edit: feel free to reply no matter how old this thread gets!
I’m not particularly into anime, I like it just as much as live action shows or other types of animation. Having said that, I feel like watching some and I’m not sure what to pick.
Here’s a list of other anime shows I’ve watched/manga and novels I’ve read, so you can better judge what to recommend. ( would greatly appreciate the story to be completed, I hate waiting years for closure) :
Full Metal Alchemist, Naruto : both great stories, I’ve read the mangas and loved them. They wouldn’t be a priority to watch because I already read them.
Attack on Titan: started with the anime, it was great, switched to the manga, got extremely disappointed with the story development and its ending. It felt a bit like nonsense for me.
Dragon Ball/Z : probably my favourite, I’ve rewatched it recently. I don’t like GT and Super.
Overlord: I’ve read good part of the novel and manga. I’m liking it so far
JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: please No thanks. Not for me.
Death Note: loved the first arc, not a fan of the ending but no hate for it unlike with AOT.
I also recall Escaflowne and Inuyasha, they were alright but not something I’ve loved or hated. Cowboy Bebop also in this category, excellent visually and great OST but the story wasn’t as gripping.
Other than that… Feel free to suggest any other titles! Extra thanks if you are specific about any versions and why is the show so great.
TIA
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My recs, roughly in order of what I’m predicting that you’ll like the best, based on what you said.
A few classics that I feel like they should be mentioned, but don’t relate well to what you said that you liked:
Some old style isekais, since you mentioned that you liked Overlord:
I don’t recommend the anime, but check the manga if possible:
EDIT: GreenZanbato mentioned Tensei Shitara Slime Datta Ken, or “That Time that I Reincarnated as a Slime”. It’s also an isekai, roughly with the same vibe as Overlord; but the protagonist reincarnates as a slime, and he’s far more self-aware than dummy Ainz. The novels are also great to read.
Wow you went above and beyond with the recs menu, thank you. TTGL sounds interesting when you put it like that! Appreciate the other recommendations too. As for the movies- I was looking for series, and yes I’ve seen most of studio Ghibli ones, Chihiro and Totoro being the two I liked the most.
Tengen is freakin awesome!! It’s such a good entertaining anime.
Wow maybe I should read Elfen Lied because I remember the anime fondly, but maybe it was just the shock factor of discovering the story for the first time that made me gloss over any flaws. Was a long time ago too.
I heavily recommend reading the manga. It contextualises Lucy’s actions better, makes Kohta look less like your typical “powerless boy” throwing random tantrums and more like a genuinely traumatised and conflicted one, and it delivers the message of the story better. The anime was fun back then, partially due to its violent nature, but I think that it aged poorly. (Notable exception: Lilium, the opening song, is still as beautiful as it was back then. Also the lyrics make more sense in the context of the manga than in the anime.)
Yesss, that reminded me I sampled a toy box version of this in an old track of mine.
I’ll put that manga on my to-read in tachiyomi, thanks!
This is a great write up, but I’d put Tensei Shitara Slime Datta Ken (TenSura) at the top of the isekai list for any Overlord fan. Unlike Overlord, the main character starts off as the weakest monster, a slime, but the power growth is absurd and you quickly get into the same satisfying power fantasies as Overlord.
As a sort of non-spoiler comparison for those that have seen Overlord, two of my favorite (similar) scenes in the later seasons of each show are the iä Shub-Niggurath scene (Overlord) and the Megiddo scene (TenSura). Feel free to look them up if you don’t care about spoilers and want to see some amazing ultimate attacks out of context.
You’re right - I’ll add it to the list, thanks!
Discussion about the Megiddo scene
Rimuru did nothing wrong! Shion alone is worth more than 10k invading soldiers!
Serious now. This comparison is really cool because it highlights how both Ainz and Rimuru are slowly losing their humanity, but only Rimuru is aware of that. For Ainz, using the spell is basically a “I need people to respect me, right? I’ll show that I’m ultra strong”; while for Rimuru, Megiddo is a conscious moral event horizon, where he actually chose between the life of the monsters vs. the life of the invading army.
And alongside those lines, even Rimuru absorbing Shizu was a way to distance himself to his former human past. For a modern Japanese that would be cannibalism, but he already committed himself to live as a slime.
That’s an awesome way to compare the scenes!
spoiler
You made me realize that, while Ainz has some character development, he doesn’t go through nearly as much as Rimuru does. Same with most of the companions. There’s plenty of character development in Overlord, especially with like Sebas and Brain, but a lot of Rimuru’s companions go through multiple complete transformations of their bodies and their personalities adapt to that, just like Rimuru himself. Full transparency: I’ve only watched the anime for each series, but I plan to read the novels when I get around to it lol.
Also forget Shion, Megiddo gave us my boy Diablo! :P
For me it’s the characters in Overlord, their morals, goals, the atrocities they commit, their intentions and how they feel/think that makes it interesting- much more that the power itself. But I also like the power fantasy element in it, thanks for the recommendation!
The characters in TenSura are definitely less “evil” than in Overlord, but you have a great variety of side characters, subordinates, etc. growing alongside the mc.
If you like DBZ you would probably like Hunter X Hunter and Yuyu Hakusho. These two are both written by the same person and have similar vibes but the story and setting are very different. HxH especially is very widely acclaimed for good reason. In this vein you may also like Black Clover.
Anime that I’d recommend in general would be Akame Ga Kill, Mahou Shouju Madoka Magicka (watch 3-4 episodes, trust the process), Parasyte, Gurren Laggann, One Punch Man, Angel Beats, Katanagatari, Made In Abyss, and Berserk (1997),
If you want to get in your feelings: Erased, Kotaro Lives Alone, and The Promised Neverland (season 1 only). Spy X Family (cute and silly but very good)
Some current very popular DBZ-esque anime is My Hero Academia, Jujutsu Kaisen, and Demon Slayer Kimetso no Yaiba.
Oh boy. I’m not the kind of person that rewatches shows, but I’ve seen Yu Yu Hakusho 3 times and HxH twice. Both of them are just so excellent. I had no idea they were by the same guy. That’s awesome
I watched Yu Yu Hakusho only once, and several episodes when it aired on Cartoon Network many years ago.
As I just finished recently I can say that I loved it, although I’m not sure if I would re watch it again, I feel like it peaked at the Dark Tournament arc, which is not a bad thing, but I struggled a bit to finish it after that.
About HxH is on my backlog!
Some say it is better than Yu Yu Hakusho, some say the latter is the best, so well, only one way to find out.
Okay, points for Hunter X noted… Thank you for all the recommendations!
I’d recommend the movie Akira (1988). It’s pretty much a classic from the era of early anime, extremely detailed animation and official English dub.
Yes, that’s an excellent one. I’ve watched the movie and the manga is epic. 100% with you on that one. I didn’t list as I was thinking mostly series, not movies.
Serial Experiments of Lain!
Cult classic! Duvet is such a great song
Still haven’t finished this one…
Ooof, watched that yeeeeaaaaars ago. I remember it being pretty psycho and disturbing. Not sure if this still holds up today but it’s definitely not everyones cup of tea.
I’m not particularly into anime either, but I thought that “The Devil Is A Part-Timer” and “One Punch Man” were really funny and clever.
☝️👊👨🦲
👍🍻
These two show might not be like the other shows that your have watched yet these two or definitely my favourite.
Odd Taxi - Generally anime cast has this typical behaviour where their talking or behaviour would not be realistic like irl (for example, Full Metal Alchemist: Brotherhood). You might not notice it now or might have noticed it but odd taxi is totally different from all the other anime that I have watched in regards to this. The plot is simple yet the way it moves is totally interesting. The characters are written well for a 12 episode anime. You will definitely like it.
Ranking of Kings - I have not completed it yet but this anime is so wholesome and kinda moving ngl.
Since you have watched death note, watch Code Geass too. When I started watching anime, Assassination Classroom and Violet Evergarden were one of the anime that totally bought me in. You may like these too.
Cowboy Bebop: Space noire, get to Jupiter Jazz part 1&2 before forming an opinion
Berserk (The 1997 version): A long burn, twist for the last two episodes
One-punch man: Comedy, overpowered main character but it’s handled very well. Kinda a criticism of other animes.
Evangelion
Two guilty pleasures: Code Geass (mechs), and Future Diary (Battle Royal/Hunger Games)
I think I’ve watched most Bebop episodes a while ago. I was never hooked but I really enjoyed the finale and how Spike’s arc was handled. I consider the series a work of art really, it’s on another level. But in spite of that it doesn’t excite me as much as other shows. The two cars meme comes to mind… Thanks for the recommendations!
Ghost in the Shell(1995) and the Stand Alone Complex series(2 seasons and a movie) are great.
It sounds like you tend to like shows with good story lines, and don’t seem to mind older shows/animation as much. Simply based on their story telling, these are probably my 3 favorites.
Seconding Ergo Proxy!
Thank you! I never heard about the first two, they sound good.
As for Fruit Basket- haven’t heard about it in ages! Back in the day, it was precisely the highschool slice of life that put me off. No idea it got a remake. Typically I don’t like when a show makes me cry. I already have a real life for that. I seek excitement, mystery, action, escapism. But it’s good to know it has a good plot, I’ll keep it in mind.
Watch anime for monster instead of reading manga, the op and ed are one of the best that perfectly blends with the theme of the anime. Monster also has a great set of characters whom you will like.
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Haikyu is great. It’s about volleyball and follows the same sort of theme of DBZ about constantly pushing to improve.
If you liked the environment and feel of Cowboy Bebop you might enjoy Samurai Champloo. Same director but replace jazz with hip hop and space with feudal Japan. I think it’s a masterpiece.
Completely agreed on Samurai Champloo, I’m yet to watch something else that floored me as much as that show did. I watched it several times over the years. It helps that I’m a massive trip-hop head and the soundtrack is made by legendary producer Nujabes (RIP).
I have heard so much about Haikyu, I could not care less about volleyball, but I have read it, somehow does not matter to enjoy it.
That’s interesting, I usually eschew when a sport is the main theme in a show. But you’re saying it’s enjoyable regardless of the volley?
That is what I have been told, I couldn’t say for sure because I haven’t watched it, but it is sitting in my backlog though.
I’ll give you two suggestions at opposite ends of the spectrum:
Thanks for the suggestions. NGE has been mentioned a lot so I guess I’ll watch it eventually.
I was asking for series rather than movies, I’ve seen most of Ghibli… But the fireflies one. You are the first one to say it’s one of thos devastating movies though, now I don’t know if I want to watch it. Thanks for the warning!
The latest anime that wowed me was to your Eternity, especially if your into Eastern philosophy and stuff.
Hells paradise also wowed me as a straight battle Shonen that is quite beautiful, with lots of spiritual themes.
One Piece holds a special place in my heart. Watch up until time skip, then read manga.
Vinland Saga is amazing. Straight up. Great study of politics and humans search for power and inner peace.
For the record I consider HxH and FMA:b to be Shonen high water marks.
Purists may hate the suggestion of an American studio but… Avatar, legend of aang and korra are both great
Nick just opened a whole studio devoted to making more series in the universe so maybe a good time to check them out. The first series is perfection and Korra has some amazing highs (and lows that aren’t really the series’ fault but the exec’s fault)
Fun fact: People in the industry say that Avatar has such great animation and choreography that they are heavily ripped off, I mean, referenced, in the making of other western animated action shows. I should definitely check it out
Oh interesting thanks I’ll definitely look that up! loved the world building, progression and growth from aang to korra
Totally agree on the highs and lows, Amon was such a good introductory antagonist and the suspense at the end of season 1 was something else, some things just seemed resolve themselves a bit too quickly!
Yes, I heard good things about Avatar! Cheers
Feel you with Attack on Titan - goes into some weird places and I lost interest.
Have you tried Initial D? Old school 90’s early 2000’s teen comedy drama about street racing. It’s really funny and touching at the right moments.
You’re the second to mention Initial D and I had no idea it existed before making this post. I’ll keep in mind!