GUNBUSTER vs DIEBUSTER Aim for the Top! The GATTAI!! Movie Limited Edition Blu-Ray Set Review by: Sean "Pants" Mitchell
Oh, GAINAX. You and your giant robots.
I am obligated to make a confession.
Generally, I don't like giant-robot anime all that much. However, there are certain instances where I fall in love...
Gunbuster was originally released as a six episode OVA in 1988. It’s sequel, Diebuster, was also originally released as a six episode OVA 18 years later. This might seem weird or problematic, as sequels tend to be released at a time when the original is somewhat fresh in memory. Luckily for Gunbuster, this time gap isn't a problem, especially since both series have been cut into two movies presented as a double-feature in this set.
Season One, episode eleven, Anime Expo. On this week’s episode of the Anime 3000 Panel, we focus on one of the largest anime conventions in the country. We discuss some of the highlights of this year’s expo as well as answer some questions that range from hotels, transportation, bootlegging, surprise guests and much more. Joining us on our panel, we have the head of AX Public Relations, Chase Wang as well as 2009’s convention chairwoman; Liyin Liang. Benu and Dancing Queen also join us to talk about their personal experiences with the convention. DOWNLOAD NOW
Sputnik Sweetheart Review by: Jd Banks Author: Haruki Murakami Publisher (US): Random House, Inc. Publisher (Japan): Kodansha Translated by: Philip Gabriel Release: 1999
Although the title is sweet and ambiguous, Haruki Murakami’s Sputnik Sweetheart isn’t about sugar and spice. Like most Murakami’s novels, Sputnik Sweetheart is an enigma within an enigma.
Told through the eyes of a nameless young man, Sputnik Sweetheart follows the unusually simple life of Sumire, a struggling writer who falls in love with an older beautiful woman. In spite of the gender, Sumire finds herself attracted to her employer without knowing the romantic feelings the narrator has for her.
Besides the romantic interests and the bitter-sweet stories of Sumire finding herself, the novel is surprisingly dark, digging into the strangest crevices of the characters’ human capacities. Sputnik Sweetheart holds emptiness within every character stemming from unrequited love and low self-assurance.
Theories and Conjectures of a Unique Anime Fan Vol. 2 AnimeNext - A review of the convention by Xan
In the anime, manga, and gaming fandom sub-culture, we have many unusual traditions. From 32-hour marathons to cosplaying to model kit buying, and even the illusive creation of fanzines, AMVs, and podcasts, the most notable of these traditions is the anime convention, or con. For those of you not in the know, a convention is an event or gathering of like-minded individuals with a focus on anime, manga, gaming, cosplay, and Japanese culture.
Most times, anime conventions are multi-day events hosted at convention centers, hotels or college campuses. Each convention features a wide variety of activities, ranging from interviews to open discussion panels. Anime conventions are also used as a vehicle for industry, in which various studios, distributors, vendors, and publishers represent their anime-related releases, new and old. On June 12th to June 14th, I attended AnimeNext in New Jersey.
MadWorld Review by: Joshua Valencia Developer: Platinum games Publisher: Sega Platform: Nintendo Wii Release Date: March 10, 2009
The developmental debut of Platinum Games, formerly known as Clover Studios, delivers an incredibly over-the-top violent video game that can only be enjoyed exclusively for the Wii.
MadWorld follows the story of Jack, a gruff muscle man who has a chainsaw strapped to his arm. He participates in the fictional game show, DeathWatch, where he must fight and eventually rise in rank to win a large sum of cash. The moderators of Deathwatch don’t know that Jack is working for somebody else as a spy to investigate the violent game show.
MadWorld has personality; it uses a stylized graphic novel appearance, allowing the game to showcase some incredibly distinct visuals within its black, white and red color scheme. The player will see buckets of red flying everywhere with huge splatters of blood filling up the entire screen. The player is able to beat their enemies to a pulp, stab them with a sign post, and finish them off by throwing them onto a bed of spikes on a wall. Various weapons such as spears, clubs and swords are available all around Varrigan City. Most players’ weapon of choice will be the chainsaw strapped to Jack’s arm. A quick swing of the remote will kill enemies in a single swoop.
Season One, Episode 10: Twitter: On this week’s episode of the Anime 3000 Panel, we discuss the ins and outs of the social networking site, Twitter. How has this Internet SMS changed the panel in terms of networking and broadcasting information. We talk about the many pitfalls of having a company that doesn’t put an emphasis on advertising. Is it here for the long haul and is there an opportunity for Twitter to be bought by a larger corporation? Also, we look at different practices among bloggers when it relates to following and being followed by fans. Finally, we break down some of the different applications and websites that make Twitter one hell of a product. DOWNLOAD NOW
Junk Force: Leave the Planet and Don’t Look Back! Review by: Jd Banks Author: Hideki Hakinuma (DARTS) Art by: Yu-suke Tsurugi Publisher (US): ComicsOne Corp. Publisher (Japan): Media Works, Inc.
Post-apocalyptic Earth is never a pretty sight to see in manga. Written by Hideki Hakinuma of DARTS and illustrated by Yu-suke Tsurugi, Junk Force delivers a three-volume glimpse into the wasteland known as Earth with twists, turns, and comedy.
In the year 2100, the earth has become a wasteland due to the Last World War between two factions, the Earth Regeneration Faction and the Mars Pioneer Faction. Because of the war, the earth’s natural resources dries up and the survivors of the Mars Pioneer Faction escape to Mars, leaving behind a powerful purification machine, the Z.P.T., programmed to cleanse the earth. Once the earth becomes hospitable again, the Mars Pioneer Faction plans to repopulate a new earth. Thirty years after the Last World War, the Z.P.T. seems to have gone crazy, sending Sweepers—gigantic tornados that annihilate everything in its path—indiscriminate of who lives are destroyed.
Anime 101: Creating Your Own Web Site By Sean Russell
One of the main reasons to run a website in general is to make money. However, in the world of anime fandom, it usually stems from wanting to spread awareness. After months of updating and writing articles, you begin to wonder if this is an acceptable use of your time. It is at this pivotal moment that you decide to either quit or get serious. My advice to you is to decide from the beginning whether or not you want to be a fan that has a web site or a web site that has fans.
If generating money is your true ambition, then you need hits. This goal will help fuel your editorial direction, whether or not you create a podcast and what overall changes you make to your site as the months progress.
To get started, you need to decide where to house your site. The popular choice is Wordpess. This is a blog site that allows you to host your page for free on their server, or integrate their software on your own web host. Many popular podcasts use this option, making it somewhat of a standard. If you are not experienced with web design and want to hit the floor running, this is a perfect option. You probably will need to read a few forums when it comes to decorating your page with banners and various graphics.
Season One, episode eleven, Anime Expo.
Sputnik Sweetheart
Theories and Conjectures of a Unique Anime Fan Vol. 2
MadWorld
Season One, Episode 10: Twitter: On this week’s episode of the Anime 3000 Panel, we discuss the ins and outs of the social networking site, Twitter. How has this Internet SMS changed the panel in terms of networking and broadcasting information. We talk about the many pitfalls of having a company that doesn’t put an emphasis on advertising. Is it here for the long haul and is there an opportunity for Twitter to be bought by a larger corporation? Also, we look at different practices among bloggers when it relates to following and being followed by fans. Finally, we break down some of the different applications and websites that make Twitter one hell of a product. 
Junk Force: Leave the Planet and Don’t Look Back!
Anime 101: Creating Your Own Web Site