Friday 9 November 2012

List of 2012 Top New Manga Series



Based on the previews of conventions and blogs… more on About.com

Heart of Thomas: Done by Moto Hagio, a tragedy/drama that was one of the earliest examples of shonen ai (boys' love) manga. This 3-volume story from 1974 has been on many manga connoisseur's wish lists for years, so it's a real joy to see that Fantagraphics will be publishing the entire saga in English in one volume.
NonNonBa: An elderly woman who had a very special relationship with the creatures that go bump in the night, a Shigeru Mizuki work of arts.

Soul Eater NOT!: Work of Atsushi Ohkubo, a sequel to Soul Eater series.

Attack on Titan: An instant hit in Japan, Attack on Titan from Hajime Isayama, has sold over 5.5 million copies of its first five volumes. Kodansha Comics is hoping that this action/adventure series will catch on in North America as well, when this new series launches in Summer 2012.

Durarara!!: Action/suspense anime series by Ryohgo Narita.

Fallen Words: Written by Yoshihiro Tatsumi, a new collection of short stories about love, betrayal, jealousy, and human foibles.

Three Wolves Mountain: A story of two brothers who are traveling around the countryside when they encounter an inn, and decide to stay a few nights (author: Naono Bohra).

5 Centimeters Per Second: Makoto Shinkai's acclaimed anime feature 5 Centimeters Per Second has been adapted into a 2-volume graphic novel that Vertical will be releasing as a double-sized volume. A story of best friend who was forced to lived apart.

Avatar The Last Airbender: The Promise: Fans are treated to a new look at their favorite characters, who are now a few years older, but facing a new threat from the Fire Nation that threatens to plunge the world into another war.

Sunday 21 October 2012

Vampire Knight (ヴァンパイア騎士)




Vampire Knight
Anime News Network |  Yuki's earliest memory is of a stormy night in winter, wherein she was attacked by a vampire... And then rescued by another. Now 10 years later, Yuki Cross, the adopted daughter of the headmaster of Cross Academy, has grown up and become a guardian of the vampire race, protecting her savior, Kaname, from discovery as he leads a group of vampires at the elite boarding school. But also at her side is Zero Kiryu, a childhood friend who’s hatred for the creatures that destroyed everything he held dear, is now determined never to trust them. This coexisting arrangement seems all well and good, but have the vampires truly renounced their murderous ways, or is there a darker truth behind their actions. Is Kaname's infatuation with Yuki the beginning of a forbidden romance, or is it something in her forgotten past that draws him to her. Because in this world of secrets, nothing is as it seems. And the price of misplaced trust may even be worse than death.

Sunday 30 September 2012

Crunchyroll Anime App Heading for Xbox 360 | This Is XBOX




Crunchyroll, a leading Anime and Asian drama streaming service has announced the upcoming release of its own branded application on the Xbox 360 console in more than 30 territories, across all six continents.
Crunchyroll premium members will be able to enjoy the latest Anime shows with English subtitles within hours of Japanese TV broadcast, including hits like NARUTO SHIPPUDEN, HUNTER x HUNTER, SPACE BROTHERS, and SWORD ART ONLINE, as well as their favorites from the massive Crunchyroll catalog, without advertisements. Current Crunchyroll titles can be accessed from Crunchyroll.com, the free iPad and iPhone application, the Android application, the Windows Phone application, PS3, Google TV, Samsung TV, Roku, Boxee, Vizio VIA, WD TV Live and additional set-top channels, and affiliate partners.

Crunchyroll premium members have access to the largest anime selection, same-day access for simulcasted titles, no advertisements; can be viewed in 480p-to-1080p quality on selected titles.
A specific app release date on the Xbox 360 has not been announced.

Monday 24 September 2012

Solamon Energy Otakus: Yu-Yu Hakusho

Yu-Yu Hakusho

This anime/manga series is another great work from the maker of HunterXHunter and OnePiece, Yoshihiro Togashi. Yu-Yu Hakusho is a story of a felonious student who died on a car accident for saving a little girl. On afterlife underworld he was given tests by the son of the ruler to be able to get back to life. Soon after he had finished all the ordeals prior of going back to earth he was given a mission to become an Underworld detective.

YuYu Hakusho won the prestigious Shogakukan Manga Award for shounen manga in 1993. The animated series won the Animage Anime Grand Prix prize for best anime in 1994 and 1995.

Thursday 20 September 2012

For the Kids: Youth Activity Registration, Otaku Club



Each week, we'll give you the info on family activities or events for the week.
You're time-pressed enough, so we're happy to do the research and find the best things to do and places to go, both locally and within reasonable striking distance.
Look for the kids' planner each Wednesday, and help us build the planner with your own suggestions and tips ‚ just add them to the comment box. We want to hear from you.

Teenage Holocaust Survivor: When/Where: 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 22 at the Nanuet Public Library
Why Go: Watch a free screening of the documentary film Teenage Witness: The Fanya Heller Story about a girl born into a traditional Jewish family in a small Ukrainian village and her miraculous survival in the face of hunger and death at the hands of the Nazis.
Following the documentary, Heller will speak about her experiences and how they have influenced her decision to dedicate her life to sharing a message of tolerance and hope with inner city teenagers. Co-sponsored by the Friends of the Nanuet Library, JCC Rockland, and The Holocaust Museum & Study Center
Cost/Contact: Free / Register online at jccrockland.org

Pearl River Public Library Children’s Activity Registration - When/Where: Pearl River Public Library until 8 p.m. Wednesday, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday.
Why Go: Sign up your children for a series of activities including Preschool Party (Sept. 20 for ages 2-5), Big Kid Story Time (starts Sept. 25 for ages 4-6), Prevent a Thirsty Parent (Sept. 26 for children in grades K-3) and After School Stories (Sept. 27 for children in grades K-3).
Cost/Contact: All activities free, but registration must be done in person with Pearl River Public Library Card and the child’s birth certificate. For more information, contact Pamela Gunning at (845) 735-4084, extension 126.

Otaku Club: When/Where: Pearl River Public Library Storytime room from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday
Why Go: The Otaku Club is for people interested in anime, manga, Japanese culture and games. Otaku is Japanese for nerd, but in this group, they mean it is a compliment.
Cost/Contact: Free, but for older kids. Must be 15 years old.

Catherine Konner Sculpture Park @ RoCA: When/Where: Saturday, Sept. 15, 10:00 am/Rockland Center for the Arts, 27 S Greenbush Rd, West Nyack
Why Go: Visit the Catherine Konner Sculpture Park at Rockland Center for the Arts (RoCA) to see the permanent sculptures on exhibit and impressive landscaping.
Cost/Contact: Free/jamie@­rockla­ndartcenter.­org


'To the Arctic' at IMAX Palisades: When/Where: Saturday, Sept. 15, 10:00 am  / IMAX Theatre at Palisades Center, 4270 Palisades Center Dr, West Nyack
Why Go: West Nyack’s big screen is the only theater in the region showing this polar bear biopic. Grab the kids—the flick is narrated by Meryl Streep, with songs by Paul McCartney.
Cost/Contact: $9 / (845) 353-5555

Apple Picking at The Orchards of Concklin: When/Where: Saturday, September 15 starting at 10 a.m./2 South Mountain Rd, Pomona
Why Go: The Orchards of Concklin celebrates 300 years of growing apples since 1712
and invite you to pick-your-own apples every weekend through October 21 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Concklins grow over 20 varieties of apples and they cost $18 a peck bag. For additional fun for kids, every weekend through October 21, from noon to 5 p.m., there are inflatable slides, bouncies, Jurassic Adventure and Kid's Haunted House.
Cost/Contact: $18 for peck bag of apples and additional cost for rides from 50 cents to $1/845-354-0369

Get Fit Feel Great Kickoff Party at Bounce!: When/Where: Saturday, Sept. 15 at 10 a.m./612 Corporate Way, Valley Cottage
Why Go: Bounce! Trampoline Sports hosts benefit for Rockland Farm Alliance. Get Fit Feel Great is a pilot program sponsored by Bounce! Trampoline Sports, New York area sports nutritionist Dr. Michael Wald, and Rockland Farm Alliance. At the Kickoff Party, kids, ages 12 to 15, and parents will have an opportunity to meet Victor Byrne, head trainer, participate in mini aerobic and acrobat classes, see trampoline demonstrations by top athletes.
Cost/Contact: $12/ www.bounceonit.com or 845-268-4000.

Make & Take Crafts: When/Where: Saturday, Sept. 15 from 1-3 p.m. at A.C. Moore
Why Go: Stop by A.C. Moore in Nanuet this Saturday with your kids for a hands-on demonstration with Darice Washi Tape and Embossing Folders
Cost/Contact:  A.C. Moore / Free

About this column: A weekly calendar of kid-friendly activities and new places to try out with children.

Monday 17 September 2012

Manga Review: Case Closed Volume Four by Gosho Aoyama


Written by:  Lesley Aeschliman on blogcritics

Detective Conan
Case Closed Volume Four is a manga by Gosho Aoyama, and it was published in North America by Viz Media in 2005. The series is rated “T+” for older teens; with what I’ve read of the Case Closed series, I would agree with this rating.

Case Closed focuses on Jimmy Kudo, a teen detective who was shrunk back down to his first grade self after a crime organization forces him to take an experimental poison and leaves him for dead. In order to hide his identity, the younger version of Jimmy takes on the name of Conan Edogawa. Without letting on that he is Jimmy, he goes to live with his friend Rachel Moore and her bumbling detective father, Richard Moore.
There are a total of three mysteries that appear in this volume of Case Closed. While all three of these stories appear in the animeseries, the beginning of the third mystery is told a little differently between the two mediums.

The first mystery sees Conan, Rachel, and Richard going to an art museum after hearing about a suit of armor at the museum moving around by itself. While they are there, they meet the curator, and learn that the museum will be shutting down because the new owner wants to turn the property into a hotel. The new owner of the museum is murdered while Conan and the others are there, and Conan helps to crack the case. There’s really no difference between the telling of this story between the manga and the anime. Continue

Monday 10 September 2012


Eyeshield 21 (a story by Riichiro Inagaki) about a weakling boy who was a favorite subject for bullying. Thought despite of this Sena (the lead character) happens to be the secret weapon of an American football team.