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Synopsis
Going into Kite I had know idea of what to expect. I didn’t hear anything about it. After viewing it, I can’t understand how this title managed to stay so low-key. A young girl by the name of Sawa, is witness to the brutal murder of her parents. She was taken in by the detective assigned to her case. She was then trained to become a lethal assassin, taking justice into her own hands. There, that’s simple to follow right? Yes! But that’s not all! There’s soooo much more I just can’t talk about without fear of ruining this action packed roller coaster ride.

Review
Kite features some of the most entertaining gun fights this side of a John Woo film. It’s simply amazing! If you’ve seen the colorful No Doubt video, ‘Ex-Girlfriend’ and you remember that bathroom fight, then know that that scene came from this movie. OK, we know the action is top-notch, but what about the rest? The characters were pretty drab and depressing (sorta like anti-social walking dead) I guess crazy assassins may have a valid reason for there anti-sociality so I’ll let that one slide this time. (plus we only have to wade through about 15 minutes of boring conversation before another superb action scene hits) You’ve got to see this if not only for the shocking conclusion. (No really…you will be shocked)

The Breakdown
It’s official! The term go fly a kite can mean something cool now.

Synopsis
Serial Experiments Lain, what is it you ask? It is a very complicated thing. A series that takes everything that the mind cannot fully understand and somehow weaves itself into a story is what best describes it. You see the story begins as a young girl discovers that she is no longer needed in the real word so she doesn’t need her body. She commits suicide and her spirit journeys into the wired (an area of the Internet). Let’s take a trip on Lain’s (the main character) Navi (her computer) through the wired and try to figure what exactly is real and what is fake.

Review
As the wired starts merging with the real world, you will find out just how confused you can get. The animation is top of the line and the character design reminds me a little of El-Hazard (have you seen that yet?). I would categorize this series with Ghost in a Shell and Akira just for the amount a confusion it’s brings. If you like those titles you’ll like Lain. What ‘SEL’ lacks in the action department (if your looking for gratuitous violence, it’s here, but just not because of a fight), it makes up for in compelling story telling.

The Breakdown
I do recommend Serial Experiments Lain to anyone who likes to think. Lain will tease your brain and make you insane.

Synopsis
Love Hina, is about Keitaro, some dude who made a promise with this girl way back when they where still little kids. The story continues from the flash back. The promise is that they both will get into Tokyo University and attend it together, no matter what. Keitaro, fails the acceptance test and with little hope left. His Grandma sent him a letter telling him to take care of Hinata-sou (ed. - hence the sites name: anime-sou) for her when she goes away for vacation.

Review
Now the story really gets started… Keitaro meets all the other characters: Naru, Kitsune, Shinobu, Kaolla and Motoko Anyways, the whole series is about a love relationship which evolved to a triangle love relationship. All this drama starts and blah blah blah (to keep the spoiler to a minimum).

The Breakdown
Quality, Sound and Story for Love Hina is a state of the art. Even if you hate love type anime, Love Hina will change your mind!!

Synopsis
This anime is about a world in another dimension dying off, because of something (spoiler). In order to prevent the so-called destruction of this world named Cephiro. The Princess (Princess Emeraude) has summoned the Magic Knights of another world (Tokyo). And then here comes Hikaru (Fire), Umi (Water) and Fuu (Wind). They didn’t know each other till they got to Cephiro and started to become friends.

Review
For the first season of this anime it goes on with saving the Princess from the EVIL Lord Zagato!!!!! (Spoiler alarm going off). The Magic Knights must accomplish several tasks in order for them to save the princess. Such as, learning magic, evolving their armors, weapons and finally awakening the slumbering Rune-Gods (Rayearth, Windam, and Selece). There is comedy in MKR, but it wasn’t really funny where I’d had to hold my stomach or comedy that caused me to almost died laughing.

After the first season is over, we go to second season, which is basically the same. The Magic Knights are summoned once again to save Cephiro the thing is that nobody knows who summoned them. Since this thing happened back in first season… Anyways, they go through all the fights and drama. The creators have put a lot of time in the story as it never left me lost. Also there are love affairs going on with the Magic Knights. Therefore making it more interesting. In second season Cephiro is just horded by invaders that want Cephiro for their own countries (Autozam, Fahren and Chizeta).

We all know who stops them to achieve the goal. In the end, this is quite an enjoyable series as it boasts 50+ episodes with story development in each. Unlike some anime series out there that go nowhere with 2 - 3 eps.

The Breakdown
MKR was worth my time, it took me two days just to finish the whole thing. Sometimes things go slow, which makes you anxious to see what comes next. One thing is that MKR is predictable, probably an aspect the creators created on purpose or it was just too predictable… One last thing, get it when you have a chance!!!

Synopsis
Satome Kazuya is both a college student and an electrical engineer. Despite his numerous failures, he is persistent on completing the design for a Doraemon, a robotic squid with its own artificial intelligence. By accident, he electronically orders May, a 12-inch Cyberdine Corp. maid type robot hence the name of the series Hand Maid May.

Review
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The Breakdown
Excellent anime. Very entertaining. Not as deep as Evangelion but the ending does pose a question to reflect on.

Synopsis
‘Do you know? When two people in love can both get into Tokyo University, they’ll live happily forever. So when we grow up, let’s go to Todai together…Bye-bye Kei-kun. We must meet again in Todai. Promise me ok~’

‘My name is Urashima Keitaro. I’m 20 years old. The only girl I liked I can’t even remember her name. Because of that promise I failed the entrance exams twice already…’

The Breakdown
Love Hina is amusing similar to the enjoyment of watching those Saturday morning cartoons when you were little. You will not go without laughing with this one.

Synopsis
A branch of the Juuouchou government, the Hades Agency is the caretaker of souls who wander lost in the afterlife, helping to guide them safely to the underworld. It is a detective network where the executives themselves, called Shinigami, are neither dead nor alive but can travel about the earth with supernatural abilities. The series begins with Tsuzuki and his new partner Hisoka investigating a serial killer whose victims have sharp fang marks and are drained of their blood…

Review
The Breakdown
Not as lengthy as many others but the weakness balance out the strengths. Not bad.

Synopsis
When she was little, Utena was very sad for her mother and father had passed away. A traveling prince wrapped her in a rose scented embrace and gently wiped her tears saying ‘never to lose that strength or nobility…’ He gave her a signet ring saying it would one day lead Utena to him. So impressed was she by him that she vowed to become a prince herself. Now a student of Ohtori Academy, Utena finds herself enveloped in the true meaning of the rose signet, the symbol of a duelist fighting for the power to revolutionize the world.

Review
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The Breakdown
If you want true sword duels get Kenshin. Otherwise this is a good variation combining elements of a love story, fairy tale, and action sequences.

Synopsis
Meiji Era year 27- On his way homebound, Kenshin became shipwrecked on sea. Half a year has gone by since his sudden disappearance. Kaoru waits daily portside for her lover’s return recalling times past all the instances when Kenshin had come through for her. In the meantime, Kenji, the child of Kenshin and Kaoru, had left his Tokyo home to obtain greater strength with the sword, a strength that will surpass his father’s.

Review
Unlike the first OVA that took place prior to the anime series, Rurouni Kenshin Seisouhen OVA is set years after the anime series. Composed of two episodes with the second twice as long as the first drawn in the same animation style as the original four part OVA, Seisouhen gives a glimpse of the future of the Kenshin-gumi. The protagonists of the anime, Kenshin, Kaoru, Yahiko, and Sanosuke, have not been immune to change. Kenshin passes down the Sakabatou to Yahiko and decides to help the less fortunate, those who are ill, and those who are suffering from pain sort of like a missionary. Kaoru, now Kenshin’s wife, raises his son until she herself falls ill. Yahiko fulfills his dream of growing up to be a master swordsman just like Kenshin. Sanosuke, still wearing the white jacket with the letter “aku” on the back, apparently has not had a shave or hair cut for quite some time but is nevertheless as arrogant as ever.

In addition, Seisouhen has been criticized for covering the Revenge Arc so briefly, with a short fight scene between Kenshin and Enishi. It is more romanticized though comparing Kaoru’s love for Kenshin with Enishi’s love for his sister, Tomoe. The story of Kenji carries the theme of the prodigal son. The father he knew was not the idolized and legendary Hitokiri Battousai. Thus, he leaves for Kyoto to learn the strongest technique there is, Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu. It is up to Yahiko to defeat the hardheaded youth and to show him the way once again. Seisouhen comes to an end with the symbolic reunion between Shinta and Kaoru.

The Breakdown
Rurouni Kenshin Seisouhen OVA concludes the Rurouni Kenshin saga. More serious like the first OVA, no “oros.” The only exception might be Sanosuke who maintains his charm. Another must see for all must Rurouni Kenshin fans.

Synopsis
1919 Tokyo, Japan, years after the Great Demon War, a global task force called the Imperial Floral Assault Unit is organizing to combat the return of the monsters. The latest in technological innovation, the Kubo Spirit Armor, designed by engineers of Kanzaki Industries, is still in its testing phase. Only ones with enough spiritual energy can pilot the steam-powered machines. Kohran, Maria, Iris, Kanna, Sumire, Sakura, and lastly Ichiro are summoned as Tokyo’s last line of defense.

Review
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The Breakdown
The OAV isn’t bad but seems to be a bit rushed. But since this is an OAV and not the TV series (Which hasn’t been released in the US) I guess it can be forgiven. I still wish this Sakura Wars OAV stood on it’s own better. A more complete story would have been great.