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Synopsis
The two Kamuis finally awaken! Kamui has chosen to be a Dragon of Heaven, forcing Fuma, Kamui’s twin star, to become a Dragon of Earth. Battle between the two is inevitable, but not while Kamui is still unconscious from the shock of Kotori’s death. Subaru dives into Kamui’s dream to save him, as Fuma contacts other members of the Dragons of Earth - Kakyo and Nataku.

Review
In this volume of X, Kamui (Shirou) realizes the importance of trust in his comrades. The future seen in the dreams cannot be changed, but Kamui does not believe in destiny. He will be defying destiny in the volumes yet to come. While Kamui is still in the state of shock in the hospital as a result of seeing Kotori’s death, the other Kamui (Fuma), retrieves a dreamseer for the Dragons of Earth, Kakyo.

The Dragons of Earth start to gather as Kamui (Shirou) awakens from his slumber after Subaru uses his powers to get into Kamui’s mind and talks the chibi Kamui out of his bad dream. When the divine sword of Kamui was being sealed away, a light was unleashed and allowed all the other Dragons of Earth to know their next step.

It is said in this volume by Kakyo to Princess Hinoto, that the Kamui of the Dragons of Heaven cannot beat the Kamui of the Dragons of Earth. For the time being, it sure does seem that way. Kamui always allow his emotions to get in his way, while Fuma does not care about anything except his goal, which is to destroy all that gets in his way and start a new revolution as the Kamui of the Dragons of Earth. Now that everybody has gathered together… is the best action finally about to come? I certainly hope so!

The Breakdown
Please no more names! I do not want to hear anymore ‘I am Kamui Shirou’ or anybody who has been in the story from the start and introduced themselves already once. There is no need for more than one introduction and there certainly is no need to etch the names into our minds.

Synopsis
1600 AD at the Battle of the Sekigahara in the Mino Province, the name of the slayer of a thousand men, Demon Eyes Kyo, became a legend. On that day, the 21st of October, the match against his greatest opponent, Mibu Kyoshiro, ended unexpectedly as a meteorite landed straightway between the two fighters changing the face of history. Four years later, Mibu Kyoshiro, who survived and now earns his living as a pharmacist, learns of a terrible fate. Demon Eyes Kyo is alive inside of him.

Review
Samurai Deeper Kyo can be classified as historical fiction. Sekigahara no Tatakai was a decisive battle in the rise of Tokugawa Ieyasu, who lead the eastern warriors, to the shogunate. More than 100,000 men were committed to the battle. The second aspect involves Oda Nobunaga (1534-1582), the nemesis of the anime series who the Mibu Clan is trying to resurrect. He was the prime mover of Japan’s 16th century reunification after a hundred years of strife, subjecting Japan to one governing authority, himself. He was known as a brutal warlord for dealing ruthlessly with those that opposed him. He died in June 1582 when his general Akechi attacked taking Nobunaga by surprise at the Buddhist temple of Honnoji. Another historic figure is Sanada Yukimura (1567-1615), initially allied with Ieyasu’s forces switched sides to the western army during the Sekigahara while his brother Masayuki remained loyal to Ieyasu.

Because of Kyo’s existence in the first place and the destructive landing of the meteorite, history has changed from its predestined course. Major historical leaders are killed off before their time, and Yukimura takes the opportunity to secure more power for the Sanada clan. Migeira, the one with the megaman gun on his right arm, has seen a vision of the true future, and is attempting to return everything to their correct history by collecting all five mythical Muramasa weapons.

The Breakdown
Not groundbreaking as Kenshin was, but an enjoyable anime series nevertheless.

Synopsis
At the end of each episode are the following narration:

‘In the Spooner continent, sorcerers ruled over the people. The government exploited the people and the people, powerless, could do nothing but let their tears roll. But those people had a single source of hope. This was the existence of a secret group. People called them the Sorcerer Hunters.’

Review
Sorcerer Hunters (Bakuretsu Hunters) is the story of five heroes who under the orders of Big Mama (you heard correctly) are dispatched across the continent of Spooner to dispense of sorcerers using Kinju, a type of destructive magic that has long been prohibited. The leader of the group, supposedly, is Carrot Glasse, the ‘messenger of love’ who has the insatiable habit of womanizing. Although he is weak and cannot cast a single spell, he has just one special power, zoantropy: the ability to absorb magic to transform into a giant horned beast. He is joined by his brother, Marron, a serious and contemplative mage. Definitely the most insightful of the group. Third is Gato, the muscular blond with all the attack power. Last are the two sisters, red headed Chocolate and pink haired Tira, Carrot’s lovers who keep him in check often through force.

The Breakdown
Sorcerer Hunters doesn’t quite have what it takes to be an outstanding series. The episodes fail to really retain one’s attention. By the time it does, you are at the end of the series.

Synopsis
A 14-year old boy named Shinji Ikari is ordered to go to Tokyo-3, Japan by a request from his estranged father Gendo Ikari. He arrives, and suddenly an alien known as an Angel appears and starts to attack Tokyo-3. A beautiful, 29-year old woman named Misato Katsuragi comes in the middle of the battle with the Angel and picks up Shinji and she takes him to the underground secret base of Nerv. There, Shinji finds out he was brought to Nerv as a pilot for the all-purpose mechanical beast known as Evangelion Unit 1. Though he has had no prior training or experience in piloting an Eva, he gets into the cockpit ever so reluctantly to fight the Angel that is right above ground. Chaos ensues…

Review
Ah, the first four episodes of the famed Evangelion anime. I picked this up years ago on a whim, not knowing what I would be watching. And I have to say, still, after all this time, I find these first four episodes extremely lackluster, as an anime show and compared to the rest of the series. I’ve watched it many times now, and I get no excitement from watching it whatsoever, no fun out of it. Ok, I’m exaggerating, but compared to the phenomanel forthcoming episodes on the later volumes, these are just not that great. Not much heavy religious symbolism, no character introspections, no deep mysteries shown, and only one interesting fight sequence. There’s not much else to say.

The Breakdown
I really don’t want to explain this. Buy it to see the rest of the series. And the rest of the series truly does deserve high ratings in my book.

Synopsis
Just when you thought the plot would never thicken, the whole thing congeals and Excel finds herself in the fight for her lives! With the Great Will held hostage, the city in ruins, the Puchuu running amok, and Pedro joining forces with Nabeshin to combat the nefarious That Man, the action is fast and hilarious as ACROSS finally makes its move in the final unbelievable volume of Excel Saga!

Review
In this final crazy volume Excel Saga, we are shown the serious side of Excel Saga… for a moment that is. Excel who had amnesia due to the emotional stress, or if you want to put it simple. She was hit by a jeep, driven by the city workers. By that time, City F was no more. The Puchuu’s battle in space, caused a what seems to look like a colony dropping (Gundam anyone?) on the city and wiping everything out, except some civilians.

So… what is so crazy about this volume? How about Excel doing some magical punching technique that looks like it was from Fist of the North Star, but instead of heads exploding, the victims turns into Puni form (Magical girl from the upcoming ADV Films title Puni Puni Poemy). There are many more bizarre scenes. The craziest though, is the change of story; from normal Excel Saga to serious to normal Excel Saga. I can certainly get used to the serious Excel Saga.

Finally, going way too far can sum up episode twenty six. Believe me; you’ll be surprised by this episode. Well that is it for this crazy adventure. Excel Saga has provided many laughs and let’s just wait and see how Puni Puni Poemy will be.

The Breakdown
I hate to say good byes. There were quite a few memorable moments of Excel Saga. The all female episode being my most memorable episode. Excel Saga will always be known to me as that crazy show. But hey, it was a good crazy show to me. So umm yeah, I can’t wait to see what Puni Puni Poemy is all about.

Synopsis
Dejected and defeated, Otaru departs for Japoness. Lime, Cherry, and Bloodberry remain in Xian, returning to their new lives there. But they find themselves constantly reminded that they are only Marionettes, nothing more than machines. A broken-hearted Lime agrees to the evil Dr. Hesse’s proposal to make her human. Cherry and Bloodberry try to change her mind, but it’s too late, and now Hesse has the information he needs that will let him destroy the Earth. As his space ship takes off, they manage to sneak aboard. Even though they realize they probably won’t be coming back, they have to stop him. It’s an ending you won’t believe!

Review
Saber Marionette J to X to me was not as entertaining as the original series. There were times where I disliked the way some episodes progressed. Nonetheless as a follower of Saber Marionette J, I continued to collect this series. Anyways, in this final volume, Otaru leaves his beloved marionettes, because he believes that the people in Xian need them more than him. Otaru, not realizing the true feelings of Lime and the others makes a big mistake, as the gullible Lime believes that Dr. Hesse is actually capable of making her human. Otaru who was taking the railroad back to Japoness was later on stopped by Faust. After some dialogue, Dr. Hesse shows up along with Lime and the story starts to come to a close by there.

So how was the overall series? I liked the beginning when Otaru, Lime and the others was in Japoness, than when they made their trip to Xian. Why? Well, because that is when all the trouble starts. In the beginning of their arrival at Xian, it was okay, the comedy was there, but then as the story progressed it was more of a sad, emotional show than what I thought Saber Marionette J supposedly is; an action comedy.

The ending is way too unbelievable. I do not know if I should be happy or not. If you are a fan of Saber Marionette J, like I am, I will say you probably would be disappointed by the ending of the whole Saber Marionette J series. Sure, the girls (notice I say girls not marionettes :P) look adorable in the end, but I believe it is not an ending that fans would like to see.

The Breakdown
Saber Marionette J to X has its’ high and lows, at times you would laugh out loud, at times you would feel sad. But towards the end, the show was mainly sad and serious. Which made it not as entertaining as it could be.

Synopsis
About 162 years ago, the Galactic Union (GU) and the Galactic Organization of Trades and Tariffs (GOTT) were formed. Their job was to correct economic imbalance, arbitrate disputes, and negotiate contracts and treaties with planets all over the galaxy. As GOTT, they strive to protect everyone in the galaxy, as well as the people’s property and rights. Enter Lumiere and Ɖclair, GOTT ES-members who routinely carry out police type missions under the authority of Director Eclipse.

Review
First aired on Japanese TV in October 2002 marking the directorial debut of Keiji Goto, the character designer for Martian Successor Nadesico. Why call it ‘Kiddy Grade’? Kiddy shortened is kid or children. Grade refers to quality of manufacture like the grade of oil or metal. Put together in essence they refer to the two main stars Lumiere and Ɖclair. Although children like in appearance, they execute the law, more of a job for grown ups. But, as said in episode 3, children are purer when compared to adults. They contain innocence, unsoiled by greed, power, and lust. They have a simple notion much like the rules we learn in kindergarten of right and wrong, a respect for others. It is quite interesting, more of a juxtaposition, that although outwardly they are youths, both are in fact immortal. Ɖclair is the reincarnation of the Eclairs before her, and as the anime progresses, she follows down the same path as her predecessors. Yet the way she resolves the situation is her own choosing.

The Breakdown
Despite the claims of lack of originality and extreme fanservice, I still believe Kiddy Grade has something to offer for the anime fan. Plot wise it is intriguing and carries an air of suspense and mystery.

Synopsis
The alien attacks continue, and the elite force known as FUNERAL are called out to defend earth again and again. Tensions rise as both Ryu and Dan dislike one another and come to blows. Then comes the added problem of using a child to help FUNERAL, and the team is guilt-ridden. And then…we delve into someone’s forgotten past.

Review
I really enjoyed the first volume of 5 episodes. Mysterious, intriguing, and excellent characters help to propel this series above many others I’ve seen this year. This volume strengthens that argument. This is another excellent 5 episodes, with more subtle hints of things to come, and some much-needed explanation to help forego the last volumes huge confusion factor. The characters are more fleshed out, Frank is given much more screen time, and everything is starting to fall into place.

The Breakdown
What can I say? I’m commited. This show is breathtaking. I love it and there aren’t enough adjectives to use to explain how much I’m enjoying each volume of this show. It’s brimming with intrigue, style, and a good story to boot. Not to mention Ryu Soma is now starting to  doub his thirst for revenge…

Synopsis
The Academy has sent its deadliest assassin to destroy Steel Angel Kurumi. Using the helpless Saki as bait, the ruthless Karinka sets a trap to finally rip out Kurumi’s powerful Mark II Heart from her chest cavity. But Kurumi’s Heart hides a dark force within that Karinka didn’t count on - a force that frightens everyone who witnesses its awesome power. Now the Academy is forced to take even more drastic measures. A mysterious stranger appears and tries to persuade Kurumi’s master to use his mystical power to stop Kurumi before her dark energy overtakes her.

Review
In this volume of Steel Angel Kurumi, Nakahito is still trying to reason with himself why he cannot do the things his brother can with his mystical powers. He tries to assist Kurumi in her fight with Karinka, but fails. In turn we get to see an interesting scene as Kurumi becomes evil. The strength that she contains when she is demonized is beyond anybody’s imagination. After Karinka’s apparent lost, Nakahito was good for one thing, that was waking Kurumi out of her evil state.

I appreciate this volume, because Karinka spices things up. She adds more fun factor to the already fun story. First trying to find out Kurumi’s secret to her abilities, then trying to kiss Nakahito’s lips to gain power, and finally challenging Kurumi in winning the love of Nakahito. Not only is she acting the cute younger sister role, but the little in conversation cut in dialogues that describe her total disgust of what she is doing was pretty cute and funny. Saki on the other hand realizes what Karinka was doing, before Kurumi and tries to help Karinka out a little so that if Nakahito goes with Karinka, then Kurumi will be for her only.

All the fun ends though, as the story begins to get serious again. Nakahito gets taken away by the Academy. As Nakahito regains consciousness, he is lectured on the powers that the Angel Heart Mark II holds and at the end of the conversation, he was requested that he help the Academy in stopping Kurumi’s Angel Heart Mark II. Only here is where we discover the true feelings of Nakahito for Kurumi. Kurumi, Saki, Karinka, and the others are hurrying to rescue Nakahito. What will become of Kurumi?? Damn I hate tense moments like these!

The Breakdown
The way you portray Karinka before will definitely change after this volume!

Synopsis
Mahoro joins Suguru on a nighttime ’school assignment’ to investigate the school’s ghosts, but they quickly find more than they bargained for! Later, Mahoro is asked to perform the Dance of the Dead in the town festival, and while Suguru enjoys the festival for the first time since his father’s death, his innocent evening with Mahoro may be cut short by a certain teacher… Then, Mahoro’s past has been concealed, but a new teacher arrives with a mission from the malicious Saint organization: terminate Mahoro!

Review
Scary school ghost stories and Obon (Lantern Festival) dancing. In this volume of Mahoromatic the past starts to pull in together as Mahoro meets Ryuuga of Saints again. It is the battle of the strongest warrior of each organization. Who will come out as the victor? In the earlier section of this volume, Suguru goes visit his father’s grave and during this we get a hint of why Mahoro is Suguru’s maid. The more Suguru and Mahoro connect, the more Mahoro feels bad, as she struggles between if her maid work is atonement for what had happen to Suguru’s father in her own hands or just to take a break from the battling. Well, which guess would you take? Of course it is the first choice as she is the mystery person who brings flowers to Commander Misato’s grave every year, except for this year, because she is with Suguru.

In this volume we are introduced to Flash, Mahoro’s mechanical sidekick panther (to me it looks like a dog). Flash has some neat tricks, but he was used as a guard dog to guard Guri-chan and the house. At the end of the volume, Mahoro and Ryuuga sets up a dueling date and after Suguru falls asleep, she goes and meets her destiny.

The Breakdown
Moving onto volume three. :-)