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Length: 13 episodes
Original Airdates: 7/07-11/07
Demographic: Seinen
Genres: Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy, Historical
WARNING: Contains strong, graphic violence and gore

Plot Synopsis
Baccano is Italian for noise, but Narita translates it as "stupid commotion." Each of the stories in the series involves several unrelated plots intersecting and crossing each other as events spiral farther and farther out of control. Immortal alchemists, mafia operated speakeasies, and many other elements of pulp fiction mashed together for a world straight out of the movies. Based on a light novel series by Narita Ryougo
(From Anime News Network)

... Personal Opinion
The overview that I found isn't exactly detailed. Baccano actually follows 3 separate storylines taking place over 3 years: 1930, 1931, 1932. All of these separate storylines have common elements. Namely... the involvement of immortals (people who can't die).
The biggest plus that this anime has is the characters. All of them are really unique and different. You have a pair of dimwitted theives who unwillingly make everyone's life more brighter, an insane nephew of a Mafia boss who's only obsessed in killing, a crybaby who is actually quite dangerous... these are just a few of the kinds of characters you can expect.
As for the plot... the first episode shows all the characters together acting as friends... and we are left wondering how everyone unfolds. The next 12 episodes comprise of moments from the 3 storylines intertwined and exchanging randomly. The 3 storylines comprise of events in New York in 1930, a train crisis in 1931, and a search for a character in 1932.
Indeed... early on, you'll probably be somewhat lost as to what's going on. But if you stick with it, by episode 7 or so, the pieces start to fit together... and by ep 13, everything is concluded and you're left w/ an amazing anime.
The final moments from the anime is worthy of a 5 minute applaud.

Now... this anime has more violence then Claymore... however.. unlike Claymore.. it actually fit and it added to the effect, rather then take away.

So if you're up for a fun, bloody fest.. this is the anime for you

10/10

Similar to...
- Cowboy Bebop
Both have a jazzy feel to it

- Fullmetal Alchemist, Buso Renkin
All these animes have elements of alchemy in it. (though the usages are totally different)

- Any mob flick that you've seen

Length: 26 eps
Original Airdates: 4/07-9/07
Demographic: Shounen
Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Comedy, Parody, Harem

Plot Synopsis
Seto no Hanayome's story revolves around a young teenage boy named Nagasumi Michishio. One day during his summer vacation, Nagasumi was saved from drowning by a mermaid, San Setouichi, in the Seto Inland Sea. However, under mermaid law, if a mermaid's identity as a mermaid has been revealed, both the mermaid who was involved and the human who saw the mermaid are to be executed. In an attempt to save both Nagasumi and San's lives, San's family, which is apparently the head of its own mob, reluctantly decides that the two are to be ... married.
Gōzaburō, San's father, however, is enraged about his daughter running off and getting married, especially to a human whom he deems inferior. Between Gōzaburō's attempts on his life and the madcap antics of a whole slew of antagonists — including the daughter of a rival mobster and a rich male transfer student with an attraction for San — Nagasumi is not enjoying a very smooth transition into his new lifestyle.
(From Wikipedia)

Personal Opinion
Okay so I wasn't sure how this was going to turn out... I mean it's an anime about mermaids. Well, it ended up being one of the funniest shows that i've seen thus far.
So.... what was unique about Seto? Well, for one... it had yakuza mermaids... therby shattering any previous notions that all mermaids are angelic. The next thing is the characters. If Gozaburo failed to get laughs, there were always his faithful flunkeys. And if that wasn't enough... ep 11 introduces us to a new character who is a direct parody of the Terminator.
The biggest plus is the animation style and the voice actors. A few things that will guarantee to get laughs every time... whenever san looks dumbfounded and speaks... San's mermaid song of sleep... Runa's mermaid song of battle... and whenever Kai is exposed to sunlight.
In truth... it's very childish humor intended for older kids.
A really good series through and through...
I demand a second season.

8/10

Similar to...
- Hayate no Gotoku
Similar parody style humour... except Seto actually has a plot.

- Zero no Tsukaima
Human being dragged into an outside world of differing laws. Only thing keeping him there is love.

Length: 24 episodes
Original Airdates: 1/06 - 6/06
Demographic: Seinen
Genres: Adventure, Drama, Fantasy, Romance, Supernatural

Plot Synopsis
Shirou Emiya lost his parents in a fire when he was young and was later adopted by a sorceror by the name of Kiritsugu Emiya. Although he was full of admiration for his adopted father and yearns to become an ally of justice, Shirou has limited powers and was unable to become a strong sorceror like his father. That is until one fateful day, he was drawn into the Holy Grail War and had to summon a female "Servant" known as Saber in order to protect himself. It turns out that the ... Holy Grail War involves a series of battles among powerful sorcerors to fight for the possession of a relic that will grant one's wishes, the Holy Grail. There are altogether seven "Masters" who can summon their respective "Servants" from different classes known as Saber, Archer, Rider, Berserker, Lancer, Caster and Assasin. These "Servants" have to hide their names in order not to reveal their weaknesses to the enemies. The story revolves around Shirou and his entanglement in the Holy Grail War.
(From Anime News Network)

Personal Opinion
I actually tried to watch this anime a month ago... but the first episode was not enough to keep me interested. I had a feeling that i had dropped it too easily so i recently picked it up again. The 2nd episode was enough to get me interested.
Okay, so if you want a good story, pretty good characters, and some nice fights... this is the anime for you. I mean I tried to look for something wrong w/ this anime... and I can't find one... Yet... it didn't grab me like some other stuff i've watched. Interesting, yes... just not my kind of anime

7/10

Similar to...
- Zero no Tsukaima
Relationship btw magician master, and sword-wielding servent

-Shaman King
A tournament btw supernatural players

Length: 26 episodes
Original Airdates: 4/03 - 9/03
Demographic: Seinen
Genres: Adventure, Drama, Mecha, Romance, Sci-Fi, Post-Apocalyptic

Plot Synopsis
The year is 2356 A.D. - 189 years after a distant supernova caused a global catastrophe that wiped out 99% of the world population. To keep track on all space activities, mankind has built colossal space stations called "foundations" all over the Solar System. After passing the Space Academy entrance exams, Shima Katase embarks to the Earth-based foundation Stellvia to fulfill her dream of seeing the galaxy and to prevent another interstellar catastrophe from destroying Earth.

Personal Opinion
So when I saw the first few episodes of Stellvia, I was thinking... "This is ... WAY to cheerful to be a post-apocalyptic anime". Well considering the other post-apoc anime I had seen was Evangelion... I wasn't wrong to think so. So the first 8 episodes do a really good job of establishing the universe that Stellvia was situated in. By episode 13, here is what i noticed
- It had some really interesting characters
- A romance that nearly everyone would appreciate
- Plenty of character development
- A beautiful storyline and animation
- Limited by heartpounding action

Had it ended on ep 13... it would probably tied with Gurren Lagann as my favorite anime... Unfortunately... Stellvia took a downturn heading into the 2nd half... the characters that we were interested in suddenly started to get annoying. The romance goes nowhere. And the character development gets muddled in frequent crying outbursts.
The only thing that didn't go downhill was the animation and the action. The epilogue was also kind of anti-climactic.

Overall.. this anime would've worked really well if it were split into 2, 13 episode seasons.
As for my reccomendation... watch it for the first half, expect to be dissapointed by the 2nd half

1st half: 10/10
2nd half 6/10
Overall: 8/10

Similar to...
- Eureka Seven
For the same reasons listed above

- Neon Genesis Evangelion
Post-apocalytic... and Shima develops a "Shinji-complex" towards the end.

Length: 24 episodes
Original Airdates: 4/07 - 9/07
Demographic: Seinen
Genres: Comedy, Satire, Slice-of-life

Plot Synopsis
Portrays the lives of several school girls attending a Japanese high school with a very loose humor tone. The main heroine is Konata Izumi, an athletic and intelligent girl who, despite these attributes, is not in a sports club, and her grades remain low. Her laziness at school is due to her love for anime and video games, and she is not interested in much else.

Personal Opinion
So I had heard of Lucky Star for quite a while actually. I just wasn't sure what I should expect. I mean it didn't have anything ... extravagent, i mean some anime references here and there.
And then i saw the OP. And my life would never be the same.
So if i were to ask for a plot, i would say that there isn't any. Lucky Star is the anime equivalent of a sitcom. Each episode has multiple short situations that leads to some witty comment or reference.

Now knowing me, plot-development is a MAJOR aspect of my reviews. So a show that doesn't have a plot will have a hard time to get a good review from me. However... Not only did Lucky Star managed to garner a good review from me, but it also turned me into a hopless fanboy.
At this moment i'm trying to learn the Lucky Star dance

8/10
This is a series made of pure WIN

Similar to...
- The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya
Same voice actors and there are plenty of Haruhi references in Lucky Star. It's a running gag

- Minami-Ke
Haven't reviewed Minami, but from what i've seen of it, it's quite similar to Lucky Star, as in sitcom like anime

Length: 12 episodes
Original Airdates: 10/07 - 12/07
Demographic: Seinen
Genres: Drama, Romance, Slice of Life

Plot Synopsis
The anime revolves around two protagonists, Hirono Hiro and Asou Renji. On Christmas Eve, Hirono Hiro meets a girl named Miyamura Miyako who was chasing a purse snatcher. Hiro later finds out that Miyako also goes to the same school as he does and they start hanging out together. This made Hiro's childhood friend, Shindou Kei, feel left out. Kei then tries to compete with Miyako for Hiro's affection and a love triangle ensues. The anime also tells the story of Asou Renji. Renji meets a girl named Shindou Chihiro at an ... abandoned train station. He soon learns that Chihiro suffers from a type of amnesia where her memory span only lasts for 13 hours. He also discovers Chihiro's dream of writing a novel, but she has never been able to fulfill that dream due to her condition. Renji then decides to help her fulfill that dream.
(From Anime News Network)

Personal Opinion
Every once in a while a show comes along that restores your faith in a certain genre. "ef ~a tale of memories~" did that for me. It single-handidly restore my faith and reminded me of why I like romance animes sooo much.
So upon first glance of the images, it looked to be another slow moving romance harem drama. So, i was expecting something like Love Hina, or Da Capo which spent more time concentrating on irrelevant material rather then the main romance.
BOY was i wrong.
First and foremost... ef is INCREDIBLY stylistic. One glance at the sky in the show and you get goosebumps. This was probably the most unique aspect of the show and one of the most appealing.
2nd... the romances in ef are absolutely amazing. There's no way that you can be upset over the final pairings.
Finally... all the characters are all really well developed and you really care about them.. when they're happy, you're happy. When they're in pain... you're in pain.

I really can't find one bad thing about this anime. I mean it's blown out all the other animes i've seen (yes, including Eureka Seven and Gurren Lagann).

I'm stopping myself from giving anything over the max rating... but i totally would if i could.
10/10 (and it's pushing the limit)

Similar to...
- Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei
I haven't reviewed this one yet... but the stylistic approaches are quite similar and they're both made by the same production company

- Neon Genesis Evangelion
You know those mind-rape moments in NGE? when text would randomly appear on the screen w/ no real relevance. Well there are moments like that in ef... albeit... they're a lot friendlier w/ your brain and you can actually comprehend what's going on.

- This Ugly Yet Beautiful World
Both are quite beautiful w/ multiple lead girls. Though in ef the girls are less connected

- Kanon/Clannad
Music, style, mystery elements are shared in all of them

Length: 6 episodes
Original Airdates: 1/06 - 2/06
Demographic: Seinen
Genres: Drama, Romance
Also known as: Looking up at the half-moon, Hantsuki
One sentence description: "Boy meets a girl who probably has less than a year to live"

Plot Synopsis
During the winter, Yuichi was hospitalized due to hepatitis. Randomly he would try to escape from the hospital but would get beat up by the nurse. One day, he happened to meet Rika, a girl of his age, in the next building. He was fascinated by her beauty, but she was very selfish girl. Although she led him by the nose, he began to be attracted by her. However, when Rika told ... him about her illness, he knew why she acted so selfish; she didn't have long to live.
(From Anime News Network)

Personal Opinion
This was the next anime I saw after completing "ef - a tale of memories"... so my expectations were somewhat inflated.
Besides that... this was your run-of-the-mill romantic drama. On that note... it wasn't bad... but it wasn't good either.
First off... the anime length almost felt tooo short. With 6 episodes, I can't care about the characters, and from that, i can't really understand the emotions that the characters have to deal with.
Also plot developments were somewhat awkward and felt forced. Again probably from the fact that the anime was only 6 episodes
Actually when i think about it now... all my problems w/ this anime can be traced down to it's shortness
I mean besides that... the anime was decent... it had good characters... just not enough time to develop them

Rating: 7/10

Similar to...
- Air
Guy falls for a girl who's death is imminent.

Length: 13 Episodes
Original Airdates: 9/07 - 12/07
Demographic: Seinen
Genres: Romance, Drama, Comedy, Slice of Life
One Sentence Description: "Proof that a rom-com can end up dark and amazing"

Plot Synopsis
Sana Hikada returns to his hometown after 5 years away living in Tokyo. Although there are some changes to the town, most has remained the same. On a detour to his apartments, he notices a girl in a shrine maiden outfit watching him when he visits the shrine. He finds out, the next day at school, that this girl is actually Nanaka Yatsushiro, his old childhood friend whom he gave a bracelet to before he left, that she still ... wears, even to this day.
(From Anime News Network)

Personal Opinion
First off... apparently anime characters bleed black blood nowadays... =/
Back to topic, Myself; Yourself has gotten a lot of comparisons to another anime named "School Days"... Now if you've read about the ending of School Days, then this comparison should be sounding alarms in your head. Fortunately... I can say that the endings aren't similar.
Myself; Yourself starts off like a typical romance/harem/comedy. A moderate sized cast made up of 2 guys and a lot of girls. You see the possibility of 3 girls liking the main character. However this formula gets shattered by the 8th episode as the anime takes a turn for the darker.
Now when I say darker... i don't mean like "heads will roll" kinda dark (that's just f***ed up), i more mean like the pasts and backgrounds of the characters are shown and the happy athmosphere of the first 7 episodes disappear.
The first 7 episodes were somewhat flawed but really helped me appreciate each character. (Aoi-chan is just tooo cute). It's the final 5-6 episodes that this anime REALLY shines. All the major character developments occur hear and most of these are emotionally touching.
The final episode closes the anime nicely and leaves the viewer satisfied

I personally would've liked to see some of the secondary characters to get some character development. But i'll take what i get

RATING: 8/10

Similar to...
- Kanon
Many girls who have some problems in their past or present

- Shigofumi
the 2nd half the series really targeted the faults of humans in general and almost felt like the writer was making a commentary.