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Synopsis
At the end of each episode are the following narration:

‘In the Spooner continent, sorcerers ruled over the people. The government exploited the people and the people, powerless, could do nothing but let their tears roll. But those people had a single source of hope. This was the existence of a secret group. People called them the Sorcerer Hunters.’

Review
Sorcerer Hunters (Bakuretsu Hunters) is the story of five heroes who under the orders of Big Mama (you heard correctly) are dispatched across the continent of Spooner to dispense of sorcerers using Kinju, a type of destructive magic that has long been prohibited. The leader of the group, supposedly, is Carrot Glasse, the ‘messenger of love’ who has the insatiable habit of womanizing. Although he is weak and cannot cast a single spell, he has just one special power, zoantropy: the ability to absorb magic to transform into a giant horned beast. He is joined by his brother, Marron, a serious and contemplative mage. Definitely the most insightful of the group. Third is Gato, the muscular blond with all the attack power. Last are the two sisters, red headed Chocolate and pink haired Tira, Carrot’s lovers who keep him in check often through force.

The Breakdown
Sorcerer Hunters doesn’t quite have what it takes to be an outstanding series. The episodes fail to really retain one’s attention. By the time it does, you are at the end of the series.

Synopsis
A 14-year old boy named Shinji Ikari is ordered to go to Tokyo-3, Japan by a request from his estranged father Gendo Ikari. He arrives, and suddenly an alien known as an Angel appears and starts to attack Tokyo-3. A beautiful, 29-year old woman named Misato Katsuragi comes in the middle of the battle with the Angel and picks up Shinji and she takes him to the underground secret base of Nerv. There, Shinji finds out he was brought to Nerv as a pilot for the all-purpose mechanical beast known as Evangelion Unit 1. Though he has had no prior training or experience in piloting an Eva, he gets into the cockpit ever so reluctantly to fight the Angel that is right above ground. Chaos ensues…

Review
Ah, the first four episodes of the famed Evangelion anime. I picked this up years ago on a whim, not knowing what I would be watching. And I have to say, still, after all this time, I find these first four episodes extremely lackluster, as an anime show and compared to the rest of the series. I’ve watched it many times now, and I get no excitement from watching it whatsoever, no fun out of it. Ok, I’m exaggerating, but compared to the phenomanel forthcoming episodes on the later volumes, these are just not that great. Not much heavy religious symbolism, no character introspections, no deep mysteries shown, and only one interesting fight sequence. There’s not much else to say.

The Breakdown
I really don’t want to explain this. Buy it to see the rest of the series. And the rest of the series truly does deserve high ratings in my book.

Synopsis
Just when you thought the plot would never thicken, the whole thing congeals and Excel finds herself in the fight for her lives! With the Great Will held hostage, the city in ruins, the Puchuu running amok, and Pedro joining forces with Nabeshin to combat the nefarious That Man, the action is fast and hilarious as ACROSS finally makes its move in the final unbelievable volume of Excel Saga!

Review
In this final crazy volume Excel Saga, we are shown the serious side of Excel Saga… for a moment that is. Excel who had amnesia due to the emotional stress, or if you want to put it simple. She was hit by a jeep, driven by the city workers. By that time, City F was no more. The Puchuu’s battle in space, caused a what seems to look like a colony dropping (Gundam anyone?) on the city and wiping everything out, except some civilians.

So… what is so crazy about this volume? How about Excel doing some magical punching technique that looks like it was from Fist of the North Star, but instead of heads exploding, the victims turns into Puni form (Magical girl from the upcoming ADV Films title Puni Puni Poemy). There are many more bizarre scenes. The craziest though, is the change of story; from normal Excel Saga to serious to normal Excel Saga. I can certainly get used to the serious Excel Saga.

Finally, going way too far can sum up episode twenty six. Believe me; you’ll be surprised by this episode. Well that is it for this crazy adventure. Excel Saga has provided many laughs and let’s just wait and see how Puni Puni Poemy will be.

The Breakdown
I hate to say good byes. There were quite a few memorable moments of Excel Saga. The all female episode being my most memorable episode. Excel Saga will always be known to me as that crazy show. But hey, it was a good crazy show to me. So umm yeah, I can’t wait to see what Puni Puni Poemy is all about.

Synopsis
The Academy has sent its deadliest assassin to destroy Steel Angel Kurumi. Using the helpless Saki as bait, the ruthless Karinka sets a trap to finally rip out Kurumi’s powerful Mark II Heart from her chest cavity. But Kurumi’s Heart hides a dark force within that Karinka didn’t count on - a force that frightens everyone who witnesses its awesome power. Now the Academy is forced to take even more drastic measures. A mysterious stranger appears and tries to persuade Kurumi’s master to use his mystical power to stop Kurumi before her dark energy overtakes her.

Review
In this volume of Steel Angel Kurumi, Nakahito is still trying to reason with himself why he cannot do the things his brother can with his mystical powers. He tries to assist Kurumi in her fight with Karinka, but fails. In turn we get to see an interesting scene as Kurumi becomes evil. The strength that she contains when she is demonized is beyond anybody’s imagination. After Karinka’s apparent lost, Nakahito was good for one thing, that was waking Kurumi out of her evil state.

I appreciate this volume, because Karinka spices things up. She adds more fun factor to the already fun story. First trying to find out Kurumi’s secret to her abilities, then trying to kiss Nakahito’s lips to gain power, and finally challenging Kurumi in winning the love of Nakahito. Not only is she acting the cute younger sister role, but the little in conversation cut in dialogues that describe her total disgust of what she is doing was pretty cute and funny. Saki on the other hand realizes what Karinka was doing, before Kurumi and tries to help Karinka out a little so that if Nakahito goes with Karinka, then Kurumi will be for her only.

All the fun ends though, as the story begins to get serious again. Nakahito gets taken away by the Academy. As Nakahito regains consciousness, he is lectured on the powers that the Angel Heart Mark II holds and at the end of the conversation, he was requested that he help the Academy in stopping Kurumi’s Angel Heart Mark II. Only here is where we discover the true feelings of Nakahito for Kurumi. Kurumi, Saki, Karinka, and the others are hurrying to rescue Nakahito. What will become of Kurumi?? Damn I hate tense moments like these!

The Breakdown
The way you portray Karinka before will definitely change after this volume!

Synopsis
“Make a pilgrimage for the past with me.” This is what Mireille Bouquet, a renowned assassin in Europe, received via e-mail. At first she dismisses it but suddenly hears a familiar melody driving her to follow up on the matter. She travels to Japan where she meets the intriguing high school girl Kirika Yuumura who possesses the innate ability in her own words “to kill people this easily” but without feeling remorse…

Review
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The Breakdown
Although simplified with only four main characters, the plot is complex with riddles and clues within elaborate twists. Each episode ties in to an even greater storyline that climaxes with the fight for who will be Noir.

Synopsis
The bullet-blasting babes from Team Warrior are in real trouble this time! When a group of killer drag queens get out of jail, they’ve got their eye shadow fixed on Nanvel’s new “makeover” device that renders the wearer beautiful or, on high setting, invisible! Then, in an exciting cliffhanger, Rio and Team Warrior must escort a top-secret tank across the globe. But when the transport plane is attacked, Rio finds herself alone in a hostile desert, with the supertank as her only ally – and her only hope of survival! Don’t miss the wildest, sexiest, strangest Team Warrior adventure yet!

Review
In Burn Up eXcess Volume 3: Under the Gun, Nanvel gets “kidnapped” by the drag queens that appeared back in volume one. They demand Nanvel to make them the machine that can change their bodies so that they can go on burglaries again, this time without getting caught and put back into prison. Stephanie or (heh) Rio gets kidnapped too. It is just funny how the dude keeps calling Rio Stephanie. Nanvel makes the machine and of course for a price. The drag queens have to get her whatever she wants to eat. Up to the point where they could not support themselves anymore they get rid of somebody who keeps eating up everything and does nothing (guess who). This episode is pretty funny. I like how Rio gets back at them for what they (the drag queens) did to her.

The next two episodes can be counted as one, because it is a two-part episode. In this episode there were some emotional moments and some nose bleeding moments. A super tank codenamed Henry is developed for military use and it becomes the target of the secret organization and the pretty lady with the gray hair. The lady uses her charms and gets a general to stop Team Warrior’s assignment to get Henry safe across the borders to another country. Henry some how becomes Rio’s guardian and they go off to an adventure across the hot desert. Many things happen and the enemy finally catches up to Rio and Henry. Here comes the most emotional moment yet in Burn Up eXcess! Go and check it out now!

The Breakdown
As I have said in the review of volume two, Burn Up eXcess gets better by the volume and it is proven by volume three of the series!

Synopsis
From the golden pen of Ryo Mizuno, comes an all-new adventure set in the aftermath of the Lodoss Wars! Ashram, desperate to find a home for his people, is tricked into selling his soul. 300 years later, Pirotesse’s devotion to her king remains unshaken. In the sacred world of Crystania, amidst a civil war waged by shape-changing warriors, she searches for her beloved Ashram. She meets Redon, a young prince obsessed with avenging his murdered parents. Together, they confront Ashram’s captor, Barbas, who aspires to rule Crystania as “The Gods’ King.” Will they free Ashram’s soul… or will Redon’s innocence become the next sacrifice to Barbas’ emerging power?

Review
Lodoss war fans, gets a little more of the Lodoss taste as Ashram and Pirotesse is back. The first thing that strikes anyone is the title name. No longer is it Record of Lodoss War, but Legend of Crystania. I recall, Crystania was mentioned somewhere in Record of Lodoss War, but was never really developed for the fans. This show bored me for about fifteen minutes, but then as action and story kicked in, my system reacted by kicking in turbo.

The shape-changing warriors are interesting. Their transformation is based on which god ruled the region that they were born in. They can either go, full man, half man-half animal or full animal. Record of Lodoss War is known for its’ RPG style, Legend of Crystania brings that style back, of course not as good as Record of Lodoss War, but adequate. The show is now more violent than Record of Lodoss War. Soldiers get sliced in half with blood gashing all over. There was one scene where a lizard warrior had a whole chunk of neck bitten out. So… yeah, I hope you get the idea after the last example :P.

Record of Lodoss War fans should stick with Record of Lodoss War. Legend of Crystania is different from Lodoss War. The animation is not the same, the setting is not the same, and although the action and story can be entertaining at times. I do not see a reason why a fan of Lodoss War should go on to something that is not Lodoss War. Unless you are a fan of Ashram and Pirotesse then I can see the reason.

The Breakdown
Legend of Crystania is not something you would watch every two weeks or so. It is something you would watch once every two years or so. The re-watch value is just not up there.

Synopsis
She was the most powerful creation ever invented. Designed by a brilliant mind, using otherworldly technology, bred for military use, the Steel Angel’s intent was as revolutionary as it was mysterious. But when a young boy accidentally awakens the Steel Angel Kurumi, science and strategy are thrown a curve. Now this multi-million dollar soldier is taking orders from a boy-and other forces are not happy about it. So Kurumi and her young master must seek out a secret lab and discover dangerous answers. Namely, why was Kurumi created in the first place? What is her true purpose? And why is a mysterious organization activating other beautiful, seductive, and powerful Steel Angels to destroy her?

Review
Steel Angel Kurumi reminds me of Saber Marionette J. We are dealing with androids that resemble females for those who did not know. Steel Angel Kurumi is more ecchi than Saber Marionette J. Let’s stop comparing these two titles now. The first thing that caught my eye was the DVD cover of Steel Angel Kurumi. It is beautifully done. I like how Kurumi looks so peaceful, on the cover with the angel wings (I have a thing for angel wings :P). Each episode of Steel Angel Kurumi is around fifteen minutes long, with the whole DVD totaling approximately ninety minutes.

When Nakahito is forced to explore and exterminate a Dr. Akuma in the basement of a mansion by his friends. He finds himself looking for an exit instead of Dr. Akuma (no such thing, by the way). Upon stumbling from door to door, he finds light, but stops to look at a blueprint of a Steel Angel. After a few more scenes he finds Kurumi and activates her by an accidental kiss on the lips. The fun stuff begins from there.

This twenty four episodes series has a fun atmosphere to it. You will feel laid back at times, and tense during some moments, depending on the situation. Kurumi has a hyper personality, which makes her character funny. Oh, this brings me to the point, the use of SD (Super Deformed) characters. This feature made Steel Angel Kurumi a cute and funny show to watch as well as a good action piece. Steel Angel Kurumi is a series for fans who likes ecchi humor. The last time I saw an ecchi humor was a month or two ago. Ahh… the memories ^_^.

The Breakdown
Yes! I did it! I finally got a chance to watch and review volume one of Steel Angel Kurumi after having so much work dumped onto me. Also pay a visit to the official Steel Angel Kurumi website by ADV.

Synopsis
‘She’s beautiful. Powerful. Passionate. Too dangerous to exist. She is Steel Angel Kurumi-and she’s marked for termination. Her enemy? The Academy. A floating fortress of mystery and military might. Their weapons? Powerful androids as lethal as they are lovely. Can Kurumi and her friends reach her creator’s secret lab without being detected by the Academy assassins? Or will her Steel Angel siblings succeed in ripping out her Mark II Heart that makes Kurumi so dangerous?

Review
In this volume of Steel Angel Kurumi, Nakahito starts to find out what he has to do with Kurumi. During an episode where Kurumi battles on three Steel Angels by herself, Nakahito stood there helplessly and watched as his Steel Angel was being knocked around. Then he came to a point where he starts to question his usefulness. If he could ever protect Kurumi, or anybody for that matter with his own powers, just as his brother would. As he struggles with his thoughts, he finally decides to try and do something. This resulted in him getting injured, and we all know what happens when Nakahito gets hurt and Kurumi is around.

The fun of Steel Angel Kurumi goes up and down. We get a chance to see Kurumi being jealous, because of the things Saki and Nakahito did. Kurumi’s personality is really cute; therefore she gave me a few chuckles as I watched on. Saki on the other hand is still obsessed with the ’sisterly love.’ Is it a good thing or a bad thing? Because of this sisterly love, she ventured to Kyoto by herself to buy cinnamon cookies for Kurumi and wanted surprise her with it in the morning. She made it to Kyoto, but meets her little sister, Karinka (the Steel Angel blue print that Nakahito saw when he was in the basement of the mansion back in episode one).

Karinka has two angel hearts, making her comparable to Kurumi’s powers. From her body size she looks like she does not pack any power in her punch, but she easily defeats Saki and tortures her until Kurumi shows up. What I am confused about right about now is how come Karinka is able to be activated without being kissed? Hmm… It could be, because she was made by somebody else other than Dr. Ayanokouji. But that should not be… I thought the blue print of Karinka was the work of Dr Ayanokouji’s, so when she was made, it should be the same as Kurumi and Saki. Oh wells, I will try not to lose sleep over this. This question should be answered by the next volumes.

The Breakdown
How can you possibly not like a group of Steel Angels?

Synopsis
Yes, the producers of the most demented anime ever produced are getting desperate, so in order to keep up the ratings, Excel and Hyatt find themselves facing new, Highly Merchandisable Characters, gimmick episodes are even SEXUAL JEOPARDY (I’ll take ‘lesbian android overtures’ for $100, Alex!) It’s all in the service of Llpalazzo and ACROSS as our favorite set of social misfits once again plunges into the breach as the plot sickens… er, thickens… in the fourth incredibly bizarre volume of Excel Saga!

Review
I cannot even count the times I have laughed in this volume of Excel Saga. In volume four, we are introduced to two… one… no two new characters; hot/mature Ropponmatsu and energetic/young Ropponmatsu. The show suddenly becomes amusing as both Ropponmatsus come back after being blown up quite a few times and of course especially hilarious when Llpalazzo sends Excel and Hyatt to America (New York City - Holla!). Whew, the English that Excel used were things that would pretty much get yourself killed in the city F.

Story… ACROSS causes some panic in City F, and that was it. Pedro on the other hand gets revived and takes ‘revenge,’ notice I quoted revenge, because it sure was some revenge he took on Gomez. I feel for the city workers. In the last episode of this volume they did not have any scene, except a scene to show that they are angry for not being in an episode again (hey its normal hehe).

Excel Saga: Doing Whatever It takes, is exactly doing whatever it takes to get me to enjoy this series even more than before. The new characters did their job and the story of Pedro continues. Actually I think Pedro’s story kind of takes over Excel Saga’s story at times.

The Breakdown
Anybody know where I can get one of those hot/mature Ropponmatsu statues? :P