Anime Reviews

Alternative Name: Sayonara, Zetsubou-Sensei
Years of Released: July 7, 2007 – September 23, 2007
Episodes: 12
Genre: Satire, Comedy, School Life
Favorite Characters : Sensei
My Rating: PG-16
Grade: C

Summary:
Sayonara, Zetsubou-Sensei revolves around a very pessimistic high school teacher named Nozomu Itoshiki who, at the very beginning of the series, tries to hang himself on a sakura tree. Despite this effort of self-destruction, he is saved by an extremely optimistic girl known only as Kafuka Fuura (though in her effort to save his life, she almost kills him). She explains to him that it is simply unimaginable that he would hang himself on such a nice day, especially in front of such beautiful trees. She decides to nickname Nozomu "Pink Supervisor" , and offers to pay him fifty yen to call him by that nickname. After having enough of the strange girl, Nozomu bolts to the school and starts his homeroom class, but the attempt to escape was in vain as he finds that the girl is one of his students. Not only that, but Kafuka is just the tip of the iceberg: each and every student in his class represents a new personality quirk or bizarre obsession, posing challenges that the suicidally-inclined teacher must overcome in spite of himself...

My review:
It was interesting in the begging but it turned out later that it has no plot. The style of anime is very unique and it's pretty neat. I'll give them some credits for that. There is not much more I can say. I has definitely has it's audience. It's worth a try.

Recommend:
If you are open to something new.

Alternative Name: NARUTO
Years of Released: October 3, 2002 – February 8, 2007
Episodes: 220 (9 seasons)
Genre: Action, Adventure, Comedy, Drama, Martial Arts, Shounen
Favorite Characters : Kakashi, Itachi, Shikamaru, Naruto, Sasuke, Gaara, Neji
My Rating: PG
Grade: A

Summary:
Naruto Uzumaki is a young boy who has the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox sealed within him. Twelve years before the start of the series, the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox attacked the ninja village Konohagakure, slaughtering many people. In response, the leader of Konohagakure – the Fourth Hokage – sacrificed his life to seal the demon inside his own son Naruto when he was a newborn. Konohagakure, however, regarded Naruto as if he were the demon fox itself and mistreated him throughout most of his childhood. A decree made by the Third Hokage forbade anyone mention the attack of the demon fox to anyone. Years later, Naruto was tricked by the renegade ninja Mizuki into stealing a forbidden scroll, but was stopped by his teacher, Iruka Umino. That encounter made Naruto realize he was the container of the demon fox.

My review:
I love Naruto. Now I can see why it is so popular. I took me awhile to get into all that ninja stuff and now I'm completely cool with that. It got so intense starting from 110 but too bad it didn't last long. If not all the fillers(which are 80 episodes) I would give it an A+. I bet Naruto fans agree with me on that one. But things the way they are so can't do much about it. I love Kakashi! He is one of the funny elements in Naruto. I think I will LOVE Naruto even more when it's over because it has been dragging on for so long now in Naruto Shippuden and I simply don't have enough patience to wait for episode every week. I'll watch the whole thing again when it's over. But anyway I'd say go for it. I know kids love it. I was talking to my 10 year old nephew using Naruto language and I was given that look from his father as if I'm insane. If poor guy doesn't know what is SHARINGAN or BYAKUGAN mean it's not my fault, right? He just doesn't get it...


Recommend:
Worth watching if you have time and patience...

Alternative Name: Reborn!
Years of Released: October 7, 2006
Episodes: 1-33(Season1)/34-73(Season2)
Genre: Action, Shounen, Comedy, Mafia, Supernatural
Favorite Characters : Kyoya Hibari, Dino, Gokudera, Yamamoto, Squalo, Tsuna, Bel or "Prince the Ripper", Mukuro Rokudo
My Rating: G/G
Grade: A+/A+

Summary:
The Reborn! story revolves around a boy named Tsunayoshi "Tsuna" Sawada, who is chosen to become the Vongola Family's boss due to him being the great-great-great grandson of the first Vongola boss, who had moved to Japan from Italy during his time. Also, the other candidates for the position of the head of the Vongola Family died. For these reasons, Tsuna is the only remaining heir. As such, Timoteo a.k.a. "Vongola IX," the current head of the family, sends Reborn, an infant hitman from Italy, to train Tsuna. Tsuna then unwillingly undergoes training from Reborn. Reborn's main method of teaching Tsuna is the "Dying Will Bullet" ("Deathperation Shot" in Viz Media's translation of the manga), which will make the person be "reborn" with a stronger self intent on fulfilling his dying will. Through his experiences, Tsuna unconsciously becomes stronger and more confident, which ultimately makes him better suited as the Vongola Family's boss despite continuing to reject his Mafia inheritance.

My review:
I absolutely LOVE it. I don't remember the last time I got so emotionally involved in anime since my I was watching Sailor moon as a kid. It really reminded me of how kids get exited about things and I felt like a child one more time! The first season was got me warmed up and prepared to the second which is my favorite so far! I'll write about 3rd and 4th later when the 5th will end(even though it barely started) cause they are all linked together. Great characters and humor. They really make Mafia theme work in my opinion. Plot is very dynamic which is great. I liked that there weren't a lot of "fillers". Only a little in first season but it wasn't too bad. It got more and more interesting with each arc. Very recommended.

Recommend:
Go for it!

Alternative Name: Sukuru Deizu
Years of Released: September 27, 2007
Episodes: 12
Genre:Drama, Romance
Favorite Characters : none
My Rating: R
Grade: A-

Summary:
Makoto Itō is a young Japanese high school student beginning his second term at the fictional Sakakino Academy. During his daily train rides to and from school, he becomes infatuated with fellow student Kotonoha Katsura; a girl that also commutes. When a new classmate acquaintance of his, Sekai Saionji, discovers his secret crush on Kotonoha, she helps introduce both of them to each other and over time they grow closer and agree to date. However in spite of her proud and triumphant matchmaking efforts, Sekai inadvertently becomes jealous of the new couple, having also developed feelings toward Makoto.
The following afternoon on her way home at the nearby train station in front of the school, Sekai finds Makoto waiting for Kotonoha to rendezvous for a date. He sits with her and reiterates his appreciation for her help, and feeling heavily indebted, offers repayment anyway he can. Though she believes he is overreacting, Sekai decides to redeem her obligation by placing a kiss on his lips as her train pulls in; quickly rushing into an open passenger car and happily bidding a dumbstruck Makoto luck on his date.

My review:
OMG. What a plot. A first a thought it's gonna be some light novel and love triangle. But I didn't expected THAT at all. The last episodes I was watching with my mouth open cause I couldn't believe my eyes. The end..oh man if I knew it was coming I would've thought twice before starting to watch this anime. Overall I can say that from the beginig till the end it kept me it front of my monitor. Good job but the end was too much.

Recommend:
Well... see for yourself.

Alternative Name: Maria Holic
Years of Released: January 5, 2009
Episodes: 12
Genre: Comedy, Shoujo-Ai
Favorite Characters : Maria, Matsurika
My Rating: PG-16
Grade: B-

Summary:
Maria Holic revolves around a high school girl, Kanako Miyamae, who is scared of boys and breaks out in hives if a boy touches her. During her second year of high school, she enrolls in an all-girls school hoping to find a female romantic partner. However, her ideal candidate, Mariya Shidō, turns out to be a sadistic crossdressing boy...

My review:
It was... interesting. I don't know why I even watched and even more gave it a B!!! I guess because I like Maria character. Kanako is such a pervert and I can't decide whether it is funny or annoying. 1st episode was so promising but unfortunately there is no set plot whatsoever. The end.. i can't even call it that. Nothing happened there. Anyway the thing I liked was Opening and Closing song. The second season is pretty much the same as first one.

Recommend:
Well... see for yourself.

Alternative Name: ソウルイーター
Years of Released: April 7, 2008
Episodes: 51
Genre: Comedy, Fantasy, Action, Shounen,
Favorite Characters : Death The Kid, Soul, Kishin, Black Star
My Rating: PG-16
Grade: A+

Summary:
In a world where technicians wield the select humans who can turn into weapons, Shinigami-sama created a school to teach young technicians and their shape shifting partners what it means to be a just death god. In order to create the ultimate weapon, the students of the school must collect the souls of 99 evil humans and 1 witch.

My review:
I didn't expect it to be that good. It was a nice surprise. Anime is full of bright characters and humor. My favorite is Death The Kid with his cute obsession with symmetry. Also Soul, Maka and Black Star are great. Excalibur that drives everyone nuts... Fun! Even though the end was a bit cheesy it didn't change my opinion of anime at all. Great job! Can't wait for second season!!!

Recommend:
Cheak it out!

Alternative Name: none
Years of Released: June 14, 2007
Episodes: 12
Genre: Action, Supernatural, Shounen
Favorite Characters : Dante
My Rating: PG-16
Grade: B+

Summary:
The series is based on the manga and novel volumes, and sees the return of series regulars, Trish and Lady.
In the show, Dante runs his devil-hunting business, Devil May Cry, while struggling under constant financial debt. There are also two new regular characters - Dante's agent Morrison who visits frequently, and Patty Lowell, a young orphan girl he saved in the first episode, who also visits frequently and shares a father-daughter relationship.
While the show's stories were mostly self-contained, a season-long plot was introduced in the first episode and came to the forefront in episodes 10, 11, and 12.

My review:
I enjoyed it. It wasn't the best anime I've ever seen but good enough. There was some blood but I didn't mind it cause it didn't look real. Dante is a cool dude :)

Recommend:
Take a look.

Alternative Name: Skip-Beat!
Years of Released: October 5, 2008
Episodes: 25
Genre: Comedy, Romance
Favorite Characters : Kyoko, Shotaro
My Rating: PG
Grade: A

Summary:
Skip-Beat! is about Kyoko Mogami, a wistful yet cheery sixteen year-old girl who loves her childhood friend, Shotaro, but is cruelly betrayed and thus seeks revenge against him. She used to spend a lot of time at Shotaro's parents' inn and learned a lot about housekeeping, hostelry, and other feminine jobs (sewing, cooking, serving tea traditionally, etc.). Shotaro, not wishing to take over his parents' inn, becomes bored of living in Kyoto and decides to move to Tokyo to pursue a career in music. Sho, as he is called by his fans, asks Kyoko to leave high school in Kyoto Prefecture and her life behind to help him. Upon arrival in Tokyo, Kyoko lives an unreasonably frugal life, spending nothing on herself and doing whatever she can for the freeloading Sho, who eventually becomes ranked seventh in the top twenty most popular entertainers of Japan. One day, however, as Kyoko brings Sho his lunch at a company building, she overhears Shotaro complaining about her to his manager, saying that she is a boring and plain girl with no sex appeal that he'd like to cast away. He then proceeds to sweet-talk and flirt with his manager, in stark contrast to the cold and demanding attitude he usually exhibits towards Kyoko. Unlike other heroines in the same situation, Kyoko doesn't shed many tears when she learns that Sho thinks she's only good for housekeeping. Instead, her "Pandora's box" opens and she vows vengeance on Sho. Enraged, Kyoko attempts to attack Sho, but is instantly carried off by security. Sho mockingly tells her that if she wants revenge, she had better become a bigger star than him. And so, Kyoko, vowing revenge, changes her appearance and enters the entertainment business, facing many challenges along the way. Skip Beat! follows Kyoko's journey to climb the showbiz ladder as she meets interesting people, in the hopes of getting revenge on Shotaro, but also in order to get back her sense of compassion that she had lost when her heart was broken by Sho.

My review:
I liked it! It was fun to watch. "Never Give Up" and "Believe in yourself" ideas of anime are great! Bravo!

Recommend:
Definitely worth watching

Alternative Name: Mountain Summit, Ashita no Yoichi
Years of Released: January 8, 2009
Episodes: 24
Genre: Comedy, Ecchi, Martial Arts, Romance, Shounen
Favorite Characters : none
My Rating: PG-16
Grade: C

Summary:
A boy swordsman, Yoichi and his father stays in mountain training for his descent from the mountain. Yoichi comes to the city to lodge and stay with 4 beautiful sisters. A new more severe "training" regiment awaits him.

My review:
Didn't really like it. Firstly it is Ecchi. Secondly the plot was blurred. Thirdly the end was... it's like there was no end at all. I honestly expected more. That might be my mistake.

Recommend:
If you like ecchi.

Alternative Name: To Aru Majutsu no Index, Toaru Majutsu no Kinsho Mokuroku
Years of Released: October 4, 2008
Episodes: 24
Genre: Fantasy, Shounen, Supernatural
Favorite Characters : Accelerator
My Rating: PG-13
Grade: B-

Summary:
The story is set in a world where supernatural powers exist through science, and magic exists through religion.
In the story, Tōma Kamijō is an ordinary high school boy with terrible academic scores and a power called Imagine Breaker. Imagine Breaker can defeat any other power, but it also undermines Kamijō's own good luck. His Imagine Breaker's immense strength is literally immeasurable, so hapless Kamijō is listed at the supernatural level of 0. He happens to meet a girl in white hanging off his window balcony. The girl says she is being chased by sorcerers, and Kamijō learns that the girl is a Church of England nun whose memories have been forcibly replaced by Index-Librorum-Prohibitorum — the 103,000 forbidden texts of the Church.

My review:
Ok. That was a bit weird especially Church thing. Fighting scenes had too much talking and were too theatrical in my opinion. Weirdness and Pathos: those are the things that come to my mind when I think about Magical Index. The only character I really liked was Accelerator.
P.S. : I would give an A to Index Special. I laughed so hard when I was watching it.

Recommend:
Go ahead!