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Synopsis
When nearby construction disturbs a spiritual resting place, its disgruntled denizens do what any supernatural being would do after a rude awakening- they terrorize the local school. And that means it’s up to a scruffy band of young ghostbusters to expel their satanic schoolmates before everyone gets sent to permanent detention! So join Satsuki, her crybaby brother, the resident class stud, the school nerd and “psychical researcher,” a born again beauty, and a resentful, demon-possessed cat in the funniest, scariest school you’ve ever enrolled in.

Review
Are you one of those English dub watching anime fans, who sometimes think, maybe the anime that you are watching is too bland, too straight forward, sounds strange, or you just do not feel enough personality is put into the character that the voice actors/actresses are acting. Well my friend, what we have here is the solution to all your problems. You see, Ghost Stories is a whole new monster. Who would have thought… or have the courage to add in some unique punch lines that are hip, hilarious and flat out crazy to an English dub of an anime? Well, ADV director, Stephen Foster did.

This release of Ghost Stories has received mixed results. Some praising it for being outrageous, some opposing it for editing the “original” dialogue. News flash… an English dub is already editing the “original,” so what harm would it cause if the actors had a little fun? Add that extra “umph” to the dialogue and make the show a bit more entertaining. Ghost Stories’ English dub takes the same plot as the show in Japanese, but Stephen Foster pulled out some of the areas of the dialogues that could be worked up so that the voice actors can have the freedom of improvisation. It is very much like jazz; unpredictable. You will find yourself stunned, shocked, and astonished even, by what these actors/actresses had to say. :).

At first, I was a bit skeptical about the whole thing. I mean, I did not like English dubs much to begin with, and now a show where some of dialogues are thrown out the window? I was even more afraid to watch the show and my expectations were just going down the drain at the speed of a waterfall. But after experiencing what all this fuss was about, I fell in love with that wackiness. It is a blend of originality in an English dub that truly amazes the audience upon viewing it. Shows like this brings the voice actors closer to you; it reminds you that, their thoughts are not much different from yours.

In Ghost Stories, we follow Satsuki, the female lead character. As she moves to a new area of the country, she also transfers into a new school, meeting new friends. What she did not expect from this new life was the haunted old school that her mother used to be a principal for. When her family cat escapes and runs into the old school, Satsuki, her annoying little brother, Keiichiro and her new found friends all follow pursuit. That is when the things begin to go eerie and that is when the story unfolds.

The Breakdown
I never knew voice actors/actresses had that kind of state of mind, but now that I have watched this… the rest is history :).

Synopsis
The Sanzo party-after rescuing a girl from a demon-are invited to stay at her master’s shrine, the House of Dougan. However the invitation turns out to be less friendly than anticipated and they find themselves desperate to escape from a trap!

Review
Saiyuki: Requiem is a very well animated story filled with action, suspence and horror. For those familiar with the characters from the series, this movie will feel like another-albeit extended-episode. For those unfamiliar with the series, the characters will mean little and the story will suffer because of it. Sadly, without the series, this movie is nothing more than a random series of events with no particular meaning. With the expection of the bad guy whose past is described in detail through the use of flashbacks, the characters are almost entirely undeveloped as almost all of the dialogue assumes that the viewer is already completely aware of the characters lives, relationships and personalities. There is little reason to care about what happens to this group of people. Honestly even to those who have seen the series, the story is just too confusing and random to be taken seriously.

What saves this movie from the bargain bin is its well animated and exciting action scenes which spice things up frequently throughout. The fights are easy to follow and fun, and action fans will enjoy them.

The Breakdown
As a standalone product it leaves a lot to be desired, but if looked at as another episode of the series I have no doubt that it can be enjoyed.

Synopsis
In a world where witches abuse their supernatural powers, a special team is tasked with hunting this new threat to society. This organization is known as the STN and comprises of several highly skilled craft users and experts in covert operations. But their most powerful craft user is a young woman named Robin. Her mysterious gift to summon deadly flames will determine the fates of her colleagues and lead her into a dark world of mystique and witchcraft.

Review
It’s a refreshing spin on a detective story. Although it’s something I can see being done in a vampire story. Just replace the witches with vampires and there you go. But the term, ‘witches?in this show is used as a way to describe someone using their magic powers for evil. Not every person who practices magic is considered a witch.

The shows artistic style reminds me more of an American comic than your average anime. (It’s the eyes I tell ya!) The tension between Robin and Amon keeps the workplace interesting, as does the growing friendship of Robin and Michael. I can’t put my finger on it but WHR reminds me of Rahxephon. Perhaps it’s the pacing.

The Breakdown
Overall, there is room for improvement. But I see it getting better in the later volumes. If you’ve had your fill of zany comedies this year then do yourself a favor and check out Witch Hunter Robin.

Synopsis
Welcome to Chinatown’s most unique pet shop. There is a variety of exotic creatures to choose from, each with an intriguing tale to share with the lucky owner. But be careful, what you see is not necessarily what you get. Here is a collection of four stories of lost love, second chances, and redemption. Whether or not the client can handle the responsibility, however, is a matter of life and eath. The first episode, entitled ‘Daughter’, chronicles a couple’s attempt at having the perfect family. The second episode, ‘Delicious’, is a tale of betrayal and second chances. The third episode, ‘Despair’, tells the story of a has-been actor and a love so blindly devoted, it surpasses even death. The final episode, ‘Dual’, brings the legendary holy beast known as the Kirin into the hands of two men, and only one will survive.

Review
Pet Shop Of Horrors, first question that comes into my mind, ‘What the hell kind of title for an Anime is this?’ Anime with strange title names usually turn me away from it. But I guess I was foolish for doing so. Without even taking time to learn what PSOH is about I came to conclusions (prejudging is bad, in Anime and in life). Thinking that PSOH is just bad, I drew a distance from it. After watching it, I suddenly realized what I have missed all this time and I am now slapping myself for it. (Hehe)

Made up of four episodes, each containing a story of its’ own. Pet Shop Of Horrors really will give you horrors. Especially in episode one ‘Daughter,’ I was getting chills all over after the climax of the story was displayed right before my eyes. I wish there was more to PSOH; it is something that is different from what I usually watch.

Anyways, in order to obtain a pet, the person must sign a contract with Count D. Rules are simple and there are only three. The main rule seems to be not to show the pet to anyone (it is stated on every contract). If a rule of the contract is broken, the shop will not assume any responsibility for what is to happen. Of course, the owner in every episode breaks the rules of the contract and we all can predict what happens to them.

If you are a viewer that is looking away from PSOH, you are making a big mistake. PSOH is a very cleverly done piece of work, by the ‘Anime Dreamteam’ made up of: Hisashi Abe (Vampire Hunter D), Rintaro (Final Fantasy) and Yoshiaki Kawajiri (Ninja Scroll, Wicked City, Bio Hunter).

The Breakdown
Overall the product is very good. I thank Urban Vision for providing me with the DVDs, so that I can review them. Thanks a bunch!

Synopsis
There is Earth, our familiar world, and then there is the Black World, a parallel dimension that very few people are aware of. For centuries, a pact between the two worlds has been observed to maintain peace, and terms must be negotiated and renewed soon to continue the relative harmony. This time around, there is a militant faction that will stop at nothing to prevent the signing of a new treaty for inter-dimensional peace. Two agents of the elite organization known as the Black Guards - defenders of the balance between the two worlds - are charged with insuring the success of the treaty.

Review
Wicked City, to me has always been an Anime that is mysterious. I have heard about it, but I never had the urge to watch it. Everyone that I know that had watched Wicked City always talked about the ‘rape scenes.’ In my opinion, that is all they cared. I bet they never took time to acknowledge the cool and addictive story Wicked City posses. Director Yoshiaki Kawajiri (same director that did Ninja Scroll) has done a wonderful job in merging action, eroticism and graphic horror into Wicked City. There was not a point where it was boring in the 82 minutes of run time.

Lets look into the story. Taki, a Black Guard is assigned to an assignment that involves in protecting the person that is responsible for signing the new peace treaty between the two worlds. After arriving at the airport he runs into some trouble and was later on saved by his assignment partner, Makie. Makie is a Black Guard from the Black World (meaning she is a demon), with killer looks. The story gets deeper by the scenes and attracts the viewers with fast paced action, then touches it up with a little eroticism. I can safely say, ‘Wicked City has old school animation, but every other element that Wicked City has, blanks out that thought. In the end, creating something that is totally new to the audience.’

The Breakdown
I have hardly seen any Anime with old school animation, impress me. Wicked City will be a title, that will leave a lasting mark on me.

Synopsis
A strange virus, known as the Demon Virus, attacks the human genetic code, transforming people into monsters with demonic powers. One particular monster is terrorizing the streets of Tokyo, ripping open young women to devour their livers. A famed psychic holds the secret to the identity and purpose of this monster. Now it is up to two molecular biologists, self-proclaimed Bio Hunters Komada and Koshigaya, to reach the psychic and his beautiful grand daughter before it’s too late! The Demon Virus is out to conquer the world…

Review
Bio Hunter is probably one of the nastiest titles I have ever seen, nasty in a good way though. In the world of Bio Hunter, humans turn into monsters and crave to eat young women. Disgusted yet? If not, the animation sure will! At many times of the movie I would say, ‘Ewww,’ but at the same moment I cannot help but to like those scenes. They are not something you would see in every other Anime in its’ genre.

Anyways, the Bio Hunters, Komada and Koshigaya hunt for the monsters and eliminate them. As they fight, Komada (also a carrier of the virus) loses control of his virus powers. What will become of him is for you to find out (hehe). Bio Hunter’s action scenes were fast paced. I liked it. There are not many long boring dialogues, so action fans should be happy.

Overall, Bio Hunter has an interesting story, action, animation and characters. And the fact that Bio Hunter was directed by Yoshiaki Kawajiri (Ninja Scroll, Wicked City), it automatically would receive much attention from Kawajiri-san fans.

The Breakdown
I really meant that at some parts, Bio Hunter can be really nasty. Keep that in mind.

Synopsis
D has been hired to track down Meier Link, a notoriously powerful vampire who has abducted a Human woman, Charlotte Elbourne. D’s orders are strict – find Charlotte, at any cost. For the first time, D faces serious competition. The Markus Brothers, a family of Vampire Hunters, were hired for the same bounty. D must intercept Meier and conquer hostile forces on all sides in a deadly race against time. Despised by Vampires for his profession and by Humans for the blood in his veins, D relentlessly pursues his prey for a price.

Review
Vampire Hunter D strikes back! The anime that could be said to start all the other vampire type anime flicks is finally back with another theatrical release. It was long waited, but well worth it. The story is just awesome. Everything connects with each other, and one of my favorite directors, Yoshiaki Kawajiri directed Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust. His work just came to me a week ago and I am already in love with the things he worked on.

The story is tricky, it makes you think this way, but it is actually the total opposite of what you think. Just as the abduction of Charlotte Elbourne by Meier Link. Nobody would have thought that there was love between the two. I thought that Meier Link was just hungry for blood. I was completely surprised as it is shown that Charlotte wanted to be with Meier forever. This title certainly does live up to its’ hype. The action was fast paced and fluid. The animation, thanks to Madhouse, was very good. Even if you did not see the first Vampire Hunter D movie, do yourself a big favor and buy this movie for your collection!

The Breakdown
I just love when Anime makes their big comeback. Ever since the release of Vampire Hunter D, it launched other Vampire Anime flicks, and now Vampire Hunter D is back to retain the crown in Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust.