Top Anime DVD Release
Bleach DVD #6 [ VIZ Media ] - Ichigo and his friends have just made it to Soul Society in their attempt to rescue Rukia; but it’s not going to be easy! Check out this DVD and the rest of the fast-paced and mind blowing Soul Society arc.
Top Manga Release
Tekkon Kinkreet Black & White [ VIZ Media ] - It’s rather rare to see such an offshot manga released domestically, the best way to keep them coming is to support the manga companies by purchasing releases just like this!
Berserk Volume #19 [ Dark Horse ]
September 26, 2007 | $13.95 | 232 pages
The bewildered and near-mad Casca, former captain of the Band of the Hawk - and former lover of Guts, the Black Swordsman - has been adopted by Midland’s pagan cults as a witch due to her demonic Mark of Sacrifice. But the Holy Iron Chain Knights’ campaign to rid the kingdom of heretics by any means necessary puts Casca in mortal danger, and Guts is having none of it.
But all parties involved may end up with more than they bargained for as demonic spirits, drawn to Casca’s brand, begin to possess the heretics and unleash the forces of hell. But hell hath no fury like the Black Swordsman!
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School Rumble Volume #7 [ Del Rey ]
September 25, 2007 | $10.95 | 208 pages
The love of Harima Kenji’s life has made it clear that she will not return his feelings! Brokenhearted, Harima decides to run away and become a fisherman, sailing Japan’s high seas. Once aboard, however, Harima finds himself up against mean-spirited shipmates and a brutal captain who is almost too muscle-bound to be real. Can Harima measure up?
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Tekkon Kinkreet Black & White [ VIZ Media ]
September 25, 2007 | $29.95 | 624 pages
Orphaned on the mean streets of Treasure Town, lost boys Black and White must mug, steal and fight to survive. Around them moves a world of corruption and loneliness, small-time crooks and neurotic police officers, and a band of sadistic yakuza who have plans for their once-fair city. Can they rise above their environment?
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Top Anime DVD This Week
Dragonball Z Season 3 DVD Box Set
Whatever problems you may or may not have with this widescreen format, these Dragonball Z “season” box sets are extremely affordable. Own this great series on what will most likely be the last Dragonball DVD release (but get those checkbooks ready for those Blu-Ray releases down the road!)
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Top Manga This Week
Phoenix Volume 11
The great Osamu Tezuka considered this manga his “life’s work” and you should too! Don’t miss this enlightening series, now available from Viz Media.
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MÄR Volume #15 [ VIZ Media ]
September 18, 2007 | $7.99 | 192 pages
Ginta and Team Mar have one final mission: to save Snow from the clutches of evil Queen Diana. The stakes get even higher when Diana announces her ultimate goal: the domination of Ginta’s world after she takes over Mar Heaven. And Ginta is devastated when the identity of the Chess King is revealed - an opponent Ginta never imagined he would have to fight!
Phoenix Volume #11 [ VIZ Media ]
September 18, 2007 | $16.99
Wolf-faced warrior Harima fights on behalf of the once-deified Ku tribe, who are perceived as demonic after the introduction of Buddhism to Japan. This conflict is mirrored in the 21st century, where Harima’s counterpart, Bando Suguri, fights against a Phoenix-worshipping group.
Sun is the longest chapter in the Phoenix series, and its structure is threefold. Harima’s story in 7th century Japan interweaves with that taking place in the 21st century, while another tale of a spiritual battle bridges both past and future.
Top Anime Release
Hare+Guu DVD Box Set [ AN Entertainment ] - What’s better than witty little unrealistic children frolicing through life? An entire box set of it of course!
Top Manga Release
Welcome to the N.H.K. Volume #4 [ Tokyopop ] - A great dark and twisting series. I recommend any manga fan check this out.
Beck Volume #9 [ Tokyopop ]
September 11, 2007 | 192 pages | $9.99
Time is running out for Beck. With the weight of the world on their shoulders, they must perform better than any other band in the Greatful Sound performance. Ryusuke’s low-down and dirty deal with Leon Sykes could potentially destroy the group before fame has its chance to do it! Koyuki makes a potentially dangerous deal with none other than Yoshito from Belle Ame. The wager isn’t fame, but something more important to him. Will Beck be able to live up to the hype or blame it on the rain?
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Excel Saga Volume #16 [ VIZ Media ]
September 11, 2007 | $9.99
Dr. Kabapu be ILLin’, as the stunning success of Il Palazzo’s eponymous electronics firm is turning him literally sick. But even while ILL’s president, the stylish, corporate Excel, carries out her CEO’s directives, kindhearted Umi has discovered another version of her: a woman in a torn prison outfit with little memory of her past.
Dressing the stranger from her extensive cos-play wardrobe, Umi brings the mystery girl into the Shiouji household, only to let her fall into Aunt Miwa’s clutches. And that’s not a figure of speech!
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Welcome to the N.H.K. Volume #4 [ Tokyopop ]
September 12, 2007 | 192 pages | $9.99
Satou and Yamazaki have hit rock bottom in their creativity! To get out of his slump, Satou goes on a date with the newly married Kashiwa-senpai, but an envious and jealous Misaki is lurking in the shadows, patiently waiting for her chance to strike revenge on Satou. Satou will need more than creative inspiration in order to survive Misaki’s devious plot.
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Top DVD Release
Naruto The Movie: Ninja Clash in the Land of Snow DVD [ VIZ Media ] - Visually stunning and action packed.
Top Manga Release
Hunter X Hunter Volume #16 [ VIZ Media ] - This was a really tough decision with three of my favorite series being released this week, but Hunter X Hunter gains my top manga pick for this week with its incredibly unique storyline in such a cliche genre.
Dr. Slump Volume #13 [ VIZ Media ]
September 4, 2007 | $7.99 | 182 pages
Meet Caramel Man 004, the latest sinister creation of the evil Dr. Mashirito! Beneath the outer shell of a sweet, innocent boy lurks a machine built for world domination… and that’s totally smitten with Arale. A disappointed Dr. Mashirito next unleashes an even more terrifying robot: Caramel Man 005! And Caramel Man 006! And if that doesn’t work, there’s always Caramel Man 007! (You’d think he’d know when to quit!)
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Hunter X Hunter Volume #16 [ VIZ Media ]
September 4, 2007 | $7.99 | 200 pages
Gon and friends are settling into Greed Island and slowly beginning to understand the strange mechanics of this “video game” world. They gain enough clues from the NPC townspeople and finally get their quest. They must drive Razor and the 14 Devils out of town by beating them at sporting events. The first event: dodge ball! Except in this game if you don’t dodge - you die!
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MPD-Psycho Volume #2 [ Dark Horse ]
September 5, 2007 | $10.95 | 184 pages
Multiple-personality detective Kazuhiko Amamiya is on a new case - one which will result in even more personalities emerging inside his confused, scattered mind! A wave of grisly, imaginative schoolgirl suicides hits Tokyo! Investigating the scenes of these gruesome deaths, Amamiya and the colorful characters of the Isono Criminal Research Lab come across a new villain who knows about a key event from Amamiya’s past. What does the white-haired Zenitsu have to do with the suicides, Amamiya’s “barcode puzzle” theory, and a stuttering victim from a decades-old night of murder and destruction?
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Top DVD Release
School Rumble DVD #1 (also w/artbox) [ FUNimation ] - Another fun high school anime!
Top Manga Release
Negima! Magister Negi Magi Volume #15 [ Del Rey ] - You can say whatever you want, I know you love these harem/moe series.
Negima! Magister Negi Magi Volume #15 [ Del Rey ]
August 28, 2007 | $10.95 | 208 pages
Boy wizard Negi Springfield has met some tough challenges. After all, he’s an English teacher at an all-girls high school. But now he must face one of his own students in battle… without relying on his magical powers!
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Neon Genesis Evangelion: Angelic Days Volume #6 [ ADV ]
August 31, 2007 | $9.99 | 176 pages
One by one, the former students of class 2-A have returned to Japan. But their reunion won’t be a happy one, as Rei wrestles for her feelings for Shinji while Asuka and Shinji struggle to adjust as a couple. And through it all, they must face a common dilemma: the older they become, the more the evangelions are choosing to reject them…
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Best DVD Release
Innocent Venus DVD #1 [ ADV Films ] - I overlooked this anime when it debuted in Japan, but with relatively uninteresting releases this week, I’ll give it a try.
Best Manga Release
Monster Volume #10 [ VIZ Media ] - What do you expect? Every volume of this masterpiece will reach the top of my weekly suggestions. If you have not read or watched this series, what the hell is wrong with you?
Best New Series
Kurosagi Corpse Delivery Service Volume #4 [ Dark Horse ] - Not particularly a “new” series, but this manga is unique for stateside audiences and will hopefully gain the attention of older comic fans.
Fullmetal Alchemist Volume #14 [ VIZ Media ]
August 21, 2007 | $9.99 | 200 pages
Ed and Al come face to face with the “father” of the homunculi, who just so happens to be a dead ringer for their own father, Van Hohenheim - a resemblance too uncanny for coincidence. And later, when the allure of immortality proves to be too much for Prince Lin of Xin, he lets Greed take over… literally!
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Kurosagi Corpse Delivery Service Volume #4 [ Dark Horse ]
August 22, 2007 | $10.95 | 224 pages
A small country town’s got more than the usual crop circles to claim aliens drop by… they’ve got the extraterrestrial’s body! It’s going to be a different kind of alien autopsy when the Kurosagi crew investigates their oddest client yet. And there’s more strange visitors from afar when an American entomologist drops in - blond, buxom, and an expert on maggots - not to mention a crossover appearance by Reiji Akiba, the gun-toting exorcist of Mail!
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Monster Volume #10 [ Viz Media ]
August 21, 2007 | $9.99
“Cedok Bridge, the three frogs… The mother of the twins is in Prague.” A cryptic message from wealthy financier Schuwald sends Tenma to the city of a hundred spires. There, he meets Grimmer, an investigative reporter tracking down the former director of the infamous 511 Kinderheim orphanage. Could it be that the horrific experiments of the past are being recreated in Prague?
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Despite a low amount of releases this week, there were so many I enjoy, making it a bit difficult to choose my top suggestions for this week.
Top DVD Release
Kurau Phantom Memory DVD #3 [ ADV ] - This series is one of my all time favorites; it’s often overlooked, so I have “pimp” it as much as possible!
Top Manga Release
O-Parts Hunter Volume #5 [ VIZ ] - Despite all its fluff, O-Parts Hunter (666 Satan) is a fun read.
Top New Series
Air DVD #1 [ ADV ] - Despite another late release and dubious marketing, this series is one to check out; you’ll either love it or hate it!
Battle Vixens Volume #12 [ TOKYOPOP ]
August 14, 2007 | $9.99 | 192 pages
Sonsaku Hakufu returns with a vengeance and takes her rightful place as head of Nanyo Academy. To draw out her natural powers, Hakufu pays Chouko a visit on top of up a mountain. He explains to Hakufu that her destiny is to defeat Sousou, and attempts to teach her the legendary Water Dragon strike. Will it be enough to defeat Sousou in his new form?
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Tenchi Muyo Volume #11 (2nd Ed) [ VIZ ]
August 14, 2007 | $9.99 | 184 pages
When her childhood nanny lies dying, Mihoshi remembers the one thing the old woman always wanted: “I want to see you in your wedding dress one day!” In no time at all, she’s rushing off to Nanny’s bedside with her “fiance” Tenchi in tow, and Ryoko and Ayeka are in a panic! Then, Ayeka mysteriously vanishes on the day of a strange earthquake, only to return as a ruthless killer! Can her old friends undo her amnesia and bring her back to normal, or will this volume contain a wedding - and a funeral?
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O-Parts Hunter Volume #5 [ VIZ ]
August 14, 2007 | $9.99 | 192 pages
Jio’s friend Ball always dreamed of being strong - strong enough to help the resistance movement stop the maniacal governor Jaga who has a stranglehold on his hometown, and strong enough to defend his friends and his sister. Now that he too is an O.P.T., it looks like Ball might stand a chance! Can he, a novice when it comes to O-Parts, defeat a powerful member of the Zenom syndicate single-handed?
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Once again Viz dominated this week’s manga releases, while DVD box sets and shounen series took over the dvd releases.
Top DVD Release
Naruto Uncut DVD Box Set #4 [ Viz Media ] - The chuunin exams are coming to a climax in what I personally see as the last decent story arc of the series.
Top Manga Release
D.Gray-man Volume #6 [ Viz Media ] - With Bleach and Fruits Basket staring me in the face, I just had to look elsewhere! D.Gray-man really deserves more attention, so help it out!
Top New Series
Pretty Face Volume #1 [ Viz Media ] - Default win, no reason not to check it out though.
Bleach Volume #20 [ VIZ ]
August 7, 2007 | $7.95 | 200 pages
The shocking truth behind the collapse of the Soul Society is finally revealed! The magnitude of the conspiracy is far-reaching, and the perpetrators wield staggering power. Is this the end of the Soul Society?
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Buso Renkin Volume #7 [ VIZ ]
August 7, 2007 | $7.99
Kazuki’s black kakugane, which powers his Buso Renkin weapon and keeps him alive, will soon advance to the point where it begins draining life from others around him. Teaming up with his partner Tokiko, Kazuki leaves on a mission to find out more about the black kakugane in hopes of keeping this from happening. Meanwhile, they encounter an elite group of Alchemist Warriors that have been assigned to hunt them down and kill them!
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D.Gray-man Volume #6 [ VIZ ]
August 7, 2007 | $7.99 | 200 pages
A horde of akuma is closing in on Allen, but instead of attacking him they mysteriously head right for another exorcist, Suman Dark! His tragic story and the secret of his unique Innocence are revealed, but in the process Suman’s life is threatened. Allen tries his best to save his comrade by putting himself in grave danger!
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Fruits Basket Volume #17 [ TOKYOPOP ]
August 7, 2007 | $9.99 | 192 pages
Akito has more than skeletons hiding in the closet. The curse is not the only reason Kureno won’t leave Akito. Who can make Arisa understand Kureno’s devotion to Akito? Kureno must talk with Shigure if he ever wants to be free from Akito. Meanwhile, the dark shadow that hovers over the Sohma Estate has fallen on Tohru. Is there any cure for this curse?
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With all the new manga releases this week, I had plenty to choose from. The DVD releases are nothing to snuff at either, with a few large heavy-hitters.
Top DVD Release
Ranma 1/2 Season 2 [ Viz Media ] - This thinpack compilation gains my top DVD pick this week not because I like the series, but rather for the value and ability to bring old fans and new together.
Top Manga Release
Mobile Suit Gundam Seed Destiny Volume #4 [ Del Rey ] - This overrated, then underrated series slowly approaches conclusion, will it be peace or destruction?
Top New Series
Gon Volume #1 [ CMX ] - Not quite a “new series,” but this simple manga deserves more than it has received. With a little patience, this wordless adventure provides a unique view on life and nature.
With nearly 4 dozen manga releases, I sure did choose one hell of a week to start off this new “feature.” I figure tomorrow I’ll list my top suggestions for what to buy or what to stay clear of. If it doesn’t prove too tedious, I’ll start doing this with anime DVD releases as well.
Air Gear Volume #5 [ Del Rey ]
July 31, 2007 | $10.95 | 192 pages
Itsuki finally forms his own Air Treck team, but his roommate, legal guardian, and all-around hot babe, Rika, confiscates his Air Trecks and forbids him to ever skate again! Does she really just have Itsuki’s best interests at heart?
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Boys Be… Volume #14 [ TOKYOPOP ]
July 31, 2007 | $9.99 | 196 pages
The boys are back and there’s gonna be trouble. What’s a teenager to do when sexy photos aren’t so sexy? What happens when you have a crush on a porn star instead of the hot girl who has a crush on you? Who said high school hazing was all bad? Boys will be boys, after all!
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Mobile Suit Gundam Seed Destiny Volume #4 [ Del Rey ]
July 31, 2007 | $10.95 | 192 pages
Chairman Durandal has a vision for a new world - a place without war or strife, where no one questions his authority - and he’s determined to force peace upon the universe, regardless of the cost! But with the sinister Lord Djibril still on the loose, chaos reigns, and the universe is on the brink of total destruction. As the last battle approaches, the fate of all humankind hangs in the balance. It’s all here, in the explosive final volume!
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