Episodes: 26
Year: 2006
Status: Complete, Licensed by FUNimation
Ouran High School Host Club (Japanese)
Rating: Awesome
The Ouran High School is a prestigious school exclusively for the rich and wealthy. Fujioka Haruhi, although from a poor background, finds herself in the school thanks to pure talent. Whilst looking for a quiet place to study, Haruhi stumbles upon the Host Club – a club consisting of handsome guys whose job is to entertain beautiful lady customers. On her way out of this absurd club, Haruhi trips and breaks an insanely expensive vase. Since that fateful day, Haruhi is forced to join the host club to pay off the debt she owes them.
Ouran High School Host Club is a refreshingly original anime filled with comedy and drama. Steering clear of typical high school romances or supernatural oddities, this anime is literally all about Haruhi’s experience in the Host Club. The animation is bright and colourful with huge exaggerations to expressions as well as the characters’ personalities. For all the girls out there, its a real treat to watch all these pretty men flaunt their beauty and not have them tangled up in relationships all the time. Many of the episodes seem filler-like and it can, at some point, get repetitive if you’re looking for a substantive storyline. But thats not what Ouran is about. Thanks to its refreshing style and immense humour, Ouran is a great watch for both newbie anime-watchers and veterans alike!
In the quest for more hilarious anime like this, try out:
Yamato Nadeshiko Shichi Henge: Four incredibly attractive boys are given the near-impossible task of transforming Sunako into a real ‘lady’. Both Yamanade and Ouran are about girls who are stuck in situations which involve handsome men, despite the fact that they dont want to be in those situations! Both these animes are big on the humour with small hints of romance.
Lovely Complex: An incredibly funny anime about the complicated love of Risa and Otani – the class comedy duo – All Hanshin Kyojin. Both LoveCom and Ouran are about how life doesn’t always turn out how you expect it and some accidents happen for the better! While LoveCom deals more with romance than Ouran does, they are both hilarious animes!
Hana Yori Dango: Similar to Haruhi’s circumstances, Tsukushi is also a poor girl who attends an elite school for the wealthy. However, Hana Yori Dango deals more with Tsukushi’s troubles in high school and the ups and downs of high school romance and drama.
Episodes: 26
Year: 2007
Status: Complete, Unlicensed
Subbed by: Huzzah and Doremi Fansubs
Bamboo Blade Official Site (Japanese)
Rating: Great
Kojirou, the kendo instructor at Muroe High, is forever broke. Barely having any money for food and necessities, Kojirou is desperate to make ends meet. An opportunity presents itself one night while amidst having dinner with his Senpai, the two agree on a bet to see whose all-female Kendo team is the strongest. If Kojirou wins, he gets a year long supply of free sushi. In pursuit of his free sushi, Kojirou finally takes the club seriously, and goes on a mission to recruit new members and revive the school’s run-down Kendo Club. Bamboo Blade is about a bunch of eccentric students under an equally unusual teacher who embark on a journey that makes them discover the joy of Kendo.
Bamboo Blade is a wonderful slice-of-life sport anime filled with comedy. It maintains its lightheartedness throughout the series and really makes you want to take up Kendo! While it begins with Kojirou’s bet being the primary storyline, it quickly changes to being more about the development of the characters themselves. Many of the Kendo matches can be quite absorbing as team Muroe get more and more skilled. As time passes, the Kendo team at Muroe becomes an endearing and close-knit bunch despite the oddities in their personalities. Overall, I loved watching Bamboo Blade and can’t wait to watch the remaining episodes. Its got the right mix of comedy, action, character development and slice-of-life feel to get away from the seriousness of life and just have a good laugh while identifying with the characters.
Check out:
History’s Strongest Disciple Kenichi : Kenichi maintains the same humour as Bamboo Blade but focuses on the martial arts training of Kenichi rather than a team.
Overdrive : A heavy sports anime not quite as lighthearted as Bamboo Blade but still an intensely absorbing anime.
Episodes: 15
Year: 2003
Alternative Titles: Fumoffu, Full Metal Panic? Fumoffu
Status: Complete, Licensed by ADV Films
Full Metal Panic Official Site (Japanese)
Rating: Great
Sagara Sousuke is an unusual high schooler. Trained in military tactics and dangerous situations, Sousuke lives by applying those principles to everyday life….including high school! In Sousuke’s eyes, simple love letters become terrorist threats and training the Rugby club turns into military school 101. Daily life involves granades, radars and smoke bombs. All of this and more is enough to keep Sousuke’s friend Chidori on her toes for only Chidori can stop Sousuke’s operations before they bring down the entire school! How will Chidori and Sousuke make it through high school ??
In one word, this anime is HILARIOUS! Despite the title, it is not the sequel to the Full Metal Panic! series. Rather, Fumoffu focuses on the crazy high school life with Sousuke’s militariness (did I just make that word up?) everywhere. Part of the underlying theme is the romantic tension between Sousuke and Chidori and I suppose the lingering question is whether Sousuke will ever get smart enough to see it. But apart from that, the pure comedy in this anime is not to be missed. I personally disliked the original series but love the Fumoffu. The story in Fumoffu is self-contained and you don’t have to watch the original Full Metal Panic to watch this. So get some popcorn or chips ‘n salsa, and watch Full Metal Panic Fumoffu for a good laugh!
Episodes: 24
Year: 2006
Status: Complete, Licensed by Ganeon Entertainment
Official Fate/Stay Night Site (Japanese)
Official Fate/Stay Night Site (U.S)
Rating: Great
Emiya Shirou, the sole survivor of a catastrophic conflagration many years ago, was adopted and raised by a magician. Not inheriting much of his father’s magical skill, Shirou’s special power is to be able to reinforce materials and make them stronger. Shirou’s life is turned upside down, however, when he accidentally gets entangled in the Holy Grail war – a war that takes place every couple of decades between seven magicians and their Servants. Attacked by a powerful servant, Shirou unknowingly summons one of the strongest Servant and is inevitably drawn into this war. Will Shirou be able to survive the cut-throat battles with no magical abilities? And for what reason must he fight to obtain the Holy Grail?
Fate/Stay Night has an extremely interesting plot and storyline that really keeps this anime on its feet. The story does get more serious as the anime progresses, but this makes it more rewarding to watch. The anime is filled with action and the battle scenes alone make it well worth the watch. The character development is decent, but be warned, Emiya Shirou will most often come across as being really stupid and really annoying. Since Shirou has a strong sense of self-sacrifice and justice, there are many times when you just want to beat some sense into him and tell him quit his tough-guy act and run for his life. Thats not to say that the character development is bad – its just that Shirou’s character happens to be a moron. For those curious, yes there is a splash of romance down the line but thats all you’re getting out of me at this point. On that bright note, Fate/Stay Night has one of the most compelling storylines, is fast-paced, awesome fights and good characters. Watch it!
If you’re looking for more like this, look no further than:
Shakugan no Shana I
Shakugan no Shana II
Zero no Tsukaima I
On the 17th of February, much awaited animes finally made their premieres on the East Coast as part of the Japan Culture and Hyper-culture Festival in D.C! I’m talking about Byousoku 5 Centimeters by Shinkai Makoto, and Piano no Mori by Kojima Masayuki. Needless to say it was sugoi! I finally got to see all three episodes of Byousoku – so expect reviews up soon! Piano no mori (The Piano Forest) was amazing both with the story and music – and as a special treat, they had the director come up and speak to the audience before the showing. Both animes have powerful storylines, spectacular art and great music. It will be a treat to have their reviews up here for you! Happy anime-watching!
Episodes: 39
Year: 2006
Status: Complete, Licensed by Ganeon Entertainment
Alternative Title: The Story of Saiunkoku
Saiunkoku Monogatari Official Site (Japanese)
The Story of Saiunkoku Official Site (U.S)
In the mythical land of Saiunkoku, the prestigious Kou family has fallen on hard times. Kou Shuurei, daughter of the household finds herself doing any job she can get to make ends meet. However, an unexpected visit from the Grand Adviser of the Imperial Palace who offers Shuurei 500 gold ryou for a job seems like their big break. In her enthusiasm, Shuurei agrees to it – but later finds out that her job is to be entered into the Imperial Harem and transform the Emperor into a responsible man to govern the country! Things get interesting as not everything is what it seems to be – and love comes when you least expect it…
Saiunkoku Monogatari is a really interesting series lots more than just romance going on. Although it starts off on the romantic anime note, the story delves into personal relationships, power, governance, politics and much more. The anime portrays Shuurei’s struggles as a woman in ancient times and her battle to bring progress and prosperity to the country. Of worthy mention is the soundtrack as I thoroughly enjoyed listening to it as much as watching the series. The music fits perfectly with the emotions of the characters and the historical setting. For lovers of historical anime, complicated romances, and anime with good storylines, Saiunkoku Monogatari offers all that and more. Highly recommended and looking forward to the second series!
