I've talked before about anime and manga, but never detailing my favorites. So...this! Spoiler free, of course.
5. Attack on Titan
The only reason this isn't higher on my list is because I've seen less of it than all the other series. That doesn't mean it's the worst. Far from it! Attack on Titan is a complex story with three dimensional characters and beautiful animation.
The story follows Eren Yeager, and two of his friends as they fight Titans in a semi post-apocalyptic world. Titans are giant humanoid monsters that eat people. And smile. And that's all we know about them.
This series is dark. People die, graphically. There is emotional turmoil and horror in every episode. Even with my taste for the macabre, I can only watch a few episodes at a time before calling it quits for a few days. And I shotgun Law and Order: SVU regularly. You are warned.
You can watch the first season on Netflix. It is in Japanese, so be prepared to read. I don't know if there are other seasons or what (I'm avoiding spoilers like the plague), but there is supplemental material. This series only aired in 2013, so it's also the newest on my list. It is based on manga, which I plan on reading when I'm done with the anime.
So, if you want a dark, DARK story with twists and rich characters, this is for you.
4. Dragon Ball/ Dragon Ball Z
On the other end of the scale we have Dragon Ball and Dragon Ball Z (or just one long-ass Dragon Ball saga, as it's known in Japan).
Dragon Ball follows a young fighter named Son Goku as he travels the world, fighting enemies and looking for the wish-granting Dragon Balls. It draws influence (initially) from the ancient Chinese fable, Journey to the West. The similarities end pretty quickly, so don't expect to learn a lot about Chinese culture.
This is a fighting anime/manga. You get a lot of cool drawings of weird people kicking each others asses. The story is formulaic: threat comes to earth, Goku trains and gets stronger than humanly possible, destroy's threat. Repeat. It's simple and satisfying, much like the colorful art.
I've read many volumes of the manga, and I'm an avid fan of the fanmande abridged series. You can safely skip the 90s american anime: it's censored and much worse than the actual source material.
3. Yu-Gi-Oh!
Yu-Gi-Oh is the story of a high-school boy who is possessed by the soul of an Egyptian pharaoh with magic powers. Together they fight evil and search for the Pharaoh's memories, mostly by playing a magic card game. It makes sense in context.
This is another show/manga where the source material far outstrips the censored american version. The original manga doesn't even feature card games for quite some time. It at first relied on the spirit being a psychotic killer of other psychotic killers.
The manga is the way to go here. It's got magic, plot twists, and great art. This also spawned a hysterical fan made abridged show that mocks the Americanization and several other silly plot elements. It's 'dark' but for the pg-13 set. Good one to get into.
2. Sailor Moon
I own and have read EVERY volume of the Sailor Moon manga. It was the first brush with anime that I and most other girls in my generation had. It spawned a genera. It had a wildly successful anime in the 90s, and a wildly successful one from RIGHT NOW. It spawned live action TV shows, stage shows, and countless other adaptations.
So it's pretty good.
The plot follows Usagi (Serena in the 90s american version) AKA Sailor Moon, the pretty guardian in a sailor costume who fights evil alongside her friends, while trying to find their princess. It's complex and there are several major story arcs that cover everything from what I just mentioned to future outerspace battles, lost children, time travel, and demonic possession.
The manga was just re-released with a more faithful translation, and the new anime is airing online. This is the perfect time to get into the series, especially if you're new. Do it. DO IT!
1. Fullmetal Alchemist
Fullmetal Alchemist is another dark, beautiful piece. Unlike Titan, it's got raucous comedy as well.
FMA follows Edward and Alphonse Elric as they fight in the military with magic powers, trying to find a Philosopher's Stone and restore their mangled bodies to normal. This is a VERY complex story. The rules of the universe are well defined, and the characters are fully realized. It's the best on this list, no question.
However, there is one confusing issue: There are 2 completed anime versions of it. Both with 90% of the same voice actors. The first seasons are almost identical. Fullmetal Alchemist is the first one, and strays wildly from the manga. Mostly because it wasn't done yet.
FMA: Brotherhood is the second, faithful adaptation. It's darker and longer. And awesome. And I'd say watch both series, in order. They're both FANTASTIC. They're on Netflix. What are you waiting for?
5. Attack on Titan
The only reason this isn't higher on my list is because I've seen less of it than all the other series. That doesn't mean it's the worst. Far from it! Attack on Titan is a complex story with three dimensional characters and beautiful animation.
Beautiful, nightmareish animation.
The story follows Eren Yeager, and two of his friends as they fight Titans in a semi post-apocalyptic world. Titans are giant humanoid monsters that eat people. And smile. And that's all we know about them.
This series is dark. People die, graphically. There is emotional turmoil and horror in every episode. Even with my taste for the macabre, I can only watch a few episodes at a time before calling it quits for a few days. And I shotgun Law and Order: SVU regularly. You are warned.
You can watch the first season on Netflix. It is in Japanese, so be prepared to read. I don't know if there are other seasons or what (I'm avoiding spoilers like the plague), but there is supplemental material. This series only aired in 2013, so it's also the newest on my list. It is based on manga, which I plan on reading when I'm done with the anime.
So, if you want a dark, DARK story with twists and rich characters, this is for you.
DARK.
4. Dragon Ball/ Dragon Ball Z
On the other end of the scale we have Dragon Ball and Dragon Ball Z (or just one long-ass Dragon Ball saga, as it's known in Japan).
Dragon Ball follows a young fighter named Son Goku as he travels the world, fighting enemies and looking for the wish-granting Dragon Balls. It draws influence (initially) from the ancient Chinese fable, Journey to the West. The similarities end pretty quickly, so don't expect to learn a lot about Chinese culture.
This is a fighting anime/manga. You get a lot of cool drawings of weird people kicking each others asses. The story is formulaic: threat comes to earth, Goku trains and gets stronger than humanly possible, destroy's threat. Repeat. It's simple and satisfying, much like the colorful art.
I've read many volumes of the manga, and I'm an avid fan of the fanmande abridged series. You can safely skip the 90s american anime: it's censored and much worse than the actual source material.
Mmm, a frothy mug of water.
3. Yu-Gi-Oh!
Yu-Gi-Oh is the story of a high-school boy who is possessed by the soul of an Egyptian pharaoh with magic powers. Together they fight evil and search for the Pharaoh's memories, mostly by playing a magic card game. It makes sense in context.
This is another show/manga where the source material far outstrips the censored american version. The original manga doesn't even feature card games for quite some time. It at first relied on the spirit being a psychotic killer of other psychotic killers.
This kid was a jerk about playing card games. So, the Spirit trapped him in a mental death simulation. Seems reasonable.
The manga is the way to go here. It's got magic, plot twists, and great art. This also spawned a hysterical fan made abridged show that mocks the Americanization and several other silly plot elements. It's 'dark' but for the pg-13 set. Good one to get into.
2. Sailor Moon
I own and have read EVERY volume of the Sailor Moon manga. It was the first brush with anime that I and most other girls in my generation had. It spawned a genera. It had a wildly successful anime in the 90s, and a wildly successful one from RIGHT NOW. It spawned live action TV shows, stage shows, and countless other adaptations.
So it's pretty good.
The plot follows Usagi (Serena in the 90s american version) AKA Sailor Moon, the pretty guardian in a sailor costume who fights evil alongside her friends, while trying to find their princess. It's complex and there are several major story arcs that cover everything from what I just mentioned to future outerspace battles, lost children, time travel, and demonic possession.
And they're so pretty!
The manga was just re-released with a more faithful translation, and the new anime is airing online. This is the perfect time to get into the series, especially if you're new. Do it. DO IT!
You'll make Luna so happy.
1. Fullmetal Alchemist
Fullmetal Alchemist is another dark, beautiful piece. Unlike Titan, it's got raucous comedy as well.
Both from FMA. Both fit perfectly.
However, there is one confusing issue: There are 2 completed anime versions of it. Both with 90% of the same voice actors. The first seasons are almost identical. Fullmetal Alchemist is the first one, and strays wildly from the manga. Mostly because it wasn't done yet.
FMA: Brotherhood is the second, faithful adaptation. It's darker and longer. And awesome. And I'd say watch both series, in order. They're both FANTASTIC. They're on Netflix. What are you waiting for?
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