Animesou.com

Synopsis
This anime is about a world in another dimension dying off, because of something (spoiler). In order to prevent the so-called destruction of this world named Cephiro. The Princess (Princess Emeraude) has summoned the Magic Knights of another world (Tokyo). And then here comes Hikaru (Fire), Umi (Water) and Fuu (Wind). They didn’t know each other till they got to Cephiro and started to become friends.

Review
For the first season of this anime it goes on with saving the Princess from the EVIL Lord Zagato!!!!! (Spoiler alarm going off). The Magic Knights must accomplish several tasks in order for them to save the princess. Such as, learning magic, evolving their armors, weapons and finally awakening the slumbering Rune-Gods (Rayearth, Windam, and Selece). There is comedy in MKR, but it wasn’t really funny where I’d had to hold my stomach or comedy that caused me to almost died laughing.

After the first season is over, we go to second season, which is basically the same. The Magic Knights are summoned once again to save Cephiro the thing is that nobody knows who summoned them. Since this thing happened back in first season… Anyways, they go through all the fights and drama. The creators have put a lot of time in the story as it never left me lost. Also there are love affairs going on with the Magic Knights. Therefore making it more interesting. In second season Cephiro is just horded by invaders that want Cephiro for their own countries (Autozam, Fahren and Chizeta).

We all know who stops them to achieve the goal. In the end, this is quite an enjoyable series as it boasts 50+ episodes with story development in each. Unlike some anime series out there that go nowhere with 2 - 3 eps.

The Breakdown
MKR was worth my time, it took me two days just to finish the whole thing. Sometimes things go slow, which makes you anxious to see what comes next. One thing is that MKR is predictable, probably an aspect the creators created on purpose or it was just too predictable… One last thing, get it when you have a chance!!!

Synopsis
Winner of the Golden Bear Award at the 52nd Berlin International Film Festival, Spirited Away makes its first appearance on the North American shoreline. Directed by Hayao Miyazaki (Princess Mononoke), the film itself has broken box office records in Japan. Originally aimed for the 10-year-old female audience, it is a movie suitable for the young and the old alike.

Review
It could not have been described better than in the words of Hayao Miyazaki himself: ‘This film is an adventure story, although the characters neither swing weapons around, nor use supernatural powers in battle. It is an adventure story, but its theme is not a confrontation between good and evil. It is a story of a girl who was thrown into a world where both good and evil exist. She gets trained, learns about friendship and devotion, and survives by using her wisdom. She finds her way out, dodges, and comes back to her old daily life for the time being. However, it is not because evil was destroyed, evil does not simply disappear from the world. It is because she gained the power to live. Today, the world has become ambiguous; but even though it is ambiguous, the world is encroaching and trying to consume everything. It is the main theme of this film to describe such a world clearly in the form of a fantasy.’

The Breakdown
Excellent film. A must see for all anime fans and a perfect starter for anyone who might be skeptical having sincere doubts of watching anime.

Synopsis
Based on the video game bearing the same title and produced by Hideo Katsumata, Arc the Lad is the tale about Elk, a young bounty hunter, who has been blessed by the Spirit of Fire. Responding to a distress call on board a hijacked air ship, Elk rescues a mysterious girl, Lieza, and her wolf companion Pandit. The three uncover a series of government conspiracies where grotesque, chimera experiments are conducted on children with the powers of the Sacred Spirits, of which Elk had escaped from. In the middle of it all is Arc, whom Elk believes is responsible for the destruction of his village and parents.

Review
Arc the Lad takes place in a composite setting where you have traces of fantasy, rural towns, and ancient temples and palaces mixed with modern day cities and its slums. This theme is carried throughout the series. The forces of light are dressed in traditional attire with the fighters in armor, the women in robes, and Shu and Toshu as a ninja and samurai respectively. Arc, Elk, and Lieza wield strong magical powers. The Silver Noah, Arc’s airship, alludes to final fantasy. The forces of darkness employ a more present day outlook, for example Galuano, the mayor, riding in his limousine and communicating via cell phone. But, they too fly in airships, Clive and Andel cast dark magic, and have armies of monsters.
The series can be divided into four parts. Episodes 1-13 develop the character of Elk and resolve his past experiences at the “White House.” From 13 ending at 26 are the recapture of Smeria and Andel’s retreat, Elk’s silence, and finally the defeat of Clive. The first half of the series is distinguished plot wise in comparison to the later half with an exposition of Shu finding the famished Elk, ( ED. - well you gotta see it). The second half is not as dramatic and suspenseful as the first but nevertheless concludes the series. One thing to mention is that although the title may have been taken from the video game, it is not entirely appropriate for naming the anime series. It should have been labeled “Elk the Lad” or “Arc and the Lad” for we see through the eyes of Elk and side with him even at those moments when Elk goes out of control and is obsessed with revenge.

The Breakdown
The second half is not as dramatic and suspenseful as the first but nevertheless concludes the series.