http://www.theanimereview.com Anime Reviews And Other Missives From The Otaku World Sat, 9 May 2009 19:00:00 -0400 http://www.rssboard.org/rss-specification http://www.theanimereview.com/reviews/attackontitanpreview.html Gory, intense, wildly entertaining action sci-fi thriller about humans vs. massive monsters that is deceptively addictive. Mon, 17 Jun 2013 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.theanimereview.com/reviews/attackontitanpreview.html http://www.theanimereview.com/reviews/cosmospinkshock.html Old and forgotten parody anime from the 80s that I enjoyed, though I'm a sucker for nostalgic throwbacks. Mon, 3 Jun 2013 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.theanimereview.com/reviews/cosmospinkshock.html http://www.theanimereview.com/reviews/edenmovies.html The implosion of one of the most intriguing series of recent memory with two films that go from very bad to plain awful in the span of three hours. Mon, 27 May 2013 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.theanimereview.com/reviews/edenmovies.html http://www.theanimereview.com/reviews/tokyomagnitude80.html About as devastating a show you'll see...literally, emotionally, and otherwise. Mon, 20 May 2013 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.theanimereview.com/reviews/tokyomanitude80.html http://www.theanimereview.com/reviews/coicent.html A fun romance with a dash of sci-fi and a hint of action? A tasty recipe for a great one-shot OVA. Mon, 13 May 2013 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.theanimereview.com/reviews/coicent.html http://www.theanimereview.com/reviews/fivenumbers.html While I'm glad to see the short-form OVA return, this sci-fi mystery doesn't fire on all cylinders. Mon, 6 May 2013 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.theanimereview.com/reviews/fivenumbers.html http://www.theanimereview.com/reviews/gos7.html The dark and brooding series gets a good conclusion, but not one that makes the whole thing worthwhile. Mon, 29 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.theanimereview.com/reviews/gos7.html http://www.theanimereview.com/reviews/edenoftheeast.html An engaging action political thriller with romance and twenty-somethings that's a good watch despite plot failings. Mon, 22 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.theanimereview.com/reviews/edenoftheeast.html http://www.theanimereview.com/reviews/baccano.html The love child of Robert Altman and Quentin Tarantino directing a mashup of Highlander, The Untouchables, Silver Streak, and Pulp Fiction...exciting, funny, gory, and clever as hell. Mon, 8 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.theanimereview.com/reviews/baccano.html http://www.theanimereview.com/reviews/blueflames.html Misogynistic drivel from the late '80s that cheerfully details the life of a teenage lothario. Mon, 25 Mar 2013 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.theanimereview.com/reviews/blueflames.html http://www.theanimereview.com/reviews/californiacrisis.html Dimly plotted '80s OVA made watchable by uniquely interesting artistic choices and enough action to keep you distracted from the ridiculous plot. Mon, 18 Mar 2013 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.theanimereview.com/reviews/californiacrisis.html http://www.theanimereview.com/reviews/cromartiefinal.html Crazy show about pseudo-punks at a wild high school is about as good as absurd humor gets. Mon, 11 Mar 2013 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.theanimereview.com/reviews/cromartiefinal.html http://www.theanimereview.com/reviews/katanagatari.html Plodding samurai-era that is far less exciting and far darker than its animation and plot would suggest. Mon, 11 Feb 2013 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.theanimereview.com/reviews/katanagatari.html http://www.theanimereview.com/reviews/berserkmovie1.html Although the animation goes back and forth between beautiful and incompetent, this breakneck version of the story is still exciting and enthralling. Mon, 21 Jan 2013 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.theanimereview.com/reviews/berserkmovie1.html http://www.theanimereview.com/reviews/gos6.html Penultimate volume of the dark, disturbing series takes a slightly lighter tone with a new lead character, but still deals with squicky taboos. Mon, 14 Jan 2013 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.theanimereview.com/reviews/gos6.html http://www.theanimereview.com/reviews/fiveleaves.html Slice-of-life drama surrounding criminals and a samurai in the Edo period. Excellent all the way around. Mon, 7 Jan 2013 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.theanimereview.com/reviews/fiveleaves.html http://www.theanimereview.com/reviews/onestormynight.html An interesting movie about a goat and a wolf who become best friends. Drops the ball at times, but enjoyable. Mon, 31 Dec 2012 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.theanimereview.com/reviews/onestormynight.html http://www.theanimereview.com/reviews/bunnydrop.html The most perfect anime I've seen in 4 years. Mon, 24 Dec 2012 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.theanimereview.com/reviews/bunnydrop.html http://www.theanimereview.com/reviews/triguncomplete.html While perhaps slightly aged and a little schizo, a great blend of cowboy sci-fi, action, comedy, and drama. Mon, 20 Nov 2012 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.theanimereview.com/reviews/triguncomplete.html http://www.theanimereview.com/reviews/arakawa.html Cute and quirky comedy too oddball for its own good but still enjoyable. Mon, 8 Oct 2012 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.theanimereview.com/reviews/arakawa.html http://www.theanimereview.com/reviews/rahxephon.html An attempt to match Evanegelion is largely successful, despite some missteps along the way. Fri, 31 Aug 2012 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.theanimereview.com/reviews/rahxephon.html http://www.theanimereview.com/reviews/l3sevendays.html Lupin...again. If you've seen any of the other made-for-TV Lupin movies, you might experience deja vu. Fri, 13 Jul 2012 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.theanimereview.com/reviews/l3sevendays.html http://www.theanimereview.com/reviews/gos5.html The most conventional and popular film in the Garden of Sinners series, but not my favorite by far. Mon, 18 Jun 2012 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.theanimereview.com/reviews/gos5.html http://www.theanimereview.com/reviews/gos4.html After a gruesome and disturbing third chapter, Garden of Sinners gets back on track. Mon, 30 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.theanimereview.com/reviews/gos4.html http://www.theanimereview.com/reviews/eg.html In many ways, a shorter, less intense variant on Garden of Sinners, but not bad in its own right. Mon, 2 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.theanimereview.com/reviews/eg.html http://www.theanimereview.com/reviews/redline.html Old-school hand-drawn anime with loads of style and car racing but also surprisingly dumb at times. Mon, 19 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.theanimereview.com/reviews/redline.html http://www.theanimereview.com/reviews/durararafinal.html A beautiful show with a fantastic opening third that peters out and loses its way. Mon, 5 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.theanimereview.com/reviews/durararafinal.html http://www.theanimereview.com/reviews/arrietty.html Proves that Studio Ghibli has a future past Miyazaki...even if this film has his fingerprints on it. Mon, 27 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.theanimereview.com/reviews/arrietty.html http://www.theanimereview.com/reviews/lupinlastjob.html Not great or groundbreaking, but it does send off the original cast on a solid if not exceptional note. Mon, 12 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.theanimereview.com/reviews/lupinlastjob.html http://www.theanimereview.com/reviews/gos3.html More disturbing than the first two, but never boring. Mon, 28 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.theanimereview.com/reviews/gos3.html http://www.theanimereview.com/reviews/berserk.html The most violent, disturbing anime TV series you will ever love. Mon, 21 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.theanimereview.com/reviews/berserk.html http://www.theanimereview.com/reviews/wagnaria.html Enjoyable slice of life show set in a Japanese Denny's that doesn't quite overcome the tropes it tries to overcome. Mon, 14 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.theanimereview.com/reviews/wagnaria.html http://www.theanimereview.com/reviews/carlvinson.html Cute, sweet, short OVA about a theatre troupe of aliens who raise a little human girl. Mon, 7 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.theanimereview.com/reviews/carlvinson.html http://www.theanimereview.com/reviews/summerwars.html Virtual worlds and sweet reality meet in a wonderful film worth owning. Mon, 31 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.theanimereview.com/reviews/summerwars.html http://www.theanimereview.com/reviews/fmabrotherhood.html An apparently faithful retelling of the manga, but it lacks the heart, spirit, and fun of the original animated version. Mon, 26 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.theanimereview.com/reviews/fmabrotherhood.html http://www.theanimereview.com/reviews/eva222.html Not as good as the first Evangelion rebuild movie, but much better than the material it replaces from the TV series. Mon, 1 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.theanimereview.com/reviews/eva222.html http://www.theanimereview.com/reviews/memoriesoff.html Perhaps the most painfully boring and insipid anime I have ever sat through. Mon, 25 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.theanimereview.com/reviews/memoriesoff.html http://www.theanimereview.com/reviews/stolenlupin.html Though hampered by a mediocre plot, this ranks among the most enjoyable of the Lupin III films outside the trifecta of The Castle of Cagliostro, Plot of the Fuma Clan, and First Contact. Mon, 18 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.theanimereview.com/reviews/stolenlupin.html http://www.theanimereview.com/reviews/pandora2.html Disappointing and dull ending half destroys any good will created in the first half of the Victorian horror series. Mon, 6 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.theanimereview.com/reviews/pandora2.html http://www.theanimereview.com/reviews/touch5.html Plenty of baseball action in the final Touch film makes up for a lackluster conclusion to the ongoing romantic storyline. Mon, 9 May 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.theanimereview.com/reviews/touch5.html http://www.theanimereview.com/reviews/moribito.html An intelligent feudal fantasy epic whose maturity makes for an enjoyable show, even though it doesn't have enough "oomph" to really wow. Mon, 18 Apr 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.theanimereview.com/reviews/moribito.html http://www.theanimereview.com/reviews/durarara.html A uniquely presented series about a variety of sociopathic oddballs in a city starts off far more promising that most recent anime. Mon, 11 Apr 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.theanimereview.com/reviews/durarara.html http://www.theanimereview.com/reviews/gos2.html Better than its predecessor in the series, this creepy murder mystery mixes intense atmosphere with character development absent in the first installment. Mon, 4 Apr 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.theanimereview.com/reviews/gos2.html http://www.theanimereview.com/reviews/straightjacket.html So bad it's good, Straight Jacket is an homage to all the crazy-violent OVAs we used to rent from Blockbuster in the early '90s before anime took off. Mon, 28 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.theanimereview.com/reviews/straightjacket.html http://www.theanimereview.com/reviews/gos1.html A snail's pace and an overreliance on unnecessary philosophizing make this wonderful-looking supernatural drama drearier than it needs to be. Mon, 21 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.theanimereview.com/reviews/gos1.html http://www.theanimereview.com/reviews/diebuster.html Visually great and certainly entertaining, but nowhere near as good as its predecessor, Gunbuster. Mon, 14 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.theanimereview.com/reviews/diebuster.html http://www.theanimereview.com/reviews/lupinangeltactics.html Those unfamiliar with the franchise will find things to like here, but the film starts getting creaky (and repetitive of other entries in the Lupin III canon) after the fun first half-hour. Mon, 7 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.theanimereview.com/reviews/lupinangeltactics.html http://www.theanimereview.com/reviews/touch4.html Fans who need high baseball content from this series will despise this film. The rest of us will appreciate Tatsuya and Minami growing up, growing apart, and sorting out their feelings for one another. (And if you don't know who Tatsuya and Minami are by this point, you need to start with the earlier Touch movies.) Mon, 31 Jan 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.theanimereview.com/reviews/touch4.html http://www.theanimereview.com/reviews/pandora1.html The opening salvo of episodes takes far too long to explain itself, its logic is murky, and its humor not terribly funny. Despite all that, about seven episodes into this series, about the time the explanations kick in, it becomes quite interesting. Mon, 24 Jan 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.theanimereview.com/reviews/pandora1.html http://www.theanimereview.com/reviews/touch3.html While it uses a well-worn sports anime plot device, this film succeeds by focusing in on its leads and the climactic baseball game this series is really about. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.theanimereview.com/reviews/touch3.html http://www.theanimereview.com/reviews/aimfortheace.html With animation fantastic for its 1979 born-on date, this classic showcases many traits that have become shoujo tropes while still presenting a compelling sports drama. Mon, 20 Dec 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.theanimereview.com/reviews/aimfortheace.html http://www.theanimereview.com/reviews/toradora2.html An excellent second half brings surprises and payoffs to this enjoyable teenage comedy-melodrama. Mon, 13 Dec 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.theanimereview.com/reviews/toradora2.html http://www.theanimereview.com/reviews/touch2.html Sequel to the touching, tragic opening film in this popular '80s series is enjoyable, but lacks the passion and heart of the original, in part due to narrative choices. Mon, 6 Dec 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.theanimereview.com/reviews/touch2.html http://www.theanimereview.com/reviews/lupingreenvsred.html Beautifully rendered with a great meta-concept, but the confusing narrative and lack of follow-through make this a second-tier Lupin adventure. Mon, 15 Nov 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.theanimereview.com/reviews/greenvsred.html