Anime Reviews
"H"



"Hajime no Ippo"
Review by Zachary Tom
Hajime no Ippo (The First Step) focuses on a young boxer, Makunouchi Ippo. Makunouchi Ippo is an ordinary high school student in Japan. He spends most of his time outside of school helping his mother run the family's fishing business, he doesn't get to enjoy his younger years like most teenagers. Ippo always a target for bullying at school (the family fishing business grants him a distinct odor), Ippo's life is one of hardship. One of these after-school bullying sessions turns Ippo's life around for the better, as he is saved by a boxer named Mamoru Takamura. He decides to follow in Takamura's footsteps to become a Boxer, giving his life direction and purpose. Ippo's path to perfecting his boxing prowess is just beginning ... (The U.S. Release is titled "Fighting Spirit")

His and Her Circumstance
(see Kareshi Kanojo no Jijou)
Honey & Clover
Review by Kell Komatsubara
I feel this show, will become one of the classic animes depicting "typical?" (oh well, maybe not) college life. Honey and Clover revolves around freinds at a boarding house, with all different ages of students in there. Also, there are men AND WOMEN in the boarding house as well. People falling in love, hating each other, or just being friends and helping each other in times of need are part of the college experience and is depicted well here. Umino Chika's manga HONEY AND CLOVER, is still going on strong in Japan, so we'll have a lot of this show to enjoy in the very near future.