Father Geek here with another edition of Scott Green's regular weekly column on all that is Anime & Manga... yep, everything from Games to Toys to Comics to DVDs to Videos to Corperate Infighting... its all right here every week translated and laid out in one easy to find place...

AnimAICN...

by Scott Green

Manga Spotlight: No.5 Vol.2 By Taiyo Matsumoto

Released by Viz's Editor's Choice Line

Taiyo Matsumoto is the most fascinating manga creator you've haven't heard of. His continuing story No. 5 is one of the unique works that Viz puts out, formerly through its Pulp label, now as part of Editor's Choice.

It stands on its own. Not as an excellent work of manga, while it utilizes tools of manga story telling, but as a distinct creation.

The Chinese dragon has the jaws of the lion, the body of the snake, the claws of the eagle, and the antlers of the stag. This mélange of animals is one of the emblems of No.5's ravaged world, which like the forming nature of Tao it is a still malleable world. There is a scene where an elderly Native American looking man mounts his horse, and exits an airplane a la Lee Van Cleef in For a Few Dollars More. As the man and his horse parachute to the earth, it is strikingly strange, illogical and defiant.

These strange juxtapositions are found all over this world with flora and fauna such as the lionsheep or sea horse shaped laughing mushrooms, or hippos in odd places from mountains to streams.

Volume 2 opens with a Tezuka style cartoonish promo for the Rainbow Council, a cadre of warrior philosophers in the tradition of the judges, demigods, or saints. The man designated No. 5, the sniper from their ranks has taken a woman of mysterious significance and begun neutralizing threats on a journey that is part Shiva dance of destruction, part Milton Lucifer rebellion.

Anyone whose illustration is comparable to Matsumoto's could likewise be considered genius. Matsumoto stated "American comics are powerful and cool. European comic seem very intellectual. And Japanese comics are very light-heart. If you could combine the best of all three you could create some really tremendous work." Beyond the unique design, No. 5 doesn't look like other manga. The characters have more of a European look, less stylized or idealized, but abstract to be flexible.

There are scenes of stunning surrealism in the second volume, but it feels more like a middle than most manga series. It adds depths to events, and gives the eddies in No. 5's wake the space to form their own currents, or break, but it doesn't have the newness or whirlwind pace of the first. Familiarity works both for and against No. 5. There is more room to breath, and tell side stories, but part of the No.5 brilliance is blazing trails, and its step forward is looks small after the first volume's leap.

Anime Spotlight: Super GALS! Rule 1: GALS gotta have heart!

Released by ADV Films

If you're a member of the ever swelling ranks of shoujo manga fans Super Gals is a must.

Akitaroh Daichi's anime adaptation of Miho Obama's Kodomo no Omocha (aka Kodocha aka Child's Toy) is become legendary in the US; partially because it is one of the few remaining anime releases to look unlicensable, mostly because of Daichi's skill in combining manic comedic energy with impactful drama. Add a few years to the characters.; subtract a sliver of Daichi's genius, and you approximate Super GALS.

Ran Kotobuki is the alpha gal of her highschool, or a least a rival for the head of the heard. She's loud, dominant, fashionable, and the black sheep in a long line of police officers. She's a beneficent arbitrator of cool, and while she isn't Nancy Drew, her police heritage lands her in role of social cop.

Super GALS inherits the shoujo manga look and feel. Borders, freeze frames, and cut interruptions accentuate the manga influence to the story telling. Layers on top of bright color, and catchy music, Super GALS cherry picks what a shoujo fan want on both anime and manga.

There is a notable cultural disconnect to Super Gals. The culture of American teens doesn't mesh with their Japanese peers. Teenage Middle class (literal) prostitution for consumer goods exists in the US, but it certainly doesn't have the same culture footprint. ADV does a good job localizing the series when it doesn't contradict the original intent. Part of this was to invent it's own slang lingo. Creating youth lings always risks sounding condensing or infantile, but Super GALS' system or abbreviation works well.

Manga Spotlight: Happy Mania Volume 2 by Moyoco Anno

Released by TOKYOPOP

There must be a law of conservation of sentiment. On one end is every tacky find true love comedy, be it sitcom, movie, or manga. On the other end you have Happy Mania. Somehow they balance out.

Shingeta is an attractive young woman, looking for the perfect man. Physically, she is appealing, lovable, almost flawless. Emotionally, she is a Mr. Magoo walking disaster, capable of every blunder, disaster, misstep, bad decision and bad luck. Between her pathological need for a boyfriend, and her shallow standards, she's the romantic comedy heroin from hell.

Not satisfied to charge in with narrow attacks, Happy Mania throws brutal barbs at scatter targets of social conventions and myths: from pious relatives, to self help, to highschool reinvention. There are truisms in Happy Mania, such has an encounter with a new parent peer, that will have any 20-something of the floor with laughter.

Surprisingly, a few of the characters are turning out to be rounded, and more surprisingly this doesn't undercut the insidious genius of the parody. Shingeta is still attractive enough to invoke sympathy, but her personality still causes teeth gnashing anger.

Aspects tend to creep into TOKYOPOP productions that look, being charitable, rushed. Beyond untranslated sound effects, there are several irksome visuals in Happy Mania's presentation.

The grey frilly underwear strap binding looks like it is going to be of the series' standard dress (brilliant idea, a little drab in execution), by at least the ugly yellow cover background has been replaced by a more appealing peach. The real sin is the gorgeous chapter title page illustrations. They looked a little off in the first volume, lots of untranslated text, and a large box white over the image to hold the English title header text. Volume 2 is worse, the images are no longer obscured by boxes, and more of the text is translated, but the title pages are now large splashes of English text, with a small, badly photocopied looking version of the image off to the side.

This Week's Releases:

Anime

• .hack//SIGN Vol. #4: Omnipotence
• The Big O (Collector's Edition Set)
• Brigadoon 3:The Celestial World
• Ceres - Celestial Legend:Collectors 1
• Ceres - Celestial Legend:Collectors 2
• Dragonball Z: 7 Disc Fusion Boxed Set
• Geneshaft - Orbit (Vol. 3)
• GTO - Accusations (Vol. 10)
• Noir - Cloaks & Daggers (Vol. 6)
• Ranma 1/2: Random Rhapsody - The Complete Sixth Season Boxed Set
• Sailor Moon - Season Two - Complete and Uncut (Japanese Language Edition)
• Sorcerer Hunters Complete Collection
• Spirit Of Wonder: The Movie
• Super Gals - Gals Gotta Have Heart (Vol. 1)
• Yu-Gi-Oh - Match of Millenium Pt.2

Manga

• Azumanga Daioh Manga Vol 1 Tp
• Big O Vol 4 Tp
• Cannon God Exaxxion #17
• Ghost In The Shell 2 Man Machine Interface #7 (Of 11
• Fist Of North Star Master Ed Vol 6 Gn
• Flame Of Recca Vol 2 Tp
• Gundam The Origin #7
• Inu Yasha Vol 5 Tp 2Nd Ed
• Inu Yasha Vol 6 Tp 2Nd Ed
• Project Arms Vol 2 Tp Egrigori
• Whats Michael Vol 8 Show Time Tp
• Wedding Peach Vol 2 Tp
• X 1999 Vol 5 Tp 2Nd Ed Serenade
• X 1999 Vol 6 Tp 2Nd Ed Duet
• Usagi Yojimbo Duel At Kitanoji Tp

January/December Dark Horse Manga Releases

Dark Horse Comics has solicited the following releases for December/January:

• Astro Boy Volume 23 Tpb: the final volume of Osamu Tazuka's famous series.
• Berserk Vol. 2: The Guardians Of Desire Tpb By Kentaro Miura.
• Trigun Volume 2 Tpb By Yasuhiro Nightow.
• Blade Of The Immortal #85 "Mirror of the Soul," part 1 of 3.
• Cannon God Exaxxion #20 By Kenichi Sonoda.
• Super Manga Blast! #38

Toonami Insight

Anime News Network points out an Animation Insider interview with Cartoon Network's Toonami producer Sean Akins.

Cartoon Network no longer has rights to Tenchi or Outlaw Star, but they are looking at the Tenchi Muyo spin-off GPX, and the new OAV.

The article discusses a number of Toonami's successes and failures. Among the surprising failures was that Giant Robot Week which aired Neon Genesis Evangelion, Nadesico, Daiguard, and Robotech was a complete failure which as soured Toonami to working with ADV Films (who has the English license to the shows aired during that week), and to stunt programming which interrupts the normal schedule.

The networked likes Ruruoni Kenshin, and thought it would succeed on Toonami, and "the content was too mature, cuz we did the edit" but the audiences was skewing too old, so it was moved to Saturday nights.

The network is also hoping for me Toonami only shows.

Chinese Animation at Las Vegas Comic-Con

Playhut Entertainment has announced that Las Vega's Mandalay Boy will be screening a number of Chinese animation "Chinamation" works during the Las Vegas Comic-con "Full Blown Extrosion". Playhut will be appearing at booth 804, and showing DeCheng, Way of the Warriors, Little Bunch, and Bird Island. For more information see www.playhutentertainment.com

Watson-Guptil To Partner With Digital Manga

ICV2 has learned that Digital Manga, who will be translating the Trigun and Berserk manga series to be released by Dark Horse, will be working with art book publisher Watson-Guptil on a series of translated art books. This is expected to effect the publication of the line of Graphic-Sha "How To Draw Manga" books.

.Hack Manga Sales

TOKYOPOP's release of the .hack manga has joined Chobits and Love Hina on Bookscan's best seller lists. .hack//Legend of the Twilight was the #1 best selling graphic novel for the week of September 7th, and #40 in the adult fiction trade paperback list.

Home Video Release of Big O II

Bandai will be releasing the first volume Big O II on DVD December 2nd. The volume will feature the first four episodes of the series.

The second volume of Witch Hunter Robin will also be released December 2nd.

Media Blasters DVD's In Mono?

Anime on DVD has been following up on reports that a number of Media Blasters anime releases feature audio in mono rather than the advertised stereo. For more details see here

Japanese Raijin Ends in September

Anime News Network reports that the English translated manga anthology Raijin was cease its Japanese publication after the September issue. The anthology was be sold in Japan as an aid in learning the English language.

Candy Candy Legal Battle

The legal battles over manga series Candy Candy have become more complicated. The series' author Mizuki Kyoko sued illustrator Igarashi Yumiko and several merchandising companies for selling licensed products without her consent. The Supreme Court of Japan awarded Mizuki 55 million yen compensation the right denied any product that product that was created based on the initial copyright infringement.

The latest twist to the cast is that a toy manufacturer has the two companies that had managed Cany Candy's copyrights based on their inability to a massive overstock on Jigsaw Puzzles which they were commissioned to produce. Though they sued for 11 million yen compensation, the Tokyo High Court award them 7.8 million.

The classic shoujo manga from the 70's follows a girl abandoned at the orphanage inspired by fairy tales and Victorian romance takes its heroine into the early 20th century.

Die Cast Initial D Cars

TOKYOPOP will be teaming with Jada Toys to produce a line of die cast tuner cars and action figures based on the street racing Initial D anime and manga series.

To help generate awareness in the collector and street racing scenes, Jada Toys has also acquired a real-life representation of the legendary Eight-Six Toyota Trueno driven by Initial D's main character Tak. The company plans to use the iconic vehicle as a display car for fans at several major automotive events across the country.

From the press release: The partnership calls for the two innovative companies to produce a series of meticulously detailed tuner die casts from the Initial D series, along with action figures based on the main characters from the smash-hit anime. The die casts-scheduled for release in early 2004-signal another move by TOKYOPOP to give Initial D fans the ultimate opportunity to relive the series' action-packed, racing sequences.

CPM Title Evolution

Central Park Media is placing the following titles on morarotium:

• Ayane's High Kick
• Genocyber
• Labyrinth of Flames
• Legend of Lemnear
• Photon
• Sprite

The following titles will be repriced to $9.99 as of January 1, 2004

• Cybernetics Guardian
• Garaga
• Grappler Baki
• Harmagedon
• Judge
• RG Veda

Neppuu Kairiku Bushilor

Natsume Maya reports that Neppuu Kairiku Bushilord, the collaboration between Gainax (Evangelion, Kara Kano), and Broccoli (Digi Charat) pay be a theatrical movie rather than a TV series.

Risky Saftety 2 Date Change

AN Entertainment has delayed the second volume of Risky Safety from September 23rd to October 14th. The third volume is still targeted to be released November 4th.

TOKYOPOP Moves into Chains

Starting this winter, TOKYOPOP manga collections will be available at Target, WH Smith airport stores, and Books-a-Million in either test locations, or full roll-outs of certain product lines.

Tenchi Muyo Returns to International Channel

Sci-fi relationship comedy Tenchi Muyo has returned to the Internal Channel fridays at 11:00pm.

Anime Game News

Anime Nation reports the following anime based games are in the works:

KID Games is developing a game based on Soul Taker spin-off/magic girl parody Nurse Witch Komugi-chan game for the Playstation 2.

Broccoli will release Di-Gi-Charat Fantasy Excellent for the PS2 on October 30th.

Takara is developing a Playstation 2 RPG based on the D.N.Angel anime TV series.

From Magic Box Classic boxing anime/manga series Ashita no Joe is being adpating into several new games. Ashita no Joe Shiro for PlayStation 2 can be seen here and Ashita no Joe Akai for the GameBoy Advance can be seen here.

Bandai has released new images of One Piece 3D fighting game Grand Battle 3, which can be seen here. The game will feature 3D environment, interactive objects, and many updated character from the series.

Here are some images of Tomy's Naruto: Gekitou Ninja Taisen 2 for GameCube, the sequel of the popular celshaded 3D fighting game based on Super Mash Bros. Melee can be seen here.

New images of Astro Boy: Tetsu Wan Atom for the GameBoy Advance can be seen here

Images of Bandai / Sega AM2's PlayStation 2 anime air combat shooting game Macross: Super Dimension Fortress can be seen here

Merchandise News

From Figures.com Toycom's latest Samurai X/Kenshin PVC figurines, which were delayed from July can be seen here. The figures, which stand 4" tall and retail for $5.99 include Kenshin, Karou, Saito, Sanoske, and Yahiko.

The Gungrave: Beyond the Grave 8", based on character design from Trigun creator Yasuhiro Nightow is scheduled to ship in December 2003 for $49.99. The figure can be seen here

TOKYOPOP Picks Up New CLAMP

A poster on Anime on DVD's forum notes that TOKYOPOP has uplodated a site for CLAMP's Suki, Dakara Suki here

Hinata Asahi is a high school student who lives alone with only her teddy bears to keep her company. Her life becomes much more exciting when the handsome Shirou Asou, moves in next door -- not only is he really cute (even if much older), but he's also her new teacher! Hina has a bit of a crush on Asou-sensei, but when the older man seems to take an interest in her as well, is it a forbidden love or something else?

Digital Manga start Manga Talent Contest

Digital Manga is sponsoring the first annual Manga Academy talent contest. Artists can submit 10-15 doujinshi fan comics. Winners will have their works displayed a Japanese comic convention. For more information see www.mangaacademy.com.

DC Comics

Expanding into Manga Comics rumor column Lying in the Gutters points out that DC comics is looking for a Manga Editor for their Wildstorm line.

Job duties include identifying "commercially successful titles for acquisition" and editing "up to 10 monthly import editions." Requirements include being fluent in written and spoken Japanese. See here

TOKYOPOP Talks Tokyo Babylon

From the press release: Building upon its long-standing relationship with CLAMP, TOKYOPOP Inc. is pleased to announce the May 2004 debut of Tokyo Babylon, one of the famed manga team's most beloved titles. Each of the series' seven volumes will feature CLAMP's signature cover designs and luxurious full-color foldouts-a detail certain to rouse a cheer from countless devoted fans. This exciting upcoming release not only complements TOKYOPOP's growing CLAMP collection, but also reinforces the company's position as the #1 publisher of CLAMP manga in America.

An introspective, character-driven series, Tokyo Babylon reads like a manga version of The X-Files. Its story-a modern-day fantasy-follows a young omyouji (spiritual medium) on his quest to protect Tokyo from evil spirits. Teenaged Subaru Sumeragi is the 13th head of the Sumeragi clan. Together with his twin sister Hokuto and the mysterious veterinarian Seishirou, Subaru travels around Tokyo, calming the ghosts that threaten the city. Tokyo Babylon spawned both an anime and a live action film in its native Japan, and its characters went on to appear in other CLAMP manga.

"This series is a prime example of the sheer talent that makes CLAMP such a publishing phenomenon here in the States," said John Parker, TOKYOPOP's President & COO. "We are thrilled by the opportunity to add Tokyo Babylon to our 2004 catalog, and we look forward to our continued relationship with manga's 'dream team' of creators."

Arguably the most popular manga creators on the planet, CLAMP has attained unprecedented success in America. TOKYOPOP has played a key role in this achievement, with several of its CLAMP series consistently ranking at the top of BookScan's Graphic Novel Bestseller charts. Chobits-for example-recently broke new ground for manga when it cracked the Top 20 Overall Trade Paperback list. Other hit CLAMP series from TOKYOPOP include Cardcaptor Sakura, Wish, Angelic Layer, Clover and Magic Knight Rayearth.

December CPM Releases

Central Park Media will be releasing Spirit Warrior: Regent of Darkness, Legend of the Dragon Kings: Iron Dragon, The Humanoid, And Iczer Reborn on December 2nd.

Spirit Warrior: Regent of Darkness

From the creators of X - The Movie and Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust! A group of Neo-Nazis intend to blanket the world in darkness, and the forces of Light have assembled four heroes to oppose their mad scheme, including Kujaku, an apprentice exorcist, who holds an incredible power that he barely understands.

The release features a full-length director's commentary by Rintaro.

Legend of the Dragon Kings: Iron Dragon

From the screenwriter of Inu Yasha: The TV Series, Fake, and Battle Angel Alita. Owaru is a super-powered teenager with an attitude, and lots of problems! He transforms into a dragon when he gets mad.

His neighbors are trying to run his family out of town, and the diabolical Dr. Cranshaw has dispatched an army of cyborgs to destroy him! Episodes 5-6

The Humanoid

Style, grace & attitude: A clip of this luscious space-age anime was featured on Madonna's Drowned World Tour 2001! Dr. Watson is a scientific genius living on a distant outpost in the far future. His crowning achievement: Antoinette, a thinking, feeling android. With a beautiful chrome body and a heart of gold, she searches for that elusive quality called humanity. But the planetary governor isn't taken in with Antoinette's child-like charm. His only interest lies in the ruins of a past civilization and the power the ancient technology could bring!

Iczer Reborn

From the director of Vampire Princess Miyu and Magic Knight Rayearth. When Iczer 1 defeated Big Gold, she thought that the evil had been destroyed. But, years later, when a new threat from an old enemy manifests itself, only the immense power of Iczer 3 has any hope of saving all life in the universe! This DVD contains 3 hours of action and thrills! Part of the Authentic Anime series which features classic programs in a subtitled format that serious fans demand.

Upcoming ADV Releases

November 4th:

• -Original Dirty Pair: Flight 005 Conspiracy (Classic girls-with-guns action)
• -Medabots: Medabots Forever (12th and final volume of the series)

November 11th:

• -Martian Successor Nadesico: The Motion Picture--Prince Of Darkness
• -Zaion: I Wish You Were Here--Devastation (Vol. 2 of the thrilling series)
• -Najica Blitz Tactics: Volume 3
• -Sakura Wars Tv: Stage Fright (Vol. 5 of the series)

November 18th:

• -Aura Battler Dunbine: Escape From Byston Well (Vol. 5)
• -City Hunter Tv: Season Two, Collection Two
• -Eden's Bowy: Eden's War
• -Rune Soldier: Fists Of Folly (Vol. 5 Of The Series)

November 25th:

• -Angelic Layer: On The Wing And A Player
• -Full Metal Panic: Mission 05
• -King Of Bandit Jing: Volume 4
• -Pretear Volume 1

Zaion: I Wish You Were Here-Devastation

The second and final volume of the thrilling sci-fi anime series Zaion: I Wish You Were Here. Directed by Seiji Muzushima (Dai Guard, Generator Gawl) and produced by Gonzo Digimation (Full Metal Panic, Hellsing, Blue Sub No. 6), Zaion found success with Japanese fans not only through its 2001 television release, but also with a groundbreaking Internet broadcast of the first episode. Praise for the series has traveled across the Pacific, increasing U.S. anticipation for the four-episode series, praised for its plot, its character designs and its successful combination of CG and traditional cel animation.

The Story: As the outbreaks of the M34 virus continue to worsen, the NOA soldiers face strengthening opposition. The virus continues to evolve, adapting itself against the nanotechnology, turning the very advantages of the NOA soldiers against themselves. The bond between Yuuji and Ai will be put to the test as the threat of the M34 virus brings havoc and death all around them.

Najica Blitz Tactics: Volume 3

The final volume of the thrilling and racy 12-episode Japanese animated series Najica Blitz Tactics.

Directed by Katsuihiko Nishijima (Project A-ko, Labyrinth of Flames), and with animation direction by Noriyasu Yamauchi (Guyver: Out of Control), Najica Blitz Tactics is a fast-paced "spy-fi" thriller, packed with hard-hitting action and more than a little eye-candy for the fans.

The Story: Super agent Najica Hiiragi and her Humaritt partner Lila have their hands full! Humaritts are androids trained for absolute obedience; but when the Humaritt Elith rejects a decision by her master , the rebel leader Athena, the CRI agents can't prevent the tragic results. Then a call from Gento's long-lost friend Yoshiki has Najica and Lila racing to save the scientist and his lover, the Humaritt Serina, from the forces of Dr. Renika Ren (the creator of all Humaritts). The greatest danger, however, just might be Serina's desire to protect Yoshiki!

Original Dirty Pair: Flight 005 Conspiracy

The Dirty Pair brand, with its proven and rewarding combination of excitement, mayhem and sexy heroines, appeared in several manifestations in the 1980s and 90s, including numerous anime series and successful manga and comic adaptations on both sides of the Pacific. Original Dirty Pair: Flight 005 Conspiracy, released originally in 1990, is in true "girls with guns" form, loaded with thrilling action and comic mishaps.

The Story: It's Chief Gooley's worst nightmare come true. The Lovely Angels are back on the job, but this time the 3WA's Central Computer has assigned them two cases at the same time: investigate a space liner explosion in which three hundred people died, but no one's come forward to claim any insurance money; and find a missing scientist and his family. Could the two cases be connected? Only the Central Computer knows and it's not talking. So it's up the Dirty Pair to get down and dirty and solve the puzzle before time runs out for a grieving grandfather, his family and the universe!

Sakura Wars Tv: Stage Fright

Well known for its enthusiastic genre hopping, including robot combat, musical theatre, romance, a dose of history lesson and more, the Sakura Wars franchise-including video games, OVAs and this television series-has proven an enduring fan favorite.

Pretear

The first volume of Pretear, the series created by Kaori Naruse and noted anime fantasy creator Junichi Sato (director of the first series of Sailor Moon and creator of Kaleido Star).

Pretear, a mahou shoujo series, combines elements of the fairy tales Cinderella (new stepmother and evil stepsisters) and Snow White (seven knights instead of seven dwarves). On its 2001 Japanese release, the title was lauded for its intense animation, in-depth characterizations, exciting battle scenes, and its beautiful soundtrack. The opening song "White Destiny" is sung by Japanese singing sensation Yoko Ishida.

Collector's Edition Available! Pretear: Volume 1 will be available in two versions: as a DVD in its standard case, and as a special collector's edition, which includes the DVD and a custom art box, sized to fit the entire series.

The Story: Sixteen-year-old Himeno Awayuki wants a normal, happy life. But when her nutty father Kaoru marries the wealthy executive Natsue, Himeno finds herself living on an estate the size of a small country and saddled with two stepsisters, Mayune and Mawata, who won't give her the time of day!

Little does Himeno know her life will go from bad to worse when the Princess of Disaster escapes from the realm of Leafeania. The dark princess is seeding the land with demon larva and intends to suck all the Leafe-the life force of all beings-from the world!

Lead by the brooding Hayate, seven Knights of Leafe search for the only person who can stop this catastrophe: the Pretear, a special girl who, when merged with a knight, transforms into an all-powerful defender of life. And the Pretear just happens to be Himeno! But is she up to the challenge?

Angelic Layer: On The Wing And A Player

The second volume of the remarkable anime series Angelic Layer. With its offbeat combination of mind-controlled robots and junior high school tragicomedy, Angelic Layer was an instant success on its 2001 Japanese release and U.S. fans have been expectantly awaiting its stateside appearance.

Much of Angelic Layer's hit status can be attributed to its production team. Based on a manga from the all-female studio CLAMP (Chobits, Rayearth, Tokyo Babylon), Angelic Layer was animated by BONES, the animators of the highly acclaimed RahXephon and Wolf's Rain.

Full Metal Panic! Mission 05

The fifth volume of the acclaimed anime series Full Metal Panic! The title deftly combines mecha combat, martial arts, international criminal intrigue, high-school politics and a dash of teen romance, with buyers and critics alike responding strongly.

Aura Battler Dunbine: Escape From Byston Well

First broadcast in Japan in the mid 1980's, Aura Battler Dunbine is widely considered one of the finest and most significant titles from the "golden age" of televised anime. Conceived by Yoshiyuki Tomino (creator and director of Gundam) and based on Tomino's novel Wings of Lin, Aura Battler Dunbine has long been celebrated not only for its exciting plot and extraordinary mecha designs (by Studio Nue, of Macross fame), but also for the series' emphasis on strong and detailed characterization, and the consistently excellent quality of its animation (produced by Sunrise Animation).

King Of Bandit Jing: Volume Four

Directed by Hiroshi Watanabe (Orphen, Kiki's Delivery Service), King of Bandit Jing is based upon a manga of the same title by Yuchi Kumakura, detailing the adventures of Jing, a youthful and charming Robin Hood-esque bandit who travels from town to town, stealing valuables and hearts in equal measure. Along for the ride is his randy wiseacre albatross companion, Kir, who's constantly getting the pair into difficulties.

Eden's Bowy: Eden's War

Eden's Bowy: Eden's War, fifth volume of the acclaimed anime fantasy series, noted for its multilayered complexity and wide-ranging appeal. Eden's Bowy is based on a manga by Tennoji Kitsune, and was directed by Tsukasa Sunaga (Southern Cross), with character designs by Kazui Hiroko (Ranma ½, Oh! My Goddess!).

City Hunter Tv: Season Two, Collection Two

City Hunter TV: Season Two, Collection Two. The subtitled, Japanese-only collection includes 31 complete episodes from the second season of the legendary, long-running Japanese animated television series. City Hunter is centered on the (mis)adventures of .357-packing professional bodyguard/clean-up man Ryo Saeba, known as City Hunter. For all his abilities, City Hunter is burdened by an active libido-which always seems to get in the way of his missions!

The Story: Are you in trouble? Did you make an unsuspecting deal with a crooked businessman? Are dastardly villains threatening your life? Are you a beautiful woman? Well, then just write XYZ on the message board at the Shinjuku Station, and Ryo Saeba, troubleshooter, expert marksman and incurable ladies' man, will be there to rescue you before you know it. And his partner, the feisty Kaori with her trusty assortment of 100-ton hammers and mallets, won't be far behind. City Hunter is back with more action, more danger and more mokkori excitement than ever before!

Rune Soldier: Fists Of Folly

Rune Soldier: Fists of Folly, fifth volume of the anime adventure tale, combining fantasy, magic, comedy and epic quests in one irreverent package. Rune Soldier was created by Ryo Mizuno, the mind behind the acclaimed Record of Lodoss War anime.

Bandai Launches SD Gundam Site

Bandai has announced that a Just a notice to everyone letting you know that the official website of the new Superior Defender Gundam Force (SD Gundam) at www.sdgundamforce.com in conjunction with the series' airing on Cartoon Network.