:anime: Free/Low-Cost Anime Pick of the Month:: Independant Shorts!

It should probably come as little surprise given the first Directory update that this month's anime picks happen to be two short works both done primarily by one single person. Such is the case with Kousuke Sugimoto's "the TV show" and Hiroyasu "Tete" Ishida's YouTube Video Awards Japan-winning "Fumiko's Confession". Watching both of these videos, along with Makoto Shinkai's Voices of a Distant Star and Atsuya Uki's recent Cencoroll in the past, you really do appreciate and awe at the talent, creativity, and execution they display in constructing their personal creations (Ishida did have some assistance with the backgrounds, 3D graphics, and in-between animation, but still handled every aspect of the animation production himself). I already went into detail about both shorts in the Directory and the Update information- and opinion-wise, so won't repeat things here, but I will still give a little quip about each below. The videos are less than 3-1/2 minutes long, so please do give them a look, as well as both artist's YouTube channels.

:anime: Free Anime Directory Update! ::For 01.28.10::

It's sort of a rarity to have two Directory updates in a single month, but this is a big one. Ever since I got an iPod touch last April--enjoying all of its app and video goodness--I have been debating as to whether to have a section dedicated to apps for the player in the Directory. There have been a few anime-focused programs out there, but the "stealthy" release of Crunchyroll's own app finally pushed me to go ahead with it. It may not be the Internet in the traditional, PC-sense, but it still requires it and is just as viable and important a venue as the use of a computer (I'm certainly a testament of that). It is also made all the more relevant with the big movement towards smartphones and other Net-enabled mobile devices, even with yesterday's reveal of the Giant iPo--umm, iPad (though this section's intro had that announcement beat by about a week, so take that, Apple!).

Those without an iPhone or iPod touch, sorry, but this new addition only covers apps available on those devices. However, as I have noted in the Directory, you may want still utilize it as a reference for ones that might be available on yours. Lastly, the just-added Nippon Animation Theater has been moved to the "Off Sites" section, since the videos have unfortunately been region-restricted, and I've included an anime title that I forgot to include in the earlier Update--and it's a doozy. ;)


-:..not the end of change...:-

--HD

:boxing: Boxing Bits ::01.12.10:: Super Six Edition - Taylor Exits Competition

Jermain Taylor, who last lost to Arthur Abraham by sudden and brutal KO in the final round last October, dropped out of the Super Six World Boxing Classic today. An upcoming fight between Allen Green and Sakio Bika will most likely determine his replacement, who would then fight Andre Ward, Taylor's then-upcoming opponent. Personally, I am very pleased to hear that he is taking time off to give his mind and body "some much needed rest." Its for the very best that he takes time away from something of the likes of boxing and reenergize (and reevaluate his life), especially after sustaining three recent KO losses, all of them serious.

This development perhaps confirms that he hasn't fully recovered from the Abraham KO (the worse of them) and was being honest with himself and his well-being, though I would also surmise that promoter Lou DiBella leaving him due to Taylor's previous intention to continue in the Super Six also had something to do with it. His experience with Leavander Johnson's unfortunate ring-related death led to his decision last month, so perhaps that event and other tell-tale signs from the sport, such as Muhammad Ali's deteriorated condition, gave Taylor some necessary pause, not just losing support from the man who promoted him. Regardless, he made the right choice and I wish him the best in the future, whether he returns (as he aims to) or not.

As for Bika-Green, give me Lucian Bute instead. No offense to either, who are pretty good, but the Canadian is arguably the second best super middleweight (and one of the best, period) in world. He would turn the entire tourney on its head.

:anime: Free Anime Directory Update! ::For 01.06.10::

What better way to start off the new year and new decade than with a bunch of new, free anime? (Alright, well, some of it has been listed as such in the Directory for awhile...) There are some really great selections below, especially on the "self-produced" front, and with the arrival of "World Animation Theater" onto YouTube, hopefully enough attention and demand will be clamored for some decent subtitles to be added to them and others (which is possible with the recent feature additions). Hmm...you know, the Free Anime Directory & Guide is well due for a change itself...