After reviewing The TAB Manga animation program, I was hesitant to touch anything that said "anime" or "manga" and advertised itself as a richly featured animation program. What did that teach me? Well, not to judge a program by its genre, for one. Anime Studio 5 was a pleasant surprise; the animation package is well-rounded, and suited for professionals and beginners alike - provided that beginners are willing to put in a little study time on the user manual. With a bone rigging system and numerous effects and tools that take some of the work out of producing smooth, high-quality animations, the pro version is definitely worth the $199.99 price tag.

Continuing the variations on the theme, don't forget to vote in the last poll: Do you prefer American animation, Japanese animation, or other styles?