Shinsekai Yori
-The show has got one of the most engaging and overall "epic" plots I've ever seen. Each episode leaves you with more questions that begin to be answered slowly, and usually accompanied by a shock. The show also builds an awesome post-apocalyptic setting: one on which mankind had to go back to its past.
-Interesting character interactions. The main characters are 5 kids, all with different personalities, goals, and perhaps their own secrets...
-The show makes you think about many on-going issues: discrimination, abuse by authorities, conspirations, secrecy, betrayal-- all this without being "pushy" about it.
-Finally, the show has GREAT momentum. It starts off as something pretty normal, though from the get-go you get the feeling that something is wrong already. Things go from bad to worse for the kids... loads of scary, funny, sad, cry-worthy moments.
*Bonus: If you're a fan of OSTs, this show has a GREAT one.
Baccano!
-Interesting, non-linear storytelling. The show jumps back and forth showing you events that occured in 3 different years involving the same characters.
-LOADS of great character. Each character is memorable and unique. From crazy psychopaths, deceiving kids, hilarious "thief" couples, monsters, alchemists, homunculi... this show has it all!
-Everyone needs a little bit of Baccano! in their lives!
*Bonus: Also has great OST, and a great conclusion through the 4 "special" episodes.
Mononoke
This show is hit or miss, really. I'll try to explain why I like it, though!
-Mononoke has got one of the most intriguing, and at the same time, beautiful art styles I've ever seen. The colorful characters and backgrounds make an incredible contrast with the stories at hand-- mysterious events surrounding a brutal/sad death-- a death that has brought a demon (mononoke) to life. The MC, Kusuriuri, has to discover the Form, Reason and Truth of the demon before taking care of him... but will the parties involved be willing to share the truth they've been hiding for so long, so easily?
-There's 4 different stories. However, none feel like a rehash of the other-- each story is completely original, and the interactions between Kusuriuri and the other characters are, too.
-More than one story will make you tear up.
I suggest you watch episodes 9-11 of Ayakashi Japanese Classic Horror, too, since Mononoke is a (very successful) spin-off of those eps. |