Anime Reviews, My rants on animes I've watched

I've watched alot of anime in my time..... alot of anime and I'm showing no signs of slowing down. So I thought I'd start posting my reviews and recommendations of the animes I've watched. My next post will detail my thoughts on the latest anime I've finished Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion


I've decied I'll post a list of all the animes I've seen.

Inuyasha (including all 4 movies)
Gun-X-Sword
Trigun
Cowboy Bebop (including movie)
He is My Master
Gundam Wing (series not finished)
X (Movie)
Golgo 13 (both Movies)
Spriggan (Movie)
Demonbane (including ova)
Rune Solidier
Beet the Vandel Buster
Beet the Vandel Buster: Excellion
Ah My Goddess
Ah My Goddess Second
Demon City Shunjuku (movie)
Matantei Loki Ragnarok
Naruto (including movies save 3)
Bleach (including movie)
Code Geass
Hellsing
Hellsing Ultimate
Karas: The Prophecy (movie)
Fatal Fury (both movies)
Ragnarok
Full Metal Panic
Full Metal Panic Fufmufo
Full Metal Panice Second Raid
Kenshin (movie as well, not seen the OVA's)
Samurai Deeper Kyo
The Melencholy of Haruhi Suzumiya
S-Cry-Ed
Shaman King (not finished)
Evangelion (movie and series)
Full Metal Alchemist (series and movie)
Devil May Cry
D.N. Angel
Death Note
Bastard
Crest of the Stars
Banner of the Stars
Digimon
Pokemon (le sigh)
some Megaman
Fate Stay Night
Ghost in the Shell (both Movies, havent finished series)
Grenadier
Midori no Hibi
Howl's Moving Castle
Mai Hime
Noein
Pet Shop of Horror
Soul Taker
Tenjou Tenge
Witchblade
Yu-Gi-Oh (some series and movie)
GetBackers
R.O.D. (including OVA)
The Highlander (movie)
Bokusatsu Tenshi Dokuro-chan
Serial Experiments Lain
Night Wizard
School Rumble (in progress)
Vampire Hunter D
Lucky Star
The Big O
Karas: The Revalation
Darker than Black
Gunslinger Girls
Megazone 23 (not likely to finish)
Buso Renkin
Shakugan no Shana (including movie)
Shakugan no Shana Second
Witch Hunter Robin
Ergo Proxy
Bailisk
Negima!? (up to episode 21 so far anyway)
Mahuo Sensai Negima
Black Cat
Higurashi Season 1
Banner of the Stars 3
Naruto Movie 4
Dokurochan 2
Ah My Godess - Fighting Wings (OVA)


This is all I could think of at the time, if you want me to post a review on one of these in particular let me know. This list will be added too.

This post has been edited by Nankotsu on May 1 2008, 05:00 PM

Title: Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion
Genres: Drama, Mecha, Military, Science Fiction, Supernatural
Rating: Teenagers (May contain bloody violence, bad language, nudity)

Plot Summary: 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.

Episode Running Time: 24 minutes
Number of episodes: 25

My Review:

Plot: 10/10 This is easily the best Mecha anime I have ever seen. Partly one reason is that it doesn't focuse completely on the mechs like in the Gundam series. The mechs are important but not central to the plot. In terms of storyline, this plot has plenty of twists and turns, enough to throw me for a loop more than once. With twists and turns and plenty of cliff hangers this anime is quite a ride.

Characters: 10/10 It is rare for me to watch an anime and truly connect with the characters, but thats exactly what happened in this anime. When the characters cried I will admit I wanted too also. I reveled in the victory's of hero and felt sadness at his loses both intentional and not.

Action/Drama: 10/10 This anime had me on the edge of my seat, foaming at the mouth in nerdish pleasure. The mech battles are some of the most beautiful scripted ones I have ever seen. Even the Lancelot, so called most advanced one, was not so over powered that the pilot could pwn without any skill, his wits and everything were still vital. Even in the none combat sequences there was plenty to be excited at, watching the main character as he made his movements of rebellion, the cold brutal effective of his strategy's, and his flair for the dramatic made the anime enjoyable wether in battle or not.

Animation: 10/10 One of the most beautiful animes ever made, a perfect balance of color, 3'd imaging, outlining and shading.

Sound/Voice: 10/10 Perfect voices for the chacters, and Zero's voice sounds just plain cool.

Summary: 10/10 In summary this is easily my favorite Mecha anime I've ever seen. The real life characters, the awesome battles, and amazing strategy, and the look into the heros past and his own inner struggles at the cost of his war, make him that much a character sympathize with. I could go on and on, but that would be spoiling for you. In short I highly highly recommend this anime to everyone. The storyline and characters will draw you in tight and never let you go. I already can't wait for the next season.

End of Line

By request of Gash, I will next be doing a review on Full Metal Alchemist, the series and the movie.

I'm curious as if you've got a review for Big O.


Cant's wait for your FMA review.


*hunts for shotgun*

Title: Fullmetal Alchemist (TV)
Genres: Adventure, Comedy, Drama, Fantasy, Historical, Military, Shounen, Supernatural
Age rating: Teenagers (May contain bloody violence, bad language, nudity)

Plot Summary: After losing their mother, Alphonse and Edward Elric attempt to bring her back using the forbidden science of human alchemy. However, alchemy operates on the theory of equivalent trade, and breaking the human alchemy taboo carries a heavy price. Ed loses his leg, and Al loses his body. Ed is able to seal Al's soul inside of a huge suit of armor, at the cost of his arm. Years later, Ed (now with two mechanical limbs) and Al (still trapped in the armor) leave their childhood home, each brother concerned with the other's happiness. Ed, who has a natural talent and skill for alchemy, becomes nationally certified and is soon known everywhere as the "Fullmetal Alchemist." Their true objective is to search for any information on the fabled Philosopher's Stone, hoping it will allow them to regain their old bodies. All of their hopes rest with this mythical stone, which may not even exist at all. However, the brothers soon learn that they are not the only ones after the powerful stone.

Running time: 24 minutes
Number of episodes: 51

My Review

Plot: 8/10 The plot in this anime is cliche, sappy and gets repetitive by the second half.............. yet it is still extremely enjoyable inspite of this. Ed and Al in their quest of the red stone, encounter many foes and many different situations. A point of interest is the fact that almost every villain wants to tell Ed how hes just like them. This act of comparison continues throughout the entire anime. The ethical implications make a strong presence in this anime, the right and wrong is an issue for the main characters during the whole adventure.

Characters: 7/10 The characters in FMA are likable and the jokes are amusing throughout (ex Ed issues with his height), and Roy Mustang, characters who appear shallow are shown to much deeper than the one would first think. Even the evil characters are shown to have alot of depth.

Action/Drama: 7/10 The action and drama of the show are interesting. The fight scenes tend to be quick and very entertaining with alchemic powers used. The drama balances out with the show nicely, moments dont get too sappy, and characters are made quite real with their interactions.

Animation: 6/10 The drawing is good, but an obvious emphasis is placed on the alchemic reactions with only left over skill being used for the characters, the characters as a result tend to look 2'dish at times, but over all it is a beautiful anime for the beauty of alchemy.

Sound Voice: 9/10 This anime is one of the few that I enjoy hearing it in english, as the voices fit all the characters, with none sounding obnoxious or stupid unless their character is supposed to be.

Summary: 8.5/10 Overall this is an enjoyable anime and I would recommend to anyone, though their are some adult themes explored. But the anime is good one and rates as one of the better ones out there.

Fullmetal Alchemist: The Movie - Conqueror of Shamballa
Genres: Adventure, Comedy, Drama, Historical, Mystery, Science Fiction, Shounen
Age rating: Teenagers (May contain bloody violence, bad language, nudity)

Plot Summary: Munich, Germany, 1923. Two years have passed since Edward Elric was dragged from his own world to ours, leaving behind his country, his friends and his younger brother, Alphonse. Stripped of his alchemical powers, he has been all this time researching rocketry together with Alphonse Heiderich, a young man who resembles his own brother, hoping to one day find a way back home. His efforts so far had proven fruitless, but after lending a hand to a troubled gipsy girl, Edward is thrown in a series of events that can wreak havoc in both worlds. Meanwhile, at his own world, Alphonse Elric ventures deeper into the mysteries of alchemy in search for a way to reunite with his older brother.

Running time: 105 minutes

Plot: 7/10 The plot grows weaker in the movie, still enjoyable with a few surprises but leaves much to be desired when compared with the plot of the series.

Characters: 7/10 Characters are usally altered versions of ones we've seen in the series being its an alternate reality and all, this starts as interesting but in the end gets repetitive.

Actio/Drama: 6/10 Action suffers some in this movie, the alchemic battles we came to love in the series have saddly little show time, drama is a bigger emphasis in this anime, and for the most part is good, but some scenes just get plain sappy.

Animation: 6/10 Same as series, nothing else much to say.

Sound/Voice: 9/10 Same actors used, very good thing.

Summary: 7/10 The movie brings a sense of closer to us at last but still it leaves much to be desired in the end, but if you watched the series you should watch the movie.

Alchy: I haven't seen The Big O yet but when I do I shall post a review for you.

Just finished the movie, Vampire Hunter D.

Animes working on: The Big O, School Rumble, Night Wizards.

Review for the movie will be posted later.

^ Only 8/10 for Full Metal? Come now, a 9 at least. *smirk*

Actually, Karas: The Prophecy isn't a movie, it's the first volume of a series (the second came out last month), though I'm curious to hear your take on it. Am I the only one who said "This is cool....but what the hell?"

-Dark
:ninj4:

Yes I'm aware that Karas is techincally considered 3 Ova's in a row but as there was no definate distinction between them I just call it a movie. I havent watched the sequel yet but I plan to soon. I will post a review on the first set soon.

As for FMA, these are just my opinions, everyones entitled to their own. Though in hindsight, I belive a 8.5 if more acurate.

In recent news, word has reached my ears of anime in the vein of The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, called Lucky Star......


*is investigating*

For those of you who have no idea what I'm refering too, a review of Haruhi will be coming as well.


And just cause I can.
Carmell Dansen

^_^

Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust (movie)
Genres: Adventure, Drama, Fantasy, Horror, Romance, Science Fiction, Supernatural
Age rating: Mature (May contain sex, drugs, and extreme graphic violence)

Plot Summary: Continuing his quest to rid the world of the Nobility, the Vampire Hunter D, a dunpeal (half human, half vampire), is summoned by the Elbourne family to rescue their daughter Charlotte from the captivity of Meier Link. The race against time not only involves saving the girl, but also the additional hiring of the Markus Brothers; a volatile and infamous group of Hunters known for their tendency to rid themselves of the competition by any means neccessary. To make matters more complicated, when Charlotte is found she is more than reluctant to leave the side of her new love...

Running time: 102 minutes

Plot: 6/10 Half Vampire working as vampire hunter. About as cliche as it can get. A few twists that are interesting but nothing much else.

Characters: 7/10 D is a interesting character, in terms of power he may be on the level of Alucard, but he unlike Alucard doesn't reveal revel his cards, he has a typical mysterious arua around him, his hand, which apparently has a talking parasite in it that has some usefullness, makes for the the comic relief of the duo. The other hunters and characters are mostly glossed over in terms of personality and like.

Action/Drama: 8/10 The fights are cool though a little short. Theres a nice smattering of drama thorought as well.

Animation: 8/10 Well drawn with a unique style you dont see in alot of anime.

Sound: 8/10 Another good anime that sounds good in english as well, voices fit characters.

Summary: 7.5/10 All in all, its a decent vampire anime movie. Not a must see, but if you like the genre you should enjoy this movie.

The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya (TV)
Genres: Comedy, Psychological, Science Fiction, Supernatural
Age rating: Teenagers (May contain bloody violence, bad language, nudity)

Plot Summary: On the first day of high school a beautiful girl named Haruhi Suzumiya introduces herself as having "no interest in ordinary humans". She asks for any aliens, time travelers, sliders or espers to join her. Watching her weird behavior is Kyon who sits in front of Haruhi and is the only person who talks to her. When Kyon comments about Haruhi's joining every club in school and then quitting he unwittingly gives Haruhi an idea to start her own after school club. Thereafter Kyon and several others find themselves dragged, literally, into the Save our world by Overloading it with fun Suzumiya Haruhi's Brigade (the S.O.S. Brigade for short).

Running time: 24 minutes
Number of episodes: 14

Plot: 8/10 This anime's plot is one of the most unique I've ever watched, its almost as if the writer had ideas for 4 different animes then decided to try to mix them....... and succeed in a way that I would've never considered. For only fourteen episodes the story of this anime is quite entertaining and very funny.

Characters: 9/10 The characters of Haurhi is one area where the show trule shines. The characters are shown alot of depth and personality for each, and each one is very 'unique' (have to watch the anime to find out)

Action/Drama: 10/10 A high score considering there was only one real fight scene in the whole anime............... but that fight scene WAS ONE OF THE MOST FREAKING AWESOME FIGHTS I HAVE EVER WATCHED. *ahem* Anyway the drama of the anime is quite good as well and there is nice character development.

Animation: 8.5/10 This anime is very well drawn, the above mentioned fight scene had some awesome animations in it. Overall very well drawn.

Sound: 7/10 The japanese sub is better than the dub, but the dub isnt awful thankfully, but I definitely prefer the sub.

Summary: 9/10 This anime has humor, some action, a decent smattering of drama, and bunny girls. Whats not to like. This anime is also rated in the top ten of animes right now by the Anime News Network. In sort it is definately worth a watch.

Note: This anime was produced by the same company that made Full Metal Panic and Lucky Star.

Karas: The Prophecy (OAV)
Genres: Fantasy, Science Fiction

Plot Summary: The world of the humans and the world of the demons (yōkai) have overlapped one another, leaving humans to walk the streets of life as they normally would, while demons walk, hidden from the naked eye, down the very same streets. A seemingly young woman named Yurine, and her servant Karas, have long maintained order and balance between the overlapped worlds, ultimately keeping the demons from interrupting the lives of humans. However, humans have come to forget and jest at the existence of demons, and no longer understand the privilege it is to live without fear. Disgusted by this arrogance, an old Karas turns his back on the laws he had once upheld, and in his human form, named Eko, he creates an army of Mikura, or mechanized demons, to ready an attack on the human race.

A young man named Otoha inherits the powers of the Karas and takes his place at the side of Yurine, who claims that his soul called out for her while he lived the life of a human. They live in the world of the demons. It is now up to Otoha to prove himself as a Karas, and restore the balance that Eko threatens to upset.

Meanwhile, a superstitious police officer named Sagisaka and his rational new recruit, Kure, follow the trail of the murders dealt by Eko's Mikura, as well as the trail of a rogue Mikura named Nue. The prophecy unfolds from here into a grave revelation for all in the city.

Number of episodes: 6 (Divided into two movies of three each, this review is of the first three or the first movie depending how you look at it)

Plot: 7/10 The plot of Karas is a bit cliche. A member of a noble group of protectors goes bad and decides to do things his own way and of course hes extremely stronger than the average Karas. Enter the noob who must protect the city, and the people who dont even know their being protected. The up side to this is that the anime does a good job spreading the plot elements out so the clichness doesnt bother you, add some cool fight scenes and the anime becomes quite enjoyable.

Characters: 6/10 The anime suffers in this area as Nue is the only one who gets some depth that we can clearly see, the others are mostly around to do fights and talk cryptically about things.

Action/Drama: 9/10 Action is the name of this anime, one can easily see that it was their main to draw people to it and they succeeded. The fights scenes are awesome and not to short and have plenty of special effects and cool moves. In terms of drama, there isnt much, but theres some with some of the human characters.

Animation: 10/10 The best aspect of the movie, no other anime I've ever see has used 3/d imaging so extensivly with regular drawing and still made it look plain cool.

Sound: 8/10 The voices sounds good and fit the characters.

Summary: 8/10 This anime is a good one, the plot and ideas are a little cliche and rather odd at times but it is an enjoyable ride. Worth checking out.

Note: I have not seen the second half as of yet, I will post a review on that when I have.

LMAO.

Agreement on the 8/10. It may be a little boring storywise, but it certainly is anime eye candy. B)

-Dark

Lucky Star (TV)
Genres: Comedy, Slice of Life

Plot Summary: Portrays the lives of several school girls attending a Japanese high school with a very loose humor tone. The main heroine is Konata Izumi, an athletic and intelligent girl who, despite these attributes, is not in a sports club, and her grades remain low. Her laziness at school is due to her love for anime and video games, and she is not interested in much else.

Running time: 24 minutes
Number of episodes: 24

Plot: 5/10 Simply put there isn't one. This anime follows the lives of four ordinary girls, besides Konata being Otaku (anime nut) theres not much else to say.

Characters: 15/10!!! The characters in this anime rock! This is the first anime where almost every episode had me laughing. Konata is hiliarious and the way her and Kagimi go at it in every episode has me in stiches. Even the book store managers in this anime rock. The characters are memorable and you can't help but love em.

Action/Drama: 6/10 Action is no existent...... well unless you count the shop keeper..... eh never mind...... anyway not much in action to say as for drama, no love interestes, a fact the characters bemoan often. Just average drama about tests, festivals, and Konata dealing with her father...... the man is unique individual.

Animation: 8/10 the style is flat 2'd ish most of the time but this makes the emotions much more entertaining to draw. And they randomly change drawing styles for certain characters *thinks back to the shopkeeper*

Sound/Voice: 9/10 The voices are awesome for this anime. The way Konata says Kagimis name when shes going to make a jab, truly hiliarious. The intro music is good too, and at the end they do all sorts of interesting things, you can tell the creators had alot of fun with this.

Summary: 9.5/10 A truly memorably anime and one everyone should watch, very enjoyable and very funny. A must see.

The Big O (TV)
Genres: Adventure, Mecha, Mystery, Psychological, Science Fiction, Shounen
Age rating: Teenagers (May contain bloody violence, bad language, nudity)

Plot Summary: Paradigm City is a place without a past. 40 years ago, something happened that wiped the memories of everyone in it. Unfortunately, the people of Paradigm City were very busy before then, making Megadueses(giant robots) and monsters. People who were born after the memory wipe are gaining/recovering memories of the past and using them to build newer threats. Roger Smith keeps Paradigm City safe with the help of The Big O (a faithful giant robot), his butler Norman and the android Dorothy. As problems mount and more memories surface, Roger's past and Paradigm's future begin to become suspect...

Running time: 25 minutes
Number of episodes: 26

Plot: 9/10 The plot of Big O is a complex and rather deep one, I would put it on the level with Serial Experiments Lain and Evangelion on the deep weirdness scale. Alot of plot twists and other things.

Characters: 8.5/10 The characters are memorable, interesting and even comical at times.

Action/Drama: 8.5/10 Action is good in this anime, the mech battles are nice, though not very practical at times. Drama is pretty good, but theres not alot of it, mostly suspense and mind games.

Animation 5/10: Big O got all the talent, even Roger the main character gets slighted, if its not the size of a skyscaper and causing destruction, the artists didnt put alot of effort into it.

Sound/Voice: 8/10 Another one of the few animes that sound good in english, and I liked the intro song.

Summary 8/10 I was surprised how much this anime drew me in. The plot of the anime is its hight point, the mech battles are nice but un practical with some of the things that happen. All in all a decent anime, worth checking out.

Heh. Damn right!