I've never been big on anime, but I recently decided to give it another shot.
The thing is I have quite a low tolerance for "weird shit" (for lack of a better term), which makes it hard to find anime that doesn't get on my nerves after a while.
I was just wondering if you guys had any recommendations for "serious" anime (also for lack of a better term) that manages to avoid common anime tropes like gratuitous fan service and seemingly schizophrenic characters.
Here's what I've tried already, and what I thought about it:
Other anime that looks interesting are: Gantz, Berserk and Elfen Lied.
Possibly Neon Genesis Evangelion too, though several people have tried to talk me out of bothering with that series.
So, know of any other "serious" anime?
Edit: Oh yeah, and do mention whether the dub is decent or I should watch it subtitled. Nothing turns me off quicker than goofy, bad voice-acting.
The thing is I have quite a low tolerance for "weird shit" (for lack of a better term), which makes it hard to find anime that doesn't get on my nerves after a while.
I was just wondering if you guys had any recommendations for "serious" anime (also for lack of a better term) that manages to avoid common anime tropes like gratuitous fan service and seemingly schizophrenic characters.
Here's what I've tried already, and what I thought about it:
Death Note - One of my favourite animes, even though I really hated the "Misa-Misa" character; was cleverly written with interesting characters and a cool premise.
Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex - Pretty good, though there was too much expository dialogue for my liking, especially amongst the annoyingly out-of-place cutesy robots. Also, it was hard to take the Major seriously as a badass military commander when she constantly dressed like a stripper.
Cowboy Bebop - This is what got me back into anime after a long time. I thought it was really cool, with its bluesy atmosphere and subtle character development. Although Faye annoyed me in almost every possible way; even the character herself seemed to realise her only real purpose was to wiggle her bum in front of the camera.
Trigun - I watched this because I heard it was similar to the above. I found it bearable at best. The world was dull and none of the characters made sense in their motivations or choices. Every single thing that happens is unrealistic and contrived, without any kind of clever writing to back it up. It was just "Rule of Cool" gone awry, and I found it a bit sophomoric.
Baccano! - Similar to Trigun, very little makes sense. Which is compounded by the crazy non-linear story-telling. Although that was interesting to watch unfold, and I understood the sequence of events by the end, I just don't understand the point. I didn't really identify with any of the characters, who all seemed insane in one way or another, and the story just seems to meander around without any kind of unifying theme or over-arching goal. I didn't actually mind Isaac and Miria... maybe my tolerance for bullshit anime antics is increasing.
Code Geass - Currently watching this. It's very enjoyable, especially the second season. Reminds me a lot of Death Note. But goddamn, they never seem to miss an opportunity to have the principle female characters get naked, or frame an upskirt camera angle, even when they're in the middle of a battle you're supposed to be taking seriously. It undermines both the characters, and the themes, tone and tension of the whole show when important characters are gratuitously sexualised to such a ridiculous extent. Imagine if Walter White from Breaking Bad was constantly surrounded by schoolgirls in miniskirts flashing their panties at the camera... it would not be the same show. It just ruins it a bit for me.
Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex - Pretty good, though there was too much expository dialogue for my liking, especially amongst the annoyingly out-of-place cutesy robots. Also, it was hard to take the Major seriously as a badass military commander when she constantly dressed like a stripper.
Cowboy Bebop - This is what got me back into anime after a long time. I thought it was really cool, with its bluesy atmosphere and subtle character development. Although Faye annoyed me in almost every possible way; even the character herself seemed to realise her only real purpose was to wiggle her bum in front of the camera.
Trigun - I watched this because I heard it was similar to the above. I found it bearable at best. The world was dull and none of the characters made sense in their motivations or choices. Every single thing that happens is unrealistic and contrived, without any kind of clever writing to back it up. It was just "Rule of Cool" gone awry, and I found it a bit sophomoric.
Baccano! - Similar to Trigun, very little makes sense. Which is compounded by the crazy non-linear story-telling. Although that was interesting to watch unfold, and I understood the sequence of events by the end, I just don't understand the point. I didn't really identify with any of the characters, who all seemed insane in one way or another, and the story just seems to meander around without any kind of unifying theme or over-arching goal. I didn't actually mind Isaac and Miria... maybe my tolerance for bullshit anime antics is increasing.
Code Geass - Currently watching this. It's very enjoyable, especially the second season. Reminds me a lot of Death Note. But goddamn, they never seem to miss an opportunity to have the principle female characters get naked, or frame an upskirt camera angle, even when they're in the middle of a battle you're supposed to be taking seriously. It undermines both the characters, and the themes, tone and tension of the whole show when important characters are gratuitously sexualised to such a ridiculous extent. Imagine if Walter White from Breaking Bad was constantly surrounded by schoolgirls in miniskirts flashing their panties at the camera... it would not be the same show. It just ruins it a bit for me.
Other anime that looks interesting are: Gantz, Berserk and Elfen Lied.
Possibly Neon Genesis Evangelion too, though several people have tried to talk me out of bothering with that series.
So, know of any other "serious" anime?
Edit: Oh yeah, and do mention whether the dub is decent or I should watch it subtitled. Nothing turns me off quicker than goofy, bad voice-acting.
