Anime news(except for AnimeonDVD) seems to be slim around here.What recent releases(especially series)would catch the eye of an anime fan.

I have no idea of the title or even the exact genre, but I think it was fantasy, but years ago, in my local comic book/gaming/hobby store, they were showing an animated movie (or perhaps it was a series) that used motion captured movements for its characters. The scene I remember looked a bit like the Mines of Moria from LOTR. Did the '70s animated LOTR series use motion capture?

The Lord of the Rings did have a cartoon version that had real motion in it that was animated over. It was the second film I think.

I second the recommendation for Azumanga Daioh.

Tokyo Godfathers is a beautiful movie, based on The Three Godfathers by John Ford.

If you haven't already picked them up, .hack//SIGN, Witch Hunter Robin, and I believe s-CRY-ed are all coming out in complete collections that look pretty nice.

Azumanga is my drug. I loved it and followed it when it was just coming out in japan through fansubs and I couldn't wait to buy the dvds. It's a anime about nothing and very very funny.

If you are a fan of Cowboy Bebop, you might consider Wolf's Rain. You might want to consider it either way.

Personally, I am still waiting for something to surface with Princess Knight (Ribbon No Kishi). It's out in Japan, but no English subtitles=no sale.

Get GTO damn funny show. It never gets boring and story is pretty good. Magic Users Club is also damn good and funny.

I totally agree. I love Azumanga Daioh. I am currently watching the disc that came out last tuesday. Do you know how many discs total?

[off topic]It was the first film, titled Lord of the Rings. Ralph Bakshi did a lot of rotoscoping stuff. The second one, Return of the King, was done by Rankin-Bass and was all traditional cel animation in the same style that the used for the TV special "The Hobbit".

Azumanga should be six disc in all.

I would also add Read Or Die to the list. it's a pretty good series and jumps from the OVA.

Thanks! I will have to keep my eye out for it.

I just completed the Rahxephon and Noir series. I am currently awaiting the Escaflowne series from Rightstuf. The Witch Hunter Robin series comes out in a complete set on October 26. I would also suggest Texhnolyze, Gungrave and especially Last Exile.

I was surprised no one mentioned Last Exile.

I've been getting the Ghost in the Shell series, and the rerelease of the Evangelion dvd's. Also have the Witch Hunter Robin set coming out this month too to pick up.

Definitely a big to those series. I am collecting all of them. Also as others have mentioned: Wolf's Rain, Last Exile, and ROD TV. Though the latter might be a turn off for some fans of the ROD OVA, the series begins very "cute" and eventually connects more with the OVA. I know some people were turned off originally by the change in tone from OVA to TV.

Also, the new Eva release is nice, and should be picked up if you are a fan of the show. And my favorite Nurse Witch Komugi-chan.

Other series that might interest you:
Comic Party (a very nice release from Right Stuf), Tsukihime (a great short series that just started coming out here), Stellvia (very cool show), and a great 'slice of life' type show Someday's Dreamer.

There are tons of great anime available now and even more great ones on the horizon like Elfin Lied. Can not wait for this release here

Azumanga Daioh, Initial D, Read or Die, Saiyuki, Full Metal Panic are all good series. Currently watching Get Backers which is finally starting to make it here. Saw the whole series on VCD and it's really good. Also, don't know how soon it'll make it here, but Naruto is really good too.

Friend is in to old 80's anime, and wanted to know if an old favorite is available on DVD. He does not know the name but it started with Tran and ended in Z (Tran Z) or Tren Z (regarding Robots???).Could be a clone of Transformer or a ripe off with the success of Transformers?

Any help would be appreciated, been looking on Anime sites all morning with nothing even close regarding this Title. Any links would be appreciated or any suggestions!

Cheers,
...BMatt

*shamless plug* DVDTalk does have its own column on anime where the latest releases are reviewed, bargains are posted, and up coming series are noted....you should check it out:

http://dvdtalk.com/anime/

Be sure to check out last year's top ten list too:

http://www.dvdtalk.com/features/003575.html

many of the titles mentioned in this thread are on the list.

</plug>

Could this be it?
http://www.animenfo.com/animetitle,1...azinger_z.html

I picked up the fist volume of Samurai Champloo and it's pretty good. Same animation company that did the Oren Ishi-i anime scene in Kill Bill Vol. 1.

I'd recommend Samurai Champloo as well.Unfortunately the series won't be done being released until next year.

I'm currently buying the following series and enjoying them:

Fullmetal Alchemist
Samurai Champloo
Neon Genesis:Evangelion (platinum)
Ghost in the Shell:SAC

the first couple of volumes of DNAngel were interesting. Paranoia Agent is cool as well.

Gantz is pretty out there - you can pick up copies @ deepdiscountdvd for 10.xx. (But buyer beware - only two episodes per disc)

Your thinking of the american version of Mazinger Z. It was titled "Tranzor Z" here in the states.

High marks for Samurai Champloo, it was done by the creator of Cowboy Bebop. Very cool show that is all over the place.

Ghost in the Shell SAC 2nd Gig is pretty cool too, don't know when that will be out in the US though.

Very High recommendations for a show called School Rumble, I don't know if it will ever be out in the US, but it is freakin' hilarious and highly entertaining. Unfortunetly the site that was making the fansubs got shutdown around ep 18.