Anime of the Year 1994-III Summer - Taiho Shichau zo

Again no masterpieces. As of decent ones, I'd say that Taiho Shichau zo is the one I enjoyed the most even though it's just franchise setup with 4 episode OVA . 

1. Metal Fighter Miku メタルファイター・MIKU  [J.C.Staff] (Finished 3/13) Tags: Shounen Comedy, Sci-Fi, Sports In the near future, the sports world is dominated by Neo Wrestling, a new spectacle in which Metal Fighters challenge each other to be named champion. The story follows the girls of the Pretty Four; Miku, Ginko, Sayaka, and Nana, as they face off against the current champions, Team Sapphire. With a burnt out drunk named Eiichi Suo for a coach the girls must not only contend with problems in the arena but also unforseen circumstances that arise in day to day life. Only through protecting their friends, understanding their enemies, and eventually challenging their idol Aquamarine, can Miku and the girls understand Eiichi's purpose and the shady secrets behind Neo Wrestling. The closest thing before is probably Cutie Honey and Hummingbirds. There are four girls now both for variety and for build-up during tournaments as Miku should stay the only standing up of the four in the end. Even Kinnikuman was more interesting, to be honest.   Overall Rating: 5/10

2. Huckleberry Finn Monogatari ハックルベリー・フィン物語 [Aubec] (Finished 3/26) Tags: Adventure Based on Mark Twain's famous book about the adventures of young orphan Huckleberry Finn. Huckleberry no Bouken was following the book, the solo adventures, now it's joint adventures with Tom from the start, pretty sure that it does not follow the book as the third friend is black skin kid Jim - kid...  It's done about children and for children, can't see what adults could enjoy here.   Overall Rating: 5/10

3. Macross Plus マクロスプラス [Triangle Staff] (Finished 4/4) Tags: Adult Cast, Mecha, Military, Space Drama, Romance, Sci-Fi The year is 2040 and the galaxy is flourishing with several colonies and advanced technology. AI is near perfection and the current top idol is the near-completed Virturoid Idol Sharon Apple. All that is missing are her actual feelings, which instead are supplied by Myung Fang Lone. Sharon's debut concert is on planet Eden, where at the same time, fighter pilots Isamu Dyson and Guld Bowman battle over air superiority for the "Supernova Project." Isamu, Guld and Myung were once childhood friends, but after an accident seven years ago, they went their own separate ways. With Myung back in the picture, the old disputes are once again awakened. And when an unstable and illegal AI technique is installed in Sharon, the situation is worsened. It's visual and musical treat, but both plot and characters are rather weak, so I don't see what to be crazy about here. It's exactly "plus" and not self-sufficient work.   Overall Rating: 5/10

4. Tenchi Muyou! Ryououki 2nd Season 天地無用！魎皇鬼 [AIC] (Finished 6/6) Tags: Shounen Harem, Space Action, Comedy, Sci-Fi While the galaxy remains at peace, Tenchi Masaki continues to live on Earth with Ryouko and Washuu Hakubi, Aeka and Sasami Jurai Masaki, Mihoshi Kuramitsu, and the cat-like creature Ryo-Ohki. Though it sounds great to be surrounded by so many women, they always end up making things difficult for Tenchi by constantly fighting for his attention, and their attempts at household chores always end in disaster. Although life has become more chaotic since they moved in, Tenchi begins to form a strong bond with his roommates and gains more insight into their respective struggles and history. A surprisingly decent comedy, really did not expect such improvement in sequel and lack of any alien threat. But compared to the comedies that I gave masterpiece status - not so impressive. First episode looks like Mama wa Shougaku 4 Nensei a lot. For me it lacks sincerity and really good characters. Main criteria is still ability to be enjoyed, and funny does not yet mean enjoyable. In the end it's just a usual slapstick comedy with mediocre characters - maybe first of its kind, but certainly having hundreds of successors.   Overall Rating: 6/10

5. Taiho Shichau zo You're Under Arrest 逮捕しちゃうぞ [Studio Deen] (Finished 4/4) Tags: Seinen Detective, Workplace Action, Comedy Running late on her first day as a patrol woman for the Bokuto Police Department, spunky moped rider Natsumi Tsujimoto decides to take several shortcuts, only to be chased down and cited by mechanical genius and expert police driver Miyuki Kobayakawa. Upon arrival at the precinct, Natsumi finds out that her new partner is the same woman who ticketed her earlier. At first, she doesn't trust Miyuki, but in a short period of time, they develop an unbreakable friendship that overcomes traffic accidents, reckless drivers and even the strongest typhoons to hit Tokyo. Patlabor rival with mostly female staff and some Megami-sama character designs. But cases are rather minor, and some needless drama is thrown in constantly. There's potential for future seasons, but in this state it's decent at best.   Overall Rating: 6/10

6. Grappler Baki グラップラー刃牙 [Knack Productions] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Shounen Combat Sports, Gore, Martial Arts  Action Doppo Orochi sits down to watch the final match of his karate school's youth tournament. Atsushi Suedou, one of his disciples, faces off against Baki Hanma, a fresh teenage boy breezing through the matches. Intrigued by the boy's strength, Doppo, alongside another of his disciples—Kiyosumi Katou— visits the notorious Tokugawa underground ring—a hidden freestyle fighting arena that prohibits only weaponry in its matches. Upon arriving, they learn that Baki is set to face none other than Koushou Shinogi: an infamous karate master and user of the lethal Cord-Cutting technique. It's pure karate action, but what's worst it's disgusting with all the gory cord tearing... ugh.   Overall Rating: 4/10

7. Yuugen Kaisha 幽幻怪社 [Madhouse] (Finished 4/4) Tags: Super Power, Vampire Action, Adventure, Comedy, Supernatural In a country where companies are categorized into many subdivisions and corporations, only one of them is a ghost corp—the Phantom quest corp. When otherworldly supernatural phenomenon threatens the city and its populace, Ayaka Kisaragi and her employees are on the job to fight any and all supernatural menace. Ayaka tries to play on Ghost Sweeper Mikami and... manages to deliver even less. Maybe it's due to the OVA vs TV format, but I can't see Yuugen Kaisha as a comedy or as a supernatural action.   Overall Rating: 5/10

8. Tenshi Nanka ja Nai 天使なんかじゃない [Group TAC] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Shoujo Comedy, Drama  In a rainy spring day, first year high schooler Midori Saezima saw a tall, handsome fellow student took care of a stray kitten. Without knowing the boy's name, she fell in love with him at the first sight. Due to sickness, Midori returned to school three days after summer vacation -- only to find out that she was "volunteered" as a candidate for student council. After a series of embarrassing accidents, both she and the mysterious boy she had a crush on, Akira Sudo, were elected as members of the student council. Being the first student council of this newly established high school, they are about to create "new traditions" for their school and a bittersweet love story for themselves... 30 minutes of rather simple Shoujo.   Overall Rating: 5/10

9. Uchuu no Kishi Tekkaman Blade II Tekkaman Blade II 宇宙の騎士テッカマンブレード II [Tatsunoko Production] (Finished 6/6) Tags: Mecha, Military, Space Action, Adventure, Drama, Sci-Fi 10 years have passed since the end of the last war against the radam. A new team of Space Knights has been assembled under the lead of Aki and D-boy. The first mission of the new tekkaman is to defeat the radam but then, they have to fight against a remnent from the past. Wow, I had to refer to my notes about the prequel to even remember what it was like. This whole franchise feels like Gunbuster imitation now as it tries to do ecchi, romance, comedy, drama and sentai suits fights vs mecha at the same time. And of course it loses in comparison big time in every field but graphics.   Overall Rating: 5/10

10. Onikirimaru Ogre Slayer 鬼切丸 [Pastel] (Finished 4/4) Tags: Shounen Martial Arts, Mythology Action There was once an ogre (oni) mother who gave birth to a human looking child. Instead of an ogre's horn, this child was born with a sword in hand called the "Onikirimaru" or Ogre Slayer. He has no name and is only referred to by the name of his sword. Though he appears human, he is pure ogre. Believing that he will become human once all of his kind have vanished from the world of humans, he sets out on his destiny to slay all of his kind. Even now, in the mother world of Japan, he is still out there slaying ogres. I hoped to get at least sword action. Actually it's just a student who watched how ghost possesses women and provokes ghosts inside to show up in order to deal with them. Three episodes take place in modern time, and only last one in the beginning of XX century, and even that is not much different.   Overall Rating: 5/10

11. Maps マップス [TMS Entertainment] (Finished 4/4) Tags: Shounen Space Action, Adventure, Comedy, Sci-Fi While looking for the ledgendary Mapman, the last surviving member of the Nomad Star tribe, Lipumira finds him in Tokyo. His name is Gen Tokishima and he is the only one able to get one part of the starmap hidden within the Earth. After retrieving the piece, Gen must make a decision to follow Lipumira in her foolhardy search to find the remaining pieces of the starmap or stay on Earth. He makes his decision, only to find his girlfriend has beaten him to the spaceship as she wants to come as well. Unfortunately, as Gen learns the secret of the starmap, Lipumira's sisters have plans to stop her and will stop her at any cost. I knew I saw all this already... in ancient 1987 horrible anime. Visuals are better now, but plot is same nonsense.   Overall Rating: 5/10

12. Tanin no Kankei 他人の関係 [J.C.Staff] (Finished 2/2) Tags: School Comedy, Romance, Ecchi Tokiro Ehara, an idealistic geeky professor, begins teaching at an exclusive high school for girls, with hopes of meeting young innocent minds in their most fragile state. Unfortunately, on his way to work, he meets 18-year-old Miyako and finds out that she is one wild student that needs to be taught how a prim and proper teenager should behave. He starts to believe that he is just the right person to teach her. Miyako, however, has other plans, and she's not above using her seductive wiles to lure him into submission. It actually seems to be originator of karakau tease ecchi subgenre which we see relatively often nowadays. But it's not just comedy - it actually tries to take things seriously. This mix of genres, unoriginal characters and lack of non-ecchi humor do not allow me to make it a decent score.   Overall Rating: 5/10

13. Haou Taikei Ryuu Knight: Adeu Legend Lord of Lords Ryu Knight: Adeu's Legend 覇王大系リューナイト アデュー・レジェンド [Sunrise] (Finished 3/13) Tags: Mecha Action, Adventure, Fantasy In an old world clash between light and darkness (as always), the evil Lord Uongadis is sealed away under a gigantic monument called the Earth Blade. 20 years have passed since the wars, and now the threat of evil being brought back is greater than ever as demons try to revive their lord. As soon as chibi mecha show up, I can't treat it seriously anymore. But more and more silly things  with maximally convenient turn of things happen over and over, so one needs to turn off logic and reflection while watching it. This I can't do .   Overall Rating: 4/10

14. Cosmic Fantasy: Ginga Mehyou no Wana コズミック・ファンタジー　銀河女豹の罠 [Tokuma Shoten] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Space Action, Comedy, Fantasy, Romance, Sci-Fi Yuu and Saya are two of the top Cosmic Hunters in the galaxy, and Yuu is enjoying a bit of fame after his most recent adventure. The two are on a date when they are interrupted from a distress signal from their "ally", the feline pervert Nyan. In the meantime, the space pirate Belga begins attacking space freighters in an attempt to lure out Yuu, so she can take him to bed with her. Of course, when he spurns her, she decides that if she can't have him, then no one can. A light oneshot about a fight that spoilt a date. There are many elements that are supposed to be funny like cute designs of robots and ships, but overall can't call it funny and don't see the need to watch for those who is not aware of the game.   Overall Rating: 4/10

15. Junkers Come Here: Memories of You ユンカース・カム・ヒア ～メモリーズ・オブ・ユー～ [Triangle Staff] (Finished 0/1) Tags: Drama, Slice of Life  - Not found. I thought I found it, but it was movie from 1995.   Overall Rating: 0/10

16. Hiroshima e no Tabi ヒロシマへの旅 [Toei Animation] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Historical Drama, Slice of Life To spend the summer vacation, junior high school student, Kazuki rides a bullet train to Hiroshima to stay with his aunt. Arriving in Hiroshima, his aunt narrates the tragic past of what happened the day the atomic bomb fell. From the aunt who had to overcome a lot of hardships, he learns the value of peace and to have the courage to lose. What a bore, made just to remind about Hiroshima...   Overall Rating: 4/10

17. Street Fighter II Movie Street Fighter II: The Animated Movie ストリートファイターII MOVIE [Group TAC] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Shounen Martial Arts Action Get your quarters ready, because the world's top fighters are about to go head to head in this explosive animated adaptation of the classic Street Fighter II arcade game! M. Bison's plan to crush those who would oppose his organization, Shadowloo, is simple: brainwash the strongest martial artists around with his dreaded psycho power, and turn them into living weapons! To stop him, Interpol agent Chun-Li must team up with Major Guile of the United States Air Force, but that's no small feat. They'll have to put aside their differences and learn to work together, and fast. Bison is closing in on Ryu, a traveling vagabond said to be the best fighter in the world. Fortunately (or not), Ryu is a hard man to find, but the same can't be said of his eternal rival, Ken. And it might just be through Ken that Bison will get what he wants! Can the World Warriors beat Bison to the punch? Among the other fighting games adaptation it's the best one so far, but it still can't even stand out as non-mediocre, still pointless action for the sake of action and a few fans...   Overall Rating: 5/10

18. Slam Dunk: Zenkoku Seiha Da! - Sakuragi Hanamichi スラムダンク 全国制覇だ！桜木花道 [Toei Animation] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Shounen School, Team Sports Set during the Inter High Championships, Shohoku take on Tsukubu, one of this year's dark horses. It's a clash of acquaintances as Anzai will face his former student which is now the coach of Tsukubu, while Akagi & Kogure meet Godai their former classmate and Tsukubu's captain. Finally Sakuragi is irked by the presence of Nango, Tsukubu's center, who vies for Haruko's attention. Much better than original weird movie, feels like just two episodes of original show.   Overall Rating: 6/10

19. Fatal Fury: The Motion Picture 餓狼伝説  [Studio Comet] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Shounen Martial Arts Action, Adventure, Drama, Romance Young millionaire Laocorn Gaudeamus is on a crusade to recover six pieces of armour said to give the user the powers of Mars—the legendary God of War. Fearing that her twin brother is slowly losing his sanity with every armour piece he collects, Sulia runs to Terry, Andy, Joe and Mai to form their own global crusade to stop Laocorn from opening a potential Pandora's Box and releasing an uncontrollable form of destruction. Second movie came out quite recently, and it looks identical to this third movie and also feels a lot like it. It remains material just for game fans.   Overall Rating: 4/10

20. GS Mikami: Gokuraku Daisakusen!! Ghost Sweeper Mikami Movie GS美神 極楽大作戦!! [Toei Animation] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Comedy, Fantasy  Her name is Mikami and she is a Ghost Sweeper by profession. She's also the sexiest exorcist/bounty hunter you will ever meet! When an evil vampire sorcerer returns to Tokyo after a 100-year absence, Mikami is hired to track him and his menacing assistant down before they take over the city. Same as series, moderately amusing, but that's it.   Overall Rating: 6/10

21. Raiyantsuuri no Uta ライヤンツーリーのうた [Mushi Production] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Historical Drama An indentured Chinese laborer, brought to Japan to work in a coal mine during WWII, manages to escape his captors. He hides out in the Japanese countryside, so far from human habitation that he does not realize when the war ends, with ultimately tragic results. Based on a story by Yoichi Takashi. Only available in arabic. Not sure why another story of survivor needs to be put to anime.   Overall Rating: 5/10

22. Guskou Budori no Denki The Life of Guskou Budori グスコーブドリの伝記 [Animaruya] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Drama  The Biography of Budori Gusko was the recipient of numerous awards including the Monbusho Selection. The original novella on which the film is based is one of Kenji Miyazawa's more famous works, alongside Matasaburo the Wind Imp, Gauche the Cellist and Night on the Galactic Railroad. The story follows the life of a young boy named Gusuko who lives in the countryside with his parents and little sister. A string of droughts and other natural disasters tear the family apart, and Gusuko is forced to leave home and seek his fortunes on his own. Driven by a desire to improve the quality of life of his poor countrymen, he eventually joins a group of scientists called the Iihatov Volcano Department, and there takes part in scientific projects to fight the natural disasters that drove him from his home. Not translated. As most biography-related adaptations, a bore. If your life is not affected by volcanos in any way... kinda useless.   Overall Rating: 5/10

23. Heisei Inu Monogatari Bow Movie 平成イヌ物語バウ  [Nippon Animation] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Adventure, Comedy The story is set in primitive times. In a village which is home to Bow, Sayaka, and other funny characters. The village is suffering from a shortage of food. To resolve this critical situation, Inugami’s grandmother makes a prophesy: “The chosen one will save the village with a great animal.” Following this prophesy, Bow, Sayaka, Inugami, and Sabu set out together on a journey. Sayaka expends great effort trying to capture a mammoth, while Bow causes confusion by fooling around in his usual way… Not translated. 22 minutes can hardly be called a movie, but it differs from the series that stage is prehistoric era from the modern times in the series. Series was an extensive adoration of dogs and their habits. Movie is kinda the same as modern dogs in ancient era fool around while people try to organize life in the minimally accepted way.   Overall Rating: 0/10

24. Kuni-chan no Ikka Ranran 邦ちゃんの一家ランラン [Nippon Animation] (Finished 0/1) Tags: Drama, Slice of Life - Not found.   Overall Rating: 0/10

25. Samurai Spirits: Haten Gouma no Shou サムライスピリッツ　破天降魔の章 [Starchild Records] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Shounen Historical, Samurai Adventure One hundred years after their deaths, six legendary holy warriors are reborn to seek justice against the former comrade who betrayed them into the hands of an evil god! The six warriors search the feudal province of Edo questing for the last Saint Soldier, Haohmaru, and their sworn nemesis Shirou Amakusa. Will the followers of the divine light triumph over the forces of darkness, or is history destined to repeat itself? Before their hundred-year journey has ended, six samurai will prove that the only thing stronger than their holy blades is the steel of their wills! It smells fishy from the very start as after one disaster we're shown fighters getting aware of it from different parts of the country. And yes, it's another adaptation of a fighting game. Every of the six warriors needs some screen time, plus the adventure itself, so 68 minutes is not that much. None of the fighting game adaptations have been able to break free from averageness for now.   Overall Rating: 5/10

Share this: