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Grave of the Fireflies was a very touching yet depressing story. I wouldn't say that the story was anti-climatic but it almost seemed like there wasn't a happy climax, or any real happy point in the movie. This is not to say that the story was not good, rather the story was amazing! The function of the plot line was in my mind artistic as I haven't seen many animes (or any other stories) quite like this one. The art was dark and beautiful. Any great movie is accompanied by good music (very depressing though). The characters were nothing short of amazing. 14 year old ... Seita was a very strong person emotionally, which totally contrasted with his 4 year old little sister Setsuko. That contrast was the beauty of the film. I did enjoy the film quite a bit but it wasn't because of happy moments. The movie is very sad, but in my mind no anime collection is complete without it. I recommend this movie to any anime fan.

Mushishi is a series that is down to earth but at the same time magical in a way. The story is not really strung out in a chronological order. It is more a compilation of stories that Ginko the Mushi master experiences. The music is the first thing that you notice and you become immersed in the mini stories because of it. The art was good but the people in the stories began to look the same after a couple of episodes, to the point where I wasn't sure whether the illustrator wanted to do it on purpose or he didn't know how to draw ... any other way. Ginko, the main character, is really well done. he has a cool, "nothing bothers me" attitude. I also enjoyed his use of common sense in almost every situation. The supporting cast fills the traditional Japanese part so the series is still very believable. I found very few rough spots and I just loved how the writer incorporated the Mushi (monsters) into the everyday life of Japanese folk, and also explain certain life phenomenon that is caused by the Mushi. The story probably deserves an 8 overall but the idea of the series touched me personally.

This week I went on a Shinkai binge. After seeing 5 centimeters per second, I launched into his remaining work. I quickly realized that 5 centimeters is by far his best work. Voices of a distant star is probably his least solid piece of animation (besides "She and her cat") that he has done. The theme of the story wasn't bad but because of Shinkai's reoccurring love themes, it was old by the time I saw this animation. The actual plot was kind of weak and was very hollow to say the least. The animation was in my opinion very poorly done (opposite of some ... of Shinkai's other work). Character development was better than you would have thought for the length of the film. Sorry to say that It wasn't very good in any way. One last rant...all the text messages were in Japanese and there was no dub or sub for it (what a rip) in the end, if you aren't able to read Japanese then you are not entitled to know what they are texting to each other...

Claymore is a dark series that had me on the edge of my seat. The story had some holes unfortunately. At the end of the series I was wishing for more information that should have been stated about the organisation and the creation of the Claymores. The character Clare is very interesting and the best part is when the series takes you into her past. You get attached pretty quickly to Clare's personality and you are always hoping to see glimmers of love, happiness or some human spark. The end doesn't dissapoint but it leaves you wanting closure. The art is great and ... the action is not shabby. The thing that really makes this series is the artwork and the way they make you peceive the environment of the Claymore world. Action includes women slicing monsters litterally in half.
The general plot; an organization of powerful women run by a council of questionably powerful men speaks books of what the underlying message of this series is supposed to be about. Unfortunately the lack of detail to the plot history makes this a good series and not the potential epic series.

Today I watched 5 centimeters per second. It is the first Makoto Shinkai movie I have seen. I have to say that I was captivated by the story the whole way. To me the ending was tragic then I realized that Shinkai was telling me something about life (I even shed a tear at the end). It was a very good film. It was unlike any other Anime I have seen before and although Shinkai is supposedly the "New Miyazaki" I find his Anime quite different. The Anime is very beautiful and down to earth (quite opposite of Miyazaki's fantastical and child like stories). The ... music and atmosphere was a big part of the film and at times sweeps you away into an emotional state. The story is something that a lot of people can relate to and you find yourself in the shoes of the main character right away. It is my most top rated Anime yet and I recommend it to anyone who hasn't yet seen it.