Post by Satoshi on Nov 30, 2009 18:17:51 GMT 10
So, having watched quite a few anime in my day I've found some series that I figure everyone who like certain genres should watch. Here's a brief list. Basically this is the 'I want to watch an anime but I don't want to waste my time with bad ones... what are the best ones?' list for reference. There are other good anime, of course, but I'd recommend these ones -FIRST-
#1
Clannad + Clannad After Story
Genre: Comedy Drama Romance
This show is a little weak in the first season compared to the second, but even the first season is head and shoulders above most other comedy in the genre. The animation was done by the same folks as Haruhi Suzumiya and the comedy aspects are top notch. Then once you get to season 2 prepare to feel emotion to the very depths of your heart. This is an anime everyone should watch, without fail. I think only really, really goth, emo or scene people wouldn't like it. Or those people who can only watch stuff with blood and violence. For everyone else this is ridiculously good anime. Watch it with your family or significant other for best results.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-zhIImKP5k Opening Season 1
www.youtube.com/watch?v=-2fQGHI3TwQ Opening Season 2
www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJpvTJNfOQM Funny stuff
#2
Kanon
Genre: Comedy Drama Romance
Er... same reason as Clannad. Actually they're tied for first mostly. It sorta goes Clannad Season 1 > Kanon > Clannad Season 2. Just... Yeah just watch them. Really. There's not much I can say about the plot of either except that they're both about guys who become involved in the lives of girls that have... very involving lives. They're not so much plots as a bunch of mini-plots strung together into a very beautiful whole. Also Kanon has a lot of funny stuff in it too.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mym-FZ6DCQI Opening
#3
Code Geass
Genre: Sci-fi Mecha High School Tactics Military... mishmash
Code Geass is the most perfect combination of elements I've ever seen. They take so much from tons of different genres and make characters that can appeal to both genders. There's no one who shouldn't enjoy this show except people who are turned off by the blood and fanservice. Other than that... holy crap this is just an incredible anime.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGOiHI5BXCM Best opening
#4
Hunter x Hunter
Genre: Adventure
Nowdays you have things like Naruto and Bleach that suck endless hours of your life out. Wouldn't you just like to have a finite, finishable series that still has an awesome cast of characters and a great power and ability system? Lumped in with that wouldn't you also like a great and fleshed-out world full of interesting locations and factions? Well then Hunter x Hunter is for you. Shorter than your average Shounen Jump adaptation, Hunter x Hunter provides a great story. The pacing is a little slow at first, but it'll hook you in in no time.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3CwJHIrpLg Best opening
#5
Lyrical Nanoha
Genre: Magical Girl Sci-Fi
Cardcaptor Sakura defined the new magical girl genre, which used to be populated entirely by stories like Hime-chan no Ribbon about girls using magic to try to get with their boyfriends or Sailor Moon where girls fought monsters in a Power Rangers like way. So after Cardcaptor Sakura there really weren't any impressive magical girl shows that re-invented the genre... until Lyrical Nanoha. Lyrical Nanoha is a mix of sci-fi and magic that comes off perfectly. Nanoha herself starts out as a normal magical girl and turns into something much more interesting. Unlike Sakura or most other magical girls, Nanoha isn't afraid to just freaking shoot to kill, and most of the friends she makes she makes by first putting them on the business end of her blasting magic. The first season is a little slow until the end, but the second season is pure gold. The third season is... well okay if you like the series enough to watch it. But at least the first two series should be in everyone's watch list.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_hZLbh3yQ0 Opening
#6
Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Kai
Genre: Horror, Thriller, Mystery
That's right, just the 2nd season. Why? Well unfortunately the first season is gory and shocking to the extent that not many people would be able to sit through it easily. However once you get around to the 2nd season things clean up quite a bit. Plus the story shifts from being one of murder and mayhem to one of an epic struggle by a group of friends against a cruel fate. Obviously one couldn't just drop into this without knowing what was going on, but I'd actually suggest just asking someone who has watched the 1st season to get you up to speed and starting with season 2 unless you can stomach the blood and gore of the first season.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kk3Nmu8Kq6Y Opening
www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WmQG4XCjyU Opening of Rei
#7
Seirei no Moribito
Genre: Adventure Fantasy
Japan's fantasy stories all kind of follow thread. They tend to just copy elements from Western fantasy and mix it up with a little anime twist. This is okay, but doesn't make for terribly good or memorable shows. Seirei no Moribito stands out. The story is amazingly deep, with a whole world and various religious and magical systems established and explained in detail. You first hear of the lovingly crafted folklore and then see it come to life throughout the story. What an immersive anime. The characters are great, and the main character is one of the strongest anime women I've seen in both personality and prowess. Plus there's little fanservice to belittle her. Instead you will come to respect her through the course of the series as the perfect 'older sister' model. Other than that the artwork is just amazing. This one would go higher in my rankings but if you don't get into the story then it might be a bit boring for some people who are into faster moving plots.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=BtbiGSU1avM Opening
#8
Stellvia of the Universe
Genre: Sci-fi Academy
Kids... in... Space! Er, sorry, old joke. Anyway this series used to be the signature series of my school's anime club. You couldn't join until you had watched it. What a great cast. What a great and simple plot. The sci-fi in this is surprisingly well thought-out and reminds me of golden age sci-fi stories by Ray Bradbury and those guys. Maybe not as philosophical, but solid science stuff nonetheless. Unfortunately the 2nd season they were planning was canceled so you'll notice there's one plotline that comes up randomly near the end that never gets concluded and that's why. Luckily the two main story arcs have solid endings and the series ends leaving you very satisfied at having watched a great anime.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEpTbSMXxO0 Opening
#9
Cross Game
Genre: Sports Drama Comedy Romance
Yes, an anime about baseball is in my top 10. I've been watching this since it started and have not been disappointed yet except for one recap ep. The creator of this series knows how to bring his cast to life, and every character will seem like an old friend or rival. The story is poignant and also very interesting. Baseball does play a central role, but don't think this is just another tournament show. It concentrates more on the emotions of the characters, their lives and romances than on any of the games, though there is still the thrill of watching the games to put some action into it. Mostly this show is great for the comedy and the excellent characters who are perfectly imperfect. Great stuff.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=QTO-TT0Y3pE Opening
#10
Figure 17
Genre: Sci fi Magical Girl
Yep, another sci-fi magical girl show. Only this one is only a magical girl show in that it follows the magical girl formula of an ordinary girl getting super powers and fighting monsters. Other than that it's all different. Figure 17 is told in 13 45 minute episodes. 30 minutes of each ep is dedicated to the daily lives of the main girl Tsubasa and her clone Hikaru who tries to fit in to daily society while also trying to help Tsubasa discover her inner courage. The last 15 minutes is a 'monster of the week' type of thing and generally doesn't do too much for the story. The art and music are amazing and this series is just a must-see for anyone who doesn't mind the lack of blood or fanservice. Plus no one else has ever watched it so be the first on your block to have seen Figure 17!
... no seriously nowhere I've gone has anyone ever seen or usually even heard of this series. Go figure.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=11goUiZ9uIo Opening
I'm sure I'll think of more at some point. But these 10 are really important. I'd say everyone should watch these 10 before watching anything else. School Rumble is an exception... you can watch that first too.
#1
Clannad + Clannad After Story
Genre: Comedy Drama Romance
This show is a little weak in the first season compared to the second, but even the first season is head and shoulders above most other comedy in the genre. The animation was done by the same folks as Haruhi Suzumiya and the comedy aspects are top notch. Then once you get to season 2 prepare to feel emotion to the very depths of your heart. This is an anime everyone should watch, without fail. I think only really, really goth, emo or scene people wouldn't like it. Or those people who can only watch stuff with blood and violence. For everyone else this is ridiculously good anime. Watch it with your family or significant other for best results.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-zhIImKP5k Opening Season 1
www.youtube.com/watch?v=-2fQGHI3TwQ Opening Season 2
www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJpvTJNfOQM Funny stuff
#2
Kanon
Genre: Comedy Drama Romance
Er... same reason as Clannad. Actually they're tied for first mostly. It sorta goes Clannad Season 1 > Kanon > Clannad Season 2. Just... Yeah just watch them. Really. There's not much I can say about the plot of either except that they're both about guys who become involved in the lives of girls that have... very involving lives. They're not so much plots as a bunch of mini-plots strung together into a very beautiful whole. Also Kanon has a lot of funny stuff in it too.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mym-FZ6DCQI Opening
#3
Code Geass
Genre: Sci-fi Mecha High School Tactics Military... mishmash
Code Geass is the most perfect combination of elements I've ever seen. They take so much from tons of different genres and make characters that can appeal to both genders. There's no one who shouldn't enjoy this show except people who are turned off by the blood and fanservice. Other than that... holy crap this is just an incredible anime.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGOiHI5BXCM Best opening
#4
Hunter x Hunter
Genre: Adventure
Nowdays you have things like Naruto and Bleach that suck endless hours of your life out. Wouldn't you just like to have a finite, finishable series that still has an awesome cast of characters and a great power and ability system? Lumped in with that wouldn't you also like a great and fleshed-out world full of interesting locations and factions? Well then Hunter x Hunter is for you. Shorter than your average Shounen Jump adaptation, Hunter x Hunter provides a great story. The pacing is a little slow at first, but it'll hook you in in no time.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3CwJHIrpLg Best opening
#5
Lyrical Nanoha
Genre: Magical Girl Sci-Fi
Cardcaptor Sakura defined the new magical girl genre, which used to be populated entirely by stories like Hime-chan no Ribbon about girls using magic to try to get with their boyfriends or Sailor Moon where girls fought monsters in a Power Rangers like way. So after Cardcaptor Sakura there really weren't any impressive magical girl shows that re-invented the genre... until Lyrical Nanoha. Lyrical Nanoha is a mix of sci-fi and magic that comes off perfectly. Nanoha herself starts out as a normal magical girl and turns into something much more interesting. Unlike Sakura or most other magical girls, Nanoha isn't afraid to just freaking shoot to kill, and most of the friends she makes she makes by first putting them on the business end of her blasting magic. The first season is a little slow until the end, but the second season is pure gold. The third season is... well okay if you like the series enough to watch it. But at least the first two series should be in everyone's watch list.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_hZLbh3yQ0 Opening
#6
Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Kai
Genre: Horror, Thriller, Mystery
That's right, just the 2nd season. Why? Well unfortunately the first season is gory and shocking to the extent that not many people would be able to sit through it easily. However once you get around to the 2nd season things clean up quite a bit. Plus the story shifts from being one of murder and mayhem to one of an epic struggle by a group of friends against a cruel fate. Obviously one couldn't just drop into this without knowing what was going on, but I'd actually suggest just asking someone who has watched the 1st season to get you up to speed and starting with season 2 unless you can stomach the blood and gore of the first season.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kk3Nmu8Kq6Y Opening
www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WmQG4XCjyU Opening of Rei
#7
Seirei no Moribito
Genre: Adventure Fantasy
Japan's fantasy stories all kind of follow thread. They tend to just copy elements from Western fantasy and mix it up with a little anime twist. This is okay, but doesn't make for terribly good or memorable shows. Seirei no Moribito stands out. The story is amazingly deep, with a whole world and various religious and magical systems established and explained in detail. You first hear of the lovingly crafted folklore and then see it come to life throughout the story. What an immersive anime. The characters are great, and the main character is one of the strongest anime women I've seen in both personality and prowess. Plus there's little fanservice to belittle her. Instead you will come to respect her through the course of the series as the perfect 'older sister' model. Other than that the artwork is just amazing. This one would go higher in my rankings but if you don't get into the story then it might be a bit boring for some people who are into faster moving plots.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=BtbiGSU1avM Opening
#8
Stellvia of the Universe
Genre: Sci-fi Academy
Kids... in... Space! Er, sorry, old joke. Anyway this series used to be the signature series of my school's anime club. You couldn't join until you had watched it. What a great cast. What a great and simple plot. The sci-fi in this is surprisingly well thought-out and reminds me of golden age sci-fi stories by Ray Bradbury and those guys. Maybe not as philosophical, but solid science stuff nonetheless. Unfortunately the 2nd season they were planning was canceled so you'll notice there's one plotline that comes up randomly near the end that never gets concluded and that's why. Luckily the two main story arcs have solid endings and the series ends leaving you very satisfied at having watched a great anime.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEpTbSMXxO0 Opening
#9
Cross Game
Genre: Sports Drama Comedy Romance
Yes, an anime about baseball is in my top 10. I've been watching this since it started and have not been disappointed yet except for one recap ep. The creator of this series knows how to bring his cast to life, and every character will seem like an old friend or rival. The story is poignant and also very interesting. Baseball does play a central role, but don't think this is just another tournament show. It concentrates more on the emotions of the characters, their lives and romances than on any of the games, though there is still the thrill of watching the games to put some action into it. Mostly this show is great for the comedy and the excellent characters who are perfectly imperfect. Great stuff.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=QTO-TT0Y3pE Opening
#10
Figure 17
Genre: Sci fi Magical Girl
Yep, another sci-fi magical girl show. Only this one is only a magical girl show in that it follows the magical girl formula of an ordinary girl getting super powers and fighting monsters. Other than that it's all different. Figure 17 is told in 13 45 minute episodes. 30 minutes of each ep is dedicated to the daily lives of the main girl Tsubasa and her clone Hikaru who tries to fit in to daily society while also trying to help Tsubasa discover her inner courage. The last 15 minutes is a 'monster of the week' type of thing and generally doesn't do too much for the story. The art and music are amazing and this series is just a must-see for anyone who doesn't mind the lack of blood or fanservice. Plus no one else has ever watched it so be the first on your block to have seen Figure 17!
... no seriously nowhere I've gone has anyone ever seen or usually even heard of this series. Go figure.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=11goUiZ9uIo Opening
I'm sure I'll think of more at some point. But these 10 are really important. I'd say everyone should watch these 10 before watching anything else. School Rumble is an exception... you can watch that first too.
