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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
Kenshiro, the grandmaster of the Fist of the North Star, returns in the first of four new adventures! As he travels a ruined world almost devoid of life, he finds yet another army of heartless rogues slaughtering the innocent, all under the employ of Sanga, the merciless lord of the city of Last Land. As our hero launches his own, personal war against the Cursed City, he will face overwhelming odds with only two weapons at his command. An absolute determination to seek justice, and the Fist of the North Star!

Review
The fist is back and it is badder than ever. I can remember the old memories. Boy were they sweet; guys with their heads exploding after punches and kicks by Kenshiro. This new Fist of the North Star does not lack any of the original formula, which makes it so damn cool. And now with the juiced up animation, it takes the violence to a whole new level! Brains, blood, and guts, all are included in this crazy title.

In this first volume, or first episode, a tyrant by the name of Sanga sought out to rule over anything that was within his reach. As if Last Land was not enough, he ordered troops to annihilate the Village of Freedom. This village was a village that opposed his rule. It was not just a plain case of razing. The main focus was the “woman of miracles,” Sara, who like Kenshiro uses vital points in her skills. Her ability to cure the sick was just something Sanga can not pass up. With her god like healing art, Sanga sets out to keep the civilians under completely control with his “god as arrived” lies.

What does our hero do? Exactly what he has been doing from the very beginning; blow up heads. I think I need a psychiatrist after viewing this show. I was laughing while brains were splattering all over the place. It gets quite interesting with the ways Kenshiro beats his enemies; a jaw breaker here and a point of a finger there. It is just great to see this style once again from Fist of the North Star and not a parody of a wacky series. What a classic.

The Breakdown
New Fist of the North Star is something you got to see. It screams “cool” all over. Also on another note, volume two review of New Fist of the North Star will be up soon, look forward to that.

Synopsis
Prostitute robot dolls roam empty streets for men, but humanity has wiped itself out. Malice@Doll is one wuch prostitutte. After suffering ravishment by a grotesque tentacled creature, she is mysteriously transformed into a human being. Overcoe with joy, she seeks to transfer this gift through a loving kiss.

But with every gift there comes a curse…

Review
Should Malice@Doll be considered a hentai even if there is hardly any pornography in it? The total time of the accumulated sex scenes are approximately fifteen to twenty seconds. I mean, the entire eighty minutes show, only has twenty seconds of sex scenes? Not to mention, there is nothing shown while the scenes are being displayed. Is this a hentai? Or is it not? I have seen more naked boobs in other ecchi anime that has been given a rating of 13+ than Malice@Doll; a 17+ ‘hentai’ 3D CGI animation.

The production was cheap for Malice@Doll, even an extra feature in the DVD revealed that the sole reason the show is about dolls is because it will be cheaper for them to create emotionless faces rather than lively faces. This show is more focused on plot. It creates an atmosphere of ‘what if one person all of a sudden is different from the rest and that specific person wants everyone to be like her.’ It becomes a disaster.

Malice@Doll has a good story, but it would have been even better if it was not so dead. Even though Malice turns all the other robots to organic beings (disgusting organic beings at that) the show is still dull. I guess, the price you pay is the quality you are going to get. And certainly Malice@Doll is a very good example of that old saying.

The Breakdown
Malice@Doll just might be telling the future. I do not mean the end of the human race, but rather robotic prostitutes. Just imagine that in 2050 hehe.

Synopsis
Yugioh! Duel Monsters is the story of a boy named Yugi, who was destined to solve the mystery behind the millennium puzzle. Within this ancient artifact is the soul of a Pharaoh, whose name has been forgotten in history. The days of Battle City are gone, but the presence of the Egyptian god cards can still be felt. Old rivals, Yugi and Kaiba, even Pegasus, must once again face one other putting the title of the King of Game at stake. However, is someone else simply manipulating them? Anubis, the evil god of the dead, who was once defeated in battle by the Pharaoh, now yearns to take Yugi’s life…

Review
Not to be mistaken for the 30 minute first season’s Red Eyes Black Dragon Movie, Yugioh the Movie is a cooperative project by 4Kids USA and Japan developed specifically for western audiences. It is its own complete story arc between the events of Battle City and the upcoming Doma arc. It is stated that Anubis is the scariest villain ever seen because he is not human (Pecoriello). However, Anubis is a pushover. His dueling skills are sub-par in comparison to Marik and Bakura. If you want scary, try taking on an immortal like Dartz who is more wicked than Yami Marik.

The movie’s website can be found at http://yugioh.warnerbros.com. There you can find wallpapers, music, character and story information.

Please note that this review is not done by Ebert & Roper but by me hinatasou. I am age 20, nowhere near the targeted age for the audience. More importantly, I have watched all of the Japanese episodes beforehand and carry a bias towards the English dub.

The Breakdown
Take home message…umm…Remember, it’s OSIRIS not slifer the sky dragon.

Synopsis
A touching tale that illustrates the subtle and confused teenage emotions experienced by 11-year-old Hiromi, and her unique friendship with Junkers, a talking dog. As their relationship develops, Hiromi struggles with a longing for adulthood as she is faced with the challenges of her parents’ unexpected divorce. Will Hiromi be able to restore happiness in her life?

Review
Junkers Come Here has deceived me. When I first heard of this title I quickly came to a conclusion that this was another kiddy anime. I could not be more wrong. Junkers Come Here is a very well done anime. It is one of a handful of anime that proves to the world that it is not necessary to have the 3D CG scenes or female characters with big breasts in order to be good. I loved the way how the story flowed as the characters were growing with it on the same pace. By doing that, everything is in sync, and confusion would be kept to a minimum or none at all.

Hiromi, like every immature eleven year old, wanted what was good for herself and did not think of what would happen to others by her actions. When Junkers reveals his secret to Hiromi, at first she did not believe it, but when she subconsciously wished for “something” to happen, Junkers granted it. All of a sudden the story is about what this little girl can do to try and heal everything; her parent’s relationship being the top priority. This movie is touching. It taps into the viewers’ hearts and delivers a warmth that is unrivaled by any other movie that I have seen that is set in the present time period.

Junkers Come Here, make sure this title is on your buy list. You will be entertained by this work of art. This is a rare classic, and I sure hope that more anime of this caliber is created. No need for the violence, no need for the ecchi humor. Just a need for a deep, well thought out story that can somehow relate to the viewers. Junkers Come Here, wow.

The Breakdown
Junkers is so cool!

Synopsis
2225 AD an act of sabotage has sent a space station plummeting towards a dense plasma phenomena known as the Sea of Geduld. With only hours to spare before the collapse of the entire station, The group of teens and young children, all that were training on-board the ship, will seek safety aboard the Ryvius, an interstellar spacecraft hidden deep inside the station. With the adult crew and instructors killed, these young astronauts must rely on their training, courage, and most importantly… each other. Prepare for the journey home.

Review
Annoying characters, Bad relationships and Complicated human emotions all make up Infinite Ryvius. This is the ABC of what not to do in an anime. From the beginning to the end, all you have are questions. Every action taken is a question. All the senseless shouting and back stabbing are questions and all the crap Kouji Aiba takes from people are questions. What the hell? I am watching an anime and trying to have a good time doing it. Why am I faced with such annoying circumstances? By the time the series have drifted mid way I am already angry with the show itself. It became an obligation for me to ride this pony through.

A person who is neck to neck with his brother and shows no reason as to what generates his anger should shoot himself in the face. Really. I am sick of seeing Yuuki Aiba arguing with his brother or fighting with his brother just because of something so small. Something such as a position change, Kouji from sitting in the cockpit of the Ryvius to the cockpit of the Vital Guarder.

With all the negatives, the only positive I found while watching Infinite Ryvius is the portrayal of the true nature of humans. It is very accurate. People bully one another to get a certain thing. Corruption, fear, uncertainty, jealousy, love, happiness, sadness and selfishness are all in this show. There are more, but that is all I can list from the top of my head. This part of the show is realistic, therefore it contributes even more to why I dislike this show. Was it meant for the viewer to feel hatred? If so, was my hatred from the show a positive thing for the creators? You see, those are the questions I am talking about; non-stop flowing of questions with multiple to no answers at all. Argh! I need rest, I am going crazy. Ja ne.

The Breakdown
Okay, okay, maybe I am being too harsh on this title. There are some interesting points. I mean it did made me continue watching it… oh wait that was because I had to in order to do this review. :P

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
High school student Kiichi is on the fast track to martial arts super-stardom. An expert in the deadly Nanshin Shadow Style, he faces the challenge of his life: the long-awaited grudge match with his father’s arch-nemesis, the champion of World Pro-Wrestling! Fists fly and blood spills as a new breed of fighter takes to the ring!

Review
Fast and to the point, that is Shootfighter Tekken: Round 1. There are not any bullcrap side stories. It focuses on a revenge fight and that is all this volume does. The show’s progress was so fast that it seemed as if it only occupied twenty minutes of my life, when it should be double the time felt.

The story is constantly rolling. In this volume of Shootfighter Tekken, the action carries the story. Without the action, the story would not be able to survive. Therefore for a show like this, the action must be perfect, or at least in between the good and great line. As for Shootfighter, it is not great, it lies somewhere between the good and great line, according to personal preference. I feel that it is just a bit over the good line.

The action… well what can I say, really? The punches were thrown, kicks flew and grappling moves were connected. Some of the moves were so nasty that you felt a little sting to wherever the character was hit. The guys should understand the feeling, if not, watch a rollerblader miss the rail badly while grinding. Very painful indeed. ;)

Overall if you want quick entertainment this is it. Uhh… yeah, that is it. Quick.

The Breakdown
If WWE incorporated the Hell Drop… that would be some awesome move.

Synopsis
This very special Collector’s Series DVD Boxset contains a bonus disc containing never-before-seen features!

Dragged through a time warp by a giant machine, Shu is thrust into a hellish future just as it explodes into war! He is caught in the carnage as a tyrant unleashes deadly force against a rebel army. But Shu is not alone? he is surrounded by courageous soldiers, a battalion of enslaved children, and enigmatic wanderers, each with their own fascinating story. Together, they face the ultimate challenge of survival in a world gone mad!

Review
In a world where water is scarce, a mad tyrant, Hamdo tires to obtain control of an infinite supply of water by capturing Lala Ru, who has the ability to generate water from her mysterious pendant. His plan almost succeeded if not for Shu, a punk kid who got involved with everything because he was a bit nosy – curious.

Upon his arrival at Hellywood, he goes through exactly what the name of the place suggests; hell. He is tortured, battered, kicked around and just beaten so bad that he could not walk. All this because he told the truth? Well even if he lied he would still get the crap beaten out of him. What kind of world is this? Villages were pillaged as women, kids and men were enslaved in the Hellywood system. Kids were used as soldiers to fight this “war” of Hamdo’s. Every rule of invasion is broken. No one as the cahones to stop Hamdo’s ambitions, that is until Shu stepped up and sought justice in this unjust world.

Now and Then, Here and There is a superb series. It brings a variety of emotions to the viewers. For an example, you would laugh at the way Hamdo acts, because he is obviously crazy. Ehh… you sometimes ponder how he obtained his power over the people of Hellywood in the first place, with the state his mind is in.

Akitaroh Daichi has done a great job with Now and Then, Here and There. The interest meter goes up as the story unwinds. This has really been an entertaining show to me, and it certainly would be for you as well.

The Breakdown
Thirteen episodes of addictive television. That is not good for my eyes! No!!!!!

Synopsis
The flow of time is complicated. Even if you remove one cause, a new cause is born…

Makimura Koutarou is your typical high schooler, an avid member of the boxing club who all of a sudden resolved to confess his love to the school idol Serizawa Kaho. That night by accident, a mysterious person showers Koutarou with tachyon particles. As a result, his body randomly jumps forwards and backwards to different dates within a one-month time span. This phenomenon is what is called a ‘day drop.’ On August 31, the last day of summer vacation, he discovers that Kaho’s life passes away due to a car collision. Does Koutarou stand a chance at changing Kaho’s depressing fate?

Review
Natsuiro no Sunadokei, or Natsuiro Komachi, translates to the Hourglass of Summer Colors. It is based off of the Playstation 2 hentai dating simulation game developed by Princess Soft. Princess Soft is most famous for releasing Kimi ga Nozomu Eien. Other game titles include Suika, Moekan, Cafe Little Wish: Mahou no Recipe, and 21: TwoOne for the Dreamcast, and F: Fanatic, Love Doll: Lovely Idol, Final Approach, and Happy Breeding: Cheerful Party for the PS2.

The official anime site is located at http://www.kss-inc.co.jp/anime/natsuiro/ where you can find episode screen captures, brief character and casting, and DVD information with covers. The video game site is located at http://www.oaks-soft.co.jp/princess-soft/natsuiro/ and features a better character profiles page.

The Breakdown
Natsuiro no Sunadokei is a romantic, short summer anime series. Perfect for going back to school.