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Synopsis
It’s nineteenth century Japan. The Tokugawa Shogunate is on the brink of collapse. Rebel clans of warriors from all over the country vie for power in a struggle to see who’s view on what Japan shall become will reign supreme. Enter Kenshin Himura, a young assassin, who, under the tutelage of master swordsman Seijuro Hiko, has become embroiled in the conflict, fighting for the rebel clans to bring about a new peace-loving country. He enters the fight at the tender age of his mid-teens, bringing inside of him his own conflict: is fighting to bring about peace really just about killing people and ending people’s happiness in the end? Thus a woman comes into Kenshin’s life to help answer that very question.

Review
After the crazy, fast paced action of the first 2 episodes that were in Samurai X: Trust, coupled with the tragic romance and historical backgrounds, I was expecting more of the same in these final 2 episodes. Not exactly. These 2 episodes explore Tomoe’s and Kenshin’s love for each other very very deeply, and as tragic as their love ends up being, we are unaware of such things for the majority of the disc. Since I picked up the hints that were dropped along the way, I knew that Tomoe was a spy for the Tokugawa Shogunate, making the love seem a bit pointless, thus making the first episode on this disc not to be quite so good. But then  you realize that Tomoe did indeed fall in love with Kenshin eventually and was in a trap she herself had created. And that is what ultimately makes this show excellent.

Tomoe, having lost her fiancee to this assassin is out now to exact revenge by being his lover but secretly keeping tabs on Kenshin and also to  weaken his fighting spirit with her ‘love.’ Problem is, while she is in the process of doing this to help the Tokugawa and for her own vengeance, she falls in love with Kenshin. What is she to do now? Exact revenge or try and get outside of the trap she has created for Kenshin, maybe costing her own life, but is it worth her life, for Kenshin’s sake? Oh, and I haven’t even gotten started  on the important connections this makes to the TV series and the final OVA, Samurai X: Reflection either, or the excellent fight scenes in the latter half of the second (and final) episode. Truly some of the best stuff I’ve seen, despite some predictability.

The Breakdown
I believe that anyone who considers themselves an anime fan to have to watch this prequel OVA series known as Samurai X: Trust and Betrayal. It contains within itself an excellent story of the love of two characters set against one of the most gruesome times in Japanese history.

Synopsis
Kenshin’s life has settled down since his days as the infamous Hitokiri Battousai that he was once known as during the Meiji Revolution. He’s come so far as to live with a group of nice and kind-hearted people at a dojo in Tokyo. But, the Meiji Government keeps asking for Kenshin’s help in various wars and internal strifes, and Kenshin heartily agrees to help, as he is still seeking atonement for all the people he killed during the Revolution. But, he makes one thing clear: though he goes off to war, he plans on saving lives, not taking them. As Kenshin never stays at home  at the dojo, Kaoru is forced to stay home in the hope that Kenshin will keep coming back after each battle. But, will she die of grief? Will Kenshin one day not come back alive?

Review
Ok, a few things out of the way first. You simply cannot see Reflection without first having watched the prequel OVA series known as Trust and Betrayal first, and also you must have seen at least 30 or so episodes of the Rurouni Kenshin TV series. Otherwise, when you watch this, you will be absolutely confused. Luckily, by the time I did buy this, I had seen both the prequel OVA series and the TV series, so I was set to be blown away. Not so. I should have been skeptical from the start, because of the short 60 minute running time, but after being so impressed with the prequel OVA, and knowing this was being done by that same team in the same exotic animation style, I overlooked it.

My first impression after having seen this was really high, I really liked it. But after re-watching it a few times and thinking it over, I realized this isn’t that good, at all. First of all, the first episode of Reflection is just that, flashbacks to earlier occurences, from the first episode when Kaoru and Kenshin ‘met’ to the fight with Jin’e and a random appearance  by both Saito and Shishio. We are also  shown in the first episode that Kenshin is currently on the continent (the flashbacks come courtesy of Kaoru, who is almost in a coma-like state with Kenshin’s absence). Granted, seeing flashbacks to events that occured in the TV series reanimated in this new animation style is cool, but it feels pointless and a waste of time when there is only 60 minutes to tell the story. Do we really need to waste time on what we already saw in the TV series when there is new stuff to tell? I think not.

He’s on the continent courtesy of the Meiji Government, who want him to lead their very young and inexperienced army into battle on the continent (for those who know their Japanese history, the battle on the continent is the Sino-Japanese war). Of course, Kenshin, always seeking atonement for his past misdeeds, goes to fight, but with the intention of saving lives. So far, so good. The flashbacks end of course, and then we are shown Yahiko, all grown-up, taking care of Kaoru during her coma-like state, and then we are shown a huge surprise. While we are told that Kenshin and Kaoru were married, it’s now told to us that they have a 15-year old son named Kenji, who is estranged and angered at his father Kenshin for always leaving him alone with Kaoru, never being there for them.

Kenji’s training with none other than Seijuro Hiko, Kenshin’s old master. Of course, he still looks 30, like the superman freak he is. Before Kenshin went off to war, we are told that he  contracted a disease (it’s never told what exactly it was.) Of course, we are force-fed some  BS that he’s sick because of his weak body  and heavy sins, but it’s actually because he has a disease (and I imagine his accumulated injuries from his many battles contributed to his weakened state). Anyway, Kaoru says that she wants to share  Kenshin’s pain  and so they have sex and she contracts the disease to, so pretty much both of them are now destined to die (why she would be so selfish as to do this when she has a son to worry about is beyond me).

Before all this disease crap and before Kenshin went off to the Sino-Japanese war, we are off to the second episode of the DVD! Yah! Flashback (in the technical sense)! Of course, the second episode chronicles the Jinchuu (Revenge)  arc of the manga storyline, which has never been animated before. Sounds awesome right? Wrong. Nobuhiro Watsuki, the creator of the manga which all of this animation (TV series, yadda yadda yadda…) is based on, wrote a final arc for his manga, known as the Jinchuu (Revenge) arc. The TV series never got around to animating it, so when this was made, they decided to animate it here. How these guys thought they could condense 10 volumes of the manga (the last 10) into less than  30 minutes of animation is beyond me. And they fail completely.

While what is told in the second episode is pretty good, what with Enishi being a total bad ass with a cool character design, who has one hell of a fight with Kenshin, it feels as if a lot of the story is missing, the pacing of the second episode is extremely disjointed. I recommend instead to just read the manga, though this is a nice visual companion if you already have read all of the manga, I guess. Then of course, there’s the totally pointless and melancholic ending to the whole Kenshin saga at the end of the second episode. While I’ve said enough, there’s one more major problem with Reflection, the characters, they are totally out of character, other than Kenshin.

Sanosuke is off on some enlightenment trip in Mongolia which he  has spent the last 15 years  doing and Kaoru is an extremely depressed wife who has lost all of her wacky, spontaneous personality from the TV series. Yahiko has become some sort of bad ass, a complete decimation of his wacky, arrogant, and goofy personality from the TV series and Megumi has still made no ground in her medical career or with her relationship with Sanosuke, which isn’t explored at all in Reflection. I’ve had enough of this crap.

These character assassinations wouldn’t seem so bad if the story was told in chronological order, because if it was we may understand at least somewhat why these people we have come to love (by way of the prequel OVA series and the TV series)  are acting the way they are, but since the story is told out of  order we struggle to even understand what’s going on, much less why the characters are the way they are. I mean, we go from the Sino-Japanese War part, to flashbacks from events in the TV series, to time spent between  the end of the Jinchuu arc upto the Sino-Japanese war, and then we go back again to the Jinchuu arc, and then forward yet again all the way to the end of the story when Kenshin comes back from the war. It’s hard to keep up, to say the least. For awhile I even thought Kenshin got his disease FROM the war, rather than BEFORE the war.

The Breakdown
Do not buy this disc. I’m a completionist myself, and that would be the only good reason to buy and watch this. If your not a completionist but have seen a lot of Kenshin and are into the whole thing, borrow this from a friend or rent it. My recommendation is to import volumes 18-28 of the manga from Japan and read that with script translations since that is the end of the Kenshin story that entails the Revenge arc in all its awesome glory. You can also wait for the manga to come here in November 2003, which it is then to be serialized in Shonen Jump. Of course, they won’t reach volume 18 for a couple of years…but it’s better waiting that watching this drivel.

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
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
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. :-)

Synopsis
A new student has arrived at Ohtori Academy. As she tours the school, she stops to witness a duel held by the fencing club. Across the distance, she is stunned by a red haired upper classman. She runs with great fervor to meet him only to find the cold shower of rain.

Review
Revolutionary Girl Utena the Movie is a retelling of the anime series much like Escaflowne the Movie. Its basis is on the final episode of the series when Jury confesses:

‘Come to think of it, I’ve forgotten that boy’s name. Long ago, when my older sister was still a child, she nearly drowned in a river. On that day there was a boy who jumped into the river to try to save her. My sister got lucky and was saved by a nearby adult, but the boy who tried to save my sister was swept away. I thought my sister was very cold for forgetting his name so quickly. But now that I try to remember, it seem I’ve forgotten it too.’

The Breakdown
A bit on the mature side for younger audiences. It could have been better but that doesn’t mean it is not all that bad either.

Synopsis
“Make a pilgrimage for the past with me.” This is what Mireille Bouquet, a renowned assassin in Europe, received via e-mail. At first she dismisses it but suddenly hears a familiar melody driving her to follow up on the matter. She travels to Japan where she meets the intriguing high school girl Kirika Yuumura who possesses the innate ability in her own words “to kill people this easily” but without feeling remorse…

Review
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The Breakdown
Although simplified with only four main characters, the plot is complex with riddles and clues within elaborate twists. Each episode ties in to an even greater storyline that climaxes with the fight for who will be Noir.

Synopsis
Happiness could be a fleeting thing for our two new high school sweethearts Yukino and Arima. With their hearts flying high, the couple has been spending a lot of time together. Finally the public masks of perfection that they’ve both maintained for so long are beginning to fall, but so are their grades. When the latest round of scores is posted. Yukino is mortified to discover that she’s slipped all the way to 13th! She’s not the only one that’s angry - so are her teachers. When Yukino and Arima are dragged before their guidance counselor to explain their poor grades, the administration is determined that the pair stop seeing each other. Could this mean the end of their newfound love forever?

Review
It took quite a long time for volume two to be released, but now that is the past I am happy. In His and Her Circumstances volume two: Love and War under the Cherry Blossoms, Yukino and Arima continues their relationship, but the school counselor gets on their case and calls in their parents as their scores on the latest test were unusual. Yukino went from the top and dropped to the thirteenth and Arima went from the top and dropped to rank three. Nothing can come between this young high school couple as their parents fully support on what they do with their lives. Since they are such responsible young people. Hmm… maybe I should rephrase that, nothing can come between this young high school couple except summer vacation, as Arima has to go and participate in the Kendo tournament in Kyoto during the summer. Yukino gets depressed over the whole thing, but Arima fixes everything.

Also in volume two, Yukino is finally able to reveal her true self to her classmates. As a result of the conflict between her fellow classmate Maho. Because of Maho’s jealousy towards Yukino, she lead the class in the ‘Give Yukino Miyazawa the ignore treatment’ plan. Everything seems to be fine as some new characters come into the series. One being Tsubasa, her character is very cute. The show suddenly gets even better because of her presence. Anyways, I had a lot of fun watching this volume, and a lot of fun reviewing it as well.

The Breakdown
I never thought that His and Her Circumstances, would be one of my all time favorites. I love all the characters in this show. With all the comedy this title contains, there is not a moment where I fell asleep.