Fullmetal Alchemist

Title: Fullmetal Alchemist
Distributor: Bones
Genre(s): drama, action, adventure, alchemy, science fantasy
Age Rating: 13+

Episodes: 51 + OVA (must watch)
Aired:  4 Oct 2003 - 2 Oct 2004
Official Site: at http://www.bones.co.jp/index1.html

Authors Rating: 9/10

After their mother has died from a sickness, the brothers Edward and Alphonse Elric try to resurrect her using the magical art of alchemy. But the attempt fails, and Edward loses an arm and a leg while Alphonse’s entire body is lost and his soul is bound into a set of platemail armor. To regain their original bodies, the brothers set for a quest to find the legendary Philosopher’s Stone which is said to allow even impossible alchemistic transmutations. Their search leads into an adventure of epic proportions…

Long anime series often suffer from several flaws at once: due to the length of the production, the budget for each individual episode is limited, and the quality of art and animation decreases. The scriptwriters have to come up with “filler episodes” to artificially lengthen the plot, taking away the pacing of the series. Finally, with a fixed set of heroes and villains, the same people will fight one another again and again without a decisive victory for either side as that would end the series prematurely.

Fortunately, Fullmetal Alchemist is the one exception to that rule. Even at a hefty fifty-one episodes, it retains a high quality standard during its entire length. Not only do art and animation consistently fulfill modern standards, the pacing of the series is nigh-perfect. Except for one side story focusing on a few minor characters, there are no filler episodes whatsoever. Many episodes end on beautifully crafted cliffhangers, and the steady development of the plot will keep everybody excited and waiting for more.

The plot itself is also a masterpiece. From an initially highly personal goal, the adventures of the Elric brothers soon start to take a turn for the bigger, culminating in war, death and destruction on a large scale. Characters you’ve known and loved for twenty episodes will suddenly die, and no one will bring them back. There are many different factions fighting for control of the Philosopher’s Stone, and every single one brings a new aspect into the story. Surprisingly, despite the overall larger-than-life plot, all motivations behind the characters’ actions are very down-to-Earth, making them believable and even understandable. I’d even go so far to say that Fullmetal Alchemisthas the most realistic set of characters of all contemporary anime.

It is beyond me why the creators of such a dark and serious series chose to spice it with lots of awkward and often inappropriate slapstick humor. Even in the most dramatic situations, characters will suddenly transform into their chibi forms for a short laugh, and all too many conflicts end like a Roadrunner cartoon. Were they trying to make the plot more attractive for kids? Another (albeit minor) flaw is a slight lack of logic in some details of the script - one episode features the outbreak of a dangerous disease, and in the end, we learn that the disease was intentionally created by a group of people. But there is no explanation for how these people would have the skill to create a new disease, and it even comes out that they shouldn’t have such skills at all. While these details are not that important to the main plot itself, it’s still unsatisfying to find them.

Even with these drawbacks, Fullmetal Alchemist is still one of the best anime series of the new millennium. An enthralling plot, believable characters you will care for and a perfect pacing are a guarantee for good entertainment from the exciting beginning to the powerful ending. If you haven’t seen this series so far, make it the next one you start watching.

Thanks to - nihonreview

Nana

Title: Nana
Distributor: Madhouse Studios
Genre(s): drama, comedy
Age Rating: PG

Episodes: 47
Aired: April 6, 2006 - March 26, 2007
Official Site: at http://www.madhouse.co.jp/

Authors Rating: 9/10












In order to chase after her boyfriend, Komatsu Nana decides to move to Tokyo. During a train trip to the city, she sits next to an enigmatic but beautiful woman carrying a guitar bag. Following a bit of small talk the two realize that they share the same given name, “Nana”. This chance encounter begins a cascade of events that intertwines these two people’s futures and hearts.

I’m about to say something that many of you will relate to but will never candidly admit: I live vicariously through anime characters. Yes, I know these characters are fictional and their tribulations are merely illusions created by a bunch of sweaty animators in cubicles (and, yes, I am seeking professional help). However, I can’t help but relate with some characters on a personal level. Fictional or not, there are some emotions that resonate on a universal level. As I watch a show, I sometimes get caught in the moment and think: “Hey, I‘ve felt those emotions before! I understand what they are going through!” While such feelings are rare, when I experience them I know that i’m watching something great.

Nana is a soap opera-esque series about two individuals with the same name but with two different directions in life. However, don’t expect the usual trite fanfare about love, friendship and triumph. While the 
show initially starts out as a mellow, often comedic slice of life anime, things quickly go awry as relationships break up and bonds fade. Life slaps hard, and the warmth from a friendly hand cannot dull the bitter sting. While it takes the show nearly half its run to build this delicate house of cards, the second half becomes a heartfelt tour de force. I’ve used the phrase “down to earth” to a point where I’m sure it has lost any meaning. I’ll tell you now that this show has some of the most believable characters since the likes of Honey and Clover, Planetes and Beck. It’s true that not everyone becomes rock stars, but I can seriously imagine some of these characters being my real life next door neighbours.

Madhouse Studios returns with its usual high quality animation, and the music is simply amazing, but it’s the seiyuu performance that takes the aesthetic cake. No matter how eloquently a script is written, lackluster voicing can kill the emotional impact behind the words. The voice actors for Nana fit the bill and then they take it to the next level. The exceptionally strong script is brought to life by these talented individuals in a way that sends chills down my spine. For me, it’s no surprise that the incredibly talented Hirano Aya (Suzumiya Haruhi from The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya [1,2]) lost out to Paku Romi (Osaki Nana) in the first Seiyuu Awards. Paku is able to manipulate even the most subtle vocal inflections resulting in a performance that feels like a real live person speaking from the bottom of her heart.





I firmly believe that Madhouse Studios makes some of the best manga-to-anime conversions in the industry and that Nana is no exception. The ending leaves the door wide open for a second season, but I am more than satisfied at the ride I’ve had. While not everyone will enjoy the amount of melodrama present, I say give Nana a try and see if it can sway your heart in the way it has done mine.

GANTZ

Title: GANTZ
Distributor: GONZO
Genre(s): supernatural, spirit, death, alien, violence
Age Rating: R (extreme violence and mature scenes)

Episodes: 26
Aired: April 12, 2004 - June 26, 2004
Official Site: at http://www.gonzo.co.jp/index.html

Authors Rating: 8.5/10

Gantz starts out as violent as it ends up. Childhood friends Kei and Katou are waiting for a subway and see a drunken man on the tracks. Katou is the good guy and tries to save him, and Kei attempts to help, but their bravery costs them their lives. Kei’s decapitated head flying through the air is a harbinger for the violence to come. The two "awaken" in a room filled with strangers and a large black sphere known as Gantz who, unbeknownst to them, will soon send them on harrowing missions to kill strange aliens; missions which carry a notable reward, and a high chance of dying in very nasty ways. The duo is joined by a very large breasted naked woman, a dog who can’t keep its face out of her crotch, and a company of others. And thus, the violence begins. 

Gantz is a tense, emotion wringing story with a lot of blood and a side portion of... well... all manner of rude things. Unless you are very tolerant of hardship, gore and mature scenes then this anime is not for you. Parents won't want their children to watch these episodes until they are 18... actually EVER. Lets put it that way. Mid-teens will love watching the show when and will miraculously be totally unharmed with the exception of being exposed to a couple of interesting ideas. 

These ideas are as follows (certainly not comprehensive);

1) What happens after you die? Heaven or Hell? ... Nothing? Or it could be something else entirely that no one has considered?


2) Young men tend to be more up for it than have common sense. 


3) Materialist idea of 'you' or 'I'. It appears that almost all of the characters in the show are 'captured' at the time of their death and recorded and transported to Gantz. This either implies that the soul is recordable and re-creatable or that the soul is unnecessary in the recreation of a person. 


4) The weaponry is immensely original. Kei Kurono is certainly the most interesting character in the series. He can be annoying to listen too, is obsessed with the female form and is fully self-indulged, but I think that merely makes him a relatively accurate depiction of a teenage male. One of the key points in this very gore filled series is that violence is real and although the activities in the Gantz games are certainly violent, you can not escape it, even in a place that should be safe like home. This is demonstrated by Kato's little brother being beaten by their Aunt that is taking care of them because their parents are dead. The effects of violence at home, rather than violence in the Gantz activities are what appear to motivate Katou in to incredible rages. Katou, who is the most reasoning character in the series. Kato, who is unable to kill in order to survive or even protect his friends - is driven by the violence at home and school to beat people without remorse and to a pulp.

The character design is beautiful as are the back-drops, some of the best I have seen. However, character development leaves a little to be desired. There is a feeling of shallowness to all but one, Kei's childhood friend who dies with him, Katou. None of the other characters are given much, if any depth or history which leaves an overall 'empty' feeling to the show. 

The voice acting is superb, as one would expect with such a line-up, in both English and Japanese. I feel that the cast have done a superb job, given the lack of portrayed on-screen emotion from the characters themselves. 

As for the music it is a colourful choice. Japanese rap, if you will. I have to admit, it's a nit cliche, yet fun to listen too and great to attempt to jam along too! 

Overall Gantz has many pitfalls and is lacking in a conclusive ending, character depth and tangible story, amongst many other things. However, it is right up there with my most memorable anime's of all time! The scenes and settings, the graphic content and the brilliant animation just impress this one on to your cortex and force it down in to the long-term memory. A definite must see for all who are not squeamish.