“The fact that Funimation continues to sell these anime box sets for a low price is just amazing and this latest box set focusing on the battle against the Androids and the introduction of the future Trunks is just another awesome chapter in the popular anime series”

DVD INFORMATION:

DVD TITLE: DRAGON BALL Z (SEASON 4)

DURATION: 735 minutes

DVD INFORMATION: Animated, Color, DVD-Video, Subtitled, NTSC

COMPANY: Funimation

Released on Feb. 19, 2008

Having returned victorious from their battle with Frieza the Z-fighters can at last breathe a collective sigh of relief… But they won’t have long to rest. A new host of villains has appeared ready to wreak havoc on the Earth - and Goku the Z-Fighters’ greatest hero is still missing!In the face of these new dangers a mysterious youth with Super Saiyan powers has come bearing a bleak prediction for the future: in just three years’ time an evil greater than any the Z-Fighters have ever faced will emerge to cast a shadow of destruction and despair over the Earth. If the young Saiyan’s prediction is correct the Z-Fighters will have to train like they have never trained before in order to have any hope against these seemingly unstoppable foes: the Androids!

With each DVD season box set release of “DRAGON BALL Z”, as a hardcore fan of the series, it’s just incredible to get over 30 episodes for almost the same price or less than most American television box sets.

Season 4 is definitely going to excite some fans as one of the more popular characters, Future Trunks is featured on the box cover.

The season starts off with the Garlic Jr. arc that I wasn’t too caring for, while the fate of Goku is still unknown after the battle with Frieza, everyone else gets accustomed to their own lives as Gohan is stuck at home studying for school exams and his mother Chi Chi is very striict with him. Piccolo continues to train and Krillyn dates a beautiful, busty woman named Maron.  

But eventually everyone reunites to take on the latest threat to their world when Garlic Jr. unleashes the black water mist upon the world and everyone turns evil with the exception of Piccolo, Krillyn, Gohan, Maron and Master Roshi.  With the help of Kame and Mr. Popo, the group take on Garlic Jr. and must save the world from the black water myst.

The next chapter features the return of Frieza and his father Cooler.  After Goku’s battle with Frieza, it is learned that Frieza’s father saved his son and made him even more powerful by taking his body parts and creating a cyborg.  Of course, Frieza now back, wants revenge on Goku and friends.  

As everyone prepares to battle against Frieza and Cooler, a mysterious guy from the future makes an appearance. 

The unknown warrior defeats Frieza and Cooler with ease and everyone realizes that he is a Saiyajin.  But the warrior tells everyone that Goku should be arriving that day and everyone is shocked to find out that Goku will be coming back.

Upon Goku’s return, the future warrior reveals to Goku that he is Trunks, the son of Vegita and Bulma and warns him of upcoming danger as his world has been destroyed by the Androids.  He comes to the past to warn Goku to get him and his friends prepared for their battle because he can defeat the androids but he must take medication to help eliminate a virus that he is going to have soon.  According to Trunks, everyone except Gohan is killed but Goku dies due to a virus.  But by giving him an antidote, Goku can survive the virus once he gets sick.

So, for the next few years, Goku, Picollo and everyone must train for this major threat from dr. Jiro and the androids.

AUDIO:

This is where I’m so happy with these Funimation releases.  The fact that you can watch the series in both Japanese or English dubs but can listen to the English dub with the new digital music or the original Japanese music.

Having watched the series in its original Japanese language when it was first released, this time around, I have been watching the series in dub format and its one of the best English voice acting as Goku, Picollo, Gohan, Krillyn, every character…the voice acting is just well done.  There is not one character where I felt the voice acting was off or didn’t fit.   Voice acting is well done!

VIDEO:

The video looks great on DVD and for those of us who have multi-generation fansubs or fading VHS tapes, just having these episodes on DVD and everything looking great.  I know some people have a problem with the show receiving some cropping but for me it’s quite miniscule.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

Special features include trailers and open and ending themes.  If there was one thing lacking, it’s the fact that there are really nothing in terms of special features.

As of this review, the latest Season 6 was released and I have started on season 5.  But I was quite pleased with Season 4, the whole android saga was great to watch when it first came out and to see future Trunks, Super Saiyan Vegita and everyone all together, fighting together once again.  It’s just an all out great, mega-brawl and it’s one of the reasons why “Dragon Ball Z” has become my favorite action anime series of all time.

I do have to say that the android saga leaves off with a cliff-hanger and continues in Season 5.  So, you’re definitely going to want to pick up Season 5 as it leads into another major threat that relates to the android-saga.

Again, for the price of over 30 episodes for $30 is a great deal!  I just hope that Funimation sets the trend of other companies considering their anime DVD releases via box set for a similar price.  But nevertheless, if you are a “Dragon Ball Z” fan, you can’t go wrong with this series.  Cool characters that you care about, storylines that capture your attention and a series that is just action-packed.  

Another season of “Dragon Ball Z” worth owning!

+ Characters you care about and a good balance with action!

+  Pretty awesome battles!

+ One of the best English dubbed anime series, if not the best out there!

- Lags on special features.

BUY THIS DVD

“The anime does preach a lot about ecology but its an anime that is made to make viewers think and whether or not its message gets through to you or piss you off depends on the viewer.  I, for one, enjoyed the series and because anime such as ‘ARJUNA’ is unique in many way, I can understand why it has received 50/50 reviews.  Some will love it, some will hate it.  But it’s all about the message and if one can make a change in their life because of this anime, then its mission accomplished.”

DVD INFORMATION:

DVD TITLE: ARJUNA - ANIME LEGENDS COMPLETE COLLECTION (aka Chikyu Shojo Arjuna)

DURATION: 325 minutes

DVD INFORMATION: Animated, Color, Dolby, DVD-Video, Subtitled, NTSC

COMPANY: Bandai Entertainment

RATING: Unrated

STAFF INFORMATION:

DIRECTOR AND ORIGINAL CREATOR: Kawamori Shoji

SERIES COMPOSITION: Kawamori Shoji, Ohnogi Hiroshi

CHARACTER DESIGN: Kishida Takahiro

MUSIC COMPOSER: Kanno Yoko

THEME SONG BY: Sakamoto Maaya

High school, archery club, and boys were the things that filled Juna’s daily life. But when an accident leaves her clinging tenuously between life and death, fate intervenes as she becomes the sole witness to scenes of Earth’s destruction along with humanity’s reckless pollution of the sky, the Earth, and water. It is here in which Juna is given a new chance at life and bestowed the powers of the Earth, a power she must wield in order to stop an evil bent on Earth’s destruction.

Contains all 13 Episodes of Arjuna!

When it comes to ecology and the environment, it’s usually a topic that some people welcome and a topic that many people know about but really don’t want to get involved in.

And I suspect that when you have a top tier anime director/creator Kawamori Shoji (”Visions of Escaflowne”, “Super Dimension Century Macross”, “Macross Plus”, “Macross 7″, “Macross Zero” and “Macross Frontiere” to name a few) and composer Kanno Yoko, theme song by Sakamoto Maaya and character designs by Kishida Takahiro (”Tenchi Muyou”, “El Hazard”, “Heat Guy J” to name a few), you expect to have a quality anime series.

The 13-episode TV series that aired on TV Tokyo back in 2001 received a DVD release in the US back in 2002 and for so long I have wanted to watch this series.

The anime series is primarily about a teenager named Ariyoshi Juna.  Your typical high school girl learning archery and spending time with boyfriend Oshima Tokio.

With her skills at archery training not going as well, she tells her boyfriend that she wants to see the sea.  Tokio, being so in love with Juna, decides to take her to the sea via motorcycle and everything seems well until an entity flashes in front of them and in the process, both are thrown of the motorcycle.

Juna is rushed to the hospital and she pretty much is dead.  That is until she hears a voice of Chris Hawken (a powerful entity)  who tells her that he will give her life back if she saves the world.  Juna is given a glimpse of the Planet Earth, especially Japan in terrible shape with drought, famine and more.  Not wanting to leave her mother and Tokio behind, Juna agrees and is given her life back.

All of a sudden, while Tokio and her mother are pretty much saying goodbye to Juna, Juna awakes and runs up to the hospital roof and there she is met by some secret organization known as S.E.E.D.

It appears that Juna has a special power to turn into Earth Maiden Arjuna and able to see these monstrous worm-like entities known as Raaja (which are literally Earth’s bacteria).  Arjuna thinks her job is to use her powers to fight the Raaja but Chris keeps giving her messages of “why do you want to kill?”, “What are you trying to do?” and Juna really doesn’ t know what her job truly is.

Throughout the whole series, we start learning a lot about ecology, organic food and how there is a cycle of everything that we use and eat but because of pesticides and pollution, our Earth is being hurt by it.

In one episode, Juna and Tokio stay at a farm and learn from a farmer about organic vegetables.  Juna and Tokio not knowing why people would want to eat vegetables that have been eaten by bugs.  Also, being taught that pesticides hurt the system.  Because there is a cycle to food.  The bugs, the worms undergorund, the soil, everything has its purpose.

And from that point, we see Juna becoming more of a vegetarian and just can’t eat regular food without having images.  For example, Tokio tries to get her to eat at a fast food restaurant Merikan Burger and images of the cows just make her sick.

She now lives a lifestyle of wanting to protect the environment, eating the right food but yet everyone around her doesn’t understand why.  They don’t like being preached about the environment, especially from her.

So, literally her relationship with her family and with her boyfriend Tokio is being tested.  And her best friend Shirakawa Sayuri seems to be getting closer to Tokio because her involvement with S.E.E.D. and her enviromental perspective is dampening her relationship with everyone she’s close with.

So, for the first eleven episodes, we see as Arjuna comes into contact with the Raaja and Kawamori finds ways to get his message out to viewers on ecology, protecting the environment and how industrial pollution and pesticides and a variety of other things happening in today’s world is really hurting the environment and if people don’t change their ways, it will be too late.

Throughout the series, we meet other characters.  The major player outside of Juna and Tokio is the other person with spirital power, Chris Hawken who is literally dying since he gave part of his life to revive Arjuna.  He can’t talk and communicates through a young telepath named Cindy.  Cindy despises Juna maily because Chris tries to get close to her and Cindy really cares for him.   When Juna screws up, Chris is there to try to help in his weakened state but there is only so much he can do.  But he tries to help Juna become aware of why she was chosen and why things are happening to the planet.

And in the final episodes, that is what happens.  The city of Tokyo has now been invaded by the Raaja, water and food and anything that is absorbed by the Raaja is affected and people now are dying.

The series is a mix of sci-fi mecha, sci-fi bishojou magical girl and your typical high school love triangle all together in one series.   The “mecha” in this series is mainly a protector of Arjuna who shows up to make sure she is not killed.  The “magic girl” part in this series is what Juna can transform into. She can fly and as a weapon, use a specialized bow and arrow to fend off attacks.  And of course, the high school drama is between her, Tokio and Sayuri.  And of course, there is other drama such as Juna’s relationship to her mother and sister, her teacher and of course with Chris and Cindy and other members of S.E.E.D.

VIDEO:

As for the video, I enjoy anime series that show a large variety of scenery.  This is anime features the city, a farming area and various locations that I really enjoy that and it really pushes the staff to create so much scenery and beautifu backgrounds and animation and all in all, I really enjoyed the animation.  Granted it was created in 2001 but nevertheless, in 2008, I enjoyed it very much.

AUDIO:

I watched this series both in Japanese and English.  I enjoyed the Japanese version and found Higashiyama Mami’s acting as Arjuna and Seki Tomokazu’s voice acting as Tokio to be really well done.  But I soon discovered that I really do enjoy the English dub voice acting which I felt was done very well.  Maggie Blue O’Hara and Andrew Francis did a great job with their voice acting as the couple and everyone else as well.  So, both languages are just exceptional.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

Special features include interviews with Kawamori Shoji, the cast and an Arjuna dictionary.  Also, music videos.

Just an interesting note that “ARJUNA” features different ending themes and so after each episode, you more than often get a different ending theme which I found interesting.  Also, a live ending that was reminiscent of the bubbly “Kare Kano” but actually featuring a school girl running into the sunset.

For me, it was a plus to get a series from Kawamori Shoji that was not “Macross” related but even moreso, an anime series that would tackle on ecology and various topics within the scope of environment but also a few other things which I don’t want to spoil for the viewer.

The series does get preachy and remember those after-school specials that were shown on TV trying to let people know about a wide range of topics from racism, ecology or something to catch your interest and make you think.

This is an anime series that does just that.  There is a message that Kawamori wanted to get through and even in the anime series, a message of, if one can make a change, possibly that one can make others change.

Reading the various reviews on the Internet, I can see why this anime series is loved and hated.  No one likes things being driven down their throat but on the other hand, for those who are open to hearing out another perspective, then it’s fine.

For me, I try to do my part for the environment but I’m not as hardcore as Juna.  I have no qualms eating my Boca or Veggie burgers, recycling, purchasing organic vegetables and being considerate of the environment but at the same time, I have no qualms of going to Burger King and ordering a double cheeseburger as well.

But Kawamori’s message did reach out to me and this series did give me a good understanding about pesticides and for me, I enjoy learning new things and open to hearing other perspectives.

So, I enjoyed the series for that.  I also enjoyed that twist of, “OK, we warned you that there will be problems if you don’t change your lifestyle” and where people think it won’t be in their lifetime, in this series, problems happen immediately and destruction and chaos comes.

Granted, when we see news about the melting glaciers, drilling for oil in the ocean because of escalating gas prices and the hole in the ozone layer, how does one feel about those topics?  Passionate, bored, interested or don’t care?

So, that is where “ARJUNA” as a series is being interpreted by anime viewers.  You either love it or hate it.  And you either care about the message or look at it as a pathetic attempt to a person’s beliefs being driven down your throat.

For me, I enjoyed the series.  It was a great blend of sci-fi, love triangles and bishojo heroines.  But of course, the main thing about this series is indeed the message of making a change in your life and accepting of what is happening in this world.  You either get it or you don’t.  You either welcome that message or you don’t.

So, by saying that…if you are open to Kawamori’s message on the environment through a series like “ARJUNA”, check it out.  If you are the last person who cares about hearing details on the environment, this anime series is definitely not for you.

+ A cool collaboration from top tier people in the industry, Kawamori Shoji, Kanno Yoko, Kishida Takahiro, Sakamoto Maaya and more.

+ I dig the message on the environment

+ Very good voice acting on both Japanese and English dubs

- Some may find this series to preachy about the environment, thus this anime is not for everyone.

BUY THIS ANIME DVD TODAY:

DVD TITLE: Venus versus Virus (Vol. 1)

DISTRIBUTOR: ADV Films

RATINGS: TV 14 VL

DURATION: 100 minutes (4 episodes)

DVD INFO: 16:9 Anamorphic Widescreen, Animated Mild Violence

OFFICIAL WEBSITE

The latest anime series to be released from ADV Films is “Venus versus Virus”, a series based on a manga by Suzumi Atsushi and ran in “Dengeki Comic Goo!” and published by Mediaworks back in 2005 (and released in the US by Seven Seas Entertainment in July 2007). The anime series was released in Japan earlier this Spring and shown on TBS and now it’s coming out in the US in November from ADV Films.

For the first volume, the DVD contains a total of four episodes and focuses on two people. There is Lucia, a girl (or woman) that has an eyepatch and has special attack moves to take on the Virus which are literally demons. Lucia is part of an organization called “Venus Vanguard”. An organization that has a sole purpose of eliminating violent viruses and taking on special cases for those who discover the organization’s brochure.

The viruses have been killing people and with these viruses, humans can not see them. But for innocent school girl Sumire, unlike everyone else, she has an uncanny ability to see Viruses. But she appears to have a secret about her that Lucia and company are keeping close eye on. A special chemical that is used to kill viruses, when she comes in contact with the chemical, she becomes an anti-virus. Literally, it turns Sumire into a violent killing machine not only against the viruses but also the people she cares about and she has no control over it.

The first volume is an introduction to the main characters, learning about Sumire’s abilities and some history of how she met Lucia and joined her on a mission to stop the viruses.

Overall, the first volume serves more as an introduction to the series. I found the characters such as Lucia very cool and mysterious (can’t get enough with anime characters that sport an eye patch and superhuman abilities). As for Sumire, she could have been the cliche Japanese anime school girl turned demon fighter but it was very cool to see this killer side of her.

By saying that, I just want to say that the anime is not too violent. In a way, it’s on par with anime such as “Bleach” and there are no really gruesome pics against humans. If anything, it’s more or less Sumire hurting a virus.

There is also humor with those involved with Lucia’s group as they can’t fathom why Sumire is not adapting well (or adapting too slow) in its fight against the viruses.

As for the animation, animation is cool. I’ve actually watched this on my 52″ and various laptops and the fact that its anamorphic is a plus.

As for audio, audio is great. Both English dub and Japanese languages are very well done.

I’m quite surprised about the lack of special features. Only the clean opening and closing animations and ADV Film trailers.

So, far “Venus versus Virus” has been a good, entertaining anime series. It’s too early to say how I feel about it in general because the first volume is more or less an introduction to the characters and their abilities.

I really like the animation and its use of colors, especially the blue-purple-redish feel to it during the night and then the bright colors during the day. Again, both language versions are well acted.

You can’t go wrong with a girl with superhuman abilities who kicks ass and sports a eye patch. And you can’t go wrong with an innocent high school girl with killer tendencies.

But what direction the anime series will take after the fourth episode will definitely be interesting. Check it out!

ANIME: PUMPKIN SCISSORS VOL. 1 (HONOR AND BLOOD)

EPISODES 1 -4 , Region 1, DURATION: 100 minutes, RATED: TV 14 VL

Gonzo / ADV Films

The war was over and the empire would never be the same. The after-math of a major war could leave cities, towns and the people in chaos as famine, plague and problematic people are common place.

The Empire has created a new division within the 3rd section of the Information Bureau. The new division is called “PUMPKIN SCISSORS” and their mission is to assist areas that are devastated.

Unfortunately, to some people, the “PUMPKIN SCISSORS” is looked at as a group of people who are just the pawns of the Empire that is just there to suppress the people and really, just organized to be “politically correct”.

But leading the “PUMPKIN SCISSORS” is Lt. Alice Malvin, a daughter of royalty but chooses to serve the military and help the people who became the casualties of war. She believes in justice, while many think she’s out of her mind.

But with each dangerous and deadly mission, she meets up with a very tall soldier who joins the group. A former corporal of the 901 anti-tank battalion but what the PUMPKIN SCISSORS don’t know is that once he turns on his blue light, he becomes like a willow-the-wisp. A killer who fears no one, not even tanks and seems to have super-human abilities and healing factor.

“PUMPKIN SCISSORS” is based on a manga series found on Monthly Shonen Magazine published by Kodansha. The TV series is 24-episodes long and the first volume contains episodes 1-4.

The first volume of “PUMPKIN SCISSORS” is an exciting tale of a division that the Empire really doesn’t put too much faith in but with each episode, the odds are always against the four-person team but somehow they pull through.

In a way, “PUMPKIN SCISSORS” reminds me of “Fist of the Northstar” (not the violence) in a sense that you see a group of underdogs who come into an area, they don’t look like much because there are only four people in the group but watching Lt. Anna Malvin show her true heart of wanting to help people and then having the tall corporal who longs for peace but once his lantern is turned on, turns into a killing machine.

Although the series, episode by episode works in this type of fashion of the team venturing to different villages and helping them with their problem, there is a balance of humor and violence. It’s actually quite interesting because sometimes when things get deep, there is always an upcoming humor element, a human element and then of course, there is bloody violence.

On episode 1, it’s merely an introduction to the characters but how many soldiers have tured corrupt and using tanks to hurt people. In this case, shooting a chemical weapon against the people in the village, leaving it to PUMPKIN SCISSORS to obtain the antidote.

Episode 2 features a corrupt noble who is willing to give a lot of money to a resident who can survive a game of cat and mouse. In rough times, many villagers take part in the game to hopefully win the money but because the noble uses a tank to catch the villagers, no villager has survived the game. PUMPKIN SCISSORS is called to stop this man but instead, the team are forced to be part of the game as mouse.

These are examples of the kind of storylines featured on the PUMPKIN SCISSORS anime series.

I enjoyed the animation for this anime series, its nothing super spectacular but I like how they capture the essence of villages and also the battle sequences and the references to the 901 past.

GONZO continues to do a great job and the Japanese voice work is good but I also enjoyed the English dub because I felt it captured the characters quite well and more believable.

Special features include the clean opening and ending theme and previews for other ADV series.

“PUMPKIN SCISSORS” is definitely an anime that people shouldn’t judge by its DVD cover. Or even its name. I suppose I was a bit skeptical with the references to a pumpkin and the cover is not exactly showcasing the excitement of this series. But know right now, “PUMPKIN SCISSORS” is a very cool action-based anime series.

I enjoy the series because the “PUMPKIN SCISSORS” are always looked at as an underdog group that is not too important to the empire. They are just there to be the “make you feel better” speech givers to those who survived the war but have no food, have no jobs and yet at the same time, you have a leader of the PUMPKIN SCISSORS division who thinks about the people and if they aren’t eating, she feels its her obligation to not eat as well.

And for her being a daughter from a noble family, she learns how fortunate she is to have food on her table but at the same time, because of her beliefs, she wants to see right with the people in the ravaged villages who feel that they have no voice when it comes to the Empire and Anna wants to be their voice.

“PUMPKIN SCISSORS” shows the side of post-war and how villages all over have been destroyed or people left to die by starvation and sickeness.

I do feel that the humor at times felt a bit kooky especially when you enjoy the violence and the action sequences for the series. To see a dog bit into the heads of people (as a humor plot device) just wasn’t funny for me especially how one soldier’s job was to watch over that dog.

But I really like the characters in the series. Anna has a pure heart of wanting to help the people, as does the corporal who despite seems to be lost because all he did was kill the enemies during the war and now that there is no war, trying to evaluate what peace is about and also understand why “PUMPKIN SCISSORS, specifically Anna, works hard for peace and to help all people.

All in all, it’s a straight forward anime thus far. It’s enjoyable to always see the underdogs triumph but the first volume introduces the characters nicely and you can tell the series is setting something up something major, especially the past of the corporal and possibly why, when he turns the lantern on, he turns to a killing machine.

An enjoyable series that is full of action, intrigue and suspense. A good balance of violence and a touch of zany and kooky humor. I highly recommend this series.

RATING: B

As the entertainment company Avex is known for the music industry, they have their sites set on various areas of entertainment such as film and definitely in the area of animation.
One of the most ambitious projects is “Amazing Nuts!”, featuring a joint collaboration between Avex Entertainment Inc. (who now has an anime division for anime distribution) and well-respected Japanese animation studio, STUDIO4°C.

From Avex, featured is music from rhythm zone artists m-flo (ala m-flo loves DOPING PANDA), RAM RIDER, Koda Kumi and Mink).

STUDIO4°C who has worked on critically acclaimed animated films such as “MEMORIES”, “Spriggan”, “Princess Arete” and “Mind Game” and most notably to “Matrix” fans for “The Animatrix”.

Even Japanese music fans may recognize their work from the music videos such as Glay’s “Survival” and Hamasaki Ayumi’s “Connected”.

And this is just to name a few as the studio has created works for television and video games as well.

But to know STUDIO4°C, you need to go back to the founders Morimoto Koji, Tanaka Eiko and Sato Yoshiharu.

Morimoto Koji is known for his work that are frenetic and bizarre and has set himself apart other animators with his unique approach to animation, thus he is considered one of Japan’s top animators.

Morimoto is known for working on Otomo Katsuhiro’s “AKIRA” and also animation directorial works for the “Franken Gear’s” segment on “Robot Carnival”, “MEMORIES” and many more.

His animated film works include animation such as “Tomorrow’s Joe”, “Golgo 13”, “The Super Dimension Fortress Macross: Do you Remember Love?”, “Kiki’s Delivery Service” and “Macross Plus” to name a few.

Musically, Utada Hikaru fans will recognize his work on the music videos for “EXODUS” and “passion”.

The trio have produced a wide variety of work since 1986 and nearly twenty years later, have shown no signs of slowing down.

So, here we are with “Amazing Nuts!”, a 37 minute anthology which contains around four distinctive shorts that last about 7-8 minutes long.

The big positive is the studio is being given the freedom to create something different and new without having it to be based on an original manga.

According to producer, Tanaka Eiko, their goal was to create shorts that could be a music video, a pilot to future anime projects and a standalone DVD release.

The first short is titled “Global Astro Liner” which is directed by Nakayama Daisuke (who also provides the character designs).

Nakayama’s previous works include “Blood: the Last Vampire” and “Ghost in the Shell” films. “Princess Mononoke” and “Shin Megami Tensei Devil Children” and “Maho Shoujo Tai Arusu” TV series.

The music featured is “She loves the Cream -Amazing Nuts! Ver.-” by m-flo loves DOPING PANDA. Combining the hip hop and R&B sound of m-flo and the frenetic rock and digital sounds of DOPING PANDA, the animation and the music balance each other well.

“Global Astroliner” has the feel of a futuristic police or headhunter team taking down underworld thugs in the future.

The film is definitely futuristic, urban, gritty, frenetic, of a metropolitan city rift with chaos and you are fed with many scenes of multiple teams of bad guys and scenes that looks like it comes from an actual series.

Obviously an anime short that shows that it can be a potential animated series if given the chance to.
The second anime short is titled “Glass Eyes” directed by Yamashita Takashi with character designs by
Morimoto Koji.

The music for this short is titled “Smile Again” by digital music artist RAM RIDER known for his experimentation with 8 bit sound and digital music.

“Glass Eyes” is Yamashita’s first animated project as a director. Hired because of his script and a story about a guy who has dreams or images of apocalypse.

And throughout these dark scenes in his mind is a woman who looks like she’s in a brink of death. Is he supposed to save her?

The animation is so beautiful as it shows love and destruction. This short was hands down, my favorite short of the whole anthology.

Different animation styles with interest dark imagery that was just too awesome that you just craved for more. A wonderful balance between CG and animation.

I felt that RAM RIDER’s music also showed an interesting balance with his music and the animation.

The third animation is titled “Tatoeba Kimi ga Sekaijyu no Teki ni Nattemo” (Even if you were to become the enemy to the rest of the world) aka “Kung-Fu Love” which is directed by Aoki Yasuhiro and also the person responsible for the character designs.

The music featured in this short is titled “Twinkle” by Koda Kumi.

Definitely a no brainer to include Japan’s top selling music artist of 2006 in this Avex project (which is the label Koda is from).

“Kung-Fu Love” features a fighter who takes on other opponents and also finds love.

Suffice to say that compared to the other two shorts which were gritty and dark, this short is actually very colorful. and different animation wise from the previous two.

Also, as the music found a good balance in the first two shorts, “Twinkle” is more of a pop song that tries to feature Koda Kumi’s bubbly personality with the main character. Even the main character sports the Koda Kumi eyes when shown close-up.

I actually enjoyed the animation style and use of lighting for “Kung-Fu Love”. Although simple drawn characters, the actual city that the characters live in are lush and is beautifully created.

Aoki who’s previous roles as key animator for the “Sailor Moon” films, “You’re Under Arrest” TV episodes and director for the Mahou Shojou Tai Arusu TV Series (again, just to name a few) utilizes the fighting action scenes very well.

Aoki used between 6,000-7,000 drawings for this 10 minute short which is five times the volume for a TV series.
Similar to the first short, “Kung-Fu Love” shows many scenes that could become a TV series or a film if ever given a chance.

The fourth and final short on the anthology is “Joe and Marilyn”.

This time a 3D animated film directed by 4°Fahrenheit with character designs by Ishida Takafumi.

The music featured in this short is “Here by my side” sung by Mink. Mink is an English and Japanese speaking artist that has made it to the top on the billboard Dance Charts in the US.

The story of “Joe and Marilyn” revolves around a love story between the two characters.

Marilyn is a performer and is shown singing in front of many people until trouble finds itself into a venue that Marilyn is performing at. Unfortunately, Joe somehow gets involved in the trouble and I don’t’ want to spoil the rest for you.

Some may look at the animation with the thick hair and think this is 3D from several years ago but it really isn’t.

Needless to say that Mink’s ballad works with the short very well but compared to the other three shorts, it does seem out of place. But then again, the nature of this anthology was to have something different.

As for the DVD release, there are several versions released.

The limited edition DVD box set of “Amazing Nuts!” (AVBA-35001, Y5800, pictured on page 1) is definitely the version I highly recommend on getting.

Included in the DVD box set are two DVD’s. One which includes the 37 minute anthology feature and a second DVD which includes a 40 minute that includes “The Story of Amazing Nuts!” with interviews with STUDIO4°C, those who were involved in directing or character animation of the shorts and also the interview with the music artists.

The biggest key in the DVD box set is the over 300+ pages of storyboard and interviews discussing the progression of the featured shorts.

For those who are art students who want to get into animation, these type of books are definitely desired and to see how much time and work was involved for just 7-10 minutes of animation will blow you away.

You won’t believe how detailed they were for each of these shorts when it came to storyboards. Everything was thoroughly planned.

The regular edition of “Amazing Nuts!” (AVBA-35003, Y2856) features the anthology with no special features.

And last, is the “Amazing Nuts!” CD+DVD (RZCD-45477, Y1895) which is the soundtrack which comes with the four audio tracks and the four music videos. Total time is 13 minutes for the DVD music videos.

Granted, you can possibly catch most of what you want to see in the CD+DVD version but the DVD box set offers so much more that I won’t hesitate but recommend the limited edition box set.

All in all, I look at this anthology as a collection of animated artwork. Showcasing a studio known for taking risks and doing things different, many fans of STUDIO4°C’s animation respect the work of those involved in this anthology and it doesn’t surprise me that people from all over the world have been importing this product.

Unfortunately it does not look like the anthology has been picked up by a US anime distributor, thus it could mean that you may need to import this and also need a region-free player.

A lot of work went into creating these shorts and it would be a shame if they weren’t furthered to a OAV or TV series.

All in all, for fans of STUDIO4°C, this is definitely worth owning for your collection.

A — DENNIS A. AMITH

For more information visit, http://www.avexmovie.jp/lineup/amazing-nuts/

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A man obsessed with his sisters murder. A man possessed by his murdered sister.

Perhaps one of the most ambitious anime series yet, welcome to the anime Le Chevalier D’Eon. An anime combining individuals from French history, religion, horror and mystery.

Paris, 1742 and a coffin floats in the shimmering Seine. Written on the coffin are the words “Psalms” and inside the coffin is Lia de Beaumont.

The story focuses on her brother D’Eon as he tries to find the reason for her mysterious murderer while the shadow of evil rests on the palace of Kings and the dark alleys of Europe.

I have no doubt how difficult this anime may have been to translate and to plan out.

Having the story set in France during the 1700’s and to combine real characters during that era, mixing in religion, possessed zombies, mysticism and horror makes one hell of an anime!

With six volumes planned, the first volume focuses on the first four episodes as D’Eon tries to find out why his sister was murdered but the more he looks into it, he learns about the evil that lurks around him.

To make things even more confusing to the main character, somehow D’Eon when in battle against the evil forces, gets possessed by his murdered sister.

Why this is happening and the secret life that Lia De Beaumont lived is what the first volume focuses on.

Obviously “Le Chevalier D’Eon” is an anime that is too difficult for me to even describe.

All I can say is because the anime focuses on the Rococo era, the costumes, the characters, the secret societies, the use of religion, the mysticm and the horror definitely makes this anime standout.

It’s definitely unique.

The character designs for the anime is something that is fresh.

The voice acting for both Japanese and English dubs are done very well.

Special features include commentaries with the ADR Director and one of the voice actors (a commentary that has a lot of profanity), an informative commentary by the translators which really go into detail of the challenges they faced, putting together the 20-page booklet with character info & relationships. Also, including a storyboard analysis, script and creator interview.

I found it very interesting when they talked about the real D’Eon de Beaumont, although not having a sister in real life, nor possessed but in real life believed he was a woman and lived his life as one in his later life.

Special features include historical notes, Japanese promotional video and trailer, clean opening and closing animation and more.

All in all, I feel there is a lot of potential with this anime series.

Obviously, the first volume is more of a set up for more important things to come in the next volume. So, look at the first volume more as introduction to the characters and situations of the series.
I definitely look forward in seeing how this anime progresses.

If you are into dark, horror anime or the Rococco era, definitely check this anime out!

B+ — DENNIS A. AMITH

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A mysterious man, a village and the war that cometh.

This is the story of “UTAWARERUMONO”, a 26-episode anime TV series which aired in Japan in 2006 and is based on a PC and PlayStation 2 video game from Aqua PLUS and LEAF.
The story revolves around a man who wears a mask.

Found wounded and left for dead in the forest, an apprentice healer named Elulu brings the man to her village and helps nurse back to health.

The man has no recollection of his past and is not sure why he wears a mask but he does have images of destruction that comes and passes into his memory.

At first glance, I actually thought this series would be something along the lines of a “SLAYERS” wannabe series. I was definitely wrong with that assumption.

As much as the series has its times of humor, the storyline is very well-written, smart, violent and at times serious.

In a way, you can say that it reminds me of the time I watched the popular series “Record of Lodoss War” for the first time.

The first episode introduces us to the man with the masked who will later be named Hakuoro. Also, apprentice healer Elulu and her little sister Aruru and their grandmother.

You learn about the village and their fears of the forest god who wreaks vengeance against the villagers until one night the god or beast attacks the village.

Episode 2 features the village contemplating what they can do to appease the god or to destroy it.

Episode 3 introduces us to a careless fighter from another village named Oboro and his sick sister Yuzuha and what he will do to save his sister.

Episode 4 deals with the repercussions of Oboro’s actions, a major character death and the beginning of the war that the villagers will have to face against the oppressive government and its selfish and maniacal king who wants the villagers destroyed and massacred. And the villagers look towards Hakuoro to lead them.

The series is definitely action-packed and definitely intriguing. It has an Akira Kurosawa “Seven Samurai” type feel that you root for Hakuoro and the villagers and hope they are able to stand up against the evil government and its soldiers.

The DVD features the first four episodes. The animation is very well done and both Japanese and English dubbed voice acting are very well done.

DVD extras include an omake theater, extended episode reviews, character art gallery, glossary of terms and a booklet featuring an interview with the screenwriter and voice actors for Oboro and Yuzuha.
“UTAWARERUMONO” is riveting, must-see series which each episode ending with somewhat of a cliffhanger that you want more.

Not only is it a series about friendship and caring but it’s also a series about the price of war and how people are brought together through unfortunate circumstances.

This series is highly, highly recommended.

A — DENNIS A. AMITH

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If you enjoy the thrill of racing competition-based anime such as “Initial D” and enjoy the world and characters of the popular Sega Dreamcast and XBOX video game “Jet Grind Radio”, you will definitely find “AIR GEAR” to your liking.
“AIR GEAR” takes place in a world where Storm Riders are known for their motor-powered inline skates called Air Treck’s (AT).
Many thrillseekers join groups or gangs in order compete and be on top of this dangerous (and illegal) extreme sport.

The storyline revolves around Ikki Minami. A guy who lives with the Noyama sisters who are also part of their own racing group.

Needless to say that because he is more or less a freeloader (who tends to get himself into trouble) at their home, the sisters look down on him. With the exception of Ringo, who is closer to Ikki.

In the first episode, Ikki gets into trouble by taking one of the sister’s AT’s and starts experimenting with them.

You start to learn that although Ikki is a beginner, he has a talent riding the AT’s.

So, talented that he manages to do things that he and others can’t comprehend during a race.

Ikki has a talent to fly. A phenomenon to the Storm Riders that very few are gifted with this ability. But for Ikki, he doesn’t know much about this talent but with each episode he learns about the world of the Storm Rider.

Because he is naive to the sport and his crush on Shimuka, a beautiful and talented Storm Rider leads him to trouble.

Fortunately, with the support of his friends (aka his own startip Storm Riders team). hopefully Ikki’s dream to climb to the top as a Storm Rider may come true.

The first four episodes are fantastic and full of energy and excitement that I just wanted to see more.

You can’t help but root for Ikki, the underdog (with unknown talent) as he takes on the various Storm Rider gangs.

The vocal talent for both the English dub and the Japanese version are awesome. But I will say that “AIR GEAR” ala English dub does feature it’s share of adult language. So, definitely not an anime to watch with the kids.

Also, with the first episode, it is a bit ecchi, with scenes of the sisters nude as they shower. But nudity is not used on every episode, nor does it detract from the pacing of the series.

I found the animation to be very cool. Because the races take place in so many areas, definitely a lot of work was involved to create settings for this anime series.

As for special features, you get the opening and closing ending. The opening theme “CHAIN” by rock band BACK-ON is awesome.

So, in conclusion, I highly recommend the first volume of this series. I like the competition aspect with the multiple groups/gangs, the use of motorized inline skating and including technical aspects that the Storm Riders nead to complete ala “Parts War” and the characters are numerous but yet very interesting and fun to watch.

“AIR GEAR” definitely rocks!

A — DENNIS A. AMITH
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Love it or hate it, I love musicals. From “Will Rogers Follies” to “Grease” and even that “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” episode, I dig musicals.

So, when I found out that ADV’s “Nerima Daikon Brothers” is an anime musical, I was curious and even stoked!

After watching all episodes, all I can say is… WOW!

Not only is this anime unique, it’s not afraid to take a poke at Japanese pop culture (and the entertainment industry) and also include some mature themes that I found hilarious.

So, what is “Nerima Daikon Brothers”? The story revolves around three people: Hideki (the farmer of Daikons), Ichiro (the charismatic man who entertains women at Japanese host bars) and the sexy Mako (yes, a woman and cousin of Hideki).

Three individuals who want to make money as the music trio known as “Nerima Daikon Brothers”.

The first episode for those not familiar with Japanese entertainment takes a poke at Johnny’s Jimusho (the popular boy band agency known for bands like SMAP, V6, TOKIO, ARASHI, etc.)

With subtle hints with watercolored images of Kimura Takuya and other Johnny’s guys on the walls, the person in charge of the agency is recruiting for a music group.

The person in charge of this agency happens to be a cross-dressing pervert who can’t seem to stop stroking Ichiro (yes, you read that right) and gives Nerima Daikon Brothers a try.

After the agency takes the money from those who have auditioned and leaving them broke, the Nerima Daikon Brothers fight back.

What happens before your eyes is just a shock that I can’t even describe in words. You have to watch it to find out.

The second episode takes a poke at the popularity of Korean star Yonsama (Bae Yong Joon) who captured the hearts of Japanese women with his drama “Winter Sonata” and started the Korean craze in Japan.

In this episode, Korean men using the fad to their advantage to take the money of Japanese housewives by wowing them at Korean pachinko parlors.

Hideki doesn’t like that his cousin (and the woman he likes) Mako has spent all his money at this bar and is addicted, thus the Nerima Daikon Brothers do what they can to get their money back from the parlor.

The DVD is just awesome. The music is great and the storyline is hilarious. Both English and Japanese versions are very well done.
The DVD features the clean opening and closing themes, a Nerima Daikon Brothers music video, sing-along with the Daikon Brothers, ADVidnotes, commentaries with Nabeshin & Haruka (Technician) and Nabeshin and Matsuzaki Shingeru (Japanese voice of Hideki) and roots of NDB insert.

“Nerima Daikon Brothers” is hard to describe in words but if your like me and enjoy anime, musicals and a lot of perverted humor, this one is definitely for you!

A — DENNIS A. AMITH
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A girl and her talking puppet, Pucchan. Attending the paradise all-girls school known as Miyagami Gakuen and also being a member of the Best Student Council. Not bad.

“The Best Student Council” is an anime full of fun, plenty of humor and a large cast of characters that interest you with a great balance in its storyline that just draws you in.

The 26-episode series was originally aired in Japan back in 1995 on TV Tokyo and was produced by KONAMI and J.C. Staff.

The series revolves around a girl named Rando Rino who recently lost her mother. The happy but clumsy girl has a pen pal who invites her to attend the school Miyagami Gakuen.

An all-girls school that is run by the Best Student Council.

A student council that is even more powerful than the faculty due to its president, Jinguji Kaede (who serves also as an executive director and founder of the school, president of the Gokujou Seitokai, and the successor to the Jinguji conglomerate).

But in making sure that the school is protected, Kaede is joined by student council members that form an executive branch, covert, assault and vehicle squad.

As for the main character, Rino is ccompanied by her special friend, a puppet named Pucchan.

Upon coming to the school, Rino experiences a chain of bad luck and her only place to stay has burned down.

Thus being homeless, her only friend at the new school enlists her for tryouts for class representative and a chance to be a member of the Best Sudent Council.

The reason, because if one was be a member of the council, one would get free boarding and food.

Needless to say, everyone looks at Rino as very unusual because she is very close to her puppet.

Many don’t understand why the puppet talks so much but the question makes you think why Rino depends on it so much.

Also, Rino treats it like real individual (while her classmate thinks she is a ventriloquist and is talking for the puppet).

The first episode features Rino and Pucchan (accidentally) taking down a pyromaniac at the school and thus becoming a member of the Best Student Council.

This leads to future episodes of people questioning why the new girl at school was able to get in (especially when she’s not very qualified in terms of intellect and athleticism).

To make matters even more interesting (or worse), the president of the Best Student Council, Jinguji Kaede, has a special interest towards Rino that make the students and even members of the Best Student Council suspicious.

The animation for “The Best Student Council” is fun and the voice acting (American and Japanese) are top notch.

As for the special features on the DVD, the clean opening and closing animation and character art gallery is included.

So, far watching each episode of “The Best Student Council” has been a blast.

I have to admit that at first, an anime featuring a teenage girl holding a puppet was something that I was very skeptical of enjoying. But after watching the first volume, this anime truly rocks and I’m looking forward to watching more.

The first volume of “The Best Student Council” is highly recommended for the start of 2007.

A — DENNIS A. AMITH
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