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Dec 4, 2007
Highs: Engaging side characters; fascinating environment; crisp animation
Lows: Side characters play very little role; plot leaves many questions; confusing at times; in the end, nothing happens
Normally I am not one to take the time to watch a shounen-ai anime, although the animation and the plot intrigued me enough to give Loveless a chance. I was already taken in by the interesting setting; in which majority of the people in the world have cat ears on the tops of their heads. Seemed like something different and new.
Loveless starts off normally, with a young boy with a lot of angst and problems over his lost brother. The
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premise seems interesting enough as before you know it, he runs into his brother’s friend, which at that time; Loveless begins to show its shounen-ai side. The abundance of characters in this anime is fantastic and each of them has great personalities that grow on you. One of the characters specifically, Hawatari Yuiko brings a lot of energy to the screen and brightens up an otherwise gloomy show. Although, the significance of these side characters are slim to none. They play a very little part in the actual plot and could have easily been written out, which is a shame since the side characters are far more interesting then the main ones.
There were a lot of ideas thrown out in Loveless, but very few of them were actually explored. This is truly a disappointment, there was so much that could have been drawn from the plot and in the end it didn’t live up to it’s full potential. The abrupt ending could be partially to blame for this because Loveless lacks any sort of resolution, leaving us wondering if that was really in the end, with more questions rather then answers.
Loveless is a unique anime, with a great environment and engaging side characters, but seriously lacks in the department of story and plot. If bishounen and cat boys are your thing, then Loveless might be a title you want to consider, but otherwise, you’ll have no love for Loveless.
Wriiten by AlterGenesis-X
July 6th, 2005
Reviewer’s Rating: 6
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Dec 4, 2007
Highs:
Fluent Animation; mind-blowing action; creates a great atmosphere; the style! the style!
Lows:
Loses some of its “pep” in the latter part
Another piece of work from GAINAX and the genius that is Anno Hideaki. Certainly, I knew what I would expect when dealing with GAINAX, but what I saw completely blew me away.
I was engulfed in magnificent world through the astounding colors, the music and spontaneous action on the screen. Re: Cutey Honey is a series the exudes style from all over its pores. The vibrant colors and animation are all so impressive, with all the eye candy going around; it wouldn’t be surprising if your retina
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got a cavity.
Re: Cutey Honey grips you with action that simply explodes up on the screen; all the sequences have a craziness and spontaneity to them that makes it enjoyable to watch unfold. The eccentric atmosphere is topped with upbeat, toe-tapping music and Koda Kumi’s renditions of "Cutie Honey" and "Into Your Heart."
Although, with the high standard for “craziness” that Re: Cutey Honey makes for itself after the first episode, unfortunately is not sustained through the OVA. This might be attributed to director changes for each episode, regardless, Re: Cutey Honey didn’t end with the “BANG” it began with.
This was definitely an impressive piece of work that managed to slap a huge grin on my face. If you are one of those people who love “randomness” or you need some big-booby, butt-kicking action, then Re: Cutey Honey has got a little something for everybody. Who knows, you might have the urge to be the next warrior of Love and Justice!
Wriiten by AlterGenesis-X
Jan 16, 2005
Reviewer’s Rating: 8
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Dec 4, 2007
Highs: Smooth animation; stunning CGI
seamless plot continuation;
distinctive characters
Lows: Nothing too new; transition between comedy and
drama may lose some viewers; a not so spectacular ending
Review: As a direct sequel, Vandread: The Second Stage picks up exactly where the First Stage left off. Generally when dealing with a sequel we are left with an anime that tries too hard to better the original but in the end simply cannot compare. Thankfully, that is not the case as we have a powerful continuation that follows through with the strengths of its predecessor and takes it a step further to the next level.
Unlike other sequels, The Second
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Stage doesn't try too hard to introduce anything new; rather it builds on what was already laid out in the prequel and jumps right into the action. Slowly, but surely more pieces of the plot are revealed and in the process does a splendid job of fleshing out and developing character personalities. The former cast all make a return appearance, with the exception one new face, Misty, a cryogenically frozen girl who brings new energy to an already jam-packed and fun-filled group. The strong cast of characters is what drives this anime to success. Using several character-centric episodes, we can clearly see how the characters grow and begin to apply the lessons they have learned about each other and themselves, to help one another in their fight for survival.
The visuals have been improved and are as impressive as ever. GONZO a specialist in animation does not disappoint in this regard. Vandread: The Second Stage looks like a high budget OVA, showing considerable improvement over the First Stage with the nearly seamless integration of the CGI with its surroundings that remained consistent throughout the entire series. Not only do we have a great storyline, but one that looks good telling it.
Similar to the first installment, The Second Stage, manages to stay fresh and funny. As the anime progressed the atmosphere begins to change as most of the comedy is dropped for a more serious, dramatic tone. Some viewers may not be particularly fond of the loss of humor, while, some might see it as a welcome change. In any case, what we have is an enthralling storyline full of twists and turns and breathtaking action sequences that most would find hard not to enjoy. Although, there may be a common complaint about The Second Stage's questionable conclusion which, not to say lacks any sort of finale, rather leaves a lot more to be desired.
If you enjoyed, Vandread: The First Stage, than this an anime you will definitely not want to miss. The Second Stage is a worthy sequel that concludes the series on a high note packaged full of all the cheerful characters and all the space action you can handle. So, grab this anime, buckle up and enjoy the ride.
Wriiten by AlterGenesis-X
Oct 11, 2005
Reviewer’s Rating: 8
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Dec 4, 2007
Highs:
Fantastic Cast of Characters; has good humor; fascinating Relationships
Lows:
Overused Themes; very predictable; unlikable lead character; a season too long
This one was quite the adventure. It took me a significant amount of time to complete this anime and for the most part I was fairly pleased. Spanning 76 Episodes, Marmalade Boy is your standard high school romance, with a twist. Our two main characters have two parents who switch spouses that force them to live together. This alone was an interesting concept.
There are many other strengths in this anime. For one is the wonderful cast in Marmalade Boy. Almost each and every one of the characters
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is memorable and have marvelous, fleshed out personalities. The cast is truly what makes Marmalade Boy special. Of course, with great characters, come the intricate relationships. Sprinkle the great character interaction, with an icing of great characters and a dash of humor; you’ve got yourself the recipe for success.
Although, as the series progressed the story seemed to run out of fuel, as Marmalade Boy is clearly a season too long, as the same themes keep bring revived…only with different characters. The “I love you, you have a lover” theme is played out so much, it’s almost ridiculous. This sort of repetitiveness also leads to another flaw, Marmalade Boy’s occasional predictability. If you pay enough attention, you can basically build the conclusion for yourself and find that you were mostly correct, if not completely correct, which I must stress, not a good thing. The last season could’ve easily been written out and still have left a strong anime behind.
Nevertheless, Marmalade Boy is a good entry in the Romantic Humor category. With it’s exceptional cast of characters, it’ll be sure to catch your attention, just don’t be surprised if you figure out the ending before you even watch it.
Wriiten by AlterGenesis-X
August 8th, 2005
Reviewer’s Rating: 7
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Dec 4, 2007
Highs: Cool looking action scenes; improved animation; comedy works
Lows: ...Too much of it doesn't; Repetitive storyline; sub-plots that go nowhere; unbelievable amount of filler; useless side characters; elements make absolutely no sense; the reason for the most emotion from previous series is missing
Jubei-chan 2 – The Counter Attack of the Siberian Yagyu, henceforth to be known as Jubei-chan 2, is the continuation of the series that debuted back in 1999. Picking up where the first series left off, Jubei-chan 2 adds a few more interesting characters, but in the end turns out to be a carbon copy of the previous season. Jubei-chan is unsuccessful in
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creating a coherent plot and is a complete letdown to the series.
The first season laid down the building blocks for the possibility of a great sequel. Jubei-chan 2 fails to capitalize on the great opportunity and ends up being a huge disappointment to fans of the first Jubei-chan. At first glance, the series looks like improvement, as the characters and art are much more refined. Jubei-chan 2 also manages to keeps the comedic style that made the first one humorous, although, the good news stops there.
It would appear that the creators of the series had the creativity sucked from their very souls The 300-years of revenge wished upon Yagyu Jubei by the Siberian Yagyu are exactly identical to the last series. The story follows a similar archetype leaving viewers with a feeling of deja-vu. Thus, leads us to one of the most serious offenses, the incredibly repetitive plot. The plot may not have been such a bad idea, had it not been done exactly the same way the first time. A few new characters were added, but it does nothing to change the overall makeup of the story. It is unacceptable that a sequel does nothing more then regurgitate what we saw in Jubei-chan 1.
Adding insult to injury, elements in the story make absolutely no sense. As the tedious trek through this anime continues, often a viewer can find themselves looking for some kind of explanation to how and why exactly everything is happening. It's simply like having a puzzle with pieces that do not fit. It's stupid. Random events and sub-plots that go nowhere are the theme of this ridiculous sequel. In a 13-episode series, it simply is amazing that there was room for an ungodly amount of filler. In attempt to get a few laughs out of the audience, this useless filler only serves to scar the plot further and honestly, no one is laughing. Side characters purposely do nothing except take up screen time and their antics quickly grow tiresome.
The final pitfall for this failure of a sequel is the lack of development between Jiyu and her attendant from the previous series, Koinosuke. With the abundance of flashbacks and emotional reminiscence of their relationship you would assume some kind of closure was due. But, no, the creators essentially give a huge slap in the face for those fans who stuck this series out. What they give us rather, is his more annoying daughter who could never recreate the same relationship between Jiyu and Koinosuke.
Jubei-chan 2 is an utter failure and a sad joke. It is shows like this that make me lose all faith in sequels that attempt to recreate what made the prequel successful. The best part left over from the first series is completely ignored for a stale, repetitive and absolutely teeth-grinding story. Do not be deceived by the good looking Jubei and Freesia, because it's a trap. In this author's humble opinion, this is one of the most awful sequels of all-time and a complete waste of time. If you have absolutely nothing better to do, watching Jubei-chan 2 is still a terrible idea.
Wriiten by AlterGenesis-X
February 14, 2007
Reviewer’s Rating: 3
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Dec 4, 2007
Highs: Fascinating look into problems of everyday life; strong emotion
and characters; can be rather funny; catchy opening theme.
Lows: Emotion lost during comedic moments; some useless filler;
missed opportunities fleshing out character relationships
Based on the light novel originally created by Tatsuhiko Takimoto, NHK ni Youkoso! is an anime that delves into the world of otakus, lolicon fetishes and other bizarre obsessions that surround the unique characters as they face the problems that they encounter in their daily lives.
NHK ni Youkuso! is a deep look into the human psyche. The characters all face personal problems ranging from mild to serious, whether they are financial, emotional or psychological. In
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addition, majority of the characters suffer in their social encounters with strangers, allowing them to be directly involved with each other. Our main male protagonist, Tatsuhiro, is a recluse who believes that the whole world is plotting to make him a failure, while the leading female, Nakahara Misaki is a mysterious young girl who comes to Tatsuhiro’s aid amidst her own dilemmas. With this in mind, the anime is one full of emotion and struggle, which, strangely enough, does not take itself too seriously.
This could have easily been a very dark and depressing series, but the frequent appearances of ridiculous hallucinations and dirty humor keep it lighthearted. Essentially, the humor is a mixed bag. At times, it can be perfectly timed and downright hilarious or when used inappropriately during tense and emotional situations, it can be obtrusive and distracting for the viewer. Some important scenes lose that certain passion, that strong feeling that should take hold. Essentially, certain dramatic elements are lost. In the end, it detracts from the anime as a whole as these moments of humor could be better spent developing character and more importantly, character relationships. Consequently, NHK ni Youkoso! falls just short of greatness; when the series finally comes to a close, there is a feeling of missed opportunity.
Although, that is not to say that NHK ni Youkoso! fails at being a drama, since that would be incorrect. This series is definitely one of the more emotionally charged series’ of 2006. As Tatsuhiro goes through his daily life, the viewer can easily feel more attached to his struggle as it is very real and down to earth. While not boasting a huge cast, the secondary characters are also well developed and add the extra punch to an already deep plot mired with blood, sweat and human pain. Very often, a viewer can find themselves angry, happy or sad with Tatsuhiro’s progress with Misaki, his friends and family. A testament to the gripping realism of this series.
NHK ni Youkoso! is an entirely unique way of bringing the anime world a “slice of life”. This is definitely a fun and dramatic series, featuring a great opening theme entitled “Puzzle” by Round Table. Sprinkle the great characters, slap on the realism and just a dash of humor creates a recipe that everyone can enjoy. If you are looking for an anime drama that is out of the ordinary, then, there is only one answer: We Welcome You…Welcome to the NHK! And enjoy the ride! You will not regret it.
Wriiten by AlterGenesis-X
December 27, 2006
Reviewer’s Rating: 8
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Dec 4, 2007
Highs: Hilarious, light-hearted fun; character interactions; surprisingly good plot
Lows: Romantic moments are out of place; thin characters; comedy not for all; unsatisfying conclusion; repetitive at times;
Review: Girls? Nudity? Fanservice? Check. If this is content you wholeheartedly enjoy, then you might as well stop reading this review right now. Yes, faithful reader, Inukami fulfills all of your dormant inner desires. But I digress, for the audience who want a little meat with their potatoes, you may continue reading. To be blunt; Inukami is hilarious. Maybe I have become so desensitized to risque comedy that I am no longer embarrassed to be caught watching it.
The character interactions
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and situational hilarity is where Inukami! truly shines. Keita is a womanizing, skirt-chasing fiend who perfectly fits the lead role. Along with Youko, the destructive and extremely envious female lead and the twelve lovable Inukami, we have mesh of unique personalities that serve create wonderful comedic chemistry. The characters involved ensure that the comedy never falls flat. Nevertheless, the type of comedy in Inukami! is not for everyone. To find the same enjoyment as I have, requires an acquired taste for sexually suggestive humor.
Inukami! follows a simple, yet surprisingly good plot. Following the actions of Keita and the Inukami as they battle to exorcise evil spirits has its charm. However, this same solid plot affects the anime in negative ways. The story has its share of the “more serious” moments that tease the character-driven viewer with a tug at the emotions. But, the dedicated stance to getting "the laughs" makes much of this attempted “seriousness” and romance feel awkward and out of place. There are efforts in character development, although much of the large cast feels thin, receiving no more attention than a few scenes in a single episode.
Inukami! leaves you with mixed emotions. Drama manages to sneak its way into the conclusion, but the producers seemed content with ending the series along a “status-quo” which is disappointing for those who had hoped to see some last minute growth in the characters. Inukami! is truthfully, very entertaining. If you look past the flaws and do not expect too much, there is much fun to be had. If you are looking for a light-hearted, ecchi comedy, then Inukami is waiting for you. Just remember to leave your brain at the door and sit back, relax and enjoy the show.
Wriiten by AlterGenesis-X
November 11, 2007
Reviewer’s Rating: 7
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