STACK NZ Jun #63

DVD & BD

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ANIME ROUND-UP

Cyborgs Although at times misunderstood or mistakenly used interchangeably with robot and android, the term “cyborg” is most easily explained as being an organism fitted or integrated with electronic or mechanical elements. So to celebrate the release of 009 Re:Cyborg , here's a look at my favourite cyborgs in anime. 5 Android #18 – Her name may throw you off the scent, but Dragon Ball Z’ s Android #18 is actually a human-turned-cyborg who eventually finds herself absorbed by Cell... and then puked back out. Gross. 4 Rune Balot – Often overlooked modern cyberpunk title, Mardock Scramble , proves that the real heart of cyborg stories stems from the retention of humanity and strength of character. Rune is the epitome of human strength. 3 Edward Elric – Having lost nearly everything in a freak accident, the Fullmetal Alchemist has almost half of his body replaced with mechanical ‘automail’. He may not be what you think of when 'cyborg' is mentioned, but he certainly fits the description. 2 Briareos Hecatonchires – Sure, he looks like the robotic love child of a rabbit and a grasshopper but Appleseed ’s Briareos is human where it counts. Another great example of steel encapsulated humanity. 1 Major Motoko Kusanagi –

Coppelion Series Collection

O riginally slated for release earlier in the year, an action-packed reimagining of Shotaro Ishinomori’s seminal manga series hits shelves this month in the form of 009 RE:Cyborg – on 3D Blu-ray no less! If you like your action a little larger than life, along the lines of Ghost in the Shell , you’ll love 009 RE:Cyborg . Coppelion Series Collection centres around three elite members of the Self Defence Force who are tasked with scouring the toxic wasteland formerly known as Tokyo for a distress signal. The question is, how are these girls able to survive monstrous meanies and nuclear fallout in only school uniforms? The fourth instalment in the fan-favourite franchise, Rozen Maiden: Zuruckspulen revisits Jun Sakurada and tells an alternate story of what could have been. After failing to summon the Rozen Maidens, Jun is able to communicate with his future self in order to realign his shattered present. For many, being the puppet master of an incredibly powerful (and even more beautiful) military-grade humanoid weapon would be

and it’s as irreverent as ever. If giant robots weren’t enough, this series delves into the lighter, and sometimes seedier, parts of the Patlabor franchise with hostage-taking teddy bears, albino alligators, Love Hotels, hot springs, and an event known only as the “underwear incident”. Hmm. Imagine the heartbreak you’d feel if someone near to you forgot who you were after only one week. In One Week Friends , Yuki Hase has to friend and re-friend Kaori Fujimaya over and over because regardless of what happens, her memory resets each Monday. Would you persist with an insurmountable task, all for the sake of friendship? Also available this month are Fairy Tail Collection 15 on Blu-ray and DVD, One Piece (Uncut) Collection 30 on DVD, and Bleach Collection 25 on DVD.

The greatest anime cyborg and one of the greatest anime characters, period! Kusanagi is a

cause for an abuse of power, but not the noble Raishin Akabane. Follow the unbreakable bond between puppet and puppeteer, man and machine in Unbreakable Machine Doll . Patlabor - The Mobile Police OVA Series 2 hits DVD shelves

beautiful bad-arse with an unwavering

sense of justice and perfect hair.

One Week Friends

Nisekoi - False: Love Part 1

JUNE 2015 JB Hi-Fi www.jbhifi.co.nz

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