Best Action Anime of 2004

Ichigo Kurosaki's mundane high school life is abruptly upended when a Hollow, a soul-devouring spirit, launches an attack on his family. Amidst the chaos, he meets Rukia Kuchiki, a Shinigami who sustains injuries while defending Ichigo's kin. Driven by a desire to protect his loved ones, Ichigo accepts Rukia's powers and transforms into a Shinigami himself. With Rukia incapacitated, Ichigo assumes the perilous duty of purging the Hollows that plague their town. He is soon aided by his friends and classmates—Orihime Inoue, Yasutora Sado, and Uryuu Ishida—who each contribute their own distinct abilities to the fight. As Ichigo and his allies navigate their new roles, striving to balance combat with daily existence, he learns that Hollows represent merely the initial wave of dangers threatening the human world.

In Elfen Lied, Lucy is a Diclonius, a subspecies marked by horns and invisible telekinetic arms that made her a target of brutal government experiments. When she finally finds a chance to escape, the years of her captivity and suffering have twisted her mind, leading to a bloody slaughter of her captors as she breaks free. During her frantic flight, a severe head injury fractures her psyche, creating a second, childlike personality who is barely able to speak. In this vulnerable state, she is found by Kouta and his cousin Yuka, college students who unknowingly take the injured fugitive in. Their compassion sets off a chain of events that pulls them into a hidden world of government secrets and conspiracy.

Fuu Kasumi, a bumbling young waitress, lives a tranquil existence at a modest teahouse until she clumsily spills a drink on a patron, triggering harassment from a gang of samurai. In a moment of panic, she summons Mugen, another samurai present in the establishment, who swiftly neutralizes the aggressors using a unique combat style blending breakdancing with martial arts. Mugen subsequently goads Jin, a reserved and highly skilled ronin renowned for his traditional swordsmanship, sparking a violent clash that demolishes the teahouse and accidentally results in the death of the magistrate's son. Apprehended and condemned to death for their actions, Mugen and Jin are liberated by Fuu, who employs them as her protectors. Having lost her home, Fuu resolves to hunt down a samurai who carries the scent of sunflowers, convincing the two former warriors to accompany her on this mission. Though initially hesitant, they consent to aid her. The trio sets off on a journey brimming with action, comedy, and fierce sword battles, all underscored by a distinctive hip-hop soundtrack. Their travels unfold in an alternate Edo Period Japan, where this unconventional group seeks to solve the mystery of the sunflower-scented samurai while striving to prevent Mugen and Jin from coming to blows with one another.

You think your life is terrible? Sometimes death is far worse. There is no salvation, no peace, and no god waiting to welcome you. Wait—a god? Perhaps you mean that big black sphere in the room with you. Now you are forced into a game, battling green aliens and robotic monsters for a chance to stay alive. When Kei Kurono dies, he ends up trapped in exactly such a game—a trial of his abilities, his morality, and his will to survive. His life no longer belongs to him, and his death is mocked and crushed again and again. What happens if he refuses to obey? God only knows. Consider yourself warned: Gantz is not for the weak of heart, nor is it as straightforward as it appears. Gore, rape, and brutality run rampant, alongside depictions of greed, violence, and every ugliness found in today's society.

Naruto Uzumaki, together with his teammates Sasuke Uchiha and Sakura Haruno, is assigned to escort a film crew to the Land of Snow. Their mission grows complicated when they discover their charge is the famous actress Yukie Fujikaze, who refuses to go to the destination. Matters worsen after an unexpected clash with ninja from the Land of Snow, leading Naruto to learn that Yukie is concealing her real identity. The story follows the team's fight against the obstacles of the Land of Snow and their effort to uncover Yukie's true reason for the trip.

In the world of Duel Monsters, duelists compete for the highest honor: the title of King of Games. Hoping to join their ranks, easygoing Juudai Yuuki enrolls at Duel Academy, a prestigious school designed to train future champions. But on his first day, his carefree and absentminded nature makes him late for the entrance exam. During this mishap, he meets an old friend who gives him the "Winged Kuriboh" card, which soon becomes his reliable partner. As Juudai begins his journey as a duelist, will unexpected trials and hidden dangers steer his path in ways he never expected? Yu-Gi-Oh! GX follows Juudai's pursuit of his dream to become the King of Games. Through countless strange and extraordinary events, one thing is certain for Juudai and his friends—life at Duel Academy will never be dull.

Jun Sakurada has withdrawn from school and spends his days at home, habitually ordering products online with the intent of returning them before the trial period expires. His routine shatters when he discovers a cryptic note asking whether he would wind something. Agreeing without thinking, Jun sets off a chain of unforeseen events. A parcel soon arrives containing a mechanical doll. After winding her, the doll—Shinku, the fifth creation in the Rozen Maiden series—stirs to life, revealing a proud and commanding personality. Shinku explains that she and her sisters are part of a special line crafted by the legendary dollmaker Rozen, and they are locked in a contest called the Alice Game. In this competition, each doll relies on a human partner to help them triumph; the winner transforms into a real girl capable of meeting their creator. As more dolls appear in Jun's home, the situation grows increasingly complicated. An old rival of Shinku's emerges, and the resulting conflicts and battles pull Jun deeper into the dolls' world.

In the fourth season of Initial D, Takumi Fujiwara joins forces with Ryousuke and Keisuke Takahashi to form "Project D." The group has two main purposes: Ryousuke wants to perfect his "High-Speed Street Racing Theory," while Keisuke and Takumi aim to sharpen their driving skills by taking on tough rivals on dangerous mountain roads. Project D plans to compete against street racing teams from multiple prefectures, striving to set the best times on both uphill and downhill runs. To pull in the strongest challengers, Ryousuke creates a website to announce Project D's upcoming races and share the team's results. This fourth entry in the Initial D series follows the members of Project D through their trials and victories as they work to become the top street racing crew beyond Gunma Prefecture.

High school often represents a fresh start, complete with new classes and new friendships—but for Souichiro Nagi and Bob Makihara, it is merely a platform for becoming the most dominant fighters at their school. Unfortunately, Toudou Academy is the worst possible choice for that ambition. Unlike ordinary schools, Toudou Academy was established to revive martial arts in Japan, where subjects like math and science take a backseat. Souichiro’s dream of ruling the martial arts scene at Toudou Academy comes to a halt when he clashes with seniors Masataka Takayanagi and Maya Natsume. These experienced fighters quickly put the brakes on the freshmen’s aggressive march through the school. Yet instead of discouraging them, the setback only fuels their determination to compete. Who are these incredible fighters at Toudou Academy? Is there anyone stronger than Masataka and Maya? And why is Maya’s younger sister so obsessed with Souichiro? The answers to these questions and more can be found in Tenjho Tenge.

Kurono Kei and his former elementary school classmate Kato Masaru have made it through the first two missions sent by the mysterious black sphere known as Gantz. Exploding limbs, fighting to survive until the final seconds, and watching their fellow comrades fall in pools of blood and viscera have become routine for them. They now understand that Gantz can summon them along with any new recruits at any moment for another encounter with aliens. Will Kato's experiences inside the Gantz world give him the same bravery in the real world? With fellow veteran Gantz player Kei Kishimoto currently living at Kurono's place as his "adopted pet," can Kurono resist his growing desire for her breasts? What the hell is Gantz?

In "Hunter x Hunter: Greed Island Final," Gon and Killua proceed with their journey on Greed Island, improving their skills through Biscuit's intensive training to overcome the game's daunting challenges. Their abilities show noticeable progress, but the threat of player-killers looms darkly over the island. Despite the hazards and run-ins with other players, Gon and their allies move forward, not discouraged by the perils accompanying each ordeal they face.

In a post-apocalyptic Japan, the Great Kanto Desert stretches across a barren landscape of sand and ruins, where survival is a daily struggle. While most merely endure the harsh conditions, a few rise to legendary status through their exploits. One such figure is Sunabouzu, known as the Desert Punk—a masked handyman who accepts any job, no matter how dangerous or morally questionable. His ruthless and cunning methods make him a feared presence across the desert. Yet Junko Asagiri, called the "Vixen of the Desert," discovers that Sunabouzu has a notable weakness: an overwhelming attraction to well-endowed women. As they travel through the Kanto Desert, Sunabouzu meets a strange assortment of individuals, all engaging in violent and perverse behavior in a world already ruined by previous generations. Despite the chaos and moral decay, they appear to take no lessons from the mistakes of those who came before.

In the high-tech metropolis of LaRousse, famous for its elite Battle Tower, Ash arrives eager to engage in intense Pokémon battles. But his plans get derailed when he discovers his battle partner is Tooi, a young boy deeply scarred by a past run-in with Pokémon, making him afraid even of Pikachu. Things escalate when Deoxys appears and takes over the city, shutting down all its systems and holding the residents captive. The legendary Rayquaza steps in, intent on driving the intruder out of its domain. Caught in the middle of these mighty forces, Ash, Tooi, and their friends remain determined to face whatever lies ahead.

On a ferry heading toward Fuuka Academy, new student Mai Tokiha and her frail younger brother, Takumi, rescue a girl who has fallen into the water. Soon after, the ferry is attacked by an enemy that summons a mechanical monster. Despite being injured, Mikoto Minagi defeats the creature using a mystical blade. Mai later discovers that Mikoto is also a student with the powers of a HiME (Highly-Advanced Materializing Equipment). As female HiMEs, they are tasked with defending the academy and the surrounding town from Orphan monsters. Following a series of school events where they clash with these creatures, Mai realizes that she too is a HiME, able to summon a Child—a powerful mechanical being. With her new abilities, Mai joins twelve other HiMEs to protect their school from an unknown menace while also keeping their loved ones safe.

Nanoha Takamachi is an ordinary third-grade student who values her time with family and friends. After rescuing a ferret she saw in a dream the previous night, she discovers the next day that the creature can speak to her telepathically. It reveals itself as Yuuno Scrya, a wizard from another world who accidentally scattered the dangerous 21 Jewel Seeds across Earth. Yuuno asks for Nanoha's help, granting her the magical device Raising Heart and teaching her to use her newfound powers as a mage. As they recover several Jewel Seeds, they cross paths with Fate Testarossa, a more skilled mage whose motives for collecting the Seeds remain unclear. Though Fate is stronger and refuses to explain her reasons, Nanoha notices a hint of sadness in her eyes, though Fate stays silent. Directed by Akiyuki Shinbo, Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha centers on the emotional struggle born from conflicting goals.

After waking up naked and without memories on a strange street, Retro and Pandy join forces for a life of chaotic, violent adventures. Their contrasting personalities—Retro's hyperactive energy and Pandy's laid-back attitude—make them perfect partners for causing mayhem. A mistake gets them arrested, and they are sent to Dead Leaves, a high-security prison on the Moon. There, they discover that the other inmates are clones produced through genetic experiments. With no other options, they lead a mass jailbreak, guiding the genetically modified prisoners on a thrilling and comedic escape from the lunar detention center.

Every fifty years, the enigmatic Hourai Island appears, regarded by some as a source of eternal youth and by others as an omen of catastrophe. After Inuyasha's group rescues a half-demon child from a monstrous creature, they discover her name is Ai and that she fled from Hourai Island. To their surprise, Ai recognizes Inuyasha and pleads with him to save her friends, who are imprisoned by the Four War Gods—vicious demons with whom Inuyasha has a grim history. When they arrive at Hourai, they find only a few orphans left, destined to be sacrificed to empower the Four War Gods. These children bear a magical seal that binds them. To break it, Inuyasha must defeat the four demons, a task requiring strategic courage and the full support of his companions.

In "One Piece: The Curse of the Sacred Sword," the Straw Hat pirates land on an island where a legendary sword, said to be the most valuable in existence, is hidden. As they explore, they face attacks from Marines and encounter charming maidens, leading to the crew splitting up. Zoro decides to help an old acquaintance, turning against his comrades. Meanwhile, Luffy and Usopp venture into a cave, while the rest of the crew assists a village under siege by Marines. Following his victory over Sanji, Zoro acquires the sacred pearls, which are the sole safeguard against the sinister sword that could cast the world into eternal darkness.

During the steam-powered era of Victorian Britain, the Industrial Revolution drives the empire's expansion. James Ray Steam, a young inventor from a distinguished family of innovators, resides in Manchester, where he spends his days laboring in local factories and gathering parts for his creations. One day, he gets a mysterious parcel from his grandfather, who is working with Ray's father in the United States. The parcel holds an odd ball fitted with a valve. Soon after, agents from the O'Hara Foundation storm his home, aiming to confiscate the object. Panicked and bewildered, Ray flees to the home of his grandfather's associate, Robert Stephenson, with his pursuers close behind. As he uncovers the secrets and capabilities of the ball, it becomes clear that multiple factions within the British Empire are competing to gain control of it.

In a world teetering on the edge of annihilation, Kiba and Cheza, together with Tsume, Hige, Toboe, and Blue, race against time to find the true paradise before the earth becomes uninhabitable. Reunited, Cher and Hubb decide to accompany the wolves on their journey, determined to see it through to the end, while Quent, lost and consumed by vengeance, wanders aimlessly across the desolate landscape, driven by his desire for retribution. Lord Darcia the Third sets his plan in motion, targeting Cheza and putting himself in conflict with the wolf pack. Amid the chaos where destruction and fate intersect, the wolves struggle to survive in an increasingly perilous world. Despite the impending end, paradise remains as elusive as ever.

Nagisa Misumi and Honoka Yukishiro are two middle school students with almost nothing in common. Nagisa is an energetic and popular lacrosse player, while Honoka is known as the quiet "Queen of Intelligence." Despite their differences, both girls hide secret identities as "emissaries of light," known as Cure Black and Cure White. Guided by the fairies Mipple and Mepple, they fight against the Dotsuku Zone, an evil force that has invaded the Garden of Light. Their goal is to locate the seven Prism Stones and revive the Prism Hopish in order to drive away the dark forces threatening the Garden of Rainbows. As they face powerful enemies, Nagisa and Honoka grow stronger together, learning to master their abilities and protect their worlds from danger.

Rushuna is a blonde, strikingly beautiful Senshi (gun expert) who travels across the world with a single goal: to bring peace not through combat, but by disarming people's desire to fight with a smile. Despite her reluctance to engage in battle, circumstances often force her into conflict, where she demonstrates extraordinary gunfighting prowess. Along the way, she meets Yajirou, a sword-wielding mercenary, who accompanies her on her journey.

In "The Gokusen," Kumiko Yamaguchi, a bright and enthusiastic newcomer, begins her career as a math teacher at Shirokin Academy, an all-boys school notorious for its unruly student body. On her first day, she quickly discovers that the school is filled with extremely difficult delinquents who resist authority. However, unknown to her students, Kumiko is also the acting head of a major yakuza syndicate, possessing formidable fighting skills capable of subduing even the toughest criminals. To maintain her cover as a teacher, she must conceal her true identity and immense strength from everyone around her. Complicating matters further, the vice principal is scheming against her, and Shin Sawada, the leader of her most troublesome class, begins to suspect that there is more to her than meets the eye. Kumiko's journey as a teacher will be far from easy.

In a world plagued by a great evil, the young swordsman Roan and his lifelong friend, the acolyte Yufa, set out on a dangerous quest to confront this threat directly. Their journey takes them through varied landscapes—from towering peaks to the deepest reaches of the underworld, across forests and barren deserts. As more heroes join their cause, their destinies become intertwined, guiding this growing group of warriors toward either a glorious triumph or a tragic defeat. With monsters lurking and dangers at every turn, their path is filled with peril and magic. Though the road ahead is uncertain, their determination offers hope. Through trials and hardships, they learn valuable lessons in the face of adversity, and the struggle for good continues. Their adventure begins now.

In the year 2100, humanity has set up colonies on the Moon, where a groundbreaking energy research project is underway. Amami Kurau, whose father leads this project, accompanies him to the lab on her twelfth birthday to observe the ongoing experiments. A disaster occurs when she is struck by two bursts of light. After the accident, her father realizes that Kurau has changed, now containing two energy beings that grant her extraordinary powers.

In "Re: Cutie Honey," Honey Kisaragi devotes herself to avenging her father's murder at the hands of the mysterious Panther Claw organization. Her father's final message fuels her determination to protect others. Inspector Natsuko Aki, brimming with energy, strives to capture Panther Claw members and bring them to justice. However, the police force is no match for this criminal syndicate, leaving only Cutie Honey—Honey's hidden persona—to oppose them. Though Natsuko initially dismisses vigilantes like Honey, their bond deepens as the resolute detective begins to understand Honey's motives. As time goes on, Honey struggles with her growing thirst for revenge, while Natsuko wrestles with her desire to protect Honey despite her duty to uphold the law. For them to effectively confront the formidable Panther Claw, they must set aside their differences and join forces.

On his sixteenth birthday, Tomokazu Mikuri experiences an incredibly vivid dream in which he observes a young woman battling a massive floating creature. Upon waking, he is astonished to find that same girl sleeping right beside him. From then on, whenever he falls asleep, he returns to the dream world, and gradually more people from his daily life start appearing there as well. In that realm, a mysterious masked woman named Silk reveals that they are fighting against an entity called Faydoom. Silk also explains that Tomokazu himself is the one who grants abilities to the girls, enabling them to combat these monsters. And so the story unfolds.

The Danger Service Agency (DSA) is composed of three members: Mikura, Kurokawa, and Harada. Mikura provides the physical brawn, Harada supplies the brains, and Kurokawa is a bitter ex-cop who likes to believe he is in charge. They accept any assignment that involves plenty of risk and, of course, payment. Crossing them is unwise if you want to live long enough to eat dinner. The most significant case they face may be uncovering why someone wants Kurokawa assassinated.

This narrative centers on Mutsu Enmei-Ryu, a legendary and unbeatable martial art that allows its practitioner to overwhelm many weapon-wielding foes with incredible speed and strength while unarmed. It follows the experiences of three successive generations of the Mutsu family as they take on the greatest warriors of their respective times.

In their unyielding journey westward, the Sanzo Ikkou strives to stop a dangerous demon from being resurrected. As Genjo Sanzo, Cho Hakkai, Sha Gojyo, and Son Goku press onward, internal conflict risks undermining their mission. When they face a powerful pair of enemies from the west, the unity of the group—and therefore the outcome of their crucial task—is challenged.

Mirai, an upgraded Kongou-class Aegis guided missile destroyer, ranks among the most advanced vessels in the Japanese Self Defense Force (SDF). Her crew, relatively inexperienced, is commanded by Captain Umezu Saburo with Executive Officer Kadomatsu Yosuke as second-in-command. During routine training exercises, Mirai is caught in a violent storm that temporarily disrupts their navigation systems. After recovering moments later, the crew is astonished to find themselves transported back in time to June 4, 1942—the Battle of Midway during World War II. They allow history to unfold naturally during this engagement, steering clear of direct involvement and pledging to remain hidden, altering the past as minimally as possible. However, when they encounter the gravely wounded Lieutenant Commander Kusaka Takumi, XO Kadomatsu's instinct to preserve life overrides caution, setting in motion far greater changes to history than he could ever foresee.

After wandering for days through the desert, the battle-worn warrior Munsu finds himself lost and on the verge of collapse. His life is unexpectedly spared when Mon-ryon, a young man aspiring to become a secret agent for the fallen nation of Jushin, comes to his aid. Mon-ryon's sole purpose is to rescue his girlfriend Chunhyan, a natural-born fighter currently imprisoned by the wicked Lord Byonand. But suddenly, blood seeps from Mon-ryon's chest—he has been mortally wounded by the Sarinjas, a race of cannibalistic desert goblins. Thinking quickly, Munsu convinces the creatures to let him live by offering up Mon-ryon's fresh corpse for their feast. Though doubtful of the young man's ideals, Munsu takes on the mission Mon-ryon described. Using the powers of Angyo Onshi to summon an army of ghost soldiers, he frees Chunhyan. After paying her respects at her boyfriend's grave, she vows to serve as Munsu's bodyguard, and together they set out to bring justice to those who robbed Jushin of its former greatness.

In the dark century, humanity suffers beneath the tyranny of the Vandel, malevolent devils with the power to command monsters. Those who hunt these fiends are known as Vandel Busters, and the most formidable among them on the continent is the Zenon Squad. A young boy named Beet harbors a dream of one day joining their ranks. But tragedy strikes when, due to Beet's own mistake, the Zenon Squad falls in battle against the devil Beltose. In their final moments, the five dying busters pour their life force into their five legendary weapons, the Saiga, and bequeath them to Beet before passing away. Years later, the young Vandel Buster Beet sets forth on his journey, determined to fulfill the Zenon Squad's legacy and bring an end to the dark century.

In the desert expanse of the Middle Eastern kingdom of Asran, Japanese photojournalist Makoto Shinjou journeys to the isolated airbase known as Area 88, intending to chronicle the lives of mercenaries who earn their keep by eliminating the nation's foes. Among these hired fighters is Shin Kazama, a Japanese ace pilot who was deceived by his one-time best friend into binding himself to Asran's fighter squadron. As a result, he forfeited his job as an airline pilot and the opportunity to wed his fiancée, Ryoko Tsugumo. Now, Shin faces three options to escape Area 88 and go back to Japan: serve the mercenary unit for three years, accumulate $1.5 million, or flee the base—an act that would mean almost certain death.

Zwei used to live an ordinary life, but everything changed one night when he happened to witness a brutal assassination while walking through the streets. He managed to evade the sniper—a young girl by the name of Ein—yet was soon captured and had all memories of his past erased. His life was spared only on one condition: he must train to become an assassin alongside Ein. Now, Zwei must find a way to break free from this shadowy world and reclaim the life he once had.

The notion that words can be wielded like weapons in the art of negotiation lies at the heart of the acclaimed manga Yu-go, which ran in Kodansha's Afternoon Magazine for over ten years. Beppu Yuugo is recognized as the world's finest negotiator, relying exclusively on the power of speech. Rather than turning to violence or intimidation, he draws upon extensive knowledge and calm logic, placing his faith in the fundamental humanity of others. This approach has brought him success in countless high-stakes negotiations. The story focuses on two of his most significant cases—one set in Russia and another in Pakistan—where Yuugo confronts his opponents amid the unforgiving conditions of the Pakistani desert and the frozen expanses of Siberia.

In Viewtiful Joe, Joe is a devoted movie fan with a signature red hairstyle who is struggling with his girlfriend Silvia. Feeling neglected, she wants to spend more time together, so Joe suggests they watch an iconic action film starring his hero, Captain Blue. But their innocent movie date takes a dark turn when Silvia is kidnapped by Jado, the leader of a villainous organization. Determined to save Silvia, Joe enters the bizarre dimension called Movieland. There, Captain Blue gives him a magical device known as the V-Watch, which transforms Joe into the superhero Viewtiful Joe. Armed with this new power, Joe sets out to rescue Silvia and stop Jado's plan for world conquest. From an ordinary Joe to a larger‑than‑life hero, his change is immense, but his determination to save Silvia and the world never wavers—and he does it all in the flashiest way possible.

Three centuries ago, in the frozen wilderness of Siberia, Jubei Yagyu fought a brutal duel against Kitaretsusai of the Northern Yagyu clan. The battle came at a great price: his daughter Freesia was encased in ice, left in suspended animation. Now, due to modern global warming, Freesia emerges from her frozen prison and transfers to a middle school in Japan as a new student. There she becomes friends with Jiyuu Nanohana. Unbeknownst to Jiyuu, Freesia's true aim is to steal the prized Lovely Eye Patch, which Freesia considers her rightful inheritance.

In the year 2023 AD, Tokyo's society undergoes transformations due to globalization and the expansion of trade, which also cause the criminal underworld to evolve. Criminals operate more covertly, their organizations grow larger, and public safety steadily deteriorates. Taking the situation seriously, the government decides to implement a groundbreaking system. To deal with these exceptional criminals, an extralegal police force is established. This special crime-fighting unit, known as Warriors, is composed of a select group of elite members.

The industrial revolution is just beginning, and feudal Japan has descended into chaos. The ruling Shogun are exploiting their authority to spread fear and control over the downtrodden masses, resorting to beatings, imprisonment, assault, and even murder to preserve their grip on power. The violence has to come to an end. A band of samurai has united, armed with newly crafted weapons and advancing technology, giving them both the determination and the firepower to push back. Ichimatsu is one such warrior. During the day, he keeps his identity hidden while working at a local tavern; in the evenings, he visits the brothels; and under the cover of night, he delivers hard-hitting, gun-wielding justice. He is here to make a difference. He is Samurai Gun.

Koto accidentally causes the Sun Goddess Amaterasu to become trapped in a different world, leaving neither of them a way back. While exploring this unfamiliar realm, Koto meets priestesses who are battling the darkness that afflicts their land. She learns that Black Towers erected across the region are keeping Amaterasu imprisoned, with each tower guarded by dangerous creatures. Koto's mission involves allying with these priestesses to defeat the monsters and free Amaterasu, thereby restoring harmony to the world.

In the midst of summer, many Pokémon gather for a lively beach festival filled with various stalls. Just as everyone prepares for a concert by the popular pop star Azumarill, she vanishes, carried off by the flying-type Pokémon Skarmory. Pikachu, alongside Plusle, Minun, Meowth, Wobbuffet, and several other Pokémon, sets out on a rescue mission to bring back the kidnapped performer—after all, the show cannot go on without her!

In this short OVA, the reason for the series being titled "Flame of Recca" is revealed. The events that occur in this OVA are taken from the final volume, volume 33, of the Flame of Recca tankoubon.

Midway through a midair heist, Lupin finds himself transformed from thief to stolen goods when he is abducted and coerced into carrying out a job for a shadowy figure known only by the brand of cigarette they smoke. Lupin's task: to steal the notorious "Bull's Eye," a small green gem infamous because every previous thief who has taken it has wound up dead. Between the challenges of alternately dodging and chasing a young, competitive-minded thief, Lupin and his crew must solve the mystery of the Bull's Eye before the jewel's curse—or their enigmatic employer—catches up with them.

After three years of intense training, Shobu returns to the Battle Arena tournament alongside his friends. But they come up against a dangerous new rival: Zakira and his group, the Fua Duelists. Zakira shows himself to be an incredibly skilled kaijudo duelist, on par with Hakuoh. The situation grows even more dire when Zakira takes Hakuoh captive and turns him into an enemy. Shobu and his allies must act quickly to stop their schemes. Can they rescue Hakuoh and put an end to the threat, or will Shobu meet with utter defeat and despair?

In a fusion of Western film conventions and fantasy adventure, the Nohara family and the Kasukabe Defense Forces—made up of Shinnosuke Nohara along with his friends Kazama-kun, Nene-chan, Masao-kun, and Bo-chan—find themselves abruptly transported into a Wild West movie world. The town they land in is under the rule of the wicked Governor Justice. Because the film remains unfinished, time stands still, yet the inhabitants of Kasukabe City steadily lose their memories. To return to their own reality, the Kasukabe Defense Forces must face and defeat Governor Justice, finishing the movie before everyone forgets completely who they are.

The Stress Team looms over the city, seeking out stressed individuals and turning them into monsters. To fight this menace, three young women are forced to become the Sweet Valerians, rabbit-inspired heroes of justice.

A sly toy manufacturer known as Wiz—also called Dark Wiz Company in the series—discovers crystals containing traces of monster DNA. These monsters are called Legendz, and the crystals are used to create a battle game. After a baseball game, a boy named Shu receives one of these crystals, called a soul figure, from his father. Legendz quickly becomes popular, and more children start playing. Wiz employees begin hunting down Shu because his soul figure is special: it can revive real Legendz, not just the digital images in the game. How will Shu fight to keep his soul figure and claim victory?

This biographical work depicts the life and convictions of Hijikata Toshizou, the Vice Commander of the Shinsengumi, as he fought to protect the Shogunate during the Meiji Restoration.

In "Battle of Clay," a red clay figure named Akairo-kun plays a trick on Kiiro-kun, who is spending some downtime with a pig. This mischief leads to a playful fight between the two claymen.

An animated variety show showcasing the works of Monkey Punch, this series aired on WOWOW with each episode running 52 minutes. Twelve episodes were broadcast from July 31, 2004, to June 25, 2005, and a DVD-exclusive 15-minute special titled Crime Mate was also released. Every episode is divided into a Mini Stage lasting 15 minutes and a Grand Stage lasting 30 minutes, interspersed with 60-second segments. The Lupin characters appear in brief 60-second segments called The Lupin Gang, though they have no dialogue and rely on visual gags; they also appear in the Mankatsu Monkey segments featuring a monkey that only says "Mankatsu."

A pair of participants square off in a game of rock-paper-scissors, but with a violent twist: the loser of each round is struck on the head with a mallet. A bowl serves as a shield, offering safety—if one can grab it quickly. As the contest begins, the tension mounts. How will it end?

Umi, Sora, and Ao are introduced as the most industrious schoolgirls in all of Japan. Running the premier odd-jobs service in town, they accept any assignment and promise to get the job done. However, dedicating their entire days to completing other people's homework and cleaning sewers leaves little opportunity for them to attend class themselves. Consequently, when they undertake the challenge of persuading someone else to return to school, it might turn out to be their most difficult task yet. Have these junior Jills of all trades finally encountered a match they cannot overcome?

Set in a warrior kingdom where the lethal martial art known as Shadow Skill is employed to protect the realm's survival, the narrative follows Gau Ban, a boy who aspires to become an unbeatable warrior akin to the legendary Scar Face—a fighter who has bested two thousand opponents. Gau trains rigorously alongside his older adopted sister Elle, who has already achieved mastery of Shadow Skill. Their lives are thrown into chaos when a rogue group of intruders launches a sudden assault on the castle in an attempt to steal a mysterious box that holds a crucial secret.

This sports anime, adapted from Kawai Katsutoshi's manga serialized in Weekly Shounen Sunday, revolves around professional speedboat racing. The main character, Tadano Kenji, cannot pursue his ambition of becoming a professional baseball player due to his short stature. His baseball coach steers him toward boat racing instead. One day, Tadano-san unexpectedly runs into an old girlfriend, and the two make a pact: while she pledges to remain faithful to him, he must resolve to become Japan's top racer within three years. The title move, the "Monkey Turn," is a racing maneuver that Kenji-san devised while visiting her. This technique grants him a significant edge over his rivals, but the question remains whether it will suffice to make him number one.

Sequel to Monkey Turn.