For the first time I watched and finished Avatar: The Last Airbender. Dunno if that's considered anime (only animated show I've completed) but I was quite surprised by how good it was. Mature storytelling, great character arcs, very good animation and a lot of fun.
Some that I watched recently and are also mentioned in the reddit discussion linked by @Nathaniel_Near are Sidonia no Kishi (Knights of Sydonia) and Kiseijuu: Sei no Kakuritsu (Parasyte -the maxim-).
Sidonia no Kishi is interesting because the animation is very unconventional, being some form of 3D that's less painful or cringeworthy to the eyes. It has a bleak atmosphere as the story unfolds mostly in the space or in a big mothership where the rest of humanity is boarded, fending off a hostile threat (the Gaunas) that they still can't comprehend very much.
The premise is very similar to Attack on Titan, and actually the author of AoT has mentioned Sidonia no Kishi being one of the big inspirations to it. It's a series by Nihei Tsutomu who's the author of some classics like Blame!. The soundtrack and bgms are also awesome and fit the atmosphere so well.
As far as action scenes and tension goes, it is at its core a mecha series but with its fair share of strangeness and the inbetween but very curious slice-of-life with romantic interests to contrast some of the main tension.
PV:
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Kiseijuu: Sei no Kakuritsu or just Parasyte is very good. Animation was done by MadHouse for this manga classic. I guess i will just quote the synopsis since explaining/describing with my words would be a bit hard (despite having watched this series so recently):
From MAL:
Based on Iwaaki Hitoshi's science-fiction horror manga by the same name.
The 17-year-old Izumi Shinichi lives with his mother and father in a quiet neighborhood in Tokyo. One night, worm-like aliens called Parasytes invade Earth, taking over the brains of human hosts by entering through their ears or noses. One Parasyte attempts to crawl into Shinichi's ear while he sleeps, but fails since he is wearing headphones. The creature enters Shinichi's body by burrowing into his arm instead, taking over the boy's right hand. It adopts the name Migi.
Because Shinichi was able to prevent Migi from traveling further up into his brain, both beings retain their separate intellect and personality. As the duo encounters other Parasytes, they capitalize on their strange situation and gradually form a strong bond, working together to survive. This gives them an edge in battling other Parasytes, who frequently attack the pair upon realization that Shinichi's human brain is still intact. Shinichi feels compelled to fight other Parasytes, who devour humans as food, while enlisting Migi's help.
(Source: Wikipedia, edited)
From Manga-Updates:
They arrive in silence and darkness. They descend from the skies. They have a hunger for human flesh. They are everywhere. They are parasites, alien creatures who must invade - and take control of - a human host to survive. And once they have infected their victims, they can assume any deadly form they choose: monsters with giant teeth, winged demons, creatures with blades for hands. But most have chosen to conceal their lethal purpose behind ordinary human faces. So no one knows their secret - except an ordinary high school student. Shinichi is battling for control of his own body against an alien parasite, but can he find a way to warn humanity of the horrors to come?
Won the 1993 Kodansha Manga Award for General Manga and the Seiun Award for Best Comic of the Year in 1996.
Video Preview:
What I can say about it is that it has such an unique character dynamic. The interactions between the lead and the being in his right hand called Migi (which simply means "right hand") are so interesting. As the story goes on we receive lots of hints, and Migi learns not only about itself but of humanity as a whole. The main lead also undergoes some nice character development as his own nature changes due to his condition. It's quite a thinking or philosophic series too, touching on topics about humanity and also exploring an interesting outside perspective. I liked it a lot, has some nice characters, good animation and definitely has the weird,violent and ****ed up stuff as you can see in the preview.
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If you're up to some riveting animation, character designs and If you also like adventure/fantasy settings, from a couple seasons back there's also Shingeki no Bahamut. The series is based on some korean card game and the story seems simple enough although kinda hard to follow to some of its details for outsiders that aren't familiar with the cards and some in-universe characters, but this is the kind of anime that one can enjoy just for the visuals, eye-candy and the grandiose vibe I think. Some of the animation sequences were quite sick.
PV:
Angels, Demons, Dragons and a zombie loli to boot. Just the later by itself would already make this A grade tier in some people's book.
For the first time I watched and finished Avatar: The Last Airbender. Dunno if that's considered anime (only animated show I've completed) but I was quite surprised by how good it was. Mature storytelling, great character arcs, very good animation and a lot of fun.
The last airbender is not anime, if we use the most accepted definition that anime must be animation produced in Japan to a particular domestic or overseas public (and even that is quite debatable), but it's very fine if not some of the best western animation to date in many regards.
If you liked it, you will most likely also enjoy Legend of Korra, which is the sequel to it. Curiously, Legend of Korra is an odd one to define following the definition just mentioned since a huge deal was animated in Japan (or Korea) but the production is clearly aimed to a western public (despite the classic eastern influences as was with The Last airbender).
Blood+ was pretty average. The middle portion of the story was somewhat interesting but overall it just wasn't a memorable anime for me. The best part of Blood+ was actually the theme songs. It introduced me to artists like Uverworld and Jinn.
Oh man. sogood.gif. I listen to the soundtrack regularly still.
Ah thanks to whoever mentioned Knights of Sydonia, that was going to be my next one but I forgot all about it lol. I love AoT so hopefully will enjoy that.
The last airbender is not anime, if we use the most accepted definition that anime must be animation produced in Japan to a particular domestic or overseas public (and even that is quite debatable), but it's very fine if not some of the best western animation to date in many regards.
If you liked it, you will most likely also enjoy Legend of Korra, which is the sequel to it. Curiously, Legend of Korra is an odd one to define following the definition just mentioned since a huge deal was animated in Japan (or Korea) but the production is clearly aimed to a western public (despite the classic eastern influences as was with The Last airbender).
Thank you for the info! I actually recently finished Korra. I liked it and it carried some strong themes and good storytelling devices, but overall not as strong as Avatar IMO. What in your opinion is some of the best Anime?
Thank you for the info! I actually recently finished Korra. I liked it and it carried some strong themes and good storytelling devices, but overall not as strong as Avatar IMO. What in your opinion is some of the best Anime?
Nice. For Korra there are 4 seasons total in case you didn't know. I myself am yet to finish the last one.
Now, that I have watched and personally rate highly I'd say Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan - Tsuiokuhen (the Rurouni Kenshin OVA's, Samurai X: Trust x Betrayal would be the english title), Fate/Zero, Stranger: Mukou Hadan (Sword of the Stranger for the english title), Attack on Titan, and most recently Kiseijuu: Sei no Kakuritsu (Parasyte - the maxim - which I aleady mentioned in this thread), One Punch Man and Shokugeki no Souma. There's also a couple more but I'd say these would look the most interesting if you're starting or looking for good quality. Some series are better appreciated after you get some milleage too.
The Rurouni Kenshin OVA's (4 of them total): Gritty story, action, blood, drama and very emotionally charged as I recall. No matter where I look these OVA's are always rated very highly by fans and casual watchers. It may serve as a prequel and introduction to the Rurouni Kenshin TV series already mentioned in this thread, which is also good but a longer investment (95 episodes in 3 or 4 arcs).
Sword of the Stranger (which is a single movie), much like Rurouni Kenshin, is also set on a feudal timed Japan with some classic katana wielding swordsmans and bloody fights. The story is quite good but what left me a great impression that I recall is the quality of the action scenes and choreography.
Fate/Zero is probably the most highly rated entry of the popular franchise. Has a nice and easy to understand plot (basically a magical battle royale between heroic legends and their masters), while setting a peculiar atmosphere and having a nice array of well designed and likeable characters, protagonists and villains. Some very flashy fights and moves.
One Punch Man is a fun and well animated satire of the genre, as the main character is an uber strong hero from the get go, instead of starting off weak and getting strong as the story progresses. It's very action packed and has quite a few humorous moments.
Shokugeki no Souma is a curious one because it's a series where the action resolves around cooking, but that doesn't make it any less exciting. It has all the traits of a series from its genre, with the build-up of elite environments, strong characters, rivals and a quite eager, ambitious and competent main lead. Fantastic character design and even a bit of ero here and there (foodgasms hehe).
Some gateway animes I watched that could also leave a strong impression, these being animes of the 00's, are Elfen Lied (already suggested in the thread) and Full Metal Panic? Fumoffu. Elfen Lied is a very violent and bloody one with lots of shock value, a trait that reminds me a lot of the bloody/violent animes in the 90's. FMP? Fumoffu on the other hand is a very light hearted school comedy with fun and charismatic characters.
Rurouni Kenshin
Sword of the Stranger
Fate/Zero
Shokugeki
OPM
In the end, there are plenty of genres and settings. Some (most of the ones I mention here) are gritty and violent, but on the other side of the appreciating spectrum there are also the more light and comedic ones like OPM, Shokugeki, FMP?Fomoffu if it's the atmosphere you appreciate better or just for a change of pace (there are heaps of good ones on that line not mentioned yet). Settings vary from contemporary ones to historical dramas, or fantasy/fictional. Hopefully this will provide a good blend that will cater to one or two of your interests.
From those mentioned in this thread so far that I haven't watched but I know they are quite good, I'd vouch for Monster, Full Metal Alchemist: Brotherhood (only watched the original series which is also fantastic and should be mentioned along with all these goods, though if you do choose to pick it up you should probably watch Brotherhood) and probably Code Geass.
Thank you for the info! I actually recently finished Korra. I liked it and it carried some strong themes and good storytelling devices, but overall not as strong as Avatar IMO. What in your opinion is some of the best Anime?
Well best is highly subjective and depends on the genres you like.
Some of my favorites at this point are Angel Beats!, Cowboy Bebop, Death Note, Durarara!!, Black Lagoon, Full Metal Alchemist: Brotherhood, and Baccano!.
Ergo proxy is a good sci-fi one, though it's been quite a while since I watched. It gets a little crazy towards the end but it's quite intriguing overall. The main characters were great.
Strange and mysterious: monogatari series, though you'll need some time on your hands and the story may not make too much sense without long thought
I personally find Baccano! to be another humorously dark one. Plenty of violence and blood.
In terms of realistic violence and blood you can't quite beat Black Lagoon though. Pretty dark with its themes too, highly recommend it in this regard if you haven't seen it yet.
Of course you could just watch the most ****ed up anime of all time School Life (actually, you may want to not watch that lol ).
Thanks for the Black Lagoon recommendation. Just finished watching the final episode today. Really enjoyed it. A shame it only has 24 episodes though. What about the manga? Should I? How far ahead is it?
Thanks for the Black Lagoon recommendation. Just finished watching the final episode today. Really enjoyed it. A shame it only has 24 episodes though. What about the manga? Should I? How far ahead is it?
Ergo proxy is a good sci-fi one, though it's been quite a while since I watched. It gets a little crazy towards the end but it's quite intriguing overall. The main characters were great.
Arslan Senki, was an entertaining recent anime. Slightly reminded me of 'Avatar the Last Airbender'. Hermes from Senki was practically Zuko.
Gyakkyou Burai Kaiji, One Outs, are great psychological anime on gambling.
Tatakau Shishio: Book of Bantorra, is a relatively unknown but great anime. People who appreciated Baccano, and Durarara would probably enjoy it.
Some overrated anime include, Mahou Kokou no Rettousei, Danganronpa Kibou no Gakuen to Zetsubou no Kokousei, Ghost in the Shell Standalone Complex.
These were utter bores, with slow paced and weak execution. Shinsekai Yori, and Ergo Proxy are beauties, with Psycho Pass, and Fate Zero being great Tier 2 anime.
Haikyuu based on volleyball is another entertaining anime, with it's 2nd season currently airing. Classics like Neon Genesis Evangelion, or Cowboy Bebop, though great, tend to be overrated in my opinion. Nostalgia kicks in for old viewers(The my time - Goat - Borg - Laver delusion).
In this case I mean more like I thought the direction the story was taking towards the end was rather unexpected and not quite in a "wow I didn't see that" but more in a "well, ok I guess" way. Was just my impression, which is quite in the past now.
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So, recently I decided to get into the classics of Go Nagai's Devilman mythos. Have been planning to do that for a while.
Before that I had watched the Devilman Lady TV series many years ago (I'm currently reading the manga for that right now after finishing Devilman's manga). I recalled being advised to watch the OVA's first and then reading the manga, which I did. 3 in total. The TV series is a 40 episodes long show from the 70's that goes more like a monster of the day show and didn't follow the manga's plotline so I decided to avoid that and sticked to the OVA's that follow the source story.
Some good vintage stuff, I enjoyed the 2nd and the 3rd OVAs the most. The 1st and the 3rd can be pretty ****ed up at times (specially with the gratuitous gore, something that was more common with the animes of that time). The Silen episode in the 2nd OVA is arguably as good or even better than the original, whereas I felt the manga was more complete compared to the 1st OVA (Birth). The lack of lip synch for Devilman kinda makes it more aged than it should, considering it was a good budget OVA at the end of the 80's.
I love how bizarre the first 2 minutes and the flashback scene was in the first OVA. It might be the best parts of it actually. The manga was equally impressive and more complete in that regard though.
I just finished Magical Pokaan.
I'd highly recommend it, it's a great fantasy/slice of life comedy. Plus the characters are some of the most likeable I've ever seen. I was really sad to finish it, it ended too soon. Now I might have to write fanfiction, FFS.
I finished 'Gankutsuou' or 'The Count of Monte Cristo'. Much better than I envisioned, with a little of everything. Quite alluring. I look forward to watching Berserk 2016, and the second season of Arslan Senki.
Yeah, they left it on a giant Cliffhanger this week, am hyped yet sad.
Alderamin on the Sky doesn't seem too bad either if you want to check it out, not usually my thing though. Haikyuu was the best of last season, Shokugeki is rushing season two and the pacing is horrible at the moment so I've dropped it.
Yeah, they left it on a giant Cliffhanger this week, am hyped yet sad.
Alderamin on the Sky doesn't seem too bad either if you want to check it out, not usually my thing though. Haikyuu was the best of last season, Shokugeki is rushing season two and the pacing is horrible at the moment so I've dropped it.
I've started the series I Can't Understand What My Husband Is Saying.
I'm loving it so far. The three minute episodes are perfect for someone with my attention span.
I've started the series I Can't Understand What My Husband Is Saying.
I'm loving it so far. The three minute episodes are perfect for someone with my attention span.
For the first time I watched and finished Avatar: The Last Airbender. Dunno if that's considered anime (only animated show I've completed) but I was quite surprised by how good it was. Mature storytelling, great character arcs, very good animation and a lot of fun.
I loved Avatar as well. mmm so good. It doesn't matter if it was anime or not. Yes It has very good animation. I watched all of them. I love that flying Buffalo.
I loved Avatar as well. mmm so good. It doesn't matter if it was anime or not. Yes It has very good animation. I watched all of them. I love that flying Buffalo.
I loved Avatar as well. mmm so good. It doesn't matter if it was anime or not. Yes It has very good animation. I watched all of them. I love that flying Buffalo.
Yeah! But sadly it wasn't nearly as good IMO. I appreciated the commentary on capitalism and communism but it didn't pick up till S3 and the supporting characters other than Tenzin and his family weren't nearly as good.
Yeah! But sadly it wasn't nearly as good IMO. I appreciated the commentary on capitalism and communism but it didn't pick up till S3 and the supporting characters other than Tenzin and his family weren't nearly as good.
Its still worth watching IMO. I love how it explains how the Avatar came into existence. Which was always a mystery to me. TLA is better yes I agree but now we understand the dynamics of the Avatar spirit more.
Its still worth watching IMO. I love how it explains how the Avatar came into existence. Which was always a mystery to me. TLA is better yes I agree but now we understand the dynamics of the Avatar spirit more.
Its still worth watching IMO. I love how it explains how the Avatar came into existence. Which was always a mystery to me. TLA is better yes I agree but now we understand the dynamics of the Avatar spirit more.
There is absolutely no comparison between hybrid polar bear and wolf Kora was riding and gentle giant cuddly Appa.
I am pretty sure I will get Appa someday
I know the secret how to get it. I will tell it to someone only dying to get it.
I've started the series I Can't Understand What My Husband Is Saying.
I'm loving it so far. The three minute episodes are perfect for someone with my attention span.
UPDATE. I finished the series.
I loved the art, it was simplistic yet well-drawn. The anime sometimes even had me banging on the table in tears with the manzai-style humor. Also, the last episode melted my face with sheer kawaii factor.
Kaoru and Hajime are just too cute as a couple.
Well, this spring season is going to be completely bonkers, starting with this:
Second season of Attack on Titan coming up in a little less than 2 weeks. Amusingly enough, it's going to air along with the second season of Shingeki no Bahumut (which has nothing to do with it besides having a somewhat similar title). Both should be fairly high budget productions.
Will also be watching second season of Berserk too, even though the CG is garbage. Wanna see how much they will adapt of the Millenium Falcon arc. Similarly, "Zero kara Hajimeru Mahou no Sho" interests me because the premise and characters remind me a bit of Berserk (the main guy being a mercenary and having a sword very similar to the Dragon Slayer).
Other titles I won't be watching but I think should be good or have some good following are the second season of Boku no Hero Academia, Boruto (sequel to Naruto), Tsugumomo (heard about the manga for ages) and perhaps Grandblue fantasy. I really like that there are plenty of fantasy titles to pick for this season for a change.
I enjoyed Attack on Titan. very emotional link to what desperation of war can feel like.
I'm surprised NO ONE MENTIONED PRINCE OF TENNIS???
Initial D is fun since I used to track my car (SW20) MR2.
Been watching some Naruto Shippuden with my daughter. It's like, what, episode 400? or something.
Ah, and NO mention of Kenshin???
SAO was interesting. They had the sequel…or continual. Then SAO2 was good for the first half with the whole cross-over into gun world with a sword. Can you say, "lightsaber"
