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When They Cry Anime DVD Review by Carolyn Whu Let's gets right to the point: blood, gore, and people losing their mind. Based on a amateur PC videogame from Japan, think of kids doing Pulp Fiction meets Groundhog Day with Paranoia Agent mentality and all the blood from Elfen Lied compounded at least three times; you might come close to what When They Cry is like. Keiichi, Rena, Mion, Rika, and Satoko look like normal kids, just living their lives in a quiet quaint little rural town of Hinamizawa. Keiichi is new in town so he relies on Rena and Mion, two girls that are closest to his age, to guide him around town and take him to places all the time. Read More... Below: A the opening titles from When They Cry.
My Z Hime aka My Otome Anime DVD Review by Carolyn Whu I want to be an Otome, toooooooooooo! Who needs the opposite sex? Love? Psft. Drip IV bags of nanomachines into my system? Bring them on. Even if I have to give up my life in service of some shmuck, who cares?! I WANT TO LOOK COOL! Read More... Below: A scene from My Otome.
Essence of Anime: Ninja Scroll Anime DVD Review by Brian Cirulnick Ironically; we've never before reviewed the "original" Ninja Scroll here at ANIME.COM. Fortunately, Manga Entertainment has re-released the original movie as part of its "Essence of Anime" series, and we now have the honor of presenting it to you. Ninja Scroll is more than just a "classic". It is the quintessential hack and slash, gory, violent, super-powered erotic wildly-imaginative hoon-fest that really set the stage for all others that followed. Even if you're not the biggest fan of gore and too-cool-for-their-own-good ninjas, the over-the-top visuals may be enough to make it worth checking out. Read More...
Josie and the Pussycats - The Complete Series Animation DVD Review by Brian Cirulnick Long before anime made short skirts and panty-shots/fan service as common as dirt, and even before Tezuka made the "cat girl" an anime icon, there were three beautiful women who dressed up in skin-tight cat outfits, played music, got into adventures and had a good laugh, usually at someone else's expense. Created by Dan DeCarlo, the series is a landmark for many reasons, notably Valerie as the first non-stereotyped black character, as well as some famous voices lending their vocal chords to the music, which is memorable and catchy. An enticing extra on the DVD set is the documentary "The Allure and Charm of Dan DeCarlo". Read More...
EVER 17 Anime Game Review by Brian Cirulnick Ever 17 looks and feels like a videogame. It boots up on your PC and displays animated and still graphics as needed to get the story moving. But at no time does it devolve into a shoot-'em-up, platformer, or "resource management" RPG. Ever 17, you see, isn't like any videogame you've ever played. It's a "visual novel", and while these storyline driven games are HUGE... absolutely HUGE... in Japan, they are virtually unknown here. There are no fancy 3-D graphics, animation, cut-scenes, or blowing people up. There is actually little to no animation in ever 17, not even moving mouths. If you're expecting to watch a playable anime TV show, you'll be disappointed. If you're expecting to run through tunnels and caves with a gun the size of Rhode Island blowing stuff up, you'll be disappointed. Read More... Below: A scene from the anime game Ever 17.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Naruto
Naruto Clash of Ninja 2 Anime Game Review Nartuto: Clash of Ninja 2 builds on the success of the first game (reviewed a few months previously), but with many more characters to play (23 characters available now versus the first version which only had 8), and a much longer and more challenging story mode. The cel-shaded look is even sharper and more cartoon-like this time around, it really feels like playing an episode of the actual show. Other good news for this version is that the fighting system is vastly improved. More special moves are available for each character, which lends itself to more exciting head-to-head competition between players. Beginning gamers should also find that simple button mashing still can be an effective strategy (which is what made the first game so good was that experienced and non-experienced gamers alike could play together and have a good time.) This makes Clash of the Ninja 2 a good "party game" that will allows up to four players to participate, taking full advantage of the Gamecube's abilities. And since the Wii is backwards compatible, it is usable in your new console as well (but be careful that you don't end up throwing your controller through the TV set!). Reviewed by Brian Cirulnick, February 2007
Naruto Uncut Boxed Set Vol. 1 Anime DVD Review There's an old saying that reads "Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.", and this is essentially the basis for what has become "the" anime phenomena of 2006 - Naruto. Where DragonBallZ once ruled the cartoon universe, Naruto has come in and taken over as the king of fighting anime. Naruto tales place in a world where ninja hold the ultimate power. Infused with the spirit of a once fearsome Nine-Tailed Fox, Naruto Uzumaki is a ninja-in-training who is learning the art of Ninjutsu with his classmates Sakura and Sasuke. The trio study under the instruction of their teacher, Kakashi, who helps the group face dangerous and daunting tests and challenges. Through their adventures, the young ninjas learn the importance of friendship, teamwork, loyalty, hard work, creativity, ingenuity, and right versus wrong. Within each spectacular episode, we see that as the protagonists learn their skills, their powers grow and grow surprising, not just their opponents (as has often happened in DBZ), but surprising themselves! Naruto, filled with self-confidence often views himself as more capable than he really is, and ends up being quite the klutz -- but, as we watch him grow throughout the series we become more and more impressed by his abilities. This ultimate UNCUT edition contains all the extra blood and nudity cut from Cartoon Network's broadcast of the series -- and trust us when we say that this show does not hold back on violence - even as broadcast the characters take a pretty severe beating, and this boxed set only enhances the experience. Reviewed by Brian Cirulnick, August 2006
Naruto Clash of Ninja (For Nintendo Gamecube) Anime Videogame Review If you are the type that is into anime, but not into the time it takes to master the intricacies of fighting games, then Naruto Clash of Ninja is for you. Naruto is a fighting game based on a popular manga featured in Japan's Shonen Jump Magazine. The manga and the cartoon have been released in the USA, gone on to become wildly popular, and the game is a natural outgrowth of the popularity of the series. There are dozens of sites that will explain the story behind Naruto, but to sum it up: Naruto is about a boy who is a Ninja student who happens to have a fox demon locked inside him. Luckily the game gives us a brief intro for those of us who don't know much about the show. The story aside, the game itself is very appealing. While many other fighting games are increasing in complexity, Naruto Clash of Ninja seems to strive for simplicity. The fighting style is simple, which means you don't need to spend hours trying to learn all the different moves. This allows you to jump right into the game. Most moves are done with the control stick and either the A or B Buttons, the Y button is used to grab and throw an opponent and the X button is used for the special move which is attained when your power meter known in the game as the Chakara gage fills up. These special moves are character specific, and match the powers of each character from the series. For some the simplicity of the gameplay seems bad, they claim that the game lacks depth because the game is designed for kids. That may be true, but I find it good for adults who want a decent fighting game without having to study the game as if studying Gray's Anatomy. One thing I like about Nintendo games is that they are intuitive and can be easily grasped. For fun I grabbed a few friends who were not normally into anime or the fighting game genre. Immediately we had a great time. They were able to get into the game even against seasoned game players. As one of them said I would call this the fighting game for the rest of us and I agree. Even if you are not a Naruto fan, this game is worth it if you want to have some fun with fighting games. Reviewed by Christian Liendo, June 2006 Below: Image from Naruto Clash of Ninja (For Nintendo Gamecube).
Below: Scenes from the Naruto anime series.
Naruto Website Links: Naruto.com Official Japanese Website Naruto TV Tokyo Official Japanese Website Naruto Official Website Naruto Movie Official Japanese Website Naruto Manga Official Japanese Website Cartoon Network | Naruto Anime News Network - Naruto (TV) Naruto Fever.com: An Alternative Naruto Fansite Naruto Central Naruto Forums Naruto Community Ninja Naruto Font Below: Opening credits to Naruto.
Below: Cover art from the Naruto manga.
DragonBall Z
DragonBall Z -History of Trunks Anime DVD Review If you've watched DBZ on Cartoon Network, you know that Trunks is the son of Vegeta and Bulma (and what an unlikely couple they are!). Trunks competed against Go-Ten at the World Martial Arts Championship, and not only won, he landed a pretty good punch onto Hercule as well. Now if you think back a series or two, there was another Trunks, who came from the future and promptly destroyed Freiza without even breaking a sweat. This Trunks is from an alternate future. Trunks warned Goku about a virus that would kill him and the two androids that would destroy the world in three years. Because of this warning, Goku beat the virus, and was alive to take on the androids, which of course, leads into the Cell Games. But now see the future that never was! If Trunks had not come into the past to warn Goku, he'd be dead (along with all the other Z-Fighters!) and it would be Gohan and Trunks alone to challenge the two destructive androids. Can Gohan train Trunks in time, or will Gohan have to face them alone? Every day that they delay stopping these androids means thousands of innocent deaths in what remains of the cities of Earth. Even as Super Saiyans, do they have the strength to take on Number 17 and sexy Number 18? Reviewed by Brian Cirulnick, April 2002
Dragon Ball Z - Movie Boxed Set Anime DVD Review This boxed set of films contains the three best of the 13 DBZ movies, uncut, "Dead Zone", "World's Strongest" and "Tree of Might", and is an awesome addition to any DBZ fan's collection. "Dead Zone": Garlic Junior and his quest to gain immortality while also fufilling his father's dream of transforming the Earth into a world of pure evil. Funniest DBZ movie, and with the most characterization. "World's Strongest": A mad scientist wants to implant his brain into the world's strongest man (in other words, Goku). However, the scientist is dead, and it's just the brain in a glass jar that continues to survive! (Our pick as best DBZ movie ever!) "Tree of Might": A Sayian's quest to become the strongest person in the universe with the fruit from the tree of might that only the eternal dragon is allowed to eat from because it gives enormous powers to whom ever eats from it. Saiyan VS Saiyan action! Reviewed by Brian Cirulnick, September 2002
Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Anime Video Game Review In America, DBZ games have been few and far between. However, the popularity of the TV series has convinced ATARI (of all companies!) to bring out this killer app of a game. Faithfully recreating the series, not only in look, but in using the voice actors we're familiar with, the game goes far and beyond what you'd expect. It's a fun fighting game with a plethora of characters, but it's also a very cool interactive version of the show itself — the story mode summarizes everything from the Saiyan Saga through to the Cell Games. For fans of the series this game is a godsend because just about every character is represented. Sure, we all like playing Vegeta, but how many games can you name where you can play as Tien or Great Saiyaman or #18 (yum!)? Half the fun of the game is throwing someone into a mountain, or performing a Kamehameha. Videogame inspires TV Show inspires Videogame. Pop will eat itself! Reviewed by Brian Cirulnick, January 2004
DragonBall Z Website Links: The Official Dragon Ball Z Web Site The Official Australian Dragon Ball Z Web Site The Namek Universe (Dragonball fan website) David's DragonBall shrine (Dragonball fan website) Zenkai Power (Dragonball fan website) Master Roshi's Domain (Dragonball fan website) Dragonball Z: Lord Slug (movie) entry at Anime News Network Dragonball (TV) entry at Anime News Network
InuYasha
Inu-Yasha - Down the Well (Vol. 1) Anime DVD Review This series succeeds on so many levels where all other anime fall flat. It sometimes feels like a cross between Ranma and Blue Seed, but Rumiko Takahashi (Urusei Yatsura) once again blends interesting characters, the supernatural, comedy, adventure and romance into a winning story line that is entirely her own. The series is the rare kind of anime that appeals to many different types of people. Of course, it seems to take the first half of the series to even assemble all the characters, but once they are all together, watch out! Combined with an amazing soundtrack ("My Will" being the most beautiful closing theme we've heard in a long time), Inu Yasha is yet another winner of a series from one of the greatest talents in Japan today. Reviewed by Brian Cirulnick, July 2003
Inu-Yasha : A Feudal Fairy Tale, Vol. 1 Manga Review Judging by their reaction to even a week's loss of Inuyasha on Cartoon Network's Adult Swim, Inuyasha fans are a rabid and fanatical lot. That said, they probably hunger for all things connected to Rumiko Takahashi's wonderful Feudal-era action-adventure romantic-comedy. Delight to the tale as told by Ms. Takahasi, as only she could draw it. The original manga is a joy to behold, her art and wit could not be sharper, the panels simply burst from the page. As long-time Urusei Yatursa fans, we are certain this is her greatest manga achievement since Ranma 1/2. Those rabid fans are right, you really can't go a day without it. Reviewed by Brian Cirulnick, January 2004
The Art of Inuyasha Anime Book Review Okay all you ultra-rabid Inu Yasha fans, here's a wonderful book to add to your collection, chock full of character profiles, behind-the-scenes animation art, manga panels, layouts and much more! Including both colorful cell art and paintings, this book showcases full-color designs, watercolors from the manga covers, and 66 pages of colored manga pages, many previously unpublished in the United States. The Art of Inu Yasha is a beautiful book full of clear, sharp images that make it a "must-have" item. Reviewed by Brian Cirulnick, September 2005
Inu Yasha Original Soundtrack Album Anime Soundtrack Review If you've been watching Inu Yasha, the latest amazing creation from Rumiko Takahashi, then you already know just how fabulous the music is. From the beautiful, sing-able "My Will" closing title theme to the amazing bumpers and the eerie supernatural sounds that populate the series, the music is simply astounding. This album as everything you've ever wanted to hear and more from the series. We say that it has "high replay value", as you'll want to listen over and over again. Reviewed by Brian Cirulnick, May 2003
Inuyasha: The Secret of the Cursed Mask (for PS2) Anime Video Game Review This is an RPG game with a unique concept — you create a character to represent yourself, and then that character meets up with and tags along with the cast of Inu Yasha, helping them to complete a quest. Along the way, you build a relationship with the characters. Featuring the English Dub crew of Richard Cox, Moneca Stori and Jillian Michaels, it is essentially like playing an episode of the TV series as seen on Cartoon Network. Based on your actions and who you choose to spend time with (or don't choose to spend time with) you can get one of 12 possible endings. (In order to get the second ending with that person, you first have to play through the game, get that persons first ending (which unlocks their second ending), then play through the game again to view the second ending.) This is what gives the game it's replay value. After all, you want to see all the endings don't you?! For fans of the show, this game is an absolute MUST!!!! Reviewed by Brian Cirulnick, August 2005
Mobile Suit Gundam
Mobile Suit Gundam: Ecole Du Ciel Manga Review Asuna Elmarit is absolutely nothing like the heroes of other sagas in the universe of Mobile Suit Gundam. She's a girl while the others are boys. She's not very good in the seat of a battle bot, while the others were forces to be reckoned with. She's not a good student despite how hard she tries. Her father was a disgrace for his ideals and deeds. She doesn't even look like she belongs in the Gundam universe. She looks like she should be in a different universe altogether. Perhaps singing on the Super Dimensional Fortress Macross would have been more her thing. But the forces that bind printed pages into a manga have other things in mind for her. And here she is sitting inside a Mobile Suit, preparing for yet another war between the forces of Earth, and those on the space colonies established in the void that surrounds our solar system. Mobile Suit Gundam: Ecole Du Ciel is an intriguing addition to the internationally acclaimed SF saga. It is illustrated and written by Haruhiko Mikimoto. His designs and characters re-defined Tatsunoko Production during their anime output in the eighties. (One cannot forget his work on Macross and Orguss.) To see him working for Sunrise Productions product (even if it's only in a manga) is most interesting to say the least. Gundam fans will want to see the result of this confluence of styles. They will find a worthy addition to their lifelong obsession. Into the universe of interspatial civil war steps 15-year-old Asuna Elmarit. Will she save the future or destroy it? Reviewed by Lawrence Sufrin, September 2006
Gundam Movie Box Set Anime DVD Review Tomino's epic series has never been topped. Condensed and slightly updated versions of the TV series were created as three movies that cover the One-Year-War, and these movies helped the popularity of Gundam explode across Japan, creating a wave of merchandizing that has been Bandai's cash cow for the better part of two decades. Experience these great films as the anime classics that they are. Hardcore Sci-Fi at it's best, no American space show has *ever* come close to literary SF epic as Gundam has. The shot of the L-5 colony smashing into Earth, is worth the price alone. Reviewed by Brian Cirulnick, July 2005
Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam Limited Box Set Anime DVD Review Just as many fans consider Arrevederci Yamato to be the "greatest" in its category (despite it's age), here comes the absolute pinnacle of the Gundam universe, Zeta Gundam. Produced in 1985, written and directed by Yoshiyuki Tomino, Zeta is a grim, gritty, realistic, scientifically accurate, hardcore look at intra-solar-system warfare that is both stunning and heartbreaking. If you've enjoyed light fare like Gundam Wing or Gundam Seed, step up to the plate to take in this exceptional series. Even Non-Gundam fans admit this series is powerful and has them glued to their seats, episode after bloody episode. Zeta Gundam ranks easily as some of the best anime of all time, and this rare, limited edition box set is not to be passed by. Reviewed by Brian Cirulnick, November 2004
Mobile Suit Gundam: Char's Counterattack Anime DVD Review This 1988 feature film continues the Gundam saga of Earth Federation mecha pilot Amuro Ray and Char Aznable of the Zeon (now Neo-Zeon), and was one of the first blendings of computer generated images and cel animation. The foundations of peace are once again threatened by a new Neo Zeon army, their ultimate goal is to initiate a nuclear winter upon Earth, thereby forcing a new age of mankind into space. Armed with the state-of-the-art Nu Gundam mobile suit, Amuro Ray and the Federation forces are all that stand against Neo Zeon. Torn between vengeance, duty, and love - the final battle between rivals Char Aznable and Amuro Ray is finally at hand! Char's Counterattack is essentially a two-hour space battle, and, although Yoshiyuki Tomino had only limited technology at his disposal (the computer animation is somewhere between the levels of Lensman and Cowboy Bebop), the choreography of the mecha duels is effective and exciting. It's the best-looking Gundam movie we've ever seen and the film was certainly one of the most eagerly awaited ever made. No Gundam collection is complete without this crowning achievement of Sunrise. Bonuses of this DVD include: Original Theatrical Trailer, Gundam Model Music Video, Creator Filmography, a 12 Page Collectors Booklet, Reversible DVD Cover and Embossed Collector's Slipcover. Reviewed by Brian Cirulnick, October 2002
Mobile Suit Gundam – The 08th MS Team Anime DVD Review Much like the original series, this mini-series takes place in U.C. 0079 – but while Amuro Ray was battling Char in outer space, another battle was being fought between the Federation and the Zeon in the jungles of South America. This 13-part series follows the career of the extremely idealistic Shiro Amada, a soldier who fights hard, but, won't sacrifice his hope for peace, even in the face of atrocities committed by both sides of the conflict. Naturally, this gets him into serious trouble with his superiors and he's even suspected of being an enemy agent. The fact that he's in love with a woman from the other side doesn't help things weither. On production value alone, this series is definitely the highlight of the entire Gundam franchise. The mecha design is believable and you get to see the gears and hydraulics that make Gundams work. Of particular note is episode 6, where the entire series just "clicks" into high gear, with amazing action and sound editing well above average. Listen to how different the "room tone" is between the interior of the Mobile Suits and the Hover Tank, and then of course, that spectacular ending where the fade out is cued to the frame where the sun is blocked by the trail of smoke. That kind of attention to detail is prevalent throughout the series and makes it the most enjoyable of all the incarnations of Gundam. Reviewed May 2002
Gundam: The Origin, Vol. 1 Manga Review Viz Comics has republished Yoshikazu Yasuhiko's original Gundam as a series of graphic novels. This is the "real" Gundam, where Amuro Ray battles Char Aznable, and White Base must defend itself from continual attacks of the Zeon forces. Extraordinary hardcore sci-fi, this is the Gundam that created the powerful franchise and is still the best of the bunch! Viz's manga treatment has been professionally "flipped" to read left to right, and the larger format allows better appreciation of YAS's excellent artwork. Reviewed by Brian Cirulnick, August 2005
Gundam: Official Guide Anime Book Review The Gundam multi-verse is now one of the most complex in all of anime. Gundam features a plethora of films, OVAs, limted series, multiple series that tie together, and the occasional series that doesn't even seem to take place anywhere in the same overall timeline, Gundam can seem like a confusing mess to a newcomer. The Gundam Official Guide is one of the most thorough and informative books to cover the Gundam universe. The book covers every single TV series, OVA, and theatrical film to be based upon Gundam, regardless if it has been officialy released in the USA. For each series you'll find a glossary of terms, statistics of all the characters and Mobile Suits presented, as well as how the Universal Century timeline coincides with that series. The book also briefly introduces you to some of the more noteworthy Gundam side stories — a collection of semi-official spinoffs, which include videogames, comics and graphic novels. There's also a decent amount of science and history explained from the universe. Reviewed by Brian Cirulnick, November 2002
Ikki Tousen
Ikki Tousen Volume 1 Anime DVD Review Hakufu Sonsaku has a killer bod. Literally. But, don't let this buxom blonde's ditzy nature fool you. She's a fighter, not a lover. She just transferred to a school where there's a war going on. The town of Kanto has been locked in bloody, hand-to-hand conflict for generations. The combatants are designated by the strange jewels they wear. These jewels purport to carry the souls and skills of fighters past and Hakufu has a jewel just like theirs. Could she be the descendent of a legendary unbeatable warrior? Action, cleavage and panty shots abound in a cartoon series based on a manga by Yuji Shiozaki (which is availble in America from TokyoPop as Battle Vixens). Bones break and bosums heave in the rollicking fanservice-style of Agent Aika. Fight on Hakufu! Below: Scenes from Ikki Tousen.
Reviewed by Lawrence Sufrin, November 2004
Ikki Tousen Website Links: Enoki Films' Ikki Tousen Homepage Geneon Entertainment's Official Ikki Tousen Homepage J.C. Staff's Official Ikki Tousen Homepage (Japanese) Madman's Official Ikki Tousen Website Ikki Tousen (TV) entry at Anime News Network
Lupin the 3rd
Lupin the 3rd - The World's Most Wanted (TV Series, Vol. 1) Anime DVD Review If you don't know about Lupin the Third, shame on you! It is without a doubt, one of the most popular anime/manga franchises of all time, spawning 228 television episodes, 14 TV movies, and 6 theatrical films (the second being 'Castle of Cagliostro' previously reviewed here). Based on the manga by Monkeypunch, it's the wild saga of the grandson of the French jewel thief Arsene Lupin. He and his 'gang' (a Chicago gunslinger and a Japanese samurai, (and sometimes-partner Fujiko) go through one madcap caper after another, with their javert, the indestructible Inspector Zenigata, close on their heels. Older anime fans know all of this all ready. But they should also know that they can now throw out their moldy, fifth generation, extra long/6 hour speed videocassette copies of Lupin III. Pioneer has brought the show to DVD, and they've done a brilliant job with it. The ADR writers at Pioneer are having a field day making sure that the English interpretation keeps to the fun (and funny) spirit of the series. The incredibly clever and witty dialogue is extremely well done — it's actually hysterical! American voice actors serve the characterizations well - comedy is timing, and they do a good job delivering funny lines. The DVD is packed with a whopping six episodes (plus some cool extras) and the crystal-clear transfer is so sharp you can see the dust on the cels. We were very impressed by what we've seen so far and can't wait for more to come out. Lupin rocks! Reviewed by Brian Cirulnick, February 2003
Castle Cagliostro (1979) Anime DVD Review Steven Spielberg considers this to be one of his favorite films. So do we. This may be one of the greatest action-adventure comedy-romances ever made, animated or otherwise. Directed by Hayao Miyazaki (Laputa, Totoro, Mononoke) it's guaranteed to please everyone who watches it. That action starts five seconds into the film and never lets go, culminating in a fantastic battle that Disney shamelessly ripped off in "The Great Mouse Detective". Considering the film is over 20 years old, the animation is still amazing even by today's standards – consider the scenes where Lupin drives his Fiat 500 straight up a wall (in the best car chase we've ever seen), or later, where he's scaling the roof of the castle and everything is moving in the frame perfectly – it is just to die for. All this topped with Yuji Ono's inspired soundtrack make this one of the most perfectly crafted and executed films of all time. Absolutely not to be missed. Reviewed by Brian Cirulnick, June 2002
Lupin the 3rd - The Mystery of Mamo Anime DVD Review If you read our first two Lupin reviews you can see how much we enjoy this franchise and it's great to see that Pioneer is bringing it to US audiences. Here's the first-ever Lupin theatrical film, and one of the most bizarre and certainly the truest to the original Monkeypunch manga, both in terms of the treatment of Lupin and the gang as well as the obtuse-ness of the plot in this twisted tale. Lupin is pronounced dead by execution and he wants to find out who did it. The object of Lupin's affection, Fujiko, has a new employer Mamo, a powerful man with a lot of resources at his disposal who has her using Lupin to steal some rather arcane objects. Lupin is out to find out who Mano is, why he is using Fujiko and what is his master plan. But in doing so he might lose his friends Goeman, Jigan as well as Fujiko — not to mention his own life. This is a timless anime classic. While the animation is "vintage" the story more than makes up for it. The movie ran a bit long but it was funny and worth our time. The great story, the funny animation and Fujiko's topless scenes make this a must see. Reviewed by Brian Cirulnick, November 2003
FLCL (Fooly Cooly)
Fooly Cooly Haruko Red Anime Messenger X Bag Anime Fashion Accessory Review If you've been reading these pages for any length of time, you'd know we're nuts over FLCL. Gainax's madcap 6-episode masterpiece ranks highly in anime canon. And any chick that beats up a Vespa with a baseball bat as part of the closing credits gets our vote. As such, we highly recommend this Haruko Messenger Bag, in bright red -- to be visible, even at night, so you'll be safe in traffic when riding your broken-down scooter. Just be careful who you whack in the head with your Rickenbacker -- or be prepared to pull out alien robots and fight to the death. Loaded with pockets and places to put stuff, this bag is stylish and functional. Everybody needs a place to put their stuff, and this is it. And remember, the sour drinks don't taste so bad after all... Reviewed by Brian Cirulnick, May 2007
FLCL (Fooly Cooly) - Vol. 1 Anime DVD Review FuriKuri pokes fun at everything in a bizarre self-referential way, while being absolutely the most intentionally obtuse series since Excel Saga. Created by Studio Gainax, this set of 6 episodes contains enough character, storyline and wit to have actually been 4 times as long. You're going to need to watch every frame, because, believe us, some of it goes by so fast it'll make your head spin. For those of you living on chaos theory, you'll learn a thing or two about yourself in the complete and total madness of this show's slice-of-life, stylistically-intense, coming-of-age screwball-comedy. Combined with the most awesome rockin' soundtrack we've ever heard, this is 6 episodes that may be the greatest anime ever. Get all the DVDs. Reviewed by Brian Cirulnick, October 2003
FLCL Soundtrack Anime Soundtrack Review This release by Pioneer/Geneon is simply rockin'! The soundtrack to one of the most awesome anime mini-series ever is hard-rocking bass and guitar goodness. The Pillows, a Japanese rock-group, combining head-banging, edgy punk rock with some soulful guitar, the garage-band sound here is somewhere between The Ramones and Nirvana, which ain't such dusty company. The ever popular "Ride on Shooting Star" is right there as track 2, but deeper into the album are some of the more interesting tracks (our fave, track 20, is Naota's "head banging" transformation theme). Get this, get this, get this is all we can say. Incredible music from an awesome anime. If this album doesn't get you to air-guitar (and/or drive really, really fast), then you just aren't an anime fan. Reviewed by Brian Cirulnick, March 2004
Kyo Kara Maoh!: God(?) Save Our King!
Kyo Kara Maoh!: God(?) Save Our King! Anime DVD Review Yuri fancied himself an ordinary Japanese lad trying to make it through school. That all changed when some bullies dunked his head into a ladies room toilet. Yuri was whisked (should we say "Flushed"?) into a strange new world full of medieval castles and flying skeletons. Apparently, Yuri bares the sole of the long awaited (and long feared) Demon King. An army of handsome young men are sworn to protect this comically pretty boy from supernatural forces conspiring against their kingdom. Can Yuri stand to be fawned over? What is he expected to do now that he's magical royalty? Kyo Kara Maoh!: God(?) Save Our King! is a bishonen fantasy series in the tradition of Escalfowne. Adapted from the Kadokawa manga, it sports action, adventure, and cute anime guys with big swords. Now that you've been down a well with Kagume and InuYasha, try going down the toilet with young, Demon King Yuri? Does it swirl clockwise or counter-clockwise? Below: Scenes from Kyo Kara Maoh!: God(?) Save Our King!
Reviewed by Lawrence Sufrin, January 2006
Kakurenbo: Hide & Seek
Kakurenbo: Hide & Seek Anime DVD Review This awesome-looking anime follows a group of eight masked teens as they engage in a deadly game of Hide and Seek with a group of bloodthirsty demons under the streets of Tokyo. The fast paced story follows Hikora and Yaimao, who've joined the sinister game in order to find their sister who disappeared during a previous game. Packing a tremendous visual punch unlike anything you've seen before, Kakuenbo is completely 3-D animated, except that it doesn't look it — instead, the 3D is used to deliver what looks like extremely high-quality cel-animation. The lighting effects alone are worth the price. This dark, sinister film is the very first production effort from Yamatoworks, and we hope to see more from this exciting and imaginative studio. The DVD is loaded with over 50 minutes of exciting extras, including: Making of Kakurenbo with Commentary, Interviews with Creators Morita and Sajiki, Character Gallery, Backgrounds Gallery, and Kakurenbo: Hide & Seek Trailers. Below: Scenes from Kakurenbo.
Reviewed by Brian Cirulnick, November 2005
Gunslinger Girl
Gunslinger Girl (box set) Anime DVD Review It's Le Femme Nikita... If Nikita was a 15-year old cyborg. The series is about girls who were terminal patients or victims. They were restored back to life through bioengineering, cybernetics and a lot of weapons training . . . and they were made into brainwashed, petite, cyborg assassins. However, the series does not focus on their missions, the action or the combat. In fact, such scenes are there only because they are part of the plot. Rather, the drive of the series is the interaction between the girls their "handlers". Each handler is different with his girl, treating her differently, conditioning them differently. It's this relationship or bond that forms between the young girl and her handler that makes the series move. Some handlers (like Giuseppe) see it as a second chance at life for these young girls and endeavor at being a good role model. While others (Jean) see the girls has nothing but tools of the trade and are replaceable. Hence, you (the viewer) can ask yourself how you would handle the responsibility that the handlers are giving. Would you treat the cyborg like a little sister or just another weapon at your disposal? Both from a visual standpoint and an intellectual frame, the series is top-notch. A deep, compelling mature drama with kick-butt action sequences, all done on the highest-scale quality animation.
Reviewed by Brian Cirulnick, April 2007
Gunslinger Girl Volume 1 Manga Review In Italy, select teenage girls have been transformed into cyborgs and subjected to a brainwashing process known as "Conditioning." These girls are then paired with fully human supervisors, called Handlers, and are made to carry out assassinations on behalf of a shadowy government agency. It's kind of bizarre cross of Noir and Cyborg 009, and perhaps Kite as well, if only for the immensely disturbing imagery. This is not a comedy, this is grim, dark, intelligent, gripping work with detailed art and fantastic action sequences. Basically, if you bash Chobits together with La Femme Nikita, this is what you'd get. Reviewed by Brian Cirulnick, May 2005
Gunslinger Girl Website Links: Bandai Channel's Gunslinger Girl Page (Japanese) FujiTV's GSG Website (Japanese) FUNimation's Official Gunslinger Girl Website Gunslinger Girl (Japanese) Media Works' Official Gunslinger Girl Homepage (Japanese) Gunslinger Girl Fan Review at Anime Secrets Gunslinger Girl (TV) entry at Anime News Network Gunslinger Girl (manga) entry at Anime News Network
Below: The opening titles to Gunslinger Girl in Japanese.
 After some debate in the ASN forums, we decided to contact Nickelodeon to see if we could get confirmation on a few things surrounding the "Day of Black Sun" movie event and the rest of season three. Consequently, we have confirmed with Nickelodeon that season three of Avatar will have 21 episodes, rather than the 20 episodes that seasons one and two had.
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