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Synopsis
Old Skool!!! That’s the first thing that comes to mind when I think of Project A-ko. I’d never believe I would say this but 1986 was a looong time ago. That’s when A-ko was released theatrically in Japan. Although I think it was around ‘93 when I watched the video release in America. The first Anime video I remember watching, along with Fist of the Northstar. That being said, I’m happy that it was.

Review
Originally a spoof of other popular Anime, Robotech, Fist of the Northstar, Captain Harlock, etc., it proved to gather a fan base of it’s own. The story begins as A-ko and her friend C-ko begin class together at the Graviton High School for girls. Fellow classmate, B-ko, takes an interest in C-ko and wants her for herself. A-ko is no different than any other 17 year old girl except for the fact that she has super human strength. C-ko is extremely ditzy and as clueless as Alicia Silverstone. B-ko is a genius, spoiled by her father. B-ko faces off with A-ko and uses everything from giant Mechs (robots) to exo-suits to win C-ko over. That’s not all! Outside of the school, a mysterious man known as ‘D’ spies on a certain someone for the captain of an oncoming alien mother ship. Who is this person? And what the heck does Superman have to do with this? I know, I know…it all sounds crazy doesn’t it? That’s because it is…crazy fun! If you you’ve got any background on Anime, Project A-ko is a timeless classic. It just proves that all anime doesn’t have to be thought provokingly deep to be entertaining.

The Breakdown
Sing it with me…A-ko, B-ko, C-ko, ‘D’…Enough Freakin Games. Here Is…………(Just Kidding) Lets Make New Opinions People, Quit Reacting Stupidly Tearing Up Very Wide Xeroxes You Zero. (What kinda crazy alphabet is this? Sure it doesn’t make sense but I had to try it.)

Synopsis
Now and Then, Here and There, it took me forever to remember that name. After you’ve seen it though, you’d have no problem remembering it. When I first bought it I really didn’t have a clue as to what I was in for. The case has an illustration on it and no pictures of the actual animation.

Review
The story starts out like any other. (I actually got it confused with Gatekeepers since I watched them both the same day.) But after the first episode the story gets some what, how should I say it…dramatic. When I say dramatic I mean daytime soap dramatic, but in a good way. (I don’t watch those by the way!) The main character is Shu. He meets a mysterious girl and his life changes drastically after being dragged through a time warp. Few titles are able to bring you into ‘a whole new world’ (no, not Aladdin) like this one. The only other I can think of at the moment is El Hazard. Without ruining anything, all I can say is It’s pretty crazy and well worth a look.

The Breakdown
If you’re looking for a new title to watch after Evangelion, Cowboy Bebop, Samurai X and Blue Submarine 6, then this is the one!

Synopsis
Five years past, a band of six adventurers defeated the conquering armies of Marmo, the dark island, and saved the accused island, LODOSS. Since that day, the survivors have been honored as heroes, and their deeds have become legends. But the darkness never perished… Now, a mad wizard threatens to raise an ancient evil — the goddess of destruction. Old heroes must heed the call to defend their homeland and new heroes are forged as the battle for LODOSS begins anew.

Review
After 5 years since the release of Record of Lodoss War OVA. This TV series was born. Although Parn is featured in this series, he’s not the main character this time.
Spark, a knight in training was sent out to retrieve the Soul Crystal ball, the stolen treasure of Flaim.

As he is on his journey with his team, the daughter of Slayn and Leylia, Neese was following them. She is the doorway to resurrecting Kardis the Destroyer. A lot goes on and more of Neese’s background is revealed.

Wagnard the Dark Wizard’s intentions were also shown. He wants to resurrect Kardis the Destroyer so that he can be a Necromancer and forever be the king of the dead Lodoss.

ROLW still kept that RPG formula. Action to story development and to action.

In this series, I really got what ROLW is about. When I saw the OVA series, I didn’t know what was going on. In conclusion, I enjoyed this series very much, and have my friend that lend me the box set to thank ^_^.

The Breakdown
Record of Lodoss War is an RPG based anime, magic, and sword fighting, this shows got it all in its genre.

Synopsis
A branch of the Juuouchou government, the Hades Agency is the caretaker of souls who wander lost in the afterlife, helping to guide them safely to the underworld. It is a detective network where the executives themselves, called Shinigami, are neither dead nor alive but can travel about the earth with supernatural abilities. The series begins with Tsuzuki and his new partner Hisoka investigating a serial killer whose victims have sharp fang marks and are drained of their blood…

Review
The Breakdown
Not as lengthy as many others but the weakness balance out the strengths. Not bad.

Synopsis
When she was little, Utena was very sad for her mother and father had passed away. A traveling prince wrapped her in a rose scented embrace and gently wiped her tears saying ‘never to lose that strength or nobility…’ He gave her a signet ring saying it would one day lead Utena to him. So impressed was she by him that she vowed to become a prince herself. Now a student of Ohtori Academy, Utena finds herself enveloped in the true meaning of the rose signet, the symbol of a duelist fighting for the power to revolutionize the world.

Review
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The Breakdown
If you want true sword duels get Kenshin. Otherwise this is a good variation combining elements of a love story, fairy tale, and action sequences.

Synopsis
In the aftermath of a World War II bombing, two orphaned children struggle to survive in the Japanese countryside. To Seita and his four-year-old sister, the helplessness and indifference of their countrymen is even more painful than the enemy raids. Through desperation, hunger and grief, these children’s lives are as heartbreakingly fragile as their spirit and love is inspiring.

Review
Grave of the Fireflies is by far THE saddest anime I’ve ever seen. As it has been stated in the synopsis (if you have read) you should know that the setting of this movie is in World War II. In WWII, lives were lost and property was destroyed. Now here comes our characters, Seita a teenager (I’d say around 16-18) and his sister, Setsuko a four year-old girl. Before viewing Grave of the Fireflies, I’ve asked a few that have seen it. On the Animesou Boards, quite a few people said Grave of the Fireflies was the saddest anime. In order to believe them, I checked it out myself. And……….

Grave of the Fireflies, is an emotional anime. Which will make you feel sad in your heart. WWII wasn’t one of the best times to live in Japan. One day, the Americans unleashed the bombs and the civilians ran for shelters. Seita along with Setsuko was going to meet their mother at the shelter. Things happen, and their mother dies from the burns she has suffered from the bombing. Seita and Setsuko begins their journey to their aunt’s place and later on moves out and live by themselves. Seita, doing what ever he could. Such as, trading in his mother’s collection of kimono and what ever he can trade for food he traded.

Symbolism is used in Grave of the Fireflies. Fireflies to me symbolizes life. How fragile it can be. When Setsuko accidentally squashed a firefly it kind of relates to how easily life can be lost in WWII. The same symbolism occurs when Setsuko was burying the dead fireflies that the sister and brother used as a light source for their “house.” Overall Grave of the Fireflies is a must watch. Lets put it this way. You don’t know what a sad anime is without watching this.

The Breakdown
I guess the Animesou boards was right. Grave of the Fireflies is THE saddest anime ever created that I’ve seen and I’m sure a lot of people who have viewed this anime will agree with me too.