who likes anime

[ThirdWizard]

Let's see... what are you looking for? There are many genres within anime the medium. You bring up fantasy, but that's a fraction of the stuff out there if you're looking for some really good stuff.

As for fantasy, lets see...

Haibane Renmei. This is possibly my favorite all time anime. Some might not agree because there are no explosions, cheescake, killing, or anything along those lines. What you get is a very good story centered around a group of "angels" that takes place in a very surreal and unusual setting.

Blood: The Last Vampire is a pretty good movie. I have to mention that there's a new series based on it called Blood+! As only one episode has aired to date in Japan (and it will most likely be at least a 26 episoder) it won't hit English for quite a while.

Anything by Hayao Miyazaki. Castle in the Sky, Spirited Away, Nausicaä, Kiki's Delivery Service, Princess Mononoke, Howl's Moving Castle, and on. They're all good. That man makes gold.

Vampire Hunter D, Samurai Deeper Kyo, Lodoss War, The Slayers, and Hellsing are also good stuff.

I have an account at the Anime News Network site, and I've rated nearly all the anime I've seen, though I'm still working on it. Here is a link to my "Seen Some" list, and here is a link to my "Seen All" list. Anything Very Good and above I'd reccomend.

 

[Black Omega]

If you're interested in something short and humorous, try Those Who Hunt Elves. Don't worry if you like elves; they're not hunting them to kill them.

This is an absolutely silly anime, which is part of the fun. And yes, they don't hunt them to kill them, but it's almost as bad.

For sheer silly, it's hard to beat Excel Saga.

 

[ThirdWizard]

For sheer silly, it's hard to beat Excel Saga.

Jungle Wa Itsumo Hale Nochi Guu (aka Jungle Guu) gives it a run for its money, at least.

 

[Decado]

I'll throw my vote in for The Record of Lodoss War. It was my first introduction into anime and sadly the only stuff I have found that I really like.

 

[Dog Moon]

Originally posted by ThirdWizard
Blood: The Last Vampire is a pretty good movie. I have to mention that there's a new series based on it called Blood+! As only one episode has aired to date in Japan (and it will most likely be at least a 26 episoder) it won't hit English for quite a while.

Yep, I JUST saw the movie the other day. I also watched the first episode of Blood+. I thank God for fansubs, which allows me to watch them as they come out and save money for them for once they hit America so I can buy the boxed set and watch them over and over again.


Personally, I disliked Excel Saga because it was just so weird and stupid, so if you like normal stuff, you won't like Excel Saga.

 

[Dark Jezter]

Most anime I can't stand, but there have been a few I've really liked over the years:

• Princess Mononoke
• Spirited Away
• Record of Lodoss War
• Tenchi Muyo
• Noir
• Ninja Scroll
• El-Hazard
• Cowboy Bebop
• Vampire Hunter D
• Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust

I've also heard good things about Berserk, but have yet to see it.

 

[John Q. Mayhem]

I like a lot of the anime I've seen, but I'm not an "anime fan." I watch anime my friends like and stuff, but I don't watch stuff just because it's anime.

 

[Testament]

Berserk
Haibane Renmei
Cowboy Bebop
Neon Genesiss: Evangelion
Hellsing
Trigun
Full Metal Alchemist
Azumanga Daioh!
Wolf's Rain
Witch Hunter Robin
Bleach
Anything by Hayao Miyazaki, especially Princess Mononoke

 

[Azul]

I grew up on French-language versions of 70s/early-80s anime, especially Goldorak (Mazinger Z), Albator (Harlock) and Captaine Flamme (???). In the late 80s, I watched Robotech like lots of kids at the time. In the early 90s, I got to know the staff of Protoculture Addicts (a Montreal-based anime magazine) and even worked with them for a while. That's when I got seriously immersed into the genre. Got my wife into anime and manga too.

Fantasy anime isn't my favourite subgenre but I have to agree with the frequent recommendation that I've seen in this thread for Record of Lodoss War. It does a better job of capturing the flavour of D&D than that miserable D&D movie ever did.

Miyazaki's work for Studio Ghibli (released by Disney here in North America) is usually superb. I found Howl's Moving Castle as little weaker than his norm in terms of plot/storytelling but it was visually very nice.

Ninja Scroll (the original movie) is pretty good (warning: it's a bit graphic).

Bastard! is another fantasy series. It's ok but the power level is almost into the superhero range.

Berserk is a well-rated fantasy series. It's one of those things in my collection that I haven't yet watched.

Slayers is pretty popular but it doesn't seem to tickle my fancy.

There's also tons and tons of fantasy-horror themed stuff and a fair bit of science-fantasy. Most anime series tend to include some fantastic element to them even if they aren't "fantasy". The fantastic element typically takes the form of magic (e.g. a curse, a ghost), chi (e.g. superhuman martial arts stuff) or sci-fi technobabble (e.g. an android, aliens, robots, whatnot).

One suggestion though... if you like an anime, try to track down the manga (comic book) version. Most of the time, the anime is based on the manga and often simplifies and streamlines the plot quite a bit.

 

[ThirdWizard]

Ninja Scroll (the original movie) is pretty good (warning: it's a bit graphic).

A bit? I suppose Urotsukidoji has "a bit" of sexual content.
(Oh dear God, why is that the first one that popped into my head?)

Yep, I JUST saw the movie the other day. I also watched the first episode of Blood+.

I'm really liking Blood+ so far! Also, Static just released Mai-Otome 01 (always preferred their HiME sub)!

If I could reccomend any fansubbed anime that hasn't been licensed though, it would have to be Monster. That is one of the very best series I have ever seen. It's simply amazing.