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The Radius

Ikki Tousen: The Complete Series

Director: Takashi Watanabe & Koichi Ohata / Studio: ARMS / Author:  Takawo Yoshioka

U. S. Distributor: FUNimation

U.S. Release Date: May 26th, 2009

Format: DVD / 325 minutes

Genre: Comedy, Martial Arts and Ecchi.

Age Rating; TV MA

Overall Personal Rating: C-

With re-encarnation through objects, many ancient warriors have passed their powers and chi along to the generations through beads. Yes, that’s right, beads.  Now all the power base is located in students at seven schools. The possessors of the beads are lead by the legendary warriors from the Three Kingdoms era in China and are destine to fight until the ultimate warrior is crowned.

Title: Initial D: First Stage
Director: Noboru Mitsusawa
Original Author: Shuichi Shigeno (Kodansha)
American Publisher: FUNimation
American Release Date: September 21, 2010
Format and Length: DVD, 13 episodes
Genres: Action, Racing, Seinen
Age Rating: TV PG
Overall Personal Rating: B-

Initial D is a classic racing story that to this day has no peer in its manga or anime sub-genre.  Initial D: First Stage is a great way for those who’ve missed this classic to have a second chance at watching this quintessential anime.

Title: Initial D: First Stage
Director: Noboru Mitsusawa
Original Author: Shuichi Shigeno (Kodansha)
American Publisher: FUNimation
American Release Date: November 16, 2010
Format and Length: DVD, 13 episodes
Genres: Action, Racing, Seinen
Age Rating: TV PG
Overall Personal Rating: B

Summary:
Takumi has proven himself on the mean downhill streets of Mt. Akina, but there is only one major competition that is much meaner. Now Shingo of the Night Kids has challenged Takami to a gum-tape death match on Akina hill and now that Takami’s best friend, Koichiro, has been forced into the hospital by Shingo, it’s become personal; Takami is determined to win no matter what.  After that, Kenji meets a young girl who’s also very interested in cars.  However, to Kenji it appears to be more interested in racing Takumi than in having a romance with him.

Director: Noboru Mitsusawa
American Publisher: FUNimation
American Release Date: May 11, 2010
Format and Length: DVD, 13 episodes
Genres: Action, Racing
Age Rating: TV PG
Overall Personal Rating: B

As we go through life we continue to experience new things and hopefully learn something of value from them. Sometime these are straightforward like practicing to ride a bike. Other experiences may have less immediate, but far more reaching consequences such as reading a great book and then one day becoming an author. Sometimes, like the races Takumi Fujiwara runs they can be both.

Title: Initial D: First Stage
Director: Noboru Mitsusawa
Original Author: Shuichi Shigeno (Kodansha)
American Publisher: FUNimation
American Release Date: February 1, 2011
Format and Length: DVD, 15 episodes
Genres: Action, Racing, Seinen
Age Rating: TV 14
Overall Personal Rating: B

Initial D is one of the classic series that every anime fan should watch at least once. With the release of Second Stage, the main anime storyline is now complete and updated with the new English voice actors. So whether you like the Japanese subtitles or English dubbing you can watch all of it without having to listen to annoying voice actors ruining this great series.

Title: Initial D: Third Stage
Director: Noboru Mitsusawa
American Publisher: FUNimation
American Release Date: May 11, 2010
Format and Length: DVD, 13 episodes
Genres: Action, Racing
Age Rating: TV PG
Overall Personal Rating: B+

We all come to many crossroads in our lives where we must make decisions that’ll have life-changing consequences. Often we contemplate before making such decisions because of there far-reaching impact and it becomes a time of self-reflection. As Initial D‘s Takumi Fujiwara graduates from high school he must make one such decision.

“The Radius”

Jinki Extended: The Complete Series

Director: Masahiko Murata

Studio: Feel

U. S. Distributor: FUNimation

US. Release Date: Sept. 8th, 2009

Format: DVD / 325 minutes

Genre: Mecha, Seinen, Action, Sci Fi

Age Rating: TV 14

Overall Personal Rating:  B

Similar Titles: Full Metal Panic

Cute girls, sexy women and mechs. What else could any decent Otaku want in a series? There is a dark secret about this group of people associated with these powerful machines, but there are also several twists along the way to discovering the secrets.

“The Radius”:

Title: Kaleido Star, Season 1

Director: Junichi Sato (Season 1)

Studio: Gonzo

Distributor: FUNimation Entertainment

American Release Date: November 23, 2010

Format: Anime DVD Season

Genre: Drama, Comedy, Action, Slice-of-life

Length: 26 Episodes, 650 Minutes, on 4 Discs

Industry Age Rating: TV 14

Personal Review Rating: B

Sora has always been entranced by the performance of Kaleido Stage in America.  Shortly after her parents died, she started taking Gymnastics with the hopes of one day being a Kaleido Star!

Synopsis:

“The Radius”:

Title: Kaleido Star, Season 2

Director: Yoshimasa Hiraike (Season 2)

Studio: Gonzo

Distributor: FUNimation Entertainment

American Release Date: Dec. 28th, 2010

Format: DVD Season

Genre: Drama, Comedy, Action, Slice-of-life

Length: 26 Episodes, 650 Minutes, 2 OVA, on 4 Discs

Industry Age Rating: TV 14

Personal Review Rating: B-

Sora was able to do the Legendary Great Maneuver, so, now what will she perfect?

Synopsis:

Previously in Season 1

Season 2

The Radius

Kanon: The Complete Series

Director: Tatsuya Ishihara / Studio: Kyoto Animation / Author: Mariko Shimizu

Distributor: FUNimation

U.S. Release Date: March 30th, 2010

Format: DVD / 576 minutes

Genre: Shojo, Fantasy, Drama, Romance

Age Rating: TV PG

Overall Personal Grade: B+

Similar Titles: Air, Moonphase, Murder Princess and Clannad

Synopsis:

“The Radius”

Katanagatari Volume 1 Premium Edition

Director: Keitaro Motonaga

Written By: Nisio Isin

Studio: White Fox

U. S. Distributor: NIS America

U.S. Release Date:  July 5th, 2011

Format: DVD/Blu-ray / 6 episodes / 308 minutes

Genre:  Comedy, Romance and Chanbara

Age Rating: Teen

Personal Rating: B+

Similar Series: Samurai Champloo

Sometimes a road to revenge ends you up in a ditch that you never expected.

Synopsis:

“The Radius”

Katanagatari Volume 2 Premium Edition

Director: Keitaro Motonaga

Written By: Nisio Isin

Studio: White Fox

U. S. Distributor: NIS America

U.S. Release Date:  September 20th, 2011

Format: DVD/Blu-ray / 6 episodes / 308 minutes

Genre:  Comedy, Romance and Chanbara

Age Rating: Teen

Personal Rating:  A-

Similar Series: Samurai Champloo

The journey that we choose often leads us down path least expected. With many tales of heroism there is also a price to pay and sometimes the price is too big but must be paid anyway.

“The Radius”

Title: Kekkaishi – Set One

Original Story: Yellow Tanabe (Shogakukan)

Director: Kodama Kenji (Sunrise)

American Publisher: Viz Media

American Release Date: June 21, 2011

Format and length: DVD, 13 episodes

Genres: Action, Comedy, Romance, Shonen, Supernatural

Overall Personal Rating: B+

Titles in the Radius: Naruto, One Piece and Ranma ½

Protecting someone precious is a constant theme in shonen series and Kekkaishi explores this well trodden theme too. However, rather than feeling like its merely rehashing old worn-out conventions, Kekkaishi brings a mix of different genres into a great action series.

“The Radius”

 Kekkaishi set 2

Original Story: Yellow Tanabe (Shogakukan)

Director: Kodama Kenji (Sunrise)

American Publisher: Viz Media

American Release Date: September 13, 2011

Format and length: DVD, 13 episodes

Genres: Action, Comedy, Romance, Shonen, Supernatural

Overall Personal Rating: B

Titles in the Radius: Naruto, One Piece and Ranma ½

Childhood friends who grow up to fall in love is a classic romantic plot line, anime and manga use this convention a lot, probably a bit too much. In most of these, a love triangle usually comes about to make things more interesting. Kekkaishi is not much different except that the love triangle is all in Yoshimori’s head, making for some interesting comedic moments.

Kenichi, The Mightiest Disciple; Season One Part Two

Director: Hajime Kamegaki / Studio: TMS Entertainment /  Author: Syun Matsuena

U.S. Distributor: FUNimation

U.S. Release Date: June 16, 2009

Format: DVD / 312 minutes

Genre: Comedy, Martial Arts, Shonen

Age Rating: TV PG

Overall Personal Rating: B+

Similar Titles: Soul Eater, Samurai Champloo and  Ikki Tousen.

The Radius

 Kenichi: The Mightiest Disciple

Director: Hajime Kamegaki (TMS Entertainment)

Original Author: Syun Matsuena (Shogakukan)

American Distributor: FUNimation

American Release Date: Sept. 2011

Format: DVD, 26 episodes

Genre: Comedy, Martial Arts, Romance, Shonen

Age Rating: TV PG

Overall Personal Rating: B+

Similar Titles: Hayate the Combat Butler, Jackie Chan films, Ikki Tousen. Love Hina and Slayers

Everyone wants to be stronger or better at something. It’s a natural drive that keeps society moving forward. However, many things can get in the way of achieving one’s goal and even when a person conquers one obstacle another appears. For Kenichi, the titular character of Kenichi: The Mightiest Disciple it’s courage.

“The Radius”

Title: Kiddy Grade

Director: Keiji Gotoh

Studio: Gonzo

U.S. Distributor: FUNimation

American Release Date: May, 10, 2011

Format: DVD/ 600 Minutes

Genre: Adventure, Science Fiction

Age Rating: TV 14

Overall Personal  Ratting: A

Similar Titles: Black Cat, Cowboy Bebop

Humanity is now spread across the galaxy and with so many people in this galaxy, trouble is sure to ensue. Eclair and Lumiere are ES members of The G.O.T.T., and dedicate their live to protecting the peace of the universe.

Synopsis:

“The Radius”:

Title: kimi ni todoke volume 1 premium edition

Original Manga Artist/Author:Karuho Shiina

Distributor: NIS America

American release date: 1-10-12

Format and length: 2 disc Blu Ray DVD Combo

Genre: Romance, slice of life

Publisher/Industry Age Rating: Everyone

Overall Personal Rating: A

A shy and socially awkward girl makes her way into the social structure of high school. Even though it is not natural for her, with persistence and the kindness of others, she can really grow into happy relationships.

Synopsis: 

“The Radius”

Koihime Muso: The Complete First Season

Director: Nobuaki Nakanisni

Studio: Doga Kobo

U.S. Distributor: Sentai Filmworks / Section 23 Films

U. S. Release Date: Jan. 4th, 2011

Format: DVD / 325 minutes

Age Rating: TV MA

Overall Personal Rating: C

Similar Titles: Sekirei, Nyan Koi and Kampfer

At the end of the 2nd century in China, the Han Dynasty is failing and the country has divided into three kingdoms. The rule of law has begun to crumble and bandits have begun to control the countryside. There are few that want to stand up to them and they are some of the strongest women in all of China.

Last Exile: The Complete Series

Director: Koichi Chigira /  Studio: Gonzo

U S Distributor: FUNimation

U S Release Date: May 5th. 2009

Format: DVD/ Genre: Steampunk, Sci-Fi/ 625 minutes

Age Rating: TV 14

Overall Personal Rating: A+

Similar titles: Steam Boy and Full Metal Alchemist

I realize that Steampunk has been around for almost  20 years now, but Last Exile is the archetype anime for the genre. It is simply the gold standard for Steampunk!

Synopsis: