 |
 |
 |
Elfen Lied
Anime DVD Review
Elfen Lied is the answer to the question "What if you mixed Akira with Chobits?" Shockingly violent, it's also sweet and innocent. Like a cute furry cat, she's adorable one second and a vicious killer the next.
 This series does not shy away from excessive gore, nor does it lack fan-service nudity, believe us, there's plenty of both! But between these extremes is an excellent, original and highly imaginative plotline that will drag you in and not let go until you've finished the series. Combine all that with over-the-top visuals, exciting animation and a remarkable soundtrack, the series is an absolute winner!
Reviewed by Brian Cirulnick, February 2006
D.N.Angel Complete Box Set
Anime DVD Review
DNAngel is a fan-favorite anime — try and imagine Ranma 1/2, but with the added twist that whenever the hero (Daisuke Niwa) thinks about the girl of his dreams (Risa Harada), he becomes another person, Dark Mousy, a phantom thief. And his mom is using his alter ego of "Dark" for her own nefarious scheme.
 Now of course, Risa is in love with the elusive and sly Dark, but not with Daisuke, and when Daisuke tries to make her fall in love with him, all it ends up doing is transforming him into Dark! And it gets even more complicated from there. Don't miss this exciting and romantic comedy-adventure shoujo series based on the international best-selling manga series by Yukiru Sugisaki.
Reviewed by Brian Cirulnick, February 2006
Mermaid Forest
Anime DVD Review
If you've heard of Rumiko Takahashi before and you're about to write Mermaid Forest off as yet another love story, you are making a mistake. Not only is this NOT a love story, it's not even bright and cheerful as her usual works are. Based on her Mermaid manga series, Mermaid Forest starts us off in the middle of the story's timeline but the anime itself alternates between the past and the present, so you don't feel confused.
 This dark tale about human relationships and greed does not lack anything that can make your skin crawl. If you are a visual person, it has buckets of blood and mutated monsters galore. What we love about Mermaid Forest however is it shows you just enough to make you imagine what comes next. Just as Alfred Hitchcock can make us "see" Psycho Norman Bates bloodily slashing Janet Leigh in the shower with just her scream, his knife, and that music, Mermaid Forest makes us cringe with just a scalpel and a skinned human face.
Although Mermaid Forest tried to be faithful to the original artwork from the manga, it has been 10 years between the two and certain things needed to be updated: darker colors, more shadows, and more angles. All in all, this update accentuates and brings everything closer to the eeriness and disturbing feel of the story.
Reviewed by Carolyn Whu, February 2006
Le Portrait de Petite Cossette
Anime DVD Review
Eiri is a talented artist who goes to university and runs his uncle's antique shop. His uncle travels the world, searching for all sorts of antiquities. He has them shipped over to the antique shop, where Eiri catalogues and sells the items. One shipment arouses Eiri's curiosity-items from a family in France that has long since died out. The items include Venetian glasses. One in particular captures Eiri's fancy, and he discovers within it the ghost of a beautiful young woman who died 200 years ago. He falls for her, and the ghost proceeds to ensnare Eiri for its own purposes. The results catch Eiri by surprise, and he is drawn into the dark, horrifying world of the ghost.
 The palette of colors in this anime is rich beyond measure; the imagery combines the abstract and the realistic with dazzling results that leave the viewer awed by the imagination and intensity. It is a tragic tale of love that unfurls through these very images and colors. The music enhances the experience, taking this film to the level of the sublime. This widescreen DVD movie is a gem that is not to be missed.
Reviewed by Saul Trabal, February 2006
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
|
Fullmetal Alchemist
Anime Cosplay Pocket Watch
Anime Toy Review
Now you too can be a licensed state alchemist by getting your hands on this ultra-cool pocket watch! Inscribed with Ed's symbol, the FMA military symbol as well as "don't forget 3. Oct. 10" (on the inside cover), this particular prop is featured prominently in the series and is a cool-bit of business regardless.
And of course, it's a full-working timepiece as well, so it won't look out of place with any outfit, with handsome roman numerals and a sweep-hand counting seconds. Very, very cool and useful as well. Now you won't be late for class!
Reviewed by Brian Cirulnick, February 2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
|
Blame! by Tsutomu Nihei
Manga Review
The hallmark of any good manga is that you can follow the storyline without being able to read a scrap of the dialog. This was how we enjoyed Blame! years ago when it was first published in Japan. With clearly defined art, an easy to follow yet complex storyline, design and artwork well above par, Blame! is clearly top-notch manga in every respect.
 Our hero wanders a cyberpunk labyrinth (which seems to be the inspiration for the look of the two later Matrix sequels) of pipework, catwalks and chasms fighting cyborgs and other bizarre creatures. Fortunately; he's got one helluva gun and he knows how to use it. Blame! was great fun even when we couldn't read the dialog, it's now even better that Tokyopop has given us the English version (which still reads right to left!). A DVD OVA is available as well.
Below: Artwork from the cyberpunk manga Blame! by Tsutomu Nihei.
Reviewed by Brian Cirulnick, February 2006
|
|
|
Samurai Champloo Original Soundtrack
Anime Soundtrack Review
A great fun soundtrack for those that like hip-hop, but aren't crazy about rap, this mostly hip-hop instrumental, smooth, funky, groovy album is great driving music and will be appreciated by those that aren't even into anime!
Starting with "Battlecry" (the show's opening theme), the CD segues into some cool beats that must be heard to be appreciated. Very nice mood-setting electronica-jazz with an inner-city overlay beat, it's unique and original, and not out-of-place in any modern setting. Great stuff!
Reviewed by Brian Cirulnick, February 2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
