Anime of the Year 1999-I Winter - Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan - Tsuioku-hen

Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan - Tsuioku-hen was the only anime that impressed me in Winter 1999.

1. Petshop of Horrors Pet Shop of Horrors (ペットショップ・オブ・ホラーズ)  [Madhouse] (Finished 4/4) Tags: Josei Horror, Mystery, Supernatural Count D, a quite interesting pet shop owner from an area called Chinatown, sells rare and hard to come by pets to people longing for something special, but with each sale comes a contract. If the rules of the contract are followed, everything goes fine, but if someone should break the rules of the contract, the pet shop cannot be held responsible for anything unfortunate that might happen. Leon Orcot, a homicide detective, has linked many odd and unexplainable deaths together; they all were customers of Count D's pet shop, and he intends to find out why. It probably does not need introduction. Four episodic horror stories. Not my format or theme, but at those ancient times it was quite impressive.   Overall Rating: 6/10

2. Kamikaze Kaitou Jeanne 神風怪盗ジャンヌ [Toei Animation] (Finished 3/44) Tags: Shoujo Mahou Shoujo, Mythology, Reincarnation Action, Drama, Mystery, Romance, Supernatural A normal looking high school girl on the outside, Kusakabe Maron is actually the reincarnation of Jeanne d' Arc. With the help of the angel, Fin Fish, Maron works as the thief Jeanne at night to seal the demons that reside in pieces of artwork, preying upon the weak hearts of the owners. She is branded as a thief due to the fact that the artworks disappear after she seals the demons. One day, a new neighbor and classmate appears, as well as a rival in her night job, the thief Sinbad. With her own best friend being the detective's daughter, out to capture her and the appearance of her new rival, Maron's work is anything but easy. I know only one anime (Milky Holmes) where phantom thief concept kinda works, and in the absolute majority cases it only makes things worse and straight confusing. In this regard I don't see much difference with Kaitou Saint Tail. Humor seems to ok'ish.   Overall Rating: 6/10

3. Ojamajo Doremi Magical DoReMi おジャ魔女どれみ [Toei Animation] (Finished 3/51) Tags: Comedy  Harukaze Doremi considers herself to be the unluckiest girl in the world. Her parents are always fighting, her little sister makes fun of her, and her crush pines after another girl. If only Doremi could just wave a magic wand, she would have a much better life—or so she used to think. After a mishap with a real witch, Doremi becomes an apprentice witch herself, and it turns out she's pretty horrible at that, too. Now she and her two friends must study to become better at magic so they can become good witches. That is, if they can focus on their magic studies! The three apprentices will need all the luck they can get if they want to pass the witch exams and become full-fledged witches. Only then will Doremi's debt to the witch Majorika be repaid. Until then, Doremi will remain a useless little witch girl! It's first properly done magical girl anime in a while if not ever, but I need some twist to enjoy such genre, not sure if anything like that comes before Madoka...   Overall Rating: 6/10

4. Seikai no Monshou Crest of the Stars 星界の紋章 [Sunrise] (Finished 13/13) Tags: Military, Space Action, Romance, Sci-Fi In the distant future, humanity is under attack by the Abh Empire, a race of advanced humanoid beings possessing vastly superior technology. As countless worlds fall to the Abh, mankind establishes the Four Nations Alliance—a resistance faction made up of the United Mankind, the Republic of Greater Alcont, the Federation of Hania, and the People's Sovereign of Union Planets. Seikai no Monshou tells the story of Jinto Linn. When he was young, his father—the president of Martine—sold their world in exchange for a high position in the empire. Now a young count, Jinto must learn the ways of Abh nobility and live among those who subjugated his people. Helping him is Lafiel Abriel, an austere Abh princess whom Jinto quickly befriends. While traveling to Jinto's new school in the Abh homeland, their ship is caught in a violent space battle between the fleets of the Alliance and the Abh. Jinto and Abriel are thrust into the conflict, unaware that this skirmish marks the beginning of a full-scale war between the Abh Empire and mankind. As it's space opera genre I watched this and its sequel too just because of nice characters and some politics, but it was a long time ago and I paid little attention to details. Now I realize that in other cases there was war raging for decades already usually. But here now we observe the birth of war , and it's done in a very nonsensical, ugly and racist way. Characters are rather bland, so what to suffer all this stupidity for is a good question to which I have no answer.   Overall Rating: 5/10

5. Himiko-den 火魅子伝 [Group TAC] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Adventure, Drama, Fantasy, Supernatural In a world where the dead walk, where good and evil exist as palpable forces, a darkness is stirring. The undead march against the cities of light, to capture the sacred fire that is the source of their power. But one hope remains. Called into this world by the magical flame, a young girl named Himiko is thrust into the maelstrom of danger, betrayal, and war. For she is heir to the sacred fire, and holds a power that could save its Guardians... if she survives! Modern students are granted powers and summoned to medieval world to fulfil some prophecy. The flow is quite expected as most of the time protagonists are just being protected from all kinds of dangers by local nobility bodyguards.   Overall Rating: 5/10

6. Uchuu Kaizoku Mito no Daibouken Space Pirate Mito 宇宙海賊ミトの大冒険 [Triangle Staff] (Finished 4/13) Tags: Action, Comedy, Sci-Fi  Mito isn't just another space pirate, she's a three foot tall childlike alien with enough guts to outshine a supernova. She's known as the galaxy's most dangerous pirate, a wanted criminal who destroys a dozen police space cruisers every day before breakfast. But all she really wants is to be called "Mom." It's  gag comedy with some serious moments, but with one big problem that it's not funny .   Overall Rating: 5/10

7. Chou Seimeitai Transformers Beast Wars Neo Beast Wars Neo 超生命体トランスフォーマー ビーストウォーズ・ネオ [Production Reed] (Finished 3/35) Tags: Mecha, Space Action, Adventure Beast Wars Neo was a television series that aired in Japan in 1999, in support of the toyline of the same name. It directly follows Beast Wars II. The show follows the adventures of a crew of Maximals, commanded by Big Convoy, as they compete with Magmatron's evil Predacons to collect the Angolmois energy capsules, scattered at the end of Beast Wars II. I'm honestly surprised how such horrible series like this one has lived through several iterations already.   Overall Rating: 5/10

8. Bomberman B-Daman Bakugaiden Victory B[ボンバーマン]ビーダマン爆外伝V[ビクトリー] [Madhouse] (Finished 3/50) Tags: Sci-Fi Based on the Hudson Soft game. Shirobom and Aobon are members of the B-da cops who protect the peace of B-da Union. One day, they see a space ship being chased by space pirates that crashes into the wilderness. Upon arriving at the crash site, they see Princess Akabon, whose kingdom has been attacked, lying beside a shining gem with mysterious power called Crysmond. The enemy is after this... Not translated. Super childish, same as prequel .   Overall Rating: 5/10

9. Chiisana Kyojin Microman 小さな巨人ミクロマン [Pierrot] (Finished 2/52) Tags: Mecha, Super Power Action, Adventure, Comedy, Sci-Fi 3 kids meet 5 micro-sized superheroes from another world who enlist in their aid in fighting off alien invaders. Only two episodes seem to be translated. Kids helping toy soldiers against aliens is as bad as it sounds. And just as in old anime about bug defenders of the planet, they need to prevent crashes , ecological outburst and things like that - childish.   Overall Rating: 5/10

10. Chou Hatsumei Boy Kanipan 超発明BOYカニパン [Studio Comet] (Finished 3/21) Tags: Mecha Adventure, Comedy, Romance Cho Hatsumei Boy Kanipan is a continued story from Hatsumei Boy Kanipan. Kanipan is now a teenager, and still a famous inventor. But one day, a mysterious ship fell from the sky and crashed at a beach. Inside was a female humanoid that has forgotten all about herself. It is up to Kanipan to revive the humanoid's memory, and he accidentally discover that his planet is in great danger as he strived. Only five episodes seem to be translated, but it's a miracle any are after very unconvincing prequel. Kids material.   Overall Rating: 5/10

11. Restol: Teugsu Gujo Dae RESTOL, The Full-Armed Rescue Squad 레스톨 특수 구조대 [-] (Finished 3/26) Tags: Action, Adventure Detective, Mecha It is the year 2035, a world filled with advanced science and technology, sophisticated computer systems, audio/video multimedia converstions,world government unification, network wars by hackers, and the future world controlled by one huge multinational company. A 14-year old named Kang Maru, a boy with excellent manuevering skills in a RESTOL simulation game, was chosen by GEONOID, a company with the task of protecting the earth against natural calamities, to pilot RESTOL 03, one of the 5 RESTOLs, to rescue people in different calamities. Now, he and his teammates faces different challenges in their duty, including being hacked their space-based rescue station R-SAT. I blocked most Korean anime so far as they looked super simple compared to progress done in Japan. This one at the very least has a non-trivial synopsis. But it all sums up to teenagers piloting mecha saving people from anomalities, so there's no real story.   Overall Rating: 5/10

12. Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan - Tsuioku-hen Samurai X: Trust and Betrayal るろうに剣心―明治剣客浪漫譚―追憶編 [Studio Deen] (Finished 4/4) Tags: Shounen Adult Cast, Historical, Martial Arts, Samurai Action, Drama, Romance When mankind's savagery surpasses his fear of death, there is little hope for those who wish to live honest lives. Beneath a full moon, a young boy witnesses the murder of the bandits who had enslaved him, and is then christened with a new name by the man who rescued him. This boy is Shinta, now known as Kenshin Himura, and he is destined to become a swordsman. The softness of his heart does not befit the occupation, but his desire to protect the innocent is absolute. Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan - Tsuioku-hen details the origins of the man who would bear the name of Hitokiri Battousai long before he swore his oath not to kill and before he earned his reputation as an assassin. The young man's heart is divided between justice and corruption, while the fate of a nation rests on his actions. Beautiful, historical and just knowledgeable as tells the story of Battousai. That's some 8 in my system of coordinates.   Overall Rating: 8/10

13. Herlock Saga: Nibelung no Yubiwa Harlock Saga: The Ring of the Nibelung - The Rhein Gold ハーロック・サーガ ニーベルングの指環  [Studio Z5, Studio March] (Finished 6/6) Tags: Seinen Space Action, Adventure, Drama, Sci-Fi Captain Herlock is drawn into a saga of intergalactic proportions when the son of a deceased comrade unwittingly forges the Ring of the Niebelung. Evil forces gather to wage war against the last remaining superpowers of the galaxy led by a demented outcast. Herlock must counter the amassed armadas that threaten the last gods and recover the ring before Paradise is lost. As far as I know no normal reboot of Harlock has been done by 1999 since that first ancient series in the 70s. So releasing some side story with Harlock and Emeraldas and 999 with tying it all loosely by Wagner is not the smartest thing to do without normal context. The result is confusing and boring OVA that even Leiji fanboys would have trouble perceiving. For me it's exactly like releasing fandisc without releasing the main piece as that 70s series was far from watchable.   Overall Rating: 5/10

14. Sotsugyou M: Ore-tachi no Carnival 卒業M ～オレ達のカーニバル～  [Artland] (Finished 2/2) Tags: School Drama  Kato, Shimura, Arai, Nakamoto, and Takagi are friends at an all-boys boarding school. After they get tricked by their school government president, the five must put on a performance of the play "Little Women." Another boys love that is not properly marked. Too horrible to even discuss.   Overall Rating: 4/10

15. Shishunki Bishoujo Gattai Robo Z-Mind 思春期美少女合体ロボ ジーマイン  [Sunrise] (Finished 3/6) Tags: Mecha, Parody Action Old school is back! And girl power reigns supreme! Ayame, Sumire, Renge, and Satsuki are charged with the protection of the Earth from a powerful new enemy. But these girls may be in for more than they`ve bargained for! They`ll have to not only master the experimental mobile armor: Z-Mind, hold down their part time jobs, all this while keeping their lives... normal! But will this be enough to stop the forces of evil from conquering the Earth? Playing into mecha from 70s is not a good idea even if it's supposed to be parody. Just stale.   Overall Rating: 5/10

16. Highschool Aurabuster: Hikari no Mezame ハイスクール・オーラバスター　光の誕生[めざめ]  [OLM] (Finished 0/3) Tags: Super Power Drama, Fantasy Long ago... going back several centuries, there was a war between the Kuu no mono (空の者) and the You no mono (妖の者) that divided the heaven and earth. 900 years ago, the commander of the Kuu no mono, Kara-ou sealed in the commander of You no mono, Kuna-hi, sacrificing his own life to do so. And this present day, when You no mono has begun to be active again, Kara-ou is reborn as Shinobu Saiga. Coming back to earth, he has begun to make his move again to subdue the You no mono with his aide Kiba. Ryosuke Sakiya is a first year student attending Kouryo High School who has extraordinarily strong psychic powers. He was always hearing and seeing things ordinary people could not. He has a special aura around him and perhaps because of it, he ends up being targeted by the You no mono. One day, when he is on a date at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, he is attacked by a strange power and is saved by the Jutsusha (術士 lit. "skilled ones") Jukyuro Satomi and Kisara Izumi. Jutsusha are people who have inherited supernatural powers of Kuu no mono to subdue You no mono who harm people. Ryosuke escapes without any injuries, but cannot resist becoming involved in the battles between these two forces. Not found.   Overall Rating: 0/10

17. Dennou Sentai Voogie's★Angel: Forever and Ever 電脳戦隊ヴギィ'ズ★エンジェル FOREVER AND EVER [J.C.Staff] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Mecha Action, Comedy, Drama, Sci-Fi A compilation of the original OVA series with 7 minutes of new content at the end. Not translated. OVA three episodes took roughly the same length as this movie, so why even bother. A bit clearer survival can't make it any less average.   Overall Rating: 5/10

18. Gundress ガンドレス  [Studio Junio] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Mecha Action, Sci-Fi In 2100, the newly built Bayside City serves as Japan's premier international port. The Angel Arms Company is established by a former policewoman named Takako, to help wage war on terrorism with armed security suits. When the mayor is assassinated, the women of Angel Arms end up protecting the evil crime-lord Hassan, in hopes that his information will help bring down a global terror ring. Takako's back is to the wall as a band of criminals plot to kill Hassan, and the organization's leader is revealed to be the former lover of Angel Arms' own Alisa. It tries to mimic Bubblegum crisis by design and even steps on the territory of GitS for a short time, but does it with low production values, little investment into characters and more and more action instead of everything. I don't see anything here that would stand out even as decent.   Overall Rating: 5/10

Share this: