Encyclopedia

Anime - V

Eureka Seven - good night, sleep tight, young lovers -
The basic concepts of the Eureka 7 TV series get a radical reinterpretation in a self-contained, highly accessible movie version full of bold actions and bolder emotions. Despite a darker edge, it still delivers spectacular action sequences and a convincing central couple.

Darkside Blues DVD
Ah, Darkside Blues…that 80 minute refugee from the good old days of violent, post-apocalyptic late twentieth century anime that make absolutely no sense because they are actually bolt-on bonuses to otherwise more comprehensible manga series.

Big Windup! Part 2 DVD
The problems with this second half are not enough to derail the show, but the experience is way less satisfying than it should be. Such is the power of its characters that I still can't help but love the whole package.

.hack//G.U. Trilogy Sub.DVD
A big sloppy mess with some snazzy imagery, a few cutting shards of romance, and some excellent acting by a top-flight cast.

Gankutsuou: The Count of Monte Cristo GN 3
The manga version puts the focus back on the most interesting character: the Count himself. As a result, the plot reaches full steam in a very powerful way—but sadly gets derailed in the later chapters.

Cencoroll
It's a film that defies any and all expectations of both medium and genre, that makes us marvel and has really little time to do much else.

Blade of the Immortal GN 20-21
Is everything one could ask for in a climax: violent, smart and brimming with gory schadenfruede.

Berserk GN 28
The clues it contains about the future direction of Guts' journey—and the relentless monster action—ultimately save it, but unless the series regains its bearings soon this will begin to qualify as a genuine slump.

Darker Than Black DVDs 4-6
The appearance of a new antagonist organization on the scene give the series its long-absent overarching story arc and introduces a great new character as the series races towards an ultimately rushed climax. A brilliantly off-the-cuff bonus episode rounds out one of the year's better series.

Tsubasa, RESERVoir CHRoNiCLE GN 22
It's a beauty to look at, but a pain to follow. But we continue following anyway, because the path of destiny still holds many more surprises.

Black Jack DVD 7
Many anime titles claim to be dramatic, many claim to be mysterious, but few do it as well as Black Jack... an emotional trip, weaving ancient folk tales, the latest medical technology, and everything in between to tell a remarkable story.