Releases - May 2010

As usual I am half a month late but I still got some of this month's stuff together. Fortunately May is pretty quiet for all but anime DVD releases and a few hi-profile games like Super Mario Galaxy 2. Most of the news on the anime front is about companies, such as 4Kids and VizMedia. 4Kids is being delisted from the New York stock exchange and has reported a 3.5 million dollar loss for the first quarter of 2010 despite rumors that it is looking for a buyer. Regardless of all that it has been aggressively been pursuing new properties and will be restructuring its Saturday morning block to offer a more Japanese-slanted animation package in hopes of gaining new revenue. The most profitable property it owns continues to be Yu-gi-oh while Pokemon is seeing a slight decline in popularity. Meanwhile Viz has closed down its New York branch even though they have announced that they will not cancel any of their product lines. It just goes to show that the economy is hurting all industries, especially fringe products like animated entertainment.

Funimation has confirmed that it has licensed the Tsubasa Chronicles OVAs and will be releasing them Stateside in the coming months. SquareEnix is also bringing new IPs to the US in the form of its Fantasy Earth Zero MMORPG this May. This game is being offered free-to-play like many of the other recent MMORPGs from the past couple of years. It has been active in Japan since 2005. The Professor Layton series from Level 5 will not only receive a 6th game installment, but a second movie later next year as well. All 6 titles are slated for a US release, though only 2 have made it here so far. Manga U.K. has picked up the rights to release the first movie on DVD in the UK, but there has been no word on a US release as of yet. Level 5's Inazuma 11 series has also been successfully converted into an award-winning manga series this year.

Finally the world of Pokemon will be getting a new entry in the form of Pokemon Black/White for the DS this August, when a new season of the decade-old anime series is slated to begin. For this game, not only is new gameplay offered but a whole new 3D-style interaction will be offered. Pokemon Black/White will be compatible with all of the DS generation Pokemon games released so far.


Games:

• Reader Rabbit Preschool/Kindergarden/1st/2nd Grade (Wii) - 5/4
• Earthworm Jim (DS Ware) - 5/10
• Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands (All) - 5/18
• Blue Dragon: Awakened Shadow (DS) - 5/18
• Fantasy Earth Zero (MMORPG) - 5/18
  
• Super Mario Galaxy 2 (Wii) - 5/23
• Hexyz Force (PSP) - 5/23
• Horrible Histories: Ruthless Romans (Wii) - 5/24
• Rock Band: Green Day (PS3, XBox 360) - 5/31

DVDs:

• Eyeshield 21 Collection #1 - 5/18
• xxxHoliC Complete Series - 5/18
• Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood Part 1 - 5/25
• Kenichi: The Mightiest Disciple Complete Season 1 - 5/25
• Kenichi: The Mightiest Disciple Season 2 Part 2 - 5/25
• Air Gear Complete Collection - 5/25

Books:

• Kobato Vol. 1 - 5/18
• Kobato Vol. 2 - 5/18
• Black Butler Vol. 2 - 5/18
• Lucky Star Vol. 5 - 5/19
• Oh! My Goddess Vol. 35 - 5/25
• Negima! Vol. 26 - 5/25
• Rave Master Vol. 34 - 5/30
• Monochrome Factor Vol. 5 - 5/30

Sources: AnimeNewsNetwork, TVShowsOnDVD, GameSpot, Mania, Borders Books & Music

Releases - April 2010

Do you feel the Spring a'coming? Its time for a new major season of television, the start of the second (and more active) quarter of game releases, and the opening games for our Boys of Summer!

Gintama has ended its 5 year run with its 200th episode this past week. In true slapstick style this one featured various interpretations of "Santa Claus" with no real meaning whatsoever. However the series director Shinji Takamatsu has told fans that "Its not over," leaving us to wonder if a "Gintama II" is in the works for the future. The manga is still running. Funimation has confirmed that it will be overseeing the Stateside release of Kuroshitsuji, which is good news for fans of the popular goth-mystery-feel series. A spinoff season, Kuroshitsuji II, is scheduled to start in July as well ensuring that this year will also be a popular one for costumes at Otakon. For Kekkaishi fans, your wait is over! Adult Swim will start airing the series in May in its late-nite timeslot thanks to the timely people of Viz. Finally the longest-running baseball manga in Japan, Major, makes a return to anime with its sixth season starting this month.

In the gaming world, Nintendo's DSi XL hits stores this week promising a bigger, brighter dual screen and better connectivity. Already DSi units are starting to edge into the market with all indications that despite the company's insistence that it won't replace the DS Lite, its going to do so anyways. Also on the edge of rumor are the newest designs Nintendo might have for a handheld console, the 3DS. Reportedly this version will allow game designers to present their media in 3-D without the use of special glasses.

Releases - March 2010

Ladies and gentlemen, if you are a Final Fantasy follower or just an RPG nut, this week is your week to celebrate! The long-awaited latest installment of SquareEnix's flagship series is here, so bust out your wallet and sign over your free time for the next month or so.

For the past few months, US gamers have been anxiously waiting to confirm for themselves if all the hype over the game is true. From all accounts this is visually the most stunning FF game yet, though the jury is still out over the AI-heavy gameplay and the light-on-character-driven plotline. This is one of the first major RPGs to come out for the next-gen systems and all involved parties are hoping for a major return on their investments despite the state of the economy. When the world around you is taking its time getting back to normal, sometimes a little escape is just what the doctor ordered!

In other news, the Pokemon series gets a facelift as HeartGold and SoulSilver hit stores this month. These games are the DS upgrades of Pokemon Silver and Gold but don't let the familiar plot fool you. There are new twists, graphics, and sidestories that will lure you back to Johto to catch them all.

In the anime world the focus this month is primarily on movies, movies, movies. New trailers have been posted for Pocket Monsters Diamond & Pearl: The Phantom Champion Zoroark, Detective Conan: The Lost Ship in the Sky, and Trigun: Badlands Rumble. The wise-cracking anime Gintama has finally made it for a State-side release, the Trigun manga is on schedule for a new 2-volume storyline, the anime Tegami Bachi will be getting a second season this fall, and Viz has bought the rights to the manga & light novels of The Story of Sainkoku (which is almost as good as if they had decided to make a Season 3). And for those of you who like microbes, Moyashimon will have a live-action series for you to laugh through this year. I swear real microbes really do look like this...

Games

• Lunar: Silver Star Harmony (PSP) - 3/2
• Sonic Classic Collection (DS) - 3/2
• Final Fantasy II (SNES on Wii) - 3/8
  
• Final Fantasy XIII (PS3, XBox360) - 3/9
• Pokemon HeartGold and SoulSilver (DS) - 3/14
  
• Resonance of Fate (PS3, XBox360) - 3/16
  
• God of War III (PS3) - 3/16
• Dragon Age - Origins: Awakening (PS3, Xbox360) - 3/16
• Infinite Space (DS) - 3/16
• Fragile Dreams (Wii) - 3/16
• Dawn of Heroes (DS) - 3/23
• Sakura Wars: So Long My Love (Wii, PS2) - 3/30
• The Misadventures of P.B. Winterbottom (PC) - 3/31

DVDs

• King Arthur and the Knights of Justice Complete Collection - 3/2
• Ponyo - 3/2
• Eureka 7 the Movie - 3/2
• Yozakura Quartet Complete - 3/2
  
• Aria the Origination and Arietta - 3/16
• One Piece Season 2 Part 6 - 3/16
• Slayers Revolution Complete Set - 3/16
• Case Closed Season 4 - 3/23
• Case Closed Season 5 - 3/23
• The Best of Soul Train - 3/29
  
• Lupin the 3rd Episode 0: First Contact - 3/30
• Ouran High School Host Club Complete Collection - 3/30
• Soul Eater Part 2 - 3/30
  

Books

• Shaman King Vol. 27 - 3/2
• Gintama Vol. 17 - 3/2
• Prince of Tennis Vol. 36 - 3/2
• Tegami Bachi Vol. 2 - 3/2
• Wild Ones Vol. 9 - 3/2
• One Piece: East Blue Compilation - 3/2
• One Piece Vol. 35 - 3/2
• Bleach Vol. 30 - 3/2
  
• Inuyasha Vol. 46 - 3/9
• Rurouni Kenshin VizBig Vol. 9 - 3/16
• xxxHoLic Vol. 15 - 3/23
• Fairy Tail Vol. 10 - 3/23
• Nabari No Ou Vol. 3 - 3/23
• Bamboo Blade Vol. 4 - 3/23

Sources: AnimeNewsNetwork, TVShowsOnDVD, GameSpot, Mania, Borders Books & Music

Releases - February 2010

I'm hereby totally ignoring the fact that I haven't updated the blog for months. Usually February is a pretty quite month for releases anyways, due to the passing of the holiday season. But there are a fair number of juicy tidbits floating around in the news.

One Piece fans, this is either really funny or really disturbing. I suppose given the series' very long publishing run it was just a matter of time before AnimeNewsNetwork reported that the ladies of One Piece just officially got their own "3D Breast Mouse Pads" from online retailer Amiami.com.

These were OK'd by the manga publisher for some odd reason and feature Nami, Robin, and Hancock. Personally I'm laughing my head off, I hope Eiichiro Oda is as well. Nothing like your favorite anime adventure series being served up with a little...hmmm...spice?

The award-winning manga Ookiku Furikabutte is getting a second anime season, but unfortunately Funimation won't be picking up the rights for distribution in the US. They released the first season on DVD last fall but are citing "poor sales" and low interest in baseball (if not all sports) anime. (Hello, economy, people...sheesh!) Under the radar, LEVEL5's Inazuma Eleven game series is getting a third anime season, which is boosting hope that a third installment of the popular soccer RPG will be coming to the DS. Nothing has been confirmed so far. Also the tenth One Piece film Strong World and Professor Layton: The Eternal Diva both placed in the top 10 at the Japanese boxoffice since their double debut the week of Dec. 12th.

Also of note, though I can't play it with my current systems, is the independently developed action sidescrolling game The Misadventures of P.B. Winterbottom, to be released on Xbox Live this upcoming month. This game was developed around the concept of bringing the feel of silent films into the gaming experience, and I'll say that the developers have certainly succeeded. If its one thing the online realms of consoles is good for in this day and age, its the freedom people now have to publish quality material like this. Here's hoping it comes to a system I actually own soon!!


Games

• White Knight International Edition (PS3) - 2/2
• Bioshock 2 (PS3) - 2/9
• Star Ocean: The Last Hope International (PS3) - 2/9
• Ragnarok DS (DS) - 2/16
• The Misadventures of P.B. Winterbottom (Xbox Live) - 2/17
• Major League Baseball 2K10 (All) - 2/28
• Dawn of Heroes (DS) - 3/2

DVDs

• Murder She Wrote: Complete 11th Season - 2/2
• Naruto Uncut Season 2 Boxset #1 - 2/2
• Naruto Shippuden Vol. #6 - 2/9
• Soul Eater Part 1 - 2/9
• Bleach Boxset 4 Part 2 - 2/16
• Case Closed Movie 6 - 2/16
• Claymore Complete Series - 2/16
• Heroic Age Complete Series - 2/16

Books

• Black Butler Vol. 1 - 1/26
• Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicles Vol. 25 - 1/26
• Shugo Chara Vol. 8 - 1/26
• Sonic the Hedgehog Archives #12 - 1/27
  
• Naruto Vol. 47 - 2/2
• One Piece Vol. 29-33 - 2/2
• D.Grayman Vol. 16 - 2/2
• Eyeshield 21 Vol. 30 - 2/2
• Kekkaishi Vol. 20 - 2/9
  
• InuYasha Vol. 45 - 2/9
• InuYasha VizBig Edition Vol. 2 - 2/9

Sources: AnimeNewsNetwork, TVShowsOnDVD, GameSpot, Mania, Borders Books & Music

Releases - March 2009

The way you buy your anime DVDs is about to change, my friends. AnimeNewsNetwork has reported this week that Best Buy will be changing its strategy for selling DVDs in at least half of its stores nationwide by focusing only on the top 20 sellers in various genres, especially anime. According to them, the economy is forcing them to focus more on those titles that actually bring in revenue consistantly across the US. Some of the stores where anime sells well will continue to stock a variety of titles, but they just may not be located near you. In other words, Best Buy is going to imitate Wal-Mart's marketing plan of tayloring goods to local demand and see if it works for them. For us anime fans, we are once again being exiled to the internet for our purchasing needs. I wonder if this means its a good time to invest in RightStuf?

In other news, Fullmetal Alchemist is returning to television on April 5 with a remake of the series that supposedly will be closer to the manga storyline. The lead voice actors for Al and Ed Elric will be reprising their roles as well as a fair number of other actors. I'm actually surprised and happy about this. Surprised, because I think this is the first time a series has been remade so soon after the first version went to market, and happy because I really enjoyed the original voice actors. It just goes to show you how incredibly popular this series is, and how no one really wanted the show to end. After all, the boys haven't answered half of the questions they've raised in their adventures.

And lastly, just as a note before I give you the lists, Obama makes a cameo in the latest chapters of the manga Air Gear, and it seems the Japanese at least got his campaign message. I'm pretty sure that this is the first time an American presidential candidate has made an appearance in a popular ongoing manga to explain a plot point. ROFL

Games

• Halo Wars (XBOX 360) - 3/3
• Major League Baseball 2K9 (All Consoles) - 3/3
• MLB 09: The Show (PS3, PS2, PSP) - 3/3
• Phantasy Star Portable (PSP) - 3/3
• Sonic & The Black Knight (Wii) - 3/3
• Tomb Raider: Underworld (PS2) - 3/3
• Avalon Code (DS) - 3/10
• Mana Khemia: Student Alliance (PSP) - 3/10
• Valkyrie Profile: Covenant of the Plume (DS) - 3/16
• Rune Factory Frontier (Wii) - 3/17
• Pokemon Platinum (DS) - 3/22
• The Last Remnant (PC) - 3/24
• Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Echoes of Time (Wii, DS) - 3/23

DVDs

• Steam Detectives Complete Collection - 3/3
• Fullmetal Alchemist Season 2 Box Set - 3/10
• Kenichi: The Mightiest Disciple Part 1 - 3/10
• Gurren Lagann Part 3 - 3/17
  
• A Pup Named Scooby Doo: Complete 2nd, 3rd, & 4th Seasons - 3/17
• Pokemon Diamond & Pearl Box 3 - 3/17
• Aria: The Natural Part 2 - 3/24
  
• Voltron Collection 7 - 3/24
• Chrono Crusade Complete Collection - 3/24
• Fruits Basket Complete (Veridian Collection) - 3/24
• Petite Princess Yucie Complete Collection - 3/24
• Solty Rei Box Set (Veridian Collection) - 3/24
  
• The Real Ghostbusters, Vol. 1 - 3/31
• D-Grayman Season 1, Part 1 - 3/31
• Negima Season 2, Part 2 - 3/31
• One Piece Season 1, Part 4 - 3/31
• The Wallflower Complete Collection, Part 2 - 3/31
• Pokemon the Movie 11: Giratina & the Sky Warrior - 3/31

Books

• Gintama Vol. 11 - 3/3
• Naruto Vol. 38, 39, 40, 41 - 3/3
• Skip Beat Vol. 16 - 3/3
• Bleach Vol. 26 - 3/3
• Crimson Hero Vol. 10 - 3/3
• The Gentleman's Alliance Vol. 9 - 3/3
• Wild Ones Vol. 6 - 3/3
• Hunter x Hunter Vol. 25 - 3/3
• Shaman King Vol. 21 - 3/3
• Claymore Vol. 14 - 3/3
• Prince of Tennis Vol. 30 - 3/3
• Getbackers: Infinity Fortress Vol. 3 - 3/10
• Vampire Knight Vol. 6 - 3/10
• Peacemaker Kurogane Vol. 1 - 3/10
• Penguin Revolution Vol. 7 - 3/17
• Case Closed Vol. 28 - 3/17
• Kenshin: VizBig Vol. 5 - 3/17
• xxxHolic Vol. 13 - 3/24
• Negima! Vol. 21 - 3/24
• Dragon Eye Vol. 7 - 3/24
• Samurai 7 Vol. 1 - 3/24
• Kitchen Princess Vol. 9 - 3/24
• Negima?! Neo Vol. 1 - 3/25

My thanks to Borders this month for fixing their bugs on the website.

Sources: AnimeNewsNetwork, TVShowsOnDVD, GameSpot, Mania, Borders Books & Music

Releases - Feburary 2009

Wouldn't you know that the one time I actually have some free time that I could use to write up some more interesting stuff for this blog, I won't have an internet connection?! Seriously, vacations are the one time I really get bummed that I don't have internet at home. So I'm borrowing Tim's connection to quickly write this month's list up, which, unfortunately, doesn't look like it will take too long. February is too quiet of a month for games and stuff.

Games

• Sonic's Ultimate Genesis Collection (PS3, XBOX360) - 2/10
• Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon (DS) -2/16
• Dragon Quest V: Hand of the Heavenly Bride (DS) - 2/17
  
• Street Fighter IV (PS3, XBOX360) - 2/17
• The Sims 3 (PC) - 2/20
• Star Ocean: The Last Hope (XBOX360) - 2/24
• Blue Dragon Plus (DS) - 2/24
• Book of Y's I & II (DS) - 2/24

DVDs

• Afro Samurai: Resurrection - 2/3
• Columbo: Mystery Movie Collection 1990 - 2/3
• Kino's Journey Complete Collection - 2/3
• Tsubasa Chronicles Vol. 11 - 2/3
• Naruto Uncut Box Set 12 - 2/10
  
• Murder She Wrote: Complete 9th Season - 2/17
• The Real Adventures of Jonny Quest Season 1, Part 1 - 2/17
• The Smurfs Vol. 1 - 2/17
• Nerima Daikon Brothers Complete Set - 2/17
• Ragnarok Complete Collection - 2/17
• Tweeny Witches the Adventure - 2/17
• King of Bandit Jing Complete Collection - 2/24
• Saint Seiya Collection II - 2/24
• Samurai 7 Box Set - 2/24

Books

• Border's is being stupid this month and for some reason there's nothing up from February so for now, I have no idea what's coming out right now. I'll update this after my break.
  

Sources: Gamespot, Mania, TVShowsOnDVD, Borders Books & Music

Releases - January 2009

I am very late with this post, for which I apologize. The good news is that means that I've had a rather enjoyable holiday. But for the few of you who actually read this despite the fact that I'm not the most prolific blogger out there, sorry to keep you waiting. There's some really neat stuff coming out this year, including a Rune Factory game for the Wii and a new Dragon Quest game. Or the ninth season of Murder! She Wrote, the first DVD set for the New Jonny Quest Adventures, maybe even the next Tamora Pierce book. Keeping a budget has never been harder! ;-D

Games:

• Kirby's Dream Land 3 (Wii) - 1/5
• Star Ocean: Second Evolution (PSP) - 1/19
• Ar Tonelico 2 (PS2) - 1/20
• MLB Front Office Manager (PS3, XBOX 360) - 1/26
• Afro Samurai (PS3, XBOX 360) - 1/27

DVDs:

• Lyrical Nanoha A Box Set - 1/13
• Shonen Omnyouji Vol. 5 - 1/13
  
• Wedding Peach Season 2 - 1/13
• Yu Yu Hakusho Set 4 - 1/13
• Magical Shopping Arcade Complete Collection - 1/20
• One Piece Season 1 Part 3 - 1/20
• The Wallflower Complete Collection Part 1 - 1/20
• ARIA: The Natural Part 1 - 1/27
• Case Closed Season 4 Box Set - 1/27
• Fullmetal Alchemist Season 1 Box Set - 1/27
• One Piece Movie 8 - 1/27
• Story of Saiunkoku Part 3 - 1/27

Books:

• Fate/Stay Night Vol. 2 - 1/1
• Good Witch of the West Vol. 7 - 1/1
• Saiyuki Reload Vol. 9 - 1/1
• Whistle! Vol. 21 - 1/6
• Shaman King Vol. 20 - 1/6
• Black Cat Vol. 18 - 1/6
• Prince of Tennis Vol. 29 - 1/6
• Hunter x Hunter Vol. 24 - 1/6
• Gintama Vol. 10 - 1/6
• Angel Diary Vol. 8 - 1/6
• Yakitate!! Japan Vol. 15 - 1/13
• Kyo Kara Maoh Vol. 2 - 1/13
• Elemental Gelade Vol. 10 -1/13
• Inu-Yasha Vol. 36 - 1/13
• Reborn! Vol. 10 - 1/20
• Case Closed Vol. 27 - 1/20
• Air Gear Vol. 11 - 1/27
• The Wallflower Vol. 18 - 1/27
• Fairy Tail Vol. 5 - 1/27
• Tsubasa Vol. 20 - 1/27
• Kamichama Karin Chu Vol. 3 - 1/27
• Cromartie High Vol. 13 - 1/30

Sources: Gamespot, Mania, TVShowsOnDVD, Borders Books & Music

Releases - December 2008

The holidays are here, and so is the last minute spurt of media worth buying for 2008! Does anyone else besides me have a phobia of shopping on Black Friday? Deals you may find, but you may lose an appendage in the process. There's been a riot of news in the anime world this week, the most notable being that Viz will start streaming subtitled episodes of Naruto: Shippuuden for free one week after they air in Japan beginning in January. The AO cheers for this show of foresight!! VIZ is an awesome company and I hope this really works out for them. In the spirit of ethical fansubbing, Dattebayo has announced that they will stop subbing the series when the streams start, and I agree with them 100%. That probably won't stop me from looking for the raws just in case the series doesn't get totally licensed here in the US, but I think Naruto is such a money maker that it probably will.

Other interesting news from the anime world includes the announcement that 07-Ghost will be animated next year and that Del Rey will be publishing Moyashimon for the masses in the coming fall. Who knew microbes could be so entertaining? ^_^ On the downside, a cease-and-desist letter was issued for Soul Eater, which is totally a bum deal. However the Professor Layton video game series is getting a movie, so when do we get games 2 and 3 here in the States, please?! But enough of that, here's the lists for your holiday perusing. Remember, these are extremely biased!!

Games:

• Kingdom Hearts Re:Chain of Memories (PS2) - 12/2
• Dairy Queen Tycoon yes I'm serious here (PC) - 12/2
• Sonic Unleashed (PS3) - 12/12
• And that is all, folks! Light month.
  

DVDs:

• Air Gear Box Set - 12/2
• InuYasha Season 6 - 12/2
• Kyo Kara Maoh! Season 2 Vol. 9 - 12/2
• Negima Box Set (Veridian Collection) - 12/2
• Negima Season 2 Part 1 - 12/2
• Story of Saiukoku Part 2 - 12/2
• Toward the Terra Part 3 - 12/2
• Tweeny Witches Complete - 12/2
• Prince Caspian - 12/2
  
• Code Geass Part 2 - 12/9
• Hunter x Hunter Box Set 1 - 12/9
• Mushi-shi Box Set - 12/9
• Samurai 7 Box Set - 12/9
• Wedding Peach Season 1 - 12/9
• Nadia Complete Collection Part 2 (2008) - 12/16
• Naruto Uncut Box Set 11 - 12/16
• Save Me! Lolipop Box Set - 12/23
• Tsubasa Vol. 10 - 12/23
• Xenosaga Box Set - 12/23

Books:

• Monochrome Factor Vol. 4 - 12/1
• Jyu-Oh-Sei Vol. 2 - 12/1
• The Gentleman's Alliance Vol. 8 - 12/2
• Ghost Slayers Ayashi Vol. 2 - 12/2
• Bleack Vol. 25 - 12/2
• The Tales of Beetle Bard - 12/4
  
• Getbackers: Infinity Fortress Vol. 2 - 12/9
• Rave Master Vol. 31 - 12/9
• +Anima Vol. 10 - 12/12
• Negima! Vol. 20 - 12/16
• Naruto Vol. 33 - 12/23
• Ruroni Kenshin Vizbig Ed. 4 - 12/23

Its kind of sad, but there are more yaoi books coming out each month right now than decent manga. Blech. And the DVDs for TV shows are rather light this month too. I suppose I ought to be glad though, considering this is the season to give rather than get. ~_^

Sources: AnimeNewsNetwork, Dattebayo Fansubs, Gamespot, Mania, TVShowsOnDVD, Borders Books & Music

Releases - November 2008

Whoo boy is this list late! I plead lots of projects at work and the beginning of the Holiday Season. Speaking of which, this is officially considered Q4, the fourth quarter of sales and releases for the media industry, and usually it is packed full of blockbuster hits and releases to ramp up the revenues. Shall this year with its bad economy and political events follow the trend? I'm not so sure. When a title like "My Stop Smoking Coach" and "Calvin Tucker's Redneck Jamboree" make Q4, I start to worry about the future of the industry. Remember as always that this list is compiled after running thru the AO filter, so although Gears of War 2 and Call of Duty: World at War are being released this month, I won't list them here. Also sometime this month Rune Factory 2 should make its appearance. Finally.

Games:

• Valkyria Chronicles (PS3) - 11/4
• Tales of Symphonia: Dawn of the New World (Wii) - 11/11
• Tomb Raider Underworld (PS3, XBOX 360, Wii) - 11/18
• Sonic Unleashed (Wii, PS2, XBOX 360) - 11/18
• The Last Remnant (XBOX 360) - 11/20
• Chrono Trigger (DS) - 11/25

DVDs:

• Batman: The Complete Animated Series - 11/4
• Popeye Vol. 3: 1941-1943 - 11/4
• Moribito: Guardian of the Spirit Vol. 1 & 2 + Box - 11/4
• Pokemon Diamond & Pearl Box #2 - 11/4
• Saiyuki: Complete Collection - 11/4
• Black Blood Brothers: Complete Collection - 11/11
• Emma Season 2 - 11/11
• Magical Lyrical Nanoha: Complete Collection - 11/11
• Nadia Collection 1 (2008 Edition) - 11/11
• Naruto Movie 3 - 11/11
• Tsubasa Season 1 - 11/11
• Yu Yu Hakusho Season 3 - 11/11
  
• The Real Ghostbusters: The Complete Series - 11/15
• Bones Season 3 - 11/18
• Star Trek Season 3 Remastered - 11/18
• Blue Dragon Vol. 2 - 11/18
• Chrono Crusade: Complete Collection - 11/18
• Coyote Ragtime Show: Complete Collection - 11/18
• Death Note Box #1 - 11/18
• Ghost Hunt Season 1, Part 2 - 11/18
• The Girl Who Leapt Thru Time - 11/18
• Gurren Lagann Part 1 - 11/18
• Lucky Star Vol. 4 - 11/18
• Ah! My Goddess Season 2 - 11/25
  
• Pink Panther: Ultimate Collection - 11/25
• Case Closed: Season 3 - 11/25
• Pumpkin Scissors Part 1 & 2 - 11/25
• Sasami Season 2 - 11/25
• Shonen Onmoyji Vol. 4 - 11/25
• Toward the Terra: The Movie - 11/25

Books:

• How To Drive Your Sister Crazy - 11/1
  
• Harry: A History - 11/4
• Fruits Basket Vol. 21 - 11/11
• Flame of Recca Vol. 29 - 11/11
• Yakitate! Japan Vol. 14 - 11/11
• Penguin Revolution Vol. 6 - 11/11
• Hayate Vol. 9 - 11/11
• Trigun Maximum Vol. 13 - 11/12
• Case Closed Vol. 26 - 11/18
• Kekkaishi Vol. 15 - 11/18
• Tsubasa Vol. 19 - 11/18
• Yokazura Quartet Vol. 3 - 11/25
• Mushishi Vol. 6 - 11/25

I'm sure I've missed some, but it is a busy month. I found out in poking around that Brian Jacques has a new Redwall novel called Doomwyte out, and Philip Pullman (of The Golden Compass fame) has two new novels out as well. I myself have been busy reading Brisngir and enjoying it thoroughly. Everyone take notice, its the month for GURREN LAGANN!! ^_^ And the new Sonic game just looks freakin' awesome. I have a real soft spot for the blue speedster, so I'm really happy about this even if I don't have any new-gen consoles yet.

Releases - October 2008

This month is a rather disappointing one for me in the game department. There's nothing coming out that I particularly care about. I supposed if you're a FIFA fan or an NBA fan its going to be a great month, and there is Fable II to look forward to if you own an XBOX 360 (I don't). But other than Rune Factory 2 being pushed back to sometime later this month, and rumor that a remake of the first Sherlock Holmes game for PC is coming to the DS at some point in October, its rather boring. So I'm not posting a games list this time around.

But the DVD list looks like its going to more than make up for it. There's a lot of series coming out this fall that are all worth looking at, some of the titles that were bought up by Funimation are making their first appearance under that label, and a lot of old favorites are coming out in box sets. Its rough that the economy is tightening everyone's budgets right when you'd want to actually spend them!

DVD:

• The Smurfs: Season 1 Part 2 - 10/7
• Classic Speed Racer Complete Collection - 10/7
• My Otome Zwei OVA - 10/7
• Buso Renkin Box Set #2 - 10/7
• Case Closed Movie Double Feature Set - 10/7
• Elemental Gelade Complete Collection - 10/7
• Ergo Proxy Complete Collection - 10/7
• Ghost Hunt: Season 1 Part 1 - 10/7
• Jyu-Oh-Sei Complete - 10/7
• My Hime Anime Legends Complete - 10/7
• Story of Saiunkoku vol. 3 - 10/7
• Toward the Terra Box Set 2 - 10/7
  
• Naruto Uncut Box Set #10 - 10/14
• Bleach Movie #1 - 10/14
• Kaleido Star Season 1 & 2 Complete - 10/14
• Kyo Kara Maoh! Season 2 vol. 8 - 10/14
• Shonen Onmyoji vol. 3 - 10/14
  
• TMNT: Season 2, Part 2 - 10/21
• xxxHOLiC vol. 6 - 10/21
• Death Note vol. 7 - 10/28
• Emma Season 2 Box Set - 10/28
• Ouran High School Host Club Season 1 Part 1 - 10/28
• Peacemaker Complete Collection - 10/28
• Slayers Movies/OVAs Complete - 10/28
• The Complete Inspector Lynley Mysteries - 10/28
  

Books:

• Black Sun, Silver Moon vol. 7 - 10/1
• Sherlock Holmes vol. 1 - 10/1
• Melting Stones by Tamora Pierce - 10/1
• One Piece vol. 19 - 10/7
• Beauty Pop vol. 9 - 10/7
• Eyeshield 21 vol. 22 - 10/7
• Presidential Material Barack Obama/John McCain - 10/7
• Hikaru no Go vol. 13 - 10/7
• La Corda d'Oro vol. 9 - 10/7
• Hitman Reborn vol. 9 - 10/7
  
• Kyo Kara Maoh vol. 1 - 10/7
• Kingdom Hearts Collection - 10/7
• Death Note Complete Collection - 10/7
• Peter and the Starcatchers Box Set - 10/7
• Artemis Fowl Box Set - 10/7
• The Art of Bleach - 10/14
• The Law of Ueki vol. 14 - 10/14
• O-Parts Hunter vol. 13 - 10/14
• InuYasha vol. 35 - 10/14
• The Art of Full Moon - 10/21
• Fullmetal Alchemist vol. 17 - 10/21
• Kitchen Princess vol. 8 - 10/28
• Zombie Loan vol. 4 - 10/28
• Angel Diary vol. 7 - 10/28
• Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya vol. 1 - 10/28

I'm amused that this year's Presidential candidates are getting their own comic books. ^_^ I'm also interested in seeing how Sherlock Holmes does in graphic novel form. He's a fascinating read, but I can understand how some of Sir Doyle's language is hard for kids to read nowadays. Sad but true. And at long last the Smurfs have come to DVD, talk about old school! *laugh* I guess the studios are starting to really dig into their vaults.

Sources: Gamespot, TvShowsOnDVD, Mania, Borders Books & Music

Releases - September 2008

This is a new idea I had last week but didn't have time to implement. I'm always making lists of information, to try and stay organized. And so I present a list of releases in games, DVDs, and books that I care about this month, and maybe so should you. This is by no means a complete list!!! There are older and better websites for that sort of thing. It would be really cool if I could graphically represent this list on a calendar, but I don't want to bother with figuring that out right now.

Games:

• Spore (PC) - 9/10
• Dragon Quest IV (DS) - 9/16
• Brain Quest: Grades 3&4, 5&6 (DS) - 9/23
• Dragonology (DS) - 9/30
• Kirby: Super Star Ultra (DS) - 9/30
• Rune Factory 2 (DS) - 9/30
  
• Sonic Chronicles: Dark Brotherhood (DS) - 10/1

DVDs:

• Kyo Kara Maoh! Season 2 Vol. 1-7 - 9/2
• Avatar: The Last Airbender Book 3 - 9/16
  
• Blue Dragon Vol. 1 (Dub) - 9/16
• Pokemon Battle Frontier Box 2 - 9/16
• One Piece Season 1 Part 2 - 9/23
• Schoolhouse Rock: The Election Collection - 9/23
  
• ARIA Season 1 - 9/30
• Case Closed Season 2 - 9/30
• Tweeny Witches: The Adventure - 9/30

Books:

• Naruto Vol. 31 - 9/2
• Shaman King Vol. 18 - 9/2
• Hunter x Hunter Vol. 22 - 9/2
• Prince of Tennis Vol. 27 - 9/2
• O-Parts Hunter Vol. 11 - 9/2
• Gintama Vol. 8 - 9/2
• Whistle Vol. 20 - 9/9
• Negima Vol. 19 - 9/9
• Monochrome Factor Vol. 3 - 9/9
• Rave Master Vol. 30 - 9/9
• Tactics Vol. 6 - 9/9
• Getbackers: Infinity Fortress Vol. 1 - 9/9
• Yakitate! Japan Vol. 13 - 9/9
• Fairy Tail Vol. 4 - 9/16
• Brisingr - Book 3 of the Inheritance Cycle - 9/20
  

The items in italics are the ones that I'd buy first if I had the cash. ^_^!

Sources: Mania.com, TV Shows on DVD.com, Borders Books & Music, Game Informer Magazine