As far as sophomore outings go, this second installment in the Spice and Wolf series is an absolute delight. Weighing in at nearly three hundred pages, Isuna Hasekura’s newest light novel is a breezy read free of many of the problems that plagued the first volume.  After the controversy surrounding the release of the first book, I’m very glad that the publisher, Yen Press, took the time and effort to get everything right the second time around. 

As the second book opens, Holo and Lawrence are in the process of slowly making their way to Holo’s ancient homeland in the north when a bad purchase inadvertently lands Lawrence deeply in hock to a local merchant guild with only few days to make good on his debt.  With few options open to him and with a potential lifetime of forced servitude in a debtor’s prison facing him, Lawrence’s only hope for salvation arrives in the form of a dangerous scheme concocted Holo, Unfortunately, in order to pull off this daring scheme, they must first procure the aid of beautiful young shepherdess in a plan that could cost them both their lives.

Overall, the story flows well with Holo’s position as a deity-like Wisewolf featuring much more heavily into the plot than the first novel.  Additionally, Isuna does a much better job of defining the personalities of the two main characters, Holo and Lawrence, then in the first book.  This may be because, as he admits in the afterword of volume 2, that he had completely forgotten their personalities during the gap between the two books.  This effort on his part to rediscover and refine his characters leads to a subtle, but much more satisfying, change in Holo and Lawrence’s personalities.

Speaking of changes, I want to congratulate Yen Press for using the original Japanese cover art for volume 2. Jyuu Ayakura’s art is a delight and I far prefer it to the hideous Photoshop cover art that Yen Press used on volume 1. Speaking of which, I should probably mention that volume 2 does includes another piece of hideously photoshopped cover art, but this time it’s in the form of a removable dust jacket that you can promptly toss in the trash so the other books in your collection don’t catch “the ugly” off of it.

Bottom Line:

Spice and Wolf vol. 2 is a delight from start to finish. Once I picked it up, I couldn’t put it down. Thankfully, the book is a quick and easy read that won’t keep you up into the wee hours of the night. If you liked the first book, I highly recommend the second one!

Final Score: 5 out 5 stars

Reviewed By: Laughncat 1

Description: Spice and Wolf volume 2 by Isanu Hasekura – a light novel published by Yen Press

Purchase:

I got a note last night from my contact at NIS America in response to an email a sent them about my recent Persona -Trinity Soul- review.  In short, it appears that I am not the only reviewer who has noted that the video quality on their first two “Premium Edition” DVD releases was not all that it could have been.  In response to these customer complaints, NIS America has decided to remaster their first two DVD releases and make free replacements discs available to everyone who purchased volume one of either the Toradora or Persona -Trinity Soul- Premium Edition box sets.

Believe me when I say that this announcement from NIS America news warmed my shriveled cynically apathetic otaku heart in a way that I have not experienced in many years.  It is extremely rare for a company to announce a replacement program for any DVD set and it is even more unheard of for the replacement program to be for a series of DVDs that don’t actually have any glaringly obvious glitches or technical faults.  While I admit in my reviews that the Toradora and Persona DVDs are technically flawed, these problems do not affect playback to the extent that it truly hinders the actual viewing experience.  Both discs have transfer issues that most folks will not even notice (I know, because my wife kept asking me what I was complaining about when she watched volume one of Toradora.)For Nippon Ichi Software of America (NIS America) to announce plans to remaster and replace these DVDs for free less than two weeks after the two box sets have hit store shelves is simply one of the greatest examples of fan service (no jokes, I’m trying to be serious here!) that I’ve seen in all my years as an anime fan.  This move represents a significant cost to NIS America and I commend them for their commitment to the happiness of their fans.

Ahem. 

Now that I’ve gotten that out of the way, here’s the link to the replacement program.

UPDATE – 07/22/10:
NIS America has announced they will be remastering volume 1 of both Toradora and Persona to address transfer issues with both sets. For details, go here.

Persona -Trinity Soul- TV series is supposed to take place ten years after the events detailed in the Persona 3 videogame.  I say “supposed to” because after watching the first thirteen episodes of the Trinity Soul series, I’ve concluded that there’s very little connective tissue between the two stories.  Folks who played the game will notice nods to the source material in the first episode of the TV series, such as when Shin meets the ever-mysterious Igor in a dream.  Other than a few nods here and there though, the TV series is nothing like the game, which I guess is good for newcomers to the series, but can be off putting for fans attempting to mentally align the events of the game with those in the TV series.

It doesn’t help that Trinity Souls plot moves at a snail’s pace and only grudgingly doles out information when absolutely necessary.  Despite its dark atmosphere, the best parts of the show so far have been the filler episodes. These episodes due little to advance the story, but provide some much needed levity from the show’s dreary, overly drawn out story while simultaneously fleshing out characters that would have little depth otherwise.  I’m sure there is a good story buried somewhere inside the tangled plot the writers have woven so far, but too often the show is just pointlessly opaque rather than mysterious.  I will admit, though, that I’ve become steadily more engrossed in the show as it has progressed, I just cannot stop wishing aloud that the plot for the series would follow a more linear path rather then that constantly stumbling off on weird tangents all the time.

All grumblings about the plot aside, I will admit that I am VERY pleased with NISA’s packaging of the show. Similar to the Toradora set I reviewed last week, this premium edition of Persona -Trinity Soul- is absolutely beautiful.  In fact, I will go so far to say that the packaging and the art book included with it are superior to the packaging used for the Toradora release.  Especially so when it comes to the hardback book that comes packaged with the series.  Not only is it laid out in a much more visually pleasing and coherent manner, but it also includes the complete version of the children’s book A Whale’s Feather that is featured throughout series.  I loved the book’s layout and I really wish that more of the book had been dedicated to showing larger scale images of the characters and their personas.  The intricate nature of the various persona designs really doesn’t come through with the small thumbnail images used in conjunction with each character’s bio.

On the AV side of things, I had many of the same issues I had with my Toradora review.  The video transfer seems especially soft and I was constantly fiddling with my settings trying to sharpen up the image.  The biggest problem I had though related to interlacing issue through both disc.  I’ve included an example of what I’m talking about below, but I want to stress that this is just a sample and is not representative of a whole.  In terms of normal viewing, most folks won’t notice the interlacing issue at all while other’s may see it just seem like a skipped frame when characters are in motion.  The only time I really noticed it was during scenes with a lot of action and to be honest, this could quite possibly be a problem with the original masters from Japan and not an encoding issue on NISA’s part.  Still, as with my Toradora review, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention it during this review.

Bottom Line:

As a fan of the Persona videogame series, I was really looking forward to the Trinity Soul TV series.  Unfortunately, the show is needlessly slow (even for a drama or a mystery) and only clues the viewer in on what’s going on only when it’s absolutely necessary.  I enjoy a good drama sometimes, but the point of the Persona series has always been about summoning powerful spirits to beat the crap out of other supernatural baddies (like possessed toilets).  I’m not saying I want to see Shin and the gang fight a demonic toilet, but I would like to feel like the show is going to get somewhere in the near future instead of constantly just hinting stuff is going to happen at some point. 

Ultimately, I recommend giving volume one of Persona -Trinity Soul- a try, but don’t expect it to knock your socks off.  It’s an average series that’s aiming for greatness, and if we’re lucky, all of that effort will pay off when the series concludes in August.

Final Score: 3 out 5 stars

Reviewed By: Laughncat 1

Description: Persona -Trinity Soul- Volume 1 Premium Edition of DVD ( 13 TV episodes on two DVDs. Japanese language only with English subtitles.)

Purchasing:

• Persona – Trinity Soul- Volume 1 Premium Edition
• Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 3 FES (PS2)

After having had the pleasure of watching the new Evangelion movie last week, I found myself in the mood a bit of “Fly Me To The Moon” by Hikaru Utada. Imagine my surprise when I discovered that she released an updated version on the song in 2007 for the new Evangelion movie. For those who prefer to keep it strictly old school, I’ve posted the full version of the original song behind the jump. I know, I know, I’m such a giver. On the other hand, if I don’t spoil you folks, who will? :P

Anyway, enjoy the music! =^_^=

More Info:

• Utada Hikaru MP3 catalog (Amazon)
• Evangelion: 1.11 You Are Not Alone [Blu-ray]

As the first film in Gainax’s “Rebuild of Evangelion” project, Evangelion 1.11 does an excellent job of recreating and updating the original Evangelion TV series for the big screen. Not only the new movie do an admirable job of laying out the shows complex mythology in a fairly coherent manner, but it also manages to make everything feel fresh and new again. This is quite an amazing feat when you think about it, since roughly two thirds of the new movie is a shot for shot recreation of the most iconic scenes from the first six episodes of the original TV series.

Even after fifteen years, the story and, most importantly, the characters of Evangelion still enthrall me in a way no other show ever has. As epic as the action can be a times, the show has always been about far more than simply humanities struggle to overcame a supernatural threat using giant robots. Instead, the show is really a deep and multi-layered exploration of the human condition that uses combat and warfare as way to underline the struggles the deeply flawed and emotionally damaged characters that populate the show.

I’m sure that some of the more hardcore otaku will argue that Evangelion 1.11 is dumbing down the series so that even rubes and hicks will be able to understand it, but based on my viewing session, this is not the case. While I admit that the movie makes many of the more obscure concepts more understandable while simultaneously working to straighten out the tangled web of conspiracies and secrets that woven throughout its story, I don’t feel that the central themes of the series have been diminished any sort of measurable way. EVA is remembered because of its deep mix of self examination and richly detailed characters brought life to what would have otherwise been another stereotypical anime series about giant robots, not because if you didn’t pay attention you might miss a passing comment about the origins of the lillium or the truth behind the creation of the EVA units themselves. Granted, plot points like that are important, but just because these elements are now easier to understand, does not make the lesson the impact of the story and its themes.

With that said, I do have concerns that the Evangelion 1.11 comes very close to being overly dense. In the space of less than two hours, viewers are introduced to the majority of main characters from the series, treated to three separate battle royales between the EVA units and the Angels, fed a steady diet of social, emotional, and psychological theories AND watch the groundwork being laid for next movies mass influx of new characters and conspiracies. With so much going on with so many plot details that need to be absorbed, the whole film can be a bit overwhelming for viewers who haven’t seen the original TV series or done any research in the myriad of theology and theories behind it.

Bottom Line:

Evangelion 1.11 is the exact same EVA long-time fans know and love, except now it’s been all gussied up with fancy high end graphics that are look so razor sharp on Blu-ray that you’ll come away surprised your eyes aren’t bleeding. Combine the extremely nice graphics with the movie’s more coherent plotline and the whole affair becomes fairly newbie friendly. I highly recommend everyone take the time to enjoy this excellent remake of one of the most beloved franchises of the past two decades.

Final Score: 5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed By: Laughncat 1

Desciption: Evangelion 1.11 on Blu-ray (also available on DVD)

Keeping it simple again this week because 1.) it was too hot to go outside and 2.) I just got a fancy new light box that I wanted to try out.  I decided to test it using this Lupin the 3rd statue/pen holder I keep on my stereo receiver most to the time. The statue’s got a lot of nooks and crannies on it  and I didn’t have to spend a lot of time posing it (cause I’m feelin’ tired and lazy right now :P) So far the test shots are looking pretty good, so hopefully this you folks will soon be able to see a noticeable improvement in the quality of my figure photos.  =^_^=  

Hmmm…that reminds me…I need to get the backdrops for the light box ironed because they’re all wrinkly. Since ironing falls under the general domain of “woman’s work,” I think I’ll palm that job off on my wife :P

More Info:

• Lupin the 3rd wiki
• Lupin the 3rd (Amazon)

Yeah, I know.  I’m a bit late on this particular article since all of these announcements were made during last week’s Anime Expo, but cut me some slack.  It takes a while to compile this much info, complete with video!  It’s like, y’know, work and stuff :P  

If I were to choose which shows most caught my interest, I’d have to go with Nozomi Entertainment’s Sora No Woto and FUNimation’s Moyashimon.  After seeing the preview for High School of the Dead, I must say I’m most disappointed by how disgustingly fan service-oriented it appears to be.  I was hoping to finally see an awesome anime about the zombie apocalypse and instead all it looks like I’m getting is Eiken Vs. the Undead =^_^;;=

Anyway, hit the jump to see the full rundown and let me know what titles catch your interest!

Coming Soon  from Nozomi Entertainment:

Sora No Woto

More Info:

• Soro No Woto wiki

Nozomi Entertainment also announced that they had acquired the rights to the Revolutionary Girl Utena TV series and movie which have been in limbo since the demise of Central Park Media. 

Coming Soon from Sentai Filmworks:

High School of the Dead

The world is over taken with a very deadly disease that turns humans into zombies. In Japan, several students of Fujimi High School, and the school nurse, band together to survive the present apocalypse. The story follows Takashi Komuro, one of the students who survived in the initial outbreak.

More Info:

• High School of the Dead wiki

Coming Soon from FUNimation:

Trigun: Badlands Rumble film

In a town surrounded by quicksand, rumors spread that a legendary robber named Gasback is after the town. To protect it, the town mayor hires Vash and company to put a stop to Gasback’s plans.

More Info:

• Trigun: Badlands Rumble wiki

Moyashimon (Live Action)

Moyashimon follows the life of Tadayasu Sawaki, a first-year college student at an agricultural university, who has the unique ability to see and communicate with micro-organisms and bacteria.

This live action series is being simulcast in both the U.S. as well as Japan.  New episodes can be found every week on Youtube, Hulu, and the Funimation website.

More Info:

• Moyashimon wiki

Toaru Majutsu no Index

In a world where science clarifies supernatural powers. In a huge college that has power development in its curriculum. To a resident high school student, Kamijou Touma, a pure white sister appears. She calls herself “Index” and says that sorcerers are chasing her. Thus, Kamijou Touma enters the world of the occult.

More Info:

• Toaru Majutsu no Index wiki
• Toaru Majutsu no Index (Anime News Network)

Toaru Kagaku no Railgun

Academy City is a highly developed place in terms of technology. It is said to be 20 to 30 years ahead of the rest of the world. 80% of it’s 2.3 million residents are students. The focus of studies here is directed towards esper powers. Misaka Mikoto, one of the top level espers in town, shares a room with Kuroko Shirai, another high level esper who is a member of Judgement, a law enforcing agency composed of students. Both attend to Tokiwadai, a private school reserved for the high-leveled and the rich. Kuroko’s partner at Judgement, Kazari Uiharu, is a low level esper who studies at Sakugawa middle school. Her best friend and classmate there is Ruiko Saten, a level zero (no esper powers). Together, the four encounter several adventures in the exciting scientific town.

More Info:

• Toaru Kagaku no Railgun (Anime News Network)

Black Lagoon: Roberta’s Blood Trail

After the assassination of someone dear to her, former terrorist  turned maid, Roberta, embarks on a bloodthirsty quest for revenge at any cost. The search for the culprits leads her to Roanapur, causing a massive commotion in Thailand. Garcia, someone who regards Roberta as a precious family member, also travels to Roanapur to seek the aid of the Lagoon Company.

More Info:

• Black Lagoon: Roberta’s Blood Trail (Anime News Network)
• Black Lagoon: Complete Season One Box Set (On Sale at Amazon)

Sengoku Basara Two (opening from first season ’cause I couldn’t find one for the second =^_^;;=)

Couldn’t find any details on the plot for the new season at this time.  Sorry.

This series is being simulcast in both the U.S. as well as Japan.  New episodes can be found every week on Youtube, Hulu, and the Funimation website.

More Info:

• Sengoku Basara Two (Anime News Network)
• Sengoku Basara: Samurai Kings – The Complete Series [Blu-ray] (Also available on DVD on Amazon)

Darker Than Black Season 2: Ryūsei no Gemini

Two years after the events of the first season, Hei and Yin are making their way towards Russia.  Along the way, Hei encounters a young girl named Suou Pavlichenko, whose family is gradually pulled into the war between contractors and various intelligence factions. Meanwhile, Misaki Kirihara has quit her position in Foreign Affairs to begin her own investigations into Hei, the Contractors and the Syndicate

More Info:

• Darker Than Black: Ryūsei no Gemini
• Darker Than Black: Complete First Season (On Sale at Amazon!)

Black Butler 2

Couldn’t find any details on the plot for the new season at this time.  Sorry.

This series is being simulcast in both the U.S. as well as Japan.  New episodes can be found every week on Youtube, Hulu, and the Funimation website.

Sekirei ~Pure Engagement~

The battle to find the supreme Sekirei continues. Still some of the fighters and their masters refuse to participate in the battle since losing it means to lose the Sekirei forever, and many of them actually care about their partners, while others just use them as tools. A storm is rising on the horizon, a bigger threat approches the city and its about to bring pain and suffering to those who love and care for their Sekireis.

This series is being simulcast in both the U.S. as well as Japan.  New episodes can be found every week on Youtube, Hulu, and the Funimation website.

More Info:

• Sekirei ~Pure Engagement~ (Anime News Network)

Shiki

The story takes place in a small and what appears to be a peaceful village called, Sotoba. However, this is no ordinary village. Death seems to be tormenting the village and it is a common thing in Sotoba. Natsuno Yuuki, a new resident in Sotoba, hates the village and wants to move back to the city. However, he is determined to solve the mystery behind the strange deaths.

This series is being simulcast in both the U.S. as well as Japan.  New episodes can be found every week on Youtube, Hulu, and the Funimation website.

More Info:

• Shiki (Anime News Network)

The Legend of the Legendary Heroes

Raina Lute is a lazy student of Roland Empire Royal Magician’s school. One day, Roland Empire goes to war against a neighboring country Estaboole, and he lost his classmates in the battle. After the war, Lute sets out for a journey to search the relics of a “Legendary Hero” at Emperor Zion Astar’s command. And he finds out a deadly curse spreading the continent.

This series is being simulcast in both the U.S. as well as Japan.  New episodes can be found every week on Youtube, Hulu, and the Funimation website.

More Info:

• Legend of the Legendary Heroes (Anime News Network)

Shakugan no Shana (season 2, movie, OVA)

Shana and Alastor, Lord of the Crimson Realm continue to do battle with the Denizens, who are trying to steal the Power of Existence from mortals. Yuji’s status as a powerful “torch” continues to make him a target for powerful Denizens seeking to use him to upset the balance of power.   Unable to stand by as Shana fights to protect him, Yuji vows to join Shana in her fight.

More Info:

• Shakugan no Shana wiki
• Shakugan no Shana season 2 (Anime News Network)
• Shakugan no Shana Season 1 Box Set (On Sale at Amazon!)

Hellsing Ultimate volumes 5-7

Hellsing is named after and centered around the Holy Order of Protestant Knights, originally led by Abraham Van Helsing. The mission of Hellsing is to protect Queen and Country from the undead and other supernatural forces of evil. This organization is currently led by Sir Integra Fairbrook Wingates Hellsing, who inherited the leadership of Hellsing as a child after the death of her father. She is protected by the faithful Hellsing family butler and former Hellsing “trashman,” Walter C. Dornez, and Alucard, the original and most powerful vampire that swore loyalty to the Hellsing family after being defeated by Van Helsing one hundred years before the story takes place. These formidable guardians are joined early on in the storyline by former police officer Seras Victoria, whom Alucard turned into a vampire

More Info:

• Hellsing Ultimate wiki
• Hellsing Ultimate – vol. 1 – 4 

FUNimation also announced that it has acquired a number of titles formerly distributed by the now defunct anime company, Geneon, in the U.S.

Texhnolyze
Ai Yori Aoshi
Armitage III
Haibane Renmei
Hellsing (television series)
Serial Experiments Lain
Tenchi in Tokyo
Tenchi Universe
Tenchi Muyo! OVAs
Tenchi Muyo! movies.

Personally, I highly recommend picking up Haibane Renmei, Serial Experiments Lain and Texhnolyze.  All three series bear the artistic mark of manga artist Yoshitoshi ABe.

UPDATE – 07/22/10:
NIS America has announced they will be remastering volume 1 of both Toradora and Persona to address transfer issues with both sets. For details, go here. 

I wasn’t quite sure what to expect when I sat down to watch Toradora!  I’d heard a lot of positive buzz around the internet when the show was originally on the air in Japan last year, but I’ve learned over the years that fan hype should never be taken at face value as a sign of quality.  Thankfully, from the very first episode, any fears I had about the series were quickly put to rest as I became completely engrossed in this engaging and delightfully rambunctious anime series.

The plot for Toradora! is fairly simple and doesn’t break any new ground as far as romantic comedy series, but what it lacks in originality is makes up for in sheer energy and savviness.   Every episode was an unadulterated delight filled with heartfelt laughter and surprisingly moving moments of tenderness.  Main characters, Taiga and Ryuji, play off each other perfectly throughout the first thirteen episodes as the diabolical duo of romance.  Watching the two of them scheme and plot to win the hearts of their fellow classmates, Minori and Kitamura, never gets old.   As the series progresses and the two move closer to actually forming real relationships with the objects of their affection, it also becomes increasingly clear that Ryuji and Taiga have yet to recognize how deeply they have come to care for each other along the way.   By the end of the first thirteen episodes, it’s obvious that the something is going to have to give soon.  In fact, almost all of the characters make comments to that effect at some point during the series, but despite the promise of heartache and tears, the release of the second half of the series in August just can’t come soon enough for me. 

In addition to being a wonderful anime series in its own right, I would be remiss if I didn’t take a moment to talk about the fantastic packaging that NIS America has put together for the series.  Yes, they did ask me to make sure to comment on it when they sent me my review copy, but I would have had to do so anyway.  This premium edition box set absolutely floored me when I saw it in person for the first time.   The box for the two slimcase DVDs and hardcover art book is HUGE!  The heavy-duty materials used in the construction of this DVD box along with the all the goodies inside make the whole package surprisingly heavy.  Measuring in at a whopping 11 x 8 inches, this premium edition DVD set looks like it would be more at home on a bookshelf next to some classy anime art books then on your average DVD shelf.  Everything about it is bright and bubbly, from the cover art used on the two DVD cases to the 30-page hardcover series guide / art book that it comes packaged with it.  To say I’m extremely pleased with NISA’s efforts to put the premium back in “premium edition” would be a huge understatement.

With all of that said, no DVD release is without fault and although my complaints are minor when compared to my overall satisfaction with the release, I still feel I should mention them.  In this era of high definition TVs and video players, just doing an average encoding job on a DVD just doesn’t cut it anymore.  Even with upscaling turned on and several other setting tweaked on my PS3, the animation for Toradora! felt a bit washed out with some of the colors becoming almost indistinct during some sequences.  Granted, this might be a problem with the original animation, but it becomes a lot more noticeable when you take a DVD encoded at 480p and display it on TV designed to display video in 1080p. 

Other video related problems I noticed include some minor line noise around character’s eyes in several scenes throughout the series and the timing on the subtitles for the opening theme being a bit off at the beginning of the song. I also had trouble reading the episode titles sometimes if the background was particularly bright due to the hard subtitles used during these scenes been too light with very little shadowing to provide contrast and legibility.  Lastly, I was a bit annoyed that some of the dialogue translations have been heavily localized to the point of being far too slangy at times.  Whether it was someone talking about Taiga “rocking” a particular hairstyle or someone in the crowd shouting “Daaayum” during a beauty pageant, some of the more slang-ridden subtitles really rubbed my nerd fur the wrong way at times. 

Now, with all of that said, I want to stress again, that all of these complaints are minor in nature and that none of them really affected my overall enjoyment of the series one bit.  This first effort from NIS America is surprisingly good and, despite a few minor quirks here and there, is well worth the investment. 

Bottom Line:

I went into this series a bit dubious of the hype, but came out thirteen episodes later as a true believer in the power of the Palm-Top Tiger.  Filled with heart and charm, the Toradora! Volume 1 Premium Edition box set is an uproarious delight that will make an excellent addition to every anime fan’s collection.  (The release of the second box set in August cannot come soon enough! =^_^;;=)

Final Score: 5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed By: Laughncat 1

Description:  Toradora! Volume 1 Premium Edition box set (includes 13 TV episodes over two DVDS and comes with a hardback series guidebook.)

Available At:  The Right Stuf

Sorry if this week’s Monday Music is overly saccharine, but I just couldn’t help myself. I’ve been addicted to the Toradora anime ever since it showed up my doorstep last week and I can’t stop listening to the first end theme song. It’s really disgusting, to be honest, because the song is really not that memorable. I blame my sudden infatuation with all things Toradora related for this post… =T_T=

FYI, I was going to use the live version from one of Yui Horie’s concerts, but it was just so disturbing in it’s attempt to make grown-ass women look hyper cute that it turned my stomach. I’ve posted it after the jump for those daring enough to watch it for themselves… =^_^;;=

More Info:

• Yui Horie discography (Amazon)
• Toradora volume 1 premium boxset (Right Stuf )

According to a recent press release, the second and concluding volumes of Toradora and Persona -Trinity Soul- will be released in late August of this year.  Both releases will contain the last thirteen episodes of each series and will come packaged as part of premium boxset complete with hardcover art books. Preorders for both volumes are already available at select retailers on the internet.

More Info:

• Toradora wiki
• Persona -Trinity Soul- wiki
• Toradora volume 2 premium boxset (Right Stuf, NISA)
• Persona -Trinity Soul- volume 2 premium boxset (Right Stuf, NISA)