Animesou.com

Synopsis
Troubles you can only dream of… Suguru’s horrible cleaning skills have his friends calling his home the ‘haunted house’, and being an orphan, he needs help! Enter Mahoro, a beautiful 19-year old that catches bullets in her fingers, claims to be an android, and who wants to be his maid! Now, his school friends are suspicious and his well-endowed teacher is going over the edge with jealousy. How will he react when he discovers that Mahoro only has 398 days to live and has chosen him for a reason?

Review
Meet Suguru Misato, a normal child with a not so normal maid and family history. His father past away when he was young, and then his mother also past away. Going through life was not easy for Suguru, although he had the left over money from his parents to use and a big house to live in. There was something missing in his life or I should say someone. Ever since his parents past away, he took care of himself. His house is in a total mess. Yes, you guessed it, the person he needs is a maid.

Now meet Mahoro, an android created by Vesper to battle the aliens who try to disturb Earth’s peace. She was relieved from her duties due to her system being shut down soon. Vesper told her of what will happen. If she is still going to battle, she will not last for more than thirty seven days, but if she retires, she will operate for another three hundred ninety eight days. Mahoro decides she will go into the Vesper Human Resources division and will live the rest of her life as someone’s maid.

What stunned me about this series is the introduction. You would not have thought it would be an anime series about maids, because we are put into a scene of Mahoro battling an alien. The fan service is pretty up there. The character that stands out is Shikijo-sensei with her large breasts. She just flaunts them and laughs at Mahoro’s. The funniest thing about her is that she is cheap. Her cheapness can take her from eating dinner at her student’s (Suguru) home to using his bathtub to bathe. The word for this is ‘freeloader’ I believe. Well the thing about Shikijo-sensei is that she makes you laugh at her actions and that is just about what Mahoromatic does. It is a very good combination of fan service and comedy, otherwise known as ecchi humor.

A question that pops into my mind is; Is Mahoro taking care of Suguru as a maid for atonement of what had happened? With all the clues given it sure seems that way. Suguru’s father was the commander of Vesper and she killed him as he commanded her to, because he was held hostage by an alien who was about to do some big damage. She was at the funeral of Commander Misato and she visits his grave every year. From all these clues, I really believe that Mahoro is Suguru’s maid to atone for the past. But whatever, this is just my prediction; let us see what happens as the series advances.

The Breakdown
Mahoromatic is a 12 episodes series, 3 DVDs at $29.98 each. There is a second season currently being aired in Japan in which we are introduced to Mahoro’s little sister Mizawa.

Synopsis
Lupin, Jigan, Goemon, and Fujiko are back for their ninth movie adventure! Lupin has been trusted with a mystical Twilight diamond which, as legend has it, is the key to an amazing treasure. So the whole gang heads off to Morocco to get rich. However, they will have to dodge the ever-present Inspector Zenigata and a new organization that is only out for one thing… Lupin’s head!

Review
Wow…I never thought I would say this about a Lupin movie, but I’m a bit unimpressed. Heck, I’m even going to say that I was disappointed. Lupin is my favorite anime character of all time, but this just isn’t even close to the best of his adventures. No one expects a Lupin film to make too much sense, but this flimsy tale is both underwritten and badly paced. The chase scenes (always a wonderful Lupin mainstay) generate little excitement, and the fights lack the flair that is normally present in the series. Although Lupin III remains one of the most greatest franchises in anime history, Twilight Gemini ranks among the least of the his adventures.

The Breakdown
It’s decent and worth a watch for true fans, but I would recommend The Castle of Cagliostro for newbies to Lupin.

Synopsis
Powerful Demons and beautiful, noble Guardians have battled for Earth since the dawn of time. Ages ago, the arrogant Demons enslaved humans, while the Guardians fought for human freedom. A deep hatred burns between Demon and Guardian; the Guardians know the Demons thirst for blood and power would destroy humanity and the world itself.

Neo-Shinjuku, 2089 - few Demons or Guardians remain to continue their epic war. Humans rule the Earth, with no real memory of the Demons or Guardians. Yet, deep within the dark underworld of the city, the supreme Demon is still alive and plotting, once again, to overtake mankind. Only one Guardian is left to do battle, and the fate of the human race hangs in the balance.

Review
Wow, this is a short one. It’s another one from Director Hisahi Abe (Vampire Hunter D), which means lots a pale people, black backrounds, nudity, and very bloody fights.

Although the opening narration tells of the Great Mother creating demons and guardians, humans are transformed into demons through bioengineering. As he’s celebrating his engagement, Eiji, a pharmaceutical researcher, suddenly changes into a disgustingly nasty monster, but is caught by the nastily incestious brother/sister team of Chen and Huang Long, who take him to a sex club and feed him prostitutes (how nice!).

Eiji is part of an experiment conducted by Mr. Takamiya, the master demon. Enter Tsunami Shijyo, Guardian, demon hunter, and ‘fire manipulator’. He’s hired by Eiji’s fiacee, Shizuka, to find him as she goes out to find (and kill) him herself.

I don’t want to tell anymore…but only because it’s just not worth it. The story has so much potential, but isn’t allowed to develop. No backround story is given for any of the characters, they just kind of…exist. In this aspect it reminds me of X/1999. But overall, this was a horrid, sub-par flick. I actually enjoyed watching the trailers more than the anime. However this may just be because I am not a huge fan of this genre. I would say only get this if you are a either a die-hard genre fan, or a die-hard Hisashi Abe fan.

The Breakdown
If you are truely desperate for a man vs. demon anime/manga, I’d recommend Ogre Slayer

Synopsis
Rurouni Kenshin is a wanderer, a lost soul, cursed to seek atonement for his life in the bloody trade of the samurai. During the long war to overthrow the corrupt government, he was known throughout all Japan as the Hitokiri Battousai (’sword-bearing master assassin’). But the end of the war has brought no peace to Kenshin, despite a vow to draw his sword only for the protection of those in need. Now his wife Kaoru steadfastly awaits his return, mourning his absence as well as that of their son, Kenji. Will Kenshin return before she dies of grief? The past meets the present fifteen years after Kenshin first left.

Review
This is the last of Kenshin, what a ride it has been. From manga to TV series to movie, OAV then finally this OAV, Reflection (Seisouhen). One thing you will notice when you watch Reflection is that the character animation has changed for the better. Everyone has aged, Kaoru and Kenshin is now married and has a child by the name of Kenji. Let us back up for a moment and start off from the beginning.

Kenshin was on a ship back to Japan after he had finished his task helping the needy without the use of his sword. It was because of his continuance to strive to help people he has contracted a disease that in that time was incurable. Kaoru knowing that still wants to stay as close to Kenshin as possible and wanted him to share the pain with her. There were quite a few moments where it became very emotional. Kenji who hardly sees his father thought that he mistreated his mom and him. As he is still a kid, he does not understand and learns the hard way from Yahiko. That was a great fight scene and Hiko Sejuro surely does not look like he has aged much from the last time we have seen him. He is still kicking back drinking his sake as he teaches Kenji some sword technique that is not Hiten Mitsurugi Ryuu.

With the first part being more of a recap of the whole Kenshin series, we move on to the real story, part two a flashback of what has happened after the movie. In part two we get introduced to an old character… a character who was in the first OAV. Tomoe’s little brother, Enishi Yukishiro. This time he is not going to stand there and watch. He kidnaps Kaoru and demands a duel with Kenshin to avenge for his sister. Enishi does not follow any style of fighting; he created his own fighting technique, a powerful one too. The action of Reflection was exciting and you can almost feel the blades of the swords collide as characters fight. My favorite fight scene by far is Yahiko against Kenji.

The voice acting of the Japanese and English cast were good, music score was wonderful and the music cast surely deserves a lot of credit for bringing life to the animated pictures. The animation also deserves much praise as they put out such aesthetic work. It is a hard task to see a great series end, and I am sure you would appreciate the way Rurouni Kenshin ends. Although I have battles with people I know about the ending, I see it as a very deep and emotional ending. When you put together all the pieces of what Kenshin really lived for after his Hitokiri days, the ending will start to make sense in a very great way.

The Breakdown
Tough to see Rurouni Kenshin end. This whole series has been around me for about four to five years. Rurouni Kenshin to me is irreplaceable. Kenji can start his own show, but would probably not have the same effect as Kenshin did.

Synopsis
‘The color of battle, the creaking wing is the sound of the beginning.’ Amidst the battered pavement of what was once the capital, there is a sanctuary, unscathed, that becomes the nucleus for the grand awakening. Sing, RahXephon, your song, your forbidden song in order for everything to become one someday.

Review
Directed by Yutaka Izubuchi (Gasaraki) and produced by Bones, Mediafactory, Inc (Cowboy Bebop: Knocking on Heaven’s door) is the well-anticipated RahXephon. Its title is one letter short from Escaflowne and like it refers to a legendary mecha. Like Hitomi, Ayato travels to a world unlike from his own, not medieval in time but rather a parallel world outside of his own sphere known as Tokyo Jupiter. From here it deviates resembling Evangelion more. Ayato lends his services to the Earth Alliance’s counter-MU strategy research agency, known as TERRA, analogous to NERV. In order to protect the island of Nirai Kanai from enemy dolems, comparable to Eva’s Angels, Ayato pilots RahXephon. Characterwise, he himself is both older than his Eva counterpart Shinji and mature although he too shares in a mental quest for identity and overall place in life.

The Breakdown
Every fan of Evangelion and every dissatisfied fan that didn’t like Evangelion because of the ending should add RahXephon to their collection. Look forward to the movie, which will be in theaters, Japan this April.

Synopsis
Her special power kept Yuzuhriha apart and lonely - until she met the Dragons of Heaven. Now, she begins to fall for Kusanagi - one of the Dragons of Earth! As Kotori faces her tragic destiny, and the second divine Shinken sword appears from an unexpected quarter, Kamui is forced closer to deciding his path. And his decision will whet the gears of destiny for the entire world!

Review
To wish for the present or to wish for a revolution… Those are the choices in which Kamui has to choose from in X: Four. In this volume, he is no longer the emotionless guy we have seen from the earlier volumes. Kamui who hid his feelings throughout could no longer bear any more of the load; he then proceeds to tells Fuma about everything. Through the discussion he has with Fuma, we find out more of Kamui’s childhood. The way he was perceived by other children, because of his extraordinary powers and the way he uses those given powers to fight for justice.

That is just the exciting part though. In the earlier episodes before this, we get a run down on Yuzuhriha’s background. We know she has a guardian spirit dog named Inuki, but what we do not really know is the pain she has suffered from her friends who thought of her as a liar when she tells them about Inuki (invisible to normal people). After an incident, she no longer cares if anybody sees Inuki, she does not even talk about him anymore. As you have read in the synopsis, Yuzuhriha begins to fall for Kusanagi a Dragon of Earth, and what I find amusing was that Kusanagi does not even seem as if he was a Dragon of Earth as he was chit chatting with Yuzuhriha as she tells him her story.

The story finally begins. Will Earth be destroyed or not will be determined by both of these clans. I am definitely looking into getting the next volumes of X.

The Breakdown
So here I am, anxiously waiting for X: [FIVE].

Synopsis
Takuto Kaneshiro is a gifted young man. A student in metallurgy, he’s something of a genius. He’s got a sweet, lovable girlfriend. And he’s got a lot of dreams for his future. But one day, all his dreams shatter in a freak accident involving a secret experiment. Everything he knows, including his beloved girlfriend, die. And from there, things really go downhill…

Review
Not knowing any of the people who worked on this one, I didn’t know what to expect. From people who imported the show from Japan, I was told the series didn’t hold their interest, or simply was not their type of thing. I won’t lie, this show isn’t for everybody. Then again, I don’t quite follow the norm.

I can’t really compare this show to anything else. It’s got awesome hints of things to come (that guy who repeatedly spouts Shakespeare on occasion who only Ryu Soma can see is very interesting.) The animation is good, as is everything else. It’s a very well rounded show, that has me to intrigued that now I have to see this show through to it’s end. And I’ve only seen the first five episodes.

The Breakdown
Buy the first volume, and give it a try. Very interesting to say the least, and has some very cool characters in it. Defintely good that it has the main character giving an evil-esque view of the story. The show is just a great breath of fresh air.

Synopsis
At the dawn of the new millenium, mankind has awakened a threat unlike any faced before: the Angels. Conventional weapons are useless against them. They can only be stopped by means of the Evangelions - bio-engineered vessels born from the Angel’s own technology mixed with human science. But the knowledge brought by the Angels is also the key to bringing about a startling new genesis for the human race. Placed in the hands of three young pilots, the final fate of humanity resting upon their shoulders, the Eva’s are the world’s last hope…

Review
Hoo boy, a review of Evangelion. Not the easiest of  anime’s to review. This ‘movie’ is really two things. There is the ‘Death’ part of this disc, which is a recap of the first 24 episodes with new footage strewn about made especially for this recap. Then there is the ‘Rebirth’ part, and this is where Manga Entertainment  once again falls flat on it’s face. In Japan, Rebirth was the first 30 minutes of End of Evangelion, but there were parts missing since technically, the End of Eva wasn’t finished yet. On this release, Manga just saw fit to shove the first 30 minutes of actual footage from the End of Eva on the disc. I really wanted to see the differences between Rebirth and End of Eva, but I guess I don’t get to (at least with the US DVD release).

Aside from that, how’s the actual content? Good…and bad. I will say right now that unless you’re a hardcore fan, do not buy this disc. There is nothing really new in it aside from some special footage for Death, which doesn’t make it that worthwhile to the normal fan. However, to the hardcore (like me), you will eat this stuff up. Rebirth is most defintely pointless, because if your buying this at all you already have or are planning to buy End of Evangelion anyway…which Rebirth is the first 30 minutes of. Buy this disc for its extras and for the cool new footage  in Death. Also, do not plan to watch this recap if you haven’t seen the show. The recap cannot help you understand anything. It was originally made in Japan to remind everyone what is going on in Evangelion, since the movie was coming out soon but it had been quite awhile since the series came. Death is good though if you’ve seen the series (as a recap).

The Breakdown
Has some very good extras (who knew Manga was smart enough to pretty much translate and put the Red Cross book on the DVD?) And I must reiterate, I thoroughly enjoyed Death and it’s new footage (while there isn’t to much, it’s still good.) Rebirth is End of Eva’s first 30 minutes, making it useless, because once you buy End of Eva, you have Rebirth anyway. Also, for some, the Mokuji special featureon the DVD  won’t work for them, and it’s a really great feature to. I, however, did not run into any problems with it on my DVD player.

Synopsis
In this disc Spike, the suave jazz loving bounty hunter, meets up with an old friend, Vicious, who, if you couldn’t tell by the name, turns out not to be so friendly. Various adventures insue. Also a new (and much hated by me) character is added to the series.

Review
The main session on this disc is the two-part adventure ‘Jupiter Jazz,’ which offers hints about the mostly unknown past of hero Spike Spiegel. Spike returns to his old haunts on Callisto in search of a mysterious woman, and comes into conflict with his former underworld associates: the icy Vicious, apprentice mobster Lin, and transgender barroom musician Gren. It all makes for good stuff.

However, the other two sessions on this disc (’Toys in the Attic’ and ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’) are really disappointing.

‘Toys’ is a rather dismal attempt at a mystery, and it is the first clue that Ed should have never been added to the series.

In ‘Bohemian Rhapsody,’ the crew of the Bebop find themselves pitted against a programming genius who designed a high-tech transportation system-and hid a flaw in the software. But he also concealed clues in chess pieces, setting up a (semi-boring) battle of wits.

The Breakdown
I reccomend getting this DVD just for ‘Jupiter Jazz’
Contains nudity, violence, and adult situations

Synopsis
At the dawn of the new millenium, mankind has awakened a threat unlike any faced before: the Angels. Conventional weapons are useless against them. They can only be stopped by means of the Evangelions - bio-engineered vessels born from the Angel’s own technology mixed with human science. But the knowledge brought by the Angels is also the key to bringing about a startling new genesis for the human race. Placed in the hands of three young pilots, the final fate of humanity resting upon their shoulders, the Eva’s are the world’s last hope…

Review
The one that ends the epic. This is the true ending to the Neon Genesis Evangelion TV series. But before you go all crazy, I want to say that episodes 25 and 26 go with this ending movie, as Ganiax and Director Hideaki Anno confirmed long ago. (Episodes 25 and 26 of the TV series are what goes on in Shinji’s head, this movie is what goes on outside of him, also confirmed by Gainax). I can’t really say much about the actual movie, because it would give away too much even talking about its beginning. (It is the end, after all.)

I’ll give a brief synopsis: Kaworu, the last angel, is dead. All the events of episode 24 have taken place and the movie begins where that episode left off. It’s the next day, the night before Shinji having been forced to kill Kaworu, and he looks on into one of the great Tokyo-3 craters as the sun heats the Earth. He then heads to Asuka’s hospital bed to ask her for help, but she doesn’t respond. (Being comatose and all, that happens from being mind raped by an angel.) He is very frustrated geting no response from her, and starts shaking her wildly. She flips over, and her shirt opens, revealing you know what. Shinji sees this, and reacts like you would expect an extremely messed up, frustrated, abandoned child to act. And thus the movie begins to end all movies.

The Breakdown
Simply has one of the most breathtaking stories of the modern era. While pointlessly ambiguous in some cases, in the end it is all worth it. Has some excellent action to, so for those action nuts out there there is something for you guys to. Simply put, buy this disc.