First film watched for a series that I fell deeply into. Really cool story and fun chracters, I can't wait for the next season of this and the movie provided just enough of an extended episode feel to satiate my cravings! 

As abig fan of the series I really enjoyed this, it has it's flaws but in true Psycho pass style it gets you hooked, keeps you hooked and then leaves you wanting more! 

A very beautiful film with a somewhat sureal story. I found myself gravitated towards this as the art and animation style is so bright and vibrant. It was an enjoyable watch from start to finish. 

My plan to watch all Lupin films this year got under way with Bye Bye Lady Liberty! which is a classic Lupin tale, has it's flaws and drawbacks but in true Lupin style it was fun chaotic, head scratching and just plain bonkers! Loved it! 

This is a film that I really didn't have too much interest in watching and despite the very beautiful animation it did nearly lose me half way through as it's just very slow paced, the story is like a fairy tale and is clever and thought provoking in it's own right but sadly the pace of the film really did kill it a bit for me. 

Another Lupin film and it lived up to my expectations, again a zany plot, insane antics and crazy car chases, everything I expect from the master thief! 

More Lupin and this one I enjoyed  a lot as it reminded me of the classic film Montecarlo Or Bust! I loved the plot as it was fun to keep guessing how it would end and as usual it kept me smiling all the way through! 

I've never seen the series of You're under Arrest! but this movie has def peaked my interest, it was enjoyable I really like the characters and the main plot was actually quite clever too! 

My 5th watch of this superb film, Kiki is by far and away my fav Ghibli film, I just love everything about it, the romanticsm of moving to a new place, the unknowing of how things will turn out and the pure joy of finding friends who feel like family, of course I can't forget to mention that the animation is so beautiful and the OST is just perfect! Yes Kiki will always have a special place in my heart!

My 2nd watch of the Satoshi Kon thriller and on the 2nd time round I found this to be more chilling and cleverly written than the first. The sheer amount of mind mangling in this is just so damn fantastic you'll still be thinking about this when it's ended, the plot is a simple one but the darker tones and the breakdown of the human psyche throughout is just genius! One that should not be missed!

A mind blowingly stunning film, seriously the animation in this made my heart leap and my mouth water at the cooking scenes! The story is mundane as it's about a romance but what makes this unique is the brilliant way it's told and the emotion poured into it throughout. I generally found myself more emotinaly invested in this than I anticipated and for such a short film it really is a masterpiece of animation. I will def watch this again in the future as it was just a wonderful experince. 

This was another film that I didn't anticipate myself liking all that much and yet it shocked me! Once again I was salivating at those cooking scenes (why does Anime food look so damn good!? lol) and was tearing up at the more emotianal moments, a three part film set around growing up this really was astonishing in the way it was put togeher and how it had some life lessons throughout. The animation was amazing (again those noodles, drool... lol) incredibly fluid and welcoming. As I said didn't thing I'd like this one as much as I did but I generally would happily sit and watch this again. A very interesting thought provoking film. :) 

Having watched my first 999 film last year it was only natural that at some point I would move onto Adieu. Well it was worth the wait! Leiji Matsumoto really is a genius in the way he tells his stories and I didn't think the film would go in the direction it took, being the 999 I love this series dearly anyway and was expecting big things from this film and it delivered. The child inside me leapt for joy at the 999 whistle and seeing the trains and the man contemplated and felt the true meanings of the movie throughout. Yes Leiji has a way to just tug at your heart strings and the 999 series has always done this for me and unsurprisingly this movie did that too. I highly recommend checking the 999 series and Captain Harlock out they are rare gems in the mine that is Anime and this is a movie along with the first that i shall forever treasure knowing I've seen it. 

Well I was excited about watching this one (more 999 is a good thing!) however I found myself very underwhelmed, the film just felt lacklustre compared to the previous ones, this also shocked me as this was brought out in 1998 which is a long time from the Adieu film of 1981 so I was expecting epicness! Yes the animation was on point but felt weak in places and after seeing the new designs of Tetsuro in the 2 previous films it was kind of jarring going back to his original design. The story is pretty much what I expect from leiji and it's good enough to captivate the audience however it doesn't really go anywhere and we are left with a feeling of dissatisfaction at what possibly the future might bring. This still has it's moments and being a lot different to Adieu which was essentaily a rehash of the original story has  something going for it but the short running time hurts it a lot, had this had been a full length film I feel I might have found myself more invested in it and I do hope we get to see more of this story unfold in the future but as far as a comparison goes this is sadly the weaker of the three films, it just can't stand up to how good the other two are. I was also not overly struck on the ending theme either, the 999 film has a wondefully catchy tune and the soulful and emotional Sayonara at the end of Adieu just really fit with these films and yet the theme for this is just forgettable. Overal it wasn't terrible but I really did feel disappointed when it had ended my words were 'really!? Is that it!?' So yeah sad really as I love the 999 series and as mentioned I love the movies too but this for me just didn't live up to the 999 that I'm used to.

Being another Lupin I was expecting chicanary and madness and with this one I got more than I bargained for! This is downright bonkers! The storyline itself isn't terrible as it has it's interesting points but the sheer amount or weird random moments and almost dare I say it cartoon like humour just makes this so ungrounded it's hard to take it seriously, of course being Lupin you don't usually anyway unless we're talking about the more grittier recent Lupin the red jacket films just seem to be one crazy thing after another! The first few minutes were ludicrous and I was literally sitting scratching my head just asking myself why!? Lol I mean yes I enjoyed the ride and that's what the film set out to do for me to enjoy myself in the company of these characters I love but there's just so much out of place here, it's hard not to find yourself a bit lost despite beign taken in by the vibrant and over the top style animation. This all became clear to me as to why the film is like it is though through the liner notes which in brief explained that this film was fraught with issues from day one. Originally the hallowed Hayao Miyazaki was meant to animate and direct but after The Castle Of Cagilostro he left to work on another film the highly acclaimed Nausicaa with Ghibli so Miyazaki recommended Mamoru Oshii to write the story who directed Urusei Yatsura, Oshii's story however was more psychological and didn't fit the Lupin formula so he left mid way through however he did hire to do the art Yoshitaka Amano who is famous for his contributions to the Final Fantasy series. Another writer was bought in to continue where Oshii left off Yoshio Urasawa who helped with the Lupin TV series and Fushigi Yuugi however he had issues with the script and then he also left, finally to finish what the others had started the producers bought in Atsushi Yamatoya who wrote The Mystery Of Mamo film and he completed the unfinished story.  So yeah it's clear to me now why the film is a mixture of things but that being said I still enjoyed it even though it has bizzare moments and a somewhat surreal storyline. 

A classic Anime film that I really should have seen a long time ago, being from 1985 the animation isn't as breathtaking as some of the 80's series I've seen but the dark and moody tones do set the scenes well and the opening scenes with grass are cleverly done. The story itself is pretty predictable, the same with the characters, from meeting them for the first time you could already tell what part they would play in the unfolding drama, It's not like I didn't like them but I was bemused at some of their reactions to revelations brought up and how they acted after finding out these things. Being a movie from the 80's in true retro style we have over the top blood and gore and of course the odd bit of fanservice thrown in which coupled with everything I've mentioned does make this an enjoyable watch. The music wasn't bad either however the ending music felt really out of place compared to the actual feel of the movie itself. I can't say I hated it that would be too strong but I can't really see myself watching this again as I just felt that it needed to offer more and after finding out that this is a series of graphic novels that are still ongoing I can see why the movie lacked in places, that being said as my first taste of Vampire Hunter D it was a good watch and I shall sink my fangs into Vampire Hunter D Bloodlust soon, which I have been told it doesn't suck! 

Masterpiece, I don't usually use this word often, it's not a word to be taken lightly but when it comes to A Silent Voice I feel there is but no other word to describe it. When I first heard about this fim I was aprehensive considering the themes that are within it but this really is a true tour de force of emotions whch really blew me away, I'm not one for tear jerkers and I can sit and say that I don't usally tear up that often but this got me, hard, the way the storytelling and the characters interact in this is nothing short of perfection. The subjects tackled are what you'd expect from a usual school life drama but again this is done in such a way that it really hits home and you really do start to feel for the characters as they struggle to deal with the unfolding situations. The way the feel of the film changes too also got me with the way it moves from being of an imature nature to reaching that majurity and recognizing ones mistakes and how to set around rectify them was a pure pleasure to watch. Of course I can't just say that the storytelling was fantastic because so was the animation, the beautiful backgrounds and seamless transitions were flawless right down to every rain drop and every refelection, this really is a feast for the eyes and not just for the heart. The music being subtle with mainly piano helps pull those tears right out of you which works really well especially as the flow of the film changes. I really am dumbstruk over this film it is by far and a way one of the best Anime films I've ever seen and if you haven't seen it yet then I highly recommend you do asap, as this is one truly breathtaking emotional journey!  

This is another film I went into that I was apprehensive about, being set in world war two I was expecting bleak undertones and dark animation that of the likes of Grave Of The Fireflies but I found myself pleasantly surprised at just how well the animation and tones of the film itself helped to pull you into the life that the main character Suzu was leading. The scenes of the war really helped you feel that peoples lifes were threatened and the way the gun shots and bombs looked really showed just how deadly and devastating war can be, on the other sides of things scenes of family and togetherness had a warmer, welcoming kind of feel which really did help me to begin to care about these characters and the life that they're living.  The story itself gives us a rare glimpse back on history long forgotten and puts us right in the middle of it. I felt tension, excitement and despair through this film and I really did feel for Suzu and what she faced in her daily life in that time. The music really helped with this too, some of the pieces just perfectly fitted with the mood of the film, especially when Suzu's wild imagination run rampant and the whole tone of the film changed, I'd really liked to have said this is a masterpiece as it truly is a captiavting, shocking and enchanting film even though it is set around one of histories most morbid events, however there were a few things that irked me a bit and hence the 4 1/2 score, number one is we don't really see Suzu explore her imagination path as much and given her character that would have made more sense for her to escape the carnage and misery by going into her own mind, the other is the character designs, Suzu is supposed to be over 17 however she looks in her early teens and finally the first half I felt confused, as it was hard to tell excatly what was going on however despite this I still found this one to be a good watch, not quite up there with Grave Of The Fireflies but a truly outstanding movie in it's own right. 

So next up for my year of Anime movies was one I'd been putting off for some time, yes I've finally watched SAO Oridinal scale! Now being a SAO film I was expecting it to be more like the first half of the original series and not the second and oh boy did I get that! Spectacular visuals and a story with twists and turns just like the conspiracy running through the first series this had me guessing at exactly what was happing at every moment! Being back with these famillar characters was a joy and seeing those mind blowing battles again really reignited my passion for this series, yes we know it has it's faults but when SAO is good it's real good and that you can't deny! Almost everything was on point apart from a few things that aren't fully explained this is definitely an exciting and enthralling film that does the SAO name justice and I'd happily sit and watch it again! 

This is a movie that actually surprised me, more for the fact it felt like watching an extended episode of Anime, seriosuly this is so much like an Anime series I was waiting for the credits to role on cliffhangers and plot twists throughout. The reason I've given it a 4 out of 5 is purely as it's not finished, it leaves the viewer wanting more and I was happy to see that a 2nd movie is in production so hopefully that will be able to tie up any loose ends that were left unsaid. Now I did feel lost in this a few times, as mentioned many things aren't explained especially the entire reason why humans are living in this dystopian society and why the machines are acting in the manner programed towards them. That being said the opening was interesting and it held my attention, the middle began to wane on me a bit and I did find my eyelids slowly closing noneless I perservered and was rewarded with some truly spectacular visuals and a cool plot twist that I wasn't expecting. The music isn't anything to write home about apart from the ending theme which was actually well suited to the film. Being CG this certainly has it's moments of jaw dropping imagery and animation. The characters are enjoyable but after the film completely forgetttable sadly, as they really don't just stand out as much as I'd liked. Another thing that this reminded me of is Knights Of Cydonia which is also another Netflix original production, it's very similar in the cinematography and has a similar feel about it in general. All in all I can't say I didn't enjoy this, as it's got me intrigued about this world, I want to know more about why things are the way they are and for that I consider this a good watch. looking forward to film 2! Oh and the safeguard exterminators are creepy as f*ck!  

Well for my next Anime movie it was back to good ol Lupn The 3rd! I knew nothing about this one so I went in with a good vibe hoping it will be classic Lupin and not the eclectic mess that was the Gold Of Babylon! This has to be one of the better Lupin films I've seen, yes there's still a far fetched plot which seems to be the staple of the red jacket Lupin but I found this to be pretty grounded for the most part. In true Lupin style this has everything you want from the franchise, over the top action, comedy by the bucket loads and a almost James Bondesque type of villan and story. The animation wasn't bad, a bit jerky in places and the music fitted the movie perfectly with over the top big band pieces to more subtle melodies. Throughly enjoyed this one and I look forward to seeing more instalments from Lupin soon!  

Another film I've been wanting to watch since I heard about it was Mary And The Witches Flower. Created by Studio Ponoc, directed by Hiromasa Yonebayashi and produced by Yoshiaki Nishimura formely of Studio Ghibli I went into this with great anticipation! Based on the story The Little Broomstick by Mary Stewart this is a whimsical tale of a girl looking for somewhere to belong, well at least that's what I got from the feel of it. Now being a Kiki fan and a Little Witch Academia fan this was definitely the kind of film I would enjoy as I do love magical stories. Mary is a loveable character and watching her react to the unfolding situations before her was very enjoyable to watch. The story itself is charming and imaginative and the fact that it pulls from the idea of witches and a fantatsical world really does keep you entertained. The only thing i found lacking was the relationships, they felt a bit forced which is sad as Studio Ponoc really outdid theirself with this! I think had they had spent a bit more time on providing a bit more character interaction, especially between Mary and Peter then this would be on par with a Ghibli film. The visuals are breathtakingly enchanting and you can see a touch of that Ghibli magic as you are absorbed into Mary's World. The music wasn't as poignat and memorable as Joe Hisaishi's performances on Ghibli films (who i think would have bought the film more to life with his unique style) but there were sprinkles here and there which gave it more of a Harry Potter vibe which isn't a bad thing, I just sat there waiting for something to tickle my eardrums  and annoyingly it didn't happen, yes the film is amazing and the visuals are stunning but the OST just lacked that special feeling. Overal I really enjoyed this and would happily sit and watch it again, it's a bit slow in places but for what Mary lacks she makes up with it with a big heart! A truly spellbinding effort by Studio Ponoc and it lifts my heart that even if we did lose Studio Ghibli (God forbid!) there is a studio out there that can provide a movie experience that is almost on par with them! 

Ah Satoshi Kon a visionary genius but I'd like to think he was a little bit bonkers, well you'd have to be to come up with the stories and scenarios he did and Paprika is no exception to this rule. At the start of this I could already feel that Satoshi Kon magic weaving it's way through my body and mind, yes once again I was in the palm of Mr Kon's hand and he was making me dance to his merry beat! Paprika is stunning, it really is a feast for the eyes and the senses, from unbelieveable parades to creepy (get the hell away from me!) dolls who feel like they could at any moment take your soul, it's just so much to take in and why not? I mean set around a story of a stolen dream machine anything is possible in the world of dreams and once again just like it did with his other works, the cinematography and vibrant colors got my pulse racing! The story is far fetched, dreams bleeding into reality and vice versa is a bit ludicrous but that's why I love Satoshi's films, his imagination knew no bounds and he knew how to take the viewer on a wild heart pounding thrill ride! From start to finish Paprika is a just so gripping to watch even if the finale is just that little bit insane (OK a lot.... lol) this still is a ride I'd get on again and again! My mind was scrambled, i had no idea what the hell was going on for the most part but that didn't matter as the characters and unfolding drama kept me hooked and that say's it all! The OST fits perfectly with the over the top fantastic sequences and completely has a sound of it's own. Yes once again I've fallen for another one of Satoshi's master pieces and it saddens me as not only have we lost this great man from the world (RIP Mr Kon you're sorely missed) but I can't really see us getting anything in the future that comes close to his visions, nothing I've seen comes close to Satoshi Kon's twisted tales and mesmerizing animation. I can only hope that someday I'll stumble onto someone who has a sparkle of that magic until that happens I think I need to check out Tokyo Godfathers and do a re-watch on Millenium Actress....  

More Lupin and this time I went for the Dragon Of Doom! Still in the red jacket this film has a few strange moments but for the most part stays pretty grounded. I didn't find myself laughing as much due to this but I still enjoyed the concept and the tension between the characters, oh and the main villian did his part well as he really iritated me! lol The story itself is a bit far fetched but that seems to have been the staple for many Lupin adventures! I liked the more grittier feel to this one, not akin to the more modern day Lupin but this one did feel like it had a seriousness about it. As mentioned there were still moments that were silly but overal the story itself was interesting and held my attention. Animation wasn't bad, a bit blurry in places but I can forgive this as it's Lupin and the OST fitted the theme of the film well. All in all another classic Lupin adventure worth watching! 

Next up on my ever growing Anime movies to watch list was Fireworks a film made by Studio Shaft. Well what can I say except I think Studio Shaft tried too hard to emulate and re-create the magic of Your Name. I know I shouldn't mention it but this film is so similar it's hard not to! Yes we all know Your Name is a masterpiece in filmmaking and you can see here that Studio Shaft wanted a piece of that pie. Anyway for me personally I did enjoy this rather surreal 90 mins, the animation is right up there witha lot of the bigger Anime films with some truly fantastical and jaw dropping scenes, that had me literally gasp at the sheer gorgeousness of the colors parading upon the screen, yes they're no flaws here and the same can be said with the music, it is both captivating and enrapturing and fits the film perfectly keeping you well connected with the mesmerizing and emotional moments. So are there any issues? Sadly, yes, it's the characters themselves, there's just not enough time here to believe that these relationships have developed between them are heartfelt, it almost feels like a whim on how they change. The other bigger flaw is the supernatural elements that the whole plot revolves around, nothing is explained and the viewer is just left to believe that this exists because why not? Lol I was also annoyed that bigger developments were nodded to but never followed which honestly would have been more interesting. However I can't say i didn't enjoy this film, yes there're numerous things wrong but the breath taking animation and outstanding music help to kind of brush those things a side. Another interesting thing about this is that you can see tints of other iconic Anime, yes it's obvious Your Name was on their mind but theres also hints of Monogatari and Studio Ghibli to name a few! Monogatari I'm not surprised as director of Bakemonogatari is Noboyuki Takeuchi who directed this and you can see that the character designs are similar to the Monogatari series as Nazuna looks a hell of a lot like Hitagi Senjougahara. Anyway I think it's a commendable effort from Studio Shaft just a shame it's a let down on the characterization and narrative. I do want to mention though that the tram scene is one of the most beautiful pieces of animation I've ever seen and I shan't soon forget it, as it was just incredible!  

Time for some more Lupin and this time round I went for the film Dead Or Alive. Well first of all I have to say I did like the character designs and feel of this one as it had a more grittier feel about it akin to that of the later Lupin series. As usual this was over the top and I did find myself getting a bit lost, especially when a plot point was nodded towards but not later follwed up on or even explained! There were quite a few holes in this one not as many as Lupin getting shot at but I did feel it was a weak offering for the elusive theif! The story itself isn't bad but it is a little far fetched despite this though the film does stick to having some form of reality to it apart from the over the top finale. The animation had darker tones throughout which helped with scene setting and as usal the whole gang played their part well. The OST wasn't as extravagent as other lupin offerings and is pretty forgetable. Overal I can't say I didn't enjoy it as it had a smattering of that Lupin magic in it but it didn't feel as good as other Lupin films I've seen. 

So for my next Anime film I strapped myself in grabbed the wheel and turned the key on all 3 Initial D movies! Now when I went into these I was for some reason under the impression that all the films would be the entire series, well being just over 60 mins long this bcame apparent that, that is not the case as in fact these are all just season 1. Now I love Initial D and I was pleased with how these were edited, there was just the right amount of character development breaking up the heart pounding racing action. The CG in these are gorgeous as you can really see they went to town on producing high quality animation, the races feel just like the series, tense filled with tire smoke and heart in mouth drama! The backgrounds look sublime and the voice acting is just like the Anime if not a bit better (I watched the subbed). I feel the only thing that let these down for me was the over the top in your face rock OST, don't get me wrong the music wasn't terrible but you could easily take it and put it over any Shonen or indeed action Anime and it would have the same effect. For me the true essence and uniqueness of Initial D is it's Eurobeat OST it's just something that you wouldn't expect to work with a racing series and yet it fits perfectly and that's what's missing from the films. The moment Takumi starts to get serious, he shifts gears, the engine roars you just want that build of Eurobeat as you know shit's going down and although yes the rock OST does work it just doesn't have the feel of Eurobeat. Overal though if you're new to Initial D and want to see the first series without watching the Anime (although I recommend you do watch it! lol) then these are a great way to jump in the drivers seat and do some mind blowing drifting! 

Trekking it's way across the landscape and causing devastating destruction in it's wake we have Robot Carnival, a movie filled with short stories about robots from well known Japanese directors who bring their own tales to life for your viewing pleasure! Yes Robot Carnival is an eclectic mix of animation that should be on any Anime fans watch list. Having seen so many series and movies now, it was good to go back and re-watch this just to appreciate the sheer magnitude of effort that goes into creating an animated masterpiece, each one of these tales isn't nothing short of that, in fact the way they're animated and the stories are told will keep you gripped! The best thing about this film is it will keep surprising you from the dark and twisted story of Franken's Gears to the thought provoking Presence there's something for everybody. I feel I'd like to sit here and go through each story with you and tell you my thoughts and feelings on it but I feel that would take too long and give a massive wall of text! lol What I will say is that each short delivers on different levels, some ironic some romantic and others a little too close to home but the way they're delivered is just perfect and what ties this all together is the mind blowing OST. Yes a big part of Robot Carnival is the soundtrack. If you're a fan of Ghibli films you may notice a certain Joe Hisaishi here yes he brings his own unique style and flair to the music for this film along with other composers Isaku Fujita and Masahisa Takeichi who bring their own influence making this OST one of the best I've ever heard, the music fits perfectly with the film making you feel connected to the on screen journey you're taking. With the addition of this sublime OST the stories themselves really do come to life, Franken's Gears is haunting, Deprive is full of action and adventure, Presence is beautiful and heart wrenching, Star Light Angel is an uplifting joy, Cloud is melachonic and relaxing, Strange Tales Of Meiji Machine Culture is witty and fun and Chicken Man & Red Neck is spine chilling! Yes each of these shorts are a feast for the eyes and the ears! If you enjoyed Genius Party or the most recent Netflix animated American short series Love Death & Robots then you'll love the sheer ingenuity that is Robot Carnival a triumpth of Japanese animation!  

Being a Pokemon fan I was excited about this one, a new film with modern amination retelling the exciting start of Ash's journey to become a Pokemon master and overal it didn't disappoint, OK in places it did but we'll get to that later. First of all the film looks gorgeous, the animation is breath taking and the colors are so beautiful you feel like you'd like to jump in the screen and roll in the grass and smell the flowers, yes the animators knew what they were doing here and it shows! The story we all know well and the modern take on it is well done, it's a bit choppy as it jumps over some of the Anime stuff but it does stick to it's roots and will bring on a flood of nostalgia. The characters themselves are endearing and you do root for them as the journey goes from strength to strength. The music works well, not to overbearing with some lovely uplifting tones and of course those recognizable tunes will bring a smile to your face! Overal this isn't a bad pokemon film and I found it really enjoyable. Now something I don't usually do but read on if you wish but here is what irked me which does contain a few spoilers, nothing major just minor things that shocked me. 

OK so what really annoyed me about this is yes this is a modern twist on the Pokemon origin story but I was in utter disbelief that both Misty and Brock two iconic Pokemon characters were not in the fiilm at all and were replaced with copycat characters, I'm unsure as to why they did this but for me having no Misty or Brock just disappointed me when I relaized they weren't going to show up. Next was one of the most shocking and that is yes Team Rocket do make appearances but they do not engage with any of the main characters or  even say their famous lines! Honestly for the lack of that it wasn't even worth including them as they're meant to be light comic relief and the jokes fall flat. Something else that annoyed me as well is that Ash's voice is done by another person and to me just doesn't sound like the Ash I know, so it took some getting used to ( I might add I watched the dub), another character missing was Gary who at least I though would be in it but nope he wasn't. As mentioned the story was good but man was it predictable, not becuase I've seen it as this moves onto a different path to the Anime but the beats were just easy to read. Anyway like I said it really is a stunning film and if you forgive the things I mentioned I'm sure you'll enjoy it! 

OK going into this movie I felt a wave of nostalgia not for the fact I watched the series ages ago more like my memory was returning to me! lol Anyway when I did watch this series I remember enjoying it a lot, it has intrigue comedy, suspense and thrills to name a few things along with interesting characters and an intuitive storyline, so did the movie live up to the seiries? In short yes, it has everything about the seires to keep you hooked however there are some flaws and sadly the storyline for this is quite convoluded and at some point you'll be enjoying the impactful drama and explosive action scenes but thinking to yourself why is that happening? How did we get here? Yes the film is an exciting rollercoaster with twists and turns but by having so many it inevitably gets the viewer lost! I really did enjoy this but don't try to ask me what it was fully about as I could tell you about half but not all! lol Another strong point was the animation which was mesmerizing and the music which had some really cool orchestral pieces along with some kick ass rock too! Overall if you love this series then you'll most likely love the movie, for me it was entertaining and bemusing but I can't say I wouldn't watch it again, in fact I feel a re-watch might clear a few things up, hmm I'll bear that in mind for the future. 

Right continuing my voyage to watch loads of Anime movies in 2019 I delved back into a series that I adore to prepare myself for the final film in the series which surprisingly I had not seen! Yes Evangelion is a spectacular series full of crazy plotlines, over the top action and interesting characters, Death & Rebirth is a recap of the first 24 eps of the TV series and proceeds to meld them into one feature length movie. Now this sounds like a great idea on paper and has worked for many other Anime however Evangelion is a series where you have to pay attention to every little detail if you want to be able to follow the story and well this movie jumps around more than a Kangaroo on a trampoline leaving the viewer with some idea of what's happening but mostly disorientated and confused! Yes they've upped the animation slightly from the TV series but even that has it's moments where it just feels rushed, the music is the same as well, nothing new here. So what's the benefit of watching this? Well if you've seen the entire TV series and were overwhelmed by the insane ending then you'll already have a good idea what's going on here and will be able to fit the pieces of the puzzle together without too much issue however if you're watching this without seeing the TV series then DON'T! You will be bewildered and lost and literally will scratch your head at trying to work out what the hell is going on! Overal as someone who has seen the TV series I managed to get through it with understanding and I found it a somewhat enjoyable watch and it certainly set the precedent for what was to follow...... 

What!? Who!? Why!? How!? WTF!!!!??? Yes these were words I exclaimed at the great cluster f*ck that is the End Of Evangelion, this film is insanity following insanity following insanity!!!! The crude begining set the tone of just how mad this was going to be, my eyes and brain could not believe what was happening! Yes like the original Evangelion this finishes the story in true philosophical mind f*cking style!!! Let me explain if you've already seen the original TV series than you'll know that the BS ending upset a lot of people as it goes to the extremes of messing with your mind and spouting a huge amount of philosphy, so much so you could choke on it! Well I thought it couldn't get worse than that.... erm I was wrong! Yes End Of Evangelion puts you through so much of this that you will end up broken! I turned the TV off I walked to a mirror stared at it for what appeared to be hours, actually turned out it was minutes trying to focus what little ounce of reality I had left in my brain on what the hell I'd just seen! After trying this I took a deep breath and exclaimed at the top of my voice WHAT THE ACTUAL F*CK!!!!!!!!!!!?????????????   As mentioned I really like Evangelion it's a cool series but as the film progressed from a point where I could understand what was happening it began to occur to me that it was about to become more and more convoluted and yeah it did big time! I went through a variety of emotions in this which looking back makes me laugh, in fact I'm not sure many movies have put me through the wringer quite like this one! Anyway the animation was fantastic and I applaud the animators for their efforts as there were some scenes in here that must have been a nightmare to animate, so this really is a visually stunning film, there were a few issues but these can be overlooked, once again the OST is the same as the TV series with a few new pieces thrown in which work well with the onscreen moments, I can't say I was too fussed about the characters but again I wasn't when I watched the series, I feel that really Misato for me was the best and some of the scenes with Asuka were mind blowing but as for Shinji well the less said about him the better! I could not even begin to descibe what was happening with Rei! lol Overal I'm still flabbergasted at what I've seen and if I can could sum this movie up in one sentence it would be 'SHINJI GET IN THE F*CKING ROBOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!' 

As a big fan of Ghibli films I was very anxious about watching this one, purely for the fact that Hayao Miyazaki wasn't involved in it and the fact that the iconic Joe Hisaishi didn't do the music, to me Ghibli films have to have Joe do the OST! lol However this absolutely blew me away, I mean really blew me away! Hiromasa Yonebayashi and Yoshiakai Nishimura did a phenomenial job in bringing this tale to life! The animation is achingly beautiful, the textures are gorgeous, the backgrounds are jaw dropping and the flow is just spellbinding, this really does have a bewitching effect on you, you really can't tear your eyes away from the screen as the detail is just breath taking! The story itself is a coming of age drama with some surprising and heart warming twists, this is a tear jerker and man did it get me, this is so cleverly written and the narrative is done really well, the story beats aren't to easy to guess either which really made this a compelling watch. The characters themseves especially the main girl Ana you root for as she is a relatable character suffering with an inferiority complex which I know not all of us suffer from but at some point in our lives we do feel that we really aren't as good as we should be and that spoke to me in this, there're clear life lessons here and the way they're presented is just magical! Now I mentioned about Joe not doing the music and yes I missed his usual flair however Takatsugu Muramatsu actually done a fantastic job though with subtle tones which helped to tug the heart strings along with more brighter pieces which helped you embrace the great outdoors, the music itself was actually just as captivating as the animation and characters. So Dave why 9/1/2 out of 10 you say? Well there were a  few moments where the viewer may get lost, a few scenes left me wondering why this thing was happening and also some scenes feel a bit slow, that being said though that's the only gripe I can have with this, it truly lives up to the Ghibli name outstanding animation, endearing characters and wonderful music! Yes When Marnie Was There is a must watch for any Anime movie fan, truly an emotionalal and intimate classic! 

OK I love City Hunter and for the first film outing I was expecting big things and yes it kinda does that, the story is very City Hunter with shady situations, shoot outs and lots of explosions and a giant hammer! Just like the TV series Ryo is set to try and save the day and the hot girl he's falling for all for the wrong reasons! I enjoyed this as it has an extended episode feel but that's about it, there's nothing new here really and even the animation didn't seem to have changed much considering it was a movie, although I will say the car chase scenes were well done. Yes the action was thick and fast the comedy was straight to the punch and the characters were true to what we're used to from the TV series and that is awesome if you're a fan then yes you'll definitely enjoy this but don't expect anything to be all that different from what you're used to, watching this felt like putting on a pair of comfortable trousers, characters I love, a world I enjoy and stories that are intriguing and fun to watch, yes this may not be as ampped up as I anticipated but I enjoyed it noneless and look forward to what other hijinx and shenanigans Ryo and the gang get up to in the next lot of films!  

Back to Lupin and another red jacket film! Island Of The Assassins like it's name has a foreboding feel about it, from the start it has this darkness and grittiness that we've all come to love in more recent Lupin installments and yes the story itself is as murky as the island it's set in! I can actually say I liked this one quite a lot, wasn't so fond of the name of the Assassin group or their ensignia but that's because I'm not a fan of spiders! lol Anyway I digress.. yes I liked this one, the story was more grounded, it had plausiability to it, it felt like a more mature Lupin compared to some of the more zany cartoony type of films that are in the series, there were no crazy stunts, no outlandish unbelieveable plot twists here, this was just a pure action drama built upon a solid story with a great supporting cast of characters, now don't get me wrong I love the over the top Lupin antics but I do prefer a more realistic Lupin and this film provides that perfectly. The animation and backgrounds also help give the film maturity as the vibrant colors are replaced with more sullen tones which gives the viewer the feeling that this is going to be a very different kind of film compared to what we've previously seen. It's not just the colors that have been toned down as yes the music itself is spinetingling with lashings of sinister undertones letting us know that this really isn't a nice place to be! Definitely one of the more better Lupin films I've seen and the only small complaint I have is that one thing wasn't tied up in the end which puzzled me and that the animation quality does drop from time to time, there's actually one scene where the main female character has no pupils in her eyes, it makes her look like she has the eyes of Hinata from Naruto! XD   All in all this a solid film for Lupin filled with an intriguing storyline, down to earth characters, a little bit of humour, great animation and a reasonable OST! Definitely worth a watch if you're a fan of the elusive thief! :D    

OK yes I know this is an OVA and not really a movie but if you watch it all in one sitting it's over 3 hours and to me that's movie territory! lol Anyway what can I say about Mad Bull 34? It's  atrocious, it's vile, it's despicable, it's trash and my god I LOVE IT! The English dub for this is comedy gold! For the love of god watch it DUB!!! The story is set around the 34th precinct police department in New York and doesn't pull any punches at showing the seedy underbelly of the iconic city. We follow two police officers John Estes AKA Mad Bull/Sleepy and Eddie Ban Daizaburo who is a new recruit to the precinct as they take on the criminal underworld and chase down lawbreakers to deliver justice which usually comes with a bullet! Yes Mad Bull is all about the action be it blowing a guys head of (literally) or Sleepy getting his rocks off this OVA doesn't blush on delving into the darker side of the big Apple! The stories are well written each giving the cops a time to shine, some can be a bit to graphic and can be awkward to watch but if you stick with it Mad Bull 34 will reward you with some spectacular and shocking scenes! The animation is superb for the 90's really pushing the boundaries of what could be done at the time and the OST is as sleazy as the episodes themselves with grit and mystery really giving you that feeling of a hard boiled cop drama! Yes Mad Bull 34 might not have won any oscars and it is an acquired taste but if you have a taste for over the top in your face Anime filled to the brim with guts, sex and more swearing than a Samuel Jackson Movie then just like me you'll have a fantastic time on the beat with Sleepy and Eddie!  

Another offering from Studio Ponoc demonstrating that heroes don't have to be super powered to make a difference, yes I really enjoyed this compilation of 3 sepearte stories each told in unique ways. The first story is set around tiny people living in a river and the hardships they face on a day to day basis, the first thing that hit me with this is that the animation is gorgeous, there's scenes in here that again push boundaries of what can be achieved in today's age of Anime, in one scene my mouth literally fell open and I was agog at the magnificence of quality, in some scenes the river looked so real I could swear it wasn't animated! Anyway the narrative for this short is pretty simple but throughly enjoyable to watch despite having a smattering of dialogue, yes the music helps tell the story here and it does a splendid job at connecting you to the scenes and the the struggles the chracters are going through. The one thing I will say about this is that it felt more Ghibli museum short, a feast for the eyes and is magical!

The second film hits a little closer to home, set in the modern day we follow Shun a young boy who has an allergy to eggs and how him and his family deal with the affliction. This was eye opening to me, as being someone who doesn't really have extreme allergies it showed me that anyone who suffers with this kind of thing must go through hell just to enjoy a normal life, I could not imagine being told you can't eat eggs, stay away from eggs and anything to do with them as you may die, it must be mortyfying to be told that you have an extreme food allergy and as such this short really shows you that it's terrible but you do feel for the family as despite this they keep battling on through each day and that initself is commendable! Once again the animation for this blew me away especially the allergic reactions scenes they were both amazing and heart wrenching to watch and I have to applaud Studio Ponoc for shedding some light on this condition, as it's told so well and leaves you with knowledge as what to do should you ever be in the situation where someone is having an allergic reaction to food, in fact this was recently on the news that many children have been suffering from this and have sadly died because of the lack of knowledge on what to do to help them when it happens, so well done Studio Ponoc for bringing this subject into the  Anime spotlight. Anyway the music for this fits really well helping you to feel that you are struggling along with Shun and putting up a fight to just live. This really is a great short very poignant for today's society and I think it would be a good one to show at schools to help children understand the dangers of food allergies. 

The third short is a bit more surreal then the other two again in the modern world we follow an invisible man who just wants to be noticed. This is a clever story as it never really lets on to whether this man is real or not or whether he's some form of extraterrestrial being. I took from this that it was more about him wanting to be noticed as a human, as sometimes we do just feel like background characters and that no one would notice even if we weren't there, so watching this guy fight each day to get to be noticed is relatable. This does take a more weird turn where it does seem like the message that's here isn't entirely what you thought but once again it's a brilliant piece of writing that grounds this and shows that anyone can be a hero that really makes this one stand out in today's society. The animation was once again sublime and the story is both mysterious and thought provoking. The music for this wasn't as good as the first two but interestingly I got a more eerie vibe from it which made this short feel more otherworldly and abnormal.

Overal once again I was blown away by Studio Ponoc! These really are amazing little shorts filled with heart and emotion and I really enjoyed watching them, this again shows us that SP can produce Ghibli par animation and produce something truly brilliant and special, I can't wait to see what they do next!  

Movie time once again and this time I went for the sequel movie to the Studio Wit sensation that is Kabaneri Of The Iron Fortress Now I know the seires has a bad rep as yes there are heavy similarities to Attack On Titan and the style is the same as well but that doesn't stop Kabaneri from being a series that stands out, again they're a lot alike, strong female character that has weakness, a protagonist who becomes powerful and a back to the wall situation where humanity is fighting for survival against an unknown enemy who wants to devour them! In the case of Attack On Titan that's literally to the wall! Anyway I digress because Kabaneri despite all these similarities is actually a really good series, it's gripping, thought provoking and insanely enjoyable despite it using the usual Anime tropes and the movie (well I say movie 3 episodes that are actually a movie split up!?) was just as intense and heart pounding to watch as the series. Studio Wit just have a way about them at producing top notch Anime that gets your pulse racing and ensnaring your senses, I loved every minute of this, although the story beats were somewhat predictable that didn't stop me from being drawn back into this hellish world and the desperate fight for survival. The visuals were mesmerizing with stunning animation both fluid and captivating, the music (again similar to AOT) really throws you into the action by your throat and the storyline itself was really good and even had a few surprises! All in all I can't wait for season 2 of this, as it's a series I'd happily binge watch and hey if your new to this then I'd recommend checking it out as it's a good series to satiate your cravings until the next onslaught of AOT! A superb film that fits the seires well, fantatsic visuals, stellar OST, enjoyable characters, thrilling story and lashings of action Kabaneri may be similar to AOT but that shouldn't stop you from watching what rightfully is in all honesty an awesome series and movie because AOT isn't terrible in fact it's one of the greatest Anime ever made, so the fact that they're similar is in all essence not a bad thing!   

Back once again with the infamous thief! Yes it was time for another dose of Lupin The Third and this time the cunning pilferer is in Tokyo! This is one of the Lupin red jacket films that like Island Of The Assassins stayed more grounded which I welcome as I do prefer films to be  more realistic unless the story dictates otherwise, Crisis In Tokyo involves around a billionaire who is opening up a new water theme park and is a huge collector of antiquities from the Edo period of Japan, needless to say that this is all a rouse and something a lot more sinister is going on in the shadows. I think what made me enjoy this adventure more was that this felt a lot like a James Bond movie, yes Lupin is no 007 but the premise of this could have easily been in a bond book/movie! Cool plot? Check Beautiful women? Check! Mad villain? Check! Gadgets? Check! Over the top action? That's a big check! So yes this really would sit well in the Bond world but of course Lupin isn't Bond and isn't out to save the world if he can help it, all he wants is treasure and that really is the main focus of this which is what you'd expect given that it's a Lupin film! Anyway i really enjoyed this one in true Lupin style the characters are fun and there's some pretty good comical moments with them all, even the main villian has his own time to shine. I do like the story to as it wasn't predictable and the pace of the film didn't drag either which held my interest, the animation was surprisingly good in places especially the car chase scenes which have a good attention to detail and were quite spectacular on their own. The music is pretty much what you'd expect from a Lupin film, sexy vibes for Fujiko and unerving undertones for the main villian and some quirky tracks for those comedic moments. It's not entirely memorable but it does the job. Something else I'd like to mention here is the focus on Zenigatta, he rarely gets to be in the spotlight so seeing more about him and his lifestyle away from chasing Lupin was actually quite refreshing. All in all I found this one to be a rather enjoyable watch, classic Lupin humour, a good plot along with piles of gun fights, car chases and explosions! Definitely one of the better Lupin films I've seen!   

A short film this time which popped up on Netflix, the title synopsis sounded intriguing so I jumped right in! First thing I have to say about this is that the animation is gob smacking! Right from the get go I was blown away at how realistic the bacgrounds and textures were so close to real life! The animation has a beautiful flow and the sequences and cinematography left me speechless! I have to hand it to the creators as they really have outdone themselves! What's really cool about this is there is no dialogue it's just a slammin soundtrack that pulls you along for one hell of a thrill ride through a story of revenge and a world gone to hell. You'll find a lot of messages that are quite prominent throughout, captitalism, fighting the establishment, power corrupts etc This makes this have a re-watch quality, as it would be easy to pick up on new things and details you'd missed. Now as mentioned this has no dialogue so I would say this is more akin to Interstella 5555 and the popular American animation Heavy Metal, although Heavy Metal is more focussed on the story and character interactions and the huge amount of rock music that pulses through it, also as this has short stories I was thinking that it would be similar to Robot Carnival or the recent Love Death and Robots but no Sound & Fury is similar in the aspect it has episodes but each one blends into the other as it is one massive music video filled to the brim with mesmerizing visuals that would be at home in a Tarantino film, music that wants to make your ears bleed and a story of revenge that's so chaotic and badass it could give Afro Samurai a run for his money! This really is a cool gem to find as being only 41 mins it isn't long and the sheer amount of impact this has makes it well worth the watch! If you love any I've mentioned above then check this out you won't be disappointed!   

Well that was sureal! Cleopatra is set around 3 people who are sent back in time spiritualy to find out how Cleopatra and the Romans behaved in order to use this information to help with their plans for taking over a planet in their time. What can I say about this except I was pleasantly surprised! I wasn't expecting to see so much variety of animation and to be laughing out loud as I thought this was going to be really serious, turns out I was wrong! Anyway lets look at the story, it's really interesting and very chaotic as the film moves from one strength to another but what makes this so entertaining to watch is you actually get invested in the story thinking it will be a serious venture only to discover that quintessentialy this is just one big send up of Rome and the Cleopatra story in itself! Basically this is very similar to that of the British classic Carry On Cleo and other comedy films that are set in a certain time but are filled with parodies and randomness, so after a while it became apparent that this was not sticking to historical facts! The characters are really fun and madcap, the performances are great as well with some pretty amazing one liners and clever gags! What really stood out for me though was the animation, this was way before it's time with rotoscope looking scenes, psychodellic artistic moments and scenes that would look right at home in the 80's! I was also quite shocked to see the main man himself Osamu Tezuka directed and there's certainly moments where you can see his influence along with a lot of nods to other iconic Anime at the time. The music is beautiful, with big pieces that whisk you to Egypt and Rome while others are fun and jaunty for the lighthearted moments, it just fits perfectly with the tone of the film and the scenes. Yes Cleopatra is one of the more weirdest Anime movie experinces I've had but man did I love it! There's so much to enjoy here, the outlandish comedy the fiendish plot the political similarities to even today, the superb animation, the amazing OST, I could go on! Check this one out as it truly is a jewel of the Nile and the Anime world!   

Time to revisit the notorious thief that is Lupin The Third! Missed By A Dollar is a little Lupin gem as I found this to be a throughly enjoyable watch, the story stays grounded and doesn't leap into the crazy escapades that we've come to associate with the red jacket series which I found this to be quite refreshing, a political affair there's a lot to sink your teeth into and enjoy in this one, yes there's still some tongue in cheek comedy and over the top action which is what you'd expect from a Lupin film but the political storyline keeps you interested and doesn't quite go the way you think it might giving this more a surprise factor as it's not predictable. Yes there're a few shocks in this one including one big one that literraly made me go 'hang on what!???' so yes this really is a great story and it has good pacing as well, character development is well done and the scenes between the gang are a joy to watch especially Goemon who as usual is a fish out of water! The animation is well done, once again this has darker tones to it being set in New York which really gives of a different vibe to the whole film, the action was fluid and the backdrops are decent, not too stunning but you have to admire the effort the animators put in especially with the dramatic opening! The music fits well as well with big band numbers and some beautiful soulful pieces sung by Sandy. All in all this is one of the better Lupin films I've seen it's not zany but it isn't boring either definitely one to check out if you're a fan of the sneaky thief!  

Imagination, if fuels are hopes, dreams and wishes, without it the world wouldn't be what it is today, yes without our inququisitive nature we wouldn't be the society we are and that brings me to the delightful endearing Mai Mai Miracle, yes this film is centred around the power of imagination, we follow two young girls from two very different backgrounds in a slice of life filled with adventure and the power of their minds! I have to say I really enjoyed this film it has a Iyashikei effect about it, it's relaxing and delightful to watch and the characters are quite loveable. The story isn't amazing as basically it revolves around the friendship bond of the two girls but it's the characters themselves that make this one stand out, Shinko is a happy go lucky character who just has that easy going nature about her, the acting for her is top notch and you can really feel her energy as she bursts onto the screen and speaks her mind! The great thing about her is she is the polar opposite of Kiiko who is shy and reclusive, more so because of the issues she is going through. What makes this film so heartwarming is how Shinko befriends Kiiko and helps her become more confident by bringing her out of her shell, it really is lovely to watch.  The backgrounds are beautiful with vibrant colors that show of the expansive landscape where the two girls live and the animation is charming, really couldn't fault it, big attention to detail and very smooth as well. The OST fits well mainly relying on piano pieces and vocal aspects to help pull you into the world, it also has a very nice cover of a famous song which is well done and again it goes well with the feel of the film. Overal Mai Mai Miracle may be endearing but that's about it as it just doesn't have enough to put it up with bigger films like Ghibli, yes it has an intersting concept and the scenes with Shinko's imagination are pleasant to watch but this does have it's flaws, namely it's hard to tell if it's real or just fantasy (yes I know what I did there! lol) as the film leans in one direction only to pull you in another which can leave you a bit bewildered. I enjoyed a lot about this but the twists and the added surreal feel at first was easy to understand but as the film progressed it became apparent that we can't say what is what. A great film only let down by a few flaws it's still worth checking out as the relaxing vibe of it is good for an afternoon flick! :D 

If you asked me 'what's City Hunter about?' I'd come back and say watch Bay City Wars, as this encompasses everything that's great about City Hunter, there's the over the top in your face explosive action, the crazy but cool characters, a story that could be in any action thriller and a buddy cop movie feel of hilarious comedy! Yes right from the get go I could see that we would be in for one wild ride in this one! The story focusses on a new state of the art Hotel which is run by a super computer that is also connected to computers all over the world. Naturally as soon as I found out this I knew things were going to turn sour for our pair of heroines Kaori and Miki who were attending the Hotel opening party. Yes annoyingly the story beats are predictable as you can guess what is going to happen and even how it will end but that's not a bad thing! As yes as mentioned the story isn't that original but the character interactions, chaotic gun fights and laugh out loud hilarity will keep your attention. The animation is amped up too, as it became apparent in the 90's that Anime was taking a leap towards having more detail on backgrounds and scenes in general and you can see that here, with some really beautiful backdrops and fast paced action which must have been hell to draw! The OST fits in perfectly as well even the ending theme still gives it that kind of Lethal Weapon feel, as you do feel like you've sat and watched a comedy cop drama! Overal Bay City Wars is everything that is great about City Hunter so if you're you're new and just want to see what's it about well this will certainly pique your interest! If your're familliar with Ryo and his escapdes then there's really nothing new here but don't let that put you off as you'll have a blast watching this and you will appreciate even more just how cool and awesome City Hunter is!  

OK I know I've used this word before but nothing else comes to mind after watching these 3 instalments of Kizumonogatari, the word you ask? Masterpiece! Yes I am in awe of the animators for this as being a fan of the Monogatari series I had no idea just how much they were going to amp it up for the 3 films and my god did they deliver! There's scenes in this that will stay with me for a long time, not just for the shock factor but the sheer impact of animation and cinemotography! You really can tell they poured their heart and soul into every frame! However it's not just the animation that floored me the performances by the VA'S are outstanding especially Hiroshi Kamiya and Maaya Sakamoto who put on stellar performances! I've been waiting for these films for ages and was worried it wouldn't live upto my expectations but it became clear to me that in the first half that this was truly going to be special! Obviously this is a story we've waited to see for a long time as this kicks off the whole Monogatari series and the direction and narrative are just perfect, the pacing is what you'd expect for a Monogatari film with lots of scenes involving character interactions but it's through these that the film comes into it's own as not only do we get to see some spectacular facial animation we also get to be enveloped in the jaw dropping backgrounds! However like the series the movie still packs a punch with some mesmerizing fight scenes that are both dramatic and comedic, of course there's still some fun to be had when Araragi is well Araragi and the scenes with him and Hanekawa and just marvelous to watch! I can't just give credit to the animators and VA'S as the OST is just as amazing with an eclectic mix which will resonate with you. The soulful and melachonic Etolie Et Toi fits beautifuly as an ending theme as a piece that shows the feelings of the characters and will bring a tear to your eye. Overal I'm blown away with how magnificent these films are! The attention to detail in the animation the dramatic voice perfirmances and the sublime OST make these a must watch for any Monogatari fan and if you haven't seen any of this series yet I highly recommend it, as it's one the greatest Anime I've ever seen!  

Back with the main sweeper himself Ryo Saeba! I set my sights on watching City Hunter Million Dollar Conspiracy as my next film for 2019 (which is rapidly coming to an end!). This one feels a lot more different to Bay City Wars, where BCW was more of an action flick this was more of a polictial drama with an abundance of that mokkori City Hunter humour! I really did enjoy this one as Ryo being his usual self is always fun and seeing Kaori's reaction to his behaviour is always good for a laugh! The story itself was actually quite good, a bit predictable but had a few surprises which made it interesting. The animation quality was alright but I think BCW looked much better. Yes it was still well done but BCW had more attention to fine details, in one scene the qulaity dropped so much I thought I was watching an earlier TV episode, however that did not put me off as MDC still has a lot going for it as yes in true City Hunter style it still packs a punch or should I say a bullet!? lol The characters are a joy to watch and the OST harkens back to the TV series with cool 80's vibes! Overal still a good one to watch if you're a fan of Saeba's shenanigans but if you're new you might be wondering why this slick guy with a gun is so obssesed with women's underwear and women in general and to that I say watch City Hunter! XD