As always, just playing the messenger, messenging the message along...
...messenging... no wait... um, ignore that part, pay attention to Gail:
As the snows begin to melt with the warmer weather of spring a
bountiful bunch of box sets is beginning to bloom! In our Review Round-
Up we checked out a bunch of the newest anime releases from FUNimation
and Geneon to give you the spoiler-free heads up on what they are all
about. Did you think the DVD smelled like roses or did you think it
was a stinker? Let's hear it! Please feel free to share your thoughts
in the Comments on this review and let other Otakuites hear your
opinions!
Hell Girl, The Complete First Season: Your grievance
shall be avenged. When there is no way out and you want to get back at
someone who has brought you nothing but anguish, the ultimate revenge
awaits at hellcorrespondence.com. Death comes to the name you type
enter in the website. Death then comes by the hand of a beautiful
young girl named Ai Enma who ferries the one you hate to hell. But are
you willing to pay the high price for your revenge? The horror series
is best viewed by a mature audience for violence and language.
Containing 26 episodes on four discs, the Complete First Season of
Hell Girl was released January 6th and Rated MA. This series runs 635
minutes and contains the English 5.1 and Japanese with English
subtitles. Extras include promotional videos, main character profiles,
emergency round-table talk, "making of" promotional video shoot,
textless songs and trailers. MSRP $69.98 Rate: 4/5
Yu Yu Hakusho, Season 4: From street smart teen to
Spirit Detective, Yusuke Urameshi's life didn't really begin until his
death. Season Four reveals Yusuke's final chapter as his friends
battle on as the gateway between the worlds remains opens. With the
blood of ages flowing though his veins, Yusuke takes the fight to the
land of the demons. Containing episodes 85 through 112 on four DVD's,
long-time fan favorite Yu Yu Hakusho's fourth season box set was
released January 13th and Rated PG. This collection runs 620 minutes
and contains the English and Japanese with English subtitles. Extras
include character profiles, textless songs and trailers. This is a
great series that would be a great addition to any anime collection.
MSRP $34.98 Rate: 4/5
Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha A's, The Complete Box Set:
Nanoha reunites with Fate after her trial, but the joy is short-lived
when trouble rears it's ugly head as magical knights attack and drain
Nanoha's magical powers. Even with the help of the Time-Space
Administration Bureau it is going to be an epic battle to stop the
knights and the overwhelming powers of the mysterious Book of
Darkness. The series contains 13 magical adventure episodes. Released
January 13th and Rated 13 Up for adventure and partial nudity, this
series runs 325 minutes and contains the English 2.0 and Japanese 2.0
with English subtitles. Bonus material includes textless opening and
ending. MSRP $49.98 Rate: 2.5/5
009-1, The Complete Series: Old school anime stylings
blends with sci-fi action to create a series filled with political
intrigue, bloody violence and plenty sex appeal. Agent 009-1 is
ordered to take out the deadly cyborg with "strategically-placed"
golden guns. She then learns that a former friend has gone double
agent after being lured by the promise of extra cash. Not only that,
her superiors think she has gone soft on the bad guys and are now
keeping tabs on her kills. Things aren't going to be easy for this
super sexy spy. The series contains 12 episodes plus a bonus episode
on two DVD's. Extras include the clean opening and closing animations
and trailers. Released January 20th and Rated MA, this series runs 325
minutes and contains the English 5.1 and Japanese 2.0 with English
subtitles. MSRP $49.98 Rate: 3/5
Fullmetal Alchemist, The Complete First Season: A
modern anime classic that is a must-see series for everyone from the
casual animation viewer to the extreme otaku. This dramatic series is
filled with action and adventures as it follows brothers Edward and
Alphonse Elric in their quest for the truth behind the Philosopher's
Stone. Through laughter and tears, broken hearts and broken bodies,
the boys find their lives forever changed. This fan favorite series
has gone through an alchemic transformation as it turns into a compact
thin-pack collection. Containing episodes 1 through 25 the new set
includes four discs and six guide books. Released January 25th and
Rated PG, this well-balanced series runs 600 minutes and contains the
English 5.1 and Japanese with English subtitles. MSRP $69.98 Rate: 5/5
Shin Chan, Season 2 Part 1: Otaku’s favorite pint-sized
potty-mouthed deviant is back and uncensored. It may be an anime about
a kid and his family but the humor is anything but! A Vibrating
Bastard Shaft, meth labs and outer space speed freaks are only the
beginning. This series will make any family look normal compared to
the wacky and bizarre world of Shin Chan. This is one of those series
that may shock you but at the same time will have you laughing.
Containing episodes 27 through 39, Shin Chan Season 2 Part 1 was
released February 10th and Rated MA. This release runs 300 minutes and
contains the English and Japanese with English subtitles. Shin Chan is
best viewed by a mature audience who is not easily offended. Extras
include From the Bowels of the Booth, Shin Wars storyboard, episode 28
commentary, closing song karaoke, closing song sing-along and
trailers. MSRP $39.98 Rate: 3.5/5
Dragon Ball Z, Season Eight: One of the most
influential anime series of all time is back. The series that sparked
the love of anime in millions of fans is back and remastered and
digitally restored. This release contains the complete Babidi and
Majin Buu sagas. Supreme Kai has enlisted the help of the Z-Fighters
to stop the evil wizard Babidi's quest for revenge. The Fighters must
battle their way through waves of villains before time runs out and
Majin Buu gathers his strength and awakens. Dragon Ball Z Season Eight
contains 34 action-packed episodes on six discs. Released February
10th and Rated PG, this series runs 800 minutes and contains the
English voice track with original Japanese 5.1 music, English voice
track with TV broadcast music and Japanese voice track with English
subtitles and original music. MSRP $49.98 Rate: 4/5
Case Closed, Season Four: One Truth Prevails. Teenage
ace detective Jimmy Kudo has been poisoned by a crime organization and
left for dead. The poison didn't kill him, but transformed him into a
child. Adopting the name Conan Edogawa he secretly looks for a cure to
his condition all the while solving crimes. It's a matter of life and
death and seeing the truth through the lies. This long running mystery
series is a favorite of anime fans of all ages. Solid story writing
keeps viewers guessing as Conan reads the clues to the root of the
crimes. Containing episodes 80 through 105, Case Closed Season Four
was released February 17th and Rated PG. This mystery series release
runs 635 minutes and contains the English and Japanese with English
subtitles. Extras include Harley Hartwell character spotlight, Conan's
Gadgets (Homing Glasses and Solar-Powered Skateboard) and trailers.
MSRP $29.98 Rate: 4/5
Ragnarok, The Complete Series: Get your party
together, restock your provisions and prepare for an adventure filled
with swordsmen and sorcery. Ragnarok The Complete Series is based on
the popular online adventure game. From newbie mistakes to saving the
realm, it's going to take plenty of skills and team work for Roan and
company to prevail. Containing 26 episodes the series was released
February 17th and Rated PG. This series will appeal to those who love
adventure series such as .hack and fantasy games like Dungeons and
Dragons. Ragnarok runs 625 minutes and contains the English and
Japanese with English subtitles. MSRP $49.98 Rate: 4/5
Kurau Phantom Memory, The Complete Series: In the dark
and deadly world of mercenaries Kurau is one of the best. Highly
skilled as a martial artist and thief she is an elite agent who lets
nothing stop her from accomplishing her missions and objectives. The
tides soon turn as the secret Kurau has been hiding within her own
body becomes the very thing that turns the hunter into the hunted.
Kurau Phantom Memory contains 24 episodes on four DVD's. Released
February 24th and Rated TV14, this science fiction series runs 600
minutes and contains the English 5.1 and Japanese 2.0 with English
subtitles. MSRP $69.98 Rate: 2.5/5
Shonen Onmyouji, Volume 6: Masahiro’s visit with the God
of Takaokami at Kifume yields a shocking answer. Masahiro's steadfast
decision may lead to a heartbreaking result. Meanwhile Seimei faces
Chishiki No Guuji alone in order to bring the end of 50 years of
fighting. This series will appeal to fans of series such as Inu Yasha.
This release of Shonen Onmyouji contains episodes 23 through 26.
Released February 24th and Rated 13UP, this dramatic collection runs
100 minutes and contains the English 2.0 and Japanese 2.0 with English
subtitles. MSRP $29.98 Rate: 3/5
Kenichi The Mightiest Disciple, Season 1, Part 1: From
the director of Naruto: Shippuden the Movie, Hajime Kamegaki, comes a
new fighting series that blends some funny with fighting. Kenichi is a
total wimp. He has few friends but plenty of people willing to pick on
him. That is until the day fate steps in and brings him to the door of
Miu. Not only is she super hot, she lives at a dojo with six martial
arts masters who are going to turn the wimp into a warrior. With the
hopes of hooking up with Miu keeping him motivated will the underdog
have his day? Part one of the series contains 13 episodes. Released
March 10th and Rated PG, this series runs 320 minutes and contains the
English 5.1 and Japanese with English subtitles. Extras include
textless songs and trailers. MSRP $49.98 Rate: 2.5/5
Fullmetal Alchemist, The Complete Second Season: As
the search for the Philosopher's Stone draws near and end, are the
Elric boys willing to sacrifice even more to gain it's powers? This
release of the extremely popular series contains episodes 26 through
51 on four DVD's. Released March 10th and Rated PG, this collection
runs 625 minutes and contains the English 5.1 and Japanese with
English subtitles. Fullmetal Alchemist is a must-see series for all
anime fans. Superb animation, excellent storytelling and multi-faceted
characters give the series depth and interest. Extras include 7 guide
books, "An Insiders Look", Episode 51 "Laws and Promises" actor
commentary, textless songs, Square Enix commercial and trailers. MSRP
$49.98 Rate: 5/5
Darker Than Black, Volume 3: The dramatic supernatural
action series continues to follow the exploits of the mysterious
masked killer BK201, the Black Reaper. In a deadly world of
contractors bonds are easily broken and loyalties fragile. Black
Reaper goes where he is told by the syndicate, but what happens if he
chooses not to? Containing episodes 11 through 14, Released March 10th
and Rated MA, this series runs 100 minutes and contains the English
5.1 and Japanese with English subtitles. Extras include episode 13 " A
Heart Unswaying on the Water's Surface" commentary, production
artwork, textless songs and trailers. MSRP $29.98 Rate: 3.5/5
Paniponi Dash!, The Complete Collection: Blend
Azumanga Daioh with a touch of Negima! and you'll get Paniponi Dash!
The series follows 11 year old genius MIT grad Becky Miyamoto as she
begins her career teaching a classroom filled with a colorful bunch of
high schoolers. Space aliens, vending machine cat god and one really
pathetic bunny help round out the series overflowing with hilarious
pop and otaku culture references. This is an omega off-beat comedy
series worth checking out Maho! Containing 26 episodes Paniponi Dash!
was released March 10th and Rated PG. This zany comedy series runs 650
minutes and contains the English 5.1 and Japanese 2.0 with English
subtitles. MSRP $69.98 Rate: 4/5
Tsubasa RESERVoir CHRoNiCLE, Volume 12: The journey to
collect Sakura's missing memory feathers is not yet complete, but it
may be finished. The world that first welcomed them has now become
anything but friendly. With Sakura held captive by a power-hungry king
lusting after the power of her feathers, it is up to Syaoran to stand
and deliver. The dramatic collection contains episodes 49 through 52.
Released March 17th 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 songs and trailers.
MSRP $29.98 Rate: 3.5/5
