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Synopsis
Takarada Go comes from a family of archaeologists. A self-proclaimed treasure hunter, Go goes in search of a secret door leading to the legendary treasure of the Salamander. Somehow he ends up falling from a 30-story building. Just then, in a flash, a naked elven nymph appears right before his eyes. The zany adventures of Rane and Go have only just begun!         

Review
Before FLCL, Excel Saga, Puni Puni Poemi, there was Elf Princess Rane. The anime is over a decade old, 1995, but still has its charm. Go is reckless and often misunderstands discussions, going off on some tangent exploit. Mari is his rich neighbor and girlfriend since childhood who fails to get Go’s attention. Then you have the two pint sized characters, Rane and Leen. Add in the blue haired Zenshuin antagonist and some pink haired females, mix everyone up thoroughly, and you have a recipe that spells mayhem.                     

Synopsis
Densuke Mifune, a junior high student at Zashono Academy, just happens to find himself at the wrong place at the wrong time. Near the end of the semester, he was caught peeping into the school infirmary where by chance the girls were all in their underwear. Among them was Chiharu Shinonome. Because Densuke blew his allowance on Dead or Alive summer time special edition, he enters a schoolwide competition. With the prize money, he can reconcile with Shinonome by buying her a birthday present. The whole Eiken Club members stand by his side lending their support.    

Review
Eiken (pronounced Ehh-ken) is a 2 episode OVA series, more like one whole story subdivided into two parts. Some websites might classify Eiken as a hentai. It is rather a hentai parody since there is no explicit sex scene. Still, the E in Eiken is definitely for Ecchi! But as Strongbad once said in one of his e-mails, ‘Too much of a good thing is an awesome thing. And too much of an awesome thing is…umm…a really bad thing.’ Eiken tends to go overboard on the big-breasted females. It is so unnatural.        
  
The official Japanese website can be found at:
http://www.jcstaff.co.jp/sho-sai/eiken-shokai/eiken-index.htm

The Breakdown
Beware of the banana peel!           

Synopsis
Sasahara is a freshman at Shiiou University. During a club forum, taking interest in both Anime and Manga, he stumbles upon the Genshiken Club, a club dedicated to the study of modern visual culture.

Soon after joining Genshiken, he discovers that the people in the club are nothing more than otakus and lolicons obsessed with doujinshi. How does Sasahara fit into this group of people? More importantly, what is this club all about despite the given title?

Review
The Film Club, Key Club, Anime Club, Karate Club along with dozens of clubs were offered to me in high school. But despite the diversity of my school, I have never encountered the name of a Genshiken Club. After, I started to take interest in what this club is all about.

Surprisingly, as it turned out, there was almost nothing regarding the purpose of this club as shown in the anime; instead what we see is a group of people who socialize about their passions with each other without a fear of being seen as a stigma to Japanese society: being an Otaku.

First of all, I would like to say that despite my love for Anime (and maybe some Manga), I am not an Otaku (despite my hate of that word being used), and can no way be compared to some of the people portayed in the anime. If my hand breaks, I would either scream or go to the hospital in pain rather than continue to wait in line for a few magazines. If someone broke my Gundam model (if I ever decide to even watch one let alone build one), I would probably build another one. If my… oh you get the idea. My point is that I don’t know how accurate the description of the anime is or even how realistic the portrayal of the characters are. It is hard for me to approach the identity of each character due to too biasness. I’m pretty sure there are different levels of fanatics out there (and that I am no where on that level). But what I get out of this is Genshiken’s attempt to re-discover the sub-culture of Japan, to slowly work it’s way into publicity that is rarely seen. To take a peek at this area that is un-discovered and shunned by many people, Genshiken challenges people to view this type of people with more acceptance.

Kohsaka is an Otaku in the anime and is a member of Genshiken. In addition to that, there is a girl named Saki who likes him. As the anime progresses, we see how Saki opposes the Genshiken club as a whole but ultimately finds the people of the club acceptable. What it takes to be an Otaku is out of my imagination and I know nothing other than the fact that there criticized. Genshiken tries to shatter the stereotype of these people as being unsociable, disliked, and friendless.

All of the characters in Genshiken were enjoyable to watch. From the doujin-fanatic Madarame, to the almost all Otaku hating Saki, to Sasahara who is in the midst of discovering his passion for the ‘visual culture of Japan’. In the end, each character did not feel strange to me nor did they feel too unique to me. Instead, I am able to relate to each character’s feelings and understand the actions and responses they up forth. If you try and look for something unique in the characters, you will find it. But if you look outside the unexpected, you will see that these people are…well… just people with a love for something.

In addition, the animation and music were both well done. Character designs were interesting and made to stereotype what Otakus would look like. But as we see, Kohsaka looks ‘ordinary’ and even has a girlfriend. Furthermore, the soundtrack is great. I especially liked the opening theme also.

The Breakdown
All in all, Genshiken is a great anime that goes over an area of Japan’s sub-culture that is rarely explored and greatly discriminated against. I feel like hugging an Otaku…*looks around….hugs self*… j/k

Synopsis
Seiji ‘Mad Dog’ Sawamura is the ultimate high-school punk. With his upper-strong, invincible right hand, he can punch through cement walls and lay waste to entire street gangs. But street cred comes with a high price - every girl in school is absolutely terrified of him! Just when he thinks he is doomed to forever date imaginary girlfriends, Seiji’s right hand becomes an actual girl! Midori Kasugano wished she could be by Seiji’s side… but ended up somehow attached to his wrist. Seiji’s fighting days may be over, but his girl-trouble days are about to begin!!

Review
Ever wonder what it would be like if your right hand suddenly became a cute living doll sized girl? That is the problem our friend Seiji is having here. The man who everyone fears because of his ‘delinquent’ ways, and the man who has been rejected by twenty girls in his life, now has his own girl problems to deal with; a girl who loves him… but the problem is, she is his right hand. Before you go thinking some ecchi things, Midori is really a girl :P.

Midori Days volume one is very entertaining. But at times it makes you think, is it supposed to be this smooth? It is like there is nothing stopping Midori from doing what she is. Usually in anime like these, a character with the characteristics of Midori usually misses her family after a while and whatnot, but what we have here, is a one time thing. Midori’s family was only shown in one episode and that was it. Nothing was touched on them any further, although I would be surprised if it continued that way onto volume two or three.

I like Midori Days, it caught my attention from the start with Seiji’s fighting capabilities and then his personality, which is similar to a lot of other anime that features a main character who knows how to fight, but at the same time is not a punk about it. I guess it all comes back down to Midori, whom is the engine that makes everything run. Her carefree attitude is so adorable. I wonder why she could not do the same thing to Seiji when she was human. Man I want to see more of it already! And the only bad thing is that I cannot complain, because there are five episodes with a run time of one hundred twenty five minutes in this volume! Sigh…

The things that this show possesses are great. The comedy here is well done, and it is just about what you can expect from any other shounen title. The plot currently is all happy-go-lucky, but I am pretty confident that it will take on a more serious route later on. Media Blasters deserve a lot of props for bringing fans a series that will most certainly be on my top tens’ list. High five Anime Works!

The Breakdown
This anime piece we have here has about everything you would expect from a title of its genre. Its unique approach is amusing and just lovely.

Synopsis
Sorata is an art instructor at Yamanoue School. At the young age of 20 he is already a full-fledged teacher with a meek and nerd-like disposition. Yet Sorata has a secret… he’s Mouse, the internationally infamous thief and a shameless flirt to boot. This mischievous rogue is assisted by three scandalously endowed attendants. With Mei Momozono the genius math teacher, Hazuki Kakio the rough and ready phys-ed coach, and the lovely school nurse Yayoi Kuribayashi, Mouse can steal ANYTHING.

Review
Mouse mouse mouse. This title seems like a fun series, but the originality is just nonexistent. It is like DN Angel mixed up with Steel Angel Kurumi. All you have to do is just take the phantom thief from DN Angel and three female servants from Steel Angel Kurumi and you will get Mouse. This series to me just does not make a big statement from the get go. It felt like any other ordinary shounen title that strives for fan service rather than attempting to give the viewers another look, a better look, such as, a story that is intriguing with a less emphasis on the ecchi-ness.

Not everything should be based on the big boobies and hot babes, but Mouse does not give me any other perspective to view it other than a fan service filled anime. It feels nice and fresh during the first episode… then it begins to deteriorate by episode. And at the midpoint of the DVD, I was just rushing for it to end already, because I had other things to put my time and energy in; mainly, other anime of course.

Probably the only reason that will allow me to make an effort to continue Mouse is because this is only the first volume. Sure, I will give it a chance to repent for volume one, if volume two still does not satisfy me then… that is that.

The Breakdown
Mouse is an average ecchi humor anime. While there are cosplay, servant-type ecchi things going on, it tastes like stale milk overall.

Synopsis
Enter Sawamura Seiji. He has spent the last 17 years and two months of his entire life without a girlfriend. His record now stands at 20 rejections. Well with a reputation as Mad Dog Sawamura and his Devil’s Right Hand, it is far from easy to find a girl that will accept him. They are either afraid of him or see him as a delinquent. Is he doomed to spend the rest of his life with only his right hand as his lover? There is more truth to this statement than it seems when magically out of nowhere a miniature girl is affixed to where his hand used to be.

Review
Midori no Hibi is one of the latest and by far the best of the romance animes of 2004. It is the most bizarre idea ever that can only be made possible in the anime world. A beautiful girl, not to mention naked, attached to where your fingers and right palm once were. This takes the mysterious dream girl appearing out of nowhere animes like Ah! My Goddess and Ai Yori Aoshi to a whole new level. It is like the story of sleeping beauty minus the annoying dwarves where Midori, who is incredibly shy in real life, finally gets her wish granted to confess to Seiji her true feelings about him. Seiji, Midori’s prince, must first cope with his new lifestyle with a talking right arm and find a way to merge Midori back to her original body.

The official website is simple enough, http://www.midorinohibi.com. On the front page is a cute picture of Seiji wearing the scarf Midori knitted for him.

The Breakdown
Seiji for life! Seiji Zakkon!

Synopsis
Youko Nakajima is a normal Japanese high-school girl. She tries to act perfect and please everyone, being the popular friend, the smart student, the teachers pet, and a good girl at home. But, for some reason, she just doesn’t seem to fit in with  the world. With red hair, which neither of her parents have, and a distant longing to be somewhere else, Youko can only make the best of what she has. But, when a mysterious long blonde haired man appears right in the middle of class, tells her that he is her protector, and she is whisked away to a far off place with two of her classmates, she is not sure what to do. And that’s just the beginning…

Review
Wow! This anime blew my mind away. I had been told to check this out by a couple of friends of mine, and me, being the skeptic, was very wary of this anime once I bought it. Then I watched the entire disc in one sitting, and realized that this is one of the best animes I’d ever seen, and I’m only five episodes in. A lot of comparisons will be made to Aura Battler Dunbine and Escaflowne, and for good reason. It does borrow elements from those, but much like Tolkien’s classic Lord of the Rings novels, what makes Twelve Kingdoms so good is the entire scope of this new world that’s been created. Every facet is new and different, much taken from Chinese mythology and Japanese mysticism, and it just completely sucks you in that you feel you have been spirited away to some far off land yourself. What really amazed me was the animation as well.

Done by the up and coming Studio Pierrot, the animation features very nice and dark colors that gives the show an ominous feeling but with a hint of light to everything, and it’s all very nice to look at. I have to admit I was confused by all the terminology used in the show for all the beasts and such, and the politics and underpinnings that are going on in TheTwelve Kingdoms still confuse me, but that’s to be expected when your trying to set up an entirely new world whilst introducing characters and getting to know them. All I can say is that I’m enchanted and very interested in what is happening in The Twelve Kingdoms.

The Breakdown
While the show is currently at 45 episodes,  it has stopped being made at this point, so for now I’m simply loving every bit and piece of this show. I’ve said enough as it is and I think everyone needs to see this at least once.

Synopsis
1600 AD at the Battle of the Sekigahara in the Mino Province, the name of the slayer of a thousand men, Demon Eyes Kyo, became a legend. On that day, the 21st of October, the match against his greatest opponent, Mibu Kyoshiro, ended unexpectedly as a meteorite landed straightway between the two fighters changing the face of history. Four years later, Mibu Kyoshiro, who survived and now earns his living as a pharmacist, learns of a terrible fate. Demon Eyes Kyo is alive inside of him.

Review
Samurai Deeper Kyo can be classified as historical fiction. Sekigahara no Tatakai was a decisive battle in the rise of Tokugawa Ieyasu, who lead the eastern warriors, to the shogunate. More than 100,000 men were committed to the battle. The second aspect involves Oda Nobunaga (1534-1582), the nemesis of the anime series who the Mibu Clan is trying to resurrect. He was the prime mover of Japan’s 16th century reunification after a hundred years of strife, subjecting Japan to one governing authority, himself. He was known as a brutal warlord for dealing ruthlessly with those that opposed him. He died in June 1582 when his general Akechi attacked taking Nobunaga by surprise at the Buddhist temple of Honnoji. Another historic figure is Sanada Yukimura (1567-1615), initially allied with Ieyasu’s forces switched sides to the western army during the Sekigahara while his brother Masayuki remained loyal to Ieyasu.

Because of Kyo’s existence in the first place and the destructive landing of the meteorite, history has changed from its predestined course. Major historical leaders are killed off before their time, and Yukimura takes the opportunity to secure more power for the Sanada clan. Migeira, the one with the megaman gun on his right arm, has seen a vision of the true future, and is attempting to return everything to their correct history by collecting all five mythical Muramasa weapons.

The Breakdown
Not groundbreaking as Kenshin was, but an enjoyable anime series nevertheless.

Synopsis
Shinjuro may be little young to be the master of a swordsmanship school, but fate didn’t give him any choice. Now, his position and martial skills land him right in the middle of serious trouble when the rogue samurai Mikage faces off against the Tokugawa government. Mikage has his eyes on the legendary sword known as Mizuchi, and is willing to destroy all of Edo to get it.
Caught in the middle, Shinjuro and the band of beautiful swordswomen who train at his school must protect the town from harm. However, they won’t really be challenged until the Tokugawa house calls in a favor, and the young swordsman is forced to duel Mikage himself! His opponent will be using the most powerful weapon Japan has ever seen, but if the swordswomen can stop fighting over Shinjuro long enough to cheer him on, then the boy samurai is sure to win.

Review
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The Breakdown
In my opinion the overall score should be 7, but the Animation kept Samurai Hunt for the Sword up by 1 point

Synopsis
Rurouni Kenshin is one of the best sword swingers there are! No doubt about it. Based in the Meiji Era period where sword carrying is illegal.

Review
A wandering samurai appears with his reversed blade sword (Sakaba) and meets a girl name Kaoru and as the series goes on, more people join the Kenshin gang. This TV series has 95 episodes! Although I bought all 95 episodes, I still haven’t finished it. This series has its own uniqueness. It combines action with love and then comedy. Very enjoyable! So it’s a definite recommendation.

The Breakdown
The Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu is just so cool, I love the succession move (Something Hirameki). Rurouni Kenshin is the best swinger with love and comedy!