Full Metal Alchemist

Japanese Title: Hagane no Renkin Jetsushi
Episodes: 51
Rating: PG
Release Studio: Funimation Productions
Release Year: 2004
Main Voice Actors:

Edward Elric ~ Vic Mignogna
Alphonse Elric ~ Aaron Dismuke
Winry Rockbell ~ Caitlin Glass
Scar ~ Dameon Clarke
Roy Mustang ~ Travis Willingham
Liza Hawkeye ~ Colleen Clinkenbeard
Jean Havoc ~ Mike McFarland
Alex Louis Armstrong ~ Christopher Sabat
Maes Hughes ~ Sonny Strait
Fuhrer King Bradley ~ Ed Blaylock
Lust ~ Laura Bailey
Envy ~ Wenny Powell
Gluttony ~ Chris Cason
Greed ~ Chris Patton

When two young boys lose their mother, they are willing to do anything to bring her back.... even if it is forbidden. Ed and Alphonse Elric attempt at bringing her back with alchemy, through equivilant exchange. But something goes wrong. Alphonse is taken before Ed's eyes and he loses one of his arms. Sacrificing his leg, Ed manages to transmute Al's soul into a suit of armor. Ed gets automail to replace his arm and his leg and the two boys set off on a journey to restore their bodies.

FMA is quite popular. If you'll watch it, then you'll realize why. FMA is funny, suspenseful, and breathtaking all at the same time. There are episodes that focus on humor or action alone so theme can vary per episode. Even if the trailer doesn't look appealing, watch this anyway. I wasn't interested in the trailer and I watched it. Now I'm hooked.

Personally, I like Vic Mignogna as Edward Elric but others comment on that Ed sounds too old and they prefer the Japanese VAs. I haven't heard the Japanese actors so I'm not going to comment on that. The English voices are fine. Even one of my favorites, Greg Ayres, appeared for a few episodes as a chimera so I was happy for that. Chris Patton played Greed perfectly and after hearing Laura Bailey as Tohru Honda (Fruits Basket), I never thought she'd be the one playing Lust. As a note, people complain on Envy's voice. From what I can understand, Envy is supposed to be male. In the English, Envy's voice is clearly female... Sex change, anyone?

FMA can really toss you around emotionally. Some scenes can really funny yet the next moment you are shocked in horror. For some reason, quite a few scenes I found shocking. I thought exactly the opposite of what was going to happen... Not a bad thing, it just everything keeps me guessing.

I love the story and art. This is a soon-to-be classic. Pick FMA up, no questions asked.

UltraManiac

Original Author: Wataru Yoshizumi
Japanese Title: UltraManiac
Episodes: 26
Rating: 7+
Release Studio: Geneon Animation
Release Year: 2005
Main Voice Actors:

Ayu Tateishi ~ Jennifer Sekiguchi
Nina Sakura ~ Carrie Savage
Tetsushi Kaji ~ Tony Oliver
Hiroki Tsujiai ~ Jimmy Benedict
Principal ~ Jimmy Benedict
Yuta Kirishima ~ JimTaggert
Nina's Grandfather ~ Michael McConnohie
Jun Kawanakajima ~ Doug Erholtz
Satomi ~ Sandy Mooney
Akihio ~ Lorelei Hill Butters
Tomoko ~ Lorelei Hill Butters
Mr. Mikami ~ Grant George
Ms. Tamura ~ Lorelei Hill Butters
Magic PC ~ Lorelei Hill Butters

Ayu is the coolest girl at Shuei Junior High. The coolest boy is Tetsushi, whom Ayu has a crush on. But then there's Nina who although looks normal, is actually a witch from a different dimension. She transfered to Shuei Junior High because she couldn't pass the magic classes. Now she's casting all sorts of wacky spells on her friend Ayu to help her with Junior High. The results aren't always what she wants. Maybe she should have studying harder...

Yes, you guessed it! This is a shojo, males beware. Girls are welcome. A friend of mine lent the first four episodes to me so I managed to check it out. The story isn't really my cup of tea, but I enjoyed it all the same. It's entertaining although I'd take Saiyuki or InuYasha anyday. One thing that annoyed me throughout the episodes was the fact whenever Nina has to cast a spell, they have to do that transforming scene. It gets old really fast and made me think of Yu-Gi-Oh. Mind you, that's not a good thing. And Nina always says "Practice!" whenever she casts a spell. The English Voice Actors are alright although there's room for improvement. When Ayu was a boy, the way he/she laughed and always did so also annoyed me. I was surprised at Nina's voice; when I read the sampler manga, Savage's voice and the one I thought of for her were the same. So that's a plus. The same for Ayu. Tetsushi's, Tsujiai's, and Yuta's voices were pretty good as well. No one else really impressed me though. Then again, when it comes to English Voice Actors I've always prefered ADV Films, Funimation, or Viz. *Sigh* No Greg Ayres, Vic Mignogna, David Matranga, Braden Hunt, Illich Guardiola, Jerry Jewell, Laura Bailey, Kevin Corn, Chris Patton, David Kaye, you get the idea. Anyway, UltraManiac is pretty girly and happy and pretty childish if I may add. No cute girls in mini-skirts or sailor fukus. I guess if you want something to give your little sister or daughter this would be something they would like. Humor can be found throughout. Oh, and I really enjoyed the ending song.

Practice!

Kodocha

Creator: Miho Obana
Japanese Title: Kodomo no Omocha
Episodes: 100+
Rating: PG
Release Studio: Funimation Entertainment
Release Year: ?
Main Voice Actors:

Sana Kurata ~ Laura Bailey
Akito Hayama ~ Jerry Jewell
Tsuyoshi Ohki ~ Greg Ayres
Rei Sagami ~ John Burgmeier
Misako Kurata ~ Colleen Clinkenbeard
Babbit ~ Chris Cason
Natsumi Hayama ~ Caitlin Glass
Grandpa Kurata ~ Mike Stoddard

Kodocha is the story of child actress, Sana Kurata. She stars in the television series, "Child's Toy which appears every afternoon. Life must be great with the fans and the fame, right? Not for Sana. Things might look well but Akito Hayama, a classmate, and his band of goons are always wreaking havoc in the classroom. Will Sana discover Akito's weakness or will she learn the consequences for good?

First let me dedicate three words to Kodocha: Weirdest. Anime. Ever. Now don't assume weird is bad. I like this show it's just really weird. For example, watch the Opening and Ending animations. If my life was an anime, I would've had the biggest sweat drop you can imagine on the back of my head. The Voice Actings good, the story is interesting, and Sana is just odd. She raps in the first four episodes and her relationship with Rei, her bodyguard/agent, I don't want to know. The voice acting is great and always a plus is Greg Ayres. Although the rapping is weird, I have to hand it to Laura Bailey. I have no idea how she could do it for four episodes straight (and possibly even more). And let's not forget Jerry Jewell. He is quite the Akito Hayama. At first when I heard he was Akito, I thought it'd be weird but boy does he do a good job. Oh yeah, and one question why is Babbit (flying rabbit/bat thing) there? He's pretty random. I thought Sana would do expaining, not Babbit. And another weird thing what is up with Sana's mom and her hats?! Let alone that a squirrel lives on her head. One complaint, after the first four episodes the main problem is solved so I have no idea how it continues for more than 100 episodes. Not really bad but I'd thought I'd note that. If you like randomness, weird things (or are a weirdo yourself), or can't keep the same thought for ten seconds pick this one up.