Emma (Manga)

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Name: Emma
Type: Manga

Author: Kaoru Mori

Books: 10
Genre: Romance, historical, drama
Age Rating: 16+

Review:
William Jones, a noble, falls in love with a poor maid upon meeting her at his old governess' house. Against all odds, she falls in love with him, too. Will their love be able to survive the harsh strictness of class?

This was a beautifully drawn, historically accurate (to my knowledge at least) story set in old England. With rich characters and a painfully heart-wrenching romance, this was a short and easy read that I absolutely devoured. I have read the series twice already, just because I loved it so much. As a single girl who loves a sweet, non-creepy romance, this series was a wonderful find!

As mentioned above, the art was absolutely gorgeous--the author gives us a full taste of fashion from both classes, and really captures the way Emma changes from her maid outfit and nightgown, to a beautiful dress that a noblewoman would wear. I loved the fact that Emma herself was flawed, with poor eyesight and anxiety about her future and the way William sees her. I found it realistic and relatable. William was incredibly sweet, while still somewhat naive in his ways, which made it even more rewarding to see him grow into a man by the end of the book.

A huge thumbs up to the author for the pace and tone of voice used to carry out the story. Thought the ending was a bit abrupt, thankfully, the author wrote bonus short stories that quenched a lot of unanswered questions I had and resolved some conflicts. The story on a whole was interesting, and kept me interested the whole time. I especially enjoyed the way the author integrated different points of view with subtle setting changes. 

I would be careful about boys reading this series, just because of the nudity. I read it and was not overly offended; the scenes were quick and not particularly drawn any attention to. As a general rule, boys may not be as interested in this series in the first place, but it is certainly not limited to girls in the way it is told. 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." 

Mature Content:

• Sexual References- Sexual implications from some of the characters; a couple talks about their love and sex life
• Nudity- Women are shown naked, taking baths, and their breasts and butts are fully revealed
• Drugs- Some characters are seen with a cigarette in their mouths
• Profanity- Use of "damn" and "bastard"

Personal Note: 
I just want more William and Emma scenes!

Ao Hana Ride (Manga)

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Name: Ao Hana Ride
Type: Manga

Author: Sakisaka Io

Books: 13
Genre: Drama, romance, slice of life
Age Rating: 13+

Review:
Yushioka Futaba is a cute high school student determined to be so unladylike her friends won't have a reason to be jealous. In middle-school, a misunderstanding led to the inability to express her feelings for a boy named Tahaka before he moves. Now he is back in school and goes by the name Mabuchi Kou and it turns out he liked her back? Can Futaba win his heart back or has she lost him forever?

I really loved this soap-operatic drama more than I thought I would. The only thing that really annoyed me was how fast Futaba gets over Kou and then falls for him again as soon as she broke things off with Toma. We all knoew she loves him, why try to fight it? The whole "I'm confused" act is a bit overdone and a tad unrealistic. It's used by the author to justify a love triangle that complicates things and interferes with Futaba's relationship with Kou. Despite this, I liked the drama and found myself getting sucked into the rush of feelings this series gave me. 

The characters were all enjoyable. In fact, even thought I liked Kou and Futaba together, I was rooting for Toma too. He was very sweet and cute, nothing at all like other romantic interests in books that turn out to be completely awful in order for the heroine to understand that she wants to be with her first choice after-all. I also really loved Yuri! She was the perfect friend for Futaba, and I loved their loyal relationship, with Shuko as well. Another relationship I loved was the "bromance" with Kou and Aya. This is proof that boys can be close friends without any implications of being gay. 

I read this in three days, I loved it so much. I became dedicated to the story the way one would binge-watch soap-operas and empathized with all of the characters. The art Sakisaka Io gave us was gorgeous, with typical large-eyed figures and soft strokes that came across as more realistic than comic. The general flow of things was at a readable pase; this manga is not as long as some, but it was the perfect for what it was. If it was any longer it would have been drawn out for too long. 

Personally, I think that the drama of the series and its soapy-nature will most likely not appeal to boys, though it does not have any content that would be entirely offensive to them. In fact, the strong bonds between the male characters is very inspiring and refreshing to read about. This is a good, non-offensive series for girls who love a good romance story that has a happy ending. There is an anime based off this manga, as well as a live-action movie named "Blue Spring Ride." I have yet to see either, but if they follow the manga, they are bound to be just as good.

Mature Content:

• Sexual References- Futaba trips and falls in one scene, and accidentally grabs onto Tomo's private parts in an attempt to steady herself
• Shuko falls in love with one of her teachers, Mr. Tanaka. It is hinted that he shares her feelings, but he does not encourage them and nothing ever happens between them
• Intense Scenes- This manga is very emotionally intense
• Violence- Kou is sometimes quite rude to Futaba and other characters
• Kou is involved in a car accident near the end of the book
• Profanity- The use of "damn" in the online versions of the manga

Personal Note: 
Since Futaba got to be with Kou, can I be with Tomo? I need an answer! Please what happened to him?!

Ghost in the Shell (Live Action Movie)

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Name: Ghost in the Shell
Type: Live-action movie

Official Rating: PG-13

Director: Rupert Sanders
Genre: Action, drama, science fiction, thriller

Age Rating: 15+

Review:
In the future, Major is a human girl-cyborg, the only one of her kind created as a soldier. Her primary focus is stopping the world's most dangerous criminals. She has been uniquely shaped to fight against the new threat of terrorism that can hack into people's brains; along the way she learns that her live was stolen instead of saved.

I have to say that Scarlett Johansson outdid herself in this movie. Her acting as Major was masterful; the way she walked, talked, and held herself all portrayed what an actual cyborg might move. The special effects were glorious (the CGI was more artful than annoying), and the action kept you on the edge of your seat the entire time. While I haven't seen the anime this movie was based on, it could definitely be said that whether or not it followed the original story accurately it was a great stand-alone movie.

There was some language and violence concerns, and sometimes when Major was wearing her nude-colored outfit it almost seemed as if she were naked. In the previews, there was a kiss between two women, but that thankfully did not happen in the movie, which would have made things very awkward. (My girlfriend and I were pleasantly relieved). In all honesty I wasn't expecting to enjoy the movie as much as I did.

A few of the characters and images could be considered disturbing to younger viewers, such as Batou's synthetic eyes, and Kuze's mangled cyborg-body. Some of the themes and underlying ideas were also heavier for younger viewers, which I why I recommend a more mature audience in general. This movie got a lot of bad reviews and was named one of the worst movies of the year, but in all honesty I don't know why. It was entertaining and ended on an uplifting note, despite some trauma and suspense nearing the end. It's not my favorite movie or anything, but the idea behind it was good and I thought it was well-made. But I'm not a professional critic so it's whatever.

Mature Content: 

• Violence- Fights and other sci-fi violence 
• Nudity- Major wears a skin-tight, nude-colored outfit that makes her appear naked, but she is not.
• Profanity- Use of words such as "shit," "ass," and a middle finger is shown

Personal:
My friend got free tickets to this movie which is why we went to go see it in the first place.

Ouran High School Host Club (Anime)

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Name: Ouran High School Host Club
Type: Anime

Official Rating: TV-14

Director: Takuya Igarashi

Seasons: 1
Genre: Romantic comedy, drama, harem, gender bender
Age Rating: 15+

Review:
When Haruhi stumbles upon Ouran's High School Host Club and breaks a vase, the boys agree to let her join the club in order to pay off her debt, not realizing that she is actually a girl.

This anime is better when you watch it with a good friend, like I did. All the characters were wacky and their personalities were intriguing. I appreciated how each episode focused on one or two of the members, digging deeper into their past, personal ambitions, and the ultimate reason they joined the club. I do think that this anime appeals more to girls than boys; my dad saw one episode and thought it was awful, to the disbelief of my friend and I. It can be a bit wacky at times, and a lot of random things happen throughout the show, but it added humor instead of irritation.

The twins were harder to understand, and incest--or "twincest" as they called it--was implied, though never truly confirmed. Despite this, the implications were uncomfortable and disconcerting at times, which is one of the reasons why I gave a 15+ age rating. There was also cross-dressing of the main character, Haruhi, and her father, who turns out to be a transvestite. There was also a lot of "dating" between the characters and the girls who were obsessed with them, but there was no kissing(other than an accident between Haruhi and another girl), which in a way made the show less of a romance and more of a comedy.

On surface level, Ouran High School Host Club is a lighthearted show about a girl who finds herself surrounded by beautiful men and thrown into many wildly hysterical adventures. The more I watched the show, the more I realized it is more a psychological anime about acceptance, inner pain, and the dramatized life of outcasts who found their place with each other.It was easy to become engrossed in this show; many heart-wrenching backstories and almost pitiable circumstances hidden behind sugar-tainted humor leave the viewer sympathetic and protective of the characters. 

Mature Content:

• Sexual References- Tamaki calls himself Haruhi's father, and calls her his "daughter", and "little girl"
• The twins exhibit a "brotherly love" that seems more incestuous than familial 
• Homosexuality- Haruhi doesn't care if she looks like a girl or a boy
• Haruhi's father is a transvestite and cross-dresses accordingly
• Haruhi accidentally has her first kiss with another girl in the first episode
• Profanity- Use of the word "damn"

Personal Note: 
Honey would be my best friend!!

W Juliet (Manga)

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Name: W Juliet
Type: Manga

Author:Emura

Books: 14
Genre: Romantic comedy, slice of life, drama, gender bender
Age Rating: 13+

Review:
Ito Muira is an aspiring actress in the drama department who accidentally finds out that the new girl, Makoto Amano, is actually a man.

This was the weirdest manga ever. I mean, I enjoyed it well enough, and it was pretty funny, but it was...weird. The plot was super simple and yet the author kept trying to make things more exciting using old mermaid legends, a random time-traveling bit, and frequent, seemingly needless competitive contests between the characters. I felt that the books dragged on across too many books, and started getting tired and bored of reading them at some points. They could easily have been condensed into 6 or 7 volumes.

As for the romance, I was more interested in the side relationships of Miura's brothers and her classmates. I didn't dislike the two main characters; they were a bit odd, yes, but I did have fun reading about their story. The problem was that their character development was a bit slow, and as people, they lacked a certain depth. In many ways, the minor characters were more interesting albeit a tad cheesy. Their actions were also predictable, even in the random scenes where nothing made any sense.

I had a hard time deciding whether to give this series 2 stars or 3, because it made me laugh more than once, and I did enjoy reading it overall, but I've read better. There was nothing truly offending about the book, but I felt the romance between Ito and Makoto progressed far too quickly when it could have been developed over a period of time across the 14 books (this would have helped the pace and keep the reader's interest a little better). And the idea that they take on the characteristics of the opposite gender is a bit disconcerting.

Mature Content:

• Sexual References- Mild sexual tension between characters
• Makoto sleeps over at Ito's house even though he is a boy without her family's understanding. Nothing ever happens
• There are several boys who have "set their sights" on Ito and want her to be their girlfriend
• Homosexuality-- One of Ito's female classmates has a crush on her
• Nudity- Some girls lift up Makoto's shirt to confirm his gender (he is wearing fake breasts and a bra) 
• Makoto unintentionally walks in on Ito while she is swimming naked
• Magic- Mermaids and mermaid lore (including magic) is used in one volume, and in another, the characters travel through time
• Profanity- Use of the words"hell" and "damn"

Personal Note: 
This might actually make a better Anime.

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

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?!

The Girl Who Leapt Through Time (Movie)

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Name: The Girl Who Leapt Through Time
Type: Animation

Official Rating: NR

Director: Mamoru Hosoda
Genre: Drama, romance, comedy, science fiction

Age Rating: 12+

Review:

A girl named Makoto suddenly obtains the power to go back in time and she decides to use it to her advantage (and to the disadvantage of others, at some extent), not realizing she can only use the power a certain number of times.

The art is a bit crude, but after you get past the simplicity of it, it is very fitting for the story. Loose themes such time being precious and the impossible dream to go back and change things are strung together on the "here-and-now," "live-in-the-moment-and-love-where-you-are" messages. Another positive aspect is the fact that there are not very many characters, making it easy to identify and recognize each one. I never became particularly attached to any of them, but they were enjoyable.

The slow-moving plot may get dull for people who enjoy more action, but the plot-line is easy to follow, and it isn't without a sense of humor. A particularly enjoyable scene was when Chiaki tries to ask her out, and she would rather stay friends with him. She goes back several times to try to change things, but to no avail. Makoto chooses other, very realistic circumstances to rewind time in; she replays many of the same things that I probably would.

This easy-to-understand stand-alone movie is a family friendly anime with a good message and a satisfying, albeit somewhat bittersweet, ending. Though the plot moved slowly at times, it never became boring, and I came to really enjoy the main character, who was very realistically displayed. I enjoyed watching it, and while I don't necessarily need to own it or see it again, it was worth the while and not a waste of time.

Mature Content: 

• Profanity-- "Damn" and "hell" 
• Sexual Content-- Mild joke about masturbation 
• Magic-- Makoto and Chiaki can time travel

Personal Note: 

I was a bit heartbroken at the ending. I want Makoto and Chiaki to find each other again!

From Up on Poppy Hill (Movie)

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Name: From Up on Poppy Hill
Type: Animation

Official Rating: PG

Director: Goro Miyazaki
Genre: Drama, romance, family

Age Rating: n/a

Review:
Umi and Shun become friends in the school's newspaper clubhouse. They start liking each other, but when Umi shows Shun a picture, things start to change. To top it all, the principal is threatening to shut down the clubhouse! 

A touching story with not too many plot twists. There wasn't too much of a point to this movie, other than for simple enjoyment. Because of this, I will probably never watch it again. Still, it was enjoyable and had a lot of endearing moments. The story, while a little slow, was easy to follow and it was easy to appreciate both Umi and Shun's characters. Their romance was fluffy and they never kissed. They held hands once, and I thought it was cute. I think if they had gotten any more serious, it would have been awkward and interfered with the script. 

There is implied incest when Shun believes he shares the same father with Umi. Later on, Umi tells him she "doesn't care" if they are related, because she loves him. Aside from her stubbornness, Shun decides not to pursue Umi any longer, and begins distancing himself from her. While it is a bit uncomfortable for older audiences who can understand what is going on, I appreciated that they frowned upon their feelings for each other based on the thought of being related to one another. If they had gone ahead and continued furthering the relationship in the direction it was going, it would not have been right. Thankfully they learned that they were not related, and got everything sorted out. 

This is a family-friendly movie that is suitable to watch together, because there isn't one group that it specifically tries to draw in. Younger kids might not like how slow it is, and might not understand all that is going on because of this. Despite this, it is entertaining, and while it can get boring at times, it is pretty unoffensive. I didn't love this movie, but I hardly disliked it either. If you are a die-hard anime fan, or love Studio Ghibli, then you should watch it. Otherwise, it can be skipped.

Mature Content: 

• Sexual References- Implied incest between the main characters, but it later turns out not to be true

Personal Note: 
I really enjoy Studio Ghibli.

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. 

Kotoura-San (Anime)

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Name: Kotoura-San
Type: Anime

Official Rating: PG-13

Director: Masahiko Ohta

Seasons: 1
Genre: Romantic comedy, drama, mystery, supernatural
Age Rating: 16+

Review:
This was a heartfelt story about Kotoura, a girl who can read minds and has been ostricised all her life because of it. When Manabe befriends her, they join the ESP club and she is suddenly surrounded by friends.

I'll start off by saying that I liked watching this anime, and it very nearly made me cry. My heart broke for the sweet Kotoura, and ache along with her when she faced the world alone. It was fun and sweet, with funny parts along with the sad, and it all turned out fine in the end. The character development was steller; I felt really connected to the characters by the time the show was over. 

There is a lot of sexual content in this anime, and I would absolutely not show it to anyone under the age of 16. While there is no full-on nudity, there are parts where it is implied, and at one point I was confused and uncomfortable with the fact that Manabe and Moritani might have had sex while drugged. It turns out that they didn't, but the suggestion was so strong, it spooked me out, especially considering Manabe's relationship to Kotoura. There were also quite a few mentions of boobs and butts, and sex appeal was quite important to Mifune. Manabe's thoughts were perverted and though they weren't too racy, I didn't think they were always necessary in regards to the plot.

The story itself was interesting and emotionally uplifting. It didn't take me long to watch at all, but I would definitely screen it yourself before deciding whether or not your child is  mature enough to handle it. It wasn't over-the-top bad, but like I said, there were racy parts and parents should understand what that looks like themselves before completely banning it. There were also supernatural abilities, like ESP, mind-reading, and seances. I don't think it should be written off completely, because there were good themes in the show and it placed a high value on friendship and accepting yourself.

Mature Content:

• Nudity- In Manabe's daydream, characters are implied to be naked, but nothing is ever shown
• Sexual Refrences- The character, Manabe, has perverse thoughts
• Characters talk about "boobs" and "butts" and their bodies
• It is implied that Manabe and Moritani have sex, but that is later not the case
• Spiritual- Supernatural abilities/magic (ESP, seances)
• Homosexuality- Manabe has several girlxgirl daydreams of Moritani and Kotoura
• Violence- In the end mystery, the "ninja" attacks several characters and corners, and tries to kill Kotoura on a roof

Personal Note: 
Okay, seriously, what is with Muroto's fish-lips? 

Vampire Knight (Manga)

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Name: Vampire Knight
Type: Manga

Author: Matsuri Hino

Books: 19
Genre: Romance, supernatural, gothic, drama, horror, dark fantasy
Age Rating: 15+

Review:
Schoolgirl Yuki attends the day class and supervises the Vampire night class along with her friend Zero. 

Similar to Twilight, except better written, in my opinion. Because of almost-incest and bloody content, I would recommend this only to more mature kids. It is humerus at first, but the story gets progressively more serious as the nights go on. What bothered me the most was how the series ended. I wasn't satisfied, and Yuki's choice really bothered me from the get-go. But the art was good and the story was engaging and did pique my interest. 

Because this is based solely around Vampires, it does draw blood, and the typical "blood-sucking" rituals are preformed. There is also murderous intent from other characters, and clever schemes that manipulate and take advantage of others, so I would defiantly keep that in mind. With so many other dark things in this world, it is important for the reader to be able to differentiate truth from fiction. Nothing good comes from seduction or revenge.

Though it wasn't my favorite manga, it wasn't at all my least favorite. The story is like a better version of Twilight. I gave it two stars because it was entertaining, and I did enjoy reading it. There were a lot of cliff-hangers and hidden secrets that I couldn't wait to discover. I think people who are into Vampires should consider reading. That being said, it's important to be careful with the supernatural and gothic genres in retrospect to God's Word. 

Mature Content:

• Sexual References- References to sex
• Vampires suck the blood of people, and it can be kind of intimate-looking
• Incest is implied with Kaname and Yuki until it is revealed they are not related after all
• Profanity- "Bastard"
• Violence- Not too many fights, but blood is shown frequently
• Spiritual- Vampires 

Personal Note:
I liked Zero better. Kaname was creepy.

Wolf Children: Ame and Yuki (Manga)

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Name: Wolf Children: Ame and Yuki
Type: Manga

Author: Mamuru Hosoda

Books: 3
Genre: Drama, fantasy, family
Age Rating: n/a

Review:
Follows the life of Hana and her 2 children, Ame and Yuki whom she raises alone after the death of her husband. The children can transform into wolves, and must eventually decide between living as a human, or becoming a wolf forever.

This is such a heartwarming story! The characters were all very sweet and lovable, and the interactions between Hana and her children were all very realistic and relatable. I don't have kids, but her hard work pooped me out, too. I felt really attached to this family, and was sad when it was over. It's nice because this story is appropriate for all ages, and I believe it would appeal to both sexes. It did throw me off that Yuki was a girl because in Faruba (Fruits Basket) that's a boy's name!

It was a very interesting idea, and a fresh look at how the story followed not only Ame and Yuki, but Hana as well. I quickly fell in love with her story, and sympathized with her during times of grief, frustration, and loss. It was great to get the perspective of an adult figure, especially one as motherly and nurturing as Hana was. She is a good example of a strong individual who loves her children feircely.

The themes in this story were important and good for young readers to learn. The importance of family being one, and the idea that not all decisions have to be scary. I really appreciated the friendship that developed between Yuki and Sohei, and Ame's development was fun to watch. It was refreshing to see an anime more based on family and parental love. I would recommend this manga to everyone, young or old, boy or girl!

Mature Content:

• n/a

Personal Note:
This story was so sweet, I cried! Also, I really wanted to hug Ame...

Fruits Basket (Anime)

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Name: Fruits Basket       
Type: Anime

Director: Natsuki Takaya

Official Rating: TV-PG

Seasons: 1 
Genre: Romantic comedy, drama, harem
Age Rating: 12+

Review: 
A beautiful story with wonderful characters and an engrossing story. Appeals to all audiences, but probably more particularly to girls. This series follows the story of the lovable Tohru Honda during high school. The Sohma family--Shigure, Yuki, and Kyo--finds her living in a tent after the death of her mother, and offers to shelter her in their home. But is there more to this family than meets the eye?

Filled with themes of friendship, humor, tragedy, and hauntingly real characters this series is absolutely breathtaking. A lot of what gives this story depth are the important messages and thought-provoking such as "My happiness comes from the kindness of others." This is a great rendition of the manga series. It follows the plot well; the only difference being in the dialogue. For example, Shigure is referred to as a "weirdo" instead of a "pervert." This makes it more family friendly.

Other than mild sexual references and fleeting nudity, I'd say it's appropriate from ages middle-school and up. Another thing I appreciated was the clothes and the way the girls were drawn. There were no unrealistically large breasts, and there weren't very many swear words. There were times when two or more characters were physically fighting with one another, but it was always exaggerated in a way that usually made it funny. Sometimes the music would get louder than the talking, but the episodes are a nice length.

My only disappointment is that there is only one season! It doesn't even cover half the series, and the ending was different than what I was expecting. It ended well, but because it had to end in a different spot, it did change things, like the lack of romance. I didn't give it 4 stars for these reasons. Still, the voices went well with the characters, and I enjoyed watching it with my younger brother. While both boys and girls can find enjoyment in this anime, it is more aimed towards girls.

For more on Fruits Basket, click here.

Mature Content: 

• Mild Profanity- "Damn" is used sporadically, especially by Kyo in reference to Yuki 
• Violence- Akito is abusive to the other characters
• Nudity- The Sohma's are naked after transforming back into human form from their zodiac animal form, but nothing is ever shown
• Homosexuality- Momiji cross-dresses, but isn't homosexual
• Magic- The Sohma family is under a magical zodiac curse

Personal Note: 

Not gonna lie: Momiji's song is super catchy.