ItsmeAshtray's Blog

2013 Featurette! The 12 Best Anime Ever.

This is my opinion of the best anime created. Yes 12, not 10, because fuck conventionality that's why. I have realized that my "favorites" are different from what I view as the "best." Gintama is my favorite anime; it's laugh out loud hilarious and I can't get enough, but it is by no means the best. The plot is shallow and as a long running shounen the art leaves a lot to be desired. To determine the "best" I weigh five categories: production value, direction, acting, soundtrack and what I like to call the It Factor. I tip my hat to classics like Cowboy Bebop or Escaflowne which were indeed amazing shows, but they didn't make me fall in love with them the way the following did. My explanations are brief because no one likes to read.

12. Higurashi no Naku Koro ni


Beating out Madoka for no. 12 and most f*cked up thing I've ever seen is this gem. This much debated 12th spot goes to Higurashi for the simple fact that it is the scariest anime. I truly felt horrified watching the latter half of this series. Watching cute little girls turn into complete psychopaths who seemingly enjoy mutilating human bodies is hardly Chicken Soup for the Soul, but it makes a lasting impression on the world of anime. I can't even begin to count the number of times my mind imploded on itself while watching this series, but I will say this, it was worth it. Production - check. Direction - check. Acting - check. Art - check. Music - CHECK.

11. Death Note


I'll start by saying that Kira and L are the best duo in anime. Ever. The title Death Note has become synonymous with anime today. If I had to recommend one anime to any non-fan it would be this. And they would be converted into an anime-obsessed nerd like the rest of us. I recall being glued to my seat watching the mysteries unfold and feeling chilled to the bone watching every episode of this series. Justice is a matter of perspective, is there a concrete line between Good and Evil? Hell if I know, and damn if that opening doesn't make you want to watch this show.

10. Durarara!


One of my favorites ever- this anime, partnered with a compelling OST, is jazzy, modern and can ultimately be surmised by the word "badass." Dealing with gang violence, deceit and betrayal, Durarara takes the viewer to a dark underground side of Tokyo. Supernatrual elements add to a deep plot circulating and entwining a huge cast of characters voiced by the very best seiyuu of the modern anime era. Acting and direction are flawless and this anime begs to be rewatched numerous times. It ranks at 10 for an yet-uncompleted story.


9. Code Geass


An anime that begs to be watched. Code Geass is definitely one of the most celebrated anime here on MAL. Lelouch is, without a doubt, the greates Anti Hero in all of anime, while Suzaku will always hold my spot of Most Hated Character Ever. Code Geass brings an outrageous, yet brilliantly crafted setting to the tabe complete with exotic character design and a larger than life war fueled by colorful mechas called Knightmares. Lelouch's struggle with himself, his ambition and the supporting characters brings this anime to life. The soundtrack is great and each song unique and appropriate to the scenes.

8. Shoujo Kakumei Utena (Revolutionary Girl Utena)


For me, the greatest work to come out of the Golden Era of the 90's. Ikuhara Sensei's mentally entangling story about growing up and coming to terms with reality is a real mind blower. Each scene is perfectly cinematically grafted. Like Bakemonogatari, the viewer's mind is drawn in and subsequently thrown against the wall ever episode. There is an astronomical amount of imagery and motifs and themes open to viewer interpretation. Utena is anything you want it to be.

7. Ano Hi Mita Hana no Namae wo Bokutachi wa Mada Shiranai


Another anime that shows human emotion at its finest. What would happen if a traumatic event occurred to you as a child and you could never get over it? Where would you be today? This anime didn't stand out for spectacular animation, voice acting or music, but rather because the story itself was so engaging. The characters were brought to life in a way that few anime can do. Jinta and Naruko were so relatable to real people it was painful. This anime is short but sweet and a must for all anime fans.

6. Chrno Crusade


Much like Ano Hana, Chrono Crusade has one of the best original stories of all time. The acting is superb and the characters interactions with each other engaged me emotionally as a viewer. Chrono Crusade is about love and friendship- the basis of many anime - but what makes it really special is what love and friendship means in the face of a hopeless situation. How far would you go for someone you loved? This anime had a small cast and a beautiful relationship between the mc's Rosette and Chrono. This anime also had the single best ending I have ever seen. A true classic for the ages.

5. Baccano!


If Durarara was jazzy and badass then Baccano is sassy and sinful. This show is in a league all it's own. Being the most original and innovative series I've watched, Baccano is a real treat for the eyes and ears. The animation is flawless and unique. This show, rounding out at a brief 13 episodes, this anime brings a whole new meaning to the word epic - from the characters to the plot twists. Kira and L may be the best two-some overall, but Isaac and Miria are, without a doubt the greatest comedy duo I've ever witnessed. Even if their scenes were the only ones in this show, it would still earn a 10/10. One watch is not enough.

4. Full Metal Alchemist Brotherhood


A long shounen in the Top 5? YES! FMAB probably has the best OST I've ever heard. As Baccano is the most innovative, FMAB is the most intelligent anime I've seen. The word genius comes to mind when I think to describe it. The insanely large main cast makes it's return here and bigger and better than ever. It can be argued that Roy Mustang is the most awesome supporting character of all time. This show really has the total package: brilliant production, direction, art, music and characters. The viewer immediately falls into the shoes of Edward Elric and boards the emotional roller coaster ride that is his quest for redemption.

3. Steins;Gate


I laughed, I cried, I lost 15 pounds...not really but this show can do it all. Adding true comedy to a dramatic series makes the emotional train wrecks endured by the characters that much more intense. Miyano Mamoru performs in a stellar role as main Okabe Rintarou (Okarin), the likes of which I haven't seen in other anime. When Okabe's jaw drops, yours hits the floor. With more plot twists than Inception, this show is truly a feast for the anime fan. If you've never seen this, drop your lukewarm cup ramen right now and go watch it! But be careful, SERN is watching.

2. Clannad ~After Story~


It is difficult to put into words why Clannad is such an amazing anime but I will say this, you can't watch Clannad and not come away from it a different person, or at least without having a new perspective on life. When I talk about the It Factor, this series has it. Production value, spot on direction and cinematography, music, art - it has it all. It is so beautiful it literally hurts to watch. I wasn't much of a sucker for love stories before Clannad came into my life in the Summer of 2009, when I was the same age as the main characters, but it sure made me fall in love with it. I cry from listening to the soundtrack alone, that's how much of an impact this anime had on me. Clannad is the best series of all time in my opinion.

1. Spirited Away/Princess Mononoke/Totoro


The no. 1 spot goes to the Miyazaki movies. Why? Because this is pure anime at its finest. All of the qualities I described as the best anime having are perfectly executed within Spirited Away, Mononoke Hime and Tonari no Totoro. Spirited Away remains to this day, the anime with the highest production value and most perfect direction that I've seen. Miyazaki presents the human nature in various ways throughout his works. Complex ideas such as greed, prejudice, hope, death, destruction of the environment and above all else LOVE, are presented magnificently in each Miyazaki movie. I think all of us searches for relatability in the anime we watch, no matter how unrealistic the setting is. The characters in these movies are as human and real as you can get, and that is what makes these movies so outstanding.