SmugKitZine Tied for the best movie I have ever seen

Fairaher The film makes a home in your brain and the only cure is to see it again.

ChanFamous I wanted to like it more than I actually did... But much of the humor totally escaped me and I walked out only mildly impressed.

Phillipa Strong acting helps the film overcome an uncertain premise and create characters that hold our attention absolutely.

Tweekums As this series opens we find protagonist Tohru Honda living in a tent in the woods; she has been living there since her mother was killed in a car crash. Her situation soon changes though when Yuki and Shigure Sohma invite her to live at their house in exchange for doing the cooking and housework. There is something Tohru doesn't know about the Sohma family though: when embraced by a member of the opposite sex they turn into an animal from the Chinese Zodiac! Yuki is a rat, Shigure a dog and Kyo, the third member of the household, a cat… the last is not actually a member of the zodiac and for that reason the rest of the family consider him cursed even more that they are themselves.Over the course of the series we meet several other members of the family as well as students from the school which is attended by Tohru, Yuki and Kyo; these includes Yuki's fan club… a group of girls he must be very careful around given the family's secret; it is just a good thing Tohru can be trusted not to tell anybody. Over the course of the series we get to see a variety events in their lives and learn a bit more about the family; including the sinister head of the family Akito.This is one of the best known Shoujo titles but just because it is Shoujo it doesn't mean that boys can't enjoy it too. The story is delightful and amusing for the most part; although it does turn much darker in the final two episodes. The characters are fun to watch and it is always interesting to see what creature the next member of the Sohma family we are introduced to will turn into! There are plenty of laughs to be had; especially when Yuki's fan club are around. The animation and style of the character design may be a little dated but that shouldn't prove to be a problem as it still looks pretty good. Overall I'd certainly recommend this series; anybody who enjoys anime should give this show a go at least once.These comments are based on watching the series in Japanese with English subtitles.

sunshne57 As a woman who prefers clean anime, I heard from a few sources that this anime was really great and was worth watching, so I decided to check it out. To be completely honest, I couldn't get past the first episode. I was so disgusted by the negative, sexist portrayal of men. (SPOILER WARNING)-----Not even one minute past the intro, there's already a male in the show being physically assaulted by a woman, as if that's OK/funny/acceptable. I kept watching, and that's all this show contained - the men are shown as incompetent, weak, pathetic - to the point where the viewers are probably meant to question if the men would even survive without the women there. -----What is it with anime, and portraying men as inferior to women? I noticed this with quite a few different shows. Still, that does not excuse the writers of this particular show of creating this horrible-excuse-for-a-women's-empowerment-anime. What bothers me is that this is going to send the wrong message to girls (that males should be treated as second-class citizens), as well as to boys (that they should feel ashamed of being male). I couldn't imagine the backlash if there was a show depicting women as inferior, getting physically assaulted - shown in a funny, light-hearted manner...

ace-150 At first, this seems like a Japanese cartoon version of Pollyanna. But after a few episodes, it becomes wildly gender-bending. Boys are in love with boys, but that doesn't stop them from running erotic cosplay shops filled with stewardess uniforms. Or from hitting on high school girls. The 'responsible' member of the family writes hentai novels. Several of the characters are at least part-time transvestites. Others are actually the opposite of the gender that they present to the world. Even the regular humans are pretty edgy. One is an ex-member of a violent girl gang, the other a creepy psychic goth chick. The important thing is that they all have great hair. The drawing style is nice. Important moments are highlighted with frames in quite different drawing styles - calligraphy, basic black and white, or juvenile (well more juvenile) versions of the characters. It keeps it visually interesting. The animal versions of the characters, in very simple style, are poignantly expressive. And if you like ginger boys, Kyo is hot!

arorashadow_2003 Wow, I am blown back with this. This Anime has really just made me feel, well I can't describe it, but I tell you what, it has all the qualities of what I look for in a good Anime or a good Movie. And really I'm impressed. After reading the first volume of the Manga series, and keeping that all in mind, I wasn't sure how I would react to this adaptation. But of course I found it spectacular. I tell you I don't think I've seen quite another story like this one. I mean it sounds like the dumbest thing on earth, but when you really start getting into it, it's just wonderful. Glad I didn't judge this book by it's cover.Story/Adaptation: Very nicely done. While some of the literal translations seemed a little much, and there we're certain sort of mix ups and cut outs it's really quite good. Because mind you, writing a Manga and a Screenplay are no easy tasks. Especially trying to adapt into an X amount of time for a series. So it was really nicely done. They really bring the characters out, (as is common in Shoujo) and no one really get's needlessly lost in translation. With nicely constructed duologue (Although it is easy when you have a cheat sheet) and nicely paced. Maybe it can be slow, but it doesn't bother me to much. After all this is a Shoujo/Comedy/Drama Anime so it's only natural for it to be on the slow side. And the story in General, of course I'll be treading into the Manga a bit, but it's really nice. I've only read Volume 1 but I've exceeded that with watching disc one of the DVD. I love the drama it creates, Tohru is all alone in the world it seems, but she has so many people that care for her. Two friends that are so fiercely loyal to her, it's amazing. Thoru is such a happy-go-lucky girl, but she's also very selfless. I like when characters aren't warped in vanity, that just drives me nuts when they are so vain. Even the infatuated Prince Yuki Fan Club President, has a soft side to her. Some of the other aspects I loved, strong sense of freindship. Hanna and Uoh, thoes two, just have hearst of gold. They love Tohru like a sister, and you can just tell they want to take care of her and protect her. They seem like the type who would take a baseball bat to a persons head if that person harmed Thoru.Acting: VERY NICE! A very superbness dub, and you people say all dubs suck. I got to tell you it's filled me with a bit of confidence for when FUNI dubs Tusbasa. Laura Bailey does absolutely wonderful with Tohru. Although her Japanese counter part is much higher, she really brings the character out well. I don't find any voices to be on the really annoying side. At least the guys sound like guys, and gals sound like Gals. (Even if Yuki is a bit of a she-male) Original Score: Rather weak. Nice usage, but could be better in my opinion. But not so bad. Some nice movements, but the themes aren't so wonderful. But still at least there are memorable melodies in this series, as opposed to no music at all. That Piano Theme at the end of Episode 25 was, wow amazing. Animation: Superbious quality. What more can I say?Overall: This has really been on my mind quite a bit lately. And it's become one of my Favorites. It's a nice shoujo even for soft guys like me. I strongly recommend it to just about anyone who is looking for a great comedy-drama b/c I enjoyed it. This Anime has just moved me to tears at times, I was bawling in the end it so sweet. It has given me just warm feelings all around So check this out, you might just like it.