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...And I am going to get them! This is a pointer / reminder that a couple of great mini-series start on DVD in the USA this month, and that some great Yakuza movies are also coming.

Firstly, it's Mezzo - a side project to "Mezzo Forte" it seems, though this isn't hentai-oriented apparently. Anyhow : it caught my eye because it's relatively new and there's a buzz around it.

13 epsiodes in all, 20+ minutes each, across 3 dvds. The second early in the new year, the first this month. I think this will be superb. Check out the Official Site... in Japanese.

Secondly, there's Satoshi Kon's "Paranoia Agent". Also 13 episodes, across 3 DVDs in the USA. The first this month... it's got to be great : the Director of "Tokyo Godfathers", "Perfect Blue" and "Millenium Actress" - three of the greatest anime films out there. Check out the Japanese site here.

Finally, after the superb "Graveyard of Honour" and the astonishing "Street Mobster"from HVE in September, October will see the hefty "Yakuza Papers" boxset. 5 Kinji Fukasaku movies, comprising the "Battle Without Honour of Humanity" series. Available separately of course, but an extras disc in the box make this THE boxset of the year in my opinion. See more info at the HVE site.