Bounen no Xam'd

 

Introduction:  I am going to be honest here, I 100% decided to watch this series because of the word Xam'd in the title.

Plot Overview: Takehara Akiyuki is a high-school student on the small island of Senten, which lies near the border of the Southern Continent and the Northern Continent which are at war with each other. One day while boarding the bus for school he helps sneak on a mysterious looking girl. Just as they arrive at the school the bus explodes, apparently a suicide attempt by the strange girl. After checking to make sure he and his friends are okay he rushes back onto the bus to find out what happened to the strange girl only to find her mortally wounded. Smiling when she see's Akiyuki she activates a strange device that was implanted into Akiyuki during the explosion transforming him into a strange creature called a Xam'd, a creature the girl holds as sacred.

Review: Bounen no Xam'd is probably the most infuriating anime I've ever watched for one reason and one reason alone, it doesn't explain what is going on at any time until a couple episodes later. You watch an episode and they start talking about things that they expect you to know before they are explained to you which just sort of wears you down after a while. And even then a lot of the stuff they do explain isn't explained that well or is explained in "I don't see it, but I'll take word for it" type way. Add to that it tries to cram in way too many major character, extremely awkward pacing, and some strange choices in character development and you get an anime that probably needs to be twice as long if they wanted it to come to the viewers at an understandable pace. Despite these faults though the concept is great, the art is vibrant and adds a lot of character, and the world building is very well done, so that's something.

Conclusion: It has it's flaws but if you are willing to rewatch some episodes after having some things explained to you Xam'd is a decent anime that has an interesting yet poorly executed concept.

Guardman's Grade: C+

Categories: Action, War, Drama, Tragedy, Fantasy

Peace Maker Kurogane

Introduction: I actually found this series completely by accident. I was walking through the mall by my house when I noticed that the Suncoast in it was going out of business and they had a big bin full of movies and series that were drastically reduced in price. So I was like what the hell and started going through the bin until I spotted this series, drawn by the protagonist's bright red hair and the sky blue of the Shinsengumi uniform. Getting it for only a few dollars I wasn't expecting much, but I ended up getting a great and underrated series.

Plot Overview: Peace Maker Kurogane revolves around Ichimura Testunosuke (Testu), a 15 year old boy who wishes to join the Shinsengumi to get revenge on the people who murdered his parents. But due to his small, child like appearance and energetic personality almost nobody at the Shinsengumi takes him seriously and he is relegated to being the page of the demonic sub-commander Hijikata. And so begins the story of Testu's attempts to gain the strength he desires in the backdrop of the coming revolution between Shogunate and anti-Shogunate forces.

Review: Despite being a Japanese historical anime, it's not really that. The historical aspects of it are quite toned down and was obviously made in such a way where prior knowledge of the history and events surrounding the anime are not prerequisites to enjoy it. Instead the historical setting is used as back drop for an intriguing tale that focuses on what one is willing to give up to achieve their goals and whether it is really worth it. In line with that the character development is top notch as you see both characters like Testu who are struggling with the choices they've yet to make and characters like Hijikata who instead struggle with the choices he has already made and the consequences of those choices. But despite the great character development the show suffers from a plot that was intended to facilitate more the character development then make a great story. So because of this the plot can slow down at some points and take twists that don't really make sense other then from a character development standpoint.

Conclusion: Peace Maker Kurogane is an enjoyable historical and character driven anime that has a nice balance of drama, action, and comedy whose only real flaw is a weak plot.

Guardman's Grade: B

Categories: Tragedy, Action, Comedy, Drama, Historical, Samurai

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