Set in modern-day Japan, Paranoia Agent is an intertwining series of stories linked together by one thing: attacks from a mysterious bat-wielding child. Wearing a pair of golden inline skates and swinging a golden bat, the boy, who becomes known as Lil' Slugger (or Shounen Bat), lurks in low-traffic areas. His attacks seem random, but each victim is grappling with life's darker side. Police are mystified by the continuing reports of attacks that seem beyond the capability of a child. As the episodes unfold, more about the boy is revealed. Encompassing the first four episodes of the series, Paranoia Agent Vol. 1 explores a murky contrast between fantasy and reality, leading characters and viewers to question what is real in this disturbing anime saga from genre master Satoshi Kon.
Perfect Blue strays from the traditional sci-fi realm that dominates most anime, yet penetrates a haunting darkness that's filled with compelling questions, murky twists, and psychological torture. Though only 21, singer Mima is past her prime. The pop idol has fallen out of the spotlight, tossed aside by once-worshipping fans in favor of the next flavor of the moment. She takes a role on a soap opera to revive her career, even though the part she's playing is edgier than her own bubblegum past. Soon, Mima's reality begins to slip away. She imagines (or discovers) an identical twin who's continued as a singer. As a shadowy figure begins stalking her, Mima descends into an unsettled world of paranoid delusion in journey into the dark side of entertainment's bright lights.
Paper Masters have the power to change paper into almost anything, from lock picks to bulletproof dragons. R.O.D. (Read or Die) the TV Vol. 1 contains the first two episodes of the TV series that follows the book-loving trio of paper masters that makes up the Three Sisters Detective Agency. In episode one, Anita, Maggie, and Michelle handle bodyguard duties for Nenene, an author whose promotional trip to Tokyo is met with a bomb threat. When the bomber slips through security at takes Nenene hostage, the sisters will need all their powers to save her! In episode two, Nenene is angry at this sisters in the aftermath of her kidnapping. Her editor decides to hire the paper masters as the author's long-term security force. Can they co-exist?
An environmental disaster has wiped out an entire city, leaving a ravaged land. Humanity rises back up and rebuilds the city, but a mysterious consequence lingers in the catastrophe's aftermath. Some humans have undergone genetic mutations, producing a new breed with special powers and enhanced abilities. This new breed becomes known as Alters. One of them, Kazuma, has lived his entire life in the wastelands, where he uses his new powers to survive. A secret organization named Holy gives him a choice: join the group or die. His freedom threatened, Kazuma begins a fight to uncover the truth behind Holy. His quest will engulf humans and Alters in a perilous struggle that rages through the post-apocalypse world. This disc kicks off the S-Cry-Ed saga with the series' first five episodes.
Sakura Wars began as a mega-popular video game and evolved into an equally giant anime series. In this feature-length saga, Sakura Wars' fabled Imperial Fighting Troupe is summoned to save Tokyo from a ruthless demon attack. But this time around they've got competition. The Douglas-Stewart Company is now selling a revolutionary new fighting mecha it hopes will become the first and last lines of Japanese defense. If it works, the services of the Flower Division will no longer be needed. As the machine rolls into battle, the Flower Division is placed on standby status. The girls start getting suspicious when team members start disappearing. The Douglas-Stewart mechas may be more sinister than anyone thought...
Samurai Champloo is director Shinichiro Watanabe's eagerly anticipated new anime series following his cult smash Cowboy Bebop. Champloo takes place in Meiji-era Japan and follows the exploits of three colorful characters. Mugen, a loud, undisciplined martial artist and Jin, a quiet, wandering samurai join forces when Fuu, a flighty waitress, saves them from being executed. She then convinces the odd couple to help her find a samurai "who smells of sunflowers," and the three set out on an unforgettably funny and action-packed adventure. Mugen uses his breakdance-inspired moves to bewitch his opponents while Jin becomes a smooth, cool slicing machine whenever he unsheathes his sword. Champloo is hailed by fans and critics as Cowboy Bebops worthy successor.
Samurai Champloo is director Shinichiro Watanabe's eagerly anticipated new anime series following his cult smash, Cowboy Bebop. Champloo takes place in Meiji-era Japan and follows the exploits of three colorful characters. Mugen, a loud, undisciplined martial artist and Jin, a quiet, wandering samurai join forces when Fuu, a flighty waitress, saves them from being executed. She then convinces the odd couple to help her find a samurai "who smells of sunflowers," and the three set out on an unforgettably funny and action-packed adventure. Their saga continues in Episodes 3 & 4, the edgy, two-part Hellhounds for Hire story. Mugen and Jin part ways, only to wind up on opposite sides in a battle to control a town. Meanwhile Fuu, left to fend for herself, ends up trapped in a brothel.
Samurai Champloo is director Shinichiro Watanabe's eagerly anticipated new anime series following his cult smash Cowboy Bebop. Champloo takes place in Meiji-era Japan and follows the exploits of three colorful characters. Mugen, a loud, undisciplined martial artist and Jin, a quiet, wandering samurai, join forces when Fuu, a flighty waitress, saves them from being executed. She then convinces the odd couple to help her find a samurai "who smells of sunflowers," and the three set out on an unforgettably funny and action-packed adventure. In Episode Five, Artistic Anarchy, a group of kidnappers target Fuu as their next victim. In Episode Six, Stranger Searching, Mugen and Jin lose their swords to a stranger who defeats them in an eating contest.
Samurai Champloo is director Shinichiro Watanabe's eagerly anticipated new anime series following his cult smash Cowboy Bebop. Champloo takes place in Meiji-era Japan and follows the exploits of three colorful characters. Mugen, a loud, undisciplined martial artist and Jin, a quiet, wandering samurai, join forces when Fuu, a flighty waitress, saves them from being executed. She then convinces the odd couple to help her find a samurai "who smells of sunflowers," and the three set out on an unforgettably funny and action-packed adventure. In Episode 7, A Risky Racket, Fuu's purse gets snatched by a crook. In Episode 8, The Art of Altercation, a man eager to fight Jin has been challenging any glasses-wearing samurai he finds. Since Jin's pawned his glasses, will he ever meet this mysterious challenger?
Experience the bone-chilling world of Silent Hill in an all-new way with this interactive descent into the horror-filled abandoned town. The Silent Hill Experience combines digital comics, music, and video to conjure the feeling that's made Silent Hill one of the most frightening - and popular - franchises of all time. The acclaimed comic series Silent Hill: Dying Inside and an all-new Silent Hill comic saga, The Hunger, are presented in digital form, accompanied by a haunting soundtrack. Delve deeper with exclusive interviews with composer Akira Yamaoka and Silent Hill movie director Christophe Gans. Watch the movie trailer, see rare hidden content from Silent Hill games, and more.
Katsuhiro Otomo, the director of the landmark anime film, Akira, crafts a marvelous animated adventure set in Victorian-era England. Young Ray Steam comes from a long line of inventors and wants to be just like his father and grandfather, who are committed to advancing steam technology. When Ray's grandfather sends him a steam ball that generates unheard-of power, everyone from wealthy industrialists to the government wants it, mostly to use for evil purposes. The steam ball itself has a hidden threat, and Ray discovers that in this world no one is completely good or evil. In his gambit, Ray uses the steam ball to fight back against the forces around him. The film's action builds to a huge climactic battle that starts at the first World Expo and spreads throughout London.
Street Fighter Alpha: The Movie finds one of the series' favorite fighters, Ryu, struggling to resist a dark force. The saga kicks off with a Street Fighter staple: a fighting tournament. The underground contest is sponsored by Shadoloo leader, Bison. Many fighters, each with their own personal reasons, decide to take part. Ryu faces his longtime rival Ken. One-time Shotokan student Dan is out to avenge his father's death by defeating Sagat, the man responsible. United States Armymen Guile and Nash attempt to put an end to Bison's power. But this anime saga centers around the dark force that's awakened in Ryu. Will he be able to control it before it devours him? And who is the shadowy figure hoping to harness Ryu's sinister powers for his own ends?