Shelf Centered

Smack dab into the middle of the first month of 2003 and things are still the same. Granted, the grudging feeling of resentment towards going back to school is increasing steadily, but the anime shelves at your local media store are still being restocked, and there's nothing yet incredibly exciting being released. For the time being, though, this week's releases will suffice, and give you more chances to replenish your anime shelves. Or to throw away into a dank well to never be seen again, which in itself would be the best plan of action for some of them. If I had my way with things, I'd replace a truckload of some of these titles and use the company's money for one good title, but what good would that do? There's always someone that buys this stuff, and I'm just another complaining fangirl, which makes me the bane of annoyance in the fan world. That, and the people who haunt message boards with Fan-glish and l33tsp34k. But I digress. There's a pretty limited number of things that I can get done my way, now that I think of it. Well, one of them is writing this, but forcing you to read it is another thing. Another is to extend my congratulations to Zac for his last Answerman column. Guess now I'll have to ask Ms. Answerman the questions I've been dying to ask forever now. When is the sequel to ADV Films 100 min. 4/6 $29.98 01/14/2003

Cliché opinion #e^562458. OMG, Excel Saga is the funnyests s3r|3s 3v3r!!!!!!!!!!!! It's like Random Anime Title… on CRACK!!! LOLOLOL!!!!!!111!11! Well, no, it's not, but I like it, and it seems to be a crowd pleaser for many. The animation is decent, the music is adequate, and the plot is inconsequential. But it's quirky as hell, and if its random slapstick humor appeals to you then by all means get this next installment of the Excel Saga series. In this DVD, the producers are trying vainly to up the ratings of the show, and employ gimmicks like marketable toys and a game called Sexual Jeopardy. Very Excel indeed, and if you enjoyed the previous episodes, then this volume is sure to please as well. Excel Saga has never failed to make me laugh, and though this brand of humor isn't shared by a lot of people, it may just well appeal to you, so if you haven't seen it, try it out.

GTO Vol. #6
Tokyopop 125 min. 6/10 $29.99 01/14/2003

This series is filled with crude jokes, sexual innuendo, bizarre facial expressions, and more of the above. I like it. The characterization in the series is fascinating, as it delves into the leading character, and slowly branches out to the people nearest to him. Telling the tale of an ex-motorcycle gang leader who wants to be a teacher, and the antics that would naturally ensue, Central Park Media 75 min. 4/10 $29.98 01/14/2003

The second volume from the Black Rose saga is being released by M, and for Utena fans, this is definitely a good thing. Unlike the first two Utena DVDs that were released by Funimation Productions 480 min. 1/1 99.95 01/14/2003

If you missed a few episodes on TV or didn't catch Cartoon Network's run of Yū Yū Hakusho, then here's your chance to check out the first twenty-five episodes. It's a comical series with plenty of fighting and action to appeal to shonen lovers (of the action, and non-SoftCel Pictures 1/1 $29.98 01/14/2003

Bet you thought I was some conservative freak who always threw Zone of Enders Dolores, i Vol #2: Operation Escape!
ADV Films 125 min. 2/6 29.98 01/14/2003

Based on one of the side quests of the Zone of Enders videogame, ZOE Dolores is actually pretty good for a video game spin-off. In the second volume, Dolores's relationship with the rest of the characters is emphasized, and it's surprising how deep and almost sentimental this series can go. Well, I guess I wouldn't classify it as neither deep nor sentimental, but for a video game based series, I was impressed. If you like Zone of Enders, go watch this. If you enjoyed the first volume, go watch this. If you have no idea what I'm even talking about, go play the game, then go watch this.

Perishable Item

Yu-Gi-Oh! Vol. #05: Evil Spirit
Yu-Gi-Oh! Vol. #06: The Scars of Defeat
Funimation Productions 60 min. 5/6/? $19.95 01/14/2003

To be honest with you, I don't like Yu-Gi-Oh!, and I never have. It's painfully redundant and it's hard for me to stay interested in a series about a card game. But to be fair, this series was made for children, so naturally it wouldn't appeal to me as much as it would to kids. So here, my opinion is skewed. If you like this series, or your kids like it, maybe they'll get a kick out of it. I don't know. If you're hoping to see this in Japanese, though, forget about it. TV edit, English Great Dangaioh Vol. #2
Viz Inc. 75 min. 2/4 $24.98 01/14/2003

AnimEigo 238 min. 1/1 $24.95 01/15/2003

Ah, the Anime 18 65 min. 1/1 $29.99 01/14/2003

What?! I'm so confused. I'm so very, very confused. There's a catgirl, a birdgirl, and some other girl who used to be servants to the main character, who used to be a prince, but lost his memory. Lo and behold, the only way they can make him regain his memory is to have sex with him over and over again until he re them? Couldn't they think of a better way to cure amnesia? Like, I don't know, show him pictures, or go on a walk to his former house, or something? I tried really hard to follow the shabby plot in these two episodes, but every little minute plot device was just another reason to have an orgy. Granted, some hentai is bloody funny to watch, but this is just… stupid. Beyond comparison. I don't have any words for this one. It's a doozy.


And thus concludes my column for this week. I bet I'm gonna get flamed for something. Oh well, it'll give me something to look forward to. But until next week, enjoy your anime, enjoy going to work/school, enjoy… uh… eating tacos, and—oh, never mind. I'm out of things to say.