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Synopsis
Growing up can be painful - especially when you fall down a flight of stairs, suffer severe head trauma, and wake up with the mental capacity of a kindergartener. Ouch! Now 17-year-old Nanaka Kirisato has to grow up all over again. You see, Nanaka thinks she’s been through a magical transformation, and she just can’t wrap her head around the head trauma. But if she thought fitting in as an unpopular bookworm was hard, subtracting eleven years certainly won’t help. Throw in a mullet-headed boy bully, a karate-chopping girl bully, a bullheaded best friend, and a barrage of schoolyard battles, and Nanaka’s problems multiply exponentially! It all adds up to mayhem and mass hysteria in the first hysterical volume of Nanaka 6/17.

Review
Imagine yourself being seventeen years old one day and then after a freak accident, turning six the other. Of course, you most likely would not be able to remember that you have mentally gone back eleven years, but the thought of it is something that intrigues some people. I mean, you lose (forget) all that has happened in between those eleven years gap. Do you or can you imagine how painful it would be for those who care for you, that you forget? You probably cannot. And in Nanaka’s case, such grief was not necessary. The serious, Nanaka, who only cared about the future and exams did not have much friends… except a childhood one. And she did not have anybody else to care for her in her family other than a daughter obsessed father who depends on Nanaka’s childhood friend, Nenji.

“Raging Hair” Nenji Nagihara, as stated above is Nanaka’s only childhood friend of any significance shown at this point of the anime. The dude is like a version of Seiji ‘Maddog’ Sawamura from Midori Days. He fights not because he picks them, but because people just want to spar with him… on a daily routine. And on one rainy day as Nenji beats his opponents to a pulp, Nanaka questions if he would ever stop fighting, and if he would ever grow up for a change. Oh boy. What a turn of events eh? After one killer line from Nenji to Nanaka, Nanaka runs off on her own, only to wake up eleven years younger in her mind.

Is it a bad thing or a good thing? That was a thought that has gone through Nenji’s head. Thinking about it. Nanaka who was too mature for her age turns immature, and the usually immature Nenji who would punch first, talk never, now has to learn a bit of responsibility by taking care of the six year old Nanaka, who also thinks that she has grown physically because of some magic spell. Things seem fine at the moment right? You are following all this right? Now let us get down a little further. Add these elements to the story. Jealous classmates, a love rival and the fact that this whole debacle has to be kept secret. How do you keep a six year old from not acting like one? Answer. You cannot. And Nenji learns that when the school becomes suspicious of them going out, as Nanaka is always with Nenji and vice versa. Sigh… I sure feel for him.

Anyways, Nanaka 6/17 is a loose title. It does not require you to put your thinking caps on in order to comprehend the plot. Its simplicity is what really appealed to me. Sure you like the good animation, the nice soundtrack and a dose of interest factor in it. But I believe that actually understanding the whole situation with those added features is better than being lost with those same added features. This title certainly delivers when it comes to that department. It is also a joy to watch this show after Nanaka’s accident as cruel as that may sound. Why? Because the mature seventeen year old Nanaka is one boring bookworm :). I know, she will recover from amnesia and turn back to Nanaka 17, but I can only hope that there are a lot of cool and fun things that happen as we deal with Nanaka 6 hehe.

The Breakdown
Nanaka 6/17 feels like a Midori Days like title. The concepts are very similar. One guy fighting character, one female character and one love rival. Midori was a shy serious girl before she became Seiji’s right hand… the same happens to Nanaka when she turns six. So it is easy to say that if you enjoyed a title like Midori Days, you will most definitely enjoy Nanaka 6/17.

Synopsis
The bitter-cold winter of Hokkaido meets the warmth of the human heart, as six women suffer through their own tragic love stories before fate brings them all together.
We begin with Atsuko, whose arranged marriage collapses in the face of a love triangle. Then there’s Karin, a sickly schoolgirl who develops a crush on her doctor only to have it blow up in her face. These are just two of the women chasing their own Diamond Daydreams.

Review
Diamond Daydreams is a pretty unique acquisition by ADV Films. The show is compiled of the love stories of six young ladies. There is about a story for each situation you can come up with for a woman today. Love triangles, forbidden love, arranged marriages, sick but in love, being a mistress… the list goes on. Right about now you probably would not have any interest in a show that details love relationships, and like some of you who are feeling skeptical, I felt the same. But there is some sort of freshness in this anime.

Maybe it is the name, Diamond Daydreams or Diamond Dust Drops; it caught my attention. After viewing it, it was definitely a different experience from the shoujo series that I have seen thus far. The story is all based in Hokkaido (a place I have to visit!). There is a saying that goes, when a person sees diamond dust, they will be granted happiness.

In the first story, we have Atsuko Akanegi, twenty years old. She had the potential to have a great future, but due to her father’s death, she was not able to go on with her education, and now must help out with her mother with their fish store. Even though Atsuko wanted to be like her friends, going off to college, hanging out with guys and having fun; she realizes that it is nothing but a dream. There was no way she can make enough to pay the tuition of a college when they were barely keeping the fish store open.

In comes Mr. Kurata, a musician who strives to make it in the United States. He had left his wife and daughter in the pursuit of his dream. Mr. Kurata has become a frequent customer of Atsuko’s fish store, and her interest in jazz music also created a friendship between the two of them. As the story progresses, we meet Minoru Jinguji, the arranged fiancĆ© of Atsuko. And finally story one begins to go.

In story two, we have Karin Shiraishi, whom is sick with a condition that was passed down from birth. So right from the start we see how each story will be different. Karin spends most of her two years in the hospital, writing her stories on a weblog and have in turn gathered up a fanbase who awaits her next story.

As she goes through her daily routine, a new doctor by the name of Amakasu arrives and right from the start he rubs her the wrong way. It was after this meeting that Karin began to receive emails from one of her fans. As they are exchanging emails, we learn more about Karin and the fan’s true identity.

The Breakdown
Diamond Daydreams is unusual, it is a show that revolves around drama. The story surpasses everything else. If you want a shoujo show, you cannot go wrong with this one from ADV Films.

Synopsis
Unlock the music within your heart! Summer vacation is here and that means it’s almost time for Yuuki’s birthday! Since it’s over summer break, her birthday is usually a nonevent; but this year, Yuuki has decided that things are going to be different…this year, on her birthday she’s going to confess her love to Takizawa! But will the handsome and popular third-year track star reject her? The very thought has Yuuki in turmoil. Her best friend, Miu, is doing all she can to support her friend, but watching Yuuki struggle only reminds Miu of how troubled her own heart is.

Meanwhile, Mr. Shirakawa is frustrated at the lack of growth in Miu’s playing. Trying to inspire her, he nominates her to be his sole representative at the Spring Piano Recital. Not only that, but she’ll be the only student who will have to compose and play her own original piece! If she refuses, Mr. Shirakawa won’t even have a single student participating. Should she play in the recital even though her heart really isn’t in it?

Review
In a show based on a girl’s heart and her life, Piano turns out to be a very soothing title. The music is just great. For a person who has always been fond of the piano due to its lovely melodies, I have to say, this piece is beyond just a show about a girl and her piano. There are various factors that make this show another immediate hit amongst the fans of the shoujo genre.

Miu Nomura is an average girl for her age. She has those growing up questions just as any other girl has. When her friend Yuuki professes to her that she will confess to her crush, Takizawa on her birthday. Miu is suddenly warped a whole new atmosphere. For Yuuki having a boyfriend means that the time she has to spend with Miu will diminish. But, with Miu’s mature personality, she just shakes it off and acts in the interest of her best friend Yuuki. Now, because of Yuuki’s situation, Miu ponders a bit about her own crush, Takahashi. With Christmas around the corner, she gets invited to a party and it is there where Miu finally discovers what she wants to do for herself… with a little help from Takashashi senpai of course.

What is so good about Piano? There is no violence, no action, only drama; a girl’s drama at that. But that is what attracted me to a title, such as, Piano. It is the presentation of the whole show. The vibe that it gives off feels just right. I felt pretty at ease while watching this piece… and when the playing of the piano came in… well that was it for me, I wanted to go run and buy a keyboard or something :P.

The Breakdown
The sound department of this show is truly great. I especially loved that song that Miu’s sister played on the stereo during episode six… yes, I know it is not a Piano original music piece, but if anyone can get me the artist and song title, I will give them a cookie! (^_^);;

Synopsis
Sana Kurata may be a famous TV star, but her life is anything but perfect! Her classroom at school is controlled by the boy bullies, all of whom are led by the nasty Akito and his gang of hooligans, who are at it again, wreaking havoc in the classroom. But has Sana discovered Akito’s weakness? Will she be able to exploit it to her advantage or will she just make a fool of herself in front of everyone? Sana had better be cautious because when she acts on her plan the consequences aren’t exactly what she had expected! What adventures await our heroine? Find out on Kodocha!

Review
Kodocha is an average tale about an average child. Except that the child in question is incredibly hyperactive, lives in a mansion with her famous mother, stars in her own TV show, and has a crush on her agent. Other than that, she’s completely normal.

Meet Sana Kurata, the spunky star of Kodocha. Sana’s exuberant and energetic nature is the engine that keeps Kodocha going at 100 miles per hour. One moment she will be wearing an elaborate costume she retained from one of the many movies and series she had starred in, and the next she will be singing a lively bedtime song to her beloved Agent, Rei. This all comes together to make Sana a treat to watch.

The story starts out simply enough, with Sana being late for school. After a quick breakfast and a quicker car ride, Sana finally arrives at her classroom, only to find it being wrecked and ransacked by the boys of the class. Sana soon finds out that the boys are all stooges working under their leader, the somber Akito. Even the teacher’s are powerless to stop him, as Akito seems to have something in his possession that the teachers don’t want to get out. Sana becomes furious that she is unable to learn anything in class, and she makes it her duty to bring down the stoic schoolboy.

Kodocha is a series that is more than the sum of it’s parts. The animation is average. The music is enthusiastic, but largely forgettable. The story is entertaining, but not particularly deep throughout the first four episodes. The real joy of Kodocha is in it’s characters. Sana is the kind of child anyone would wish they were at that age. Her mother, Misako, logical and calm, also happens to constantly wear varied bizzare hats which she allows her pet squirrel in. Akito, despite having every boy in his class at his beck and call, remains aloof despite Sana’s attempts to thwart him. Each character brings their share to the table, and it glues Kodocha together to make it a vastly entertaining series.

One of my favorite parts of the DVD was the excellent dub. Laura Bailey makes a perfect Sana, capturing the hyperfrenetic quality of Sana without going overboard and making the character too outlandish. Jerry Jewell also does a magnificent job at Akito. Although the voice at first comes off as too deep for a child, the excellent acting ability and voice talent helps to give Akito a darker overall edge. The voice acting is superb throughout the rest of the cast as well, making even the minor characters fun and entertaining.

The Breakdown
A mile a minute series with barrels of laughs and one of the cutest characters you’ll see this side of Fruit’s Basket.

Synopsis
Utena has it all. Beauty. Passion. Faith. A sense of justice. She is the idol of her classmates at the exclusive Ohtori Academy. And yet, she is driven by a childhood memory of a prince on a white horse who comforted her when she was grieving over her parents’ death. He gave her an enigmatic signet ring emblazoned with a rose crest, and this memory drives Utena to do the impossible: To become a prince, herself, as she duels the members of the Student Council to protect the mysterious ‘Rose Bride.’

Review
A princess who wants to become a prince, that is Tenjou Utena. When the show began, it caught my eye how most of the girls in Ohtori Academy admired Utena. They blush when they see her, yell out her name, and some even fall in love with her. The show also started out uninteresting, but it gradually attracted me into the story. There is a lot of fun stuff in the story, like the way Chu Chu acts, but when there is a good, there is always a bad. The bad is why does the Rose Bride, Himemiya Anthy always gets smacked around? Her life is of a servant. Who ever duels and wins is engaged to her, and she must do whatever that person wants. What kind of life is that? Not a very happy one that is.

Anyways, the action of Revolutionary Girl: Utena are exciting. The duels are quite interesting, as the main rule of the duel is that if the rose in the duelists’ chest pocket falls or is destroyed, the duelist loses and if you win, you are then engaged to Himemiya Anthy, which then allows the person to control the Sword of Dios which appears from Anthy’s body when she summons it. To wield the Sword of Dios is to gain the power to revolutionize the world, hence the reason for why the student council duel each other for the power. The right to duel however is only reserved to those who are of the student council, but Utena is able to avoid that rule, as she has the rose crest ring that the prince gave her when she was a child.

Overall, Revolutionary Girl: Utena is a very fun shoujo series. There is comedy, a beautiful soundtrack, an entertaining story and a crew of great voice actors/actresses, what is not to like about Utena? When I started the series with the Finale, I was not sure of what Utena was all about, who the characters were and what was their history in the story. Now that I am starting from the beginning, it certainly has been a real treat. This series that I once thought sucked, actually captivated me and now I can say that I am a fan of Revolutionary Girl: Utena.

The Breakdown
Revolutionary Girl Utena possesses all the essential elements necessary to create a great anime.

Synopsis
The final, shocking conclusion! Utena is about to discover the truth behind the secrets, the duels, and her own forgotten past. To do this, she must confront the prince who once saved her life, and face her most terrifying nightmare. For the last time, Utena must draw her word and fight her own inner demons. Will there be a happy ending?

Review
As an anime viewer that is not an Utena fan and did not have any exposure to Utena until just recently, I will have to say that this show is certainly interesting, in that for some scenes there are songs in which it is describing the mood of the scene. I rarely see anime with songs that is solely for the anime at that specific scene. Those songs, although are weird, but was creative in a way, so I very much appreciate them rather than the standard stuff we are so used to being exposed to. First of all I would like to make this clear to you guys; I have never tried watching a series from only the end and writing a review about it so pardon me if I sound too vague. Now that that is off my chest, we can go through what this finale is about.

Revolutionary Girl Utena: Finale could be described with one word… wow. I say wow, because I was dragged into this compelling story right from the end of episode thirty seven. The climax of this finale achieves an even higher altitude than the summit of Mount Everest. Well… maybe not, but hey that was a good metaphor. Anyways, the more you think something is going to happen the more it does not. As I was viewing I said to myself, ‘Oh my god, this and that is going to happen, just like all them other series that I have watched throughout the years.’ But no no, none of what I thought happened. Just as when Utena was going to face her so called destiny, which is to meet the prince and live happily ever after… well that was the message I received, but good thing this series was not something like that. I was getting tired of anime without twists, and just as expected, a big twist comes and surprisingly it was quite adequate to satisfy my needs. Let me give you a hint for where I was startled. Pick up the Finale DVD and on the back take a look at the lowest screenshot, the one with Utena in front of Himemiya and Himemiya looks scared and innocent. Have an idea yet? No, oh wells, watch it and you will see what I am talking about.

Well the synopsis was a hundred percent correct on the shocking conclusion. That is what made this great, a person like me, who did not follow the entire show, watches the few final episodes and is suddenly attached to it emotionally with the emotional scenes. That gave me a sense that this show is a work of art. I mean, comon, I was not even familiar with the characters. Utena? The pink hair girl? Himemiya? The girl that looks like another character from another anime I cannot recall? I did not know the whole background of the characters, but still they were able to touch me. Especially at the end, where Utena opens the rose coffin; the whole process was great in every way possible to me, because it showed what friendship was about. I definitely recommend Revolutionary Girl Utena to all who enjoy anime, this coming from a developing Utena fan in the making!!!

The Breakdown
I am currently running late!!! Thanks to CPM for sending me this screener and uhh… for those who have anything against Utena without actually checking out what it is really about, shame on you! Ja ne.

Synopsis
A new student has arrived at Ohtori Academy. As she tours the school, she stops to witness a duel held by the fencing club. Across the distance, she is stunned by a red haired upper classman. She runs with great fervor to meet him only to find the cold shower of rain.

Review
Revolutionary Girl Utena the Movie is a retelling of the anime series much like Escaflowne the Movie. Its basis is on the final episode of the series when Jury confesses:

‘Come to think of it, I’ve forgotten that boy’s name. Long ago, when my older sister was still a child, she nearly drowned in a river. On that day there was a boy who jumped into the river to try to save her. My sister got lucky and was saved by a nearby adult, but the boy who tried to save my sister was swept away. I thought my sister was very cold for forgetting his name so quickly. But now that I try to remember, it seem I’ve forgotten it too.’

The Breakdown
A bit on the mature side for younger audiences. It could have been better but that doesn’t mean it is not all that bad either.

Synopsis
Hi there! I’m Honda Tohru. In May of this year, I lost my mother who raised me all by herself in a traffic accident. After that incident I’ve come to live secretly in a tent. It’s definitely not too comfortable, but that’s alright! Since one of my mottos is ‘Never quit under any circumstances!’

Review
‘Long, long ago, Kami-sama [God] told all the animals, ‘I invite all of you to a party tomorrow. And on no account be late.’ When the mischievous mouse heard that, he told a lie to his neighbor, the cat, that the meeting was to take place the day after tomorrow. The next day, the mouse rode on the ox’s back and arrived in front of the meeting place. After that the ox, the tiger, and so forth had a fun time there until morning except for the cat that was fooled.’

‘Why are you crying Tohru?’

‘That’s so sad! I feel so sorry for the cat! I know what I want to do, instead of a dog I want to be a cat!’

The Breakdown
26 episodes full of the ideal mix of humor and drama.

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.