Review
Product Description
This comprehensive guide lists 1,500+ animated films on DVD, everything from early-20th-century works to Disney, Warner Bros., and cutting-edge digital CGI. Included are foreign films, major hits like Batman, The Hobbit, and Shrek, and hundreds of Japanese anime releases, plus a separate section on mature-themed material like Fritz the Cat and Heavy Metal. Entries include storylines, reviews, history, key personnel, and ratings, plus details on DVD-only materials like storyboards, Easter eggs, and production shorts. Full indexes, a bibliography, and retailer/publisher listings make this an invaluable resource for film buffs, parents, and libraries. Fully illustrated with DVD covers.
Andy Mangels is a bestselling entertainment author (Star Wars, Star Trek, Beyond Mulder & Scully) who lives in Portland, Oregon.
Comments on Animation on DVD: The Ultimate Guide
A straightforward listing of animation available on DVD in the US, Andy Mangels' guide is the ideal shoppers' resource. It tells you what's on the disc, hints whether it's worth your time, and also points you at the right Easter Eggs. For someone based in the UK who often has to guess what Region One DVDs she might like, it's very useful. I was a little disappointed not to see the same critical bite that features in Stone Bridge's Anime Encyclopaedia applied to animation from around the world, as there are many cartoons that deserve it — the Rankin-Bass Hobbit, anyone? But still a good book detailing what you can buy from Amazon.com right now, to add to your collection.
Fans of animation don't need to look much further than this book by Andy Mangles. He has managed to include reviews for almost every existing type of animation that is currently on DVD.
For parents looking for a good guidebook on animated content, this is a must. Japanese Animation fans looking for reviews of shows and series they've heard about (and even second opinions on ones they've seen) will be pleased.
Andy's reviews are concise and well written. He uses a conversational approach to the reviews that doesn't become dry or bland. He also avoids over-using jargon that animation fans tend to throw around.
Andy gives a quick synopsis of the show, his opinion of the work and than lays down any concerns parents might have (violence or nudity). He has also separated out most of the adult themed shows into their own section. With the great quantity of shows to review Andy does get some help. The authors he picked have very similar writing styles and tastes, and makes for an easy transition.
Last but not least, a section of Easter Eggs (hidden special features on DVD's) is located in the back to aid those of us who like to see everything on the disc.
Being an anime fan myself, I found this book to be very helpful. Andy's writing style is entertaining and direct. The only low marks I could give it are for the cover. It's a bit too goofy looking for my tastes. I would also have enjoyed a section in the review that linked one show with another similar show, or with another work by the same creative team. But aside from those minor points this is a very handy book. I'll definitely use it when considering what my next anime purchase might be.