Story: B
Animation: A+
DVD Quality: A+
Overall: B 

This was one of the first anime to get attention from non-anime watchers when i came out in theatres a couple of years back. The animations is spectacular, espcially the water effects and the landscapes. The first time I watched this i really liked it. But after the fifth or sixth time I watched it I really began to dislike the last twenty minutes. The last twenty minutes are nothing but one long earth day message. I really like the fact the our hero has these arrows that are accurate at 500 yards and can take heads clean off with one single arrow. I really need to find a bunch of these arrows. Also the English voices are very good, especially Minnie Driver she sounds so sexy especially when she laughs. This is a good anime to watch once and awhile but doesn't have the replay value of others titles (Cowboy Bebop, Castle of Caliostro).

Story: A
Animation: A
DVD Quality: A
Overall: A 

This is really the bare bones of anime. The Animation ain't that stellar or spectacular, the story is really generic stock Fedaul Japan with ninjas. It is really nothing special, the fights are pretty cut and dry. The characters are extremely average, they are cut cleanly from their stereotypical molds. While this has problems it is not nearly as bad as Ninja Resurrection.

Story: A
Animation: A+
DVD Quality: ?
Overall: A 

This is another gem of old. I bought this one purely based on chance. It was the first anime i ever bought many days before there even was DVD. I had no idea what it was and just bought it. What i got was a crazy alien sex comedy. The story is fairly straight forward. A runaway alien princess, a human photographer, and a organic ship. Our 'hero' is really a loser that got lucky. The second time he meets the princess they run into one another and she winds up naked and he winds up between he legs. Now he unleashes his James Bond like smoothness and says 'Wow its her natural color' (he is refering to the fact that she has green hair). The story is a bit sort, they took 8 full length manga and condensed it into 50 minutes worth of anime. It has never made it to DVD which is bit of a same, I would buy on sentimental value alone.

Story: A+
Animation: A+
DVD Quality: A+
Overall: A+ 

The title really gives no idea where this happy little film will take you. Our heroine Mima starts offs as a mildly entertaining J-Pop singer, while having a seemingly massive fan base never has a song on the charts. So she decides to become a TV Actress, and things being to get weird. She is stalked by a obessed fan, her acting career leads her to do nude photos for a girlie magazine and a rape scene on her TV Show. But the most disturbing and most interesting is the series of real life murders that happen around Mima. Watch for the death of the photographer, a truly viscous death. Then things get trippy, Mima begins to have hallucinations, she is really being stalked, is she really the murderer that is plaguing the TV Show? Or is it all a dream? On a trippy factor it is a nine, not as trippy as Serial Experiment Lain, or Boogie Pop Phantom but it can be hard to follow at times. A definite choice for any Anime Fan. Oh and it is an Ice Pick, not an Awl.

Story: A+
Animation: A+
DVD Quality: A+
Overall: A 

Ayaka has an interesting job, she is professional Japanese ghost buster. She has a cadre of associates, a fortune teller, a sumo wrestler turned exorcist, a girl that is pyrokenetic, and a kid genius that does the books. Of course this being a small company that is run by a woman (wink wink) the finances are a complete mess and Ayaka likes the finer things in life, like booze and karaoke. She also works with Department Q a governmental agency that investigates the paranormal, in the form of Kirano a great stereotypical Japanese detective, down to the rumple raincoat and bent cigarette. I really liked this series, it is paranormal and funny, but the problem is it is only 4 damn episodes, the last episode when we start to see sparks between Ayaka and Kirano, that is when the series ends. ARRRRGGGHHHHH, why now? I am convinced I have seen or heard of more of this somewhere, like possibly it was a manga at one point. I hope its true because this could go so much further with absolutely no effort, it is like Campus Guardress, so good but so few episodes.

Porco Rosso - A+

After witnessing the horrendous deaths of his fellow pilots in action during World War I, an Italian pilot transforms into 'Porco Rosso,' The Crimson Pig which I think should be Red Pig which is like the Red Baron of World War I fame. Under this confounding spell, Porco Rosso perseveres by taking odd jobs, romancing the ladies (humans, Italian women will fall in love with you no matter what you look like as long as you're dashing) and rescuing people in distress all the while looking for a way out of his porcine predicament. He runs into a brash American cowboy pilot named Donald Curtis who challenges him to a duel, at stake payment of his hefty bills but he has to put up his plucky engineer, Fio who is a cute girl. The stakes are set, it is time for daring air combat. This was a fabulous movie, my second favorite Miyazaki film next to the Castle of Cagliostro. He certainly has ample material to work with, WWI pilots and planes always carried with them a certain dash and romance about them, they were truly knights of the sky. Miyazaki really makes their air battles between these imaginative yet realistic seaplanes seem like ballet in the sky. Add to that a little romance, a little danger, and a healthy touch of humor and you have a real winning movie. I don't know exactly why this one doesn't get the same acclaim as Miyazaki's other films, I think it is superior to almost everything else. It is a simpler tale, but it really was done very well. A definite must for anime fans or those who want to get into anime.

Story: A
Animation: A
DVD Quality: N/A
Overall: A+ 

A massive hit in the mid-80s, Golgo 13 made it to these shores in video game form a couple of years before the movie itself came over. It came out in the time before Assassins with a sense of honor and duty had become stereotypes. Golgo 13 is the passionatless killer being chased by tons of other hitmen. He makes love to the ladies and kills his enemies like a real evil version of James Bond. If you have seen Luc Besson's movie Leon the Professional, you will draw lots of parrells between the two.

Story: A+
Animation: A
DVD Quality: A
Overall: A+ 

First I must say sorry to Dave, who after reading this is having a massive heart attack from the high rantings I have given this. But it is entirely his fault. My interest in this little bit of pure insanity originally came from Dave and Pat describing it to me one Saturday night. I laughed so hard I was unable to breath at all. I watched the first episode, they had barely captured half of the zany, crazy, over the top comedy this was. I borrowed the first episode from Pat and laughed the entire time. The little afro missle men being deflected by a spinning crotch mace is just one of the insane jokes in this. What makes this truly stand out is that this stuff never ends, it just keeps going. I finally downloaded the second episode from WinMX. I laughed so hard I hurt myself. This kind of jokes would never make it in this country, only Japan could produce anyhting this strange and funny.

Story: A+
Animation: A+
DVD Quality: A+
Overall: A+ 

This is a great OVA, quick, fun, full of bounce. Follow the adventures of the British Special Engineering Forces and their agents with codes names. The Paper, Ms. Deep, The Gentleman, Joker, and Deke Anderson. Poor Deke, the guy doesn't get a codename but has to get his ass kicked. I like The Paper's skill of using paper as an all-purpose weapon, from throwing 3x5 cards, to using paper to make a 747 paper airplane. But my favorite character is Ms. Deep, a chick that can phase through walls and can generally kick ass. The story is fast, and could have been easily 26 or more episodes. The quality of the animation is spectacular. I also love how The Paper loves books to the point of almost having an orgasm when she finds a particularly rare book. Soon to be a 26 episode TV series, hopefully they will keep the same characters and make it really kick ass.

Story: A+
Animation: A+
DVD Quality: A+
Overall: A+ 

This is basically Lord of the Rings from Japan. It has all the requirements for a Fantasy story. You have the hero/knight, the elf girl/sorceress, the dwarf tough guy, a wizard, a thief, and of course a gay cleric (you know it is true, don't deny). As stereotypical as it may sound, it is actually very good. The story has twists and turns and doesn't get too lost in its own mythology like other fantasy movies/series/novels out there. The animation is solid, the story is solid, the series has good rewatchability. It is a good starting point for watching full anime series, it isn't too long but it is 6 and 1/2 hours all total. This is a good compliment to any Anime collection, especially the remastered version that has been released.

Story: A+
Animation: A+
DVD Quality: A+
Overall: A+ 

Bean Bandit is the ultimate in Chicago wheelman gets into some serious trouble when the daughter of a multi-millionaire is dumped in his lap. The cops think he kidnapped her and go all out to stop him. But he is being setup and it is upto him and his partner Rally to clear their names and hopefully make a tidy profit too. This is the precursor to Gunsmith Cats, a manga/anime franchise that I am partial too. There is Bean Bandit and Rally, although Rally is a blonde and doesn't have all that much to do other than try to survive along side Bean. This is the purest form of 80s action shoot 'em up, we have car chases, naked chicks, gun fire up the wahzoo and a rudgy manly man who is our hero who will protect the good guys and take no prisoners. I always wished they'd turn Gunsmith Cats or Riding Bean into a full length series, true it would probably get all messed up along the way but I'd like to see them at least try. This was a whole lotta fun, if you like car chases and people shooting at people but with an actual story behind it all, then you'll love this, I know I did.

Story: A+
Animation: A+
DVD Quality: A+
Overall: A+ 

Pint sized fount of destruction the sorceress Lina Inverse and her pal, the very busty sorceress, Naga, travel to Mipross Island that according to legend has the best hot springs in the world. Of course going there is nothing but trouble for the pair who have to fight against pickpockets, a jelly fish worshipping cult, and creepy thong wearing hyponotist who all want to ruin Lina and Naga's relaxing vacation, they liberated from bandits at the beginning of the movie. This movie was a lot of fun, from Lina's Dragon Slave, to Naga's inventive drinking style of pouring two bottles into a mug at once. There is a lot of the Slayers humor in this and it would help if you watch the first Slayers series first to get some of the jokes. The Sword of Light which Gourry carries in the regular series also makes an appearence giving a little more history to that powerful weapon. Lina and Naga are a great combination, Lina's small bust compared to Naga and her amazing bust, and Lina's fame and everybody referring to Naga as Lina's sidekick. I not totally sure where it falls in the timeline of the Slayers Universe because Lina meets one of Gourry's descedants but doesn't seem to know Gourry. In any case this was a lot of fun, plenty of great humor, fireballs, and all the stuff that made Slayers so much fun to watch.

Story: A+
Animation: A+
DVD Quality: A+
Overall: A+ 

Lina and Gourry are visiting a pleasant seaside town helping the locals bring in the annual fish harvest. While doing so Lina accidentally used a little too powerful fireball and destroyed a strange ruin out at sea. This sets off a chain of events that could spell doom for the little town. While at dinner Gourry eats a cursed octopus that makes everything Gourry says very strange, and comically inappropriate. They learn from the local white mage in training that this is part of a demonic octopus curse to sow confusion and anger among the people so they can gather their emotional energy to bring back their demonic octopus master. Joined by Zelgadis and Amelia to go into the ocean depths to fight these horrible octopi, yes octopi, it is time for the revenge of the sea food platter. Can Lina and company save the day before everyone starts talking like an octopus? This is another very funny slayers OVA that brings together the characters from the TV series and Naga, although her appearence is rather brief but perfectly done at the exact right moment. I had heard some bad reviews of this one, true it is a little short but it was really funny and done just right. If you liked Slayers you'll find this a great laugh, and a fun time. Slayers is always fun for me so this was a great time.

Story: A+
Animation: A+
DVD Quality: A+
Overall: A+ 

Lina and Naga are back for their most wacky and off the wall adventure yet. While arguing of diner (what else?) a girl appears and begs for their help. Evil men from Zein have enslaved her village and are making them dig up this massive crystal that was uncovered in a mud slide a few days ago. Lina and Naga agree and travel to the village. After making short work of the lesser demons in the village the pair meet up with the village chief and he tells them the massive crystal in the hills is an Elfin treasure that was left there centuries ago. Lina and Naga, now avarice filling their veins go to see what the Zein wants with this treasure. What they find is one of the funniest moments in the entire OVA, the deadly and evil Zein have their headquarters in a shack, the saddest little shack you have ever seen. Zein is really two men, a sorcerer, and a sword fighter. The sorcerer can wield a mythic spell, the Meteor Blaze spell which brings a space rock to earth or so the legend says, the result is rather amusing. Lina and Naga learn that the sorcerer has called up his old gang of bad guys who are descending on the village so the buttkicking the sorcerer has coming for him. Lina and Naga hurry back to stop what they believe is the destruction of the village but can't get there fast enough so Lina gives Naga a fireball boost to get there fast. After another great scene with the sorcerer they accidentally wake the crystal up. The mysterious Elfin Treasure is actually a Elfin war machine and it is out to destroy everything in its path. They learn that the machine is after Naga because she is wearing the braclet that is attracting the machine. Can Lina and Naga save the day? Can they actually stop the war machine before it is too late? This is the funniest Slayers OVA I have seen so far, everything that happens is a total hoot, I was rolling about laughing hysterically throughout the entire OVA. This is totally fabulous and priceless, any anime fan should watch this and you will love it.

Story: D-
Animation: B
DVD Quality: C
Overall: D- 

OY! That is a good explanation of this one. In some cases inspiration can led to great things, for example Cowboy Bebop has many similarities to the Lupin the 3rd series. But Spriggan is no Cowboy Bebop. Taking liberally from Metal Gear Solid on the Playstation and the anime classic Akira, Spriggan gives us a tale of spies, artic militart facilities, super powerful children, and of course the end of the world. The film could be salvaged if twenty minutes was cut off the ending Spriggan just sucks plain and simple, while it takes from the best of Anime it gives nothing back. Stay away from Spriggan, watch Akira or play Metal Gear Solid and you'll have a better time.

Story: C+
Animation: A
DVD Quality: A
Overall: C 

Not bad as anime based on fighting games goes, but really isn't saying a whole lot. The fight scenes are extremely well done and make use of as many characters from the game as possible. The biggest problem is the story the whole Ryu protecting the kid thing comes off a little too sexual, and really is silly, but that is their main storyline. Another glaring problem is when it ends, it just screams Sequal! Sequal! but it has been out for more than a few years now with no sequal in sight making it less stomachable than if it was part of a series that developed the story more. All in all not very good, but the fighting makes up for it somewhat. Better to play the game than watch the movie.

Story: A+
Animation: A+
DVD Quality: A+
Overall: A+ 

The Cosmo Academy is the most exclusive and difficult school to get into in the galaxy, only the best of the best of all the alien worlds get in. To pass the entrance exam you have to pass three written tests and a final test. The canidates that pass the first three tests are split into groups of ten and sent to a ship. There their final test begins. But when they get there they find there are 11 instead of ten. Now the paranoia takes over with everybody accusing everybody else that they are the 11 member. The group is pretty varied, a group of aliens from several worlds, so humanoid, other 8 foot tall lizard people. The ship starts to malfunction, at first they believe it is just the old ship falling apart but soon they believe that the 11th member is a saboteur. They start to turn on each other and slowly the uncover the ship has a horrible secret as well that links directly to our hero. This is really good old school movie, the plot keep moving at a good pace, I like the twist involving the ship's mysterious past. Of course there is a female on board so we can have romantic tension, but she too is not exactly what she seems to be. That is really a funny twist. The animation feels like an old school Transformer's Episode, the character and setting designs are really reminscent of that show.

Story: A+
Animation: A+
DVD Quality: A+
Overall: A+ 

Our favorite elf stripping team is back and stripping more elves than before. They get into all sorts of trouble, from Celia turning into a panda and she thought being a dog was rough (sorry about that), to their trusty tank taking on the world's biggest shark. They meet a new friend, a little white bear who craps toilet paper, yes his crap is actually worth something. Basically if you liked Those Who Hunt Elves you will find the exact same things to like about this one, the final episode is an absolute riot when they finally defeat the giant tree baby demon god, that is just so totally left field it is fabulous. I can't think of an episode out of the 13 that I didn't like, but then again I am a big fan of Those Who Hunt Elves, such a great twist on the standard fantasy tale to include cat spirit possessed tanks, kung-fu nimrods, and an actress that makes every believe anything she says, it is just such great elf stripping fun.

Story: C
Animation: A+
DVD Quality: A+
Overall: B- 

In the future Demons and Guardians wage a neverending battle for supremacy with humanity caught in the middle. A powerful demon lord plans to create a power demon in the body of Eiji, a pharmaceuitical scientist and he promptly eats his girlfriend's hand. Not willing to write it off as a really bad relationship, she hires Tsunami, the best Guardian out there to get her boyfriend back. It really goes sideways and down from there. The entire thing felt incredibly trunacted, it has these huge gaps in the story punctuated by these incredibly overly long shots of rooms or objects where you keep waiting for something to happen but it never really does and then it all ends in ten very short minutes. I liked the animation and the idea behind the story but the story was so slap-dashed together that I felt like I was missing chucks of the story that were vital but they didn't have the time to put them in. The final fight is rather short and somewhat unsatisfying but that was the way the story went. Could have been a lot better if they'd just streamlined the story and gave it an extra 40 minutes to make it an hour and a half, but they did and we are left with some great visuals and a good idea but very little actual product to enjoy.

Story: A+
Animation: A+
DVD Quality: A+
Overall: A+ 

This was the second Anime I ever saw. I saw it right after watching the mind bending Akira. To be truthful at first I liked this over Akira. It is a simpler story that really moves along at a quick pace. It also has more nudity than Akira, which to a 13 year old is a very important feature of any movie. I was blown away by the level of violence I saw in this. To this day possibly the only thing that has been made in American that comes close to the sheer level of blood and guts is Saving Private Ryan or one of the Evil Dead series. It also has a little humor to break up the violence, D's hand is funnier in this movie than in the sequal, Bloodlust. The kid is a little annoying but then again most kids in movies are annoying and just there to get into trouble so the hero can save them. Simple story, good action, vampires. This is a good anime to watch if you are feeling in the mood for blood and guts.

Story: A+
Animation: A+
DVD Quality: A+
Overall: A+ 

The sequal to the 1985 anime hit Vampire Hunter D, technically it is book 3 in the series but it is the only other movie made so it is number 2. D is tasked with bringing back the daughter of a wealthy merchant who was kidnapped by a vampire riding in a carriage. The only problem is there is another group going after the same prize, the ruthless Marcus Brothers, who happen to be 4 guys and a girl but hey who cares as long as they kick ass. D and the Marcus Clan keep meeting up as they keep chasing the carriage as it becomes very clear that the girl was less kidnapped and more eloped with the vampire in the carriage, and could possibly D and the cute but rough around the edges bounty hunter have a little attraction going on? Not the same story as Vampire Hunter D, this one has a little more action and is mainly about D and the girl, the vampire they are chasing is really a device for their really odd love story. Amazing visuals, but the best thing is D's talking hand, it has some great lines and gets to at least talk back a little more than he did in the first film. Excellent movie, even if you don't like vampires.

Story: A+
Animation: A+
DVD Quality: A+
Overall: A+ 

This is another selection from my old days of Anime. A long but very interesting Anime from the 80s. It actually took me five seperate times to watch this. It is really involved and when I was younger (and less versed in Anime) I would fade in and out. One of the number one rules of anime is you can never fade in and out or you are lost beyond help, and that is why I had to watch it 5 times. It became one of my favorite animes after I finished watching it. But why I have never bought it on DVD is a total mystery to me, you know like Bigfoot and the Bermuda Triangle.

Story: B
Animation: B
DVD Quality: A+
Overall: B+ 

An early import to these shores. A tale of demons, sex, and an extremely horny Yoda clone. Very good for its day, but now it feels a little dated. Our hero reeks of being Gologo 13 from the Professional: Gologo 13. The love interest is your standard tough as nails chick. The story is a bit cut and dry in the beginning but it evolves very well. The real saving grace is the very horny yoda-like diplomat. If the guy isn't in a massage palor or whorehouse he is tryng to get into one.