Sekirei: Season 1

Let me set the record straight and tell you that FUNimation's marketing for this gem of a show is completely idiotic. If you were to listen to its double entendre-laden summary on the package, or watch any of the trailers, you'd think it was idiotic exploitation with no artistic merits whatsoever. Once again, this proves the company's complete inability to market something that has risque elements to it. Listening to the way they describe this series, it sounds like a ridiculous farce on the same level as "Heaven's Lost Property." What surprised me most about "Sekirei", however, is its earnest attempt to tell a compelling story underneath all of the fan service.Minato Sahashi comes from the "Love Hina" vein of anime protagonists: young, decently attractive, and a total academic failure. Much like shows of that type, a bevy of beautiful women start crowding around him, most notably the busty and powerful Musubi, who is the show's charming, unique love interest. But this show eschews the typical perverted high jinks, outside of some bath scenes and "boy walks in on girl changing" moments, for an intriguing, fight-oriented plot. See, Musubi is what is known as a Sekirei, which are powerful superhuman beings capable of incredible feats. In order to fully unleash her power, however, she needs what is known as Ashikabi, which is a handler of sorts that a Sekirei forms a spiritual bond with. How is the bond formed? Why, with kissing, of course!All silliness aside, this concept is surprisingly pliable. The Sekirei are competing in a government game to see which one is the strongest, and thus, many of the Sekirei are desperately seeking Ashikabi to boost their power. Others are hopelessly enslaved by rich, spoiled Ashikabi, who only want to win the game for power and recognition, abusing their Sekirei in order to get what they want. Seeing how different individuals handle this newfound power and status makes for some compelling entertainment, due to the distinct contrasts between Minato and some of the other, lesser Ashikabi. It adds a solid human element to the series, one that other fighting-focused ecchi shows could learn a thing or two from.But despite the tinge of humanity, this is still a show that emphasizes on two things: fighting and mammary glands. The first of these two things is done surprisingly well. Each Sekirei has different powers and wicked martial arts abilities, and with the excellent animation, battles never devolve into plodding "Naruto"-esque bouts. The combat is actually very reminiscent of "Queen's Blade", another excellent fan-service show, in the sense that it's always engaging and keeps you wanting more. Throughout this first season, the fighting was always conservatively placed and never tiresome. Given some of the other shows featuring similar content, this is definitely a feat in and of itself.Worth noting to this critic, though, is the fan service itself. I know, it seems kind of weird to praise a show for its handling of titillation, but "Sekirei" does it so well that it definitely deserves special note. This series is never coy or teasing with its fan service, instead opting to shove the nudity in your face whenever it sees fit. This makes for an overall more honest experience, breaking it free from the confines of a "tee-hee, look, BOOBIES!" teen sex comedy. Having the actual nudity put on display shows that the animators were aiming for an older male crowd as opposed to an adolescent crowd of snickering tween boys, and that definitely gives it some extra clout in my book.That's not to say the show is perfect, however; after all, this type of anime rarely is. The biggest issue with "Sekirei" is its unevenness with the pacing and tone of the overall story arc. At one moment, we're expected to bust a gut laughing at a comedic misunderstanding, and then a few minutes later, the show throws an emotional curveball at us. While it is true that art should not be faulted for attempting to encompass a wide range of emotions, I did feel that the show couldn't settle on what it wanted to be and thus decided to be a little bit of everything. When this works, it's beautiful, but when it doesn't, it comes across as a bit uneven. That being said, the characters are all quite unique and multi-faceted, and you shouldn't be shocked if you become emotional during some of the more intense scenes. By the end of series, you'll definitely have some heavy investment in one or two of the characters."Sekirei" is a strong show that, against all odds, is one of the most and entertaining anime I've seen in a long while. With a strong dub, great animation, and a pleasantly breezy soundtrack, it makes for not only some fine Summer viewing, but fine viewing for anytime of the year. At this price, it's a complete steal for a show that will definitely leave some sort of impression on you.Plot: B+Animation: A-Music: B-Voice Acting (Dub): A-Overall: B+NOTE: I didn't know quite how to slide this into my review, but it feels necessary to point out that despite how male-oriented this show seems, there are in fact a bevy of attractive men for women to get some kicks out of. Thus, I feel this is a show that a couple could comfortably watch and enjoy together.

This is a review of the blu-ray/DVD version of "Hundred". As the box says it features the complete series of 12 episodes. I only watched the blu-ray version.Plot - The earth is being attacked by strange creatures called "The Savage". These monsters can only be beaten by "Slayers". Slayers are young people who have an affinity with a strange object called an "Hundred". Hayato Kisaragi is tested and found to have a record affinity with the hundred. He agrees to transfer to an academy ship known as the "Little Garden" with his disabled sister. There he must hone his skills and learn to fight alongside his class-mates.There's action, mild fan service, the bare outline of a plot some surprisingly touching moments and some moments of tension.Animation, music and voice-acting - The music and animation is fine. The action sequences are short but well done. The designs are well done but relatively simple and the emphasis is on the characters. The US voice acting is OK but it really comes alive with the Japanese voice acting. Why, oh why do all US voice actors sound as if they are 30 years older than the characters they are supposed to represent? Doesn't anyone notice this?Conclusions - This is billed as an action/harem anime. and for the most part that is what it is. The series starts very quickly with the initial battle between Hayato and the captain of the ship who turns out to be a buxom blonde (tsundere box all ticked very early). And then the rest of the harem and mild fan service boxes are filled in. For once Hayato is a strong character and the series focuses more on him than the harem aspects. The characters are well done and the impact inevitable, annoying, squeaky character (in this case Claudia Loetty towards the end) is minimal. The fan service is limited to the occasional beach scene (this ain't no Maken-ki). The monsters are almost an after thought.My problem with this anime is not that it isn't good, it is. My problem is that it doesn't seem very original. It is a competent mix of familiar elements with few surprises. I enjoyed it but I don't have a real need to see it again. Towards the end it becomes obvious that this is setting itself up for a second series. I'm not sure there was a second series which must tell you something.I can't give it five stars because this isn't a series that I want to watch again. The girls are cute, the action is okay, the plot even has some surprises in store. It's competent but not great. If you don't watch much anime this could be a big hit for you but for me I can enjoy it once not more.You might also like - Freezing, A certain magical index, chivalry of a failed knight, Girls und Panzer, Unbreakable Machine Doll.

Babes with very big "Oppai" [ Sorry,you'll have to use a Japanese-English dictionary] rule!Also watched the second season,and hope there will be a sequel,or even a conclusion!

Brilliant, bought season one and two on a recommendation and I wasn't disappointed. Very good show that I have no problem passing on the recommendation that I received for.

another must have in any anime fan`collection

this is classic manga madness which will appeal to those who enjoyed the likes of strike witches and battle vixens

Very nice anime