As Chris said last episode, we were reopening the forums! So, check them out. Just keep in mind, we have had huge spam problem last time the forums were up. So keep in mind that…

* You need to register to post on the forums.
* Accounts will be approved by a forum admin(Chris or myself) and if they look a little spammy, they will not be approved.
* This is not just a forum for SHAFT but other projects under the 132 Productions banner that we may or may not be working on.
* Have fun!!

(Forum Link)

*Got everything fixed so head on over and sign up (you will need to be activated by Chris before you can post)*

Here’s a complete random video for you today:

We seem to be on a Weird Al streak thus far, this time.. FLCL.

Anime: FLCL
Song: Alternative Polka- Weird Al Yankovic

This week after talking about whats currently interesting us… from Angelo watching Shojo anime to Chris developing a complex for cosplay, to Gene finding crappy 80’s style kung-fu… today we took some email. Talking about our thoughts on some anime we obviously didn’t have enough exposure with, an Anime Expo Crossplayers watch, and some interesting thoughts on Hayate the Combat Butler coming to the US.

From there, we made up for no review last week with two reviews this week. First off, arguably the best collaboration between western comics and anime since Witchblade… Batman: Gotham Knight. High marks for differing art style and low marks for a plot that was hardly interlocking.

Next, we talked about some releases that some may find the best and the brightest, and other we felt fell short.

We wrapped it up with what we’re considering the anime title of 2008, Gurren Lagann. High marks for just about everything. Ganiax has outdone themselves with an expressive mecha series that ultimately refreshes the genre with bright, vibrant characters.. lots of laughs and an engaging plot that turns traditional stereotypes and sheds new light upon them. Defiantly worth checking out if you haven’t already.

All that and the zanyness you come to expect.

Big thanks to Clint and other fine contributors who make this show better in their own unique and awesome ways!!

Write in: animeshaft@gmail.com
Call in: 203-599-GEEK(4335)
Digg?:

- RSS Feed

-Direct MP3 Download
-iTunes Subscription

Also, I forgot to mention it on the show, but if you love us… log in to the Blogger’s Choice Awards and throw us your vote!

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Breaking on the wire is the announcement of a new Black Lagoon series. This was confirmed by a wrap around ad in Japan around the first novel based on the anime series. This series will most likely take off from the events seen in Black Lagoon: The Second Barrage.

Funimation recently picked up Black Lagoon and Black Lagoon: The Second Barrage from Geneon USA and will be releasing it on August 19th of this year(Don’t sent emails because I said “first week of September” on the podcast this week).

(Full Article Link)

Earlier in the year, Animeondvd.com was bought up by Mania Entertainment. When the announcement broke, it was determined that the site would retain its staff and design. This was changed earlier in the week.

AoD is now linking directly to mania.com/anime with a whole new, and rather clunky looking interface.

One can only hope that the original vision and enjoyment of the site holds through the change in interface.

Since we think Digital Distribution is the wave of the future, we thought we’d point out some of the latest anime offerings on the internet.

Viz-

Joining Funimation and Manga Entertainment, Viz has put up some of their series for download on iTunes. Bleach, Death Note and Naruto are the first of the Viz series to show up.

I think it’d be fun if we could see other Viz series that are classics(such as Ranma 1/2 or Inuyasha) or something cutting edge(such as Eyeshield 21 or Hikaru no Go). Hopefully there will be expansion on this.

Funimation-

The big Funimation announcement actually comes from Sony out of E3. Sony announced the opening of their Sony Entertainment Playstation Store. The store allows you to download videos for their Playstation 3(PS3) and Playstation Portable(PSP) platforms.

No specific titles were mentioned however, we’ll be updating this post with them once one of our PS3 enabled contributors is available.

Overseas, BONES studio will also be releasing exclusive content specifically for the Playstation Store.

Sorry to do this to all of you yet again but there is going to be a delay for show #74…

I hope to get it up later this night but if not it will be here tomorrow.

If making a phone call has been holding you back on leaving a message, I’ve updated the Contact page with my skype information where you can just call that and leave a message using that account.

Please note that if you request an add just put SHAFT in the message.

So the internets are here yet again to prove that people have WAY too much time on their hands and here’s the proof:

Thanks goes to Drew for sending the link along!