Which anime can you recommend?

S

Skullfire

Completely Average High School Student
Hi all, I'm new to these forums and just wanted to say hello and get some advice really.

Both my girlfriend and I like anime, but only in the last year or two have we started buying some DVD's to add to our mainstream movie collection. Before we used to watch it on TV whenever possible.

I guess the first show we got into together was 'Martian Successor Nadesico' back when it was shown on Sci-Fi Channel with 'Neon Genesis Evangelion'. The former series I now own on DVD (I really need to watch it again since it has been quite a while ago that we last watched it)

Anyway, another series I became interested in was 'Chrono Crusade' and decided to get the DVD's after reading up on it. We were both pleasantly surprised and really enjoyed it. The supernatural theme is something we both really liked.

More recently, I bought the 'Naruto' DVD's (again based on what I read) and this is one that we currently enjoy a lot and cannot wait to see what's next.

My girlfriend also likes movies such as 'Spirited Away' and 'Howl's Moving Castle'. 'Steamboy' looks interesting as well.

Basically, I'm just curious to see what some of the highly recommended series or movies are that we could get?

A few series that I'm looking into, but not sure yet if I should get them are: 'Fullmetal Alchemist', 'Death Note', 'Burst Angel', 'Trinity Blood', 'Otogi Zoshi', 'Gunslinger Girl' - Any of these that you would recommend against?

I'm hoping to get some good recommendations, so we can to build up our collection.

Thank you for reading,
BG
 
The Tenchi Muyo! franchise is something i think you and your girlfriend would get a kick out of. The DVD's are pretty cheap if you want to go that route, shop around and you'll find some great prices(25-40 for a box set)

I can give you a ton more information about the series but i don't have the time at the moment, maybe tomorrow. But as always it's one i would recommend to anyone new to anime. It has comedy, drama, romance and great action. Beautiful artwork and a delightful soundtrack.
 
I'm not to sure i'd recommend fma straight away.

Light comedy with a plot i'd say your into.
trigun is funny and serious etc you'd enjoy that i think.
cowboy bebop some comedy plots a little confusing good none the less.
full metal panic series/ffumofu(funny)
If your after action and eva depression go elfen lied.

I'd reccomend them.
 
Hmm, I think you should definatly consider watching Fullmetal Alchemist. It's an awesome anime! Death Note is also a very popular anime. It seems you girlfriend likes the Gibli DVD'S so "Porco Rosso" and "Laputa:castle in the sky" wouldn't be bad if your into all that...I don't think it's on DVD though a good anime to watch would be bleach. There's a lot more which I can't think to put down.
 
If your after something sci-fi, with comedy and good storyline/characters, Cowboy Bebop is up there as one of my favourites. The soundtrack(s) are amazing as well. Erm..there is probably loads i could recommend you, Tenchi Muyo also being one of them..but what genre's would you be looking for?
 
Tenchi Muyo is well worth getting into.

Initial D is brilliant if you like a story that involves racing and character growth.

GENSHIKEN - one of the best animes of all time I have watched it over and over again and has one fo the best storylines around
 
Cowboy bebop - Its a must for any anime collection. If your not sure about it watch Knockin On heavens door itsenjoyable and picks up on some of the aspects from the series

Naruto - enjoyable if you like a ninja type shows

FullMetal Alchemist - Funny and serious all at once, very enjoyable

One Piece - Pirates, action, comedy and a whole host of strange characters

Outlaw Star - Funny, serious and full of action

Ghost in The Shell: Stand Alone Complex - Excellent series full of action and some humour put throughout it

Tenchi Muyo - as everyone else has said very enjoyable

She: The Ultimate Weapon - If your looking for a romantic-ish story with a bit of action This would be up there on that list

AKIRA- Post apocalyptic classic
 
I recommend Fullmetal Alchemist - it's absolutely fantastic with great characters and a very interesting story. It'll make you laugh and cry in the space of one episode. FMA is really something special.

Also, if you like anime movies, I say get Metropolis and you might even want to check out Akira! :)
 
Skullfire said:
I guess the first show we got into together was 'Martian Successor Nadesico' back when it was shown on Sci-Fi Channel with 'Neon Genesis Evangelion'. The former series I now own on DVD (I really need to watch it again since it has been quite a while ago that we last watched it)
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Nicely done - I was the same. Up every Saturday night seeing it. :) (And Nadesico is by far my favourite of the three series shown then)

I'd give Read or Die (The OVA and the series) a go, some comedy, some action. pretty good in all.

Oh, and for comedy madness, you cannot miss Excel Saga.
 
Howdie and welcome. :D

Right then, i'm always asking this same question. :p

Here's what are ( in my opinion obviously ) the ones that in my limited scope of watching, i've found to be the best so far. :D

I won't mention the ones you've already seen as that would be daft. :p

Azumanga Daioh Comedy
Bubblegum Crisis Action/Cyberpunk ( The Original, hard to get the UK version now as I think it's out of print, also make sure you watch the subbed version as the dub is dire. )
Bubblegum Crisis 2040 Action/Cyberpunk ( Remake/retelling of the original. )
Burst Angel Action/Cyberpunk with a westernish feel
Eureka Seven Has been described as Evangelion-lite ( ish ) although I disagree.
Excel Saga Bizzare Comedy
Full Metal Panic! Action/Cyberpunk/Comedy
Full Metal Panic? FUMOFFU Comedy
Full Metal Panic! The Second Raid Action/Cyberpunk/Comedy ( Only available on American import. )
Ghost In The Shell : Stand Alone Complex 1st Gig Action/Cyberpunk
Ghost In The Shell : Stand Alone Complex 2nd Gig Action/Cyberpunk
Hellsing Action/Horror
Kiddy Grade Action/Sci-Fi ( Might be hard to get since Funimation switched their distribution over to Revelation and they havn't re-released it. )
Magical Shopping Arcade Abenobashi Bizzare Action-ish/Comedy/Parody
Planetes Sci-Fi
Tenchi-Muyo Action/Sci-Fi/Romance/Comedy

I know there are more, but I can't think of them at the moment.
:?
 
I would recommend with some shorter 26 episodes or 13 episode series' if you are purchasing on DVD.


In No specific order. Here is a list

i enjoyed Elfen Lied, Not too sure you girlfriend would like, bar that, you would like. xD. Includes lot of nudity and blood. Not too horrific though. At 13 episodes its a least checking out a few episodes.
With NARUTO this is where my opinion of long anime comes in to perspective, The first part of Naruto being 135 episodes, All in All 11 Volumes at the rate Manga Ent. are releasing them. Will take some time to watch fully and don't forget its still going after 80+ fillers and a new series.
Death Note, a brilliant series' i rathered the Manga, even though that are almost exactly the same. not too long, not too short 37 episodes. about 11 volumes, but hasn't even been fully dubbed yet. beginning of '08 probably for us in the UK. For Now, fansubs are the way to go.
MONSTER, hasn't even been licensed; so FanSubs are the way to go if you're into that thing, I'm not too far into it, quite a strong anime, with a lot too think about. 74 Episodes though.
FullMetal Alchemist, 52 episodes, a brilliant story. I love how its a tragic story on the outside, but joyful on the inside.
Lucky ☆ Star, again Fansubs, but a very lighted comedy about. . .more or less nothing.
oh and before i forget, Black Lagoon is absolutely brilliant, You're girlfriend could take a liking to the main character being a women and you could take a liking to the action and things. xD.
 
Jayme you whore, Im supposed to be the only person on this board to mention MONSTER, but at 74 episodes and hard to obtain I think its quite a task for the newer anime watcher.

It depends on whether you like long or short series, Im a person for the longer series.

I would recommend.

The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya - Im suprised no one else has mentioned this, its a 14 episodes series which is very very popular at the moment, wiki it for more info.

Kino's Journey - 13 episode, very calm, slice of life series about a traveller visiting different wierd and wonderful places.

Mushishi - Just like Kino's Journey, its a very charming calm anime about mushi, that are a lower form than parasites that do crazy stuff and Mushishi wander sorting out peoples throubles with Mushi.

Others that people have mentioned.
Ghost in the Shell - Should be on everyones list
Death Note - Brilliant thriller anime second only to MONSTER
Fullmetal Alchemist - All round goodness
Black Lagoon - Brilliant action anime first volume just recently been released in America

Wiki or ANN will give you better understandng of these anime.
 
Air Gear - Comedy / Sports / Love

Negima - Sort of like Harry potter But much better

Ai yori Aoshi (If you have seen love hina you will love this ) Good to watch with your girlfriend

Happy Lesson - ( just watch this if you fancy a bit of a chuckle)

Ive got a lot more but I will tell you them Another time
 
Thanks all for your recommendations (please feel free to add more if you have any). I've made an initial shortlist of the series which we will be looking into (to start of with).

I somewhat agree with Jayme's point about getting shorter series, however I'm prepared to commit to the longer ones too. For instance, in the case of 'Naruta' it will take a while for the whole series to be released, but I'm sure it will be worth it in the end.

Ideally, I'd like to stick with Region 2 DVD's (UK) where possible (just in case I want to watch them on my console). However, I have no problem getting the R1 release, should the R2 for instance be censored or dubbed only. We definitely prefer to watch our anime subbed.

I've added our shortlist below. Please let me know if there are any reasons to avoid the UK R2 release of a series.

Fullmetal Alchemist (almost a certainty now)
- got the impression that a boxset may be on its way soon or should I just get the single volumes now?

Hellsing
- was looking at the Classic Collection boxset. LINK

She: The Ultimate Weapon
- again, looking at the boxset, which also includes 'Another Love Song'. LINK

Black Lagoon
- has this been licensed for the UK?

Cowboy Bebop
- a bit of dilemma with this one; there's the R1 remix series which has been remastered and remixed with 5.1 sound. R2 comes in two boxsets, but I assume this is the 'classic' version. LINK 1, LINK 2

Elfen Lied
- boxset due out in Aug. LINK

Burst Angel
- seems to be available in single volumes only

There's a few other series that we are curious about, but they are either not yet available in the UK (e.g. Death Note) or not yet licensed at all (e.g. MONSTER). I'm aware of fansubs, but they are not really a practical solution for us (although a great way to check out a few episodes before commiting to the DVD's).

I will need to have a more detailed look into Tenchi Muyo, which quite a few people mentioned. BTW, also listed a few times are the 'Ghost in the Shell' and 'Akira' movies, which I already own (forgot to mention these in my original post).
 
Black Lagoon dosn't have a region 2 release planned for the forseeable future, ( a question I asked myself this past weekend, :D ) which is why i'm still waiting for my region 1 limited edition tin to pop through my letterbox. :p ( should have been here by now, darned postal service. :x )

Burst Angel dosn't have a box set planned as of yet that i'm aware of. Also, whilst some people dislike this anime, I personally don't think it's as bad as it's made out to be. It's one of those, 'enjoyable but nothing special' animes that's starts off really well, then fizzles a bit. ( This is just my opinion though, you may think differently. )

Also, just as a little note, the Ghost In The Shell - Stand Alone Complex that myself and others have been mentioning isn't the movie, although it's about the same characters, they arn't the same continuity - the series is based on the film which was based on the manga. If that makes sense. :wink: lol

Tenchi-Muyo has so much stuff available for it it can get confusing, this is the place to start, http://www.play.com/DVD/DVD/4-/742331/T ... oduct.html although I have to say, the UK release is getting on a bit now and was never given the respect it deserved when they were putting the DVDs together. :( Still a bloody brilliant series though. :D
 
Going through what I've got, I'd recommend for someone fairly new to anime...

Comic Party or Genshiken - these give a comedic self-reflective view of the lives of otaku (anime obssessives) and might even inspire you to explore a growing intrest in Japanese culture in different ways

Dirty Pair Flash - well, classic guns and girls comedy.

Escaflowne - a good, easily accessible anime that seems to have been a lavish series at the time it was made

Rahxephon - Neon Genesis Evangelion but a bit more arty and enjoyable to watch

Rumbling Hearts - romantic tradgedy, OK I'm watching it at the moment and loving it, hence the reccomendation

Magical Shopping Arcade Abenobashi - madcap parody that becomes a bit more thoughtful with time!
 
Cheeky said:
Dirty Pair Flash - well, classic guns and girls comedy.
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Ahh, another one of the classics. :D I was going to mention this in my list earlier but as it was next to impossible to get a copy when I bought mine, I didn't want to recommend anything that he might not be able to get a copy of. :(

Cheeky said:
Rahxephon - Neon Genesis Evangelion but a bit more arty and enjoyable to watch
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True, it's Evangelion but with an actual plot. :twisted: I do have to say though, it does go at a slower pace than NGE and the first time I tried to watch it I wasn't in the mood and gave up as I found it boring. Watching it again a couple of months later though I loved every second of it, and nearly cried at the end. :cry:

Cheeky said:
Magical Shopping Arcade Abenobashi - madcap parody that becomes a bit more thoughtful with time!
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As I said in another thread, this series has bits of everything, it's happy, sad, thoughtful, stupid, charming, bizzare, funny, serious, the list goes on. I love this series, it's such a mish-mash of emotions.
 
Skullfire said:
Fullmetal Alchemist (almost a certainty now)
- got the impression that a boxset may be on its way soon or should I just get the single volumes now?
Click to expand...

Hmm, I can't imagine the boxset coming out anytime before the movie, which comes out in September. So, I'd say it's a good idea to start watching this as quickly as possible - go for the single volumes. The earlier ones are very cheap now, anyway!
 
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