Yuki Cross's earliest memory is of being attacked by a vampire and saved by Kaname Kuran, a pureblood vampire for whom Yuki tries to deal with her seemingly unobtainable love for her hero. Ten years later, Yuki, along with her childhood friend, Zero Kiryuu are school guardians (prefects) at Cross Academy where her adoptive father, Kaien Cross is the headmaster. Their jobs as guardians is to protect the human "Day Class" students from the vampire "Night Class" students and ensure that the human students do not discover the secret of the Night Class. The story follows Yuki's discovery that Zero had been turned into a vampire and her struggle to keep him sane, to prevent his condition from deteriorating into a Level E vampire. Yuki attempts to give up her humanity and be turned into a vampire by Shizuka Hio, Zero’s family's murderer and his master, in a bargain for Zero's sanity. Zero stops Yuki, preferring to kill Shizuka. Neither occurs when Zero's assumed dead twin (Ichiru Kiryuu) shows up, and Kaname kills Shizuka and drinks her blood. Zero’s grip on sanity slides and Yuki continues to help Zero fight his bloodlust while also seeking to recover her lost childhood memories suspecting Kaname knows more than he lets on. Kaname instead gives Zero his own blood to help keep Zero from going insane.
Seeing the threat of his uncle, Rido Kuran, Kaname bites Yuki and awakens her true nature as a pureblood vampire; the Pure blood Princess of the Kuran family. However, Kaname reveals to Takuma Ichijo that he is one of the original vampires and the founder of the Kuran clan, who, born thousands of years earlier, had retired to an endless slumber, but was resurrected by Rido Kuran who desired to consume him to become more powerful. Kaname was instead raised by Yuki's parents, Juri and Haruka Kuran. Rido tries to kill Yuki and consume her power, but is killed by the now estranged Zero and Yuki. Meanwhile, Kaname kills Rido’s allies, the members of the vampire senate who intended to destroy the night class and their hopes for peace. After the fierce battle, Zero tells Yuki that he intends to end everything, by killing all purebloods. After telling her that she should go be with the man who can spend eternity with her Yuki in return tells Zero that she will keep running from him to give him a reason to live. Yuki leaves with Kaname and they return to the family home to hide.

The story then leaps forward a year to find Yuki suffering from bloodlust and refusing to use her fangs. Kaname has restored the leadership of the vampires, taking his place as head. Zero has been attending school by day and hunting vampires at night. Yuki confesses to Kaname that she has an attachment to Zero and his acceptance allows her to succumb to her hunger and use her fangs. After a meeting between the hunters and vampires to reaffirm their treaty, all three attend a vampire ball. After a brief tense meeting between Yuki and Zero, a murder of a pureblood and a hunter at the ball breaks up the party. Although another pureblood, Sara Shirabuki, is revealed to be the culprit, it is passed off as a tragic suicide.

Yuki decides to offer her services as a grim reaper to purebloods wishing to die to prevent unnecessary sacrifices. However after an unprovoked attack by a pureblood, Touma, she is saved by Zero’s arrival. Their meeting is brief as after she awakens, she flees back to her home leaving Aido with Zero. Kaname, after the attack on Yuki finally reveals his past and true identity to her through the memories in his blood.

The anime actually stops at the point where Zero (and Yuuki) kills Rido and Yuuki runs away with Kaname. The manga is still on-going and rather disappointing. The anime is branched off into two seasons: Vampire Knight and Vampire Knight Guilty. The animators weren’t sure if they were going to produce a second season since the first season didn’t do too well. However, fans were demanding closure to the series.

I was reading the manga before the anime came out. I remember being so into the story and then, I lost all interest in it after the manga got crazy after Rido’s death. Where they ended the story in the anime adds a nice touch and I believe that’s where Matsuri Hino should’ve ended it in the manga. I would’ve been satisfied.

I recommend the anime but, not the manga. It will just leave you just as confused and frustrated as me. In this case, the anime is better than the manga. Don’t get me wrong, I still enjoy me some Kaname and Yuuki action from time to time.

HELP JAPAN.

Megumi Noda, or "Nodame" is a piano student at Momogaoka College of Music. An extremely talented pianist who wants to be a preschool teacher, she prefers playing by ear rather than reading the music score. She is messy and disorganized, takes baths several days apart and loves to eat, sometimes stealing her friend's lunchbox when it is filled with delicacies.
Shinichi Chiaki is Momogaoka's top student. Born into a musical family, he is talented in piano and violin and has secret ambitions to become a conductor. An arrogant multi-lingual perfectionist who once lived abroad in the music capitals of the world as a young boy (namely Prague), he is trapped in Japan because of his childhood phobia of airplanes and the ocean.
They meet by accident. Nodame quickly falls in love, but it takes much longer for Chiaki to even begin to appreciate Nodame's unusual qualities. Their relationship causes them both to develop and grow. Along the way, they meet some crazy people (like Masumi, Mine, and Stresemann) and make lasting friendships. Because of Nodame, Chiaki gets the opportunity to lead a student orchestra and begins to have a broader appreciation of people's musical abilities. Because of Chiaki, Nodame faces her fears and enters a piano competition. Opportunities open up as both begin taking risks, stretching themselves far more than they ever thought possible.
After graduation, Nodame succeeds in curing Chiaki from his phobia and they both move to Paris where Nodame continues her piano studies at the Conservatoire de Paris while Chiaki starts a professional career as a conductor. In Europe, they encounter new friends and rivals, as well as keep in touch with their friends from Japan.

I’m only reviewing the live-action drama series that aired in 2007-2008. The anime didn’t appear until after the drama series. I don’t care too much for the manga or the anime. J-dramas are really inspiring because Japanese try their best at acting like anime characters (and quite possibly their American counterparts).

I have so much love for this series. It’s right up there with NANA. Not only does it fill my needs and wants of being a hopeless romantic, it’s also fulfilling for my love of classical music. In each episode they show a piece of music written by a legendary composer and the origins of the piece.
This live action was a really great piece of art. I thoroughly enjoyed it and it can be enjoyed with that special someone who also has similar interests in the musical arts.

The series focuses on Eiri Kurahashi, a college art student who works in an antique shop. One day, he sees the image of a girl in an antique glass. To his shock, she appears to be moving and living out her life before his eyes. He becomes infatuated with the girl, and one night at midnight, he somehow makes contact with her. He learns that her name is Cossette, and that she was an aristocrat's daughter during the 18th century. She reveals to him that her spirit has been entrapped within the glass because the artist Marcello Orlando murdered her. She tells Eiri that, in order to set her free, a man must be willing to take upon himself punishment for the sins Marcello committed.

As the series progresses, Eiri is tortured mentally and physically by Cossette, who demands that he prove his professed love for her. It is revealed that Eiri is the reincarnation of Marcello, and that Cossette is becoming as infatuated with him as he is with her. Also depicted are the efforts of the women in Eiri's life—relatives, friends, mentors, and the girl who secretly loves him—to free him from what is becoming apparent to them as a self-destructive path.
What better way to start off the Valentine season with a little blood and betrayal!

I have to say that this three episode OVA makes my top 10 anime series. I was completely enthralled with this anime. It had everything I was looking for when I was a teenager. It talked about how brutal love could actually be instead of Disney’s make believe stories of “True love conquers all”.

The animation - right down to the soundtrack is amazingly haunting. What did you expect from the all time famous composer, Yuki Kaijuira and renowned Ani-plex? The answer is better than you expected. There is really so much about this story that speaks volumes and I just can’t cover it all. You’d have to see it for yourself.

If you are lonely this season or need a break from diluted retarded love this season, look no further than Le Portrait De Petit Cossette!

Aya Mikage and her twin brother Aki go to their grandfather's home for their sixteenth birthday unaware that it's actually a test to see if they have enough angel or celestial maiden blood in them. Aya is the reincarnation of a powerful celestial maiden called Ceres. When she transforms into Ceres, Aya obtains supernatural powers and abilities such as flight, teleportation, telepathy, incredibly strong and powerful telekinesis, premonition, projecting highly strong, powerful and destructive deep pink glowing energy blasts from her hands, creating incredibly strong and powerful impenetrable shields and barriers of pure deep pink glowing energy, and superhuman speed. According to the legend, Ceres will kill the Mikage family for revenge upon stealing her celestial robe, thus preventing her returning home to Heaven, so Aya's family attempts to kill her. However, she is saved by Suzumi Aogiri, another angel descendant with supernatural powers, (since not all Mikages have angel blood) and Suzumi's brother-in-law, Yūhi. Aya tries to control Ceres's power over her and Aki is taken over by the vengeful hateful spirit and soul of "Mikagi", the ancestor of the Mikage family who first stole Ceres' celestial robe, forcing her to stay on Earth. Aya also wrestles with her growing love for Toya, a servant of the Mikage who are trying to kill her, but lost his memory of his past. He also starts to love Aya in return. Aya promises Ceres to help her find her celestial robe in exchange for not killing her family (especially Aki) who hunts her down, since Aya still loves them. Toya tries to regain his memory. He learns that he was the organism that Ceres's celestial robe (otherwise known as "the mana") created to help it reunite with Ceres.

This is taking it a couple notches away from Petite Cossette. This one also makes my top ten list of anime/manga. Believe it or not, Ayashi no Ceres was one of the first graphic novels/manga I ever picked up and since then I have in love with all of Yuu Watase’s works.

This is soap opera anime. It’s got all its twists and turns with rivals for Aya’s love (much like Twilight’s counterparts, Jacob and Edward). Yuhi and Toya are the ones fighting for Aya’s love and affection (with Aki’s alternate personality trying to get at the goddess, Ceres). I didn’t like Aya’s character as much as I should have; I was too caught up in Ceres’ story to be caught up with Aya’s melo-dramatic life.

Ceres had fallen in love with a human, who had become completely intoxicated by her love that he was willingly to sacrifice their children to be with her. He hid her robes from her so that she was unable to return to heaven (and without returning to heaven she would eventually die a human death). She cursed that man and vowed to find her robes and curse his family for centuries to come. Hell hath no fury like a woman’s scorn. In the end, Ceres’ came to realize that the man was just extremely in love with her and didn’t want to lose her. She eventually forgave him and they returned to heaven together, finally bringing peace to the Mikage family and normality back in to Aya’s life.

Well, somewhat normal, Aya is knocked up with Toya’s child and Toya isn’t sure how much longer he will live because he no longer possesses the “Celestial Robe”. Aya’s mom is in a mental health institute for the rest of her life. Yuuhi goes on being Yuuhi (never liked his character anyways). A lot of the other good characters were killed off so, this is the end to this soap opera.

Very good watch, the animation is a bit botched since it was made in the early ‘90s. But you are just watching it for the story, right?

Enjoy!

Alien women.....Boobs......Panty Shots......Nosebleed and blushing moments.....uncomfortable antisocial hero.....and we can't forget the MELON BREAD!  I give to you....dearS.

dearS is the story of Takeya Ikuhara, a 17 year old student who works at a video store and lives alone. He has a bit of an immature antisocial outlook on life, and is the unlikely hero of this story. He comes across a a naked Homeless alien (Ren) in the bushes on the way home from school one day. Ren turns out to be a dearS, a type of alien that Takeya finds repulsive, but he takes her in anyways. He becomes the object of her affection much to his dismay, but finds himself attached to her. She begins school with him, proudly proclaiming him as her master, while he's embarrassed by the situation. However, Ren begins to get him  out of his shell making him a better person.  Eventually the head of dearS learn of Ren, and begin to bring her back in as they see her as Defective. Takeya finds himself falling for Ren and protecting her as he believes everyone has a right to live as they choose.


This series is only 13 episodes and is available anywhere you buy or rent anime. You can also catch any of the 8 volumes of Manga at your local Bookstore. 

I have to say, this one is great to watch on a cold day when you have nothing better to do. I wouldn't go out and buy the box set or the manga, but if you can find it streaming or know anyone who bought it, I say grab it.

Its cute and Zany and has a lot of funny moments. It has alot of CHIBI moments, awkward pauses, and characters that just make you SMILE when you think about them. not to mention Takeya has a female teacher who brings a whole new meaning to the word pervert.   The love isn't too melodramatic or OUT there.  It's very much a guy who doesn't wanna be a master to the slave but ends up doing it and falling in love anyways.

so if you got time to kill, like to laugh and smile, check out dearS.


**to our readers, my appologies for the length of this post. I am horribly sick at the moment. I also am not a HUGE love anime fan. so bear with me.  this is more Bhan's area of expertise.**

 

LOVELESS is the story of  12 year old amnesiac Ritsuka Aoyagi. The story begins with his first day at a new school after he is thrown out of his former school.  Two years before Ritsuka suddenly loses his memory and has an abrupt change in personality. He sees a therapist while he deals with his loss of memory and an abusive Bi-polar mother. His brother Semei is murdered leaving him to fend for himself.

After his first day of school he meets an "Adult" (people without their ears and tails) named Soubi outside of his school. He tells Ritsuka that he waited for him to come find him after Semei died and when he didn't he came to him. He claims that Semei gave him to Ritsuka.  Of course Ritsuka doesn't know what he's talking about, but asks Soubi to make memories (take pictures) with him anyway.

Ritsuka discovers that his brother and Soubi were a legendary fighting pair at a special school for kids with their abilities. When Semei (the sacrifice) died he left Soubi (his fighter) to his little brother. Ritsuka becomes obsessed with finding out what happened to his brother after learning all this believing that is why his brother died. He begs Soubi to tell him about what happened to his brother, but discovers that his brother ordered Soubi not to tell him. This becomes an obsticle in their relationship, along with other things Soubi is hiding.

Through the progression of this story they fight other pairs from the school, everyone referring to Ristuka as Loveless. They all seem disgusted that Soubi is now claiming to be Ritsuka's fighter, because they don't share the same name. This all leads up to a wide open ending, where Ritsuka asks Soubi if he would kill him if ordered by Semei, to which Soubi says he would die with Ritsuka if that ever happened.

The manga version of this story is 8 volumes and can be picked up at pretty much any local bookstore. It was done by the wonderful Yun Kouga. It was originally printed in Monthly Comic Zero Sum by Ichijinsha. The Anime version was done by  J.C.Staff and appear on Japanese television in 2002. Fun fact about this story is they author doesn't really intend for it to be Yaoi or Shouen-Ai. Its just meant to be a beautiful story.

I LOVE THIS ANIME AND MANGA. let me say it again I LOVE IT.  From the artwork to the music to the story.  Did I mention the CAT EARS?!?!?! *girly squeal*  Its definitely in my Top 10. You can just feel the sexual tension and emotion OOzing out of this manga and anime. It has a little bit of humor thrown in so you don't feel like killing yourself from being so sad. 

So if you dig Cat Ears, Sexual Tension and a good fantasy plot line go check out Loveless.

Macross Frontier
(The power of music saves us all)


The new show celebrates the 25th anniversary of the original Super Dimension Fortress Macross TV series (1982–1983), and is chronologically subsequent to Macross 7 (1994–1996). This third TV series introduces Earth's latest main variable fighter, the VF-25 Messiah (メサイア) and a new ship called the Macross Frontier. The show retains the signature space opera theme consistent with all series set in the Macross universe (which intertwine musical numbers with fast-paced variable fighter combat).

On the Macross timeline, the story is set in the year 2059, 47 years after the original Super Dimension Fortress Macross, 19 years after Macross Plus and 14 years after the story of Macross 7. The series features the 25th New Macross-class Colonial Fleet, dubbed the Macross Frontier, en route to the galactic center. This heavily populated interstellar fleet (consisting of numerous civilian vessels and their military escorts) contains a makeup of both human occupants and their Zentradi allies. As such, many of the Macross Frontier's companion vessels appear to merge more metallic Human designs with organic Zentradi aesthetics. Macross Frontier's plot explores a combination of action/political intrigue/space drama more than previous Macross series have done in the past.

As the series begins, during a mission to an unexplored asteroid belt a reconnaissance New U.N. Spacy (N.U.N.S.) VF-171 is destroyed by extremely powerful and fast insectoid biomechanical alien mecha known as the "Vajra" (バジュラ), which immediately begin their attack on the rest of the fleet. Unable to stop the new enemy threat, the N.U.N.S. Colonial Defense Forces authorizes the deployment of a Private Military Provider organization called S.M.S. (Strategic Military Services) which utilizes the new VF-25 Messiah variable fighter to combat the alien menace.

OMGILOVETHISSERIESSOMUCHTHATITMAKESMEWANTTOSCREAMANDSHOUTANDSTEALEVERYONESLEFTSHOE. This is the most incredible anime I have seen since my Sailor Moon days. I mean, I felt like I was 12 years old again. I was a rabid fan girl! This show has everything and it appeals to both male and female audiences.

Unfortunately, this show never made it to the US, nor will it. Since it’s airing in 2008, there has since been one movie (The False Diva) and there is a 2nd movie in progress (title has not yet been released). The first movie is a prequel/alternate reality to the anime and the 2nd movie happens to be a sequel and sticks to the originality of the anime. I loved all the characters, especially Sheryl Nome whom I connected with on so many different levels. You watch through the show, the characters also progress to build a new future for themselves. I loved the entire soundtrack! The music was great and catchy.

I bet you guys seriously didn’t know that I am a serious Robotech/Macross fan? I may be young but, I know all about that old school anime and I know what’s good.
Since watching Macross Frontier, nothing has held my interest like it did. All these new anime that have been airing have become quite tasteless and seem to be more focused on young school girls…OH WAIT.

Furthermore, this is an awesome series! I highly recommend it because I mean what could be cooler than hot chicks singing their hearts out to you and mechs?

(I would like to apologize for not updating on a regular basis like I had hoped. I am having to deal with some issues in my own personal life and it takes priority over all my hobbies. Again, I do apologize and hope that all of you continue to read our blogs!)

Tsukuyomi: Moon Phase
(Makes Twilight series look good)



The story is about the relationship between freelance photographer Kouhei Morioka and Hazuki, a teenager who descends from a royal vampire lineage. At the beginning of the story, Kouhei travels to a castle in Germany to take photographs of paranormal phenomena for his friend Hiromi, who is the editor of an occult magazine. At the castle, Kouhei meets Hazuki, who feeds on Kouhei's blood and claims him as her unwilling servant. Although this "blood pact" is supposed to bind Kouhei to Hazuki as her obedient slave, her act has no effect on Kouhei. Following an action-packed sorcerers' battle in which Kouhei and his cousin manage to free Hazuki from her captivity in the dreary castle, Hazuki travels to Tokyo, and takes up residence with Kouhei in his grandfather's house in Japan. Hazuki claims that, because she fed on his blood, Kouhei is now her servant, but Kouhei continually refuses to obey her, especially when he thinks her requests are unreasonable. Despite their fighting, the relationship between the duo progresses over time — even in the face of repeated attacks by opposing vampires — until Kouhei becomes determined to protect Hazuki from the vampire servants of her family, who are determined to retrieve her by whatever means necessary.

Oh my god, I’d rather sit and watch Twilight than watch this. This anime was boring and had no plot line, whatsoever. I guess…it is kind of like Twilight in some respects. /shot by many twi-girls. This is purely a filler anime for all your fan boys who fantasize about girl vampires. Hazuki is hardly a vampire at all! Sure, she’s got strong magical powers but, she never wants to bite Kouhei! WHAT KIND OF VAMPIRE DOESN’T WANT TO DRINK THEIR VICTIM’S BLOOD?! That’s not a vampire! If it were me, I would’ve torn his throat out!

Kouhei’s uncle makes Hazuki wear cat ears when she works in the antique shop. He’s a perverted old man but, claims he makes her wear the ears for the sole reason of hiding the fact that she’s a vampire. DOES ANYONE SEE THE PROBLEM HERE? How are cat ears going to hide the fact that you’ve got sharp, pointy teeth?! This anime is bad, I tell you, BAAAAD.

The only positive thing you get out of this anime is a wonderfully composed soundtrack by Yuki Kajiura. Other than that, can’t say too many good things about Tsukuyomi. I’d have to say that Tsukihime was a better vampire anime and it’s done by the same person!

I’m really sad I wasted money on the entire box set. /sad face