Jan 29, 2018 6:49 AM
Anime 2017 Part 3: Best pre-2017 anime I saw in 2017
Anime Relations:
Kenpuu Denki Berserk
Hello there and welcome to part three of this series of mine. At this point, you already know the drill if you've seen the last two parts, but let me lay a few ground rules:
A. I have to have seen it for the first time in 2017. Rewatches of something I saw previously (regardless of if I included it in best pre-2016 awards) will not count. The cutoff date is December 31, 2017, so anything I see past that is invalid here
B. If the anime came out in the tail end of 2016, I'll allow it here or in the reverse side of this (worst pre-2017).
C. Mini-shorts (less than 5 minutes) don't count if they're one episode.
D. Commercials don't count either.
With that said, let's get this ball rolling again!
Oh, and spoilers for the third place entry with the picture. I just had to use it. Sorry.
10. Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam

Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam, for all its flaws and specific characters that are irritating to put up with, is still a relatively solid chapter in the saga. The visuals are fantastic for the time and still pretty good today (and are a nice step-up over the original), the OST is one of the better ones in the franchise, and Kamille is actually pretty understandable in his angst. The finale is also depressing. A solid 7/10 from me.
9. Berserk Movie 1

A controversial pick for sure, but this is ultimately a pretty decent condensed version of the first 2/5 of the first show and Golden Age arc of the manga. The music is still great and the designs are fantastic, just as much as before, occasionally awkward CGI aside (it was much better than the rest at least). Another solid 7/10 for me.
8. Mobile Suit Gundam Battlefield Record: Avant-Title

A short little moment in the battle of A Boa Qu from the perspective of some Zeon grunts, and it was directed by Kou Matsuo, the director who would work on Mobile Suit Gundam Thunderbolt, so it really feels thrilling and intense, even if these characters are nobodies to most of us. It's 7 or so minutes, check it out. Another 7/10 and a good recommendation from me if you want a short burst of mecha war intensity.
7. Gundam Build Fighters

A really charming kids battle anime that makes me feel like a kid sometimes with its epic mecha toy action that feels every bit as nail-biting as a fantastic battle in one of the more dramatic Gundam series. The characters for the most part are decently fun, but of course, it's the Gunpla that are the stars of the show, aside from lady Rinko of course. Fantastic for Gunpla fans despite a horrendous main villain, and a really high 7/10.
6. Steins;Gate

Despite a few shaky episodes near the beginning (3 and 4) and a few real blunders in the second half, this series, with its charming cast, is every bit as engaging and interesting in its science as it is dramatic and emotional. Some of the revelations and trials are either fascinating or brutal, and we can't help but root for these characters, especially Okabe. A strong 8/10 for me.
5. Berserk Movie 3

The CGI is used well for the demons and not much else. However, the depicting of the Eclipse here is just as horrifying as before, and we actually get to see how it ends this time and it's heartbreaking. Never have I felt so horrible for Guts, and ultimately, this was a definitive close for the arc, which is the ultimate utility of this movie, and once you're done with the main 25 episode anime, you only really need to watch this 8/10 film (or at least the final half hour) before continuing.
4. Daicon III/IV

It's 9s from here on out, starting with this landmark title in anime history. Gloriously fun and charming two animations, even if IV is the more notable one of the two. The references it squeezed in to major titles like Star Wars and Godzilla are gloriously hilarious and wacky, and it managed to become a target for as many references as it managed to carry. If you have 10 or so minutes, watch both of these golden oldies. Speaking of golden oldie...
3. Berserk 1997

A brutally harrowing tragedy, with spectacular music and character designs and art. Used its limited animation to its absolute advantage and has some of the loveliest backgrounds ever. I could go on, talking about the spectacular characters and how you care about the Band of the Hawk more than you think you should due to the impressive chemistry and vibe, but I'd suggest you to experience this majesty for yourself.
2. Mobile Suit Gundam Thunderbolt & December Sky

An absolutely thrilling entry in the franchise, exploding with style! The best visuals in the franchise to date until the second season came out, with an electrifying OST to boot and great show don't tell storytelling that makes the characters far more engaging than one might think. A harrowing, brutal depiction of war in outer space such as this is also a perfect way to get into the franchise as I've tested many times, almost as good as just starting from the beginning and working your way up to this one. If the jazz doesn't grab you, the thrill of the glowing battles sure will.
1. Macross: Do You Remember Love?

Some of the best visuals I've seen in film and animation, fantastic music, one of the best love triangles and resolutions to the loser of a triangle in in anime history, this spectacular anime is more than worthy of the Macross name. Even with a few characters getting screwed, it still works well, even if watching the original beforehand is a really good idea. It also makes a decent commentary against sexism, for those who somehow, erroneously think the movie is actively sexist. It is all around a fantastic entry, especially for fans of 80s and 90s movie animation.
And that concludes my list. Tune into part 4 where I'll talk about the worst pre-2017 anime I unfortunately witnessed that year. With all that said, I bid you adieu.
A. I have to have seen it for the first time in 2017. Rewatches of something I saw previously (regardless of if I included it in best pre-2016 awards) will not count. The cutoff date is December 31, 2017, so anything I see past that is invalid here
B. If the anime came out in the tail end of 2016, I'll allow it here or in the reverse side of this (worst pre-2017).
C. Mini-shorts (less than 5 minutes) don't count if they're one episode.
D. Commercials don't count either.
With that said, let's get this ball rolling again!
Oh, and spoilers for the third place entry with the picture. I just had to use it. Sorry.
10. Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam
Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam, for all its flaws and specific characters that are irritating to put up with, is still a relatively solid chapter in the saga. The visuals are fantastic for the time and still pretty good today (and are a nice step-up over the original), the OST is one of the better ones in the franchise, and Kamille is actually pretty understandable in his angst. The finale is also depressing. A solid 7/10 from me.
9. Berserk Movie 1
A controversial pick for sure, but this is ultimately a pretty decent condensed version of the first 2/5 of the first show and Golden Age arc of the manga. The music is still great and the designs are fantastic, just as much as before, occasionally awkward CGI aside (it was much better than the rest at least). Another solid 7/10 for me.
8. Mobile Suit Gundam Battlefield Record: Avant-Title
A short little moment in the battle of A Boa Qu from the perspective of some Zeon grunts, and it was directed by Kou Matsuo, the director who would work on Mobile Suit Gundam Thunderbolt, so it really feels thrilling and intense, even if these characters are nobodies to most of us. It's 7 or so minutes, check it out. Another 7/10 and a good recommendation from me if you want a short burst of mecha war intensity.
7. Gundam Build Fighters
A really charming kids battle anime that makes me feel like a kid sometimes with its epic mecha toy action that feels every bit as nail-biting as a fantastic battle in one of the more dramatic Gundam series. The characters for the most part are decently fun, but of course, it's the Gunpla that are the stars of the show, aside from lady Rinko of course. Fantastic for Gunpla fans despite a horrendous main villain, and a really high 7/10.
6. Steins;Gate
Despite a few shaky episodes near the beginning (3 and 4) and a few real blunders in the second half, this series, with its charming cast, is every bit as engaging and interesting in its science as it is dramatic and emotional. Some of the revelations and trials are either fascinating or brutal, and we can't help but root for these characters, especially Okabe. A strong 8/10 for me.
5. Berserk Movie 3
The CGI is used well for the demons and not much else. However, the depicting of the Eclipse here is just as horrifying as before, and we actually get to see how it ends this time and it's heartbreaking. Never have I felt so horrible for Guts, and ultimately, this was a definitive close for the arc, which is the ultimate utility of this movie, and once you're done with the main 25 episode anime, you only really need to watch this 8/10 film (or at least the final half hour) before continuing.
4. Daicon III/IV
It's 9s from here on out, starting with this landmark title in anime history. Gloriously fun and charming two animations, even if IV is the more notable one of the two. The references it squeezed in to major titles like Star Wars and Godzilla are gloriously hilarious and wacky, and it managed to become a target for as many references as it managed to carry. If you have 10 or so minutes, watch both of these golden oldies. Speaking of golden oldie...
3. Berserk 1997
A brutally harrowing tragedy, with spectacular music and character designs and art. Used its limited animation to its absolute advantage and has some of the loveliest backgrounds ever. I could go on, talking about the spectacular characters and how you care about the Band of the Hawk more than you think you should due to the impressive chemistry and vibe, but I'd suggest you to experience this majesty for yourself.
2. Mobile Suit Gundam Thunderbolt & December Sky
An absolutely thrilling entry in the franchise, exploding with style! The best visuals in the franchise to date until the second season came out, with an electrifying OST to boot and great show don't tell storytelling that makes the characters far more engaging than one might think. A harrowing, brutal depiction of war in outer space such as this is also a perfect way to get into the franchise as I've tested many times, almost as good as just starting from the beginning and working your way up to this one. If the jazz doesn't grab you, the thrill of the glowing battles sure will.
1. Macross: Do You Remember Love?
Some of the best visuals I've seen in film and animation, fantastic music, one of the best love triangles and resolutions to the loser of a triangle in in anime history, this spectacular anime is more than worthy of the Macross name. Even with a few characters getting screwed, it still works well, even if watching the original beforehand is a really good idea. It also makes a decent commentary against sexism, for those who somehow, erroneously think the movie is actively sexist. It is all around a fantastic entry, especially for fans of 80s and 90s movie animation.
And that concludes my list. Tune into part 4 where I'll talk about the worst pre-2017 anime I unfortunately witnessed that year. With all that said, I bid you adieu.
Posted by
CodeBlazeFate
| Jan 29, 2018 6:49 AM |
1 comments
SunlitSonata | Jan 29, 2018 10:04 PM
I didn't think Episodes 3 and 4 of Steins;Gate were bad by any means. They did their job well and still had some nice buildup, atmosphere and cinematography from before. I mean, technically one might be able to wonder about how the time mechanics work to the extent to get the ending, but even still, it did an excellent job tying the conclusion back to Episode 1 in a stable timeloop way.The Mobile Suit Gundam Record doesn't have a presented picture. Nice list, though a bit funny how shorts (Daicon) and movies (Berserk, Macross at the end) managed to beat out a lot of series. At least the title isn't wrong. I just saw enough to the extent where ranking shows above shows and movies above movies is easier than cross linking them. And shorts typically have less time to do and impress, feel limiting in that way, so Daicon must've done a lot. I know it is how Gainax got their start. Speaking of which, good luck with Evangelion. Love it or not it is an industry landmark. |
|