|
1
|
3-gatsu no Lion
Overall, this is a great anime. The shogi element is cool- it's basically a Japanese version of chess and it makes it into a sports anime at times when it focuses on the game. The first part of this season is extremely strong- especially the relationship between our main character and the three sisters who befriend him. The characters are done very well- they're complex and believable and have interesting back stories. There's some fun comedy throughout. The animation is fantastic with a watercolor sort of style. I dig the whole competive board game premise. On the downside, the anime doesn't have much of an arc through the first season. It seems to follow the manga closely and it has a very manga feel with the short chapter breaks and the feeling that it could just go on and on introducing characters and arcs in perpetuity.
|
8
|
TV
|
22
|
dub, buy, expensive
dub, buy, expensive
|
|
2
|
Boku dake ga Inai Machi
Quite a good mystery/thriller with some time travel stuff going on. Good characters. The stuff in the past, with the kids in Hokkaido in the late 80's is particularly cool. I liked how it all came together too.
|
8
|
TV
|
12
|
dub, buy, expensive
dub, buy, expensive
|
|
3
|
Boku no Hero Academia 4th Season
This season is split into two parts. Both are different and really good. The first is sort of a rescue mission while the second they are preparing for a concert for the school festival. Really kept my attention and kept me watching.
|
8
|
TV
|
25
|
dub, buy
dub, buy
|
|
4
|
Dr. Stone
Weird premise but it's all a set up for rebuilding the world from scratch. What if you started with virtually nothing (except knowledge and genius) how would a group of people rebuild civilization- what would the steps be. Of course it might not be realistic but it feels close enough. The main character seems like he would be an annoying know-it-all but he's actually pretty cool. It's sort of a minecraft vibe- crafting one thing and another thing to make the next thing and so on, but more fun.
|
8
|
TV
|
24
|
sub, buy
sub, buy
|
|
5
|
Dr. Stone: Stone Wars
Everything good about the first season is continued here. They keep on making cool stuff. I was on the fence about the "war" thing, but it's resolved nicely. And it sets up for more if they want to make more. Very good stuff.
|
8
|
TV
|
11
|
sub, buy
sub, buy
|
|
6
|
Ergo Proxy
This is the type of old-school serious sci-fi/post-apocalyptic anime that was always my bag back in my first bout of anime fandom in the 90's. Since then my tastes have expanded to include many more types of anime but I still have a soft spot for this sort of thing. This one is done very well- it feels like the plot of a very good Japanese video game from the early 2000's. The vibe is mysterious but things are mostly explained as it goes and it doesn't revel too much in making you wonder what the hell is going on. The whole world is really cool and atmospheric. I like how once the anime settles in it takes time to use the setting for some neat adventures that develop the characters and develop the world even further. Great opening too.
|
8
|
TV
|
23
|
dub, buy
dub, buy
|
|
8
|
Hataraku Maou-sama!
This has a really bad title. The devil (not really the christian devil, just some evil entity from another high-fantasy style dimension) is in fact a part time worker at McDonalds- so it fits, but it just doesn't sound very good. Thankfully the anime is solid. It's a classic fish-out-of-water thing mixed with a little harem and slice-of-life with a supernatural back drop that just makes the whole thing more amusing. The characters are fun. Overall it's surprisingly really good, if not all that original.
|
8
|
TV
|
13
|
sub, buy
sub, buy
|
|
9
|
Hotaru no Haka
This is a fascinating look at Japan in the final days of WWII. It's an obvious masterpiece, I think mostly because of its realistic feel and because it mostly resists the temptation to be overly melodramatic. It's understated and it needs to be with such a heavy story. As it is, it actually goes by quickly and is easily watchable. The animation is great too.
|
10
|
Movie
|
1
|
sub, buy
sub, buy
|
|
10
|
Inferno Cop
This is an over-the-top comedy done on what appears to be a budget of $0. The animation is just static cut-outs and explosion effects but it works with the overall silly vibe of the show and the drawings are pretty cool. Each episode is a new couple minutes of stupidity. Maybe not all that amazing but short and very fun. Trigger is also one of my favorite studios and it's cool to see their first anime.
|
8
|
ONA
|
13
|
sub, buy
sub, buy
|
|
11
|
Initial D First Stage
I like sports anime and this is basically a sports anime about street racing. Ironically, the show is rather slow paced but it builds up very nicely. There's some teen drama that feels surprisingly realistic. The characters are nicely developed. The animation isn't that great but it doesn't really matter. The 1998 CG cars are bad too but it's all somehow kind of charming. Of course it has all the things I like about sports animes- the rivalries, the actual races, etc- are all here and work well.
|
8
|
TV
|
26
|
dub, buy
dub, buy
|
|
12
|
Jujutsu Kaisen
Seems like just another kids with powers shonen type deal. And I think the main character is kind of uninteresting. But the supporting cast is quirky and cool. The villains are sick. The action and animation is absolutely top notch.
|
8
|
TV
|
24
|
dub, buy
dub, buy
|
|
13
|
Kaguya-hime no Monogatari
Beautiful sort of watercolor style that I've never seen in an anime before. This is an adaptation of a Japanese folktale. It's very good. Several lessons to be learned here. She loves her simple life in the country but is not particularly happy as a rich noble, so mostly money can't buy happiness. Long for a childrens movie but very good.
|
8
|
Movie
|
1
|
dub, buy
dub, buy
|
|
14
|
Kaze no Tani no Nausicaä
This is the first big Ghibli movie. I love the post apocalyptic mold and bug world. It feels like a big rich world with lots of stuff going on. The story has a mythic quality. I read the manga before watching the movie. It's kind of odd that the movie came out before the manga was completed. The two deviate quite a bit and the manga is much more fleshed out. I really dig the old school 80's animation too.
|
8
|
Movie
|
1
|
dub, buy
dub, buy
|
|
15
|
Kimetsu no Yaiba
This is a very solid shonen with great animation. There's some pretty horrific stuff too, even though the tone is solidly shonen with a fair bit of comic relief. The supporting characters are fun but also can be annoying from time to time. It's not the greatest thing I've ever seen but it is pretty good and it's hard to tell if it can sustain it's momentum but I'm on board for a second season.
|
8
|
TV
|
26
|
sub, buy
sub, buy
|
|
16
|
Kimetsu no Yaiba: Mugen Ressha-hen
A short arc that takes place on a train. It's a cool setting. And we have the flame hashira who's a simple but fun character. The animation and action is great- I love the flame and water effects. There's a pretty awesome climatic battle over the last few episodes. Tragic, but I don't know if it could have ended any other way.
|
8
|
TV
|
7
|
dub, buy
dub, buy
|
|
17
|
Kimetsu no Yaiba: Yuukaku-hen
Demon Slayer is feeling more like a standard shonen over the past couple arcs. It's got long battles with lots of talking and the arcs have been pretty much stand alone with not a ton of forward momentum in the overarching story. We have a new hashira they are with and a new setting in the red light district. For a while it seems like we might get some comedy with the boys going incognito as geishas but some demons soon come on the scene and we get a ton of action again. You know I've seen a lot of anime action but the battle over the last few episodes is pretty ridiculous. And the anime retains a dark and sometimes twisted edge while at the same time being very watchable and even cozy. It's a quality that feels very very anime going back to series that got me into it in the 90's like Evangelion. But again packaged up in a pretty standard shonen structure.
|
8
|
TV
|
11
|
dub, buy
dub, buy
|
|
18
|
Kono Subarashii Sekai ni Shukufuku wo!
These sort of sucked into another world that's like an RPG video game isekai animes seem to be a dime a dozen these days. This one has a really screwy, episodic, funny, slightly pervy harem thing going on. It's quite entertaining and good overall. I found myself watching almost the whole thing in one sitting.
|
8
|
TV
|
10
|
dub, buy
dub, buy
|
|
19
|
Kurenai no Buta
This is a Ghibli movie that I was a little more skeptical of- a pig flying ace? It turns out that the pig is really the only fantastic element. And that's maybe a reason for skepticism too- Ghibli movies are usually more fantastic. But the movie is really great. Its oozing the Ghibli charm. It feels like the plot of some classic film in a way but with an anime quirkiness. It feels like a small story in the middle of a great created world, even if that world is closer to reality than usual. Michael Keaton is a great casting choice for the main character in the English dub.
|
8
|
Movie
|
1
|
dub, buy
dub, buy
|
|
20
|
Lupin III: Cagliostro no Shiro
I've never watched any Lupin before. I get a distinct Cowboy Bebop Spike and Jet vibe from the main two characters and it works. This is a big caper-style adventure in a picturesque european nation, the titular Cagliostro. The animateion is beautiful, espeically for its age- it establishes the atmosphere and setting very well. It's obviously for kids but it's all fun action with lots of little comedy moment sprinkled in. Fast paced. Overall just good vibes all around.
|
8
|
Movie
|
1
|
dub, buy
dub, buy
|
|
21
|
Macross
I tend to like old school classics, but even so I was surprised at how much I dug this. It's got mechs. But there are several other aspects that overshadow the giant robots. First is a very solid sci-fi story involving aliens attacking earth. There are many cool reveals of surprising twists involving the aliens origin, their society and culture (or lack of culture), etc. Next is a romance, really a love triangle, drama between the main characters. It's a little cheesy but somehow also very engaging. It also grounds the mecha sci fi story in a way that elevates both aspects. Finally there's some catchy old j-pop. I like the handdrawn animation but it varies in quality throughout- the machinery and battles are particularly nicely done. Remarkably consistent throughout it's 36 episodes. It's especially strong through the middle while the main action is aboard the Macross and the city they build inside it. Really great stuff and I'd be the first in line to preorder a reissue dvd or blu-ray.
|
10
|
TV
|
36
|
sub, buy, oop
sub, buy, oop
|
|
22
|
Macross: Do You Remember Love?
I really dig the original Macross series. This is sort of a summary or retelling with some significant changes. Obviously lots is cut completely. Since I've seen the series I knew exactly what was going on, but I'm wondering if it would be a little confusing if you went into it with no knowledge of Macross. The plot is a little choppy. But the animation is absolutely sick for 1984. And the music is good, as you'd expect. The series is better but this is still a pretty great movie version.
|
8
|
Movie
|
1
|
sub, buy, oop
sub, buy, oop
|
|
23
|
Psycho-Pass
This is very good. The premise isn't all that original- it's quite similar to Minority Report. On the other hand, it's not a premise that I've seen done very often. It's sort of a futuristic utopia where everyone lives in peace but this is made possible through strict monitoriing of people's psychological state by a central system. Latent criminals are locked up or executed before they can commit crimes. Anyway, it's very good. The characters are interesting and well developed. It's got a good villain. It brushes up against some interesting philosophical stuff in an non-stupid way. It makes you think occasionally. It's got some twists and turns. Entertaining throughout. It looks good. My only criticism is that it's a little heavy on exposition at times. But still this is a pretty great anime.
|
8
|
TV
|
22
|
dub, buy
dub, buy
|
|
24
|
Seishun Buta Yarou wa Bunny Girl Senpai no Yume wo Minai
A really good anime in the romance slice of life genres with some supernatural stuff thrown in and a bit of a harem element, but not really I guess. It seems like lots of other stuff I've seen before but it's got enough interesting wrinkles to keep it engaging throughout. Divided into several roughly three episode arcs focusing on different characters but all very much related, which is a nice structure. Serious for the most part, but not overly heavy. Winds up feeling pretty unique. The arcs are maybe a little uneven with he first one being the best but the floor is pretty high.
|
8
|
TV
|
13
|
sub, buy
sub, buy
|
|
25
|
Shigatsu wa Kimi no Uso
This sort of shonen romance, or romance from the male perspective in general, seems to be nearly non-existent outside of anime. And the first half of this is just a great romance anime- just spectacularly beautiful. Then in the middle it drags a little and loses its way a little by introducing some other characters and minor plot lines. Then it gets good again at the end, although it's heartbreaking. This is also kind of like a sports anime at times but with piano playing as the "sport." It doesn't work all that well, but it's amazing that it works at all. Overall, it's very effective and actually got me emotional at times. It knows how to mix in a little comedy too. Not perfect, but really great. And it helps that the animation is just gorgeous.
|
10
|
TV
|
22
|
dub, buy, expensive
dub, buy, expensive
|
|
26
|
Violet Evergarden
When this show is at its best is when it does one episode stories. These tend to be poignant and very good. The bigger story about Violet herself is fine and somewhat necessary to set things up but it's not as good as the one episode stories. Her character is fine but it's not all that interested in itself (essentially a robot [or brainwashed human] learning to become human). She is however interesting as a sort of catalyst for other little stores. It really helps that the animation and music are absolutely top notch.
|
8
|
TV
|
13
|
buy, dub
buy, dub
|
|
28
|
Yakusoku no Neverland
The story has a classic feel- movies about plotting and executing an escape are pretty common after all. It get's pretty dark and twisted in that great anime way at the end of the first episode and the backdrop remains dark and twisted but it's rarely in your face and the children's world, while they're there is pretty and idyllic. It's a good juxtoposition. The anime does a great job stringing you along revealing bits and pieces about the world at a steady but slow pace. There's still lots I want to find out and I'm looking forward to more.
|
8
|
TV
|
12
|
buy, dub
buy, dub
|
|
29
|
Yuu☆Yuu☆Hakusho
This is a top tier long shonen. It has top notch old school animation and action. The series seems to never go through a slow or boring patch through its entire 112 episodes which is quite a feat. I dig the characters. There's really nothing to dislike about this and there's lots of stuff I love.
|
8
|
TV
|
112
|
dub, buy
dub, buy
|
|
TV: 21,
OVA: 0,
Movies: 6,
Spcl.: 1,
Eps: 0,
Days: 54.91,
Mean Score: 8.2,
Score Dev.: -0.05
|
|
TV: 0,
OVA: 0,
Movies: 4,
Spcl.: 0,
Eps: 0,
Days: 0,
Mean Score: 0.0,
Score Dev.: 0.00
|
TV: 154,
OVA: 16,
Movies: 55,
Spcl.: 11,
Eps: 3555,
Days: 60.88,
Mean Score: 6.9,
Score Dev.: -0.78
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