Recommend an Anime!

[Edricane]

Magi the Labyrinth of Magic, do yourself a favor and watch it. Probably one of my favorite of all time, starts off a bit slow though.

[OttoVann]

Ghost in the Shell SAC, dont bother watching other cartoons.

 

Also Dubs > Subs. I only understand rudamentary Mandarin and marginally better German. Aint got no time for learning japanese.

[Kaniko Niko]

I'm an unabashed fan of shojo and josei series, so buckles your shoes, grease up your hair and prepare for some unapologetic sexy fashion.

 

Paradise Kiss

 

Based on the manga series by Ai Yazawa (Nana, Gokinjo Monogatari) studious Yukari "Caroline" Hayasaka goes through the motions: Go to school. Study. Prepare for college. But she doesn't know if she's doing so for herself or if that's what's expected of someone her age. She gets pulled into the world of professional fashion by art students who are in need of a model for their school project.

 

I cannot stress this series enough. The artist originally wanted to be in fashion herself, but ended up a manga-ka and it really shows. Her passion literally drips off the pages. The anime itself uses so many different kinds of one-of-a-kind animation techniques; hand-drawn, rotoscoped, layered filters, textures—and they're all sytlisitcally consistent. Nothing quite seems 'out of place'.

 

As a refreshing turn, the relationship between the leads is possibly one of the most realistically depicted of-age romances I know of in fiction and will elicit tears of all varieties. Paradise Kiss is, in my opinion, the logical conclusion of a 'slice of life'. It's a 5 volume manga and a 12 episode anime and it neatly serves up a slice of life in media res. I don't have a short clip that I could produce for you that highlights the facets of the series, so I'm going to have to give you the whole first episode.

 

[video=youtube]

 

Yes, it's subbed. And while I'm not going to get into a Sub/Dubs debate and I find the English voice cast to be very skilled, I find their timing and intonation off enough that certain scenes would benefit from the much more emotional Japanese cast.

 

Edit: I highly recommend finding the original version of the sub. The subtitles that aren't the official Aniplex version have a habit of, uh... Well. Not being good. They keep referring to Seiji Kisaragi as "Miss Kisaragi". Just because he's a glorious, smooth and ageless alien from a plante made of glitter and David Bowies does not a 'Miss' make.

[Caspar]

http://myanimelist.net/anime/5177/Denpa_Teki_na_Kanojo

If it hasn't been suggested yet, Denpa Teki Na Kanojo. A really solid two OVA from Brains Base, it is a great story with an interesting take on insanity and it's weird underlying logic. It has some of the most effective and disturbing mood-setting I've seen in an anime. The odd twist on the "boy gets his life turned upside down by a quirky girl" cliche is really well executed. If it had any flaws whatsoever, it's that it's only two episodes. 

I watch a lot of anime. I might put more suggestions here, but if you want any directly, ask any time.

[Enla]

Magi the Labyrinth of Magic, do yourself a favor and watch it. Probably one of my favorite of all time, starts off a bit slow though.

 

This, most definitely.

[Erik Mynhier]

Thought on a few more.

 

This one and all the classics tied to it.

[video=youtube]

 

Fushigi Yuugi

[video=youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dsxplHm-Tu0

 

D.N.Angel

[video=youtube]

 

And who could not watch this.... the song is possibly my favorite anime theme of all time.

[video=youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_xAueTwJFV4

[Elysia]

Paradise Kiss

 

I cannot stress this series enough. The artist originally wanted to be in fashion herself, but ended up a manga-ka and it really shows. Her passion literally drips off the pages. The anime itself uses so many different kinds of one-of-a-kind animation techniques; hand-drawn, rotoscoped, layered filters, textures—and they're all sytlisitcally consistent. Nothing quite seems 'out of place'.

 

As a refreshing turn, the relationship between the leads is possibly one of the most realistically depicted of-age romances I know of in fiction and will elicit tears of all varieties. Paradise Kiss is, in my opinion, the logical conclusion of a 'slice of life'. 

 

Yes. I haven't seen the anime but I was mad about the manga for quite a while. I think Ai Yazawa does tend to excuse her male characters a little too much for the things they do, but her characters are never one-dimensional and I appreciate that. This series has the most beautiful art, and I'm also still hoping for NANA to be revived someday. :cry:

 

I rarely delve into the shoujo genre, actually, but Honey & Clover epitomizes slice-of-life genre for me: 

 

[align=center]http://download.minitokyo.net/Honey.and.Clover.352631.jpg[/img][/align]

 

(I am putting up a manga cover here because I absolutely love Chica Umino's art style.)

 

It's... a very slow-moving series about the love lives and ups-and-downs of five art college students. That's basically it. The general summary. I find it unique for how it splices the most ridiculous slapstick moments together with some genuinely beautiful, realistic and sometimes hard-hitting meditations on art, talent, love, and life in general. Also,every episode in the second season includes a different insert song by SPITZ. What's there not to love? 

 

Another recommendation from me: 

 

[align=center]http://fc09.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2013/294/a/3/paranoia_agent__or_why_satoshi_kon_hates_kawaii_by_phan2angel7-d6rddkt.jpg[/img][/align]

 

If you're a fan of Satoshi Kon (Paprika, Perfect Blue, Millennium Actress etc), this series really shouldn't be missed. Paranoia Agent's a psychological thriller that is incredibly metafictional (it also parodies RPGs and the animation industry in the most macabre fashion at one point), it critiques pop culture and society with one of the most innovative approaches I've ever seen, it's self-indulgent and... completely overturns your expectations with every episode. It has the standard Hirasawa Susumu theme that will make you question your sanity after you discover its addictiveness.  

 

Also I completely concur with Cylin on Juuni Kokki! I never finished it, though I plan to someday. it also has really amazing music, BGM (pentatonic perfection) or otherwise. :3

 

Edit: ^ FUSHIGI YUUGI oh my goodness. That brings back so many memories. The first anime I cried my eyes out over, even at the end, though I detested the main couple so.

[Edda]

Awwwww shiet ten anime recs comin' at you lightning fast. I tried to pull stuff not everyone and their GRANDMOTHERS have seen but are also really good (5% of all anime is clap-worthy, 10% is watchable, the rest is just utter shite).

 

Gankutsuou: The Count of Monte Cristo

A classic French tale set 3000 years in the future. If you haven't read the book or seen any of the GOD AWFUL movies, do yourself a favor and watch this show (do not spoil yourself). For fans of the book, this show is set from the point of view of Albert and Co. and not the Count, so it plays out more like a thriller/mystery than the classic revenge story. More edge-of-your-seat than Shingeki no Kyoshit and actually rewarding! Watch it.

Planetes

Trashmen eventually get into a shootout on a spaceship. If that doesn't sound appealing to you, you are most likely an incredibly boring individual. Well-written (though not always likeable) characters and actual SCIENCE star in this all-over-the-genre-board anime about picking up space debris. Guaranteed to make you shit your pants whenever you take a flight that exits the atmosphere, whenever that becomes a thing.

 

Terra e...

Very very very gripping story about... uh... Well, just read the description, fuck I can't describe it. It's really good. Lots at stake and the show makes you really get involved with each character, even if you think you won't. It's pretty tragic though so if you are looking for a happy anime avoid this. Complete with a cute animal mascot that isn't actually annoying. Who knew that was possible?

 

Dennou Coil

What's this!? An interesting concept that is pulled off well and fully explored in a show that also manages to NOT neglect character development as a trade off? What the fuck!? Ahahaha but no seriously there's like what, ten anime that manage to do that well in under 26 episodes? Possibly one of the most well-animated TV series I have ever seen. Great mix of genres and fun characters, and I don't even like children.

 

Tiger & Bunny

Despite having quite possibly THE WORST pre-air show description on the face of God's Green Earth, Tiger & Bunny charmed me by episode 3 and totally renewed my faith that anime could still be good. Great writing, fun characters, excellent world building, awesome use of 3D CGI (this never happens) - this show is a treat. This is probably the only anime in this post that sold more than 70 copies, so it's nice to see that sometimes the good stuff does get recognized. Hope you like Pepsi.

 

Ping Pong the Animation

Flawless anime. Seriously. It was the best anime of 2014 and no other show even came close to this one. Super stylistic and amazingly tight direction, it was clear a lot of love went into this one. If you don't watch this show with bullshit reasons like "durrr I don't like the art style" or "hurrr ping pong is stupid" you are scum with shit taste. There is really no nice way to say it: Shit. Taste. You might as well just stop watching anime at this point and get a new hobby, like pogs or something equally brainless.

 

The Tatami Galaxy

Same director as above so you know this one is going to be good unless you are one of those people with shit tastes. Don't be that guy. If you're one of those dubs > subs people you are going to have serious trouble acclimating to this show because the main character narrates fast. It's a very Groundhog Day-esque series that doesn't really seem to be going anywhere but then it does. Best ending I've seen in an anime, and I've seen a lot. 100% fulfillment once those credits role in the last episode. Beats the best dump you've ever had in your life by far.

 

Shiki

Wooooah hey what's this? Super wacky artstyle and a cohesive story about vampires? Is this real life? This is one of those shows that really makes you wonder whose side you're on. I'll warn you though, Shiki is immensely slow to start. The action starts ramping up way late by episode 11 (22 episode + 2 OVAs), but by episode 16 this shit is just NON. STOP. I watched this while it aired and the wait each week was torture.

 

Le Chevalier d'Eon

Are you man enough for another French anime? Or woman enough? Or uh... both? I'll admit this series did kind of meander a bit but it was always enjoyable, and if you're a fan of history you will probably enjoy this. Though it was less about history and more about... mercury zombies. I dunno. I'll have to watch it again. Great action sequences though, that much I do remember. Despite being set in pre-Revolutionary War France all I learned is that Robespierre was a total hottie.

 

Kuuchu Buranko

Otherwise known as Trapeze, but that's a bit more of a pain to Google. Wacky psychiatrist with three distinct personalities stars in an episodic series about his bizarre patients and how he treats them. It's very psychedelic, and mixes live footage with classic animation, so anime nubs (read: most anime fans) will most likely find it weird. I will admit I had trouble getting into this at first, but it got much better as it went on, and everything tied together at the end for a really heartwarming finale.

 

 

Das it mane. I will also parrot Verad's post and mention Legend of the Galactic Heroes and Monster as must-sees. Seriously, NO excuses for not watching those. 10/10 God-tier anime. If you take issue with me subtly calling you an anime nublord or One Who Eats Shit, take it up with me here instead of this lovely forum.

[Michikyou]

[align=center][/align]

[align=center]Kamisama no Inai Nichiyoubi[/align]

 

 

[align=center]Now, I give this anime a 7/10. Mostly because of the terrible third arc that seemed unneccessary. However the art and the backgrounds are absolutely stunning.[/align]

 

[align=center]The story follows a young girl called Ai, who is what is known as a 'grave keeper'. This is a dark world setting where god has abandoned earth and no one is ever born nor dies If one person were to die they simply keep living as if nothing had happened. [/align]

 

[align=center]The 'grave keepers' deal with peoples whose minds couldnt cope and those who cannot deal with being deal but alive by forcing their soul to continue to the afterlife.[/align]

 

[align=center]Despite this grim setting the show is very colorful and full of beautiful scores.[/align]

[align=center][/align]

[Caspar]

I can't post from my cell well so just watch everything on Edda's list. Thank you. Dayum, that MAL lol.

[Seriphyn]

Here, have a long, dry military history with a huge ensemble cast, lots of character development, and rumination on the distinction between autocracy and democracy:

 

Legend of the Galactic Heroes

 

It's also really old, and the animation doesn't benefit from the OVA animation bubble in terms of quality. A must-watch!

 

 (5% of all anime is clap-worthy, 10% is watchable, the rest is just utter shite).

 

Planetes

Trashmen eventually get into a shootout on a spaceship. If that doesn't sound appealing to you, you are most likely an incredibly boring individual. Well-written (though not always likeable) characters and actual SCIENCE star in this all-over-the-genre-board anime about picking up space debris. Guaranteed to make you shit your pants whenever you take a flight that exits the atmosphere, whenever that becomes a thing.

 

Terra e...

Very very very gripping story about... uh... Well, just read the description, fuck I can't describe it. It's really good. Lots at stake and the show makes you really get involved with each character, even if you think you won't. It's pretty tragic though so if you are looking for a happy anime avoid this. Complete with a cute animal mascot that isn't actually annoying. Who knew that was possible?

 

 

 

 

Das it mane. I will also parrot Verad's post and mention Legend of the Galactic Heroes and Monster as must-sees. Seriously, NO excuses for not watching those. 10/10 God-tier anime. If you take issue with me subtly calling you an anime nublord or One Who Eats Shit, take it up with me here instead of this lovely forum.

 

Quoted for emphasis.

 

LOGH will make you a smarter and more educated human being. It complimented by history and political science education tremendously.

 

If you can't handle it than enjoy being a peasant, hehe.

[Kaniko Niko]

Paradise Kiss

 

I cannot stress this series enough. The artist originally wanted to be in fashion herself, but ended up a manga-ka and it really shows. Her passion literally drips off the pages. The anime itself uses so many different kinds of one-of-a-kind animation techniques; hand-drawn, rotoscoped, layered filters, textures—and they're all sytlisitcally consistent. Nothing quite seems 'out of place'.

 

As a refreshing turn, the relationship between the leads is possibly one of the most realistically depicted of-age romances I know of in fiction and will elicit tears of all varieties. Paradise Kiss is, in my opinion, the logical conclusion of a 'slice of life'. 

 

Yes. I haven't seen the anime but I was mad about the manga for quite a while. I think Ai Yazawa does tend to excuse her male characters a little too much for the things they do, but her characters are never one-dimensional and I appreciate that. This series has the most beautiful art, and I'm also still hoping for NANA to be revived someday. :cry:

 

You'd probably get a little miffed at the anime, though since you read the manga first, I don't think you would as much as someone just watching the anime first. The anime is much, much more condensed on the Yukari/George relationship and the uh, past issues between some guy and some girl are sort of glossed over. At least in the manga, mentioned guy realized long ago that what he did was pretty fucked up and how the girl still was still so in love with him after really screwed with him inside.

 

The anime was more or less just coughcouchtheyhavearockyrelationshipcough.

[Desu Nee]

I really suck at recommending stuff, because my arguments are crap, but if you don't mind like twenty decades of catching up, a series I strongly recommend is Jojo's Bizarre Adventure. Intricate, creative fights, lots of western music reference, fun story, and each part is self-contained in a way, so it doesn't matter much where you start. Sure, you miss some references but overrall you could start anywhere if you so wished. It's extremely good and popular, and overrall very fun if you like creativity in your Shounen/Seinen

 

Also extremely fabulous/manly.

 

 

JOJO NO KIMYEN NO BOKEN: BATTARU TENDENCY 

 

YOU KNOW IM ALL ABOUT THAT JOJO

G5brZEoHeFc

[Kage]

I'm now going to broach the subject of ANIME MOVIES~ I'm trying to steadily avoid the common ones, *cough*Shinkai Makoto and Hosoda Mamoru *cough*

 

ACTION SAMURAI DRAMA MOVIE THAT'S NOT KENSHIN?

 

Sword of the Stranger is a beautifully animated, compelling story about... a ronin who has reasons for not using the blade and a young boy pursued by multiple people.

 

 

Currently available on hulu, distributed by Bandai Entertainment so... yeah >.>

 

 

Animated short? You've most likely heard of Studio Trigger by now (Inferno Cop, Kill la Kill)...

Check out the short Little Witch Academia!

Young witches are being taught, some of them from mundane families and others from long histories of witches. Put your guns on for some funs. ... sorry wrong anime. It's a cute little short with lots of love and hopes.

 

Cyberpunk? It's a series of OVAs made into a movie and a sequel but it works.

Armitage III!

Set in a time after Earth has become so overpopulated that people terraformed Mars in order to live there with the help of androids. A 2nd generation of robots were made and they contribute to much of the population of the main Martian city. The death of a popular singer reveals her identity to be a "Third" generation android, practically indistinguishable from humans. The revelation of "Thirds" cause panic and riots, and it hits particularly close to the policeman who fled from Chicago from his past of having his partner killed by a robot.

[C'kayah Polaali]

I'm not a big anime fan, but there are a few I really like.

 

The one that really got me into the medium was Serial Experiments Lain, which defies coherent explanation. It's a fun cyberpunk SF series that ends up delving into some surprising areas.

 

[video=youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9kYAEyVjEY

 

The character designer for Lain went on to make a really strange anime about a poor student and an alien called Niea Under 7, which is also fun to watch. The thing that both of these shows have in common (and it's something that I haven't really seen in most anime) is a deep exploration of what it means to be connected to other people.

 

[video=youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNtF2BBJDww

 

A third that I really enjoyed was Bubblegum Crisis, both in it's original form and the later reboot. The reboot looks better, but the original series definitely went a lot further in both it's exploration of what it means to be alive as well as how well realized the characters are. Both definitely delve into that same field: what does it mean to be connected to other people, so I guess you can see a trend here. Anyways, I highly recommend these.

 

[video=youtube]

 

[video=youtube]

[Merri]

It's a new series from this season, buuuut, loving it so far.

Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon?

 

 

It's hard to really put into words. It's a fantasy world, and it's a video game world, except it's not a video game. You should just go watch it if you haven't. It's four episodes deep, and well, it's pretty great thus far.

Hestia is bestia.

 

 

Definitely would also recommend Nichijou. Entirely different type of show, but pretty hilarious. It's a slice of life anime, but, well. I'll let it speak for itself. Looks like some cutesy anime, but uh...

 

 

The entire show is just 100% absurd 100% of the time. I love it.

[Darien Cadell]

From what I've seen in previous posts, I'd echo Samurai Champloo and Cowboy Bebop. That's about it. Maybe Full Metal Alchemist, but I got tired of it. I loved Fushigi Yuugi... when I was 16. I watch it now (am embarassed to own it) and wonder what I was smoking. (The answer is nothing, maybe Pocky, but still.)

 

A lot of anime, including many in previous posts, I start watching and just never really get into or actively hate. (Somebody in this house loves it more than I do, so I get exposed to a lot of things I'd never watch otherwise.) Ones I've actually liked recently so that I sought them out are Madoka Magica (magical girl deconstruction, beautiful yet unpleasant, and I was in awe at the different approach), Kill La Kill (crazy high school superpowers sort-of deconstruction, hilarious, amazingly well translated (in the subs I saw it in)), and The Devil is a Part-Timer (very silly in-universe alternate real world universe, title self-describes, surprised me with unexpected charm).

 

But if I have to pick just one, I'ma pick Noragami (fun modern fantasy playing around with Japanese myth). Because it is awesome, but new, so incomplete (only seen one season).

 

 

I also really loved Hell Girl, which is older, probably for similar reasons, but Noragami is much more lighthearted.

[ArmachiA]

I have a love/hate relationship with anime. Most of the stuff I like no one ever watches and I've never seen any of the hugely popular anime like Naruto, Attack on Titan, etc. I tend to like subtle anime with a lot if character depth or just slice-of-life shoujo crap.

 

I echo Cowboy Bebop forever, though. Like, if you haven't watched it just stop what your doing and watch it right now.

 

1. Madoka Magica. When people ask me what I recommend in anime, this is usually the first anime I tell people about. Kalafina, who does the opening/ending songs also is a favorite Jpop group of mine. I don't need to describe it, just watch this AMV and see if it doesn't make you look it up immediately.

[video=youtube]

 

2. Chihayafuru. It's an anime about a bunch of people playing an obscure Japanese poem game called Karata. Kind of a sports anime, kind of a slice-of-life, Chihayafuru is about three childhood friends, 2 boys and one girl, who bonded over the game then separated due to life getting in the way. It's ridiculously innocent, but strangely realistic and you can help but root for all of them to find their way.

[video=youtube]

 

3. Seirei no Moribito. Beautifully drawn Japanese fantasy anime with a pretty damn kick ass female protagonist. Usually when people ask me whats a good female lead in an anime I point to Balsa. She's strong and tough but fallible and imperfect. The whole anime, while it starts a little slow, is just beautifully done.

[video=youtube]

 

4. Eden of the East. I honestly have no idea why this one doesn't have a bigger fanbase, it's so good. It's like half mystery-half slice of life, with V for Vendetta in there somewhere for good measure. The whole thing is pretty out there but basically boils down to this little Wiki tidbit:

The Seleção (Portuguese: "Selection") are the participants of the game. Each carries a special "Noblesse oblige" cell phone that is credited with 10 billion yen which they must use to "save Japan". They can spend the money in whatever manner they wish, using a concierge named Juiz (Portuguese: "Judge", the soccer referee) to accomplish the goal, however, any Seleção who uses up their money before they can complete their mission, who acts purely for self-interest, or does nothing with the phone for an extended period of time will be eliminated by a person (one of the twelve) called "The Supporter".

And yet, it's SO MUCH MORE THAN THAT.

It's one of those anime that you need to talk about after you've seen it.

[video=youtube]

 

5. Paradise Kiss. Someone did a better job at selling it then I ever could. But go watch it, it's really good.

[Kage]

A third that I really enjoyed was Bubblegum Crisis, both in it's original form and the later reboot. The reboot looks better, but the original series definitely went a lot further in both it's exploration of what it means to be alive as well as how well realized the characters are. Both definitely delve into that same field: what does it mean to be connected to other people, so I guess you can see a trend here. Anyways, I highly recommend these.

 

Mmm Bubblegum Crisis!

 

if anyone is a fan, I wanted to give you all a heads-up. I participated in the Kickstarter crowdfunding to get digitally remastered with production extras BluRay sets made and it may be your only chance to get BDs of this great series. The bitrate is amazing. It's around $70 now for the BD set, and it will only get higher as quantity diminishes from sales.

 

I love me good cyber punk series.

 

I'm also very glad that Armi mentioned Seirei because I was going to make another post but then she got to it.

 

Let's get into Seinen! Series marketed towards older males that aren't about sex. You've all probably seen Akira, Berserk, Battle Royale, Hellsing or Ghost in the Shell.

But I really love me some Black Lagoon!

A Japanese business man finds himself dealing with the criminal underground of sorts, the Triads and the Mafias. Oh and there's this badass cursing lady with these really beautiful handguns.

 

And to the female equivalent of seinen, Jousei!

The biggest series I enjoy of this that others haven't mentioned is Gokusen

Gokusen's a series about a young teacher of classes of delinquent boys in all-boys high school. She also happens to be the granddaughter of a yakuza boss which allows her to inspire her students to better themselves. Her position as the next in line for being the boss also adds to a lot of comedic relief in the series. It's primarily a manga and drama, but it does have an anime series.

[cuideag]

Saint Young Men

 

 

Jesus and Buddha decide to take a vacation to earth and end up renting an apartment in Japan. It's a slice of life I guess? that pokes fun at religion without getting nasty about it. They have a sweet little friendship and get into shenanigans, etc. Just watch it. Anime Jesus compels you. As far as I know there's a movie and two OVAs floating around.

 

[video=youtube]

[Caspar]

My favorite scene in Saint Youngmen was Buddha telling the various birds and woodland animals who naturally gather to him to "Leave me alone!" (ほっとけ, which sounds like Buddha=仏) It was a terrible pun and it made me giggle appropriately.