DVDpedia : Anime : Title : G

Theatrical: 2004

Studio: Geneon [Pioneer]

Genre: Anime / Drama

Summary: As the Count gradually makes his introductions to all of the most prominent families in Paris, betrayal, deception and intrigue disrupt the world that Albert has always known. Three of the most illustrious men, including Albert's own father, harbor a secret so terrible that exposure would irrevocably ruin their lives. With the arrival of a funeral notice bearing the forbidden name of Edmond Dantes, that secret threatens to come to the surface and all of the aristocracy teeters on the brink of disaster.

Theatrical: 1982

Studio:

Genre: Anime

Duration: 60

Summary:

Theatrical: 1998

Studio:

Genre: Anime / Action

Duration: 73

Summary:

Theatrical: 1995

Studio: SPV

Genre: Anime / Sci-Fi / Action

Duration: 82

Summary: A female cyborg cop and her partner hunt a mysterious and powerful hacker called the Puppet Master.

Theatrical: 2004

Studio: Umvd/Dreamworks

Genre: Anime / Sci-Fi / Action

Duration: 99

Summary: Mamoru Oshii's landmark Ghost in the Shell (1995) largely defined the cyberpunk genre and influenced the Matrix films in the U.S. The long-awaited sequel continues the adventures of Batou, Major Kusanagi's former assistant, who was left behind when she disappeared into the cyber-realm of the Net. With his new human partner, Togusa, Batou investigates a series of bloody murders involving gynoids, robots with sexual functions. The case leads them to the headquarters of the Locus Solus company, where Batou uncovers the evil secret behind the creation of the gynoids. Innocence includes some staggeringly beautiful CG images, especially a parade depicting characters from Chinese mythology. Oshii contrasts this glittering beauty with a Blade Runner-esque dystopia. But even his skill as a director can't disguise the fact that the underdeveloped story and flat characters are far less interesting than the opulent visuals. (Rated PG-13: graphic violence, violence against women, brief nudity, profanity, alcohol and tobacco use.) --Charles Solomon

Theatrical: 2007

Studio: Manga Video

Genre: Anime / Sci-Fi / Action

Duration: 109

Summary: The television movie "Ghost in the Shell: Solid State Society" (2006) continues the adventures of the cast of "Stand Alone Complex", the TV series based on Mamoru Oshii's watershed feature. It's been two years since Major Kusanagi left Public Security Section 9 and struck out on her own. Batou pursues only investigations that interest him. Togusa is in charge of the Section, largely by default. All three characters, plus Chief Aramaki and the Tachikoma robots, join in the investigation of a string of suicides by agents of a foreign general. The trail leads them to a terrorist plot involving micro-machines created to release a deadly virus, and to the master-hacker known as the Puppeteer. The depiction of a corrupt politician using resources earmarked for the care of an aging population for his own ends reflects recent scandals in Japan. But "Solid State Society" feels derivative. The plot borrows heavily from the "Laughing Man" storyline, and the general lack of inspiration is evident in the failure to resolve the mystery satisfactorily.
The Limited Edition includes a music CD and a second DVD of extras, among them notes on designing the futuristic vehicles in the film, and an interview with Mitsuhisa Ishikawa of Production I.G., all packaged in a metal box. (Rated 13 and older: violence, grotesque imagery) "--Charles Solomon"

Theatrical: 2002

Studio: Anchor Bay Entertainment

Genre: Anime / Sci-Fi / Action

Duration: 650

Summary: Takes place in a fictional city of Japan called "Niihama-shi" (New Port City) in the year 2030, Stand Alone Complex tells the story of a special operation task-force called Public Security Section 9, or simply "Section 9". The series follows the exploits of Section 9's agents who range from ex-military to ex-police as they address each case and how it affects them on a personal level, eventually leading to the mysterious figure dubbed by the media as "The Laughing Man".

Theatrical: 2004

Studio: Manga Video

Genre: Anime / Sci-Fi / Action

Duration: 650

Summary: As the second season of "Stand Alone Complex" continues, the filmmakers keep the suspense running high. Numerous subplots arise that appear to be linked, as they were in the case of the Laughing Man in the first season. Kusanagi, Batou, and even Chief Arakami chafe when they're drafted to protect the Prime Minister from would-be assassins. Behind these threats and other incidents lies the Individual Eleven, a cell that may parallel the May 15th Incident, an event well known to Japanese audiences but unfamiliar to Americans. (On May 15, 1932, a group of junior naval officers and army cadets assassinated Prime Minister Inukai Tsuyoshi, ensuring that power would remain in the hands of the militarists.) But the devious and hideously scarred intelligence officer Kazundo Gohda may be the puppet-master behind actions of the Individual Eleven--and many others. "Stand Alone Complex--2nd Gig" continues the tight plotting, dynamic action sequences, and appealing character relationships that made the series a hit. The story points concerning the status of an impoverished refugee population give the show a depressing contemporary feel. The extras include a two-part interview with character designers Takayuki Goto and Tetsuya Nishio.
The two-disc Special Edition contains the same episodes, but one disc features Dolby Digital 5.1 audio, the other DTS and stereo. There's also a mouse pad and a deck of playing cards with stills from the series. (Rated 13 and older: violence, violence against women, brief nudity, alcohol and tobacco use) "--Charles Solomon"

Theatrical: 2006

Studio: Bandai Entertainment

Genre: Anime

Duration: 98

Summary: "The Girl Who Leapt Through Time" scored a big hit in Japan in 2006, and has been eagerly awaited by American "otaku". Makoto Konno regards herself as a normal high-school student. She's smart, but not brilliant; a little clumsy, but not a klutz; well-liked, but not a social star. Her favorite pastime is playing baseball with her best friends: handsome, studious Kosuke Tsuda and shaggy, offbeat Chiaki Mamiya. When Makoto nearly loses her life in a bicycle accident, she escapes by moving back through time. Her aunt tells her the talent isn't unusual in girls her age, and Makoto begins exploiting her ability. But her efforts to improve the present backfire, making school, friendship, and romance even more complicated and difficult--until she discovers a surprising secret about Chiaki. "The Girl Who Leapt Through Time" ("Toki wo Kakeru Shoujo") has remained a popular property in Japan since Yasutaka Tsutsui's novel appeared in 1967: It's been filmed repeatedly in live action and adapted to a manga. Mamoru Hosoda's animated prequel to the original story blends warmth and fantasy in ways usually associated with Studio Ghibli films. The relationship Makoto, Kosuke, and Chiaki share is exceptionally well-drawn, and nicely balances the fantastic elements of the story. (Rated 13 and older: minor violence and risqué humor) "--Charles Solomon"

Theatrical: 1999

Studio: Tokyo Pop

Genre: Anime / Manga

Duration: 108

Summary: Ex-biker gang leader Eikichi Onizuka wants to become a teacher--so he can ogle 16-year-old girls. In the first episode, Mizuki, a girl from his class, puts him in a compromising position so three thuggish students can take embarrassing photographs; their blackmail scheme falls apart when Onizuka and a gang capture the trio and torture them. Later, Onizuka helps Mizuki with her family problems--and is rewarded with her panties. The tone of this outré series shifts abruptly from puerile to maudlin to pseudo-inspirational and back. The animation is simple and often grotesquely distorted to symbolize Onizuka's extreme moods and spasms of barely restrained lust. Japanese audiences may find a comedy about a leering teacher acceptable, but the growing concern over abuse makes it a tough sell in America. Unrated; suitable for ages 17 and Up: Sexual humor, profanity, violence, tobacco and alcohol use, grotesque imagery. Contains the first four episodes. "--Charles Solomon"

Theatrical: 1995

Studio: A.D.V. Films

Genre: Anime / Action

Duration: 90

Summary: Based on a popular "manga" by Kenichi Sonoda, this three-part original animation video follows the adventures of two outrageous heroines: crack shot and part-time bounty hunter Rally Vincent and her blond sidekick, Minnie May Hopkins, who specializes in explosives. They operate a gun shop on an otherwise quiet Chicago side street and share a suburban house that resembles an arsenal. Bill Collins, an officer with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, draws the duo against their will into an investigation of a gunrunning ring. The operation begins with a simple stakeout but grows darker and more violent as Rally, Minnie May, and Bill take on Major Radinov, a former KGB agent turned freelance assassin, who insists on being paid in heroin. Radinov murders government agents, informants, and the chief of the Chicago ATF with steely indifference. She leads Rally and Minnie May in a high-speed car chase that gives new meaning to the term "road rage", then plays a deadly game of cat and mouse in an old Beaux Arts building. Handsomely designed and skillfully executed, "Gunsmith Cats" is slick, fast-paced, and extremely violent. Director Takeshi Mori builds suspense and tension so effectively, he imbues the shootouts and stabbings with an impact many gorier anime series lack. Not rated; suitable for ages 16 and up for occasional profanity and explicit violence. "--Charles Solomon"