Anime Corner Newsletter - February 28th, 2025

RACS NEWS & UPDATES

Greetings Fellow Otakus From Anime Corner World Headquarters!

February 28th, 2025 | Issue # 1883

Dear Robert,

It's another happy Friday here at Anime Corner World Headquarters!

You know, as we say goodbye to February I hope we can also say goodbye to the coldest winter I can remember in the DC area since probably 1978. I'll certainly be glad a week from now when we can set the clocks forward and it stops getting dark before we go home for the evening!

We've got lots of new Anime and Manga in stock this week to tickle your fancy, so be sure to read on to get caught up with everything going on here at RACS. :-)

Have a great Anime filled weekend everyone!

-Bob (aka Robert) and the RACS Crew

Raina

Store News and Tab Clearing

TAB CLEARING & STORE STUFF

You know, I never know what I'm going to talk about in the newsletter until I write it.... ;-)

A customer messaged us this week and inquired as to when we were going to put the upcoming Solo Leveling BLURAY up for pre-order that is scheduled for release at the end of April. A screen shot of the results of his Google AI inquiry "solo leveling coming to blu-ray" was attached showing the AI bot confirming a BD release and that it will be available in April, that it will be the 'first' volume, and that it will include episodes #1-6 (of season 2).

What the AI didn't say in it's reply is that this is pertaining to the Japanese BD release for Vol #1 of Season 2 scheduled for April 23rd, and that the release there is Japanese language only with no subtitles. We do carry a large number of Japanese BD releases, but only if they have English subs at a minimum. The customer might have been asking specifically about the Japanese release, but based on the response of Googles AI, I think this customer thought it meant there was a going to be a domestic release for the title in April.

We talked about this around the office for a bit, about how the customer's AI inquiry did return a technically correct answer, but probably not correct for what he wanted. Some of the folks here felt that his inquiry was just not precise enough to return a precise result, but my thought was that the inquiry was made in English, so the AI should have prioritized an English language version result and clearly distinguished between that and the release that was going to be available next month. So as more and more people start to use AI to replace search, just remember that despite the hype, large language models are not ready for prime time yet for anything nuanced or relational, are limited in scope by their training data, and the burden is still on the user to 'ask the right question, in the right way', much like in traditional search. Real AI agents that can accomplish higher than novelty level returns are still a bit down the road, so just be careful using AI responses as actionable data. In this particular case, all of Google's infrastructure could not provide the clarity of one knowledgeable person, and it feels good to still be useful in an increasingly tech driven world. lol ;-)

By the way, speaking if AI agents, have you seen "gibberlink mode" in action? This is when one AI agent communicates with another in a way that sounds like R2-D2. Some people are apparently freaking out about this, but it makes perfect sense. AI only need to speak in a human language when it interfaces with a human being. Machine to Machine conversations should occur in a binary language, because why carry the additional overhead of language interpretation during a conversation between bots? Here is an article on Tom's you can geek out to if you are interested to know more.

WHAT'S NEW @ RACS THIS WEEK!!

We have quite a few new Anime arrivals in stock this week! Crunchymation sent us the A Certain Scientific Railgun S Season 2 BLURAY, the domestic release of the popular Akira the Movie 4K + BLURAY (Steelbook Special Edition), and the Shangri-La Frontier Season 1 Part 1 BLURAY. We got in the Ghost Cat Anzu the Movie BLURAY from Shout, and Sentai sent us the very nice Ragna Crimson Collector's Edition Steelbook BLURAY a couple weeks early!

We added two new releases to the store for pre-order this week. The upcoming Demon Slayer Hashira Training Arc BLURAY Boxed Set (Limited Ed) from AniPlex which is scheduled for April 22nd, and the Naruto Shippuden Set 6 BLURAY (Eps #138-165) from Viz which is scheduled for April 29th.

The new manga updates this week were running a little lite until WHAM!!! we got in a huge shipment of new books a couple hours ago and had to hold press on the newsletter to get them in! New volumes in stock this week include Sakamoto Days , Vol #16, Uncle From Another World , Vol #11, 100 Girlfriends Who Really Really Really Really Really Love You , Vol #13, The Apothecary Diaries , Vol #13, Asumi-chan is Interested in Lesbian Brothels! , Vol #5, Becoming a Princess Knight and Working at a Yuri Brothel , Vol #4 and too many more to list here!

New pre-order manga and lots more date changes this week can be found here.

We also got back around to posting a small list of previously loved items to the store this week. That list can be found below.

And finally, all the talk of Solo Leveling above reminded me that I wanted to mention the Solo Leveling: The Novel Omnibus Edition that came out about a month ago. Yen On describes the book like this:

"Solo Leveling Collector’s Omnibus Novel was written by Chugong and collects volumes 1-8 in one gorgeous hardcover tome featuring a glow-in-the-dark cover and illustrations by DUBU (REDICE STUDIO). Arise, Solo Leveling fans! Experience all eight novels chronicling the tale of Jinwoo Sung in a deluxe omnibus fit for the strongest S-rank hunter. Featuring stunning art from the hit webcomic, this edition is sure to level up your collection!"

This omnibus edition is printed on premium paper, weighs in at just over 7lbs, and does look REALLY great! We've noticed the qnties available in distribution have steadily been getting smaller over the past couple weeks, so if you are a Solo fan you should try to pick this book up sooner than later. And, of course, we'll make sure to package it so it arrives in perfect condition!

IN THE NEWS

Dark Horse Comics has licensed Innocent Rouge, by Shin’ichi Sakamoto, the sequel to his French Revolution manga Innocent. Both series revolve around the Sansons, a family of executioners led by Henri Sanson, who once dreamed of a world without capital punishment. Instead, in Innocent Rouge, the family is plunged into the violence of the Revolution, and Henri’s younger sister, Marie-Joseph, is hell-bent for revenge after her lover is murdered, determined to not only expose his killer but also overthrow the cruel system that led to his murder. As it did with Innocent, Dark Horse will publish Innocent Rouge in a three-in-one omnibus format. The first volume will be released in October 2025, as a 608-page paperback with a 5.75" x 8.25" trim size and an MSRP of $29.99.

Epic Games announced that the 1998 anime series Cowboy Bebop will collaborate with the massively popular game Fortnite Battle Royale on Friday. The Fortnite website notes Cowboy Bebop characters Spike Spiegel and Faye Valentine will appear as player cosmetics in the in-game shop starting on February 28. Along with the cosmetics, a series of “COWBOY BEBOP Quests” will be available to players. The experience gained from completing the quests can “contribute towards COWBOY BEBOP Bonus Goals.” Players will receive the COWBOY BEBOP Wrap and BEBOP Legends Loading Screen by completing the goals. The quests will be available between March 1 to 11 Eastern Time.

G-kids will be running the Mobile Suit Gundam Gquuuuuux: Beginning feature at US theaters beginning today. Locations, times, and tickets can be had here. The first-ever major collaboration between studio khara, the studio behind the EVANGELION Series, and SUNRISE, the historic home to the Mobile Suit Gundam animated works, brings together an all-star creative team for a groundbreaking new entry to the Gundam universe. Directed by Kazuya Tsurumaki (FLCL), with a screenplay co-written by legendary screenwriter Yoji Enokido (Revolutionary Girl Utena) and acclaimed filmmaker Hideaki Anno (EVANGELION Series), Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX -Beginning- is a stunning visual feast that will captivate fans, both old and new. Story --> Amate Yuzuriha is a high-school student living peacefully in a space colony floating in outer space. When she meets a war refugee named Nyaan, Amate is drawn into the illegal mobile suit dueling sport known as Clan Battle. Under the entry name “Machu,” she throws herself into fierce battle day after day, piloting the GQuuuuuuX. Then an unidentified Gundam mobile suit pursued by both the space force and the police appears before her, along with its pilot, a boy named Shuji. Now their world is about to enter a new era. Trailer here.

HIDIVE, Shudder, and Iconic Events Releasing began streaming a trailer for the 40th anniversary screenings of the Vampire Hunter D anime. The film will screen in over 500 theaters the United States and Canada in Japanese with English subtitles as well as with an English dub. The screenings will feature the digitally remastered version of the work that Sentai Filmworks produced in 2015. The companies also announced that the anime will make its streaming debut on HIDIVE and Shudder later this year.

The Pokémon Company announced on Wednesday that it has reached a settlement with Chinese video game operator Guangzhou Maichi Network Technology Co., Ltd. regarding a game app titled Pocket Monster: Remake. The game's alias is: "The Pocket Journey" . The Pokémon Company had filed the lawsuit with the Shenzhen Intermediate People's Court in Guangzhou Province in December 2021 claiming Guangzhou Maichi Network Technology Co., Ltd. had infringed on its intellectual property rights and engaged in unfair competition. The settlement agreement is between The Pokémon Company; Guangzhou Maichi Network Technology Co., Ltd.; and the latter's subsidiary Khorgos Fangchi Network Technology Co., Ltd. The High People's Court of Guangdong Province was involved in guiding the matter.

CUSTOMER CORNER

Alex Widen, who writes for Bam Smack Pow, made a really nice post on Facebook about us a few days ago. Here is an excerpt:

"With all the talk of blackout days or boycotts of big retailers, it can be tough for some geeks on a budget to feed their habit and get their joy. Well, consider this a free and long overdue plug for Robert's Anime Corner Store (RACS). They've been selling anime online since 1997, which is about when I started getting regular enough internet access to begin ordering anime online (versus either at physical retailers or mail-in catalogs). The very first anime I ever ordered online was from this shop, back during "the VHS" era..

"By and large, small "mom and pop" online stores have shut down for the same reasons physical ones have; they're competing with massive franchise sellers. Amazon is the biggest, but Crunchymation just expanded their own reach by buying TRSI a year or two ago. RAC has remained in business despite that, and despite having to compete with rivals, especially Amazon which is run by one of the world's richest men, that can slash prices to the bone. RAC's prices for many products are within $5 or so of Amazon and they actually have a good supply of "out of print" stuff which is way more expensive to find elsewhere. They also throw in some neat freebies."

You can read the entire post here. Alex gets it pretty much on the mark about how RACS is customer centric and entirely devoted to the genre, and how difficult it has been for dedicated US retailers to thrive in the Anime and Manga space but still remain 'independent' of the corporate interests. This includes the US based companies AND their Japanese counterparts in some cases. The pressure for consolidation in the industry has been enormous over the past few years, but vertical monopolies don't benefit anyone except the companies that are in them.

Anyway, you can tell he's been following RACS for many years. You can checkout his work via his facebook page here. Thanks very much Alex!

DATE CHANGES

WAS - Mar 18, 2025

Heavenly Delusion , Vol #8, Graphic Novel - Jul 29

WAS - Mar 25, 2025

The Anemone Feels the Heat , Vol #1, Graphic Novel - Apr 1

Boy Who Ruled the Monsters , Vol #1, Graphic Novel - Apr 8

April Showers Bring May Flowers , Vol #2, Graphic Novel - Apr 15

Clear and Muddy Loss of Love , Vol #1, [Novel] (Hardcover) - May 13

Clear and Muddy Loss of Love , Vol #1, [Novel] - May 13

Didn't I Say to Make My Abilities Average in the Next Life?! Everyday Misadventure! , Vol #5, Graphic Novel - TBD

Excellent Property, Rejects for Residents , Vol #3, Graphic Novel - Apr 8

Goblin Slayer Side Story Year One , Vol #12, Graphic Novel - Apr 1

Hazure Skill The Guild Member with a Worthless Skill Is Actually a Legendary Assassin , Vol #7, Graphic Novel - Apr 1

Rejected by the Hero's Party, a Princess Decided to Live a Quiet Life in the Countryside , Vol #2, Graphic Novel - Apr 8

Under Ninja , Vol #6, Graphic Novel - Apr 29

Manga a Visual History (Hardcover) - TBD

WAS - Apr 1, 2025

Goblin Slayer Side Story Year One , Vol #12, Graphic Novel - Apr 8

Upcoming Releases

UPCOMING ANIME

Demon Slayer Hashira Training Arc BLURAY Boxed Set (Limited Ed) - Apr 22

Naruto Shippuden Set 6 BLURAY (Eps #138-165) - Apr 29

demon-slayer-hashira-training-arc-bluray-boxed-set-limited-edition-pre-order-release-date-apr-22-2025-1 image

UPCOMING MANGA

Akane-banashi , Vol #12, Graphic Novel - Jun 10

Akane-banashi , Vol #13, Graphic Novel - Aug 12

Akane-banashi , Vol #14, Graphic Novel - Nov 4

Babel , Vol #4, [Novel] - Jun 10

Berserk of Gluttony , Vol #12, Graphic Novel - Jun 10

Black or White , Vol #10, Graphic Novel (Adult) - Jun 10

Black or White , Vol #11, Graphic Novel (Adult) - Nov 11

Black Summoner , Vol #5, [Novel] - Jun 10

Black Summoner , Vol #6, Graphic Novel - Jun 24

Blade & Bastard , Vol #4, [Novel] (Hardcover) - Jun 10

Blue Archive : Comic Anthology , Vol #2, Graphic Novel - Jun 10

Bofuri I Don't Want to Get Hurt So I'll Max Out My Defense , Vol #16, [Novel] - Jun 10

The Bugle Call: Song of War , Vol #1, Graphic Novel - Jun 3

The Bugle Call: Song of War , Vol #2, Graphic Novel - Aug 5

The Bugle Call: Song of War , Vol #3, Graphic Novel - Oct 7

The Bugle Call: Song of War , Vol #4, Graphic Novel - Dec 2

Case File Compendium: Bing an Ben , Vol #5, [Novel] - Jun 10

Comic Party Wonder Love , Vol #3, Graphic Novel - Jun 10

Girl Crush , Vol #1, Graphic Novel - Jun 10

Girl Crush , Vol #2, Graphic Novel - Aug 12

Girl Crush , Vol #3, Graphic Novel - Oct 21

Girl Crush , Vol #4, Graphic Novel - Dec 9

The Girl I Like Forgot Her Glasses , Vol #12, Graphic Novel - Jun 3

Happyland , Vol #1-2 Collected Set, Graphic Novel - Jun 10

Hate Me, but Let Me Stay , Vol #4, Graphic Novel - Jun 10

Hell Mode , Vol #8, [Novel] - Jun 10

I Didn't Mean to Fall in Love -Double- , Graphic Novel - Jun 10

I Wanna Do Bad Things with You , Vol #6, Graphic Novel - Jun 10

I Wanna Do Bad Things with You , Vol #7, Graphic Novel - Aug 12

I'll Become a Villainess Who Goes Down in History , Vol #2, [Novel] - Jun 10

Infinite Dendrogram Omnibus 6 (Vol #11-12) Graphic Novel - Jun 10

Invaders of the Rokujouma!? Collector's Edition Omnibus , Vol #12, [Novel] - Jun 10

Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon : Minor Myths and Legends , Vol #2 [Novel] - Jun 10

Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon : Sword Oratoria , Vol #26 - Jun 10

Kaiju No. 8 , Vol #13, Graphic Novel - Jun 3

Kaiju No. 8 , Vol #14, Graphic Novel - Sep 2

Kaiju No. 8: B-Side , Vol #2, Graphic Novel - Sep 2

Kaiju No. 8: Relax , Vol #1, Graphic Novel - Dec 2

Kill Blue , Vol #1, Graphic Novel - Jun 3

Kill Blue , Vol #2, Graphic Novel - Aug 5

Kill Blue , Vol #3, Graphic Novel - Oct 14

Kill Blue , Vol #4, Graphic Novel - Dec 9

Loved by Two Fiances , Vol #3, Graphic Novel - Jun 3

Marriage Toxin , Vol #7, Graphic Novel - Jun 3

Marriage Toxin , Vol #8, Graphic Novel - Aug 5

Marriage Toxin , Vol #9, Graphic Novel - Oct 7

Marriage Toxin , Vol #10, Graphic Novel - Dec 2

Pandora of the Crimson Shell: Ghost Urn , Vol #20, Graphic Novel - Jun 3

The Prince Is in the Villainess' Way! , Vol #3, Graphic Novel - May 27

Rainbow Days , Vol #16, Graphic Novel - Jun 3

Reborn as a Barrier Master , Vol #8, Graphic Novel - Oct 14

Roar: A Star in the Abyss , Vol #1, Graphic Novel - Jun 3

Sensei's Mail-Order Food: The Complete BL Manga Collection , Graphic Novel - Aug 19

Shindou-kun's Tight Squeeze , Vol #1, Graphic Novel - Jun 3

Star Crossed , Vol #2, Graphic Novel - Jun 3

Previously Owned

If you haven't noticed yet, we've added a previously owned section to the store site. That section keeps getting bigger and bigger, and I just wanted to give you folks the inside scoop. Everything we add there is a (1) unit only proposition, so be sure to check back often to make sure you don't miss out on anything cool we might just drop in there!

This week we added:

[PRE OWNED] Garzeys Wing DVD (90 Minutes) [GRADE 7]

[PRE OWNED] High School DxD (Season 1) DVD/BD Combo Set (Eps #1-12) [GRADE 8]

[PRE OWNED] High School DxD BorN (Season 3) DVD/BD Combo Set [GRADE 7]

[PRE OWNED] Maken-Ki! Season One DVD/BD Combo Set (Eps #1-13) [GRADE 7]

[PRE OWNED] Slayers TV Complete Seasons 1-3 DVD Set (Eps #1-78) [GRADE 7]

[PRE OWNED] Slayers Revolution Complete Season 4 DVD Set (Eps #1-13) [GRADE 7]

[PRE OWNED] Slayers Evolution-R Complete Season 5 DVD Set (Eps #1-13) [GRADE 7]

[PRE OWNED] High School DxD HerO (Season 4) Limited Edition DVD/BD [GRADE 7]

Featured Pre-Order:

Date A Live V The Complete Season BLURAY

Now that Shido has sealed 10 Spirits, DEM Industries leader Issac Westcott begins his true plans. On February 20, DEM will kill Shido and plunder the Spirits. Now, Ratatoskr must exhaust all efforts to protect Shido from this fate.

Get Social With RACS!

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter/X! We've made it easier than ever to get social with RACS and keep up with everything happening over here! You can use these easy to remember links to find us on Twitter/X, Facebook, or at the official RACS Blog:

Get the latest store updates on the RACS BLOG:

www.animecorner.com/blog

Like us on Facebook:

www.animecorner.com/facebook

www.animecorner.com/twitter

Be sure to share these links with your friends too - We Appreciate It!

RACS Collectors Cards - Now Shipping!

We are very glad to hear so much positive feedback regarding our new batch of RACS collectors cards. There are 10 cards in all, each featuring a unique piece of Anime art created exclusively around our group of RACS spokes characters. You can't order the cards, we are including one card at random in all outgoing RACS store orders. We have printed a limited run of 5,000 of each card, and we hope this gives everyone a chance to collect them all. Good luck!

RACS Keychains - Included in Select Orders!

We are currently including our RACS retro logo 3D keychain in selected orders. This exclusive item is available only to RACS customers and is not available for purchase. We are dropping them at random into non-economy orders (sorry, we can't include them in orders that ship media mail or first class mail), and if you haven't already gotten one just drop us a note on your next non-economy order and we'll be sure to include one!

The Elusive RACS Limited Edition Clutch Pins...

Our limited edition hard enamel RACS logo clutch pin has finally arrived from manufacture after three months of proofs, die casting and production. This clutch pin is strictly limited to only 500 produced, and we will start inserting them at random into only two orders per day from now until the end of 2024. Unlike some of our other goodies, you won't be able to ask for this one because we have so few to give out and we want to make the experience of the chase as fun as possible. Here's hoping to see one in your next RACS shipment, and as always, may the odds ever be in your favor! ;-)

RACS Limited Edition Patches - Now Shipping!

This gold trimmed RACS embroidered logo patch is a strictly limited edition of only 1,000 made, and we'll be dropping them into (non media mail) orders at random over the next few weeks. It's another way for us to say thank you for supporting RACS. Good luck, and may the odds be ever in your favor! ;-)

Robert's Random Thoughts

Fund Your Anime Habit with BitCoin @ RACS!

You can now use BitCoin to satisfy your Anime addiction here at RACS, and it's easy! Just select BITCOIN as your payment method when you checkout. We will process your order and calculate the amount based on the current exchange rate for BTC and send you an e-mail with the amount of due and the wallet address to send it to. Once we confirm transfer of your funds, we will process and ship your order. It's easy, and you can fund your order in BitCoin from anywhere in the world without all those high bank fees or exchange rate woes. Many of our customers already buy their Anime this way, so why not give it a try!

Drop us a line if you have any questions!

Amazon Gift Codes? - You Can Use em @RACS!!

If you have an Amazon gift card or code (or codes), and you want to use them here at the Anime Corner Store instead, don't worry - you can! The process is simple - just setup and place your order, and while you are checking out, drop the Amazon code (or codes) you want to use in the comments box on the order form along with the amounts next to each code that you want to use. Then finalize and place your order. Once it's done, we'll manually apply the codes to your order on our end and only bill your credit card for the balance left over after we deduct them.

Easy peasy, but if you have any questions just drop us a line!

_{*** ANIME BLURAY - NEW ARRIVALS!! ***}

A Certain Scientific Railgun S Season 2 BLURAY

When electromaster Mikoto Misaka discovers her DNA is being used to mass-produce clones for sadistic scientific experiments, she vows to save her duplicates and destroy the project. But this might be one fight she can’t win alone.

Shangri-La Frontier Season 1 Part 1 BLURAY

Rakuro Hizutome only cared for games that were broken.

But once he cleared the bargain bin, all that was left was something actually good. Now he’s playing Shangri-La Frontier, and his cursed gaming skills might be the key to this god-tier VR.

Ghost Cat Anzu the Movie BLURAY

Precocious tween Karin finds herself abandoned by her father in rural Japan.

Living in a temple with her grandfather, she meets Anzu, a giant “ghost cat” and notorious layabout tasked with looking after her. Distrustful of her new guardian, Karin sabotages Anzu’s odd jobs for the townsfolk and befriends the eccentric local forest spirits.

In an effort to win Karin over, Anzu accidentally makes a deal with

the devil, and all Hell breaks loose.

Ragna Crimson Collector's Edition

Steelbook BLURAY

Few humans have more reason to hate dragons than Ragna,

who seems cursed to lose everyone he loves to the ancient monsters.

Unfortunately, Ragna’s abilities as a dragon hunter are inadequate, so he takes revenge by serving as the junior partner to young hunting prodigy Leonica… until he has a prophetic dream in which Leo is slain and multiple cities are destroyed. Confronted by an apparition from his future, Ragna finds himself wielding new powers that should be far beyond his reach.

Have mankind’s greatest foes finally met their match?