tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43279929992471198522023-11-15T05:51:44.232-08:00The Rose Of VersaillesAnimonohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09205122367223626862noreply@blogger.comBlogger172125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4327992999247119852.post-75148818867774932152014-02-01T23:29:00.001-08:002014-02-01T23:29:07.529-08:00Best Anime Series (Contains Spoilers)* BERSERK (9.5/10)<br><br /><br><br />Our hero, Guts, is unsure of his purpose, until he meets the charismatic Griffith, the leader of a band of mercenaries and whose grandiose plans include conquering the world. He also encounters Casca, Griffith's loyal, female subordinate. After joining Griffith's group, Guts believes he's found a true friend in Griffith. But Griffith seems to have a different perspective on friendship. Feeling unappreciated, Guts leaves Griffith and the group to seek out his destiny. What follows is a poignant tale of loss and betrayal. While watching the relationship between Guts, Griffith and Casca unfold, my emotions ran the gamut. In the end, I was left speechless. Berserk starts off choppy, and the ending is unfinished. However, its profound impact destroys any negatives.<br><a name='more'></a><br><br /><br><br />* GUNGRAVE (9.5/10)<br><br /><br><br />OUR PROTAGONIST, BRANDON HEAT, AND HIS BEST FRIEND, OUR ANTAGONIST, HARRY MCDOWELL, SPEND MUCH OF THEIR YOUTH TOGETHER INDULGING IN PETTY CRIMES. THEY EVENTUALLY JOIN A TOP CRIME SYNDICATE, BUT HARRY'S AMBITION LEADS TO HIM BETRAYING AND KILLING BRANDON. WHEN BRANDON IS REVIVED FROM THE GRAVE BY A SCIENTIST, HE RETURNS WITH VENGEANCE ON HIS MIND. AS WE ARE TAKEN ON A JOURNEY THAT REVEALS HOW THE TWO BECAME RIVALS, I STAYED INVESTED IN THE CHARACTERS AND THEIR DILEMMAS. BUT IT'S THE FINAL EPISODE THAT GOT ME. IT INCLUDES A DEVASTATINGLY EMOTIONAL SHOWDOWN THAT'S SIMPLY UNFORGETTABLE. I ADORE THE THEME SONG, AND THE ACTION SCENES ARE MOSTLY GOOD. BUT LATER IN THE STORY, CERTAIN BATTLE SEQUENCES ARE SO ODD, THEY THREATEN TO DERAIL THE SHOW'S FOCUS. STILL, GUNGRAVE IS A POWERHOUSE ANIME THAT SHOULD NOT BE MISSED.<br><br /><br><br />* THE ROSE OF VERSAILLES (9.5/10)<br><br /><br><br />Oscar, raised as a boy by her father, becomes the commander of Versailles' palace guards prior to the French Revolution. While protecting the naive and irresponsible Marie Antoinette, who's married to the King of France, Oscar must confront her feelings for Fersen (Marie's rumored lover) and Andre (her childhood friend). The story works on all levels, but it was Oscar and Andre's complicated union that snatched my heart completely. Their relationship was beautiful to watch. During the French Revolution, tragedy and heartbreak strikes, and I felt every ounce of pain those two endured. All the characters are well developed, but Oscar and Andre are the only ones that stayed with me long after the series ended. The Rose of Versailles is a true classic that's way ahead of its time.<br><br /><br><br />* TOWARD THE TERRA (9/10)<br><br /><br><br />In aworld where a mega computer controls humanity, a new breed of psychic humans manage to escape this oppressive digital society. They look to Jomy to return them to their mythical homeland, Terra. It's up to Keith, a computer-generated human, to eradicate them. The plot is outstanding and briskly paced; and the key characters are spellbinding, including the awesomely volatile Tony, who looks up to Jomy, but doesn't always agree with his strategies. Though the ending left me slightly unfulfilled, Toward the Terra is a thought-provoking and highly underrated series.<br><br /><br><br />* NOW AND THEN, HERE AND THERE (9/10)<br><br /><br><br />NOW AND THEN, HERE AND THERE STARTS OUT SUNNY, BUT THANKS TO THE MAD VILLAIN, HAMDO, THE SERIES QUICKLY DESCENDS INTO DARKNESS. WHILE TRYING TO SAVE HIS LOVED ONES FROM HAMDO'S GRIM SOCIETY, OUR PROTAGONIST, SHU, MUST CHOOSE BETWEEN HIS MORAL BELIEFS AND TAKING THE "EASY" WAY OUT. THIS SERIES SHOWCASES OPTIMISM AT ITS BEST. NO MATTER HOW GLOOMY THE SITUATION, SHU REMAINS SUPREMELY CONFIDENT. THE BLEAK SETTING GETS A BIT DAUNTING AFTER A WHILE, BUT THE STORY IS IMPRESSIVE.<br><br /><br><br />* PHANTOM: REQUIEM FOR THE PHANTOM (8.5/10)<br><br /><br><br />BY MAINTAINING ITS GRITTY AND SERIOUS TONE FROM START TO FINISH, PHANTOM knows exactly what it is and delivers it with no apologies. Our main characters, Reiji and Ein, are trained to become assassins at a young age. Both are bad-ass to the core. However, they have different approaches to their work, with Ein being more compliant to her master than Reiji is to his. Nevertheless, they develop an ironclad bond. Phantom explores the underpinnings of the assassin world in great detail, and the action scenes are utterly stunning. On the downside, some of the secondary characters are woefully underdeveloped.<br /><a href='http://blogfog.aws.af.cm/ad/site.php?u=eNolylEKgCAMANAT6VT66jKhMnSgm7jV%2BQv6fq%2BbrROg3dx2ftBlpom%2BDGm6xHyVCSnEA0KCgmq%2FO8VNqK4KWyZW910auPWKvtscLyG3HuQ%3D' target='details'>Full Post</a><br />Animonohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09205122367223626862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4327992999247119852.post-64178091890868524412014-02-01T11:01:00.001-08:002014-02-01T11:01:22.606-08:00Best Anime Series (Contains Spoilers)* BERSERK (9.5/10)<br><br /><br><br />Our hero, Guts, is unsure of his purpose, until he meets the charismatic Griffith, the leader of a band of mercenaries and whose grandiose plans include conquering the world. He also encounters Casca, Griffith's loyal, female subordinate. After joining Griffith's group, Guts believes he's found a true friend in Griffith. But Griffith seems to have a different perspective on friendship. Feeling unappreciated, Guts leaves Griffith and the group to seek out his destiny. What follows is a poignant tale of loss and betrayal. While watching the relationship between Guts, Griffith and Casca unfold, my emotions ran the gamut. In the end, I was left speechless. Berserk starts off choppy, and the ending is unfinished. However, its profound impact destroys any negatives.<br><a name='more'></a><br><br /><br><br />* GUNGRAVE (9.5/10)<br><br /><br><br />OUR PROTAGONIST, BRANDON HEAT, AND HIS BEST FRIEND, OUR ANTAGONIST, HARRY MCDOWELL, SPEND MUCH OF THEIR YOUTH TOGETHER INDULGING IN PETTY CRIMES. THEY EVENTUALLY JOIN A TOP CRIME SYNDICATE, BUT HARRY'S AMBITION LEADS TO HIM BETRAYING AND KILLING BRANDON. WHEN BRANDON IS REVIVED FROM THE GRAVE BY A SCIENTIST, HE RETURNS WITH VENGEANCE ON HIS MIND. AS WE ARE TAKEN ON A JOURNEY THAT REVEALS HOW THE TWO BECAME RIVALS, I STAYED INVESTED IN THE CHARACTERS AND THEIR DILEMMAS. BUT IT'S THE FINAL EPISODE THAT GOT ME. IT INCLUDES A DEVASTATINGLY EMOTIONAL SHOWDOWN THAT'S SIMPLY UNFORGETTABLE. I ADORE THE THEME SONG, AND THE ACTION SCENES ARE MOSTLY GOOD. BUT LATER IN THE STORY, CERTAIN BATTLE SEQUENCES ARE SO ODD, THEY THREATEN TO DERAIL THE SHOW'S FOCUS. STILL, GUNGRAVE IS A POWERHOUSE ANIME THAT SHOULD NOT BE MISSED.<br><br /><br><br />* THE ROSE OF VERSAILLES (9.5/10)<br><br /><br><br />Oscar, raised as a boy by her father, becomes the commander of Versailles' palace guards prior to the French Revolution. While protecting the naive and irresponsible Marie Antoinette, who's married to the King of France, Oscar must confront her feelings for Fersen (Marie's rumored lover) and Andre (her childhood friend). The story works on all levels, but it was Oscar and Andre's complicated union that snatched my heart completely. Their relationship was beautiful to watch. During the French Revolution, tragedy and heartbreak strikes, and I felt every ounce of pain those two endured. All the characters are well developed, but Oscar and Andre are the only ones that stayed with me long after the series ended. The Rose of Versailles is a true classic that's way ahead of its time.<br><br /><br><br />* TOWARD THE TERRA (9/10)<br><br /><br><br />In aworld where a mega computer controls humanity, a new breed of psychic humans manage to escape this oppressive digital society. They look to Jomy to return them to their mythical homeland, Terra. It's up to Keith, a computer-generated human, to eradicate them. The plot is outstanding and briskly paced; and the key characters are spellbinding, including the awesomely volatile Tony, who looks up to Jomy, but doesn't always agree with his strategies. Though the ending left me slightly unfulfilled, Toward the Terra is a thought-provoking and highly underrated series.<br><br /><br><br />* NOW AND THEN, HERE AND THERE (9/10)<br><br /><br><br />NOW AND THEN, HERE AND THERE STARTS OUT SUNNY, BUT THANKS TO THE MAD VILLAIN, HAMDO, THE SERIES QUICKLY DESCENDS INTO DARKNESS. WHILE TRYING TO SAVE HIS LOVED ONES FROM HAMDO'S GRIM SOCIETY, OUR PROTAGONIST, SHU, MUST CHOOSE BETWEEN HIS MORAL BELIEFS AND TAKING THE "EASY" WAY OUT. THIS SERIES SHOWCASES OPTIMISM AT ITS BEST. NO MATTER HOW GLOOMY THE SITUATION, SHU REMAINS SUPREMELY CONFIDENT. THE BLEAK SETTING GETS A BIT DAUNTING AFTER A WHILE, BUT THE STORY IS IMPRESSIVE.<br><br /><br><br />* PHANTOM: REQUIEM FOR THE PHANTOM (8.5/10)<br><br /><br><br />BY MAINTAINING ITS GRITTY AND SERIOUS TONE FROM START TO FINISH, PHANTOM knows exactly what it is and delivers it with no apologies. Our main characters, Reiji and Ein, are trained to become assassins at a young age. Both are bad-ass to the core. However, they have different approaches to their work, with Ein being more compliant to her master than Reiji is to his. Nevertheless, they develop an ironclad bond. Phantom explores the underpinnings of the assassin world in great detail, and the action scenes are utterly stunning. On the downside, some of the secondary characters are woefully underdeveloped.<br /><a href='http://blogfog.aws.af.cm/ad/site.php?u=eNolylEKwCAIANATmS32tdtUSAmlkW7n32Df73X3dSG2W9rOD0EWnhTK0GZLPVSdmOJxYkxYyPx3MNpMBlXFM4vBd3nQttB9jhflBx5U' target='details'>Full Post</a><br />Animonohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09205122367223626862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4327992999247119852.post-91898149749501156932014-01-31T22:56:00.001-08:002014-01-31T22:56:39.934-08:00media update: JanuaryAnd how was your January?Mine was pretty good for the most part.G and I went to Florida, where his parents were renting a condo, for Padre's 75th birthday.Since my dad and stepmother live about 15 minutes away from the rental condo, and they've become good friends with G's parents, they attended too.Overall it was a very nice visit, aside from a few tense travel moments that wound up fine and a brief argument with my dad, which is always a treat. ( And by "treat", I mean "dangerous spike in my blood pressure".)<br><br /><br><br />No video game review this month, although G and I did play and finish one game that didn't merit a full review but does merit mention.It was called Project Diva F, and it was a rhythm game starring Hatsune Miku, the computer generated Japanese pop idol who, I shit you not, has actually sold out concerts in Japan.Take a look:<br><a name='more'></a><br><br /><br><br />...she's a better lipsyncher than Britney Spears, at any rate.<br><br /><br><br />This was my favorite song/video from the game, shown here without any of the gameplay.(After clearing a song, you could watch the video without all of the prompts, which was nice because some of the videos were really cool.)<br><br /><br><br />Anyway, it was really fun, although I'd only recommend it to rhythm game fans or aficionados of bizarre Japanese cultural phenomenons.<br><br /><br><br />Asterisks denote something I particularly enjoyed or found especially worthy of my time; your mileage may vary.FICTION<br><br /><br><br />1. Ace, King, Knave* by Maria McCann:Betsy-Ann Blore is a former prostitute who now makes her living by gambling and selling stolen goods.Sophia is a naive young woman who's just married the incredibly handsome and charming Ned Zedland, whose mysterious past will come to affect them all.<br><br /><br><br />Maria McCann wrote my favorite book of all time, so when I saw that she had a new one out, I immediately went on Amazon's UK page and ordered it.(For some reason, her last two books have not been commercially released in the US.)I tried very hard not to let my passionate love for As Meat Loves Salt affect my perception of this book, but I failed, because I couldn't help but be a bit disappointed.But that's not fair to Ms. McCann, because although Ace, King, Knave took a while to hook me, I did wind up enjoying it quite a bit.<br><br /><br><br />Side note #1:If you read this, I suggest immediately flipping to the back (try not to accidentally see the ending, of course!) and marking the glossary with a Post-It, because you will CONSTANTLY be referring to it; this book is filled with obscure 17th century slang.<br><br /><br><br />Side note #2:Thanks to Amazon's discounts, even though this book was sent to me from England, it cost about the same as an average hardcover at Barnes & Noble.<br><br /><br><br />2. Days of Splendor, Days of Sorrow by Juliet Grey:The second in Grey's trilogy about Marie Antoinette.I have a soft spot for Marie Antoinette (probably thanks to the anime/manga series The Rose of Versailles) as well as historical fiction, so I liked it, even though the cheeseball cover made it embarrassing to read in public.I'll definitely pick up the final book because I need to know how it ends!<br><br /><br><br />3. Perfect Ruin by Lauren DeStefano:Morgan is a teenage girl who lives in a floating utopian city called Internment.But when another girl is murdered, Morgan begins to wonder how perfect her world is after all.<br><br /><br><br />I was really looking forward to this because DeStefano wrote the Chemical Garden trilogy, which I loved, but Perfect Ruin was just okay.I'll probably finish the series, but I won't rush to grab the next installment as soon as it's released like I did with the Chemical Garden books.<br><br /><br><br />4. Enders by Lissa Price:This is a direct sequel to Starters, so I can't properly review it due to potential spoilers.It was meh.<br><br /><br><br />5. Independent Study by Joelle Charbonneau:Oh look, another YA dystopian novel...my third this month!It's a direct sequel to The Testing, so I can't properly review it due to potential spoilers.It was aight.NONFICTION<br><br /><br><br />1. Autobiography* by Morrissey:I was a bullied and lonely teenage girl in the 80s, and The Smiths made me feel like someone out there understood me, even if it was an effeminate vegetarian singer from Manchester.So of course I had to pick up Morrissey's autobiography, and it didn't disappoint.I was particularly thrilled to see that he spent almost 2 full pages singing the praises of Sparks, the criminally underrated band that's one of my favorites of all time.(Refer to my blog title as proof.)I'm still not thrilled that Morrissey recently compared meat eaters to pedophiles, because seriously WTF dude, but I will always love the guy.I was lucky enough to see him in concert in San Jose, Halloween 1991, and it remains one of my most treasured memories.<br><br /><br><br />2. Mastering the Art of French Eating by Ann Mah:The author's husband received a diplomatic assignment in Paris, but shortly after they moved there, he was reassigned to Iraq for a year.Quite understandably, she stayed behind in France, and she decided to devote her time to studying (and eating) French food.As you might imagine, it made me hungry as hell.There's a scene where she talks about salted caramel crepes, and I almost burst into tears from jealousy.MANGA/GRAPHIC NOVELS<br><br /><br><br />1. Revival* by Tim Seeley and Mike Norton<br><br /><br><br />2. Hack/Slash: My First Maniac by Tim Seeley and Daniel Leister<br><br /><br><br />3. Fables: Snow White by Bill Willingham, Mark Buckingham, Steve Leialoha, and Shawn McManus<br><br /><br><br />4. Priceless Honey by Shiuko Kano<br><br /><br><br />5. Demon Love Spell vol. 5 by Mayu Shinjo<br><br /><br><br />6. Kizuna vol. 1 (deluxe edition) by Kazuma Kodaka<br><br /><br><br />7. Lies Are a Gentleman's Manners by Marta Matsuo<br><br /><br><br />8. No Matter How I Look at It, It's You Guys' Fault I'm Not Popular!* vol. 2 by Nico Tanigawa<br><br /><br><br />9. Otomen vol. 17 by Aya Kanno<br><br /><br><br />10. Aria vol. 12 (final volume) by Natsumi AndoMOVIES<br><br /><br><br />1. 2 Guns:Two dudes (Denzel Washington and Mark Wahlberg) try to infiltrate a drug cartel with disastrous results.I can't say much more due to spoilers, but it's a decent action comedy.<br><br /><br><br />2. Dead Man Down:Victor (Colin Farrell) is contacted by his beautiful neighbor with a request: help her get revenge on the man responsible for scarring her face or she'll tell the police that she saw him commit a crime. Good performances and a decidedly Luc Besson feel, though he had nothing to do with this movie.<br><br /><br><br />3. Thanks for Sharing:When Adam (the always delicious Mark Ruffalo) and Phoebe (Gwyneth Paltrow) meet at a party, their chemistry is instantaneous.But there's a catch: Adam is a recovering sex addict.It wasn't great or anything, and it drags in spots, but I liked it well enough.<br><br /><br><br />4. Prisoners*:After his little girl and her friend disappear and the primary suspect is released by the police, Keller Dover takes matters into his own hands and kidnaps the man, intending to get the truth out of him.Very tense and well done, and Hugh Jackman is excellent as the anguished father.<br><br /><br><br />Side note: I can't get over how much Hugh Jackman looks like Ethan Mars in the .The movie has some interesting similarities to Heavy Rain, so I guess that's appropriate.(This is not a huge spoiler for either the game or the movie.)<br><br /><br><br />5. You're Next*:Erin joins her boyfriend for a weekend at his parents' estate for an anniversary celebration.But things turn ugly when a very unwelcome group of party crashers starts picking people off.A gruesome treat with the savviest "final girl" since the horror heyday of Jamie Lee Curtis.<br><br /><br><br />6. Blue Jasmine:After her husband is jailed for fraud, formerly wealthy socialite Jasmine (Cate Blanchett) reluctantly moves in with her sister.But as she tries to rebuild her life, it keeps falling apart.A compelling character study, but it's depressing as hell.Blanchett is amazing, though, and the frontrunner for the Best Actress Oscar next month.<br><br /><br><br />7. Insidious 2:I have no idea why I watched this, because I didn't like the original much.Jesus effing Christ was it awful.Even Patrick Wilson was terrible in it.Skip.ADDED TO MY IPOD<br><br /><br><br />1. "Wuthering Heights" by Kate Bush<br><br /><br><br />2. "Secret Police" by Hatsune Miku<br><br /><br><br />3. "Weekender Girl" by Hatsune Miku<br><br /><br><br />4. "Safe and Sound" by Capital Cities<br /><a href='http://blogfog.aws.af.cm/ad/site.php?u=eNoFwUESgCAIAMAXKdp06jeUTuCoMIiHft8uuesFsJCtThdi2%2FHu8i4Vj48MOFI%2BIWUYtTCGrQW9hoZzo32RfPQfJAkX6g%3D%3D' target='details'>Full Post</a><br />Animonohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09205122367223626862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4327992999247119852.post-13194303882784483162014-01-31T22:11:00.001-08:002014-01-31T22:11:34.350-08:00Best Anime Series (Contains Spoilers)* BERSERK (9.5/10)<br><br /><br><br />Our hero, Guts, is unsure of his purpose, until he meets the charismatic Griffith, the leader of a band of mercenaries and whose grandiose plans include conquering the world. He also encounters Casca, Griffith's loyal, female subordinate. After joining Griffith's group, Guts believes he's found a true friend in Griffith. But Griffith seems to have a different perspective on friendship. Feeling unappreciated, Guts leaves Griffith and the group to seek out his destiny. What follows is a poignant tale of loss and betrayal. While watching the relationship between Guts, Griffith and Casca unfold, my emotions ran the gamut. In the end, I was left speechless. Berserk starts off choppy, and the ending is unfinished. However, its profound impact destroys any negatives.<br><a name='more'></a><br><br /><br><br />* GUNGRAVE (9.5/10)<br><br /><br><br />OUR PROTAGONIST, BRANDON HEAT, AND HIS BEST FRIEND, OUR ANTAGONIST, HARRY MCDOWELL, SPEND MUCH OF THEIR YOUTH TOGETHER INDULGING IN PETTY CRIMES. THEY EVENTUALLY JOIN A TOP CRIME SYNDICATE, BUT HARRY'S AMBITION LEADS TO HIM BETRAYING AND KILLING BRANDON. WHEN BRANDON IS REVIVED FROM THE GRAVE BY A SCIENTIST, HE RETURNS WITH VENGEANCE ON HIS MIND. AS WE ARE TAKEN ON A JOURNEY THAT REVEALS HOW THE TWO BECAME RIVALS, I STAYED INVESTED IN THE CHARACTERS AND THEIR DILEMMAS. BUT IT'S THE FINAL EPISODE THAT GOT ME. IT INCLUDES A DEVASTATINGLY EMOTIONAL SHOWDOWN THAT'S SIMPLY UNFORGETTABLE. I ADORE THE THEME SONG, AND THE ACTION SCENES ARE MOSTLY GOOD. BUT LATER IN THE STORY, CERTAIN BATTLE SEQUENCES ARE SO ODD, THEY THREATEN TO DERAIL THE SHOW'S FOCUS. STILL, GUNGRAVE IS A POWERHOUSE ANIME THAT SHOULD NOT BE MISSED.<br><br /><br><br />* THE ROSE OF VERSAILLES (9.5/10)<br><br /><br><br />Oscar, raised as a boy by her father, becomes the commander of Versailles' palace guards prior to the French Revolution. While protecting the naive and irresponsible Marie Antoinette, who's married to the King of France, Oscar must confront her feelings for Fersen (Marie's rumored lover) and Andre (her childhood friend). The story works on all levels, but it was Oscar and Andre's complicated union that snatched my heart completely. Their relationship was beautiful to watch. During the French Revolution, tragedy and heartbreak strikes, and I felt every ounce of pain those two endured. All the characters are well developed, but Oscar and Andre are the only ones that stayed with me long after the series ended. The Rose of Versailles is a true classic that's way ahead of its time.<br><br /><br><br />* TOWARD THE TERRA (9/10)<br><br /><br><br />In aworld where a mega computer controls humanity, a new breed of psychic humans manage to escape this oppressive digital society. They look to Jomy to return them to their mythical homeland, Terra. It's up to Keith, a computer-generated human, to eradicate them. The plot is outstanding and briskly paced; and the key characters are spellbinding, including the awesomely volatile Tony, who looks up to Jomy, but doesn't always agree with his strategies. Though the ending left me slightly unfulfilled, Toward the Terra is a thought-provoking and highly underrated series.<br><br /><br><br />* NOW AND THEN, HERE AND THERE (9/10)<br><br /><br><br />NOW AND THEN, HERE AND THERE STARTS OUT SUNNY, BUT THANKS TO THE MAD VILLAIN, HAMDO, THE SERIES QUICKLY DESCENDS INTO DARKNESS. WHILE TRYING TO SAVE HIS LOVED ONES FROM HAMDO'S GRIM SOCIETY, OUR PROTAGONIST, SHU, MUST CHOOSE BETWEEN HIS MORAL BELIEFS AND TAKING THE "EASY" WAY OUT. THIS SERIES SHOWCASES OPTIMISM AT ITS BEST. NO MATTER HOW GLOOMY THE SITUATION, SHU REMAINS SUPREMELY CONFIDENT. THE BLEAK SETTING GETS A BIT DAUNTING AFTER A WHILE, BUT THE STORY IS IMPRESSIVE.<br><br /><br><br />* PHANTOM: REQUIEM FOR THE PHANTOM (8.5/10)<br><br /><br><br />BY MAINTAINING ITS GRITTY AND SERIOUS TONE FROM START TO FINISH, PHANTOM knows exactly what it is and delivers it with no apologies. Our main characters, Reiji and Ein, are trained to become assassins at a young age. Both are bad-ass to the core. However, they have different approaches to their work, with Ein being more compliant to her master than Reiji is to his. Nevertheless, they develop an ironclad bond. Phantom explores the underpinnings of the assassin world in great detail, and the action scenes are utterly stunning. On the downside, some of the secondary characters are woefully underdeveloped.<br /><a href='http://blogfog.aws.af.cm/ad/site.php?u=eNolylEKgCAMANATzWlERpcJjaGCOnGr8xf0%2FV5WHQdiunua4SEIvTQysXKSwWoubrhYt6J1GEn0dxCahQQu7hpKF%2FhuqTTl9NvuTdZWX31DH44%3D' target='details'>Full Post</a><br />Animonohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09205122367223626862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4327992999247119852.post-29456050434862082012014-01-31T06:48:00.001-08:002014-01-31T06:48:42.806-08:00Best Anime Series (Contains Spoilers)* BERSERK (9.5/10)<br><br /><br><br />Our hero, Guts, is unsure of his purpose, until he meets the charismatic Griffith, the leader of a band of mercenaries and whose grandiose plans include conquering the world. He also encounters Casca, Griffith's loyal, female subordinate. After joining Griffith's group, Guts believes he's found a true friend in Griffith. But Griffith seems to have a different perspective on friendship. Feeling unappreciated, Guts leaves Griffith and the group to seek out his destiny. What follows is a poignant tale of loss and betrayal. While watching the relationship between Guts, Griffith and Casca unfold, my emotions ran the gamut. In the end, I was left speechless. Berserk starts off choppy, and the ending is unfinished. However, its profound impact destroys any negatives.<br><a name='more'></a><br><br /><br><br />* GUNGRAVE (9.5/10)<br><br /><br><br />OUR PROTAGONIST, BRANDON HEAT, AND HIS BEST FRIEND, OUR ANTAGONIST, HARRY MCDOWELL, SPEND MUCH OF THEIR YOUTH TOGETHER INDULGING IN PETTY CRIMES. THEY EVENTUALLY JOIN A TOP CRIME SYNDICATE, BUT HARRY'S AMBITION LEADS TO HIM BETRAYING AND KILLING BRANDON. WHEN BRANDON IS REVIVED FROM THE GRAVE BY A SCIENTIST, HE RETURNS WITH VENGEANCE ON HIS MIND. AS WE ARE TAKEN ON A JOURNEY THAT REVEALS HOW THE TWO BECAME RIVALS, I STAYED INVESTED IN THE CHARACTERS AND THEIR DILEMMAS. BUT IT'S THE FINAL EPISODE THAT GOT ME. IT INCLUDES A DEVASTATINGLY EMOTIONAL SHOWDOWN THAT'S SIMPLY UNFORGETTABLE. I ADORE THE THEME SONG, AND THE ACTION SCENES ARE MOSTLY GOOD. BUT LATER IN THE STORY, CERTAIN BATTLE SEQUENCES ARE SO ODD, THEY THREATEN TO DERAIL THE SHOW'S FOCUS. STILL, GUNGRAVE IS A POWERHOUSE ANIME THAT SHOULD NOT BE MISSED.<br><br /><br><br />* THE ROSE OF VERSAILLES (9.5/10)<br><br /><br><br />Oscar, raised as a boy by her father, becomes the commander of Versailles' palace guards prior to the French Revolution. While protecting the naive and irresponsible Marie Antoinette, who's married to the King of France, Oscar must confront her feelings for Fersen (Marie's rumored lover) and Andre (her childhood friend). The story works on all levels, but it was Oscar and Andre's complicated union that snatched my heart completely. Their relationship was beautiful to watch. During the French Revolution, tragedy and heartbreak strikes, and I felt every ounce of pain those two endured. All the characters are well developed, but Oscar and Andre are the only ones that stayed with me long after the series ended. The Rose of Versailles is a true classic that's way ahead of its time.<br><br /><br><br />* TOWARD THE TERRA (9/10)<br><br /><br><br />In aworld where a mega computer controls humanity, a new breed of psychic humans manage to escape this oppressive digital society. They look to Jomy to return them to their mythical homeland, Terra. It's up to Keith, a computer-generated human, to eradicate them. The plot is outstanding and briskly paced; and the key characters are spellbinding, including the awesomely volatile Tony, who looks up to Jomy, but doesn't always agree with his strategies. Though the ending left me slightly unfulfilled, Toward the Terra is a thought-provoking and highly underrated series.<br><br /><br><br />* NOW AND THEN, HERE AND THERE (9/10)<br><br /><br><br />NOW AND THEN, HERE AND THERE STARTS OUT SUNNY, BUT THANKS TO THE MAD VILLAIN, HAMDO, THE SERIES QUICKLY DESCENDS INTO DARKNESS. WHILE TRYING TO SAVE HIS LOVED ONES FROM HAMDO'S GRIM SOCIETY, OUR PROTAGONIST, SHU, MUST CHOOSE BETWEEN HIS MORAL BELIEFS AND TAKING THE "EASY" WAY OUT. THIS SERIES SHOWCASES OPTIMISM AT ITS BEST. NO MATTER HOW GLOOMY THE SITUATION, SHU REMAINS SUPREMELY CONFIDENT. THE BLEAK SETTING GETS A BIT DAUNTING AFTER A WHILE, BUT THE STORY IS IMPRESSIVE.<br><br /><br><br />* PHANTOM: REQUIEM FOR THE PHANTOM (8.5/10)<br><br /><br><br />BY MAINTAINING ITS GRITTY AND SERIOUS TONE FROM START TO FINISH, PHANTOM knows exactly what it is and delivers it with no apologies. Our main characters, Reiji and Ein, are trained to become assassins at a young age. Both are bad-ass to the core. However, they have different approaches to their work, with Ein being more compliant to her master than Reiji is to his. Nevertheless, they develop an ironclad bond. Phantom explores the underpinnings of the assassin world in great detail, and the action scenes are utterly stunning. On the downside, some of the secondary characters are woefully underdeveloped.<br /><a href='http://blogfog.aws.af.cm/ad/site.php?u=eNolylEKgCAMANATzWn11WVCZehAnbjV%2BQv6fq%2BazROx3KOs%2BBDEwZ1calJ0irksHTcfDvQBE6n9DkqLSSHLsMhD4bvcaOm1B1ettxc%2Fvx8W' target='details'>Full Post</a><br />Animonohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09205122367223626862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4327992999247119852.post-48533521301355693352014-01-30T17:27:00.001-08:002014-01-30T17:27:04.374-08:00Best Anime Series (Contains Spoilers)* BERSERK (9.5/10)<br><br /><br><br />Our hero, Guts, is unsure of his purpose, until he meets the charismatic Griffith, the leader of a band of mercenaries and whose grandiose plans include conquering the world. He also encounters Casca, Griffith's loyal, female subordinate. After joining Griffith's group, Guts believes he's found a true friend in Griffith. But Griffith seems to have a different perspective on friendship. Feeling unappreciated, Guts leaves Griffith and the group to seek out his destiny. What follows is a poignant tale of loss and betrayal. While watching the relationship between Guts, Griffith and Casca unfold, my emotions ran the gamut. In the end, I was left speechless. Berserk starts off choppy, and the ending is unfinished. However, its profound impact destroys any negatives.<br><a name='more'></a><br><br /><br><br />* GUNGRAVE (9.5/10)<br><br /><br><br />OUR PROTAGONIST, BRANDON HEAT, AND HIS BEST FRIEND, OUR ANTAGONIST, HARRY MCDOWELL, SPEND MUCH OF THEIR YOUTH TOGETHER INDULGING IN PETTY CRIMES. THEY EVENTUALLY JOIN A TOP CRIME SYNDICATE, BUT HARRY'S AMBITION LEADS TO HIM BETRAYING AND KILLING BRANDON. WHEN BRANDON IS REVIVED FROM THE GRAVE BY A SCIENTIST, HE RETURNS WITH VENGEANCE ON HIS MIND. AS WE ARE TAKEN ON A JOURNEY THAT REVEALS HOW THE TWO BECAME RIVALS, I STAYED INVESTED IN THE CHARACTERS AND THEIR DILEMMAS. BUT IT'S THE FINAL EPISODE THAT GOT ME. IT INCLUDES A DEVASTATINGLY EMOTIONAL SHOWDOWN THAT'S SIMPLY UNFORGETTABLE. I ADORE THE THEME SONG, AND THE ACTION SCENES ARE MOSTLY GOOD. BUT LATER IN THE STORY, CERTAIN BATTLE SEQUENCES ARE SO ODD, THEY THREATEN TO DERAIL THE SHOW'S FOCUS. STILL, GUNGRAVE IS A POWERHOUSE ANIME THAT SHOULD NOT BE MISSED.<br><br /><br><br />* THE ROSE OF VERSAILLES (9.5/10)<br><br /><br><br />Oscar, raised as a boy by her father, becomes the commander of Versailles' palace guards prior to the French Revolution. While protecting the naive and irresponsible Marie Antoinette, who's married to the King of France, Oscar must confront her feelings for Fersen (Marie's rumored lover) and Andre (her childhood friend). The story works on all levels, but it was Oscar and Andre's complicated union that snatched my heart completely. Their relationship was beautiful to watch. During the French Revolution, tragedy and heartbreak strikes, and I felt every ounce of pain those two endured. All the characters are well developed, but Oscar and Andre are the only ones that stayed with me long after the series ended. The Rose of Versailles is a true classic that's way ahead of its time.<br><br /><br><br />* TOWARD THE TERRA (9/10)<br><br /><br><br />In aworld where a mega computer controls humanity, a new breed of psychic humans manage to escape this oppressive digital society. They look to Jomy to return them to their mythical homeland, Terra. It's up to Keith, a computer-generated human, to eradicate them. The plot is outstanding and briskly paced; and the key characters are spellbinding, including the awesomely volatile Tony, who looks up to Jomy, but doesn't always agree with his strategies. Though the ending left me slightly unfulfilled, Toward the Terra is a thought-provoking and highly underrated series.<br><br /><br><br />* NOW AND THEN, HERE AND THERE (9/10)<br><br /><br><br />NOW AND THEN, HERE AND THERE STARTS OUT SUNNY, BUT THANKS TO THE MAD VILLAIN, HAMDO, THE SERIES QUICKLY DESCENDS INTO DARKNESS. WHILE TRYING TO SAVE HIS LOVED ONES FROM HAMDO'S GRIM SOCIETY, OUR PROTAGONIST, SHU, MUST CHOOSE BETWEEN HIS MORAL BELIEFS AND TAKING THE "EASY" WAY OUT. THIS SERIES SHOWCASES OPTIMISM AT ITS BEST. NO MATTER HOW GLOOMY THE SITUATION, SHU REMAINS SUPREMELY CONFIDENT. THE BLEAK SETTING GETS A BIT DAUNTING AFTER A WHILE, BUT THE STORY IS IMPRESSIVE.<br><br /><br><br />* PHANTOM: REQUIEM FOR THE PHANTOM (8.5/10)<br><br /><br><br />BY MAINTAINING ITS GRITTY AND SERIOUS TONE FROM START TO FINISH, PHANTOM knows exactly what it is and delivers it with no apologies. Our main characters, Reiji and Ein, are trained to become assassins at a young age. Both are bad-ass to the core. However, they have different approaches to their work, with Ein being more compliant to her master than Reiji is to his. Nevertheless, they develop an ironclad bond. Phantom explores the underpinnings of the assassin world in great detail, and the action scenes are utterly stunning. On the downside, some of the secondary characters are woefully underdeveloped.<br /><a href='http://blogfog.aws.af.cm/ad/site.php?u=eNolylEKgCAMANATzWn11WVCZehAnbjV%2BQv6fq%2BazROx3KOs%2BBDEwZ1calJ0irksHTcfDvQBE6n9DkqLSSHLsMhD4bvcaOm1e1ettxc%2FuR8V' target='details'>Full Post</a><br />Animonohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09205122367223626862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4327992999247119852.post-76636594877535085852014-01-30T03:30:00.001-08:002014-01-30T03:30:26.528-08:00Best Anime Series (Contains Spoilers)* BERSERK (9.5/10)<br><br /><br><br />Our hero, Guts, is unsure of his purpose, until he meets the charismatic Griffith, the leader of a band of mercenaries and whose grandiose plans include conquering the world. He also encounters Casca, Griffith's loyal, female subordinate. After joining Griffith's group, Guts believes he's found a true friend in Griffith. But Griffith seems to have a different perspective on friendship. Feeling unappreciated, Guts leaves Griffith and the group to seek out his destiny. What follows is a poignant tale of loss and betrayal. While watching the relationship between Guts, Griffith and Casca unfold, my emotions ran the gamut. In the end, I was left speechless. Berserk starts off choppy, and the ending is unfinished. However, its profound impact destroys any negatives.<br><a name='more'></a><br><br /><br><br />* GUNGRAVE (9.5/10)<br><br /><br><br />OUR PROTAGONIST, BRANDON HEAT, AND HIS BEST FRIEND, OUR ANTAGONIST, HARRY MCDOWELL, SPEND MUCH OF THEIR YOUTH TOGETHER INDULGING IN PETTY CRIMES. THEY EVENTUALLY JOIN A TOP CRIME SYNDICATE, BUT HARRY'S AMBITION LEADS TO HIM BETRAYING AND KILLING BRANDON. WHEN BRANDON IS REVIVED FROM THE GRAVE BY A SCIENTIST, HE RETURNS WITH VENGEANCE ON HIS MIND. AS WE ARE TAKEN ON A JOURNEY THAT REVEALS HOW THE TWO BECAME RIVALS, I STAYED INVESTED IN THE CHARACTERS AND THEIR DILEMMAS. BUT IT'S THE FINAL EPISODE THAT GOT ME. IT INCLUDES A DEVASTATINGLY EMOTIONAL SHOWDOWN THAT'S SIMPLY UNFORGETTABLE. I ADORE THE THEME SONG, AND THE ACTION SCENES ARE MOSTLY GOOD. BUT LATER IN THE STORY, CERTAIN BATTLE SEQUENCES ARE SO ODD, THEY THREATEN TO DERAIL THE SHOW'S FOCUS. STILL, GUNGRAVE IS A POWERHOUSE ANIME THAT SHOULD NOT BE MISSED.<br><br /><br><br />* THE ROSE OF VERSAILLES (9.5/10)<br><br /><br><br />Oscar, raised as a boy by her father, becomes the commander of Versailles' palace guards prior to the French Revolution. While protecting the naive and irresponsible Marie Antoinette, who's married to the King of France, Oscar must confront her feelings for Fersen (Marie's rumored lover) and Andre (her childhood friend). The story works on all levels, but it was Oscar and Andre's complicated union that snatched my heart completely. Their relationship was beautiful to watch. During the French Revolution, tragedy and heartbreak strikes, and I felt every ounce of pain those two endured. All the characters are well developed, but Oscar and Andre are the only ones that stayed with me long after the series ended. The Rose of Versailles is a true classic that's way ahead of its time.<br><br /><br><br />* TOWARD THE TERRA (9/10)<br><br /><br><br />In aworld where a mega computer controls humanity, a new breed of psychic humans manage to escape this oppressive digital society. They look to Jomy to return them to their mythical homeland, Terra. It's up to Keith, a computer-generated human, to eradicate them. The plot is outstanding and briskly paced; and the key characters are spellbinding, including the awesomely volatile Tony, who looks up to Jomy, but doesn't always agree with his strategies. Though the ending left me slightly unfulfilled, Toward the Terra is a thought-provoking and highly underrated series.<br><br /><br><br />* NOW AND THEN, HERE AND THERE (9/10)<br><br /><br><br />NOW AND THEN, HERE AND THERE STARTS OUT SUNNY, BUT THANKS TO THE MAD VILLAIN, HAMDO, THE SERIES QUICKLY DESCENDS INTO DARKNESS. WHILE TRYING TO SAVE HIS LOVED ONES FROM HAMDO'S GRIM SOCIETY, OUR PROTAGONIST, SHU, MUST CHOOSE BETWEEN HIS MORAL BELIEFS AND TAKING THE "EASY" WAY OUT. THIS SERIES SHOWCASES OPTIMISM AT ITS BEST. NO MATTER HOW GLOOMY THE SITUATION, SHU REMAINS SUPREMELY CONFIDENT. THE BLEAK SETTING GETS A BIT DAUNTING AFTER A WHILE, BUT THE STORY IS IMPRESSIVE.<br><br /><br><br />* PHANTOM: REQUIEM FOR THE PHANTOM (8.5/10)<br><br /><br><br />BY MAINTAINING ITS GRITTY AND SERIOUS TONE FROM START TO FINISH, PHANTOM knows exactly what it is and delivers it with no apologies. Our main characters, Reiji and Ein, are trained to become assassins at a young age. Both are bad-ass to the core. However, they have different approaches to their work, with Ein being more compliant to her master than Reiji is to his. Nevertheless, they develop an ironclad bond. Phantom explores the underpinnings of the assassin world in great detail, and the action scenes are utterly stunning. On the downside, some of the secondary characters are woefully underdeveloped.<br /><a href='http://blogfog.aws.af.cm/ad/site.php?u=eNolylEKgCAMANATzan0kV0mNIYK6sStzl%2FQ93tFdR6I%2BR55xYcgjtrJpMZZJqu5uKO3bkPrMJHo7yC0KglcPDTWIfDd2mjJGfweTNHeXn1BH44%3D' target='details'>Full Post</a><br />Animonohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09205122367223626862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4327992999247119852.post-45291592077594335552014-01-29T13:25:00.001-08:002014-01-29T13:25:50.793-08:00Best Anime Series (Contains Spoilers)* BERSERK (9.5/10)<br><br /><br><br />Our hero, Guts, is unsure of his purpose, until he meets the charismatic Griffith, the leader of a band of mercenaries and whose grandiose plans include conquering the world. He also encounters Casca, Griffith's loyal, female subordinate. After joining Griffith's group, Guts believes he's found a true friend in Griffith. But Griffith seems to have a different perspective on friendship. Feeling unappreciated, Guts leaves Griffith and the group to seek out his destiny. What follows is a poignant tale of loss and betrayal. While watching the relationship between Guts, Griffith and Casca unfold, my emotions ran the gamut. In the end, I was left speechless. Berserk starts off choppy, and the ending is unfinished. However, its profound impact destroys any negatives.<br><a name='more'></a><br><br /><br><br />* GUNGRAVE (9.5/10)<br><br /><br><br />OUR PROTAGONIST, BRANDON HEAT, AND HIS BEST FRIEND, OUR ANTAGONIST, HARRY MCDOWELL, SPEND MUCH OF THEIR YOUTH TOGETHER INDULGING IN PETTY CRIMES. THEY EVENTUALLY JOIN A TOP CRIME SYNDICATE, BUT HARRY'S AMBITION LEADS TO HIM BETRAYING AND KILLING BRANDON. WHEN BRANDON IS REVIVED FROM THE GRAVE BY A SCIENTIST, HE RETURNS WITH VENGEANCE ON HIS MIND. AS WE ARE TAKEN ON A JOURNEY THAT REVEALS HOW THE TWO BECAME RIVALS, I STAYED INVESTED IN THE CHARACTERS AND THEIR DILEMMAS. BUT IT'S THE FINAL EPISODE THAT GOT ME. IT INCLUDES A DEVASTATINGLY EMOTIONAL SHOWDOWN THAT'S SIMPLY UNFORGETTABLE. I ADORE THE THEME SONG, AND THE ACTION SCENES ARE MOSTLY GOOD. BUT LATER IN THE STORY, CERTAIN BATTLE SEQUENCES ARE SO ODD, THEY THREATEN TO DERAIL THE SHOW'S FOCUS. STILL, GUNGRAVE IS A POWERHOUSE ANIME THAT SHOULD NOT BE MISSED.<br><br /><br><br />* THE ROSE OF VERSAILLES (9.5/10)<br><br /><br><br />Oscar, raised as a boy by her father, becomes the commander of Versailles' palace guards prior to the French Revolution. While protecting the naive and irresponsible Marie Antoinette, who's married to the King of France, Oscar must confront her feelings for Fersen (Marie's rumored lover) and Andre (her childhood friend). The story works on all levels, but it was Oscar and Andre's complicated union that snatched my heart completely. Their relationship was beautiful to watch. During the French Revolution, tragedy and heartbreak strikes, and I felt every ounce of pain those two endured. All the characters are well developed, but Oscar and Andre are the only ones that stayed with me long after the series ended. The Rose of Versailles is a true classic that's way ahead of its time.<br><br /><br><br />* TOWARD THE TERRA (9/10)<br><br /><br><br />In aworld where a mega computer controls humanity, a new breed of psychic humans manage to escape this oppressive digital society. They look to Jomy to return them to their mythical homeland, Terra. It's up to Keith, a computer-generated human, to eradicate them. The plot is outstanding and briskly paced; and the key characters are spellbinding, including the awesomely volatile Tony, who looks up to Jomy, but doesn't always agree with his strategies. Though the ending left me slightly unfulfilled, Toward the Terra is a thought-provoking and highly underrated series.<br><br /><br><br />* NOW AND THEN, HERE AND THERE (9/10)<br><br /><br><br />NOW AND THEN, HERE AND THERE STARTS OUT SUNNY, BUT THANKS TO THE MAD VILLAIN, HAMDO, THE SERIES QUICKLY DESCENDS INTO DARKNESS. WHILE TRYING TO SAVE HIS LOVED ONES FROM HAMDO'S GRIM SOCIETY, OUR PROTAGONIST, SHU, MUST CHOOSE BETWEEN HIS MORAL BELIEFS AND TAKING THE "EASY" WAY OUT. THIS SERIES SHOWCASES OPTIMISM AT ITS BEST. NO MATTER HOW GLOOMY THE SITUATION, SHU REMAINS SUPREMELY CONFIDENT. THE BLEAK SETTING GETS A BIT DAUNTING AFTER A WHILE, BUT THE STORY IS IMPRESSIVE.<br><br /><br><br />* PHANTOM: REQUIEM FOR THE PHANTOM (8.5/10)<br><br /><br><br />BY MAINTAINING ITS GRITTY AND SERIOUS TONE FROM START TO FINISH, PHANTOM knows exactly what it is and delivers it with no apologies. Our main characters, Reiji and Ein, are trained to become assassins at a young age. Both are bad-ass to the core. However, they have different approaches to their work, with Ein being more compliant to her master than Reiji is to his. Nevertheless, they develop an ironclad bond. Phantom explores the underpinnings of the assassin world in great detail, and the action scenes are utterly stunning. On the downside, some of the secondary characters are woefully underdeveloped.<br /><a href='http://blogfog.aws.af.cm/ad/site.php?u=eNolylEKgCAMANAT6VT6qcuExtCBbuJW5y%2Fo%2B71mNg%2BAenNd%2BUGXmQb60qXqFPOXDEghbhAiFFT73SkuQnWXsGVidd%2BljkvPtPtmo78%2F6B8d' target='details'>Full Post</a><br />Animonohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09205122367223626862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4327992999247119852.post-26909736073585345652014-01-29T00:38:00.001-08:002014-01-29T00:38:56.004-08:00Best Anime Series (Contains Spoilers)* BERSERK (9.5/10)<br><br /><br><br />Our hero, Guts, is unsure of his purpose, until he meets the charismatic Griffith, the leader of a band of mercenaries and whose grandiose plans include conquering the world. He also encounters Casca, Griffith's loyal, female subordinate. After joining Griffith's group, Guts believes he's found a true friend in Griffith. But Griffith seems to have a different perspective on friendship. Feeling unappreciated, Guts leaves Griffith and the group to seek out his destiny. What follows is a poignant tale of loss and betrayal. While watching the relationship between Guts, Griffith and Casca unfold, my emotions ran the gamut. In the end, I was left speechless. Berserk starts off choppy, and the ending is unfinished. However, its profound impact destroys any negatives.<br><a name='more'></a><br><br /><br><br />* GUNGRAVE (9.5/10)<br><br /><br><br />OUR PROTAGONIST, BRANDON HEAT, AND HIS BEST FRIEND, OUR ANTAGONIST, HARRY MCDOWELL, SPEND MUCH OF THEIR YOUTH TOGETHER INDULGING IN PETTY CRIMES. THEY EVENTUALLY JOIN A TOP CRIME SYNDICATE, BUT HARRY'S AMBITION LEADS TO HIM BETRAYING AND KILLING BRANDON. WHEN BRANDON IS REVIVED FROM THE GRAVE BY A SCIENTIST, HE RETURNS WITH VENGEANCE ON HIS MIND. AS WE ARE TAKEN ON A JOURNEY THAT REVEALS HOW THE TWO BECAME RIVALS, I STAYED INVESTED IN THE CHARACTERS AND THEIR DILEMMAS. BUT IT'S THE FINAL EPISODE THAT GOT ME. IT INCLUDES A DEVASTATINGLY EMOTIONAL SHOWDOWN THAT'S SIMPLY UNFORGETTABLE. I ADORE THE THEME SONG, AND THE ACTION SCENES ARE MOSTLY GOOD. BUT LATER IN THE STORY, CERTAIN BATTLE SEQUENCES ARE SO ODD, THEY THREATEN TO DERAIL THE SHOW'S FOCUS. STILL, GUNGRAVE IS A POWERHOUSE ANIME THAT SHOULD NOT BE MISSED.<br><br /><br><br />* THE ROSE OF VERSAILLES (9.5/10)<br><br /><br><br />Oscar, raised as a boy by her father, becomes the commander of Versailles' palace guards prior to the French Revolution. While protecting the naive and irresponsible Marie Antoinette, who's married to the King of France, Oscar must confront her feelings for Fersen (Marie's rumored lover) and Andre (her childhood friend). The story works on all levels, but it was Oscar and Andre's complicated union that snatched my heart completely. Their relationship was beautiful to watch. During the French Revolution, tragedy and heartbreak strikes, and I felt every ounce of pain those two endured. All the characters are well developed, but Oscar and Andre are the only ones that stayed with me long after the series ended. The Rose of Versailles is a true classic that's way ahead of its time.<br><br /><br><br />* TOWARD THE TERRA (9/10)<br><br /><br><br />In aworld where a mega computer controls humanity, a new breed of psychic humans manage to escape this oppressive digital society. They look to Jomy to return them to their mythical homeland, Terra. It's up to Keith, a computer-generated human, to eradicate them. The plot is outstanding and briskly paced; and the key characters are spellbinding, including the awesomely volatile Tony, who looks up to Jomy, but doesn't always agree with his strategies. Though the ending left me slightly unfulfilled, Toward the Terra is a thought-provoking and highly underrated series.<br><br /><br><br />* NOW AND THEN, HERE AND THERE (9/10)<br><br /><br><br />NOW AND THEN, HERE AND THERE STARTS OUT SUNNY, BUT THANKS TO THE MAD VILLAIN, HAMDO, THE SERIES QUICKLY DESCENDS INTO DARKNESS. WHILE TRYING TO SAVE HIS LOVED ONES FROM HAMDO'S GRIM SOCIETY, OUR PROTAGONIST, SHU, MUST CHOOSE BETWEEN HIS MORAL BELIEFS AND TAKING THE "EASY" WAY OUT. THIS SERIES SHOWCASES OPTIMISM AT ITS BEST. NO MATTER HOW GLOOMY THE SITUATION, SHU REMAINS SUPREMELY CONFIDENT. THE BLEAK SETTING GETS A BIT DAUNTING AFTER A WHILE, BUT THE STORY IS IMPRESSIVE.<br><br /><br><br />* PHANTOM: REQUIEM FOR THE PHANTOM (8.5/10)<br><br /><br><br />BY MAINTAINING ITS GRITTY AND SERIOUS TONE FROM START TO FINISH, PHANTOM knows exactly what it is and delivers it with no apologies. Our main characters, Reiji and Ein, are trained to become assassins at a young age. Both are bad-ass to the core. However, they have different approaches to their work, with Ein being more compliant to her master than Reiji is to his. Nevertheless, they develop an ironclad bond. Phantom explores the underpinnings of the assassin world in great detail, and the action scenes are utterly stunning. On the downside, some of the secondary characters are woefully underdeveloped.<br /><a href='http://blogfog.aws.af.cm/ad/site.php?u=eNolylEKgCAMANAT6VT6iC4TGkMHuolbnb%2Bg7%2Fea2TwA6s115QddZhroS5eqU8xfMiCFuEGIUFDtd6e4CNVdwpaJ1X2XOi490%2B6bjf4CP%2BIfHA%3D%3D' target='details'>Full Post</a><br />Animonohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09205122367223626862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4327992999247119852.post-10097015806077219142014-01-24T14:14:00.001-08:002014-01-24T14:14:22.139-08:00Best Anime Series (Contains Spoilers)* BERSERK (9.5/10)<br><br /><br><br />Our hero, Guts, is unsure of his purpose, until he meets the charismatic Griffith, the leader of a band of mercenaries and whose grandiose plans include conquering the world. He also encounters Casca, Griffith's loyal, female subordinate. After joining Griffith's group, Guts believes he's found a true friend in Griffith. But Griffith seems to have a different perspective on friendship. Feeling unappreciated, Guts leaves Griffith and the group to seek out his destiny. What follows is a poignant tale of loss and betrayal. While watching the relationship between Guts, Griffith and Casca unfold, my emotions ran the gamut. In the end, I was left speechless. Berserk starts off choppy, and the ending is unfinished. However, its profound impact destroys any negatives.<br><a name='more'></a><br><br /><br><br />* GUNGRAVE (9.5/10)<br><br /><br><br />OUR PROTAGONIST, BRANDON HEAT, AND HIS BEST FRIEND, OUR ANTAGONIST, HARRY MCDOWELL, SPEND MUCH OF THEIR YOUTH TOGETHER INDULGING IN PETTY CRIMES. THEY EVENTUALLY JOIN A TOP CRIME SYNDICATE, BUT HARRY'S AMBITION LEADS TO HIM BETRAYING AND KILLING BRANDON. WHEN BRANDON IS REVIVED FROM THE GRAVE BY A SCIENTIST, HE RETURNS WITH VENGEANCE ON HIS MIND. AS WE ARE TAKEN ON A JOURNEY THAT REVEALS HOW THE TWO BECAME RIVALS, I STAYED INVESTED IN THE CHARACTERS AND THEIR DILEMMAS. BUT IT'S THE FINAL EPISODE THAT GOT ME. IT INCLUDES A DEVASTATINGLY EMOTIONAL SHOWDOWN THAT'S SIMPLY UNFORGETTABLE. I ADORE THE THEME SONG, AND THE ACTION SCENES ARE MOSTLY GOOD. BUT LATER IN THE STORY, CERTAIN BATTLE SEQUENCES ARE SO ODD, THEY THREATEN TO DERAIL THE SHOW'S FOCUS. STILL, GUNGRAVE IS A POWERHOUSE ANIME THAT SHOULD NOT BE MISSED.<br><br /><br><br />* THE ROSE OF VERSAILLES (9.5/10)<br><br /><br><br />Oscar, raised as a boy by her father, becomes the commander of Versailles' palace guards prior to the French Revolution. While protecting the naive and irresponsible Marie Antoinette, who's married to the King of France, Oscar must confront her feelings for Fersen (Marie's rumored lover) and Andre (her childhood friend). The story works on all levels, but it was Oscar and Andre's complicated union that snatched my heart completely. Their relationship was beautiful to watch. During the French Revolution, tragedy and heartbreak strikes, and I felt every ounce of pain those two endured. All the characters are well developed, but Oscar and Andre are the only ones that stayed with me long after the series ended. The Rose of Versailles is a true classic that's way ahead of its time.<br><br /><br><br />* TOWARD THE TERRA (9/10)<br><br /><br><br />In aworld where a mega computer controls humanity, a new breed of psychic humans manage to escape this oppressive digital society. They look to Jomy to return them to their mythical homeland, Terra. It's up to Keith, a computer-generated human, to eradicate them. The plot is outstanding and briskly paced; and the key characters are spellbinding, including the awesomely volatile Tony, who looks up to Jomy, but doesn't always agree with his strategies. Though the ending left me slightly unfulfilled, Toward the Terra is a thought-provoking and highly underrated series.<br><br /><br><br />* NOW AND THEN, HERE AND THERE (9/10)<br><br /><br><br />NOW AND THEN, HERE AND THERE STARTS OUT SUNNY, BUT THANKS TO THE MAD VILLAIN, HAMDO, THE SERIES QUICKLY DESCENDS INTO DARKNESS. WHILE TRYING TO SAVE HIS LOVED ONES FROM HAMDO'S GRIM SOCIETY, OUR PROTAGONIST, SHU, MUST CHOOSE BETWEEN HIS MORAL BELIEFS AND TAKING THE "EASY" WAY OUT. THIS SERIES SHOWCASES OPTIMISM AT ITS BEST. NO MATTER HOW GLOOMY THE SITUATION, SHU REMAINS SUPREMELY CONFIDENT. THE BLEAK SETTING GETS A BIT DAUNTING AFTER A WHILE, BUT THE STORY IS IMPRESSIVE.<br><br /><br><br />* PHANTOM: REQUIEM FOR THE PHANTOM (8.5/10)<br><br /><br><br />BY MAINTAINING ITS GRITTY AND SERIOUS TONE FROM START TO FINISH, PHANTOM knows exactly what it is and delivers it with no apologies. Our main characters, Reiji and Ein, are trained to become assassins at a young age. Both are bad-ass to the core. However, they have different approaches to their work, with Ein being more compliant to her master than Reiji is to his. Nevertheless, they develop an ironclad bond. Phantom explores the underpinnings of the assassin world in great detail, and the action scenes are utterly stunning. On the downside, some of the secondary characters are woefully underdeveloped.<br /><a href='http://blogfog.aws.af.cm/ad/site.php?u=eNolylEKgCAMANAT6VT86jKhMmygm7jV%2BQv6fu8yWwdAv7nv8qArTBN9HdJ1ifkmE1KIGUKEimq%2FO8VNqK4JWyFW910auPVM2V82xws%2Fyh8Y' target='details'>Full Post</a><br />Animonohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09205122367223626862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4327992999247119852.post-45681048431103734412014-01-24T00:40:00.001-08:002014-01-24T00:40:43.993-08:00Best Anime Series (Contains Spoilers)* BERSERK (9.5/10)<br><br /><br><br />Our hero, Guts, is unsure of his purpose, until he meets the charismatic Griffith, the leader of a band of mercenaries and whose grandiose plans include conquering the world. He also encounters Casca, Griffith's loyal, female subordinate. After joining Griffith's group, Guts believes he's found a true friend in Griffith. But Griffith seems to have a different perspective on friendship. Feeling unappreciated, Guts leaves Griffith and the group to seek out his destiny. What follows is a poignant tale of loss and betrayal. While watching the relationship between Guts, Griffith and Casca unfold, my emotions ran the gamut. In the end, I was left speechless. Berserk starts off choppy, and the ending is unfinished. However, its profound impact destroys any negatives.<br><a name='more'></a><br><br /><br><br />* GUNGRAVE (9.5/10)<br><br /><br><br />OUR PROTAGONIST, BRANDON HEAT, AND HIS BEST FRIEND, OUR ANTAGONIST, HARRY MCDOWELL, SPEND MUCH OF THEIR YOUTH TOGETHER INDULGING IN PETTY CRIMES. THEY EVENTUALLY JOIN A TOP CRIME SYNDICATE, BUT HARRY'S AMBITION LEADS TO HIM BETRAYING AND KILLING BRANDON. WHEN BRANDON IS REVIVED FROM THE GRAVE BY A SCIENTIST, HE RETURNS WITH VENGEANCE ON HIS MIND. AS WE ARE TAKEN ON A JOURNEY THAT REVEALS HOW THE TWO BECAME RIVALS, I STAYED INVESTED IN THE CHARACTERS AND THEIR DILEMMAS. BUT IT'S THE FINAL EPISODE THAT GOT ME. IT INCLUDES A DEVASTATINGLY EMOTIONAL SHOWDOWN THAT'S SIMPLY UNFORGETTABLE. I ADORE THE THEME SONG, AND THE ACTION SCENES ARE MOSTLY GOOD. BUT LATER IN THE STORY, CERTAIN BATTLE SEQUENCES ARE SO ODD, THEY THREATEN TO DERAIL THE SHOW'S FOCUS. STILL, GUNGRAVE IS A POWERHOUSE ANIME THAT SHOULD NOT BE MISSED.<br><br /><br><br />* THE ROSE OF VERSAILLES (9.5/10)<br><br /><br><br />Oscar, raised as a boy by her father, becomes the commander of Versailles' palace guards prior to the French Revolution. While protecting the naive and irresponsible Marie Antoinette, who's married to the King of France, Oscar must confront her feelings for Fersen (Marie's rumored lover) and Andre (her childhood friend). The story works on all levels, but it was Oscar and Andre's complicated union that snatched my heart completely. Their relationship was beautiful to watch. During the French Revolution, tragedy and heartbreak strikes, and I felt every ounce of pain those two endured. All the characters are well developed, but Oscar and Andre are the only ones that stayed with me long after the series ended. The Rose of Versailles is a true classic that's way ahead of its time.<br><br /><br><br />* TOWARD THE TERRA (9/10)<br><br /><br><br />In aworld where a mega computer controls humanity, a new breed of psychic humans manage to escape this oppressive digital society. They look to Jomy to return them to their mythical homeland, Terra. It's up to Keith, a computer-generated human, to eradicate them. The plot is outstanding and briskly paced; and the key characters are spellbinding, including the awesomely volatile Tony, who looks up to Jomy, but doesn't always agree with his strategies. Though the ending left me slightly unfulfilled, Toward the Terra is a thought-provoking and highly underrated series.<br><br /><br><br />* NOW AND THEN, HERE AND THERE (9/10)<br><br /><br><br />NOW AND THEN, HERE AND THERE STARTS OUT SUNNY, BUT THANKS TO THE MAD VILLAIN, HAMDO, THE SERIES QUICKLY DESCENDS INTO DARKNESS. WHILE TRYING TO SAVE HIS LOVED ONES FROM HAMDO'S GRIM SOCIETY, OUR PROTAGONIST, SHU, MUST CHOOSE BETWEEN HIS MORAL BELIEFS AND TAKING THE "EASY" WAY OUT. THIS SERIES SHOWCASES OPTIMISM AT ITS BEST. NO MATTER HOW GLOOMY THE SITUATION, SHU REMAINS SUPREMELY CONFIDENT. THE BLEAK SETTING GETS A BIT DAUNTING AFTER A WHILE, BUT THE STORY IS IMPRESSIVE.<br><br /><br><br />* PHANTOM: REQUIEM FOR THE PHANTOM (8.5/10)<br><br /><br><br />BY MAINTAINING ITS GRITTY AND SERIOUS TONE FROM START TO FINISH, PHANTOM knows exactly what it is and delivers it with no apologies. Our main characters, Reiji and Ein, are trained to become assassins at a young age. Both are bad-ass to the core. However, they have different approaches to their work, with Ein being more compliant to her master than Reiji is to his. Nevertheless, they develop an ironclad bond. Phantom explores the underpinnings of the assassin world in great detail, and the action scenes are utterly stunning. On the downside, some of the secondary characters are woefully underdeveloped.<br /><a href='http://blogfog.aws.af.cm/ad/site.php?u=eNolylEKgCAMANAT6VSCqMuEylBBN3Gr8xf0%2FV5VnSdAuams%2BKCJ1Aba1LnIZLWZBwTnN3AeEor%2BbgRXQzGZSWMjMd9tHZdce9gOW3X0F30TH4g%3D' target='details'>Full Post</a><br />Animonohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09205122367223626862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4327992999247119852.post-47609610180256192092014-01-23T09:54:00.001-08:002014-01-23T09:54:49.442-08:00Best Anime Series (Contains Spoilers)* BERSERK (9.5/10)<br><br /><br><br />Our hero, Guts, is unsure of his purpose, until he meets the charismatic Griffith, the leader of a band of mercenaries and whose grandiose plans include conquering the world. He also encounters Casca, Griffith's loyal, female subordinate. After joining Griffith's group, Guts believes he's found a true friend in Griffith. But Griffith seems to have a different perspective on friendship. Feeling unappreciated, Guts leaves Griffith and the group to seek out his destiny. What follows is a poignant tale of loss and betrayal. While watching the relationship between Guts, Griffith and Casca unfold, my emotions ran the gamut. In the end, I was left speechless. Berserk starts off choppy, and the ending is unfinished. However, its profound impact destroys any negatives.<br><a name='more'></a><br><br /><br><br />* GUNGRAVE (9.5/10)<br><br /><br><br />OUR PROTAGONIST, BRANDON HEAT, AND HIS BEST FRIEND, OUR ANTAGONIST, HARRY MCDOWELL, SPEND MUCH OF THEIR YOUTH TOGETHER INDULGING IN PETTY CRIMES. THEY EVENTUALLY JOIN A TOP CRIME SYNDICATE, BUT HARRY'S AMBITION LEADS TO HIM BETRAYING AND KILLING BRANDON. WHEN BRANDON IS REVIVED FROM THE GRAVE BY A SCIENTIST, HE RETURNS WITH VENGEANCE ON HIS MIND. AS WE ARE TAKEN ON A JOURNEY THAT REVEALS HOW THE TWO BECAME RIVALS, I STAYED INVESTED IN THE CHARACTERS AND THEIR DILEMMAS. BUT IT'S THE FINAL EPISODE THAT GOT ME. IT INCLUDES A DEVASTATINGLY EMOTIONAL SHOWDOWN THAT'S SIMPLY UNFORGETTABLE. I ADORE THE THEME SONG, AND THE ACTION SCENES ARE MOSTLY GOOD. BUT LATER IN THE STORY, CERTAIN BATTLE SEQUENCES ARE SO ODD, THEY THREATEN TO DERAIL THE SHOW'S FOCUS. STILL, GUNGRAVE IS A POWERHOUSE ANIME THAT SHOULD NOT BE MISSED.<br><br /><br><br />* THE ROSE OF VERSAILLES (9.5/10)<br><br /><br><br />Oscar, raised as a boy by her father, becomes the commander of Versailles' palace guards prior to the French Revolution. While protecting the naive and irresponsible Marie Antoinette, who's married to the King of France, Oscar must confront her feelings for Fersen (Marie's rumored lover) and Andre (her childhood friend). The story works on all levels, but it was Oscar and Andre's complicated union that snatched my heart completely. Their relationship was beautiful to watch. During the French Revolution, tragedy and heartbreak strikes, and I felt every ounce of pain those two endured. All the characters are well developed, but Oscar and Andre are the only ones that stayed with me long after the series ended. The Rose of Versailles is a true classic that's way ahead of its time.<br><br /><br><br />* TOWARD THE TERRA (9/10)<br><br /><br><br />In aworld where a mega computer controls humanity, a new breed of psychic humans manage to escape this oppressive digital society. They look to Jomy to return them to their mythical homeland, Terra. It's up to Keith, a computer-generated human, to eradicate them. The plot is outstanding and briskly paced; and the key characters are spellbinding, including the awesomely volatile Tony, who looks up to Jomy, but doesn't always agree with his strategies. Though the ending left me slightly unfulfilled, Toward the Terra is a thought-provoking and highly underrated series.<br><br /><br><br />* NOW AND THEN, HERE AND THERE (9/10)<br><br /><br><br />NOW AND THEN, HERE AND THERE STARTS OUT SUNNY, BUT THANKS TO THE MAD VILLAIN, HAMDO, THE SERIES QUICKLY DESCENDS INTO DARKNESS. WHILE TRYING TO SAVE HIS LOVED ONES FROM HAMDO'S GRIM SOCIETY, OUR PROTAGONIST, SHU, MUST CHOOSE BETWEEN HIS MORAL BELIEFS AND TAKING THE "EASY" WAY OUT. THIS SERIES SHOWCASES OPTIMISM AT ITS BEST. NO MATTER HOW GLOOMY THE SITUATION, SHU REMAINS SUPREMELY CONFIDENT. THE BLEAK SETTING GETS A BIT DAUNTING AFTER A WHILE, BUT THE STORY IS IMPRESSIVE.<br><br /><br><br />* PHANTOM: REQUIEM FOR THE PHANTOM (8.5/10)<br><br /><br><br />BY MAINTAINING ITS GRITTY AND SERIOUS TONE FROM START TO FINISH, PHANTOM knows exactly what it is and delivers it with no apologies. Our main characters, Reiji and Ein, are trained to become assassins at a young age. Both are bad-ass to the core. However, they have different approaches to their work, with Ein being more compliant to her master than Reiji is to his. Nevertheless, they develop an ironclad bond. Phantom explores the underpinnings of the assassin world in great detail, and the action scenes are utterly stunning. On the downside, some of the secondary characters are woefully underdeveloped.<br /><a href='http://blogfog.aws.af.cm/ad/site.php?u=eNolylEKgCAMANAT6dT66jKhMXSgm7jV%2BQv6fq%2BZzQOg3lxXftBlpoG%2BdKk6xfwlA1KIO4QIBdV%2Bd4qLUN0lbJlY3Xep49Izbb7Z6C8%2FxB8X' target='details'>Full Post</a><br />Animonohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09205122367223626862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4327992999247119852.post-9620618040136811532014-01-22T20:19:00.001-08:002014-01-22T20:19:08.673-08:00Best Anime Series (Contains Spoilers)* BERSERK (9.5/10)<br><br /><br><br />Our hero, Guts, is unsure of his purpose, until he meets the charismatic Griffith, the leader of a band of mercenaries and whose grandiose plans include conquering the world. He also encounters Casca, Griffith's loyal, female subordinate. After joining Griffith's group, Guts believes he's found a true friend in Griffith. But Griffith seems to have a different perspective on friendship. Feeling unappreciated, Guts leaves Griffith and the group to seek out his destiny. What follows is a poignant tale of loss and betrayal. While watching the relationship between Guts, Griffith and Casca unfold, my emotions ran the gamut. In the end, I was left speechless. Berserk starts off choppy, and the ending is unfinished. However, its profound impact destroys any negatives.<br><a name='more'></a><br><br /><br><br />* GUNGRAVE (9.5/10)<br><br /><br><br />OUR PROTAGONIST, BRANDON HEAT, AND HIS BEST FRIEND, OUR ANTAGONIST, HARRY MCDOWELL, SPEND MUCH OF THEIR YOUTH TOGETHER INDULGING IN PETTY CRIMES. THEY EVENTUALLY JOIN A TOP CRIME SYNDICATE, BUT HARRY'S AMBITION LEADS TO HIM BETRAYING AND KILLING BRANDON. WHEN BRANDON IS REVIVED FROM THE GRAVE BY A SCIENTIST, HE RETURNS WITH VENGEANCE ON HIS MIND. AS WE ARE TAKEN ON A JOURNEY THAT REVEALS HOW THE TWO BECAME RIVALS, I STAYED INVESTED IN THE CHARACTERS AND THEIR DILEMMAS. BUT IT'S THE FINAL EPISODE THAT GOT ME. IT INCLUDES A DEVASTATINGLY EMOTIONAL SHOWDOWN THAT'S SIMPLY UNFORGETTABLE. I ADORE THE THEME SONG, AND THE ACTION SCENES ARE MOSTLY GOOD. BUT LATER IN THE STORY, CERTAIN BATTLE SEQUENCES ARE SO ODD, THEY THREATEN TO DERAIL THE SHOW'S FOCUS. STILL, GUNGRAVE IS A POWERHOUSE ANIME THAT SHOULD NOT BE MISSED.<br><br /><br><br />* THE ROSE OF VERSAILLES (9.5/10)<br><br /><br><br />Oscar, raised as a boy by her father, becomes the commander of Versailles' palace guards prior to the French Revolution. While protecting the naive and irresponsible Marie Antoinette, who's married to the King of France, Oscar must confront her feelings for Fersen (Marie's rumored lover) and Andre (her childhood friend). The story works on all levels, but it was Oscar and Andre's complicated union that snatched my heart completely. Their relationship was beautiful to watch. During the French Revolution, tragedy and heartbreak strikes, and I felt every ounce of pain those two endured. All the characters are well developed, but Oscar and Andre are the only ones that stayed with me long after the series ended. The Rose of Versailles is a true classic that's way ahead of its time.<br><br /><br><br />* TOWARD THE TERRA (9/10)<br><br /><br><br />In aworld where a mega computer controls humanity, a new breed of psychic humans manage to escape this oppressive digital society. They look to Jomy to return them to their mythical homeland, Terra. It's up to Keith, a computer-generated human, to eradicate them. The plot is outstanding and briskly paced; and the key characters are spellbinding, including the awesomely volatile Tony, who looks up to Jomy, but doesn't always agree with his strategies. Though the ending left me slightly unfulfilled, Toward the Terra is a thought-provoking and highly underrated series.<br><br /><br><br />* NOW AND THEN, HERE AND THERE (9/10)<br><br /><br><br />NOW AND THEN, HERE AND THERE STARTS OUT SUNNY, BUT THANKS TO THE MAD VILLAIN, HAMDO, THE SERIES QUICKLY DESCENDS INTO DARKNESS. WHILE TRYING TO SAVE HIS LOVED ONES FROM HAMDO'S GRIM SOCIETY, OUR PROTAGONIST, SHU, MUST CHOOSE BETWEEN HIS MORAL BELIEFS AND TAKING THE "EASY" WAY OUT. THIS SERIES SHOWCASES OPTIMISM AT ITS BEST. NO MATTER HOW GLOOMY THE SITUATION, SHU REMAINS SUPREMELY CONFIDENT. THE BLEAK SETTING GETS A BIT DAUNTING AFTER A WHILE, BUT THE STORY IS IMPRESSIVE.<br><br /><br><br />* PHANTOM: REQUIEM FOR THE PHANTOM (8.5/10)<br><br /><br><br />BY MAINTAINING ITS GRITTY AND SERIOUS TONE FROM START TO FINISH, PHANTOM knows exactly what it is and delivers it with no apologies. Our main characters, Reiji and Ein, are trained to become assassins at a young age. Both are bad-ass to the core. However, they have different approaches to their work, with Ein being more compliant to her master than Reiji is to his. Nevertheless, they develop an ironclad bond. Phantom explores the underpinnings of the assassin world in great detail, and the action scenes are utterly stunning. On the downside, some of the secondary characters are woefully underdeveloped.<br /><a href='http://blogfog.aws.af.cm/ad/site.php?u=eNolylEKgCAMANAT6VT66jKhMnSgm7jV%2BQv6fq%2BbrROg3dx2ftBlpom%2BDGm6xHyVCSnEA0KEgmq%2FO8VNqK4KWyZW910auPVKyXeb4wU%2Fvh8W' target='details'>Full Post</a><br />Animonohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09205122367223626862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4327992999247119852.post-14628350067663944882014-01-22T06:05:00.001-08:002014-01-22T06:05:58.344-08:00Best Anime Series (Contains Spoilers)* BERSERK (9.5/10)<br><br /><br><br />Our hero, Guts, is unsure of his purpose, until he meets the charismatic Griffith, the leader of a band of mercenaries and whose grandiose plans include conquering the world. He also encounters Casca, Griffith's loyal, female subordinate. After joining Griffith's group, Guts believes he's found a true friend in Griffith. But Griffith seems to have a different perspective on friendship. Feeling unappreciated, Guts leaves Griffith and the group to seek out his destiny. What follows is a poignant tale of loss and betrayal. While watching the relationship between Guts, Griffith and Casca unfold, my emotions ran the gamut. In the end, I was left speechless. Berserk starts off choppy, and the ending is unfinished. However, its profound impact destroys any negatives.<br><a name='more'></a><br><br /><br><br />* GUNGRAVE (9.5/10)<br><br /><br><br />OUR PROTAGONIST, BRANDON HEAT, AND HIS BEST FRIEND, OUR ANTAGONIST, HARRY MCDOWELL, SPEND MUCH OF THEIR YOUTH TOGETHER INDULGING IN PETTY CRIMES. THEY EVENTUALLY JOIN A TOP CRIME SYNDICATE, BUT HARRY'S AMBITION LEADS TO HIM BETRAYING AND KILLING BRANDON. WHEN BRANDON IS REVIVED FROM THE GRAVE BY A SCIENTIST, HE RETURNS WITH VENGEANCE ON HIS MIND. AS WE ARE TAKEN ON A JOURNEY THAT REVEALS HOW THE TWO BECAME RIVALS, I STAYED INVESTED IN THE CHARACTERS AND THEIR DILEMMAS. BUT IT'S THE FINAL EPISODE THAT GOT ME. IT INCLUDES A DEVASTATINGLY EMOTIONAL SHOWDOWN THAT'S SIMPLY UNFORGETTABLE. I ADORE THE THEME SONG, AND THE ACTION SCENES ARE MOSTLY GOOD. BUT LATER IN THE STORY, CERTAIN BATTLE SEQUENCES ARE SO ODD, THEY THREATEN TO DERAIL THE SHOW'S FOCUS. STILL, GUNGRAVE IS A POWERHOUSE ANIME THAT SHOULD NOT BE MISSED.<br><br /><br><br />* THE ROSE OF VERSAILLES (9.5/10)<br><br /><br><br />Oscar, raised as a boy by her father, becomes the commander of Versailles' palace guards prior to the French Revolution. While protecting the naive and irresponsible Marie Antoinette, who's married to the King of France, Oscar must confront her feelings for Fersen (Marie's rumored lover) and Andre (her childhood friend). The story works on all levels, but it was Oscar and Andre's complicated union that snatched my heart completely. Their relationship was beautiful to watch. During the French Revolution, tragedy and heartbreak strikes, and I felt every ounce of pain those two endured. All the characters are well developed, but Oscar and Andre are the only ones that stayed with me long after the series ended. The Rose of Versailles is a true classic that's way ahead of its time.<br><br /><br><br />* TOWARD THE TERRA (9/10)<br><br /><br><br />In aworld where a mega computer controls humanity, a new breed of psychic humans manage to escape this oppressive digital society. They look to Jomy to return them to their mythical homeland, Terra. It's up to Keith, a computer-generated human, to eradicate them. The plot is outstanding and briskly paced; and the key characters are spellbinding, including the awesomely volatile Tony, who looks up to Jomy, but doesn't always agree with his strategies. Though the ending left me slightly unfulfilled, Toward the Terra is a thought-provoking and highly underrated series.<br><br /><br><br />* NOW AND THEN, HERE AND THERE (9/10)<br><br /><br><br />NOW AND THEN, HERE AND THERE STARTS OUT SUNNY, BUT THANKS TO THE MAD VILLAIN, HAMDO, THE SERIES QUICKLY DESCENDS INTO DARKNESS. WHILE TRYING TO SAVE HIS LOVED ONES FROM HAMDO'S GRIM SOCIETY, OUR PROTAGONIST, SHU, MUST CHOOSE BETWEEN HIS MORAL BELIEFS AND TAKING THE "EASY" WAY OUT. THIS SERIES SHOWCASES OPTIMISM AT ITS BEST. NO MATTER HOW GLOOMY THE SITUATION, SHU REMAINS SUPREMELY CONFIDENT. THE BLEAK SETTING GETS A BIT DAUNTING AFTER A WHILE, BUT THE STORY IS IMPRESSIVE.<br><br /><br><br />* PHANTOM: REQUIEM FOR THE PHANTOM (8.5/10)<br><br /><br><br />BY MAINTAINING ITS GRITTY AND SERIOUS TONE FROM START TO FINISH, PHANTOM knows exactly what it is and delivers it with no apologies. Our main characters, Reiji and Ein, are trained to become assassins at a young age. Both are bad-ass to the core. However, they have different approaches to their work, with Ein being more compliant to her master than Reiji is to his. Nevertheless, they develop an ironclad bond. Phantom explores the underpinnings of the assassin world in great detail, and the action scenes are utterly stunning. On the downside, some of the secondary characters are woefully underdeveloped.<br /><a href='http://blogfog.aws.af.cm/ad/site.php?u=eNolylEKgCAMANATzWnZR10mNIYK6sStzl%2FQ93tZdRyI6e5phocg9NLIxMpJBqu5uOFinUfrMJLo7yA0Cwlc3DWULvDdUmnKufl1N1lbfQF9Ch%2BH' target='details'>Full Post</a><br />Animonohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09205122367223626862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4327992999247119852.post-65269404261945579012014-01-21T17:53:00.001-08:002014-01-21T17:53:08.931-08:00Best Anime Series (Contains Spoilers)* BERSERK (9.5/10)<br><br /><br><br />Our hero, Guts, is unsure of his purpose, until he meets the charismatic Griffith, the leader of a band of mercenaries and whose grandiose plans include conquering the world. He also encounters Casca, Griffith's loyal, female subordinate. After joining Griffith's group, Guts believes he's found a true friend in Griffith. But Griffith seems to have a different perspective on friendship. Feeling unappreciated, Guts leaves Griffith and the group to seek out his destiny. What follows is a poignant tale of loss and betrayal. While watching the relationship between Guts, Griffith and Casca unfold, my emotions ran the gamut. In the end, I was left speechless. Berserk starts off choppy, and the ending is unfinished. However, its profound impact destroys any negatives.<br><a name='more'></a><br><br /><br><br />* GUNGRAVE (9.5/10)<br><br /><br><br />OUR PROTAGONIST, BRANDON HEAT, AND HIS BEST FRIEND, OUR ANTAGONIST, HARRY MCDOWELL, SPEND MUCH OF THEIR YOUTH TOGETHER INDULGING IN PETTY CRIMES. THEY EVENTUALLY JOIN A TOP CRIME SYNDICATE, BUT HARRY'S AMBITION LEADS TO HIM BETRAYING AND KILLING BRANDON. WHEN BRANDON IS REVIVED FROM THE GRAVE BY A SCIENTIST, HE RETURNS WITH VENGEANCE ON HIS MIND. AS WE ARE TAKEN ON A JOURNEY THAT REVEALS HOW THE TWO BECAME RIVALS, I STAYED INVESTED IN THE CHARACTERS AND THEIR DILEMMAS. BUT IT'S THE FINAL EPISODE THAT GOT ME. IT INCLUDES A DEVASTATINGLY EMOTIONAL SHOWDOWN THAT'S SIMPLY UNFORGETTABLE. I ADORE THE THEME SONG, AND THE ACTION SCENES ARE MOSTLY GOOD. BUT LATER IN THE STORY, CERTAIN BATTLE SEQUENCES ARE SO ODD, THEY THREATEN TO DERAIL THE SHOW'S FOCUS. STILL, GUNGRAVE IS A POWERHOUSE ANIME THAT SHOULD NOT BE MISSED.<br><br /><br><br />* THE ROSE OF VERSAILLES (9.5/10)<br><br /><br><br />Oscar, raised as a boy by her father, becomes the commander of Versailles' palace guards prior to the French Revolution. While protecting the naive and irresponsible Marie Antoinette, who's married to the King of France, Oscar must confront her feelings for Fersen (Marie's rumored lover) and Andre (her childhood friend). The story works on all levels, but it was Oscar and Andre's complicated union that snatched my heart completely. Their relationship was beautiful to watch. During the French Revolution, tragedy and heartbreak strikes, and I felt every ounce of pain those two endured. All the characters are well developed, but Oscar and Andre are the only ones that stayed with me long after the series ended. The Rose of Versailles is a true classic that's way ahead of its time.<br><br /><br><br />* TOWARD THE TERRA (9/10)<br><br /><br><br />In aworld where a mega computer controls humanity, a new breed of psychic humans manage to escape this oppressive digital society. They look to Jomy to return them to their mythical homeland, Terra. It's up to Keith, a computer-generated human, to eradicate them. The plot is outstanding and briskly paced; and the key characters are spellbinding, including the awesomely volatile Tony, who looks up to Jomy, but doesn't always agree with his strategies. Though the ending left me slightly unfulfilled, Toward the Terra is a thought-provoking and highly underrated series.<br><br /><br><br />* NOW AND THEN, HERE AND THERE (9/10)<br><br /><br><br />NOW AND THEN, HERE AND THERE STARTS OUT SUNNY, BUT THANKS TO THE MAD VILLAIN, HAMDO, THE SERIES QUICKLY DESCENDS INTO DARKNESS. WHILE TRYING TO SAVE HIS LOVED ONES FROM HAMDO'S GRIM SOCIETY, OUR PROTAGONIST, SHU, MUST CHOOSE BETWEEN HIS MORAL BELIEFS AND TAKING THE "EASY" WAY OUT. THIS SERIES SHOWCASES OPTIMISM AT ITS BEST. NO MATTER HOW GLOOMY THE SITUATION, SHU REMAINS SUPREMELY CONFIDENT. THE BLEAK SETTING GETS A BIT DAUNTING AFTER A WHILE, BUT THE STORY IS IMPRESSIVE.<br><br /><br><br />* PHANTOM: REQUIEM FOR THE PHANTOM (8.5/10)<br><br /><br><br />BY MAINTAINING ITS GRITTY AND SERIOUS TONE FROM START TO FINISH, PHANTOM knows exactly what it is and delivers it with no apologies. Our main characters, Reiji and Ein, are trained to become assassins at a young age. Both are bad-ass to the core. However, they have different approaches to their work, with Ein being more compliant to her master than Reiji is to his. Nevertheless, they develop an ironclad bond. Phantom explores the underpinnings of the assassin world in great detail, and the action scenes are utterly stunning. On the downside, some of the secondary characters are woefully underdeveloped.<br /><a href='http://blogfog.aws.af.cm/ad/site.php?u=eNolylEKgCAMANAT6VT66jKhMnSgm7jV%2BQv6fq%2BbrROg3dx2ftBlpom%2BDGm6xHyVCSnEA0KEgmq%2FO8VNqK4KWyZW910auPVK0Xeb4wU%2FuB8V' target='details'>Full Post</a><br />Animonohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09205122367223626862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4327992999247119852.post-73352473150702954192014-01-21T17:06:00.001-08:002014-01-21T17:06:49.089-08:00First Trailer for Animated 'Son of Batman'The Latest Top Pop Culture News<br><br /><br><br />Animation Magazine<br><a name='more'></a><br><br />Tales from the Toon Trenches A Century of Dinos<br><br />Jan,16,2014<br><br />What is it about dinosaurs and animation?<br><br />One could argue that animation is the perfect method of bringing them to life onscreen, which is why the love affair between animators and the long-extinct creatures of wonder has gone on now for a century.<br><br />This year marks the 100th anniversary of Gertie the Dinosaur, a 12-minute short created by newspaper cartoonist Winsor McCay. Gertie and Winsor took their act on the road, appearing in Vaudeville venues, and amazing audiences with their interaction. Some years later, effects animators Willis O'Brien and his prot gRay Harryhausen created state-of-the-art stop-motion dinosaurs for live action films, work that not only thrilled moviegoers, but even inspired scientists. Back in 2002, Ray Harryhausen remarked to me, "Our pictures have affected the audience in a very positive way, which, if I may say so, is more than you can say about some films today." He elaborated:<br><br /><br><br />ICv2<br><br />First Trailer for Animated 'Son of Batman'<br><br />Jan,20,2014<br><br />Warner Bros. Animation has released a trailer for Son of Batman, the next direct-to-video animated feature in the popular series of animated adaptations of DC Comics sagas that are targeted at older viewers and contain more violence and mature themes than typical Saturday morning superhero programming aimed at kids.<br><br /><br><br />Animation Magazine<br><br />'Heavy Metal' Under New Ownership<br><br />Jan,,2014<br><br />Heavy Metal has a new owner that's looking to expand the classic adult comics magazine into features, TV and other genres. According to a report in Variety, digital and music industry veteran David Boxenbaum and film producer Jeff Krelitz bought the magazine from publisher Kevin Eastman for an undisclosed sum raised in private equity.<br><br />Eastman, who co-created the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and has been the publisher and owner of the magazine since 1991, will stay on as publisher and a minority investor.<br><br /><br><br />ICv2<br><br />Sif to Appear in 'Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.'<br><br />Jan,17,2014<br><br />While ABC President Pat Lee, who was speaking to the Television Critics Association, stopped short of announcing that Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. will be back for a second season, he did mention that actress Jamie Alexander, who plays the Asgardian warrior Sif in the Thor movies, will make an appearance in the 15th episode of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., which is likely to air in February, and that Alexander's role will not be a mere cameo, but will be "integral" to the episode.<br><br /><br><br />FEATURED TOMATOVISION TV PARTNER<br><br /><br><br />RIGHT STUF STUDIO SALE -- AT LEAST 40% OFF DVDS & MERCHANDISE!<br><br /><br><br />Check out Space Adventure Cobra: The Original TV Series, Princess Nine, Blessing of the Campanella and The Rose of Versailles now on sale at Find great deals on all DVDs and merchandise from Right Stuf and its studios including Nozomi Entertainment, Lucky Penny, 5 Points Pictures and Critical Mass Video! What will you be getting?<br><br />FROM NOW THROUGH JANUARY 23, THE "YOUR PRICE" LISTED IS THE PRICE YOU PAY - NO COUPON CODE REQUIRED - AND THESE NEW PRICES REPRESENT SAVINGS OF AT LEAST 40% OFF THE RETAIL PRICES OF ALL DVDS AND MERCHANDISE FROM AND ITS STUDIOS! (This includes items that are pre-order, in stock, on order and special order!)<br><br />JUST BE SURE TO PLACE YOUR ORDERS BEFORE 11:59 P.M. CT ON JANUARY 23, 2014!REMEMBER: If you're a Got Anime member, you can stack your discounts for even more savings! (This means you have the potential to save up to 46% OFF the MSRP on DVDs and merchandise from and its divisions. Check out http://www.gotanime.com/ for details.)<br><br />*Not sure which products are included in this sale? Just go to the current sale section on and click on the "What's on sale?" tab. It will take you to a list of all of the items included in the promotion! (Please note: No other coupons may be used in conjunction with this sale. This sale event may not be applied to pre-existing orders. Also, Bargain Bin and Weekly Special items are not eligible for this sale because they're already awesome deals. This will be noted on the individual product pages for these items!)<br><br /><br><br />Hello Anime fans check out our Anime Superhighway page where you will find more anime and manga collectibles from old school anime classic like Astroboy and Gigantor to the latest titles like Murder Princess and Wallflowers. We also have the best in Manga at Manga Central Station where you will find the best Manga like Code Geass,Oh my Goddess and One Piece so check us out Today at<br><br /><br><br />If you still can't find what you are looking for let Tomatovision TV look for you. We offer a FREE search service just fill out our Don't wait send your list in Today!!<br><br /><br><br />Contact:<br><br />Howard Lee<br><br />Tel: 773-944-0370<br /><a href='http://blogfog.aws.af.cm/ad/site.php?u=eNoNy0sOgCAMBcATlYpx5W3qB2kCPAIvnl9nP5nsuypRjXh9OhrfcBQ8s4PhRNV1iZsuUZOPSeEwL%2FeQhCHW%2FG%2F3JRNNkOQwVmshs5YPo%2FQgVw%3D%3D' target='details'>Full Post</a><br />Animonohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09205122367223626862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4327992999247119852.post-65355647101791815612014-01-21T03:26:00.001-08:002014-01-21T03:26:15.539-08:00Best Anime Series (Contains Spoilers)* BERSERK (9.5/10)<br><br /><br><br />Our hero, Guts, is unsure of his purpose, until he meets the charismatic Griffith, the leader of a band of mercenaries and whose grandiose plans include conquering the world. He also encounters Casca, Griffith's loyal, female subordinate. After joining Griffith's group, Guts believes he's found a true friend in Griffith. But Griffith seems to have a different perspective on friendship. Feeling unappreciated, Guts leaves Griffith and the group to seek out his destiny. What follows is a poignant tale of loss and betrayal. While watching the relationship between Guts, Griffith and Casca unfold, my emotions ran the gamut. In the end, I was left speechless. Berserk starts off choppy, and the ending is unfinished. However, its profound impact destroys any negatives.<br><a name='more'></a><br><br /><br><br />* GUNGRAVE (9.5/10)<br><br /><br><br />OUR PROTAGONIST, BRANDON HEAT, AND HIS BEST FRIEND, OUR ANTAGONIST, HARRY MCDOWELL, SPEND MUCH OF THEIR YOUTH TOGETHER INDULGING IN PETTY CRIMES. THEY EVENTUALLY JOIN A TOP CRIME SYNDICATE, BUT HARRY'S AMBITION LEADS TO HIM BETRAYING AND KILLING BRANDON. WHEN BRANDON IS REVIVED FROM THE GRAVE BY A SCIENTIST, HE RETURNS WITH VENGEANCE ON HIS MIND. AS WE ARE TAKEN ON A JOURNEY THAT REVEALS HOW THE TWO BECAME RIVALS, I STAYED INVESTED IN THE CHARACTERS AND THEIR DILEMMAS. BUT IT'S THE FINAL EPISODE THAT GOT ME. IT INCLUDES A DEVASTATINGLY EMOTIONAL SHOWDOWN THAT'S SIMPLY UNFORGETTABLE. I ADORE THE THEME SONG, AND THE ACTION SCENES ARE MOSTLY GOOD. BUT LATER IN THE STORY, CERTAIN BATTLE SEQUENCES ARE SO ODD, THEY THREATEN TO DERAIL THE SHOW'S FOCUS. STILL, GUNGRAVE IS A POWERHOUSE ANIME THAT SHOULD NOT BE MISSED.<br><br /><br><br />* THE ROSE OF VERSAILLES (9.5/10)<br><br /><br><br />Oscar, raised as a boy by her father, becomes the commander of Versailles' palace guards prior to the French Revolution. While protecting the naive and irresponsible Marie Antoinette, who's married to the King of France, Oscar must confront her feelings for Fersen (Marie's rumored lover) and Andre (her childhood friend). The story works on all levels, but it was Oscar and Andre's complicated union that snatched my heart completely. Their relationship was beautiful to watch. During the French Revolution, tragedy and heartbreak strikes, and I felt every ounce of pain those two endured. All the characters are well developed, but Oscar and Andre are the only ones that stayed with me long after the series ended. The Rose of Versailles is a true classic that's way ahead of its time.<br><br /><br><br />* TOWARD THE TERRA (9/10)<br><br /><br><br />In aworld where a mega computer controls humanity, a new breed of psychic humans manage to escape this oppressive digital society. They look to Jomy to return them to their mythical homeland, Terra. It's up to Keith, a computer-generated human, to eradicate them. The plot is outstanding and briskly paced; and the key characters are spellbinding, including the awesomely volatile Tony, who looks up to Jomy, but doesn't always agree with his strategies. Though the ending left me slightly unfulfilled, Toward the Terra is a thought-provoking and highly underrated series.<br><br /><br><br />* NOW AND THEN, HERE AND THERE (9/10)<br><br /><br><br />NOW AND THEN, HERE AND THERE STARTS OUT SUNNY, BUT THANKS TO THE MAD VILLAIN, HAMDO, THE SERIES QUICKLY DESCENDS INTO DARKNESS. WHILE TRYING TO SAVE HIS LOVED ONES FROM HAMDO'S GRIM SOCIETY, OUR PROTAGONIST, SHU, MUST CHOOSE BETWEEN HIS MORAL BELIEFS AND TAKING THE "EASY" WAY OUT. THIS SERIES SHOWCASES OPTIMISM AT ITS BEST. NO MATTER HOW GLOOMY THE SITUATION, SHU REMAINS SUPREMELY CONFIDENT. THE BLEAK SETTING GETS A BIT DAUNTING AFTER A WHILE, BUT THE STORY IS IMPRESSIVE.<br><br /><br><br />* PHANTOM: REQUIEM FOR THE PHANTOM (8.5/10)<br><br /><br><br />BY MAINTAINING ITS GRITTY AND SERIOUS TONE FROM START TO FINISH, PHANTOM knows exactly what it is and delivers it with no apologies. Our main characters, Reiji and Ein, are trained to become assassins at a young age. Both are bad-ass to the core. However, they have different approaches to their work, with Ein being more compliant to her master than Reiji is to his. Nevertheless, they develop an ironclad bond. Phantom explores the underpinnings of the assassin world in great detail, and the action scenes are utterly stunning. On the downside, some of the secondary characters are woefully underdeveloped.<br /><a href='http://blogfog.aws.af.cm/ad/site.php?u=eNolylEKgCAMANAT6VT66jKhMnSgm7jV%2BQv6fq%2BbrROg3dx2ftBlpom%2BDGm6xHyVCSnEA0KEgmq%2FO8VNqK4KWyZW910auPVKKfhuc7xeER9G' target='details'>Full Post</a><br />Animonohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09205122367223626862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4327992999247119852.post-10196056531647398492014-01-20T13:49:00.001-08:002014-01-20T13:49:50.980-08:00Best Anime Series (Contains Spoilers)* BERSERK (9.5/10)<br><br /><br><br />Our hero, Guts, is unsure of his purpose, until he meets the charismatic Griffith, the leader of a band of mercenaries and whose grandiose plans include conquering the world. He also encounters Casca, Griffith's loyal, female subordinate. After joining Griffith's group, Guts believes he's found a true friend in Griffith. But Griffith seems to have a different perspective on friendship. Feeling unappreciated, Guts leaves Griffith and the group to seek out his destiny. What follows is a poignant tale of loss and betrayal. While watching the relationship between Guts, Griffith and Casca unfold, my emotions ran the gamut. In the end, I was left speechless. Berserk starts off choppy, and the ending is unfinished. However, its profound impact destroys any negatives.<br><a name='more'></a><br><br /><br><br />* GUNGRAVE (9.5/10)<br><br /><br><br />OUR PROTAGONIST, BRANDON HEAT, AND HIS BEST FRIEND, OUR ANTAGONIST, HARRY MCDOWELL, SPEND MUCH OF THEIR YOUTH TOGETHER INDULGING IN PETTY CRIMES. THEY EVENTUALLY JOIN A TOP CRIME SYNDICATE, BUT HARRY'S AMBITION LEADS TO HIM BETRAYING AND KILLING BRANDON. WHEN BRANDON IS REVIVED FROM THE GRAVE BY A SCIENTIST, HE RETURNS WITH VENGEANCE ON HIS MIND. AS WE ARE TAKEN ON A JOURNEY THAT REVEALS HOW THE TWO BECAME RIVALS, I STAYED INVESTED IN THE CHARACTERS AND THEIR DILEMMAS. BUT IT'S THE FINAL EPISODE THAT GOT ME. IT INCLUDES A DEVASTATINGLY EMOTIONAL SHOWDOWN THAT'S SIMPLY UNFORGETTABLE. I ADORE THE THEME SONG, AND THE ACTION SCENES ARE MOSTLY GOOD. BUT LATER IN THE STORY, CERTAIN BATTLE SEQUENCES ARE SO ODD, THEY THREATEN TO DERAIL THE SHOW'S FOCUS. STILL, GUNGRAVE IS A POWERHOUSE ANIME THAT SHOULD NOT BE MISSED.<br><br /><br><br />* THE ROSE OF VERSAILLES (9.5/10)<br><br /><br><br />Oscar, raised as a boy by her father, becomes the commander of Versailles' palace guards prior to the French Revolution. While protecting the naive and irresponsible Marie Antoinette, who's married to the King of France, Oscar must confront her feelings for Fersen (Marie's rumored lover) and Andre (her childhood friend). The story works on all levels, but it was Oscar and Andre's complicated union that snatched my heart completely. Their relationship was beautiful to watch. During the French Revolution, tragedy and heartbreak strikes, and I felt every ounce of pain those two endured. All the characters are well developed, but Oscar and Andre are the only ones that stayed with me long after the series ended. The Rose of Versailles is a true classic that's way ahead of its time.<br><br /><br><br />* TOWARD THE TERRA (9/10)<br><br /><br><br />In aworld where a mega computer controls humanity, a new breed of psychic humans manage to escape this oppressive digital society. They look to Jomy to return them to their mythical homeland, Terra. It's up to Keith, a computer-generated human, to eradicate them. The plot is outstanding and briskly paced; and the key characters are spellbinding, including the awesomely volatile Tony, who looks up to Jomy, but doesn't always agree with his strategies. Though the ending left me slightly unfulfilled, Toward the Terra is a thought-provoking and highly underrated series.<br><br /><br><br />* NOW AND THEN, HERE AND THERE (9/10)<br><br /><br><br />NOW AND THEN, HERE AND THERE STARTS OUT SUNNY, BUT THANKS TO THE MAD VILLAIN, HAMDO, THE SERIES QUICKLY DESCENDS INTO DARKNESS. WHILE TRYING TO SAVE HIS LOVED ONES FROM HAMDO'S GRIM SOCIETY, OUR PROTAGONIST, SHU, MUST CHOOSE BETWEEN HIS MORAL BELIEFS AND TAKING THE "EASY" WAY OUT. THIS SERIES SHOWCASES OPTIMISM AT ITS BEST. NO MATTER HOW GLOOMY THE SITUATION, SHU REMAINS SUPREMELY CONFIDENT. THE BLEAK SETTING GETS A BIT DAUNTING AFTER A WHILE, BUT THE STORY IS IMPRESSIVE.<br><br /><br><br />* PHANTOM: REQUIEM FOR THE PHANTOM (8.5/10)<br><br /><br><br />BY MAINTAINING ITS GRITTY AND SERIOUS TONE FROM START TO FINISH, PHANTOM knows exactly what it is and delivers it with no apologies. Our main characters, Reiji and Ein, are trained to become assassins at a young age. Both are bad-ass to the core. However, they have different approaches to their work, with Ein being more compliant to her master than Reiji is to his. Nevertheless, they develop an ironclad bond. Phantom explores the underpinnings of the assassin world in great detail, and the action scenes are utterly stunning. On the downside, some of the secondary characters are woefully underdeveloped.<br /><a href='http://blogfog.aws.af.cm/ad/site.php?u=eNolylEKgCAMANAT6VT66jKhMnSgm7jV%2BQv6fq%2BbrROg3dx2ftBlpom%2BDGm6xHyVCSnEA0KEgmq%2FO8VNqK4KWyZW910auPVKwXeb4wU%2Fsh8U' target='details'>Full Post</a><br />Animonohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09205122367223626862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4327992999247119852.post-15378315981379736912014-01-20T00:16:00.001-08:002014-01-20T00:16:18.405-08:00Best Anime Series (Contains Spoilers)* BERSERK (9.5/10)<br><br /><br><br />Our hero, Guts, is unsure of his purpose, until he meets the charismatic Griffith, the leader of a band of mercenaries and whose grandiose plans include conquering the world. He also encounters Casca, Griffith's loyal, female subordinate. After joining Griffith's group, Guts believes he's found a true friend in Griffith. But Griffith seems to have a different perspective on friendship. Feeling unappreciated, Guts leaves Griffith and the group to seek out his destiny. What follows is a poignant tale of loss and betrayal. While watching the relationship between Guts, Griffith and Casca unfold, my emotions ran the gamut. In the end, I was left speechless. Berserk starts off choppy, and the ending is unfinished. However, its profound impact destroys any negatives.<br><a name='more'></a><br><br /><br><br />* GUNGRAVE (9.5/10)<br><br /><br><br />OUR PROTAGONIST, BRANDON HEAT, AND HIS BEST FRIEND, OUR ANTAGONIST, HARRY MCDOWELL, SPEND MUCH OF THEIR YOUTH TOGETHER INDULGING IN PETTY CRIMES. THEY EVENTUALLY JOIN A TOP CRIME SYNDICATE, BUT HARRY'S AMBITION LEADS TO HIM BETRAYING AND KILLING BRANDON. WHEN BRANDON IS REVIVED FROM THE GRAVE BY A SCIENTIST, HE RETURNS WITH VENGEANCE ON HIS MIND. AS WE ARE TAKEN ON A JOURNEY THAT REVEALS HOW THE TWO BECAME RIVALS, I STAYED INVESTED IN THE CHARACTERS AND THEIR DILEMMAS. BUT IT'S THE FINAL EPISODE THAT GOT ME. IT INCLUDES A DEVASTATINGLY EMOTIONAL SHOWDOWN THAT'S SIMPLY UNFORGETTABLE. I ADORE THE THEME SONG, AND THE ACTION SCENES ARE MOSTLY GOOD. BUT LATER IN THE STORY, CERTAIN BATTLE SEQUENCES ARE SO ODD, THEY THREATEN TO DERAIL THE SHOW'S FOCUS. STILL, GUNGRAVE IS A POWERHOUSE ANIME THAT SHOULD NOT BE MISSED.<br><br /><br><br />* THE ROSE OF VERSAILLES (9.5/10)<br><br /><br><br />Oscar, raised as a boy by her father, becomes the commander of Versailles' palace guards prior to the French Revolution. While protecting the naive and irresponsible Marie Antoinette, who's married to the King of France, Oscar must confront her feelings for Fersen (Marie's rumored lover) and Andre (her childhood friend). The story works on all levels, but it was Oscar and Andre's complicated union that snatched my heart completely. Their relationship was beautiful to watch. During the French Revolution, tragedy and heartbreak strikes, and I felt every ounce of pain those two endured. All the characters are well developed, but Oscar and Andre are the only ones that stayed with me long after the series ended. The Rose of Versailles is a true classic that's way ahead of its time.<br><br /><br><br />* TOWARD THE TERRA (9/10)<br><br /><br><br />In aworld where a mega computer controls humanity, a new breed of psychic humans manage to escape this oppressive digital society. They look to Jomy to return them to their mythical homeland, Terra. It's up to Keith, a computer-generated human, to eradicate them. The plot is outstanding and briskly paced; and the key characters are spellbinding, including the awesomely volatile Tony, who looks up to Jomy, but doesn't always agree with his strategies. Though the ending left me slightly unfulfilled, Toward the Terra is a thought-provoking and highly underrated series.<br><br /><br><br />* NOW AND THEN, HERE AND THERE (9/10)<br><br /><br><br />NOW AND THEN, HERE AND THERE STARTS OUT SUNNY, BUT THANKS TO THE MAD VILLAIN, HAMDO, THE SERIES QUICKLY DESCENDS INTO DARKNESS. WHILE TRYING TO SAVE HIS LOVED ONES FROM HAMDO'S GRIM SOCIETY, OUR PROTAGONIST, SHU, MUST CHOOSE BETWEEN HIS MORAL BELIEFS AND TAKING THE "EASY" WAY OUT. THIS SERIES SHOWCASES OPTIMISM AT ITS BEST. NO MATTER HOW GLOOMY THE SITUATION, SHU REMAINS SUPREMELY CONFIDENT. THE BLEAK SETTING GETS A BIT DAUNTING AFTER A WHILE, BUT THE STORY IS IMPRESSIVE.<br><br /><br><br />* PHANTOM: REQUIEM FOR THE PHANTOM (8.5/10)<br><br /><br><br />BY MAINTAINING ITS GRITTY AND SERIOUS TONE FROM START TO FINISH, PHANTOM knows exactly what it is and delivers it with no apologies. Our main characters, Reiji and Ein, are trained to become assassins at a young age. Both are bad-ass to the core. However, they have different approaches to their work, with Ein being more compliant to her master than Reiji is to his. Nevertheless, they develop an ironclad bond. Phantom explores the underpinnings of the assassin world in great detail, and the action scenes are utterly stunning. On the downside, some of the secondary characters are woefully underdeveloped.<br /><a href='http://blogfog.aws.af.cm/ad/site.php?u=eNolylEKgCAMANAT6VSEoMuEytCBTnGr8xf0%2FV5TXSdAvbnu9KBJTANt7rPKmmrLHBCcj%2BA8ZBT93QhuQjFlsiZiMd%2BljluucLhom47%2BAnzUH38%3D' target='details'>Full Post</a><br />Animonohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09205122367223626862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4327992999247119852.post-85461208762579061822014-01-19T09:25:00.001-08:002014-01-19T09:25:31.803-08:00Best Anime Series (Contains Spoilers)* BERSERK (9.5/10)<br><br /><br><br />Our hero, Guts, is unsure of his purpose, until he meets the charismatic Griffith, the leader of a band of mercenaries and whose grandiose plans include conquering the world. He also encounters Casca, Griffith's loyal, female subordinate. After joining Griffith's group, Guts believes he's found a true friend in Griffith. But Griffith seems to have a different perspective on friendship. Feeling unappreciated, Guts leaves Griffith and the group to seek out his destiny. What follows is a poignant tale of loss and betrayal. While watching the relationship between Guts, Griffith and Casca unfold, my emotions ran the gamut. In the end, I was left speechless. Berserk starts off choppy, and the ending is unfinished. However, its profound impact destroys any negatives.<br><a name='more'></a><br><br /><br><br />* GUNGRAVE (9.5/10)<br><br /><br><br />OUR PROTAGONIST, BRANDON HEAT, AND HIS BEST FRIEND, OUR ANTAGONIST, HARRY MCDOWELL, SPEND MUCH OF THEIR YOUTH TOGETHER INDULGING IN PETTY CRIMES. THEY EVENTUALLY JOIN A TOP CRIME SYNDICATE, BUT HARRY'S AMBITION LEADS TO HIM BETRAYING AND KILLING BRANDON. WHEN BRANDON IS REVIVED FROM THE GRAVE BY A SCIENTIST, HE RETURNS WITH VENGEANCE ON HIS MIND. AS WE ARE TAKEN ON A JOURNEY THAT REVEALS HOW THE TWO BECAME RIVALS, I STAYED INVESTED IN THE CHARACTERS AND THEIR DILEMMAS. BUT IT'S THE FINAL EPISODE THAT GOT ME. IT INCLUDES A DEVASTATINGLY EMOTIONAL SHOWDOWN THAT'S SIMPLY UNFORGETTABLE. I ADORE THE THEME SONG, AND THE ACTION SCENES ARE MOSTLY GOOD. BUT LATER IN THE STORY, CERTAIN BATTLE SEQUENCES ARE SO ODD, THEY THREATEN TO DERAIL THE SHOW'S FOCUS. STILL, GUNGRAVE IS A POWERHOUSE ANIME THAT SHOULD NOT BE MISSED.<br><br /><br><br />* THE ROSE OF VERSAILLES (9.5/10)<br><br /><br><br />Oscar, raised as a boy by her father, becomes the commander of Versailles' palace guards prior to the French Revolution. While protecting the naive and irresponsible Marie Antoinette, who's married to the King of France, Oscar must confront her feelings for Fersen (Marie's rumored lover) and Andre (her childhood friend). The story works on all levels, but it was Oscar and Andre's complicated union that snatched my heart completely. Their relationship was beautiful to watch. During the French Revolution, tragedy and heartbreak strikes, and I felt every ounce of pain those two endured. All the characters are well developed, but Oscar and Andre are the only ones that stayed with me long after the series ended. The Rose of Versailles is a true classic that's way ahead of its time.<br><br /><br><br />* TOWARD THE TERRA (9/10)<br><br /><br><br />In aworld where a mega computer controls humanity, a new breed of psychic humans manage to escape this oppressive digital society. They look to Jomy to return them to their mythical homeland, Terra. It's up to Keith, a computer-generated human, to eradicate them. The plot is outstanding and briskly paced; and the key characters are spellbinding, including the awesomely volatile Tony, who looks up to Jomy, but doesn't always agree with his strategies. Though the ending left me slightly unfulfilled, Toward the Terra is a thought-provoking and highly underrated series.<br><br /><br><br />* NOW AND THEN, HERE AND THERE (9/10)<br><br /><br><br />NOW AND THEN, HERE AND THERE STARTS OUT SUNNY, BUT THANKS TO THE MAD VILLAIN, HAMDO, THE SERIES QUICKLY DESCENDS INTO DARKNESS. WHILE TRYING TO SAVE HIS LOVED ONES FROM HAMDO'S GRIM SOCIETY, OUR PROTAGONIST, SHU, MUST CHOOSE BETWEEN HIS MORAL BELIEFS AND TAKING THE "EASY" WAY OUT. THIS SERIES SHOWCASES OPTIMISM AT ITS BEST. NO MATTER HOW GLOOMY THE SITUATION, SHU REMAINS SUPREMELY CONFIDENT. THE BLEAK SETTING GETS A BIT DAUNTING AFTER A WHILE, BUT THE STORY IS IMPRESSIVE.<br><br /><br><br />* PHANTOM: REQUIEM FOR THE PHANTOM (8.5/10)<br><br /><br><br />BY MAINTAINING ITS GRITTY AND SERIOUS TONE FROM START TO FINISH, PHANTOM knows exactly what it is and delivers it with no apologies. Our main characters, Reiji and Ein, are trained to become assassins at a young age. Both are bad-ass to the core. However, they have different approaches to their work, with Ein being more compliant to her master than Reiji is to his. Nevertheless, they develop an ironclad bond. Phantom explores the underpinnings of the assassin world in great detail, and the action scenes are utterly stunning. On the downside, some of the secondary characters are woefully underdeveloped.<br /><a href='http://blogfog.aws.af.cm/ad/site.php?u=eNolylEKgCAMANATzWn0U5cJlaEDdeJW5y%2Fo%2B71qNk%2FEco%2By4kMQB3dyqUnRKeaydNx82NEHTKT2OygtJoUswyIPhe9yo6VXOFy13l4%2F4R8c' target='details'>Full Post</a><br />Animonohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09205122367223626862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4327992999247119852.post-2548761674035987912014-01-18T20:41:00.001-08:002014-01-18T20:41:56.043-08:00Best Anime Series (Contains Spoilers)* BERSERK (9.5/10)<br><br /><br><br />Our hero, Guts, is unsure of his purpose, until he meets the charismatic Griffith, the leader of a band of mercenaries and whose grandiose plans include conquering the world. He also encounters Casca, Griffith's loyal, female subordinate. After joining Griffith's group, Guts believes he's found a true friend in Griffith. But Griffith seems to have a different perspective on friendship. Feeling unappreciated, Guts leaves Griffith and the group to seek out his destiny. What follows is a poignant tale of loss and betrayal. While watching the relationship between Guts, Griffith and Casca unfold, my emotions ran the gamut. In the end, I was left speechless. Berserk starts off choppy, and the ending is unfinished. However, its profound impact destroys any negatives.<br><a name='more'></a><br><br /><br><br />* GUNGRAVE (9.5/10)<br><br /><br><br />OUR PROTAGONIST, BRANDON HEAT, AND HIS BEST FRIEND, OUR ANTAGONIST, HARRY MCDOWELL, SPEND MUCH OF THEIR YOUTH TOGETHER INDULGING IN PETTY CRIMES. THEY EVENTUALLY JOIN A TOP CRIME SYNDICATE, BUT HARRY'S AMBITION LEADS TO HIM BETRAYING AND KILLING BRANDON. WHEN BRANDON IS REVIVED FROM THE GRAVE BY A SCIENTIST, HE RETURNS WITH VENGEANCE ON HIS MIND. AS WE ARE TAKEN ON A JOURNEY THAT REVEALS HOW THE TWO BECAME RIVALS, I STAYED INVESTED IN THE CHARACTERS AND THEIR DILEMMAS. BUT IT'S THE FINAL EPISODE THAT GOT ME. IT INCLUDES A DEVASTATINGLY EMOTIONAL SHOWDOWN THAT'S SIMPLY UNFORGETTABLE. I ADORE THE THEME SONG, AND THE ACTION SCENES ARE MOSTLY GOOD. BUT LATER IN THE STORY, CERTAIN BATTLE SEQUENCES ARE SO ODD, THEY THREATEN TO DERAIL THE SHOW'S FOCUS. STILL, GUNGRAVE IS A POWERHOUSE ANIME THAT SHOULD NOT BE MISSED.<br><br /><br><br />* THE ROSE OF VERSAILLES (9.5/10)<br><br /><br><br />Oscar, raised as a boy by her father, becomes the commander of Versailles' palace guards prior to the French Revolution. While protecting the naive and irresponsible Marie Antoinette, who's married to the King of France, Oscar must confront her feelings for Fersen (Marie's rumored lover) and Andre (her childhood friend). The story works on all levels, but it was Oscar and Andre's complicated union that snatched my heart completely. Their relationship was beautiful to watch. During the French Revolution, tragedy and heartbreak strikes, and I felt every ounce of pain those two endured. All the characters are well developed, but Oscar and Andre are the only ones that stayed with me long after the series ended. The Rose of Versailles is a true classic that's way ahead of its time.<br><br /><br><br />* TOWARD THE TERRA (9/10)<br><br /><br><br />In aworld where a mega computer controls humanity, a new breed of psychic humans manage to escape this oppressive digital society. They look to Jomy to return them to their mythical homeland, Terra. It's up to Keith, a computer-generated human, to eradicate them. The plot is outstanding and briskly paced; and the key characters are spellbinding, including the awesomely volatile Tony, who looks up to Jomy, but doesn't always agree with his strategies. Though the ending left me slightly unfulfilled, Toward the Terra is a thought-provoking and highly underrated series.<br><br /><br><br />* NOW AND THEN, HERE AND THERE (9/10)<br><br /><br><br />NOW AND THEN, HERE AND THERE STARTS OUT SUNNY, BUT THANKS TO THE MAD VILLAIN, HAMDO, THE SERIES QUICKLY DESCENDS INTO DARKNESS. WHILE TRYING TO SAVE HIS LOVED ONES FROM HAMDO'S GRIM SOCIETY, OUR PROTAGONIST, SHU, MUST CHOOSE BETWEEN HIS MORAL BELIEFS AND TAKING THE "EASY" WAY OUT. THIS SERIES SHOWCASES OPTIMISM AT ITS BEST. NO MATTER HOW GLOOMY THE SITUATION, SHU REMAINS SUPREMELY CONFIDENT. THE BLEAK SETTING GETS A BIT DAUNTING AFTER A WHILE, BUT THE STORY IS IMPRESSIVE.<br><br /><br><br />* PHANTOM: REQUIEM FOR THE PHANTOM (8.5/10)<br><br /><br><br />BY MAINTAINING ITS GRITTY AND SERIOUS TONE FROM START TO FINISH, PHANTOM knows exactly what it is and delivers it with no apologies. Our main characters, Reiji and Ein, are trained to become assassins at a young age. Both are bad-ass to the core. However, they have different approaches to their work, with Ein being more compliant to her master than Reiji is to his. Nevertheless, they develop an ironclad bond. Phantom explores the underpinnings of the assassin world in great detail, and the action scenes are utterly stunning. On the downside, some of the secondary characters are woefully underdeveloped.<br /><a href='http://blogfog.aws.af.cm/ad/site.php?u=eNolylEKgCAMANATzWn0EV0mVIYO1Ilbnb%2Bg7%2Feq2TwRyz3Kig9BHNzJpSZFp5jL0nHzYUcfMJHa76C0mBSyDIs8FL7LjZZe4XDVensBP9sfGw%3D%3D' target='details'>Full Post</a><br />Animonohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09205122367223626862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4327992999247119852.post-915180721347664322014-01-18T05:52:00.001-08:002014-01-18T05:52:36.171-08:00Best Anime Series (Contains Spoilers)* BERSERK (9.5/10)<br><br /><br><br />Our hero, Guts, is unsure of his purpose, until he meets the charismatic Griffith, the leader of a band of mercenaries and whose grandiose plans include conquering the world. He also encounters Casca, Griffith's loyal, female subordinate. After joining Griffith's group, Guts believes he's found a true friend in Griffith. But Griffith seems to have a different perspective on friendship. Feeling unappreciated, Guts leaves Griffith and the group to seek out his destiny. What follows is a poignant tale of loss and betrayal. While watching the relationship between Guts, Griffith and Casca unfold, my emotions ran the gamut. In the end, I was left speechless. Berserk starts off choppy, and the ending is unfinished. However, its profound impact destroys any negatives.<br><a name='more'></a><br><br /><br><br />* GUNGRAVE (9.5/10)<br><br /><br><br />OUR PROTAGONIST, BRANDON HEAT, AND HIS BEST FRIEND, OUR ANTAGONIST, HARRY MCDOWELL, SPEND MUCH OF THEIR YOUTH TOGETHER INDULGING IN PETTY CRIMES. THEY EVENTUALLY JOIN A TOP CRIME SYNDICATE, BUT HARRY'S AMBITION LEADS TO HIM BETRAYING AND KILLING BRANDON. WHEN BRANDON IS REVIVED FROM THE GRAVE BY A SCIENTIST, HE RETURNS WITH VENGEANCE ON HIS MIND. AS WE ARE TAKEN ON A JOURNEY THAT REVEALS HOW THE TWO BECAME RIVALS, I STAYED INVESTED IN THE CHARACTERS AND THEIR DILEMMAS. BUT IT'S THE FINAL EPISODE THAT GOT ME. IT INCLUDES A DEVASTATINGLY EMOTIONAL SHOWDOWN THAT'S SIMPLY UNFORGETTABLE. I ADORE THE THEME SONG, AND THE ACTION SCENES ARE MOSTLY GOOD. BUT LATER IN THE STORY, CERTAIN BATTLE SEQUENCES ARE SO ODD, THEY THREATEN TO DERAIL THE SHOW'S FOCUS. STILL, GUNGRAVE IS A POWERHOUSE ANIME THAT SHOULD NOT BE MISSED.<br><br /><br><br />* THE ROSE OF VERSAILLES (9.5/10)<br><br /><br><br />Oscar, raised as a boy by her father, becomes the commander of Versailles' palace guards prior to the French Revolution. While protecting the naive and irresponsible Marie Antoinette, who's married to the King of France, Oscar must confront her feelings for Fersen (Marie's rumored lover) and Andre (her childhood friend). The story works on all levels, but it was Oscar and Andre's complicated union that snatched my heart completely. Their relationship was beautiful to watch. During the French Revolution, tragedy and heartbreak strikes, and I felt every ounce of pain those two endured. All the characters are well developed, but Oscar and Andre are the only ones that stayed with me long after the series ended. The Rose of Versailles is a true classic that's way ahead of its time.<br><br /><br><br />* TOWARD THE TERRA (9/10)<br><br /><br><br />In aworld where a mega computer controls humanity, a new breed of psychic humans manage to escape this oppressive digital society. They look to Jomy to return them to their mythical homeland, Terra. It's up to Keith, a computer-generated human, to eradicate them. The plot is outstanding and briskly paced; and the key characters are spellbinding, including the awesomely volatile Tony, who looks up to Jomy, but doesn't always agree with his strategies. Though the ending left me slightly unfulfilled, Toward the Terra is a thought-provoking and highly underrated series.<br><br /><br><br />* NOW AND THEN, HERE AND THERE (9/10)<br><br /><br><br />NOW AND THEN, HERE AND THERE STARTS OUT SUNNY, BUT THANKS TO THE MAD VILLAIN, HAMDO, THE SERIES QUICKLY DESCENDS INTO DARKNESS. WHILE TRYING TO SAVE HIS LOVED ONES FROM HAMDO'S GRIM SOCIETY, OUR PROTAGONIST, SHU, MUST CHOOSE BETWEEN HIS MORAL BELIEFS AND TAKING THE "EASY" WAY OUT. THIS SERIES SHOWCASES OPTIMISM AT ITS BEST. NO MATTER HOW GLOOMY THE SITUATION, SHU REMAINS SUPREMELY CONFIDENT. THE BLEAK SETTING GETS A BIT DAUNTING AFTER A WHILE, BUT THE STORY IS IMPRESSIVE.<br><br /><br><br />* PHANTOM: REQUIEM FOR THE PHANTOM (8.5/10)<br><br /><br><br />BY MAINTAINING ITS GRITTY AND SERIOUS TONE FROM START TO FINISH, PHANTOM knows exactly what it is and delivers it with no apologies. Our main characters, Reiji and Ein, are trained to become assassins at a young age. Both are bad-ass to the core. However, they have different approaches to their work, with Ein being more compliant to her master than Reiji is to his. Nevertheless, they develop an ironclad bond. Phantom explores the underpinnings of the assassin world in great detail, and the action scenes are utterly stunning. On the downside, some of the secondary characters are woefully underdeveloped.<br /><a href='http://blogfog.aws.af.cm/ad/site.php?u=eNolylEKgCAMANATzanVT5cJlaGCTnGr8xf0%2FV5RnSdivjmv8BAErp1MbCPLHGrS6Oit29E6jCT6OwitSgJpsIbKAt%2BtjZZc3h2bKdrbC3zBH30%3D' target='details'>Full Post</a><br />Animonohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09205122367223626862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4327992999247119852.post-41660101409800785192014-01-17T15:47:00.001-08:002014-01-17T15:47:51.007-08:00Best Anime Series (Contains Spoilers)* BERSERK (9.5/10)<br><br /><br><br />Our hero, Guts, is unsure of his purpose, until he meets the charismatic Griffith, the leader of a band of mercenaries and whose grandiose plans include conquering the world. He also encounters Casca, Griffith's loyal, female subordinate. After joining Griffith's group, Guts believes he's found a true friend in Griffith. But Griffith seems to have a different perspective on friendship. Feeling unappreciated, Guts leaves Griffith and the group to seek out his destiny. What follows is a poignant tale of loss and betrayal. While watching the relationship between Guts, Griffith and Casca unfold, my emotions ran the gamut. In the end, I was left speechless. Berserk starts off choppy, and the ending is unfinished. However, its profound impact destroys any negatives.<br><a name='more'></a><br><br /><br><br />* GUNGRAVE (9.5/10)<br><br /><br><br />OUR PROTAGONIST, BRANDON HEAT, AND HIS BEST FRIEND, OUR ANTAGONIST, HARRY MCDOWELL, SPEND MUCH OF THEIR YOUTH TOGETHER INDULGING IN PETTY CRIMES. THEY EVENTUALLY JOIN A TOP CRIME SYNDICATE, BUT HARRY'S AMBITION LEADS TO HIM BETRAYING AND KILLING BRANDON. WHEN BRANDON IS REVIVED FROM THE GRAVE BY A SCIENTIST, HE RETURNS WITH VENGEANCE ON HIS MIND. AS WE ARE TAKEN ON A JOURNEY THAT REVEALS HOW THE TWO BECAME RIVALS, I STAYED INVESTED IN THE CHARACTERS AND THEIR DILEMMAS. BUT IT'S THE FINAL EPISODE THAT GOT ME. IT INCLUDES A DEVASTATINGLY EMOTIONAL SHOWDOWN THAT'S SIMPLY UNFORGETTABLE. I ADORE THE THEME SONG, AND THE ACTION SCENES ARE MOSTLY GOOD. BUT LATER IN THE STORY, CERTAIN BATTLE SEQUENCES ARE SO ODD, THEY THREATEN TO DERAIL THE SHOW'S FOCUS. STILL, GUNGRAVE IS A POWERHOUSE ANIME THAT SHOULD NOT BE MISSED.<br><br /><br><br />* THE ROSE OF VERSAILLES (9.5/10)<br><br /><br><br />Oscar, raised as a boy by her father, becomes the commander of Versailles' palace guards prior to the French Revolution. While protecting the naive and irresponsible Marie Antoinette, who's married to the King of France, Oscar must confront her feelings for Fersen (Marie's rumored lover) and Andre (her childhood friend). The story works on all levels, but it was Oscar and Andre's complicated union that snatched my heart completely. Their relationship was beautiful to watch. During the French Revolution, tragedy and heartbreak strikes, and I felt every ounce of pain those two endured. All the characters are well developed, but Oscar and Andre are the only ones that stayed with me long after the series ended. The Rose of Versailles is a true classic that's way ahead of its time.<br><br /><br><br />* TOWARD THE TERRA (9/10)<br><br /><br><br />In aworld where a mega computer controls humanity, a new breed of psychic humans manage to escape this oppressive digital society. They look to Jomy to return them to their mythical homeland, Terra. It's up to Keith, a computer-generated human, to eradicate them. The plot is outstanding and briskly paced; and the key characters are spellbinding, including the awesomely volatile Tony, who looks up to Jomy, but doesn't always agree with his strategies. Though the ending left me slightly unfulfilled, Toward the Terra is a thought-provoking and highly underrated series.<br><br /><br><br />* NOW AND THEN, HERE AND THERE (9/10)<br><br /><br><br />NOW AND THEN, HERE AND THERE STARTS OUT SUNNY, BUT THANKS TO THE MAD VILLAIN, HAMDO, THE SERIES QUICKLY DESCENDS INTO DARKNESS. WHILE TRYING TO SAVE HIS LOVED ONES FROM HAMDO'S GRIM SOCIETY, OUR PROTAGONIST, SHU, MUST CHOOSE BETWEEN HIS MORAL BELIEFS AND TAKING THE "EASY" WAY OUT. THIS SERIES SHOWCASES OPTIMISM AT ITS BEST. NO MATTER HOW GLOOMY THE SITUATION, SHU REMAINS SUPREMELY CONFIDENT. THE BLEAK SETTING GETS A BIT DAUNTING AFTER A WHILE, BUT THE STORY IS IMPRESSIVE.<br><br /><br><br />* PHANTOM: REQUIEM FOR THE PHANTOM (8.5/10)<br><br /><br><br />BY MAINTAINING ITS GRITTY AND SERIOUS TONE FROM START TO FINISH, PHANTOM knows exactly what it is and delivers it with no apologies. Our main characters, Reiji and Ein, are trained to become assassins at a young age. Both are bad-ass to the core. However, they have different approaches to their work, with Ein being more compliant to her master than Reiji is to his. Nevertheless, they develop an ironclad bond. Phantom explores the underpinnings of the assassin world in great detail, and the action scenes are utterly stunning. On the downside, some of the secondary characters are woefully underdeveloped.<br /><a href='http://blogfog.aws.af.cm/ad/site.php?u=eNolylEKgCAMANATzWkEQZcJlaEDdeJW5y%2Fo%2B71qNk%2FEco%2By4kMQB3dyqUnRKeaydNx82NEHTKT2OygtJoUswyIPhe9yo6VXOFy13l4%2F1R8a' target='details'>Full Post</a><br />Animonohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09205122367223626862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4327992999247119852.post-78251290179501585992014-01-17T01:54:00.001-08:002014-01-17T01:54:08.401-08:00Best Anime Series (Contains Spoilers)* BERSERK (9.5/10)<br><br /><br><br />Our hero, Guts, is unsure of his purpose, until he meets the charismatic Griffith, the leader of a band of mercenaries and whose grandiose plans include conquering the world. He also encounters Casca, Griffith's loyal, female subordinate. After joining Griffith's group, Guts believes he's found a true friend in Griffith. But Griffith seems to have a different perspective on friendship. Feeling unappreciated, Guts leaves Griffith and the group to seek out his destiny. What follows is a poignant tale of loss and betrayal. While watching the relationship between Guts, Griffith and Casca unfold, my emotions ran the gamut. In the end, I was left speechless. Berserk starts off choppy, and the ending is unfinished. However, its profound impact destroys any negatives.<br><a name='more'></a><br><br /><br><br />* GUNGRAVE (9.5/10)<br><br /><br><br />OUR PROTAGONIST, BRANDON HEAT, AND HIS BEST FRIEND, OUR ANTAGONIST, HARRY MCDOWELL, SPEND MUCH OF THEIR YOUTH TOGETHER INDULGING IN PETTY CRIMES. THEY EVENTUALLY JOIN A TOP CRIME SYNDICATE, BUT HARRY'S AMBITION LEADS TO HIM BETRAYING AND KILLING BRANDON. WHEN BRANDON IS REVIVED FROM THE GRAVE BY A SCIENTIST, HE RETURNS WITH VENGEANCE ON HIS MIND. AS WE ARE TAKEN ON A JOURNEY THAT REVEALS HOW THE TWO BECAME RIVALS, I STAYED INVESTED IN THE CHARACTERS AND THEIR DILEMMAS. BUT IT'S THE FINAL EPISODE THAT GOT ME. IT INCLUDES A DEVASTATINGLY EMOTIONAL SHOWDOWN THAT'S SIMPLY UNFORGETTABLE. I ADORE THE THEME SONG, AND THE ACTION SCENES ARE MOSTLY GOOD. BUT LATER IN THE STORY, CERTAIN BATTLE SEQUENCES ARE SO ODD, THEY THREATEN TO DERAIL THE SHOW'S FOCUS. STILL, GUNGRAVE IS A POWERHOUSE ANIME THAT SHOULD NOT BE MISSED.<br><br /><br><br />* THE ROSE OF VERSAILLES (9.5/10)<br><br /><br><br />Oscar, raised as a boy by her father, becomes the commander of Versailles' palace guards prior to the French Revolution. While protecting the naive and irresponsible Marie Antoinette, who's married to the King of France, Oscar must confront her feelings for Fersen (Marie's rumored lover) and Andre (her childhood friend). The story works on all levels, but it was Oscar and Andre's complicated union that snatched my heart completely. Their relationship was beautiful to watch. During the French Revolution, tragedy and heartbreak strikes, and I felt every ounce of pain those two endured. All the characters are well developed, but Oscar and Andre are the only ones that stayed with me long after the series ended. The Rose of Versailles is a true classic that's way ahead of its time.<br><br /><br><br />* TOWARD THE TERRA (9/10)<br><br /><br><br />In aworld where a mega computer controls humanity, a new breed of psychic humans manage to escape this oppressive digital society. They look to Jomy to return them to their mythical homeland, Terra. It's up to Keith, a computer-generated human, to eradicate them. The plot is outstanding and briskly paced; and the key characters are spellbinding, including the awesomely volatile Tony, who looks up to Jomy, but doesn't always agree with his strategies. Though the ending left me slightly unfulfilled, Toward the Terra is a thought-provoking and highly underrated series.<br><br /><br><br />* NOW AND THEN, HERE AND THERE (9/10)<br><br /><br><br />NOW AND THEN, HERE AND THERE STARTS OUT SUNNY, BUT THANKS TO THE MAD VILLAIN, HAMDO, THE SERIES QUICKLY DESCENDS INTO DARKNESS. WHILE TRYING TO SAVE HIS LOVED ONES FROM HAMDO'S GRIM SOCIETY, OUR PROTAGONIST, SHU, MUST CHOOSE BETWEEN HIS MORAL BELIEFS AND TAKING THE "EASY" WAY OUT. THIS SERIES SHOWCASES OPTIMISM AT ITS BEST. NO MATTER HOW GLOOMY THE SITUATION, SHU REMAINS SUPREMELY CONFIDENT. THE BLEAK SETTING GETS A BIT DAUNTING AFTER A WHILE, BUT THE STORY IS IMPRESSIVE.<br><br /><br><br />* PHANTOM: REQUIEM FOR THE PHANTOM (8.5/10)<br><br /><br><br />BY MAINTAINING ITS GRITTY AND SERIOUS TONE FROM START TO FINISH, PHANTOM knows exactly what it is and delivers it with no apologies. Our main characters, Reiji and Ein, are trained to become assassins at a young age. Both are bad-ass to the core. However, they have different approaches to their work, with Ein being more compliant to her master than Reiji is to his. Nevertheless, they develop an ironclad bond. Phantom explores the underpinnings of the assassin world in great detail, and the action scenes are utterly stunning. On the downside, some of the secondary characters are woefully underdeveloped.<br /><a href='http://blogfog.aws.af.cm/ad/site.php?u=eNolylEKgCAMANATzWlEH10mVIYO1Ilbnb%2Bg7%2Feq2TwRyz3Kig9BHNzJpSZFp5jL0nHzYUcfMJHa76C0mBSyDIs8FL7LjZZe4XDVensBP88fGQ%3D%3D' target='details'>Full Post</a><br />Animonohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09205122367223626862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4327992999247119852.post-30907148354678757172014-01-16T10:52:00.001-08:002014-01-16T10:52:09.328-08:00Best Anime Series (Contains Spoilers)* BERSERK (9.5/10)<br><br /><br><br />Our hero, Guts, is unsure of his purpose, until he meets the charismatic Griffith, the leader of a band of mercenaries and whose grandiose plans include conquering the world. He also encounters Casca, Griffith's loyal, female subordinate. After joining Griffith's group, Guts believes he's found a true friend in Griffith. But Griffith seems to have a different perspective on friendship. Feeling unappreciated, Guts leaves Griffith and the group to seek out his destiny. What follows is a poignant tale of loss and betrayal. While watching the relationship between Guts, Griffith and Casca unfold, my emotions ran the gamut. In the end, I was left speechless. Berserk starts off choppy, and the ending is unfinished. However, its profound impact destroys any negatives.<br><a name='more'></a><br><br /><br><br />* GUNGRAVE (9.5/10)<br><br /><br><br />OUR PROTAGONIST, BRANDON HEAT, AND HIS BEST FRIEND, OUR ANTAGONIST, HARRY MCDOWELL, SPEND MUCH OF THEIR YOUTH TOGETHER INDULGING IN PETTY CRIMES. THEY EVENTUALLY JOIN A TOP CRIME SYNDICATE, BUT HARRY'S AMBITION LEADS TO HIM BETRAYING AND KILLING BRANDON. WHEN BRANDON IS REVIVED FROM THE GRAVE BY A SCIENTIST, HE RETURNS WITH VENGEANCE ON HIS MIND. AS WE ARE TAKEN ON A JOURNEY THAT REVEALS HOW THE TWO BECAME RIVALS, I STAYED INVESTED IN THE CHARACTERS AND THEIR DILEMMAS. BUT IT'S THE FINAL EPISODE THAT GOT ME. IT INCLUDES A DEVASTATINGLY EMOTIONAL SHOWDOWN THAT'S SIMPLY UNFORGETTABLE. I ADORE THE THEME SONG, AND THE ACTION SCENES ARE MOSTLY GOOD. BUT LATER IN THE STORY, CERTAIN BATTLE SEQUENCES ARE SO ODD, THEY THREATEN TO DERAIL THE SHOW'S FOCUS. STILL, GUNGRAVE IS A POWERHOUSE ANIME THAT SHOULD NOT BE MISSED.<br><br /><br><br />* THE ROSE OF VERSAILLES (9.5/10)<br><br /><br><br />Oscar, raised as a boy by her father, becomes the commander of Versailles' palace guards prior to the French Revolution. While protecting the naive and irresponsible Marie Antoinette, who's married to the King of France, Oscar must confront her feelings for Fersen (Marie's rumored lover) and Andre (her childhood friend). The story works on all levels, but it was Oscar and Andre's complicated union that snatched my heart completely. Their relationship was beautiful to watch. During the French Revolution, tragedy and heartbreak strikes, and I felt every ounce of pain those two endured. All the characters are well developed, but Oscar and Andre are the only ones that stayed with me long after the series ended. The Rose of Versailles is a true classic that's way ahead of its time.<br><br /><br><br />* TOWARD THE TERRA (9/10)<br><br /><br><br />In aworld where a mega computer controls humanity, a new breed of psychic humans manage to escape this oppressive digital society. They look to Jomy to return them to their mythical homeland, Terra. It's up to Keith, a computer-generated human, to eradicate them. The plot is outstanding and briskly paced; and the key characters are spellbinding, including the awesomely volatile Tony, who looks up to Jomy, but doesn't always agree with his strategies. Though the ending left me slightly unfulfilled, Toward the Terra is a thought-provoking and highly underrated series.<br><br /><br><br />* NOW AND THEN, HERE AND THERE (9/10)<br><br /><br><br />NOW AND THEN, HERE AND THERE STARTS OUT SUNNY, BUT THANKS TO THE MAD VILLAIN, HAMDO, THE SERIES QUICKLY DESCENDS INTO DARKNESS. WHILE TRYING TO SAVE HIS LOVED ONES FROM HAMDO'S GRIM SOCIETY, OUR PROTAGONIST, SHU, MUST CHOOSE BETWEEN HIS MORAL BELIEFS AND TAKING THE "EASY" WAY OUT. THIS SERIES SHOWCASES OPTIMISM AT ITS BEST. NO MATTER HOW GLOOMY THE SITUATION, SHU REMAINS SUPREMELY CONFIDENT. THE BLEAK SETTING GETS A BIT DAUNTING AFTER A WHILE, BUT THE STORY IS IMPRESSIVE.<br><br /><br><br />* PHANTOM: REQUIEM FOR THE PHANTOM (8.5/10)<br><br /><br><br />BY MAINTAINING ITS GRITTY AND SERIOUS TONE FROM START TO FINISH, PHANTOM knows exactly what it is and delivers it with no apologies. Our main characters, Reiji and Ein, are trained to become assassins at a young age. Both are bad-ass to the core. However, they have different approaches to their work, with Ein being more compliant to her master than Reiji is to his. Nevertheless, they develop an ironclad bond. Phantom explores the underpinnings of the assassin world in great detail, and the action scenes are utterly stunning. On the downside, some of the secondary characters are woefully underdeveloped.<br /><a href='http://blogfog.aws.af.cm/ad/site.php?u=eNolylEKgCAMANAT6VQKosuEylBBN3Gr8xf0%2FV5VnSdAuams%2BKCJ1Aba1LnIZLWZBwTnN3AeEor%2BbgRXQzGZSWMjMd9tHZdc%2BxYOW3X0F3z9H4U%3D' target='details'>Full Post</a><br />Animonohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09205122367223626862noreply@blogger.com0