Yo. These are about a week late - sorry Gail! If you guys read Adam's message, you'll recall my computer was apparently off getting a "friend". Didn't end so well... anyway, DVD reviews...
Summer is just around the corner but things are already heating up in
our Review Round-Up. Here we check out a bunch of the newest anime
releases from Well Go USA, FUNimation and Geneon to give you the
spoiler-free heads up on what they are all about. Did you think the
DVD rocked or did you think it was a total bomb? Let's hear it! Please
feel free to share your thoughts in the Comments on this review and
let other Otakuites hear your opinions!Black Lagoon - Season 2 Box Set: Things are heating up
for the Lagoon company as the death toll rises and they find
themselves caught up in the middle of a mafia warzone. The latest
threat against Hotel Moscow comes in the form of deadly twins that are
just a couple of kids. This Geneon series is intended for a mature
audience due to the extreme violence and strong language. Containing
all twelve episodes this series is contained in a SteelBook case.
Released April 14th and Rated 16UP, the Second Barrage runs 300
minutes and contains the English 5.1 and Japanese with English
subtitles. Extras include an interview with Director Sunao Katabuchi,
Japanese opening animation, creditless ending animation and
promotional videos. MSRP $49.98 Rate: 3.5/5Air - The Complete Series: Does the "Girl in the Sky"
really exist? Traveling performer Yukito is down and out when he
befriends an unusual girl named Misuzo. She offers the struggling
performer food and shelter and in return Yukito becomes wrapped up in
her eccentric world. The unlikely duo become friends but not far from
Yukito's thoughts are his destiny to find "her", the girl in the sky.
The series contains 12 episodes and two specials all on 3 DVD's.
Released April 21st and Rated TV14, this series runs 340 minutes and
contains the English 5.1 and Japanese 5.1 with English subtitles. The
OVA's are presented in English and Japanese 2.0 audio. MSRP $49.98
Rate: 3/5Air - The Motion Picture: "Those who fall in love are
the most susceptible to its inevitable pain." Misuzu has been cursed
with a mysterious illness. In learning about the history of her
people, she learns of the heartbreaking tale of the winged Princess
Kanna. While on her journey of discovery, Misuzu befriends a traveling
performer named Yukito who is on a journey of his own. The motion
picture is a cinematic reinvention of the television series. Air - The
Motion Picture was released April 21st and Rated TV14. Air the Motion
Picture runs 85 minutes and contains the English 5.1 and Japanese 5.1
with English subtitles. MSRP $19.98 Rate: 3/5Moonlight Mile - The Complete First Season: Goro and
his climbing buddy Jack, aka Lostman, have reached the summits of the
highest peaks on Earth. With nowhere else to go the two set their
goals even higher, the moon. Taking their own paths, the two men will
do whatever it takes to reach their destination. The mature series
contains adult situations and harsh language intended for an adult
audience. Containing the complete first season on two discs, Moonlight
Mile was released April 21st and Rated MA. This collection runs 300
minutes and contains the English 5.1 and Japanese 5.1 with English
subtitles. MSRP $49.98 Rate: 3/5Karin - The Complete Box Set: They definitely aren't
the Cullens. Karin is truly the black sheep of her eccentric family.
Unlike the other members of her vampire family, Karin does not suck
blood but makes blood! The vampire sit-com series has colorful
characters, comedy and a touch of drama. Containing 24 episodes, Karin
was released May 5th and Rated 13UP. This series runs 600 minutes and
contains the English 2.0 and Japanese 2.0 with English subtitles as
well as the non-credit opening and closing animations. MSRP $69.98
Rate: 2.5/5Baccano - Volume 3: You'd better get a wiggle on,
things are anything but Jake. Immortal gangsters are just the tip of
the iceberg. When thugs refuse to die it makes it almost impossible to
make them sleep with the fishes. When a notorious thug gets his hands
on a mysterious elixir it could extend his reign of terror forever!
This Baccano release contains episodes 9 through 12. Released May 5th
and Rated MA, this science fiction release runs 100 minutes and
contains the English 5.1 and Japanese with English subtitles. Actor
commentary, textless songs and trailers make up the extras on this
release. MSRP $29.98 Rate: 4/5Darker Than Black - Volume 4: In a time of Contractors,
life within the confines of Hell's Gate is anything but peaceful.
Bk201 is not responsible for the bombs plaguing Tokyo. When a
Contractor from the Black Reaper's life reappears the list of suspects
begins to narrow down. With a new bold faction begins waging war with
unclear motives things are becoming even more dangerous. Containing
episodes 15 though 18, Darker Than Black volume 4 was released May 5th
and Rated MA, this release runs 100 minutes and contains the English
5.1 and Japanese with English subtitles. Extras include episode 16
commentary, production artwork, textless songs and trailers. MSRP
$29.98 Rate: 4/5Last Exile - The Complete Series: Claus and Lavie have
been flying together for as long as they can remember. Their dream is
to be the first vanship couriers to cross the violent Grand Stream.
When their path crosses with a mysterious young girl Alvis their lives
and will never be the same. War, politics and the fight to survive in
an age of unrest. Gorgeous animation and stunning visuals coupled with
solid story writing make Last Exile a new anime classic. Containing
all 26 episodes on four DVD's, Last Exile was released May 5th and
Rated TV14. This adventure series runs 625 minutes and contains the
English and Japanese with English subtitles. MSRP $49.98 Rate: 5/5Case Closed - Season 5: One Truth Prevails. The
mysteries continue as the latest box set of Case Closed continues.
Jimmy Kudo aka Conan Edogawa is busy solving crimes all the while
trying to solve his own mystery. Keeping his pint-sized problem a
secret from those he loves, he continues to bring justice to the
guilty. Everything from multiple murders to keeping up with his
elementary school friends, Conan has his work cut out for him. The
mystery series contains episodes 105 though 130. Released May 12th and
Rated PG, this fan favorite series runs 615 minutes and contains the
English and Japanese with English subtitles. Extras include Character
Spotlight (Junior Detective League), Conan's Gadgets (Stretchy
Suspenders and Junior Detective League Communicator) and Trailers.
MSRP $49.98 Rate: 4.5/5Heroic Age - The Complete Series: Part One<: Man's survival
depends on the prophesy of a boy who will bring salvation. With
the amazing powers of the The Tribe of Hero within his body, the
feral boy Age will enter into a war which has been waging on between
the tyrannical Tribe of Silver and the near extinct human Tribe of
Iron. The science fiction series blends mecha and mysterious powers
with plenty of deep space dramatic conflict. Containing 13 episodes,
Heroic Age was released May 12th and Rated PG. This series release
runs 315 minutes and contains the English 5.1 and Japanese with
English subtitles. Extras include textless songs and trailers. MSRP
$59.98 Rate: 3.5/5Murder Princess - The Complete Series: Dr. Akamashi's
plans to destroy the royal family forces Princess Alita to flee for
her life, she didn't realize it was only the beginning of her
adventure. While on the lam Alita crosses paths with a fearless bounty
hunter whose life becomes intertwined though a magical twist of fate.
Political unrest, secret plots, magic and monsters keep the Murder
Princess and her cohorts on their toes. Containing the complete 6
episode OVA, Murder Princess was released May 12th and Rated TV14.
This series runs 150 minutes and contains the English 5.1 and Japanese
with English subtitles. MSRP $29.98 Rate: 3/5Shin Chan - Season 2 Part 2: Vulgar, dysfunctional and
totally off-color ... it's all the things we absolutely love about
Shin Chan. Otakus favorite toilet-humor tot is back with more stories
that push the envelope. The comedy series continues to deliver its
bold brand of mind-in-gutter humor that is definitely not intended for
younger viewers. Containing episodes 40 through 52, Shin Chan season 2
part 2 was released May 12th and Rated MA. This hilarious mature
series runs 300 minutes and contains the English stereo. Extras
include episode 51 commentary, From the Bowels of the Booth, original
storyboards, "Long Grey Winter" music video and trailers. MSRP
$39.98 Rate: 3/5Claymore - Volume 5: The Sisters in Arms is the fifth
release in the action series Claymore. The story continues to follow
the tale of the Human-Demon hybrid fighter named Clare as she fights
deadly Yoma in her search for the Awakened being responsible for the
death of her mentor. Containing episodes 19 through 22, The Sisters in
Arms was released May 19th and Rated MA. Plenty of action, violence
and drama make this a series for mature audiences. This release runs
100 minutes and contains the English 5.1 and Japanese with English
subtitles. Extras include an interview with Art Settings Nobuhito Sue
(KUSANAGI), Episode 19 commentary, textless songs and trailers. MSRP
$29.98 Rate: 4.5/5Dragonball Z - Movie Double Feature: Dragonball Z fans,
prepare to make more room in your collection! The latest movie
collection release contains two digitally remastered and restored
Dragonball Z movies: Fusion Reborn and Wrath of the Dragon. The films
take fans to a battle with Janemba on two fronts to a fight against
Hirudegarn. Released May 19th and is Rated PG. Movies 12 and 13 run
105 minutes and contains the English voice track with original
Japanese 5.1 music, English voice with U.S. music 5.1 and Japanese
voice with English subtitles and original music in mono. MSRP
$24.98 Rate: 3/5Dragonball Z - Season 9: The orange box set is back
with the next installment for DBZ fans! Digitally remastered season
nine of the epic and influential series Dragonball Z contains over 900
minutes of Saiyan action. This release gives fans the exciting
conclusion to the complete Fusion and Kid Buu Sagas. Containing 38
episodes on six DVD's, Season 9 was released May 19th and Rated PG,
this collection contains the English voice track with original
Japanese 5.1 music, English voice with U.S. music 5.1 and Japanese
voice with English subtitles and original music in mono. MSRP
$49.98 Rate: 3/5Gad Guard - The Complete Series: The future is tough,
even tougher if you don't have a Gad. Night Town is a rough place to
live and Hajiki's struggling to scratch out a living. The only way to
have a chance in this dog-eat-dog world is to have the Gad. The Gad
gives the power of a robotic Techode to the possessor. With that power
Hajiki might stand a fighting chance to make it. The science fiction
series Containing the complete series of 26 episodes on four DVD's,
Gad Guard was released May 26th and Rated PG. This series runs 600
minutes and contains the English and Japanese with English subtitles.
MSRP $49.98 Rate: 3/5Ikki Tousen - The Complete Series: Battles and big
bouncy breasts, Ikki Tousen is a fighting anime with plenty of fan
service eye candy for the fanboys who crave punches and panties.
Hakufu is the new girl in town and it seems every guy wants a piece of
her. Some want her for her killer curves while others just want to
kill her. A bit of an airhead but rumored to be a legendary fighter,
her unawakened skills are as deadly as her double-D's are big. The
cheesecake action series was released May 26th and Rated MA for
violence, language, adult situations and partial nudity. Ikki Tousen
runs 325 minutes and contains the English and Japanese with English
subtitles. MSRP $49.98 Rate: 2.5/5Digimon: Data Squad - Collection One: The series
follows the adventures of Junior High student Marcus and his favorite
Digimon partner Agumon as they battle strong opponents who have
intruded from the Digital World into the Human World. Along for the
adventure are Marcus' friends Thomas and Yoshi with their Digimon
Gaomon and Lalmon. Containing 13 episodes on 3 DVD's, Collection One
is scheduled for a spring release. Digimon: Data Squad series runs 286
minutes and contains the English 5.1 language audio track. The
collection includes the Collectible Digimon Data Squad Booklet Rate:
2.5/5
I totally got Black Lagoon season 2. Gotta love Black Lagoon...
