Busou Renkin

Introduction: Um... so... yeah... I got nothing. Enjoy.

Plot Overview: Kazuki Muto is your average Highschool student who happens to die while trying to save a girl from a monster. Well that is what he think happens anyways as he finds himself waking up in his school's dorm. Later the girl he saved, Tokiko Tsumura comes in to tell him that he actually did die, but she brought him back to life by using a strange medallion, the Kakugane, and placing it inside him as a replacement for his heart. The Kakugane is an alchemic device and when activated by the Kakugane's user is the only device capable of defeating Homunculi. And so begins Kazuki's adventure of fighting Homunculi and those that create them.

Review: Busou Renkin isn't deep, isn't thought provoking, and for the most part is entirely power driven where you are more interested in seeing what cool power X has more than the story itself. Now that that is out of the way I'll be the first to say that while my first sentence might seem damning of the series, it really isn't. Busou Renkin has it's moments and actually has some very entertaining and original characters like Papillon, who is the one wearing the tights and butterfly mask in the picture above (and before you think otherwise that is pretty much all he wears throughout the entire series). But this series after a while begins to rely more and more on showing cool powers and fights in the place for good story telling.

Conclusion: If you like Bleach you will most likely like Busou Renkin. Both have the same feel and same sort of story telling, along with the emphasis on powers over plot.

Guardman's Grade: C

Categories: Shounen, Action, Comedy, Supernatural

Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica

Introduction: If I had one word to describe Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica it would be dark. If I had more words then I would be writing a review... oh, wait I do. Woot!

Plot Overview: Madoka and her friend Sayaka are approached by a strange creature named Kyubey who offers to grant any wish they desire in exchange for becoming magical girls with tremendous power to fight creatures called witches which are responsible for unexplained murders and suicides. However before they can decide a magical girl, named Homura, who was hunting Kyubey approaches them and tries to dissuade them from taking Kyubey up on his offer as she tells them they will only experience suffering and despair because of it. It is now up to Madoka and Sayaka to decide if they have a wish powerful enough to risk becoming magical girls for it.

Review: Despite it's initial cute animation and happy school girl characters this is anything but a feel good anime. The story is dark and disturbing as it paints a picture where our dreams and desires are the source of all suffering and pain in this world as the cost we must pay to achieve them is often more than we can pay. Combine this with girls who only want to do what is right and you get a story that makes you question what you are giving up to have your dreams come true. The animators don't help any with the off and disturbing feeling as they give the witches and the places they reside in a different and thoroughly unique look that sharply contrasts with the anime style in which the regular world and main characters are drawn in. But saying all that this is truly a work of art where the story telling, voice acting, and animation come together perfectly to make a very enjoyable and unique anime.

Conclusion: This anime is not for everyone due to the darker and somewhat depressing plot. But for those of you who don't mind watching something that will make you disturbed then I strongly recommend watching Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica.

Guardman's Grade: A

Categories: Tragedy, Drama, Supernatural, Magical Girls