Holding Out For A Hero Part 4: Prefectural Earth Defense Force

Sometimes a good idea from a popular movie or TV series turns out to have originated from an older, lesser known title.  If you've seen the popular and hilarious comedy Excel Saga, you may be surprised to learn that ACROSS's conquest plans were originally used by a more rural secret society in:

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A Man's Job Part 4: Grrl Power

One of the most used professions in anime apart from "guy who beats things up" is the job of a general contractor.  The type of person who will take on any job for a fee.  There are an ever increasing number including Sket Dance, Getbackers, Fairy Tail, Cowboy Bebop, and Desert Punk to name just a few.  Some specialize in certain professional areas, others cross some of the popular genres such as school, super hero, fantasy, space opera and post-apocalyptic.  We'll look at an adorable example of the jack-of-all-trades anime trope with:

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A Man's Job Part 3: Phantom the Animation

Assassins come from both genders, usually with distinct styles for men and women.  The ladies are more often the seductress, subterfuge style assassins while men typically use more brute force.  This week we'll see how two young kids handle the same job as one of the biggest, baddest men of anime in:

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What Is It Good For? Part 1: Venus Wars

War is a popular theme for stories in all mediums.  When I began collecting used anime, I was surprised at the horrendous movies that were titled like a mad lib reading "_____ Wars"  I made it my personal mission to collect every anime movie or OVA with this titular scheme. This wasn't too hard, there were only 4, all of which you'll see this month.  I didn't care as much about TV series such as Sakura Wars.  The true junk and gems are usually produced in more limited time run.  We'll start off with a tale of interplanetary strife:

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Pet Project Part 4: Puss 'n Boots

Countries and cultures are always borrowing stories from each other.  Disney took Mulan from China and Toei took this delightful title from the West.  Enjoy the rambunctious feline action in:

Puss 'n Boots

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Pet Project Part 3: Mr. Stain On Junk Alley

I usually review titles at least ten years old.  I'm breaking that rule this week for the sake of a title from 2003 I don't think has gotten nearly enough attention.  This week we'll be looking at a bum and his cat in:

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For Your Private Eyes Only Part 4: Sukeban Deka

A high school girl is forced to take on the over-privileged and corrupt armed with nothing but a yo-yo and mother issues.  Enjoy the surprisingly popular detective action in:

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For Your Private Eyes Only Part 3: Domain of Murder

A deadbeat dad tries to make things right in the worst way possible.  A private detective has to figure out his motivations and stop a crazy man in our next thrilling installment for May.  Enjoy the good old fashioned gumshoe detectiving in:

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Smackdown Toons Part 3: Ayane's High Kick

 This is the most realistic of the titles reviewed this month.  It is also the title you can win with this month's contest:

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Smackdown Toons Part 2: Grapppler Baki The Ultimate Fighter

Let's give the women a rest this week and let the manly men fight for dominance.  A young boy seeks to learn all the world's martial arts through book learnin' and good ol' fashioned brawlin' in:

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Out Like a Ninja Part 2: The Puppet Princess

I know several people who are scared of dolls and puppets.  Never understood this fear myself, I assume the idea is that tiny, little, people-shaped objects would be easier for ghosts to possess.  Or that their little, soulless eyes are watching you.  On that note I present to you deadly ninja puppets.

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Odder Couple Part 3: Tattoon Master

My feelings about this title are complicated.  A true love/hate relationship.  Mystical powers and a teenage badass with a heart of gold come together to form:

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Odder Couples Part 1: Outlanders

In honor of Valentines Day or, if you prefer, Singles Awareness Day, February will be spent celebrating some of the bizarre couples in anime.  We'll start off with a fun, older title:

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Bad Idea Train Part 2: Green Legend Ran

Time for the second installment featuring characters making terrible choices.  This is another title that came to mind when I chose this topic.  Without further ado, I present to you:

Green Legend Ran

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Bad Idea Train Part 1: Birth

Every now and then while watching some random anime the characters make an incredibly stupid decision.  Some of these decisions are used for dramatic effect, such as the clichéd/classic move of walking into a known trap.  This month is dedicated to anime that contain a moment in which one or more characters make an incredibly moronic decision that makes absolutely no sense to the viewer.  I chose this theme because I wanted to share one OVA in particular.

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