Angel Beats

Image from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angel_Beats!

Name: Angel Beats! エンジェルビーツ!

Status: Completed

Episode: 13 + 1 OVA

Release date (for eng sub): -

Summary:

Angel Beats! takes place at a high school acting as a limbo for those who have died, where students learn to give up any lingering attachments they still have from life before passing on. Those in the afterlife school can still feel pain as they did when they were alive, as well as dying again, only to awaken later with no injuries. The story follows the main protagonist Otonashi, a boy who lost his memories of his life after dying. He meets Yuri, a girl who invites him to join the Afterlife Battlefront (死んだ世界戦線 Shinda Sekai Sensen (SSS)), an organization she founded and leads which fights against God for the cruel fates the SSS members experienced in life. In the SSS, there is a four-girl band named Girls Dead Monster that acts as a diversion during missions, and an organization called the Guild that mass produces weapons out of dirt and supplies them to the SSS. Their only enemy is Angel, a girl who has supernatural powers and fights against the SSS. The rest of the afterlife school is populated by a large number of "normal" students and teachers Yuri deems "non-player characters" (NPCs) as they are not human, but look and act the part.

Summary from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angel_Beats!

Personal ratings: 3.5

I totally love this anime. I know there are a lot people who thinks that this anime is incomplete and should have more episodes, since it does not cover all the character's past. But for me, i feel that it is good this way. The reason for them not showing all the character's past is probably because all the character's past would seem the same and would become boring. There is a limit to how many types of sad past there are in the world. However, one thing that keeps bothering me is Yuri's past. Even though they did show in the show, they did not show how she died. Which was a big question mark left when the show finished.

I really love how it has action, comedy and music all in one; it makes it a really unique anime. I think that this show was well thought out, like the proportion of humor, action and music they have in the show was just great! But than, maybe it had too many genre mixed together, it seemed as if the pace of the anime and the direction is it going towards is all over the place.

I never thought that this show is short, but i really want a second season to come out. This time about the time in real life after they were re-born.  

I loved the great twist at the end of the first wave in the show, because I always thought Ootonashi would be together with Yuri

Art ratings: 5

really really perfect. totally loved the art. 

Recommended for:

Gender: Female & Male

Age: 13 and above

Ratings: PG-13

Step Up: Revolution

Image from: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1800741/

Name: Step Up Revolution, Step Up 4: Miami Heat

Release date (in Singapore): 30 August 2010
Watched on: 3 September 2010


Summary:

Emily Anderson, the daughter of a wealthy businessman, arrives in Miami with aspirations of becoming a professional contemporary dancer. However, she soon falls in love with Sean, a young man who leads a dance crew in elaborate, cutting-edge flash mobs. The crew, called the MOB, strives to win a contest on Youtube for most hits for a major sponsorship opportunity, but Emily's father threatens to destroy the MOB's historic neighborhood and the entire community to build a large hotel, in the process displacing thousands of people. Emily bands together with Sean and the MOB to turn their performance art into protest art or risk losing their homes and jobs due to Emily's father's project. They succeed in making Bill Anderson not break their area, thus saving their crew and the neighborhood.

Summary from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Step_Up_Revolution



Personal Ratings: 3.5

Really love this show. The dancing and art was really cool. I find that this maybe the best step up so far (from what i have watched). I totally love the idea about infiltrating the art museum, camouflaging in with all the art pieces and then dancing. Totally love the ballet part. 

I also loved the last group performance in the show where they used many props and techniques to show off their dancing skills. 

However, one thing was that the love relationship part was a bit to fast and the first part didn't leave an impression on me. But the whole show was nice all together and there were also some heart breaking parts in the show both about love and friendship. And so, i cried (again >_> gotta stop crying, seriously), a little bit for that part. I also did not liked the part about them saying "you and me against the world" stuff.

Recommended for:
Gender: Male & Female
Age: 13 and above
My ratings: PG

Gakkou no Ojikan

Image from: http://www.mangahere.com/manga/gakkou_no_ojikan/

Name: Gakkou no Ojikan 学校のおじかん
Author: Mimi Tajima

Chapters: 115, 17 volumes
Status: Completed
Release date (for eng scan): -


Summary:
Riku is just a normal high school student, but one day when she gets home she finds out that her grandfather has made her the chairman of a an elite school. At first she isn't very happy but when she meet two very cute guys things just begun to get interesting.

Summary from: http://myanimelist.net/manga/1911/Gakkou_no_Ojikan


Personal ratings: 2
In this manga, the main girl and the two main boys does not seem to have a fixed heart on loving someone. The people in the manga seemed to me that all they want is popularity. How many people likes them. Because for every new guy that seems to like Riku (have no idea why), she always seemed to fall in love with the new guy until her boyfriend (at that time not yet), sees her with that guy. The boy is also another thing. He does not seem to be able to move on from his ex-girlfriend. When the ex-girlfriend comes he threw the girl aside and got together with her again. I think this really shows that they characters in this book are not loyal and have  very bad personality. (you may think differently from me) Totally not a good manga. (really no offence)


Art ratings: 4.5
Love the art. Though in the first few chapters i really did not really liked the art but later it gets really nice. I love the clothes they wear, so cute. =3


Recommended for:
Gender: Female
Age: -
My Ratings: PG-13

Detective Conan

Image from: http://myanimelist.net/anime/235/Detective_Conan

Name: Detective Conan, Case Closed, Meitantei Conan 名探偵コナン

Status: On-going
Episode: 745
Release date (for eng sub): Random timings


Summary:

Kudo Shinichi is a 17-year-old high school prodigy who frequently helps the police to solve cases. During an investigation, he is attacked by two criminals, codenamed Gin and Vodka, from the syndicate known as the Black Organization. They force him to ingest an experimental poison, APTX 4869, and leave him to die. A rare side-effect of the poison, however, transforms Kudo's body into that of a child instead of killing him. 

Adopting the pseudonym Edogawa Conan, Kudo hides his identity to investigate the Black Organization. He pretends to be a child until he can find enough evidence to apprehend the syndicate, after which he can then safely find and administer a cure for his current condition. Conan enrolls at Teitan elementary school and forms the Junior Detective League with three other children in his class:Yoshida Ayumi,Tsuburaya Mitsuhiko, and Kojima Genta.

To further cover up his activities, he moves in with his childhood friend Mori Ran, whose father, Kogoro, works as a private detective. Kudo continues to solve criminal cases as Conan, but usually poses as Mori Kogoro with the help of special gadgets invented by his neighbor and friend, Agasa Hiroshi.

Summary from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Case_Closed


Personal ratings: 3.5

This anime started out by having one case per episode. To be frank i didn't like that style because they always seemed to rushed. However, in the later few episodes, it got better. 

I think they should have more episodes on the black organization. It becomes really draggy because i really look forward to seeing about how he gets his body back. 

I really wish they could put more episodes on how Kudo, in his real body, solve cases. It's more interesting since he is allowed to do anything he wants in the crime scene. 

I think it's because it is going on for so long, some of the trick used are pretty much the same idea. It becomes more boring. 

Well there may be many flaws here and there, but I just cannot stop watching this series!

Art ratings: 3.5 to 2.5

Since it's been on going since 1996, the art really changes alot. 

Though, i prefer the last time art. The hair and the side view looks so much better then the recent one. In the recent one, the nose (form the side view) curve to much. It really bothers me since there are quite a number of side views. The hair also got weirder, like more pointy at the edges and stiff looking. The rest looks almost the same. Now the art ratings went down to 3.

Recommended for:
Gender: Male & Female
Age: 12 and above
My ratings: PG

Special A

Image from: http://www.citymanga.com/special_a/

Name: Special A, S.A スペシャル·エー
Author: Minami Maki

Chpaters: 99
Status: Completed 
Release date (for eng scan): -


Summary:
Hikari has known Kei since they were both six years old and he's surpassed her at everything. Now they are the top two students in an extremely prestigious high school, with Kei holding firmly to that number one position, and Hikari is still determined to beat him, no matter what it takes.

Summary from: http://www.citymanga.com/special_a/ 
(with abit of edition from me :P)


Personal ratings: 4
Quite an old manga. If you ask me, i totally prefer the manga then the anime. This show is totally about romance and comedy. While Hikari is trying to surpass Kei, she finds herself falling in love with him. She does not want to admit her feelings, and Kei is trying his best to make her confess her feelings for him. 

It is really obvious in the book that Kei has been in love with Hikari since young. Really liked the parts about showing the reason why Kei likes Hikari. There are also many sub-pairings in the manga, which i totally love! I in love two of the pairings (i know im weird). A MUST see if you like shoujo (girl) mangas.


Art ratings: 4.5
Manga's art is so much better then the anime (no offence). I really love how they draw the hair, the eyes and the eye lashes. But one thing that kept bothering me is the length of the legs. Arn't they like to ridiculously long?


Recommended for:
Gender: Female & Male
Age: 12 and above
My Ratings: PG

UN-GO

Image from: http://myanimelist.net/anime/10798/UN-GO

Name: Un-Go アンゴ

Movie: UN-GO: Inga Ron Status: Completed
Episode: 11
Release date (for eng subs): Every Saturday


Summary:
Based on the works of Ango Sakaguchi, the story follows Shinjūrō Yūki, a detective who solves mysteries with his strange partner, Inga. It is set in a futuristic Japan that has been affected by a major war and numerous terrorist attacks, after JSDF forces were deployed as peacekeepers abroad.

Summary from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Un-Go


Personal ratings: 3.5
This show has a very deep meaning to every action and speech they make.
I had problems trying to understand some parts, especially the last case, where they talk about all the random microwave stuff, etc. 
I did not really like the way it ended. I still have so many questions they did not answer. Like How his partner became his partner, and what was the contract about. Really had alot of questions and it seemed incomplete to me. 

Even though there are parts that i do not understand, for some reason, i just could not stop watching. This show is very wordy, but it also has quite alot of action for a mystery show. Really hope you can try watching this.
I like how all the cases actually have some sort of link to the last case. I also like the depth of this anime. It really all linked up to one thing; War. I think that this show actually focuses more on humans and their thinking, instead of the mystery; as they didn't really dwell much on how the answer was deduced, but what actually happened and the reason. That's what I find so unique about this show, it's not really your typical mystery animes like Detective Conan, though a little bit like Gosick, but a little less depth and more action scenes. 

Recommend watching it twice.


Art ratings: 4
loved everything except the main guy, his hair looks weirdly stiff. The rest seems perfect. Did not really liked the way they draw the eyes for the adults; to long.
I love their character design. Really cute, and really matches the personality of the characters.


Recommended for:
Gender: Female & Male
Age: 16 and above
My Ratings: PG-13

Shin Attack No. 1

Image from: http://www.animeclick.it/manga/Shin+Attack+No.1+2005

Name: New Attack No. 1, Shin Attack No. 1 新アタックNo.1
Author: Kanon Ozawa
Original work by: Chikako Urano

Chapters: 3 volumes (sorry only know how many volumes)
Status: Completed 
Release date (for eng scan): -

Summary:
Kozue Ayuhara is a short girl aiming to be a number one volleyball player in the world. Her only advantage in volley ball in her jumps and her spikes. 
Summary by: AgnelaAgness

Personal ratings: 4
Sorry for the short summary. Not much to talk about since it's only 3 volumes long. This series was the 3rd series i read in my life. Really long ago, but i still like the story. The last book totally made me cry. A LOT! really sad that her boyfriend died. I know this is a redrawn one but i wish they could take that part out. Seriously, he's to young too die. Even if the last part was suppose to be a happy ending, even then i thought about the dude dying, it somehow does not seem like such a happy ending anymore. But totally love the storyline, a bit of relationship problems here and there. 

Art ratings: 3
Seriously old style drawing. But i give it some credit since it's from last time. 

Recommended for:
Gender: Female
Age: 13 and above
My Ratings: PG

B.O.D.Y

Image from: http://www.mangahere.com/manga/b_o_d_y/

Name: B.O.D.Y ボディ
Author: Ao Mimori

Chapters: 60
Status: Completed
Release date (for eng subs): -

Summary:
Everyone thinks 16-year-old Ryoko has weird taste in guys because she can't stop drooling over Ryu, the strong silent type who sits next to her in class. When she discovers he works for a host club—where women actually pay men to date them—will she finally wise up? Or will he leave his job to be with her? Or will she take a job at the club so he can quit so she can be with him so...?
Summary from: http://myanimelist.net/manga/627/B.O.D.Y.

Personal ratings: 3
As you read the manga, it gets more and more amazing. However there was a big personality change for the main girl when you compare the first chapter to the last few ones. That was the main reason for the lower ratings i gave. 
Ignoring the first volume, i think that whole story was nice. Though i read it years ago, and my memory is abit blurry on this manga, i can tell you that this is something worth reading if you are into Shoujo (girl) books. But if you dont like all the love and relationship stuff, it's definitely not something you want to pick up. 
I do think that the age is a bit inappropriate for this manga. They are all young and (suppose to be) innocent but they are doing THOSE kinda stuffs. I think it's because i'm from an all girls school, i don't really understand some parts in the relationship between the two. Like why did the guy break up with her for no big reason? I totally loved the idea about the 2nd couple in the manga. Love that pair, so cute 

Art ratings: 4
At first the art was not really something i liked. But in the later chapters, you can tell that the art really really improved alot. totally loved how they draw the hair, lips and chibi. But i think they could work more on the eye lashes.

Recommended for:
Gender: Female
Age: 13 and above
My Ratings: PG-13

Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha

Image from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magical_Girl_Lyrical_Nanoha

Name: Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha, Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha 魔法少女リリカルなのは

Sequel: Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha A's Status: Completed
Episode: 13
Release date (for eng subs): -


Summary:
Yuuno Scraia is a mage from a distant planet working to fix the problem he started when Jewel Seeds were accidentally spread around the world. In a failed attempt to seal a seed properly, he winds up on Earth in the form of a ferret. However, his battle with the seeds did not end upon reaching the Earth and he needs somebody else's help to seal the seeds for him. Takamachi Nanoha hears his telepathic cries for help and comes to his rescue. When she is given a pearl known as the Raging Heart she is able to transform into Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha and wield a staff to fend off the evil that lies within the Seeds. In order to help Yuuno complete his mission, she needs to seal all 21 Jewel Seeds away, but Fate may be playing a hand in the matter to prevent Nanoha's goals.

Summary from: http://www.animeseason.com/mahou-shoujo-lyrical-nanoha/


Personal ratings: 3.5
The story line is good, but there are some things that i think they went over board with. Like the sudden huge improvement from the main character. I really dislike such unrealistic power change, so that definitely make me cut the ratings down. 

However this show has little words and more action, which i totally love. I really like how they show the point of view of the enemy, which later turned into an ally, Fate.
I really like the fights and the magic powers. Love the action scenes, especially loved seeing the different types of magics.


Art ratings: 4.5
Really love how they draw the magical circle, gadgets and the clothes. However the eyes are abnormally large and sometimes out of shape. Love the cool spells they came out with =3


Recommended for:
Gender: Female
Age: 13 and above
My Ratings: PG-13

Another

Image from: http://www.animeseason.com/another/

Name: Another アナザー

Status: Completed
Episode: 12
Release date (for eng sub): Every Friday

Summary:
26 years ago, in a third-year classroom of a middle school, there was a student named Misaki. As an honors student who was also good at sports, he was popular with his classmates. When he suddenly died, his classmates decided to carry on as if he was still alive until graduation. Then, in the spring of 1998, a boy named Sakakibara Kouichi transfers to the class, and he grows suspicious of the fearful atmosphere in that classroom. In particular, there is a beautiful, 
aloof girl named Mei Misaki who wears an eyepatch and is always alone drawing pictures.

Summaries provided by: ANN and AniDB
Summary taken from: http://www.animeseason.com/another/

Personal ratings: 3.5
A very delicate anime. This show is a mystery and thriller at the same time. This show really got me thinking for each and every episode. It may be a bit bloody for some people since at the end there were many killing scenes. Totally loved the story line and how they portray it. I liked how they used the dolls and a comparism to keep us in suspense.
The only thing what was actually keeping all the suspense and curiosity in people is actually the fact that you would not know if some one was going to die, how they are going to die and who was that extra person in the class. I really think that this anime really has some really specific and delicate scenes, and because of that, I really think that people should watch this show as a movie or a one-shot, because by the time you slowly watch, those scenes may be forgotten and it will lessen the suspense and really bring down the anime a little bit.  
What i did not really like about the anime was most probably the part where they tell us who what the extra person. It was like, at the moment, everything was exposed. There was totally no hint or anything to tell us who was this person. I know for mainstream shows, when there is a twist in the anime, they always have this pause there for the viewers to take in what was really going on. But for this anime, the twist was kind of a fail, because when they exposed who was the real person that was dead, they went straight into explaining, which gives the audience so chance of slowly taking in the sudden twist, so that part really killed the whole anime. 
But honestly, this has got to be one of the most shocking and thrilling anime I have ever since in my life. When you least expect it, they come out with the unexpected. 
I really liked how they balanced the whole anime out using the main character. The main character is always seen as someone who is normal, kind and calm. Which is totally opposite from the rest of the class, which gave the whole anime the balance. 

Art ratings: 5
Totally loved the art. really flawless, and really suited the whole anime theme.

Recommended for:
Gender: Male & Female
Age: 14 and above
My Ratings: PG-13
                   Some violence and gory scenes