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Seen all▲▼
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Rating▲▼
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Comment▲▼
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| 5 Centimeters Per Second (movie) |
Excellent |
The latest from the acclaimed director Makoto Shinkai, the story this time consists of three short chapters, and sticks with the themes that appear in his earlier works. With his ability to create real feeling characters, the viewer can't help but be drawn in. Couple this with the constantly beautiful art and the cinematic flair that goes into it and it's hard to find fault with this production. The brilliant first chapter will have you wanting more, and this is where the production falters. Although the second and third parts are good, they aren't captivating in the same sense, and feels almost like a tangent that shouldn't have happened. Don't let this deter you from watching this, as its well worth it, even though it ends abruptly feeling like the story was only half done. |
| Akira (movie) |
So-so |
so overrated I cringe every time I hear it being held so high on forums. The production values aside, this movie has the weakest cast of characters ever. By the end I don't think I had the main characters name down, and what's more, I didn't even care enough to find out. He was that lifeless and plain. |
| Azumanga Daioh (TV) |
Excellent |
This is a very humorous series that has a sense of humor of its own. As the manga was in a peculiar format with short jokes four comic panels long (much like American comic strips) the anime tries to mimic it to a certain extent. With no main story line, the episodes are usually broken up into smaller jokes that set up a scene to be played out. In the end it left me pretty satisfied except for the fact that it needed more Yukari Sensei!!! Most people consider Osaka as the funniest, but Yukari could have been given more screen time. If you feel like watching an off beat comedy and getting away from the norm, this is your fix. |
| Azumanga Daioh - The Very Short Movie |
Good |
this was short... and needed more Yukari sensei!!! |
| Baccano! (TV) |
Excellent |
Just finished this up and wow, this was an unexpected treat. This fast paced story surrounds the world of 1930's organized crime with a touch of supernatural to it. Based mostly around one train and the passengers unlucky enough to be aboard, everything about Baccano feels frantic and captivating. With unique characters and twists to the story in every episode, this thirteen episode series doesn't have a dull moment. To back this up, there is a satisfying conclusion waiting for those who pick it up. The only downside that I can think of off the top of my head is that the time table for the story can become pretty confusing. With the story switching between 1930, 31, 32, and 33 on a regular basis, as well as going back to the 20's and even the 16th century it can be pretty hard to fit everything together while watching. (Though thinking back in the end doesn't reveal any loose ends, so I can only guess that the writers didn't leave any) So yeah, good stuff. Watch it if you don’t mind some gore, as despite the fact that Baccano! has a light-hearted mood many of the scenes are excessively bloody and violent. |
| BECK: Mongolian Chop Squad (TV) |
Very good |
Teenage angst in the rock scene in Japan. That's what Beck is all about. A very slow story, but one that lets you get to know the characters well. In fact, this is possibly the most "real" feeling anime I've ever watched. Even though it's a high school drama of sorts there are none of the elaborate school girl uniforms or character arch types that are usually present. (Sorry otaku, no cat girls in this one either) The series evolves into a look at the rock scene and the main characters fascination with it, and then further into a "making of the band" arc. I don't know what holds me back from giving this a higher rating as it executes itself pretty well. I guess I just couldn't connect with the characters to a certain extent, and the slowness didn't have me anticipating even big events in the story. That being said, most people really enjoy this, so if you're into rock in Japan or in general and how things are behind it I'd imagine Beck gives a fairly accurate representation. Also, this is a great series if you're tired of how fake characters in anime can feel, as this is as real as they come. |
| (The) Big O (TV) |
Good |
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| Black Lagoon (TV) |
Decent |
Holy testosterone batman! I saw this directly after watching Ichigo Maashimaro, and it kicked the kawaii out of my system and restored my masculinity with non-stop explosions and gunfights. That's the main thing to watch this series for. There is no real main story, and the structure is that of many smaller stories that can take up a few episodes each. The directors could have very easily developed the characters more, since there was certainly something unique between Revy and Rock, but unfortunately the time slot for character development was replaced with more explosions and gunfights, which really limited the series appeal to pubescent teenagers who like guns.....and explosions. |
| Black Lagoon: The Second Barrage (TV) |
Decent |
just the second season of black lagoon, and nothing has changed. see entry for the first season. bang bang! rat-tat-tat-tat pissshhh... Kablooie! |
| Castle in the Sky (movie) |
Excellent |
It's one of the best Ghibli movies in my opinion, and should go down as a better example of Miyazaki's legacy than spirited away or Howl's Moving Castle. (which really don't stack up in my opinion) |
| (The) Cat Returns (movie) |
Excellent |
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| Cat Soup (OAV) |
Decent |
very trippy and even disturbing at times. Wish I could enlighten people who read this to the films meanings, but I'm as lost as you are, my friend. I would give something like this a higher rating, but it's a bit too avant-garde for my taste. |
| Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion (TV) |
Very good |
I didn't want to like this. Code Geass had been released a few years ago, and I usually vow to stay away from things that everyone raves about, as I usually don't agree. That was not the case for Code Geass. This is a very good series that executes itself very well. No, it doesn't pull out a lot of original concepts. Yes, it uses giant robots, a Japanese high school setting, fan service with busty heroines, and a whole lot of explosions and fighting to try and appeal to every teenage boy in Japan. However, it also happens to have a pretty good story and hero/anti hero protagonist, and they kept me watching all the way through both seasons. I liked it. You'll probably like it too. They tried hard to appeal to everyone in this series, and for once the critical guy who only cares about the plot, characters, and how they're both delivered fit into the demographic as well. Oh, and I'm personally a big fan of Pizza hut, so I guess that made me a little bit biased. |
| Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion R2 (TV) |
Very good |
^see above^ |
| Comedy (OAV) |
Very good |
short, mysterious, and beautiful. this being a 10 minute movie, you get a lot of entertainment for the time taken to watch. Animation is very high quality, as is the music. (you don't see too much Schubert and Chopin in anime apart from Nodame Cantabile) This animation just has so much atmosphere thanks to both of these perks, the creepy story that has closure in the end just makes the whole package enjoyable, and anyone who won't take ten minutes sometime to see this is missing out. |
| Cowboy Bebop (TV) |
Very good |
Kinda overrated, but can't help but to really like it myself. The story feels like it could have been so much more without all the useless episodes, but even the side stories in these are enjoyable, and the characters for the most part memorable. great animation for the time, and great soundtrack for any time, when you look at cowboy bebop it's going to entertain. The reason I couldn't rate it higher than very good is because I felt that it could have been so much more. After the epic nature of the fifth episode, I was so ready for a masterpiece of a series to commence that when no more to the main story happened till episode 20 something it felt like a huge letdown at the end. I really do feel that when the director has such great elements in a series, they should always try for more, and it doesn't feel like that's what happened in Cowboy Bebop. |
| Cowboy Bebop: The Movie |
Excellent |
Brought back everything from the series to make a great movie. Maybe not as memorable a villain as Vicious, but the movie keeps the cowboy bebop atmosphere the whole way through, and is a must see for fans of the series. |
| Cyborg 009 The Cyborg Soldier (TV) |
So-so |
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| Death Note (TV) |
Good |
All in all a solid watch, which probably deserves a higher rating than what I'm giving, but I had a few issues. I found the first half of the series very enjoyable, but having read the manga first, it felt a bit rushed, which was a shame cause the formula worked very well at first. Then the series lost a character it shouldn't have, and then went into an obvious second arc that just didn't quite hold up to the first. I just didn't come away from this feeling like it was something as spectacular as many will make it out to be, and wish there had been a better and more elaborate ending. |
| Den-noh Coil (TV) |
Excellent |
Denno Coil was probably the best thing I watched in 2008. While it does come across as "kiddy" at times, the overall product is brilliant. The pacing is good, the art is good, the characters and plot leave nothing to be desired, and the ending is satisfying. This is something I can't say for most anime, even ones I've personally enjoyed. Even the few side story episodes are well executed and enjoyable. I highly recommend anyone who runs across this gem to snatch it up, as it's well worth the time. |
| Dragon Ball Z (TV) |
Bad |
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| Eden of the East (TV) |
Decent |
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| Excel Saga (TV) |
Good |
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| Fate/stay night (TV) |
Weak |
Having been pestered into watching this and having heard a lot about it in the anime community, I gave Fate/stay Night a chance. To be honest, I wish I had given it the "five episode test" and left it at that. But I had said I would watch it, so I followed through and endured all 24 episodes. What a waste of time. The whole plot is based around some sort of fight for the holy grail which the series never feels necessary to explain. There are just people and their spirit fighting partners and that's it. You know that much in two episodes, and the rest of the series is devoted to showing them fighting for it. The characters are just as deep as the plot, and both seem better suited to appear in an H game (not that I'd know anything about that) than appear as a two season television show. The animation is cheap, and the only part that any effort was put into was making the fights look pretty. Of course, this doesn't matter when half the fights end in the usual "I'll let you go this time" gimmick that shows up so much in anime of this caliber. Bottom line is that this series tried nothing new, and what it copies it does badly. |
| Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children (movie) |
Decent |
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| FLCL (OAV) |
Masterpiece |
This is one of the only anime I'm known for making a scene about when extolling, so I'll try to conserve the exclaimation marks and write my thoughts of FLCL without all the excitement I usually exude. This six episode anime is by far the most original, creative, mind blowing thing I've ever seen. Not only does it shatter convention but does so in a brilliant manner that succeeds. I shouldn't say that it doesn't have it's fair share of critics, because it does at many times seem to be a "love it or hate it" kind of show, as many don't care for the randomness. I'll never pretend to understand the show fully, but what goes on through those six episodes is... something amazing.
So there is my vague take on it, to put it in a more technical aspect: art, voice acting, soundtrack, and characters are all wonderful. The animation varies and is hectic or surreal, but always beautiful. From the opening scene where the characters movements are constantly fluid and realistic to action scenes where it becomes cartoony all of it displays a high level of polish. The soundtrack is mainly supplied by the Japanese rock band The Pillows, and totally fits every scene to a T. The atmosphere it creates always amazes me while watching as I'm drawn in to the shows world. As for story and plot, well, you'll have to decide on your own what you make of those.
All I can say in the end is that Gainax has more than earned my respect by making this, and I hope they go on to make more anime that push the limit of convention and shine above all else. |
| Fruits Basket (TV 1/2001) |
Excellent |
The first shojo anime I watched back in high school, I have to admit I took to the genre. I went in rather hesitant since despite the good reviews I had read, The show looked a tad too feminine for my tastes. So I gave it the five episode test and I was sold by three. Now I'm writing this a few years (five or so to be honest) after watching this, so I'll try to remember why I rated this as excellent. The characters in Fruits Basket really connected with me. I think that's why I haven't minded shojo stuff since, as I'm always ready to jump at good character development. On this point Fruits Basket delivers, as all the people you meet are lovable in their own ways, and usually pretty funny at the same time. I'm not sure I'd have the same experience if I went back and saw it all again, but I was in stitches fairly often while watching it, and really felt like cheering the characters on. That being said, the story doesn't materialize fully, and at the end the viewer is left with more questions than answers. I feel like they could have left out some of the minor characters encountered later in the series and used that time instead to develop the main cast. Another thing that got to me at the time was how the show was prominently advertised as "romance". This is a lie, as despite there being suggestions of possibe romance in the future, it never gets to the point that it should be advertised as such. That being said, watch this for the laughs and the cast of characters whom you'll get attached to. |
| Fullmetal Alchemist (TV) |
Decent |
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| Fullmetal Alchemist: The Movie - Conqueror of Shamballa |
Good |
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| Ghiblies (special) |
Very good |
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| Ghost in the Shell (movie) |
Decent |
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| (The) Girl Who Leapt Through Time (movie) |
Excellent |
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| Golden Boy (OAV) |
Very good |
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| Grave of the Fireflies (movie) |
Masterpiece |
After watching anime, I often find it hard to know how I should place them on a scale from junk to masterpiece. It's very easy for me after enjoying something to want to give it the highest rating then and there. For a while, my masterpiece category contained lots of the stuff I now list under excellent. This is because when looking at all the titles I could see a distinct quality difference, and decided I'd reserve the "Masterpiece" title for the titles that not only entertained me sufficiently, but also those that really show how good the anime industry can be. That being said, the first anime that I knew was staying as a masterpiece was Grave of the Fireflies. Never have I watched a movie that has moved me like this one did, and it above any others really shows what animation as a medium can achieve. From the brilliant director Isao Takahata this film showcases the hardship suffered by two orphans in Japan during the end of WWII on the pacific front. It looks at humanity from the perspective of a teenager desperate for help but not willing to give up his pride, and from the perspective of his little sister who sees the world around her without bias and the innocence of childhood. It showcases the kindness and cruelty people will display in times of hardship, and all of it is so accurate and powerful it will stick with you long after viewing. There's not much more to say than that, It's my favorite and I can't recommend it highly enough. Watch it if you don't mind a slow paced story without action. It really is basically a slice of life movie, just a very sad painful slice of life that is beautiful at the same time. |
| Gunslinger Girl (TV) |
Good |
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| Gunsmith Cats (OAV) |
Not really good |
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| Gurren Lagann (TV) |
Very good |
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| Haibane Renmei (TV) |
Excellent |
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| Hajime no Ippo (TV) |
Good |
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| Haré+Guu (TV) |
Very good |
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| Haré+Guu Deluxe (OAV) |
Good |
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| Hellsing (TV) |
Good |
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| His and Her Circumstances (TV) |
Excellent |
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| Howl's Moving Castle (movie) |
Excellent |
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| Hunter X Hunter (TV 1999) |
Decent |
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| Hunter X Hunter (OAV) |
Good |
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| Jin-Roh - The Wolf Brigade (movie) |
Excellent |
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| Kiki's Delivery Service (movie) |
Very good |
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| Kino's Journey (TV) |
Very good |
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| Kino's Travels: Life Goes On (movie) |
Good |
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| Lucky Star (TV) |
Very good |
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| Lupin III: Alcatraz Connection (special) |
Very good |
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| Lupin III: Episode 0 'First Contact' (special) |
Excellent |
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| Lupin III: Island of Assassins (special) |
|
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| Lupin III: Operation Return the Treasure (special) |
Good |
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| Lupin III: The Castle of Cagliostro (movie) |
Masterpiece |
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| Lupin the 3rd (TV) |
Good |
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| Magical Shopping Arcade Abenobashi (TV) |
Good |
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| Magnetic Rose (movie) |
Masterpiece |
put staff from Akira together with the script of Kon Satoshi and music of Yoko Konno and you have potential for something great. Well ok, more than potential in this case. This short film feels like a work of art and is certainly one anime that should be heard about more than it is. I'll definitely come back to experience this again in a while. |
| (The) Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya (TV) |
Excellent |
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| Memories (movie) |
Very good |
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| Metropolis (movie) |
Decent |
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| Mobile Fighter G Gundam (TV) |
Not really good |
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| Mobile Suit Gundam Wing (TV) |
Very good |
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| Monster (TV) |
Excellent |
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| Mushi-Shi (TV) |
Excellent |
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| My Neighbor Totoro (movie) |
Excellent |
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| My Neighbors the Yamadas (movie) |
Very good |
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| Myself; Yourself (TV) |
Bad |
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| NANA (TV) |
Excellent |
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| Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (movie) |
Very good |
|
| Neon Genesis Evangelion (TV) |
Good |
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| Neon Genesis Evangelion: The End of Evangelion (movie) |
Very good |
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| Nodame Cantabile (TV) |
Excellent |
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| Noir (TV) |
Very good |
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| Now and Then, Here and There (TV) |
Masterpiece |
What can I say, I'm a sucker for anime with powerful messages about humanity. Now and Then, Here and There is a science fiction/war series, that does exactly that; managing to focus on the ugly and beautiful sides of human nature. The story revolves around a happy go lucky boy living in modern day Japan who is transported to an alternate world that is war ravaged by a mad dictator. The story and characters are wonderful and the series has a "loss of innocence" theme that makes for some powerful moments. This creates a darker tone than most shows, though as far as violence goes it isn't excessive. Something that shouldn't be passed up, highly recommended. |
| Ocean Waves (movie) |
Very good |
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| On Your Mark (movie) |
Excellent |
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| Only Yesterday (movie) |
Masterpiece |
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| Otaku no Video (OAV) |
Good |
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| Other Worlds (movie) |
Excellent |
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| Ouran High School Host Club (TV) |
Good |
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| Paprika (movie) |
Excellent |
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| Perfect Blue (movie) |
Excellent |
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| (The) Place Promised in Our Early Days (movie) |
Excellent |
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| Porco Rosso (movie) |
Masterpiece |
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| Princess Mononoke (movie) |
Very good |
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| Pumpkin Scissors (TV) |
Not really good |
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| Read or Die (OAV) |
Very good |
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| Royal Space Force - The Wings of Honnêamise (movie) |
Excellent |
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| Rurouni Kenshin (TV 1996) |
Excellent |
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| Rurouni Kenshin: The Motion Picture |
Bad |
This has no place within the rurouni kenshin legacy, and should be buried! |
| Rurouni Kenshin: Trust & Betrayal (OAV) |
Masterpiece |
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| Sayonara Zetsubou-sensei (TV) |
Good |
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| School Rumble (TV) |
Very good |
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| She and Her Cat (OAV) |
Excellent |
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| Spirited Away (movie) |
Excellent |
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| Steamboy (movie) |
Excellent |
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| Stink Bomb (movie) |
Good |
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| Strawberry Marshmallow (TV) |
Very good |
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| Strawberry Marshmallow (OAV) |
Good |
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| Sword of the Stranger (movie) |
Good |
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| Tales from Earthsea (movie) |
Very good |
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| Tenchi in Tokyo (TV) |
Weak |
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| Tenchi Muyo! (OAV 1/1992) |
Good |
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| Tenchi Universe (TV) |
Good |
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| Tohai Densetu Akagi -Yamini Maiorita Tensai- (TV) |
Good |
It probably would have done me good to have known how the heck the game mahjong works, but I enjoyed the anime nonetheless. Very original art style and the characters are all interesting. With a strong focus on mind as well as board games, the series was watchable despite the fact that the rules and terms used in mahjong were over my head. If I ever learn how to play I plan to come back to re-watch this just to see how much more I get out of it. A big disappointment is the ending, which comes to the watcher so abruptly that you'll be sure there's an episode 27 out there, and search for it some time in vain. |
| Trigun (TV) |
Good |
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| Violinist of Hamelin (TV) |
Good |
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| (The) Vision of Escaflowne (TV) |
Excellent |
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| Voices of a Distant Star (OAV) |
Masterpiece |
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| Whisper of the Heart (movie) |
Excellent |
|
| Witch Hunter Robin (TV) |
Good |
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| Yu Yu Hakusho: Ghost Files (TV) |
Good |
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