Anime reviews

A horror thriller mystery show with elements of scifi and fantasy... Fascinating show. Has some parts that are almost too violent, but it drives home the point. Does a great job of tying things together that seem to not make sense. I wanna take it home. :P

One of my favorite anime, definitely. Takes place in the far future where humanity is contained in self-sustaining protective domes, as some global disaster seems to have ruined the outside world. Seems at first glance to be primarily sci-fi, but there's much more to it than that, it's a very philosophical anime. And yet it has plenty of action. My favorite thing about this anime though, and what I think is its greatest strength, is the character development. By far the best I've seen in an anime. The plot is great too, it keeps you guessing without there being many outright big twists. The only criticism I have for it is that sometimes it seems to try to use meaningless symbolism, philosophical-sounding sayings, and plot devices to give the impression of being deep, which is unneeded, because really, the force of the plot, details and characters are otherwise well done and it could have spoken for itself. So all in all, the quality of the rest of the show makes up for that in my mind.

Some people might find it too episodic, but it's my favorite anime. On the surface, it's a sci-fi show with a touch of Western, though truly it defies classification. It truly "defines its own genre." Excellent characters and probably the best soundtrack in anime plus an amazing ending. Also, Edward Hong Tau Pipiruvsky IV.

Directed by Shinchiro Watanabe, who also directed Cowboy Bebop. Also has a great soundtrack. Less episodic than Cowboy Bebop. Set in 17th century Japan, though it has several intentionally anachronistic elements. Has great characters that play off each other well, and some of the greatest single scenes I've ever seen (especially the ending of episode 14).

Amazing show based on, but in a different continuity than the original GitS manga and movie. Rather episodic, but has an overarching theme of the Laughing Man, an incredibly skilled hacker. The environment is reminiscent of Blade Runner, but with more of an emphasis on the Internet and hacking. People can connect to the net directly through their brains, and people's brains can be hacked, though there are usually advanced firewalls set up to prevent this. Wonderfully and realistically animated; it doesn't have any of the stereotypical anime artistic elements (overly large eyes, disproportionate characters, sweat drop, etc). Highly recommended.

A second season of SAC, with a new plot and significant exploration of the Major's character. As always lots of philosophy, and the Tachikoma are fucking awesome.

Very odd 13-episode series about the Internet (the "Wired") and our definition of reality and identity. Kind of hard to get into at first since it's pretty much meant to confuse you, but it's original and mind-expanding. Makes you philosophize about reality. Kind of like what I imagine tripping on acid to be like. If you're an intellectual and perhaps a computer geek you should like it. Show me another anime that contains obscure Apple references and mentions the eight circuit model of consciousness.

Soul Eater is an ongoing shounen anime fairly reminiscent of Bleach. The difference is that it's good, and it doesn't take itself seriously. It revolves around a school for Weapons and Meisters: some characters become weapons and form partnerships with other characters who wield them. A close relationship between the two is needed for the meister to effectively wield their weapon, so how the characters' personalities play off each other is emphasized. Overall, the show has innovative ways of presenting ideas that themselves might not be as new, and a very distinctive animation style. The humor in Soul Eater is arguably it's strongest point; it manages to succeed where shows like Bleach fail.

While it doesn't have the great soundtrack of the original anime, the Hellsing Ultimate set of OVAs matches the manga fairly closely and has an interesting animation style and plenty of violence. It's the vampire series that makes up for Twilight. If you're religious and offended by blasphemy then you might not like it :) but I highly recommend it. Lots of fun.

Great show. Set in a post-apocalypic world full of robots and humans, and a few individuals who seem to be something different. It's rather slow-paced and depressing, but it's well-done and has amazing art. The plot and main character are a welcome change from the shounen main character who wants to keep getting stronger.

A classic; I was pretty late in watching it. Some might be irritated by main character Vash the Stampede's insistance on ethical behavior in a genre full of people killing others for the hell of it, but his character is deep and quirky, and the subtle exposition explains most of his quirks. Trigun does a great job of doing a "slow twist": Things are not as they seem, but the revelation isn't so much "HOLY SHIT" but "ah, that makes a lot of sense and is also fucking epic." In other words, nothing comes as a huge shock, but it works. Also has excellent side characters with more depth than you usually see in a main character in a series this mainstream.
And of course, the gun fights. Fucking awesome.

First season is kind of like Death Note in the "Just as Planned" sense -- you have a brilliant mastermind using everyone. Add a fascinating power --the ability to make people do what you tell them-- and mechas, and you have a series that's a lot of fun. THEN you have the second season. *slightly* ridiculous, but I thought it was a lot of fun. Lots of fanservice. Amazing ending. Don't watch it for deep, high art, whatever. It's very entertaining. Leave it at that.

I was skeptical at first about watching this anime, because it seems like just a bunch of silly stuff about girls in high school. It's not. The protagonist, Kyon, meets a strange and extremely assertive classmate, Haruhi, who's interested in "aliens, time travelers, and espers," and is roped into all sorts of zany mishaps. He narrates the series in a sardonic tone that is half the reason the show is so much fun to watch; half the narration lines are protests against Haruhi's ridiculous ideas.

A wonderful slice-of-life anime with hilarious characters but plenty of character development and something for fans of almost any character type. Lots of cuteness. Not the manliest anime, but I liked it. Much better than Lucky Star.

"Kick reason to the curb!" "Who the hell do you think I am?" "Your drill is the drill that will pierce the heavens!" and, of course, "GIGA... DRILL... BREAKER!!!" TTGL has some awesome quotes. Beyond that, it's a happily unrealistic giant robot show (emphasis on GIANT--this show sets some size records) with ridiculous characters, situations, and plenty of fanservice to go with. Watch it, and you'll know why you've seen those funny angled orange sunglasses everywhere on the internet. Gurren Lagann has one of the most remarkable final battles EVER.

It's a short, silly, ridiculously vulgar anime about a kind hearted young man who's quite talented at guitar. He moves to Tokyo to hopefully join a pop band, but somehow becomes the lead singer of a death metal band. He develops a persona, Krauser II, as the lead singer, which is completely different than his normal self. The show is hilarious but not for those who are easily offended by lewd content or language. It's basically the anime version of Metalocalypse, but more realistic and way, way more vulgar.

Little to no plot, based off a video game, main character is ridiculously overpowered. But you know what? It has a great opening, and it's 12 episodes of killing demons with big fucking guns and a bigger sword, and Dante kicks motherfucking ass. Fun when you don't feel like taxing your mind and just want some violence to unwind to. I'd say the Dragonforce of anime. Ridiculous, but entertaining.

Saa christmas!

it's an anime about food.

It's a classic. Boy meets girl, goes in search of balls, gets stronger, fights in world martial arts tournaments, and shoots kamehameha waves. Also includes: midgets trying to take over the world, dirty old men, and evil green dudes.

IT'S OVER 9000!

Absolutely ridiculous anime about cans that turn into girls with magical powers. Perverted. Lots of fun. Main character voiced by Lelouch. Awesome ending.

Moéness... and an awesome ending. I think this could go places.

First episode was alright, future ones will be faithful to the manga and hopefully therefore KICK ASS. also, OP by YUI is orgasmic.