It's true, though. FMA:B >>>>>>>>> FMA 2003. Brotherhood only really falters a bit in its last few episodes, but 2003 went right off the deep end way before that point.
You managed to mention most of my favorites from this decade (Hellsing Ultimate, Fate/Zero, Madoka, JoJo) and only missed Yamato 2199.
But man, fuck the new Berserk movies. They look horrendous for most of the time, the character designs are hideous and they completely butcher the plot and atmosphere of Berserk. The 1997 series is far superior.
But man, fuck the new Berserk movies. They look horrendous for most of the time, the character designs are hideous and they completely butcher the plot and atmosphere of Berserk. The 1997 series is far superior.
I had GBF in an earlier draft, but I didn't see any other Gundam series and felt weird writing about it, because I completely missed all the nods to the Gundam franchise. Best I can muster is "Co-op Mecha Beyblade."
It's not a ranking system. More or less fanservice doesn't make an anime inherently better, the points of interests are just indicators for aspects that I think interest people.
as someone who has watched very little recent stuff, most of what you listed seems super generic, at least visually, and i went through it at a relatively slow pace to see if something catches my attention
Well, this is certainly true. Maybe the title is a bit misleading, I chose all series for different virtues, not just the visual uniqueness. Some are quite the looker though.
Haha. This was exactly how a friend of mine got me to be interested in Gintama, by showing me the toilet battle episode, although the amazing fight scenes from the first movie really got me.
OP can you add categories for "are there robots in this" and "do characters do that floating anime sweat drop thing"? As is this is the most useful anime review system I've ever seen (not joking) and I'm just looking to enhance it further.
Unfortunately I am feeling insecure when it comes to mecha, since I have seen very few series in that genre. I don't think I currently am able to give a fitting estimate.
I could work with the sweat drop. TV Tropes has a category named Manga Effects, I could do that.
KLK had a nice beginning, but it disappointed me, because the mid part seemed like Trigger was struggling to remember what to do with the story, the pacing was a mess.
No, I don't think the blood in Hellsing Ultimate looked fine, but I think Golden Age looked good. Most of the time. CGI anime are not yet there, but they're getting closer.
To my greatest shame I couldn't get me to like Penguindrum or Yuri Kuma Arashi. I know, a lot of people love them, but I left both head scratching early on.
Most of those I still need to watch, but Eden of the East and Nagi no Asukara aren't in there because they disappointed me. The two movies killed my interest in EotE and Nagi no Asukara chickening out left me bleak. Could've been so much more.
Toradora and Spice and Wolf are worth some thoughts tho. Thank you!
Kids in the Slope was dropped by me, because of something with the romance and I never heard of that Bakumatsu anime before (I assume you're not talking about Bakumatsu Rock). Sounds interesting, maybe I give it a shot.
Agreed, 2 is too few, I up it to 3, mainly because of Komugi and the things that happen in the Ant Arc. I didn't feel like Yorkshin was that much suffering.
To my greatest shame I couldn't get me to like Penguindrum or Yuri Kuma Arashi. I know, a lot of people love them, but I left both head scratching early on.
I actually didn't get into Yuri Kuma Arashi that much heh. Maybe I should give it another go, but I don't know. While it has some of the nice charm and insane-ness that Penguindrum has, it just didn't click with me. Like maybe the characters weren't as appealing as those in Penguindrum, which they became so just about right off the bat really. Probably the pacing too had issues so quickly for YKA.
Excellent work OP. Thank you so much for all the helpful summaries and info. Will definitely check out some of those in the near future.
However, I have to vehemently disagree with your throwaway comment about the original Fullmetal Alchemist. I think it is an absolute masterpiece in it's own way and should definitely be watched. Yes, Brotherhood is the canon, but the original series has a deliciously dark story that really unfolds in a unique way. Love both series equally for different reasons and I feel everyone should really watch them.
It's not a ranking system. More or less fanservice doesn't make an anime inherently better, the points of interests are just indicators for aspects that I think interest people.
Aku no Hana is a masterpiece, visually and in direction. People bashed the rotoscoping as ugly and stupid, but it's visually unique, consistent by frame, and beautifully smooth in animation.
Also, wow at those Berserk shots. I tend to feel like FMA: Brotherhood (like Berserk new) vs. FMA '03 (like Berserk old) is really similar to that in terms of wonky frames and inconsistent facial animation vs. detail and consistency.
...the fanservice and moe ratings on these things are actually really useful to me. I'm serious, I'm not joking, they're giving me sort of a safety indicator of what I'd be comfortable checking out
...the fanservice and moe ratings on these things are actually really useful to me. I'm serious, I'm not joking, they're giving me sort of a safety indicator of what I'd be comfortable checking out
That would lead you sway from Gurren Lagann due to the fanservice rating (unless you are looking for a combo of the two), so it's not perfect. You really have to absorb the full review.
I actually really like this rating system and have added a few things to my watchlist as a result.
I hate to say it but anything that scored a 4+ star rating in the Suffering dept. got an instant add.
That would lead you sway from Gurren Lagann due to the fanservice rating (unless you are looking for a combo of the two), so it's not perfect. You really have to absorb the full review.
Seriously, though, OP, thanks for this list. I haven't wanted to watch an anime for a couple years now, but this list gave me plenty of titles to look over, especially Kafka.
Gotta say, Guts looks better, but I can accept that, since he is still young in Golden Age. Waiting for the newly announced series to come to pass. Griffith on the other hand looks better in the movie version, just from these two shots. He is supposed to look handsome and human.
I sadly didn't got into it, but lately I am watching all the KyoAni shows I ignored and Hyouka will be part of that. Chitandas eyes are really something.
However, I have to vehemently disagree with your throwaway comment about the original Fullmetal Alchemist. I think it is an absolute masterpiece in it's own way and should definitely be watched. Yes, Brotherhood is the canon, but the original series has a deliciously dark story that really unfolds in a unique way. Love both series equally for different reasons and I feel everyone should really watch them.
Okay, good points. I change that part. I guess the movie just got on my feet too much, that I forgot the unique take on Wrath. Thanks for the feedback!
You managed to mention most of my favorites from this decade (Hellsing Ultimate, Fate/Zero, Madoka, JoJo) and only missed Yamato 2199.
But man, fuck the new Berserk movies. They look horrendous for most of the time, the character designs are hideous and they completely butcher the plot and atmosphere of Berserk. The 1997 series is far superior.
The movies are a essentially a music video version of Golden Age with a light skinned Caska and a half ass take on Guts. I can't condone that thing either.
Yes, more people need to watch Sword of the Stranger!!
I agree with the posts recommending Kids on a Slope, it's great. Also, i noticed the omission of that anime about the astronaut brothers? (Space Brothers i think?)
You should throw up a general rec for Nihon Animator Mihonichi shorts, which are some of the most inventive, beautiful, bizarre, and creative short animated film I think I've ever seen (though granted I haven't gotten through the Genius Party anthologies which are supposed to be even more trippy).
So it gets better after Nise? It kinda made me uncomfortable but Kaiki was great. Bake was amazing but Nise...it was probably just couple of scenes though.
So it gets better after Nise? It kinda made me uncomfortable but Kaiki was great. Bake was amazing but Nise...it was probably just couple of scenes though.
Wow, wtf happened with Berserk's style in the movies? Who thought it was a good idea to go with really sparse looking 3d models? Is it cheaper to produce that way?
