The feature on TIME's list of top 25 animated features of all-time really got me thinking about the best anime experiences I've had since I first started watching. There really is a ton of amazing content out there, but I'm trying to think of the features that absolutely must be seen. There are plenty of anime series' and features that I couldn't live without, but let's pick the titles that should be considered required viewing just to get into anime in general!
I'll start things off by mentioning the title that I briefly commented on earlier today. For my, Ghost in the Shell is one of the most amazing anime features that I've ever seen. If I come across people that are looking for something truly engaging, mind-bending and absolutely gorgeous, Ghost in the Shell is still a go-to anime feature for me. Seeing it for the first time all those years ago really left an impression on me, and in the years that have since passed I've come to appreciate the feature more and more. Hardly a viewing goes by where I don't learn something new or pick up on something different.
I'll definitely do a more in-depth feature on Ghost in the Shell in the future, but for now I'll leave my comment at that. I want to hear what you guys pick as the cream of the crop...the stuff that your fellow anime fans absolutely must see. I think we can put together one hell of an amazing list.
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ReplyDeleteJungle Wa Itsumo Hare Nochi Guu.
ReplyDeleteSuitable for gamers, fans of crazy weird ass humor. Similar to FLCL, but oh so very different. This got me started on Anime and led me to watch Chobits. =)
Death Note is a given. We've mentioned it a few times on the site and I think it is an excellent example of what the medium can offer.
ReplyDeleteAs included on the Times list, Spirited Away is another no-brainer. I'd say most of Miyazaki's films are. Howl's Moving Castle, Princess Mononoke and My Neighbor Totoro immediately come to mind.
Although I've enjoyed a number of good anime, I think these are the ones that immediately come to mind when I think "essential".
Most definitely Gurren Lagann. I've shown that to people who hate anime and it's turned them around. The second season is a bit ponderous, but totally necessary.
ReplyDeleteCode Geass was also a great one, both seasons. I would almost say it's on the level of Death Note, in terms of scheming and planning.
Hmm...
ReplyDeleteMai-Hime, Higurashi no Naku Koro Ni, Steins;Gate (Airing), Lucky Star, Gosick, To Aru Kagaku no Railgun, Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica, Cardcaptor Sakura (JP version), Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha, Denpa Teki Na Kanojo (OVA), Chobits, Rozen Maiden, Angel Beats!, Gunslinger Girl, Haruhi no Yuutsu, Hidamari Sketch, Clannad, Kanon, K-On!, Pani Poni Dash, Princess Tutu (really dark with cute exterior), Slayers (DRAGON SLAVE!!!), Solty Rei, Sora no Woto, Uchuu no Stellvia, Working!!!, Yumeiro Patissiere, Strawberry Panic.
Damn, that was more than I thought it would be. Some of these are obviously better for some people than others and some are my own opinion but hey I liked them all. Higurashi being my favorite followed by Railgun, Mai-Hime, Nanoha and Cardcaptor.
I would also suggest, for those who can bare with some more childish shows, Dennou Coil (great idea and story but in a child's view) and Shugo Chara (not as childish but a bit more than Cardcaptor).
Essentials only. I have a longer list of anime I really enjoyed waiting somewhere.
Junjou Romantica~<3
ReplyDeleteIt's my favorite Anime, and it's easilly the sweetest Anime i've ever seen. The Romance is top-notch, and realistic enough to be interesting (and with three different couples, it's easy to find one you'll love). And the Comedy is hilarious (you could watch if for the Comedy alone!).
For any BL (Boy's Love) fan, i'd say JR is a must. It's the Anime that really made me love, well, Anime~
The Girl Who Leapt Through Time
ReplyDeleteWolf's Rain
Natsume Yuujinchou
Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann
Kure-nai
Those are pretty much my "Top 5" so to speak. I don't know if they're "essential" to anyone but me, but they seemed like good picks.
I'd also suggest Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind. It's my favorite Miyazaki film.
Phew! Finally got this working hahaha.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, for people looking to get into anime, I'd probably recommend stuff like; Azumanga Daioh, School Rumble and Lucky Star. Light hearted slice-of-life comedy stuff.
Going a little further I'd go into stuff like; Case Closed, Chobits, Love Hina, Haruhi, One Piece, D.C.II, A Bridge to the Starry Skies, The World God Only Knows, Hayate no Gotoku, Saki, To Love Ru, Shangri-la, Tantei Opera Milky Holmes...
...That's all I can think of right now hahaha.
Clannad and Clannad The After Story
ReplyDeleteSayonara Zetsubou Sensei! < All Seasons
Hajime No Ippo
Rainbow
Sengoku Basara
Dance in The Vampire Bund
Kannagi
One Piece, Naruto, and Bleach
Masaaki Yuasa's works. Definitely something you need to see if you wish to expand your traditional anime viewing. They are artful and very "left-field" in terms of content and presentation, but they are some of the best works there are. Namely, his premiere movie Mind Game, the winner of the excellence in animation award The Tatami Galaxy, the beautiful experimental "Kaiba" and the mature vision of Kemonozume. These four are all engaging and great watches if you like anime or not.
ReplyDeleteI noticed that your collection is mostly well known and, for the lack of a better word, "mainstream" anime, so I thought I'd suggest something less known or that hadn't been mentioned before.
Cowboy Bebop.
ReplyDeleteidk lol... I pretty much like all the anime I watch. But I guess if I had to go with some that were very engrossing, I would have to say
ReplyDeleteDeath Note
Code Geass
I just couldn't stop watching those. Usually I just watch maybe one or two episodes of an anime a day, but those two had me wanting more each time.
Then if your into love and such.
The World God Only Knows
5 Centimeters Per Second
I'm always a sucker for shows with relationships and such (right now I'm watching Clannad lol).
Then you know if you like action and stuff there's
Naruto
Bleach
Samurai Champloo
Though, Naruto and Bleach may be hard to get into since they are so massive and long.
Okay, I'm a bit of an old head, so here goes.
ReplyDeleteMobile Suit Gundam 0080: War in the Pocket
Yu Yu Hakusho
Rurouni Kenshin (Samurai X, whatever you want to call it)
School Rumble
Trigun
Ouran High School Host Club
Azumanga Daioh
Full Metal Panic
Anything Miyazaki
I'm sure there's more, but that's all I'm getting off the top of my head...
I liked Revolutionary Girl Utena, Galaxy Express 999, Neo Tokyo, Akira, Night on the Galactic Railroad, Ringing Bell, Girl Who Lept Thru Time, Cat Returns, Fight! Iczer-One, Rose of Versailles, Highschool of the Dead, X/1999. I think my favorite era was the 80s or 70s. I don't really know it. I just like the charm of that era. I liked it when there was that effect used where the light is shining through the animation cels. Fist of the North Star and Vampire Hunter D are good too; legitimate classics.
ReplyDeleteTengen Toppa Gurren Lagann for sure, Bleach if you want to get into it. Gundam 00 if you like gundam, Code Geass, Death Note, Nyan Koi, Cowboy Bebop, Clannad and Clannad After Story, and a lot of others i know. just let me know ok.
ReplyDeleteI will force myself to stick with five series, hopefully all with different genres tied to them.
ReplyDeleteSchool Rumble - A simple romantic comedy that was the series that got me interested in anime.
Eden of the East - A mystery-thriller-type series that is short and to the point.
Baccano - An anime that is based around characters in 1930's America. Anyone who likes gangster films will like this series.
Sgt. Frog - Hilarious comedy. That's all I can say about it.
Hetalia - Mixing country stereotypes with history, but also shows how a male-heavy anime can be swayed for female fans.