Sarah

Vampires, guns and ghouls plague this series.  This particular series is rather entertaining.  You meet a series of weaker villains like the Valentine Brothers until you finally get to Incognito.  Incognito is supposed to be Alucards equal, the only one that should be a difficult match.

Alucard faithfully serves his master Sir Integra Wingates Hellsing after she discovered him years ago.  The story does not start out immediately telling you the details of Alucard and Integra’s past, but halfway through the series you learn about Integra’s childhood. 

Herushingu
4 & 1/2 Stars

Vampires, guns and ghouls plague this series.  This particular series is rather entertaining.  You meet a series of weaker villains like the Valentine Brothers until you finally get to Incognito.  Incognito is supposed to be Alucards equal, the only one that should be a difficult match.

Alucard faithfully serves his master Sir Integra Wingates Hellsing after she discovered him years ago.  The story does not start out immediately telling you the details of Alucard and Integra’s past, but halfway through the series you learn about Integra’s childhood.  In the first episode, you meet Seras Victoria, a military girl who became the only survivor of her squad after a vampire turned them all into ghouls.

Ghouls are what the artifical vampires, also known as freaks, create.  The freaks drain all of the blood from the body of their victim, creating a zombie-like minion.

Seras Victoria is nearly killed by the horde of ghouls that was once her comrades.  Alucard shows up just in the nick of time and asks if she would like to become a vampire and she agrees to being bitten by her master Alucard, but once she becomes a vampire, she instantly begins to regret it.

Seras Victoria refuses to drink the medical blood given to her each night; the lack of blood makes her weak.  Alucard advises her to drink to regain strength, even offers his blood from a cut he received from Paladin Alexander Anderson.  She refused, knowing that if she drank his blood Alucard would no longer be her master, she would be alone.  Soon after that decision, she gives in to needs and drinks the blood on the table.  I thought it was strange how they gave her the blood though; they gave it to her with a bowl and spoon.  Sort of looked like tomato soup and here I was questioning why they did not give it to her in a goblet, it would have looked more classy.  Either way she gains strength and is able to wield her enormous guns, like the Halconnen.

The story starts a little weak, with switching villains every episode, but when the story starts to be centered on the defeat of Incognito it becomes less weak.  Switching the villains every episode makes it semi-difficult to stay focused.  The final battle scene between Alucard and Incognito is played out well, little speech, little action and ends in a bloody mess.

I had very little time to watch this anime, but I am a big fan of vampire stories and when a good friend of mine recommended this to me, I figured it was worth watching.  I have to say that I enjoyed it; things here and there were a little strange, but over all a decent series.  The series opener was a real catchy tune, I do not normally focus on that, but I rather enjoyed the song.  “World Without Logos by Yasushi Ishii” I believe is the song, also the opener includes a wandering dog, which was strange to me at first, but it turns out that is Alucard’s other form.  I definitely would recommend this to anyone seeking vampires, blood and mayhem!

Eiri Kurahashi is a normal kid with a normal job.  He works in his uncle’s antique shop; he takes care of the entire place by himself since his uncle is such an avid collector and is always gone finding new treasures. 

Eiri stumbles upon a wine glass in his uncle’s shop, and when he touches it, he is filled with visions of a young and beautiful girl.  The wine glass becomes a gateway for him to peer into and see his love, Cossette d’Auvergne.

Le Portrait de Petit Cossette
4 & 1/2 Stars

Eiri Kurahashi is a normal kid with a normal job.  He works in his uncle’s antique shop; he takes care of the entire place by himself since his uncle is such an avid collector and is always gone finding new treasures. 

Eiri stumbles upon a wine glass in his uncle’s shop, and when he touches it, he is filled with visions of a young and beautiful girl.  The wine glass becomes a gateway for him to peer into and see his love, Cossette d’Auvergne.

Cossette is the spirit of a girl who has been searching for 250 years for someone who could see her, and speak to her, now she needs his help.  The story takes you back here and there to show you what happened to Cossette and why she haunts the glass.

Marcello Orlando, an Italian painter from the 18th century, painted many portraits of young Cossette.  When she showed signs of growing older he could not bear to have her beauty change, so, he killed her.  Eiri is a reincarnation of Marcello, which is why Cossette is more drawn to him.

In the first episode, you learn a little character development with Eiri and his friends.  You learn that Shouko is in love with him.  They spend time together, but once the wine glass is threatened, he goes off the deep end and shows his true side, the true side that Cossette has brought to him.  Halfway through the episode, Cossette speaks out to him, she shows him, in a first person view as the killer, how she died.  She then fills the wine glass with her blood; he drinks, and then enters a blood contract with one another.

Eiri must from then on repent his sins, or rather Marcello’s sins.  It is a rather weird scene; Eiri turns into a demon, Cossette stands across him on a pillar and points at him, ripping out his soul with invisible hands.

The second episode you get a little more information about Cossette as she tells Eiri about her family.  Once he says Marcello’s name though, she disappears.  He has no idea why she does not want to hear the words Marcello Orlando, so he does not drop it.  Cossette and Eiri begin to develop more of a relationship in this episode, more than just the ‘peeping Tom’ thing Eiri had going on before.  After some time, she finally reveals the killer, which is quite a shocker when you hear it.  The second episode does several flashbacks to the day Cossette was murdered, which does get a little annoying.

The thing is the story does not just include Cossette and Eiri.  His friends are continually showing up here and there to express their worry for him, since he had changed so drastically one day, from normal, to talking to himself all the time.

In the third episode, Eiri goes completely mad.  Cossette comes to him and says that it is over; she cannot continue to hold him to his contract anymore.  Once she disappears, he runs through the antique shop trying to find her, his friend Shouko happened to witness him going crazy trying to find Cossette.  He eventually runs off, Shouko follows; he heads to Cossette’s.  He brings himself to the place where he repents and rips he own soul out this time trying to get closer to Cossette.  He finally makes it and finds Cossette, only she really is not Cossette, she is Marcello’s painting.

Once he figures out that she is not the real Cossette, the one he fell in love with, he rushes to find her.  He comes upon Marcello’s easel and paints a blood portrait of the real, the beautiful, Cossette, killing off Marcello’s creation, freeing Cossette.

 

I would have to say hat this anime was a little different.  I enjoyed it the music was great.  Here and there, the music was dainty, which is how Cossette was supposed to appear, and at the end, the music changed to give you a rather eerie feeling.  The artwork was awesome, but I have to say that Cossette looked a little strange in some angles.  The fact that she looked childish was not my main issue, since she was killed as a child to “stop her time,” just simply at some angles she did not look as ‘beautiful’ as she was supposed.  The plot is great, and overall I believe it is worth a 4.5 stars.  The fact that the series is only three episodes long is just a major plus.

When three of the unfinished DC Minis disappear, the head scientists on the project struggle to figure out where they went.  The DC Mini allows therapists to see their patient’s dreams to better analyze their unconscious state.  Unfortunately the DC Minis were not yet finished, which made them more dangerous if someone were to use them improperly.

Paprika
4 & 1/2 Stars

When three of the unfinished DC Minis disappear, the head scientists on the project struggle to figure out where they went.  The DC Mini allows therapists to see their patient’s dreams to better analyze their unconscious state.  Unfortunately the DC Minis were not yet finished, which made them more dangerous if someone were to use them improperly.

The beginning of the movie is a little strange, you first start out in a dream.  The dream takes your from the circus through a series of movie scenes, finally ending with the final moments of a murder scene currently being investigated.  The dreamer wakes up and you meet Captain Kogawa and Paprika.  Seconds later you are rushed into the next part of the plot where you are introduced to Doctors Tokita, Chiba and Shima, the lead developers on the DC Mini project.  Dr. Shima, a short and balding man, is their Chief.  Dr. Tokita, an excessively obese “kid in a genius’ body,” is where the original idea started.  Dr. Chiba, an all work and no play kind of woman keeps Dr. Tokita in line.

Trying to keep the theft of their most important, and most dangerous project a secret they rush to Dr. Shima’s office.  When they open the door to the office they were surprised by the Chairman sitting facing the window in his wheel chair.  He lets them know immediately that he is aware of the theft.  They put their heads together to attempt to figure out the culprit.  The only option is an inside job.  Seconds later Shima flips out, he begins saying things that are irrelevant while running out of the room and jumping out a window.  While he is knocked out from the fall they run the DC Mini on him to monitor his dream state.  In the dream he is perched on top of a float in a huge parade, which is where the strangeness continues.  Himoru, a fellow developer, shows up in the dream, making all the blaming fingers point to him.

The DC Mini is incredibly dangerous to the host, the more you wear it the harder it is to distinguish the difference between reality and dream.  Since Tokita, Chiba and Shima had been testing it on themselves they often merge dream and reality.

Since Shima is injured it becomes Tokita and Chiba’s job to find Himoru and track down the remaining DC Minis.  They went to Himoru’s house only to find nothing but dolls.  Chiba snaps into a dream and nearly jumps over the balcony, only to be grabbed at the last second by another doctor who had accompanied them.

Kogawa is searching desperately to understand his dream, so he spends much of his time in a dream state at the bar with Paprika.

Tokita and Chiba finally find their friend and partner Himoru, or rather he nearly lands on top of Chiba.  They rushed Himoru back to the lab to remove the DC Mini, which had already taken over Himoru.

Chiba and Tokita discover the Dreamland amusement park, where they find a doll that had been sort of following them everywhere.  When Chiba advances towards the doll Himoru comes crashing out of the sky and nearly lands on top of her.  Himoru is badly injured by the fall and they rush him back to the lab so the doctors can take the embedded DC Mini out of his scalp.  Tokita sees his friend laying there dreaming he decides to put the DC Mini on to join his dreams.  Tokita then gets sucked into the parade and cannot escape.

Chiba and Shima join back up to attempt to stop the “psycho-terrorism.”  Chiba, closely monitored by Shima, dives into Tokita and Himoru’s dream, changing her to Paprika.  Paprika is trying to save the two stuck when she discovers who the real terrorist is.  The Chairman and his little minion attempt to take over dreams and reality.  The Chairman then becomes a gigantic dream-mass, black, translucent and naked.  Paprika then realizes that she must sacrifice herself to save her friends.  She too becomes a translucent, naked being and begins swallowing everything in site, making her grow from an infant to an adult.  She then swallows the Chairman and the dream is over.

Kogawa finally realizes what was going on in his dreams, and what he had been running from since he was young.  Tokita and Chiba, after expressing their love for one another, get married.

With the entire thing a mystery, dipping back and forth between reality, it may be a little difficult to follow.  The story is strange, and futuristic, but does have an interesting idea.  I am still a little unsure on how I feel about the film.  The artwork is great, full of color and nice details.  The only thing that I would say is poor is the ending.  The ending seems too happy, Kogawa’s problems are solved, yes he is in love with the other side of Chiba, but he still figured out what he was running from.  Not to mention the love interest between Chiba and Tokita, that was a little strange to me.  It seemed like they were really good friends, and Tokita loved Chiba, but I would have never guessed she loved him back.  Although, the film did keep me entertained and guessing until the very end, which is what it was supposed to do.

**Author’s Comment**  I just thought I would let you guys know that Adult Swim has been featuring this series for quite some time.  It’s on at 12:30 a.m.CST, so catch it if you can, you won’t be sorry!

A water spirit places an egg inside a person, along with several other hosts, bestowing the responsibility of the Guardian of the Sacred Spirit.  Luckily for those who are chosen this strange occurrence only happens but once every 100 years.  This time, the responsibility falls on a boy named Chagum.  Chagum is no ordinary boy though, he is the Second Prince to the New Yogo Empire.

Guardian of the Sacred Spirit
5 Stars

**Author’s Comment**  I just thought I would let you guys know that Adult Swim has been featuring this series for quite some time.  It’s on at 12:30 a.m.CST, so catch it if you can, you won’t be sorry!

A water spirit places an egg inside a person, along with several other hosts, bestowing the responsibility of the Guardian of the Sacred Spirit.  Luckily for those who are chosen this strange occurrence only happens but once every 100 years.  This time, the responsibility falls on a boy named Chagum.  Chagum is no ordinary boy though, he is the Second Prince to the New Yogo Empire.

Chagum begins showing signs of possession, mainly his belly just glows, but this freaks out the Emperor.  So, in fear of the royal family’s reputation being destroyed, the Emperor decides to have Chagum killed.  The Second Empress, Chagum’s mother, secretly asks a female bodyguard, Balsa, to protect Chagum for the rest of his life, no matter what.

Balsa and Chagum leave immediately on an adventure that change their lives, and the lives around them.  On their adventure Balsa and Chagum arrive at the door of her two orphaned friends Touya and Saya. Touya, who lives with Saya, is known to be the best errand runner in town. Touya and Saya are orphans from two separate families, who will later realize their love for one another.  Balsa, strong willed and aims to always protect her client, fought off assassins while Chagum ran into the forest.  After receiving a wound in the gut so early in the series, I was worried what might happen to the plot.  Luckily Tanda, a medicine man and old friend of Balsa’s shows up in the nick of time to aide Chagum in his search for safety and to help Balsa recover from the wound she received from one of the eight assassins seeking her and Chagum.  Good thing she heals fast because the assassins continued to hunt her and Chagum down until they fake their own death.

Finally, Balsa and Chagum can settle down and prepare for what happens next.  They move into the little water mill and await Chagum’s fate.  As time goes on Shaman Torogai comes to visit, and help to understand what is going on within Chagum’s body.  Shaman Torogai goes on an adventure to learn more of the ’water fiend’.  She comes in contact with creatures and demons before she finally understands what must come of Chagum.

Chagum must allow the water spirit to hatch on an even day of spring at the Place of Celebration, while protecting himself and the egg from a demon called La Lunga.  Chagum and his friends have no clue on what to do until the day finally comes, so they evade assassins who realize they are still alive and other people searching for them by hiding out in Hunter’s Cave.  A cave turned into a house for those traveling in the winter months.

When the day finally comes Chagum leads Balsa and a horde of troops from the court to the Place of Celebration.  A great battle scene erupts when La Lunga shows up and the eight assassins, who aimed to kill Balsa and Chagum, begin aiding with the hatching of the egg.

Wow, I mean, this anime really kept me interested throughout the entire 26 episode long series.  I was curious to see what exactly La Lunga was going to be, I initially laughed, not because it was stupid, but because it looked like the flying spaghetti monster referred to in an episode The Colbert Report and also in an episode of South Park.  Now, back to the story line, it was interesting enough to see a woman working in a man environment.  I didn’t touch much on the court, or any of those characters, also Jiguro, there is a lot to learn about him.  I felt that you should watch the series for yourself if my review peaked your interest enough to care.

Overall, I would have to say that this anime series was fun to watch.  I love the feudal era animes, where the characters fight with swords and knives.  I guess you could say the clink of the blade is where I get my kicks.  This is a supernatural anime, so beware if that is not your cup of tea, but it does have a healthy mix of action to go along with it.

Have you ever gotten the chance to turn back time? To get a second chance at anything, even death?

Makoto Konno, a normal Tokyo high school girl, who spends her free time with her friends Kousuke and Chiaki playing baseball, has been given the chance to “time leap.” In order to time leap the person has to literally leap in order for the time travel to take place. Makoto was actually killed when the breaks on her bicycle failed to stop her from hitting an on coming train.

Toki wo Kakeru Shoujo
4 & 1/2 Stars

Have you ever gotten the chance to turn back time? To get a second chance at anything, even death?
Makoto Konno, a normal Tokyo high school girl, who spends her free time with her friends Kousuke and Chiaki playing baseball, has been given the chance to “time leap.”
In order to time leap the person has to literally leap in order for the time travel to take place.
Makoto was actually killed when the breaks on her bicycle failed to stop her from hitting an on coming train.

 

She sort of awakens a ways back on the street after running over an older woman who she had run over instead of dying.  The woman only slightly injured and Makoto still alive, she runs off thinking of the miracle that just happened. Makoto’s aunt, Kazuko Yoshiyama, referred to as Aunt Witch helps Makoto understand this power, and gives her advice. Kazuko was once also able to time leap, hinting that she had used it in relationships, where as Makoto uses it to right everyone’s wrongs, she uses it to be on time for school, to get perfect scores on tests and to resolve conflicts.

Makoto begins to hone her time leaping abilities, attempting to fix the outcome of several situations. Her friend Chiaki confesses to liking her, and she had no idea what to say so she time leapt back to try to change the outcome, eventually just skipping the conversation all together. She then realizes that time leaping has a cost, for every time she time leaps the actions still play out but another person could possibly be taking her place. She also learns that she will not be able to time leap forever, a tattoo shows up on her arm as a countdown to how many times she can time leap back.

Her friend Kousuke turns down a girl who liked him, and Makoto thinks he should give her more of a chance. Only wanting to help, Makoto leaps across the border several times to change the story with them, only leading to both of their deaths. Makoto was unable to save Kousuke and his girlfriend on her own since she had impulsively used her final leap to prevent a phone call from Chiaki asking how many times she has leapt through time. Luckily, Chiaki time leapt to bring back Kousuke and his girlfriend. Chiaki then explains to Makoto as time stands still, that he is from the future, and that he must leave, and when he goes back to his era Makoto finally realizes that she loves him too.

Makoto realizes that Chiaki’s time leap to save their friends allowed her to have one of her time leaps back. Makoto uses her final leap to leap across time to the very first day she received her powers and talk to Chiaki before he finally leaves for good. He travels back to his era, leaving Makoto with the words, “I’ll be waiting for you in the future.”

 

Well, I think this is one to be seen. This slice of life, romance, sci-fi anime movie is definitely unlike other romances. The romance is broken up in so many ways, making it comical. Makoto tries to use her time traveling abilities to solve many conflicts, most of them caused by herself. It is especially funny when she gets the fire extinguisher thrown at her by a boy who took her place in the Home Economics class fire. The love story in it is sweet and untold until the very end, but you can definitely see it earlier than verbally said. Chiaki, Kousuke and Makoto are a great set; definitely remind me of my friends.