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!

Year: 2007

Status: Complete, Licensed by FUNimation

Darker Than Black Official Site (Japanese)

Darker Than Black Official Site (U.S)

Rating: Great

Review: Life in Tokyo drastically changed with the appearance of a territory known as “Hell’s Gate”. Its appearance changed the sky and landscape as we know it. Stars in the sky were replaced with fake stars and one could no longer see the heavenly bodies. A giant wall loomed over the city separating Tokyo from the other side. At the same time, beings known as Contractors appeared in the city. They are beings with superhuman powers, who have no emotions and live only to kill. Their existence changed the politics of the world as countries used them for assassinations, covert operations etc. Darker than Black follows the journey of a Contractor by the name of Li ShengShun who works for the mysterious Syndicate. Far from being a normal Contractor, Li ShengShun also known as Hei, is sought after by Kirihara Misaki of the Police. Together with his team, they go on dangerous adventures and missions to complete their job for the Syndicate.

Darker than Black is a very compelling anime. The storyline is creative and original while the plot itself is dark. There is a very gory and violent side to this anime alongside some fantastic action. As the characters develop and more is revealed about the Contractors and Hei’s past, the mystery surrounding Hell’s Gate only deepens. I like the intensity of this anime and the two episode long adventures/story remind of the way Cowboy Bebop was set up. Finally last but not least, the soundtrack is great and is pretty much the icing on the cake for this one! Don’t miss watching Darker than Black!

More supernatural action:

Witch Hunter Robin

Trinity Blood

Year: 2005

Status: Complete

Subbed by: Oyasumi Fansubs (no longer existent)

Official Black Cat Site (Japanese)

Official Black Cat Site (USA)

Rating: Great

Review: Train Heartnet or otherwise known as “Black Cat” is an assassin working for an organisation of elite assassins known as “Chronos”. Chronos is an influential organisation of the underworld and its members claim that the existence of Chronos is essential for the balance of the world. Black Cat is an unsurpassed shooter as the thirteenth assassin of Chronos. However, an accidental meeting with a girl named Saya changed Heartnet’s view of things and he decides to leave Chronos to become a ‘sweeper’ (bounty hunter). However, Creed Diskenth – Train’s former partner in Chronos is obsessed with Train’s power and wants to be Train’s partner. Will Train be able to live his new life and shed his cold heart of an assassin? Will he able to take on Creed Diskenth and his past as they catch up to him in his new life?

Black Cat is an interesting mix of comedy, tragedy and action. The plot itself is very interesting as Train changed from being the heart-of-stone assassin to the laid-back bounty hunter. Despite Train’s drastic change, adventure and danger still follow him around – and the plot thickens as Creed goes to any length just to find Train!

Recommendations:

Black Lagoon I and II

Cowboy Bebop

Trigun

Weiss Kreuz