I stuck my toe in the water, now I'm ready to dive. Anime Advice Thread

[BeoW0lfe]

Alright, being a general nerd, I finally got into a couple animes. Specifically, i was on touchanime.com to watch avatar tla a while ago, and got bored. So I clicked a show at random, and landed on PERSONA 4. which launched me into the game as well. 2 for the price of one. the next show I clicked at random was Beelzebub. Was funny, seemed decent enough. Next I found Desert Punk from which my sides still hurt. Most recently i watched Sword Art Online (Shut up I enjoyed it). So i have started a little anime resume. that being said, I implore you great men and women of escapist to direct me to some good anime that isnt 300 episodes long, but still has quality. And while i can toe the line, (seeing as i enjoyed Desert Punk) I'd appreciate being steered away form the type of anime that makes you go "Dear God, why Japan?"
Thanks for sharing your experience with a hopeless novice like me.

Edit: Death Note was another I saw and forgot to mention.

 

[shrekfan246]

Baccano!, Cowboy Bebop, Samurai Champloo, Steins;Gate, and perhaps Outlaw Star.

Then it depends on what you prefer from a dubbing perspective. Baccano! and Cowboy Bebop have stellar English dubs, but for me, Samurai Champloo and Steins;Gate "clicked" a little better with the original Japanese dubs because it feels more authentic for anime shows actually based in Japan. Outlaw Star is a bit iffy on both ends of the dubbing spectrum, but the writing and plot overall are generally good enough to overlook it.

Baccano! is... well, tough to describe. But it's set in Prohibition-Era US and I like to think it's what you'd get if old-school Quentin Tarantino or Guy Ritchie made an anime. It may not be for everyone, I suppose, but I thought it was absolutely fantastic.

Cowboy Bebop is a space-western (other notable examples of the genre include Firefly), and the "main" character of the ensemble cast in English is voiced by Steve Blum. Bitches love Steve Blum. More seriously, it may be over a decade old but it still holds up to even better standards than some more modern anime shows.

Samurai Champloo was made by the same guys responsible for Cowboy Bebop (the English dub even has quite a few recurring voice actors), but is set in -- I think -- Feudal Japan. With samurai and kimonos and one of the main characters in English is again voiced by Steve Blum. Really nice balance between absolute hilarity, high-octane action, and more somber, slow moments in both of them.

Steins;Gate is a modern-day sci-fi show that really delves deeper into heavy subjects, and includes time travel, a fair bit of techno-babble, and a tsundere redhead love interest. It's got some slow pacing to start with, the first six episodes or so feel more like a slice-of-life comedy than anything else, but once it gets going it really gets going.

Also, the Japanese dub gives us such gems as this:

And I'd describe Outlaw Star as what you'd get if you crossed Cowboy Bebop with Dragonball Z. By which I mean it's a sci-fi shonen series (think DBZ, Naruto, etc.) and certainly feels as such. Lots of fun action, funny dialogue, a bumbling comic-relief character, censored nudity if you get the original English releases... it's got it all.

They're all 26 episodes or less, as well, so it won't completely destroy your schedule to try following through on them.

 

[Queen Michael]

Kino's Journey is 13 episodes mlong, philosophical, beautiful, so good that it caught my interest despite the way I never watch anime otherwise (more of a manga fan, me), and has a great opening and outro.

 

[Smertnik]

You might want to state your preferences first. Also a more clear title would probably net you noticeably more useful responses (I, for one, clicked this thread by a mere accident).

 

[Images]

You might want to state your preferences first. Also a more clear title would probably net you noticeably more useful responses (I, for one, clicked this thread by a mere accident).

This.

But I'd go for Cowboy Bepob. They're great for people who don't worship anime but like style. A fantastic blend of sci-fi, comedy, intrigue and action with a soundtrack and characters so cool it'll give you chills.

 

[DoPo]

Edit: Death Note was another I saw and forgot to mention.

If you liked DN, I'd suggest Code Geass - it has a lot of similarities and it and DN are often talked to together. I personally liked DN more and CG wasn't quite to my taste but it was, for the most part, OK. It has more (as in "it has") giant mecha in it and I've never really found them fascinating, so that's probably part of why. At any rate, do give it a go - the protagonist is again a student who comes across some supernatural power and decides to use it to fulfil his dreams. And the protagonist is quit smart and able to think of complex strategies on the fly - he adopts an alternative persona, similar to Light/Kira but has to hide it from those close to him and pretend he's just a normal person. So that's how the two are similar. To go into more detail - Lelouch (the protagonist) gets the power to control minds (namely, give people orders they must obey - hence the Geass in the title) adopts the name "Zero" and wants to fight for freedom (basically - the English took over Japan). And, as I said, there is giant mecha - the main fighting implements. Season 1 is good - I liked it, season 2 is...well, people have mixed opinions about it. I liked it also, but it's a bit different than the first one.

Hellsing Ultimate - it's pure distilled awesomeness. Fight scenes, vampires, action, explosions - everything. And it's also good, I love it. I think it's the anime I've watched the most - I rewatch the whole of it, every time a new episode comes out because, shut up, it's awesome. Actually Hellsing, the original anime (it's OK but Ultimate is...well, ultimately better) was the first anime I watched. Erm, purposefully, that is - I've seen others before but they were on TV, I didn't seek them out.

 

[Shadowstar38]

snip

I love you. Basically all that.

I'd add Code Geass, FLCL, and Paranoia Agent.

 

[madwarper]

I remember my first experience with anime... I was channel surfing when I caught a glimpse of Princess Mononoke, and started watching it and enjoying it. Unfortunately, it was late and I was tired, so I popped a cassette into the VCR (yeah, I'm old) and hit record. The next day, I saw the end of the film... But, wasn't expecting what came on afterwards, Ghost in the Shell. Mind = Blown.

So, yeah. Come for Princess Mononoke, stay for Ghost in the Shell.

Also, in addition to the others listed, Viper's Creed.

 

[Ultress]

Jojo's Bizarre adventure(2012) This show just oozes style from every pore and is loads of fun.A very over the top show that is so manly that you'll grow a beard by just being near it.


Paranoia Agent, a tense thriller that looks at physiological issues of various people and the assailant Shonen Bat.

The Slayers, a classic comedy mostly riffing on fantasy tropes but really goes after any and everything.

Great Teacher Onizaku, a street thug becomes a teacher and helps his students out with their problems.It manages to be pretty heart warming and at the same time funny as all get out

Also while I'm at it Farewell Mr.Despair,a great dark comedy that makes fun of societal issues though the use of a sucidal teacher and his students.It can be quite an odd show, so here's a clip to show it off.

 

[The]

I don't watch much anime either, but one I just got into was Soul Eater. What can I say? Everything works. The characters, the animation, the writing, all smooth as hell.

 

[Risingblade]

Gundam if you want to watch a space operas with giant robots.

You seem to like comedy so try History's Strongest Disciple Kenichi, Tiger and Bunny, Full Metal Alchemist Brotherhood,Chobits

Can't give you a really good list unless we know what genre of anime you enjoy and find that out your have to watch more anime.


myanimelist.com here's a site where you can record what you've watched and use it to find other anime you might like.

 

[Eliwood10]

Gurren Lagann is my personal favorite. It's an insanely fun series. Don't think too much about the plot, though, that's really not the point. Just enjoy the ride

If you're interested in shonen, watch Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood. I'm not fond of the first anime, but that's just because i watched Brotherhood first which has much better animation, story, and characters imo. It's fairly long - a little over 70 episodes, I think, but totally worth it.

Baccano! is great for it's characters and unique storytelling.

And as a bonus, Little Witch Academia. It's an OVA from the creators of Gurren Lagann made with a grant to give young animators on-the-job training. It's absolutely brilliant and a welcome breath of fresh air.


Edit: I forgot about Haruhi Suzumiya! Starts out as a pretty standard slice of life comedy anime and tuns into... something else entirely. I won't spoil anything, just check it out. Just be sure to watch it in chronological order, not broadcast order.

 

[SeriusWill]

You seem to like comedy so try History's Strongest Disciple Kenichi, Tiger and Bunny, Full Metal Alchemist Brotherhood,Chobits


myanimelist.com here's a site where you can record what you've watched and use it to find other anime you might like.

Full metal alchemist brotherhood comedy? Ye nothing says comedy like dead mommy-like thing coming back form the dead and 2 kids losing theyr body parts in the process.

This is NOT a comedy.

I would also like to post some of my favorit anime that have not seen in this list.

Puella Magi Madoka Magica. A "magical girl" anime deconstruction with amazing story and characters and accomplishing what i call a "full story twist" meaning that the entire show is a gigantic plot twist.

Monogatari series. A show that is basicly 90%talk but damn is it entertaining.

Gungrave. With a realy good story and the best ending i have seen in a anime to date. This might be the best action anime ive ever seen.

Ghost in the shell + Stand alone complex. MY favorit anime movie of all time with a very intelectual tone. Plus SAC is a pretty damn good show to.

Serial experiment lane. Interesting and very deep. But very slow story and sometimes it stumbles in its storytelling but it's still a master piece


And Usagi drop. This is my feel-good anime. I mean it every second i watched it i sat with a big grin on my face.

Kara no kyokai. This is the best looking anime ive seen ever with some amazing fights and set pieces. Btw this series is split up in 7 movies with varius lengths so maybe u will be confused.

Spice and wolf. I put this one here mostly to have a romance anime but dont miss this one this anime got some of the best writing in any anime and they realy nailed the medieval setting.

The dissaperence of haruih suzumia. Realy REALY great movie but u have to watch the haruih series before u watch this one and in my humble opinion the show is kinda meh.

 

[ninjapenguin1414]

You seem to like comedy so try History's Strongest Disciple Kenichi, Tiger and Bunny, Full Metal Alchemist Brotherhood,Chobits


myanimelist.com here's a site where you can record what you've watched and use it to find other anime you might like.

Full metal alchemist brotherhood comedy? Ye nothing says comedy like dead mommy-like thing coming back form the dead and 2 kids losing theyr body parts in the process.

This is NOT a comedy.

Fullmetal Alchemist has a lot of comedy elements in it though it just manages it really well with the serious stuff.

 

[SeriusWill]

You seem to like comedy so try History's Strongest Disciple Kenichi, Tiger and Bunny, Full Metal Alchemist Brotherhood,Chobits


myanimelist.com here's a site where you can record what you've watched and use it to find other anime you might like.

Full metal alchemist brotherhood comedy? Ye nothing says comedy like dead mommy-like thing coming back form the dead and 2 kids losing theyr body parts in the process.

This is NOT a comedy.

Fullmetal Alchemist has a lot of comedy elements in it though it just manages it really well with the serious stuff.

I would say that comedy elements doesnt make it a comedy show but ye i can agree some times it made me laugh.

 

[shintakie10]

I don't watch much anime either, but one I just got into was Soul Eater. What can I say? Everything works. The characters, the animation, the writing, all smooth as hell.

I really couldn't get into Soul Eater sadly. Not sure if it was Death's son bein incredibly annoyin or what, but yeah...couldn't get into it.

I will second Baccano! though. I found it while flippin through random animes on Netflix, thought it sounded interestin and gave it a whirl. Watched the entire thing in a 2 day binge. I can not recommend it enough.

The Last Exile was pretty cool too.

Darker Than Black is a good one, though season 2 was...uhhh...not so fun. I enjoyed it, yeah, but there were definitely some really creepy undertones to the whole thing.

Oh! Spice and Wolf is a really nice anime as well. Almost 0 action, but the character interaction is brilliant and the voice actin for everyone (especially Holo) is wonderfully done. It could be accused of draggin along at a snails pace, but meh to that!

edit -

If you're lookin for some of the best fight scenes in anime ever, but jack all story, Afro Samurai is an amazin thing. The story is barely there (though I got into it pretty well), but the character designs mixed with the absolutely fantastic fight scenes and Samuel L. Jackson's voice comin from a black ninja, too fuckin awesome to pass up.

 

[knight steel]

Legend of koizumi
Where else can you get world leaders from all different time periods fighting for the fate of the world through Mahjong
It has super Aryan Hitler/bishounen Hitler vs pope Benedict as well as badass Papa Bush American president >_<

Spoiler: Bishounen Hitler

Spoiler: Vs the pope

Spoiler: super Hitler

Spoiler: Badass Papa Bush

 

[Risingblade]

You seem to like comedy so try History's Strongest Disciple Kenichi, Tiger and Bunny, Full Metal Alchemist Brotherhood,Chobits


myanimelist.com here's a site where you can record what you've watched and use it to find other anime you might like.

Full metal alchemist brotherhood comedy? Ye nothing says comedy like dead mommy-like thing coming back form the dead and 2 kids losing theyr body parts in the process.

This is NOT a comedy.

What are you talking about? That part is hilarious! Ed's face when he sees the thing he created, priceless

 

[uchytjes]

WHY SURE! JUST LET ME DIG INT-

I'd appreciate being steered away form the type of anime that makes you go "Dear God, why Japan?"

I... I... hm. Stuff that isn't "Dear god, why!?"? Uhm... OH! I KNOW! I KNOW! WATCH ACCEL WORLD! You said you watched (and liked) SAO, so I'm sure you'll like the vastly superior version that is by the same author!

Also, while some may call it vastly overrated (and in all honesty it is) Neon Genesis: Evangelion is most definitely worth a watch.

And because I can't go through a list of "anime to watch" without mentioning this:

Spoiler: its not fucked up, its just... special. and odd, very very odd.

Note: all these are in the first two episodes, but they really aren't the first two because... because you need to watch it.