Chon-ny

A Breakthrough Series; Exile Is The Future Of Anime, Feb 12 2004

Japanese animators have come teasingly close to perfecting the integration of computer-generated images into anime as evidenced by their work in such series as "Full Metal Panic" and "Initial D." With "Last Exile," anime has taken the next step into mixing the realistic look that computers have to offer, with the fantastic, energetic images of hand-drawn art.
Welcome to Prester, a planet of two warring kingdoms--Anatory and Disith--separated by the Grand Stream, a violent atmospheric level where airspeeds reach well over 100 knots. Therein lies the Guild, an alien race whose superior technology gives them judge-like authority over the battling Anatory and… Read more

A Series Two Steps From Stardom, Feb 12 2004

Seems like series upon series appear on the anime landscape with the "Special Forces Hunting (Insert Evil Character Type Here)" premise. "Hellsing" and "Vampire Hunter D" specialized in vampires, "S-cry-ed" focused on mutants; "Witch Hunter Robin" makes a commendable effort to follow in the vein of these series, but falls just short.
The basic premise follows STN-J, the Japanese branch of an international witch-hunting organization; theirs is the only branch that captures, instead of kills, the witches, a point whose importance becomes more obvious as the series goes on. The group tracks X-Files-type, strange cases from the police… Read more

Going Back To The Good...But Going A Little Short, Oct 5 2003

After the disappointment that was Volume 5, AND1, purveyors of the nasty, borderline-illegal, ankle-breaking streetball moves, went back to what they were best at: true streetball footage against people actually trying to defend against being put to shame.
Longtime streetball fanatics will love the new addition of an old favorite: Alimoe a.k.a. the Black Widow, a Harlem native with an already established rep at legendary Rucker Park (you can catch him in the Entertainer's Basketball Classic Season 1 DVD). Ali-baba is the consumnate streetballer: great handles and tricks, solid defense, a jumpshot and enough ups to make highlights--Hot Sauce, 50 and Skip all rolled into one. Jaws will… Read more