Ga-Rei Zero

Ga-Rei Zero - watching its first episode, I thought I knew what was going on and what to expect from the anime. We see a special task force who has some history and during the episode battle some demons with some interesting tactics (holy water and holy chants are practical parts of battle), and I thought this anime was going to be about this group of people and we'd learn about the history as the story continues. After the first episode ends, I realize...wow, I was really wrong.

So if you give this anime a shot, watch more than just the first episode. The second episode made me want to watch more of the anime because we meet completely new characters (Kagura, Yomi, and company) and wonder what the connection is between the first and second episode. Then, the third is really the meat of what the anime's focus: the friendship between two ill-fated friends and the struggles, misfortune and evil that brought them to the unhappy dramatic scene in the second episode.

There are some action scenes where I admit, I've rewatched a few times over, because the action was pretty fast, and even after the dust has settled, I wanted to see that "move" again. Maybe they're not as creative as they get, but they seem slightly different than most of the sword-fighting fare.

There is violence, creative weapons, chopped off limbs, and enough blood to know that someone isn't going to quite make it to tomorrow. Friendship is rooted and grows and grows to set you up for what you already know is coming...(because they already showed you earlier). It's like we're seeing the whole thing in hindsight which adds drama to the whole ordeal, from beginning to end.

After the first episode, I wasn't very interested in this anime, and had others to watch and keep me busy. But now my other anime have finished, I watched a few more episodes of Ga-Rei Zero and want to watch it through until the end. It serves as another reminder to me not to judge anime on just the first episode alone.

This video sample is pretty good. Although the trailer's subs are not in English, you get to see some of the good parts of the anime's action and mood.

Recommendations:

• Rental Magica >>...specialists from different belief systems team up to excorcise anomolies, lighter fare with comical romance
  
• Claymore...heavy swords, severed limbs, and a lot of pale killer ladies >>
• Mouryou no Hako >>...another beautiful friendship that didn't end so prettily, a mystery and crime clues form the story
  
• Nijuu Mensou no Musume...main girl escapes a troubled past only to lead a life struggling to survive and protecting her few friends >>
  
• Majin Tantei Neuro...the main villian isn't the only mystery around town >>
• Umineko no Naku Koro ni...ill-blood between rich family members begins to boil when mysterious and gruesome murders begin one after the other >>

Video Sample:



Do you plan to watch Ga-Rei Zero?



See the description for Ga-Rei Zero on AnimeDB.net >>

Heroic Age

Heroic Age somehow slipped under my radar a long time ago. I remember seeing the first episode, being a bit interested, and then I forgot about it. I'm glad I picked it up again and finished it, because the series is pretty unique. I think it could easily be passed up by others as the first few episodes don't reflect how the rest of the anime will be, and think it deserves a spotlight.

It starts out in unfamiliar lands with not a soul in sight until Age comes tumbling into the picture. As we're beginning to wonder what his story is, suddenly we're in deep space, spaceships and skin-tight uniforms all around. Before we start recognizing some space military anime that we've seen before, a Princess shows up and she's got some serious clout, and some unique abilities. Once Age and the Princess meet, the story picks up pace and tosses in politics, war, a tribe of god-like beings, deaths, love, and some really nice painting.

There are some bad guys, a division of good and evil that isn't so clear once a history lesson reveals that the story is smack in the middle of prophecy about a war between races that has been scribbling starways across space.

The anime as a whole was very satisfying and a lot the characters were memorable and had impact, especially Age - he's just a really cool character, and the Princess - who offers a lot more than other anime princesses. And even though the "wish there were more episodes" tag is usually used for a great anime like this, I was really satisfied with it and think any more would just mess up its existence.

The opening theme really grew on me, too.

Recommendations:

• Soukou no Strain...dreams dashed, her sights set on space, a girl uncovers a disturbing military secret >>
  
• Sousei no Aquarion >>...if you can deal with the "gattai" scenes, a simple ruffian is plucked from obscurity to fulfill his destiny
• Starship Yohko >>...an older sillier anime, that doesn't take itself too seriously, some space battles, slapstick, and disturbed enemies
• Tenchi Muyo >>...if you love comedy and the idea of space pirates, princesses, and police invading your simple life, this anime is where they all collide
• Last Exile...a young pilot and his childhood friend navi become entangled in a three-way war when they take a young mysterious girl under their wings >>
  

Video Sample:



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See the description for Heroic Age on AnimeDB.net >>

April 2009 List of Picks

Sometimes I am interested in checking out new anime and want to list them, but then end up dropping a series or two and picking up others. This is a list of anime that I ended up watching this last season:

• Astro Fighter Sunred...sing the theme song and fight courteous villains >>
• Bounen no Xamdou...you say your body is taken over by a religious cult's only hope at salvation? >>
• Ga-Rei Zero...the slaughter of gifted task force and the friendship that led up to it >>
  
• Himitsu: the Revelation...dead men tell no tales, but their brains are a different matter >>
• Jigoku Shoujo: Mitsuganae >>...just when you thought the gates of hell stopped handing out straw dolls, a new pawn appears
• Kuroshitsuji...a young heir and his dark butler and the business of revenge >>
• Michiko to Hatchin...A duo of brazen beauty and reasonable kindness, these fugitives bust border after border chasing a dead man>>
• Minamike Okaeri >>...the sisters three are back and their mundane lives are an open book
  
• Mouryou no Hako >>...chopped up body parts are a gruesome start to a young woman's puzzling past
  
• Munto >>...a young girl gets strength from friends, and encounters another magical world hidden in the sky
  
• Skip Beat!...betrayal and revenge kick-start a surprisingly funny story about rebirth >>
  
• Soul Eater...youths take the forms of weapons and wielders when Death himself needs a little help to keep the peace >>
• Tales of the Abyss >>...a sheltered prince's bubble is broken when he runs into his doppelganger and the world comes crashing down at his hand
  
• Viper's Creed...the arrival of a young rookie signals the end of the stalemate between the military and a terrorist group, with Team Viper in the middle >>
• White Album >>...the heaviest of moments are buried in the silences between two people in this romantic drama
  
• Zoku Natsume Yuujinchou...Natsume, the book and nyanko sensei are back and face new youkai as enemies and as allies >>

It's too early in the season to make a list of anime that I'm eagerly watching. As only one or two episodes have aired for a lot of new anime, I have a long list of first episodes to wade through. Hopefully this season will have a healthy crop of great anime.

Video Sample:

Out of the above batches theme songs, Zoku Natsume Yuujinchou's ending song is great and it surprisingly grew on me by the time the season ended. I don't often get to post ending themes and thought it deserved a spotlight.

The song is:
Aishiteru 「愛してる」 by Kourin 高鈴

Skip Beat!

Skip Beat is a fun anime with some bright and shiny characters, and a very motivated and simple main gal driving the story. Thanks to this "heroine" of sorts, we get an upbeat story that involves merit stamps.

Kyoko was a simple gal leading a simple life, in which she knew exactly what her role was and was happy to keep it as such. Then she gets the wake up call of a lifetime and is reborn, switching up to a new path that although, grudge-driven, is laced with hilarity as we watch this newfound "heroine of her own life" realize that she's more than a plain girl who can whip up a daikon rose and serve tea...although the daikon rose thing is sort of not-plain.

She encounters new experiences and new "luxuries" (friendship?) and seeing her treasure these everyday situations can make watchers endear her. Then in another episode she seems like an underdog until we can see her true gifts emerge, then the rooting starts.

Although the picture here looks flashy and girly, the anime focuses on the Kyoko's change and self-empowerment that is so natural that she doesn't quite notice it. Only the watchers of this anime and the other characters really make a fuss about seeing a rising star, so don't expect a strutting peacock at the end of the series.

Yes, thanks to these other characters we get even more funny reactions from Kyoko. One character can bring out her gut-wrenching hatred, another can bring wide-eyed pouts of childish complaints--and don't forget we get the razzle dazzle of this being set within the entertainment industry. We get to see snippets of things like auditions and television shows and the drama that happens behind the camera.

This season seemed short because I enjoyed so much of it. I hope that another season is made so I can see how her story turns out.

Recommendations:

• Glass Mask >>...you want acting, you can get it here, the struggles and challenges of a rising star performer, her secret fan, and her rival
• Kareshi Kanojyo no Jijou >>...the thin line between love and hate appears before two high school overachievers
• White Album >>...quiet anime shows the complications of what seems like a dream come true, having an idol as a girlfriend
  

Video Sample:



Do you plan to watch Skip Beat?



See the description for Skip Beat on AnimeDB.net >>

Viper's Creed

Description on AnimeDB.net

Viper's Creed is an unexpected treat for me this season. There is action, none of the characters get on my nerves (flags set off by meddling Sakurako have been taken down by the third episode) and each episode looks to have some direction. It's not some episodic mecha that gets high and mighty defending the universe or saving mankind. I'm three episodes in and I have to say the third episode has won me over, and I'm filling up my playlist with the available rest of the series.

The episodes zippily introduce us to the main handful of characters, who are part of a company-owned unit that earns money by the types of trash they are contracted to bring in/take down. For example, the "trash" can be a few mechas sent out by rebel groups that just go berserk and attack or destroy things that our characters are paid to fetch or stop. There is action, sure, but there is also the interest that is stirred up between the public, these hired guns, the rebel groups and the environmental situation that the city is in (kinda screwed, so they built roads).

The main character, Saiki, with an eyepatch and a history is enough for me to watch these episodes. He puts people in their place and doesn't bother me at all with his aloof ways. He's the kinda guy I'd like to have guarding my city. The "other" character is Sakurako, his operator that he "technically" needs to have hanging around at work, but we just use her to find out more about Saiki.

If your playlist is shallow this season, give Viper's Creed a try. It's not too deep, not too simple, and it has room to get even better, once you see that the Viper group isn't just as plain as they seem. If you are missing a little action and a little big of CG mecha, you'll get some doses with this one. The mechas are really cool. They can skate and transform into branded bikes, it's the dream!

I had a hard time with recommendations because I tried to think of mecha-infused anime that had more political influences and character-driven stories. I don't keep interest with political-driven animes with military factions at each other's necks, but have watched a few episodes of Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion, which might be a good fit. I didn't finish it or really watch it, so I can't fully recommend it. I will probably return to finish it someday.

Recommendations:

• Gun X Sword...main guy controls big mecha and doesn't talk much, chatty younger gal tags along asking questions, more comedy, "western" feel
  
• Eureka Seven...transforming mecha with a little personality, some "bigger than us" philosophy, young couple and their rebel sky-high "family" face challenges
  
• Neo Genesis Evangelion...young man asked to pilot a mecha, his life is turned upside down, works to accept huge responsibility to protect others

Video Sample:

Zoku Natsume Yuujinchou

Description on AnimeDB.net

Zoku Natsume Yuujinchou is the second season of a great series that follows the story of young Natsume, his "bodyguard" Nyanko-sensei, and the youkai that they gets tangled up with, regardless of the Yuujinchou/Book of Friends' involvement.

For those who have seen the first season and wondered if it's the same, yes, it's pretty much the same great stuff. You won't see too many wierd arcs or new directions taken with this second series. You'll get to see new youkai and some exciting interaction with less cooperative ones that give Natsume a pain in the neck, or put him in danger.

His friends and family don't have much to do with the stories, but are a welcome appearance because otherwise we'd be stuck with a crazy loner and his cat (just kidding). They make him a little more human. We're treated to a few "appearances" by his late grandmother via flashbacks and it's great to see the contrast with how each dealt with the ability to interact with youkai and what each did with it.

The summer feel is dropped for more cold-weather episodes that appear to take place in fall and winter.

I'm currently nine episodes in, and I am happy to watch the rest of the season with interest. The opening and ending themes are both pretty good, but I miss the ending music theme that I loved so much from the first season.

If you haven't seen the first season, it's still enjoyable and understandable to watch starting from season two. I'd still go back to watch the first season, because knowing where Nyanko-sensei came from can only add to his charm and how they interact in this second season.

Recommendations:

• Natsume Yuujinchou...the first season, shows how the characters meet and what the deal is with that book (See Anime Spotlight)
  
• Earl and Fairy...more romance, chivalry and action involving folklore and a fairy doctor to guide the way
  
• Telepathy Shoujo Ran...helping creatures and spirits with their powers, a mismatched duo uncover mysteries with a light heart
  
• Inu Yasha...more youkai, more characters and more action and romance, popular with kids old enough to see some blood

Video Sample:

Himitsu: The Revelation

Description on AnimeDB.net

Himitsu: The Revelation seems simple enough, and if you can get over the initial believability bump -- Solving crimes using the brains of the deceased. Sounds a bit like Pushing Daisies, but this series uses the brains and refers to their use with more technology and computers, rather than supernatural reason. Just that bit of difference introduces differently types of challenges that the Section Nine team (a special team assembled to deal with this form of research for police investigations) have to deal with.

It's not just "let's look in his brain and we can see who dunnit". The brain has to be intact, retrieved within a certain amount of time, the victim's family has to release the brain, they can only retrieve the visuals (no audio), and there's the obvious weird fact that to solve a victim's mystery, they're basically taking a little something that was otherwise going to go into a coffin/urn with the rest of the body.

This anime doesn't focus too much on how they do it, but more about how they use it to solve these mysteries. It's incredibly interesting how it seems the series could just be the same scenario over and over again, but different scenarios are quickly delved into, skipping parts you are familiar with and really getting down to business. Later on, there is a tad more of the team's members and also the past behind the section leader.

One big draw is being able to see into the minds of victim's last moments, and sometimes seeing into the minds of killers. It can get violent, bloody or graphic quickly, so this one isn't to watch with the kids. Give it a try if you're not afraid to get into some crime-scene-like messy memories, and see how Section Nine can overcome the challenges of the technology and others involved in the cases.

Recommendations:

• Shigofumi...psychological messes can be uncovered in even the simple anime premises of letters from the dead
  
• Antique Bakery...a little more comedy and pastries, but the underlying mystery is there (See Anime Spotlight)
• Yakushiji Ryoko no Kaiki Jikenbo...less mystery, more action, and some strange cases tackled by a sassy protagonist and her right-hand man (See Anime Spotlight)
• Majin Tantei Nougami Neuro...comedy, otherworldy creatures and finishing moves aid a young pawn and the demon that guides her through juicy mysteries (See Anime Spotlight)
• Umineko no Naku Koro ni...before the sun rises, a rich family at each others' necks over an inheritance must solve a riddling epitaph or become the victims of a mercilous witch (See Anime Spotlight)
  

Video Sample: