hisashiburi!

Based on the anime I’ve watched so far, here are the best 5 for me:

5. Ranma ½: Saotome Ranma, a teenage martial artist, and his father Genma travel to the ‘cursed training ground’ of Jusenkyo in China. There, despite the warnings of the Chinese guard, they fall into the cursed springs. From now on, whenever Ranma is doused in cold water, he turns in to a girl, and a cute, well-built red-head at that. Hot water changes him back into a man again, but only until the next time. To make matters worse, his father engages him to Tendo Akane, a girl who hates boys.

Thoughts: Welcome to the world of anything-goes-martial-arts. This is one of the funniest and entertaining anime I’ve watched. Storyline and characters are unique and really amusing. It’s something I’d watch anytime after a hard day at work.

 

4. Macross Zero: Taking place one year before the Zentraedi arrive on Earth, Macross Zero chronicles the final days of the war between the U.N. Spacy and anti-U.N. factions. After being shot down by the anti-U.N.’s newest fighter plane, ace pilot Shin Kudo finds himself on the remote island of Mayan, where technology is almost non-existent. While Shin stays on the island to heal his wounds, the tranqulity of the island is shattered by a battle that involves the UN’s newest fighter – the VF-0.

Thoughts: Features the best dogfights I’ve seen in anime. That’s it.

 

3. Ninja Scroll: Jubei is wandering noble sword for hire but when a chance meeting leads him to save young ninja woman from rape he makes enemies with a group of demonic humans. Jubei and the woman part ways but later a government spy forces Jubei to join up with her again and investigate the mysterious death of an entire village. The investigation reveals a conspiracy involving the demons and a man from Jubei’s past who is supposed to be dead. As they get closer to the truth the demons close in on them and pretty soon Jubei finds himself in a deadly fight with many super strong inhuman opponents. 

Thoughts: This is one of the classic anime that made me realize the beauty of anime. Who can forget Jubei, Kagero and the Eight Devils of Kimon. Superb animation, graphic violence, and straightforward but intriguing plot. Any anime fan would agree this is one of the best.

 

2. Fruits Basket: Tohru Honda is 16 year old orphaned girl who gets invited to live in the house of her classmate, the handsome boy Sohma Yuki, and his cousins, 16 year old Kyo and 27 year old Shigure. However, these young men and parts of the rest of their family (both close and distant) hold a curse; if they are hugged by the opposite gender, they transform into animals of the Chinese Zodiac. Everyday is an adventure for sweet Tohru, as she gets to know everyone in the large family better (especially Yuki and Kyo), in both common and bizarre situations. But, the Sohma Family curse is certainly no laughing matter… it also holds horrible cruelity and heartbreak.

Thoughts: Rarely will you see a character-driven anime as good as this one. The story has depth in it but I was amazed how it was so lightly presented. Tohru is not that cute but has a really lovable character. The rest of the characters are also adorable (of course, they’re bishies hehehe)

 

1. X TV: It’s the year of destiny and 15 year old Kamui Shiro, a powerful psychic, has returned to Toyko after a 6 year absence. He returns to protect his childhood friends, Fuuma, and Fuuma’s younger sister Kotori. But destiny and fate are haunting Kamui and pulling in himself and his loved ones. It is his destiny to decide the fate of the world and mankind, no matter if he wants the role or not.

Thoughts: The perfect mixture of great storyline, smooth action scenes, engaging characters and a tragic ending made this anime the best series for me. 24 episodes were just enough to develop the plot (which you will find more complex than the summary above) and each of the characters concluding into a beautiful ending. I fell in love with the X movie the first time I saw it but it was somehow incomplete as can be expected from a 1-2 hour movie. But the TV series filled in all the gaps and with better animation. The story might be too deep for some but I’ll definitely recommend it to anyone looking for high quality anime.

(images and summaries from animenewsnetwork)