Huzzah! Today, you can save up to 50% off anime movies and series on Amazon.

There are several excellent series and movies at reasonable prices (high praise from this frugal anime fan), including:

• Baccano! The Complete Series Box Set ($27.49)
• Cowboy Bebop – The Movie ($11.99)
• Full Metal Panic! The Second Raid Box Set [Blu-ray] ($34.99)
• Mushi-Shi: The Complete Box Set ($28.49)
• Paprika ($10.99)
• R.O.D. – Read Or Die ($9.49)
• Samurai 7: Box Set ($26.99)
• Samurai Champloo: The Complete Collection ($37.99)
• Shana: Box Set ($36.49)
• Spice and Wolf: Season One ($31.99)
• Tekkon Kinkreet ($10.99)
• Tokyo Godfathers ($11.99)
• Welcome to the NHK: Complete Series Box Set ($36.99)

I don’t know if I’ll last the day without spending some of my gift money on the Shana: Box Set or Samurai Champloo: The Complete Collection. Both are series I’ve wanted to own for a long while now. And, of course, Tokyo Godfathers remains one of my favorite anime films ever.

If you decide to drop some coin on anime deals today, feel free to post a comment and tell me what you picked up!

Regardless of what you think of Kanye West, his character, or his music, it’s clear that his music videos reflect an appreciation of animation:

• Good Life: Live action music video featuring animation by So-Me
• Good Morning: Animated music video directed by Takashi Murakami and animated by Oriental Light & Magic
• Heard ‘Em Say: Music video featuring segments animated by Bill Plympton
• Heartless: Animated music video featuring rotoscoped animation and references to Ralph Bakshi‘s American Pop
• Stronger: Live action music video directly inspired by anime film Akira

The Springfield Anime & Manga Enthusiasts will meet Friday, Oct. 9 from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. at The Library Center (4653 South Campbell, Springfield, Missouri 65810) in Meeting Room B.

The group is open to everyone 18 and over. (Those under 18 should check out the library’s Anime Otaku Club program for grades 6-12.) We welcome all adults interested in anime and manga, whether they’ve never watched an episode or read a chapter or they’ve been enthusiasts for many years.

For more information, visit the Springfield Anime & Manga Enthusiasts Forums.

Huzzah!

Last night was the first meeting of the Springfield Anime & Manga Enthusiasts at The Library Center and, in my opinion, was a great success. We had 8 area residents in attendance, watched the first episode of Toradora and episode 19 of the first Lupin III television series, and had a fun time discussing anime and manga.

Our next official meeting is scheduled for Monday, Nov. 9, but some of those attending the meeting last night expressed an interest in putting together an October event as well. (SAME meetings are scheduled for the second Monday of each month; Columbus Day falls on the second Monday of October and The Library Center will be closed that day.) Those wanting to post suggestions for an October meeting should reply to this SAME forums thread. Forum registration is free and required to post.

Thanks to those who attended last night’s meeting and the library staff that helped make it happen. I look forward to seeing you all at the November meeting (and possibly in October as well)!

Well, it took about half an hour to re-create the Springfield Anime & Manga Enthusiasts Forums, but they’re back online at sgfame.phpbb3now.com and the old forums hosted by freeforums.org have been closed down.

Please update your bookmarks accordingly.

UPDATE: Flyers have been updated to reflect the new address of the Springfield Anime & Manga Enthusiasts Forums.

I’ve just finished uploading two flyers for the Springfield Anime & Manga Enthusiasts.

The first flyer leaves plenty of room for artists to draw and create their own custom flyers:

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The second flyer features the dango daikazoku (Big Dango Family) from the Clannad anime series.

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I recommend using a bright highlighter to highlight important event information (i.e. “The Library Center” under “WHERE” and “Sept.14” and “Nov. 9” under “WHEN”).

For instructions on how to print the flyer from your computer, click past the break.

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