After going through my Favorite Opening and Endings for anime, I had so much fun rating them with my brother I decided to do a bigger project, this time with AMVs. For those who don’t know, fans make AMVs as a music video homage to anime they love. It requires a lot of precise editing and researching. Fans can do this without violating copyright infringement as long as they don’t post entire strips of content from the show for profit. Frankly, AMVs, if done by good editors, help promote anime and music.
That aside, I found almost 100 AMVs in the last week or so I thought should make it onto this list. For the first tier, I decided to grade the AMVs on four main criteria from 1-10:
Timing
Tone
Promotional Value
Music Choice
At first, I thought my brother and I would only have to go through them once to determine the best. However, apparently I am really good at finding good AMVs. So I had to rethink my decision. I’ve decided there will be four tiers of a variety of AMVs I could find. Out of the 90 my brother and I saw 55 had a a perfect score.
For this list, I will post the top 20 AMVs that didn’t quite have a perfect score. Note, some had the same score so I ranked the AMV with the higher timing score above the other(s).
The best part of this AMV was the first 25 seconds. The timing and tone, coupled with the music was pitch perfect. However, it lacked energy as it progressed and didn’t utilize the song to the best of its ability.
My score: 32
My Brother’s score: 37
Average score: 34.5
19. Mahoutsukai no Yome 「 AMV 」- Beautiful Creatures by AMV Koto
This AMV has beautiful imagery, coupled with subtle timing. Though my brother disagreed, the song did add a nice flow to the serene, ethereal nature of The Ancient Magus Bride. The only thing it lacked was more crisp timing. For this show, the imagery should have felt more like a dance than a more casual memoir.
My score: 38
My Brother’s score: 32
Average Score: 35
18. AMV – Keep Your Hands Off !! – Bestamvsofalltime Anime MV by nerjaveika
I’ve loved this AMV for awhile, probably because it makes me laugh till I cry. The song choice is spot on. The problem is the video doesn’t have completely crisp timing and the tone feels off sometimes. Otherwise this AMV is super fun to watch! Not perfect, of course. But fun nonetheless.
Here is another AMV with an amazing first 30 seconds. The problems lie only in some tonal issues because of the variety of different anime used for the video. They utilized the song well but couldn’t keep the same momentum throughout the video.
I have so many memories tied to this AMV. It introduced me to this beautiful movie and made me cry when I first watched it. Despite my nostalgic feelings, I have to admit though it is a good AMV it lacks something in it timing and tone. As I said for “Beautiful Creatures”, these type of AMV need to feel either like a dance or a well balanced memoir. This AMV leans towards both but doesn’t quite reach either.
My Score: 35
My Brother’s Score: 36
Average Score: 35.5
15. AMV – The Butterfly Effect – Bestamvsofalltime Anime MV by Ariant
“Butterfly Effect” has great timing and tone. However, the one thing going against is the song feels slightly off, like it doesn’t quite fit the message the editor tried to convey.
I was surprised I was able to find a descent AMV for an 80s film like Akira. Usually, tonal problems as well as pacing arise in these type of AMV because of the more rugged look of the the animation. The one thing this AMV lacks in energy. It flows like a bad dream that takes awhile to unfold.
When I watched this the first couple of times, I couldn’t pin point quite what was missing. It had great imagery, an engaging premise and a rock solid first 25 seconds. then it hit me, the timing, tone, and musicality felt slightly off because of the speaking parts. They slowed down the potential of the music and movement. Otherwise, this is a truly haunting AMV to watch. It made me want to go back and see the show.
This AMV brought back so many memories! Black Rock Shooter was a big deal about ten years ago because of its high quality animation. (Not quite as high quality in its storyline though. So sad.) This AMV has everything going for it except it feels bogged down by too much movement. Even if the timing is crisp, if there is too much movement it is harder for a viewer to follow the action and story the editor is trying to convey in the video.
My Score: 34
My Brother’s score: 39
Average Score: 36.5
10. My Hero Academia Amv – Remember The Name by JazitJ
This AMV has one of the best first 20 seconds of any I’ve seen these past week. The way the editor slowed down the facial expressions and eye movement was phenomenal. What pulled this AMV’s ranking down was the song choice. It didn’t quite fit the images the editor picked. The language was also jolting at times.
This AMV has so much going for it. It tells a more precise story through its visuals and music and has a fantastic song choice to fit the anime’s contest. However, it lacked better timing, or more precisely use of space within the video. Several times I thought, “Darn, you could have used this beat or crescendo.” All in all, it is a well-rounded AMV.
My Score: 36
My Brother’s Score: 38.5
Average Score: 37.25
8. AMV Your Lie In April | A Thousand Years by AMV-X
“1000 years” was a great song choice for this bittersweet anime. Because of this, tonally this AMV flowed wonderfully. The one thing it lacked was clean and crisp timing.
My Score: 37
My Brother’s Score: 39
Average Score: 38
7. Glitter and Gold [ AMV – Mix ] Anime Mix by Sota
Based on a Variety of Anime
Great timing and utilization of a myriad of anime. It didn’t feel off balanced because of the different types of anime listed. However, what threw me off was how the editor included almost all the noises for the myriad of movements. The tone of the song and video suffered for it. (This AMVs position is entirely my fault. I admit it.)
My Score: 36
My Brother’s Score: 40
Average Score: 38
6. AMV – Black Impulse – Bestamvsofalltime Anime MV by MagicDarkIight
My brother gave this video a perfect score. Here is why I didn’t. It felt to crowded. There needs to be a balance between action and stillness, even in action AMVs. For that reason, its tone and promotional value slightly fell down.
My Score: 36
My Brother’s Score: 40
Average Score: 38
5. AMV – The Boy Who Murdered Love – Bestamvsofalltime Anime by ONEWAYS
Everything is spot on in this video except for one thing: it doesn’t have a recognizable promotional value. This is because the editor used the video to tell their own story, rather than the stories the videos are based on. This isn’t necessarily bad, just in this case it didn’t have quite a solid of a punch as other AMVs that do the same thing.
My brother and I both agreed this is a great AMV that lacked a little something. For him, it was the timing, specifically how the editor didn’t use every available moment cleanly. For me, I felt the song choice was a little strange. It didn’t quite work to promote the anime.
Because I am not quite as big of a fan of this anime, I didn’t quite understand the promotional value of this video. I also felt the tone was a smidge off, considering the anime it came from. My brother, sadly, didn’t feel the same. (I’m sorry brother o’mine!)
My Score: 38.5
My Brother’s Score: 40
Average Score: 39.25
2. Best AMV you will ever see Part 2 by xxanime_otaku
Based on a Variety of Anime
,
Honestly, this is a great AMV. It has crisp timing, a great song choice, and has great promotional value for the listed anime. The one thing that held me back was all the noises going with the music. As a musician, if the sound is even a little bit off, it is hard to listen to.
Agh! This video almost had a perfect score. ALMOST. The one thing my brother and I thought was slightly off was the timing, a placement of certain video segments. Such a shame, because this video was an emotional journey.
My score: 39.5
My Brother’s Score: 39.5
Average Score: 39.5
That’s it for tier 1! Stay tuned for part two of this four part series.
I have a slight twist for this particular list. Rather then it just being my favorites in a neat list, I will rank them based on five criteria on a scale from 1-10:
1.If they inspire me to watch the anime
2. Quality of the Visuals
3. Musicality
4. Hummability (Does it get stuck in my head?)
5. Does it give me chills or make me excited?
I compiled a list of 25 openings and endings from various shows I’ve come across. To make the scores a little less subjective, I asked my brother to make his own scores. I’ll post the scores for both of us under each entry and rank each based on the our average.
I have not seen every anime listed here unfortunately! Perhaps that will play an important role in later posts this month when I talk about shows I really need to go see or finish.
That being said, onward to the glorious music filled list! Scores 40 and above.
“The Real Folk Blues” by The Seatbelts feat. Mai Yamane
My Total Score: 40.5
My brother’s Score: 41.5
Average Score: 41
Funny thing about endings: most watchers don’t actually take the time to see them all the way through before rushing to the next episode. That said, Mai Yamane’s sultry singing of “The Real Folk Blues” has been one of my favorites from Cowboy Bebop‘s soundtrack. As far as musicality goes, this song is definitely a 10.
However, it scored lower based on my emotional connection to it. Plus, the visuals are still frame, so it feels distanced emotionally, especially compared to other sequences from the show.
I often go through Natsume’s Book of Friends‘ soundtrack whenever I need to wind down. “Akane Sasu” from it’s 5th season is one of two songs which really stand out to me. My scores were only lower for the visuals and how much it makes me want to see the show.
This opening’s strongest sequence is in the beginning, showing Tachibana playing the piano. I love the how the animators showed her actually playing notes on the piano, rather then hiding her hands or pushing random keys. As far as the rest of it, I like the energy and the snapshots for all the characters. For me, this song is not as catchy compared to others on this list.
As some readers may recall, I frankly stated I would never watch Attack on Titan. Ever. (See my post Anime April Mayhem! Day 5, Anime/Manga I’ll never do for more info). But that doesn’t mean I don’t admire the soundtracks for each season. I use a lot of the songs to workout. Now, for this opening the music gets a solid 10/10. The only thing keeping it from being higher on the list is the visuals. They don’t make me want to watch the show because I think its visually horrifying.
What really stood out for me in this opening isn’t the music. (I gave the music 7/10). It’s the visuals! I thoroughly enjoy watching this opening. The colors, imagery, and foreshadowing scattered throughout are so fun to see. I also enjoy the subtle homage the animators did for the original artist ONE. It is one of the few openings I let play through each time I watch the 1st season.
“Natsu Yuuzora (夏夕空; Summer Evening Sky)” by Kousuke Atari
My Total Score: 46
My Brother’s Total Score: 43
Average Score: 44.5
I love this song. Sometimes when I watch the 1st season of Natsume’s Book of Friends, I let it play through to the next episode. It’s hauntingly beautiful to me. I also like the watercolor and colored pencil look used for the animation. The one thing holding it back is how visually there is not a lot which catches the eye. The highlight for me is the music not necessarily all the visuals.
“Flyers” makes me want to go back and see this show sometime. Not immediately, but sometime in the future. Musically, I think this song is a solid 9/10. However, it doesn’t get stuck in my head really. The best feature is its visuals. It plays like a choreographed Broadway opening number.
“Resonance” is a solid 9/10 as a song. I’m not as much of a fan of rock songs as other types of music, so it doesn’t really get into my head, partially because I have heard it so many times. I especially admire it’s animation. It has great timing, coloring, and energy. It does a fantastic job introducing characters and foreshadowing events in the show. Kudos to it for having the most impressive first 15 seconds. It has a moving background shot which wraps around its characters! It’s fascinating to study if you’re into animation.
Unfortunately, I haven’t seen this show yet. I think I need to emotionally prepare myself first, because this story is very special to me. This ending does get me really excited to finally see the show. Visually, it is very beautiful and I don’t mind its stillness. Like most endings, it’s meant to gently let its watchers go. However, it does it in a way the is more visually immersive. Since I haven’t seen the show, I don’t have as much of an emotional connection to this song. That might change in the future.
The first tie! Between “Uso” from Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood and “Monoglo City” from Koi to Yobu ni wa Kimochi Warui. To break the score, I further scored them based on how well they reflected the show and timing.
Don’t get me wrong! I love the 1st opening for this show. It just so happens I like the ending more. (Shrug.) I like how the animators changed up the style, giving it thick colored penciled, cartoony drawings. My favorite moment is the beginning when Edward’s arm slowly comes together. The one thing holding it back for me is I’m not as emotionally invested in it. I love to listen to the song and casually watch the animation.
The music and visuals are delightful for this opening! I gave it solid tens across the board except in the last category. It doesn’t thoroughly get me excited or give me chills. This must be because I know the show’s context. (As a side note, I don’t know why I think this show is interesting. People have made very solid points concerning how strange/twisted the romance is. But this is a subject for another time.)
Average Score: 45.5
Tie Breaker Score: 19.75 vs 19.25
14. Opening for Baccano! (2007)
“Gun’s & Roses” by Paradise Lunch
My Total Score: 46
My Brother’s Total Score: 47
Average Score: 46.5
“Gun’s and Roses” is one of my jams! I love jazz, and every time I see this opening I want to see the show. (Someday I might. I don’t like mature anime usually though, so we shall see.) The only ways I think it lacks is in its duller coloring (which a lot of the shows from the 2000’s suffered from) and how emotionally connected I feel to it. Otherwise, this opening is amazing!
Here we are at the second tie, between “Trigger” from Terror in Resonance and “Daia no Hana” from Black Cat. Like the first tie, the breaker will be based on how well they reflected the show and timing.
This opening makes me feel ashamed I haven’t seen the show. Psychological dramas are really fascinating to me. The only thing that keeps me from scoring it higher is the music. Not that I don’t love the song, especially coupled with the compelling visuals. It just isn’t very catchy. For me! It’s more of a sultry song, meant to draw me into the show.
12. Opening for Black Cat (2006)
“Daia no Hana” by Yorico
My Total Score: 46.5
My Brother’s Total Score: 47
Average Score: 46.75
Tie Breaker Score: 20 vs 19.75
I’ve listened to “Daia no Hana” many, many times and I still think it’s fantastic! Not only that, but this opening introduces characters and foreshadows highlights from the show so well! It flows seamlessly in its animation. That is why it got a perfect score from me for timing. Kudos to it for introducing audiences to a show so well!
Behold, the third tie between “Kimi ni Todoke” and the 3rd opening from Attack on Titan “Red Swan”. Like before, the tie breaker was between how well they reflected the show and timing.
It’s been a long time since I’ve seen this show. It’s a shame, because it’s very heartwarming, as illustrated from its colorful opening. It has great timing, especially how the animation dances with the music, and a unique style. I don’t have as deep of an emotional connection to this song as others, but I smile every time I come across it.
I was genuinely shocked when I realized I like “Red Swan” more than Guren no Yumiya” from the 1st season. It doesn’t have as much of a beat to it or get stuck in my head as deeply. But, I felt myself tear up as I watched it and saw it’s deeper meaning. Visually it’s incredibly striking and almost (ALMOST) makes me want to see the show, just to understand the full context.
Like any opening from FMA: Brotherhood, this opening is magnificently animated. It’s choreographed and staged in a way that highlights both the characters, and events in the story. I gave each category 10/10. But, this list is non-subjective, so my brother’s slightly lower score brought it down. So, so sad.
“Mission! Ken Kou Dai Ichi (ミッション！健・康・第・イチ)” by English Cast at Funimation
My Total Score: 49
My Brother’s Total Score: 48.5
Average Score: 48.75
“Mission!” is the one and only English dubbed opening on this list! Cells at Work is an anime I never thought I would watch, or like as much as I do. (I learned things!) Man, every time I see this opening I get excited to learn about the human body! (Another thing I never thought would happen). I don’t absolutely, positively love it musically, but everything else for me gets a solid 10/10.
Another tie between “Departure” from Hunter X Hunter and “Morning Grace” from Princess Tutu. The tie breaker was based on how well it reflected the show and timing.
“Departure” makes me want to both go on an adventure and see this show again. (I still haven’t seen it all the way through. . . I have no one to blame except myself. I have such a hard time with long shows!) The only thing keeping this opening from a perfect score is the visuals. I don’t think all of them are fantastic, but that is nitpicking really. Also, the singer Masatoshi wins the award for best vocals! He hits a high Bb, and holds it multiple times! He has my respect.
(Sorry about the visuals for this. I couldn’t find a better video). “Morning Grace” always takes me on a beautiful, emotional ride. Much like the show, I don’t think anyone expects very much from this song visually or musically. But, for me, it has such a pure feeling to it, and it sounds like a waltz from a ballet, which I appreciate.
This song gets in my head and stays there for days! There is so much to praise in this opening: the addictive dance all the characters perform to the music, the vibrant colors, its energy, and the overall peaceful vibe the song emits. (About fishing of all things. . . ). This is yet another opening which I gave a perfect score, but my brother didn’t like quite as much.
Average Score: 49.5
Alas, there were four openings/endings with a perfect score: “Tank” from Cowboy Bebop, “Balance” from Million Dollar Detective, Hikaru Nara from Your Lie in April, and “Hacking the Gate” from Steins:Gate. First, we judged based on how well they reflected the show and timing.
Even After that, we needed to create another criteria. Cowboy Bebop and Million Dollar Detective tied for third and Steins:Gate and Your Lie in April tied for first. The final criteria was how well they presented a visual narrative. Here are the results!
This song. Wow, this song and opening are stellar! I’ve seen the show once, but I distinctly remember seeing this opening for the first time and thinking to myself, “I’ve got to see this show.” When I nitpicked, I thought, “Yeah, the opening doesn’t really capture the cowboy, space adventure story or have a solidly defined visual narrative”, which is why it is in 4th place. (But it still has a perfect score. This was a hard decision).
(There are no videos for this ending on YouTube. I would look up the anime to see it if you have the time!) Though I think this song is 10/10, what really makes this ending pop when compared to others on this list is its visuals! Whoever designed the backgrounds and staged the animation was inspired! Fun fact, my brother had never seen this show before and still gave this ending a perfect score. When I saw this show a couple of months ago, the opening felt off to me. What kept me watching the show was this ending.
I. LOVE. THIS. SHOW. I mentioned before how much I love psychological dramas. Steins:Gate is one of the reasons why. This song is great. The visuals are mysterious and layered with symbolism and foreshadowing. The only thing which kept it from 1st place was first time viewers wouldn’t understand they were watching a visual narrative. (Honestly though, it is fascinating to re-watch the opening after seeing the whole show. You will see the visual narrative).
. . . No, I haven’t seen this show yet. I have personal reasons for that. However, as a musician and animation enthusiast, I thoroughly admire this opening. It gives me chills every time and gets me emotional even thinking about it. What made it go slightly ahead of “Hacking to the Gate” was its visual narrative. Even without the show, it told a distinct story, showcasing the characters and highlighting their passions for music and living.
There you have it! Thank you for tuning in to this special list. I hope you could take the time to watch each of these openings/endings. Maybe you found something new to explore! ( I hope so. 🙂 )
The list everyone has been waiting for! So, funny story. I couldn’t come up with 20 favorite anime. I was surprised because I’ve seen A LOT of anime. Perhaps after I peruse a whole bunch of them this next year, I can redo the list.
As for this particular list, they are split mostly into three categories: one’s that make me laugh, one’s that made me cry, and the other’s that make me think.
To the average person, psychic abilities might seem a blessing; for Kusuo Saiki, however, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Gifted with a wide assortment of supernatural abilities ranging from telepathy to x-ray vision, he finds this so-called blessing to be nothing but a curse. As all the inconveniences his powers cause constantly pile up, all Kusuo aims for is an ordinary, hassle-free life—a life where ignorance is bliss.
Unfortunately, the life of a psychic is far from quiet. Though Kusuo tries to stay out of the spotlight by keeping his powers a secret from his classmates, he ends up inadvertently attracting the attention of many odd characters, such as the empty-headed Riki Nendou and the delusional Shun Kaidou. Forced to deal with the craziness of the people around him, Kusuo comes to learn that the ordinary life he has been striving for is a lot more difficult to achieve than expected.
Myanimelist Overview
Saiki K will make its way onto another list I’m working on for anime I never expected to like.
What do I like? The humor, especially the English cast from Funimation in season 1. The humor in this particular show is multidimensional, not depending on only one medium to deliver jokes or the story. It also makes fun of itself all the time and breaks the fourth wall on multiple occasions.
Do I like every season (if applicable)? Not necessarily. I prefer the first season because I like the English dub but will binge watch the show all the way through if I’m going through a stressful time.
Who is my favorite character? Probably Saiki for his sarcasm and moral code or Kaido for his naivety.
Would I like another season? Yes. I want to know what happens once he got his powers back.
What language do I prefer? English. the jokes land better for me.
The seemingly ordinary and unimpressive Saitama has a rather unique hobby: being a hero. In order to pursue his childhood dream, he trained relentlessly for three years—and lost all of his hair in the process. Now, Saitama is incredibly powerful, so much so that no enemy is able to defeat him in battle. In fact, all it takes to defeat evildoers with just one punch has led to an unexpected problem—he is no longer able to enjoy the thrill of battling and has become quite bored.
This all changes with the arrival of Genos, a 19-year-old cyborg, who wishes to be Saitama’s disciple after seeing what he is capable of. Genos proposes that the two join the Hero Association in order to become certified heroes that will be recognized for their positive contributions to society, and Saitama, shocked that no one knows who he is, quickly agrees. And thus begins the story of One Punch Man, an action-comedy that follows an eccentric individual who longs to fight strong enemies that can hopefully give him the excitement he once felt, and just maybe, he’ll become popular in the process.
Myanimelist Overview
I keep re-watching this 12-episode show. One Punch Man is also not an anime I normally would look out for. (I don’t look out for Shonen, or super hero shows. They don’t interest me usually.) However, the idea of a super hero subverting the usually tropes in Shonen anime had me reeling on the floor laughing when I first saw it.
What do I like about it? The fact it’s a satire for superhero shows. Every character and situation is subverted, displaying illogical ways of thinking people have created concerning the genre.
The animation is incredible. I enjoy looking for AMVs for One Punch Man because the animation is so clean and multidimensional.
Saitama is one of my favorite characters of all time.
Do I like every season? Noooooo. The second season is one of the biggest let downs I’ve had for a long time. Such a shame.
Who is my favorite character? Saitama for his bland egg head, rare cool scenes, and quest for stimulation. I also like Genos. He gives fans cool-looking scenes to make up for the fact Saitama usually just comes along and punches someone once.
Would I like another season? Yes, but Bones should do the animation. In fact, I want them to redo the second season to match the great pacing and animation from the first.
What Language do I Prefer? Japanese. The voice actor for Saitama specifically is irreplaceable.
In a fairy tale come to life, the clumsy, sweet, and gentle Ahiru (Japanese for “duck”) seems like an unlikely protagonist. In reality, Ahiru is just as magical as the talking cats and crocodiles that inhabit her town—for Ahiru really is a duck! Transformed by the mysterious Drosselmeyer into a human girl, Ahiru soon learns the reason for her existence. Using her magical egg-shaped pendant, Ahiru can transform into Princess Tutu—a beautiful and talented ballet dancer whose dances relieve people of the turmoil in their hearts. With her newfound ability, Ahiru accepts the challenge of collecting the lost shards of her prince’s heart, for long ago he had shattered it in order to seal an evil raven away for all eternity.
Princess Tutu is a tale of heroes and their struggle against fate. Their beliefs, their feelings, and ultimately their actions will determine whether this fairy tale can reach its “happily ever after.”
Myanimelist Overview
In my life, I never thought I would ever fall in love with a magical girl anime. (Yes, I’ve seen quite a few.) Thankfully, Princess Tutu features classical music, interwoven philosophical ideas, and beautiful dancing. It caught my eye maybe ten or more years ago while I was flipping through anime review videos.
What do I like about it? I grew up playing and listening to classical music, so its soundtrack felt like coming home. I loved thinking about what it means to be in charge of one’s destiny. For the characters in Princess Tutu, it meant fighting against their fates as characters in a story.
The animation itself is fascinating to me because of the choreography for the dances. In fact, every episode felt like a setting on a stage, rather than real life.
Who is your favorite character? Mr. Cat, the dance instructor. All he wants is to find someone to marry him! He’s so lonely. (In other words, he’s hilarious). He also gives very sound advice at times.
Would I like another season? No, it ended very nicely.
Which Language do I Prefer? English. The Japanese voices are obnoxious.
Energy-conservative high school student Houtarou Oreki ends up with more than he bargained for when he signs up for the Classics Club at his sister’s behest—especially when he realizes how deep-rooted the club’s history really is. Begrudgingly, Oreki is dragged into an investigation concerning the 45-year-old mystery that surrounds the club room.
Accompanied by his fellow club members, the knowledgeable Satoshi Fukube, the stern but benign Mayaka Ibara, and the ever-curious Eru Chitanda, Oreki must combat deadlines and lack of information with resourcefulness and hidden talent, in order to not only find the truth buried beneath the dust of works created years before them, but of other small side cases as well.
Based on the award-winning Koten-bu light novel series, and directed by Yasuhiro Takemoto of Suzumiya Haruhi no Shoushitsu, Hyouka shows that normal life can be full of small mysteries, be it family history, a student film, or even the withered flowers that make up a ghost story.
Myanimelist Overview
Recently, I went back and re-watched Hyouka with my brother. It exceeded my expectations. I thought I would just have fond memories of watching it in my early twenties. However, it was the exact show I needed for the upcoming changes and challenges I was facing.
What do I like about it? I love detective stories like Sherlock Holmes, Columbo, and Agatha Christie’s mysteries. Hyouka takes different mystery writing formulas and applies them to everyday life. It also plays with the idea of what makes each person special and what it’s like to compete with real, natural talent.
The animation is very balanced. The shots never felt disjointed or overstimulated like in many Shoujo anime I’ve seen. The characters also have crisp, lifelike motions which never look clunky.
Who is your favorite character? Probably Houtaro the main character. I love seeing into the minds of left-brained individuals who are good at doing puzzles.
Would I like another season? Yes and no. If the same studio handled the story I wouldn’t mind. However, I’m kind of afraid someone will butcher it.
What Language Do I Prefer? Both? I do admire the English Dub a little more.
Eighth-grader Shigeo “Mob” Kageyama has tapped into his inner wellspring of psychic prowess at a young age. But the power quickly proves to be a liability when he realizes the potential danger in his skills. Choosing to suppress his power, Mob’s only present use for his ability is to impress his longtime crush, Tsubomi, who soon grows bored of the same tricks.
In order to effectuate control on his skills, Mob enlists himself under the wing of Arataka Reigen, a con artist claiming to be a psychic, who exploits Mob’s powers for pocket change. Now, exorcising evil spirits on command has become a part of Mob’s daily, monotonous life. However, the psychic energy he exerts is barely the tip of the iceberg; if his vast potential and unrestrained emotions run berserk, a cataclysmic event that would render him completely unrecognizable will be triggered. The progression toward Mob’s explosion is rising and attempting to stop it is futile.
Myanimelist Overview
Both seasons of Mob Psycho 100 BLEW ME AWAY when I watched it about two years ago. I didn’t think the creator ONE could write another truly fabulous story but he managed to convince me within the first 10 minutes of the first episode.
What do I like about it? First off, the animation. Bones Animators outdid themselves in animating multiple perspectives through unique camera angles. I also love how often they slip in ONE’s original drawings into the character animation. The action scenes are clean and riddled with layered details.
Second, this show is even funnier than One Punch Man!
Mob’s journey to learning to use and live with his emotions, despite his powers, was one part funny, two parts epic, and altogether beautiful to witness.
Do I like Every Season? Yes! Both seasons are equally excellent!
Who is my Favorite Character? All of them? Just kidding. Mob is my favorite. Reigen is a close second.
Would I like another season? Yes! Bones animators continue doing your magic.
What Language do I Prefer? Japanese. All the voice actors really click for me, especially Reigen.
Kino, a 15-year-old traveler, forms a bond with Hermes, a talking motorcycle. Together, they wander the lands and venture through various countries and places, despite having no clear idea of what to expect. After all, life is a journey filled with the unknown.
Throughout their journeys, they encounter different kinds of customs, from the morally gray to tragic and fascinating. They also meet many people: some who live to work, some who live to make others happy, and some who live to chase their dreams. Thus, in every country they visit, there is always something to learn from the way people carry out their lives.
It is not up to Kino or Hermes to decide whether these asserted values are wrong or right, as they merely assume the roles of observers within this small world. They do not attempt to change or influence the places they visit, despite how absurd these values would appear. That’s because in one way or another, they believe things are fine as they are, and that “the world is not beautiful; therefore, it is.”
Myanimelist Overview
Like Princess Tutu, I found this particular anime while looking through YouTube reviews. What struck me from the get go was how it invited me to think deeper on what could be and what could happen in different societies. It displays varying perspectives on life and let’s the audience experience them through the main character Kino’s unclouded viewpoint as a traveler and unbiased onlooker.
What do I like about it? It challenges what I know and displays clearly the consequences of fallen people, who refuse to deviate from their worldview. Whenever I watch, I feel like it invites me through varying questions to see the world is still beautiful, even if tragic things happen.
Do I like every Season? Well, three years ago Lerche reanimated the shows with more episodes, but it lacked the flow and magic of the original.
What is my favorite story? (Since the only reoccurring characters are Kino and Hermes, her bike.) “A Tale of Feeding Off Others —I Want to Live.—”, I always ask myself when I see this episode “How do I value human life?”
Would I like another season? No. Animators tried to redo it rather than expounding on it and it fell flat.
While most fifteen-year-old boys, in one way or another, harbor secrets that are related to girls, Takashi Natsume has a peculiar and terrifying secret involving youkai: for as long as he can remember, he has been constantly chased by these spirits. Natsume soon discovers that his deceased grandmother Reiko had passed on to him the Yuujinchou, or “Book of Friends,” which contains the names of the spirits whom she brought under her control. Now in Natsume’s possession, the book gives Reiko’s grandson this power as well, which is why these enraged beings now haunt him in hopes of somehow attaining their freedom.
Without parents and a loving home, and constantly being hunted by hostile, merciless youkai, Natsume is looking for solace—a place where he belongs. However, his only companion is a self-proclaimed bodyguard named Madara. Fondly referred to as Nyanko-sensei, Madara is a mysterious, pint-sized feline spirit who has his own reasons for sticking with the boy.
Based on the critically acclaimed manga by Yuki Midorikawa, Natsume Yuujinchou is an unconventional and supernatural slice-of-life series that follows Natsume as he, with his infamous protector Madara, endeavors to free the spirits bound by his grandmother’s contract.
Myanimelist Overview
I have a soft spot in my heart for any stories involving the spirit world. Natsume’s Book of Friends is equally mysterious as it is enlightening. At its heart, its about a young man who learns kindness and develops needed relationships with people and spirits.
What do I like about it? It presents Japanese culture so vividly, emphasizing the growing disconnection between spirits and people. I like how Natsume becomes a bridge between both worlds.
Do I like every season? Yes! I also love watching the OVA’s and movies.
Who is my favorite character? Takashi Natsume is definitely my favorite character. The more I grew to know him, the more I realized how loving he still was despite how deeply abused he’d been throughout his life.
Would I like another season? Always! I’m all for the studio animating every volume.
What language do I prefer? Japanese. In fact, no one has translated it into English.
The self-proclaimed mad scientist Rintarou Okabe rents out a room in a rickety old building in Akihabara, where he indulges himself in his hobby of inventing prospective “future gadgets” with fellow lab members: Mayuri Shiina, his air-headed childhood friend, and Hashida Itaru, a perverted hacker nicknamed “Daru.” The three pass the time by tinkering with their most promising contraption yet, a machine dubbed the “Phone Microwave,” which performs the strange function of morphing bananas into piles of green gel.
Though miraculous in itself, the phenomenon doesn’t provide anything concrete in Okabe’s search for a scientific breakthrough; that is, until the lab members are spurred into action by a string of mysterious happenings before stumbling upon an unexpected success—the Phone Microwave can send emails to the past, altering the flow of history.
Adapted from the critically acclaimed visual novel by 5pb. and Nitroplus, Steins;Gate takes Okabe through the depths of scientific theory and practicality. Forced across the diverging threads of past and present, Okabe must shoulder the burdens that come with holding the key to the realm of time.
Myanimelist Overview
If there is any series that challenges my brain, it’s Steins Gate. Its’ so well paced, and the characters’ relationships are multi-dimensional.
What do I like about it? Where do I start? The animation, though faded, comes to life the farther into the story one goes. The characters have layers! They aren’t just caricatures of bygone character tropes. The story is as intriguing as it is mind-boggling! I learned so much about String Theory and the Butterfly Effect. Also, it has one of my favorite love stories.
Who is my favorite character? The main character Okabe, Kurisu, or his childhood friend Mayuri. Honesty though, I like them all. Except Itaru. As I’ve said before, I don’t like pervy characters.
Would I like another season? There is another season, actually. I’ve never seen it. After the way the movie Steins;Gate: The Movie − Load Region of Déjà Vu ended so wonderfully, I don’t really want to continue.
What language do I prefer? I’ve seen it all the way through in English and Japanese. I like them both but prefer English.
Perceived as strange and feared by man, over time the misshapen ones came to be known as Mushi. Although they harbor no ill intentions towards humans, many suffer from the side effects of their existence and strange nature; exploiting the Mushi without understanding them, even unintentionally, can lead to disaster and strife for any involved. Mushishi Zoku Shou continues the story of Mushishi Ginko on his journey to help the visible world to coexist with the Mushi.
During his travels, Ginko discovers various gifted individuals—those cursed by circumstance and those maintaining a fragile symbiosis with the Mushi—inevitably confronting the question of whether humanity, talented and tortured alike, can manage the responsibility of the unseen. Moreover, as a Mushishi, Ginko must learn more about these strange beings and decide if he has the right to interfere with the complex relationships between Mushi and mankind.
Myanimelsit Overview
Mushishi is episodic, but almost all the stories are connected only by Ginko, who travels through Japan offering remedies and advice concerning Mushi. Somewhat like Kino’s Journey and Natsume’s Book of Friends, it presents multiple viewpoints through human and Mushi interactions.
What do I like about it? Everything. Again. The animation, especially in the backgrounds, is GORGEOUS. The stories are ethereal. I ate every one up, pondering for days the possible meanings and messages there. I also liked how the stories, like real life, varied in feel. Some were tragic, while others full of hope. Most of them in one way or another were bitter sweet.
Do I like all the seasons? Yes. Bones continued, after ten years, the story where it left off. Not deviating from the original manga or their previous season. If anything, the animation was more beautiful than the first season.
What is my favorite story? (I have several). “The Hand That Caresses the Night”, “Soft Horns”, “To Sleep in the Mountains”, “Beneath the Snow”. Thinking about it though, I love them all. I could barely pick.
Would I like another season? No. The anime finished the original manga.
Which language do I prefer? Both. I watch it interchangeably in English and Japanese.
Alchemy is bound by this Law of Equivalent Exchange—something the young brothers Edward and Alphonse Elric only realize after attempting human transmutation: the one forbidden act of alchemy. They pay a terrible price for their transgression—Edward loses his left leg, Alphonse his physical body. It is only by the desperate sacrifice of Edward’s right arm that he is able to affix Alphonse’s soul to a suit of armor. Devastated and alone, it is the hope that they would both eventually return to their original bodies that gives Edward the inspiration to obtain metal limbs called “automail” and become a state alchemist, the Fullmetal Alchemist.
Three years of searching later, the brothers seek the Philosopher’s Stone, a mythical relic that allows an alchemist to overcome the Law of Equivalent Exchange. Even with military allies Colonel Roy Mustang, Lieutenant Riza Hawkeye, and Lieutenant Colonel Maes Hughes on their side, the brothers find themselves caught up in a nationwide conspiracy that leads them not only to the true nature of the elusive Philosopher’s Stone, but their country’s murky history as well. In between finding a serial killer and racing against time, Edward and Alphonse must ask themselves if what they are doing will make them human again… or take away their humanity.
Myanimelist Overview
I did not watch this anime first. I had a friend who recommended I watch the first series based on Hiromi Arakawa’s manga. I really liked it till the end. I wondered, through my anger and sadness, “Is this really how it ends?” Thankfully, it was not! I read and bought all the manga and watched Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood. The quality of the story and animation was astounding!
What do I like about it? Let me count the ways: the thoroughly engaging action scenes with animation that blew me away, the fully rounded characters. (There are no obsolete characters in this story.), the symbolism, how well rooted it is in historic practices and historical events, the idea of alchemy and automail, THE PERFECT ENDING! I could go on forever. I love it that much.
Do I like every season? Yes! No question about it.
Who is my favorite character? I have a list: Edward, for his emotional growth and grit. Alphonse, for his sensitivity and open-mindedness. Honenheim, for sacrificing everything he loved to save the world. Scar, for breaking through his hatred to build a better world. Olivia Armstrong, for being immovable in what she stood for. Ling, for desiring to be a righteous king.
Would I like another season? NO.
What language do I prefer? ENGLISH. Funimation did such a good job dubbing this anime. Since it takes place in an English-type society, it just makes more sense to see it in English.
So Many Thoughts 