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Synopsis
Sandman and his ragtag crew of misfits and loners are back at it again, saving the Earth from the deadly Zeravire invasion… only this time, they won’t be the only ones on duty! Enter the elite G-Soldier Squadron, the first unit in the government’s attempt to mass-produce Gravion technology. Led by ace pilot Faye, will the G-Soldiers push the Earthgertz gang out of a job? Meanwhile, facing a series of stepped up Zeravire attacks, Sandman decides his team needs some time off at hot springs resort!? What better way to form a cohesive fighting unit than to see everyone in their skivvies? Towels fly and karaoke maids abound as the Gravion team battles a hidden danger deep within a nearby volcano.

Review
High tech robots, maids, and ecchi humor, it cannot possibility get better than that right? Although I have not completely finish viewing the first season, this title is very attractive. It surpasses my expectations and goes on to an even higher level. So far there is not as much fan service as the first season, but it still gets it done. It is more playful than the original. Why do I say that? Well for one, the Gravion gang is having more fun and is dishing out an equally amount of it too. I am liking the direction that it is heading, except when the guys dress up as maids :/.

The animation from GONZO is outstanding; hence they have been my favorite studio of all. For an odd reason, it seems to me that every title they get involved with, it turns out that that particular title will be successful. Strange :/. Now there is all that you can expect from, from a Gravion title. Breasts, girls, ecchi, and along with it, robotic action! While the characters are mainly the same from the first season, there are new characters introduced in Zwei; the G-Soldier Squardon being a few of them. Thus far, nothing is revealed about these characters, other than that they will be competing with the Earthgertz gang. It sure will be interesting the way that the story will form, as sparks will sure be flying all over the place.

In volume one, be prepared to watch a hot springs episode. Too bad I did not have a chance to see it as the screener only has three episodes, whereas, the to be released edition will have four episodes. Gravion is an anime that keeps a constant pace throughout the run time. I appreciate that as there are no nonsense breaks within the show. You perverts have got to see it!

The Breakdown
Gravion Zwei is beyond just ecchi humor. The characters are unique, the story has the potential to be great and the mechas are just amazing. While it failed in its attempt to leech onto me, I still had fun watching it. Do your research, then make your decision whether to invest in this title.

Synopsis
In the near future, the planet is run by a federation of twelve powerful corporations. Amid the general populous are psychics — metahumans capable of converting thought into energy. Known as “E’s”, these outcasts wield the power to control the world… or to save it! Kai awakens in Ashurum, a military contractor that has put together an elite special forces team of E’s called AESES to bring about law and order. But when Kai is sent to wipe out an anti-corporate guerilla outfit from the slum town Gald, he discovers not all is as it seems.

Review
Is it me or are some anime just created to be predictable? Once I got through half of the first episode, I already know the direction the show will go. I do not want to ruin it for you so I will keep my mouth shut about it. E’s Otherwise is a great title. Even though I say that it was predictable, it was only predictable to an extent. After the third episode my predictions were true and so from then on, I have no idea :P. We begin the story with Kai, who has been in the care of Ashurum since he was a little boy. His mother was involved with Ashurum, and since his sister has a health condition she needed their medical facilities. After Kai’s mother passes away, both he and his sister go into the guardianship of Ashurum. Due to the fact that he was basically raised by Ashurum and the help that they have provided to his sister for free. He joins and trains with AESES, the group of elite psychics that were compiled across the world of E’s Otherwise.

As you watch this show, you will ponder whether Ashurum is of the good or evil. There really is not a true statement of the side they are on. But one thing is for sure, E’s Otherwise is highly entertaining. The way psychic powers are displayed on the screen is astonishing. I like everything that this piece has shown me so far. The plot is not too complicated to comprehend; pretty straight forward if you ask me. The characters are not fully developed yet; hence, they are still mysterious. The sounds are amazing. The opening theme sounds like something Ayumi Hamasaki would sing, but it is by someone else.

E’s Otherwise is certainly an anime series that will leave a bang in the anime industry. This show is well planned out. There is no way you can get enough of it. This piece is certainly going into my DVD collection when it becomes available in stores. Make sure you jot this down in your to do list!

The Breakdown
E’s Otherwise is impressive all over. So far it is one of the titles that I can see having tremendous success. Watch for it!

Synopsis
To the unsuspecting eye Maki, Reimi and Yuka may not look like ace crime fighters, which might explain why they’re stuck on traffic patrol instead of more “exciting” police duties. All that changes when Yuka gets herself kidnapped by a white slave organization run by a politically connected businessman who’s got the rest of the police cowed. Now it’s up to Maki and Reimi to don skin-tight battle armor, liberate a tank, and make sure that a certain slaver learns that when you play with fire, you’re going to get your ass burned!

Review
I have always been a fan of the Burn Up series ever since Burn Up W. But now we are going back to where it all started, Burn Up! The show commences right off the bat with a car chase scene. The chase was pretty cool, it was a good introduction to the three main characters, Maki, Reimi and Yuka. This show is constantly on a quick pace as the main focus is revealed to the audience as soon the characters were finished being introduced. A crime organization is kidnapping young females and selling them as slave dolls, where they are forced into being a perfect woman. For those who listen, will get the training and ultimately be sold to a buyer and for those who rebel… we all know what happens when you deny the Yakuzas. Our trio of heroines cannot possibly allow this to happen and decides to go investigate the case. That is when Yuka becomes a kidnapped victim. With the criminals holding her as hostage, Maki and Reimi set out to rescue their friend in need!

Burn Up is the best out of the Burn Up series due to the fact that it is the original and that ecchi humor is not as rampant as the successors. With the less emphasis in ecchi humor comes a more entertaining show overall. Sure some of the perverts will miss the panty shots, the jiggly boobs counter and enticing scenes, but they do not go in vain. The way it plays out is all the entertainment that is needed. The old school animation brings back memories and refreshes them to make Burn Up seem as if it was a regular new title. This is definitely a title that you would say the old is better than the new, this coming from a Burn Up freak who owns most of the Burn Up saga.

What sticks out of this show is the quick pace that it is on. One scene you are at a conversation about a plan, the next scene you are where they act the plan out. You are just never left out in La-La Land wondering when the action comes, because usually it arrives sooner than expected. The bits of comedy provided throughout the show are cute. It is nothing rolling the floor about, but certainly gets your attention. Overall, Burn Up, is a quick hitter whose jabs are effective, but does not offer anything that will knock someone out.

The Breakdown
Burn Up’s action and quick moving storyline, keeps the viewers’ attention for the fifty minutes of run time, which seems like thirty minutes from how the things play out.

Synopsis
This is one thankless job that won’t even pay the bills! Kondou Yuuko, Hijikata Toshie and Okita Kaoru are the daughters of Shinsengumi heroes trying to follow in their father’s footsteps as loyal guardian warriors, but times sure have changed. If their enemies don’t do the Mobile Shinsengumi in, this bumbling trio might just do the job themselves! Can they rescue their reputation along with the city? Find out as the Japan of the past goes to war with the present and these battling beauties take on the ghosts, goblins, and gods of yesteryear!

Review
Rumiko Takahashi. You know you have heard of that name somewhere before. The person behind works, such as, Ranma ½ and Inuyasha is now the character designer of this little fun title Moeyo Ken. At first, I was not interesting in Moeyo Ken; I just wanted to get it over with as soon as possible. But after taking a breather from anime for about two days, I went back and said that if I just skim through an anime, I would not do its justice. Hence, I went back from the beginning and watch it again. To my surprise, it was not bad going through it for a second time. You certainly begin to feel an appreciation for it. Moeyo Ken is by no means a smash hit, but it is not crap either. It will attract fans, because of the heroines, after that the show does boast an interesting concept, in that there is a bit of a futuristic theme to it within the Meiji Restoration era… I believe it is one of those old time periods :) (Alpha is not good with history :P).

So what kind of futuristic theme? Well the trio does drive around with these crazy rides; rides that look like were from another dimension. They also wear armor like Samurai Pizza Cats does when they cannot handle an opponent with just their plain swords. I did not like the cars and stuff, but hey, that is what makes it different from just another title about samurai women right? The character design by Rumiko Takahashi is as expected; wonderful. No wonder why her credentials are where it is at right now and no wonder why Stikz is absolutely obsessed about her. I swear, if she ever decides to show up in a New York anime convention, they better have elite security, because Stikz will plow right over them, just to get a hand shake or autograph. (Sorry brother man, I had to take a shot at you ^_^).

Moeyo Ken is not the type of anime title where you say to yourself that, “Dang, I have to own it!” It is more like a title where you watch it when you are bored or have nothing else better to watch. Those Rumiko Takahashi fans will run to buy this, but if you are a casual fan, renting it will most likely be your option. It does not mean that Moeyo Ken sucks; it just means that it is not on a level where a luxury becomes a necessity.

The Breakdown
Moeyo Ken probably would have been better off as a longer series, rather than a short one, as maybe then, things can be explained deeper and viewers will be able to hang onto it for a while.

Synopsis
As the tale unfolds you will be presented a series of dilemmas. But beware, for your choices will ultimately determine the outcome of the story, and the fate of our heroes! Long ago, in a land ravaged by strife, an ancient race of mages crafted the ultimate weapon to destroy their enemies and end all wars. They called it the Aryx Orthian, the Scourge of Worlds. Hidden safely for hundreds of years, the Scourge is now sought by a new evil threatening to unleash its incredible power. To save the world, three fearless heroes – Regdar the fearless warrior, Lidda the rogue halfling, and Mialee the elven wizard – must embark on a treacherous quest and choose between honor and evil, life and death. With hundreds of unique story combinations this computer-animated fantasy delivers a DVD experience like no other.

Review
Scourge of Worlds is a Dungeons and Dragons adventure, which makes the viewer choose the destiny of the characters that are displayed on screen. What I liked was the great animation that this movie contains. The computer graphics were amazing, although the combat fighting seemed a little fake; if you asked me. In the path that I chose it was quite comical at certain points. Just a “heheh” laugh, but that undoubtedly brightened the mood of Scourge of Worlds and made it much more entertaining than it was without those quick hitters.

The story is well, different. I only got through one ending so there are a few more endings to this movie. By doing this the show is more mysterious and for the die hard fans, it would be a joy for them to browse through this movie again and again, as it does contain an adequate replay value due to the interest that it may spur with all those alternative endings.

As the synopsis stated, the story is about the Scourge of Worlds; a weapon of some sort that has enough power to destroy the world. Regdar’s mentor, Briathion sets out to retrieve it for a particular purpose that you will soon find out later, that he is being controlled by a wannabe angel who acts as his guardian. The things get a bit complicated, but it manages to work out as the scenes move on. I am actually happy about the ending that I attained through my selections. It was not a disappointment and the good beat out the evil in my ending :). Scourge of Worlds is not a title for those who are not Dungeons and Dragons fan. For those who are, well this DVD just found a home.

The Breakdown
Scourge of Worlds is really not a bad title at all, I would say given another reviewer, probably he or she might have view it has something better than what I make it out to be.

Synopsis
The wheel of fate turned when Kiyotaka Narumi vanished. On that night Kiyotaka’s younger brother, Ayumu, was forever changed. Ayumu found himself thrust into the baffling mystery of the Blade Children. Who are they? What have they done to deserve their fate? Why do they believe Ayumu is the key to their salvation? Only one thing is certain: The Blade Children will stop at nothing to complete their destiny. And only Ayumu stands in their way.

Review
Spiral is a rather interesting anime. It almost seems to shift genres towards the end of this volume. It starts out as a bit of a mystery series with a bit of comedy, as Ayumu uses his amazing intellegence and power of deduction to solves Sherlock Holmes-esqe mysteries, and Hiyono provides comedy relief. And while these episodes are interesting, they don’t further the plot and are kinda useless. The plot does heat up when in fourth (of five) episode. That is when the secret of the Blade Children is revealed and Ayumu starts to search for his missing brother. So, in short, the story is good, but you do have do wade through some usless fodder to get there.

The Breakdown
If you have the patience to wait through the slow parts, you will be rewarded well.

Synopsis
In a digital realm between life and the hereafter, there lies an empty room, a black sphere, and the trapped souls of the unfortunate. Here, the only meaning left is in the brutal game. Welcome to GANTZ, the next level of action, horror, and science fiction. Inspired from nightmares, Gantz brings forth a shocking vision produced in precise 2D/3D animation to showcase a slick and bizarre tale.

Review
In volume two, the episodes three and four are displayed. While episode three is not new to me due to the advance screener I had received a while ago, it was a nice refreshment. The show continues off with Onion Boy’s father, pissed as hell after the gamers gangbanged his son to death in other words, killed him. No, no, let us put it in better terms; slaughtered. And from volume one we all know what happens to the scrubs of the show, so let us continue on and discuss what is about to happen to the four left over gamers.

So Kei, Kato, Ms. Melons and the mysterious dude is still alive in the world of Gantz. After having to exert a tremendous amount of effort to run away from Onion Man, they finally get backed into a position of no escape. With Onion Man mad and the there newbies scared how will it turn out? Are you intrigued yet? If your answer is no, this volume finally explains quite a bit of what Gantz really is. It is certainly very interesting to know briefly what it is all about.

The action so far is just magnificent. I cannot find a better way to word it. All that blood and gore flying all over the place will make you even more excited for what will come next. The story is ichiban. Everything in this show accompanies each other so well. Gantz has become one of my favorites in such a short time. The replay value of Gantz is like none other. Sometimes I think I am sadistic for liking what I am seeing. Maybe I am a bit crazy… x_O.

While I dislike the way this series is released, at least the dates are closer together, which makes the wait time for the next volume shorter. I am more for the three to four episodes for $29.99 rather than the two for $19.99 format. It seems, no wait, it is that ADV Films has found a special cow and they are milking it for all that it is worth, down to the last drop. Hey, there is nothing wrong with that, unless you have an unlimited amount of resources in your hands’ reach. Which I can assure you, no one has :).

The Breakdown
With the action so fluid and the storyline so addictive. Who can possibly resist the lust for Gantz?

Synopsis
When a mysterious woman gives Palme (an apathetic robot made from the sacred kuroop tree) The Egg of Touto and charges him with a crusade which has put the fate of the world into his hands. A journey of rebirth and discovery unfolds. Chased by a mysterious group of mercenaries, Palme teams up with a band of misfits only to discover the complexity of the human condition and what it truly means “to be alive.”

Review
You know, as I was watching A Tree of Palme, I was wondering where have I seen something like this before? It seemed to me like another one of those “robot wants to be human” kind of anime. The story of this OAV is extremely deep. You would not even comprehend it if you take quick look away from it. Everything moves so fast, yet it does not feel that way. I could have sworn I was sitting in front of the television for like three hours, but of course, that was an exaggeration. The film runs for 136 minutes which is the same as saying, two hours and sixteen minutes. During the run time you get to see how an innocent little puppet, Palme, becomes infected with the selfish idea of becoming human with his current form by finishing his journey of delivering the Egg of Touto to Soma, the ancient Kuroop tree who controls life.

In this adventure Palme has to discover a purpose to his life. Throughout the story he is joined up with abandoned kids with the exception of Popo, whom has a mother, but by the way she treats her… you might as well consider her abandoned as well. In life, most people want to fit in and most people want to have power. I know “fit in” and “power” are very general words, but for Palme, those are the exact words that fit him. He wants to be human, which is fitting in. He wants to be human, which to him equals to power. All he wanted to be was human, is that selfish? I mean, everyone wants to be someone and sometimes at the expense of others, but with Palme, he becomes blinded by the urge of being human. He becomes addicted to the idea and until the end he finally finds out that it does not matter, whether he is human or puppet for as long as he knows his identity it is all that counted.

A Tree of Palme resembles a person who wants to change himself and be in another league without considering the consequences or the people that would be sacrificed along the way. The comparison with Pinocchio gets brought up with this OAV, and I have to say, they are quite similar in ways. The differences might be the violent scenes and a little more emphasis on how Palme is brought up. That is about it. If I were to pick between the two, I would go with the more appropriate for adults animation; A Tree of Palme.

The Breakdown
Maybe it is I, who is not getting the whole idea, but I consider myself a casual fan, and like stuff to get spoon fed to me. A Tree of Palme is an animation with all the right concepts, but has a difficulty in bringing it all out to entertain fans, such as, myself. I would investigate the OAV again… but the problem is, the replay value is not high due to the long run time :).

Synopsis
Spike and Jet are back, along with Faye, Ed, and Ein, in this movie comeback that takes place between episodes 22 and 23 of the TV series. A new foe has risen in the form of a mysterious man in a black trenchcoat who is using chemical warfare in a metropolis on Mars. A bounty has been put on his head, and so the Bebop team heads out to get him. The strange thing is, he’s already dead.

Review
Sweet, more Bebop! That’s never a bad thing, especially if you’re a fan of the franchise (like me). If you don’t know what Bebop is, I recommend you watch the TV series first, so go read my review of the TV series first. If you’ve already seen the TV series, then by all means, keep reading. After the end of Bebop in 1998, a lot of fans were hungry for much much more. What we got  was a  full-length film, while  not as good as getting another whole TV series, really helps to flesh out the Bebop universe and Spike’s character, which is a huge plus and tells us why he made some of the decisions he made at the end of the TV series. The rest of the cast aren’t there for much other than to be there, though Faye and Ed help out in weird and interesting ways.

Two things should be lauded for before anything else about the movie: the music and animation. While the music isn’t as strong as in the TV series,  composer Yoko Kanno  tries a lot of new thing (like pop and soft rock instead of jazz) and it works well. The animation, one of Bones Studios’ (RahXephon, Scrapped Princess) first projects, is downright amazing. The two major hand-to-hand fight scenes in the film are good enough to watch over and over again, and we’re talking about animation. The style and flair with which they are directed is remniscent of Bruce Lee and John Woo mixed as one. It’s quite a sight. Other than the fight scenes, everything else still looks great, from ships to backgrounds to characters.

One minor annoyance in the end is the length. Since the film is really just one long filler episode of the TV series, there’s a lot of downtime with no action or tension, leaving us bored and looking at our watches. I don’t see how this can be rectified, which proves why the 30 minute per episode time frame of the TV series worked so well.

The Breakdown
Buy it, and try it out. If you’re already a fan of Bebop, this would be a great addition to your collection. Very fun and enjoyable to watch.

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.