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Synopsis
What comes and goes within that innocent pair of eyes? He is Shirase Akira, a rouge, freelance computer programmer, who possesses a brilliant intellect. While he is well known as a legendary hacker, very few people understand the true side of him. What does he want, what has he gained, and what has he seen in the infinite outskirts of the internet? What has he witnessed within the virtual and real images of his code? That story will now be told.

Review
Battle Programmer Shirase, or BPS for short, first aired in October 2003 through January 2004. BPS is directed by Hayashi Hiroki, who also managed Bubblegum Crisis: Tokyo 2040, and produced by Anime International Company, which has an english site available at http://www.aicanime.com/ The official BPS website can be found at http://www.anime-int.com/works/bps/index.html

For six screen shots and a mini preview hop on over to http://www.jascii.net/newanime/jascii.php?jascii_view=108

The Breakdown
It is amazing to conceptualize a person hacking to access a satellite then overloading the power infrastructure of a 100-story building, igniting gas lines until it abruptly explodes. It took a supercomputer to do so but even a cell phone now can be the medium. Anything electronic is no longer safe.

Synopsis
Wake up! Rise and shine. Breakfast is ready. Time to enjoy some quality time in the great outdoors. No need to return to Japan so hastily. Do some sightseeing while you’re in the States. What’s this? Mokuba? What are you doing here? A new tournament, the KC Award Dueler’s Championships hosted by Kaiba Corporation, is about to start. Yugi, Joey, even Rebecca make themselves ready to participate.

Review
In December 24, 2003, a new series of Yugioh aired following the Doma Organization. KC Grand Prix, like a NASCAR Grand Prix speedway, is a side story, an interlude. It is hopefully the last precursor to the Egyptian Memory Arc. Like Doma and the Neia (Noah) Arc, the events did not take place in the original manga and are exclusive to the anime only. It is the shortest mini-series only spanning 13 episodes. Volume 23 shown above includes episodes 184 - 191.

For episode summaries visit http://www.yugioh.esmartkid.com/.

The Breakdown
So it’s a filler series. But you gotta love Yugioh nevertheless.

Synopsis
My name is Mikuri Tomokazu. My parents passed away when I was little, and I have been living with my cousin ever since. I’m a regular, boring freshman in high school. My height is about average, and so is my weight. My grades as well as my athletic ability are disastrous. My two favorite foods are hamburgers and curry rice. Up until now, I’ve never had a girlfriend. In a few days, I’ll be turning sixteen. Tomorrow I hope something good will happen. It definitely has to…

Review
Yumeria is based on the popular bishoujo Playstation 2 RPG and dating simulation game developed by Namco. The anime is scripted by Yousuke Kuroda, who participated in Onegai Sensei. The anime first aired in January 2004. Yume means dream or vision, so Yumeria is the anime about the land of dreams, Moera, named after the anime’s sponsor. When a person’s memory is filled beyond their capacity, that person dreams and exchanges information during that state. All the useless knowledge and unnecessary experiences combine and that the shape of the world of Moera. People’s negative emotions move on to create the nightmare known as Faydoom.

The anime’s site is located at http://www.bs-i.co.jp/anime/yumeria/ where you’ll find episode summaries, screen captures, character bios, and cast listing. http://www.yumeria.com is already taken by the PS2 video game, which has tons of screen shots and wallpapers.

The Breakdown
I ranked Yumeria a tenth of a point higher than Mahoromatic because of the ending.

Synopsis
Two worlds opposite one another, Inferia and Celestia, are slowly closing in on each other and will eventually collide in the near future. Four heroes, Rid, Farah, Keel, and Meredy, leave Inferia Castle on a quest to prevent a second war between the worlds and stop the Grand Fall by collecting the Crymels, summoning spirits. Their quest now brings them to the Island of Balcarnu, which is shrouded by many secrets…

Review
Tales of Eternia The Animation is based off of the Playstation 1 game called Tales of Destiny 2 (US). Tales of Destiny 2 is the third installment of the Tales of Phantasia series, released in March 11, 2000. The anime aired from January 1 to March 26, 2001. The game was developed by Wolf Team/Tri-Ace, the RPG subdivision of Namco. They later developed Valkyrie Profile and the Star Ocean series. The events in the anime do not take place in the video game. The Island of Balcarnu does not exist in the game. Rather it is a side quest that takes place in between obtaining Efreet and journeying to Mt. Farlos (My thanks to Cyllya at gamefaqs message boards for the information).

The Breakdown
Better than Sorcerer Hunters, but Tales of Eternia is not as groundbreaking as Slayers and Record of Lodoss War (as all the other anime review websites will tell you). It is not as funny as Rune Soldier but I enjoyed Eternia nevertheless.

Synopsis
When Pegasus J. Crawford went to Egypt in hope of bring back to life his girlfriend, he found some stone carvings of strange monsters, monsters that were created by the pharaoh and his high priests in order to rein the country. Being tempted by those carvings, Pegasus revived the dark game of duel monsters. Finally, he even brought back the three God Cards. However, their combined power was so great that he sealed the three God Cards in Egypt. Now the fate of the world rests on Yugi Mutoh, as the three God Cards are unearthed.

Review
In the 1990s, it was Pokemon that penetrated internationally into the hearts of children in Europe, America, and Asia. Today after the millennium, the anime, video game, and card collecting fad continues once again through a series called Yugioh, meaning ‘King of Game.’ The Yugioh shown on KidsWB is actually season 2 of the original anime. Season 1, 27 episodes total, was aired from April 4th 1998 to October 10th on TV Asahi. Season 1 was not as successful compared to season 2 titled Duel Monsters in part by a disagreement between the producer, Toei, and the author, Kazuki Takahashi and due to a story emphasizing relationships and drama more than actual dueling.

Two years after, Duel Monsters began televising on TV Tokyo since April 18, 2000. Both the anime and manga in Shonen Jump Weekly still continue to this day, well into the Egyptian Memory Arc. The rise in popularity of season 2 is attributed to more of a focus on the game element and digital gadgets, satisfying post-digimon/pokemon addicts. In fact, every episode is a duel with virtual monsters fighting against each other either in an arena or anywhere within the grounds of Battle City with the aid of a duel disk tray, even in the skies.

The Breakdown
For fans of the American show and want to watch it unedited even see it before the general public does, to poke-lovers and other monster fanatics who just can’t get enough, and those who own the card game and want more strategies.

Synopsis
I’m dreaming a dream from long ago, the same days over and over again. Within this endless dream, I wished for a morning that wouldn’t come. It’s red, white, cold, warm, sad, and happy, and the same days are repeated. I knew from a long time ago, from years ago, wandering in this dream I wished for a dawn that wouldn’t come. I’m always in the same spot. A ruckus with no voices, and a faceless person walks before me. No one cares about just one little child. I’m waiting for a person, a person I know who won’t come, and someone I know I won’t meet again. For years and years…within this repeating dream, I was always waiting for a dawn that won’t come.

Review
Not to be mistaken as a misspelling of Conan (Detective Conan), Kanon is a 13 episode (14 if you include Kazahana) retelling of the same events that took place in the NON-hentai dating simulation game for the PC, which also won PC Game of the Year in 1999. The Kanon PC game was ported to the Dreamcast and Playstation 2. Similar to the series To Heart, the main character Yuuichi was given a voice in the anime but was silent in the game. The story begins with Yuuichi who after seven years returns to the town where he spent his childhood days. The reason being is his parents got posted overseas in Swahili due to work. Instead of being left alone in Japan, it was decided for him to live with his cousin Nayuki and aunt Akiko-san. They are both good people (It’s a wonder how Nayuki didn’t grow up spoiled by her mother. Can’t imagine Akiko-san being the strict disciplinarian, lol). Mysteriously, Yuuichi doesn’t remember anything from when he was there seven years ago. Now, the minute hand of memories starts to tick again…

The Breakdown
Kanon is the anime of dreams and miracles. You will begin saying uguu~ to all your friends and crave Taiyaki everyday as a result, lol.

Synopsis
Happy Lesson Advance picks up directly after the events of the first Happy Lesson, which basically means it’s business as usual. Chitose is living with his five Mothers who are also his teachers in High School. Those familair with the first Happy Lesson will immediately recognize many of the other characters, including Chitose’s sisters and classmates. It’s the new face, Kuryuu Nagatsuki, that stirs up all the trouble and ultimately progresses the storyline.

Review
Like the first Happy Lesson, Happy Lesson Advance is largely episodic. Most of the episodes focus on one particular girl. When I reviewed Happy Lesson, I criticized that fact, stating that it weakened the overall plot. However, it has a different effect in Happy Lesson Advance because by the time I watched it, I was already very familiar with those characters, and so the emotional payoff is much stronger. As the episodes went by, I found myself enjoying them more and more, and became increasingly wary of the inevitable conclusion, which once again came far too soon for my tastes.

The ending is much better than the ending to the original Happy Lesson, and once again left me wanting more. I can only hope that a third series is in the works.

The animation in Happy Lesson Advance is not quite as fluid as in Happy Lesson. There are a lot of moments in which the only animation on screen is limited to a character’s lips. It’s not terrible by any means, but it is definitely a step in the wrong direction. Fortunately the background art is just as beautiful as in Happy Lesson.

The music also took a turn for the worse. The memorable theme from Happy Lesson was replaced by a new song which didn’t sit well with me. Very little music was memorable. In fact, thinking back on Happy Lesson Advance’s music, I can’t even remember a single melody.

The biggest evolution Happy Lesson Advance makes over its predecessor is its more dramatic tone. While the first Happy Lesson was almost entirely a comedy, more time in Happy Lesson Advance is spent in a strong vice of conflict. The jokes are still there, but pushed off to the side in favor of a stronger storyline, which I think pays off immensely.

The Breakdown
Happy Lesson Advance is a well designed sequel that should easily satisfy fans of the original. The ending really makes me want to watch more episodes, so here’s hoping for another season.

Synopsis
After Yugi’s victory at Battle City, you thought he’d be given some time to relax. Absolutely not. The key to Yugi’s memory has been sealed. The God Cards are stolen. A new enemy comes to challenge the young pharaoh and his friends, the three swordsmen of Doma who possess a power different than the millennium items. Oreikarukosu, an ancient light strong enough to dominate even God…

Review
The Doma (Doom) Arc has yet to be dubbed in english and butchered. Maybe butchered comes off as too strong of a word, how about profoundly edited. At the time of this review, KidsWB is 37 episodes behind (on Episode 108 Neia’s Arc). It won’t be until more than half a year until the English catches up assuming no reruns. Doma is the latest new series from Japan published by Kazuki Takahashi since February 2003. This assessment is in and of itself both a review and preview for season 3, Episodes 145-184 after the duels within Battle City conclude. Volume 19 shown above includes 164 - 171. Episode 145 begins a whole new saga not featured in the manga, sort of a transition series between Battle City and the Egyptian Memory Arc.

The Breakdown
For fans of the show and want to watch it before everyone else does, to poke-lovers and other monster fanatics who just can’t get enough, and those who own the card game and want even more strategies to try out at tournaments.

Synopsis
A friend of mine used to say that the universe is constantly expanding, that the universe is alive. But from my point of view, it seems like the universe has stopped. What I mean to say is I think the universe goes on for eternity. That way, it seems more universal…
At that time when the summer’s last days were coming to an end, something that was frozen inside me started to move slowly…

Review
Onegai Sensei translated Please Teacher is a short 12 episode series plus an OVA which really can be considered to be episode 13. As you watch the series, you will come to see why it is called Onegai Sensei. It comes to represent the ups and downs in a relationship. The questions that are raised - Will everything work out? Are we better off going our separate ways? Then the realization of the true feelings you have for one another. Please be with me. Please listen for I have a confession to make. Then to move forward even if there is sadness. Making good for lost time, and ever accelerating.

The Breakdown
Kanon had you craving Taiyaki. Onegai Sensei will make you carry a box of pocky everywhere you go, jk.

Synopsis
What if you moved to a new place to live and all of a sudden you wanted to change your whole image? How would you go about doing it? In Kyou Kara Ore Wa, Mitsuhashi Takashi (main character), starts off first by dyeing his hair gold and Itou Shinji (another main character), starts by spiking up his hair. Both characters, who were enemies at first are now best buds, this OVA is about their life, and their life is very very amusing.

Review
Kyou Kara Ore Wa or can be roughly translated to ‘From This Day On I’ is one of my all time favorite Anime series. It was also one of the first series that sparked my interest in Anime. Anybody that has seen Kyou Kara Ore Wa will definitely notice its’ comedy.

Whether it is Mitsuhashi’s secret spring pow pow puncher located hidden in his self made metal book bag that he uses as weapons or Imai Katsutoshi (a sub character) making a fool out of himself in every episode. The laughter that this series contain are endless, there is a laugh for everyone. I always ask myself, ‘what if an American company licenses this series; it will be awesome.’ Unfortunately, KKO is not very popular. I have only seen one web site dedicated to KKO. Pay a visit here. And I thank that person that putted up the site, because that is where I got the spelling for the character’s names. I watched KKO in Cantonese so the names are difficult to translate for me ^_^;;

The whole OVA is made up of ten episodes and are based on the life of two high school students. There are gang fights, usually two against a whole crew with pipes and blades or just raw humor. Nishimori Hiroyuki’s (creator of KKO) Kyou Kara Ore Wa is definitely a hit that not much people have come to realize yet, when it is recognized… it will be scary.

The Breakdown
Kyou Kara Ore Wa is a hit that fans are waiting for! I hope it will see a U.S. release in the years to come.