Ikoku Meiro no Croisee
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Inu x Boku SS
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Ixion Saga DT
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Infinite Ryvius
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Iria, Zeiram the Animation
Alternate Titles: None
Original Japanese Release Date: 1994
Episode Length/Run-time: 6 ( 35 mins ea. )
Summary:
Iria is a story about a girl and the Alien that she hates with a passion. The story begins with Gren, her bounty-hunter brother, taking a job with Iria tagging along. Gren is a well-known skilled bounty-hunter, whereas Iria is simply an apprentice. The job? To determine what has happened to the crew and cargo of a space station. Action ensues, and a war between Iria and Zeiram begins.
Review:
First of all, Iria takes place in a world mixed between ancient china and a space-based world. Along with the characters and action, this anime packs a punch of entertainment. The plot may be a bit lacking, but the characters are easily loveable, and theres a lot of weird stuff that goes on on the side that keeps things fresh. Combined with the fast paced action, a hot main character who’s a badass, innovative technologies and skills, and the unique world in which the story takes place, the foundation of a great action anime is laid out. To better describe the setting, picture an ancient east combining with a space-traveling futuristic western world. I mean come on, Fujikuro rides a flying rickshaw! Does it get much more awesome?
Oh wait, yes it does. The crazy laser guns, portable shield generators, flying cars, inter-spatial teleporters, and other practical do-hickies make this anime a blast to watch. Its interesting to see how the futuristic technologies tie into the old-style world Iria takes place in.
All of these together, along with the neat cultural additions such as Iria’s intricate hair beads and some historical architectural designs, make Iria one anime you won’t soon forget!
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Initial D
Alternate Titles: Initial D: First Stage
Original Japanese Release Date: 1998
Episode Length/Run-time: 26 ( 25 mins ea. )
Summary:
Takumi Fujiwara, a high school student, works at a gas station during the day and as a delivery driver for his dad’s tofu shop at night. Little does he know, the driving skills he has developed driving his dad’s Toyota Sprinter AE86 Trueno on deliveries has made him the best amateur street racer on Mt. Akina’s highway. As word gets out, racers from across the Gunma area challenge him to see if he is really the awesome racer that he is made out to be.
Review:
AWESOME! I loved Initial D so much. Biased as I am, since I am also a car junkie, I still think most everyone will at least find this anime exciting and entertaining! The CG cinematics of the car racing may appear awkward at first, but it plays its role nicely throughout the anime. I can imagine hand drawing all the racing scenes could have potentially made them appear less streamlined. However, whats great about this anime is that a lot of the car talk within it is true to life, and not crazy like stuff from the movie Speed Racer. The cars in Initial D are also pretty accurately portrayed from the real life versions. Theres nothing more that I love than seeing a mid-90’s FD RX-7 racing an oldschool AE86! The suspense of each race and some of the daring stunts that Takumi pulls to stay on top of his game will keep you on the edge of your seat, guaranteed! A must watch, especially if you love cars like I do!
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Ikkitousen Xtreme Xecutor
Alternate Titles: Ikkitousen XX
Original Japanese Release Date: March 26th, 2010
Episode Length/Run-time: 12
Summary:
The heads of all the fighting schools are invited to an island to participate in a fighting tournament. Little do they know that it’s a trap, designed to wipe out the heads of the fighting schools.
Review:
The alternate title of this show had 1 few X’s. This show might as well be a hentai. I’m just surprised that after four whole seasons, that these fighters haven’t started buying more resilient clothing. The slightest punch will cause all of the clothing of the female fighters to explode off violently.
There isn’t really much to say about this show that hasn’t been said before. I suppose the main additions to this series are that they added a few more air headed female characters. Just prepare yourself for less fighting and more slapstick comedy than you’re used to in Ikki Tousen.
I would recommend this show for people who enjoy their T&A and for those who like fighting, even if it is poorly animated.
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Iron Man
Alternate Titles: None
Original Japanese Release Date: 2010
Episode Length/Run-time: 12
Summary:
Tony Stark the internationally known super hero Iron Man has headed to Japan. He is retiring the Iron Man and focusing on creating arc reactors for clean, renewable, energy. Or so he thinks. Despite choosing Japan for it’s peaceful place in the world combat seems to be finding him casting doubt on his place, mission and the arc reactor. He works with the Japanese Self-Defense Force against the mysterious Zodiac to see his dream become a reality.
Review:
The first words that come to mind about this anime are, “oooooh…. shiny.” This was the first of the Madhouse/Marvel trilogy where they are working together to bring Marvel characters into Japanese anime, and what translates better than suave rich men, lovely women, and robots? Marvel likely just told Madhouse to ignore the bill and work their magic and work it they did! Everything is crisp, clean, and it’s how CG in anime SHOULD be. The mech battles are entertaining and well done.
The story is fairly basic, risking monster of the week there’s nothing fantastic but it’s incredibly enjoyable. Tony is perfectly Tony and gets the woman as he wants them while still being smooth and attractive.
Not the best mech anime out there, but is definitely above average, if for nothing more than some great fight scenes!
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