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As an information source, the Internet is sometimes characterized as broad but shallow. Still, the medium has other virtues that make it an excellent source for anime. First, written information on anime is sparse enough, but it is especially hard to find much on current shows in Japan. As the greatest self-publishing tool ever, the Web may make for some atrocious spelling and grammar, but it also means fans will quickly post the most recent information online for all the world to see. Secondly, the Japanese have embraced the Internet, and despite the language barrier a great deal of information can be found at Japanese sites. English is the language of the Web, and a common second language in Japan, so many of their sites are dual language, or use enough English words to allow non-Japanese speakers to get by. Finally, it should be noted that this is but a sliver of what is out there. The Web is a big place, and even librarians are still trying to figure out what to do with it all. Here are some sites to get you started:

The Anime Cafe
http://www.abcb.com/
Reviews, reviews, essays, an encyclopedia, and a parent*s guide.

Anime Meta-Reviews
http://www.serc.rmit.edu.au/~ashelton/anime/
Excellent source of perceptive reviews on a staggering number of anime. Andrew Shelton's lofty goal is to provide a "definitive" review of every anime title. Perhaps a Quixotic goal, but he comes closer than anyone else on the Web.

Anime News Network
http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/
Excellent source of news from the world of anime and manga.

Anime on DVD
www.animeondvd.com
Good source for reviews and release information on the
dominant format of anime.

Anime Web Turnpike
www.anipike.com
Probably the premier web site for anime information. Founded way back in 1995 by Jay Jay Fubler Harvey, Anipike is a well organized, frequently updated page that indexes everything from series sites to online shopping.

The Librarian's Guide to Anime and Manga
http://www.koyagi.com/Libguide.html
Created in 1996 by librarian Gilles Poitras, The Librarian's Guide is a tremendous resource for anyone inside or outside the profession. Poitras, a noted author on the subject (see his listings in the Bibliography), supplies a wealth of thoughtful and invaluable information. His pioneering work was the inspiration for The Anime Librarian. The site is currently being revised, but is still accessible.

Jeffrey's Japanese<->English Dictionary
http://linear.mv.com/cgi-bin/j-e/dict
An excellent online Japanese-English/English-Japanese dictionary.

Attack of the Anime Toys
http://www.bobagirl.com/
Anime and merchandise have had a symbiotic relationship for years. Attack is the creation of Pam, a self-described, "crazy collector." The site is informative and fun to read, with images, descriptions, and quirky observations on a range of Japanese toys (mostly shoujo) and dolls.

Seiyuu (voice actor) Database
http://www.tcp.com/doi/seiyuu/seiyuu.html
Japanese voice actors, or seiyuu, are generally better regarded than their North American counterparts. While many voice actors here enter the field through lack of opportunity in film, theater, or TV, in Japan seiyuu are quite literally idolized.