Need Some Advice on Some Anime.

[BQE]

ALL NOUW'S WORDS AND LOVE FOR THIS ANIME.

smack-downsnip

Is my recommendation in-depth enough oh knowledgeable one D: ??

Oh my cherished Nouw, your deference is the sweetest of nectars.

On a less unsettling note, that's splendid work. I'd love to critique your prose but it's aside from the point. You've very well described the show and made your investment in it personal. Your cryptic description of the 'personalities throughout time' is a particular highlight, and serves to entice interest in discovering exactly who these people are, and their relationships in regards to this bizarre world.

They could be taken from the likes of Ben Franklin, Stalin, or Sun Tzu! One may never know unless they take the time.

Very well done, and I appreciate your request for input, however sardonic it may be.

 

[VanQ]

For starters, I have no idea what a Magical Girl Anime is. There's always the possibility that BQE is so below the knowledge level that she can't see the light through the floorboards, or the odds that some people may have no idea what the phrase means. I promise you I'm no trying to be rude here, but if you were to try and sell something to someone (because essentially, that's what we're doing here), then would it not make more sense to use objective analysis rather than bias? While I understand you believe that one should watch the show with no prior information, some others may never agree with that particular sentiment and always seek to research at least some aspects. You could even spoil your analytical details so you wouldn't be hypocritical, I know I'd read them.

Of course, of course, there's always the possibility that I'm missing the mark here; and people watch or do things based on people saying "it's really really great". If such is the case, you have my sincerest apologies for wasting yours and everyone else's time.

In regards to Magical Girl anime, it's basically a sub genre of anime that you can lump together several shows with recurring themes like transformation sequences, young girls using magical powers to fight evil and monsters and lots of pretty dresses and action sequences that have no right being as damn good as they are.

A few examples you may have heard of are shows like Sailor Moon, Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha, any Precure series or Cardcaptor Sakura. Those are probably the 4 most well known Magical Girl shows out there. I recommended Fate/Kaleid linear Prisma Illya earlier and would add Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica to that list. If you enjoyed any one of the shows I mentioned in this paragraph, with the exception of Madoka, you'd probably enjoy the rest.

If you want to see some young girls kicking some SERIOUS ass, check out the Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha movies. The artwork is reminiscent of the late 90s, the characters likable and a heap of battle scenes that blow most action anime out of the water.

 

[SKBPinkie]

Definitely Trigun. Such a great show. Vash "the stampede" and Nicholas Wolfwood are easily some of the best fictional characters I've seen.

Plus the music kicks ass as well.

 

[Terratina.]

Annnnnnnd I suppose if you wanna throw some random anime titles at me anyways, I'll go ahead and at least look into them. My tastes are mainly actiony stories and I'd prefer if I could avoid anything involving characters even remotely involved with high school.

Well, instead of repeating the recommendations of others, I'll just, as you say, "throw some random anime titles" at ya.

.hack//Quantum [http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=11809] - Yeah, I know the main characters are high school students, but apart from some minor scenes and grumbling about tests in the first episode, there's little there to do with high school. While only three episodes long, it is easily the best .hack anime series. You really don't need to know anything about .hack, as the story is pretty self-contained apart from a few minor cameos. Very actiony, especially when compared to the other .hack anime series, and probably a bit better than SAO. >.>

Psycho Pass [http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=14195] - A cop show set in the future where the mental states of citizens are monitored 24/7. If you find you like writer Gen Urobuchi's style after watching Fate/Zero or Madoka Magica, I would recommend this series. It's also getting a second season and a film, if you find you want more after watching the first season.

I would recommend more, but they lean more to the mystery drama side of things than action.

 

[Dr. Cakey]

Soul Eater is...hm. It's definitely functional, which is much higher praise than it sounds like. A shounen series depends on heavily on feeling fresh, and Soul Eater, with its slightly offbeat premise and bizarre art-style, certainly succeeds in that. The manga it's an adaptation of began as a series of one-shots, and the anime's first three episodes are those three one-shots, which have a very different feel from the rest of the series, and I personally disliked them. The series proper, though, is a strong shounen series with plenty of entertaining characters and some very effective introspective moments as well. The series is infamous for its...less than satisfactory ending, and it also has a bit of a problem in that sometimes its main characters feel more like side characters, but overall it's a very strong and entertaining series.

Fate/Zero is a grand, sweeping epic. One thing you may wish to know before going in is that, despite outward appearances, this is a very patient and deliberate series. Things do not move quickly, partly due to ufotable's slow, dispassionate animation style and partly because Fate/Zero is ultimately an unfolding drama rather than an intense action series (Although it does have plenty of battles. And they are glorious.). You do not need to have seen/read Fate/stay night to enjoy it (I didn't), but there are some minor plot points throughout that may be confusing, or at least apropos of nothing, without F/SN. The ending will also give you a distinct lack of closure and will definitely be confusing, although you will likely be able to piece together the gist of what happens. Most notably in terms of closure, Sakura's arc is left entirely untouched (and it's unresolved in the F/SN anime, too, so you lose no matter what).

Whether you wish to read it before or after, there's a screenshot Let's Play of the Fate/stay night visual novel here [http://lparchive.org/Fatestay-night/]. But, uh, if you're the kind of person who stopped reading Lord of the Rings because it was too slow or had too many words, you should probably quit while you're ahead.

P.S. Also watch Madoka Magica. Here are some reasons to watch it most people forget to mention: The Art. The Music. The Cinematography.

 

[Nouw]

ALL NOUW'S WORDS AND LOVE FOR THIS ANIME.

smack-downsnip

Is my recommendation in-depth enough oh knowledgeable one D: ??

Oh my cherished Nouw, your deference is the sweetest of nectars.

On a less unsettling note, that's splendid work. I'd love to critique your prose but it's aside from the point. You've very well described the show and made your investment in it personal. Your cryptic description of the 'personalities throughout time' is a particular highlight, and serves to entice interest in discovering exactly who these people are, and their relationships in regards to this bizarre world.

They could be taken from the likes of Ben Franklin, Stalin, or Sun Tzu! One may never know unless they take the time.

Very well done, and I appreciate your request for input, however sardonic it may be.

You're more than welcome to critique all you want. As an English student that has an ego too big for his own good, I not only need some criticism but deserve it hehe. I'm glad that it's of a satisfactory standard though, beyond satisfactory even. I admittedly spent more time on it than originally intended but I'll be damned if I put up a half-assed recommendation of an anime like Fate/Zero.

Yeah the concept can be taken pretty broadly which is great. I was just thinking the other day of a video-game equivalent. It could be pretty damn cool.

Thank you very much and I appreciate you taking the time to read my post ^_^. Sardonic requests are the only way to go if you're a submissive egoist like me!

 

[VanQ]

Mouretsu Kaizoku: Not at all what the name would suggest. Translated to English its "Bodacious Space Pirates", making it sound kinda like Highschool DxD in space with some piracy on the side. Not at all what its about. Its a light hearted, well made story about a young group of girls who are originally part of a school yatch club [Only for the first few episodes, which are the less interesting of the anime], but a few of which come to man pirate vessels in a world where piracy isn't really piracy - its boarding a ship that has called you out to 'raid' it, putting on a show to act like pirates, being given willingly people's valuables, and then flying off whilst everything is replaced by an insurance company. Technically they're all privateers too, seeing as the main pirates have letters of marque, which are a major plotpoint in the series. True piracy comes in a lot later, and begins to expand the universe a lot more. I'm hoping for a sequel series. Its well made, light hearted and enjoyable, and not at all what the name may suggest. I'd put it as more shoujo that shounen anime, though its enjoyable for all IMO. Just... watch it. [BTW: Shounen = young boy, Shoujo = young girl]

Excellent summary of Mouretsu kaizoku but I felt like commenting. It's actually "seinen" or "young adult" not shoujo. Themes like insurance fraud are a bit much for young girls (or boys even) to be getting into when they have Mahou Shoujo and shoujo stuff out there. Also don't forget the vast amounts of space ship porn in the show. A lot of the budget went into gorgeously rendering all the space vessels in the show.

 

[Ultress]

I personally couldn't get past some of the voices in soul eater but I do really like the manga

I'll just go ahead with Jojo's Bizarre adventure(2012). The manga is one of the granddaddies of the Shonen genre and the anime captures it's spirit perfectly.It's muscular men beating the hell out of each other while being glam as possible.All the voice actors are having a blast being as hammy as possible and the show just oozes style in every frame. It's just a joy to watch.Also avoid the awful 90's/00's OVA at all costs.


Some have recommended Steins;Gate,listen to them excellent sci-fi series

 

[wooty]

Just finished watching two, Blood C and Attack on Titan.

Both drew me in with premise alone, I'm not going to say a lot because I'm on phone and typing is a nightmare.

All I'll say is gorgeous animation in both, lots of blood, demons fighting "vampires", zip-wire soldiers fighting giants, more blood, interesting characters, lots of interesting moments, enjoyable entertainment.

 

[CrazyGirl17]

I'd recommend the following:

Puella Magi Madoka Magica (preferably gone in to blind... just.. trust me on this.)
Persona 4 the Animation
Tenga Toppen Gurren Lagann
Outlaw Star
Baccano

 

[Miyenne]

I'm enjoying Natsume Yuujinchou. (http://www.animehere.com/anime/zoku-natsume-yuujinchou.html) There's 4 seasons so far: First season, then Zoku, then San, and then Shi. I'm on the third season right now.

It's an anime about a boy who can see spirits, and how it screwed up his childhood and his relationships with people, and how now as a teenager he's beginning to trust and befriend people again, as well as helping out and befriending the spirits he meets.

It's sweet. Episodic, but there's an underlying arc. No romance (not for the main character anyways) which is actually kind of refreshing.

 

[ViridianV6]

Kaiji - Really good gambling anime about a guy who is perpetually down on his luck.
Akagi - Really good mahjong anime about a guy who is a certified badass.

But yeah, if you don't like that type of anime then you're gonna have a bad time.

 

[Someone Depressing]

If you want something to weird you out, I'd reccomend Sayonara Zetsubo Sensei. Nichijou is a close second. You can get both box sets on eBay, with English subtitles. For an idea of how strange SZS is, just look at the full opening of the second OVA. Mindfuck.

For some thing equally as weird but maybe also gross and interesting, Attack on Titan (warning: Contains almost naked people and being eaten alive)

Persona 4 the Animation for an example of an anime/tv show that is licensed, and not complete garbage.

For a show equally as whatever, Bobobo-bobobo. It's still really good.

My strongest reccomendation here is Attack on Titan and Zetsubo Sensei. Although it contains high-school crap, but not much.

Also, any of the .HACK//(subtitle here) animes of OVAs.

 

[Gigano]

Fate/Zero [http://www.lostinanime.com/2012/06/fatezero-series-review.html] (light novel and anime alike) is vastly superior to Fate/Stay Night (visual novel and anime alike).

Other than that, I'd recommend:

Baccano! [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/editorials/reviews/anime/6404-Anime-Review-Baccano]
Spice & Wolf [http://www.themanime.org/viewreview.php?id=1055]
Monster [http://www.themanime.org/viewreview.php?id=969]
Steins;Gate [http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/steins-gate/episodes-1] (The game, about to be officially released in English, is slightly better [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.315473-Steins-Gate-PC-Game-Review] though)
Redline [http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/redline/blu-ray]
Higurashi no Naku Koro ni [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/editorials/reviews/anime/6503-Anime-Review-Higurashi-When-They-Cry] (and Kai [http://www.themanime.org/viewreview.php?id=1397])
Kara no Kyoukai - The Garden of Sinners [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.304952-TYPE-MOON-Review-Anniversary-Kara-no-Kyoukai]
Grave of the Fireflies [http://www.themanime.org/viewreview.php?id=110]
Puella Magi Madoka Magica [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.275533-Puella-Magi-Madoka-Magica-Review]
Usagi Drop [http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/usagi-drop/episodes-1]
Kite [http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/kite] (some versions are AO-rated)
Detroit Metal City [http://www.nihonreview.com/anime/detroit-metal-city/]

 

[Joccaren]

Excellent summary of Mouretsu kaizoku but I felt like commenting. It's actually "seinen" or "young adult" not shoujo. Themes like insurance fraud are a bit much for young girls (or boys even) to be getting into when they have Mahou Shoujo and shoujo stuff out there. Also don't forget the vast amounts of space shop porn in the show. A lot of the budget went into gorgeously rendering all the space vessels in the show.

Yeah I was kinda iffy about exactly what to classify it as. It doesn't go really deep into the insurance fraud side of things, and more puts it off as a kind of show that is legally accepted, but at the same time its not the same happy-go-lucky feel that a lot of mahou-shoujo shows have. In the end its just a great anime that people need to watch =P
Really wasn't expecting it to be so awesome when I started watching.

And yeah, the ships are awesome. I also love the subspace jumps they do. The look like its trying to squeeze the ship through jelly to get into subspace... I don't know why, but that resistance just makes the jump awesome.

 

[Weaver]

SoulEater was good but it's ending kind of... got confused in it's own plot IMO.

Give Angel Beats a try, I really liked it.

 

[Brian Tams]

Eh, I liked Soul Eater, but if you say you don't like the High School setting, then its definitely not for you, since its main setting is a school.

Let me recommend another Bones animated anime; have you ever considered Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood? Its a fantastic show. In the FMAB universe, there is a specific branch of science called "Alchemy", a power that lets alchemists deconstruct and reconstruct the world around them. A pair of young alchemists (Our main character, Edward Elric and his younger brother, Alphonse Elric) try to use alchemy to bring their dead mother back to life, but the transmutation goes horribly wrong and leaves Edward without an arm and a leg, and Alphonse without his entire body, leaving him with just his soul anchored to a suit of armor. The two brothers travel throughout the country where the anime is set, Amestris, searching for a way to restore their bodies to their original states. Its a fantastic series. Whether you like Subbed anime or Dubbed anime doesn't matter, as its one of the few anime were the English cast is considered either on par, or even better in some opinions (like mine), to the japanese voice cast.

Its a Shounen that isn't bloated like Bleach/Fairy Tail/One Piece/etc., and clocks in at around... 80 episodes I think? Whatever it is, its less than one hundred, so it won't take a lifetime and a half to get through. Its smartly written and the characters are all interesting. It is, without a doubt, my favorite anime, and if you haven't watched it yet, you don't know what you're missing.

EDIT-And I just went back and noticed you had seen the first FMA series. Come on, man. If you watched the first one and was a fan of it, then there's a 90% chance you'll love FMA:B. Its more in line with the original manga, so when you get to the first encounter with Greed, which is where the first anime seriously branched off from the manga, it gets super interesting. Also, FMA;B compressed a lot of arcs for time, and you get to Greed around episode 15 or so.

 

[Elfgore]

Code Geass

I'm not a big fan of action anime and I flat out despise the mecha genre, but this anime I'm enjoying almost as much as SAO. The characters are amazing, there is no good or evil in this anime only grey, and the action is just awesome to watch. The main character isn't OP as shit either. He has an amazing ability, but they limit it in a very unique way.

Just as me rambeling, but we need more anime of a military tactic variety. I'm tired of anime being about one OP guy who can destroy an entire army. I want a general leading an army of normal guys in epic full-scale battles. If anyone know of any, feel free to lay em on me.

 

[zeekyle]

Gurren Lagann really...REALLY great Anime!! back me up people...