The "Otaku" animes you've seen

Postby **Haibane Shadsie** » Mon Jan 19, 2004 9:51 pm

List the animes you've seen that are considered "classics". You know, those animes that are really popular in the "otaku" community, the well-known ones, the ones that rabid otaku talk about to no end. You know the ones, the ones that almost every American anime fan has heard of (even if they have not seen), the anime titles that are supposed to make you a "true otaku" to have seen... post your list - and your opinions of them!

I was IMing with a friend and realized... just how many "otaku-riffic" animes I've seen.

My list:

~~~~~~~

Neon Genesis Evangelion - hoo boy... this is the one that EVERYONE talks about, and that most "otaku" love. (Love it or hate it... it's known, and is the major one that I see talked about everywhere). I personally think it's overrated, but.. yeah, it's out there and has been an influence to many animes since its creation.

My opinion: I enjoyed it. Weird, psychological... it had twisted conspiracy stuff in it that I loved (because I've been a longtime X-Files fan). However... I find that it's overated. I don't think it's "teh bestist anime evah!" like many American otaku seem to.

Cowboy Bebop - yes, it's a recent title, but it's one that a lot of otaku talk about. Definitely a "classic". I've only seen it on TV... though I've seen the sub version of the movie. (Not sure if the movie I saw as official or fansubbed). Weirdly like most of of the English voices better than the Japanese. (Dub haters throw garbage at me now)!

Opinion: One of my favorite series.

Trigun. - but of course. I've only seen the dub version, but I saw it long before it aired on American TV. *Huggles VHS tapes*

Opinion: Favorite series of all time. (Maybe something else will come along... Haibane Renmei is nearly tied with it, but.. yeah... fave that shall live in my heart forever).

Hellsing. - Popular "otakuy" title nowadays... I saw this courtesy of a friend who gave me a fansub (her old fansub she had lying around since she got the official series). The fansub I got...w as iffy. Bad spelling and such... and Yan didn't cuss (as I've read online that he does in the official). I don't trust my fansub much, but I could follow what was going on for the most part. (I also bought the first volume of manga).

Opinion: Eh. I enjoyed it. Not a favorite, but I found the blood fun (I'm a sadistic little beast when it comes to fictional gore), and I really liked Integra and Anderson. Not one I recommend to anyone who can't take horror/gore and twisted Christian symbolism.

"DragonBall Z" - Seen some episodes on TV. Even followed it for a little bit. Talked about a lot, popular, and quite otakuy...

Opinon: Brainless fighting... I loathe this series... I just... dislike it... for whatever reason. I dislike the art and I find the "plot" innane.

"Ah, My Goddess!" - Besides NGE, can't get much more "otakuy" than this. It's a short series (the main OVAs, not counting the movies and Mini-Goddess Adventures... I've seen a few of the Mini Goddess shorts, but none of the movies). And.. this is one of the titles I've only seen subbed!

Opinion: This was so... CUTE! I'm fairly uninterested in romance, so I don't count it as a favorite, but I did find it highly adorable, so it gets high marks from me just because of that. Very sweet, and I enjoyed the wacky supernatural stuff in it... particulary the Bugs and Skuld's need to mallet them. ^_^.

"Pokemon" - well, I'm not sure how "otakuy" this is, as most "otaku" despise it. It has to be the most well-known anime in America, though.

Opinion: This series is what got me into anime. Seriously! Don't laugh! I used to be OBESSESSED with Pokemon... particulary with Team Rocket. I wrote many fanfics and drew many a fanart "back in the day". I was even "legendary" in Team Rocket online fandom circles for a while for my fanfictions, under the name "Shadowcat". I was immediately hooked because I found the anime charming. I was enamored of the concept of kids going out on journeys to capture and understand these... strange powerful animals! I fell in love with the characters in Team Rocket. It was just... fun. However, my obession has died. I havent' seen a new episode of the anime in probably almost 2 years.

FLCL - Well, this seems to be the anime made for otaku... anime made specifically for anime fans... has so many anime inside jokes... I first saw this series.. the first two episodes, subbed at Anime Expo this summer. I went in to a screening with friends. I laughed so hard! I was just in love... and the music... The Pillows are so great... Then, the series aired on Cartoon Network and I got to see the rest of it, albiet dubbed...

Opinion: Some of the pervy stuff threw me off, but... gah... it was just so WEIRD and hilarious... I LOVE this series! I still especially like that spazzy kitten in it... you know, the one that Mamimi (sp?) names "Ta-kun" after Naota... I love that cat! I think I laughed more when I saw the two subbed episodes than when I saw it on Cartoon Network. - Oddly, it just makes more sense in Japanese - if it makes any sense at all!

Postby **Straylight** » Mon Jan 19, 2004 10:00 pm

Akira definately belongs on the list -- many many other things were influenced by that film (like the Matrix)

Postby **inkhana** » Mon Jan 19, 2004 10:26 pm

Oh, Akira. As soon as I saw this list, I knew Akira would come up...^^;;

I saw it, and the end made me squirm just a little (didn't bother me til then, though). I won't say anything spoilerish, though....O.o hehe

First, Ban all the Trolls. . . · Postby **MillyFan** » Mon Jan 19, 2004 10:30 pm

Cowboy Bebop: only seen on TV, although I've seen the edit lists and plan to buy the DVDs someday. It's definitely one of the classics.

I've seen all but the last episodes (when ED leaves and the ending).

My opinion: I love the art style, and I love the anime itself. It's not my number one favorite, but it's close.

Trigun: same there, only seen on TV, have seen edit lists and plan on buying the DVDs.

My opinion: My absolute favorite anime so far. ^^ I love the plot, the characters, the setting. . .the only thing I think really needed improvement was the animation. If it had the art of say, Bebop. . .

*glomps Legato*

Dragonball Z: Blah. Seen a few episodes on TV and read a few spammy fanfics (usually posted in the Trigun or Gundam Wing sections :eyeroll:

"Wat? U mean dis izzn' DBEZ seksion?" :eyeroll:

)

My opinion: I HATE it. It makes me want to vomit. Brainless fighting showcase, a fandom composed almost entirely of spammers, and just. . .not something I like. At all.

FLCL: Watched all 6 eps on TV at various times.

My opinion: Kind of funny, but *too* random and the fanservice was almost to the point of being a parody of fanservice, but not to that point-hence, just annoying fanservice for fanservice's sake.

Hack Sign: Watched first 4 episodes on DVD, official, subbed

My opinion: So far, it's absolutely great. Definitely in my top ten, and I like the animation and the storyline. Even if it does become SubaruxTsukasa, it's still a favorite.

Gundam Wing: Watched Endless Waltz OAV in official subtitles on DVD. Have third DVD for TV series but want to see DVD 1 or 2 first (to have an idea of where it is).

My opinion: I like. 5 bishounen who are (for the sake of this board anyway

) very good friends, an incredible plot, characterization, and great mech battles. *wai* *glomps Duo*

Ruruoni Kenshin: Watched two edited eps. Decided to buy DVDs someday.

AMV.org Profile · Postby **Orange Kitten** » Mon Jan 19, 2004 10:30 pm

I'll agree with most on that list, but some I disagree with. As some are popular, they don't belong on a "classic anime" list that "most otaku has seen or at least heard of"

And don't forget, just because many people have seen it, doesn't make it a classic and/or popular

Akira , as just said before, definitely belongs on that list. That was the first anime I thought of when I read the thread title.

Ghost in the Shell is another.

Otaku no Video is a total classic. I mean, the name alone explains it.

Ninja Scroll is a total guy movie. It's got everything: Action, blood, sex, more fighting/blood. A classic in its genre

You can say that pretty much any Miyazaki movie is a classic.

There are many other popular shows, but I don't think I'd classify them as a classic...YET.

Postby **Haibane Shadsie** » Mon Jan 19, 2004 10:42 pm

Correction for Straylight:

I'm not denying that Akira is an "Otaku" anime. I was thinking of Akira and Ninja Scroll as being among the "true otaku" animes. I did not list them because I HAVE NOT SEEN THEM. The point of the thread is for people to list the very "otaku-riffic" (popular, talked about a lot, the animes real anime-nerds have mostly seen, and animes that have influenced lots of others, "classics") that they have PERSONALLY SEEN.

The list I posted above was MY list... the animes among the "otaku animes" that I personally have seen.

I have no interest in seeing Ninja Scroll, but I do want to see Akira someday.

Postby **Bobtheduck** » Mon Jan 19, 2004 10:51 pm

akira

opinion: (security breach, retracting post)

Ghost in the Shell:

Opinion: rather boring, but the last time i watched it was long before Lain, so my opinion may be different if I watched it today

FLCL:

Opinion: Not a big fan

Trigun:

Opinion: Don't really like it *is mauled by fangirls* Um, i mean it's great, and I'm saying this of my own firey will oof, sorry I mean to say free will... FREE WILL...

Cowboy Bebop:

Opinion: Disliked it's episodic nature, but loved the last two episodes. The show is ok... Love the theme!

Evangelion:

Opinion: I loved the show, for the most part, but when End of Evangelion came out, my sorta love turned to lotta hate...

Ranma:

Opinion: Not into this one too much (read my CB)

Inu Yasha:

Opinion: Liked it until it went on forever

Urusei Yatsura:

Opinion: Liked the second and fourth movies, but the show let me see into Lum's true dark side... She's just annoying and I don't get why all those guys liked her... I suppose choosing between her and Shinobu... I can understand then, sorta...

Project A-ko: Saw this, the queen of fanservice, before I knew what fanservice was... Actually, it's quite funny but the fanservice is exaggerated because it was, afterall, a parody movie... It's what kept me from abandoning Anime after I saw Akira...

EDIT Just looked up UY to make sure I didn't get Shinobu's name wrong, and was informed that I only saw episodes from season 1, and that things got a bit better after that... I guess they would have to, because the movies were much better... Anywho...

First, Ban all the Trolls. . . · Postby **MillyFan** » Mon Jan 19, 2004 10:58 pm

Ninja Troll. . .no thanks

AMV.org Profile · Postby **Orange Kitten** » Mon Jan 19, 2004 10:59 pm

Hmm...seems you dislike most of the classics stated in this thread hehe

I was going to put Urusei Yatsura...but wasn't sure if I'd classify it as classic...most people I've talked to haven't seen it/heard of it....but I sure love it.

Comment on your comment about Cowboy Bebop:
You said you didn't like its episodic nature....you seem to forget, it's a TV show. Yes, most anime shows are basically "mini-series" where you must watch the episodes in chronological order....but then there are many shows are that are just that...TV shows...where it doesn't really matter what episode you see in what order and each is different and stands alone.
That is what Cowboy Bebop is.

I forgot about Ramna..I'd add that to my list of classics.

Postby **The Grammarian** » Mon Jan 19, 2004 11:02 pm

Trigun-liked it, wish they kept to the manga as far as whom they killed off of the main characters.

Cowboy Bebop-liked it, wish its ending weren't so depressing.

Inuyasha-Like it, still watch the reruns in case I've missed any. My absolute favorite anime.

The Dirty Pair-The original girls-with-guns anime. Interesting look back at '80s humor. Also managed to find its way into Star Trek: The Next Generation sets an awful lot (hidden here and there--do a search on the two and see what comes up).

FLCL-Good anime, took me two viewings before I even understood what was going on though. Almost too short for my taste, too.

Ghost In The Shell-Another anime that took me multiple viewings to 'get,' I liked this one a whole lot more after I understood what was going on.

The Big O-another of my top anime, I like this one despite the fact that there are so many plotlines involving the relationships between Roger, R. Dorothy and Angel that could have been developed further.

First, Ban all the Trolls. . . · Postby **MillyFan** » Mon Jan 19, 2004 11:10 pm

I loved The Big O.

I agree with you about plot development, although season 2 was too Americanized if you ask me.

Postby **Kite** » Tue Jan 20, 2004 10:25 am

Does .hack count?

Postby **cbwing0** » Tue Jan 20, 2004 10:40 am

I have seen a fair number of "true otaku" animes, although there are many in that category I have neither seen nor have any desire to see.

Rurouni Kenshin-Seen the entire series, and have all of the dvd's. I haven't seen the OVAs or the movie, but I probably will some day.

Opinion-Great series, especially if you like well-done battles, deep characters, love stories that are important but don't take over the plot, and Japanese history. It's also fun to memorize that names of the techniques. :grin:

Dragon Ball Z-Watched all of the episodes on Cartoon Network, and a few on vhs/dvd. I've seen several of the movies as well.

Opinion-Everyone bashes this one, but it really does grow on you, building up to an awesome ending. This series doesn't take itself too seriously (although the fans do), with villains like Bibidi, Babidi, Buu (Cinderella!) and the Ginyu Force. I will admit that the original Dragon Ball series is better.

Dragon Ball (original)-Seen all of the episodes, except for a few from the red ribbon army sagas. I have the first 13 on dvd, and I might buy the rest some day.

Opinion-This is a little bit deeper than DBZ, with lots of character development, comedy, and questing in between the epic battles. It works better if you watch DBZ first, in my opinion.

Trigun-I have the dvds, but I've only watched one episode so far. Perhaps when I have more time...

Opinion-The little that I have seen looks good.

Ronin Warriors-Watched on CN, with only a few missed episodes.

Opinion-An entertaining series, with a few interesting plot twists.

G Gundam-Watch all the episodes on CN (many of them twice :grin:

), and will defintely buy the dvds one day.

Opinion-This is my favorite out of all the gundam series. Despite the fact that it borders on pro-Japanese propaganda, the battles are entertaining, and the gundam are cool. I especially the manner in which the gundam are controlled by the actual body movements of the fighters.

I'll do some more later, but now I have to get to class! :sweat:

Postby **Gypsy** » Tue Jan 20, 2004 11:13 am

Ok, otaku classics, huh? My list:

Akira - loved it
Ninja Scroll - O.o *shakes head*
Robotech: the Macross Saga - loved it
Record of the Lodoss War OVA - loved it
Ghost in a Shell - heh heh, I fell asleep halfway through it
Project A-ko - I'll never bother to watch it again, but the fights were hilarious
Cowboy Bebop - Ed was the best part
Tenchi series - I think this is starting to become a classic
Trigun - peh.
Ah! (Oh) My Goddess - loved it

Postby **RobertMuldooJP** » Tue Jan 20, 2004 2:39 pm

Don't forget Fruits Basket

Postby **cbwing0** » Tue Jan 20, 2004 2:44 pm

Ok, back from class, laundry, and dinner. :eyeroll:

Here's the rest of my list:

Ninja Scroll
Gundam Wing/GW Endless Waltz
Sailor Moon
Robotech
Record of Lodoss War (both series)

First, Ban all the Trolls. . . · Postby **MillyFan** » Tue Jan 20, 2004 3:47 pm

Kite wrote:Does .hack count?

Yes.

Postby **Spiritsword** » Tue Jan 20, 2004 4:25 pm

My top three would be Akira, Ghost in the Shell, and Ninja Scroll.

AMV.org Profile · Postby **Orange Kitten** » Tue Jan 20, 2004 9:52 pm

Ok, people. Neither Fruits Basket nor .hack count.
These are CLASSICS. Not a favorites list nor what is popular right NOW.

Postby **Kite** » Tue Jan 20, 2004 10:03 pm

Well since this is millys topic she can say there classic. :dance:

Postby **Haibane Shadsie** » Tue Jan 20, 2004 10:04 pm

As the starter of this thread:

I.. I forgive people for listing Fruits Basket and .Hack... but, I did mean this for more "classic" anime... not very new stuff. Some relatively new stuff is allowed (as I included Cowboy Bebop, which is fairly recent), but this is more a topic for the anime that real "anime nerds" talk about, and the animes that most people in America think of when they think "anime". The best examples would be things like Akira, NGE, older Miyazaki films, Ghost in the Shell... you know.. the things that spring to most people's minds (including non anime savvy) when "anime" is mentioned, and the things that... anime nerds don't seem to shut up about on their websites and such. ^_^.

First, Ban all the Trolls. . . · Postby **MillyFan** » Tue Jan 20, 2004 10:07 pm

Yeah, Shadsie started this thread-not me. :hug:

Postby **The Grammarian** » Tue Jan 20, 2004 10:13 pm

Shadsie: So does that mean you count InuYasha and The Big O as classics, or should I be asking, Where's our forgiveness too?

Seriously, though, one of the other posters jogged my memory on probably the oldest anime I've seen (barring The Dirty Pair): Macross Plus, the Movie. Confusing as all get out, from what I remember of it from two years ago.

AMV.org Profile · Postby **Orange Kitten** » Tue Jan 20, 2004 10:46 pm

Haibane Shadsie wrote:As the starter of this thread:

I.. I forgive people for listing Fruits Basket and .Hack... but, I did mean this for more "classic" anime...

MillyFan wrote:Yeah, Shadsie started this thread-not me.

HA! :-P (sorry, had to do it)

Postby **Kite** » Wed Jan 21, 2004 11:05 am

Okay then. Does grave of the fireflies count?

Postby **Bobtheduck** » Wed Jan 21, 2004 9:06 pm

I'd say stay away from perfect blue at all costs... It centers around [spoiler=adult content]rape and the adult entertainment industry... A Japanese singing idol had a shady past, and she thinks she's being stalked by this guy who wants to rape her. It may or may not be in her mind[/spoiler]

I've seen parts in an AMV, and what i saw was nasty... And the stalker guy is so out of place, but maybe for good reason... He's just so... Ugly...

Postby **Kite** » Wed Jan 21, 2004 9:25 pm

So if an anime has blue in its title is it evil?

AMV.org Profile · Postby **Orange Kitten** » Thu Jan 22, 2004 3:48 am

Kite wrote:So if an anime has blue in its title is it evil?

LOL I can't tell if that's a joke or if you're serious.

And Bob, you're completely off in that post about Perfect Blue.
You've seen a couple music videos...ok. Have you ever seen a music video to an anime that completely changed the theme of the original story? MANY of them do that. You can't judge a movie/show by a music video. Read a review or plot synopsis to get a better idea, rather than take guesses of a video. (don't mean to sound cold)

and Kite, I'd recommend YOU staying away from Perfect Blue. But to anyone else, it's a good psychological thriller, if you can handle the adult situations. and by that I don't mean anything pornographic. Mature themes, some nudity, and blood.

And btw, yea I'd count Grave of the Fireflies as a classic.

Postby **Kite** » Thu Jan 22, 2004 10:14 am

Yeah I was joking. I just heard about the stuff in blue gender and the like. :lol:

Postby **blue elf** » Thu Jan 22, 2004 4:43 pm

Some anime I've seen that would fall under the classic category:
Akira: saw this a pretty long time ago and didn't really think it was all that great at the time.

Ghost in the Shell: It's been a pretty long time since I've seen this one too. It wasn't the best in my opinion.

Cowboy Bebop: I like this series for the most part. Some of it I could do without though. Love the ending theme though and Ed rocks! lol

Neon Genesis Evangelion: Weeeell, I like some of this series, but I liked it less the closer it got to the end and I didn't really like the ending. Too much confusing psychobabble. I didn't really like the Christian symbolism that much either, but I did enjoy some of the earlier eps. a bit.

Dragonball Z: I used to like it somewhat, but I don't really watch it anymore. I got kinda bored with the story.

Pokemon: probably not a classic, but I believe it was responsible for my anime liking too. lol Haibane Shadsie, I used to be obsessed with Team Rocket too. lol I may have even read some of your fics many moons ago, but I'm not positive about that. ^_^ I still like Team Rocket, but I don't watch the show that much anymore.

Ranma 1/2: I've seen the first season and I thought some of it was pretty funny.

Trigun: I like this anime, but I wish some of the animation had been better.

There are probably more I've seen that might be considered classics, but I'm not sure so I'm gonna stop here.

-BlueElf

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