Animesou.com

Synopsis
It’s not over yet! Return to Japoness for a visit with everyone’s favorite marionettes! Everyone’s enjoying the peace and quiet - except for Lime. The winds of change are in the air, and the old ways are being swept aside.
With Lorelei back, TerraII is going to halt production on marionettes. Even the Sanja Festival, the high point of Japoness culture, is undergoing radical change. Will everyone forget about Lime and the others? Amidst all this turmoil is a visit from Hanagata’s father, a high-tech float race, a thief, a letter from Faust, and the rise of the Shiritaki Alliance!

Review
My all time favorite series is finally back for a third run! Terra II is still in the process of having females. In the meantime other countries want to steal the female clones, so that they can have control over all of Terra II. Also development of the Marionettes has been ceased, because of the revival of the females.

SMJ to X is pretty funny, and that’s what you can expect from all the SMJ series.

The Breakdown
It is sad to say SMJ to X is the last of the J series. If you want more Saber Marionette, you’ll have to watch Saber Marionette R, a retelling of J only…different ^_^

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
v

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
Quoting from title, ‘Sister Princess: If you’ve suddenly begun to have twelve sisters, what do you think? More over, they are so, sweet, charming… and loving you so much!’ To me, I’ll love it! Why? Because it’ll be so cool! My favorite sister out of the twelve will be Rin Rin, the sister that can build robots and other cool devices.

Review
The story is about Wataru, a high school student that doesn’t make it to that particular high school he was applying for, but his friends did. After a moment of depression, he goes home to find out that a school in ‘Promised Island’ is looking forward for Wataru to be a part of the student body there. Story continues from there as he meets up with his twelve or thirteen sisters in episode two (you’ll see why the title quote says twelve later on). In Sister Princess, every sister if given a star moment episode where she hangs out with her brother, either from swimming to shopping. This series all seem like a party. The climax of the story is pretty dull, but then again Sister Princess is a new twist. I’m sure a lot of brothers out there dislike their sisters in some way if they have. I personally don’t like my sisters much, but if they were any of the sisters in this series hehe, I’d love that life!

The Breakdown
Please don’t buy the R0 version of Sister Princess, even if you don’t understand Japanese, don’t waste your money like I did. Although I wouldn’t say that I totally wasted it. The only errors were in timing, names (used Chinese translation for names), and at some points I think the people who did the subs used some online translator to translate some words. In the end, I had a good time watching this series, will you?

Synopsis
In fifteen hours and ten minutes of this world’s time, the moons of earth and the demon plane will align. A hole will be torn in the fabric between both worlds, bringing forth a time of endless night. It’s up to Yohko to stop the demons from shrouding the world in darkness and stop the black queen from holding dominion over all. She just doesn’t know it yet. Will the 108th Devil Hunter have what it takes to prevail against the demons? Find out in the next exciting episode!!!

Review
It’s me again, Stikz, with yet another old school review. ADV, celebrate their ten year anniversary (1992-2002) with the DVD release of their first localized anime, Devil Hunter Yohko.

This two disc set features vol.’s 1, 2, & 3 of the devil hunter saga and an extended version of episode 1. There’s a very insightful commentary about the beginning of AD Vision and their aquisition of Devil Hunter Yohko. I don’t know if this will catch on with those new to the anime scene, but if you were a fan from way back, you’ll find this enjoyable. While the first episode is substantially better than both 2 and 3, that ep. and the historical commentary alone are worth the purchase. A great DVD upgrade for those of us old enough to enjoy the VHS release and who have seen AD Vision grow from it’s infancy to where ADV Films stands now.

The Breakdown
Another reason for old school anime fans to rejoice. Pick it up if you want to reminisce or if your a new fan who wants to see some of the roots of titles done today. This is what it used to be like.

Synopsis
THE BLACK GATE
The Shadow commandeers the Tokyo Tower and broadcast paranormal frequencies at 10,000 times the normal strength! The AEGIS commander scrambles the Gate Keepers to deal with the threat but Ruriko and Megumi remain missing. Unfortunately, the Gate Keepers are unable to stop the awakening of sleeper Invaders from all over Japan and the Shadow seizes control of the government! The fate of Japan rests on the shoulders of AEGIS, but even the HQ has been compromised. Only surprising revelations can provide the glimmer of hope necessary for survival!

Review
Gate Keepers, 24 episodes, spanning through 8 DVDs has finally come to an end. Pioneer Animation sure made us pay a lot for Gate Keepers, but I’d say it was worth it. Anyways, Ruriko was captured since last volume, but in this finale, Megumi uses her Gate powers to alter Ruriko’s Gate of Life into the Gate of Massacre! Shadow on the other hand is in complete control of the Invaders; even those 2 leader types that lost their body earlier in the series as a result from a fight with Ukiya and the Gate Robot.

In this volume, we see Shadow’s background. He’s had some rough times when he was a kid. Because of his Gate ability, he was able to predict the future. After his father died for not listening to him, he became an orphan, a homeless kid running around being harassed by adults; saying he was a jinx and kids didn’t want to play with him because they didn’t want him to read their minds. Things like this can really mess up a kids mind so parents please be aware! :P

Everything is revealed, the real reason why Ukiya’s father died and who’s love feelings to who. It’s all-cool in the mix, oh and how can we forget Bancho. He has some Gate power that’s similar to another Gate Keeper. Can you guess who? Finally, Gate Keepers did came to a good end and next up is Gate Keepers 21 OVA. It is completely different from the series.

The Breakdown
Great ending, I’m really looking forward to the OVA. Gate Keepers 21, based on a more modern time period (2000’s) and a whole new story, but Yukino is still there……..

Synopsis
Excel, secret agent and agent of disaster, and her trustworthy (although decidedly unhealthy) fellow agent Hyatt are back, and once again they’re out to conquer city of F for the glory of the secret ideological agency of ACROSS! Whether they’re up against murderous monkeys, possessed detectives, or men with excessively inflamed anuses, you can bet they’ll give it their all or die trying. In fact, you can usually bet on the latter. The most deranged duo to ever dangle their derrieres in the naked face of death returns in the almost all-new (contains 10% recycled material) and excruciatingly hilarious third volume of EXCEL SAGA!

Review
By the time you have reached volume three and if you still do not get the comedy in this series, then you might as well stop watching Excel Saga. I say that, because there is no way you will not laugh in this volume. I was constantly cracking up on the funny looking characters and as Excel did all her stupid things. ADV does a great job again with the menu of the DVD, although at times selecting options can be confusing.

Anyways, episode ten, we have an episode dedicated to Menchi and friends. The dog that understands the human language is finally deciding to get her freedom once and for all. When she got out of Excel and Hyatt’s apartment, she was looking for her old keeper. Things do not turn so well as Menchi gets picked on by a bully dog, then Wolf (a stray dog) saves Menchi and introduces her to other stray dogs that are in their little group. This episode displays friendship and betrayal, and in the end, Menchi finds her home (guess whose).

Next episode we have the cover feature. And the word of the episode is Binbou. Binbou is derived from Bean ball but also means poor in Japanese. What the hell? I was dying when I heard that name and saw the owner of the name. The dude needs a haircut badly as it can be a dangerous weapon when swung, but that is not as bad as when your coach has a big head and an anus problem. The whole objective of this episode is for Excel and Hyatt to be teachers in Excel’s school (Inu-nabe High School, the one Excel first appeared in and got hit by a truck once she got outside the gates). This episode is the funniest episode thus far. When Excel and Hyatt arrives to the classroom they were going to teach, and sees the students… I remember the haircut Onizuka got from his friend in volume one of the GTO manga; the old school Yakuza look. To better explain it I think it is called curly hair or something. What ever it is called, you should get the point that that hairstyle is not in style anymore, probably from the 80’s. After all the laughs, it all comes down to Monkey’s baseball team whose players are actual monkeys and the Dog’s baseball team whose players consists of Excel, Binbou and a bunch of nobodies. Who will win? Watch it and find out.

In episode twelve, a burglary occurs and Hyatt is taken hostage. As Excel tries to get her back, Pedro (the immigrant worker) is being drowned by “That Man” (guy in the white suit). He claims that Pedro took his girl, Ms. Will (the Great Will of Macrocosm). Hey! The City Security workers get more airtime in this episode. Cool! More Misaki! Errr… anyways this is an enjoyable detective episode, at times it becomes very funny. Such as, Hyatt “dying” and the burglars thought they killed her.

Lastly, we have, episode thirteen, an episode that Koshi Rikdo gave permission for it to be an Excel Saga “review episode.” Even though it is a review episode of Excel Saga so far. It still is hilarious. The English version of the Beauty theatre gave me the biggest laugh; runner up was Pedro the Movie. Looks like our three friends from the City Security did not get airtime again. How sad. That should wrap up this hilarious volume of Excel Saga; I cannot wait till volume four comes out!!!

The Breakdown
I have said this earlier, “By the time you have reached volume three and if you still do not get the comedy in this series, then you might as well stop watching Excel Saga.” If this really is the case then I said what I meant. ^_^

Synopsis
The shocking appearance of an alien version of the Nirvana crushes the Nirvana’s attack on an alien mother ship! As the battle continues, severe injuries to key personnel cause tempers to flare as the humans become more desperate. Then a valiant sacrifice inspires the crew’s resolve to challenge the aliens and leads to a new Vandread evolution! Meanwhile, the male-female tension continues to provide distractions and entertainment that helps the crew cope with their stressful situation.

Review
In volume two, Sacrifice, we get a lot of action from the Vandread crew. Episode five and six gives the background of Gascogne, a character that is sometimes neglected. As the crew was going through their normal routines, suddenly the enemy attacks and the fighters dispatch. After being dominated, they retreat back to the Nirvana for some talks. With Jura hurt, and everyone sad, Barnette questions Gascogne, then blames Hibiki, and Meia comes in and gives her mind to Hibiki.

Finally the enemy catches up with the Nirvana and attacks, with the crew sulking, they decide that they are going to fight back. With some success they continue, but Barnette gets into a little trouble, Gascogne, the stagehand saves her and then tries to take out the Vandread-Dita replica. Sacrificing herself, she takes it to the enemy’s mother ship. AHH!!! So many climatic moments, the crew, back in the Nirvana desperately tries to find Gascogne’s signal, but they could not detect anything.

The crew finally plans something out and uses Pyoro to do the job. After a few more scenes, we are introduced to Super Vandread or all the dreads combined with the vanguard. Overall volume two is good, it gives background of Gascogne and spices it up with action and dramatic moments. And when you are getting tired of all the action, we get a dose of a fun episode where Misty chases Hibiki around and Dita showing her emotions to Hibiki, but also at the same time the last episode of this volume shows why Misty do things she do and Hibiki’s feelings towards Dita! WoooHooo!

The Breakdown
Vandread: Turbulence is out now in Japan, check it out at CD Japan! I heard it was limited!

Synopsis
In the distant future… On a desert planet… There is a legendary gunman. His name is… Vash the Stampede. A gunslinger so dangerous, a $$60,000,000,000 reward has been placed on his head! Vash, also known as the Humanoid Typhoon, has been credited with the destruction of several towns, but miraculously, there is no record of him ever taking a life. However, only two things ever happen to those who catch up to Vash, they either crawl away wounded (mostly from self-inflicted damage), or they stagger away in disbelief that such a dork could possibly be the man they are looking for!

Review
v

The Breakdown
Trigun is an 8 DVD series, which is very costly, if you plan on buying this series do so on www.dvdplanet.com or www.dvdpricesearch.com, find a good place to order from. My recommendation goes to DVDPlanet though.

Synopsis
The first season is13 Episodes long. Battle of the sexes as I’ll call it. The beginning of the first episode already tells you what’s going on. Vandread is based in a universe where men and women are fighting against each other.

Review
Our main character Hibiki (Cosmoman) is a teenaged boy who has never seen a woman in his life, until the women attacked the men. He had an up close and personal look at a woman. And that’s where the story kicks off. Cosmoman and two other men were imprisoned, one is a doctor and one is the pilot of the battleship. Our Cosmoman of course is the robot pilot. The ladies pilots fighter planes, which are able to combine with Cosmoman’s robot one at a time. After the combination, the result is a super powerful piece of hardware. I think that sums up the series, you’ll probably hate me for cutting you off but go out and buy the series I recommend it to all anime fans that like shounen type series.

The Breakdown
The comedy and the girls kept me hooked, so I think if you are a guy, you’ll like it too. (I’m not saying that my anime sisters wouldn’t like Vandread though)

Synopsis
The discovery of a drifting escape capsule leads to new threats to the survival of the Nirvana, two new crew members and the secret to the aliens’ origin! The aliens continue to adapt themselves and attack the Nirvana in new ways. As the crew struggles against these developments the Nirvana itself undergoes a transformation and a tragedy causes the unthinkable - Bart grows up.

Review
*Sigh….* Once again I’ve ordered something that’s from Pioneer Animation that came without the things that were advertised. It happened with The Soul Taker and now with Vandread 2nd Stage. They didn’t give me my collectible cards that the case of Volume one stated that they were included! I hope Pioneer Animation’s collectible department fixes this or else I’m going to be a really ticked off customer. I’ve sent them an email a few days ago, no reply yet so errrrr… I’m really going to go off soon. What? Why? Because Vandread is one of my favorites. Enough with my problem, here I present to you the review of Vandread 2nd Stage volume one without my collectible cards :(

Vandread 2nd Stage is the sequel to Vandread 1st Stage (duh!), what’s different is that, the story is really going to kick off and new characters are introduced. They are Misty Cornwell, and Pyoro-2 (Erza’s baby)!!! The Earth wanted to harvest the others, because they have lost the ability to reproduce. By thinking that harvesting the others’ body parts they can create something that’s perfect. Our Nirvana of course won’t let them have it their way. Hibiki has more problems to face now that Misty likes him too. Jura wants to have a baby, the ‘real’ way, not with an Ohma. Pyoro-kun names Erza’s baby Pyoro-2. All these fun stuff happens in volume one, aside from fun stuff though, there are also, moments of sadness and climatic moments.

In episode one, it shows what goes up must come down. Just when it went to the ‘to die by the harvesters or to live’ situation. The show, shows the determination of Hibiki and how he believes that people should pursue to live instead of waiting to die (So true, Hibiki my brother ^_^). That’s one of the climatic moments for you, now for a sad moment. I can’t say it without spoiling so I’ll just say that Bart became more mature, because of this.

Closing statement: Pyoro-kun says, ‘Vandread is back and defending at a video dealer nearest you!’

The Breakdown
Vandread was the first work I’ve seen that was done by the good people at GONZO, ever since, I’ve been impressed every time another work of theirs is released. Vandread 2nd Stage continues the story of 1st Stage. So in order to see the real ending you must see 2nd Stage. NOTE: October 25, 2002, Vandread Turbulence is released in R2 and can be ordered at CD Japan.