In a town where nothing happens, Renton Thurston dreams of taking to the skies and surfing the Trapar waves with his hero Holland and the rogue nation of Gekko State. And then one day his dream comes true, when a member of Gekko State quite literally crashes into his home, sparking off a chain of events that sees Renton join up with them and embark on an adventure that will affect the very future of the planet.

As one of several people to watch Eureka Seven recently, I went into the series fully expecting to not get the hyper and praise that surrounded it. Fortunately, although it wasn’t to hit the heights of the esteemed Gold level, I was to discover that there was a lot to like about this unconventional mecha series.

In its earliest stages, Eureka Seven can’t really be said to have much of an overriding plot, and to be honest, given the ponderous seriousness of the likes of Gundam, this is somewhat refreshing. Instead, we have various character pieces and one-off stories as Renton settles into the life of Gekko State- a laid back, counter-culture group who fly around the world in their ship, the Gekko-go, riding the Trapar waves (think of surfing through the air on a special board or even in a mecha) and taking on jobs for money. It’s cool, stylish fun, and even if the whole series had been nothing but this, I probably wouldn’t have complained.

Nonetheless, behind the fun and games, a more serious story begins to develop, one involving the nefarious plans of an evil colonel (there’s always one) and a bizarre alien race which cohabit the planet with humanity. Unfortunately, whilst this more serious tone helps the characters to grow and mature, in itself it’s a bit of a mess, with too many ideas introduced right at the end of the series, and the whole thing making sense by only the barest of margins, if that. Had the series tried to be a bit less ambitious in this regard, it would have perhaps been better all round.

Whilst the story has its flaws, however, Eureka Seven manages to be much stronger in the character department, bringing us a memorable cast who all undergo their own personal evolution. The stars of the show are of course Renton himself and young Eureka, an enigmatic mecha pilot who our hero immediately falls for. Over the course of the series, we see them both grow and mature, each learning from the other and becoming stronger for it. Equally important are the supporting cast, including Holland himself, a man who starts off as generally dislikeable but slowly becomes sympathetic; my personal favourite Talho, the Gekko-go’s pilot and Holland’s lover, a woman who faces the transition from carefree and easygoing to mature and responsible; Dominic, a young Federation officer who must balance duty and personal feelings; Anemone, an unstable mecha pilot whose spoilt and selfish nature covers her tragic status as a tool and experimental specimen, and many more. The fact that we can look back at the end of the series and see how far each of them has come is truly an achievement on the part of the series.

Even with all this, there is one more factor that gives Eureka Seven its bright sheen and general appeal, and that is the presentation. The visuals are sharp and bright, and that is exactly what gives the series its slick and stylish appeal. Even when fight scenes are just following brightly coloured lines in the sky, the series draws you into the fast paced intensity of a battle, throwing in loops, turns and missile launches with abandon. Even during the times when you know that the animators are just saving budget with distance shots and re-used footage, it all looks so good that you can’t possibly complain. Even the character designs, whilst not especially complex, have their own innate appeal- especially when it comes to the girls. And even the background music rounds out the atmosphere, mixing it up with a variety of energetic tracks including FLCL-style rock.

Final Thoughts

Although the overall story could have been better thought out, Eureka Seven still manages to impress with its character interaction and stylish presentation, ensuring a fun and memorable outing. In short, whilst it may not be the best series out there, it most certainly is the coolest.

Tier: Silver+

Mahou Shoujotai

What’s it about?: Alice has always believed in magic, so when she is transported to a world of witches and wizards, it should be like a dream come true. Unfortunately, contrary to her idealistic vision, the people of this world do not use magic only to bring happiness, and so Alice feels compelled to make everyone listen to her optimistic views- and, naïve as they may seem, they may be the only hope of finding a way to save a dying world and ward off a plan to use powerful black magic.
Why watch it?: A new type of magical girl show, Mahou Shoujotai may sound a bit saccharin, but in fact it proves to be a quirky and rewarding series from the minds at Studio 4^oC. Complete with a unique and oddly appealing art style, Mahou Shoujotai animates the world of magic we would all have liked to visit as children, but adds in tension, drama and challenges to pit our young heroines against.
Devil’s Advocate: The pacing and story development does feel a little too swift for its own good at times, although this can most likely be remedied with a re-watch to catch everything you missed the first time.
Final verdict: A highly unique series, Mahou Shoujotai redefines what it means to be a magical girl, and raises the bar for everything to come.

Master Keaton

What’s it about?: In his trademark suit and tie, Taichi Hiraga-Keaton may look like just another office worker, but this half-English, half-Japanese man is no ordinary person. After graduating from Oxford University, he served in the SAS, before becoming both an insurance investigator for Lloyd’s of London and a researcher and lecturer in archaeology- all the while making sure to spare some time for his daughter from a failed marriage! With a background like that, it is no wonder that both Keaton’s personal and professional life is filled with incidents and adventures, some of which he almost doesn’t make it through in one piece.
Why watch it?: As I said in my review last week, Master Keaton is a series good enough to recommend to anyone- regardless of whether or not they are an existing anime fan. Fronted by one of the most well developed characters to ever appear in anime, Master Keaton has it all- action, ingenious tricks, memorable situations and settings, and the ability to tell a fully fledged story within the space of twenty-five minutes.
Devil’s Advocate: Although it doesn’t detract from the quality and enjoyment of the show in any way whatsoever, it should be noted that there is no overall plot, and that the series remains entirely episodic throughout.
Final verdict: An excellent series through and through- don’t hesitate, just watch it.

Monster
What’s it about?: Kenzo Tenma had it all- a beautiful fiancée, a bright career as a surgeon, even the chance of one day becoming hospital director- until the day one simple decision changed his entire life. In the short term, the decision to save a young boy named Johan instead of a more prestigious patient sees him fall out of favour with the director, but the long-term cost is far more devastating- for, years later, Johan has grown up into a clever yet amoral murderer. Accused of a crime he didn’t commit, Tenma is forced to go on the run, with the only hope of clearing his name being to find and confront the true killer- Johan himself.
Why watch it?: If Master Keaton is the epitome of episodic anime, then Monster sits at the opposite end of the spectrum, presenting a complex and well woven story that kicks in from episode one and barely lets up on the quality and suspense. Never short on development for both characters and plot, Monster must rank as one of only two occasions where seventy-four episodes actually didn’t feek like enough (the other being Hikaru no Go).
Devil’s Advocate: Again, there’s not really anything to say against this series, except that it slows down a little around episode twenty when the focus moves more onto one shot characters than the leads for a few episodes.
Final verdict: An excellent mystery series that sets the bar high for the rest of the genre.

Mushishi

What’s it about?: They are known as Mushi- a range of primitive life forms close to the ‘source’ of all living things. Most people cannot see them, but they exist all around us, and their effects are often labelled as supernatural or simply inexplicable phenomena. There are, however, a select few- known as Mushishi- who devote their lives to studying Mushi and dealing with the problems they cause. Ginko is one such Mushishi, and as he travels from place to place, he not only encounters many differents kinds of Mushi, but all the people whose lives have been affected by them.
Why watch it?: Another worthy episodic series, Mushishi takes a simple formula and applies it to great effect, presenting a collection of folk tales that combine drama with fantasy to great effect. The mushi and their effects are always interesting to see, and the setting for the whole series is nothing short of breathtaking.
Devil’s Advocate: Since the very best episodes are so good, it does mean that there are those that feel weaker in comparison- in any other series, they would be fine, but Mushishi’s standard is so high that anything less than perfection seems a little disappointing.
Final verdict: An excellent and immersive series that by rights should go on forever.

NieA_7

What’s it about?: It’s hard enough being a penniless college student, but Mayuko has more problems than most- for one thing, she has a freeloading alien named NieA living in her closet! Despite being an “Under Seven” (the lowest class of alien), NieA is positive and upbeat- the exact opposite of her unwilling roommate. Can NieA help to brighten up Mayuko’s life a little, or is she just an unwanted nuisance with a propensity for building UFOs out of junk?
Why watch it?: Based on a doujinshi drawn by Yoshitoshi ABe, NieA_7 proves to be a nice counterpoint to the dark themes of Lain and Texhnolyze, offering a lighter blend of comedy and slice-of-life. That being said, there are more serious character-based themes running through the series which give it more grounding than simple light, throwaway material.
Devil’s Advocate: After going to the trouble of including these more serious undercurrents, some of them remain woefully unresolved (such as a plotline about the mysterious alien mothership in the sky).
Final verdict: A bright and breezy comedy with strong, memorable characters- complete the ABe quartet by watching it.

Now and Then, Here and There
What’s it about?: Shuzo ‘Shu’ Matsutani lives a normal life in Tokyo until the day a chance encounter with a mysterious girl named Lala Ru results in him being sent billions of years into the future, to a time when the Sun has expanded and the Earth has become a desert world. Now, Shu finds himself caught up in a mad king’s quest for power, and a war that has raged so long that even children are conscripted into the army.
Why watch it?: It may not be Grave of the Fireflies level in terms of harsh realities, but NTHT is a strong and powerful series which conveys the effects of war without ever seeming forced or preachy. Brought to life by its distinctive and memorable characters, NTHT doesn’t hold back on putting its characters through hardship, and yet you cannot help but stay glued to the screen, rooting them on.
Devil’s Advocate: Like Fantastic Children, NTHT can be accused of quite simplistic character designs, but whilst it isn’t the strongest on the visual front, it more than makes up for this with the story.
Final verdict: ‘Children at war’ has never been done so well.

Ouran High School Host Club

What’s it about?: For the idle rich attending the exclusive Ouran High School, the resident Host Club offers the ideal way for beautiful ladies to while away the hours being charmed by handsome men. It certainly sounds like the last thing less well-off student Fujioka Haruhi would be interested in, but after accidentally breaking one of their expensive vases, Haruhi is forced to pay off the ensuing debt by becoming a host- the only catch being that Haruhi is actually a girl! Now, Haruhi must play the part of a gentleman in order to fulfil her obligations, but will her straightforward personality win over the Host Club’s men as well?
Why watch it?: Although it seems to have all the elements of a typical and perhaps not-too-enthralling “odd one out” comedy, Ouran carries itself off with an incredibly infectious enthusiasm that permeates most scenes and makes you want to laugh at the absurd antics of the characters.
Devil’s Advocate: Unfortunately, comedy is the most subjective of genres, and Ouran is no exception; not only will the humour not appeal to everyone, but even fans will tire at times- especially when overdone elements such as the Lobelia Girls’ School start outstaying their welcome.
Final verdict: Put simply, it’s over-the-top fun and no more.

Pani Poni Dash!

What’s it about?: Rebecca Miyamoto is a genius who graduated from MIT at the tender age of eleven, but now she’s about to face her greatest challenge- teaching at a Japanese high school. Join Rebecca, her eclectic class and the perpetually ignored rabbit Mesousa as they prove that high school life can sometimes prove to be anything but routine.
Why watch it?: The craziest and most random high school comedy and parody anime out there, PPD beats out the competition by simply not caring about plot and narrative conventions- each episode proceeds at the whim of the writers, surging at breakneck speed through character exchanges and references to other series. Rather than alienating viewers, however, the series is filled with such energy and vitality that you get swept along for the ride.
Devil’s Advocate: It does take a few episodes to adjust to the randomness and generally bizarre nature of the show, and it has to be admitted that it doesn’t take a great deal to tip the balance in certain episodes and turn the amusing into the slightly tiresome- even so, the hits largely outweigh the misses.
Final verdict: A bit of an acquired taste, perhaps, but certainly the best parody anime series out there.

Paranoia Agent
What’s it about?: An urban legend, or something more? For those who find themselves in desperate situations with no way out, Shounen Bat is their salvation- a juvenile baseball bat wielding attacker who seems to target those most in need of him. But just who or what is Shounen Bat exactly, and what relation does he have with Tsukiko Sagi, creator of iconic mascot Maromi and the first in a long chain of victims of the underage assailant?
Why watch it?: A TV series made up of the leftover ideas that Satoshi Kon couldn’t put into his films, Paranoia Agent uses the ‘relay method’ of storytelling to pass the baton of main character from one person to another as the series progresses, all the while unfolding a mystery that extends into the realms of the psychological. It won’t make sense first time round (and we can even assume it isn’t meant to), but it remains compelling nonetheless, with plenty of replay value.
Devil’s Advocate: The relay method also has a weakness in that a character you particularly like in one episode will most likely be gone or reduced to minor role in the next. Episode five also deserves note for being particularly weak, with its Millennium Actress-esque part-real, part-fantasy trip through an RPG style reconstruction of events not working very well in the context of the series.
Final verdict: Although its events extend into the realms of the bizarre, this is still a well done mystery series with some innovative storytelling ideas.

Planetes

What’s it about?: In the year 2075, humanity continues to follow its dream of branching out into space. Unfortunately, the final frontier is not as glamorous as some would believe, and among its many hazards is space debris- the accumulated junk over a hundred years of space exploration.

Hachirota “Hachimaki” Hoshino is a debris hauler living and working in space; together with his somewhat eccentric colleagues in Technora’s Debris Section, it is his job to clear up all the unwanted items floating in Earth’s orbit. As he works hard at his job, Hachimaki dreams of one day buying his own spaceship, but how will the arrival of fresh-face rookie worker Ai Tanabe affect not only his daily life, but perhaps his future as well?
Why watch it?: Unlike most space adventures, Planetes is a very human tale about the ‘nuts and bolts’ of going out into space, neglecting the grandiose in order to focus on the real problems people would face- from political issues to smaller day-to-day concerns. Rather than making it dull and pedestrian, however, this focus on realism and human drama actually makes Planetes one of the better sci-fi series out there, as you join the leads on their coming-of-age journey and learn, as they do, that space, whilst a worthy goal, isn’t all about glamour.
Devil’s Advocate: As an incredibly idealistic character, Tanabe can sometimes become irritatingly sentimental, in particular during an episode about the treatment of an astronaut’s remains. Overall, however, these moments are in the minority compared to the worthy content.
Final verdict: A strong space drama with memorable characters- another one that’s recommended for all sci-fi fans.

RahXephon

What’s it about?: Years ago, Tokyo was sealed by the alien Mu, who surrounded it with a barrier that made time run more slowly inside. For those inside, life continues much as normal, and Ayato Kamina is no exception- until the day he meets Haruka Shitow, a woman from the outside. Swept up in a series of events that involves those closest to him, Ayato becomes pilot of the mecha RahXephon and begins a new life on the outside fighting the Mu and their powerful song-controlled weapons, the Dolem.
Why watch it?: Although so many have lambasted it as a mere clone of Evangelion, RahXephon is actually strong enough to stand on its own two feet, even surpassing its predecessor in the opinions of many. Alongside straightforward mecha action and a story that will take several viewings and visit or two to wikipedia to get your head around, RahXephon manages to weave in character development and revelations for pretty much everyone in its extensive line up of personalities- not to mention an increasingly complex love polygon.
Devil’s Advocate: Yes, there are elements that are reminiscent of Eva, but as mentioned above, despite the strong early similarity, RahXephon soon moves off on its own track. The main complaint, therefore, is that the complexity of the storyline can sometimes get a bit too overwhelming for its own good, although this can be remedied with multiple viewings.
Final verdict: Not quite my favourite mecha series, but certainly in the top three.

Requiem from the Darkness
What’s it about?: Lacking the desire to work for the family business, Momosuke Yamaoka chose to become an author instead, but writing riddles for children isn’t exactly what he had in mind. Instead, Momosuke dreams of writing a book of ghost stories- the Hundred Stories- and so it is that he sets out to investigate the various strange tales and rumours of the supernatural that occur across Japan. Along the way, however, he becomes drawn into the affairs of a mysterious trio of people who use their otherworldly powers to investigate these paranormal incidents for themselves and administer their own brand of justice to any wrongdoers responsible. Time and time again, Momosuke crosses paths with this trio, but what are the consequences of spending too much time in their grey world that intersects those of the living and the dead?
Why watch it?: Solid and stylish, Requiem from the Darkness sidesteps the usual blandness or poor execution of many horror series in order to deliver some worthy episodic outings that gradually build up into an overall plot to be concluded at the end. With its striking imagery and memorable stories (each with their own unique twist), this truly is supernatural horror done right.
Devil’s Advocate: Whilst the weakest part of the series is no doubt its CG effects, these are rather insignificant in the overall picture.
Final verdict: Well planned and well executed- a strong horror series overall.

Saikano

What’s it about?: Shuji and Chise are a typical teenage couple- not even sure whether their friendship is ready to be deepened into love, but ready to give it a go and see how their relationship evolves. Theirs is not to be a normal romance, however, for whilst their sleepy Hokkaido town is untouched, the rest of the world is at war, and Chise has been chosen to become an Ultimate Weapon, a living being who can transform into a killing machine at a moment’s notice. How do you cope when your body is changing in ways you can’t understand, and what do you do when you’re the boyfriend of that person, able only to look on without comprehending?
Why watch it?: A heart-wrenching series about romance tested by unusual circumstances, Saikano focuses less on its setting than on the people affected by those events. Never short on the character drama, Saikano is more than the average coming-of-age tale, for these are young people who must face challenges greater than anything most people will ever encounter- and it is seeing them persevere and explore their feelings in the face of adversity that makes for such gripping material.
Devil’s Advocate: Although the ending will not sit well with everyone, the biggest complaint that can be levelled at the series is that key elements are left unexplained- why is Chise chosen as an Ultimate Weapon (admittedly addressed in the OVA), why aren’t more of her made, and what exactly is this whole war about anyway? Ultimately, however, such things are not what the series was ever meant to be about, and so if you can put those questions aside and focus on the story, it will be a worthy experience.
Final verdict: An excellent tale of drama and romance, with a unique and memorable setting.

Saiunkoku Monogatari

What’s it about?: In the country of Saiunkoku, the Eight Families of Colour are the most highly ranked in the land, but that doesn’t necessarily make them particularly well off. In particular, the household of Kou Shouka and his daughter Shuurei has fallen on some hard times, and so it is that Shuurei eagerly accepts a highly paid if somewhat unusual job to enter the palace and try to drum some knowledge and motivation into the current emperor, Shi Ryuuki. It will be no easy task, but little does Shuurei realise it will be only the first step on a long and arduous journey to fulfil her dream of becoming the country first female official.
Why watch it?: Much more than the mere reverse harem series it might appear to be, SaiMono is a tale of drama and politics with a splash of intrigue and fantasy, set in a world that has its own fully realised history. The true draw, however, are the strong and memorable characters, especially Shuurei herself, a strong and determined female lead who is nonetheless likable and very human in her doubts, emotions and fears.
Devil’s Advocate: Although some will initially be put off by the large number of bishies that appear from the start, the true weakness of the series comes in the second season, which, while it is still airing and has plenty of time to redeem itself, has been known to slow the pace a little too much to prevent catching up with the original novel material.
Final verdict: Get over your fear of bishounen and step into one of the best series to air in the past few years.

Scrapped Princess
What’s it about?: When she was born, a prophecy claimed that Princess Pacifica would bring about the destruction of the world on her sixteenth birthday, and so the king made the terrible decision to have his own child killed. Even so, through the intervention of those who could not bear to murder a baby, Pacifica survived and grew up under the protection of the Cassul family, but when assassins come after the fifteen-year-old girl, she and her adoptive siblings are forced to go on the run. Can the princess who was scrapped at birth uncover the truth behind her own destiny?
Why watch it?: Although it quickly gains sci-fi elements, Scrapped Princess can still be considered as one of the best fantasy series out there, almost qualifying for that fabled fantasy series we all hoped for thanks to its memorable setting and characters (who are generally likable if not especially complex). If you want a tale of swords and sorcery that stretches the genre beyond the clichés of Lodoss War and its clones, then this is the one to try.
Devil’s Advocate: That being said, Scrapped Princess is far from perfect- the plotting is almost too convenient at times and certain elements remain a bit too generic, whilst the inclusion of sci-fi elements in the main plot is a little disappointing.
Final verdict: Although not without its flaws, it remains an enjoyable series overall.

Serial Experiments Lain
What’s it about?: These days, everyone’s Navi (computer) is hooked up to the Wired (Internet), but for Lain, such things have never really interested her- at least until the day a classmate who committed suicide somehow sends an email to everyone after her death. Intrigued to learn where reality ends and the virtual world begins, Lain purchases her own Navi and begins surfing deeper and deeper into the Wired- but how far will she need to go to understand the nature of existence itself?
Why watch it?: Each episode of Lain is known as a ‘layer’, and as you watch the series, it is easy to find an interpretation as to why that is- starting from base reality, every instalment takes us deeper into the internet, offering plenty of food for thought along the way. Like several of the other series listed here, it won’t all make sense first time (or perhaps ever), but it is still an interesting outing.
Devil’s Advocate: Sadly, the visuals aren’t quite up to par with other ABe series, with a rather grey-brown colour scheme washing out the beauty of the original designs. Again, it also won’t sit well with people who need definitive answers and a clear plotline.
Final verdict: An interesting look into a world where reality and the internet have blended together.

Someday’s Dreamers

What’s it about?: Yume Kikuchi is an apprentice magic user who has gone to Tokyo to finish her training under qualified mage Masami Oyamada. Under Masami’s tutelage, Yume learns how to use her powers to help people, but can she ever heal the pain that lurks in the heart of her own tutor?
Why watch it?: A sweet and charming tale that combines magic with slice-of-life, Someday’s Dreamers must be the very definition of healing anime, presenting its tales with a skill that will soften even the coldest of hearts. Complete with a breezy soundtrack and beautiful visuals based on soft watercolour designs, Someday’s Dreamers is like a breath of summer in the midst of a cold winter.
Devil’s Advocate: Compared to the original manga, the series can feel a little too saccharin and sentimental at times, and some of the changes to character back stories may annoy purists.
Final verdict: A worthy healing series whose magic will brighten anyone’s life.

Sousei no Aquarion

What’s it about?: Millennia ago, humanity did battle with the mighty Shadow Angels, and now the battle has begun anew. The only hope for humans to prevail this time around is the mecha Aquarion, comprised of three separate modules piloted by teenagers believed to be the reincarnations of those who fought in the original battle. Unfortunately, the battle has not been going well, and the latest hope for a successful comeback may lie with a feral boy named Apollo, who might just be the reincarnation of the fabled Apollonius.
Why watch it?: Aware that mecha series are all too prone to taking themselves too seriously, Aquarion lightens up enough to tell a good story whilst being able poke fun itself and its pretentious fellow mecha series. Production values are also generally high, leading to top notch animation and a worthy classical-style soundtrack from the talented Yoko Kanno.
Devil’s Advocate: The only real chink in the series’ armour is ‘experimental’ episode nineteen, which uses a simplistic and disappointing animation style to complement its bizarre, drug trip story.
Final verdict: They say it’s a long journey if you can’t learn to laugh at yourself, and Aquarion is all about teaching that lesson to the mecha genre.

Spiral

What’s it about?: Who are the Blade Children? Two years ago, Kiyotaka Narumi disappeared whilst investigating that very mystery, and now it seems as if his little brother Ayumu is about to be caught up in too. Starting with a incident in school, Ayumu finds himself drawn into the world of the ‘cursed’ Blade Children, but can he really save them from their fate?
Why watch it?: An intelligent mystery series, Spiral weaves a compelling tale as it progresses, impressing viewers with its many twists, plays and counterplays. Never has a battle of wits been so well plotted and engaging, and with strong characters and worthy designs, it just gets even better.
Devil’s Advocate: Sadly, the series does lose momentum in its final arc, and since it doesn’t cover the later revelation arcs of the manga, none of the bigger questions are really answered. Treat it as Ayumu’s coming-of-age story, however, and it doesn’t work too badly.
Final verdict: An excellent mystery series, only slightly let down by an inconclusive ending.

Tactics

What’s it about?: Kantarou Ichinomiya is a writer who specialises in folk tales, and he has a special advantage in the field- he can see goblins and spirits. Together with fox spirit Youko and “goblin eating tengu” Haruka, Kantarou investigates various supernatural stories across Japan.
Why watch it?: Although it is largely episodic and highly criticised for diverging from the manga, Tactics is simply a lot of fun- and whilst Kantarou is rather dislikeable, Haruka more than makes up for it. If you want some period fantasy and supernatural that is never too demanding, this is the series to choose.
Devil’s Advocate: Tactics is another of those “Marmite” series- you’ll either love it or find that it’s nothing special. I have to admit that most people will probably fall into the latter category, but for those who appreciate its charm, Tactics is an enjoyable little series.
Final verdict: At least give it a try, because if it takes your fancy, you’ll like it a lot.

Texhnolyze

What’s it about?: In the underground city of Lux, various factions vie for power, and in the ensuing conflicts, limbs are often lost. Fortunately, those with the luck or the means can get replacements in the form of Texhnolyze, artificial limbs whose controls are keyed into the brain. After losing both an arm and a leg, fighter and loner Ichise is given new limbs, but his struggle to adapt to his nbew limbs and find purpose in his life is but one small part of a conflict that will eventually engulf the entire city.
Why watch it?: Texhnolyze is an interesting and unique series not just because of its setting, but because of its bold and unique style of storytelling. After opening with several episodes in which barely any dialogue is used, Texhnolyze tells its story through bold and vivid scenes, leaving much to the interpretation of the individual viewer.
Devil’s Advocate: Yet again, those who clamour for definite and entirely coherent storytelling will probably not gel with this series, which largely leaves the viewer to find their own answers whilst puzzling over whether what they thought just happened was really the writers’ intent.
Final verdict: You may not have any clue as to what is going on, but you’ll enjoy yourself anyway.

Twin Spica

What’s it about?: From an early age, Asumi Kamogawa has dreamed of becoming a “rocket driver”, but if she wants to have any chance of doing so, she’ll first have to go to Tokyo and enrol in Space School. With the support of her father, teacher and the masked ghost of a deceased astronaut known only as “Lion-san”, Asumi applies to do just that, and, together with the friends she makes along the way, she takes the first steps towards achieving her dream.
Why watch it?: Like Planetes, Twin Spica is a more realistic space tale, focusing on the harsh training required to become astronaut. Character drama is plentiful, with the ‘present’ story being interspersed with flashbacks that gradually provide insights into Asumi’s past and the seeds of her ambitions.
Devil’s Advocate: Whilst the ‘evil teacher’ storyline that surfaces in places is a little pedestrian, the true disappointment is that at only twenty episodes in the length, the series is unable to cover all of the manga, and is most definitely over far too soon.
Final verdict: Another strong character-drive piece which uses its sci-fi elements to drive the story rather than dominate it.

Victorian Romance Emma

What’s it about?: Victorian England may technically be a single country, but within it dwells two worlds- that of the commoners, and that of the nobles. In an era where status and the opinion of society counts for everything, a romance that breaks class boundaries seems almost impossible to countenance- at least until it actually happens. The feelings between Emma, the maid of a retired governess, and William Jones, son and heir of a wealthy businessman, cannot be denied, but can the couple ever really hope to have a proper relationship?
Why watch it?: With its appealing historical setting and solid tale of romance and drama, Emma scores highly on two fronts, and the combined result is highly enjoyable. Brought to life with the aid of a melodic Celtic-style soundtrack and some technically accomplished animation, Emma is always worthy- in its first season, at least.
Devil’s Advocate: Now, whilst the second season isn’t exactly bad, it does have a little too much material to pack into twelve episodes, and a disappointing filler opening episode does little to help matters. Ultimately, a lot is left out or changed from the original manga, and overall it doesn’t live up to the original material the way the first season did.
Final verdict: Although let down by a weaker second season, Emma is a worthy slice of historical romance.

Windy Tales

What’s it about?: Ueshima Nao loves taking photos of the sky, all in an attempt to catch the elusive wind on camera. Imagine her delight, then, when she discovers the existence of Wind Manipulators, people who can call up the wind and control it themselves. And when Nao and her friends learn to manipulate the wind themselves, they realise how everything from the gentlest breeze to the strongest gale can affect people’s lives.
Why watch it?: Another entry in the ‘gentle and charming’ slice-of-life category, Windy Tales takes the simple concept of enjoying the wind, and with the help of a touch of magic, spins it into all sorts of entertaining tales. There’s something here to bring a smile to the face of every viewer- especially if you have a weakness for wave upon wave of flying cats.
Devil’s Advocate: Another series which is hard to fault, the only thing that may turn people off is the simplistic ‘paper cut out’ animation style, but if you can stick with it, you’ll learn to like it- and it certainly fits the series well.
Final verdict: A hidden gem that stands alongside Someday’s Dreamers in terms of simple, quiet and magical tales.

Witch Hunter Robin

What’s it about?: The job of the people at the STN-J is to hunt down witches as part of an ongoing effort to restrain those people whose supernatural powers go out of control. Their newest recruit is Robin, a craft user whose fire powers will come in extremely handy to the team- that is, if she can ever prove herself to her partner Amon. But even as Robin struggles to fit in at her new workplace, she also finds herself questioning what happens to the captured witches sent to the ‘Factory’, and just how much of a line separates her from the ones she hunts.
Why watch it?: A stylish tale that evolves from a monster of the week format into something darker, Witch Hunter Robin delivers on both the action and drama front, offering both enemies to fight and plenty of introspection moments for the lead. With skilled animation and Taku Iwasaki’s deft hand composing the score, Witch Hunter Robin is often compelling, and always atmospheric.
Devil’s Advocate: Even dedicated fans of the series have to admit that in the time allotted, the development of the series is a little uneven- supporting characters never get much of a focus, and even in the last few episodes it remains difficult to see how everything will be wrapped up in time. Fortunately, the overall product is strong enough to withstand the effects of these few flaws.
Final verdict: It could have done with more episodes to develop the story and cast even further, but what we do get is still very good.

Wolf’s Rain

What’s it about?: As the world draws to end, humanity can only spend its final days waiting for the inevitable, but for the wolves, there is still hope. Widely believed to be extinct, and possessed of the ability to pass themselves off as humans, wolf-kind has the ability to find Paradise, and although most have given up on the dream, one young wolf still believes. His name is Kiba, the white wolf, and both humans and wolves will become caught up in his seemingly impossible quest to unlock this fabled land.
Why watch it?: Wolf’s Rain is one of those series that brings a smile to my face every time I put it on- not because it is particularly cheerful (indeed, some moments are positively heart-wrenching), but because it is so well done that I love it all. Although the initial premise makes it sound as if it is going to be thirty episodes of chasing leads to Paradise and inevitably failing until the end, Wolf’s Rain is much more than that, able to invest every scene with beauty and emotion.
Devil’s Advocate: Apart from those sadly unavoidable four recap episodes (at the time, the SARS crisis prevented the studio from making any new episodes), Wolf’s Rain main issue is that it feels that there should have been more- not because the ending doesn’t wrap everything up, but because it would have been nice to have more time to explore certain characters and revelations along the way. What we have is very good, but still the urge for more of the same cannot be denied.
Final verdict: A powerful and moving story that knows just how to press viewers’ buttons, Wolf’s Rain remains one of my absolute favourites.

X TV
What’s it about?: The end of the world is nigh, and Tokyo is to be the battleground for an epic struggle between those who wish to protect the world, and those who want to scrap it in favour of a new one. Returning to Tokyo after the death of his mother, Kamui Shiro must decide which side he wants to be on, even as those who would be his potential allies and enemies gather in the city to take on their own roles in the coming battle.
Why watch it?: One of the better action series out there, X TV does its best at telling an unfinished story and investing it with plenty of grandiose battles and special effects. It even manages the amazing task of making sixteen or so named characters memorable in the space of only twenty-four episodes, surely a commendable achievement for any series.
Devil’s Advocate: Sadly, with the original manga unfinished, the director has to take liberties in coming up with his own conclusion, and certainly it does get a little cheesy by the end.
Final verdict: Ignore the ending and enjoy the drama and action along the way.

Yokohama Kaidashi Kikou OVAs
What’s it about?: Comprising four episodes over two OVAs, YKK takes selected chapters from the original manga and brings them to life, telling the tale of Alpha, a robot who runs a café in a quiet post-apocalyptic time known as the Twilight of Humanity.
Why watch it?: Although only possessed of a portion of the greatness of the original manga, YKK makes a worthy effort at bringing Alpha’s adventures to screen, giving prospective readers a visual taster of this, the epitome of slice-of-life series. Enjoy the simplicity of everything from brewing a cup of coffee to slowly expanding the scope of your world beyond your own backyard.
Devil’s Advocate: Since anime forces you to take it at a set pace instead of your own, there are times when the first OVA in particular feels like it could have been trimmed down a little. Nonetheless, fans of the manga will clamour for more.
Final verdict: A nice introduction to a venerable slice-of-life franchise.

Zettai Shounen

What’s it about?: Ayumu Aizawa expects to have nothing more than a quiet, boring summer when he goes to visit his father in the sleepy village of Tana, but as he gradually discovers, there is something more going on than meets the eye. Who is the mysterious little boy named Wakkun who keeps insisting that he comes to play with him in the woods? What are the bizarre mechanical creatures that most people can only see in reflections or out of the corner of their eye?
Why watch it?: A most unusual mystery series, Zettai Shounen takes a calm and tranquil setting and injects it with a touch of the supernatural. It’s unlike anything seen before, and for that reason it becomes entirely compelling and addictive, with each episode urging you on to discover what happens next. The characters are strong, and each scene is atmospheric and memorable- truly a recipe for success.
Devil’s Advocate: There’s nothing much to criticise here, except that the jump from the first arc to the second may be a little jarring and unexpected.
Final verdict: An excellent mystery series that everyone should try.

Zipang

What’s it about?: For the newly commissioned cruiser Mirai, it was meant to be a straightforward trip from Japan to Pearl Harbour, nothing more. Certainly no one on board could have anticipated the storm that would envelop them once they got out to sea- a storm that would send them sixty years into the past, right into the middle of 1942’s Battle of Midway. Now trapped in an unfamiliar era amidst a globe-spanning war, the Mirai must tread carefully, for any action they take could alter the course of history and make returning to the twenty-first century impossible.
Why watch it?: Although it may sound like a dull WWII military epic, Zipang is actually an absorbing character drama that becomes increasingly fascinating as each of the Mirai’s actions has a slow but sure ripple effect that begins altering the course of history. With careful pacing and a noteworthy attention to detail, the series always has something worthy to offer.
Devil’s Advocate: Once again, due to the length of the manga, the series ends rather abruptly with no real conclusion- a second season is sorely needed.
Final verdict: Even if you shudder at the thought of military-style WWII-based series, Zipang is good enough to be tried.

And there you have it- a list that won’t match anyone else’s tastes exactly, but might help a few people pick out what to watch next. Come back again soon(ish) to pick up some manga recommendations, not to mention find out which anime I’d prefer to have avoided entirely.

On a side note, don’t expect the likes of Ghost in the Shell, Cowboy Bebop and Evangelion to appear on here. Whilst the first two at least are certainly solid enough, they appear on recommendation lists throughout the land, and it’s time they stood aside to let worthier series get some of the spotlight.

The Grand List Part One: A to L

Of course I wanted to include Dennou Coil on here, but since it hasn’t finished airing yet, it’s a bit too early to pass final judgement.

Air

What’s it about?: When travelling puppeteer Yukito comes to a new town, his only thought is earning enough to eat, but in short order he finds himself drawn into the mysteries of the inhabitants. Based on an eroge by Key, Air is split into three arcs- the Summer arc, in which Yukito becomes entangled in the life and back story of the various female protagonists; the Summer Arc, which goes back a few centuries and explores the lives of the previous incarnations of the protagonists, and the Air arc, which concentrates on main girl Misuzu as sickness threatens to consume both her life and her bond with her adoptive mother.

Why watch it?: Far more than a simple harem series, Air unites a likable lead with a group of girls whose stories are far more compelling and heart-wrenching than the standard “mother died and father disappeared” of so many series. Coupled with the beautiful visuals and poignant music, the series creates an atmosphere that inevitably draws you into its world and makes you care about what is happening onscreen (unless of course you happen to be Owen).

Devil’s Advocate: With only twelve episodes to fit everything in (the thirteenth and final episode is a mere recap), it isn’t surprising that the anime has to proceed forward at a brisk pace, sometimes to the detriment of letting a point sink and truly make sense. Even so, when you consider that 24-6 episodes could have made the whole thing painfully slow, and that the Summer arc at least got two special episodes to help expand it a bit more, maybe its current incarnation is all for the best.

Final Verdict: Atmospheric and beautiful- an eroge adaptation done right.

Akagi

What’s it about?: One rain-soaked night in the 1960s, a teenager named Akagi Shigeru lights up the underworld by winning a high stakes mah-jongg match- despite having never played the game before. From then on, Akagi’s rare talent and unique genius for risking everything blazes a trail through the underworld as he becomes involved in a series of increasingly high-stakes matches.

Why watch it?: An entire series based around mah-jongg may sound dull, but Akagi proves to be a compelling series that draws you into its world regardless of whether you have any prior knowledge of the game. With its expertise at creating tension, Akagi can make you care far more about the flip of a single tile than some series do about the death of a major character.

Devil’s Advocate: Yes, it’s ugly, MANLY and the ending is inconclusive, and for this reason most people will be put off before they even begin. Even if such things aren’t to your taste, however, I must urge you to put aside your preconceptions and at least try the first few episodes.

Final Verdict: It may look like an unattractive testosterone fest, but Akagi’s extreme mah-jongg action can draw anyone into its world. Sit back and enjoy the ride- and maybe learn something about the game along the way.

Aria

What’s it about?: On the terraformed planet Aqua (formerly Mars), beautiful gondoliers known as undines ply the canals of Neo Venezia, a recreation of Earth’s Venice. Having come to Aqua from Earth, Akari Mizunashi works and trains hard for the day when she too will become a full-fledged undine, although on the way there is plenty of time for her and her friends to explore the secrets and wonders that their world has to offer.

Why watch it?: Aria is the epitome of slice-of-life- gentle, tranquil, charming and yet never dull. Thanks to the sense of wonder that infuses the entire series, even the simplest of actions seems fresh and new once again, and with such delightful characters exploring a beautiful city, it seems impossible to tire of their adventures. Oh, and there’s a fat cat too- what more can you ask for?

Devil’s Advocate: For those who aren’t as enamoured of the genre, Aria may seem a little slow and boring, even the most dedicated of followers cannot deny that there are moments when the whole thing becomes a little too saccharine and sweet.

Final Verdict: Though not quite perfect, Aria is still very good, and if you have any liking at all for quieter anime series, you must absolutely give this a try.

Azumanga Daioh

\r\nWhat’s it about?: Six very different girls are attending high school together- ten-year-old prodigy Chiyo, loud and energetic Tomo, completely spaced out Osaka, hard-working Yomi, quiet cat-lover Sakaki and sports jock Kagura. Accompany them through their high school years and experience everything from everyday events to the downright bizarre.

Why watch it?: It may not be Pani Poni Dash or early School Rumble, but Azumanga’s randomness and running gags are a lot of fun. Even though on the surface it doesn’t seem to go anywhere, Azumanga guides us through three years of high school antics, whilst sparking all sorts of oddball encounters and random conversations through the combination of six very different personalities.

Devil’s Advocate: The way the series moves from one short skit to another will not sit well with viewers looking for something more continuous, and even fans may have to admit that showing similar events occurring in the girls’ first, second and third years is more a route to repetitiveness than amusement.

Final verdict: Yes, not every part hits the mark, but when you consider that each episode is divided into five five-minute sketches, it is still quite impressive that so many of them manage to amuse.

Beck

What’s it about?: Koyuki is a bored fourteen-year-old who feels distanced from life- at least until her meets the dedicated yet eccentric Minami Ryuusuke, a young man looking to set up his own band, Beck. Gradually, Koyuki finds himself drawn into the world of rock music, eventually joining Beck as the band struggles to make a name for itself.

Why watch it?: Most music-based anime are hopelessly idealistic, with the lead becoming a star mere moments after they first pick up a microphone- not so with Beck, which aims to give a more realistic portrayal of the difficulties of breaking into the industry. Victory is not inevitable here, and so for once you can really throw your lot in with the characters as you long for them to overcome the odds and finally succeed.

Devil’s Advocate: On the flip side of the coin, because things can and do go wrong so often, it can sometimes be a little painful wondering if the band’s latest success will only be a fleeting one.

Final verdict: Even if you don’t like rock music, I urge you to give this a try- unless you are completely apathetic and dead to the world of music, you will find yourself drawn into the world of Beck.

Berserk

What’s it about?: Feared as the Black Swordsman, the mighty warrior Guts roams the land in search of revenge on the powerful Griffith- yet once, Guts and Griffith were comrades and fellow mercenaries in the Band of the Hawk. What was it that drove the two men apart?

Why watch it?: Berserk may look like a sausage-fest of manly men wielding large swords in an age of gore, but beneath this off-putting exterior, it truly is very good. An immersive tale of the lives of its characters, Berserk may be explicit, but such things seem vital to the nature of the story rather than gratuitously included for the shock value. Just like Guts’ bulging muscles and mighty sword, this is a story that is solid as iron and substantial through and through- you’ll get so drawn into its world that you will absolutely need to keep watching.

Devil’s Advocate: Admittedly, with all the gruesome monsters and bloody battles going on, this is not for the faint of heart, and there are many who dislike the turn taken by the conclusion of the story (although personally, whilst those scenes are quite disturbing, I accept them because that it where the story was going all alone). Also, the anime only covers the flashback arc of the manga, with the ongoing present day events left out through lack of time.

Final verdict: One of the rare series that manages to be MANLY yet worthy, Berserk will gleefully welcome you into its world of extremes, and may never let you go.

Big O

What’s it about?: Forty years ago, a disaster occurred that changed the face of the planet and left the survivors without any memory of their past; now, gathered together under the domes of Paradigm City, humanity tries to live as best it can, but fragments of memories have a way of resurfacing. As a Negotiator, Roger Smith acts as a mediator in various cases throughout the city, but when things turn ugly, he must rely on the assistance of Big O, a giant robot that answers to his call.

Why watch it?: Big O is one of those delightfully complex series that packs in everything from giant robot battles to a deeper mystery that examines the nature of self and memory. From memorable moments such as Roger re-spraying his car on the fly to elude pursuers to the deeper questions as to what the whole series was about (whole internet sites are devoted to this topic), Big O certainly leaves you with enough food for thought to mull over long after you finish watching it.

Devil’s Advocate: By the same token, Big O is confusing- so much so that it’s debatable whether anyone other than the writers knows what it was really meant to be about. This is not a series that takes well to casual viewing- you will need to invest a bit of effort to get the best out of it.

Final verdict: It may be confusing, but with such uniqueness in both storytelling and visual style, it stands apart from the crowd and is thus worthy of attention.

Binchou-tan

What’s it about?: Binchou-tan is a tiny girl who lives on her own in the forest and spends her days gathering necessities from the surrounding area, heading into the nearby town to work, or just taking time out to relax. Join Binchou-tan and her equally diminutive friends as they fill their days with both work and play.

Why watch it?: Binchou-tan is epitome of “simple yet sweet” slice of life, whose quietly charming approach and beautiful settings make it addictively cute rather than saccharine. With each episode only running to ten minutes in length, it never has time to get boring or outstay its welcome.

Devil’s Advocate: That being said, just because I didn’t find it dull doesn’t mean others will take to it as warmly- Sasa for one lost interest in it early on, and others may find themselves put off by the moe aspect and extremes of chibiness.

Final verdict: It’s not Aria, but nor is it as sickeningly cute as you might think- instead, this is a nice little slice-of-life series that should satisfy most fans of the genre.

Boogiepop Phantom

What’s it about?: Something changed the night the white light was seen in the city. People started evolving, gaining new abilities beyond those of normal humans, whilst all across the city, strange phenomena began to appear. What triggered these changes? What is the truth behind the mysterious Towa Organisation and their interest in evolved humans? And just who or what is the shinigami of urban legend known as Boogiepop?

Why watch it?: A series that combines horror, mystery and the supernatural, Boogiepop Phantom is just one part of a much larger franchise, but even taken on its own, it proves an intriguing and absorbing series. With individual stories told from different perspectives and often encompassing different time periods, Boogiepop slowly but skilfully builds up the bigger picture whilst simultaneously delivering content that works on an episodic basis.

Devil’s Advocate: Unsurprisingly, this is another series that only rewards concentration and multiple viewings- without them, it can be hard to even remember the bulk of what happened, let alone grasp the overall story. It also has to be admitted that not all the episodic elements are up to par- episode three in particular stands out as a poorly done and largely pointless piece.

Final verdict: It is a bit inconsistent in places, but overall Boogiepop Phantom is a quirky and unique series that stands as one of the better horror and supernatural offerings out there.

Le Chevalier d’Eon

What’s it about?: The year is 1742, and the body of Lia de Beaumont has just been found in a coffin floating down the Seine- and for her brother d’Eon, it signals the start of a journey. Possessed by Lia’s restless soul, he finds himself driven to find the cause of her death, and in so doing, he and his comrades find themselves travelling across Europe and uncovering conspiracies and agendas that permeate even the highest of authorities. Can d’Eon survive long enough to uncover the truth, or will he fall victim to mysterious powers possessed by the many forces seeking to advance their own agendas?

Why watch it?: Historical series always have the appeal of letting us relive another time and place, and Chevalier is no exception, combining drama and politics with a splash of fantasy for generally positive results. It may teeter on the edge of the realms of cheese, but somehow it always pulls itself back from the brink with strong performances that bring a little piece of 18^th century France, Russia and England to life.

Devil’s Advocate: Much as I love it, I would be the first to admit that Chevalier is not without its flaws. On close inspection, several key story elements seem questionable (especially the ending), and certainly those looking for more mindless action and less introspection may find themselves disappointed- it also won’t go down well with the ‘history is dry and boring’ crowd.

Final verdict: A series that encourages you to overlook its flaws rather than dwell on them, Chevalier is the kind of series that breeds new addicts to historical fantasy.

Crest of the Stars

What’s it about?: When Jinto was just a boy, his father handed his world to the Abh Empire, a mighty stellar force of genetically modified human who believe their empire is the best buffer against instellar war. Flash forward a few years, and Jinto is now an honorary Abh being given the same off-world education as any noble in the Empire. On his way to military college, however, he not only undergoes a fateful meeting with the beautiful and proud Abh Lafiel, but becomes embroiled in the forefront of events when the so-called United Mankind decides to declare war on the Abh.

Why watch it?: Set in a well-realised sci-fi universe, Crest of the Stars proves to be an adept hand at presenting close-up character drama alongside space opera on a grander scale. Whether you like coming-of-age stories or simply yearn for aliens, politics and tense space battles, Crest of the Stars has it all, and it all makes for compulsive viewing.

Devil’s Advocate: Take on its own, thirteen episodes is really only just enough to get the series going rather than wrap everything up- for more of the same you’ll have to progress to the sequel series Banner of the Stars.

Final verdict: It may be getting on in years, but sci-fi fans will eat this one up.

Fafner

What’s it about?: The remote Tatsumiya Island is one of the last outposts left to humanity in its war against the alien Festum. The children of the island remain completely unaware of this, however, until the day a Festum attacks and the truth of their world is revealed. Now recruited into the battle against the Festum, teenager Kazuki Makabe and his friends must learn to pilot the Fafners, giant robots capable of holding their own against the enemy, but at a terrible cost to the pilot.

Why watch it?: I almost judged Fafner not quite good enough for this list, but even though objectively it can be considered a flawed and incomplete work, there is just something about it that makes it curiously compelling. Perhaps it is the glimpses of sheer potential seen in such moments as the death of a pilot, maybe it is simply the top notch presentation of battles between Fafner and Festum, but the series exerts pull beyond that of most mecha series, making one desperately want more.

Devil’s Advocate: Whilst I wouldn’t quite call it the bastard child of Evangelion and RahXephon as so many do, Fafner does suffer from a lack of overall cohesion- interesting story ideas are woven in, but inconsistent writing often makes it hard to penetrate the intent of a scene, or why the series as a whole took a particular direction.

Final verdict: Far from perfect, but possessed of an addictiveness few mecha series achieve and thus more memorable than the bulk of the genre.

Fantastic Children

What’s it about?: Throughout history they have a appeared- a group of white-haired children wise beyond their apparent years, searching for something they once lost. Who are they, what are they looking for- and why does their quest seem so intimately involved with that hazy and forbidden realm that separates the living from the dead?

Why watch it?: Although it’s hard to explain the story without giving away too much vital information, in some ways it is enough to merely say that Fantastic Children is sheer excellence. A carefully woven mystery that will keep you guessing right up until the end, Fantastic Children entices without frustrating as it slowly but surely places its cards on the table. With its strong characters and adeptness at handling everything from tense action scenes to lighter moments, Fantastic Children makes good use of every single minute of screen time.

Devil’s Advocate: The simplistic character designs may make the series look a little childish at first, but spend enough time with them and you will begin to appreciate their odd attractiveness.

Final verdict: One of the finest examples of anime to date, it may not have the visual allure of other series, but the story really packs a punch.

Fruits Basket

What’s it about?: When high school student Tohru Honda becomes a housekeeper for the Sohma family in exchange for a place to stay, she discovers that they are afflicted with a most unusual curse- when hugged by members of the opposite sex, they transform into the animals of the Chinese Zodiac! It may seem comical, but their unique condition has led this family to experience their own problems of fear and isolation; can Tohru’s optimism and kindness help them to open their hearts to others?

Why watch it?: It’s hard to find someone who has watched Fruits Basket and doesn’t love it, and even now it remains one of the best character dramas out there- delivering heart-wrenching serious content whilst knowing when to lighten up without destroying the moment or feeling too flippant.

Devil’s Advocate: Since it aired whilst the manga was still ongoing, the series covers less than eight of the story’s twenty-three volumes, but whilst this leaves it definitely unfinished, it has to be admitted that it prevents the anime from experiencing the same decline as the manga. There’s also some odd pacing in the last quarter of the series, possibly because these later episodes are drawn from the manga in a changed order.

Final verdict: If you can put aside the disappointment of the later manga volumes and just focus on the anime alone, this remains a worthy series.

Gankutsuou

What’s it about?: Loosely based on The Count of Monte Cristo, Gankutsuou takes the classic tale of revenge and sets it in a space-faring future. When the mysterious Count of Monte Cristo returns to Paris, young Albert de Morcerf is very taken with the rich and enigmatic noble, but beneath his fabulous wealth and genial outlook lurks a hidden past, and a deep need for revenge on those who once wronged him.

Why watch it?: Gankutsuou immediately captivates with its unique visual style and use of patterns and textures, but beneath this there is also plenty of substance. Yes, the sci-fi elements give away the fact that staying true to the book is not the series’ prime concern, but even so, it retains a strong and compelling story with an entire cast of distinctive characters.

Devil’s Advocate: Book purists will no doubt be put off by the sci-fi setting and changes to the original story, but overall there is little to say against this series.

Final verdict: Unique, stylish and one of Gonzo’s better efforts- why can’t all of their adaptations be like this?

Genshiken

What’s it about?: It’s not the anime club, and it’s not the manga club- this is “Genshiken”, the Society for the Study of Modern Visual Culture. Looked down upon by their fellow university students, this eclectic bunch nonetheless strives to embrace the otaku side, indulging in everything from cosplay to doujinshi.

Why watch it?: Ever wanted to peek into the otaku lifestyle? Perhaps you just want to be reassured that, compared to some, your obsession with the hobby is really quite mild. Either way, Genshiken will do the trick for you, offering an amusing yet often disturbingly realistic glimpse into the lives of various otaku and the people closest to them.

Devil’s Advocate: The only downer is not from Genshiken itself, but from the accompanying Kujibiki Unbalance OVA, which is meant to parody various anime but actually comes across as quite dull and generic in the process.

Final verdict: Always good fun, Genshiken mixes memorable characters and apt observations to make a solid final product. Look forward to the upcoming second season.

Gungrave

What’s it about?: Harry McDowell is the chief of the criminal organisation Millennion, a powerful man who fears only one thing- his resurrected nemesis Brandon “Beyond the Grave” Heat. Yet these two men were once the best of friends- what could have happened to change things so?

Why watch it?: In its first sixteen episodes or so, Gungrave has the makings of a masterpiece, a tale of friends who must inevitably turn against each other, driven by ambition, ideals or just a desire to protect. The dialogue is incredibly well-written, layering each scene with a variety of intents and meanings, whilst the mafia setting allows for a healthy dose of action as well.

Devil’s Advocate: Sadly, once it hits the home stretch, Gungrave turns from a top notch character drama into a straight-out adaptation of the first game, thus offering little more than a series of successive boss fights. Yes, there are still good moments, but compared to what came before, it feels like a bit of an anticlimax.

Final verdict: Although it is let down by its later episodes, the mafia drama of the earlier arcs is enough to warrant investigation.

Gunslinger Girl

What’s it about?: Italy’s Social Welfare Agency- on the surface, it is an organisation dedicated to helping disadvantaged children and giving them a new lease of life. Whilst this not strictly inaccurate, however, what few people know is that the girls taken in by the Agency are actually turned into cyborgs and given training and conditioning designed to turn them into deadly assassins. The girls seem happy enough with their new lives, but can anyone justify robbing them of their childhood and turning them into mere tools to be used and discarded? Or is this the only way the Italian government can hope to fight back against the terrorists who would go to any length to ensure their message is heard?

Why watch it?: A strong character-driven piece, Gunslinger Girl combines the trials of adolescence with the unique condition of being a cyborg, trained to kill and show utter devotion to one’s handler. The true meat of the series comes from exploring the different cyborg-handler relationships, with a healthy dose of action and intrigue thrown in for good measure. Production values are also top notch, bringing Italy to life through both visuals and music.

Devil’s Advocate: Admittedly, some of the political elements are somewhat forgettable, and minor characters don’t really get much development- an unfortunate consequence of only covering the first two manga volumes. Happily, a second season is on its way.

Final verdict: Beautiful in every sense of the word, Gunslinger Girl is a must-watch for anyone who considers themselves an anime fan.

Haibane Renmei

What’s it about?: It started with a dream of falling, and then she woke up in a new world with no memory of what had come before. Given the name Rakka by her peers, the young woman grew wings and gained a halo, thus becoming a Haibane. Together with her fellow Haibane, Rakka begins living and working in this mysterious land within the walls, but it cannot last forever- for one day each Haibane must undergo the Day of Flight and finally move on…

Why watch it?: As well as carrying deeper themes that will give the viewer much to think about both during and after the series, Haibane Renmei is to be commended for its incredible attention to detail. Every piece of this world has been painstakingly brought to life, and you can do no less than completely immerse yourself in it from start to finish, sharing the emotions and experiences of its characters.

Devil’s Advocate: This is not a series for those who like clear, definitive answers, because for the most part, it leaves you to draw your own conclusions. Certainly it isn’t hard to put together an interpretation of the series, but if you yearn for explicit explanations of every single aspect of the series, then you will be left feeling frustrated.

Final verdict: Touching and heart-wrenching, Haibane Renmei is a series to be drunk in and remembered in all its vivid detail for a long time to come.

Hikaru no Go

What’s it about?: Whilst rummaging around in his grandfather’s attic, Shindo Hikaru gets more than he bargained for when he comes across an old Go board- a board that just happens to be possessed by the spirit of Heian Era Go player Fujiwara-no-Sai. Since his last chance to get out of the board and play some Go came over 140 years ago, Sai instantly takes the opportunity to possess Hikaru in the hopes of being allowed to participate in a few more matches. Unfortunately, Hikaru is not at all interested in Go, but as he reluctantly indulges his ghostly partner, he begins to discover a new appreciation for the game.

Why watch it?: I know what you’re thinking- a Shounen Jump series about a board game you’re probably unfamiliar with can’t be any good, right? Think again, for Hikaru no Go not only sidesteps the usual SJ conventions by offering a likable cast who are more than mere stereotypes, but it is also filled with an infectious love of Go that will make you want to play too. Instead of sighing at the cliché adventures of Hikaru and his friends, you’ll be urging them on.

Devil’s Advocate: Sadly, the later volumes of the manga are not covered by the anime, and even a New Years special only takes the story partway through the final arc. Another complaint which can be equally levelled at the original material is that the ever expanding cast means that certain characters get forgotten along the way, although efforts are usually made to check up on them later.

Final verdict: “SJ done right”; my favourite Shounen Jump series and a truly addictive one at that.

Honey and Clover

What’s it about?: Takemoto, Mayama, Morita, Hagu and Yamada are all attending art college and experiencing the same problems as students everywhere, from assignments and lack of money to deciding on a career and sorting out the love life. Join them as they go through the turbulent years that separate education from the “real world”.

Why watch it?: The events of Honey and Clover will ring true for anyone who has gone through even vaguely similar life experiences, ensuring that you cannot help but empathise with the characters as they undergo their own struggles. At times simple, funny, touching or just plain quirky, Honey and Clover always knows how to deliver on the emotional front.

Devil’s Advocate: The second season, sadly, is another matter, spending too long on minor characters and transforming some of the leads into simplistic caricatures (such as Mayama’s stalker tendencies). It’s also a sad fact that this series won’t even appeal to everyone in the first place- if you lack similar experiences, then you simply won’t “get it”.

Final verdict: A burst of nostalgia for those college years.

Hunter X Hunter

What’s it about?: After learning that his father is not only alive, but also a prestigious Hunter, Gon Freaks becomes determined to follow in his footsteps. At age 12, Gon leaves his home in order to take part in the Hunter Exam, a rigorous assessment of skill and stamina where even making it to the next exam is a test in itself. Together with the friends he makes along the way- hot-headed Leorio, logical Kurapica and youthful assassin Killua- Gon becomes determined to meet all the challenges that come his way, and prove himself capable of becoming a true Hunter.

Why watch it?: Another decent Shounen Jump series, HxH may get off to a slow start, but once it finds its feet, it proves to be a worthy adventure that combines elements of action and fantasy. With a fast pace that avoids the drawn out fights of other series whilst still getting in more detail and development than the manga version, Hunter X Hunter continually goes from strength to strength, proving to be an addictive experience fronted by likable rather than annoying characters.

Devil’s Advocate: The pace does slow a little in some of the later arcs such as the Sky Arena and Yorkshin auction, but this is only a temporary blip.

Final verdict: It may not be especially sophisticated, but HxH is plain good fun that rarely drags.

Ichigo Mashimaro

What’s it about?: Most sixteen (or rather twenty in the anime) year olds would choose to hang out with people their own age, but Nobue Itou is a little different. She would much rather spend time with fifth and sixth graders from elementary school- to be precise, her sister Chika, next door neighbour Miu, and friends Matsuri and Ana. Join this unlikely group as they while away the days amusing themselves with games, banter and all the other minor diversions that crop up in day-to-day life.

Why watch it?: Even though it isn’t really about anything and there’s no plot in sight, Ichigo Mashimaro manages to entertain rather than bore thanks to some smart pacing and comic timing. The observations are always amusingly apt, the jokes never drag on past their sell by date and the characters are most certainly distinctive and memorable.

Devil’s Advocate: The loli factor will certainly put off some (and indeed, Nobue’s obsession with the girls is a little disturbing at times) but if you can look past these moments, there’s a good slice-of-life series to be had.

Final verdict: It looks like it’s about nothing, but give it a chance and it proves to be an amusing experience.

Iriya no Sora, UFO no Natsu

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What’s it about?: After the summer vacation, a new student transfers into Asaba’s class- a mysterious girl named Iriya. A friendship quickly builds up between the pair of them, but as Asaba soon discovers, there is more to Iriya than meets the eye- for she is the pilot of the Black Manta, and the last line of defence in a war between aliens and humans that has secretly been going on for decades.

Why watch it?: Whilst the series may seem like a carbon copy of Saikano, Iriya brings its own unique flavour to the concept of a high school tied in with an alien war. A touching story set in an almost dreamlike environment, Iriya layers light and simple high school content like eating contests and club activities with darker undercurrents running just under the surface.

Devil’s Advocate: Due to its brevity, it is left to the reader to connect all the dots and figure out everything from the information presented, which means at least two viewings will be needed to gain a solid understanding of the series. It is also difficult to decide afterwards whether the ending was genuinely touching and emotional or just plain cheesy.

Final verdict: It may not always be clear just what is going on, but Iriya is nonetheless a compelling OVA that is more than the Saikano-clone it first appears to be.

Kare Kano

What’s it about?: A self-professed “Queen of Vanity” with an insatiable hunger for praise, Yukino Miyazawa spent years playing the model student, her facade so convincing that only her close family members knew the truth. When she enters high school, however, she finally meets her match in Soichiro Arima- an accomplished classmate who appears to be the real deal when it comes to being a paragon of virtue. Desperate to retain her position at the top of the class, Yukino declares Arima her bitter rival, but when Arima finds out the truth about her, it seems that matters can only get worse…at least until her anger and resentment start giving away to deeper feelings of friendship and even love.

Why watch it?: A cut above your average high school romance, Kare Kano takes strong characters with interesting quirks and back story, and puts them in a situation where they can naturally grow and mature. Nothing is abrupt or jarring0 instead, matters develop in a natural manner, with a healthy dose of comedy thrown in to prevent the series from ever getting bogged down in deep drama.

Devil’s Advocate: Not only does the anime stop rather abruptly less than halfway through the manga story, but budget issues mean that the animation is extremely short-changed, with much of the series relying on stills and other money-saving tricks. Although the inner excellence of the series still shines through, this lack of proper animation takes some getting used to, and early on it can even the alienate the viewer from onscreen events.

Final verdict: It may be a mere taster of what the manga can achieve, but that doesn’t stop it from being very good.

Kimi ga Nozomu Eien

What’s it about?: When Mitsuki helped her best friend Haruka to get together with classmate Takayuki, what she didn’t count on was falling for Takayuki herself- and when Haruka ends up in a coma after a car accident, she ends up being the one to help Takayuki get through it. Now, three years later, Mitsuki and Takayuki are an item, but when Haruka awakens from her coma with no knowledge of how much time has passed, he is to find himself torn between his past and his present.

Why watch it?: One of the rare worthy eroge adaptations, KimiNozo somehow takes a situation that should be totally laughable and ridiculous, and turns it into one where you actually find yourself on the edge of your seat as you wait to see what will happen to the protagonists. With its mastery of emotion, the series can make you laugh and cry in the same episode without ever feeling that the changes in tone are forced or abrupt.

Devil’s Advocate: That being said, there are many who find the entire series angsty and overdramatic, and indeed, even those who love it can see their point of view.

Final verdict: Like Marmite, you’ll either love it or hate it, but there’s no real way to guess which until you try it.

Kino’s Journey

What’s it about?: Kino is a traveller who journeys from country to country on her talking motorcycle Hermes; by her own rules, she must stay in one place no more than three days, but whilst there, she makes an effort to see everything it has to offer. Join Kino and Hermes as they turn up all the weird and wonderful things to be seen across the world.

Why watch it?: Although it is entirely episodic in nature, Kino’s Journey is hardly lacking in depth, with each episode introducing a new country and leaving the viewer with plenty to think about. With so many sights to see, and Kino acting as a thoughtful yet sardonic guide with a distinctive personality and back story of her own, it is impossible not to appreciate all the sights the series has to offer.

Devil’s Advocate: Although I can’t vouch for it myself, apparently the anime only draws from a mere fraction of the novel material, with some of the best stories to be found only in the original books.

Final verdict: A memorable series that leaves the viewer with plenty of food for thought, Kino’s Journey comes highly recommended.

Koi Kaze

What’s it about?: Koshiro and Nanoka are siblings, but thanks to their parents’ divorce and twelve year age gap, they haven’t seen each other since Nanoka was a baby. All that is about to change, however, for once she starts high school, Nanoka will be moving in with Koshiro and her father to avoid a lengthy commute each morning. Now, Koshiro will have to learn how to cope with this unexpected intrusion into his life- but will his relationship with Nanoka evolve into something beyond what is considered normal for a brother and sister?

Why watch it?: Incest is not something that very many viewers will be in favour of, but despite its controversial subject matter, Koi Kaze proves to be a highly worthy series. A touching tale of taboo feelings and the two people who struggle with them, Koi Kaze is so powerful that you will actually find yourself rooting for Koshiro and Nanoka in spite of their situation. To quote what I said in my original review, “The gentle music, minimal art and softly spoken characters weave a magic akin to that of any slice-of-life series, the perfect veneer for the tangled web of emotions that lurks beneath”.

Devil’s Advocate: There’s not really much to say against this series, unless you take such a violent exception to incest that a fictional and non-graphic depiction of such feelings cannot even be countenanced.

Final verdict: A series that all mature romance fans should try.

Kurau Phantom Memory

What’s it about?: When she was a little girl, a science experiment gone wrong saw the body of Kurau Amami fused with a pair of Rynax- life-forms from an alternate dimension. Years later, and the strange abilities Kurau has gained from the fusion have enabled her to become a special operative, but when the second Rynax emerges and takes a body of her own, the two women must go on the run from an organisation seeking to harness their unique power.

Why watch it?: A top notch sci-fi series from Bones, Kurau has everything- action, special powers, strong characters and an absorbing story. Instead of starting well and going downhill as so many sci-fi series are wont to do, Kurau goes from strength to strength, creating dramatic and emotional moments without ever going overboard, and including a memorable soundtrack to enhance every scene.

Devil’s Advocate: Finding fault with this series would be being picky for its own sake, so I won’t even try.

Final verdict: The best sci-fi series anime has to offer, and perhaps even one of the best series overall, even among its peers on this list.

Last Exile

What’s it about?: Claus and Lavie are best friends who dream of flying the farthest skies in their vanship like their fathers before them, but when they end up rescuing young Alvis Hamilton from a wreck, their lives are changed forever. Drawn into the battle that rages across the skies of their world, Claus and Lavie are taken on a journey filled with friends, foes, adventure and mystery.

Why watch it?: Another of Gonzo’s better efforts, Last Exile takes us to a whole other world, whose marvellous settings are limited only by the imagination. With everything from distinctive characters to tense airship battles, Last Exile weaves a compelling story filled with painstaking attention to detail.

Devil’s Advocate: Aside from the matter of a rather disappointing ending, Last Exile is one of those series that feels as if it just doesn’t have enough episodes- with so much potential in this world, it really needed more time to be explored further. The direction taken by certain characters is also questionable and a bit disappointing.

Final verdict: Although not without its flaws, Last Exile paints such a compelling world that I cannot help but love it anyway.

Come back tomorrow for part two of this article, covering Mahou Shoujotai to Zipang!

HITS

Fafner in the Azure

The illegitimate offspring of RahXephon and Evangelion (with elements that make just as little sense on close inspection as certain parts of those two series), Fafner is nonetheless one of the more enjoyable mecha series out there. With its top notch animation, excellent soundtrack and intriguing storyline, Fafner creates a world so appealing that viewers cannot help but be drawn in despite its flaws. It may be more a case of presentation and potential than what the series actually delivers, but Fafner should not be overlooked.

Memorable moments: “Kazuki!!”, “Soushi!!”

Martian Successor Nadesico
Another series that remained entertaining whilst being far from perfect, Nadesico was one of the series I watched back when I was an anime novice, and it remains a good starter series for fans even to this day. Despite a slide into weakness into its last few episodes, Nadesico was a decent example of light entertainment that gave the mecha genre a much needed ribbing.

Memorable moments: Akito being one of the very few mecha pilots to have to deal with inertia.

Dai-Guard
Dai-Guard parodied the retro robot series of yore, which, combined with the premise of office workers saving the world, was a recipe for mild success. If nothing special, the series could at least be counted on for a healthy dose of light entertainment that belied its simplistic and sometimes budget saving animation.

Memorable moments: Dai-Guard losing an arm in various battles.

NEUTRAL

Elemental Gelade

Many people deride EG for ruining the manga storyline, but whilst I cannot exactly justify calling it a hit, I do quite enjoy it for its enjoyable simplicity and brightly coloured character designs. The story may be hideously flawed and often generic, and the animation is clearly on a drive to save as much money as possible, but there’s still that essential ‘easy watching’ quality to it.

Zoids
For a series made to sell toys, the early seasons of Zoids not only attempted to have some sort of plot, but followed the almost universal trend of offering a measure of light entertainment. And I have to admit that it did influence me to buy some of the toys, so its mission was accomplished.

MISSES

Busou Renkin
Once, Busou Renkin seemed like just another generic Shounen Jump series, but as we soon came to learn, it was worse than that, for it also had copious amounts of crude jokes and so-called ‘manservice’. For anyone lacking a fetish for men in revealing swimwear, Busou Renkin held little first watch value, let alone replay value- even I watched it primarily for the parody angle.

D.N.Angel

I was drawn to DNAngel because of the character designs, but unfortunately it failed me when it came to actually giving me some kind of plot. Despite my continual hopes that a darker main story would kick in ‘next episode’, the series blundered along its lightweight fashion throughout, offering tediously unfunny ‘comedy’, pointless and irritating characters and far more vacation episodes than it ever needed. A thoroughly disappointing case of squandered potential.

Love Hina
Ah, Love Hina, how could I forget a show that sapped so many irreplaceable brain cells? A hideously repetitive cycle of Keitaro continually messing up and upsetting Naru every time she seemed to be warming up to him, Love Hina could have been a touching slice of life tale, but instead it chose to go down the path of crazy humour and overused jokes. Four episodes was manageable, twenty-four was far too many.

MegaMan NT Warrior
I have to admit I have only seen the edited English dub of this, but while it may well be a classic in original form, I somehow doubt that it will be much more than a simplistically animated shounen tale of one boy and his destined computer program fighting other boys and their less destined computer programs.

Shaman King

As Shounen Jump series go, Shaman King actually didn’t seem too bad at first- a mixture of light entertainment and mystical battles. Unfortunately, it all went horribly wrong when the shaman tournament properly began, with a fillerific journey to first find where it was being held, followed by pointless fights such as one against a group of shaman wearing tight wetsuits. A tournament arc in an anime is one thing, but making an entire series out of a tournament probably wasn’t the best of ideas.

The Third
A series so dull and forgettable I even forgot to write about it in the Annual Round-Up, The Third’s generic characters and giant insects ensured that it did not last for long in the viewing schedule- and by the time the last few episodes rolled around, even the animation quality had gone downhill.

Final Thoughts
With the possible exception of Fafner, Xebec has yet to produce anything truly worthy and memorable, with their strength lying in light entertainment, and their weakness stemming from pretty much anything involving a manga adaptation. Is this general level of mediocrity all the studio has to offer, or can this season’s Heroic Age possibly be the exception to the rule?

THE HITS

RahXephon

From the start, RahXephon was accused of being a poor man’s Evangelion (who hasn’t seen the obligatory “Eva vs. RahXephon” thread on numerous anime forums?), but despite the superficial similarities, anyone who made it at least halfway through the series had to admit that there were plenty of differences as well. Although it was perhaps a little confusing and convoluted in its attempts to mix high-concept sci-fi with an extensive cast, RahXephon remains one of those series that keeps you glued to the screen even during those points where you aren’t entirely clear what’s going on. Even the recap movie redeemed itself by adding some new footage and putting a fresh spin on this tale of mecha, romance, time warps and aliens.
Memorable moment: the flashback episode with the mud doll.

Wolf’s Rain

Before watching Wolf’s Rain, I have to admit that I wasn’t sure if I’d like it- after all, thirty episodes of “is it Paradise?”, “Well, it’s not the end of the series yet, so it can’t be” did not sound too enthralling. Fortunately, I couldn’t resist the DVD volume one plus artbox, CD and plushie combination, and once I actually got to see the series for myself, I was hooked. I’ll admit that from an objective viewpoint it isn’t perfect (I’m not going to get into those four recap episodes), but nonetheless when watching it, I’m utterly drawn in by this compelling and sometimes heart-wrenching tale. It’s one of the few series that just leaves grinning stupidly at the screen because I’m enjoying it so much.
Memorable moment: The weakened ‘Grandpa’ being hitched to a sled.

Scrapped Princess
Even though my true hope was for a pure fantasy series rather than one with the almost inevitable sci-fi elements, Scrapped Princess was still an enjoyable experience. With its likable cast, nice character designs and solid story, it may not live up to its full potential, but it is still very good.
Memorable moment: Raquel unleashing her magic.

Fullmetal Alchemist
Here is where I have to make a confession- even though I do feel that FMA is a good series, I’m just not inclined to as wholeheartedly sing its praises as practically everyone else. Discounting its slow start, the bulk of the series is solid enough, but it suffers from one major failing- a tendency to poorly mix the flippant and the serious. All too often the series would present some dramatic revelation that should have tugged at the heartstrings, only to ruin the moment by veering off into comedy; if not for this unfortunate tendency, I would rate it much more highly.
Memorable moment: Realising the origin of the Chimera in episode eight.

Kurau Phantom Memory

An unfairly neglected series that wallowed in ADV licensing limbo for over two years before finally being scheduled for release this April, Kurau has inevitably been overlooked by many through no fault of its own. The ultimate evolution of animated sci-fi, Kurau takes everything that was good about Texhnolyze, Zettai Shounen and Stand Alone Complex, and makes it even better; it may look like a simple story about two girls running away from evil researchers, but give it a chance and it will prove to be much more.
Memorable moment: The fate of the unpaired Rynax in episode sixteen.

Ouran High School Host Club

Having proven itself largely adept at more serious material, BONES ventured into comedy in 2006, with the animated version of a ‘reverse harem’ style series about a poor girl attending a school of wealthy student. Although it did sometimes skirt the realms of the tediously repetitive and over-the-top, Ouran’s sheer enthusiasm carried it through even the weaker moments and ensured that the bulk of the series was nothing less than entertaining.
Memorable moment: The carriage chase in the finale.

NEUTRALS

Angelic Layer

CLAMP’s venture into the shounen action formula was interesting if a little too fast-paced for its own good in manga form, but when it came to turning it into an anime, the producers took it a little too far in the other direction. By the time five volumes had been stretched across twenty-six episodes, even additional content and character development couldn’t disguise the fact that the pacing was now irritatingly slow in places. With this in mind, even the refreshing reliance on female characters and a lack of the more annoying shounen clichés could make Angelic Layer entirely successful.

THE MISSES

Jyu Oh Sei
Although the lush jungle setting briefly made it look promising, Jyu Oh Sei ended up going from weakness to weakness with each passing episode. At first, it was merely a generic and mediocre tale with dislikeable characters and a predictable plot, but unfortunately, worse was in store once the finale rolled around. A painful mixture of pointless plot revelations and cliché action elements, the conclusion was so poor that it not only left a bitter taste in the mouth, but it made the bulk of the series look as excellent as Mushishi in comparison.

Ayakashi Ayashi
To be fair, I only watched one episode of this, so maybe it does improve later on, but after experiencing twenty-five minutes of all-male bathhouse scenes, incomprehensible plot and giant monsters that looked disturbingly like penises, there seemed little point in continuing.

Final Thoughts
Even on closer inspection, BONES seems worthy of their reputation, but as with most things, they are far from infallible. Given what they’ve already delivered, it isn’t unreasonable to have high expectations for their upcoming works, but it would still be unwise to expect every single thing they produce to hit the mark.

Flash forward twelve years, however, and Dai-Guard’s fate has not exactly been the one its creators envisioned. When the Heterodyne never returned, the robot ended up in the care of 21^st Century’s Public Relations Division, and has since become little more than a marketing gimmick. All that changes, however, when the Heterodyne finally make a repeat appearance, forcing the three young officers who were trained to pilot Dai-Guard to jump in and start fight back. Unfortunately, saving the world just isn’t as easy as it looks, especially when you have to deal with damage forms, expense accounts and a thrifty board of directors.

It has actually been a while since I last watched Dai-Guard, but after uploading it to the Episode Guides section, I felt a renewed desire to write about it. On the surface, Dai-Guard looks like yet another standard mecha series, but in fact, that is exactly the idea; rather than aiming for any sort of originality, this is a tongue in cheek homage to all those giant robot shows of yore. Of course, that is exactly where the series’ appeal lies- how many other series worry about damage claims and insurance reports when their giant robot destroys half a city?

Of course, ripping off older shows is something of a double edged sword; for every time that such a series can extract a knowing chuckle, there are an equal number of times when it just feels like yet another retread of the same material. Admittedly, Dai-Guard does have its dull moments where it feels like little more than a Giant Robo-Eva-lite, but for the most part it manages an enjoyable mix of light entertainment and character drama.

Like its sister series Nadesico, Dai-Guard is blessed with an unusually large cast, comprising the entirety of PR Division 2, other company members, the board of directors and army representatives. With most of the spotlight and character moments focusing on the three people who actually pilot Dai-Guard, the rest of the cast are fairly one-dimensional personalities, but whilst you are unlikely to care greatly about them (or even remember their names), they are at least an entertaining group.

Visually, Dai-Guard is more functional than aesthetically pleasing; the robot himself is based on giant robots from the Mazinger era, whilst characters remain clean yet ultimately simplistic. The music is most likely to have you turning the volume down, but if listened to enough times it becomes bearable.

Final Thoughts
Although it is hardly a stand out series, when it comes to light entertainment that doesn’t take itself or the mecha genre too seriously, Dai-Guard is a good choice. And after all, who can resist a series that has the tagline “office workers, saving the world”?