Yushiro - Top Ten Anime

10	Now and Then, Here and There
Surpassed in my mind in terms of endearing characters only by Grave of the Fireflies, Now and Then's small cast of characters are subjected to such tragedies, and reacted with such intensity, that you couldn't help but become absorbed in their world. Unlike Fireflies, Now and Then presented some measure of the good that can arise from the situations that cause people to hurt one another, which is a very tough thing to get across when it is so easy to get bogged down in the sadness. The characters are easily the show's strongest suit, but the music is noteworthy as well, the opening and ending songs in particular.
09	Princess Mononoke
Aside from the simply gorgeous animation - one of the most beautifully composed pieces of anime, though not terribly stylized - the film made use of a relatively simple, but well told story of human morals and their influence on the natural world, a subject I have a certain affinity for. (See Arjuna's entry.) Many of the characters were multi-faceted (with the exception of Ashitaka, the necessarily one-sided main character) and allowed exploration of the shades of gray in their morals (and their personalities). The music was probably the weakest link, and even that was simply because it seemed, to me that is, that its sole purpose was to enhance the action on-screen, rather than standing on its own merits. I surprisingly enjoyed the English dub, which featured some rather big-name US movie actors and actress - most of whom I felt were well suited to their roles. Easily my favorite Miyazaki film and, I think anyway, Studio Ghilbi's best work.
08	Trigun
At first, I was more than a little put of by the humor of the series (or the presentation of it, at least), but as I continued watching, I found it growing on me more and more. Eventually the day came when I started screaming 'Love-u and a Peace!' at unsuspecting bystanders, and I knew that I LOVED this show. The super-super deformed look whenever someone was about to make a funny didn't do much for me, but the humor is so good that I had no choice but to enjoy it in immense proportions. The show had forced me to come to adore the characters so much, while slowly providing inklings of the drama to come, that when the show underwent almost complete changes in tone, I had a fully-vested interest in the well-being of these people. The serious pieces of the story are strong, but it was my connection that with the characters (Vash in particular, of course), from that wonderful comedy in the guise of pure idiocy, that made the scenes moving. The action is outrageous, the comedy ridiculous, and the drama's laid on thick, but damn, do you have a good time of it.
07	Vampire Princess Miyu
I'm going to cheat and include both the OVA and the TV series in this, if you'll permit, so I get a top eleven list. The now-classic OVA was my introduction to the possibilities to be had in the gothic anime styles - of which Miyu maintains a beautifully well-done art style and setting, though it only provided a cursory look into Miyu's world. It was useful for getting her back story and as an introduction to the characteristics of the world, but certain things, like Larva and his relationship with Miyu, were woefully inadequate. Thankfully, the gorgeous TV series came along and sated most of my desires of the series. Like Boogiepop Phantom, though to a more defined degree, the series crafted wonderful self-enclosed stories woven into the larger main story.
06	Iria: Zeriam the Animation
As I think about it, Iria is mostly among my favorites as it is the first anime I watched when I consciously knew I was watching Japanese animation. So, the nostalgia factor is a large part of it, but I enjoy the short six-hour OVA just as much today as upon my first viewing. Iria herself was a rather dynamic character, and I was pleased to see a strong female lead.(I do wish Gren had gotten more screen-time, though, to realize the potential in his character.) The show had an intriguing story, memorable characters, and extremely well played action sequences. The action, in particular was quite good, unlike most of what I was seeing when I first got into anime, which tended to be clunky, overly flash, and outlandish. This was also one of the first show - anime or otherwise - where I found myself getting into the music.
05	Cowboy Bebop
What can I say about 'the work which becomes a new genre itself'? Some of the best developed characters ever seen in anime, some true individuals (with the requisite huge egos, bound to clash with one another, in unadulterated entertainment). A wonderfully detailed world, that was simply made to exist rather than trust in your face as a gimmick as is so often the norm (technology and world-view-wise, that is). And, of course, the judicious use of Yoko Kanno's fabulous music. (I suppose, if anything this is the show's gimmick, what with the show's heavy jazz culture influences... but at least it's a GOOD gimmick.) From the utterly visceral to the quintessential comic relief (that would be Ed and Ein) to the moving tragedies, Bebop is pure gold.
04	Earth Maiden Arjuna
Never has any one thing affected my attitude about a certain thing - my environmental consciousness, the methods in which I live my life - in such a short period of time as this show. I've always known that human society has been increasingly detrimental to the planet that gives us life, but watching the conflict played out in the characters, who really end up being extraneous to the message of Kawamori's creation, drove home that we - no, not just 'we' as some generic collective - I personally need to change. As so many people have said of this show, everyone should watch this and take something away from it. Sadly, I don't see us (the human species) giving up our conveniences en-mass for the minor detail of saving our planet from sure destruction. Anyway - I like this show. A lot. The story spread over the message is simple, but good enough to keep you coming back for the real reason you should watch it. The animation itself can be deceptively simplistic and even bordering on dull, but this only serves to enhance the breathtaking moments when some of the latest techniques are used in the more intense scenes. Music, again, contributes to my love of the show with some of Kanno's best pushing the show forward. Being a mythology buff, the references to Hindu concepts were fascinating, though not incorporated into the show as well as something like my beloved MegaTen videogame series (in other words, as well as it should and could have been). Regardless of any shortcomings, everyone - you should watch this.
03	Grave of the Fireflies
Grave of the Fireflies is, without a doubt, One of the most heart-rending stories ever put to film, anime or otherwise. It is, to put it succinctly, required viewing of anyone who considers himself to be into anime. It'll absolutely crush your spirit and illicit such primal emotions as little else can. And though you may not wish to go into a show knowing you'll be spiritually destroyed, tales like this are the kind of stories that NEED to be told and not allowed to seep into the forgotten depths of history. Though the movie is not what you'd think of as a life-affirming tale, it will force the viewer to appreciate his or her own life and the lives of other more than they did going into the movie - I can think of no higher praise I can give it with my poor words than this.
02	Gasaraki
A lot of emphasis is placed on the political side of the story when people mention Gasaraki - and while I do enjoy political dramas quite a bit, of which Gasaraki is a fairly good one - the reasons I like Gasaraki have more to do with the characters and the presentation/execution of the world and its plot, as well as its seamless synthesis of the traditional, mystical, and modern. The political drama merely, in my view, sets up a background to the story and provides a (highly detailed) context in which to place the people and their extraordinary roles in the world. Of course, I inevitably must think about Yushiro Gowa, the lead character of the show whose name I have taken as my online handle. For some reason, I strongly identified with him and appreciated his role in the story, not that he was a terribly dynamic character by any means. It was his, as well as most of the other players, interactions with the other characters and his environment that drew me into the show the most. What it lacked in pacing, spreading out the stories across more episodes than they probably needed, it made up for in involving the audience, or me at least, in the world of the show. Gasaraki was also my introduction to Tomoko Tane, the singer/songwriter of the opening and ending songs, who has become one of my favorite Japanese musicians. (And besides, what anime list is complete without at least one giant mecha show?)
01	Boogiepop Phantom
The horror genre of anime, when done properly (as it is often not...), has some truly bone-chilling sentiments to impart the viewer with. None, that I have seen at least, have accomplished this as well as Boogiepop Phantom. It is one of the toughest shows to understand, due partly to the unique storytelling style, and also to the fact that much from the original novels the anime is based upon was left out, not to mention that already heady subjects the story addresses. One of the things I like the most about it was how each episode tended to be a self-enclosed story of a single character's tragedy - characters who were fleshed out incredibly well and given a real sense of depth you don't often see in fictional characters. Each story, with its individual tale was enjoyable to watch as a stand-alone, while still phasing and blending in and out of the main storyline, a fantastic creation itself. (Oh how I long for a translation of the novels or manga.) The animation itself had a fuzzy haze and color alteration cast over it for the majority of the show, which did grate on me a bit at first, but as I thought about it, I could see its value as a storytelling device. The music, too, was another outstanding element. Though it was excessively heavy on pure ambient noise for my taste, there is some good stuff to be found when it picks up. The opening, Yuudachi, in particular caught my ear right off and started the process of endearing the show to me. Kouji Okada's artwork, the urban myth style, on and on and on. Boogiepop is a very potent, and sometimes mystifying, journey that is well worth any anime fan's time, but perfectly tuned to those looking for something more esoteric.