Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn Review

A Beast of Possibility.

 The Universal Century is revisited after many Gundam shows with various timelines. Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn is an anime adaptaion of the novel of the same name. This time, it's a conclusion to the long-going conflict between Earth Federation and Zeon. Now that the introductions are out of the way, it's time to review this beast of possibility!

STORY-  U.C. 096, three years have past since the events of Char's Counterattack, the Earth Federation and Zeon are fighting over Laplace's Box, an object said to have the power to change the outcome of the war. The story follows colony Industrial 7 resident, Banagher Links, who stumbles upon a white mobile suit called the Unicorn Gundam. He must help a runaway princess, Mineva Lao Zabi, find Lapce's Box and prevent it from falling into the wrong hands. What's the truth behind Laplace's Box? Who is this "Second coming of Char Aznable"? I found the story in Unicorn to be pretty engaging. Like the majority of the Gundam shows, it also delves into some philosophical themes which I found to be interesting. 

Find out the truth behind the Laplace box.

CHARACTERS- Banagher is your typical teen protagonist whom like the pilots before him, stumbles upon the a Gundam and gets caught up in the Federation-Zeon war. Throughout the episodes, he struggles and adapts to the cold reality of war and by the end we see him grow into a more developed and interesting character. Mineva Lao Zabi, heiress to the Zabi family, may start off as cold, but like Banagher, gets a chunk of character development and by the end, she's just as interesting as him. However, the leader of Neo-Zeon, Full Frontal, also known as the "Second coming of Char Aznable", has a lot of mystery behind him, which I won't spoil. 

 Supporting characters such as Riddhe Marcenas, Marida Cruz, and Captain Zinnerman are a great additions and have interesting stories to tell. Returning characters ones such as Bright Noa and Kai Shiden make a return. However, some characters aren't so interesting. I found Banagher's friends and the crew of the Nahel Argama to be boring since don't get much development, which sucks since they're in a lot of scenes. Nevertheless, the story is still enjoyable.

Some familiar faces make a return.

PRESENTATION- First of all, studio Sunrise did a stellar of job handling the presentation. The visuals are crisp and vibrant, as evident by how stunning the Unicorn Gundam looks. Additionally, the character designs and backgrounds are filled with detail. Unicorn does a great job of using CG, which shows during battles featuring the mobile suits. The audio is also great. Either dubbed or subbed, the performances are great. The soundtrack is possibly among the best in the Gundam franchise. Composer Hiroyuki Sawano did a fine job with the soundtrack. The orchestral tracks that plays during battles are a treat to listen to. Also, each episode's ending theme were also nice to listen to and I've found "Broken Mirror" to one of my favorites.

The presentation is simply excellent.

OVERALL- Mobile Suit Unicorn is among the best shows in the Gundam franchise and a nice conclusion to long-lasting war between the Earth Federation and Zeon. The story and characters kept me hooked and I loved the presentation. It's a must watch for U.C. fans and newcomers should find some enjoyment in it, though it's best to watch the previous Gundams to better understand the plot. 

- Unicorn features blood and violence. Recommended for audiences ages 13 and above.-

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Mobile Suit Gundam: Char's Counterattack (1988) Review

The Thrilling Showdown.

 The Mobile Suit Gundam franchise gets its first ever movie in the form of Mobile Suit Gundam: Char's Counterattck. Released back in 1988, it was directed by franchise creator, Yoshiyuki Tomino. The movie sees the return of One Year War veterans Char Aznable and Amuro Ray back in action. If you're interested in watching it, I recommend watching Mobile Suit Gundam and Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam-- even Gundam ZZ, if possible-- first to get a better understanding of the plot and characters. Anyway, let's get into the review.

STORY- U.C. 093, six years after the events of Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam, Char Aznable emerges from hiding. This time, he wages war against the Earth Federation with his Neo-Zeon army. Of course, Earth Federation retaliates and rival pilot and One Year War veteran, Amuro Ray, is looking to settle the score with Char for good. The story is well-told and kept me interested. However, it doesn't really explain much about what happened to Char and Amuro after Zeta Gundam and how did they get the positions that they're in. Also, it would have been nice to see characters from Zeta and ZZ such as Kamille and Judau make some form of an appearance. Nevertheless, the story is engaging and kept me hooked.

Char and Amuro are at it again.

CHARACTERS- Here, it's a mixed bag. The two main leads Amuro and Char are back and it's great seeing them duke it out again. Captain Bright Noa takes a supporting role and it's great seeing him back. New characters include Chan, mechanic and Amuro's girlfriend; Nanai, Char's second in command; Hathaway Noa, Bright's son who's caught up in the action; last and least, Quess, a green-haired Zeon pilot. 

Despite some unnecessary characters, Amuro and Char get some good screen time. 

 I felt that for some reason the movie wants us to focus on Hathaway and Quess for some reason. both came off as boring than interesting. Hathaway comes off as naive and irritating at times. As for Quess, she takes annoying to a whole new level. Constantly going on and on about how awesome Char is (he sure is!), she just felt unesseary. Honestly, it would have been better if we got more Amuro and Char screen time than this.

PRESENTATION- For a late 80's film, the production values hold-up well. The animation and designs are fits the style of the Gundam universe. Additionally, The show's main mobile suits, Amuro's Nu Gundam and Char's Sazabi are both well-detailed and are looking good. I've watched the dubbed version of the movie and I have to say, it was alright. If I recall correctly, Char's Counterattck was dubbed before Zeta Gundam, so it's natural if the voice cast sound different. The soundtrack is spot-on. A lot of the tracks fit the tension and action sequences and was a nice to listen to. 

Even nearly 30 year after release, CCA still looks stunning.

OVERALL- I have been anticipating to watch Char's Counterattck for a while, and after watching it, it didn't disappoint. Despite some lack of backstory for some characters, I still found the story to be engaging. The fights were thrilling to watch and it was great seeing Amuro and Char back in action. The presentation is nice and still holds up well by today's standards. Mobile Suit Gundam: Char's Counterattack is a must-watch for fans of the U.C. Gundam timeline. 

- CCA features sme violence and language. Recommended for ages 13 and up.-

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Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ Review

ZZZ...

 Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ, the third Mobile Suit Gundam show in the franchise, has a reputation of being polarizing. Mainly, it was a departure from the dark melodrama that its predecessor (and my favorite show in the franchise), Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam, had introduced. The show takes a kid-friendly approach in its first half, which I found to be unbearable. However, the dark drama that Zeta packed is still here and it's thrilling. There's a lot to talk about ZZ, so let's get started.

STORY- The story immediately takes place after Zeta Gundam. The Titans have been defeated and the Axis Zeon threat arises. The Argama and its crew are in bad shape after the battle so they drop by a nearby colony, Shangra-La, for repairs. The story follows junk collectors, Judau Ashta, and his friends. Together, they plan on boarding the Aragama and capture the Zeta Gundam in hopes of selling it to make a living. I found the first few episodes to be unbearably campy since it's targeted at children. However, during the second half, things get very climactic and interesting. Without spoiling much of the plot, ZZ get's better later during it's run.  

The story gets interesting and more serious as the show progresses.

CHARACTERS- Most of Zeta Gundam's cast make a return. Captain Bright, Kamille, Fa, and even Axis leader Haman make a return. Similar to Amuro and Kamille, Judau may start as a jerk at first, but gets well-developed as the show progresses. He's a good pilot with noble intentions and I took a linking to him in the end. We also get to learn more about Haman Karn and her objectives. As for Judau's pack of friends, they're alright. I liked Rou, Puru, Lino, and Elle. While some of them such as Mondo and Beecha tend to be extremely annoying at first, they were OK in the end. 

PRESENTATION- Much of the presentation remains intact compared to Zeta. The visuals are the same, however, I noticed that they take a dip in quality here and there. In terms of mobile suits, the Mk. II, Zeta, and Hyaku-Shiki make a return and they're still looking good. However, it's the ZZ Gundam that steals the show with it's sheer power and awesome look. The audio is subbed, but the voice cast does a great job of portraying the characters. The soundtrack is just as neat as Zeta's. Tracks such as "Anime Ja Nai" fits the kid-oriented tone of the fist half while "Silent Voice" fits the more serious tone of the second half. 

Despite it's age, the presentation still holds up pretty well.

OVERALL- Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ is a polarizing show that takes time to get used to. The comedic fist half falls flat, but the second is more dark and developed, which I found to be awesome. I was tolerant of it during the first 20 episodes and by the time the show reached its end, I ended up liking it. Nevertheless, if you can get past some of it's shortcomings, you'll end-up having a good time. 

- While meant for kids early on, the show has some language and crude humor. Mainly targeted at teens and older.-

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Ghost in the Shell Turns 20!

20 Years of Complex Storytelling.

 1995, 20 years ago, the widely acclaimed anime adaptation of Masamune Shirow's cyberpunk manga, Ghost in the Shell was released. It was praised for its stunning production values, courtesy of Production I.G. Two aspects that were unique to Ghost in the Shell were its story and themes, both also received praised. To celebrate the occasion, I revisited the film another time to see how it holds up, and the result was great. Public Security Section 9 agent Mokoto Kusangi's hunt for a superhacker known as "The Puppet Master" is still engaging as it was 20 years ago. Add in a few more strong supporting cast and philosophical themes and you'll have a deep and complex story. Speaking of complex, gits isn't for everyone. Many will understand its message while others will be left confused and lost. Nevertheless, re-watching gits was fun and enjoyable and its definitely on my all-time favorite anime films. For those looking for a engaging mystery thriller with deep themes, Ghost in the Shell is worth a look. On the other hand, those who like a more action-oriented mystery drama, Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex, is also worth a look.

Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam Review

You Will See The Tears Of Time.

 Mobile Suit Gundam proved to be a success in the early 1980's thanks to popularity of the Gunpla (plastic Gundam models). The original packed some neat robot vs. robot action and drama. Obviously, some kind of sequel would have been expected. In 1985, Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam, came to be. The sequel to the 1979 classic, has been regarded by many fans as the darkest and engaging entry in the franchise. After watching its 50 episodes, I can say that its may favorite Gundam in the franchise and is worth a watch.

STORY- U.C. 0087, seven years have passed since the Earth Federation's victory over the Principality of Zeon during the One Year War. However, several Zeon remnants still remain. To combat this, the Earth Federation have established the Titans, an elite force dedicated to the eradication of the Zeon remnants and those who stand in its way, either good or bad. Where MSG had you sympathizing for some Zeon members, you'll surely hate the Titans. 

 Their vicious ways of killing and tyranny leads to the formation of a rebel group called the A.U.E.G. (Anti-Earth Union Group), dedicated to combat the Titans. A small A.U.E.G. team are sent to investigate Side 7, a residential colony, in suspicion of a possible Titan threat. The story follows Kamille Bidan, our main protagonist, whom gets mixed up in the conflict. Throughout the 50-episode run, we see Kamille's struggle as a pilot of the A.U.E.G. and how the war impacts him. The themes of loss and war are here and I found them to be enjoyable aspects of the story. 

Zeta Gundam's story is thrilling and engaging.

 CHARACTERS- Zeta Gundam features many interesting characters. The main lead, Kamille Bidan, is the hot-headed Newtype (an advanced subspecies of mankind) pilot of the Zeta Gundam. Like Amuro, he may take a while to get used to since he can be annoying at times. Nevertheless, he's a far more developed character as the show progresses. Quattro Bajeena, who's a lot like Char Aznable, is a lieutenant in the A.U.E.G. and serves as a mentor to Kamille. He receives a great deal of character development as the show progresses. Throughout the story, characters from both factions experience loss, betrayal, relationships, and more. Also, most White Base members such as Amuro Ray and Bright Noa make a return!

 PRESENTATION- Zeta Gundam packed a neat presentation during its time. The visuals and models are eye-catching, as well as the mech designs, Zeta Gundam especially. Compared to the original Mobile Suit Gundam, Zeta has aged rather well. The voice acting is good, though campy at times. The soundtrack, one of the highlights of the presentation, has an awesome 80's kick to it. The opening and ending themes are catchy and memorable. Even during episodes, you'll be hearing some neat tracks. The composers surely outdid themselves. 

The presentation is nice and one of the main highlights of the show.

 OVERALL- I had a lot of enjoyment watching Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam. The story and characters kept me hooked, as well as the fights, which were awesome. The presentation holds-up considerably well today. Fans looking for a mature and dark Gundam series should give Zeta a look.

- Zeta Gundam contains scenes of violence. It's a PG-13 and up rating.- 

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Mobile Suit Gundam-San Review

DEFINITELY Not Your Average Gundam Show.

 The Mobile Suit Gundam franchise has mostly been serious in its tone. Themes of loss, war, and revenge has been a staple in most shows. In Mobile Suit Gundam-San, there's none of that. As a matter of fact, its nothing like the other Gundam shows. Let's get straight into the review.

STORY- Well... there isn't a story here. Simply put, each episode has a random situation involving certain characters. You'll have to watch the original Mobile Suit Gundam to catch the references but other than that, no prior knowledge of the franchise is needed. Still, if you don't watch the original series, you'll sitting there awkwardly not getting what's happening. 

Gun-damn!

CHARACTERS- The cast of the '79 Gundam are here with a twist. Main characters such as Amuro Ray, the Federation pilot of Gundam with exceptional skills and his rival, Char Aznable, the intelligent and fierce Zeon pilot are here. However... they're both dumb in this show. Amuro is portrayed as a teen going through his puberty who always thinks of pervert-related things. If you think that's weird, Char gets it worse. The once well-respected and feared Red Comet is now an utterly goofy moron who always does some seriously idiotic things.

 Other characters include White Base members Bright, Sayla, Fraw, Haru, and many more. You'll even see Zeon members at their weirdest. The characters are completely different from the ones you came to know in the original Gundam, so be prepared for any "WTF?" moments. 

Fifty shades of Bright.

PRESENTATION- The over-the-top presentation may put-off some viewers, but its alright. The visuals are colorful and wacky, unlike most Gundam shows. I had no problems with it since it fits the wacky tone of the show. Since there is no English Dub, you'll be hearing Japanese audio which shouldn't be a problem since its rather well-done. The music here is goofy, yet catchy in a weird way, its not bad.

The presentation is good and fits the crude nature of the show.

OVERALL- Mobile Suit Gundam-San is a weird anime; one that you'll either like or don't like. I didn't know how to react after finishing it. The story and characters are goofy, so is the presentation. If you're interested with its unique style, it's best to watch the original Gundam to get some of the references. If not, you're better off watching some of the franchise's best works.

- Gundam-San packs some crude and dark humor. There are scenes of blood, nudity, and violence. Recommenced to mature ages-


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Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team Review

Not Your Average Gundam Series.

 The Mobile Suit Gundam franchise consists of many shows, movies, and original video animations (OVA, for short). Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team is one of those uniquely underrated shows of the franchise. Serving as a side-story, we take a glimpse of  of the One Year War from both an Earth Federation and Zeon pilot's perspective. Also, this series is only 12 episodes, one of the shortest Gundams in the franchise. Anyway, it's time to experience The 08 MS Team's short adventures.


STORY- Taking place in U.C. 0079, during and after the One Year War, the Earth Federation and Principality of Zeon are in a war over resources in a guerrilla-tactics manner.The story follows The 08 MS Team, lead by main protagonist Shiro Amada, as they track down a powerful Zeon weapon in the jungles of Southeast Asia. However, things get tough for Shiro when he falls in love with Zeon pilot, Aina Shahalin. Will his love for a Zeon pilot impact his mission and endanger his compared?

While mostly serious, the story can be light-hearted. 

 That's all for the story, I won't spoil anything for those interested. The story in The 08 MS Team is a breath of fresh air compared to other Gundam shows. We get a soldier's point of view on the war and how it can impact the lives of many. That's something that kept me engaged in the story.

CHARACTERS- Like the story, the cast are also memorable. Compared to Amuro, I liked Shiro almost immedailty. He's an honest and brave leader with noble intentions. It's surprising that one can know more about the characters considering the short nature of the show. They're well-written and each have their own goals, which they think is right. Again, you'll end up sympathizing with some of the Zeon crew along the way.

PRESENTATION- Similar to most Gundam shows in the 90's, the presentation is spot-on. The character and mech designs are detailed and neat, as well as the backgrounds. Furthermore, the voice performances are great and fits the atmosphere of the show. The same goes for the soundtrack as well, which packs some nice tracks.

The presentation is good.

OVERALL- Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team is an enjoyable and unique. Despite its length and weak villain, if you're looking for a good adventure with interesting characters, The 08 MS Team is worth the look.

-The 08 MS Team contains some violence, profanity, and some nudity. Recommended for teens and up- 

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Mobile Suit Gundam Review

Humble Beginnings

 The Mobile Suit Gundam franchise has come a long way since its inception way back in 1979. At some point, it was even close to being cancelled due to the initial low ratings. Now, over 30 years later, the franchise consists of multiple series', toylines, games, and more, the original is even considered an anime classic by many fans. During 1981 and 1982, three movies: Mobile Suit Gundam I, Mobile Suit Gundam II: Soldiers of Sorrow, and Mobile Suit Gundam III: Encounters In Space were made to recap the events of the show. Now that the introductions are out of the way, it's time with a blast from the past with a review of the show that started it all, Mobile Suit Gundam. 

STORY- Universal Century 0079, mankind have colonized space and developed powerful weapons called mobile suits. A war between two factions, the Earth Federation and the Principality of Zeon is in action, this is known as The One Year War. The war is so severe that humanity's  existence is in question. The story begins with the Earth Federation's warship, White Base, arriving at Side 7 to pickup its latest weapons. Upon arrival, Zeon forces immediately attack Side 7, killing many civilians in the process. Amuro Ray, a 16 year-old civillain of Side 7, stumbles upon Earth Federation's latest weapon, a powerful mobile suit known as Gundam. From there, we follow Amuro, along with the crew of White Base, survive the war against Zeon. The story's themes are well-handled. The horrors of war, losses of loved ones, and ambitious ideals are greatly discussed and adds more substance to the story.

Right in the sensors.

CHARACTERS- The majority of the characters are likable. Amuro Ray, our main lead, may start as whiny and much of a jerk, but towards the end, he's a developed, mature person. His rival, and one of the coolest anti-heroes in anime history, Char Aznable, is an intelligent, yet cold person. Like Amuro, we know more about his true intentions and history as the story progresses. The crew of White Base, consisting of civilians from all ages, are likable and receive character development as well. Don't be surprised that you'll also empathize with many members of the Zeon forces as well.

The characters are likable and memorable.

PRESENTATION- Despite their age, the visuals for the most part hold up decently. However, at times the animations for the mechs can be a bit disjointed even for a late 70's show. While it doesn't severely hurt the visuals, it's still a noticeable. The audio is good. The voice-work is handed well and each character sounds just like how thye should. The soundtrack is good, with some nice tracks such as "Gallant Char" being my favorite.

The presentation is good for the most part.

OVERALL- I really had a lot of fun watching Mobile Suit Gundam. Its plot, characters, and themes of war and losses were well implemented. If you can get past the aged presentation, you'll find some enjoyment to be had. Newcomers who are interested in the Universal Century timeline should watch the original before heading on to its successors. 

-MSG contains some scenes of violence and profanity. Recommended age 13 and older-

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Paranoia Agent Review

Nothing Like It.

 From anime studio Madhouse (Death Note) and director Satoshi Kon (Perfect Blue), comes Paranoia Agent (Mousou Dairinin in Japan). Similar to his previous Satoshi Kon works, Paranoia Agent is may sound like your typical detective show, but then does a 360 and turns in a new direction. And after watching this neat series, it's time for a review.

STORY- Set in modern day Tokyo, the plot follows two police detectives, Kechii Ikari and Misuhiro Minawa, as they investigate the assault of toy designer, Tsukiko Sagi. She claims that she was assaulted by a boy on roller skates with a bent baseball bat. Rumors eventually spread about the attack, and the "Lil' Slugger" name is created. The story mainly revolves around on those who have been affected by Lil' Slugger and the detectives that are tasked with finding him.

Unveil the mystery of Lil' Slugger.

CHARACTERS- Asides from our two main leads, there are many complex and interesting characters featured throughout the story. All of which are affected by Lil' Slugger in some way. Many aspects of human emotions are showed such as loneliness, greed, and despair. Without going into spoiler territory, the characters as well as story will keep on the edge of your seat.

The cast characters show all kinds of emotions and weaknesses.

PRESENTATION- As always anime studio Madhouse delivers an excellent job in the presentation department. The backgrounds and character designs are neatly animated and eye-catching. You'll notice some changes in animation later during the episodes, which doesn't hurt the presentation at all. Sound-wise, it great as well. The first thing you'll see before watching is the creepy intro accompanied by an eeries song. I found fitting for a weird series, so it's alright with me. The rest of he soundtrack is really catchy and fits well with the series. The voice-work is also commendable with great performances.

Paranoia Agent packs some silly moments at times.

OVERALL- There isn't anything like Paranoia Agent, expect for other Satohi Kon works. While many won't get the ending and would laugh at the length of the series (only 13 episodes), I found the ending and pacing of the series to alright, despite some filler here and there. It's one of my favorite anime of all-time, and again there isn't much like it. Overall, give it a try if you're looking for a good mystery.

-There are some blood, sexual scenes, and violence in Paranoia Agent. There are profanity here and there, so it's mainly targeted for a mature audience.-

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The End Of Evangelion (1997) Review

The End.

  Neon Genesis Evangelion proved to be a hit back in '96. However, many fans and critics alike were polarized over the ending, which didn't end that well, in opinion. After various death threats and hate mails, production studio Gainax (who worked on the original series) along with anime studio Production I.G, famous for 1995's Ghost in the Shell, bring us The End Of Evangelion, a alternative continuation of Neon Genesis Evangelion. The main question a fan would ask is: "Is it any good?" Well, it's time we found out.

Some Spoilers Ahead

STORY & CHARACTERS- The movie starts with a weird scene, which I won't spoil. The End of Evangelion is a retelling of episodes 25 and 26, focusing on the events outside of Shinji's mind. After killing fellow friend Kaworu Nagisa, who is revealed to be the 17th final Angel, Shinji is broken and left with sorrow. Without spoiling much of the film, there are questions left by the series that are answered, which a good thing. However, we get a more mysterious ending that leaves room for interpretation. At first I was disappointed once again for its ambiguity, but as time passed I came to accept it philosophical meaning. Again, it will polarize many to some extent.

 Series regulars make an appearance in the movie, though EoE focuses more on Shinji this time. Shinji, now distraught and sad, must once again face the threat of the Angels with the help of his fellow crew. The first part of the film is the usual Evagelion action provided by Asuka. The second part, however, is where the story and plot goes full psychological, which I found to be pretty good. Themes and questions such as "Why do we exist" and so on adds much needed depth. A downside of it, is the risk of the audience getting lost and completely confused.

PRESENTATION- To start off, Production I.G did a marvelous job with the presentation,a s expected. The backgrounds and designs are amazing and the battles featuring the Eva are stellar. The sound is also a strong factor. The voice cast of the original series make a return, with some cheesy dialogue. Though, it's the soundtrack that is the best part. A brief look at the presentation shows how much substance is added to The End Of Evangelion.

OVERALL- With great production values and complex messages, The End Of Evangelion may leave viewers scratching their heads with "What the hell happened?" And it's understandable. Overall, the film is worth a look, especially for fans, and should provide a good time.

-The End Of Evangelion features more violence and sexual themes as well as blood compared to the original series. Recommended to mature ages-

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Neon Genesis Evangelion Review

Don't Send Me An Angel.

 Neon Genesis Evangelion was regarded as one of the most important anime of the 1990s. Its unique premise and characters followed by neat mecha designs made it appealing for many back at the time. It was so popular that it spawned many merchandise including toys, a movie, and so on. It even influenced and had a huge impact on anime itself, often regarded as one of the best of its genre. Without further delay, let's go over what Evangelion has to offer and does still it hold up well today?

STORY- 2015, fifteen years after a global catastrophe known as the Second Impact, mankind has advanced to the point where it has created powerful weapons, known as Evas, to counterattack the Angels, a monstrous and deadly race that threats mankind itself. Shinji Ikari, tasked by special organization, NERV, to pilot the Eva Unit-01 and eliminate the Angels that threats mankind. Over the course of the 26 episodes, there will be many plot-twists and turns that will keep you engaging till the end. Speaking of the ending... it's a disappointment. At the height of the confusions and many questions. I will avoid spoilers, but to me and many back at the time, were let down by it.

The story is interesting and engaging, but falls flat at the end.

CHARACTERS- This is one of the best aspect of the anime, the characters. Let's focus on Shinji; he's not a rampaging killer like Alucard by any means, he's just a normal 14 year-old boy trying to cope with his hardships. As the show goes on, we get to see him going from whiny kid to a force to be reckoned with. Shinji's guardian, Misato Katsuragi, is a caring and kind person, and Shinji's superior in NERV. She gives him advice and occasionally the funniest out of the entire cast. Asuka Langly Soryu, Eva Unit-02 pilot and "friend" of Shinji, may take a while to like due to her rather egotistical personalty and short-temper. Though towards the ends, she can be a relate-able character. Rei Ayanami, Eva Unit-00 pilot and also friend of Shinji, is usually quiet and at times, duller than a rock. That's not to say she's a bad character, she's just more than meets the eye. NERV commander and father of Shinji, Genyo Ikari, is showed to be a cold and relentless person. When Shinji's mother died when he was a child in an accident, he abandoned him to purse his goals. He may sound as a douche but his goals has some sense to them later in the story.

Evangelion offers a wide cast.

 There are still many characters to cover in the world of Neon Genesis Evangelion, but I just went with the ones you'll be seeing most. Also, even some side characters do get fleshed-out in the story.

The Evangelions are uniquely craft and are looking good.

PRESENTATION-  This is where also Evangelion shines. The character designs and backgrounds are and were breathtaking for their time. However, that quality dropped a bit later during the series, though it was nothing major. The Evangelion designs are some of the best I've seen along with the Gundam series. Each unit is easily distinguishable from the other and have their own unique designs. The sound is also great. I've mainly watched the dub, and it was good. The soundtrack is also well-done with some neat tracks packed. 

OVERALL- Neon Genesis Evangelion is one of the best anime I've watched. A unique premise, characters, and mecha action kept me engaged. Despite the crappy ending and short fights, its still worth a look.

-The show contains some violence and language, as well as some sexual themes, recommended to mature audiences-

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Devil May Cry: The Animated Series Review

Stylish!...

 Based on the hit game series of the same name, Devil May Cry: The Animated Series is anime adaption of the acclaimed series starring devil hunter Dante as he takes on various demon-related jobs. It was also produced by anime studio Madhouse (Trigun, Death Note), so a quality presentation is guaranteed. So does the adaptation capture the series' charm well?


STORY- Set between Devil May Cry and Devil May Cry 4, the story follows half-demon, half-human devil hunter Dante. The show's short 12 episodes sees Dante take on different jobs, so the show does not follow a specific story. The villain and ending are both weak aspects of the story simply because the villain is unlikable and has a really pathetic motive, the ending however, is forced and short, which is a disappointment coming from a DMC fan.

Strawberry Sundaes are the real hero of the show.

CHARACTERS- Dante is your main hero who has an undying love for Strawberry Sundaes and Pizza. Aside from his food interests, he's a skilled devil hunter who'll take any job because well, he's in a large debt. In the first episode, Dante rescues an orphan girl, Patty Lowell, who then share a father-daughter relationship with Dante. Aside of good comic relief, her presence is insignificant. Dante's agent, Morrison, whom brings Dante various jobs to help him pay his debt is a smart and quite old-fashioned. I really wanted see more of because he proved to be an interesting character. 

 Characters from the games such as Lady and Trish make an appearance. Lady is here in most episodes to collect her money from Dante, we also see her in action killing demons. Trish, on the other hand, make rare appearances and we also see in action. The show also explains how Lady and Trish met but more of them would have been great.

PRESENTATION- Anime studio Madhouse does a good job with the presentation, the backgrounds and characters are both looking good. The demon and weapon designs are great, which showcases Madhouse's artistic qualities. In terms of sound, the voicework features DMC3's Reuben Langdon as Dante, whom delivers a fine job as always. The rest of the cast deliver good performances, though Patty can get on your nerves at times. Aside from the kick-ass intro, the music is mostly average, with barely any memorable tunes. 

Madhouse does a good job on the visuals.

OVERALL- Devil May Cry: The Animated Series is a mixed bag, it succeeds in some areas while failing in most. The fight scenes aren't anything stellar like in the games, Dante is overpowered and rarely gets hit, he's basically invincible. Devil May Cry fans will mostly dislike it, I really liked it but can't deny its shortcomings. In the end, those who aren't familiar with the series, will find some fun in it. 

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Hellsing Ultimate Review

Bloody Hell!

 Hellsing was a pretty good vampire anime back in 2001. While it didn't exactly follow the manga, in fact it completely distanced itself from it, causing major differences. This caused backlash from fans who loved the manga but thankfully Hellsing Ultimate, released back in 2006 and ended in 2012 fixed those fan issues with more vampire awesomeness. Is it any good for newcomers? Let's find out.


STORY- The story follows vampire Alucard (backwards spelled Dracula) as he hunts down wanted vampires for the Hellsing group, an organization that protects Britain from supernatural threats. A neo-Nazi major from the organization called "Millennium", wages war against London and Hellsing, with many blood-thirsty Nazi ghouls at his disposal. Obviously, it's up to Alucard and the Hellsing organization to neutralize them. The story is all-out bloody action with non-stop fight scenes and plot- twists, it's not the most philosophical and sophisticated out there, but sure is bloody fun.

Hellsing Ultimate presents a great story.

CHARACTERS- Another great aspect of Hellsing Ultimate are the characters. Alucard is our main lead, he's cold, ruthless, and a pro gunslinger. Also, Alucard is seen as savage at times compared to Hellsing's stylish and cool Alucard, but that's my opinion. Seras Victoria, the female lead and former police officer turned vampire, is the most likable character in the show. Despite being a blood-thirsty vampire, she's kind, sweet, and whimsical. Integra Fairbrook Wingates Hellsing, is the cigar-smoking boss of the Hellsing organization and Alucard's master. She is seen as a serious, no-nonsense woman. The most interesting character is the Nazi Major. He's mad and wishes to see London in ruins, in a polite way. Overall, the cast are interesting and get more depth as the episodes move on.

Lol.

PRESENTATION- The presentation in Hellsing Ultimate is stunning. The visuals are looking great and filled with detailed. The color you'll be seeing most is red, the color of blood. Which shows how much care was put into the visuals by studio Madhouse. The audio in Ultimate is neat as well. The original cast of Hellsing reprise their roles and deliver a great job, Crispin Freeman does a fine job as the dark, stylish vampire Alucard. The soundtrack is good, with many cool tracks to listen to, but I prefer the soundtrack of Hellsing, "A World Without Logos" was a damn good opening.

Presentation-wise its bloody great.

OVERALL- Hellsing Ultimate is the awesome and is one of the best action/vampire anime out there. Newcomers interested in the series should check Ultimate out since its the definitive version of Hellsing. Those looking for a serious plot and action will not be disappointed.

- Hellsing Ultimate is definitely not for children and is targeted for mature audiences. There excessive scenes of blood and gore, some sexual themes and profanity.-

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Hellsing Review

Vampire hunting in style.

 Based on the Hirano Kouta manga of the same name, Hellsing is a vampire anime with action elements. It was released back in 2001, when the manga was still not finished, meaning Hellsing mostly follows the story of the manga but later in its episodes comes up with its own original story. 


STORY- The story follows the Hellsing Organization, lead by Integra Hellsing, as it seeks and destroy any supernatural forces that threatens Britain. On one night, Seras Victoria, a police officer, is captured by a vampire whom turned a village's locals and members of her team into ghouls. Hellsing's expert vampire, Alucard is sent in the neutralize the threat, he succeeds but badly injures Seras. He offers her that he drinks her blood and make her a vampire, she agrees. She now joins the Hellsing Organization and fights the supernatural threats awaits.

 Since the manga wasn't finished at the time, Studio Gonzo had to come up with an original story to continue the show. The result is OK. Many major plot points were dropped to focus on the "freak chip" technology and the villain, Incognito. Speaking of Incognito, he's not as interesting and memorable as The Major from the manga and later in Hellsing Ultimate. During the short 13 episodes, barely anything is given about him and the ending feels rushed and vague.


CHARACTERS- Hellsing focuses on three major characters. Alucard is the main anti-hero of the show. His methods in dealing with other vampires and enemies are ruthless, cold, and extreme. He does it all with style, of course. Seras is our main female lead. Former police officer turned vampire, she tries to adapt to her new lifestyle of drinking blood and realizing her true potential as a vampire. But in this anime series, she feels left out and forgotten, a missed opportunity. Integra Hellsing is Alucard's cold and no-nonsense master and current head of the Hellsing Organization. There are many characters to discuss as well, but only Alucard, Seras, and Integra feel that they are the only fleshed-out in the series.

The characters in Hellsing are neat.

PRESENTATION- The presentation in Hellsing is great. The visuals were OK for their time. Background and character models are good but Alucard in his stylish duster coat, red hat, and yellow shades is the best looking character in the show. The English dub is great, with Crispin Freeman providing a great job voicing Alucard. The best and most memorable aspect of the presentation and the show itself is the is soundtrack. Jazzy and rock tunes are packed in and they sound great. The opening theme "A World Without Logos" and the ending credits both sound great are among the best I've heard.


OVERALL- Hellsing is a good adaptation of the source material, but could have done better in terms of plot. Its a good watch for Hellsing fans looking for more and if you're new to the Hellsing series, watch Hellsing Ultimate. It follows the manga more closely. Despite its shortcomings, the soundtrack and characters are a treat to watch and listen.

- Hellsing is targeted at a mature audiance. The are scenes of violence, sexual themes, and profanity.- 

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