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| Azumanga Daioh (TV) |
Masterpiece |
#1. Azumanga Daioh epitomizes innocent, playful and unexplainable comedy. The humor which mainly comprises of repetition, slapstick and awkward placings of pauses, makes this unique Slice of Life anime an instant classic. The series does not revolve around a plot, character development and exploration, nor does it discuss social trends or fantastic adventures, simply put Azumanga is about mood. The viewers of the series play as much a part of the series as the wonderful, quirky, eccentric and blissfully honest characters that star in it. The nostalgic and anti-serious mood evident throughout every episode will put every single viewer into a state of pure and innocent happiness - regardless of any stationary issues or problems, it is this fact which has propelled the series to popularity.
While the characters may, at times, seem to be immature it is more than obvious that they were created by geniuses. The mature and ageless true-to-life humor will bring all ages together into childish ecstasy. Whether you adore Chiyo's over the top cuteness; Sakaki's satirical mysteriousness; Yomi's pragmatic level-headedness; Tomo's volatile irrationality or Osaka's notorious enigma, you're sure to fall face first into this everyday and uncanny familiarness that is school life.
The music in Azumanga Daioh is possibly the best suited track ever created for an anime. It's gentle and nostalgic recorder and tuba melodies are as important as Tomoko Kaneda's contribution as Chiyo's voice. The seiyuu and music brings the series together into perfect harmony which is concluded by the aptly fluffy ending animation (song titled 'Raspberry Heaven').
If you're looking for random, if you're looking for eccentric, if you're looking for kawaii, Azumanga Daioh is your answer. If you haven't figured it out yet Azumanga is my personal number 1 favorite and I rank it as a Masterpiece on any scale. I've re-watched the series four times and laughed at different places every time. The amazing thing about Azumanga is that even though it has accumulated millions of fans in Japan and the West alike, a sequel is really not necessary or appropriate. A true Masterpiece is when there doesn't need to be more to satisfy the fans, it's when the conclusion is the end and the end is the best part. I hope that the magic honesty in Azumanga Daioh entertains everyone the same way as it entertained me. |
| D.N.Angel (TV) |
Very good |
#10. The cinematic feel to every D.N.Angel episode makes this series a wonder that should be experienced by everyone. The epic tone in the music, in the characters and especially the setting beats most anime to making each episode a glamorous delight. This instant classic can be viewed by all audiences and loved be each. Whether it's the most lovable characters in anime history, Daisuke and Riku, or the awesomely magnificent Dark and Krad, there's a bit of D.N.Angel for everyone.
What I love most about this series is it's characters and cinematic music. These characteristic of D.N.Angel envelop the series and give it a light which hasn't been matched in any anime series. Where every episode seems like a compact film and the character development will please anyone who's paying attention, and the adorable humor which melts anyone's heart. Daisuke, one of my favorite characters of all time is possibly the worst main character ever - only because he's perfect in every way. He is cuter than any Azumanga character and his romantic dilemmas with Risa and Riku are the most pleasing out of all anime. There's very little tragedy in this series, and where there is sadness - a new dimension to the series blossoms. This is number 10 on my Favorite series list, while DNAngel didn't blow me away with unprecedented themes and characters, it still has a magical feeling to it which is unbeaten by other fantasies I've seen. |
| Fullmetal Alchemist (TV) |
Very good |
#7. Fullmetal Alchemist holds a special place in my heart =D and I'm sure it does with so many other people. This series portrays tragedy, love, kinship, trust and betrayal better than any other series - No Question. I cried more in this series than I have for any other and that doesn't mean to say that it was too full-on. Honestly though, it is quite an intense ride so don't expect to have fun every episode. There is so much heart in all the characters, whether they make cameo appearances or are protagonists throughout the whole adventure. Alphonse and Eric are definitely not my favorite characters but they definitely made me empathize and sympathize in the right places. I will admit that I find the whole "brotherly bond" element a bit exaggerated and even annoying at times. They really could have put less emphasis on the fact that "these boys are brothers and they can get through ANYTHING together!". Still, there is so much emotion in FMA, more so than Haibane Renmei, Honey & Clover and RahXephon. FMA provides an unprecedented journey which consumed me from the very first episode. The ending is disappointing to say the least but I have not yet seen the film, in fact I don't really want to. I had just enough of FMA when it ended and it didn't leave me craving for more like Rurouni Kenshin or Hellsing. To watch this series you need all of your concentration and, to an extent, your utter devotion to making your understanding of these complex characters more significant and relative to your own life. Fullmetal Alchemist stays at a constant #7 on my Favorites list, while the characters get a little bit exaggerated at times - to this day I'm still getting over the emotional rollercoaster I experienced while watching it. |
| Haibane Renmei (TV) |
Excellent |
#4. Haibane Renmei has been one of the only series that has made me cry long after I've finished it. The nostalgic touch in HR rivals that in Azumanga, while they're in completely different dimensions. When I listen to the OP Free Bird I feel as if I'm reminded of a passed away relative, almost like there's a hole in my heart. Haibane Renmei while not exceptionally depressing or tragic definitely had my emotions on a string the whole way through. It's dramatic, it's romantic, it's tragic. Everything in HR had me wanting more and more as if drunk on the enigmatic character development stunning setting (and animation).
The characters in Haibane Renmei had me feeling as if I was best friends with them, in fact they really did become my best friends while I was watching it almost like we were sharing our problems and getting over our sadness. The characters aren't the only complex element to HR, however, and the themes are still clouded to me. Haibane Renmei challenges the metaphorical ranking in Neon Genesis Evangelion. I have only seen Haibane Renmei once and I look forward to re-watching it, one of my most valuable DVD possessions. #4 on my Favorites list without a doubt. Rakka and Reki left me wanting more and if there is ever a sequel to HR I will be over the moon. |
| Honey and Clover (TV) |
Masterpiece |
#3. Well... Honey and Clover, what can I say. I love this series in every way. I believe it is perfected to the Nth degree and that it is unchallenged in terms of drama and romance anime. The characters had me biting my lip every step of the way, out of frustration, desperation or raw sadness. Honey and Clover goes beyond any soap-opera type drama out there, in fact it is unrivaled in it's love-triangle dilemmas. I felt as if the characters were real people. The angelic Hagumi tackles her self-esteem issues, Mayama chases after Rika who is still mourning over her late boyfriend, Ayumi fights her depression after being repetitively rejected by Mayama, Morita (who provides for some of the best comedy I've seen in anime) tries to deal with his own expectations of life, Shuuji devotes himself religiously to the welfare of Hagu, and Takemoto attempts to escape out of the banal life ahead of him. These complex characters see the most impressive explorations of life, romance and personal fears. Honey and Clover contributed to the way I value my own life and possibly changed my outlook on life and love (to an extent). |
| Hunter X Hunter (TV 1999) |
Excellent |
#6. The best shounen ever made. The original Naruto, Gon Freaks. The genuine tale of growing up. Hunter X Hunter is an adventure I'd experience again any day. I look forward to the day when an action packed journey like this is released. In fact I'm almost in mourning at the fact HXH has never been licensed, it is a crime! I don't know what to say about HXH, it's adventure, it's action, it has character and heart, it has love and friendship, humor, horror, and charm. The first OP Song "Ohayoo" fits it's role so well! It almost brings me to tears when I listen to it now. This truly is an epic adventure which everyone should take, it's more fantasy than InuYasha, more exciting than Yu Yu Hakusho, more unpredictable than .Hack//Sign, more riveting than Naruto, more addictive than Bleach. A proud number 6 on my list and a plead from me to everyone out there, WATCH THIS ANIME! |
| Mushi-Shi (TV) |
Excellent |
#9 |
| Please Save My Earth (OAV) |
Very good |
#8. Please Save My Earth is a very gentle yet tragic exploration of the power of destiny and personal struggle. While there is some outstanding action scenes towards the end of the 6 episode OAV, the series revolves around the development and destruction of the main characters. The plot itself is intermingled with a metaphysical look at the deceptive appearance of innocence and the desperate and destructive poison of love. While some may find the plot slow-moving, to others (more accustomed to shoujo anime) the story is very intense and involves very tragic and touching descriptions of personal dreams and even pride.
Throughout the series there is an environmental sub-theme. I find myself wishing that the anime creators had included more of this element, as there was lots of content to support a more Arjuna-esc tale. However, the romantic revelations in PSME are enough to carry the series through to Excellence.
The music by Hajime Mizoguchi and Yoko Kanno is outstanding, though it may not appeal to all viewers. I think it was a perfect mix of sci-fi and primitive sounds. Akino Arai's Prologue: Time of Gold Flowing is a beautiful track and has a very tragic tone to it.
Please Save My Earth has the most hateable and lovable characters. If you cannot get wrapped up in this teenage romantic fantasy then perhaps a closer evaluation of your previous lives is necessary. This touching journey makes my top 10 anime without a doubt as the series took me on a journey of classical and unrivaled romantic fantasy. Number 8! |
| Red Garden (TV) |
Excellent |
#5. It's funny that when I first started watching I thought the characters looked ridiculous and now I find it much more 'natural' than purple-haired, bug eyed smurf-sized lolitas. Maybe it's the fantastic characterization and development that has made me warm to them. Either way the glamorous look Red Garden is given really enriches my understanding of the very unglamorous conflicts, emotions and changes the characters endure. At times I feel that they could've made it just a little bit more filthy. In fact I get thirsty during the fight scenes for some unnerving material. The first couple of episodes where Rachel's nail is cracked, really sold it for me. I love that sort of imagery, where it's such a noticeable detail that makes a vein character feel so ugly.
I've never been to New York or a city as large but I definitely get the feeling in Red Garden of the girls being alone in a place packed with people. I love this element and I think it's portrayed so well through each of the girls reaching out to people they love and dealing with the social problems their condition creates. The relationships present in RG are so intricate and developed that they rival with Honey and Clover. The series really spends a lot of time encouraging the viewer to empathize with the girls and really understand all the realistic problems; socially, financially, academically and physically, they go through. There has not been one moment in the series where I've wanted to see more action, or wanted a plot twist. Everything is timed perfectly and I believe that pacing in a series makes a very big difference to the enjoyment. Each character cries for just enough time before they get annoying. We go through a cycle of the four girls and switch from problem to problem between them and not once have I hated one of them even though they have obvious weaknesses. This is because I understand their situations so well thanks to the magnificent characterization.
The music is great too. I even liked the singing at the end of a few episodes, though unfortunately it stopped. I thought it was a little bit embarrassing and I still can't really figure out why they were singing but it was a little rest from all the emotional stress we had gone through in the first few episodes. The OP song is good, it's glamorous and does sound a bit 1920s American jazz-like. I think it suits the series well. I like the OP animation, it's subtleness is admirable and I prefer it to slow moving shots of the characters' naked silhouettes.
Finally I think the most obvious strength in Red Garden is it's reason, it's restraint and it's sensible realism. Four girls given super-human powers and a chance to kill crazed cannibals sounds like a girl-kick-butt action packed saga. Instead Red Garden has realistically depicted it's characters being challenged instead of automatically displaying masterful martial arts skills. No leather-clad voluptuous cyborg vampire slayers here. These are emotional and quite normal teenage girls with different backgrounds. It's very impressive stuff and the ending didn't disappoint. |
| Windy Tales (TV) |
Masterpiece |
#2. First off I will admit that I am softy for Slice of Life series. My top five anime series are all about teenage girls exploring day to day life and Windy Tales (Fuujin Monogatari) is one of them.
Immediately the unique animation style struck me. Why is a story about a high school girl who likes to take pictures of clouds drawn in such an obscure way? The animation at times accentuates certain features we would not normally notice and obscures other features making the characters look a part of their environment. Whenever I see pictures of Windy Tales I get overjoyed, they satisfy ever corner of my eyes as normal anime characters don't. There's no sparkle in their irises or shiny wetness to their hair, they look sharp, drawn and fit like puzzle pieces in the background. I see this more as a good thing, it adds a spice and an absurb warped view on the story as if we're looking through slanted glass.
The stories in each episode are heart warming but not over-the-top or dramatic at all. They don't inspire or teach, but they settle. I feel calm and completely pacified after each episode but nowhere near bored. The placement of the music makes me feel like I'm lost in a happy memory and the nostalgic feel is superior to anything Azumanga Daioh ever achieved. I wanted to rest my head while watching but I didn't want to sleep in case I missed a beautiful still shot of clouds reflecting in windows with that amazing track playing, it's those small seemingly insignificant scenes which makes Windy Tales so special to those who want to appreciate it.
The characters themselves are sweet, cute in a different way to girls in Manabi Straight!, and all so familiar. I would be lying if I said Windy Tales had no sentimental effect on me. Nao looks almost exactly like my older sister and in fact all the characters look similar, their almond shaped eyes and teddy bear like mouths, they all look kind and mature but at the same time very innocent.
I would add other reasons why the series is special to me above all others but then you'd assume it's an acquired taste. Well, it is. Not everyone will like this, but if you're one for very niche anime then this one is a diamond in the cave. There are moments where I feel like I'm a part of the conversation, or a part of the memories. Windy Tales is especially important to me because the school life scenes are almost identical to what I'm experiencing as an exchange student at a Japanese school. Every little detail could fit directly into the city I'm living in and the school I attend. I watched this series here, in Japan, and that makes it so nostalgic for me. Literally as I was watching each episode a cat would meow outside my window and my heart would almost melt. Episode 10 has some of the most astounding scenes I've experienced in anime and episode 5 is my personal favorite episode from any anime of all time. Everybody should watch it even if they don't intend to finish the series. |
