Genres: Adventure, Fantasy, Supernatural

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AmberGround exists in eternal twilight, lit only by its artificial sun and its inhabitants scattered cities. In this darkness roam countless mechanical insects, named Gaichuu, keeping the population imprisoned and isolated within the safe confines of the cities. There are a few brave souls that will venture into these wastelands; chief among them, the Letter Bees. A Letter Bee is a mixture of adventurer, cartographer and postman. their duty is to deliver letters between cities in AmberGround, as well as map out new routes in attempts to reconnect cities.

Gauche Suede is our first introduction to a Letter Bee in this series. His first “letter” to be delivered is actually a young boy named Lag Seeing. Lag is quite hesitant to be shipped off to his aunt’s home in the far off city of Cambel Litus. His mother was taken from him and sent into Akatsuki, the capital city of AmberGround, which is off limits to anyone not invited to enter. Gauche’s sidekick, called a Dingo in this world, is named Roda. Roda is some doglike creature and serves and a decoy and early warning system for Gauche versus the Gaichuu.

Gauche explains his weapon of choice against the Gaichuu, a Shindanjuu or “heart gun.” This gun amplifies the users will into a powerful bullet that will destroy the mechanical beasts. While holding the gun Lag accidently activates it, due to his special gemstone eye (hidden under his hair 99% of the time) and nearly dies from the effort. This in turn draws more Gaichuu to them, leaving Gauche and Roda to battle for hours on end. At one point soon after, Lag steals Gauche’s Shindanjuu and strikes off to find his lost mother, nearly getting Gauche killed in the process of saving him from a rather crafty Gaichuu.

Lag drags the nearly dead Gauche through the gates of Cambel Litus and after getting to know him as a friend, decides that he too will become a Letter Bee. He does this in hopes of gaining access to Akatsuki and finding his mother again. At this point the series fast-forwards 5 years to Lag at 12 years old, ready to start his journey.

This series has a bit of a slow start, but due to seeing a few clips ahead in the series, I can say that there is a LOT of great stuff coming! They took two episodes to complete the back-story and I feel they did it more than sufficient justice. This would have easily earned an A if they would have gotten to the point faster. The concept is solid and there are enough mysteries to keep me coming back.

Overall Hook Rating: B

Watch episode one via Crunchyroll after the break!

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Genres: Adventure, Fantasy, Ecchi … no, Hentai … no wait Ecchi

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It is to be noted that this series is part two of the Queen’s Blade saga. The Queen’s Blade is a tournament for control over the continent in which the story takes place. Every four years warriors chosen from all over the world will converge on Gainos to battle each other (and the current queen) for the title. at the close of season one, the combatants have finally reached Gainos and Queen Aldra has admitted them to the tournament.

This season starts with the angel Nanael recapping the warrior women who will be taking part in the Queen’s Blade tournament. She is also assigned a special task to make up for her slight failure in the previous story; she will be taking part in the tournament as well. As the clouds of heaven part, Nanael is cast down to the world by The Seraphim. She lands in the church tended by Melpha, a priestess who uses sexually explicit poses to cast her abilities.

A second force, brought together by the “Swamp Witch,” threaten to destroy the Queen’s Blade process, and in turn cause total chaos to ensue. Her minions: Melona (a shape shifter), Airi (a ghost), and Menace (a resurrected Amaran princess, much like Egypt) enter the tournament. Melona, dissatisfied with taking the long route to their goal, decides to attack Queen Aldra directly. Queen Aldra uses her powers to freeze Melona in an amber crystal, ending her threat… for now.

The first two battles of the tournament are called: Tomoe versus Melpha, Nix versus Elina Vance. Tomoe, a major character from the previous story arc, is a Shinto priestess from Hinomoto (much like Japan). Nix and Elina knew each other since childhood when Nix served the Vance family as a servant. Nix has a unique fire magic ability granted to her from a tentacle beast-like staff. Tomoe wins the first battle and the second has yet to be concluded by the end of episode two.

The characters spend nearly equal time during the series clothed and unclothed. A good number wield larger than life weaponry that obviously used up the majority of the metal in their countries of origin, as their armor is scant-to-none. There is more than a fair share of T&A and some additional breast molestation, tentacle beast and acid breast squirting scenes. There is a solid underlying plot, but the over the top fan service muddies it.

Overall Hook Rating: C

Genres: Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy, Supernatural, Romance

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The many Ages: Gold, Silver, Bronze, Titan, Elf and Fairy have all come to an end. The Iron Age, the age of mankind, has finally begun… and is where our scene is set. Each Age has ended in destruction; we will begin to see the Holy Empire helping this Age match toward its end as well. Focus in on the island if Erin, home of the Gael Tribe. This tribe follows the old ways, takes pride in their hunting prowess, and is home to an Oracle: Rhiannon.

Rhiannon, daughter of the previous chieftain, foresees the invaders approaching their shore. The men of the village are out on the hunt, and she sends out the remaining villagers to gather food. The invaders, led by High Priest Drwc of the Holy Empire, wish to sacrifice Rhiannon to resurrect the Demon King Arawn. Once he learns of this plot, Arthur (Rhiannon’s brother) leads his forces to the rescue. Drwc’s control over Rhiannon turns her into a slave, bound to his will.

Arawn, upon rising, slays Drwc. No good deed goes unpunished. He restores Rhiannon to her rightful self; she then quickly announces that she will marry him. Arthur, knowing full well who and what Arawn represents, is VERY much against this. Unfortunately for everyone, the ceremony awakened the thousands of dead in the catacombs beneath. Out hero’s and their new Demon King flee from the underground… into the main story line… I hope!

This series, in the scope of two episodes, did not make it very far. Yes, the plot was laid, but beyond a surface level understanding of the situation, we are left with one too many questions to be answered.

Overall Hook Rating: D

Genres: Action, Adventure, Science Fiction, Supernatural

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Sometime in the not too distant future global warming has reached critical mass. The ocean levels have risen, reeking havoc on coastal areas. The world’s leaders have created a committee to ensure that all nations are in compliance with CO2 reduction measures. Those nations who continue to produce more carbon than they absorb are forced to pay a higher percentage tariff on global goods. Standing over the ruin of Tokyo is Atlas, which is attempting to bring about a rebirth of the nation. The old city, which is now being allowed to become overgrown with natural vegetation, has become a carbon-scrubbing sponge.

Our story opens with Kuniko Hojo, the prodigal leader-to-be of the Metal-Age, being released from prison. Metal-Age is a guerilla organization that stands to oppose the tyrannical order that has engulfed the world. The current leader of Metal-Age, Nagiko Hojo, is Kuniko’s grandmother. She is very much focused on education, and appears to be trying to keep the Metal-Age hidden amongst the citizens of Duomo. The shanty city of Duomo is centered on an electrical plant that has brightly painted smoke stacks. The jungle surrounding it is rather toxic, so it is well insulated from the outside world.

Hidden in the shadows, Karin Ishida toys with the world’s carbon markets. She may be a young girl, but is quite the prodigy when it comes to financial matters. When one of her abusive, yet legal, transactions catches the eye of those in Atlas’ Security Corps, they attack Metal-Age. The citizens of Duomo are caught in the cross fire. As the fighting climbs toward its climax, Kuniko standing defiant in front of Major Kunihito Kusanagi, a dagger he carries resonates when she strikes it. Then a third party attacks. Strange black projectiles reduce parts of the city to rubble, the military flees.

Curious as to who was behind this attack, both Metal-Age and the military seek out the cause. High above in the Moon Palace, another young girl named Mikuni notices that the battle below has caused her dagger to resonate. These matching daggers, noted to be seals, resonating begins the overarching prophesy of the story line.

This series has just barely begun to lay out the story, and much much more is yet to come in the planned 24 episodes. I will look forward to continuing this one.

Overall Hook Rating: B

Genres: Adventure, Fantasy, Magical, Science Fiction

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Teito Klein is an up and coming student at the Barsburg Military Academy. His friend, Mikage is nearly always by his side. During the final exam for the academy (which happens to be a life or death fight with a HUGH convict), Teito and Mikage come out on top. Teito decides to spare the convict’s life, breaking the rules of the test. Ayanami, a high ranking member of the military, kills the convict with a powerful Zaiphon blast. Zaiphon is the term for the powers the military wields in combat; visually it appears to be runic characters in the air around the attacks. The tension is growing…

However, Teito’s story began long before the onset of the series. A slave in a neighboring empire; he was adopted into the military academy due to his natural abilities. He has broken memories of a kind, young to middle-aged man. The man in his dreams is taking care of him, and wears a very unique necklace. He feels that this man may actually be his father.

When Teito is passing a room where Ayanami is talking to his subordinates, he hears a familiar and haunting noise. It is a unique chime, given off by his (likely) father’s necklace. His memories flash back to Ayanami standing over the body of the man he believes to be his father. With unspeakable rage Teito flings himself at Ayanami, falling short when a subordinate easily stops his attack. Teito is arrested.

Mikage learns of this and goes to spring him from jail. Finding Teito standing over a pile of bodies, he grabs him and runs… leaving himself to hold off the guards. Ayanami nearly kills Teito with a Zaiphon attack, but Teito manages to defend himself. He flies off, nearly unconscious, and is rescued from plunging to his death by three bishops from the nearby 7th District Church. They take him in and help him recover, with a little comedy to lighten the mood. Teito begins to research the history of the area, and the kingdom of his heritage, Raggs. In the final scenes, we see Ayanami questioning Mikage.

This series has a LOT hidden under the surface, and speaks of big things to come! The world is large and fleshed out quite well. Another on my growing list of need-to-see series.

Overall Hook Rating: B

Genres: Adventure, Fantasy

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The touda, fighting serpents, are the backbone of the Grand Duke’s army.  With this army he defends the Queen and her lands from outside invaders.  When the Duke’s banner flies on the battlefront, swift and unyielding death comes to the opposition.  Far removed from the carnage, a small town goes about its daily routine.  In this town lives Erin.

Erin, and her mother Soyon, are referred to as belonging to the “mist people”.  One of the traits of this race of people is their green hair and eyes.  While being looked down upon by some of the townsfolk, it is obvious that Soyon holds a great deal of ability in breeding and taking care of touda.

The town’s primary purpose is to be the breeding facility for the touda used by the Grand Duke’s army.  Erin wishes to learn her mother’s trade, and to be a doctor for the touda.  She sees them as tame, lovable creatures; she does not wish to treat them like tools of war as other people do.  Her mother fears this manner of thinking; knowing full well how powerful and unpredictable the touda can be.  Soyon does see the latent ability her daughter holds.  Through a few troubling cases presented to her, Erin deduces the source of the problems and aides her mother in solving them.

The looming war, troubles in the town, and the draconian laws surrounding the raising of touda foreshadow some upcoming turmoil.  This series has a very interesting visual style.  The backgrounds feel like they have been water colored and add to the fantastic atmosphere.  The story lays itself out slowly, introducing elements in an organized manner befitting a series scheduled for 50 episodes.

Overall Hook Rating: B

Genres: Adventure, Fantasy, Magical, Supernatural

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Yumemi has always been a bit different from her childhood friends.  When she gazes into the sky; she sees floating islands that no one else does.  In the first episode, Yumemi comments about liking rainy days, as it allows her to see the same sky as everyone else… to feel normal.  The rest of the time she keeps her umbrella close by to block her view of the sky.  Her best friends, Ichiko and Suzume, know of her “problem” and accept that the islands must be there because she believes they are.

Early into the first episode, Yumemi witnesses a large pillar falling to earth from the heavens.  This brings us into the events taking place in the Magical Kingdom, part of the kingdoms in the sky, which Yumemi can see from Earth.  A battle rages to cut off the Magical Kingdom from the rest of the neighboring kingdoms by way of destroying the pillars surrounding it.  The “Elders of the Heavens” have determined that if the Magical Kingdom is destroyed, the others may have a chance for survival due to the lack of Akuto (the magical power source of the heavens).

Munto, the King of the Magical Kingdom has plunged to the border with Earth, known as the Lower World to his kind, in an attempt to contact Yumemi.  He has seen a vision of her and knows that in her is the power to save his world.  Yumemi, on the other hand, is suspicious of this “Red Man” appearing in chaotic explosions of energy, demanding her assistance.  Only into the second episode does she begin to turn toward helping him.

This series suffers from a bit of overly-rapid pacing in the first episode. There is a lot of information to soak up and it is very rushed. The second episode does work toward repairing this and unifying the scattered story lines for the main characters. A lot is left unsaid at the close of the second episode, and just enough of a lead to make some viewers pick up on the third. I was on the fence with this one; having tentatively given it a D rating at the end of the first episode. Fortunately for the series, I stick around through the first two episodes before making a final judgment. I may pick this series up again after I complete the others ahead of it, but it won’t be a high priority.

Overall Hook Rating: C

Genres: Action, Adventure, Science Fiction, Supernatural

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This story takes place in a barren inhospitable world.  To make matters worse, giant “filth-monsters” called the Limbeekoon roam the wastes targeting the last bastions of humanity, the Regios.  A Regios is an epic wandering city, each named for their particular focus.  There is a brief flash-forward/backward to a battle between the, yet to be introduced, “Heaven Blades” and the Limbeekoon.  Details about the incident are scarce, but work well with a driving soundtrack to pull viewers into the action.

The introductory action sequence aside, the beginning of the series takes place in the Academic City of Zuellni.  Students are enrolling in the city’s Academy and beginning their semester with an entrance ceremony.  The Academy’s pride is the Military Arts program, and those in the Military Arts program are preparing for the Inter-Colony Matches.  This is, however, only a polite term for a life or death war-games.  While the goal isn’t actually to kill the opposition, it’s not avoided.  The losing city gives up some of its stake in the valued Selenium mines, the apparent basis of their world’s economy.

The primary character, Layfon Alseif, is pulled into the Military Arts program due to circumstances set in motion by Karyan Ross, the student council president (students run the Academy, so he in the boss).  Layfon, together with the 17th Platoon he is assigned to, train their kei (psychic/psychokinetic) powers to participate in the Inter-Platoon Matches.  These matches are to prepare each platoon for the upcoming Inter-Colony Matches, and place each according to their ability.

Much is left unsaid in the first few episodes and many more plot points await their due time.  I will be watching this series until it ends, or gets boring… either way, I would like to hear your opinions if you decide to watch along too.

Overall Hook Rating: B (the beginning starts strong, let’s see if it can hold on!)