The screen shots for the Attack on Titan 3DS Game by the development company “Spike Chunsoft” just hit the internet yesterday and well… Alright let’s talk.

Like a lot of people I’ve jumped on the Attack on Titan bandwagon, why? Because the show is fantastic! It’s easily the most original thing to hit Anime in years and in an industry that is criticized for being stagnant and constantly self-duplicating, it’s a welcome sight in comparison to things like Sword Art Online Season 2, good lord did that suck!

So not only am I happy to be on the wagon, I’ll pull that damn thing with my teeth! Alright enough of my rambling, let’s take a look at the game.

Maybe this is just an early build?

“Spike Chunsoft will ship the game in Japan on December 5 for 6,090 yen (about US$61)” – AnimeNewsNetwork.com

Damn it…

This has Shovelware written all over it. Despite the Colossal Titan looking ok-ish.. the texture quality of the other Titans and environments look horrendous!

Let’s make a little comparison shall we? On the right we have a screen shot from the Attack on Titan 3DS, and on the left we have Spawn: in the Demons Hand, for the Dreamcast…

Why in holy hell does a 12 year old game for the Dreamcast of all things look better than this game? Why?! I’m not even being unfair for Spawn, is a middle of the road 3D boss rush game with a four player support just like this game advertises to be. But it doesn’t even have the grace to at least look on par with something this out of date?

I can only imagine what the controls feel like. Probably like a hook-shot flying through ruff cut soggy bacon…

I know I’m harping on the visuals but the real question is why wasn’t this cel-shaded? The Anime has a unique style with thick lines and blended colors that resembles the manga. So why wasn’t this style duplicated with cel-shading? Graphics better than the Dreamcast is something the 3DS is more than capable of delivering, or perhaps they’re plaing to port this game to the bloody Ouya!

Spike Chunsoft is also developing the browser based game Attack on Titan: Wings of Counterattack. This also looks to be a quality waste of my time. It seems AOT is in great hands, we get two shoddy games from this company this year, not just one!

This is an automatic pass… and this is coming from the guy who pre-ordered the Chibi Titan play set off of Crunchyroll. Why do I have more faith in the fan made Attack on Titan game? Why is my foreshadowing for my next post so clumsy? Only time will tell.

This has been Gax and if you want to see me bitch like a fan boy about more Anime Shovelware games that nobody will play, you can follow me on twitter: @Gax-bot

Netflix has continued to add to its growing library of anime titles, some spectacular, some a little awful. Of course, that is the melting pot we are so fortunate to have on our Netflix-capable devices, so it’s about time to get down to what you should be watching.

The good:

Baccano! is a very Japanese take on Prohibition-era Gangster stories. In fact, the entire original series of light novels was inspired by Brian De Palma’s “The Untouchables”. What makes it different is, of course, the addition of supernatural elements such as immortality and alchemy. This blend of Mafioso gang wars and fantasy is definitely worth your time, so add this one to your favorites.

Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood

FMA is a staple series for any anime fan, and has been that way for years. So why a remake of an already wildly popular franchise? You see, the original series was produced side by side with the manga, finishing its story before the graphic novels. A few characters and storyline elements were left out of the animated companion as a result. Brotherhood attempts to bridge this gap, and does so pretty well. For fans, this edition is pretty decent, although I feel that the emotional impact of some of the more tragic scenes is lessened in the remake. I’d still recommend the original airing over this, but in no way is this version bad. The animation quality is a far step over the already impressive first run, and the action sequences are top-notch.

For the gamers:

For fans of the Halo and Dead Space series, Netflix is streaming the titles on both universes. Halo Legends is animated with multiple artists doing their own parts of a larger story as a whole, continuing the tradition of expanding on entertainment like The Matrix, or Batman. The shifts in visuals make this one easy and interesting to watch, and any Halo fan will enjoy the new insight into the background stories of the Covenant War. Included is a story of the first Arbiter who refused the covenant faith, and a non-cannon parody of the events covered in the games.

Dead Space: Downfall is actually not that great. It’s Americanized anime, so it’s not actually authentic. However the company based out of Korea is famous for its work on “The Boondocks” series on Adult Swim, and the animation is pretty decent. The story is a filler between Dead Space 1 & 2, and the cast is populated by cliched archetypes, including “F-bomb black guy” and “Tough exterior, heart of gold” heroine. These stereotypes match the somewhat cheesy dialog and story throughout.

However, it’s enjoyable in a campy horror way. It doesn’t care if you want deeper plot line, it just begs to be sat down and streamed with a few good friends and a bucket of popcorn.

Finally, a classic worth revisiting:

The complete Trigun episode collection has been uploaded to Netflix, and it’s been a real treat re-watching another anime that had an impact on the medium. Trigun has a definite American stamp on it, and here’s why; when Trigun was released in Japan in 1998, it had to run against the big boy, the legend, Cowboy Bebop. It was lost in the ratings shuffle, but managed to find a home among fans in the states.

Following the adventures of “Vash the Stanpede”, Trigun takes place in a wasteland western style world. Vash is the most wanted criminal in existence, boasting a six-billion double-dollar bounty on his head for supposedly destroying an entire town in few hours. However the Vash we see is just an unlucky, clumsy oaf who trouble just seems to follow. Despite this, he always manages to come out on top to save the day.

The world develops around the characters, and it was always exciting to get a bit more background on Vash as the plot deepened. The dialog can be hilarious at times, but a few over-the-top moments flat-lined and were more awkward then anything. This may just be a product of localization and voice-over changes, but it’s there. All in all though, this series is a gem, and more than worth your time. All 26 episodes are ready to stream, so check it out today.

That about wraps us up this week, so keeping reading Big Shiny Robot! for all your nerd news, and more anime worth your time on Netflix right here.

*(The author of this article is Pixelbot 7, and he’s trying to move out of state on a limited budget-Visit here to see how you can help)

Time once again to see what anime are worth your time on Netflix. This week I have a bit of funny, quirky, and nostalgic titles to get you out of that funk I put in you in last time.

On robot boys and the nostalgia therein:

Netflix’s “new” entries are more for the people craving a bit of the old-fashioned. Astroboy, much like Gigantor, is one of the original defining animes that set the standards for future entries. But why have “Megaman: Upon a Star” here too? Simple really, the influences from Astroboy helped create and influence the Blue Bomber. These two series are a must on pure principle,but another added bonus is they are perfect anime titles for those little pink ankle-biters you have running around at home. Astroboy and Megaman teach the all important values of courage, kindness, and helping those in need. So grab the family, stream it, and enjoy.

Funny, over the top action… and Boobs:

Gurren Lagann was admittedly a title a I was hesitant to check out. I had no idea what was in store for me when I sat down for this one, but I was not disappointed. Set in an unspecified time in the future where humanity has been forced underground, Simon is a simple digger charged with helping dig new tunnels for the village. After discovering a small drill bit he turns into a little necklace for himself, he soon gets thrown in with the village delinquent, Kamina. Obsessed with going to the surface, his antics earn him a place in a cell, and Simon discover a “Big Face”. A giant Mecha bursts through the roof, Simon finds out he can pilot his found face with the drill bit, and we’re introduced to Yoko. Oh, did I mention her boobs? I’m almost certain they’re sentient objects because they are never settled in one place for long. Bad robot is defeated, the three escape to the surface, and hi-jinks ensue.

This title has no problems being a ridiculous, fan-service filled fast-paced adventure series. It owns this fact even, and this makes it all the more lovable. It’s funny too, I haven’t seen a series that made me laugh like this since “Fooly Cooly”. If this doesn’t do it for you, the mysterious and downright bad-ass opening will keep you hooked to find out what it is going to happen.

Three more series in, and one more Netflix anime post to go. As always, check ’em out, and let me know what you think in the comments.

With Netflix adding more and more big name anime to its roster, the tired excuse of not wanting to spend money on what is considered a gamble among your average nerds is no more.

With all the options available however, the choice becomes tough. What should you pick? I’ll clear up two series for this week and let you know what may appeal to you.

For the gore-lovers:

Basilisk is  a dark, bloody tale of Feudal warring, greed, and really insane ninja action. When an ancient shogunate grudge spills over into political matters of succession, the powers that be cancel an order of cease fire to play two rival clans against each other for prestige. Unfortunately for Gennosuke and Oboro, the two respective heirs of the Kouga and Iga ninja clans once betrothed to bring further peace, must now fight at odds with each other.

Let’s just say right off the bat if you didn’t know already, just because it’s animated doesn’t mean it’s for kids. Basilisk is exceedingly violent, and downright shocking in some parts. While you won’t find many super strong sex situations, not only is this one very bloody, but some of the manners and events leading up to certain deaths can leave a pretty strong impression on you.

After all that, Basilisk is highly stylized and entertaining, and the story chugs nicely along without too much slowdown. It never fails to get the heart pumping, and can keep you on the edge of your seats like any good thriller. If you like blood, and fast-paced combat, you’ll like this title.

For the deep thinkers:

Gunslinger Girl takes place in an Italy from a not too distant future. While it may seem at first glance to be a completely brainless action  show, firefights take the backseat in this deep, moving title. You see, these girls are trained assassins for an Agency sponsored by the Italian Government. Employing “conditioning”, cybernetic enhancements, and then paired with Handlers responsible for their care, these girl become the perfect killing machines. However, there is a cost to the conditioning and implants… The girls lifespans are cut dramatically short by the procedures. Take into account the fact that these are still little girls at heart, and couple that with the father-like bond the Handlers develop for them, and you find the meat of the plot in Gunslinger Girl.

It’s moving, and the score accompanies this show nicely. If you want a thinker, try out this one.

So now you have two great starting points from two basic kinds of viewing pleasures. Of course, this is only scratching the surface of what’s available on Netflix, but I will refer more in the coming weeks.

Did you watch them? What did you think? Tell us about it in the comments below!

Arata Vol. 1 Copyright VIZ Media

Let’s start off this update with something for the ladies with the newly released Shojo manga, “Arata: The Legend”. Shojo, for those who don’t know, are manga specifically geared towards women, so you can expect plenty of pretty girly-men and romance throughout. VIZ has been kind enough to summarize the plot for us, here:

In a world where humans and gods coexist, Arata is the unfortunate successor to the matriarchal Hime Clan–unfortunate because if he’s not cross-dressing to hide his gender one minute, he’s fleeing for his life the next! When Arata winds up in the modern world and switches places with a boy named Arata Hinohara, it’s a wonder which Arata is actually better off…
In Volume 1, Hinohara is the spitting image of Arata, so he suddenly finds himself fighting people after his life! As he navigates through this foreign world filled with power-hungry warriors, who will come to his aid? One thing’s for sure–it’s not easy being Arata!

Yes, that’s right. It seems to be a cross-dressing take on “The Prince and the Pauper” where the male Arata is forced to dress as a woman to keep his position in line as the clan’s next matriarchal ruler. Expect plenty of shenanigans as a result, and a fair share of  Yoai undertones in this teen manga.

Next up, the very hot-button issue surrounding “Dance in the Vampire Bund” and Funimation. For those not familiar with this, basically Funimation acquired the rights to show Bund and announced they would censor said anime for some more questionable content. Of course, there was a huge backlash against this decision, and Funimation was bombarded with rage until yesterday they made the announcement that while the stream would still be censored, DVD and Blu-ray releases should be able to remain uncensored unless the last episode of the series really cross taste borders. (Source: Anime News Network)

So there is a ton of issues on both sides of the fence. On one side, censoring is bad, and really shouldn’t exist with private DVDs for home use. On the other hand is Bund, which is pretty intense. The main character pictured here. (Sorta NSFW), while being about seven-hundred years old, has a very young appearance. With scenes depicted of not so family-friendly behavior, this could further drive those people we’re trying to convince that anime is a valid, moving form of expression. It’s a tough debate, but at least we’re seeing some kind of compromise.

That’s it for this week, but don’t forget to leave your thoughts on censorship in the comments below.

Yeah, I got a little giddy when this came across my email. Mecha, futuristic technology, and zombies? I’m already sold on this title, but I wouldn’t be doing my job without telling all of you about it.

From Viz Media:

Zoichi Kanoe plunges into the depths of 9JO, a sprawling island city in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, in search of Eon Green, a girl with the power to transmute the N5S virus. The deadly contagion is spreading across the world, turning humans into disfigured, zombie-like “drones.” But he’s not the only one looking for her. Agents of the Public Health Service’s Compulsory Execution Unit are also in hot pursuit, with sinister designs of their own. Zoichi and his trans-human allies have no time to waste; the countdown to the apocalypse has begun!

“Tsutomu Nihei created BIOMEGA with a jaw-dropping, intensely powerful art style that reflects his background in modern architecture,” says Leyla Aker, Editorial Manager, VIZ Media. “The main characters—the “enhanced” human Zoichi and Fuyu, the AI in his rocket of a motorcycle—navigate this apocalyptic landscape in a story that offers pure speed, action, and suspense. Both manga and American comics fans won’t want to miss this exciting debut!”

Tsutomu Nihei debuted with the acclaimed manga short story BLAME!, which was nominated for North America’s Harvey Award and won the Shiki Award in Japan. The artist also created NOiSE, a manga prequel to BLAME!. His visually striking Wolverine tie-in SNIKT! was published by Marvel Comics along with a commission by Bungie Studios for the HALO graphic novel.

To pre order your copy, you can find it here.

All images are copyright of Viz Media.

Funimation and Cybergraphix are starting a collaboration on an animated film, “Guardians of Luna”. Why should you be excited about this? Well, this movie is written by Michael Reaves, famous for Batman: The Animated Series, Gargoyles, and other bits of 90’s nostalgia, with character designer Cindy H. Yamauchi (Naruto: The Movie, Black Lagoon, Akira) adding her unique look to it.

The movie tells a dark story which revolves around an ancient race of shape-shifters with the ability to change into powerful creatures. Four unlikely heroes descended from this once-great race are charged with protecting an ancestral power source from a ruthless mogul. If you want more details, subscribe to the updates here.

Stay tuned for more next week!

(source: Funimation)

Source: Anime News Network

Producer and former Studio Ghibli head Toshio Suzuki revealed on his Ghibli Asemamire radio program that the anime studio will announce its next film on December 16. He added that Oscar-winning director and studio co-founder Hayao Miyazaki is currently animating a television commercial.

Suzuki had previously confirmed in October that the studio’s next project is from a new director, and a July 10 entry in the official Studio Ghibli blog had already revealed the studio’s plans to open its next theatrical feature film next year. Suzuki predicted in October that Miyazaki’s next feature film might open in four years.

Studio Ghibli revealed during a February 2008 press conference that “directors [Isao] Takahata and [Hayao Miyazaki’s son] Goro Miyazaki are both developing works” for release after Hayao Miyazaki’s Gake no Ue no Ponyo (Ponyo on a Cliff), which opened in Japan last year. Studio Ghibli President Koji Hoshino added in July of 2008 that there is a likely chance that Ghibli will promote one of its own animators to direct a film or recruit a director from outside the studio. Miyazaki himself told his studio’s staff in November of that year that they will start two feature-length works, with young staffers at their core, over the next three years.

Movies from both Takahata and Miyazaki? This is going to be a great couple of years.

This week, I present you with a preview of Tetsuwan Birdy Decode. As you may guess from this preview image, Birdy Decode is not here to make you ponder deep questions about humanity. Nor will it fundamentally change your life. No, sometimes every anime fan wants mindless violence, crazy storylines, and boobs.

Funimation is here to help you with that. Tetsuwan Birdy Decode’s plot line revolves around Birdy, an interstellar agent sent to investigate aliens seen on Earth. She of course conducts this under the guise of a pop idol. Sound crazy? Wait, I’m not done yet. A late night mission causes her to catch an innocent schoolboy, Tsutomu in her deadly line of fire. That’s bad, so Birdy uses some of her advanced medical technology to save the boy, by implanting his mind into her own. Now, they must share her body while Tsutomu’s body heals.

I think we all know where this will go from here, and admit it. We all love it. Funimation intends to release the episodes in half season box-sets starting 2010. So if you enjoy B-Movie plots and hormonal teens locked in sexually awkward situations, keep your eyes peeled for this title.

You want more anime updates? Follow me on Twitter here.

Ah, where would any of us be without Gigantor? Before you answer, think about what kind of state anime would be in if it weren’t for the original giant robot show. I mean, not only was Gigantor one of the first animes to ever come to America, but think of other classics that wouldn’t be possible without it: Evangelion, Gundam, Full Metal Panic!, and countless others may have never come shore side if Gigantor hadn’t first.

It’s truly a piece of history, and the simple story of a boy and his giant robot has stood the test of time. Sure, it’s cheeseball at its best, and the ridiculous character names stand as evidence. (Dr. Katz Meow, Dick Strong) However, these elements serve only to bring a smile to your face.

So who wants a copy?

Here’s how you can get one, absolutely free: Send me a picture of all your anime/anime collectibles to bigshinyrobot@gmail.com with the subject “Gigantor”. The more expansive and obsessive, the better. Of course, the only rule is keeping it clean. I obviously want to feature the winning room, so none of those “special” body pillows… You know what I’m talking about. I’ll be accepting entries until the 15th of May, so get them to me before then.

Trust me, you want this DVD set. Not only does it contain 650 hours of Gigantor awesomeness, but interviews with Fred Ladd, and the Gigantor Comic series, issue 1-6.

I’ll pick the one I like, reply and get your mailing address, and you’ll get Gigantor. Simple enough, right?

Of, course, if you don’t want to try to win it, you can just buy it here.

Come back next week when I return to my regular article, and keep checking for the winner!