Anime Recommendation and Suggestion Query

[MFauli]

Thx, Ryll, though going through the latter half of your recommendations, it´s rather romance-heavy. I´d really like something with more of a true "group dynamic", where there´s not necessarily one main character, but several equal individuals. Maybe including Clannad as an example was stretching that idea, my fault.

So, really, when I make the above examples (Ano Hit Mita Hana, Bokurano, Genshiken), it´s how this group of equal characters are working together/against and interacting with each other. All that set in a rather realistic presentation that, however, is allowed to contain unrealistic elements (taking Bokurano as an example: Sure, there´s this crazy mech-battling going on, but it feels incredibly believable and is done tastefully. Unlike, say, full-on fantasy/scifi-anime like Gurren Lagann.).
I thought about including "Welcome to the NHK" as an example, too, but then I came to the conclusion that it didn´t actually feel realistic enough to me (the whole "cute girl approaches neet out of nowhere ... yeah, sure ... in our dreams!).

Also, I´ve already seen Itazura na Kiss, Planetes, Kanon and True Tears. I cannot remember the True Tears-plot, but I wouldn´t call the others fitting of what I´d like to see. Kanon is way to Harem-esque, and Itazura and Planetes are missing the group-dynamics between equals. Again, thanks for your posting, but it wasn´t really what I was looking for, maybe I wasn´t clear enough. Sorry!

[ConsiderPhlebas]

Alright, I need some recommendations again.

What about Ano Natsu de Matteru?

And Usagi Drop can never be wrong... :P

[MFauli]

Have watched both already. Wouldn´t count Usagi Drop as one of those I´m looking for. And Ano Natsu, well, it´d count, but as a bad one :P

[Ryllharu]

@MFauli, I warned you it would mostly be shoujo/josei. Given the other restrictions you set, that's what you're going to get. You want realism above all else, and generally daily life scenarios. You explicitly excluded fantasy elements as part of the premise, "uber-comedy", and harems. You really kneecapped yourself there, particularly concerning the former two.

I could add ARIA and Tamayura, but that's really about it. Watch Bokura ga Ita, NANA, and Paradise Kiss. You're so specific there's nothing else there (yes, I doubled checked while writing this post).

I fail to see how Planetes doesn't fit given the dynamics of the "half-section." Yes, there are two main characters, but secondary characters in the series get no less focus, no less screen time. Fee, Yuri, Clair, and even Nono (the Lunarian) have substantial roles to play in the over-arching plot and history of the depicted world.

I could recommend you bad series...but I'd prefer not to do so.

edit: I take that back. I will not intentionally recommend low-quality or unenjoyable series. That defeats the purpose of this thread.

[MFauli]

Thx, Tamayura and Aria actually look interesting. Will check out those two.

[shinta|hikari]

I agree with Ryll's choices, and would like to emphasize some of them.

ARIA is going to bore you out of your mind in the first few episodes.

But it will change your life after that.

PlanetES is a must watch for what you are looking for.

NANA has heavy romance, but it is more about a group of people and drama than it is about a specific pairing. You will probably like it.

[Ryllharu]

ARIA is going to bore you out of your mind in the first few episodes.

Indeed. As great as I think it is, ARIA is very hit or miss from person to person. I probably should have noted that in my post. The same goes for Tamayura really. Viewers will either love the two series, or find them terribly boring.

[Inazuma]

Thanks Ryll - Great help as always.
While I got you there do you have anything in your repertoire when it comes to Space Opera ? (Like Planetes - Moonlight Mile )

Doh : I couldnt find Dominion or Iria around me I guess it's not on sale anymore
I Liked Witch Hunter Robin back in the days I lost it when my drive blew up a long time ago.

[Ryllharu]

Thanks Ryll - Great help as always.
While I got you there do you have anything in your repertoire when it comes to Space Opera ? (Like Planetes - Moonlight Mile )

Sadly an under-served genre, one of my favorites too.

Starship Operators - Realistic strategic space battles and politics. A must.
Macross (SDF-1) - The original, and one of the best.
Legend of the Galactic Heroes - If you can find it, and willing to watch 110 episodes (and that's not even counting the OVAs), then it doesn't get any better than this.
Nadesico - As previously mentioned in my post.
Crest/Banner of the Stars - The saga starts with the one linked here.
Soukou no Strain - Lighter fare. A scifi adaptation of A Little Princess with all the personalities backward. Pretty clever, and it did make me read the original novel.

[darkshadow]

To append on ryll's space mecha suggestion:
Shin getter robo armageddon:
all of SGR is pretty great, but the armageddon OVA really takes the cake on awesomeness and it's only 13 eps long iirc.
After this, Shin getter vs neo getter (ova) and Shin getter robo (tv) are obvious and very awesome followups.
King of Braves: GaoGaiGar:
With GAR in its name it has to be good right? Well it's sorta a mixed bag, it's a very sentai oriented show, meaning every episode follows a set formula; bad guy shows up, good guys fight bad guy, can't defeat bad guy, good guy combines into huge mecha, bad guy defeated.
While this is fun at first, the sheer length of the show (49) kinda make it feel like it drags on. though the last few episodes were definitly great and it sets up for the next one in the list..
GaoGaiGar FINAL
This 8 episode sequel to GGG is just utter badass; you'll see some of the most hotblooded guts filled mecha action ever, this show was a very clear inspiration to TTGL.
There is another "brave" series anime that's pretty good, but it only got partially translated (dagwon).
Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann:
Ryll already mentioned this, but I'd like to append on it by stressing the importance of the movies. If sheer epicness in the show is a "10" then the second movie cranks that shit up to 15, watch them.
Dancougar Nova:
Short and sweet sequel to the 80's show with some pretty great action, also has a pretty nice OP.

Ryll already mentioned Mazinkaiser skl, so I'll just list the others from that franchise that are awesome:
Mazinkaiser, 7 eps
Mazinkaiser deathmatch, 1 ep
Shin Mazinger, 26 ep show

Gaiking: Legend of Daiku-Maryu
I thought this was fun, but it kinda suffers the same problem as GGG.

REIDEEN
Haven't seen this one yet, but I've heard good things about it.
Steel God Jeeg
Haven't seen this either, but it's a prequel to the 70's steel jeeg show; what I've seen from the previews this is very awesome though and only 13 eps.

[Inazuma]

Thank you all - I'll treat you to beer, rum or whine should you be around one day.

[MFauli]

Alright, I´m confused:

Filling in my list of watched anime, and now I read this synopsis for Steins;Gate:

"Steins;Gate is set in the summer of 2010, approximately one year after the events that took place in Chaos;Head, in Akihabara."

Does this mean that Steins;Gate is a direct continuation of Chaos;Head? Also, since this is the recommendation topic, if you had to compare Steins;Gate to Mirai Nikki, are they similarly crazy? Mirai Nikki is a bit too crazy for my liking, so I need to know if Steins;Gate is just as completely fucked up or if it´s a different, more realistic approach to a story. Thx!

[Buffalobiian]

Alright, I´m confused:

Filling in my list of watched anime, and now I read this synopsis for Steins;Gate:

"Steins;Gate is set in the summer of 2010, approximately one year after the events that took place in Chaos;Head, in Akihabara."

Does this mean that Steins;Gate is a direct continuation of Chaos;Head? Also, since this is the recommendation topic, if you had to compare Steins;Gate to Mirai Nikki, are they similarly crazy? Mirai Nikki is a bit too crazy for my liking, so I need to know if Steins;Gate is just as completely fucked up or if it´s a different, more realistic approach to a story. Thx!

Steins;Gate has nothing to do with Chaos;Head. Steins;Gate doesn't compare to Mirai Nikki very well. I would compare it to Higurashi.

[gos27]

Just finished "One Outs". Absolutely loved it, great anime. Kind of like Akagi and Kaiji in the gambling way, and the personality of the main character was similar too. But imo I thought One Outs was better than both, the fact it integrated sports was more appealing to me. From start to finish it was excellant, highly recommend this! It was done by MadHouse, even bigger plus!

[MFauli]

Thinking about it today: Are there any lengthier (fantasy-) adventure-esque anime that feature an older-than-usual hero and group? To be exact, a hero who´s around 25 upwards to 30 years old. Anything quality out there?

[Ryllharu]

Utawarerumono, though the ages of the girls is debatable. 26 eps.
Kaze no Stigma, Older lead, everyone else a bit younger. 24 eps.
Kamisama Dolls, pretty much the same, but sadly only 13 eps.
Witch Hunter Robin, Robin is younger, but mature for her age (whatever it is) and everyone else is older. 26 eps.
Le Chevalier D`Eon, historical gothic fantasy whole cast around 25. 24 eps.

Slim pickings with fantasy. It's easier with sci-fi.

[MFauli]

Already know Utawarerumono. Kaze no Stigma and Kamiama Dolls look a bit too generic. However, Witch Hunter Robin looks interesting, as does Le Chevalier D`Eon.

Btw. it doesn´t need to be fantasy, see the brackets. I´d even prefer scifi, or even something completely devoid of supernatural elements. Stuff like Bokurano or Kimi to Boku, but with "older" people instead of school kids. Come to think of it, I could give Night Head another try ... hm ....

[Ryllharu]

I guess if you hadn't meant strictly fantasy, I could toss in Pumpkin Scissors and Wolf's Rain, but the latter is really slow.

Don't underestimate Kamisama Dolls. It was one of the best shows that ended that season, if not the best.

I have no idea how Kimi to Boku fits into your initial request. You just want slice of life with older people? Just watch Genshiken or...ugh, Hen Zemi.

[MFauli]

lol, I started watching Hen Zemi. I mean, how could I not with these descriptions. It´s pure pervertedness. The professor looks like the definition of a sex monster, lol. Guess I´ll keep watching, since it´s only 12 episodes, 12 minutes each, and its production quality is fairly high, even though the style is simple.

[Uchiha Barles]

I haven't watched anything since Shiki. I get so tired of school aged centered children and their school age problems. Not that there's anything wrong with those things but they're just too damned prevalent. This upcoming season doesn't seem to be helping any. Anything old or new along the lines of Noir, Berserk, or Gungrave that ranks as not just good, but exceptional?

Edit: Or hell, don't even restrict yourselves to thinking of just those three anime, but there should be a mix of action and intrigue. School aged people with school aged people problems can be present, but I'd much prefer those issues not be the central to the anime.