First Episode Review for: Folktales from japan

Summary : As you may have guessed from the title this anime is a series of retellings of traditional Japanese folk tales.

Animation : Very basic, a certain simplistic charm but obviously designed for young children

Plot Potential: 3 short tales for each episode very much in the vein of Aesop’s fables, although Japan REALLY has it in for bad neighbours, really REALLY!!

Characters: I cant really pass judgements on traditional characters that are there to relate the point of a tale rather than entertain us, characters tend to be very polar either completely good or completely bad

Music: Snippets of traditional music and a couple of kiddies tunes for closing, nothing that gets on the nerves.

Reminds me of: Nope this is fairly unique on me, i vaguely remember an 80’s anime about history that might come close but I can find its name

Overall: These were really quite fun to watch, quite fascinating in fact and I suspect gave a bit of low brow cultural background to the normal stuff I watch, very much recommend.

Disclaimer: These are mini reviews of anime’s that are fresh out in Japan and are not licensed in the UK, buy them once they have been licensed or at the very least buy the merchandise, remember if the anime makers make a loss, THEY WILL STOP MAKING ANIME!!

First Episode Review for: Jewel Pet Deco

Summary : The Jewel Pets are back for their 4th go, this time they seem to be saving the world with the help of a teenage super team

Animation : Bright single tone cell animation, but they have gone overboard with the sparkly effects, but I can only guess that given the reception from the rest of the flat that this is a good thing

Plot Potential: WTF! This makes even less sense than the normal Jewel Pet series, no plot continuity from the other series, so just treat it as a fresh start and enjoy it.

Characters: Core characters remain the same but the look and history of everything else has been changed, however the amazing and hysterical scripts continue, I don’t know if its the original or a gifted set of translators but let it continue.

Music: bouncy bouncy (dance like a 8 year old)

Reminds me of: All the other JewelPet shows but most of all JewelPet Sunshine

Overall: The lowest of low stress anime, if you’re feeling down put this on in the background!

Disclaimer: These are mini reviews of anime that are fresh out in Japan and are not licensed in the UK, buy them once they have been licensed or at the very least buy the merchandise, remember if the anime makers make a loss, THEY WILL STOP MAKING ANIME!!

First Episode Review for: Eureka Seven AO

Summary : Part of the ongoing Eureka Seven Mecha series, unsurprising an accident happens with a stolen Mecha near a young boy. (who somehow survives instead being brained by chunks of flying concrete)

Animation : Excellent quality throughout with good shading and attention to detail in the backgrounds, top mark especially on the electric effects (an often overlooked feature)

Plot Potential: This initially triggered my “oh no not again!” when the “accident” happened to the teenage kid, hopping they can do something fresh with it.

Characters: All stock so far, not a single original characters (although the sheer cowardice of the people who caused the accident was impressive), but given the obvious effort they have put into it I will give them time

Music: Faily strong dramatic music, heavy on the piano and sonic style effects.

Reminds me of: Eureka Seven

Overall: I’m not a huge Mecha fan, as they tend to struggle with new plot lines, but the visuals of this anime alone make it worth seeing.

Disclaimer: These are mini reviews of anime’s that are fresh out in Japan and are not licensed in the UK, buy them once they have been licensed or at the very least buy the merchandise, remember if the anime makers make a loss, THEY WILL STOP MAKING ANIME!!

First Episode Review for: AKB0048

Summary : Set in a world where Entertainment is outlawed (work work you devils) and Idol concerts are run by high tech gorilla groups, a group of young fans aspire to be just like their heroes.

Animation : Good quality cell, mixed with very high quality computer and amazing quality backgrounds.

Plot Potential: If they get this right, then it will be a fab plot. its certainly quite original for an anime.

Characters: For what is basically an Idol anime, there is a lot of personal strife and angst which gives a sense of purpose over and above what is normal for this kind of series.

Music: Lots of nice idol tunes, lets see if they can maintain the standard.

Reminds me of: Sakura wars.

Overall: Normally Idol anime are background only, but this one held my attention and I will be watching to see how things progress, recommended.

Disclaimer: These are mini reviews of anime’s that are fresh out in Japan and are not licensed in the UK, buy them once they have been licensed or at the very least buy the merchandise, remember if the anime makers make a loss, THEY WILL STOP MAKING ANIME!!

First Episode Review for: Acchi Kocchi

Summary : Day to day life at a school and one girls secret love for an oblivious boy (every one else knows about it though).

Animation : Really bright with strong colour blocks , backgrounds look a bit “stock”, but as its not an anime that in any way is meant to be relaistic , it’s nice and watchable

Plot Potential: Cutesy school love, not much plot

Characters: very one dimensional, completely flat, the script made out of stock phrase, feels a bit like Japanese stand up comedy.

Music: Bouncy poppy, but they lost the plot with the lyrics on the opening song

Reminds me of: Lucky Star but a bit more serious

Overall: This is a low stress background anime, not bad, but it wont go down in history for much.

Disclaimer: These are mini reviews of anime’s that are fresh out in Japan and are not licensed in the UK, buy them once they have been licensed or at the very least buy the merchandise, remember if the anime makers make a loss, THEY WILL STOP MAKING ANIME!!