Anime Recommendation and Suggestion Query

[Ryllharu]

And Seirei no Moribito is an awesome series. Some of the most awesome animation and artwork out there. Comparing it to Grenadier is a complete insult.

I know. Perhaps I expected something completely different from it. Somewhere around ten episodes in, plot wise, it became just another Journey to the [insert Cardinal Direction], and I lost all interest in the series. It started with a great deal of action, and left me with only exposition and waning interest. It became...not my cup of tea at that given time.

EDIT:
I expected an Otogizoushi (heian arc) out of it, and got a Saiunkoku instead.

Grenadier was a poor and unfair choice for comparison. The above is a more appropriate choice.

[shinta|hikari]

I second Crest/Banner of the Stars. It is definitely one of my favorite anime out there. You just have to endure the art since it is a really old series, but when it comes to wit, smart yet interesting dialogue, endearing unique characters, good space battle strategy and dogfights, and a very good story that actually manages to focus on the main characters while slowly painting the larger world with corresponding clashing cultures the plot is set in, you can get nothing better.

[KitKat]

Darker than Black: While I cannot claim to have seen this series, I believe this will also fit the bill. Given that KitKat suggested Higurashi (and an excellent choice that was), I was a little surprised she didn't suggest this one as well. Supernatural powers, much like Kurau, a hint of realism (the price to pay for those powers) and character development around. The ending was a bit weak, or so I was told, but the majority of the series should not disappoint.

*grins* Well, I recommend DtB to everyone and I couldn't remember if Lucifus had already watched it or not. My sig makes me the DtB poster girl I think it's hilarious that you know enough about anime to authoritatively recommend series you have never seen. One thing I will say about DtB though is that it is quite dark (as the title would suggest). There is a bit of comic relief (hilarious assistant detective who loves cosplay), but otherwise the atmosphere of this show is very grim.

And, personally, though the ending was a bit frustrating, it was fitting (crossing my fingers for a sequel), and didn't come close to causing me the extreme annoyance as the ending of Spiral caused me when I finished that one last month. I was so dissatisfied with it that I was mad at the series for a week, hehe.

And speaking of weak endings, I see that Bud put Wolf's Rain on his list. I liked that series at first, but started disliking it more and more as the series went on, such that it took me half a year to finish it. I had high hopes that the ending would redeem the series for me, but it didn't. I don't want to give any spoilers for people who are considering watching it, but I will say that its one of the most depressing series I've ever seen.

[Munsu]

I hated the Spiral ending myself, but surely Wolf's Rain did get weaker as it went on, but I really liked the ending myself, on that regard I really liked the 3 or 4 episodes that came out after the series had finished airing.

[Ryllharu]

And speaking of weak endings, I see that Bud put Wolf's Rain on his list. I liked that series at first, but started disliking it more and more as the series went on, such that it took me half a year to finish it. I had high hopes that the ending would redeem the series for me, but it didn't. I don't want to give any spoilers for people who are considering watching it, but I will say that its one of the most depressing series I've ever seen.

My stance on Wolf's Rain is thus: The first half of the series is great, the series is utter garbage around the middle (FOUR woefully pointeless recap/clip shows in a row!), but the final four post-air episodes (27-30) are fantastic. The ending is hit or miss depending on the viewer.

EDIT: heh. Bud and I pretty much agree point for point.

[masamuneehs]

Before you post, check this chart
I didn't make it, but it's got some pretty good recs. I could shit a brick though about Gundam SEED being up there in the mecha category (above 0080 and 08th MS Team???) and there are some holes for things like Mushishi that absolutely are must-sees... but, it's sorta nifty...

[Kraco]

Code Geass was drama? I suppose it's hard to classify after you disregard mecha. There's an obvious hole the size of Elfen Lied in that chart anyway. Though it's not like that show would need to be recommended separately to anybody worth their cone cells.

There were some shows there I haven't seen. I might need to have a look at a couple of them.

[Munsu]

Decent looking chart, but how could it have missed School Rumble? That has pretty much been the epitome of comedy for the last couple of years.

[Everon]

What should I expect from Nadesico? Blend of comedy and drama? Magical power-ups? Strategy?

[Buffalobiian]

I believe Ef should be there somewhere. Others would agree.

[Archangel]

Yo Munsu and Ryllharu, 5 bucks if you add your thoughts to that chart

[Ryllharu]

Oh no! My secret chart revealed!

Just kidding...

While I'm pleasantly surprised at how some what I would consider niche titles made it to the list, it doesn't change that quite a few of the titles seem mis-categorized.

Noein...I would be extremely hesitant to recommend to anyone. Calling it a drama is a stretch at best, it is hardcore sci-fi but it should be in the same category as Dennou Coil...and Higurashi should be in the same category as Monster. Noein has a very unique art style (like Gankutsuou) and the plot just really isn't there to call it a drama. Chrono Crusade belongs in Drama. Kanon and AIR are missing here too. Where the hell is NANA and Paradise Kiss?

Actually, I'd say the Drama category is pretty much a mess altogether. Half belong in Sci-Fi, and a lot of the rest need to be put into a separate category altogether ("Fan-girl Shoujo" maybe)

Clannad a comedy? No.

Mahoraba ~heartful days~ is missing from comedy.

I'm disappointed to not see Soukou no Strain in Sci-Fi, a really stand-out title that came out of nowhere.

Haibane Renmei I'd put in Slice of Life.

Lain....I would skip. It is one of those series that really stood out for it's time, but it has aged horribly. An overwhelming number of series (on that chart alone) totally overshadow it. Where is Narutaru Shadow Star instead?

Romance...I would put Ai Baby in there, Itazura na Kiss, and Kimi ga Nozomu Eien. Lack of Bokura ga Ita especially is shocking. ef, I"s (despite how much I hate it), Kimagure Orange Road, Onegai Teacher, and Suzuka (debatable).

Fantasy Adventure. Nanoha is an odd choice here. Appropriate, but strange. I am a huge Nanoha fan due to it's ability to appeal to both male and female viewers (it is the DBZ of Magical Girl anime), but I haven't had the opportunity to recommend it here. But they are missing Okusama wa Mahou Shoujo in terms of magical girl series.

No Beserk? Well, maybe that one I can understand, but it should be on there. Especially lacking is Record of the Loddoss War (the OVA). No Slayers as well?

Action. You knew it was coming...Hunter x Hunter. R.O.D (OVA and series), and some version of Mai Hime/Otome.

Sports. Where is Major or Slam Dunk?

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I imagine this list intended to avoid more recent series, but they also created separate, too-specific categories (like Uber-Mecha) and were forced to include more recent titles.

[shinta|hikari]

Ef is missing? FAIL.

[Everon]

Absence of School Rumble and Ouran Host Club makes me a sad panda.

[MFauli]

I know it´s a bit vague, but:

What are some of the MUST-SEE shows of the past years?
I already saw the popular stuff like Death Note, Eureka Seven, Code Geass, Mushishi or Claymore. What´s there else, regardless of genre, as long as it´s just "great".


PS: And i still am looking for a romantic-anime like School Days, haha.

[ian_sanzo]

Is Mai Hime any good?

[Death BOO Z]

It's good, nothing spectacular, but interesting and well made.

[Ryllharu]

Is Mai Hime any good?

Mai Hime is a good action series. A little bit of ecchi, a healthy dose of drama, good animation and a decent amount of humor.

I know it´s a bit vague, but:

What are some of the MUST-SEE shows of the past years?
I already saw the popular stuff like Death Note, Eureka Seven, Code Geass, Mushishi or Claymore. What´s there else, regardless of genre, as long as it´s just "great".


PS: And i still am looking for a romantic-anime like School Days, haha.

Big anime, eh?
I don't know if you mean "must-see" like visionary anime (since you have Mushishi on there) or if you mean "must-see" as in everyone is watching it whether it really is that exceptional or not (since you have Death Note on there). I'll go with "Big Anime" that is also good.

Higurashi no Naku Koro ni and it's sequel were up there. Mystery, blood, cute characters and humor...just to make you feel that much worse about the murders.

Full Metal Alchemist...pretty obvious.

Full Metal Panic - Humor, mecha, non-mecha action, a little bit of love and a whole lot of awesome.

Berserk - Massive medieval epic that everyone was enjoying

Neon Genesis Evangelion: Angst, more angst, mecha, a serious Oedipus complex, and more angst.

Mai Hime - see above.

Chrno Crusade - Demons and nuns are so much fun. Humor, drama, action. A lot like FMP, but without the mecha in exchange for demons and magic. Set in the 1920s.

Last Exile - Another one of those coming-of-age epic style series, but with courier pilots and a healthy dose of science fiction. Character models by an acclaimed artist.

Scrapped Princess - Good characters, "fantasy(?)" setting. A mix of magic, swordfighting, a whole lot of "what the hell is really going on" and a coming of age story, all animated wonderfully.

Darker than Black - A bit more of a niche series than the others, but definitely enjoyable. Again, lots of confusion about what is going on, superpowers, and...I don't really know what else. I just started watching it, and I am really confused...in a good way.

Bleach: Episodes 1-63 - Before the series got stale, and degenerated into fight after pointless fight and the plot repeated exactly (but few people noticed for some reason) a ton of people were watching this. The series had good humor mixed in with awesome action and an interesting visual style.

Ouran High School Host Club - At the time it was airing, easily the best comedy around. Pokes at the bishonen series sterotypes and is very amusing with great characters.

School Rumble - The best comedy around when it aired. Lots more humor, constant, "Everything that can go wrong, will" moments and horrible misunderstandings.

Monster - Haven't seen it, can't say much about it, but it's on here with good reason. Since I can't really describe it, I'm going to add some [added weight] to this part of the post for emphasis on it being on this list. It matches the five you've got up there in terms of following and depth.

Gurren Lagann - The finest classic-mecha in a long time. Neo-Classical Mecha?

Vision of Escaflowne - Girl sent to other world, meets boy. Boy has clockwork mech, intense battles ensue and drama abound.

Seirei no Moribito - Some select few around here would be most dissapointed if I didn't include this one. While it was not my particular flavor of anime, this was one series that was certainly a "must-see" in both versions I described above.

-----------------------------------------------------------
Romance Anime like School Days:
I don't think you'll find something quite like it, but there are a few that provoked a great deal of thought.

True Tears - Love triangle (occasional square) that had me going back and forth between which of the two were actually better suited. A lot of character development and the question of how well you really know someone, or are you just making assumptions, are addressed. While it was a bit "meh" in the middle, much like School Days was in the beginning (before you had a full grasp of the going ons) but the end makes up for it.

Saikano - Tragedy knows no truer name. Animation is of "lower quality," but that is just the visual style.

It also sounds like you should be watching Chaos;Head now if you already are not.

[Lucifus]

Higurashi no Naku Koro ni

Wow, this series is bloody brilliant! I have no idea even up to now whats going on but I have to find out.

Love the mystery and total dementia going on here. And the characters are adorable. =D

[KrayZ33]

I know it´s a bit vague, but:

What are some of the MUST-SEE shows of the past years?
I already saw the popular stuff like Death Note, Eureka Seven, Code Geass, Mushishi or Claymore. What´s there else, regardless of genre, as long as it´s just "great".


PS: And i still am looking for a romantic-anime like School Days, haha.

I think Ryullharu forgot to add

Minami-ke : Comedy.. really funny stuff (another season will come soon)

Fate/Stay Night Fantasy (?), dunno how to describe it, but it's really good. It's about Heroes from the past summoned by magi as "Servants" to find a magical vessel which is able to fullfill a wish... awesome love story and fighting scenes.

If you haven't seen it already, you should catch up... I think most people on this forum know how great this show (and game) is. It might not be the "best anime ever made" for everyone, but as I said, it's really, really good.


Spice and Wolf: It's a somewhat "new" kind of anime... again I don't know how to describe the genre, but I found it most interesting, haven't seen something similiar before.

Ookiku Furikabutte: Baseball... best sports anime out there imho

Chobits: Love Comedy... really "cute" stuff :P

Lucky Star: Comedy..

Kimikiss purerouge: Romance..nice animation


Beck: Music. About a young boy who gets into a band and their troubles on their way to "fame".. really nice music, famous songs from the beatles here and there and so on.
It is one of my favorites..



However I'm not sure when these animes came out exactly, some of them might be "new" (1 year old at max)