Thread: Anime Recommendations

Here are a few recommendations to begin with:

Adventure/Drama/Mystery

Noir –

Synopsis:

Originally Posted by ANN
Mireille Bouquet is a professional assassin, and a very good one at that. But when she follows up an e-mail from a young Japanese girl named Yumura Kirika, inviting her to take "a pilgrimage to the past", her life becomes even more dangerous than it already is. Now, with a haunting melody invoking the memory of an event long past, Mireille and Kirika decide to work together to find the truth about a thousand year old organization that has controlled both of their lives since before they were born. And the only clue in their search, the only thing Kirika remembers about herself, becomes their working codename: a name designating an ancient fate, of two maidens who reign over death--Noir.

Why you should watch it:

It has gun action worthy of James Bond, two cool assasins, a mystery that slowly unravels that has more twists and turns then a strand of DNA and it being my favorite anime somewhat tips the iceberg in favor of recommending this to AO. Be warned that this is a serious flick with very little humor packed in it, but I guaranty something that any mature mind will desire to lurch at without a second though.

Adventure/Comedy/Fantasy

Slayers –

Synopsis:

Originally Posted by ANN
Lina Inverse, a wandering sorceress and bandit-killer, joins forces with roving swordsman Gourry Gabriev in what's supposed to be a quick union of convenience. Instead, an artifact Lina "liberated" from a gang of thieves turns out to be the key to the resurrection of the demon lord Shabranigdo. Urged on by the mysterious Red Priest Rezo, the pair has no choice but to fight the dark lord and his servants, accumulating new allies and enemies along the way.

Why you should watch it:

You haven't seen a medieval fantasy comedy if you haven't watched this. This series has quite a few sequels, prequals, movies and the likes that keep you wanting more. Ranma 1/2 was funny, but its 7 seasons somewhat went overkill after the second season in my opinion. Slayers is funny and has fresh material about 80% of the time and has you laughing at the end of your seat at each turn of events. If you want quick humor relief, a grand and epic adventure that has a good plotline and a main character that terrorizes dragons on her path or anything that knows of her reputation for that matter, be sure to watch this!

Comedy/Science-Fiction

Excel Saga –

Synopsis:

Originally Posted by ANN
Hyperactive Excel does anything and everything to try to please her lord, Ilpalazzo, who wants to take over the planet. Excel's misadventures takes her and her partner, the ever-dying Hyatt, all over the world, meeting several strange people as they go. Everything is bizarre and goofy, as any kind of anime or entertainment genre gets mocked and spoofed.

Why you should watch it:

At first viewing of the few minutes that pass by, you wonder if this series is completely and utterly random in every aspect. Actually, this anime is well crafted to create the most laughs in the least amount of time, while actually having parodies of every anime genre taking place at any moments notice with little more warning than the short vocal/text message at the begining. I could never truly describe this masterpiece in terms of its true impact, but if you dare to watch this, take breaks between episodes or you may have chances of laughing yourself to death

P.S.: Many more could be recommended, but for now, that's all folks.

Horror/Gore

When They Cry (Japanese: Higurashi no Naku Koro ni) -

Synopsis:

From When They Cry - Higurashi (TV) - Anime News Network
On one hot summer day in 1983, a transfer student named Maebara Keiichi comes to a peaceful rural village in Hinamizawa. There, he befriends his classmates Rena, Mion, Rika, and Satoko. Accepted as a full-fledged member of the "club," Keiichi and the gang plays all sorts of activities ranging from card and board games to hide-and-seek. But just as Keiichi was beginning to be assimilated in simple rural life, he stumbles upon the dark history of Hinamizawa. As Keiichi dives deeper into the mystery, he finds that his new found friends may not be all what they claim to be.

Why you should watch it:

If you're a fan of murder mysteries, the occult, and scenes of extreme violence, this is the show for you. Divided into 4 or 5 episode arcs with a sort of Tenchi Muyo style: each arc begins with the same characters, same location, and similar events, but under different circumstances, and different motives for murder. It might take you a few episodes to get into; each arc opens with a violent, bloody scene, then slows to a crawl in showing the events that led up to that scene. But the payoff is worth it...even if you figure out who the killer is, you'll definitely want to see the fate of poor little Keiichi...
The second season of this anime is currently showing in Japan; from the first three eps it seems to have more of a comedic bent to it.

Warning: As I said, this is an extremely violent and gory series; even the bloodless moments are a little scary. Thus, I wouldn't advise anyone under 17 watching this one...but if you do and it screws with your head, don't say I didn't warn you.

Action

Black Lagoon -

Synopsis:

From Black Lagoon (TV) - Anime News Network:
Okajima Rokuro is a Japanese businessman…in a town full of Japanese businessmen. His normal day consists of social drinking with clients and being kicked around by his bosses. He finally gets a break though, as he’s sent by his company to the tropical seas of Eastern China to deliver a disc…only his boat gets hijacked by a band of mercenaries that were hired to steal it. “Rock” (as he is newly dubbed by his captors) catches the interest of the only female merc “Revy” as she thinks he’s worth a ransom, taking him hostage. However, the disc turns out to be more trouble than its worth, and complicates things both for Rock, and the mercenaries known as Black Lagoon.

Why you should watch it:

One of the most anticipated series that is currently in release is the dark and gritty action series 'Black Lagoon'. One of the Big Budget anime release made by GENEON in 2006, (and Big Budget enough that it was preproduction licensed to GENEON USA), this series covers the adventures of a modern day mercenary/pirate gang that prey upon the shipping trade routes in South-East Asia in a Patrol Torpedo boat (which the series is named after). The main character of this series starts out as a newly hired cubical employee of a large Japanese conglomerate. But on his first mission courier mission, he's kidnapped by the crew of the Black Lagoon. When they call his company headquarters to ask for ransom, he's told by the company president that he's being declared a victim of circumstance, and that his life insurance beneficiaries will get a respectable payment. Being declared dead, while still alive causes Okajima to snap and join the pirate crew to fight the mercenaries sent to destroy them.

Given the high budget, high production values of this series, it is wonderfully animated by Madhouse Studios. The first Season is 12 episodes, with the second season (which is also preproduction licensed to GENEON USA) is currently in production for the Fall 2007 Anime season. If you're looking for a Action series with lots of gunfights, military hardware, lots of loud colorful explosions, and a cast that can gleefully kill you with a smile, 'Black Lagoon' is a series you should try...

BLACK LAGOON: Official GENEON USA Website

Comedy, Drama, Romance, Shounen, Slice of Life (per ANN)

Beck -

Synopsis:

Originally Posted by ANN

Tanaka Yukio, better known by his nickname Koyuki is a 14 year old who feels disconnected from life in general. Through the act of saving a mismatched dog, he meets guitarist Minami Ryuusuke, and becomes involved in Ryuusuke's new band BECK. Koyuki's life starts to change as the band struggles towards fame.

Why you should watch it:

Beck is one of those series that really brings a “freshness” to watching anime. It focuses on aspects that you can associate with like the plot is stuff right from your own life. Maybe I favor this show because I love the guitar and rock music with a passion but then again even aside from that it is still a great view. If you are tired of overplayed anime and looking for something different and with a great feel. BECK! This show just has it all, from very interesting characters easily associated with to a great plot line that leaves you wanting more to ROCK!


Comedy, Science Fiction, Supernatural (per ANN)

The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya –

Synopsis:

Originally Posted by ANN

On the first day of high school a beautiful girl named Haruhi Suzumiya introduces herself as having "no interest in ordinary humans". She asks for any aliens, time travelers, sliders or espers to join her. Watching her weird behaviour is Kyon who sits in front of Haruhi and is the only person who talks to her. When Kyon comments about Haruhi's joining every club in school and then quitting he unwittingly gives Haruhi an idea to start her own after school club. Thereafter Kyon and several others find themselves dragged, literally, into the Save our world by Overloading it with fun Suzumiya Haruhi's Brigade (the S.O.S. Brigade for short).

Why you should watch it:

Continuing with my theme of anime that avoids overplayed themes, this is arguably one of the best new series out there. While it may be too random and crazy for some to understand it STILL hands down is fun to watch from start to finish! All of the characters are lovable and plot brings a breath of fresh air as it puns it’s way though the series. (Hammer loves the moe puns, lol). Even through its randomness the series still offers a lot for people to relate to and this is a strong motivator to drive those who watch the series to loving it (in some case more then they should, lol)!

Mecha/Drama/Romance

RahXephon -

Synopsis:

From RahXephon (TV) - Anime News Network
In a world where time passes at a crawl and the blood of your neighbor runs blue, 17 year old high school student Ayato Kamina goes about his daily life within Tokyo Jupiter oblivious to the world around him, having been educated with the fact that the all civilization but Tokyo has been destroyed. But all that changes when the mysterious civilization "MU" invades his home, raining destruction down from the sky in the form of strange monsters called Dolems. The events that occur next will lead Ayato to the mysterious woman named Reika Mishima, to the truth of their existence, the discovery of what and who he is, and to the powerful angelic robot RahXephon.

Why you should watch it:

This isn't your typical anime in any of the above categories. The romance is obvious but not over the top, the drama is interspersed with (very) brief moments of comedy, and the mecha...well, the battle scenes are excellent. It's a series that bears watching more than once, as the complex characters and odd plot twists may keep you from really enjoying it the first time around. I don't want to say too much about this one; the relationships and histories of each character are pretty involved, and getting into them would just confuse someone who hasn't seen the series yet.



Mecha/Action/Comedy

Martian Successor Nadesico -

Synopsis:

From Martian Successor Nadesico (TV) - Anime News Network
Akito doesn't want to fight. Despite a childhood spent on the anime Gekiganger 3, a Mecha show, he'd rather cook than pilot a Mecha. Fate intervenes when his home on Mars is destroyed, and he is transported instantly to the Earth, mysteriously. He has questions no one can answer fully, but follows a girl from a chance meeting in hopes to discover any. The girl, Yurika, is captain of the private battleship Nadesico, and in order to follow her, he enlists as their cook. Possessing the nanite implants that allow to control mechas, he's a handy backup pilot for the mechas of the Nadesico. He joins a crew bent on revenging Mars and composed of misfits, otakus, and ditzes. But in reality they are handpicked experts. They take their own private war back to Mars to face the harsh reality that life may not always be like a Giant Mecha Series.

Why should watch it:

A true predecessor to Full Metal Panic!, Martian Successor Nadesico has it all: action, romance, mecha, and a big enough sense of humor to make fun of anime itself--watching Akito's growing obsession and Gai's absolute devotion to Gekiganger might remind some otaku of themselves. All of the characters are fun and engaging (yes, ever the dour genius Ruri has her moments), and find their niches in the storyline quite easily. There's moments of slightly risque humor, and an underlying message about undue prejudice. But even if you completely miss out on some of the serious stuff, you'll still enjoy the crazy space crew and their adventures.



Action/Historical

Saiyuki -

Synopsis:

From Saiyuki (TV) - Anime News Network
Many years ago, humans and demons lived in harmony. But that unity ended when demons started attacking humans and plotted a mission to unleash Gyumao - an evil demon imprisoned for thousands of years. Now, Genjo Sanzo, a rogue priest, must team up with three demons - Sha Gojyo, Son Goku, and Cho Hakkai - and embark on a perilous journey to the west to stop these demons from resurrecting Gyumao and restore the balance between humans and demons on Earth.

Why you should watch it:

Based on a late 16th century Chinese novel, Saiyuki mixes modern elements (guns, cars, etc) with ancient folklore and mythology. The four "heroes" are irreverent and fairly amusing; they cuss like sailors, hurl insults at their enemies as well as each other, and it's a wonder that they even find time to track down and fight their enemies between petty arguments and mini-fistfights. Secondary characters are also engaging, and at times blur the lines between good and evil. The action scenes are good, and include hand-to-hand combat, various weapons, and of course, Sanzo's pistol makes an appearance every now and then. Be prepared for a long watch though...the first arc is 50 episodes long, and followed by two sequels of 25 and 26 episodes.

Comedy/Sci-Fi

Magical Shopping Arcade Abenobashi

Synopsis:

From Magical Shopping Arcade Abenobashi (TV) - Anime News Network
Imamiya Satoshi, "Sasshi" to his friends, has grown up in the Abenobashi Shopping Arcade in Osaka, along with his childhood friend, Asahina Arumi. Now, all that was stable in his life is in ruins. His family's bath house has closed and been torn down, and Arumi's family is moving to Hokkaido - and taking her with them. In the midst of all this, something happens to the framework of reality, and Sasshi and Arumi slip into a weird parallel world. It's still Abenobashi, but not their Abenobashi. Strange things are afoot, and Sasshi must find out their meaning, in order to reach a goal that he barely understands.

Why you should watch it:

Easily one of the funniest anime I've ever seen. All of its anime parodies are dead on, and it pokes fun at everything else as well, including all of the Elvis-loving, hot dog eating, foul-mouthed Americans. In the tradition of Excel Saga, MSA keeps a somewhat frantic pace, but relaxes far more often for some actual character and plot development. Arumi and Sasshi have such endearing personalities and such a strong friendship, it's impossible not to like them and their quirks. The story itself should keep you interested; the idea of parallel worlds and trying to find one's way back home are always intriguing, but failing that, the humor should be enough to hold you until the end.

Another great thing is that if you get the individual discs, you get the outtakes (hilarious), the AD-Vid notes (an option you can turn on while you watch that will clue you into what's being referenced in certain scenes, i.e. a specific anime series, an aspect of Japanese culture, or something completely random), and the "Weekly Abenospoiler", a mock-newsletter with articles by or about events/characters in the show. This is one of the few anime I'm glad I bought each volume separately (ADV is notorious for slashing all the extras from their boxed sets).

Action/Political Intrigue/Philosophical

Ghost in the Shell -

Synopsis:

From Ghost in the Shell (movie) - Anime News Network
In the year 2029, the barriers of our world have been broken down by the net and by cybernetics, but this brings new vulnerability to humans in the form of brain-hacking. When a highly-wanted hacker known as 'The Puppetmaster' begins involving them in politics, Section 9, a group of cybernetically enhanced cops, are called in to investigate and stop the Puppetmaster. The pursuit will call into question what makes a human and what is the Puppetmaster in a world where the distinction between human and machine is increasingly blurry.

Why you should watch it:

One of the most ground breaking stories with great animation way before its time back in 1995. "Mamoru Oshii, the director of this movie, is best known worldwide for the epoch-making Ghost in the Shell, that topped the Billboard video chart in the US, and its sequel Innocence, the first Japanese animation film to compete for the Palme d'Or at the Cannes International Film Festival." (quote taken from here) This story today is a classic that everybody should watch without exception. It brought many insightful thoughts on various themes that are still very present today in our age of information and science. The main character of this series is a female android with capabilities greater than most of her kind, and is part of a secret Japanese organisation called "Section 9", which acts as private police that sometimes involve in personal endeavors without necessarily being called upon. Major, the leading character, is mainly accompanied in her missions by Batou, her trusty, witty and strong weapons specialist side-kick, and Togusa, a new recruit that hangs on to humanity more than most in this futuristic world. He also has an old revolver model that is outdated compared to standard guns.

This movie, based from the manga novel of the same name, written by Masamune Shirow, created so much popularity that a sequel was made, two seasons (Stand Alone Complexe, and Stand Alone Complexe: Second Gig) and a movie (sequal to the two seasons) called "Solid State Society". And I heard that it wouldn't be the last that we would hear from this growing universe. If you're looking for an Action movie (sequel and alternate retelling in form of seasons and a new movie) with masterfully set high impact gunfights, greatly pondered political/moral/international conflicts and characters that you will learn to discover at a slow pace that you will devour with anticipation (though mostly developed in the seasons), 'Ghost in The Shell' is a series you must assimilate...

Note: This movie has some scenes of nudity, blood, detailed inner body parts when exposed (shot or blown up) and violence. I suggest you be at least 17 and above to watch this. And if your younger, you might not well interprete all the philosophical stuff as well.

More info: Ghost in the Shell - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia