Fruit Basket: Rated!

Fruits Basket

Life has been hard for Honda Tooru. Her beloved mother has just passed away in an accident and due to some family issues she's living in a tent in the woods. Not even her best friends know about this as she has vowed to support herself through school life.

One day she stumbles upon a house nearby. As things turn out, it's occupied by Souma Yuki, the school heartthrob (and her classmate), his cousin Shigure (a novelist) and another Souma by the name of Kyou who is constantly fighting with Yuki.

A series of mishaps reveals a surprise about the Soumas. When hugged by members of the opposite sex, they change into animals of the Chinese zodiac! Normally people who find out would have their memory erased, but Tooru is given the chance to keep the secret and continue living with the Souma family.

While the concept of characters changing when touched by something isn't new, Fruits Basket uses something different - the twelve animals of the Chinese zodiac, plus the cat (as will be explained in the anime). The main characters take after their respective animals: Yuki, the mouse, is quiet and scheming at times. Kyou, the cat, is always at war with Yuki, while Shigure, the dog, is fun and rather carefree. Quite surprisingly, the characters are hardly paired with the animals that you would expect them to be.

The most interesting aspect of this anime is the way the characters are portrayed. Most of the scenes with more than *one* person around will be enough to wrestle you to the floor laughing or play with your emotions like a diabolical programmer on late night shift. Tooru is a little like the typical anime schoolgirl - sweet, not very bright, but always cheery and is a big help around the house. Much of the focus of the story is how she slowly changes the lives of those around her, especially the Souma family. You see, it's not all fun and games being an animal. The Soumas are unable to have relationships with "outsiders" because of their secret and as a result are withdrawn from society. Many episodes deal with the internal struggles that each one of them has - not being accepted by others because of their appearances or actions. Yet, each of them finds hope in Tooru, who is ready to accept them and helps them to change themselves for the better.

One good thing is that the anime rarely relies on the "transformations" and resulting chaos to carry the comedy parts. Instead, it is the character interactions and personality mixes that make it funny. Yuki and Kyou are always fighting, but you'd probably end up smiling instead. Shigure is like a fun-loving kid stuck in a compliant adult body. And the other Soumas introduced later are far from stereotypical and are equally fun to watch. There are even strong bonds between certain characters and the chaos gets even better when they are together. If you were an anime character, you'd have sweatdrops appearing a *lot*. Wait, no. Make sure the drainage systems around you can handle large volumes of water spewing from your head.

Trust me: You'll never look at white snakes the same *ever* again.

While having more than 10 characters may seem like a lot, it's actually quite simple. Rarely is a character introduced "just to fill in the other animals". Each one has a deeper story that is revealed as the plot goes along and you can start to get attached to them as you begin to find out why they act like they do, and what really troubles them. And the good thing is, the whole cast *doesn't* fall in love with Tooru. Yes, they like her a lot but nothing of the romantic sort.

There are many things to be learned from this anime too. Tooru's two best friends, while rather strange, are examples of what friendship really should be like. They always look out for her, especially since they knew her mother, and are her support when she needs them. Tooru also has many flashbacks of her good relationship with her mother and in turn she is good to others.

The art is colorful but rather simple, and so is the animation. Add liberal SD scenes and plenty of sweatdrops and that's Fruits Basket. While more detail would have been nice, but in view of the story and the mood of the show, it fits just fine. Just be ready for characters with some of the biggest eyes in anime, and for bishie guys (beautiful men, I call them ^_^). In fact, some of the characters regularly make jokes about Yuki's "attractiveness" if he were a girl.

Comedy anime really doesn't get any better than this. A great series for anyone looking for good clean fun.

All right, Fruits Basket, (or Furuba for anyone who cares enough to nickname the show) is a wonderfully, almost painfully cute little anime about love and friendship and acceptance.

It's the story about Honda Tohru (yes, like the car!), who is an orphaned high-schooler living in a tent in the woods. Now lets recap Tohru's life here. Her father died when she was really young, and she grew up with her mom. However, just a little while before the story begins, Tohru's mom died in a car crash. She decides to live with her grandfather, but his house is under renovations so there's no room for Tohru. (Haha.) So, she decides (a stroke of genius if you ask me) to live in the woods in a tent! She doesn't want to burden her friends, and she thinks it'll be a good life experience. (The thought of a girl like Tohru living in the woods in a tent rivals the thought of Miaka from FY living in a Trigonometry classroom with only peanuts and assorted vegetables to sustain her. In other words, Tohru isn't the out-doorsy type.) One day when she's walking to school, she sees the Sohma household and goes down to look at these little rocks that are painted as the 12 Zodiac animals. Sohma Shigure, a man in a man's yukata walks out, and immediately begins to hit on her like there's no tomorrow. She, being Tohru, goes for it, and they get in a conversation about the zodiac animals. She tells him that her favorite zodiac was always the cat, because the cat got tricked from going to the party, and she felt bad for it. Shigure makes some suggestive comments about Kyou, and before she can ask, Yuki comes out! Yuki is the really really really popular stereotypical 'doilies and bubbles pop up when I make an experience' guy who is called the prince of the school. (For cripes sake the man has a fanclub that would creep even Gackt-groupies out.) So, Tohru and Yuki walk to school together, and then they walk home together. Stuff happens, and Yuki and Shigure discover Tohru's tent. Shigure laughs like a maniac at her (which is probably the only logical thing to do in the situation) and finally she's invited back to the Sohma household. She stays there, and when they return to the tent, a landslide fell right on Tohru's tent. Well IMAGINE THAT. If that isn't an anime romance set-up, well then gee, I don't know WHAT is. So, all in all, Tohru ends up staying at the Sohma household until her grandpa's place is done, and her obsession over her mother's photograph is revealed for all to see.

As the story progresses, you meet Kyou, Momiji, Hatori, Ayame, Kisa, Hiro, Hatsuharu, Ritsu, Akito, and Kagura. Being as vague as possible, all of these people have their own sets of deeply introverted issues which should not be touched with a 50-FOOT POLE. All whom I just mentioned are fellow members of the zodiac, although there is also Uotani and Hanajima who are unbelievably codependent on Tohru. (I'm not even going to comment.)

In the end, many fun, humorous misadventures are had by all, and it's safe to say that every character has their own episode. Even though I've made some sarcastic comments, I really love Furuba. It's cute and it's happy, the characters are fun and original, and it has a nice meaning in the end. I have to say the only think that bothers me is the END. It is melodramatic and it COMPLETELY goes over my head. Kyou transforms into his 'true form' (why the DEVIL does he have a true form anyway?! There's no demented corrupted mutated cat listed ANYWHERE in the zodiac) and they make a big deal out of it when Kyou shows his 'true form' to Tohru. Tohru REALLY miffs me off here. She all runs away because she sees him and she's crying at his mother’s grave as if he just ripped off her leg. She's like, 'Now I can't go back, I have no right too.' That's when I start thinking, 'Why am I still watching this?' I don't understand why Tohru has doubts and why everyone else is sobbing just because she sees Kyou looking like one of those tree things from

the second Lord of the Rings movie. It's ridiculous and melodramatic.

But, all in all, Furuba is a cute anime that can really brighten your day if you watch the right episodes. Like I said, the characters are well done and well developed, and it's just really huggable. I would defiantly put it on one of the 'must see' anime lists. You'll especially be interested if you're into cute love relationships (especially love triangles,) loyalty in friendship, and really strange crackhead Japanese humor. But, if you're like me, just don't watch it twice. Because Tohru's sweet niceness and Yuki's serious headcase issues really pluck at your nerves the second time around.

Music: 5 out of 5. The music in Furuba is UNBELIEVABLY cute and adorable. Listen to the theme song (For Fruits Basket) just once, and you will fall in love. It's so so so so so sweet...And everything else is just cute and genki.

Animation: 4 out of 5. It's not horrible, but sometimes the Utena-esque style bothers me. The eyes are just creepy...It's really well done though, it just doesn't totally suit my tastes.

Plot: 5 out of 5. Some things may bother me, but I really love the Furuba plot. It's not 'Let's save the world and do something REALLY important!' It's just the lives of some people who have it a lot different than us. Very cute and huggable.

Character Development: 5 out of 5. All things considered, they established the characters really well. Tohru and Yuki bothered me at points, but they grew up wonderfully. So did their relationships with everyone else, and everyone was just original and fun, and it was just very well done!

Overall: 5 out of 5. It's a must-see, and a classic.

Pokemon: Adventure Continues!

Synopsis: Ash wants to become the world's best Pokemon trainer. In order to do so, he has to capture all 150 of them. What are Pokemon? Pokemon are extraordinary creatures with varying powers and abilities. They are collected and traded by children of all ages. Pokemon are caught and kept in Pokeballs, and they can fight with other Pokemon. Also in the mix is a group called Team Rocket. They too are out to get Pokemon, even if they have to steal them all! Review: I initially thought that Pokemon was just about kids and their cutesy pets, so I wasn't all that enthusiastic about it. To my surprise, I found Pokemon to be quite fun to watch. The various kinds of Pokemon are either cute or interesting-looking, which are the show's main attraction. Although the plot revolves around catching Pokemon and keeping Team Rocket's activities in check, it doesn't get tiring because funny stuff erupts ever so often. Aside from the comical parts, there are also some episodes which pull some emotional strings. It's all very wholesome fare, something you can leave children alone with. The art and animation are simple and suitable. Graphically speaking, emphasis is given more to the Pokemon rather than the human characters. Colors are very vivid throughout, setting a bright and cheery tone. The English dubbing is tolerable in general, but Ash sounds like a whiney runt. I'm just glad they retained Pikachu's original Japanese voice. There's no official English subtitled version yet though, and I kind of doubt there ever will be. Id just like to say one thing before going any further: Thank God the Johto series is over. What a horrible 150+ episodes of animation, writing, and effort THAT was. And now, back to the review. For the very few loyal Pokemon anime fans left out there, rejoice! Pokemon Advanced is a new Pokemon series, and with it come some major changes, most for the better. First off, Misty and her annoying Togepi are gone. Aside from a cameo much later on in the series, Misty doesn't appear in the series at all, which may or may not make you happy (I know it won't make AshxMisty supporters happy, but then again, I'm not one of them). Second, for the first time since the beginning of the first series, the anime actually *gasp* does stuff from the original video games. Pokemon contests, berries, gym leaders using the correct Pokemon from the games, seeing Team Aqua and Magma, the old man and his Wingull ... all the stuff that happens in Ruby and Sapphire actually happens on the show. And extras of the day are far and few between, allowing plot to flow more freely. In fact, I'd say more happens in the first 20 episodes of Pokemon Advanced than the first 40 episodes of the first television series, gym leader battles aside. Third, Ash and Brock don new clothes. They also have brand new Pokemon from Hoenn, with the exception of Ash's Pikachu (duh) and Brock's Forretress. Fourth, May, the new girl, isn't just a replacement of Misty. Much like Ash, she is a beginning trainer, except while Ash wanted to be a Pokemon master, May wants to train Pokemon for contests. Unfortunately, she's very clumsy as a Pokemon trainer, much like Ash was at the beginning. But the fun part is how she slowly learns little by little how to communicate with her Pokemon, unlike with Ash, who gained 100% trust in Pikachu after a couple of episodes. And also, unlike Misty, May isn't a bitch who yells at everyone all the time for no reason. A bit whiny, perhaps, but totally more likable than Misty EVER was. I wish I could say the same for May's brother, though; Max is annoying. While he's not Scrappy-Doo, Jar Jar Binks, or Dragonball GT Giro annoying, the show would be a lot better off without him. All he seems to do is point out the obvious to his sister, who knows zilch about Pokemon, their kinds of attacks, etc. This would actually be somewhat helpful to the audience, except that the people watching this show are either: 1) those who have been with the original Pokemon anime for years, or 2) those who have played the video games. Overall, more good than bad is added to the traditional formula of the first series, with the biggest problems of the first series (filler, Misty, annoying extras of the day) weeded out almost entirely. Also improved is the animation and art. Not a tremendous improvement, mind you, but computer coloring sure is a nice touch to the series. In fact, when I first saw the Pokemon Advanced episodes on a preview on Kids' WB! in March 2003, I found it hard to go back to Johto animation/art two weeks afterward. It just looks that much better. The new Japanese music is nice too, but the dub is still pretty bad. May sounds exactly like Ash's mom (no joke), and the Pokemon voices are getting worse every season. The American music is getting more annoying as well, as most of it is recycled at times where it fits the least. If it actually FLOWED with the episodes, this wouldn't be a problem. But just like with all of 4Kids' other dubs (especially Yu-Gi-Oh!), it doesn't.

Full Metal Alchemist: A Metallic Saga

There are just a handful of times when an animated television series lives up to what the medium can do. Cowboy Bebop did it. Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex did it. Macross did it. And though there are more, suffice it to say that another title should be added to these ranks: Fullmetal Alchemist. In its 51 episodes, we get humor, drama, horror, and pathos packaged together in a lovely combination that, while not for children despite its look, is among the best anime.

Edward and Alphonse Elric aren't exactly your typical brothers. The older Ed, a short fellow who's constantly picked on for his height, is missing an arm and a leg; the younger Al appears for all the world to be a suit of armor. On top of their odd appearance, they are alchemists par excellence. In their world, the law of equivalent exchange rules, and alchemists can use the materials around them to manipulate their environment. There's only one rule to alchemy: the dead cannot be brought back to life.

In a desperate attempt to break that rule, the brothers lost body and limbs to the void, and they are determined to get them back. How? They seek the Philosopher's Stone, a legendary gem that can supposedly get around the truth of equivalent exchange and could restore their original forms. But to find the stone, they will have to become a part of the military establishment...something that Edward takes as a necessary evil. As they take on strange homunculi and other alchemists determined to have the stone for themselves, they will discover the dark secrets of alchemy that will forever alter their lives and the lives of those they love.

Fullmetal Alchemist is a tasty package from start to finish. Though it is not as gorgeous, perhaps, as the very cream of the televised crop of anime, it always looks perfect for what it is supposed to be. Because the character designs are not hyper-realistic and the humor often exaggerates those designs, expecting it to look like Ghost in the Shell misses the point. The opening songs are loud and boisterous rock tunes that set the show's tone; I can't say the closing songs ever impressed me, but I'm not a fan of girly J-Pop. Though the score is not a standout, it effectively underscoresproceedings.

But what makes Fullmetal Alchemist a dramatic powerhouse is its ability to run the gambit of emotions in a single episode. There are often a few goofy moments in each segment, but they never feel out of place. When the time is right, though, the story can turn serious in an instant. The fact that Fullmetal Alchemist can pull off hysterical comedy and tragic pathos in a half-hour is astounding. Although it's often funny, this is not a program for children. Despite the cheerful tone, this sucker has dark, dark themes throughout, and it has some graphic violence that, when used for effect, hits like a prizefighter. Though the kids will have to wait for it, the concepts discussed are deeply moral and ethical, which makes the show even more powerful. Not only does Fullmetal Alchemist raise personal questions - for example, what lengths you would go to in order that a loved one might return from the dead - but it covers topics ranging from familial loyalty and military principles to religion, racism, and genocide. The humorous bits actually work to make the philosophical underpinnings palatable: I came in for a good story, laughed often, and got a lot more besides.

Fullmetal Alchemist starts out deceptively simple. At first, it appears that the audience is in for a simple journeyman show. However, over the course of the two seasons, the complexity of the whole becomes apparent. There are few chance meetings in this world; indeed, characters who show up in early episodes as part of episodic adventures often reappear in the concluding third of the series. At first, this seems confusing as characters the audience met twenty episodes back suddenly return; however, it adds a huge dimension of rewatchability as the pieces fit into place upon review. The layered nuances of Fullmetal Alchemist make it a joy to watch.

But you know what I like best about the show? The interplay between Edward and Al. The dub is absolutely superb, even better than the Japanese track, and through it I genuinely felt for these two throughout the show. In casting 12-year-old Aaron Dismuke for the role of Al, the crew made a brilliant choice. He brings the perfect feel of someone on the cusp of adolescence to the role, and he's utterly believable as a boy trapped in a suit of armor wanting just to be a happy youngster again. Meanwhile, veteran Vic Mignogna as Ed captures the fire of the determined yet hardened young man who has seen too much for his years. Although the original animation goes a long way to establishing the relationship between the two brothers, the English voice actors take it up a notch. And when things slow down a little after episode 26, which is the start of the second season of episodes, it's these two that kept me interested.

I also have to admit that the ending of the show is amazing. Over the course of three busy days, I watched the last 14 episodes, it was just that good. Although there is that little blip I mentioned that wasn't quite as engaging, the last section is rock solid. The only problem I would mention, and it's minor, is that the show does not end with episode 51. Although some plot threads are complete, the show finishes on what I can only call an interlude cliffhanger - no one is in real danger, but there are HUGE things to be resolved. The Fullmetal Alchemist movie, due out in the fall of 2006 in the U.S., will hopefully conclude things well. (Although it's available now illegally via Bit Torrent sources, I am showing restraint and willpower and waiting for FUNimation to get this film out...NOW.)

There's little else I can say about Fullmetal Alchemist other than wow. Though it is a cliché to say, it is an instant classic you will not regret adding to your collection if you appreciate great storytelling, compelling characters, and rich ethical discussion put together in an entertaining package.

Two young brothers, Edward and Alphonse Elric attempt unsuccessfully to revive their mother using the power of alchemy. In the process, the elder brother, Ed, loses a leg, and the younger brother, Al, loses his entire body. Ed manages to attach his brother's soul to a nearby suit of armor, at the cost of his right arm.

This is the story of the Elric brothers as they set off to find a means to regain their original and complete bodies.

Firstly, I became interested in this series only after hearing that Squeanix was involved, and, while I haven't touched any of the Final Fantasy-based series (since what I've heard of them isn't too attractive), this gives me some hope that they can spawn some decent shows, rather than just games. 

Visually, this show looks relatively good, though I'm not a big fan of characters becoming deformed, even if it's for comedic purposes (and that's just because I'm a spoilsport). I never noticed the animation being choppy, inconsistent, or anything of that sort, but it wasn't quite as impressive as some of the other shows I've seen as of late (and some were a slight bit older, so that's really not in this show's favor). The character designs are excellent, with even uniformed characters within the military seeming distinct (Major Armstrong humorously standing out more so than the others), and the lead characters(Alphonse and Edward Elric) have interesting designs as well. In particular, I note Alphonse, the younger brother, who is encased in a hulking suit of armor.

The music during the show is actually quite forgettable (which, for a show that is related to Squeanix is bordering on unforgivable), though the most of the opening themes (and one ending theme) are energetic and catchy enough.

The characters are fresh enough, and well motivated thus far, Only one character seems somewhat stale: the brash, tomboyish mechanic Winry, who, for some reason, irritates me to no end. The interaction between the Elric brothers as they travel is interesting, and often amusing, with humor being a frequent visitor to this series, rather than the constantly grim series the summary might've indicated. 

Storywise, this series is very good as well, and, while the series still has a substantial portion remaining, it is likely to wrap up nicely and be at the end of an entertaining ride. The series hasn't had TOO much filler, but the flashbacks have been annoying. 

I look forward to seeing this series when it is released sometime this year (hopefully it will have been prepared competently), and recommend that anyone looking for a predominantly fun series look further into Full Metal Alchemist as soon as it is available stateside (which should be done later this year, and again, hopefully it will be a competent job).

The characters are a very mixed bag, actually. Characters like Rose and Archer are incredibly shallow, and feel a bit too much like underdeveloped plot-devices. Other side-characters, however, absolutely shine when they’re standing in the spotlight. People like Scar, Sensei, Armstrong and the Humonculi really made this series for me, and showed that behind their simple look, they’ve got a complex and interesting story lying. Unfortunately, Hughes was overrated. Based on the things I’ve heard about his… spoiler, I expected something much grander, which he never really delivered.

That’s not the biggest problem here, though. Unfortunately, I never really could care about the main characters in this series: Ed and Al. Every time this series was exploring an interesting side-character, they’d take over again. In a way, this series suffers from the “bad main character”-syndrome. The two of them are developed, they’ve got more back-story than any other character in this series, but they’re just nowhere near as interesting as some of the other characters in this series, and their teenaged whining can become annoying at times. 

Overall, Full Metal Alchemist shines through some of its side-characters and the messages it tries to convey. While the series is without a doubt very much a Christian series, it asks some interesting questions from its viewers, and shows various different beliefs on these questions. That’s why I handed this series a 10 in the setting-department: despite the flaws of the series, it’s an excellent and complex world for this series to play in that also makes you think. And I agree, it’s a very good series because of these things. However, it just isn’t the best thing since sliced bread. I just can’t call this series as superior to for example Gilgamesh, Rescue Wings or Ooedo Rocket. I liked it overall, but at the same time I do consider this one to be overrated, and it had some major problem that held back its potential.

Hunter x Hunter: A Must See Anime!

Hunter X Hunter

I had been putting off watching this series for over three years before I finally succumbed. I really wasn’t expecting much. A single week and 62 episodes later, I was begging for more. Wincing at the thought of what the future would bring for the fictional, yet completely loveable characters. Hunter x Hunter was an emotional roller coaster with uncontested anticipation that no other shounen anime has given me.

Hunter X Hunter is nothing like its predecessor, Yu Yu Kakasyo, and thankfully so. It can be hard to think past what you know though when you first watch it. It’s like when you visit a website like , you will constantly be comparing to one you visited before. It’s such a nice surprise though when it is different. This series breaks every cliche shounen action/adventure have garnered. Few other series have shown such creativity and mind-twisting ideas. Yet HxH is very simple. The main character, Gon, begins an adventure to find his mysterious father, a legendary Hunter. Along the way, he gains many friends with his pure heart, never looking back, never betraying his goals or loved ones.

Among Gon’s best friends are Killua, the 12 year old deadly assassin with a shady past. Leorio, a kind and compassionate man who merely puts up a greedy front to cover his noble intentions. And Kurapica, the quiet young man set on a path of self destruction to avenge his slaughtered race. Gon’s enemies are also out of the ordinary; many have similar aspirations, but are simply following a separate path. These conflicting attributions make for some of the best battles. These battles are unique, short, and to the point. Many are full of psychological warfare, bringing up ideas and methods I’ve never even began to ponder.

That’s what Hunter X Hunter really is. So unique and imaginative, yet undeniably simple and sophisticated.

The music and animation are rather average, with a few breakout openings and endings and the progressive upwards turn in animation. The character design is…Well, let’s just say it’s the only downfall of the series. Don’t get me wrong, the animation isn’t bad, the characters are simply not unique. Many of the main characters look like they were directly pulled out of other anime series (Yu Yu Hakusho, Cowboy Bebop, Trigun to name a few). These aspects make groups of characters look disconnected and amateur, but this did not detract from how personally involved I felt with them.

I felt passion for the characters. I felt their pain, their enjoyment. To me, this is what really makes a great anime.

This series has not been given enough attention. I believe it to simply be bad timing and a manga that has developed into a sort of “cult classic,” being put on hiatus and missing deadlines for the past three years. Hunter X Hunter could easily best the current shounen-hits, Naruto, Bleach, and maybe even One Piece. There’s not a single episode without action. It’s constantly go, go, go. The mind-provoking storyline sends a chill down my spine and I’d recommend any shounen anime/manga fan check out this series.

I do feel the need to mention that there are “tournament” story-arcs in Hunter X Hunter. I’ve long felt that tournaments in anime meant one thing: a cop-out giving the author/animators time to decide what to do with the series. HxH blew away those preconceptions with a meticulously developed battle system that not only accomplished its short-term objectives, but also tied in with the rest of the series with new characters and a new twist on the old use of ki or chi “power.”

Gon Freecs, a young boy living with his aunt on Whale Island, thought his father to be dead. That is until a chance meeting with the Hunter Kaito. It is through Kaito that Gon learns of the rich legacy of Hunters, people whom explore the unknown aspects of the world in all its facets. Gon also learns that his father, Jin Freecs, is not only alive but is in fact the greatest Hunter in the world. It is with this knowledge that Gon ventures out into the world with the goal of becoming a Hunter and finding the whereabouts of his father, all the while making several friends and having many adventures of his own. 

The lack of fandom surrounding Hunter X Hunter is somewhat enigmatic to me. It is a title that, by all rights, should have a huge buzz behind it. Not only is Hunter X Hunter the work of Yoshihiro Togashi, the creator of Yu Yu Hakusho, but it is also far superior to other currently running big-hype titles, the most prominent of which is Naruto. It manages to be enormously entertaining through its unique concoction of animation, characterization, and plot, without resorting to the cliches that have all too often ruined a seemingly novel show of a similar vein. And yet Hunter X Hunter remains little known. With any luck this review will have a hand in lifting the veil of obscurity that currently surrounds this magnificent title. 

To begin with, the story of Hunter X Hunter is vibrant and imaginative, though not at all difficult. Right from the start the aim of this series is made clear, the eventual reunion of Gon with his father. However, the path that is taken to achieve this end is full of twists and turns that continuously succeed in keeping this tale fresh. The viewer is ceaselessly wisked between offbeat situations as varied as the dangerous wilderness to a battle-stage tower with over two hundred floors of increasingly difficult fighting tournaments. It is through these atypical situations that we come to understand the motivations of our lead and become endeared to his cause. A superb level of attention in plotting is also dedicated to the other prominent cast members, including Gon’s companions Killua, Leorio, and Kurapica. Though the centerpiece here is Gon, none of the supporting roles go underdeveloped. In fact the only problem with plotting is that the story takes a few episodes to really get churning. If you can make it to about episode six or seven though, you will be fully strapped in for one hell of a fun ride. 

A rather unexpected facet of this title is how lightly the plot focuses on fighting, especially given that Togashi’s most famous work, Yu Yu Hakusho, was often little more than a continuous battle-fest. To be certain, fighting does take place and at some points in the series it becomes quite prominent, but it never manages to wrestle the spotlight away from the fleshier portions of the narrative. Despite this, the action leaves very little to be desired. The fight-action sets here are more complex than the typical ki-blasting, as fast-as-light-movement farce that has become the industry standard for fighting anime. Instead we are treated to a truly creative power-leveling system and a diversity of combat styles that make each fight more than simply diversionary but instead truly engaging. It is as if the battle scenes have actually added to the tension and excitement of the plotline rather than flattened it, a rare occurrence indeed. 

Leaving just a bit more to be desired of Hunter X Hunter, however, are the peripherals. Musically, while not bad, HXH just does not manage to live up to its more palatial qualities. Still, the music is good enough and has continuously improved throughout the series. I have personally enjoyed the opening and closing music more and more with each successive theme change that occurs. Additionally the animation is mostly quite nice. It certainly isn’t spectacular by any stretch of the imagination, but it is visually appealing. There is also a definite change for the better in terms of animation the further one progresses through the show. The set pieces have strong appeal as well, and are reasonably effective at immersing us in this strange and phenomenal world.

The most remarkable aspect of Hunter X Hunter, however, lies within its remarkable characters. Most of the cast here is not at all generic or formulaic, a welcome retreat from the chiefly derivative characters so prominent in similar shows. Gon, the show’s lead, is a charismatic young boy whose optimism and innocence is always invigorating without being imposing. An odd tidbit, Gon is virtually never the strongest character on the screen, by a long shot. A partial reason for this is that his goal isn’t necessarily to be the strongest being in existence but primarily to better himself. This is another big plus in the personality department that sets Gon apart from your conventional “Shonen Jump Hero Archtype”. Gon’s optimism is offset well by the darker, more brooding persona of Killua, a young boy that Gon befriends early in the show. Together they make for perhaps the most interesting pair of best friends in all of anime. Their companions, Leorio and Kurapica, also make for complex and interesting characters. Leorio is a man who, haunted by his past, is motivated to the performance of benevolent acts to the benefit of humanity. Kurapica, conversely, is motivated by revenge, though revenge is an ideal that is out of character for him. Consequently, Kurapica always seems to be a man at odds with himself. Equally compelling are the more contemptible figures of this tale such as Hisoka, Kuroro, and the rest of the Genei Ryodan. The interplay of these vastly different personalities is the bread and butter of Hunter X Hunter. 

It should be no secret that Hunter X Hunter has bewitched me. Beyond some very minor failings, it is nearly beyond fault. It carries with it a sort of energy and charm that is very intoxicating. To put it most concisely, Hunter X Hunter should be considered Yoshihiro Togashi’s new masterwork. Any less firm a designation would be an injustice against this superb animated opus.

Inuyasha: Fun to Watch

Inuyasha is the kind of show that many fans love to hate. Some of Inuyasha’s most regularly ridiculed elements include its obscenely long duration, its propensity to re-use animation during action sequences, as well as the fact that Kagome never wears anything but her school uniform while battling demons. Hell, some people simply despise it because of the insane level of popularity it is amassing. Despite its failings, however, Inuyasha is a show that more than compensates for its weaknesses by virtue of its strengths. For starters, the plot, though not particularly deep, is rich and satisfying. Much of the story’s movement is very methodical, weaving itself smoothly through various situations that are intended primarily to deepen our appreciation of Inuyasha, Kagome, and their companions. Moreover, despite the tremendous length of the show, there are plot-twists aplenty that keep the narrative fresh and engaging well after we understand its precise eventuality. However, as the series wears on, filler episodes become more common and dampen some of the viewing pleasure. The filler episodes generally occupy one of three niches: monster-of-the-week episodes, comedy and/or romance episodes, or some combination thereof. The monster-of-week episodes are by far the most annoying and are easily the most fit for cattle fodder. However, the filler with a romantic/comedic slant are, in my humble view, among the most memorable filler in all of anime. They do a tremendous job of further fleshing out the stellar characters (more on them in a moment) and their various relationships while still being laugh out loud funny. I am still rolling from the antics of episode 68, titled “Shippou’s Battle Royale”, in which we become reacquainted with the Thunder Beast Clan by way of its last surviving member. I won’t spoil the fun here, but suffice it to say that if you don’t find said episode very funny (for me it was nearly hysterical), I reserve the right to inform your psychiatrist of your impending bout with depression. Deeply tied with the story of Inuyasha are its superior characters. Like most of Takahashi’s work, Inuyasha has a penchant for emphatic characterization. Indeed, much of the plot here is dedicated exclusively to endearing us to the cast and deepening our concern for them on an almost personal level. When I watch this show, I feel pain when Kagome’s heart aches over Inuyasha’s affection for Kikyo and joy when both her and Inuyasha move closer to one another. Moreover, I feel strongly for each and every one of the other main characters. One of the best and most intriguing individuals though, is Inuyasha’s older brother Sesshoumaru, a full-blooded dog-demon that initially has a tremendous disdain for not only his half-demon brother but also for all of humanity. His growth during the series is slow but deeply interesting as his dark, brooding persona becomes gradually lighter, making it difficult to call him good or evil in any conventional sense. The aspect of Inuyasha most deserving of contempt is the animation. That isn’t to say that it is bad in any sense. In fact, it is quite good. However, the immense difficulties that exist in animating such a long action show are formidable for even the heartiest of budgets. As such, when an action scene can be reused, it probably will be. For example, many of Inuyasha’s special attacks, such as the “Soul Scattering Iron Claw” or the “Wind Scar”, have used the same animation from the very beginning of the show. Another thing done to presumably save money during action sequences is to create the illusion of action by freezing and then panning an image while adding sound effects. It is a weak substitute for action but if it saves us from simply having to deal with horrible moving art, I am all in favor of it. This effect is much less prevalent the further one progresses in the series, likely a consequence of the switch from conventional animation to CG-assisted animation that occurs somewhere in the middle of the series. Despite my criticism, the art is mostly lovely and evocative in terms of both the characters and settings. Along with the mostly ambient background music, the attractive artwork goes a long way in helping further establish some good atmosphere. So what do I have to say to all those that despise Inuyasha out there? Well, you are of course free to your opinion, but my impression is that sour frame-rates, some rehashed animation, and a long run on television do little to ruin a title that has a worthy storyline and so strong a cast of characters. Granted, the show has problems that are significant enough to tarnish its luster slightly, but in the end, Inuyasha still shines nearly as brightly as an untainted Shikon Jewel. Recommended Audience: There's no full frontal nudity, although Kagome tends to go skinny-dipping in rivers on rare occasions. In any case, I'd be more worried about the violence. While it is greatly downplayed from the manga -- and the manga was nasty at times -- there are still a lot of deaths during the series, mainly demons but also the occasional human. Though it's by no means excessive. Also, if you're offended by the fact that a demon can be considered good -- and I'm not talking solely about Inuyasha -- you might want to avoid as well. The deaths are plenty, some of them -- albeit mainly demons -- are somewhat graphic, though there are more black/blue/green goop than blood in it. Basically, if you are allowed to see Lord of the Rings, this anime shouldn't pose any problems at all.

I'll admit I went a little overboard on my original review of Inuyasha. I am, after all, a big fan of Takahashi's work, which includes Ranma ½, Mermaid Forest and, yes, Inuyasha. I've also looked by Urusei Yatsura with some interest, but haven't gotten to the part of looking any more into that for now.) So those of you who don't share my love for Ms. Takahashi might want to take what I have to say with a pinch of salt.

That being said, I'm very pleased with the way Inuyasha has turned out. Unlike Ranma ½, this series follows the manga almost to the letter, with only some minor changes so as better to suit an animated medium. And good animation at that.

Inuyasha is colorful, has nice character design, and taken into account that it is a TV series, the animation is more than adequate. Perhaps not quite up to the level of Fruits Basket or Happy Lesson, but it works and works well too.

I am, however, less pleased with the music. The in-series music is okay. Mostly ambient, and mostly very good. The opening and ending themes are starting to grate on me, however, even though they tend to change over a period of twenty to thirty episodes. They are more fitting a pure action show and while Inuyasha does have its fair share of action scenes, the series does run a little deeper than that.

The Japanese VAs deserve nothing but praise. They do their roles and they do them well. The English ones are more of a mixed bag, with Sesshoumaru's and Sango's voices being excellent but Kagome's and Kaede's being not quite as good. Kagome starts out being voiced rather badly, but improves a lot as the series progresses and Kaede is suffering from bad and unfitting accent syndrome. I have no idea why they have her talking like ye olde pirate, but they did. (Hell, even Kikyo doesn't talk like that, and she was Kaede's big sister.)

Anyway, that leaves only the story.

Before we start with that, let me just get this straight; Inuyasha is mainly rather lighthearted stuff, but the Takahashi magic does show its presence rather heavily here -- after all, it's her stories that are being animated -- and she does have a knack for writing intricate person to person interaction scenes, not to mention the way she puts these characters up against each other. And while some characters might share similar appearance traits -- like Kagome and Kikyo, but for rather obvious reasons -- their personalities is a far cry from being copies of each other. And as the series progresses, more and more stuff about each characters past is discovered, and how they crossed -- well, mainly Inuyasha's and Kikyo's pasts in that. And while it was, like I said, mainly lighthearted stuff, it does get rather serious and dark-ish at times. I'll tell you this, though; not everything is as it first seems.

Now, with well past a hundred episodes made, it's blindingly obvious that there will be filler material that I don't know for sure whether they are from the manga as it hasn't been released in English this far yet. This being said, the series does descend into the "villain of the week" syndrome from time to time, but the way a lot of these are handled saves it from becoming tedious. Let me just say this, though; not all of them are defeated in fights, but leaves the story with some parting thoughts for you to ponder. Not incredibly deep Zen stuff, but certainly not something to be dismissed as unworthy or simple-minded either.

So what we have is a rather good popular TV show built on what makes Takahashi Rumiko's stories and characterizations work, and work well at that. I personally recommend this series for your collection and, given Viz's slow release pacing, it shouldn't ruin your budget much either. And if you do possess some semblance of patience, I'm sure Viz will release season packages of Inu Yasha like they have with Ranma ½, which might be much better value for your money.

Slamdunk: An Anime Review

It's a great time to be a basketball fan: the Lakers-Celtics rivalry is alive once again in the NBA, a new generation of stars is coming into its own, and Slam Dunk is finally being released by a US publisher that's financially solid enough to continue putting out the series. But in the age of Kobe, Lebron, and Boston's three-headed monster, can a relic straight from the Jordan era still succeed? As this volume shows, fascinating characters and high-flying action are timeless qualities (even if the guys do have funny haircuts). Hanamichi may not have the mind-blowing superhuman skills we normally associate with shounenprotagonists—what, he doesn't even have spirit powers?!—but watching him grow into a sportsman and decent human being is still just as exciting. Of course, being a good sportsman means having the mental toughness not to quit—and that's the dilemma still unresolved from the previous volume. Fortunately, it takes just a little bit of provocation to get Hanamichi back on the team (which also proves how much his character runs on instinct), and the next few chapters involve a varsity-vs.-newcomers match that finally brings some actual gameplay to the series. Even through the filter of almost two decades, these scenes are as electric as ever—then again, that's also why we have TV channels like ESPN Classic—and having Hanamichi on the sidelines ranting like a loon adds a touch of humor as well. Naturally, the humor explodes into full-out insanity once he whines his way into the game and starts wreaking havoc; even non-sports fans can appreciate the slapstick quality of a misplayed dunk. The second half of this volume enters more unconventional territory, focusing mostly on conversation rather than action. Some may find the judo team recruitment storyline a letdown from the thrills of the scrimmage game, but those who are paying close attention to the characters will find plenty to like. Gamesmanship and rivalry abound in the confrontation between judo captain Aota and basketball captain Akagi, but the real highlight is in the showdown between Aota and Hanamichi—a truly nail-biting battle of dimwits, with a couple of judo moves thrown in. Although these man-to-man confrontations these are generally played for humorous effect, they still reveal a lot about the characters—the longstanding animosity between Aota and Akagi, for example, or just how much of a stubborn, rule-flouting goof Hanamichi is. As scenes like these prove, great battles don't have to involve magic swords or ninja powers; sometimes it can just be high school boys being high school boys. But even at its most high-school-boyish, this series continues to impress with solid artwork that stands the test of time. Sure, there are occasional lapses into gag-strip style, and the school-punk character designs are generally considered comedy material these days (thinkCromartie High School), but artistic fundamentals like visual flow and a sense of motion are always present. Nowhere is this more evident than in the basketball game, where the page layouts open up wide for thrilling moments like Akagi's monster dunk or Rukawa's fast-break moves. Even incidental moments of action, like Hanamichi facing off against a bunch of street thugs, are rendered with attention to detail. A careful eye for light and shadow are what make these visuals work—Takehiko Inouealways make sure to let black, white and gray balance out on each page—and the wide variety of facial expressions among the cast bring each scene to life, whether it's an intense game or day-to-day school banter. In a series like this, it's usually the one's actions that do the talking—but that doesn't stop Hanamichi from opening his mouth to make embarrassing outbursts. Although the dialogue is simple, most of it is fun to read (aside from maybe one wordplay scene that overexerts itself), thanks to the lively characters who express themselves with honest words rather than canned lines. And while basketball scenes are noisy by nature, Inoue resists the temptation to overload the page with sound effects, the result being that even when they're translated and replaced with English sound effects, it really doesn't interfere with the artwork (which naturally stands out much more). This volume even comes with a sprinkling of bonus content, but sadly, the glossy color pages are not devoted to Inoue's artistic technique—instead they feature point guard extraordinaire Steve Nash and the art of shooting a free throw, the usefulness of which may vary depending on the reader. Although Slam Dunk is marketed as a basketball series, it's the stuff that happens off the court that really make up its heart and soul. Each character has a story to tell and a goal to reach for, and ultimately, the court simply provides a stage for them to act out these universal struggles. Just because Hanamichi Sakuragi's special ability isn't supernatural—and just because his chosen battlefield doesn't involve fighting to the death—doesn't make him any less compelling as a hero. If anything, he'll have to try even harder than the average superpowered martial artist to master a sport that demands just as much finesse as raw strength. And if his attempts to prove himself result in a few goofy comedy moments, all the more fun. With solid characters, eye-popping action, and a classic underdog story, Slam Dunk is what all manga series (and basketball players) should aspire to be: the complete package.

Sakuragi Hanamichi, an infamous thug and also a hopeless romantic., is now in high school. Trying to impress the possible love of his life, Haruko, he ended up joining the school's basketball team. He has no knowledge of the game so he starts out with basics which he truly hates. With his passion for Haruko to drive him, he elevates his game and quickly becomes a significant member of Team Shohoku. Though what really drives him is trying to outplay teammate Kaede Rukawa, which is Haruko's love interest, unfortunately. Though a struggling team, late additions of veteran members have boosted them to the Final Four. Facing teams such as 17-years champion Kainan and arch-rival Ryonan, they endured every moment and ended up with second place and a ticket to the National Pkayoffs. The manga picks up where the anime left-off.

Slam Dunk is basically a story of teamwork, loyalty, perseverance and commitment to the game. Shohoku team members all have hopes of making it to the finals but is hindered by members who give up easily. The plot line is very good and is very well-woven.

Overall, Slam Dunk has a great story and certainly features a theme that is most definitely emphasized on this anime.

Rating: 8

Slam Dunk characters are well created and and realistic have physics during play. Motion is definitely a key in a sports anime and Slam Dunk does not fail to deliver on that criteria. Ball transition, dribbling, shooting and the glorious slam dunk are worthy rivals to the real-life highlight reels. Character design is yet another strong point, featuring realistic player modellings and height advantage. Ball physics or how the ball can act in real life is well rendered and doesn't fall off to the weird department. NBA bloopers are abound with parodies of Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson to name a few.

The downside, Slam Dunk is pretty old-school and if you don't like old animes, you would not appreciate the coloring. Slam Dunk has a few flaws when it comes to player's poses when they make a successful lay-up. You would find it ridiculous or just weird.

Overall, Slam Dunk has great fluid motion and exciting animation plus the great animated plays. For an old anime, this is very excellent. Try the manga if you want to suffer.

Rating: 9

Sound

The Slam Dunk sound department has no noticeable flaws and will make watching Slam Dunk an auditory masterpiece. Realistic sounds and foley effects added seamlessly along with great lyp-synching are perfect and will not be noticeable even for the most discerning viewers. On-court sounds and player dialogues are good and makes tense moments even more exciting. Hearing the ball "swish" through the net in favor of the team is a soothing sound for those hardcore viewers. Dunks are highlighted by great "launch" sound sequences that are primarily gives the feeling of above-the-rim action.

Sakuragi Hanamichi himself has a few special BGMs that can only be heard during special events and moments like a "heartbreak scenario", a "genius' moment" or a "winning play".
Also look out for his song "Tensai Basketu-man" which he usually sings and hums when he's happy.

Slam Dunk's opening "Kimi ga Suki da to Sakebitai" is performed by Baad and the ending "Anata Dake Mizumeteru" is performed by the great Ohguro Maki.

No audible flaws are noticeably present on Slam Dunk. A quality sound experience although play-by-play commentaries are missing.

Rating: 10

Presentation

Slam Dunk is the first basketball anime (I think) and features a great plotline that doesn't require a genius to figure out. Thus making Slam Dunk predictable in terms of who will win (Shohoku only has one significant loss and that is against undefeated Kainan).

The creators must really have great sense of humor making a total wack like Sakuragi the hero. The comic relief, commonly the Sakuragi Squad and Judo Guy, are real laugh-riots are can get you laughing for some time. On-court humour are always abound with players from all team serving as clowns. Even Kainan's serious captain Maki gets his share of punchlines in this.

You will definitely enjoy this watching this as nice plays and great humours are all-over the place and will make viewers stay tuned just for that. Aside from that, the longing to see the succeeding events will grasp the viewer's interest for a long time to come.

Overall, Slam Dunk is great anime with a sensible meaning but creatively woven into the interesting plotline and engrossing animation. A must-see for retro-anime lovers and fans of the sports genre but will appeal to everyone including little children. A must-have.

*Though I say retro, this is a mid to late-90s anime so its not really that old.

Rating: 9