areaseven

The story is okay, but I can't get into the cheesy CG they used for the helicopter scenes. (Yeah, I know this movie was done in 1983, but they shouldn't have attempted to use CG in the first place.) And don't get me started with Golgo 13: Queen Bee. The artwork is no better than the first.

Try something different: A Little Snow Fairy Sugar

It's actually one of the smaller Zoids - in actual scale.

Okay... Special cameo appearance by Ai Nagase as Mana Kirishima (Evangelion: Girlfriend of Steel).

I don't know if I can agree with that, especially on the scene in episode 8 where Ibuki freaks out because she didn't get any sleep and Akagi was pissing her off. Also, as mentioned earlier, ADV screwed up on some of the punch lines. For example, in episode 4, Akagi and Ibuki are having a conversation. During the conversation, Ibuki hands Akagi a canned beverage. Then, all of a sudden... (Japanese version) -- Akagi: "Ibuki!" Ibuki: "What is it?" (Akagi looks at the beverage.) Akagi: "Is this a new product?" -- Here's ADV's version: -- Akagi: "Ibuki!" Ibuki: "What is it?" (Akagi looks at the beverage.) Akagi: "Did you get this from insurance?" -- I just finished watching disc 2 and I have to say it gets more hilarious. In episode 9, Dai-Guard has to defeat a balloon-type Heterodyne. And because it falls numerous times while attempting to catch the Heterodyne and is incapable of climbing mountains, Dai-Guard is disassembled and re-assembled at least four times throughout the episode.

I've been around McBride's place. There's absolutely no reason why his area can't get digital cable or satellite - especially since he's at least a mile away from Universal Studios, Warner Bros. Studios and most of the TV stations in Burbank.

Kido Tenshi Angelic Layer ( 機動天使エンジェリックレイヤー ) CLAMP/BONES/TV Tokyo/Dentsu, 2001 ADV Films, 2003 Directed by Hiroshi Nishikiori (Azumanga Daioh, Gad Guard). Rated 13+ for violence and mature situations. "It is an egg with a dream. It is called an Angel. Raise the egg with wisdom, love and courage, and it becomes an angel." Based on the best-selling manga by CLAMP (published in the U.S. by TOKYOPOP). Upon arriving in Tokyo, 12-year-old Misaki Suzuhara discovers "Angelic Layer," a game where players develop mechanical dolls called "Angels" and use them to fight each other. Within the same day, she spends all of her money to buy an Angel and names it Hikaru. Shortly afterwards, Misaki and Hikaru enter the Angelic Layer tournaments and use their full potential to face the best Angels in Japan. Story: A- Angelic Layer may be CLAMP's first shonen title, but it still has the group's traditional shojo feel to it. The story itself is like a fighting game mixed with Hand Maid May, Toy Story and a little bit of Cardcaptor Sakura and Battle Athletes Victory on the side. It's pure entertainment for all ages...except for those scenes where Icchan does his "Octopus in the pants" gimmick... Animation: A BONES (Cowboy Bebop: Knockin' on Heaven's Door, RahXephon) did an excellent job putting the manga on the small screen with dazzling 2D and 3D animation. The character designs by Takahiro Komori (Scrapped Princess) are very close to CLAMP's artwork, and the fight scenes are very well-choreographed. Soundtrack: A- I've been a long-time fan of Kohei Tanaka's works (Gunbuster, Sakura Wars), and even though his score for this series is more down-to-earth, it's still an excellent addition to your soundtrack collection. The show's opening theme "Be My Angel" by Atsuko Enomoto is just as catchy and kawaii as Cardcaptor Sakura's songs. Sub vs. Dub Angelic Layer features Atsuko Enomoto (Steel Angel Kurumi, Yukino in His & Her Circumstances) as Misaki, Satsuki Yukino (Kaname in Full Metal Panic!) as Tamayo, Jun Fukuyama (Touga in Gravion, Iseei in Full Metal Panic? Fumoffu) as Kotaro, Yuri Shiratori (Cherry in Saber Marionette R/J/J Again/J to X, Mokona in Magic Knight Rayearth) as Hatoko, Kotono Mitsuishi (Sailor Moon, Excel Saga) as Shoko, Masaya Onosaka (Vash the Stampede in Trigun, Takeo in Magic User's Club) as Icchan, Ayako Kawasumi (Mahoromatic, Aoi in Ai Yori Aoshi) as Kaede, Yui Horie (Naru in Love Hina, Ayu in Ultra Maniac) as Hiromi, Tomoko Kawakami (Revolutionary Girl Utena, A Little Snow Fairy Sugar) as Madoka, Souichiro Hoshi (Kira in Mobile Suit Gundam SEED, Kazuma in s-CRY-ed) as Ojiro, Chiemi Chiba (Nanaka 6/17, Ojamajo Doremi) as Arisu, Tomokazu Seki (Van in Escaflowne, Sagara in Full Metal Panic!) as Ogata, and Kikuko Inoue (Belldandy in Ah! My Goddess, Mizuho in Please Teacher!/Onegai Twins) as Shuko. Additional voices by Masayo Kurata (Karinka in Steel Angel Kurumi, Shinobu in Love Hina) and Tomoko Kaneda (Chiyo-chan in Azumanga Daioh, Marie in Please Teacher!/Onegai Twins). I'm actually impressed with ADV's English dub. Featured voices include Jessica Boone (Aya in Neo-Ranga, Gannet in Rune Soldier) as Misaki, Kelly Manison (The Great Will of the Macrocosm in Excel Saga, Linna in Bubblegum Crisis Tokyo 2040) as Shoko, Andy McAvin (Jean-Jacques in Spriggan, Dr. Walski in Steel Angel Kurumi) as Icchan, and Mark Laskowski (Yagumo in RahXephon) as Ogata. Additional voices by Monica Rial (Kirika in NOIR, Haruka in RahXephon) and Tiffany Grant (Asuka in Neon Genesis Evangelion, Kim in RahXephon). DVD Extras Review under construction. The Bottom Line Forget Pokemon, Digimon and Yu-Gi-Oh. Angelic Layer blows them all away. Reference Angelic Layer Battle Command Anime News Network

Hey, at least it's not Man-Faye.

Yeah, good idea. Then we should have Jun Kusanagi as Misato, Sally Yoshino as Ritsuko, Minori Aoi as Hikari, and Chiasa Aonuma as Maya.

I'll watch the movie only if they cast Aika Miura as Rei.

I got my pen at Michaels.

I'm not a fan of that Gundam Marker because it's too thick for most panel lines. That's why I opted to use a Sakura Pigma micron 005 pen instead.

Already got mine last year. Don't have plans to buy any more Valks other than Yammies.

This month's PPV is Unforgiven, which will have HHH defending the World Championship against Goldberg. There is but one stipulation on this match: if Goldberg loses, he leaves WWE for good. The big question is this: Who will win in this match? Naturally, you'd think HHH would win, given his position in the booking staff. But there are major factors affecting this match: 1. Goldberg signed a multi-million dollar contract with the WWE, but the creative department has not been too happy with his performance since day one. Perhaps his loss in this PPV will be the WWE's way of getting rid of him. 2. HHH has some lingering injuries and he's about to legally tie the knot with Steph next month, which makes it appropriate for him to drop the strap later this month. Besides, not only does he really need to take time off, he should just drop the strap for ratings' sakes.

Now for some wrestling news: On October 25, HHH and Steph will tie the knot (legitimately, not in the ring like four years ago). Next week, though, WWE Superstars will host a bachelor party for HHH. Of course, there will be a few Superstars who will not attend the party. RVD will not show up due to obvious reasons (he's one of many with legitimate problems with HHH). Chris Jericho will also no-show. As a matter of fact, there are rumors of Jericho leaving the WWE by the end of the year because he's unhappy with the direction his character is going. Also, tonight, my co-worker and his colleagues at TopWrestling.com will have Diamond Dallas Page as their special guest on their weekly radio show. I wish I'd join them (especially since DDP's wife Kimberly will be on hand), but I'm at school right now.

I agree, but the darker panel lines give a more anime feel to the Valk. I really like wm cheng's oil-wash panel lining. If only Yamato did detailing like his on all of their Valks...

It's the second season of SEED. Bandai will release the first episode shortly after SEED ends its run.

Beginning October 4, the Action channel will broadcast Hellsing. Given its TV-MA rating, it looks like Encore won't be editing much from the series. Hellsing TV Schedule

Nice-looking shoes, but I wouldn't pay more than $100 for a pair of Nikes. At least Gundam merchandising isn't as obscure as Sailor Moon (i.e. hot dogs, toilet cleaners, etc.).

(Link deleted, as the series has been licensed.)

I've heard it's not that good. The story is not so memorable and the animation sucks. The only good thing about it is the opening theme produced by Yoko Kanno and performed by Maaya Sakamoto.

Not too long ago, cwmodels pointed out that some new toy company is preparing to release a GaoFighGar toy with perfect transformation. Well, I just found this resin kit from the folks at Studio HalfEye. Transformable GaoFighGar Figure

Yuusha-Oh GaoGaiGar (勇者王ガオガイガー) Sunrise/Nagoya TV/Victor Entertainment, 1997-1998 AnimeWorks, 2006-2008 Directed by Yoshitomo Yonetani (Betterman, Brigadoon) Running Time: 26 minutes per episode. Rated 13 & Up for graphic violence and mild language "Final Fusion - Approved!" "Final Fuson - Program Drive!" Cast Nobuyuki Hiyama (Shiro in Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team, Yushiro in Gasaraki) as Guy Maiko Ito (Atsuko in Boogiepop Phantom) as Mamoru Tomoe Hanba (Lucciola in Last Exile) as Mikoto Koji Ishii (Kimura-sensei in Azumanga Daioh, Oji in The Legend of Black Heaven) as Taiga Hisao Egawa as Hyuma/Goldy Marg Miki Narahashi as Swan/Reiko Kenichi Ogata (Genma in Ranma 1/2, Myoga in Inu-Yasha) as Leo/Pasdar Hiroaki Ishikawa as Kazuo/Sueo Tsutomu Kashiwakura as Entouji/Takayasu/Penchinon Shinichi Yamada as Hyoryu/Enryu/ChoRyuJin/Rairyu/Furyu/GekiRyuJin Katsuyuki Konishi (Samurai Deeper Kyo, Louie the Rune Soldier) as VolFogg Mitsuo Iwata (Kaneda in AKIRA, Itsuki in Initial D) as Mike Sounders Konami Yoshida (Metal Fighter Miku, Umi in Magic Knight Rayearth) as Hana Yuri Sa as Mamoru's mother/Ikumi Kohzou Shioya (Majin Buu in Dragon Ball Z) as Mamoru's father/Polonaise Miho Yamada (Miki inMagic User's Club) as Mamoru's teacher Kiyoshi Kobayashi (Jigen in Lupin III, Delaz in Mobile Suit Gundam 0083) as the narrator "Final Fusion!" Synopsis In the year 2005, a race of evil aliens called the "Zonders" emerge from underneath the Earth's surface and stage numerous attacks on Tokyo with their robot monsters designated as "E.I." (Enemy Invaders). To combat this threat, the 3G (Gutsy Geoid Guard) bring out the cyborg hero Guy and the mechanical lion Galeon (once combined, they become the humanoid robot GaiGar). But when an EI is deemed too tough to control, 3G approves "Final Fusion," where GaiGar merges with DrillGao (a drill tank), LinerGao (a bullet train) and StealthGao (a stealth bomber) to become Earth's ultimate line of defense - the mighty robot GaoGaiGar. Story: A At first, GaoGaiGar can be dismissed as a kiddie anime, but underneath the hokey premise and the first episode intro that is so Superman, GaoGaiGar has everything you want in an super robot anime - colossal mecha action, over-the-top heroes and extremely sinister villains. As a matter of fact, the Zonders would become a major inspiration for other anime villains like the Invaders in Gate Keepers. Kids will idolize the show's main heroes Guy and Mamoru, while guys will be hooked on the show's hot chicks and cool mecha. GaoGaiGar is loads of fun for everyone. Animation: A- For a TV series aimed at kids, Sunrise threw everything and the kitchen sink in animating GaoGaiGar. The animation itself is groundbreaking by its own right, using a perfect blend of 2D cel art with 3D computer effects. The character designs by Takahiro Kimura (Betterman, Brigadoon) have everything from slick outfits to really hot female characters like 3G's Mikoto and Swan or the evil Zonder chick Primarda. (My co-worker even thinks Mamoru's foster mother is hot.) Kunio Okawara's (Mobile Suit Gundam, Betterman) design for GaoGaiGar is his best work ever. With weapons and tools like the "Broken Magnum" (a Rocket Punch on steroids), "Dividing Driver" (a giant screwdriver used to create a battlefield to keep the fights away from the city) and the "Goldion Hammer" (you have to see this to believe it), GaoGaiGar puts most other Super Robots to shame. Soundtrack: A Ga-Ga-Ga! Ga-Ga-Ga-GaoGaiGar! Ga-Ga-Ga! Ga-Ga-Ga-Ga-GaoGaiGar! The show's soundtrack ain't no slouch, either, as the opening theme "Yuusha-Oh Tanjo!" is the most energetic robot theme song ever recorded. In addition, Kohei Tanaka (Gunbuster, Sakura Wars) supplies an outstanding orchestral score that mixes perfectly with the action. Sub vs. Dub Under construction. The Bottom Line Non stop mecha action, awesome animation and a killer soundtrack to boot. No wonder GaoGaiGar is the King of Braves. This Gao's for you. Links Official Yuusha-Oh GaoGaiGar Homepage Reference Anime News Network

Choujuushin Gravion ( 超重神グラヴィオン ) GONZO Digimation/Fuji TV/Media Factory, 2002-2003 ADV Films, 2003 Directed by Masami Obari (Fatal Fury, Virus). Rated 15+ for violence, slight nudity and mature situations. In the year 2041, mankind has colonized the other planets of the Solar System. But an alien race appears out of nowhere with the intention of wiping out the human race. Only a group of pilots stand in their way as they combine their vehicles to form the mighty robot Gravion. Story: C If you've seen one giant robot anime, you've probably seen them all. Gravion is more formulaic than other recent robot anime like Mazinkaiser, GaoGaiGar, Great Dangaioh and Dai-Guard, only with a lot of T&A - which is probably why I'll still watch this series. Animation: B- It looks better than some anime on TV, but by GONZO (Vandread, Yukikaze) standards, the artwork and animation are a disappointment. Character designs by Obari and Makoto Uno (Love Hina, Stellvia) look decent, but remind me too much of Mobile Suit Gundam SEED's artwork. Kunio Okawara's (Mobile Suit Gundam, Betterman) design for Gravion is too derivative of his GaoGaiGar design. Soundtrack: B- Hikaru Nanase's (Galaxy Angel, ZOE: Idolo) musical score sounds a bit generic, as is the opening theme "Nageki no Rosario" by JAM Project (Mazinkaiser, Scrapped Princess). Sub vs. Dub Gravion features Kenichi Suzumura (Shin in Macross Zero, Kamui in X) as Eiji, Jun Fukuyama (Haruto in Witch Hunter Robin, Keith in Turn-A Gundam) as Toga, Mai Nakahara (Rena in .hack//DUSK) as Eina, Yuu Asakawa (Motoko in Love Hina, Sakaki in Azumanga Daioh) as Miki, Haruna Ikezawa (Miyu in Super GALS, Nana in Melty Lancer) as Runa, Michiko Takahashi (Mahiro in Samurai Deeper Kyo) as Chuiru, Motoko Kumai (Sumomo in Chobits, Shaolan Li in Card Captor Sakura) as Kukki, Nana Mizuki (Tamao in Shaman King, Mika in Samurai Deeper Kyo) as Marinia, Masumi Asano (Saga in A Little Snow Fairy Sugar, Sonsaku in Ikki Tousen) as Stephanie, Hikaru Midorikawa (Heero in Gundam Wing, Ryuhou in s-CRY-ed) as Raven, and Sho Hayami (Max in Macross/Macross 7, Wolfwood in Trigun) as Sandman. Don't know whether or not ADV will do a good job dubbing this title. DVD Extras Not until ADV's version comes out, which reportedly has revised animation. Hopefully, that includes cleaning up all the broken Engrish seen on the original broadcast. The Bottom Line Gravion is definitely not GONZO's best work. Strictly for Obari fans only, as those into Super Robots will hate it. Links Choujuushin Gravion Official Homepage (Japanese) Fuji TV's Official Choujuushin Gravion Homepage (Japanese) ADV Films' Official Gravion Homepage Reference Anime News Network

*Ahem...* http://www.macrossworld.com/mwf/index.php?...t=ST&f=26&t=357