Translate the blog, do it, don't be scared, it won't hurt you. Okay, that was awkward. Anyway back to the list, I FREAKING LOVE LISTS. Presenting....
My Top Ten Anime Series
Number 1: Neon Genesis Evangelion
My all time favorite anime series, i was around 12 when i saw my first episode, i loved it then but i never managed to finish watching it, it was recently that i actually watched the whole thing through and loved every bit of this anime. the show focuses on three young teens Shenji, Rei and Asuka who pilot giant humanoid
mechs called Evas and combat vicious monsters called Angels. The story is pretty straight forward at first however towards the end it starts to get meta and symbolic. With religious symbolism and hidden political and social commentary. This is anime is one of the most influential of its time, and if you're wondering Pacific Rim's plot is literally ripped from this anime,which isn't a bad thing at all. It's also known for it's controversial ending, which i won't spoil. The anime was released in 1995, was written and directed by Hideaki Anno. The cinematography is stunning in this anime and it's art-style is vintage but not outdated.
Number 2: Higurashi No Naku Koro Ni
The title means When The Cicadas Cry, but in the U.S it is known simply as When They Cry. I was in middle school when this came out and a few of my friends were obsessed with it. I had weird friends. When I got older I re-watched it and I have to say it's one of the best Animes you'll ever watch. The show is disturbing to say in the least and watching it raises more questions then it ever gives you answers for. This is the scariest anime you will ever watch, and the most demented. It's so effective at what it does between the cinematography, the art style and some of the best voice acting you'll ever here, it creates one of the most chilling pieces of horror you'll ever see. Be warned when you watch this, it gets graphic..way graphic. If your stomach is easily turned then this probably isn't for you. The only main complaint i have is the the light heartedness this show has lasts for a entire episode sometimes multiple episodes which makes watching the the graphic and demented episodes very jarring, I've found myself turning off episodes because of this, and had to talk myself into finishing it which is how effective this show is. The anime was released in 2006 and was directed by Chiaki Kon.
Number 3: Death Note
One of the more well known animes, Death Note has been making the internet rounds since it's release in 2003 and has since been one of the staple anime series. Story revolves around a high school student Light Yagami who discovers the titular book "Death Note" and grants him the ability to kill anyone who's name and face he might know. He and his frenemy Ryuk ,a shinigamy(God Of death) go on a crusade to create a utopia free of evil by killing criminals. Of course his work attracts the attention of the world and law enforcement agencies, who bring the world's greatest detective L to catch him. They both try to out maneuver and outsmart the other which leads to some pretty tense moments. The show has the Tony Soprano/Walter White effect were you aren't so sure if Light is a good person, or if you should be rooting for him or L instead. Both equally have negative qualities and picking a favorite is challenging. I normally prefer animes in their original language, but the only version I've watched of this was the English dub and it's quite good. The art style has a Gothic and dark tone to it which is perfect to the theme of the anime. It was directed by Tetsuro Araki
Number 4: High School Of The Dead
Number 5: This Ugly Yet Beautiful World
Perhaps not as well known or as well regarded as the other animes in this list. The plot revolves around a young boy who finds a mysterious girl from space and must assimilate her into human life. The plot isn't all that complicated and doesn't stray far from other romantic comedy animes but the characters are great to get invested in. The anime explores themes such as the human condition, love, teenage sexual desire and certain doom. The storyline is pretty contained and it ends on a satisfying note. Only 12 episodes were made. The anime was released in 2004 and was directed by Shouji Saeki and Hiroyuki Yamaga
Number 6: Gunslinger Girl
One of the best animes ever made. Gunslinger Girl focuses on young adolescent girls who are genetically modified and trained to become perfect killing machines. The series takes place outside of Japan, and is set in Italy.The girls work for a government sponsored counter-terrorism organization and have limited life spans do to the extensive modification of their bodies. They have handlers who are adult males, keep a close eye on them and train them to perform various assignments. The anime focuses on these girls as they attempt to balance their natural instincts and their profession. They often times view their handlers as father figures and constantly struggle to cope with their short life span. The anime was released in 2003 and is directed by Morio Asaka
Number 7:Hellsing
If you love anime and you've never seen Hellsing, you're doing it wrong. Hellsing is probably one of the coolest and stylistic animes ever made. Hellsing focuses on the fictional Hellsing organization who does the lords work by killing evil creatures that stalk the nigh all while being hypocrites and employing the help of a vampire named Alucard. Alucard is the coolest vampire hands down, i will fight you to the death on this (Fun Fact: Alucard is actually Dracula spelled backwards) The action is intense and weird and the fictional universe created in this anime is wonderful.This anime was made in 2001 and doesn't look the least bit dated.
Number 8: Toradora
Toradora is one of the funniest animes I've ever seen. The story revolves around two high schoolers Tagia and Ryuji as they reluctantly become friends in order to help each other score a chance with their crushes
Tagia is one of the better female characters I've seen in an anime, her personalty is brash and rude, and often negative. While Ryuji's is calm,caring and comforting. The two's personality causes friction which leads to some great comedic moments. The anime is fun,cute, light hearted and hilarious,a great watch indeed. The anime was released in 2008 and is directed by Tatsuyuki Nagai
Number 9: Soul Eater
Another hilarious Anime, Soul Eater is probably the most stylistic and modern anime in this list. The plot revolves around a group of teens who train at an academy called Death Weapon Masters Academy set in the fictional Death City. Soul Eater is one of the most creative and unique animes I've seen in a long time. Although plot wise Soul Eater isn't at all complicated it has some of the best characters in an anime and will most likely go on to become iconic. While there are multiple characters each with their own interesting quirks, the real stars of the show are Death and Death The Kid, some of the fumiest characters ever made.
This anime was released in 2008 and was directed by Takuya Igarashi
Number 10: Bakemonogatari
This is probably the most Meta anime you'll ever watch.To me, this is the Pulp Fiction of animes because to be honest i have no idea what this is about. I can't accurately describe to you the plot of this anime only the basic summary, which revolves around Kyomi Araragi who is becoming human after briefly being a vampire and one day one of his classmates Hitagi Senjogahara falls down steps into his arms and he discovers she weighs nothing. The anime is very unique and stylistic and will require lots of watches to grasp the concepts of the show. The anime was released in 2009 and is directed by Akiyuki Shinbo.
Now i've shared my top ten anime series with you, but I'm interested to hear what you have to say! comment below with your own top ten list.
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I like every thing about this list except you are missing "Blood"
ReplyDeletethough I'm surprised the OVA of hellsing didn't make the list, I like this list. when they cry as no. 2 I can agree with. it's a good anime, but the story line can get complicated if you don't pay attention. :D
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