Animesou.com

Synopsis
Mild mannered student Takashi Koyaman finds himself enrolled at Cromartie High, where everybody is a delinquent! Logically, therefore, he must be the toughest in his class - by the rather twisted logic that only a really tough rabbit would lie down with lions. Thus begins a story that parodies every cliché of tough-guy anime that you’ve ever heard of… and some you haven’t!

Review
There are titles that make you laugh by being stupid. There are titles that make you laugh by going crazy; something beyond stupid, in which I call trying too hard. And then come titles like Cromartie High School, where the comedy is just normal. Sure you probably would not see Mechazawa, a Gorilla or a horse riding Freddie in a school… or maybe you have already… Anyways with approximately fifteen minutes of each episode, the anime gets straight to the point by the main character Takashi Koyaman doing an introduction and then takes off from there.

You have probably heard about titles that are comedy, but when I watch a so called comedy, I separate them into the categories that I have stated above: Stupid, Crazy, and Normal. For stupid comedy, it is a comedy where like the name suggests, stupid things occur to induce laughter. Comedy like “stupid” gets lame quick and probably would not induce the equal amount of laughter after the second or third view. For crazy comedy, it is a comedy that just tries way too hard to make the viewers laugh. Doing crazy stunts and absurd activities will only induce a chuckle from me at most. After viewing a crazy comedy once, you will be sick of it, hence, the replay value is just nonexistent. Now finally, we get to the normal comedy, comedy that just exists and you will not even notice until it occurs. Normal comedy usually deserves a lot of play back value and Cromartie High School is in this category, because the dialogue hits you like a ninety seven mile per hour fast ball by Randy Johnson. Most of the dialogues are quick hitters that build up to a bigger laughter. And if by any chance you do not comprehend the simple delinquent dialogue, the fact that some of the characters may resemble you or some of your buddies at school might amuse you quite a bit.

The version I am reviewing is in English dub and I have to say I am amazed at the quality of it. I rarely say good things about dubs, but this one actually hits the spot like White Castle in Harold and Kumar. The “thug” jargon is nicely portrayed here. The way ADV Films fitted the words that you do not want your grandmother to hear in Cromartie is just absolutely great. You will most definitely have a blast hearing some of the stuff that gets said. The characters are whacky. The main character is a nerd, without being a nerd, a guy with hair that keeps flopping, Mechazawa, a character with a real identity crisis, Freddie the guy who looks like he belongs in a circus. The list just piles on and on. With so many unique characters, and an undeniable sense of great humor, Cromartie High School has a definite bright future.

The Breakdown
Cromartie High School manages to make me crack up almost every time something occurs on screen. Its way of making people happy is truly amazing.

Synopsis
This is one thankless job that won’t even pay the bills! Kondou Yuuko, Hijikata Toshie and Okita Kaoru are the daughters of Shinsengumi heroes trying to follow in their father’s footsteps as loyal guardian warriors, but times sure have changed. If their enemies don’t do the Mobile Shinsengumi in, this bumbling trio might just do the job themselves! Can they rescue their reputation along with the city? Find out as the Japan of the past goes to war with the present and these battling beauties take on the ghosts, goblins, and gods of yesteryear!

Review
Rumiko Takahashi. You know you have heard of that name somewhere before. The person behind works, such as, Ranma ½ and Inuyasha is now the character designer of this little fun title Moeyo Ken. At first, I was not interesting in Moeyo Ken; I just wanted to get it over with as soon as possible. But after taking a breather from anime for about two days, I went back and said that if I just skim through an anime, I would not do its justice. Hence, I went back from the beginning and watch it again. To my surprise, it was not bad going through it for a second time. You certainly begin to feel an appreciation for it. Moeyo Ken is by no means a smash hit, but it is not crap either. It will attract fans, because of the heroines, after that the show does boast an interesting concept, in that there is a bit of a futuristic theme to it within the Meiji Restoration era… I believe it is one of those old time periods :) (Alpha is not good with history :P).

So what kind of futuristic theme? Well the trio does drive around with these crazy rides; rides that look like were from another dimension. They also wear armor like Samurai Pizza Cats does when they cannot handle an opponent with just their plain swords. I did not like the cars and stuff, but hey, that is what makes it different from just another title about samurai women right? The character design by Rumiko Takahashi is as expected; wonderful. No wonder why her credentials are where it is at right now and no wonder why Stikz is absolutely obsessed about her. I swear, if she ever decides to show up in a New York anime convention, they better have elite security, because Stikz will plow right over them, just to get a hand shake or autograph. (Sorry brother man, I had to take a shot at you ^_^).

Moeyo Ken is not the type of anime title where you say to yourself that, “Dang, I have to own it!” It is more like a title where you watch it when you are bored or have nothing else better to watch. Those Rumiko Takahashi fans will run to buy this, but if you are a casual fan, renting it will most likely be your option. It does not mean that Moeyo Ken sucks; it just means that it is not on a level where a luxury becomes a necessity.

The Breakdown
Moeyo Ken probably would have been better off as a longer series, rather than a short one, as maybe then, things can be explained deeper and viewers will be able to hang onto it for a while.

Synopsis
A laugh-out-loud hilarious adventure from the studio behind Battle of the Planets and Speed Racer! Who has what it takes to be the baddest of the bad? It’s evil versus evil as teams of bad guys compete to be the meanest villains ever! Watch and laugh as the Dorombo Gang and their Kitchen Robot take on the worst of the worst in a wacky race to be the greatest villains in anime history! The only force that stands in their way are the superheroes of anime. Will the Gatchaman ninja arrive in time to save the day?

Review
An evil villains get together party. That is what Time Bokan is. While this show is a comedy, it never got my attention. It began boring and ended boring. The jokes were lame, probably due to the time era it was created and the time era in which I am reviewing. The animation is old school, so that did not help much in its appreciation value. I just cannot see a reason where a person will enjoy Time Bokan, and if that person does exist he or she needs to get their head examined. :P

So what is that bad about Time Bokan? How about the title, for starters? It is not a title name that you would pick up from the shelves to have a peek of it. Next up. Is the story, or lack there of. It is just a bunch of villains put together to have a competition in which I believe will determine who are the baddest out of the group. Oh, while they are at it, out of nowhere just toss in a cameo of Ken from Gatchaman, that will boost your ratings… NOT!

Time Bokan is just a waste of time, it maybe the worst investment of Central Park Media. The animation and sound are below par. The story is nonexistent and let us not talk about the replay value. The play value itself is nowhere to be found. It was much effort just to get through it the first time. So, save yourself the trouble, put a pass on this one.

The Breakdown
I have not seen something this bad for a while lol. :)

Synopsis
High school student Kazuki Shikimori comes from a line of powerful magicians with extraordinary DNA and he attends the most prestigious school for wizards in all of Japan. It would seem that life is good for Kazuki. Unfortunately, that couldn’t be further from the truth. He’s not the most smooth when it comes to the ladies, his grades are poor, his athletic skill is next to none, and to top it all off, he can only use his magic eight times before he turns into dust! However, three magical hotties have learned of his genetic secret and are all after him! Suddenly he has become the most “popular” kid in class. Are all these girls out to romance him, or are they only after his DNA?

Review
Kazuki Shikimori, an average high school kid with a not so average magical ability for Aoi Academy’s standards, is suddenly is approached by three hottest babes of the entire school. What can the biggest loser do, now that he is the biggest winner? Heck what can he do other than to dodge and hide? Anyways, this comedy has got to be one of the all time greats. From the start I liked the character interactions, the fluid animation and the music that this series boasts. The thing that was not so up to par was the English dub… it is just horrible how character names are pronounced, it seems so strange. It is enough to drive my head to the wall every time someone says a name. Other than that, the dub actually was good. I am no expert on dub since I usually do not watch anime with that feature, but I believe anyone would probably agree with me on that one :P.

The story commences with the girls all wanting Kazuki’s genes, so that their own family’s bloodline will become stronger with the child that will result. But Yuna on the other hand, has another motif, other than his genes. Kazuki and Yuna first met when they were children, during that meeting she made a promise to him that she will be her bride when the right time comes. And lucky her, when her family told her to go get Kazuki’s genes, she finds out that he was the boy that she had met and now for her, it is not about the genes, but rather the love for him.

I love shows like this. It gives me this weird sense of emotion that I cannot explain. Maybe I am just happy that I get to watch things like this (^_^). I have probably viewed Maburaho twenty to thirty times already since getting it in the mail from ADV Films. It is truly an amazing title that comedy goers should definitely look out for. Ecchi humor fans would also be grateful of Maburaho. And I know this might sound absurd to some of you, but I truly believe that this series definitely has the potential to top titles, such as, Ai Yori Aoshi and Love Hina, if it has not already in my heart.

The Breakdown
Maburaho is a series, such that, it brings a special warmth into your heart, a smile onto your face and a delightful experience for you to reminisce. All in all, you will fall in love.

Synopsis
Popotan is about a trio of sisters, Ai, Mai and Mii, who travel through time and space in search of the reason of their existence by following clues left only by the words of the Popotan (flowers) they encounter on their journey.

Review
Popotan starts out seeming like little more than an average anime. It has a bunch of girls with mysterious powers, each of whom fulfill a role that has been seen a million times before. There is the older sister who acts like the kind mother, the middle sister who is of course the emotional teenager and the youngest sister who is cute, happy and energetic. Despite these cliches, by the end-through surprisingly deep character development that is slowly and with subtlety revealed over the twelve episodes-the story comes through in a way that is powerfully emotional and rewarding. The viewer becomes completely attached to the characters.

The Breakdown
Popotan succeeds in being an emotional and enjoyable drama.

Synopsis
Like all girls her age, Hibari Hanakoganei covets the latest fashion in mechanical pets – a PataPi to call her own! But when a strange White Prince provides one, she becomes the target of an equally mysterious Black Prince who plots to steal the prized pet. It’s PataPi Densuke to the rescue, however, transforming into a powerful Diva who bears a striking resemblance to Hibari herself! With astonishing battle agility, Densuke proves to be no ordinary child’s toy! Hibari’s not the only one with a PataPi of extraordinary powers, and despite an unlikely friendship, she joins forces with others to form the Cyber Team! Together they will solve the riddle of the Black Prince – or will his flock of nefarious cohorts put an end to the dynamic divas of Akihabara?

Review
Watching Cyber Team in Akihabara is like having a bunch of wild chickens running around with their heads chopped off; in other words, it does not know which direction it is heading. Is it a shounen title, a shoujo title or a mixture? The three female lead characters make it shoujo, the little bit of ecchi humor makes it shounen. Okay… maybe it is a mixture, but I seriously believe that if it was only one single category it would have been better, as the show is not entertaining. It lacks focus in various areas, such as, the story and the characters.

The show gets repetitive, which makes it distasteful. The way these girls transform their PataPi’s become so annoying over time. Especially Hibari, who just screams out “Noooooooo!!!” The worst part of Cyber Team in Akihabara is that it is listed as a comedy, but I did not find myself to even chuckle to the comedic segments of the show. Let us move onto the story. What is it? All I attained from watching it was there was this girl who dreamed of a prince and the prince gives her a PataPi and then things start to happen. Comon, give us something much more than that in five episodes. At least go into who that prince is or what is the purpose of the evil organization. I feel that I was being hung out dry on a clothesline and after episode three, continuing watching was just an obligation. It was not a fun experience at all.

On the back of the DVD cover states, “This isn’t child’s play!” But seriously, Cyber Team in Akihabara will only appeal to children. Every aspect of this show seems to be aimed towards children. Maybe this series will become better later on, but as of this instance, volume one, it is just not worth your time and money. Go move onto other better ADV Films titles, since they have a large selection of products anyways.

The Breakdown
If you want to see a series with an average story and three twelve year old girls, whom all battle evil with their fighting capable gadgets. Then this is the title for you, if not, stay away.

Synopsis
Being a teenager is rough enough, but young Daisuke’s got more troubles than any ten normal guys. Due to a strange quirk of genetics, Daisuke’s been cursed with an ancient family affliction that’s sure to put some major kinks in his relationship with the opposite sex. You see, whenever he becomes… enamored… with the object of his desires, Daisuke finds himself transformed into the legendary thief Phantom Dark! Unfortunately, the only way to return to his true form is for his true love to love Daisuke for himself; but when she’s only got eyes for Dark, how can Daisuke compete with himself? Stealing the heart of one’s true love has never been as complicated… or intriguing… as in The Dawn of Dark, the first scintillating volume of DNAngel!

Review
Approximately five months upon viewing D.N. Angel volume one, “The Dawn of Dark,” I was recommended by a friend to read the manga. He said that one of his friends was crazy about it. My reaction at first? “Yeah right.” But after viewing this first volume, I completely understand why his friend was crazy about this series. It is very smooth. Everything just works out so nicely. Nowhere would you be like… uh… I got to check that out again to understand it.

The story is wrapped around a boy who was born into a family where all the males inherit the “Dark” gene. That is, the gene that will transform the person to Dark, the phantom thief. This sounds like a bad thing initially, as we all associate things that are dark to be evil. In this case, it is actually an opposite. Dark steals the artwork to seal off its evil powers. Krad, the angel looking dude, on the other hand seems to be the bad guy who tries to stop Dark anyway he can. So there you have it, a part of the story that is. The other part of the story is quite astonishing, hence be sure check that out yourself!

This series has a lot to offer. I especially like the “no fluff” approach. Where there are hardly any useless scenes displayed. The animation is impressive. There is not an overly excessive use of CGs. Overall, D.N. Angel is a pretty complete package. It gives you everything you should expect from a top notch anime title, from comedy to action, action to story, and story to character development. This nifty title also contains great sounds that will surely grasp your undivided attention! In addition an extra bonus is that this volume alone contains four amazing episodes, what better deal can you ask for really for $29.98? A collector’s box edition is also available, look around for the best deal you can. I saw a good deal at DVDPlanet for only $27.97.

The Breakdown
If you want a title with a great story, nice characters, amazing animation and adequate comedy, then this baby is for you. Go get it now!

Synopsis
Meet Narue, an adorable schoolgirl with a secret. She’s really an alien with powers right out of a sci-fi comic! But growing up is never easy, and sometimes it doesn’t help when you’re from outer space. Join our spunky heroine as she faces androids, alien invaders, and her first date with the boy next door. It’s the sci-fi comedy that’s a direct hit to your heart!

Review
Before I get to the review, I would just like to say that, whatever you have heard that is positive about “The World of Narue” is true, and anything you heard that is negative is false. Now that I got that off my chest here it goes. The show starts out strange. It has the make up of another battle in one episode, calm breeze the next. Surprisingly the actions that took place in the first episode were just to set up for all the story development throughout the show. It was very smart, the pieces connected well. There were no breaks and it was addicting; so addicting that I would have loved if the series would have gone further than twelve episodes, but even with twelve episodes, “The World of Narue” still does not fail to impress!

Our main character, or main focus is a girl named Narue Nanase. She begins the show as a loner. The tone of her voice, and her actions all represent a person who wants nothing from anyone. That is, until she saves Kazuto Iizuka from a space ninja who disguised himself as a cute little puppy. Her weapon of choice reminds me of someone; I can not seem to recall who. Oh wells. Anyways, when Kazuto gathers himself from what had happened, he uses some lame excuse just so he can talk to Narue. And that is how it all starts. Yeah, I am bad at story telling :P.

“The World of Narue” is fun. Every minute spent was well worth it. I loved the fact that while watching this series, I was able to put all my thoughts aside and focus on the show itself. I did not have to think about anything else but what was going to happen next on the television. Now I understand why “The World of Narue” made such a big commotion within the fans. It certainly is a great piece, in which everyone could enjoy and surely a direct hit to your heart!

The Breakdown
I am glad that I was able to experience such an amazing anime. Is it time for Narue 2? :)

Synopsis
Full Metal Panic is an exciting story about a girl named Kaname Chidori, who is under the protection of a secret organization called Mythril because of a power that exists within her that she does not even know about (and which I will not reveal the details of in this review). Sgt. Sagara Sousuke is assigned to protect her from any threats that would take advantage of her power, so he soon finds himself acting as a student in Chidori’s high school. The problem is Sousuke, who having been raised in a pure military environment, has no idea of how to behave in a school. So it’s up to Chidori to knock some sense into him, and I mean that in a completely literal sense.

Review
Full Metal Panic is a cross-genre anime that can literally be called just about anything you can think of. Action, Drama, Mech, Comedy, Romance and even Horror at times. Episodes that take place on campus are quite humorous, dealing with the developing relationships between Chirodi and her friends and Sousuke. Then there are the action packed episodes when things get dangerous. The danger spawns romance, and the resolution of conflict brings the story full circle and back to school where it once again goes into comedy mode. It all makes for excellent pacing.

The story itself is very interesting, with a lot of very likable characters, and one very mean bad guy who fills his role too well. I hate that man. … Anyway, the story never loses momentum throughout the 24 episodes, and if anything you will wish for more episodes when it is over (fortunately you can spend more time with the characters in Full Metal Panic: Fumoffu).

The Breakdown
Put Full Metal Panic at the top of your list. It is that good. What are you still reading for? Go! Watch! Now!

Synopsis
Fumoffu fumoffu, ‘Fumo fumomo? Fumoffu’ fumomomoffu! (The new anime series, ‘Full Metal Panic? Fumoffo’ is an exciting new comedy!)

Review
Full Metal Panic? Fummofu is exactly what fans of Full Metal Panic! wanted. More time to spend with all of their favorite characters. Gone are the dramatic conflicts of the original series. Instead, the fans are treated to a series of self-contained short stories that are creatively written, and downright hysterical. Could this be the funniest comedy of 2003?

The Breakdown
This is the perfect anime if you’re in the mood for a laugh. Fumoffu! (Watch it!)

It’s too short, by the way…