• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Help me find anime I enjoy

O

oniman7

Jun 1, 2010
2,490
10
Saint Augustine, Florida
#1
Hello there, TBOT.

Typically I have not enjoyed anime. It has always annoyed me. I recently watched .hack//sign for nostalgia and really loved it. I have watched Elfen Lied with my girlfriend and that was pretty cool. My girlfriend and one of my best friends both convinced me I needed to watch Death Note, and I enjoyed that. However, those are the only 3 I have really enjoyed out of many I have tried. What I like about these:

They have somewhat intelligent stories
The stories are told from a realistic perspective even if there are supernatural powers
The animation is dark, and again more realistic
They don't have the hallmark over-reaction and flailing arms, sweat beads, big faces etc. that other anime has. That really annoys me.

I know TB has a large population and many do enjoy anime, so maybe somebody hear can give me some things I enjoy/

Also, I do like the Studio Ghibli movies, but I'm not looking for something that fantasy. Typically, in regards to plot, I like them the exact opposite of my coffee: dark. Comic relief is not necessary.

Let me have it!
 
#4
Jazz Ad said:
From what you tell us, I'd recommend Crying Freeman and Hellsing.
As far as classics go, Akira is a must see if you haven't and should fit your criteria too.
Click to expand...

I am planning on watching Akira. I am doing music for a Steampunk mobile game and the artist tells me I should watch Steamboy as well as Akira. Will check out the above answers. Always looking for more though! Thanks.
 
#6
Yes Steamboy is fantastic. I should have thought about it. Same author as Akira.
A Victorian steampunk story with splendid, borderline incredible graphics and a very dark story.
Do yourself a favor and get it in full HD bluray.

Cowboy Beebop is good but rather light hearted.
Since you haven't seen Akira I guess we can keep recommending classics. Try ghost in the Shell.
 
#8
Akira is a classic
Cowboy Bebop - T.V. series
Ghost in the Shell & Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence - Both are very good with very good, dark storylines.
Steamboy
Robotech - actually a very good story arc this was a T.V. series and had three diffent but related storylines Macross, Robotech Masters and The Invid Invasion. Geared a bit more towards teenagers but still good.
Princess Mononoke

If you want very realistic, very dark and depressing i doubt you can do much better than "The Grave of the Fireflys" it's the most amazing anime that I never want to watch again.
 
#13
oniman7 said:
I have seen Spirited Away. Did not like FMA. Was too lighthearted for me. My friend assures me Brotherhood will be better.
Click to expand...

Brotherhood is an entirely different beast. it gets dark pretty quickly. still not super dark

seen death note? its pretty good. I didn't find it as intelligent as it likes to think it is, and I'd say do yourself a favor and quit watching when the main antagonist is defeated 2/3 of the way thru the series.

where's Kwesi when you need him?
 
#15
DwaynieAD said:
Brotherhood is an entirely different beast. it gets dark pretty quickly. still not super dark

seen death note? its pretty good. I didn't find it as intelligent as it likes to think it is, and I'd say do yourself a favor and quit watching when the main antagonist is defeated 2/3 of the way thru the series.

where's Kwesi when you need him?
Click to expand...

I just finished Death Note last night. I wish they had gone on to show the effects of what happened after... a cult had basically been started.

The show was still good afterwards, but not quite the same/
 
#16
Yay, a topic for me!

Jazz Ad said:
Try ghost in the Shell.
Click to expand...

YES! I could not possibly reccomend Ghost In The Shell, specifically the Stand Alone Complex series' and movies, enough. Absolutely fantastic stuff. The stories are interesting, thought provoking and the writing is phenomenal. I don't know whether you prefer your anime subbed or dubbed but the hats off to whoever localized GITS: SAC because it's easily among the best dubs out there. Everything sounds so natural, almost as if it was written in the west.

I'd also suggest Code Geass: Lelouche of the Rebellion. It doesn't completely eschew anime tropes but the story is, in my opinion, very original and more than worth a watch. Part of what I like about it is that it shows that no matter how much power a person has, they can still make mistakes and that their power and influence only magnifies those mistakes. Too many anime have this idea that the protagonist must be flawless when it comes around to business time (e.g., he could be a peeping tom but he'll never fail when it comes time to stand up for what's right). The dub isn't terrible but it's not up there with GITS.

Witchblade. If you've seen any advertisements for this series, forget them now because I guarantee that whatever conclusions you may have come to are wrong, haha. It's heavy on the fanservice but swear, beyond that, it's not at all what you would expect. It's a really powerful story. I know more than a handful of folks that shed a few tears at the end.

Welcome to the NHK, while often fun and funny is a much more serious take on the life of a shut-in. I wouldn't go so far as to call it a psychological anime but there are more than a few intelligent issues that are approached and actually talk about between the characters without feeling forced which was great. As sociable as I can be, I'm firmly in the introvert camp so this hit home for me.

Speed Grapher isn't particularly amazing but the story is dark and well done. A lot of focus on the consequences of actions.

Can't help but throw in BECK: Mongolian Chop Squad. Probably the most lighthearted of my suggestions but it's cool to see an anime about the life of a band.
 
#17
DwaynieAD said:
Brotherhood is an entirely different beast. it gets dark pretty quickly. still not super dark

seen death note? its pretty good. I didn't find it as intelligent as it likes to think it is, and I'd say do yourself a favor and quit watching when the main antagonist is defeated 2/3 of the way thru the series.

where's Kwesi when you need him?
Click to expand...

I'm right here :D! And yeah, Brotherhood, at least to me, DEFINITELY hits harder than the original, which I loved as well. Don't forget about the movies (2 or 3?) after the ending of Brotherhood. Those finish off the story. Also, agreed on Death Note. Happy for the folks that dig it but it was not my cup of tea.
 
#18
Basshappi said:
Akira is a classic
Cowboy Bebop - T.V. series
Ghost in the Shell & Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence - Both are very good with very good, dark storylines.
Steamboy
Robotech - actually a very good story arc this was a T.V. series and had three diffent but related storylines Macross, Robotech Masters and The Invid Invasion. Geared a bit more towards teenagers but still good.
Princess Mononoke

If you want very realistic, very dark and depressing i doubt you can do much better than "The Grave of the Fireflys" it's the most amazing anime that I never want to watch again.
Click to expand...

Huge +1, absolutely amazing movie by Studio Ghibli (look to them for more great films such as previously mentioned Prnicess Mononoke/Mononoke Hime) Although it is extremely really, and very sad but heartwarming story. I also loved it, highly recommend it, but don't want to watch it again.

I also love Neon Genesis Evangelion, very dark story with lots of religious/christian themes. End of the world with mechs/giant angels, lots of great fighting. You have to watch some stuff out of the series though, a couple OVA/movies because a bunch of upset families wanted to show pulled after episode 17, they couldn't get it off air but Sega (major funder of the show) pulled a lot of money out and the show noticeably suffers from it. The extra movies are just a proper ending, how the last episodes were supposed to go, with a lot more action.
 
#19
Kwesi said:
Yay, a topic for me!

YES! I could not possibly reccomend Ghost In The Shell, specifically the Stand Alone Complex series' and movies, enough. Absolutely fantastic stuff. The stories are interesting, thought provoking and the writing is phenomenal. I don't know whether you prefer your anime subbed or dubbed but the hats off to whoever localized GITS: SAC because it's easily among the best dubs out there. Everything sounds so natural, almost as if it was written in the west.

I'd also suggest Code Geass: Lelouche of the Rebellion. It doesn't completely eschew anime tropes but the story is, in my opinion, very original and more than worth a watch. Part of what I like about it is that it shows that no matter how much power a person has, they can still make mistakes and that their power and influence only magnifies those mistakes. Too many anime have this idea that the protagonist must be flawless when it comes around to business time (e.g., he could be a peeping tom but he'll never fail when it comes time to stand up for what's right). The dub isn't terrible but it's not up there with GITS.

Witchblade. If you've seen any advertisements for this series, forget them now because I guarantee that whatever conclusions you may have come to are wrong, haha. It's heavy on the fanservice but swear, beyond that, it's not at all what you would expect. It's a really powerful story. I know more than a handful of folks that shed a few tears at the end.

Welcome to the NHK, while often fun and funny is a much more serious take on the life of a shut-in. I wouldn't go so far as to call it a psychological anime but there are more than a few intelligent issues that are approached and actually talk about between the characters without feeling forced which was great. As sociable as I can be, I'm firmly in the introvert camp so this hit home for me.

Speed Grapher isn't particularly amazing but the story is dark and well done. A lot of focus on the consequences of actions.

Can't help but throw in BECK: Mongolian Chop Squad. Probably the most lighthearted of my suggestions but it's cool to see an anime about the life of a band.
Click to expand...

+1 for code geass. Has someone mentioned claymore? It's very dark. If gore is off limits then it's a no-no. But then you have watched elfen lied already.
 
#20
Oh! Left out one that I haven't seen but it's been on my list for a while now. Now Then, Here and There, from what I hear, is a really great series. Basically everyone who's suggested said that it left them speechless and in tears. Its starts off light but gets really dark, really quick in dealing with the consequences of war.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back