nessokman
Smash Lord
- Joined
- Sep 4, 2012
- Messages
- 1,641
This is not a simple list of anime. This is a list of some of the best anime I've ever watched and manga I've ever read. Also, this list is aimed at people whose only experience with anime is flipping past Dragonball Z on television. That means that this list will include no Naruto, no Bleach, no One Piece, no Pokemon, no Digimon, and of course no Dragonball. I'm not saying that those anime are bad, but chances are most of the people reading this have already seen them or something similar, and been unimpressed. This list is meant to give people an introduction to another side of anime, rather than the typical and repetitive shounen stuff you see on daytime TV (shounen means anime aimed at young boys). When browsing this list, I recommend that you look at the genre of the anime first, to see if the series would have any possible appeal to you whatsoever.
Feel free to make suggestions or ask questions. I'll add suggestions to the list as my time permits and as I see fit, and I'll answer any questions every time I check this topic.
The List:
Berserk
Genres: Action, Adventure, Fantasy
Maturity Level: NC-17 - There's extreme violence, ****, and many other things that I found absolutely disgusting. Nonetheless, it is an excellent anime and manga (probably the best manga I've ever read).
Manga or Anime: I personally prefer the manga. The anime is pretty good, but only tells a portion of the story, and the animation is rather dated and wasn't exceptional to begin with. I feel that the manga is much better.
Story: Guts, the black swordsman, goes a quest for revenge against the man who betrayed him. Along the way he endures brutal battles against demonic creatures. About three volumes into the manga and two episodes into the anime, it goes into an elongated flashback that explains Guts' origins, and why he is seeking revenge. This is probably the best manga I've ever read. The first three or four volumes of the manga were rather tough going, but you're rewarded with an amazing and epic story.
Vagabond
Genres: Action, Adventure, Historical
Maturity Level: R - Quite a bit of violence, some sex, and one incidence of ****.
Manga or Anime: Manga. There is no anime.
Story: Essentially, this manga is about Miyamoto Musashi (Shinmen Takezo) as he develops his skill with the sword and eventually becomes the man who will become the most famous swordsman in Japanese history. However, this summary doesn't really do the story justice. It's not just sword fights, although there are plenty of those. Nor is it a dry retelling of the story of Musashi's life. Instead, it is a vivid portrait of a man and his development, both as a swordsman and as a person. It's a great read.
Serial Experiments Lain
Genres: SciFi, Psychological, Mystery, Philosophical
Maturity Level: PG-13
Manga or Anime: Anime. There is no manga.
Story: When a dead classmate begins sending e-mails to her fellow students, Lain is intrigued. She begins to investigate what's happening, and discovers the world of the "Wired" (essentially the internet). She begins to be sucked in more and more by this virtual world, and the line between the real world and the artificial world quickly begins to blur. It's a fascinating series, but it can be very confusing. The opening song is also my favorite song I've ever heard in an anime, and that's saying a lot.
Monster
Genres: Mystery, Suspense, Psychological
Maturity Level: PG-13
Manga or Anime: Either. They're very similar, so you probably won't want to watch both, but they're both very good.
Story: Kenzou Tenma, a Japanese brain surgeon in Germany, had it all: incredible skill at his work, a rich and beautiful fiancee, and a promising career at his hospital. However, after becoming disenchanted by hospital politics, he chose to save the life of a young boy who got shot in the head over the life of the mayor. As a result he lost the support of the hospital director, as well as his position in the hospital and his fiance. A short time later, the hospital director and the doctors that replaced him were murdered, and once again he was catapulted back onto the top. But as the chief suspect of the murders, Tenma did not get a easy life. As a matter of fact, it seems that the boy he saved was much more than he had appeared to be... Now to clear his name and to correct his past mistake, Tenma must get to the bottom of these and other murders, and investigate the truth of the Monster who is behind all of this. (From Anime News Network)
Death Note
Genres: Mystery, Suspense, Psychological, Supernatural
Maturity Level: PG-13
Manga or Anime: Either. They're very similar, so you probably won't want to watch both, but they're both very good.
Story: Light Yagami, the top student in all of Japan, is bored. One day he discovers a "Death Note", a supernatural book that causes whoever's name is written in it to die. Soon, he sets off the change the world using his newly acquired power, only to run up against the genius detective who goes by the name of "L". It's a thrilling battle of wits, and probably the most tightly written series I've ever seen. It also makes you question certain implicit assumptions about the nature of right and wrong, good and evil. It's both suspenseful and mind-bending. Unfortunately, it declines in its second half, but it's still an excellent series.
Neon Genesis Evangelion
Genres: SciFi, Mecha, Psychological, Philosophical
Maturity Level: R, maybe PG-13
Manga or Anime: The manga is still incomplete, and for that reason I recommend the anime. However, the anime has its share of problems, most of which are caused by a lack of money during the latter half of the show. This leads to some extreme animation shortcuts.
Story: At the age of 14 Shinji Ikari is summoned by his father to the city of Neo Tokyo-3 after several years of separation. There he unwillingly accepts the task of becoming the pilot of a giant robot by the name EVA01 and protect the world from the enigmatic invaders known as "angels." Even though he repeatedly questions why he has accepted this mission from his estranged and cold father, his doing so helps him to gradually accept himself. However, why exactly are the angels attacking and what are his father’s true intentions are yet to be unraveled. (From Anime News Network)
Azumanga Daioh
Genres: Humour, Slice of Life
Maturity Level: PG
Manga or Anime: Either. They're very similar, so you probably won't want to watch both, but they're both very good. The art in the manga starts out very simplistic, but gets better.
Story: It's essentially a show about a group of schoolgirls, but it's probably the funniest anime I've ever seen. The characters are all humorous in their own ways, and they're absolutely hilarious together.
Yotsuba&!
Genres: Humour, Slice of Life
Maturity Level: G
Manga or Anime: Manga. There is no anime.
Story: Done by the creator of Azumanga Daioh. The main character is a young girl with a tremendous amount of curiosity and an almost total lack of understanding about the world. This leads to some hilarious situations when she interacts with others, particularly her neighbors, who are also featured heavily in this story. Like Azumanga is probably the funniest anime I've ever seen, this is probably the funniest manga I've ever read. Really.
FLCL
Genres: Surreal, Psychological, SciFi
Maturity Level: PG-13
Manga or Anime: Anime. The manga is nowhere near as good.
Story: I'm not really sure where to start. The story gets into gear when a guitar-wielding, pink haired girl arrives on her Vespa scooter, running over the main character and then, for no apparent reason, hitting him over the head with her guitar. And it only gets stranger from there. The anime is an explosion of weirdness and surrealism, which I personally think is great. You'll either love it for being so strange or you'll hate it for the same reason. There is no middle ground.
Planetes
Genres: SciFi, Slice of Life, Romance
Maturity Level: PG-13
Manga or Anime: Both. They're both excellent, and rather different.
Story: In the year 2075, mankind has reached a point where journeying between Earth, the moon and the space stations is part of daily life. However, the progression of technology in space has also resulted in the problem of the space debris, which can cause excessive and even catastrophic damage to spacecrafts and equipment. This is the story of Technora's Debris Collecting section, its EVA worker, Hachirota "Hachimaki" Hoshino, and the newcomer to the group, Ai Tanabe. (From Anime News Network)
Witch Hunter Robin
Genres: Supernatural, SciFi, Adventure
Maturity Level: PG-13
Manga or Anime: Anime. There is no manga.
Story: Witches are individuals with special powers like ESP, telekinesis, mind control, etc. (not the typical hogwart and newt potions). Robin, a craft user, arrives from Italy to Japan to work for an organization named STN Japan Division (STN-J) as a replacement for one of STN-J's witch hunters who was recently killed. Unlike other divisions of STN, STN-J tries to capture the witches alive in order to learn why and how they became witches in the first place. (From Anime News Network) This series starts off slow, with episodes that are, well, episodic. They're not bad, but about halfway into the series, the pace really picks up, and the main plot is amazingly gripping.
Paranoia Agent
Genres: Suspense, Mystery, Surreal, Psychological
Maturity Level: R
Manga or Anime: Anime. There is no manga.
Story: 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. (From Anime News Network)
Cowboy Bebop
Genres: SciFi, Action, Noir
Maturity Level: R
Manga or Anime: Anime. The manga features the same characters as the series, but none of its charm.
Story: This show follows a group of bounty hunters as they travel across the galaxy. It combines excellent animation with a great jazz soundtrack. The show is almost entirely episodic, but there is a main story that takes up five episodes scattered throughout the anime. It runs 26 episodes total, plus a movie which can be watched anytime after episode nine. It's a wonderful show, and it's the show that got me into anime.
Ergo Proxy
Genres: SciFi, Philosophical, Adventure
Maturity Level: PG-13
Manga or Anime: Anime. There is no manga.
Story: In a future where the world has been ravaged by a nuclear apocalyse, there exists salvation in a domed city named "Romdeau", where humans and their android servants, the autoreivs, live in. Under the implementation of complete management control, it is a paradise where feelings are literally discarded, and the governing council dictates the way of life the citizens should live. But this utopian landscape is soon broken by a series of mystifying murders. Real Mayar, a female inspector from the Citizen Information Bureau, along with her autoreiv partner Iggy, are tasked to solve the murder cases. She is soon attacked by a creature drawn to her which is neither human nor android, and learns about the mysterious phenomena called "Awakening", an event which draws her further into the case...and to the world beyond the limits of Romdeau. (From Anime News Network) I personally feel that this series declines somewhat during its second half, but it's still enthralling and excellently done SciFi.
Ghost in the Shell
Genres: SciFi, Political, Police, Philosophical, Cyberpunk
Maturity Level: R
Manga or Anime: I haven't read the manga, but from what I've heard the anime is the superior of the two. Besides the anime series, there are also two semi-related anime movies, and one anime movie based directly on the show.
Story: Set a few decades into the future, where cyberization (integrating mechanical or computer parts into your body) has become normal, and the internet has taken giant leaps forward. Major Motoko is part of an elite Japanese crime fighting unit known as Section 9. Section 9 deals primarily in crimes relating to cyborgs and cyberterrorism, and contains some of the best hackers on the planet. However, this anime has a great deal of action as well, and the animation is topnotch. Combine that with the amazing fights made possible by the cyborg bodies of the characters (the Major herself is fully cyberized), and you've got yourself a topnotch anime. Truly the most thought provoking and intellectually stimulating anime I've ever watched, and that's saying something considering the anime I've watched. Perhaps my all-time favorite anime.
Haibane Renmei
Genres: Slice of Life, Drama
Maturity Level: PG-13, maybe PG
Manga or Anime: Anime. There is no manga.
Story: A dream of falling from the sky...and then birth. Rakka is born from a large cocoon into the Old Home, greeted by a group of females with small wings on their backs and shining halos above their heads. Soon Rakka’s own wings grow, a halo is placed on her head and she is told that she must work in the nearby town of Grie. She soon realizes that the town and the entire world they live in are confined behind the Wall, a tall, impenetrable wall that none except the mysterious Toga are allowed to exit. (From Anime News Network)
Golden Boy
Genres: Humor, Sex Comedy
Maturity Level: R
Manga or Anime: Anime. The manga simply doesn't compare
Story: I should warn you that the following plot summary will probably make the first episode a lot less funny. I'd recommend that you just take me at my word that Golden Boy is hilarious and go watch it right now.
(From Anime News Network)
Ouran High School Host Club
Genres: Comedy, High School Drama, Romantic Comedy, Slice of Life
Maturity Level: PG-13
Manga or Anime: Either. They're both excellent.
Story: Haruhi is a poor tomboyish student at a school for the ultra-wealthy, able to attend because of a scholarship, and unable to even afford a uniform. One day, she stumbles across the decidedly peculiar but very popular Ouran Host Club. She tries to leave, but accidentally breaks a vase, and unable to pay for it, she's told that she'll have to stay and do odd jobs. That is, until they decide she would be more valuable as a club member. Not realizing she's female due to her appearance, they fix her up and give her a male uniform. She's an instant hit, so they decide to have her keep up the charade even after they find out the truth. Haruhi, being average almost to a fault, doesn't know what to make of the unconventional activities of the Host Club (or of the even more unconventional members), but having little choice, she plays along. Before long, real bonds are formed, friends made, and Haruhi finds herself accepted in a way she could never have been otherwise in this affluent school. (From Anime News Network)
Great Teacher Onizuka
Genres: Comedy, Drama, Slice of Life
Maturity Level: PG-13
Manga or Anime: Either. I haven't watched the anime, but I've heard nothing but good things about it.
Story: It's rather wacky, so if you're looking for something that takes itself seriously, look elsewhere. -- Onizuka is an ex-biker and gang leader who has one goal, to become the greatest teacher. He learns of the power and respect possible as an intern teacher, using his strength and connections to get his students to respect him. Now, graduated, he gets a job at a prestigious private school to handle their 'problem class' that made the past few teachers quit. He must handle a different sort of trouble when the trouble makers include some of the smartest kids in Japan who prefer a more cerebral approach to torturing their teacher. Onizuka must slowly win his students over and deal with their mistrust of teachers while handling the distrust of his fellow teachers. (From Anime News Network)
Tengen Toppa Gurren-Lagann
Genres: Action, Adventure, Mecha, Comedy, Romance, Drama
Maturity Level: PG-13
Manga or Anime: Anime. There is no manga.
Story: In their closed-off underground village, Kamina and Simon chafe at the limits imposed by the village elder. Yet all this will change, when Simon stumbles across a fantastic device - just as the village's peace is broken by a violent intrusion. (From Anime News Network)
NANA
Genres: Soap Opera (a really good soap opera), Romance, Drama, Slice of Life
Maturity Level: PG-13
Manga or Anime: Either. Both are good.
Story: On board the train to Tokyo to meet her boyfriend Shoji, Nana Komatsu ("Hachi") happened to sit beside Nana Osaki who was traveling to Tokyo to fulfill her dreams of becoming a musician. The vocalist for her punk band "Blast", Nana aims for a major debut for "Blast" in Tokyo where her boyfriend, Ren, is the guitarist for a popular band "Trapnest". Sharing the same name "Nana", both girls quickly form a bond of friendship. Their paths cross again when they encounter each other while searching for accomodation in Tokyo. Eventually they decide to live together in the same unit and this further strengthens their bond as the two "Nana(s)" go through their love lives and career.(From Anime News Network)
Bokurano
Genres: Mecha, Psychological, Drama, Horror, Science Fiction
Maturity Level: R
Manga or Anime: Either. I've only read the manga, but I've heard good things about the anime.
Story: During a summer camp, 15 children, 8 males and 7 females, find a grotto by the sea. Deep within they discover working computers and some electronic equipment, and later the owner, a man called Kokopelli. Kokopelli claimed to be a programmer working on a brand new game, in which a large robot has to defend the Earth against fifteen alien invasions. He persuades the children to test the game and sign a contract. All but one of them signs, barely a moment later they mysteriously awaken on the shore believing what happened was just a dream. (From Anime News Network)
Beck
Genres: Drama, Coming of Age, Music, Slife of Life
Maturity Level: PG-13
Manga or Anime: Either. I've only read the manga, but the anime is supposed to be good too.
Story: Tanaka Yukio, better known by his nickname Koyuki is a 14 year old who feels disconnected from life in general. Through the act of saving a mismatched dog, he meets guitarist Minami Ryuusuke, and becomes involved in Ryuusuke's new band BECK. Koyuki's life starts to change as the band struggles towards fame. (From Anime News Network)
Emma (Victorian Romance Emma)
Genres: Romance, Drama, Historical, Slice of Life
Maturity Level: PG-13
Manga or Anime: Either. I've only read the manga, but the anime is supposed to be good too.
Story: In late 19th century London, William Jones, a member of the gentry, meets and falls in love with Emma, and she with him. This chance meeting overturns both their lives - for Emma is a maid, and the barriers of class and wealth stand between them. (From Anime News Network)
Any and all Miyazaki movies
Genres: Mostly fantasy and adventure
Maturity Level: Mostly PG-13, maybe PG
Manga or Anime: Outside of Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind, it's all anime. Nausicaa is excellent in both forms.
Story: Varies. They're generally fantasy, with strong female and male characters and a underlying pro-environmental message that's not shoved in your face. They're all wonderful, as far as I can tell.
Other Recommendations:
Infinite Ryvius [Omnigamer]
Gunslinger Girl [Omnigamer]
School Rumble [Omnigamer]
Higurashi no Naku Koro Ni [Omnigamer]
Gankutsuou (Count of Monte Cristo) [Omnigamer]
Crayon Shin-chan [Matt]
The Twelve Kingdoms [Omnigamer]
Wallflower [Thundermistress]
Paradise Kiss [Thundermistress]
NANA [Thundermistress]
Doll [Thundermistress]
Beautiful People [Thundermistress]
Claymore [Omnigamer]
Grave of the Fireflies [Dodongo]
Noir [Dodongo]
Gantz [Keitaro]
Wolf's Rain [bluezaft]
Fantastic Children [Omnigamer]
Hajime no Ippo [twins506]
Akira [Flare233]
Elfen Lied [plasmawisp6633]
Blood+ [Lesheik]
Recommended Websites:
Anime News Network - It's a good place to get some basic information on almost any anime or manga, and it's where I took quite a few of these summaries from.
SurfTheChannel - This site is an excellent place to watch a lot of these shows online, for free.
Mangatraders - After you register, you can download a lot of free manga here.
OneManga - This site has almost as broad a selection as Mangatraders, and all of it can be read online without downloading anything.
CDisplay - The best tool I've found for reading manga on the computer.
Feel free to make suggestions or ask questions. I'll add suggestions to the list as my time permits and as I see fit, and I'll answer any questions every time I check this topic.
The List:
Berserk
Genres: Action, Adventure, Fantasy
Maturity Level: NC-17 - There's extreme violence, ****, and many other things that I found absolutely disgusting. Nonetheless, it is an excellent anime and manga (probably the best manga I've ever read).
Manga or Anime: I personally prefer the manga. The anime is pretty good, but only tells a portion of the story, and the animation is rather dated and wasn't exceptional to begin with. I feel that the manga is much better.
Story: Guts, the black swordsman, goes a quest for revenge against the man who betrayed him. Along the way he endures brutal battles against demonic creatures. About three volumes into the manga and two episodes into the anime, it goes into an elongated flashback that explains Guts' origins, and why he is seeking revenge. This is probably the best manga I've ever read. The first three or four volumes of the manga were rather tough going, but you're rewarded with an amazing and epic story.
Vagabond
Genres: Action, Adventure, Historical
Maturity Level: R - Quite a bit of violence, some sex, and one incidence of ****.
Manga or Anime: Manga. There is no anime.
Story: Essentially, this manga is about Miyamoto Musashi (Shinmen Takezo) as he develops his skill with the sword and eventually becomes the man who will become the most famous swordsman in Japanese history. However, this summary doesn't really do the story justice. It's not just sword fights, although there are plenty of those. Nor is it a dry retelling of the story of Musashi's life. Instead, it is a vivid portrait of a man and his development, both as a swordsman and as a person. It's a great read.
Serial Experiments Lain
Genres: SciFi, Psychological, Mystery, Philosophical
Maturity Level: PG-13
Manga or Anime: Anime. There is no manga.
Story: When a dead classmate begins sending e-mails to her fellow students, Lain is intrigued. She begins to investigate what's happening, and discovers the world of the "Wired" (essentially the internet). She begins to be sucked in more and more by this virtual world, and the line between the real world and the artificial world quickly begins to blur. It's a fascinating series, but it can be very confusing. The opening song is also my favorite song I've ever heard in an anime, and that's saying a lot.
Monster
Genres: Mystery, Suspense, Psychological
Maturity Level: PG-13
Manga or Anime: Either. They're very similar, so you probably won't want to watch both, but they're both very good.
Story: Kenzou Tenma, a Japanese brain surgeon in Germany, had it all: incredible skill at his work, a rich and beautiful fiancee, and a promising career at his hospital. However, after becoming disenchanted by hospital politics, he chose to save the life of a young boy who got shot in the head over the life of the mayor. As a result he lost the support of the hospital director, as well as his position in the hospital and his fiance. A short time later, the hospital director and the doctors that replaced him were murdered, and once again he was catapulted back onto the top. But as the chief suspect of the murders, Tenma did not get a easy life. As a matter of fact, it seems that the boy he saved was much more than he had appeared to be... Now to clear his name and to correct his past mistake, Tenma must get to the bottom of these and other murders, and investigate the truth of the Monster who is behind all of this. (From Anime News Network)
Death Note
Genres: Mystery, Suspense, Psychological, Supernatural
Maturity Level: PG-13
Manga or Anime: Either. They're very similar, so you probably won't want to watch both, but they're both very good.
Story: Light Yagami, the top student in all of Japan, is bored. One day he discovers a "Death Note", a supernatural book that causes whoever's name is written in it to die. Soon, he sets off the change the world using his newly acquired power, only to run up against the genius detective who goes by the name of "L". It's a thrilling battle of wits, and probably the most tightly written series I've ever seen. It also makes you question certain implicit assumptions about the nature of right and wrong, good and evil. It's both suspenseful and mind-bending. Unfortunately, it declines in its second half, but it's still an excellent series.
Neon Genesis Evangelion
Genres: SciFi, Mecha, Psychological, Philosophical
Maturity Level: R, maybe PG-13
Manga or Anime: The manga is still incomplete, and for that reason I recommend the anime. However, the anime has its share of problems, most of which are caused by a lack of money during the latter half of the show. This leads to some extreme animation shortcuts.
Story: At the age of 14 Shinji Ikari is summoned by his father to the city of Neo Tokyo-3 after several years of separation. There he unwillingly accepts the task of becoming the pilot of a giant robot by the name EVA01 and protect the world from the enigmatic invaders known as "angels." Even though he repeatedly questions why he has accepted this mission from his estranged and cold father, his doing so helps him to gradually accept himself. However, why exactly are the angels attacking and what are his father’s true intentions are yet to be unraveled. (From Anime News Network)
Azumanga Daioh
Genres: Humour, Slice of Life
Maturity Level: PG
Manga or Anime: Either. They're very similar, so you probably won't want to watch both, but they're both very good. The art in the manga starts out very simplistic, but gets better.
Story: It's essentially a show about a group of schoolgirls, but it's probably the funniest anime I've ever seen. The characters are all humorous in their own ways, and they're absolutely hilarious together.
Yotsuba&!
Genres: Humour, Slice of Life
Maturity Level: G
Manga or Anime: Manga. There is no anime.
Story: Done by the creator of Azumanga Daioh. The main character is a young girl with a tremendous amount of curiosity and an almost total lack of understanding about the world. This leads to some hilarious situations when she interacts with others, particularly her neighbors, who are also featured heavily in this story. Like Azumanga is probably the funniest anime I've ever seen, this is probably the funniest manga I've ever read. Really.
FLCL
Genres: Surreal, Psychological, SciFi
Maturity Level: PG-13
Manga or Anime: Anime. The manga is nowhere near as good.
Story: I'm not really sure where to start. The story gets into gear when a guitar-wielding, pink haired girl arrives on her Vespa scooter, running over the main character and then, for no apparent reason, hitting him over the head with her guitar. And it only gets stranger from there. The anime is an explosion of weirdness and surrealism, which I personally think is great. You'll either love it for being so strange or you'll hate it for the same reason. There is no middle ground.
Planetes
Genres: SciFi, Slice of Life, Romance
Maturity Level: PG-13
Manga or Anime: Both. They're both excellent, and rather different.
Story: In the year 2075, mankind has reached a point where journeying between Earth, the moon and the space stations is part of daily life. However, the progression of technology in space has also resulted in the problem of the space debris, which can cause excessive and even catastrophic damage to spacecrafts and equipment. This is the story of Technora's Debris Collecting section, its EVA worker, Hachirota "Hachimaki" Hoshino, and the newcomer to the group, Ai Tanabe. (From Anime News Network)
Witch Hunter Robin
Genres: Supernatural, SciFi, Adventure
Maturity Level: PG-13
Manga or Anime: Anime. There is no manga.
Story: Witches are individuals with special powers like ESP, telekinesis, mind control, etc. (not the typical hogwart and newt potions). Robin, a craft user, arrives from Italy to Japan to work for an organization named STN Japan Division (STN-J) as a replacement for one of STN-J's witch hunters who was recently killed. Unlike other divisions of STN, STN-J tries to capture the witches alive in order to learn why and how they became witches in the first place. (From Anime News Network) This series starts off slow, with episodes that are, well, episodic. They're not bad, but about halfway into the series, the pace really picks up, and the main plot is amazingly gripping.
Paranoia Agent
Genres: Suspense, Mystery, Surreal, Psychological
Maturity Level: R
Manga or Anime: Anime. There is no manga.
Story: 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. (From Anime News Network)
Cowboy Bebop
Genres: SciFi, Action, Noir
Maturity Level: R
Manga or Anime: Anime. The manga features the same characters as the series, but none of its charm.
Story: This show follows a group of bounty hunters as they travel across the galaxy. It combines excellent animation with a great jazz soundtrack. The show is almost entirely episodic, but there is a main story that takes up five episodes scattered throughout the anime. It runs 26 episodes total, plus a movie which can be watched anytime after episode nine. It's a wonderful show, and it's the show that got me into anime.
Ergo Proxy
Genres: SciFi, Philosophical, Adventure
Maturity Level: PG-13
Manga or Anime: Anime. There is no manga.
Story: In a future where the world has been ravaged by a nuclear apocalyse, there exists salvation in a domed city named "Romdeau", where humans and their android servants, the autoreivs, live in. Under the implementation of complete management control, it is a paradise where feelings are literally discarded, and the governing council dictates the way of life the citizens should live. But this utopian landscape is soon broken by a series of mystifying murders. Real Mayar, a female inspector from the Citizen Information Bureau, along with her autoreiv partner Iggy, are tasked to solve the murder cases. She is soon attacked by a creature drawn to her which is neither human nor android, and learns about the mysterious phenomena called "Awakening", an event which draws her further into the case...and to the world beyond the limits of Romdeau. (From Anime News Network) I personally feel that this series declines somewhat during its second half, but it's still enthralling and excellently done SciFi.
Ghost in the Shell
Genres: SciFi, Political, Police, Philosophical, Cyberpunk
Maturity Level: R
Manga or Anime: I haven't read the manga, but from what I've heard the anime is the superior of the two. Besides the anime series, there are also two semi-related anime movies, and one anime movie based directly on the show.
Story: Set a few decades into the future, where cyberization (integrating mechanical or computer parts into your body) has become normal, and the internet has taken giant leaps forward. Major Motoko is part of an elite Japanese crime fighting unit known as Section 9. Section 9 deals primarily in crimes relating to cyborgs and cyberterrorism, and contains some of the best hackers on the planet. However, this anime has a great deal of action as well, and the animation is topnotch. Combine that with the amazing fights made possible by the cyborg bodies of the characters (the Major herself is fully cyberized), and you've got yourself a topnotch anime. Truly the most thought provoking and intellectually stimulating anime I've ever watched, and that's saying something considering the anime I've watched. Perhaps my all-time favorite anime.
Haibane Renmei
Genres: Slice of Life, Drama
Maturity Level: PG-13, maybe PG
Manga or Anime: Anime. There is no manga.
Story: A dream of falling from the sky...and then birth. Rakka is born from a large cocoon into the Old Home, greeted by a group of females with small wings on their backs and shining halos above their heads. Soon Rakka’s own wings grow, a halo is placed on her head and she is told that she must work in the nearby town of Grie. She soon realizes that the town and the entire world they live in are confined behind the Wall, a tall, impenetrable wall that none except the mysterious Toga are allowed to exit. (From Anime News Network)
Golden Boy
Genres: Humor, Sex Comedy
Maturity Level: R
Manga or Anime: Anime. The manga simply doesn't compare
Story: I should warn you that the following plot summary will probably make the first episode a lot less funny. I'd recommend that you just take me at my word that Golden Boy is hilarious and go watch it right now.
Kintarou Oe doesn't look like it, but he is a genius who completed all his university courses and then quit before graduating. He becomes a wandering student, going from place to place on his bicycle, seeking to learn what he can about life, the world, and women. He is willing and able to do any job he has to prove himself. His travels take him to a variety of locations and a variety of women, each who learns to love the hardworking guy, but not before he can run off.
Ouran High School Host Club
Genres: Comedy, High School Drama, Romantic Comedy, Slice of Life
Maturity Level: PG-13
Manga or Anime: Either. They're both excellent.
Story: Haruhi is a poor tomboyish student at a school for the ultra-wealthy, able to attend because of a scholarship, and unable to even afford a uniform. One day, she stumbles across the decidedly peculiar but very popular Ouran Host Club. She tries to leave, but accidentally breaks a vase, and unable to pay for it, she's told that she'll have to stay and do odd jobs. That is, until they decide she would be more valuable as a club member. Not realizing she's female due to her appearance, they fix her up and give her a male uniform. She's an instant hit, so they decide to have her keep up the charade even after they find out the truth. Haruhi, being average almost to a fault, doesn't know what to make of the unconventional activities of the Host Club (or of the even more unconventional members), but having little choice, she plays along. Before long, real bonds are formed, friends made, and Haruhi finds herself accepted in a way she could never have been otherwise in this affluent school. (From Anime News Network)
Great Teacher Onizuka
Genres: Comedy, Drama, Slice of Life
Maturity Level: PG-13
Manga or Anime: Either. I haven't watched the anime, but I've heard nothing but good things about it.
Story: It's rather wacky, so if you're looking for something that takes itself seriously, look elsewhere. -- Onizuka is an ex-biker and gang leader who has one goal, to become the greatest teacher. He learns of the power and respect possible as an intern teacher, using his strength and connections to get his students to respect him. Now, graduated, he gets a job at a prestigious private school to handle their 'problem class' that made the past few teachers quit. He must handle a different sort of trouble when the trouble makers include some of the smartest kids in Japan who prefer a more cerebral approach to torturing their teacher. Onizuka must slowly win his students over and deal with their mistrust of teachers while handling the distrust of his fellow teachers. (From Anime News Network)
Tengen Toppa Gurren-Lagann
Genres: Action, Adventure, Mecha, Comedy, Romance, Drama
Maturity Level: PG-13
Manga or Anime: Anime. There is no manga.
Story: In their closed-off underground village, Kamina and Simon chafe at the limits imposed by the village elder. Yet all this will change, when Simon stumbles across a fantastic device - just as the village's peace is broken by a violent intrusion. (From Anime News Network)
NANA
Genres: Soap Opera (a really good soap opera), Romance, Drama, Slice of Life
Maturity Level: PG-13
Manga or Anime: Either. Both are good.
Story: On board the train to Tokyo to meet her boyfriend Shoji, Nana Komatsu ("Hachi") happened to sit beside Nana Osaki who was traveling to Tokyo to fulfill her dreams of becoming a musician. The vocalist for her punk band "Blast", Nana aims for a major debut for "Blast" in Tokyo where her boyfriend, Ren, is the guitarist for a popular band "Trapnest". Sharing the same name "Nana", both girls quickly form a bond of friendship. Their paths cross again when they encounter each other while searching for accomodation in Tokyo. Eventually they decide to live together in the same unit and this further strengthens their bond as the two "Nana(s)" go through their love lives and career.(From Anime News Network)
Bokurano
Genres: Mecha, Psychological, Drama, Horror, Science Fiction
Maturity Level: R
Manga or Anime: Either. I've only read the manga, but I've heard good things about the anime.
Story: During a summer camp, 15 children, 8 males and 7 females, find a grotto by the sea. Deep within they discover working computers and some electronic equipment, and later the owner, a man called Kokopelli. Kokopelli claimed to be a programmer working on a brand new game, in which a large robot has to defend the Earth against fifteen alien invasions. He persuades the children to test the game and sign a contract. All but one of them signs, barely a moment later they mysteriously awaken on the shore believing what happened was just a dream. (From Anime News Network)
Beck
Genres: Drama, Coming of Age, Music, Slife of Life
Maturity Level: PG-13
Manga or Anime: Either. I've only read the manga, but the anime is supposed to be good too.
Story: Tanaka Yukio, better known by his nickname Koyuki is a 14 year old who feels disconnected from life in general. Through the act of saving a mismatched dog, he meets guitarist Minami Ryuusuke, and becomes involved in Ryuusuke's new band BECK. Koyuki's life starts to change as the band struggles towards fame. (From Anime News Network)
Emma (Victorian Romance Emma)
Genres: Romance, Drama, Historical, Slice of Life
Maturity Level: PG-13
Manga or Anime: Either. I've only read the manga, but the anime is supposed to be good too.
Story: In late 19th century London, William Jones, a member of the gentry, meets and falls in love with Emma, and she with him. This chance meeting overturns both their lives - for Emma is a maid, and the barriers of class and wealth stand between them. (From Anime News Network)
Any and all Miyazaki movies
Genres: Mostly fantasy and adventure
Maturity Level: Mostly PG-13, maybe PG
Manga or Anime: Outside of Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind, it's all anime. Nausicaa is excellent in both forms.
Story: Varies. They're generally fantasy, with strong female and male characters and a underlying pro-environmental message that's not shoved in your face. They're all wonderful, as far as I can tell.
Other Recommendations:
Infinite Ryvius [Omnigamer]
Gunslinger Girl [Omnigamer]
School Rumble [Omnigamer]
Higurashi no Naku Koro Ni [Omnigamer]
Gankutsuou (Count of Monte Cristo) [Omnigamer]
Crayon Shin-chan [Matt]
The Twelve Kingdoms [Omnigamer]
Wallflower [Thundermistress]
Paradise Kiss [Thundermistress]
NANA [Thundermistress]
Doll [Thundermistress]
Beautiful People [Thundermistress]
Claymore [Omnigamer]
Grave of the Fireflies [Dodongo]
Noir [Dodongo]
Gantz [Keitaro]
Wolf's Rain [bluezaft]
Fantastic Children [Omnigamer]
Hajime no Ippo [twins506]
Akira [Flare233]
Elfen Lied [plasmawisp6633]
Blood+ [Lesheik]
Recommended Websites:
Anime News Network - It's a good place to get some basic information on almost any anime or manga, and it's where I took quite a few of these summaries from.
SurfTheChannel - This site is an excellent place to watch a lot of these shows online, for free.
Mangatraders - After you register, you can download a lot of free manga here.
OneManga - This site has almost as broad a selection as Mangatraders, and all of it can be read online without downloading anything.
CDisplay - The best tool I've found for reading manga on the computer.
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