Seirei no Moribito

Alternate titles: Juuni Kokki, 12 Kingdoms

Yohko is nothing but ordinary. Throughout her life she has been considered an outcast, especially with a hair color not native to many in Japan, bright red. Things change for Yohko when a mysterious man named Keiki arrives and claims that she is his empress. Yohko and two friends are then taken through a vortex, and then abandoned.. in a world of demons and magic.

Alternate titles: Mononoke Hime

With the rise of the Iron Age in feudal Japan, man and nature grow increasingly at odds. As mankind infringes more and more into the kingdom of the beasts, many of the elder animal gods begin to succumb to their rage, cursing themselves as they lash out at rural and urban settlements alike. When a young Ashitaka, hero of his village, is imparted with one of these curses after slaying a crazed god, he forces himself into exile to prevent further harm to his village. As he ventures out into the world, however, he discovers just how dire the straights have become - with man and beast ready to break into all out war, his curse becomes the least of his problems. As both sides teeter dangerously on the side of outright slaughter of one another, Ashitaka sets his own problems aside and, using his charisma and honor, seeks to quell the hatred before it gets beyond repair - but will he be in time or is he simply delaying the inevitable?

Samurai Champloo is all about style, from the dj-style scratching scene changes to the hip-hop-inspired soundtrack to the eclectic character design. Mugen's fighting style is a funky meld of capoeira and limb-cutting, and Jin is the dramatic foil; he is all steel and old-school samurai style. What binds them together is the desire to test each other's abilities, and a promise to a girl named Fuu: to find the samurai that smells of sunflowers, who plays a pivotal role in her past. Together they travel through edo-era Japan, finding battle and comedy wherever they stop.

It isn't unusual for a person to feel that the world around them is strange and has unexpected secrets lying just beyond their sight. However, for most people this is just an occasional sensation that greets them upon awakening or chases them into sleep. For the mushi researcher Ginko, it isn't a feeling at all; it is a knowledge which guides his travels and motivates his life. Found in the cracks between what is conceivable and what is not, are the varied life forms collectively known as mushi. They surround us and affect us, but their intensely different nature makes them unrecognizable to most. Ginko brings these life forms into perspective for the lives of those most affected and most in need of an explanation.

Alternate titles: Blade of the Stranger

Kotarou is a brash young orphan in war-torn Japan, on the run from mysterious pursuers with Tobimaru, his faithful canine companion. Clueless as to why anyone would want him, much less imperial warriors from mainland China, a chance encounter with a strange wandering swordsman could not be more unwelcome in Kotarou's skeptical eyes – especially when the stranger has a secret past that has caused him to seal his blade. Forced by circumstance to work together for survival, the unlikely duo forge a tenuous friendship that is threatened all too soon when Kotarou's pursuers thrust the two into a dizzying whorl of clashing ambitions between men both big and small. Will the stranger manage to overcome his past and save them both from peril with his blade?

Alternate titles: Tales from Earthsea

In the lush fantasy world of Earthsea, dragons and humans no longer live together as one due to the greed of humanity. It is in this world that the young Prince Arren lives – a young man who is dejected, tormented, and afraid of the ultimate goal of life: death. After killing his father and stealing an heirloom sword forged by magic, Arren sets forth with his trusty steed into the unknown countryside, experiencing the joys and darkness of mankind. Along with the powerful mage Sparrowhawk, an unlikely friend and his own personal angst, Arren must rediscover his desire to live while evil forces threaten his precious life's existence.

In an age when samurai enhanced their bodies mechanically, a great war broke out. After the war's end, these "Bandits" (having become mere robbers) have lost their samurai code and now rob villages for their rice and women. The peasants of Kanna Village are filled with despair and agree to hire some samurai to retaliate, but with only rice in their food stores and no money to offer, it seems that time is running out. Now, the villagers must set out to look for samurai willing to accept such a deal -- but are there still such men that abide by the samurai code, and protect the weak?

A man awakens in an unfamiliar room, with no recollection of who he is or where he came from. His wounds have been bandaged, and his face is covered with a mask that he cannot remove. With nowhere to go, he decides to stay with his rescuers and help them when needed, waiting for his memory to return. Though his courage, skill, and wisdom quickly gain him the villagers’ respect, the same traits soon land him in hot water with the local feudal lord. Not one to back away from injustice, the path he must follow will lead him to confront his enemies, and his hidden past.

In a post-apocalyptic future, where the world has turned into a desert and the remains of humanity live under the rule of the Third – beings with a third eye on their foreheads. Accompanied only by her tank's AI, Bogie, Honoka tries to make a living as a handyman on the edge of civilization, and she tries to avoid resorting to violence as much as possible; but when situations demand it, she and her sword become a force to be reckoned with. When Honoka is hired by the mysterious young man named Ikus, the Third suddenly take great interest in them; and thus, Honoka’s story truly begins…

Alternate titles: Story of the Land of Many-Colored Clouds

In an ancient and mythological land called Saiunkoku, the people have begun to recover from a period of war and famine; thus, when an official from the imperial court offers the impoverished and beautiful Shuurei more money than she could ever dream of in return for a favor, she jumps at the chance. What she doesn’t count on, however, is being asked to become a concubine to the recluse Emperor and help him transform into a better leader. What’s more, the Emperor shows little intelligence, seems to have no interest in ruling, and is rumored to prefer men. One thing’s for certain: Shuurei has her work cut out for her!

In times of olde, humans live in constant fear ofdemons known as yoma. These vicious creatures can takethe appearance and memories of humans they havedevoured, thus blending into society as they freelyfeast on human flesh. The key to stopping the yoma lieswith the tolerated yet feared Claymores -- women whoare half-demon, half-human, and fully fated to becomethe demons that they hunt. Meanwhile, in a village, the young Raki has been banished; his only crime was losing hisfamily to the yoma. Raki is drawn to a Claymore namedClare, and together their journey begins. While Clare fights the yoma plaguing the land, can Raki help her in her struggle to retain her humanity?

To make money, high school student Shinkurou Kurenai works for the secretive Benika as a "dispute mediator," acting to intervene in the disputes of clients – often violently. One day, Benika gives him a much different assignment: to protect Murasaki Kuhoin, a seven-year-old girl from the wealthy Kuhoin family. This turns out to be a more troublesome task than he expects, as Murasaki is spoiled, naive, and completely unaware of what life is like outside of the luxurious one she had previously. He also has no idea why Murasaki needs his protection, though he is slowly obtaining details from a well-informed classmate. Adding to his problems, Shinkurou still must continue to do his previous work for Benika and take care of his social relationships in school while protecting Murasaki, complicating his entire life. Nonetheless, as time passes, he and Murasaki grow close; however, trouble brews in the shadows as everyone - including Shinkurou - seems to be harboring secrets...

Alternate titles: Kenshin

Himura Kenshin is a Rurouni (A wandering samurai) who has sworn his life to protect without killing, though he bears the title of Hitokiri Battousai: the most feared killer in Japan's history. Now, Kenshin must overcome his past and new enemies as he fights along side Sanosuke, Kaoru, and Yahiko for the future of Japan.

“Vash, the Stampede” - worth 60 billion dollars to the one who can turn him in. Bounty hunters everywhere are on the lookout for this legendary gunman, not to mention insurance agents Meryl Stryfe and Milly Thompson, who are tasked with preventing any potential damage that this Vash can cause. But with 60 billion on his head, Vash is not an easy man to find.

As the island of Lodoss braces against a new assault by the Marmo and their new allies, the fate of the land falls into the hands of Spark, an inexperienced young knight. As aging legends Ashram, Kashew, Parn and Deedlit begin to fade, a new generation of heroes will have to arise to keep Lodoss from being torn apart by conflict.

Alternate titles: Seikai no Monshou

Humanity lives uneasily in the face of the Abh empire--a race of genetically enhanced, elf-like beings who call space their home. Meet Lafiel, a member of Abh royalty, and Jinto, a human absorbed into the Abh nobility. When they are left as the sole survivors of an Abh ship that witnesses the preludes to a coming invasion, they must escape with this information--or die trying!

The god Mauser delivered unto a world of magic a prophecy: if the Scrapped Princess is allowed to live, she will destroy the entire world. But the knight who was to kill her could not end the life of a newborn child, and so she lived. Fifteen years later, her adopted brother and sister have sworn to protect her, and together they travel from town to town, searching for a life she can't have.

In ancient medieval Japan, the people are oppressed by a brutal emperor and his four children, with no hope for the future… until the prophet Nagi proclaimed that a child born on a day would be their savior. Twins were born that day, a boy, Tatara, raised from birth to be Japan’s savior, and a girl, Sarasa. This is her story: a story of great personal loss, tragic romance, and a resilient unbreakable will.

It is the year 2029, and as many rush to embrace thechanges that cybernetic technology bring to mankind,the seedier side of humanity is even quicker to takeadvantage of it. This series follows Public PeaceSection 9, a government organization that plays behindthe scenes to stop the worst of these criminals. JoinMajor Motoko Kusanagi and her team as they take youthrough an incredibly vivid world filled with plots ofsuch depth and intrigue as is seldom seen.

Oboro, a naive, love-struck girl, is pledged to Gennosuke, an idealist. Bothare successors to opposing ninja clans with a long history of hatred keptbarely in check by a covenant of peace. Just as the two vow to reconcile theclans with their marriage, the shogun orders the feud to resume in order toresolve an internal struggle that threatens to tear the Tokugawa shogunateapart. Even worse, Oboro and Gennosuke themselves are forced to lead theirclans in battle. Can the star-crossed lovers resist the brutal circumstancesand remain true to their love as the death toll rises?

Humanity is on the brink of extinction due to a mysterious disease that kills without warning. Living amongst the humans are vampires; one of whom is Duo, a so-called traitor to his race. Having revealed a secret that would allow humans to save their lives, Duo inadvertently turned humans against the vampires, and thus was deemed an enemy of his own people. Zieg is a vampire with close ties to Duo and will stop at nothing to defeat him for his transgression, but is he strong enough to take revenge on the one who is closest to him?

D'Eon is a French nobleman bent on serving his Divine Majesty Louis the XIV to the best of his abilities, following in the footsteps of his beloved sister Lia de Beaumont. However, his straight-forward role with the secret police is interrupted by the sudden death of his sister while on a diplomatic mission in foreign lands. In his desire to find the truth of her murder, he comes before the King and becomes closely entwined in the mysterious organization known as Le Secret du Roi. He quickly finds himself embroiled in a realm of spiritual energy where death is a gate to greater powers and the Psalm of the King brings destruction in its wake. D'Eon must ask himself what is the price of truth and who will pay it, as the French Revolution looms inevitably nearer.

The responsible orphaned Sophie led a relatively normal life, safe within the walls of the hat shop in which she works; for outside, it is rumored, the evil wizard Howl roams the land in his mobile black castle. After a chance and mystical encounter, poor Sophie finds herself transformed by a spell which makes her appear to be an old woman, and thus embarks on an adventure to find Howl’s castle and put an end to her curse. A mystical world of talking flames, sentient scarecrows and magic aplenty awaits those who seek the legendary Howl...

It is the era of Bakumatsu – the last years of the shogunate. In the general turmoil caused by warring groups with different political interests, a curious theatrical group known as the Yuyama Troupe is set out for revenge. They come across a mysterious young swordsman, Akizuki Youjirou, who seems to be burdened with a dark past. Thrown around by currents of history, powerful people from different factions and personal relations, Akizuki tries to fulfill his mission to destroy an ancient, cursed relic, the Lord’s Head, which has caused chaos and bloodshed for thousands of years.

Six years ago, a catastrophic event ravaged Tokyo. Amaha Masune was found at ground zero, physically unscathed, but without memories and with a child in her arms. Returning to Tokyo for the first time since the disaster, the slightly clumsy but cheerful Masune just wants make a new life and to raise her daughter without interference from the Child Welfare Agency. But unsolved murders are being committed all over Tokyo and a near-miss reveals her identity as the bearer of the Witchblade, a mysterious weapon linked to the disaster 6 years before, that seems to have a mind of its own. Giving in to the Witchblade seems dangerous, but when the powerful Dohji Corporation agrees to guarantee her a life together with her daughter if she works for them, can Masune pass up the chance?