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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. :-)

Synopsis
The bullet-blasting babes from Team Warrior are in real trouble this time! When a group of killer drag queens get out of jail, they’ve got their eye shadow fixed on Nanvel’s new “makeover” device that renders the wearer beautiful or, on high setting, invisible! Then, in an exciting cliffhanger, Rio and Team Warrior must escort a top-secret tank across the globe. But when the transport plane is attacked, Rio finds herself alone in a hostile desert, with the supertank as her only ally – and her only hope of survival! Don’t miss the wildest, sexiest, strangest Team Warrior adventure yet!

Review
In Burn Up eXcess Volume 3: Under the Gun, Nanvel gets “kidnapped” by the drag queens that appeared back in volume one. They demand Nanvel to make them the machine that can change their bodies so that they can go on burglaries again, this time without getting caught and put back into prison. Stephanie or (heh) Rio gets kidnapped too. It is just funny how the dude keeps calling Rio Stephanie. Nanvel makes the machine and of course for a price. The drag queens have to get her whatever she wants to eat. Up to the point where they could not support themselves anymore they get rid of somebody who keeps eating up everything and does nothing (guess who). This episode is pretty funny. I like how Rio gets back at them for what they (the drag queens) did to her.

The next two episodes can be counted as one, because it is a two-part episode. In this episode there were some emotional moments and some nose bleeding moments. A super tank codenamed Henry is developed for military use and it becomes the target of the secret organization and the pretty lady with the gray hair. The lady uses her charms and gets a general to stop Team Warrior’s assignment to get Henry safe across the borders to another country. Henry some how becomes Rio’s guardian and they go off to an adventure across the hot desert. Many things happen and the enemy finally catches up to Rio and Henry. Here comes the most emotional moment yet in Burn Up eXcess! Go and check it out now!

The Breakdown
As I have said in the review of volume two, Burn Up eXcess gets better by the volume and it is proven by volume three of the series!

Synopsis
She was the most powerful creation ever invented. Designed by a brilliant mind, using otherworldly technology, bred for military use, the Steel Angel’s intent was as revolutionary as it was mysterious. But when a young boy accidentally awakens the Steel Angel Kurumi, science and strategy are thrown a curve. Now this multi-million dollar soldier is taking orders from a boy-and other forces are not happy about it. So Kurumi and her young master must seek out a secret lab and discover dangerous answers. Namely, why was Kurumi created in the first place? What is her true purpose? And why is a mysterious organization activating other beautiful, seductive, and powerful Steel Angels to destroy her?

Review
Steel Angel Kurumi reminds me of Saber Marionette J. We are dealing with androids that resemble females for those who did not know. Steel Angel Kurumi is more ecchi than Saber Marionette J. Let’s stop comparing these two titles now. The first thing that caught my eye was the DVD cover of Steel Angel Kurumi. It is beautifully done. I like how Kurumi looks so peaceful, on the cover with the angel wings (I have a thing for angel wings :P). Each episode of Steel Angel Kurumi is around fifteen minutes long, with the whole DVD totaling approximately ninety minutes.

When Nakahito is forced to explore and exterminate a Dr. Akuma in the basement of a mansion by his friends. He finds himself looking for an exit instead of Dr. Akuma (no such thing, by the way). Upon stumbling from door to door, he finds light, but stops to look at a blueprint of a Steel Angel. After a few more scenes he finds Kurumi and activates her by an accidental kiss on the lips. The fun stuff begins from there.

This twenty four episodes series has a fun atmosphere to it. You will feel laid back at times, and tense during some moments, depending on the situation. Kurumi has a hyper personality, which makes her character funny. Oh, this brings me to the point, the use of SD (Super Deformed) characters. This feature made Steel Angel Kurumi a cute and funny show to watch as well as a good action piece. Steel Angel Kurumi is a series for fans who likes ecchi humor. The last time I saw an ecchi humor was a month or two ago. Ahh… the memories ^_^.

The Breakdown
Yes! I did it! I finally got a chance to watch and review volume one of Steel Angel Kurumi after having so much work dumped onto me. Also pay a visit to the official Steel Angel Kurumi website by ADV.

Synopsis
‘She’s beautiful. Powerful. Passionate. Too dangerous to exist. She is Steel Angel Kurumi-and she’s marked for termination. Her enemy? The Academy. A floating fortress of mystery and military might. Their weapons? Powerful androids as lethal as they are lovely. Can Kurumi and her friends reach her creator’s secret lab without being detected by the Academy assassins? Or will her Steel Angel siblings succeed in ripping out her Mark II Heart that makes Kurumi so dangerous?

Review
In this volume of Steel Angel Kurumi, Nakahito starts to find out what he has to do with Kurumi. During an episode where Kurumi battles on three Steel Angels by herself, Nakahito stood there helplessly and watched as his Steel Angel was being knocked around. Then he came to a point where he starts to question his usefulness. If he could ever protect Kurumi, or anybody for that matter with his own powers, just as his brother would. As he struggles with his thoughts, he finally decides to try and do something. This resulted in him getting injured, and we all know what happens when Nakahito gets hurt and Kurumi is around.

The fun of Steel Angel Kurumi goes up and down. We get a chance to see Kurumi being jealous, because of the things Saki and Nakahito did. Kurumi’s personality is really cute; therefore she gave me a few chuckles as I watched on. Saki on the other hand is still obsessed with the ’sisterly love.’ Is it a good thing or a bad thing? Because of this sisterly love, she ventured to Kyoto by herself to buy cinnamon cookies for Kurumi and wanted surprise her with it in the morning. She made it to Kyoto, but meets her little sister, Karinka (the Steel Angel blue print that Nakahito saw when he was in the basement of the mansion back in episode one).

Karinka has two angel hearts, making her comparable to Kurumi’s powers. From her body size she looks like she does not pack any power in her punch, but she easily defeats Saki and tortures her until Kurumi shows up. What I am confused about right about now is how come Karinka is able to be activated without being kissed? Hmm… It could be, because she was made by somebody else other than Dr. Ayanokouji. But that should not be… I thought the blue print of Karinka was the work of Dr Ayanokouji’s, so when she was made, it should be the same as Kurumi and Saki. Oh wells, I will try not to lose sleep over this. This question should be answered by the next volumes.

The Breakdown
How can you possibly not like a group of Steel Angels?

Synopsis
Troubles you can only dream of… Suguru’s horrible cleaning skills have his friends calling his home the ‘haunted house’, and being an orphan, he needs help! Enter Mahoro, a beautiful 19-year old that catches bullets in her fingers, claims to be an android, and who wants to be his maid! Now, his school friends are suspicious and his well-endowed teacher is going over the edge with jealousy. How will he react when he discovers that Mahoro only has 398 days to live and has chosen him for a reason?

Review
Meet Suguru Misato, a normal child with a not so normal maid and family history. His father past away when he was young, and then his mother also past away. Going through life was not easy for Suguru, although he had the left over money from his parents to use and a big house to live in. There was something missing in his life or I should say someone. Ever since his parents past away, he took care of himself. His house is in a total mess. Yes, you guessed it, the person he needs is a maid.

Now meet Mahoro, an android created by Vesper to battle the aliens who try to disturb Earth’s peace. She was relieved from her duties due to her system being shut down soon. Vesper told her of what will happen. If she is still going to battle, she will not last for more than thirty seven days, but if she retires, she will operate for another three hundred ninety eight days. Mahoro decides she will go into the Vesper Human Resources division and will live the rest of her life as someone’s maid.

What stunned me about this series is the introduction. You would not have thought it would be an anime series about maids, because we are put into a scene of Mahoro battling an alien. The fan service is pretty up there. The character that stands out is Shikijo-sensei with her large breasts. She just flaunts them and laughs at Mahoro’s. The funniest thing about her is that she is cheap. Her cheapness can take her from eating dinner at her student’s (Suguru) home to using his bathtub to bathe. The word for this is ‘freeloader’ I believe. Well the thing about Shikijo-sensei is that she makes you laugh at her actions and that is just about what Mahoromatic does. It is a very good combination of fan service and comedy, otherwise known as ecchi humor.

A question that pops into my mind is; Is Mahoro taking care of Suguru as a maid for atonement of what had happened? With all the clues given it sure seems that way. Suguru’s father was the commander of Vesper and she killed him as he commanded her to, because he was held hostage by an alien who was about to do some big damage. She was at the funeral of Commander Misato and she visits his grave every year. From all these clues, I really believe that Mahoro is Suguru’s maid to atone for the past. But whatever, this is just my prediction; let us see what happens as the series advances.

The Breakdown
Mahoromatic is a 12 episodes series, 3 DVDs at $29.98 each. There is a second season currently being aired in Japan in which we are introduced to Mahoro’s little sister Mizawa.

Synopsis
Kaoru Hanabishi just wanted to help. Aoi Sakuraba just wanted to find her first love. They never realized they were looking for each other. Ever since their arranged marriage 18 years ago, Aoi had been in love with Kaoru, but she traveled to Tokyo to meet him when she learned the marriage had been called off. While Kaoru’s impressed by Aoi’s loyalty, innocence and beauty, to accept her affection, he might have to return to the Hanabishi Clan and the emotional and physical pain he suffered during his childhood… Their self-control and their love will be put to the test when she moves in and he tries to stay a gentleman!

Review
Here in Ai Yori Aoshi (Bluer than Indigo), we are put into what seems to be a modern anime version of William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. There are two families, Hanabishi and Sakuraba. Hanabishi Kaoru, who ran away from the Hanabishi family, is a college student who has supported himself ever since he left the Hanabishi. Sakuraba Aoi, is a childhood friend of Kaoru and she was arranged a marriage with Kaoru at a very young age. The arranged marriage was later cancelled, because of what had happened. Aoi, a very well mannered young lady cannot possibly forget someone who she have spent her childhood years so happily with. She even promised to herself that Kaoru will be the only person that she will love. With this state of mind, Aoi runs away from her home, the Sakuraba in hopes to find her childhood sweet heart Kaoru.

Having only a little memo with Kaoru’s address on it, Aoi arrives and she immediately notices the difference of lifestyles. As she looks for help, she gets bumped by someone and falls to the floor. Kaoru helps her up, but Aoi does not know who this person is. Being a kind person that Kaoru is, he continues to help Aoi to find the person she is looking for and he does exactly just that.

I stated above that Ai Yori Aoshi seems to be a modern anime version of Romeo and Juliet, because we have two families whose statuses are similar, and two lovers who are separated, because of their status difference in the present time of the show. I said, ‘Seems,’ because Aoi and Kaoru get to see each other, and be with each other, but they have to keep their relationship hidden or else it will cause uproar within the Sakuraba.

Kaoru is no longer a member of Hanabishi; therefore he is a person without any status. Without the status of the successor of the Hanabishi family, the Sakuraba family will not hand over their daughter to a nobody. The husband of Aoi will become the president of the Sakuraba. This is where Ai Yori Aoshi separates from Romeo and Juliet. Both families do not dislike each other. This was shown, because of the childhood memories that Aoi and Kaoru possess. If that was the case, Aoi and Kaoru would not have played with each other when they were kids.

When Ai Yori Aoshi first appeared, it was often compared to Love Hina. The first thing I noticed that was different from Love Hina is what others have been saying as well. Ai Yori Aoshi is definitely a more matured version of Love Hina. The way I see mature is how the main character is not being kicked around and have things done to him that would have normally killed anyone. That is where the maturity is at, when people hear that (Ai Yori Aoshi is a more matured version of Love Hina) they start to think it has more fan service. To me the fan service of both series are quite on the same level if not equal.

The Breakdown
Break down? I will have a break down if volume two does not come soon enough!

Synopsis
Anime show ‘Onegai Teacher’ started airing on January 10, 2002 on WOWOW. The show’s heroine Kazami Mizuho - an alien observation specialist - is played by the voice of hugely popular voice actress Kikuko Inoue. -CDJapan

Review
Onegai Teacher will always be one of my favorite titles. This is one of those OAV’s, where the director just wants to give what the fans want. The 7th Mail does a fine job bringing what the fans want, by displaying relationships that are in the TV series and extend upon it. Of course this final episode to the first series is not only about that. Our buddy Kei seems to have problems with our lovely teacher Kazami Mizuho. Well, both Kei and Mizuho are kind of shy and they still have not done what married couples do. What is better than having his mother in law, Hatsuho, stepping in, and give a little hand to the two?

The whole episode was all fun as it displays Kei being spotted by all of his best friends with a girl (something he did not want). One of his friends, Matagu made a big deal out of it, because he still does not have a girlfriend. That is when he gets teleported to the storage room by Hatsuho. Mizuho was everything but happy when she found out about her mother holding Kei’s hand and taking him into a hotel. Even Maho was going out with Kei until Matagu came in and confronted the two.

I did mention this OAV is all about fun right? As episode thirteen comes to a close, we get a little surprise from Hatsuho. Although the real ending comes after the end credits roll. I hope One * 2 will be as good as Onegai Teacher.

The Breakdown
Bandai Entertainment has licensed this series and scheduled a release date of somewhere around April. Keep those pennies saved, as this is a series you don’t want to miss if you are a fan of shounen type anime.

Synopsis
One day at a restaurant with his two best friends, Suguru decides to hire a maid, which is no surprise since his home looks like a garbage heap. ‘Well, it’s not easy living alone as a junior high student.’ Suguru is only 14 after all. What he gets is more than anyone can bargain for: a cute maid who happens to be Vespar’s strongest battle type android.

Review
Pioneer’s latest breakthrough at a robot maid anime so far appears to be the greatest in this category. Unlike Hand Maid May, there is only a single maid, Mahoro, who is warmly received by the supporting characters, Suguru’s classmates, who always seem to find a reason to spend after school hours at his house. Chizu is especially delighted to sample her freshly made dishes. However, there is someone who we should say is not so enthused about Suguru’s maid. This person is Suguru’s perverted homeroom teacher, Shikijou-sensei, who develops a rivalry with Mahoro. So as not to be explicitly a school anime is the battle with a giant mecha crab at the beach in episode 4, various flashbacks to Mahoro’s soldier days, and midway through the series in episode 7, the antagonist Ryuuga, Saint’s strongest battle type android, presents himself as a quite formidable opponent. Overall, the cast is solid and entertaining.

The Breakdown
12 episodes plus a New Year’s Special (summary of the series similar to the Vandread OVAs). Both amusing and dramatic at the same time. On sale for $26.98 at RightStuf International, Inc.

Synopsis
Minawa (aka Android 370), ‘The feeling of loving someone…’Android 369, ‘I wished for my heart to beat just once. To be able to laugh because I was so happy. I wanted to have a heart. That’s why you have to stay alive…One of these days please get a heart…promise me…’

Review
Pioneer continues Mahoromatic with another season, something more beautiful and indeed it is much so. Here we are introduced to another female fighting robot, Minawa, who becomes the adopted sister of Mahoro and once again accepted into Suguru’s inner circle of friends of which Hamaji-san takes a particular interest to. Although shy, quiet, and a bit clumsy, Minawa learns what it is to live life as a human.

The anime still centers about the relationship between Suguru and Mahoro. The anime answers more of the questions that arose in Season 1, what will happen to Mahoro as the days approach zero, how will Mahoro tell Suguru the truth about his father’s death, and we see at least some glimpse of Matthew. Of course there are the same gags such as Mahoro’s ‘Ecchi is wrong!’ line, Chizu bursting at the taste of Mahoro’s dishes, and Shikijou-sensei still fantasizing of having Suguru in bed with her.

The Breakdown
14 episodes plus a New Year’s Special (summary of the series similar to the Vandread OVAs).