Fruits Basket, Volume 1: A Great Transformation? (Episodes 1-6) (2004) Review

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(More customer reviews)(As of the time this review was written, no information on this series is posted, so I'll give a brief synopsis of this series.)
Fruits Basket (called "Furuba" by fans) is the story of Tohru Honda, a high school student who has lost both of her parents. Her mother died only a year before the start of the series, and Touru misses her so much that she always carries her picture around with her. Tohru was living with her paternal grandfather until he began renovations on his home, so he asked her if she'd mind staying with some friends for awhile. Touru didn't want to impose on either of her friends, so she decided to set up a tent in the woods until the house was finished.. until one day she stumbles across the home of her classmate Yuki Sohma, and accidentally discovers his family's BIG secret - when "huggled" by someone of the opposite sex, they are cursed to turn into the animals of the Chinese zodiac. Tohru ends up moving in with the Sohma family as a housekeeper/cook in exchange for room and board, and she is introduced one-by-one to the rest of the clan (some of whom are.. VERY.. unusual).
Now, you might be telling yourself "I've seen this before, and it's name was 'Ranma 1/2'.." - and you have NO IDEA how very wrong you are. Fruits Basket is a one of a kind series that manages to take a premise that could very well have followed the same path as Ranma (namely, relying on perverted jokes and accidental transformations to convey most of the plot and comedy), but instead becomes a chronicle of truly believable characters struggling to belong and dealing with what life has given them, both the good and bad.
Over the course of its 26 episodes, Fruits Basket has made me laugh harder than any other anime I've ever seen, and then it goes right ahead and takes me on an emotional rollercoaster ride until I'm bawling along with the characters onscreen. But no matter what happened, it always leaves me with a smile and a feeling that if I could just have an ounce of the inner strength that these characters display, I would be all the better for it.
Don't let me mislead you into thinking this is merely a cheesy tearjerker - Fruits Basket has PLENTY of high-energy martial arts battles, slapstick comedy, and wacky plot twists, but underneath all of this lies a deep emotional current that EVERYONE can connect with. If you've ever been jealous or angry with your family, undergone the loss of a close relative, felt completely alone, watch the people you love leave you behind, or have simply been misunderstood, you will regret missing this series. The true power of this series is found not in the comedy, but in the relationships between both family and friends.
On a more shallow level, the characters are mostly rather good-looking, the animation is attractive - no amazing special effects, of course, but consistently high quality and well-suited to the story, and the music is very beautiful. Overall, this is a series for everyone to see, from the shoujo (girls') romance fans to comedy lovers to drama affectionados. You will NOT be disappointed - by episode 26, I guarantee you'll find yourself upset that ANOTHER season doesn't exist (yet). ^_^

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Cowboy Bebop - The Movie (2001) Review

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(More customer reviews)Based on the very popular and successful TV series, "Cowboy Bebop: The Movie" is one entertaining thrill ride that really shows how effective anime can really be when it is done correctly. It's hard to think of a cartoon being so action-packed and involving, but this movie does a splendid job of doing just that. You're plunged right into the nail-biting action that will have you glued to your seat until it is well over.
The movie revolves around a bunch of outlaw bounty hunters. In Mars, there's a suspected terrorist running around with a virus that could very well wipe out the existence of human beings. Spike and company decide to take the case, as there is a large reward that will be given to the person or persons who catches the madman. The only trouble is that Spike and the gang have stumbled onto something that is much more than a simple bounty and end up discovering a big conspiracy that will throw their lives into ultimate danger. The action and excitement never ends until the shocking finale.
I watched the movie TWICE in one day. Right after I had seen it for the first time, I had to immediately watch it again. You know a movie is powerful when it has that kind of effect on you. Very rarely do I run into movies that make me want to watch it again right then and there. When you're watching "Cowboy Bebop," you really don't view it as an animated feature, but as a real living and breathing film. It is done that well. And, the great thing about this movie is that you do not have to have seen the show before. I watched this without seeing any of the shows and was able to follow it without any problems. Of course, chances are that you will want to watch the series after viewing the movie. The story is well thought out and appropriately structured. There isn't a single dull moment in the entire movie.
A little warning; although this is an animated feature, the movie is rated R. While it is certainly more mild than most anime, the movie does contain violence and language. I don't think this is anything for very young children, but I don't see a reason why older teens shouldn't be able to enjoy it.
The DVD has some nifty features to offer. First off, the picture quality is GORGEOUS. Even though it is an animated movie, the picture quality is fantastic and it really shows if you have great home theater system. The sound is also very good. Extras included are featurettes, music videos, storyboard comparisons, trailers and more. You can also watch it in the original Japanese audio track or the dubbed English one. I have to say, they do a great job of dubbing it in English. If you're not a fan of subtitles, then check it out in English. Overall, a very cool DVD package.
If you're looking for a wild and exciting trip filled with humor and thrills, "Cowboy Bebop: The Movie" is just for you. Again, you do not have to have seen the actual TV series to understand the characters or the story. The movie does a fine job of standing on its own. This is truly a great movie that shows you just how exciting anime can be. Definitely a favorite. -Michael Crane

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Studio: Sony Pictures Home EntRelease Date: 09/25/2007Run time: 114 minutesRating: R

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Rurouni Kenshin - TV Series Season Two (2005) Review

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(More customer reviews)I finally got around to purchasing and watching Rurouni Kenshin: The Legend of Kyoto. I was expecting it to be as good as the first set (Wandering Samurai) but I got a whole lot more than I bargined for. The "Legend of Kyoto" set is superb! The english voice cast was wonderful! The voice actors that were particularly impressive include Richard Hayworth as Kenshin (Fantastic job! This man has talent!), David Lucas as Mokoto Shishio (Beautifully performed! He really makes you want to hate him by the end of the series.), Sparky Thornton as Hajime Saito (Very well done! The "Wolf of Mibu" indeed!) and of course, one of the best known english voice actors in anime, Wendee Lee as Yumi (She's a seasoned pro. Nothing short of excellence in her performance.)
In these episodes much is revealed about Kenshin's past, as well as that of many of the other central characters that will appear in this series. The character development is excellent. There is no useless information, and it never becomes dull or confusing. The animation is beautiful, and the swordfight scenes are executed magnificently. There are no repeating frames or sloppy drawings in any of the battles. The music is wonderful and helps to emphasize many of the intense moments in the "Kyoto" series. I especially adore the opening theme "Half" by Makoto Kawamoto, and I love the closing themes, "Heart of the Sword - Before Daybreak" performed by L'Arc-en-Ciel, and "Let it Rain" by Bonnie Pink. And finally there is the story.
Kenshin Himura, commonly known as "Battousai: The Manslayer," was the strongest fighter in the Revolution 10 years ago. But since then he has opened his eyes to the sins of his past and decided to become a wanderer, never to kill again. He is now a kind, gentle, wise, and sometimes goofy, young man who always captures the hearts of the people he aids. Instead, he uses his unique reverse-blade sword to protect his loved ones and anyone who is in need of protection.
In the "Legend of Kyoto" series Kenshin is asked by one of the top men in the Meiji government to go to Kyoto and stop Makoto Shishio from trying to take over Japan. This is no simple task because Shishio, like Kenshin, was also a Manslayer. In fact, Shishio inherited the title from Kenshin after he became a wanderer. Kenshin makes the most painful decision of his life and leaves his friends and his new home to go back to Kyoto, the place where he became a manslayer. Kenshin joins forces with ultra-cool, and equally dangerous Hajime Saito, who now works for the police force, but was once a manslayer of skill equal to that of Kenshin. However, Kenshin's friends are not about to sit idly by and watch their beloved friend go to Kyoto and fight alone. Kaoru, Sanosuke and Yahiko will all travel to Kyoto to help Kenshin.
Aoshi Shinamori, an old rival and leader of the Oniwaban group returns with a vengence seeking a rematch with Kenshin, and the remaining members of the Oniwaban group are met by Kenshin and his friends in Kyoto. Also, Shishio has a lethal group of warriors known as the Juppongatana who each have their own reasons for working with Shishio. And finally, we get to see the man responsible for training Kenshin in the Hitten Mitsurugi Ryu, Seijuro Hiko the 13th (My favourite character. I love this guy!). Hiko is a tall, handsome, menacing-looking man with unmatched skill and knowledge in the Hitten Mitsurugi Ryu. He is very wise, intelligent, and incredibly arrogant (Or he has extremely high self-confidence, depending on how you look at it), and he has a relentless love for saki. Kenshin visits his master and asks him to teach him the ultimate technique of the Hitten Mitsurugi Ryu. He goes from wanderer to pupil once more for the sake of defeating Shishio. How Hiko and Kenshin met is revealed along with some funny and touching flashbacks from when Kenshin was under Seijuro's training when he was younger.
The "Legend of Kyoto" set is, without a doubt, the most powerful set of episodes in the entire Rurouni Kenshin series. Here, it is emphasized that a fighting style cannot rely on mere strength alone, but requires a strong spirit and extensive skill that can only be acheived by years of intense training. In other words, it's not mindless fighting that holds no meaning. The mood of the series becomes much darker and more serious than in the first set. But it also contains several genuinly funny moments. Kenshin continues to teach others that killing is never the answer to anything, and that living your life peacefully may be difficult, but is what will ultimately bring peace to your heart. The "Legend of Kyoto" episodes of the Rurouni Kenshin series have become the best set of anime episodes I have ever watched. Nothing is sacrificed here. This series is beautiful, touching and, in my opinion, a masterpiece onto itself. Buy this box set and see for yourself why this series is one of the greatest ever made!

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RUROUNI KENSHIN TV SERIES:SEASON 2 - DVD Movie

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Sakura Wars TV: Complete Collection (2003) Review

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(More customer reviews)Anyone interested in Sakura Taisen (Sakura Wars) - whether a fan of the games or just interested in the anime - should definitely watch this 5-disc compilation of the entire 25-episode run of the TV series. Be aware, though, that the story told in the TV series is slightly but significantly different from that told in the OAV (and also from that told in the new manga version, which is now being published in English in the USA). I definitely recommend watching the TV series BEFORE watching "Sakura Wars: The Movie", because otherwise the latter won't make much sense to you at all and the TV series provides a tremendous amount of character development missing from the OVA. (Also, I strongly recommend watching the TV series and the movie both before watching "Sakura Taisen: Ecole de Paris", since that particular anime takes place in the timeframe between the series and the movie.)
Note also: the TV series has a lot of emotional heft to it and can get dark, almost somber in places, but I don't think it's much of a spoiler to say that everything works out in the end. HOW it works out, though, you'll just have to watch to find out! :)
P.S. On further thought, I wanted to put in a word here about the alternate-history background of this anime. Sakura Wars takes place in a timeline where steam appears to have become the dominant method of power generation and propulsion (right down to steam-powered telephones!!) and also where technology in this version of the 1920's is up to at least 1990's levels (computerlike machines and some form of virtual reality simulator are seen being used in several scenes, and there is obviously some kind of video technology as well). Also, socially and politically, the 1920's Japan of Sakura Wars seems to be a very different place from the 1920's Japan of our "real" time line - in fact, according to the new English translation of the manga, the characters for the Imperial era "Taisho" used in this series translate to "Broad Truth" in English, not "Great Truth" as in our actual history. Something to be aware of as you watch the show.

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It is the 1920s, and Japan is under attack by demonic invaders.The government has designed sturdy, albeit steam-owered, robot armor suits for the impending battle, but only young ladies with the proper combination of virtue and spirit can pilot the robots successfully.

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