Alan Takahashi's
ANIME POCKET GUIDE
I can hear the Sea
Title: I can hear the Sea (TV)
aka: Umi Ga Kikoeru
Cast:
Description:
Taku Morisaki is a college student on his way back to a high
school reunion. On the plane flight back, he remembers events
from his high school days. He remembers getting a glimpse of a
new girl with his friend Matsuno. Later, Matsuno introduces his
new girlfriend to Morisaki. Her name is Rikako Muto. She is
very good in sports and academically, but is a social outsider
since she is a transfer student. In their last year in school,
the class takes a trip to Hawaii. When Rikako's money is stolen,
it is to Morisaki that she asks to help her. This doesn't go
unnoticed by Matsuno, and cracks begin to appear in their
friendship. This is a very real look at relationships, and how
a single act may change them forever. Did a romantic triangle
form? It's hard to tell. This TV movie compares well with
better live-action dramas and outshines most anime.
NOTE: This is Studio Ghibli's first solo attempt by the "younger
generation" of the company. Miyazaki-sensei was not involved.
Rating: HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Index...
Urotsukidoji (Legend of the Overfiend)
Title: Wandering Kid (or "Legend of the Overfiend")(OAVs,FILM)
aka: Urotsukidoji
Cast:
Description:
The universe consists of 3 realms: the Human World, the Beast
World, and the Demon World. Every 3000 years, the "Chojin"
(which is essentially a super-God of sorts) is born to unite the
3 worlds together. This series follows the journey of a boy
from the Beast World named Amanojaku as he searches for the
"Chojin". He settles on a human boy and girl (Nakumo and Akemi)
who seem to be the key. Events unfold rapidly as demons also
appear, looking for the "Chojin". The film is an edited
compilation of the 1st OAV series. There is a 2nd OAV series
which is a prequel of sorts. There are many scenes involving
violent rapes, dismemberment, demon-induced gore, supernatural
horror stuff, etc...
NOTE: This series' prime focus seems to be on the graphic sex
and violent scenes which permeates the series. In all fairness,
there *is* a rather complex plotline running through this, but
in the end, the plot is only an excuse to show more sex and
violence.
US Release by: US Manga Corps (dubbed)
UK Release by: Manga Video (dubbed)
Rating: NOT RECOMMENDED
Index...
Urusei Yatsura
Title: Urusei Yatsura (FILM,OAV,TV)
Cast:
Lum ......................................... Fumi Hirano
Ataru Moroboshi ......................... Toshio Furukawa
Shinobu Miyake ............................ Saeko Shimazu
Shutaro Mendo .............................. Akira Kamiya
Ryoko Mendo ................................. Mami Koyama
Ryunosuke Fujinami ........................ Mayumi Tanaka
Benten ....................................... Yuhko Mita
Oyuki ...................................... Noriko Ohara
Ran .......................................... You Inouye
Megane .................................... Shigeru Chiba
Chibi .................................... Issei Futamata
Cherry .................................... Ichiroo Nagai
Onsen-mark ............................ Michihiro Ikemizu
Tsubame Ozuno ........................... Kazuhiko Inouye
Asuka Mizunokouji ........................ Sumi Shimamoto
Ten's Mother ............................. Sumi Shimamoto
Elle Barakumi (UY1:Only You) ......... Yoshiko Sakakibara
Rara (UY3:Remember my Love) ..... Sumi Shimamoto
Karla (UY5:Boy meets Girl) ........... You Inouye
Description:
One day, an alien fleet appeared and was going to invade the
Earth. Earth had only once chance: if a randomly selected Earth-
man defeated an alien in a game of tag, then Earth would be
spared. The computers picked a high school lech named Ataru
Moroboshi. When Ataru found out, he hid behind his girlfriend
Shinobu...until he saw his opponent: a cute girl in a tiger-
striped bikini named Lum. All he has to do is grab Lum's horns
before 10 days are up. The horny Ataru was *very* willing to do
just that :-). On the first day, Ataru dashed toward Lum...who
flew off. Ataru screamed that nobody told him that Lum could
*fly*! Day after day, Ataru kept trying and failing. On the
last night, Shinobu said that she'd marry Ataru if he won. The
next day, Ataru cheated...and won the match. *Then* he said he
would now be married. Baaaad timing...Lum took it to mean that
he wanted to marry *her*. Now, the girl-chasing Ataru has a
devoted and loving 'wife' who will fry him if he even looks at
another girl. Oh, didn't I mention Lum's electric shock power?
A romantic comedy created by the talented Rumiko Takahashi.
US Release by: AnimEigo (subtitled)
Rating: HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Index...
Video Girl Ai
Title: Video Girl Ai (OAVs)
aka: Denei Shoujo Ai
Cast:
Video Girl Ai (Amano) ................ Megumi Hayashibara
Yohta Moteuchi ............................ Takeshi Kusao
Moemi Hayakawa ............................... Yuri Amano
Description:
One day, Yohta is walking home. He's just been told that the
girl he likes (Moemi) likes someone else. Trying to cheer up,
he rents an 'explicit' video tape from a wierd rental shop, and
when he plays it, Video Girl Ai pops out of his screen to
comfort him. Unfortunately, Yohta's VCR is on the blink, and
Ai appears minus a large part of her bosum, and with a new and
dangerous mischievous personality...
Rating: RECOMMENDED
Index...
Vampire Hunter D
Title: Vampire Hunter D (FILM)
Cast:
'D' ..................................... Kaneto Shiozawa
Doris ................................... Michie Tomizawa
Description:
In the far future, enclaves of humans are trying to hold out
against supernatural forces. In one such village, a girl named
Doris is bitten by an ancient vampire. In seeking help, she
encounters a mysterious Vampire Hunter named 'D'. Before being
taken by Count Lee (the vampire), Doris is ostracized by the
village. It is up to 'D' to save her. A very moody and dark
film.
US Release by: Streamline Pictures (dubbed)
UK Release by: Island World Communications (dubbed)
Rating: RECOMMENDED
Index...
Vampire Princess Miyu
Title: Vampire Princess Miyu (OAVs)
aka: Kyuuketsu Hime Miyu
Cast:
Miyu ..................................... Naoko Watanabe
Himiko Se ................................... Mami Koyama
Narrator ..................................... Goroo Naya
Larva ................................... Kaneto Shiozawa
Akiko ....................................... Yumi Takada
Kei Yuzuki ................................. Ryo Horikawa
Doctor ..................................... Tessho Genda
Armored Shinma ............................. Tessho Genda
Miyu's mother .............................. Masako Ikeda
Description:
In the shadows lurk the shinma (spirit-demons). For humans, it
is dangerous to interact with the shinma. As Himiko, a human
spiritualist finds out, there is another force moving quietly
banishing the shinma...a vampire girl called Miyu. Along with
her servant/friend Larva, Miyu acts against the shinma which is
troubling humanity...but she doesn't act FOR humans. Her motives
are as mysterious as she is herself. This is a quietly spooky
series that gets more disturbing, the more you think about it.
US Release by: AnimEigo (subtitled)
Rating: HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Index...
Wings of Honneamise
Title: Wings of Honneamise (or "Royal Space Force") (FILM)
Cast:
Shirotsugh Lhadatto ........................ Leo Morimoto
Leiquinni Nondelaiko ...................... Mitsuki Yayoi
Description:
In an alternate world, Shirotsugh Lhadatto dreams of becoming a
pilot...but his grades weren't good enough, so he became a
member of the Royal Space Force instead. The Space Force is led
by a General whose dream is to put the first man into space.
The Space Force, however, is a laughing stock and a career dead
end, so its members aren't exactly the cream of the crop. After
an encounter with Leiquinni Nondelaiko, a very religious girl,
Shiro is inspired to volunteer to be the first astronaut. The
movie details the growth of Shiro's character, as well as the
trials - both political and technical - which culminate in the
launch of the first manned rocket. I can't really do justice to
this movie in a short description, but it's very good. A dubbed
version exists called "Star Quest"...avoid it.
Rating: HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Index...
Yadamon
Title: Yadamon (TV)
Cast:
Yadamon ...................................... Mika Kanai
Taimon ..................................... Rin Mizuhara
Jan ........................................ Rie Iwatsubo
Eddie .................................... Issei Futamata
Maria ....................................... Mami Suzuki
Han-na .................................... Kyouko Minami
Rick .................................... Takumi Yamazaki
Peat ........................................ Mioko Kohie
Butch .................................... Masahiro Anzai
Enriko .................................. Kaneto Shiozawa
Manaty .................................. Kineko Nakamura
Description:
Yadamon is a little witch who lives with Jan and his parents.
They live in a future time where many things are automated (in a
simplistic sort of way...automatic vacuum cleaners, for example).
Maria, Jan's mother, is a biologist and spends her time perform-
ing experiments. Yadamon is an inquisitive girl who frequently
gets Jan in trouble with what she does. Along with Yadamon is
Taimon, a little critter (who talks!) and can stop time briefly.
The series consists of 10 minute episodes, and plots follow the
simple "kids in mischief" line. Purely for little kids.
Note: "Yadamon" is also a cute way for little girls to say "no"..
Rating: RECOMMENDED (adults may find it dull, though)
Index...
Space Cruiser Yamato
Title: Space Cruiser Yamato (FILM,TV)
aka: Uchuu Senkan Yamato
Cast:
Yuki Mori ................................. Youko Asagami
Juuzo Okida .................................. Goroo Naya
Kato ....................................... Akira Kamiya
Description:
When the Earth is in trouble from invading alien forces, it
resurrects and rebuilds a new space warship from the hulk of the
old Japanese sea battleship: the Yamato. The various missions
boil down to the same thing: defend the Earth and destroy the
enemy forces.
Rating: RECOMMENDED
Index...
Yawara! A fashionable judo girl.
Title: Yawara! A fashionable judo girl. (FILM,TV)
Cast:
Yawara Inokuma ........................... Yuko Minaguchi
Sayaka ................................. Yoshino Takamori
Kousaku Matsuda .......................... Toshihiko Seki
Shinnosuke Kazamatsuri ..................... Akira Kamiya
Takeyuki Suzuki (Yawara! movie) ...... Megumi Hayashibara
Description:
One of the most talented and promising young contenders in the
world of judo is a girl called Yawara Inokuma. With her native
talent and quickness, she could fight just about anyone. With
intensive training given by her grandfather (a judo champion in
his own right), Yawara is unbeatable. It's the desire of many
in the judo world to meet and beat Yawara. Yawara, on the other
hand, would prefer to give up judo and become an ordinary girl.
Rating: HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Index...
Idol Angel Yohkoso Yohko
Title: Idol Angel Yohkoso Yohko (TV)
aka: Idol Tenshi Yohkoso Yohko
Cast:
Yohko Tanaka ................................. Mika Kanai
Saki Yamamori ........................ Megumi Hayashibara
Muu ...................................... Katsumi Suzuki
Hideki Yamashita ....................... Hirotaka Suzuoki
Kyou Hayami .............................. Toshihiko Seki
Chougorou Shibuya ................... Tomomichi Nishimura
Kyouko Hoshihana .......................... Yuko Mizutani
Toshio Harada ............................ Shin-ya Ootaki
Tokudaiji ............................... Kenyuu Horiuchi
Description: (by Chris Swett)
This is a 40-episode shojo (girl's) anime series about two young
girls who try to become idol singers in Shibuya. Yohko is
intensely upbeat and talented but has a mysterious past that she
won't talk about. She meets the second girl, Saki, on the
Shinkansen (bullet train) when she's on her way to Tokyo. They
team up in their assault on the showbiz industry. Yohko also
has a pet flying squirrel named Muu. His primary role is:
1) cause Yohko to meet all kinds of strange Shibuya residents
2) fetch a mirror-ball prop whenever Yohko looks like she's
going to break into song.
This series has at least one song per episode and could be
classed as a musical. There is also an extremely *cheerful* air
to it. Note that Yohko's origin is never explained and in fact,
the last episode shows her unchanged on TV 50 years from now...
Rating: RECOMMENDED
Index...
Yotoden
Title: Yotoden (OAVs)
Cast:
Sakon Hayate ............................ Kazuhiko Inouye
Ranmaru Mori ............................ Kaneto Shiozawa
Description:
A giant demon destroys a ninja village. The only 2 people left
are a girl, Ayame, and her brother. He gives her a dagger, the
sacred weapon of their clan, and turns back to fight against the
demon. Only Ayame is left. In ninja tradition, she vows to
take revenge on those responsible. Later, a group of thieves
attack a lone figure. They find that killing this stranger is
not easy, and Sakon, their leader takes the stranger on. During
the fight, Sakon and Ayanosuke (she had masculinized her name)
find that their blades have an affinity with each other. Demons
kill the thieves and are destroyed, in turn, by a priest. He
sends them in the direction of Ryoma who has a pike made of the
same meteor metal as the other 2 weapons. In this way, the old
prophecy is coming true...the 3 mystic weapons working together
under the flaming star (a comet) will vanquish evil. The evil,
in this case is the demon-possessed Lord Nobunaga. This series
is set up like an historical drama with intrigue and
confrontations in historical Japan...with some magic and demons
added. Note that Nobunaga is a real figure in Japanese history
and tried to unite Japan under himself. He was the first to use
Western weapons as opposed to the more 'honorable' weapons. This
series is also noted for its realistic human animation.
Rating: RECOMMENDED
Index...
Hades Project Zeorymer
Title: Hades Project Zeorymer (OAVs)
aka: Mei Ou Project Zeorymer
Cast:
Miku Himuro ................................ Chieko Honda
Saiga ................................... Kaneto Shiozawa
Description:
A young man named Akitsu Masato is 'captured' by a secret govt.
project known as "Last Guardian". He is told that his life as
a normal student was all a lie, and that his real destiny is to
be the pilot of a great robot called "Zeorymer of the Heavens".
The truth of this is hammered in when Masato sees his 'parents'
accept payment for raising him. The Last Guardian is preparing
for the resurrection of "Hau Dragon", an organization bent on
world conquest. 15 years ago, Hau Dragon built 8 great robots.
Each of the mecha represents a force of nature. However, before
any of the robots could be used, their creater Kihara Masaki
destroyed the robots except for the leader: Zeorymer. He took
Zeorymer and an embryo to the government. The embryo became the
boy Masato. Now, Hau Dragon has rebuilt the other 7 mecha and
wants the 8th. It will be up to Masato and Himuro to pilot
Zeorymer and fight against the Hau Dragon...but neither Masato
or Himuro are all that they seem...
Rating: RECOMMENDED
Index...
Richard Murdey : rmurdey.cs.mun.ca