Title: I can hear the Sea (TV)
aka: Umi Ga Kikoeru
Cast:
Description:
Taku Morisaki is a college student on his way back to a high
school reunion. On the plane flight back, he remembers events
from his high school days. He remembers getting a glimpse of a
new girl with his friend Matsuno. Later, Matsuno introduces his
new girlfriend to Morisaki. Her name is Rikako Muto. She is
very good in sports and academically, but is a social outsider
since she is a transfer student. In their last year in school,
the class takes a trip to Hawaii. When Rikako's money is stolen,
it is to Morisaki that she asks to help her. This doesn't go
unnoticed by Matsuno, and cracks begin to appear in their
friendship. This is a very real look at relationships, and how
a single act may change them forever. Did a romantic triangle
form? It's hard to tell. This TV movie compares well with
better live-action dramas and outshines most anime.
NOTE: This is Studio Ghibli's first solo attempt by the "younger
generation" of the company. Miyazaki-sensei was not involved.
Rating: HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Index...
Title: Wandering Kid (or "Legend of the Overfiend")(OAVs,FILM)
aka: Urotsukidoji
Cast:
Description:
The universe consists of 3 realms: the Human World, the Beast
World, and the Demon World. Every 3000 years, the "Chojin"
(which is essentially a super-God of sorts) is born to unite the
3 worlds together. This series follows the journey of a boy
from the Beast World named Amanojaku as he searches for the
"Chojin". He settles on a human boy and girl (Nakumo and Akemi)
who seem to be the key. Events unfold rapidly as demons also
appear, looking for the "Chojin". The film is an edited
compilation of the 1st OAV series. There is a 2nd OAV series
which is a prequel of sorts. There are many scenes involving
violent rapes, dismemberment, demon-induced gore, supernatural
horror stuff, etc...
NOTE: This series' prime focus seems to be on the graphic sex
and violent scenes which permeates the series. In all fairness,
there *is* a rather complex plotline running through this, but
in the end, the plot is only an excuse to show more sex and
violence.
US Release by: US Manga Corps (dubbed)
UK Release by: Manga Video (dubbed)
Rating: NOT RECOMMENDED
Index...
Title: Urusei Yatsura (FILM,OAV,TV) Cast: Lum ......................................... Fumi Hirano Ataru Moroboshi ......................... Toshio Furukawa Shinobu Miyake ............................ Saeko Shimazu Shutaro Mendo .............................. Akira Kamiya Ryoko Mendo ................................. Mami Koyama Ryunosuke Fujinami ........................ Mayumi Tanaka Benten ....................................... Yuhko Mita Oyuki ...................................... Noriko Ohara Ran .......................................... You Inouye Megane .................................... Shigeru Chiba Chibi .................................... Issei Futamata Cherry .................................... Ichiroo Nagai Onsen-mark ............................ Michihiro Ikemizu Tsubame Ozuno ........................... Kazuhiko Inouye Asuka Mizunokouji ........................ Sumi Shimamoto Ten's Mother ............................. Sumi Shimamoto Elle Barakumi (UY1:Only You) ......... Yoshiko Sakakibara Rara (UY3:Remember my Love) ..... Sumi Shimamoto Karla (UY5:Boy meets Girl) ........... You Inouye Description: One day, an alien fleet appeared and was going to invade the Earth. Earth had only once chance: if a randomly selected Earth- man defeated an alien in a game of tag, then Earth would be spared. The computers picked a high school lech named Ataru Moroboshi. When Ataru found out, he hid behind his girlfriend Shinobu...until he saw his opponent: a cute girl in a tiger- striped bikini named Lum. All he has to do is grab Lum's horns before 10 days are up. The horny Ataru was *very* willing to do just that :-). On the first day, Ataru dashed toward Lum...who flew off. Ataru screamed that nobody told him that Lum could *fly*! Day after day, Ataru kept trying and failing. On the last night, Shinobu said that she'd marry Ataru if he won. The next day, Ataru cheated...and won the match. *Then* he said he would now be married. Baaaad timing...Lum took it to mean that he wanted to marry *her*. Now, the girl-chasing Ataru has a devoted and loving 'wife' who will fry him if he even looks at another girl. Oh, didn't I mention Lum's electric shock power? A romantic comedy created by the talented Rumiko Takahashi. US Release by: AnimEigo (subtitled) Rating: HIGHLY RECOMMENDEDIndex...
Title: Video Girl Ai (OAVs) aka: Denei Shoujo Ai Cast: Video Girl Ai (Amano) ................ Megumi Hayashibara Yohta Moteuchi ............................ Takeshi Kusao Moemi Hayakawa ............................... Yuri Amano Description: One day, Yohta is walking home. He's just been told that the girl he likes (Moemi) likes someone else. Trying to cheer up, he rents an 'explicit' video tape from a wierd rental shop, and when he plays it, Video Girl Ai pops out of his screen to comfort him. Unfortunately, Yohta's VCR is on the blink, and Ai appears minus a large part of her bosum, and with a new and dangerous mischievous personality... Rating: RECOMMENDEDIndex...
Title: Vampire Hunter D (FILM) Cast: 'D' ..................................... Kaneto Shiozawa Doris ................................... Michie Tomizawa Description: In the far future, enclaves of humans are trying to hold out against supernatural forces. In one such village, a girl named Doris is bitten by an ancient vampire. In seeking help, she encounters a mysterious Vampire Hunter named 'D'. Before being taken by Count Lee (the vampire), Doris is ostracized by the village. It is up to 'D' to save her. A very moody and dark film. US Release by: Streamline Pictures (dubbed) UK Release by: Island World Communications (dubbed) Rating: RECOMMENDEDIndex...
Title: Vampire Princess Miyu (OAVs) aka: Kyuuketsu Hime Miyu Cast: Miyu ..................................... Naoko Watanabe Himiko Se ................................... Mami Koyama Narrator ..................................... Goroo Naya Larva ................................... Kaneto Shiozawa Akiko ....................................... Yumi Takada Kei Yuzuki ................................. Ryo Horikawa Doctor ..................................... Tessho Genda Armored Shinma ............................. Tessho Genda Miyu's mother .............................. Masako Ikeda Description: In the shadows lurk the shinma (spirit-demons). For humans, it is dangerous to interact with the shinma. As Himiko, a human spiritualist finds out, there is another force moving quietly banishing the shinma...a vampire girl called Miyu. Along with her servant/friend Larva, Miyu acts against the shinma which is troubling humanity...but she doesn't act FOR humans. Her motives are as mysterious as she is herself. This is a quietly spooky series that gets more disturbing, the more you think about it. US Release by: AnimEigo (subtitled) Rating: HIGHLY RECOMMENDEDIndex...
Title: Wings of Honneamise (or "Royal Space Force") (FILM) Cast: Shirotsugh Lhadatto ........................ Leo Morimoto Leiquinni Nondelaiko ...................... Mitsuki Yayoi Description: In an alternate world, Shirotsugh Lhadatto dreams of becoming a pilot...but his grades weren't good enough, so he became a member of the Royal Space Force instead. The Space Force is led by a General whose dream is to put the first man into space. The Space Force, however, is a laughing stock and a career dead end, so its members aren't exactly the cream of the crop. After an encounter with Leiquinni Nondelaiko, a very religious girl, Shiro is inspired to volunteer to be the first astronaut. The movie details the growth of Shiro's character, as well as the trials - both political and technical - which culminate in the launch of the first manned rocket. I can't really do justice to this movie in a short description, but it's very good. A dubbed version exists called "Star Quest"...avoid it. Rating: HIGHLY RECOMMENDEDIndex...
Title: Yadamon (TV) Cast: Yadamon ...................................... Mika Kanai Taimon ..................................... Rin Mizuhara Jan ........................................ Rie Iwatsubo Eddie .................................... Issei Futamata Maria ....................................... Mami Suzuki Han-na .................................... Kyouko Minami Rick .................................... Takumi Yamazaki Peat ........................................ Mioko Kohie Butch .................................... Masahiro Anzai Enriko .................................. Kaneto Shiozawa Manaty .................................. Kineko Nakamura Description: Yadamon is a little witch who lives with Jan and his parents. They live in a future time where many things are automated (in a simplistic sort of way...automatic vacuum cleaners, for example). Maria, Jan's mother, is a biologist and spends her time perform- ing experiments. Yadamon is an inquisitive girl who frequently gets Jan in trouble with what she does. Along with Yadamon is Taimon, a little critter (who talks!) and can stop time briefly. The series consists of 10 minute episodes, and plots follow the simple "kids in mischief" line. Purely for little kids. Note: "Yadamon" is also a cute way for little girls to say "no".. Rating: RECOMMENDED (adults may find it dull, though)Index...
Title: Space Cruiser Yamato (FILM,TV) aka: Uchuu Senkan Yamato Cast: Yuki Mori ................................. Youko Asagami Juuzo Okida .................................. Goroo Naya Kato ....................................... Akira Kamiya Description: When the Earth is in trouble from invading alien forces, it resurrects and rebuilds a new space warship from the hulk of the old Japanese sea battleship: the Yamato. The various missions boil down to the same thing: defend the Earth and destroy the enemy forces. Rating: RECOMMENDEDIndex...
Title: Yawara! A fashionable judo girl. (FILM,TV) Cast: Yawara Inokuma ........................... Yuko Minaguchi Sayaka ................................. Yoshino Takamori Kousaku Matsuda .......................... Toshihiko Seki Shinnosuke Kazamatsuri ..................... Akira Kamiya Takeyuki Suzuki (Yawara! movie) ...... Megumi Hayashibara Description: One of the most talented and promising young contenders in the world of judo is a girl called Yawara Inokuma. With her native talent and quickness, she could fight just about anyone. With intensive training given by her grandfather (a judo champion in his own right), Yawara is unbeatable. It's the desire of many in the judo world to meet and beat Yawara. Yawara, on the other hand, would prefer to give up judo and become an ordinary girl. Rating: HIGHLY RECOMMENDEDIndex...
Title: Idol Angel Yohkoso Yohko (TV)
aka: Idol Tenshi Yohkoso Yohko
Cast:
Yohko Tanaka ................................. Mika Kanai
Saki Yamamori ........................ Megumi Hayashibara
Muu ...................................... Katsumi Suzuki
Hideki Yamashita ....................... Hirotaka Suzuoki
Kyou Hayami .............................. Toshihiko Seki
Chougorou Shibuya ................... Tomomichi Nishimura
Kyouko Hoshihana .......................... Yuko Mizutani
Toshio Harada ............................ Shin-ya Ootaki
Tokudaiji ............................... Kenyuu Horiuchi
Description: (by Chris Swett)
This is a 40-episode shojo (girl's) anime series about two young
girls who try to become idol singers in Shibuya. Yohko is
intensely upbeat and talented but has a mysterious past that she
won't talk about. She meets the second girl, Saki, on the
Shinkansen (bullet train) when she's on her way to Tokyo. They
team up in their assault on the showbiz industry. Yohko also
has a pet flying squirrel named Muu. His primary role is:
1) cause Yohko to meet all kinds of strange Shibuya residents
2) fetch a mirror-ball prop whenever Yohko looks like she's
going to break into song.
This series has at least one song per episode and could be
classed as a musical. There is also an extremely *cheerful* air
to it. Note that Yohko's origin is never explained and in fact,
the last episode shows her unchanged on TV 50 years from now...
Rating: RECOMMENDED
Index...
Title: Yotoden (OAVs) Cast: Sakon Hayate ............................ Kazuhiko Inouye Ranmaru Mori ............................ Kaneto Shiozawa Description: A giant demon destroys a ninja village. The only 2 people left are a girl, Ayame, and her brother. He gives her a dagger, the sacred weapon of their clan, and turns back to fight against the demon. Only Ayame is left. In ninja tradition, she vows to take revenge on those responsible. Later, a group of thieves attack a lone figure. They find that killing this stranger is not easy, and Sakon, their leader takes the stranger on. During the fight, Sakon and Ayanosuke (she had masculinized her name) find that their blades have an affinity with each other. Demons kill the thieves and are destroyed, in turn, by a priest. He sends them in the direction of Ryoma who has a pike made of the same meteor metal as the other 2 weapons. In this way, the old prophecy is coming true...the 3 mystic weapons working together under the flaming star (a comet) will vanquish evil. The evil, in this case is the demon-possessed Lord Nobunaga. This series is set up like an historical drama with intrigue and confrontations in historical Japan...with some magic and demons added. Note that Nobunaga is a real figure in Japanese history and tried to unite Japan under himself. He was the first to use Western weapons as opposed to the more 'honorable' weapons. This series is also noted for its realistic human animation. Rating: RECOMMENDEDIndex...
Title: Hades Project Zeorymer (OAVs) aka: Mei Ou Project Zeorymer Cast: Miku Himuro ................................ Chieko Honda Saiga ................................... Kaneto Shiozawa Description: A young man named Akitsu Masato is 'captured' by a secret govt. project known as "Last Guardian". He is told that his life as a normal student was all a lie, and that his real destiny is to be the pilot of a great robot called "Zeorymer of the Heavens". The truth of this is hammered in when Masato sees his 'parents' accept payment for raising him. The Last Guardian is preparing for the resurrection of "Hau Dragon", an organization bent on world conquest. 15 years ago, Hau Dragon built 8 great robots. Each of the mecha represents a force of nature. However, before any of the robots could be used, their creater Kihara Masaki destroyed the robots except for the leader: Zeorymer. He took Zeorymer and an embryo to the government. The embryo became the boy Masato. Now, Hau Dragon has rebuilt the other 7 mecha and wants the 8th. It will be up to Masato and Himuro to pilot Zeorymer and fight against the Hau Dragon...but neither Masato or Himuro are all that they seem... Rating: RECOMMENDEDIndex...