Oh, hello.  You've reached the anime page of my website.  I started watching Japanese animation when I was in junior high school.  I recall that the first anime show that I saw was Sailor Moon.  With that, and other factors (pictures in some magazines (in particular Animerica Magazine) and ads for movies which were then, still showing on the Sci-fi channel), I became interested in Japanese anime.  It's just so cool, the drawings, characters, story-lines ,etc.  This page is not, by any means, a complete information database on the series.  There are much more, and better, sites out there that do that.  What's below is just a minute description/ analysis, and my personal opinions.  BTW, this may not the greatest page, but it's mine, and I'll do it anyway I want to.

Note #1: For more links on some of the series mentioned here, please go to my animé links page.

Background Note: This background is from Gundanium Tempest ; the webmistress of this site is  Nikita .
As her page noted "If you see anything you like, take it, just give me credit by putting my site in
your links or using one of my banners on your site. That's all I ask," So I did.  I didn't want the background of this page to be boring.  I wanted it to be of a Japanese anime theme, and after browsing around for a pic to use as the background, I found this.  Yes, this background shows the five pilots from Gundam Wing. Oh, for legal purposes, I do not, and never will own Gundam Wing.  Also, I don't ANY of the anime characters or the shows mentioned on this page.

4/5/2001: Nikita's site has moved, so the link above is not to date, but I'm leaving the note about the background up.
 
 

-Gundam Wing

I currently have all the Gundam Wing figures except for the Leos, and all THREE Tallgeeses.  I've noticed that there different packaging out there.  For example, on some packages, the "Hell" in "Gundam Deathscythe Hell" and "Gundam Deathscythe Hell Custom" has been replaced by a "H."  Interesting isn't it?  I happen to have the 'full H'ed version.'  Is it me, or are some of the Gundams different (in color, coolness and design) depending on some weird reason...  Maybe I shouldn't brought most of them from Kmart?  I also had purchased a model of Wing Zero at Toys R Us during the summer.  Be careful, I nearly broke off several key pieces.  Bandai is responsible for making the figures and model kits.

I really don't want Heero to be angry at me... that look of his... can really get to someone after a while huh? Where does he keep the gun?  One of my theories:  there is infinite space inside the spandex... while anything can be kept.  Another theory... any anime character can pull objects (with ease) out of a hidden dimension or special space... this could explain where Heero gets the gun from or how Akane Tendo from Ranma 1/2 gets the mallet...
 
 

RANT/OPINION FROM AN ANIME FAN: I loved it when the Cartoon Network brought over the series that started the whole Gundam phenomenon, Mobile Suit Gundam, for the summer of 2001.  The series was remastered and touched up considering the original was done in the 70's.  SURE it didn't LOOK all that pleasing and such, but it still had a pretty good story.  Mobile Suit Gundam was never 'concluded'-in two ways.  First, the original series did have a conclusion, BUT the war between the Federation and Zeon continued; in Gundam 0080 (shown on Cartoon Network in 2001), Gundam 0083(shown on Cartoon Network in 2002), and the Gundam 08th MS Team (shown on Cartoon Network in 2001).  Any Gundam fan would be happy about that. It is known that September 11, 2001 had changed things in America... and unfortunately things became unfair in the Anime world on Cartoon Network.  Mobile Suit Gundam was not shown on 9/11, that was understandable.  An episode was shown on 9/12, and that was the last time an episode of Mobile Suit Gundam was shown (that was so up until the VERY LAST episode was shown for Cartoon Network's Top Ten Villains special at the start of 2002).  Now then was it really low ratings that resulted in Mobile Suit Gundam's sudden departure off the air, or was it 9/11?  First off, Cartoon Network SHOULD HAVE at least given the loyal Gundam/Toonami viewers a chance to see the remaining episodes that never aired (a.k.a. complete the show's first run on TV).  Better yet-Mobile Suit Gundam should have been given another chance-one more complete run.  I have personally sent comments and suggestions to the Cartoon Network, but I have gotten no replys (and never will.).  So the fans will have to resort to buying the Tapes/DVDs or the VIZ Graphic Novels (or do research on the web) to finish out how things ended.  This is certainly unfair and wrong in many ways.  So Mobile Suit Gundam was done in the late 70's... and despite the fact that it was redone/ enhanced, it doesn't look 'visually pleasing.'  So that might have turned off some of the viewers to the show.  Remember, this is Mobile Suit Gundam... one of the mecha anime that helped to influence and create many more animes that we know today. So while the status of Mobile Suit Gundam was in question at the time, TOONAMI became "Dragon Ball-AMI" given the fact that nothing but episodes of Dragon Ball and Dragon Ball Z were shown.  I have nothing against the two series, but it was just a little ridiculous.  REALLY.  Heavy favoritism?  Sure.  Heck, they even show Dragon Ball Z episodes on the weekend for people who might have missed them during the previous week.  Of course any sensible person would try to exploit the fact that Dragon Ball Z is the favorite Anime show watched by Americans on the Cartoon Network... so give the people what they want... show it about a couple billion times a week. The 08th MS Team was given what I called mixed treatment.  After 9/11, it too was temporarily off the air on Toonami/Cartoon Network.  The 12 episode series did eventually returned to be continously shown at Midnight, and then during the normal afternoon.  This of course (the endless repeats of 08th MS Team) dragged on and on for months, until Gundam 0080 was shown (so the ends the 08th MS Team's 'reign' at Toonami).  Anyway, the 08th MS Team was definitely more visually pleasing than Mobile Suit Gundam.  Some would think Mobile Suit Gundam was taken off the air because of its theme of war (given 9/11 and the US at the time considering whether to go to Afghanistan)?  While I don't argue with the need to protect young children from certain things, the 08th MS Team should have been 'permanently yanked' off the air as well if you used the 'theme of war' argument.  The 08th MS Team was more popular than the original series in terms of ratings before 9/11.  So it seems that ratings could be the true demise (along with some people who can't make sound and logical decisions) of Mobile Suit Gundam.  Well... so the 08th MS Team was left on the air... and its midnight time slow might have had something to do with it.  So there aren't going to be young kids watching it... sigh... but still... But Toonami is continuing to give us many things Gundam.  The 6 episode Gundam 0080 series was shown for about a month and now making an appearance on Adult Swim starting in November 2002 , with Gundam 0083 to be shown in Februarycurrently in reruns on Adult Swim shown from February to November 2002... , along with many new and returning anime series.  I'm happy about this, but I'm still angry about Mobile Suit Gundam's treatment.  To treat the series that started everything 'Gundam' is disgraceful-but also not get the exact truth behind the cancellation is also disheartening. Could Mobile Suit Gundam be brought back after 9/11?  They had the time slots at one point... they just chose Batman Beyond (6:30 PM EST) at some point after 9/11.  This a series which was re-runned to death on the WB, and now re-runned to death on Toonami.  I mentioned the airing of Dragon Ball Z episodes on Sat. for those who missed episodes during the previous week.  While this hints on favoritism with Dragon Ball Z, Toonami could have ended Mobile Suit Gundam in a similar way, letting the episodes air on weekend, or at midnight or something. I thought about creating a group/petition to bring back Mobile Suit Gundam (even for just a short while) on TV.  Such a group/campaign worked for Sailor Moon... but then the work would be too great... sure it might have been worth it... but I might have been wrong about certain things... 8/2002 addendum:  Well I guess I never could get a chance to do that campaign thing... yet.  As of June 8, 2002, Mobile Suit Gundam has returned to American TV.  That's the good news.  The bad news:  It's on Adult Swim... meaning it's only on every Saturday (in this case, Mobile Suit Gundam is ON VERY EARLY SUNDAY MORNING for Adult Swim starts 11 PM ET Saturday and ends at 2AM ET on Sunday... check local listings).  You might think that I'm happy.  Only slightly...  first off the show is only accesible to those who can stay up past MIDNIGHT.  This means only a hand full of people could watch it-where as when it had been on in the early evening, there was more people as a potentially higher audience.  ALREADY there are less people to watch it (meaning less ratings potentially).  Also this means that it COULD be until 2003 when the entire 42 episode (1 episode was cut from the 43 episode series) can be shown IN ITS ENTIRETY.  THIS IS BAD!  1.  Dragging something out for a long time will make (some) people lose interest in the series.  2.  I said "COULD" for  reason:  Cartoon Network could SCREW the anime fans again... and yank the series off [to more likely show a new anime series] the air before finishing FOR ONE COMPLETE RUN (MEANING ALL 42 EPISODES ARE SHOWN... IN SEQUENTIAL ORDER). So what did I do in the meantime?  I went out and brought several of the Mobile Suit Gundam DVDs... on eBay.  Sure some were preowned... but I was able to buy new ones (official American releases by Bandai) from sellers on eBay for less then they are being sold in stores (in stores for about $25-29/I paid $10-15).  I just to complete my collection... I am NOT going to drive myself crazy being a slave to the TV this time around (when it comes to Mobile Suit Gundam).

I'd like to thank a dear friend of mine, Harold, for introducing me to this series.  Well, the only thing he did was he loaned me the tapes, that contained the first season, the second season, the 6 OAV's (Orignal Animation Videos) and the 2 Movies.  He later gave me access to the entire third season.

Ranma 1/2 is a Martial Arts comedy.  Truly, if you were to see this, you'll never think the same way about certain things.  There's this boy, Ranma Saotome.  He is a very skilled martial artist, trained in the "Anything Goes School of Martial Arts."  He has a few problem.  First off, due to an unfortunate incident at the cursed springs of Juzsenko (the spelling may be off...), whenever Ranma is douzed with cold water, Ranma turns into a girl.  When douzed with hot water, 'girl-type' Ranma turns back into a boy.  Second, poor Ranma has many fiancees, either to certain incidents, or prior engagements.  With many characters that can "change" form, along with various action and comedy scenes, Ranma 1/2 will never get boring.

Just some of the aspects of the show:
-Takes place in Nerima, Japan.
-Ranma is engaged to Akane Tendo, but they BOTH don't want anything to do with each other.  Ranma thinks Akane is too much of a tomboy.  Akane doesn't like guys (SHE'S NOT A LESBIAN-at least to some FANS), and think Ranma's a pervert.  In all honesty, Akane thinks the worst of him, and that she should really lighten up... stuff happens and most of it isn't Ranma's fault.  Anyway... just how could Akane be such a bad cook?
-Ryoga Hibiki:  Another strong martial artist.  His curse:  When splashed with cold water, he turns into a little black-piglet, whom Akane calles "P-Chan."  (For picture, go to the bottom of the page.)  He blames Ranma for a lot of his problems.  Has a crush on Akane, but is afraid to admit it.  P-Chan does sometimes sleep with Akane and such.  I suppose that has SOME advantages.  Well seriously... if Akane ever knew... he's ONE DEAD PIG.
-Takewaki Kuno:  This kendoist/ 'The Blue Thunder of Furinkan High' hates 'boy-type' Ranma, but loves the 'pigtailed girl,' a.k.a. 'girl-type' Ranma.  Definitely great comedy material.  Clueless (for he was given clues that proves Ranma and the pigtaile girl are the same person... but he thinks Ranma is some sort of evil wizard)... but we still like him anyway.
-Kodachi Kuno:  Sister to Takewaki.  This gymnast has a rather unusual, and interesting laugh.  Hates Akane Tendo, but loves 'boy-type' Ranma.
-Shampoo:  Female Chinese Amazon Warrior.  Loves 'boy-type' Ranma.  Will do anything to get him.
-Mousse:  Male from Shampoo's Amazon village.  Absolutely blind as a bat, needs glasses.  Even though Shampoo doesn't like him, he still is determined to win her heart.  Master of hidden weapons.
-Happosai:  A little man, though never underestimate him.  Founder of the "Anything Goes Martial Arts."  A MASTER PERVERT.  HE goes around, trying to feel up women, and steal their bras.  That's a major weakness.  Don't worry, there nothing THAT BAD shown on the videos.
-Various Competitions:  You thought that a sport or event couldn't be better or exciting, then think again.  Such "Anything Goes..." events include Rhymetic Gymnastics, Ping-Pong, and Race.  While some of them are quite creative, other "Anything Goes" events are a bit too much (example:  Season 6's Martial Arts Calligraphy).
-Some nudity, but done tastefully (although I think some would think it's not needed at all, but remember this was done in Japanese, ith standards on TV there being different...).
-FUNNY.  I think I mentioned that already.
 

VIZ produces the English versions of Ranma 1/2 in the form of videos and manga.  The TV series (currently released in its sixth season currently in its final and seventh season "RANMA FOREVER") and the manga, are similiar, but both contains things the other doesn't.

I recommend this anyday.  I'd go for the DVDs... (with regards to the fifth season on).  You get more on the DVD version... and it's only about $5 more when compared to the 'plain' VHS version.  Speaking of the DVDs... I'm thinking of getting the OAV, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd season boxed sets... EVENTUALLY.