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Synopsis
Her special power kept Yuzuhriha apart and lonely - until she met the Dragons of Heaven. Now, she begins to fall for Kusanagi - one of the Dragons of Earth! As Kotori faces her tragic destiny, and the second divine Shinken sword appears from an unexpected quarter, Kamui is forced closer to deciding his path. And his decision will whet the gears of destiny for the entire world!

Review
To wish for the present or to wish for a revolution… Those are the choices in which Kamui has to choose from in X: Four. In this volume, he is no longer the emotionless guy we have seen from the earlier volumes. Kamui who hid his feelings throughout could no longer bear any more of the load; he then proceeds to tells Fuma about everything. Through the discussion he has with Fuma, we find out more of Kamui’s childhood. The way he was perceived by other children, because of his extraordinary powers and the way he uses those given powers to fight for justice.

That is just the exciting part though. In the earlier episodes before this, we get a run down on Yuzuhriha’s background. We know she has a guardian spirit dog named Inuki, but what we do not really know is the pain she has suffered from her friends who thought of her as a liar when she tells them about Inuki (invisible to normal people). After an incident, she no longer cares if anybody sees Inuki, she does not even talk about him anymore. As you have read in the synopsis, Yuzuhriha begins to fall for Kusanagi a Dragon of Earth, and what I find amusing was that Kusanagi does not even seem as if he was a Dragon of Earth as he was chit chatting with Yuzuhriha as she tells him her story.

The story finally begins. Will Earth be destroyed or not will be determined by both of these clans. I am definitely looking into getting the next volumes of X.

The Breakdown
So here I am, anxiously waiting for X: [FIVE].

Synopsis
Takuto Kaneshiro is a gifted young man. A student in metallurgy, he’s something of a genius. He’s got a sweet, lovable girlfriend. And he’s got a lot of dreams for his future. But one day, all his dreams shatter in a freak accident involving a secret experiment. Everything he knows, including his beloved girlfriend, die. And from there, things really go downhill…

Review
Not knowing any of the people who worked on this one, I didn’t know what to expect. From people who imported the show from Japan, I was told the series didn’t hold their interest, or simply was not their type of thing. I won’t lie, this show isn’t for everybody. Then again, I don’t quite follow the norm.

I can’t really compare this show to anything else. It’s got awesome hints of things to come (that guy who repeatedly spouts Shakespeare on occasion who only Ryu Soma can see is very interesting.) The animation is good, as is everything else. It’s a very well rounded show, that has me to intrigued that now I have to see this show through to it’s end. And I’ve only seen the first five episodes.

The Breakdown
Buy the first volume, and give it a try. Very interesting to say the least, and has some very cool characters in it. Defintely good that it has the main character giving an evil-esque view of the story. The show is just a great breath of fresh air.

Synopsis
Another excellent sequel from an excellent series. Saber Marionette J Again is ‘Program 26′ with six parts. This is an OVA so the animation is very well done. Everyone has his or her own opinions and my opinion to SMJA is that this OVA sequel is really funny. I’ve never laughed so much while watching an anime since Slam Dunk.

Review
In SMJA you’ll meet another marionette (Marine) built with another maiden circuit (this circuit is somewhat different, you’ll see when you watch it J). The NSM-X1 codenamed Marine has an anti-plasma shield not only that, she even have the ability to control plasma and absorb it as energy to fire energy attacks. Marine has everything Otaru’s three marionettes have. From cooking to fighting, Marine is on top. The whole story of SMJA is stopping a plasma storm big enough to destroy all of Terra II. (Can you guess who can stop the storm?) Although SMJA is good, but its not enough to tame my craze for Saber Marionette J. So now I have to wait till April for Saber Marionette J to X to be released!!!

The Breakdown
You just can’t go wrong with SMJA, because its just that damn good that even I can’t come up with a overall statement to end this review (LOL)

Synopsis
It’s been quite a few year since Ninja Scroll was released. Since then I’ve been wondering if be a show that can take down such a dominating reigning champ. The year was 2000, enter the DVDs Samurai X: Trust/Betrayal (Known as the Rurouni Kenshin OAVs in Japan, taking place before the Rurouni Kenshin TV series). Unlike the more light hearted TV series Samurai X is much darker.

Review
This epic tale takes place in 19th century Japan. A time when warfare and rebellion were common place. Though there are brutal slayings and death throughout, they actually have meaning as Kenshin realizes the emptiness of his actions. Samurai X is ultimately a very deep love story and a warriors search to become a real man. The DVDs themselves each have two episodes on them. Now for $30 dollars apiece, that’s just not right. Both DVDs are 60 minutes. They could’ve but both together to make one perfect set instead of splitting them up. (Greedy, greedy, greedy) Seeing as how both stories must be seen together to be appreciated, I’ll rate both DVDs, Trust & Betrayal, as one.

The Breakdown
As the cat woman would say, ‘Perrrrrrrfect!’ nearly. I’d go with both, Trust and Betrayal seperately over the directors cut version. You get better image quality and no edits to the story.

Synopsis
This is wacky, funny and at the same time very entertaining. In case you don’t know what ‘ONEGAI’ means it means ‘Please,’ so the title of the anime is ‘Please Teacher.’ Don’t go off thinking anything perverted now! ^_^

Review
The story of this is an alien came to Earth to research it. And she became a teacher known as the beautiful Kazami Mizuho sensei. The funny thing is, she gets in trouble and has to marry a high school kid to cover up so none of them gets kicked out of the school. You’ll be saying, uhh hello? A high school kid isn’t old enough to marry…But the thing is that the guy that she marries is Kusanagi Kei the main character.
He’s odd in a way, having his own disease that he calls ‘teitai’ which he passes out at times. And one day went in a coma for three years, so the high school Kei-kun is actually eighteen years old. Hence it makes perfect sense that he’s old enough to marry. This anime is really fun to watch!! I haven’t had any good dose of anime lately and this is a definitely worth checking out!!! If you’re into comedy, you’ll thank me ^_^ ‘Watch it now, Saiyo san ji ko yo’ [Top Priority]

The Breakdown
Animation, sound, and story are the things I enjoy most about Onetei. I can watch this series daily and still won’t get bored (Not that I haven’t tried J).
‘Ed: Oh no, not again…Alpha’s gone to watch that OneOneTeiTei thingy’

Synopsis
Nadesico - One of the best overall anime that I’ve seen, because it has Love, Mecha, Drama, Comedy and Action. This series is the series that started my anime craze. Enough with my anime life, here’s the review:

Review
The Story is based on Mars, Earth and Jupiter. Akito Tenkawa (main character) is one of those whack type characters. He has 6 girls liking him, but he shows no reaction to it. Akito is a cook but he has the ability to control mecha’s because when he was a kid his father gave him a nano injection. Anyways Nergal developed the civilian battleship Nadesico in secret to fight against the Jovians. And they got the best staff picked out which includes Yurika (captain), Megumi (communications), Minato (helmswoman), Ruri (computers), and the best pilot of all, greatest character ever Mr. Gai Daigohji (Jiro Yamada). That’s about it, I don’t want to go too deep into the series or I’ll spoil it. Oh one more thing! You’ll be surprised when you get near the end of the series. Be prepared :)

The Breakdown
This movie will hurt in the replay value due to the outdated animation and lack of character development. However, this does set the stage for some truly memorable action to happen, and it is absolutely essential viewing for mecha fans. Recommended for its though-provoking storyline, realistic characters, and decent mech action, but fans of strictly 1990s non-serious anime might be a little hesitant to purchase this title.

Synopsis
Now here’s something different, a story about poverty. Our main character, Mayuko, leads a hard life of trying to juggle school, part-time jobs and just trying to find means of putting food on the table. Niea, a 7th class under alien who resides in Mayuko’s closet, even further complicates her life with constant wining and free loading.

Review
Coming from the creators of Lain some may expect this series to be incomprehensible. You couldn’t be more wrong. Not only is it refreshing to see new ideas being used, some or the stories come straight out of left field. Just when you think it may be getting overly dramatic some very hilarious stuff happens. Now I wouldn’t label this as a comedy. Like I said, it deals with the problems of poverty and also finding yourself. It’s more of a drama with comedic undertones.

The Breakdown
If you’re in an anime rut and want something different then give Niea_7 a try.

Synopsis
Whooo-hoooo! I couldn’t wait to do a review of my all time favorite anime Ranma 1/2. But with as much heartfelt joy I feel for this series, I just don’t know how to rate it. This is another reason why Rumiko Takahashi is my idol. The series is just so huge I don’t know where to start. Okay, how ’bout from the beginning.

Review
The time has come for Soun Tendo to set an engagement with his old friend Genma Saotome’s son Ranma so they can take over the family dojo and carry on the Anything-Goes Martil Arts name. Ranma has the choice of any one of Soun’s daughters, Kasumi, Akane, and Nabiki. The girls pick the somewhat unwilling Akane to be his bride. That’s it! Go buy it now it’s great. Wait; wait if that’s what the whole story is about then why would I hold this as the greatest anime of all time? Because it’s not that simple. You see Ranma and his father, Genma, went on a martial arts training mission in China. The area was cursed and the springs (water holes) that were in the area transform the unlucky swimmer into whoever or whatever drowned there hundred’s of years ago.

Genma changed into a giant panda, and Ranma…he changed into a beautiful, young girl. Not permanently though. Only when they’re splashed with cold water do they tranform into their alter egos. Hot water reverts them back to normal…until next time. The box set of season 1 is available now. It’s called the Ranma 1/2 TV: Digital Dojo DVD Box Set (TV series vol. 1-9). I won’t go into it and give away the story okay? I’ll just tell you what characters appeared during the run.
TV series (episodes 1-18):

With the introduction of the Tendo’s, the Soatome’s, Kuno, my favorite supporting character Ryoga, Kodachi-the Black Rose, and the ultra cute Shampoo. This is my favorite season, thus far, of Ranma 1/2. (Note: Girl-type Ranma’s voice was changed after the third volume.) Japanese and English dialogues (I enjoy the dub, thank you ^_^) Not much on the extras side. Just one bonus video. Hopefully, in later box releases, Viz will improve in that area.

The Breakdown
Finally, one of the most popular anime to hit the U.S. is available in a box set! After spending unheard of amounts of money on the VHS tapes, I’m glad that Viz is churning out the DVDs. It’s about time. The art on the box isn’t the best, but it’s what’s inside that counts. And what’s inside is gold to almost any animefan! I’m going back to china now!

Synopsis
Meet Eikichi Onizuka, a 22-year-old virgin and ex-biker. He’s crude, foul-mouthed, and has a hair-trigger temper. His goal: to be the greatest high school teacher in the world. Unfortunately, the only teaching job available is at Holy Forest Academy (no certification requiered) There he uses his street smarts to deal with colleagues and students alike. GTO is the runaway hit from Japan based on the hugely popluar manga series by Tohru Fujisawa. The finale of the live action version of GTO was the most watched TV program ever in Japan.

Review
When I first heard about GTO, I thought it was something to do with cars, simply because of the Mitsubishi GTO and such. Turns out that GTO is about a man who was in a biker gang and later on left it to fulfill his dream to become a high school teacher. Of course this task isn’t going to be easy with the troublesome kids that play pranks on their teachers.

Overall, this is a pretty enjoyable series. I liked the values it taught. Onizuka has made an impact on his students, students who hated him at first, later on liked him as a teacher because of the things he did to get them out of trouble or the things he did to stop bad students continue doing their bad things (Getting his biker gang to teach those kids a lesson ^_^). I’d recommend the Japanese Drama series more than the anime series though. I just think, the Jdrama and the anime series both are similar in ways but the Jdrama is live which was, obviously, more realistic.

The Breakdown
GTO, Get iT Otherwise you’re missing out on an excellent dose of Anime. TokyoPOP has licensed GTO and it is currently available in both Manga and Animation.

Synopsis
Hikaru no Go is one of those anime that make people assume its for kids (just like people assuming Gamecube is for kids) Talking about assuming let me educate you on one thing about the word “assume.” Take your time and separate the word. As I was taught assuming anything isn’t good and assume makes up a sentence, which roughly breaks up to “You’re making an ASS out of U and ME!” Now I got that off my chest…

Review
HnG is about an elementary school student named Hikaru. One day he finds a Go board in the basement of his grandfather’s house. This is when a spirit possesses Hikaru’s head. And soon Hikaru was taught how to play Go (an ancient time Chinese board game, which kind of or is what Othello is now). Don’t start thinking that this is a boring series. HnG isn’t all about Go, it also is about friendship between Hikaru and Sai (the spirit), rivalry, and competition. HnG has the concept of present life style, which makes it unique!

The Breakdown
The idea of HnG is cool, it teaches people an ancient game that was played to pass time back in the Ming dynasty (or more back). If you have no other anime titles to watch, you might want to check HnG out in the mean time.