Ah! My Godess

Originally a manga created by the young manga artist/writer Fujishima Kosuke, and appearing in anime format in the shape of a five-episode OAV series started in 1993. "Aa! Megami-sama" (Ah! My Goddess) is about the love relationship between the ordinary college student Morisato Keiichi and the goddess Belldandy, who are brought together after Keiichi accidentally phones the Relief Goddess Office, summoning Belldandy. Belldandy grants him one wish, and since Keiichi has a problem of going steady with a girlfriend (because he is a bit short), he wishes for someone like her to stay with him forever. She interprets this as Keiichi wanting her to stay with him forever; she is now bound to be with Keiichi forever (or at least until God-sama terminates the contract). The show develops from this point, introducing more characters and generally becoming a very sweet and romantic, and often funny, anime/manga.

From the Anime Pocket Guide:

Title: Oh! My Goddess (OAV)  Genre: Comedy
  aka: Aa! Megami-sama

Cast:
  Keiichi .................................. Masami Kikuchi
  Belldandy (a goddess) ..................... Kikuko Inouye
  Skuld     (a goddess) ...................... Aya Hisakawa
  Urd       (a goddess) ........................ Yumi Tohma

Description: (by Hitoshi Doi)

One day, Keiichi, a student at Nekomi Institute of Technology (or NIT) was in his dorm because his sempai told him to wait for a phone call. While waiting, he got hungry, so Keiichi called out for some food. He dialed the wrong number and got the "Goddess Helpers" office instead. A young cute goddess named Belldandy appear out of the mirror and said "Our job is to help people who are in trouble, like you. I can grant you one wish, no matter what it is...". Keiichi said "I want you to stay for- ever". The wish was approved. Unfortunately, Keiichi lives in a men-only dorm, so he got thrown out when his sempai returned. Keiichi's friends didn't let him in either, so he and Belldandy finally settled in an old temple...

NOTE: This series is commonly known as "Ah! My Goddess", but the English title is as shown above. Confirmed with the manga's author by Robert Woodhead of AnimEigo.

US Release by: AnimEigo (subtitled)
Anime Pocket Guide Rating: RECOMMENDED

Vampire Hunter D

Vampire Hunter D is a gothic horror anime. It centers around a young woman named Doris. Living in a vampire-infested world, she is the daughter of a wearwolf hunter, and one herself. One night, while attempting to kill some werewolves, Doris is attacked by the head of the local vampire clan. He drinks of her blood and claims her for his next bride, planning to kidnap her later. The only way for Doris to escape this fate is to slay the vampire. To do this, she enlists the aid of the mysterious Vampire Hunter D, whom she meets on the road after being attacked.

Although the plot of this anime centers around Doris and her mission, its real focus is Vampire Hunter D. Mysterious, enigmatic, and compelling, he sets the tone and drives the plot throughout the movie. He is beautifully drawn, well animated, and given a soft-spoken, almost sexy allure by his voice actor. Highly recommended.

Summary written by Carol Lubkowski.

Tenchi Muyo

Tenchi Muyo was initially an OAV series from Pioneer, created by Kajishima Masaki. From such humble beginnings it has spawned a special OAV episode following the series, a side story OVA about Mihoshi, a music video, a TV series, most of a second series, and a plethora of merchandising. There is also talk of a third series, a Tenchi movie, and a Pretty Sammy side story.

Tenchi Muyo is is based around Tenchi Masaki, a high-school student, whose life is turned upside down after an encounter with a "demon" at a shrine in the mountains. The title can be read as meaning several things. Taken as a whole, tenchimuyou means this side up, so the title could be referring to Tenchi's quest to regain the normal life he once led. An alternative translation is No Need for Tenchi, or Useless Tenchi, which takes on extra meaning when it is revealed that there are two Tenchi's. Which Tenchi is the title referring to?

To say more would spoil the suprise of the numerous plot twists thrown the viewer's way. Suffice to say that this story contains a humorous and quirky storyline which often supplies hints in earlier episodes to later events you wouldn't guess would happen.

From the Anime Pocket Guide:

No Need for Tenchi (OAVs)  Genre: Comedy
 
alternate title: Tenchi Muyou, Ryo-Oh-Ki
 
Cast:
  Tenchi Masaki ............................ Masami Kikuchi
  Ryouko ....................................... Ai Orikasa
  Princess Aeka ............................... Yumi Takada
  Princess Sasami .......................... Chisa Yokoyama
 

Anime Pocket Guide Description:

After tricking his grandfather, Tenchi gets the keys to an old shrine. Family legend says that a hero defeated a horrific demon long ago, and the demon was imprisoned here. The hero's sword was placed next to the demon to guard it. Tenchi finds the old sword...and a mummy. Since Tenchi broke the seals, the mummy rises. Frantically, Tenchi tries to reseal the shrine and escapes. Later, Tenchi is back at school. He is startled by a girl who appears out of nowhere. This is Ryouko, space pirate, former mummy, and a VERY annoyed demon. She decides to kill Tenchi, 'cause she has to take it out on *someone*. Tenchi escapes from the destroyed school...to find that Ryouko has decided to move in with him. Things get REALLY interesting when Aeka, Princess of the Jurai, comes to Earth looking for her brother...the long-dead hero who sealed Ryouko up the first time. This is a very funny, fast-moving action comedy with lots of unique elements...including spaceships grown from trees and a pirate ship that becomes a cute bunny... NOTE: The title might also be translated as "This Side Up,Tenchi" and, in fact, is carried that way at Nikaku. This is because the kanji used can be interpreted more than one way...

Anime Pocket Guide Rating: HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Armitage III

This is a short, four-part OVA series from the talented people at AIC and Pioneer. It follows the trials of MPD (Martian Police Department) officer Naomi Armitage and Detective Ross Sylibus as they track down a social terrorist in the tangled catacombs of a new frontier city, all while trying to discover the secret of her mysterious past and what it means for her future. This series asks questions like, "What separates humans from machines?" and "What does it mean to have a soul?" It shows how passions clash when jobs, wealth, and lives are at stake. This series has appealed on many different levels, to people with widely differing viewpoints. It is testament to the depth of this work of art. The series stars the famous pop-music/anime idol star, Hiroko Kasahara, as the voice actress for Armitage and the vocalist for the soundtrack.

A feature-length movie version called "Armitage III Poly-Matrix" has been released in Japan. It is in English with Elizabeth Berkley (Showgirls) as Naomi Armitage, and Kiefer Sutherland (Flatliners) as Ross Sylibus.

Short introduction taken from the Armitage III page by Dennis H. Fukushima, Jr. Check out his site for more information!

Ghost in the Shell

The year is 2029. The Net has become ominpresent, reaching into every aspect of domestic life, commerce, and governments' vast information networks around the world. This technological miracle was to herald the apex of civilisation. Instead it breeds something more insidious. From the highest echelons of governments to dark rundown alleys, a new form of crime emerges. One that threatens to turn the technology against the order of society.

'The Puppet Master' was a top secret project by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Designated Project 2501, it's purpose was to roam the huge commercial and government networks, hacking into any system at the Ministry's bidding. It seemed like the perfect spy, until 'The Puppet Master' decided to live in the world beyond the Net. Defying the Ministry, it now seeks a host to fulfill its desire for physical existence.

When the Foreign Ministry tries to terminate its renegade program, 'The Puppet Master' threatens to expose its identity to the Internal Bureau of Investigation, which considers it a security threat but are unaware of its origin. While both parties try to out-manovuer each other in regaining Project 2501, 'The Puppet Master' stages a revolution of its own, raising doubts in the many cyborgs that inhabit the city about their own identify -- their own freedom.

At the heart of it is Major Motoko Kusanagi, the leader of the Internal Investigation Bureau's anti-terrorist task force -- and a cyborg herself. When she tracks down 'The Puppet Master', it would not just be a sentient AI program she is against, but the choice of her own destiny that it offers as well.

Kyuuketsuki Miyu, or Vampire Princess Miyu as the series is known by the AnimEigo release, is a four episode, 2 OVA entry into the occult. It follows the journey of Himiko, a spiritualist, who is trying to track down Miyu.

Miyu is apparently a vampire, but seems to be, in actuality, a supernatural wild-card. She looks seemingly like a young girl of about thirteen, dressed usually in a kimono. But she is certainly no mere girl. Her job is to track rogue Shinma (God-Demons) and send them back to the Dark. Aiding her is Larva, a silent, masked companion, protector, friend and more.

Each episode tells a little more of Miyu's background and purpose.

Her golden eyes, they are strange, and yet beautiful...
They'll close the gateway to your tears...
stopping the flow of the hourglass of time...
Severing the string... known as misery,
the sound... and the rhythm... disappear...

From the Anime Pocket Guide:

Title: Vampire Princess Miyu                            (OAVs)  
  aka: Kyuuketsu Hime Miyu
Cast:                                                              
  Miyu ..................................... Naoko Watanabe   
  Himiko Se ................................... Mami Koyama   
  Narrator ..................................... Goroo Naya    
  Larva ................................... Kaneto Shiozawa   
  Akiko ....................................... Yumi Takada   
  Kei Yuzuki ................................. Ryo Horikawa    
  Doctor ..................................... Tessho Genda    
  Armored Shinma ............................. Tessho Genda  
  Miyu's mother .............................. Masako Ikeda 
Description:                                                       

In the shadows lurk the shinma (spirit-demons). For humans, it is dangerous to interact with the shinma. As Himiko, a human spiritualist finds out, there is another force moving quietly banishing the shinma...a vampire girl called Miyu. Along with her servant/friend Larva, Miyu acts against the shinma which is troubling humanity...but she doesn't act FOR humans. Her motives are as mysterious as she is herself. This is a quietly spooky series that gets more disturbing, the more you think about it.

US Release by: AnimEigo (subtitled)
Rating: HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Synopsis: Set in the post-apocalyptic future, this animated adventure tells the story of a boy who sets out to save the decimated human race from total destruction. Along with a group of renegade aliens, the hearty hero must travel across the galaxy to locate the fabled Planet Ice. Co-directed by Gary Goldman. Matt Damon, Bill Pullman, Drew Barrymore and Janeane Garofalo offer their vocal talent.

Genre: Sci-fi

Rating: PG, for for action violence, mild sensuality and brief language

Cast: Matt Damon, Bill Pullman, Drew Barrymore, Nathan Lane, Hank Azaria, Lena Olin, Jim Breuer, Janeane Garofalo, Joseph Corso and John Leguizamo

Credits: Directed by Don Bluth and Gary Goldman. Written by Ben Edlund and Randall McCormick. Produced by Brian Rosen. Released by Fox.

Running Time: 1 hour 35 minutes

Premiere: 'Titan A.E.' Rocks L.A.'s Staples Center

Press Room: 'Titan A.E.' Heads Into New Frontier

Theatrical Release Date: June 16, 2000