release runs 115 minutes and contains the English and Japanese with English subtitles. MSRP $29.98 Rate: 4/5
Negima!? - Season 2 Part 1: Re-imagined and uncut, Negima!? is the latest fan service telling of the Ken Akamatsu creation. Negima?! follows the adventures, and misadventures of wizard Negi Springfield and his class of all girls at the Mahora Academy. Magic, mayhem and mischief, along with a healthy dose of fan service give fan boys plenty of eye candy. Containing 13 episodes, Negima!? was released December 16th and is Rated MA. Due to the fan service nature of this series, it is best viewed by a more mature audience. This series runs 315 minutes and contains the English and Japanese with English subtitles. MSRP $59.98 Rate: 2/5
When They Cry - Volume 6: Grisly murders, demonic cults, mysterious disappearances are all par for the course for the village of Hinamizawa. Based on "Higurashi No Naku Koroni", When They Cry is an ultra violent series is filled with vicious murders, deadly cults and plenty of mysteries. The "Atonement" chapter contains 4 episodes filled with extreme violence and strong language makes this a DVD best viewed by a mature audience. Released December 23rd and Rated 16Up This release runs 100 minutes and contains the English 2.0 and Japanese 2.0 with English subtitles. MSRP $29.98 Rate: 3/5
Tsubasa - Volume 10: Answers without Questions: Familiar places, familiar faces. The travelers continue to push ahead in their journey to recover the lost memories of the princess. As the memories of the past come back to Sakura, the face of Syaoran remains blurred. Containing episodes 41 through 44, Tsubasa continues the adventure filled with many Clamp characters. Released December 23rd and Rated PG This release runs 100 minutes and contains the English 5.1 and Japanese with English subtitles. Extras include character guide, world guide, textless songs and trailers. MSRP $29.98 Rate: 3/5
Xenosaga: The Complete Collection: Based upon the popular video game, Xenosaga: The Complete Collection contains 12 episodes on 2 DVD's. The Earth is a distant memory as the fate of humanity hangs on the unbreakable will of a few humans willing to fight. Helping humankind is the beautiful and misunderstood robotic weapon KOS-MOS, who just may be mans last hope. Released December 23rd and Rated TV14 This series runs 282 minutes and contains the English 5.1 and Japanese with English subtitles. MSRP $49.98 Rate: 3.5/5
Welcome to the NHK - Part 1 and 2: What happens when you take an otaku to an extreme? You end up with a Hikikomori, a shut in who loses touch with society and focuses on their obsessions. Sato is one such Hikikomori. The series follows his ups and many downs in his path to uncover the NHK conspiracy as well as breaking free of his Hikikomori ways. This is one series all otaku must watch. Part one contains 12 episodes while part two contains the remaining episodes for a total of 24. Released December 30th and Rated MA for it's adult subject matter including sexual situations, strong language and partial nudity. This each box set runs 300 minutes and contains the English 5.1 and Japanese with English subtitles. MSRP $59.98 each Rate: 4/5
