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2006/7/15 Binbou Shimai Monogatari: First Impressions 貧乏姉妹物語
Release: 7/2006
Episodes: 10
Genre: Drama, Slice of life
OP: "Shinkokyuu" by Splash Candy
ED: "Soyokaze Life" by Kanako Sakai
Impressions:
The first episode turned out to be far better than I expected. I thought the character designs were bad from small, unclear images of the show, but they are in fact pretty good. Even though I don't like this sort of Anime, (the drama and slice of life genres, which I don't like either of them) I was moved by the loving relationship between the two sisters. However, although I can say that I liked the episode more than I disliked it, I won't be following the show.
   Summary:
Yamada Kyo and Yamada Asu are sisters, living alone after their mother died when they were young and their dad ran away after accumulating a gambling debt he couldn’t pay back. Kyo, as the older sister, supports them both, working part-time as a paper deliverer or a tutor, even though she is still in junior high. To help her sister, Asu does all the housework. Each day, Kyo will get up early and sneak out of the house to start her jobs. Asu always wakes up at the same time, but pretends to be asleep. When her sister leaves, s he gets up too to start the housework. The two sisters are very close, and this series is about the two's relationship with each other and the fun/hardships they go through (though 'hardship' is probably too strong a word).
The episode starts off by establishing the characters and their routine life. Kyo is woken by the alarm beside her bed. At first she is still dazed, but a small movement by her sister (who is sleeping next to her) gets her attention. Asu is in fact awake, but pretends to be asleep so Kyo doesn't need to worry. Kyo gets dressed and heads out to do her daily paper rounds. As soon as she leaves, Asu gets up and prepares breakfast. As she is cooking, she remembers the coins she has in her pocket and drop them into her piggy bank, which she is saving to use at the upcoming festival. Kyo returns and the two sisters have breakfast together.
Later, Asu visits the festival grounds to plan out the night. She intends to use up the money from the piggy bank for food and toys, and even writes down a plan with diagrams. As she is doing this, Kyo takes the saved money to buy two yukatas (clothes that are worn during times of festivities…I think). Asu comes home to find the her sister absent. On the middle of a table, bathing in a thin strip of sunlight, is the empty piggy bank. Asu cannot believe it when she shakes it and hears no jiggles. She sits by the table in denial until her sister comes home and wearing a yukata. She presents Asu with a matching one to wear to the festival, but she doesn't want it and calls her sister an idiot. She grabs the yukata and runs out of the house with the intention of returning it. When she runs off, she drops her plan. Kyo picks it up but doesn't know what it is at first.
With concern for her sister in the rain, Kyo remembers the time when she had brought an umbrella to Asu at school when it was pouring, despite her fear of the lightning which was piercing the skies at the time. Just as she arrives at the school, the rain stops.
Asu arrives at the yukata store, wanting to return it. The store owner, who knows the sisters quite well, informs Asu that Kyo had bought matching yutakas so they could be the same. Asu remembers the time when Kyo had brought the umbrella for her, and how she insisted on using it even when it had stopped raining. Thinking about this, she regrets everything she's done and said, and decides to wear the yukata to show her sister. She runs home but Kyo is already at the festival looking for her. Kyo speaks to the candy apple guy who informs her that Asu had been here earlier. This makes her realise what the piece of paper Asu had dropped really is. With this realisation, she begins to feel really bad and starts to cry. Kyo eventually finds Asu by standing on a higher place. The two then watch the fireworks together.
The next day, the same morning routine occurs, but this time, Kyo runs into Asu as she is delivering newspapers. Asu had gone to the trouble of making a warm drink, saying she wants to work as well. Kyo assures her that money won't be a problem, but Asu is actually afraid that Kyo will leave her like their dad did. Kyo promises that she won't go anywhere and hugs her. The spirit of their dead mother appears and hugs them both, saying that she's keeping a promise of protecting them.
 2006/7/8 Bokura ga Ita: First Impressions僕等がいた
Release: 07/2006
Episodes: --
Genre: Romance, Shoujo, Slice-of-life
Bokura ga Ita is a love story about a girl entering high school and falling in love.
Takahashi Nanami enters high school with a goal of making as many friends as possible. She tries to talk with a girl sitting next to her, but she replies in short, toneless answers – not a very cheerful person. The other girls seem more approachable and Takahashi makes friends with them quite easily. They tell her about Yano Motoharu, a boy in their class who seems to be very popular amongst the girls. One girl wants to be a part of the class committee with Yano, and so Takahashi offers to nominate her. However, she forgets her name later on and asks a boy what it is. The boy turns out to be Yano, who tricks Takahashi by telling her a random name. When it is time to nominate, Takahashi makes a fool of herself by saying the wrong name. She is obviously embarrassed and annoyed at Yano, but after a few more encounters, she begins to change her views. Eventually, she falls in love with him.
 Personally, the visual elements of any type of show is the largest factor which determines how much I enjoyment it. And Bokura ga Ita has one of the worst design I've ever seen. The simple, washy backgrounds were too plain and made the show looked like it was occurring in someone's dream. The character designs aren't good at all and in some scenes the characters only had one eye! There are just too many shortcuts in the production and I can't live with that. The chance of me following this show is zero. 2006/7/7 Otogi-Jushi Akazukin: First Impressionsおとぎ銃士 赤ずきん
Release: 07/2006
Episodes: --
Genre: Fantasy
Suzukaze Souta may seem like an ordinary boy, but concealed within him is the 'Key of the Seal', which grants him an enormous amount of power and is able to reunite the split worlds of science and magic. Because of this, Souta has been targeted by the witch, Cendrillon, who wishes to possess the Key. Unable to control his power, Souta has attracted a girl named Akazukin and her talking dog, Val, who come from another world to protect him.
 Well, what can I say? I thought it was horrible (but if you're really young you'd probably love this). It was thirty-five minutes of complete boredom – I'm surprised I watched the whole episode. So many things were done wrong. The characters are meant to be in junior high yet they look under 10. The way the characters behave is completely wrong. Souta and Ringo show virtually no emotional response to any of the events that occur. There is no surprise when the dog talks; no screams or yells when the monsters attack; no awe or astonishment when young kids take on beasts several times their size and win appear from nowhere; no shock when people disappear and appear from nowhere; and most of all, Souta's immediate acceptance of Akazukin into his life. The chance of me following this series is practically none. However, the only thing I liked about the first episode was the action scenes: they were done quite well, far better than some other shows that use cheap still frames. 2006/6/29 Summer Anime 2006: Part AJune and July mark the beginning of a new season of Anime. Of course, summer Anime refers to summer in Japan. I will try the first few episodes of all the new series if they are subbed and see if I like any of them, but I’m already following quite a few series. Here is a list of the new Anime with a short description of each. Please note that it’s possible that not all the information here is correct.
Anime listed in part A:
· Flag
· Night Head Genesis
· Binbou Shimai Monogatari
· Hichimitsu to Clover II
· Tsuyokisu Cool × Sweet
· Otogi Jushi Akazukin
· Mamotte! Lollipop
· Demashita! Powerpuff Girls Z
· Le Chevalier d’Eon
· Zero no Tsukaima
Anime listed in part B:
· Project BLUE Chikyuu SOS
· Kemono Zume
· Bokura ga ita
· Coyote Ragtime Show
· Muteki Kanban Musume
· Chokotto Sister
· Koi Suru Tenshi Angelique ~ Kokoro no Mezameru Toki
· Tonagura!
· NHK ni Youkoso
· Innocent Venus
Flag
Japanese Title: Flag
Official Site: http://www.flag20xx.net/
Genre: Mecha
Creator: Obata Yuuki
Studio: Answer Studio, Sunrise
Starting Date: 16/06/06
 Summary: In the 21st Century, a civil war is going on in a small country within Asia. A photographer, Shirasu Saeko, takes a picture of a flag in the middle of a battlefield. The picture and flag are used as a basis for signing a peace treaty, but before the agreement can be completed, the flag is stolen by terrorists! O.o As a result, Shirasu Saeko must go and record the activities of the thieves, which seems like an easy mission, but…
Impression: Well, just from looking at the picture I can say I don’t like the character design. But, the mecha part does intrigue me…
Night Head Genesis
Japanese Title: Night Head Genesis
Official Site: http://www.nighthead-genesis.jp
Genre: Supernatural (and horror maybe?)
Creator: --
Studio: --
Starting Date: Premieres 17/06/06, regular airing starts 29/06/06
 Summary: I really don’t know much about this series. Something about some guy who has psychic powers and has to fit into society…
Impression: Looks really cool! Hope it doesn’t disappoint.
Binbou Shimai Monogatari (The Poor Sisters Story)
Japanese Title: 貧乏姉妹物語
Official Site: http://www.toei-anim.co.jp/tv/binboushimai/
Genre: Drama, School Life
Creator: Kazuto Izumi
Studio: Toei Animation
Starting Date: 29/06/06
 Summary: Yamada Kyo and Yamada Asu are sisters, living alone after their mother died when they were young and their dad ran away after accumulating a gambling debt he couldn’t pay back. Kyo, as the older sister, supports them both, working part-time as a paper deliverer or a tutor, even though she is still in junior high. To help her sister, Asu does all the housework.
Impression: Well, I generally don’t like slice-of-life type Animes, so unless the quality is high, the characters done well and the mood not too bleak, I won’t follow the series.
Hichimitsu to Clover II (Honey and Clover 2)
Japanese Title: ハチミツとクローバーII
Official Site: http://www.hachikuro.net/
Genre: Drama, Love-Romance
Creator: Umino Chika
Studio: G.C. Staff
Starting Date: 29/06/06
 Summary: The first Honey and Clover is about 5 college students and the lives they lead. Hachimitsu to Clover II (or Honey and Clover II), will continue from where the first season left off.
Impression: If you liked Honey and Clover I, then be sure to watch this 2nd series. I haven’t seen the first season before, but many people say it’s really good, so maybe I’ll try it, and if I like it enough, I’ll rush through the first season to catch up.
Tsuyokisu Cool × Sweet
Japanese Title: つよきす Official Site: http://www.tsuyokiss.jp/
Genre: School Life, Harem
Creator: --
Studio: Candy Soft, Studio Hibari, Trinet Entertainment
Starting Date: 01/07/06
 Summary: I believe that this would be a typical harem Anime. The story is based on a dating game, about a high school guy who meets tsundere (usually has bad attitude, but changes when they encounter the one they love) girls and must choose between them all.
Impression: I don’t like harem Anime for the sole reason of the ending: the male lead remains indecisive until the end, and does not end up with anyone. Of course, there are probably many harem shows that do not end like this, but watching 25 episodes just to see whether any of the relationships make any progress is a bit of a waste. If the first episode doesn’t greatly appeal to me, I won’t watch it. (Although the character design is pretty good…)
Otogi Jushi Akazukin
Japanese Title: おとぎ銃士 赤ずきん
Official Site: http://akazukin.konami.jp/
Genre: Adventure, Fantasy
Creator: --
Studio: Madhouse Production
Starting Date: 01/07/06
 Summary: This series is about a boy who has the potential to combine the two halves of a split world, where science makes up one half and magic makes up the other half. The show had an OVA in February, but only the first episode was subbed. No one liked it?
Impression: Very nice character design with appealing colours…
Mamotte! Lollipop
Japanese Title: まもって！ロリポップ
Official Site: --
Genre: Comedy, Love-Romance, Magic
Creator: --
Studio: --
Starting Date: 01/07/06
 Summary: A girl swallows a magical ball that she thought was candy, and now she’s become the focus of several magicians who needed the ball for their magic exams.
Impression: Apparently, the manga is quite good, so now let’s see how good the adaptation is.
Demashita! Powerpuff Girls Z
Japanese Title: でました！パワーパフガールズZ
Official Site: http://www.toei-anim.co.jp/tv/ppgz/
Genre: Comedy, Mahou-Shoujo, Sentai
Creator: --
Studio: Toei Animation
Starting Date: 01/07/06
 Summary: Has most of the same characters, except a few changes. For one the girls are in primary school, not kindergarten, and the professor Utonium guy gives the girls superpowers, instead of creating them out of the three ingredients which I can’t remember. Also, the prof has a son now, who is also a super-genius.
Impression: Powerpuff Girls an Anime? Holy crap! Not even gonna watch the first ep…
Le Chevalier d’Eon
Japanese Title: シュヴァリエ
Official Site: http://www.chevalier.tv/
Genre: Historical Setting, Mystery
Creator: Ubukata To, Yumeji Kiriko
Studio: --
Starting Date: 02/07/06
 Summary: Set in France in the 18th century before the French Revolution, D'Eon's elder sister Lia, a retainer of Louis XV, is mysteriously murdered. D'Eon searches for the truth of his sister's death, but discovers that it was not a normal murder, and the trail leads him deeper into an increasingly serious incident which involves the whole of Europe.
Impression: Historical setting in France? Not that I have anything wrong with French things, I just think that Japanese animation should stick with Japanese things…
Zero no Tsukaima
Japanese Title: ゼロの使い魔
Official Site: http://www.zero-tsukaima.com/
Genre: Love-Romance, Fantasy, Comedy
Creator: Yamaguchi Noboru
Studio: J.C. Staff
Starting Date: 02/07/06
 Summary: A witch who attends an magic school can’t use magic really well, but somehow manages to summon a boy, and made him her servant, creating a contract by kissing.
Impression: The animation looks good, but the story does sound kinda generic, especially the kissing contract thing. Summer Anime 2006: Part BAnime listed in part A:
· Flag
· Night Head Genesis
· Binbou Shimai Monogatari
· Hichimitsu to Clover II
· Tsuyokisu Cool × Sweet
· Otogi Jushi Akazukin
· Mamotte! Lollipop
· Demashita! Powerpuff Girls Z
· Le Chevalier d’Eon
· Zero no Tsukaima
Anime listed in part B:
· Project BLUE Chikyuu SOS
· Kemono Zume
· Bokura ga ita
· Coyote Ragtime Show
· Muteki Kanban Musume
· Chokotto Sister
· Koi Suru Tenshi Angelique ~ Kokoro no Mezameru Toki
· Tonagura!
· NHK ni Youkoso
· Innocent Venus
Project BLUE Chikyuu SOS
Japanese Title: Project BLUE 地球 SOS
Official Site: http://www.projectblue.jp/
Genre: Science-Fiction
Creator: Yamaguchi Noboru
Studio: J.C. Staff
Starting Date: 02/07/06
 Summary: In the year 2000, humans developed a bullet train that can reach speeds of up to 500kph. During the unveiling of this new invention, Billy Kimura, Rotta Brest and Penny Carter see the train vanish after being swallowed by a mass of swirling colour. After doing some research, they discover that this incident has happened before throughout the world. The U.S. establishes a secret Earth defence organisation known as Labyrinth, to investigate these incidents, which eventually lead up to an alien invasion!
Impression: I’d really like a good sci-fi this time, haven’t seen many good examples of them. I’m not sure but this show may be an OVA series.
Kemono Zume
Japanese Title: ケモノヅメ
Official Site: http://www.wowow.co.jp/anime/kemono/
Genre: Love-Romance, Fantasy, Action
Creator: --
Studio: Madhouse Production
Starting Date: 02/07/06
 Summary: The woman he loves is a terrifying monster, and the man that she loves is a monster hunter. How will things work out?
Impression: I have absolutely no idea as to what to expect.
Bokura ga ita
Japanese Title: 僕等がいた
Official Site: www.bokuragaita.com
Genre: Love-Romance, School Life
Creator: Obata Yuuki
Studio: Artland
Starting Date: 03/07/06
 Summary: Takahashi Nanami, a 15-year-old girl, decides to make as many friends as possible at her new high school. And for her, as many friends as possible is not that many. Nanami finds out about a boy quite popular with the girls, called Yano Motoharu. However, when she meets him, she finds him not to be the kind of person she though he’d be, and dislikes him at first. But of course, what kind of romance story would this be if she keeps her first impressions? Before long, Nanami becomes interested…
Impression: I would be looking forward to this one, but the character design… Hopefully I’m wrong though!
Coyote Ragtime Show
Japanese Title: コヨーテ ラグタイムショー
Official Site: http://www.ufotable.com/coyote/
Genre: Action, Science-Fiction
Creator: --
Studio: Ufotable
Starting Date: 03/07/06
 Summary: A pirate called ‘The Blues’ left a large inheritance on the planet Graceland. As a war has broken out on the planet, the governments of other planets decide to destroy Graceland to prevent the war from reaching their own planets. A group of mercenaries are hired by a girl called Franca to retrieve the inheritance before the planet is destroyed.
Impression: Sounds interesting! Character design pretty good as well. Seems like the show will be pretty good quality.
Muteki Kanban Musume
Japanese Title: 無敵看板娘
Official Site: http://www.onimaruhanten.com/
Genre: Comedy
Creator: Sadogawa Jun
Studio: Telecom Animation Film
Starting Date: 04/07/06
 Summary: Onimaru Miki is the daughter of the head of a Chinese restaurant and is meant to be a poster-girl. However, she constantly gets into fights with customers, which doesn’t help her family’s business.
Impression: I wonder if this series has any focus on cooking, or just the poster-girl business.
Chokotto Sister
Japanese Title: ちょこッと Sister
Official Site: http://www.chocosis.com/
Genre: Love-Romance
Creator: Takeuchi Sakura, Zappa Go
Studio: Nomad
Starting Date: 05/07/06
 Summary: Haruma, a college student, is given a little sister from a female Santa, something that he had always wanted.
Impression: Dunno. Not too keen on the character design.
Koi Suru Tenshi Angelique ~ Kokoro no Mezameru Toki
Japanese Title: 恋する天使アンジェリーク ~ 心のめざめる時
Official Site: http://www.gamecity.ne.jp/neoromance/tv/ange/
Genre: Adventure, Fantasy
Creator: --
Studio: Satellite
Starting Date: 08/07/06
 Summary: A girl is chosen to become the Etoile who can save the universe. To help her, she is surrounded by 9 bishounen (pretty men >.<)
Impression: I can’t see myself enjoying a series like this. It’s just not the type of Anime I like.
Tonagura!
Japanese Title: となグラ！
Official Site: http://www.starchild.co.jp/special/tonagra/
Genre: Comedy, Love-Romance, School Life
Creator: --
Studio: Domu
Starting Date: 08/07/06
 Summary: Two childhood friends, Yugi and Kazuki, are reunited after having not seen each other for 10 years. Kazuki hopes that Yugi has grown up to be a handsome guy, but it turns out he has become a dirty pervert.
Impression: I like the character design and I’m also looking for a nice comedy this season. Hopefully this series will meet my expectations.
NHK ni Youkoso (Welcome to the NHK)
Japanese Title: NHK にようこそ！
Official Site: http://www.kadokawa.co.jp/hikky/
Genre: Comedy
Creator: Takimoto Tatsuhiko
Studio: Gonzo
Starting Date: 09/07/06
 Summary: Satou Tatsushirou is suffereing from social withdrawal and blames this on a TV station in Japan called the NHK (note: the NHK is a real TV station in Japan). He believes that the NHK is purposely trying to give people Hikkikomori (the social withdrawal thing) by exposing them to large amounts of Anime. There’s also a girl who tries to help him, and the rest of the story I’m not too clear on. By the way, NHK also refers to the Nihon Hikkikomori Kyoukai, or Japan Hikkikomori Society.
Impression: Sounds fun! I’m really looking forward to this one, and the manga’s meant to be really good too.
Innocent Venus
Japanese Title: おとぎ銃士 赤ずきん
Official Site: http://www.innocent-v.com/
Genre: Mecha, Science-Fiction
Creator: --
Studio: Brains Base
Starting Date: 26/07/06
 Summary: In the year 2010, several hyper-hurricanes materialized simultaneously and caused serious damage to every country in the world. More than 50% of the population was lost, and the world’s economic balance crumbled. North America, Russia and Northern Europe become covered in ice. Japan’s government decides to create specific economic zones in various locations, believing that a 'power door' technology known as 'Cyst' will help the revival of the world. However, as poverty spreads, the government makes a harsh decision of excluding the poor.
In the current year, 2035, Katsuragi and his friend Tsuruzawa Jin escape from a special military force called the 'Phantom' and decide to help a girl called Nobuto Shana.
Impression: I’d really like to see a good mecha Anime this season, as the ones in the Spring Season really disappointed me. Hope the CG’s good.
2006/6/28 Anime GenresAction:
Fast, thrilling, action-packed shows featuring fighting, blood, death and chase scenes. The fighting aspect of this genre can range from swordfights, fistfights, shootouts to tank battles, outer-space robot wars and more.
Adventure:
Follows someone’s journey or travels. This genre is usually associated with action, as part of the journey might be fighting to save another, fighting to save him/herself, fighting to find a certain object, fighting to complete a mission etc.
Fantasy:
A genre that uses imaginary, mythological or mythical forms. There doesn’t necessarily have to be monsters or ghosts in a show for it to be classified as fantasy. Humans with supernatural powers, or people that live in an imaginary world can be elements of fantasy. Even if the main characters are not humans, they will usually still look like humans.
Magic/Supernatural:
Quite similar to fantasy, but more realistic than fantasy and usualy an element in horror. Magic and Supernatural can be separated into two different genres.
Mecha:
Usually deals with large robots used more like extensions of the pilot rather than weapons like tanks. It is usually associated with science fiction, but can also be related to fantasy, where the large robots are not actually robots and mythical beings, summoned by certain gifted people, for example.
Science Fiction:
Deals with advanced technology set in the future. Sci-fi is usually about technology turning against mankind, or some sort of alien technology that is threatening to end the world.
Drama:
In-depth character development and relationships. It is usually very emotional and some aspects are similar to love/romance, though drama is more sad and the relationships don’t always work out.
Love/Romance:
All about love relationships and the ups and downs the couple (or couple-to-be) have. Shows of this genre usually have a happy ending.
Comedy:
The show must be funny. The comedic scenes are usually visual exaggeration: heavy use of exaggeration in facial features, body proportions and emotions. Can be associated with almost any other genre, though not drama.
School Life:
Revolves around one’s educational life, the relationships that develop, the school-oriented events that occur etc, and can be associated with almost any other genre.
Sport:
Focuses on sport; the main character playing a particular sport and rising in status.
Historical Setting:
Set in the past and is usually associated with action or martial arts. Historical setting would seem to be the opposite of fantasy (history being fact and fantasy being imagination), but not all historical animes are entirely accurate, and can also have mythical beats roaming around as well.
Slice of life:
About everyday life and ordinary people.
Music:
Similar to sport, focuses on music and the people playing it.
Cooking:
Like sport and music, revolves around cooking.
Harem:
Three or more girls vying for the attention of a single, indecisive male. Anime of this genre often end with the guy not choosing any of the girls.
Martial Arts:
This genre focuses on, well… martial arts! It is usually about hand-to-hand combat, lots of kicking, special moves and swordfighting.
Mystery:
Detective stories, which focus on the unravelling of secrets and the uncovering of truth.
Horror:
Features scary, deformed characters and monsters (usually of a supernatural origin), as well as lots of blood, murder and gory scenes. Horror anime are made as realistic as possible, which means no cute girls with large eyes and abnormal hair styles (usually).
Ecchi:
More of a visual style than plot, as it includes a lot of sexual humour and fan service (for males), such as bare breasts, panty shots and girls in erotic positions. Note: there is no actual porn.
Shounen-Ai:
Directly translated as ‘boy love’, deals with relationships between males. Shounen-ai is of a romance type, not gay porn (which means it’s different from Yaoi).
Yaoi:
Pornographic anime featuring men with men, otherwise known as gay porn, which focuses on the sex and has no real plot.
Shoujo-Ai:
Literally means ‘girl love’, deals with relationships between females, the opposite of Shounen-Ai but more common.
Yuri:
Although many sources will say that Shoujo-ai and Yuri are the same thing, they are not. Yuri is pornographic anime featuring women with women, and like Yaoi, has little necessity for story and focuses more on the visual details.
Mature:
Aimed at the adult audience, includes a lot of nudity and sex scenes.
Shoujo:
Japanese for ‘girl,' it is aimed at young girls, which have more focus on plot and character development with idealised love stories. The age range for the targeted audience is quite broad, from very young to young teens.
Mahou Shoujo:
Japanese for ‘magical girl,’ it’s subgenre of Shoujo, but popular enough for special mention. Literally means ‘magical girl’, where the heroines get magical powers to fight against evil. Flashy costumes, wands and spells are a common element in Mahou Shoujo (and a bit more action).
Shounen:
Japanese for ‘boy’, it’s aimed at young boys, usually ‘fighting’ anime like action and mecha/transformer type shows. The age range for the targeted audience is quite broad, from very young children to young teens.
Mahou Shounen:
Japanese for ‘magical boy,’ it’s the opposite to Mahou Shoujo and less common, where the main male characters get magical powers.
Seinen:
Japanese for ‘man’, it is aimed at teenage boys and young men. It is generally more complicated and sophisticated than Shounen anime, with more psychological and sexual elements, and puts more focus on plot rather than action (if the show is also under the Action genre, which it usually is). In its character development and relationship side, it is similar to Shoujo, but is usually darker (more like the Drama genre).
Josei:
Japanese for ‘woman’, it is probably the rarest form of anime, aimed at young women. A lot of Josei shows also fall under the category if Yaoi (gay porn), but Josei anime can also be about families and mothers.
Kodomo:
Japanese for ‘child’, it is Anime aimed at young children (younger than the audience you’d expect to get from Shounen and Shoujo anime).
Sentai:
Japanese for ‘fighting team,’ it deals with superheroes and superhero teams, closely associated with the Shounen and Kodomo genres.
Bishoujo:
Japanese for ‘beautiful girl’, it is a very broad genre and can be used to describe any anime featuring pretty female characters and heroines.
Bishounen:
Japanese for ‘beautiful boy’, it is the opposite of Bishoujo, where the main male characters are drawn to be ‘pretty’ and ‘elegant’, which is a style that some Shoujo animes use.
Hentai:
Pornographic anime or erotica. Hentai itself is translated to ‘perverted’. Anything classified as Hentai would also be Mature. 2006/6/23 Higurashi no Naku Koro niひぐらしのなく頃に
Year: 2006 Episodes: 26 Genre: Mystery
A boy named Keiichi moves to a rural town called Hinamizawa, unaware of the area's dark past. There had been a dam project that would've submerged half the town, but the residents were able to fight it back and keep their homes. However, since then, every year on a certain night, one person is killed and another goes missing. People believe this to be the curse of Oyashiro-sama, as only people who had supported the construction of the damn were killed.
A very interesting show. Take an everyday harem anime, with the guy surrounded by cute girls in a quiet village, and you get a nice generic show that some may and some may not like. However, what happens if the girls in the village are actually evil, blood-thirsty murderers? You get an incredibly popular anime! Anyway, the series is divided into several chapters, each having a different ending than another but linked in some ways. What I mean is, the second chapter will go back to the beginning of the first chapter and retell the story, only with a different outcome. Also, people's personalities drastically change in different chapters.
Rating: 9/10
Sites: 2006/6/12 Bubblegum Crisis Tokyo 2040: Summaryバブルガムクライシス ＴＯＫＹＯ２０４０
Year: 1998 Episodes: 26 Genre: Action, Mecha, Sci-fi
Well I watched this when I was about 8 years old, so I don't remember any details. As the name suggests, the year is 2040. Location: Mega-Tokyo. A group of female warriors called the Knight Sabers, who wear advanced suits of armour to combat the largest corporation in Japan, GENOM and their Boomers, a failed creation to replace humans in manual labour. The story is slightly changed from the original Bubblegum Crisis, where a new main character (called Linna), a new Genom employee. She tracks down the Knight Saber's headquarters, wanting to become a Knight Saber herself.  Rating: 8/10
Sites: No idea, the series is old so don't expect any torrents left... 2006/6/11 Karin: Summaryかりん
Year: 2005 Episodes: 24 Genre: Comedy, Love/Romance, School Life, Fantasy
The main character, Karin Maaka, is a vampire. However, the focus of this series is not on vampires, but on Karin's relationship with the human, Usui Kenta. This does not mean that Karin being a vampire is not important... Karin is an abnormal vampire whose blood increases (resulting in blood noses), compared to other vampires who suck blood. Karin's blood rises when she is near depressed people, and Usui Kenta just happens to be one of those people. In order to prevent herself from getting more blood-noses, she decides to make Usui happy. However, doing so results in her falling in love with Usui. Also, Karin's family says that as a vampire, she is not allowed to become involved with humans. Karin is torn between her common sense (to forget about Usui) and her love for him. 
This series is pretty funny and the storyline isn't too bad, but I really get annoyed everytime I see Usui's eyes. They are so... bad. And Karin's eyes are too large...
Rating: 7/10
Sites: 2006/6/10 Stratos 4: Summaryストラトス・フォー
Year: 2003
Episodes: 13
Genre: Sci-fi, Ecchi
Sometime in the future, numerous comets were detected in the solar system, resulting in the training of Comet Blasters (to destroy comets in case they come near Earth). The Comet Blasters live in a satellite equipped with Space Shock Machines that the Comet Blasters fly.
However, the Comet Blasters do not always succeed in destroying large comets entirely, so Meteor Sweepers were trained to shoot down any leftover debris. This series focuses on four young, female Meteor Sweepers and training to become Meteor Sweepers.
The four Meteor Sweepers even get the chance to become Comet Blasters in the end (oops was that a spoiler?)
 This series is extremely slow and boring at the start, and only gets interesting during the final few epsisodes. I would have stopped watching after the first few eps, if I had something better to do, which I didn't. There is also a sequel called Stratos 4 Advance, with 6 episodes.
Rating: 6/10
Sites:
(Contains direct downloads for all 13 eps) Fate/Stay Night: Summaryフェイト／ステイナイト
Year: 2006
Episodes: 24
Genre: Fantasy, Action, Drama, Magic
The Holy Grail will grant the wish of the one who weilds it. Seven masters are chosen to compete for the Holy Grail, and each are given 7 'servants', heroes from the past that are reborn. There are 7 classes - Lancer, Saber, Archer, Berserker, Caster, Rider, Assassin. In order to materialise the Holy Grail, only one Servant must remain. The main character, Shirou, accidentally summons the most powerful servant - Saber. Her true identity is actually King Arthur, though I don't understand why her name is Arthur. Shirou then begins his fight in the Holy Grail war...
The series overall is quite interesting, the battles not bad. I do not like the relationships that form (between Shiro[Japanese] and Saber[English]). The character design is good though, despite the relationships.
Rating: 8/10
Sites:
Zegapain: Summaryゼーガペイン
Year: 2006
Episodes: --
Genre: Mecha, School Life
Kyo is a normal school boy until he meets the transfer student Shizuno. He is thrown into a world of disaster, where he must pilot robots in order to destroy other robots...
Compared to other mechas, this show is not particularly good. The Gundam series (as you would all know) is far more complicated, interesting and enjoyable. But, if you are just searching for something new, try this series out. It is quite different to other mechas.
Rating: 6/10
Sites:
Strawberry Panic: Summaryストローベリー・パニック！
Year: 2006
Episodes: --
Genre: Love/Romance, Shojo-ai
From www.animenfo.com
"On Astraea Hill, there are three girl schools; St. Miatre Academy, St. Spica Academy, and St. Le Rim Academy. In the corner of the site, there stands their common boarding house, “Ichigo-Sha”.
Astraea Hill - it is a sacred place where men cannot enter... Aoi Nagisa transferred to the 4th grade(*) of St. Miatre Academy by some reason. On the very first day, she met “Etoile”, Hanazono Shizuma. Etoile is the leader of the whole students of the tree schools, and she was a girl of admiration. She has a large power and trust, at the same time, she must shoulder heavy responsibility and duty proportional to her power. Nagisa was fascinated by Sizuma’s beauty and she was frozen. On the other hand, looking into Nagisa’s face gently, Sizuma put her arms around Nagaisa’s shoulders and her face was approaching to Nagisa’s face... (*) Because they introduce a system integrating junior and senior high school, the fourth grade corresponds to the first grade of normal senior high school. " If you read the summary or you know Jap and understand the term "Shojo-ai," you'll know this is a series that revolves around LESBIANS. If you like that sorta thing, lucky you! If not, doesn't mean you won't like this show. Although nothing really happens, there is nothing in the series that I have anything against.
Rating: 7/10
Sites:
2006/6/9 Samurai Champloo: Summaryサムライチャンプルー
Year: 2004
Episodes: 26
Genre: Action, Historical Settings
Fuu, a 15 year old girl, saves two samurai warriors from execution. In return of the favor, Mugen and Jin (the samurai) agree to help her find the 'samurai who smells like sunflowers'. Jin is an expert swordsman, possessing great skills and is one of the best in the country. Mugen has had no training, but his built up strength, endurance, speed and confidence, plus his incredible reflexes and natural instincts, makes him just as good as Jin. The two who are enemies at first, eventually travel together to assist Fuu in her search.
The thing that makes this series stand out are the swordfights. Unlike many other action anime with swords, which usually show two opponents charge at each other, the scene cuts to the two at a standstill as there swords collide, and thats about it. Who wants to see that? Samurai Champloo shows you the entire fight - the first ep is a perfect example of this. The show is the best samurai-type show I've seen.
Rating: 8/10
Sites:
Mai Hime: Summary舞-HiME
Year: 2004
Episodes: 26
Genre: Action, Drama, Mecha
HiMEs are girls who possess extraordinary powers of materialiseing Childs and Elements. Mai is unaware of this as she transfers to her new school, Fuka Gakuen. However, it turns out that Mai is a HiME as well, and she begins to live her life as one.
 For those of you who know a little Jap, yes, the short for Highly-advanced Materializing Equipment just happens to mean princess. So basically the title translated to English is Princess Mai [some say it's My Princess], but this show is not the corny, romance, prince saves the princess type show.
Also, when it says mecha, it does not mean giant robots being piloted by specially trained people (like the Gundam series), but refers to large mythical beasts that each HiME has and is able to control.
Rating: 8/10
Sites:
Naruto: Summaryナルト
Year: 2002
Episodes: --
Genre: Action, Martial Arts, Adventure, Comedy
From www.animenfo.com
In a concealed village, a young man hides within a bunch of leaves. His name is Uzumaki Naruto, a mischievous boy attending Ninja Academy.
Everyday, he does nothing but cause mischief and making Iruka-sensei mad. And above all, it's doubtful that he'll be able to graduate from the Academy. But Naruto has a dream... A dream that he'll become the head of the Ninja village, following Hokage and will become the best ninja around. However, all the adults in the village give Naruto cold looks. The truth is, Naruto has a secret about his birth. 12 years ago, "Kyuubi no Youko" (Nine Tailed Fox - A kind of evil spirit who tormented the village, was sealed within Naruto's body who was, at the time, a baby. The head of the academy, Mizuki, uses Naruto to steal the "Fuujin Scrolls" and makes Naruto understand his past. Naruto is outraged. Even with Iruka's help, Naruto just barely defeats Mizuki. Knowing Naruto's secret, Iruka knows Naruto will meet someone who'll help him and so, makes a decision. Naruto is allowed to graduate safely from Ninja Academy. Along with his classmates, Uchiwa Sasuke and Haruno Sakura together, they make their first step as Ninjas! What can I say about this series? Not much, just that I don't like it. That's right, I DON'T like it. I've only seen a few episodes of the 180+ and even if I decided to start watching, 180 eps is a bit too much. The series went way ahead of the manga and had to air quite a few fillers (60? 70? Not sure).
Sites:
www.narutofob.com (has the latest Naruto ep for direct download) NGE: Summary新世紀エヴァンゲリオン
Shin Seiki Evangelion
Neon Genesis Evangelion
Year: 1995
Episodes: 26
Genre: Mecha, Action, Sci-fi
In the year 2015, half the human population has been wiped out. The remaining humans face a new threat, Angels sent by god (though in the form of giant beasts and monsters. Only Evangelions can match the strength of an Angel, and only 14 year old children born on a certain day can pilot them. Shinji Ikari, Asuka Langley Soryuu and Rei Ayanami. Their headquarters - NERV under Tokyo. The battle to save the mankind begins, but not everyone wants to save them...
This series is very complicated, but very interesting and entertaining. Yes, I know it's quite old but it's still good, one of my absolute favourites. The last two episodes are basically about nothing and the viewers hated it so much that they made a movie. The movie was better but not by a lot, as mankind becomes sort of extinct in the movie - yes, a very happy ending.
Rating: 9/10
Sites: Don't know any - there won't be any seeds left of any torrents 2006/6/8 Shakugan no Shana: Summary灼眼のシャナ
Year: 2005
Episodes: 24
Genre: Fantasy, School Life
Sakai Yuugi's normal life is ended suddenly as he encounters a girl with flaming red hair and eyes. The nameless girl was a Flame Haze, hunters of Tomogaras, inrtuders from a separate world. Tomogaras feast on 'power of existence', the only thing that anything needs to survive. Sakai Yuugi come across a battle with the Flame Haze and a Tomogara, who sucks out the power existence of a crowd of people. The Flame Haze easily defeats the Tomogara and, in order to keep the balance of power of existence in the area, she replaces the easten people with 'torches', things that will eventually flicker out. She then reveals that Yuugi is also a torch, and was eaten some time ago. Yuugi does not freak out or commit suicide, like many others did when they found out they were already dead. Instead, he names the Flame Haze, 'Shana', and his 'eternal fight with the girl began.'
The reason this series isn't classified as an Action is because the action scenes suck. If you watch stuff coz u like blood and guts and good fight scenes, don't watch this - you'll be disappointed. Instead, watch something like Samurai Champloo. Shikashi, the story is very interesting and the relationships that develop are quite entertaining. There also seems to be a movie and sequel in the making.
Rating: 8/10
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