I started watching anime out of boredom. There was nothing on TV that interested me anymore and one of my friends told me to watch a show and I enjoyed it. Quite a bit. For a couple of months, I confined myself to english dubbed anime. That is until I watched a horrible dub. There are a lot of good anime out there. These particular shows have gotten me hooked on the stuff thus earning a place in my top 10 list.  Anyways, here they are: (In no particular order since choosing 10 was difficult enough)

Bakemonogatari (2009)

Genres: action, comedy, mystery, psychological, romance, slice of life, supernatural Themes: absurdity, dark comedy, ecchi, fanservice, magic and occult, spirits, tsundere, vampires

Summary: Although there are still traces of the brief period he became a vampire, third year high school student Koyomi Araragi is human again. He happens upon others with their own supernatural problems and finds that he can empathize. Koyomi becomes involved in their lives, seeking to help them and occasionally asking for advice from Meme Oshino, the homeless man who helped him become human again. (Ann)

I started watching this show because the artwork looked awesome (and Senjougahara looked hawt). It was a well written, dialogue intense anime that was incredibly unique. I really liked how they never used more than 5 colors in any scene. The characters and their backgrounds are superb. Not much else needs to be said.

 

Elfen Lied (2004)

Genres: drama, horror, psychological, romance, science fiction Themes: amnesia, gore, multiple personality, mutants

Summary: The Diclonius, a mutated homo sapien that is said to be selected by God and will eventually become the destruction of mankind, possesses two horns in their heads, and has a “sixth sense” which gives it telekinetic abilities. Due to this dangerous power, they have been captured and isolated in laboratories by the government. Lucy, a young and psychotic Diclonius, manages to break free of her confines and brutally murder most of the guards in the laboratory, only to get shot in the head as she makes her escape. She survives and manages to drift along to a beach, where two teenagers named Kouta and Yuka discovers her. Having lost her memories, she was named after the only thing that she can now say, “Nyuu,” and the two allow her to stay at Kouta’s home. However, it appears that the evil “Lucy” is not dead just yet…

This was the first full anime series I watched. Holy crap was it one hell of a way to start off watching anime. It starts off incredibly intense and maintains that intensity throughout the series. It was such a good romantic tradgedy that would do the Greeks proud.

 

Darker Than Black (2007)

Genres: action, drama, mystery, science fiction, supernatural Themes: living dolls, neo-noir, post-apocalyptic, superhuman, superpowers

Summary: In Tokyo, an impenetrable field known as “Hell’s Gate” appeared ten years ago. At the same time, psychics who wield paranormal powers at the cost of their conscience also emerged. Hei is one of the most powerful of these psychic agents, and along with his blind associate, Yin, works for one of the many rival agencies vying to unlock the mysteries of Hell’s Gate.

I believe this was the third series I watched ever. I really like how every contractor paid a price for using their powers. Some had to break bones while some had to eat a ridiculous amount of food. The setting blew me away. Up to now, I haven’t seen any anime that’s even remotely similar to the Darker Than Black series

 

Paranoia Agent (2004)

Genres: drama, horror, mystery, psychological, supernatural Themes: dark comedy, Police

Summary: An elementary school kid dubbed with the title “shounen bat” or “lil slugger” has been going around attacking people with his bent, golden bat. Now, two detectives are investigating so they can stop this kid from making any more attacks, but they will find out soon enough… that this case is much more than they expected.

Thank you Satoshi Kon you brilliant and bizarre writer. You are definitely missed. Everything about this anime is set completely far apart from anything else out there. There was meaning behind everything in the series including the OP/ED’s. If you have not seen this, do so. Also, check out Perfect Blue and Paprika because you are missing out.

 

Full Metal Panic! (2002)

Genres: action, comedy, drama, science fiction Themes: mecha, military, real robot, school, terrorists

Summary: Sousuke Sagara, a seventeen year old military specialist working for the secret organization MITHRIL, has been assigned to protect the latest “Whispered” candidate Kaname Chidori. To complete this task Sousuke will have to deal with enemies from his past as well as the occasional panty thief. Unfortunately for Sousuke, the toughest part of his mission isn’t only protecting Miss Chidori but also getting used to living an average High School students life, no easy task for someone raised on the battlefield.

I love this show. It’s probably my most watched series ever. I, myself am a huge military buff. Kinda have to be since I am currently in the process of enlisting in the U.S. Military. Anyways, I found everything very entertaining. I don’t think there’s any other anime with characters like the ones in FMP. If there are, hit me up and let me know.

 

The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya (2006)

Genres: comedy, mystery, science fiction, slice of life, supernatural Themes: school

Summary: On the first day of high school a beautiful girl named Haruhi Suzumiya introduces herself as having “no interest in ordinary humans”. She asks for any aliens, time travelers, sliders or espers to join her. Watching her weird behaviour is Kyon who sits in front of Haruhi and is the only person who talks to her. When Kyon comments about Haruhi’s joining every club in school and then quitting he unwittingly gives Haruhi an idea to start her own after school club. Thereafter Kyon and several others find themselves dragged, literally, into the Save our world by Overloading it with fun Suzumiya Haruhi’s Brigade (the S.O.S. Brigade for short).

Another one of my most watched series ever. If you watch anime then no doubt you have seen this show. The characters and their personality are second to none. Yuki is a beast.

 

Akira (1988)

Genres: action, horror, psychological, science fiction, supernatural Themes: cyberpunk, military, post-apocalyptic, psychics, superpowers

Summary: In the year 2019, thirty-one years have passed since the outbreak of World War III. In Neo-Tokyo, all authority is waging a never-ending struggle against the underground that virtually rules the shattered city. A top-secret child with amazing powers of the minds breaks free from custody and accidentally gets a motorcycle gang involved in the project. The incident triggers psychic powers within one of the members, Tetsuo, and he is taken by the army and experimented on. His mind has been warped and is now on the path of war, exacting revenge on the society that once called him weak.

I remember seeing this movie back in high school. Aside from pokemon, it was my first legit anime movie. I was a gritty, post-apocalyptic Tokyo in a state of anarchy. Incredible artwork for an anime made in the 80′s. If you haven’t seen this yet. Do yourself a favor and do so.

 

Toradora (2008)

Genres: comedy, drama, romance Themes: love rectangle, school, tsundere

Summary: Despite Ryuji Takasu’s gentle personality, his eyes make him look like an intimidating delinquent. Class rearrangements on his second high school year put him together with his best friend, Yusaku Kitamura, and his hidden crush, Minori Kushieda. Along with these two comes Kushieda’s best friend, Taiga Aisaka. Her delicate appearance contrasts with her brutal personality. Secretly in love with Kitamura, Taiga agrees to help Ryuji with his love interest as long as he helps her get closer to hers.

Toradora is one of my favorite shows because it wasn’t your average romantic comedy. It was a genuine story about love, friendship, and family with all the joys and problems that come along with it.

 

Valkyria Chronicles (2009)

Genres: action, drama, magic, romance, science fiction Themes: military, war

Summary: When Imperial forces attack the small border town of Bruhl, Welkin Gunther, son of late General Belgen Gunther, is forced to fight for his life alongside Town Watch captain Alicia Melchiott. Along with Welkin’s adopted sister Isara, the three escape to Gallia’s capitol and subsequently join the country’s militia forces. As members of the newly-formed Squad 7, they must work to repel the invading Imperial forces and discover the true purpose of the invasion itself.

Valkyria Chronicles is one of my favorite games so when I found out that there was an anime adaptation out, I was all over it. I was very happy that they took the animation style from the game and used it in the anime.

 

Claymore (2007)

Genres: action, drama, fantasy, science fiction Themes: developing powers, gore, monsters, superpowers

Summary: In a world rife with deadly creatures called “youma”, a young silver eyed woman, Clare, works on behalf of an organisation that trains female youma halfbreeds into warriors with the ability to destroy these creatures. Considered a rogue for picking up a stray child & almost losing herself to her youma side by “Awakening”, she is constantly assigned rather dangerous missions…

The only problem with this show was the end. I left everything wide open and unfinished. (Still, it was way better than the Mass Effect 3 ending) The claymore are seen as a necessary evil and are treated like an unwanted guest which I thought was pretty cool.

So now you all know my top 10 shows. So if my tastes coincide with yours, let me know!

(All sources from ANN)

 

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