Forum Buzz
By da Original S Man & asagiri2040

9/17/03 Edition

Important News

System Update: It's not broke, just sleeping
Sean the Admin is toying (he claims its "updates") with the server. So if something just stops working (like the Press Releases), don't worry. Sean just broke the server for a few minutes. ;-)

A special reminder to all who wish to join the forums, be sure to check out:

And now, onto the forums...

Just a few new discs…
Several interesting and long awaited titles have arrived this past week, while a couple of middle-of-the-series discs have resulted in some larger-than-usual discussion threads.

Madman snag Gad Guard, Saikano, & Last Exile
R4 licensing company Madman have picked up a few new titles to get fans jumping. Announced at Supernova Con were the pickups of Gad Guard (no known R1 owner), Saikano (rumoured to be picked up in R1), and Last Exile (Pioneer in R1). Many fans are curious to how in the US may have the two other series since many (but not all) R4 titles are put together thanks to the US R1 version (dub, subtitle script). Let the drooling begin!

One episode in, and a fan is not impressed!
Angelic Layer is coming soon. Well, technically, it’s already arrived in Japan and in manga form Stateside. And there’s also the first episode included on a Newtype USA preview disc. User “tengu” watched it, and didn’t think it was very good. A bunch of people agreed, and another bunch of people disagreed.

LE Boxes and items: a slightly new angle on a not-so-old situation
User “Jucius Maximus” does a nice job of outlining the whole LE volume 1 + box + stuff situation from a basic marketing perspective in that it entices more people to buy initially and more people to continue collecting. “you’re right,” agrees user “MrDisco.” Of course, because it involves boxes, there’s a lot of discussion going on, mainly regarding the unfairness of the LE phenomenon and the more recently-added aspect of people hoarding LE boxes and items to sell later. Lots of interesting reading, so check it out! Now!

Dual box set… fact or fiction?
Fact, it seems. While street dates at retailers seem to be varying, it looks like the box set will still street on September 30. And while the expectation was that it would be another Bailey box sort of package, it looks like it’ll be a regular sturdy box with a slipcover to go over it, hence the still-discounted but not-as-much-as-other-sets price. Do we want an empty box with a figure a la Hand Maid May? You bet we do! Mitsuki wuv forever!!

Blink and you'll miss it!
Did you miss..

Import/Domestic CD Comparison
"mighty_vespa" has started up a thread to compare the US and Japanese releases of cds. This will help give fans an idea if something has been added/removed when it was ported for a domestic release. Remember, due to licensing issues not everything may have been available to the US licensor. Also keep in mind, $14.99 US is a good deal no matter what in comparison to import prices.

The Good/Bad dubs out there
It must be that time again because we have two threads running on dubs. One looks for the best dubs out there to enjoy. The other focuses on the worst adaptations brought to the English language (several "TV only" edited shows seem to be here). Many of the usual shows for both sides are popping up but what's your opinion?

Pwetty colors of the week...
So many covers, so little time. mmm... female Ranma...

The Legend of Manga: The Adventures of Reading
DC to start a manga line? Does this involve Batman taking on Roger Smith? The Justice League to do battle with Dragons of Heaven AND Earth? The Man of Steel VS Great Teacher Onizuka!?

ADV Manga

Central Park Media

Comics One

TOKYOPOP

Viz

Recommendations Rundown
There’ve been a few complaints scattered around the forums lately about not being able to find enough information about a series beforehand with which to make a purchasing decision. Well, that’s just what the Recommendations forum is for! We all love to talk about our common hobby, hence the liveliness of the forums, and we all certainly won’t pass up a chance to either pitch or pan a show we’ve seen. Anyway, let’s once again drum up some help for some folks looking to be informed! Just wild beat, communication!

Even our esteemed webmaster, with all the anime he watches, needs a recommendation every now and then. User and Dark Lord of the Sith “Chris Beveridge” is asking for some recommendations for a friend who found a fun and wacky introduction to anime in the form of FLCL. Said friend, user “Nissa,” is apparently checking the forums now as well, so keep those recommendations coming!

Also bringing another convert to the cause, user “Brandon” has inquired about anime to show his girlfriend, who has apparently fallen for Fruits Basket. Let’s get as many good suggestions as possible, since it’s just not enough to only like one or two titles. It’s an obsession, baby!

Since the movie is due out in less than two months, it might be a good time to check out the Nadesico TV series if this “Prince of Darkness” thing has piqued your interest. User “kman” has been wondering if this is a good new series to get into, so if you’re wondering as well, then this is the thread to check!

There’re also people wondering about Zaion, Millennium Actress, Outlaw Star, and more. Don’t hesitate to share your knowledge and opinions!

Some OP/ED sequencs glitches for Love Hina Again
A couple of different, seemingly setup-specific glitches have been noted regarding the creditless OP and ED sequences on the Love Hina Again disc. Nothing recall-worthy, necessarily, but it can’t hurt to check and see if someone has been having the same problems as you.

Newtype USA back issues?
For those dying to pick up various NTUSA back issues and would rather avoid the insane prices on eBay, we suggest you check out some fine retailers which are carrying the older issues of the magazine. Don't forget to use the affiliate links at the top of the forums!

HDTV Questions
"Nihilistic Mystic", like many people out there, is looking to upgrade to the shiny HDTV. But with all the choices out there, what's good & what should you avoid? Those with knowledge on the subject need to apply. =)

Tamala 2010 coming Boston Theatre
Brattle Theatre in Boston will be running the anime film "Tamala 2010: Punk Cat in Space" starting October 31st through November 5th. Maybe a gathering of AoD fans will be arranged soon.

Big O, with optional garage in foot
OK, more than a few minds were blown by this week's episode. Just how will Paradigm wrap it all up in the next month plus? Should Cartoon Network take up that option for a 3rd season? Does a Griffin get scratched up when it's stored in the foot of Big O?

Nan Desu Kan: Sept 19th - 21st Gathering
For those who will be at NDK this weekend, an AoD Gathering looks to be setting up. Denver will be happy to know that they'll be playing host to Toshihiro Kawamoto for a few days.

Chobits Pencil boards on the mind...
Those little LE items are driving fans nuts again. Everyone is trying to track down the Chobits pencil boards so they can see the pretty pictures and attempt to put together the puzzle. S-Man has posted up two shots of the 3 which are available so far (they started in volume 2). Come on, Pioneer. There's a market for these!

Oct Magazines: Megami, Animedia and Animage!
A favorite import magazine on the forums, Megami 41 is now arriving into the hands of happy anime fans. Some brief info, alot of drooling, and a desire to see Tsukihime sooner rather than later is included. Bishie fangirl "SkinnyCat" has posted up some information on the Saiyuki into running in Animage & Animedia of late. The two Japanese anime magazines have been dedicating a small portion of their time to making both sides happy.

9 out of 10 anime fans say...
The never ending quest to get you to spill your guts to us continues. Well, at least we're more entertaining than someone's blog. =P

Mega Man to take on GameCube
The Blue Bomber is making a comeback as all 8 original Mega Man games will be compiled and tweaked for the GameCube on one disc. Also included as a bonus are the two arcade games released in Japan. Are you ready for fight for Dr. Wright/Light against the eVil Dr. Wiley?

Live from a Tenchi Muyo! line in Osaka...
Think Star Wars fans are diehard? Think again. 200 or so fans are lined up at a Tower Records in Osaka and surely this must be repeated in other locations. Why? Tenchi Muyo! OVA 3 is releasing soon and everyone wants a copy. Man, who knew that it would cost you five grand for a five minute appearance by Ai "Ryoko" Orikasa? We're in the wrong job here!

Quote of the Week

"hmm - and in western tradition, it's carrying a few extra pounds" - Keimar

When not stopping trouble (or starting it) on the AoD Forums, S-Man can be found working on the database project at Crystal Acids and asagiri2040 can be found not updating his Rising Sun Alternative website. Harry Goz, we'll miss you. You gave us many laughs and we thank you.