Psycho-Pass

Set in the year 2113, a crime-free, peaceful society is maintained through a rigorous assessment of a person's Psycho-Pass. The psycho-pass indicates the individual's mental state, making it easier to distinguish which ones have a high crime coefficient (probability of committing crimes), separating those subject for therapy or elimination. These deviants are pursued by an elite crime investigation unit, the Unit One of the Public Safety that uses Enforcers. These enforcers are people with high crime coefficients and are called latent criminals. They are managed by an Inspector, an individual with a normal psycho-pass. The psycho-pass is monitored by the Sibyl System, a mysterious machine no one knows about.

The series begins with a scene of two men about to commence fighting. The next episodes show what led to that confrontation. Viewers are introduced to a brilliant young woman, Tsunemori Akane, a new inspector. The other inspector Ginoza Nobuchika explains to her her role as a guide for the enforcers whom he describes as animals. These inspectors have their own specialty and were hired because they were needed to think like criminals, making it easier to predict, track, and apprehend/destroy them. Notable among the enforcers is the former inspector Kogami Shinya; the other members are Masaoka Tomomi, Kagari Shusei, Kunizuka Yayoi, Karanomori Shion. They use a specialized gun called the Dominator which automatically monitors the person's psycho-pass by sending the data to the Sybil system.  However, it can only be used to fire on people who are mentally unstable. 

During the course of their investigations, Kogami noticed that the criminals seemed to have had help from someone else. Later he was convinced that everything was orchestrated by one man; a man he had long sought but could never identify. Unit One is about to meet its most challenging enemy, a man whose psycho-pass remains normal even when committing a crime, thus making it impossible to use the Dominators.

It is established right away that the society is too dependent on machines. People no longer contemplate about what makes them happy because something provides it for them. Their foremost priority is to maintain their psycho-pass and no longer the values on which a crime-free society was founded. However, so many questions come to mind. What constitutes a stable mental state if Unit One is pursuing an enemy whose psycho-pass is normal? What is the criteria used to measure that mental state? What is the Sybil system? There are also situations when a victim's psycho-pass becomes unstable. Does this mean that strong emotions like frustration and helplessness can conclusively make a person a possible criminal?

In the later part of the series, the feeling of being just a pawn in a bigger puzzle is stronger. Unit One realized that their enemy probably isn't just the guy behind the orchestrated crimes, but also the system. The guy's actions are intended to question the system that is maintaining peace and passing judgement on people --- the Sybil system. What's more, most people do not understand what it feels to become victims of crimes because they have no idea what hurting other people is like. Their mysterious enemy probably thinks that a crime-free society is not possible unless its opposite is understood.

I got hooked on the first episode right away. It's one of those series that's mentally stimulating and emotionally disturbing. The characters are memorable and easy to like, plus a strong antagonist is also a bonus. The antagonist isn't just mentally gifted but also physically strong. There are plenty of action scenes as well.  For the most part of the series, the inspectors and enforcers have to deal with criminals connected to the guy Kogami has been searching, while the the last part promises a more exciting season two.

Rating: 10 out of 10

Souten Kouro

A slightly different Sou Sou (Cao Cao) comes to life in Souten Kouro. Based mostly on the Records of Three Kingdoms by Chen Shou and slightly on Romance of the Three Kingdoms by Luo Guanzhong, the series is an ambitious portrayal of the most brilliant man in the chaos of the Three Kingdoms era in China.

Cao Cao, foster son of Cao Teng, is an ambitious young man with the brains and prowess to back it up. His ideas are far ahead of his time and he never fails to astound everyone even his closest friends and relatives. Merciless, smart, and witty, not only did he distinguish himself in the field of battle but in governance and literature as well. The ladies loved him of course and his friends adored him. Consequently, he makes enemies along the way but nothing seems to faze him, even the glory of the emperor.

This 26-episode series is fast-paced and covers barely half of what Cao Cao accomplished in his lifetime. It begins with a background of his childhood, his first experience in falling in love, and his rise to becoming one of the feared men China. His last fight in the series is with Lu Bu's (Ryo Fu) army.

Some people hate him for his overconfidence but he always wins in the end; not only because he is resourceful but because he has loyal followers. Despite Cao Cao's gifts as an administrator and leader, he has a weakness for women. Some strategists also find him difficult and dangerous. This serves as a balance to a seemingly invincible character. 

Viewers already familiar with the story will not drown in the information provided by a narrator and will certainly enjoy seeing familiar names when they are introduced for the first time in the series. The battle scenes did not disappoint. This is one of the few series that showed large scale fights, particularly siege battles. One on one fights may be exaggerated but I appreciate how it doesn't sugarcoat these life and death situations unlike the other adaptations of this historical event. The numerous supporting cast didn't take the spotlight from the lead character, a tendency I have noticed in most adaptations of the Three Kingdoms. The pace was okay in the first half of the series but in the last half Cao Cao's screen time lessened because of all the information that needed to be shown. Nevertheless, I think the story was executed well.

Before I started watching the series I was apprehensive about how they're going to take on an elaborate story with so many interesting characters and numerous battles. Newbies to the Three Kingdoms craze will certainly drown in all the information given at once even with the help of a narrator. The fans of Wei in particular will appreciate the spotlight long deserving of Cao Cao who is mostly portrayed as a villain. This 26-episode series is awfully short; ending in an epic standout with Lu Bu. Souten Kouro is bloody (literally) awesome.

Rating: 9 out of 10

Durarara!!

A short series (24 episodes and 2 specials) with a plethora of characters each with their own interesting story to tell would seem too ambitious. Durarara!! not only surpasses that expectation but it is probably one of the best series in its genre.

Ryugamine Mikado decides to attend high school in Ikebukuro with the idea that he wants to experience more things. He meets his long-time friend Kida Masaomi, a lively young man who introduces him to several people and shows him amazing things including a headless rider, later revealed to be a Dullahan named Celty. Masaomi seems to be friends with everyone including the weird sort like Simon Brezhnev, Heiwajima Shizuo, and a suspicious guy named Orihara Izaya. Mikado and Masaomi later become friends with Sonohara Anri, a tough, mysterious girl.

Masaomi, Anri, and Mikado

Meanwhile, a group called Dollars is making a name for itself. There are rumors however that this gang is nonexistent even though some people claim there are a lot of members. Another gang, Yellow Scarves, comes into the picture when it openly challenges the Dollars. What's more, an individual dubbed Slasher is attacking several people and making a confusion of things, with rumors about its affiliation with Dollars.

Izaya and Shizuo

The series at first seems just an ordinary hodgepodge of stories of different people but everything comes together eventually because of three people; Mikao, Masaomi, and Anri. Each story is a mix of humor, action, and drama. The pace is slow at first as each important character is introduced, eventually picking up with the appearance of individuals who are intent to stir trouble for the rest. Admittedly it was hard to get into the series in the first few episodes but the characters were a good enough reason to keep watching. The characters are distinct and memorable although it wasn't easy at first to pinpoint which characters have huge roles to play later on as most of them seem to be less relevant with each episode.  That aside Durarara!! is certainly one of the best series I've watched.

Shinra and Celty

Rating: 9 out of 10

Vampire Knight Guilty

The second season of Vampire Knight reveals more information about the protagonists Yuki, Zero, and Kaname. Kaname in particular has more background and plays a more important role in Yuki's life than in the first season. A bigger conspiracy is revealed and new characters are introduced. The Hunter's Association is after Zero's life; Kaname is going after powerful vampires to obtain power; a mysterious girl joins the Night Class; and Yuki's waking nightmares are becoming frequent.

The series is filled with anticipation, as if anytime something remarkable is about to happen. It didn't disappoint in the seventh episode when the growing tension finally reached its peak. Like the previous season, the overall mood is maintained. The fight scenes haven't improved however even with the appearance of the vampire hunters. As for their love story, some would probably think the final episode is heartbreaking but I think the clues just made it all the more confusing and is therefore unresolved. Vampire Knight Guilty is much better than the previous episode by introducing more characters to add more depth to the stories of Zero, Yuki, and Kaname. It doesn't change the fact however that the series is nothing more than a woman's fantasy about two good-looking guys fighting over her.

Rating: 6 out of 10

The hunters

Zero, Kaname and Yuki

Vampire Knight

Cross Yuki and Kiryu Zero are the adoptive children of the legendary ex-vampire hunter Cross Kaien. Kaien owns the Cross Academy. The school aims to maintain good relationships between the vampires and humans. The classes are divided into two; day class for humans and night class for vampires. Yuki and Zero help maintain this setup as guardians who make sure of the humans' protection. Early on Zero has a strange relationship with Yuki. He cares a lot about her yet he also despises her presence sometimes. Yuki on the other hand has always been tending to Zero's needs. Not related by blood to Zero, Yuki was rescued ten years ago from vampires by a pure-blood named Kuran Kaname who happens to be the leader of the night class. She could not remember anything before her rescue. Moreover, Yuki has never denied she is smitten with Kaname which Zero disapproves. Zero was also rescued from vampires when his family was attacked. It seems something else happened that night that has been bothering him ever since.

The Night Class with Yuki and Zero (in the middle with different uniforms)

Season one of this series introduces the characters, particularly highlighting Zero and Yuki's relationship. Yuki's love interest Kaname is portrayed as a mysterious guy with motives towards her. Whatever these were are not revealed yet in the 13 episodes. It has been clear from the start that Zero likes Yuki and he sees Kaname as a rival. It seems he has a chance though because Yuki cares a lot about him. However Zero and Yuki's relationship is strained further by the former's distancing from her and his hatred of Kaname. It is further complicated by several strange physical pains and transformation he is experiencing. Yuki doesn't know about this but Kaname does.

Among the three protagonists, Zero is the most well-rounded in this part of the series. His past and current circumstances are explored more fully than the other two. It is therefore much easier to sympathize or like him than the others. Although the story is told mostly from Yuki's perspective, her impact is less than that of Zero's. She seems to be liked by everyone yet has little to show for the qualities that makes her likeable except when she's with her foster brother. At the outset there is already a hint of incest in their strange relationship. They may be not related by blood but still the idea is there. The overall mood is dark and filled with expectation as if something will happen anytime. This is one of the few things I liked about the series. At first I thought it would be more relaxed because of its setting, but it was the opposite. However, like most recent vampire-themed series/movies/books, the vampires are romanticized and portrayed as beautiful, extraordinary god-like creatures. Yuki's obsession of Kaname only furthers that image. Viewers who are into the forbidden romance with vampires story will probably enjoy this. Those looking for plenty of action will be disappointed though. The series has a few good points as mentioned above but the direction of the story is predictable.

Rating: 7 out of 10