Forum - View topicRecommendations, Romance, Comedy, Fighting
|
|
| Author | Message | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
undeadben
 Posts: 1212 Location: West Texas |
|
|||||
|
I didn't know about starting a thread like this but I have tried over the past year to find something resembling what I am looking for here, and it is usually hit or miss just based on rankings and Genre, so I'll give this a go.
While I enjoy almost any series that I watch, I have a soft spot for a Romantic story that comes about during the course of the series. The series in itself does not have to be primarily romance, but when it is there the romantic plot or subplot always makes me enjoy the series that much more. As an indication, take my favorite series Ranma 1/2, this is one that is hard to describe because of so many things associated but I would venture to say it is a Comedy primarily because of all the gags. It also has a nice bit of fighting so it is not too out there, even though some of the martial arts brought into play are gags in themselves. However my favorite moments are the nice romantic moments, or even when there are just hints, between the main characters Ranma and Akane, showing that despite all the insanity, which I thought was often hilarious, there really has been a love growing between them. Of course this is done so much better in the manga, but that is also one of the reasons I bow down to Rumiko Takahashi's work, well except for maybe Inuyasha. And I've also enjoyed other romantic comedies like Ah! My Goddess, and I really loved the zany Fruits Basket which I just recently saw. Although it does not have a lot of romance, the nice subtle moments really added a lot to the story for me. But again it does not have to be a romantic comedy either. I also like fighting stories like Rurouni Kenshin that have those subtle moments that are way too far and in between with Kenshin and Kaoru. But in this series even just the time placement was romantic in itself, being in the time of the Samurai is in itself a romantic aspect, although obviously not a boy/girl type of romance, more like the love of an era. I also enjoy some dramatic romances Like in Rumbling Hearts/Kimi ga Nozomu Eien. This story really had me reeling in the feelings department. It has everything you'd expect but don't get in today’s dramatic movies or programs. Things I am trying to get away from are Mecha and Sci-Fi. Evangelion was the limit for me as far a mecha, and though done well, I just cannot get into other mecha series at all. Sci-Fi isn't all too bad as long as it doesn't take place in space. Today's shows are too vastly different from what I grew up on, Starblazers and Robotech, so I haven't gotten into any of the newer space related sci-fi series, except for Cowboy Bebop, which I think is artistic enough without the space voyaging that you can't help but watch. I still enjoy a good fighting anime, as in martial arts, when it is available as well. Although I prefer to keep the fighting styles to the realms of Samurai Champloo, Kenshin and some others as far as it doesn't go too overboard; for instance, the original Dragon Ball series is still enjoyable, DBZ starts getting a bit too out there in terms of the fighting. But again it is preferable when there is a romance involved. And lastly, fantasy and horror are not really something I usually go out of my way for, but I can appreciate a good series, like Berserk, Hellsing, Gankutsuou, Witch Hunter Robin, or even the funny fantasy tales, again, like AMG. Ok so this is what I like and what I really do not watch, am I asking too much or are there other nice series out there that have good romantic sub or main plots? And I know it would be going into the realm of near impossibility, but it would be nice to watch one with a definitive ending one way or another, it always leaves me empty when I go through a series only to find that the romance issue was never resolved and they don't even lay a clue as to where it will end up. So is my search hopeless? And finally, only If it is not too much ask, if any of you do have recommendations, I'd like to know a bit about how you felt while watching, did it make you sad at points, happy, laugh out loud? You can't get this kind of feedback from a ratings system, and also, I think it will help me out if I know more about why you appreciate the anime you recommend. But if you've no time, a name and short description will do, and I'll research it. If you have read this far, Thanks! |
||||||
|
||||||
LydiaDianne
 Posts: 5634 Location: Southern California |
|
|||||
|
Try these two:
Fushigi Yugi - This is about Mika Yuki and her friend Yui Hongo who go to the National Library, wind up in the rare book room reading a book and somehow both are sucked into the book. Yui makes it out of the book and for about 1/3 of the story is in a way the Narrator (the other 2/3s is Mika's brother, Keisuke). Mika stays behind and becomes the Priestess of Suzaku, who must make 3 wishes, hopefully using them to save the country against the evil clutches of another country. Part of the first half is Mika looking for and finding the Warriors to help her make the three wishes. The second half is much darker. Yui re-enters the book, becomes the Priestess for the enemy, becomes Mika's enemy, etc...Mika and her crew have to go against Yui and her group to get magical objects to help them summon the Gods because of problems in the first half of the story. It's very good, there is humor throughout, but there is also murder, rape and betrayals. Tissue recommended. Ceres - Which was originated by the same Manga-ka as FY (Yuu Watase). This is about Aya Mikage. She turns 16 and her life goes to hell. She finds out that she has a seperate being inside of her who can take over her body and morph it. The being, Ceres, has a serious hatred for the Mikage family especially Aya's twin Aki, who has some serious...emotional/physical feelings towards Ceres and Aya. There is also Toya, Aya's love of her life, who also has his own issues towards the Mikage and Aya. Again, very good, humorous (you may like Alex Howell - anime fan boy ), there is also murder, rape and betrayals of family and trust. Tissue recommended also.
To answer your question, both series made me do that, sometimes in the same episode. Hope you like. This thread might help as well: animenewsnetwork.com/bbs/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=24110&highlight=fushigi+yugi |
||||||
|
||||||
Mylene
 Posts: 2792 Location: Indiana |
|
|||||
|
I haven't seen many of the shows you have listed, so it's a bit difficult for me to gauge my suggestions. However, looking at what you listed that you wanted, I'll go ahead and throw out one suggestion.
Revolutionary Girl Utena: I think this show might very well have what you're looking for in an anime. It has comedy, drama, action, and a level of depth that many other shows I've seen haven't quite been able to match up. The premise itself is basic: Tenjou Utena lost her parents when she was young. After being comforted by a prince, she decides she wants to be a prince when she grows up as well. When she begins attending Ohtori Academy, she begins to have the opportunity to act on her princely desires by protecing the Rose Bride during a series of duels with the academy's Student Council. However, it's the reasoning behind the duels that is complex. The deeper the story progresses, the more difficult it is to see what the true 'reality' of the Academy is, if it even exists in the first place. Utena does toe the line of magical girl by having a semi-transformation scene, as well as a duel of the week format (compared to the standard monster of the week common in mahou shoujo). However, even the most filler of filler episodes leads to some sort of insight about a given character, as well as injects some much needed levity into a series that continously gets darker and more serious up to the last moment. For me at least, this is a show that has evoked every emotion. I've laughed at the absurdity of scenes. I've held my breath in suspense. I've smiled broadly and been overwhelmed by a scene that gave me hope for the future (wow, that's sound overly dramatic.) And, of course, I've cried. I've definitely cried quite a bit because of Utena. There is love, joy, sorrow, deception...a little bit of everything in this show. This show is probably not for everyone. I know I'm very biased, because it is my favorite anime. But given what you seem to be looking for, you might want to check out it. Oh, and a word of advice: do not watch the movie until you've seen the series. Please. Also, if you ever get bored and have some free time, perhaps you might want to start utilizing the MyAnime function of the Encyclopedia to list all the anime you've seen and what you've thought of them. You can then make them public so others can look. It's really useful for when people are making recommendations. If you want to have a better idea of what I like, so you can determine if you want to test out my suggestion, check out MyAnime lists: Seen All and Seen Some (although my Seen Some listings don't have actual rankings, if it's listed, I'm at least intereted in continuing the show.) |
||||||
|
||||||
|
undeadben
Posts: 1212 Location: West Texas |
|
|||||
|
Thank you, LydiaDianne, those two look very interesting indeed. I'm particularly drawn to Ceres, from what you wrote and the Encyclopedia entry I think I'll definitely be looking for this on my next pay day, and Fushigi Yuugi somewhere down the line. Thank you for the link, there seems to be a few nice recommendations in there as well.
Mylene, thanks for the info on Utena, that show also seems like a can't miss, and I will look into it as well when I get a chance. Also thanks for the advice on the 'my anime' list, and for sharing your own. I have created mine, but I have not really had the time to complete my comments which is why I have not made it public yet. But I will post a link here as soon as it is complete. ETA Actually to help myself out I went and added a few more quick, though incomplete comments to my list and decided to post this now in case it does help in getting me some more good recommendations. My Anime |
||||||
|
||||||
one3rd
 Posts: 1818 Location: アメリカ |
|
|||||
|
I know you said you're trying to get away from mecha and sci-fi. However, I believe you should consider Full Metal Panic! Yes, it contains mecha, called, and sci-fi elements, but in a (somewhat) more realistic modern military setting. The setting is an alternate reality where the Cold War was not satisfactorily ended, and recent military developments have been fueled by "black technology." There are certain people known as "Whispered" who have innate highly advanced technical knowledge in some area. No one knows why or how they have this knowledge, and those who are Whispered may not even be conscious of it. These people are highly prized by military and mercenary organizations and some are willing to go to great means to track these people down and forcefully extract their knowledge.
However, the show is not all about the giant robots. Full Metal Panic! is primarily about a teenager, Sousuke Sagara, who grew up as a mercenary in or near Afghanistan and has known nothing but war all his life coming to terms with his own identity and life in the "real" world. His development as a character is fueled by the presence of the second main character, Kaname Chidori. She is a normal high school girl, except that she is believed to be a Whispered. Sousuke, now a member of a mercenary organization called Mithril, is initially assigned to guard Kaname because Mithril believes the KGB or some other malicious organization will attempt to kidnap her. This causes Sousuke to be a "fish-out-of-water," as he has never had to adapt to normal civilian life. The relationship between Sousuke and Kaname isn't like the typical anime romance in that neither of them falls seemingly instantly head-over-heels in love with the other. Rather, they eventually form a strong friendship that could lead to more. Even after the main 24 episode series, and two shorter sequels, they do not do anything that would cross the line of being "just friends," but it is clear that progress is being made and to describe them as being "just friends" is increasingly inadequate. One scene in particular in the second sequel involves Kaname giving Sousuke a haircut. This may not seem like a major development, but it is a very tense and awkward (for the characters) scene. By this point, it is overwhelmingly clear how the characters feel about each other, but they haven't admitted it to each other or even to themselves. I guess there are some mecha fights too, but I generally choose to downplay their roles in favor of the bigger picture. Actually, one of the more significant relationships in the second sequel is Sousuke's relationship with his mecha, but that's another issue altogether. Anyway, I encourage you to check out Full Metal Panic! for its balance of romance, comedy, and fighting as stated in the subject of the thread. |
||||||
|
||||||
|
undeadben
Posts: 1212 Location: West Texas |
|
|||||
|
one3rd, how much would you hate me if I told you I have the entire first 2 series, Full Metal Panic and Fumoffu, still packaged on my shelf. One of reasons I have not openned them is because of the dread of watching another mecha anime series. However I will tell you that you do make it sound enjoyable, especially with the romance you describe, and I have heard other good things about it, which is why I purchased them, in the first place.
Does anyone else think I should remove the shrinkwrap and actually start watching this show, despite the mecha? |
||||||
|
||||||
|
LydiaDianne
Posts: 5634 Location: Southern California |
|
|||||
 YES!!! FOR THE LOVE OF ANIME, YES!!!  
Full Metal Panic is funny/serious/wonderful. And after you watch that, watch FUMOFFU. It is laugh-your-butt-off funny!  My favorite 2 episodes are the outdoor painting class and the day at the beach. I won't say more...WATCH!
But try the 2 series that I suggested as well, okay?  
|
||||||
|
||||||
|
undeadben
Posts: 1212 Location: West Texas |
|
|||||
Well that is a resounding reply!
Ok, right now I am re-watching a couple of episodes of Vampire Princess Miyu, because I'm still trying to understand that vampire, but if I get at least one more vote I'll open disk 1 today.
So anyone else have some recommendations, as I have already started shopping? |
||||||
|
||||||
|
Zero89
Posts: 147 |
|
|||||
|
full metal panic is surprisingly a mecha that I actually enjoyed... I'm similar to you in that I'm not interested in seeing a bunch of metallic giants parade around the city... But FMP is not really about that, like previously stated, it mostly surrounds the relationship of sousuke(spell check?) and chidori.
I checked out your anime list, and I think you and I have similar tastes... at least based on what I saw there... and I would like to recommend mai-hime: Mai-Hime has everything, romance, action, a delicate dose of comedy, as well as a complex and touching storyline... and "shakugan no shana", or "shana" It also seems like something you'd be interested in... It pretty much has everything your looking for, and I have to say... the ending rocked! |
||||||
|
||||||
Mohawk52
 Posts: 8202 Location: England, UK |
|
|||||
|
||||||
|
||||||
|
undeadben
Posts: 1212 Location: West Texas |
|
|||||
I did actually start watching the series, I am on episode 5 now and It really is different. I like the fact that the series does not center around the mecha. The story is wonderful it actually reminds me of older anime series, how the story centers around the characters and not the situations or technology. I'm glad I have it now.
Thanks for the recommendations, both of those series do look like what I am looking for. Mai-Hime looks especially interesting, but I'll definitely want to try and check them both out.
Thank you for the feedback. Tenchi Muyo, Ryo-Ohki looks very good. I looked it up and I see that it is one of those stories that seems to have a whole universe to it. Sounds fun! (edited to add- While I was reading up I found that one of the series is actually called Tenchi Universe ) But Kimagure Orange Road, looks like something I want to jump into right away. I think I'll check this one out first.
Now I am glad I started this thread. Looks like I'll have some very nice new series(to me anyway) to watch the rest of this year and well into next. My pockets will be lighter, but I do not think I'll be bored I only wished I had the money and free time to get them all right now!
|
||||||
|
||||||
Destiny200200
 Posts: 2 |
|
|||||
|
well if you are looking for an anime that has fighting and some imputes of romance i would recommend tenjho tenge -i don't want to spoil it but its mostly about a school of marshial arts, theres two new students that want to become the strongest so they join a club and the commity or counsil of the school wants to bring them down.the romance part is that a girl fell in love with one of the new guys because he saw her naked and is now determined to marry him,though he's not the best with women. Its funny,action pacted,and romantic in my opinion so check it out. oh yea also i liked loveless its about a boy that recieves a sentoki and he wants to know who killed his brother it has fighting with spells and also a love between a master and servant...srry im not good with summeries but just check them ok i hoped i helped a bit
|
||||||
|
||||||
 |
All times are GMT - 5 Hours |
|
|
|
Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2005 phpBB Group