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What anime do you think has the strongest focus on character development.

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Mar 24, 2013 2:04 PM
#1

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I would say Ashita no Joe. I honestly didn't think an early 70's anime could have such a strong focus on Character development but I've been proven wrong. Most of the characters have made major changes in their characters ( I'm on episode 36 ) but in a realistic way not just immediate unrealistic changes. Basically the progression is very well thought out.
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Mar 24, 2013 2:07 PM
#2

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From the ones I have watched maybe Higurashi.
Mar 24, 2013 2:13 PM
#3

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From what I've heard Ashita no Joe is definitely up there, as for what I've seen I'd have to Monster the delve into how each character feels exceeds your expectations with episode you watch and there's no lack of characters moving towards their objectives while distinguishing who they are.
Mar 24, 2013 2:14 PM
#4

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Out of the ones I've watched:

Monster
Aria series
FMA: Brotherhood
Gankutsuou
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Mar 24, 2013 2:14 PM
#5

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Jauregui said:
From the ones I have watched maybe Higurashi.


Lol.
Mar 24, 2013 2:21 PM
#6

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SaekoBusu said:
From what I've heard Ashita no Joe is definitely up there, as for what I've seen I'd have to Monster the delve into how each character feels exceeds your expectations with episode you watch and there's no lack of characters moving towards their objectives while distinguishing who they are.


Oh yeah Monster was a good anime with nice moments of character development. Since you haven't seen it I would take this time to recommend Ashita no Joe for a fantastic anime assuming your fine with the 70s animation which actually looks good for its time.
Mar 24, 2013 2:21 PM
#7

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Jovoo said:
Jauregui said:
From the ones I have watched maybe Higurashi.

I would agree, not the best, but it does have some good character development.

I'd say NGE and Serial Experiments Lain for me. Kara No Kyoukai as well as Baccano! are other examples that first come to mind.

Solvite said:
Jauregui said:
From the ones I have watched maybe Higurashi.


Lol.

You haven't even seen the show, so don't act cocky. He's right, Higurashi does have very good character development.
The forums are dark, and full of ego.
Mar 24, 2013 2:21 PM
#8

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Hajime no Ippo and One Piece.
Mar 24, 2013 2:23 PM
#9

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Jovoo said:
Jovoo said:
Jauregui said:
From the ones I have watched maybe Higurashi.

I would agree, not the best, but it does have some good character development.

I'd say NGE and Serial Experiments Lain for me. Kara No Kyoukai as well as Baccano! are other examples that first come to mind.

Solvite said:
Jauregui said:
From the ones I have watched maybe Higurashi.


Lol.

You haven't even seen the show, so don't act cocky. He's right, Higurashi does have very good character development.


No it doesnt.

Creepy face laughing isnt character development.
Mar 24, 2013 2:25 PM

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Solvite said:
Jovoo said:
Jovoo said:
Jauregui said:
From the ones I have watched maybe Higurashi.

I would agree, not the best, but it does have some good character development.

I'd say NGE and Serial Experiments Lain for me. Kara No Kyoukai as well as Baccano! are other examples that first come to mind.

Solvite said:
Jauregui said:
From the ones I have watched maybe Higurashi.


Lol.

You haven't even seen the show, so don't act cocky. He's right, Higurashi does have very good character development.


No it doesnt.

Creepy face laughing isnt character development.

But, but....you haven't even seen the show...what the fuck are you talking about?
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Mar 24, 2013 2:25 PM

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Honey and Clover, no fucking contest.

The whole focus of the show is the development of each and every single characters in it.
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Mar 24, 2013 2:30 PM

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Pocket Monsters. The whole show focuses on Satoshi's development. Basically, Rise and Fall. From his newbie days to his good trainer days, and then right back to his newbie days. But even when he reverts to a noob, he's still better than in his older days.

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Mar 24, 2013 2:33 PM

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Legend of the Galactic Heroes
Mar 24, 2013 3:01 PM

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silversaint said:
Legend of the Galactic Heroes


Although I've only seen 16 episodes I also have to agree.

Also, Sera's change in Hellsing Ultimate is very well made.
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Mar 24, 2013 3:14 PM

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I don't think it's possible to say definitively that a series has the best focus on character development because some characters are always more well-developed than others, but some characters that come to mind that I feel stood out because they were developed exceptionally well are Minami Shimada from Baka and Test, Yukio Tanaka from Beck, Yin from Darker than Black, Ryner Lute, Ferris Eris, and Sion Astal from The Legend of the Legendary Heroes, Vegeta and Future Trunks on Dragon Ball Z, Pan on Dragon Ball GT, Mikado Ryugamine from Durarara!!, Hajime and Tsugumi Shibata from Hell Girl, Kino from Kino's Journey, Craft Lawrence and Holo from Spice and Wolf, Mugen and Jin from Samurai Champloo, and Yuki Nagato from The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, oh and Hikaru and Kaoru Hitachiin from Ouran High School Host Club.
Mar 24, 2013 3:53 PM
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silversaint said:
Legend of the Galactic Heroes

And it has a lot of characters.

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Mar 24, 2013 4:13 PM

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FullmetalFanatic said:
IntroverTurtle said:
Hajime no Ippo and One Piece.
Haven't seen Hajime no Ippo, but One Piece? Really? It is easily one of my favorite anime but it really lacks in character development. There are so many characters and the pacing is so bad that they all just remain static...
Yes One Piece, it's all about them trying to achieve their dreams and growing, all of the crew has grown a lot(Brook a little less). I'm not going to say they've had the most development but they are probably my favorite and they have all developed over their journey.
Mar 24, 2013 4:17 PM

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ZetaZaku said:
Pocket Monsters. The whole show focuses on Satoshi's development. Basically, Rise and Fall. From his newbie days to his good trainer days, and then right back to his newbie days. But even when he reverts to a noob, he's still better than in his older days.


What, really? He doesn't even age xD
Mar 24, 2013 4:17 PM

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silversaint said:
Legend of the Galactic Heroes


THIS
Mar 24, 2013 4:38 PM

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ADiosMio said:
ZetaZaku said:
Pocket Monsters. The whole show focuses on Satoshi's development. Basically, Rise and Fall. From his newbie days to his good trainer days, and then right back to his newbie days. But even when he reverts to a noob, he's still better than in his older days.


What, really? He doesn't even age xD


It's symbolic. He is supposed to represent our childhood. How would a teenage boy represent one's childhood? If he became a teenager in later series, kids wouldn't be able to relate to him.

"Your sight, my delight. Will you marry me?"
Mar 24, 2013 4:42 PM

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I might have to vote Monster although I might need to watch Ashita no Joe now ... Although if this was manga I would vote Mars instead most likely.
Mar 24, 2013 4:47 PM

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Pirating_Ninja said:
I might have to vote Monster although I might need to watch Ashita no Joe now ... Although if this was manga I would vote Mars instead most likely.
Ashita no Joe is the best anime ever and even if you don't think the art has aged well the story certainly has. Note that I don't think the subs are completely finished however i'm at episode 36 and is addicted as hell. only took a few episodes to know this was something special.
Mar 24, 2013 4:51 PM

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BlackSabotage said:
Pirating_Ninja said:
I might have to vote Monster although I might need to watch Ashita no Joe now ... Although if this was manga I would vote Mars instead most likely.
Ashita no Joe is the best anime ever and even if you don't think the art has aged well the story certainly has. Note that I don't think the subs are completely finished however i'm at episode 36 and is addicted as hell. only took a few episodes to know this was something special.


haha will definitely check it out then, character + plot = me likey, art is nice but since so many newer anime toss plot/character development to the roadside I can't really say that I would prefer a newer anime over an older one... I'll definitely have to check it out (might even try listening to the raws if I catch up to the subs and like it so much, good way to get used to understanding non-written Japanese (honestly might be easier given how many kanji there are)
Mar 24, 2013 4:55 PM

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Cowboy Bebop.

It's all about the characters!
Mar 24, 2013 5:09 PM

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IntroverTurtle said:
Yes One Piece, it's all about them trying to achieve their dreams and growing, all of the crew has grown a lot(Brook a little less). I'm not going to say they've had the most development but they are probably my favorite and they have all developed over their journey.


Those are just examples from their introductory story arcs. Beyond them, they don't change as characters much at all.
Mar 24, 2013 5:13 PM

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Pirating_Ninja said:
BlackSabotage said:
Pirating_Ninja said:
I might have to vote Monster although I might need to watch Ashita no Joe now ... Although if this was manga I would vote Mars instead most likely.
Ashita no Joe is the best anime ever and even if you don't think the art has aged well the story certainly has. Note that I don't think the subs are completely finished however i'm at episode 36 and is addicted as hell. only took a few episodes to know this was something special.


haha will definitely check it out then, character + plot = me likey, art is nice but since so many newer anime toss plot/character development to the roadside I can't really say that I would prefer a newer anime over an older one... I'll definitely have to check it out (might even try listening to the raws if I catch up to the subs and like it so much, good way to get used to understanding non-written Japanese (honestly might be easier given how many kanji there are)


Pirating_Ninja said:
BlackSabotage said:
Pirating_Ninja said:
I might have to vote Monster although I might need to watch Ashita no Joe now ... Although if this was manga I would vote Mars instead most likely.
Ashita no Joe is the best anime ever and even if you don't think the art has aged well the story certainly has. Note that I don't think the subs are completely finished however i'm at episode 36 and is addicted as hell. only took a few episodes to know this was something special.


haha will definitely check it out then, character + plot = me likey, art is nice but since so many newer anime toss plot/character development to the roadside I can't really say that I would prefer a newer anime over an older one... I'll definitely have to check it out (might even try listening to the raws if I catch up to the subs and like it so much, good way to get used to understanding non-written Japanese (honestly might be easier given how many kanji there are)


Well then by all means check it out. I do believe the first 14 episodes are on veoh subbed. The others are on other sites but youll have to switch between mirrors some of which are laggy at least for me. But its totally worth it in the end. Also their are torrents you can check out but i'm not sure how far they go.

P.S. Just to let you know Joe is a real d*** in the first several episodes, but please don't take your frustration on his arrogance out on your computer lol. This is about becoming a better person but dang ive never gotten so worried up over one character.
Mar 24, 2013 6:05 PM
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I know this will get zero praise but my vote goes to Naruto as focus on character development.
Mar 24, 2013 6:11 PM

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HAL5 said:
I know this will get zero praise but my vote goes to Naruto as focus on character development.
I praise you for being bold enough to make such a controversial statement.
Mar 24, 2013 6:38 PM

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Lol, I know Naruto characters go through character development xD

My vote goes to:
Maria-sama ga miteru
Princess Tutu
Angel Beats

such girly votes xD
Mar 24, 2013 6:51 PM

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The most realistic and nuanced characters with a lot of depth and subtext are going to be from shoujo or seinen anime, so anyone listing shounen anime either has a skewed sense of realism (e.g. that the development of a character is defined by how many villains he defeat, or how many platitudes he can come up with about peace, freedom, friendship, honor, or any other shallow virtue), or needs to expand his repertoire.
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Mar 24, 2013 6:52 PM

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Solvite said:
Jovoo said:
Jovoo said:
Jauregui said:
From the ones I have watched maybe Higurashi.

I would agree, not the best, but it does have some good character development.

I'd say NGE and Serial Experiments Lain for me. Kara No Kyoukai as well as Baccano! are other examples that first come to mind.

Solvite said:
Jauregui said:
From the ones I have watched maybe Higurashi.


Lol.

You haven't even seen the show, so don't act cocky. He's right, Higurashi does have very good character development.


No it doesnt.

Creepy face laughing isnt character development.


You say that because you haven't watched the show. Every arc focuses in the development of the characters. Each arc explores one of the characters (personal develompment and their relationship as a whole group).
Before watched I also tought it was just killer lolis and creepy stuff but I was VERY wrong.
Mar 24, 2013 6:57 PM

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katsucats said:
The most realistic and nuanced characters with a lot of depth and subtext are going to be from shoujo or seinen anime, so anyone listing shounen anime either has a skewed sense of realism (e.g. that the development of a character is defined by how many villains he defeat, or how many platitudes he can come up with about peace, freedom, friendship, honor, or any other shallow virtue), or needs to expand his repertoire.
Ashita no Joe is Shounen aint it? I don't think the demographic matters that much really. Not all Shounen are about fighting over the top villains.
Mar 24, 2013 6:58 PM

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Jauregui said:

You say that because you haven't watched the show. Every arc focuses in the development of the characters. Each arc explores one of the characters (personal develompment and their relationship as a whole group).
Before watched I also tought it was just killer lolis and creepy stuff but I was VERY wrong.

going insane (for some) counts as character development too, I think. I mean, they're not the same as they were in the beginning of the series xD
Mar 24, 2013 7:01 PM

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From what i've seen, Monster and Sakurasou No Pet Na Kanojo.
Mar 24, 2013 7:04 PM

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The best character development I've seen have been in Texhnolyze and Ergo Proxy. I mean there it doesn't matter how much the characters have changed, but the direction they changed in is simply perfect.
You best be joking, nigger.
Mar 24, 2013 7:10 PM

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Jauregui said:
You say that because you haven't watched the show. Every arc focuses in the development of the characters. Each arc explores one of the characters (personal develompment and their relationship as a whole group).
Each arc in Higurashi explores how a different character goes utterly insane in an alternate universe. Higurashi is a plot driven anime, not character driven. The only character insight that's not developed as a direct response to an event-specific plot device is perhaps
Plot development through exposition is commonly used to explain a character's actions, but not his state of mind. You wouldn't claim to know someone in real life because you happen to know the details of his parents' divorce, so you can't possibly claim to know, for example, Rena because of a sob back story. Higurashi just isn't the type of anime where dialogue or facial reactions or habits subtly hint at layers in the characters' persona.
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Mar 24, 2013 7:41 PM
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Im going with Monster
Mar 24, 2013 7:46 PM
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katsucats said:
The most realistic and nuanced characters with a lot of depth and subtext are going to be from shoujo or seinen anime, so anyone listing shounen anime either has a skewed sense of realism (e.g. that the development of a character is defined by how many villains he defeat, or how many platitudes he can come up with about peace, freedom, friendship, honor, or any other shallow virtue), or needs to expand his repertoire.

Character development doesn't have to be realistic and shounen anime actually are most likely to have it due to the typically longer length. A character maturing throughout, getting past and present background, or how a character thinks and their ideals can come from any genre in anime.
Mar 24, 2013 7:48 PM

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Turn A gundam
"among monsters and humans, there are only two types.
Those who undergo suffering and spread it to others. And those who undergo suffering and avoid giving it to others." -Alice
“Beauty is no quality in things themselves: It exists merely in the mind which contemplates them; and each mind perceives a different beauty.” David Hume
“Evil is created when someone gives up on someone else. It appears when everyone gives up on someone as a lost cause and removes their path to salvation. Once they are cut off from everyone else, they become evil.” -Othinus

Mar 24, 2013 7:52 PM

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BlackSabotage said:
I would say Ashita no Joe. I honestly didn't think an early 70's anime could have such a strong focus on Character development but I've been proven wrong. Most of the characters have made major changes in their characters ( I'm on episode 36 ) but in a realistic way not just immediate unrealistic changes. Basically the progression is very well thought out.


You win!
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Mar 24, 2013 8:05 PM
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gundam seed i mean
Mar 24, 2013 8:25 PM

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SadisticDoc said:
gundam seed i mean
get out
"among monsters and humans, there are only two types.
Those who undergo suffering and spread it to others. And those who undergo suffering and avoid giving it to others." -Alice
“Beauty is no quality in things themselves: It exists merely in the mind which contemplates them; and each mind perceives a different beauty.” David Hume
“Evil is created when someone gives up on someone else. It appears when everyone gives up on someone as a lost cause and removes their path to salvation. Once they are cut off from everyone else, they become evil.” -Othinus

Mar 24, 2013 8:43 PM

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LayedBack said:
BlackSabotage said:
I would say Ashita no Joe. I honestly didn't think an early 70's anime could have such a strong focus on Character development but I've been proven wrong. Most of the characters have made major changes in their characters ( I'm on episode 36 ) but in a realistic way not just immediate unrealistic changes. Basically the progression is very well thought out.


You win!
Yay!
Mar 24, 2013 9:02 PM

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Spice & Wolf had great character development that was quite entertaining. It would be difficult for me to choose and absolute number 1 though.
Mar 24, 2013 10:13 PM

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naruto shippuden
Mar 24, 2013 10:26 PM

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frequency said:
naruto shippuden

Yes.
Mar 24, 2013 10:31 PM

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Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica

Every single character is developed.

Even her parents.
Mar 24, 2013 10:32 PM

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Probably Mars of Destruction
Mar 24, 2013 10:37 PM

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TheGreat1s said:
Probably Mars of Destruction


I cried so hard when that girl got her head blown off.
Mar 24, 2013 10:39 PM

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Solvite said:
Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica

Every single character is developed.

Even her parents.

Yeah Madoka finally gets Character development IN THE LAST EPISODE
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