We've had two people writing to us about two different casual, anime and free-to-play MMORPGs, and I might aswell accumulate them in one newsbit.

First is the MMO Gaia Online of which you can view some screenshots here:

about gaia

Founded in 2003, Gaia Online has become the fastest-growing hangout on the web. Millions of people come to Gaia every month to play games, make friends, and participate in the world's most active online community.

Gaia provides a fun, social environment that inspires individuality and creativity. With everything from art contests and poetry forums to fully customizable profiles and digital characters, Gaia is a place where users can create their own space and express their individual style.

Fabulous Features:

• Online Hangout: Millions of people spend hours a day on Gaia, exploring, chatting and just hanging out. Whether they're posting on our forums, participating in special events, or playing our multiplayer mini-games, there's always something fun to do.
• Endless Customization: Gaia revolves around creative customization. Every member can create their own virtual character and dress it up with over five thousand items: clothes, accessories, pets, masks and just about anything else imaginable.
• Thriving Community: Gaia Online boasts one of the most active forum communities in the world with over one billion posts to date. Members can chat in our online games, post messages on our forums, or send each other private messages.
• Gaia Gold Marketplace: Gaia Online is free to join, and members earn free Gaia Gold for everything they do on the site- posting, playing games, or just hanging out. Members can buy thousands of items in our virtual stores, or they can set up their own shops. Our virtual auction house lets members buy, sell and trade their items-- over 50,000 auctions are completed every day!
• Fun and Games: Members can interact, have fun, and earn Gaia Gold with our quick and casual online games. They can also go head-to-head in our Avatar Arena to see who can make the coolest virtual outfit, or test their talents in the Art Arena, where thousands of members vote on the best original artwork.

Thanks Raoul Duke!

Second is the MMORPG Monato Esprit which has begun open beta testing. Here's the official press release:

Reality Gap^TM has announced that its upcoming massively multiplayer online role-playing game, Monato Esprit^TM, will begin open beta today, August 11th. Monato Esprit^TM is a fantasy game in which players must save the dream world from an invasion by nightmares. Instead of the usual subscription model, Monato Esprit^TM uses the MetaTIX^TM ticket system, which allows players to use tickets to enjoy in-game features and otherwise play for free. Players can buy tickets or earn tickets by trading with other players.

“We are delighted to invite players to enjoy the world of Monato Esprit^TM,” said Tom Eberspecher, Director of Customer Relations for Reality Gap, Inc. “Monato Esprit^TM is a rich, 3D game with a deep story and features that show off the power of having a completely player-based economy. Players will enjoy forming parties and going on quests as well as trading with one-another using MetaTIX^TM.”

The beta can be downloaded here.
Thanks Jack Everitt!