Anime Reviews

Alternative Name: Number 6
Years of Released: July 8, 2011 – September 16, 2011
Episodes: 11
Genre:  Action, Mystery, Sci-fi, Drama
Favorite Characters : Nezumi, Shion
My Rating: PG-13
Grade: A+

Summary: The story takes place in an ideal city known as "No. 6". Shion, a boy raised in the elite and privileged environment of his home, gives shelter to another boy, who only gives his name as 'Nezumi' (Meaning mouse or Rat) on the former's 12th birthday. After spending a rainy night with his new friend, Shion discovers the next morning that Nezumi has disappeared without a trace. Four years later, Shion experiences a spate of incidents around him in which a deadly infection by parasitic bees causes its victims to age rapidly. Shion's co-worker is one of the victims and Shion is arrested on suspicion of murder. While Shion is being transported to the Correctional Institute, Nezumi appears and rescues him. Shion begins to find out the hidden truth behind the Ideal City No.6


My review:
I loved it. I watched No. 6 a couple of times already. Lots of people are debating whether it is shounen ai or not? Was it just friendship or something more between Nezumi and Shion? I believe everyone can think whatever they want. And it doesn't really matter because you wouldn't even be bothered with such small details when you get into the world of No. 6. Amazing animation, unique drawing style, colorful backgrounds, and dynamic story line made this anime a big success.




Recommend: Everyone

Alternative Name: Seiyou Kottou Yougashiten
Years of Release:  July 3, 2008 – September 18, 2008
Episodes: 26
Genre: Comedy, Shounen Ai
Favorite Characters : Yusuke
My Rating: PG-13
Grade: B

Summary:
Keisuke Tachibana. The owner of the Antique Bakery, as well as a waiter. He was childhood friends with Chikage, the son of his family's live-in housekeeper. He was also Ono's classmate in school and harshly rejected Ono's love confession. He seems to be the only man whom Ono finds attractive, but who is not attracted to Ono in return. Tachibana comes from a rich family. He was kidnapped when he was a child. The one thing he remembers about his abductor is that he loved cake and fed him the cakes he bought every single day. Although Tachibana was rescued, his abductor was never found. After this ordeal, his family became overly protective of him. He feels obliged to play the "good boy" for his relatives because he does not want them to worry about him. As a result of his experiences, he often suffers from nightmares and has no taste for sweets..


My review:
Antique Bakery actually turned out better than I expected. Even though there is not much shounen ai in the story and it is mostly one sided and not the main focus but it didn't ruin my impression at the slightest. The only thing I can complain about is that looking at all those delicious cakes was so hard. I wanted to try them all.


Recommend:
For shounen ai and cake fans.

Alternative Name: Fuyu no Semi 冬の蝉
Years of Released: 2007-02-23 – 2007-04-27
Episodes: 3 OVA
Genre: Romance, Yaoi, Samurai
Favorite Characters : Kusaka, Akizuki
My Rating: PG-16
Grade: A+

Summary:
This three part yaoi story spans the war torn era when the Japanese turned from a Shogunate to Imperial rule and entered trade with the rest of the world (1862-1869). While the story unfolds historical dates and important figures are given while the characters give even more bits and pieces of this period during dialog.

My review:
Amazing story. Beautiful and so sad. The combination of well made animation with thought of plot which is rare to come across. Very worth watching.

Recommend:
Definitely for shounen-ai or yaoi fans

Alternative Name: 闇の末裔, Yami no Matsuei
Years of Released: October 2, 2000 – December 18, 2000
Episodes: 13
Genre: Bangsian fantasy, Occult detective fiction
Favorite Characters : Mizuki
My Rating: PG-13
Grade: B-

Summary:
Asato Tsuzuki is a shinigami with 70 years' worth of experience. He has the power to call upon twelve shikigami, mythical creatures that aid him in battle. The shikigami reflect actual historic religious beliefs—such as Suzaku and Byakko. The manga portrays Tsuzuki's relationship with the shikigami in much more detail. Tsuzuki is the senior partner of the Second Division, which watches over the region of Kyūshū...

My review:
Well I didn't expect much of it and I was right doing so. There are hints of shounen ai but not nearly enough. It was somewhat entertaining so it was not a complete waste of time.

Recommend:
Shounen ai fans

Alternative Name: セブンゴースト
Years of Released: April 6, 2009 – September 21, 2009
Episodes: 25
Genre: Action, Adventure, Comedy, Drama, Josei, Supernatural
Favorite Characters : Frau, Mikage, Castor, Hakuren, Teito,
My Rating: PG-13
Grade: A

Summary:
Teito Klein is a former slave sent to attend the Barsburg Empire's military academy due to his ability to use Zaiphon, a type of supernatural power. The ability is rare, and thus highly prized. Teito is an amnesiac and doesn't remember anything of his origins—what he does learn of his past comes from his recurring and often traumatizing dreams...

My review:
Very beautiful colorful drawing style. Lots of cute boys and this anime is just a dream for a yaoi fans. There is no yaoi in it but it was made to be SO slash-able!! So many hints of shounen-ai!!! So yeah,  I enjoyed it a lot! I guess they didn't make it shounen-ai so that boys could enjoy this too and I know many guys who've seen 07 Ghost.

Recommend:
For slashers and shounen-ai and yaoi fans

Alternative Name: Kaze to Ki No Uta, 風と木の詩
Years of Released: November 6, 1987
Runtime: 60 minutes
Genre: Drama, Historical, Psychological, Shounen Ai, Tragedy
Favorite Characters : Gilbert, Serge
My Rating: PG-16
Grade: A+

Summary:
Taking place in the late 19th century, the story is a recollection of his memories of Gilbert Cocteau at Laconblade Academy in Provene, France. Gilbert Cocteau is a promiscuous student who has a reputation for being a boy of corrupt morality since he frequently misses classes and engages in relations with older male students. However, Gilbert is a tortured young man who has been treated like an object all his life rather than a human being. The primary antagonist in the story - Gilbert's uncle, Auguste Beau - is a respected society figure who manipulates and sexually abuses his young nephew. Auguste's influence is so great that Gilbert actually believes that the two are in love, and Gilbert remains enthralled with Auguste, even to the bitter end when he finds out that Auguste isn't quite who he thought he was.
Golden-hearted Serge becomes fascinated with Gilbert, and tries to win his friendship despite being threatened with ostracism and even violence. Gilbert himself even rejects Serge's offer of friendship, although it seems that Serge may be Gilbert's only hope to escape this hellish life.

My review:
Oh wow. I liked it so much. The story is so sad but so touching. Brilliant! When I was watching it I had a feeling that I'm reading some classic literature book of 19th century. I am tempted to say it is the best shounen ai story I came upon so far. I doesn't have any "cute" element neither it is funny but the story is truly deep and sad but beautiful and freeing. It has the same feeling you have on a chilly November evening when you are looking at the setting sun thinking about the times that have came to pass and after closing your eyes you feel cold wind gently playing with your hair. That gentle yet painful feeling.

"Gilbert Cocteau...
You were the
wind stirring my
branches

Can you hear
the song of the wind
and trees?

Can you hear
the tumult of
our youth?

Ahhh... there
must be others
who remember...

their own
days of youth. "

Recommend:
This is "must see" even if you are not a fan of shounen-ai! I would recommend reading manga before watching an anime

Alternative Name: Sukisho! Sukisyo! I like what I like, so it can't be helped
Years of Released: January 8, 2005
Episodes: 13 (Including OVA)
Genre: Romance, Comedy, Yaoi(boys love)
Favorite Characters : Ran
My Rating: PG-16
Grade: B

Summary:
High-school student Sora Hashiba has been hospitalized after falling from the fourth floor of the school building. On his first night back in the dormitory, he wakes to find a strange boy addressing him by the name "Yoru." The stranger identifies himself as "Ran" and says he's Sora's new roommate. The next day, Sora's childhood friend and dorm manager, Matsuri Honjou, informs Sora that the other boy, whom Matsuri identifies as Sunao Fujimori or "Nao-kun," is actually another childhood friend of Sora's. Sora doesn't remember meeting Sunao before. In fact, Sora can't remember much of anything regarding his past, and the series follows his quest to regain his memory.
Sora soon learns why Sunao identified himself as "Ran" that first night: Both he and Sora have alternate personalities. Sora's is Yoru, a powerful protector and the lover of the more dependent, feminized Ran. The existence of these alternate personalities, and the relationship between them, has some mysterious connection with Sora's fall from the window and his forgotten past. The alternate personalities' passionate relationship is a far cry from the hostility and distrust between Sora and Sunao. Because Yoru and Ran possess them arbitrarily, Sora and Sunao frequently find themselves in embarrassing situations when they regain control of their minds.

My review:
Mmm... as far as I remember I was pretty good. The plot was alright. Anime doesn't claim to be a masterpiece so we are good. That's about it.

Recommend:
For yaoi fans definitely!

Alternative Name: Purinsesu Purinsesu
Years of Released: April 5, 2006
Episodes: 12
Genre: Comedy, Drama, School Life, Shoujo
My Rating: PG-13
Grade: C

Summary:
Why is Toru Kouno receiving such an overly warm welcome at his new all boy's school? He has yet to discover the secret system called "Hime (Princess)" in effect at the school. Boys who are chosen have to dress up as a girl in every school event! Little does Kouno know that he would be the chosen one...

My review:
Mmm... I don't really think much about it. Boys dressed up like girls and other boys love it? Excuse me but isn't that a bit weird? Anyway I had some laugh but no more than that.

Recommend:
If you really have nothing to do I guess...

Alternative Name: Pure Romance, Romantica: Pure Love
Years of Released: April 10, 2008
Episodes: 24
Genre: Comedy, Romance, Drama, Shounen-ai
My Rating: R
Grade: A

Summary:
Junjou Romantica: Takahashi Misaki is suddenly having some unexpected and odd problems. What started as a need for some college entrance exam tutoring has somehow led him to being romanced by a suave older man who also happens to be his big brother’s best friend. Confused by all of his brand new emotions, Misaki struggles to deal with his suddenly very odd life. And if that wasn’t enough, his suitor, Usami Akihiko, has plenty of issues of his own. A man-child who decorates his room in giant teddy bears and toys, Usami is a famous novelist who also writes steamy boys’ love novels on the side...

My review:
I loved it I admit. It's so touching and emotional. And also so funny. Especially Misaki and Akihiko. They are hilarious! I bet most of the guys would've hated it. But it's for girls so I don't really care :) Great Yaoi.

Recommend:
Not for those who don't like Shounen Ai(boys love)

Alternative Name: Нелюбимый
Years of Released: April 2005
Episodes: 12
Genre: Drama, Fantasy, Mystery, Shounen Ai(boys love)
Favorite Characters Ritsuka Aoyagi, Soubi Agatsuma
My Rating: PG-16
Grade: A+

Summary:
Aoyagi Ritsuka is one troubled 6th grader. Two years ago, he mysteriously lost his memory and developed an alternate personality. His mother constantly berates (and occasionally beats) him, asking what happened to the "real" Ritsuka, and his only defender and friend, his older brother Seimei, was recently killed.
Suddenly, Seimei's apparent "friend," Soubi, appears. Soubi tells him that Ritsuka's true name is "Loveless," and that Soubi was assigned by Seimei to take care of Ritsuka and protect him. Ritsuka soon gets sucked into a bizzare underground society where teams of people, a "Fighter Unit," and a "Sacrifice," battle using elaborate and beautifully-phrased spells.
He seeks both acceptance of himself, and the answer to the mystery of who killed his brother and why.

My review:
Unbelievably beautiful and breathtaking story. It's like a dream you don't want to wake up from. It really seemed like a dream to me. Music is wonderful.... Oh, I love it so much! Also I loved the psychological part of Loveless. Ritsuka has an alternate personality and he asked his counselor very interesting questions. But it's not the best part of Loveless. The best part is a romance. So out of this world... LOVE IT!!!

Recommend:
Would not recommend to people who do not like genre Shounen Ai(boys love) which is actually for girls and women. But you'll never know if you never try, right? ^_^