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Ichiro Irabu is an eccentric psychologist who seeks to cure people’s ailments in a variety of unorthodox ways. Ichiro takes three forms throughout the episodes; a young version, a normal version, and a oversized stuffed bear version. He also has a fetish for watching people get injections, so most do not make it out of his office without a complimentary vitamin booster. Ichiro’s nurse appears from time to time to assist with shots and driving but otherwise stays out of the way smoking or reading. Her name is Mayumi and she is seen wearing Gothic-Lolita fashion with dark and dismissing attitude.

Each of the patients Ichiro sees are followed from December 17th through December 24th and their life crosses that of the other major characters (11 in all) who will be seeing the doctor over the same time frame. From time-to-time, the action will pause and Fukuicchi, a “doctor” on behalf of Fuji Television comes in to describe the various medical terms or to give warnings about the symptoms present in the series.

The first patient to visit Ichiro is a young trapeze artist, Kouhei Yamashita, who thinks his new partner is sabotaging his routine and letting him fall. While picking apart his past, Ichiro determines that his fear of new people is what is causing him to think he is being plotted against. Due to growing up in a circus family, he never really made connections to new people. Overcoming this allowed the act to get back on track (he was self sabotaging). The second patient is Tetsuya Taguchi who wakes up one day with a permanent erection. While we are lead to think that his failed marriage and cheating ex-wife were the cause of his issue, it turns out that his being a push-over was the cause. He works in an office of mostly women that order him around; he never “stands up” for himself, so “it” did it for him. When he finally gets the courage to voice his own opinion, the problem goes away.

It may take you a little effort to get past the surreal style of the series, but I believe it helps with the psychological aspect of the overall story line. By mixing video, rotoscoping, 3d rendering and traditional animation the director (who was also staff on Cowboy Bebop and Serial Experiments Lain) achieves additional un-ease on the part of the viewer. All the psychological talk and intense atmosphere might leave you feeling a bit insane yourself.

Overall Hook Rating: A

Genres: Adventure, Drama, Fantasy

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In the Independent Trade City of Housman a young knight named Cecily Cambell patrols the streets. In her hands she hold her family’s sword, handed down through three generations of Knight Guards. Her first true fight nearly turns out to be her last when she meets an old knight in town. Madness has taken his mind and he strikes out at anyone in his path. In one swift slice he destroys the Cambell family sword and nearly kills Cecily.

It is at point Luke Ainsworth, a blacksmith and swordsman, steps in to save her. He chides her for being ineffective and leaves her behind. After a bit of research, Cecily finds her way to his shop far outside of town. Inside she meets with Lisa, the assistant of the shop, and begins to plead for Luke to craft her a katana like his so she will never be defeated again. He denies her request, as he will only make sword for his own use now.

Soon after the two get embroiled with city guardsmen trying to protect a supply shipment from werewolf-like creatures in the forest. The beasts kill nearly every guard until Luke and Cecily step in. The raiders leader is turned into a giant ice beast by a man in black, who ducks out without being caught. Cecily is again, twice over, saved by Luke in combat. Luke’s sword pays the price for his heroics and breaks. Asking Cecily to hold the battle-line for him, Luke begins to craft a new sword using a combined magical ability shared with Lisa. With this magical fire blade he defeats the beast.

As the second episode comes to a close, Cecily is entrusted with the care of a demon sword. This sword has the form of a young woman when not in use by its wielder. This addition to the end of episode two is probably one of the few things this series has going for it. Aside from the contract between Cecily and Luke for her new sword and the man in black, there is little stringing the series along. However, the trip is not exactly boring, so it may turn out to be more than a flash-in-the-pan.

Overall Hook Rating: C

Genres: Drama, Romance

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Note: This series is originally based on a Korean drama of the same name. All spoken dialogue is done by the original series actors but is airing in Japan for a 26 episode run.

Kang Joon Sang reminisces over the events that led to his present predicament. He begins to narrate them to the viewer, the series is the visualization of this narration, starting with what he believes is the only picture he has of his father. Kang Joon Sang’s mother has told him that his father is dead, and that he shouldn’t be concerned with that topic any more. This only seems to add to the rift of hatred between mother and son.

At school, Kang Joon Sang avoids social interaction and generally keeps to himself. He is far brighter than any other student there but seems loath to apply that ability. After a brief argument on the bus to class one day, a girl named Jung Yu-jin decides to break Kang Joon Sang out of his shell. She attends the same class as him and her long time friend Kim Sang-Hyuk. Kim Sang-Hyuk’s attempts to befriend Kang Joon Sang met with utter failure.

Using the school radio club as a starting point, Jung Yu-jin begins to get Kang Joon Sang to socialize a bit more. It is only after he saves her from a drunk man in an alley way that they truly seem to begin bonding. Kim Sang-Hyuk also notices this change in their demeanor and his feelings for his friend Jung Yu-jin begin to surface as jealousy. At one point, while walking between classes, Kim Sang-Hyuk attempts to hold Jung Yu-jin’s hand for “safety” while she balances on a railing. She denies him this, stating that she will only hold the hand of the man she chooses.

It is on a snowy path that she makes the decision to hold Kang Joon Sang’s while balancing on a log. He begins to open up to her and its apparent that there is some degree of mutual attraction forming between them. That, is when they run into Kim Sang-Hyuk on their way back home…

This series is off to a rather slow start and the pace could definitely throw some potential viewers. The bulk of the story lines does not begin to fall into place until episode 3 and 4, where events hinted at the beginning of the series and during the credits unfold. As drama goes, Korea really knows how to roll a story together, which may be the saving grace for this series.

Overall Hook Rating: C

Genres: Action, Drama, Mystery, Supernatural

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NOTE: This series is a new story line in the Darker Than Black world involving some familiar characters and concepts. While you do not have to have seen the previous series, it helps.

Mikhail Pavlichenko and his two children Shion and Suou (twins) are enjoying a family outing to the wilderness of Vladivostok, Russia. As the events of the previous series come to a close a mass meteor shower occurs; a sign that many contractors have died. One of these fragments crashes into Shion and Suou, nearly killing them. Shion does not make it out unscathed and eventually awakens as a contractor himself. His father, having designed the device they use on people who learn about contractors, hides him away from the military.

Years pass and Suou attempts to keep living a normal life. Her father warns her that her brother no longer has emotions, like all contractors, and that he is not to be trusted. He wants her to just stay away from him. Shion spends his days in a hidden room, stuck in a wheelchair. Meanwhile, Suou’s friend Tanya suddenly awakens as a contractor and is taken away by the military. Knowing that they will come for her as well, to wipe her memory of her friend, Suou attempts to flee home. It is here that the military attack in an attempt to secure her family for their projects.

Mikhail is killed, Shion reveals that he can walk (using the wheelchair was his remuneration for use of his powers), April (from the previous series) reveals herself as one of Mikhail’s staff and attempts to help the kids escape. It is here Hei makes his grand appearance. Hei, known in the contractor world as the Black Reaper, is tasked with securing the meteor fragment Shion holds. Unfortunately for Suou, Hei confuses her with her brother and a fight to capture her erupts between the CIA, Russian military and unknown parties.

Three additional contractors move in the capture Suou, still confused for Shion. August 7, Mina Hazuki and Genma Shizume set a powerful trap to disable Hei and their fight draws him right into it. Suou gets caught in the blast and her pendant, left to her by her brother, begins to react to the energies. She sees a glimpse into Hei’s memories, right before his star winks out in the sky.

I was a big fan of the original series, and while this one has a bit of a slow start, they really know how to leave the audience hanging on for the next episode. Old favorite characters are back again and some don’t make it past the first few episodes, wink wink. This is definitely one I’ll be catching up on.

Overall Hook Rating: B

Genres: Comedy, Drama, Romance

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Sawako Kuronuma could be your average high school girl: striving for popularity, playing sports and excelling at her studies. However, her downfall lies in both her mannerisms and lack of ability to communicate with others. Where most people would talk normally with their peers, Sawako will drift off into spooky discussions or actions that make others mistake her intentions. Instead of making oneself known to others in the room, she has a habit of silently appearing behind them, appearing much like the ghost from The Ring. This effect has student’s labeling her Sadako (the name of the ghost girl from The Ring).

Sawako strives for friends and understanding from those she interacts with, but know that she is unable to truly communicate. That is, until she meets Shouta Kazehaya. On Shouta’s first day at their school he got lost on the way to the campus. Fortunately, Sawako was there and was able to direct him correctly. It’s not until later that she realizes that she had none of her usual problems while talking with him. Shouta is extremely charismatic and is admired by many of the girls at the school. Sawako thinks that he is the more radiant and cheerful person she has ever met.

Now slowly gaining her confidence, thanks to Shouta, Sawako begins to interact with two other classmates who used to mock her: Ayane Yano and Chizuru Yoshida. The girls discuss the upcoming “bravery challenge” where they will send pairs of students into the forest at night and see who chickens out. They volunteer Sawako to be the ghost, but in the end she accepts on her own terms, as it would be fun. Shouta meets up with her later than night, thinking she didn’t show up that night, and thus leaving him by himself. He begins to express his feeling toward Sawako when the class begins teasing him for hanging out with her. Afraid of affecting his social status, Sawako tells everyone that nothing is going on and then leaves.

Shouta takes this as a message that Sawako is not interested in him. But soon after, she does begin to feel something for him. When Sawako uses her umbrella to shade an abandoned puppy from the rain, she gets drenched. Shouta helps her dry off and the girls lend her some clothes to wear for the day. During the beginning of the semester, she seats are being assigned, no one wants to sit by Sawako. Shouta, Ayane, Chizuru and soon to be another of their group Ryuu Sanada take up the positions around her, proudly showing their support.

This anime may sound slow moving, but it is a very sweet story with well placed comedy to keep the momentum flowing. The occasional chibi aspects are not overdone and you will find yourself with a grin on your face in no time.

Overall Hook Rating: A

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…

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

Here is the first 1/3 of episode 1 via YouTube (sorry no subtitles):

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

Here is the first 1/3 of episode 1 via YouTube:

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