Vandread News

What's a Super Duper Mini Review?  Well, since I'm taking a break from written reviews, I decided to put a short list of what I liked and didn't like about the shows I review and put down some notes and fun facts as well.  For a little info about the show, I copy the Plot Summary from the Anime News Network pages and throw them in the review so the reader can be a little bit informed on what the bases of the show is about.  I also borrow some info from Wikipedia as well.

Super Duper Mini Review

 
Vandread is an original anime series directed by Takeshi Mori.  Both seasons were produced by Gonzo and Media Factory.  Season 1 was released in 2000 and season 2 was released in 2001.
 
 
Vandread is a sci-fi action comedy series with themes of mecha, space, robots, adventure, harem, and yuri.


 
 
Plot Summary
 

In a universe where men and women are mortal enemies, Hibiki is captured by a band of female pirates. The group find themselves stranded with a super ship they dub the Nirvana and set out for the female home planet. Along the way, they discover the existence of the "The Harvest" and the possible destruction of both men and women.

--- Anime News Network

 
Pros:

• Love the concepts they used.  The whole Men vs Women thing is entertaining and it works.  Men in love with men.  Women in love with women.  Speaking of that, how do the men have children?  Creepy...
  
• We my have seen some of these cliched characters before, they many, many cast of characters were still enjoyable for me.
• Great action scenes.
• While the 3D models used through out the show might look a little outdated by today's standards, it gives the show some charm.
• Fan service was good and wasn't overused, despite a lot of the girls being scantly dressed.
  

 
 
Cons:

• The characters were enjoyable, but like I've said, we have seen these character types before.  It might turn some people off.
• Like typical harem shows, the romance doesn't go super deep.
  

  

Notes and Fun Facts:

• There is a new season coming.  When?  I'm not sure, but it's supposed to star Dita's and Meia's daughters.
  

 
 
If you are looking for a new sci-fi comedy or just a new sci-fi show, I say give this a shot and see how you like it.  If you are looking for a new sci-fi romantic show, you might want to stay away.  The romance is there, but it's nothing to deep, just like other harems.
 
If you live in the US, Vandread is available on Hulu as of this posting.

What's a Super Duper Mini Review?  Well, since I'm taking a break from written reviews, I decided to put a short list of what I liked and didn't like about the shows I review and put down some notes and fun facts as well.  For a little info about the show, I copy the Plot Summary from the Anime News Network pages and throw them in the review so the reader can be a little bit informed on what the bases of the show is about.  I also borrow some info from Wikipedia as well.

Super Duper Mini Review

Happy Lesson is an anime adaption of the manga of the same name.  Both seasons and the OVA Final series were produced by Media Works and KSS.  Both seasons were directed by Akira Suzuki and Takeshi Yamaguchi and Akira Suzuki directed the OVA Final series.  Season 1 was released in 2002, season 2 in 2003, and the OVA Final series in 2004.
 
Happy Lesson is a harem comedy with a school setting.

Plot Summary
 

Hitotose Chitose was always alone and untrusting of people but when 5 female teachers appear and started living together with him in his family's house as his mothers, things started to change and pick up, together with Hazuki-nee and Minazuki (his 2 sisters) everyday is a lesson

 
-- Anime News Network
 
 
Pros:

• A good cast of characters to fit the harem formula.
• A fun and silly tone of the show.
  
• Instead of a bunch of school girls as part of the harem, we have 5 teachers which makes it different from other harems.

 
Con:

• Doesn't do anything new for the genre except the 5 teacher thing.

 
Notes and Fun Facts:

• The manga has a different lead character, but the premise is the same.

 
 
 If you are looking for a new harem or comedy show, I say give this a shot and see what you think.
 


 

What's Next?

Since I skipped Vandread to watch this show, I'm going to go back and watch Vandred next.

What's a Super Duper Mini Review?  Well, since I'm taking a break from written reviews, I decided to put a short list of what I liked and didn't like about the shows I review and put down some notes and fun facts as well.  For a little info about the show, I copy the Plot Summary from the Anime News Network pages and throw them in the review so the reader can be a little bit informed on what the bases of the show is about.
 

Super Duper Mini Review

Ah! My Goddess! (aka Oh My Goddess!) is an anime series based on the long running seinen manga of the same name.  Both seasons were produced by AIC and directed by Hiroaki Goda.
 
Ah! My Goddess! is an romantic comedy with fantasy elements such as gods and goddesses.
 
 
 
 
Plot Summary

Keiichi Morisato is looking forward to university life. But in reality, he has no luck in anything, and he has trouble with clubs, love, etc. The truth is that he has an unlucky star above his head. One day, Keiichi is stuck watching the dorm while his sempai are away, and has a mountain of chores to do to boot. But Keiichi is a good-natured person, and is set about doing his duties. As he is about to finish his final chore, he makes a phone call to his sempai. But the words that came through the receiver are, 'Goddess Help Line.' Shortly afterwards, a beautiful goddess named Belldandy appears in front of him from the mirror of his room. 

-- Anime News Network
 
 
Pros:

• A great cast of characters.
• Always put me in a good mood when I watched it.  A happy tone through out most the show.
  
• Nice and pleasant soundtrack.
• When there are some action scenes, they aren't to shabby.
  

 
 Cons:

• One of those shows where relationship doesn't go that far.

 
 
 Notes and Fun Facts:

• The creator of the manga, Kosuke Fujishima, also did character design for the Tales RPG series.
• That manga started in 1988 and it's still going to this day.
• Has some elements of Norse mythology.

 
 
If you are into romantic comedies, I will easily recommend this to you.  Despite some suggestive content, it's just one of the shows that's just plain fun to watch, regardless of age.  Easily one of my favorite romcoms I have seen so far.
 

Blog Sauce

Wow, I've been watching this show for almost 3 weeks now.  It seems like shows go one for a life time when you are busy and having fun as well.  Next up on my plate is Vandred.  Going to get my harem on again!
 
On the manga front I'm pretty much keeping up with the latest chapers of Naruto and Negima!  I was kinda thinking about checking out the Ah! My Goddess manga, but god, that thing wont be ending anytime soon and I will be stuck reading that for eternity.  Maybe I will check it out though.  If you currently reading the mange for Ah! My Goddess or have read some of it, how is it?  I would love to know.
 
For games I currently playing are Ridge Racer on my PSP and Super Street Fighter IV as always.
 
 
 
Until next time.  See ya!