Favorite Anime Vol.2
Hello everyone! I’ve talked about many manga series that I enjoy on the blog, but not too much about anime. So I decided to share some of my favorite Anime shows with you all. This list is by no means all my favorites but stick around for more show recommendations. Enjoy these picks! (Click Here for Part One)
Yu Yu Hakusho
From cutting classes to brawling in the streets, Yusuke Urameshi is not your typical role model. In fact, this kid’s nothing more than a fourteen-year-old delinquent with a talent for trouble. But in a single selfless act Yusuke dies while saving another. For such noble sacrifice he is given a second chance at life, but it’s to be a life far different than the one left behind. Now a Spirit Detective, the young man must track down demons and humans alike who desire to rule over the three realms of reality.
Granted I haven’t watched the full entirety of this anime, but I have watched enough of it to name it as one of my top favorites. Something about the animation style and the 90s fashion makes this such an iconic show. Yu Yu Hakusho is a mixture of a coming-of-age story with the supernatural as Yusuke gets a chance to start over again in life. The character development in this show is excellent and I love watching the cast grow into their powers and find their own paths. The fantasy elements are really fun, and I love the intense battle sequences!
My Hero Academia
The story follows Izuku Midoriya, a boy born without superpowers (called Quirks) in a world where they have become commonplace, but who still dreams of becoming a superhero himself. He is scouted by All Might, Japan’s greatest hero, who shares his Quirk with Midoriya after recognizing his potential, and later helps to enroll him in a prestigious high school for heroes in training.
I love the idea of a world full of super beings with so many different powers or in this show “quirks”. I’ve always enjoyed superhero stories and seeing the hero from a training perspective before becoming globally known is rewarding. The story ARCs are solid (some are more interesting than others to me), but it’s fast-paced and action-packed. Deku, the main character, is a lovable person and you really feel for him wanting to help others and be a hero. liked the theme of heroes vs villains, and the plot’s theme of what truly makes a hero.
Ouran High School Host Club
Haruhi sticks out like a sore thumb as a poor, smart girl who got into the hoity-toity Ouran High School on talent alone. When she mistakenly wanders into the meeting room of the host club and breaks a valuable vase, she’s recruited to join the club. Realistic and sarcastic, Haruhi isn’t used to being around crazy people, but she’s got no choice if she ever wants to pay earn what she owes. Too bad the club is made for girls to come and be entertained by gorgeous guys — and Haruhi’s been mistaken for a boy!
Ouran is a classic shojo anime for any avid anime viewer, and while some parts of it may not have aged well, I still love to rewatch it from time to time. It’s quite hilarious to see how Haruhi and the students/host club clash as they have different mindsets of just about everything. Ouran is the most overly dramatic when it comes to certain aspects of the plot, but one of the main reasons why I and so many other viewers love it. The romance is sweet, and I love the bonds of friendship the host club shares with one another.
Death Note
The series centers around a high school student who discovers a supernatural notebook that allows him to kill anyone by writing the victim’s name while picturing their face. The plot follows his attempt to create and lead a world cleansed of evil using the book, and the complex conflict between himself and those assailing him that results.
One of the darkest manga anime, but the plot is so complex that I was completely drawn into the story. In this psychological thriller, Light starts out as a normal high school student, but throughout the manga we see him decline into this power-hungry person who wants to rule the world. Having the death note into existence also brings up some serious questions about life and death and ties into the overall theme of justice (and how it can be warped by ego). On the other hand the story, it’s a mystery as a detective tries to track Light down as he commits more crimes. This series is thrilling from beginning to end.
Carole & Tuesday
It has been 50 years since mankind began its migration to the terraformed Mars, where they live by in the comforts of advancement in AI. Carole lives in the metropolis of Alaba City, working part-time by day and playing keyboard by night. Tuesday has run away from her home in Hershell City to escape the grip of her wealthy family, and instead hopes to pursue music with her acoustic guitar. Up against the AI singers that dominate the music world, the two of them believe that together they can convey their feelings through their songs. Will hard work and luck be enough for the duo to create the biggest miracle that Mars has ever seen?
I love how light-hearted and motivational it can be at times. Carole and Tuesday face a lot of hardships during entering the music world. Though their road to music stardom may be a tad unrealistic it’s their journey of pursuing their passion and friendship which is at the heart of the show. They face a lot of obstacles but have a positive attitude which makes this show feel a bit cozy. The musical OST was stunning, and I always listen to the OST even today. The anime showcases a wide variety of music and I appreciated how the plot touched on the themes of technological advancement and the entertainment world.
Eureka Seven
Apart from hover-boarding, 14-year-old Renton Thurston finds his life boring until a large LFO robot called the Nirvash crashes into his room one day without warning. The pilot of the LFO is a beautiful young girl named Eureka, who has come to have her LFO serviced in the garage run by his family. But following her are the Gekkostate, a small band of guerilla fighters, and a United Federation Forces KLF unit.
I usually don’t care for mecha anime, but something about Eureka when I first watched it on Toonami years ago really caught my attention. It’s futuristic, fun, and has lots of drama sprinkled into the plot. The LFO robots are so amazing with all of the capabilities they have and the talented crew that works on these robots is highlighted too. The surfing concept of these robots is by far one of the coolest parts of the animation and the characters (while some are infuriating) are lovable. The rag-tag crew focused upon in the show are just trying to make ends meet while having fun and trying to pay their bills.
What are some of your favorite anime? Let me know in the comments.
