Happy New Year 2011!

Just a quick reminder that we are closed tomorrow (Friday 12/31) for New Years eve. We'll be back on Monday, so keep those orders coming - and don't forget to take advantage of our end of year sale!

We wish you and your family a very happy and prosperous 2011.

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!

Happy Holidays from the Anime Corner Crew! - And Save 10% (BUMP)

Celebrate the holiday season and save 10% off any order for 'in stock' items. Spend your Christmas money between now and midnight January 3rd and save up to an additional 10% off any combination of IN STOCK items listed on the store! No minimum!

To save 10% off any IN STOCK order (No minimum order required) just use the following coupon during checkout:

NEWYEAR2011

The more you purchase the more you save, so be sure to take advantage of this great opportunity to load up on some of the Anime stuff you've had your eye on! US customers can combine this offer with our super saver shipping option to save even more on your favorite in stock Anime series, Manga, Figure, or Character Items!

Note: Valid for new orders of IN STOCK items only. Offer expires at midnight EST on January 3rd.

Media Blasters February Releases - Hopefully?

Media Blaster's new distributor for Anime Works has confirmed three new February releases for us today. Here's what they say is coming:

Ikki Tousen Dragon Destiny Complete Collection DVD Boxed Set (Eps #1-12) - Feb 1st
Moribito: Guardian of the Spirit Collection #1 Boxed Set (Eps #1-13) (BLURAY) - Feb 22nd
Queen's Blade Complete Collection DVD Boxed Set (Eps #1-12) - Feb 15th

I'm pretty sure Moribito is coming in two halves for the BD release, even though Allegro lists it as Part #1 (Eps #1-13), but list 650 minutes at the same time. No one there seems to know for sure.

So I hate to say this, but everything with Media Blasters has to be taken with a grain of salt right now. Sirabella is posting more information via his twitter account than he's giving out to his retailers, which is not cool, but I guess it makes him feel hip and up with the times. He really should spend a little more time talking to us too. As for our concerns, like where is the QB #3 single we were promised last week? Who knows. The last promise we got from them didn't happen.

Anyway, I'll post more info on their upcoming stuff as I'm able to confirm it.

Funimation Delays Rosario+Vampire

The hits just keep on coming. Funimation gave us yet another delay this afternoon, this time for the highly anticipated Rosario+Vampire sets.

Here are the changes:

Rosario+Vampire Complete DVD Boxed Set (Eps #1-13) - Mar 29th to May 19th
Rosario+Vampire Capu2 Complete DVD Boxed Set (Eps #14-26) - Mar 29th to May 19th

Uggg. Don't blame me folks, I'm just the messenger.

Funimation Lowers the Price of Case Closed Movie 6

Funimation has reduced the MSRP on the Case Closed Movie #6 The Phantom of Baker Street DVD from $19.98 to $14.98:

Case Closed Movie #6 The Phantom of Baker Street DVD

We have lowered our regular price of the Case Closed movie from $14.98 to $10.98 and it's in stock and shipping at the new price today!

Customer Service Fun with Helen

I always look forward to post Christmas holiday customer service. People are always SOOOO nice after the holidays.

This week I've been exchanging e-mails with 'Helen' from hell, who wrote on Monday:

I purchase Now and Then Here and There complete collection 650 min. This is what your ad stipulats, however there is only 325 min. on the copy we recieved (3) dvd total, we could've purcased this from AMAZON. WE, my son and I feel we were misled into this purchase, Robert's Anime Corner Store really should no better, you state you don't sell BOOTLEGS but it's allright to mislead your customers, BAIT and SWITCH. We feel let down. Helen M.

WOW. To be sure, the listing on the site was incorrect at 650 minutes, probably because someone here used the template for a 26 episode series rather than a 13 ep series when the new listing was build for ADV's re-release last year. We fixed the listing right away. Sorry Helen, it happens.

So here is Helen, who has never bought from us before, cruising around the net looking at this title and seeing the same old thing from every site. Then she, unfortunately, comes across our site. Not only does she find the item listed cheaper than anywhere else she has previously looked, our version miraculously seems to contain twice the number of episodes ever produced - nevermind the part number and box art is exactly the same as what she saw everywhere else - so she decided to take the plunge and drop her $20 bucks over here at the corner.

The above e-mail is the first of several she sent, each one successively worse in tone and language in response to each explanation and apology I tried to send her. Where she is coming up with that stuff about 'bootlegs' (really?) and 'bait and switch' (not here sweetie) I have no idea. Not once in 7 e-mails does she ask for a refund or a return, or any other resolution, or responds to any remedy I offered to the problem, she just rants on and on about how we supposedly suck.

Yesterday I went ahead and issued her a full refund anyway, since it was clear it was the only way to resolve the issue. But is wasn't. After 3 more really ugly rant e-mails today, we went ahead and flagged her account and banned her from the store. She'll be maybe the 4th person we've ever done that to in 13 years. I archived her e-mails into our 'hall of shame', and I'm sure Amazon, Brand X, or whoever else will be happy to take care of her in the future.

I'm sorry Helen, sorry to see you go so soon. But seriously, happy holidays, and please - seek help.

More Funimation Delays

I told you that I thought Funi's February and March original release schedules were WAY to optimistic given the current economic environment, and it seems I was right because that schedule continues to come apart. Today we got word that four February releases have been jettisoned all the way up into the April schedule.

Here's the changes:

One Piece Season 3 Part 5 DVD Boxed Set (Uncut) - Feb 15 to Apr 19
Chobits Complete Collection DVD Boxed Set (Classic Anime) - Feb 22 to Apr 26
Chobits Complete Collection DVD Boxed Set (Classic Anime) (BLURAY) - Feb 22 to Apr 26
Dragon Ball Z Dragonbox DVD Set #5 - Feb 22 to Apr 26

Remember that Chobits had already been delayed once before (Feb 1 to Feb 22), so that makes a total delay (so far) of 3 months from it's original planned date. And these probably won't be the last. I think some of Funi's March releases will also ultimately end up as April or May or June releases too, and I hate to say it, but they probably should. While the other studios are still cutting back, Funi can't start dumping so much product on this market so fast - it simply can't absorb it and will only result in lower sales numbers for everything as too little fan money starts chasing too many releases.

Anyway, we'll find out over the next few weeks if anything else gets rescheduled.

Holiday Wishes

All of us here at the Anime Corner wish all of you a very happy holiday,
a wonderful and meaningful time with family and friends,
and a 2011 full of blessings, fulfillment and happiness.

How To Wrap A Cat For Christmas

We Never Get a Break Do We? [UPDATED]

Well, we were all set and caught up and ready to break for Christmas today, and then a truck showed up around 3pm with 3 pallets of new import figures. This shipment wasn't supposed to get here for another week, but I guess they expedited it out to us so they could get it off their books before year end - but dumping so much new stuff on us the day before Christmas Eve is really not cool. Yeah, they do it every year, but still...

Anyway, we're cutting off holiday shipping now since the UPS and FedEx trucks have now come and gone. We've done everything we could to get everyones stuff to them on time. We're all pretty tired, but still I think we'll probably work late into the night to try to get this shipment sorted out so we can take tomorrow off.

Now I better get some dinner ordered for everyone. Welcome to the Anime business! :-)

UPDATE (9 Hours Later): Post complete - I think it was worth it! That's it for us, Merry Christmas everyone, have a great holiday weekend and we'll see you on Monday!

Christmas Gifts

Hey, the crew over at Funimation sent me a box of their famous El Fenix's hot sauce and margarita mix for Christmas.

Those devils, how did they know I needed that?! -_^

Thanks Guys! But we'll finish shipping Christmas orders before we indulge... :-)

SAVE AT LEAST 20% OFF ALL IN STOCK FIGURES & TOYS THRU DEC 23rd!

Cash in with Holiday savings of at least 20% off our ENTIRE INVENTORY of In Stock Anime Figures and Toys! We've got more than 800 items IN STOCK to choose from, but the sale is valid only through midnight Dec 23rd - so don't miss out!

NO COUPON CODE NECESSARY

Be sure to take advantage of this great opportunity to load up on some of those Anime figurines you've had your eye on! US customers can combine this offer with our super saver shipping option to save even more scratch!

Note: Valid for new orders of IN STOCK figures & toys only.
Offer expires at midnight EST on December 23rd, so get your orders in ASAP!

Condomania

In Japan, 'Condomania' is not about a speculative bubble in lower cost housing...


HEH. Hat tip to Sean for sending!

Solstice Lunar Eclipse - Begins at 1:33AM (EST)

Off topic, but if you're up, don't forget the step outside tonight to see the Solstice Lunar Eclipse. It's the first solstice eclipse in 456 years, and will be the only one that happens in our life times.

Per Nasa: The eclipse begins on Tuesday morning, Dec. 21st, at 1:33 am EST (Monday, Dec. 20th, at 10:33 pm PST). At that time, Earth's shadow will appear as a dark-red bite at the edge of the lunar disk. It takes about an hour for the "bite" to expand and swallow the entire Moon. Totality commences at 02:41 am EST (11:41 pm PST) and lasts for 72 minutes.

Just remember to dress warm!

Slight SNAFU With Postal Tracking for Holiday Shipments

I just want to make everyone aware of a problem with postal tracking that isn't really a problem, but has been a cause of concern for folks that are getting nervous about the shipping of their holiday orders.

The postal folks at our local sort center here in Winchester, VA are so busy (or so under staffed) this year that some of our parcels are coming off our truck and going right into local sort and loaded into outgoing trailers without getting scanned. Since the post office really only offers 'delivery confirmation' anyway instead of real tracking, it's OK for them to skip this step to save time when they have to, but it does mean that some of our tracking numbers for priority mail and standard mail shipments will come up as 'invalid' online even though we've shipped them out. I expect this to continue through next week, so don't be too concerned if you get a shipping confirmation from us and the postal tracker shows 'invalid' for a couple of days.

Don't worry, we really did ship it (every shipment here goes on the truck the day the tracking number is generated), it's on the way, and it will pop up in the Postal Service's tracking system the first time it gets scanned somewhere in route - or when it gets delivered, which ever comes first.

Inside a Japanese Brothel

Pictures of some of the various fetish rooms in a Japanese brothel.

Come on, you know you want to look...

Is There Anything They Can't Do?

Japanese Water Fountain:

Customer Comment

A recent comment from one of our customers that ties into that little Amazon post I made awhile back:

To whom it may concern,

I recently purchased the 2008 Naruto manga box set from your store on amazon, and I just wanted to write to let you know how impressed I am by the care and professionalism displayed by your business. I was very pleased with the speed at which my order was processed and delivered; and just as your description read, the set was in mint condition still with original shrink wrap around it. Even before I opened it it was clear just from the way it was packed that great care was taken to insure my order was properly protected. But what really made the difference to me (as simple a thing as it may be) was the fragile handle with care sticker on the box. Something I'm sure wouldn't be there if I had received this same package from amazon directly. It's small things like that that matter to me, and distinguish the difference between a vendor who is simply going through the motions to make a profit, and one who genuinely cares about their customers. So on summation I say thank you for your consummate professionalism. It was truly a pleasure doing business with you and I will most definitely look to do business with your store again in the future.

Sincerely,
Dean D.

Thank you very much Dean, and Happy Holidays to you and your family!

RACS HOLIDAY SEASON SALE - EXTENDED!!

By popular demand, we're celebrating the final shopping days of this years holiday season with great savings - now for 3 additional days! So you can continue to save up to an additional 10% off any combination of IN STOCK items listed on the store - now through Monday, December 20th!

To save 5% off any IN STOCK order (no minimum) just use the following coupon during checkout:

HOLIDAYSEASON-SAVE5

To save 10% off any IN STOCK order over $250 just use the following coupon during checkout:

HOLIDAYSEASON-SAVE10

The more you purchase the more you save, so be sure to take advantage of this great opportunity to load up on gifts for your favorite Otaku or even some of the Anime stuff you've been wanting! US customers can combine this offer with our super saver shipping option to save even more scratch on your favorite in stock Anime series, Manga, Figure, or Character Items!

Note: Valid for new orders of IN STOCK items only.
Coupon codes expire at midnight EST on December 20th so get your orders in ASAP!

Have Yourself An Elvish Christmas!

Long time RACS customer Janet, aka Ðrusilla, sends us Christmas wishes with Elvish pictures!

She writes:

"Hey guys! For all your hard work and dedication, I just wanted to wish you all a safe and happy holiday and put a smile on your face! I've attached some pictures of me dressed as an elf, which I've been wearing to work this season (I work in a grocery store).Can you believe I've actually had grown adults ask me if my ears are real?? XD Hilarious! Happy Holidays to all of you, and I look forward to getting more of my anime goodness from you in the New Year! -Janet"

I believe it - those excellent ears certainly get my attention! :-)

Thank you so much Janet! Keep up the good work, and Happy Holidays to you and your family!

PS: Janet got her ears here, and the ultra cool contact lenses here.

Evangelion 2.0 You Can [Not] Advance US Theatrical Schedule

Cinema Asia Releasing, Eleven Arts and Funimation have announced the release schedule of the second of the Evangelion film series in the U.S. Evangelion: 2.0 You Can [Not] Advance opens on January 21, 2010 while there are a few exceptions.

Some theaters will also show the first chapter, Evangelion: 1.0 You Are [Not] Alone, prior to the release of the second feature.

The current confirmed schedule includes:

2011/1/19 1 day TX, Austin Alamo Lake Creek
2011/1/21 2 days AK, Anchorage Bear Tooth Theatre
2011/1/21 1 week AZ, Phoenix, Tempe Valley Art Theatre
2011/1/21 1 week CA, San Francisco New People
2011/1/21 1 week CO, Denver Denver Film Center/Colfax
2011/1/21 2 days FL, Tampa Bay Clearwater Cinema Café
2011/1/21 1 week GA, Atlanta Plaza Atlanta
2011/1/21 1 week HI, Maui Maui Mall Megaplex Cinemas 12
2011/1/21 3 days IN, Indianapolis Georgetown 14 Cinemas
2011/1/21 1 week MO, Kansas City Screenland Crossroads
2011/1/21 1 week NC, Greensboro Carousel Luxury Cinemas
2011/1/21 2 days NM, Albuquerque The Guild Cinema
2011/1/21 1 week NY, New York Big Cinemas Manhattan
2011/1/21 1 week TX, Dallas/Fort Worth Southlake 14
2011/1/21 1 week WA, Seattle Grand Illusion Cinema
2011/1/28 1 week CA, Los Angeles Downtown Independent
2011/1/28 1 week OR, Portland Living Room Theatre
2011/2/8 4 days HI, Honolulu Doris Duke Theatre
2011/3/18 2 days OK, Oklahoma City Oklahoma City Museum of Art

A few more theaters will be added shortly, and Canadian release locations will be announced in January. The film will be released on DVD and BD in March.

Funimation Lowers the Price on the Trinity Blood BD & Love and Honor

Funimation has reduced the MSRP on both the Trinity Blood BD set and the Love and Honor Live Action film.

Trinity Blood Complete Collection DVD Boxed Set (BLURAY) - From $69.98 to $49.98
Love and Honor DVD (Live Action) - From $24.98 to $14.98

We have lowered our regular price of the Trinity Blood BD to just $34.98, and the Love and Honor movie to just $10.98. Both are in stock and shipping today at the new price!

Queens Blade 3 Could Arrive Next Week... Maybe

As Allegro continues to get ramped up as Media Blasters new distributor to retailers, we've been working with them to try to get ETA's on come of these long time backordered MB titles. I was told today that old catalog inventory continues to arrive in their warehouse daily from Media Blasters, and will probably continue to do so for several weeks, so they are filling backorders as inventory becomes available.

Anyway, I was told today (by Mr. Anonymous) that Queens Blade 3 'might' be arriving at Allegro's warehouse shortly and 'might' even be arriving here as early as next week. Now, I take these Media Blasters things with a grain of salt these day, but maybe - just maybe, we might be shipping QB 3 before Christmas. Stay tuned...

Every Anime OP Ever Made in Four Minutes

Well, almost...


Derek Lieu clearly has too much spare time on his hands...

Bandai Announces February 2011 Releases

Bandai has given us their spectacular February 2011 release schedule, and we now have it available on the store site for pre-order.

Ready - well, hold onto your hats, because here's what's coming:

Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion, Complete Collection DVD Boxed Set (Anime Legends)

Hope you were sitting down.

In addition to the one new release, they have also bumped the release of My-Otome 0 ~S.fir~ DVD from January 4th back to January 18th.

That's all for now.

Funimation Discontinues Several former Geneon Titles

Funimation just sent over a grocery list of discontinued items, all former Geneon licenses. The following have been discontinued as of December 10th and are now limited to stock on hand:

Black Lagoon Season 1 & 2 Complete DVD Boxed Set GN-08318
Ergo Proxy Complete Collection DVD Boxed Set (Re-Release) GN-08662
Gungrave Complete Collection DVD Boxed Set (Thin-Pak) GN-08653
Hellsing Ultimate (All regular and LE volumes)
Kamichu Complete Collection DVD Boxed Set (Thin-Pak) GN-08441
Karin (Chibi Vampire) Complete DVD Boxed Set GN-08741
Kyo Kara Maoh Season 1 Complete DVD Boxed Set (Eps #1-39) GN-08665
Kyo Kara Maoh!, Season 2, Complete DVD Boxed Set (Eps #40-78) GN-08664
Law of Ueki Complete Series Collection DVD Boxed Set (Eps #1-51) GN-08301
Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha DVD Boxed Set (Eps #1-13) GN-08697
Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha A DVD Boxed Set (Thin-Pak) (Eps #1-13) GN-08557
Paradise Kiss Complete Collection DVD Boxed Set GN-08692
Rozen Maiden + Traumend Season 1 & 2 Complete Collection DVD Boxed Set GN-08744
Shana (Shakugan no Shana) Complete Collection DVD Boxed Set (Thin-Pak) FN-08355
Tales of Phantasia DVD GN-08551
The Familiar of Zero DVD Boxed Set (Eps #1-13) (S.A.V.E. Edition) GN-08695
Story of Saiunkoku Complete Collection DVD Boxed Set (Thin-Pak) GN-08693
When They Cry: Higurashi, Complete Collection DVD Boxed Set GN-08743

Some of these will probably be brought back later under Funi's new 'Classics' label, but will likely end up being sold out and unavailable for an extended period of time between when these sell out and any are re-issued.

Kodansha Will Begin Rolling Out New Manga Next Summer

With the departure of Del Rey from the manga scene this month, many of us have been wondering what will become of all of Del Rey's series that are being left in publishing limbo. Most of Del Rey's licenses came from Kodansha, and Kodansha US will begin publishing some of these licenses directly next year.

Kodansha will begin to shipping the following titles in May 2011 under the new Kodansha Comics imprint:

Kodansha Comics imprint launches:

Phoenix Wright—Ace Attorney (new series) Volume 1 in June, Volume 2 in August
Monster Hunter Orage Volume 1 in June, Volume 2 in August
Rave Master Omnibus in May
Deltora Quest in July
Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex
Until the Full Moon in July (this one formerly belonged to Brocolli)
Mardock Scramble in August
Animal Land in August
Gon in August (formerly from CMX)
Bloody Monday in August
Cage of Eden in August
Negima Omnibus (Vol #1-3) in June

Continuing series picking up from where Del Rey left off will be:

Air Gear Volume 18 in June, Volume 19 in August
Arisa Volume 2 in May, Arisa Volume 3 in July
Fairy Tale Volume 13 in May, Volume 14 in July
I Am Here! Volume 2 in July
Negima Volume 29 in May, Volume 30 in July
Negima!? Neo in June
Ninja Girls Volume 5 in May, Volume 6 in July
Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei Volume 9 in June, Volume 10 in August
Shugo Chara! Volume 10 in May, Volume 11 in July
The Wallflower Volume 25 in June

Of course, all backissues of the above series should be considered OOP as of this month, so if you need any volumes for any former Del Rey licenses (say like any Negima 1-28 or Ninja Girls 1-4) you should buy them as soon as you can before the existing inventory starts to dry up.

Surprisingly, Del Rey will continue to publish the Clamp titles Tsubasa and xxxHolic under its own label, so they are not 'completely' exiting that market like we thought. Always good to keep your foot in the door...

Wagnaria!! (Working!!) Premium Boxed Set Now Available for Pre-Order!

The upcoming Wagnaria!! (Working!!) Premium Edition Boxed Set coming from NIS America is Now Available for Pre-Order!

Details:

Synopsis: The family restaurant “Wagnaria” stands by itself in Hokkaido. One day Sota Takanashi, who loves all things small, meets tiny little Popura, who offers him a job working part time at the restaurant. Attracted to her petite stature, Sota accepts her offer. To his surprise, the restaurant is filled with eccentric characters. Get ready to dish up some wacky comedy together with Sota and his coworkers!

This 2-disc premium edition includes a 32-page Hardcover Artbook filled with character introduction and relationships charts, illustrations, background and character rough sketches, and four-frame comic! Premium Showcase Package.


Street date for the new set is March 22, 2011.

Tron Legacy - I'm All About This!

I remember watching the first Tron movie when I was 13, and it blew me away. Back then home computers were new (I was the proud owner of an Apple IIe at the time), no internet, no cel phones, working on DOS was a bitch, and Load Runner was the best video game ever produced. At the time the Tron movie was so far ahead of the curve of things to come. People that have issues with the first movie, like those that criticize ground breaking shows like Evangelion, just don't seem to get it. In 1982 Tron represented the pinnacle of movie making, not just for the technical aspects of it's production, but about what it represented. It was one of those rare moments when you were actually looking at something new, something that no one has every thought of before.

All that said, when they announced a Tron sequel, I was pretty skeptical, but it looks like they have done everything right - especially getting Daft Punk to do the soundtrack. I'm going to go see it at the theater next weekend, and frankly, it looks pretty awesome!





UPDATE (12/19): Saw at the theater this evening. In 3D. My thoughts?

First, I wonder what 3D really adds to the movie experience that offsets the annoyance of wearing the glasses. When they invent 3D movies that look like that without the glasses, I'll feel like they have created something more than a visual trick to get me to pay $5 bucks more for a movie ticket. Given the choice I'd skip it, so I don't see a 3D TV in my future anytime soon.

Now, the movie. I thought it was great (and that means you probably won't like it). Every review I read said it was light on plot. That is definitely correct. Did they recycle about 100 ideas from other sci-fi flicks? Absolutely. I doubt folks that aren't cultish fans of the first movie like me will get as much out of it, but for those of us who are happy to relive the visual experiences from the first movie against the backdrop of what is possible digitally in 2010, it certainly delivers. The music is great. If Disney had decided to make the movie a 100 minute music video for Daft Punk, I would have been fine with that. Visually it's just stunning. I'm starting to think that digital technology has come far enough where really anything is possible. Was there the sort of existential discussion that appeals to computer geeks like in the first movie? Does it make you think? Not really. But it at least lives up to what Tron is supposed to be - both movies take the limits of existing movie making technology and use it to develop a story in an environment where anything is possible. There are a lot worse ways to waste $15 bucks. And it will become a great pizza and bear movie once it hits home video.

Now I just need someone to invent a Quorra app that I can download - she can utilize all the free memory on my digital device anytime...

It Takes an Irishman to Tell it Like it Is (PNSFW)

What does an Irishman think of the current global ecomonic situation?

Well, I'm glad you asked, because this is what he thinks:

What We DON'T Do to Your Packages...

Sometimes all that high tech, high volume package moving equipment can work against you. Ships fast? Yes. Ships well? hmmmm... Here is a parcel at Amazon, and a great example of what WON'T happen to your package here at RACS:


Just imagine if that one had your Anime figurine order inside...uggg.

Section 23 March 2011 Releases - Now Available for Pre-Order!

Section 23 has sent over their March 2011 release schedule and we've now got them posted to the store site for pre-order.

Here's what's coming:

Akane Iro ni Somaru Saka Complete Collection DVD Boxed Set (Eps #1-12)
Clannad the Movie (Theatrical Feature) DVD
Ghost Sweeper Mikami TV Series Collection #3 (Eps #24-34)
Guin Saga Collection 1 DVD Boxed Set (Eps #1-13)
Guin Saga Collection 1 DVD Boxed Set (Eps #1-13) (BLURAY)
Shin Koihime Muso Complete Collection DVD Boxed Set (Eps #1-12)

Notables: The Clannad Movie and Guin Saga will be getting a dub, and Guin Saga will be published in both DVD and BD formats - and will be priced accordingly! The Akane Iro ni Somaru Saka & Shin Koihime Muso releases will both include their respective OVA episodes. And, the sequel to Shin Koihime†Musō (Shin Koihime†Musō Otome Tairan) is planned for release in May.

Akane Iro ni Somaru Saka
Junichi Nagase was a real delinquent in middle school, one nasty enough that he earned the nickame "Geno Killer," and it's by this less than flattering epithet that Yuuhi Katagiri first comes to know him when he rescues her from two thugs one evening. Needless to say, both are stunned when not only does Yuuhi find herself transferred into the same high school class as "the Killer," but that shock grows into outright stupefaction when Yuuhi shows up at Junichi's house with the mind-blowing announcement that she's supposed to move in with him! It seems that they're engaged, and since this is the first that Junichi and his younger sister Minato have first heard of the arranged marriage set up by their parents, it's an idea that's going to take a little getting used to. Get ready for ties that bind and gag as bad boy and good girl collide cohabitationally while the entire school gets to watch! Truth IS stranger than fiction in Akane iro ni Somaru Saka!



Clannad Theatrical Feature
Plagued by a seemingly endless stream of haunting dreams, Tomoya drifts through life with an almost overwhelming sense of anger and emptiness. Then, one fateful day, he meets the mysterious and beautiful Nagisa, and his world begins to change. While helping Nagisa revive the defunct Drama Club at their high school, Tomoya discovers that she has the same dreams. Their story starts beneath the cherry blossoms, but where will fate lead them? Discover a stunning new vision of one of anime's classic love stories in Clannad Theatrical.



Guin Saga
He awakens in the dark forest of a mythical land with some type of leopard mask that he cannot remove. The only thing he remembers is his name - Guin - and that he is a warrior of unimaginable power. And when the two twins of Parros, innocent victims of a civil war arrive, Guin knows what he must do. But the journey to save the children means much more than just slaughtering a few hundred well-trained Mongoul soldiers. Victory means he must battle magical desert tribes, assemble forces that have fought each other for hundreds of hears, and divine a mysterious plan that he is central to. Prepare for a sweeping anime epic of mystery and magic! Of violent clashes and dark double-crosses. Ready yourself for the battle with GUIN SAGA.



Shin Koihime Muso
What do you do once you've made your epic journey and accomplished the legendary quest you set out for yourself. Well, you could hang around the village looking important, but when Kan'u and Chouhi's rescue a mysterious girl, they find that a more enjoyable option may be a brand new quest! Especially when it turns out that this new girl is Ryuubi, and the Ryuubi that Kan'u and her sword-sisters faced previously was an imposter who stole this Ryuubi's name and heirloom sword! Meanwhile, the three Chou sisters have gotten their hands on a magical book of spells that's just a little more dangerous than they think. Get ready for an inspired new journey in search of magical arts and artifacts as the ancient Chinese epic Romance Of The Three Kingdoms puts on an all new, all-female front in Shin Koihime†Muso!

Gantz Live Action Movie Coming to US Theaters!

Just FYI, the new Gantz live action movie is going to playing at theaters in January:

NEW PEOPLE and NCM Fathom are bringing the world premiere of GANTZ to movie theaters nationwide for a one night live event on Thursday, January 20th at 8:00 pm ET/ 7:00 pm CT/ 6:00 pm MT/ 8:30 pm PT (tape delayed).This live-action feature, based upon the popular Japanese manga and anime series, is the ultimate survival game. It will be English over-dubbed exclusively for this big screen event.

Following the feature, the two stars, Kazunari Ninomiya and Kenichi Matsuyama will participate in an exclusive live interview that can only be seen at this event.

Showing is for one night only on January 20th. Here is a full list of participating Theaters!

Zen Wisdom

Ten Thoughts to Ponder:

10: Life is sexually transmitted.

9: Good health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die.

8: Men have two emotions: Hungry and Horny. If you see him without an erection, make him a sandwich.

7: Give a person a fish and you feed them for a day. Teach a person to use the Internet and they won't bother you for weeks - they'll bother me instead.

6: Some people are like a Slinky - not really good for anything, but you still can't help but smile when you shove them down the stairs.

5: Health nuts are going to feel stupid someday, lying in hospitals, dying of nothing.

4: All of us could take a lesson from the weather. It pays no attention to criticism.

3: Why does a slight tax increase cost you $800.00, and a substantial tax cut saves you $30.00?

2: In the 60's, people took acid to make the world weird. Now the world is weird and people take Prozac to make it normal.

And The Number 1 Thought:

1: Life is like a jar of Jalapeno peppers - what you do today might burn your ass tomorrow.

PS: Don't worry too much about old age - it doesn't last long.

HEH. Hat tip to Jerry for sending.

Angry German Kid Watches K-ON

Hey, I know how he feels...



This explains some of those e-mails that I get... LOL!

Funimation Pushes the Date on Chobits

Funi continues to reschedule their February releases today. This time they have bumped back Chobits about three weeks:

Chobits Complete Collection DVD Boxed Set (Eps #1-24) (Classic Anime) - Feb 1 to Feb 22
Chobits Complete Collection DVD Boxed Set (Eps #1-24) (Classic Anime) (BLURAY) - Feb 1 to Feb 22

That's it for now!

Store Outage - Resolved!

Just a quick FYI to everyone who had trouble getting on the store Saturday afternoon. And no, it was not network overload - I wish!

We use Yahoo's servers in Houston (with a backup in San Diego) to host the primary store site, and they experienced a pretty nasty DoS (denial of service) attack across their whole infrastructure today. Our store is one of the big ones and sits across a distributed network so I'm not exactly sure how long it was down for any one DNS, but it looks like the attack caused the RACS store to be at least intermittently down for about 3 hours between around 12:50 pm and 4:02 pm PST (that was around 3 to 6 PM here).

Anyway, their engineers at the NOC center in Houston did a great job and have now resolved the issue and we are back up and running.

Apologies to anyone who could not get on the store, or was trying to place on order during that short window on Saturday.

PS: And yes, it's 1:58am and yes I am just finishing up my day. Thanks for asking. :-)

UPDATE: Looks like the DoS attack that took down Yahoo's e-comm servers was related to Operation Payback. I wonder if these people actually know who they are hurting when they do this stuff.

Business: Competing for a Future

Man, I'm am right there with this guy. Even though our businesses are so different, everything he says is right on target, especially what he says about 2009, how his income taxes are structured, and about 'privilege', because we've been there too. WOW.

Funimation Lowers the Price of Case Closed Movie 5 / Pushes Feb Titles

Funimation has reduced the MSRP on the Case Closed Movie #5 Countdown to Heaven DVD from $19.98 to $14.98:

Case Closed Movie #5 Countdown to Heaven DVD

We have lowered our regular price of the Case Closed movie from $14.98 to $10.98 and it's in stock and shipping at the new price today!

Funi has also rescheduled a few February releases by a week or two. Here are the changes:

Sgt Frog (Keroro Gunso) Season 1 Complete DVD Boxed Set (Eps #1-26) - Feb 8 to Feb 15
FLCL (Fooly Cooly) Complete Collection DVD Boxed Set (Classic) - Feb 8 to Feb 22
FLCL (Fooly Cooly) Complete Collection DVD Boxed Set (BLURAY) (Classic) - Feb 8 to Feb 22