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Length: 12 Episodes
Original Airdates: 07/07 - 09/07
Demographic: Seinen
Genres: Drama, Romance, Psychological, (and eventually) Horror
WARNING: Contains scenes of sexuality, and a "Nice Boat" ending

One-sentence summary: "What the f***!?"

Plot Synopsis
Makoto Ito rides the train to and from school every day. However, at the beginning of his second term, he falls in love with a beautiful girl that also rides the train. Unfortunately, she barely knows of his existence. Her name is Kotonoha Katsura, and though they attend the same school, they are not in the same class. In an attempt to catch her eye, Makoto enlists the aid of a close female friend of his: Sekai Saionji. ... She helps him, despite the fact that she--unbeknownst to Makoto--is in love with him. Thus the three are bound in a love triangle of life changing proportions.
(Source: ANN)

Personal Opinion
When everything was done after the 12th episode.... I stared at my computer screen for a good minute. COMPLETLY speechless.
When they said that the ending was messed up.. they weren't joking... This is as messed up as you can get. So what'd I think on the whole?
Watching episode 1 through 6, is much like trying to swallow a box of nails. It's filled with fan-service shots that made me want to puke, characters whom i wanted throw bricks at, and a story that seemed to be written by a middle school girl. But if you can stomach those episodes... you're home free.
Episodes 7 to 11 are a lot more engaging. While not a whole lot better, there was definitely enough in there in which I could keep watching because I felt like it. The character interactions are what shines in this part of the series and some of the previous characters that you learn to hate... come back w/ sympathetic qualities.

But if we're talking about School Days here... It's ALL about the ending. INCREDIBLY controversial... and something more suited for Higurashi. That being said... I loved it. The music created incredible tension and when hell broke lose... my heart was racing. Did it fit this anime? I don't know... but it sure as hell was memorable. That was a NICE BOAT...

So overall...
Episodes 1-6 = 3.5/10
Episodes 7-11 = 7/10
Episode 12 = 10/10

Leaving the final rating of
7/10 (though more 6.5)

Similar To...
- Higurashi no Naku Koro Ni
Only the ending is comparable to Higurashi

Length: 13 Episodes
Original Airdates: 10/04 - 12/04
Demographic: Unknown (betting on Shounen)
Genres: Fantasy, Magic
Also Known As: Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha, MGLN

Plot Synopsis
Yuuno Scraia is a mage from a distant planet working to fix the problem he started when Jewel Seeds were accidentally spread around the world. In a failed attempt to seal a seed properly, he winds up on Earth in the form of a ferret. However, his battle with the seeds did not end upon reaching the Earth and he needs somebody else's help to seal the seeds for him. Takamachi Nanoha hears his telepathic cries for help and comes to his rescue. When she ... is given a pearl known as the Raging Heart she is able to transform into Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha and wield a staff to fend off the evil that lies within the Seeds. In order to help Yuuno complete his mission, she needs to seal all 21 Jewel Seeds away, but Fate may be playing a hand in the matter to prevent Nanoha's goals.
(Source: ANN)

Personal Opinion
In my recent ventures into the Mahou Shoujo genre, I had heard favorable reviews about Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha. So, I decided to watch it.
Referring to MGLN as a Mahou Shoujo anime, will lead to many misinterpretations. When I hear "Magical Girl", I envision an cute elementary school girl wearing short skirts and firing off attacks that are littered with hearts. Don't expect that in MGLN.
MGLN in a Magical Girl anime in which the lead characters engage in fights that are usually reserved for shounen animes. This probably was the main reason I could watch this anime.
I mean story-wise, It's very simple... almost generic. The first half of the show moved incredibly slow and I contemplated a few times if I should drop it. It's a good thing I didn't because the 2nd half of the show was filled with intense action. After episode 6, I was sucked in. MGLN can be quite emotional when it needs to The show has an antagonist who is really easy to pity.

So overall... It didn't quite meet the expectations that I had for it, but I enjoyed it nonetheless (Especially the 2nd half)

7/10

Similar to...
- Bleach
Instead of Shinigami's firing of huge attacks and surviving the impact... it's 9 year old elementary school girls.

- Noein
The concept of multiple worlds makes an appearance in both

Length: 12 episodes
Original Airdates: 1/08 - 3/08
Demographic: Seinen
Genres: Comedy, Drama, Psychological, Romance, Slice of Life, Supernatural

One-sentence summary: "It will ROCK YOUR SOUL"

Plot Synopsis
Takuma Hirose, a blind young male high school student, though the cause for his blindness is undetermined. After his mother died an unexpected death, it left a deep emotional scar on him, which caused him to become very lonely and reserved. Due to this, Takuma and his father move from the city out into a rural area and Takuma is enrolled into a new high school. At his new school, he meets several new girls, though three of whom he gets to know ... the most out of anyone else. They are, the firm and obstinate Hayami Kohinata, the kind and obliging Hinata Kagura, and the cheerful and mysterious Otoha. As Takuma interacts with these girls, his medical condition gradually begins to heal.
(From ANN)

Personal Opinion
FYI, the one-sentence summary is from the promotional video that was streamed before this show started to air. It's not a personal opinion.
The first anime of the Winter 08 season that I completed. I started watching H2O well towards the end of its run, when it only had 3 more episodes left to air. Back then, I thought it was underrated. Looking on various forums, it has been bashed countless times. I used to think that it was a very well made series... however now looking back, I can understand why people are critical of this anime.
First off, this anime is not very well organized. It's a messy clutter of emotional, dramatic, comedic, and filler episodes. Romance doesn't become a major aspect until 9 episodes in, when all of a sudden, it becomes INCREDIBLY important. And a few episodes (namely episode 4) should not have been included in the lineup, period.
Second, the anime's setting is vague. The location initially looks to be a village set in modern day society... however, it soon becomes apparent that a village so backwards could not exist in Japan today. The show doesn't make a serious effort to clarify this discrepancy.
But probably, the biggest fault is that this anime tries to take element from many genres, but it doesn't quite fit any of them. Early on, It looked to be a harem comedy. Then it goes on to a drama. All of a sudden, one of the episodes in the middle turns out to be mystery. The final 4 episodes are cluttered with slice-of-life, supernatural, suspense, and romantic elements. H2O tries to do a lot, but succeeds at none.

So obviously, the show did not meet my expectations... but did i enjoy it?
That's a little hard to answer.
While the show did have many faults, I was drawn in enough to keep watching, and get anxious for the next episode. The ending (although unrealistic) was quite satifying. So looking at those things, yes, I did enjoy it.

It didn't quite "Rock my Soul" and i wouldn't quite reccomend it...
but this bizzare anime manages to squeak by with a rating of
7/10

Similar to...
-Higurashi no Naku Koro ni
Not in horror or disturbing-ness, but rather both are set in a village in which both are hiding secrets.

Length: 12 episodes
Original Airdates: 7/07 - 9/07
Demographic: Unknown (guessing Shoujo)
Genres: Fantasy, Magical Girl, Romance
Also Known As: Stardrops

One-Sentence Summary: "A surefire way to melt your heart"

Plot Synopsis
Tsuwabuki is a normal student, though not very social. One day he meets a new transfer student, named Sumomo Akihime, and another girl, both the only members of the gardening club. Tsuwabuki is forced by a teacher to join this club. But then he bumps into a strange guy with dog ears, switching his drink with they guy's by mistake. Drinking it, he is turned in a stuffed animal. The teacher tells him that the only way to turn back ... to normal is to find the chosen girl and let her catch the seven stardrops. This girl is Sumomo, that accepts to help him, though she's not allowed to know the animal's true identity.
(From ANN)

Personal Opinion
So I'll confess... ever since I had an embarrassing walk-in by my friends when I was intently watching Sailor Moon when I was 7 years old, I have avoided the mahou shoujo (magical girl) genre of anime. A week or so before writing this post, I managed to convince myself to get over this irrational fear. So now i write this post as my first completed Mahou Shoujo anime in over 11 years.

Okay, so to tell the truth, Nanatsuiro Drops isn't like most mahou shoujo animes. From what I read, a lot of MS animes have romance in as a side-genre... In Nanatsuiro Drops, Romance is the main genre and MS is a side genre. ND is nothing more than the cute story of first love. ... okay that was an understatement. Nanatsuiro was probably the CUTEST lovestory that I have EVER seen. Just every aspect about it warms your heart. Sumomo, even though her crying can get annoying, is one of the cutest protagonists that I've ever seen. She's incredibly shy, somewhat weak, has a tendency to cry, quite clumsy... As Konata from Lucky Star would say... "She's a walking pillar of turn-ons". And the show only gets cuter... especially when the main two character deals with their feelings for each other. And then, when it got to the ending.... It melted my manly heart :_)

There were a few problems with some of the characters, and I would've liked to see more background info on a lot of the characters

Other then that... this anime is an instant remedy to depression that can be taken many time without fear of overdose.

RATING: 8/10

Similar to...
- Hanbun no Tsuki ga Noboru Sora
Both are tales of first love, and both couple have to overcome obstacles

- Shakugan no Shana, The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya
Same art style in all of these three. In fact, the character artworks are done by the same person.

Length: 50 episodes
Demographic: Shounen
Genre: Sci-fi, Adventure, Mecha, Romance

Plot Synopsis
"Giant robots that surf in the sky on things called Transparent Light Particles"
Sure the premise to Eureka Seven is quite sketchy... but don't let yourself be fooled... This is probably the best anime released this decade.
The storyline takes place 10,000 years in the future, after humanity has made a mass exodus into space. At the start of the series, we see that humanity has settled down onto what is called "The Promised Land".
The story is of Renton Thurston, a 14 y.o. "punk" who's ... looking for a life bigger then the one he has. He dreams of joining the Gekkostate, a group of counterculture outlaws, and pilot an LFO, the large robots described above. He gets his oppurtuinity when the typeZERO LFO, nicknamed the "Nirvash" crash lands at his grandfather's garage. Piloting it is Eureka, a young emotionless girl, with a blood stained past. But to Renton, she is the most beautiful thing he's ever seen. Soon after, Renton gets his chance to join the Gekkostate. However, he soon learns that the life he reads about, isn't actuality. Renton's journeys are solely fueled by his crush on Eureka... however these feelings quickly become something more...

Personal opinion
After watching the first 5 episodes, I felt i was watching a happier version of Neon Genesis Evangelion. Then by episode 10, it had eerie similarities to Fullmetal Alchemist. These similarities soon end and Eureka Seven takes off.
The first thing I did when I heard about this anime was read it's Wikipedia entry. Unfortunately it wasn't detailed at all. Following that I decided to watch the openings for the show and make out what i could of the plot. The first opening was enough to convince me to watch it. From battle scenes to the grand setting, it's an ideal opening for a series like it. I watched the first episode and was hooked right then. I'd never had watched a show that had gripped me that much from that early on. And it only got better.
A common complaint I got was that it takes too long for the main plot to start (all the way to episode 26), and that the first half of the series moves too slow. While i can see the former... it didn't affect me at all. In my personal opinion, the first half of the series, although slower then the remaining season, was still quite entertaining. Had the series ended there I would've given it decent reviews (3.5 ish). However upon entering the second half... the pacing picks up and the plot becomes much darker. By the final 10 episodes... Eureka Seven becomes legendary.

As a few words of warning, romance is a core theme in the series... so if you're not into lovestories... then this isn't the anime for you. Also, there aren't great extended battles, however... whatever battles there are, are quite amazing. They aren't disorienting (like in NGE and Blood+), but they are still quite grand. Eureka Seven is unique in this way; having a central romantic theme in an action based anime. At times it felt more like a shoujo (animes aimed at girls... has more romance, ie Sailor Moon) then a shounen (animes aimed at boys... has more action, ie Bleach, Naruto). An easy of putting this... Shoujo meets Shounen and Eureka Seven is the result.
Somewhere between the romance between Renton and Eureka, the dark and amazing storyline, and brilliant animations... i realized that Eureka Seven is the best and most beautiful anime i've seen thus far.

Rating: 10/10

Similar to...
- Neon Genesis Evangelion
- Fullmetal Alchemist
- D.N.Angel

Length: 27 episodes
Original Airdates: 4/2007 - 9/2007
Demographic: Shounen
Genres: Adventure, Drama, Comedy, Mecha, Sci-Fi, (Skywalker's opinion) Romance

Plot Synopsis
Giha Village is the home of Simon, a fourteen year old digger who was orphaned when his parents were killed in an earthquake. He is respected by the village elder as the best of the diggers, but is ostracized by his peers. After discovering a special drill key deep in the ground, he is recruited by an eccentric fellow orphan named Kamina into his group, the "Gurren Brigade". Kamina dreams of the surface world, which he visited as a child with his father but had to return home because ... he was too weak to survive.
After a failed attempt at reaching the surface, Kamina is jailed by the elder and Simon resumes digging, only to discover "a big face" deep in his tunnel. As he excitedly fetches Kamina to show him the discovery, he is caught by the village elder, but Kamina's punishment is interrupted by the ceiling of Giha Village collapsing as an enormous robot falls into the cavern. A girl named Yoko appears and tries to fight the robot with a large rifle, but initially cannot do much. Simon takes Kamina and Yoko to the "big face" he found earlier and discovers that the small drill key can be used to activate the small robot, which he uses to end up destroying the much larger robot and effectively break through to the surface.
(From Wikipedia)

Personal Opinion
... wow...
This show completely blew me away.
Gurren Lagann is great in almost every aspect. So I guess I'll start with the design.
It seems like as the show goes on... the scale of everything also increases, the mecha, the number of characters, and the challenges. Indeed the first episode is somewhat of a allegory to the rest of the show. People band together, fight using mecha, and overcome an oppressor. And just as you think that the scale of everything has reached it's limit... they repeat it again with everything even larger... indeed the first shot of TTGL is from the end of the series... and you get a hint of how large everything becomes.
As for the plot... yeah... we've seen it before... some unknown rises up and defeats "the man"... however... what makes it unique is the way that they accomplish this.
The characters are also well made... plenty of unique hot headed people with a soft side that we see on occasion. Simon is a great example of this. Early on, we see him completely idolizing Kamina and striving to become exactly like him. However as the story progresses... we start to see his own personality and traits starting to shine... especially when late comer Nia shows up.
What brings it all together are the shots and the soundtrack. The soundtrack also adds to everything... making this show truly epic.
This is 100% a space opera that most people will enjoy

By about the midseason point it was already proving to be better than Eureka Seven... but by the end... it had completly blown it out of the water.

DON'T MISS THIS SHOW!!!!

10/10

Similar to...
- Eureka Seven
Had a large cast of unique characters, both take place in the future on a ravaged planet. Also both have mysterious aliens

- FLCL
Similar in craziness... although FLCL was more random, TTGL had insane moments in it as well

- Gundam SEED
in SEED and TTGL, the main mecha of the series seem to be able to do anything, and have great adaptability.

- Neon Genesis Evangelion
Similarites appeared towards to end... so I won't spoil

Length: 13 episodes
Original Airdates: 7/06 - 9/06
Demographic: Seinen
Genres: Adventure, Fantasy, Comedy, Harem, Romance, Ecchi

Plot Synopsis
Louise is a magician at the Tristein Academy, dubbed with the nickname "Zero Louise" due to her inability to effectively use her magic properly, resulting in zero successes. An upcoming test at her academy requires her to summon a familiar, a servant and partner to support her as a magician. Despite desiring a familiar that would be superior to her constantly mocking classmates, Louise ends up summoning Hiraga Saito, your average Japanese boy. Even with Louise and Saito both unwilling to accept each other, they have no choice. Louise cannot attempt ... another summoning and Saito cannot return to Japan, and so their life together begins. Based on the novel by Noboru Yamaguchi.
(From MyAnimeList)

Personal Opinion
I heard about this anime a little while back... though I wasn't completely sure if i wanted to see it or not. Finally, I was like "what the hell" and I decided to watch this.
Indeed the premise, opening, and photos seemed to promise a fun, comedic anime. And for all intesive purposes, it was. However... it wasn't as funny as i would've hoped. Some of the jokes tend not to work. Indeed, I kept thinking that this show would've been better if it had a bit more action to tie in with the jokes.
However, towards the end of the season, the action, character development, and comedy picked up and i really started to enjoy the show.
As for things i liked, the biggest ones would be the voice actors. They're the same people from Shakugan no Shana.... so whenever Louise would yell at Saito, it was like a good deja vu.
Also the animation is quite well suited for the anime.

Also as a note... there is a sequel series that has already aired. Zero no Tsukaima; Futatsuki no Kishi.
And a 3rd season is confirmed for the Spring 08 season

Overall... enjoyable series... though fell a little short of expectations
8/10

Similar to...
- Shakugan no Shana
Both the lead characters are girls, and they both have a hard time expressing their feeling for the main boy of the series. Also the same voice actors.

- Fullmetal Alchemist

Both these animes had the parallel world idea, with one world being our own, and the other one having the ability of magic.

Length: 12 episodes
Original Airdates: 7/07-9/07
Demographic: Seinen
Genres: Comedy, Drama, Fantasy, Ecchi, Romance, Supernatural
WARNING: Contains several HIGHLY sexually suggestive moments.... though no nudity.

Plot Synopsis
This sequel is a continuation of the previous season, not long after the war. Louise and Saito seemingly getting along now since she knows that he had given up his only chance to return to Tokyo for her. The story continues as Louise begins to use Void Magic from a mysterious secret book she had recieved from her majesty Henrietta, while a new villain has appeared in town causing trouble.
(From Anime News Network)

... Personal Opinion
This is another one of those "shift in quality at middle" animes. Though this time the shift was HUGE...
Okay so first thing first... the cons... and the biggest one of them all...
THEY CHANGED THE EFFING CHARACTER PERSONALITIES!!!
I mean in the first season... Saito was the typical lovable loser... he rarely did anything to make us not like him... This season... it's all different.. he's a HUGE perv.
As for the other personality change, that would be Siesta... she goes from a good friend to the object of jealousy. Also other characters lose their spotlight, especially Tabitha.
The other con that i'll mention is the objectionable scenes. In the 4th episode there was moment towards teh end that could be described as "hentai with clothes on". Again this much ecchi elements weren't in the first season
And more of personal peeve... the relationship btw Louise and Saito doesn't seem to advance AT ALL!!!
Now for the pros
When the show got into the 2nd half of the season... it became REALLY good. It added drama elements and action. In fact episodes 7-9 had probably one of the best arcs i've ever scene. The finale was also quite good... quite epic and moving.

I'll still be watching the 3rd season... hopefully it'll be more like the 2nd half of this season...

So overall..
1st half - 5/10
2nd half - 9/10
leading to...
7/10

Similar to...
Same list as first season

Length: 24 episodes
Original Airdates: 4/07 - 9/07
Demographic: Seinen (should be shounen)
Genres: Action, Comedy, Fantasy, Romance, Supernatural

Plot Synopsis
Ayano is the heir to the house of Kannagi, a house with ties to the spirit of fire whose members are all fire users. All except for her cousin, Kazuma. After he was defeated by Ayano, his father banish him from the house in disgrace. Kazuma runs off and changes his surname to Yagami. He forms a contract with the spirit of wind and becomes a powerful wind user. 4 years later, he returns.

Personal Opinion
So the promotional picture for this anime shows a girls with fire red hair and ... eyes and holding a sword that's ablaze... hmm i wonder if that sounds familiar... *coughShanacough*
Oh well... so i decided to watch this series on a whim... it was getting decent reviews and since i liked Shana, it seemed like a logical choice of anime. Indeed the first few episodes were quite engrossing. It had some great animation (especially when Kazuma was using his wind mage powers). However... by episode 12-13, it got quite slow. 4-5 episodes were solely on attempting to advance the relationship btw Kazuma and Ayano... and they got nowhere. The final arc had a really good idea... but poor execution. The ending was a cliffhanger of sorts, so it's likely that this isn't the last we see of Kaze no Stigma.
Overall... this is a show that you can watch and forget. Be in awe of the animation... but not care about the characters

Also... what's up w/ japan and having cousins fall in love w/ each other.

6/10

Similar to...
-Bleach
Flashy fights... taking hits that would normally kill you

-Busou Renkin
Same as Bleach

- Shakugan no Shana
Lead girl is fire sword wielding warrior. Also the main characters tend to argue a lot in a "cute" way.

- Zero no Tsukaima
The main characters tend to argue a lot in a "cute" way

Length: 25 episodes (27 including recap specials)
Airdate: 2006-2007
Demographic: Shounen (should be Seinen)
Genre: Mecha, Military, Sci-fi, Fantasy

Plot Synopsis
The Empire of Britannia has invaded Japan using giant robot weapons called Knightmare Frames. Japan is now referred to as Area 11, and its people the 11's. A Britannian who was living in Japan at the time, Lelouch, vowed to his Japanese friend Suzaku that he'd destroy Britannia. Years later, Lelouch is in high school, but regularly skips out of school to go play chess and gamble on himself. One day, he stumbles on terrorists 11's who've stolen a military secret and is caught by a member of the ... Britannian task force sent after them, who is Suzaku. As the rest of the squad arrives, Suzaku is shot for disobeying orders, while the military secret, a young girl, gives Lelouch the power of Geass, which makes anyone obey any order. While Suzaku is secretly made the pilot of Britannia's brand new prototype Knightmare, Lancelot, Lelouch becomes the masked Zero to lead the rebellion to destroy Britannia once and for all.
(From Anime News Network)

Personal Opinion
When watching this series I immediately noticed similarities to 3 other animes i've watched. However, Code Geass surpasses two of them and matches the third in quality. So here is the list of the three similar animes and my comparisons

- Death Note
This was the most apparent one early on. In Death Note, Light gains the power to kill anyone w/ no trace left behind... he uses this ability to make a utopia which he can be a god over. In Code Geass, Lelouch gains the ability of persuasion and uses this ability to attempt to overthrow the Brittanian government. Both Light and Lelouch are manipulative and show no remorse by the end of the series.
As for differences. Almost nothing could surprise Light in Death Note... Lelouch was suprised frequently throughout Code Geass. Death Note dealt with 1 or 2 key character interactions... Code Geass deals w/ many more. Light appeared almost inhuman in Death Note at a few points... showing no emotions or regret... Lelouch actually shows some understanding of what he is doing and at times... appears weak.
Indeed Code Geass succeeds whens Death Note fails. CG expanded the battle of intellect while managing to appeal to action fans with intense non-disorienting fights. The character interactions in CG take it to another level... which leads to anime similarity #2

- Gundam SEED
The usage of Mecha, and two childhood friends reuniting on opposite sides of the battlefield. Those were the first major similarities to SEED. But other then that... towards the second half of the series, the themes of "war is evil" starts to emerge... and you start to sympathize and criticize both sides.
In differences, SEED... although bleak at times... always showed hope for a bright outcome... Code Geass starts off dark... gets darker... teases us w/ happy ending... before crushing all chances and becoming pitch black. CG is incredibly tragic... with episode 22-23 almost bringing me to tears (if you know me... you know that this is rare).
As for why Code Geass is better... well the simple answer is that it expanded when SEED didn't... the same reason i stated w/ Death Note.
Now for the show it matched...

- Eureka Seven
The similarities in this case aren't in the plot and characters... rather aesthetics. Instead of sky surfing mechs, we had roller-blading ones (no joke... but it's still quite cool). The military Knightmare Frames (the name of the mechs in Code Geass) had similar coloring and design to the KLFs of E7. The main mech in series, the Lancelot, had a similar design to the main mech of E7, the "Nirvash" typeZERO. This can be explained due to the fact that the writer of Code Geass was the writer of Eureka Seven. On an unrelated note... the first opening for CG was made by the same artist who made he first opening for E7. (=P)
As for differences... way too many to list...
In fact... that's why I can't name a better of the two. Both are excellent in their own right but are too different to be compared. Eureka Seven was beautiful... Code Geass was awesome. There's a difference.

The ending of Code Geass is such a cliffhanger that it's obvious that there'll be a sequel series... indeed it's confirmed. Code Geass; Lelouch of the Rebellion R2 is set for release in Spring 08 (coinciding w/ it's first season release on Adult Swim). I look forward to finding out what happened, and how the plot advances...

9/10

Similar to...
Stated above