DBZ4ever's Blog

Anime Relations: Cowboy Bebop

Here is the last part of my top 20 list. The anime I enjoy the most.

5. Kill la Kill: This anime when I first saw it was so much fun and still is honestly. it was one of the few anime that I watched essentially three times in a row. Once subbed and twice dubbed when it premiered on Toonami and again when it was on reruns. I just found myself watching and enjoying it so much that I didn't care to watch it so many times in such a short setting. This isn't usually like me however and speaks to how much I enjoy this anime. Why? Well like I already said it is just enjoyable. It has a likable main character with a great supporting cast. The show is action packed and yes it has a lot of fan service. This isn't a big deal for me however. You'll notice I don't have any ecchi anime on my list but the fan service is nice at times. it goes along with the action and the comedy. The action reminds me of Gurren Lagann and the comedy isn't so much that it ruins the show. The music just as in Gurren Lagann is epic at times and helps set the mood. The whole idea of the show starts out small in a school setting then once again like Lagann grows into much more, not quite on the scale of Lagann but still very epic at the end. Overall the show is just super fun to watch and very enjoyable. The story is nothing amazing but enough to entertain with the action and comedy and the cast of characters making it what it is...just a fun time.

4.Outlaw Star: it is kind of sad that not many people know about Outlaw Star especially when compared to say Bebop. Outlaw Star is similar to Bebop in that it deals with space and pirates, organizations, assassins, etc. it is different however in a few ways. it is lighter in tone for sure. The show does not lack any action but it is a bit funnier than Bebop overall. Both shows take place in space and deal with certain organizations throughout the stories but Outlaw Star deals more with pirates. Not just any pirates but pirates with magic. The magic in the show is a mix between science and magic achieved from incantations or chanting. Add to that you also have a very diverse range of "aliens". You see different races of aliens throughout the show. This adds to the main cast for sure. You don't just have the main group consisting of humans but an android and a member of an alien empire as well. the main characters are enjoyable and again funny many times. The show as I said before does not lack action though. You have some very neat fights with the scientific and magical weapons that various people use in the series. You also have some great spaceship battles as well. the main plot isn't anything too special but it makes for a fun show. Group of characters from to look for a treasure in space while fighting other hunters and pirates along the way. For anyone who has never seen the show I'd highly recommend it.

3.Gurren Lagann: This is like Kill la Kill but better. The show starts out small but grows to universe size action, literally. The show is filled with mecha action on a huge scale and everything about the anime just tries to be epic. The music is epic, the action is epic, and the characters are wonderful. Believe in the me that believes in you. I actually really enjoy the plot. It isn't too far out there but it has a huge twist in it half way through hat will make you say, wait what? The anime has guts, especially for doing one thing that I will not mention here just in case someone has not seen it. I won't say too much more about this one since a lot of what I said about Kill la Kill applies here as well. It is just a fun anime to watch but it is even more epic than Kill la Kill. This is mecha anime to the max. Watch this one and be prepared to be blown away.

2.Dragon Ball series: I am including both DB and Z in this. DBZ is where I started anime. It holds great nostalgia for me. The plot is pretty simple but the action is just insane and fun to watch. DBZ fights are always a joy to see. i prefer the U.S. version of the music but again maybe because nostalgia. I really enjoyed the music that was put into scenes for the U.S. version. DBZ has a large cast of characters, most of which are very enjoyable. However there is a problem with DBZ and many shonens have this. As the series goes along it tends to throw away other characters and the show becomes the Goku and Vegeta show. Sure the others fight but they never seem to get anywhere. The Cell saga was the last time anyone did anything big other than Goku. It becomes a bit of a drag. it is still a great show but you find yourself wishing others could have some spotlight too. One Piece does this pretty well for a shonen whereas most fail at it. Regardless of this the show is action packed and highly entertaining. DB is the same way but I enjoy it for different reasons. DB is more about martial arts and the journey of Goku growing up and meeting friends along the way. and the adventures he has with them while training and looking for the dragon balls. Both shows are enjoyable for their own reasons and maybe nostalgia keeps them up so high but I still put these as my second shows in my top 20.

1.Cowboy Bebop: This had to be number 1. I consider this to be the best anime series ever created. It has everything you would ever want. The show has an amazing setting of being in space with colonies and planets but it also has a very noir feeling with drugs, bounty hunters, and crime syndicates. After the setting you have a plot that is simple yet amazing with the crew being bounty hunters. Episodes can be their own story or continue in the overall story. The main cast of characters are wonderful. Each one has their own past, some dark some mysterious and it is fun to learn about these members and who they were and how they came to the point they are at in the present. The villain also helps to make the show. Probably one of the top villains in classic anime. The back story between him(Vicious) and the MC (Spike) makes for a great pairing when they face each other at different parts of the story. As I said before the world is fleshed out and each crew member has their own interesting episodes with backstories that can add to the overall story as it goes along. The action in the show is entertaining for sure, a lot of gun fights and such. However the show does have some comedy as well along with some truly sad moments. The music from the opening theme all the way through to the ending is just simply amazing. It adds to the noir setting with the jazzy beats. The animation is still great and the voice acting is spot on. I have heard people say it is one of the few dubs that is probably better than the sub. All these things, the setting of the world, the characters and their backstories, the action and comedy, the music and animation, and the voice acting make the show very entertaining to watch time and time again. it has never gotten old for me, it is just too enjoyable. I would even use this anime to show someone who has never seen anime to try and explain to them why I like anime. I could go on and on on why this anime is the greatest in my opinion but honestly and simply put I think it is the best and the above reasons are why I consider it my number 1 anime of all time.

Anime Relations: One Piece

Now we come to the top 10. This part involves 10-6. These are my absolute favorites.


10. Big O. Big O is a very interesting anime. It has a sense of noir to it combined with a main character that is a sort of detective in his own way although he calls himself a negotiator. I've heard people say he is similar to Batman even. Now combine these two things with mecha and a setting that is somewhat post apocalyptic and everyone having lost their memories years prior to the current events. All this makes for an intriguing show. The atmosphere is never lacking, again very noir but at times even creepy. The music is just amazing to go along with the various places and happenings in the show. The show is a bit complex at times and can be a bit confusing, especially the ending. Most of the show is gathering information or investigating to solve various mysteries and such with the big one being why everyone lost their memories. That is not to say there is no action. There is usually a fight of some kind in every episode, most often in mechas but not always. I can't really say why I like this one so much, it just has so many nice things going for it. A likable protagonist, great scenery and imagery...the animation is its own kind of enjoyment, wonderful music, the mysteries involved, and the whole cast of characters and the actions between them, the voice acting, and of course you have the giant robots. A very good show and always a great watch.

9. Black Lagoon. If you want a rough anime this is for you. This anime has drugs, sex, guns with tons of violence, gangs, mafias, Russian soldiers turned criminal organization, etc. The main cast of "heroes" if you want to call them that are wonderful. Revy makes the show and she does not mess around. Do not look to this anime for feel good times or mercy as most of the characters will shoot you just because they can. The plot isn't too complex, the main crew do jobs for money. Some good some bad but if it is for money they will do it. The other main protagonist deals with entering this world and slowly sinking into it while trying to hold on to his humanity. The animation is nice and while the music isn't anything special in my opinion, it fits with what the show is going for. If you want an anime that deals with the criminal underworld and has lots of violence then this is for you.

8. Hellsing Ultimate. Hellsing ultimate takes the original anime and cranks it up to 11. It follows the manga much more closely. The original was good but this is great. This anime features a British secret organization, the Catholic Church, Nazis, vampires, zombies, and an insane amount of action and blood. Seriously this is probably one of the bloodiest anime I have ever seen. The action is insane and some of the things that happen to kill people is just crazy. It is so over the top that it is easier to accept than say the gore scenes in Blood C. I would say Hellsing Ultimate is bloodier and more action packed but it is so over the top it is just entertaining. The plot I will not go too much into just know that there are Nazi vampires trying to start another war and many many people die. The protagonists are all good enough but the main one Alucard is excellent. His character is so powerful. Imagine any vampire you have ever seen in a movie or book and all the powers that go with it, now imagine all that combined and taken to another level. He can do all sorts of crazy things and is essentially immortal. Pump him full of bullets and cut off his head, he finds it amusing. The side characters are good as well, the butler, the police girl as he calls her, and Sir Integra. Another thing that makes this series so good are the villains. The agent of the Catholic church, Father Anderson is so fun to watch and the commander of the Nazis, well, you have to see him and his speech to appreciate how evil he is. The animation is beautiful and dark and the music sets the tone nicely. Strongly recommend this one to anyone that has not seen it or just seen the original.

7. Fullmetal Alchemist. This at one time was my number 1 show. I am kind of putting the original and Brotherhood together here. I liked both a lot. The original is a bit darker and more sad with a really nice twist at the end. The faithful rendition of Brotherhood is very good because it has a bit more action toward the end and an actual ending, a good one at that. The world as a whole is amazing with the various countries, wars, and alchemy involved. The plot is very entertaining and there are some really nice twists as we go along through the story. The cast of this anime is huge on both sides, those who would be friends and those that would be foes. None of them are boring and all are interesting and fleshed out. The music is again just amazing in both versions of the anime. The animation itself is also very pretty. I can't recommend this one enough. it should seen if at all possible, both versions.

6. One Piece. The Big 3 have fallen on my list and two of them are now done. this one is by far my favorite. The adventure that Luffy and his crew go on is just so much fun. The world is huge and there are so many different characters that they meet along the way. What makes One Piece fun though is two things in my opinion. One Piece follows a fairly simple formula of going to a place, finding some villains and defeating them. This sounds like it would become boring but it never does. Why? For a few reasons...first the main crew. The main crew are always entertaining, each person has his or her own personality and abilities and it makes for encounters that are never boring. it is very interesting to see the crew members' back stories and you enjoy seeing these people grow close to one another on their adventure. The main crew help make the show never boring because of who they are, they are funny but serious and care for one another. The second big reason is that no one ever really becomes unimportant. Unlike in DBZ where it is always Goku, all the crew members are important and no one really ever gets left behind too much. Each have their fights and important moments in the series so it never gets boring. When they reach new areas there are many times when new people they meet are helping them fight or even going at it on their own. There are times when almost a whole episode goes by without the main cast. Can you imagine a whole episode of DBZ where some new person they met defeats a villain without any help from Goku and friends? The show never gets very boring because of this. Even filler, which thankfully there isn't much of compared to other shonens, is tolerable due to the main cast being enjoyable and the secondary characters having some action. As for villains, there are of course quite a few, some are absolutely evil while others have been known to turn a new leaf. All are thankfully entertaining and fun. We even get some nice back stories on many of them. Now like I said before the world of One Piece looks simple and I've explained how it stays entertaining while being simple but it does have its more deeper things such as the void era and the mystery of the poneglyphs and of course the One Piece itself. As for the art style is is okay and has gotten better over time, the music is overall good and fits the certain moments in the series. Overall One Piece is an adventure with friends. The show is about building friendships and having a great adventure. This combined with the simple yet fun plot and a giant world filled with friends and foes alike make it is just fun and very entertaining to watch.

Anime Relations: FLCL

This part involves 15-11.

15. One Punch Man. One of if not the latest anime on my list. A favorite of a friend of mine as well in Kehoitk. The idea behind this anime makes it seem like it would be boring. A mighty super hero for fun that can one hit anyone or anything. However the show is very entertaining. it has a nice supporting cast and a fun world overall. It is also quite funny. You can't really explain the charm until you see the show yourself. it is fun, has some enjoyable characters, a simple plot but not so much that it is boring, very funny at times, and of course a good amount of action. This is just one of those feel good to watch anime.

14. Evangelion. Some will swear that Evangelion is the best anime ever. I do not think that. Having said that it is a good anime and should be seen by every anime fan at least once and I am including the movie. The show is mecha with a twist and the show overall is quite crazy and confusing at times. I am not even going to try and talk about the symbolism and such. Simply put the show has a good amount of action with a crazy story that toward the end just goes off the rails in both the show ending and the movie ending. if you have never seen the movie I highly recommend it. The kind of crazy is fun to an extent, just hold on and enjoy the ride. There will be a show that I will say the same thing for up a few spots as well. The protagonist can be a bit whiny but other than that great anime to watch if you've never seen it before.

13. Samurai Champloo. There was a time when Rurouni Kenshin would be high on this list. Is till think it is a good show just not in my top 20. This samurai show is much more serious than Kenshin while still being funny in its own way. We have samurai era Japan with a bit of a twist. There are times when people are rapping and playing baseball against foreigners. Even so the show is very enjoyable. The music is great and the fight scenes are wonderful. The story is nothing special per say but it does what it needs to get things going. The back stories from the main characters are what is most interesting in terms of plot. When looking for a good samurai anime this is one of the best around.

12. Trigun,. We go from Samurai swords to gun play. Trigun is a series that has all sorts of characters with...well guns, but also unique abilities that go along with said guns. The cast in terms of both protagonists and antagonists is great with a wide range of characters and personalities. Of course there is action everywhere and the setting is neat with the show feeling like an old west type of atmosphere. There are also some funny moments as well along with some truly sad ones from certain characters. Overall a very fun and action packed anime.

11. FLCL. Remember when I said a show would be in the category of just hold on and enjoy the ride? This is that show. It is quite different than Evangelion. While Eva tries to be serious and confusing with deeper meanings, this show is just crazy. It has some action with a heavy dose of comedy and insanity. I wouldn't even try to figure out what is going on most of the time and the plot is not too detailed. Regardless, the show is very fun to watch and it is short at 6 episodes so it never drags on too much. The animation is sort of unique and the music is phenomenal. The group the Pillows nailed it for the soundtrack. As far as characters go the protagonist is okay but the girl he meets makes the show. His father is also quite funny though. I could ramble on about this show for a while but I like it a lot and recommend that once again if you call yourself an anime fan, you see this show at some point. Don't try to understand it, just go along for the ride and have fun.

Anime Relations: Koukaku Kidoutai: Stand Alone Complex

Well about time I get this started. This is part 1 of my top 20 anime list. This will be from 20-16. as always this is only my opinion and this only counts for anime I have seen. I will also not be including anime such as JoJo since I only recently saw it and I don't want to include it so soon. Same with the Saga of Tanya the Evil. I like both of them and one of them is considerably older but both are very new to me.

Also this list does tend to shift over time. I am trying to make this as close to true as possible.

20. Eureka Seven: Eureka Seven is overall a good show. I never fell for it like many did but I still put it way up there in terms of anime, I mean it is at number 20. The animation is nice and the genre of mecha is always fun. The two main complaints I have on it are that the main protagonist is a bit weak and whiny at times. I understand that this is so that he matures and becomes better over time but it takes a while and can be very annoying at times. This brings me to the second point in that the series is a bit slow. I feel it could have been reduced by a considerable amount. Regardless of these two problems the series overall is fun. Some great characters, a love relationship with Eureka and the protagonist and of course some nice mecha action. The story is okay albeit a bit confusing at times but still good.

19. Bleach: Once upon a time I would have had the big three in this list near the top. Naruto is gone from my top 20 because it just got too boring. Bleach holds on but just barely. I really really enjoyed Bleach at first and loved the villain. However as time went on it suffered from filler like Naruto and it just became a mess in terms of the story. That villain was also a let down in the end. To build him up so much and for the fight to end the way it did was a shame. However, I keep Bleach in the top 20 at 19 because I did love it at the beginning. I loved the characters and I loved the idea of soul reapers with special powers and abilities. I absolutely loved the villain, he is my xbl gamertag. So I cannot bring myself to put it any lower. It is still a very fun show until about the mid point or so when it starts to falter.

18. Lupin the Third: Lupin is an older series but it sure is fun. The whole idea of a group of pro criminals evading the law while also taking down evil criminals is great. These guys aren't good per say but they are compared to most others. The show has a nice bit of action and story but it is also very funny and just plain entertaining with the plot lines, disguises and places they visit. I've enjoyed this one ever since adult swim introduced us to it all those years ago.

17. Gundam Wing: The only Gundam show on my list. Don't get me wrong I like Gundam, years ago G Gundam would have been on this list and Wing would have easily been in my top 10. I just don't like Gundam shows as much as I did when younger. They are still great with the complex plot lines of war and politics and again mecha is always fun, but I jut like other stuff better. This show I consider the best, maybe because it was the first I saw. I enjoyed the characters and I really liked the gundam models in this one. This is why it is both the highest and only one my top 20 list.

16. Ghost in the Shell Stand Alone Complex: Speaking of politics, this show has a heavy does of it and story. In a show about information and cyber warfare you would indeed expect a lot of politics, story, and a good bit of mystery. The show has all that. It may move a bit slow for some and there are episodes that involve only plot but it is always interesting to me. There is a good deal of action though as well with the major and crew taking out the villains. I do also like the characters as well. The villains are not so easily seen but the main cast is made up of some tough individuals but ones you can still relate to. All in all if you want a show that if sci fi but very plausible then this is it.


That is the first 5 of my top 20. Part 2 will deal with 15-11.

Anime Relations: Youjo Senki, Demi-chan wa Kataritai

Let me begin this post by saying that I do not really keep up with anime seasons as far as watching anime episodes when they are released. I typically will check out the anime I find interesting in seasons and put them on my list and file them under the "watch later category." This list builds up and some shows may go for a long time without myself watching them. I might start some sooner than others and then stop watching them for long periods of time. This is just how I am. Anyway I said all that to say this, it is quite rare for me to actively watch new anime as it is released in a season but I am trying harder to do so. This past season I actually tried to keep up with three anime shows as the episodes were released. I was successful in two of them and the third is in that limbo I mentioned earlier. In this post I am going to briefly talk about those two shows and what I thought about them, because why not?

The first show is Interview With Monster Girls. Okay this one is weird, not because of the show's premise...a teacher interviewing girls who are also monsters and finding out about them, their struggles and such but also seeing their daily lives and having fun in school. The show is weird for me because....well it is everything I do not typically like in an anime. It is very slice of life outside of the "monster" aspect. It is also somewhat of a harem anime since the teacher is a guy and the monsters are all girls. I despise harem anime and slice of life anime. However I enjoyed this show. it was a sort of guilty pleasure I guess. The show was fun to watch and entertaining. There was no villain, again something I usually like even if a little bit of one exists, it was just the day to day happenings of the girls. I guess the bit about them being "monsters" was enough to get me to watch it and I stuck with it. The show was genuinely fun to watch and yes the vampire girl was a big reason as well. I like vampires. Calling her a vampire is a stretch but she was just fun to watch. Everyone likes her apparently and I am sadly no different. I will say thought that yes the show is slice of life and yes it does fell too much like a harem at times. I'd give it a 7 out of 10. Just a happy fun show....which I usually stay away from.


The second anime is The Saga of Tanya the Evil. This one I really enjoyed. Take WWI Europe but add in some magic combined with the tactics of war and the fighting involved and you have an interesting anime. I have never really seen an anime like this one before. It is set in WWI Europe but in an alternate world and magic exists to an extent. mainly for use in warfare. The mages are almost like fighter planes without the planes. The battles were well done and the plot while mainly about the war also had some other interesting things to mention. The main character is sort of an anti hero to the extreme. She is ruthless to her enemies and even her allies at first. She is in a sort of chess match again this thing called being x which is a god. I won't go into much of that so as not to spoil it but that combined with the warfare makes for some great fun. What I really liked about this anime was that it had nothing of what so many other anime have currently. The seasons are filled with moe type anime and slice of life harems etc. This was all about warfare and myself enjoying all things history I found this fascinating to watch, add to that the main character just being ruthless in her desires and what you have is a breath of fresh air for the season. Because of all this I really enjoyed it. I'd give it a 9 out of 10. It was left open for a continuation and I really hope it does continue.

So there you have it. Two quick anime reviews from the Winter season. I hope to do more of this type of thing in the future although I do not like anything in the current spring season. I am still getting ready for my top 20 anime of all time list too. That should be fun.