"Rose of Versailles" in English

Could have knocked me down with a feather when I read that "Rose of Versailles" is going to be streamed with English subs on Viki and released on DVD by Nozomi Entertainment in 2013. 
Here's the trailer! 

Thanks to Nozomi and Viki!

"Tokyo Godfathers"

I've always meant to watch "Tokyo Godfathers" but never got around to it.  I found this on cable and it was a wonderful movie.   Frankly, the look of the anime wasn't appealing to me at first, but these characters really come to life, and really people aren't as pretty as in most anime, right?  The realistic look to the movie sometimes even led me to forget it was an anime.  The real star of the movie is the writing.  It's serious when needed, and hilarious at unexpected moments.  I laughed, I cried....really.  It was like a Frank Capra movie.  And I think I read that this is either based on or is really similar to an old movie.  Three homeless people work out their own family issues as they search for the mother of an abandoned baby.  Satoshi Kon co-directed this movie, the recently deceased anime director behind "Perfect Blue" and "Paprika" both of which are recommended.  Both "Perfect Blue" and "Paprika" are good movies is well, but aren't the heartwarming comedy/drama that "Tokyo Godfathers" is.  Really an unexpected find.

Anime of Spring 2012

The new anime season has started again. What I managed to finish watching:
Kids on the Slope - What a great show. I looked forward to it every Thursday like I used to with Chihayafuru. Nearly every episode was a gem of animation and storytelling. The best part of the show is the friendship of the Kaoru and Sentarou developing through their mutual love of jazz. The ending was a bit rushed, but did give a satisfying conclusion to the too short 13 episode series.
Tsuritama - This show was a pleasure to watch. The primary colors of the backgrounds really made this show stand out. Again, friendship is the anchor of the show. It's a bit silly and fluffy, but the heroics of the main characters at the end was moving. Plus Tapioca was a cute duck. "Du-ckkk!"
Continuing shows:
Kuroko's Basketball - Had no expectations at all for this sports anime. It's a tournament show but it's not boring. There is a real sense of tension in each game. Each show has some twist on basketball skill that surprises me. Plus good looking guys running around is nice to watch.
Phi Brain - This ridiculous shonen show is somehow bringing me back for another episode. A new arc has started which actually seems like a rehash of the last arc. I may burn out on this but will continue to try to watch.
Space Brothers - I also look forward to this every week. Seeing Mutta face the trials necessary to face to be chosen as an astronaut is really fun. Right now, he is an enclosed space with his would-be astronaut rivals, and being tested mentally and physically.
Hunter x Hunter - Another shonen tournament show. Each episode is such a surprise and I don't know what to expect. Plus Gon and Killua are so likeable. Hisoka's fixation on Gon is a hoot too. Schwing?
Right now, I'm trying out episodes of the new season. Hoping Natsuyuki Rendezvous will be the josei anime I'm looking for.

Space Battleship Yamato 2199

Starblazers! Please license this for North America.

Detective Conan Special 2012

Satoh Takeru and Mizobata Junpei

The live-action Detective Conan actors are back for an hour and a half special Shinichi Kudō and the Case of the Kyoto Shinsengumi Murder.   Mizobata Junpei and Kutsuna Shiori are back as Kudo and Ran, teenage detectives.  Don't hang around them outside of school....more than likely some murder will occur.  There are two stories in the special.  One is a about a murder on an airplane.  The other is about a murder on a film set of a movie about the Shinsengumi.    The preposterous deductions and corny jokes are back and it's an enjoyable watch.  Satoh Takeru has a small role in this as well, coming back as a sort-of rival teen detective.  Too bad he didn't have much screen time.  He played Koyuki in the Beck live action movie.  He is about to star in the live action Ruroni Kenshin movie.  I am not too familiar with Ruroni Kenshin, but I do know it's a popular manga and anime.

"Nodame Cantibile" streaming on Crackle

The Animax dubbed version of "Nodame Cantibile" is streaming on Crackle.  I watched it before on there, but it was removed.  Just read on Anime News Network it was back on.  I really enjoyed this show.  I think it's the only way to get this show in English at all, since I don't think it's licensed for DVD.  I wish more Animax dubs were available in North America.  Animax is a satellite network that broadcasts anime in Japan as well as in other countries (dubbed in English), but not in North America so far.  We could see more anime not licensed by Funimation or Sentai Filmworks,  Hope more Animax shows get shown on Crackle.  "Nodame Cantible" is a show that's about people older than high school kids which I really enjoy.  I like the realistic feel of the show too.  It's a comedy-romance-drama based on a josei manga.  I guess that I'm the target audience.  There's a live action version (with Ueno Juri) that I haven't seen. 

"Space Brothers"

"Space Brothers" is another Spring anime that I am going to watch.  I was all psyched up to watch "Kids on the Slope" and this went under my radar.  Boy, I am really enjoying the show so far, through episode 3.  It's a drama about adults which is rare and welcome.  It has that sort of realism like "Nodame Cantibile."  Sort of possible, but not really.  I read that there is also a movie of this with Shun Oguri (hottie alert) as one of the brothers.  I look forward to catching that someday.

"Kids on the Slope" and "Tsuritama"

"Kids on the Slope" and "Tsuritama" premiered yesterday.  It will be a great hour of anime to look forward to every Thursday for a while.  Both shows center around a socially awkward teen transfer student who finds friends that invigorate their lives.  The art in "Kids" and "Tsuritama" couldn't be more different, but both styles are pleasing.  "Kids" is has a realistic style that I have always loved in anime.  Teens who look like teens instead of moe fantasies of teens...this is what we get from "Kids."  "Tsuritama" is a bright jangle of colors with intricately detailed backgrounds.  "Tsuritama" is a strange fantasy that hopefully will become more explained in future episodes.  "Kids" hopefully will continue to be a solid drama in future episodes.  

"Dear Brother" on Viki

"Dear Brother," also known as "Brother, Dear Brother" and "Oniisama e" is now being shown on Viki.  I thought to check out Viki when I read that the new Leiji Matsumoto anime "OZMA" was being one-day-late simulcast there.  Other anime shows are also being shown and offered for crowd-subtitling.  I see the first episode of "Dear Brother" is translated and I hope the rest will be translated by some kind hearted lovers of old school shojo anime.  This coming-of-age story at a private girls' high school is full of teenage angst and sexual confusion.  Osamu Dezaki directed this and it shows.  I really like his style of anime.  Here's hoping that "Rose of Versailles" will appear soon.

"Sakamichi no Apollon" English website

My hiatus from writing about anime lasted about two seconds.   I found the official website for "Sakamichi no Apollon" and was surprised that the English version of the site was incredibly detailed and everything was translated.  I find that highly unusual.  Does this mean this will stream subbed in English?  My fingers are crossed.  http://www.noitamina-apollon.com/index_en_top.html