Recommend an anime--FOR SOMEONE ELSE

[debtcollector]

Oh wow, it's my first thread and it's a shitty "give me anime" one. Oh well.

Anyway, some context. As you may know, Christmas is around the corner, and that means it's time for me to give people things. To my little sister, to be precise. She is currently 12-13 and is rather into the manga/anime art style right now--she'll take a manga home from the library every week, she has a couple of sketchbooks sitting around, etc. However, she has not actually seen any anime that isn't Pokemon or something equally ubiquitous. So I'm looking for a gateway anime to get for her.

For the record, as her oldest sibling is ten years older than her, she's been exposed to a lot more violence, darkness, and language than most kids' media provides. So that's not necessarily a deal breaker, although there are limits. As for sexiness, I dunno. Use your best judgment here.
Any tips, Escapists?

 

[Torkuda]

The Slayers Series is comparably tame, and pretty funny. After that there's Bleach if she's okay with violence.

 

[FPLOON]

One Piece?
FullMetal Alchemist?
IGPX?
.hack//?
Tenchi Muyo?

I seem to be listing shows that have, at one point, been shown on Toonami, past or present... (except maybe .hack//... I think Cartoon Network just showed that anime at a standalone time...) I honestly want to know which manga series your little sister reads so that I can get some understanding involving what she might be into... I mean, only Tenchi Muyo has the most amount of "sexiness" used as some of its comedic moments...

 

[Sir Pootis]

I second Slayers, and add Full Metal Alchemist. Also, Cowboy Bebop and Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann, except those might have a bit too much "sexiness", so I recommend you watch them a bit to be sure they're appropriate.

 

[Little Woodsman]

I'll throw in another vote for Slayers, IGPX & Full Metal Alchemist. The one note I'd add to that is that IGPX might seem to be a very slow-moving story to someone of that age range.
I can't believe that nobody has mentioned the various Miyazaki films yet, Spirited Away, Kiki's Delivery Service, Porco Rosso, Castle in the Sky, Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind, Whispers of the Heart etc...
Can't pass up a chance to recommend Vision of Escaflowne both the TV series and the movie, noting that the two are completely separate...actually the movie might be a little much in terms of violence (fairly graphic decapitation in the first two minutes).
There's the little-known but fun Tsukikage Ran, Carried by the Wind.
I would recommend Sugar the Little Snow Fairy but someone in that age range would probably resent being given something that they would perceive as being directed towards children. (It's not, it's a series about how children relate to the adults around them and the process of growing up and finding your way. Enjoyable for the whole family, but with that title everyone expects it to be for small children.) If she likes cute things though...

You mentioned that she has some sketchbooks, another interesting thing might be to get her a couple of the early volumes of the Oh! My Goddess! manga and a couple of recent volumes of it, because it's amazing to look at them and see how Kosuke Fujishima's work has developed and grown polished in the years he's been doing the series.

 

[Little Woodsman]

I'll throw in another vote for Slayers, IGPX & Full Metal Alchemist. The one note I'd add to that is that IGPX might seem to be a very slow-moving story to someone of that age range.
I can't believe that nobody has mentioned the various Miyazaki films yet, Spirited Away, Kiki's Delivery Service, Porco Rosso, Castle in the Sky, Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind, Whispers of the Heart etc...
Can't pass up a chance to recommend Vision of Escaflowne both the TV series and the movie, noting that the two are completely separate...actually the movie might be a little much in terms of violence (fairly graphic decapitation in the first two minutes).
There's the little-known but fun Tsukikage Ran, Carried by the Wind.
I would recommend Sugar the Little Snow Fairy but someone in that age range would probably resent being given something that they would perceive as being directed towards children. (It's not, it's a series about how children relate to the adults around them and the process of growing up and finding your way. Enjoyable for the whole family, but with that title everyone expects it to be for small children.) If she likes cute things though...

You mentioned that she has some sketchbooks, another interesting thing might be to get her a couple of the early volumes of the Oh! My Goddess! manga and a couple of recent volumes of it, because it's amazing to look at them and see how Kosuke Fujishima's work has developed and grown polished in the years he's been doing the series.

Can't believe that I forgot to throw Azumanga Daioh in there. It's about regular (though wacky) girls in her age range.

 

[mecegirl]

I'll try to list some that have not been listed already. But do you know what genre she likes the most? That would help you narrow things down.

How many Ghibli films has she seen?
She may like Soul Eater.
Ouran Highschool Host Club. A more comedic show
Michiko To Hatchin has a bit of sexyness so see if you can watch it first, but its really good.
Princess Tutu. Which is way deeper than it sounds, some adults don't even understand all that happens unless they rewatch it.
Inuyasha is iffy, it starts out well but drags on. But it was a favorite back in the day when I was around her age.
Last Exile.
Sailor Moon is always worth a shot the same with Card Captor Sakura.
Yu Yu Hakusho has a similar issue as Inuyasha can drag on for a bit.
Azumanga Diaoh. more comedy

 

[Nouw]

It's not an anime but seeing as how she reads manga I recommend Yotsuba&! and then of course, Azumanga Daioh which has an anime adaptation and is by the same guy. Really light-hearted and funny stuff.

+1 for Fullmetal Alchemist too.

 

[debtcollector]

I honestly want to know which manga series your little sister reads so that I can get some understanding involving what she might be into... I mean, only Tenchi Muyo has the most amount of "sexiness" used as some of its comedic moments...

She has at least one volume of Fairy Tail and another of Durarara!!. More than that I cannot say.

I can't believe that nobody has mentioned the various Miyazaki films yet.

Goddammit, I should have thought of that from the start. Spirited Away is a perfect film.

 

[Azkar Almsivi]

Soul Eater would be a good bet.
Madoka would be decent, a happy go lucky anime about magical girls and their loveable mascot.
K-ON! is pretty great even if she lacks an interest in music.
Card Captor Sakura is great.

Also if she gets into visual novels, Saya no Uta is the most touching love story ever that teaches a warm and enlightening tale about overcoming cultural barriers.

Also, make sure you research all suggestions a little. You never know what might be in anime and such these days.

 

[Dr. Cakey]

Okay, if I were 13 years old and a girl, what would I want to watch? That's basically the opposite of me, so I dunno. I guess Fullmetal Alchemist (either series) would always be a good bet, to be sure.

Soul Eater would be a good bet.
Madoka would be decent, a happy go lucky anime about magical girls and their loveable mascot.
K-ON! is pretty great even if she lacks an interest in music.
Card Captor Sakura is great.

Also if she gets into visual novels, Saya no Uta is the most touching love story ever that teaches a warm and enlightening tale about overcoming cultural barriers.

Also, make sure you research all suggestions a little. You never know what might be in anime and such these days.

You're a monster.

The good kind.

 

[FPLOON]

I honestly want to know which manga series your little sister reads so that I can get some understanding involving what she might be into... I mean, only Tenchi Muyo has the most amount of "sexiness" used as some of its comedic moments...

She has at least one volume of Fairy Tail and another of Durarara!!. More than that I cannot say.

Well, both of those series have anime adaptations... The same person who created Fairy Tail used to do the series called Rave Master (yet the manga version does more of the series justice than the anime, in general), and the director of the Durarara!! anime version also worked on the anime version of Baccano! (even though that series can get a bit "gruesome" at certain times)

I guess to also recommend something a bit out there in the open, the movie Summer Wars comes to mind...

 

[[Kira Must Die]]

If she's used to some dark stuff, try Puella Magi Madoka Magica. It's a magical girl show, in the vein of Sailor Moon or Cardcaptors, but put in a much darker light, but without being too graphic, not relying on blood and gore or nudity. If she's into magical girl manga, that might be an interesting choice for her, and even if she isn't, it's still a great show on its own. Also, it's an original anime, meaning it's not based on any manga, novel, or game (There is a manga for it, but it's not as good as the anime.)

If she's into a little craziness, perhaps FLCL would be a fun watch. It is a pretty sexual show, however, but I've first seen FLCL when I was 10 and loved it then. It's a good introduction to anime.

 

[mecegirl]

Ohh someone mentioned Summer War's that was good.

You should try some of Satoshi Kon's work as well. Tokyo Godfathers and Paprika are both really good and I think that they would hold a 13 year old's attention.

 

[Fieldy409_v1legacy]

Get her a bunch of Studio Ghibli movies. Especially Princess Mononoke!

Maybe Avatar:the last Airbender? That show is pretty interesting.

 

[VanQ]

I may as well use my 11 year old sister's favourites as a basis here. I asked her for her top ten but she kinda just kept listing so here you go. In no particular order, my little sister's list of favourite anime.

The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya
K-On!!
A Channel
Baka to Test to Shoukanjuu
Cardcaptor Sakura
Chobits
Cromartie High School
Fairy Tail
Karin
School Rumble
Shakugan no Shana
Tsubasa Chrinicle
Ore no Imouto ga Konnani Kawaii Wake ga Nai
Vividred Operation
Puchimas!

 

[Auberon]

If she's past child demographic... I'll be a total bastard by naming Madoka and Fate/Zero. Urobutcher all the way.

 

[Story]

Princess Tutu!
Get her Princess Tutu! Like...OMG.

I mean if she really likes fairy tales and doesn't mind some girly aspects get her that. ;-;
More people in the world should watch Princess Tutu.

@mecegirl
I love you.

Ahm
Otherwise, I certainly recommend most Ghibli films. Though Grave of Fireflies might be too much for her, but if you think she can handle it go for it!
Summer Wars is quite good, but would also recommend Wolf Children made by the same studio.

 

[Ultress]

The fact that I've been ninja'd on both Slayers and Princess Tutu makes me extremely happy so yeah those.

Magic Knights Rayearth is pretty awesome with some great character development and an interesting story.

Free! and Bamboo Blade are both fun sports anime though the former is filled with sexy shirtless guys so that's your call.