VHS HELL: Chirin no Suzu

AKA the Sanrio classic RINGING BELL.

Read the previous AnimeHELL love for Ringing Bell HERE


Now in WIDESCREEN with original Japanese and English audio! Thanks to Chris Sobieniak for the video upgrade! Woot!

Link to the download:
Chirin no Suzu

animehell

COWA! Vol. 1 Impression

COWA! volume 1 from Viz is pure Akira Toriyama fun similar to Dr. Slump, but a bit simpler, smoother. Paifu is the star of this story along with his village of monsters. See Paifu is a half-vampire, half-werekoala. His best friend is a ghost named Jose and rival a monster named Arpon. They are all kids and as kids do they get into adventures. We get to meet different characters in the world of COWA! as well as learn about our heroes. Paifu never lies, well almost never, and it’s this bending of the truth that allows him to combat the Monster Flu sweeping his village. Only with the help of his best friend, rival and local human Mr. Maruyama (and his car of course) can Paifu get to the mountain where the witch who makes the medicine lives. During the journey we learn that Mr. Maruyama is a well known former wrestler known as the Volcano, and he uses his skills to fight certain humans who pick on his monster buddies. The group encounters a guardian monster, another guardian monster, a big-ol witch and … well that’s it, they get the medicine and save the village. We also have some little lies made good and friendships are formed. Did I mention is funny, the kind of funny that only the man who created Dr. Slump could craft.

The art is simple, and reminds of Toriyama’s other work only with the humans. Each monster is fun and simple, really easy to enjoy. The storyline takes on a bit of Dragonball and a bit of Dr. Slump. There is a journey, but also plenty of random stories, and what’s not to love about a half-vampire, half-werekoala? The art seems fit for a child’s book, but there is a good story here, one you could share with a child or enjoy as I did by myself. Some adult humor, but not too much and very subtle lives here. The book is good, a nice addition to any Toriyama fans library. I must say check out COWA! if you took even a passing interest in Dr. Slump. Good simple art mixed with a fun story makes for good reading.

Witchblade DVD vol. 6 Impression

Volume 6 of Witchblade packs an emotional punch most anime rarely approach when wrapping up the proceedings. Masane is becoming weaker and weaker as the Witchblade takes its toll on her body. She continues to live her life even as it begins to slip away, first the sense of taste, soon her life. Takayama takes back his position from Wado just in time for thousands of I-Weapons to go rogue. As the I-Weapons come ashore it’s time for all hell to break loose. Maria, Aoi and Asagi all confront Masane, the results of which won’t surprise. Rie Nishida comes to a classic ending, under tread, while Masane embraces her final fate high atop Tokyo Tower. Her very essence disappears as she unleashes one last wave of power to take care of every remaining I-Weapon. While she departs this world she ensures that Rihoko and Takayama are united.

Saving the best for last. Marc Silvestri pens the cover art of volume six which is just sweet looking and really bridges the gap from Top Cow to FUNimation. The story really evolves as this went from a very sensual Witchblade fighting twisted I-Weapons to a very sensual Witchblade fighting twisted I-Weapons for a reason with emotional attachments. The fate of the Witchblade is sealed a volume earlier so you are not surprised, but you will be sad. The reuniting of Rihoko and Takayama leaves a warm fuzzy in you, but having her mother disappear proves this is a good anime. Why? Because you care, you are sad to see this ending, but also you will feel some satisfaction. The action, the animation is fast, furious and the best of the series. When the journey began who knew what to expect. An anime take on a great American comic series, who knew it would work this well. It could have been all about T&A, but something good happened, a real story with good characters developed. I’m sad to see this story end, but when it comes to the Witchblade is the story every truly over?

The Last Remnant Images

More RPG love from the company that just keeps delivering. The Last Remnant from Square Enix will give Xbox 360 owners some tasty J-RPG love. Remnants are objects, artifacts, located around the world that have been utilized for weapons and more due to their power. These items lead to war, war waged with the power of the Remnants for the purpose of domination. The settings seem similar to a Dynasty Warriors game, but this is a new beast, one gamers are going to dig. I cannot wait, but since I have too I’ll just tide my time with these tasty images.

Ultra 7: Space Ace Reunion

Today's episode: Space Ace Reunion!


Link to the download:
Ultra 7: Space Ace Reunion

animehell

SD Mazinger Z Papercraft

Mazinger Z (マジンガーＺ, Majingā Zetto), known as Tranzor Z in North America, is a manga series by Go Nagai, serialized in Shueisha Shōnen Jump from October 1972. A cool SD Mazinger Z papercraft has just been released. It has seven pages of parts which you can download here.

One Piece Papercrafts

Here are the Straw Hat Pirate papercrafts from the anime One Piece. In the picture are Roronoa Zoro, Nami, Usopp, Sanji, Tony Tony Chopper, Nico Robin and Monkey D. Luffy. You can download the whole gang together with Frankie and Brook here.

Cattle Supplies

Are you in need of cattle supplies? Well, there is an online store you can visit for your cattle product needs. I'm talking about jefferslivestock.com. They are committed to meeting the needs of the veterinary community, farm owner and livestock enthusiast. Their extensive inventory of farm supply, cattle supply and livestock supply products include:
Cattle Vet Supply products
Electrolytes
Identification products
Insecticides
Medications
Supplements
And more!

Lemon Man Papercraft

Shogakukan is a Japanese publisher of dictionaries, literature, manga, non-fiction, DVDs, and other media in Japan. Shogakukan company, along with Shueisha, owns Viz Media, which publishes manga from both companies in the United States. On their website is a simple lemon man papercraft.

Office Furniture

Are you thinking of buying office furniture? Then head on over to Office Furniture Concepts. They have a wide selection office furniture choices like office desks, filing cabinets and office chairs for every office need and budget. The good thing is they ship for FREE. Not only that, they also offer white glove delivery which means you don't have to worry about unboxing and arranging all your office furniture.

Cubeecraft Papertoy Update

I'm back with another set of cool papertoys from cubeecraft. The latest models are Batman Beyond, Space Ghost, Lucas, Claus, "Duck Hunt" Dog, Gir, The Brain and Puffer Fish. You can get'em all here.

Saturday MatineeHELL: Prince Planet Giant on the Matters

It's Saturday! Finish mowing that lawn and you can enjoy some good old Saturday Matinee HELL!

Get ready to meet Dan Dynamo on today's episode: Giant on the Matters!

Download at the link:
Prince Planet: Giant on the Matters

Next week: The Arabian Magician

animehell

Blood+ Manga vol. 2 Impression

The Blood+ manga from Dark Horse packs action and art to rival the anime, and surpass it in some instances. As Saya comes to grips with what she is the one-armed Charles continues his assault, not pleased with his battle. He wants Saya to remember who she is before he ends her life, a grudge tied to his lost arm. In order to bring Saya to him Charles kidnaps Riku, Saya’s younger brother and takes him to Vietnam. George has to stay behind in Japan to take care of things while Saya and Kai accompany David to Vietnam. A chance encounter with a one legged girl carrying blue roses in the city leads the group to the same town Saya went medieval on back during the Vietnam war, causing her to have bloody flashbacks. Meanwhile Riku becomes close with the young Charles, forming an odd bond of friendship that Solomon sees as weak and unneeded. Speaking of Solomon he’s in the background working on … well we have yet to find out what, ditto for Red Shield who dispatches backup to Vietnam for David. In the village all the villagers, including Mui (who befriends Saya) turn into Chiropteran’s and attack, causing them to be killed and Saya to embrace what Chiropterans are and face killing humans. We learn about Diva, her being Saya’s sister and how George first encountered an awakened Saya, then it’s onto volume 3.

Ok, so I mention this series moves beyond the anime. The art is superb, matches up beautifully with the anime, but there is a humor, a sense of emotion I see in the manga that is not always apparent in the anime, a great feat. The action, humor, emotion all comes through superbly in the manga pages. The storyline is great also, and when compared to the anime, which I just have to do, offers up enough changes and pacing to warrant owning each. Kai does not have to chase Saya to Vietnam, Riku never meets Mui, there is no private school and Charles is much different from his counterpart in the anime, not to mention there is the absence of one major death in the manga that I don’t mind. The story is great, hands down. The pacing is much faster than the anime, which is kind of odd since manga usually takes a bit more time to flesh out story. Chicken before the egg here as the manga is based on the anime, which is not the norm. So, art is sweet, story is good with enough wrinkles to separate it from the anime and the pacing is just right for an action packed manga. Not too much more to add other than bravo to Dark Horse for publishing this book that takes a risky approach by changing major story points and characters on a popular series. Not a straight up adaptation, a wholly new experience … now give me volume 3 already.

Naruto Ultimate Ninja Heroes 2 Gameplay Trailer

The action in Naruto Ultimate Ninja Heroes 2 from Namco Bandai on the PSP is as hot as the anime that birthed it. Fans of the series know what I'm talking about, just check out these gameplay trailer. Naruto is setting the standard for PSP fighting games bar none.

SoundHELL: Chuck Norris

Thanks to Mister Kitty's Found Sound we're reposting the Chuck Norris Karate Kommando mp3:

NORRIS!




animehell

Bleach DVD vol. 10 Impression

In volume 10 of the Bleach DVD series from Viz Chad learns one hard lesson … don’t expect to take on a Captain and come out scratch free. Chad takes on Captain Kyoraku of Squad 8 and is clearly outmatched. As he battles his past with Ichigo is revealed before he finally falls, only to be spared and taken into captivity. Speaking of Ichigo he is still taking on Captain Zaraki of Squad 11, with no luck. He cannot match his spirit power and is killed, yup dead … that is until his zan-pac-to challenges him unleashing a new level of power where sword and wielder are one … but with a hollow-ish presence in tow. Ichigo wins, but as Zaraki falls so does carrot top. Yourichi heals Ichigo and reveals her true (naked) form … tasty! Not fully healed Ichigo heads out against Yourichi’s wish to head to the White Tower where Rukia is face-to-face with Ganju when her brother shows up. Not fully healed Ichigo has learned a few lessons from his first encounter with Kuchiki and he’s ready to fight. Oh, it’s confirmed that Aizen is truly dead and there’ that mystery to solve.

Massive battles, some won, some lost and the death and mystery of a captain … what a truly fun series Bleach is. It keeps pace with the manga, well it moves a bit faster, but all the action is here. For a TV series the animation is top notch and the battles, are just plain sick. Once one battle is over viewers just can’t wait for the next one. Mystery upon mystery reveal as we wonder just who was it Ichigo battled while unlocking his new powers? Who killed Aizen and why? Why did Rukia kill Ganju’s brother? Will Chad recover and where is the rest of the team? Yes there is still much story to tell. The pacing is great, battles are fast and furious and used to reveal the past of various characters, all within a 1-2 episode timeframe. Easy to consume, pleasing the fighter fan in us all while moving along the plot that is not too deep, not too shallow, but just right. Yeah, I’m a Bleach fan and if you pick up a volume of the DVD (or manga) you’ll be hooked, just give it a try. Man, now I have to wait for volume 11 

Black Blood Brothers vol. 3 Impression

The Kowloon children make an appearance, a massive one that engulfs the entire Special Zone and reveals why it was created. The remains of the Kowloon king are buried somewhere in the Special Zone, in the Eleventh Yard, attracting Cassa and her siblings. As Jiro searches for his brother they are engulfed in the conflict and must confront old foes and past secrets. Kotaro, who and what Kotaro is, will be revealed while we learn small snippets of Jiro’s past, how he became a vampire and some background on just what happened in the past. Mimiko begins to show signs of ties to the past also, further deepening the mystery that is quickly unraveling before viewer’s eyes. The action hits a fever pitch as Jiro takes on Cassa and the next storyline is about to begin.

Whew! That was a quick recap, but take my word; this is one hell of a series that is moving along at a nice pace with plenty of secrety secrets. Animation and character design is nice as always, and the action sequences truly shine, I love some good battles. The voice action is getting much better as Jiro just didn’t seem to show enough emotion in the past but is now, especially with Cassa around. The story is what I’m hooked on and you should be too. I mention Kotaro has some secrets revealed, but that I’m not going to spoil. Yes you may have guessed it already, but it’s still fun to hear, to see along with Jiro’s commentary on how he ties into it. Really makes you anticipate what is to come. Learning about the Kowloon king and the reason for the Special Zone is a nice story twist as now everything is not just about Jiro, he’s just a piece of the puzzle. Mimiko becomes more of a factor in the story, in what way I don’t know yet, but she has a tie to the past yet to be fully fleshed out. The story is heating up, the action and fights are just tasty. There is more to this series than meets the eyes and with no more Trinity Blood or Blood+ to sink your teeth into you owe it to yourself to check out Black Blood Brothers volume 3 (and 1 and 2) from FUNimation.

Dragonball Z Burst Limit Trailers

Dragonball Z Burst Limit is on shelves now and I'm finally getting a chance to play the full version of this puppy (the demo is sweet) so while I play a bit check out these trailers. From the demos opening it feels like a true episode of DBZ, only better. It's crisp, sharp, clear and most important it feels like the anime. More soon, for now enjoy these Dragonball Z Burst Limit trailers.

Infinite Undiscovery Xbox 360 Images

The name of the game may be a bit … odd, but once you take a look at this beauty there is no denying the Xbox 360 is going to get some much needed ammo in the battle for the Japanese market with Infinite Undiscovery. Square Enix may be keeping Final Fantasy on the PS3 for now, but the new franchises it’s trying out on multiple systems should please RPG fans everywhere. Players will enjoy a real-time world with beautiful graphics and a story where the gamer chooses the path they will follow, a world they will discover. Here are some details from the press release and the pics below, well they just scream H-O-T … enjoy!

“Players will be confronted with a variety of dramatic situational battles such as executing a daring escape while a gigantic ogre follows in hot pursuit, or waging battle amidst towering tidal waves. The dynamic environments change and respond in real time, creating an entirely new experience never before seen in the genre. Combat, exploration, and other actions all take place within the same environment, seamlessly shifting between each game facet. Battles are carried out in real time, bringing the vibrant fighting sequences of the STAR OCEAN series out of the traditional battle screen into a beautiful and lush environment.”

Ultra 7: Sharpshooter Showdown

Today's episode: Sharpshooter Showdown!


Link to the download:
Ultra 7: Sharpshooter Showdown

animehell

VHS HELL: Space Warriors

photo by makelessnoise

Hey! It's SPACE WARRIORS!



Link to the download:
Space Warriors

animehell

Saturday MatineeHELL: Prince Planet

Head to the lobby to get some popcorn and a soda! It's time for Saturday MatineeHELL! Grab a seat and enjoy the first episode of Prince Planet, A Boy From Outer Space!

In this episode Prince Planet leaves his home planet Radion and heads to Earth. He makes it but somehow loses his spaceship in the process. Luckily Diana Worthy and her horse find him:

For all things Prince Planet head over to Dave's Let's Anime blog and get all the inside details.

Link to the download:
Prince Planet, A Boy From Outer Space!

Next week: Giant on the Matters

animehell

Real Music by Fake Bands: I Am A Giant

I like fake cartoon bands. I admit, I can remember watching the grand daddy of fake cartoon bands The Archies belt out Sugar Sugar. Of course after Sugar Sugar became a number one hit staying on the top of the charts for 4 weeks everybody had to get into the act. Soon fake cartoon bands littered the saturday morning air waves. Josie and The Pussycats was my personal fav.

Which brings me to Jem. Although I liked the show it wasn't because of Jem. Nope, I was in The Misfit's camp. Why? Because Jem and The Holograms sang songs about things like reading is fun and old people don't suck. Pizzazz and the Misfits being cast as the bad guys didn't have to toe that party line. I guess their music is suppose to suggest that they're selfish mean girls. But the song I Am A Giant is an 80s synth-rock affirmation. A power ballad declaration of Grrl Power.

I I I I am
Gonna cut you down to size
I I I I am
Gonna make you realize
I I I I am
Like a comet on the rise
No one can top me
Nothing can stop me

I am twenty stories tall
I am a giant
Towering above it all
Strong and defiant
I am a giant

I I I I am
Not the kind who kids around
I I I I am
Gonna crush you to the ground
I I I I am
The music and the sound
Ain't here to play kid
Outta my way kid

I am twenty stories tall
I am a giant
Towering above it all
Strong and defiant
I am a giant

I I I I am
I am a giant
I I I I am
I am a giant
I I I I am
I am a giant

I am

I Am A Giant

I Am A Giant

I am.




animehell

VHS HELL: Deception of a Generation

photo by makelessnoise

Over twenty years ago The Eagle's Nest released this tape warning us of,"another attack on our society." Our host Gary asks us, "If I say something like wicked witches and demon clouds and spell books and even the zone of eternal evil, what comes to mind?" Then Gary cuts to a clip from The 13 Ghosts of Scooby-Doo. Oh yeah, Scrappy-Doo is a tool of Satan.

Gary is joined by his pal Phil who tell us that, "80% of all cartoons deal directly with the occult, and 40% of the toys on the market have occultic influences." And Phil has brought along all his action figures and playsets and even some frosted sugar bomb breakfast cereal. Which, as everyone knows, is the best way to watch cartoons. Here's Gary playing with the Masters of the Universe Snake Mountain playset:



Is it just me or does Gary remind you of a certain 70s porn star?

Gary and Phil show us toys and clips from Thundercats, Transformers, G.I.Joe, Voltron, She-Ra and The Care Bears and tell us that they are filled with occult references and images. Is there some sinister conspiracy at work here? Just the conspiracy of Joseph Campbell. Pretty much everything they call "occultic" is the same mythic archetype/monomyth stuff popularized by George Lucas and anybody else with a dogeared copy of Hero of a Thousand Faces. But don't tell that to Gary and Phil, then they'd have to find another excuse to play with their action figures. Follow your bliss, kids!



Link to the download:
Deception of a Generation

animehell

Disgaea 3: Absence of Justice Game Trailer

Disgaea 3: Absence of Justice for the PlayStation 3 is going to be CRAZY! Geo Blocks (see in Afternoon of Darkness on PSP) make their way onto home consoles along with a new story and characters all set in the world of Disgaea. The stunning character design is back along with hardcore strategy gameplay unlike any other S-RPG out. I loves me some Disgaea and if you have any interest in strategy role-playing games you owe it to yourself to check out this trailer and game when it hits. I love old school style games on next-gen. Money.

Virgin Comics Recap

Impressions for The Megas #2, The Stranded #2, Jenna Jameson’s Shadow Hunter #2

When last I spoke about Virgin Comics it was my first exposure to the brand. What I found still delights me as these are unique books with varied creative teams from TV and Movies. I started with The Megas, The Stranded and Shadow Hunter. I’ve received a few more books which I’ll touch on later, but for now I wanted to recap volume two of the three books I mention above. Yes, I say books, but they are comic books, and good ones at that. So here we go ..

The Megas #2
Jack Madison continues his investigation into the murder of Ellington Boureaux at a Dupont Circle brothel. As he digs further things begin not to add up. Ellington had a spotless record, not vices other than this one, no reason to kill himself let alone three girls. One of the girls, Melody Davis, was Ellington’s favorite, and one he seemed to have a true place in his heart for. She is also a girl not into the group thing, so why is she killed along two others? Just part of the mystery, a mystery that also includes Jack’s own little secrets. He’s being watched but which secret will come out first, his relationship with Mega princess Julianne or his reliance on drugs to relax? The mystery deepens and new players are introduced, just what Jack needed and readers want.

As I touched on with Megas #1 the art is passable, pretty sub-par so what shines with the Megas is the story. Issue 2 continues to weave a world where class is defined by the color of hair and where you are born. The mystery group watching Jack intrigues as you just know he’s going to get burned down the road, and me’s thinks it will be when he starts to figure out what’s up with Ellington’s death. The political action is just getting started.

The Stranded #2
David Rumecj who’s really Drum, has some of his powers unlocked to defend himself against Janus who’s out to find and destroy the Catalyst, someone the Forgotten fear that escaped their grasp. Having escaped with the help of Tamree, Drum learns that he’s from another planet, one of the stranded here on Earth, memories and powers hidden to escape notice from the Forgotten, a race that wiped out their home planet with little trouble against the planetary defenses. Little by little Drum regains his memory as he travels with Tamree to search out more exiles before Janus reaches them. It’s to New York to seek out their next target, but Janus beats them there. Tamree unveils one of her powers, leaving her body to search the city, where she finds Janus and traps him in a mindscape, only to be trapped herself by Janus assistance Dzin, claiming to be Tamree’s sister.

Whew, lot going on in issue 2 of The Stranded. The pacing is good as the action picks up and background story is revealed as Drum learns about it. We get more insight into why the stranded are here, why they have no memories and a little bit about the bad guys. The art is good but it seems some panels are gorgeous while others seem rushed. Overall a compelling story that just seems fit for a mini-series … step up Sci-Fi.

Jenna Jameson’s Shadow Hunter #2
Light or dark, which side will she choose? Jezzerie Jaden has one tough choice to make. With the Shadow Lord on one side and the Swordsman on the other, both sides are trying to draw Jezzerie to their side and with her the new powers she’s coming into. With a bit of help from her grandmother the choice is made. Jezzerie chooses neither light nor dark, she chooses her own path. She is the Shadow Hunter and she will end the war between heaven and hell and any realm in between.

The story is quick and to the point. Jezzerie begins to come into her power and once she makes the choice that granny helps her with its onto new and greater things. When you come from the bloodline of Lilith and have both light and dark within you, yeah, you’re going to be one major badass. The art in Shadow Hunter is just smoking hot, some of the best there is, and the displays of demons and cherubs, it’s just a smooth flow. By far this is one of my favorite series and it’s just getting started. Fan of Witchblade, Fathom maybe? You will dig Shadow Hunter.

Star Ocean: The Last Hope Images June

Square Enix recently released images for three title, big time titles, that will be hitting the Xbox 360. Unlike the original Xbox the 360 is getting some good support from very Japanese titles and these three will help. I'm going to share images for these three titles with you over the next few days starting with Star Ocean 4, officially known as Star Ocean: The Last Hope. The story goes like this ... "The year is S.D. 10; in the aftermath of World War III, humanity voyages into the stars in search of a new home...and a second chance." Developed by tri-Ace Inc. this title is in great hands. Taking the team that's handled the franchise and giving them the power of the 360 ... tune in for more on this later, but for now check out these pics, yummy.