Snow White With the Red Hair

Snow White With the Red Hair (2015)

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I kept hearing about this series but hadn't gotten around to watching or reading it yet. A few sleepless nights thanks to bad health and needing some easy entertainment solved that problem and sucked me right into the story so I had to keep watching. Shirayuki and Zen are obviously adorable and drawn to each other right from the start, even if it may take a while for either of them to admit to anything. The rest of their friends are equally adorable and have an interesting mix of being supporting characters, and in the boy's cases, coming across as maybe being interested in Shirayuki themselves (though none of them seem willing to act on it as they all fully support Zen). The only downside is we don't really see the end of the story in the anime, just the confirmation that they're on the same path and everyone seems happy with how things are playing out at least for the moment. It would seem we'll have to turn to the manga to find anything past season 2 and hope for the actual ending that everyone seems set on in the story.

No. 6

No. 6 (2011)

My rating: 1 of 5 stars


The story has potential to start off with, but the characters are very inconsistent, making it fall short in the end. 

In a city known as No.6, an elite student named Shion saves a young boy called Rat, who happens to be an escapee from the local prison. After being reunited with Rat years later, the two begin to uncover the dirty secrets of the 'ideal city' No.6 while discovering more about themselves and their love for each other along the way. - IMDB

Really though, it's hard to tell if Shion actually loves Rat or is more attached to Safu, who it seems to be assumed he'll end up with through most of his life. Safu and Rat both have their own unique ties to Shion in turn, making it a rather awkward triangle as Shion learns some harsh truths about the real world. 

Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood

Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood (2009)

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


The first time I started watching this, it felt too much like a rerun of the original series and I just couldn't get into it. This time I stuck with it, and while a lot of similarities are still present, I also found a lot of changes as it got further along. Not sure that I completely understand why they re-launched the series other than trying to keep bringing in more capital and adding in newer details from the manga that previously got cut out as the series was ended, so it that sense it still miffs me a bit. Ignoring that though, it is still very familiar and enjoyable, so it's worth watching if you really like the series.

Ouran High School Host Club

Ouran High School Host Club (2006)

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This series is often a little off the wall and wacky, but it's very light on the material and usually has something that draws a laugh out of you in each episode. Overall great when you want something lighter or funnier than most current releases. It's one of our "feel good" series we turn to. Especially as the anime is very short - only 4 discs for the entire series. You'd have to go to the manga if you want more details than that on the characters.

Scrapped Princess

Scrapped Princess (2003)

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


First found a disc for this series in a clearance bin, and it all snowballed from there. Some amusement as to sharing a name with one of the main characters - first time that's ever happened as my name isn't as common. Despite the fear and chaos predominant in the series, the ending has some rather surprising twists that make it rather amusing and overall enjoyable.

Fullmetal Alchemist

Fullmetal Alchemist (2003)

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


The Elric brothers are unique for several reasons. Sons of the highly academic Hoenheim, they are geniuses when it comes to alchemy. Despite some rather childish mistakes that cost the boys dearly, they have some very good friends who care about them deeply. With automail from the Rockbells, training from their Master, and a determination that few can rival, they set out on what ends up being a rather crazy adventure to earn back what they lost. Most of the episodes are more amusing , though overall the story can be very dramatic and can't help but make you feel for the boys. The end of the series leaves fans rather wanting in conclusion though, which thankfully the movie mostly resolves. If you want to know just what happens at the end, definitely check out Fullmetal  Alchemist: Conqueror of Shambala.

After losing their mother, Alphonse and Edward Elric attempt to bring her back using the forbidden science of human alchemy. However, alchemy operates on the theory of equivalent trade, and breaking the human alchemy taboo carries a heavy price. Ed loses his leg, and Al loses his body. Ed is able to seal Al's soul inside of a huge suit of armor, at the cost of his arm. Years later, Ed (now with two mechanical limbs) and Al (still trapped in the armor) leave their childhood home, each brother concerned with the other's happiness. Ed, who has a natural talent and skill for alchemy, becomes nationally certified and is soon known everywhere as the "Fullmetal Alchemist." Their true objective is to search for any information on the fabled Philosopher's Stone, hoping it will allow them to regain their old bodies. All of their hopes rest with this mythical stone, which may not even exist at all. However, the brothers soon learn that they are not the only ones after the powerful stone.

- source: listal