Genres: Comedy, Drama, Magical

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Six hours is more than enough time for your life to get turned completely around. For high school student Yumiko Christina Ichinose, a confrontation with bullies is only the start of her new life. Yumiko was born with purple eyes and silver hair, making her a natural target of ridicule. These traits also denote her magical heritage.

Able to take no more, she runs away from home carrying the one artifact left behind for her by her great-grandfather; his magic staff. She hopes that a school could train her to use the magic she is supposed to have, but is unable to comprehend from her great-grandfather’s journals. However, she is not the only person interested in the staff. A mysterious man in a white suit, who glows with a radiant light, confronts her and requests the staff. When refused, he makes it his goal to kill Yumiko.

While fleeing this man, she makes her way to the magic school on an old flyer she has found. Here she runs into Koyomi Morishita, another magician in training… one who apparently knows her already, but “not yet,” hinting at some potential time or perception warping. They are also joined by Soshiro Anehara, brother to the yet to be seen Misa Anehara who runs the school (as far as we are told thus far).

Koyomi uses her powers to turn the man in white’s attack “code” (the term used for the magical energies of the modern digital age) into a metal wash basin to drop on his head. He notes that this is actually an unskilled, yet powerful move… while he examines the situation, the girls run off. Yumiko finds herself lost and alone and is soon attacked by the man’s pet (a two headed dog beast with a whip-tail). Mimicking the man’s earlier attacks, Yumiko managers to repeat the “code” he used and saves herself. Angered by her success, he returns… but he is eventually repelled by Misa, making her first appearance to Yumiko.

The second episode flashes back to Koyomi’s joining the school and her basic training. We learn that Misa is a VERY accomplished magician; probably the best in the world. The attempt at using “code” and technology as a digital incarnation of analog magic was a step in the right direction. This method of doing something different than the majority of magical girl series did not add much to the series as of yet.

Overall Hook Rating: C

Watch episode one after the jump…
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Genres: Drama, Historical, Sports

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When baseball first took hold in Japan, the automobile had yet to transform the streets and byways of the country. While few teams existed in it’s entirely, two girls in 1925 decided they wanted to play with the boys; to start the first girl’s team. These two friends: Akiko Ogasawara and Koume Suzukawa set about recruiting a team of nine girls to that they can begin.

Koume is driven by her desire to help her friend, while Akiko attempts to shield her reason for it, only initially letting on that their first opponents will be a boy’s team. Later in the episode she admits to a young baseball player telling her that women belong in the home, and that even an education is above them. With the addition of their new coach, a teacher named Anna Garland, set out to fill their team.

A widely assorted cast of girls from the school eventually come around to the requests of the two girls and the team of 9 is filled. Their last challenge, however, is to overcome the social stigma (along with their parents and school) that girls trying to play the “game that boys play” will soon receive.

This series is rather cute, and uses language that fits the time period (Taisho period)… but otherwise falls short of being a series I would recommend. It’s not bad; it’s just not in my need-to-see list. Check out a clip after the jump.

Overall Hook Rating: C

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Genres: Drama, Mystery, Supernatural

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Koyomi Araragi was running late for class at the Naoetsu Private High School. While running up the main stairwell he sees a young woman, Hitagi Senjogahara, falling down the central opening, many floors above. Without thinking he reaches out to catch her. He is surprised by her weight, as she feels rather weightless, but does not say anything. He later asks the class president, Tsubasa Hanekawa, if she knows anything about Hitagi. Tsubasa tells him that they were in middle school together, but she changed since then… becoming more attractive and mysterious.

In the hallway, Hitagi confronts Koyomi about his attempts at researching her. She places a razor knife to the left of his mouth and a stapler on the right. He promises to leave her be, and she withdraws her weapons from him mouth… giving him one staple through the cheek to prove her point. After he recovers from the shock, he chases after her. She nearly attacks him once more but he shows her that the wound she left has healed; he tells her that he can help her with her “situation.”

They travel together to an abandoned wreck of a building. Here resides Meme Oshino, an expert in the paranormal. It is around now that Koyomi confesses that in the past he was turned into a vampire and that Meme helped cure him. The side effect, super healing, is all that is left from that ordeal. Now, to cure Hitagi’s issue, Meme sets up an elaborate ceremony.

During the ceremony it is revealed that a god in the form of a crab took her weight, rendering her light and emotionless. Hitagi also reveals that her mother was part of a cult and nearly let a higher member rape her own daughter. She wished to be emotionally separated from this suffering, and the god helped her. Now, she begs the god for her burden back… and she is restored to normal. With a new smile, she thanks everyone for their help.

So far this series has not gone very deep into the over story, but the characters have been quite interesting. The visual style and music are very catchy and I will be following this series most definitely.  Check out a clip after the jump.

Overall Hook Rating: B

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Genres: Drama, Romance

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Roughly ten years before the start of the story we are shown two young girls, Akira Okudaira and Fumi Manjoume, why are best friends in elementary school. Fumi is a fragile crybaby who heavily relies on Akira, who is a stronger tom-boy. Akira, the taller of the two cares for Fumi until her family moves away, leaving Akira alone. Fast forward to the present day and the story begins.

Fumi returns to her childhood town to attend a private girls’ academy. She is nervous at the change in her life, and leans heavily on her cousin Chizu (whom she deeply cares for, and is hinted that things may have gone a bit further than would normally be prudent). On the train to school, Fumi is discreetly accosted by a pervert and is saved by Akira. There is no mutual recognition, as both have changed a great deal since childhood.

Later in the first episode, their mother’s reunite and they realize who each other are. Although much time has passed they fall into their usual roles, even though Akira is now shorter, and Fumi seemingly much more refined. Their roles become even further cemented when Chizu suddenly returns with her new husband, and neglecting to tell Fumi anything about the situation. Fumi is crushed, and Akira begins to suspect what may have been going on.

The two girls attend different all-girls academies, and have both begun to kind potential romances. Fumi has gravitated to the older Yasuki Sugimoto, a third-year on the basketball team. Akira has begun to spend more time with a girl named Kyouko Ikumi, who in fact has a history with Yasuki.

The potential love-triangles in the series spirals out into a veritable web of plausible connections that I feel overcomplicates matters. While cute and mostly innocent, there appear to be some darker undertones that have not yet come to light.

Overall Hook Rating: C

Genres: Drama, Suspense

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This week’s anime is a bit different from the previous set, as it is meant to be a study in reality. Studio BONES, also in the news for its upcoming Halo Legends anime, has taken on the task of creating the magnitude 8.0 that will destroy Tokyo. No, not in the Godzilla/Ultraman-esque manner in which we have become accustom. BONES has taken a great deal of time researching actual facts, figures and historical events to attempt to realistically portray “The Big One” in Tokyo.

The story starts off following the lives of Mirai, the older sister, and Yuuki Onozawa, the younger brother. Their home life is relatively unremarkable; their father is preoccupied and their mother is frequently absent with work. Mirai is forced to escort her brother to a robot exhibit in Tokyo due to her parents’ relative absence in their lives. Their path crosses with Mari Kusakabe, a working mother, twice on their way to this point.

On their way out of the exhibit hall, Yuuki need to use the bathroom and then get a drink at the convenience story inside. They split up and Mirai waits outside. It is at this point that the earthquake hits. Mari meets up with Mirai as she ventures back inside the ruined building looking for her brother. They eventually find him and prepare to brave the cold, uncertain night…

I am a big fan of apocalyptic genre, reality based anime and two thirds of BONES previous works; this series delivers.

Overall Hook Rating: A

Genres: Comedy, Drama

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Saki focuses on the high school life of its namesake, Saki Miyanaga.  She meets up with her friend, Kyotaro Suga, who abuses her friendship to get him a “ladies only” special from the cafeteria.  He also happens to be a member of the school mahjong club/team.  After some light pestering, he convinces her to meet up with them.  Saki has never been a fan of mahjong as her family usually quarreled about her playing to poorly or to well (we later find that her family is divided and that her mother left with “the other” members, leaving her and her father together).

Upon reaching the club Saki comes face to face with a girl she took note of during the opening of the series, Nodoka Haramura.  Nodoka is a naturally talented player who was a champion at her junior high.  Another member of the club is Yuki Kataoka, the youngest and most scatterbrained of the lot.  Her hyperactivity and attention span of a gnat make her an occasional annoyance to the others.  They play three games, and Saki leaves.  The club’s president, Hisa Takei, takes not that Saki’s score for every game was exactly 0.  Not a good score by any means score, doing this three times in a row is nigh unheard of.

This score perplexes the club president, and she convinces Saki to return for two more games.  On the first, Saki again attains a 0 score.  On the second, the club president convinces her that she needs to play to win, so she tells her to play as if she only started with 1000 points, rather than the original 20000.  If Saki can maintain her mindset of scoring 0, under the revised system she would actually win (as the club president said to play AS IF the had 1000, not that she actually had 1000).

Saki and Nodoka develop a rift as Nodoka loves mahjong, but was beaten by Saki, who really hated it.  The final scenes of the second episode touch on Saki’s mother and sister probably not coming back, and that Saki will join the mahjong club to play more with Nodoka (as she actually has fun playing with her).  It’s to be noted that the games played in this series are VERY animated, with mock visual effects added to moves… a bit over the top, but fun.

Overall Hook Rating: B

Genres: Action, Drama, Romance

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On the continent of Europa the small nation of Gallia finds itself in the middle of a larger conflict. The war started by the Eastern Europan Imperial Alliance and the Atlantic Federation has threatened to consume them as well. An important resource, named Ragnite, stands at the center of the conflict; both sides vie for control of as much Ragnite bearing land as possible.

The story’s first scenes are of the evacuation of Bruhl. The town watch have the responsibility of guarding the citizens as they leave town, in advance of the approaching Imperial forces. At this time, a young man by the name of Welkin Gunther is found making notes in a book near to the evacuation site. A small group of the town’s militia, led by Alicia Melchiott, intercepts Welkin and identifies him as a spy. He is promptly locked away for later questioning.

Ok, I have a BIT of a rant to go off on here, if you wish to skip it, continue on. If you want to read the rant, please click on the warning below:

Welkin escapes his captors and continues to his destination, his family home, to recover his sister and evacuate. Alicia spots him, and after some convincing, accompanies him on this mission. They spot the advanced Imperial scouts in the area and are engaged in a firefight. Upon reaching the house Welkin’s sister, Isara Gunther, leads them to the tank (Edelweiss) that was left behind by her father.

Using this highly advanced tank they manage to escape, hold off the invading forces until the evacuation is complete, and hold out until the rest of the military regulars make it to the town. Unfortunately, the town is surrendered. Our heroes leave with the military as the town burns in the background.

I feel that the rant above (if you took the time to read it) covers my impressions of this adaptation. If you did not read it, all I can say is that the characters are a bit flat with stereotypical behaviors. The headstrong leader, the fight-loathing militia member, the dumb inseparable young boys, etc… none had a strong impact on me, less the negative comments above. I am sure hardcore fans of the game would disagree, but maybe that got to the point faster.

Overall Hook Rating: D

Genres: Action, Drama, Mystery

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Saki Morimi is celebrating the end of her days in college; she decided to take a trip to New York with her friends. While in the USA she wanted to make sure she tossed a coin in the White House fountain. This alerts the nearby security, who begins to approach her suspiciously. Meanwhile, across the street, Akira Takizawa approaches. He is completely naked, carrying a cell phone and a revolver. Moments before reaching the side of the road, he raises the cell phone to his ear… his eyes widen, and his memory is wiped.

His slate cleaned, he takes in the scene around him. Akira notices the young girl in need and distracts the guards. Once they are taken care of, he and Saki get acquainted (of course, after she lends him a jacket and hat to cover himself). They head off, headed for a location marked on Akira’s cell phone as “home”. It’s only later, after leaving, that Saki remembers her passport was in the jacket she lent out! She heads back to the apartment block where she parted with Akira.

Inside the apartment, Akira is confronted with trappings of his previous life. Weapons, photos, piles of forged (yet authentic) documents will his apartment. Saki reappears at his door, pleading for her passport. After rigging his apartment to burn down, taking the evidence with it, they dodge one officer sent after them (with careful deployment of a penis). They leave the USA behind, en-route to Japan.

We begin to learn of the Selecao, of whom Akira was a part. Via a concierge, named Juiz, Akira learns of his task: to continue being “our savior” (and that he has an obligation to spend 10 million yen towards this task). He also crosses paths with another of the Selecao, Yusei Kondo, who is also a detective. The second episode concludes with a “show of power” that the Selecao wield… but I will leave that up to you to see.

This series has a LOT of interesting mysteries to unravel. There is a LOT more in the first two episodes than I have taken time to mention. Terrorism, strange games, hapless youth… all collides in the series, set at 11 episodes plus one upcoming movie. I am definitely hooked on this one.

Overall Hook Rating: A

Genres: Drama, Romance

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Set in modern-day Rome, a young girl named Nicoletta seeks out a small restaurant near the heart of the city.  When she finds the Casetta dell’Orso, she becomes wrapped up in its mystique… not to mention the gentlemen that work at the establishment.  Her original goal of outing her mother, who abandoned her as a child, to her new husband falls to the wayside.

In a quick aside, her mother begs her not to tell him, as he said he would not marry a woman who has been divorced before.  In exchange, Nicoletta is given an apartment in Rome to use until she departs.  It is important to know that the two no longer consider each other family, for their own reasons.  Nicoletta falls into the role of a daughter of a friend to keep this secret.

One of the waiters, an older man named Claudio, catches Nicoletta’s eye and she begins to obsess over him.  Not knowing if it is love she is feeling, she is determined to test her feelings for him.  In an uncomfortable moment, interrupted by her mother’s entrance, she mounts him while sitting on a chair in her apartment.  After a strained discussion with her mother, Nicoletta decides that she needs to find her purpose in life and joins the restaurant as a chef.

This series is definitely not one I would have interest in on its own accord; a romantic drama featuring older men, etc…  BUT the characters have a depth that has only been scratched in the first two episodes.  This series has a few good things going for it, it will be interesting to see where it ends up.

Overall Hook Rating: B

Drama, Romance, Harem (as you will find out later)

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White Album is the story of two college students, Toya Fujii and his friend (whom he is in love with) Yuki Morikawa.  Yuki is an up and coming idol who is constantly on the move from one job to another.  She ends up missing most of her classes and is drifting away from Toya.  Yuki is very close to her contemporary, Rina Ogata, who is a well established idol within the Ogata Productions Group (yes, her family owns it).

The first episode of this series introduces us to Toya’s life, which involves work, school and his making jokes at the expense of his friend Akira Nanase.  In between he attempts to keep in contact with Yuki, but their time together is becoming less and less.  Yuki attempts to deal with the harassment from others at her agency; showing that she is very capable of thinking on her feet.  In the end, it appears that Rina wants to meet Toya.

In the second episode Toya hangs out with his childhood friend, Haruka Kawashima.  She acts both distant and yet somewhat close.  We are reminded of her past, in which her older brother has died (alluded to in the first episode).  Later, at his workplace, Yuki and Rina visit him.  After asking Yuki if it’s “ok”, Rina asks Toya for his phone number.  At the end of the episode, we are left hanging on her calling him.

While there was some character development and interesting plot points throughout the episodes, I found it VERY hard to get involved with the characters.  A good character will pull you in to their story and make you feel for them.  With the exception of Haruka, all of the characters feel rather two dimensional (pardon the pun).  Overall, I would give this series an F so far…

Then I was reminded that this was based on an adult game… oh, maybe there is a shred of hope.

Overall Hook Rating: D >.>