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Synopsis
A boy sacrifices himself before what seems to be an unbeatable monster, many levels ahead of his own. All becomes dim and gray. A sudden fear comes over him as he realizes he can no longer move his body. He cries for help. A mysterious girl in white raiment says these words: ‘You must not die.’ She revives him and bestows a powerful bracelet on his wrist. ‘If you use Data Drain you can defeat him. The only one who can save The World is you - the one to continue the legend of the dot hackers.’

Review
Hack//Dusk or officially titled Hack//Legend of Twilight’s Bracelet is a 12-episode sequel to the Dot Hack video games and the first anime series Hack//Sign. The anime is about a junior high school student, Shugo, and his younger twin sister Rena who have both won a Limited Character Campaign to play as the legendary heroes Kite and Black Rose respectively. Because their parents are divorced, they use this opportunity to spend time with each other, even if it is in a fake virtual environment.

The Breakdown
Few sequels have ever surpassed their originals. However, Hack//Legend of Twilight’s Bracelet does just that.

Synopsis
Twenty-two years ago, a cataclysmic earthquake destroyed the Kanegawa region of Japan and threw the country into choas. The damagaed region was abandoned and labeled the ‘Muraji Special Economic District,’ more commonly known as the Lost Ground. After the earthquake, the Lost Ground became home to a rising number of Alter Users, those with the psychic ability to change matter and create Alters (think summons, like from Final Fantasy) with unique powers. Two percent of anyone born on the Lost Ground obtain these powers for some unknown reason. To keep the Lost Ground under control, the special police force HOLD was created. Within it is an anti-Alter unit, HOLY, which was formed to combate the renegade Native Alters in the Lost Ground.

None of this really matters to Kazuma, a Native Alter who uses his powerful alter, Shell Bullet, in his search for money and thrills. But when Kazuma runs into the oppressive HOLY, he is forced into fighting for the freedom and safety of those he cares about. Unfortunately, a powerful Alter user in HOLY’s group, Ryuho, is just to much for Kazuma to handle…

Review
And with that very long synopsis, the review! Right. Anyway, I’d been anticipating this show for quite a long time, since it had finished airing in Japan, in fact. It sounded like a new era DBZ-style show but shortened with to 26 episodes and does not spend it’s time on useless power levels and long stares. And that does hold true. So far, the show has almost no filler and is filled with stylish fights aplenty including some interesting alter powers. Kazuma is an interesting hero, trying to act tough but merely coming off as a helpful guy. It’s Ryuho who is more interesting. He has a dark, messed up past, he’s changed in the 7 years he’s been seperated from his love interest (oh, who by the way, has come back to the Lost Ground), and doesn’t really want to do anything with anybody. He’s got a big chip on his shoulder. The characters, despite what other reviews may tell you, do in fact get a good bit of character development, in these 5 episodes anyway. You learn quite a bit about each characters past and idiosyncrasies, and I have to tell you, some of these Alter users are funny.

Anyway, the story is interesting, the characters fun, and there are no useless filler episodes. Another plus is the rather nicely choreographed fights and the dialogue doesn’t grate on the nerves. Good stuff.

The Breakdown
Let’s see. The story, characters, animation, and so forth are in excellent shape. On the other hand, the music isn’t great, there are one to many characters (and some are rather bland and useless) and the story moves a bit to fast in this first volume. With that in mind, you make the choice. What do I recommend? If you have some spare cash lying around, use it to buy this and give it a try, but it’s not an absolute must-own.

Synopsis
Onegai Twins is a story about a young man named Kamishiro Maiku who, after losing his parents, is living alone. That is until two girls, Miyafuji Miina and Onodera Karen, show up at his front door, each claiming to be his twin sister. They each share a common photograph of a boy and a girl playing together, but they don’t know whether the girl is Karen or Miina. Because either of those girls could be related to him, Maiku allows them both to move in, and they all become close friends. The story takes a twist in a bizarre direction however, when both of the girls discover they have feelings for Maiku, and are each secretly hoping to be the girl that is not related to him.

Review
Let’s face it; we are dealing with very taboo themes here. Incest is not a subject to be taken lightly, and yet in Onegai Twins it is practically thrown in your face. Both girls like a man who may or may not be their brother. It’s just weird. Beyond that, there is a male character that is constantly hitting on Maiku, which just adds to the bizarre storyline. The characters are drawn and animated in a very cute style, so if young kids watch this show, their parents may be shocked to find out what kind of content is hidden behind those smiling faces. Every single one of the twelve episodes contains a scene in which Miina and Karen share a bath, and while it is not incredibly detailed, there is still a heck of a lot of skin on display.

Putting all that aside however, the overall storyline of Onegai Twins is not that bad. It contains themes of love, friendship, and family, and often reaches very strong emotional levels. Unfortunately, I found that the absurdity of the whole situation prevented me from taking those moments very seriously.

Onegai Twins is technically the second part of the series, Onegai Teacher. Most of the cast of the original anime appear at various moments throughout Onegai Twins. What I couldn’t help but to wonder was, why? Aside from Ichigo Morino, those characters played very small roles in the storyline, and didn’t seem to serve much of a purpose. It was nice for nostalgia’s sake, but when it came down to it, the new cast really had no business mixing with the old cast. It’s like they were just thrown together for the sake of profiting off of the title.

When all is said and done, Onegai Twins leaves a strong impression of mediocrity. It certainly isn’t bad by any means, but is also never comes close to the quality of Onegai Teacher.

The Breakdown
Onegai Twins truly lacks a backbone. The overall storyline simply is not strong enough to support a great anime. However, it is still strangely entertaining, despite its weirdness. It won’t greatly impress you, but it certainly won’t bore you either.

Synopsis
We learned about it while watching the news about the UFO (Mizuho-sensei from episode 1 or Mizuho’s mother in episode 13, Onegai Teacher OVA). What caught our attention wasn’t the news itself, but the scenery that was being shown on the TV. That same house which only we recognized through a photo…
I wanted to take a chance.
I wanted to stay there.
I wanted to discover my childhood memories.
That’s why…that’s why…that’s why…

Review
Onegai Twins (Please Twins, hmm sounds awkward) is the 12-episode sequel to Onegai Sensei that aired from July to October 2003. It was one of the most requested and downloaded series with a large fan following although anime reviewers have frequently shot it down. It is not really a true continuation or second season to Onegai Sensei like how Slayers and Slayers Next, Orphen and Orphen Revenge, or Ai Yori Aoshi and Ai Yori Aoshi Enishi are connected. Onegai Twins takes place two years after Onegai Sensei and features a brand new storyline and lead characters. I still recommend watching Onegai Sensei first due to the references to events that took place in Sensei and the returning characters and cameos.

The Breakdown
Ending the review with the last line of the series: Now and Forever Twins!

Synopsis
The Landing, Day 81, First Season, Year 172
Official announcement by the Crown Prince of the Abh: ‘I’d like to begin by outlining the nature of the relationship between our Empire and you. Firstly, my will and that of the Empire are one and the same. At least as far as you are concerned. Our nobility will first survey your systems. For the time being, our Emperor will be your lord. Needless to say, our Emperor has numerous duties so a magistrate will be appointed to your system. In any case, a ruler or magistrate normally does not get involved in the details. The reason for this is that we feel governing your world is the furthest thing from being elegant.’

Day 87, First Season, Year 172
The Martine Government surrenders to the Abh Empire. As a compromise, the President made a request that would allow the citizens of the Hyde system to make use of the routes to other star systems on the condition that the Abh be given the codes to the Space Defense System. President Rock Lin will rule their star system as magistrate.

Review
Based on the novels by Hiroyuki Morioka, Seikai no Monsho (Crest of the Stars) takes place seven years after the surrender of the Martine Government. Jinto Lin, son of Rock Lin, departs for the capital in order to attend the official Abh Star Forces military school. Elf like but far from harmless, the Humanoid Abh Empire extends to over 1,500 inhabited star systems and another 20,000 partially inhabited star systems. Due to genetic manipulation, they are able to live for 200 years, are characterized by their blue hair, and both men and women are equally beautiful. Mysterious, they are more concerned with controlling space rather than directly ruling the planets themselves. They are as they say it themselves the kin of the stars. In other words, they are the crest of the stars. By one definition, they are the head, the top, or the highest point of the mountain known otherwise as the universe. Jinto has yet to met an Abh. That is until now.

The Breakdown
A strong science fiction series. Not overly romantic, while not weighing heavily on interstellar conflict.

Synopsis
At the end of Crest of the Stars was a sneak peak into Banner of the Stars. Sporh is promoted to Admiral of the First Fleet of the Abh Star Forces. Jinto finishes his schooling and achieves the rank of supply officer, while Lafiel is now the commander of the assault ship Barsroil. The war that was started in year 952 with a surprise attack by the United Mankind is full underway as both sides mobilize their strength.

Review
Based on the novels by Hiroyuki Morioka, Seikai no Senki (Banner the Stars I, Banner of the Stars I, even Battle Flag of the Stars I) takes place three years after the events of Crest of the Stars. The Barsroil, consisting of crew without any battle experience, is famous for a strange reason: the presence of two nobles on a ship at the same time. One is Captain Abrial Nei Dobrusk Baron Paryunu Lafiel (how’s that for a title), the princess of Abh. The other is Lin Syonu Rock Prince of Hyde, Jinto. Banner of the Stars is a suitable title for the sequel. A banner is a flag, some piece of cloth, used by a monarch or commander in wartime. Lafiel possesses both qualities, is captain and in line to be empress one day. Her banner is a hornet, which she hangs proudly on the bridge representing her ferocity and her relentlessness to sting the enemy. Her second banner is Jinto that she also carries wherever she goes, who symbolizes her compassionate and dignified side. Jinto is the only one who can refer to Lafiel by her first name, the only candidate who can cheer and restore confidence in her, the only person who can put her at ease.

The Breakdown
For completions sake, Banner of the Stars I is worth the investment. Some sequels like Slayers Next and Slayers Try do a remarkable job. Banner doesn’t quite do that.

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
The alien attacks continue, and the elite force known as FUNERAL are called out to defend earth again and again. Tensions rise as both Ryu and Dan dislike one another and come to blows. Then comes the added problem of using a child to help FUNERAL, and the team is guilt-ridden. And then…we delve into someone’s forgotten past.

Review
I really enjoyed the first volume of 5 episodes. Mysterious, intriguing, and excellent characters help to propel this series above many others I’ve seen this year. This volume strengthens that argument. This is another excellent 5 episodes, with more subtle hints of things to come, and some much-needed explanation to help forego the last volumes huge confusion factor. The characters are more fleshed out, Frank is given much more screen time, and everything is starting to fall into place.

The Breakdown
What can I say? I’m commited. This show is breathtaking. I love it and there aren’t enough adjectives to use to explain how much I’m enjoying each volume of this show. It’s brimming with intrigue, style, and a good story to boot. Not to mention Ryu Soma is now starting to  doub his thirst for revenge…

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
A boy regains consciousness and finds himself lying on the sticky floor of what appears to be the insides of a monster. Dazed, a girl named Mimiru kindly greets him. Irritated, he suddenly teleports away from her, but more visitors, the Scarlet Knights, confront him. Claiming to be the guardians against evil, they question him about a cat-like character that has been seen around him. Evading them, only to meet Mimiru once again, he nonchalantly attempts to log out completely. Here is where it all goes wrong…

Review
The current generation of video games today applied to role playing are what are classified as MMORPG, standing for Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game.Instead of playing by yourself at home or occasionally if you have extra controllers with a couple of friends or relatives over, one is able to experience an environment amidst millions of other users, all interacting, all playing the same game from any country on the planet. It is dynamic in the sense that it a virtual recreation of the real world. You are able to talk to people, even develop to the extent of a relationship with fellow players. The feelings and personality of that person are reflected in the character that they play. But you must remember that it is all just a game, a form of entertainment. Now imagine being trapped in this virtual world where it is no longer a game. Every beating moment of it is real. The name of the boy described above is Tsukasa, and his situation is just that.

The Breakdown
A combination of the two best things in the world, anime and video games.