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.

On the program are:

• *Ninja Mono OVA #1
  This show is set in quasi-historical Japan--historical because it's got ninjas and samuari and stuff, quasi because the bad guys use a mech. It focuses on the adventures of six young ninjas (three male, three female), who are the new, and only members of a ninja clan destroyed in an inter-clan feud many years before. The only survivor swore to his master to protect the clan's princess, and eventually resurrect the clan. For some reason, no one (except him?) knows who the princess is, although it's likely she's one of the three female ninjas.

• *Shamanic Princess OVA #1
  A direct quote from the only page with any info on this show: "One night a young girl lands on earth alone. Her name is Tiara and she is here on a mission to find her former boyfriend, Kagetsu, who has stolen the Throne of Yorudo, the source of power for the magical Guardian World." That's all I know about it. That and this kinda spooky picture of who I assume to be Tiara. o_o;; So! We'll see how it turns out.

• *Saber Marionettes R #2
  This sounds like a fairly light-hearted show from the name, but descriptions of the series make it sound actually pretty serious. The story is set in a world with no women; instead, androids (gynoids?) have been made in their place. Some of these 'roids have a special otome kairo, or "girl circuit", which enables them to have human-like emotions. In this OAV series, Our Villain, Star Face, is scheming to take over. His primary obstacle is the last surviving member of the royal family, Junior--and his protectors, the Saber Marionettes.

• *Key the Metal Idol #2
  Our 'Robot Girls' theme continues, since this is another show about a robot with a female body. Key is the creation of Dr. Mima, who tells her that she can become a real human girl, if she can get 30,000 "true friends" to cry for her. Things are complicated by Ajo Heavy Industries, who had employed Dr. Mima to help develop a prototype android warrior; the prototype exists, but is starting to go out of control.

• *Ruroni Kenshin #5
  A "martial arts drama/comedy" set in the early Meiji Era (1800's), about a former legendary 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.

• *Fushigi Yuugi #21
  '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 #20
  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.

• Bastard! #2 (Tentative)
  The kingdom of Mettalicana is being threatened by the minions of the evilbadnasty god Anthanthraxus. To protect the kingdom, the warrior's soul locked within a young boy must be unleashed. However, the result isn't quite what everyone expected... Violent, but quite funny in parts.

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, March 21st, from 7pm to midnight, in Engineering Teaching Center room ETC 2.108. 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.