Anime

Eternal Family is one of the most annoying things I have ever seen.

‘Fate/Zero’ completely botches the potentially interesting things about its own premise, and all it gets in return is weightless drama between poorly-defined characters and stakes.

Touches of gore and horror aren’t enough to save Fight!! Iczer-1 from being a largely bland, unexceptional OVA.

This dead-end pilot for a cancelled ‘Fire Emblem’ anime series was better than I expected, and it does about as good a job of adapting its source material as one could hope for.

‘FLCL’ is a post-modern coming-of-age OVA that is as much a celebration of studio Gainax’s legacy as it is a metaphorical exploration of prepubescent angst.

While largely overshadowed by its reboot, ‘Brotherhood,’ the original adaptation of ‘Fullmetal Alchemist’ has plenty of its own qualities to offer—with some being superior.

This more-faithful adaptation of the original manga successfully delivers an action-adventure epic, but falls short in some presentational elements compared to its predecessor. (Includes Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood – 4-koma Theater’)

The original 2003 Fullmetal Alchemist adaptation concludes with this theatrical feature film. How will its anime-original plotlines fare?

Say what you will about ‘Conqueror of Shambala’—at least there was a point to its existence, unlike FMA: Milos.

Studio Gainax’s ‘Geeks’ Video,’ AKA ‘Otaku no Video’ is a self-deprecating mockumentary, and a humorous "exposé" on Japanese subcultures.

Everything hits the fan in Getter Robo: Armageddon, a retelling, celebration, and epic finale to the iconic super robot franchise.

While somewhat obscure and obtuse as to its world’s mechanics, Ghost in the Shell delivers a stark tone piece on what makes someone human in a world that’s losing its own humanity.

Nearly a decade after the classic sci-fi original, ‘Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence’ incorporates much of ‘Stand Alone Complex’s’ storytelling methods, resulting in a major stylistic departure, but more cogent, deeper themes and character development.

Here are all of the ‘Ghost in the Shell: Arise’ movies I’ve seen and reviewed so far. This reboot of the classic sci-fi IP is more action-focused, and it loses something for it. (Includes movies 1-3 and ‘Another Mission’)

The most expensively-produced anime ever made at the time, Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex explores its source material’s unique sci-fi concepts to greater extents than ever before. (Includes 2nd GIG, Solid State Society, and Uchikomatic Days)

"How could more ‘Giant Robo’ possibly be a bad thing?" he wondered, stupidly, as he began watching ‘Side Story: Ginrei.’

This larger-than-life OVA transcends genres in its attempt to celebrate the works of Mitsuteru Yokoyama, and its success in doing so ensures they’ll be remembered for generations to come.

Glassy Ocean asks for only twenty minutes of your time in exchange for taking you on a trip across its colorful fantasy landscapes.

This movie adaptation of Japan’s legendary stoic super-spy is elevated from pulp to something genuinely moving thanks to some incredible direction and scene composition.

‘Golgo 13: Queen Bee’ is a massive step down from the first ‘Golgo 13’ anime adaptation, made all the more shocking by it sharing the same director.

In stark contrast to their usual fantasy fare, Studio Ghibli attempt a down-to-earth drama about two Japanese children trying to survive during World War II. Can Studio Ghibli retain its level of quality even after stepping outside of their comfort…

‘Great Mazinger vs. Getter Robo’ is one of many animated Super Robot movies from the ’70s featuring some of Japan’s most iconic cultural heroes.

Another one of the ’70’s many animated Super Robot movies featuring some of Japan’s most iconic cultural heroes.

Three titans of mecha gathered in one feature does little to elevate this above standard ’70s mecha anime fare.

‘Gundam: Mission to the Rise’ is yet another seemingly pointless CG short created for an anniversary event.

Though it’s a meager sample of its long-running, classic manga source, Gunnm still has plenty to offer for OVA and cyberpunk enthusiasts.

Studio Gainax brings super robot anime to a wider audience with Gurren Lagann, a pastiche of genre tropes delivered with exceptional style and enthusiasm. (Includes Sparkle★Yoko Box and My Gurren Is Shiny!!)

While not the most eloquently-written story, ‘Hades Project Zeorymer’ is just weird enough to be a memorable watch that ought to captivate mecha and ’80s OVA fans.

‘Hells’ is a Madhouse comedy movie with horror aesthetics going for a larger-than-afterlife feel that’s not unlike the works of Studio Trigger.

‘Hellsing Ultimate’ is a bombastic OVA epic that brings Kouta Hirano’s action-horror saga to dramatic heights deserving of its Gothic influences.

‘Reborn!’ is an absurdist comedy about a hapless, diffident youth that eventually turns into a dedicated "battle shonen" series. However, this tonal whiplash is the least of the show’s problems.

Studio Ghibli are at their best when adapting folkloric tales of magical creatures and hitherto unseen lands, and Howl’s Moving Castle has them right at home.

An informal, off-the-cuff review of Hunter x Hunter, a tour-de-force shonen series from Yoshihiro Togashi, the creator of Yu Yu Hakusho.

Despite being based on an abandoned story concept by series creator Yoshihiro Togashi, Phantom Rouge is yet another non-canon shonen cash-in that fails to demonstrate the best qualities of its source material.

This absurdist action/seinen parody from Studio Trigger is certainly tongue-in-cheek, but is Inferno Cop actually funny? (Includes ‘Fact Files’)

‘Initial D’ is an anime where one teenage boy finds himself roped into the street-racing circuit. But, if there’s one thing a racing anime shouldn’t have, it’s poor animation quality. (Includes ‘Stage 1-3’ and ‘Extra Stage’)

‘Jin-Roh,’ written by Mamoru Oshii, is an atmospheric, downcast tone piece that mires in the traumas of war. However, though war never changes, I prefer when my media does.

‘JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure’ isn’t exactly some watershed anime when it comes to plot, featuring many traditional battle shonen tropes, but it’s exceptionally fun and zany compared to anything else in the genre.

Jotaro Kudo and company "Walk Like an Egyptian" in this world tour arc of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure, with the powers and comedy reaching new outrageous heights.

Perpetual down-on-his-luck loser Kaiji finds himself forced to survive deadly games of chance for the amusement of the competitors’ wealthy, vindictive creditors. (Includes season 2)

‘Kids on the Slope’ is a coming-of-age drama. Two teens with opposing personalities bond over the power of music. Only held back by melodrama.

Studio Trigger makes their TV debut with "Kill la Kill," demonstrating that the Gainax alumni haven’t lost their talent for high-intensity action and dynamic animation. (Includes "Kill la Kill Specials")

Basketball is taken to the extreme in this action-packed series full of (basically) superpowered teenagers. (Includes seasons 1-3, NG Collection, Idiots Can’t Win!, Let’s Chat, Tip Off, and Would You Mind Doing That Once More)

‘Legend of the Galactic Heroes’ is a 110-episode dramatic space epic with some of the greatest moments you’ll ever see in anime—and a lot of lesser material.

It’s a magical day! Studio Trigger’s ‘Little Witch Academia’ is a delightful short movie that captures an innocent, classical fantasy vibe that’s difficult to find in modern Japanese media.

While the criticisms of ‘The Enchanted Parade’ are exaggerated, the movie’s greatest strength and weakness is that it’s more of the same.

‘Macross 25th Anniversary: All That VF’ is two CG specials showcasing machines from ‘Macross Zero’ and ‘Macross Frontier.’

The ‘Macross’ franchise moves from pop idols to pop ROCK with ‘Macross 7,’ yet it never has as much fun as it feels like it should.

Macross 7 isn’t good, and at a half-hour, Macross 7 Movie: The Galaxy Is Calling Me! is a pretty lame excuse for a “movie,” but you get used to that misnomer after it happens a few times. This takes place…

Macross 7 Plus is a series of 12 two to three minute shorts that are possibly better than the actual series.

‘Macross 7: Encore’ is three unaired episodes of the series that are unrelated to the main plot, and they’re just as boring as ever.

DYNAMITE EXPLOSION! Fire Bomber return in this sequel OVA to Macross 7. Is it more fun than ever before? No, not really.

An explanation of my MyAnimeList rating for this extended cut of the first episode of ‘Macross Frontier,’ the ‘Yak Deculture’ version.

‘Macross Plus’ honors the timeless original series by delivering something of comparably excellent quality, yet wholly original, with gorgeous animation, relatable characters, and understated, intelligent writing.

Macross XX is basically a realistic promotional demonstration of various VFs. Mostly CG animation with some 2D sprinkled throughout. The hip hop backing music is pretty hilarious. Nothing special about this special.

‘Macross Zero’ takes off with the franchise’s standard themes, and even adds in some environmentally-minded spiritualism, but it struggles to stick the landing.

The titular character of ‘Akagi’ is a genius, thrill-seeking daredevil who finds his latest life-or-death gamble in the criminal underground’s mahjong circuit. Knowledge of mahjong is not recommended, so that you don’t realize how lucky Akagi is.

An anime anthology movie containing three segments by different directors, ‘Manie-Manie: The Labyrinth Tales’ (‘Neo Tokyo’) isn’t quite up to the standards of another anime anthology movie, ‘Memories.’

The sequel movie to mecha parody series ‘Martian Successor Nadesico’ flirts with tragedy, but only succeeds insofar as being a tragic misunderstanding of what made the original series so effective.

In this expanded, theatrical conclusion to the classic Mazinger Z TV series, Mazinger finds itself on the ropes when facing off against its greatest foe yet. Who will save the day, if Mazinger Z isn’t enough?