softtack
August 29th, 2007, 08:59 PM
http://img210.imageshack.us/img210/6295/archeaderpf5.png
Welcome to The Anime Review Corner. In here, you can find reviews and recommendations for all sorts of anime. The ultimate goal of this thread is to boost anime viewership in PS3Forums. So feel free to browse and find new and interesting anime!
If you would like to contribute to this review database, please write up a short review of the anime of your choice and I will add it onto this post. Please cite and link sources if you copy material. Feel free to write another review if it already has a review. That's what the average rating system is for. :)
Updates
3.12.08 - lol, did some housekeeping, like removing the fall anime to make room for the new spring ones, and also removed Stage6 because THAR IS NO MOAR!!! NOO!!!
1.06.08 - Long time no updates. Hajime no Ippo, Gurren-Lagann, Suzuka (manga), and Genshiken (manga) reviews are up.
12.12.07 - Holy updates, Batman! Thanks to ******ry for reviving this thread. ^_^
11.6.07 - Added QuickSilverD's review for the Claymore anime AND manga. First manga review yay!
11.1.07 - Added The_One's insanely long preview of Kara no Kyoukai something or another... and new unreviewed categories of FMA and Samurai 7
10.29.07 - Fixed up some typos of the dates, and also added some of the spoiler tags properly since softtack didn't add them proplery XD (This is "The_One" hi-jacking the thread :p). *Wacks softtack* :p. Oh, I also removed Fate/Stay Night from the "must review" list :p. w00tz!
10.29.07 - Added some hilarious reviews from The_One. >_>
10.22.07 - Updated the AniDict with a few more definitions.
10.13.07 - Added ******ry's reviews of .hack//SIGN and Ragnarok the Animation.
10.12.07 - Fixed a couple mistakes in the listings.
10.11.07 - Added my preview of CLANNAD.
10.10.07 - Added reviews for Rurouni Kenshin and Gundam Wing Endless Waltz OVA, thanks to ******ry and killzone_71 respectively.
10.4.07 - Added a review for Trigun by ******ry.
10.3.07 - Added reviews for Noein and FF:Advent Children, thanks to SolidSnakeUS and ******ry.
9.29.07 - Added Crunchyroll to the Newbie's guide, along with Thegamingdwarf's guide on how to find synopses.
9.27.07 - Added the Newbie's Guide to Anime, and updated my review of School Days
9.24.07 - Added my review of Zero no Tsukaima: Futatsuki no Kishi, and a review of CODE-E by SolidSnakeUS. Updated my review of Potemayo.
9.23.07 - Added a review for Devil May Cry, thanks again to QuickSilverD. Also edited the Blood/Appleseed mistake. Made some changes to the ARC Index.
9.22.07 - Added a review for Blood: The Last Vampire, thanks to QuickSilverD.
9.17.07 - Added a review for Zombie Loan, courtesy of fatalbeliever and a review for Samurai Champloo by UltimaMasamune.
9.16.07 - Added a review of Elfen Lied from HellsJester. Also added the Fall Anime Preview section.
9.15.07 - Added Anime Movie section, along with an update of the not reviewed anime list. Added a ton of new animes, thanks to Phaded along with a review of DNA2 by SolidSnakeUS.
9.14.07 - We officially have our first "averaged" review anime, Elfen Lied. But because both Phaded and I gave it a 10, it's a 10. Go figure.
9.13.07 - Added a review for Koi Kaze, as well as a few entries into the AniDict.
9.12.07 - Added definitions for OVA, ONA and family words (mom, dad, etc.)
9.11.07 - Added Samurai Champloo, Witchblade and Trigun into the series w/o reviews. Also added reviews for TOKKO, Tenjho Tenge, Naruto, Blood+, Naruto Shippuden and Bleach. Anime Dictionary added.
9.10.07 - Added review for KimiNozo, Last Exile and Full Moon wo Saga****e <LOL! :lol:
9.8.07 - Added series pictures/screenshots thanks to Phaded. New filing system implemented. Tell me what you think of it.
9.7.07 - Added a Black Lagoon review, courtesy of SolidSnakeUS and a boatload of pictures for Tool 316's reviews from Phaded. QuickSilverD review writing guidelines added.
9.6.07 - Added 8 reviews provided by Tool 316, from Code Geass to Scrapped Princess. Also, a new graphic!
9.5.07 - Added reviews for Elfen Lied, GTO, Chobits, DearS, Ghost in the Shell SAC 1 & 2, Uninhabited Planet Survive!, Zero no Tsukaima, and Red Garden
9.4.07 - Manga reviews now accepted, added a bunch of older anime (thanks Tool 316!) and a review of Ergo Proxy (thanks SolidSnakeUS!)
8.28.07 - ARC started, added reviews for Potemayo, Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei and School Days
Newbie's Guide to Anime
In the ARC Index below, we've marked a few anime with a caret before the title to signify good starter anime, ones that will surely get you hooked on anime no matter what your background is.
You can get subbed/dubbed anime from quite a few places. Below are the ones we recommend, along with a short description.
Youtube (www.youtube.com (http://www.youtube.com))
Pros: Instant viewing, wide selection, usually updated within a few hours of release
Cons: Lowest quality
Veoh (www.veoh.com (http://www.veoh.com))
Pros: Instant viewing, good selection, better quality than YouTube.
Cons: Still relatively low quality, new episode updates are slower
Crunchyroll (www.crunchyroll.com (http://www.crunchyroll.com))
Pros: More obscure anime/Japanese television, better flash quality then Veoh, good search results.
Cons: Bandwidth problems, removal of series, registration required, bizarre layout :???:
If you would like to keep the anime series you are watching, check to see whether or not the series is licensed first, which can be found out here (http://www.animeondvd.com/licenselist/). If the series is licensed, show your support by buying the DVDs, from places such as Amazon (http://www.amazon.com) or Discount Anime DVD (http://www.discountanimedvd.com/). If the series is not yet licensed, you may have to obtain it from other sources (such as torrents, irc, etc) because these usually are very expensive and contain no English subs or dubs.
Guide on Reviewing Anime
QuickSilverD's written up a nice little guide on how to get started writing reviews for the ARC:
- How good is the plot?
- How original is it?
- How good is the animation, considering the year of production and number of episodes?
- Does it make me laugh, cry or angry?
- Does it entertain me?
- I saw the final episode, and do I want more?
Try to be as objective as possible in your reviews. We understand if you love a certain anime to death and you give it a 10/10 but try to point out some negatives as well. And no excuses saying there aren't any negatives. Nothing is perfect. ;)
To create a synopsis for an anime, Thegamingdwarf has a few suggestions on how to go about it:
If you ever want a really quick way to summarize something, its best just to go to wiki and search, as it happens to have relatively short article on anime, some maybe only a couple of lines long, and all you really need is to rearrange some of their wording. e.g.:
Code-E is a Japanese anime television series animated by Studio DEEN. It is based on an original concept by Ichiro Sakaki and directed by Toshiyuki Kato. It is scheduled to be 12 episodes and first aired in Japan on July 3, 2007. Although the final episode suggests a second season, one is not confirmed at this time.
Chinami Ebihara is a highschool student who emits electromagnetic waves when her emotions run wild. The waves affects electronics such as cell phones, televisions, and computers. Her ability forces her family to move from one location to another. In the year 2017, the Ebihara family moves yet again. At school, a boy named Kotaro Kannagi notices her ability and asks if he can study her. Sonomi Kujo, the daughter of a wealthy family who has loved Kotaro since they were very young reacts with jealousy to his interest, while Yuma Saihashi, a miko with powers of her own tries to guide and warn her. Soon, two foreigners arrive to spy on her. Hence giving you a synopsis like:
The Code-E series is animated by Studio DEEN, having been based upon the original concept by Ichiro Sakaki about a Highschool student named Chinami Ebihara who emits electromagnetic waves when her emotions run wild. Eventually, this causes someone to notice, and and he asks to study her. This causes all sorts of social problems with a younger female who reacts jealously to his interest in her. Directed by Toshiyuki Kato, the series has been run for 12 episodes with a stong suggestion that there is a new series on the way thanks to the final episode.
Anime Dictionary
Read a review or watching a good anime and come across a word you don't know the meaning of? Chances are, it's listed below!
A
Aniki (ah-knee-key)- Older Brother
Aneki (ah-neh-key) - Older Sister
Arigatou (ah-ri-gah-toh) - Basically a translation of "Thank You".
B
Baka (bah-kah) - Idiot
BGM - Background Music
Buruma (Boo-roo-mah) - Bloomers, usually worn by girls in gym classes
C
Cameo – Often, movies will attempt to include cameo appearances by prominent figures who are or were associated with the work on which it is based. This either takes the form of actual appearances or character names.
Chugakusei (cho-gah-koo-say) - Middle school student
Cosplay – In anime and manga, another type of fan service is having one or more of the characters cosplay, usually female, particularly in a costume that is part of a Japanese clothing fetish.
D
Daigakusei (die-gah-koo-say) - College student
Desu - A copula in the Japanese language, similar to "It is...". Popularized by Suiseiseki from Rozen Maiden. Ex. Samui desu = It is cold.
Doujinshi - Fanmade comics
E
Ecchi (eh-chi) - The term ecchi is applied to anime or manga that has vague sexual content (such as skimpy clothing, partial or full nudity), but does not show sexual intercourse. Ex. DearS, Chobits.
ED - Ending (credits)
Eroge (eh-roh-gay) - Short for erotic game, a popular type of game in Japan
F
Fansubs - Anime subs released by an unauthorized party. Ex. a.f.k., Lunar, Eclipse, Dattebayo
Fan Service - To refer to elements in a story that are unnecessary to a storyline, but designed to amuse or sexually excite the audience.
Fillers - Episodes that don't pertain to the storyline; off-topic. Ex. Naruto
H
Harem - Group of one gender, usually women, with similar feelings towards a single character. Basically, something like 5 girls all liking the same boy. Ex. School Days
Homage – Often, a movie or television show will make pastiche reference to another work that the creators are particularly fans of.
I
Itadakimasu (ii-tah-dah-ki-masu) - A phrase commonly said before eating. Akin to "Thank you for this meal".
K
Kawaii (ka-wa-ii) - Synonym for cute. Often said by women, but occasionally by the weird otakus (see O below).
Kodomo (koh-doh-moh) - Child
Konnichiwa (kohn-ni-chi-wah) - Japanese for "Good Afternoon". Can be abbreviated as "chiwasu" in informal situations.
Koukousei (koh-koh-say) - High school student
Kuso (kuh-soh) - Roughly translates to sh*t or d*mn.
L
Love Triangle - Romance between three characters, often with 1 male and 2 female. Ex. Kimi ga Nozomu Eien.
M
Mecha - Mechanical objects, often used for fighting. Ex. Gundam.
Miko (me-koh) - Buddhist shrine maiden
Mizugi - Swimsuit
Moe (mo-eh)- There is no exact definition for moe, but it is similar to cute. An example would be a clumsy girl, girl with glasses, cat-eared girl, etc. Jailbait basically. See Cosplay for more info.
N
Nani (Nah-nii) - Basically a translation of "What". Ex. Naruto
Nekomimi (neh-koh-mi-mi) - Cat ears
O
Obaa-sama/san/chan (oh-baah+suffix) - Grandmother; suffixes ordered from most formal to least. Baba is the rude form of this
Ohayo (Ohio ^_^) - Japanese for "Good Morning"
Ojii-sama/san/chan (oh-jii+suffix) - Grandfather; suffixes ordered from most formal to least. Jiji is the rude form of this.
Okaa-sama/san/chan (oh-kaah+suffix) - Mother; suffixes ordered from most formal to least.
ONA - "Original Net Anime" or an anime that was only released on the internet, instead of TV or DVD. School Days is an example of an ONA.
Onii-san/chan/sama (oh-nee+suffix) - Older brother; suffixes ordered from most formal to least.
Onee-san/chan/sama (oh-neh+suffix) - Older sister; suffixes ordered from most formal to least.
OP - Opening credits
Otaku (oh-tah-ku) - Dedicated nerd, can apply to many things such as Plamos (Plastic Models), Cosplay, Anime, Manga, etc. Ex. Genshiken
Otou-sama/san/chan (oh-tow+suffix) - Father; suffixes ordered from most formal to least.
OVA - "Original Video Anime" is an anime that was released directly to DVD, not airing on TV. This is usually reserved for specials or anime that can't be shown on TV. Can also be called OAV or "Original Animation Video".
P
Psychological - Anime that plays tricks with your mind, either by fooling you into falling into the intended plot line or by introducing the completely unexpected.
S
School Life - Anime that is based on school and students. Ex. Code-E
Sei***u (say-foo-koo) - Uniform
Seinen (say-nen) - Young adult male, typically 18-25. Ex. Seinen mangas
Seiyuu (say-you) - Voice actor/actress
Sexual – partial nudity, eye candy, lesbian you name it, but never going as far as “porn” level
Shougakusei (show-gah-koo-say) - Elementary school student.
Shoujo (show-jow) - Genre geared towards young to teenage girls, often involves romance.
Shounen (show-nen) - Genre, similar to action, geared towards young to teenage boys.
Side characters – Some television series have a habit of bringing back previous side characters, those who often appeared solely for the purpose of one episode's plot only, that audiences particularly loved or were amused by. For example, the frequent returns of the Duane Dibbley alter-ego character in Red Dwarf, or the development of "That Man" in Excel Saga from a one-shot gag character into a main antagonist.
T
Technicals – Heavily used in much of science fiction, these are technical details sometimes bordering on arcane knowledge that hardcore fans are versed in, to show an author pays attention to detail. For example, Lagrange points in Gundam, the CZ-75 pistol in Gunsmith Cats, or the use of an SSH exploit in The Matrix Reloaded. Sometimes fictional technology invented by another author is used in this way; for instance the ansible in Ender's Game is a reference to Ursula K. Le Guin's Hainish Cycle. There are similar references in Doctor Who to "reversing the polarity of the neutron flow".
Tsundere (sun-deh-reh) - Character who starts out violent but turns out to be kind-hearted or vulnerable emotionally. Ex. Naru Narusegawa from Love Hina.
T
Yukata - Summer robes, similar to a kimono, but thinner. Usually worn at onsens (hot springs) and at natsumatsuris (summer festivals)
ARC Index
Color Key: Anime/Movie/Fall Anime
.Hack // Sign - Filed under Older Series w/Reviews | 8.5/10 avg. from 1 reviewer
^Akira - Filed under Anime Movie Reviews [No Reviews]
AIR - Filed under Older Series w/Reviews | 10/10 avg. from 1 reviewer
Appleseed - Filed under Anime Movie Reviews [No Reviews]
Black Lagoon - Filed under Older Series w/Reviews | 9/10 avg. from 1 reviewer
^Bleach - Filed under Older Series w/Reviews | 7.5/10 avg. from 1 reviewer
Blood+ - Filed under Older Series w/Reviews | 9.5/10 avg. from 1 reviewer
Blood: The Last Vampire - Filed under Anime Movie Reviews | 6/10 avg. from 1 reviewer
Chobits - Filed under Older Series w/Reviews | 7/10 avg. from 1 reviewer
Chrno Crusade - Filed under Older Series w/Reviews | 10/10 avg. from 1 reviewer
CLANNAD - Filed under Fall 2007 Anime Previews | 10/10 avg. from 1 reviewer
Claymore - Filed under Older Series w/Reviews | 9/10 avg. from 2 reviewers
Claymore - Filed under Manga Reviews | 9/10 avg. from 1 reviewer
CODE-E- Filed under Older Series w/Reviews | 9/10 from 1 reviewer
Code Geass - Filed under Older Series w/Reviews | 9/10 avg. from 1 reviewer
DearS - Filed under Older Series w/Reviews | 10/10 avg. from 1 reviewer
^ Death Note - Filed under Older Series w/Reviews | 10/10 avg. from 1 reviewer
Devil May Cry - Filed under Older Series w/Reviews | 5/10 avg. from 1 reviewer
DNA2 - Filed under Older Series w/Reviews | 9/10 from 1 reviewer
Elfen Lied - Filed under Older Series w/Reviews | 10/10 avg. from 3 reviewers
Ergo Proxy - Filed under Older Series w/Reviews | 9/10 avg. from 1 reviewer
Fate/Stay Night - Filed under Older Series w/Reviews | 7.5/10 avg. from 1 reviewer
Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children - Filed under Anime Movie Reviews | 8/10 avg. from 1 reviewers
Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within - Filed under Anime Movie Reviews [No Reviews]
Full Metal Alchemist - Filed under Older Series w/o Reviews |[No Reviews]
Full Moon wo Saga****e - Filed under Older Series w/Reviews | 7.5/10 avg. from 1 reviewer
Gantz - Filed under Older Series w/Reviews | 8/10 avg. from 1 reviewer
Genshiken - Filed under Manga Reviews | 8/10 avg. from 1 reviewer
Ghost in the Shell - Filed under Anime Movie Reviews [No Reviews]
Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex 1st Gig - Filed under Older Series w/Reviews | 10/10 avg. from 1 reviewer
Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex 2nd Gig - Filed under Older Series w/Reviews | 10/10 avg. from 1 reviewer
Ghost in the Shell: Solid State Society - Filed under Anime Movie Reviews [No Reviews]
^Great Teacher Onizuka - Filed under Older Series w/Reviews | 9.5/10 avg. from 1 reviewer
Gundam Wing: Endless Waltz - Filed under Older Series w/Reviews | 9.5/10 avg. from 1 reviewer
Kara no Kyoukai: Garden of Sinners, Chapter 1 - Filed under Fall 2007 Anime Previews | Prerelease Preview
Kaze no Stigma - Filed under Older Series w/Reviews | 8/10 avg. from 1 reviewer
Kenkno Zenrakei Suieibu Umisho (Also known as Umisho)- Filed under Older Series w/Reviews [No Reviews]
Kimi ga Nozomu Eien - Filed under Older Series w/Reviews | 9.5/10 avg. from 1 reviewer
Kodomo no Jikan OVA - Filed under Fall 2007 Anime Previews | 8.5/10 avg. from 1 reviewer
Koi Kaze - Filed under Older Series w/Reviews | 9/10 avg. from 1 reviewer
Innocent Venus - Filed under Older Series w/Reviews | 7/10 avg. from 1 reviewer
^Last Exile - Filed under Older Series w/Reviews | 8.5/10 avg. from 1 reviewer
^Naruto - Filed under Older Series w/Reviews | 7/10 avg. from 1 reviewer
Naruto Shippuden - Filed under Older Series w/Reviews | 8.5/10 avg. from 1 reviewer
Ninja Scroll - Filed under Anime Movie Reviews [No Reviews]
Noein - Filed under Older Series w/Reviews | 9.5/10 avg. from 1 reviewer
Potemayo - Filed under Older Series w/Reviews | 7.5/10 avg. from 1 reviewer
Ragnarok the Animation - Filed under Older Series w/Reviews | 2.5/10 avg. from 1 reviewer
Red Garden - Filed under Older Series w/Reviews | 8/10 avg. from 1 reviewer
Rurouni Kenshin - Filed under Older Series w/Reviews | 10/10 avg. from 1 reviewer
Samurai 7 - Filed under Older Series w/o Reviews |[No Reviews]
^Samurai Champloo - Filed under Older Series w/Reviews | 9.5/10 avg. from 1 reviewer
Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei - Filed under Older Series w/Reviews | 8/10 avg. from 1 reviewer
School Days - Filed under Older Series w/Reviews | 8.5/10 avg. from 1 reviewer
Scrapped Princess - Filed under Older Series w/Reviews | 9/10 avg. from 1 reviewer
Shakugan no Shana - Filed under Older Series w/Reviews | 10/10 avg. from 1 reviewer
Shingetsutan Tsukihime - Filed under Older Series w/Reviews | 9/10 avg. from 1 reviewer
Sky Blue - Filed under Anime Movie Reviews [No Reviews]
Spirited Away - Filed under Anime Movie Reviews [No Reviews]
Slayer - Filed under Older Series w/Reviews | 7/10 avg. from 1 reviewer
Suzuka - Filed under Manga Reviews | 8.5/10 avg. from 1 reviewer
Tengen Toppa Gurren-Lagann - Filed under Older Series w/Reviews | 9.5/10 avg. from 1 reviewer (lol)
Tenjho Tenge - Filed under Older Series w/Reviews | 9.99999999999/10 avg. from 1 reviewer (lol)
TOKKO - Filed under Older Series w/Reviews | 6.5/10 avg. from 1 reviewer
Trigun - Filed under Older Series w/Reviews | 10/10 avg. from 1 reviewer
Uninhabitable Planet Survive! - Filed under Older Series w/Reviews | 7/10 avg. from 1 reviewer
Zero no Tsukaima - Filed under Older Series w/Reviews | 10/10 avg. from 1 reviewer
Zero no Tsukaima: Futatsuki no Kishi - Filed under Older Series w/Reviews | 9/10 avg. from 1 reviewer
Zombie-Loan - Filed under Older Series w/Reviews | 8/10 avg. from 1 reviewer
Older Series w/Reviews
.hack//SIGN (2002) - Avg. Rating: 8.5/10 out of 1 reviewer
Genres: Adventure, Drama, Mystery, Sci-Fi
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/d/da/Tsubaruz.jpg/260px-Tsubaruz.jpghttp://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/a/a4/Depresed_tsukasa.jpg/260px-Depresed_tsukasa.jpghttp://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/0/07/Hack-newtype1.jpg/260px-Hack-newtype1.jpg
Synopsis: .hack//Sign follows the story about Tsukasa being mind-trapped into the game. Despite being a "fantasy quest type adventure", it does not rely on action sequences. Instead, the show is driven by mystery, slowly revealing its secrets to the viewer while paying much attention to the individual characters. Questions like what happened to Tsukasa in the real world, who he really is and why he is unable to log out are driving points of the story.
Soon after the beginning of the series Tsukasa is led to a hidden area. There he meets Morganna, depicted as a voice without physical appearance, and Aura, who appears as a young girl clad entirely in white, floating asleep above a bed. The storyline introduces Morganna as an ally, but her real intentions are unknown at this point.
As the story progresses many characters are introduced, some who want to help, some who have ulterior motives. Then more questions arise as to "what is happening in the game itself, who are these various characters, what are their true goals and what will happen to Tsukasa".
******ry's review: 8.5/10 - .Hack is really quite a different story compared to other anime's I've watched but when i watched this i was really happy, being an online game fanatic myself, seeing what online game's had become in the future really drew my attention to the anime and seeing how the whole anime is about how online game's show how they still have Error's such as in this time kid's in Korea have been known to die from playing a game non-stop without sleeping or drinking or even eating, yet in .hack people can die from error's in the game trapping them inside it.
The Character's in this all have different extravagant costumes [Like most online game's] and all of them have their own weapon that usually sum's up their personality, [e.g Tsukasa is quite and Timid and is a Magician like Character with a Staff] Yet there are some exemptions [e.g A Moderator in the game Subura-Sama is a small woman yet Carries a giant Halberd Axe.]
This Anime isn't really a Comedy and Explores the Psychological Trauma and Distress inside Tsukasa's mind [Episode 26 //Unison is an Exemption] as he cannot escape from the game.
Even though it isn't a comedy it certainly held my attention, the suspense makes your anxious to see what happens and let's say i watched the whole series in about 3 day's..
The Animation is much like Death note, and has slow detailed scene's yet with Extravagant Colors and Visuals which is certainly above standard.
After seeing the Final Episode Which contained a Dance Scene and alot of summing up of the Story, i felt.. i didn't need more.. i mean theres always a million other .hack extension's to watch anyway [Liminality, Gift, Root's, The Legend of Twilight.]
I enjoyed this and I'm going to give it an 8 and a half.
Content Rating: 13+
AIR (2004) - Avg. Rating: 10/10 out of 1 reviewer
Genres: Romance, Supernatural, Drama
Air
Best. Anime. Ever. That. Will. Make. You. Cry.
Except I watched it at a friend's house, so I didn't cry... 'cause, you know... I gotta act like a macho penguin :razz:.
How many eps?:
13, plus a movie (which is simply the entire series in 2 hours. Don't watch the movie until you've watched through the entire anime. It does offer some insight to the characters that they don't tell you in the anime, so it's still worth watching).
Synopsis:
Spoiler:
Based on "Key"'s H-Game (there's also a none-H version, since the Anime made "Air" so popular), where the main character is a "magician" of sorts. He meets a girl who's mentally ******ed (or simply extremely trusting of strangers :lol:), and the rest, as they say, is part of the anime :lol: (btw, I was kidding on the mentally ******ed bit... but eh, she could really pass as a mentally challenged individual).
Plot:
Simply Gorgeous. That's all I gotta say about this.
Originality:
Air wears the Originality + 10 armour, and the Originality + 8 armlet, and the Originality + 14 Healm of Originality. It also wields the Sword of Imperial Originality. Which gives Originality a bonus of extra 43 points.
UNSTOPPABLE PWNAGE :lol:!
Animation Quality:
Very beautiful sceneries with attractive character animation/design. The movie's animation style is different, and I personally did not like it as much as the original.
Top Notch animation.
Does it make "you" do [anything]:
It'll make you cry. I know you did. Admit it. You did!
Does it entertain "you":
If it doesn't, you're one cold hearted ******* :lol:.
I saw the final episode, do I want more?:
Absolutely not. The ending was perfection. Any more episodes added to milk the series will be dealt with by the EYE OF JUDGEMENT. Death will follow.
Overall:
Why the hell are you still reading this? GO BUY/RENT THE DVD AND WATCH IT!
Score:
10/10. Period.
Extra Notes:
There is a "Air Summer Special" that is never licensed nor released in NA, so it may still be available via fan subbers. It's pretty cool, and I won't spoil anything for you.Black Lagoon (2006) - Avg. Rating: 9/10 out of 1 reviewer
Genres: Action, Comedy, Drama
http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t226/softtack/Anime%20Review%20Corner/bl1.jpg http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t226/softtack/Anime%20Review%20Corner/bl2.jpg http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t226/softtack/Anime%20Review%20Corner/bl3.jpg
Synopsis: On an unusual but routine business trip in South East Asia, fate turns business man Rokuro Okajima's life around when pirates hijack his ship and take him hostage. In a strange turn of events Rokuro joins the Russian mafia-employed motley crew and adopts the moniker 'Rock'.
SolidSnakeUS's review: 9/10 - I love this show for the action that it provides. It is pretty much an adrenaline rush with the action and crazy stuff that goes on. It does have well done characters that actually have depth and do develop over time. I do like the relationship that all the main characters have with each other, because they all fit into some place important, not just some random character that will save the world or destroy it. I do especially like the relationship between Levi and Rock, because with both of them, it shows the real depth of their characters. I can say the story can be a little weird, considering how their is no TRUE constant story, but it does have many story moments. A must for awesome action scenes and deep/developing characters. I also have to add that I LOVE the ending to this first season.Bleach (2004) - Avg. Rating: 7.5/10 out of 1 reviewer
Genres: Adventure, Comedy, Drama, Shounen, Supernatural
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Synopsis: Ichigo Kurosaki is a 15 year old boy that has the ability to see spirits ever since he can remember. Because of this, he is able to meet a female Shinigami (a.k.a Soul Reaper) named Rukia Kuchiki. In order to save his family and friends from unwanted soul-eating spirits named Hollows, Rukia proceeds to transfering her Shinigami powers to Ichigo. With Rukia's help Ichigo discovers his true calling: to protect the living and the dead from evil. [ANN] (http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=4240)
Phaded's Review: 7.5/10 - It's hard to give a complete review of an anime that hasn't even finished yet because it still has time to get much better or much worse than it currently is. From what i have seen of Bleach it deserves at least a 7, it has good art, a unique story, unique characters, and some good comic relief. And not to be rude or anything but it also has some of the biggest breasted women of any shounen mainstream manga/anime i've seen. (lol). This is a kind of anime i call a good "starter anime" if you are new to anime or want to introduce somebody new to anime then this is one of a few series i would start off with.
Episodes: 139 (as of 11/9/07)
Content Rating: Teenagers (May contain bloody violence, bad language, nudity)
Original Run: October 5, 2004 – (ongoing).
Blood+ (2004) - Avg. Rating: 9.5/10 out of 1 reviewer
Genres: Horror, Action, Drama, Mystery, Supernatural, Romance
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/2/2c/Otonashi1.jpg
Characters in this picture are:
The Girl - Saya
The Man - Haji
The Thing in the background - A chiroptera
Directed by: Jun'ichi Fujisaku
Studio: Production I.G
Original run: October 8, 2005 – September 23, 200
No. of episodes: 50
Introduction
Under the care of her adoptive family, Saya Otonashi has been living the life of an anemic and amnesiac, but otherwise ordinary schoolgirl. Saya’s happy life is shattered when she is attacked by a chiropteran, and learns that she is the only one who can defeat them. (Chiroptera is the name of the order of biological classification that bats are in. This is the most likely reason for the vampiric creatures being called "Chiropterans"). Armed with her sword, Saya embarks on a journey with her family, allies and faithful servant, Haji, to rid the world of Chiropterans and rediscover her identity.
The series is initially set in present day (September 2005) Okinawa City (Koza), on Okinawa Island, near the US Kadena Air Base. In the course of the series, Saya visits locales across the world, while fighting enemy chiropterans and searching for her origins.
Background
Blood+ is a spin-off and a sequel to the 2000 animated film “Blood: The Last Vampire”, the film takes place several decades before the anime in 1959 (Having awakened some unknown time beforehand, Saya hunts several Chiroptera at Yokota Air Force. Several months later, the Vietnam War begins. Saya enters third sleep soon afterward) is not necessary to watch the film to enjoy the anime, due to the time difference between the two, Saya is the only character that appears in both.
QuickSilverD's Review:
Animation: 10/10
Sound/Music: 8/10
Story: 9/10
Overall: 9.5/10
Blood + is an excellent anime, with an outstanding and intelligent plot, it somehow manages to pack together action and drama in a way I thought was not possible, it has a lot of action (and yes it also has a lot of Blood… plus) there is good character develop, especially Saya, who is faced with the destiny of saving the world from these creatures (Chiroperas), sound like a cliché but the way they do it is not your traditional hero plot, she actually gets affected by all what is happening around and grows up a lot mentally.
If you start to watch this anime since the second half of the series you would probably think that she is some type of an Emo-girl, but if you actually watch the anime from the beginning she has to go through a lot of things, she loses some people she loves and blames herself for it (because she wasn’t strong enough). I don’t want to spoil anything for you, but yes some characters die and it is usually very emotional when it does happen.
The anime has outstanding animation quality, almost OVA like, most animes that have such good quality in animation are half series of 13 episodes, while Blood+ last for 50 episodes, and the only other anime that I can think of that has as good animation quality and long run would be Fullmetal Alchemist.
http://tokidoki.animeblogger.net/wp-content/uploads/2007/04/blood.jpg
Speaking more about the plot, Saya (who conveniently has amnesia at the beginning of the anime) is some kind of Vampire: she needs to drink blood to survive, she has a lot of strength and speed, she can heal real quickly, but she is not affected by the sun, silver, or anything that would hurt a vampire. When the series starts, Saya is living with “her” family, a father and two brothers: Kai (age:17) and Riku (age:13) (hint: they are actually not blood related), her father is actually a member of an organization called “The Red Shield” apparently they have been working alongside with Saya as their objective is the same “to destroy all the Chiropteras and their queen: “Diva”.
After Saya’s “awakening” when a Chiroptera attacked her school and she instinctively fights and defeat it, using her blood (because her blood can kill the creature) she is contacted by the Red Shield and they explain everything (as in what she needs to know) to her, with them is also a man named Haji who introduces himself as Saya’s chevalier (French for Knight), it is later reveal that he became a chevalier after Saya gave him her blood (think of a vampire turning another person into a vampire) he is apparently on par with Saya’s skill and like her he needs to drink blood to survive, he is devoted to Saya and will do anything she ask him to.
So Saya, Haji, the Red Shield and even Riku start their mission to destroy the Chiropteras, mindless creatures that go around killing and eating people, the number of these monsters has incremented exponentially over the last few decades. It is later reveal that all the Chiropteras are biological weapons to be used by the US military, they were created using the blood of Diva, Saya’s very own sister, probably by the initiative of one of Diva’s Clevalier: Amshel.
The rest of the anime is not as simple as just battles between the Red Shield and Diva’s chevaliers, there are several conspiracies going on, there are several plot twist, sometimes you think a characters is trying to do this but then it turns out that they actually where trying to do another thing, sometimes you don’t know who is the ally of who, who is manipulating and who is just a puppet.
Note: Each one of Diva’s chevalier have lived for over a hundred years, and they have acquired a lot of financial, political and military power: one of them is a high ranking general in the US army, another is the CEO of an important company worldwide and so on and so on, in the anime Diva has 5 chevaliers under her service.
Diva herself acts like a child, who only wants to have fun, while Amshel, her first chevalier seems to be plotting the end of humanity and the rise of the Chiropteras. You should really do yourself the favour of watching this anime, it performs fantastic in every area, good plot, of animation, action, a touch of romance (sorry can’t talk about this without spoiling the plot). There are really no failures here and also, Sony affiliated studios help to make this anime and SCE make a few video games too (I don’t know if they are any good)
Chobits (2002) - Avg. Rating: 7/10 out of 1 reviewer
Genres: Science fiction / Romance
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Synopsis: Motosuwa Hideki is a Hokkaido farm boy who fails his college entrance exams. He moves to the big city to attend cram school in the hopes of getting into the college of his choice. While there, he notices that everyone has a personal computer assistant, or Persocom … and Persocoms look, act, and are treated almost as people in their own right. Hideki seems to be the only man in Tokyo without one, and bemoans his fate, as Persocoms are very expensive, and Hideki is very broke. As chance would have it, Hideki finds a "broken" Persocom just lying in the trash. When he starts her up, all she is able to do is mimic Hideki's movements and say, "Chii." So that's what he calls her. Is Chii really broken? Or is she quite possibly the greatest Persocom ever made - a truly artificial intelligence known as a Chobits? [ThemAnime] (http://www.themanime.org/viewreview.php?id=215)
Phaded's Review: 7/10 - For me I have mixed views on giving this a review for the whole series, to me the Anime kind of breaks off half way through and the tone is completely off. For the first half of the Anime I would give 8/10, the story is heartwarming, funny and better than your average Ecchi anime. However about half way through the Anime takes a slightly darker undertone to it's story which kind of ruins the whole theme of what Chobits was supposed to be about in the first place. Some people will disagree with me on this but I would give the second half of Chobits a 6/10. So as a compromise i would give the entire anime a 7/10.
Episodes: 24 (3 Flashback Episodes)
Content Rating: 16+ (nudity, sexual innuendo and situations, some violence, slight exploitation)
Original Run: April 2nd 2002 - 24 September 2002.
Chrno Crusade (2005) - Avg. Rating: 10/10 out of 1 reviewer
Genres: Action, Fantasy
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Synopsis: Chrono Crusade is set in the height of the Roaring Twenties (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roaring_Twenties), where jazz is king, bootleg liquor flows freely, and the mob rules the streets. It is a time of prosperity, luxury and decadence, and the division between rich and poor grows even wider in the wake of the First World War (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_World_War)… but it is at such times of great change and upheaval that the dark things that lurk below the world of man can come to the surface. In the world of Chrono Crusade, a fictional organization known as the Order of Magdalene (or more specifically, the characters of Sister Rosette Christopher and her soul-bound demon partner, Chrono) exists to fight the demonic threats that appear with increasing regularity across America. Both Rosette and Chrono are revealed during the course of the story to be driven by a shadowy past, centered around a search for Rosette's lost brother, Joshua. Joshua is shown to have been taken from her by the sinner, Aion, a devil who shares a dark and bloody history with Chrono, and seeks nothing less than to overthrow Heaven and Earth.
The anime follows the manga through the first half, but it diverges halfway through, creating different courses of events and endings. The characterization of some the characters, including Rosette and Aion, and their roles in the story were changed in the adaptation of the manga. Much of the story is driven by the individual pasts of the main characters and the complex relationships between them.
Tool 316's review: 8.5/10 - I enjoyed chrono crusade very much. I love the forties look. It's sort of a love story but you wouldn't know that until the series is over and you look back. There isn't too much sappy stuff, but tons of action and a beautiful story. The characters are energetic, especially rosette. She is kind of a bully and it was nice to see something new. It's not everyday you get to see a nun kicking *** and taking names.Claymore (2007) - Avg. Rating: 10/10 out of 1 reviewer
Genres: Action, Fantasy, Supernatural
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Synopsis: The anime adaptation of the manga began airing on Nippon Television (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NTV) on April 3 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/April_3), 2007 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2007). It is planned to run for 26 episodes. It faithfully followed the plot of the manga up until about episode 20, where it started to diverge. In episode 20, a number of details were changed and, starting in episode 21, the plot starts to diverge. The 26 episode run will not be sufficent to cover all the manga published so far.
The anime is directed by Hiroyuki Tanaka (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hiroyuki_Tanaka) and Madhouse Studios (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madhouse_Studios) with character designs by Takahiro Umehara, series organization by Yasuko Kobayashi and music by Masanori Takumi (http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Masanori_Takumi&action=edit).
More detailed information about Claymore, provided by QuickSilverD:
The story is set in a fictional world with medieval technology, in this world; humans coexist with creatures called Yoma (妖魔, Yoma) monsters that feed on human guts. The Yoma are capable of taking on human form and living in disguise amongst humans.
Inside this spoiler is the typical Yoma in action, as you can see they have so few physical characteristics that it would seems that they are always in a shadow so they be easy to draw.
http://img.onemanga.com/mangas/00000045/00000001/35.jpg
So a nameless and highly secretive organization has created an order of superhuman warriors to protect humans from the Yoma. These warriors have come to be popularly known as Claymores, after the immense claymores (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Claymore) they wield. Villages being attacked by Yoma hire Claymores to kill the Yoma for a large fee. Oh and by the way all claymores are women, seriously.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/5/54/Claymore_TV_Series_Uniforms.gif
This is the Claymores uniform, sadly it doesn’t really shows anything of the girl’s body and apparently it was actually designed for battle >_<
A Claymore's standard abilities include overall enhanced physical prowess faster healing, limited shape modification and the ability to detect Yoma by sensing their Yoki (妖気, Yoki). To use their special abilities, they access the powers of their Yoma-half. However, if the Yoma powers of each Claymore are pushed over a certain limit the Claymore loses all humanity and becomes a powerful, highly intelligent, and incredibly bloodthirsty Yoma called an Awakened Being.
Despite saving humans on a regular basis, Claymores are often alienated from and feared by humans due to their incredible powers, their relation to Yomas, and generally aloof attitudes.
The story of follows the adventures of the Claymore warrior Clare, the plot follows her as she fights Yoma and struggles to hold on to her humanity, with determination and her human friend Raki by her side. As the series progresses, she becomes a stronger and better fighter, gradually earning the respect of strong allies and coming in conflict with the shadowy organization, the top Claymores who support them, and many powerful Awakened Beings.
http://www.mounthiking.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/04/vlcsnap-372743.png
This is Clare the series protagonist, as you can see she has blonde hair, silver eyes, and a cute body, all other claymores looks about the same as her like if they were all sisters or something (I’m not making that up)
Don't believe me? see for yourself
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/d/d7/Galatea_preview.jpg http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/e/e6/Rafaela_preview.jpg http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/9/93/Miria_preview.jpg http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/f/ff/Jeane_preview.jpg http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/d/d7/Deneve_preview.jpg http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/2/2f/Helen_preview.jpg http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/6/69/Teresa_preview.jpg
Yes they are all different women. Try to memorize their hair stiles is the only way to actually distinguish each from one another
Tool 316's review: 10/10 - As of writing this, claymore is my favorite anime series next to bleach and naruto S.
claymore is dark and Erie its full of blood and guts imagine naruto stly action mixed with record of lodus war.the fighting is top notch and the series is beautifully drawn im at the end of the series right now and i can't wait to see how it ends
QuickSilverD's review: 8/10
Animation: 9/10 – Just what one would expect from a 2007 high-budget anime
Sound: 9/10 – very good voice acting (japanese), and an excellent sound track
Story: 8/10 – Too many clichés make the story somewhat predictable, it is still entertaining not the less
Overall: 8/10 – Really entertainment and full of action, could use a little more originality but it is ok.
In one way we could say that Claymore is like Devil May Cry but with chicks, without guns and without sucking so much. In the technical department this anime is as good as one would expect from a 2007 high budget anime, good drawings, excellent animation, excellent soundtrack and great voice acting (Japanese).
One thing is that this anime has is fare share of clichés and predictable situations, if you have watched enough anime you’ll probable be able to predict everything that will happen in the first episode, but fear not, it also has enough originality to keep you watching without getting bored, plus a lot of blood and mutilation.
For example like I said earlier all Claymores are women, but unlike what one would expect this little fact is NOT use as an excuse to introduce random and mindless fan service (what did you said? That this is actually a negative point? Oh you **** pervert!) Also there is actually a believable reason for why all Claymores are female, that reason is…
like mentioned earlier if a Claymore uses her power beyond a certain limit she will transform into Yoma and start killing people for no good reason. It turns out that the beginning the organization created male Claymores but they crossed their limits relatively fast and every single one of then end up becoming Yoma known as “Awakening Beings”
So yes in the world of Claymore the big bad guys are male, and their leader as you may have already predicted is some yaoi looking Sephiroth-wannabe male warrior
One thing that I can praise this anime for is the fact that every episode has a lot of story going on; there is nothing remotely close to filler in this anime. And if a fight start in one episode (no matter how important that fight it) it will end in that episode, and if they aren’t fighting then they are developing their characters (character develop).
Now the only real bad thing is the ending, I won’t spoil it now, but the anime is faithful to the manga up until the last six episodes, from there it begins to change a few thing and by the two final episodes the story is completely different from the manga. Now the ending episode doesn’t sucks or anything, it just that it doesn’t feels like an ending, they let too many plot holes open, to many secrets, too many characters that were mentioned don’t fight or not even show their face, Because of this if you really did enjoy the anime you may want to start reading the manga.
[U]How could it have been better? If instead of changing the ending they would have followed the manga even when they still would be realising episodes now
Director: Hiroyuki Tanaka (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hiroyuki_Tanaka)
Studio:Madhouse Studios (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madhouse_Studios)
Network:NTV (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nippon_Television)
Original run: April 3 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/April_3), 2007 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2007) – September 25 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/September_25), 2007 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2007)
Episodes (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Claymore_episodes): 26 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Claymore_episodes)
CODE-E (2007) - Avg. Rating: 9/10 out of 1 reviewer
Genres: Romance, School Life, Sci-Fi, Fantasy
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Synopsis: Chinami Ebihara is girl with a strange ability to generate electromagnetic waves when her emotions run high. However, since this 'ability' affects anything electrical, it resulted in her having to transfer from school to school when she was younger. As Chinami, now 18 years of age, transfers to a new school, she once again affects the electronic devices in the school, but this time, when another student, Kotaro Kannagi, sees her do this, he becomes obsessed in studying her "TYPE-E" ability. [ANN (http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=7617)]
SolidSnakeUS's review: 9/10 - I love this anime. The characters are so cool and I actually like how no one in the whole series overly hot or overly good-looking. The sounds is amazing, especially with the electricity. The special effects and drawings are very well done. However, the ending is wide open and I hope that they make a series. Hopefully they don't do it like what the guys for Tokko did. I recommend this for a romantic comedy with a good amount of sci-fi to it.
Code Geass (2006) - Avg. Rating: 9/10 out of 1 reviewer
Genres: Action, Mecha
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Synopsis: On August 10th, 2010, a.t.b., the Holy Empire of Britannia overpowered Japanese forces and conquered the country with their robotic weapons, the Knightmare Frames (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knightmare_Frames), in less than a month. Japan lost its freedom and rights and was renamed Area 11, and the Japanese people are renamed "Elevens" and forced to survive in ghettos, while Britannians live in first-class settlements. Rebel elements persist, however, as pockets of Japanese organizations struggle against the Empire for the independence of Japan. After his father, the Emperor of Britannia, did nothing to pursue the terrorists who murdered his mother and crippled his sister, a young boy named Lelouch (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lelouch_Lamperouge), vowed to destroy Britannia. Seven years later in Area 11, he encounters a mysterious girl who gives him the power of the Geass. With it, he finally has the power that he needs to defeat Britannia and fulfill his two wishes: to seek revenge for his mother and to construct a world in which his beloved sister can live happily.
Tool 316's review: 9/10 -This is one of my favorite new series. It's very similar to Death Note where the hero crosses the line between hero and villain. It's action-packed from the start and always leaves you wanting more. I don't really want to get into anything specific because of all the twists but you'll love this. This is the first of two series so as of right now so it's incomplete. I would check out fansubtv.com for more details episode list and actual episodes.DearS (2004) - Avg. Rating: 10/10 out of 1 reviewer
Genres: Fantasy / Romance / Comedy
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Synopsis: Ikuhara Takeya is a high school student living a normal life. He is not interested in the commotion around a UFO filled with beautiful alien females that crashed on earth a year ago. The aliens, known as DearS, are deciding to take permanent residence on earth. What no one knows is that these aliens are a slave species whose sole purpose is to serve and please their masters. One day, Takeya spots a person shivering behind some bushes. This person, Ren, is one of the DearS, and after being saved by Takeya she chooses him as her master. Takeya, who doesn't know about the master-slave relationship of DearS, tries to learn Ren the normal lifestyle of the people on earth, though he constantly fears that Ren is an evil alien who's trying to brainwash him. But Ren isn't like other DearS. She is in fact malfunctioning and is being tracked down by their leader. Meanwhile, Takeya begins to learn more about DearS, and a mythical DearS relationship called “Gift” begin to develop between them. [ANN] (http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=4080)
Phaded's Review: 10/10 - I'm sure a lot of people are thinking "Why on earth would this guy rate DearS 10/10!?, well let me explain. I give DearS a 10/10 for the simple fact that it sets out to do only one thing and this is to make you laugh, it also does this exceptionally well. If your looking for an engaging storyline, awesome action or an anime that just plain has it all then stay clear of this, if you take this anime too seriously then you are going to be wondering why the hell you started to watch it in the first place. If you want a very good laugh, possibly while you are drunk (:razz:) then i highly reccomend DearS. And like i said if you take this anime seriously then it is liable to be given a 1/10 but based on the fact it's made only to make you laugh hysterically then i give it a 10/10, because if you don't laugh at this anime then there is something wrong with you... at least that is what i think personally.
Episodes: 12
Content Rating: 15+ (light offscreen violence, fan service, light nudity, extreme sexism)
Original Run: 10 July 2004 – 26 September 2004.
Death Note (2006) - Avg. Rating: 10/10 out of 1 reviewer
Genres: Fantasy, Mystery, Psychological
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Synopsis: Yagami Light is an extremely intelligent, but bored, young man who resents the crime and corruption in the world. His life undergoes a drastic change when he discovers a mysterious notebook, known as the "Death Note", lying on the ground in the year 2003 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2003). The Death Note's instructions claim that if a human's name is written within it that person shall die. Light is initially skeptical of the Death Note's authenticity, believing it is just a prank. However, after experimenting with it and killing two criminals, Light is forced to admit that the Death Note is real. After meeting with the previous owner of the Death Note, a Shinigami (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shinigami) named Ryuk, Light seeks to become "the God of the new world" by passing his judgment on criminals.
Soon, the number of inexplicable deaths of reported criminals catches the attention of the International Police Organization (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interpol) and a mysterious detective known only as "L". L quickly learns that the serial killer, dubbed by the public as "Kira" (derived from the Japanese pronunciation of the English word "Killer"), is located in Japan. L also concludes that Kira can kill people without laying a finger on them. Light realizes that L will be his greatest nemesis, and a game of psychological cat and mouse (http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/cat_and_mouse_game) between the two begins.
Tool 316's review: 10/10 - This has to be one of my all time favorite anime series. I fell in love from episode one. The show starts out kind of slow but picks up quickly. The series is full of twist and turns, and every time you think you have something figured out, it goes in the opposite direction. The characters are so realistic your are instantly attached to you them, and the story is amazing you will never get tired of this one. You might also want to check out the movies. I recommend watching movie 1 then the series followed by movie 2 to avoid spoilers.Devil May Cry (2007) - Avg. Rating: 5/10 out of 1 reviewer
Genres: Action, Supernatural
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/b/bb/Dante_Anime.jpg
QuickSilverD's Review
Animation: 10/10
Sound/Music: 8/10
Story: 4/10
Overall: 5/10
I’m guessing that since all the fuss of the “DMC4 will be on 360” event everyone in this forum is at least aware of the Devil May Cry video games. As you may know DMC games are action games, so there isn’t a deep story, just enough to keep you there and now that there is also an Anime you would think this is a nice opportunity to expand the storyline and maybe to prepare everything and explain the events before DMC4, right? Well guess again, this anime is as good as a Hollywood movie based on a video game.
Now, the anime in itself has excellent animation everything is very fluid, it has a good soundtrack, the fighting sequences are nice and everything looks good. Now the problem with this anime is the story it has (or lacks), it adds nothing to the plot of the Devil may Cry games, it doesn’t explain anything that matters, it could only be compare to anime filler episodes, where nothing significantly important happens.
Dante is a devil hunter and he does missions in exchange for money, this is basically what happens in each episode: Dante is in his agency usually eating pizza (no joke) a guy comes in and offers him a mission, Dante takes it and goes around to investigate (ala private detective of the ‘40s) by dumb luck he finds or is attacked by the demon(s) he is hunting, there is a fight, Dante wins without much trouble, he then collects his money (but always have some dept to pay).
The ending was nothing special and was the only episode in which Dante actually used the Devil trigger (but we don’t really get to see it actually). Another thing, if by any chance you’ve never played a DMC game then you will be in a limbo watching this anime, cause it does nothing to explain anything about the background at all, who are the characters, etc.
So, at the end, unless you are a fan of the Devil May Cry video games there is no real reason for you to want to watch this anime since it doesn’t add anything to the plot of the games, sure there is some action, but come on: Dante fights and you know he is no going to even get hurt, what’s the point?
Watch only if you have nothing better to do.
Directed by: Shin Itagaki
Studio: Madhouse
Original run: June 14, 2007 – September 6, 2007
No. of episodes: 12DNA² (1994) - Avg. Rating: 9/10 out of 1 reviewer
Genres: Fantasy, Mystery, Psychological
Synopsis: Story about Junta and his "disease" of throwing up in front of cute girls. He has a friend named Kotomi who has been his childhood friend since he can remember. One day a misterious character (Karen) comes from the future telling him that she has to stop him from becoming the Mega Playboy. Becasue of that she shoots him with a "DNA bullet". Unfortunatelly, she used the wrong bullet which instead of stopping him, she actually hastened his transformation. Now what will happen to Junta and his new self...or not?
SolidSnakeUS's review: 9/10 - This is actually a pretty good anime. The drawings are pretty much all hand done, but it's not the best because it is a tad dated (not much). The story is very unique compared to most other animes, however sort of reminds me of Dokuro-chan. Pretty much, the synopsis of the show is that a time agent named Karin goes back in time to stop someone from becoming the "Mega Playboy", which is a major problem in the future. I do love how all the relationships between Karin, Junta and Ami work out, mainly because of the love triangle sort of thing. It is very funny and does have its action moments. A few things could be cliche, but not much. Highly recommend this anime to people who like romantic comedies with some action in the mix.Elfen Lied (2004) - Avg. Rating: 10/10 out of 3 reviewers
Genres: Horror, Drama, Sci-Fi, Romance
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Synopsis: The Diclonius, a mutated homo sapien that is said to be selected by God and will eventually become the destruction of mankind, possesses two horns in their heads, and has a "sixth sense" which gives it telekinetic abilities. Due to this dangerous power, they have been captured and isolated in laboratories by the government. Lucy, a young and psychotic Diclonius, manages to break free of her confines and brutally murder most of the guards in the laboratory, only to get shot in the head as she makes her escape. She survives and manages to drift along to a beach, where two teenagers named Kouta and Yuka discovers her. Having lost her memories, she was named after the only thing that she can now say, "Nyuu," and the two allow her to stay at Kouta's home. However, it appears that the evil "Lucy" is not dead just yet... [ANN (http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=4148)]
Softtack's review: 10/10 - Elfen Lied is an exceptionally dark at gory anime, but its true beauty is the level of character development present in the 13 episode series. I'm not a fan of excessive violence or gore in anime (I couldn't stand Gantz) but Elfen Lied manages to execute it well because it is packaged in such a great story. The story tends to move slowly at time, but the suspense keeps you watching. I would give both of my arms to have those vectors that Lucy has. It's a good anime to get away from the typical animes. There are no mecha, no cute magical girls or the stupid comedy relief friend. It is a truly unique and heartbreaking story, and rightfully earns the title of my favorite anime.
Phaded's review: 10/10 - Elfen Lied was a recommendation from softtack, he insisted i watched it because it was brilliant and so with high expectations i decided to watch it, and man i wasn't dissapointed in the slightest. Sometimes the story can get a little confused with itself but other than that this anime delivers on all levels, action, comedy, drama, character development. art, you name it this anime has it. I will say one thing and that this anime is serious, it contains a lot of gore and some dark adult themes so stay away if you are easily offended. If this anime sounds right up your street then i suggest you watch it because you would be hard pressed to find a better anime than this.
HellsJester's review: 10/10 - I am a gore lover and one day i saw these anime pics of this girl getting her limbs cut off and later one of my anime friends found out it was called Elfen Lied. He watched it and told me to see it. I went in just thinking i was going to get gore but i got so much more i completely forgot about the gore. The story and characters and music made it one of the best anime experiences i have ever had. Its now in my top 5 favorite anime. Its a very mature anime and when i talk to other people who have seen it they either love it or hate it and i understand why people wouldnt like it because of the gore and nudity.
People who hated it usually gave the same excuses and here is an example. "They just tried to shock you into watching". Hearing complaints like this makes me think they couldnt see passed the gore and nudity and completely didnt pay attention to the story or characters. Oh and Elfen Lied has the best intro hands down.
Episodes: 13
Content Rating: 18+ (Violence, Gore, Nudity, Strong Language)
Original Run: 7.25.2004 to 10.17.2004
Ergo Proxy (2006) - Avg. Rating: 9/10 out of 1 reviewer
Genres: Action, Drama, Horror, Psychological, Mystery, Sci-Fi
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Synopsis: In a future where the world has been ravaged by a nuclear apocalypse, there exists salvation in a domed city named "Romdeau", where humans and their android servants, the autoreivs, live in. Under the implementation of complete management control, it is a paradise where feelings are literally discarded, and the governing council dictates the way of life the citizens should live. But this utopian landscape is soon broken by a series of mystifying murders. Real Mayar, a female inspector from the Citizen Information Bureau, along with her autoreiv partner Iggy, are tasked to solve the murder cases. She is soon attacked by a creature drawn to her which is neither human nor android, and learns about the mysterious phenomena called "Awakening", an event which draws her further into the case...and to the world beyond the limits of Romdeau. [ANN]
SolidSnakeUS's review: 9/10. It is a very well designed and very well written anime. This is a smart show, but doesn't make you feel dumb either. I love how each episode deals with either literature, philosophy, or history. The major characters, Re-l Mayer, Vincent Law and Pino are such well developed characters and I love how they all develop throughout the show. The only problem I may see is that the story can may be confusing to some, not all. I highly recommend this for serious sci-fi and action people.
Episodes: 23
Content Rating: 16+ (Violence)
Fate/Stay Night (2005) - Avg. Rating: 7.5/10 out of 1 reviewer
Genres: Action, Adventure, Romance, Supernatural
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How many eps?:
24. No bonuses/prologues that I am aware of.
Synopsis:
There is a "holy grail war" going on, with "Masters" and their "Servants" competing for the "holy grail" (Omfg, that's a shocker :roll:). Now, the main character, by accident, summons upon the most powerful "servant" out of all the servants (according to the storyline). And he's thrusted into the entire war, and hopefully, he gets out alive.
Plot:
The plot follows the "first ending" from the original game, produced by TYPE-MOON. It's not freakishly spectacular, unfortunately--unlike Tsukihime :razz:.
Not surprisingly, the storyline is actually from Nasu's work ten years ago, when he was still in College. It's more generic and... accessible by anyone and everyone. Since it's a 24 episode series instead of 12 Eps like Tsukihime, it's much more fleshed out in terms of pacing.
Originality:
Hmm, this one pales in comparison to Tsukihime. It's good, but not great; a bit cliche'd if not for the settings and characters.
Heck, it does show some chronic "one guy surrounded by many women" syndrom that many other shows seems to exhibit. I wish Nasu stuck with his original story that he wrote in College, where the gender of Shirou and Saber were switched.
Animation Quality:
It's spectacular. Definitely top notch. You'll love it :smile:.
Does it make "you" do [anything]:
Hmm, I'm not sure. The story wasn't nearly as touching, but it has to do with the theme of the anime which was stripped down for the "general anime viewers"... Which, unfortunately, is "boy meets girl and fall in love" kind of scenario (but I don't think they got this across all that well).
Does it entertain "you":
It did, I'll give it that much.
I saw the final episode, do I want more?:
Hmm, if it's going to have the same stripped down theme as compared to the game, then it's a definite "No". It just seemed so... average.
Everything that makes Nasu's work "unique" and "original" got chopped off. I'm not very happy with this piece.
Overall:
Watch it if you're a fanboy of TYPE-MOON like I am, but apart from the animation and the background story, everything seems so generic. Doesn't get two thumbs up from me.
Score:
A solid 7.5/10. Sorry, but Fate/Stay Night the anime is full of Phail. This has to do with the butchering of many of the original plot from the game :?.
Full Moon wo Saga****e (2002) - Avg. Rating: 7.5/10 out of 1 reviewer
Genres: Drama, Slice of Life, Comedy
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Synopsis: Twelve-year-old Mitsuki Koyama was devastated when she was diagnosed with a malignant tumor of the throat. She had made a promise to the boy she loves that she would one day become a singer, but her illness made singing impossible. To make matters even worse, two Shinigami, Takuto and Meroko, appeared to Mitsuki and informed her that she only had one year left to live. This news provides an even greater motivation for Mitsuki to fulfill her dreams, and with a little bit of divine intervention, she begins her quest to become a professional singer so she can be reunited with Eichi before time runs out.
Softtack's Review: 7.5/10 - A cheerful and pleasant series, Full Moon wo Saga****e is about 12 year old Mitsuki with throat cancer and two shinigami, or death gods. Her dream to be a singing idol seems kind of childish, but what do you expect for an anime targeted towards children. Delightfully, it is surprisingly fun to watch. Full Moon is more plot-oriented, but there are certain episodes in the 52 episode series dedicated to plot development. Filler episodes are dotted throughout, although it isn't surprising for a series this long. There are many flashbacks and daydream scenes for Mitsuki's romances with the boy she loves, Eichi (the subbed version I watched called him Ecchi in the first few episodes ^^;) The visuals in this anime are average. Only key objects in the backgrounds move and at times, there are some art problems with the characters.
This is a series you'll be saying "KAWAII!" at a lot so be prepared if you're a manly man
Gantz (2005) - Avg. Rating: 8/10 out of 1 reviewer
Genres: Action, Horror, Psychological
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Synopsis: The story begins when a pair of high school students (Kei Kurono and Masaru Kato) are seemingly run over by a subway train, after saving the life of a homeless drunk who had fallen onto the tracks. Following their untimely deaths, Kei and Masaru find themselves transported — alive and well — to the interior of an unfurnished Tokyo condominium, where they're unable to leave, from which the Tokyo Tower (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tokyo_Tower) may be seen, with a number of people who have also just died. At one end of the room is a featureless black sphere we later learn is called "Gantz". After a short amount of time, a postwar Japanese exercise radio begins to play from the sphere. By way of green text that appears on the surface of the sphere, Gantz informs those present that their lives have ended. The following words appear on the black sphere's surface: "Your lives have ended. What you do with your new lives is entirely up to me. That's the theory, anyway." (The ADV translations have it as "Your lives are over, you *******s. What you do with your new lives is entirely up to me. So there you have it.") The sphere then opens up to reveal suits that, when worn, amplify the user's attributes, such as strength, speed and agility. Along with the suits are various high-tech weapons with different uses for different situations. Next, information on the Gantz Targets (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gantz_Targets) appear on the surface of the sphere, shortly before the Gantz Team are transported to the location of the mission.
Much is still left unknown about the room. It appears to be isolated from the rest of the world through a dimensional barrier. Its door will only open under the condition that the mission is completed. According to the manga, there are reports of similar rooms in Germany, United States and Israel. The appearance of another Japanese team set in Osaka indicate that there is more than one of these in Japan.
In addition to the weapons, suits, and scanners, Gantz holds what appears to be a muscle-bound bald man on life support in the center of the ball. The true identity and purpose of this man is never revealed; but there has been no small amount of implication that he is in some way responsible for the running of the game, selecting players, scoring the individual players' performance, and monitoring the team both during missions and during the 'off hours' in between.
Tool 316's review: 8/10 - I enjoyed Gantz until the end. It has a good story with good characters and plenty of action. This series start off as a comedy in the first episode, but it's very sad, emotional and insanely violent. Think of Elfen Lied but not as graphic. The main character is completely selfish and self absorbed but things change. I just have to say this one thing beware of the ending...Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex (2002) - Avg. Rating: 10/10 out of 1 reviewer
Genres: Mecha / Military / Mystery / Police / Science Fiction
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Synopsis: In the near future society is super saturated with technology. It is a society in which artificial intelligence is more than an artifact of the imagination, users plug directly into the internet, and cybernetically enhanced agents police the activities of those who are plugged in. It is the officers of Section 9, typically under the direction of “Major” Kusanagi Motoko, that uphold the rule of law on the information highway here. And it is here that the Major and the agents of Section 9 get inevitably drawn into the tangle of events surrounding the Laughing Man case, a cyber-crime case in which not all is as it seems. [ANN] (http://www.themanime.org/viewreview.php?id=611)
Phaded's Review: 10/10 - Not a lot can be said about Ghost in the Shell that hasn't already been said before. But what i can tell you is that you would be hard pressed to find a more complete and well put together storyline than this, sure it can get confusing at times but it all comes around in the end. The Artwork in this anime is amazing and Production I.G. has possibly set boundries when it comes to Anime in how well they have use computer imagery. You have action, suspense, brilliant plot, the best anime characters ever (Tachikoma's) and the sexiest cyborg to ever hit our tv screens (Kusanagi), put this all together and it makes for one great anime that you can't afford to miss out on!. This is also one anime that i recommend you try the Dub as well as the Sub.
Episodes: 26
Content Rating: 16+ (Violence, Adult themes)
Original Run: 1 October 2002 – 25 March 2003.
Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex 2nd Gig (2004) - Avg. Rating: 10/10 out of 1 reviewer
Genres: Mecha / Military / Mystery / Police / Science Fiction
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Synopsis: In the future, life between the digital and physical world has been blurred. The boundary of technology and humanity has been stretched beyond imagination with lives being led in both the electronic and physical worlds. With the melding of man and machine – a new cybernetic level of existence is being created - An existence that continues to redefine mankind. [ANN] (http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=910)
Phaded's Review: 10/10 - This is the Second season or '2nd Gig' of the Ghost in the Shell Stand Alone Complex tv series. The second season is every bit as brilliant as the first, the only difference is of course the new story and the fact that it has darker undertones, but in no way does this make it worse if anything it makes it better as it blends in brilliant with the story of the Individual 11. Production I.G. have also outdone themselves with the Artwork in 2nd Gig as it is a bit better than that of the 1st Gig. Not much more to say as what applys to the 1st Gig applys to the 2nd. This is also one anime that i recommend you try the Dub as well as the Sub.
Episodes: 26
Content Rating: 16+ (Violence, Adult themes)
Original Run: 1 January 2004 – 8 January 2005.
Great Teacher Onizuka (1999) - Avg. Rating: 9.5/10 out of 1 reviewer
Genres: Comedy, Romance, Action, School Life, Drama
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Synopsis: Onizuka is an ex-biker and gang leader who has one goal, to become the greatest teacher. He learns of the power and respect possible as an intern teacher, using his strength and connections to get his students to respect him. Now, graduated, he gets a job at a prestigious private school to handle their 'problem class' that made the past few teachers quit. He must handle a different sort of trouble when the trouble makers include some of the smartest kids in Japan who prefer a more cerebral approach to torturing their teacher. Onizuka must slowly win his students over and deal with their mistrust of teachers while handling the distrust of his fellow teachers.[ANN (http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=153)]
Softtack's review: 9.5/10 - Take all of your favorite movies and put them together, and you get Great Teacher Onizuka. Eikichi Onizuka is officially THE coolest person in anime. Imagine a teacher that used to be the leader of Tokyo's biggest gang, smokes, rides motorcycles, chases after his female students, while managing to kick the asses of students to put them back into line. The storyline is "flexible" to say the least but still manages to keep you reeled in. The characters are exceptional as well, especially the students that form an impromptu gang around Onizuka. To sum it up, he never ceases to amaze, and neither does this anime.
Episodes: 43
Content Rating: 16+ (Violence, Partial Nudity, Strong Language)
Original Run: 6.30.1999 to 9.24.2000
Gundam Wing: Endless Waltz (1997) - Avg. Rating: 9.5/10 out of 1 reviewer
Genres: Adventure, Action, Mecha, Sci-Fi, Drama
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Synopsis: It is the year After Colony 195 and the battles between Earth and the colonies have ended. Treize Khushrenada is dead and OZ has come to an end. This gives birth to the Earth Sphere Unified Nation and the Preventers.. Seeing they won't be needed anymore, the Gundam pilots (except Wufei) send their suits into the sun. However, this peace would not last, for a rebellion occurs on the newly completed colony, L3 X-18999. Led by eight year old Mariemaia Khushrenada, Treize's daughter, the rebellion kidnaps Relena Darlian, now the Vice Foreign Minister of the Earth Sphere Unified Nation (ESUN), during a diplomatic mission to X-18999. As the Gundam pilots investigate further, they discover that Mariemaia is merely a puppet controlled by her grandfather Dekim Barton, a former advisor to martyred colony leader Heero Yuy, who is using X-18999 to go through with the original Operation: Meteor, as a contingency plan in case the ESUN doesn't comply. The Gundam pilots must prevent Dekim from seizing power over the ESUN. The Gundams were retrieved from their course to sun to Earth's orbit thanks to Quatre and the Maganacs. The pilots fought against Dekim's forces, not killing anyone. In the end, Dekim is killed by one of his own soldiers, Earth and its colonies are at peace once again and all mobile suits are forever destroyed.
killzone_71's review: 9.5/10 - If your looking for your Mecha anime fix, then this is for you...
Gundam Wing:EW is the sequel to GW...
This OVA combines Mecha action with a very serious feel on saving the human kind from the brink of destruction.
GW:EW features a lot of action revolving around the 5 Gundam pilots, their sacrifices so Earth and its colonies are at peace again...
This is recommended to any Anime lover for its one of the best OVA's out there...
Although the it looks old because of the 90's tech, no self-respecting Anime fan should pass this up...
Episodes: 33
Content Rating: 16+ (Violence)
Kaze no Stigma (2007) - Avg. Rating: 8/10 out of 1 reviewer
Genres: Action, Fantasy, Comedy
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Synopsis: Four years ago, Kazuma Kannagi was defeated by his cousin Ayano Kannagi for the right to be the successor of Enraiha, a sword passed down in the Kannagi family. His defeat, along with his lack of talent for En-Jutsu, the fire arts, the Kannagis' specialty, resulted in his banishment from the family. Now, Kazuma returns as Kazuma Yagami, a skilled master of Fū-Jutsu, the wind arts
Tool 316's review: 8/10 - Okay, it's not the greatest story ever told or anything, but its has a decent story and the action is good and the comedy is top notch excellent the main character is something of a perv but in a good way. To put it simply, if the action is not heavy, you're probably on the floor laughing. It's definitely worth a look.Kimi Ga Nozomu Eien (2003) - Avg. Rating: 9.5/10 out of 1 reviewer
Genres: Drama, Romance
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Synopsis: This is a love story that focuses on the love triangle between Haruka, Mizuki and Takayuki. Haruka confesses her feelings for Takayuki and he reciprocates. But Haruka falls into a coma after an unfortunate accident occurs while she is waiting for Takayuki. Takayuki is greatly saddened by this turn of events but eventually he moves on. While sharing their grief over Haruka, Takayuki and Haruka's best friend, Mizuki become close. They later fall in love and are happy together. Three years later, Haruka wakes up. Worried about hurting the fragile Haruka, Takayuki and Mizuki decide to lie to her about their relationship until she is strong enough to hear it.
Softtack's Review: 9.5/10 - Love and lies is what Kimi ga Nozomu no Eien (referred to as KimiNozo from thus forth) thrives on. But before you stop reading, I have to point out that it's a very good thing. Takayuki Narumi, the male lead in this love triangle anime often brings up a love/hate relationship from the viewer. KimiNozo is heavily based on both plot and character development. It's extremely difficult to review this anime without revealing a huge plot twist, something that affects the rest of the story. I will say that sex can and does alter decisions characters make, thus making it an anime that's definitely not for kids.
KimiNozo is fantastic for the drama lover. I loved every moment of it, so much so that I watched all 13 episodes in one sitting. And there are many that agree with me, because the production studio is releasing an alternate ending with the other girl soon. I HIGHLY recommend Kimi ga Nozomu no Eien.
Koi Kaze (2004) - Avg. Rating: 9/10 out of 1 reviewer
Genres: Science fiction / Romance
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Synopsis: Born twelve years apart, siblings Koshiro and Nanoka were separated when their parents divorced and moved to different parts of Japan; as a result, they both grew up hardly aware of the other's existence.
The story begins when 15-year-old Nanoka moves to Tokyo (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tokyo) to live with her father and brother, the latter being 27 years old and employed by a marriage-arranging company. Koshiro first encounters Nanoka on the train one morning, and returns her dropped train pass. Despite their age difference, they feel a brief spark of connection before they go their separate ways.
Soon after that, they encounter each other once again near an amusement park, where they go on an impromptu date. While riding the Ferris wheel (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferris_wheel), the two open their hearts to each other and discuss their recent romantic woes. Nanoka comforts Koshiro when he breaks down and cries, and he realizes that he is very attracted to her. Right after the date, they meet their father, and are startled to realize they are siblings.
Koi Kaze is about Koshiro's love for Nanoka, his conflicting drive to obey societal norms, and Nanoka's growth into womanhood and her growing feelings for her brother. [Wiki (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koi_Kaze)]
Softtack's Review: (WARNING, MATURE CONTENT BELOW)
The reason we watch romance is because of their optimistic storylines and cute characters, right? In the world of anime, everyone is beautiful, but in real life, is that really the case? Koi Kaze takes the traditional love story and bashes it on head with a baseball bat.
Visuals/Sound: 8.5 - Koi Kaze is painted in what seems to be watercolors. The colors are light and muted and background animation is rare, except in certain cases where it is critical to the story's development. I found this style to be effective at directing your attention on the characters and their dialogs, and reminded me of Honey & Clover a bit. The audio also follows the visuals, light and muted. Dashes of piano music are present in the background. Sound effects are simple and there are no goofy sound effects. Both the visuals and audio fit the anime very well.
Story/Characters: 9.5 - Now I can finally get to the meat and potatoes of this anime, and I'll say it right out. This is an EXTREMELY controversial anime. With its overlying themes of incest and pedophilia, it's bound to tie many knickers in a knot. I'll try not to reveal any spoilers past what is provided in the synopsis above. As his girlfriend dumps him, Koshiro is asked "Have you ever truly loved someone?" He becomes miserable afterwards until he meets 15 year old Nanoka. Even though he puts up his usual front of an a-hole, he breaks down crying, and begins to have feelings for her. But he's met with a cold slap to the face when his father introduces Nanoka as his sister. I have to stop here for a moment for a comment. This is the biggest plot twist that will occur in the anime. There are no mysterious strangers or childhood friends that will pop up out of nowhere and claim their love for Koshiro. It's extremely straightforward from the second episode on about what is going to happen next. Needless to say, since I mentioned incest before, they begin developing feelings for each other, but the way each character handles it is different.
Koshiro knows this type of relationship is wrong, but continues on in a more mature fashion, by masturbating into her underwear. Nanoka, on the other hand, handles her love for her brother in typical innocent teenage fashion. The story gets interesting further along, while the characters hiding their relationship from their family and friends. Each character has internal conflicts, and they're constantly battling themselves inside on what's right and what's wrong. They handle problems like normal, real life people and like real people, have a few screw ups along the way.
The ending is as expected of a romance anime. It is left open and nothing is really concluded, and this is where average anime become even more average. However, you can't forget forget that this isn't a normal anime. It manages to take all of that ridiculousness and tie it into a neat package, and that's when you notice the brilliance in this anime. Your feelings come out in this anime, and it pains you whenever something bad happens.
Overall - The key focus of this story is character development, and it pulls that off brilliantly. With a neatly woven storyline, along with appropriate visuals and audios, this presents the most realistic story you will ever see in animated form. If you can overlook the controversial overtones, I highly recommend this anime, and is why it earns a rating of 9/10.
Episodes: 13
Content Rating: 18+ (Sexual innuendos and situations, uncomfortable themes)
Original Run: April 4th, 2004 - June 17th, 2004.
Hajime no Ippo (2000) - Avg. Rating: 9.5/10 out of 1 reviewer
Genres: Sports, Action
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Rating:
Animation: 8.5/10
Sound: 9/10 (Doesn't apply to manga. Lol and you know why)
Characters: 10/10
Story: 9/10
Overall: 9.5/10
Sypnosis:
Hajime No Ippo is about a teenager called 'Makonouchi Ippo' who is often picked on because he is shy and conservative.
One day while he is being picked on by his usual tormenters he is saved by a Pro boxer called 'Takamura'. After this run - in he gains an interest in boxing and decides to pick it up.
Essentially the manga is about Ippo's pursuit of the 'meaning' of being strong while boxing, but it is also about the struggle of his fellow gym mates.
Review:
Hajime No Ippo sets itself apart from other sports manga with its hilarious gags and unique characters. The manga has a lot of references to real life boxing, and main character's fighting style is based off of Mike Tyson. Hajime No Ippo shares similarities to other Shōnen manga such as the characters using their will power to push themselves through harsh situation; however it does it in a way which makes the manga more immersive, unlike other shonen manga's were it makes it corny and unrealistic. This immersion makes you sympathise with the character(s) situation and makes the manga all the more enjoyable.
The comedy in Ippo is great and is similar to the comedy in Great Teacher Onizuka (another great anime); the situations the characters run into and they're reactions to it all contribute to the comedy of Hajime No Ippo. My favourite character and one of the most funniest is Takamura. He is an immature 'senpai' who is too arrogant for his own good, however once you read the manga it becomes apparent as to why he is so arrogant.
The story for Ippo is simple but beautiful. Its better than most of the sports manga's out there (the ones that I've read). Its simplicity is where its beauty lies.
The characters are what makes Hajime No Ippo truly Shine; they are different but yet they share a common goal. The mangaka has developed these characters well and each has their own unique traits.
To sum, Hajime no Ippo is one of the best mangas out there and even after 17 years it retains its crown as the best Sports manga out there(some may argue). The story is staying strong and the art style is not beautiful but practical. As you read the manga you see the drawings evolve over the years. The only downside is that some of the matches are a volume or two long.
This is one manga you should check out, but before that check out the anime.
Mangaka: Jyoji "George" Morikawa
Serialised in: Weekly Shonen Magazine
Genre: Sports, Boxing
Demographic: Shōnen
Volume: 81 + (and ongoing...)
Episodes: 76 episodes, 1 movie, 1 OVAInnocent Venus (2006) - Avg. Rating: 7/10 out of 1 reviewer
Genres: Action, Mecha, Sci-Fi
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Synopsis: After the world population and economy is devastated by simultaneous hyper-hurricanes, many different factions (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faction) and fledgling nations appear. In Japan, an elite class (http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Elite_class&action=edit) called Logos appears, controlling special zones in the country which have most of the wealth and resources. The Logos exercise control over the Levinas, the lower class (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lower_class) which struggles day to day in order to stay alive. The Levinas are restricted from entering the special zones, causing tension which creates a resistance group which fights back against the Logos.
With the tagline "A Near Future Late-Shogunate Action Animation", the story draws analogies with 19th Century Japan at the end of the Tokugawa Shogunate (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Late_Tokugawa_shogunate) period, just before the Boshin War (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boshin_War).
Jō and Jin escape from Phantom, an elite military group which is used to control the Levinas. When they escape, they take a young girl named Sana with them. The series follows them as they work to avoid being caught by Phantom and the regular military forces of the Logos.
Tool 316's review: 7/10 - Not too much story wise, but it has its moments. It's biggest selling point is the action. Not much to this beside that but it's good enough to watch if you have the time. In the end its more or less of the same nothing you haven't seen before.Last Exile (2005) - Avg. Rating: 8.5/10 out of 1 reviewer
Genres: Drama, Adventure, Action, Military
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Synopsis: Enter a world similar to 19th century with anti-gravity devices. Claus and Lavie are pilot and navigator of a Vanship and act as messengers for the Guild. They soon become involved with a mysterious mission after rescuing a little girl from a strange star-shaped killing machine. Not willing to let the girl die, they complete the mission by deliver her to the mysterious mercenary ship, the Sylvania, only to become part of the crew as fighter pilots. Now they must fend for their lives, as fate has put them in the middle of a war... a war for the Gateway to Exile!
Softtack's Review: 8.5/10 - With characters designed by the great Range Murata and a heavy slathering of steampunk throughout, Last Exile is a unique take on the classic military anime.
The story line doesn't start to appear until about halfway through the series. The first half deals a lot with character development and relationships. But when the plot starts to form, it grips you and you feel the need to keep watching because of the cliffhangers each episode ends with. Towards the end, you need to be paying attention because it's easy to lose track of what's happening, but you'll be too hooked not to.
However, my favorite part of Last Exile is how beautiful the artwork in the series is. The characters are designed by Range Murata, one of my favorite artists, and his art brings a unique twist to this anime. Much of the time is spent in the clouds, which are drawn beautifully and battles are amazing, with a mix of hand drawing and CG. But most important of all, this quality is consistent throughout the series.
Overall, Last Exile impresses on all levels. Great story, characters and artwork. I recommend this highly to anyone who enjoys some good ol' fighting action.
Naruto (2002) - Avg. Rating: 7/10 out of 1 reviewer
Genres: Action, Adventure, Comedy, Magic, Martial Arts
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Synopsis: Naruto closely follows the life of a boy who is feared and detested by the villagers of the hidden leaf village of Konoha. The distrust of the boy has little to do with the boy himself, but it’s what’s inside him that causes anxiety. Long before Naruto came to be, a Kyuubi (demon fox) with great fury and power waged war taking many lives. The battle ensued for a long time until a man known as the Fourth Hokage, Yondaime, the strongest ninja in Konoha, fiercely fought the Kyuubi. The fight was soon won by Yondaime as he sealed the evil demon in a human body. Thus the boy, Naruto, was born. As Naruto grows he decides to become the strongest ninja in Konoha in an effort to show everyone that he is not as they perceive him to be, but is a human being worthy of love and admiration. But the road to becoming Hokage, the title for the strongest ninja in Konoha, is a long and arduous one. It is a path filled with betrayal, pain, and loss; but with hard work, Naruto may achieve Hokage. [ANN] (http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=1825)
Phaded's Review: 7/10 - When Naruto first came out it was a massive hit and it is a rather good anime. With a good concept they created Naruto which has good a pretty good story and art. I personally like this anime quite a bit, the reason im giving it a 7 is for two reasons.
1. The series last for around 220 episodes, only the first 135 episodes are canon, every episode after that is a filler episode, watching them can end up in you loosing your appetite to watch the anime or it's sequel altogether. Be. Careful. Watching. Fillers.
2. Personally i think the show is home to one of the most ANNOYINGLY ridiculous emo and pathetic character in an anime/manga to ever be released. Sasuke Uchiha, it's made worse by the fact that he is one of the main characters of the show aside from the main character himself. If you can get around this guy or you... well... end up liking his character then there is no reason to be watching this anime.
Again i would call this a good starter anime for newcomers, just be careful of the filler episodes. And don't listen to some people if they say "Naruto is childish, it's for kids" etc etc, any anime can be watched by anybody of all ages, and Naruto is for all ages as it does grow into maturer theme's as the anime goes on.
[/b]
Episodes: 220 (135 canon, 85 filler)
Content Rating: Teenagers (May contain bloody violence, bad language, nudity)
Original Run: October 3, 2002 – February 8, 2007.
Naruto Shippuden (2007) - Avg. Rating: 8.5/10 out of 1 reviewer
Genres: Action, Adventure, Comedy, Magic, Martial Arts
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Synopsis: Naruto Shippuuden is the continuation of the original animated TV series Naruto.The story revolves around an older and slightly more matured Uzumaki Naruto and his quest to save his friend Uchiha Sasuke from the grips of the snake-like Shinobi, Orochimaru. After 2 and a half years Naruto finally returns to his village of Konoha, and sets about putting his ambitions to work, though it will not be easy, as He has amassed a few (more dangerous) enemies, in the likes of the shinobi organization; Akatsuki. [ANN] (http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=4240)
Phaded's Review: 8.5/10 - Shippuden is in it's beginning with it only having around 30 episodes, so with this in mind i couldn't possibly give it a full review, but with what i HAVE seen so far it is going in a direction in where it will be better than the original. The series has grown up a bit and has got a bit more serious, with better art and with new goals in mind fans of the original Naruto will like where it's continuation is going.
Episodes: 27 (as of 11/9/07)
Content Rating: Teenagers (May contain bloody violence, bad language, nudity)
Original Run: February 15, 2007 – Ongoing.
Noein (2005) - Avg. Rating: 9.5/10
Genres: Adventure, Romance, Sci-Fi, Drama, Slice of Life
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Synopsis: Fifteen years in the future, by high-level scientific power, a violent battle takes place between Lacrima, that protects humanity, and Shangri-La, that plans the annihilation of all space-time. The key to stopping Shangri-La's invasion is a mysterious object known as "the Dragon's Torque." A group known as the Dragon Cavalry is being sent through space and time to find it. In the present, twelve-year old Haruka and her friend Yuu are contemplating running away from home when they meet a member of the Dragon Cavalry named Karasu (Crow). He believes that Haruka has the Dragon's Torque and claims to be Yuu from fifteen years in the future. [ANN] (http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=5887)
SolidSnakeUS's review: 9.5/10 - I really do like this show. I love the characters, from Yuu to Haruka to Karasu. They all develop throughout the show showing that they aren't just plain, ordinary characters, but characters that change, learn, adapt and love. When it comes to the story, it can be complicated for some, but it is mostly straight forward; what I mean by that, it is nothing too hard to understand. If you watch the fansubbed version of the show, it will actually have notes that will explain things that normal people don't understand (such as quantum physics and such). I like how the story progresses very well and it doesn't drag it's feet all that much. For the visuals, I would say they are really up there, a very good combination of unique drawings with great CG work of some creative effects and monsters/things. If you just watch the dubbed version, you may not get it as well and for some, it may be too hardcore sci-fi for them, considering there can be a good amount of quantum physics content involved. It is very heavy on sci-fi, action, drama and romance (a little bit) and I would suggest it to people who like to watch a smart anime, but doesn't make you feel very dumb.
Episodes: 24
Content Rating: Teenagers (May contain bloody violence, bad language, nudity)
Original Run: 12th October 2005 – 29th March 2006
Potemayo - Avg. Rating: 7.5/10 out of 1 reviewer
Genres: Comedy, Fantasy
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Synopsis: Sunao Moriyama finds a strange but cute creature in his refrigerator that he names Potemayo. Potemayo starts following him everywhere, usually riding on top of his head. His discovery becomes the center of attention in his class at school. Soon after, a similar creature appears, and is named Guchuko by one of Sunao's classmates. However, Guchuko doesn't seem to be as good-natured as Potemayo. [ANN (http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=7449)]
Softtack's review *updated*: 7.5/10 - This anime is based on a 4koma, which means it has no real plot or storyline of sorts. The most in depth it gets is when going over Sunao's (the main character, black hair above) family, and what happened with his mom and all that. The previous review I gave after watching the first 5 or so episodes. Now that I've completed it, I feel totally different about it. The humor that I though was dry and boring is actually very funny. It seems to get better and better as the episodes progress along. Not to mention that the character designs are cute, and perfect for a show like this. It is random at times so if you need a concrete plot, stay clear away. Otherwise, this is a good anime to check out.
Episodes: 12
Content Rating: Older Children (Blood, comedic violence)
Ragnarok the Animation (2004) - Avg. Rating: 2.5/10 out of 1 reviewer
Genres: Comedy, Fantasy, Adventure, Romance
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Synopsis: The story happens in the same world of Rune-Midgard, yet the progression gets darker. An evil entity called the Dark Lord wants to create chaos in the world with the help of seven crystals that represent the seven ambitions (also known as the Seven Strengths) who sealed him away years ago.
The main protagonist, Roan is a swordsman whose main goal in the anime is to gain power to protect his childhood friend, Yufa. At one point, he believes he has failed in this and goes off alone to get stronger. After a fateful encounter in Byalan, Roan returns to the group as a Crusader, successfully rescuing Yufa. However, as the story progresses, Roan begins to lose sight of his duty. He later realizes his wrong after some advice from the Legendary Witch in Payon and Comodo.
He has many other companions which you'll have to watch the anime to find out about.
******ry's Review: 2.5/10 - I'm going to start by commenting on this series' animation techniques. They Suck. It's horrible and Roan's ears stick out like a monkey making me feel like I was watching a kid's cartoon. ROA [Ragnarok Online the Animation] is based on an online game, which is based on a manga, so really it's not very original.
The main characters are a pain. The swordsman is stuck up, the acolyte just goes on and on about her dead brother, and the mage is also stuck up and is a complete ***** to everyone around her. Oh heck, the only good character is the the little annoying merchant girl and Baphomet...
The anime, which was set out to make me laugh, made me cry through boredom. Yes, I'll admit there are some amusing moments with the merchant girl but sadly the anime has to embarrass and destroy those moments with the other 90% of tedious pain.
It didn't entertain me at all until the last 5 episode's where i was sitting intently on my seat hoping that one of the main evil people was going to kill or blow up Roan.
I think it's time to sum up this piece of trash.
Ragnarok the Animation, after watching the final episode, makes me want less... LESS LESS LESS. It was terrible... I think we should just keep playing the game, and the animation should be best forgotten about and left somewhere cold in your attic.
2.5/10 meaning "Bleh, it's not worth watching"Red Garden (2006) - Avg. Rating: 8/10 out of 1 reviewer
Genres: Drama, Mystery
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Synopsis: Strange suicides have been taking place in New York. One day, four girls from the same high school wake up in the morning feeling tired and dizzy and not being able to remember anything about the previous night. In school, they find out that one of their classmates has committed suicide. School is canceled for the rest of the day, but instead of going home, the girls are drawn to a park by butterflies only they can see. Suddenly a man and a woman approach the girls, telling them that they all died the previous night. [ANN]
Tool 316's review: 8/10 - A funny thing about this anime, I only watched it because it reminds me of blood trinity. when I saw the promotional the poster i instantly though Blood trinity however, upon watching the first half of the episode i was quite surprised. the animation looks like a mix between a Disney animation and one of those old dr sues cartoons. the story revolves around 4 teenage girls in high school,which of course are from all different social classes, you have the nerdy girls who lives with her little brother and sister then we have the punk the rich girl and of course the popular stuck up girl. they are all brought together by a similar fate which i will not spoil.the action is turned up a night where the basic plot is revealed. if i had to compare it to any other anime it would be a little gantz and a little blood trinity, you will also notice that the animation style changes at night. red garden posses a very interesting story and i hope you guys give it a try its well worth it.
Episodes: 22
Content Rating: 16+ (Violence, Suggestive Themes)
Rurouni Kenshin (1996) - Avg. Rating: 10/10 out of 1 reviewer
Genres: Action, Adventure, Historical, Comedy
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Synopsis: Rurouni Kenshin (the OAVs and Movie are known as Samurai X) tells the story of a wanderer named Kenshin, who used to be called Hitokiri Battousai (Hitokiri means Assassin) during the Japanese civil war, and is now trying to make up for his past and all his murders by helping those in trouble with his reverse-blade sword and by using his powerful technique called Hiten-Mitsurugi Ryu to battle oppressors of freedom and justice, yet struggling with himself and his own murdering self.
During the series Kenshin joins others in his quest: Kaoru Kamiya, a young orphan girl who became tutor of the Kamiya-Kashin Ryu Kendo style; Sanosuke Sagara, a mercenary who used to bear the name Zanza and fights just with his incredibly powerful fists; Yahiko Myojin, a young boy who was rescued by Kenshin from a band of thieves and now a pupil on Kaoru's dojo; and Megumi Takani, a female doctor who was rescued by Kenshin from a band which forced her to make a lethal drug. Together they all fight those who oppress the weak while they seek their destiny as well happiness and redemption.
The series is based on a homonymous manga created by Nobuhiro Watsuki, which was first published in 1994. [TV]
******ry's review: 10/10 - Rurouni Kenshin is a series that was divided up into 3 seasons. The first covering Kenshin Himura's "Hero Saves the day" adventure's which just focus on him saving the day and being rather blurry about his part. The second Series focuses on the main plot and his past. The third series after the main plot being resolved focus's on him and his "Acquaintances" Adventures together.
Rurouni Kenshin is a great series, The Plot changes and is very deep yet at times it can be extremely funny. After the series end's you feel as if there should have been more of the main plot but apart from that it feels like it is just long enough without becoming tedious. The Manga at times can be extremely funny [e.g Cicada Impersonations in Episode 3] and yet sad in the OVA's and other parts of the Anime.The Animation is rather good and advanced for it's time since it was made in the 90's. Characters in Rurouni Kenshin have alot of conflict with eachother which is very amusing at time's [The Animation makes it Hilarious]. The Characters although seeming always Fun are actually Quite Deep and many of them have Dark past's or secrets.
This is a great anime and during watching it it is very addictive.. I'd give it 10 but that would make me seem soft and as if i give all my review 10, it's just i've reviewed by favourite two anime's first OK!? That's it all the other's will be less i know that for a fact..unless Umisho get's better...
Episodes: 95
Content Rating: 16+ (Violence)
Samurai Champloo (2004) - Avg. Rating: 9.5/10 out of 1 reviewer
Genres: Adventure, Comedy, Drama, Historical, Shounen
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Synopsis: Mugen is a fierce animal-like warrior with a unique Bboying (break-dance) inspired fighting style. Jin has a more traditional style but don’t think of this as a weakness because his skills are amazing. The two contrasting samurai warriors are far from friends, yet their separate paths seem to cross anyways. Mugen is wandering aimlessly through the city when he stumbles upon a teahouse where he meets Jin and Fuu (A ditzy waitress, but don‘t think she doesn‘t have anything hidden up her sleeves). Fuu convinces them both to come with her in search of a mysterious samurai that smells like sunflowers and their journey begins. This modernized hip-hop tale breaks the barriers of the common, historical, samurai anime.
UltimaMasamune's review: This anime is main reason why I'm into anime in the first place, I did watch a few episodes of Dragonball Z, Bleach, Naruto and other popular animes before watching this but non of them managed to hold my interest and prove to me that anime isn't just about cliche overpowered characters and girly looking characters
The story is about three characters, one of them is calm, stoic and traditional ronin named Jin, the other one is a brash, wild vagabond named Mugen and the last character is a young feisty girl named Fuu. The story is pretty simple Fuu helps Jin and Mugen to run away from the mayor of the town because his son got killed in fire which was caused by Jin and Mugen fighting and now she wants them to help her find a samurai who smells of sunflowers.
The plot isn't exactly very deep, it's more about what's "happened" rather then what is "going to happen", most episodes are about the events that the party goes through while looking for the sunflower samurai, these episodes are are semi-self contained story wise and character wise and vary from fairly humorous and light hearted to quite serious and epic. Even so these episodes have some a lot of character development and back story and most of these events are tied into a very neat plot twist at then end. The rest of the episodes go into the characters past relationships and stories and contribute heavily to the main plot.
The pacing in each episodes is perfect, the episode usually starts slow and then alternate from very fast paced and action packed and to slow and deep, this will keep off-balance and and interested in what's going to happen next
The fighting scenes are quite plentiful and are swift, dynamic and fast paced. Jin uses a katana and his fighting style is more classical and restrained while Mugen uses a double edged katana that he carries on his back and his fighting style is clumsy and involves using break-dancing moves. Jin and Mugen are always disagreeing which usually results in them fighting each other. The enemies are usually samurais but some others use weapons like guns and scythes
The art and animation style is great and stylish. It puts a slight focus on the character's outline, ankles and bones, and the animations are swift, dynamic and aren't overexaggerated.
Finally the English dub, I watched all of the episodes in English and some of them in Japanese and I have to say that I prefer the english dub. I know that this is about samurais and everything but Jin and Mugen sound more involved in English while they sound a little calm in Japanese, as for minor characters they mostly sound better(but not that much) in Japanese
This is my favorite anime of all time for a reason and this(mostly) has nothing to do with it being the first anime I get into. The atmosphere is great, the characters are memorable and cool and it manages to mix hip-hop, samurai and style perfectly
Overall score: 9.5/10
[B]Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei - Avg. Rating: 8/10 out of 1 reviewer
Genres: Romance, School Life, Sci-Fi, Fantasy
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Synopsis: Itoshiki Nozomu is the world's most negative person. To his way of thinking, there is no hope or meaning in this existence. Even the three kanji of his name become the two-kanji word zetsubou, "despair", when compressed. What an ironic twist of fate, then, that he becomes teacher to a class containing his precise opposite, the invincibly positive-minded Fuura Kaa.[ANN (http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=7767)]
Softtack's review: 8/10 - Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei presents an interesting and quirky look at school life. The main character's constant attempts to commit suicide, often times caused by his equally weird students. The artwork in this anime is extremely well done, and is a new style I haven't seen before. This series is definitely worth watching.
School Days - Avg. Rating: 8.5/10 out of 1 reviewer
Genres: Romance, Drama, School Life
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Synopsis: Makoto Ito rides the train to and from school every day. However, at the beginning of his second term, he falls in love with a beautiful girl that also rides the train. Unfortunately, she barely knows of his existence. Her name is Kotonoha Katsura, and though they attend the same school, they are not in the same class. In an attempt to catch her eye, Makoto enlists the aid of a close female friend of his: Sekai Saionji. She helps him, despite the fact that she, unbeknownst to Makoto, is in love with him. Thus the three are bound in a love triangle of life changing proportions. [ANN (http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=7815)]
Softtack's review:
Visuals/Audio: 7.5/10 - The art in School Days isn't anything to call home about. It's actually rather dull, such as shading or highlights in hair are rarely used. The character designs are fairly run of the mill as well, but since its origins are in a eroge, it's to be expected. One good thing is that the art is consistent throughout, mistakes are few and far between. I really enjoyed the music in the series the most though. The end credits for every couple of episodes have different songs, a pretty good variety. My personal favorite is Kioku no Umi (Sea of Thought) by yozuca. The touches of music during the anime is usually pretty appropriate, and give it a nice background which enhances dramatic situations.
Story: 9.5/10 - I've played the eroge School Days was based off of, which was famous for having "bad endings", non-traditional in the world of eroges where you impregnate a girl and then you win the game, only to start over with a new girl in mind. To tell you the truth, it took me three tries to actually watch School Days. This is an anime where you need to research the background story before you watch it, so you know what to expect. I made the mistake of not doing this, so in turn, the first episode was horribly boring and could barely hold my attention for longer than a minute. I am glad that I stuck it out because this series is fantastic. The level of drama and conflict in School Days is amazing, and it's all beautifully crafted to fit this twisted love story. I guarantee you will come to hate the male lead, Makoto, within the first 3-4 episodes, it's all a part of the show. My emotions flowed out like mad. I was ready to shoot my monitor whenever Makoto came into picture. It's that intense. :) The ending is EPIC, and is a must see. The version that aired on TV was censored, so that gives you an idea of how epic it is.
I wholeheartedly guarantee you that you'll hate Makoto, and love the ending. This is a fantastic anime that all are sure to enjoy, especially drama lovers. If I had to choose one word to summarize School Days, it's "karma". What goes around, comes around...
Overall: 8.5/10
Episodes: 12
Content Rating: 17+ (Sexual situations, Violence)
Scrapped Princess (2005) - Avg. Rating: 9/10 out of 1 reviewer
Genres: Action, Fantasy, Comedy
http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb207/Phaded07/AnimeReviewThread/Princess1Thumbnail.jpg http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb207/Phaded07/AnimeReviewThread/Princess2Thumbnail.jpg http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb207/Phaded07/AnimeReviewThread/Princess3Thumbnail.jpg
Synopsis: The story takes place in a fantasy world and revolves around a 15-year-old girl Pacifica Cassul who is a girl child born in a set of twins into the royal family (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_family) of the kingdom Leinwan and then abandoned. The 5111th Grendel Prophecy (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prophecy) predicts that she is the "poison (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poison) that will destroy the world" before the sun sets on her sixteenth birthday. As a consequence, she is dropped off a cliff as an infant. Believed to be dead, no one realizes her continued existence until after Pacifica is 15 years old already. Pacifica is rescued by a court wizard and adopted by the commoner Cassul family. Her foster (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foster_care) siblings - Shannon, loner swordsman, and Raquel, motherly magician (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magician_%28fantasy%29) - became her protectors. Both siblings are extremely powerful, and more often than not they easily break out of whatever difficult situation they face. Her siblings travel with her throughout most of the story, protecting her from the numerous
Welcome to The Anime Review Corner. In here, you can find reviews and recommendations for all sorts of anime. The ultimate goal of this thread is to boost anime viewership in PS3Forums. So feel free to browse and find new and interesting anime!
If you would like to contribute to this review database, please write up a short review of the anime of your choice and I will add it onto this post. Please cite and link sources if you copy material. Feel free to write another review if it already has a review. That's what the average rating system is for. :)
Updates
3.12.08 - lol, did some housekeeping, like removing the fall anime to make room for the new spring ones, and also removed Stage6 because THAR IS NO MOAR!!! NOO!!!
1.06.08 - Long time no updates. Hajime no Ippo, Gurren-Lagann, Suzuka (manga), and Genshiken (manga) reviews are up.
12.12.07 - Holy updates, Batman! Thanks to ******ry for reviving this thread. ^_^
11.6.07 - Added QuickSilverD's review for the Claymore anime AND manga. First manga review yay!
11.1.07 - Added The_One's insanely long preview of Kara no Kyoukai something or another... and new unreviewed categories of FMA and Samurai 7
10.29.07 - Fixed up some typos of the dates, and also added some of the spoiler tags properly since softtack didn't add them proplery XD (This is "The_One" hi-jacking the thread :p). *Wacks softtack* :p. Oh, I also removed Fate/Stay Night from the "must review" list :p. w00tz!
10.29.07 - Added some hilarious reviews from The_One. >_>
10.22.07 - Updated the AniDict with a few more definitions.
10.13.07 - Added ******ry's reviews of .hack//SIGN and Ragnarok the Animation.
10.12.07 - Fixed a couple mistakes in the listings.
10.11.07 - Added my preview of CLANNAD.
10.10.07 - Added reviews for Rurouni Kenshin and Gundam Wing Endless Waltz OVA, thanks to ******ry and killzone_71 respectively.
10.4.07 - Added a review for Trigun by ******ry.
10.3.07 - Added reviews for Noein and FF:Advent Children, thanks to SolidSnakeUS and ******ry.
9.29.07 - Added Crunchyroll to the Newbie's guide, along with Thegamingdwarf's guide on how to find synopses.
9.27.07 - Added the Newbie's Guide to Anime, and updated my review of School Days
9.24.07 - Added my review of Zero no Tsukaima: Futatsuki no Kishi, and a review of CODE-E by SolidSnakeUS. Updated my review of Potemayo.
9.23.07 - Added a review for Devil May Cry, thanks again to QuickSilverD. Also edited the Blood/Appleseed mistake. Made some changes to the ARC Index.
9.22.07 - Added a review for Blood: The Last Vampire, thanks to QuickSilverD.
9.17.07 - Added a review for Zombie Loan, courtesy of fatalbeliever and a review for Samurai Champloo by UltimaMasamune.
9.16.07 - Added a review of Elfen Lied from HellsJester. Also added the Fall Anime Preview section.
9.15.07 - Added Anime Movie section, along with an update of the not reviewed anime list. Added a ton of new animes, thanks to Phaded along with a review of DNA2 by SolidSnakeUS.
9.14.07 - We officially have our first "averaged" review anime, Elfen Lied. But because both Phaded and I gave it a 10, it's a 10. Go figure.
9.13.07 - Added a review for Koi Kaze, as well as a few entries into the AniDict.
9.12.07 - Added definitions for OVA, ONA and family words (mom, dad, etc.)
9.11.07 - Added Samurai Champloo, Witchblade and Trigun into the series w/o reviews. Also added reviews for TOKKO, Tenjho Tenge, Naruto, Blood+, Naruto Shippuden and Bleach. Anime Dictionary added.
9.10.07 - Added review for KimiNozo, Last Exile and Full Moon wo Saga****e <LOL! :lol:
9.8.07 - Added series pictures/screenshots thanks to Phaded. New filing system implemented. Tell me what you think of it.
9.7.07 - Added a Black Lagoon review, courtesy of SolidSnakeUS and a boatload of pictures for Tool 316's reviews from Phaded. QuickSilverD review writing guidelines added.
9.6.07 - Added 8 reviews provided by Tool 316, from Code Geass to Scrapped Princess. Also, a new graphic!
9.5.07 - Added reviews for Elfen Lied, GTO, Chobits, DearS, Ghost in the Shell SAC 1 & 2, Uninhabited Planet Survive!, Zero no Tsukaima, and Red Garden
9.4.07 - Manga reviews now accepted, added a bunch of older anime (thanks Tool 316!) and a review of Ergo Proxy (thanks SolidSnakeUS!)
8.28.07 - ARC started, added reviews for Potemayo, Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei and School Days
Newbie's Guide to Anime
In the ARC Index below, we've marked a few anime with a caret before the title to signify good starter anime, ones that will surely get you hooked on anime no matter what your background is.
You can get subbed/dubbed anime from quite a few places. Below are the ones we recommend, along with a short description.
Youtube (www.youtube.com (http://www.youtube.com))
Pros: Instant viewing, wide selection, usually updated within a few hours of release
Cons: Lowest quality
Veoh (www.veoh.com (http://www.veoh.com))
Pros: Instant viewing, good selection, better quality than YouTube.
Cons: Still relatively low quality, new episode updates are slower
Crunchyroll (www.crunchyroll.com (http://www.crunchyroll.com))
Pros: More obscure anime/Japanese television, better flash quality then Veoh, good search results.
Cons: Bandwidth problems, removal of series, registration required, bizarre layout :???:
If you would like to keep the anime series you are watching, check to see whether or not the series is licensed first, which can be found out here (http://www.animeondvd.com/licenselist/). If the series is licensed, show your support by buying the DVDs, from places such as Amazon (http://www.amazon.com) or Discount Anime DVD (http://www.discountanimedvd.com/). If the series is not yet licensed, you may have to obtain it from other sources (such as torrents, irc, etc) because these usually are very expensive and contain no English subs or dubs.
Guide on Reviewing Anime
QuickSilverD's written up a nice little guide on how to get started writing reviews for the ARC:
- How good is the plot?
- How original is it?
- How good is the animation, considering the year of production and number of episodes?
- Does it make me laugh, cry or angry?
- Does it entertain me?
- I saw the final episode, and do I want more?
Try to be as objective as possible in your reviews. We understand if you love a certain anime to death and you give it a 10/10 but try to point out some negatives as well. And no excuses saying there aren't any negatives. Nothing is perfect. ;)
To create a synopsis for an anime, Thegamingdwarf has a few suggestions on how to go about it:
If you ever want a really quick way to summarize something, its best just to go to wiki and search, as it happens to have relatively short article on anime, some maybe only a couple of lines long, and all you really need is to rearrange some of their wording. e.g.:
Code-E is a Japanese anime television series animated by Studio DEEN. It is based on an original concept by Ichiro Sakaki and directed by Toshiyuki Kato. It is scheduled to be 12 episodes and first aired in Japan on July 3, 2007. Although the final episode suggests a second season, one is not confirmed at this time.
Chinami Ebihara is a highschool student who emits electromagnetic waves when her emotions run wild. The waves affects electronics such as cell phones, televisions, and computers. Her ability forces her family to move from one location to another. In the year 2017, the Ebihara family moves yet again. At school, a boy named Kotaro Kannagi notices her ability and asks if he can study her. Sonomi Kujo, the daughter of a wealthy family who has loved Kotaro since they were very young reacts with jealousy to his interest, while Yuma Saihashi, a miko with powers of her own tries to guide and warn her. Soon, two foreigners arrive to spy on her. Hence giving you a synopsis like:
The Code-E series is animated by Studio DEEN, having been based upon the original concept by Ichiro Sakaki about a Highschool student named Chinami Ebihara who emits electromagnetic waves when her emotions run wild. Eventually, this causes someone to notice, and and he asks to study her. This causes all sorts of social problems with a younger female who reacts jealously to his interest in her. Directed by Toshiyuki Kato, the series has been run for 12 episodes with a stong suggestion that there is a new series on the way thanks to the final episode.
Anime Dictionary
Read a review or watching a good anime and come across a word you don't know the meaning of? Chances are, it's listed below!
A
Aniki (ah-knee-key)- Older Brother
Aneki (ah-neh-key) - Older Sister
Arigatou (ah-ri-gah-toh) - Basically a translation of "Thank You".
B
Baka (bah-kah) - Idiot
BGM - Background Music
Buruma (Boo-roo-mah) - Bloomers, usually worn by girls in gym classes
C
Cameo – Often, movies will attempt to include cameo appearances by prominent figures who are or were associated with the work on which it is based. This either takes the form of actual appearances or character names.
Chugakusei (cho-gah-koo-say) - Middle school student
Cosplay – In anime and manga, another type of fan service is having one or more of the characters cosplay, usually female, particularly in a costume that is part of a Japanese clothing fetish.
D
Daigakusei (die-gah-koo-say) - College student
Desu - A copula in the Japanese language, similar to "It is...". Popularized by Suiseiseki from Rozen Maiden. Ex. Samui desu = It is cold.
Doujinshi - Fanmade comics
E
Ecchi (eh-chi) - The term ecchi is applied to anime or manga that has vague sexual content (such as skimpy clothing, partial or full nudity), but does not show sexual intercourse. Ex. DearS, Chobits.
ED - Ending (credits)
Eroge (eh-roh-gay) - Short for erotic game, a popular type of game in Japan
F
Fansubs - Anime subs released by an unauthorized party. Ex. a.f.k., Lunar, Eclipse, Dattebayo
Fan Service - To refer to elements in a story that are unnecessary to a storyline, but designed to amuse or sexually excite the audience.
Fillers - Episodes that don't pertain to the storyline; off-topic. Ex. Naruto
H
Harem - Group of one gender, usually women, with similar feelings towards a single character. Basically, something like 5 girls all liking the same boy. Ex. School Days
Homage – Often, a movie or television show will make pastiche reference to another work that the creators are particularly fans of.
I
Itadakimasu (ii-tah-dah-ki-masu) - A phrase commonly said before eating. Akin to "Thank you for this meal".
K
Kawaii (ka-wa-ii) - Synonym for cute. Often said by women, but occasionally by the weird otakus (see O below).
Kodomo (koh-doh-moh) - Child
Konnichiwa (kohn-ni-chi-wah) - Japanese for "Good Afternoon". Can be abbreviated as "chiwasu" in informal situations.
Koukousei (koh-koh-say) - High school student
Kuso (kuh-soh) - Roughly translates to sh*t or d*mn.
L
Love Triangle - Romance between three characters, often with 1 male and 2 female. Ex. Kimi ga Nozomu Eien.
M
Mecha - Mechanical objects, often used for fighting. Ex. Gundam.
Miko (me-koh) - Buddhist shrine maiden
Mizugi - Swimsuit
Moe (mo-eh)- There is no exact definition for moe, but it is similar to cute. An example would be a clumsy girl, girl with glasses, cat-eared girl, etc. Jailbait basically. See Cosplay for more info.
N
Nani (Nah-nii) - Basically a translation of "What". Ex. Naruto
Nekomimi (neh-koh-mi-mi) - Cat ears
O
Obaa-sama/san/chan (oh-baah+suffix) - Grandmother; suffixes ordered from most formal to least. Baba is the rude form of this
Ohayo (Ohio ^_^) - Japanese for "Good Morning"
Ojii-sama/san/chan (oh-jii+suffix) - Grandfather; suffixes ordered from most formal to least. Jiji is the rude form of this.
Okaa-sama/san/chan (oh-kaah+suffix) - Mother; suffixes ordered from most formal to least.
ONA - "Original Net Anime" or an anime that was only released on the internet, instead of TV or DVD. School Days is an example of an ONA.
Onii-san/chan/sama (oh-nee+suffix) - Older brother; suffixes ordered from most formal to least.
Onee-san/chan/sama (oh-neh+suffix) - Older sister; suffixes ordered from most formal to least.
OP - Opening credits
Otaku (oh-tah-ku) - Dedicated nerd, can apply to many things such as Plamos (Plastic Models), Cosplay, Anime, Manga, etc. Ex. Genshiken
Otou-sama/san/chan (oh-tow+suffix) - Father; suffixes ordered from most formal to least.
OVA - "Original Video Anime" is an anime that was released directly to DVD, not airing on TV. This is usually reserved for specials or anime that can't be shown on TV. Can also be called OAV or "Original Animation Video".
P
Psychological - Anime that plays tricks with your mind, either by fooling you into falling into the intended plot line or by introducing the completely unexpected.
S
School Life - Anime that is based on school and students. Ex. Code-E
Sei***u (say-foo-koo) - Uniform
Seinen (say-nen) - Young adult male, typically 18-25. Ex. Seinen mangas
Seiyuu (say-you) - Voice actor/actress
Sexual – partial nudity, eye candy, lesbian you name it, but never going as far as “porn” level
Shougakusei (show-gah-koo-say) - Elementary school student.
Shoujo (show-jow) - Genre geared towards young to teenage girls, often involves romance.
Shounen (show-nen) - Genre, similar to action, geared towards young to teenage boys.
Side characters – Some television series have a habit of bringing back previous side characters, those who often appeared solely for the purpose of one episode's plot only, that audiences particularly loved or were amused by. For example, the frequent returns of the Duane Dibbley alter-ego character in Red Dwarf, or the development of "That Man" in Excel Saga from a one-shot gag character into a main antagonist.
T
Technicals – Heavily used in much of science fiction, these are technical details sometimes bordering on arcane knowledge that hardcore fans are versed in, to show an author pays attention to detail. For example, Lagrange points in Gundam, the CZ-75 pistol in Gunsmith Cats, or the use of an SSH exploit in The Matrix Reloaded. Sometimes fictional technology invented by another author is used in this way; for instance the ansible in Ender's Game is a reference to Ursula K. Le Guin's Hainish Cycle. There are similar references in Doctor Who to "reversing the polarity of the neutron flow".
Tsundere (sun-deh-reh) - Character who starts out violent but turns out to be kind-hearted or vulnerable emotionally. Ex. Naru Narusegawa from Love Hina.
T
Yukata - Summer robes, similar to a kimono, but thinner. Usually worn at onsens (hot springs) and at natsumatsuris (summer festivals)
ARC Index
Color Key: Anime/Movie/Fall Anime
.Hack // Sign - Filed under Older Series w/Reviews | 8.5/10 avg. from 1 reviewer
^Akira - Filed under Anime Movie Reviews [No Reviews]
AIR - Filed under Older Series w/Reviews | 10/10 avg. from 1 reviewer
Appleseed - Filed under Anime Movie Reviews [No Reviews]
Black Lagoon - Filed under Older Series w/Reviews | 9/10 avg. from 1 reviewer
^Bleach - Filed under Older Series w/Reviews | 7.5/10 avg. from 1 reviewer
Blood+ - Filed under Older Series w/Reviews | 9.5/10 avg. from 1 reviewer
Blood: The Last Vampire - Filed under Anime Movie Reviews | 6/10 avg. from 1 reviewer
Chobits - Filed under Older Series w/Reviews | 7/10 avg. from 1 reviewer
Chrno Crusade - Filed under Older Series w/Reviews | 10/10 avg. from 1 reviewer
CLANNAD - Filed under Fall 2007 Anime Previews | 10/10 avg. from 1 reviewer
Claymore - Filed under Older Series w/Reviews | 9/10 avg. from 2 reviewers
Claymore - Filed under Manga Reviews | 9/10 avg. from 1 reviewer
CODE-E- Filed under Older Series w/Reviews | 9/10 from 1 reviewer
Code Geass - Filed under Older Series w/Reviews | 9/10 avg. from 1 reviewer
DearS - Filed under Older Series w/Reviews | 10/10 avg. from 1 reviewer
^ Death Note - Filed under Older Series w/Reviews | 10/10 avg. from 1 reviewer
Devil May Cry - Filed under Older Series w/Reviews | 5/10 avg. from 1 reviewer
DNA2 - Filed under Older Series w/Reviews | 9/10 from 1 reviewer
Elfen Lied - Filed under Older Series w/Reviews | 10/10 avg. from 3 reviewers
Ergo Proxy - Filed under Older Series w/Reviews | 9/10 avg. from 1 reviewer
Fate/Stay Night - Filed under Older Series w/Reviews | 7.5/10 avg. from 1 reviewer
Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children - Filed under Anime Movie Reviews | 8/10 avg. from 1 reviewers
Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within - Filed under Anime Movie Reviews [No Reviews]
Full Metal Alchemist - Filed under Older Series w/o Reviews |[No Reviews]
Full Moon wo Saga****e - Filed under Older Series w/Reviews | 7.5/10 avg. from 1 reviewer
Gantz - Filed under Older Series w/Reviews | 8/10 avg. from 1 reviewer
Genshiken - Filed under Manga Reviews | 8/10 avg. from 1 reviewer
Ghost in the Shell - Filed under Anime Movie Reviews [No Reviews]
Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex 1st Gig - Filed under Older Series w/Reviews | 10/10 avg. from 1 reviewer
Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex 2nd Gig - Filed under Older Series w/Reviews | 10/10 avg. from 1 reviewer
Ghost in the Shell: Solid State Society - Filed under Anime Movie Reviews [No Reviews]
^Great Teacher Onizuka - Filed under Older Series w/Reviews | 9.5/10 avg. from 1 reviewer
Gundam Wing: Endless Waltz - Filed under Older Series w/Reviews | 9.5/10 avg. from 1 reviewer
Kara no Kyoukai: Garden of Sinners, Chapter 1 - Filed under Fall 2007 Anime Previews | Prerelease Preview
Kaze no Stigma - Filed under Older Series w/Reviews | 8/10 avg. from 1 reviewer
Kenkno Zenrakei Suieibu Umisho (Also known as Umisho)- Filed under Older Series w/Reviews [No Reviews]
Kimi ga Nozomu Eien - Filed under Older Series w/Reviews | 9.5/10 avg. from 1 reviewer
Kodomo no Jikan OVA - Filed under Fall 2007 Anime Previews | 8.5/10 avg. from 1 reviewer
Koi Kaze - Filed under Older Series w/Reviews | 9/10 avg. from 1 reviewer
Innocent Venus - Filed under Older Series w/Reviews | 7/10 avg. from 1 reviewer
^Last Exile - Filed under Older Series w/Reviews | 8.5/10 avg. from 1 reviewer
^Naruto - Filed under Older Series w/Reviews | 7/10 avg. from 1 reviewer
Naruto Shippuden - Filed under Older Series w/Reviews | 8.5/10 avg. from 1 reviewer
Ninja Scroll - Filed under Anime Movie Reviews [No Reviews]
Noein - Filed under Older Series w/Reviews | 9.5/10 avg. from 1 reviewer
Potemayo - Filed under Older Series w/Reviews | 7.5/10 avg. from 1 reviewer
Ragnarok the Animation - Filed under Older Series w/Reviews | 2.5/10 avg. from 1 reviewer
Red Garden - Filed under Older Series w/Reviews | 8/10 avg. from 1 reviewer
Rurouni Kenshin - Filed under Older Series w/Reviews | 10/10 avg. from 1 reviewer
Samurai 7 - Filed under Older Series w/o Reviews |[No Reviews]
^Samurai Champloo - Filed under Older Series w/Reviews | 9.5/10 avg. from 1 reviewer
Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei - Filed under Older Series w/Reviews | 8/10 avg. from 1 reviewer
School Days - Filed under Older Series w/Reviews | 8.5/10 avg. from 1 reviewer
Scrapped Princess - Filed under Older Series w/Reviews | 9/10 avg. from 1 reviewer
Shakugan no Shana - Filed under Older Series w/Reviews | 10/10 avg. from 1 reviewer
Shingetsutan Tsukihime - Filed under Older Series w/Reviews | 9/10 avg. from 1 reviewer
Sky Blue - Filed under Anime Movie Reviews [No Reviews]
Spirited Away - Filed under Anime Movie Reviews [No Reviews]
Slayer - Filed under Older Series w/Reviews | 7/10 avg. from 1 reviewer
Suzuka - Filed under Manga Reviews | 8.5/10 avg. from 1 reviewer
Tengen Toppa Gurren-Lagann - Filed under Older Series w/Reviews | 9.5/10 avg. from 1 reviewer (lol)
Tenjho Tenge - Filed under Older Series w/Reviews | 9.99999999999/10 avg. from 1 reviewer (lol)
TOKKO - Filed under Older Series w/Reviews | 6.5/10 avg. from 1 reviewer
Trigun - Filed under Older Series w/Reviews | 10/10 avg. from 1 reviewer
Uninhabitable Planet Survive! - Filed under Older Series w/Reviews | 7/10 avg. from 1 reviewer
Zero no Tsukaima - Filed under Older Series w/Reviews | 10/10 avg. from 1 reviewer
Zero no Tsukaima: Futatsuki no Kishi - Filed under Older Series w/Reviews | 9/10 avg. from 1 reviewer
Zombie-Loan - Filed under Older Series w/Reviews | 8/10 avg. from 1 reviewer
Older Series w/Reviews
.hack//SIGN (2002) - Avg. Rating: 8.5/10 out of 1 reviewer
Genres: Adventure, Drama, Mystery, Sci-Fi
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/d/da/Tsubaruz.jpg/260px-Tsubaruz.jpghttp://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/a/a4/Depresed_tsukasa.jpg/260px-Depresed_tsukasa.jpghttp://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/0/07/Hack-newtype1.jpg/260px-Hack-newtype1.jpg
Synopsis: .hack//Sign follows the story about Tsukasa being mind-trapped into the game. Despite being a "fantasy quest type adventure", it does not rely on action sequences. Instead, the show is driven by mystery, slowly revealing its secrets to the viewer while paying much attention to the individual characters. Questions like what happened to Tsukasa in the real world, who he really is and why he is unable to log out are driving points of the story.
Soon after the beginning of the series Tsukasa is led to a hidden area. There he meets Morganna, depicted as a voice without physical appearance, and Aura, who appears as a young girl clad entirely in white, floating asleep above a bed. The storyline introduces Morganna as an ally, but her real intentions are unknown at this point.
As the story progresses many characters are introduced, some who want to help, some who have ulterior motives. Then more questions arise as to "what is happening in the game itself, who are these various characters, what are their true goals and what will happen to Tsukasa".
******ry's review: 8.5/10 - .Hack is really quite a different story compared to other anime's I've watched but when i watched this i was really happy, being an online game fanatic myself, seeing what online game's had become in the future really drew my attention to the anime and seeing how the whole anime is about how online game's show how they still have Error's such as in this time kid's in Korea have been known to die from playing a game non-stop without sleeping or drinking or even eating, yet in .hack people can die from error's in the game trapping them inside it.
The Character's in this all have different extravagant costumes [Like most online game's] and all of them have their own weapon that usually sum's up their personality, [e.g Tsukasa is quite and Timid and is a Magician like Character with a Staff] Yet there are some exemptions [e.g A Moderator in the game Subura-Sama is a small woman yet Carries a giant Halberd Axe.]
This Anime isn't really a Comedy and Explores the Psychological Trauma and Distress inside Tsukasa's mind [Episode 26 //Unison is an Exemption] as he cannot escape from the game.
Even though it isn't a comedy it certainly held my attention, the suspense makes your anxious to see what happens and let's say i watched the whole series in about 3 day's..
The Animation is much like Death note, and has slow detailed scene's yet with Extravagant Colors and Visuals which is certainly above standard.
After seeing the Final Episode Which contained a Dance Scene and alot of summing up of the Story, i felt.. i didn't need more.. i mean theres always a million other .hack extension's to watch anyway [Liminality, Gift, Root's, The Legend of Twilight.]
I enjoyed this and I'm going to give it an 8 and a half.
Content Rating: 13+
AIR (2004) - Avg. Rating: 10/10 out of 1 reviewer
Genres: Romance, Supernatural, Drama
Air
Best. Anime. Ever. That. Will. Make. You. Cry.
Except I watched it at a friend's house, so I didn't cry... 'cause, you know... I gotta act like a macho penguin :razz:.
How many eps?:
13, plus a movie (which is simply the entire series in 2 hours. Don't watch the movie until you've watched through the entire anime. It does offer some insight to the characters that they don't tell you in the anime, so it's still worth watching).
Synopsis:
Spoiler:
Based on "Key"'s H-Game (there's also a none-H version, since the Anime made "Air" so popular), where the main character is a "magician" of sorts. He meets a girl who's mentally ******ed (or simply extremely trusting of strangers :lol:), and the rest, as they say, is part of the anime :lol: (btw, I was kidding on the mentally ******ed bit... but eh, she could really pass as a mentally challenged individual).
Plot:
Simply Gorgeous. That's all I gotta say about this.
Originality:
Air wears the Originality + 10 armour, and the Originality + 8 armlet, and the Originality + 14 Healm of Originality. It also wields the Sword of Imperial Originality. Which gives Originality a bonus of extra 43 points.
UNSTOPPABLE PWNAGE :lol:!
Animation Quality:
Very beautiful sceneries with attractive character animation/design. The movie's animation style is different, and I personally did not like it as much as the original.
Top Notch animation.
Does it make "you" do [anything]:
It'll make you cry. I know you did. Admit it. You did!
Does it entertain "you":
If it doesn't, you're one cold hearted ******* :lol:.
I saw the final episode, do I want more?:
Absolutely not. The ending was perfection. Any more episodes added to milk the series will be dealt with by the EYE OF JUDGEMENT. Death will follow.
Overall:
Why the hell are you still reading this? GO BUY/RENT THE DVD AND WATCH IT!
Score:
10/10. Period.
Extra Notes:
There is a "Air Summer Special" that is never licensed nor released in NA, so it may still be available via fan subbers. It's pretty cool, and I won't spoil anything for you.Black Lagoon (2006) - Avg. Rating: 9/10 out of 1 reviewer
Genres: Action, Comedy, Drama
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Synopsis: On an unusual but routine business trip in South East Asia, fate turns business man Rokuro Okajima's life around when pirates hijack his ship and take him hostage. In a strange turn of events Rokuro joins the Russian mafia-employed motley crew and adopts the moniker 'Rock'.
SolidSnakeUS's review: 9/10 - I love this show for the action that it provides. It is pretty much an adrenaline rush with the action and crazy stuff that goes on. It does have well done characters that actually have depth and do develop over time. I do like the relationship that all the main characters have with each other, because they all fit into some place important, not just some random character that will save the world or destroy it. I do especially like the relationship between Levi and Rock, because with both of them, it shows the real depth of their characters. I can say the story can be a little weird, considering how their is no TRUE constant story, but it does have many story moments. A must for awesome action scenes and deep/developing characters. I also have to add that I LOVE the ending to this first season.Bleach (2004) - Avg. Rating: 7.5/10 out of 1 reviewer
Genres: Adventure, Comedy, Drama, Shounen, Supernatural
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Synopsis: Ichigo Kurosaki is a 15 year old boy that has the ability to see spirits ever since he can remember. Because of this, he is able to meet a female Shinigami (a.k.a Soul Reaper) named Rukia Kuchiki. In order to save his family and friends from unwanted soul-eating spirits named Hollows, Rukia proceeds to transfering her Shinigami powers to Ichigo. With Rukia's help Ichigo discovers his true calling: to protect the living and the dead from evil. [ANN] (http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=4240)
Phaded's Review: 7.5/10 - It's hard to give a complete review of an anime that hasn't even finished yet because it still has time to get much better or much worse than it currently is. From what i have seen of Bleach it deserves at least a 7, it has good art, a unique story, unique characters, and some good comic relief. And not to be rude or anything but it also has some of the biggest breasted women of any shounen mainstream manga/anime i've seen. (lol). This is a kind of anime i call a good "starter anime" if you are new to anime or want to introduce somebody new to anime then this is one of a few series i would start off with.
Episodes: 139 (as of 11/9/07)
Content Rating: Teenagers (May contain bloody violence, bad language, nudity)
Original Run: October 5, 2004 – (ongoing).
Blood+ (2004) - Avg. Rating: 9.5/10 out of 1 reviewer
Genres: Horror, Action, Drama, Mystery, Supernatural, Romance
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/2/2c/Otonashi1.jpg
Characters in this picture are:
The Girl - Saya
The Man - Haji
The Thing in the background - A chiroptera
Directed by: Jun'ichi Fujisaku
Studio: Production I.G
Original run: October 8, 2005 – September 23, 200
No. of episodes: 50
Introduction
Under the care of her adoptive family, Saya Otonashi has been living the life of an anemic and amnesiac, but otherwise ordinary schoolgirl. Saya’s happy life is shattered when she is attacked by a chiropteran, and learns that she is the only one who can defeat them. (Chiroptera is the name of the order of biological classification that bats are in. This is the most likely reason for the vampiric creatures being called "Chiropterans"). Armed with her sword, Saya embarks on a journey with her family, allies and faithful servant, Haji, to rid the world of Chiropterans and rediscover her identity.
The series is initially set in present day (September 2005) Okinawa City (Koza), on Okinawa Island, near the US Kadena Air Base. In the course of the series, Saya visits locales across the world, while fighting enemy chiropterans and searching for her origins.
Background
Blood+ is a spin-off and a sequel to the 2000 animated film “Blood: The Last Vampire”, the film takes place several decades before the anime in 1959 (Having awakened some unknown time beforehand, Saya hunts several Chiroptera at Yokota Air Force. Several months later, the Vietnam War begins. Saya enters third sleep soon afterward) is not necessary to watch the film to enjoy the anime, due to the time difference between the two, Saya is the only character that appears in both.
QuickSilverD's Review:
Animation: 10/10
Sound/Music: 8/10
Story: 9/10
Overall: 9.5/10
Blood + is an excellent anime, with an outstanding and intelligent plot, it somehow manages to pack together action and drama in a way I thought was not possible, it has a lot of action (and yes it also has a lot of Blood… plus) there is good character develop, especially Saya, who is faced with the destiny of saving the world from these creatures (Chiroperas), sound like a cliché but the way they do it is not your traditional hero plot, she actually gets affected by all what is happening around and grows up a lot mentally.
If you start to watch this anime since the second half of the series you would probably think that she is some type of an Emo-girl, but if you actually watch the anime from the beginning she has to go through a lot of things, she loses some people she loves and blames herself for it (because she wasn’t strong enough). I don’t want to spoil anything for you, but yes some characters die and it is usually very emotional when it does happen.
The anime has outstanding animation quality, almost OVA like, most animes that have such good quality in animation are half series of 13 episodes, while Blood+ last for 50 episodes, and the only other anime that I can think of that has as good animation quality and long run would be Fullmetal Alchemist.
http://tokidoki.animeblogger.net/wp-content/uploads/2007/04/blood.jpg
Speaking more about the plot, Saya (who conveniently has amnesia at the beginning of the anime) is some kind of Vampire: she needs to drink blood to survive, she has a lot of strength and speed, she can heal real quickly, but she is not affected by the sun, silver, or anything that would hurt a vampire. When the series starts, Saya is living with “her” family, a father and two brothers: Kai (age:17) and Riku (age:13) (hint: they are actually not blood related), her father is actually a member of an organization called “The Red Shield” apparently they have been working alongside with Saya as their objective is the same “to destroy all the Chiropteras and their queen: “Diva”.
After Saya’s “awakening” when a Chiroptera attacked her school and she instinctively fights and defeat it, using her blood (because her blood can kill the creature) she is contacted by the Red Shield and they explain everything (as in what she needs to know) to her, with them is also a man named Haji who introduces himself as Saya’s chevalier (French for Knight), it is later reveal that he became a chevalier after Saya gave him her blood (think of a vampire turning another person into a vampire) he is apparently on par with Saya’s skill and like her he needs to drink blood to survive, he is devoted to Saya and will do anything she ask him to.
So Saya, Haji, the Red Shield and even Riku start their mission to destroy the Chiropteras, mindless creatures that go around killing and eating people, the number of these monsters has incremented exponentially over the last few decades. It is later reveal that all the Chiropteras are biological weapons to be used by the US military, they were created using the blood of Diva, Saya’s very own sister, probably by the initiative of one of Diva’s Clevalier: Amshel.
The rest of the anime is not as simple as just battles between the Red Shield and Diva’s chevaliers, there are several conspiracies going on, there are several plot twist, sometimes you think a characters is trying to do this but then it turns out that they actually where trying to do another thing, sometimes you don’t know who is the ally of who, who is manipulating and who is just a puppet.
Note: Each one of Diva’s chevalier have lived for over a hundred years, and they have acquired a lot of financial, political and military power: one of them is a high ranking general in the US army, another is the CEO of an important company worldwide and so on and so on, in the anime Diva has 5 chevaliers under her service.
Diva herself acts like a child, who only wants to have fun, while Amshel, her first chevalier seems to be plotting the end of humanity and the rise of the Chiropteras. You should really do yourself the favour of watching this anime, it performs fantastic in every area, good plot, of animation, action, a touch of romance (sorry can’t talk about this without spoiling the plot). There are really no failures here and also, Sony affiliated studios help to make this anime and SCE make a few video games too (I don’t know if they are any good)
Chobits (2002) - Avg. Rating: 7/10 out of 1 reviewer
Genres: Science fiction / Romance
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Synopsis: Motosuwa Hideki is a Hokkaido farm boy who fails his college entrance exams. He moves to the big city to attend cram school in the hopes of getting into the college of his choice. While there, he notices that everyone has a personal computer assistant, or Persocom … and Persocoms look, act, and are treated almost as people in their own right. Hideki seems to be the only man in Tokyo without one, and bemoans his fate, as Persocoms are very expensive, and Hideki is very broke. As chance would have it, Hideki finds a "broken" Persocom just lying in the trash. When he starts her up, all she is able to do is mimic Hideki's movements and say, "Chii." So that's what he calls her. Is Chii really broken? Or is she quite possibly the greatest Persocom ever made - a truly artificial intelligence known as a Chobits? [ThemAnime] (http://www.themanime.org/viewreview.php?id=215)
Phaded's Review: 7/10 - For me I have mixed views on giving this a review for the whole series, to me the Anime kind of breaks off half way through and the tone is completely off. For the first half of the Anime I would give 8/10, the story is heartwarming, funny and better than your average Ecchi anime. However about half way through the Anime takes a slightly darker undertone to it's story which kind of ruins the whole theme of what Chobits was supposed to be about in the first place. Some people will disagree with me on this but I would give the second half of Chobits a 6/10. So as a compromise i would give the entire anime a 7/10.
Episodes: 24 (3 Flashback Episodes)
Content Rating: 16+ (nudity, sexual innuendo and situations, some violence, slight exploitation)
Original Run: April 2nd 2002 - 24 September 2002.
Chrno Crusade (2005) - Avg. Rating: 10/10 out of 1 reviewer
Genres: Action, Fantasy
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Synopsis: Chrono Crusade is set in the height of the Roaring Twenties (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roaring_Twenties), where jazz is king, bootleg liquor flows freely, and the mob rules the streets. It is a time of prosperity, luxury and decadence, and the division between rich and poor grows even wider in the wake of the First World War (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_World_War)… but it is at such times of great change and upheaval that the dark things that lurk below the world of man can come to the surface. In the world of Chrono Crusade, a fictional organization known as the Order of Magdalene (or more specifically, the characters of Sister Rosette Christopher and her soul-bound demon partner, Chrono) exists to fight the demonic threats that appear with increasing regularity across America. Both Rosette and Chrono are revealed during the course of the story to be driven by a shadowy past, centered around a search for Rosette's lost brother, Joshua. Joshua is shown to have been taken from her by the sinner, Aion, a devil who shares a dark and bloody history with Chrono, and seeks nothing less than to overthrow Heaven and Earth.
The anime follows the manga through the first half, but it diverges halfway through, creating different courses of events and endings. The characterization of some the characters, including Rosette and Aion, and their roles in the story were changed in the adaptation of the manga. Much of the story is driven by the individual pasts of the main characters and the complex relationships between them.
Tool 316's review: 8.5/10 - I enjoyed chrono crusade very much. I love the forties look. It's sort of a love story but you wouldn't know that until the series is over and you look back. There isn't too much sappy stuff, but tons of action and a beautiful story. The characters are energetic, especially rosette. She is kind of a bully and it was nice to see something new. It's not everyday you get to see a nun kicking *** and taking names.Claymore (2007) - Avg. Rating: 10/10 out of 1 reviewer
Genres: Action, Fantasy, Supernatural
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Synopsis: The anime adaptation of the manga began airing on Nippon Television (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NTV) on April 3 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/April_3), 2007 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2007). It is planned to run for 26 episodes. It faithfully followed the plot of the manga up until about episode 20, where it started to diverge. In episode 20, a number of details were changed and, starting in episode 21, the plot starts to diverge. The 26 episode run will not be sufficent to cover all the manga published so far.
The anime is directed by Hiroyuki Tanaka (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hiroyuki_Tanaka) and Madhouse Studios (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madhouse_Studios) with character designs by Takahiro Umehara, series organization by Yasuko Kobayashi and music by Masanori Takumi (http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Masanori_Takumi&action=edit).
More detailed information about Claymore, provided by QuickSilverD:
The story is set in a fictional world with medieval technology, in this world; humans coexist with creatures called Yoma (妖魔, Yoma) monsters that feed on human guts. The Yoma are capable of taking on human form and living in disguise amongst humans.
Inside this spoiler is the typical Yoma in action, as you can see they have so few physical characteristics that it would seems that they are always in a shadow so they be easy to draw.
http://img.onemanga.com/mangas/00000045/00000001/35.jpg
So a nameless and highly secretive organization has created an order of superhuman warriors to protect humans from the Yoma. These warriors have come to be popularly known as Claymores, after the immense claymores (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Claymore) they wield. Villages being attacked by Yoma hire Claymores to kill the Yoma for a large fee. Oh and by the way all claymores are women, seriously.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/5/54/Claymore_TV_Series_Uniforms.gif
This is the Claymores uniform, sadly it doesn’t really shows anything of the girl’s body and apparently it was actually designed for battle >_<
A Claymore's standard abilities include overall enhanced physical prowess faster healing, limited shape modification and the ability to detect Yoma by sensing their Yoki (妖気, Yoki). To use their special abilities, they access the powers of their Yoma-half. However, if the Yoma powers of each Claymore are pushed over a certain limit the Claymore loses all humanity and becomes a powerful, highly intelligent, and incredibly bloodthirsty Yoma called an Awakened Being.
Despite saving humans on a regular basis, Claymores are often alienated from and feared by humans due to their incredible powers, their relation to Yomas, and generally aloof attitudes.
The story of follows the adventures of the Claymore warrior Clare, the plot follows her as she fights Yoma and struggles to hold on to her humanity, with determination and her human friend Raki by her side. As the series progresses, she becomes a stronger and better fighter, gradually earning the respect of strong allies and coming in conflict with the shadowy organization, the top Claymores who support them, and many powerful Awakened Beings.
http://www.mounthiking.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/04/vlcsnap-372743.png
This is Clare the series protagonist, as you can see she has blonde hair, silver eyes, and a cute body, all other claymores looks about the same as her like if they were all sisters or something (I’m not making that up)
Don't believe me? see for yourself
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/d/d7/Galatea_preview.jpg http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/e/e6/Rafaela_preview.jpg http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/9/93/Miria_preview.jpg http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/f/ff/Jeane_preview.jpg http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/d/d7/Deneve_preview.jpg http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/2/2f/Helen_preview.jpg http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/6/69/Teresa_preview.jpg
Yes they are all different women. Try to memorize their hair stiles is the only way to actually distinguish each from one another
Tool 316's review: 10/10 - As of writing this, claymore is my favorite anime series next to bleach and naruto S.
claymore is dark and Erie its full of blood and guts imagine naruto stly action mixed with record of lodus war.the fighting is top notch and the series is beautifully drawn im at the end of the series right now and i can't wait to see how it ends
QuickSilverD's review: 8/10
Animation: 9/10 – Just what one would expect from a 2007 high-budget anime
Sound: 9/10 – very good voice acting (japanese), and an excellent sound track
Story: 8/10 – Too many clichés make the story somewhat predictable, it is still entertaining not the less
Overall: 8/10 – Really entertainment and full of action, could use a little more originality but it is ok.
In one way we could say that Claymore is like Devil May Cry but with chicks, without guns and without sucking so much. In the technical department this anime is as good as one would expect from a 2007 high budget anime, good drawings, excellent animation, excellent soundtrack and great voice acting (Japanese).
One thing is that this anime has is fare share of clichés and predictable situations, if you have watched enough anime you’ll probable be able to predict everything that will happen in the first episode, but fear not, it also has enough originality to keep you watching without getting bored, plus a lot of blood and mutilation.
For example like I said earlier all Claymores are women, but unlike what one would expect this little fact is NOT use as an excuse to introduce random and mindless fan service (what did you said? That this is actually a negative point? Oh you **** pervert!) Also there is actually a believable reason for why all Claymores are female, that reason is…
like mentioned earlier if a Claymore uses her power beyond a certain limit she will transform into Yoma and start killing people for no good reason. It turns out that the beginning the organization created male Claymores but they crossed their limits relatively fast and every single one of then end up becoming Yoma known as “Awakening Beings”
So yes in the world of Claymore the big bad guys are male, and their leader as you may have already predicted is some yaoi looking Sephiroth-wannabe male warrior
One thing that I can praise this anime for is the fact that every episode has a lot of story going on; there is nothing remotely close to filler in this anime. And if a fight start in one episode (no matter how important that fight it) it will end in that episode, and if they aren’t fighting then they are developing their characters (character develop).
Now the only real bad thing is the ending, I won’t spoil it now, but the anime is faithful to the manga up until the last six episodes, from there it begins to change a few thing and by the two final episodes the story is completely different from the manga. Now the ending episode doesn’t sucks or anything, it just that it doesn’t feels like an ending, they let too many plot holes open, to many secrets, too many characters that were mentioned don’t fight or not even show their face, Because of this if you really did enjoy the anime you may want to start reading the manga.
[U]How could it have been better? If instead of changing the ending they would have followed the manga even when they still would be realising episodes now
Director: Hiroyuki Tanaka (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hiroyuki_Tanaka)
Studio:Madhouse Studios (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madhouse_Studios)
Network:NTV (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nippon_Television)
Original run: April 3 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/April_3), 2007 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2007) – September 25 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/September_25), 2007 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2007)
Episodes (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Claymore_episodes): 26 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Claymore_episodes)
CODE-E (2007) - Avg. Rating: 9/10 out of 1 reviewer
Genres: Romance, School Life, Sci-Fi, Fantasy
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Synopsis: Chinami Ebihara is girl with a strange ability to generate electromagnetic waves when her emotions run high. However, since this 'ability' affects anything electrical, it resulted in her having to transfer from school to school when she was younger. As Chinami, now 18 years of age, transfers to a new school, she once again affects the electronic devices in the school, but this time, when another student, Kotaro Kannagi, sees her do this, he becomes obsessed in studying her "TYPE-E" ability. [ANN (http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=7617)]
SolidSnakeUS's review: 9/10 - I love this anime. The characters are so cool and I actually like how no one in the whole series overly hot or overly good-looking. The sounds is amazing, especially with the electricity. The special effects and drawings are very well done. However, the ending is wide open and I hope that they make a series. Hopefully they don't do it like what the guys for Tokko did. I recommend this for a romantic comedy with a good amount of sci-fi to it.
Code Geass (2006) - Avg. Rating: 9/10 out of 1 reviewer
Genres: Action, Mecha
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Synopsis: On August 10th, 2010, a.t.b., the Holy Empire of Britannia overpowered Japanese forces and conquered the country with their robotic weapons, the Knightmare Frames (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knightmare_Frames), in less than a month. Japan lost its freedom and rights and was renamed Area 11, and the Japanese people are renamed "Elevens" and forced to survive in ghettos, while Britannians live in first-class settlements. Rebel elements persist, however, as pockets of Japanese organizations struggle against the Empire for the independence of Japan. After his father, the Emperor of Britannia, did nothing to pursue the terrorists who murdered his mother and crippled his sister, a young boy named Lelouch (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lelouch_Lamperouge), vowed to destroy Britannia. Seven years later in Area 11, he encounters a mysterious girl who gives him the power of the Geass. With it, he finally has the power that he needs to defeat Britannia and fulfill his two wishes: to seek revenge for his mother and to construct a world in which his beloved sister can live happily.
Tool 316's review: 9/10 -This is one of my favorite new series. It's very similar to Death Note where the hero crosses the line between hero and villain. It's action-packed from the start and always leaves you wanting more. I don't really want to get into anything specific because of all the twists but you'll love this. This is the first of two series so as of right now so it's incomplete. I would check out fansubtv.com for more details episode list and actual episodes.DearS (2004) - Avg. Rating: 10/10 out of 1 reviewer
Genres: Fantasy / Romance / Comedy
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Synopsis: Ikuhara Takeya is a high school student living a normal life. He is not interested in the commotion around a UFO filled with beautiful alien females that crashed on earth a year ago. The aliens, known as DearS, are deciding to take permanent residence on earth. What no one knows is that these aliens are a slave species whose sole purpose is to serve and please their masters. One day, Takeya spots a person shivering behind some bushes. This person, Ren, is one of the DearS, and after being saved by Takeya she chooses him as her master. Takeya, who doesn't know about the master-slave relationship of DearS, tries to learn Ren the normal lifestyle of the people on earth, though he constantly fears that Ren is an evil alien who's trying to brainwash him. But Ren isn't like other DearS. She is in fact malfunctioning and is being tracked down by their leader. Meanwhile, Takeya begins to learn more about DearS, and a mythical DearS relationship called “Gift” begin to develop between them. [ANN] (http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=4080)
Phaded's Review: 10/10 - I'm sure a lot of people are thinking "Why on earth would this guy rate DearS 10/10!?, well let me explain. I give DearS a 10/10 for the simple fact that it sets out to do only one thing and this is to make you laugh, it also does this exceptionally well. If your looking for an engaging storyline, awesome action or an anime that just plain has it all then stay clear of this, if you take this anime too seriously then you are going to be wondering why the hell you started to watch it in the first place. If you want a very good laugh, possibly while you are drunk (:razz:) then i highly reccomend DearS. And like i said if you take this anime seriously then it is liable to be given a 1/10 but based on the fact it's made only to make you laugh hysterically then i give it a 10/10, because if you don't laugh at this anime then there is something wrong with you... at least that is what i think personally.
Episodes: 12
Content Rating: 15+ (light offscreen violence, fan service, light nudity, extreme sexism)
Original Run: 10 July 2004 – 26 September 2004.
Death Note (2006) - Avg. Rating: 10/10 out of 1 reviewer
Genres: Fantasy, Mystery, Psychological
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Synopsis: Yagami Light is an extremely intelligent, but bored, young man who resents the crime and corruption in the world. His life undergoes a drastic change when he discovers a mysterious notebook, known as the "Death Note", lying on the ground in the year 2003 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2003). The Death Note's instructions claim that if a human's name is written within it that person shall die. Light is initially skeptical of the Death Note's authenticity, believing it is just a prank. However, after experimenting with it and killing two criminals, Light is forced to admit that the Death Note is real. After meeting with the previous owner of the Death Note, a Shinigami (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shinigami) named Ryuk, Light seeks to become "the God of the new world" by passing his judgment on criminals.
Soon, the number of inexplicable deaths of reported criminals catches the attention of the International Police Organization (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interpol) and a mysterious detective known only as "L". L quickly learns that the serial killer, dubbed by the public as "Kira" (derived from the Japanese pronunciation of the English word "Killer"), is located in Japan. L also concludes that Kira can kill people without laying a finger on them. Light realizes that L will be his greatest nemesis, and a game of psychological cat and mouse (http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/cat_and_mouse_game) between the two begins.
Tool 316's review: 10/10 - This has to be one of my all time favorite anime series. I fell in love from episode one. The show starts out kind of slow but picks up quickly. The series is full of twist and turns, and every time you think you have something figured out, it goes in the opposite direction. The characters are so realistic your are instantly attached to you them, and the story is amazing you will never get tired of this one. You might also want to check out the movies. I recommend watching movie 1 then the series followed by movie 2 to avoid spoilers.Devil May Cry (2007) - Avg. Rating: 5/10 out of 1 reviewer
Genres: Action, Supernatural
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QuickSilverD's Review
Animation: 10/10
Sound/Music: 8/10
Story: 4/10
Overall: 5/10
I’m guessing that since all the fuss of the “DMC4 will be on 360” event everyone in this forum is at least aware of the Devil May Cry video games. As you may know DMC games are action games, so there isn’t a deep story, just enough to keep you there and now that there is also an Anime you would think this is a nice opportunity to expand the storyline and maybe to prepare everything and explain the events before DMC4, right? Well guess again, this anime is as good as a Hollywood movie based on a video game.
Now, the anime in itself has excellent animation everything is very fluid, it has a good soundtrack, the fighting sequences are nice and everything looks good. Now the problem with this anime is the story it has (or lacks), it adds nothing to the plot of the Devil may Cry games, it doesn’t explain anything that matters, it could only be compare to anime filler episodes, where nothing significantly important happens.
Dante is a devil hunter and he does missions in exchange for money, this is basically what happens in each episode: Dante is in his agency usually eating pizza (no joke) a guy comes in and offers him a mission, Dante takes it and goes around to investigate (ala private detective of the ‘40s) by dumb luck he finds or is attacked by the demon(s) he is hunting, there is a fight, Dante wins without much trouble, he then collects his money (but always have some dept to pay).
The ending was nothing special and was the only episode in which Dante actually used the Devil trigger (but we don’t really get to see it actually). Another thing, if by any chance you’ve never played a DMC game then you will be in a limbo watching this anime, cause it does nothing to explain anything about the background at all, who are the characters, etc.
So, at the end, unless you are a fan of the Devil May Cry video games there is no real reason for you to want to watch this anime since it doesn’t add anything to the plot of the games, sure there is some action, but come on: Dante fights and you know he is no going to even get hurt, what’s the point?
Watch only if you have nothing better to do.
Directed by: Shin Itagaki
Studio: Madhouse
Original run: June 14, 2007 – September 6, 2007
No. of episodes: 12DNA² (1994) - Avg. Rating: 9/10 out of 1 reviewer
Genres: Fantasy, Mystery, Psychological
Synopsis: Story about Junta and his "disease" of throwing up in front of cute girls. He has a friend named Kotomi who has been his childhood friend since he can remember. One day a misterious character (Karen) comes from the future telling him that she has to stop him from becoming the Mega Playboy. Becasue of that she shoots him with a "DNA bullet". Unfortunatelly, she used the wrong bullet which instead of stopping him, she actually hastened his transformation. Now what will happen to Junta and his new self...or not?
SolidSnakeUS's review: 9/10 - This is actually a pretty good anime. The drawings are pretty much all hand done, but it's not the best because it is a tad dated (not much). The story is very unique compared to most other animes, however sort of reminds me of Dokuro-chan. Pretty much, the synopsis of the show is that a time agent named Karin goes back in time to stop someone from becoming the "Mega Playboy", which is a major problem in the future. I do love how all the relationships between Karin, Junta and Ami work out, mainly because of the love triangle sort of thing. It is very funny and does have its action moments. A few things could be cliche, but not much. Highly recommend this anime to people who like romantic comedies with some action in the mix.Elfen Lied (2004) - Avg. Rating: 10/10 out of 3 reviewers
Genres: Horror, Drama, Sci-Fi, Romance
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Synopsis: The Diclonius, a mutated homo sapien that is said to be selected by God and will eventually become the destruction of mankind, possesses two horns in their heads, and has a "sixth sense" which gives it telekinetic abilities. Due to this dangerous power, they have been captured and isolated in laboratories by the government. Lucy, a young and psychotic Diclonius, manages to break free of her confines and brutally murder most of the guards in the laboratory, only to get shot in the head as she makes her escape. She survives and manages to drift along to a beach, where two teenagers named Kouta and Yuka discovers her. Having lost her memories, she was named after the only thing that she can now say, "Nyuu," and the two allow her to stay at Kouta's home. However, it appears that the evil "Lucy" is not dead just yet... [ANN (http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=4148)]
Softtack's review: 10/10 - Elfen Lied is an exceptionally dark at gory anime, but its true beauty is the level of character development present in the 13 episode series. I'm not a fan of excessive violence or gore in anime (I couldn't stand Gantz) but Elfen Lied manages to execute it well because it is packaged in such a great story. The story tends to move slowly at time, but the suspense keeps you watching. I would give both of my arms to have those vectors that Lucy has. It's a good anime to get away from the typical animes. There are no mecha, no cute magical girls or the stupid comedy relief friend. It is a truly unique and heartbreaking story, and rightfully earns the title of my favorite anime.
Phaded's review: 10/10 - Elfen Lied was a recommendation from softtack, he insisted i watched it because it was brilliant and so with high expectations i decided to watch it, and man i wasn't dissapointed in the slightest. Sometimes the story can get a little confused with itself but other than that this anime delivers on all levels, action, comedy, drama, character development. art, you name it this anime has it. I will say one thing and that this anime is serious, it contains a lot of gore and some dark adult themes so stay away if you are easily offended. If this anime sounds right up your street then i suggest you watch it because you would be hard pressed to find a better anime than this.
HellsJester's review: 10/10 - I am a gore lover and one day i saw these anime pics of this girl getting her limbs cut off and later one of my anime friends found out it was called Elfen Lied. He watched it and told me to see it. I went in just thinking i was going to get gore but i got so much more i completely forgot about the gore. The story and characters and music made it one of the best anime experiences i have ever had. Its now in my top 5 favorite anime. Its a very mature anime and when i talk to other people who have seen it they either love it or hate it and i understand why people wouldnt like it because of the gore and nudity.
People who hated it usually gave the same excuses and here is an example. "They just tried to shock you into watching". Hearing complaints like this makes me think they couldnt see passed the gore and nudity and completely didnt pay attention to the story or characters. Oh and Elfen Lied has the best intro hands down.
Episodes: 13
Content Rating: 18+ (Violence, Gore, Nudity, Strong Language)
Original Run: 7.25.2004 to 10.17.2004
Ergo Proxy (2006) - Avg. Rating: 9/10 out of 1 reviewer
Genres: Action, Drama, Horror, Psychological, Mystery, Sci-Fi
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Synopsis: In a future where the world has been ravaged by a nuclear apocalypse, there exists salvation in a domed city named "Romdeau", where humans and their android servants, the autoreivs, live in. Under the implementation of complete management control, it is a paradise where feelings are literally discarded, and the governing council dictates the way of life the citizens should live. But this utopian landscape is soon broken by a series of mystifying murders. Real Mayar, a female inspector from the Citizen Information Bureau, along with her autoreiv partner Iggy, are tasked to solve the murder cases. She is soon attacked by a creature drawn to her which is neither human nor android, and learns about the mysterious phenomena called "Awakening", an event which draws her further into the case...and to the world beyond the limits of Romdeau. [ANN]
SolidSnakeUS's review: 9/10. It is a very well designed and very well written anime. This is a smart show, but doesn't make you feel dumb either. I love how each episode deals with either literature, philosophy, or history. The major characters, Re-l Mayer, Vincent Law and Pino are such well developed characters and I love how they all develop throughout the show. The only problem I may see is that the story can may be confusing to some, not all. I highly recommend this for serious sci-fi and action people.
Episodes: 23
Content Rating: 16+ (Violence)
Fate/Stay Night (2005) - Avg. Rating: 7.5/10 out of 1 reviewer
Genres: Action, Adventure, Romance, Supernatural
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How many eps?:
24. No bonuses/prologues that I am aware of.
Synopsis:
There is a "holy grail war" going on, with "Masters" and their "Servants" competing for the "holy grail" (Omfg, that's a shocker :roll:). Now, the main character, by accident, summons upon the most powerful "servant" out of all the servants (according to the storyline). And he's thrusted into the entire war, and hopefully, he gets out alive.
Plot:
The plot follows the "first ending" from the original game, produced by TYPE-MOON. It's not freakishly spectacular, unfortunately--unlike Tsukihime :razz:.
Not surprisingly, the storyline is actually from Nasu's work ten years ago, when he was still in College. It's more generic and... accessible by anyone and everyone. Since it's a 24 episode series instead of 12 Eps like Tsukihime, it's much more fleshed out in terms of pacing.
Originality:
Hmm, this one pales in comparison to Tsukihime. It's good, but not great; a bit cliche'd if not for the settings and characters.
Heck, it does show some chronic "one guy surrounded by many women" syndrom that many other shows seems to exhibit. I wish Nasu stuck with his original story that he wrote in College, where the gender of Shirou and Saber were switched.
Animation Quality:
It's spectacular. Definitely top notch. You'll love it :smile:.
Does it make "you" do [anything]:
Hmm, I'm not sure. The story wasn't nearly as touching, but it has to do with the theme of the anime which was stripped down for the "general anime viewers"... Which, unfortunately, is "boy meets girl and fall in love" kind of scenario (but I don't think they got this across all that well).
Does it entertain "you":
It did, I'll give it that much.
I saw the final episode, do I want more?:
Hmm, if it's going to have the same stripped down theme as compared to the game, then it's a definite "No". It just seemed so... average.
Everything that makes Nasu's work "unique" and "original" got chopped off. I'm not very happy with this piece.
Overall:
Watch it if you're a fanboy of TYPE-MOON like I am, but apart from the animation and the background story, everything seems so generic. Doesn't get two thumbs up from me.
Score:
A solid 7.5/10. Sorry, but Fate/Stay Night the anime is full of Phail. This has to do with the butchering of many of the original plot from the game :?.
Full Moon wo Saga****e (2002) - Avg. Rating: 7.5/10 out of 1 reviewer
Genres: Drama, Slice of Life, Comedy
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Synopsis: Twelve-year-old Mitsuki Koyama was devastated when she was diagnosed with a malignant tumor of the throat. She had made a promise to the boy she loves that she would one day become a singer, but her illness made singing impossible. To make matters even worse, two Shinigami, Takuto and Meroko, appeared to Mitsuki and informed her that she only had one year left to live. This news provides an even greater motivation for Mitsuki to fulfill her dreams, and with a little bit of divine intervention, she begins her quest to become a professional singer so she can be reunited with Eichi before time runs out.
Softtack's Review: 7.5/10 - A cheerful and pleasant series, Full Moon wo Saga****e is about 12 year old Mitsuki with throat cancer and two shinigami, or death gods. Her dream to be a singing idol seems kind of childish, but what do you expect for an anime targeted towards children. Delightfully, it is surprisingly fun to watch. Full Moon is more plot-oriented, but there are certain episodes in the 52 episode series dedicated to plot development. Filler episodes are dotted throughout, although it isn't surprising for a series this long. There are many flashbacks and daydream scenes for Mitsuki's romances with the boy she loves, Eichi (the subbed version I watched called him Ecchi in the first few episodes ^^;) The visuals in this anime are average. Only key objects in the backgrounds move and at times, there are some art problems with the characters.
This is a series you'll be saying "KAWAII!" at a lot so be prepared if you're a manly man
Gantz (2005) - Avg. Rating: 8/10 out of 1 reviewer
Genres: Action, Horror, Psychological
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Synopsis: The story begins when a pair of high school students (Kei Kurono and Masaru Kato) are seemingly run over by a subway train, after saving the life of a homeless drunk who had fallen onto the tracks. Following their untimely deaths, Kei and Masaru find themselves transported — alive and well — to the interior of an unfurnished Tokyo condominium, where they're unable to leave, from which the Tokyo Tower (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tokyo_Tower) may be seen, with a number of people who have also just died. At one end of the room is a featureless black sphere we later learn is called "Gantz". After a short amount of time, a postwar Japanese exercise radio begins to play from the sphere. By way of green text that appears on the surface of the sphere, Gantz informs those present that their lives have ended. The following words appear on the black sphere's surface: "Your lives have ended. What you do with your new lives is entirely up to me. That's the theory, anyway." (The ADV translations have it as "Your lives are over, you *******s. What you do with your new lives is entirely up to me. So there you have it.") The sphere then opens up to reveal suits that, when worn, amplify the user's attributes, such as strength, speed and agility. Along with the suits are various high-tech weapons with different uses for different situations. Next, information on the Gantz Targets (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gantz_Targets) appear on the surface of the sphere, shortly before the Gantz Team are transported to the location of the mission.
Much is still left unknown about the room. It appears to be isolated from the rest of the world through a dimensional barrier. Its door will only open under the condition that the mission is completed. According to the manga, there are reports of similar rooms in Germany, United States and Israel. The appearance of another Japanese team set in Osaka indicate that there is more than one of these in Japan.
In addition to the weapons, suits, and scanners, Gantz holds what appears to be a muscle-bound bald man on life support in the center of the ball. The true identity and purpose of this man is never revealed; but there has been no small amount of implication that he is in some way responsible for the running of the game, selecting players, scoring the individual players' performance, and monitoring the team both during missions and during the 'off hours' in between.
Tool 316's review: 8/10 - I enjoyed Gantz until the end. It has a good story with good characters and plenty of action. This series start off as a comedy in the first episode, but it's very sad, emotional and insanely violent. Think of Elfen Lied but not as graphic. The main character is completely selfish and self absorbed but things change. I just have to say this one thing beware of the ending...Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex (2002) - Avg. Rating: 10/10 out of 1 reviewer
Genres: Mecha / Military / Mystery / Police / Science Fiction
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Synopsis: In the near future society is super saturated with technology. It is a society in which artificial intelligence is more than an artifact of the imagination, users plug directly into the internet, and cybernetically enhanced agents police the activities of those who are plugged in. It is the officers of Section 9, typically under the direction of “Major” Kusanagi Motoko, that uphold the rule of law on the information highway here. And it is here that the Major and the agents of Section 9 get inevitably drawn into the tangle of events surrounding the Laughing Man case, a cyber-crime case in which not all is as it seems. [ANN] (http://www.themanime.org/viewreview.php?id=611)
Phaded's Review: 10/10 - Not a lot can be said about Ghost in the Shell that hasn't already been said before. But what i can tell you is that you would be hard pressed to find a more complete and well put together storyline than this, sure it can get confusing at times but it all comes around in the end. The Artwork in this anime is amazing and Production I.G. has possibly set boundries when it comes to Anime in how well they have use computer imagery. You have action, suspense, brilliant plot, the best anime characters ever (Tachikoma's) and the sexiest cyborg to ever hit our tv screens (Kusanagi), put this all together and it makes for one great anime that you can't afford to miss out on!. This is also one anime that i recommend you try the Dub as well as the Sub.
Episodes: 26
Content Rating: 16+ (Violence, Adult themes)
Original Run: 1 October 2002 – 25 March 2003.
Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex 2nd Gig (2004) - Avg. Rating: 10/10 out of 1 reviewer
Genres: Mecha / Military / Mystery / Police / Science Fiction
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Synopsis: In the future, life between the digital and physical world has been blurred. The boundary of technology and humanity has been stretched beyond imagination with lives being led in both the electronic and physical worlds. With the melding of man and machine – a new cybernetic level of existence is being created - An existence that continues to redefine mankind. [ANN] (http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=910)
Phaded's Review: 10/10 - This is the Second season or '2nd Gig' of the Ghost in the Shell Stand Alone Complex tv series. The second season is every bit as brilliant as the first, the only difference is of course the new story and the fact that it has darker undertones, but in no way does this make it worse if anything it makes it better as it blends in brilliant with the story of the Individual 11. Production I.G. have also outdone themselves with the Artwork in 2nd Gig as it is a bit better than that of the 1st Gig. Not much more to say as what applys to the 1st Gig applys to the 2nd. This is also one anime that i recommend you try the Dub as well as the Sub.
Episodes: 26
Content Rating: 16+ (Violence, Adult themes)
Original Run: 1 January 2004 – 8 January 2005.
Great Teacher Onizuka (1999) - Avg. Rating: 9.5/10 out of 1 reviewer
Genres: Comedy, Romance, Action, School Life, Drama
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Synopsis: Onizuka is an ex-biker and gang leader who has one goal, to become the greatest teacher. He learns of the power and respect possible as an intern teacher, using his strength and connections to get his students to respect him. Now, graduated, he gets a job at a prestigious private school to handle their 'problem class' that made the past few teachers quit. He must handle a different sort of trouble when the trouble makers include some of the smartest kids in Japan who prefer a more cerebral approach to torturing their teacher. Onizuka must slowly win his students over and deal with their mistrust of teachers while handling the distrust of his fellow teachers.[ANN (http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=153)]
Softtack's review: 9.5/10 - Take all of your favorite movies and put them together, and you get Great Teacher Onizuka. Eikichi Onizuka is officially THE coolest person in anime. Imagine a teacher that used to be the leader of Tokyo's biggest gang, smokes, rides motorcycles, chases after his female students, while managing to kick the asses of students to put them back into line. The storyline is "flexible" to say the least but still manages to keep you reeled in. The characters are exceptional as well, especially the students that form an impromptu gang around Onizuka. To sum it up, he never ceases to amaze, and neither does this anime.
Episodes: 43
Content Rating: 16+ (Violence, Partial Nudity, Strong Language)
Original Run: 6.30.1999 to 9.24.2000
Gundam Wing: Endless Waltz (1997) - Avg. Rating: 9.5/10 out of 1 reviewer
Genres: Adventure, Action, Mecha, Sci-Fi, Drama
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Synopsis: It is the year After Colony 195 and the battles between Earth and the colonies have ended. Treize Khushrenada is dead and OZ has come to an end. This gives birth to the Earth Sphere Unified Nation and the Preventers.. Seeing they won't be needed anymore, the Gundam pilots (except Wufei) send their suits into the sun. However, this peace would not last, for a rebellion occurs on the newly completed colony, L3 X-18999. Led by eight year old Mariemaia Khushrenada, Treize's daughter, the rebellion kidnaps Relena Darlian, now the Vice Foreign Minister of the Earth Sphere Unified Nation (ESUN), during a diplomatic mission to X-18999. As the Gundam pilots investigate further, they discover that Mariemaia is merely a puppet controlled by her grandfather Dekim Barton, a former advisor to martyred colony leader Heero Yuy, who is using X-18999 to go through with the original Operation: Meteor, as a contingency plan in case the ESUN doesn't comply. The Gundam pilots must prevent Dekim from seizing power over the ESUN. The Gundams were retrieved from their course to sun to Earth's orbit thanks to Quatre and the Maganacs. The pilots fought against Dekim's forces, not killing anyone. In the end, Dekim is killed by one of his own soldiers, Earth and its colonies are at peace once again and all mobile suits are forever destroyed.
killzone_71's review: 9.5/10 - If your looking for your Mecha anime fix, then this is for you...
Gundam Wing:EW is the sequel to GW...
This OVA combines Mecha action with a very serious feel on saving the human kind from the brink of destruction.
GW:EW features a lot of action revolving around the 5 Gundam pilots, their sacrifices so Earth and its colonies are at peace again...
This is recommended to any Anime lover for its one of the best OVA's out there...
Although the it looks old because of the 90's tech, no self-respecting Anime fan should pass this up...
Episodes: 33
Content Rating: 16+ (Violence)
Kaze no Stigma (2007) - Avg. Rating: 8/10 out of 1 reviewer
Genres: Action, Fantasy, Comedy
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Synopsis: Four years ago, Kazuma Kannagi was defeated by his cousin Ayano Kannagi for the right to be the successor of Enraiha, a sword passed down in the Kannagi family. His defeat, along with his lack of talent for En-Jutsu, the fire arts, the Kannagis' specialty, resulted in his banishment from the family. Now, Kazuma returns as Kazuma Yagami, a skilled master of Fū-Jutsu, the wind arts
Tool 316's review: 8/10 - Okay, it's not the greatest story ever told or anything, but its has a decent story and the action is good and the comedy is top notch excellent the main character is something of a perv but in a good way. To put it simply, if the action is not heavy, you're probably on the floor laughing. It's definitely worth a look.Kimi Ga Nozomu Eien (2003) - Avg. Rating: 9.5/10 out of 1 reviewer
Genres: Drama, Romance
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Synopsis: This is a love story that focuses on the love triangle between Haruka, Mizuki and Takayuki. Haruka confesses her feelings for Takayuki and he reciprocates. But Haruka falls into a coma after an unfortunate accident occurs while she is waiting for Takayuki. Takayuki is greatly saddened by this turn of events but eventually he moves on. While sharing their grief over Haruka, Takayuki and Haruka's best friend, Mizuki become close. They later fall in love and are happy together. Three years later, Haruka wakes up. Worried about hurting the fragile Haruka, Takayuki and Mizuki decide to lie to her about their relationship until she is strong enough to hear it.
Softtack's Review: 9.5/10 - Love and lies is what Kimi ga Nozomu no Eien (referred to as KimiNozo from thus forth) thrives on. But before you stop reading, I have to point out that it's a very good thing. Takayuki Narumi, the male lead in this love triangle anime often brings up a love/hate relationship from the viewer. KimiNozo is heavily based on both plot and character development. It's extremely difficult to review this anime without revealing a huge plot twist, something that affects the rest of the story. I will say that sex can and does alter decisions characters make, thus making it an anime that's definitely not for kids.
KimiNozo is fantastic for the drama lover. I loved every moment of it, so much so that I watched all 13 episodes in one sitting. And there are many that agree with me, because the production studio is releasing an alternate ending with the other girl soon. I HIGHLY recommend Kimi ga Nozomu no Eien.
Koi Kaze (2004) - Avg. Rating: 9/10 out of 1 reviewer
Genres: Science fiction / Romance
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Synopsis: Born twelve years apart, siblings Koshiro and Nanoka were separated when their parents divorced and moved to different parts of Japan; as a result, they both grew up hardly aware of the other's existence.
The story begins when 15-year-old Nanoka moves to Tokyo (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tokyo) to live with her father and brother, the latter being 27 years old and employed by a marriage-arranging company. Koshiro first encounters Nanoka on the train one morning, and returns her dropped train pass. Despite their age difference, they feel a brief spark of connection before they go their separate ways.
Soon after that, they encounter each other once again near an amusement park, where they go on an impromptu date. While riding the Ferris wheel (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferris_wheel), the two open their hearts to each other and discuss their recent romantic woes. Nanoka comforts Koshiro when he breaks down and cries, and he realizes that he is very attracted to her. Right after the date, they meet their father, and are startled to realize they are siblings.
Koi Kaze is about Koshiro's love for Nanoka, his conflicting drive to obey societal norms, and Nanoka's growth into womanhood and her growing feelings for her brother. [Wiki (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koi_Kaze)]
Softtack's Review: (WARNING, MATURE CONTENT BELOW)
The reason we watch romance is because of their optimistic storylines and cute characters, right? In the world of anime, everyone is beautiful, but in real life, is that really the case? Koi Kaze takes the traditional love story and bashes it on head with a baseball bat.
Visuals/Sound: 8.5 - Koi Kaze is painted in what seems to be watercolors. The colors are light and muted and background animation is rare, except in certain cases where it is critical to the story's development. I found this style to be effective at directing your attention on the characters and their dialogs, and reminded me of Honey & Clover a bit. The audio also follows the visuals, light and muted. Dashes of piano music are present in the background. Sound effects are simple and there are no goofy sound effects. Both the visuals and audio fit the anime very well.
Story/Characters: 9.5 - Now I can finally get to the meat and potatoes of this anime, and I'll say it right out. This is an EXTREMELY controversial anime. With its overlying themes of incest and pedophilia, it's bound to tie many knickers in a knot. I'll try not to reveal any spoilers past what is provided in the synopsis above. As his girlfriend dumps him, Koshiro is asked "Have you ever truly loved someone?" He becomes miserable afterwards until he meets 15 year old Nanoka. Even though he puts up his usual front of an a-hole, he breaks down crying, and begins to have feelings for her. But he's met with a cold slap to the face when his father introduces Nanoka as his sister. I have to stop here for a moment for a comment. This is the biggest plot twist that will occur in the anime. There are no mysterious strangers or childhood friends that will pop up out of nowhere and claim their love for Koshiro. It's extremely straightforward from the second episode on about what is going to happen next. Needless to say, since I mentioned incest before, they begin developing feelings for each other, but the way each character handles it is different.
Koshiro knows this type of relationship is wrong, but continues on in a more mature fashion, by masturbating into her underwear. Nanoka, on the other hand, handles her love for her brother in typical innocent teenage fashion. The story gets interesting further along, while the characters hiding their relationship from their family and friends. Each character has internal conflicts, and they're constantly battling themselves inside on what's right and what's wrong. They handle problems like normal, real life people and like real people, have a few screw ups along the way.
The ending is as expected of a romance anime. It is left open and nothing is really concluded, and this is where average anime become even more average. However, you can't forget forget that this isn't a normal anime. It manages to take all of that ridiculousness and tie it into a neat package, and that's when you notice the brilliance in this anime. Your feelings come out in this anime, and it pains you whenever something bad happens.
Overall - The key focus of this story is character development, and it pulls that off brilliantly. With a neatly woven storyline, along with appropriate visuals and audios, this presents the most realistic story you will ever see in animated form. If you can overlook the controversial overtones, I highly recommend this anime, and is why it earns a rating of 9/10.
Episodes: 13
Content Rating: 18+ (Sexual innuendos and situations, uncomfortable themes)
Original Run: April 4th, 2004 - June 17th, 2004.
Hajime no Ippo (2000) - Avg. Rating: 9.5/10 out of 1 reviewer
Genres: Sports, Action
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Rating:
Animation: 8.5/10
Sound: 9/10 (Doesn't apply to manga. Lol and you know why)
Characters: 10/10
Story: 9/10
Overall: 9.5/10
Sypnosis:
Hajime No Ippo is about a teenager called 'Makonouchi Ippo' who is often picked on because he is shy and conservative.
One day while he is being picked on by his usual tormenters he is saved by a Pro boxer called 'Takamura'. After this run - in he gains an interest in boxing and decides to pick it up.
Essentially the manga is about Ippo's pursuit of the 'meaning' of being strong while boxing, but it is also about the struggle of his fellow gym mates.
Review:
Hajime No Ippo sets itself apart from other sports manga with its hilarious gags and unique characters. The manga has a lot of references to real life boxing, and main character's fighting style is based off of Mike Tyson. Hajime No Ippo shares similarities to other Shōnen manga such as the characters using their will power to push themselves through harsh situation; however it does it in a way which makes the manga more immersive, unlike other shonen manga's were it makes it corny and unrealistic. This immersion makes you sympathise with the character(s) situation and makes the manga all the more enjoyable.
The comedy in Ippo is great and is similar to the comedy in Great Teacher Onizuka (another great anime); the situations the characters run into and they're reactions to it all contribute to the comedy of Hajime No Ippo. My favourite character and one of the most funniest is Takamura. He is an immature 'senpai' who is too arrogant for his own good, however once you read the manga it becomes apparent as to why he is so arrogant.
The story for Ippo is simple but beautiful. Its better than most of the sports manga's out there (the ones that I've read). Its simplicity is where its beauty lies.
The characters are what makes Hajime No Ippo truly Shine; they are different but yet they share a common goal. The mangaka has developed these characters well and each has their own unique traits.
To sum, Hajime no Ippo is one of the best mangas out there and even after 17 years it retains its crown as the best Sports manga out there(some may argue). The story is staying strong and the art style is not beautiful but practical. As you read the manga you see the drawings evolve over the years. The only downside is that some of the matches are a volume or two long.
This is one manga you should check out, but before that check out the anime.
Mangaka: Jyoji "George" Morikawa
Serialised in: Weekly Shonen Magazine
Genre: Sports, Boxing
Demographic: Shōnen
Volume: 81 + (and ongoing...)
Episodes: 76 episodes, 1 movie, 1 OVAInnocent Venus (2006) - Avg. Rating: 7/10 out of 1 reviewer
Genres: Action, Mecha, Sci-Fi
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Synopsis: After the world population and economy is devastated by simultaneous hyper-hurricanes, many different factions (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faction) and fledgling nations appear. In Japan, an elite class (http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Elite_class&action=edit) called Logos appears, controlling special zones in the country which have most of the wealth and resources. The Logos exercise control over the Levinas, the lower class (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lower_class) which struggles day to day in order to stay alive. The Levinas are restricted from entering the special zones, causing tension which creates a resistance group which fights back against the Logos.
With the tagline "A Near Future Late-Shogunate Action Animation", the story draws analogies with 19th Century Japan at the end of the Tokugawa Shogunate (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Late_Tokugawa_shogunate) period, just before the Boshin War (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boshin_War).
Jō and Jin escape from Phantom, an elite military group which is used to control the Levinas. When they escape, they take a young girl named Sana with them. The series follows them as they work to avoid being caught by Phantom and the regular military forces of the Logos.
Tool 316's review: 7/10 - Not too much story wise, but it has its moments. It's biggest selling point is the action. Not much to this beside that but it's good enough to watch if you have the time. In the end its more or less of the same nothing you haven't seen before.Last Exile (2005) - Avg. Rating: 8.5/10 out of 1 reviewer
Genres: Drama, Adventure, Action, Military
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Synopsis: Enter a world similar to 19th century with anti-gravity devices. Claus and Lavie are pilot and navigator of a Vanship and act as messengers for the Guild. They soon become involved with a mysterious mission after rescuing a little girl from a strange star-shaped killing machine. Not willing to let the girl die, they complete the mission by deliver her to the mysterious mercenary ship, the Sylvania, only to become part of the crew as fighter pilots. Now they must fend for their lives, as fate has put them in the middle of a war... a war for the Gateway to Exile!
Softtack's Review: 8.5/10 - With characters designed by the great Range Murata and a heavy slathering of steampunk throughout, Last Exile is a unique take on the classic military anime.
The story line doesn't start to appear until about halfway through the series. The first half deals a lot with character development and relationships. But when the plot starts to form, it grips you and you feel the need to keep watching because of the cliffhangers each episode ends with. Towards the end, you need to be paying attention because it's easy to lose track of what's happening, but you'll be too hooked not to.
However, my favorite part of Last Exile is how beautiful the artwork in the series is. The characters are designed by Range Murata, one of my favorite artists, and his art brings a unique twist to this anime. Much of the time is spent in the clouds, which are drawn beautifully and battles are amazing, with a mix of hand drawing and CG. But most important of all, this quality is consistent throughout the series.
Overall, Last Exile impresses on all levels. Great story, characters and artwork. I recommend this highly to anyone who enjoys some good ol' fighting action.
Naruto (2002) - Avg. Rating: 7/10 out of 1 reviewer
Genres: Action, Adventure, Comedy, Magic, Martial Arts
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Synopsis: Naruto closely follows the life of a boy who is feared and detested by the villagers of the hidden leaf village of Konoha. The distrust of the boy has little to do with the boy himself, but it’s what’s inside him that causes anxiety. Long before Naruto came to be, a Kyuubi (demon fox) with great fury and power waged war taking many lives. The battle ensued for a long time until a man known as the Fourth Hokage, Yondaime, the strongest ninja in Konoha, fiercely fought the Kyuubi. The fight was soon won by Yondaime as he sealed the evil demon in a human body. Thus the boy, Naruto, was born. As Naruto grows he decides to become the strongest ninja in Konoha in an effort to show everyone that he is not as they perceive him to be, but is a human being worthy of love and admiration. But the road to becoming Hokage, the title for the strongest ninja in Konoha, is a long and arduous one. It is a path filled with betrayal, pain, and loss; but with hard work, Naruto may achieve Hokage. [ANN] (http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=1825)
Phaded's Review: 7/10 - When Naruto first came out it was a massive hit and it is a rather good anime. With a good concept they created Naruto which has good a pretty good story and art. I personally like this anime quite a bit, the reason im giving it a 7 is for two reasons.
1. The series last for around 220 episodes, only the first 135 episodes are canon, every episode after that is a filler episode, watching them can end up in you loosing your appetite to watch the anime or it's sequel altogether. Be. Careful. Watching. Fillers.
2. Personally i think the show is home to one of the most ANNOYINGLY ridiculous emo and pathetic character in an anime/manga to ever be released. Sasuke Uchiha, it's made worse by the fact that he is one of the main characters of the show aside from the main character himself. If you can get around this guy or you... well... end up liking his character then there is no reason to be watching this anime.
Again i would call this a good starter anime for newcomers, just be careful of the filler episodes. And don't listen to some people if they say "Naruto is childish, it's for kids" etc etc, any anime can be watched by anybody of all ages, and Naruto is for all ages as it does grow into maturer theme's as the anime goes on.
[/b]
Episodes: 220 (135 canon, 85 filler)
Content Rating: Teenagers (May contain bloody violence, bad language, nudity)
Original Run: October 3, 2002 – February 8, 2007.
Naruto Shippuden (2007) - Avg. Rating: 8.5/10 out of 1 reviewer
Genres: Action, Adventure, Comedy, Magic, Martial Arts
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Synopsis: Naruto Shippuuden is the continuation of the original animated TV series Naruto.The story revolves around an older and slightly more matured Uzumaki Naruto and his quest to save his friend Uchiha Sasuke from the grips of the snake-like Shinobi, Orochimaru. After 2 and a half years Naruto finally returns to his village of Konoha, and sets about putting his ambitions to work, though it will not be easy, as He has amassed a few (more dangerous) enemies, in the likes of the shinobi organization; Akatsuki. [ANN] (http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=4240)
Phaded's Review: 8.5/10 - Shippuden is in it's beginning with it only having around 30 episodes, so with this in mind i couldn't possibly give it a full review, but with what i HAVE seen so far it is going in a direction in where it will be better than the original. The series has grown up a bit and has got a bit more serious, with better art and with new goals in mind fans of the original Naruto will like where it's continuation is going.
Episodes: 27 (as of 11/9/07)
Content Rating: Teenagers (May contain bloody violence, bad language, nudity)
Original Run: February 15, 2007 – Ongoing.
Noein (2005) - Avg. Rating: 9.5/10
Genres: Adventure, Romance, Sci-Fi, Drama, Slice of Life
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Synopsis: Fifteen years in the future, by high-level scientific power, a violent battle takes place between Lacrima, that protects humanity, and Shangri-La, that plans the annihilation of all space-time. The key to stopping Shangri-La's invasion is a mysterious object known as "the Dragon's Torque." A group known as the Dragon Cavalry is being sent through space and time to find it. In the present, twelve-year old Haruka and her friend Yuu are contemplating running away from home when they meet a member of the Dragon Cavalry named Karasu (Crow). He believes that Haruka has the Dragon's Torque and claims to be Yuu from fifteen years in the future. [ANN] (http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=5887)
SolidSnakeUS's review: 9.5/10 - I really do like this show. I love the characters, from Yuu to Haruka to Karasu. They all develop throughout the show showing that they aren't just plain, ordinary characters, but characters that change, learn, adapt and love. When it comes to the story, it can be complicated for some, but it is mostly straight forward; what I mean by that, it is nothing too hard to understand. If you watch the fansubbed version of the show, it will actually have notes that will explain things that normal people don't understand (such as quantum physics and such). I like how the story progresses very well and it doesn't drag it's feet all that much. For the visuals, I would say they are really up there, a very good combination of unique drawings with great CG work of some creative effects and monsters/things. If you just watch the dubbed version, you may not get it as well and for some, it may be too hardcore sci-fi for them, considering there can be a good amount of quantum physics content involved. It is very heavy on sci-fi, action, drama and romance (a little bit) and I would suggest it to people who like to watch a smart anime, but doesn't make you feel very dumb.
Episodes: 24
Content Rating: Teenagers (May contain bloody violence, bad language, nudity)
Original Run: 12th October 2005 – 29th March 2006
Potemayo - Avg. Rating: 7.5/10 out of 1 reviewer
Genres: Comedy, Fantasy
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Synopsis: Sunao Moriyama finds a strange but cute creature in his refrigerator that he names Potemayo. Potemayo starts following him everywhere, usually riding on top of his head. His discovery becomes the center of attention in his class at school. Soon after, a similar creature appears, and is named Guchuko by one of Sunao's classmates. However, Guchuko doesn't seem to be as good-natured as Potemayo. [ANN (http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=7449)]
Softtack's review *updated*: 7.5/10 - This anime is based on a 4koma, which means it has no real plot or storyline of sorts. The most in depth it gets is when going over Sunao's (the main character, black hair above) family, and what happened with his mom and all that. The previous review I gave after watching the first 5 or so episodes. Now that I've completed it, I feel totally different about it. The humor that I though was dry and boring is actually very funny. It seems to get better and better as the episodes progress along. Not to mention that the character designs are cute, and perfect for a show like this. It is random at times so if you need a concrete plot, stay clear away. Otherwise, this is a good anime to check out.
Episodes: 12
Content Rating: Older Children (Blood, comedic violence)
Ragnarok the Animation (2004) - Avg. Rating: 2.5/10 out of 1 reviewer
Genres: Comedy, Fantasy, Adventure, Romance
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Synopsis: The story happens in the same world of Rune-Midgard, yet the progression gets darker. An evil entity called the Dark Lord wants to create chaos in the world with the help of seven crystals that represent the seven ambitions (also known as the Seven Strengths) who sealed him away years ago.
The main protagonist, Roan is a swordsman whose main goal in the anime is to gain power to protect his childhood friend, Yufa. At one point, he believes he has failed in this and goes off alone to get stronger. After a fateful encounter in Byalan, Roan returns to the group as a Crusader, successfully rescuing Yufa. However, as the story progresses, Roan begins to lose sight of his duty. He later realizes his wrong after some advice from the Legendary Witch in Payon and Comodo.
He has many other companions which you'll have to watch the anime to find out about.
******ry's Review: 2.5/10 - I'm going to start by commenting on this series' animation techniques. They Suck. It's horrible and Roan's ears stick out like a monkey making me feel like I was watching a kid's cartoon. ROA [Ragnarok Online the Animation] is based on an online game, which is based on a manga, so really it's not very original.
The main characters are a pain. The swordsman is stuck up, the acolyte just goes on and on about her dead brother, and the mage is also stuck up and is a complete ***** to everyone around her. Oh heck, the only good character is the the little annoying merchant girl and Baphomet...
The anime, which was set out to make me laugh, made me cry through boredom. Yes, I'll admit there are some amusing moments with the merchant girl but sadly the anime has to embarrass and destroy those moments with the other 90% of tedious pain.
It didn't entertain me at all until the last 5 episode's where i was sitting intently on my seat hoping that one of the main evil people was going to kill or blow up Roan.
I think it's time to sum up this piece of trash.
Ragnarok the Animation, after watching the final episode, makes me want less... LESS LESS LESS. It was terrible... I think we should just keep playing the game, and the animation should be best forgotten about and left somewhere cold in your attic.
2.5/10 meaning "Bleh, it's not worth watching"Red Garden (2006) - Avg. Rating: 8/10 out of 1 reviewer
Genres: Drama, Mystery
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Synopsis: Strange suicides have been taking place in New York. One day, four girls from the same high school wake up in the morning feeling tired and dizzy and not being able to remember anything about the previous night. In school, they find out that one of their classmates has committed suicide. School is canceled for the rest of the day, but instead of going home, the girls are drawn to a park by butterflies only they can see. Suddenly a man and a woman approach the girls, telling them that they all died the previous night. [ANN]
Tool 316's review: 8/10 - A funny thing about this anime, I only watched it because it reminds me of blood trinity. when I saw the promotional the poster i instantly though Blood trinity however, upon watching the first half of the episode i was quite surprised. the animation looks like a mix between a Disney animation and one of those old dr sues cartoons. the story revolves around 4 teenage girls in high school,which of course are from all different social classes, you have the nerdy girls who lives with her little brother and sister then we have the punk the rich girl and of course the popular stuck up girl. they are all brought together by a similar fate which i will not spoil.the action is turned up a night where the basic plot is revealed. if i had to compare it to any other anime it would be a little gantz and a little blood trinity, you will also notice that the animation style changes at night. red garden posses a very interesting story and i hope you guys give it a try its well worth it.
Episodes: 22
Content Rating: 16+ (Violence, Suggestive Themes)
Rurouni Kenshin (1996) - Avg. Rating: 10/10 out of 1 reviewer
Genres: Action, Adventure, Historical, Comedy
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Synopsis: Rurouni Kenshin (the OAVs and Movie are known as Samurai X) tells the story of a wanderer named Kenshin, who used to be called Hitokiri Battousai (Hitokiri means Assassin) during the Japanese civil war, and is now trying to make up for his past and all his murders by helping those in trouble with his reverse-blade sword and by using his powerful technique called Hiten-Mitsurugi Ryu to battle oppressors of freedom and justice, yet struggling with himself and his own murdering self.
During the series Kenshin joins others in his quest: Kaoru Kamiya, a young orphan girl who became tutor of the Kamiya-Kashin Ryu Kendo style; Sanosuke Sagara, a mercenary who used to bear the name Zanza and fights just with his incredibly powerful fists; Yahiko Myojin, a young boy who was rescued by Kenshin from a band of thieves and now a pupil on Kaoru's dojo; and Megumi Takani, a female doctor who was rescued by Kenshin from a band which forced her to make a lethal drug. Together they all fight those who oppress the weak while they seek their destiny as well happiness and redemption.
The series is based on a homonymous manga created by Nobuhiro Watsuki, which was first published in 1994. [TV]
******ry's review: 10/10 - Rurouni Kenshin is a series that was divided up into 3 seasons. The first covering Kenshin Himura's "Hero Saves the day" adventure's which just focus on him saving the day and being rather blurry about his part. The second Series focuses on the main plot and his past. The third series after the main plot being resolved focus's on him and his "Acquaintances" Adventures together.
Rurouni Kenshin is a great series, The Plot changes and is very deep yet at times it can be extremely funny. After the series end's you feel as if there should have been more of the main plot but apart from that it feels like it is just long enough without becoming tedious. The Manga at times can be extremely funny [e.g Cicada Impersonations in Episode 3] and yet sad in the OVA's and other parts of the Anime.The Animation is rather good and advanced for it's time since it was made in the 90's. Characters in Rurouni Kenshin have alot of conflict with eachother which is very amusing at time's [The Animation makes it Hilarious]. The Characters although seeming always Fun are actually Quite Deep and many of them have Dark past's or secrets.
This is a great anime and during watching it it is very addictive.. I'd give it 10 but that would make me seem soft and as if i give all my review 10, it's just i've reviewed by favourite two anime's first OK!? That's it all the other's will be less i know that for a fact..unless Umisho get's better...
Episodes: 95
Content Rating: 16+ (Violence)
Samurai Champloo (2004) - Avg. Rating: 9.5/10 out of 1 reviewer
Genres: Adventure, Comedy, Drama, Historical, Shounen
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Synopsis: Mugen is a fierce animal-like warrior with a unique Bboying (break-dance) inspired fighting style. Jin has a more traditional style but don’t think of this as a weakness because his skills are amazing. The two contrasting samurai warriors are far from friends, yet their separate paths seem to cross anyways. Mugen is wandering aimlessly through the city when he stumbles upon a teahouse where he meets Jin and Fuu (A ditzy waitress, but don‘t think she doesn‘t have anything hidden up her sleeves). Fuu convinces them both to come with her in search of a mysterious samurai that smells like sunflowers and their journey begins. This modernized hip-hop tale breaks the barriers of the common, historical, samurai anime.
UltimaMasamune's review: This anime is main reason why I'm into anime in the first place, I did watch a few episodes of Dragonball Z, Bleach, Naruto and other popular animes before watching this but non of them managed to hold my interest and prove to me that anime isn't just about cliche overpowered characters and girly looking characters
The story is about three characters, one of them is calm, stoic and traditional ronin named Jin, the other one is a brash, wild vagabond named Mugen and the last character is a young feisty girl named Fuu. The story is pretty simple Fuu helps Jin and Mugen to run away from the mayor of the town because his son got killed in fire which was caused by Jin and Mugen fighting and now she wants them to help her find a samurai who smells of sunflowers.
The plot isn't exactly very deep, it's more about what's "happened" rather then what is "going to happen", most episodes are about the events that the party goes through while looking for the sunflower samurai, these episodes are are semi-self contained story wise and character wise and vary from fairly humorous and light hearted to quite serious and epic. Even so these episodes have some a lot of character development and back story and most of these events are tied into a very neat plot twist at then end. The rest of the episodes go into the characters past relationships and stories and contribute heavily to the main plot.
The pacing in each episodes is perfect, the episode usually starts slow and then alternate from very fast paced and action packed and to slow and deep, this will keep off-balance and and interested in what's going to happen next
The fighting scenes are quite plentiful and are swift, dynamic and fast paced. Jin uses a katana and his fighting style is more classical and restrained while Mugen uses a double edged katana that he carries on his back and his fighting style is clumsy and involves using break-dancing moves. Jin and Mugen are always disagreeing which usually results in them fighting each other. The enemies are usually samurais but some others use weapons like guns and scythes
The art and animation style is great and stylish. It puts a slight focus on the character's outline, ankles and bones, and the animations are swift, dynamic and aren't overexaggerated.
Finally the English dub, I watched all of the episodes in English and some of them in Japanese and I have to say that I prefer the english dub. I know that this is about samurais and everything but Jin and Mugen sound more involved in English while they sound a little calm in Japanese, as for minor characters they mostly sound better(but not that much) in Japanese
This is my favorite anime of all time for a reason and this(mostly) has nothing to do with it being the first anime I get into. The atmosphere is great, the characters are memorable and cool and it manages to mix hip-hop, samurai and style perfectly
Overall score: 9.5/10
[B]Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei - Avg. Rating: 8/10 out of 1 reviewer
Genres: Romance, School Life, Sci-Fi, Fantasy
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Synopsis: Itoshiki Nozomu is the world's most negative person. To his way of thinking, there is no hope or meaning in this existence. Even the three kanji of his name become the two-kanji word zetsubou, "despair", when compressed. What an ironic twist of fate, then, that he becomes teacher to a class containing his precise opposite, the invincibly positive-minded Fuura Kaa.[ANN (http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=7767)]
Softtack's review: 8/10 - Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei presents an interesting and quirky look at school life. The main character's constant attempts to commit suicide, often times caused by his equally weird students. The artwork in this anime is extremely well done, and is a new style I haven't seen before. This series is definitely worth watching.
School Days - Avg. Rating: 8.5/10 out of 1 reviewer
Genres: Romance, Drama, School Life
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Synopsis: Makoto Ito rides the train to and from school every day. However, at the beginning of his second term, he falls in love with a beautiful girl that also rides the train. Unfortunately, she barely knows of his existence. Her name is Kotonoha Katsura, and though they attend the same school, they are not in the same class. In an attempt to catch her eye, Makoto enlists the aid of a close female friend of his: Sekai Saionji. She helps him, despite the fact that she, unbeknownst to Makoto, is in love with him. Thus the three are bound in a love triangle of life changing proportions. [ANN (http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=7815)]
Softtack's review:
Visuals/Audio: 7.5/10 - The art in School Days isn't anything to call home about. It's actually rather dull, such as shading or highlights in hair are rarely used. The character designs are fairly run of the mill as well, but since its origins are in a eroge, it's to be expected. One good thing is that the art is consistent throughout, mistakes are few and far between. I really enjoyed the music in the series the most though. The end credits for every couple of episodes have different songs, a pretty good variety. My personal favorite is Kioku no Umi (Sea of Thought) by yozuca. The touches of music during the anime is usually pretty appropriate, and give it a nice background which enhances dramatic situations.
Story: 9.5/10 - I've played the eroge School Days was based off of, which was famous for having "bad endings", non-traditional in the world of eroges where you impregnate a girl and then you win the game, only to start over with a new girl in mind. To tell you the truth, it took me three tries to actually watch School Days. This is an anime where you need to research the background story before you watch it, so you know what to expect. I made the mistake of not doing this, so in turn, the first episode was horribly boring and could barely hold my attention for longer than a minute. I am glad that I stuck it out because this series is fantastic. The level of drama and conflict in School Days is amazing, and it's all beautifully crafted to fit this twisted love story. I guarantee you will come to hate the male lead, Makoto, within the first 3-4 episodes, it's all a part of the show. My emotions flowed out like mad. I was ready to shoot my monitor whenever Makoto came into picture. It's that intense. :) The ending is EPIC, and is a must see. The version that aired on TV was censored, so that gives you an idea of how epic it is.
I wholeheartedly guarantee you that you'll hate Makoto, and love the ending. This is a fantastic anime that all are sure to enjoy, especially drama lovers. If I had to choose one word to summarize School Days, it's "karma". What goes around, comes around...
Overall: 8.5/10
Episodes: 12
Content Rating: 17+ (Sexual situations, Violence)
Scrapped Princess (2005) - Avg. Rating: 9/10 out of 1 reviewer
Genres: Action, Fantasy, Comedy
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Synopsis: The story takes place in a fantasy world and revolves around a 15-year-old girl Pacifica Cassul who is a girl child born in a set of twins into the royal family (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_family) of the kingdom Leinwan and then abandoned. The 5111th Grendel Prophecy (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prophecy) predicts that she is the "poison (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poison) that will destroy the world" before the sun sets on her sixteenth birthday. As a consequence, she is dropped off a cliff as an infant. Believed to be dead, no one realizes her continued existence until after Pacifica is 15 years old already. Pacifica is rescued by a court wizard and adopted by the commoner Cassul family. Her foster (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foster_care) siblings - Shannon, loner swordsman, and Raquel, motherly magician (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magician_%28fantasy%29) - became her protectors. Both siblings are extremely powerful, and more often than not they easily break out of whatever difficult situation they face. Her siblings travel with her throughout most of the story, protecting her from the numerous