Loveless

Genre: Sci-Fi-ish? Shonen Ai? I have no idea
Age Appropriate: Teen
Emotional Response: Interested but confused
Notable Features: magic, tragedy, coming of age, yaoi/shonen ai
Language: Japanese
Length: 12 episodes
Overall Recommendation: Pretty Good

"I don't really understand what's going on at all." - Ritsuka

Ritsuka has a very complicated past. Two year previously, Ritsuka turned into a different personality. It happened due to the gruesome murder of his brother, Seimei. Now, he's started at a new middle school, but has no tolerance for people. He's become a bit separate from everyone, and desperately tries to hide his pain. The story becomes wildy more complicated with the addition of his brother's "Fighter," Soubi.

In the battles between Fighter/Sacrifice duos, there is one person who fights for the other, using magic  instilled in words. The Sacrifice takes the physical pain and damage of the fights. Those duos share a "real" name. Soubi insists that he's Ristuka's fighter, despite Ritsuka's complete ignorance about the things happening around him. It seems that Soubi was actually sent by Seimei, to follow Ritsuka as his fighter. Ritsuka doesn't know what to do in the situation and is more hurt by learning that his real name is "Loveless" versus his brother's "Beloved."In between all of this confusion, it appears that Soubi might be a bit in love with Rituska despite their huge age gap. He promises Ritsuka that he'd so anything for him, except give him the answers he's looking for. The questions always remains, at least for Ritsuka, whether or not this love has more to do with Soubi's actual feelings or feelings instilled by Seimei.One of Ritsuka's most difficult battles is deciding who to trust in this his search for his brother's killer.

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Loveless is actually pretty good, and sad. There are definitely a few comedic bits here and there, and they're certainly needed. The only drawback is how much you may be turned off by Soubi's love for Ritsuka. On that level, Soubi seems to recognize that it's a little bit wrong, never does anything about it - and it's questionable about it being "love" or "affection," - and his roommate gives him no end of grief about it.  It didn't bother me too much, because nothing ever really happens, but I've heard it's bothered others. Enh.

I like this anime. I kinda wish there was more of it, but the manga was sadly short as well. I just think there was room for more character development in there. However, since I feel the same about the manga series, I imagine that it has more to do with following the series more closely than anything else. I really want Ritsuka to find all of the answers that he's looking for, and have a more satisfactory ending. I guess we can't all get what we want, though. I'd hesitantly recommend this. I should say, there is a number of people I would definitely recommend this too, because I understand they're appreciation of other shonen-ai/yaoi/weird stuff. Everyone else might find some interest in the idea of going outside their comfort zone, but I'm not sure how I might present it. This is one of those anime that I've seen multiple times, but I have to be in the mood for it - hence "pretty good."

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Next up: Campione!

Junjou Romantica

Genre: Romance
Age Appropriate: Adults
Emotional Response: Girlish, inappropriate giggles
Notable Features: yaoi, high maintenance boys, comedy
Language: Japanese
Length: 2 seasons, 25 episodes
Overall Recommendation: Top 10

"We're Japanese. Can't we just play it a little vague?" - Misaki


Junjou Romantica follows three new romantic couples that coincide with Sekai Ichi's three couples. There are subtle hints between the two series, if you can find them. Each of the three couples have individual problems, and there is a new love triangle in the mix. Misaki is a young student looking to test into college, but he needs help. He ends up connecting with his older brother's best friend as his tutor, and then it becomes complicated. His new tutor is Akihiko Usami, a famous author and an uncontrollable fiend interested in corrupting Misaki at every turn. When Misaki's brother goes away with his new bride, Misaki stays in town to start school, and ends up free-loading off of Usami by living in his condo and paying rent in cooking and chores. Much as Misaki protests, he ends up in consistently compromising positions with Usagi-san. As the story progresses, Misaki ends up in a terrible complicated mess that includes Akihiko's brother, Haruhiko. Their story revolves around this sibling-rivalry and Misaki's resistance to love.

One day, Hiroki finds himself crying on a park bench, lamenting his unrequited love for an old friend. Nowaki, a much younger man, sees him and drags him along to a mini-rocket launch with a bunch of old guy friends. Despite many his protests, Nowaki drags himself into Hiroki's life by begging for school help and forward declaring his love. Somehow, the large age difference and difference in status becomes a huge issue for them both in their own story of complicated love.

Another complicated romance, including a large age gap, is Miyagi and Shinobu. Shinobu fell in love with Miyagi long ago, before realizing that Miyagi was marrying his sister. He returns from studying abroad on the news that they divorced and seems to think that it's fate. His battle for Miyagi is not only against age and status, but also against Miyagi's long lost love - a former teacher who has passed away. Only when Shinobu is about to give up does Miyagi consider that his old love is ready to be replaced with a new one.

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I love this anime. I'll say right now, though, that you really have to be interested in yaoi to appreciate it. If you're not into yaoi at all, stay away. I completely love the funny antics that show up, particularly in the Misaki/Usagi storyline. The others are big more serious, but also smaller in their character development. There is an additional one-episode story, but it's just a little add-on that was kinda fun.

There are so many things wrong with this series, and I didn't seem to care with all of the funnies and romance. It seems like Usagi is taking advantage of Misaki at every turn, and he does for the most part. The only real comfort is that there are episodes where it is clear that Misaki is totally in love, but too afraid to see it for what it is. Also, he doesn't seem to have too much of a problem in most of the morning-afters. I wasn't strongly attached to the other characters, though. In hindsight, I think most of the cameos between Sekai Ichi and Junjou are more easily recognized in Sekai Ichi. They're certainly easier to notice if you watch them back-to-back. I always felt a little clever when I saw them, though.

This is one of the few anime that I will watch when I'm having a terrible time. I can't really put my finger on it exactly, but it's good for my sanity. So yeah, basically if you enjoy yaoi, you'll enjoy this. If you're not sure, try it anyway.

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Meowmeowmeow: ANIME MILWAUKEE

I'll be attending Anime Milwaukee this coming weekend. Since it will take a good chunk of three days, I'll not be able to really catch up on any new series. As such, I'll be posting a review of the convention itself! Have a good weekend, everyone! (Maybe I'll see you there??)

Sekai Ichi Hatsukoi

Genre: Romance
Age Appropriate: Older teens
Emotional Response: Come on! Get a move on!
Notable Features: yaoi, romance, manga editing
Language: Japanese
Length: 24 episodes
Overall Recommendation: Pretty Good

"Maybe I really am only in love with your face." Kisa

Sekai Ichi Hatsukoi follows three couples loosely related through a manga editing team. One part of each couple works for Emerald - an editing team that works with shojo manga - however, there is no real reference in the individual stories to the other couples. Two of the dramatic couples are actually caught in a pseudo-love triangle, with two people shyly in love with each other, and one on the outside looking in. Jealousy abounds, however, in the traditional misunderstanding that go with romantic fiction love triangles.

The primary couple is Onodera and Takano (or Ritsu and Masamune). The biggest part of their drama is the high school romance they had that was cut short by a terrible misunderstanding between the two and the sudden moving on Onodera to a different country. In present day, Onodera has started working for a publishing rival of his father's company, as a way to show his independence, and is "misplaced" into the manga department, Emerald. After a very awkward encounter, he faces a major shock when he's faced with the fact that his new boss, the up-and-coming hot shot editor, is actually his high school sweetheart! Between their past, Onodera's denial of his feelings and the unfortunate non-acceptance of Takano's bff (who is desperately in love with him), the story unfolds.

The second and third couples (Yoshino/Tori and Yuu! + Kisa and Yukina) are much shorter interludes mixed in with the Onodera/Takano storyline. Yoshino/Tori/Yuu is actually not that wildly different. The three have known each other for a long time, two are possibly in love, one is on the outside, and the middle of the triangle is primarily oblivious to the tension building. Kisa and Yukina are an awkward pair. Kisa is a 30 year old editor, and Yukina in a 20something art student who works at a bookstore. Kisa admits to himself that he's a bit lame in his chasing of only attractive people, and discarding them later, and Yukina is young and optimistic in the face of Kisa's lack of self-confidence.

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I'm attempting not to add too much, because while there are only 24 episodes, the three story lines are fairly separate. I'm not always someone who likes a lot of harsh emotional conflict, depending on the situation. At least, not in cheesy romances like this. The other problem I struggle with in regards to SIH is not a failing in the series, as much as my preference for it's counterpart - Junjou Romantica. I probably could've done them the other way around, since I'm pretty sure this is a spin-off of that, but that's not it worked out.

I really did enjoy this for the most part. I wasn't super dragged into an emotional relationship with the characters, but there was something entertaining about it. I'm not sure if their relationships bothered me because i didn't relate to the characters, or because I really did. Either way, I would definitely recommend this to girls (and boys!) who enjoy the Yaoi genre. If you don't, I would recommend it at all. It's strictly yaoi romance all the way. Sometimes, I've seen anime that has crossed genres, or is so phenomenal that is doesn't matter. No matter how much I may enjoy this when I'm watching it, this is not one of those. Essentially: If you're in the mood, go for it.

But maybe watch Junjou Romantica first. Even if you don't notice the crossovers, there are a couple of cameos in this that make no sense otherwise. Yeah, I'll review that soon. 

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What's next, hmm?: Junjou Romantica

Sukisyo

Genre: Comedy/SciFi/Romance
Age Appropriate: Older Teen/Adult
Emotional Response: Giggles and frustration
Notable Features: high school, split personalities, yaoi
Language: Japanese
Length: 1 seasons, 12 episodes
Overall Recommendation: Great

"Waiting is a sort of sorrow, too." - Matsuri



Hashiba Sora mysteriously fell four stories and landed without a scratch on him but lost all of his memories. Now he's back on his feet, attending an all-male boarding school, in an all-male world. The school has some old friends around, but the story shows that he's had to remember them. He remembers Matsuri, after a certain amount of prodding, but gets a good punch in the head when he doesn't remember Sunao. Sora's first experience waking up in his dorm is having Nao crawling onto his bed with him and saying strange things. Turns out, Ran lives inside Nao and has been looking for his long-lost love Yoru - who apparently lives inside Sora! So begins the drama that is Sukisyo. Underneath the crazy comedy and tension-filled love story is a deep dark secret to be uncovered hiding between all of the characters.

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Sukisyo is so full of comedy in the beginning that there isn't much room for a full-blown plot, but what is there is really well done. The series is all fun and games with a little evil foreshadowing, but the turn is pretty drastic when the real story comes to light. I actually found this to be a good thing, because it really made the "real" story more important. Sometimes it is hard to pull off that same level of emotional involvement with characters in a short series. At first, I expected it to be a lot more relationship drama based, but despite the relationship development, this really was more focused on the story itself.

I would really recommend this to someone looking for a mix of lighthearted comedy and a tiny bit of psychological thriller. It's not that complicated, but it makes for a good drama without being super messed up like some of the ones I've seen. I would rate it for older teens because of one particular scene in episode six that is a little bit adult. There is one part later that is "implied" but not in a way that might bother someone really. I have to say, though, no matter what else i might think, Sora's tantrums are the cutest thing I've seen in quite awhile. Overall, I was really pleased with the series.

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Let's see...: We Without Wings

Gravitation

Genre: Romance
Age Appropriate: Older Teens
Emotional Response: yeeeeah. ::headdesk::
Notable Features: bands, young love. coming-of-age
Language: Japanese/English
Length: 1 season, 12 episodes
Overall Recommendation: Guilty Pleasure (Terribly cheesy, but I couldn't stop)

"Ask me if something good happened." - Shuichi Shindo

Gravitation is all about the music. Shuichi is a young artist in his up-and-coming band, Bad Luck. Together with his bandmate Hiro, and the eventual addition of a keyboard player, Bad Luck takes the music world by storm. Shuichi, however, suffers from mood swings that stem from a lack of control over his destiny and his rocky relationship with Eiri Yuki, a famous novelist who has somehow fallen down the rabbit hole of love with Shuichi. Yuki is actually an arrogant jerk who manages to support his new young rockstar boyfriend while also tearing him apart with his own crazy mood swings. Clearly, however, his attitude actually helps him deal with Shuichi's crazy love-struck enthusiasm and likely helps the kid grow up throughout the series.

Bad Luck catches the eye of the record label's president, and their most famous rockstar during a concert where they open for a different popular group, ASK. ASK becomes their rival for the series. There is some drama with ASK, but it is relatively short lived when they attack Shuichi head on. Other drama ensues, both between bands, within the band, and in the relationships that are slowly developing between characters.

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It was awful and I couldn't stop watching it! The music was kinda cheesy. The story was a little unoriginal. Even the relationships were dopey. I loved it. I watched it most of it on a Sunday afternoon/evening. I had to go to bed before finishing the last few episodes, but it was quickly rectified as soon as I got home from work. I'm glad it was only one season, because there is no way that it could've been drawn out effectively. Don't be fooled, though. As light-hearted and goofy as it is, the last episode is super intense, and I wouldn't recommend watching it without a little warning.

The only thing that probably set it apart from other similar anime stories was the fact that the main character, and his love interest, were of the same gender. They make a big deal about how it's not normal for either of them, but no one cares because it's all about love. It was pretty low-key for yaoi, though. I didn't even have much of a crush on any of the characters, although I might attribute that to the art style - or not. If the above sounds like your kinda thing, then I would highly recommend it.

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Rock Out Y'all: Say "I love you"