Animesou.com

Synopsis
At the end of each episode are the following narration:

‘In the Spooner continent, sorcerers ruled over the people. The government exploited the people and the people, powerless, could do nothing but let their tears roll. But those people had a single source of hope. This was the existence of a secret group. People called them the Sorcerer Hunters.’

Review
Sorcerer Hunters (Bakuretsu Hunters) is the story of five heroes who under the orders of Big Mama (you heard correctly) are dispatched across the continent of Spooner to dispense of sorcerers using Kinju, a type of destructive magic that has long been prohibited. The leader of the group, supposedly, is Carrot Glasse, the ‘messenger of love’ who has the insatiable habit of womanizing. Although he is weak and cannot cast a single spell, he has just one special power, zoantropy: the ability to absorb magic to transform into a giant horned beast. He is joined by his brother, Marron, a serious and contemplative mage. Definitely the most insightful of the group. Third is Gato, the muscular blond with all the attack power. Last are the two sisters, red headed Chocolate and pink haired Tira, Carrot’s lovers who keep him in check often through force.

The Breakdown
Sorcerer Hunters doesn’t quite have what it takes to be an outstanding series. The episodes fail to really retain one’s attention. By the time it does, you are at the end of the series.

Synopsis
There was a light, warm and soft, and within that light was a girl. She introduced herself as Belldandy. I never questioned that mysterious encounter. That was because she was as natural as the wind. One week of summer that was as fulfilling as a year seemed as short as a day…

If I had known what it would lead to, I wouldn’t have made that promise. That’s why I said, ‘Erase my memory.’ That was how it began so long ago…

Review
Ah! My Goddess is a short segment of the manga of the same name. Keiichi Morisato is a freshman at Nekomi Tech and member of the college Auto Club. One day while dialing numbers at random for a restaurant he instead calls the Goddess Helpline service. Suddenly, out pops a woman from his mirror claiming to be able to grant him one wish. Thinking it was all a joke set up by his sempai’s, Keiichi wishes for her to become his girlfriend. To his surprise, that wish was granted.

The Breakdown
A fan favorite, only a taste of what the manga has to offer

Synopsis
Dejected and defeated, Otaru departs for Japoness. Lime, Cherry, and Bloodberry remain in Xian, returning to their new lives there. But they find themselves constantly reminded that they are only Marionettes, nothing more than machines. A broken-hearted Lime agrees to the evil Dr. Hesse’s proposal to make her human. Cherry and Bloodberry try to change her mind, but it’s too late, and now Hesse has the information he needs that will let him destroy the Earth. As his space ship takes off, they manage to sneak aboard. Even though they realize they probably won’t be coming back, they have to stop him. It’s an ending you won’t believe!

Review
Saber Marionette J to X to me was not as entertaining as the original series. There were times where I disliked the way some episodes progressed. Nonetheless as a follower of Saber Marionette J, I continued to collect this series. Anyways, in this final volume, Otaru leaves his beloved marionettes, because he believes that the people in Xian need them more than him. Otaru, not realizing the true feelings of Lime and the others makes a big mistake, as the gullible Lime believes that Dr. Hesse is actually capable of making her human. Otaru who was taking the railroad back to Japoness was later on stopped by Faust. After some dialogue, Dr. Hesse shows up along with Lime and the story starts to come to a close by there.

So how was the overall series? I liked the beginning when Otaru, Lime and the others was in Japoness, than when they made their trip to Xian. Why? Well, because that is when all the trouble starts. In the beginning of their arrival at Xian, it was okay, the comedy was there, but then as the story progressed it was more of a sad, emotional show than what I thought Saber Marionette J supposedly is; an action comedy.

The ending is way too unbelievable. I do not know if I should be happy or not. If you are a fan of Saber Marionette J, like I am, I will say you probably would be disappointed by the ending of the whole Saber Marionette J series. Sure, the girls (notice I say girls not marionettes :P) look adorable in the end, but I believe it is not an ending that fans would like to see.

The Breakdown
Saber Marionette J to X has its’ high and lows, at times you would laugh out loud, at times you would feel sad. But towards the end, the show was mainly sad and serious. Which made it not as entertaining as it could be.

Synopsis
A new student has arrived at Ohtori Academy. As she tours the school, she stops to witness a duel held by the fencing club. Across the distance, she is stunned by a red haired upper classman. She runs with great fervor to meet him only to find the cold shower of rain.

Review
Revolutionary Girl Utena the Movie is a retelling of the anime series much like Escaflowne the Movie. Its basis is on the final episode of the series when Jury confesses:

‘Come to think of it, I’ve forgotten that boy’s name. Long ago, when my older sister was still a child, she nearly drowned in a river. On that day there was a boy who jumped into the river to try to save her. My sister got lucky and was saved by a nearby adult, but the boy who tried to save my sister was swept away. I thought my sister was very cold for forgetting his name so quickly. But now that I try to remember, it seem I’ve forgotten it too.’

The Breakdown
A bit on the mature side for younger audiences. It could have been better but that doesn’t mean it is not all that bad either.

Synopsis
Happiness could be a fleeting thing for our two new high school sweethearts Yukino and Arima. With their hearts flying high, the couple has been spending a lot of time together. Finally the public masks of perfection that they’ve both maintained for so long are beginning to fall, but so are their grades. When the latest round of scores is posted. Yukino is mortified to discover that she’s slipped all the way to 13th! She’s not the only one that’s angry - so are her teachers. When Yukino and Arima are dragged before their guidance counselor to explain their poor grades, the administration is determined that the pair stop seeing each other. Could this mean the end of their newfound love forever?

Review
It took quite a long time for volume two to be released, but now that is the past I am happy. In His and Her Circumstances volume two: Love and War under the Cherry Blossoms, Yukino and Arima continues their relationship, but the school counselor gets on their case and calls in their parents as their scores on the latest test were unusual. Yukino went from the top and dropped to the thirteenth and Arima went from the top and dropped to rank three. Nothing can come between this young high school couple as their parents fully support on what they do with their lives. Since they are such responsible young people. Hmm… maybe I should rephrase that, nothing can come between this young high school couple except summer vacation, as Arima has to go and participate in the Kendo tournament in Kyoto during the summer. Yukino gets depressed over the whole thing, but Arima fixes everything.

Also in volume two, Yukino is finally able to reveal her true self to her classmates. As a result of the conflict between her fellow classmate Maho. Because of Maho’s jealousy towards Yukino, she lead the class in the ‘Give Yukino Miyazawa the ignore treatment’ plan. Everything seems to be fine as some new characters come into the series. One being Tsubasa, her character is very cute. The show suddenly gets even better because of her presence. Anyways, I had a lot of fun watching this volume, and a lot of fun reviewing it as well.

The Breakdown
I never thought that His and Her Circumstances, would be one of my all time favorites. I love all the characters in this show. With all the comedy this title contains, there is not a moment where I fell asleep.

Synopsis
Gaia is a mythical realm ruled by sword and sorcery and immersed in blood and violence. Thrust into a conflict she doesn’t quite understand, Hitomi helps aid the young Prince Van as they embark upon their journey of discovery. The battle over a legendary suit of dragon armor, Escaflowne, has begun.

Review
Escaflowne the Movie is the retelling of the hit TV series. Hitomi also known as the Wing goddess of Gaia was persuaded to go to Gaia by Faulken. The depressed Hitomi, who thought there was nothing to cherish in life anymore gets warped to Gaia and ends up inside Escaflowne as Van is trying to awaken the sleeping Guymelef.

The visuals of Escaflowne the Movie was well done. Although the ending was pretty much the same, the process of bringing the movie to the ending was very entertaining. In the show, it was more of a human battle than the guymelef battles we have experienced in the TV series. In the final battle, Escaflowne versus Alseides, the action was cool, after Escaflowne destroys Alseides. It turns black and reveals its’ true nature, ‘the destroyer of Gaia.’ Then after a few more scenes Van and Hitomi flies to Faulken’s castle and ‘What do you think?’

There were many additions to Escaflowne the Movie. One of the more noticeable was that the guymelefs were more organic. If you have seen the TV series, remember when Van pricked his finger and his blood dripped on the dragon’s heart? Well in the movie it is sort of different. In the control chamber of the guymelefs there are actually needle looking things that sucks the blood from the person controlling it. The blood then becomes the guymelef’s blood and enables it to move. That’s pretty cool huh?

The Breakdown
Escaflowne the movie is one of those retelling movies that doesn’t just put scenes of the TV series together and say that’s a movie. (This happens quite often at times to OVAs.) Nonetheless, this movie is a great retell and gives the viewers some fresh ideas that weren’t in the TV series.

Synopsis
It’s the first summer vacation of their high school lives and that means time apart for our two young lovebirds. While Arima is off training hard for the national Kendo Tournament, Yukino is trying hard to just be herself and relax with her first real friends. Unfortunately her sunny days of relaxation come to an abrupt halt when Tsubasa announces she’s running away from home. It seems another woman has invaded her father’s heart and now he wants to marry the harlot against her wishes! Dragged into the middle of the girl’s family problems, can Yukno help Tsubasa mend the rift with her father, or will she end up losing her new friend?

Review
In volume three of His and Her Circumstances, we are shown more story development. It seems to me that most of these kids have abnormal families, except Yukino. However watching Tsubasa having a new family is very enjoyable as we are introduced to her step little brother, Kazuma. In public, he is often mistaken as her older brother (that’s because Tsubasa is just so cute!).

After Tsubasa’s problem is solved, two overview episodes follow, summarizing what is going on in the story thus far. Why there are episodes like that? I think it is, because the crew needs some time to think of the next episode or just to fill in those people who did not get to watch the beginning of the show. I did not fuss over it so it was cool for me, but some may not like overview episodes.

Then comes some background information of Asapin where he left home, because of problems with his father. When Yukino found out about all these people and how she took her life with her family for granted. She began to have negative thoughts about her relationship with Arima, wondering if she knew all of Arima or just a part of him. The volume comes to a close as we get the story of how Yukino’s parents came together. Her father was the local terror and her mother was an innocent little girl. The cops and robber game that they played sure is funny. In the next volume, Arima is back, and we will see what Yukino is going to do about her confusion!

The Breakdown
I am about to start a Shibahime Tsubasa fan club, you want in? Just kidding. Kare Kano is now a series that I am glad I am watching. My friends are missing out on this, because they are all action anime freaks.

Synopsis
Surrounded only by his inventions, Techno doesn’t really interact with other people much. However, one day, a girl attempts to ‘break into’ his fortress. This hapless passerby, a girl named Hitomi, becomes the object of his affection. Techno decides to name her ‘Daisy,’ and begins planning to make her his, using all his skills as an inventor and scientist to win her heart.

Review
Since I began watching anime (all those years ago ^^), my friends have been saying nothing but good things about this series. So I had high expectations for it, and it actually lives up to most of them. It is actually alot
funnier than I was told. From Techno replacing his teacher with a robot that shoots lasers from her eyes to him kidnapping Hitomi for a ski trip (in Siberia, of all places), Techno’s cluelessness is just hilarious. But other than this silliness, this is just another romantic comedy. But in the midde of the series, Techno makes such huge error (which I can’t tell you..it’ll ruin the story ^^) and from then on the story truely gets interesting. However from that point it also speeds up to a breakneck pace, stuffing what could have been 10 episodes into only six. But in the end, this is really a
creative and very funny series, which has not got the attention that it so richly deserves.

The Breakdown
Wonderful, creative anime! It doesn’t go amazingly beyond the surface of the characters (other than Techno), but it is a fun diversion.

Synopsis
Hideki, or Motosuwa-kun, is a 18 year old farmer who decides one day to become a Tokyo University student. He moves to Japan’s capital in order to attend a preparatory class for the entrance exam. Upon arrival almost like a tourist, he is awed by the fact that everyone has their own Persocon: a robot, no more like an android since they resemble the human anatomy, that acts as their personal servant helping out in daily chores form carrying groceries to home cleaning. They are more like computers since each persocon has it’s own built in hard drive, and they can instantly send and receive e-mail to one another. Hideki stumbles upon what appears to be a discarded persocon lying near a dumpster and decides to bring it home. After turning it on, the first word she says is ‘Chii.’

Review
Although it’s from a different anime series, I’d like to quote from Episode 11 of To Heart because I believe it captures the philosophical questions prevalent in Chobits perfectly: Man: ‘What’s the difference between a machine and a human? Machines are made by humans, but that’s not the case with humans. But, come to think of it, living creatures are in fact creations. Coincidence, environment, and nature…What’s your opinion? About the differences between humans and machines? For one thing a machine is incapable of thinking. It can only act out the program it has been given. No matter how successful a machine is, it can never become human.

‘Hiroyuki-san: ‘Whether we are talking about pigeons or robots, if it can laugh or cry or just enjoy being with you…If it’s something like that, that’s good enough for me.’

The Breakdown
Chi is adorable. When Hideki found her she was not pre-programmed with an OS. So raising Chi correlates to raising any human child. It is cute watching Chi’s reactions to Hideki explaining the meaning of certain phrases and places. When we first meet her, she mimics Hideki’s movements. But as she becomes proficient in her vocabulary and understanding, we see her steadily become more and more human.

Synopsis
Junta has a problem: he’s deathly allergic to girls! All this changes when a beautiful woman arrives from the future and transforms him into the super-suave Mega-Playboy. But the transformation is unstable, and if Junta can’t unravel the time traveler’s mystery, he (and the fate of the world) will never be the same!

Review
As it was said in the synopsis, Junta Momonari has a serious issue when it comes to girls. He stutters, and pukes, making him not an idealistic partner that any girl would love. Junta’s life of puking and stuttering are kind of over as Karin Aoi travels back in time from the future to prevent the mega playboy from awakening and create the over population problem that the future is currently experiencing by shooting him with a DCM (DNA Control Medicine) bullet. Things seem to go right, until she finds out that she used the wrong DCM bullet and actually helped in awakening the mega playboy than preventing it.

Now what? Junta now has two different personalities, since his mega playboy genes still is not in full swing. When he sees a girl’s tears or situations where he feels a sense of sadness from the girl, the mega playboy comes out, then, after a while it vanishes. I did say that his puking and stuttering days were kind of over, because after his mega playboy mode goes off, he returns to the original Junta who stutters and pukes when he sees things that excite him (pornography, etc.). Karin of course tries to correct her mistake, but she also almost falls for the mega playboy Junta.

This first volume is not what I had expected. There were not much comedy or it was that I just do not have a good sense of humor. The only reason why I stayed through the seventy five minutes was, because I am a fan of series in this genre (shounen).

The Breakdown
This title certainly was not what I had expected. I thought it was going to be better. However the future to past romance theme of DNA2 is quite interesting. Let us just hope that the next volume will be better than the first.