For those of you new to Japanese animation, or to Western artwork, here are some definitions which might help you.

DVDS:

PAL or NTSC -

• A technical term which refers to the way that the DVD has been recorded. In Australia we use PAL, in the US and Japan they use NTSC. If you have a multi-region DVD player, then it will play either automatically. If you just have a PAL DVD player, then you can not play NTSC format DVDs (buy a multi-format one when it's time to get another one, it'll make your life a lot easier).

Region Code -

• All DVDs released in Australia are playable on region 4 DVD players. DVDs from the USA are generally region 1. If you are confused about region codes, then have a look at this map, which will explain which countries have which codes. If you are still confused, then ask me.

Format -

• This refers to the language options on the DVD. Almost all DVDs are now hybrid, which means you can watch the DVD in original Japanese language, or in English, or in Japanese language with English subtites. Some anime DVDs are only available with subtitles (no English dub track), or perhaps only in English (no Japanese audio or subtitles). This will be mentioned in the product listing for that title.

Rating -

The official rating supplied by the Censor in that particular country. In Australia we have these ones:

G = General release, suitable for all ages.

M = Mature audience, suitable for ages 15 and over.

MA = Mature audience, contains stronger scenes than M.

R = Mature audience, suitable for ages 18 and over.

• You will notice that few of the NTSC anime have a rating. This does not mean that the contents are so graphic that it couldn't be classified as an R, as some people seem to think! The U.S. has a different classifying system to Australia and the U.K., where it is not compulsory to have a DVD classified by the Censor. If you have any doubts at all about the nature of the contents of an anime, please ask me. I've have seen most of them and can provide some guidance.

Anything which is rated "R" on this site is only available to clients who are over 18 years of age! No exceptions, sorry.

ARTWORK:

• The edition size shown with some cels means that they are limited edition cels, made in a fixed quantity to be sold to collectors. They are not the original cels used to create the show. N/A under edition size means that they are production cels. These are the original, one-of-a-kind cels which were actually used to make that show. By definition, each production cel is unique.
• The dimensions refer to the actual size of the painted image on the cel, not the size of the cel itself. So, if it says that the image of Ryoko is 8 cms W x 6 cms H, then that is the size of Ryoko on that cel.
• All artwork is sold unframed, unless otherwise noted. This make it much easier, safer and cheaper to send to you

GRAPHIC NOVELS:

• I will include the ISBN number whenever available. This is a unique identifier for every publication, so that I get exactly the one you want!
• Graphic novels will be written in English unless otherwise indicated.

ANIMATION ARTBOOKS:

• Will also include the ISBN number and be in English. I'll give the total number of pages if I know it.

CD SOUNDTRACKS:

• Some anime series have more than a dozen different CDs! You should assume that all songs will be sung in Japanese. Most of the CDs which I list come from the US and are officially licensed product.