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Futaba-kun Change! is a very interesting piece of work. I don't remember laughing quite so hard on a lot of other manga or anime. *Warning* There is quite a bit of nudity so be careful where or who you read this around.

That said the next closest thing for a comparison is Ranma 1/2 but that only comes close to the absurdity and strait hilarity of some of the scenarios in FKC. FKC is roughly split in a three ways between being a romantic comedy, an action, and a gender bender. But is way more silly than Ranma 1/2. (As hard as that is to believe.)

The ... synopsis is mostly correct, but it does not mention the sheer insanity present in this manga. Futaba-kun's transformation is only the first of many things that stand out in this regard.

Story is somewhat unique but I can't say much without a lot of spoilers.
Art is a little clunky at some points, but at other points and overall is really quite good.
The characters are all nuts. Just about all of the main and supporting characters have some trait that sends them clear over the edge. But you will love them because of it. Even jokes or gags that really are cliche or lame are refreshingly funny in how they are used and the art used to lead up to them.

This series is a must read for fans of gender bending or strait up absurdity. Easily an 8.5 or 9 out of 10. Too bad it is only 8 short volumes and was never expanded upon further.
My only real gripe is that the ending sort of just appears with very little leading into it. Not to mention it goes on a pretty far off tangent.

Scrapped Princess.... hmmm. This one is a bit of a mixed bag for me. Don't get me wrong, I thoroughly enjoyed watching it and bought the DVD's. It even made it as part of my favorites, although not top 5. A few minor spoiler hints but nothing too specific are included.

Wait... Why do I sound down about a top 10 favorite you ask? Well its simple really. I'm big on something called setting the scene. How do i mean ? That is also very simple. But first Lets talk about what I liked about the show.

The story is nothing too spectacular but it does have ... its moments, as the storytelling is overall pretty good in my opinion.

Art is average to above average. Character designs are done overall very well as well as scenery feeling alive and not just a backdrop for everything else. Battle effects are done very well, and the spell effects are excellent.

Characters are likable. Even the principle villains are interesting and with a few exceptions don't feel flat. Characters motivations are pretty generic, but it is easy to understand why characters act they way they do for the most part.

Overall I really enjoyed the series and would recommend it to anyone seeking an adventure with mixed magic and swordplay along with fragments of highly advanced technology thrown into the mix. This is not a little kids show about courage and facing off against higher powers. People die, lives are shattered, characters are manipulated into trying to kill the scrapped princess. Even a (short lived) primary supporting character is shot full of arrows and dies in the streets leaving us in a bit of a predicament at one point.

I do feel I need to mention post processing of how each episode ends its a bit jarring. It can flow from whatever is happening on screen strait into the outro music. Sometimes this is abrupt and feels almost like the producers couldn't find a good place to cut the episode off. This not setting suspense for the next episode, this is just a jarring cut.

The other thing I can really rip my hair out about this and what prevents it from being a top five favorite is this series implementation of some of its sound mechanics.

Voice acting is fine and even above average. Sound effects are concise and used without problem. The intro song is pretty good actually, while the outro is forgettable. In scene music is mostly forgettable, with a few exceptions taking the lead from time to time.

Well that's average or above average sound use right? well it is except for one thing that bothers me a great deal. Maybe I'm just spouting crap. but the break to and return from commercial interlude completely breaks the scene for me. I mentioned that I'm big on setting the scene, that means that the mood of the scene is just right to convey some emotion whether that be intense anger and the lust to fight, or deep sorrow and despair. Oh wait . Commercial interlude *Happy / Cheerful accordion ( I think) tune plays twice* Back to despair. *Scene of me ripping my hair out* I really want to rate this series 10 for a moment based on its other merits and then plays the interlude.

I will compromise and give the show a 8.5 rating overall. I still highly recommend this series, just not the interlude...I've even gone so far as to consider ripping and editing the interlude out of each episode just so I can enjoy this series to its fullest.

Ranma 1/2 is something that is difficult to pin a single description on. At times there are lots of action scenes, explosions, and various attacks flying around. At other times it is side splitting humor due to an awkward time and place for Ranma to transform, or situations he gets roped into, and still other times where Akane's explosive temper or jealousy takes us by surprise. Scattered here and there are some genuinely sweet and tender moments as well.

(8) Ranma 1/2 is episodic. It has no overarching plot other than to perhaps reverse the curse placed on Ranma and several others we meet along the ... way. We have our core group of Ranma and friends, and a number of other characters that come and go.

(8) The art is generally very good. Age is no qualm here as an excuse for sloppy art. The animation quality is a bit simple at times. But at others, especially during fight scenes, is very good. Quality overall is still very good though. Although in rare occasions, the art quality drops significantly.

(9) The sound quality suffers a little bit due to age. Especially having been on VHS for over half of the series lifetime. But otherwise the sound quality is still very good to great. Surprisingly enough the core group of characters have very good English dubs. Even a lot of the supporting and background characters have good voice overs. Occasionally we run into a bad voice over, but by far that is in the minority.

( 10) The characters here all have a healthy dose of insanity. With few exceptions most of the characters have some unique personality traits that either put Ranma and crew in massive trouble, or cause such an awkward scene that you can't help but burst out laughing. Also with few exceptions most of the characters are so tenacious that they just cannot give up. ever. It doesn't matter how many times they get pounded into the ground, or launched into the sky, or made a total fool of, they just keep coming back for more. But it fits with those characters personalities and makes them what they are. We do have a number of one or two shot characters that appear for a scene or two and are never seen again.

(9) Ranma 1/2 is a very long series, 161 Episodes, 12 (now 13) OVA's and two movies are a lot to watch. This series is no exception to getting a bit burnt out on itself. I won't lie and say I enjoyed every single one of the stories, but I'm willing to forgive them in light of the insane fun of the majority of the set.

(9) Overall I loved Ranma 1/2 and highly recommend it to anyone looking for a bit of insane fun mixed with various action bits and a romance plot that is extremely warped due to the number of opposing parties involved. Not to mention that Ranma is both a boy and a girl, and with the plentiful insanity, various people either love him or hate him depending on which he is at the time.

The only bad things I can say about the series is that sometimes enough is enough. Ranma's immaturity, and Akane's explosive temper can get a little old
but still.
9/10 without a doubt. Bias included.

*This could easily be a solid 10, but the series was never finished. The anime cuts off roughly in volume 22 (out of 38) of the manga. The OVA's only take on a few more stories but leave a substantial number untouched.
There are still a lot of interesting characters that we never see, and a lot of fights, plots, and other bits that I would have loved to see animated. Not to mention the resolution of the series as a whole.*

Ranma 1/2 is something that is difficult to pin a single description on. At times there are lots of action scenes, explosions, and various attacks flying around. At other times it is side splitting humor due to an awkward time and place for Ranma to transform, or situations he gets roped into, and still other times where Akane's explosive temper or jealousy takes us by suprise.Scattered here and there are some genuinely sweet and tender moments as well.

(8) Ranma 1/2 is episodic. It has no overarching plot other than to perhaps reverse the curse placed on Ranma and several other we meet along the way. ... We have our core group of Ranma and friends, and a number of other characters that come and go.

(10) The art is amazingly detailed and crisp. Age is no qualm here as an excuse for sloppy art. This is top notch. Sometimes simple and clean, other times detail overload.

( 10) The characters here all have a healthy dose of insanity. With few exceptions most of the characters have some unique personality traits that either put Ranma and crew in massive trouble, or cause such an awkward scene that you can't help but burst out laughing. Also with few exceptions most of the characters are so tenacious that they just cannot give up. ever. It doesn't matter how many times they get pounded into the ground, or launched into the sky, they just keep coming back for more. But it fits with those characters personalities and makes them what they are. We do have a number of one or two shot characters that appear for a scene or two and are never seen again.

(9) Ranma 1/2 is a very long series, 38 volumes is a lot to read through. I won't lie and say I enjoyed every single one of the stories, but I'm willing to forgive them in light of the insane fun of the majority of the set.

(10) Overall I loved Ranma 1/2 and highly recommend it to anyone looking for a bit of insane fun mixed with various action bits and a romance plot that is extremely warped due to the number of opposing parties involved. Not to mention that Ranma is both a boy and a girl, and with the plentiful insanity, various people either love him or hate him depending on which he is at the time.

The only bad things I can say about the series is that sometimes enough is enough. Ranma's immaturity, and Akanes explosive temper can get a little old
but still.
10/10 without a doubt. Bias included.

Tetsuwan Birdy Decode - The Cipher is the intermission between the first and second seasons. This was released after the 2nd season aired.

This 25 min OVA introduces us to some of the players central to the story of the 2nd season, gives us more of the characters we love, and rehashes an old short joke from the 1st season. I can't really go into details without spoiling anything, but it has a little bit of action, some sweet moments, and the occasional bit of comedy.

The entire series just has this special charm about it, and this OVA is no exception. So if you enjoy ... the series at all this is a must see.

Shounen Onmyouji is an interesting piece of work. Comprised lot of flashy effects, spirits, demons, the underworld, and gods. Lots of plot twists as well.

The story centers around Masahiro no Abe, a young boy of only 13 years old. Yet everyone expects great things of him due to being the grandson and pronounced heir to Seimei no Abe, an extremely powerful Onmyouji (priest) of ancient Japan. Masahiro quickly runs into a number of other characters including his new partner Mokkun. Together they begin to work out problems with marauding demons and other spiritual creatures.
The plot eventually unfolds around them but by that time if you ... are not enjoying the series it can be somewhat painful to keep watching. This is my first gripe.

The art is pretty standard fare nothing too special. Some of the effects off of the spells are pretty cool.

The sound is nothing too memorable. The OP is pretty catchy, and even good, whereas the ED is completely forgettable and somewhat annoying. In scene BG music didn't interfere but It really didn't catch my attention either, mostly forgettable.

The characters are what kept the show afloat for me. Masahiro starts out as a boy that really is not sure of himself and it shows on the people around him. Masahiro is not lacking in power, just confidence and to a lesser degree understanding of those around him, which gets him into a bit of a predicament as the story unfolds. The supporting characters that are explained are given a fair amount of depth, especially Seimei who is a lighthearted somewhat melodramatic grandfather in times of peace, but becomes deathly serious when he needs to be. Other supporting characters dismiss Masahiro as a lost cause, but gradually begin to believe in him as things unfold.

Overall I started to get bored with the first definable arc about half way through and almost lost interest. Luckily I kept going and the second arc picked up the pace quite a bit, and the enjoyment factor went up.
This is an interesting anime for fans of magic or spirits and demons. If you really enjoy stories of feudal japan than this would be something special for you.

I score this as a rough 8.5
Love stories of feudal Japan + demons? Make it 9 or 9.5 easily.

*First note* Looking for an action flick, or sexy angels ? This isn't for you.

Haibane Renmei is something special. In a single word this can be called bittersweet. Sorrow, joy,and occasional periods of simple but effective humor. HR is a heartfelt tale of friendships, loss, and forgiveness.

What makes this series so special is not that it excels in flashy animation, in fact the animation technique at times is simplified. This is very much not the focus of the series, so please bear with the occasional choppy animation.

There are occasions where sound quality can make or break a series and this is no exception. There ... are a few problems with the script and some monologues tend to run a little bit, this is true in both the English sub and dub. But even so voices are overall good. Some of the actors are a little but unsure of themselves early on, but quickly settle into their roles, and by the end do an excellent jobs conveying their characters' emotion.

The soundtrack is excellent. Ootani, Kou, easily did one of his better works in designing the BGM.The intro song which is based off of one of his original works, wonderfully sets the tone for the entire series. At first lonely but optimistic, then bursting with emotion. The rest of the music, voiced or vocals, often seem haunting with a sense of either joy or despair lurking just outside our perception. The only bad thing I have to say about the soundtrack is that it was split into four volumes from its different composers and artists. This combined with limited exposure here in the US makes it hard to find and expensive to import.

The two remaining things that truly make this series shine are the characters and the story. Hand in hand these two aspects carve a place in your heart. The characters are incredibly memorable, friendships, dependence, jealously, betrayal, and forgiveness are critical elements and each takes its turn battering down your resolve to not let a tear slip.

Some people criticize the story for not explaining everything. Rather than a fault I see this as a strength. Rarely do we know all the ins and outs of our surroundings, but the pieces we do know make it what it is. This is what the Haibane see in their world and what is means to them. They do not know all the answers, but they make the best of each day of their existence. Regardless of what few answers and the mounting questions.

I perceive The town of Glie as a cage, but cages can serve more than as a prison. They can serve as a protected place where something cannot get to you in the same way they prevent you from leaving. At least until you are ready to leave and the door is opened. Take it in stride and the pieces fall into place.