Format: Anime OAV
Genre: Drama
Fansubbed By: Anime Beach & others
Plot: Two self-contained OAV's; one about a girl who falls for a guy but finds he is already taken after an embarrassing mix-up. The other is about three girls who remember a special friend after digging up a time-capsule they buried as children.
High Points: The first drama was very realistic and something most people (female or male) can relate to. The second was very touching and contains a bit of mystery. I liked the characters and felt I could identify with them.
Low Points: The story lines were dull in some parts and a few times I found myself spacing out. The girl's faces also took some time to get used to, since the art style is a little different than most.
Notes: I have no idea if this is considered shojo or not. It definitely seems like shojo, though.
Format: Anime OAV
Genre: Drama
Fansubbed By: Anime Beach & others
Plot: A two OAV series about 5 girls who are about to graduate. They all have mixed emotions about leaving school behind and all face uncertain futures.
High Points: I could really identify with the problems the girls faced. I just graduated high school last year and went through (and am still going through) many of the emotions and turmoil this anime deals with. It really shows how uncertain the future is once out of high school.
Low Points: The story line dragged a bit. Sometimes the choices the girls had to make weren't really applicable to American life, such as deciding on an arranged marriage.
Notes: Like Debut, I don't know if this is considered shojo or not. The tape I have of this anime also has two OAV's of Graduation Sailor Victory which showcases the girls as a team of mecha warriors. These two OAV's are pretty funny, and I enjoyed them a lot. If you can, try to get them included on the tape.
Format: Anime OAV
Genre: Horror
Released Through: US Manga Corps
Plot: A high school student's fiancé, who also happens to be his cousin, comes back to claim her prize. However, she just happens to be possessed by demons and tries to off his girlfriend.
High Points: It kept me on the edge of my seat. I really didn't know what was going to happen. I felt sympathy for the couple in danger, but I felt bad for the fiancé, too.
Low Points: The video never shows why the fiancé was possessed and as a result the plot isn't very deep. The animation isn't top quality, either. I've come to expect a little better from Takahashi.
Notes: Rumiko Takahashi is really not a "shojo" artist, but I felt that this video had a shojo feel to it, so I though I'd include it. This story is also included in the manga Rumic World, released by Viz Comics.