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[yn-neko hates a cat]

A Less Cynical List

First, here are some good resources:
AniDB.net - Great resource and tool for just about all technical information you'd want to know about an anime
Anime-Planet - Recomendation engine that's often right in supprising ways. Good if you want to capture a feeling of anime while crossing genre lines. Great discovery tool if you are starting out.

If you want things steeped in mystical fantasy with an ancient feel (I'll warn you, the stories and quality in the following animes may ruin other anime for you... do them last if you can):

• Juuni Kokuki (The Twelve Kingdoms) - 45 Episodes
• Seirei no Moribito (Guardian of the Spirit) - 26 Episodes
• Kemono no Souja Erin (Erin) - 50 Episodes
• Saiunkoku Monogatari (Colour Cloud Palace) - 39 (S1) + 39 (S2) Episodes
• Rurouni Kenshin: Tsuioku Hen (Samurai X: Trust & Betrayal) - 4 Episodes

Futuristic Sci-Fi Inspired

• Top o Nerae! (Gunbuster) - 6 Episodes
• Crest of the Stars [and also Banner of the Stars] - 4 Series
• Casshern Sins - 24 Episodes
• KURAU Phantom Memory - 24 Episodes
• Ghost in the Shell [TV series is also really good] - Movie

Hot Robot Action!

• Gurren Lagann - 27 Episodes
• Neon Genesis Evangelion - 26 Episodes
• Argento Soma - 25 Episodes
• Votom Series ["Armored Trooper Votoms: The Brilliant Heretic" is the best least-dated in the series]
• Mazinkaizer SKL [just watch for the awesome opening the full series is an aquired taste cornball fest (it's awesome!)] - 3 Episodes

Sorry the list is a mess. There's so many I want to put on here but I refrained from putting only my top picks. I put in episode counts because I lean on long form stories more than quick bites. There is an entire genre I love I didn't put on here because they tend to be too slow for new-comers but look into "Slice-of-life" animes if you're curious

 

[Beats]

you're right, its more like 15 years



:lolol

What anime have you watched from the last 15 years to make you think that?

 

[The Lamp]

So you like story?

Monster and Death Note.

 

[Boaty McBoatface]

Cowboy Bebop. Except that it's all downhill from there.

 

[Jex]

Also, I thought threads of this nature had stopped being created? I guess this is because the main Anime thread is now in Community which is a land that some people no longer visit.

Now I am going to have to go update my spreadsheet.

 

[Triple Oceans]

I'm impressed. I came into this thread expecting to find Bleach posted somewhere but didn't. Looks like GAF knows its anime.

 

[YAWN]

I'm impressed. I came into this thread expecting to find Bleach posted somewhere but didn't. Looks like GAF knows its anime.

Some are posting Fairy Tail and generic moe shit.

Anyway, Samurai Champloo is my favourite anime of all time. Every episode is great, and the finale is spectacular both animation, action, and story wise. All the protagonists are likeable, deals with real world issues, and a also has some nice historic references if your interested. Also introduced me to Nujabes, which introduced me to Luv Sic, which is some of the best damn music I've heard.
Can't recommend it enough.

 

[terrdactycalsrock]

Samurai Champloo is on netflix and is pretty good. The same goes for Initial D

 

[Kikarian]

Black Lagoon as a first.

 

[CriterionDog]

Sgt. Frog lol

 

[Typographenia]

Also, I thought threads of this nature had stopped being created? I guess this is because the main Anime thread is now in Community which is a land that some people no longer visit.

Now I am going to have to go update my spreadsheet.

Just compile all of your loose, one-off anime threads into the official "anime recommendation thread," and it will solve all our problems.

 

[KillGore]

Best anime ever: One Piece

Other amazing anime:

Death Note
Full Metal Alchemist Brotherhood
Yu Yu Hakusho
Trigun
Cowboy Bebop
Toriko
Naruto
Bleach
Katekyo Hitman Reborn!
and so much more

 

[Jex]

Just compile all of your loose, one-off anime threads into the official "anime recommendation thread," and it will solve all our problems.

I thought I already had. Or rather, I compiled all the threads of these sort:

Anime "Masterpieces" http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=46543 (05-10-2005)

What is your favourite anime? (and your favourite anime ost?) http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=131832 (12-02-2006)

Recommend me some anime gems from the 80's http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=153075-(04-29-2007)

NeoGaf Top Anime Results http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=173356 (07-22-2007)

Please reccomend samurai anime (and movies!) http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=174559 (07-26-2007)

Anime GAF, need suggestions on fighting anime http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=234350 (01-31-2008)

What was your "Gateway" Anime?
http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=235213 (02-03-2008)

Any anime similar to Eureka Seven?
http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=235769 (02-05-2008)

Any good War Anime?
http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=268150 (04-01-2008)

Anime Recommendation http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=271908 (04-06-2008 )

Help me Anime fans! http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=310219 (06-10-2008)

best anime series for young and old http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=330155 (08-05-2008)

Anime recommendations wanted. http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=331749 (08-18-2008)

Need Anime related help http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=340740&highlight=anime (11-01-2008 )

Anime-Age Recommend me some http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=344223 (12-04-2008)

Anime with recurring cute animals? http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=345117 (12-11-2008)

I want more gritty 80's non fan service noncomedic anime http://neogaf.net/forum/showthread.php?t=347062 (12-28-2008)


The retro, classic, nostalgic, unmissable anime list thread http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=347831 (01-05-2009)


What are you top 3 anime series (not anime movies)? http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=350021 (01-24-2009)

anime with real impressive animation? http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=361207 (05-10-2009)

recommend me a badass anime movie http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=361712 (05-15-2009 - 2:04 AM )

New to Anime, where to start? http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=361815&highlight=neogaf+anime+list (05-15-2009), 09:59 PM

Getting back into anime http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=369438 (07-27-2009)

Non-furry-catgirl-loli-kawaii-teardrops anime recommendations? http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=371386 (08-16-2009)

LTTP: Cowboy Bebop ( AKA BEST ANIME EVAR!!) http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=372643 (08-29-2009)

The Official Gundam Thread of Gunpla, Unicorns, and 30 Years of GUNDAMUUUU!
http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=373941 (09-11-2009)

What is your top 10 anime? http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=385281 (01-19-2010 )

Anime is overwhelming, where to start? http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=386460 (02-02-2010)

I adore Howls Moving Castle! Recommend me other Anime Movies http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?p=19716321 (02-09-2010)

Recommend me some anime http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?p=19946986 (02-23-2010)

Recommend Adult Anime TV Shows http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=390100 (03-13-2010)

Looking for anime to watch, but http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=396119 (05-23-2010)


Need a Summer Anime series to watch http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=396281 (05-25-2010)


sci-fi animes like gist !? http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=398569 (05-16-2010), 08:27 PM

MAN-ime Thread http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=401006 (07-13-2010)

did i watch all the great animes ?!
http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=406395 (09-06-2010)

Netflix best animes?
http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=409911 (10-11-2010)

Blu-Ray & Anime suggestion time! http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=411877 (11-02-2010)

Gaf, I need anime that is… http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=414788 (12-03-2010)

Lesser known Anime from the 2000's: Because they still make great anime http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=414748 (12-03-2010)

What's with the lack of anime on Blu-Ray? http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=414968 (12-05-2010)

I am in the mood for an Anime-Movie.
http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=416963 (12-26-2010)

Favorite Video-Game/Anime Soundtracks?
http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=388219 (02-21-2011)

anime suggestions
http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=424795 (03-19-2011)

Like DBZ/One Piece/Bleach/Naruto/etc? The battle manga/anime mega list
http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=427475 (04-15-2011)

Anime movies that aren't Sci-Fi or Fantasy?
http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=447023 (10-01-2011)

Best anime on Hulu right now?
http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=440556 (08-11-2011)

[Anime] Best Soundtracks
http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=449282 (10-21-2011)

Golden Age Anime Thread….List them!
http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=450421 (10-31-2011)

 

[Korosenai]

Hunter x hunter

 

[Kilrogg]

I see so many recommendations for Baccano!, yet when I saw the first two episodes I found some characters to be unbelievably annoying and obnoxious, most notably the couple (Mirria and whatever his name was) and Jacuzzi 'I'm-afraid-of-everything' Splot. Be it in English or Japanese I just couldn't stand them. Does the show really get going from episode 3? Do those characters tone it down?

 

[Chibits12]

For the beginners there is only one anime you should watch:

Fist of the North Star

 

[Mumei]

Oh, you fans of MONSTER.

For what it's worth, I did like two of the characters in the show. I've also been told the manga is far better, but I don't know that I care enough to further investigate it.

It is essentially identical; the main difference is that the pacing problems (if the deliberateness bothers you) aren't noticeable in the manga.

 

[survivor]

These shows have been mentioned before but I'd like to repeat the recommendation because of how awesome they are

The holy trinity of anime of the past 10 years: Mononoke, Trapeze, and Tsuritama. All shows directed by the awesome Nakamura Kenji

 

[Kite]

I see so many recommendations for Baccano!, yet when I saw the first two episodes I found some characters to be unbelievably annoying and obnoxious, most notably the couple (Mirria and whatever his name was) and Jacuzzi 'I'm-afraid-of-everything' Splot. Be it in English or Japanese I just couldn't stand them. Does the show really get going from episode 3? Do those characters tone it down?

Nope, many people seem to love the show's over the top bloody fighting and hyper characters hopped up on sugar and crack. If is a quality show of that type but not my cup of tea since I don't get the Japanese comedy of people taking really fast and doing outrageous things.

 

[Typographenia]

It is essentially identical; the main difference is that the pacing problems (if the deliberateness bothers you) aren't noticeable in the manga.

It wasn't that the pacing bothered me, but I feel the series could have been half the length and MONSTER would have been much more palatable/effective. The things that bothered me more were

Spoiler

Dr. Tenma and Nina constantly flip-flopping the parts of "I HAVE TO DO THIS" "DON'T DO THIS, YOU'RE A GOOD PERSON" and the primary antagonist never quite living up to the hype of everything he was said to be capable of. I felt like what I was being told never matched up to what I saw.

 

[Necrovex]

It wasn't that the pacing bothered me, but I feel the series could have been half the length and MONSTER would have been much more palatable/effective. The things that bothered me more were

Spoiler

Dr. Tenma and Nina constantly flip-flopping the parts of "I HAVE TO DO THIS" "DON'T DO THIS, YOU'RE A GOOD PERSON" and the primary antagonist never quite living up to the hype of everything he was said to be capable of. I felt like what I was being told never matched up to what I saw.

Spoiler

Choosing to kill someone is not exactly a walk in the park for one's mind. Tenma and Nina are moral people. If they never doubted themselves and only had a one-track mind to kill Johan, these characters would be truly meh worthy. The moral dilemma they both faced only made Monster better.

 

[Jibbajabbawockky]

I've only watched one anime series in my life and its the best ever: Nichijou.

Because it has stuff like this:

And people wrestling deer:

 

[Kilrogg]

Nope, many people seem to love the show's over the top bloody fighting and hyper characters hopped up on sugar and crack. If is a quality show of that type but not my cup of tea since I don't get the Japanese comedy of people taking really fast and doing outrageous things.

Okay. Thing is, I can usually stand that kind of comedy and even like it in some cases, but there's just something wrong about having this classy show with jazz and charismatic characters, and then those characters act like they're clinically insane and/or retarded. Mirria and her bf's gold-digging scene at the beginning of episode 2 is annoying beyond belief to me. The juxtaposition of this kind of universe with that kind of humor just freaks me out, and I'm honestly surprised to read everywhere that the show is unanimously praised by critics. Was it a commercial success anyway?

 

[Necron]

I recommend:

1. Monster
2. Death Note
3. Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion

 

[dark_inferno]

Here is my recommendations :
1.Cowboy Bebop
2.Death Note
3.Welcome to NHK
4.FLCL

Then you can watch whatever you like. The list is only for getting into Animes. Not that you should like them or whatever but they are helping you getting into serious/violent/social/funny/mechaction/action animes. Also they are good for people from the west.

 

[dmr87]

I'll just ramble my favorites, use www.anidb.net for your research.

Death Note
Claymore
Fate Stay Night
Fate Zero
Elfen Lied
Black Lagoon
Ergo Proxy
Fullmetal Alchemist
Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood
Berserk
Hellsing
Wolfs Rain
Naruto (non-filler)
Ghost in the Shell

 

[Acid08]

Gurren Lagann will teach you what it means to succeed.

 

[Pandaman]

Yo.

Don't listen to these plebs. [unless they agree with me]

Haibane renmei
Serial experiments lain
kino's journey
black lagoon
rozen maiden
hellsing ultimate
Gurren Lagann
Azumanga Daioh
bakemonogatari
Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei
Utawarerumono
Clannad
Kanon
Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt
spice and wolf
Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha
Dennou coil
Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood
Ghost in the shell
Gunslinger girl
Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya
Baccano
Higurashi no Naku Koro ni
ARIA


Trust me.

 

[Complex Shadow]

bakemonogatari

 

[meltingparappa]

So this thread may now be a literal list of 90% of all anime ever created, with each poster recommending or anti-recommending (even Cowboy Bebop, inexplicably) every single one.

Best of luck sifting through it all, OP.

 

[Jex]

Trust me.

Trustworthy people don't need to say this

 

[Remyzero]

Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya...Cromartie High School

And Welcome to the NHK

 

[Pandaman]

Trustworthy people don't need to say this

Who could say 'No' to a face like this.

 

[Persona7]

Welcome to the NHK.

 

[Typographenia]

Who could say 'No' to a face like this.

 

[Jex]

Nothing from 2012? What the hell have you been doing for a whole year?!

NeoGAF got it's ability to search the whole database back and I discovered many, many more thread of this nature which I couldn't be bothered to add to the list. Yet.

 

[Windam]

Gundam is definitely my favourite anime series. Watch the movie trilogy of MSG, then 0083 Stardust Memory, Zeta (I'd recommend the show over the movie trilogy in this case, though it can be very slow and jarring at times), Char's Counterattack, and Unicorn. Can't speak for ZZ as I've never seen it, but those Universal Century titles are amazing. Also, FullMetal Alchemist and FullMetal Alchemist Brotherhood are amazing.

 

[Kusagari]

I would love to see an honest reaction to someone watching Bakemonogatari as one of their first anime.

They would probably never watch another anime.

 

[Linkhero1]

I just started watching Samurai Champloo and I'm loving it so far. The music is amazing. Give it a shot.

 

[Pandaman]

Moe perfected anime.

Truer words have never been spoken.

 

[Hellion]

MUST WATCH'
Cowboy Bebop
FLCL
AKIRA
Fist of the north star
Vampire hunter D
Ninja Scroll
Princess Mononoke
Berserk
Hellsing Ultimate
Black Lagoon
FMA Brotherhood
Trigun
Elfen Lied
Wolfs Rain
BIG-O

AND THEN ANIME DIED

 

[Hellion]

I thought the idea was to make the OP want to continue to watch anime?

Is there a Inuyasha abridged?

 

[monchi-kun]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzY6Y-AHEaw

Kids on the Slope

 

[Jex]

I suppose that Reveirg could just take all the anime suggestions in this thread, count up how many times each time a show has been recommended and then start with the most popular titles.

Of course, that's very, er, unscientific but sometimes crowd sourcing in that manner can be very helpful I don't think there's any other way to handle all these recommendations anyway. You either follow the advice of a critic whose tastes you trust or you can try and go with the crowd.

 

[Loona]

Watch the movie trilogy of MSG

I was getting worried about the lack of mentions of this - it's referenced so often in several other works (think Japanese Star Wars) yet held up the test of time well give or take the odd aesthetic detail that everyone with some interest in anime should give it a look.
I saw it years after Evangelion, and it was amazing how much in that series had been done here before.

Also, Evangelion tends to be worth it, it does some things its predecessors did, but what it does of its own it does very well.

If after these the idea that "mecha anime", at least the good kind, isn't actually about the mechs but the character interactions, with the bots being there mostly to make the show marketable, watch Dai-Guard.

Once that notion's sunk in, you're probably ready for the grand champion by the original Gundam's team after that show was done:

Space Runaway Ideon

As an introductory dose, you're better off sticking with the movies, "A Contact" (mostly replaces the series, which it abriges changing a few things) and "Be Invoked" (grand finale not really covered by the series). This has been officially stated as an inspiration for Evangelion, yet it has a feel much of its own.


After you've watched a few more shows, you might be ready to enjoy:

* Excel Saga
Each episode parodies something, anime is invariably included)

* Genshiken
About fans of anime, games and whatnot, excels in character interactions, but understanding the references it makes helps the enjoyment)

* Abenobashi Mahou Shotengai
Like Excel Saga, its episodes tend to parody different kinds of fiction, so understanding a few anime references helps, but it's actually about transcending your focus on fiction toward dealing with real life issues, it's something of a pearl that could use more attention.

 

[Row]

golden boy

 

[meltingparappa]

I would be fascinated to know what someone new to anime would think of Evangelion. It's a got a lot of pretty subversive post-modern twists on the mecha shows that came before it, and that's a huge part of it's charm.

But I guess by cultural osmosis of robot anime tropes in general, it's probably still effective and really interesting on its own right.

(MAKE IT ONE OF THE FIRST FEW YOU WATCH, OP)

 

[Kikarian]

I suppose that Reveirg could just take all the anime suggestions in this thread, count up how many times each time a show has been recommended and then start with the most popular titles.

Of course, that's very, er, unscientific but sometimes crowd sourcing in that manner can be very helpful I don't think there's any other way to handle all these recommendations anyway. You either follow the advice of a critic whose tastes you trust or you can try and go with the crowd.

The only possible way really.

 

[Extollere]

Several good recommendations in this thread, but I'm sad to see Escaflowne left out of so many lists. I never watched this classic show, and I just finished the series for the first time. I wrote a silly little thing for it too over in the Anime thread, so check it out of you want to know my feelings about it.

For beginners I also recommend:

Cowboy Bebop
Code Geass
Gurren Lagann
Baccano!
Samura Champloo
Gunbuster
JoJo's Bizarre Adventure 2012 (currently airing)

Those are all easy entry points, and should prove to be highly enjoyable and very accessible. After that I'd recommend Dennou Coil and Spice & Wolf.

 

[Reuenthal]

Monster
Legend of Galactic Heroes
Death Note
Serei no Moribito
Gungrave
Berserk
Planetes
Samurai Champloo
Escaflowne
Paranoia Agent
FMA Brotherhood
Trigun

All these are quite good, I especially love the first two.