Real Bout High School Volume 1: Enter the Samurai Girl

life (See also: Tenchi, Neon Genesis Evangelion, Magic Users Club, Bubblegum Crisis and so on and so forth). Despite the serious nature of the action, the series manages to inject humor at almost every turn especially during the interactions of the characters.

On to the synopsis...

Episode 1: Samurai Girl Appears

Meet Ryoko, her best friend Hitomi, her biggest fan (read: camera-toting stalker) Daisaku, the 

principal Takao Todo (who also does the play-by-play of the K-fights), Tatsuya the captain of the Kendo club, and Azumi the nemesis of Ryoko in both combat and for the affection of Tatsuya. The episode is mainly to introduce Ryoko, the supporting staff, and the K-fight system. The action picks up with the principal coming up with a way of making the K-fights more interesting… by offering 100 times the funding to the group or club that can defeat Ryoko in a K-fight. Besides the amusement of watching an entire baseball and football team get smoked by a girl (in a sailor-style school outfit no less), there’s also an interesting subplot involving a discovered necklace that transports the wearer and nearby people into an alternate world to fight a monster. The highlight of the episode is a one-on-one K-fight between Ryoko and Kazumi (who fights with a naginata [a spear with curved blade at one end] using Kirbayashi style).

Episode 2: The Strongest Man on Earth Joins the Fight

The episode starts with Ryoko in the alternate world surprised by a dragon. After an extensive battle that showcases her new powers in this world, Ryoko defeats the dragon and is returned home. But all is not well, as the previous K-fight Champion, Shizuma, returns from a self-imposed break to try and re-take his title from Ryoko. Unlike most characters, Shizuma fights unarmed but is able to release some fiery chi-based attacks. Just as the battle is about to start, the originator of the K-fight system and its first champion, Keiichiro returns and immediately challenges Shizuma. The ensuing fight is a demonstration of chi-based attacks and generally devastates the ring.

Episode 3: Enter the Way of the Swordsman

Realizing the Ryoko needs additional training in sword fighting arts, Azumi introduces Ryoko to Master Tessai. Ryoko having already seen what Master Tessai is capable of both armed and unarmed – she decides that she would like to train under him but must first convince him to teach her. This episode has an interesting subplot involving a search for Keiichiro by a blonde woman and her 8 or so nameless goons – think of it as an excellent showcase of Master Tessai and Keiichiro’s talents.

Episode 4: The Girl With The Deep Black Eyes

Now that Ryoko is living at the shrine run by Master Tessai, Ryoko learns that the servant-girl Miyuki is about to have her birthday. Deciding that a 14^th birthday is really important, she takes it upon herself to organize a massive party. Besides the amazing turnout punctuated by a few K-fights incorporated into the celebration, Ryoko is transported with Shizuma to the alternate world to battle a flying serpent. The battle allows Ryoko to incorporate some of the new techniques learned under Master Tessai’s tutelage.

All in all, you end up with an interesting if not revolutionary anime series that fans of humorous series and battle series will both like.

- Tazman

That plot makes perfect sense. Wink Wink.

Bender, you said "wink-wink" out loud.

No I didn't. Raise Middle Finger.

            - Bender and Dr. Zoidberg (Futurama)