More old news, Xenosaga TV was licensed by ADV earlier last week. From the two episodes I saw, it was okay. Though, it won’t be of the highest priority on my “to buy” list.

Finally, a new Gundam series, “Gundam 00” has been announced. As well, the main mech and pilots of said mech were reveled. Needless to say, I’m very excited about the prospects of this new series. The premise, a constant world war set in our A.D. timeline, is very exciting. Still, we will just have to wait and see if this can make up for the disappointing SEED Destiny.

Their releases of “old-school” movies at first, such as the first two Patlabor movies, were expensive, but worth it to most fans for the quality of these older movies. However, when BV announced the plans for Gunbuster 2 (along with two other OVA series) to be a three disc release two episodes each for $40, many fans became outraged at this, but others saw that they were still getting a better deal than the Japanese fans (admittedly, it’s not that much better).

Then BV announced their “Same day” plan as I will call it. As I understand it to be, the plan is to release shows on DVD on the same day in both Japan and NA. The release will be the same in Japan and NA. Basically, they are releasing R2 grade disc, with English subtitles in both NA and Japan on the same day.

Sounds great, right? That’s were pricing comes in. The releases, being the same thing in both regions, on the same day, will be priced the same as an Japanese style release. That means $20 for a one episode volume (Galaxy Angel Rune), and volumes with two-three episodes each for (I’m assuming based on the prices I’ve seen for past R2 discs) $40-70 each.

There haven’t been too many TV series announced to be released by BV. The only ones that come to mind are Galaxy Angle Rune and Engage Planet Kiss-Dum. Think about these two for a minute. They aren’t very popular shows. The reception was cold on both sides of the Pacific.

People worry that their favorite series may get released by BV over here in NA. But all BV has picked up so far are unpopular shows that will be hard to sell. These are shows that the American companies probably passed on. In some sort of twisted Japanese Executive logic, they may think that they can just cut cost and release it themselves sub-only in NA, and maybe make some small profit over here.

What I’m getting at, is that BV might not go for the heavy hitters like Gundam, Code Geass, etc. They will license those out to Bandai Entertainment, or any of the other big distributors. They may think they could make a little more that way. The only thing they will (theoretically) release over here are the so-called “bombs” and “duds” that nobody else wants.

I don’t know. I really don’t, as BV seems to be a very “special” company. We’ll just have to wait a year and see if my theory holds true.

As for the manga, while I couldn’t afford the DVD’s, I had the money for the manga when it was released by Viz over here. I loved the manga, and it’s dry wit really appealed to my taste. However, I learned that many American Excel Saga fans dislike the manga. For a while, I was baffled, but I couldn’t really say much due to my never seeing the anime.

Now that I’ve had a taste of both, I now understand why fans seem to be disappointed with the manga. The anime was released in the US before the manga. The anime version included many characters that were exclusive to the anime. The anime was far more energetic that the manga, and I think that was what turned many American fans away from the manga. The manga relied on much more subtle humor, which gave it a lot of charm.

I really like both. The anime has some great gags, and it usually stays funny. Where as the manga really has some great jokes…if you pay attention that is.

Hopefully, this will also open the door for other anime that were mangled by 4Kids. Perhaps we will see Funimation (or some other company), release Shaman King, Ojamajo Doremi, Pretty Cure, and Tokyo Mew Mew un-cut on DVD. For now, I’m fine with One Piece, as I’m sure that 4Kids is dropping out of the anime business.

Lastly, I will be changing the focus of Moe Union. While I still love anime, I have been convinced by many commentators that I have a need for Viagra and flowers for my non-existent girlfriend. This is what I feel I must focus on.

Good night, and good luck…

Story: Shinobu is a ninja in training under her “master” Onsokumaru. Onsokumaru turns out to be nothing more than an odd, perverted, yellow ball. Shinobu, as part of a test, is sent by Onsokumaru to steal a pair of panties from 15 young women. Shinobu, however, isn’t the best ninja, and walks in on Kaede, in plain sight. After Kaede has a talk with Shinobu, they soon become friends. Later episodes on the disc include Kaede visiting Shinobu’s dojo, Kaede and Shinobu going shopping together, and other mundane circumstances which are turned into hilarious situations due to the absurdity of the characters.

Content: Two words. Pure joy. This set of episodes was a blast to watch from start to finish. This is due in part to both Shinobu, Onsokumaru and their interactions with Kaede. The writers and directors knew what they were doing.

The animation itself is nice. Standard UFOtable animation. The opening is done very well. The Japanese voice actors are superb, though I haven’t had a chance to listen to the English track.

As for the DVD itself, TRSI did a great job as usual. The DVD extras are okay, but the best thing is the booklet that is included. Lots of interviews and other interesting things.

Sorry if I’m to positive about this release, but I really can’t think of anything bad to say about it. I recommend this to people who enjoy stuff like Galaxy Angel, Excel Saga, Pani Poni Dash. Etc. However, if madcap comedy isn’t your forte, you may want to rent it first. Still, I recommend that you try it if you have the chance.

Ikkitousen: Dragon Destiny Ep.3: Tomorrow.

2×2 Sinobuden ep.1-3: Tomorrow.

Ikkitousen (manga) vol.2: Soon (whenever the Library receives it)

The rest of Akihabara Denno-Gumi: Soon (I finished the series long ago, so I will have to rewatch these episodes)

Nodame Cantabile ep. 3-9: Soon (same situation as above)

Hopefully, some of you enjoy the reviews so far. I know I’m not that great at writing them at the moment, but I think I’m improving with each one, so bear with me for the moment.

However, as enjoyable as the art and overall story was, the adaptation was horrendous. Tokyopop should be ashamed of themselves for letting the Griffonator touch it. I don’t know Japanese, I’ve never even read the book before a week ago, but I know that some of those characters weren’t saying what they said in the original version by the expressions the characters had. It’s blatant.

Other than the cringe worthy dialogue changes, it was a very enjoyable read. The overall story is still enjoyable, and lots of nice fanservice.

Story summary:

Sonsaku lives with her Mother, and attends high school like most normal girls her age. However, we learn that her Mother has been training her from an early age to be a skilled martial artist. Soon, she gets into a fight with a “toushi”, a person who possesses the sprit of a person from Three Kingdoms era China in a jewel (the Magatama) that they carry with them. Sonsaku proceeds to get in a fight and beat the snot out of said toushi.

Her Mother then sends her to a new high school in the town where her cousin, Koukin, lives. This town is where all of the toushi have began gathering. Thus begins the fanservice fest.

Later in the volume, we get treated to Ryomu kicking around some various people, and another group of toushi fighting some random toushi from the school where all of the reincarnated Wei officers have gathered.

Not all that much happens, but it is the first volume. An enjoyable read.

Score:

Adaptation: D- (at least it’s not edited)

Art: A+ (this is the main draw [haha a pun])

Story: B+ (exciting, but not much happens)

Overall: B