"Perfect"

[Joshua Christopher]

Describe what you think would make the "perfect" anime. This does not mean that what you say would make the perfect series, but what would make it perfect for yourself.

[chibiphonebooth]

hmm well....something fantasy/sci-fi-ish. twood be soo cool. ^_^ with like elves and and and and dragons and and cute little creatures..and and and and areally cool stuff.. .and and andnaldskfja;ldjfka;ldjfa;ldf


kinda like my idea for my comic i had. its a really cool idea. ^_^

im not gunna post it here cause its a way too elaborate idea, and it would take FOREVER to explain. T_T

[uc pseudonym]

I think that there is more than one formula (even for myself), but here is probably my primary one:

1) An original fantasy world, not firmly rooted in our reality but not utilizing the tired cliches such as elves and dragons (unless it does something new with them).
2) Strong characters with deep personalities, despite...
3) Lots of well-"coreographed" action. Little use of freeze-frame "action shots" (in my mind action should be smooth and flowing).
4) A plot that is complex but does not rely solely on complexity (eg Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex); this point requires an overall plot arc and a strong ending.
5) Good animation in all respects.
6) Some humor that arises from the circumstances; that is, stuff that isn't contrived and out of place (eg "He fell on her again! Hilarity!").

Those are not in any order.

[Debitt]

My idea of the perfect anime is hardly static, but right now I would say:

Tactics + more episodes + closer to the manga's plotline/style/characterization + more Edwards + more Ayame - Edogawa Suzu = perfect anime

...but more generally I like: bishounen, action, not too much sappy romance, some magic and fantasy elements, off the wall/random/dry humor, believeable characters with different facets to their personalities, and a deep but not overly complicated plot.

[mitsuki lover]

1)Strong central characters,especially female characters
2)Believable plot lines
3)Fantasy/Sci Fi/Horror/Western/Comedy
4)Characters act realistically.Good guys aren't overly good and villians aren't overly evil
5)Mecha/Magic Girls/Cat Girls/Time Travel/Parallel Dimensions
6)Androids
7)Fun to watch

[Joshua Christopher]

Hm, I guess I should take my turn now.

1) You're more or less 'thrown in' to the storyline. As the background plot will develop through flashbacks.
2) Very dramatic.
3) Unique atmosphere.
4) "Style".
5) Relatable, human characters. Regardless of having super-powers or not.
6) Keep it under 26 episodes. Preferably an OVA.
7) Continuous storyline, leaving you with cliffhangers at the end of each episode.
8) Plot twists and keep them coming in large doses.
9) I'm a sucker for characters sacrificing themselves.
10) Fighting isn't necessary, but if there is some; Battles can either be short and good, or extended and crazy. I hate the "Fight-stop & talk-fight-stop & talk" style.
11) No real villain and hero conflict, just opposing ideas.
12) And one of the most important, I want EPIC.

[Cap'n Nick]

Things I would like to see in an anime:

Sunsets
Interminable introspection
Accordian synth
Tricycle violence
Smart characters
Stupid characters
Smart stupid characters (not stupid smart characters)
Impossible pants

[Madeline]

I agree with UC, I would rather not have the freeze-frames in action scenes. They make everything feel disjointed.

In Rurouni Kenshin, as the guy runs away with Miss Megumi, does he really need to say something like "I am carrying Miss Megumi off"? I've seen a lot of animes that cater to blind people who can't see what's going on, or leave you guessing. I'd appreciate an anime that would let you make some assumptions, but not confound you.

I'd also like it if wounds and fight scenes were more realistic. When you get cut in the shoulder, blood doesn't spurt out of the wound like a fountain and you don't fly across the room and bounce three times before you land on the floor. >.< Also, there is SO much talking before fights! Don't get me wrong, I like talking, but I like to think that two opponents don't sit there chatting for ten minutes before they fight each other.

It would be nice if there wasn't so much strange religion going on...could anime have to do with something other than weird religion?

Ok I'll stop listing things I really need to be doing other things rather than criticizing anime...

[Jeikobu]

The perfect anime? A very accurately done biblical anime, like the life of Jesus, or the end times.

[Warrior 4 Jesus]

An anime of the Creation of the World or an anime that lines up with all of UC's points.

[heero yuy 95]

My idea of a perfect anime...........
1) I would like it to be set in a fantasy world with mecha elements(sorta' like Escaflowne but more mech-ish, like with swords AND machine guns for weapons.
2) I would like it to have a deep storyline involving a war and an evil empire, with explosions and battles and stuff.
3)It would have archytypical heroes and villains(heroes always good and noble, villains always evil and vile)
4) I would like at least one really cute girl.
5)NO NUDITY OR SEXUAL CONTENT(uggghhhhh, just drives me nuts!)
6)no taking God's name in vain or any occultic stuff.

Yep, that's the kinda' anime I would really dig.

[Ichigo_89]

Sword fights
uber-jazz sax
intense battles with sacrifice
awesome animation
great character design
fully-fleshed out characters
epic widescope
bulky mechas filled to the brim with explosive projectiles
an insane comedic relief character

So um, something like that. ^_^ Sorta a mix of Bebop, Kenshin, G Wing Endless Waltz, and something else. LOL

[Mi-Ru-Me]

a guy with latent powers but is incredably powerful.

a incredably evil badguy

cool weapons, and chicks

lots of funny stuff

and an ultamatebattle wer the guy unleashes his power in a increadably cool way were talking cool not kiddie like dbz or evil like hellsing were talking more of an imbetween.

and it has to have an ending something that satisfies like "ohh so they actually do get together or he actually did save her or that person really did die not some let work in some links between these people so every one thinks there in love but end the series without showing if it works out or not.
That is pure evil.

[Nate]

I dunno. Anything D&D or fantasy related.

Guys with big swords and lots of fireballs being tossed around. Dragons, tarrasques, liches, illithids, drow...all that good stuff.

A little bit of comedy sprinkled in between the awesome fight scenes would be nice. It would give it the "goofing-off" feeling that occurs in game sessions when the party is in town and not under a direct threat.

Oh, and hot elf babes. Can't go wrong with hot elf babes.

[Kura Ookami]

Some questions for the people who have said what there perfect anime must include.

What is a great storyline to you?
What is great animation to you?
What are great characters to you?

Everyone has said something along the lines of great story great character or great animation yet nobody has been specific.

My opinion on this is that even if someone finds his or her "perfect anime" that fits every single requirement they've put down here they'll still be searching for their perfect anime.

[Cap'n Nick]

Theory! Time to spout off like I know what I'm talking about!

Great Storyline:

• Is character driven. The story unfolds because the characters are who they are and would not function if these characters were changed or removed. The characters are changed by the story and the story tells us about the characters.
• Is unpredictable. The story is not unintelligible or even necessarily complex but gives and withholds information in a manner that will keep a viewer intrigued. It is always conscious of the feelings it will create in the viewer and will manipulate these feelings for heightened emotional involvement and emphasis on its central ideas.
• Has direction. The story is set in motion to address a central question or idea. All action is geared to this purpose, either directly through action and conflict or by exposing the characters and settings through which this question will be examined. The story answers this question, even if its answer is "there is no clear answer." This answer is not given verbally but written in the lives of the characters.

Great Animation:

• Is unobtrusive. The animation tells a story; the story is more than an excuse to animate. It is of high technical quality and does not needlessly distract the viewer with jarring frame rates, incorrect proportions, or poorly chosen colors.
• Is fluid. Animation is not bound by the constraints of dimension and physics and should thus make use of its freedom. There are circumstances when pixel-perfect reproductions of reality are appropriate but the vast majority of scenes benefit from the bending and stylization of reality to better portray its feeling, purpose and form.
• Is effective. Every aspect of every frame is composed with mind to the mood and theme of the story and scene. The artist is always conscious of the way the scene will be perceived and will manipulate this perception to heighten emotional involvement and to better serve the direction of the story.

Great Characters:

• Evoke feeling. Whether love, hate, or something in between, viewers should never be indifferent about a character. Truly great characters are usually complicated enough to evoke many conflicting emotions at once.
• Change. The characters move the story and the story moves the characters. Change does not mean an arbitrary reversal of character traits. It means that characters are part of their environment and change as they make decisions and experience life.
• Serve the story. Emotional involvement and change are good for characters because they let the story be a story by sucking viewers in and then taking them somewhere. The experience is the purpose and the artist must always be mindful of what kind of experience the characters create.

[Nate]

Yes, Cap'n, you have been affected by Full Moon greatly.

[Cap'n Nick]

?!? I can never tell when kae is saying I'm crazy...

But, I will say that Full Moon wo Sagashite holds up very strongly on most of the criteria I listed.

[Nate]

?!? I can never tell when kae is saying I'm crazy...

Trust me, dude, if I was saying that you're crazy, then I'm crazy too, for exactly the same reason.

And, just because no one ever uses this smiley...

[uc pseudonym]

Some questions for the people who have said what there perfect anime must include.

What is a great storyline to you?
What is great animation to you?
What are great characters to you?

Everyone has said something along the lines of great story great character or great animation yet nobody has been specific.

Cap'n Crack's post does a fair job of explaining my feelings on this (though I did have a few specifics in my original post). I'll make a few modifications to apply to myself:

Great Storyline: I don't feel being character-driven is necessary, but I think that the storyline should be altered due to the characters that it happens to. My definition of "direction" varies slightly but can be unchanged. An additional requirement: I like my plots to not be episodic (be that one episode or an entire saga).

Great Animation: In essence I agree]My opinion on this is that even if someone finds his or her "perfect anime" that fits every single requirement they've put down here they'll still be searching for their perfect anime.[/QUOTE]

Well, I would never say I was "searching" for the perfect anime. There are ones I like, ones I don't and many in between. If an anime had all of the characteristics I listed, then I would like it very much, but I would never apply the label "perfect" to any work of art, because art is intrinsically subjective.

[Blitzkrieg1701]

Well, most of the big things I would have mentioned have already been mentioned by other people, but there are a few personal things I'd like to see in "my perfect anime"

Not to tick off all the fantasy buffs around here, but I would love to see more hardcore Sci-Fi anime. That doesn't just mean "nothing that looks like a dragon," I'd like to see an anime that really takes time to explore the inner workings of the world it creates rather than simply using it as a backdrop for a story. (To use a non-anime illustration, I'd like to see Star Trek storytelling rather than Star Wars)

Also, concerning stories, NO AMBIGUOUS ENDINGS!

I know this is pretty much the opposite of what at least a few people have said, but I would like to see less stereotypically "evil" villians. I think a character who seems to be as good as the hero, yet is also capable of justifying evil things, is much scarrier (and more realistic) than a guy in a big black cape who laughs manically all the time.

As far as animation is concerned, I'm a little suprised no one has mentioned the reckless use of computers. Both CGI and digital coloring are really cool when they're being used WELL, but the truth is, most of the times they're used simply because it's cheeper than buying cells and paint. Then it's just obnoxious and draws attention to its own lack of detail (lost fo the anime Cartoon Network shows during the day suffers from this). I'm not saying that I wish everyone would go back to paint, I just wish that such significant advances in technology wouldn't be used to cut corners and make things less impressive.

As long as the wishlist is growing, I'll throw in that I'd want to see an anime that was concieved as an anime, rather than adapted from the manga that was adapted from the game.

Last and first, my perfect anime would of course have lots of Christian content. Actually, as an addition to that, it would be written by something who actually knows a thing or two about Christianity (not one of those where they just toss a few nuns and crosses in and then write whatever they feel like)

Well, I can't think of any more brash and thoughtless demands at the moment, so I'll shut up.

[Kaligraphic]

How about telling the story from the "villain's" perspective?

[Joshua Christopher]

How about telling the story from the "villain's" perspective?

I know there are some. None are coming to mind right now, as it is 3 AM... but the manga Death Note is told from the villain's perspective. : )

[Kaligraphic]

It's not a new thing, but it switches things around a bit. It's hard, though, to keep the villain as a villain and the hero as a hero. You usually end up making the villain too sympathetic.

[Mr. SmartyPants]

As of now.... Id say Monster is the perfect anime... well for me at the moment XD... the storyline... is INCREDIBLE... like amazing! The plot out of 10... is like a 15... (15 outta 10) its soooo amazing

the art is also amazing... it really captures the mood

well no, its not perfect... cause there are 2 random parts of the anime with nudity in it (TOTALLY IRRELEVANT TOO!!!)

[uc pseudonym]

I know this is pretty much the opposite of what at least a few people have said, but I would like to see less stereotypically "evil" villians. I think a character who seems to be as good as the hero, yet is also capable of justifying evil things, is much scarrier (and more realistic) than a guy in a big black cape who laughs manically all the time.

I agree with you, actually]As long as the wishlist is growing, I'll throw in that I'd want to see an anime that was concieved as an anime, rather than adapted from the manga that was adapted from the game.[/quote]

As a writer, I will say this: I conceive of stories, not anime or manga. The form of telling the story is important (some things simply do or do not work), but for the earliest stages they are irrelevant.

How about telling the story from the "villain's" perspective?

It would be interesting, but require a different type of storytelling. Typically, the "hero" does most of the action, while the "villain" is less directly involved.

[Mi-Ru-Me]

One thing I dont want to see is the bad guy winning that stuff I just would not like to see in an anime. Like some of you said a truly evil caracter is awsome yet dont let them win their bad.

[Nate]

Also, concerning stories, NO AMBIGUOUS ENDINGS!

See, I slightly disagree with this. I know, I know. Anime is meant to be a sort of escape from reality, but considering a lot of people like anime that is more realistic in style (not everyone, but a sizable portion), how many times is everything tied up in real life? How many unsolved murders are there in New York City? Stuff is very rarely tied up with a neat little ribbon in real life, so if you want "realistic" anime, you would have to have plot points that maybe aren't resolved. Maybe you'd want to have an ending that isn't a happy ending (Magic Knight Rayearth did this one EXCEPTIONALLY well). The problem is, as I said, many people don't like unresolved plot threads. I, however, do. I know, I'm weird.

However, I must say that I'm a sucker for absolute, irrevocable evil.

Oh yeah, me too. Wishy-washy bad guys don't cut it for me.

On that note, I'd like to see more realistic heroes. Rarely is anything in life simple black and white. There are lots of gray areas where your choices can determine a lot about what will happen, and sometimes both choices seem to be wrong, but the choice must be made. This is where character development comes in. Trigun was an EXCELLENT example of this. The fight Vash had with Legato. I will not spoil it, but basically Vash was stuck in a lose-lose situation, and had to choose. Sometimes in life, there is NO right choice. I'd like to see that reflected in more anime, where it's not so clear of "This is evil, and destroying it would be the right thing to do!"

[Mangafanatic]

- Edogawa Suzu = perfect anime

But Koko-chan, if there were no Suzu, there would be no episode 15 and, hence, there would be no acid trip like experience!

The perfect anime for me would be one with tons of plot twists, interesting and mysterious characters, and no nudity or stupid fanservice. *Shakes fist at fanservice*

[Mi-Ru-Me]

The problem is, as I said, many people don't like unresolved plot threads. I, however, do. I know, I'm weird."

but why why do you like endings that end evil like. It feals like the whole series ones watched is a big waste of time. Why did one need some 24 episodes or more to explain how this group of people are going to fail.

Why