Animesou.com

Synopsis
In school, they were best friends. And they shared two passions: the plane they built together, christened Bela Ĉielo, and a girl, Sayuri. Oblivious to the tense international environment, the three form an indelible bond and it seems nothing can ever come between them and their dream. The boys believe that someday they will reach the distant tower – and touch Sayuri’s heart – however far away it may be… Come to The Place critics the world-over have hailed as a work of new animation genius. A mystical, lush and moving masterpiece about the passion of friendship, the pain of war, and the power of a promise that will touch, move and inspire you.

Review
I assume most of you have read what I thought about The Place Promised In Our Early Days in May when I went to the New York – Tokyo screener, but what I am about to say now might just sound like two different people have gone to view this show. First off, I loved the animation. Makoto Shinkai is the man! No more details are needed, okay? Okay. Now the story, when I first saw this anime, it was boring. I said to myself, what the hell can Shinkai-san be thinking? But I guess a month or two or three can really change a person’s view on things. When I was watching this on DVD, I could not believe how different things were. Everything suddenly seemed understandable, and unbelievably incredible. I know I have said some harsh things in that Rant-ON I did on The Place Promised In Our Early Days, and now I have to take those comments back.

The story of three friends, Takuya, Hiroki and Sayuri began in their middle school days. While the two buddies, Takuya and Hiroki were building the Bela Ĉielo, Sayuri was there as moral support I guess. Anyways as time passes, Sayuri suddenly disappears and Takuya and Hiroki no longer had the will to complete the airplane due to the promise that they had made to Sayuri about flying together to the Union Tower. As their lives take on a different path, it all wounds up back to that promise that they had made. When the whereabouts of Sayuri was discovered, a turn of events also occurs. Her disappearance was due to her sleep. As time went on, her body’s ability to stay awake diminished and for three years she was lying in the hospital sleeping… and dreaming about the same dream, over and over again. It is truly a very special plot, looking back at it. You will definitely not be disappointed.

The Place Promised In Our Early Days is a show that is on the same level as Voices Of A Distant Star. While it is not as emotional, it sure is good. The interest factor was great due to the animation details. It kept your attention intact. The story also makes you want to dig deeper and comprehend as much as you possibly can. In the end, I was happy with this show. And my previous thoughts about it have been disposed of properly.

The Breakdown
While I still like Voices of a Distant Star over The Place Promised In Our Early Days… the separation is not all too much.

Synopsis
A hostage has been taken in Pakistan; the chances of his survival are slim to none. Enter Yugo Beppu, the world’s greatest private negotiator. With keen intellect, quick wits and indomitable willpower, he’s got a reputation for getting hostages released unharmed. So, when the negotiations in Pakistan break down, Yugo is called onto the scene to deal with a fierce anti-government faction. Now, all of Yugo’s psychological strategies will be put to the test as he faces off with a fearsome killer who left the last negotiator dead at his feet. Walking a dangerous line between the powerful military and ruthless guerillas, it will take more than words for Yugo to survive in the blazing desert.

Review
A few years ago, I remember I have watched a Hong Kong drama series that dealt with police negotiators. The job could either be joyous or distressing. Either way it was a good show that displayed how through negotiating, violence or even death could be spared. In comes Yugo the Negotiator, an anime about negotiating as a means to not resort to any violence or the death of the hostage… well there are some violence that you just cannot negotiate your way out of.

The way this anime was brought up to me was not all that impressive. Probably due to the fact that we do not have a superman here; we are not presented with an infallible character. Yugo has failed before in his field, and he is haunted by it. It is that, which drives him to negotiate and save the hostage without any casualties at all costs. In this volume, we are not shown how he does his work. Throughout, he was gathering his information for a job that he has taken that needed him to save someone in Pakistan. By doing that it kind of gives off a feeling like it is taking me for a walk around the park. Even by episode three, I still do not know what is so extraordinary about Yugo. His smarts to get out of various situations? His feelings towards injustice? Or just his morals? Maybe all my questions would be answered in the next volume, but at least, I should be provided with something that would make me want to watch the next volume. At the current state, it ends with nothing intriguing enough to make you say, “I must see what comes next.” It ends with more like a, “Maybe.”

The potential is there for Yugo the Negotiator. The only thing that was lacking was that actual “negotiating” part. The whole complexion of this review would probably have been changed if it was not for that missing link, which would have bound everything together. At least it would get you all juiced up so that you will want to watch how the negotiation will transpire.

The Breakdown
Yugo The Negotiator is most likely a title that will turn it up as it goes on. I wonder how things will be in the future episodes.

Synopsis
Sana Kurata may be a famous TV star, but her life is anything but perfect! Her classroom at school is controlled by the boy bullies, all of whom are led by the nasty Akito and his gang of hooligans, who are at it again, wreaking havoc in the classroom. But has Sana discovered Akito’s weakness? Will she be able to exploit it to her advantage or will she just make a fool of herself in front of everyone? Sana had better be cautious because when she acts on her plan the consequences aren’t exactly what she had expected! What adventures await our heroine? Find out on Kodocha!

Review
Kodocha is an average tale about an average child. Except that the child in question is incredibly hyperactive, lives in a mansion with her famous mother, stars in her own TV show, and has a crush on her agent. Other than that, she’s completely normal.

Meet Sana Kurata, the spunky star of Kodocha. Sana’s exuberant and energetic nature is the engine that keeps Kodocha going at 100 miles per hour. One moment she will be wearing an elaborate costume she retained from one of the many movies and series she had starred in, and the next she will be singing a lively bedtime song to her beloved Agent, Rei. This all comes together to make Sana a treat to watch.

The story starts out simply enough, with Sana being late for school. After a quick breakfast and a quicker car ride, Sana finally arrives at her classroom, only to find it being wrecked and ransacked by the boys of the class. Sana soon finds out that the boys are all stooges working under their leader, the somber Akito. Even the teacher’s are powerless to stop him, as Akito seems to have something in his possession that the teachers don’t want to get out. Sana becomes furious that she is unable to learn anything in class, and she makes it her duty to bring down the stoic schoolboy.

Kodocha is a series that is more than the sum of it’s parts. The animation is average. The music is enthusiastic, but largely forgettable. The story is entertaining, but not particularly deep throughout the first four episodes. The real joy of Kodocha is in it’s characters. Sana is the kind of child anyone would wish they were at that age. Her mother, Misako, logical and calm, also happens to constantly wear varied bizzare hats which she allows her pet squirrel in. Akito, despite having every boy in his class at his beck and call, remains aloof despite Sana’s attempts to thwart him. Each character brings their share to the table, and it glues Kodocha together to make it a vastly entertaining series.

One of my favorite parts of the DVD was the excellent dub. Laura Bailey makes a perfect Sana, capturing the hyperfrenetic quality of Sana without going overboard and making the character too outlandish. Jerry Jewell also does a magnificent job at Akito. Although the voice at first comes off as too deep for a child, the excellent acting ability and voice talent helps to give Akito a darker overall edge. The voice acting is superb throughout the rest of the cast as well, making even the minor characters fun and entertaining.

The Breakdown
A mile a minute series with barrels of laughs and one of the cutest characters you’ll see this side of Fruit’s Basket.

Synopsis
In the year 2167, Mankind suffered from a cataclysmic disaster as a massive wave of electromagnetic radiation from a nearby supernova washed over the Earth. Yet, Mankind was able to survive by pulling together to support each other in this time of crisis.

The year is now 2326 and the new generation of people are preparing for the second wave to hit. A young girl named Shima Katase is going off to the Space Station Stellvia, a space pilot academy, where she will meet new friends, fulfill her dream of seeing space up close and fighting for what the people of the past tried so bravely to survive through.

Review
Stellvia of the Universe starts off with a scenario showing Shima Katase’s family. Almost instantly, you can tell that Shima and her mother don’t exactly agree on things. The focus isn’t put on this much, seeing as how Shima has little contact with her family in the first episode. On her way to the Space Station Stellvia, she sees a brilliant light show made by the current student base in an attempt to encourage the students to do their best. I wish all schools were like this. Shima’s best friend and roommate is then revealed. The ever hyper Arisa Gennorth and her wild hair meets Shima on the shuttle to Stellvia and out of the blue asks Shima to become her best friend. This is my favorite scene in episode 1; Shima and Arisa shake hands while the brilliant light show outside of the shuttle is taking place. Later on, Arisa introduces Shima to two new friends, Akira Kayama, a tall, quiet girl and Yayoi Fujisawa, a girl who seems to have a past that’s more than meets the eye.

I noticed the plot doesn’t really grace the first DVD much other than the Great Mission, mankind’s plan to save the earth from the second wave. Shima is the main focus here, and she displays the ever familiar start of school. Starting off with school, there’s the fuss of getting new classes, meeting new friends, and occasionally and inevitably walking into trouble. I’m sure we all had our share of trouble on the first week or so of school, but Shima takes this to a new extent. Her best friend Arisa even mocks her and gives her the nickname ‘Shipon’ during pilot training, because her ship was bouncing around with a ‘pon pon’ sound. I can’t help but cheer Shima on to do her best, though.

What volume one does show of the plot hints at future events. At the end of the volume, Shima does make a hint that Stellvia is a coming-of-age story when she has a revelation during a crisis in class. The Big Four, the four highest ranking students in Stellvia, are also introduced. Obviously they will make a bigger role, especially the leader, Machida Ayaka. Ayaka meets up with Shipon and friends. Yayoi greets her with a simple hello, unlike the high respect that Arisa and Shipon show her. Also, a boy from Shima’s and Arisa’s class, Otoyama Kouta, joins Shima and the gang along with three other boys in a study session Shima is holding. From that scene, you can tell Kouta is more interested in something else other than in his studies, but I will leave that for you to figure out.

One thing that kept me hooked to watching this show was the music. Stellvia’s OST is my favorite OST by far, even if it’s not the best. An opening and ending sung by Angela also proves to be good. The opening is especially good, since it is one of if not the best anime opening song I’ve ever heard.

The Breakdown
Stellvia of the Universe is an excellent show. With good animation, excellent music, colorful and fun characters and a dramatic story to boot, I can say Stellvia is one of my favorite series.

Synopsis
Shiratori Ryushi, age 18. Currently, he takes vocational school classes in hopes of becoming a children’s book author and illustrator. However, it’s inconvenient for him to ride the train to Tokyo for three hours back and forth everyday. His mother urged him to move closer to Tokyo. It just so happens that their cousin owns an apartment complex called Narutakisou. Upon arrival, Shiratori is greeted by the beautiful landlady, Kozue-chan. But he has yet to realize that she possesses a mysterious secret…

Review
Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) or better known as Multiple Personality Disorder (MPD) in psychology is described as the presence of two or more separate and distinct personalities that exist in the same individual at different times. Kozue-chan would be considered among the rising documented cases of MPD (since 2000, American Psychiatric Association). As seen in the anime, the transition from one personality to another occurs suddenly and is associated with mental stress. The original personality (Kozue) has no knowledge of the alternate personalities, but all of them including Kozue are aware of lost periods of time, dissociative amnesia. As demonstrated in the anime, Saki-chan, Nanako, Chiyuri, and Natsume are incredibly different from Kozue. Studies have shown that the personalities may even be of another sex, race, age, or species such as a dog. The disorder seems to be more prevalent in women than men, and women tend to have more identities averaging 15 or more! (Huffman, Psychology in Action.  ©2004)

The Japanese site can be found at http://www.mahoraba.info/. It has a flash intro page showing all the characters and their corresponding apartment numbers. In the main page you’ll find subsections for characters bios, episode summaries with screencaps, a nice gallery with group images, soundtrack information, an interview with Jony, and a staff and cast list.

The Breakdown
Anime food analogies! Kanon: Taiyaki. Onegai Sensei: Pocky. Da Capo: Bananas. Mahoraba: Umeboshi (pickled plum). Oo, sour!

Synopsis
Idle Hands are the Devil’s Plaything. Nyu is a babe in the woods. Washed up on the shore, unable to communicate, she’s discovered by a pair of college students-Kohta and Yuka-and counts on them for everything. Lucy is a vicious killer. Equipped with a battery of deadly psychic arms, she dismembers her enemies before they have time to scream. The two personalities couldn’t be more different-if only they didn’t have to share the same body! In Elfen Lied, Volume one, innocence and evil collide in some very dark places. As the rooms in Kohta’s rented house fill with runaways and killer mutants-danger mounts outside. Whether it’s from a renegade solder or a mutant assassin-one wrong move could mean the difference between life and death!

Review
If you are worried that ADV Films might be shy with the blood and gore of this series, rest assured, because it is all here. With a rating of mature, Elfen Lied will please any fan who is interested in a drama with a very nice plot and action that will not only give you goose bumps, but also an adrenaline rush that commands you to just beg for more and more. In the three episodes that I have viewed, I just cannot get enough of this series. I did not want it to stop! Elfen Lied’s addictive meter is off the barometer. I do not know what to do with this itch that I am getting as a result of watching such an awesome anime.

The first thing you may hear about Elfen Lied is that Lucy/Nyu is naked quite often. Hey I do not mind, and it does add to the entertainment factor… so umm yeah, let us get off that subject. The second thing you probably will hear is the blood and gore that surrounds this piece. The last anime that I can remember watching that could be compared to the violence level of Elfen Lied is none other than Gantz. And Gantz is Gantz, so let us not compare apples with oranges.

Elfen Lied commences with Lucy breaking loose from her captivity. This, this and this happens (hehe, spoilers skipped, because you sure as hell will be amazed by all the things that go on) and she is suddenly discovered by Kohta and Yuka on a shore as Nyu. Okay, are there any cat girl lovers over here? Because that is who Nyu is; a cat girl, at least to me, she portrays one. Everything is fun until episode two rolls on, which is just hardcore violence taken to the extreme. I somehow wonder if it can get any worse. How many more ways are there to decapitate people? Torturing? How about just killing in general? Whatever happens happens, but I want to be impressed when any characters’ life gets taken, even if he or she played no particular role in the show. That way, Elfen Lied has to keep topping itself over and over, which I believe it can and will happily accept the challenge.

The Breakdown
Elfen Lied is incredible, the action along with the story is astounding. It grips you with so much force that you just have no other choice, but to love it and love it with everything you have got baby!

Synopsis
Mugen, Jin, and Fuu continue their journey across Japan searching for the man who ’smells of sunflowers.’ Unfortunately, they travel broke and hungry, and continue to try and solve these two problems at every turn. If they aren’t trying to earn money and get food, it’s being stolen off of them.

Review
As you can tell by my synopsis, not much actually happens in Champloo Vol. 2. But, if you need a recommendation on whether to see this show or not, go read my Vol. 1 review. For those who were on the fence after seeing Vol. 1, continue reading. Vol. 2 continues Vol. 1’s style over substance, which I’m still enjoying quite a bit. If things keep going like this into the middle of Vol. 4 though, I’m going to become quite annoyed.

It’s not that Champloo’s episodes aren’t enjoyable, because they are. My review of Vol. 1 is a testament to that. But these filler episodes (with the same premise each time) is getting boring, despite very cool inventiveness and references in each episode. I can’t keep going on just like this for more than 3.5 volumes (like in any show that doesn’t change), or I’m going to get tired of it. The music and animation are of consistent quality, so if you liked that stuff in Vol. 1, you’ll like it here.

What makes these such enjoyable episodes are the hilarious inside jokes that go on in each. For example, episode 5’s joke is that an Ukiyo-e painter gets one of his paintings into the background of a Van Gogh. Episode 6’s is that a foreign man and his platoon are from Holland. Funny thing is, he’s a big  homosexual man and his platoon wear pots on their heads (potheads, because they are from Holland, get it?) and wear clogs for shoes (ahhh…stereotypes). And episode 8 has a funky beatboxer. It’s freakin’ awesome.

Another plus are the character interactions. Seeing Jin, Fuu, and Mugen obtain food and money through their own methods are great, and seeing them try and work together always creates a good laugh. I just know though I’m going to get bored if this keeps up.

The Breakdown
The show is starting to slow down, and I’m still enjoying it, let’s just hope everything picks up by the end of Vol. 3.

Synopsis
The first game is over, but will the horrors committed be forever burned into the souls of those who remain? As new shocking developments rip the survivors’ ‘real’ worlds to shreds, the sins of the flesh grow and spread like cancer, festering until the line between good and evil ceases to exist. In a world where the laws of life and death have been overturned, what other forbidden passions remain?

Review
And the award for the most perverted anime character of the year goes to… Kei Kurono. With the quick paced plot brewing we pause to learn something rather interesting. In the world of Gantz, that is, when you ‘die,’ you are sent to the apartment. Yeah, we all know that already, right? But what happens when you are not quite dead? What happens when your original just happens to be saved from the light, while a copy of you continues on living within the Gantz? That is the case in volume three. Kei Kishimoto discovers that her original is alive and kicking, which then brings us to the unlucky and lucky day of Kei Kurono.

His day commenced with some drama; bullies demanding ‘protection’ money from him. During the process, you can see just how much of a coward he really is, not to mention, pervert as well. In the process of getting his ass kicked, all his mind focused on what how stacked Kei Kishimoto is. As he was in his day dream his tight suit harden and gave him the power to take care of the bully. Now, the lucky part starts. Who do you think he finds sitting in front of his apartment door? That is right, the adorable, Kei Kishimoto. (Man, I am just going to address her as Ms. Melons from now on :P). The confused Ms. Melons asked to be Kurono’s ‘pet,’ and heheh, dig your mond out of the gutter. Although a bunch of interesting sequences occur, us Ms. Melon fans get what we want! (No, nothing hentai rated, so do not get your hopes up).

Okay let us keep off the ecchi for a moment, and focus on the story development of this volume, which is not much really. This volume is more like everything you would expect before Gantz. The characters went on with their regular lifestyles, except Ms. Melons, who has a little twist, as mentioned before. The next volume will be where the action is. I cannot wait for it. Although volume three was good, it is a step back from volume one and two. Hopefully, volume four will pick it back up to where Gantz should be.

The Breakdown
In volume three, we learn a bit more about the three main characters. All three of them have their own problems to deal with and by bringing the issue to the viewer’s attention, allows us to connect to them a little more than we usually would. Overall, volume three is quite good. You will enjoy it, I can guarantee it.

Synopsis
Salaryman Kintaro Part 1 deals with former biker gang leader, Kintaro joining the Yamato Construction Corporation and introduces the characters as well as looking back to his days of leaving a biker gang. It also shows him beginning to be accepted as a gang leader within the corporation despite his unorthodox methods and takes time to suggest romantic involvements.

Review
Salaryman Kintaro has a feel of Great Teacher Onizuka. It is laid out so well. I liked the continuous growth that this show contains. Yajima Kintaro, a biker gang leader decides to go clean after he marries his wife. But things were not all that bright when she dies after giving birth you their son, Ryuta. Kintaro, whom is a righteous person, keeps his promise to his wife and at the same time lives up to his dream to be a white collar salaryman. Right off the bat, we get to see what Kintaro is all about; assisting others while not caring for what happens to himself.

The GTO comparison draws near as you watch Salaryman Kintaro. It is a hyping experience. Kind of like how Ray Lewis gets his team all ready to play on Sundays. I mean, this series gets you to a point where you wish you were as cool as Kintaro. The comedy in this show is great. The atmosphere is very clear. The moment you watch it you know you are in for some good anime.

The thing about Salaryman Kintaro is that it is a smooth transition from your eyes to your mind. It is like one of those things that you get familiar with as soon as you come in contact with it. The story is very attractive. If you are a fan of GTO, then this is as close to that genre as it gets. Ex-biker gang leader, goes straight and tries to make a difference around his surroundings. Man, I am impressed with this anime and will continue to look forward to it. You should definitely too!

The Breakdown
Most fans who see this title would probably just continue to look on. But that is the biggest mistake anyone can commit. Salaryman Kintaro is very entertaining. Two thumbs up!

Synopsis
Enter the world of Gilgamesh. Where the sky has been turned into a psychedelic mirror and civilization is only a shadow of its former self. Where beautiful assassins transform into terrifying winged creatures. Where children are born with amazing powers. And where a brother and sister are hunted by organizations with dark agendas. Gorgeous animation, breakthrough character designs, and stunning visuals make this suspenseful, addictive tale of mystery, magic, and espionage the first gothic anime masterpiece of the new millennium.

Review
Gilgamesh. This title here resembles both X and Hellsing. The character designs are definitely like Hellsing, whereas the story is more like X. The show for the first two episodes moves extremely slow. I could not stand it heh. What I got out of the episodes that I have view is that after a terrorist attack, the Earth no longer has a sky; it is replaced by a constant mirror like barrier. Also as a result of the attack, computers died like what was anticipated to happen with “Y2K.” With the various issues that were developed by the attack the world took a significant change towards to exactly what the subtitle of this volume suggests; Apocalypse.

Gilgamesh did not impress me, there was not a scene or a string of scenes that make me say, “Wow,” or “This is going to be something special.” As I was watching it, I was more towards saying, “Hurry up,” or “When is it going to be over?” :). The synopsis suggests that Gilgamesh is a gothic anime and that is as advertised people. This dark theme anime with Gackt wannabe characters has some potential, but I would not recommend it, unless you are a fan of titles that feature vampire like monsters, a constant night background. That is right; I do not think I saw one scene with any sunlight… maybe at the beginning before the terrorist attack.

The plot revolves around a pair of siblings. Whose purpose has yet to be revealed. Although I can assume that they will somehow give this show many twists. After I finished watching Gilgamesh, I began to read the introduction to the series included with the screener and after that, I understood the anime much more. But still, with only two episodes seen so far, I cannot make a full assessment of this show. As it lies now, I believe it is a disappointment.

The Breakdown
Gilgamesh is an anime that makes you choose sides as you go. You might side with one group now, but another group later. That sounds like X, but X started out better. Gilgamesh did not make an impact on me, and that is just too bad :(.