How They're Selling it: Two Favorites for One Desirable Price!

GIRL NEXT DOOR: Haunted by the memory of his ideal woman, Masahiko is determined not to lose his virginity until he finds her again. Too bad his memory sucks, and he can't remember who she is! While Masahiko is dreaming of his mystery woman, he may not have a choice in waiting for her much longer! It seems everyone wants a piece of him lately. At work, his sex-starved boss is looking for a little action while her husband is out of town. At home, a very buxom childhood friend moves in and leaves him drooling. At college, he's the target of both his professor and a sly, sexy student stalker who manages to pop up in the most unusual places! To top everything off, Asuka, one of his neighbors, secretly harbors her own fantasies about him! With this amount of sexual frustration swirling around him, can he possibly manage to hold out for the girl of his dreams?

I LOVE YOU: True love or just true lust? As one of the most handsome guys on campus, Jun has never had any trouble finding a girl who wants to have a good time, but while the sex is always hot, something just seems to be missing... love. Jun's search to find that special someone leads him to the Shinbashi sisters, his good childhood friends! Should he go for Reina, the gorgeous blonde who overflows with kindness? How about Lina, the perky and agile sports girl who's had a crush on Jun for years? And then there's the mysterious Mina, the fiery redhead with a sharp tongue and a hot body who's just reappeared in his life... Three very different sisters, but all have the same needs and desires. Will Jun ever be able to pick just one?

How We See It: Critical Mass continues its plan to re-release mini bundles of previous single volume releases this month with the amusingly titled "Hometown Hotties" show. Taking two of their titles and pricing it down quite a lot in comparison to when they were originally released, this is a solid deal through and through and definitely one way to snare some new buyers. With two hours of adult anime that you can get for about ten bucks with some judicious shopping online, it's easily worth sampling their Double Scoop line-up of releases.

See the original releases here and other related releases.

How They're Selling it: Betrayal and death raise the stakes of this end-times battle that is systematically destroying two species. Each believes itself just and moral; the passionate humans and the ancient Shadow Angels. The smoldering debris from the collision of two souls over 12,000 years past has rained destruction for the ages; eons of legends and pain meeting up with the truth as Aquarion soars over Atlandia, on a collision course with fate.

The real meaning of unity lies now exposed in two halves of the same heart, darkness and light that together make a whole. As the Shadow Angels and their wingless rivals rush toward their destiny, the secrets of the Solar Wing are revealed. This could mean either the end of the world or its redemption... One way or the other, the war ends now.

Contains episodes 14-26

How We See It: Coming out about four months after the release of the first half of the season, Aquarion draws to a close with the next thirteen episodes of god-like giant robots being piloted by a diverse crew of characters. FUNimation's first big foray into the half season sets has worked out pretty solidly for the fans with not too much of a wait between releases, though possibly enough for some to forget that it's coming out. With the first set being so solidly done, expect more of the same here.

See the original releases here and other related releases.

How They're Selling it: Koyuki Tanaka was feeling the rut, even though he's only a teenager. Between the sheltered and stifling grind of school and the girls that spend their time not noticing him, every day was just another day of being a total nobody. Enter Ryusuke: a local rock 'n' roller haunted by a shady reputation. Together they form Beck, a dynamic band that just might be the salvation of the stagnant music scene.

Sure, it's going to take hard work and obsession to make it, but there's something special in the sound. If the guys can stay true to their vision, the world awaits. Music can change your life, sometimes against your will. Just remember: when it's live, anything can happen.

Contains the entire series!

How We See It: Six months after the singles finished, the complete collection has arrived and it's once again a must-own release. Anyone who complains about the way "everything" is the same or unoriginal out there needs to grab this show and experience it in both languages to see that there is indeed amazing material out there. While there are some song issues along the way due to music rights problems, the bulk of it is here and if you've never seen it before you won't even know the difference. Definitely a set that belongs on most everyone's shelf.

See the original releases here and other related releases.

How They're Selling it: For years, the supernatural forces of the Aragami have feasted on a steady diet of human sacrifices, which have allowed them to live peacefully among mankind...until now. Evil is brewing, and they're craving their next victim. Get ready for an all-out war between good versus evil!

How We See It: Almost equaling Neon Genesis Evangelion for the number of times it's been released, the fourth variation of the Blue Seed complete release makes its debut this year. This is good classic monster sci-fi material that was part of what defined anime for a big chunk of fans back in the 90's. Whether it holds up well after all this time is another story, but by and large it's one that is certainly worth checking out considering the price and amount of content.

See the original releases here and other related releases.

How They're Selling it: The criminal mind is a twisted one and Jimmy Kudo knows the shady corridors of humanity like no other detective in the business. He's put more scum behind bars than just about anyone on the beat and his skills have earned him plenty of enemies, and he pays the price one dark night: being poisoned and left for dead.

But rather than meeting his end in a shallow grave, Jimmy gets a new beginning. Awakening to find himself transformed, the evil elixir of his faceless foes has changed him into a small boy - the perfect cover! Utilizing his unlikely new persona and cutting-edge technology, Jimmy is hot on the trail of his assailants as Conan Edogawa.

The path to justice will be littered with cruelty and madness; the worst of man on display as this sleuth cuts through the underworld in search of answers, solving one sick crime at a time. Truth is not open to interpretation. There's no room for error when life and limb are on the line. A detective like no other, Conan is on the case!

Contains episodes 1-26!

How We See It: Case Closed - the way it was meant to be seen! At least when it comes to home video outside of Japan. This set takes the first twenty-six episodes of the series, puts it in a box for a damn sweet price, and puts it out there for those who avoided the singles to finally cave in and buy it. And they better so that we can get more of this show already. Boy genius Conan needs to investigate more murders since they happen so often in Japan if you go by the show. With a good chunk of episodes and plenty of familiarity due to its broadcast, this set should end up being checked out by anyone who has a passing interest in it since you can almost get it for a buck an episode depending on where you shop.

See the original releases here and other related releases.

How They're Selling it: Teen life is tough. And high school life is even tougher. But if you're one of the delinquents sent to Cromartie, it's...well, put it this way, it ain't The O.C. So pack your bags, put on your best tough-guy swagger, and get a lesson in insanity from the losers, bruisers, and thugs at Cromartie High.

How We See It: It's been a couple of years since this series saw its thinpak form put out so it makes sense to slip it back out there during the summer doldrums. How they thought they would attract the right audience by putting so much pink on the cover is another story however. Cromartie High School is the kind of series that has a very specific appeal and one you can imagine doing very well placed around a show like Robot Chicken. This new collection doesn't appear to offer anything new though so it's a matter of whether you like your Cromartie pink or blue when it comes to the cover artwork.

See the original releases here and other related releases.

How They're Selling it: The Great Kanto Desert is a place of extremes where a hero dies an anonymous death and a villain goes down in a blaze of glory. And then there's this guy... Meet Kanta Mizuno. He's not your typical hero and his methods are not always honorable, but he's the closest thing to a good guy the desert's got. Self proclaimed as the "Desert Punk," he's out to make a name for himself as the best handyman for hire. No job is too tough, no opponent too nefarious - once Desert Punk's on the job, it's as good as done!

Get the job done.
Collect the money.
Repeat.

Contains all 24 episodes.

How We See It: FUNimation worked things a little differently with Desert Punk since its release by offering the initial box set awhile ago with an art book included and then putting out the singles in priced-down Viridian form. The series hits once again in a full Viridian box set form - this time in lovely space saving thinpaks - with a sweet price and all the original extras retained. The series is another of the big desert action comedies that have been out in the last few years but is one that features a good bit of perversion and lots of boobies. That alone sells a few more copies, doesn't it?

See the original releases here and other related releases.

How They're Selling it: What more could you ask for than a bevy of beauties forced to put their lives on the line to answer the call of duty. DIVERGENCE EVE is a bold and imaginative voyage leading directly into the heart of evil. A dark tale enlivened by a shocking mystery, which will have you guessing until the final fade out.

How We See It: Taking the two half season collections that came out previous, the Seraphim Collection finally bundles it all together in one collection for a price that's fairly comparable to the two sets that came before. While the series makes lots of use in its advertising in regards to the boobies, Divergence Eve actually has a rather intensive plot to it that is paced slowly, deliberately and with a grand scale in the end. This is something of an underrated series since people can't get past the boobs but it's one that really will appeal to a hard science fiction crowd.

See the original releases here and other related releases.

How They're Selling it: The History of Trunks
Goku is dead, victim of a deadly virus. Last of the Z Warriors to pass, the Super Saiyan's death has left the Earth far more vulnerable than ever before. With no one left to protect the planet, Androids 17 and 18 arrive to terrorize the great cities, plunging all into darkness where the inhabitants cower in fear. Is there no hope left in this apocalyptic horror? Is this the end?

Goku's son, Gohan, is now a man, and with an extraordinary young teenager named Trunks by his side, the two are determined to face off against the threat. But as tragedy follows upon tragedy, the world around Trunks is fast collapsing and there seems no check to the evil of the Androids.

This is the story of the future that never was.

Bardock - The Father of Goku
Before there was Goku, there lived his father Bardock. A low-class Saiyan soldier under the command of Frieza, Bardock is attacked by the last of an alien race they are employed in destroying. Healing on his home planet of Vegeta, Bardock discovers he has been blessed with the ability to see into the future.

But the blessing soon becomes a curse, as the Saiyan finds himself haunted by visions: the tragic extermination of his own race and the destruction of their beloved planet, all at the hands of Frieza. Bardock sets off on nightmarish race with fate to avert the impending disaster. But as his strength fails and despair sets in, hope will be found in one last vision.

This is the story of Bardock, the father of Goku.

How We See It: FUNimation continues to offer much Blu-ray love to the Dragon Ball Z fans as they bring out a third movie double pack collection timed with the new DVD release. If the Dead Zone/World's Strongest release is any indication, this pairing of movies will be a strong offering with Trunks getting one of his better stories out there. With a solid DVD release of this back in February, all that this release is missing is being done in a steelcase like that was.

See the original releases here and other related releases.

How They're Selling it: Otaku love Full Metal Panic? FUMOFFU Whereas the first Full Metal Panic! Series was a sci-fi drama with flashes of comedy, FUMOFFU doesn't even pretend to be serieous! Action-packed and full of laughs, FUMOFFU is a must-have for any anime fan!

How We See It: It's been a few years since the show last saw release but it's definitely time to get it out there again as the Second Raid set is being released by FUNimation. FUMOFFU is an odd duck in comparison to the other two since it's light comedic stories mostly but it has some big laugh out loud moments that really help to endear you to the characters. More for completists than those who are looking for the action side of the first season, it's still a worthy set to check out.

See the original releases here and other related releases.

How They're Selling it: Volumes 1-4, Eps. 1-13
4 Discs *

Ito Keita has one thing in his favor: luck! And luck has just landed him a special invitation to attend the Bell Liberty Academy for Boys, an exclusive High School only for the most privileged, the most talented, and the most beautiful. When a strange accident on move-in day attracts the attention of Niwa Tetsuya, the student body president, and Saiyonji Kaoru, the class secretary, Ito finds himself the center of attention. With the eyes of a whole school of pretty boys on him, where will Ito find the time to unravel the mystery of his invitation?

How We See It: Unlike a lot of Media Blasters series, this one didn't get dropped to a collection quickly after release and instead waited quite a few months. While it is a boys-love show, it's one that is pretty mild when it comes to the actual love side of it. Comedy fills up most of it and it's wacky in its own way, especially with the "hamu hamu" shorts that are included. Not a release for everyone and it's one that feels like it's priced higher than Media Blasters usually does with sub only collections.

See the original releases here and other related releases.

How They're Selling it: Half-demon Inuyasha, modern-day schoolgirl Kagome and their companions face their deepest fears and worst nightmares as their quest to find the Sacred Jewel shards continues. The deadly Band of Seven, a group of mercenaries executed for their crimes, have returned from the dead to wreak havoc, and Inuyasha is determined to stop them. But the battle leads them all to the sacred and mysterious Mount Hakurei, where a barrier not only renders demons, including Inuyasha, powerless, but also hides a terrible secret about their worst enemy: Naraku!

Contains 27 episodes.

How We See It: For a series that has finished out its run in single form, Viz Media is really dragging its feet with the season sets by doing what amounts to one set a year. Season 5 has finally hit and it's admittedly more of the same as an Inu Yasha fan will tell you. With both a regular and limited edition, it's being done similar to past sets so fans know what to expect from it, and that they're likely going to wait another year for the next season.

See the original releases here and other related releases.

How They're Selling it: When Yumi Fukuzawa entered the Lillian Girls’ Academy, a prestigious all-girls Catholic school in Tokyo, she never imagined she would catch the eye of beautiful and demure Sachiko Ogasawara, one of the school’s most popular students. Now Sachiko has offered to be Yumi’s sœur – her “sister” and guide for all her years at the academy. The whole idea has Yumi completely flustered: After all, they hardly know each other! The entire campus is abuzz with rumors about the two of them, but Yumi is conflicted over accepting Sachiko’s offer. While she admires Sachiko, being her sœur would also mean constantly being at the center of the entire school’s attention! Contains the complete 13-episode first season, plus the Season 1 “specials.”

How We See It: Nozomi Entertainment hits up a second series in a row with a full season box set of love and goes the extra mile with it by providing a more fan friendly secondary subtitle track around the honorifics. Catholic schoolgirls in yuri-ish situations with beautiful animaton and lots of atmopshere may not be a massive seller but it's one that will continue to earn it a strong cult following. With a solid price, beautiful packaging and plenty of love going into the product, it's one worth sampling as a blind buy if the first episode is anything to go by.

See the original releases here and other related releases.

How They're Selling it: I thought that when I entered high school, my days of believing in aliens, time travelers and ESPers were going to be over. That is until she introduced herself. Claiming to be interested in only aliens, time travelers, and ESPers, Haruhi Suzumiya was the strangest girl I’ve met in a long time… Before I knew what’s going on, I’ve been ragged into her weird club, and it looks like I’m not the only one who has been drafted into this ‘SOS Brigade’ of hers, because there are three other students who don’t seem to be so ordinary themselves.
Either way we’ve all found ourselves caught up in Haruhi’s quest to search for all things extraordinary. And what’s this I hear about us making a movie??

How We See It: One of the bigger releases of 2007 and one of the better markted ones, Haruhi hits in collection form in a timely fashion after the single volumes ended. The release re-packages the original volumes in a new box at a good price for those that just wanted the show and all the extras, including the very amusing ASOS brigade ones. While the series is a love it or hate it one, for the price and the hype it's definitely worth checking out to form your own opinion. Especially as the second season is in the offing.

See the original releases here and other related releases.

How They're Selling it: It's not easy being teenage martial artist Ranma Saotome, but it's even worse when your martial-artist father Genma takes you from home at an early age to go on a decade-long training mission. He doesn't speak a word of Chinese, and yet he insists upon bringing you to the cursed training ground known as Jusenkyo, where falling into one of the many springs there instantly turns you into whoever - or whatever - drowned there last. And then, the two of you have this little accident...

From now on, a splash of cold water will turn your father into a giant panda, while you... Well, you turn into a red-haired (and problematically well-built) female version of yourself. Hot water will reverse the effect, but only until the next time. What's a half-guy, half-girl to do?

How We See It: Five years after the completion of the singles for the series, Ranma 1/2 gets released again in a new thinpak set that brings it to a conclusion once more. The weakest of all the seasons, this one is definitely for the die-hards but it's in a rather well priced collection in a thinpak form that helps to save on space. And if there's ever a series that needed to save as much space as possible, it's this one.

See the original releases here and other related releases.

How They're Selling it: Based on the legendary Akira Kurosawa classic epic feature film, Seven Samurai.

Set in a futuristic world that has just witnessed the end of a massive war, scores of villages are terrorized by Nobuseri bandits. But the Nobuseri are no normal bandits. They were once Samurai, who during the war integrated their living cells with machines to become dangerous weapons now appearing more machine than man. Absolute power corrupts, and their reign of terror is increasing its hold on the countryside.

But one group of villagers has had enough, deciding to hire samurai to protect their village. Kirara is a young priestess who travels to the city seeking out protection. One by one, she encounters brave samurai that the war has left behind. These men of skill and valor are each unique and not without their quirks. But can they come together as one to defend the helpless village?

Contains all 26 episodes!

How We See It: Samurai 7 has had a fair number of releases with its regular and limited edition runs, a series ending box, Viridian edition singles and a full box already, adding a new Viridian box may seem a bit like overkill. But with it being done in a thinpak style and a nice low price, it's going to bring in a few more interested people and raise awareness about it once again. This was one of the best series I've seen in the last few years and this new collection is pretty solid. The only downside is that some people will hold off in hopes of there being a Blu-ray set sometime in the near future since this was done in high definition as well. If you're not angling for Blu-ray though and don't have this, definitely give it consideration.

See the original releases here and other related releases.

How They're Selling it: In 1860s Japan, a special breed of samurai stands against the Shogunate, armed with superior strength, speed, agility... and guns! Welcome to Samurai Guns, a blood-drenched tour of bushido's twilight. Morally ambiguous "heroes," razor sharp dialogue, and hair-trigger violence make Samurai Guns a slam-dunk hit!

How We See It: A year after the series was released in thinpak form for the first time, Samurai Gun is back again. While it wasn't a top notch series, it's one thta got a bit of a bad rep from fans because of its association with being funded by ADV Films. This release is supposed to be identical to the previous one outside of new box artwork and it's even got the same price. This one may be found with better discounts since it's a pre-order though but otherwise it comes down to artwork preferences if you're interested at all.

See the original releases here and other related releases.

How They're Selling it: From cutting classes to brawling in the streets, Yusuke Urameshi is not your typical role model. In fact, this kid's nothing more than a fourteen-year-old delinquent with a talent for trouble. But in a single selfless act Yusuke dies while saving another. For such noble sacrifice he is given a second chance at life, but it's to be a life far different than the one left behind. Now a Spirit Detective, the young man must track down demons and humans alike who desire to rule over the three realms of reality.

Contains episodes 1-28.

How We See It: Over thirty single volumes, numerous box sets and double disc collections and FUNimation now gets it right in how to release Yu Yu Hakusho. I thought I'd hate this series when I first watched it but it really grew on me over time and became a solid shonen series with fun characters, good bits of comedy and lots of standard plots about getting stronger to save the day. It's not earth shattering, but these collections are set to be the ideal way to grab the series and hopefully reignite some interest in it because it is one of the good classics in FUNimation's library of titles.

See the original releases here and other related releases.

How They're Selling it: The final round of Kaiba's Battle City Duel Monsters Tournament is half over and the eight finalists have been narrowed down to four: Yugi, Kaiba, Marik and Joey. Kaiba's blimp is on its way to Kaiba Corp Island, where the tournament champion will be crowned. The blimp is lead off-course in a hostile takeover by a young boy named Noah. With the help of his henchmen, known as the Big Five, he traps Yugi, Kaiba and the gang in a virtual reality world where anything goes!

Yugi and each of his friends must duel against a different member if the Big Five. If they win, they are free to go. But if they lose, their minds will be trapped forever in this virtual prison, while the Big Five escape into the "real world" using the bodies of their victims!

How We See It: The third YuGiOh box set hits at long last with over a thousand minutes of the card dueling action at a low price. A price you couldn't pay me to watch, mind you, but for those that love the show, this is as good as it gets, especially since you do get such a massive chunk of it at once.

See the original releases here and other related releases.

How They're Selling it: Movie One: “I’ll Be Your First”
The beautiful Shizuka Himanoki has been saving herself for a boy she met twelve years ago. They made a promise back then, and she's determined to keep it. But when she finally tracks him down, she catches him in the act with another woman. Where can a nineteen-year- old virgin turn for solace?

Movie Two: “Dominatrix of Mystery”
Housuke Atami is dating Shizuka, the hottest girl in school, but it’s just a platonic relationship. He and his friend Shinohara channel their frustration into secretly videotaping the girls’ locker room. One day, they meet a mysterious girl of striking beauty; around the same time, the school is rocked by rumors of the “ghost” of a former beauty queen student. Shizuka notices a radical change in Housuke’s behavior and makes up her mind to follow him.

How We See It: Originally released years ago from Media Blasters, this soft-core style pair of live action movies is making its way out again and we're feeling compelled to actually look at it this time. Strangely, the price is the same as before so it's just putting it back onto the market with no changes, not even in cover artwork apparently.

See the original releases here and other related releases.

How They're Selling it: Asuka Akiyama receives a confession from Ryousuke Kamimura, who happens to be the most popular male student. Miku, sister of Asuka, Tamami Aoki and Yuki, who is Asuka’s best friend, are all collaborating about the situation at school. AYA is dejected because she had strong feelings for Ryousuke before meeting Asuka. With a smile on her face, Asuka told Aya what had happened. Aya promises to support her in what turns into trouble beyond her imagination. The tragedy of it all
begins with a letter from Yumiko Miyazaki. Aya’s letter says "If you
don't want to show this picture to Ryousuke Kamimura...you must stay
away from him." The picture is pornographic. From this moment on,
Asuka is humiliated and disgraced for a lifetime.

How We See It: Originally released by NuTech Entertainment seven years ago, Kitty Media has nabbed another license rescue in the adult arena with this three part OVA series of material that felt dark and nasty when we first saw it. The original dub is included with this release which is an added bonus and it's all on one disc instead of three which has quite a bit of appeal.

See the original releases here and other related releases.

How They're Selling it: Two great anime comedies double-packed for a fantastic value!

How We See It: ADV Films puts together another double disc bundle by taking two standalone comedy releases from 2004 and shrinkwrapping them together. These are the original discs just being put out there again, but the plus side is that with some good discounts you're basically paying a little over five bucks a disc to get it. And both are definitely worth checking out at that price since there's no further committment to them after that.

See the original releases here and other related releases.

How They're Selling it: The Maiden Diary
Foster, a fallen revolutionary, is taken in by a railroad tycoon named Dred Burton. Now, training high class prostitutes for Burton, Foster tries to piece together his shattered past and lost love. One by one, girls are added to his household. Leese, Aya, Ren and Clair all must submit to Foster's training, and serve Dred's strange ambitions.

Maiden of Deliverance
The Baron Dred is dead, and his sex-empire has fallen. Foster is looking forward to a peaceful life with Claire and a chance to forget his past. Then, the mansion is rebuilt. There’s a new boss in town, and she’s just as bad as the Baron was. The old business starts up again, with the Maids being forced into even more bizarre and humiliating situations than ever before. Will Foster and Clair ever escape the world of sex and power they have unwittingly created?

How We See It: Patience pays off for some as Kitty Media has bundled together a pair of earlier releaes with the 2001 title Maiden Complete and the 2004 title Maiden of Deliverence into one package. The price drops significantly as well considering Maiden Complete ran for $50 upon its original release. Hentai fans who love the maid genre where truly dark things happen will be all over this show as it's three hours of depravity in uniform.

See the original releases here and other related releases.