*Neon Genesis Evangelion, of course. *Witch Hunter Robin isn't bad at all (chorus of the opening theme in my sig, btw <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif'><!--endemo-->) *If you're looking for, well, a soap-opera anime partially set in feudal Japan and partially set in modern Japan, try Fushigi Yuugi. Not really my cup of tea, but it might be yours. *If you like long storylines with lots of details, and like sci-fi, you might want to try Crest of the Stars. It's based on a novel instead of a manga, so there's a LOT of conversation, rather than action. *For action, well developed background world, continuous storyline (other than Neon Genesis), check out Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex. It's kinda an "alternate storyline" to the movie (I prefer to think of it as "before the movie" since "alternite storylines" give me the jibblies). *For... well, absolutely anything (provided it's hillarious), have a look at Excel Saga. *If you like people getting emotional and having life-or-death dillemmas over board games (or just think it's amusing), try Hikaru no Go. *To be bored out of your mind by the lack of any depth whatsoever (unless you've got a thing for fan service), try Vandread.
<!--QuoteBegin--343_guilty_spark+Aug 22 2003, 04:47 PM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (343_guilty_spark @ Aug 22 2003, 04:47 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> BEYBLADE <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif'><!--endemo--> The high-tec spinning tops, dear god what where the makers of that smoking when they made it ? <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd--> Actually, it was to promote a product that was based on a TV show from the early 90s that had failed miserably, I think. <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif'><!--endemo-->
Here's another good one: She, The Ultimate Weapon. It's very hard to give a good idea of what it's about without spoiling anything. A synopsis would spoil the first episode, which sets things up beautifully at the right pace.
It's about a guy called Shuji and his girlfriend, Chise, who are Japanese high school students. There's a war on (possibly world war three, I haven't seen enough of it for it to be elaborated on. It's definately modern day, or slightly in the future). I would say it's about relationships, but that doesn't really do it justice. It's... brilliant. So far.
Another series, which I've only seen one episode of and looks very good, is called Last Exile. It's... you know how in the worlds of some stories they're technological but don't use electricity? Like NetStorm or Dinotopia (to give to not-very-good examples)? It's like 18th century stuff, only with metal and steam driven stuff. The culture is also kind of 18th century; the way they fight wars is for orderly rows of well-dressed soldiers to wait until the enemy comes within range before they fire at each other until one side retreats. Now imagine that taking place in the air, with gunfire exchanged between massive flying ships. As I said, I've only seen one episode, but it looks very promising.
Ever Battler Dunbine - most violent mecha ever created Zeta Gundam - one of the darkest gundam series made and considered by most fans to be the best and if you haven't seen it yet......MACROSS!
Everyone recommends Evangelion, so I'll just skip that one. It's pretty much a no-brainer, at least to see what everyone's talking about.
I have to go for Lain as well, it's a short series so it won't put your wallet out much and it's definitely worth seeing at least once to see if you'll enjoy it.
Cowboy Bebop, from what I've seen, is a pretty good series.
Finally, my favorite series of all time, Escaflowne (probably because it was my first; and no, I predate FOX by a long bit ;-P). It's a bit (dare I say it?) flowery, but it's got a lot of good action bits and is fun in its whimsical fantasy way. Basically, if you're looking for just massive bloody carnage and don't like a couple romantic subplots, stay away. Otherwise, pretty good. Also, stay away from the movie, it sucks. Although, that might just be coming from my background of loving the show (the movie is an alternate reality).
I personally would only recommend NGE to get someone into anime. It's a good starter but I think there are superiour series out there *ducks tital wave of abuse and flames* <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif'><!--endemo-->
Cowboy Bebop plus the movie is one of the best series I've ever seen (brilliant ending I believe); good action, plot and drama plus some humour. Good one to check out and it's DVDed so all the better.
Slayers: old series this, 3 seasons of 26 eps plus around 5 movies. Fantasy-magic world, accounts the life of Lina Inverse, a rather short tempered incredibly powerful sorceress. Great series although the animation is starting to look dated. Never ever watch the dubs.
Ranma: if you can track it down it's great for a laugh. Started back in the 80's and is based on a manga series that was originally started as a joke. Quite a few Japanese culture referances in there so it's best watched with a bit of knowledge about Japan. Find the subs if you can; the dubs are annoying <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif'><!--endemo-->
Full Metal Panic is quite a good series I found, although a little hard to explain. Quite serious, involves a government agency that is sent to protect a high school girl from international terrorists. Sounds whacked but it's quite good.
Trigun is always a good choice for a laugh and serious plot/drama.
Hellsing is a new anime that's damn good, accounts a vampire who is used by an anti-vampire/undead agency to hunt other vampires. Very good series that is out on DVD.
Check out the Tenchi Muyo OVAs, where my nick comes from, they're quite good. The TV series Tenchi Universe isn't as good unless you like cabbits <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif'><!--endemo-->
The Macross and Gundam series are quite good (except Macross 7 oh god unless you love really bad 80's rock avoid this one <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif'><!--endemo-->), both are mecha series. Gundam Seed and Macross Zero are both currently being released and both are very good. IF you can find it track down Robotech for some original 80's anime <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif'><!--endemo-->
Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex. If you've seen the Ghost in the Shell movie then this is the followup: a 52 episode TV series based around the GITS universe. Very good but it's coming in slow: won't be finished until next year some time.
X, is an "end of the world" series. Quite good, but can be a little slow and confusing. Worth a look though.
Beserk. This is simply Beserk <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif'><!--endemo--> No other way to describe it, especially the last few eps (ep 26 was banned by Japan so that gives you an idea of how screwed up it was <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif'><!--endemo-->). Accounts a very strong mercanary fighter with a sword lamost larger than he is. Be warned, very violent and the last few eps are simply mind bending.
That should do for a start <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif'><!--endemo-->
If youre into the Gundam scene check out 0080: War In the Pocket. Its a short series, but its one of the better Gundam ones, puts a good face on the people inside the war.
Hahaha...but I recommend them anyway! Hurray for Love Hina!
And Golden Boy, and Onegai Teacher (Please Teacher), and Hand Maid May, and Mahoromatic, and Dual! Parallel Universe.
On the note of Dual, all NGE fans would probably say that Dual is the worst anime out there, since it copies NGE in many aspects. However, I like Dual a lot more than NGE because of it's light-hearted nature. Blah blah don't tell me to watch NGE all over again and watch Death and Rebirth and w/e because I've seen all of it already and read a few of the mangas as well. I just don't prefer its heavy-handed plot. That's all ^_^.
I just like the comedic perverted animes. Watch them and become a perv too.
Comments
3x3 Eyes
Martian Successor Nadesico
Battle of the Planets!! (you've a choice of the extreme japanese original or the americanised lobotomy)
Filmwise - Akira, Ghost in the Shell, Macross, Macross II, Orguss, Orguss II.
Thats the most easy to find stuff, and virtually all involve some level of thought, romance, and coherent plotline.
*Witch Hunter Robin isn't bad at all (chorus of the opening theme in my sig, btw <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif'><!--endemo-->)
*If you're looking for, well, a soap-opera anime partially set in feudal Japan and partially set in modern Japan, try Fushigi Yuugi. Not really my cup of tea, but it might be yours.
*If you like long storylines with lots of details, and like sci-fi, you might want to try Crest of the Stars. It's based on a novel instead of a manga, so there's a LOT of conversation, rather than action.
*For action, well developed background world, continuous storyline (other than Neon Genesis), check out Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex. It's kinda an "alternate storyline" to the movie (I prefer to think of it as "before the movie" since "alternite storylines" give me the jibblies).
*For... well, absolutely anything (provided it's hillarious), have a look at Excel Saga.
*If you like people getting emotional and having life-or-death dillemmas over board games (or just think it's amusing), try Hikaru no Go.
*To be bored out of your mind by the lack of any depth whatsoever (unless you've got a thing for fan service), try Vandread.
The high-tec spinning tops, dear god what where the makers of that smoking when they made it ? <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
Actually, it was to promote a product that was based on a TV show from the early 90s that had failed miserably, I think. <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif'><!--endemo-->
It's about a guy called Shuji and his girlfriend, Chise, who are Japanese high school students. There's a war on (possibly world war three, I haven't seen enough of it for it to be elaborated on. It's definately modern day, or slightly in the future). I would say it's about relationships, but that doesn't really do it justice. It's... brilliant. So far.
Another series, which I've only seen one episode of and looks very good, is called Last Exile. It's... you know how in the worlds of some stories they're technological but don't use electricity? Like NetStorm or Dinotopia (to give to not-very-good examples)? It's like 18th century stuff, only with metal and steam driven stuff. The culture is also kind of 18th century; the way they fight wars is for orderly rows of well-dressed soldiers to wait until the enemy comes within range before they fire at each other until one side retreats. Now imagine that taking place in the air, with gunfire exchanged between massive flying ships. As I said, I've only seen one episode, but it looks very promising.
Just plain awesome.
Zeta Gundam - one of the darkest gundam series made and considered by most fans to be the best
and if you haven't seen it yet......MACROSS!
I have to go for Lain as well, it's a short series so it won't put your wallet out much and it's definitely worth seeing at least once to see if you'll enjoy it.
Cowboy Bebop, from what I've seen, is a pretty good series.
Finally, my favorite series of all time, Escaflowne (probably because it was my first; and no, I predate FOX by a long bit ;-P). It's a bit (dare I say it?) flowery, but it's got a lot of good action bits and is fun in its whimsical fantasy way. Basically, if you're looking for just massive bloody carnage and don't like a couple romantic subplots, stay away. Otherwise, pretty good. Also, stay away from the movie, it sucks. Although, that might just be coming from my background of loving the show (the movie is an alternate reality).
Cowboy Bebop plus the movie is one of the best series I've ever seen (brilliant ending I believe); good action, plot and drama plus some humour. Good one to check out and it's DVDed so all the better.
Slayers: old series this, 3 seasons of 26 eps plus around 5 movies. Fantasy-magic world, accounts the life of Lina Inverse, a rather short tempered incredibly powerful sorceress. Great series although the animation is starting to look dated. Never ever watch the dubs.
Ranma: if you can track it down it's great for a laugh. Started back in the 80's and is based on a manga series that was originally started as a joke. Quite a few Japanese culture referances in there so it's best watched with a bit of knowledge about Japan. Find the subs if you can; the dubs are annoying <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif'><!--endemo-->
Full Metal Panic is quite a good series I found, although a little hard to explain. Quite serious, involves a government agency that is sent to protect a high school girl from international terrorists. Sounds whacked but it's quite good.
Trigun is always a good choice for a laugh and serious plot/drama.
Hellsing is a new anime that's damn good, accounts a vampire who is used by an anti-vampire/undead agency to hunt other vampires. Very good series that is out on DVD.
Check out the Tenchi Muyo OVAs, where my nick comes from, they're quite good. The TV series Tenchi Universe isn't as good unless you like cabbits <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif'><!--endemo-->
The Macross and Gundam series are quite good (except Macross 7 oh god unless you love really bad 80's rock avoid this one <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif'><!--endemo-->), both are mecha series. Gundam Seed and Macross Zero are both currently being released and both are very good. IF you can find it track down Robotech for some original 80's anime <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif'><!--endemo-->
Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex. If you've seen the Ghost in the Shell movie then this is the followup: a 52 episode TV series based around the GITS universe. Very good but it's coming in slow: won't be finished until next year some time.
X, is an "end of the world" series. Quite good, but can be a little slow and confusing. Worth a look though.
Beserk. This is simply Beserk <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif'><!--endemo--> No other way to describe it, especially the last few eps (ep 26 was banned by Japan so that gives you an idea of how screwed up it was <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif'><!--endemo-->). Accounts a very strong mercanary fighter with a sword lamost larger than he is. Be warned, very violent and the last few eps are simply mind bending.
That should do for a start <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif'><!--endemo-->
Hahaha...but I recommend them anyway! Hurray for Love Hina!
And Golden Boy, and Onegai Teacher (Please Teacher), and Hand Maid May, and Mahoromatic, and Dual! Parallel Universe.
On the note of Dual, all NGE fans would probably say that Dual is the worst anime out there, since it copies NGE in many aspects. However, I like Dual a lot more than NGE because of it's light-hearted nature. Blah blah don't tell me to watch NGE all over again and watch Death and Rebirth and w/e because I've seen all of it already and read a few of the mangas as well. I just don't prefer its heavy-handed plot. That's all ^_^.
I just like the comedic perverted animes. Watch them and become a perv too.