As has been reported elsewhere, the February 2008 issue of Newtype USA will indeed be our last. We're sure a lot of you are still wondering just what happened and would like some answers regarding the magazine and your subscriptions, so read on:

What?
That's right. Newtype USA is done. Kaput. It's been a lot of fun and taken a lot of hard work to make it all happen, and to everyone who's picked up an issue and found something new or interesting, we thank you for your support. You're the reason why we tried to make NTUSA the best magazine we could every month.

When?
We're ending a nearly five and half year run of publishing Newtype USA with our current February 2008 issue. For those that were just discovering the magazine or renewing a subscription, we can't apologize enough for how crummy this must be. You're welcome to write to us and express your sorrow, your anger or even your congrats (should you find reason to celebrate).

Why?
Frankly, as far as the NTUSA staff is concerned, there were circumstances that were beyond our control that led to all of this. It's probably not best to go into the details, but we can say that it had nothing to do with the magazine we produced, its pricing or its performance. Considering the number of hoops that were set before us each month, we made our way through each one and generated the best magazine we could.

Who?
The good news in all of this is that the team behind Newtype USA is now starting up a new magazine called PiQ. Unfortunately, somewhere along the way people were led to believe that this new magazine is simply a renamed Newtype USA clone or what have you. That's not the case. PiQ is an entirely new magazine, with a new voice and covering a wider range of entertainment, while still revolving around anime and fan culture. And let's be clear, PiQ is its own entity, operating outside the bounds of both Newtype publisher Kadokawa Shoten and Newtype USA parent company ADV.

Where?
After all of this, you're probably totally disheartened over the demise of Newtype USA. We feel your pain, really. But keep your chin up because you'll be able to get your first glimpse of PiQ when the first issue hits newsstands in March. You can also find the PiQ web site at piqmag.com. It's still in development, but things are gonna be happening soon over there. If you have questions about your NTUSA subscription and how that'll switch over to PiQ, please contact us directly at subscriptions@newtype-usa.com.

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We hope that answers some of your questions about Newtype USA and what it means for you as a reader and/or subscriber. Take heart in knowing that we're still here and still excited to have your attention, and more importantly, things are looking up. All we ask is that you stick with us and see what the future brings. See you on the other side!

I had one thought after finishing the first volume of the Death Note manga two years ago: This is going to make an awesome anime series. And boy, was I right.

The releases of the week:

.hack//Roots Volume 4, Bandai Entertainment
Air Gear Volume 5, ADV Films
Blue Gender: The Warrior (re-release), FUNimation Entertainment
Cat's Eye Volumes 3 and 4, ImaginAsian
Fruits Basket Volumes 3 and 4 (re-release), FUNimation Entertainment
Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex: The Laughing Man, Bandai Entertainment
MÄR Volume 3, VIZ Media
Nobody's Boy Volumes 3 and 4, ImaginAsian
Peach Girl Volume 5, FUNimation Entertainment
School Rumble Volume 2, FUNimation Entertainment
Rescue Me: Mave-chan, Bandai Entertainment
Tenjho Tenge Complete Collection, Geneon Entertainment
Super Dimension Century Orguss Volumes 3 and 4, ImaginAsian
Welcome to the N-H-K Volume 1, ADV Films
Zatch Bell Volume 12, VIZ Media
Zegapain Volume 1, Bandai Entertainment

What're your picks/purchases this week? Throw us a note in the comments.

The releases of the week:

AIR Volume 2, ADV Films
BECK Mongolian Chop Squad Volume 3, FUNimation Entertainment
Bleach Volume 6, VIZ Media
Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo Volume 5, Illumitoon Entertainment
Desert Punk Volumes 1 & 2 (re-release), FUNimation Entertainment
El-Hazard OVA 2 Collection, Geneon Entertainment
Ergo Proxy Volume 6, Geneon Entertainment
Freedom Volume 2, Bandai Visual USA
Hikaru no Go Volume 10, VIZ Media
KamiChu! Complete Collection, Geneon Entertainment
Karas: The Revelation (also in complete collection set), Manga Entertainment
Naruto Volume 16, VIZ Media
Ranma 1/2 Season 3 Box Set, VIZ Media
TEKKON KINKREET (DVD and Blu-ray disc), Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Tenchi Muyo! Ryo-Ohki Box Set, FUNimation Entertainment
The Third: The Girl With the Blue Eye Volume 2, The Right Stuf International
Utawarerumono Volume 6, ADV Films
Voltron Box Set 4, Media Blasters
Witchblade Volume 1 (also w/box), FUNimation Entertainment
Yu Yu Hakusho: Ghost Files Seventh Set, FUNimation Entertainment

What're your picks/purchases this week? Throw us a note in the comments.

At first I thought, "LOL, n00b." But then I began to think about it. Yes, to someone not familiar with the art style or the titles, yes it could (GASP!) look the same. And this isn't limited just to the anime shelf. The same could be said for some unsuspecting soccer mom unlucky enough to wander into the shoujo aisle at Borders too. It is certainly one of the biggest hurdles to getting people to give anime a try -- the thought that it "all looks the same." It's quite daunting to pick out a show if you have no frame of reference on it.

When I first got into anime there were precious few resources to sample new shows (you guys are spoiled nowadays with your Newtype USAs and your free Internet-streamed episodes). So browsing the shelves of the few stores that had any anime selection to speak of was mostly a game of buying blindly and hoping the show was good. I bought a few total dogs that way, even from creators and names I thought would mean quality (for instance, I loved Ranma 1/2 -- so it should've stood to reason I'd like One Pound Gospel, right? Er, didn't quite work out that way.) It was only after a couple years at it that I really begun to get good at making guesses on what I'd like versus what I wouldn't.

I didn't say anything to the woman who declared all anime to "look the same," but...maybe I should have? It was suggested to me after the fact that perhaps it was someone trying to shop for a gift for an anime-loving relative or friend, but anime is such a taste-driven hobby that I could've recommended something that would've been totally wrong for the anime fan in this woman's life. What would you have done in this situation? And what are your blind-buying experiences (good or bad)? Hit us up with your comments.

The releases of the week:

Black Lagoon Volume 3 (also w/limited edition), Geneon Entertainment
Dragon Ball Z Season 3 Uncut, FUNimation Entertainment
Full Moon Volume 6, VIZ Media
Fullmetal Alchemist Season One Part One, FUNimation Entertainment
Great Teacher Onizuka (GTO), Second Semester Box Set, FUNimation Entertainment
Karin Volume 3, Geneon Entertainment
The Law of Ueki Volume 9, Geneon Entertainment
Ramen Fighter Miki Volume 1, Media Blasters
Red Garden Volume 1, ADV Films
Spiral Box Set, FUNimation Entertainment
This Ugly Yet Beautiful World Complete Collection, ADV Films
Yu-Gi-Oh! GX Volume 4, 4Kids Entertainment

What're your picks/purchases this week? Throw us a note in the comments.

The releases of the week:

Ah! My Goddess Flights of Fancy Volume 3, ADV Films
Beet the Vandel Buster Volume 3, Illumitoon Entertainment
Best Student Council Volume 6, ADV Films
Burst Angel Volumes 3 & 4 (re-releases), FUNimation Entertainment
Guyver: The Bioboosted Armor Volume 6, ADV Films
Haré + Guu Box Set, AN Entertainment
Kyo Kara Maoh! Season II Volume 6, Geneon Entertainment
Mushi-Shi Volume 2, FUNimation Entertainment
Princess Princess Volume 3, Media Blasters
Royal Space Force: The Wings of Honneamise (Blu-ray and HD DVD, with DVD edition), Bandai Visual USA
Shonen Onmyouji Volume 2, Geneon Entertainment
Xenosaga The Animation Volume 1, ADV Films

What're your picks/purchases this week? Throw us a note in the comments.

From a business perspective, it’s obvious what Microsoft set out to achieve when it gathered together Japan’s most robust of RPG-creating minds for Blue Dragon. The company wants to make the Xbox 360 a serious presence in Japan, and in Japan, that means you’ve got to have some sort of traditional console RPG. Final Fantasy VII entrenched the PlayStation as the “serious” next-gen console in 1997, and with the one-two punch of Blue Dragon and Lost Odyssey (due out later this year), Microsoft hopes to establish the 360 as the system for neat Japanese stuff while the PlayStation 3’s still trying to find footing among developers.

The releases of the week:

Ayakashi: Samurai Horror Tales Volume 3, Geneon Entertainment
Cat's Eye Volumes 1 & 2 (previously delayed), ImaginAsian
Di Gi Charat Nyo Volume 3, Bandai Entertainment
Eureka Seven Volume 9 (also w/special edition), Bandai Entertainment
Fruits Basket Volumes 1 & 2 re-release, FUNimation Entertainment
Girl's High Volume 2, Media Blasters
Gunslinger Girl Volume 3 re-release, FUNimation Entertainment
InuYasha Fourth Season Box Set (also w/special edition), VIZ Media
Kaleido Star New Wings Complete Collection, ADV Films
Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny Volume 10, Bandai Entertainment
My-Otome Volume 2, Bandai Entertainment
Naruto Volume 15, VIZ Media
Naruto The Movie: Ninja Clash in the Land of Snow, VIZ Media
Nobody's Boy Remi Volumes 1 & 2 (previously delayed), ImaginAsian
Ping Pong (live-action), VIZ Pictures
Super Dimensional Century Orguss Volumes 1 & 2 (previously delayed), ImaginAsian
Suzuka Volume 3, FUNimation Entertainment
The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya Volume 3 (also w/special edition), Bandai Entertainment
Tide-Line Blue Volume 3, Bandai Entertainment
UFO Ultramaiden Valkyrie 4 Volume 1, ADV Films
Zipang Volume 7, Geneon Entertainment

What're your picks/purchases this week? Throw us a note in the comments.

What would you do if you had an extra hour in the day, one where everything stops except for you? Work? Sleep? Clean out the local Best Buy’s DVD section? Wrong, wrong and wrong again. In the world of Persona 3, you would be fighting. Yes, fighting, because having this extra hour also means that you’re charged with fending off the Shadows encroaching on your high school and killing people. If you’ve got a problem with it, you can ask your parents why they transferred you to this horrible school in the first place.

HOUSTON, August 30, 2007—Newtype USA, the top anime magazine in North America, leads off the fall anime season with a blast of beautiful characters, romantic entanglements and political drama with its exclusive cover and feature on The Story of Saiunkoku. Already a hit with both male and female viewers, Saiunkoku takes its royal setting and infuses it with enough modern drama and action to satisfy all kinds of fans—and Newtype USA has the scoop on what makes it so special!

But that’s not all! The September 2007 issue has another incredible exclusive—a behind-the-scenes tour of The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, including in-depth interviews with the cast and crew! Plus, Newtype USA delivers the goods on other hot shows you’re watching right now, along with a sneak preview of the latest shows out only in Japan. Whether you want the skinny on stateside releases or a sneak-peek at what’s hot in Japan, Newtype USA has got you covered!

September also comes stuffed with stupendous extras, including a DVD with three full anime episodes: Xenosaga, Red Garden and Ramen Fighter Miki. The pullout poster stars the gorgeous Misaki Nakahara from Welcome to the NHK, and manga maniacs will adore the latest installment of CLAMP’s KOBATO., inserted right into the middle of September’s issue!

Also inside the September issue:

• Features on Mushi-Shi, Shin chan and Welcome to the NHK
• Sneak preview of 9 new shows playing only in Japan!
• The latest on the Evangelion movies
• Naruto: Rise of a Ninja – best anime game ever?
• More features! .hack//Roots and My-Otome
• Con coverage blowout: Is your cosplay pic in this issue?
• Review crazy! Every new anime DVD and manga reviewed!
• The official art of Gunbuster 2

Availability

Newtype USA Vol. 6, Issue 9 is available September 1, 2007

Maybe you've noticed it, maybe you haven't but this very page that you're looking at right now has a big ol' button on the right side for "Blue Dragon Fan Art Contest." Thanks to our friends at Microsoft, your Blue Dragon fan art can win you some sweet gear (a copy of the new Xbox 360 game plus anime stuff from ADV and Anime Network). And we'll also be printing the winning entry in a future issue of Newtype USA. You'll be famous. Other fan artists will wish they were as cool as you.

But since it is a CONTEST, and contests have ending dates, you don't have a whole lotta time left to get something in. So we're giving you a friendly reminder that you have until the end of Saturday...September 1...to send in your work. You can check out all the details here. Do it now, tell your friends, and start drawin'! Hurry! There's not much time!

Galaxy Angel Rune Volume 2, Bandai Visual USA
One Piece Volume 10, VIZ Media
Rozen Maiden Volume 3, Geneon Entertainment
Samurai 7 Volumes 1 & 2 (re-release), FUNimation Entertainment
The Story of Saiunkoku Volume 1 (also w/art box), Geneon Entertainment
To Heart Volume 4 (also w/box), The Right Stuf International
Tsubasa RESERVoir CHRoNiCLE Volume 3, FUNimation Entertainment
Utawarerumono Volume 5, ADV Films

What're your picks/purchases this week? Throw us a note in the comments.

009-1 Volume 2 (also w/box), ADV Films
The Big O II Complete Collection / Anime Legends, Bandai Entertainment
Burst Angel Volume 1 & 2 (re-release), FUNimation Entertainment
Fate/stay Night Volume 5, Geneon Entertainment
Galaxy Angel AA Volume 2, Bandai Entertainment
Gunslinger Girl Volume 1 & 2 (re-release), FUNimation Entertainment
Innocent Venus Volume 1, ADV Films
Kashimashi Girl Meets Girl Volume 2, Media Blasters
Le Chevalier D'Eon Volume 4, ADV Films
Peach Girl Volume 4, FUNimation Entertainment
School Rumble Volume 1 (also w/box), FUNimation Entertainment
Solty Rei Volume 6, FUNimation Entertainment

Couple good Volume 1s in there. What're your picks/purchases? Throw us a note in the comments.

3x3 Eyes Volume 2, Geneon Entertainment
Air Volume 1, ADV Films
Beck Volume 2, FUNimation Entertainment
Best Student Council Volume 5, ADV Films
BoBoBo-Bo Bo-BoBo Volume 4, Illumitoon Entertainment
Cat's Eye Volumes 1 & 2, ImaginAsian
Initial D Season 2, FUNimation Entertainment/TOKYOPOP
Kurau Phantom Memory Volume 3, ADV Films
Nobody's Boy Remi Volumes 1 & 2, ImaginAsian
Noein Volume 5, Manga Entertainment
Paniponi Dash Volume 5, ADV Films
Popotan Complete Collection, Geneon Entertainment
Slayers Season 1, FUNimation Entertainment
Super Dimension Century Orguss Volumes 1 & 2, ImaginAsian
Tekkaman Blade Collection 3, Media Blasters
Tokko Volume 3, Manga Entertainment
Wings of Rean Volume 3, Bandai Visual USA

Little something for everybody in there (including old school fans). What're your picks/purchases? Throw us a note in the comments.