Anime Hajime Review: Bakemonogatari

Series Synopsis

While walking to class, Koyomi Araragi (voiced by Hiroshi Kamiya) is taken by surprise when he sees fellow classmate, Hitagi Senjogahara (voiced by Chiwa Saito), falling from the top of the stairs. Without thinking, he catches Hitagi, discovering her secret; she is virtually weightless.

Attempting to keep Koyomi quiet, Hitagi threatens him to stay away from her. Surprisingly undeterred, Koyomi says that he knows a way to cure her condition and offers to help.

Koyomi recognizes that Hitagi has come into contact with a powerful supernatural being known as an oddity. He knows this because until recently, he was one of these mysterious creatures; a vampire to be exact.

After helping Hitagi, they form a strong relationship; first as friends, then eventually becoming a couple. They soon begin to meet several other girls who have come into contact with some kind of oddity.

Anime Hajime Review: Amatsuki

Series Synopsis

After failing his Japanese history test, Tokidoki "Toki" Rikugo (voiced by Jun Fukuyama) visits a high -tech virtual museum in order to complete his make-up work. This museum is unique because it's able to recreate the Edo period of Japan with the use of virtual reality goggles. However things don't go as expected.

Toki is suddenly attacked by a mythical creature known as a nue; a beast with the head of a monkey, the body of a raccoon, legs of a tiger, and a snake for a tail. He is saved from the creature by a young swordswoman named Kuchiha (voiced by Romi Paku), but not before losing the use of his right eye. To make matters worse, the virtual reality goggles are destroyed and instead of returning to reality, Toki remains stuck in nineteenth century Japan.

Forced to adapt to his new surroundings, Toki finds himself in the middle of an ancient conflict between humans and demons. As it turns out, he is not just an average bystander. It is reviled that he has the power to drastically alter the course of this fight.

Being one of the few humans able to see the demonic world, Toki learns that he possesses the power of the Blank Page; a being whose destiny has not been foretold by heaven. He must now choose whether to use his power to side with humans or with demons. To help him with this task are Kuchiha and his friend Kon Shinonome (voiced by Koji Yusa).

Anime Hajime Review: Basilisk

Series Synopsis

In the late 16th century of Feudal Japan, two rival clans of shinobi find themselves in a deadly feud which has lasted for centuries. On one side are the Iga Tsubagakure and on the other the Kouga Manjidani. While the two despise each other, a tentative cease fire has been in effect for some time.

It is the year 1614 and a succession dispute erupts within the Tokugawa Shoguante. To settle the issue, and without risking the lives of the Tokugawa, it is decided that the two clans will determine who the new successor will be. To do this, the Iga and Kouga will have ten of their strongest fighters engage in a blood battle, thus nullifying the cease fire pact that has kept these two powerful and frightening groups in check.

This is all the more terrifying because these are not your normal ninja.  Each side possesses a variety of super natural powers. They are indeed the deadliest warriors in Japan.

While many on both sides are thrilled to see the cease fire finally gone, two have been trying to peacefully end the long lasting feud and have the groups become one. Gennosuke Kouga (voiced by Kosuke Toriumi) and Oboro Iga (voiced by Nana Mizuki) have been courting each other for some time, with the pair soon to be married. Amongst all the bad blood, these two would like nothing more than to see an end to the needless fighting. 

Anime Hajime Review: Battle Programmer Shirase

Series Synopsis

Satoshi Shirase (voiced by Kazuya Nakai) is a freelance programmer who goes by the code name BPS (Battle Programmer Shirase). A computer genius, Satoshi is contracted by a variety of organizations to perform high level cyber functions, such as hacking and security. Even though his level of skill is unmatched, Satoshi never charges money for his services. Instead clients make payments in the form of rare or high tech electronics.

Living a quiet and secluded life, Satoshi has few strong relationships; the major exception being his elementary school niece, Misao Amano (voiced by Misato Fukuen). Actually, due to a complicated family structure, Misao is really Satoshi’s great-niece despite him being no older than thirty.

Misao is a shy girl, but loves and cares for her uncle very much; choosing to address him as onii-chan (Japanese for older brother). Despite how close they are, Misao does not know of Satoshi’s real profession.

For whatever reason, Satoshi will often find himself in a one sided battled with cyber terrorist Rintarou Ose (voiced by Yasuhiro Takato), better known as King of America. While Rintarou is a skilled hacker in his own right, he pales in comparison to Satoshi with the result being utter humiliation for the former.

Anime Hajime Review: Kareshi Kanojo no Jijou

Series Synopsis

High school freshman, Yukino Miyazawa (voiced by Atsuko Enomoto) has dedicated her life to being number one; whether it is in academics, looks, sports, etc. However this is not her true self. It is all a façade due to Yukino’s desire to be adored and praised by everyone at all times.

Upon entering high school, Yukino is shocked to learn that there is another student who is able to outperform her; Arima Souichirou (voiced by Chihiro Suzuki). Feeling threatened, Yukino tries everything to overtake Arima while still keeping up her model student persona.

One day Arima discovers the truth. Terrified that her secret will be revealed, Yukino begrudgingly and desperately does anything she can to keep Arima quiet. Slowly though, Yukino and Arima start to form a deeper relationship; first as friends, then as love interests, to eventually becoming boyfriend and girlfriend.

Despite displaying a calm and well-mannered front, Yukino is actually very energetic, loud, and expressive. For most of her life, the only ones to see this side of Yukino has been her family. After Arima found out and the two of them became a couple, Yukino realized how selfish she had been by deceiving everyone for so long. Slowly she lets her true personality come out for all to see. Although Yukino originally despised Arima, once she got to know him, she soon began to fall deeply in love with her former rival.

Anime Hajime Review: Love Live the School Idol Project

Series Synopsis

Otonokizaka Academy, a long established high school, is on the verge of shutting its doors for good. The news is devastating for second year Honoka Kosaka (voiced by Emi Nitta). Hoping to garner more students and overturn the decision, she desperately tires everything to save her beloved school.

While visiting a neighbouring academy, Honoka is struck with awe when she hears the school idol group A-Rise. Inspired, she decides to form her own idol group with the help of her two closes friends, Kotori Minami (voiced by Aya Uchida) and Umi Sonoda (voiced by Suzuko Mimori).

Honoka's determination is inspiring and slowly the group starts to gain more members.

First to tag along are first years Maki Nishikino (voiced by Pile), Hanayo Koizumi (voiced by Yurika Kubo), and Rin Hoshizora (voiced by Riho Iida). Next is third year Nico Yazawa (voiced by Sora Tokui). Finally, the group is rounded off by third years Eli Ayase (voiced by Yoshino Nanjo) and Nozomi Tojo (voiced by Aina Kusuda).

Together, these nine form the Otonokizaka Academy school idol group μ's (pronounced muse).

Anime Hajime Review: K

Series Synopsis

Yashiro Isana (voiced by Daisuke Namikawa), better known as Shiro, is a popular student at Ashinaka High School.

One day, Shiro is suddenly attacked by the infamous organization known as HOMRA. While running from his assailants, Shiro is saved by a mysterious man named Kuroh Yatogami (voiced by Daisuke Ono), the Black Dog.

The rescue is short lived when Kuroh explains that his mission is to find and kill a person known as the Seventh and Colorless King. Almost on cue, HOMRA releases a video showing a person, resembling Shiro, claiming to be the Colorless King as he kills one of their members.

Despite the damning evidence, Shiro has no memory of killing anyone or any knowledge of this so called Colorless King.

Although he is able to convince Kuroh of his innocence for the time being, Shiro still on run from HOMRA, led by the Third and Red King Mikoto Suoh (voiced by Kenjiro Tsuda), and as well as the organization known as Scepter 4, led by the Fourth and Blue King Reisi Munakata (voiced by Tomokazu Sugita). To aid him, Shiro relies on the help of Kuroh and a strange girl named Neko (voiced by Mikako Komatsu).

Anime Hajime Review: Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica

Series Synopsis

In the town of Mitakihara, two friends, Madoka Kaname (voiced by Aoi Yuki) and Sayaka Miki (voiced by Eri Kitamura), blissfully live their lives as average junior high school students. Then one day, a ghostly voice rings through their heads crying for help.

Upon further investigation, the two come across a fleeing white cat-like creature. The strange animal is being pursued by the mysterious new transfer student, Homura Akemi (voiced by Chiwa Saito), who appears to be in control of a large amount of unknown magical energy.

Madoka and Sayaka plea for the creature’s safety. Unfortunately, there efforts prove fruitless and the girl’s request is ignored. Before the cat can be killed, Homura is confronted by Mami Tomoe (voiced by Kaori Mizuhashi). Like Homura, Mami also seems capable of controlling a similar form of magical energy. Choosing to avoid a fight, Homura retreats.

The animal introduces itself as a mystical being Kyubey (voiced by Emiri Kato).  Madoka and Sayaka heard the cries for help because Kyubey wishes to make a deal. In exchange for one wish, the two must agree to become magical girls in order to hunt and destroy horrifying entities known as witches. Both Homura and Mami have already made such a deal, along with another girl, Kyoko Sakura (voiced by Ai Nonaka).