Title says all. Formatting is up to you, however, if you're going to do a list, do not list more than 20, and even then, that's pushing it. Try and keep it down to 10 if you can.
I'll start by mentioning my favorite anime:
Mobile Suit Gundam - A classic show from start to finish. Deep and well developed characters drive forward an interesting and realistic war story. The Mobile Suits are all well-designed, and the combat is very well thought out, with lots of intensity and creativity throughout each scene. The music is great, setting the mood just right. The best part, though, where the ways the side characters moved me. Hardly any of them were painted as uniformly good or bad. They were people, several of which had their own motives, their own dreams. Their stories and how they affected the main characters really made the show special for me.
I'll post a big list of 20 shows later, hopefully with short explanations for all of them.
My favorite anime of all time: Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood.
Absolutely fantastic show. It is a bit rushed in the beginning since it assumes you've seen the previous anime or read the manga, but nonetheless does a decent job at getting the important stuff down. The characters are great. The majority are well developed and I even ended getting attached even to the bad guys. Creative and pleasant characters. The plot and challenges the main characters have to face are brilliant and well planned out. When action starts it gets really good. The artwork is beautiful. SPOILER. IT'S NOT MUCH OF A SPOILER BUT I STRONGLY RECOMMEND THIS SHOW TO ANYONE WHO HASN'T WATCHED IT SO I'M BEING CAREFUL NOT TO RUIN EVEN THE TINIEST THING! It has one of the most satisfying ending ever for me. It actually brought tears of joy to my eyes.
Black Butler:
The ominous, unknown demon butler theme is exciting
The plot isn't mentally challenged
The characters are really unique and creepy
The ending is well executed, albeit not "hollywood" fashion
This:
I'm substituting because I am not allowed to put pictures of Ciel crossdressing.
'Cowboy BeBop'...hey, it's got spike and ed. nuff said.
'Witchhunter Robin'...interesting characters and story line.
'Serial Experiments Lain'...i cried for that little girl. the 'feel' of this series amazed me. very intricate story line.
'FLCL' or 'Fooly Cooly'...strange, at times heartbreaking story with turns that are outrageously funny. plus one of the coolest themesongs ever.
3. Tenchi Muyo! - It may be more of a nostalgia thing, but I just always have a good time with it, and the bickering between Ryoko and Ayeka never gets old.
2. InuYasha - It was the first anime I ever saw (mostly) unedited (on AS), so it showed me what anime was really like. Sure the whole romantic bits could get a bit overbearing at times, but I thought the whole emotional side of things was a unique addition to the shonen genre (which is usually fighting, fighting, comedy, and more fighting).
1. DBZ - It's story may be a mess, and the animation isn't that great by anime standards, but I truly just enjoy watching it, even if only for the nostalgia. I don't care what form it's in, or what episode (or movie) is on, I can just sit back and get into it immediately.
Also, Gintama with it's quite random humour and Gurren Lagann with it's over-the-topness (and Kamina). I also enjoy One Piece as a manga (haven't seen anime) probably beacuse Oda's writing and drawing is quite unique in my eyes.
SPOILERS
The art style, humor, characters, and storyline are just so unique. It's just so fun!
A Rubber-Man? Pfft. That's only the start. Just wait until the Giant Cyborg Panda with a Bible and the Ex-Marine who can transform INTO A TYRANNOSAURUS REX. Almost all the characters are memorable, something I can't say for quite a few Manga/Anime. Also, the author introduces characters not all at once, and he makes sure that they appear at least in a sub-series somewhere down the road. It makes it feel like arc specific characters truly have their own lives and stories.
Also, the way Oda plans the Storyline... Just wow. Hey, you know that one guy who is that 1st Mate on the ship that Buggy was a Cabin Boy on shown in volume 2? Well, guess what, he reappears in Volume 50-51, and he is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT to the story. The small details being majorly important to the story? ALSO: PLOT TWISTS EVERYWHERE. Brilliant. There is also something very important going on in this world, yet this deeper story only reveals it in the brief moments when the Main Characters come into contact with elements of it. The Main Character's adventures and story differ from that of the missing history, and the World Government and the Ancient Weapons.
The humor. Ah, the humor. The running gags alone are always good, and rarely get stale. The crew's actions always keep me amused. That's another thing, the main character designs are great as well. With a perverted Cyborg and a Gentlemanly(?) Skeleton being the most recent, I cannot complain about any lack of originality. Back to the humor, something must be said to the author's 'Question Corners' (in the manga only, of course). Whether being completely serious and discussing miniature plot details, inspirations, or suggestions, or being goofy responding to... everything I just said, It's always a treat.
Overall, I love One Piece for almost everything about it. The pacing of the story leads to less action than others, but It's such a joy to watch/read that I hardly notice.
To any of you who can't get past the "stupid premise": just try. Though it IS ridiculous, embrace it! Revel in how different it is from that in which you're used to. Along the way, everything starts becoming familiarity, to the point when the story seems normal you start being disappointed.
To any of you edgy about the art style: If you start and the beginning and the art seems weird to you, just attempt an arc or two. For the people I've had do this, erases complaints. And the art style transitions and evolves, ever so slightly, that after a while if you look at the first chapters/episodes, it may look vastly inferior.
1. Detective Conan (anime/manga) - Ironically, this probably has more flaws than any other anime I will list, but I adore this series. The characters are classic and lovable, the cases are (most of the later filler aside) almost always great, the story arcs stretch out for Bleach levels of IRL time but still work perfectly (probably because the story is almost never the focus of an episode) and when it's at its best, nothing can beat it. Also, it's one of the only anime soundtracks I listen to and it's a shonen series with some actual great movies. That's also cool.
2. Haruhi (anime) - Short of the worst 2 episodes of Endless Eight, every episode of this series (both seasons...and the movie) are a blast. They are so fun and I LOVE these main characters. And since they are the focus of 99% of the series, I love this series. It's such a weird combination of seriousness and comedy (well anime does that all the time I guess so whatever) but everything works. From the anime parodies to the philosophy to the dialogue and stories. Outside of the 2 mentioned episodes I can't think of any moment that wasn't great in this series.
3. One Piece (anime/manga) - Obvious choice is obvious. Ok, I have to describe a series without saying it's fun or I'll just get repeditive. But, similar to Haruhi, I love the main cast and the main guys are almost always the focus, and not just a couple of main characters and the flavor of the month characters (looking at you Naruto)!. And they are all great. My least favorite of the Strawhats is Sanji, and I still like him more than 95% of major characters in any anime I've seen. Their motivations, their humorous and serious moments, their friendship (the best example of the "I treat my friends like crap until things get serious" cliche), how they interact with almost any character. The character designs in the series are great and creative. Also the amount of brilliant, thought ahead continuity is fully appreciated. Good continuity gives you huge bonus points imo. And the series refuses to not get better and just how it completely perfected the shonen action series (my favorite genre btw)...it really deserves to be the best selling manga ever.
4. Welcome to the NHK! (anime) - I'll be the first to admit that my tastes in anime are sometimes dumb. But I feel smarter and like my life is better (ok that's probably overexaggerating but still) because I watched this anime. This is not some fictional story. This is someone who wrote real life, but as fiction. If this is actually 99% a true story, I believe it. I mean, it can be silly at times but for the most part this is a story about real people and a look at shut-ins and I am ashamed to admit I at least somewhat understand these characters too well. I can't even accurately describe the series that much...watch it. Now.
5. Spirited Away (anime...movie) - As I said before, brilliant movie. It took a type of story that's usually not for me and made it one of my favorite movies of all time. I've heard some people call it Japan's Alice in Wonderland and while I kinda see why, no. Spirited Away is just Spirited Away and is a genuine masterpiece where everything else fits perfectly with Studio Ghibli's gorgeous artwork and animation as "some of the best anywhere ever". Honestly, the fact that this is only a movie and not a series is the reason it's only at number 5.
6. Bobobo-Bo Bo-Bobo (anime) - I know this is dumb. I'm not sure if it's technically a particularly great or even good comedy series. I'm not even sure I would still like it. But during it's run on Cartoon Network, there was not, and never shall be, anything else that has made me laugh this hard that many times. Right series, right time, right person I would guess.
7. School Rumble (anime but especially the manga) - I guess this should be an above average at best series but I love the comedy in this series too, and I would probably still love it now. Loved the comedy, loved the main characters, I loved all the misunderstandings and missed opportunities and the goofiest overreactions to High School. Also, despite being slightly soap opera-y, that last arc really got to me. It basically deconstructed the entire rest of the series, and unlike some series, I loved it for that. And I'm not even a deconstruction fan. I read it twice in 2009, it was exactly as amazing the 2nd time. You know what else was as good the 2nd time reading/watching it? Look up.
8. Hunter X Hunter (anime/manga) - Not much to say, it's just a great, adventure action shonen series and it's kept me interested in what's happened next every single chapter. It also avoids the parts where a shonen series is worse somehow outside of a somewhat meh tournament-like arc. Honestly hard time choosing between this or Reborn! or even Black Cat. But, I like 3 different versions of this series, which has never happened for any series I've ever seen.
9. Hayate the Combat Butler (manga) - More awesome comedy. Despite using the same "manga facial expressions" punchline constantly, I still laugh at them so often. Somehow. The mangaka for this series loves manga and anime, especially shonen and mocks it all the time because this person clearly loves it. And it shows, which makes the series all the more fun. Also, the shift to serious storylines without at all getting rid of any comedy was brilliant decision and has given the series a real heart to it.
10. 20th Century Boys (manga) - Ok, I need to read more of this guy's work. He is clearly the genius everyone says he is just from this one series. It starts off slow but soon becomes this amazing, suspensful, thrilling ride with huge twists to what is basically a typical "stop the guy trying to take over" story. And the plot twists are brilliant, kept me on the edge of my seat. Every volume had at least one legit OMG! moment that made it required for me to keep reading.
Cowboy Bebop - It's so sophisticated, so subtle, so smart, so perfectly paced, so creative and so cool, yet it's familiar plots and character types help make it instantly accessible at the same time. Every episode feels incredibly distinct, almost standalone many times, yet they're all still a part of one cohesive whole. The voice acting has held up remarkably over the years, and, imo, the English cast actually topped the original Japanese (not something you can always say with dubs). It's one of the few shows I've ever seen where I can hardly find anything I consider a flaw. And the music. I fall back in lesbians with it everytime I re-watch it.
One Piece - I'm not sure there are enough adjectives to properly describe One Piece. It's equal parts fun, brilliant, stupid, exhilarating, heartwarming, heartbreaking, goofy, inspiring, ridiculous and hilarious, among other things. And the unbreakable bond between the Straw Hat Pirates is truly something special. It's one of the most insanely, and almost effortlessy, creative pieces of popular fiction I've ever seen.
Fullmetal: Brotherhood - I think some people have forgotten this now, but topping the original FMA anime (still a classic in its own right) was considered an almost impossible feat. Brotherhood topped it.
Planetes - It's a slice-of-life story... told in a hard science fiction setting! The story and characters are so well-written and interesting, that once you've become drawn to them over the course of the first half of the show, the events of the second half are that much more devastating. There is a happy ending, but my goodness, does the show make you earn it.
Gurren Lagann (Some spoilers in this section) - The very best of parodies; it lovingly nods to its predecessors while still managing to completely be its own thing. For all of the completely over-the-top things the show does (when describing the show to someone on the fence about it, I like to throw in something along the lines of "by the end, they are literally using galaxies as weapons"), it does so many little, comparitvely less exciting things well too. In a lesser and just as boisterous anime, Simon's unrequited, somewhat brief crush on Yoko would've been a character defining trait that would've been harped on endlessly throughout the entire show, nobody else would've ever made romantic advances towards Yoko after Kamina died and the minor characters would've been one-note even after the timeskip.
Usagi/Bunny Drop - At a time when I was feeling the lowest I've ever felt in my life (and I'm usually a pretty melancholy and withdrawn person anyway), Usagi Drop was able to make me smile for the first time in what felt like months. I immediately started watching it again as soon as I finished it, something I almost never do. It manages to be both incredibly charming and sweet, without crossing over into saccharine.
Monster - It kept me guessing and on the edge of my seat for 74 episodes. Even the characters that were only around for three episodes felt fully realized and could've been the focus of their own program.
Mushishi - The closest comparison I can think of for this show is the Twilight Zone, and even that wouldn't be quite right. It's very unlike most anime out there. It mixes a mysterious & otherworldly atmosphere and a subdued, contemplative tone with a highly episodic, almost monster-of-the-week (or mushi-of-the-week, if you will) structure and a gorgeous visual style. Quite the original, possibly one-of-a-kind.
BECK: Mongolian Chop Squad - The characters' slow journey as budding musicians, learning to play their instruments and what they like, forming their band and rising in prominence was just so well-executed. Outside of some films, I don't think I've seen a story about growing up and everyday life pulled off with such realism and grace in an anime.
Samurai Champloo - A little more uneven in spots than its spiritual predecessor, but I still loved it. The action scenes are almost breathtaking, and the music, style and disregard for historical accuracy feel like natural extensions of the main characters. Plus, Gamblers and Gallantry might be one of my five favorite episodes of any anime.
Baccano! - It's not just the unique setting or the way its told, it's that they pulled it off so well. I can get apprehensive when an anime trys to pull off a story with foreign characters in a foreign land (they can often come across as well-intentioned, but still ill-advised stereotypes), but from the vehicles, to the architecture, to the clothing, to the slang, the creators did an excellent job with their research here.
It's a cheap and easy comparison, but felt like the anime equivalent of Pulp Fiction (definitely not a bad thing). It managed to seamlessly go between comedy, drama and horror, often over the course of one scene. No characters or storylines took precedence over any of the others, and you end up having so much fun with the cast that you almost don't notice that most of them are awful people. Ladd Russo and Clare Stanfield are two of the most charismatic, axe-crazy psychos you'll ever come across in fiction. Isaac and Miria, in particular, are such fun characters that I sometimes forget just how gore-y Baccano! really is whenever I come back to it. It's also another show the benefitted terrifically from localization. And the opening is pretty boss too.
Aannnnd I think I went over the 10 show suggestion. Sorry about that, Mac.
Here I have a list of, perhaps some lesser-known works I enjoyed...
Noein 24 episodes Anime
Lots of action. Relatively short, but better than most shonen shows, such as DBZ, Bleach, or Naruto, in my opinion. A sci-fi tale that explores existential motifs and time travel paradoxes. The main villain is fairly unique. A unique aethestic and production, especially during the fights. Lots of good orchestral/choral mix music. Fast-paced, relatively cohesive plot.
Maison Ikkoku 96 episodes Anime; Manga separate
My personal favorite. Directed by Rumiko Takahashi in the 1980s, who also directed Inuyasha. This is a slice-of-life and romantic comedy. Very amusing to watch all the characters interact. A quasi-realistic 80's Japan setting. Many characters are very well fleshed-out. Even if you don't typically like romance, this is definitely one to give a try.
Barefoot Gen 10 volume Manga
If you only read one manga series in your life, LET IT BE THIS ONE. A historical fiction detailing the main character and his family after surviving the atomic bomb blast of Hiroshima, Japan during World War 2. Lots of realistic representations, many of which are very gut-wrenching. Definitely an eye-opener to anyone who still believes that using atomic bombs or any nuclear weaponry could ever possibly be justified. Focuses on how the main character does his best to help others while surviving a nuclear aftermath- not something most normal people could do. Very poignant story.
Tokyo Godfathers Movie
Directed by Satoshi Kon. The story is about 3 homeless Japanese people who find an abandoned baby, and set out to find the baby's parents. Very touching, a fitting alternative Christmas tale. Realistic representations mixed with plenty of hilarity and introspective philosophy, characteristic of Satoshi Kon's works.
The Last Exile 23 episode Anime
Amazing "postapocolyptic" sky civilization and production values. A very political tale, with a sister and brother being the central characters. War, sacrifice, and battle tactics are featured, handled well. Very interesting twist at the end. Big emphasis on the family conflicts, for both protagonists and villains.
Now and Then, Here and There 13 episode Anime
NOT for the faint of heart. Starts out seeming cliche in episode 1, but every episode thereafter has some very brutal experiences, such as child slavery/warfare, military fanaticism, rape, genocide, and a crazed lunatic who is exalted as ruler due to culture. Takes place in an alternate dimension. Really highlights the sheer resilience, humanity, and willpower of main character.
Eiken 18 volume Manga
For 18+ only. Don't be fooled by this! DO NOT look at the anime, it is terrible! This series, while downright "abusive" of the female anatomy, has one interesting perk in it's characters. The "Eiken club" is a band of misfits. A poor family's teenagers, an orphan, a teenage genius who lives alone with parents overseas, a blind foreigner (British) who is heir of a corporate empire, a midget who hides in a bear suit, a failure klutz teacher, and a country girl. Seeing how this band of misfits works together to accomplish amazing achievements with the assistance of a pansy, shorty, very meek and shy teenage boy, who ironically is the most normal of the bunch, gives a hidden deeper meaning to this slapstick bonanza. Unfortunately, the author focused a bit too much on "abusive" female anatomizing...
Full Metal Panic! Manga favored, Anime also available
Short but sweet. Story of international anti-terrorism group, and one of it's members protecting a feisty high school girl who is believed to hold a unique strand of DNA in her body, which a certaIn terrorist group wants to utilize. Some slapstick humor, some mecha, but overall a solid plot. Plenty of espionage and action.
Metropolis Movie
Based off of the famous Osamu Tezuka's works, including Astro Boy, the issues of controlling citizenry through moral manipulation is the main theme. Tons of details. Lots of classic meets modern eye candy. Definitely dramatic, in an almost Hollywood-esque way.
The Law of Ueki Manga and Anime available
A very interesting shonen show. Kind of reminiscent of The Hunger Games, in a way. However, this came out in 2002, six years before The Hunger Games was first published! Basically, a worldwide tournament decided upon by God, whoever of 100 teenagers defeats the rest becomes the next "God of the Celestial Realm". Sound strange? Ueki is a VERY strange show. Has lots of familiar shonen elements you've probably seen before; except everyone has very unique abilities! Fun to watch unfold.
Strange Dawn 13 episode Anime
Moreso serious and heavy-hearted than strange. Don't be fooled by the cover characters, and the starting story of two teenage girls warping into an alternate dimension filled with dwarfs. Lots of believable drama, despite the fantasy setting. Seeing the culture of the dwarfs, and the ways the two girls, seen as gods, culminates into a territorial war is surprisingly politically charged. Instilling a sense of overcoming our core survivalist nature as humans seems to be the core theme of this show.
Princess Mononoke Movie
A modern classic by Studio Ghibli. An attractive tale of man vs nature, man vs man, and industry/technology vs nature colliding into an everyone-for-themselves fatal war. Highlights the resilience of matriarchal societies, the frailty of nature, and the personification of industrial greed's ultimate result. Quite violent, with heads severed by arrows and bleeding animals, but not overtly grotesque.
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Topic: Top Favorite Anime/Manga? (Explainations Would Also Be Appreciated)
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