Anime DVDs & comic books

This is my favorite animated movie. Felix is a very friendly character which contrasts well with the darker atmosphere of this film. Felix is thrown from his own dimension into an alternate one which has both fantasy and sci-fi elements. The result is an almost cyberpunk like feel which may appeal to anime fans of that genre.

This was Don Bluth's first animated film. The movie is actually much darker than the book, although the heart of the story stays the same. The story is somewhat unique for a children's movie as it follows a mother mouse trying to save the life of her sick child. The theme music used throughout the movie is “Flying Dreams” which was created by Jerry Goldsmith and Paul Williams.

This is one of Hayao Miyazaki’s first movies. It is an epic adventure story that takes place in a future where the soil has become contaminated by toxins which are then given off by plants. Giant insects roam poisonous jungles and human beings have invented all sorts of interesting flying contraptions. The main character Nausicaa, is a very mature and capable young woman.

This is a Sci-Fi anime comedy from the 80’s. A-ko is a teenage girl with super human speed and strength and is friends with C-ko, a crybaby. After switching to a new school they run into B-ko, who wants to take C-ko as her best friend. Mix this drama in with battle robots and strange aliens and what you get is an unusually entertaining movie. The background music is 80’s techno and it’s not bad.

A good Disney Sci-Fi movie made near the end of their 2D animated movie career. The story contains both humor and serious real life issues. Classic Elvis songs are used throughout the movie and songs by a Hawaiian children’s quire. I particularly like the beginning of this movie which starts with Stitch’s background story and then transitions into what Lilo’s life is like.

This is a retelling of the Escaflowne TV series. A girl from our world is drawn into an alternate world of magic and mecha. One of the themes of the movie is depression and how to deal with it. The director liked to use wide shots to tell the story which helps give this movie an epic feeling. The movie also has a sweeping music score which fits in nicely.

This is a retelling of the live action movie by the same name. The main character Ning, is a tax collector who wonders the land with his dog. One of the debts he needs to collect is in a city of spirits where he falls for the ghost Su Sin. Unfortunately her job is to collect his spirit to feed the tree demon Madam Trunk. This movie is brightly colored and uses CG backgrounds.

Do not confuse this movie with it’s many straight to video sequels which were designed for small children. This movie was made by Don Bluth in the 80’s and much work went into it. The characters may have the same appearance but the themes of this movie are much darker. Little Foot loses his mother and must survive in a dying world. He leads his new friends in search of a valley he has never seen.

Very strange Canadian animated film which takes place in a distopian future. A famous rock star is searching for the perfect voice which he will use to summon a demon. The up and coming singer Angel may be that voice but will her current band let her go? This movie featured songs by Cheap Trick, Blondie, Lou Reed, Iggy Pop, and Earth, Wind & Fire. The DVD is loaded with extras.

This movie is styled like the Olympics only involving anthropomorphic animals. The athlete’s stories are told through a series of news broadcasts as if you were watching the actual Olympics. The news anchors are parodies of real news personalities and the athletes have a lot of personality as well. The music is late 70’s rock style.