Watching Things
As we wind down, I thought I would list the anime series that I consider highly recommendable. As a super special bonus, I actually have ten titles in this top ten. (Well, technically nine and a half…)
The shows listed below are not separated into any categories other than I thought they were excellent examples of story-telling. Some may be more adult than others, some may have more action, more blood, more comedy. If I were you, I would never use my recommendations as a viewing guide but just in case, you know, here they are.
In the list below, I have two things of note. 1-do I own the soundtrack CD, assuming one is available? 2-do robots make an appearance?
So, in alphabetical order, and with the proviso that I haven’t seen everything there is (or that I own) and this list may therefor mutate beyond recognition:
Divergence Eve. Well, I’m leading with the series with the biggest caveat. (Yes, that’s almost a pun.) While the show is excellent, it has a terrible case of fan service, to the point where I would always warn someone before watching. Soundtrack: No (not available, otherwise yes). Robots: Kinda.
Eden’s Bowy. It’s an adventure-comedy-fantasy-science fiction show which works on almost every level. Soundtrack: Yes. Robots: Kinda.
Gilgamesh. This is the half-recommendation. I thought this was one of the best things I’d ever seen, until it self-destructed spectacularly in the last half of the last episode. Soundtrack: Yes. Robots: Kinda.
Haibane Renmei. A beautiful story that feels a little too close to allegory, but manages to overcome that. I doubt I could watch it twice, though. Soundtrack: Yes. Robots: No.
Noir. The best anime series I’ve ever seen also happens to be the first. So, yeah, it was all downhill after this. Stark and harrowing but life-affirming. Soundtrack: Yes. Robots: No.
Onishi Magical Theatre: Risky Safety. Cute and adorable like Sugar (see below) with some nice storytelling touches that bring it deeper. Soundtrack: Yes. Robots: Kinda.
Pretear. My favorite show. I’ve written extensively about it elsewhere so I won’t repeat myself here. Soundtrack: Yes. Robots: No.
Princess Tutu. A marvelous meditation on fairy tales, using the form to tell the story. With the least likely heroine ever. Soundtrack: No. Robots: No.
Sugar, A Little Snow Fairy. A cute and adorable story about growing up. Recommended for all ages. Soundtrack: Yes. Robots: Kinda.
X. This had potential to pull a Gilgamesh and I was worried throughout about that possibility. However, it neatly avoided that trap and had a marvelous ending. Sountrack: Yes. Robots: No.
