Hello again! As I long decided that this would be bi-monthly, I didn’t want to miss out on ruining the bi-monthly bit of this which would of turned this into a tri-monthly thing. Well, what other Animes are worth watching that I can recommend? There are some Anime airing this season, and that I’m watching that I want to highly recommend. I can’t because I haven’t completed them. I’ve been itching to add them, but resisting. I already did mention quite a few that were awesome, so what else is there? Half are going to oldies so I hope you don’t ignore them because they aged!
(Link – Safebooru)
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Related Articles:
– Round 4 – Kitsunes:
– https://arcticukitsu.com/Blog/?p=1976
– Round 3:
https://arcticukitsu.com/Blog/?p=1730
– Round 2:
https://arcticukitsu.com/Blog/?p=1154
– Round 1:
https://arcticukitsu.com/Blog/?p=928
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1) – Angelic Layer:
Angelic Layer, an Anime made by CLAMP that aired quite a while back on various networks. Angelic layer is about a miniature robotic tournament called “Angelic Layer” with robots called “Angels”. The main character is a little girl named Misaki who moves into Tokyo (Chobit-esque) from a smaller city elsewhere in Japan. She discovers and gets hooked onto Angelic Layer causing herself to spend all her savings on her new Angel and accessories for “it” with the help of a mysterious individual.
A few figure.fm’ers recommended this due to me constantly showing Shinki Renge, Kohiru, Benio, and such. I decided to consider watching it and wasn’t disappointed to discover that this show actually had an awesome storyline and tournament. Angelic Layer is often compared to Chobits, Busou Shinki, and much recently Infinite Stratos.
The difference between this and Busou Shinki’s are that these are called “Angels”. They only move within the battle arena, “hatch” from a water-filled “egg”, and are controlled by the owner’s mind. The better you concentrate the better your “Angel” shall behave within the arena.
As for Busou Shinkis? They’re called “Shinki”, are active most of the time, recharge on the “cradle” after depleting 100% energy, have their own personality, and can fight on their own while taking basic orders from you (or you controlling them in Battle Masters PSP game).
For an aged Anime the animation is still watchable, the music pretty neat, and the combat is actually watchable. Misaki’s opponents are actually worthy of being called opponents. And I’m pretty sure we can have either actual Angels or Shinki’s in our current time, we have the technology. We just lack the motivation because we’re always trying to be superior with our great inflated egos.
(Link – Safebooru)
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2) – Yumekui Merry:
Ever had a dream? An awesome dream about what you wanted to do in life? How about generic day-dreaming during school time or at work? Or how about some nasty nightmares that seem all too real? What would you do if you knew someone who lost their dream due to a nightmare? Well, Yumekui Merry works on such while adding in nightmare entities attempting to enter our world through our dreams. The atmosphere is very serious and also comical. Not the typical Japanese over-the-top comical, but ones to ease up on the “serious” atmosphere.
Yumejui, able to barely read people’s auras, weirdly and randomly teams up with Merry on a mini-quest to discover her lost “boushi” (hat). From there, the two come to a mutual agreement that they will help each other through returning “dream entities” back into their own world while trying to assist Merry with the same goal of returning to her own world.
Why am I recommending this and why is it my favorite? Yumekui Merry feel unique enough to hold it’s own amongst other mainstream Anime. It has a nice plot, likeable characters, and even some interest foes that you can actually hate. The music is also nicely done (example). I actually like the OST on this Anime. Animation is awesome, and the combat scenes are decently done. I also like the way that Merry moves around in combat. Maybe a bit cliched, but awesome.
Oh, and do be warned that you might get fat watching Merry as she does constantly eat donuts. You might crave some yourselves while causing yourself to put on a few pounds?
If companies were actually intelligent enough they would try to team up with Merry to sell their donuts. But alas…..they let their opportunity slip. They still have 1 year to do so! I’m looking at you Tim Hortons! I’m referencing to Mikuo and Toyota USA on this one!
(Link – Safebooru) – Merry Nightmare. (Link – Safebooru) – Angi/Play
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3) – Fate/Unlimited Blade Works:
The movie version of Fate/Stay Night with an alternate story! Seven Magi/Masters gather to summon and command their own servant from our history to eliminate others for the Holy Grail, with the victor gaining the spoils of war. Emiya commands Saber and attempts to survive the best way he could within this route while instantly teaming up with Rin and Archer. Epic battles ensues! That’s all there is to it! Though, this makes the Anime enjoyable to me as things are not as simple as they might seem. Also, this movie is an alternate route from the visual novel that spawned Fate/Stay Night and this movie.
This movie takes the majority of the plot from the visual novel and squishes it into movie form the best it could. Enjoyable, but not all that complex as the VN route, as those that played the VN stated. Regardless, it is something that you should not miss!
Not to be bias, but this movie is a nice addition to the Fate line. The whiny Anime Otaku’s even agreed that Emiya was more useful as well! The one that got me hooked and addicting to the Anime world. Without Fate I wouldn’t be here harassing you guys with my blog posts and such! The music is well done, as always, and the Animation also compliment this Anime well. With F/UBW being in movie form the animation is obviously top notch, as with the combat. Everything is much more pleasing than the first Anime tv series.
I’m personally very pleased with both the Animes, and over-joyed with the new Fate/Zero that is coming out. I surely knew that there had to be more considering how the Anime simply ended. With all the concept and wallpaper images floating around from the VN there was no way the Anime was going to end on Fate/Stay Night alone. Also being a Saber fanboy I am twice, or three times, as excited to see a prequel (Fate/Zero) being animated. I’m expecting the OST and the Animation to be top-notch while taking to account that Type-Moon made this, and is producing Fate/Zero.
I’ve also obtained a new interest in a Caster Type servant from the Fate/Extra PSP game – Caster/Extra a.k.a Kitsune Caster. *crosses fingers to see Extra animated*
(Link – Safebooru) – Saber’s Battlefield & a hint to her identity.
(Link – Safebooru) – Saber Lily from the PS2/PSP – Fate/Unlimited Codes.
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4) – Last Exile:
Quote: (I don’t want to ruin the summary.)
http://myanimelist.net/anime/97/Last_Exile
Claus and Lavie are vanship pilots who dream of flying a dangerous stretch of space known as the “Grand Stream” like their fathers before them. Taking on missions for income, one day they agree to shuttle a mysterious girl to the battleship “Silvana” and get caught up in a war that could change their world as they know it…
More on this Anime here (Wiki) that you need to check out! I’m pretty sure the majority of Anime fans have seen this anime. If not, then you’re basically insulting yourself! Go get watching! Don’t say no to me! Go watch and stop insulting yourself!
Steam punk, WW1-esque battles, three factions, catchy music, neat animations, and great character depth…what more could you want? If you said “fan service” then I’ll feed you to the rogue fox spirits……The ship battles themselves are unique, The Guild make for a nice “neutral” foe, as with how the main characters adapt to their changing environment. The story is actually pretty serious with a lack of the typical stereotypical over-the-top Japanese comedy.
What’s neat is how each faction is unique to the rest. We have the Anatory, The Guild, and the Disith. The Guild observes the two sides while playing the UN, Anatory is more of a British colonial type faction with their weapons and wear, and the Disith have more of a sci-fi yet classical touch to them.
Second season was also announced with a new main character called – Fam, a young little girl. Similar to Fate/Stay Night, you just knew there was going to be a new addition due to the untied knots in the first. It simply took almost a decade to continue it :P.
I also wouldn’t personally mind if there was some form of game taking advantage of the steam punk battle ship and infantry war of the Last Exile realm. Sure, it might get boring, but at least we could play and modders could take advantage of the game by adding and modifying stuff. Me, and a game developer were even brainstorming on such ideas to make such a game possible.
(Link – Safebooru)
(Link – Safebooru)
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5) – Saikano:
– http://myanimelist.net/anime/529/Saikano
Shuuji and Chise are third year students at a high school in Hokkaido. The shy Chise is finally confessing to Shuuji, and finally the two of them are starting to exchange diary awkwardly. One day, Shuuji tries to escape from a sudden enemy air raid on Sapporo. While desperately escaping from the air raid, Shuuji sees a scene that he could not forget for his life. He sees Chise, with a huge weapon looking as if it was part of her hand, shooting the enemy fighters down one by one. Apparently, Chise is the ultimate weapon with destructive power which is important for the war.
The whole world is at war, a girl turned into a weapon (similar to humans testing on animals), and two love birds attempting to live a normal life. It was a bit awkward to watch at first, but I later got used to it and was shocked as to what occurred within this realm. Every nation in the world had something stuck up their rear end causing them to be irritated by turning people into corpses. The cause? *shrugs*. Even if I knew I wouldn’t say it because that would be a spoiler. The cause probably slipped past me.
The story is pretty good actually. The animation is a little sketchy, though it doesn’t bother me all that much. The music? Pretty decent. The main theme is actually quite catchy. Character depth? Pretty deep actually. One character attempting to survive in a waring world while trying their hardest to stay alive for another day.
So why recommend this if I worded it as mediocre? It’s one of those Animes that you shouldn’t ignore. Live your life to the fullest, love what you do, and don’t sway your thoughts like the wind just because someone said otherwise. What’s the point of living if you’re going to let go of the one you love just because someone said you shouldn’t be together? Saying what you should and shouldn’t like?
(Link – Safebooru)
(Link – Safebooru)
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6) – xxxHolic:
– http://myanimelist.net/anime/861/xxxHOLiC
Watanuki Kimihiro can see spirits and other assorted supernatural creatures, which is quite a bothersome ability he strongly dislikes. On the way home one day, while plagued by some spirits, he is inexplicably compelled to enter a strange house. There, he encounters Yuuko, a mysterious woman who claims to be able to rid him of the ability to see and attract the troublesome creatures – for a price. She demands that he work at her “store†that grants wishes to people, and thus begins Watanuki’s adventures through weird and wonderful events.
I’m not one to really openly watch such shows due to my weakness to the supernatural. I’ve had trouble watching this show, to the point where I almost put it on hold/drop it. I did watch this and Ghost Hunt though. But having crazy nightmares as a kid programmed my mind to easily fear such things. But because I forced myself, and another Anime comrade, I found this Anime to be pretty awesome. The animation design is a bit wonky/funky and the music is actually quite catchy. The story itself is actually pretty neat, as with the cuddly pipe-fox that ate abarrage.
And because this show is made by CLAMP, it ties itself in with Cardcaptors Sakura, Tsubasa Chronicles, Chobits, and all the other CLAMP made animes out there in one way or another. A great and plain example would be in Tsubasa Chronicles tv show and OVA.
“There is no coincidences in this world, only inevitability.” – Yuuko
(Link – Safebooru)
(Link – Safebooru)
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7) – Great Teacher Onizuka:
– http://myanimelist.net/anime/245/Great_Teacher_Onizuka
Onizuka is a reformed biker gang leader who has his sights set on an honorable new ambition: to become the world’s greatest teacher … for the purpose of meeting sexy high school girls. Okay, so he’s mostly reformed.
However, strict administrators and a class of ruthless delinquents stand between Onizuka and his goal and they will use any means, however illegal or low, to drive the new teacher away. Perfect, because Onizuka’s methods won’t be found in any teaching manual; he cares about the difference between legal and illegal activities about as much as he cares for the age difference between himself and a high school girl.
So get ready for math that doesn’t add up, language you’d be slapped for using, and biology that would make a grown man blush … unless of course, you’re the Great Teacher Onizuka.
Ha! What a great way to finish Highschool off with this Anime 4-5 years back! I actually had a teacher that somewhat behaved like Onizuka here, and he was in my auto-class. Not all that crazy, but close to reaching the Onizuka level. If you’re new to Anime then I would recommend this, as with those stated above, just because Bleach, Naruto, Death Note, and Full Metal Alchemest isn’t enough. Plus, those generic Anime basically insults your intelligence, unless you really want to show you’re an idiot! Calm down! I mean no harm, just saying!
The only way I can vouch for this Anime is for the plain crazyness and seriousness within this plot. Onizuka makes for a great teacher while corrupted school ego’s fly in the way. Someone sees one thing wrong with you and they try to poke and prod at you in a negative way. Onizuka basically struggles with such on numerous occasions which made for an interesting watch.
(Link – Safebooru)
(Link – Safebooru)
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Wow! That was a nice sudden surge of nostalgia for some of these old animes. Haven’t felt this emotional rush in a long times. So, I hope you guys/gals enjoy watching this, or are about to! Also, all that’s missing now is to have “Wagaya no Oinari-sama” to get it’s own second season! If Last Exile, Fate/Stay Night received theirs then “Wagaya” deserves it’s own! Last Exile took almost a decade to get it’s own so I can see Wagaya getting it’s own!
So ya….looking forward to watching more, and probably rewatching some oldies that I now forgotten. I’m also currently watching Beast Player Erin, [C] Control, Dog Days, and Steins;Gate. I wanted to recommend them. I guess I shall in round 6!
I heard that a group of cosplayers pick-pocketed a politician in Toronto during Anime North. Behave! Don’t want to gain a further negative reputation on your silly actions!
Peace! Be good!