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Synopsis
Whooo-hoooo! I couldn’t wait to do a review of my all time favorite anime Ranma 1/2. But with as much heartfelt joy I feel for this series, I just don’t know how to rate it. This is another reason why Rumiko Takahashi is my idol. The series is just so huge I don’t know where to start. Okay, how ’bout from the beginning.

Review
The time has come for Soun Tendo to set an engagement with his old friend Genma Saotome’s son Ranma so they can take over the family dojo and carry on the Anything-Goes Martil Arts name. Ranma has the choice of any one of Soun’s daughters, Kasumi, Akane, and Nabiki. The girls pick the somewhat unwilling Akane to be his bride. That’s it! Go buy it now it’s great. Wait; wait if that’s what the whole story is about then why would I hold this as the greatest anime of all time? Because it’s not that simple. You see Ranma and his father, Genma, went on a martial arts training mission in China. The area was cursed and the springs (water holes) that were in the area transform the unlucky swimmer into whoever or whatever drowned there hundred’s of years ago.

Genma changed into a giant panda, and Ranma…he changed into a beautiful, young girl. Not permanently though. Only when they’re splashed with cold water do they tranform into their alter egos. Hot water reverts them back to normal…until next time. The box set of season 1 is available now. It’s called the Ranma 1/2 TV: Digital Dojo DVD Box Set (TV series vol. 1-9). I won’t go into it and give away the story okay? I’ll just tell you what characters appeared during the run.
TV series (episodes 1-18):

With the introduction of the Tendo’s, the Soatome’s, Kuno, my favorite supporting character Ryoga, Kodachi-the Black Rose, and the ultra cute Shampoo. This is my favorite season, thus far, of Ranma 1/2. (Note: Girl-type Ranma’s voice was changed after the third volume.) Japanese and English dialogues (I enjoy the dub, thank you ^_^) Not much on the extras side. Just one bonus video. Hopefully, in later box releases, Viz will improve in that area.

The Breakdown
Finally, one of the most popular anime to hit the U.S. is available in a box set! After spending unheard of amounts of money on the VHS tapes, I’m glad that Viz is churning out the DVDs. It’s about time. The art on the box isn’t the best, but it’s what’s inside that counts. And what’s inside is gold to almost any animefan! I’m going back to china now!

Synopsis
Five years past, a band of six adventurers defeated the conquering armies of Marmo, the dark island, and saved the accused island, LODOSS. Since that day, the survivors have been honored as heroes, and their deeds have become legends. But the darkness never perished… Now, a mad wizard threatens to raise an ancient evil — the goddess of destruction. Old heroes must heed the call to defend their homeland and new heroes are forged as the battle for LODOSS begins anew.

Review
After 5 years since the release of Record of Lodoss War OVA. This TV series was born. Although Parn is featured in this series, he’s not the main character this time.
Spark, a knight in training was sent out to retrieve the Soul Crystal ball, the stolen treasure of Flaim.

As he is on his journey with his team, the daughter of Slayn and Leylia, Neese was following them. She is the doorway to resurrecting Kardis the Destroyer. A lot goes on and more of Neese’s background is revealed.

Wagnard the Dark Wizard’s intentions were also shown. He wants to resurrect Kardis the Destroyer so that he can be a Necromancer and forever be the king of the dead Lodoss.

ROLW still kept that RPG formula. Action to story development and to action.

In this series, I really got what ROLW is about. When I saw the OVA series, I didn’t know what was going on. In conclusion, I enjoyed this series very much, and have my friend that lend me the box set to thank ^_^.

The Breakdown
Record of Lodoss War is an RPG based anime, magic, and sword fighting, this shows got it all in its genre.

Synopsis
Rurouni Kenshin is one of the best sword swingers there are! No doubt about it. Based in the Meiji Era period where sword carrying is illegal.

Review
A wandering samurai appears with his reversed blade sword (Sakaba) and meets a girl name Kaoru and as the series goes on, more people join the Kenshin gang. This TV series has 95 episodes! Although I bought all 95 episodes, I still haven’t finished it. This series has its own uniqueness. It combines action with love and then comedy. Very enjoyable! So it’s a definite recommendation.

The Breakdown
The Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu is just so cool, I love the succession move (Something Hirameki). Rurouni Kenshin is the best swinger with love and comedy!

Synopsis
Meet Eikichi Onizuka, a 22-year-old virgin and ex-biker. He’s crude, foul-mouthed, and has a hair-trigger temper. His goal: to be the greatest high school teacher in the world. Unfortunately, the only teaching job available is at Holy Forest Academy (no certification requiered) There he uses his street smarts to deal with colleagues and students alike. GTO is the runaway hit from Japan based on the hugely popluar manga series by Tohru Fujisawa. The finale of the live action version of GTO was the most watched TV program ever in Japan.

Review
When I first heard about GTO, I thought it was something to do with cars, simply because of the Mitsubishi GTO and such. Turns out that GTO is about a man who was in a biker gang and later on left it to fulfill his dream to become a high school teacher. Of course this task isn’t going to be easy with the troublesome kids that play pranks on their teachers.

Overall, this is a pretty enjoyable series. I liked the values it taught. Onizuka has made an impact on his students, students who hated him at first, later on liked him as a teacher because of the things he did to get them out of trouble or the things he did to stop bad students continue doing their bad things (Getting his biker gang to teach those kids a lesson ^_^). I’d recommend the Japanese Drama series more than the anime series though. I just think, the Jdrama and the anime series both are similar in ways but the Jdrama is live which was, obviously, more realistic.

The Breakdown
GTO, Get iT Otherwise you’re missing out on an excellent dose of Anime. TokyoPOP has licensed GTO and it is currently available in both Manga and Animation.

Synopsis
First off, this is a Gundam Series in which the mecha’s actually get damaged.
Gundam Wing to 08th MS Team comparison: GW had gundams that could take bullets and beam rifles. If you were gunned down in MS Team then you’re dead.

Review
08th MS Team shows how Gundam works. (Nuclear powered) The Gundams and MS in this anime are as follows: RX-79, Zaku I, II, Gouf, GM, Mobile Armors, and the EZ-8. There’s a love story where (no spoilers, watch it and find out) Anyway, war between the two groups breaks out and that’s about it.

The Breakdown
Although my favorite U.C. Gundam series is 0083 Stardust Memory. 08th is another good experience. Stick to AC if you like invincible Gundams. If you’re that ‘I’ll watch anything as long as it’s about Gundams’ type, go buy the series and watch it if you haven’t already

Synopsis
A secret war brews in the night - a war where humanity is only a pawn. The Hellsing Organization deploys in the shadows to protect the mortal world. But now, artificially spawned vampires have appeared, forcing Hellsing to call in their ultimate weapon - the rogue vampire, Arucard! After he transforms the dying Seras Victoria into a vampire, they join forces to combat the undead army - as well as her own newfound hunger…

Review
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The Breakdown
Hellsing is good to turn to when you need something a little dark. A vampire based anime other than Vampire Hunter D, Blood, etc.

Synopsis
Arucard and the Hellsing Organization face a twofold challenge! A traitor within begins leaking classified information about the Organization - and a TV journalist is out to expose Hellsing’s secret mission! Then, the ruthless Valentine Brothers lead their undead army on a deadly raid against the Hellsing headquarters, interrupting the secret Round Table meeting…

Review
Welcome back to another review of Hellsing. In volume two, a lot of things happen, but to me they all seem unimportant. The only part where I was stunned was when Arucard finally showed what he could really be and do.

Seras also was a looker (nothing naughty). In Episode 6, Seras was cooking; she was decapitating the ghouls that were slaves of the Valentine Brothers. Walter on the other hand had a few tricks up his sleeve, not only can he make killer weapons, but he also is a silent killer. Anyways, this volume didn’t have that spark like volume one did. Visuals are of course amazing, but the story just wasn’t enough. One episode, about a traitor who nobody (us) really care about and two episodes dedicated to the Valentine Brothers who were just there to show us what Arucard, Seras, Walter and Integral Hellsing was about. Also this volume displays the coward ness of the Hellsing world, after the dialogues given by the members of the Round Table.

The Breakdown
Hellsing Vol.2 is cool, if you get the limited edition with the Hellsing patch that’s awesome, but the three episodes in volume two, isn’t all that good though.

Synopsis
Hikaru no Go is one of those anime that make people assume its for kids (just like people assuming Gamecube is for kids) Talking about assuming let me educate you on one thing about the word “assume.” Take your time and separate the word. As I was taught assuming anything isn’t good and assume makes up a sentence, which roughly breaks up to “You’re making an ASS out of U and ME!” Now I got that off my chest…

Review
HnG is about an elementary school student named Hikaru. One day he finds a Go board in the basement of his grandfather’s house. This is when a spirit possesses Hikaru’s head. And soon Hikaru was taught how to play Go (an ancient time Chinese board game, which kind of or is what Othello is now). Don’t start thinking that this is a boring series. HnG isn’t all about Go, it also is about friendship between Hikaru and Sai (the spirit), rivalry, and competition. HnG has the concept of present life style, which makes it unique!

The Breakdown
The idea of HnG is cool, it teaches people an ancient game that was played to pass time back in the Ming dynasty (or more back). If you have no other anime titles to watch, you might want to check HnG out in the mean time.

Synopsis
Pressure is high for Yukino Miyazawa to succeed, to be loved by all, and to be simply… the best. After working so hard to become the top student at her school, a new competitor has arrived to tumble her from her self made pedestal: Souichirou Arima. The instant she met him, she hated him. He topped her every effort without even trying. Now Yukino is putting her hard work into plotting her revenge, but was love part of the plan?
Alpha adds: Please note Kare Kano is the name of His and Her Circumstances in Japan.

Review
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The Breakdown
This is a great series! As it was stated in the Director’s Notes, Kare Kano is *unexpected*. I agree with the director, because I didn’t hear about Kare Kano until Stikz mentioned it in one of those polls he made on the boards. Hey I guess this can be another series that I can have fun watching as I wait for GTO and as I watch GTO I won’t be bored out of my mind waiting for Kare Kano J.

Synopsis
Initial D 1st Stage, 2nd Stage, and 3rd Stage: Lets start off by knowing what INITIAL D stands for shall we? Initial D - Initial Drive: Initial is the beginning of a word or something so when it all comes together, Initial D stands for the beginning to drive. Exactly what the series is about. This anime shows you how technology is used in anime and as newer technology is produced the better the quality is. OK…, You’re probably confused right now, but if you have seen the series you’ll know what I’m talking about. If you haven’t see the series then I’ll explain what I’m talking about in the review.

Review
1st Stage - First off, any Import cars fan will love this anime and if you’re not an import cars fan then you’ll not enjoy this anime as much as the people that are. The story starts off with this dude named Takumi Fujiwara. He’s a high school student and a part time worker at a gas station. At first Takumi, didn’t like to race or should I say he had no idea what was the point of racing. After his first race with his father’s customized Toyota AE86 Trueno (Thunder in Spanish) he was being hooked to racing little by little. As the story goes on its about his racing to find himself. Personally I loved the last race the RX-7 FC against the AE86, because its the last race for the 1st season (stage)

2nd Stage - A continuation of the 1st Stage, still Takumi has a 0 loss record, but now a new racing team has formed known as EMPEROR, of course they want to beat Takumi and … (can’t spoil the races). Any way that’s almost it for 2nd Stage.

3rd Stage - Is known as ‘The Movie’. This is the best out of all the Initial D’s. It’s the final chapter to Takumi’s quest to find himself through racing. The main race in 3rd Stage is the MR2 and the AE86. After that race Takumi finally showed his love for Natsuki Mogi (the main female character in Initial D). The quality of the 3D CGs are the best (after all its the last chapter for Takumi) Also Ryousuke Takahashi (driver of the RX-7 FC) has made a new racing team formed by the best of the best racers and he asked Takumi if he wanted to join…(hehe, getting annoyed?). OK, 3rd Stage is the best out of the 3 Stages, I know you’ll say, ‘What happened to Extra Stage?’ Well I didn’t see it because its about the girls that drove the Sil 80. I’ll see it once I have a chance to get it and write a review for it too. Until then here are the scores for all the Initial D’s.

The Breakdown
I can’t make you watch any thing, but it’s good to try out new things once in a while.