Father Geek here... Well, afther another finger numbing bout of code writing ol' Father Geek has another of our regular mid-work-week columns on the whole wide world of Manga & Anime... reports on up coming DVDs, Videos, theater releases, comics, magazines... just about anything you'd want to know about Anime and Manga... even internal company politics. Soooooo prepare yourself for a bombardment of information as you dig into...

The AICN Anime Report...

by Scott Green

Anime Preview: Argentosoma Volume 1 "Another Reality"

To be released by Bandai Entertainment February 4th

Argentosoma is another moon orbiting Neon Genesis Evangelion, but a bright one, with signs of life. If any creative team could hall this familiar territory forward rather than strip mining its remains, this one certainly has a good chance, with director Kazuyoshi Katayama, known for vivid stories with a retro edge such as Giant Robo and Big O and Gundam and more recently Escalflowne's Studio Sunrise had a good chance. The familiar giant robot/mystery invader tune is being played, but with some reinvigorating cord changes. Argentosoma attempts some too rare for anime (or at least uncommon) semi-hard sci-fi. Rather than the genre's typical power fantasy, or power fantasy deconstruction, Argentosoma is a revenge tale with a goth-y edge earned by doomed romance, emotional torture, vengeance, sleek and delicate and fashably dark/damaged character design, and a host of morbid names: Morgue, Funeral, ect.

The premise Argentosoma is slightly complex and shifts around a great deal in the beginning before it appears to settle. The series opens with Takuto Kenishiro, a brilliant metallurgy student working on a ring that would never loose shape in a university that is controlled or heavily influenced by the military. He is enlisted by a girl he cares deeply for, in helping a doctor revive a bio-mechanical alien. The operation is a not-subtle Frankenstein derivative, and a combination of wrong headed ambition, and sabotage leads to an event that shatters Takuto's life. This phase of the story takes place in the opening episode, but it might have been interesting to see further explored. The idea of a military controlled university isn't very far in the peripheries on speculative fiction. The idea of a giant robot series set in semi-realistic academia (not that this episode was, it was adhering more to Frankenstein that academic culture) in the vein of Dai-Guard's take of corporate giant robots, could also have provided some nice material.

With the experiment in shambles, the only survivors are Takuto, and the alien, dubbed Frank. Frank escapes into the wilderness where it meets a girl, emotional stunted by her parents' death during the aliens' first invasion, who is able communicate with the creature. The creature, the girl, and her big fluffy dog (adding cute top hat wearing child and animal to the cast in one fell swoop), are soon taken into the protection/control of Funeral, the special police/quasi-military organization tasked with dealing with the creature (adding standard crew of secret organization supporting characters to the cast).

Takuto wakes up with his life shattered, missing half a face, and pinned by the military. A mysterious man begins to appearing in Takuto's hospital room, making veiled threats, and telling him to do his duty. Motivated by vengeance, Takuto accepts the offer from the infernal Jiminy Cricket, and receives a new identity as ranking Funeral officer Ryu Soma. Argentosoma has a crafted a great emotional framework that the series will hopefully continue to be explored, expanded, and filled in. The concept of a building a hardened revenge story on the foundation on the deliberately shaky foundation of a person hadn't fully defined himself before the betrayal, driven by the loss of a strained, fragile geek-on-geek developing love is something unique. His reaction to learning the levels at which he has been played, and continues to be used, and how he is able to execute his revenge look likes reason enough to follow the series.

While the series draws from Evangelion's visual well, (particularly in the first episode where it lifts a number of doorway and threshold metaphors wholesale), it creates own visual style. The mechanical design is most extrapolations of modern technology rather than anything wildly speculative (small video camera, effectively hovering aircraft, better instruments), but is effective in its balance of sleek/visually appealing with a functional/believable feel. The interesting visual sci-fi comes from alien creatures move and function. The animation is aided largely by the fact that computer effects in anime have really begun to come into their own. They work perfectly for the distortion of memories or immense physical force, the biomechanical workings of an alien creator, or adding some dimension depth to a scene.

Maybe dwelling on the over use of the "boy with giant" robot pattern is too harsh, considering on how often certain cop show formula are used on TV, super heroes stories in comics, or Tolkien in fantasy, but it appear that Argentosoma could have benefited from a little more distance from the strictures of the formula. If Takuto was more brilliant engineer and less destined one, if the Funeral agents were less familiar to anime viewers, the series would have had more resonance. Argentosoma is not a bold leap, but a small step, in a story context that needs some forward momentum

Anime Spotlight: Mezzo Forte

Released by Media Blasters

Yasuomi Umetsu created a visually brilliant Luc Besson/The Professional homage two episode series called Kite, internationally popular enough to warrant a revisit the concept with the vaguely tangential series Mezzo Forte (Kite protagonist Sawa appears in a blink-and-you-miss cameo, the Kite's Bruce Willis clone appears in an in-series movie). It's a breezy and bloody, finger nail ripping romp, a fix for fans looking for the next Ninja Scroll level high. Bubblegum Bruce Lee, with cotton candy John Woo, the most impressive mini-car since Castle of Cagliostro and exploding sex robots.

Mezzo Forte inherits Kite's ultra-cute heroine character design style, and slick buckets of blood violence, but it's night and day departure from Kite's crushing tragedy. This comedy of errors stars a technie punk, an ex-detective, and a girl who fights like Bruce Lee in a form fitting orange suit. The trio must contend with a duo of perverted thugs, and the psychopathic daughter of mob kingpin/baseball team owner that they accidentally killed in a kidnapping for hire gone wrong. During the fray it plays footsie with real cruelty, torture and sadism, but always ties a handkerchief around the gapping wound, and returns to being a light hearted romp, albeit one with a high body count. Near death and dismemberment at the hands of psycho girl who sleep with a gun under her pillow is nothing a big meal and whimsical smile can't fix.

In some ways Mezzo Forte feels like a Kite afterthought, it isn't the jaw dropping spectacle, or gut pounding story, but it is a stratifying action picture with the essence of what made Kite so visually captivating with its innovatively bright color palette, alluring character design, fluid martial arts, and ricochet chase scenes. Kite might have had the most intense bathroom fight scene in the history of moving pictures, but Mezzo Forte tries to give it a run for its money with a very strange bowling alley rumble.

The series is available is cut, and uncut version. After paying lip service to the unseemly nature of some of the sex in some of his works with a highly unexpected "she's too young for you" line Yasuomi Umetsu goes ahead with some more bound to controversial scenes. The uncut version feature two hard-core pornographic scenes that don't fit with the flow or tone of the series. Despite an after-the-fact factor to cushion the blow, the after-taste sours the remains a bit. Unless you're looking for graphic anime porn, go with the cut version. We're not talking Y Tu Mamá También cuts, if you morally object to edited releases, be happy with that an unedited version exists, but you're likely better off with the edited version.

Mezzo Forte is an action oasis. Few works can compete with its stylish violence.

Manga Spotlight: Crayon Shinchan by Yoshito Usui

Released by ComicsOne

The worlds of anime, and manga produced many odd spawn, but none illicit more cries of "that's so wrong" than Crayon Shinchan, the tale of the most believably foul minded child every to spring from the human mind. He has Denis the Menace, and Red Chief beat by a mile (a more modern comparison like Eric Cartman is a bit difficult because of the infusion of cultural criticism, and too much adult projection; great things for humor, but not for comparison here).

Crayon Shinchan really needs some cover art that better capture the nature of the comic. Beneath the simple, sketch-like newspaper comic strip character design, lies a torrent of high potency juvenile adult humor. There's no double-entendre, it's dead blatant. It is several lifetimes of "I can't believe that child just did/said that" collected into one individual, because we all know, given the opportunity, the antics of any child could put "Jackass" to shame.

The three page comic strips detail five year old Shinchan's relentless assault on anyone in his general vicinity. The child is pure id, always looking for cookies, and up skirts. If you've seen the anime series, the occasional "ski half naked" can't prepare you for the comic.

Volume 1 is about 80% "Mom and I are Friends", and 20% "Kindergarten is Paradise". "Mom and I are Friends" feature Shinchan mostly tormenting his mother, but also, occasionally, his father, and a young woman going through the circuit of entry level jobs.

"Mom and I are Friends" is very raunchy, hardly a strip goes by without some sexual reference or joke. "Kindergarten is Paradise" unleashes the demon-spawn on his school principal who Shinchan brands a gangster-lookalike.

If there is a criticism to the volume is that it needs to mix up the jokes a little more. "Mom and I are Friends" browbeats Shinchan's mother so relentlessly that the jokes start looking ugly rather than shocking.

This Week's Releases

Anime

• Cardcaptor Sakura:Star Cards
• Carried by the Wind - Tsukikage Ran - Big Trouble in Little Nippon (Vol. 3)
• Dai-Guard - Checks and Balances of Terror (Vol. 3)
• Devil Lady - The Awakening (Vol. 1)
• Fancy Lala - Double Duty (Vol. 4)
• Hyper Police - Episodes 9-12
• Robotech - New Generation - Complete Collection
• Sailor Moon - Love Conquers All (Vol. 14)
• Sailor Moon - Time Travelers (Vol. 13)

Manga

• Amerimanga #1
• Kodocha Vol 5 Sanas Stage Gn (Of 10)
• Lodoss War Deedlits Tale Vol 2 Tp
• Raijin Comics #5 (Mr)
• RGA Magazine #5 (Mr)
• Shonen Jump Vol 1 #2 February 2003
• Spirited Away Vol 2 Tp
• Spirited Away Vol 3 Tp

Dark Horse Comics will also be releasing a series of Oh My Goddess t-shirts.

Amerimanga the new American manga anthology from IC Entertainment (formerly Studio Ironcat).

Deedlit's Tale is a romance centric shoujo take on Dungeons and Dragon-esque fantasy Lodoss War.

The Spirited Away comic tells the story the Miyazaki hit in comic form using captures from the film.

Shonen Jump #2 add the ninja tale Naruto to the anthology. The series follows the training of an orphan who is ostracized from his clan for carrying the sealed nine-tailed fox who once massacred much of the clan. Like many Shonen Jump's series it is an additive, currently unending young hero's journey, with likable characters, and kinetic art.

Where's Ghost in the Shell 2

Holiday printing delays had once again pushed back the shipping date of the first issue of the Ghost in the Shell 2: Man Machine Interface manga (comic). Translator Studio Proteus said that it would be shipping January 8th, but it is not listed in shipping list for Diamond Distributors, who distribute most American comic release.

Manga Machine Interface was originally schedule to be released in October, but was delayed because the source material did not meet Studio Proteus' standards.

Glipse at Big O 2

This Big O website points out a picture or Dorothy from the upcoming Big O episode 14 can be seen under the 1/5/03 update here.

Cowboy Bebop Movie Delayed

Columbia Pictures' theatrical screening of Cowboy Bebop: The Movie (subtitled "Knockin on Heaven's Door" in Japan) have been delayed from January to April 4th. The movie is planned to open in New York and Los Angeles before expanded to other cities.

The films re-teams bounty hunter Spike Spiegel, ex-cop Jet Black, self styled gypsey/roma Faye Valentine, and odd-ball computer hacker Ed as they track down a terrorist intent on releasing a deadly virus. The movie features the impressive Yokho Kanno music, arial dog fights, and some of the best animation martial arts battles, as you would expect from a movie version of the popular TV show.

Digi Charat Book Store Exclusive

Viz will be releasing the first of four Digi Charat collections this month as a book store exclusive to Waldenbooks, Borders and Brentano's. Six months later, the collection will be available at comic shops.

Digi-Charat is the odd/demented adaptation of the story the green hair-cat suit wearing alien who crashed on the Earth, and began the mascot for the Japanese chain of Gamers stores.

New Excel Saga English Voice

The new English sub voice for the role of Excel in Excel Saga will be Larissa Wolcott. She replaces Jessica Calvello starting in volume four. Calvello had to leave the rapid talking role so to avoid permanent vocal damage.

New Anime Company Coming Forming

Video Business Magazine reports Pat Wyatt has resigned as President of Fox Home Video and Consumer products to start an independent production company specializing in anime, with a focus on original direct-to video properties. According to Pat Wyatt, the titles that are being funded by the new company will combine the look of animation created by Japanese and Korean companies with stories that have a beginning, middle, and end.

Full Metal Panic, Season 2

A brief note on the Kadokawa Dragon Magazine website has indicated a second season of Full Metal Panic is coming soon.

JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Release Schedule

Volume one of "JoJo's Bizarre Adventure," the first DVD release by Super Techno Arts, has been scheduled for a March 11th release. Starting with the release of volume 2 on 5/15/03, the six volume series will be released every other month.

The JoJo's Bizarre Adventure adapts several of the middle chapters of the generation spanning, genre shifting manga series. The anime combines super hero style powers/action with horror elements, and creates some very innovative and intense situations.

Dates for New Anime on Cartoon Network.

The tentative date for the debut of Reign on Cartoon Network's Adult Swim; February 10th at 12AM (midnight). Reign is Aeon Flux creator Peter Chung's take on the story of Alexander the Great

Bandai has confirmed that the RPG video game base.hack//SIGN TV series will debut on the Cartoon Network on Saturday, February 1st at 3 PM EST/PST.

January Web Periodicals

This month's Sequential Tart focuses on sports anime/and manga, with additional looks at the Nadesico manga, and anime and manga reviews.

The January AnimeFringe/a> includes the results of the 2003 top 25 anime site poll, an indepth look at Lupin III, anime and manga reviews, and a controversial editorial on Anime on DVD's stand on Manga Video releases.

Legal Look at the Role of Doujinshi

Comics Journalista points out a Rutgers Law Review article on the Japanese phenomenon of doujinshi, fan comics, often using copyrighted character, often sold, sometimes for profit. The article can be read here.

Many manga luminaries such as Monkey Punch (Lupin III), Masamume Shirow (Ghost in the Shell), and CLAMP have gotten their starts in doujinshi.

Look at Raijin Mastermind

Asahi Shimbun has posted a look at Tadashi Negishi, and his plans for Raijin in the American Comic market.

Mandarake Closing LA Area Store

Mandarake's Santa Monica's official website has posted that they will be shutting down their retail store on January 1st, 2003. There is no mention of why the store is shutting down it's only North American branch or if they plan to re-open the store elsewhere.

FUNimation Delays & Cancellations

Funimation has placed all further volumes of Kirby (volumes 2+) on indefinite delay. They have also cancelled VHS releases of Dragonball for volume 16 and up.

Kiki's Delivery Service Novel to be released in America

The Kiki Delivery Service novel by Eiko Kadono, which was adapted into the Miyazaki anime classic has been translated into English for an upcoming North American release. The book may be pre-ordered through Amazon.

Domestic Anime websites

Bandai has opened a Melty Lancer at meltylancer.com, and a Crest of the Stars site at www.crestofthestars.com.

Noir Information

ADV has increased the number of DVDs in Noir to 7 (from 6). ADV has also given Anime on DVD some interesting answers about decisions they made producing the dub given the background of the series characters. See the site's January 2nd 2003 update.

Arjuna 1 DVD Replacement

Bandai has responded to reports of a problem with the hospital scene of the first episode with the following statement:

Bandai's statement was as follows:

After consulting with our replicator and having them examine the problem, we have learned that there was a defect in a batch of discs. We are having a new stamper made and will make replacements for those that feel that they have the defected Arjuna vol. 1 disc. Please contact our customer service representative for instructions on how to receive your replacement. 20support@bandai-ent.com

Y's To Returning

Magic Box reports DigiCube has officially announced they will publish Falcom's Y's I & II Eternal Story for PlayStation 2 in Japan in spring 2003. A remake of Falcom's popular 2D action RPG Y's and Y's II back in 1997-1998. The PS2 version is based on the remake version released on PC in 2001, which features rearranged graphics, music, additional scenes, narration and voice. In addition, the PS2 port will feature additional characters, items and voice not found in the PC version. See here

Anime Music Videos.Org Fund Raiser

AnimeMusicVideos.org, the premiere site that offers a look at some very impressive fan created anime music videos is running a fund raiser. See here for more information.

March Manga (Comic) Releases

The following items are being solicited for release this March by Diamond Distributors. See here to find to local comic shop in order to pre-order items.

March will be a great months for fans of anime legend Osamu Tezuka with Astro Boy, AND Metropolis from Dark Horse, and Phoenix Vol. 2: Dawn from Viz. Shoujo fans can look forward to TOKYOPOP's Happy Mania, and Tokyo Mew Mew. TOKYOPOP will also be releasing the first half of an alternate ending to Cowboy Bebop. Viz also lowering its prices on many new graphic novel releases.

AnimeFringe ran an article on Ha ppy Mania, a josei manga series, shoujo for an older female audience.

ComicsOne.com

Fung Fu comics releases include

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon Gn #3, The Legendary Couple Gn #4, Mega Dragon & Tiger Gn #4, Saint Legend Gn #4, and Storm Riders Gn #11.

The two volumes Junji Ito's (Umamaki) horor comic about a girl who can't die, Tomie will be releases. ComicsOne will also releasing its live action movie adaption on a all region DVD.

CPM Manga

Samurai Legend Gn by Kan Furuyama & Jiro Taniguchi

From the pages of history comes the legend of the samurai Jubei and the book he was pledged to protect. Now that book has been stolen and Jubei must retrieve it before Japan descends into bloody civil war. A tale of blood, swords, and political intrigue! SC, 6x8, 240pg, b&w $15.95

Gutsoon! Entertainment

Fist Of The North Star: The Master Edition Volume 3 Gn by Hara Tetsuo & Buronson

In a post-apocalyptic nightmare, Kenshiro protects the innocent with the ultimate assassin's fighting style, Hokuto Shinken. Features right-to-left sequencing, original Japanese sound effects, a brand-new translation, and stunning full-color artwork.

Raijin Comics #13-16 by Tetsuo, Tsukasa, Takehito, & Various

America's first weekly manga magazine. Includes: Fist of the North Face, Slam Dunk, Guardian Angel Getten, First President of Japan, City Hunter, Baki the Grappler, Fist of the Blue Sky, Revenge of the Mouflon, Bow Wow Wata, and more.

RGA MAGAZINE #13-16 (Formerly Fujin Magazine)

RGA Magazine is America's weekly publication featuring up-to-date news and information about anime, manga, video games, and otaku culture, straight from Japan. Issue #13: Otaku Web; Issue #14: Seiyuu (voice-acting); Issue #15: Jidaigeki (historial Japanese drama productions); Issue #16: Tokusatsu (SFX/special photography). Magazine, 16pg, FC SRP: $0.99Ea.

Dark Horse

Individual Issues:

Blade Of The Immortal #77 (Fall Frost Part 5 of 6)

Continues one of the series' most antipated sword duels.

Ghost In The Shell II: Man-Machine Interface #1-Special Holographic Edition By Masamune Shirow

This special edition features an eye-popping cover in dazzling full color with awe- inspiring holographic effects. (most outlets are selling the issue for $10.00)

Oh My Goddess! #96: The Phantom Racer Part 1 (Of 4)

Collection:

Astro Boy Volume 14 Tp

In this volume: "The White Hot Human"; "Uran"; "Hachi, the Devil"; "The Tenma Family's Fortress"; "Gernica". On sale April 30

Metropolis Tp By Osamu Tezuka

From Osamu Tezuka, creator of Astro Boy, comes Metropolis, the legendary 1949 graphic novel that inspired the animated fame that floored audiences and critics alike. In a not-so-far-off future a beautiful, artifically created girl - unaware of her non-human background - searches for the non-existent parents she believes must exist, wandering alone in a world populated by humans and by the slave-driven robots who serve them. Tezuka's key theme of the nature of humanity in a technological society is framed in bold relief, as well as his wry allegorical observations of the Cold War that was escalating when he created Metropolis.

Shadow Star: Nothing But The Truth By Mihori Kitoh

Shiina and Akira are awkward, self-conscious teenagers, struggling with school and self-esteem whose lives change forever when they encounter and bond with small, cuddly extraterrestrial creatures, two of a menagerie of spaceborn entities now on Earth, including terrifying Shadow Dragons, flying beasts of vast and lethal powers. But Shiina and Akira are not the only ones with such unearthly familiars, and an underground network exists of such Earthling/alien mates - but is their aim to protect the planet or destroy it? And will a trigger-happy Earth military care one way or the other?

I.C. Entertainment

Issues:

Amerimanga Volume 1 #4

Its a new issue of IC's American manga anthology.

Vampire Yui Volume 5 #7

Collections:

Black Crow Gn by Shusay

In the distant future, global warming has sunk the Earth's landmasses into the oceans. Now, Emperor Falcan wishes to capture the rogue submarine Black Crow so he can learn its secret energy source before his own empire consumes itself. Original Japanese format.

Metatokyo Chapter 1: "Do You Want To Save Before You Quit?" Gn by Fred Gallagher

Containing volume 1 and 2 of the Megatokyo timeline, Fred Gallagher's popular story of two Americans working in Japan really takes off. Read as Piro and his friends experience the Mosh Mosh Revolution and the Beergarden, further developing the lovable characters of Megatokyo.

Vampire Princess Miyu Volume 5: Intrusions Tp by Narumi Kakinouchi

Vampire Yui reappears in Miyu's life, but all is not well with young Yui. Then the ice spirit Reiha's interference causes more problems than it solves. Reiha cannot stay out of Miyu's business, much to Miyu's growing anger... Original Japanese format.

You & Me Volume 2 Gn by Hiroshi Aro

The Yarinarisou residents cannot live a day without causing havoc! Yuu's sister and friends come to visit, the Exorcism Club wants Mii, and even the local Yakuza try to take on the supernatural bunch! Original Japanese format.

Marvel

Kia Asamiya will be illustrated Uncanny X-Men 429, the conclusion to the "Dominant Species" story. X-Men: Ronin #1 of 2 will feature a covery by fantasy comedy Slayers'Tommy Otsuka, and interior art by Makoto Nakatsuka one of the winners of Kodansha's Best New Artists Award in 2000.

TOKYOPOP

Collections:

Cardcaptor Sakura:A Master Of The Clow Volume 4 Gn (Of 8) By CLAMP

Chobits Volume 5 Gn (of 8) by CLAMP

Cowboy Bebop: Shooting Star Volume 1 (Of 2) by Hajime Yadate & Yutaka Nanten

An alternate telling of the famous television show! Professional bounty hunters become a staple in the interplanetary terrain, snatching elusive criminals for wads of cash. But how good can things get when you live in the shadow of a mafia past?

Happy Mania Volume 1 (of 5) by Moyoko Anno

Shigeta is an attractive and "physically active" female looking for her soulmate in all the wrong places. In this day and age, love is a game to gain an advantage over others. Sincerity and honesty go the wayside. Shigeta still looks for true love, in spite of it all.

Initial D Volume 6 Gn (of 23)

Lupin III Volume 3 Gn (of 14)

Marmalade Boy Volume 6 Gn (of 8)

Rave Volume 2 Gn by Hiro Mashima

Rayearth - Special Box Set Collection Volume 2

Magic Knight Rayearth volumes 4-6 have been re-formatted in a right-to-left authentic manga format. Features all new cover designs and a handsome collectors case. Exclusive Mini Art Book included. 650pg, b&w (2 of 2) $29.99

Rebound Volume 1 Gn by Yuriko Nishiyama

Its the delayed sequel to basketball series Harlem Beat.

Shaolin Sisters Volume 2 Gn (of 5) By Narumi Kakinouchi

Tokyo Mew Mew Volume 1 (of 4) by Reiko Yoshida

An accident at a museum endows 11-year old Momomiya with the DNA of wildcats. Her new powers are put to the use when she is asked to join a secret group and is given the task of protecting the Earth from an unseen enemy.

VIZ COMICS... Anthologies:

Animerica Extra Volume 6 #4 April 2003

Learn about Yû Watase's post-Ceres project, Imadoki. Plus the Manga serials: Short Program 2; Fushigi Yûgi; Video Girl Ai; Steam Detectives; Revolutionary Girl Utena; Marionette Generation and Banana Fish.

Shonen Jump Volume 1 #5 May 2003

The World's Most Popular Manga! Features Dragon Ball Z, Yu-Gi-Oh!, YuYu Hakusho, Naruto, and Shaman King.

Issues:

The Big O Part 4 #1 (of 4)

a mystery woman forces Roger Smith to look into his own past.

Collections:

The All-New Tenchi Muyô! Volume 1: Alien Nation Tp by Hitoshi Okuda

Collecting the first five issues of the monthly comic. Alien Nation features seven all-new stories of science fiction craziness, romantic hijinks, and unexpected explosions. Meet a place where humans and cutie-pie aliens gather to flirt and battle evildoers from outer space! 176pg $8.95

Firefighter!: Daigo Of Fire Company M Volume 2 Special Edition Gn by Masahito Soda

In the sleepy town of Medaka-ga-hama, Daigo has just passed the near-impossible exam to enter the brotherhood of firefighters, and his beautiful former teacher, Ms. Ochiai, will certainly be impressed by his new uniform. Preserving the original Japanese right-to-left format. 184pg $9.95

Inu-Yasha Volume 13 Tp by Rumiko Takahashi

SC, 192pg $8.95

Phoenix Volume 2: Dawn Tp by Osamu Tezuka

Dawn is both the first part of the saga and the earliest part of Phoenix's story, which jumps by resonance and reincarnation between the ancient past and distant future! Dawn takes the reader back to 240 A.D. for Tezuka's struggle to draw forth a vision of the human truth from Japan's ancient myths. 344pg, $15.95

Silent Möbius Volume 10: Blood Tp by Kia Asamiya

Vagabond Volume 5 Tp by Takehiko Inoue

Miyamoto Musashi has traveled far and wide on a pilgramage to improve his Swordmanship, challenging the strongest opponents he can find, but no one has been more skilled than Inshun, the second generation master of the Hozoin spear technique. SC, 208pg $9.95

ZOIDS #14 CHAOTIC CENTURY

by Michiro Ueyama 96pg $5.95

Best Of Animerica 2003

This full-color, softcover compilation includes info-packed features on popular titles such as Oh My Goddess!, The End of Evangelion, Spirited Away, and His and Her Circumstances. Plus, additional articles on the year's newest and most popular anime imports.