Anime Reviews

Alternative Name: The World's Greatest First Love
Years of Released: April 9, 2011 – June 25, 2011 / October 7, 2011 – December 23,2011
Episodes: 12 / 12
Genre:  Comedy, Josei, Romance, Yaoi
Favorite Characters : none
My Rating: R
Grade: B-

Summary: Onodera Ritsu, a literary editor, resigns from his father's publishing company, due to his coworkers' jealousy of his success, claiming that he is simply riding his father's coattails. He applies for a position at Marukawa Publishing, but instead of his preferred department of literature he is placed in the infamous shōjo manga department, Emerald. He initially considers resigning, especially because he finds his new boss, Masamune Takano, intolerable and unnerving from the very beginning; however, Takano inadvertently convinces Onodera to stick with the job by calling him "useless," his pride forcing him to stay in order to prove his worth. Later, Onodera learns that Takano's old family name was Saga, an older schoolmate from high school that Ritsu fell in love with and confessed to.


My review:
Well, where should I start? It was painfully obvious from the very beginning that Seikai-ichi Hatsukoi is going to resemble Junjou Romantica a lot. The storylines are intertwined together so that the characters from Junjou had their own air time which I actually liked. But that closeness of those two is also became a disadvantage. Even though Seikai can stand on it's own as independent show, everyone is going to compare it to Junjou Romantica and that's where it'd doomed to lose. Junjou had original style, humor, and was a great hit among fans. Seikai looks like a mare copy, trying to achieve the same success but that's just impossible. You can't just use the same tricks from Junjou and make it work. That is my opinion on the subject. But in any case you you are yaoi or shounen-ai fan you should definitely give it a go.




Recommend: For yaoi fans out there

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: 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: 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)