Rohil Reviews 2000s Anime: Afro Samurai

Afro Samurai (2007) is Gonzo’s 5-episode miniseries anime adaption of the Nou Nou Hau serialized manga of the same name by Takashi Okazaki. Directed by Fuminori Kizaki. Afro Samurai is a tightly mixed production, comprised of cyberpunk neo-feudal settings, emotionally enrapturing sounds of soul and hip-hop, and tonal influences from blaxploitation media.  The series centers on two […]

Rohil Reviews 2000s Anime: Negima! Magister Negi Magi

Negima is Xebec’s 2005 anime adaptation of Ken Akamatsu’s fantasy manga, Negima! Magister Negi Magi. The 22-episode run follows recent mage-graduate, Negi Springfield, as he attempts to live up to his father’s name by becoming a Magister Magi, which essentially means you’re goated in the wizarding world.  He’s also 10-years-old and is teaching English to Mahora Academy’s […]

Rohil Reviews 2000s Anime: Black Lagoon

Black Lagoon All Ages of Geek

Black Lagoon is Studio Madhouse’s 2006 high-octane crime and action release, written and directed by Sunao Katabuchi. The 33-episode run, split into two seasons, the latter subtitled “Second Barrage” — centers on the misadventures of a rag-tag pirate organization, “The Lagoon Company.”  The Lagoon Company is comprised of; reformed white-collar worker Rock, who is at […]

Rohil Reviews 2000s Anime: Gantz

Gantz All Ages of Geek

Gantz is Studio Gonzo’s 2004 sci-fi, cosmic horror-fueled action spectacle. Adapted from Hiroya Oku’s manga, Gantz is directed by Ichiro Itano and written by Masashi Sogo. The 26-episode run follows teenagers Kei Kurono and Masaru Kato, who are mangled and dismembered attempting to save a stranger from an oncoming train.  The two wake up in […]

Rohil Reviews 2000s Anime: Paranoia Agent

Paranoia Agent All Ages of Geek

Paranoia Agent is Studio Madhouse’s 2004 psychological thriller and character drama helmed by revolutionary anime director Satoshi Kon. The 13-episode run initially follows Tsukiko Sagi, an anxiety-ridden character designer responsible for the mascot Maromi — a pink doggo with a disproportionately large head. A totally adorbs, yet undeniably tragic cranium situation.  As pressure builds on […]

Rohil Reviews 2000s Anime: Hellsing

Hellsing All Ages of Geek

Hellsing is the 2001 action-horror release from Studio Gonzo. Directed by Umanosuke Iida and written by Chiaki J. Konaka. The 13 episode run follows the Hellsing Organization in The United Kingdom; they’re like a pest-extermination service but for ghouls and other demonic entities. The Hellsing Organization is investigating the manufacturing and distribution of a microchip […]

Rohil Reviews 2000s Anime: Elfen Lied

Elfen Lied All Ages of Geek

Elfen Lied (2004) is the gruesome sci-fi anime release from Arms/Studio Guts, directed by Mamoru Kanbe. The 13 episode run follows Kouta and his cousin Yuka as they attempt to harbor Lucy, a newly evolved off-shoot of humanity known as “Diclonius,” and fugitive of some obscure Japanese government program.  My first time seeing this show […]

Rohil Reviews 2000s Anime: Tenjou Tenge

Tenjou Tenge All Ages of Geek

Tenjou Tenge (天上天下, Tenjō Tenge, lit. “The Heaven and The Earth”), is studio Madhouse’s cut-throat 2004 anime release. The 24-episode run centers around the Juken Club students at Toudou Academy, a high school founded on the integration of martial arts into the daily curriculum — and I say “martial arts” in the loosest way possible […]