4/5 Entertaining If Not Shaky
  by L. B. Bryant (Astoria, OR)
Overall, I'm pleased with how this series turned out. The ending came across as an anticlimactic letdown but the buildup was a thrill. I may not recommend this series to everyone that I meet, but the action and progression of the characters will warrant a return spin through my player at some point. Recommended.

5/5 Before: Unsure... Now: Amazed...
  by Carol Nichols (USA)
Like the last one I'm making a review for this series too. I first heard about this series during a trailer at the Bleach movie in theatres. I was so curious I worked overtime to squeeze extra money in. The beginning of Buso Renkin is like a combo of Bleach and FMA. While some might find this dull, offensive, or unoriginal, the cornerstone of the series lies within the turning point. Which this box set is known for(according to me, anyway.)

Like before the characters are always intriguing, save Kazuki at times. Some might say that the first 10 episodes of Buso Renkin was an intro to their world merged with good-timing. Some might say: not bad, I say:tone down the explanations a bit. This half has little to no explanations and has great action scenes, supported with even better character development.
Tokiko a battle hardened anti-hero who eventually turns to butter without the sight of Kazuki, this reminds us all of Koaru Kamiya from Rurouni Kenshin and how she feels towards Kenshin.
Papillon a self-serving villian who wants to live, turns to a vengeful, yet "respectable" anti-hero, to a superhuman who can't live without his rival and best friend Kazuki.

Finally, there's Kazuki who goes through many changes, that make you wonder how an ordinary boy can become one of the strongest Shonen Jump heroes. We think of Kazuki as an eternal optimist, who learns certain truths that shape into his own unique character.

These aren't all the great developments, but just a piece of a pie that will eat you up.

Some flaws include a backstory of the primary antagonist, or an epilogue. But the later 13 episodes make you forget the bad.

The music is very good too, I might add, certain battles, feel right with this attribute.

The only HORRIBLE thing about this series in general, is.... how short it is.

Go out and buy the remaining Buso Renkin now! Or if you have neither, buy both at the same time.

4/5 Finally!
  by Michiru (New Mexico)
I watched "Buso Renkin" back in Japan when it originally aired, and it quickly became a favorite. I was very excited to find out it was being released here in America.

The basic story, as introduced in the first box set (and/or the original manga volumes), is this: high school student Kazuki Mutou finds his small town is overrun by evil creatures called homunculus. A brave group of soldiers, called the LXE, fights them with alchemic weapons called "buso renkin". To save Kazuki's life one night, a female soldier named Tokiko Tsumura gives him a buso renkin, which inadvertently draws him into the battle. Kazuki thus is forced to try and balance his school life with his new role as a protector of regular people; he's helped by LXE soldiers (especially Tokiko, with whom he has an ongoing almost-romance) and his supportive school friends.

Everything gets more complicated in the second half of the series. The LXE, who were Kazuki's friends up until recently, suddenly turn against him; this forces Tokiko into a difficult position. Will she choose love for Kazuki or duty to her superior officers? Meanwhile, a mischievous homunculus named Papillion, up until now a villain, might be Kazuki's greatest ally--if he doesn't kill him first. What does he really think of Kazuki? The question, ambiguous in the first part of the series, becomes crucial here.

Episodes 14-26 are thus spent following Kazuki as he tries to keep himself alive, find out more about the LXE and homunculus, and finally is forced to make a terrible choice to save his loved ones.

All the characters from the first box set make welcome reappearances here to shake the story up, and a handful of new LXE members help add some dimension to the side characters like Tokiko and the LXE Captain Bravo. A good sense of humor and numerous actions scenes break up the drama and romance, which makes the series move rapidly. And, thankfully, the anime does a good job of changing bits and pieces of the original manga story. While the endings of the two versions are similar, the changes kept me guessing without being disrespectful to the manga and turned me into a fan of the anime in its own right.

This series is not perfect. Some bits are rushed, some action scenes aren't very good, and a few humor scenes seem pointless. But wonderful characters, great acting, an engaging story and a strong sense of fun made this series one of my favorites. Watching it for the second time subtitled, I found I hadn't lost interest in the least. Heartily recommended if you're looking for a fun action story.