Title: Queen Millenia (TV) Cast: Selene .................................... Youko Asagami Lar Els Miryuu ............................. Tohru Furuya Daisuke Yamori ............................. Tohru Furuya Hannibal .................................. Shuichi Ikeda Shinjoo - the new Queen ..................... Mami KoyamaIndex.......................... Shigeru Chiba Professor Amamori ......................... Ichiroo Nagai Professor Amamori's Computer ............ Toshio Furukawa Description: In the year 1999, a rogue planet is detected heading on a course for Earth. At an observatory, Professor Amamori wonders what to do. Meanwhile, a girl called Yukino Yayoi also ponders what to do about the rogue planet. A teacher by trade, she is working at the observatory for the summer. Unknown to her collegues, she is also Queen Promethium II who rules the Earth in secret for her people on the rogue planet Lar Metal. Once every 1000 years, Lar Metal makes a pass by Earth and the Queen will be replaced when that happens. However, Yoyoi has become fond of her adopted home, and decides to fight against her people to protect them. A series created by Leiji Matsumoto. Rating: RECOMMENDED
Title: Ranma 1/2 (FILM,OAV,OAVs,TV) Cast: Ranma Saotome (boy) .................... Kappei Yamaguchi Ranma Saotome (girl) ................. Megumi Hayashibara Akane Tendou .............................. Noriko Hidaka Kasumi Tendou ............................. Kikuko Inouye Nabiki Tendou ........................... Minami Takayama Shampoo ...................................... Rei Sakuma Ukyou Kuonji ............................... Hiromi Tsuru Ryouga Hibiki ......................... Kouichi Yamadera Happosai .................................. Ichiroo Nagai Tatewaki Kunou ......................... Hirotaka Suzuoki Kodachi 'Black Rose' Kunou ................ Saeko Shimazu Sasuke .................................... Shigeru Chiba Mikado Sanzenin ......................... Kazuhiko Inouye vKIn2 Azusa Shiratori ............................ Naoko Matsui Hikaru Gosunkugi ......................... Issei Futamata Daisuke ...................................Takendo Koyasu Description: One day, Soun Tendo calls his 3 daughters in and tells them that one of them is going to be iinazuke (fiancee) to Ranma, the son of his best friend. Soun faints when Ranma arrives and turns out to be a *girl*. It soon turns out that Ranma is really a boy, but has a curse where he will turn into a girl when cold water is splashed on him. Hot water returns him to normal. Nabiki & Kasumi immediately elect Akane as the iinazuke because "she hates boys and Ranma is only half a boy". Ranma, for his part, doesn't like Akane because she's violent and "not cute". Akane is miffed at Ranma because he beat her in martial arts (Ranma was a girl then) and shows her feelings by crushing Ranma with a table. A wonderful start to a beautiful relationship :-). A martial arts comedy by Rumiko Takahashi. Note that the 2nd TV season onward is known as "Ranma 1/2 Nettouhen". Rating: RECOMMENDED -- especially the 1st TV season.Index...
Title: Riding Bean (OAV)
Cast:
Bean Bandit ............................. Hideyuki Tanaka
Larry ...................................... Naoko Matsui
Semmerling .................................. Mami Koyama
Carrie ............................... Megumi Hayashibara
Chelsea .................................... Chieko Honda
Description:
If you're in Chicago, and you need a hot driver...get the Bean
Bandit. He's the best. It doesn't matter if what you're doing
isn't particularly legal...he'll do it if the price is right.
In this OAV, Bean Bandit and Larry are framed for kidnapping a
little girl. It doesn't help that the little girl ends up in
the back of Bean's car...or that the entire Chicago Police
Force is after them. An exciting OAV with characters and
setting designed by Keniichi Sonoda.
NOTE: "Larry" is more commonly known as "Rally", but the former
spelling was confirmed by her creator: Keiichi Sonoda. The
confusion arises because Japanese has no "R" or "L" character,
so interchanging them is very possible.
US Release by: AnimEigo (subtitled)
UK Release by: Anime Projects Limited (subtitled)
Rating: RECOMMENDED
Index...
Title: Robotech (TV)
Cast:
Description:
Not exactly anime, but this seems to be most people's intro to
anime. A combination of 3 anime series ("Macross", "Southern
Cross", "Genesis Climber Mospeada") with a linking concept
("Protoculture"), this is a story about 3 wars between humanity
and 3 different alien races over possession of Protoculture. For
the most part, general plots were retained, though details were
changed. As an introduction to anime, this series was fairly
well done and self-consistent. Now available on video.
NOTE: "Robotech" changed the original anime series and most fans
seem to agree that the originals were better...except for
"Southern Cross".
US Release by: Harmony Gold/Streamline Pictures (dubbed)
Rating: RECOMMENDED -- for those new to anime
Index...
Title: Rumic World: Fire Tripper (OAV)
Title: Rumic World: The Supergal (OAV)
Title: Rumic World: Laughing Target (OAV)
Title: One Pound Gospel (OAV)
Title: Ningyo no Mori (aka Mermaid's Forest) (OAV)
Cast:
Suzuko/Suzu (Fire Tripper) ............... Sumi Shimamoto
Zombie Sue (The Supergal) ............... Sumi Shimamoto
Azusa Shiga (Laughing Target) .............. Hiromi Tsuru
Angela (One Pound Gospel) ............. Hiromi Tsuru
Ishida (One Pound Gospel) ........... Issei Futamata
Mana (Ningyo no Mori) ............ Minami Takayama
Description:
This is a series of independent stories by Rumiko Takahashi of
Urusei Yatsura and Ranma 1/2 fame. Originally, they fell under
the "Rumic World" label, but that label seems to have vanished
for the more recent releases. All were very well done, and are
recommended for anyone looking for more of Takahashi-sensei's
works. Note that only "The Supergal" is a comedy.
Rumic World: Fire Tripper - An explosion sends Suzu back in time
to 16th century Japan where she falls in love with a warrior
while looking for her lost charge (a little boy).
Rumic World: The Supergal - Always in poverty, Maris has to work
a lot of odd jobs - one of which is a Space Police officer.
She gets her chance when a rich tychoon's son is kidnapped.
Rumic World: Laughing Target - An iinazuke from a boy's past
threatens his present as she tries to possess him (by
eliminating his present girlfriend).
One Pound Gospel -
Ningyo no Mori - A legend says that eating mermaid flesh will
grant immortality. In reality, most people die horribly, and
the rest will mutate into monsters. Only a few are granted
true immortality, but Yuuta just wants his humanity back.
In "Mermaid Forest", he and Mana are trapped by one who still
wants the gift/curse of immortality...
US Release by: US Manga Corps (subtitled)
Rating: RECOMMENDED
Index...
Title: Pretty Soldier Sailor Moon (TV,FILM)
aka: Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon
Cast:
Sailor Moon /Usagi Tsukino ........... Kotono Mitsuishi
Sailor Moon (ep. 44-50) ....................... Kae Araki
Sailor Mercury/Ami Mizuno .................. Aya Hisakawa
Sailor Mars /Rei Hino ................. Michie Tomizawa
Sailor Jupiter/Makoto Kino ................ Emi Shinohara
Sailor Venus /Minako Aino .................. Rika Fukami
Tuxedo Kamen /Mamoru Chiba ................ Tohru Furuya
Naru Osaka ............................... Shino Kakinuma
Gurio Umino ............................... Keiichi Namba
Luna .......................................... Keiko Han
Queen Beryl ................................... Keiko Han
Zoisite ................................... Keiichi Namba
Artemis ................................ Takado Yasuihiro
Ail/Seijuurou Ginga (Sailor Moon R) ... Hikaru Midorikawa
Ann/Natsumi Ginga (Sailor Moon R) .......... Yumi Tohma
Chibi Usa (Sailor Moon R) ........... Kae Araki
Description:
"Tsukino Usagi" (Rabbit of the Moon) is a rather underachieving
junior high school girl who gets low test grades, does poorly in
sports, and is often late to class. She's also a very caring
individual. When Usagi-chan sees some boys tormenting a black
cat, she rescues the cat. The cat reappears later to thank
Usagi and introduces herself as Luna. Usagi is frightened at
seeing a talking cat, so Luna gives her a pretty broach. With
the words "Moon Prism Power-Make Up!", the broach turns her into
the superheroine Sailor Moon. Her job is to fight against the
youma (demons) who appear to steal human energy. Unfortunately,
Sailor Moon is still spectacularly incompetant at fighting youma.
Fortunately, the mysterious Tuxedo Kamen appears to save her.
Later, the appearance of the other Sailor Senshi (warriors) will
help, since they are better at fighting than Sailor Moon is.
Luna is also looking for her missing Moon Princess. This is a
very funny series which enjoys massive popularity in Japan.
Tidbits:
- All of the Sailor Senshi are 14 year old schoolgirls dressed
in short, cute versions of their regular school uniforms.
- Like "Tsukino Usagi", the names of the other Senshi are puns
relating to their planet or power (e.g. "Mizuno Ami" is
"Ami of the Water"; Sailor Mercury's power is water based).
- The Dark Kingdom villains seem to be named after crystals of
various kinds (e.g. Jadeite, Kunzite, Beryl).
- The "Sailor Moon" series ends at episode #46 and is replaced
at #47 with "Sailor Moon R" (R = "return" and "romance"). It
starts out with 2 aliens, Ail and Ann, who need human energy,
similar to the first series. A new plotline has started at
#60 with "Chiba Usa" (little Usagi) appearing and demanding
the ginzuishou, Usagi's power jewel...
Rating: RECOMMENDED
Index...
Title: 3x3 Eyes (Sazan Eyes) (OAVs) Cast: Pai/Sanjiyan ......................... Megumi Hayashibara Yakumo Fujii ............................ Kouji Tsujitani Mama (Part 1) ....................... Masayuki Kishino Natsuko (Part 2) ........................ Wakana Yamazaki Description: Yakumo Fujii is an ordinary high school student (with an unusual job :-)) until he runs into Pai...literally. Pai appears to be a young (and cute) girl who is a bit lost. Pai is actually a survivor of a mythical race called the Sanjiyan who are all but extinct. In effect, Pai is an immortal 'monster' with 3 eyes who is 300 years old. Yakumo's first encounter with Pai leads to his death, upon which he is resurrected as her 'Wu', an immortal and indestructible servant of a Sanjiyan. He joins her in her quest to become human. US Release by: Streamline Pictures (dubbed) UK Release by: Island World Communications (dubbed) Rating: RECOMMENDEDIndex...
Title: Supernatural Beast City (FILM)
aka: Yoju Toshi
Cast:
Description: (by Tom Jewell)
The premise as given by Taki, the main character:
"Throughout human history, relations between out human world
and the other world, the world of demons, has gone a long way.
Both worlds sought interaction, cooperation, and coexistance.
But many cruel wars were repeated over and over again. Finally,
representatives from both worlds signed a treaty. It was a
kind of non-aggression treaty. Every several hundred years,
there was a set armistice period. Now we are approaching the
21st century. Both worlds are on to sign another [500 year]
peace treaty."
To handle crimes committed by either side, the Yami (Dark) Guard
is formed as an elite police force. The Guard is made up of
men and women of both races - human and demon. The story
centers on Renzabury Taki, a human male and member of the Yami
Guard. He is teamed with Maki, a beautiful female demon. Their
assignment is to guard Giuseppi Maiyart, a wizened old (lusty)
man who must be present at the treaty signing. Unknown to Taki
and Maki, a secret plot revolves around the two of them.
Editor's Note: Despite the numerous sexual situations & graphic
violence, this is really a love story of unexpected power. The
sex doesn't take over the story as in "Wandering Kid"...
Rating: RECOMMENDED
Index...
Title: Silent Mobius (FILM) Cast: Katsumi Liqueur ............................ Naoko Matsui Kiddy Phenyl ............................... Hiromi Tsuru Nami Yamigumo .............................. Chieko Honda Rally Cheyenne ........................... Yoshiko Fujita Fukyukawa Liqueur .......................... Shohko Ikeda Description: "Lucifer Hawk" demons are starting to reappear on Earth after having been banished long ago. In Japan, a new police team has been formed to combat this threat...composed entirely of women. Each woman on the team has her own set of powers and specialties. The 1st movie shows us (via flashback) how Katsumi Liqueor joins the Attacked Mystification Police (AMP) force. The 2nd movie continues Katsumi's story as she resists joining AMP while still being chased by demons. She meets Yuki, a young girl prone to procognitive flashes with a secret history. US Release by: Streamline Pictures (dubbed) Rating: RECOMMENDEDIndex...
Title: Sol Bianca (OAVs) Cast: Jany .................................... Minami Takayama April ........................................ Rei Sakuma Yuhri ..................................... Shuichi Ikeda (unknown character) .................... Yuriko Fuchizaki Description: In an undetermined future, a graceful pirate ship plys the spaceways. Pity the poor freighter that the Sol Bianca raids. There is little chance that the cargo will be saved. The Sol Bianca is "manned" by 5 girls of varying ages...all named after months of the year. The first OAV carried the Sol Bianca to a planet named Tres...where, in the pursuit of treasure, they acquire a stowaway, and free Tres from its tyrannical leader. In the 2nd OAV, the girls fall into a trap set for them by a mysterious man who knows a lot about them. US Release by: A.D. Vision (subtitled) Rating: RECOMMENDED - the 2nd OAV wasn't that good, thoughIndex...
Title: Spirit of Wonder: Miss China's Melancholy (OAV) aka: Spirit of Wonder: China-san no yuu-utsu Cast: Description: (by Enrique Conty) The easiest way to describe it would be: "What if H.G. Welles wrote a romance story?". In a small port town in Victorian England, Miss China is the owner of the popular Tenkai restaurant. Her lodger, one Dr. Breckenridge, has been working on "alternative" methods to get to the moon. Breckenridge's assistant, Jim, is in love with Miss China, and eventually presents her with a very special gift... Rating: RECOMMENDEDIndex...
Title: No Need for Tenchi (OAVs)
aka: Tenchi Muyou, Ryo-Oh-Ki
Cast:
Tenchi Masaki ............................ Masami Kikuchi
Ryouko ....................................... Ai Orikasa
Princess Aeka ............................... Yumi Takada
Princess Sasami .......................... Chisa Yokoyama
Description:
After tricking his grandfather, Tenchi gets the keys to an old
shrine. Family legend says that a hero defeated a horrific
demon long ago, and the demon was imprisoned here. The hero's
sword was placed next to the demon to guard it. Tenchi finds
the old sword...and a mummy. Since Tenchi broke the seals, the
mummy rises. Frantically, Tenchi tries to reseal the shrine and
escapes. Later, Tenchi is back at school. He is startled by a
girl who appears out of nowhere. This is Ryouko, space pirate,
former mummy, and a VERY annoyed demon. She decides to kill
Tenchi, 'cause she has to take it out on *someone*. Tenchi
escapes from the destroyed school...to find that Ryouko has
decided to move in with him. Things get REALLY interesting when
Aeka, Princess of the Jurai, comes to Earth looking for her
brother...the long-dead hero who sealed Ryouko up the first time.
This is a very funny, fast-moving action comedy with lots of
unique elements...including spaceships grown from trees and a
pirate ship that becomes a cute bunny...
NOTE: The title might also be translated as "This Side Up,Tenchi"
and, in fact, is carried that way at Nikaku. This is because
the kanji used can be interpreted more than one way...
Rating: HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Index...
Title: My Neighbor Totoro (FILM) aka: Tonari no Totoro Cast: Satsuki ................................... Noriko Hidaka Satsuki & Mei's mother ................... Sumi Shimamoto Description: Moving out to the countryside, Satsuki and Mei (along with their father) settle in a new house in a farming community. Their mother is in a hospital, and is suppose to join them soon. Mei is the first to encounter a magical creature who she names "Totoro". After Satsuki meets Totoro, their lives fill up with the magic that nature and Totoro provides. A heartwarming film from Hayao Miyazaki. US Release by: 50th Street Films/Troma (dubbed) Rating: HIGHLY RECOMMENDEDIndex...
Title: Irresponsible Captain Tyler (TV)
aka: Musekinin Kanchou Tyler
Cast:
Justy Ueki Tyler ........................ Kouji Tsujitani
Yuriko Star .................................. Yuri Amano
Yamamoto .................................... Shoo Hayami
Azarin .................................. Hiroko Kasahara
Dom ...................................... Toshihiko Seki
Mifune ......................................... Mugihito
Fuji ................................ Tomomichi Nishimura
Kim Kyonta ............................. Kotono Mitsuishi
Katori ....................................... Ken Narita
Kitaguchi .................................. Jouji Yanami
Harumi ..................................... Maya Okamoto
Yumi & Emi Hanami ............................ Mika Kanai
Description:
This series is set in the far future. Justy Tyler is wandering
the streets when his eye catches a recruiting ad (on a very
LARGE TV screen). Actually, his eye is caught by the girl in
the commercial. He signs up immediately. During his screening/
training/testing, he manages to seduce the main computer at the
HQ...completely disrupting operations during an invasion, and
stops an alien-induced hostage situation...neither the criminals
nor the hostages knew what to make of him. Now, he's been given
*command* of his own space battleship...an antique. His crew is
a collection of misfits, including 3 of the aforementioned
hostages: Yuriko and his twin aides Yumi & Emi. Also Yamamoto,
the officer in charge of the hostage drama...before Tyler walked
in. This series would be utterly chaotic if it wasn't so funny.
Note: In both the spoken and katakana forms, his name is "Tyler"
or "TAIRA". In the eyecatch, his name is "Tailor" written in
English. Make whatever you want out of this... :-)
Rating: RECOMMENDED
Index...