Summer 1998 Anime

In Serial Experiments Lain, fourteen-year-old Lain Iwakura is an introverted girl who struggles with social interaction until she unexpectedly receives an email from Chisa Yomoda, a classmate who has already died. Despite having little experience with technology, Lain opens the message and is drawn into the Wired, a digital network akin to the Internet. This event transforms her life as she confronts mysterious puzzles. Figures known as the Men in Black begin appearing around her, questioning her with intimate details about her life that even she does not fully grasp. As the boundaries between the physical world and cyberspace grow indistinct, Lain becomes entangled in increasingly surreal scenarios that challenge the nature of identity, consciousness, and reality. Directed by Chiaki J. Konaka, the creator behind Texhnolyze, this psychological and avant-garde mystery follows Lain's critical choices, which impact both the real world and the Wired. Only through Lain can the full significance of these interconnected realities be understood as one realm fades and another emerges.

Scientists splice the genetic material of the mythical Pokémon Mew to engineer Mewtwo, intended to be the most powerful Pokémon in existence. Refusing to remain a lab subject, Mewtwo lashes out with its psychic abilities, annihilating its creators in a fit of fury. It later seeks to master its abilities under Giovanni, the backer of the original research, only to realize it is being exploited once more. Determined to carve out its own destiny, Mewtwo vows revenge on humanity and unleashes a catastrophic storm to wipe out all life on Earth. Ash Ketchum and fellow trainers receive Mewtwo's summons to a battle, yet quickly learn the true motive: Mewtwo intends to clone their Pokémon to serve its own agenda. Ash races to thwart Mewtwo's scheme before it reaches fruition. The theatrical cut ran 75 minutes; a year later, a "complete version" aired on television just ahead of Pokémon the Movie 2000, expanding the runtime to 85 minutes with a retold sequence of Ash and Pikachu's first encounter.

During the final moments of the Eve Wars, on December 24 of the year AC 195, the forces of the World Nation and White Fang clashed in a fierce battle. Treize Khushrenada, leader of the World Nation, was killed; Zechs Merquise, leader of White Fang, vanished; and Earth was spared from annihilation thanks to the five Gundam pilots' intervention. Having seen the devastation brought by war and hatred, the people of Earth and the space colonies set aside their conflicts and jointly established a new global government. Under this newly created Earth Sphere Unified Nation, a year of peace has passed. The government and citizens have disarmed, and nearly all remaining mobile suits have been scrapped. Choosing to do the same, Gundam pilots Heero Yuy, Duo Maxwell, Trowa Barton, and Quatre Raberba Winner load their powerful mobile suits into an asteroid and launch them on a one-way trip toward the sun. Yet even as they say goodbye to their Gundams, a new conflict is approaching.

Luffy and his crew, consisting of Zoro and Nami, are adrift on a small boat, starving, when a massive creature attacks them. During the chaos, Nami is taken, leaving Luffy and Zoro to fend for themselves. They wash ashore on an island and meet a girl named Medaka, who tells them that the island's people, including her father, have been enslaved by the dreaded pirate Ganzack. Resolved to rescue the villagers and Nami, Luffy, Zoro, and Medaka plot an assault on Ganzack's fortress.

Long ago, before the emergence of humanity, an advanced alien civilization inhabited Earth. Their misuse of powerful technology led to their own destruction. Before disappearing, they left behind indestructible tablets commanding future inhabitants to eliminate all traces of their dangerous technology. In the present day, the ARCAM Corporation and its special forces unit, the Spriggans, are tasked with securing these ancient artifacts and preventing them from falling into the wrong hands. After ARCAM's recent discovery in the Ararat Mountains—believed to be Noah's Ark—Spriggan Yuu Ominae is sent to investigate the site. However, the location is immediately attacked by the US Machine Corps, a rogue division of the Department of Defense led by Colonel MacDougall. Acting on Pentagon orders, MacDougall aims to seize ARCAM's lead scientist and claim the artifact for himself. Alongside his fellow Spriggan, Jean Jacquemondo, Yuu must stop MacDougall and his elite forces from reaching the Ark before it is too late.

Shido Tatsuhiko works as a private detective who also happens to be a vampire with a mysterious history. He is joined by Yayoi Matsunaga, an agent working for the government; Riho Yamazaki, a young orphan who helps him; and Guni, a small green imp. Together they confront strange monsters called Nightbreed. At the same time, Cain, the vampire who turned Shido into what he is, searches for him.

While eating at a tavern in a village, sorceresses Lina Inverse and Naga the Serpent see the locals hurry indoors as two opposing sides appear: a human army and a group led by a young girl with a dragon tribe. At first, the village lord tells Lina the conflict comes from an ancient curse, but it is later revealed that the dragon forces are commanded by his own daughter, Marlene, and the fights are actually quarrels about her allowance. Lina agrees to aid the village lord, while Naga chooses to support Marlene.

Two years have gone by since the conclusion of the original Nadesico conflict, and both Akito and Yurika have vanished without a trace. In that time, former adversaries have become allies—the Jovians and Earthlings now stand united, with Ruri commanding the Nadesico B as its new captain. Boson Jumping has skyrocketed in popularity, giving rise to a sprawling transportation infrastructure known as the Hisago Plan, built around a network of Chulip portals. This system is believed to conceal the secrets behind Bose particles and the tremendous power they wield. If that knowledge were to land in the wrong hands, the fallout would be immense—and trouble is already brewing. A renegade Martian faction has launched an attack, leaving the United Forces baffled and scrambling for a response. In their desperation, they've recalled the original crew of the Nadesico for a covert, off-the-books mission with everything at stake. Can this oddball assortment of former heroes rise to the occasion? Who will seize control of the Boson technology? And what in the world has become of Akito and Yurika?

After being imprisoned on charges of murdering Getter Robo's creator, Dr. Saotome, Ryoma Nagare is forced to reunite with his former comrades to pilot the mecha again. This urgency arises when Saotome returns from the dead and endangers humanity by unleashing his ultimate creation, the Shin Dragon. Their attempts to stop the threat prove futile; they fail to prevent a nuclear warhead from striking the Shin Dragon, triggering a massive Getter Ray contamination that eradicates 99% of the planet's population. Thirteen years following this catastrophe, humanity continues its struggle for survival against the Invaders. Emerging from the nuclear blast's aftermath is Shin Getter, piloted by the artificial human Go. Supported by remnants of the Japanese military, Go, alongside co-pilots Kei and Gai, must wield Shin Getter to finally exterminate the Invaders.

In the land of Kuruda, combatants wielding magic and extraordinary battle skills compete for the prestigious title of Sevaar, the realm's strongest warrior. Elle Ragu, known as the Shadow Skill, has recently attained this honored rank, but her life remains far from simple. Training her "little brother" Gau in the ways of combat, repelling assassins dispatched by enemy nations, and stopping foreign invasions are all formidable tasks—yet managing her mounting alcohol debts proves to be her greatest trial.

After being rescued from the Himalayas, Federation Ensign Shiro Amada is under suspicion for espionage because of his encounter with a classified Zeon mobile armor. Intelligence officer Alice Miller is assigned to investigate Shiro's actions during the period he was missing. Her written report will determine whether Shiro Amada is a traitor and what fate awaits him as the commander of the 08th Mobile Suit Team.

Lupin the Third, a master cat burglar, pulls out all the stops to intercept two old glass photographic plates en route to a mysterious art dealer named Mr. Suzuki. But his plan backfires, and things are not helped by the fact that Goemon and Jigen are experiencing...efficiency issues. And of course, the relentless Inspector Zenigata is on the chase, now accompanied by a new tagalong: the beautiful young reporter Maria. What exactly is Maria's connection to the enigmatic Mr. Suzuki?

In a far-off future, a cruel alien race schemes to conquer the entire galaxy. Emeraldas, a mysterious female warrior, serves as humanity's final hope against the brutal Afressians. Haunted by the painful memory of a lost love, she travels the Sea of Stars as a fabled privateer, obliterating oppressive foes with her powerful arsenal of advanced weaponry. But when the cunning Commander Eldomain captures a group of innocent civilians, Emeraldas falls into a deadly trap that may prove too much even for her.

During the final period of the Universal Century, the Earth Federation tries to accelerate a spacecraft beyond light speed. Zeon forces attack the orbital launch complex and inflict heavy damage. Nevertheless, the vessel succeeds in taking off before the facility is fully destroyed.

Milk-chan is a girl residing in a house attached to the side of a building, accompanied by her two sidekicks: Tetsu-ko, a paranoid robot shaped like a bottle, and Hanage, a green blob with a moustache. Milk is broke and cannot afford the rent, especially after her scheme to extort a local ant family falls through. However, she gets saved when the president himself offers her a job (some kind of secret mission). Milk-chan answers the phone to receive assignments from The President by saying something like, "Hello, Bank of Hokkaido. Just kidding!" Once she gets her mission, Milk-chan and her sidekicks take off in the "Milk-6" helicopter to carry it out. Did I mention this is a spoof of 1970s spy thrillers or some sort of Bond movies? :)

Hell Teacher Nube returns, with his beloved students still at risk from demons, ghosts, and the enigmatic Man in the Wall. Fortunately, Nube doesn't face these trials alone. The slightly foolish yet lovely Yukime and the yokai playboy-turned-physician Tamamo-sensei team up to assist in protecting the students.

Momoko is a high school student who admires her older sister Sakura, a working woman in an office with many colleagues. Together with their circle of friends, the two sisters navigate the daily challenges and situations common to young women.

Urayasu Tekkin Kazoku chronicles the chaotic exploits of the Osawagi household. The central figure is Kotetsu, a high-spirited youngster who is arguably the liveliest kid in Urayasu, often causing trouble alongside his distinctive group of friends. The series boasts well-crafted, memorable characters, complemented by rapid-fire action and comedy.

Shown alongside Gundam: Mission to the Rise during the "Gundam Big Bang Sengen" event held at the Pacifico Yokohama National Convention Hall to mark Gundam's 20th anniversary, this feature used carefully selected scenes from Kidou Senshi Gundam. Those clips were re-edited across three large projection screens to create a widescreen visual effect from the original 4:3 footage. The visuals were coordinated with computer-controlled lighting and laser effects to enhance the space combat sequences, while the audio was remastered for a six-channel surround sound experience.

In a specialized training facility, Touno Hikari faces difficulty piloting robots, even though her instructors inexplicably believe in her potential. As the trainees progress through their lessons, they begin to doubt the true reason behind the center's activities. The appearance of transfer student Marie Vlaanderen brings further mystery, as her instructor discloses that Marie has been trained from birth and carries the greatest ability to achieve "it."

The story revolves around Kanipan aiming to be the best inventor and his adventures while trying to accomplish this.

Original pilot for the "Legend of Lemnear" OVA.

Based on the manga by Shimabukuro Mitsutoshi that ran in Shounen Jump.

Double feature with Sore Ike! Anpanman: Anpanman to Okashi na Nakama.

Double feature with Sore Ike! Anpanman: Tenohira o Taiyou ni.

This anime adapts Youji Yamada's film series "Otoko wa Tsurai yo (It's tough being a man)." Kuruma Torajirou, also known as Tora-san, is a traveling salesman who carries nothing but the items in a small suitcase, the clothes he wears, and some pocket change, journeying from one place to another selling his goods.

The peaceful world of Cyress is thrown into chaos when a secret terrorist organization called Solomon, headed by Duran Gash, gets its hands on seven PDP missiles capable of obliterating entire planets. Jim Hyatt is selected to command a mission that appears hopeless: he must find a means to free the hostages and either recover or render those apocalyptic weapons useless. Yet the greatest obstacle is the intense, long-standing hostility that exists between the members of his own team.

This educational film highlights the significance of staying connected with others, even when you struggle in certain areas of your life.

Aired between the 88th and 89th episodes of the television series, this special installment of Kochira Katsushikaku Kameari Kouenmae Hashutsujo is titled Dai Hard! Ryoutsu Kankichi wa Nido Shinu.