What is Anime? Anime is Japanese for "animation". The word was orignally borrowed from the French when animation was introducted. Animation as an industry is much bigger in Japan than it is in North America, being of the same order of magnitude as the "live-action" film industry. All genres are supported through three separate mediums: TV episodes, Original Video Animation (OVA), and full length feature films. While anime varies in quality according to both production techniques and artists merid, the level of sophistication is, in general, far superior to its counterpoint outside Japan, the "cartoon". In present North American society, the idea of an animated program is thought to be as geared only towards children. It is common to see predictable plots and platitudes such as "superhero" genre, fueled by the popularity of characters such as "Superman", facing simple good vs. evil plots, with little attention paid to significant details such as character development. Although Disney has been praised for its animation, many of its films have fallen into the trap of being too predictable, with villains who are wholly evil, and not very believable (e.g. the Little Mermaid's Ursula). By contrast, manga and anime deals with complex, thought-provoking themes, presenting complex characters that grow/change, as the story progresses. It tends to deal realistically with life and death, and even the villains have hopes and dreams of their own.

TV Episodes: These are the animes shown on TV in Japan. The arts range from adequate to good, but since the anime have more times to develop their characters, it is usually more enjoyable.

Original Video Animation: Also known as OVA, or OAV (Original animated video). Both mean the same thing. These animes go directly to the video market. Their arts are better than TV's but given the short length of time (usually about 30 - 60 minutes), OVA tend to be a spin off of its TV counterpart. But some OVAs have more than one episode and could stand on its own.

Full length feature film: These animes are made for the big screen. They feature some of the best art works around. Feature films last anywhere from 60 minutes to 2 hours.

Bishojo Senshi Sailor Moon

Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon is a story about a klutzy, crybaby, 14 year old underachiever named Tsukino Usagi who was given some transformation items and super powers. Usagi transforms into the pretty, sailor suited fighter called Sailor Moon to fight against evil. But even as the super hero, Sailor Moon is klutzy and a crybaby. Then as time goes by, Usagi is joined by some other girls to form a team of sailor suited fighters.
Sailor Moon is a story aimed at young girls (4 to 12 years old), and can be considered a magical girl story. The manga is written by Takeuchi Naoko.

Dragonball Z

Dragonball, the original series was created by Akira Toriyama. The main character, Son Gokou and a young teenager named Bulma go es off in search for the 7 dragonballs. This is where their adventure begins. Later in the story, the plot gets better and better. Gokou then finds out that he is a Saiyan. Thus the action starts to arise. He confronts bad guys like Cell and Majin Boo and turn into super saiyan. There are parts to the dragonball series: Dragonball, Dragonball Z and Dragonball GT.

This show is full of great action, the only part is the fact that they like to recycle the storylines and moves. Gokou kicks ass... Woohoo!!! Love the show so much even decided to collect some DBZ figurines *giggles*

Final Fantasy VII

A Final Fantasy Tribute
By: Mel

As a former die-hard RPG fan, I've played every Final Fantasy I could get my hands on since the yee old days of the NES, GAMEBOY, AND SNES. It's a fact that I did indeed only buy the PSX, because SQUARE had teemed up with Sony. If you are new to the RPG genre, company SQUARESOFT, who is responsible for Final Fantasy 7, is in my opinion, the best producer of this genre. How can anyone forget about "Chrono" or "Mana"?! Let me just say that their story-lines rock, and they really know how to develop likeable characters. But on to the reason you are reading this synopsis: FF7 and FF8

For those who are new to the Final Fantasy scene, the number after each title does not indicate that it is a sequel to the previous title. In fact, the storylines really have nothing to do with each other *sigh* ... as much as I did love FF6 (or FF3 in the US).

FF7 follows the story of ex-Shinra soldier Cloud Strife. Although I don't want to give much of the story away, it has a lot to do with the search for the meaningness of life, and rediscovery of oneself. An interesting point on this theme, was that the producer/director's mother had died during its making, which is why much of its undertones, were very dark and depressing. Cloud has to learn to simply trust others and himself, as well as find out who he really is inside. Along the way of his journey, he teams up with childhood friend Tifa Lockhart, Avalanche leader Barrett Wallace, Ancient Aeris or (Aerith in Jap.) Gainsborough, thief Yuffie Kisaragi, spy Cait-Sith (I think it's pronounce KAT-SHEE), former Turk Vincent Valentine (who I know a lot of the ladies love), lab specimen feline Red XIII, and disgruntled pilot Cid (I forgot his last name). Funny thing about the Final Fantasy universe, is there is a Cid in every single Final Fantasy game. FF7 was the first that showcased him as a regular playable character. Incidentally, if I have forgotten to list any characters, sumimasen, and e-mail Yukii, so I can make amends.

Now for the part she likes sooo much..... the VILLANS!!! (dum, dee dum, dee dum....). Since FF7's plot is so complicated, it is hard to say who exactly are the villans, and who aren't, but one obvious one, is that SEXY SILVER-HAIRED HUNK-A-BURNIN'-LOVE: Yoko Kurama.... whoops! Wrong cartoon.... what I meant to say was SEPHIROTH!!! Since Yukii loves him so much, I'll elaborate on his character a bit, and hopefully not add too many spoilers. He was a former general for Shinra, until one day, he totally lost it, and became the evil bastard he is today. *MAJOR SPOILER ALERT!!!* It turns out that he and Cloud were actually clones... Cloud being a failure, he being the deranged--yet successful prototype, and he delusionally thought this creature Jenova was his mother. Because of Cloud's mental instability, Sephiroth is able to bend his will at times forcing him to obey him, all the while causing poor Cloud to suffer a mental collapse. Though I do admit he is quite a looker, looks aren't everything, so my personal favourite is Cloud. Other villans Cloud & co. encounter are the Turks employed by Shinra (some of them are pretty Kawaii, particularly Reno), GORGEOUS SHINRA president Rufus... I think it is... well in any case, the son, not the father (although he's pretty evil too), Shinra lackies Don Corneo and Heidiegger, Jenova, Sephy's deranged father/creator Hojo, and JIN KAZAMA.... FIGHT!!!! (j/k my mind's straying from my task... although if you haven't played Tekken 3, do so a.s.a.p.).

As far as gameplay goes, I don't have the patience I once had, but if you do want the "perfect" FF7 game, you will have to put in countless hours of gameplay so if you really don't have the time to do much, this is not the game for you. The story-line is pretty engaging, and played from the third-person point of view, so it isn't as involving as some gamers like...but then again, RPG's in my opinion usually are played from the third-person point of view. The mini-games such as Gold Saucer, and Chocobo raising are quite fun, as are the mini story-lines, such as Cloud's *gay-stick-drag* experience... (don't ask), but if you expect to be one of those gamers who beat Ruby, and Emerald Weapon, as well as obtain those mega-materia things, prepare to hibernate in front of your t.v. set for a few months.

Final Fantasy VIII

Not much info. has been released about FF8, although working designs of it were showcased at E3. Basically it is supposed to be lighter than FF7, following the lives of Squall Leonhart (mega-kawaii) who utilizes the weapon "Gunblade" and Laguna Lenoire or Lanoire a former journalist. Both men are supposed to be entwined in a love triangle with some woman (that would be me...j/k), but I am not sure what the real plot is at the moment. Interesting points to notice about this title, is that unlike seeing the standard one person on screen, while all the other characters suddenly pop out of nowhere, all your characters will be visible on screen. Also, SQUARE is finally getting rid of the choppy SD look typical of most RPG characters while wandering around the world, and replacing it with realistic looking game sprites instead. I believe that the ATB from FF7 is still in this game, as well as a more complicated materia system. As usual, most spells are updated to look better than the previous game's. So far the graphics look stellar, and backgrounds look fabulous. I believe a demo is available for play right now with Parasite Eve (SQUARE's latest title), but release is not slated until sometime next year (but don't quote me on this b/c you know how release dates are subject to change).

Lastly, I would like to recommend that all fans of Rurouken try out the RPG version, published by Sony. I cleared it, and I'm neither Japanese or Chinese, so at the time of clearing it, all the language looked like little squiggles. It was a lot of fun though, and used kind of a "rock, paper, scissors" battle-system. A little time consuming because of the language barrier, but hey, it was worth it when I finished it. Graphics wise, you could say it's kind of ghetto, but they do have these neat anime sequences in which events take place, using the authentic seiyuus from the series. (Yep, Mayo Suzakaze and the gang are all there). Well good luck with all of your anime-hunting and gaming.... JYA NEE!!

Fushigi Yuugi

Created by Yuu Watase, this "Mysterious Play" is a tale of two girls, Yuuki Miaka and Hongo Yui, who find an ancient chinese novel. As they start to read the story of Shi Jin Ten Sho (Four Gods; Earth and Sky) the incantation begins. They are transported to ancient China, where Yuuki Miaka is made Suzaku no Miko (Goddess of Suzaku) and tasked to find the shichi senshi (seven soldiers) of the Suzaku constilation; the south. Further into the story we soon discover that Hongo Yui becomes Seiryuu no Miko (Goddess of Seiryuu). Through a long story of betrail, mistrust, love, laughter, and broken pasts the story of Shi Jin Ten Sho unfolds. The legend of Fushigi Yuugi begins...

Most people tend to hate the antagonist Nakago, but I tend to take a fancy him. But some can find it in their hearts and see the reason for his evil ways and actions, and pity what has been done to him has a child to of scarred and emotionally affect his view of life forever.

Gundam Wing

Generations ago, with a great dream for the future, mankind departed from planet earth, seeking a life on space colonies. But as time went by, the world Federation brought the colonies under it's control. One after another using it's overwhelming military power, under the name of peace and justice. A secret orginazation named "OZ" sent to Earth five gundams. Each of these mobile suits are made out of 'gundamian alloy' I think it is, which, can only be made in space. They are gundam Heavyarms, Wing, Shenlong, Deathscythe, and Sandrock. Their goal was to destroy as many Federation bases as possible.

Not a bad show. The animation isn't the greatest but the storyline is wicked! I, myself even collected myself a Chang Wufei Gundam model ^.~

Macross

Super Dimension Fortress 1, (SDF-1)
One of the most popular animiation series with amazing mecha design. The original TV series was produced by Studio Nuo in 1982. It has later beem adopted by Harmony Gold and was showed in U.S. under the name of "Robotech". There are servel sequels to it, including Flashback 2012, Do You Remember Love, Macross II, Macross Plus and Macross 7. The 1200m flag ship of U.N.Spacy during the first space war. The ship, built by unknown aliens, crashed on Earth in 1999. After restoration and reconstruction by Unified Earth Government, it launched in 2009 under the attack of Zentradi. It was the last and the only defence of planet Earth by the time...

Neon Genesis Evangelion is a program that is currently very popular in both Japan and North America. Its origins stem from a Sega Video game, as a lot of anime tends to, (e.g. Streetfighter) and was first classified as sci-fi TV drama, but is now seen as intelligent and psychological. The main theme of the story is the rise and fall of 14-year old Shinji Ikari. After a global disaster known as "Second Impact," "Nerv," a defense organization run by Shinji's estranged father, creates fourteen giant "robots" called "Evas," in order to defend the earth against alien beings known as "Angels." The "Evas" require special pilots, and Shinji is far from it as it can get. Creator Anno Hideako describes Neon Genesis Evangelion as "nothing more than his attempt to put his raw emotions on film...his emotive source seems to be the keen line between lust and the killing urge". Throughout the story, Shinji reaches the point of life and death, and has very psychological monologues about life and death. These monologues are often thought provoking and analyze the meaning of life, and his place within it, through his relationships with his estranged father, his mother Yui, who unknowingly to Shinji, has been consumed by Eva Unit 01 (Shinji's Eva), and the people around him.

Pok�mon

A Pok�mon is an animal with certain abilities from an element. The elements range from fire and water, to psyhic and ghosts. Pok�mon is also the name of a video game for Nintendo's Game Boy released in Japan a few years ago. Unfortunately it never came to America, until now. These Pok�mon are captured in special "Pokeballs" and trained as pets and fighters. The game is about you, a boy from a small town, who wants to grow up and be the best Pok�mon trainer in the world. You have been chosen as one of two boys to go out and record all 150 Pok�mon in your Pokedex, which is a small encyclopedia about Pok�mon, so that the world can learn more about these amazing creatures. The other boy chosen is your rival Gary we will call him. He also wants to be the worlds best Pok�mon trainer in the world and will stop at nothing to stop you from becoming what you both want to be. Anyway you start the game off by getting to choose one Pok�mon to be your "starting" Pok�mon to help you capture the other ones so you can record that Pok�mon in your Pokedex. The show is pretty much the same as the game.

Ranma 1/2

A comedy done by Rumiko Takashi. This show has become immensely popular in North American anime subculture, mainly because of its political incorrectness. The story-line involves a teenage boy (Ranma Saotome) who has fallen into a cursed spring, to the effect that he physically becomes a woman, whenever doused with cold water. Hot water reverses the change; however, only temporarily, as he will change if doused again. Other characters inflicted with the curse include his father Genma, who becomes a panda, and his rival Ryoga, who becomes a tiny black pig. The title was created in 1987 and ended in 1996 (Japan). In North America, the show's third season is currently being released on video, and volume 11 of the manga has been published. An interesting point about the show, is that it was created by a woman, and in country where women are often regarded as secondary to men, she has become increasingly popular.

Rurouni Kenshin

Rurouni Kenshin is a manga (Japanese comics) by Nobuhiro Watsuki. It is currently being serialized on one of the most popular manga magazines, Shonen Jump. Besides, it is also turned to an anime, currently running on Japan.

Rurouni Kenshin is set back in the time of feudal Japan. The story is now set ten years after Hitokiri Battosai disappeared when he single handedly saved the Meiji government. Taking up the name of Himura Kenshin, once the deadliest and most brutal swordsman is now a wandering ronin, swearing that he would not kill anymore. With his sword, the sakabatou, a sharpened blade on the wrong side of the sword allows him to fight without killing. Many have heard the legend, and Hitokiri Battousai is recognized by the X-scar on his left cheek. One day a girl named Kaoru, hearing about Kenshin, went to enlist his help only to find that the legendary Hitokiri is now a polite and gentleman. Slowly, she developed feelings for Kenshin which cause her a lot of pain when Kenshin decided to leave for a mission. Among the other cast are Sanosuke Sagara and Yahiko Myojin both who crossed paths with Kenshin. Sanosuke Sagara possessed great strength and learned a new fighting technique after his gigantic sword was broken by Kenshin. Yahiko was caught pickpocketing Kenshin's pocket. Finally they ended up staying together in the Kamiya Dojo, owned by Kaoru.

I think this is a cool anime with the coolest villians around, namely the self proclaimed rival of Kenshin, Shinomori Aoshi. Kenshin's fear was well described and portrayed in this anime making viewers wonder at how he could have been Hitokiri Battousai once.

Tekkaman Blade

The series takes place in a not too distant future Earth. It takes place in Federation Space Calendar year 192. Terrans have built an orbiting, manned, armed and armored ring around the planet called the "Orbital Ring". Unfortunately an alien species called the Radamu attacks the ring (as most typical anime storylines appear to be). Two military organizations still remain active and continue the fight against the aliens. The first are the "Space Knights", whose duties were to help protect the Earth from outside invasions. The other is the Earth Defense Force, a land-based force whose original duties seemed to have mostly been acting as a global police force. The events chronicled in the series start about one year after the aliens first arrived. More and more of the Earth's atmosphere is being changed into poison by the alien spores. One of the jobs the Space Knights now carry out is monitoring the spread of the spores. A Space Knight team is gathering such information as the series opens. In orbit somewhere above them, a humanoid- shaped, armored mecha is battling the aliens. Then it is attacked by a similar mecha, and the second one names the first one "Tekkaman Blade" and "Traitor". The second mecha is identified by the first during their subsequent battle as "Tekkaman Dagger". As a result of the battle, Blade is damaged and falls into a descending orbit. The Space Knight teams goes to investigate the resulting meteoric fireball. A humanoid crawls out of the crater and collapses. This is how Tekkaman Blade comes into contact with his future allies, the Space Knights...

Tekkaman Blade is the BOMB!!! He sure knows when to whip out a move that make him look like THE man and he sure has plans... BIG plans...(isn't that right, Mel? LOL)
The models I have collected of Tekkaman Blade are awesome. Hmmm... I think this is got me hooked into building those easy-chessy snap together models... LOL.

Tekken 3

Power and greed are the root of all evil. Heihachi and Kazuya lock horns for the final time to decide who is the head of the Mishima Financial Empire. Tremendous wealth and power go to the winner... the loser, a burial in a volcanic crater. Unsatisfied and a thirst yet for more, Heihachi sets his goals even higher. A plan for world peace falsely gains the confidence and support of leaders worldwide. In this time a baby is born...
Fifteen years later a secret excavation by Heihachi's "Tekken Forces" in Central American ruins unearths an unusual find. In their final communiqu� with Heihachi they report the sighting of a mysterious "God of Fight."
Jin Kazama is now a young man of fifteen years. Though he and his mother Jun live peacefully in the mountains, her intuition warns of impending him of a danger. She tells him of a tremendous power seeking their lives. No longer a child and deserving of answers, Jun explains the story of his father, grandfather and the legend of Tekken. Fearful of what lay ahead she tells Jin to go to Heihachi if anything happens to her. Her intuition proves right on a cold, stormy night. The "God of Fight" comes to the mountains bringing a chilling, swirling wind. Still not a man and unpolished in his fighting skills, he is no match. His last words heard before losing consciousness are his mother yelling "run, run far away". Bright morning sunlight awakens Jin. The house and everything around it is burned to the ground. Searching frantically for his mother she is nowhere to be found. Following his mothers wishes, Jin seeks out Heihachi Mishima. Upon hearing of what happened, Heihachi reasons that the "God of Fight" thrives on the "strong souls" of others...the souls of Tekken. Jin asks Heihachi to teach him how to defeat the "God of Fight". As a ploy to lure the "God of Fight", Jin plans to one day organise "The King of Iron Fist Tournament 3". Such a gathering of strong souls would be too much for his arch enemy to resist! Jin enters his nineteenth year. Four years of tutelage under Heihachi Mishima have prepared him for his meeting with destiny. The curtains rise for the King of Iron Fist Tournament 3...

� Demonic Fox Kurama, 1998

**I want to give a big thank you to my close friend Mel for letting me borrow her politics essay and taking excerpts out of it to post onto my page. Arigato Mel-sama ^.^