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Synopsis
After twenty years, Detective Zenigata has been taken off the Lupin case! With a new assignment and an aching heart, he seeks friendship in the one man he could never catch - Lupin the Third! When Lupin finds out about Zenigata’s new assignment to take down a weapons smuggling organization, he sees his opportunity to steal some extra income. But Lupin had better watch out; there is a new, more deadly, man on his trail now!

Review
Lupin, as a character, almost never disappoints; this movie is a perfect example of how well he can be used. It is slightly different from more famous Lupin movies (i.e. Miyazaki’s ‘The Castle of Cagliostro’) in the fact that it is slightly darker and more serious then most of his other adventures. This is not a bad thing however, it simply brings a bit more realism into the Lupin world. There is not a single off the wall call chase that involves Mini Coopers (or some such Euro car) driving up flat mountainsides. Although it is a bit odd to see Lupin like this, I enjoyed it. The storyline (taking down a gang of weapons smugglers) would have been affected for the worse if this story was made too comical. If this is a preview of where Lupin is headed in the future, I approve!

The Breakdown
It isn’t exactly like every other Lupin movie, but that makes it a perfect introduction for those who say Lupin is too ‘kid-ish’.

Synopsis
Goggles is a convict turned cop working off several terms of lifetime imprisonment. Obedience is ensured by the time bomb collared around his neck, but no one is sure of his loyalties. When an investigation of stolen body parts leads him to his ex-partner in crime, Goggles is faced with some stark choices. Will he risk death to return to the ruthless criminal life? Or will redemption finally catch up with him in a deathmatch with the military’s ultimate killing machine?

Review
Cyber City: The Decoy is a strange anime; of course it is expected due to the fact that it was directed by one of my favorite directors, Yoshiaki Kawajiri. If you do not know who that is, he is the dude that brought you Ninja Scroll, and X: TV. Now that we got that straighten out, this is definitely not one of Kawakiri-san’s best works. The show is fast paced and continues to zip by until the credits roll.

Even though this show is running two hundred miles per hour, it still is able to leave you a good impression, now that is the crazy part. I mean, I was watching this show and did not even know what was going on for a good starting half of it. The only time I picked up Cyber City was when some guy’s fingers were sliced off by those metal strings that the woman in Audition (a Takashi Miike work) used to saw off the man’s foot (Ouch!), while he was unloading his sub machine gun.

Anyways the quick action was what really kept me in my seat. The story of the government using human body parts to construct powerful cyborgs to whack every criminal out there in the city is just wrong. In Cyber City criminals were used to hunt down criminals. That might sound weird, but if you were a criminal and you were caught, you either were in prison and who know what happens there or you join up with the Cyber Police force to stop crime. These criminal-cops were collared so they cannot run away or else they will end up with no head, which adds more to the fun right? Not. These cops were also timed by their group leader, if the elapsed time limit was over, boom, brains are splattered everywhere.

Cyber City is very interesting. Even though there seems to be no point, and no goal that the show is heading to, it still manages to pull you into continuing to watch it, which is what it all needs, because this show utilizes action more than story. This is a rare case, due to the fact that usually when a show has no attractive story, it does not grasp the fans’ minds, but because of the action that Cyber City possesses it wounds up being an impressive show.

The Breakdown
Fast paced, little story development and lots’ of body parts from dead bodies. Is not that cool?

Synopsis
In a world where the grim reaper can strike at any time, a renegade surgeon known only as Black Jack operates outside the law. For the rich and dying, he performs miracles of a macabre medical nature. Unafraid of mysteries that verge on the paranormal, Black Jack is the one man with the power to cheat death… for a terrible price!

Episode 1:
Lured to a cursed island, Black Jack is curious to see what sort of disease is worth a three million dollar fee. When he gets there, however, he discovers a century-old virus that causes the victim to suffer painful spasms as all the water drains from his body - leaving the victim dead from dehydration. But when a frightened mob decides to take matters into their own hands, it’ll take all of Black Jack’s skill to keep his patient alive.

Episode 2:
Fate brought Black Jack into the lives of four teenage girls when they most needed his help. Now, six months later, fate has reunited them. But this time, the prognosis is not good. Two of the girls have already died. One of the girls is alive, but mentally unstable. The last girl is lying on a hospital bed, but her chances are slim. Her only hope is immediate brain surgery. Black Jack must perform the complicated surgical procedure and discover what happened in his absence…

Review
Black Jack is one of the surprise series of the year for me. Do not be fooled by the title, just because it sounds corny, Black Jack is nothing of that caliber. Although it sounds like and looks like another typical action flick, Black Jack is actually a series about the medical field. Now those of us who are not fans of doctors would not appreciate this as those who are. But I guarantee you will have a different outlook at doctors after you finish watching just volume one. I definitely had fun watching this show. Black Jack just has something about it that attracts the viewer. Maybe it is because I hardly see anything that relates to doctors, but that just adds originality to this great series.

One thing that I find strange is that Black Jack (the character) has the ability to fix up other people’s bodies, but not his own. He stitched up some girl’s face without a scar, but his own face looks so patched up. What is going on there dude? Each volume contains two episodes, which to me is not enough. Black Jack is like that drug addiction that the character in episode two had. When you are watching it your mind is unconscious of your surroundings and when you are not watching it you want to go back for extras.

Anyways, this title is a, what I would call a sleeper hit. There is not much hype about it, but damn it, this show is one of a kind and a good one at that. Black Jack is a strange anime. The little girl you see that is with Black Jack is not as little as her appearance hints, I find her being a character that lightens the show up at certain periods of times. Anime fans, go check this gem out now!

The Breakdown
Never have I been so interested in the medical field than after watching this show. I am looking forward to how the story will break out (get it? Infection hehe).

Synopsis
Unbeknownst to the general population, an alien force opened an inter-dimensional gate in Antarctica over 30 years ago in an attempt to invade the Earth. The unified forces of Earth formed an elite military unit under command of the United Nations to combat the aliens and to push them back towards their own dimension. But the war still rages on.

Rei Fukai is an elite pilot of the Special Air Force (SAF) and designated pilot of the Yukikaze, an advanced fighter armed with a sentient computer control system. When fear of alien infiltration within the SAF spreads, the Yukikaze may be the only weapon humanity has to bring an end to this war.

Review
Think of any Macross series before Zero, juice up the animation and you will get Yukikaze. The title sounds cool, but does it actually live up to its’ name? When I watched this I was already bored out of my mind so it was only natural for me to throw anything in the DVD player… anything. The attractive point of this show is that it looks good. The DVD cover looks cool, the planes look cool and of course the fighting scenes look cool. Other than those listed criteria the show is not much attractive. The story is about aliens invading Earth, by creating a warp hole to directly send their troops to attack Earth. The humans on the other hand have to battle back the aliens and try to stop them from invading permanently.

Yukikaze is a title that draws the viewer in closely as they are watching. Even if the viewer does not know anything about it, the show makes it so that the viewer will want to know more about it and soon enough, you will find yourself craving for more and more. Titles that feature air planes usually do not live up to my expectations, maybe it is because I expect a lot, but nonetheless, Yukikaze just does not have that deep impact I was looking forward to experience. Not that I am drawing a comparison here, but those of you who have seen Macross Zero should know how it feels watching that show. There is this excitement, this feeling where you want to get in one of those planes and fly it kind of feeling. Yukikaze does not provide that, it gives you the story and you, the viewer will just have to follow through with it.

Certainly this show is very enjoyable, especially the air craft designs, the animation and the battle scenes. Turn on your subwoofer to max and you will feel the engines of the planes roaring down the runway. Think that is not enough? The missile explosions are all deafening, so do turn up those subs with caution. I do not know what happens later on as volume two is not released yet, but this show right now is good as is. There is not a stupid love relationship going on within the story to mess up things. Do not get me wrong, I like anime series that incorporate love relationships, but Yukikaze just does not flow right with one. The lead character, Rei Fukai is way too freaky to be in one :).

The Breakdown
It is unfair to compare two different titles, but I have to say that Yukikaze is inferior when compared to Macross Zero; another air planes title.

Synopsis
Episode 3:
Two victims thrash in agony, scarred by the war of nations. Once again, renegade doctor Black Jack is caught in the crossfire. With Death breathing down his neck, he braves bullets and deadly biohazards to save the afflicted. Will the detective doctor prevail once more? Or will he pay the ultimate price for his mercenary ways?

Episode 4:
An infamous actress is suddenly stricken gravely ill. While she’s visibly undernourished and weak, she doesn’t seem to be able to eat. He has run every conceivable test, yet nothing appears to be wrong with her. Unable to hold her food down, the young star has become desperate. Considering suicide to end her torment, she has found a special doctor to help her die. Black Jack must race against time to save her - his only lead: the girl’s past and a deadly secret from World War I. It is a perplexing question of faith when Black Jack is hired to keep her from dying.

Review
In this volume of Black Jack, we are the spectators of a war that for some odd reason resembles what is going on in Iraq. In the show the United States is referred to as Federal Unites and Iraq is the Ortega Republic. Anyways, politics is not my specialty and certainly is not the goal of this episode, so here we go, let us start the review.

The show starts off with a beautiful woman seeking medical help from Black Jack for another person. This person later on turns out to be her father and the ruler that the Federal Unites imprisoned (sound familiar?). The situation turns bad as the army of the Ortega Republic ambushes the prisoner transport and retrieves their leader back. It is a full proof plan until, his health catches up to him. I know Black Jack is not real, but it is real enough that he cannot cure everyone, of course this was displayed in the first volume already too. The episode soon turns into a battle field rather than settling for the emergency room atmosphere that we all expected. From needles and scalpers we go to guns and bullets. It no longer is about the health of a man, rather it becomes the strength of a dying person trying to deliver a last sense of morale for his citizens to build upon. This is some top notch stuff, I surely enjoyed it tremendously.

In the next episode, a lot of males might like it. It is about a female actress, who simply wanted to act. But when financial problems strikes her, she is forced to model for a porn magazine. Then it began… one porn movie after another. It was the only movies she was getting cast in. Until she becomes ill with an unknown sickness that causes her to throw up everything she eats. With a noticeable frail body, she requests our good doctor, Black Jack to help. I will stop here with the spoilers; it gets good throughout the show, so you might want to tune in yourself.

Black Jack is just great. It is not one dimensional. It is not solely about patching up people. There are small messages generated through it that if given the enough thought to it, it might latch on to you. Since minds are different, what I make out from what I saw, is sure to be different from yours so see what you come up with and make sense out of it. It is actually quite fun to put your mind to work after watching an anime, you not only understand better, but will like it better too.

The Breakdown
Addictive and fun! What more do you need?

Synopsis
The war between the clans reaches its climax as Shigure is kidnapped by the Kimon clan, leaving both the Hiruko and Jubei desperately chasing after them. As the powers of the Light Maiden grow stronger, friends and enemies become harder to tell apart and Shigure, pursued by legions of creatures, finds she can no longer deny her responsibilities as the Light Maiden. She is the key to finishing the war, and the drifter ninja Jubei has committed himself to seeing her to the end!

Episode 9 “A Dragon Within”
Until now, no one has fully understood the secrets of the Light Maiden. But they are revealed at last when the Hiruko warrior Zofu saves Shigure from a clan of assassins and forces her to face a place and purpose she did not choose.

Episode 10 “The Heart of the Hiruko”
Who is Rokai? When Shigure is threatened by Yamidoro and his clan, a protector appears in the form of a strange little man with amazing abilities. However, even he cannot prevent the Kimon from kidnapping Shigure. Someone must save the Light Maiden!

Episode 11 “Yagyu Renya”
The action moves to sea as Jubei’s party searches for Shigure, who is stranded on the water with the Kimon clan. Onboard Jubei’s ship is a mysterious samurai. Is he friend or foe? The group must find out as passengers on the ship start turning up dead.

Episode 12 “Dynasty Restoration” How far can you trust your senses? Jubei’s commitment to save Shigure pays off when he, Dakuan, and Tsubute execute a successful rescue mission. But something is wrong, and Shigure is acting strangely. The outcome of war may depend on Jubei finding out why!

Episode 13 “Farewell Jubei” The memories of the Light Maiden are awakening inside Shigure’s head. But her recovery comes too late—Jubei has fallen in battle, and this leaves only Shigure to unlock the powers of the Light Maiden that will decide the fate of them all. She must face a finale without Jubei and witness one final fight that will decide who comes out alive.

Review
Whatever is good must have an end. Sadly, Ninja Scroll the series is done in this third and final volume. This volume certainly did not disappoint. It is action packed, and the story also gets very interesting. There are various moments that might touch a fan emotionally, and overall the final experience of Ninja Scroll is just great. Just when you think it is over and you have predicted everything, it is not. Things become crazy towards the end, it is just unpredictable. The only thing you could have probably predicted was that Jubei was going to defeat everyone, but that is a given so it does not mean anything.

The flow of this last volume is very smooth. There are no story breaks; it is just a pure build up of the summit high climax. I certainly appreciated that. It made it fun to watch. When an anime does that, you no longer feel an obligation to pull yourself through; the show itself does those honors, so that you do not feel enforced to stay in front of the screen.

Call me crazy, but for an odd reason, Ninja Scroll the series to me, does not seem to have random senseless killings that other ninja genres out there have. By that I mean, the killings that exist only to boost the cool factor. Yeah, a few henchmen might die, but those killings leads to their boss during the episode, unlike some, where they just die and the show goes on to the next scene, never seeing the boss until further down the road.

This show was extremely enjoyable. I really do feel bad for the doubters of the show. They do not know what they are missing. I believe Jubei will be hanging up his sword after this for good… but who knows, there might be a come back somewhere along the way, way along the way hehe.

The Breakdown
Will Jubei make another come back? Hmm…

Synopsis
Thousands of fans have followed the adventures of the beautiful and powerful android Steel Angel Kurumi-from her awakening at the kiss of the young boy Nakahito to the climactic battle that toppled the floating fortress known as The Academy. Now find out what becomes of your favorite characters in the aftermath! Has shy Saki gone Hollywood? Can a secret admirer help Karinka forget about her crush on Nakahito? Is Kurumi capable of becoming a graceful and dignified woman?
It all wraps up with a hilarious competition between the dozens of Steel Angels who have tracked Nakahito down for a taste of his miracle kiss.

Review
Steel Angel Kurumi cannot just end with such a small amount of fan service! And even though this volume is all fan service it is still not enough for me. The adventure continues after most of everything was destroyed in the last battle. Kurumi, Saki and Karinka all return to their normal lives and in these last episodes of season one they make it a point that they are here to stay.

There is not a particular story here; it is just fan service, very enjoyable fan service I might add. No, there are no nudes, but there is comedy. Steel Angel Kurumi is such an addictive anime series. It is something you cannot get enough of. Thank god there is a season two. If the next season has the same atmosphere as the first, it will definitely be another fun filled work of art.

There is not much to review for this final volume of the first season, as there is no progress in the story. Nakahito is still with Kurumi and Saki and Karinka just spices things up. Saki gets an episode dedicated to her where she becomes an actress and Karinka receives a love letter from someone, who also asks her out on a date in the letter as he professes his love for her. The final episode is a good one. Nakahito finds himself the target of all the Steel Angels, as they receive information that if Nakahito kisses them they will become as powerful as Kurumi. How that turns out? You should find out for yourself.

The Breakdown
Time to move to season two. Whoo hoo!

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
Episode 5:
While on vactation, Black Jack comes across a young man haunted by the vision of a woman who beckons him to return to a town he’s never visited. He also has vision of being shot in a battle in which he was too young to have possibly fought! Bullet wounds mysteriously appear on his body, bleed, and disappear. Is the young man insane? Could it have anything to do with an operation performed on the young man many years before? Or are they other forces at work? It’s up to Black Jack to solve the mystery!

Episode 6:
In the middle of a strange blizzard, Black Jack finds himself trying to rescue a dying princess. Taking poison to avoid a loveless marriage, she would prefer death to a life where she was forever denied the arms of the man she truly loves. Now, Black Jack is forced to question what is real when he opens up the girl and finds a demon waiting inside…

Review
Black Jack is not failing to impress me with each volume. In volume three, Incubation, Black Jack is put up with a mysterious illness of a soldier. When his illness strikes, his back will sprout bullet hole wounds and blood will splatter all over. Coincidently, Black Jack and Pinoko was on the same vacation that the soldier was taking therefore, when his attack struck, Black Jack was there to investigate the cause of the illness and curing him in the process. What nobody expected was that the cause of his condition was not due to a disease or any sort of illness. You get hints, but you will never guess the cause of his condition. Because of this, Black Jack is unpredictable, unlike another anime I was watching recently where I can even predict what the character was going to exactly say in Japanese.

In the second episode of this volume, we go from present to past and back to present. Crazy? Unique? Whatever you call it, I just did not know how the plot of the episode was going to connect to the main plot of the entire series. Surprisingly, as you are watching it, it does not matter; you do not even think about it much. All you will be doing is trying to solve the mystery before Black Jack reveals it to you.

All in all, I am very happy with how this series is developing; great attractive and unpredictable plot. There is without a doubt in my mind that Black Jack has to be one of the best anime releases this year, hands down!

The Breakdown
This is really a great series!

Synopsis
Mad science runs in her family, but Hikaru has always been an ordinary girl. It’s a dream come true when she discovers that she’s really a super-powered alien! With her hyper-speed battle mecha, the Grandoll Armor, she is humanity’s last hope against a hideous alien invasion!

Review
Hyper Speed GranDoll is not an impressive series. It is very predictable in dialogue, the upcoming scenes and plot. As a matter of fact, it makes me sick to my stomach that the characters will say or do something so predictable that in your own mind you will say, “Oh my god! What the hell is this?” Also, just to set things straight, GranDoll is not a hentai, even though the DVD cover may say otherwise.

Hmm… where to start? The plot I guess. GranDoll is about a little girl who was from another planet, who landed on Earth as a couple was going about their business. Ever since they have discovered the girl, they took her in as their daughter. What seems to be a high school teenage love drama turns out to be a high school teenage love drama with some action; fighting action I mean heh. The story develops fast. In the first episode, the character, Hikaru already tells you everything. What she will do in the series and etc. Hence, the reason why I say this series is very predictable.

Now GranDoll is not filled with negatives only, there are some good about it. There were some scenes that were funny. Even though going through this series is like an obligation, but the viewer must keep in mind that this is a three episode, all in one volume series. Therefore, it is short, quick and the points might not have been as developed as it would have if the format was a bit longer. But oh wells, since the show is what it is, I reviewed it accordingly to my taste hehe; in other words it was bad.

The Breakdown
It seems to me that no time was put into Hyper Speed GranDoll, that is the feeling I get when I was viewing this piece.