Official Anime Recommendation Thread

Just started simulcasting on Crunchyroll today Omamori Himari http://www.crunchyroll.com/library/Omamori_Himari

so far I find it to be fun

finished Kaiji a few hours ago, great series, though some may be off-put of the drawing style.

quick sum up of the series, Kaiji finds out a old friend of his screwed him over by skipping out on a loan he co-signed with, so the company wants their money...Kaiji is given two choices, work his *** off for 10 years to pay it off...or go on a cruise for 4 hours with a chance to pay off his debt and leave with a lot of money in his pocket, things get a bit more crazier and dangerous after that.

sadly it ends with 26 episodes, and is left wide open for continuation, looking the series up, they have a few more stories that can be animated, but I don't know what the status of the manga is.

Been meaning to put my reccomendations in this thread for a while, but never got round to it until now, so...


Things I want to +1 but can't be bothered to comment on (mainly cos they need nothing more said about them):

Gurren Lagann
Neon Genesis Evangelion (just)
RahXephon
Gunbuster
Fullmetal Panic
Robotech
Bubblegum Crisis
Macross
Vision of Escaflowne


Cowboy Bebop
Trigun
Fullmetal Alchemist
Trinity Blood
Ghost in the Shell
Bleach
Samurai 7
Death Note
Rurouni Kenshin
Ergo Proxy
Black Lagoon
Last Exile
Akira
Fist of the North Star
Ninja Scroll
Blood: The Last Vampire
Outlaw Star
Appleseed
Voices of a Distant Star
Serial Experiments Lain
New Dominion: Tank Police
Grave of the Fireflies


Slayers
FLCL
Samurai Champloo
Excel Saga
Bokusatsu Tenshi Dokuro Chan
Ah My Goddess


Hellsing OVA
Vampire Hunter D
Perfect Blue


Nausicaa of the Vally of the Winds
Castle in the Sky
My Neighbor Totoro
Kiki's Delivery Service
Princess Mononoke
Spirited Away
Howl's Moving Castle


Things that I feel like commenting on as well as just recommending:

Martian Sucessor Nadesico - Well, I wouldn't have though it needs commenting on, but it's only had three(!!!) +s, so I will. Quite simply, one of the greatest ever. Working both as an thoroughly entertaining space opera (with mecha of course) and as a brilliantly subversive parody of the genre (along with an in-show anime series which spoofs classic giant robot programs) Nadesico is a must see.

Code Geass - Earlier in the thread, LtZerge described it as "Gundam and deathnote made sweet love one day and this thing happened", which is pretty appropriate, as it's about a student who gains a supernatural power of dubious morality and he sets out to build what he regards as a better world, with added mecha. Massively OTT about everything, it gets really ridiculous by the end. Imagine a crash between two trains. How do you solve it? By sending more and more trains. Surely one will get through! Nope, they all crash into the wreck of the previous ones. Oh, thats bad right? Well, no, cos these trains are filled with PURE AWESOME!!!! That is Code Geass in a nutshell. Oh, and it's got some of the most incredible (in a hilarious way) facial expressions ever seen....

Darker than Black - Dare I suggest this is what Heroes wants to be? Fantastic deconstruction of superpowers and the people who wield them. Pretty ambiguous in terms of the setting (it's never really explained, but then, none of the characters really understand either) and the reasons for things occurring, but it never feels jarring or contrived. The ending of season 1 seems oddly familiar though...

Crest/Banner of the Stars - If you like lots of dialogue and character development, then this space opera will probably go down a treat. If you just like spaceships blowing up, then it probably wont. Theres some action (and it's good action), but it's not the focus. Personally, I love it.

Berzerk - Come for the oversized swords, violence and badassness, stay for the surprisingly deep and compelling story and characters, get pissed off at the anime ending when it does....

Record of Lodoss War - High fantasy epic. Cliche ridden, but done with such style that it doesn't really matter.

Simoun - Yes, it has lesbians. Lots of lesbians. And lesbianism powered aircraft. And perhaps a bit too much wangst. But, once you get past that, it's a pretty good anime, rather focusing on character development against a backdrop of war. Has perhaps somewhat the same kind of feel to it as Escaflowne (though it isn't as good)

Witchblade - Another anime with something that rather overshadows everything else: Fanservice. And some more fanservice. And why not have a little fanservice on the side? Titsbla...sorry, Witchblade actually has some great action, a fair dash of comedy and a helping of real character development, and is well worth watching.

*******!! (a word meaning an illegitimate child, stupid filter) - A vast army lead by mages trying to awaken the god of destruction threaten the kingdom. The last hope is that a virginal priestess can unlock the power hidden in her adoptive brother. Sounds pretty tired and cliched. However, said power is a crazy, egomanaical, womanizing arch-sorcerer, who pretty much only agrees to help because he fancies said priestess. Short, and with an irritatingly abrupt ending, it's none-the-less great fun while it lasts. It's also full of random references to 80s heavy metal bands.

Cromartie High School - "The guys that appear in this anime are delinquents. Please, do not under any circumstances, imitate anything they do. Don't do it man, I'm serious, it's a bad idea!" Utterly, utterly bonkers, even for insane anime, CHS is totally lacking in such things as logic, coherency and sense. But who cares, it's funny.

Just finished Black Lagoon. Freakin' loved it! Also finished Gurren Lagann a month or so ago, loved it too.

Black Lagoon +1
Gurren Lagann +1

Been watching One Piece lately, last episode I finished was 50. I'm really enjoying the series.

One Piece +1



And when ever you get around to updating the list Dark, you might want to change the title for Higurashi to When They Cry or Higurashi: When They Cry or something like that. Since you said you wanted the shows to have the English release titles.

i will only make one suggestion at this time, and that will be Kimi ni Todoke. easily the best show of last year for me, and it isnt even over yet.

+1 Kimi ni Todoke

Kimi ni Todoke was a lot of fun. Sawako is about as cute as a button.

In other news, Strike Witches is getting a sub by Funimation. Link here for the trailer. Check it out if you're interesting in underage girls zooming around the air in their pantsu. Otherwise avoid it.

Dark_One, if you would please: Strike Witches -1.

Burst Angel.

First anime I ever watched and definitely my favourite.

not quite sure what to think of Detroit Metal City...very few series have done such a good job to make me dislike the main character for doing a epic amount of blatantly stupid acts...though his alter ego on the other hand is pretty damn cool.

I just watched the first 5 episodes of Kekkaishi and I enjoyed them. There are a total of 52 episodes so it will be awhile before I see all of them (Hulu post 2 new episodes every Monday).

With Trigun, you have plenty of opportunity to like it and it does get better in the second half of the series.

DMC doesn't have that opportunity >.> 12 episodes that are like 12 minutes each

Yeah, Trigun takes a very drastic and turn halfway through. The first half of it is bubbly and fun. The second half is rather serious.

Saint Seiya (Knights of the Zodiac) +1: Well as someone previously commented on, this series is plainly amazing. The fact that it has been going on since 1994 (I believe, at least I know I've been watching it for that long) and still continues to run it means that it is a great anime to watch. Of course, if you are just starting to watch it it will take a while for you to catch up on that. For those who like this anime, The Lost Canvas came out recently. I believe they have made about 10 episodes so far, and if you are not familiar with what it is it takes place during the Holy Wars that Shion and Dohko fought in. Personally, I am loving this arc. Also, I am sure they will release the Zeus's arc sometime in the near future. Anyways, back to the anime. Once you start watching it, you will find yourself getting attached to all the characters as you get to know them, and when some die you will miss them. Yes, even the bad guys. Simply because well, most don't come back. The anime is full of feeling, and the story line is simply awesome. Also, all of the characters are well balanced. As the story goes on everything gets better (even the graphics). Anyways, that's all I have to say, this one is a must watch.

Rurouni Kenshin +1: This one has been my favorite anime of all times, simply because it deals with real things. It bases on real life events (time, location, people, groups) and there are no flying people, or super powers. Just normal people in Japan during the Meiji period (1862 - 1912). It focuses on the life of a Samurai(more like a Ronin) who used to be an assassin, and is now trying to live a normal life (kind of). However, things from his past still haunts him so he has to deal with that stuff. Why do I like this anime so much? Because it feels reals, and all the characters will impact you. To be honest with you guys, I almost cried at the end of the last movie (if you have seen it you know what I am talking about, but I don't want to spoil anything). Just watch it, is all I have to say.

Bleach +1: Fun as hell. The concept is great, and it brings various familiar elements from previous animes and combines them into one. So, no matter what type of anime you are into you will end up liking it. Honestly, when I first watched it I was obsessed with it. I would watch about 10-15 episode a day (yeah that's a lot, and yes I have a lot of free time...well had. Anyways...) until I eventually caught up and well...now I have to wait weekly like everybody else *sigh*. The story is based on Ichigo Kurosaki (your average everyday normal guy...not), a kid with the ability to see ghosts. Well, eventually he ends up becoming a Shinigami (Death God) and he has to protect the Spirit World and the Real World, and I won't spoil anything else. Just watch it, very cool story.

Wolf's Rain +1: This one I really like. A post apocalyptic world in which wolves can take human form because well...they are being hunted. So basically there are no more wolves (sort of) and according to the anime, only wolves can find the way to heaven so yeah...I kind of don't feel like writing anymore so I'll stop here (How silly, I say I don't feel like writing yet I am typing my thoughts...ah...this will turn into a vicious circle if I keep going *chops hands off*)

FINALLY!!! after many months...possibly years of procrastination I got around to watching Elfen Lied...

initial thoughts - holy crap

*little kids beating a puppy to death*

Stupid Brat: Hey...the dumb dog stopped moving.

Lucy: You know who's not human? .....NOT YOU!!!! *children corpses and blood everywhere*

I embraced my inner Shorty (Scary Movie) and went "OH **** SON!"

It was like...I knew it was gonna happen...but the reaction...

the reaction...


outside of the slice of life stuff, it's a alright series so far when **** just decides to get real lol

Just finished Bamboo Blade, I give it a +1. That was a fun show. Also, 2 people on the first page + repped(is that a word?) it.

and

Noein +1
Memories +1 (category would be drama I think. Kinda hard to tell though since its a compilation of action/drama/comedy.)

Darker than Black season 1 an 2 +1 for each.I keep thinking it remds me a bit of wildcards novels an ctiy of heroes a bit.

Black Lagoon season 1 an 2 +1 for each Bit darker stories than darker than black .But what a ride.Sin City on a torpedo boat.That good imho.

Tokyo Magnitude 8.0 +1

very good story, very serious subject matter tho. i really liked the 3 protagonists.

Just spent a few days watching all of the Ghost in the shell movies an tv series. +1 i would say at the least.

I want to watch more like that an Black Lagoon .As well as Draker than Black.Anime an that catagory.Just amazing good stories with twists an turns as well as awsome animation.

Plan on buying all of those on dvd in time.I expect when the Ghost in the shell live movie comes out they will bundle all the anime together.

Durarara is one that slipped past me, but I'm really digging it since I've caught up. It's weaving a lot of characters into what I hope becomes an intricate and fulfilling plot.

And stay away from Chu-bra lest the feds kick your door in.

Gonna try and update this week sometime. Not promising anything, but that's the goal.