Right Stuf Releases Anime Today Episode 10!
Posted on: Friday, March 17, 2006
Episode Run Down:
Now for the run down of this episode: Starting us off today is Chad with What’s Hot followed by Uso Deshou where we give you a mystery anime plot and you get to guess if it’s real or not. Then Marie gives us her personal review of Hikaru No Go. In the contest and website updates, Rich will be telling you about the Full Metal Quest for a Contest, the Boys Be… contest, and Shawne’s Deal of the Day – a way to find great deals everyday at RightStuf.com. This week, for our production feature, we have a clip of our new release of Boys Be…. Viz DVDs are on sale this week, and Shawne’s going to be joining us to give us his highlights along with some picks you shouldn’t miss from the Weekly Specials. Judy is going to be teaching you to count in Japanese with her first installment of Japanese 101. Nick then picks a couple questions about our online store for our Q&A. Kris and Judy return in the Anime and Gamer’s Guide to Japan to discuss the advantages to traveling as part of a tour group. And finally, the resolution to our Uso Deshou mystery plot.
What's Hot?
On March 28th, Osamu Tezuka’s Astro Boy is back! For the first time ever on DVD, this is the original 1963 black and white series that aired on US television so many years ago. Since it’s the great granddaddy of all anime, it’s being given a stellar release filled with tons of artwork and extras. Best of all, it’s been completely restored, so get ready for the original Astro Boy series as you’ve never seen it before!
On March 21st, finally, see The Paper... on paper in the first volume of the Read or Die Graphic Novel series. Yomiko Readman is a British secret agent sent on a mission to recover a rare book that was stolen 20 years ago. This would be an arduous task for most people, but not for a literature-lover such as herself. Not only that, she has the incredible ability to manipulate paper, making a lethal weapon out of even the most humble notebook scrap. So, for your action fix, look no further than Read or Die manga volume one!
March 28th will see the release of Empire in Flux, the 5th DVD of the Samurai 7 series. The samurai were victorious in the battle for Kanna, but the war is far from over and the cost was great. One of the seven has fallen leaving a sizable hole in their ranks. The link between the bandits and the Capital has been determined, but the next step is still uncertain. Featuring gorgeous animation from GONZO and a rich storyline based on Akira Kurosawa’s classic film, Seven Samurai, this is one series you don’t want to miss!
The March 28th excitement continues with the release of the first Gundam Wing DVD Collection. Here’s your chance to get the first 25 episodes of Gundam Wing in a single collection! Filled with action, drama, and a hugely popular cast of characters, Gundam Wing remains one of the most well-known Gundam series of all time. Join Heero, Duo, and the rest of the Gundam Pilots as they launch Operation Meteor and start to wreak havoc on an unsuspecting Earth!
And finally, as if March 28th couldn’t get any better, it will also see the release of the Outlaw Star Complete Collection on DVD. Gene Starwind and Jim Hawking used to run a small business on a backwater planet. That is, until they met the mysterious Melfina... Ever since she stepped into their lives, they’ve been running from cops, pirates, aliens and assassins - but at least they’ve got the galaxy’s fastest ship on their side! Don’t miss the whole action-packed series in one perfectly priced set!
And remember, when you preorder titles from RightStuf.com more then 10 days before their street date, you can get 25% off their everyday retail price. So hurry up and don’t miss out on the big savings when you preorder these great titles and more at RightStuf.com!
Marie's DVD Review: Hikaru No Go DVD 1
I was wondering what to review this week when Kris mentioned that I might like Hikaru no Go. Since I suppose I can’t review shoujo all the time, I figured why not? So I got home, popped in the disc, and was soon so wrapped up in the story I was wondering if anyone at work would happen to have a Go board so I could practice just like in the show. If the original manga author Yumi Hotta was trying to create an army of Go playing minions, she couldn’t have found a better way to do it.
Hikaru no Go, which means literally “Hikaru’s Go,” is about – wait for it – a sixth-grade boy named Shindo Hikaru who plays Go, an ancient Chinese strategy game. Of course, this being an anime, that’s not all. Hikaru’s interest in the game is sparked one day when he is rummaging around in his grandfather’s attic and comes across an old stained Go board. It turns out that the stains are from the tears of an ancient Go master named Sai Fujiwara, who was falsely accused of cheating in a Go game 1,000 years ago. Banished from both his home and his beloved game, Sai drowned himself in a lake, and his spirit has haunted the Go board ever since.
Sai is overjoyed that Hikaru is somehow able to both see and hear him. Hoping for a chance to play Go once more, Sai follows Hikaru around relentlessly until Hikaru finally agrees to trade playing Go for Sai in exchange for help with his history homework. Without a corporeal body, Sai plays by calling out the moves to Hikaru who then places the stones on the board. Of course, it’s not long at all before Hikaru, who originally had no interest in the game, starts wanting to learn to play too. Along the way of helping Sai learn Go’s ultimate technique, “The Divine Move,” Hikaru quickly picks up his own rivals, mentors, and team of friends.
While there’s no denying Hikaru no Go’s appeal, it’s difficult to say where, exactly, it comes from. Part of it, at least, comes from the likable cast of characters, each striving towards their goal to learn more about the game. Another part comes from the cheerful way everyone helps Hikaru learn the in and outs of his new hobby. And, of course, some of the appeal comes from the game itself. As Hikaru observes, every Go player is so very intense, and that level of focus and concentration alone would make a compelling drama.
Moreover, it doesn’t hurt that Hikaru no Go is a very well-rounded show. While the rivalries and games provide lots of dramatics, there’s also a lot of good-natured comedy. All of the characters play off of each other very well, with Hikaru serving as the “straightman.”
There’s also something very egalitarian about Go that encourages everyone to enjoy it. The simple rules and equipment mean anybody can play, regardless of age, gender, or wealth, and that diversity shows up in the show.
Don’t know how to play Go? You’re in good company; neither does Hikaru. In fact, you might even enjoy the show more if you don’t. That means each new move will be just as much of a surprise and a delight to you as it is to Hikaru. On the other hand, if you do know something about Go, it makes the matches that much more interesting, and you’ll be rooting for Sai as he learns all of the new tactics developed in the 1000 years since he died.
With its plucky young hero in pursuit of a grand dream, Hikaru no Go embodies the best of Viz’s Shonen Jump line. If you enjoyed its fellow series One Piece and Naruto you’re sure to enjoy Hikaru no Go as well. Just make sure you get a friend to watch it with you, because by the time you’re finished with the first volume you are going to want to play a game of Go, and it’s for the best if it’s with someone who won’t tease you for trying to duplicate the “glowing fingers” technique.
Right Stuf Contests and Updates
Check out Shawne's Deal of the Day in our Online Store
Like what you hear? Give us a shout out! If you use iTunes or browse Yahoo! Podcasts, take a few moments to write a quick review and tell others what you think the show!
Right Stuf Productions
Hear more audio clips from Boys Be... on the Soundboard in the Extras section!
Shawne's Specials
Happy St. Patrick's Day! What better time to save some green - and we're making it easy for you this week with an exciting Viz Video sale! Whether you're looking to pick up some Maison Ikkoku, the latest Inu Yasha releases, grab some classic Ranma ½, or pre-order Full Moon O' Sagashite, this sale is for you!
From now until March 26th, 2006 - you can get 40% OFF the retail price on Viz DVD and VHS products!
Just use the reusable coupon code SAVEGREEN when you check out through our online store.
And remember, if you're a Got Anime Member, you'll be rolling in all the extra green you'll be saving!
Not sure what products are included in the sale? We've made it especially simple, just click on the small graphic reading "Viz Sale Items", located on the right-hand side of our main page and you'll be able to page through the item listings with ease!
I’m off to Japan this week for the Tokyo Anime Fair, and thus, the current product specials will last through March 30. To make it especially tempting, however, I’ve loaded the specials with lots of great deals. Lots of great box sets and merchandise on sale for great prices.
I also wanted to mention that I’ve added several items to both our closeout section and the bargain bin. Some of these deals are only good while supplies last, so make sure to browse through and see if there’s anything in there that you’ve been looking for. Check for these sections under the "Money Savers" heading in the main store table of contents!
Long plane flight aside, at least I’ll be able to check out the sakura as they begin to bloom, as well as visit some Tokyo hangouts that I haven’t seen for a while. I hope that you have a great week, and have a safe and festive St. Patrick’s Day!
Highlights from the current VIZ Sale ending March 26:
Anime Today Q & A
If you have a question for us, call 1-800-338-6827, extension 7424. Also, you may send us e-mail at animetoday@rightstuf.com. If your question is selected, you will receive a $10 gift certificate to Right Stuf’s online store!
Kris and Judy Part 10: Anime and Gamer's Guide to Japan
Japan National Tourist Organization (JNTO)
Official Website: www.jnto.go.jp
North American Branch: www.japantravelinfo.com
PopTravel (by H.I.S. International Tours in cooperation with Digital Manga)
www.popjapantravel.com
Japan Airlines (JAL) English Vacation Package Site
www.jalpak.com
JTB Sunrise Tours
www.jtbgmt.com/sunrisetour/
Music this episode featured from:
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