Kekkaishi

Description on AnimeDB.net

At first I thought Kekkaishi was a little too simple. Protagonist, with lame power, and the vow to protect a childhood friend. Sprinkle in a little "I don't want to do this job. I have to." whining, as well as a little "in my brother's shadow" complex.

But I kept watching, cringing every time the guy made a cake castle.

I found myself watching more and more. It's light, the ghost wolf makes it funny, and the different applications of his power make it not so lame. As long as I fast forward through that terribly screechy OP song, I'll be good to go.

The best episode so far for me was the one that had the old friend of the ghost wolf. I'm up to Episode 16.

Recommendations:

• Naruto...young protagonist grows from painful beginnings to an inspiration, ninjas galore
• HunterxHunter...young effervescent protagonist that powers up with a smile
• Inu Yasha...longer series that has plenty of pesky youkai, some romance

Les Miserables - Shoujo Cosette

Description on AnimeDB.net

Les Miserables - Shoujo Cosette is just the animated story of Les Miserables. I think it's a beautiful and delicately miserable story. I like how the story follows the stories of three seperate characters: Cosette, Cosette's mother, and Alan (which sort of ends up as Jean Val Jean's story). They switch without confusing me and getting me mixed up, but I'm still focused on Cosette's day to day life's challenges.

The ending theme is a simply sincere melody that is pleasant, too.

I like it. I need something light to watch now and then when I drink my afternoon tea and relax.

Recommendations:

• Gankutsuou...old classics put into jazzy artsy anime form, an old story of betrayal and revenge as we follow a foolish young man and how a stranger isn't who he claims to be
  
• Nijuu Mensou no Musume...young girl protagonist has more than enough challenges and hardships to span several lives, has mystery and action (See Anime Spotlight)
  

Video Sample:

Naruto Shippuuden (Naruto, the Hurricane Chronicles)

Description on AnimeDB.net


See that picture? That's all you need to know. Now go watch it.

Naruto Shippuuden - He's back with a new jacket, some new tricks up his sleeve and a catchy new OP song. (Sorry, but the OP song that closed the last Naruto season was terrible, I chalk it up to the animation was--just Ugh!)

Love seeing the new Kazekage Gaara, and the brand-new Sakura. Yes, she became badass, but it doesn't easily erase her earlier lame performances. Glad there's no Sasuke to make her go all girly so far. Sick of that.

And what's this about Ino automatically running off to become a medical ninja. Is that the only option for you? Blaze your own path! It is possible for her to be cooler than Sakura.

Note: Is Sakura the only one with artificially colored hair? all the other characters seem to have hair that is naturally possible (yes, even the bone-guy's white hair). But PINK?

I'll say it: I don't like Naruto's new clothes. That is all. He let Sasuke out dress him again. Sasuke looking cho-kakko ii!

Recommendations:

• Naruto...the original series
• Kekkaishi...boy protagonist with special powers, surprising uses (See Anime Spotlight)
  
• HunterxHunter...young effervescent protagonist that powers up with a smile
• Basilisk: Kouga Ninpou Chou...ninjas with a solid plot and great art
• Nabari no Ou...powerful youth in a ninja world not far from the normal world

Video Sample: