Ekkusu [X] (1996)

(In theaters, July 2000) Japanese animation works according to its own very peculiar rules, and Ekkusu demonstrates this above everything else. A choppy story of good-versus-evil ultimate combat, this is perhaps the most unintentionally funny film you’ll see on any given year: Divided either between hilarious straight exposition (which isn’t helped by the sarcastic attitude) and over-dramatic action scenes, Ekkusu contains such gems as “I came to save you and you were here to protect me, but it didn’t turn out that way” (said after half the characters dies). Ekkusu‘s faults might be exacerbated by a poor dubbing, but most probably find their source both in the typical anime tics, and the ultra-compressed adaptation of the story from a massive manga series. In any case, this film is best rented with a group of guys as so to enjoy the curvy female characters, gory action scenes and what may be one of the most unintentionally hilarious death scene ever.