Tekken 6

The holiday season means one thing: family. Fortunately Namco Bandai has provided a great coping mechanism. No, not eggnog. With the release of Dragon Ball Revenge of KIng Piccolo and Tekken 6, we've got fighting, fighting, and more fighting!  

Piano

On Feburary 2, 2010 Piano: The Melody of A Young Girl’s Heart DVD Bundle will hit stores. This series follows the story of Miu, the once piano phenom, now introverted teenager struggling to improve her skills. But things seem to change when she develops a crush on the older Takahashi. Rediscovering love, both human and musical, abound in this coming-of-age tale.

Aria

On March 2, 2010 Aria The Origination DVD collection, which includes the final third season and OVA, will drop into stores and cyber outlets everywhere.

5 Centimeters Per Second

On March 5, 2010 Crunchyroll will participate in Global Shinkai Day. 48 hours of Shinkai’s most celebrated works will stream for free to members, and this stream goes all the way up to 480p.

Okazaki and I

Who doesn’t know Afro Samurai? That is the question. The sheer coolness of our afro-enhanced protagonist and his number one headband perhaps even rivals that of Steve McQueen. At least that’s what the ratings of the man channel, i.e. Spike TV, suggest.

Linebarrels of Iron

Kouichi may aspire to heroic greatness, but the daily beating at the hands of local bullies predicts something else. Be that as it may, when Emi literally crashes into his life, he get’s his shot. This otherworldly female not only causes his death, but a symbiotic rebirth with a mecha called Linebarrel. Suddenly Kouichi is thrust into an interstellar conflict between humans and alien Machinas. Only his newfound power and control over Linebarrel can underwrite human security. But at what cost? His new power and ability to kick ass goes straight to his head. 

2009 TV Series (episodes 1-13). Director: Tsutomo Mizushima. 315 minutes. DVD, bilingual, $59.98. Distributor: Funimation.

Big Windup!

In middle school Mihashi was the ace pitcher for the baseball team. So, why did the rest of the squad ostracize him and refuse to hone his skills? He supposedly got the job because his grandfather owned the school. Consequently, Mihashi is a paranoid, nervous wreck that thinks he sucks! The only thing left to do is enroll in a new high school, where the players don’t know how bad he really is.

Mushi-Shi: The Movie

Based on the popular anime/manga series of the same name – whose lush artistry equally matches the verdant vitality of nature itself – this live-action version is a much-welcomed adaptation. Writer/director Katsuhiro Otomo captures the very being of Ginko’s tale through scenes inundated with the light and dark of Japan’s countryside. 

Ninja Revolution 3

Following on the heels of NARUTO Shippuden: Ninja Destiny 2 for the DS, TOMY takes all your favorite jutsu moves to the Wii console. NARUTO Shippuden: Clash of Ninja Revolution 3 is indeed the next level in ninja gaming.

Voltron

I love this game! Okay, surely there is some bias, since my affair with Voltron goes back to childhood – don’t forget, I still own the original Bandai GoLion. But this game should fulfill the expectations of mobile gamers.