Spirited Away (Movie)

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Name: Spirited Away
Type: Animation

Official Rating: PG

Director: Hayao Miyazaki
Genre: Family, adventure, fantasy

Age Rating: 11+

Review:
Chichiro and her parents become captives of the spirit world by accident while on their way to their new home. It's up to Chihiro to free her parents and escape the supernatural beings that keep her there.

The characters in this film were all so imaginative, not surprising since it's another Ghibli film. Miyazaki is one of the most creative directors out there; he is the Jim Hensen of Anime! I loved all the different creatures involved in the movie. They gave the story an almost magical feeling instead of simply being drab. cliche ghosts from the spirit world. The sound effects were once again spot-on, and the art was absolutely stunning. One thing to appreciate with Miyazaki films is the genuine art he uses. 

I really appreciated the themes of greed and family in this anime. Chichiro never gave up on her parents, and was able to remember them while she was working in the bathhouse trying to figure out how to release them from their spell. When No-Face begins throwing money around, everyone but Chichiro is desperate to be given some money, even though No-Face tries several times to give her some. Chichiro's childlike innocence prevents her from focusing on things that are not important, and she helps the spirits around her realize that a lust for money can lead to many a downfall.

Some parts of this anime might be scarier to younger viewers, such as the sight of the spirit in charge of the bathhouse Yubaba, the spider-man Kamaji, and the character, No-Face. It also mentions the "spirit world" a lot, which is where the story takes place, and implies that everyone in the bathhouse are either spirits, or somehow trapped there. Humans who live there have forgotten their names and are "owned" by Yubaba, which could seem confusing to young believers. It is important that those watching it understand that while the spirit world is real, and there is a battle against the forces of good and evil, it is not as vividly real as it is portrayed in this film. 

Mature Content: 

• Violence- Haku is wounded during a battle while he is in his dragon state, and blood is shown
• Spiritual- The movie takes place in the spirit world, and many of the characters are spirits
• Magic- Some of the characters seem to posses some sort of magic

Personal:
This movie was first introduced to me by my friend, Marina.

Fullmetal Alchemist (Manga)

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Name: Fullmetal Alchemist
Type: Manga

Author: Hiromu Arakawa

Books: 27
Genre: Action, adventure, military, science fantasy
Age Rating: 15+

Review:
After the death of their mother, Edward and Alphonse Elric try to bring her back to life using alchemy, leaving Edward without an arm and a leg and Alphonse's soul attached to a suit of armor. Join them as they travel the country looking for clues on how to restore their bodies. 

I loved this series! No wonder it is one of the most well-known and well-liked. Some themes that were included human possession by Humunculi, messing with the spirit world and trading arms and bodies for hollow reflections of dead people. Though some of these ideas were based heavily on the Alchemical world these characters lived in, the morale behind these lessons was serious and thought-provoking. The whole concept of Alchemy was very well thought-out and the author included background and historical context in order to better explain the idea behind it. The actual magic was inoffensive, but some of the ideas behind it and the explanations contradicted the Bible.

There were a lot of references to evolution, magic, and God, though none of it was Biblical. One character called the power of God because he was below him and now one believed in God. One thing I did enjoy was how Arakawa incorporated Biblical the seven deadly sins into her story. It added a lot of depth and originality, even though some of the characters personifying the sins didn't always seem to posses the sin that they represented. The Humunculi were perfectly creepy and fun to hate, despite the occasional exception, like Greed. 

 The characters in this manga were well-developed and in many ways I felt connected to the Elric brothers--not because I've lost my mother or my body by magic, but because they fought desperately for what was right, and were able to empathize with the pain of those around them because of what they went through. It was heartbreaking in some ways to watch their transition from who they are at the beginning to the end, and the emotions they evoked in the reader were part of the reason I was continually compelled to read. 

This series was one of my favorites because the author simply incorporated so many wonderful genres in at once, and really took the time to plan out the story and provide adequate and interesting backstories and historical accounts that made the setting really come to life. There were several strong women in this series, which added to the array of characters that while mostly male-based, didn't seem uneven in any way. Just the fact that the author was a woman makes me want to throw my fists into the air and scream, "yeah!"

Mature Content:

• Sexual References- Mild sexual tension between characters
• Magic- Many of the characters use alchemy, which is a form of magic
• Spiritual- Some of the villains compare themselves to God, one even goes as far as trying to control God because he is "more powerful"
• The use of alchemy
• Evolution- Evolutionary explanations of Humunculi, Alchemy, etc. 
• Violence-   Battles and graphic deaths (blood is drawn)
• Profanity- Use of "damn," "ass," "bastard," and "shit"
• Intense Scenes- In one scene a little girl has been cruelly mixed with her dog by the use of Alchemy
• The true forms of the seven deadly sins are quite frightening

Personal Note: 
Roy and Hawkeye <3

Sword Art Online (Anime)

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Name: Sword Art Online
Type: Anime

Official Rating: TV-PG

Director: Reki Kawahara

Seasons: 2
Genre: Action, adventure, science fantasy, romance
Age Rating: 17+

Review:
Thousands of players around the world suddenly find themselves trapped inside the video game universe of Sword Art Online. Hero Kirito must fight his way to the top level in order to defeat the game and release the players.

There were a lot of surprisingly heavy themes in this anime including suicide, kidnapping, heartbreak and the definition of the term, "hero." The art was good, and the whole idea of being able to experience a video-game firsthand--as if you were actually there--is certainly an intriguing one. SAO stands as one of the most popular anime in the genre, as it appeals to both genders and delivers adventure, romance, and virtual reality. I loved all the cool elements in the game, and it managed to provide believable aspects such as instant messaging, a trading system, and juggling finances within the SAO universe.

Though not set in a distant future, the technology presented in SAO greatly surpass our own, giving the show a more futuristic feel. Ironically it doesn't list romance as one of the genres, because that is a major focus of the show later on. The romance between Kirito and Asuna is sweet, though a little forced and somewhat stifling at times. Kirito appears as a quiet, brave, and handsome hero who wants to do the right thing and save the world of Sword Art Online (and later on rescue his beloved Asuna). The amount of females who fall in love with him is sad, considering that Kirito is your typical oblivious male. 

In all honesty, this wasn't one of my favorite animes because I felt it had a lot of elements and scenes that just weren't needed, didn't flow well with the plot, or simply made no sense. The whole "kidnapping Asuna" story line changed what the show started off as in the beginning episodes, and it was completely unnecessary to have a creepy sexual predator as the villain. The ending scenes in the first season with Asuna in chains while "Fairy King Oberon" ripped her clothes off and licked her face was absolutely sickening and uncomfortable to watch. And why did there have to be a whole side-plot about Kirito's stepsister's loving feelings towards him? I like the idea of this show, but it wasn't as good as I could have been, in my opinion, and was more about romance than I was expecting to be.

Mature Content:

• Sexual References- Oberon kidnaps Asuna because he is physically attracted to her. Later on, he chains her up, and rips her clothing and touches her in inappropriate ways against her will
• Asuna is fondled quite intimately by two alien-like creatures when she tries to escape from her prison
• Suguha, who was raised as Kirito's younger sister, is in love with him
• All the girls fall in love with Kirito's character
• Oberon laughs sadistically about raping Asuna in real life
• Nudity- Asuna's breasts are almost fully revealed (all but the nipple are drawn) when her shirt is ripped off
• Some excessive cleavage is shown
• Asuna's thighs are exposed in later scenes
• Violence- Video-game violence and death
• A few suicides take place (when they die, people explode into sparkles)
• Profanity- Use of the word "ass," "damn," "dick," and "shit"
• Intense Scenes- This anime is very emotionally intense

Personal Note: 
The voice actor who voices King Oberon was the same voice as Prince Raj in Snow White With the Red Hair!

Ponyo (Movie)

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Name: Ponyo
Type: Animation

Official Rating: G

Director: Hayao Miyazaki
Genre: Family, adventure, drama, fantasy

Age Rating: n/a

Review:
A 5-year-old boy named Sosuke develops a relationship with Ponyo, a goldfish princess from the sea who longs to be human after falling in love with him.

This adaptation of the little mermaid story is equipped with stunning visuals and an all-star cast. The movie itself dragged on after a while, so it might be harder to watch with a restless child. The action, however, was reasonably paced throughout. The summary sounds more romantic than it actually is; Sosuke and Ponyo's relationship seems sweet and innocent rather than entirely romantic. It was also a bit strange how Ponyo was referred to as a "fish," when she possessed a human head, and what looked like little arms and legs.

The characters were all very charming and easy to fall in love with. Sosuke's mother, Lisa, and Ponyo's father, Fujimoto, are especially hilarious. Lisa was a crazy driver and took risks I never would with my child in a terrible storm, and got into a funny argument with her husband via Morse code. The long haired, bedazzled Fujimoto was portrayed by Liam Neeson, which is in its own right worthy of a laugh. This movie was really fun to watch with my brothers; we took a lot of delight out of the light-heartedness and crazy scenes. 

There were a lot of interesting and refreshing themes in Ponyo, including family and adoption, respect for elders, and the importance of staying young-at-heart. There was a scene that talked about breastfeeding a baby after Ponyo and Sasuke offer some food to a woman's baby, though it was never named directly. Overall, this was a great family-friendly movie that can be a delight for children of all ages and stages of life. It was so much fun watching it with my brothers!

Mature Content:

• Magic- Ponyo's father is a sea wizard and gathers magic from the ocean
• Ponyo transforms from a fish to a human via magic, and the transformation is a bit strange looking
• Spiritual- Ponyo's mother is the "goddess of mercy" and queen of the ocean
• "Wave Spirits" save take Ponyo back to the ocean

Personal Note: 
B-U-G-O-F-F-B-U-G-O-F-F

The Secret World of Arrietty (Movie)

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Name: The Secret World of Arrietty
Type: Animation

Official Rating: G

Director: Mitsubishi Toho
Genre: Adventure, fantasy, family

Age Rating: n/a

Review:

A retelling of the bestselling novel: "The Borrowers." Arrietty and full-size human Sho become unlikely friends in this tale of adventure and mystery.

This is such an endearing movie, I loved every minute of it! Not only were the characters sweet and well-developed, the art on a whole was absolutely breathtaking. It isn't very often anymore that you see a movie that uses actual hand-illustrated art in the place of computer animation. The sound effects were easily the best part: the ticking clock, the rain on the roof, their footsteps, doors opening and closing...the sound in this movie was a masterpiece in-and-of-itself, and deserves critical praise.

Apart from being a great stand-alone movie, "The Secret World of Arrietty" follows its inspiration, "The Borrowers" by Mary Norton, surprisingly well. I would say that it is a better representation of the book than the live action movie. That being said, this was my first time seeing an animated movie that is based on a book apart from manga. The character development was rich, and the dialogue was simple and sweet. It was a slow-paced movie, but what it lacked in action, it made up for in plot.

This film can be enjoyed together as a family, and has no offensive content giving it a specific age rating. I saw this with my friend and my younger brother, and we were all on the edge of our seats at the beginning when Arrietty and her father were out for sugar and tissue, and were very worried about Sho and his heart whenever he ran. I like to think he went on to live a great life after his surgery. I'll definitely be watching this with my kids!

Mature Content:

• n/a

Personal Note: 

If you are looking for an animated movie with great filmography, check out any of Studio Ghibli's flicks.

Dragon Drive (Manga)

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Name: Dragon Drive
Type: Manga

Author: Ken-ichi Sakura

Books: 14
Genre: Adventure, science fiction, comedy
Age Rating: 11+

Review:
A boy named Reiji and his friends join an innocent virtual reality video game called "Dragon Drive," not realizing that it is actually part of a plan to destroy the world!

This manga was definitely entertaining, and aimed for younger male readers, though it could be enjoyed by older kids and adults as well. The art was generic, but it went well with the type of story Sakura was writing, and there were not annoying inconsistencies or impossible contingencies. While not as action-packed as Dragon Ball Z, Dragon Drive offered its own set of heroes and different fighting styles that progressed throughout the series.

I liked Chibi and Reiji as partners, and was disappointed to learn that Reiji's story was only nine books long before a new main character, Takumi, is introduced. Thereon, an entire new cast goes on their own adventure in the world of "Dragon Drive." An interesting idea, but I liked the first team better, just because of their dynamics and the way their relationships evolved. I felt more connected to them, and was sad when they left the story. It was okay, but I didn't necessarily like the idea of changing characters all of a sudden.

While this manga's main target is boys, I enjoyed this manga as much as anyone would, and though it wasn't one of my favorites, it was entertaining enough. The rating is more closely a 2.5 star rather than just a 2, because it shifted from "this is okay," to "this is good." I have learned since, however, that Dragon Drive isn't as well known as other video-game manga or animes based off their mangas, but it is, nonetheless, something to consider reading if one is a younger fan of manga.

Mature Content:

• Violence- Characters fight battles with their dragons
• Magic- Some characters and creatures in "Dragon Drive" posses magical abilities

Personal Note:

I wish Chibi was my dragon!

Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind (Movie)

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Name: Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind
Type: Animation

Official Rating: PG

Director: Hayao Miyazaki
Genre: Adventure, science fantasy, drama

Age Rating: 11+

Review:

A movie set in a future where the world has been overrun with a toxic gas that has effects fatal to humans. A Valley where a young girl named Nausicaa lives, is protected from the gas by the ocean wind. Nausicaa is a girl with an uncanny knack for taming creatures.

This was a great movie! I really enjoyed watching it, and appreciated the lack of romance. It was a refreshing change of pace. The creatures were creative--I felt like I was in one of Jim Hensen's sets-- and Nausicaa herself was a very delightful, curious main character. I thoroughly enjoyed following her on her adventures and seeing how she interacted with the people, and creatures around her. The fact that there was no romance in this film was also quite refreshing. Romance is a major theme in many movies nowadays, even children's films, so it was nice to watch a movie that was strictly about adventure, courage, and friendship.

The art was interesting, though somewhat blurry in some parts. It fit the movie well, however, and I always appreciate Hayau Miyazaki's use of actual illustrations rather than pure animation. Each new beast or creature was fascinating and it was exciting to figure out the mystery behind the poisonous fog along with Nausicaa. It is never clarified when exactly the movie takes place, but the viewer does get the feeling that it takes place in the distant future. The plot flows very well, and it is easy to connect to all the different characters.

There were some scenes involving titans, or giants who destroyed much of the world before. In the end, a giant is created from a flesh-colored egg, and starts to melt, which created a sort of disturbing image, which may be scary for younger viewers. Nausicaa's father is killed, but no blood is shown, and it is quick. Other than the mild violence and the strange monster at the end, it is an enjoyable movie that you can enjoy as a family, or with a group of friends. I watched it by myself, and I regret not having someone there to appreciate this movie's greatness.

Mature Content: 

• Violence: There are some battle scenes, and a princess dies in an aircraft crash
• Several towns are seen as destroyed

Personal Note: 
Teto was the cutest! Where can I get one?!

Fairy Tail (Manga)

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Name: Fairy Tail
Type: Manga

Author: Hiro Mashima

Books: 57+
Genre: Action, adventure, comedy, fantasy
Age Rating: 18+

Review:
Join Natsu Dragneel and his friends from the Fairy Tail guild as he goes on magical adventures to find Igneel, his dragon-father. Enter a world of Wizard Guilds, magic, and epic friendship! 

This is one of my all-time favorite manga and anime series. The characters are all refreshingly different, and all have their quirks and hilarious habits. Though very strong, they are not without flaws, and many have tragic and hard backstories that are relevant to the plot and add a lot of mystery to the plot. It's one of the only series I've read that doesn't feel redundant, and no moment is dull or feels forced. The author knows his characters extremely well, and as a reader, you get the chance to read the point of view of many of the main characters, including Lucy, Happy, Erza, and Grey. 

Hiro Mashima's art is great; I absolutely love it! Each character is drawn a little bit differently, and he is consistent with appearances. I also really appreciate how Lucy's outfit is always different. It's more realistic that way. The amazing consistency Mashima has is to be praised---both in his art and in his writing. It is really interesting how he follows Lucy almost closer than he follows Natsu at times. I actually misrepresented her as the main character because she is the narrator most of the time, and is the one we follow in the beginning. It turns out later that Lucy loves to write, and it is implied that she writes down all of her adventures in Fairy Tail, which is what we, as an audience, are reading. I think that's an interesting concept.

There are some sexual references and nudity, and on the online version of the manga, there is quite a bit more profanity, including the "f" word. The women are also dis-proportioned--their breasts are far bigger than what they should be, and there are a lot of nude shots. This is why I would keep it monitored and only allow more mature kids read it. Another aspect of this story is the magic. I understand that sorcery is condemned in the Bible, so the reader should understand that there is no such thing as "magic" like that in Fairy Tail. However, none of the magic or sorcery talked about felt offensive to me, personally.

I would be careful about boys reading this series, just because of the nudity. Unfortunately, this series has a lot of appeal for men, but for younger boys it may not be appropriate for them, especially if you feel they would have more of a problem with it. Just another reminder to "be careful little eyes what you see." Both boys and girls can get into this manga; there is something for everyone. Humor, mystery, tragedy, action, adventure, suspense, drama, a hint of romantic tension...this series definitely gives you all the feels. It is a very popular manga as far as mangas go, and it's not hard to see why. If this isn't already on your list, you should seriously consider putting it there, however, please consider the fact that I gave an 18+ rating because of the increasing nudity as the saga continues.

Mature Content: 

• Sexual References- Unnaturally large breasts and a lot of extremely skimpy outfits
• Boobs/butts are sometimes accidentally grabbed by the opposite gender (sometimes they are grabbed by the same gender as well, though it's never meant to be romantic)
• Some mild sexual innuendos (Lucy using her "feminine wiles" against an enemy, Taurus commenting on Erza's boobs)
• Nudity- Sometimes clothes are ripped off (usually the women).
• Everything but the nipples and nether extremities are drawn and revealed
• Grey Fullbuster frequently strips his clothing, but nothing is ever shown and it is supposed to be funny 
• Profanity- "Damn,"  "hell," "bitch," "ass," "shit," (and "fuck" in the online versions)
• Violence- The characters frequently fight with many enemies, and even each other
• Blood is drawn (unnatural pain tolerance)
• Magic- The characters practice and preform magic
• Drugs- Some characters (Kana) drink excessively to the point of passing out
• Some characters are seen with cigarettes in their mouths
• Intense Scenes- This manga is very emotionally intense

Personal Note: 
I ship NaLu so hard, I sometimes can't concentrate! I even dream about them and have a picture of them together on my bedroom wall! I WILL GO DOWN WITH THIS SHIP!

Bleach (Manga)

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Name: Bleach

Type: Manga

Author: Tite Kubo

Books: 74
Genre: Action, adventure, supernatural
Age Rating: 14+

Review:
A boy named Ichigo gains supernatural abilities when Rukia, the Soul-Reaper, accidentally gives him all of her powers. He--along with a team of fellow spiritually-sensitive friends--save the world and other people from evil.

Action-packed and kind of violent, this series is similar to Yuyu Hakashu, though with more characters, and, in my opinion, a better plot. The characters were honorable and though it was mostly action, it didn't take away from the story. There wasn't any romance or overly-fluffy scenes, but the fighting scenes were really good, which I why I believe this series may attract boys more than girls. However, I enjoyed reading all 686 chapters. It was especially fun to read them along with my younger brother, who started reading them before I did.  

This series can get a little redundant, but this series, you must remember, is a fighting manga. It does have a story-line, and an abundance of characters, many of whom are hilarious and fun to follow. Older boys will definitely enjoy the action-packed hero story and watching Ichigo get stronger and stronger in order to defeat his enemies (who also keep getting stronger).

Before reading, you should consider the fact that this book is entirely focused around the Soul Society, which is a place where the dead go. It also focuses on "spiritual powers" and "energy." Kids should know that when we die, we either go to heaven or hell and that the Soul Society is simply fiction like the series itself. The "spiritual world" can be confusing and sometimes attractive to people. It sounds like great fun to battle demons and visit the afterlife and have supernatural powers, but it isn't based on God's truth. Encourage your kids to read the Bible regularly in order to understand this better!

Mature Content: 

• Violence- The characters have a lot of battles with enemies
• Some blood and gore (loss of limbs and unnatural pain tolerances)
• Sexual References- Unnaturally-sized breasts and some skimpy outfits
• Orihime's boobs are talked about a lot
• Spiritual- Characters posses supernatural abilities
• Soul Reapers have spiritual "auras"
• The Soul Society is the world's "afterlife"

Personal Note: 
The ending somewhat disappointed me because...don't laugh...I was really looking forward to more romance. I should have known better. Bleach isn't that kind of Manga. 

Snow White With the Red Hair (Anime)

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Name: Snow White With the Red Hair
Alternate Name: Akagami no Shirayuki-hime
Type: Anime

Official Rating: PG-13

Director: Various

Seasons: 2
Genre: Adventure, romantic comedy, fantasy, drama
Age Rating: 13+

Review:
Shiriyuki is an herbologist with unnatural red hair. When she catches the eye of Prince Raj, he orders her to become his concubine, but she flees the kingdom and meets Prince Zen. Together, Shiriyuki and Zen help each other as they try to find their place in the world.

I really liked the characters; they were all developed very well, and the backstories made sense and were interesting and added to the overall story. The animation is absolutely gorgeous--with colorful and detailed scenes. This show is well-worth watching just for that, if not the amazing overarching plot. While it isn't solely focused on romance between Zen and Shiriyuki, it is a large part of what the show is about. However, there are no inappropriate scenes and the characters' relationships develop slowly and politely. Though it is fluffy at times, it isn't so slow or unnecessarily gushy so boys can enjoy watching this show as well.

The show's concepts are thought-provoking and non-offensive. Shirayuki is a serious herboligist, and keeps up on her studies. Throughout the show, the balance between studying, work, and free-time is constantly adjusted, which I think can be a really practical lesson for kids who study too hard and forget to take care of themselves. The main characters are also very helpful to one another, and don't act inappropriately towards others. Another highlight is the fact that many of the villains are taught a lesson and many are compelled to change.

Another element that I appreciated was the morals upheld in the show. For example, it is repeatedly suggested that doing the right thing even if no one else agrees or roots for you, is always what you should do. The friendships in the show were real and genuine, and it was implied that we should see deeper into a person rather than taking them at face values such as looks, wealth, or fancy titles.

We never learn too much about any individual character's backgrounds, but their development is crucial in the show, and all of the characters are different in the end than in the beginning. Prince Raj becomes less arrogant and starts taking his role as prince seriously, Kiki opens up more, and Shiriyuki herself undergoes some serious transformations. Not only a spin on the fairy tales Little Red Riding Hood and Beauty and the Beast, Snow White With the Red Hair is a coming-of-age story with a satisfying ending and beautifully drawn characters.

Mature Content:

• Profanity- "Damn" and "Hell" and "Bitch"
• Sexual References- Prince Raj wants Shiriyuki to be his concubine in the beginning
• Violence- Some fighting scenes (no blood is shown) 
• Shiriyuki is kidnapped several times
• Umihebi slaps her prisoners and has Kadzuki held forceably under the water to make him talk

Personal Note: 
I think Obi and Raj are absolutely hilarious; they're actually probably my favorite characters. And Kiki and Mitsuhide should get together. 

Magi: Adventures of Sinbad (Anime)

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Name: Magi: Adventures of Sinbad
Type: Anime

Official Rating: TV-14

Director: Yoshikazu Miyao

Seasons: 1
Genre: Adventure, fantasy, magical
Age Rating: 12+

Review:
An epic adventure of Sinbad and his life before the popular show, Magi. Join Sinbad and his friends on swashbuckling adventures as they travel via high-seas to join the nations together.

I really enjoyed this anime for several reasons. One: it was family-friendly and though there was fighting, Sinbad stood for what was right, and was always putting others before himself. It is definitely a good anime that boys will particularly enjoy, but both my girlfriend and I loved this show, so I know it appeals to both genders and all ages. Two: The characters were well-developed and interesting. I thoroughly appreciated Sinbad for his personality, demeanor, and frequent good choices. There were also multiple good themes and morals taught like friendship, compassion, and humility.

This show is a good spin-off for the show Magi, which has several installments. I recommend that you watch this before starting Magi simply for avoiding confusion and a proper introduction to Sinbad. It is an excellent stand-alone show, too, if you decide not to continue watching the show that was the inspiration behind it. It doesn't exactly follow the Arabian Nights retelling of the tale, but it definitely has its own charm as an adventure legend. On another note, the art was pretty great, too. I have to say, Netflix knows how to produce good anime from what I've seen so far!

There was an episode where Sinbad and two others wear leaves on their privates similar to how Adam and Eve are depicted. However, it is supposed to be humorous and wasn't overly offensive. It went with the plot, even though it could have easily been taken out, and if it is a concern for you, I suggest screening it for yourself, first. It is "Episode 12: Djinn Equip Battle." Other than this, Sinbad is appropriate for all ages, and is something I will be showing my future children. It is sure to be a hit!

Mature Content:

• Nudity- There are several scenes in episode 12 where three of the male characters are naked except for a leaf on their private parts. Nothing is ever shown
• Profanity- "Damn"
• Violence- Fighting and battles, but they don't last very long and no blood is seen
• Magic- The magi knows magic 
• Sinbad captures a lot of dungeon spirits, that are similar to genies and enhance Sinbad's power magically

Personal Note: 
Sinbad only got more attractive as the show went on, and it was weird because he is 16 at the end--clearly younger than me. Still....it heightened my love for anime guys...

Wolf's Rain (Manga)

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Name: Wolf's Rain
Type: Manga

Author: BONES, Keiko Nobumoto

Books: 2
Genre: Adventure, post-apocalyptic, science fantasy
Age Rating: 14+

Review: 
In the post-apocalyptic future, wolfs are thought to have gone extinct long ago. However, they are very much alive, disguised as humans. One wolf named Kiba hears of a legendary "Lunar Flower" and becomes determined to find its scent that will lead him and his pack to paradise. 

A very short, easy read. I found myself thrust into a future where there are no wolves (or so they say) and a fight lurks behind every corner. The characters were for the most part enjoyable and I liked how they were different from the usual. Though it was short, it ended well, and I understood what was going on most of the time, which was nice. I find that in a lot of manga, it can be confusing at times, and Wolf's Rain was straight to the point. However, it wasn't very memorable, and the story didn't stick with me after I'd read it.

Some of the characters were underdeveloped due to length of the series. They also did not all get along, which distressed me at times. I really enjoy it when a team works together and has the bond of friendship. It helps me connect with characters on a personal level better. It went with the story, however, and the differences between characters smoothed out and I was more satisfied with their relationships in the end.

Because of violence and some language, I'd recommend this to middle-school readers and up. Some of the characters were underdeveloped, but the length of the series was probably the main reason behind that. On a whole, the story was somewhat unremarkable and not really my type of thing, though I'm sure it would prove more entertaining for other people, particularly boys.

Mature Content:

• Profanity- "Damn" and "hell"
• Violence- Fights and graphic deaths (draws blood)

Personal Note:
When I first met Toboe, I thought he was a girl. It took me quite a while to figure it out. Oops!

Gargantia on the Verdurous Planet (Anime)

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Name: Gargantia on the Verdurous Planet
Type: Anime

Director: Kazuya Murata

Official Rating: PG-13

Seasons: 1 
Genre: Adventure, mecha, science fiction
Age Rating: 12+

Review: 
Takes place in the distant future, a soldier from space, Ledo, and his intelligent talking spacecraft, Chamber, wind up on Earth after a battle with the Hideauze. As a previously assumed extinct planet, Ledo tries to learn all he can about Earth's culture and people as he cannot find a way back to his home planet. 

This anime is super fun and interesting! All the voices fit the characters well, and the plot was engaging and piqued my interest from the first episode. The characters are enjoyable and I connected with them easily. I would recommend this show to middle-schooler's and up. There are some sexual innuendos, but it isn't overly violent even though their is battles, and the story is really good. 

I really liked learning along with Ledo as he explored Earth and started getting used to the way things worked, and there were some really good messages in his learning, such as the idea that people with disabilities are valuable and not a waste of space as Ledo first believes. One of the main themes of this anime is the idea that all life is precious, and I really appreciated that.

The only reason I didn't give it a higher rating is because of the length. It was getting really good! Because it was only 1 season, it had to be cut short, and it left me hanging and somewhat unsatisfied. I would have liked to see where it went! There were some explanations that related to the theory of evolution which, for an audience of Believers, isn't true and you should make sure that the person watching it understands that.

Mature Content:

• Nudity- Unrealistically large breasts
• Revealing outfits/swimsuits 
• Homosexuality- There is a cross-dresser man who chases Ledo around in an episode
• Profanity- "Damn" and "hell" and "ass"
• Sexual references- Ledo and Chamber briefly discuss reproduction, and Amy dances for Ledo
• Evolution- Evolutionary explanations of the Hideauze

Personal Note:
I'm not going to lie: I found Ledo to be really attractive :) Also, Chamber's voice in the English version was on point.