My next entry on the DVDaficionado special request list brings us to a rather remarkable sci-fi drama series based yet again on a light novel. (Though that doesn't necessarily mean a whole lot these days.)

And who else would be better suited to introduce this show than our most recent site mascot; Lafiel. The show in question is Crest of the Stars and you shall go watch it now.

Next week, Brad is slated to do a second opinion of one of my later reviews. Please look forward to it.

- Stig Høgset.

Crappy news, indeed.

Satoshi Kon passed away today at age 47. We at THEM Anime would like to take a moment of silence to honor this acclaimed anime director. My heart goes out to his family and colleagues. He will surely be missed.

- Tim Jones

It's hard to strike a balance between wish-fulfillment and serious love drama between otherwise incompatible beings, but Chobits gives it a valiant try anyway. Now, while this was yet another one of my special DVD aficionado requests, it was one that I was more than happy to do, seeing as the show is one of the first shows I saw that had a bit of a shoujo bent, however slight it is. Do I recommend the anime? Or the manga? Or maybe both? Read it and see.

Also, with a week having passed, our first entrant in the big mascot competition bids you farewell for now, and our second winner -- Holo from Spice and Wolf -- says hi.

As for me, I'll be seeing you again next week for something a bit more.... spacey. (Erk, I'm sorry. That was a horrible pun.)

- Stig Høgset.

Hello, everyone, and welcome to yet another update. Now, normally, I'm not in the habit of giving hints -- well, at least clear hints -- on what I thought about the show I'm reviewing, but in the case of Angel Beats!, I'm just going to come out and say it; I hated it. It's not one of my most vitriolic reviews -- Angel Beats isn't quite down to the level of the really atrocious stuff like Violence Jack or Odin... or Kanokon -- but this is not a positive review at all, so read it at your own discretion if you're a fan of this show.

On a much more cheerful note, I'm happy to report that the big, ol' mascot vote-off we held in the forums in 2008 has finally come to fruition, so everyone welcome one of our winners; Aikawa Akane from Magic User's Club. But that's not all. With the help of one of my Photoshop-savvy friends, we now have eight new mascot images to add to our roster for a grand total of nine. (We're not necessarily throwing away Dita.)

And that's it. Next week, I'll be returning, this time with another one of the special request reviews I offered to make last year. I'm closing in on the end of my list now.

See you guys around.

- Stig Høgset.

Edit: Also, in light of its recent license, Taishou Yakyuu Musume has been renamed Taisho Baseball Girls to reflect its upcoming DVD release.

Anime mahjong, that is.

This was one of the most annoying anime I've ever reviewed. Not because it was bad or anything, but because of all the notes I had to take while watching. Some episodes I had to practically watch twice because of all the stuff that was happening.

I'm sorry that my top secret review wasn't something more special. I had bigger anime in mind - I really did - but work, inability to order through Netflix due to family renting DVDs, and time prevented me from doing so.

We return next week to Stig, who presents to us an anime we both watched together earlier this spring / early summer. See you then.

- Tim Jones

Incoming message from yours truly - Tim.

Well, my original secret review in mind, Kenichi - The Mightiest Disciple - was canceled due to the inability to gather DVD's from Netflix. I thought it was streaming on AnimeNewsNetwork's stream site, but it wasn't. It's also not on FUNimation's site for watch, either. Sadly, I had to cancel the review. I wouldn't be able to even get half of the series before my scheduled review date, so I had to stop, I'm afraid. And no, I don't have the money for it, so don't ask.

I have been watching something since then, though, so don't worry. I'm almost done it (about 85% or so), so I'll be writing the review of it tomorrow or Wednesday. Also, if possible, I might finish for review another series never reviewed on here as well as a bonus for my tardiness. Maybe. Don't get your hopes up, though. ^^;

Enjoy the last month of summer, everyone! See you Monday for my review!

- Tim Jones

To: All

Re: Giant Robo: The Day the Earth Stood Still

You are now required to watch this.

Sincerely,

Bradley Meek (General Extraordinaire and Debonair Reviewer of the League of Legendary Experts of Awesome Justice and Part-Time Creator of Arbitrarily Long Names)

PS. See you next Monday when Tim unwraps his Super Secret Project!