A free showing of Japanese animation!

Please keep in mind that showing schedules are always tentative, and that programs are not necessarily listed here in the order they'll be shown. Sometimes tapes show up late, or library runs longer than expected, or (once in a great while ) chaos will reign and the masses will force another episode of Fushigi Yugi to be shown...you get the idea.

On the program are:

• *BlueGreen Years #3 (continuing through #4)
  A shoujo series about the trials and travails (mostly romantic?) of a junior high student, Yuko Kawai, and her friends. I think at this point in the show, they're all still in eighth grade. There is, of course, a romantic triangle between Kawai-chan, her friend Taka-chan, who has a crush on Hiroshi, and Hiroshi, who has a crush on Kawai-chan. I think Emily put it best when she described it as "The Wonder Years" from a girl's point of view.

• *Legend of the Galactic Heroes #32 (continuing through #34)
  Space opera at its finest, this story arc deals with the "Battle of the Death Stars" (Walter's phrase), as Yang Wenli continues to deal with the inquisition of the Alliance government, who wants the star officer of their military to be a bit more gung-ho about the war they're pushing for.

• *Gundam Wing #3 and #4 (last of what we have subbed)
  The colonies of Earth, in their continuing struggle for independence, have launched a plan to cripple the Earth's military forces. Five Gundam (mechs/powersuits) models unlike any seen previously have landed at different locations around the globe, and their young pilots have begun their various offensives. There's more to it than that, but you get the idea.

• * Fushigi Yuugi #16
  'Magical Girls' show about a schoolgirl, Miaka, who is transported via an ancient Chinese book to another world, where she is declared Suzaku no Miko, the priestess of the guardian deity of the kingdom she finds herself in. Romantic storyline, but also full of lots of fights with Miaka's protectors (which, at this point, are still being discovered). Just remember, Suzaku is a peacock, not a phoenix.

• * Nadia #15
  This show, set in the early 19th century and loosely based on Jules Verne's 20, 000 Leagues Under the Sea, follows the adventures of a young circus performer named Nadia, her pet lion King, and their friend Jean. Nadia, being fairly mysterious herself, of course has a mysterious jewel (named 'Blue Water'), which several other people are looking for; this, along with sea monsters, battleships, and ominous cults bent on world domination, accounts for many of their exploits.

• Viewer's Choice Special!
  Because we couldn't quite decide what to fill up the remaining 30 minutes of the schedule with, we decided to let you, the audience, decide! When this time slot comes up (note: may be at any point during the viewing), both programs will be briefly described and majority vote will determine what gets shown. As Walter might say, "Just so we can maintain the facade of this being a democracy!" ^_^
  • Ruroni Kenshin #1
    A "martial arts drama/comedy" set in the early Meiji Era (1800's), about a former samurai who has settled down with the residents and hangers-on of a fighting dojo run by a young woman. Naturally, as a great warrior trying to go straight, there are many incidents involving people wanting rematches, or to earn reputations, as well as people who have a grudge against the woman running the dojo, or against her late father.

  • Prefectural Earth Defense Force
    An extremely silly show about a group of high-school students called up to defend their neighborhood from the Phone Pole Gang. What it is the PPG does is never quite explained, but everyone is very anxious about them. Fortunately, the PEDF has on its side a young man who has been turned into an ultimate-weapon sort of cyborg. Unfortunately, he's got a bad temper, and not much control over his weapons systems...
    Note: This won the vote.

So if you're interested in seeing some great animation with some truly diverse stories, check out the Anime Club free showing, open to all on Friday, November 22nd, from 7pm to midnight, in Engineering Teaching Center room 2.136. For those not familiar with UT, the ETC building is located near 26th and Speedway; the main entrance is right on the north side of the 26th street bridge.

Please feel free to email this account with any questions.