Notes on buying items:
Recommended Titles - Anime:
A - B - C - D - E - F - G - H - I - J - K - L - M - N - O - P - Q - R - S - T - U - V - W - X - Y - Z
- Ah My Goddess - Movie See: Oh My Goddess
- Akira - Movie
- Director: Otomo Katsuhiro
- Screenplay: Hashimoto Izō & Otomo Katsuhiro
- Based on a work by: Otomo Katsuhiro
- Famous for its historical importance in introducing anime to many in the English speaking world in the early 1990s when it played art house theaters. Many non-fans think of Akira as an example of the best in anime, which it was when it was released, it is now often considered as an example of middle of the road animation which is an indication of how much anime has developed since it first came out. Akira is still an excellent work and likely to be popular in any collection with it's stunning graphics and highly innovative music track.
- There is also an Akira manga translation available.
- Cautions: One scene with upper torso nudity. Fights
- Banner of the Stars see: Crest of the Stars
- Blood the Last Vampire - Movie
- Director: Kitakubo Hiroyuki
- Screenplay: Kamiyama Kenji
- 1960s Japan. Something nasty, rather several somethings, are draining people of their blood. At the same time someone is hunting them, and using a sword to do so. A Japanese student transfers into the school of a US base and before long things get unpleasant when the school nurse is attacked. Then things get nastier and bodies start to pile up.
- Cautions: Violence
- Out of print in North America.
- Blu-ray: Order Blood the Last Vampire on English subtitled Blu-Ray from CD Japan
- DVD: Order Blood the Last Vampire on English subtitled region 2 DVD from CD Japan
- Blue Seed - TV series - 26 episodes, OVA - 3 episodes
- Series Director: Kamiya Jun
- Screenplay: Amiya Masaharu, Arakawa Naruhisa
- Based on a work by: Takada Yuzo
- Momiji is a typical 14 year old, except that since she was a small child she has undergone regular Shintō ritual purifications and training by her grandmother. Other than that she is a little clumsy, weak in school, thinks she is an only child and in many ways still just a kid. But then she is threatened one morning on her way to school by a young man who mentions a twin sister and her school is attacked by something very nasty and very old that wants her dead.
- Cultural Details: Many historical localities, landmarks, folklore, religion, relationships.
- Cautions: Violence and some panty humor.
- Blue Submarine No.6 - OVA series - 4 episodes
- Director: Maeda Mahiro
- Screenplay: Yamaguchi Hiroshi
- Based on a work by: Ozawa Satoru
- A four part OVA series mixing computer generated animation with digitally painted cell animation. The animation is rough where the two are joined but this is quickly forgotten as the story draws you in. As the series progresses so does the ability of the studio to better blend the painted and computer generated elements. This is the tale of a future war between genetically modified creatures and the remnant of humanity struggling to survive. Caught in this was are characters on both sides who form an uneasy relationship.
- Cautions: Violence and some slight nudity.
- BubbleGum Crisis - OVA series - 8 episodes
- Director: Akiyama Katsuhito (ep.1-4), Gohda Hiroaki (ep.8), Hayashi Hiroki (ep.4), Obari Masami (ep.5-6), Takayama Fumihiko (ep.7)
- Screenplay: Akiyama Katsuhito, Aramaki Shinji, Arii Emu (ep.4), Kakinuma Hideki, Suzuki Toshimichi (ep.5-7), Yoshida Hidetoshi (ep.8)
- A series that has been popular with English speaking fans for many years. This is a series of stories about the Knight Sabers a mercenary group often fighting against an unscrupulous multi-national corporation and its partially biological Boomers. Strongly influenced by the US movies Bladerunner and Streets of Fire.
Note: There is also a Bubblegum Crisis 2040 TV series which is different from what I am recommending.- Cautions: Violence and mild nudity.
- Castle in the Sky - Movie
- Director: Miyazaki Hayao
- Screenplay: Miyazaki Hayao
- Sheeta has a gem that pirates and government agents are after. Pazu is an orphan living in a mining town with big dreams. Together they discover a common bond as they help each other and have an adventure the rest of us can enjoy watching.
- Castle of Cagliostro - Movie
- Director: Miyazaki Hayao
- Screenplay: Miyazaki Hayao, Yamazaki Haruya
- Based on a work by: Monkey Punch
- The Castle of Cagliostro is one of the most popular anime directed by Miyazaki Hayao before he went on to found the famous Studio Ghibli. The quality of this anime is so good it is hard to believe this is a title from 1979. The script was coauthored by Miyazaki and Yamazaki Haruya. Miyazaki also did the storyboards. And his touch shows with his trademark beautiful cloudscapes and flight sequences.
- While not intended for small kids they seem to enjoy the slapstick humor of this title.
- Chobits - TV series - 26 episodes
- Director: Asaka Morio
- Based on a work by: CLAMP
- Hideki failed his college entrance exams and has moved to Tokyo to attend a special school to prepare him for another try. Raised on a farm he had no one to talk to as he worked but the animals and has a habit of talking to himself, much to our amusement. In Tokyo he is amazed how humanoid common persocoms (personal computers) are, and disappointed how expensive they are. One night while heading to his apartment he spots one in a trash pile and takes it home. Can this technically inept young man cope with a persocom in the form of a very cute girl, a persocom that is an unusual model unlike any on the market?
- Cultural details: Everyday life in Tokyo.
- Cautions: Incredibly cute, includes humorous sexual situations and nudity.
- iTunes: Chobits, The Complete Series
- Cowboy Bebop - TV series - 26 episodes
- Director: Watanabe Shinichiro
- Bounty hunters near Mars in a future gone a little seedy, but then bounty hunters often are not in the best parts of town. As the story goes on you discover more about why the future is not all bright and shiny. Excellent jazz music by Yoko Kanno and well done choreography for the fight scenes. Aimed at an adult TV viewing audience this show is popular with teens.
- iTunes: Cowboy Bebop, The Complete Series
- Cowboy Bebop The Movie - Movie
- Director: Watanabe Shinichiro
- Screenplay: Nobumoto Keiko
- Set between episodes in the TV series the characters of the show are on the trail of a fugitive. A fugitive who has a very deadly weapon that already has killed hundreds, a fugitive who all reports indicate died years ago.
- Cautions: Violence and cleavage.
- Cowboy Bebop The Movie Knocking On Heaven's Door is currently out of print in the US
- Crest of the Stars - TV Series - 13 episodes. Continued in Banner of the Stars (TV 13 episodes) and Banner of the Stars II (TV 10 episodes), Banner of the Stars III (OVA 2 episodes)
- Director: Nagaoka Yasuchika
- Screenplay: Yoshinaga Aya
- Based on a work by: Morioka Hiroyuki
- Jinto's home world has been invaded by the Abh, a beautiful blue haired people who live for centuries with little sign of aging. His father makes a choice against overwhelming odds to prevent a war that is sure to be lost and Jinto has to live with the consequences. Then the story moves to seven years later when Jinto enters military training and meets Lafiel, an Abh trainee who is to be important in his life. Then war breaks out.
- A great piece of science fiction dealing with the contact between two very different cultures.
- The Dagger of Kamui - Movie
- Director: Rintaro
- Screenplay: Mazaki Mamoru
- Based on a work by: Yano Tetsu
- The story of Jiro, a foundling whose adopted family is murdered and his quest for revenge. With the assistance of a ninja master Jiro learns to be a skilled fighter. But not all is as it seems and he has to determine who is in fact his ally and who is his enemy. Set in the late Edo Period as the government of the shōgun is collapsing with locations ranging from Hokkaido to the United States.
- Cautions: Violence and mild nudity.
- Cultural Details: Late Edo culture and politics.
- Dirty Pair: TV series - 24 episodes, OVA series - 10 epiasodes, 3 feature movies
- Based on a work by: Takachiho Haruka
- What can I say about a tongue in cheek science fiction series involving two attractive, underdressed female agents who always succeed in their missions with lots of collateral damage? Well I can say it's fun, action oriented and has some great lines.
- Cautions: Violence and exposed female flesh.
- El Hazard: Magnificent World - OVA series - 7 episodes
- Director: Hayashi Hiroki
- Screenplay: Tsukimura Ryoe
- Partially inspired by the pulp science fiction of Edmund Hamilton and the old Prisoner of Zenda movie this is the tale of a young man who finds himself transported to another world.
A world where it turns out he looks very much like a missing princess. A princess who is needed for public appearances.- (The original OVA series is recommended over the later TV and OVA series, The Wanderers: El Hazard, El Hazard 2 and El Hazard: The Alternative World)
- Escaflowne - TV series - 26 episodes
- Director: Akane Kazuki
- Screenplay: Inari Akihiko (ep 4,7,10,13,16-18,20,23,25), Kawamori Shoji (ep1), Kitajima Hiroaki (ep 5, 8, 11, 14, 21, 24), Yamaguchi Ryota (ep.2-3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 19, 22, 26)
- Based on a work by:
- High school student Hitomi has always been good at predicting the future with tarot cards. One day at school she collapses while at track practice and has a vision. That evening she finds out the boy she is in love with is going to leave Japan suddenly decides to tell him how she feels before he leaves. But the evening when she does part of her vision becomes real and in the end she is transported to another world. That is the first episode, to find what happens to her I suggest getting the whole series.
- Emma: A Victorian Romance - TV series - 24 episodes
- Director: Kobayashi Tsuneo
- Screenplay: Ikeda Mamiko
- Based on a work by: Mori Kaoru
- In London William Jones visits his retired governess and meets the young maid Emma. The two of them are slowly drawn to each other and end up in love. But a member of the gentry and a maid are in different social classes and a serious relationship between them is strongly frowned upon. Added to this is family pressure for William to marry a girl from the nobility. This tale of forbidden love and class divisions between commoners, the gentry and the nobility is well told with many small details of life at the time woven into the setting. Those new to anime and manga may be surprised to learn that the Emma manga was originally serialized in a men's magazine. However in Japan romantic works written for men and boys are not that unusual.
- From Up On Poppy Hill
- Director: Miyazaki Gorō
- Screenplay: Miyazaki Hayao and Niwa Keiko
- Based on a work by: Sayama Tetsurō and Takahashi Chizuru
- Set in 1963 Yokohama this is the tale of Umi, the oldest of three siblings and a high school student who helps run the boarding house her grandmother runs, the friendship she makes with another student at her school, and the struggle the students have to preserve their club building. The setting is a Japan is still recovering from the damage of WWII and is preparing to show the world it has recovered in it's preparation for the 1964 Tokyo Summer Olympics.
I won't say more as to do so could easily introduce spoilers into the description.
I highly recommend this one.- Cultural Details: Early 1960s Yokohama and Tokyo, school life.
- The Garden of Words
- Director: Shinkai Makoto
- Screenplay: Shinkai Makoto
- High school student Takao cuts school on rainy days to go to a nearby park and work on ideas for shoe designs. His goal is to eventually become a professional shoe maker. There he means Yukino, who is drinking beer and eating chocolate. The this young man and mature woman continue to meet on rainy days and slowly form a relationship of sorts. Beautifully drawn with the slow pacing and romantic air one expects from Shinkai's work.
- iTunes: Re-Dub only The Garden of Words (Dubbed)
- Genshiken & Genshiken Second Generation
- Director: Ikehata Takashi (Season 1)
- Director: Mizushima Tsutomu (Season 2 & Second Generation)
- Based on a work by: Kio Shimoku
- The anime adaptation of the manga about the members of a college club, the Gendai Shikaku Bunka Kenkyūkai (現代視覚文化研究会), "The Society for the Study of Modern Visual Culture”, Genshiken for short. The anime has a few interesting takes on the tale that are not in the manga and at the same time do not conflict with the original story. The Second Generation series continues the story after many members graduate and new members join changing the focus of the club.
- Ghibli ga Ippai Special Short Short
- Directors: Hashimoto Shinji, Inamura Takeshi, Kondō Yoshifumi, Miyazaki Hayao, Momose Yoshiyuki, Tanabe Osamu
- A delightful collection of shorts and advertisements made by Studio Ghibli and its subsidiary Studio Kajino between the 1992 and 2005. A few items have English subtitles, on the whole they are not necessary for most of the DVD.
The structure of the DVD menu is not easy for those who canot read Japanese. i suggest using the lower left choice in the main menu to chose what to view. The upper left is a continuous play option if you simply want to run the whole disc.
The list of what is on the disc is so long that I'll refer you to the entry for it at the Ghibli Wiki.- DVD: Order the Ghibli ga Ippai Special Short Short collection on region 2 DVD from CD Japan.
- Ghost in The Shell
- Ghost in The Shell - Movie
- Director: Oshii Mamoru
- Screenplay: Itō Kazunori
- Based on a work by: Shirow Masamune
- The critically acclaimed adaptation of Shirow Masamune's manga of the same title remains a visually stunning science fiction tale of political intrigue. Directed by Oshii Mamoru one of Kurosawa's favorite directors. The special edition of the DVD includes extras such as a "making of" behind the scenes look at the production.
- A remastered version with additional changes in color scheme and adjustments to the animation was released as Ghost in the Shell 2.0.
- Cautions: Violence, some nudity and skin tight body suits.
- iTunes: Ghost In the Shell (25th Anniversary Edition)
- Ghost In The Shell Out of Print in the US
- Ghost in The Shell 2: Innocence - Movie
- Director: Oshii Mamoru
- Screenplay: Oshii Mamoru
- Based on a work by: Shirow Masamune
- Set several years after the first movie. The major is still missing, Batou and Tosuga are assigned a case which may or may not involve terrorists. A manufacturer of androids has been lending out test models to select clients. When the models break down and murder their new masters Section Nine steps in to investigate.
- Cautions: Violence, some nudity.
- Ghost in The Shell: Stand Alone Complex (TV Series - 26 episodes)
- Set either before the movie or in an alternative storyline the TV series shows the major and her comrades carrying out their duty as a special security unit. Fans of the manga will recognise some interesting hardware used by the members of Section Nine.
- Director: Kamiyama Kenji
- Based on a work by: Shirow Masamune
- iTunes: Ghost In the Shell: Stand Alone Complex, Season 1 - Ghost In the Shell: Stand Alone Complex
- Ghost in The Shell: Stand Alone Complex 2nd Gig (TV series - 26 episodes)
- Director: Kamiyama Kenji
- Based on a work by: Shirow Masamune
- iTunes: Ghost In the Shell: Stand Alone Complex, Season 2 - Ghost In the Shell: Stand Alone Complex
- Ghost in the Shell: Solid State Society (movie)
- Director: Kamiyama Kenji
- Based on a work by: Shirow Masamune
- Set after the Stand Alone Complex TV series Section Nine gets involved in a case that the major is also interested in.
- Ghost in the Shell: Solid State Society is presently out of print in North America.
- Warning: There are also two collections which are excerpts from the TV shows set up as single stories Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex: The Laughing Man, Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex 2nd Gig: Individual 11. You may wish to avoid getting these.
- Ghost in the Shell: Arise (OVA series)
- This series begins just before the major meets Aramaki and deals with a case they are both investigating. The characters are younger in this series and the designs reflect this.
- iTunes: Ghost in the Shell: Arise, Border 1: Ghost Pain (Original Japanese Version)
Ghost in the Shell: Arise, Border 2: Ghost Whispers (Original Japanese Version)
Ghost in the Shell: Arise, Border 3: Ghost Tears (Original Japanese Version)
Ghost in the Shell: Arise, Border 4: Ghost Stands Alone (Original Japanese Version) - Ghost in the Shell: Arise
- Grave of the Fireflies (Movie)
- Director: Takahata Isao
- Screenplay: Takahata Isao
- Based on a work by: Nosaka Akiyuki
- The beautifully made film telling the tragic tale of two orphans, Seita and his little sister Setsuko, whose mother died in the firebombing of Kobe have no relatives tio turn to. His father is away as he is an officer in the Japanese navy so they take temporary refuge with a family friend who they address as aunt. However things do do work out and they leave. Seita tries to do the best he can but he is over his head. The movie is based on a novel by Nosaka Akiyuki who drew on his own experiences towards the end of the war when he found himself orphaned and taking care of his little sister.
Famed movie critic Roger Ebert placed this movie on his list of the world's greatest films.- Cultural Details: Civilian life towards the end of World War II.
- iTunes: Re-dub only Grave of the Fireflies (Dubbed) - Isao Takahata
- GTO: Great Teacher Onizuka (TV Series - 43 episodes)
- Director: Hanyu Naoyasu, Abe Noriyuki
- Screenplay: Sogo Masashi
- Based on a work by: Fujisawa Tohru
- Ex-juvenile delinquent, ex-biker gone to college Onizuka decides to become a high school teacher, motivated by desires that would upset the parents of any teen aged daughter. But this highly short tempered and violent fellow also has a sincerity and concern for his students that shapes his actions in virtuous, if amusingly unconventional, ways and actually teaches important lessons.
- There are also three manga series available
- Cultural Details: Modern school and urban life.
- Cautions:
Sexual humor, often at Onizuka's expense, and some violence, often at Onizuka's hands. However the manga is stronger and is not recommended for kids.
- Gundam See: Mobile Suit Gundam
- Hakkenden OVA series - 13 episodes
- Director: Ando Takeshi (ep.1-6), Okamoto Yukio (ep 7-13)
- Screenplay: Aikawa Noboru (ep.1-7), Kamata Hidemi (ep.8-13)
- Based on a work by: Kyokutei Bakin
- An adaptation of a famous 19th century samurai novel, dense with Buddhist and Confucian symbolism this is the tale of eight men who are somehow connected to eight virtues through separate prayer beads each has had with them since childhood. A tale of vengeance and karma, excellent for fans of Japanese cinema.
- Cultural Details: Traditional settings, clothing, locations, religious and philosophical views.
- Cautions: Violence.
- DVD: out of print in North America.
- Here is Greenwood OVA series - 6 episodes
- Director: Mochizuki Tomomi
- Screenplay: Mochizuki Tomomi
- Based on a work by: Nasu Yukie
- One of the first shôjo anime released in the US. This is the story of Kazuya who has missed the first month of high school and is assigned to the Greenwood dorm. A dorm with the odder students of his high school, he discovers how odd when he meets is room mate. A great short series of tales taken from the manga which is also available in English.
- Howl's Moving Castle - Movie
- Director: Miyazaki Hayao
- Screenplay: Miyazaki Hayao
- Based on a work by: Diana Wynne Jones
- Young Sophie is cursed by the Witch of the Waste and becomes an old woman. She leaves home and ends up in the castle of Howl a famous wizard, the castle is not in one place as it walks across the land.
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- Kids on the Slope
- Director: Watanabe Shinichiro
- Screenplay: Katoh Ayako (odd numbered eps) Kakihara Yuuko (even numbered eps)
- Based on a work by: Kodama Yuki
- Kaoru has started a new high school as a transfer student, this is nothing new for him. His single father is a sailor who is gone for long periods of time so Kaoru has grown up being moved from relative to relative, from town to town, from school to school. He has become a loner who has become resistant to making friends, now he is in Kyushu, living with other relatives. On the first day of school Ritsuko, the class president, comes and says she has been asked to show him around, he accepts. At one point he feels unwell and asks for the direction to the school roof, there is meets Sentarō, one of the bad boys of the school who he has been warned about. One thing leads to another and after school Kaoru, who plays the piano, asks Ritsuko where he can buy some classical music albums, she takes him to the record shop her father runs. There they meet Sentarō who practices with drums in the basement and their relationship takes a change with jazz becoming a bridge between them. With Kanno Yoko handling the arrangement of many classic jazz tunes this show is a delight to the ears as well as a highly enjoyable story. While the soundtrack is not available in the US there is a Japan release for a reasonable price.
- iTunes: Kids On the Slope - Kids On the Slope
- Kiki's Delivery Service - Movie
- Director: Miyazaki Hayao
- Animation Director: Kondō Yoshifumi
- Screenplay: Miyazaki Hayao
- Based on a work by: Kadono Eiko
- Kiki is a young witch, according to tradition she must leave home at the age of thirteen, find a town with no witch and become independent. She doesn't have many skills but her cat Jiji at least can help by offering advice. This is a tale of maturation set in a fictional European style setting with some very stunning animation.
- Last Exile - TV series - 26 episodes
- Director: Chigira Koichi
- Claus and Lavie are a team, flying their vanship delivering messages to earn a living. Then an unexpected cargo lands in their hands with a request to deliver it, a very dangerous assignment that will involve them in a war that may determine the fate of not only their nation but of their world. Beautifully illustrated with animation by Gonzo, a company that is setting new standards for computer animation.
- Lupin III - Four anime TV series, several TV specials, several movies
- Lupin III is the grandson of the famed French gentleman thief Arsene Lupin. Like his grandfather he always announces ahead of time what he is going to steal and cleverly outwits those who try to stop him. The character Lupin III has remained popular since the late 1960s and early 1970s when the manga series by Monkey Punch and it's anime spinoff first appeared. There was even a live action movie released in 1974 Lupin The Third: Strange Psychokinetic Strategy, and a second film in 2014 simply titled Lupin III. Given the large amount of Lupin III anime out there it comes as no surprise that some works are better than others. The tales are a mixture of super thief with James Bond style gadgets tossed in. Me I just buy everything as I greatly enjoy pretty much anything Lupin. However I will highlight a few select titles I especially recommend below.
- TV Series:
- DVD: Lupin the 3rd: First TV Series [1971-1972]
- Director: Ōsumi Masaaki, Miyazaki Hayao and Takahata Isao
- The popular 1971 animated TV series on Yomiuri TV. Lupin and his loyal sidekick Jigen take on a variety of heists. At times they do this with the cooperation of the seductive and untrustworthy Fujiko and the swordsman Goemon all the while being pursued by Inspector Zenigata. This early adaptation of the more adult manga helped establish the image of Lupin that has continued until today.
- Lupin the Third: Woman Called Fujiko Mine [2012]
- Director: Yamamoto Sayo
- Series Composition: Okada Mari
- A twist on the usual Lupin series. This one focuses on Fujiko and is a single serialized story rather than a series of unconnected episodes. As Lupin pursues this mysterious woman we also discover more about her, including a very very mysterious past.
- iTunes: Lupin the Third, The Woman Called Fujiko Mine - Lupin the Third
- Lupin the Third: Woman Called Fujiko Mine is out of print in North America.
- Movies and TV Specials:
- Lupin the 3rd: The Mystery of Mamo [1978]
- Director: Yoshikawa Soji, Otsuka Yasuo
- Screenplay: Omiya Jiku, Yoshikawa Soji
- Lupin is captured and executed, however this surprises Lupin when he hears of it and he decides to look into the matter. Also curious is Inspector Zenigata who is positive Lupin is not dead. As they both look into what is going on someone starts attacking Lupin forcing him to go into hiding while he pursues this mystery. Then things get strange, then stranger, then really weird.
- Lupin the III: The Castle of Cagliostro [1979]
- Director: Miyazaki Hayao
- Script: Miyazaki Hayao, Yamazaki Haruya
- The first animated feature directed by Miyazaki Hayao. Lupin and Jigen carry out a successful raid on a casino bank. They net so much money that their car is stuffed with it. Then Lupin looks at one of the bills, very carefully looks at one of the bills, it is a fake. He then decides to go after the source of the bills, the legendary source of bills that are so good they are nearly impossible to tell from the real thing. Then a princess in distress and Fujiko get added to the mix.
- Lupin the 3rd: The Fuma Conspiracy [1987]
- Director: Oozeki Masayuki
- Screenplay: Naito Makoto
- Goemon, who has a well established record of not having anything to do with women, is actually getting married. Suddenly during the ceremony masked ninja attack and end up kidnapping the bride. They offer to trade her for the family heirloom which has the secret of the location of a major treasure hidden away centuries before. As the Fuma race to get the treasure Lupin also goes after it and Goemon goes after Lupin as he does not want the wealth of his bride's family taken from them. Of course Zenigata is also after Lupin.
NOTE: At one point Lupin referes to the heirloom as a "million ryo pot," This is a reference to Tange Sazen Yowa: Hyakuman Ryō no Tsubo "The Million Ryo Pot" from 1935. That film was remade later and the 1966 and 2004 versions have been released with subtitles.- Out of print in North America.
- Lupin the 3rd: Crisis in Tokyo [1998]
- Director: Shinohara Toshiya
- Script: Fujita Shinzo
- A wealthy investor has planned a major art exhibit as part of the opening of an amusement park. Part of this exhibit is two rare glass plate photographs of Tokugawa Yoshinobu, the last Shogun. Zenigata has managed to deliver one of the plates and is charged to protect the other. Accompanying him is Maria a young reporter, played by Hayashibara Megumi, who documents his failures to capture Lupin. It seems the plates contain a secret related to a treasure. Oh yes Fujiko is also after the plates.
- Out of print in North America.
- Lupin The 3rd Episode 0: The First Contact [2002]
- Director: Ohara Minoru
- Script: Yonemura Shoji
- The story, or rather a story, of how Lupin met Jigen, Goemon, Fujiko and Zenigata in New York City. An old artifact contains a secret for making a metal that cannot be cut. Problem is the artifact cannot be opened and is made of the mysterious metal. This is only one of several variant tales of how they met. Continuity is not important in the Lupin III stories allowing all sorts of fun to be added.
- Lupin the 3rd: Green vs Red [2008]
- Director: Miya Shigeyuki
- Screenplay: Okawa Toshimichi
- Lupin has been arrested, again and again and again, Hong Kong, Macao, Singapore and elsewhere. But which one is real? Are any of them real? Inspector Zenigata says they are all fakes and hunts for the real Lupin. Meanwhile Lupin is planning to take the Ice Cube, but he is up against an adversary who also wants to steal it, who is as good as he is. His opponent is Lupin III
- Macross Plus OVA series - 4 episodes
- Chief Director: Kawamori Shoji
- Director: Watanabe Shinichiro
- Screenplay: Nobumoto Keiko
- Taking place decades after the events of the original Macross series this is the story of two young test pilots and a young woman who is the manager of the hottest music act in the settled parts of the galaxy. There is trouble in their past and it has come back to them as they find themselves together again after seven years of separation.
- I recommend the 4 episode Macross Plus OVA series over the feature movie which is just a shorter edited version of the OVA with a few minutes of new animation.
- iTunes: Macross Plus - Macross Plus
- Macross Plus is out of print in North America.
- Maison Ikkoku TV series - 96 episodes
- Director: Yamazaki Kazuo
- Screenplay: Itō Kazunori
- Based on a work by: Takahashi Rumiko
- Maison Ikkoku is the story of Godai, a young man who falls in love and has to deal with how to pursue the woman he wants. Godai is surrounded by a variety of characters, in more than one sense of the word, and has to deal with his own fears and emotional clumsiness, all of which provide an entertaining series.
- Out of print in North America
- Cultural Details: Foods, etiquette, household items, schools, day to day life.
- Mardock Scramble
- Director: Kudo Susumu
- Screenplay: Ubukata Tow
- Based on novels by: Ubukata Tow
- Rune-Balot muses that she wants to die as she wears expensive clothes and is riding in an expensive car, but her life does not look good. However after being burned alive by the man who said he would take care of her she realizes that she still wants to live. She now has a chance to go after her killer, with a new skin that gives her unusual abilities. A new skin developed by Dr. Easter who has to prove that the technology he developed during the war is beneficial or he will be tried as a war criminal. She has help from Dr Easter and Œufcoque Penteano a product of the same labs Dr Easter worked at. The man who failed to kill her is assisted by another product of the labs who is a ruthless and highly capable killer and also wants Œufcoque.
The anime adaptation is in three movies, one for each of the three volumes of the original novel.
The three volumes of Mardock Scramble were released in the US as one large volume by Viz Media.- Out of print in North America
- Michiko & Hatchin TV series - 22 episodes
- Director: Yamamoto Sayo
- Screenplay: Ujita Takashi
- Michiko is trouble traveling on the road, Hatchin is a small girl with an abusive foster family. Then one day Michiko breaks in to the house and tells Hatchin to come with her to search for a man from both of their pasts. So begins a tale of adventure, crime, and a growing bond between a woman and a girl set as a life on the run, or is it in pursuit? The location is a rich one set in a landscape reminiscent of Brazil with the contrasts between rich and poor, the criminal and the law abiding. Yamamoto Sayo, the director, is perhaps best known for her directing the TV series Lupin the Third: Woman Called Fujiko Mine.
- iTunes: Michiko & Hatchin, The Complete Series - Michiko & Hatchin
- Millennium Actress - Movie
- Director: Kon Satoshi
- Screenplay: Kon Satoshi, Murai Sadayuki
- Tachibana Gen'ya is making a documentary and interviews Fujiwara Chiyoko, an actress who retired at the height of her career. This is a lovely homage to 20th century Japanese cinema as in a series of flashbacks tells the story of a young girl who accepted an offer to act and grew into a woman while in pursuit of the man she loved.
As we watch the movie we are exposed to many of the conditions of 20th century Japanese history and the cinema industry from the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923, the growing imperialism of Japan, the destruction of World War II and the effects those events had on the lives of ordinary people.- Cultural Details: 20th century japanese history and cinema, household items,, day to day life.
- Out of print in North America.
Available on region 2 DVD with English subtitles from CD-Japan Sennen Joyu (Millennium Actress) [Regular Edition]- Mobile Suit Gundam
- The Mobile Suit Gundam series of anime shows has been a major part of anime since 1979 when the first series was broadcast on TV. The quality of the shows greatly varies but many are excellent highly dramatic works worthy of consideration as among the best in anime.
- Universal Century Gundam:
- The titles listed here are all from the stories using the UC, Universal Century, dating system. These are in my opinion some of the best of the Gundam stories. Other Gundam series such as Gundam Wing, Gundam SEED, the very silly G-Gundam and the juvenile Superior Defender Gundam Force are set in entirely other fictional universes and have almost nothing in common with the Universal Century Gundam shows.
- The Background:
- The story is set in the not too distant future, space programs have advanced far enough to use materials from off the Earth, mainly the moon and asteroids, to provide needed resources. Using resources in space is called In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) and is cheaper than lifting large amounts of material off the Earth. Such resources include metals, oxygen bonded to minerals and solar energy.
- On the Earth energy shortages, pollution and environmental problems complicated by a large population leads to an adventuresome program to build space colonies, not colonies on other planets but giant rotating cylinders, each colony large enough to comfortably house millions. These are called O'Neill colonies after the physicist who first proposed them in the 1970s. At the time the story begins the Earth is under the control of a large federation of nations, a government for the entire planet. It is decided that there is a need to save the Earth from further damage and to even allow nature to repair what damage has been done. To do this it is decided to relocate a large portion of the human population into clusters of colonies at Lagrange points, clusters called sides. Each side is composed of dozens colonies, the older smaller colonies holding about 3 million inhabitants the larger ones about 15 million or more. The relocation is not voluntary and many sent to the sides, or the Lunar colonies, are resentful at having to leave Earth.
- A new calendar is in use dating from the settlement of the first colonies. Many of the shows have titles containing references to the year in which they take place. In time the populations settle in and life goes one, some colonies specialize in raising food, some even develop tourism industries, trade develops and political movements adjust to the new conditions. Side 3, which is located opposite the moon from Earth had become the Principality of Zeon espousing grand ideals but in reality becoming an oppressive regime under the rule of the Zabi family. In 0079 Zeon revolts against the rule of the Earth Federation and attacks the Earth Federation with little warning.
- Early in what became known as the One Year War half of humanity is wiped out, 5 billion dead, mainly as a result of the destruction of many of the colonies. A result of this is the Treaty of Antarctica banning nuclear weapons, poison gas and the total destruction of colonies. Long distance combat has been rendered useless by the discovery of Minovsky particles which when scattered block radio and radar effectively eliminating many of the techniques of 20th Century warfare. A major new kind of weapon has come into existence, large, usually anthropomorphic, Mobile Suits designed for close combat and useable in space or on Earth.
- All of these tales have no faster than light drives, no aliens and all of the stories take place within the orbital range of the Moon.
- A major theme in the Gundam series is the effect of warfare on civilian populations. While the shows take place in war time they are not simple action entertainment as an entire environment has been woven into a complex setting for the tales.
- During the One Year War:
- Mobile Suit Gundam TV series
- Chief Director: Tomino Yoshiyuki
- The original 43 episode TV show ran from 1979-04-07 to 1980-01-26. Gundam was a major departure from the exaggerated combats of the super robots shows of the 1970s. Unlike those earlier shows there were no alien invaders, no special force with a super machine to defend the earth, no dramatic posturing or shouted attack names. It was a war story which took place mainly within the orbit of the moon and on Earth. Grittier with an emphasis on the people in the story as well as a not so far future setting in space, the political situation and the machinery of warfare. It appealed, appeals, to an older audience than the earlier shows.
- Mobile Suit Gundam Movie Trilogy
- Chief Director: Tomino Yoshiyuki
- The TV show reedited into three movies. The fact that they did the story into three movies preserves much of the story that would have been lost if they tried to compress it into one movie. If you want the story encapsulated in a subtitled version this is the one to get.
- Mobile Suit Gundam The Origin Chronicle Of Char And Sayla Collection OVA - six episodes
- Chief Director: Yasuhiko Yoshikazu
- Director: Imanishi Takashi
- Screenplay: Katsuyuki Sumisawa, based on an original manga by Yasuhiko Yoshikazu
- A prequel to the original Gundam TV series. I highly recommend watching this after you have seen the original series, it will make more sense and avoid spoilers. Starting at the very beginning shortly before the death Zeon Zum Deikun and going to the events at the very beginning of the original TV series this series focuses on two of the most memorable characters Char and Sayla. If you have watched the TV series you will also see the background of many significant characters from the TV series.
- Mobile Suit Gundam The 08th MS Team OVA series - 12 episodes
- Director: Iida Umanosuke (ep.7-12), Kanda Takeyuki (ep.1-6)
- Screenplay: Kitajima Hiroaki (ep.10-12), Okeya Akira (ep.1-9)
- Set in Asia in UC 0079, this side story deals with the war in a specific area and not only the people on the major sides but the local guerrilla forces. The story focuses on Shiro a young officer straight from the colonies in charge of the 08th MS Team.
- Mobile Suit Gundam 0080 War In The Pocket OVA series - 6 episodes
- Director: Takayama Fumihiko
- Screenplay: Yamaga Hiroyuki
- The story of a young boy living on a neutral colony who is having to cope with the separation of his parents and trouble in school. He ends up befriending a young Zeon soldier who is actually part of a group investigating a hidden Federation research facility. Then the colony openly sides with the Federation and things get dangerous.
- Mobile Suit Gundam MS Igloo OVA series - 9 episodes
- Director: Imanishi Takashi
- Screenplay: Ookuma Asahide, Ohnogi Hiroshi
- A series of three stories done in computer graphics. These are: Mobile Suit Gundam MS IGLOO: The Hidden One Year War, Mobile Suit Gundam MS IGLOO: Apocalypse 0079, and Mobile Suit Gundam MS Igloo 2: Gravity Front. Each story is three episodes long and set and during the One Year War. The first two series focus on the Zeon side of the war in space. Much of which deals with a crew who field test experimental weapons in actual combat. The third series is set on Earth on the Federation side with some unusual weapons of their own.
NOTE: If you bought the older two DVD sets that were issued on the Honneamise label you only have the first two stories. To get the third story you need to buy one of these sets- After the One Year War:
- Mobile Suit Gundam 0083 OVA series - 13 episodes
- Director: Kase Mitsuko (ep.1-7), Imanishi Takashi (ep.2-13)
- Screenplay: Endo Akinori, Gobu Fuyunori, Ookuma Asahide, Takahashi Ryousuke
- The war is over but some elements of the old Zeon troops feel that they cannot live with the peace treaty and attempt to start a new war by stealing and using a special experimental Gundam unit armed with a nuclear warhead. Among the Federation crew sent to recover it is a young woman engineer who is in charge of the stolen Gundam unit as well as experimental unit and the test pilots who were to have tested the new Gundams.
- Mobile Suit Gundam Zeta TV series - 50 episodes
- Chief Director: Tomino Yoshiyuki
- Universal Century 0087 again conflict grows, the Earth Federation established the Titans after the events of Mobile Suit Gundam 0083. The arrogance of the Federation and the brutality of the Titans is proving too much and a resistance is growing. A resistance in which former enemies are now allies, many are still determining the group they will support and which gives us more glimpses of the Universal Century settings of the stories.
- Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam: A New Translation movies
- Chief Director: Tomino Yoshiyuki
- The story of the Mobile Suit Gundam Zeta TV series in the form of three movies with some new footage.
- Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ TV series - 47 episodes
- Chief Director: Tomino Yoshiyuki
- Universal Century 0088 conflict continues, this time the crew of the Argama face off agaiunst a unit of Neo Zeon.
- Mobile Suit Gundam Char's Counterattack - Movie
- Director: Tomino Yoshiyuki
- Screenplay: Tomino Yoshiyuki
- More than ten years have passed since the One Year war ended. Suddenly Char reappears with a new army and threatens the Earth Federation. Amuro again takes on his old opponent in their final match.
- Mobile Suit Gundam UC (Unicorn) - OVA series
- Director: Furuhashi Kazuhiro
- Set in Universal Century 0096. An object known as the Laplace Box is desired by Neo Zeon, the Federation and members of the Vist family. Banagher Links, a young man who has a connection he is not aware of with the Vist Foundation, meets Mineva Lao Zabi who has plans of her own for the Laplace Box. Banagher finds himself in the middle of a battle and seated in the Unicorn Gundam, which is also the key to the location of the Laplace Box.
- Mobile Suit Gundam F91 - Movie
- Director: Tomino Yoshiyuki
- Screenplay: Itō Kazunori, Tomino Yoshiyuki
- UC 123 after 30 peaceful years a new group, the Crossbones Vanguard, attacks and takes over the Frontier IV colony. A college student, Seabook Arno, finds himself not only in a war but that people he knew have been involved in projects that will reluctantly lead him into battle.
- My Neighbor Totoro - Movie
- Director: Miyazaki Hayao
- Screenplay: Miyazaki Hayao
- A tale of two young girls who move to a country house with their father in the 1950s to be closer to the hospital where there mother is staying. Released in the United States by Fox, the license for this title will soon expire and the distribution rights transfer to Disney at which point it may be unavailable for some time. This is highly popular with parents and children.
- Cultural Details: Household details, country life.
- Nadia TV series - 39 episodes
- Director: Anno Hideaki
- The story is loosely based on Jules Verne's 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, perhaps inspired by would be a better term. Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water is a rich and well crafted work about a young inventor, Jean, who meets a young dark skinned circus performer, Nadia. Soon he helps her escape from a woman with two thugs who are trying to get Nadia and the blue gem she is wearing around her neck.
- After their dramatic escape Jean and Nadia end up setting out to find about her past, and so the adventure begins as they are pursued by more than one group after the gem. But I'm getting ahead of the events in the first few episodes.
- Made for NHK, the Japanese public broadcasting system.
- iTunes:
Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water, Vol. 1 - Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water
Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water, Vol. 2 - Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water- Nausicaa: Valley of the Wind - Movie
- Director: Miyazaki Hayao
- Screenplay: Miyazaki Hayao
- The tale of a young princess from a small kingdom who is drawn into a war by a powerful allied state. The setting is a world where there are few places left for people to live, much of the world is covered by large poisonous forests inhabited by large insects, insects who when angered attack and spread deadly spores enlarging the forest.
- Neon Genesis Evangelion TV series - 26 episodes and movies
- Director: Anno Hideaki
- The highly acclaimed TV series from Gainax this was aimed at an older audience and is a science fiction extravaganza that is more about human feelings and trust than dealing with some very alien attackers. Many of the staff who worked on Nadia also worked on this title. If you have seen Nadia you will recognize many references to that earlier series.
- There is also a manga series.
- Cultural Details: Foods, etiquette, locations.
- Cautions: Violence and nudity.
- The TV series and the movies from the 1990s are now out of print in North America.
- A new series of movies retelling a very different version of the story, sometimes referred to as the Rebuild of Evangelion, began release in 2007, the 4th and final film is in production.
- Ocean Waves (Umi ga Kikoeru, a.k.a. I Can Hear the Sea) - Movie
- Director: Mochizuki Tomomi
- Screenplay: Nakamura Kaori
- Original Novel: Himuro Saeko
- This is the story of the uneasy relationship between two high school classmates; a young man, Taku, and a young woman, Rikako, a transfer student to his high school in to Kōchi. The story mainly spans the last two years of their high school with various complications involving them and their classmates. This story is very low key and character driven, one of my favorite Studio Ghibli films.
- Cultural Details: School life, the local of Kōchi
- Oh! My Goddess OVA series - 5 episodes
- Director: Gohda Hiroaki
- Screenplay: Hasegawa Nahoko, Kondo Kunihiko
- Based on a work by: Fujishima Kosuke
- A heartwarming and humorous story of Keiichi, a young man who has been granted a wish by a visiting goddess (Belldandy), thinking it is a joke by his dorm mates he makes an honest decision that has very unexpected results. As the story develops we find that the bond between him and Belldandy is deeper than he, or we, thought.
- Cultural Details: Foods, locations, architecture, household items, college life.
- Cautions: A few seconds of sexual humor in the second episode.
- This title is presently out of print in North America.
- Ah! My Goddess: The Movie - Movie
- Director: Gohda Hiroaki
- Screenplay: Yokote Michiko, Tomizawa Yoshihiko
- Based on a work by: Fujishima Kosuke
- Something or someone is causing trouble for Belldandy and Keiichi. And more than just her and her human friends are in great danger. This story takes place long after the OVA and includes characters from the manga. Well animated and worth getting after seeing the OVA or reading the manga.
- This title is presently out of print in North America.
- Only Yesterday (Omohide Poro poro) - Movie
- Director: Takahata Isao
- Screenplay: Takahata Isao
- Original Manga: Okamoto Hotaru & Tone Yuko
- Taeko is taking a vacation from her job in Tokyo to visit her sister’s inlaws who have a farm in the countryside. On the overnight trip she starts having memories of her younger self, a girl who was dealing with growing up and the frustrations of her young life. The trip is more than a visit, it is a voyage through the memories of the past and perhaps a new direction for the future.
- Cultural Details: Life in 1960s Tokyo
- Otaku no Video OVA series - 2 episodes
- Director: Mori Takeshi
- Screenplay: Okada Toshio, Yamaga Hiroyuki
- A classic mokumentary of Japanese fan culture, including it's less savory sides. Otaku no Video is in the form of an animated story of a group of fans who turn pro, just as the makers did, and each chapter is framed by an actual interview with a 'real' fan. I know one teacher who is using this series in a grade school class. The DVD has the option of showing only the animation without the interviews.
- The Blu-ray includes three commentary tracks, two Japanese subtitled tracks with Inoue Kikuko, Murahama Shoji, Yamaga Hiroyuki and Sato Hiroki plus an English language commentary track with Robert Woodhead and me. This Blu-ray release is only available, as are many extras, from the AnimEigo web site.
- Cautions: Mild nudity, animated except for one scene on a TV screen in the background during one interview.
- Cultural Details: Urban life in contemporary Japan, fan culture.
- Blu-ray: Order Otaku no Video on subtitled Blu-ray from AnimEigo NOTE: You must select which version you want in a popdown menu.
- Patlabor
- In the near future advances in mechanical and computer technology have resulted in the development of a new type of highly efficient construction machines called Labors. As these become more widely used for legitimate purposes there is also a rise in crime involving these machines. The Patlabor series is about a special police unit in Tokyo charged with dealing with Labor crime. Patlabor is a shortened way of saying Patrol Labor. The machines are secondary in the stories, rather the series revolves around the people involved in the unit.
- Patlabor is also known as Patlabor the Mobile Police and Mobile Police Patlabor. There is also a manga series of which a few volumes were translated into English.
- Cultural Details: Tokyo locations, etiquette, expressions of feelings, foods.
- The 'Original Series' is a 7 episode OVA series and came first.
Director: Oshii Mamoru (eps 1-6), Yoshinaga Naoyuki (ep.7)
Screenplay: Itō Kazunori
Based on a work by: Yuki Masami
It was after the success of this OVA series that the TV show came to be.- Then there was the 'TV Series'
Director: Yoshinaga Naoyuki
Based on a work by:Yuki Masami
The 47 episode TV series reintroduces the characters in a different manner than the OVA series and takes places them in a variety of situations not in the Original Series OVA. More humor exists in the TV series than in the OVA.
iTunes: PatLabor TV, Vol. 1 - PatLabor TV
PatLabor TV, Vol. 2 - PatLabor TV
- After that came the 16 episode "New Files" OVA series.
Director: Oshii Mamoru
Screenplay: Itō Kazunori
Based on a work by: Yuki Masami
This second OVA series continues the TV series finishing some of the story arcs.
- Movies.
The first movie seems to fit in late in the TV series and the second movie after the rest of the series. The third movie takes place sometime before the 2nd movie.
Patlabor 1 - Movie
Director: Oshii Mamoru
Screenplay: Itō Kazunori, Oshii Mamoru
Based on a work by: Yuki Masami
Labors require very complex software, so complex that the machines have to be 'trained' to work with a particular operator's style. What happens when a major upgrade to the operating system contains a virus, and how does the potential harm it can cause be avoided. Directed by Oshii Mamoru.
100 minutes.
Patlabor 2 - Movie
Director: Oshii Mamoru
Screenplay: Itō Kazunori, Oshii Mamoru
Based on a work by: Yuki Masami
Something mysterious is going on, a potential military coup involving elements in the Japanese military with American backing has the country on the brink of disaster. And someone in the Patrol Labor units has a personal history with a major player. Directed by Oshii Mamoru.
108 minutes.
Patlabor 3 (WXIII) - Movie
Director: Takayama Fumihiko
Screenplay: Tori Miki
Based on a work by: Yuki Masami
Labors are being attacked in the vicinity of Tokyo Bay. As the death toll mounts two detectives come closer to a conclusion that would have been too fantastic when they began the research.
The Patlabor team is called in late in the story to deal with an opponent that so far has eluded not only the police but also the military.
- Perfect Blue - Movie
- Director: Kon Satoshi
- Screenplay: Murai Sadayuki
- Based on a work by: Takeuchi Yoshikazu
- Now out of print.
- The story of a singer turned actress who's career decisions are not well liked by her earlier fans, one of whom has become very dangerous. Perfect Blue is often compared to the works of Alfred Hitchcock this anime has scenes which some fans find disturbing, something which was intended by the director. This is not an anime for children, they would be bored throughout most of it.
- Cautions: Nudity and graphic violence. Includes a sequence where a rape scene is filmed for the TV show.
- Cultural Details: Urban life in contemporary Japan, entertainment industry.
- Planetes - TV series - 26 episodes
- Director: Taniguchi Goro
- Screenplay: Okouchi Ichiro
- Based on a work by: Yukimura Makoto
- In the future humanity has built space stations, a colony on the moon and sent several expeditions to Mars. And there is garbage, dangerous garbage flying in orbit at high speed, even a small piece can kill if it hits a space ship the right way. Hence there are garbage collectors. This is the story of Tanabe, Hachimaki and the other teem members of the Debris Section of a particular large company. An underfunded and understaffed section that has been given the nickname half-section.
- This item is out of print in North America.
- Pom Poko - Movie
- Director: Takahata Isao
- Screenplay: Takahata Isao
- In the 1960s a massive series of planned housing expansions were built in the rural Tama region of Tokyo, yes Tokyo has a rural district. The local tanuki banded together to fight back and protect their environment. What is a tanuki? It is a native East Asian canine that in Japan has a long tradition of using magical powers to create illusions and trick people. For some strange reason, likely the facial markings, tanuki is translated as raccoon in this version. Anyone who is familiar with racoons would see that they look very different.
- Cautions: Expect lots of earthy Japanese humor, including about tanuki testicles, and slapstick fun in this one.
- Cultural Details: Rich in references to traditional Japan, from entertainment, legend, art, religion etc.
- Porco Rosso - Movie
- Director: Miyazaki Hayao
- Screenplay: Miyazaki Hayao
- Marco is a decorated ace from WWI, he honed his skills fighting against the Germans. Somehow cuirsed and turned into a pig he is now known as Porco Rosso and earns a living as a bounty hunter in the Adriatic, usually dealing with air pirates. A very funny and touching story with a political subtext of life during the rise of fascism. Great for the entire family.
- Princess Mononoke - Movie
- Director: Miyazaki Hayao
- Screenplay: Miyazaki Hayao
- One of Miyazaki Hayao's most lavish works available in English. Also one of the most expensive and commercially successful feature Japanese films in history. This is the story of a young man cursed by a boar 'god' gone mad. He travels to find the source of the madness in the hope of locating a cure before he dies.
- Cultural Details: Life in pre-Edo Period Japan, includes commoners, samurai and religious beliefs.
- Cautions: This was not done for children as it is a complex story and has a certain amount of combat and death in it, but Miyazaki came to the conclusion that children are perceptive enough to be able to understand and enjoy it.
- Ranma 1/2 (TV series (161 episodes), OVA series (11 episodes) and Movies)
- Based on a work by: Takahashi Rumiko
- The third and most successful anime series adaptation of a Takahashi Rumiko manga series. Ranma is a young martial artist who has had an unfortunate accident. Akane is Ranma's fiance due to an arrangement between their fathers, much of the story is about how these two strong willed children deal with the situation they find themselves in.
- I recommend concentrating on the TV series as the movies and OVAs have characters that enter the TV series quite late. One unfortunate example of misleading wording is that the early tape boxes describe the series as a "sex comedy" a better choice of words would have been "gender comedy" since traditional gender roles are poked fun at in the story and there is no sexual activity depicted.
- iTunes: Ranma ½, Season 1 - Ranma ½
- Cultural Details: School life, martial arts, relationships, foods, clothing, traditional home and garden.
- Cautions: Some nudity.
- Redline - Movie
- Director: Koike Takeshi
- Screenplay: Enokido Yoji, Ishii Katsuhito, Sakurai Yoshiki
- Director Koike Takeshi's first feature film. In the future fools still race cars. But what cars and what fools. The ultimate race is the Redline, a race that happens only every 5 years. Anything goes when trying to win this one, including armaments. However when the location chosen for the race objects and has it's own military things get interesting. Toss in gangsters trying to fix the race, an old unrequited love, disgruntled workers, nitro boosters, and hexagonal worm spaghetti; all of which make things even more interesting. Expect plenty of action and noise in this one.
- iTunes: Redline
- Cautions: Some nudity, just boobs.
- Redline Trailer
- Revolutionary Girl Utena - TV series - 39 episodes
- Director: Ikuhara Kunihiko
- One of the most shōjo of all anime available in the U.S. Dense with tropes and motifs that have developed over the decades in girls’ manga in Japan the show is a stylish delight. This is the story of Utena, a tomboyish student in a very unusual school. As a small child a prince comforted her after the death of her parents and this inspired her to grow up and become a prince herself. The prince gave her a ring that she wears; a ring, which she finds out, identifies her as a member of a select group who ritually duel for control of Anthy, the very submissive Rose Bride. Utena finds herself protective of Anthy and so continues to duel when she would rather not. Soon she finds herself caught up in the duels and a strange series of events linked in some way to the prince from her childhood. Long out of print Nozomi Entertainment began re-releasing the series in June 2011 as a series of beautifully designed box sets. Each box comes with a booklet of information and graphics previously unavailable in English.
- Cautions: Some 'lesbian' humor between Utena and her best friend.
- NOTE: The DVD sets have gone out of print.
- Revolutionary Girl Utena - Movie
- Director: Ikuhara Kunihiko
- Screenplay: Enokido Yoji
- A very different retelling of the Utena story than the one in the TV show. Utena is haunted by a memory of a boyfriend who has left her alone. While at her new school she gets involved in a duel for the Rose Bride. But the Anthy of the movie is not the passive girl of the TV show, she knows what she wants and is so aggressive as to be a little frightening for those familiar with the TV show. The movie is an allegory of growing up, leaving illusions behind and making decisions even if they go counter to the norms of society.
- Cautions: The lesbian and male homosexual elements are much more open in this than in the TV show. There is also some nudity.
- Roujin Z - Movie
- Director: Kitakubo Hiroyuki
- Screenplay: Otomo Katsuhiro
- The Ministry of Health is trying out a new high tech automated bed for elderly patients, but the young nursing student in charge of the elderly man who has been chosen for the experiment has different ideas about what is best in patient care, and so does the bed.
- Cultural Details: Everyday life.
- This item is out of print in North America.
- Royal Space Force - The Wings of Honneamise - Movie
- Director: Yamaga Hiroyuki
- Screenplay: Yamaga Hiroyuki
- When this anime was released it was not only a first time production by a group of animators who were largely unknown in the industry it surprised critics and fans with its sophistication and raised the standards for the entire industry. Gainax, the studio that produced this title has gone on to be one of the most innovative and successful companies in Japan. Directed by Yamaga Hiroyuki. This is the story of the first man in space on another world. Roger Ebert called it "one of the most ambitious of all anime productions, a visually sensational two-hour extravaganza..."
- iTunes: Re-Dub Royal Space Force: The Wings of Honnêamise (Dubbed)
- Rurouni Kenshin Trust and Betrayal
- Director: Furuhashi Kazuhiro
- Screenplay: Sogo Masashi
- Based on a work by: Watsuki Nobuhiro
- - OVA series - Original title: Rurouni Kenshin - Meiji Kenkaku Romantan - Tsuioku Hen
Released originally in 4 episodes and later as a directors cut in one part (The original English redub was retitled as Samurai X Trust and Betrayal)
The end of the Tokugawa Era was set in motion as a response to US warships under the command of admiral Perry sailing into Japanese territory and negotiating a treaty under threat of bombardment. This event set into motion a series of violent actions by various elements in Japanese society that led to the downfall of the Tokugawa Shogunate. This OVA is the story of one young swordsman who put into action his desire to better his nation by becoming an assassin in this bloody period of Japanese history.- This actually is a prequel for the earlier TV series, there is also a movie, Samurai X: The Motion Picture, and later OVA series, Samurai X: Reflection, which take place after the TV series, both of which many fans do not care for.
- Cultural Details: Set in mid 19th century Kyōto, many details relating to political forces of the time. I have a special supplement to the Anime Companion devoted to the OVA series.
- Cautions: Not for children, a sophisticated storyline which would bore them & violence.
- Out of print in North America.
- Rurouni Kenshin - TV series - 95 episodes
- Director: Furuhashi Kazuhiro
- Screenplay: Shimada Michiru
- Based on a work by: Watsuki Nobuhiro
- A very long series set 10 years after the events of the OVA series. With a less realistic style and much lighter at first than the OVA series this series grows on fans quickly. But don't expect it to stay light for long, this series takes on some serious tones rather quickly.
- The manga is also available in English.
- Cultural Details: Rich in details about personages and life in the Meiji era.
- Cultural Details: Everyday life in the Meiji Period.
- Out of print in North America.
- Samurai Champloo
- Director: Watanabe Shinichiro
- Screenplay: Machida Touko (ep 10), Nobumoto Keiko (ep 16), Obara Shinji (Office Crescendo; 11 episodes), Sato Dai (5 episodes), Shimofuwato Uwadan (Nakazawa Kazuto's pen name; ep 15), Sugi Ryota (ep 17), Takagi Seiko (eps 7, 11, 19), Watanabe Shinichiro (eps 12, 23-26)
- A story of samurai and sword fighters set in the Edo Period mixed with Hip Hop culture? Sounds like a most improbable and likely very bad idea. However this mix actually works. The Champloo of the title is an Okinawan dish consisting of various items mixed up in a stir fry, it can also mean a mixed up situation. And this anime is mixed up, no attempt is made to have historical continuity, events and period of history are all mixed up along with references to baseball, Japanese movie stars, modern rockers and a pile of other stuff tossed in to make a tasty mess. If this sounds too confusing there is even the Samurai Champloo Roman Album which has been translated into English and published by Dark Horse to help you understand the references.
- iTunes: Samurai Champloo: The Complete Series - Samurai Champloo
- Salaryman Kintaro - TV series - 20 episodes
- Director: Katsumata Tomoharu
- Based on a work by: Motomiya Hiroshi
- Kintaro is the new hire at Yamato Construction. He is a mid term hire, unusual in Japan here most new white collar workers start work as a group in the spring. More unusual is he has not gone to college, in fact dropped out of night school as a teen, and once led a motorcycle gang. But he has been hired as a favor given to him by the chairman who expects him to not last long. However his willingness to work, persistence, openness to others and his occasional use of fists pay off and before long he is given other assignments. Workplace stories are not unusual in Japan but titles about white-collar workers, no matter how unconventional, rarely come out in English.
- Note: The chapter breaks are unusual in this one, you cannot skip the opening without being tossed into the middle of the episode.
- Cultural Details: Office work, construction industry, nightlife.
- Cautions: Made for adults, sex and one rape mentioned, both are not shown.
- Out of print in North America.
- Serial Experiments Lain - TV series - 13 episodes
- Series Director: Nakamura Ryutaro
- Screenplay: Konaka Chiaki J.
- An award winning TV series about human interaction with technology. Lain is a young girl whose interest in computers is sparked when she receives email from a girl in her school. Email sent after the girl had jumped to her death from a building. As the tale develops Lain discovers that much of her life is not what it seems to be on the surface.
- Cultural Details: School life, relationships, foods.
- Cautions: Slight sexual situation in one episode.
- iTunes: Serial Experiments Lain, The Complete Series - Serial Experiments Lain
- Silver Spoon - TV series - 22 episodes
- Series Director: Ito Tomohiko (series 1) Deai Kotomi (series 2)
- Screenplay: Kishimoto Taku
- Based on a mange by: Arakawa Hiromu
- Yūgo Hachiken has studied hard since grade school. His parents pushed him to excel in school, aim for a top university, and land a solid corporate position upon graduating. His evenings were taken up with cram schools and studying. His older brother made it to Tokyo University, and you can't get any higher than that in Japan. So what is this city boy doing attending an agricultural highschool where he seems to be the only student not from a farming family? How will he cope with dorm life? With a curriculum aimed where few graduates go to work in the corporate world? With large animals and their byproducts? With getting up much earlier every morning? With finding out what part of a chicken the egg comes from?
- Cultural Details: School life, relationships, food.
- Spirited Away - Movie
- Director: Miyazaki Hayao
- Screenplay: Miyazaki Hayao
- Winner of the 2002 Japanese Academy Award for Best Picture and the Golden Bear at the Berlin Film Festival. The US re-dubbed theatrical release won the Oscar for the Best Animated Feature for 2002.
Chihiro and her parents are moving to a new home when they get lost on a country road. They explore an old building and emerge on the other side thinking they have found an abandoned theme park, in reality they are very much on the 'other side' and have found a place humans are not ment to be. The parents are turned into pigs and Chihiro has to find a job to survive or she too will turn into an animal and be eaten. She find courage and allies as she struggles to survive and rescue her parents.- Summer Wars - Movie
- Director: Hirano Toshihiro
- Screenplay: Okudera Satoko
- Kenji almost made it into a major math competition and instead expects to spend his summer break just doing his part time job as a low level administrator for the massive international network OZ. Then Natsuki talks him into working for her during the break at her grandmother's house for a few days. But things get complicated and Kenji is not only caught up in a small scheme of Natsuki's but ends up being suspected of being the hacker who cracked the security of OZ. Now things are really getting messed up and lots of people may end up dying.
- Cultural Details: Contemporary Life, history of the Ueda region, hanafuda.
- Tokyo Godfathers - Movie
- Director: Kon Satoshi
- Screenplay: Nobumoto Keiko, Kon Satoshi
- On Christmas three homeless people in Tokyo find a baby in a trash heap. Gin the grouchy drunk, Hana a cross dressing queer, and Miyuki a teenage runaway have formed a household of sorts and now must decide what to do with the foundling. Hana takes command and they decide to search for the mother. Inspired by the John Ford movie 3 Godfathers this is a study of the relationships between and the reasons these three have become homeless.
- Only in Japanese with subtitles.
- Cultural Details: Everyday life, homelessness, Metropolitan Tokyo.
- Cautions: Some strong language.
- DVD:
Now out of print in North America.- Order Tokyo Godfathers English subtitled region 2 DVD from CD Japan
- Order Tokyo Godfathers Deluxe Box [Limited Release] English subtitled region 2 DVD from CD Japan
- Urusei Yatsura TV series (195 episodes), OVA series (11 episodes) and 6 Movies
- Director: Oshii Mamoru (1981-1984), Yamazaki Kazuo (1984-1986)
- Based on a work by: Takahashi Rumiko
- NOTE: This series went out of print in September 2011. The episodes generally stand alone so getting the DVD dics out of sequence is usually fine.
Very long series 50 DVD discs (100 minutes each), 6 OVA discs and 6 movies. This is a very popular series with fans and is the first anime series based on the works of Takahashi Rumiko.- Ataru is far more than your typical high school sex fiend, when we first see him he is drooling after watching a beautiful woman walk by. The Earth is about to be invaded and the alien's computer has chosen him to be Earth's champion in a competition, he has to grab the horns of the alien princess Lum, who happens to have a great figure and wear a bikini. But no one told him she could fly, to encourage him his girlfriend offers to marry him if he succeeds. when he finally garbs the horns he says that he can finally get married and Lum, thinking he means her, accepts. So the long strange and very funny story begins.
- Cultural Details: Day to day life, school, foods, locations, folklore, gender relations. Comes with extensive liner notes
- Urusei Yatsura Beautiful Dreamer Movie
- Director: Oshii Mamoru
- Based on a work by: Takahashi Rumiko
- The students at Tomobiki High are frantically working in preparation for the school festival which has its grand openning tomorrow. The next day they wake up and get to work on preparating for the school festival which has its grand openning tomorrow.The next day they wake up...
Some begin to suspect things are not as they should be.- Cultural Details: Day to day life, school, foods, locations, folklore.
- Vampire Princess Miyu - OVA series - 4 episodes
- Director Hirano Toshihiro, Tsukamoto Eri
- Screenplay: Aikawa Noboru
- A sequential series of interconnected stories about a woman who is trying to track down a young female vampire. Atmospheric, moody and dramatic. There is also a TV series.
- Cultural Details: Historical locations, architecture, school life. Comes with liner notes.
- Vision of Escaflowne see: Escaflowne
- Whisper of the Heart - Movie
- Director: Kondō Yoshifumi
- Screenplay: Miyazaki Hayao
- Shizuku is in her last year of middle school, one day she notices a familiar name in the checkout slips for the books she is borrowing for summer reading. She eventualy meets Seiji who has a clear vision of what he wants to do with his life. A tale of growing up and taking risks.
- Cultural Details: Modern urban life, school..
- You're Under Arrest OVA (4 episodes), Three TV series (101 episodes), and a movie
- Based on a work by: Fujishima Kosuke
- An up front fun series of tales about traffic police in modern Tokyo. A great combination of humor, action and drama.
- Cultural Details: Locations, foods, day to day life. The OVA series comes with liner notes.
- Cautions Some scantily clad women in one or two episodes and a cross dressing officer.
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Created: August 13, 1999 | Updated: November 7, 2022