Hey everyone, to introduce some discussion about different series and explore each other's interests (and maybe even get some ideas for shows you might like to see!) I thought I would make up a thread to talk about everyone's top five shows. Feel free to make up a list of your own, or comment on other people's choices.
If you do choose to make your own list, please at least write a short paragraph summarizing the show and why you like it. Posts with just a list of shows without explanation will be removed. You don't have to list exactly 5 shows, but please don't write more than 5; quality over quantity!
Since I'm starting the thread, I figured I would start out with a list of my own!
5) FLCL: FLCL/Furi Kuri is a 6 episode OAV by Gainax. At its heart, it's a coming-of-age story for young Naota who is trying to come to grips with the adult world, but this message is buried within a thousand layers of randomness, pop culture references, aliens, robots, bizarre symbolism, even more bizarre comedy, and a weird chick on a scooter who keeps hit poor Naoto in the head with a bass guitar. The animation and art are gorgeous and the music is spectacular. However, it's a prime example of style-over-substance; plot is hinted at more than explored and the story is all over the place.
4) Paradise Kiss: I'm not exactly what you'd think of as a "girly" girl, so it may seem odd that one of my favourite shows is about fashion and modeling, two concepts I don't really care about in the slightest. However, despite the glamour of the subject matter (the main character is a budding model and the other characters are all models or fashion designers), Paradise Kiss is a wonderful romantic drama with great characters that form the lifeblood of the story. The plot itself moves rather slowly, something that may seem surprising for such a short show (it's only 12 episodes long), but its done in a well-paced manner and uses the time to explore characters and reveal things at just the right moment. Art and music are also top notch.
3) Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex and Ghost in the Shell: S.A.C. 2nd Gig: I rate these both together since even though they're technically different shows, 2nd Gig is very much a sequel and they flow well together. The storylines of both seasons are very fun in a sort of suspence, cyberpunk, sci-fi, thriller way, and the art and animation are incredible, especially in the action sequences. Unfortunately, characterization is kind of bland, especially in the first show; 2nd Gig explores the characters more fully which is nice.
2) Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann: Gurren Lagann is just such a badass, awesome, fun show. Wonderful characters with some real growth, a bizarre and fun plotline and very well-done out with a gorgeous, unique style. A lot of the characters are very archetypal, but they storytelling handles them in such a way to make them all more than just stereotypes. It's a wonderful modern return to old space epics/operas with a modern polish and improvement on pacing and direction.
1) Rose of Versailles: RoV is a beautiful series and really the beginning of the Shoujo genre of manga/anime in Japan. It is a historical fiction retelling of the French Revolution from the point of view of a Lady Oscar, a tomboy-turned-Captain who becomes a good friend and bodyguard of Marie Antoinette. Despite starring a fictional character, the anime is relatively true to history and raises a lot of social issues, especially about women and the place they have in the world. The show does a great job of bringing you into the world and getting you emotionally attached to the characters, but, well, if you know anything about the French Revolution, you know better than to expect a happy ending.
If you do choose to make your own list, please at least write a short paragraph summarizing the show and why you like it. Posts with just a list of shows without explanation will be removed. You don't have to list exactly 5 shows, but please don't write more than 5; quality over quantity!
Since I'm starting the thread, I figured I would start out with a list of my own!
5) FLCL: FLCL/Furi Kuri is a 6 episode OAV by Gainax. At its heart, it's a coming-of-age story for young Naota who is trying to come to grips with the adult world, but this message is buried within a thousand layers of randomness, pop culture references, aliens, robots, bizarre symbolism, even more bizarre comedy, and a weird chick on a scooter who keeps hit poor Naoto in the head with a bass guitar. The animation and art are gorgeous and the music is spectacular. However, it's a prime example of style-over-substance; plot is hinted at more than explored and the story is all over the place.
4) Paradise Kiss: I'm not exactly what you'd think of as a "girly" girl, so it may seem odd that one of my favourite shows is about fashion and modeling, two concepts I don't really care about in the slightest. However, despite the glamour of the subject matter (the main character is a budding model and the other characters are all models or fashion designers), Paradise Kiss is a wonderful romantic drama with great characters that form the lifeblood of the story. The plot itself moves rather slowly, something that may seem surprising for such a short show (it's only 12 episodes long), but its done in a well-paced manner and uses the time to explore characters and reveal things at just the right moment. Art and music are also top notch.
3) Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex and Ghost in the Shell: S.A.C. 2nd Gig: I rate these both together since even though they're technically different shows, 2nd Gig is very much a sequel and they flow well together. The storylines of both seasons are very fun in a sort of suspence, cyberpunk, sci-fi, thriller way, and the art and animation are incredible, especially in the action sequences. Unfortunately, characterization is kind of bland, especially in the first show; 2nd Gig explores the characters more fully which is nice.
2) Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann: Gurren Lagann is just such a badass, awesome, fun show. Wonderful characters with some real growth, a bizarre and fun plotline and very well-done out with a gorgeous, unique style. A lot of the characters are very archetypal, but they storytelling handles them in such a way to make them all more than just stereotypes. It's a wonderful modern return to old space epics/operas with a modern polish and improvement on pacing and direction.
1) Rose of Versailles: RoV is a beautiful series and really the beginning of the Shoujo genre of manga/anime in Japan. It is a historical fiction retelling of the French Revolution from the point of view of a Lady Oscar, a tomboy-turned-Captain who becomes a good friend and bodyguard of Marie Antoinette. Despite starring a fictional character, the anime is relatively true to history and raises a lot of social issues, especially about women and the place they have in the world. The show does a great job of bringing you into the world and getting you emotionally attached to the characters, but, well, if you know anything about the French Revolution, you know better than to expect a happy ending.
