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.

Episode 95 Run Time: 1:23:31 | Right Stuf, Inc. is pleased to welcome Ed Chavez – the new marketing director at Vertical, Inc. – to episode 95 of ANIME TODAY.

In this new, three-segment interview, Chavez discusses how he got involved in the manga industry, Vertical’s release of Black Jack, the recent passing of Guin Saga creator Kaoru Kurimoto, and upcoming prose releases including The Summer of the Ubume, several books focusing on Asian cuisine, and Sayonara, Mr. Fatty!, the memoir of GAINAX co-founder Toshio Okada. Then he offers his thoughts about Vertical’s changing role in North America’s manga industry.

Chavez has written about manga and Japan’s pop culture for publications such as Publishers Weekly, Anime on DVD at Mania.com and Otaku USA, and he is the editor-in-chief of MangaCast. Prior to joining Vertical, he also freelanced as an editor and translator for Tor/Seven Seas and DC Comics/Wildstorm, and he developed promotional projects for DC Comics’ CMX Manga and Kodansha, Ltd’s KODANSHA BOX.

Also in Episode 95: • Chad’s back with “What’s Hot” in the world of anime and manga. • Shawne reminds fans about the “Royal Deals” they can find on books and merchandise from Dark Horse. • Rich and Nick announce the latest Year of the Otaku winners (and new weekly contest) and remind fans about the Gakuen Alice contest for autographed copies of the manga published by TOKYOPOP. Then they kick off a new contest for copies of the Baccano! starter set from FUNimation. • Marie delves into the shoujo manga Sand Chronicles by Hinako Ashihara. • Nick and Rich provide a rundown of late July and early August conventions, courtesy of AnimeCons.com. • Listen to musical clips from the JapanFiles.com release World’s end wonderland by TOKYO ethmusica, another project from producer Daichi Hayakawa of Sweet Vacation.

Episode 94 Run Time: 1:23:18 | Right Stuf, Inc. is pleased to welcome Lillian Diaz-Przybyl – a senior editor at TOKYOPOP and the editor for the Gakuen Alice manga – to episode 94 of ANIME TODAY.

In this new, two-segment interview, Diaz-Przybyl discusses how she got into the manga industry, how titles are localized and brought to North American audiences, the final volume of Fruits Basket, her work on Gakuen Alice, and her favorite current and upcoming titles from TOKYOPOP.

Also in Episode 94: • Chad’s back with “What’s Hot” in the world of anime and manga. • Shawne reminds fans of how they can “Save Some Yen” on graphic novels and more from Yen Press. • Kris and Judy are back with a new installment of the “Anime and Gamer's Guide” to talk about the news from this year’s edition of E3. • Rich and Nick announce the winners of the contest for one-day passes to Anime Expo 2009, as well as the latest Year of the Otaku winners and new weekly contest. Then they kick off a new contest, co-sponsored by TOKYOPOP, to celebrate the launch of the official site for the Gakuen Alice anime series! • Christy offers recommendations to fans of the anime film The Girl Who Leapt Through Time in a new “If…/Then” segment. • Rich provides a rundown of upcoming conventions, courtesy of AnimeCons.com. • Listen to musical clips from the JapanFiles.com release Phantom of Inferno Original Soundtrack Discs 1 and 2, from the NITROPLUS game studio.

Episode 93 Run Time: 42:41 | Right Stuf, Inc. is pleased to welcome Liyin Liang – the convention chairperson for Anime Expo 2009 – to episode 93 of ANIME TODAY.

In this new interview, Liang previews this year’s edition of Anime Expo and what fans attending the event can expect to see, including guests of honor from the anime and video game industries, a maid café, the AX Idol competition, and the North American debut of the long-running Japanese supergroup Morning Musume.

Also in Episode 93: • Chad’s back with “What’s Hot” in the world of anime and manga. • Shawne tells fans all about the “Monster Savings” to be found on DVDs and more from ADV Films. • Nick announces the winners of the two most recent contests in our Year of the Otaku weekly prize blitz, kicks off this week’s contest and reminds listeners about the current contest for day passes to Anime Expo 2009. • Marie investigates the Case Closed anime series. • Rich provides a rundown of upcoming conventions, courtesy of AnimeCons.com. • Listen to musical clips from the JapanFiles.com CDs PLATINUM 9 DISC and Shouganai Yumeoibito by Morning Musume.

Episode 92 Run Time: 1:04:13 | Right Stuf, Inc. is pleased to welcome Erica Friedman – the president of Yuricon and ALC Publishing – to episode 92 of ANIME TODAY.

In this new, three-segment interview, Friedman discusses how she got her start as a manga publisher, the publishing process (from acquisition to marketing and distribution), the challenges and rewards of being an independent, niche publisher, and what fans can expect next from ALC Publishing.

Also in Episode 92: • Chad’s back with “What’s Hot” in the world of anime and manga. • Shawne reminds fans about the last days to “Fall in Love With Savings” on DVDs and more from FUNimation. • Rich and Nick remind fans about the contest for Anime Expo 2009 tickets, announce the winners of the two most recent “Year of the Otaku” contests and kick off this week’s installment of the weekly prize blitz. • Christy offers recommendations to fans of the Fullmetal Alchemist anime in a new “If…/Then” segment. • Kris and Judy talk about relaxing new trends in the Japanese art world in a new “Anime and Gamer's Guide.” • Rich and Nick provide a rundown of upcoming conventions, courtesy of AnimeCons.com. • Judy fields an “Anime Today Q & A” question about travel destinations for tourists looking for a traditional Japanese experience, as well as destinations for those with anime and manga on their minds. • Listen to musical clips from the JapanFiles.com CD Romantic Waves by BESPA KUMAMERO.

Episode 91 Run Time: 1:09:31 | Right Stuf, Inc. tackles fans’ most frequently asked questions about anime voice acting – from getting started in the industry to vocal exercises and more – in episode 91 of ANIME TODAY.

The feature includes excerpts from the following actor interviews over the years: Greg Ayres, Luci Christian, Crispin Freeman, Kyle Hebert, Rich McNanna, Vic Mignogna, Anna Morrow, Liam O’Brien, Chris Patton, Sam Regal, Monica Rial and Sean Schemmel.

Also in Episode 91: • Chad’s back with “What’s Hot” in the world of anime and manga. • Shawne reminds fans about the last days of our “Bargain Bin Blowout.” • Rich and Nick reveal the next Year of the Otaku weekly prize blitz and announce the winners of the Death Note: L‚ change the WorLd tickets and the Darker Than Black starter sets, plus the winners of our two most recent "Year of the Otaku" contests. • Marie takes a look at the manga series Love Attack by Shizuru Seino. • Rich provides a rundown of upcoming conventions, courtesy of AnimeCons.com. • Listen to musical clips from the JapanFiles.com CD Sparkling Music by DEAVID SOUL.

Episode 90 Run Time: 1:14:33 | Right Stuf, Inc. is pleased to welcome Neil Nadelman – an industry veteran and the translator of projects including The Irresponsible Captain Tylor and Code Geass – to episode 90 of ANIME TODAY.

In this new, three-segment interview, Nadelman discusses his translation work on The Irresponsible Captain Tylor TV series and OVAs, the challenges of subtitling His and Her Circumstances, how he broke into the anime industry, how translation and adaptation standards have evolved over the years, and his current and upcoming projects.

Nadelman got his start as a fan-turned professional in the early 1990s, and he gained notoriety for his translation and subtitling work on a long list of projects, from the Macross Plus OVAs, the Slayers and Slayers Try TV series, Revolutionary Girl Utena and The Irresponsible Captain Tylor to ARIA The ANIMATION, Zegapain and Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion. In addition to his translation and subtitling work, he is also well-known among anime convention goers for his “Totally Lame Anime” panel.

Also in Episode 90: • Chad’s back with “What’s Hot” in the world of anime and manga. • Shawne reminds fans about the last days of RightStuf.com’s “Spring Cleaning In-Stock Clearance” sale. • Rich and Nick announce the winners of the first Year of the Otaku contest for RightStuf.com gift certificates. Then they remind listeners about the contest for Darker Than Black starter sets from FUNimation and the latest installment of the Year of the Otaku weekly prize blitz. • Christy offers recommendations to fans of the anime Emma: A Victorian Romance in a new “If…/Then” segment. • - Nick and Rich provide a rundown of upcoming conventions, courtesy of AnimeCons.com. • Christy returns with a new “Anime Today Q & A” question about keeping up with the latest manga releases. • Listen to musical clips from the JapanFiles.com CDs Crystal Children and Camellia Japonica by Dazzle Vision.

Episode 89 Run Time: 45:09 | Right Stuf, Inc. goes inside the Tokyo International Anime Fair 2009 (TAF) in episode 89 of ANIME TODAY.

In this special TAF 2009 edition of the “Anime and Gamers’ Guide to Japan,” Judy is joined by Right Stuf President and CEO Shawne Kleckner, who shares his first-hand impressions of this year’s event – which was attended by more than 129,000 people – as well as photos from the show’s exhibition hall.

Also in Episode 89: • Chad’s back with “What’s Hot” in the world of anime and manga. • Shawne reminds fans about the last days to “Lock on to Savings” on DVDs, Blu-ray and CDs from Bandai Entertainment. • Chad and Nick remind listeners about the last days to enter the Year of the Otaku contest for RightStuf.com gift certificates, kick off a new contest for Darker Than Black Starter sets from FUNimation, and kick off a new, Year of the Otaku weekly prize blitz. • Marie takes a look at the manga series Gimmick!, written by Youzaburou Kanari and illustrated by Kuroko Yabuguchi. • Rich provides a rundown of upcoming conventions, courtesy of AnimeCons.com. • Listen to musical clips from the JapanFiles.com CD bud by Dirty Old Men