Anime
I NEVER REALLY grew out of watching cartoons, and while I still love the classics like Looney Tunes and Dangermouse, as well as a whole load of more modern shows produced for or by channels like the Cartoon Network (Ren and Stimpy, Dexter’s Lab, etc.), every now and then I like to kick back and watch something with more adult (or at least late teenage!) themes.
Excepting movies, there’s really only one place that really makes this kind of thing in any sort of quantity and that is Japan, which has a thriving animation industry (anime), as well as an even bigger comic book scene (manga).
With the UK being a small country, the amount of this stuff available to purchase is still limited and mainly revolves around shows that are three or four years old. However, thanks to the power of the Internet, it’s easy to keep up with the latest programmes from half way around the world.
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Favourite shows/movies/manga include: 5 centimeters per second, Haibane Renmei, Hidamari Sketch, Ichigo Mashimaro, Mushishi, Planetes, Sayonara Zetsubō Sensei, Someday’s Dreamers, Yokohama Kaidashi Kikou and Yotsuba&!
Other stuff worth mentioning: Anything by Hayao Miyazaki, Satoshi Kon or Makoto Shinkai, Air, Aria, Azumanga Daioh, Black Lagoon, Bokura ga ita, Cowboy Bebop, Dokkoida?!, Excel Saga, FLCL, Full Metal Panic: Fumoffu, Futakoi Alternative, Gakuen Utopia Manabi Straight, Gankutsuou, Genshiken, Ghost in the Shell, Gunslinger Girl, Hataraki Man, Hitohira, Honey & Clover, Kanon, Kare Kano, Kino’s Journey, Lucky ☆ Star, Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha, Mahou Shoujo Tai Arusu, Mahoraba, Mai-HiME, Maria-sama ga Miteru, Martian Successor Nadesico, Neon Genesis Evangelion, Pani Poni Dash, REC, Renkin San-kyuu Magical Pokaan, Samurai Champloo, School Rumble, Simoun, Starship Operators, Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuuutsu, Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann and The Twelve Kingdoms.
Wot no Last Exile
o.O
Check it out if you’ve not seen it. (I could supply on DVD if required)
Movie-wise, Wonderful days (aka Sky Blue) is pretty awesome… actuially make that pretty AND awesome.
Alan
October 6, 2006 at 4:21 pm
Thanks, I’ll add them to my to watch list for when I return from holiday.
lastarial
October 6, 2006 at 5:01 pm
Your ‘favourite anime’ list bears a spooky similarity to my own! If you’re after a mecha show that resembles the likes of Evangelion and FLCL I recommend Eureka Seven, which is currently being released in the UK. I’m also hoping for Shinkai’s 5cm series to be released in full on DVD…along with Satoshi Kon, he represents the future of Japan’s animation industry for me.
Martin
June 24, 2007 at 12:31 am
Hmm, Eureka Seven fell off my list. I think that went in the last cull a few months ago. Probably pushed out by a couple of more recent productions.
Yeah, E7 was a good show – a little flabby – did it really need 50 odd episodes? But the fight choreography was outstanding.
Regarding Kon and Shinkai, hopefully we won’t be made to wait too long for Paprika and 5cm.
lastarial
June 24, 2007 at 12:40 am
are the anime above just the ones you have watched… or just the good ones you have watched?
sydney
May 29, 2009 at 3:50 am
Just the really good ones… it needs updating though.
Gareth
May 29, 2009 at 4:38 pm