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Synopsis
Second sight is a curse for Yumemi, a psychic schoolgirl who just wants to be normal. But she’s about to discover the true value of her gift, when Magical King Munto arrives in her world, with enemies in hot pursuit! Munto’s realm is linked to ours by magic, but that power is fading, and his world is on the brink of death. Yumemi is the only Earthling with the power save his people… if she can only find the courage to use it!

Review
Munto is a strange anime. The DVD cover shows some SD characters, which led me to think that this title was going to contain some fun segments in it, but of course it did not happen. The show is about a deteriorating world parallel to the Earth. In this world, the life source, Akuto is soon to be used up and in order to slow down the process, the magical kingdom must be taken down from the skies. The plan to tear down the pillars that support the floating island has already been carried out. Now it is up to the Magical King Munto to prevent everything from happening. That is, the full consumption of Akuto and the wrecking of the magical kingdom.

On the other end of the spectrum, Earth, Yumemi our main focus in this title is a human with some sort of innate special power that will be able to rescue Munto and his situation. The thing I did not like about Munto is that there is rarely a point in the story that is appealing. There are several things that just happen for the hell of it. It seemed to me that no effort was put into the planning of Munto. It was like a puzzle being put together randomly. I cannot comprehend it, heck; there was nothing to comprehend about.

When there are titles created without any focus in it, it makes it a very difficult task for the viewer to fall in love with it. The fifty minutes of run time that Munto took from me was like hours waiting at the DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles). Yeah, it was not only boring, but also long for a show that did not make much sense for a good portion of it.

The Breakdown
Suzume is probably the only good part of Munto. I demand her to be the main character!!!

Synopsis
When it comes to martial arts, Kiichi Miyazawa has always been the best. But when his father is hospitalized, it’s time for the teen super-star to become a man and take on the big time. Kiichi must take his father’s place in the ring against the champion of World Pro-Wrestling, the legendary Iron Kiba! Will he survive and triumph in his father’s name? Or will his family’s arch-nemesis terminate his martial arts career… and his life!

Review
Shootfighter Tekken gets better by volume and in volume three the potential of this short series is reached. After Kiichi finished his fight from earlier, his father is scheduled to battle Iron Kiba. That is, until something unpleasant happens to his father, that Kiichi decides to take his father’s place in the battle. With time short at hands, Kiichi trains himself immensely to prepare for a fight of life and death.

The thing I find interesting about Shootfighter Tekken is that it is not a piece of anime work where there are anything extraordinary. It is a piece that works within the boundaries, and excels at it with an unbelievable success rate. I remember in the first volume, I assumed that the rest of the show was just going to be a kid fighting senselessly, but I cannot be anymore wrong as this anime is beyond just the fighting. The messages within the dialogue are meaningful if you can break it down enough and it is not that difficult to acknowledge what is going on in Shootfighter.

All in all, this show demonstrates a lesson, a lesson where fighting is not always the answer to a question as fighting can lead to even more fighting – which is just pointless. Although if there is a legit and logical reason to a fight, such as, for a belief or something, stand up and represent!

The Breakdown
It was sure fun to have experienced such an anime. Shootfighter Tekken improved by volume and in just three volumes, you can get a ton of ass kicking and some joy from the whoopings.

Synopsis
A sinister tree lurks over a village, sheltering the inhabitants for a terrible price. Victims are plagued by voices, then driven to madness and death. When renegade surgeon Black Jack operates on the latest casualty, he discovers a horrifying parasitic plant. Does the tree’s spirit seek to possess a human host? Now the doctor who plays at being god must defy the ancient fury of nature!

Review
Is there anything, anything at all that Black Jack cannot display? Just when you think you have seen basically everything Black Jack could offer and toss at you, there are other weird procedures happening. This time around we are dealing with a “Chia Pet.” A boy suddenly falls ill and plants begin to sprout from his skin. As this phenomenon occurs, his brother calls Black Jack and requests a visit from the doctor. When Black Jack arrives he is stunned by this illness as he has never seen such a thing before and begins the diagnoses.

Now up to volume five, the drama is still as constant as ever. With various plot twists, adds more intensity, which creates even more excitement that benefits the viewers’ experience. I mean, sometimes I get goose bumps just seeing what unfolds on the screen. It is that impressive. The dialogue brings the characters out of the television set and into your room. As the story progresses to the medical treatment scenes, you feel as if you are there watching every move that Black Jack does. Not only that, in every scene you feel that you are a witness. The show is so amazing that it is mind boggling.

I really cannot predict what else there is for this series, but I know it will be a hell of an opportunity to observe the great mind of Osamu Tezuka at work. I know for sure that if you are up to volume five, you will most definitely continue on this masterpiece, if you are just on the borderline, your mind will impulsively act on its own to make Black Jack a part of your collection.

The Breakdown
This title we call Black Jack, is really something! I cannot imagine where I would be without it! ^_^;;

Synopsis
A laugh-out-loud hilarious adventure from the studio behind Battle of the Planets and Speed Racer! Who has what it takes to be the baddest of the bad? It’s evil versus evil as teams of bad guys compete to be the meanest villains ever! Watch and laugh as the Dorombo Gang and their Kitchen Robot take on the worst of the worst in a wacky race to be the greatest villains in anime history! The only force that stands in their way are the superheroes of anime. Will the Gatchaman ninja arrive in time to save the day?

Review
An evil villains get together party. That is what Time Bokan is. While this show is a comedy, it never got my attention. It began boring and ended boring. The jokes were lame, probably due to the time era it was created and the time era in which I am reviewing. The animation is old school, so that did not help much in its appreciation value. I just cannot see a reason where a person will enjoy Time Bokan, and if that person does exist he or she needs to get their head examined. :P

So what is that bad about Time Bokan? How about the title, for starters? It is not a title name that you would pick up from the shelves to have a peek of it. Next up. Is the story, or lack there of. It is just a bunch of villains put together to have a competition in which I believe will determine who are the baddest out of the group. Oh, while they are at it, out of nowhere just toss in a cameo of Ken from Gatchaman, that will boost your ratings… NOT!

Time Bokan is just a waste of time, it maybe the worst investment of Central Park Media. The animation and sound are below par. The story is nonexistent and let us not talk about the replay value. The play value itself is nowhere to be found. It was much effort just to get through it the first time. So, save yourself the trouble, put a pass on this one.

The Breakdown
I have not seen something this bad for a while lol. :)

Synopsis
Meet Narue, an adorable schoolgirl with a secret. She’s really an alien with powers right out of a sci-fi comic! But growing up is never easy, and sometimes it doesn’t help when you’re from outer space. Join our spunky heroine as she faces androids, alien invaders, and her first date with the boy next door. It’s the sci-fi comedy that’s a direct hit to your heart!

Review
Before I get to the review, I would just like to say that, whatever you have heard that is positive about “The World of Narue” is true, and anything you heard that is negative is false. Now that I got that off my chest here it goes. The show starts out strange. It has the make up of another battle in one episode, calm breeze the next. Surprisingly the actions that took place in the first episode were just to set up for all the story development throughout the show. It was very smart, the pieces connected well. There were no breaks and it was addicting; so addicting that I would have loved if the series would have gone further than twelve episodes, but even with twelve episodes, “The World of Narue” still does not fail to impress!

Our main character, or main focus is a girl named Narue Nanase. She begins the show as a loner. The tone of her voice, and her actions all represent a person who wants nothing from anyone. That is, until she saves Kazuto Iizuka from a space ninja who disguised himself as a cute little puppy. Her weapon of choice reminds me of someone; I can not seem to recall who. Oh wells. Anyways, when Kazuto gathers himself from what had happened, he uses some lame excuse just so he can talk to Narue. And that is how it all starts. Yeah, I am bad at story telling :P.

“The World of Narue” is fun. Every minute spent was well worth it. I loved the fact that while watching this series, I was able to put all my thoughts aside and focus on the show itself. I did not have to think about anything else but what was going to happen next on the television. Now I understand why “The World of Narue” made such a big commotion within the fans. It certainly is a great piece, in which everyone could enjoy and surely a direct hit to your heart!

The Breakdown
I am glad that I was able to experience such an amazing anime. Is it time for Narue 2? :)

Synopsis
High school student Kiichi is on the fast track to martial arts super-stardom. An expert in the deadly Nanshin Shadow Style, he faces the challenge of his life: the long-awaited grudge match with his father’s arch-nemesis, the champion of World Pro-Wrestling! Fists fly and blood spills as a new breed of fighter takes to the ring!

Review
Fast and to the point, that is Shootfighter Tekken: Round 1. There are not any bullcrap side stories. It focuses on a revenge fight and that is all this volume does. The show’s progress was so fast that it seemed as if it only occupied twenty minutes of my life, when it should be double the time felt.

The story is constantly rolling. In this volume of Shootfighter Tekken, the action carries the story. Without the action, the story would not be able to survive. Therefore for a show like this, the action must be perfect, or at least in between the good and great line. As for Shootfighter, it is not great, it lies somewhere between the good and great line, according to personal preference. I feel that it is just a bit over the good line.

The action… well what can I say, really? The punches were thrown, kicks flew and grappling moves were connected. Some of the moves were so nasty that you felt a little sting to wherever the character was hit. The guys should understand the feeling, if not, watch a rollerblader miss the rail badly while grinding. Very painful indeed. ;)

Overall if you want quick entertainment this is it. Uhh… yeah, that is it. Quick.

The Breakdown
If WWE incorporated the Hell Drop… that would be some awesome move.

Synopsis
This very special Collector’s Series DVD Boxset contains a bonus disc containing never-before-seen features!

Dragged through a time warp by a giant machine, Shu is thrust into a hellish future just as it explodes into war! He is caught in the carnage as a tyrant unleashes deadly force against a rebel army. But Shu is not alone? he is surrounded by courageous soldiers, a battalion of enslaved children, and enigmatic wanderers, each with their own fascinating story. Together, they face the ultimate challenge of survival in a world gone mad!

Review
In a world where water is scarce, a mad tyrant, Hamdo tires to obtain control of an infinite supply of water by capturing Lala Ru, who has the ability to generate water from her mysterious pendant. His plan almost succeeded if not for Shu, a punk kid who got involved with everything because he was a bit nosy – curious.

Upon his arrival at Hellywood, he goes through exactly what the name of the place suggests; hell. He is tortured, battered, kicked around and just beaten so bad that he could not walk. All this because he told the truth? Well even if he lied he would still get the crap beaten out of him. What kind of world is this? Villages were pillaged as women, kids and men were enslaved in the Hellywood system. Kids were used as soldiers to fight this “war” of Hamdo’s. Every rule of invasion is broken. No one as the cahones to stop Hamdo’s ambitions, that is until Shu stepped up and sought justice in this unjust world.

Now and Then, Here and There is a superb series. It brings a variety of emotions to the viewers. For an example, you would laugh at the way Hamdo acts, because he is obviously crazy. Ehh… you sometimes ponder how he obtained his power over the people of Hellywood in the first place, with the state his mind is in.

Akitaroh Daichi has done a great job with Now and Then, Here and There. The interest meter goes up as the story unwinds. This has really been an entertaining show to me, and it certainly would be for you as well.

The Breakdown
Thirteen episodes of addictive television. That is not good for my eyes! No!!!!!

Synopsis
The mind-shattering prequel to the hit cult thriller, Ichi the Killer!

A masochistic mobster meets his match in the dark streets of Tokyo. His nemesis, Ichi, is a psychopathic killer with an unrelenting thirst for bloodshed. A horrifying secret burns in his mind, and his hands deal death without mercy. At last, the shrouds of mystery are parted to reveal the origin of the monster. The city will know its greatest fear at the unveiling of Ichi the Killer!

Review
A show with all the things necessary to satisfy the crude and horrendous minds of some disturbingly violent people is what Ichi the Killer: Episode Zero is. This series is cool, do not get me wrong. I like a series that just makes me sick with the happenings on the screen. I find myself laughing to the way some of these characters in this series get their ass kicked or killed by Hajime (Ichi).

Now I have seen the live action movie directed by Takashi Miike. I did not understand anything that was going on there. Maninly due to the fact that I did not care to understand. But after watching the animation I got a sense of why Ichi is the way he is. Now I understand why Miike had a scene where a woman got a big bruised eye from some guy and Ichi was just standing there, looking as if he did not know what to do. That is what is so great about his works, it is unpredictable, strange, and just when you think you understand what is going on, you have to go back, because most of the time you are wrong.

Ehh… anyhoo enough with the preaching of the live action hehe. :)

The show starts out with what I assume is the ending. Then it flashes back to how Hajime became Ichi. I tell you, if you are a bully and pick on some kid profusely, you better watch it. I guarantee you will stop once you see what happens when that kid snaps.
Throughout the episode you are kept glued to your seat as the pace quickens and Hajime’s character just makes you want to know more about his life. You are in a denial state during certain scenes, as you say to yourself, “Oh no, he did not…”

Ichi the Killer is sadistic; it is what I consider a guilty pleasure, because I am crazy. Uhh no, because it just seems fun to envision myself beating the crap out of someone. I am sure you have imagined yourself knocking someone out throughout your life time and Ichi the Killer accomplishes this job for you, as it is action packed and filled with a sad/dark theme that is sure to attract.

The Breakdown
I would not expect myself saying this about Ichi the Killer, but this first volume really impressed me a ton, I am looking forward to how it develops.

Synopsis
Fighting is a way of life for teen martial arts prodigy Kiichi Miyazawa. When his best friend goes down in a grappling match with a deadly Jujitsu master, Kiichi takes matters into his own hands and enters the ring. But this time he may have taken on more than he can handle.

The challenge is to the death, and his opponent has the near-supernatural ability to predict his every move. Honor, guts, and glory are all on the line in this no-holds-barred martial arts blood match!

Review
The more Shootfighter Tekken evolves its story the better it is. The first volume was a bit fast, a bit too fast that you just start and end. There is hardly that break in the middle where you can take everything in. Round 2 is almost an extension to Round 1, as watching this volume makes me appreciate Round 1 even more. What a series this has become already with only two volumes out!

Round 2 commences with a challenge to Keybo, (What is new?) from a wrestler named “Man-Eater.” Wow, I sure as hell do not want a piece of this guy after hearing his moniker ^_^. There is a surprise in this volume as the first challenger was not actually the “main” challenger of Round 2. Man-Eater was actually a comedian, although he does not look like it. You shall see how he makes you laugh. I got a good kick out of the stupidity this guy holds. Much like the Great Doborabo of Dragon Half. It is just great, this series needs a light substance, and from Man-Eater, it achieves it.

Now to serious business, the Iron Kiba is the biggest (damn I cannot use profanity here) you will ever see in an anime. This guy acts all big, but he pays everyone to do his dirty work. What the hell? First he gets Man-Eater, and once there was a twist at that attempt he gets Shingo, a fighter under the art of Gogetsu style (jujitsu) to challenge Keybo to a match. The fighting scenes are top notch in Round 2. The various moves that were displayed are a bonus, since it is not the usual, money saving fighting scenes technique that some series have, where they show the same cuts over and over again.

Shootfighter Tekken is starting to get interesting, it is one series that you have to pay attention to as it may not receive the big hype some other series may have, but it certainly has the potential to be a good little title to be in your collection.

The Breakdown
This title went from rent in Round 1, to own in Round 2. Nice transformation.

Synopsis
In a war zone devastated by minefields and strife, a dying child is missing. She fights a foe more deadly than any terrorist. Her heart is a time bomb that will kill her even as the explosions annihilate her home. Can renegade doctor Black Jack recover his patient before both their lives are claimed by war?

Review
Central Park Media brings to you another dose of this addictive drug I call Black Jack. I cannot praise this series anymore; it would just be spoiling it. In this volume, Black Jack is hired by a mob boss to cure his grand daughter who has a heart condition in another country where a war has broken out. With the obligation to comply with his word, he travels long distances just to meet up with his client. (Notice I used client, instead of patient ^_^).

After a successful operation, Black Jack stayed for an extra month or two to help out with the refugees. He charged $1 for every patient, but he took IOUs. (Hmm… so he was not all about the money after all). The show later shifts to New York City where it is all jolly. That is until, the mob boss gets shot up and an immediate operation had to be performed in order to save his life. Black Jack was present, but a jealous doctor opposed in having an unlicensed doctor to operate on any patients. Because of his jealousy, he almost caused the life of another. Of course, Black Jack would not allow that to happen… will he?

I know I sound like a broken record, but I must give credit to where it is due. Black Jack really has been one of a few series that has amazed me this year. This is something that I can never overdose on :P. This is the only doctor you should be checking out for you anime-insomnia.

The Breakdown
Let us state the obvious. You make the choices in your life. But making the choice to watch Black Jack certainly will not be a bad choice, out of the many choices you will make throughout your life time.