The top character thread was too hard, but a top anime list I can do! Though to be perfectly honest, I don't consider my list in any particular order, but for the purposes of the thread I tried my best to make it work. Hopefully some of these manage to match up with other people's choices.
Hikaru No GoZoiRAB: Chaotic Century/Guardian ForceIGPXEscaflowneHunterXHunterOne PieceNodame CantabileOutlaw StarEureka SevenOban Star Racers
Explanations:
1. Ah, HnG, one show that truly exemplifies the use of character development and emotion to their fullest, in order to weave a story that is simple, yet interesting, but also meaningful and very engaging. The show makes the top because I really think it deserves to make any "best" anime list. This show inspired many people to take up the game of Go, and it even more to sit through 70+ episodes of it without even really understanding how it works. But thats the best thing about HnG, is that you don't have to understand Go to be drawn in. The atmosphere and the characters of the show are so incredible that it will keep your attention until the end (and beyond!). I never imagined that this show would amaze me as much as it did, but the music, the animation, the cast, the story, the pace...it's all great and I daresay even close to perfection. Now if only we could get the rest of the manga animated...
2. ZoiRAB is the main focus of my anime fandom, and it always has been. I remeraber way back when CN first aired New Century/Zero and I was so intrigued and amazed by the concept of animal robots. It seems really silly and immature, but Chaotic Century is where it blew that impression out of the water. This show is deep...full of rich characters with true motivation and emotion, surrounded by a story that is almost flawlessly interwoven with the concepts of war and harRABhip. And to top it all off? A sense of mystery and the supernatural. All based around a few simple robots that look wicked cool and have a variety of uses. And the best part about it? It never gets too sad or painful. For shows that usually use war as a theme, they often focus too much on sadness and suffering, but this show doesn't. It's all about pushing past that suffering and fighting for a better tomorrow with the frienRAB we have. That's why it makes #2.
3. To many people, this may seem like an odd choice. I remeraber the show got a fair amount of hate at TZ and on other forums back when it first aired. One could argue that it wasn't a "good" show, nor really a "bad" show. It had ups an downs, but overall it was a solid work. However, to me it meant more than that. I think a lot of people tend to pass over this show and fail to notice what makes it great, because its hard to notice a lot of the subtleness in the storytelling and development of the show. It starts out pretty rocky and lackluster...but that's the glory of it. So does Team Satomi, the main focus of the show. Its the small things like that which add to the overarching story which comes together well in the end. Overall though, IGPX means a lot to me because I grew up on Toonami and to me, IGPX is pretty much the erabodiment of everything that Toonami ever stood for. It has an amazing music soundtrack, and a genuine sense of passion coming from the people who worked on it. I really hope people end up looking back on this with more fondness in the future. We will never stop.
4. Escaflowne is a show that corabines three genres that you rarely see together and manages to do it very well. Mecha, romance and fantasy. Just from looking at it, the show seems like it would be an interesting watch, but a lot of people are initially thrown off by the drama and female perspective that is presented in the first few episodes. However, it draws you in very well and develops into something that feels very adventurous and compelling. The animation style and designs are all very unique and fitting to the world that it creates. Overall, I enjoy this series very much and I think it's particularly great because it can appeal to a large amount of people with different interests.
5. A shounen with heart, substance, and a rather simple style. HunterXHunter has become a personal favorite of mine for many reasons, but mostly because of how different it is from most other series in the genre. The characters are all fairly standard, but they are developed well and have a great dynamic that enhances the show a lot. The story is easy to follow and is a blast to experience, full of thrills and moments that really make you sit and think. As well as moments where you actually have to stop and feel what the character is going through. Overall it's a solid show that rises above others, mostly due to a unique approach in both storytelling and training. The concept of nen has always been (to me) a well established and interesting way to make the stereotypical shounen "glow" into something more substantial and awesome.
6. Admittedly, I would have put this much higher, but I felt that on this forum it's going to get a lot of top votes anyway. So I wanted to give my other favorite series a shot before I threw my support to this one. Anyway, there's not much I need to say here. One Piece is incredible. An amazing and lovable cast that takes you on the most incredible adventure filled with fun powers, thrilling battles, compelling stories and just a good time all around. Oda is a master at telling the story and all long-time viewers know that he has a lot lying underneath the surface that will come to pass before the series is over. It is his ability to weave minor details together into a large over-arching narrative, with a solid main theme, that makes it such a joy to experience first hand (even if it is really long!).
7. Nodame is a great show about love and music. As a guy, I have to admit I was opposed to shoujo at first. But once you are shown the light, it becomes easy to love shows like Nodame which really take the genre and make it fun for everyone. Nodame has great comedy coming from a wonderful cast of characters, and the romance is never too overbearing. Overall, you always end up wanting to support the main couple and see them get into all sorts of musical antics. What I love the most about Nodame though, is that it really puts music at the forefront and doesn't let it play a backseat role. You actually get a chance to experience all the songs and feelings of an orchestra up front, and it really makes it just a great show.
8. Outlaw Star is a show with style and attitude, but also being very competent. Its one of those shows that's just plain cool to watch, but you really come to appreciate it as you see the characters grow and learn. And the viewer really becomes one of the crew as the gang journeys through space. In the end, the corabination of interesting characters with fun abilities and an interesting plot, are what make this show worth it.
9. Another show that corabines mecha and romance, which I suppose isn't such an unlikely corabo these days. But what's great about E7 is that the romance is genuine and developed in a slow and articulate way that manages to keep your interest by engaging in a rather complex and serious plot. What I like the best about E7 is that most of the characters (in my case, Renton) are easy to relate to. You understand them and the situations they are in as they are forced to make decisions and learn to live and make due with their mistakes. And in the end, they grow up and forge a new world for themselves and the future. It's a great ride with a lot of deep meaning and an overall message that makes you feel good at the end.
10. Alright, this is the one pick on my list that the majority of people have never heard of and have never really seen. On its face, Oban is a racing show that takes place on alien worlRAB for a grand prize being given to the winner. It sounRAB pretty cliche really, and the odd art style will really throw people at first. But let me tell you, it's totally worth it. The characters are real and the issues touched upon this show are not only interesting, but compelling. It's not so much about the race itself as it is the people who are affected by it, and that's what makes it such an amazing show. A well-rounded cast surrounded by an intricately designed world and spiced with a bit of racing action. Oh, and let's not forget the strong female lead who is not only tough, but is able to show a range of emotion without ever coming off as one of the stereotypical characters in most of today's shows. Definitely one that I highly recommend to anyone willing to give a France/Japan co-production a chance.
Alright, I think that explains my choices rather clearly. Hopefully people enjoy reading it as much fun as I had writing it. Can't wait for the full list!
