×
  • remind me tomorrow
  • remind me next week
  • never remind me
Subscribe to the ANN Newsletter • Wake up every Sunday to a curated list of ANN's most interesting posts of the week. read more
Seen all Rating Comment
5 Centimeters Per Second (movie) Excellent Anything by Makoto Shinkai is beautiful
Angel Beats! (TV) Masterpiece A sincerely touching and moving anime. A beautiful combination of comedy and tragedy
anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day (TV) Masterpiece A great anime about loss and grief, growing up, change and nostalgia; truly emotional and well written.
Ashita no Nadja (TV) Good
Attack on Titan (TV) Excellent
Azumanga Daioh (TV)
Baccano! (TV)
Berserk (TV 1997) Good
Black Lagoon (TV) Good
Bleach (TV) Very good Despite the huge number of episodes, Bleach is a show which is very easy to watch and enjoy with Ichigo being a very relatable and likeable main character. There are very good and dynamic fights (as expected), a degree of pleasant humour, strong character development, and the occasional really good emotive moment in there. Bleach is obviously aiming at a wide audience and has something to suit a huge range of individuals. And the fillers are not as good as the main plot, and may be slightly tiresome to watch. But unlike Naruto, are not unbearable and are worth watching.
Blue Exorcist (TV) Very good
Bodacious Space Pirates (TV)
Bunny Drop (TV) Excellent The show targets a very unique topic in the anime world, the responsibilities of parenthood, and does it really well. I love the relationship and dynamic between Daikichi and Rin, both of which are relatable and realistic characters. This is one of the very few animes based simply on real everyday life and it's problems; glossed throughout in a childish pen, it explores adult issues that many parents face, like the sacrifices and struggles of raising a child. It is amusing, adorable and a joy to watch.
Cardcaptor Sakura (TV) Good
Chobits (TV)
Clannad (TV) Excellent A breathe-taking anime, certainly one of my favourites, if not my favourite. However you do have to be slightly patient with it as it takes a while to set up the story, but the start is by no means unbearable and I still found it a pleasure to watch. The range and depth of emotions Clannad takes you through is unbelievable and well worth it being watched. It builds up and delivers where it needs to. Clannad after story has to be the better half of the anime, but I found Clannad to be a very good and moving anime to watch by itself. And I would have been satisfied if it were a stand alone anime. It is not the usual fast paced, action packed anime you tend to find, and if you are looking for that there are plenty to choose from. But if you want a heart-felt, moving storyline which is beautifully written and truly meaningful, you should certainly watch Clannad. It would suit the taste of many, if given a chance. If watched properly from start to end, the decision will not be regretted and it will be time well spent.
Clannad After Story (TV) Masterpiece After Clannad, this is where the anime really gets moving and takes you through the range and depths of emotion it wants to focus on. Very few anime stay this good for so long. It is funny, moving, mysterious and tragic all at once. It builds on themes already introduced in Clannad and the last half truly reinforces the message and storyline. This is one of the very few shows that has made me shed tears, and I know I will not be the only one. Like the first season, if you want a rare anime that you will truly remember afterwards; that will inspire and move you like no other anime or show has ever done, this is the anime to watch. I have tried to say what I can, but I cannot put in words what a masterpiece this is, you just have to watch it yourself.
Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion (TV) Masterpiece
Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion R2 (TV) Masterpiece A great and fast-moving storyline which has an excellent emotive narrative.
Cowboy Bebop (TV) Very good A classic highly acclaimed must-watch anime. They are many things I like which deserve my very good rating but some bits let it down from the best ratings. So first the good bits. Episode 5 (ballad of fallen of angels) and the last two episodes were pretty damn good and worth watching. With some other episodes, especially those linked to these episodes, being enjoyable. The main cast (except Ed, who does serve his purpose of comic relief well) are all well-shaped. Each are distinct, have a complex past, are down to earth and quite cool. The English dub is phenomenal and is the standard all others compare to, with all the main cast, and nearly all the supporting cast, having done a great job. The art style is good and animation is fluid as water, especially for the time it was made and considering it was all done using cell animation is staggering. And Yoko Kano's music is beautiful throughout, especially in the ballad of the fallen angels and the last two episodes. Overall these gave it my very good rating and my must-watch recommendation. I would advice starting on episode 5 then watching episode 6 and then starting from the beginning in the usual order. What I did not like was the episodic nature, quite a lot of the episodes and a lack of character development. All the episodes mentioned, and any scenes related to them, were good, but I personally do not like episodic shows as episodes are hit-or-miss. Some I liked, but a lot of the episodes I did not. I understand these episodes are required to get to know the characters more and relate to them; but a lot of the episodes seemed extremely slow-paced, especially at the start where it was excruciating to watch and only begins to get good at episode 5. Which is why I recommend the order I advice, as most people would be switched of before it gets interesting. Additionally I like shows where the characters change and develop over time on the back-drop of an evolving and well-linked story line; and this lacked both of these in my opinion. The characters, although fleshed out, hardly change or develop at all. The episodes are stand-alone and very loosely linked, meaning I am never excited to watch the next episode, and most episodes do not add anything to character or overall storyline and can easily be missed. But despite this, if you have not watched it I would recommend you try it and watch ballad of the fallen angels and see for yourself.
Cross Game (TV) Masterpiece I have never been a fan of any sport, let alone one I have never watched; but I decided to give cross games a chance and I certainly do not regret the decision. The show is a delight from start to finish. The characters (even the supporting ones) are complex, relatable and well-fleshed out; the rapport and chemistry between them being really good, with Ko and Aouba stealing the show. You grow to become attached to the characters, and it is pleasurable being able to spend time in their company and explore them. The storyline is engaging and thoroughly enjoyable, with really strong emotional content. Everything is done in such a masterfully subtle way that nothing is overdone but everything is understood, with even moments of silence being packed with emotion. The show is perfectly balanced; the baseball is never overused, their being frequent breaks between playing, but is there enough to be exciting and help the show along in it's best moments; with all games being intelligent and edge-of-the-seat engrossing even for non-sports fans (and no prior knowledge is required to understand it). The show triumphs in story telling; a beautiful, heartfelt series. The artwork takes a while to get used to, and is far from the best anime can offer, but suits the style of the show once watched enough. And the music is good and suits the show well, but is nothing more than above average. However these are small misgivings in comparison as I cannot recommend this anime enough. Regardless of your opinion on sports, you should not let the sport element or the artwork make you miss this amazing anime.
D.Gray-man (TV) Very good
D.N.Angel (TV) Good
Darker than Black (TV) Very good
Darker than Black - Kuro no Keiyakusha: Gaiden (OAV) Very good
Darker than Black: Gemini of the Meteor (TV) Very good
Death Note (TV) Very good
(The) Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya (movie) Excellent I was never a die-hard Haruhi fan, but I found this to be one of my all time favourite anime movies. The first (television) season was good but overrated. The first two episodes of the second season were well done, but after that it went downhill. The so called "endless eight" arc was annoying and I did not hesitate to fast-forward most of it to the end of episode 9. With the episodes following, although still needed to understand the movie (the scene with the cat), were badly written and could have been done much better. So after watching two seasons I believed it impossible for something that followed to be anything more than mediocre at best; oh, how wrong I was. This movie, continuing with the plot, has a completely different feel than the television series, and greatly benefits from this. The plot has a lot more substance (rather than the "play a baseball game or the world will end" storyline typically found in the television series), with the stark contrast between the two being in it's favour. And their is a lot more introspection found in the movie. And, finally, their is character development! One of the problems I had with the original was that none of the characters actually changed over time. But here one of the most static characters in the original, Yuki Nagato, changed a lot to become a, quite cute, shy little girl. It was refreshing. But the character that developed the most was Kyon, and to see him go through an ordeal and come to a realisation was well done. The animation from Kyoto was excellent, not surprising considering the big budget, and the music subtly set the mood just right. Overall, with the great plot, character devlolment, better atmosphere, the movie is an excellent watch. The only negatives I can see is the length, but never a dull moment, and the fact that to understand parts of it and appreciate it you have had to watch the first two seasons. So yes, although I may get some criticism, this movie has made me into a Haruhi fan. But I would urge anyone, even those who did not like the original two seasons, to watch it.
Eden of the East (TV)
ef: a tale of melodies (TV) Excellent
ef: a tale of memories (TV) Excellent
Elfen Lied (TV) Good
ERASED (TV)
Fate/Zero (TV 2)
Fruits Basket (TV 1/2001) Good
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood (TV) Excellent
(The) Future Diary (TV) Excellent
Gakuen Alice (TV) Decent
Gankutsuou: The Count of Monte Cristo (TV) Excellent
(The) Garden of Sinners (movie series) Excellent Extremely violent and at times disturbing, but it is definitely worth a watch and is at times touching. And is a worthwhile series of anime movies to watch. There is graphic rape, bloody dismemberment and a lot of violence in general; but these should not put you off or be used to generically judge what kind of anime this is. The characters are all interesting and likeable in many ways and will appeal to most people. The story is interesting, engaging and fascinating; focusing a lot on the mystery and delving into philosophy but still having a lot of scenes (such as awesome action and gore scenes) to keep viewers interested. The animation and visuals, even compared to movie standards, is consistently amazing throughout all the movies. And the musical score also deserves praise as it contains some of Yuki Kajiura's best, and some of my most favourite tracks. The series is not perfect, no series ever is, but it is really up there as one of the shining examples of what anime can do. However is difficult for those new to it to get into because of its format; seven movies which are not in chronological order, and each movie not being self contained and requiring the rest to fully understand what is going on. And this takes a lot of commitment, as you have start knowing you have to watch all of the movies before truly appreciating it for what it is. However the effort will certainly be rewarded. The non-chronological order may seem like a waste of time, but it is worth following, as you lose something by not watching it in that order first. The first movie creates the initial interest while the one following, the second movie, provides a lot of the character development the first movie lacked. After watching it once, then you can watch it again in chronological order. The series is not for everyone, it contains adult themes and not for those who are squeamish, but will suit the taste of most.
(The) Garden of Words (movie) Excellent Anything by Makoto Shinkai is beautiful
Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex (TV) Very good
Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex 2nd GIG (TV) Very good Ghost in the shell, both seasons, are intelligent, thought-provoking, well-written and likeable shows. Although I generally prefer subbed Animes, this is one of those Animes where the English Dub is fantastic; with all the voice actors having done a wonderful job. The show comments on the philosophy of the advancements of technology (with full-prosthetic bodies and artificial intelligence, what does it mean to be human, being one of the many themes explored) and the varied consequences of the advancements of technology with the technology mentioned in the anime being reasonably feasible in the near future. The artwork is beautiful, animation is smooth, and Yoko Kanno's music is amazing. The storyline is extremely intelligent and structured throughout both seasons. The characters are diverse and interesting, and there are some really good emotive moments. But the main reason I like the series has to be the lead character; Motoko Kusanagi or the Major. The Major is the exemplar for all strong female leads. She is extremely intelligent, strong, tough, professional and cool. And despite being mostly artificial and calculating, she is unquestionably human and watching her and her team throughout is fascinating. A lot of anime should look at The Major for inspiration for strong female leads.
Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex: Solid State Society (movie) Very good
(The) Girl Who Leapt Through Time (movie) Excellent
Golden Time (TV)
Guilty Crown (TV) Excellent
Gurren Lagann (TV) Very good After finishing, I was quite surprised to find that I really enjoyed watching this show all throughout. Although some analysis is obviously required to appreciate the show, no one, not even the creators, expect the plot and themes to be over-thought or over analysed; it is not supposed to be, it is simply fun and enjoyable to watch. The premise at times seems ridiculous (drilling a hole in the space time continuum?) but it is bold, daring, action packed and the way and style it is written in leaves little to be desired: the show simply works. The factor that makes this show a favourite among fans is that it has emotion and heart to it, which is what matters the most. So just sit back and enjoy.
Haibane Renmei (TV) Excellent This is a show for very mature and refined tastes, and certainly will not be for everyone. Anyone looking for a more traditional show should look elsewhere as there is very little traditional about it and it requires some patience, but those that do watch it will be greatly rewarded. It is a wonderfully told, well paced storyline with an agreeable cast and a unique and interesting setting. The English dub is great and the music is used skilfully as a fitting compliment, always subtly setting the scene perfectly. The story brings forth a sense of discovery, of both the environment and oneself, and delicately comments on the ideas of sin and redemption. The ideas suggest a religious symbolism, but it is barely noticeably and hardly commented upon. The show is patient and smooth, pacing the storyline in a natural way. Though it does have some strong moments, the first half is paced slower then the more interesting latter half which begins in episode 6, this slow pace may put some people of but, for me, it fit the show well. There were many mysterious left unanswered but this did not seem as important as the observing the characters through the trying storyline. And after finishing the anime the mystery seems to be a natural part of the show, allowing the viewer to make his or her own conclusions. The only problem I have with the show is that even though all of it was good, for what it was, it needed to be much longer. Overall this anime shows that sometime there is more to entertainment than simply bombast and ostentation.
Honey and Clover (TV) Very good Shows generally have an escapist nature to them, to transcend reality to experience things we normally cannot. Not this show; Honey and clover captures transience and nostalgia in one of the strongest ways I have seen so far. The show is slow-paced and makes incremental changes as it goes on, but combined with the themes and an effective execution, it is enduringly powerful. It explores temporariness, existentialism and purpose. But that is just the start. It has a sympathetic cast, shedding light on each individuals faults and complexities, and a strong script. The romance is unique in that no romance, in this season anyway, is ever fully requited. The complex romantic relations make for good character interactions. At one point a character commented on how love in books and TV are always so generally happy and idealistic, when in reality it is always far more complicated. And the script reflects on that idea. It has a heavy emphasis on self-discovery, to discover oneself. With characters questioning what they should aim for and do in life. Should they aim for success or simple contentment? And whether it is actually possible to really discover any of these answers. Overall, the anime is quite touching and I cannot wait to watch the second season.
Honey and Clover II (TV) Very good While the first season was subtle and delicate, moving forward by slow but emotional changes, this is quite different. It is the closing chapter of the anime and as a result there are big developments and irreversible changes throughout. It continues and develops all of the main ideas and themes in the first season. It still explores the ideas temporariness, existentialism, purpose of life and unrequited love. But the story is a lot more concise, with no repetitions, and builds each characters story to a climax tying up several plot lines. It is still humorous, but to a lesser extent. As a result this is a perfect sequel, as it is emotional and heart-wrenchingly powerful. All 12 episodes, from start to finish,are brimming with wonderful scenes. It is put together with such care that there is not a moment which is not beautiful. Some are truly stirring, but equally there are numerous little touches that each leave deeps scars of emotion. Overall, honey and clover II fully capitalises on its characters, and the payoffs are worth experiencing.
Hotarubi no Mori e (movie) Excellent A simple storyline with an interesting concept, but it is beautifully told. It does not make you cry or feel grand feelings. But it makes you feel nostalgic and a sort of existential zeal. With beautiful characters.
Kanon (TV 2/2006)
Kimi ni Todoke - From Me to You (TV) Very good
Kimi ni Todoke 2nd Season (TV) Very good A romantically touching show. Although the story is slightly stretched out, exploring every little facet which may be a bother, it has strong characters, a good musical score and an emotive storyline. You cannot help but sympathise for the characters getting to understand each very well, I love the openings for both seasons, and the story is well written and pieced together. The story may be frustrating at first, but the build up and anticipation is required to reach it's exquisite heights. And at times it is impossible not to be moved. It has nothing complicated or greatly new, but it is put together in such a way that makes it elegantly simple. It is gentle and poetic.
Looking Up At The Half-Moon (TV) Excellent
Love, Chunibyo & Other Delusions! (TV) Excellent
Maid Sama! (TV) Very good A wonderfully romantic and originally comedic anime. It is great, fun and light-hearted to watch.
(The) Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya (TV)
(The) Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya (TV 2009 renewal)
Mirai Nikki Redial (OAV) Very good
Mobile Suit Gundam Seed (TV) Very good
Mobile Suit Gundam Seed Destiny (TV) Very good
Monster (TV) Very good An elaborate, complex and interesting thriller of an anime. It has a strong start and is well written throughout. The explanations and backstory did seem pointlessly superfluous at times, but overall it was a good watch.
My Hero Academia (TV)
NANA (TV) Excellent NANA is a rare and unique anime which has its own special charm to it which I could not help but fall in love with. It is unlike any other anime I have watched. It is a very mature anime, which is something I do not say often; and I love the grown up themes in it. The music throughout is awesome and suits the anime exquisitely. All the characters are well fleshed out and have good emotive moments. Each character is unique and realistic and all have both pros and cons. Yes, some may be hair-pullingly frustrating but that is what makes the show good; the individual nature of the characters and their relationships between one another. It has amazing character writing and a fantastically balanced (by the side characters) look at love and friendship, something I have yet to see elsewhere. And despite being 47 episodes long, every episode is exciting and advances the plot. The only criticism I have is the end where, faithful to the manga, it just suddenly stops at the end one of the chapters. But despite this, Nana is a show I highly recommend, if at least for the experience of the roller-coaster of a ride this is.
Naruto (TV) Good
Naruto Shippūden (TV) Very good I continue to watch this as it is ongoing. But so far, although slow at times and having avoided all the fillers, it has been very good.
Neon Genesis Evangelion (TV) Good
Nodame Cantabile (TV)
Nodame Cantabile: Finale (TV)
Nodame Cantabile: Paris (TV)
Noragami (TV)
One Punch Man (TV)
Oreimo (TV)
Oreimo 2 (TV)
Ouran High School Host Club (TV) Very good
Pandora Hearts (TV) Very good
Parasyte -the maxim- (TV) Excellent
Princess Mononoke (movie) Good
Psycho-Pass (TV)
Puella Magi Madoka Magica (TV) Masterpiece
ReLIFE (TV)
Romeo × Juliet (TV) Masterpiece A true masterpiece from start to finish, simply perfect.
S.A (TV) Very good
Sailor Moon (TV) Good
Sailor Moon R (TV) Good
Sailor Moon S (TV) Good
Sailor Moon Sailor Stars (TV) Good
Sailor Moon SuperS (TV) Good
Say "I love you." (TV)
School Rumble (TV)
School Rumble Sangakki (OAV)
School Rumble: 2nd Semester (TV)
Scrapped Princess (TV) Excellent
Skip Beat! (TV)
Spice and Wolf (TV)
Spirited Away (movie) Very good
Steins;Gate (TV) Masterpiece An extremely intelligent, fairly emotional and well written anime. Definitely worth a watch.
Sword Art Online (TV) Very good
Tokyo Godfathers (movie)
Tokyo Magnitude 8.0 (TV)
Toradora! (TV) Masterpiece I truly loved watching this beautiful anime. The story is emotive, beautiful and touching. The characters are interesting, well-designed, realistic and develop well throughout the series (this is a character based show).The animation and musical score are great and compliment the series well. And the style of the writing, and the way it is timed is masterful. This is anime at it's best as an art form. The show has it's enjoyable comedic moments, but it is the drama and emotive character moments that makes it interesting and worth watching. I really cannot add more than what Theron Martin, who reviewed this, said. The show "triumphs through frank emotions, credible character developments, and a great sense of timing and dialog, all powered by superb writing and an excellent directorial effort, which together elevate the content far above the level of humdrum, gimmicky anime romances. If you want to see why quality in execution matters, look at this series." Those who are willing to give it a chance certainly should but it is a definate must in the collection of anyone who likes the romance/ slice of life genre; and that includes anyone who has liked watching clannad, angel beats, Kanon and so forth; and it is certainly up their with them.
Tsubasa Tokyo Revelations (OAV) Excellent
Tsubasa: RESERVoir CHRoNiCLE (TV) Very good
Tsubasa: Spring Thunder (OAV) Excellent
tsuritama (TV)
Vampire Knight (TV) Very good
Voices of a Distant Star (OAV) Masterpiece A simple and archetypal story but the execution is beautiful and masterful. In just 25 minutes the story draws us into and develops a complex relationship many animes dream to achieve; an astounding feat. The storyline is artful, sobering and touching. It has fine and honest dialogue throughout, with every word being so elegantly meaningful; no sentence is irrelevant in the subbed (avoid the English dub). The setting and lighting throughout conveys the mood of the characters in every scene. The attention to detail is amazing. Considering this was written, created, produced and animated by one man on an old macintosh is unbelievable. It is not perfect, the art of the characters can be much improved and it is unfortunate it is restricted to 25 minutes, but these minor details are more than made up by the quality of the work itself. It should not be missed.
Waiting in the Summer (TV) Excellent
(The) World God Only Knows (TV)
(The) World God Only Knows Season Two (TV)
(The) World God Only Knows: Four Girls and an Idol (OAV)
(The) World God Only Knows: Goddesses Arc (TV)
(The) World God Only Knows: Magical Star Kanon 100% (OAV 3)
(The) World God Only Knows: Tenri Arc (OAV)
X (TV) Very good