Princess Mononoke ***
Synopsis: A boy form a village contracts an illness after fighting a diseased animal spirit. He is exiled from his home and force to fend for him self. Then he runs in to an evil woman who makes gun powder. He tries to tell her that her action are destroying the creatures of the forest but she won’t listen.
My Remark: This is an anime that takes a stand against deforestation and the wars of man. Though there isn’t much humor in this one the plot and the animation are out standing. This is another anime by the legendary creator Hayao Miyazaki. I would recommend this to all age group above 8. Metropolis****
Synopsis: This anime is a modern version of “Metropolis” the 1930’s live action movie. Metropolis is about a young boy and his grandfather who is a hired to look into the cause of an explosion of a lab of a scientist.
My Remarks: This is another anime by a legendary anime creator. It’s one that’s meant for kid but all age can appreciate its message. Metropolis starts out very cute and lovable and then gets kind of crazy toward the end. This anime is not so humors and anime style is different but is seems to work for the theme of this anime and is also quite beautiful. The ending quite sad but has a great message. Akira*****
Synopsis: One of the members of a motor cycle gang get more than he bargained for when he “hits” a little boy with his bike during a fight with an opposing gang. The accident triggers hidden powers inside the guy’s head and as they get stronger he starts to go insane.
My Remarks: In my “professional” opinion this has to be on of the greatest animes of all time. If you haven’t seen this one yet you haven‘t seen anime. It’s pretty hard to follow, and has a very weird ending but if you watch a few times you might understand it. The art is fantastic. Even though it was made many years ago. This is definitely not one for the kids. There is some nudity and the plot would be far too advanced. Alice 19th ***
Synopsis: Alice is just your average high school student. On the way to school she save the life of a bunny in the middle of the road. Later she finds out that the bunny it’s a bunny at all and she is bestowed with a bracelet, which enables her to use the lotus words. The first time she uses the words she accidentally makes her sister vanish. Now it’s up to Alice to bring her back.
My Remarks: Well this is just your standard Shojo manga. It’s only seven books long. It’s nothing special. In some ways it’s a lot like Cardcaptors Sakura. (Alice has an animal guardian to help make right her mistakes). The art work very good but that’s to be expected form Yu Watase. And there are some parts that are down right hilarious. Wolf Rain*****
Synopsis: A futuristic tale of wolves in disguise as humans in order to survive and make it to paradise. Along the way they meet girl who is actually a plant and helps them on their journey.
My Remarks: Now then this anime has to be one of the best I’ve ever seen. The four main characters are oh so lovable, despite their disagreeable qualities. It makes you optimistic for them on the grueling journey. The animation is stunning and it kind of reminds me of the style use in Gundam 08th MS team. It’s recommended for an older crowd because there is some bloodshed. Demon Diary***
Synopsis: A young boy has found that he is the next demon lord. He now has to learn the how to use his new powers and the proper demon etiquette. Things quickly take a turn for the worst.
My Remarks: The sad thing about this anime is that it switch writer after the first book. So it start out good and kind of gets more boring as you go a long. Its wit is decent but not that great. The thing I like the most about this anime the art done by Kara. It’s actually quite good. This manga also has some Yoai over tones. Inu Yasha****
Synopsis: A young girl falls down a well and it transported to ancient Japan. Where she meets the companion of her previous incarnation, who is a demon. She find the she is now the protector of the sacred jewel. Then the jewel is stolen by bird, when she tries to shoot the bird down with a bow and arrow, the jewel shatters into many pieces and it is spread across the land. Now it’s up to her and the demon to get them all back.
My Remarks: This is another popular anime by Rumiko Takahashi (the same maker of Ranma 1/2). It seems that in this anime side characters really add strength to the plot and humor. The Art is anything special it’s kind of old school if you ask me. Inu Yasha is definitely not for kids under 12 years old because of the sexual humor. Vampire Hunter D*****
Synopsis: D is a vampire hunter that is half human half vampire. He also has taking parasite in his hand.
My Remarks: The taking hand adds some humor, but all in all it’s a pretty serious movie with some pretty serious action scenes. The art is gorgeous it’s kind of like the style used in “Ninja Scroll” but better or even “Witch Hunter Robin“. It’s also rated R for gory so you might want to keep the young ones away form this one.