Beck

Nana Komatsu is on her way to Tokyo; now she can finally be with her boyfriend after a year of dating long-distance! On the train there, Nana Komatsu meets Nana Osaki – a girl who shares her name but seems to be everything Nana Komatsu is not; cool, street-wise, and a punk rocker. The two hit it off and spend the entire journey getting to know each other, but when they get to Tokyo, circumstance separates them seemingly forever. However, fate is not finished with these two. Whilst hunting for a place to live the two Nanas again cross paths. They decide to share a flat and become best friends in no time. Nana K. must learn to be independent and mature, while Nana O. works on becoming famous with her band; but together, they will learn about love and loss, and the growth that comes with it.

The studious and uptight Chiaki is well-known as the top pianist of his school, and dreams of becoming a world-class conductor like his idol, Viera; but his fear of flying (which makes studying abroad impossible) combined with a recent break-up and dismissal from his piano instructor causes that future to seem both bleak and unlikely. After collapsing outside of his apartment, drunk, Chiaki inadvertently meets a young woman named Nodame who, while quite talented at the piano, is unclean, clumsy, and haphazard. Despite being almost polar opposites, the two begin to grow closer and work, together, to overcome the obstacles in their careers.

Yukari is a typical high school student on the fast track to attending a university, but her boring life leaves much to be desired; that is, until a motley crew of fashion design students ask her to model their new clothing line: Paradise Kiss! Now, Yukari must choose if she will reject the life her mother has laid out for her, and start making choices on her own for the first time. While taking her first steps into adulthood, Yukari also begins to realize that with freedom comes responsibility; a life in the fashion industry isn't an easy one, especially for someone unsure of her own intentions…

Alternate titles: The Legend of Black Heaven, Kacho-Ouji

Meet Tanaka Oji: lead guitarist of a hard rock band in his youth, now an aging salaryman who has all but given up on his old dreams. Trudging through a boring day-to-day life, he gets a rude awakening when his musical talents are once again called upon — to save the galaxy from invaders, no less... but with age come responsibility; he has a family to look after and can’t just give up his day job, no matter how hot and blonde the reason. The time has come for a decision; will he once again try to live out his dream and rebel, or conform to the demands of society?

Twelve year old Mitsuki's desire is to become a singer. She has the talent and a beautiful voice, but she also has a throat tumor which threatens to rob her of her gift of song. As if things weren't bad enough, two shinigami inform Mitsuki that she only has one year left to live. However, all is not lost, for they make a deal that if she goes with them, they will help realize her dream by changing her into a healthy 16-year-old, who is able to sing and apply for auditions.

Santa, the drummer of CLIMB, has just left the band after finding his girlfriend in the arms of a friend. Along with Yuki, the lead guitarist, they start their own band called "Lucifer, The Fallen Angel". and set out to find new band-mates. Recruitment is not easy, however, and on a search to find a vocalist the duo run across promising bass guitarist and a local hotel's piano player and singer who has been wowing patrons daily. With little time to spare, can the two round up the talent they desire, or will Sakuya let his anti-social personality hold him (and his newfound band) back?

Alternate titles: Furi Kuri

GAINAX's recipe for this schizophrenic 6-episode OVA series includes giant robots protruding from limbs, a melancholy protagonist, a rock soundtrack by the Pillows, an alien girl that wields a guitar and rides a Vespa, and a story to complement the madness. Add poking fun of the anime industry, Japan, and GAINAX itself, to taste.

Alternate titles: Fighting Spirit

Ippo Makunouchi is a loser. He has no friends, he spends his free time helping his mom with work, and he's constantly being beaten up by bullies. But that all changes when one day he's saved from another beating by Takamura, an up-and-coming boxer. Soon, Ippo turns his life around with a passion for the newly discovered sport, but his new lifestyle is far from easy! Before he can even dream of becoming champion, he'll have to overcome a slew of fierce rivals and learn what 'dedication' really means.

As a member of a musical duo on the verge of making it into show business, Shindou Shuichi has a lot on his mind -- especially since he writes the songs for his Bad Luck band. His life gets no less hectic when he bumps into Yuki Eiri, a successful yet cynical author extraordinaire, who immediately insults Shuichi’s lyrics upon reading them. Seeking him out to demand an apology, Shuichi nevertheless sees other facets of Eiri’s personality. Can he accept the fact that he might be developing feelings for the novelist who discredited his work on their first meeting?

In world where flesh-eating monsters roam the streets, only one organization has the means to save civilization from annihilation: Red Shield, a specially-organized unit designed to fight these monsters, and the only weapon that can destroy them: Saya. Awakened from a 30-year sleep, Saya is thrust into a modern world which she has no memories of, and is troubled by a past filled only with bloodshed and sadness. With the undying love and support of her family and friends, she struggles to gain the strength to move forward and regain the pieces of her shattered memories.

Shinozaki Mikoto is a normal high student with (unfortunately) normal problems: he sucks at sports, has no special talents and is bullied by everyone at his school. One day he is noticed by Fukazawa, his long-time crush and school’s beauty. She asks him to join her brother’s cycling team, so he, desperate to gain her affection, tries his best to learn how to ride a bike not look foolish in the process! Soon, Shinozaki discovers that he actually enjoys cycling and decides to become the best in the world. Will he make it, or end up as yet another has-been?

Yamato Akitsuki has recently moved to Tokyo, and in order to maintain his less than wealthy lifestyle, he currently works at his aunt's bathhouse. While walking by the school one evening he sees a girl by the name of Suzuka practicing the high jump, and is instantly in love. Even better is the realization that Suzuka lives next door! Determined to prove himself worthy of her affections, Yamato decides to join the school's track team and show her what he’s got, but things won’t be so easy; for Suzuka has a love interest of her own, and it isn’t Yamato...

Hiroko Matsukata is a 28-year old editor at Jidai Weekly. She is a talented writer who strives to provide her readers with the biggest scoops, by whatever means necessary. What distinguishes Hiroko from other writers is her ability to transform into the go-getter Hataraki Man (aka working man), allowing her to write furiously until an article is completed! In addition to her masterful writing ability, Hiroko also can’t stand those who don’t take magazine articles as seriously as she. Though Hiroko desires romance in her life, her career as a writer is all encompassing. Can Hiroko maintain a romantic life outside of work, or is she doomed to the life of a spinster?

Born into the wealthy family of a famous musician, Shu Amamiya feels it is his fate to become a professional pianist. But when he transfers to a new elementary school, his goal is threatened by an obnoxious classmate, Ichinose Kai, who has the ability to produce beautiful sound from a piano that was thought to be broken. The two quickly become friends; however, their friendship is tested when they face off in a competition to determine who has the better skill, greatest ambition, and the strongest love for the piano.