It has been well documented here on AnimeLeague that the Final Fantasy of choice is Final Fantasy 7. Now, while I don’t disagree that it is a solid game, it annoys me how much of a following it gets. The fanboys and fangirls run rampant, and more often than not, they haven’t played any of the “old school” Final Fantasies. I suppose it wouldn’t be so bad if they had actually played the previous games, but they come in to the Square/enix forum acting like they know everything about the series and that anyone who doesn’t like the newer generation Final Fantasies is an idiot. I am here to dispel that myth with my own personal review of Final Fantasy 6, which is in my opinion, the best Final Fantasy ever made.
Sound: Possibly some of Nobuo’s finest work. I won’t question that the quality of the music (MIDI) detracts from its overall greatness, but I can look beyond that. Such songs as Shadow’s theme, The Decisive Battle, Dancing Mad and Troops March on are just a few fantastic tracks on this great soundtrack. If you can pick it up, I urge you to do so.
Plot: This actually manages to stay away from a lot of the clichés that have plagued later RPG’s. The characters are all there for a purpose (well, mostly), and they add something to the plot. One thing that keeps this plot going though is the comedic factor. Each character adds their own little quirks and when paired up with one another, can make you laugh and laugh. Add in a nice amount of plot twists, and you have conjured up a recipe for a very successful storyline.
Game play: One word here: Smooth. Whether you’re roaming the world, in a town, or in battle, it all works and works well. You’ll never find yourself confused by anything in the game, as all the menus are easy to work. Every part of the game is enjoyable and in the second half, the game completely opens up and you can take one of many paths on your way to the end. The only knock I have against it would be the ease in which money is obtained. It makes equipment too easy to buy. But if you want to be the best anyways, you’ll have to find the best equipment.
Final Synopsis: Don’t pass this game up. Yes, its graphics make it look rather antiquated, but don’t let that turn you off. If you want a game that’s going to look pretty, then I suggest you get Final Fantasy X. If you want a game that will give you an experience to remember, as well as 60+ hours of amazing game play, I recommend nothing more than Final Fantasy 6.
Greetings, The Tree here again, another fortnight, another issue, another ‘save the day’ effort by myself so you guys can ogle over a review of some sort. Heck, I should just claim this column as mine and save them all the embarrassment of begging for my help each time a deadline draws near.
It began on a field trip to the local fair. They were having a medieval theme and as part of the festivities the local boy scouts were building catapults and firing water balloons. A rather drunken Ty thought it about time they be put in their place and challenged them to a duel in a weeks time.
Thus a whole issue was put on hold as the entire office worked day and night on our catapult. They got the wood for it during a midnight raid on a local oak plantation in which ‘One Eye’ Dave, the caterer, lost an ear.
Finally after days of work, Sandy was finished and ready for testing. I’m just thankful they found the water cooler before they found me… ‘cos I’ve never seen a water cooler reach escape velocity and enter low level orbit.
Anyway, the following day, we all rock up to the Scout hall and find their measly excuse for medieval combat in the car park. Whilst they managed to lob a pumpkin for a few hundred feet, we managed to flatten the French embassy with their minivan. Game set match.
So now sandy lives in our storeroom. We take her out occasionally when we need to exercise our freedom of speech or when an employee just doesn’t get the hint that they ain’t needed no more.
And how did they end up naming it Sandy? Well, simply put, Sandy was the first guinea pig to enter orbit, a milestone that NASA refuses to acknowledge much to Ty’s annoyance.
So it falls to me to give the public a review of some description and review I shall! For behold my shelf! Isn’t it pretty? Isn’t it grand? From there I survey the going ons of the entire office. From the chocolate raids to meetings to bizarre love triangles… I see all!
Of course you can’t see me in the picture since I’m taking the photo (Duh - Dept Ed) but you can see the lovely carpentry work in the wall fittings and that beautiful mahogany that just screams ‘respect whatever is placed on here’.
The shelf was given to me, not the office or the meat sacks that pretend to work there, as a welcome gift by the girls from the Bureau of Meteorology down the hall. It’s over 130 years old and has held many a diploma, snow dome and cremation jar over the ages. Now it fulfils it’s greatest honour ever by supporting myself.
So that is the glory that is my shelf. Now don’t ever think you’re allowed to touch it and get back to work the lot of ya!
Name: Tekken
Reviewed by DSW
Summary:
Kazuya mishima is not a happy chap. His father heihachi decided one day that sicne lions throw thier cubs off cliffs and only raise those who can climb back up, he should do the same and tosses young Kaz off the nearest crevice. However, heihachi was right, Kazuya is indeed his fathers son, and he climbs back up, vowing vengeance on hsi father. Enter Jun, a kind hearted woman who works for some branch of japanese police. After fishermen fish up what seem to be the remains of a dinosaur near to heihachis resort, the question of its origins become a valid one. One ticket to the king of iron fist tournament thats bieng held there and the scene is set- summary by DSW
Rating: 69 / 100
Highs:
All your favourite characters are here, albiet if only in the background at points, very nice animation, the soundtrack is its saving grace
Lows:
confusing plot, Red paint blood, laughable dubbing
Review:
Based on the extremely popular Namco fighting series, Tekken is a legend. Boasting storylines that rival many soap operas, no single fighter is in the tournament for kicks, every one has a reason to be there. So why is it that a manga based on the same series can seem so rushed, so shallow. Im a big fan of the games series and after seeing that there was hope for games bieng made into series (after watching the masterpieces that were the streetfighter movies). Jun teams with Lei wulong (that at least add up, Leis connection to the police from the game is upheld). Many of the characters from tekken 1 - 2 are present and hardcore fans of the series will find themselves yelling excitedly to see some of thier fave characters on screen, albiet in the background. and sadly, thats where they remain as the number of fight scenes are extremely few in number. An anime about a fighting game that goes easy on the fighting? say it aint so! this wouldnt have been a problem if the stuff inbetween the fighting was worthwhile, however its just...rushed, and in palces very predicatable, in others so obscure that it was unforseeable.
It is as though the makers started writing it up as a tekken movie then halfway through they said "hey, forget the tekken storyline, lets just put a bunch of invisible dinosaurs in it instead", thus voiding the experience for the hardcore fans and creating a bland, though not totally unwatchable anime. Fan would be forgiven for likening the "rex" monsters to Alex, however, the producers dont seem to have looked into the games enough to know that there is in fact a dinosaur character called ALex....yet they saw fit to include Roger, the character you unlock at the same time as Alex....but i digress, quabbling over details such as this is unproffesional, back to the anime at hand.
As mentioned above, the writers seem to change thier mind quite a lot throughout the production, building up to certain ideas then completely ignoring them, just deciding to add something else. This isnt a bad idea, except when these ideas clash. The idea of having Lee (the silver haired villain) set off the self destruct at the end was obviously forgotten as he is still inside the tower, despite his cries that he alone would inherit everything....how could he do this when he himself was within the blast radius?
All in all, Tekken is a sub average anime, it would seem the lucky streak that had been hit by the street fighter and the later produced zone of the enders anime has been felled by this. worth a rental, but only if its in the bargain bin.
Personal Rating: 70/100 - Potential sadly wasted
Name: Ninja Scroll
Reviewed by DSW
Summary:
By saving a female ninja from a terrible monster he becomes entangled in the treachery and violence surronding a plot involving demons and characters with fantastical powers who're plotting to take over japan and will shred Jubei to pieces if he opposes them
Rating: 90/100
Highs: THE gory anime movie, excellent action, great character development, reasonable dubbing
Lows: Some unnessecary dodgy parts
Review: If you mention anime or manga, chances are two titles will almost allways crop up in conversation. Akira and ninja scroll. Ninja scroll is infamous in anime circles as one of the definitive anime experiences. its definitely a contender for most violent anime ever, it is well deserving of its "18" certification.
The character development is perfect, Jubei is instantly likeable with his chivalrous attitude and you sympathise with Kagero as her treatment is a mirror image of the treatment of women in feudal japan. her predicament isnt made any easier by the fact she is chief poison tester, a job which has made her body so poisonous that even a kiss can kill.
Jubei is blackmailed into helping a comical old man after he poisons him and offers him the antidote as payment for helping complete the job. Jubei however, despite his skills doesnt really like fighting, due to the pain he often endures (he takes just as many hits as the villains, electrocution, poisoning and headbutts are but a few of his injuries as the film progresses) but he is helpless. So he is pitted against the eight devils of Kimone, a band of eccentric and lethal ninjas who each have fantastic powers. As if this wasnt bad enough, they're led by Jubeis arch nemesis, Lord Gemma, a man who Jubei had decapitated in a duel but he is back, with the power to reincarnate.
Ninja scroll is a rollercoaster ride of gore, blood and guts. It is as authentic as anmie can get and many of the more modern animes borrow elements to try and mimick its greatness. It is a definite must see, even people who arent fans of anime have seen this, as it is less a cartoon and more of an action movie.
Personal Rating: 90/100
Film: Battle Royale
Director: Kinji Fukasaku
Welcome to the new millennium, Japan. The country is in a state of turmoil, it's population has vastly arisen over the ten million mark and hence the unemployment rate has reached 15%. High school students have started boycotting classes and committing despicable acts of violence against adults and in retaliation the Japanese Government passed the Millennium Educational Reform Act also known as the Battle Royale Act to keep students under control.
Class 3-B of Shiroiwa Junior High School is this years chosen class. Unfortunately none of the kids are aware of their fate and prepare for an excursion. A typical group of 9th grade youngsters, they flirt and joke on the bus journey to their "excursion". This is where we come across the main male and female characters, Nanahara Shuya and Noriko as well as their friend Nobu. On arrival, they awake from a drug-induced sleep, to find that they have been hijacked to participate in this year's Battle Royale.
When they do awake they are both surprised and frightened to see their old grade 7 teacher Kitano. He, with televisional aid, tells the Class why they're there and what the rules are. They include:
Battle Royale is a great Japanese action movie directed by Kinji Fukasaku. It is one of the most controversial films released in recent years. Since it highlights Suicide and killing among students and for this reason they did not release it in the States. Battle Royale hosts excellent pieces of orchestrated music that eerily suits the corresponding scenes. It contains a great clear picture at all times and just a really good movie; I'd highly recommend watching it, if you like Action/Thriller movies, however it is not recommended for the weak-hearted.
Anime: Super Dimensional Fortress Macross Ah yes, remember back when you were just a young lad who always enjoyed waking up at some god-forsaken time on the weekend just to catch your favorite Saturday morning cartoons? I remember with quite a bit of fondness one cartoon in particular, Robotech, which featured badass looking jet fighters, which transformed into giant robots. For a seven year-old that was pure bliss. Now ADV has finally released the pure Japanese form of Robotech, also know as “Super Dimensional Fortress Macross”. You can find the basic setting of the show here Animation 8/10: Lots of people might argue with me on the high rating Macross received because of its high quality competition of today. How quickly you forget it was made in 1983, and for the Early ‘80s this was very impressive. If you look at the fight scenes and see all of the chaos that’s going on you might agree with me on this. The major downside is the fight animation is often repeated several times in a battle. Plot 9/10: Planes that transform into big robots fight gigantic space aliens. Sounds a tad cliché wouldn’t you agree? Think again, there’s a lot more depth to this anime. Macross has been considered a “sci-fi soap opera” I think that’s pushing a little but it gets the point across. You get to see plot twists in the characters love lives and the directors of the show have no moral qualms about killing off main characters. In short Macross is full of surprises. Characters 9/10: The characters of SDF-Macross are some of the most well-developed and best characters out of the majority of anime I’ve seen. Lets take a look at the first two main characters you’re introduced to: Hikaru Ichijyo: He is the main character of Macross, he starts out as an air circus pilot but gets caught up in the Space War I when he was taking a nap in one of the Valkyrie’s cockpits and was ordered to take off, he did okay for his first time in a VF-1, he almost got shot up twice, and crashed into several buildings on the city below. After he officially joins the U.N. Spacy as a Valkyrie pilot we take a look into the twists and turns of his love life, which mainly revolve around two women: Lynn Minmei and I won’t say the other girl, might spoil a surprise (buy the DVDs and find out). Roy Fokker: This guy is the epitome of cool. Ladies man, ace pilot, and very skilled Air Wing commander. He enters the scene with a very impressive record of kills under his belt from World War III, he shot down more 100 enemy fighters and set a world record. On board the Macross he is the supreme commander of the SDF-1’s Veritech Valkyrie forces. Roy is Hikaru’s mentor throughout the show, teaching Hikaru everything he know about how to be a successful pilot, commander, love machine etc. Roy also happens to be my favorite anime character of all time, which might explain some uncontrollable biases. Overall 9.5/10: Macross has something for everybody; actions fans would worship it because of the great fight scene’s, kick-ass Arial stunts and giant robots. But some of the people who enjoy a great plot and superb character development will enjoy Hikaru’s coming of age and some of the characters love lives. A few good links if you want to know more:
Name: Revelotionary girl utena/Shoujo Kakumei Utena
Final Fantasy 6 Review
Review
Submitted by Cecil
Graphics: I’ll get this section out of the way first. No, there are no realistic backdrops or realistic character models. The game looks alright for a 16-bit title, nothing more. I’ve always been one to say that graphics have nothing on game play. However, if they were to remake it with better graphics, I wouldn’t be opposed.
Score: 3/5
Score: 5/5
Overall: 5/5
Overall: 5/5
Sandy the Catapult
Review
Submitted by Fruit Salad Tree
So what to review this time ‘round… well since they’ve dragged it out of the storeroom for this whole Britney server scandal, I might as well tell you the story of how a group of bottom rung journalists came to possess a medieval catapult which they affectionately call ‘Sandy’.
My Shelf
Review
Submitted by Fruit Salad Tree
Greetings, The Tree here, just letting you know that the Underground Staff have been too lazy to get a review in for this issue. Maybe if they spent more time writing and less time playing carpet bowls in the boardroom they may have a completed paper but no…
Genre: Fighting
Number of episodes: N/A Movie
Genre: feudal japan/historical/action
Number of episodes: N/A Movie
Jubei is a masterless ninja who travels the land alone, hiring his services to those with gold...or a worthy cause. His fearsome abilities serve him well, but a plot to overthrow the government threatens to end his wanderings and possibly his life as he is caught up in the middle.
Reviewer: Tyreal (clone)
Writer: Kenta Fukasaku
Stars: Tatsuya Fujiwara, Aki Maeda, Taro Yamamoto, Takeshi Kitano
Genre: Action
Length: 113 minutes
Rating: Four and a half stars
What the Act does is; each year a randomly chosen class is pitted against itself, at a Random location, a cruel game of survival. They are given weapons that range from a pot lid to an Uzi. They are also forced to wear collars that will blow up if they do anything against the rules of the game. The game is televised and stands as a warning to the youth of the time. As we see from the start of the movie, from the previous winner, this is a very bloodthirsty event.
*If more than one player survives, everyone dies
*It lasts for three days
*There is no escape 
He also then shows that the game is real and no joke. (It aint pretty but is very convincing - Ed) They are then given their bags and go off uncertain to what will happen, unfortunately death awaits most. As the movie progresses we see the extent of trust, friendships and loyalty. Some Students strike at anyone, other ones work together to try to find a way out of the game together while some kill themselves rather then participate in the game. Two "Transfer" Students also add to the fray, what part will they play in determining the outcome? Watch and see as they complete their own objectives.
Reviewer: Black Mage 
Two VF-1A Valkyries in Battroid form firing a few rounds at the enemy
The VF-1 Valkyries rally together around their mother ship the mighty SDF-1 :Macross"
Macross Compendium
Macross World
Amazon.com (so you can buy the DVDs)
Genre: Fantasy/drama/action/comedy
Number of episodes: 39
Summary:
The young princess is grieving the death of her parents when a handsome prince comes and brushes her tears away. The princess was so very effected by this meeting that she wished to become a nobel prince. She travels to the school where reality is hidden to find her prince and become like him, finding and winning a helpless princess. - summary by Spindle
Rating:
81/100
Highs:
Diverse cast and most if not all get their screen time, is addicting, unique music and visual techniques.
Lows:
Lots of reused cels for each season, art style and how the show is handled may disagree with some people greatly.
Review:
The series is comprised of 4 seasons, the first being the longest. The story has a variety of twists and works well twisting fairy tales, gender bending, and the journey of getting out of the platform know as adolscence, the stage between childhood and adulthood. Most of the characters grow in some way, with a very good cast of voice actors with a good field of voices. The same goes for the rest of the audio. At the same time its simple and very shojo art can turn off many people. Also some of the music (namely the duel songs and the song played before each duel. The lyrics only confuse more.) have been known to annoy (I adore it though.) Same goes parts of the show that seem pointless, but have hidden meanings, some apparent and others not, examples the comedic episodes, student council meetings, and shadow girl plays.
The characters are The ending comes as very surprising, with a interesting end to utenas story in the academy. The series becomes much darker after the 13 episode beginning, and there are hints (subtle and not so sublte) of sexual activities, incest, and cross gender love. I'am saying hinted at only becouse nothing is explictly said (Except for one girl to girl crush. Which if one sided and pure.) Note: The main characters have no evidence that there more then platonic and deep friendship.
Personal Rating: 94/100. The flaws I mentioned are things i enjoyed alot (Reading the song titles are very intersting. 'water drops that means universal origin'? Except for maybe the comedic episodes. Surfboarding elephants? A character turning into a cow?...Very unique show isnt it?)
