The Anime Review

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Reviews by the Self-Made Anime Critic

Okay, so you want to see some anime, but you don't want to blindly buy a tape with a nifty cover and find out you've just purchased the Shadow Skill. Or you've watched some Pokemon and are ready for something a little less mainstream. Or you've seen the anime, and you want to know what someone else thinks. Here's my take on what's worth watching, and what should have stayed in Japan. ^_^
TOP SCORE - 5 stars

Neon Genesis Evangelion

Okay, so this one is almost as popular as Sailor Moon. But you may be asking yourself, Why all the hype?

It's a damn good series.
It's got a crappy ending.
Watch it anyway.

The story takes place well into the future, when earth is being assualted by entities called "Angels". The angels are typically large, bad-tempered, and more destructive than Sailor Saturn. How they came about and why is something of a mystery, but we learn that their arrival caused a big boom called "Second Impact". Children concieved during the time of second impact are required to pilot "Evangelions" in order to fight the angels. They do a pretty decent job, but being a 14 year old warrior isn't easy, and this series doesn't sugar coat it. People die, lose their minds, and form strange relationships. But it's not like Lain.
The character designs are nice- (love the plugsuits) the character personalities are distinctive, and the setting is imaginative yet realistic. There is a lot of philosophy, and many ethical questions are raised. Best of all, lots of action, comedy, and tragedy.
I give this one 4 stars.
If you don't watch the last 2 episodes or the movie, I give it 4.5, because the plot still weakens toward the end, just not as much. This is one of my favorite series.

Fushigi Yugi (Fushigi Yuugi) or The Mysterious Play

I'm dying for this one to finish being released here in the U.S.
(Hurry up Pioneer, forget Tenchi in Tokyo)
This is a story of a girl who read a book and made her wishes come true.
How cute. That's how it's advertised, the Lame Dog summary.
Here's my summary:
Miaka, a Jr. High Student who's never really done anything of note, other than eat gobs of food and stay skinny (yeah, we all hate people like that) stumbles across a spellbook and is transported to Ancient China, where she is given the task of gathering 7 guardians and summoning a god, to save the country and make her way back home. However, Miaka's best friend, Yui, is in another country trying to destroy the one Miaka's in, and Miaka doesn't want to go home anymore. Not to mention people keep trying to kill Miaka and her guardians.
Did I mention this is a love story?
In the process of trying to protect Miaka, her guardians fall in love with her. She falls in love with one of them, Tamahome. (Who can blame her? Have you seen him??? Look in my cel gallery!) The two form an epic bond, which really does conquer all. The best thing is, it's believable, not like Escaflowne...
I give this one 5 stars.
Or at least 4.75. It's hillarious, it gives me warm fuzzies, and I cried like a baby several times throughout the series. If you tease me, I'll have to kill you.

Devil Hunter Yohko (OAV 1,2,3,5,6)

Devil Hunter Yohko is and ever evolving anime series, it spans several years and has several different art styles. It is a great combination of action and comedy. The first volume is a bit racey, but does a great job of introducing the 108th Devil Hunter. Yohko's family has been ridding the world of demons for centuries, and this reluctant sixteen year old is ready to take her turn. Yohko sports a magical ring, a lovely red chinese dress, and a broadsword with an axe on the guard.
In later episodes, Yohko shows less skin and more fighting skill, she gains a spear wielding side kick, and later a twin! Cute boys abound in Yohko's life, but somehow she always ends up having to try and rescue them from the devil. As a wife I go through this on a daily basis, but Yohko does it with more drama, better clothes, and cooler hair (hell for cosplay).
4 stars for this one- (1 for Yohko, 1 for Ayako, 1 for Azusa, and 1 for Azusa -you'll understand Yohko math if you watch the entire series). I'd give it more if the last demon battle didn't end in such a cheesy looking manner.

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