================================================================= ================================================================= SHOUJO ANIME LIST INDIVIDUAL ANIME RATINGS, SYNOPSIS AND COMMENTS, ETC. ================================================================= ================================================================= Ratings Guide: ***** Must see, must collect **** Must see, collection recommended *** Must see ** Recommended * Not recommended No * Not reviewed yet t: tv series or movie m: movie o: ova Synopsis: Usually first paragraph Comments/Review: Usually second paragraph (HBV): contributor code name. LD: LD VHS: Videotape ------------------------------------------------------------------ EXAMPLE: <>=explanation ------------------------------------------------------------------ <original manga mag> <mangaka> 8485 Mahou no Yousei Perusia Margaret AONUMA Taeko (Vanessa et la magie des reves bleus) <foriegn title: french> (Magical Fairly Perusha) <foriegn title: english> *** <must see> to <tv series and also ova> Perusha has a strange animal (a lion who lived with Perusha in Africa and now transformed into a talking stuffed toy, so he can still be around Perusha without causing too much trouble) as a friend. A sort of Minky Momo, she gets transformed into a pretty woman, with various dress. (RIV) <synopsis, contributor's code name is RIV (Richard Vuong)> This is the second `magical girl' series produced by Stadio Pierrot, I believe (the first one is "Creamy Mami"), and loosely based on the manga version. In the manga version, her boyfriend had no twin brother. Animater Yumiko Horasawa made her mark on this anime by her superb drawing quality. (AAK) <comment/review, contributor's code name is AAK (Akemi Kishita)> LD/VHS: <available in LD or VHS tape form> LD box 12 LD 1140 min, 2 selection TV series & 1 OVA approx 45 min each. <further explanation of the anime's availability> ----------------------------------------------------------------- ================================================================= ================================================================= ================================================================= ================================================================= Anime Title Year Manga Mangaka ================================================================= ================================================================= I. Commercially available shoujo anime: ================================================================= 7374 Ace o nerae Margaret YAMAMOTO Sumika 79 " 8890 " **** tmo A high school freshman, Hiromi Oka, joined its renowned tennis club mainly because she was among many admirers of elegant Reika Ryuzaki. But the new coach, Jin Munakata, names inexperienced Hiromi as one of team members to play in coming tournament. Depressed with hatred by other members and relentless training by Munakata, Hiromi considers to quit playing tennis. Yet, she finds deep down in her soul, she loves tennis after all. So, she comes back to the club and her hidden talent starts to bloom under Munakata's coaching. And Hiromi develops a strong, emotional bond with her coach, not knowing that Munakata is risking his young life due to chronic illness...(AAK) This manga, created by YAMAMOTO Sumika, ignited huge tennis popularity in `70s. Several anime series were made from manga, all by director DEZAKI Osamu and animator-in-chief, SUGINO Akio. The first series seems rough production, but next "Shin Ace o Nerae!" is vintage of this team. Later, OVA series "Ace o Nerae! 2" and "...2:Final Stage" were created to cover the story after Munakata's death. The ending of these series is a bit abrupt, but otherwise, dramatic and impressive anime, as usual. (AAK) LD/VHS: 1st series 7LD 600 min, 8 tapes 70 min each, 2nd series 4LD 75-100 min each, 6 tapes 50-75 min. 3rd series 6LD/tape 50 min each. Movie LD/tape 88 min. 93 A-Girl Bessatsu KURAMOCHI Fusako Margaret *** o A pretty good story of a love triangle. (Actually, it's more of a love quadrangle.) Kuramochi's style is always cutting-edge hip. (MAT) An anime which is practically an image clip. (HBV) VHS: 30 min. 9294 Ai no Kusabi (1&2) Shousetsu June YOSHIHARA Rieko ***** o Iason is one of the elite in a future world-the elite are known collectively as Blondies, and Riki is a slum kid, the leader of a gang called the Bisons. When they meet, it's reluctant love at first sight, and eventually Riki becomes Iason's 'pet'-complete with pet ring, which dispenses pain or ecstasy at the owner's will. Their relationship is disapproved of by everyone, but most violently by Riki's old friend (and lover) Guy. I wouldn't call it S&M, there is a lot of mental angst, but it's pretty much evenly distributed. (MAK) I'd say that this is the best of the shonenai videos done to date-the animation is beautiful (although sometimes the body proportions are way off, especially necks...), the story is excellent, the characters are interesting. It's also quite graphic-the 2nd more so than the first. It's also very expensive, at 13,500 yen each. Character design and artwork by ONDA Naoyuki. For adults only. (MAK) VHS: 60 Min each 82 Andromeda Stories Duo TAKEMIYA Keiko /MITSUSE Ryu **** t The story of a prince and a princess who struggle to reclaim their planet which was overran by deadly aliens. A rather tragic ending. (HBV) A TV anime special: a Takemiya sci-fi classic which has an excellent plot but the character design is outdated. (HBV) VHS: 86 min. 8687 Anmitsu hime Shoujo KURARANE Shousuke t ** About a young princess at Edo Period but with a lot of modern days amenities. (CSP) Funny, cute characters but aimed at little girls. (CSP) VHS: 12 tapes 75 min each. 88 Anoko ni 1000% ? KITAGAWA Miyuki o ** A high school love story. (HBV) This is a short OVA which comes after the end of Umi no Yami, Tsuki no Kage. (HBV) LD/VHS: 10 min. See Umi no Yami, Tsuki no Kage for more info. 88 Antique Heart Wings KATAYAMA Shuu *** o Three boys discover the ghost of a medieval princess inhabiting an old school building scheduled for demolition. (VIW) Dated character designs. (VIW) LD/VHS: 40 min. 9193 Arslan Senki (1-4) NA TANAKA Yoshiki **** mo Effectively fantasy tale with plenty of action. Young Prince Arslan tries to win back his kingdom with the help of his faithful Baron Marshall Daryuun and a host of other comrades. (KEM) Character design was beautifully done by KAMIMURA Sachiko. Nevertheless, the story is not quite intriguing and the characters are not so lively, because too many integral parts of the original story by TANAKA were altered or omitted. It's a real unfortunate that TANAKA's ever-superb novel cannot reach to those non-Japanese fans. (AAK) LD/VHS: 57, 59, 29, 29 min. 6971 Attack No.1 Margaret URANO Chikako **** tmo Kozue is a high school volleyball superstar from Fujimi High school. (HBV) This is the mother of all sports heroine anime. Fine example of the genre "Sports Konjou mono". My sisters loved it:) (HBV) LD/VHS: Movie LD/tape 51-63 min each, TV series 5 tapes 75 min each. 93 Basara Bessatsu TAMURA Yumi Shoujo Comic ** o Video Image Clip of the manga Basara, which is about a pair of lovers who do not know that they are actually deadly enemies. The story is set in a future, fantastic Japan. (HBV) Not an animation, but drawings and music. For Tamura fans only. (HBV) LD/VHS: 30 min. 92- Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon Business Jump TAKEUCHI Naoko /Nakayoshi **** tm Cat comes, gives amulet, Usagi becomes Sailor Moon, warrior protector of earth. Friends came, friends become sailor senshi too. Sailor Senshi in trouble, mysterious savior saves the day. (TC) This is the most popular shoujo anime in Japan right now. Collection recommended for those have money. (TC) LD/VHS: First series LD/tape approx. 100 min each, Second series tape 30 min each, as of end of 1994. Movie yet to be released by end of 1994. 89 Blue Sonnet (1-5) Hana to Yume SHIBATA Masahiro *** o Blue Sonnet is a girl rescued from the slums and was rebuilt as a combat cyborg which possessed unbeatable powers. She is loyal to Dr. Merikus who wants to eliminate every esper that poses as a threat...(HBV) Character design is outdated because it is based on an old manga. Nevertheless the plot is good. (HBV) LD/VHS: 30 min each, 2LD 170 min 9394 Boku no Chikyuu o Mamotte Hana to Yume HIWATARI Saki (Please Save My Earth) ***** o Complicated sci-fi romance involving seven people and their past lives as aliens. (HBV) Great anime with a haunting soundtrack. A little slow but the drama and character interaction keeps the audience interested. (KEM) LD/VHS: 3 LD 60 min each, 6 tape 30 min each, Summary available in 95. 94 Boku no Sexual Harassment Shosetsu Be-BoyMOMO Sakura *** o It is about an employee (Nobutsuki) of a computer company who became intimate with his boss (Honma-san) (during a business trip to Niigata), while his own junior (kouhai) named Fujida was in love with him...and then his boss started farming him out to clients-exchanging sexual favors for contracts...It takes him a while to figure out that his boss might not be the best person for him. (MAK) Very explicit....It was originally a yaoi novel. The author said she blushed when she heard the recording, but the actors themselves just think of it as a job and don't feel embarrassed doing it. I'm sure there are some folks who would die to get it. (MIN) LD/VHS: 47 min. 92 Boyfriend ? OGURA Fuyumi **** o The story about a sick girl and her high school basketball star boyfriend. They encourage each other so that the girl hopes to win over her illness while her boyfriend becomes the best basketball player. (HBV) A very heartwarming story with music by Yumi Matsutoya. (HBV) LD/VHS: Tape 51 & 59 min, Compilation LD 120 min, tape 94 min. 94 Bronze (Cathexis) Margaret OZAKI Minami **** o Collection of short, symbolic films that are mixed with fantasy and eroticism backed by music. Features superstar Koji Nanjou and soccer star Takuto Izumi from Zetsuai 1989. (KEM) Incredible anime with excellent music. Great use of storytelling techniques and one of the most interesting adaptations of manga images I have ever seen. (KEM) LD/VHS: 33 min 7679 Candy Candy Nakayoshi IGARASHI Yumiko 92 " /MIZUKI Kyoko **** tm Life story of Candice White since her 'birthday' till when she found her purpose in life. Candies White: orphan, tomboy, pretty lady and nurse. Set in Michigan and England circa World War I era. (TC) A classic in shoujo history. Anime exaggerates and stretches the manga a bit, which caused a slightly lower quality than the manga. (TC) LD/VHS: 75 min tape (chosen TV series episodes) 40 min tape (1st movie) 26 min (2nd movie) LD or tape 90 Carol NA KINE Naoto ** o Cute Alice in Wonderland like fantasy tale involving a young girl and a rock band. (KEM) Good anime with a fun soundtrack. Kouga Yun is the artist of the manga (Story by Kine Naoto). (KEM) LD/VHS: 60 min 88 Cherry no manma ? Sugi Emiko ** o A fun comedy about a squabble between a young girl and her two housemaid boyfriends. (HBV) This short OVA comes at the end of Umi no Yami, Tsuki no kage. (HBV) LD/VHS: 10 min. See Umi no Yami, Tsuki no Kage for more info. 9192 Chibi Maruko-Chan Ribbon SAKURA Momoko **** to The recollections of Maruko, as she was growing up in 1970's Japan. (ENC) Although the animation is not that great, the story more than make up for it. A Japanese Simpson type of cartoon which is very popular in Japan. (HBV) LD/VHS: TV series 3 LD 250 min, 5 tape 50 min each 2 movies LD/Tape 92-94 min each. 89 Cipher LaLa NARITA Minako ** o The story of two brothers and one's rise to fame condensed into a music video. (KEM) A bad dub job and terrible soundtrack make this hard to watch but Narita fans will probably enjoy it. (KEM) LD/VHS: 40 min 92 Deimos no Hanayome Princess ASHIBE Yuuko ***** o Dark tale of a demon and the girl to whom he is attracted. The girl also becomes involved with a strange young man and his revenge obsessed sister. (KEM) This beautiful horror anime is taken off of the story "Orchid Suite" in manga tankoboun #14 (DOC) LD/VHS: 30 min 91 Dragon Fist Wings KATAYAMA Shuu ** o Rin Fueiron is a new transfer student from China. On the first day of class he saved a girl from being attacked by his new school's gang. Now Feuiron is going to participate in a karate meet and long and behold the opponents include the gang....(HBV) Occult martial art anime based on popular Katayama manga published in Wings (HBV) LD/VHS: 40 min. 8990 Earthian 1 & 2 South KOUGA Yun **** o As the people on earth are getting worse and worse, the head angels decided to award a negative mark for every 'bad' thing humans do and a positive score for every 'good' thing humans do. If the negative points reach a certain point, earth will be destroyed. Angels who support earth are paired up with angels who dislike earth and were then sent to earth to accumulate the points. Chihaya and Kagetsuya are two very close friends who paired up together to accumulate points. In their adventures, Chihaya and Kagetsuya found themselves unwillingly involved with an evil scientist and other undesirables. (LAP) Any anime based on a Kouga Yun manga will be beautiful, since she draws pretty manga. Earthian is a fine example and should not be missed. High quality production. (HBV) LD/VHS: 45 min each 90 Eguchi Hisashi no Asuka EGUCHI Hisashi nantokanarudeshou! o **** A story about a pair of Okama brothers (The Thomases)...wacky comedy. (HBV) A Eguchi Hisashi comedy. This anime combines the animation with live action. (HBV) LD/VHS: 40 min. 90 Fukuyama gekijou Natsu no ? FUKUYAMA Keiko Himitsu o Based on Fukuyama's short works, include "Opening-Nezumi no oyako", "Usagi no kyoudai", etc. (HBV) LD/VHS: 60 min. 7172 Fushigi na Merumo ? TEZUKA Osamu ***** t Merumo got into an accident and went to heaven. Her mom in heaven gave her a bottle of red and blue pills which could make her grow younger or older by ten years per pill. (HBV) This Tezuka classic is in my opinion the most important magical girl series of all time. The relatively short length of the series also make it easier to collect for those who are financially less well off. (HBV) LD/VHS: LD Box 7 LD 651 min, 12 tape 50 min each. 84 Garasu no Kamen Hana to Yume MIUCHI Suzue (Laura ou la passion du theatre) *** t Maya Kitajima (Laura Messonier)'s dream is to become an actress and decided to leave her family to join the theatre company of Chisuga Tsukikage (Chloe de Saint Fiacre), a famous actress. Maya has a rival named Ayumi Himekawa (Sidonie), from a different company and also an anonymous fan, who gave her purple roses. Maya made her major breakthrough with a great performance of a Helen Keller role... (RIV) A great story which is based on one of the longest running mangas. The character interactions along with the training which the actresses have to go through make this a great anime. Shingo Haraki is the character designer. (HBV) LD/VHS: LD Box 500 min. 91 Gekkou no Pierce NA FUJIMOTO Hitomi (Moonlight's Pierce) **** o A girl with a group of friends battle a evil young man who has a tragic past. (HBV) A great fantasy anime with ending theme performed by Japanese superstar Kyosuke Himuro ("Love Song", from the album "Neo Fascio"). (HBV) VHS: 70 min. 92 Genji 1 & 2 Wings KOUGA Yun *** o Complicated live story involving a young man and woman who travel between two worlds, the present and a psuedo-ancient one where two armies fight for dominance with tanks and swords. (KEM) Good fantasy anime but the love story is a bit overdone as is the voice acting. (KEM) LD/VHS: 45 min each 88 Harborlight Monogatari NA NA ** o Eleven year old Miho is a future fashion designer. She worked hard for the fashion design of a dancing queen contest...(HBV) A magical girl series with Lala being the magical girl and Miho has the protagonist. (HBV) LD/VHS 50 min. 8790 Hana no Asuka gumi 1&2 Asuka TAKAGUCHI Satosumi **** o A constant high school gang wars centering on KUROKU Asuka, the toughest "bad" girl of all anime. (HBV) The independence and vision of Asuka, along with the fact that the anime is about high school gangs make this a unique work among shoujo animes. (HBV) LD/VHS: First OVA LD/tape 48 min, second OVA tape 52 min. 92 Hana no Mahou tsukai Maribel NA NA ** tm Maribel is a flower fairy who comes out of a flower to help out friends Ken and Yuuri and also leads them to wonderful adventures. (HBV) Another example of flower fairies magical girls. Certainly not a classic...(HBV) LD/VHS: First compilation 6 tape 30 min each, Second compilation 3 tape 84 min each, Movie LD/tape 40 min.