Anime/Manga

Anime, or Japanese animation, along with manga is becoming increasingly popular outside of Japan. Latest manga releases, new series announcements and other goodies can be found here. Dattebayo!

Naruto Shippuden Box Set 4

  Frederick Linsmeyer • August 28, 2010 • Anime/Manga

Naruto Shippuden Box Set 4

The rendezvous with the spy goes awry leading to an all out battle between the updated Team 7 and Orochimaru. However, the brawl gets out of hand quickly and turns into a fight for survival between Yamato’s team and Orochimaru’s minions.

Meanwhile, Sai’s true intentions are revealed after he leaves the battle and ends up at Orochimaru’s lair. The rest of Team 7 arrive and finally encounter Sasuke, but Sasuke has other ideas in store.

The Naruto Shippuden Box Set 4 is expected to reach stores on October 19th, 2010.

The Naruto’s Forest certificate

  Frederick Linsmeyer • August 3, 2010 • Anime/Manga

IĀ arrived home from work today and found an envelope marked all the way from Kazo, Saitama prefecture in Japan sitting on the table. After noticing the Present Tree logo at the bottom and the Konoha emblem on the back, I figured the contents had to be for the Naruto’s Forest campaign that ran this past June.

I opened the envelope and found five sheets of paper enclosed within; one of which was my certificate of the tree I’m sponsoring. Also included was a beautiful print of Naruto and Jiraiya resting under a tree, a card with an amazing forested landscape where the saplings are planted, another card detailing some of the various local plants and a brief paper covering how the tree will be cared for.

So, if you’re ever in Japan, stop by the forests in the Yamanashi prefecture and look for tree 11-04772. I hope to visit one of these days…

Naruto character birthdays

  Frederick Linsmeyer • August 3, 2010 • Anime/Manga

Ever wondered which of your favourite ninjas celebrate their birthdays? Grab a slice of cake, a shuriken and party it up with our fairly comprehensive listing of character’s birth dates within the Naruto series.

Read the rest of this article…

Limited edition Naruto Shippuden figure

  Frederick Linsmeyer • July 21, 2010 • Anime/Manga, Videos

Viz Media released a short video of a limited edition Naruto Shippuden figure at this year’s San Diego Comic-Con. Only 1,000 of the Naruto Sage Mode figures are available, and can only be found in the convention. Check out the larger version of Naruto in the background too! Viz Media is located at booth #2813 in the San Diego Convention Center, so if you’re going, be sure to stop by to pay them a visit.

San Diego Comic-Con runs from Thursday, July 22nd, until Sunday, July 25th.

Naruto volume 49

  Frederick Linsmeyer • July 20, 2010 • Anime/Manga
Naruto volume 49

Naruto volume 49

The five leaders of the hidden ninja villages all convene to decide how to handle the rising menace that is the Akatsuki. However, decisions are made which Naruto doesn’t know how to handle. Even worse, a new hokage takes over Konohagakure and issues a new order – one that doesn’t bode well for Naruto or Sasuke.

Volume 48 of the Naruto manga goes on sale October 5th, 2010 for 9.99 USD/$12.99 CAD.

Peter Fernandez passes away

  Frederick Linsmeyer • July 15, 2010 • Anime/Manga

The anime world lost a familiar voice today, as actor Peter Fernandez passed away from complications due to lung cancer.

Fernandez was best known for his role in the English version of Speed Racer as not only the titular character, but as Racer X and various other roles. Fernandez also lent his voice in other series, such as Astro Boy, Gigantor, Marine Boy, and Lupin III.

Fernandez was 83 years old.

Source: Anime News Network

Anime sale on iTunes

  Frederick Linsmeyer • July 12, 2010 • Anime/Manga
Anime on iTunes

Anime on iTunes

Looking for digital anime downloads of your favourite series? If you have Apple iTunes, FUNimation is holding a small sale on select series until August 3rd, 2010. Popular selections include Fullmetal Alchemist, Ouran High School Host Club, Afro Samurai and Soul Eater just to name a few.

Visit http://www.itunes.com/anime to bring up iTunes and get a head start!

Source: FUNimation

Last episode of Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood

  Frederick Linsmeyer • July 7, 2010 • Anime/Manga

It’s been an exciting and climactic journey. Now, 63 episodes later, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood concludes, wrapping up Edward and Alphonse Elric’s quest to return their bodies to normal and to help save Amestris from utter devastation.

FUNimation will be releasing episode 64 through their video web site at 8:00 am PDT on Thursday, July 8th.

Fullmetal Alchemist volume 24

  Frederick Linsmeyer • July 3, 2010 • Anime/Manga
Fullmetal Alchemist volume 24

Fullmetal Alchemist volume 24

Deep in the tunnels beneath Central, Hohenheim stands face-to-face with Father, the leader of the homunculus. Does Hohenheim have what it takes to unseat Father and defeat him?
With control of the military almost in Mustang’s hand, a surprise return by King Bradley shows that the colonel and his allies haven’t tasted victory just yet.

The latest chapter in the Elric brother’s quest to regain their lost bodies and save Amestris takes a long break before hitting store shelves. The fight continues on January 18th, 2011.

Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood Part 2 DVD

  Frederick Linsmeyer • June 27, 2010 • Anime/Manga
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood Part 2

Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood Part 2 DVD

The Elric brothers adventure introduces them to visitors from a distant land and encounter a variation of alchemy called alkahestry. Colonel Mustang faces off against Lust after learning about the Homunculi and the mysterious force behind them. Winry also uncovers a horrific truth of what really happened during the battle of Ishbal.

FUNimation is now releasing the first DVDs for Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood in box sets as opposed to individual discs (when the first series were available for purchase). Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood Part 2 will contain the second 13 episodes over two discs and goes on sale August 24th, 2010. A Blu-ray version will also be available on the same day.


Streaming Anime

Streaming Anime

Our collection of licensed web sites streaming your favourite anime series online.

Chicago 'L' photos

Chicago 'L' photos

Take a peek at Chicago's extensive elevated rapid transit lines.

The Convention Checklist

The Convention Checklist

Not sure what you'll need for an anime convention? Browse through our comprehensive list before packing up.

Skyward Sword

The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword

Link returns with a new style and improved controls in The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword for the Wii.