Anime-ted Morning!

I didn't purchase a lot of anime at Anime USA 2 weekends ago. I only bought 2 DVDs!!!! I spent most of the following Saturday morning watching "Panda! Go Panda!" and "Sea Prince and the Fire Child." "Panda! Go, Panda!" was written and created by Hayao Miyazaki and directed by Isao Takahata, predating Studio Ghibli. This short movie hit Japan at the height of the panda craze, initiated in September 1972, when the government announced the loan of a pair of giant pandas from China to the Ueno Zoo as part of Panda diplomacy. "Panda! Go, Panda!" offers a charming pair of adventures for children. In Panda Family, Mimiko, a cheerful, energetic little girl, adopts a baby panda and is adopted by his father. Her parents are dead and her grandmother is away, so Mimiko is delighted to find a substitute family. They quickly establish a merry menage, although they wreak havoc wherever they go. Mimiko and the Pandas befriend Tiny, a lost baby tiger in Circus in the Rain. Unruffled by a storm that floods her town, Mimiko organizes the rescue of the circus animals, including Tiny’s mother. Like Miyazaki’s Totoro, whom he resembles, Papa Panda embodies the warm, reliable, magical friend children dream of having. I'll say it right off the bat: I can definitely see similarities in the character designs of "Panda! Go Panda!" and "My Neighbor Totoro," another Miyazaki project! Little Mimiko looks a lot like Mei. Unlike the majority of Miyazki's works--which I feel are suitable for all audiences--this one definitely seemed to be aimed more at children and less at families in general. Whether or not I will keep it or give it away is a decision I have yet to make! Yes, even an Anime-niac such as myself doesn't like absolutely every anime out there!!!!!!!!!!!!! As for "Sea Prince and the Fire Child," the story was reminiscent of Shakespeare's "Romeo & Juliet." (Which was also made into an anime and licensed by Funimation.) "Sea Prince & the Fire Child" tells the story of how The Gods once lived on earth, and two siblings, Oceanus - God of Water, and Hyperia - Goddess of Fire, lived in peace and dearly loved each other. However, the God of Wind, Algaroc, become jealous of the pair's happiness, and spread lies and deceit between them until their hatred for each other brought about war. Finally, Algaroc was imprisoned by the King of Gods, but after that time, the brother and sister still despised each other, so the Children of Fire and Water forever remained apart. But, then Prince Syrius of the Water and Princess Malta of the Fire meet and fall in love. The love of Syrius and Malta may not be enough to surpass their parents' hatred. Whether they can stay together forever may be impossible. As for me, I believe that true love conquers all! Did the anime prove me wrong? That's something you'll have to discover for yourself!!!!!!!!! In the meantime, I'm going to take a break from anime and spend the next few weekends watching holiday movies and grooving to yuletide carols, old and new!!!!!!!