An all-animal department store caters to the high-end clientele in this superb Japanese cartoon. The Concierge was part of the 2024 Florida Film Festival, an Oscar®-qualifying festival now in its 33rd year.

What if Gilbert and Sullivan did “Chicago” with the cast of “Happy Days”?

Adventure (Good Charamel Records). Review by Bob Pomeroy.

The Strange Particle (100m Records). Review by Carl F Gauze.

The first of two live-action films based on the manga/anime/videogame, Death Note, is now available on DVD. It ain’t no Sin City, says Phil Bailey.

Call me a dork if you must, but I can’t wait to ogle Wayne Coyne’s backyard space ship and get infected with the alien spirit of Christmas. Carl F Gauze considers Christmas on Mars required watching for the 12-sided dice crowd.

The definitive coffee table book on Godzilla and his creator, Eiji Tsuburaya. Carl F. Gauze is torn on whether to stifle a giggle at the rubber suits or flee in terror through the streets of Tokyo.

The Illustrated History of Puffy Amiyumi (Bar None). Review by Phil Bailey.

Controversial anime master Yasuomi Umetsu is back with his latest project, Mezzo Forte. Phil Bailey takes a look at the decidedly adult director’s cut on DVD.

Where can you buy fine Japanese merchandise without paying hefty import fees? Phil Bailey takes a look at jlist.com, a site with a wide variety of unusual merchandise for the Japanophile.

Songs from the Hit TV Series (Kid Rhino). Review by Edie Nguyen.

Best known for his work on the anime Serial Experiments: Lain, Yoshitoshi ABe gets a beautiful showcase for his art in the new book, Essence. Phil Bailey takes a close look at the manga masterpiece.