Yet another recommendation thread - Anime

[Superbeast]

Hey there folks, I apologise for another "what should I..." thread but I'm feeling a little out of my depth.

I have always liked a bit of "anime" (I'm a child of the 80s, just - so Biker Cats from Mars, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles all that kinda jazz) and I'm going through a bit of a "nostalgic" phase - though those anime/cartoons are too childish now. And yes I know I might get flayed alive for calling American cartoons anime...

A friend has seriously hooked me on Wolf's Rain...yeah still a big kid I guess...so I'm off to see if I can buy that in the shops, or whether I'll have to order it from t'internets. I'm guessing the latter, but you never know. But the local HMV does have a decent-sized Anime section and there's a helluva lot of other TV series' and films to take a gander at, but I've no idea if any of them are any good, and I always forget the names when I come home to YouTube them.

So it's the same question again: what animes do people think are seriously worth watching? I'm fairly open to anything (as Wolf's Rain should show) but I don't think I'll opt for Akira - I've spent two years of a couple of my friends standing on the opposite sides of college/uni and screaming (1)TETSUO! (2)KANEDA! and don't think I could take it! Anything dark is welcomed, something aimed at an older audience than my childhood cartoons anyway . As is anything similar to Wolf's Rain in that strangely-badass-yet-childish way. Or maybe I just like it as I love wolves. Who knows. Though no "mechs", can't stand that kinda stuff.

Many apologies for another such thread (I have done a searchy but the results weren't too encouraging since people had already seen a few animes that they liked) and many thanks if anyone can help me out. Especially as I can't really say much for my likes-and-dislikes. Basically I'm after recommendations from peoples' favourite series/movies and then I'll hunt down clips and see what I think

 

[Superbeast]

If it helps, the sort of thing I'm looking at (from YouTube clips):

Appleseed/Appleseed Ex Machina
Darker Than Black
Elfen Lied

Maybe Deathnote

Does that help people with the recommendations? Are these any good?

 

[secretshadow90]

Yeah those are good. If you like those go get anything by Satoshi Kon. OK, I'll name them: Tokyo Godfathers, Millennium Actress and Paprika are movies and Paranoia Agent is a series, but it's a little harder to find. If you want some good quick humor go for Axis Power Hetalia or Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei (both are only available online with Fansubs)[both are a little more childish but for grown-ups ). Outlaw Star and Trigun are always go tos. You'll probably like Trigun more judging from your selection. Also Ghost in the Shell the movie, not the series.

 

[darthcendiarygrenade]

Evangelion. Always.

 

[Fayathon]

I really wish I was on my comp for this...

Here's a starter list for you:

Rurouni Kenshin, Cowboy Bebop, Trigun, and Ghost in the Shell, I've heard good things abuot Elfen Lied, though I've never seen it myself, same for Appleseed.

I'd add more, but posting on my PS3 is killing me.

 

[megapenguinx]

I really only like 3:
Bobobobobobobo
Bleach
and FLCL.
I have dabbled in Full Metal Alchemist a little, and while I liked what I saw, I hated not having a clue what was going on (I kept seeing things out of order so that's more my fault than the anime's).

 

[MorsePacific]

Cowboy Bebop and Samurai Champloo are the only two anime I will ever suggest to anyone. They're absolutely stunning.

 

[kmiik]

Cowboy Bebop is amazing. Trigun, Chrno Crusade, Elfen Lied, FLCL
unfortunate that you said NO MECHS or i would definitely recommend Gurren Lagann above all else.

Trigun was epic enough im watching it through for the fourth time.

 

[BillyShakes]

I've spent two years of a couple of my friends standing on the opposite sides of college/uni and screaming (1)TETSUO! (2)KANEDA!
What exactly were your friends doing?

 

[Alkestes]

Urotsukidoji.

I was under the impression that tits, rape and all other kinds of nasty stuff classified that as a hentai.

OT: Black Lagoon is alright, and definitely DEFINITELY Trigun. Although watch the English dub of Trigun, because Vash sounds like a chick in Japanese. And you may like Monster. One of the most gripping anime I have EVER seen.

OH OH also watch Excel Saga. Again, in English, because trying to keep up with Excel's rants with subtitles is a major headache. Also because Pedro sounds AMAZING in the dub.

 

[SomeGuyNamedKy]

I'll be the third to preach FLCL. It's short, random, and confusing. But funny as hell.

 

[NeutralDrow]

Hmm...your list is somewhat darker works, leaning towards science fiction. I'm not all that familiar with those types and genres, though. Most of my stuff is lighter fare.

Still, there are a couple of titles. Evangelion is an incredibly divisive show, but it's still a must-see. Same with Cowboy Bebop (except for the divisive part; the show is almost universally considered awesome). If Appleseed looks interesting to you, you'd probably be a shoe-in for Ghost in the Shell.

Oh, and they don't fit your descriptions, but I'll still recommend any of Miyazaki's works any day. Especially some of the later ones, like Princess Mononoke. Also, Outlaw Star isn't really the darkest show you could find, but it's still pretty enjoyable science fiction.

 

[Superbeast]

I've spent two years of a couple of my friends standing on the opposite sides of college/uni and screaming (1)TETSUO! (2)KANEDA!
What exactly were your friends doing?

Pretty much whenever they saw each other Lucy would scream "TETSUO" and Joe would scream "KANEDA". For two whole f****** years.

Every. Single. Time. They. Saw. Each. Other.

Safe to say it's made me want to burn every copy of Akira that I ever see, and put me off anime. But a very nice lass at uni is trying to get me hooked.

Thanks for the suggestions so far guys, I've got more YouTube to scan through it looks like

+EDIT+

Hmm...your list is somewhat darker works, leaning towards science fiction. I'm not all that familiar with those types and genres, though. Most of my stuff is lighter fare.

Yeah, I do seem to prefer the "darker" anime out there. A lot of the lighter stuff just makes me very confused (in a WTF sense). Like I saw Ranma 1/2 and was very, very perplexed. A little lass and a panda...sci-fi and psychological stuff I can deal with (and I think is quite good - looking forward to grabbing Appleseed from the trailers of it as well) but that creeped me out a little bit.

I also liked Final Fantasy: Spirits Within, forgot to add that to the earlier list (watched it a long time ago).

 

[God's Clown]

Spoiler

Mahoromatic, Chrono Crusade, Green Green, Onegai Teacher, Last Exile, Rurouni Kenshin, Ah! My Goddess, Jungle Wa Itsumo Guu, Samurai 7, Cowboy Bebop, Full Metal Alchemist, Trigun, Love Hina, S-cry-ed, DBZ, Ragnarok, Witch Hunter Robin, Samurai Girl - Real bout Highschool, Eureka 7, Fooly Cooly, Dears, Chobits, Ninja Scroll, Paranoia Agent, Full Metal Panic, Full moon wo Sagashite, Fate-stay Night, Excel Saga, Ghost in the Shell, Fruits Basket, Hellsing, Scrapped Princess, Wolf's Rain, Onegai Twins, Demon Eyes Kyo, Tenjho Tenge, Naruto, Bleach, Elfen Lied, Tsukihime, Grenadier, Ergo Proxy, Ai Yori Aoshi, Ai Yori Aoshi Enishi, Afro Samurai, Golden Boy, Ikki Tousen, Mahou Sensei Negima, Great Teacher Onizuka, Colorful, Kono Minikuku mo Utsukushii Seka(This ugly yet beautiful world), Sunabouzu, Slayers, Lost Universe, Popotan, Rizelmine, Momoiro Sisters, Eiken, Hanaukyo Maid Team, Maburaho, Hand Maid May, Yami to Boushi to Hon no Tabibito, Iketeru Futari, Futari Ecchi, Guardian Hearts, airmaster, Da Capo, UFO Princess Valkyrie, Cardcaptor Sakura, Azumanga Daioh.

That long list is animes I have watched. Pick one or two. If you want me to recommend some then I shall: Great Teach Onizuka, D.Gray Man, Mahoromatic, Cowboy Bebop.

 

[TheIr0nMike]

Spoiler

 

[digipinky75910]

Wow, Wolf's Rain is not a kids' anything.

Wolf's Rain is a deep, thoughtful, quiet, and sometimes bloody.. kind of character journey. I don't seem why you should suffer any shame for it.

If you want deep stuff like Wolf's Rain, Firstly, I must recommend FullMetal Alchemist, arguably greatest anime ever, (Literally, something for everyone) DeathNote, a suspense thriller, and you might enjoy the .hack serieses, such as .hack//Sign and the more recent .hack//roots. (personally, I'd recommend Roots first, as there's more action involved.)

I'll second Trigun, Ruroni Kenshin, Cowboy Bebop, Record of Lodoss War,
Chrono Crusade. Three words: Nuns. With. Guns.

You might like Code Geass, Tsubasa,

A series recently come out called "Spice and Wolf" which looks good.

Heh, you won't like Evangelion if you're against Mech series XD

Any movie by Miyazaki aka Studio Ghibli. In particular, I think you'll enjoy Princess Mononoke, followed by Spirited Away, my two favs.

There's a couple Vampire type animes out there that might be your speed, Trinity Blood, Hellsing, Vampire Knight, NightWalker,

Case Closed (aka) Detective Conan might be something you might like.

Fruits Basket is a romantic comedy that has really nice moments, also one my top favs.

 

[BillyShakes]

I've spent two years of a couple of my friends standing on the opposite sides of college/uni and screaming (1)TETSUO! (2)KANEDA!
What exactly were your friends doing?

Pretty much whenever they saw each other Lucy would scream "TETSUO" and Joe would scream "KANEDA". For two whole f****** years.

To summarize my stance on Akira for all of The Escapist: "TETSUO!"
Also, I do see why that would put you off of it altogether.

 

[Superbeast]

Wow, Wolf's Rain is not a kids' anything.

Wolf's Rain is a deep, thoughtful, quiet, and sometimes bloody.. kind of character journey. I don't seem why you should suffer any shame for it.

If you want deep stuff like Wolf's Rain, Firstly, I must recommend FullMetal Alchemist, arguably greatest anime ever, (Literally, something for everyone) DeathNote, a suspense thriller, and you might enjoy the .hack serieses, such as .hack//Sign and the more recent .hack//roots. (personally, I'd recommend Roots first, as there's more action involved.)

I'll second Trigun, Ruroni Kenshin, Cowboy Bebop, Record of Lodoss War,
Chrono Crusade. Three words: Nuns. With. Guns.

You might like Code Geass, Tsubasa,

A series recently come out called "Spice and Wolf" which looks good.

Heh, you won't like Evangelion if you're against Mech series XD

Any movie by Miyazaki aka Studio Ghibli. In particular, I think you'll enjoy Princess Mononoke, followed by Spirited Away, my two favs.

There's a couple Vampire type animes out there that might be your speed, Trinity Blood, Hellsing, Vampire Knight, NightWalker,

Case Closed (aka) Detective Conan might be something you might like.

Fruits Basket is a romantic comedy that has really nice moments, also one my top favs.

Hm, one of my friends told me that Wolf's Rain was kids stuff, but I really liked it (well, I haven't seen all of it - first series I think). Good to know it's not.

I'll check through the others tonight, though I do know I'm not so keen on Trigun. Evangelion is probably watchable from what I've seen, but I'm not a fan of mechs - (original) Transformers and Starship Troopers 3 have imprinted on my mind that they are either for kids or to take the piss - I know this isn't true but they just bore me now.

Hellsing seemed alright - will have to check out the other vampire movies.

For the stuff I'm thinking of grabbing, what's a better version if there's the option: dubs or subs?

That's on:

Appleseed/Ex Machina
Darker Than Black
Deathnote
Elfen Lied
Wolf's Rain

Chrono Crusade looks like fun too.

 

[God's Clown]

Spoiler

Wow, Wolf's Rain is not a kids' anything.

Wolf's Rain is a deep, thoughtful, quiet, and sometimes bloody.. kind of character journey. I don't seem why you should suffer any shame for it.

If you want deep stuff like Wolf's Rain, Firstly, I must recommend FullMetal Alchemist, arguably greatest anime ever, (Literally, something for everyone) DeathNote, a suspense thriller, and you might enjoy the .hack serieses, such as .hack//Sign and the more recent .hack//roots. (personally, I'd recommend Roots first, as there's more action involved.)

I'll second Trigun, Ruroni Kenshin, Cowboy Bebop, Record of Lodoss War,
Chrono Crusade. Three words: Nuns. With. Guns.

You might like Code Geass, Tsubasa,

A series recently come out called "Spice and Wolf" which looks good.

Heh, you won't like Evangelion if you're against Mech series XD

Any movie by Miyazaki aka Studio Ghibli. In particular, I think you'll enjoy Princess Mononoke, followed by Spirited Away, my two favs.

There's a couple Vampire type animes out there that might be your speed, Trinity Blood, Hellsing, Vampire Knight, NightWalker,

Case Closed (aka) Detective Conan might be something you might like.

Fruits Basket is a romantic comedy that has really nice moments, also one my top favs.

Hm, one of my friends told me that Wolf's Rain was kids stuff, but I really liked it (well, I haven't seen all of it - first series I think). Good to know it's not.

I'll check through the others tonight, though I do know I'm not so keen on Trigun. Evangelion is probably watchable from what I've seen, but I'm not a fan of mechs - (original) Transformers and Starship Troopers 3 have imprinted on my mind that they are either for kids or to take the piss - I know this isn't true but they just bore me now.

Hellsing seemed alright - will have to check out the other vampire movies.

For the stuff I'm thinking of grabbing, what's a better version if there's the option: dubs or subs?

That's on:

Appleseed/Ex Machina
Darker Than Black
Deathnote
Elfen Lied
Wolf's Rain

Chrono Crusade looks like fun too.

Rule number one of Anime: Subs are always better then Dubs(with few exceptions, such as Cowboy Bebop, which is better dub then sub.)

Speaking of Bebop, if you haven't seen it you must. It is by far one of the greatest animes of all time.