Episode 105 Run Time: 1:28:06 | Right Stuf, Inc. is pleased to welcome Frederik L. Schodt and Jared Cook – the translators of the PLUTO: Urasawa x Tezuka manga – to episode 105 of ANIME TODAY.

In this new, three-segment interview, Schodt and Cook discuss their work on Naoki Urasawa’s reimagining of Osamu Tezuka’s Astro Boy manga, how Dr. Tezuka may have reacted to the recent adaptations of his work, and their unique, two-person translation process.

Long-time translation partners Schodt and Cook collaborated on the English translations and adaptations of Osamu Tezuka’s Phoenix and Princess Knight (excerpt for Viz’s Shojo Beat magazine), prior to their work on Pluto. The author of The Astro Boy Essays: Osamu Tezuka, Mighty Atom and the Manga/Anime Revolution, Schodt has been recognized with the Osamu Tezuka Culture Special Prize and by the Japanese government with the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette for his contributions to the appreciation of manga and Japanese culture worldwide.

Also in Episode 105: • Chad shares “What’s Hot” in the world of anime and manga. • Rich tells fans how they can find “Revolutionary Savings” on DVDs, Blu-ray, books and music from Bandai Entertainment. • Rich and Nick take a look at how packages get out from RightStuf.com to customers in the second installment of “Best Wishes, Stuf!,” which focuses on the customer service, accounting and warehouse departments. • Nick and Rich announce the latest Year of the Otaku winners (and new weekly contest), announce the winners of the Kimba (Jungle Emperor Leo) contest, and kick off a new contest gearing up for this month’s release of the Boys Over Flowers Korean drama. • Rich and Nick provide a rundown of upcoming conventions, courtesy of AnimeCons.com. • Marie takes a look at the manga Karakuri Odette by Julietta Suzuki. • Listen to clips from Neon Genesis Evangelion Soundtrack 1 and the Refrain of Evangelion soundtrack from Geneon Music. Also hear tracks from JapanFiles.com artists MORNING GLORY (“Time After Time” from the mini EP Remember) and ketchup mania (“Welcome to Paradise” from their Best of CD). • And finally, ANIME TODAY highlights some of the newest fan reviews from RightStuf.com visitors.

Episode 104 Run Time: 1:01:27 | Right Stuf, Inc. is pleased to welcome David Bowers and Maryann Garger – the director and producer of Imagi Studios’ newly released ASTRO BOY movie – to episode 104 of ANIME TODAY.

In this new, two-segment interview, Bowers and Garger discuss how they each became involved with the Astro Boy project, talk about the challenges of introducing Astro Boy to new fans while also still appealing to long-time fans of the series, share details about the film adaptation and its vocal cast, and hint at the Easter eggs fans of the original series can find throughout the movie.

Prior to directing Astro Boy, David Bowers co-directed the 2006 computer-animated film Flushed Away, served as the storyboard supervisor for Aardman Animations’ Chicken Run, and worked as an animator and story artist for projects including Balto and the Dreamworks’ feature films The Prince of Egypt and The Road to El Dorado. Maryann Garger’s credits include serving as co-producer for Flushed Away and producer for the animated short First Flight, as well as work on Madagascar, Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas, Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron, The Prince of Egypt and Pocahontas.

Also in Episode 104: • Chad shares “What’s Hot” in the world of anime and manga. • Rich tells fans how they can “Unleash Fierce Savings” on manga from Go! Comi. • Rich and Nick take a look at how packages get out from RightStuf.com to customers in the first installment of “Best Wishes, Stuf!,” a special feature in anticipation of Anime Today’s fourth anniversary. • Nick and Rich announce the latest Year of the Otaku winners (and new weekly contest), announce the winners of the Rockin’ Android SUGURI Perfect Edition contest, and kick-off a new contest for an official Jungle Emperor Leo (Kimba) collectible wrist watch. • Rich and Nick provide a rundown of upcoming conventions, courtesy of AnimeCons.com. • Christy offers recommendations to fans of the original Dragon Ball anime in a new “If…/Then” segment. • Listen to clips from the Read or Die (R.O.D.) OVA Original Soundtrack and Read or Die (R.O.D.) TV Original Soundtracks 1 and 2 from Geneon Music. Also hear tracks from JapanFiles.com artists SKYBEAVER (“For a Long Time” from the CD The First Countdown) and HIGH and MIGHTY COLOR (“you” from the CD swamp man). • And finally, ANIME TODAY highlights some of the newest fan reviews from RightStuf.com visitors.

Episode 103 Run Time: 47:47 | Right Stuf, Inc. examines the highlights of this year’s Tokyo Game Show, looks at the debut volume of Tegami Bachi: Letter Bee, kicks off new contests, and much more in episode 103 of ANIME TODAY.

In a special, two-segment edition of the “Anime and Gamers’ Guide to Japan,” Kris and Judy talk about some announcements that are of particular interest to Final Fantasy fans, plus White Knight Chronicles for the PlayStation 3, Resident Evil The Darkside Chronicles for the Nintendo Wii, Joy Ride for the Xbox 360, and Infinite Space, Ghost Trick and Tsumuji for the Nintendo DS.

Also in Episode 103: • Chad shares “What’s Hot” in the world of anime and manga. • Shawne reminds fans about the last days to find “Supernatural Savings” on manga and books from Viz Media. • Rich announces the latest Year of the Otaku winners (and new weekly contest) and reminds fans about the contest for copies of Rockin’ Android’s PC game SUGURI Perfect Edition. • Nick and Rich provide a rundown of upcoming conventions, courtesy of AnimeCons.com. • Marie takes a look at the first volume of the manga Tegami Bachi: Letter Bee by Hiroyuki Asada. • Listen to clips from the Yoko Ishida CDs All of Me and Sweets from Geneon Music. Also hear tracks from JapanFiles.com artists GUARDIAN HACKER (“Burn Me Away” from the CD FLARE IN REVERBERATION) and Furil (“Aurora” from the CD ether). • And finally, ANIME TODAY highlights some of the newest fan reviews from RightStuf.com visitors.

Episode 102 Run Time: 56:25 | Right Stuf, Inc. is pleased to welcome actor, writer and director Stephanie Sheh – who is best known to fans as “Eureka” in Eureka Seven, “Orihime” in Bleach and “Mikuru” in The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya – to episode 102 of ANIME TODAY.

In this new, two-part interview, Sheh discusses how she transitioned from working behind the scenes, in a production capacity, to voice acting, her work as an ADR director and script adapter, and her current projects.

Also in Episode 102: • Chad shares “What’s Hot” in the world of anime and manga. • Shawne tells fans how they can “blast off with bargains” and find deals on everything from Right Stuf, its Nozomi Entertainment division and more. • Rich announces the latest Year of the Otaku winners (and new weekly contest), announce the winner of a limited-edition Fruits Basket print, and kick off a new contest for copies of Rockin’ Android’s PC game SUGURI Perfect Edition. • Rich and Nick provide a rundown of upcoming conventions, courtesy of AnimeCons.com. • Christy offers recommendations to fans of the NANA anime in a new “If…/Then” segment. • Kris and Judy discuss Japanese citizens’ privacy concerns about Google Maps’ street view feature. • Listen to musical clips from the JapanFiles.com CDs mama manner, interphone and birdless by the band mothercoat. • And finally, ANIME TODAY highlights some of the newest fan reviews from RightStuf.com visitors.

Episode 101 Run Time: 46:22 | Right Stuf, Inc. is pleased to welcome Peter Tatara and Kim Mueller – the programming director and programming coordinator for the New York Anime Festival – to episode 101 of ANIME TODAY.

In this new interview, Tatara and Mueller talk about the array of featured guests and activities taking place during the New York Anime Festival weekend of September 25-27, 2009. This year’s guests of honor are Yoshiyuki Tomino, the creator of the Mobile Suit Gundam franchise, and Yui Makino, who portrayed “Sakura’ in Tsubasa RESERVoir CHRoNiCLE and performed a theme song for it, as well as ARIA, Aquarion, Welcome to the NHK and others. Special events include the Del Rey Manga-sponsored pre-party, a celebration of Gundam’s 30th anniversary year, the Far East to East showcase (featuring musical guests such as Japan’s AKB48), plus premieres, screenings and panels featuring a variety of guests from all facets of North America’s anime and manga publishing industries.

Also in Episode 101: • Chad shares “What’s Hot” in the world of anime and manga. • Christy reminds fans of how they can make time for savings on DVDs and more from Section23 and the labels it distributes. • Rich announces the latest Year of the Otaku winners (and a new weekly contest), as well as the Eureka Seven movie pass winners. Then he reminds fans of the ongoing contest for a limited-edition Fruits Basket print from FUNimation. • Nick and Rich provide a rundown of upcoming conventions, courtesy of AnimeCons.com. • Marie takes a look at Phantom Dream, another manga from the creator of Fruits Basket, Natsuki Takaya. • Listen to musical clips from the JapanFiles.com CD LOUD CUT by the group Swinging Popsicle. • And finally, ANIME TODAY highlights some of the newest fan reviews from RightStuf.com visitors.

Episode 100 Run Time: 44:06 | Right Stuf, Inc. is pleased to present this year’s Anime Iowa 2009 special – featuring new interviews with convention guests, including Robert Axelrod, Greg Ayres and Studio Capsule’s Emily DeJesus, plus chats with cosplayers and convention attendees, and more – all in episode 100 of ANIME TODAY.

Also in Episode 100: • Chad shares “What’s Hot” in the world of anime and manga. • Shawne tells fans about the deals they can find during RightStuf.com’s “fall frenzy,” in-stock clearance sale. • Rich and Nick announce the latest Year of the Otaku winners (and new weekly contest) and unveil a new contest for a limited-edition Fruits Basket print from FUNimation. • Rich provides a rundown of upcoming conventions, courtesy of AnimeCons.com. • Christy offers recommendations to fans of the television series Kannagi: Crazy Shrine Maidens in a new “If…/Then” segment. • Judy tackles a new Q&A question about Japan’s perceptions of manga fans compared to anime fans. • Listen to musical clips from the JapanFiles.com CD Sweet my way by China. • And finally, ANIME TODAY highlights some of the newest fan reviews from RightStuf.com visitors.

Episode 99 Run Time: 43:41 | Right Stuf, Inc. is pleased to welcome Bandai Entertainment Marketing Director Robert Napton to episode 99 of ANIME TODAY.

In this new interview, Napton previews Bandai Entertainment’s upcoming theatrical release of EUREKA SEVEN – good night, sleep tight, young lovers –. A feature film from BONES (Sword of the Stranger, Cowboy Bebop), the Eureka Seven film will be shown in movie theaters across the United States for one night only, on Thursday, September 24, 2009. Tickets go on sale to the public on Friday, August 21, 2009.

Also in Episode 99: • Chad shares “What’s Hot” in the world of anime and manga. • Shawne tells fans how they can “get the ball rolling” with savings on DVDs, Blu-ray and more from FUNimation. • Kris and Judy talk about the latest Pokémon Stamp Rally in a new “Anime and Gamer's Guide.” • Rich and Nick announce the latest Year of the Otaku winners (and new weekly contest) and kick off a new contest for free tickets to Bandai Entertainment’s theatrical screening of the Eureka Seven movie. • Rich provides a rundown of upcoming conventions, courtesy of AnimeCons.com. • Marie takes a look at FUNimation’s release of Romeo x Juliet, a Shakespeare-inspired anime adaptation from Gonzo. • Listen to musical clips from the JapanFiles.com CDs meli melo, express ourselves and WALKING by the group neglige.

Episode 98 Run Time: 48:47 | Right Stuf, Inc.is pleased to welcome Leyla Aker – senior editor for Viz Media and its IKKI imprint – to episode 98 of ANIME TODAY.

In this new interview, Aker discusses the recent launch of the Viz Signature IKKI imprint, the IKKI online manga magazine, plans to serialize manga on the site, what kinds of titles fans can expect to see from the imprint, and how they can give Viz feedback about the IKKI project.

Also in Episode 98: • Chad shares “What’s Hot” in the world of anime and manga. • Shawne tells fans how they can find “savings that are a steal” on manga and books from TOKYOPOP. • Kris and Judy return for a new “Anime and Gamers’ Guide” about the Aomori Nebuta Festival. • Rich and Nick announce the latest Year of the Otaku winners (and new weekly contest) and announce the winners of the contest for Gakuen Alice gift packs that include both a tote bag from TOKYOPOP and anime sampler disc from Nozomi Entertainment. • Nick and Rich provide a rundown of upcoming conventions, courtesy of AnimeCons.com. • Christy offers recommendations to fans of the newly remastered Irresponsible Captain Tylor TV and OVA series in a new “If…/Then” segment. • Listen to musical clips from the JapanFiles.com CD ANOTHER BEST by Kanako Ito.

Episode 97 Run Time: 1:16:21 | Right Stuf, Inc. is pleased to present this year’s Anime Expo 2009 special – as well as the scoop on Bandai Entertainment’s release of Kannagi – with episode 97 of ANIME TODAY.

Shawne Kleckner, Right Stuf’s President and C.E.O., hosts the Right Stuf / Nozomi Entertainment panel, which includes license announcements for the anime adaptations of Junjo Romantica and Antique Bakery, news about the third television season and OVA for ARIA, and more. (A bonus download, featuring a half-hour of fan questions is also available.) Then Marie hits the convention with her microphone to conduct interviews with fans attending Anime Expo.

And Robert Napton, Bandai Entertainment’s marketing director, drops in to talk about Kannagi: Crazy Shrine Maidens, the first DVD of which is now available for order and ready to ship via RightStuf.com. In this new interview, he talks about what makes the show special, their DVD release and online streaming plans, and what led to their decision to release Kannagi’s first DVD on the same date as the announcement of their license for it.

Also in Episode 97: • Chad shares “What’s Hot” in the world of anime and manga. • Shawne gives fans the lowdown on the sensational savings to be found with the latest RightStuf.com “10 items for $50” and “25 items for $100” sale. • Rich and Nick announce the latest Year of the Otaku winners (and new weekly contest), announce the winners of the Baccano! contest with FUNimation, and remind fans about the current Gakuen Alice contest with TOKYOPOP. • Rich provides a rundown of upcoming conventions, courtesy of AnimeCons.com. • Listen to musical clips from the JapanFiles.com CD GIMMICAL IMPACT!! by LM.C.

Episode 96 Run Time: 53:17 | Right Stuf, Inc. is pleased to welcome Amanda Nanawa – content acquisitions and development consultant for the FUNimation Channel – to episode 96 of ANIME TODAY.

In this new, two-segment interview, Nanawa shares how she got into the entertainment industry and how she applies her personal knowledge of anime to work with publishers and decide what programming fans will be able to see on the FUNimation Channel and its Anime On Demand component. Then she discusses what upcoming titles and features fans can expect to see in the near future for both the channel’s linear and on-demand services.

Also in Episode 96: • Chad’s back with “What’s Hot” in the world of anime and manga. • Christy reminds fans how they can “fill their bags” with bargains on selected titles from FUNimation and Geneon. • Rich and Nick announce the latest Year of the Otaku winners (and new weekly contest) and announce the winners of the Gakuen Alice contest for autographed copies of the manga published by TOKYOPOP. Then they remind listeners about the contest for copies of the Baccano! starter set from FUNimation and kick off a new Gakuen Alice contest. • Christy offers recommendations to fans of the anime Murder Princess in a new “If…/Then” segment. • Nick and Rich provide a rundown of upcoming conventions, courtesy of AnimeCons.com. • Listen to musical clips from the JapanFiles.com CDs everything, low-bit Disco and Sine Wave Orchestra by FLOPPY.