Looking for action anime with highly unconventional weapons

[ninja666]

Your explanation isn't the issue. Reiterating probably won't help much. [...] The problem is that anime tends to be homogeneous these days. There's an overabundance of power shows, and so on. And you're looking for something quite specific.

I get that and it doesn't surprise me in the slightest. Still, I really find it hard to believe not even one thing that fits somewhat well can't be found in the library of anime from the last 30 years (I specified I'm ok with watching something even from the 80s as long as it covers the criteria). It makes me even more bummed out, to be honest, especially since anime always seems to be the best go-to medium for all kinds of over the top, silly stuff.

 

[Foolery]

Your explanation isn't the issue. Reiterating probably won't help much. But yeah, you should add that to the top in bold. The problem is that anime tends to be homogeneous these days. There's an overabundance of power shows, and so on. And you're looking for something quite specific.

I get that and it doesn't surprise me in the slightest. Still, I really find it hard to believe not even one thing that fits somewhat well can't be found in the library of anime from the last 30 years (I specified I'm ok with watching something even from the 80s as long as it covers the criteria). It makes me even more bummed out, to be honest, especially since anime always seems to be the best go-to medium for all kinds of over the top, silly stuff.

It is a bummer. I can think of shows with 'gag' weapons, but they're just quick joke bits, and not the main focus. Or shows with one character that has an unusual weapon, but it's actually just a regular weapon dressed up a bit; like Wolfwood's gigantic cross-shaped guncase from Trigun.

 

[sanquin]

Well, the first part of hunter x hunter has plenty of unconventional weapons. It is a superpower anime though. And later on it's all about energy powers and such.

Some examples: Fishing rod, energy that's basically invisible bubblegum/rubber strings + playing cards, manipulated smoke, poems that come true, yoyo's, chains, a vacuum cleaner, a very heavy volley ball, spinning tops, a wheel chair + electric whips...the list goes on.

Basically, the show has everything from simple power up or energy blast to using said energy to supplement unconventional weapons. It isn't really THAT over the top most of the time within the show's context, but it's still a really good anime.

 

[busterkeatonrules]

Gurren Lagann? Besides giant mecha and the protagonist's ability to summon industrial mining drills (yes, for combat purposes), the main weapon used throughout the show is the actual concept of awesomeness itself.

 

[ninja666]

Gurren Lagann? Besides giant mecha and the protagonist's ability to summon industrial mining drills (yes, for combat purposes), the main weapon used throughout the show is the actual concept of awesomeness itself.

Well, it has some twists, but in the end, it's a mecha show and the characters fight using mechas. That's hardly unconventional when it comes to anime.

 

[necromanzer52]

One Piece is chock full of completely insane weapons & powers. My favourite is this guy who picks his nose, flicks the bogey at you, and then it explodes. The plot, on the face of it, is simple and easy to follow. (Though, it actually runs a bit deeper, if you ever really want to get into it.)

Now, as for your stipulation that it be complete and have a conclusive ending, while the show itself is nowhere near finished, it does divide up nicely into several distinct arcs which all tell their own stories and have satisfying conclusions, while at the same time functioning as part of the bigger plot. To avoid getting burned out on the series, I like to blitz through one of these arcs in a few days, and then leave it alone for a few months, until I really feel like getting back into it.

All in all, while it's far from the best anime around, there are few shows that match it in terms of sheer creativity. It definitely fits a lot of what you said. Especially in terms of dumb (in a good way) & rule of cool.

 

[Nuuu]

Well, the first part of hunter x hunter has plenty of unconventional weapons. It is a superpower anime though. And later on it's all about energy powers and such.

Some examples: Fishing rod, energy that's basically invisible bubblegum/rubber strings + playing cards, manipulated smoke, poems that come true, yoyo's, chains, a vacuum cleaner, a very heavy volley ball, spinning tops, a wheel chair + electric whips...the list goes on.

Basically, the show has everything from simple power up or energy blast to using said energy to supplement unconventional weapons. It isn't really THAT over the top most of the time within the show's context, but it's still a really good anime.

Seconded.
The only other problem with Hunter x Hunter is that it isn't complete, and the anime left off on a giant [to be continued].

But many of the fights fit the bill up until the Chimera Arc. Even with superpowers, everyone builds their powers to their own strengths, and even one set of powers is based around enhancing normal objects to be weapons.

 

[Frezzato]

Not an anime fan, but I do love Read or Die the TV series. It's all about the paper [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5nA6MFYunow].

 

[Kitsune Hunter]

Well, the first part of hunter x hunter has plenty of unconventional weapons. It is a superpower anime though. And later on it's all about energy powers and such.

Some examples: Fishing rod, energy that's basically invisible bubblegum/rubber strings + playing cards, manipulated smoke, poems that come true, yoyo's, chains, a vacuum cleaner, a very heavy volley ball, spinning tops, a wheel chair + electric whips...the list goes on.

Basically, the show has everything from simple power up or energy blast to using said energy to supplement unconventional weapons. It isn't really THAT over the top most of the time within the show's context, but it's still a really good anime.

Seconded.
The only other problem with Hunter x Hunter is that it isn't complete, and the anime left off on a giant [to be continued].

But many of the fights fit the bill up until the Chimera Arc. Even with superpowers, everyone builds their powers to their own strengths, and even one set of powers is based around enhancing normal objects to be weapons.

I recommend Hunter X Hunter as well, one of my favourite anime. Although even though the series isn't complete, the anime ended plenty well since the chapter the anime decided to end on tied up most loose ends, the most important one being

Spoiler

Gon finally meeting his dad

All in all considering the constant manga hiatuses, the anime ended on a really good note, especially since the current arc focuses on different characters while giving the MC Gon a little break.

Also, might as well throw in a recommendation, would a Stand(Guardian Spirit) count as an unconventional weapon? Because looking at what you'll looking for in an anime, I think JoJo's Bizarre Adventure might be the anime you're looking for.

 

[PapaGreg096]

Well, the first part of hunter x hunter has plenty of unconventional weapons. It is a superpower anime though. And later on it's all about energy powers and such.

Some examples: Fishing rod, energy that's basically invisible bubblegum/rubber strings + playing cards, manipulated smoke, poems that come true, yoyo's, chains, a vacuum cleaner, a very heavy volley ball, spinning tops, a wheel chair + electric whips...the list goes on.

Basically, the show has everything from simple power up or energy blast to using said energy to supplement unconventional weapons. It isn't really THAT over the top most of the time within the show's context, but it's still a really good anime.

Seconded.
The only other problem with Hunter x Hunter is that it isn't complete, and the anime left off on a giant [to be continued].

But many of the fights fit the bill up until the Chimera Arc. Even with superpowers, everyone builds their powers to their own strengths, and even one set of powers is based around enhancing normal objects to be weapons.

I recommend Hunter X Hunter as well, one of my favourite anime. Although even though the series isn't complete, the anime ended plenty well since the chapter the anime decided to end on tied up most loose ends, the most important one being

Spoiler

Gon finally meeting his dad

All in all considering the constant manga hiatuses, the anime ended on a really good note, especially since the current arc focuses on different characters while giving the MC Gon a little break.

Also, might as well throw in a recommendation, would a Stand(Guardian Spirit) count as an unconventional weapon? Because looking at what you'll looking for in an anime, I think JoJo's Bizarre Adventure might be the anime you're looking for.

OP doesn't really like stands but good taste

Well, the first part of hunter x hunter has plenty of unconventional weapons. It is a superpower anime though. And later on it's all about energy powers and such.

Some examples: Fishing rod, energy that's basically invisible bubblegum/rubber strings + playing cards, manipulated smoke, poems that come true, yoyo's, chains, a vacuum cleaner, a very heavy volley ball, spinning tops, a wheel chair + electric whips...the list goes on.

Basically, the show has everything from simple power up or energy blast to using said energy to supplement unconventional weapons. It isn't really THAT over the top most of the time within the show's context, but it's still a really good anime.

Seconded.
The only other problem with Hunter x Hunter is that it isn't complete, and the anime left off on a giant [to be continued].

But many of the fights fit the bill up until the Chimera Arc. Even with superpowers, everyone builds their powers to their own strengths, and even one set of powers is based around enhancing normal objects to be weapons.

To be fair the fights with Moral are really good

 

[Mechamorph]

Let me see.... how about the Read or Die series? The main characters in the series are all Paper Masters who fight using well, paper. The OAV feels like a James Bond flick or spy thriller while the TV series is closer to a detective show. Each Paper Master uses paper in a different way, one makes constructs, another turns it into a bow, a shield, etc.

 

[ninja666]

Not an anime fan, but I do love Read or Die the TV series.

Let me see.... how about the Read or Die series?

While it is a superpower-heavy show, I'll take it. It sounds interesting enough, and appears not to be a typical shonen, so I might actually have a decent amount of fun with it. Thank you.