It’s finally arrived: only a few days after its spot at the Superbowl, the full theatrical trailer for The Last Airbender hit the internet last night. At a little over two minutes, it expands on the some of the footage we’ve already seen in flashed with other bits and pieces that are entirely new. Some of the acting (”I knew you were real. I always knew you’d return”) occurs as a bit wooden, but on the plus side, some of the effects shots look gigantic and the choreography is superb. Check it out below:

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Today’s review takes a look at the Studio Ghibli fantasy adventure Tales From Earthsea, adapted from the novels by Ursula K. Le Guin and controversially directed by Goro – son of Hayao – Miyazaki. The film was the subject of a mixed response, finding both strong proponents and detractors among critics and audiences. Does it hold up under the Thrasher’s scrutiny? Find out below:

As of yesterday, a new 30 second teaser for M. Night Shyamalan’s live-action adaptation of Avatar: The Last Airbender emerged online following its spot on the Superbowl. Check it out below:

It contains only a few tantalising shots and a single line of voiceover, but it’s enough to make me more excited for The Last Airbender than for this year’s other comparable upcoming fantasy-actioners, Clash of the Titans and Prince of Persia. The choreography and the effects shots seem to suggest that Mr. Shyamalan has envisioned a vibrant and exciting fantasy world that does the scope of the source material justice. According to the trailer, we’ll find out for sure on July 2nd.

Thanks go to ANN for this bit of news. Scott Charles Stewart, director of the upcoming live-action adaptation of the Korean manhwa Priest, announced on Friday that the film would have a prologue segment done in 2D animation. The segment, which will purportedly be R-rated will feature a look at “the war between man and vampire throughout history, and how that leads us up to the beginning of our movie.”

The film is set for release in the United States on the 20th of August this year, and will star Paul Bettany and Cam Gigandet. It is set in the distant, vampire-ravaged future and follows a priest whose daughter has been kidnapped by a band of vamps. Tokyopop have also announced the publication of the online graphic novel Priest: Purgatory which will bridge the gap between the manhwa and the film.

Discuss thiss news further on our forums.

Christmas and New Year are sadly behind us now, and so too concludes the post-Christmas review special. Nevertheless, in part 3 comes the Thrasher’s take on the much-beloved bombastic blockbuster, Code Geass. After taking Japan and the US by storm, its first season has finally arrived on DVD in the UK in 2009. How does it stack up against the competition? Find out below:

Related was Manga Entertainment’s announcement of their intentions to release Kamui on DVD and Blu-Ray in summer 2010. Keep an eye out for this one, folks; this movie must be a hot property indeed for Manga Entertainment to get it out so quickly.

For more discussion, head over to the Forums.

A happy new year from the Thrasher’s Word to Liveactionanime.org! The post-Christmas special continues, with the Thrasher giving his two cents on Studio BONES’ most recent 26-episode blockbuster, the mature, yet remarkably self-deprecating Darker Than Black. With a second season having just finished its run in Japan, the story is going to be a long one in the telling. So is it a journey worth embarking upon?

Part 1:

Part 2:

It was noted in July of last year that a live-action adaptation of the classic space opera anime series Space Battleship Yamato. Yesterday, a thirty-second teaser trailer emerged online courtesy of fanboy.com. You can watch it below:

Judging by the date at the end of the trailer, the prospective Japanese release date appears to be December 1st of this year. Keep your eyes peeled.

Thanks for this bit of news go to informant Vegetasgirl.

For further discussion, head to the Forums.

Well, it’s that time again, everyone, when that benevolent, obese spirit of jollity (Santa, if that was unnecessarily abstract for anyone) has been and gone. Many of you, this December 25th, may have been blessed either with anime, or with vouchers or cash to obtain anime. But before you go rushing off to the inevitable January sales, The Thrasher (rumour has it his first name is Ebeneezer) will lead a retrospective review of some of the biggest anime series of 2009, beginning today with bloody shounen actioner Claymore.

Hot girls with big swords kill demons – should be awesome, right? Hear The Thrasher’s two cents below:

It’s also emerged that the film – at least in Whitta’s drafts – will be adapting all six volumes of the original manga (in contrast to the 1988 film, which was made while the manga was being serialised and only drew on the first three volumes).

Whether or not Otomo is still being kept in the loop on the film’s progress has yet to be revealed, but it’s good to know that the script in its early form was met with his approval (excellent writer that he is). Akira is being produced by Appian Way, a production company run by Leonardo DiCaprio. The project has been said to be a priority for Warner Brothers; nevertheless, we’re unlikely to see it released before 2011.

Discuss this news further on the forum.