Omamori Himari Opening Ending OP ED

monitor lcd vs led

2011-07-04T08:22:00.000-07:00

read review more ....

this content not fitting useful!
With so many new innovations in televisions today, it's hard to keep up with all of the popular technologies. Each of these technologies have advantages and disadvantages. It can be confusing as to what these technologies mean and if you really want or need what they have to offer. There are many people who have a wonderful understanding of all of this, but to the vast majority of us this is almost like mastering a new language. Many of us remember how easy it once was to buy a television. In the past, all you needed to consider was the size of the screen and if you could afford it. Technology has its advantages because the picture and sound quality have advanced dramatically in recent years and continues to advance, along with the addition of numerous new features. This article is the result of quite a bit of research. In this article, I have attempted to put in the most basic terms what these technologies are and how they differ from each other. It is my hope that with this information you will be able to make a better decision about which TV is best for you.

You know what? Buying a TV isn't the same old process that it used to be. Long gone are the days when you could walk into Sears with your wife, pick your favorite CRT television and be on your merry way. Nope. Thing are much much better now! A side consequence of the information revolution is that the free flow of information gives the consumer a definite advantage over the dealer. No matter what claim is made about the 'incredible deal' you are about to receive on your new plasma or lcd television set, the information is easily verifiable with a few simple Google searches or mouse clicks.

Lets take a quick look at some of ideas you can use to make sure you are getting the best bang for your buck in your new television selection.

lcd vs led hdtv

2011-07-04T06:28:00.000-07:00

read review more ....

this content not fitting useful!
Though plasma technology wins over LCD technology in color, contrast and brightness, LCD wins hands down when it comes to the functionality. LCD TVs have greater longevity. Most LCD TVs can last up to twice the lifetime of a plasma TV. LCD TVs are also better suited to usage at higher altitudes or while traveling, because LCD technology does not use any gases, and is not subjected to air pressure.

LCD TVs are also energy efficient, as they require less voltage. This helps in reducing electricity bills.

What is Plasma? Sometimes all flat-panel HDTVs are referred to as Plasma screens. This is a misnomer. Plasma screens have more in common with Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) TVs than with LCDs. The plasma gas strikes specific pixels at the front of the TV and the pixel then turns to a specific color. Backlights are not needed with Plasma screens because the plasma varies the intensity of light which then produces a full range of colors which typically have an advantage over LCDs because they have deeper blacks.

lcd vs led computer monitor

2011-07-04T06:27:00.001-07:00

read review more ....

this content not fitting useful!

Are you yearning for a flat screen TV but can't decide which kind is better; this article will look at plasma vs. LCD TVs and the specific features of each. Plasma TVs may have a slight edge over the LCD TVs for now, but LCD TVs may soon take over as king of the flat screen world and win the plasma vs. LCD TV match off. The following is a break down comparison of plasma vs. LCD TVs.

Plasma had gotten an early lead in the plasma vs. LCD TV game on producing large format TVs such as the 42 and 50 inch models. Because they have been around slightly longer, the price for these larger models has already begun to drop $5,000 plus as the price we saw several years ago, all the way down to $2,500 or less today. This earns plasma one point in the plasma vs. LCD TV match off.

What are the disadvantages of LCD TVs?

(1) LCDs are not good for fast moving images because when objects move quickly across the screen, the image "delays" and has a tail following it on the screen when it shouldn't. There are two ways to avoid this issue. By purchasing LCDs that are 37" or smaller you will have a better image quality since the delay is less noticeable than on the larger LCD TVs. Another way is to buy a 120hz LCD, but those models are higher in price than the 60hz models.
(2) LCD reviews indicate that brightness levels aren't as good as Plasma. Although black levels have improved, they also are still not quite up to the level of Plasma.
(3) The viewing angle of an LCD is not as good as a Plasma. If you are watching an LCD from a slanted view, the quality of the image can diminish. However, this difference between LCD and Plasma is not that significant.
(4) LCD TVs over 35" are very expensive.

lcd vs led

2011-07-04T06:27:00.000-07:00

read review more ....

this content not fitting useful!
Until recently, LCD TVs were unable to produce anything much larger than 30 inches. That is now changing though and LCD TV manufacturers are now coming out with more and more 42 and 50 inch models which will create competition in plasma vs. LCD TVs.

The most popular size is the 42 inch and this is the size that manufacturers are producing more and more of in the plasma vs. LCD TV battle. Due to this overproduction, we will begin to see an even greater drop in prices of the 42 inch models. Currently in the plasma vs. LCD TV battle, plasma wins on the price because of their head start on producing the larger models. In the next couple years however, LCD TVs will be slashing prices even more and giving plasma a run for their money in the plasma vs. LCD TV match off.

What are the advantages of LCD TVs?

(1) Low energy consumption. LCD TVs use very low amounts of power.
(2) Cooler running temperature. The light source (florescent bulb) in an LCD television generates less heat than a Plasma or traditional television.
(3) Low amounts of glare.
(4) Quality LCDs have excellent brightness level pictures and offer more contrast. Compared to Plasma TVs, LCD TVs have an increased image brightness.
(5) LCD flat panels can be mounted on walls and don't take up much room. They are typically slightly lighter than Plasma TVs.
(6) Fairly long display life. The display life of quality LCDs is approximately 60,000 hours, after which you may only have to replace the light source.

monitor lcd vs led comparison

2011-07-04T06:24:00.000-07:00

read review more ....

this content not fitting useful!
If you are a customer who enjoys multimedia benefits in the same electronics source then LCD TVs beat out plasma in the plasma vs. LCD TV battle thanks to their PC inputs and memory sticks that allow you to use the LCD TV screen as a computer monitor. You can also play MP3 audio files and share pictures from you digital camera on many LCD TVs today. You will also get crisper graphics and text on a LCD TV rather than a plasma, which is perfect for any video game fan. As far as multimedia capabilities are concerned LCD TVs earns a point in the plasma vs. LCD TV game.

Why are LCD TVs are gaining an edge in the plasma vs. LCD TV battle? For one thing, LCD TVs have a longer life than plasma TVs, beating them out by about 20,000 life hours. Also, LCD TVs do not have the problem with burn-ins that plasma TVs face. LCD TVs gain a point in the plasma vs. LCD TV match off simply because they will last longer. While the 42 inch TVs rule for now, another plus about LCD TVs is that they are able to produce small and portable models also which is very popular among families with children who go on long car rides.

LCD, Plasma and DLP are the most popular technologies behind displaying pictures on HDTV today. Every shopper buying a TV today needs to know what these terms mean in order to make an intelligent decision about the best TV to buy.

What is LCD? LCD stands for Liquid Crystal Display. There is alot of technical jargon out there that explains the science behind this in very exacting and complicated terms. For the purposes of buying a TV, all you need to know is that LCD is a television display type that uses a viscous liquid and a mesh of transistors to turn pixels on and off. Direct-view and projection television both use this technology and in both, the LCDs require a light to generate brightness.

lcd vs led tv india

2011-07-04T06:16:00.000-07:00

read review more ....

this content not fitting useful!

Size of the Monitor

If you fancy a huge flat panel, minor price lead is with the Plasma TV as against LCD TVs. Even cheap LCD TVs can't beat the same. In addition, Plasmas found all over the marketplace have screens which is not lesser than 42 inches. However, there is a possibility that sooner or later Plasma TVs out in the market would have screens measuring 32 inches. In essence, if what you desire is a small Hi-Def TV, the only choice available for you is an LCD Television.

Plasma TVs produce colors by addition of red, blue and green while LCD TVs produce colors by blocking unwanted light from the spectrum. Hence, plasma TVs produce colors by additive principle, while LCD TVs do the same by subtractive principle. That's why plasma TVs are much better at producing colors than LCD TVs.

Plasma TVs also have wide viewing angles, as much as 160 degrees. Since LCD TVs produce images by an LCD lamp behind the screen, viewing angles aren't wide. LCD TVs produce differently colored images when viewed at higher horizontal angles.

lcd vs led tv 2011

2011-07-04T06:15:00.001-07:00

read review more ....

this content not fitting useful!

Response Duration Comparison

Normally, when a movie having swift incidents is viewed on a plasma Television, the same television will proffer a lead as against LCD Television. This is for the reason that it has a lesser response duration. As a consequence, Plasma TV is positioned right ahead when the viewing content is one on sports and games. In an LCD TV, you will perceive a smudge surrounding the frames of the matters in motion while viewing speedy moving events like basketball. This is true in all brands such as Sharp Aquos LCD TV, LG LCD TV, Panasonic LCD TV, Toshiba LCD TV, and Samsung LCD TV. It must however be born in mind that playing games through a plasma TV for a long duration is not advisable for the reason that the same is vulnerable to burn-in. On the other hand, LCD TVs are at present coupled with speedy response time and are all over the marketplace. In fact, you can obtain a version that responds in 5ms or even lesser. However, it must likewise be remembered that if you desire a clear image, what is advisable for you to take is one which has a lesser response time or great refresh rate.

LCDs are actually thin film transistors (TFT), which contain liquid filled crystals between two plates of glass. LCDs work by blocking out unwanted light. When the signal hits the TFTs, they contort to a required angle, thus allowing only the requisite amount of light to pass through. A lamp behind the screen or a thin LCD bulb provides illumination to the TFT.

LCD TVs and plasma TVs have their individual strengths and weaknesses. Plasma TVs show better contrasts. Contrast means the ratio between the blackest black and the whitest white. A plasma TV can produce contrasts of even 3000 to 1, which is very high by LCD standards. LCD TVs can provide contrasts up to 900 to 1. However, in LCD technology, even a low contrast ratio can produce much better images.

lcd vs led tv

2011-07-04T06:15:00.000-07:00

read review more ....

this content not fitting useful!

Year in and year out, there have a lot of models introduced in the market. Samsung LE40A786R2 LCD is a 403 wide screen LCD, Panasonic TX19LXD8 LCD Television, and SHARP LC-37D5U 37" LCD are among the models newly manufactured. Hence, contemporary Televisions have totally outmoded the conventional Cathode Ray tube. At present, instead of the latter, the newer televisions have greatly invaded the abodes of customers during the previous years. LCD TV and Plasma TV are the most loved and admired TV choices by consumers at this moment, hence, regarding them as the two highly significant forms of contemporary TVs.

Plasma TVs are operated by a fluorescent bulb and its images are created by neon-xenon gases. In contrast, LCD TV is a slim, flat gadget which has two glass panels whose light are sourced from outside. Sandwiched in these panels are liquid crystals. The manner of selecting between these two Televisions, several features are very much important. How long will the TV last? Does it provide a good image quality? How about the power expenditure? These queries need responses and they shall be discussed together with some other factors. Surely, you will be given a general idea of the advantages each television have.

For a layman, there seems to be no difference between a plasma and LCD TV. Both provide high-resolution, high-contrast images and both are flat, sleek and can be mounted on a wall. The difference lies in the technology that drives them.

Plasma TVs work with inert gases like xenon or neon, which are excited by electric pulses from specialized cells called pixels. This makes the gases glow. These glowing gases, in turn, produce the correct blend of red, blue and green light on the pixels. The pixels are illuminated by a fluorescent light bulb, which is driven by semiconductor software on the motherboard.

lcd vs led monitor for gaming

2011-07-04T06:13:00.001-07:00

read review more ....

this content not fitting useful!

Viewing Angles - Plasma takes the lead in this feature as it provides numerous comfy angles while viewing.

Image Quality- Undoubtedly, Plasma TV provides a more superior image quality as compared to LCD Television since the pictures screened in the former are clearer and more detailed.

Display Resolution - Undeniably, Plasma and LCD TVs are capable of Hi-definition depending on the screen resolution. But if we try matching both up, LCD TVs will win over Plasmas considering screen resolution.

Screen Burn-Ins - This is a dilemma suffered by Plasma TVs. Hence, said TV is not a proper to select of you desire playing games with it.

Another little difference is the refresh rates of the screen. Like the cathode ray tube TVs, plasma televisions can also handle fast movements. LCD televisions have improved refresh rates since they are built for data display.

LCD televisions are lightweight and are easier to ship, with less cost. Also, LCD televisions are more durable than other kinds of TVs. Plasma TVs, for instance are very delicate and are hard to ship and install. Installation of a plasma television will need a professional while installing an LCD TV can be done by the buyer.

lcd vs led monitor

2011-07-04T06:13:00.000-07:00

read review more ....

this content not fitting useful!

Power Consumption - Who among the two absorbs lesser power? LCD TVs as against Plasma TVs. Hence, there is a little tendency that the gadget will heat up in a little moment. As for plasmas, heating up is one of its downsides necessitating fans to cool down.

Costs - After a thorough price hunt has been done, it was uncovered that huge plasma television sets costs lesser than its LCD counterpart. It is the other way around if the subject is medium or small sized TVs. In the latter case, cheap LCD TVs reign.

Between Plasma and LCD TVs, plasma has the advantage since they have a larger screen size. But LCD TVs are catching up with the latest innovations. Their screen sizes vary from 32 to 63 inches. This size of televisions is being manufactured by Panasonic and they have a screen as big as 103 inches. But they are not yet being sold to the public.

Comparing the viewing angles of LCD and plasma televisions, LCD screens has the edge. But only by a very slight margin. LCD viewing angle is 175 degrees while a plasma TV has 160 degrees. This just goes to show that they are in a very tight competition. Both try to outdo the other but they always end up almost at par.

lcd vs led tv power consumption

2011-07-04T06:03:00.003-07:00

read review more ....

this content not fitting useful!
LCD TVs against Plasma and Tube TVs

During the early years, LCD TV emerged as a true flat panel Television option. And at present, they have already undergone great developments. It even came to the point that they became capable of competing with plasma TVs in so far as image quality is concerned.

The newly introduced LCD Televisions are manufactured with a clearer image where lesser space and lesser electricity is required. It is way better than tube TVs. Moreover, the maintenance of LCD televisions is much simpler to handle. There is a small possibility that LCD Televisions will disintegrate in time and the power consumed by the same TV is lesser as compared to plasma Televisions.

Reflections and Brightness produced by the Screen

The first query to respond to is if the room in which you are to view your Television is sufficiently lighted or is it dark. In turn, the query whether there is a surrounding light in the said room exists arises. Determining whether the light within the room is sufficient is one which is among the highly significant factors to consider in picking out Plasma over an LCD Television or vice versa. For Plasma TVs, when the surrounding light existing in a room increases, a corresponding decrease in the image quality in the said television occurs. On the other hand, for LCD TVs, it still normally functions but much more superior than plasma TVs in a sufficiently lighted room.

lcd vs led tv vs plasma

2011-07-04T06:03:00.002-07:00

read review more ....

this content not fitting useful!
LCD TV Definition

LCD TV is defined as a flat panel television which makes use of enhanced materials technology in order to display a vivid, striking image on a flat screen.

A pair of glass plates comprise LCD Televisions where, at the center, liquid crystals are found. Once electricity runs through the said crystals, the small colored pixels will then lighten up in order for an image to be produced.

Nevertheless, the aforementioned minor concern regarding Plasmas, to some extent, has been dealt with by its manufacturers. At present, several of the finest Plasma Televisions has with it the incorporation of an anti-glare screen hence, the surrounding light's consequence is very much reduced as regards the image quality. Glass is what comprises the Plasma TV screen and with an extraordinary treatment made to said glass panel, there is a corresponding resistance as against glare and reflections originating from lights. The outcome of the anti-glare treatment made to the glass screen decreases the bouncing of light against the glass was in fact substantial. This is not what you get when you view the television in a weakly lighted room since the ambient lights do not bounce on your Plasma TV screen then back into your eyes. Hence, if you have the intention to do the viewing of your television in a weakly lighted room, the most ideal choice to purchase is a Plasma TV coupled with an anti-glare coating. Nowadays, top-notch Plasma TVs are now all over the marketplace whereby anti-glare screens are incorporated in it in order to trim down the bouncing of surrounding light within the room.

lcd vs led tv screens

2011-07-04T06:03:00.001-07:00

read review more ....

this content not fitting useful!
Specific Features of LCD TVs

Latest LCD Televisions are flat screens, with widescreen format, space saving design, and digital image. The fact that their screens are flat, rest assured that warp will never appear just like in tube TVs. As for the second characteristic, new LCD TVs are designed with a widescreen format akin to movie monitors, hence, Hi-Def TV programming can work well with this type of television. LCD TVs have been designed as a space saving technology. They are, at present, capable of being set up anywhere because of its thinness and lightness and it is way better than plasma or tube TVs. Finally, LCD screens provide a lot clearer images as compared to that produced by tube Televisions, hence, it is presently equivalent to plasma TVs.

Speaking of image quality, both the Plasma and the LCD TV provide such differently, plus said image quality is dependent on the quantity of surrounding light existing inside the room. A Plasma Television provides a more superior image quality when watched under a little light in the surrounding environment. This is for the reason that it has a more enhanced contrast ratio plus it has dark black levels which is not present in LCD TV. However, if the former sort of television is watched under a well lighted room, the image quality would appear weaker as compared to what will appear in the latter sort. The primary cause of the said instance is the glare plus the reflections originating from the surrounding light.

lcd vs led tv performance

2011-07-04T06:03:00.000-07:00

read review more ....

this content not fitting useful!
Inexpensive LCD TV Possibility of Purchase

LCD TV, which means Liquid crystal display television, is a technology that has been improving ever since it surfaced. When a slim file transistor technology or TFT was made use of, a lot of the angular resolution plus the ghosting problems formerly related to cheap LCD TVs were all eliminated.

And now, there's no stopping you from acquiring low-priced LCD Televisions which have high-tech qualities and much finer image quality.

Yearning to acquire a flat screen Television? If so, are your concerns include the fact that you cannot settle on which sort is best for you to purchase, either Plasma or an LCD TV? To start with, it is assumed that you are familiar with the initial concern that the inquiry concerning burn-in is actually not a set back which was originally a concern regarding Plasma Televisions. It may be proper to mention that it is not similarly terrible as it was during the epoch of the older version of Plasma Television. Hence, so that you could settle on which sort of television you are intending to purchase, three queries must be responded to. The following are some principles that might guide you in selecting which is suitable for you.

lcd vs led tv lifespan

2011-07-04T06:02:00.000-07:00

read review more ....

this content not fitting useful!

Cheap LCD Television, Where to Purchase?

In order to get the finest arrangement in the purchase of a television, I was able to find out that it is best to do an initial checking of a variety of models obtainable at your own local electronic stores including discount stores. Look into the branded ones like Samsung LCD TV, LG LCD TV and Panasonic LCD TV including Toshiba LCD TV and Sharp LCD TV. If you are able to uncover an excellent thought of what television you really desire to have and what's actually obtainable, next thing is to visit online stores and check out costs including ratings made in a comparison shopping site.

When I went online, I came across a site where I was able to evaluate a variety of LCD Television costs and I was also able to discover which among the stores are of good reputation and who provides good service to its consumers. Also, I was able to obtain comprehensive product information about LCD TVs, including consumer reviews given by individuals who in fact possess the product, and evaluation given by electronics connoisseurs.

LCD and plasma offer high definition TV sets. But in this case, LCD televisions have better screen resolutions. Burn-ins are more common in plasma, since LCD TVs do not have any burn-ins. If you are going to use your TV for gaming purposes, it is best to buy LCD TVs.

LCD TVs are more power saving than plasma so it gets heat up in a long period of time. Plasma TVs are more affordable when you compare them with larger sized LCD TVs. but if you are going to buy a smaller sized TV, then an LCD TV is cheaper.

After reading these information, we hope that you will be able to come up with the right choice for your home theater.

Cheap Philips PD9012/37 9-Inch LCD Dual Screen Portable DVD Player, Black

2011-06-13T02:33:00.001-07:00

Philips PD9012/37 9-Inch LCD Dual Screen Portable DVD Player, Black

The sunny view of politics, with its benevolent tyrant and his loyal retainers and concern for the needs of the people, shows a similarly light, positive touch. As does life in general, even for the poor, who are happy and openhearted despite their financial difficulties. The humor, mostly shounen-ai delusions and gentle comedies of manners, demonstrates that same touch as well—even if it does occasionally devolve into overly-familiar shoujo misunderstandings. The warm fuzzy feeling this volume leaves upon completion is very pink indeed.

Fullmetal Alchemist

Fullmetal Alchemist has become the biggest multimedia phenomenon to hit Japan since .hack went big nearly two years ago, and rightfully so. There's a plethora of big-name companies that got in on the action. What was originally the brain child of creator Hiromu Arakawa and Square Enix (best known for the Final Fantasy video games) has gone on to involve such prominent companies as Bandai (video games and merchandise), Sony (soundtrack), Shounen Gangan (manga serialization), and, of course, Studio BONES coming through with the animation. Each name acts as a stone pillar, supporting Fullmetal Alchemist in every way imaginable. From novels to bath towels, Fullmetal Alchemist is everywhere.

Cheap Philips PD9000/37 9-Inch LCD Portable DVD Player with 5 Hour Battery, White

2011-06-13T02:33:00.000-07:00

Philips PD9000/37 9-Inch LCD Portable DVD Player with 5 Hour Battery, White

One would be hard pressed to find a more fundamentally decent core of characters anywhere. Practically everyone in the country of Saiunkoku, it seems, is kindly and good-natured at heart...or is at least susceptible to the softening influences of Shurei and a few sweet-bean buns. Luckily the different forms their soft-heartedness takes—under the cover of an irate exterior, anchored in blithe acceptance, or woven into a complex of deceptions—keeps the cast from becoming one homogeneous lump of gooey don't-worry-be-happiness. However, good humor, optimism and tolerance are still the order of the day, with all of these values reaching their epitome in the positively adorable Shurei who leads the cast not with outbursts and antics, but with a smile and a gentle push.

When watching the show for the first time you'll find that this isn't your average series about magic and monsters. This series involves the scientific marvel known as alchemy. Unlike magic, which can make something out of nothing, alchemy follows the law of even trade, making something out of something. Of course, watching a guy turn water into salt wouldn't make for a very entertaining series, so FA takes things to a much more imaginative level. By using certain circular symbols called “transmutation circles” (some also call these “arrays“), a house can be made out of rubble, or a sword from a chunk of metal. However, as with everything, there are some rules that should never be broken.

Cheap Panasonic VIERA TC-P50S30 50-Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV

2011-06-13T02:32:00.002-07:00

Panasonic VIERA TC-P50S30 50-Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV

Panasonic VIERA TC-P50S30 50-Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV

If ever an anime series could be described by a single color, it would be The Story of Saiunkoku and the color pink. The relation is visual of course, with a light, well-blended palette of warm pastels infused with pink. Pink palaces, pink interiors, pink clothes, blossoming cherry trees—the show wraps its smooth-skinned cast of bishounen in a veritable blanket of multifarious shades of pink. But the relation is also narrative; the show is an airy, good-natured romantic comedy/drama: bright and cheerful, warm and gentle, and more than a little girly. Pink through and through.

This is where our aspiring protagonists come into play. The young brothers Edward and Alphonse Elric have lost their mother to a rare illness and are unable to contact their father who's been away. To fill this void in their lives, the boys turn to a study of alchemy. It isn't long after their informal training that they attempt the most forbidden of alchemic crafts: Human Transmutation. They fail.

Cheap VIZIO E260MV 26 Inch Class Edge Lit Razor LED LCD HDTV

2011-06-13T02:32:00.001-07:00

VIZIO E260MV 26 Inch Class Edge Lit Razor LED LCD HDTV

Moon Phase won't be winning any awards for creativity, but it is a very cute show, with some rather likeable characters, and a unique spin on the vampire trend. While the pacing is slow, and you may wonder what happened to the plot, you will certainly enjoy the antics of cute Hazuki working hard to get her way.

Shurei is the plucky, level-headed daughter of an impoverished aristocrat in a Chinese-influenced medieval country called Saiunkoku. Her father, a glorified librarian, works at the royal palace and one day is visited by Advisor Sho, an elderly high mucky-muck with a proposition for Shurei. The scent of gold instantly clouds her poverty-stricken mind, leading her to a privileged position...as the king's consort. Her assignment is to get the no-good layabout young ruler of the nation on his feet and ruling like he should be. She goes at it with gusto, only to find a gentle, rather shy young man instead of a spoiled, debauched autocrat. They hit it off well, and King Ryuki, moved by her strength and passion, soon takes a more active role in governance. That's only the beginning though. It seems everyone—her attractive steward Seiran, her easygoing father, and especially Ryuki himself—has secrets, and the palace isn't nearly so safe a place as it first appears.

Cheap Samsung UN46D8000 46-Inch 1080p 240Hz 3D LED HDTV (Silver)

2011-06-13T02:32:00.000-07:00

Samsung UN46D8000 46-Inch 1080p 240Hz 3D LED HDTV (Silver)

The case for this DVD is gorgeous. Even if you don't get the box set, the case is really nicely done. The lettering is done in silver lining, and is very shiny and attractive to the eye. Inside are some interesting character cards, highlighting Hazuki in an assortment of outfits, as well as a nice set of liner notes, featuring synopses of the episodes, and interviews with the Japanese cast and crew. The box for the box set is done in the same art style, and is definitely worth the extra if you plan on getting the whole series.

The price is high, as Ed loses both his entire right arm and his lower left leg, and Al loses everything. Using quick thinking, Ed grafts Al's spirit to a full suit of armor using alchemy before passing out from the pain and blood loss. Likewise Al makes use of his new body to take Ed to their adoptive family, the Rockbells. It is here that Ed is fitted with a type of prosthetic called “automail,” a Rockbell specialty that allows for a full range of motion and added strength.

Cheap LG 32LE5300 32-Inch 1080p 120 Hz LED LCD VA Panel HDTV, Black

2011-06-13T02:26:00.003-07:00

LG 32LE5300 32-Inch 1080p 120 Hz LED LCD VA Panel HDTV, Black

The musical score and sound effect work capably support the storytelling and visuals, most notably by emphasizing realism in the sound effects (or lack thereof) for actions taking place in space. Although the superb opening theme remains unchanged, the graphics for the opener have been updated periodically since the earliest episodes – and watch closely for a subtle but meaningful change to the opener for episode 25. The closer remains unchanged for episodes 23-25 but the extended closer for episode 26 is essentially the Epilogue and features a great new song.

The music on this show is gorgeous occasionally. Most of the time it lurks quietly in the background, but there are scenes, like the opening scene of the first episode, that really highlight the complexity of the background score. This would be really nice to even listen to on its own. The closing song is average, but the opening song is very unique. It is fairly well know for this reason. It features Hazuki, saying various versions of “Neko Mimi Mode,” over a light techno track. It is bizarre, but everyone ought to listen to it at least once.

Cheap Sony BRAVIA KDL46EX720 46-Inch 1080p 3D LED HDTV, Black

2011-06-13T02:26:00.002-07:00

Sony BRAVIA KDL46EX720 46-Inch 1080p 3D LED HDTV, Black

Sony BRAVIA KDL46EX720 46-Inch 1080p 3D LED HDTV, Black

The English script stays respectably tight to the original dialogue, even maintaining the use of terms like "sensei" and "sempai" and the original Japanese words (with following translation) in a crucial wordplay game in the last episode. Performances in the English dub were initially weak, but they have improved considerably since the first volume and now should satisfy any dub-favoring fan. The vocal styling for Hachimaki, Cheng-Shin, and a couple of other supporting roles is different enough from the originals that sub-favoring fans won't easily feel comfortable with this dub, but it is a solid effort overall.

The language tracks on the DVD are of comparable quality. The original Japanese language is a little dry and serious compared to the English dub, but the character of Hazuki is played much more effectively by the Japanese actress. Adolescent cuteness just doesn't translate well, and the English voice just doesn't capture the changes in Hazuki's personality to the effect of the Japanese voice. Everyone else in the English track sounds superb, and the English track is really a lot more humorous than the original language. It is recommendable either way. There is just one odd thing: Hazuki's ears are referred to, in the English track, as the neko mimi, one of the more interesting dub choices this reviewer has listened to in a while.

Cheap VIZIO E470VA 47-inch Class LCD HDTV 120 Hz

2011-06-13T02:26:00.001-07:00

VIZIO E470VA 47-inch Class LCD HDTV 120 Hz

Extras have been more limited since Bandai ceased including the extra disc after the third volume, but at least the company hasn't completely skimped on extras here as it has with some other recent titles. In this volume can be found a collection of clean openers, a clean version of episode 26's closer, part 9 of the Audio Drama (this time focusing on the retirement party for the Chief), and two chapters of the Digital Comic. Commentary options for the last three episodes can also be found in the Scene Selections menu. The somewhat playful commentary is done by the original director and screenwriter and the two lead seiyuu, with the commentary for episodes 24 and 25 being one continuous piece where viewer questions about the series are addressed.

The show is very pretty, with the one weak point of having very boring character designs. They aren't ugly, you just feel like you've seen all these people before. The backgrounds, and especially the sky effects, are gorgeous, and there is one consistent graphic ploy that is very interesting. Kouhei's family home, more often than not, is drawn in a cut-away dollhouse style that is fascinating. It is a very original way to display the home, and you really get a feel for the layout of the house, looking at it that way.

cheap Samsung LN40D630 40-Inch 1080p 120Hz LCD HDTV (Black)

2011-06-13T02:26:00.000-07:00

Samsung LN40D630 40-Inch 1080p 120Hz LCD HDTV (Black)

There are anime series out there with better action, more liberal use of humor, and more consistently intense drama and character interaction than Planetes. All it does is tell a good story that won't fail to keep the viewer's interest, deliver a satisfying conclusion, and provide a stellar level of realistic detail to its view of life and work in space in the latter half of the 21st century.

The story of this show isn't making itself immediately clear. After the excitement of rescuing Hazuki from Germany, things grind to a near halt as the complications of being a vampire are thoroughly explored. Someone wanted her trapped in that castle, but no more details than that are explained. The show chooses to cover the important vampire details, such as how to deal with sunlight, and when vampires need blood. These episodes are really entertaining, and help to foster attachment to the characters, but the pacing of the main story is almost lethargic. One can't help but wonder what the bigger story is.

cheap VIZIO XVT553SV 55-Inch Class Full Array TruLED with Smart Dimming LCD HDTV 240 Hz SPS with VIZIO Internet Apps

2011-06-13T02:25:00.000-07:00

VIZIO XVT553SV 55-Inch Class Full Array TruLED with Smart Dimming LCD HDTV 240 Hz SPS with VIZIO Internet Apps

Although it has a good share of human interest, its most important contribution to anime in general (and sci-fi in particular) is to restore a sense of wonder, thrill, and even danger to the mundane aspects of space, something often bypassed in an effort to make the next slam-bang sci-fi thriller. That, more than anything else, is why it's one of the best sci-fi anime series in recent memory, and that's why you should be watching it if you haven't been already.

Kouhei is a fairly bland character, as male leads go. His defining feature is that he is so dense that he is immune to spells; that doesn't make for a very exciting character. Still, he is entertaining; he has a mean streak that a lot of characters in his situation are lacking, and that leads to some hilarity when he and Hazuki butt heads. The other characters in the show don't get a whole lot of development; the focus is mostly on Hazuki. There is sure to be a mastermind villain lurking in the plot somewhere, but he is yet to surface on this volume. In fact, a lot of the plot is yet to surface in this volume.

Cheap Samsung UN46D6300 46-Inch 1080p 120Hz LED HDTV (Black)

2011-06-13T02:17:00.000-07:00

Samsung UN46D6300 46-Inch 1080p 120Hz LED HDTV (Black)

However, after the initial battle to free Hazuki from her castle prison, her character evens out a lot, and is much more understandable. She turns out to be a fairly normal girl, one used to getting her own way and being able to persuade people easily. So, when she is met with Kouhei, who is absolutely immune to all her persuasion techniques, antics ensue as she tries every trick in the book to turn him into her personal slave.

As the first INTO meeting in space begins, the Space Defense Front makes its boldest move yet: they seize control of the Von Braun and threaten to use it as a weapon unless the INTO council accedes to their demands on a critical upcoming vote. Most of the past and present members of Debris Section find themselves caught in the midst of the plan, including one who has joined forces with the terrorists, and some do not come out unscathed. But while Ai desperately seeks out Hachimaki and clings to her belief in the strength of love, he has his own battles to fight, both with the terrorists and within his own mind. Reckonings are at hand for him, Ai, and Claire, ones which will shape both the personal and professional futures of each.

Cheap Haier HLT10 10.2-Inch Handheld TV, Black

2011-06-13T02:16:00.000-07:00

Haier HLT10 10.2-Inch Handheld TV, Black

In the first volume of Moon Phase, the plot is firmly centered on getting to know Hazuki. Hazuki is a complex creature, so it takes all five episodes contained on the volume to really figure her out. In the first couple of episodes, she seems almost radically bipolar, switching at a moment's notice from sweet to bossy to downright evil. The reason for the swing seems to be a secret of a second identity, but this information is only hinted at in the episodes contained on volume one.

Although Planetes started out as a series focused more on the technical aspects of living and working in space, it gradually evolved into a more character-centered story about a driven young man's efforts to win a coveted position on the first manned mission to Jupiter and the effect that has on his psyche and relationships. A growing side theme has been the discontent that some on Earth have about the attention devoted to space-related endeavors, especially in the perceived cost of humanitarian aid to underdeveloped countries.

Cheap Samsung UN40D6000 40-Inch 1080p 120Hz LED HDTV (Black)

2011-06-13T02:12:00.001-07:00

Samsung UN40D6000 40-Inch 1080p 120Hz LED HDTV (Black)

In the recent deluge of vampire titles hitting shelves, Moon Phase ranks as the cutest, slightly pervy show to be imported. This is one show that you can tell from the cover; and adolescent girl in a frilly dress, complete with cat ears, in the foreground, with eerie gothic scenery haunting the background. Indeed, in the foreground of Moon Phase is is the cuteness of loli-goth vampire princess Hazuki and her comedic craziness, but lurking behind is a more sinister story that will hopefully be revealed over time.

This is represented by the radical terrorism of the Space Defense Front, which forms an uncomfortable (and presumably intentional) parallel to current real-world terrorist zealotry. In this final volume their efforts become full-blown, and while the resolution of the main crisis takes only the first two episodes, the after-effects of it on certain characters resonates through the last two as well and the threat of terrorist actions lingers until almost the last minute.

Cheap Samsung LN40D550 40-Inch 1080p 60Hz LCD HDTV (Black)

2011-06-13T02:12:00.000-07:00

Samsung LN40D550 40-Inch 1080p 60Hz LCD HDTV (Black)

Photographer Kouhei is on assignment in Germany, when he discovers a beautiful young girl sitting on the roof of a castle. Intrigued, he launches an investigation to discover who she is, and in the process, discovers a world of the supernatural, replete with ghosts, sorcery, and of course, vampires. He gets dragged into a complicated rescue when the girl, Hazuki, gives him the vampire's kiss, only to discover that it has no effect on him. She is a prisoner in the castle, and needs Kouhei's help to break free, but she has to learn to get help from someone who won't be her slave!

The action climax of the series comes late in episode 24, leaving the remaining two episodes to concentrate on resolving the character development in the series. While this may not sound like a terribly exciting approach, there's still a lot which needs to be dealt with at that point, and chief on that list are Hachimaki's sense of isolation and his relationship with Ai. Both are resolved quite pleasingly as the series returns to its roots for the very end, and make sure you watch through the final credits, too. Nono also makes a couple of brief appearances, and Cheng-shin, Lucy, Dorf, Colin, and especially Hakeem all make significant appearances, too, while some minor supporting characters from earlier volumes have cameos.

Cheap Sony DVP-FX750 7-Inch Portable DVD Player, Black

2011-06-13T02:09:00.000-07:00

Sony DVP-FX750 7-Inch Portable DVD Player, Black

The anime version of Guin Saga brings most of its early storylines to some degree of conclusion in its final episode while leaving plenty of hooks for further adventures and plot developments. The continuation of the expansive story is, unfortunately, not available in English and seems unlikely to ever be, and the last few minutes of the last episode leave the door open for further animation but strongly imply that none was planned. Still, what is available here is a great and involving ride. Kurimoto's story may oversimplify some practical aspects, but few anime better capture the spirit of high fantasy.

Since its earliest episodes two factors have distinguished Planetes from the bulk of sci-fi titles out there, and those do not change as the series completes its run. One is the emphasis on the minutiae of space work and life, the other is that space is as much the focus of the story as the setting. The harsh realities of space life and work make for some scary moments for one character in this volume, the kind of tense scenes unlikely to be found in any other sci-fi anime title, while just being in space, or what space represents, is always on the minds of all the characters. This is not a series where space is just a part of the background; it is a real and integral part of everything that happens.

cheap RCA DRC6272 Twin Mobile DVD Players - play two different DVDs!

2011-06-13T02:04:00.000-07:00

RCA DRC6272 Twin Mobile DVD Players - play two different DVDs!

With "Misty's Run" Kenichi Sonoda says goodbye to Rally Vincent and the Gunsmith Cats. The preceding "Mister V" may have been the true climax to the series but it's easy to understand the creator's reluctance to give up such a wonderful manga. Though a bit a of a let-down from "Mister V's" epic events, "Misty's Run" still manages to entertain in that way only Rally Vincent can do. She will be missed.

Sentai Filmworks seems to be treating Guin Saga as a mid-range title, as it has no listings for a Blu-Ray version at this time but it does have an English dub and this collection, like the first one, has a third disk just for Extras. It includes typical offerings like clean opener and closer and a set of Japanese trailers, but the real jewel is the early 2009 interview with original author Kaoru Kurimoto about her 30 years writing Guin Saga.

cheap Samsung UN55D8000 55-Inch 1080p 240Hz 3D LED HDTV (Silver)

2011-06-13T02:03:00.001-07:00

Samsung UN55D8000 55-Inch 1080p 240Hz 3D LED HDTV (Silver)

The brief story that follows it, originally published after the end of the monthly serial run, assures us that all is still as it should be in the Gunsmith Cats world. The concluding dissertation on the advantages of customizing your Browning HP proves that Sonoda really knows his stuff when it comes to handguns, and I suspect the comic could be used as an instruction manual for a real-life gunsmith.

Amongst the most interesting comments are her admission that she has trouble writing female characters (which carries through into the anime, as no female character beyond maybe Sunni is shown being consistently strong and independent) and her discussion about why one prominent character from the anime gets killed off much later in the novels and how she felt that it was beyond her control that it happened; the story just inexorably went in that direction, she basically claims. Kurimoto did not live long enough to see more than the first few episodes of the anime version, and her thoughts on that are not included here, but based on her interview comments I have to think that she would have been delighted with how it turned out; all of the characters stay true to her descriptions and the sense of exploration and discovery she so loved to put into her novels is fully retained.

cheap VIZIO M221NV 22-Inch Full HD 1080P LED LCD TV with VIA Internet Application, Black

2011-06-13T02:03:00.000-07:00

VIZIO M221NV 22-Inch Full HD 1080P LED LCD TV with VIA Internet Application, Black

Later books, and especially "Misty's Run" perhaps exhibit a waning interest in his project. Characters are increasingly drawn in static, uninteresting poses, and the occasional poorly-drawn hand or object creeps into the panel. Sonoda continues to draw all the vehicles and firearms with an amazing accuracy, though the climatic car chase fails to capture the incredible sense of motion he achieved in "The Return of Gray".

This is one of the best such interviewers one is likely to come across on an anime DVD, as it is edited well and Kurimoto – one of the most prolific novelists ever – is very frank and personable about her creation and the way she approaches it. Over the course of 55 minutes she discusses early influences (not surprisingly, they included Robert E. Howard and Edgar Rice Burroughs), her thoughts about various characters (whom she identifies most with may surprise you), the way she writes (illness forced her to reduce her standard for a “good day” down to 25 pages from 50), the philosophical approach she takes (she sees herself more as a cloud or wind reporting on events rather than a god and describes writing the series as actually entering her second home), and her plans for the series (she originally intended to write 100 volumes but realized after 50 that she had set her goal too short).

Cheap VIZIO E322VL 32-Inch LCD HDTV with VIZIO Internet Application, Black

2011-06-13T02:02:00.001-07:00

VIZIO E322VL 32-Inch LCD HDTV with VIZIO Internet Application, Black

If one turns their attention away from all the speech bubbles they may notice that the artwork is a little below standard for Gunsmith Cats. Particularly in the early "Cats" books Sonoda's background in animation was very apparent; the characters were often posed in a way that emphasized their movement, lending them a greater sense of life, and the panels were arranged in a cinematic style not unlike animation storyboards. Sonoda hit his artistic apex about midway through the series with "Bad Trip", in which he combined his animator's mentality with a more refined draftsmanship that gave the characters a more angular, pleasing design.

While Sentai got the Extras right, the English dub in this half has some big issues. Key performances are still fine – it is hard to imagine a better fit for Guin than David Wald, Blake Shepard sounds better as Remus as his character's attitude hardens, and Kalob Martinez gives Scaal a suiting attitude – but the dub suffers from bizarre lapses in quality. Leraldo Anzaldua, who has done some great dub work elsewhere, strains to get the right pitch for Malius and absolutely cannot sing in the voice he uses (the lyrics he uses are a mess, too), one key emotional scene involving Amnelis and her maid Flori is so incongruously awful that it sounds like a parody, and one-liner supporting characters in a couple of places use inexplicably kooky accents.

Cheap Panasonic VIERA TC-L32C3 32-Inch 720p LCD HDTV

2011-06-13T02:02:00.000-07:00

Panasonic VIERA TC-L32C3 32-Inch 720p LCD HDTV

All this is not to say that "Misty's Run" is without it's strong points. As can be expected from Gunsmith Cats the story is smartly executed and action-packed. Rally and Bean have an immensely entertaining chemistry, and their verbal tennis matches continue to be a series highlight. The Story Proper is concluded in a nostalgic look back at Rally's many adventures through the years as she evaluates the meaning of her life as a bounty hunter.

Lip-synching is also unusually weak for a 2000s-era dub, which is only compounded by frequent poor decision-making on filler dialogue (i.e. the lines used to make shorter translations match up with the animation of characters talking). The subtitles are error-free, but the flaws in the dubbing suggest a rushed effort which is well below the normal standards for ADR director Stephen Foster and Seraphim Digital.

Cheap LG 42LK520 42-Inch 1080p LCD TV - Black

2011-06-13T01:52:00.000-07:00

	LG 42LK520 42-Inch 1080p LCD TV - Black

LG 42LK520 42-Inch 1080p LCD TV - Black

The musical score sometimes lays the most dramatic of the established themes on too heavily, helping edge certain scenes more towards melodrama than drama, but on the whole it continues to do an effective job at promoting the sweeping, epic feel of the series and suitably juicing up key action scenes. The opener gets a slight visual update but otherwise remains the same, while closer “This Is My Road” only becomes even more fitting as the series progresses.

At the time of Gunsmith Cats' inception Sonoda had intended his new manga series to star Bean Bandit, the character he had created for the 1989 OVA cult favorite "Riding Bean". But due to a question of licensing rights Bean was off-limits to his creator, and instead Sonoda developed the all-new characters of Rally Vincent and Minnie-May Hopkins ("Rally Vincent" was in fact the name of Bean's sidekick in Riding Bean but they are two separate characters).

Cheap Sony DVP-FX750/W 7-Inch Portable DVD Player, White

2011-06-13T01:50:00.001-07:00

Sony DVP-FX750/W 7-Inch Portable DVD Player, White

The character designs are as beautiful as ever, with Rinda still being the prize amongst female characters (especially in one late scene where she's in full regal dress), though some of the dresses she gets put in are less than fully flattering. Rigea, the daughter of Aldo-Norisse's retainer, also looks suitably impressive in full dress armor and actually has the physique to pull it off, while the one weak point is the generic look of the assassins; although distinctive-looking, they are also designs that have been done many times before. These episodes do have occasional spots where the refinement in character rendering is not quite up to par, but thankfully such flaws pass quickly. The sharp coloring and animation are as strong as ever and get plenty of opportunities to show off.

Shortly into Gunsmith Cats' run the licensing dispute was settled, but the gun-toting heroines had proven extremely popular with readers, and rather than dump his promising new leading ladies Sonoda incorporated Bean into their world. But the nigh-invulnerable getaway driver is obviously the character closest to Sonoda's heart, and as the series progressed Bean Bandit's role in the stories grew until his part was almost equal to that of Rally's. He previously shared the lead role with Miss Vincent in the self-titled "Bean Bandit" story arc, and it was almost a certainty Sonoda would again place him center stage for the final installment of Gunsmith Cats.

Cheap LG 42LK450 42-Inch 1080p 60 Hz LCD HDTV

2011-06-13T01:50:00.000-07:00

	LG 42LK450 42-Inch 1080p 60 Hz LCD HDTV

LG 42LK450 42-Inch 1080p 60 Hz LCD HDTV

The artistry in the second half continues the first half's penchant for vivid and finely-detailed settings, this time with an emphasis more on giving each city and nation its own distinctive architectural and layout characteristics; even the interiors of rooms vary dramatically between the different settings, and that is an eye to detail not commonly found in anime series.

"Misty's Run" represents the culmination of the relationship between Rally and Bean. While Rally had previously earned his respect first as an opponent and later as an ally, Bean had never acknowledged the bounty huntress as an equal, believing himself to be a cut above everyone else on both sides of the law. The climax of "Misty's Run" (and in effect the entire Gunsmith Cats series) finds Bean paying Rally the ultimate compliment by suggesting she become his professional partner. Just by the mere prospect of the two working together, Gunsmith Cats turns full-circle with Riding Bean, for in the earlier anime Bean did have a sharpshooting partner by the name of Rally Vincent.

cheap VIZIO M160MV 16-Inch LED LCD HDTV with Razor LED Backlighting, Black

2011-06-13T01:40:00.001-07:00

VIZIO M160MV 16-Inch LED LCD HDTV with Razor LED Backlighting, Black

VIZIO M160MV 16-Inch LED LCD HDTV with Razor LED Backlighting, Black

He even allows the final episode to be mostly a wrap-up piece on the scale of the end of Return of the King, which in this case is necessary to put everyone in their proper place. The one significant flaw in these two men's efforts is that the drama sometimes gets laid on thickly enough that it feels a little forced, but given the grand sweep of events here, and the way that they play into the series' epic feel, that can be overlooked.

The other recurring Gunsmith Cats character to take on a major role in "Misty's Run" is, of course, Misty herself. In the latter half of the series' run ex-burglar Misty Brown usurped Minnie-May's position as Rally's chief sidekick, a decision of questionable value on Sonoda's part. The volatile, impulsive May was the perfect foil for Rally's more even-tempered manner. Misty, on the other hand, has never really developed any kind of personality at all beyond her standard damsel-in-distress role, which she again plays in "Misty's Run".

Cheap Samsung UN22D5000 22-Inch 1080p 60Hz LED HDTV (Black)

2011-06-13T01:40:00.000-07:00

Samsung UN22D5000 22-Inch 1080p 60Hz LED HDTV (Black)

The greatest strength of the writing is that it juggles all of these plotlines and characters without missing a beat. Director Atsushi Wakabyashi, who also storyboarded the whole series, smoothly transitions between locales, allowing viewers to effortlessly keep up with what is going on where and being done by whom. The series composition and screenplay by Shoji Yonemora melds the events of several novels together into a work with a nearly flawless sense of timing and pacing (the use of the assassins are the only real trouble spot), giving the story more the feel of a continuous single narrative rather than several smaller components.

Her only talent appears to be losing her clothes; Gunsmith Cats is a series that has always been peppered with occasional nudity but here it becomes unnecessarily gratuitous as Misty's captors strip her to obstensively "discourage her from running away." Previous "Cats" installments have featured more explicit sexual situations, but they were always fleeting and usually served a more plausible role in the story. In places "Misty's Run" feels like little more than an exercise in drawing breasts.

cheap Coby TFDVD7052 7-Inch Portable Tablet DVD/CD/MP3 Player (Black)

2011-06-13T01:34:00.002-07:00

Coby TFDVD7052 7-Inch Portable Tablet DVD/CD/MP3 Player (Black)

Fans gunning (pun intended) for the ultimate Gunsmith Cats story to close out the series are instead treated to a run-of-the-mill caper in which Rally's opponents are a mere second-rate counterfeiting family. The previous "Cats" book, "Mister V", would have been a better place to end things; it's final showdown with arch-nemesis Goldie and Rally's reunion with her missing father are the stuff Final Acts are made of. With "Misty's Run" it feels like Sonoda is running on empty, and the story is little more than an excuse to bring underworld "delivery boy" Bean Bandit back one last time. While Bean is definitely Gunsmith Cats' most entertaining character, it is after all Rally's book, and her tale ended some time ago.

While Guin, Istavan, and the twins must endure the dangers of a sea voyage and encounters with strange entities found on the voyage, other forces are on the move. In Earlgos, where the twins' aunt is Queen, Prince Scaal gathers his highland horsemen and sets out on an expedition to combat Mongaul, while in the Mongaul capital of Torus a bard works his way into the confidence of the young Mongauli prince and an aide to the Archduke sends assassins after Guin.

cheap Philips PD7012/37 7-Inch LCD Dual Screen Portable DVD Player, Black

2011-06-13T01:34:00.001-07:00

Philips PD7012/37 7-Inch LCD Dual Screen Portable DVD Player, Black

The music and artistry uniformly maintain the standards set by previous volumes, with the former showing a great new wrinkle with some discordant piano themes added in at one of the more insane points. Also as with previous volumes, Funimation's release includes clean opener and closer, character profiles on the inside of the front cover, and an unspectacular English audio commentary, this time for episode 9 and featuring ADR director Tyler Walker with Jerry Jewell and Ian “Dallas Genoard” Sinclair. The most notable production flaw is an errant trailer (the Claymore trailer on this volume says it's for volume 5 of that series when it actually describes Volume 6), but as Funimation has repeatedly proven, making anime trailers has never been their strong suit.

The first half of Guin Saga primarily focused on Guin and the lead role he took in combating the forces of Mongaul and protecting Rinda and Remus, but while he still gets a few opportunities for action scenes in this half, he becomes more an ensemble player as the focus spreads out even more; in fact, he goes two entire episodes at one point without appearing at all, even though he is the title character. (What is this, the Battle Angel Alita: The Last Order manga?) But that just shows the breadth of the story being told here. Once the Nospherus arc ended, the series became as broad and multifaceted a fantasy tale as you will ever likely see.

cheap Samsung UN46D6000 46-Inch 1080p 120Hz LED HDTV (Black)

2011-06-13T01:34:00.000-07:00

Samsung UN46D6000 46-Inch 1080p 120Hz LED HDTV (Black)

Of course, the English dub performances could have something to do with that. Jerry Jewell has done some fine work elsewhere (see Fruits Basket, Kodocha and Case Closed), but his turn as Claire is not one of his sterling efforts or better-cast roles, while raspy-voiced relative newcomer Bryan Massey shines as Ladd. Another relative newcomer, Maxey Whitehead, one-ups the original performance of Czeslaw by making him sound less like a girl and shifting him effortlessly between innocent and not-so-innocent modes.

Accompanying all of the plot points are the fleshing out and progression of an equally broad cast of prominent characters. The feature character on this front is Amnelis, who started out in the first half as a villain but gets so cruelly toyed with and screwed over by what happens in this half that she becomes much more sympathetic over time. Viewers get to watch as she advances from her stern military background to being a woman hopelessly in love to despair, vengefulness, despair again, and finally the strength that can only come from digging into the depths of one's soul, acknowledging one's failings, and committing oneself to a cause, and it is an interesting journey to watch. Aldo-Norisse, contrarily, becomes a curious mix of hero and villain in displaying a degree of amoral cunning and intricate scheming that would make Lelouche Lamperouge or Light Yagami jealous; the ease with which he can wrap people around his finger or maneuver even enemies into positions where they have no choice but to work with him is fascinating in its depravity.

cheap LG Infinia 42LV5500 42-Inch 1080p 120 Hz LED HDTV with Smart TV

2011-06-13T01:33:00.001-07:00

LG Infinia 42LV5500 42-Inch 1080p 120 Hz LED HDTV with Smart TV

Other performances, aside from the occasional struggle to maintain an accent, do an excellent job of bringing the characters to life and giving a sense of period and attitude. The original Japanese performances may be just as good in a quality sense, but because they are in Japanese they cannot duplicate the more authentic-sounding American period tones and speech patterns heard in the English dub.

The complexity and density of the story through these thirteen episodes is remarkable for a pure fantasy title. Barely a moment is wasted because the story covers so much ground – and so many characters – that it simply does not have time for frivolities. The closest things to inconsequential events in these episodes are the assassins sent after Guin, which are built up like they will be something major but end up merely as a series of scattered quick battles, but even they exist to suggest that there are forces moving in the world which directly oppose Guin himself rather than the causes he champions or those he protects. That is just one of the half-dozen plot threads the series juggles at any given time, most of which are ultimately intertwined with the liberation of Parros and subsequent ultimate defeat of Mongaul, albeit not always intentionally (as in the case of the bard and how cozy he gets with the Mongauli prince).

Cheap VIZIO XVT323SV 32-Inch Full HD 1080p LED LCD HDTV with VIA Internet Application, Black

2011-06-13T01:33:00.000-07:00

VIZIO XVT323SV 32-Inch Full HD 1080p LED LCD HDTV with VIA Internet Application, Black

"Gunsmith Cats: Misty's Run" brings to a close the adventures of Rally Vincent, the hottest bounty hunter Chicago has ever known and one of manga's most popular heroines in recent memory. Creator/Artist Kenichi Sonoda's eye for rendering fast cars and sleek firearms with remarkable detail remains as sharp as ever, but "Misty's Run" is an underwhelming finale to an excellent and long-running manga.

In Parros, Aldo-Norisse's plans to woo Princess Amnelis and arranges other plotting behind the scenes proceed afoot, with Amnelis being totally suckered in and Astrias still pining to come to her rescue. Eventually Aldo-Norisse's plans come to enough of a critical mass to make an armed attempt from multiple directions to free Parros and defeat Mongaul, while Remus seeks to reach Parros and grow into being king, Amnelis struggles to deal with a broken heart, Rinda struggles with her increasing isolation, and Istavan gets restless enough to strike out on his own despite winning the love of his Shining Lady. For Guin this is more a time to advise than to lead or act, but as the geopolitical landscape shifts around him he, too, must seek his own destiny.

read Crimson Wind Diana Pharaoh Francis

2011-06-09T02:53:00.001-07:00

Crimson Wind
Diana Pharaoh Francis

This movie is somewhat kid-friendly. Although there is a brief scene of rear nudity and the cover features Achika topless, nothing is tasteless. Ryoko does a lot of mild swearing however in both the English dub and the English subtitles so it wouldn't be suitable for children under 13. Violence is to a minimum and it's mainly fantasy; however, there is some alien ooze.

And Shinji himself has turned into a remarkably proactive, thoughtful young man. Misato can't cook, so he takes it upon himself to cook for the entire household, going so far as to make bento for his entire new extended family (even Rei). He stands up to his father when he's angry. He doesn't even want to run away. He's not scared of the girl(s) that try to bully him. He's closer with Toji and Kensuke (the former of whom is remarkably cooler than before). His kindness is reciprocated; Rei goes to great pains to try to melt the ice between him and his father, and hopes to make him a nice meal as well. Asuka, desperate to make a connection, follows suit.

read The Dark-Hunters, Vol. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Sherrilyn Kenyon

2011-06-09T02:53:00.000-07:00

The Dark-Hunters, Vol.
Sherrilyn Kenyon

There are summaries of the Tenchi Muyo! TV series that seem to be rushed because there was some repetition of text and the summaries started in the centre of the series. The oddest special feature was the little section that had the lyrics for "Alchemy of Love" (a beautiful song). The song plays in the background of this screen but it drops off at the chorus.

But once the SDAT hits track 27, we come completely off the rails in this second feature-length installment of Rebuild of Evangelion, the reboot of the mecha series that has inspired never-ending discussion and flame wars between its adoring fans and its firey detractors ever since its release 14 years ago. From this point on, we are deeply in uncharted waters; the rules and ways that dominated the Evangelion we know are gone for good. It seems possible -- probable, even -- that the first installment, which was almost entirely a shot-by-shot remake of the original first few episodes, was a foil meant to lull us into complacency so that this film might shock us that much more when it clubs us in the knees and drags us out back to wail on us for a while.

read eng Akira Volume 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 (Akira) Katsuhiro Ootomo

2011-06-09T02:52:00.000-07:00

Akira Volume 1 (Akira)
Katsuhiro Ootomo

The special features on this disc are plentiful. There are four trailers on the disc: an original theatrical trailer, the TV spot that aired after the last episode of the first Tenchi Muyo! TV series, a 30-second TV spot, and a 15-second TV spot. There is also a video interview with Christopher Franke explaining how he composed the music for the various scenes in the movie; , which is nice and worth watching for those who want to see some behind-the-scenes action.

It hurts so good. In fact, Evangelion 2.0 is as traumatizing to watch as Episode 20 ("Don't rape my mind!") or End of Evangelion. The events of the film are so destructive, it's a miracle that there will even be enough Eva units or enough of Tokyo III left standing to even have another two films in the series. Where the original first half of the TV series had a somewhat monster-of-the-week feel, each battle in 2.0 feels like a desperate fight to the death, and destroying each angel comes dangerously close to being a zero-sum game. Adding to the mystery is a new pilot, a quietly confident girl named Mari, who seems to have no regard for the limits of her own strength or her Eva.

read eng Black Butler, Vol. 3 2 1 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Yana Toboso

2011-06-09T02:51:00.001-07:00

Black Butler, Vol.
Yana Toboso

The menu system was well designed although very grainy and very slow at times. The really nice thing about them is that the viewer can choose either a Japanese or English menu. The main menu will be in Japanese and most of the main submenus when this is selected. However because of the grainy look, you can't really read the Japanese or the English. When selecting one of the main submenus, an animation will play from the stilled image along with audio in either English or Japanese depending on what menu language was chosen. Also, when choosing to exit a main submenu or the movie start button, Ryo-ohki makes little cute sounds. Be careful when playing this near people who hate Ryo-ohki.

There are moments of great humor, and of great tenderness. Misato's memories of her father play prominently in the hopes she has for Shinji. Rei, having only experienced a life of scientists and test tubes, is shocked and moved by Shinji's kindness towards her. Asuka works up the courage to ask Shinji to be more familiar with her. Gendo and Shinji visit his mother's gravesite. There's a warmness here, a feeling of great affection that wasn't so prevalent in the original, both for the characters and for the world of Tokyo III. Even the SDAT machine, that relic of 90s futurism, now has a special meaning.

read Dragon Games P. W. Catanese

2011-06-09T02:51:00.000-07:00

Dragon Games
P. W. Catanese

A small problem exists with the Japanese subtitles. Whenever someone said "Washu" and her Kanji appeared onscreen, the subtitles would flicker. It may have been a problem with my player but it was a little odd. Also, there was a part in the Japanese subtitles where one of the Hiragana looked a little incorrect. While on the topic of subtitles, none of us will be able to have karaoke fun during the end credits because the ED song is not subtitled. This was a little disappointing, but they did place the lyrics in an odd little section, which will be discussed later.

But the subtitle of the film is, "You Can (Not) Advance." You can try to aim for a better life. You can destroy yourself putting yourself out there for people you're supposed to love and are supposed to love you back. You can open up to other people, do nice things for them, strive to improve. But in the end, this film is not about happy endings, it's about setbacks. Violent, horrible, rage-inducing setbacks. They are terrifying, they are raw, and they are devastating.

read eng Bakuman. Vol. 5 6 4 3 2 1 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Tsugumi Ohba

2011-06-09T02:25:00.000-07:00

Bakuman., Vol.
Tsugumi Ohba

There have been changes up to this point, of course. Misato seems less guarded than she used to. Asuka, who graces us with her presence for the first time, doesn't bother pretending to like other people, and regresses into an antisocial pout from the get-go. Rei, less dead-eyed than before, expresses frustration with the medical hamster tunnel that she lives in. Gendo is slightly less icy towards his son, revealing a bit more of how he's used his work as a coping mechanism after the loss of his wife, and has never really recovered.

After finally getting used to having so many women in his quiet house, Tenchi's life is turned upside down once again.When the criminal Kain escapes from a galactic prison, he travels to the past, endagering Tenchi's mother and father in 1970 when they are just teens. Weird things start happening in the present prompting Washu to use a time-travel machine to send everyone back to 1970 to make sure Tenchi's parents are safe and ensure the safe birth of Tenchi!

read eng Highschool of the Dead, Vol. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Daisuke Sato

2011-06-09T02:24:00.003-07:00

Highschool of the Dead, Vol.
Daisuke Sato

Shinji is laying in bed, listening to his SDAT walkman again. It's a familiar scene, but it doesn't play today the way it did in 1995. DAT was a high-tech digital cassette that had audio geeks excited back then, but in today's world of iPods it seems laughable and quaint. As always, Shinji blankly stares off into space as he shuffles between tracks 25 and 26 again and again. Then, something unexpected happens, and he drops it. As it skids across the floor, something that we've never seen before happens: the player skips to track 27.

Tenchi Muyo! is a comedy/action series that began as an OAV series released in Japan and after the second OAV series, the first TV series was created. In both versions, the story is basically the same: several extrememly attractive women stir up chaos when they literally fall into Tenchi's quiet front yard. Most of them also want his affection, particularly Ayeka, a royal alien princess, and Ryoko, an ex-space pirate, who are constantly fighting while some of the other girls make their moves on Tenchi. Eventually, they reach an understanding and get along. This movie occurs where the OAV series left off, expanding the story some more.

read New York Dead (Stone Barrington Novels) Stuart Woods

2011-06-09T02:24:00.002-07:00

New York Dead (Stone Barrington Novels)

Stuart Woods

Asuka arrives and starts being a jerk to everyone. Kaji takes the kids on a field trip to a laboratory where animals of pre-Second Impact Earth still live in a controlled environment. And the Eighth Angel attacks, allowing the three pilots to gang up on a single angel for the first time. And then, as Asuka tests out the new Eva Unit 03, something really really bad happens: an Angel spawns WITHIN the Eva. The only way to stop this new destructive monster is to destroy the Eva itself, and possibly Asuka along with it. It's up to Shinji to do it, and his father will not take "no" for an answer.

For the first time, the viewers get to see Tenchi's mother, who died long before the events of the series, and are able to understand why she died so young. The movie is extremely comedic, which will keep viewers smiling. However, this movie may be a little confusing for people who are new to Tenchi because character introductions are brief and some knowledge of the series is needed to fully understand the story.

read eng Kamisama Kiss, Vol. 3 4 5 2 1 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Julietta Suzuki

2011-06-09T02:24:00.001-07:00

Kamisama Kiss, Vol.
Julietta Suzuki

What does it mean when a tomboy discovers her girlish male friend is now an actual girl? How will that transformed male respond to another girl's sudden change in heart? The answers to these questions—if there can be any answers at all—lie at the heart of what happens in Kashimashi.

There's a new Eva pilot, a girl named Mari, and she's in the West Bank of Israel, fighting against the third angel. It's a tough battle. She ejects just in time to save herself. Her Eva, the provisional unit 05, is toast. Meanwhile, Shinji is starting to adjust to his new life in Tokyo III. Things between he and his father are starting to warm up a bit. He's started cooking (a necessity, given Misato's slovenly ways), and is becoming friendlier with Rei, who seems quietly frustrated by the fact that she can't live a normal life.

read eng The Legend of Zelda, Vol. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Akira Himekawa

2011-06-09T02:24:00.000-07:00

The Legend of Zelda, Vol. 1
Akira Himekawa

With its space-cadet silliness, how-to-be-a-girl hijinks and a conflicted same-sex love triangle, Kashimashi may look like it's trying to head in too many directions at once. But read through the first volume and the direction becomes clear: all these mood swings and plot detours are just there to set up a unique romance. Expressive layouts bring the necessary emotional heft to this series, along with thoughtful scenes that add depth to a seemingly stereotyped set of characters.

Tenchi Muyo! is not one a series with super-stunning animation, but the quality of this movie is similar to that of the OAVs which is still very good. The video is generally clean and clear although there are a few spots throughout but they are minor flaws that are caused by source video deterioration.

Overall the sound is wonderful. It's best experienced with surround sound capabilities, especially when listening to the Japanese track towards the end. The English track is wonderfully done with the vioces reflecting the original Japanese emotions. However, the English track's background sound didn't seem as dynamic as the Japanese track. Everything was understandable both ways and the only real difference between the more literal subtitles and the dub are the choice of words.

read Pokémon Adventures: Diamond and Pearl / Platinum, Vol. 2 1 3 4 5 6 Hidenori Kusaka

2011-06-09T02:12:00.002-07:00

Pokémon Adventures: Diamond and Pearl / Platinum, Vol.
Hidenori Kusaka

Like the visuals, the soundtrack takes a darker turn as well, and sometimes the music can be so evocative that it conveys the scene better than the story and characters do. There's a lot of piano and strings to be found here, along with ballad tracks in general; however, lite-pop instrumentals still have a way of sneaking themselves into just about any segment of the story. And speaking of lite-pop, the theme songs are still as generic as they ever were—they haven't gotten more annoying upon repeat listening, but they haven't gotten any more interesting, either.

If it weren't bad enough that the events of these episodes feel forced and unconvincing, the stilted voice acting pretty much confirms it ... in both languages. The English cast desperately tries to inject emotion into each scene—Rin's impassioned cries, Nerine's bitter recollections—but ultimately it's a losing battle, because you can't act out emotional depth when there isn't any in the first place. Similarly, the Japanese track is nothing more than a dial-a-bishoujo audio feed (how much helium would you like today?) as the girls spout out tired old lines about life and love and pain and lots of other boring things.

read Vampire Knight, Vol. 13 14 15 16 17 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Matsuri Hino

2011-06-09T02:12:00.001-07:00

Vampire Knight, Vol.
Matsuri Hino

Animation gets even sloppier with secondary characters—just look at one of the school scenes where a girl talking to Nerine has a bad case of simplified facial features and an asymmetrical head. Of course, being as dialogue-driven and slow-paced as it is, there aren't many places for animators to show off, and yet the one golden opportunity—the battle for Primula's life—is wasted on run-of-the-mill special effects blasting.

Thus the language of choice becomes a matter of picking one's poison: the dub is written in more natural English, and even squeezes out a couple of gag lines, while subtitles offer a more accurate translation of the script. Oh, and don't bother asking about other features on the disc, unless you're really excited about textless credit sequences for the fourth time in a row and yet another small-ish pinup poster in the DVD case.

read Naruto, Vol. 50 51 49 48 47 46 45 44 43 42 41 40 39 38 Masashi Kishimoto

2011-06-09T02:12:00.000-07:00

Naruto, Vol.
Masashi Kishimoto

Not surprisingly, a more subdued color palette hangs over these episodes; the pastel-bright scenery from earlier in the series gives way to moody sunsets and twilights, abstract flashback sequences, and most notably in Episode 15, a full-bodied fantasy vision of the Demon World. In fact, it seems that more effort went into the background work than the character designs and animation, which typically consist of Rin or his girls standing around, wearing one of three possible expressions (happy, sad, or ambivalent).

It's true that the midpoint of Shuffle! delivers some surprising changes: it gets serious, it gets tragic, it gets deeper into certain characters' back stories—in fact, it does just about everything except "it gets better." At first, it may seem pretty promising to think that Rin will literally have to go through hell to save Primula—but viewers will find themselves going through a hell of their own, as poor pacing and trite displays of emotion ruin any possible enjoyment of these episodes.

read Odd Is on Our Side (Graphic Novel) Fred Van Lente

2011-06-09T02:11:00.001-07:00

Odd Is on Our Side (Graphic Novel)
Fred Van Lente

Nerine's saga reaches full circle in this episode as well, showing good story coherence (if nothing else) and a definite end of an arc. We can only hope that Sia's arc, which begins in the final episode on the disc, offers a more engaging emotional ride; it's hard to say yet, though, when two-thirds of the episode involves generic school-life filler (as if there wasn't enough already).

Well, there's always the striking backgrounds and occasionally heartfelt music to look forward to, but that's not nearly enough to compensate. Clearly, these "dark and serious" episodes suffer the same problems as the light and comedic ones: pretty on the outside, but empty on the inside.

read Dark Hunger Christine Feehan

2011-06-09T02:11:00.000-07:00

Dark Hunger
Christine Feehan

Only in Episode 15 does this story arc go from "mind-numbing" to "decent"; the shift to serious mode is fully realized as Rin enters the Demon World and fantasy themes come into play. Even in a fantasy setting, the series takes the path of least originality: here's a damsel in distress, now go save her with the power of love, which will involve a lot of lightning effects and pseudo-spiritual mumbo-jumbo. Compared to the utter blandness of the previous episodes, though, this is downright interesting.

Seven Seas shows some adept translation work in this edition, with a script that's easily readable but also brings out the characters' personalities. The clearest example is in the chief alien, who speaks with a noticeably technical vocabulary, although it's also easy to catch Tomari's strong attitude and Asuna's soft-toned politeness. Sound effects are handled in an either/or fashion: Japanese characters on top of the artwork are left alone, with translations placed nearby, but ones that fall in blank areas are erased entirely and replaced with English sound effects.

read Blue Exorcist, Vol. 2 3 1 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 Kato Kazue

2011-06-09T01:51:00.000-07:00

Blue Exorcist, Vol.
Kato Kazue

Story and dialogue aren't the only keys to the romantic highlights, though. Visual pacing is also essential to the heightened emotions between Hazumu and Asuna; layouts become more spread out and fluid when things get serious. A crucial scene might suddenly shift to just two or three panels per page, intensifying the pace until—in a single, full-size image—everything comes out in a maelstrom of longing, hope and love. To freeze a moment in time like that shows just how effective good visual storytelling can be.

But, again, when Afro Samurai: Resurrection works, it works. The battles are cool and extremely well-animated and the look and sound of the film seems very well put-together; it's just a shame they couldn't back up all that amazing artistic talent with a decent script that would've put it all to better use. Perhaps when the inevitable Afro Samurai 3 comes out – which is guaranteed to happen, if not solely because they've come up with a formula that ensures the story never has to end – they'll spend as much time refining the script as they have the film's visual aesthetic. Until then, if you're looking for a good collection of fight scenes and some very cool visuals, check this out – just don't expect poetry.

read Bride of the Water God Volume 8 9 10 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 11 12 13 Mi-Kyung Yun

2011-06-09T01:49:00.003-07:00

Bride of the Water God Volume
Mi-Kyung Yun

The private conversations between Hazumu and Asuna, especially when Asuna reveals her secret, are so heartfelt that they outdo most boy-girl romances. And you couldn't ask for a better closing scene in this volume: as far as climactic endings go, the outpouring of emotion on the last few pages is going to send plenty of people clamoring for Vol. 2.

Rin Tsuchimi never thought that being surrounded by so many cute girls would end up like this. A supernatural illness has befallen the young demon Primula, and now she lies comatose in the depths of the underworld. Rin wants to be at Primula's side, but Nerine, princess of the demon race, is afraid to allow him there—for there is a tragedy in Nerine's past that could happen all over again if Rin jumps into the fray. And even if Rin is able to save Primula and work things out with Nerine, there is still the issue of Sia, princess of the gods, whose affection for Rin takes a dark turn when she comes face to face with her other self...

read Library Wars: Love & War, Vol. 5 6 4 3 2 1 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 hiro Arikawa

2011-06-09T01:49:00.002-07:00

Library Wars: Love & War, Vol. 5
hiro Arikawa

Stick around long enough, though, and the real story starts to take shape. Every chapter or so, the aliens stop by to ponder, "What is this thing called love?" and so will readers once the gender roles start to swirl. Tomari's character shifts from confident to jealous as she sees Hazumu and Asuna growing closer. At first, Hazumu holds back, constrained by the rules of polite society—"girls aren't supposed to go out with girls"—but love has a way of blossoming when you least want it to.

If you were waiting for that mind-blowing moment where Shuffle! turns the corner ... then wait no longer! Following on the heels of "Something Happens To Primula" (not the actual title) in Episode 12, the events of Episodes 13-16 reveal a definite change in tone, far removed from the lightweight schoolyard romance of earlier episodes. The way this doom and gloom plays out, though, you might find yourself wishing that the series hadn't turned the corner. As viewers are about to find out, just because an anime becomes sadder doesn't mean it becomes deeper, and the only difference between happy-go-lucky Shuffle! and serious Shuffle! is that instead of empty-headed frolicking, we get empty-headed wailing and weeping. Maybe Rin and friends should have stayed in comedy-land after all.

read Babymouse Vol 14 13 12 15 16 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1: Mad Scientist Matthew Holm

2011-06-09T01:49:00.001-07:00

Babymouse #14: Mad Scientist
Matthew Holm

And what happens immediately afterward isn't all that clever either; going bra-shopping is about as predictable as they come for fanservice situations. The characters, too, are introduced in superficial ways: Asuna's polite manner quickly brands her as the sweet one, while Tomari's brash words and flying kicks are handy clichés for her tomboy personality.

The first episode on the disc drops the ball right from the start, with its awkward pacing and poorly timed scene transitions. After the dramatic highs and lows of just one episode ago, it should've been easy to carry that emotional momentum, but instead we get everyone whining "Why couldn't I do anything to help Primula" for 20 minutes. Of course, this probably would have been more convincing if the series had done anything to make us care about Primula as a character; most will probably only remember as "the little one."

read Black Butler, Vol. 5 6 4 3 2 1 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Yana Toboso

2011-06-09T01:49:00.000-07:00

Black Butler, Vol.
Yana Toboso

It would be easy (and lazy) to read just the first couple of chapters and quickly dismiss this series as some kind of Ranma wannabe. The elements are certainly all there: a highly improbable chain of events leading to a gender switch, the insanity that follows, and a handful of recurring gags. (Hazumu's teacher keeps falling into holes; Hazumu's father keeps asking her to take a bath with him.) Let's face it, few plotlines have ever been quite as contrived as "Some guy gets hit by a spaceship and has a sex change."

After another forgettable character finally slaps some sense into this pity party, Rin spends the next episode actually deciding to do something about the situation, only to be interrupted by Nerine's tragic flashback. To be fair, this episode deserves some credit for having actual content—Nerine's personal history and the full truth behind Primula's origins—but when all is said and done, it basically takes two episodes for a guy to decide to visit a sick person. If it were possible to animate anything more drawn-out and boring than that, it would probably be a cartoon explanation of Japanese tax law or something.

read Lunch Lady and the Summer Camp Shakedown Jarrett Krosoczka

2011-06-09T01:22:00.000-07:00

Lunch Lady and the Summer Camp Shakedown
Jarrett Krosoczka

“DAYUM IT IS WINDY UP IN THIS PIECE” “HEY AFRO WHEN WE GONNA FIND THAT BOOTYLICIOUS BITCH WHO TOOK YO FATHER'S SKULL” “OH SNAP NOW WE ON A MOUNTAIN DAYUM AFRO OH SNAP HELL NAW SAY WHAAAAAT”. After a few minutes of this it's pure torture because Ninja Ninja isn't funny, actually feels just a little racist, and seems to be always on screen and always jabbering on, especially when there isn't anything of interest happening, which is probably a good third of the film.

As with all Section 23 releases, this one has no dub, but they do at least deserve kudos for picking up this long shot and formally releasing it in the States. Sadly, their problems with grammatically-challenged subtitles continue; the mistakes are not as frequent here as in Ghost Hound, but on at least four occasions the subtitles trip up on things like improper use of punctuation, homophones, and spelling. These are not major distractions but still below professional standards. Despite thirteen episodes shipped inside a single normal-sized case, a few Extras are present, including clean opener and closer and an art gallery which includes both concept art for ship designs and what looks like Japanese DVD case covers.

read Avatar: The Last Airbender (The Art of the Animated Series) Bryan Konietzko

2011-06-09T01:21:00.001-07:00

Avatar: The Last Airbender (The Art of the Animated Series)
Bryan Konietzko

Anyone who's seen the first series will recognize this character as sort of the token zany jive-talkin' mega-stereotypical comedy relief black guy, who in most movies usually only has a handful of lines (examples include “dayum!” and “oh snap!” and the like) but in this film fills up the giant empty sections in between fight scenes. We watch Afro slowly trudge across the country while Ninja Ninja comments on both the story and the setting.

For inexplicable reasons the back-cover blurb paints the series as something far more ominous than what it actually is, a case of misrepresentation that is likely to throw viewers who will quickly discover that the series is nothing like the tense sci fi mystery/horror it is advertised as being. Indeed, the pacing is gradual enough that some will undoubtedly find the series dull even though it hardly wastes a scene and progresses at a smooth pace from beginning to end. It also leaves some rather large holes in the background of the Arume and the story in general as it conveniently fails to explain certain complicated points so it can maintain its elegant flow.

buy The Million Year Journey (The Legend of the Locust) Laurence Moroney

2011-06-09T01:21:00.000-07:00

The Million Year Journey (The Legend of the Locust)
Laurence Moroney

The worst thing about all this is that there isn't much for the characters to do in the stretches between fights, so what we get is a whole lot of Afro's ‘sidekick’ Ninja Ninja, an imaginary friend who represents his inner monologue and NEVER EVER STOPS TALKING.

EVER.

Overlook those minor flaws, however, and this can be a greatly involving story which goes light enough, and gentle enough, on its yuri content that even those not normally inclined towards such titles may find this one to their liking. It is a nearly-overlooked gem of a story which will probably never get as big an audience as it deserves.

read Pokemon Adventures, Vol. 13 14 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Hidenori Kusaka

2011-06-09T01:18:00.000-07:00

Pokemon Adventures, Vol. 13
Hidenori Kusaka

The plot is fairly thin and simply involves Afro retrieving the #2 headband – which includes a potentially interesting little B-plot that sucks up a fair amount of the middle of the film but ultimately exists just to provide a tiny little denouement at the end – and walking slowly across the country to meet Lady She has absurd breasts, get it Sio and his undead pops. The end of the film completely falls apart and, frankly, seems like it was stitched together by amateur writers – it is childish, chock full of deus ex machina moments, and ultra-convenient changes of heart. The climactic final battle (well, the final final battle, which happens after the final battle) is oddly rendered in hyper-stylized black and white stills and isn't fully animated. By then you probably won't care because the last 10 minutes are so preposterous and lazily written as to be insulting.

Hazumu's friends have always considered him "almost like a girl." But what happens when it becomes literal? After being rejected by the girl he likes, Hazumu goes for a walk in the woods, where an alien spaceship accidentally crash-lands on top of him. To honor the galactic code, the aliens restore Hazumu's life—but have reversed his gender by mistake! Now Hazumu must live the rest of her life as a girl, while the aliens move into her house and follow her around. The unexpected sex change is affecting Hazumu's friends, too: Asuna, who rejected Hazumu as a boy, suddenly confesses her love, while childhood friend Tomari starts to show signs of jealousy. Even Hazumu's best friend Asuta questions his feelings. And when Hazumu learns the reason for Asuna's odd behavior, it could be the turning point for the two of them...

read Vampire Kisses: The Beginning (Vampire Kisses / Kissing Coffins / Vampireville) Ellen Schreiber

2011-06-09T01:07:00.000-07:00

Vampire Kisses: The Beginning (Vampire Kisses / Kissing Coffins / Vampireville)
Ellen Schreiber

Initially the film feels like it's all business as usual – Afro Samurai is back, he's gonna kick some ass, yadda yadda – everyone knows to expect the story to be little more than an excuse to string fight scenes together. But as it goes along, it becomes clearer and clearer just how weak the writing is here. We're stuck watching Lady BREASTS Sio explain her motivations over and over again, sometimes to herself, sometimes to other people, slightly reworded each time.

"When three women get together, it's noisy (kashimashi)"—so goes the old Japanese proverb. Certainly, there are moments in Kashimashi that bubble with loud humor, but some of the best scenes are the ones where it gets all quiet and serious. That's when the language of emotion comes into play, and a boy-turned-girl starts to make discoveries not just about her physiology, but about her psychology. The fast-moving events of this first volume combine to form a story of many moods: a gender-bending comedy, but with sci-fi touches, and most of all, a romance more touching than one might expect. The time has come to rethink the love triangle.

buy Maximum Ride: The Manga, Vol. 4 3 2 1 James Patterson

2011-06-09T00:59:00.003-07:00

Maximum Ride: The Manga, Vol.
James Patterson

This will undoubtedly bore some viewers while wrapping up others in a comfy blanket. An impressively low-key soundtrack dominated by graceful piano pieces and orchestrated numbers proves critical to maintaining the tone, while the soulful opener “Blue” by Suara perfectly sets the stage. The more upbeat “Tsubomi – blue dreams,” also by Suara, rounds out each episode.

It's impossible to deny that a whole lot of time and money and talent went into the production of Afro Samurai: Resurrection. One of the few existing anime franchises backed by a big budget and genuine A-list voice talent, it's a gorgeous film, with incredible animation, spectacular action setpieces and a thumping score by The RZA; this is the closest thing to a big summer Hollywood-style blockbuster as could exist in the anime industry. It should come as no surprise, then, to those seasoned on what to expect from a big Hollywood blockbuster, that like those noisy, expensive cinematic confections we flock to every summer, it's a whole lot of time, money and talent dumped into a pretty terrible script. That doesn't mean it's a total waste, though.

read eng Claymore, Vol. 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Norihiro Yagi

2011-06-09T00:59:00.002-07:00

Claymore, Vol. 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4

Asahi Production and BeSTACK teamed up for the production effort, supplemented by 3D modeling done by Gonzo. The latter produces an effort that, while not flawlessly smooth, is certainly several grades above their results in the more recent Dragonaut. CG-rendered Arume ship designs find a nice balance between style, traditional sci fi feel, and 20th century battleship influences, especially the intricately-designed Blue, which as a nice added touch mimics the movements and feel of a whale in one scene. Itsuko Takeda's character designs turn Hagino into one of the prettiest anime girls you're ever likely to run across, although her commander's apparel is somewhat incongruous; it and the navel-exposing uniforms of the Arume are the series' one concession to fanboy fetishes.

After winning the legendary #1 headband (making him the most feared warrior in the land) in the first installment, this feature-length sequel finds Afro living a life of solitude, until the vengeful Lady Sio shows up with a gang of revenge-minded freaks, looking to exact vengeance on Afro for his past misdeeds in service of the headband.

buy Silver (Wicked Woods #3) vol 1 2 3 (Wicked Woods Series) Kailin Gow

2011-06-09T00:59:00.001-07:00

Silver (Wicked Woods #3) (Wicked Woods Series)
Kailin Gow

The other key factor is the series' tone. Despite the occasional action outbreaks and hints of the supernatural, this is a low-key series which depends more on developing a feeling of warmth and soulfulness as it examines characters' emotions rather than on dramatic moments; think of it as the antithesis of Code Geass. It can certainly generate some tension and emotion, but in general the series has more of the comfort level of drifting along a slow-flowing river rather than navigating the rapids.

Resurrection picks up what seems like a few years after the events of the original OVA (this time the story isn't split into TV-friendly chunks; it's just a 97-minute feature) and Afro has basically retreated into solitude, growing a beard and basically spending his days carving wood figurines of the movie's cast and fighting off would-be challengers who want to claim the legendary #1 headband for themselves. Along comes Jinnosuke, the teddy-bear-headed guy from the first one who takes Afro out pretty easily and introduces him to the movie's villain, Lady Boobs Sio, who wants to exact revenge on Afro for all the crimes of his past (there's some family history gobbedlygook in there somewhere too but the movie is far more focused on long shots of Sio's ridiculous chest).

read Strawberry Panic: The Complete Novel Collection Sakurako Kimino

2011-06-09T00:59:00.000-07:00

Strawberry Panic: The Complete Novel Collection
Sakurako Kimino

One of the two major factors which make the story work is its core cast. Mari Wakatake might give the initial impression of being a tsundere type, but this is not a girl covering a soft exterior with a tough shell. She has been thrown into a tough situation, one where she has to adjust to many things she never (in her memory) had to deal with before and muddles through it with all of the grace of someone whose background has left her ill-equipped to handle social situations.

If that's all you're looking for, then you're going to extract some measure of entertainment out of this thing, which delivers very well on the big bloody fights and hot chicks and motorcycles. Make no mistake – this is a really good-looking film, with excellent production values and some really kinetic fight scenes. That's really all there is to recommend about it – which is fine, since for a big chunk of the audience for this film, that's all they're looking for. Unfortunately, while all those elements come together, they ultimately don't go anywhere thanks to the film's subpar script.

buy Scott Pilgrim, Vol. 3 4 2 1 Bryan Lee O'Malley

2011-06-09T00:58:00.000-07:00

Scott Pilgrim, Vol. 3: Scott Pilgrim & the Infinite Sadness (v. 3)
Bryan Lee O'Malley

The story is nearly as much about her growth as a result of association with Mari and Hagino as it is about the eventually romantic relationship of the latter two, and it is she who writes the wonderful play about Joan of Arc which defines much of the second half of the series. (One of the biggest disappointments about the series, in fact, is that we never get to see the play in full, as it looks like a fascinatingly original creation.) Azanael, the fourth major character, serves a dual role as a source of conflict and excuse to help reveal the truth behind the events of five years ago, but her own sense of loss and inability to come to terms with it flesh her out a bit more. The supporting cast members are more common one-note stereotypes, although there are a few unusual choices like the massive Dorm Chief and a few satisfying ones like Tsubael, Hagino's right-hand woman.

That, of course, is all just window dressing; if Afro Samurai is “about” anything, it's about Cool. Everything in this film – every creative choice, every plot development, every character – is all executed in service to being and looking cool, in the sense of what everyone's inner teenage boy thinks is cool. Big bloody fights, motorcycles, sunglasses, hot chicks in skimpy outfits, samurai, Samuel L. Jackson, all of it. To that extent, the film works as kind of a modern cousin to all those ultra-violent high-budget OVAs that came out of Japan in the 80's, with a uniquely Western flavor added in and a metric ton of hip-hop culture.

worth getting VuQube VQ1000 Portable Satellite Dish System

2011-06-07T06:02:00.001-07:00

VuQube VQ1000 Portable Satellite Dish System

On the more mundane level, even the basics sometimes escape Ando—sure, the style is polished, but the character designs are plain and forgettable, and seemingly every other scene consists of facial close-ups where everyone looks at each other in shock. The story has a few loose threads to it as well, with some near-useless side characters: Arisa's boyfriend Midori says nothing of interest, and Tsubasa's best friend Takeru seems to have stopped being involved in the investigation. Is there any point to these guys anymore?

With the amount of things to do, it is easy to find yourself spending alot of time planting berries or competing in contests instead of training your Pokémon. Another new addition is the underground, a world of paths and alleyways that serves as a whole new game in itself. Using the Wi-Fi connection players can come and go from the Underground as they please. During your travels under the surface, indicators will appear to show you where burried gems and possible fossils are hiding, to which retrieving them requires another stylus interfaced minigame.

worth getting DirecTV SWM Slimline 5LNB Complete Kit

2011-06-07T06:02:00.000-07:00

DirecTV SWM Slimline 5LNB Complete Kit

EVIDENCE AGAINST:
While the story is a thriller masterpiece worth gushing over, the artwork barely deserves comment, since it's as generic and mainstream as they come. Even Ando's brief attempts to concoct striking images come out flat or awkward, like a poorly drawn "evil silhouette" that's supposed to be doing the King's dirty work, or a sports accident that looks clumsy rather than dramatic, or a hospital bed bizarrely strewn with roses after its occupant is spirited away through the window. Yes, there are quite a few moments for which you'll have to suspend your disbelief a lot.

You can also create your own secret base to store your gear, as well as buying and planting traps so those pesky other trainers cannot get to your base. Finding another player's base results in you gaining a flag, which acts very much like a harmless tally for your stats. Collect a few of these and you'll be able to improve your base and gain access to added items to make exploring that bit easier.

worth getting Super Buddy Satellite Meter Super Buddy 29 Satellite Signal Meter

2011-06-07T06:01:00.001-07:00

Super Buddy Satellite Meter
Super Buddy 29 Satellite Signal Meter

Fortunately, this volume drops a few ominous hints about the King to make things clear to the reader, smartly avoiding the usual "why doesn't the author just explain what's going on" syndrome. But even though we know something the characters don't know, it's still an absolute thrill witnessing the cat-and-mouse game evolve between Tsubasa and the King—especially when life-threatening accidents, creepy dolls, and a brief kidnapping are involved. In short, the cominbation of an unsettling whodunit story, troubled emotions, and school life gone horribly wrong just plain works.

The Pokétch also holds two items of interest that will keep people busy when they don't wish to go any further, the Item Detector and the Vs Seeker. The Item Detector allows you to find all the hidden items laying in the ground. Pokémon - Diamond and Pearl are absolutely covered in these hidden treasures, to the point where a few dozen steps in any direction can likely result in a new item being shown up on the radar. The old Item Box has been replaced by your very own bag, allowing you to carry your almost limitless item arsenal everywhere you go. The Vs Seeker was first available in FireRed and LeafGreen, and acts very much as a device to tell you what trainers would like to have a rematch.

worth getting DIRECTV - Satellite antenna - dish - outdoor - 5-LNB - ku-band, ka-band DIRECTV

2011-06-07T06:01:00.000-07:00

DIRECTV - Satellite antenna - dish - outdoor - 5-LNB - ku-band, ka-band
DIRECTV

EVIDENCE FOR:
Once again, Arisa proves to be gripping and complex in ways that belie its target demographic. The motivations of the characters are still shrouded in mystery, but Natsumi Ando has a way of revealing just enough information (and misinformation) to keep everyone on their toes, breathlessly anticipating the next scene, the next chapter, the next plot point. And those plot points go something like this: Tsubasa chases the guy she thinks is the King, only to find out that he knows the identity of "the real King" (and that one's a guaranteed shocker), but his knowledge has gaps in it as well!

This is a great inclusion if you wish to train or try out certain Pokémon without the fear of random battles, however the fact that the trainers never change or grow their Pokémon means that you will only find yourself returning to rebattle a handful of trainers. On top of all this, there is also the Battle Tower to attack once you finish the Elite Four. This tower contains a long series of Pokémon battles that reward you with points to go towards items. But if that doesn't satisfy your training needs, you can also download another player's Pokémon team to try and test your skills against.

worth getting Trimax Sm-2200 Trimax

2011-06-07T05:59:00.000-07:00

Trimax Sm-2200
Trimax

FROM THE BACK COVER:
"Who is the mysterious 'King' controlling the class? Tsubasa pursues Akira Manabe, a troubled boy who might know the King's true identity. As Tsubasa closes in on Arisa's secret, the King makes another move!"

Like in previous games, the Pokédex encourages you to find those missing Pokémon entries that bug you when you browse it. In Diamond and Pearl however, finding all those pesky Pokémon is a must, because doing so will unlock the upgraded version and gain you access to the other 300 so Pokémon from the previous games. I would have rather wished the upgraded National Dex been given as a reward for beating the Elite 4 instead though, as it can be quite annoying to finish the game, only to go back and be forced to fight every trainer you missed and train Pokémon you don't want in order to gain access to the rest.

worth getting DIRECTV AU9-SL3-SWM Three LNB Ka/Ku Slim Line Dish Antenna SL-3 LNB Combo

2011-06-07T05:45:00.000-07:00

DIRECTV AU9-SL3-SWM Three LNB Ka/Ku Slim Line Dish Antenna SL-3 LNB Combo

Taku Iwasaki's score takes the series' darker turn in stride, serving up Gregorian-ish chants and subliminal vocals along with the requisite bleak strings and action thunder. Even Tommy heavenly6's new opening reflects the more downbeat aesthetic, as does abingdon boys school's standard-issue rock closing. Neither of which, by the way, is fit to spit-shine the boots of its predecessors.

EVIDENCE AGAINST:
There is such a thing as too smooth, and the polished imagery of Afterschool Charisma doesn't really have the grit that's needed for the dramatic finale of this volume. Instead, the most visually striking aspects of the series are the high population of pretty boys (a history-class version of Hetalia, maybe?) and the very static, very rectangular paneling—more committed to looking tidy than creating a sense of excitement. As a result, even major action scenes seem like little more than lively conversations where people happen to get hurt.

worth getting Eagle Aspen Dtvp3ds Directv Approved 18inch X 20inch Multi-Satellite Dish Integrated Triple Lnb

2011-06-07T05:44:00.000-07:00

Eagle Aspen Dtvp3ds Directv Approved 18inch X 20inch Multi-Satellite Dish Integrated Triple Lnb

Funimation's English version takes liberties, yes. And those liberties sometimes cause mismatches between the visuals and dialogue. But they're hardly the real issue. That would be the dub's overall lack of color. For a series that subsists on warped style and pumped-up panache, its dub is awfully low-key. None of the actors—except John Swasey and his accurately wacky Death—venture far from established voice-acting comfort zones, and the result is solid and safe, and no match for the lively Japanese. Some spirited rewrites help, but hardly enough.

Shiro continues to wonder about his status as a true human or a clone, the classroom cult surrounding Dolly the Sheep causes further controversy, and the debate surrounding cloning ethics rages on (with one particularly disturbing scene). It also doesn't hurt that the series is easy on the eyes, with attractive characters and an eye for design that keeps the visuals perfectly balanced between light and dark, simple and detailed. Smoothly executed artwork like that makes it all the easier to focus on the thrilling, ever-deepening mystery.

worth getting First Strike FS1 Digital Satellite Meter

2011-06-07T05:43:00.002-07:00

First Strike FS1 Digital Satellite Meter

It may throw reason to the winds and ignore space and time when it suits it, but Soul Eater isn't a stupid show. It knows exactly what it wants to be and how to go about it. It knows its characters should be sympathetic and attractive but not too deep. It knows when to weave plots and stack complications and when to bring them crashing to conclusion. It knows how to stage a fight and when to kick Black Star in the balls (a highlight, I might add). And most of all it knows when to cut through the posturing and philosophical smack-talk with a limb-lopping smackdown.

EVIDENCE FOR:
Once again, the three-volume rule of thumb prevails: in its third installment, Afterschool Charisma reveals the identity of the shadowy faction trying to kill all the clones at St. Kleio, and does so in explosive, action-packed fashion. If the kids being all weird and mysterious around each other was the appetizer, then the last few chapters are the main course, with the shocking events of the school expo providing the perfect payoff. Which is not to say that the earlier chapters are less entertaining—their role in setting up the big reveal is essential, with the characters' suspicious behavior creating a cloud of uncertainty right before the storm.

worth getting Digital Satellite Finder Philips

2011-06-07T05:43:00.001-07:00

Digital Satellite Finder
Philips

In what is likely the most significant improvement in Pokémon - Diamond and Pearl is the inclusion of Wi-Fi, allowing for not only wireless battles, chats, and trades, but online as well. The Friend Codes are once again used here in order to battle or trade between you and a friend which does run quite well, although it does take a minute to get a battle started as well as the pauses that occur between each set of attacks. Pokémon - Diamond and Pearl go one step further with the new Global Trading System, or GTS for short.

Leader of France during the first French Empire. Became known as a hero for his victories as a general and went on to seize absolute control of the state in a coup d'etat. As emperor, Napoleon's rule spanned almost all of Europe, but opposition to his rule grew widespread after his army suffered a bitter defeat by the cruel Russian winter, leading to his eventual seizure and exile. Even then, Napoleon managed to return to power for a time, only to be exiled once again. He died on Saint Helena Island."

worth getting SATELLITE FINDER METER FOR DIRECTV

2011-06-07T05:43:00.000-07:00

SATELLITE FINDER METER FOR DIRECTV
Satellite Finder

This system is very much a global market, allowing you to put a Pokémon up for trade and ask for any other Pokémon you desire with the condition that you have seen it in your Pokédex. Seeking for a specific Gender or Level can also be done when offering and seeking a Pokémon. When a Pokémon is put up for trade, it is deposited onto the GTS, allowing you to turn off your DS or do something else and come back to it in a day or two to check your status. Sadly though, the GTS is terribly flawed at the moment, with many people using hack methods to gain access to high or very low level Pokémon that generally could never be gained easily. Although it may seem hopeless it is quite likely that your offer will be accepted by someone eventually, just don't expect it to be legitimately caught.

AFTERSCHOOL CHARISMA
Vol. 3
(by Kumiko Suekane, Viz Media, $12.99)

FROM THE BACK COVER:
"St. Kleio Academy is a very exclusive school. To enroll, a student must be the clone of a famous historical figure. Wolfgang Mozart, Queen Elizabeth, Sigmund Freud, Marie Curie, Adolf Hitler—with such a combustible student body, it's only a matter of time before the campus explodes!
Napoleon Bonaparte (1769-1821)

worth getting Sakar 52mm Close-Up Filter Set (+1, +2, +4 and +10 Diopters) Magnification Kit - Metal Rim

2011-06-07T04:30:00.000-07:00

Sakar 52mm Close-Up Filter Set (+1, +2, +4 and +10 Diopters) Magnification Kit - Metal Rim

Diamon and Pearl uses the DS's second screen in a unique fashion as it displays the Pokémon Watch, or Pokétch for short. This watch can eventually be loaded up with numerous applications that get given to you along your journey, some more useful than others. Applications range from a digital clock and a coin to flip, to a move weakness checker and a very handy item detector. During battle the bottom screen is taken over by a menu featuring some very easy to press boxes that makes navigating a breeze. Of course the D-Pad can be used if you so are inclined to do so. Ultimately though, other than the Contests and Poffin making which plays out like a Cooking Mama segment, the bottom screen is used for nothing more than prodding the big red button on you Pokétch or the big boxes in your menus, which is a tad disappointing.

The DWMA is in it deep. Medusa has stolen the sanity of their best meister, Arachne has joined forces with the Kishin and between them all, madness is a hair's breadth away from consuming the entire human race. Lord Death splits his forces, part to the madness amplifiers Arachne has spread across the world, part to Arachne's stronghold, and disgraced Crona and de-frocked Death Scythe Marie to Medusa. Spread that thin, even the formidable forces of the DWMA are in acute danger of annihilation. And when Maka abandons her mission to lend a hand to Crona, the situation doesn't improve. Death himself takes a hand, but even he underestimates the terrible power of the Kishin, leaving the fate of humanity in the gloved hands of a certain fragile slip of a girl.

worth getting 55mm 2X Tele Photo Lens for Digital Cameras & Camcorders

2011-06-07T04:29:00.003-07:00

55mm 2X Tele Photo Lens for Digital Cameras Camcorders

Using the internal battery of the DS this time means that you can safely know that your game will still be working in years to come. Returning also from Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire are the Pokémon Contests, allowing you to use your stylus to dress up your Pokémon, help it dance to the music, and select the moves that will drive it to win. Using the berries you find on your journey, Poffins can be made to help give your Pokémon the extra edge it needs to make it shine in the Contests.

Through the soul-gathering device of its beginning, the disquieting horror-action of the Kishin's escape, and a mid-term slump that saw the series double-dipping in the item-gathering pot-o-episodic plots, Soul Eater's core approach has remained the same: wild style, high entertainment, and to hell with anything—logic and sensible plotting, for instance—that gets in the way. So is it really any surprise that this gargantuan twelve-episode climax is preposterous, predictable, and so freaking cool that none of that matters in the least?

worth getting Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 DG Macro Telephoto Zoom Lens for Pentax and Samsung SLR Cameras

2011-06-07T04:29:00.002-07:00

Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 DG Macro Telephoto Zoom Lens for Pentax and Samsung SLR Cameras

GAME FREAK and Nintendo have done well in including almost everything that was great in the previous games, plus adding some more improvements to the mix. The first thing you will notice is the new slightly raised 3D-esque perspective, which takes a minute getting used to but becomes quite handy later on in finding hidden paths. The graphics of course have been given a boost, with some very neat and detailed scenery and effects. Sadly the Pokémon are still shown as 2D sprites with their cries, and background weather such as rain gives some slight sound clashes when used with the menu or your Pokétch. Returning from Pokémon Gold and Silver is the Day and Night system, introducing five different times of day.

In its own way, Soul Eater's finite time frame is as important as its stylistic adventurousness. Unlike shonen series with hundreds of episodes to play out their private and public dramas, Soul Eater has had to plan, execute, and resolve them in a relatively efficient manner. Which is why this, the final volume, consists of one enormous three-pronged battle during which every conflict, rivalry and humanity-destroying demon is confronted and resolved (or destroyed).

worth getting 9 Pcs. Lens Kit + 0.21x SUPER 58mm Fisheye Lens + 4 Rings Adapter (43mm, 46mm ,52mm, 55mm) + 52mm Adapter tube for KODAK Z740 + 1 Ultra Fine Microfiber Cleaning Cloth GOJA Logo

2011-06-07T04:29:00.001-07:00

9 Pcs. Lens Kit + 0.21x SUPER 58mm Fisheye Lens + 4 Rings Adapter (43mm, 46mm ,52mm, 55mm) + 52mm Adapter tube for KODAK Z740 + 1 Ultra Fine Microfiber Cleaning Cloth GOJA Logo

For the average gamer this will make absolutely no difference to how you play the game, it does begin to play a more important role if you decide to dive much deeper into the gameplay mechanics that the game can offer. With 107 new Pokémon added to the roster plus 43 from the previous games, the Sinnoh Pokédex is quiet diverse. One thing I discovered was the game lacked certain types of Pokémon, a good example is Fire type with only Ponyta being avaliable in the wild. As with every other game, Diamond and Pearl has their own exclusives so trading is encouraged if you want to complete the Pokédex and own them all.

In these twelve episodes Crona faces her mother's evil and redeems herself, Death the Kid discovers Lord Death's true designs and consequently reconciles with him, Black Star does battle with his fear of defeat and settles his score with Mifune, Death and the Kishin hash out their past, Arachne learns the true terror of the Kishin, and Maka and Soul engage the evil in his blood before teaching Kishin Man that fear and madness aren't the only human universals with the power to destroy. And those are just the highlights. If something interests you, chances are it's dealt with here, and probably via an earth-shaking ass-kicking.

worth getting 23 Pcs. Kit For NIKON D40 D70 D80 D90 includes: 2.0X Telephoto Lens+0.45X Wide Angle+4 Caps (front and back for each lens)+2 Lenses Pouches+Filter Kit (1 filter UV, 1 kilter PL, 1 filter FD)+Filter Case+Lens Hood+4 Close Up (+1 +2 +4 +10)+Close Up Case+LCD Protector 2.7"+Soft Flash Diffuser+ Wireless Remote Control+Remote Case+Dedicated Flash+Bounce Flash+Bubble level 3 axis+Cleaning Kit+1 Deluxe Ultra Fine Microfiber Cleaning Cloth GOJA Logo

2011-06-07T04:29:00.000-07:00

23 Pcs. Kit For NIKON D40 D70 D80 D90 includes: 2.0X Telephoto Lens+0.45X Wide Angle+4 Caps (front and back for each lens)+2 Lenses Pouches+Filter Kit (1 filter UV, 1 kilter PL, 1 filter FD)+Filter Case+Lens Hood+4 Close Up (+1 +2 +4 +10)+Close Up Case+LCD Protector 2.7"+Soft Flash Diffuser+ Wireless Remote Control+Remote Case+Dedicated Flash+Bounce Flash+Bubble level 3 axis+Cleaning Kit+1 Deluxe Ultra Fine Microfiber Cleaning Cloth GOJA Logo

The turn based battling mechanics haven't changed too much from the previous games. It still follows the Rock-Paper-Scissors format that we all know and love, however there is a new subtle twist with these versions. Attacks were previously categorized into Special and Physical based on the move type, however Diamond and Pearl changes this by now having three categories, and each move is labeled by how it is executed, so a Tackle would be Physical, Gust would be Special, and stat changing moves such as Tail Whip go into a new category known as Status.

Sacrifices were made, however, to make it possible. Getting to and from all of those showdowns requires characters to traverse forest, desert and marsh in ridiculously abbreviated time-frames (Maka is the space-warp master, traveling through all three and back again in less time than it takes the DWMA to breach Arachne's fortress), and not every plotline is juggled with equal skill. Death the Kid's search for his dad's magical tools badly disrupts the series' flow, and Black Star's duel with Mifune is so poorly integrated that it feels entirely superfluous. The big sacrifice, though, is the humor—particularly the self-aware portion of it.

worth getting Samsung PN50B860 50-Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV

2011-06-07T04:17:00.000-07:00

Samsung PN50B860 50-Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV

But even if the character designs put you off, the animation itself won't. Bright colors, well detailed backdrops, and good use of lighting are just about everywhere. In the first episode, a scene as basic as Seina riding his bike down a path is actually impressive. Once in a while, you see recycled footage, but it can be forgiven.

Another impressive part of GXP is the use of sight gags. Since this was Excel Saga alumni Shinichi Watanabe's baby, it's easy to expect that the slapstick comedy be golden. Indeed, facial expressions are suitably ridiculous, and the pratfalls are impeccably timed. It's not at all hard to say that this romantic comedy is very much rooted in its comedy half.

The basic concept and rules of the previous Pokémon games are once again kept intact, allowing seasoned players to jump right in and start playing. Starting out with one Pokémon, you begin your quest through the various towns, grasses, forests, caves, and waters that are positioned throughout the region. As you journey through these areas you'll come across random battles with Pokémon native to that area. Using your Pokéballs you can battle and capture these wild Pokémon for use during your adventures. With a maximum of only six being allowed to be carried by yourself at any one time, you have to choose your travelling team well.

worth getting Samsung PN58C7000 58-Inch 1080p 3D Plasma HDTV

2011-06-07T04:16:00.000-07:00

Samsung PN58C7000 58-Inch 1080p 3D Plasma HDTV

FUNimation has been both lauded and criticized for how they handle dubs, and GXP is no different. It's not a bad English dub, and compared to the original Japanese it holds its own. Still, one has to wonder about the decision to cast Tony Oliver (Arsene Lupin III in Lupin the 3rd, Sorata Arisugawa in X TV) as Seina Yamada. While the girls are cast strongly and quite close to their original Japanese counterparts, Oliver's Yamada is squeaky and grows irritating in short order. It's a shame and a disappointment, but that's why there's dual language options.

In keeping with tradition a new terrorizing group known as Team Galactic have arrived in Sinnoh and it is up to you to once again stop them. The plot has not changed much at all since the first game but it has never been one of the franchise's strong points. Needless to say, there is so much to do and so many people to speak to, that the plot acts as nothing more than an encouragement to continue forward and get stronger.

worth getting Sangean DT-200X FM-Stereo AM/FM Digital Tuning Personal Receiver

2011-06-07T04:11:00.001-07:00

Sangean DT-200X FM-Stereo AM/FM Digital Tuning Personal Receiver

Speaking of which, FUNimation's growing tradition of including English dubbed versions of opening and closing songs as defaults on their DVD's is found here too. They aren't bad, and are so close to the Japanese versions that they can be ignored. Still, subtitle purists will hit their DVD remote's language button as soon as the first syllables are sung. Differences of opinion, after all.

Keeping with the same fashion as the previous games, you play as either a young boy or girl fresh out of Twinleaf Town in the Sinnoh region. Upon having a few confrontations with the famous Professor Rowan, he entrusts you and your competitive friend to scour the land in search of data about all the Pokémon that inhabit Sinnoh. The journey of course is not an easy one, with wild Pokémon and trainers alike littered throughout the land in a bid to test your skills and abilities. There is also eight new gyms to home your skills against before you'll be able to take on the famous Elite Four.

worth getting Sangean DT-180 AM / FM Pocket Receiver

2011-06-07T04:11:00.000-07:00

Sangean DT-180 AM / FM Pocket Receiver

Another disappointment is that there is no Japanese language option with Surround Sound. The music and sound effects in the series are classy and fun, but you only get them in surround if you watch the dub. A bummer for subtitle purists indeed.

That said, even if you can complain about the dub, you won't be broken up about getting five episodes on the very first disc, and at a discounted price. Even if it is a standard DVD with the only extras being some token previews, a character bio gallery, and clean openings and endings, it's still priced several dollars below market standard. A good deal is always a good thing. One can only hope this cut rate price continues further into the run.

It's hard to ignore the juggernaut that is the Pokémon franchise. Each generation released brings something different to the Pokémon experience and every release is met with chart topping sales that continues to grow. With the DS selling like hot cakes, GAME FREAK and Nintendo have once again come together to bring us Pokémon - Diamond and Pearl, the latest and possibly largest title in the franchise yet.

worth getting Sangean DT-220A AM/FM Stereo Pocket Size Radio with Self-Storage Headphones

2011-06-07T04:10:00.000-07:00

Sangean DT-220A AM/FM Stereo Pocket Size Radio with Self-Storage Headphones

So, the final conclusion? Do we have a Frasier or an AfterMASH here? It's honestly hard to say only five episodes into the series. The characters aren't developed very much, to be honest, and the romance has only been hinted at so far. However, the comedy is hysterical and makes it well worth a look. If you were laughing out loud at Excel Saga, then you'll get more of the same here in Tenchi Muyo GXP. It's not particularly creative, and for now its link to the original Tenchi series is razor thin, but GXP manages to shake the spin-off curse and be its own brand of humor and fun. Diehard Tenchi fans may be disappointed in its lack of attachment to its source material, but casual watchers will have a lot of fun with this just plain entertaining series.

The inconclusive way Zipang ends takes it out of serious consideration as 2007's best anime title released in America, but it certainly still deserves a place amongst the year's elite releases. The writing and visuals are just too consistently good to deny, it offers satisfying amounts of flash and military buff-oriented fan service, and its thoughtful, well-balanced treatment of serious historical issues deserves recognition. To get American anime companies to keep bringing quality niche titles like this over to the States they must be supported, and you will be hard-pressed to find a more worthy candidate.

worth getting SANUS SYSTEMS VMPL3B UNIVERSAL 27" 84" TILTING FLAT PANEL MOUNT (BLACK)

2011-06-07T04:03:00.001-07:00

SANUS SYSTEMS VMPL3B UNIVERSAL 27" 84" TILTING FLAT PANEL MOUNT (BLACK

The “Return to the Future” subtitle is misleading because the Mirai does not actually return to the future by the end of the series. (Yes, this is a spoiler, but it should be known up front lest the final volume turns into an unexpected major disappointment.) In fact, the final episode not only leaves their status and future plans unresolved, it also spins off another plot thread that only starts to get underway by the series end.

An English dub that already struggles endangers itself further by changing actors for the key role of Kadomatsu for the final volume, a role that had typically featured one of the few good performances. The results are not disastrous – in fact, current English VA Curran Shane Mardjuki probably would have been acceptable in the role had he been voicing it from the beginning – but a substantially different vocal style in the role which gets the most dialogue in these episodes is jarring. The rest of the cast, as a whole, does not irritate the ears as much as in previous volumes, nor does the casting of Yonai create any issues. The dub also lacks the grievous errors in production seen in some earlier volumes, but the improvement is not quite enough to bring it up to the level of the original Japanese performances. As per normal, dialogue gets shifted around as needed in the English script and some parts do get substantially reworded, though none of the changes have a major impact on the content.

worth getting Sangean DT-210 AM/FM Pocket-Size Digital Radio

2011-06-07T04:03:00.000-07:00

Sangean DT-210 AM/FM Pocket-Size Digital Radio

The final episodes maintain the high artistic standards set by previous volumes, most notably in the CG renditions of moving ships and the detailed recreations of 1942 versions of various settings. Reconstructions of period uniforms and clothing also remains a strong point, but the non-CG animation, unfortunately, does not. Whatever the reason, it suffers the occasional breakdown during this span and generally looks stiffer than what it did in earlier episodes. The bulk of the problem is confined to episode 24, however. The soundtrack actually improves a little during this same span, in large part by dumping some of the weaker themes used throughout the first few volumes in favor of easier-flowing and more steadily dramatic themes.

Apocalypse Zero is the kind of manga that people should only read as a dare, to see if they can stand the disgusting imagery contained within. And even if they do, they'll still have to contend with a brainless plot and zero-dimensional characters that are the lowest form of the shounen action genre. It's true that disgusting and ugly things can be artistic, but only if presented with a message or purpose. The problem with Apocalypse Zero is that it has neither, except for the message of "Hey! Look at this! Think you can read through it without your stomach turning?" The correct response is to say no thanks, look away, and move on to something that's worth reading.
Grade:

worth getting SANGEAN DT210 Personal Digital AM/FM Stereo (PERSONAL AUDIO)

2011-06-07T04:02:00.001-07:00

SANGEAN DT210 Personal Digital AM/FM Stereo (PERSONAL AUDIO)

Unlike the previous two volumes, the three episodes of this one have a dearth of major action scenes beyond the occasional flashback. The Mirai doesn't get to show off its fancy hardware and armaments, nor do any of its characters get involved in any significant battles. Despite that, the content rarely lacks for tension and drama as circumstances continue to place the Mirai in a precarious position. The series also continues its penchant for tossing in actual historical figures, this time including Mitsumasa Yonai, the actual Navy Minister and Deputy Prime Minister (the English translation errantly refers to him as “Prime Minister,” although he did have an earlier stint at that job) of Japan at the time of the story. It also briefly brings back Lt. Commander Okamura, the officer who led the Japanese engineers in defense of Guadalcanal.

Seina Yamada may just be the unluckiest guy in the world. A classmate of Tenchi Masaki's, this walking timebomb seems to spread destruction and bad fortune wherever he goes. But when a surprise encounter with a beautiful woman leaves him with lipstick on his face and a Galaxy Police pamphlet, it seems his luck is about to turn around. Now he's become a member of the GP Academy and is about to face the challenges of squaring off against space pirates, adapting to a new advanced society, and sneaking out after curfew with his friends.

worth getting Sangean DT-400W AM/FM Digital Weather Alert Pocket Radio

2011-06-07T04:02:00.000-07:00

Sangean DT-400W AM/FM Digital Weather Alert Pocket Radio

That is, of course, not a viewpoint that sets well with Lt. Commander Kadomatsu, who rates the JSDF's mission of preserving life above all else, or with Lt. Kosuka, who seeks to manipulate Japan around that trial by giving up short-term defeats in exchange for long-term gains and saving of face. Over the last few episodes of the series those conflicting viewpoints drive the series as much as the fine line the Mirai tries to walk between continuing its mission and minimizing its impact on history, and taken together it generates complex, thoroughly involving storytelling. This is not a series you can watch with your brain turned off.

Tenchi Muyo GXP takes the now-classic world of the original Tenchi Muyo! and turns a whole new cast loose in it. The character types are plenty familiar; you've got a hapless but good-hearted male lead, a rambunctious sexpot girl, a quiet, shy, and caring girl, a daffy blonde (who's even related to the core series' daffy blonde), and an intelligent witty girl with plenty of gadgets. Predictable, but it's not archetypes that make a series - it's details.

worth getting Sangean Dt-120 White Pocket Am/Fm Digital Radio (White)

2011-06-07T04:01:00.000-07:00

Sangean Dt-120 White Pocket Am/Fm Digital Radio (White)

That and the weak English dub are the only significant black marks against a series that otherwise stands amongst 2007's best American releases. Except for the actual ending, the writing in the final volume represents just as much of a triumph of precision writing and balanced storytelling as any of the previous volumes. Episode 24 shows the aftermath of episode 23's intense Mirai/Wasp battle from both sides without favoring or glorifying either; in fact, as it often has, the writing reserves the harshest criticism about World War II for Japan itself. Though it does not beat viewers over the head with its points, as a lesser series might do, it is unblinking and unwavering in emphasizing, through the viewpoint of certain period characters, that Japanese Imperialism in general, and the war effort in particular, was an epic example of hubris, one which only a costly trial by fire and blood could excise from the Japanese leadership.

Each of the characters have been given their own unique look thanks to character designs by Tenchi veteran Atsushi Okuda. They aren't quite as endearing as the Masaki Kajishima drawn original cast. There's something a little off-putting about the way Okuda draws the noses and mouths of his characters. Not everyone will agree, but it can be said that the new cast just isn't as attractive as they could be. We're not talking Peter Chung controversial, but we are talking about a bit of adapting to be done by the hardcore Tenchi fans.