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If you think this is going to be some incest, hentai-filled anime and that's why you are avoiding it, you are totally wrong.

If you view this as an actual anime, you might be disappointed. The art isn't that great, the movements are rather messy, but as an educational short is where it succeeds. Are you someone who studies Japanese and would like to learn more about the differences between Kansai-ben and Standard Tokyo dialect? This is the show for you, really.

If you are Japanese and just enjoy poking fun at people from Osaka, then you will enjoy this too.

Basically, don't take it seriously, and if ... you are someone who studies the Japanese language and culture, don't pass this up. It's a 3 minute short and it's jam-packed with information, from different stereotypes to the differences between words in the first episode.

All in all, it's an enjoyable show, but the movements are jerky and the art isn't that great. I'd give it a 6 or 7, but I love the scene with her singing about the show. It's very much set up like an educational show -- three lessons, then you sum them all up at the end.

Give it a chance! :)

I read the manga since about chapter 3, and at first, admittedly, I was disappointed that the anime made the decision to skip ahead.

But then I realized -- it sucked you into the story further, because the characters were telling /you/ the story.

Hourou Musuko is a tale about two elementary school children who are transgender. Nitori Shuichi wants to become a girl, and Yoshino wishes to be a boy. They become friends and they go on "dates" -- where Yoshino dresses as a boy, and Shuichi dresses as a girl.

The story is quite simple, yet very complex. The way it goes about it is ... like how the children are experiencing it -- bit by bit. They don't really understand why their desire to be the other gender is wrong. That, and the way Nitori's sister disapproves and thinks he is disgusting is very much how a family member might react. I believe that every character is realistic.

And by the way, the transgender thing is /not/ a convenient, or sexual, plot device.

If you're searching for a heartwarming story about the struggles of two transgender children growing up, then definitely watch this. If you are an idiot who wants a comedy and doesn't understand deep storylines, avoid it. But in my case, this is definitely one of my favorite anime of the year and I'm looking forward to what kind of ending the anime will show.

I think the water color-like art is beautiful and it fits the series very well. The music is soft, and the music they play during the emotional scenes brings the story to life even better. I love the voices, too -- Nitori sounds boyish, but also quite feminine, like a boy who hasn't quite yet hit puberty should sound.

Before watching Saiyuki Burial, I suggest you at least watch Gensoumaden Saiyuki or be up to speed on the manga. It may be a prequel to the series, but it is always good to have some insight on the characters.

And if you've seen the other three seasons, then don't go into Burial expecting the light-heartedness and filler that the other seasons were. Burial is very dark, and the light moments are very scarce.

Also, SHOUNEN AI hints. Nothing too bad, but it's definitely noticeable.

Story: The regular story of Saiyuki is based on Xi You Ji -- or, Journey to the West, as known ... in English. It is an ancient Chinese folktale about a monk, a Kappa [water sprite], a pig demon, and the monkey king going on a journey to India to stop the evil Gyumao.

Saiyuki Burial is the prequel to Gensoumaden Saiyuki, and focuses on how all of the characters met each other, and their relationships.The first OVA focuses on Genjyo Sanzo, the priest in question, as a child. His adoptive father meets a young priest named Ken'yuu that is trying to become a Sanzo Priest (As Sanzo is the title of the highest ranking priest).

The second OVA focuses on a grown-up version of Sanzo, and how he is hearing a mysterious "voice" calling him. He follows the voice to a mysterious mountain far, far away that all of the villagers say that there is, supposedly, a monster sealed up there.

The third, and final OVA, deals with Hakkai and Gojyo. Hakkai is known as a "sinner" for reasons I won't explain, and Gojyo is a half-breed; half demon, and half human. He has crimson hair and eyes, as all halfbreeds do. He finds an injured Hakkai on the road and takes him in. Then, a year later, an old room mate named Banri appeares....

Art: Compared to Gensoumaden, Reload, and Gunlock, the art was beautiful. I really enjoyed it, especially the shading. It took me by complete surprise.

Sound: I enjoyed the opening song; it fit the theme of the show very well. It was very eerie and it really set my hopes high for the show. The music was eerie when it needed to be, and it helped set the theme of the show.

Enjoyment: I've loved these characters for a long time, and although I read OVA2 and OVA3 in the manga, I enjoyed it very much. I always thought it was such a shame that the art was awful in Gesoumaden (Due to its age; it's rather old), and it really didn't do the characters justice. I enjoyed learning about Ken'yuu and how he knew Koumyou (As it was hinted throughout the previous seasons), and little Goku tagging along after Sanzo like a lost puppy was just too adorable NOT to love. Hakkai being jealous over Banri was adorable, too.

Overall: Overall, I enjoyed these OVAs and I'm hoping that they will redo Gensoumaden in this art style. I enjoyed re-connecting with the characters and I DEFINITELY recommend this to any Saiyuki fan. After all, kid!Goku is FAR too cute to pass up. :]

This is, quite possibly, the most demented manga I've ever read.

In a GOOD way.

So, Acid Flower is a lovely little manga starring characters Jake, and Kanan. Jake is a priest at a Catholic boarding school in Japan, and Kanan is a student.

I wouldn't read this if you don't like violence -- Jake is a very demented and violent character. The art is beautiful, the plot is odd to say the very least (But I won't spoil it for you -- I seriously didn't see it coming), and the sex-scenes are very, very, very graphic.

Art: 10/10. The emotions are captured perfectly, and the pictures ... before the manga start are beautiful. The bodies are in proportion and I love it. The hair looks really soft.

Story: 9/10. New and interesting; I've never seen anything like it.I can't give it a perfect rating until more is uploaded onto mangafox, though.

Characters: 10/10. All characters are very engaging, and aren't perfect. That's what I look for, mainly, in a manga. You've got the quiet uke kid, and the psychotic priest that kills animals. How many times have you seen that? Seriously.

Rated? I'd say an NC-17 rating, because the art (From what I've seen) isn't censored at all.