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-This well animated but heedless sci-fi adventure is chalk-full of vibrant characters and action-packed moments, but "Tetsurou Amino's" romp starts to loose all it's energy by the second episode onward. An extremely staightforward narrative surrounding an unstoppable space creature is almost saved by one single plot-twist, but "Iria" herself comes out being the only character holding it together.
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-Any anime fan who has not heard of this incredible fun series should punctually join in on the amazing adventure farce; which by some miracle in the space time continuum of cels manages to be both engaging, touching & hilarious. A brilliant parody of careening gags by an oblivious starship captain drives this insane space opera to it's core; making us laugh, not afraid to be just a little oblivious ourselves.
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-The very best of "Miyazaki's" talent, patience and vision are humbly brought together in this wholeheartedly engaging family film; which is in fact ideal for all ages in search of the magic of youthfulness. Protagonist "Kiki" shows us that necromancy & adolescence are not always easy, but it's enjoyable to join her along the way; even if we are moved to tears in the end. Don't worry, they're happy ones.
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-This barely plausible sci-fi/horror effort suffers from several problems customary to the 'B-anime' realm. While the main one is simply the laughable (and short) storyline & animation, others involve the atrocious character development and pacing; not to mention one of the most ridiculous finales ever animated.
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-"Kawamori's" stunning pyrotechnics and incredibly enormous appeal of the saga's return would be enough to move the exposition along it's briskly three-hour exposition. The fact that it's also romantic, contains a gripping thriller-storyline, a plethora of plot twists & an evocative score is enough to make us return for multiple viewings. Only during the second and third time around we end up regarding it as a groundbreaking classic.
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-"CLAMP's" girl/fantasy is highly rapturous & screams epic right in our face, but we have a difficult time listening due to some slight flaws commonplace to this genre. The animators begin to display their sense of indolence and bad-timing, when unnecessary steps are taken to move the plot along it's bad terrain of slapstick humor. However, those who enjoy the quirky drama will not be bothered.
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-Anyone who says this 'over-hyped' farce is superior to it's predecessor "The Irresponsible Captain Tylor" will be kidding themselves. The characters though extremely addictive, are nowhere near well-rounded or deep; and ramble about their world unaware that their humor is careless & benighted. On a plus note, the soundtrack is vibrant and it's environment fully-rendered; even if it's not original much like the often annoying characters, minus a one pre-teen computer genius.
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-This surreal sibling drama featuring 'multi-sized' forest creatures is both poignant, imaginative and among "Hayao Miyazaki's" greatest films. Though more than sustainable enough for older audiences, this one will enchant youth with it's reposed pacing, lovable characters & exhilarating animation. "My Neighbor Totoro" serves as both classic vision & charming fantasy.
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-An escapade of vision & innovation is the basis for "Hideaki Anno's" brilliant re-telling of "Jules Vern's" classic tale: "20,00 Leagues Under The Sea". Though often victim to some flat character development, this is arguably anime's greatest kid caper to date. "Nadia" shines as the mysterious young friend of a daring inventor in hopes of searching the seas & skies.
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-"Anno's" illustrious and controversial endeavor remains one of the most daring anime dramas of all time. The characters are all incredibly enduring and complex, and it's ideas and visuals are extremely innovative; yet this series only suffers from a steady descent of both creativity and production values towards the end. While argued by fans as being complacent for unique artistic expression, this simply ends up leaving a bad aftertaste to be cleared up by the movies.
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-"Nightwalker" contains all the distinctive features and presentations customary of a great vampire anime. However, it fails to further explore the concepts and ideas presented by the narrative; which almost saves itself from an abundance of clichés. An abrupt ending does little or none to ensconce the holes left by the characters.
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-This elaborate mess of excessive violence, surreal brutality & abhorrent forthcomings has a tiny cult-status for being cleverly but sadly mistaken for the sequel to the anime film "Ninja Scroll"; which is needless to say, vastly superior in every sense of the word. An often stylistic and dark approach does little to redeem this anime's deep void of pointless entertainment value; those strong-stomached and jaded enough to sit through may find it amusing to have done so.
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-This solid and innovative actioneer boosts the convention of 'hack n' slash' ninja themes to a whole new level of stylistic appeal and excitement. It's story, though brief and non-original, is non-stop fun from start to finish. A peculiarly engaging character "Kagero" displays the harsh reality of feminine-standings amid the era; and while it's nowhere near historically accurate, it doesn't matter & it's nice to know that "Ninja Scroll" almost makes us believe so.
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-"Mitsuru Hongo's" vibrantly crafted tale is the best space/adventure anime of the year. Thanks to some cunning technical innovation and some fast-paced plot elements, 'OS' shows us that character don't have to be unimportant to plot exposition; and that space is still the best environment to convey an epic. "Gene Starwind" is the wise-cracking mechanic gunman and his younger cohort the lesser of annoying child characters in the realm. A shapely "Suzuka", aggresive "Aisha", elusive "Melphina" & chatty computer "Gilliam" complete the mix.
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-Director "Mamoru Oshii" abandons the heavily explored terrain of action/comedy in "Mobile Police" for this incredible display of suspense, editing, commentary & human drama. The world created by the characters is abysmal, and the narrative tauntingly dark. This is the patlabor fantasy that Oshii originally envisioned through amazing innovation, tone and emotion. "Patlabor 2" remains one of the most intellecually engaging anime films ever made. And one of the greatest anti-war movies of all time; animated or not.
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-"Oshii's" original contravention action/comedy is one of the most entertaining anime series of all time. A group of fully-realized and engaging characters inhabit a plot which continues to thicken and advance in originality; it's action-packed moments sustain the excitement of elements equal to that of the anime's comic genius, which you'll have a hard time not letting go of once it's all over with.
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-Detail and atmosphere are the main objectives in this foremost enstallment to the "Patlabor" film series. Though the slow pacing may come as a huge 'culture-shock' to adherents of the series, it's political/thriller storyline is more than enough to sustain the attention for more than an hour & a half. Besides, it's rather nice to see the characters again.
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-While at the same time a masterpiece on a visual level, "Satoshi Kon's" psychological thriller of a 'pop-idol' negating into a series of surreal apparitions is one of the most ambitious and absorbing anime films thus far. Despite obtaining some slight unevenness throughout, the film is a milestone of story concept exploration and plot-twist elements; most of all it's terrifying to the core. On par or better than most Hollywood thrillers.
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-This milestone epic directed by "Hayao Miyazaki" is in every sense a visual production masterwork. Both lush and meticulous with it's rendering of a world torn between two opposing forces. One beautiful bellwether and a headstrong protagonist lead the narrative, amid a symbolic love story and a fabulous apocryphal drama of the human spirit. Several of the film's vast and prolonged sequences, though bloody; are indeed visually stunning.
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-There's hardly any plot to speak of in this fast-paced sci-fi parody; a word which can only be an understatement when discussing a film like "Project A-ko". Which is in fact a total action frenzy blow-out of anime style, extreme comic slapstick and a plethora of signature 'in-jokes' courtesy of anime's popular history. A familiar-like, yet drunken space captain & a transvestite alien supply the most memorable gags. Which in fact happen to be just a little bit embarrassing. Make sure to keep your eyes on the film's ending.
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-Clichés gettin' ya down? Looking for all the proper trims, shapings & edits discovered in a great fantasy epic. How about gorgeously animated battle sequences and sprawling characters. All that's enough to make an anime fan go to tears right? Well, I'd be lying if I said this series holds up well with the times; it's highly unfortunate that it really does not. But who cares anyway. Slight flaws never manage to bring down a fantastic series which gets the job done. Most importantly, it's the most fun for those who really remember how great it is. Hey, everything I just said about ROLW: Forget it. See it now!
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-What has always been the most amazing aspect about "Robotech" is it's incredible ability to transcend 'melo-drama' into an escapade of moving vision and boundless adventure; something which is both timeless and still absorbing. However, innovation is nil compared to the great human emotion that is "Macross". An anime series which still manages to escape our incredulousness and transform imagination into something to behold.
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-Kenshin is both a vibrant, elusive & highly versatile protagonist and the world he inhabits is laden with a variety of colorful characters; but to enjoy "Kenshin" is to accept an understanding and patience which is perhaps not suited for a more than 90 episode television show. The character development is too discrepant to be believable in a single time-frame, and the animation quality occurs in short controlled bursts. Very much like the action of the show which is sort of like the plot; extremely choppy in places.
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-"Sakura Wars" begins like any other typical 'girl/power/suit' anime; complete with your charming & highly addictive characters, vibrant energy & surroundings. There's a slight twist involving some turn of the century automaton devices, but this anime's plot is so contrived that it starts to make you wonder how they even came close to finishing it. The appearance of one male character turns the tide of convention but by then it's too late; having to stay for it's finale songs will make you gripe.
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-"Samurai X" is a haunting and poetic drama that'll keep you guessing as well as engaged by the profound characters. It's not a surprize that so many other action-packed samurai epics cannot achieve the same level of perfection. It's introductory spasmodic narrative conveys the legend of "Kenshin's" rise to assassin-hood; in brooding and explicit detail. Warning: This is not a series for the weak of heart, but is a fantastic one for the love of detail. Parting with a series of profound images worthy of a slot with such greats as "Cowboy Bebop", "Macross Plus" & "Gunbuster".
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-This post series film shares the title of the more graphic (and less similar) "Samurai X". The Motion Picture is a coherent structuring of the T.V. series' best aspects, however this one is considerably flawed and lacks the emotional bite of the OAV or television show. A more matured "Yahiko" offers the only 'new' characterization. And as always, Kenshin is at his best as the wandering samurai, but even he's not good enough to save this movie.
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-Director "Ryutaro Nakamura" brings us into the deepest & darkest terrain of the human psyche in his own little version of one of anime's most complex and elusive protagonists; "Lain". His wonderful sense of imagination, taunting suspense and timing is able to thrive freely in the world of "Chiaki J. Konaka's" script; which at times can prove more evocative than the animation style. However, that's an often arduous aspect to beat considering our eyes and ears are on both at all times.
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-As contrived, short or idiotic as it may be, "Shinesman" is 'non-stop' comic fun from beginning to end. Right from the start when it proceeds to create a group bumbling superheros disguised as a couple of irrational toy manufacturers; all the way up to the hilarious closet/mascot gag. Among the greatest is the quirky innocence created by one of the team's younger nephews, the best is the 'off-color' body armor w/priceless inside jokes reminiscent of Saban's "Power Rangers".
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-A.D.V.'s greatly 'over-hyped' release based on the best selling PC game hardly even qualifys as being the action-packed film it's made out to be; furthermore, anything else for that matter. Lasting only about less than an hour, this oddly structured film fails to gain any believability or momentum; only up until about the very end for some, when it erupts into a clustered mess of graphic violence. There's little reason to sit still for "Sin".
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-There's little to say about the film version based around probably the two most fickle and quote: "large" sorcerers on the anime planet; well, at least one of them anyway. "Lina's" the sensitive and cautious type (Short & 'small'), her partner the exact opposite; though they seem to get along pretty well for being in a plot w/no structure whatsoever. Which remains an excersice in exploiting "Slayers-esque" gags & your occasional "FIREBALL". I'm afraid I'm not that easily amused.
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-Get this: a debauched & metamorphic fighter must stand up to the evil rein of lord "Zaha Horte". Along w/ his other band of bumbling fighters and the aided will of "Big Mama"; sound pretty ridiculous? While the sound of hero "Carrot Glace" may turn off those not fond of screwball fantasy like "Ranma" or "Slayers"; "Sorcerer Hunters" attempts to blow-out the competition w/vibrant atmosphere & surprisingly engaging characters. Another thing is that they keep us laughing. Not at them but rather with them.
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-All right, so "Street Fighter II: The Animated Movie" has shallow characters & not much of a plot; o.k., no plot. I'll give you that. But hey, this thing flows w/speed and style; and it delivers what it's supposed to. Some of the most fast-paced and realistic martial arts sequences ever animated, complete w/ a killer soundtrack to comport. Now remember children, no practicing "Hado-Kens" in the house!
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-Almost everything about the popular arcade hit is poorly mis-conceptualized in this lame excuse for a decent anime film. The least they could do is make it an appropriate 90-minute length; the director can't even seem to get that right. Come to think of it, who does with these type of animes anyway? Good anime character "Jun Kazama" supplies the uneven lead in this terrible utilization of her & the surrounding animation. "Jack", the insouciant yet still caring robot provides the film's only spark.
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-All the magic of "Satoshi's" amazing world is now long and gone with this galling third enstallment; "Tenchi In Tokyo". Which lacks any restraint whatsoever, for the lasting emotion it can convey w/it's characters without appearing utterly ridiculous. The problem with that notion is, by a third series it's too late to bury the mistakes. A risible narrative regarding the inner-meaning of human emotion is poorly executed through one antagonist; and while Tenchi's new relationship w/"Sakuya" does seem refreshing, it's not enough to save the story from the bromide clutches of the other characters.
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-Any anime fan who's an anime fan should certainly check out this comedic romp, which has painstakingly and candidly become the definitive modern standard of romantic fantasy series. "Tenchi Masaki" shines here as the young protagonist, & "Ryoko" as the beautiful space pirate. Among anime's other hilarious famed characters are the illustrious princess "Ayeka", the bumbling "Mihoshi" & headstrong "Kiyone"; and I don't even have to spell out the other two for anyone.
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-Also known as "Tenchi Muyo In Love" in Japan, the first theatrical installment brings the gang back in time to 1970 in order to prevent a universal cataclysm; one involving Tenchi's mom and a sinister space being. Simply the idea of quote: 'Tenchi's mom' is enough to drive the high anticipation of the story along. On top of everything is a thoughtfully in-depth love story, good characterizations & mind-blowing visual appeal. This shouldn't fail to please any seasoned or unripe "otaku".
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-There's nothing terribly wrong about the second enstallment & T.V. series of the "Tenchi" saga. "Tenchi Universe" itself is 'chalk-full' of the same charming but slightly raunchy humor, the same vibrance & lovable characters; but even amid the most clever of blaxploitations the magic is starting to wear off. Tenchi himself is ill-woven and trapped into a fixation of conventional wontedness. While the others remain considerably insipid to the core.
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