Ongoing Deals!

Cheapest Thinpacks & Box Sets

Note: Please check these lowest prices against the ones over at DVD Price Search before making any final purchases as some may become outdated since their initial posting. Thanks!

Best Buy (B&M) / BestBuy.com
Titles marked B&M can be ordered through the Best Buy store kiosks via BestBuy.com!

All Purpose Cultural Cat Girl Nuku Nuku: TV Collection (Thinpak): $12.99 (B&M)
Angel Links: Complete Collection (Anime Legends): $14.99
Aquarian Age: Complete Collection (Thinpak): $10.99 (B&M)
Banner of the Stars: Complete Collection (Anime Legends): $14.99
Banner of the Stars II: Complete Collection (Anime Legends): $14.99
Blue Seed: Complete Collection (Thinpak): $22.99 (B&M, not available via store kiosk)
Brain Powered: Complete Collection (Anime Legends): $17.99
Crest of the Stars: Complete Collection (Anime Legends): $14.99
Chrono Crusade: Complete Collection (Thinpak): $34.99 (B&M, not available via store kiosk)
Cyberteam in Akihabara: Complete Collection (Thinpak): $20.99
Dai Guard: Complete Collection: $9.99 (B&M)
Devil Lady: Complete Collection: $9.99 (B&M)
Dice - Season 1: Complete Collection: $10.99
Dragon Drive - Season 1: Complete Collection: $14.99
Eden's Bowy: Complete Collection (Thinpak): $16.99 (B&M - maybe available via Store Pickup)
Excel Saga: Imperfect Collection: $17.99 (B&M)
Galaxy Angel: Complete Collection: $14.99
Gokusen: Complete Collection (Economy Pack): $14.99
Gokusen: Complete Collection (Premium Box w/Jacket): $16.99
Gravion: Complete Collection (Thinpak): $10.99 (B&M)
Gravion Zwei: Complete Collection (Thinpak): $19.99
Gunparade March: Complete Collection (Premium Box): $22.99
Happy Lesson: Teacher's Pet Collection (Thinpak): $16.99
Kaleido Star: Amazing Collection - 1st Season (Thinpak): $14.99 (B&M)
Kaze No Yojimbo: Complete Collection: $17.99
Last Exile: Complete Collection (non-Thinpak): $31.99 (B&M)
Legend of Black Heaven: Complete Collection: $49.99
Legend of the Mystical Ninja: Complete Collection (Thinpak): $20.99
Magic Knight Rayearth - Season 1: Complete Collection (Economy Pack): $14.99
Magic Knight Rayearth - Season 2: Complete Collection (Economy Pack): $14.99
Mezzo: Complete Collection (Thinpak): $15.99 (B&M)
Midori Days: Complete Collection (Premium Box): $24.99
Mobile Suit Gundam Wing: Complete Operations Box Set: $79.99 (B&M)
NaNa 7 of 7: Complete Collection (Economy Pack): $14.99
Original Dirty Pair: Movie Collection (Thinpak): $6.99 (B&M)
Original Dirty Pair: OVA Collection (Thinpak): $6.99 (B&M)
Otogi Zoshi: Complete Collection (Premium Box): $34.99
Petite Princess Yucie: Complete Collection (Thinpak): $24.99
Pretear: Complete Collection (Thinpak): $22.99
Rurouni Kenshin - Season 3: Complete Collection (Economy Box): $25.99
Saber Marionette J: Complete Collection (Anime Legends): $17.99
Saber Marionette J to X: Complete Collection (Anime Legends): $14.99
Saint Seiya: Collection 1 (Thinpak): $14.99 (B&M)
Saint Seiya: Collection 2 (Thinpak): $20.99
Samurai Deeper Kyo: Complete Collection (Economy Pack): $28.99
Samurai X: OVA Collection: $14.99 (B&M)
Shura No Toki: Complete Collection (Premium Box): $43.99
Stratos 4: Complete Collection: $14.99
Sukisho: Complete Collection: $14.99
Super GALS!: The Iron Clad Collection - Season 1 (Thinpak): $14.99 (B&M)
Wedding Peach: Complete Collection - Season 1 (Thinpak): $10.99 (B&M)
Wedding Peach: Complete Collection - Season 2 (Thinpak): $16.99
Wild Arms: Complete Collection (Thinpak): $10.99 (B&M)
Yu Yu Hakusho: Chapter Black Saga Boxset: $39.99 (B&M)


Deep Discount.com

All Purpose Cultural Cat Girl Nuku Nuku: Dash! Complete Collection (Thinpak): $26.99
Angelic Layer: Complete Collection (Thinpak): $29.97
Angel Tales: Complete Collection: $30.24
Avenger: Complete Collection: $20.99
Blue Gender: Complete Collection: $36.29
Boogiepop Phantom (TV + Live-Action Movie): Complete Collection (Thinpak): $27.23
Captain Herlock: Complete Collection: $29.69
Chobits: Complete Collection (Thinpak): $65.99
DNAngel: Complete Collection (Thinpak): $53.99
Descendants of Darkness: Complete Collection: $21.58
Divergence Eve: Complete Collection (Thinpak): $28.06
Dragon Drive - Season 2: Complete Collection: $24.19
Elfen Lied: Complete Collection (Thinpak): $30.24
Final Fantasy Unlimited: Complete Collection (Thinpak): $29.99
G-Gundam: Complete Collection 1 (Anime Legends): $30.24
G-Gundam: Complete Collection 2 (Anime Legends): $30.24
Galaxy Angel Z: Complete Collection: $24.19
Gravitation: Complete Collection (Thinpak): $32.67
Gunslinger Girl: Complete Collection: $30.24
His and Her Circumstances: Complete Collection (Thinpak): $32.66
Jing: King Of Bandits Collection (Thinpak): $23.99
Kino's Journey: Complete Collection (Thinpak): $23.99
Koi Kaze: Complete Collection (Thinpak): $39.59
Lain, Serial Experiments: Complete Collection (Signature Series): $39.59
Mahoromatic Automatic Maiden: Complete Collection (Thinpak): $65.99
Mars Daybreak: Complete Collection: $30.24
Mermaid Forest: Complete Collection (Signature Series): $46.19
Najica Blitz Tactics: Complete Collection (Thinpak): $23.99
Naruto Uncut Boxset 1: $33.26
Naruto Uncut Boxset 2: $33.26
Neon Genesis Evangelion: Complete Collection (Thinpak): $53.99
New Getter Robo: Complete Collection: $46.57
Orphen II: Revenge Collection (Thinpak): $23.99
Peacemaker: Complete Collection (Thinpak): $53.99
Piano: Complete Collection: $32.67
Planetes: Complete Collection: $30.24
Please Teacher!: Complete Collection (Anime Legends): $24.19
Please Twins!: Complete Collection (Anime Legends): $24.19
Requiem From the Darkness: Complete Collection: $52.79
Rune Soldier: Complete Collection (Thinpak): $24.16
Sakura Wars TV: Complete Collection (Thinpak): $29.99
s-CRY-ed: Complete Collection (Anime Legends): $30.24
Shadow Star Narutaru: Complete Collection: $29.90
Shinkai Collection: $23.99
Star Ocean Ex: Complete Collection: $59.88
Super GALS - 2nd Season: Complete Collection: 27.23 (Release Date: 01/16/07)
Tenchi Muyo GXP: Complete Collection: $54.44
Those Who Hunt Elves: Complete Collection (Thinpak): $29.99
Tokyo Undergound: Complete Collection: $59.88
Witch Hunter Robin: Complete Collection (Anime Legends): $30.24
Wolf's Rain: Complete Collection 1 (Anime Legends): $24.19
World of Narue: Complete Collection: $21.58


DVD Pacific

.hack//Legend of The Twilight: Complete Collection (Anime Legends): $22.56
.hack//SIGN: Complete Collection (Anime Legends): $22.56
3 X 3 Eyes: Complete Collection: $37.24
Alien Nine: Ultimate Collection: $22.18
Cromartie High School: Complete Collection (Thinpak): $25.38
Dan Doh!! The Super Shot: Complete Collection: $45.14
Dokkoida!?: Complete Collection: $37.24
E's Otherwise: Complete Collection (Thinpak): $33.85
Escaflowne: Complete Collection (Anime Legends): $28.21
Figure 17: Complete Collection: $43.44
Fruits Basket: Complete Collection: $56.17
Full Metal Panic? FUMOFFU: Complete Collection (Thinpak): $28.21
Galaxy Railways: Complete Collection: $33.85 (Release Date: 2/6/07)
Get Backers: Complete Collection - Season 1 (Thinpak): $33.85
Ikki-Tousen: Complete Collection: $49.65
Infinite Ryvius: Complete Collection (Anime Legends): $28.21
Jubei-Chan: The Ninja Girl: Complete Collection: $22.56
Jubei-Chan: Complete Collection (Anime Legends): $22.56
Knight Hunters Eternity: Complete Collection: $18.59
Magical Shopping Arcade Abenobashi: Complete Collection (Thinpak): $28.21
Naruto Uncut Boxset 1 (Special Edition): $43.44
Naruto Uncut Boxset 2 (Special Edition): $43.44
NieA Under 7: Complete Collection: $49.65
Ninja Scroll Series: Ultimate Collection: $27.91
Noir: Complete Collection (Thinpak): $50.78
RahXephon: Complete Collection (Thinpak): $50.78
Robotech: Protoculture Collection: $73.36
Saiyuki: Complete Collection (Thinpak): $56.43
Samurai X: Complete Collection: $56.43
Sister Princess: Complete Collection (Thinpak): $28.21
Starship Operators: Complete Collection: $37.25
Steel Angel Kurumi: Complete Collection: $33.85
Trigun: Limited Collector's Edition 1: $55.86
Trigun: Limited Collector's Edition 2: $55.86
Wandaba Style: Complete Collection (Thinpak): $25.38
Wolf's Rain: Complete Collection 2 (Anime Legends): $22.56


DVD Planet / Digital Eyes

Berserk: Complete Collection (Alpha Case): $54.95
eX-Driver: Perfect Collection: $18.95
Full Metal Panic!: Complete Collection (Thinpak): $54.95
Genshiken: Premium Collection: $58.47
Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex - Season 1 Complete Boxset: $59.97
Giant Robo: Complete Collection (Economy Pack): $16.95
Knight Hunters, Wiess Kreuz: Complete Collection: $64.95
Kurogane Communications: Complete Collection: $24.95
Mouse: Complete Collection: $19.47
Neo Ranga: Complete Collection (Thinpak): $36.95
Shrine of the Morning Mist: Complete Collection: $18.95
Zone of the Enders: Complete Collection (Thinpak): $31.95

Boogiepop Phantom: Complete Collection: $17.90
Hellsing: Complete Collection (Signature Series): $19.99


Overstock.com

Argentosoma: Complete Collection: $19.15
Arjuna: Complete Collection (Anime Legends): $23.89
Azumanga Daioh: Class Album: $41.14
Burn Up Excess: Complete Collection: $35.39
Chance Pop Session: Complete Collection (Thinpak): $26.76
Cyber Formula GPX: Complete Collection: $36.99
FLCL: Ultimate Edition: $41.12 (Release Date: 01/24/07)
Galaxy Angel A: Complete Collection: $21.02
Geneshaft: Complete Collection: $13.39
Gantz: Complete Collection - Season 1 (Thinpak): $41.14
Gantz: Complete Collection - Season 2 (Thinpak): $41.14
Get Backers: Complete Collection - Season 2 (Thinpak): $35.39
Gundam Wing: Complete Collection 1 (Anime Legends): $29.64
Gundam Wing: Complete Collection 2 (Anime Legends): $29.64
Kiddy Grade: Complete Collection: $52.64
Love Hina: Complete Collection (Anime Legends): $46.89
Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam: Complete Collection (LE): $57.89
Now and Then, Here and There: Complete Collection: $21.82
Outlaw Star: Complete Collection (Anime Legends): $29.64
Steam Detectives: Complete Collection: $29.64


Expiration: Unknown

Credit: justbarelymovin, modified by WTK

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New Weekly Specials! from RightStuf.com

Negima (LE) Vol.1, 2, 4 are restocked!

Ongoing:
- Angel Tales DVD 1 (Hyb): Sweet Transmigration: $4.99
- Angel Tales DVD 2 (Hyb): Life with Angels: $4.99
- Arcadia of My Youth DVD (S): $9.99
- Assemble Insert DVD (Hyb): $3.99
- Aquarian Age: The Movie DVD (Hyb) (Limited Edition): $21.99
- Black Cat DVD 1 (Hyb) + Artbox: $23.99
- Cardcaptor Sakura DVD Mega Bundle (DVD 1-18) (S): $79.99
- Cowboy Bebop Best Sessions Set (2-discs) DVD (Hyb) 5.1/DTS: $5.99
- Cyber Formula GPX Complete Collection DVD (S): $29.98
- Gasaraki DVD Perfect Collection (1-8) (Hyb): $34.99, Qty Remaining: 31
- Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence Music Video Anthology DVD (S) Special Edition: $9.99
- Licensed by Royalty (L/R) DVD Bundle (1-4) + Audio CD Prepack: $34.99, Qty Remaining: 120
- Overman King Gainer DVD 1 (Hyb): Yapan's Exodus: $4.99
- Overman King Gainer DVD 2 (Hyb): Exodus 2: $4.99
- Overman King Gainer DVD 3 (Hyb): Exodus 3: $4.99
- Please Teacher DVD Box Set (Hyb) Limited Edition w/CD: $19.99
- Read or Die (R.O.D.) TV Series DVD MegaBundle (Hyb) w/CDs: $79.99
- Saber Marionette J - Ultimate Collection DVD Set (Hyb) (Limited Edition): $69.99, Qty Remaining: 79
- Scrapped Princess DVD 1 (Hyb): Family Ties + Figure (Limited Edition): $12.99
- Steam Detectives DVD Collection (Hyb) (Thinpak): $19.99
- You're Under Arrest TV Series DVD Megabundle (Hyb): $129.99

New:
- Azumanga Daioh DVD Box Set (Thinpak): $39.99
- Baki the Grappler DVD Box Set 1 (Hyb) (1-6): $29.99
- Heat Guy J DVD Box Set (Hyb): $37.99
- Jubei Chan 2 DVD Box Set (Hyb): $59.99
- Kiddy Grade DVD Box Set (Hyb): $48.99
- Kodocha (Kodomo No Omocha) DVD 7 and 8 (Hyb) + Artbox + Plush: $24.99
- Lupin III DVD Movie Pack (Movies 6-10) (Hyb): $17.99
- Negima DVD 1 (Hyb): Magic 101: The Basics of Magic Limited Edition: $26.99, Qty Remaining: 88
- Negima DVD 2 (Hyb): Magic 201: Magic & Combat Limited Edition: $20.99, Qty Remaining: 264
- Negima DVD 4 (Hyb): Magic 401: Magical Enchantments Limited Edition: $20.99, Qty Remaining: 83
- Nuku Nuku Dash DVD Collection (Hyb) (Thinpak): $19.99
- Oh My Goddess! DVD 1 (Hyb): $7.99
- Oh My Goddess! DVD 2 (Hyb): $7.99
- Paradise Kiss DVD 1 (Hyb) + Artbox: $23.99
- Pretear DVD Collection (Hyb) (Thinpak): $21.99
- Rumbling Hearts (Kimi ga Nozomu Eien) DVD 1 (Hyb) + Artbox: $23.99
- Shrine of the Morning Mist Complete DVD Collection (Hyb): $17.99
- Speed Grapher DVD 4 (Hyb) Limited Edition: $19.99
- Tenchi Muyo Ryo Ohki DVD 3 (Hyb) + Collector's Tin: $17.99
- You're Under Arrest The Motion Picture DVD (Hyb): $14.99
- Zone of the Enders DVD Collection (Hyb) (Thinpak): $23.99


For more anime deals, please check out the Official- ANIME Bargains! - Thread.  Updated daily by yours truly! Please Note: Product Availability & Prices are Subjected to Change!
 

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Anime Spotlight:
by Todd Douglass

Solty Rei:

I first heard about Solty Rei at last year's Anime Boston. I hadn't heard a lot about the series and after investigating I found out that it was another science fiction series by Gonzo which immediately my interest peaked. This 24 episode show ran in Japan from 2005 to 2006 and has finally arrived on DVD with a whopping six episodes.

After sitting through all six episodes on the first disc I can honestly say that Solty Rei does a lot of things uniquely. The concept carries quite a bit of intrigue and the characters are likeable enough, though somewhat stereotypical upon further examination. You have the moody bounty hunter, the perky girl who doesn't know her past, and quirky enemies that don't really appear to be enemies at all. Yes, in many ways Solty Rei is similar to many shows that have come before it but there is still enough stuff here to make it worth watching no matter how seasoned an otaku you'd consider yourself.

In a distant future there is a city with a tragic past. You see, this metropolis is covered by something called the Aurora Shell. This multicolored barrier keeps the atmosphere intact though it has played a bigger role in the lives of those who live beneath it. Twelve years ago there was an event where the Shell struck lightning down on a tower that was built too high. The result; called Blast Fall, was cataclysmic and nearly destroyed the city. Thousands died and much of the area needed to be rebuilt.

Roy Revant lost his daughter in the event and quite honestly he hit rock bottom after that. With his wife passing away due to illness Roy had no one to turn to and nothing else to look forward to in life. He hit the bottle and became a bounty hunter working under his sister-in-law Miranda Maverick. After seeing Roy in action across these six episodes he really comes across like a Dirty Harry-like character. He's played with a heavy dose of anger and depression all rolled into one volatile package. Good guy, really.

One day while Roy is out on a case he's ambushed by a thug looking to get revenge for his buddy. Roy's mindful tactics and skill with a gun is unparalleled but when he's up against this Resemble (person with prosthetic implants for heightened abilities) he is arguably outmatched. Things looked grim for Roy until a green-haired girl fell out of the sky and landed on his foe.

Stricken with amnesia and obviously not human, the girl takes a liking to Roy when she comes to. Before long she's discovered as being a non-register person and Roy has to name her (Solty Revant) and become her guardian in order for her to keep from being arrested. In the world of Solty Rei there is an underground section where unregistered people live. It's illegal for them to come to the surface without someone vouching for them. This really gives Solty Rei a lot of social undertones and a springboard for commentary on the class structure in society.

At any rate, Solty, Roy, and the Mavericks go on one episodic adventure after another. Between each episode there isn't a lot of development. The mystery surrounding Solty's past is definitely interesting and seeing Roy soften up a little bit definitely adds weight to his character. Along the way though some recurring enemies show up in the form of the RUC, which is a militant policing group. There are other scumbags as well because after all this is a bounty hunter show but frankly there's nobody else in this volume other than a thief who goes by the name Rose. None of these characters really added anything to the six episodes here and they really just felt like filler action scenes.

Of the episodes here there are only a few that are notable. The best in my opinion involves an unregistered man stealing some P10 crystals from a high tech lab. Roy takes the case and goes to track the man down but finds a girl with his daughter's name in the process. He discovers that while she isn't his daughter she is a victim of Blast Fall and the event left her eyes and legs unusable. The unregistered guy turns out to be her father and is stealing the goods in order to buy her resemble eyes and legs.

Another episode on the polar end of the spectrum features a day at a spa/pool place. Rose appears and hides an emerald at the resort while Solty, Roy, and company are there trying to relax. Things get crazy when Solty tries to help Rose out and in the end the RUC gets involved with trying to recover the emerald. Out of every episode here this one offers the least redeeming qualities. There really wasn't much of any development here and the plot was entirely a time waster.

Overall the first volume of Solty Rei certainly does offer a wealth of episodes. With so many to watch right away we get a pretty good feeling for the flow of the series. The relationship between Roy and Solty is arguably the most dominant feature and part of the joy of watching the show is seeing Solty's discovery of the world around her. It's entertaining but in the end not a road we haven't been down before with other anime. Still, the concept is interesting enough and the episodes are mostly good. This is one to check out but not go head over heels for; at least not yet anyway.

The DVD:

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Video:

With the recent production date Solty Rei receives an anamorphic widescreen aspect ratio of 1.78:1. The show's production looks stunning when you get right down to it. Vibrant colors and crisp animation absolutely pops in every frame. Unfortunately the picture quality doesn't holy up quite as much as you'd hope it would. Due to the compression of episodes here there are many flaws to point out from grain and pixilation to aliasing. They aren't entirely prominent but when they pop up it's definitely hard to mis them. In the end this is a good looking show that receives a decent transfer but the capacity of the DVD hinders some of its presentation.

Audio:

Three audio tracks make their way to this release of Solty Rei. The original Japanese track is presented with a 2.0 stereo output that is about as limited as you'd expect though there is some slight directionality with sound effects and music. English gets a similarly styled stereo presentation but it also receives a 5.1 track that is much more dynamic. Sound effects, voices, and music is spread across all channels and has a very good presence when you get right down to it. The sense of immersion could have been better but it was still decent enough.

Extras:

A meek supplemental offering is available for Solty Rei's first release. Clean opening and closing animations, a few trailers, and some cast auditions are all that you're going to see. The auditions are a nice inclusion as they always are but a commentary track or interview would have been much nicer.

Final Thoughts:

Solty Rei is one of the most buzzed about anime shows to come out in recent months. The science fiction atmosphere, decent character development, and mysterious nature all come together to make an interesting show. There isn't as much depth as I would like (not yet anyway) and the technical presentation of the show is hindered by the fact that six episodes were packed onto the disc. This makes the first volume of Solty Rei kind of spotty in terms of quality. I liked the show enough to recommend it but nothing that is here is unique or memorable enough to warrant a high recommendation.

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Name That Anime! :

Ok, let's try to pick your inner otaku's brain a little bit. Take a look at both of these screen shots and see if you can identify which shows they are from. Just to make things interesting we'll refrain from giving clues this time around…..

 
 

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