It's been a long time since Neon Genesis Evangelion came out and revolutionized the mecha anime. Undoubtly, many tried to mimic the success and ultimately came short.
Meet RahXephon. This series deliver the next step to the mecha anime that's been overdue. From well drawn characters to storyline, this one surpassed my expectation for good.
This series never denies the influence of Evangelion. Rather, it embrasses the basic concept and further develops in their own vision. While some would simply say that there are too much similarity in between RahXephon and Evangelion, I never felt this as mere knockoff clone. Once you start watching it, you would see that this is more like watching alter ego. It gives the sense of alternate reality hence "Parallel Universe".
While mecha (or "gear" if you prefer) is the dominant factor of the series, it never overwhelm the series, nor shy away from the show. Just like in Evangelion, mecha is bonded in personal level that cannot be broken.
Music is what makes this series special. Exceptional combination of fast-paced Jazz and ambient sound of New Age creates uneasiness that makes you sit on the edge. Sound is dominant theme of this series and it shows.
There aren't any ground-breaking acheivement in picture. It has well drawn characters, and back ground; nothing notable.
Within the series, it shows the parallelism right from the beginning. What's more interesting, is that also represents the struggle to break out of blue print created by Evangelion. I believe that they finally found the way to stands out as it own.

Love Hina - Christmas Movie provided the closing remarks. It gave what viewers wanted by letting Keitaro and Naru join together as a couple and fellow students at the college of their dream. It was nice to see that they decided to finish the series in good note in which Episode 24 didn't. BUT...
Instead of leaving the series at the top of shape, they decided to milk it as much as it can. And the result is Love Hina - Spring Movie.
Unlike Christmas Movie, this provides no additional plot, nor extra material such as Episode 25 (it is useless, however). It is covered with sameless that starts to wear thin, and 45 minutes of movie starts look as if it would never end. I can't see any justification of purchasing this movie, since this is pointless part of the series. Very disappointing.

My first CLAMP (collective group made by all-female writers) series was "Angelic Layer". While it was fun, but it did not have enough depth to make me think over. So I find myself pleasantly surprise about this one.
In order to stop myself from spoiling over, this starts as a story of a boy with good heart, but gets overboard easily which translates into sort of matchmaker while himself is single. One day he discovers a persocon (android, that is), and the story begins.
While starting seems bit cheesy, it progresses into something more serious about human relationship itself. Watching Hideki (the main character) interacting and teaching Chii (one in cover) demonstrates the blue print for the perfect relationship. It blends that "Love at first sight" with "becoming more comfortable as you get older" in such way that you can't help yourself but to watch more and more.
Of course, if the show is all about human relationship, it would be too dry and gooey. It throws plenty of mishaps involving the characters to make you laugh (especially with Hideki's hobit :)).
It is neither as simple as Cardcapter, nor too serious as X, but I find it hitting right balance in between. For those who find too much of same in "Love Hina" or "Ai Yori Aoshi", this will be surprising change, for good.

I couldn't agree more on the other customer's comment on that editorial review is flawed. I am guessing that he watched the first few episodes instead of whole.
This series fits in classic suspense thriller. As main characters try to uncover the secrets, more mystical it becomes. The series has slow start, but every here and there lends a clue in which becomes focal point to open up bigger picture. If you are not interested after first few, you probably wouldn't bother to care.
The character design is well done. They are simple, and cleanly drawn. The backgrounds gives nice details and its diversity.
As for sound, it could've been better. The openning theme irritated me so much, that I always skipped them. Ringering sounds as well as dark tone of monastery are well done.
Story, definately classy, and well done. It leaves bits of information on what to come, but mystifies enough to keep you focused.
I suggests that this series should be viewed once you have some exposure to animes, because this is story-driven one. Once you overcome the first few (which is the weakest link), you will be rewarded with one of better anime series.

Among the Harem animes I watched, this probably comes down as the hardest to understand without knowing chunks about Japanese culture. Perhaps, this series should be used as the reference to Japanese culture and its psyche instead of fun anime.
If you watched plenty of animes (most of viewers did, I assume), this is not very hard to understand. In basic, this follows the predictable plot, with bunch of girls around the main character, love triangle, etc. Problem is that whole ingredients are combined in very sloppy manner.
First of all, the characters do not possess strong personality. Most of them are either cliche, too goody, or both. It is just not fun to watch them, especially when filler episodes occupies 2/3 of whole series.
Second, cultural references are too strong. Many animes possess some cliche that has to be viewed over to understand, but this is full of them. Aoi's character is merely thin disguise of spineless women which is sure to offend many people (At least in Love Hina, Naru had mighty punch to blow at Keitaro). This might be the perfect portraight of Geisha in which Western people would think (which is very inaccurate).
If you have good understanding of Japanese culture, this series can be enjoyable, but not by much. All told, this is for people who can't get enough Harem anime fans. Even so, Love Hina is better excuted.

Before Dragon Warrior or Final Fantasy was released in US, Sega brought this game called Phantasy Star for ill-fated Sega Master System. With power of SMS, this game was one of most stunning 8-bit game ever made, but only to be shelved due to lack of support.
Years after, Phantasy Star stretched to 4th installment, and this series captured those who played for having one of most memorable storyline, combined with unusal futuristic setting.
For those who never played them, this collection bring first 3 games of Phantasy Star.
This is very faithfully emulated game. You shouldn't expect any improvement on game. While there are some glitches (such as Saving Crash on PS I, watered down sounding PS II), purist will definately find this game compelling.
This collection leaves something to be desired. Absence of PS IV, which is considered the best of the series by many players is one reason for me to give this 4 stars instead of 5. However, if you call yourself RPGamer, you need to give this collection a try.
Be aware, PS III is radical departure to this series.

Ah, this DVD made me smile from the moment I started watching. I liked the charm of Chicken Run, but this is even better. Combination of oddball couple with English sense of humor, you will see why this short films won Oscar.
Great, I am already waiting for Wallce and Gromit feature film due in 2005.

This game brought some controversy even before its release. Some fundamentalist found its storyline absurd, atheistic and therefore must be condemned. I believe this is due to misunderstanding.
If you love Anime (excluding Pokemon), this game should sound very natural. Bit of violence, some mecha, some religion, and some Sci-Fi elements are blended perfectly into one game.

Graphic: Anime scenes are generally well done. Afterwhile, you will see the influence of Production I.G. with character design, etc. However, general graphic looks unrefined at best. Characters are very blocky and stiff. You will find this tolerable with PS2 option on.

Sound: Amazing, simply amazing. Chrono Cross moved me to buy the soundtrack, but this is even better. Every note perfectly captures the emotion of the game itself. Once you finish this game, try to listen "June Mermaid". It will ache your heart.

Story: This is where people are divided into. Some hated it, while some loved it. If you are fan of Neon Genesis Evangelion, Chrono Trigger, Grandia, you will love it. While some denounces this as atheistic, I think they misunderstood it altogether. This game is about timeless love brought by fate, plain and simple. Other elements are played to make this story complete, but not the primary point.

It is unknown at this point whether Xenosaga: Episode I will be true prequel or not. But if you love this game, you will be anxious to get it just like me. If you own Playstation and have yet to play this game, do yourself a favor and get a copy. You will be rewarded with 65hrs. of goodness.

I have heard so much good thing about this little gem even before I bought my GBA. Naturally, this game became my first game to be played.

Let's break down this game without spoiling it.
Graphic: Thumbs up, way up!! I have yet to see any better looking RPG made for GBA. It has charming 2D graphic combined with jaw dropping 32bit effect. The result is very colorful and graceful scenery inside out.

Story: Nothing new here. It certainly isn't bad, but lacks any twist or kick. That makes it rather blend story for experienced player.

Sound: If you liked the sound of Star Ocean: The Second Story, you will like this equally. After all, it is done by same composer. Did I mention that he also participated in Valkyrie Profile, as well as Star Ocean 3, and sequel of Golden Sun.

Overall: Definately one of better RPG to play. If you want to start RPG but without traveling back to past, this is the game. I hope the sequel improves the story.