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My Favorite Mature Anime:
When I say Mature Anime, I am referring to creativity and/or complex ideas, disturbing concepts and just good writing.
- Elfen Lied - Violent, emotional, heartrending and loving. One of my favorite animes. Some people hated this but I think if they wait awhile and watch it again they may appreciate it more. Definitely for Mature viewers.
- Rin: Daughters of Mnemosyne - Immortal women P.I.'s, sex, sadism, angels, gore and good story.
- Tekkon Kinkreet - Unique animation style about 2 street kids that depend on each other.
- Haibane Renmei - Slow paced but magical and spiritual
- Bakemonogatari and Nisemonogatari - Very artistic animation, you will love it or hate it.
- Hanada Shounen-shi - Bratty, loveable kid sees ghosts, forced to help them. Funny!
- Jarinko Chie (Chie the Brat) - Ten year old Chie, "the most unfortunate girl in Japan", who manages her family diner while her unemployed yakuza father and her mother are separated. Actually quite funny.
- Usagi Drop - Single man raises a 6 yr old girl no one wanted. Sweet and touching. Some like it, some don't.
- Aishiteruze Baby - Similar to Usagi Drop but more humor. HS student playboy forced to care for 5 yr old girl, learns responsibility.
- anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day - You Will cry at the ending, but it's a good cry.
- Death Note - another controversial show that elicits strong emotions pro and con. I loved it! Rated #1 in popularity.
- Mushi-shi - Beautiful and original story.
- Witchblade -This US/Japanese co-production brings a Japanese interpretation to the story. I liked it. The child was wonderful.
- Kemonozume - A brutal adult love story with cannibalism, gore, sex, nudity, and very creative & artistic, Man loves a beautiful monster.
- Kure nai - Exciting drama. 16 yr old Kurenai is a master of an arcane martial art and an experienced professional mediator with a long track record of resolving disputes. His latest job is to protect 7 yr old girl from a bizarre fate. What a rush!
- Shigurui: Death Frenzy - Beautiful and Artistic but violent, bloody and disturbing. One-armed Fujiki Gennosuke and blind Irako Seigen fight each other to see who who will succeed their insane Master.
- ef-a tale of memories. - Touching and sad love stories.
- Serial Experiments Lain - An artistic nightmare, designed by Yoshitoshi Abe.
- Texhnolyze - Bleak and depressing but a work of art
- Ergo Proxy - Work of anime art, exciting story
- Steam Boy - Beautiful visuals & animation, great action, very exciting
- Baccano! - Immortal gangsters, bloody gore, humor, romance. It has it all.
- Katanagatari - unique, dialogue driven. Human sword.
- Kino's Travels: The Beautiful World - Wonderful episodic storytelling reminiscent of Mushishi or Gulliver's Travels
- Yosuga no Sora: In Solitude, Where We Are Least Alone - A controversial and interesting study of teen relationships and sibling love.
- Mirai Nikki-The Future Diary - Group of people with future predicting cell phones fight to the death to become God. A real mind F**k.
- Shiki - Classic Vampire story with a twist, who is more evil, Humans or Vampires? Emotional, tragic, bloody gore fest. Feel sad for both groups.
- Planetes - Very well done and realistic show about life of space debris collectors on a space station in 2075. Romance, drama, adventure.
- Ghost Hound - Eerie, psychological, out-of-body mystery adventure. Great story, great music. A real gem.
- Colorful (Movie) - Dead boy gets 2nd chance at life. Very moving.
- Michiko & Hatchin - A modern Cowboy Bebop, great graphics, gritty story and satisfying ending.
- Jormungand - Action, adventure about charismatic female arms dealer who has a scheme for world peace. Nice.
- Samurai Girls - This is the best Ecchi Action Comedy I have seen. The art and animation is beautiful!!! Fun story, beautiful girls, nice romance.
- Kurau Phantom Memory - A beautiful and well written sci-fi story about a girl sharing her body with an alien entity which gives her amazing powers. A hopeful story about relationships and what it means to be human.
- Black Lagoon - Seasons 1 & 2. This action epic is a blend of Kill Bill and Cowboy Bebop. The toughest, deadliest characters are all women with hearts of stone! Blood and gore abound with edge of your seat excitement!!!
- Asura - A dark bloody drama that follows the struggles of a feral young boy who did whatever it took to survive during a time of war and famine in medieval Japan. Great message about compassion and redemption.
- Bokurano - Very depressing, Powerful, Disturbing, Sad but Hopeful. Teens tricked into fighting deadly mecha to save Earth. But at a heartbreaking cost.
- Shinsekai yori (From the New World) - An idyllic village barred from the outside world. The people possess the "gods' power" of psychokinesis and must remain separated from the rest of humanity. This is a well written and animated mature anime which gradually reveals the secrets and horror that affects some of the children of the village as their powers develop.
- Parasyte -the maxim - Worm-like aliens called Parasytes invade Earth, taking over the brains of human hosts. The MC, Shinichi, is attacked but the parasite fails to enter his brain because he is wearing headphones and lodges in his arm instead, taking over his right hand and is named Migi. They both retain their separate intellect and personality and end up working together to protect Shinichi from other Parasytes. Well written exciting drama and the Parasyte hand is adorable. The overall message of this story is “can someone who does not display human-like qualities, be humanized?
- Mardock Scramble – This is a 3-movie series. 1-Mardock Scramble: The First Compression. 2-Mardock Scramble: The Second Combustion and 3-Mardock Scramble: The Third Exhaust. Each movie is about 1 hr. It’s about Rune Balot, a down-and-out teen prostitute who is killed, but is resurrected by a law-enforcment organization which wants her to testify against the killer. The story takes place in the far future and the technology has reached god like proportions. The art and animation is very good, the writing is excellent and the Dub is great. Good action and characters.
- Grave of the Fireflies - At the end of World War II in Japan, two orphaned children struggle to survive in the Japanese countryside. Haunting and heartbreaking. A Ghilbi Masterpiece.
- A Tree of Palme - Beautiful, surreal landscapes, haunting music, about a puppet with a heart who mourns the death of a woman he was created to take care of. He goes on an incredible journey with new found friends to try to become human and understand his feelings. A complex and mature movie.
- Uninhabited Planet Survive -A group of children who live on a space colony crash land on an uninhabited island/world. They have to figure out how to survive. Very good adventure story for all ages.

My Favorite Cute, Funny, Magical, Heartwarming and/or Romantic Anime:
- Spirited Away and all anime written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki
- Aria the Animation, the Natural and the Origination - Peaceful slice of life on Aqua
- Squid Girl - (She is adorable) She came to conquer the land dwellers, but...
- Fruits Basket - I probably shouldn't have liked this. - Cute girl lives with cursed boys.
- Rozen Maiden - Living dolls must fight each other. Beautiful artwork, unique story.
- The Girl Who Leapt Through Time - Great romance about girl who jumps through time to fix mistakes she made and gets into trouble.
- The World God Only Knows - Dating Sim Master must free girls from demon possession by making them fall in love with him...or else!! Funny and clever.
- Bakuman - Great slice-of- life story about 2 High School boys who decide to become famous Manga Artists.
- Moyashimon - Strange comedy about a teen who can see and talk to cute, chibi bacteria and other microscopic organisms. Funny and educational.
- Moribito - Guardian of the Spirit - As good as Ghibli studio work.
- Natsume's Book of Friends - a boy who sees and befriends demons and spirits. I loved this so much.
- Aishiteruze Baby. Heartwarming story about a HS playboy forced to take care of a 5 yr old girl. Sweet not pervy.
- Tweeny Witches. Wonderful Ghibliesque story of a human girl trapped in a magical world. Don't let the title scare you off.
- Natsuyuki Rendezvous - Great mature love story. Man pursues widow but is thwarted by ghost of her dead husband.
- Chuunibyou... - A wonderful slice-of-life high school comedy romance about teens with "Eighth-Grade Syndrome" Defined as one who admire mystical powers and recreates them in reality through their imagination. Highly recommended.
- Mysterious Girlfriend X - Bizarre romantic comedy about a boy who tastes a strange girl's drool and becomes addicted to it. Wonderful.
- Girl Demon Zakuro - Romance between a girl who's a half spirit paired with a soldier to resolve the issues between spirits and humans. Nice animation, good story.
- Nagi no Asukara (A Lull in the Sea) -Sort of a Romeo and Juliette story of forbidden love between a sea dweller and a land dweller.
- Dusk Maiden of Amnesia - Scary, touching love story between a boy and a cute ghost who haunts a school.
- Oblivion Island: Haruka and the Magic Mirror - A magical CGI adventure about a girl who goes to the land where all forgotten objects end up. Great family anime.
- Welcome to the Space Show - Similar look and feel to Oblivion Island. Great family adventure.
- Kamichu! - A middle school girl overnight becomes a god. This show is uber-Cute! Great slice of life for all ages.
- Nichijou (My Ordinary Life) - A cute, funny, touching, oddball, absurd, slice of unreal life school comedy. I loved it.
- Mitsudomoe - 11-year-old Marui triplets have very different personalities, get their slob of a Father in trouble and make life difficult for teacher. Quite cute, perverted and funny.
- Jarinko Chie (Movie) (Chie the Brat) - Ten year old Chie, who manages her family diner while her unemployed yakuza father and her mother are separated. She is one tough little cookie. Fun comedy.
- Future Boy Conan - Early work directed and storyboarded by Hayao Miyazaki _This has all the Miyazaki magic that you come to expect in his Studio Ghibli career. Wonderful!
- The Wolf Children Ame and Yuki - An instant classic, similar to many of the Ghibli films.
- Yobi, The Five Tailed Fox - Korean anime, Young shape shifting fox joins a school for maladjusted children. Space aliens, fox hunters and shadowy figures make this an exciting and touching adventure.
- Miyori no Mori (Miyori's Forest) - Nice story about a girl forced to move in with her grandmother in a small village. She sees spirits and learns she has been chosen to be the Guardian of the Forrest. (Movie)
- Mai Mai Shinko to Sennen no Mahou (Mai Mai Miracle) - Heartwarming story of the importance of friendship. (Movie)
- Nijiiro Hotaru:_Eien no Natsuyasumi (Rainbow-Colored Fireflies: The Eternal Summer Vacation) - Sweet love story. Boy goes 30 years in the past and meets his future love. (Movie)
- Kyousou giga (TV)] - Crazy, Artistic and Creative. Children of Gods run amuck trying to return home. Loved it.
- Uchouten Kazoku (The Eccentric Family) - Wonderful slice of life of a shape-shifting Tanuki family living in Kyoto. Very original supernatural comedy with a touch of suspense.
- Kappa no Coo to Natsuyasumi - Modern Tokyo, boy finds young Kappa (Mythical water spirit/demon) preserved in a large rock, takes him home, revives him, adventure ensues. Great slice of life, realistic, good charaters. Must see.
- Gosick - A great gothic mystery and a very touching love story. I loved this.
- The Star of Cottonland - This 1984 G rated movie is for children and adults who love cats. An abandoned is found,near death, by 18-year-old Tokio. Although his mother is allergic to cats and has a great fear of them, she agrees to let him keep the kitten because she fears he is becoming too withdrawn after failing his university entrance exams. One of the things that make this anime special is that the kitten, Chibi-neko, is portrayed as a cute little girl even though the humans see her as a cat. Chibi-neko creates problems for her adopted family and leaves home to search for a fabled land in hopes of becoming human. The Star of Cottonland is a heartfelt and beautiful movie for young and old.
- Barakamon -As a punishment for punching a famous calligrapher, young calligrapher Handa Seishu is exiled to a small island. As someone who has never lived outside of a city, Handa has to adapt to his new wacky neighbors and in the process becomes a better person. Wonderful and heartwarming story and characters.

My Favorite unusual, offbeat, offensive and funny Anime:
- Binbougami ga! - Outrageously funny, crude, satire, heartwarming. About a girl with too much Good Luck! Watch it!
- Humanity Has Declined - Funny, satirical, clever comment on society and the anime industry. Loved it.
- Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt - Gross, vulgar and one of the funniest anime I've seen!!!
- Upotte!!- Story about a Girls Academy where the girls are assault rifles from around the world & they're quick on the trigger.
- Chuu Bra!! - A school girl starts a panty and bra club to teach other girls about how to choose the proper fitting bra and cute panties. Very educational.
- Charger Girl! - Ecchi, baseball bats and urine, what more can I say :-)
- KissxSis (OVA) - Sisters love their brother too much! Funny & dirty.
- B Gata H Kei - Virgin girl enters High school, wants to have 100 sex friends by graduation. Good Luck! Actually kinda sweet and cute.
- Astarotte's Toy - Cute, not pervy. Really!
- MM! - Highschool love story about perverts, funny.
- Ike! Ina-chuu Takkyuubu-The Ping Pong Club - A classic example of Gross, Ecchi, Juvenile, Potty Humor that is actually quite funny and well done.
- Sayonara Zetsubo Sensei or Goodbye Teacher Despair - High School teacher is so full of despair he want to end it all, instead he has a class of students more messed up than he is and he actually helps them. Wacky enjoyable comedy.
- Is This a Zombie? - A very funny and enjoyable mash-up of many anime characters & genres, Zombies, Vampire Ninjas, Magic Girl, Necromancer, penguins, Harem, Ecchi, and a boy who keeps getting dismembered. Totally outrageous.
- Inukami! - Slapstick comedy out of the mainstream. You must watch it to believe it.
- Aachi and Ssipak -Bizarre story about society that uses human shit for energy and rewards prolific poopers with addictive Juicy Bars.
- Yondemasu yo, Azazel-san. (TV) -Another gross, silly, fun story about detective and cute assistant who use chibi like demons to solve cases.
- Qwaser of Stigmata - Unique Superpower, supernatural action anime that's also an over the top parody of boob and panty ecchi. Hero gets his energy recharged by sucking Soma (life force) from virgin's breast. Good story and action.
- Detroit Metal City - Reserved young man goes to Tokyo and becomes the Satanic lead singer for DMC, a death metal band, but all he really wants is to sing sweet love ballads, Outrageous, gross and funny!
- Kuuchuu Buranko (Trapeze-Welcome to Irabu's Office] - A crazy artistic work about crazy people being treated by a crazy like a fox doc who has his own quirks.
- Oruchuban Ebichu (Ebichu, The Housekeeping Hamster) - A gag anime about a Hamster that does house chores for her master, a 25 yr old Office Lady. Ebichu loves her master and will do anything to keep her happy. It is violent, twisted and obscene but oh so adorable and funny. Not for the kiddies. Great translation notes at the beginning of the episodes.
- Roujin Z (Old Person Z] - futuristic, satirically funny, morality tale about a solution for caring for elderly people.
- Potemayo - What is Potemayo? It's been described as "cute on crack" Watch it.