Take the story of Romeo and Juliet; put it in a blending machine with war, crossdressing, politics, flying horses and floating continents, and lots of Irises and You get Romeo X JulietXD
The anime has the basic story of shakespear's version; two families, the Capulets and Montegues, hate each other, and despite name, their children, Romeo and Juliet, fall in love with each other and are willing to throw away their names for love.
In the anime the Montegues killed all members of the Capulet family, except Juliet, and took control of the country of Neo Verona. Juliet was put in hiding under protection of Capulet supporters and she was raised as a boy her entire childhood without being told of her lineage. When she becomes a teenager, she wants to protect the townspeople from the oppressive government and masquarades as the "Red Whirlwind" saving those in need.
At one point she (as the "Red whirlwind") is saved by Romeo, who dispite his father's possition doesn't think the government should not be so oppresive. And later Juliet (dressed as a woman) and he meet again and its "love at first site." And fate lets them meet many times~ but on Juliet 16th birthday she discovers her role as the last surviving Capulet, that she is obligated to overthrow the corrupt Montegue rule.
The story pace can be kind of slow at spots but overall I've been happy with it so far. It almost always leaves off at a cliff hanger thats makes you want to see the next episode.
Really I feal like some of the side characters (there's tons of side characters) could have gotten more spot lightXD But Romeo and Juliets are primarily focused on. Romeo is kinda wimpy though~ He has a good heart and all, but I think the main male lead should have a little more charismaXD Juliet has alot more than him and actually does alot more to move the plot along.
The animation is awsome in my oppinion^.^ It has alot of great scenic veiws and detailed cities and landscapes. The character details are good too, but for some reason their noses always bother me=_=" The fighting scenes are great as well^.^ But its made by Gonzo, maybe I'm just being biased in my loveXD (Gonzo animated other anime like Hellsing, Full Metal Panic, Chrno Crusade, Kaleido Star, Samurai 7 and lots of others I can't think ofXD)
The music was also pretty good in my oppinion (though the Backround music can get repetitive at times)~ The Opening song is "You raise me up" or "Inori you raise me up" with Japanese lyrics, which I'm sure most have heard the english version at some point (its played alot at 9/11 tributes). Both endings were also to my liking.
The only negative things I disliked about Romeo X Juliet so far is sometimes they try and use real Shakespear quotes in the anime O.o And they will either be so out of context it doesn't make sense, or they change words just to match the anime. Also they put to much emphasis on IrisesXD
The romance can get alittle "cheesey" at some parts, but overall I really like Romeo X Juliet~ one of the better aniime of 2007, and probably my favorite in this Genre this year.
Trailor 1
Trailor 2
Opening (ya, I realize they played it in the second trailor alsoXD)
Random Pictures: ---> Romeo Just found out Juliet was a girl O.o then *steriotypical "OMG! I just tripped and happened to fall on a girl I like" move.... Don't believe the "I was trying to save you from falling in fire" act Juliet likes to cross dress and run around the city pretending to be a super heroXD Its all good untill some one gets burned to death for itX_x ---> Steriotypical psychopathic villain with a sad child hood. Also Romeo's daddy... ---> Random children in sheep's clothing...because its randomO.o ... William aka Willy (a pun on william shakespear)... I think the picture is enough to describe his characterO.o The 3 smexy guys because they don't get much attentionXD
---> Romeo Just found out Juliet was a girl O.o then *steriotypical "OMG! I just tripped and happened to fall on a girl I like" move.... Don't believe the "I was trying to save you from falling in fire" act
Juliet likes to cross dress and run around the city pretending to be a super heroXD Its all good untill some one gets burned to death for itX_x
---> Steriotypical psychopathic villain with a sad child hood. Also Romeo's daddy...
---> Random children in sheep's clothing...because its randomO.o
... William aka Willy (a pun on william shakespear)... I think the picture is enough to describe his characterO.o
---> because its cute ^o^
