Love Stage OVA

Love Stage OVA (2014)

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Ryouma has been traveling for filming for 2 weeks following Izumi's initial declaration at the end of the TV series, so of course when he gets back to Tokyo, he wants some time with Izumi. Izumi lets his nerves get the better of him and ends up insisting on his brother and Rei joining them on their date. Once again, communication is a downfall, though they eventually figure things out. Rei pulls a rather interesting line between guardian, educator, and in some cases, enabler, when it comes to Izumi and his growth.

Tight-Rope

Tight-Rope (2012)

My rating: 2.5 of 5 stars


As an OVA, this is only 2 episodes, so it's very short. It has the feel of a slowly built relationship over time, but also slightly forced as the friends apparently have mixed ideas of how to protect each other, but also can't stand to be apart at the same time. Could have potential, but is still left hanging for how short it is as an OVA.

Yona of the Dawn OVA

Yona of the Dawn OVA (2015)

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

There are currently 3 of these for the series. They mostly focus on the dragon's histories and how they come together, especially the white and yellow dragons, which also shows why Zeno seems so different from the others, as well as why he was so hesitant on revealing his "power" when he met up with Yona's group. Also made a lot more sense how he sort of just gravitated to the group and joined in as soon as they were ready rather than the group having to go hunting for him like the others.

Sekai-Ichi Hatsukoi OVA

Sekai-Ichi Hatsukoi OVA (2014)

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


This is more of a split from than an OVA than what I usual expect. It sets up Onodera and Saga's (later Takano) first meeting and beginnings of their relationship. We also see Yoshino and Hatori after they've been officially dating for a year, leading to a visit home a little jealousy popping up again. Opposite ends of the spectrum it seems.

Kirepapa

Kirepapa (2008)

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Chisato is a bit of an overbearing father in some respects, which leads to him being a major hypocrite in the second OVA. He's happy Rijun accepts his relationship with Shunsuke and wishes his father would as well, but then turns around and throws the exact same fit his own father is over his relationship over Rijun's relationship with Kakeru. There's never any real explanation of how Rijun finds his relationship, though I suppose that isn't as surprising since the show mainly focuses on Chisato. More than a few parallels however, though it seems everyone in Chisato's family is about as protective of Rijun as he is... poor kid.

Ninja Resurrection

Ninja Resurrection (1997)

My rating: 1 of 5 stars


Based on the same source material and a similar style to Ninja Scroll, these are actually not considered part of the series at all. Do not watch this if you have a problem with violence as that's pretty much all this game-based story is about.

Ninja Resurrection takes place in the Tokugawa era, at a time when Christians in Japan were being persecuted. The leader of the Shimabara Rebllion, Amakusa Shiro, hoped to resist the government forces attacking Christians like him but is assassinated. Soon after, Amakusa's restless spirit returns to avenge his fallen comrades and is up to Yagyu Jubei Mitsuyoshi to put a stop to the demonic onslaught.

- source: wikipedia

Weiss Kreuz: Verbrechen & Strafe

Weiss Kreuz: Verbrechen & Strafe (2000)

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


As an OVA, this is only 2 short episodes rather than an entire series. The artwork in these shorts is actually better than the originals, though the short story can make it a little confusing being extremely dark.

In hiding, Aya, Ken, Yoji and Omi work out of a mobile home, using their flower-selling business as a cover. Their location is never specified, but it is possibly in the area of Yokota Air Base or Camp Zama, which are both American military bases near Tokyo. Their first mission involves a target by the name of Colonel Nichol who evidently has his own enemies in a later target for Weiß and a young man named Akira. However, Ken and Omi decide to decline the mission to kill Akira after they hear Akira's (and his younger sister Kaori's) story. They only want revenge on Nichol for killing their parents several years before. Kaori was also a classmate of Omi's and the only surviving member of her group of friends, all supposedly killed by Nichol. Kritiker doesn't take to Ken and Omi's defection, and amends the mission. Yoji and Aya are instructed to target their teammates as well.

- source: wikipedia

Gravitation: Lyrics of Love

Gravitation: Lyrics of Love (2005)

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Very different art and different voice actors make this production a far cry from it's original series. Still, the main pairing are constant and as dramatic as ever. Shuichi is still insecure and childish while being surprisingly popular and successful. Yuki, popular and highly awarded romance author, finally agrees to write a song, but it's not for his boyfriend Shuichi, it's for his rival band Nittle Grasper... or so Shuichi thinks. Shuichi finally tries to console himself with the idea that Ryuichi, lead singer of Nittle Grasper, is his friend and idol, so it's good for him to have a good song by Yuki. Little does he know that the song is for both of them, and the lyrics are about none other than Shuichi Shindou himself. Despite knowing that Yuki is a romance author, you never really see an romantic side of him aside from maybe the day at the park in the original series, and now this ultimate version that fits Shuichi to a T - his very own song.

Fushigi Yugi OVA

Fushigi Yugi OVA (2001)

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


This short piece is a mix of side story taking place after the original series and funny clips where the characters do random ad-lib. While it's nice to have more of the series and see Miaka getting closer to Taka/Tamahome, it also is rather repetitive and not as detailed as the original series. There is a lot of back story about Chichiri though that would otherwise be missing, and that is interesting.

Tsubasa: The Princess in the Birdcage Kingdom

Tsubasa: The Princess in the Birdcage Kingdom (2005)

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Despite being a movie, this feels more like just a longer episode from the TV series. The art differs slightly, but is overall consistent with the characters feel and creation as it's been through the rest of the production. The Birdcage Kingdom is as strange as any other place that they end up, being an odd melding of different worlds and characters as they often run across faces they already know in different personas across the worlds. Despite growing in confidence in the other OVAs, Sakura plays a very minor background role in this film despite the fact that it's still her feather that is at the core of yet another mess. This series has no shortage of twists and turns, so it's best to pay attention if you don't want to end up rather confused.

Tsubasa: Tokyo Revelation / Spring Thunder Chronicle

Tsubasa: Tokyo Revelations / Spring Thunder Chronicles (2005)

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


These two come together on a single disc as an OVA for the popular Clamp series. A couple of twists bring out the second Syaoran change both him and Fai irrevocably, and bring out another side of Sakura that we haven't seen before. Though short, these two pieces give a lot of answers that appeared to be missing in the earlier series. Overall these fit well and don't seem to leave as many holes in the story line as many other OVAs seem to do.

Mirage of Blaze: Rebels of the River Edge

Mirage of Blaze: Rebels of the River Edge (2005)

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


This OVA is a little on the confusing side. Takaya is obviously more in touch with his earlier identity as Kagetora, evidence by the glowing tiger eyes when he gives orders. He is also obviously more capable of controlling and using his powers in different ways. On the other hand, he appears to be the same grade in school with his friends, same age, and same rebellious attitude as from the original series. So time has passed enough that he's connected with his past and learned to control his powers while accepting his position as Kegetora, yet no time has passed in relation to his school or physical appearance. Naoe is still a sore spot as he's gone AWOL in the beginning of the series and happens across Takaya's path by chance, resulting in yet another confusing reunion and more glimpses of their past together. These two just can't seem to get things straight.

Ninku / Yu Yu Hakusho

Ninku / Yu Yu Hakusho (2001)

My rating: 2 for 5 stars


This film is actually a collection of two shorter features rather than one full length film. The first flick features the cast from Yu Yu Hakusho on a brief adventure as a result of some misguided revenge plot from Spirit World Kindergarten. The artwork is not very detailed, the voices are very different than the rest of the series, and the story leaves you wondering at the end.

The second feature is from Ninku, focusing on a traveling group of surviving secret ninjas. With the same voices as from the Yu Yu Hakusho flick, it is somewhat confusing when it starts. This piece focuses on the group trying to earn money for food and gasoline when they come across a traveling circus troop posing to be exactly who they are - Ninku fighters. There's some good messages mixed in with the story, though they feel somewhat lost as there is no conclusion or real direction in the film. Perhaps the price of the pieces being so short to begin with.

Vampire Princess Miyu OVA

Vampire Princess Miyu OVA (1988)

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


An older anime, this is still well made and highly entertaining, even more than some of the more recent additions to the genre. Miyu and Larva are old favorites, so getting more of Miyu's childhood and how Larva became her companion are big draws. This small set also hints a lot more to Miyu's possible futures than the full TV series does. Larva cannot speak in this set save for one brief exchange with another shinma while he is sealed, yet he is still as expressive as ever with his loyalty to Miyu and constant companionship. It's no wonder these two are so popular as a continued pair in the fandom.