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Synopsis
The first season is13 Episodes long. Battle of the sexes as I’ll call it. The beginning of the first episode already tells you what’s going on. Vandread is based in a universe where men and women are fighting against each other.

Review
Our main character Hibiki (Cosmoman) is a teenaged boy who has never seen a woman in his life, until the women attacked the men. He had an up close and personal look at a woman. And that’s where the story kicks off. Cosmoman and two other men were imprisoned, one is a doctor and one is the pilot of the battleship. Our Cosmoman of course is the robot pilot. The ladies pilots fighter planes, which are able to combine with Cosmoman’s robot one at a time. After the combination, the result is a super powerful piece of hardware. I think that sums up the series, you’ll probably hate me for cutting you off but go out and buy the series I recommend it to all anime fans that like shounen type series.

The Breakdown
The comedy and the girls kept me hooked, so I think if you are a guy, you’ll like it too. (I’m not saying that my anime sisters wouldn’t like Vandread though)

Synopsis
The discovery of a drifting escape capsule leads to new threats to the survival of the Nirvana, two new crew members and the secret to the aliens’ origin! The aliens continue to adapt themselves and attack the Nirvana in new ways. As the crew struggles against these developments the Nirvana itself undergoes a transformation and a tragedy causes the unthinkable - Bart grows up.

Review
*Sigh….* Once again I’ve ordered something that’s from Pioneer Animation that came without the things that were advertised. It happened with The Soul Taker and now with Vandread 2nd Stage. They didn’t give me my collectible cards that the case of Volume one stated that they were included! I hope Pioneer Animation’s collectible department fixes this or else I’m going to be a really ticked off customer. I’ve sent them an email a few days ago, no reply yet so errrrr… I’m really going to go off soon. What? Why? Because Vandread is one of my favorites. Enough with my problem, here I present to you the review of Vandread 2nd Stage volume one without my collectible cards :(

Vandread 2nd Stage is the sequel to Vandread 1st Stage (duh!), what’s different is that, the story is really going to kick off and new characters are introduced. They are Misty Cornwell, and Pyoro-2 (Erza’s baby)!!! The Earth wanted to harvest the others, because they have lost the ability to reproduce. By thinking that harvesting the others’ body parts they can create something that’s perfect. Our Nirvana of course won’t let them have it their way. Hibiki has more problems to face now that Misty likes him too. Jura wants to have a baby, the ‘real’ way, not with an Ohma. Pyoro-kun names Erza’s baby Pyoro-2. All these fun stuff happens in volume one, aside from fun stuff though, there are also, moments of sadness and climatic moments.

In episode one, it shows what goes up must come down. Just when it went to the ‘to die by the harvesters or to live’ situation. The show, shows the determination of Hibiki and how he believes that people should pursue to live instead of waiting to die (So true, Hibiki my brother ^_^). That’s one of the climatic moments for you, now for a sad moment. I can’t say it without spoiling so I’ll just say that Bart became more mature, because of this.

Closing statement: Pyoro-kun says, ‘Vandread is back and defending at a video dealer nearest you!’

The Breakdown
Vandread was the first work I’ve seen that was done by the good people at GONZO, ever since, I’ve been impressed every time another work of theirs is released. Vandread 2nd Stage continues the story of 1st Stage. So in order to see the real ending you must see 2nd Stage. NOTE: October 25, 2002, Vandread Turbulence is released in R2 and can be ordered at CD Japan.

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
A secret war brews in the night - a war where humanity is only a pawn. The Hellsing Organization deploys in the shadows to protect the mortal world. But now, artificially spawned vampires have appeared, forcing Hellsing to call in their ultimate weapon - the rogue vampire, Arucard! After he transforms the dying Seras Victoria into a vampire, they join forces to combat the undead army - as well as her own newfound hunger…

Review
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The Breakdown
Hellsing is good to turn to when you need something a little dark. A vampire based anime other than Vampire Hunter D, Blood, etc.

Synopsis
Arucard and the Hellsing Organization face a twofold challenge! A traitor within begins leaking classified information about the Organization - and a TV journalist is out to expose Hellsing’s secret mission! Then, the ruthless Valentine Brothers lead their undead army on a deadly raid against the Hellsing headquarters, interrupting the secret Round Table meeting…

Review
Welcome back to another review of Hellsing. In volume two, a lot of things happen, but to me they all seem unimportant. The only part where I was stunned was when Arucard finally showed what he could really be and do.

Seras also was a looker (nothing naughty). In Episode 6, Seras was cooking; she was decapitating the ghouls that were slaves of the Valentine Brothers. Walter on the other hand had a few tricks up his sleeve, not only can he make killer weapons, but he also is a silent killer. Anyways, this volume didn’t have that spark like volume one did. Visuals are of course amazing, but the story just wasn’t enough. One episode, about a traitor who nobody (us) really care about and two episodes dedicated to the Valentine Brothers who were just there to show us what Arucard, Seras, Walter and Integral Hellsing was about. Also this volume displays the coward ness of the Hellsing world, after the dialogues given by the members of the Round Table.

The Breakdown
Hellsing Vol.2 is cool, if you get the limited edition with the Hellsing patch that’s awesome, but the three episodes in volume two, isn’t all that good though.

Synopsis
Serial Experiments Lain, what is it you ask? It is a very complicated thing. A series that takes everything that the mind cannot fully understand and somehow weaves itself into a story is what best describes it. You see the story begins as a young girl discovers that she is no longer needed in the real word so she doesn’t need her body. She commits suicide and her spirit journeys into the wired (an area of the Internet). Let’s take a trip on Lain’s (the main character) Navi (her computer) through the wired and try to figure what exactly is real and what is fake.

Review
As the wired starts merging with the real world, you will find out just how confused you can get. The animation is top of the line and the character design reminds me a little of El-Hazard (have you seen that yet?). I would categorize this series with Ghost in a Shell and Akira just for the amount a confusion it’s brings. If you like those titles you’ll like Lain. What ‘SEL’ lacks in the action department (if your looking for gratuitous violence, it’s here, but just not because of a fight), it makes up for in compelling story telling.

The Breakdown
I do recommend Serial Experiments Lain to anyone who likes to think. Lain will tease your brain and make you insane.

Synopsis
Satome Kazuya is both a college student and an electrical engineer. Despite his numerous failures, he is persistent on completing the design for a Doraemon, a robotic squid with its own artificial intelligence. By accident, he electronically orders May, a 12-inch Cyberdine Corp. maid type robot hence the name of the series Hand Maid May.

Review
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The Breakdown
Excellent anime. Very entertaining. Not as deep as Evangelion but the ending does pose a question to reflect on.

Synopsis
Another GONZO work of art and Pioneer Animation has done it again. Pioneer Animation must like this company, seeing as how they have licensed two pieces of Anime from them this year. (Vandread and Gate Keepers).

Review
Now, where to start? Uh… Gate Keepers is based in the year 1969 (that’s a new twist) and there is an enemy alien group called INVADERS. They look like normal people going on with their lifestyles, but once they are summoned they turn into aliens with black suits on. The Earth already has built a defense against the Invaders by forming a group called A.E.G.I.S. (Alien Extermination Global Intercept System). Members of AEGIS contain GATE ability (Powers).
Gate Keepers attracted me with it’s cute, beautiful and high quality characters. I’m pretty much hooked onto Gate Keepers right now although I’ve only seen six episodes. Pioneer will release eight DVDs for Gate Keepers. Three episodes each.

The Breakdown
With superb animation, excellent sounds and a great original story. Gate Keepers is a must have for your anime collection!!!!

Synopsis
Based on the manga by Kosuke Fujishima, Ah! My Goddess The Movie takes place three years after the OVA series. Celestine, the long lost teacher of Belldandy, released from his imprisonment, now resumes his rebellion against Yggdrasil. Using a virus, he disrupts the Goddess Network and erases all of Belldandy’s memories of Keiichi. Belldandy is given a second chance to choose her destiny whether to fight alongside her past friend or to reside on earth living with a mortal.

Review
To fully appreciate the movie requires having a background of the characters: the three sister goddesses Urd, Belldandy, and Skuld, the youngest sibling, all dwelling with Keiichi Morisato, a prominent member of the Nekomi Tech Motor Club. But even without an understanding of the series, the movie carries its own original storyline independent of the manga that is flexible, with flashback sequences seamlessly placed. The plot supplements the series revealing more about the origins of the goddesses, how life was like growing up in heaven, and further demonstrations of the goddesses’ magical powers reflected in the summoning of their spirit goddesses. In contrast to the OVA series, the movie carries a more romantic tone in a triangle between Keiichi and Belldandy, and Celestine and Belldandy, with slight traces of humor and action.
One of the noticeable highlights of the feature is in its animation, done by the same company that produced the third Tenchi Muyo movie. The cell composition is fluid with remarkably detailed backgrounds dramatically stressing for example the nighttime aura and shadows. The movie also incorporates computer graphic animation to produce an overall coherent effect, just enough so as not to detract from the visual art. The music is orchestrated to perfection. The songs themselves are angelic, often incorporating Latin verses and choir hymns.

The Breakdown
Breakdown
In contrast to the OVA series, the movie carries a more romantic tone in a triangle between Keiichi and Belldandy, and Celestine and Belldandy, with slight traces of humor and action.

Synopsis
Accompanying her best friend Yui to the National Library of Japan, Miaka is lured by the sound of the Susaku to an isolated section of the library. Miaka and Yui soon discover an ancient Chinese novel titled Shijin Ten Sho (’Four Gods of Heaven and Earth’). Upon reading, they are transported to the outskirts of medieval China. There Miaka is believed to be the Suzaku no Miko, the one who will bring peace to the land of Konan and make everyone’s wishes come true. She now finds herself on a quest to gather the seven Seishi and rescue Yui, who had been manipulated into becoming Miaka’s rival.

Review
Fushigi Yugi (’Mysterious Play’), a romantic comedy, was created by Yuu Watase as a shojo manga, targeted primarily for the female audience. The series mirrors recent anime productions such as Tenchi, Love Hina, and Nadesico where, in this case, the female lead is surrounded by young men who care for and are willing to pledge their lives to her. 52 episodes in length, it allows adequate character development and interaction of the much large cast: Yui and Miaka, the seven Susaku Seishi, the seven Seiryuu Seishi, Keisuke and Tetsuya, Taiitsukun and other minor roles. It also allows the viewer to grow an attachment to the characters’ personalities and even favor a particular character.
Like a drama, every episode unfolds into the next as one continuous stream. Missing one translates to missing a crucial plot element or even a twist that is built upon in the later episodes. Maximum appreciation of the series comes from watching beginning to end, without skipping. The comedy aspect through the use of chibi figures and farce liven up the serious tone, especially Tasuki’s persona. The musical interlay is well placed during turning points and key revelations, and the opening theme (Tokimeki no doukasen) reinforces the passionate production.

The Breakdown
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