Anime Recommendation List

[ChronoSword]

I think maybe the list should be narrowed down to ones with a genuine review. It would make since because the rules of this thread state that you must give a review and not just throw names up. Also, the reviews must have some degree of thoroughness.

[FireAza]

I'd agree with that.

[ChronoSword]

The following are going to be taken off the index of recommendations. They are being taken off because they were either just thrown out or did not have a proper review. If they did have a proper review and I missed putting them on the keep list, let me know. If you want any of them back then give a review on it. Make sure you follow the Rules for this thread in regards to reviews.

Here is the list

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Akira
all Dragonball series
Angel Nine
Argentosoma
Cowboy Bebop
Digi Karat
El Hazard
Excel Saga
Fruits Basket
Fushigi Yuugi
Generator Gall
Golden Boy
Green Green
Gundam SEED
Gunsmith Cats
Hale Nochi Guu
Ikkitousen
Kiddy Grade
Lain
Laputa: Castle In The Sky
Macross series and movies
Mahoromatic
Martian Successor Nadesico
Megazone 23
Metropolis
Naruto
Neon Genesis Evangelion
Oh my Goddess
Outlaw Star
Photon
Puni Puni Poemi
RahXephon
Riding Bean
Sailor Moon Stars.
Scyred
Shaman King
Shingetsutan Tsukihime
Slayers
Steel Angel Kurumi
Tenchi Muyo
UFO Princess Warukyure
Vampire Hunter D
Voices of a Distant Star

[Teranfirbt]

Lol... ok, ill review UFO Princess Warukyure.... Basically Warukyure, princess of some planet crashes her space ship into the bathhouse of a guy named kazuto... in process killing him. since warukyure doesnt want to see him die she gives him half his soul, in the process she reverts back to a child. anyway, child warukyure begins living with kazuto and the hijinks begin... (side note, when kazuto kisses child warukyure she does a sailermoon-esc transformation that is pretty ecchi)

[Accer]

Hrm, I didn’t double check for Chrono, so apologies if I’m stepping on someone else’s review.

One of the better known Miyazaki films, Laputa (Castle in the Sky for American DVD release) follows a young girl (Sheeta) who possesses a stone with mysterious powers. She’s being pursued by the military and by air pirates, but a boy named Pazu helps her to discover the secret of the floating castle Laputa. The animation is dated now, but it is still has its breathtaking moments. Cool robots, mass destruction, pirates, good stuff – excellent storytelling all the way around.

Cowboy Bebop is a series rooted in jazz music. The plot follows Spike Spiegel, a interplanetary bounty hunter. He has wacky adventures tracking down criminals with Jet, Fay, Ed, and Ein the Welsh Corby, who comprise the rest of the crew. He has a past that he cannot escape from, however, that haunts him even though he tried to leave it behind. Awesome music, spiffy space vehicles, a futuristic mafia, music, martial arts and gunfights, memorable characters, and music. There's also a movie that is basically like a really long episode taking place in the middle of the tv series.

Fruits Basket is an incredibly sentimental series about a young school girl who recently lost her mother in a car accident. Now an orphan, she ends up living in a tent until, by chance, she becomes involved with the Sohma family. The series follows her discovery into the characters of the Sohma family, and the curse that drives them to their eccentricities. While often comedic, the series does have some extremely dark moments, particularly towards the end. Be forewarned that the manga is still running, and that while the series does reach a kind of “end” most things are left unresolved – but it is certainly worth watching as long as you don’t mind some genuine sentimentality. Cute fuzzy animals, bubbles and sparkles, a psychic goth, crossdressers, and a special brand of sweetness.

Slayers is another series that looks dated now, but the funny script and terrific voice acting (in the Japanese version) more than make up for it. Set in a pseudo medieval/magical world, Lina Inverse is the most powerful black sorceress around. Her main goal is beating up bandits for loot, but along with mush-for-brains knight Gourry she ends up getting pulled into a plot that may or may not result in the destruction of the world by demons, if Lina doesn’t destroy it first. Comic gold for those who have good senses of humor. Dragons, gods, magic, and a very well developed fantasy world. Followed by Slayers Next, which is a continuation and even better than the first season; followed by Slayers Try, which isn’t nearly as good. There’s also a whole bunch of movies and OVAs, most of which follow Lina (the only character from the tv show), and her earlier sidekick Naga whose laugh makes baby Jesus cry.

Naruto is currently one of the best known ninja stories around. Young Naruto carries the evil spirit of the Nine-tailed Demon Fox, for which he is ostracized even though he himself is not aware of the power he carries. His goal is to become the bestest ninja around, and the series follows his efforts to be a ninja along with his classmates, under the guidance of Kakashi, his too cool teacher. Naruto has really good ninja humor, which is probably one of the reasons for it’s popularity. Lots of fighting (though the anime drags things out way too long, imho), general silliness, and more ninjas than you can shake a stick at.


Voices of a Distant Star is remarkable because it was written, directed, and animated all by one guy with A LOT of spare time. Earth is in danger, and a special corps is put together to try to put an end to alien forces. The series follows a couple beginning from the time that they were high school students. The girl goes off to fight aliens in a distant galaxy (in a mech!) while the boy stays behind on earth. They continue to exchange emails via cell phones, but as she gets farther away the messages reach the boy later and later…
Sad, short, and sentimental, it’s probably worth your half hour if you like SF.

There’s more I might do, but I’m getting tired of typing.

[FireAza]

What? No Eva review? Fear not, for FireAza is here to save the day!
Neon Genesis Evangelion
This series is set a few years into the future, where earth is under attack by mysterious beings known as "Angels". The only weapon can effectively combat an Angel are huge mecha known as "Evangelions" or "Eva" for short. These can only be piloted by a chosen few, usually 14 year old children. The story is centered around a boy called Shinji, who's a bit of a loner, largely thanks to his father abandoning him after his mother died. But his father (who heads the operations at NERV, the company in charge of the Evas) soon calls on Shinji to become an Eva pilot, and so begins a very dark and complex story of trust, angst, fear and knowing exactly who you really are. With mecha battles of course.

[Kjeldoran]

Shingetsutan Tsukihime(aka True Moon Chronicles)

Fantasy/Drama? - Story revolves around a person named Shiki. Shiki is part of the Tohno family. The Tohno family has a mysterious background that Shiki does not know of. Throughout the 12 episode series he learns more about the secrets of the family.

It is a good anime to watch. The story has a lot of mystery in it and the ending is satisfying as well. It is only fansubs right now. You can get it at http://www.animesuki.com.


EDIT: I would put more about Shingetsutan Tsukihime but that would be a lot of spoilers.

[ChronoSword]

RahXephon

Some may say that RahXephon is a Eva clone (see FireAza's post), but it is not. It has similarities such as humans are fighting aliens (the Mu) using a boy (Ayato Kamina) and a mech-like thing (RahXephon). Not a lot is known about the Mu. There is a lot of character development in the story, if you don't believe me just watch episode 19 which portrays the "enemy" in a entirely different light that just makes you feel great emotion. The whole series has music tied into the plot which is interesting. I personaly like Rahxephon better than Eva, but that is just my opinion. RX is on DVD and no longer available on Fansub sorry. I don't know if a box set is available yet but it should be soon. There is also a movie which I have not seen but I think it should be coming to the US in several months (correct me if I am wrong). I would recommend this for more mature viewers not because of any sexual thing or anything like that but because it is more comprehendable.

[FireAza]

Nothing is "no longer alvaible on fansub"

[Accer]

[quote="ChronoSword";p="267922"]RahXephon

Some may say that RahXephon is a Eva clone (see FireAza's post), but it is not. It has similarities such as humans are fighting aliens (the Mu) using a boy (Ayato Kamina) and a mech-like thing (RahXephon). [/quote]

Yeah, because there were no animes with humans fighting aliens with mechs before Eva.

(Just agreeing with Crono.)

[Emperor Justin]

(oops, somebody already posted for Berserk *DUH-CHEATED!* I mean Deleted)
EDIT 2: (However, since I read the review, and it wasn't very good, I'll put a decent review up, since I've seen the whole blessed thing)

Berserk-Fantasy/medieval action! The first episode introduces Guts, the Black Swordsman, and his quest to find and kill "The God Hand". Every episode after that until the end of the series is a flashback. That's right, whole thing is a flashback. It tells the story of what happened to Guts to make him like he is in Episode 1, which is a pretty screwed up tale involving political intrigue in a royal palace setting, romance, betrayal, war (of course), demons, and finally, the most screwed up ending of all time that just had me staring at the screen for a long time after it was over. GREAT ending, but not a happy one. No sir. This here is some screwed up shit. A word of advice for those sensitive types out there: Berserk is VERY VIOLENT, and it's rated 16 and up, though I would personally rate it as 'R' do to the nudity towards the end, and especially the disturbing rape scene at the VERY end. Not for the kiddies!

El Hazard The Magnificent World-Tale of Makoto Mizuhara, his two classmates and P.E. teacher getting warped off to the other dimension of El Hazard! Pretty short series, only 7 or 8 episodes i think, each one close to 40-45 minutes. Makoto and pals get transported to El Hazard by a strange girl found in some ruins beneath Makoto's school. As a result of this dimensional travel, they each get special powers. The funniest of which being Mr. Fujisawa's super strength, but only when he doesn't drink alcohol. This is hard for Fujisawa, since he is a RAGING ALCOHOLIC. the story follows Makoto as he tries to stop the invasion of the vile Bugrom army, led by one of his classmates, Katsuhito Jinnai (YAY!!), and the mysterious Shadow Tribe. Funny, funny stuff. Due to some pretty explicit nudity in one of the episodes, and constant sexual references throughout (one of the characters is a lesbian) I wouldn't go showing this to the little ones, but for teens it should be fine.

Irresponsible Captain Tylor-sci-fi comedy. Tells the story of Justy Ueki Tylor, Age: 20, and how he joins the Space Navy or whatever, because he wants an easy life, despite the fact that they are in the middle of a war. Through the entire series you will be asking yourself "Is he a genius? Or is he an idiot?!" This series has some of the funniest moments in anime history, and you really get to know the crew of Tylor's ship. This anime is pretty safe for all ages, despite some mild sexual situations.

[Hedge]

Serial Expirements Lain
This anime begins in the future. The world revolves around 'The Wired,' similar to our internet, but the Wired seems to respond to humans. The main character is a girl named Lain who has no friends, and is contacted by a dead girl claiming that she merely transcended her body and is now alive with God. The series is confusing, and demands a second watching, as many of the events in the first episodes are explained later on. Centered around computers, this episode is definitly worth the watch. This anime has thirteen episodes that I know of and I think it is shown on TechTV.

[Minoru]

O.K. First to anyone who likes Dragon Ball Z, you are not into anime very much and by my opinion have absolutely no right to take about or watch anime, EVER. Of course there is always the Gundam lovers also. You too have no right to speak. Gundam is one of the stupidest shows of all time that just r\tries to carry the same exact plot into new sequels.

Now lets see, Rurouni Kenshin is one of the best animes out there, with a new twist in the name that is all of anime. It brings the subtle morals into the life of an x-murder who is repenting for his mistakes.

FLCL is also a great anime. It has the new, youth, and weirdness I remind you that is not seen too often in many animes. It is a must see no matter what.

Next, I come to Trigun. A story of a man, but not just any man; his name, Vash The Stampede, A.K.A., The Humanoid Typhoon. Vash is a lone Cowboy in the Future. He goes through life with many battles, mainly because he has a $$60,000,000,000 on his head. Anyone familiar with the series must agree.

Cowboy Bebop, like Trigun is about a Cowboy. He is a Bounty Hunter named Spike Spiegel, just trying to make a life in the future. Him and is space crew, consisting of: Jet Black, Faye Valentine, Ed, and Ein (the dog), roam throughout the undiscovered space tracking down their bounties and getting into trouble. This is one of my most favorite series ever. Also check out Cowboy Bebop the Movie if you are interested.

I will also insist that you check out Samurai Deeper- Kyo. This story is of a man., no, two men, but trapped in one body. One is the cowardly and weak, but hilariously funny Kyorshiro Mibu, a simple medicine peddler. But deeper lies the soul of the 1,000 man slayer, Demon Eyes Kyo. If you are really interested, check this series out, one of the best.

Next are manga. I wont go into too much description, mainly because the above are also great manga.

First is Ranma ½
Next, is Chobits, also a good anime
Next, is Naratu, also a good anime
Finally, is Shin, better for children.

[FireAza]

Minoru, your descriptions are a little short. I'd have to agree with you on your ordering of Ranma and Chobits though

[DragonLord]

Many of what I would suggest has been taken, but I failed to see these two:

Lain - Good Anime set in the future. Centered around a little girl, and shows how she changes. Hard to describe. Good, though.

Metropolis - Anime set in the future, again. Put simply, man made machine, then locked them away. However, one person wants to rule the world. Yeah. There's always on, ne?