Fate/Zero
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F
Fullmetal Alchemist: The Sacred Star of Milos
Alternate Titles: Fullmetal Alchemist: Milos no Sei-Naru Hoshi
Original Japanese Release Date: Jul 2011
Episode Length/Run-time: 110 Minutes
Summary:
The Elric brothers are back and they are sent out to a boarder city known as tower city persuing a fugitive who escaped from prison with only a few months left on his sentence using strange alchemy. When they arrive they learn there’s more going on that meets the eye as they learn of the people who have been stripped of their ancestral lands and now live in the valley floor at the boarder of the two cities, struggling to regain their homeland by any means.
Review:
I think Kimiko said it best when she said movies like this are basically official fanfiction. This movie has no real place in the FMA saga and it is basically a mini vignette where everything returns to how it was when its done. But, that doesn’t mean it was a bad movie. The movie had excellent pacing, between the engaging characters, interesting story, and top-notch fight scenes you will not be bored. Fans of the series will be pleased in how all the fan favorites have been placed in the movie, sometimes a little forced – Winry did not need to be in there – but not bad. The original characters for the movie are also surprisingly deep and loveable for only knowing them a short time,you quickly find yourself invested in their plight and cheering for them in their struggles. One of the main criticisms is the animation in some of the fight scenes seems a little rough for an anime movie, normally the budget is so high everything is flawless. Its not bad though, just not as good as one would expect. But it is overall a very enjoyable watch no matter if you are an FMA fan or total noob.
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Fullmetal Alchemist
Alternate Titles: Hagane no Renkinjutsushi 鋼の錬金術師 (Japanese)
Original Japanese Release Date: 2003-10-04
Episode Length/Run-time: 51 Episodes
Summary:
Edward Elric and his brother Alphonse have committed the unthinkable: human transmutation in attempts to bring their mother back from the dead. The result has left Ed without a left leg or right arm and Al without any body at all. But with alchemy as their guide, they embark on a journey to find the philosopher’s stone, a piece of alchemic history that might be the only thing able to make everything right again.
Review:
This was my first encounter with a fifty-one episode series. It seemed impossible, at the time, to think that so much information, questions and answers and plot and detail, could be strewn about this series so seemingly uninvolved only to have it come to a perfect and beautiful fruition, every plot device coming full circle, every concern covered, every twist well played. FMA had a way of asking a question in episode one, leaving it alone from arc to arc until you’ve either forgotten or given up, and then coming back around to answer it in episode forty-two. It was brilliant in so many ways, and is hardly ever done or accomplished nearly as well. But that aside, it goes without saying that the plot in and of itself was enthralling, following Ed and Al on their journey as kids, going through things that no one their age could handle, until they get older and their trials become that much worse, their bond as brothers only ever strengthened. They manage to hold on to this simple but wonderful theme even in the hardest of times: there is nothing more important than family, no matter what it takes to keep it. It’s awe inspiring and surprisingly believable.
But their characters aren’t the only ones who leave an impression. Supposedly unimportant characters continuously find their way back into later episodes, surprising even the most religious watcher with their importance to the overall plot. Like Rose for instance, showing up literally for the first two episodes, vanishing for half the show, coming back for a cameo in the middle, vanishing again, and then returning in the end as a catalyst to the final plot. It becomes a game of sorts, to figure out which characters might actually matter later on.
Though it strays a little from the original manga animation, the style suits the feel of the overall series. It manages to balance itself between realistic and outlandish, keeping the fight scenes detailed and crisp while offering some softer, lighter animation for more humorous scenes. Which is something this anime also does well: keeps the line between serious and funny continuously blurred in the best of ways, having you crying one minute and laughing the next. The music in no way diminishes the atmosphere either, and orchestral score that manages to be both powerful and touching during intense moments and lighthearted during more playful moments as well.
The ending was beyond words, taking me on an emotional rollercoaster to say the least, but it was intense and well played and perfectly suited to everything the boys had been through. All and all, I was perfectly satisfied, though left reeling from the up and down emotional onslaught. It’s worth a 5/5 in my book, bar none.
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Fruits Basket
Alternate Titles: Furuba
Original Japanese Release Date: 2001
Episode Length/Run-time: 26 ( 24 mins ea. )
Summary:
Tohru Honda, a 16 year old orphaned girl, gets invited to live with her classmate, a pretty boy named Sohma Yuki, and his cousins, 16 year old Kyo and 27 year old Shigure. However, the young men and parts of the rest of their family (both close and distant) hold a curse; if they get hugged by the opposite gender, they transform into animals of the Chinese Zodiac. Everyday is a new adventure for Tohru, as she gets to know everyone in the family better.
Review:
Something cute and great about this anime is that the characters take on the personality of their respective zodiac animal. The cat (Kyou) is always feuding with the mouse (Yuki), while the dog (Shigure) is pretty carefree and relaxed. I thought that was a pretty neat touch.
This show is heavy on the comedy. Scenes with more than one person are often hilarious, or emotionally wrenching. Tohru is pretty much your average anime girl, but the show sheds a lot of light on how she changes the people around her, especially the family she comes to live with. Being unable to have relationships with outsiders because of their curse, the Sohma family is withdrawn from soceity. A lot of the episodes deal with the individual family members problems and how they confide in Tohru for help.
One might expect that an anime like this relies on the transformations to make it funny, but it doesnt. The mixes of personalities of the characters and how they work with each other is what is often the funny part. Each character has a unique personality that the viewer will grow to love as they find out their problems and what they have to offer to the story. Also, the whole cast of characters actually doesnt fall in love with Tohru like many other animes, which is a good thing because it keeps the story light of heart and unique. The show also does a great job at shedding light on how true friendship should be, as seen in Tohru’s two best friends.
The artwork and animation are pretty simple, but so is the show, so it fits surprisingly well. By no means are they bad. Pure innocent fun and comedy, this anime would be great for the family.
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Full Metal Panic: Fumoffu
Alternate Titles: None
Original Japanese Release Date: 2003
Episode Length/Run-time: 12 ( 24 mins ea. )
Summary:
Kaname Chidori is back with her war-loving classmate Sousuke Sagara as they encounter more adventures both in and out of school. However, when Kaname gets into some big trouble, Sousuke takes on the role of the gun-toting, butt-kicking mascot Bonta-kun. All the while still struggling to fit into normal highschool life, he now has to protect his superior officer Teletha Testaross, who decided to take a vacation from MITHRIL and become one of their classmates for a few weeks.
Review:
In this rendition of Full Metal Panic, Fumoffu focuses solely on the school life that Sousuke and Kaname must face. This was touched on lightly in the original series. In Fumoffu, each episode is an individual story, with funny antics like Sousuke blowing up all the lockers because he thought something was inside. Seeing as there is no terrible evil threatening the world, Fumoffu focuses on the relationship between Sousuke and Kaname. Also, since it focuses on the school life, the other minor characters in the original show get more attention, like Kyoko and Mizuki.
Fumoffu functions very well independently of the original series, as there are little to no references back to it. You can watch this show by itself, with a small understanding of the characters relationships and their background story. Art hasnt deteriorated much, and the series tries to focus on the lighter side. And much to some peoples dismay, the girls appear to have gotten more proportioned (if you know what I mean). There is no mecha in this anime, so mecha fans will be disappointed. Fear not though, there is still plenty of explosions, gunshots, and action to feed your need.
I still give it a thumbs up because the relationship between Sousuke and Kaname remains intact, and the series stays pretty true to the original, minus the mechas. Lots of action, and the animation is still great.
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Full Metal Panic
Alternate Titles: None
Original Japanese Release Date: 2002
Episode Length/Run-time: 24 ( 23 mins ea. )
Summary:
Sousuke Sagara, a 17 year old military specialist that works for a secret organization called MITHRIL, has been directed to protect Kaname Chidori (the latest “whispered” candidate). In order to do this, he will have to deal with enemies from his past and also with perverts as well. However, this isnt the toughest part of his mission; fitting into normal high school life is, due to being raised on the battlefield.
Review:
This anime is characterized by gorgeous animation, well written characters, lots of exciting action, and unique mecha designs, as well as a comparable amount of comedy and adventure. These things alone make it stand tall above many other mecha animes.
Studio Gonzo does a great job at creating stunning backgrounds and incorporating CG graphics flawlessly into the artwork. When you combine that with excellent music and sound effects, you have one hell of an anime experience.
The characters of Full Metal Panic are also key to this being a great anime. Each having their own personalities and contributions, they all add something special to the show. They even have their own facial expressions! The relationship between them are realistic enough to not seem old and redundant, and make the show a bit more interesting to watch as well.
This anime puts up its fair share of explosions, huge guns, crazy looking robots, and warfare, all of which are done very well. One great thing about this anime is that it also incorporates modern day machines of war, such as helicopters, ships, and even cars, and some serious detail is put into all of them.
If your a fan of action, Full Metal Panic will not disappoint you.
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Fooly Cooly
Alternate Titles: Furi Kuri, FLCL
Original Japanese Release Date: 2000
Episode Length/Run-time: 6 ( 30 mins ea. )
Summary:
Naota, your average 6th grade japanese boy, has a brother that leaves for America to play baseball (leaving his 17 year old girlfriend Mamimi behind and homeless). Mamimi sends lots of mixed signals to Naota, who is very confused by this. To top it off, Naota’s life is train wrecked when he gets hit by a crazy woman on a Vespa. She then bludgeons him over the head with her guitar, making him grow a huge horn from his head. His life is forever changed by this so named “Haruko” female, as it plunges into deeper insanity.
Review:
So, how do I describe Fooly Cooly (or at least attempt?). Well, I guess the plot is a cross between a soap opera, a wooden roller coaster, a boxing ring, a huge kamehameha wave, and an insane asylum. Yep. That pretty much describes it.
The animation is pretty good. They incorporate some CG into the show, like the whole “freeze frame, then rotate the scene 3 dimensionally, then unfreeze”. However, the CG does look decent in some scenes. The artwork and choice of imagery is… interesting to say the least.
The characters, well, I didnt really understand why Mamimi is even in this show. If Naota’s brother didnt exist, Mamimi wouldnt have a reason to either. Then theres Haruko, an electric guitar toting alien. Shes kind of insane.. wait, kind of? No, shes definitely insane. Who smacks people over the head with their guitar after reviving them with CPR, after running that same person over with their Vespa? What? It does add some hilarity to the show at the very least. Plus, shes hot, so let her do what she wants!
If the characters didnt get you, how about mecha spewing forth from horns protruding from someones head? Yes, thats right, mecha coming from someones head. Sounds like the animators had a bad acid trip that vomited itself all over their drawings.
On to the music, its filled with music by “The Pillows”, a japanese punk rock band. Perhaps this anime’s whole purpose is to confuse the hell out of the viewer while listening to them. Although, I can’t say I didnt enjoy the music. It went pretty well with all the insanity and fun antics that go on.
Although the review I just gave may sound like I didnt like it, I actually did. Its interesting to say the least. To sum it up into one sentence: “lots of fun and entertainment spewing forth from complete insanity and actions that defy the laws of physics and sensical reasoning”. Phew. However, opinions do vary from viewer to viewer. Maybe I had trouble understanding it. Its only 6 episodes though, so you might as well check it out.
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Full Moon Wo Sagashite
Episode Reviewed In: Episode 46
Alternate Titles: Fullmoon, Furumyu, Looking for the Fullmoon
Original Japanese Release Date: 2002
Episode Length/Run-time: 52 ( 30 mins ea. )
Summary:
Kouyama Mitsuki, a 12 year old girl, is diagnosed with a malignant tumor of the throat. She made a promise to the boy shes loves that she would one day become a singer, however her illness made this impossible. Two angels of death, Takuto and Meroko, appear to tell her she only has 1 year left to live. With a bit of divine intervention and a boost of motivation, Mitsuki begins her quest to become a professional singer so she can be reunited with Eichi before her time left runs out.
Review:
If you dont like animes that make you super depressed throughout them, dont watch this anime. This anime is sad enough to make even the manliest of men sob like an infant with a tooth ache. But yet, its fantastic. This anime proves that you can’t judge a book by its cover.
At first glance, the anime seems kind of monotonous. A 12 year old that wants to sing but has cancer. Right… but wait, she gets turned into a 16 year old singer by 2 Shinigami (gods of death)… The series acknowledges right away that the lead character is going to die in a year. By doing this, the plot may seem to some rather dreary. But upon watching it, its discovered that the creators incorporate enough happy moments to balance out the severely, horrifyingly depressing, parts.
The 3 main characters aren’t anything special at first. Meroko is a shinigami with a pure heart, and bunny ears, whereas Takuto is a pretty-boy shinigami with a belly shirt. However, as the story moves on, the chemistry between these 3 becomes heart warming. The two shinigami help provide some comic relief, such as when Meroko continually announces her burning love for Takuto, who obviously is not interested. When you throw in Mitsuki, a bit of jealousy, and Meroko’s bunny ears and top hat, one can’t help but laugh at the sometimes heated conversations that occur between the three. These moments help keep the viewer engaged enough to not have the “Mitsuki is going to die” plot line push them away. One thing I loved about these characters is the degree of development that goes into them as the story progresses. They dont stay the same as many other characters in other animes do, which helps keep this anime interesting and pulling the viewer back for more. You won’t be able to put this anime down once you’ve picked it up. Unfortunately, its going to leave you sobbing and so depressed you may actually soil yourself while your curled up in the fetal position unable to move. Best have a stock of tissues on hand.
The music in this show is really one of the captivating aspects of it. As Mitsuki grasps hold of her singing career as the artist “Full Moon”, she sings three songs, “Myself”, “Eternal Snow”, and “Love Chronicle” throughout the show. One would think they might get old, but their emotional links to the series somehow keeps them heart-wrenching and fresh. As the story progresses, and she makes her way to performing her final concert, you’ll find Mitsuki instilling feelings of emptiness and love in you, both at the same time. A very odd feeling I must say.
Unfortunately, the character design and artwork are fairely generic, but the character development makes them work. The animation is good as well, but nothing spectacular.
If you want to feel real emotional ties to characters that will actually leave you with what Mitsugi and I call “Post Anime Depression” (PAD), this is the anime to watch. This is one of my favorites, and easily earns its 4.5.
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Fire Tripper
Alternate Titles: 炎トリッパー
Original Japanese Release Date: 1985
Episode Length/Run-time: 50 minutes
Summary:
A massive explosion destroys Suzuko’s town in modern-day Japan. As a result of the catastrophe she is sent back 500 years in time. She is saved in this war-strewn world by the warrior Shukumaru, who agrees to help her. Together they untangle her mystery and the reasons why she was sent back in time and how to get her home.
Review:
The animation is old and it looks vintage so it’s good for people who don’t mind that. It is based off the manga by Rumiko Takahashi (yes that’s the same person who does Inu Yasha). So there is some familiarities between the two series. One of the things that is nice to watch about this anime is how she begins to care for the people in the time she is in and soon begins to feel conflicted as the timelines are crossed. None the less it’s a sweet story with a twist which you may be able to see coming but still keeps you engaged and guessing up until the end.
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Fushigi Yuugi
Alternate Titles: The Mysterious Play, Curious Play, ふしぎ遊戯
Original Japanese Release Date: 1995
Episode Length/Run-time: 52
Summary:
Miaka Yuuki and Yui Hongo, two high school students who are also best friends, are wandering around a library one day when they stumble across a strange book called “The Universe of Four Gods.” As Miaka begins to read the book she finds herself transported into the world, leaving Yui behind to read her adventures as they’re written across the pages. Miaka finds herself in Konan where she is deemed to be the priestess of Suzaku and she is tasked with gathering her protectors: the Seishi of Suzaku. When they are gathered they can summon the guardian deity who will end the war in the lands. If this isn’t difficult enough things become harder for Miaka when her friend Yui is also taken into the book as the priestess of Seiryuu of the rival city of Kutou. The friends are pitted against each other in this strange world as they each find their own reasons to fight.
Review:
This anime is perfect for girls, but guys well, you may find yourself bored and sick at the amount of cliche lovey cuteness.
Miyaka is the standard hopeless anime girl who is transported to a different world, but despite being given an important position she ends up focusing more on which boy is cuter and which one she likes more. One thing that can be appreciated though is she eventually does choose, and not at the last episode or anything either and yes, they actually kiss. Her and Tamahome’s relationship is sweet and pure, and in many ways refreshing to actually see in an anime.
But despite the love some things do get done and a story does progress. Things tend to get repetitive as they find one Seishi after another. But one thing I love about this anime is that it has a kind of fearlessness that most shojo anime lacks. It’s not afraid to get gritty now and again and deals with subjects such as rape, loss, abuse and more. It’s also not afraid to kill of characters, which is something I have to respect.
Despite all this it’s still a shojo anime, has random filler, and isn’t that original of a story (Chinese mythology anyone?). That being said it’s a classic and a worthwhile watch for the hopeless romantic.
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