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Synopsis
Crusher Joe: The Movie
Joe and his team are hired to med-evac a cryogenically frozen heiress to the planet Miccola, only to have her kidnapped out from under their noses while in hyperspace! Before they know it, the team gets accused of space piracy by the United Space Force and suspended by Crusher HQ.

Crusher Joe: The OVAs
A double feature of derring-do! The team gets hired to adjust the orbit of a prison cometary core before it impacts on an inhabited planet, only to get caught up in a political double-cross of astronomical proportions. Then they take on the task of rescuing a military officer who is safeguarding an ultimate weapon that can destroy all the life on the planet while leaving the real-estate intact, only to find that the planet she’s crash-landed on is infested with mutineers (not a problem) and self-replicating quasi-organic semi-intelligent kamikaze death-bots (big problem!).

Review
Upon watching Crusher Joe, I have finally noticed how good it is to go back in the days, where all that digital, and CG things were not used. Crusher Joe has comedy and action. I have not seen a good action mixed with comedy like Crusher Joe since Ghost Sweeper Mikami. Once you see it you will be able to tell the differences between old comedy and new comedy in the anime world today. Of course Crusher Joe’s main focus is not comedy, but mainly space action.

The space battles are unique; there is just an immense amount of action taken place at times. Looking back at when Crusher Joe was made, I was very impressed with all the action the animation staff has put together. The story of Crusher Joe is interesting in ways. It is difficult to compare Crusher Joe to any modern series today, because this show came before them, and probably has set some guidelines for space action anime today.

Throughout the three hours and fifty-eight minutes of run time, the show gets better. From the movie, which I thought it was mediocre, to the first OVA (The Ice Prison), which was becoming better, and finally to the second OVA (The Ultimate Weapon: Ash) in which I thought, it was very entertaining. This show is definitely a must watch for those who crave space action and are tired of what modern shows have to offer.

The Breakdown
Crusher Joe is not your average Joe. Watching Crusher Joe was definitely a new experience in which I have gained. I liked the action a lot. The comedy gave me some laughs. Such as, how Talos punched this big dude’s face in and the way Alfin acted after just drinking a glass of whiskey. When putting all the pieces together, Crusher Joe is a good watch and a good value.

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
Hayao Miyazaki had been cradling the idea for this wonderful fantasy for a long time before he finally decided to write and direct it. Although it’s set in the mid 1950’s in Japan’s rural area, the sceneries with lots of trees, of fields and meadows with colorful flowers bring a universal feeling of joy and harmony even to those who have never left the big cities or living in other countries. Another charm of the movie is of course it’s heart warming tale of the two little sisters and their relationships with the land’s mysterious creatures (including a ‘Cat Bus!’) whose plots aren’t forced or condescending in any way, which makes the film such an enjoyable experience for kids and adults alike. It’s a 2-disc set with loads of special features, including a storyboard-to-film comparison for the entire film.

Review
I remember back when I was a child, around five years old. I have watched Totoro and loved it a lot. As a child’s point of view, I liked Totoro for its cuteness and story. It gives me, as a child, the thought of, “What if there was Totoro and I saw it?” Certainly it will be cool, but seeing something that big with big teeth… I would get scared. A few years have passed since I watched Totoro. Now that I am seventeen almost eighteen, I revisited what I have once visited. The old feeling was still there, and I still get attracted to Totoro for its cuteness and story. I guess my mind has not changed through out the years.

Totoro attracts not only children, but adults too. The story of two sisters who live with their father, as their mother is in the hospital is fun to watch, because of the happy atmosphere that Mei and Satsuki create when they are running around their back yard having fun or doing funny things such as, catching a “Mak kuro kurosuke.” There are a few tense moments such as, close to the end of the movie. The character animations are similar to other Hayao Miyazaki works after all it is created my him. What impressed me was that the quality of the animation looked as if it was from 1995 instead of 1988.

The Breakdown
After rewatching Totoro, I feel like going out and buy the doll… it’s so cute just like Puuchuus.

Synopsis
The Hellsing Organization makes its last stand against the unknown traitor, and Incognito, one of the original undead, at the Tower of London - with the Queen and Integra’s life at stake! Seras must finally make her choice about what she has become and the mysterious bond between Arucard and Integra is revealed…

Review
Questions are answered in volume four. I am really against Pioneer Animation’s translator for translating Alucard’s name to Arucard. It does not make any sense. Alucard is Dracula spelled backwards, what is Arucard spelled backwards Dracura? It is even shown in the last episode (Episode 13 - Hellfire) that Alucard really is…

Anyways, we are shown how Integra and Alucard first met. After Integra’s father past away, her uncle who wanted to become the leader of the Hellsing Organization decided to kill her so that she cannot become the leader. After running from her uncle she remembers something her father said and heads to the basement of the mansion. When she saw the door that leads to Alucard, her uncle catches up to her and she opens the door after some dialogue. Because of Integra’s blood, Alucard awakes and goes on a killing spree (quite cool if you ask me).

This volume is action packed! All four of these last episodes had fast paced action. Now I am no action freak and I do not like to watch everything that is action like my friends do, but this action had story as a back up so it was good overall. The battle between Incognito and Alucard is the best battle of the whole show. It displays Alucard’s power to the fullest. The ending certainly did not disappoint me, it could perhaps be considered as one of the better endings I have seen compared to the other titles.

The Breakdown
Pioneer Animation has done a good job in bringing Hellsing to the states. This title is something that fans of the vampire genre cannot get enough. With animation done by GONZO and an entertaining story. Hellsing is a definite good buy.

Synopsis
It’s the first summer vacation of their high school lives and that means time apart for our two young lovebirds. While Arima is off training hard for the national Kendo Tournament, Yukino is trying hard to just be herself and relax with her first real friends. Unfortunately her sunny days of relaxation come to an abrupt halt when Tsubasa announces she’s running away from home. It seems another woman has invaded her father’s heart and now he wants to marry the harlot against her wishes! Dragged into the middle of the girl’s family problems, can Yukno help Tsubasa mend the rift with her father, or will she end up losing her new friend?

Review
In volume three of His and Her Circumstances, we are shown more story development. It seems to me that most of these kids have abnormal families, except Yukino. However watching Tsubasa having a new family is very enjoyable as we are introduced to her step little brother, Kazuma. In public, he is often mistaken as her older brother (that’s because Tsubasa is just so cute!).

After Tsubasa’s problem is solved, two overview episodes follow, summarizing what is going on in the story thus far. Why there are episodes like that? I think it is, because the crew needs some time to think of the next episode or just to fill in those people who did not get to watch the beginning of the show. I did not fuss over it so it was cool for me, but some may not like overview episodes.

Then comes some background information of Asapin where he left home, because of problems with his father. When Yukino found out about all these people and how she took her life with her family for granted. She began to have negative thoughts about her relationship with Arima, wondering if she knew all of Arima or just a part of him. The volume comes to a close as we get the story of how Yukino’s parents came together. Her father was the local terror and her mother was an innocent little girl. The cops and robber game that they played sure is funny. In the next volume, Arima is back, and we will see what Yukino is going to do about her confusion!

The Breakdown
I am about to start a Shibahime Tsubasa fan club, you want in? Just kidding. Kare Kano is now a series that I am glad I am watching. My friends are missing out on this, because they are all action anime freaks.

Synopsis
Mortally wounded by Nataku, Fuma’s father leaves a cryptic message for his son - ‘You are Kamui’s twin star.’ After the funeral, Kamui and Kotori are attacked by Seishiro, a Dragons of Earth assassin. A still mystified Fuma manages to save both of them. But Kamui senses there is something different about Fuma. Meanwhile, Sorata and Arashi search for Subaru, another member of the Dragons of Heaven. But Subaru also encounters Seishiro, who killed his sister years ago.

Review
In X: Three, the story continues to develop by displaying the character’s backgrounds. Getting to know the characters is definitely a plus, because it gives the viewers an understanding of the actions each character takes. After learning how Satsuki first started using her ability to communicate with computers and the things she had to go through, before becoming a Dragons of Earth, I now look at her in a different perspective.

At first to me she was some teenage girl that seems to be a computer freak who likes to attack people with electric wires from the city, now with her background information, I stopped thinking that way. That’s exactly why understanding a character is an important factor into understanding the whole story. Director Yoshiaki Kawajiri does an excellent job in this work, just as he has been for his other works through out the years.

After episode 7, episode 8 moves the story forward by the death of Fuma’s father and the line of dialogue he said to Fuma as he past away (’You are Kamui’s twin star’). What this meant was that he is the one that will be Kamui’s opponent. When Kanoe got a hold of Fuma in his dream, she altered it and changed Fuma in a way where he seemed evil. Temporarily that is. After this little advancement in story, we stop by to learn about Subaru Sumeragi’s (Dragon of Heaven) background. Not as interesting as Satsuki’s story, but still gets the point through.

The Breakdown
Looking forward to more development of characters in the next volume!

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
A boy regains consciousness and finds himself lying on the sticky floor of what appears to be the insides of a monster. Dazed, a girl named Mimiru kindly greets him. Irritated, he suddenly teleports away from her, but more visitors, the Scarlet Knights, confront him. Claiming to be the guardians against evil, they question him about a cat-like character that has been seen around him. Evading them, only to meet Mimiru once again, he nonchalantly attempts to log out completely. Here is where it all goes wrong…

Review
The current generation of video games today applied to role playing are what are classified as MMORPG, standing for Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game.Instead of playing by yourself at home or occasionally if you have extra controllers with a couple of friends or relatives over, one is able to experience an environment amidst millions of other users, all interacting, all playing the same game from any country on the planet. It is dynamic in the sense that it a virtual recreation of the real world. You are able to talk to people, even develop to the extent of a relationship with fellow players. The feelings and personality of that person are reflected in the character that they play. But you must remember that it is all just a game, a form of entertainment. Now imagine being trapped in this virtual world where it is no longer a game. Every beating moment of it is real. The name of the boy described above is Tsukasa, and his situation is just that.

The Breakdown
A combination of the two best things in the world, anime and video games.

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
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.