Rating: 
Summary: X-Men meet the Dewey Decimal System
Review: This OAV was an anime I really looked forward to viewing. Unfortunately, the promising premise was undercut by flaws too sizable and numerous to overlook.The story focuses mostly on two characters, Yomiko and Nancy. They`re the only `good guys` who have extraordinary powers, and the nature of these powers is very similar to those displayed by Marvel`s X-men. First off, we have the main character, Yomiko Readman, aka The Paper. She can manipulate paper to effects ranging from mundane to deadly (think Magneto`s ability with magnetism). The combination of the element involved, paper (which is hardly your usual super-hero material), and Yomiko's nebbish, librarian, yet compelling demeanor make for a winning character rather than the feel of a rip-off that might have easily occurred. Then there`s Nancy Makuhari, aka Miss Deep, who can phase through any and all matter with moves that rival Nadia Comaneci (think Shadowcat, aka Kitty Pride, with Nightcrawler`s gymnastic ability). The first incongruity we come across regarding agent Yomiko is her level of experience with, and working for, British intelligence. When she first meets Miss Deep, she introduces herself using her real name. Deep admonishes her for this rookie mistake. But Yomiko isn`t supposed to be a rookie. Her familiarity with the upper brass is evident. She`s a known quantity in British Intelligence and is being tapped for a very important assignment that has implications for international diplomacy as well as military and security objectives. Secondly, the extent of her ability to manipulate paper appears inconsistent. The show can`t make up its mind if she can control paper that`s simply nearby, or if she has to be in contact with the paper, along with any sheets touching the first. In one life-and-death situation, she is bound, and cannot manipulate the paper ribbon in her braided hair until she can grasp it with her teeth. Yet in another scene, she can control pieces of paper floating around her without making contact with them, either directly or via other paper. The first case itself seems rather odd; since the paper ribbon is in her hair, she is technically already touching it (even though it was tied by Miss Deep). Perhaps once she has touched a piece of paper, she can manipulate it ever after by proximity (at one point we do see her flipping through a stack of currency). But that still wouldn`t explain the former case above. Even if this is true, why reach for, grab, and then throw paper that she's obviously already touched from a briefcase, instead of just commanding it to fly on it`s own? I`m sure there`s some rational explanation for these apparent variances, but one can't escape the feeling that her ability is dictated by whatever the director needs at the moment to create the desired dramatic effect. Third, is Yomiko a bumbling bookworm, or a ninja warrior? For the most part, Yomiko behaves as someone more likely than most to trip over or bang into something out of clumsiness, or inattentiveness. Yet she holds her own in battles with master samurai. If she doesn`t understand the basics (never give your real name in an operation), how did she manage to hone her martial arts skills to such a degree? There are some problems in directing as well. In one shot involving the Statue of Liberty, everything happens in normal speed?except for Yomiko, who is suspended in mid-air, coat flapping, seemingly going slow motion, left-to-right in a straight line. There`s nothing to keep her from falling, which she eventually does in the next shot. I`m surprised this got passed the editing process. The show also has the rather annoying habit of shuttling you from place to place without any indication of travel, or identification of the new location. With a little thought, one can suss out soon enough what has happened, but time has to be spent wondering exactly where you are now? Japan, Britain, or Washington? One other thing that bothers me. The story seems reluctant to define the era in which it takes place. There are steam powered contraptions from the 1800s, clothes from the 1920s, conveyance systems from the 40s, manual typewriters from the 50s, James Bond style music from the 70s, computer monitors and satellite imagery from the 90s, genetic replication technology that hasn?t been invented yet, just to name a few. Half way through the first episode, I found myself wishing that they would choose a time period and stick with it. Yet even given all this, it`s definitely not a complete waste of time. As others have pointed out, the story is engaging enough, the characters interact in an interesting manner, and the artwork is very pleasant. Yomiko`s character has a child-like sincerity that`s devoid of cynicism, coupled with a hard-core tenacity to accomplish her mission. It`s a difficult combination that comes off in spades and saves the show. We quickly come to really like and care about Yomiko. Even though Read or Die has been somewhat overhyped, it is still worth a look. I would recommend seeing it before buying. This anime had the potential to be an immediate buy-off-the-shelf keeper, but the gaps and incontinuites lessened what should have been an excellent show.
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent! Well worth your time and dough...
Review: This one has it all: a good story; fantastic, polished animation and interesting characters. Super-powers that involve the manipulation of paper into weapons and the ability to pass through solid matter? Wonderfully bizarre touches like that and truly amazing action scenes make this one a keeper.
Rating: 
Summary: An original story in a sea of sameness.
Review: This OVA has got to be one of my favorite animes of all time. The story is really original when it comes down to it. efven if some of the characters aren't. I don't think I really need to go through the whole story considering all the other reviewers who do.
some things that I feel should be cleared up for those who may not understand the story. The story is set in the present day or very near future. The reason for the older looking clothes adn the steam powered equipment is because the people whom the super clones are created from come from a certain era and won't modernize because they have perfected their tools for there time, so there is no need to modernize.
The next thing that seems to come up is Yomiko's powers. The power seh has to control paper is easier for her when she is touching it. However she does not need to be touching it to create something (such as the paper airplane she forgot to put the tail on.)
And the last one people seem to be askng. Is Yomiko a bumbling bookworm, or a ninja warrior? the short answer is a warrior bookworm. her personality is bookwormish but when she is on the job she can become one tough babe. however she doesn't lose her bookworm personality.
I hope this helps clear up some of the air about this show.
spoiler warning so read only if you are confussed about the ending:
The Nancy in the hospital was the clone. she lost het memory after losing to the real Nancy in the fight.
Rating:
Summary: One of the BEST OVA series I have EVER seen!!!
Review: This three episode OVA series has almost evey thing! It has action, comedy, suspence, and it has BOOKS!!! I am an avad reader... O.K. I'm a FREAK about reading and books I have a bookcase, three or four BIG containers, and two cabinets filled to the brim with books, and it made me very happy to see an anime based on BOOKS!!! Any way the only thing I would have done to make this series better would to have made one more episode to go to more deepth on Yukino and Mary's friendship. 10 stars out of 5!
Rating:
Summary: The Beginning of the End
Review: This was the first anime show I watched and the one that got me into anime today. I always enjoyed anime that was involved in video games but I could not find one that caught my eye like this did. Sure Agent Paper can be a bit extreme with her obsession for books but her character is still enjoyable and very balanced with the rest of the agents she works with and around. I highly recommend this to anyone interested in a good well balanced anime flick.
Rating:
Summary: Great Movie!
Review: ^.^ You gotta love Read or Die. Its a great movie, I watched it on [adult swim] a while ago and I had to buy it.
At Suncoast it was like $30, and at amazon.com I paied $11 for it! Even better, I got the free shipping with it, and it came the next day, along with my 'How to Draw Manga Books.'
Thanks Amazon.com! ^.^
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