posted on 2012-01-04 21:37 EST

Himitsu Kessha Taka no Tsume Gaiden Mukashi no Yoshida-kun

spinoff series. Shimane Prefecture's "Kamigami no Kuni Shimane" (Gods' Country Shimane) campaign is sponsoring the new anime's production.

The new television shorts will follow the original anime's Yoshida-kun character as he travels through western Japan's Shimane Prefecture, his birthplace, in the past. Each episode of the "Shimane sightseeing guide program" will introduce one famous place in the prefecture. The original

Eagle Talon

flash anime centers on the titular secret society and its bumbling attempts to take over the world.

The production company

(Secret Society

Eagle Talon

) television series in 2006, and the series spawned two films in 2007 and 2008. The

Himitsu Kessha Taka no Tsume: Countdown

(Secret Society

Eagle Talon

: Countdown) television anime premiered in October 2009.

Eagle Talon

shorts, claimed Japan's largest credited voice cast after 14,137 fans contributed recordings in 2009.

Himitsu Kessha Taka no Tsume Gaiden Mukashi no Yoshida-kun

will debut in Japan on January 21 and air every Sunday at 3:58 a.m.

Image © Frogman/DLE

Todd looks at the most under-

appreciated games of 2011! Plus Gungnir, Trails in the Sky, and a lament for a long-

lived bee. Yes, a bee. 2012-01-04

- Darker Than Black s2 + OVA

- Dragon Ball Z Level 1.1

- Star Driver pt 1

Jan 4

cutting animation and bland background music ... but a more substantial storyline makes it easier to overlook these shortcomings.

You don't have to be a D. Gray-

man fan to enjoy this book. While the images will make more sense if you are, Hoshino's work is attractive and artistic enough to stand on its own with no previous story knowledge.

Mr. Convenience isn't anything earth-

shattering or new. But it is pleasant, sweet, and sexy, and if you like yaoi and just want a break from the real world, this is a good way to take one.

We forgive Yaginuma's nostalgic self-

indulgence because he does it so well, striking close to the heart with his gentle optimism.

Readers simply curious about the K-

ON phenomenon could be excused if their first reaction to seeing these graphic novels was “$11.99 for 114 pages?!” These are very slim books for the price tag, and if you aren't sold on the story, it may be worth reading them at a library before deciding to collect. But while it has its problems, K-

ON is a fun little series and Yen Press has done a good job in bringing it to English-

speaking readers.

All material Copyright © 1998-2012 Anime News Network. All rights reserved.