2008 Anime Championships!

[plaidwolf]

The season has just begun but already Wolfie is watching to see how everyone is doing, trying to impress the Selection Committee

Utena Championship

More in January, including the Annual Lucky Dog voting!

[plaidwolf]

Well, now that the Pats botched their chance at immortality, it is time to allow someone a second chance at immortality....the Lucky Dog!

As always, the following is a short list of animes that got hooked up with sucky teams in the recent past and dont look to make the Tournament in March (barring a miracle)...

So, make someone very happy and vote them the Lucky Dog!

And starting today as well.....The Last Four In, Last Four Out...


Last Four In

1. Chobits > Havent been seen since losing in the Regional Championship back in 2004, but trying to get back in the field.
2. Utena > The two-time defending champs are having a rough go of it this year, but slowly working their waty back in
3. Super Gals > They have played a tough schedule and it may serve them well in March. But in the meantime, the W-L record looks spotty at best. They need a few more wins to lock up a slot
4. Bible Black > Every year, it seems they hang on by their nails and every year, they make it in somehow. But a couple of bad losses could change that

Last Four Out

1. Samurai Champloo > Slowly working their way back to contention after their amazing Final Four run of two years ago. Dont bet against them as they have a favorable schedule now
2. Happy Lesson > On a small roll, but the next two weeks will tell the tale of their fate
3. Witch Hunter Robin > Also has a tough road to hoe to make the tourney again.
4. Battle Atheletes > Odd team...they look like world-beaters agaisnt tough foes, but put them in against a lower-level club and they struggle...A nail-biter win over NAA (North American Animation) foe Funky Phantom wont impress anyone...

[bci110]

Let's go with the Pani Poni girls for the Lucky Dog this year.

MAHO!

[plaidwolf]

Pani Poni isnt getting much love right now it seems....

[plaidwolf]

First off, justa remider that we are continuing the Lucky Dog voting for another week or so......found here:

http://www.animeondvd.com/forum/show...php?tid/28579/

Now to this week's edition of the Last Four In, Last Four Out....and if your anime was here last week, but not this week, it means either they have slid safely into the field (for now)...or have realized the only chance they have of getting to the Anime Final Four is to buy tickets...

Last Four In:

1. Strawberry Eggs > A nice winning streak has brought them to this point. But they still need a few more quality wins to cement a bid

2. Excel Saga > The 2003 Champions have been sliding back somewhat....they have time to right the ship, but the upcoming schedule is imposing

3. Irresponsible Captain Tylor > They have righted themselves after a slow start, but a couple of bad losses early could still burst their bubble come Selection Sunday

4. Chobits > Hanging on but just barely. Right now, they are the Last Team In...

Last Four Out:

1. City Hunter > Now the Last Team Out...has struggled against top-flight competition, and a low WPI (Wolf Poer Index) could keep them out

2. Voogie's Angel > Slowly climbing back into contention, but without a quality win to hang their tourney resume on at the moment, they are on the outside looking in

3. Ranma 1/2 > They have struggled recently after a great start. They have a good schedule coming up, so they can pick up a few wins and get back in the field

4. Ayashi no Ceres > Not seen in the Tourney since the inaugural Anime March Madness event in 2002. They got off to a great start and seemed like a lock just a few weeks ago. But a recent skid with some bad losses have jeopardized their hopes. They can still make it, but have to turn things around NOW...

See you next week!

[plaidwolf]

With just over three weeks to go until Selection Sunday, there are a lot of animes on the bubble who can make or break their cases for inclusion over the next few weeks....

The Last Four In...

1. Ramna 1/2 > This classic has had a good week and may be recovering their early-season spunk. A tough week awaits, so they are not entirely safe yet

2. Ayashi no Ceres > Much in the same boat as the Ranams, they also have fared well when needed. They can pick up a couple of good wins this week to solidify their inclusion

3. Digimon > They have slowly scrapped their way from way outside to in the field of 65...

4. Excel Saga > The 2003 champs right now stand as the Last Team In...

Last Four Out

1. Utena > After two straight championships, has it really come to this? This squad better find its way quickly of face the agony of being the first defending champion not brought back

2. Chobits > Suffered a bad loss this last week that sent them out of the field. There is still time, but they dont want to place their fate in the hands of the Committee alone. A few good wins could help a lot!

3. Big O > The other half of last years' Championship game is also in danger of sliding out of the field. Their power rankings are low and they havent really beaten anyone of note...

4. Ghost in a Shell > They would be smart to avoid any further 'bad' losses to stay in consideration...

That is it for tomight....see you next week with the final Last Four installment before we start handing out tourney bids....and the winner of the Lucky Dog voting!

[plaidwolf]

First, we would like to announce the winner of the Lucky Dog Voting....

Eureka Seven!!!

Koi Kaze is runner-up, so if E-7 somehow snares an automatic bid to the Tournament, the Kazes are the Lucky Dog...

Now as for the main topic....our last edition of Last Four In, Last Four Out before we start handing out tournament bids and Selection Sunday....

if you have been following this feature the last few weeks, you know the drill...if an anime that was on either side is missing this week, it means that they are safely in....or making vacation plans elsewhere....

The Committee knows this much...all the animes listed know how to lose....but how many know how to string together the six wins needed to take home the Championship?

Last Four In:

1. Utena > The defending champs are trying to hang on to simply get back in...it has been a very tough season and it is possible that even if they do make it, they may be so exhausted from the effort that they will be opening round fodder...

2. Excel Saga > The 2003 Champs got a couple fo good wins this week...but still have some work to do to secure a bid rather than leave it to chance.

3. Irresponsible Captain Tylor > Another slow-starting squad that has put it together late.

4. Weiss Kreuz > We havent heard from them in a while...No note-worthy wins, but a couple of close losses to top-flight teams...will that be enough to put them in? For now, yes.

Last Four Out:

1. Princess Nine > Just a few short years back, they were the top seed in the tourney...now they are one of several squads struggling down the stretch. An embarrassing loss in the early season to NAA Div II The Hair Bear Bunch sent them on a long downward spiral to start. They finally have climbed out of the hole, but as of now, they havent done enough to warrant an invite. Keep working at it...

2. DigiCharot > An up and down year has them also on the outside looking in. Has a favorable schedule down the stretch

3. Ghost in a Shell > Been on the periphery all season....when you think they are good enough to be worthy, they have a bad loss or two.

4. Mahoromatic > Key injuries to Mahoro and Sugaru have ruined this team's fine season. We dont know if they can right themselves in time to make the Field of 65....

See you in March as we start handing out bids!

[plaidwolf]

For those who were wondering ....four bids have been handed out to the Field of 65....

Fullmetal Alchemist

Akira

returning after an 3-year absense....Denshin Mammotte Sygogetten

and.....


'Clip of radio broadcast':"......3 seconds...The shot goes up.....NO GOOD! Tip-in...NO GOOD!! (buzzer goes off) There is pandemonium on the floor! (crowd noises from excited fans) Anita is running all over the court!! Maggie and Michelle are hugging everyone around them! And even the Joker is grinning! After so many tries....The Paper Sisters are finally going to the Big Dance!....ROD is going to play for a championship!"

Tune in for more updates as we have them,...and dont forget next Sunday is Selection Sunday...who is playing and where they are all going...

here, on Anime on DVD Sports....your home for the best in Anime Sports coverage!

[plaidwolf]

More bids handed out to the 2006 Anime Championships...

Gatchaman...back to try again

Death Note...a new squad

Sakura Diaries ...was in the first tourney in 2002, hadnt made it back until this year!

School Rumble ...another new squad

Samurai Champloo....their first appearance after their amazing Final Four run of two years ago...

[plaidwolf]

...tune in for Selection Sunday.....which 65 Animes will be handed tickets to the Big Dance....and who gets left out....

Will Utena get to defend their back-to-back championships?

Will Azumanaga Daioh grab the top seed in the tourney?

And what of all the bubble squads?

The answers tonight at approximately 7PM EST.....

Please look forward to it!