Know of any mature/serious anime?

[rbstewart7263]

I've never been big on anime, but I recently decided to give it another shot.
The thing is I have quite a low tolerance for "weird shit" (for lack of a better term), which makes it hard to find anime that doesn't get on my nerves after a while.
I was just wondering if you guys had any recommendations for "serious" anime (also for lack of a better term) that manages to avoid common anime tropes like gratuitous fan service and seemingly schizophrenic characters.

Here's what I've tried already, and what I thought about it:

Spoiler

Death Note - One of my favourite animes, even though I really hated the "Misa-Misa" character; was cleverly written with interesting characters and a cool premise.

Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex - Pretty good, though there was too much expository dialogue for my liking, especially amongst the annoyingly out-of-place cutesy robots. Also, it was hard to take the Major seriously as a badass military commander when she constantly dressed like a stripper.

Cowboy Bebop - This is what got me back into anime after a long time. I thought it was really cool, with its bluesy atmosphere and subtle character development. Although Faye annoyed me in almost every possible way; even the character herself seemed to realise her only real purpose was to wiggle her bum in front of the camera.

Trigun - I watched this because I heard it was similar to the above. I found it bearable at best. The world was dull and none of the characters made sense in their motivations or choices. Every single thing that happens is unrealistic and contrived, without any kind of clever writing to back it up. It was just "Rule of Cool" gone awry, and I found it a bit sophomoric.

Baccano! - Similar to Trigun, very little makes sense. Which is compounded by the crazy non-linear story-telling. Although that was interesting to watch unfold, and I understood the sequence of events by the end, I just don't understand the point. I didn't really identify with any of the characters, who all seemed insane in one way or another, and the story just seems to meander around without any kind of unifying theme or over-arching goal. I didn't actually mind Isaac and Miria... maybe my tolerance for bullshit anime antics is increasing.

Code Geass - Currently watching this. It's very enjoyable, especially the second season. Reminds me a lot of Death Note. But goddamn, they never seem to miss an opportunity to have the principle female characters get naked, or frame an upskirt camera angle, even when they're in the middle of a battle you're supposed to be taking seriously. It undermines both the characters, and the themes, tone and tension of the whole show when important characters are gratuitously sexualised to such a ridiculous extent. Imagine if Walter White from Breaking Bad was constantly surrounded by schoolgirls in miniskirts flashing their panties at the camera... it would not be the same show. It just ruins it a bit for me.

Other anime that looks interesting are: Gantz, Berserk and Elfen Lied.
Possibly Neon Genesis Evangelion too, though several people have tried to talk me out of bothering with that series.

So, know of any other "serious" anime?


Edit: Oh yeah, and do mention whether the dub is decent or I should watch it subtitled. Nothing turns me off quicker than goofy, bad voice-acting.

attack on titan is amazing and sword art online will surprise you in its maturity.

 

[Seydaman]

Hmm.

Blood+? Young girl vampire thing killer. Although it feels like most of the story is focused on everyone else with this schoolgirl more like the magical mcguffin rather than a character...

Do you mean weird as in, "This is fucking nuts"? Or "Dragons be weird"?

If it's the first, try Claymore, consistent and grounded world, without random DERP. (See: FLCL)

Otherwise, Darker than Black is pretty good.

I think I'll go watch that magic girl deconstruction one, that sounds neat.

edit: Holy fuck I love this.

 

[littlewisp]

I'm not done just yet, but I am struck at how reasonable the discussion is. I started reading the thread to sift for more anime recommendations (sadly only a few new ones to try), but by page 4 I'm hooked by the rather genteel discussion. Good job, guys!

(knock on wood)

 

[Quaidis]

A bunch of main staples were already said, such as Monster, Black Lagoon, etc. I would not watch Evangelion dubbed unless you really enjoy very whiney main characters.

Two maturish animes that I really enjoyed were Mushi-Shi (pretty weird, but it's about spirit elements causing people problems and a guy solving the problems), and Moribito: Guardian of the Spirit (about a female warrior who goes on a journey to rescue a prince.) They're slower paced and not all blood and murder, neither having giant robots nor over-the-top gore. But I really appreciated the stories of both.

 

[Dr. Cakey]

I think I'll go watch that magic girl deconstruction one, that sounds neat.

edit: Holy fuck I love this.

It gets better.

I'm not done just yet, but I am struck at how reasonable the discussion is. I started reading the thread to sift for more anime recommendations (sadly only a few new ones to try), but by page 4 I'm hooked by the rather genteel discussion. Good job, guys!

(knock on wood)

*glances left*

*glances right*

Fuck Sword Art Online.

 

[Matthew Jabour]

Elfin Lied ain't bad, but it has a tendency to underestimate your intelligence. From what I've heard, the manga's better, but if there's a bloodier anime, I haven't seen it.

EDIT: Okay, I did some digging, and apparently the manga isn't all that better. I do know the show leaves some plot threads hanging, so I guess if you like the show, read the manga?

 

[Seydaman]

I think I'll go watch that magic girl deconstruction one, that sounds neat.

edit: Holy fuck I love this.

It gets better.

I'm not done just yet, but I am struck at how reasonable the discussion is. I started reading the thread to sift for more anime recommendations (sadly only a few new ones to try), but by page 4 I'm hooked by the rather genteel discussion. Good job, guys!

(knock on wood)

*glances left*

*glances right*

Fuck Sword Art Online.

Wow. Just watched the whole thing in one run.

All my tears ;_;

 

[Seydaman]

Thread revival or whatever.

Going to go ahead and throw support behind:

Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica

Steins;Gate

Witch Hunter Robin