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Category: Anime

First impression: 'Tower of Druaga'

"The Tower of Druaga: The Aegis of Uruk" (Funimation) -- "Druaga," based on a video game but set decades later, falls firmly in the camp of fun fantasy adventure titles. So far, it seems mostly lightweight but with some genuine moments of dramatic intensity and some bits of humor thrown in, especially the first episode.

The focus of the series is Jil, a young adventurer who's fired from his brother's questing party and winds up with a new group.

Their quest? To scale the Tower of Druaga and defeat the evil demon at the top. The demon's power and his Blue Crystal Rod can be used to help the people who live around the tower, in the city of Meskia. Different groups, known as climbers, have different motives. And Meskia's army is also heading up.

One has to wonder, though, since this is based on a video game, and the opening credit sequence shows the characters as modern-day high school students, is the whole thing going to be a dream? Or were the creators just being cute? After reading more about the series, I have a feeling it's the latter.

Jil is an amiable character and a strong focus for the show. He winds up in a Climber group with Kaaya, a healer with a hidden agenda; Ahmey, the fighter; Melt, a down-on-his luck but powerful lightning mage; and Coopa, his young servant (and the one that makes Melt seem as powerful as he thinks he is). In gaming parlance, Jil is the tank. He has a powerful shield and is pretty good at holding back enemies while the others prepare their attacks.

For such a serious box cover, the show has a lot more humor than I expected. And after the first episode, it's just the right amount -- enough to diffuse and overly serious moment or to find the lightness in a tough situation.

Coming from Gonzo, the animation is suitably impressive. And several of Fumination's regulars do a fine job in the dub, including Todd Haberkorn, who usually takes on supporting roles, as Jil; Brina Palencia as Ahmey and Monica Rial as Coopa.

This set contains the first season of 12 episodes. The second season, subtitled "The Sword of Uruk," has not been scheduled yet. Both seasons are available, subtitled, on Crunchyroll.com, which started streaming the series as it aired in Japan.

They're definitely worth a look.

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Category: Anime

New edition of 'Inuyaha' manga on the way

Fans of Rumiko Takahashi's "Inuyasha" (and I know there are lots of you, judging from past giveaways) who haven't tried out the manga get a new chance this week.

Viz is releasing an "omnibus" edition on Tuesday. The book, in a larger format than normal for manga (5-3/4 by 8-5/8 inches), includes the first three volumes of the manga for $17.99.

For those who don't know what "Inuyasha" is all about, here's the Viz description:

"After falling into an old well and into ancient Japan, Kagome discovers that her destiny is linked to the dog-like half demon called Inuyasha! As Kagome learns more about her connection to the past and to Inuyasha, she comes into conflict with the terrible demons that are drawn to the Shikon Jewel, including Inuyasha's own half brother, Sesshomaru. Finding the shards of the Shikon Jewel is going to require powerful magic, strange allies, and a strong heart. Kagome's got plenty of heart, but she's going to need Inuyasha's help for the rest of it, and he may not be so willing to lend a hand!"

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Category: Anime

Youmacon 2009 report

When I wasn unable to attend this year's Youmacon, longtime reader Patty Hammond offered to be my eyes and ears. And boy, did she deliver.

It sounds like the event was a rousing success, and here are her impressions (along with lots of photos and some Youtube videos -- Caitlin Glass as "The Little Mermaid"!)

Voice actors

Caitlin Glass is very excited to be an ADR director for "Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood," which has just started the dubbing process. She also sang three songs during her panel with Dave Kitsberg from the Spoony Bards accompanying her on guitar.

Laura Bailey showed an episode of "Soul Eater" during her panel, and she starts her dub work for the role of Lust on "FMA: Brotherhood" this week in Texas.

Travis Willingham did a special signing in one of the panel rooms for those attending either Laura's panel or his panel because there were so many people in line for autographs that they had to cap the line at 100 before anyone who was attending either of these panels could even begin to line up.

The con itself

They Hyatt Regency Dearborn was so crowded, elevators became an issue, and some guests were late to their own panels. There was a good variety of dealers, and they had to impose a strict limit on crowds.

Manga presentation

The manga-ka team Konohana Sakuya (Kohei and Tsugumi Nishino) did a special presentation about the industry in Japan and about the production process. It was a very interesting presentation and showed many aspects of the manga industry. They also took the time to answer questions from aspiring artists on such topics as types of pens and paper used, how best to utilize computer technology in the process and the three paths to becoming a published manga artist:

1. Be an assistant to an established manga artist

2. Be a Dojinshi artist

3. Submit a manga story directly to the publisher, usually through the monthly contests (this is how they got their start along with the artists for "Naruto" and "One Piece").

Be sure to click on Patty's user name to see more of her videos from the con.

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Category: Anime

Manga goes Martha

Here's one for the never-thought-I'd-see file: manga cross-stitch.

That's right, if you're the crafty type (or know someone who is), you can make your own throw pillows and fancy wall scrolls emblazoned with your favorite characters (or a close approximation).

"Manga Cross-stitch: Make Your Own Graphic Art Needlework" (Andrews McMeel, $19.99) includes patterns and tips for all sorts of projects, from weapon-toting school girls to cute critters to menacing mechs. None are of licensed characters, but extrapolating probably wouldn't be too hard.

The book is by Helen McCarthy, who has several other anime-related books to her name ("500 Essential Anime Movies," "Hayao Miyazaki: Master of Japanese Animation").

"The idea for 'Manga In Stitches' (the original title) came from the realization that the pixels I was pushing around on my Mac in Photoshop were just like the squares on a counted thread embroidery chart," she writes on her Web site. "I wanted to make a book that would bring together the energy and graphic originality of Japanese animation and comics -- anime and manga -- and the skills and traditions of counted thread needlework. Stitchers often get stereotyped as middle-aged ladies in cardigans, anime and manga fans as geeky teenage misfits. Both stereotypes are equally inaccurate - because both groups are just people who love beautiful things and want to create and enjoy beauty in their own way."

Publisher Andrews McMeel also has a line of manga clip art books, but this is one I wasn't expecting.

If you pick it up and make something, please send me a photo. I'd love to see it.

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Category: Anime

Get spooked for Halloween

I was hoping to do one of these myself, but it's been one of those crazy work weeks.

So here's a link to Mania's (formerly animeondvd.com) 10 Haunting Horror Manga and Anime.

It's a pretty good list. Their No. 5, "Ghost Hunt" is one of my favorite recent series. I do have issues with "Hell Girl," which I found to be terribly repetitive and boring, but it's their list, not mine. Beggars can't be choosers.

I might swap it out for "Paranoia Agent," which isn't really horror, but it's pretty creepy.

So check it out and have a great Halloween! Don't forget, it's the weekend of Youmacon at the Dearborn Hyatt. Dress up and have a blast!

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Category: Anime

Fun series come out of the vaults

October is a good month for pulling anime titles out of the vault.

OK, it actually started Sept. 29 with Funimation's "Heat Guy J," one of its formerly Geneon titles. It's a very cool series about a steam-powered android fighting the good fight against the mob in Judoh city with his cop partner Daisuke.

This week, we get "RahXephon" from the old ADV Films, now Section23. It's a heady mecha anime with beautiful animation and character designs. Teenaged Kamina discovers his world is trapped in a time bubble, and he's actually the key to saving the world from invaders. It's not all action, though. There's an interesting intellectual side to it, too.

Coming up Oct. 20 is "Comic Party Revolution" from Funimation. It's an often hilarious look at with world of fan comics and crazy otaku -- with a little romance thrown in for good measure.

Geneon's "Little Snow Fairy Sugar" is reappearing Oct. 27 thanks to Section23. The kid-friendly series, about three apprentice fairies who move in with a human girl, is irresistably cute.

All four came out long enough ago that I can't even link to my old reviews. Heck, I can't even find them in our system any more. But all four get a thumbs-up.

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Category: Anime

Anime Detroit photos

Where would I be without loyal reader Patty -- my eyes and ears at some cons?

I wasn't able to attend this past weekend's Anime Detroit convention. (I'll probably have to miss Youmacon this time around, too.) But Patty dropped by for a few hours on Saturday and snapped some pictures for me. Here they are.

Word on the Internet sounds like it was a typical first-year con. Attendance was light, but it was well-run and had a good vendor's room. Those that did attend seemed to enjoy the experience, and many have been very complimentary of the staff. If it returns next year at a different time and not so close to the more established Youmacon, it'll probably do better.

So, congrats on your first year, Anime Detroit. Good luck next time. One suggestion: Don't forget local media. Press releases and promptly returned e-mails will get you better coverage. A better Web site would help, too.

And reader Ben went to Kuzuricon in Battle Creek over the weekend (another event that probably siphoned guests) and says it went well, too.

Category: Anime

Anime Detroit con is this weekend

Lest you all think I'm ignoring this weekend's anime convention, I'm not. I've just had a hard time getting any more information about it than I had in my previous post several months ago.

Anime Detroit is running this weekend (Oct. 2-4) at the Ramada Plaza Hotel in Troy. That's the same hotel that used to host Youmacon before it moved to the Hyatt Regency Dearborn. (Youmacon is scheduled for Oct. 29-Nov. 1.)

I finally heard back today from the con organizers but don't have much more to report than what's on the con's fairly bare Web site.

The cost is $15 for one day, $35 for all three. Johnny Yong Bosch ("Trigun," "Heat Guy J," "Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers") is the only voice talent appearing. His band, Eyeshine, will also perform. There will be concerts, dances, contests and game tournaments, including an Anime Dating Game, but the formal schedule hasn't been released yet. There will also be a dealers room and an artists alley.

I also know there are several rumors floating around about the con's conception. I'm not going to get into them here. The cons are unfortunately close together, to be sure, but I hope there's enough fandom to go around.

Youmacon's been a fun, growing con the last several years, so I hope Anime Detroit winds up complementing rather than competing.

And speaking of Bosch in "Heat Guy J," kudos to Funimation for re-releasing the series this week. It's a great show about a flashy detective and his steam-powered robot partner. Check it out.

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News from New York Anime Festival

This past weekend was the New York Anime Festival, and some news has found its way to my inbox. For those who weren't able to attend the big annual shindig:

Viz announced that the final season of "Inuyasha" will stream simultaneously in the U.S. and Japan. The subtitled "Inuyasha: The Final Act" will debut this Saturday (Oct. 3) on Shonen Sunday and Hulu.

Viz's take on the story: "Throughout their quest to restore the shattered Shikon Jewel, Inuyasha and Kagome have never faced an enemy more deadly or more cunning than the demon mastermind Naraku. With the Shikon Jewel nearly whole and in Naraku's hands, the race to collect the remaining shards intensifies and a battle of epic proportions is brewing on the horizon."

Funimation had a couple announcements. First, it has picked up the rights to CLAMP's "X" TV series, previously released here by Geneon. It will be released in 2010.

Fans of "Fullmetal Alchemist" will be pleased with the returning cast for the dub of "FMA: Brotherhood," which has been streaming subtitled on the Funimation Web site. Most actors from the first series will be reprising their roles, including Vic Mignogna as Ed, Caitlin Glass as Winry (and ADR director), Travis Willingham as Roy, Laura Bailey as Lust, Wendy Powell as Envy and Sonny Strait as Maes Hughes. Maxey Whitehead (Antonio from "Romeo X Juliet") will be the new Al. Former Al Aaron Dismuke will appear in a different role later on, Funimation says.

It's due on shelves in spring 2010.

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First impressions: 'Nana,' 'Nabari No Ou'

I've been neglecting my anime lately. Here are a couple more series I'm trying to catch up with this week:

"Nana: Uncut Box Set 1" (Viz) -- With a plot fit for the CW TV network's next hit drama (take the new "Melrose Place," please), "Nana" comes along as an interesting adult drama aimed more at women but with something to offer everyone. (It's rated M for Mature because of sex and partial nudity -- at least that's what's evident in the first four episodes.)

It's about two young women trying to make it in Tokyo -- both 20 and seemingly as different as night and day.

Nana I (we'll go with I and II for the purposes of this review) is heading there to follow her boyfriend, who's been accepted to art school. He and Nana's friends had moved out there a year previously, and, since she doesn't have as firm a direction in life, Nana stayed behind to save up money and learn to support herself. She's a sunny chatterbox filled with big emotions she has trouble hiding.

Nana II fronted a rock band back home and hopes to make it big. She's quieter.

They meet on the train and get to know each other a bit when it gets stuck in the snow. Later, they run into each other again when looking for an apartment and decide to become roommates.

The series is actually off to a fairly slow start. After an intriguing first episode, it moves into all-flashback mode for a few episodes. It's interesting exposition, but probably would have been more effective interspersed with new story.

Still, it's enough of a hook. Nana I is running toward something, while Nana II may be running away from something as much as she's moving forward.

It's helped along immensely by some great voice work. Kelly Sheridan and Rebecca Shoichet, especially, are perfect as the two Nanas. They have a natural rhythm that doesn't sound forced at all and fits the real-life setting. Jeremy From as Nana I's boyfriend, Shoji, also does a fine, earnest job.

Nana I may be a bit of a milquetoast, but there's a lot of inner strength waiting to burst out. And Nana II may be strong on the outside, but I suspect there's some vulnerability she's hiding. The girls should complement each other well as the series moves forward, boosted by solid supporting cast.

It's been a while since a strong series about regular people has come along. It's nice to see there's still a place for it in the market.

"Nabari No Ou: The Complete Series, Part 1" (Funimation) -- When ninjas are big again, you might see this premise on the CW, too.

Apathetic high school student Miharu secretly holds a power that's key to ruling the ninja world. Even he doesn't know that he has it. And when he finds out, he can't completely unlock it.

But now that a clan of evil ninjas is seeking this "shinrabansho," he's got to start caring pretty quickly if he wants to survive.

Or not.

He does start showing a little concern, but mostly he doesn't let this whole ninja thing faze him, much to the consternation of his protectors: fellow student Koichi, home room teacher Mr. Kumohira and transfer student Raimei, who's a girl samurai.

The first several episodes set up the story at a good pace. Besides seeking Miharu's power, the nasty Kairoshu ninjas are stealing forbidden ninja techniques kept hidden by the various clans. Miharu's group teams with Raimei's clan in a race to get them all before they can fall into the wrong hands.

It's pretty straightforward stuff, but told well enough and with a couple interesting twists. And the characters aren't completely stock. Raimei even has the odd quirk of not being able to recognize people when she's under a lot of stress -- kinda random, but it works.

The only thing that really irks me is Miharu's voice. Brina Palencia does a lot of boy voices for anime, but in this case, she just doesn't come off right to me.

Several episodes are available for viewing at the Funimation Web site. (I must say, I'm really missing the fuller Web sites Funimation used to do for its shows, with character bios and plot synopses. So many are more like trailer placeholders these days.)