Mononoke Hime

WHAT'S IT ABOUT?

Hmm, I only saw this once about a year ago.. (this movie is VERY difficult to find). Ok. A boy named ASHITAKA is cursed when he kills a giant boar, that was possesd by a tatargami (evil spirit) that attacked his village. He sets out to find a cure for this curse. Along his journeys, he comes a cross a village that is at war with the forest, and it's protector MORO, the wolf goddess. The village wants to take over the forest and naturally, MORO won't stand for it. Accompanying MORO and her children is a girl named SANA, who was raised by the wolves. SANA hates humans for their lack of respect of the forest and she doesn't consider herself a human, but a wolf. Ashitaka also learns of the SHISHIGAMI, the life force of the forest, which has the ability to kill, revive, and cure. The villagers are striving to kill SHISHIGAMI, and claim the land. To help the forest, another animal god, OKKOTONONUSHI, arrives. It's an epic battle between the forest and the villagers and ASHITAKA is caught inbetween. (of course, much goes one but it's too much to explain :D)

WHAT'S SO GREAT ABOUT IT?!

It has a top-notch story. Great animation; hand-drawn and computer animated. Excellent action scenes. And packs a bunch of emotion. This was the NUMBER ONE grossing movie in Japan until Titanic came along (scoff). Another major hit for STUDIO GHIBLI (My Neighbor Totoro, Kiki's Delivery Service)and HAYAO MIYAZAKI (Jade Cocoon, Kiki's Delivery Service, On Your Mark).

EL-HAZARD:the magnificent world

WHAT'S IT ABOUT?

In a high school (I forget what it was called), an ancient artifact is found but they don't seem to know what it does. Late one night, a high school student name MAKOTO, stumbles upon it. This artifact (which is actually gateway to another world) opens and a woman comes out of it. She claims to know MAKOTO even though he doesn't recognize her. She sends him to her world where he has to accomplish a mission that wasn't clearly defined. Along with MAKOTO and some of his friends, they are transported to EL-HAZARD. It's quite a magnificent world. Royal guards mistake MAKOTO for the MISSING PRINCESS (and yet, he doesn't seem to be offended by this)and ask him to return to the palace. Adventures ensue that inclue cross-dressing, many beautiful women, time travel, love, and big bugs. But I heard EL-HAZARD 2 sucks though. :(

WHAT'S SO GREAT ABOUT IT?!

It's the off the wall stuff that makes this series great. No one can forget the first time they realize that the princess is a lesbian and her lover tries to make out with MAKOTO who was at the time dressed as the princess. Or how about FUJISAWA (super fujisawa kick!!!!) and the super powers he gains when he doesn't drink or smoke despite the fact he's a chaim smoker and an alcholic.