Show me a good anime please

[Carpachi]

There are no anime that fit the description you're trying to present as "the qualities of a good anime".

So instead, go watch Baccano!!, Durarara!!, and...Trigun.

 

[K1CKER]

overwhelming recommendations for Fullmetal Alchemist so I`ll go try that out right now, brb

 

[Weaver]

*Snipping the earlier part of the convo for size*

Really? I rather liked that arc. Though i've always liked the Closed Room stuff anyway.

For some reason the fact that the mysteries are of no consequence and are quite petty makes it more enjoyable to me... It must be more about the characters rather than the actual mysteries, or the characters solving the mystery makes the mystery more interesting.

I still can't tell you why I like it so much because any synopsis is going to make it sound so boring if you break it down.

I don't think i've watched anything from this studio before, is this Kyoani in the same vein? I might look it up

Well, I'm glad you like it! As much as I rag on Hyouka I still feel the desire to watch it every week

"KyoAni" is a sort of fan pet name for "Kyoto Animation" (like people calling Square Enix 'squeeny'), the studio that produced Hyouka.

Some other stuff they've done:
The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, K-on!, Clannad, Kanon, Air, Nichijou. A lot of their series (with the exception of full metal panic) is slice of life stuff with people just sort of living their day to day. They're pretty good at it. A lot like Hyouka, much of the plot is mundane, every day life kind of stuff.

K-On and Nichijou in particular have more of a comedy bent (Nichijou going into the realm of absurdist/surrealist comedy). Clannad, Air and Kanon are a little more serious and lean more towards the drama/romance side of things (thought they have their comedy moments). They are known for being quite emotional (ie, you'll probably cry).

K-On! is one of my personal favourites. It's about a group of girls in high school who form a band in the "light music club" in school. I think I like it so much because I really relate to it. I had a "band" in high school and I lugged the damn thing around school every day.

overwhelming recommendations for Fullmetal Alchemist so I`ll go try that out right now, brb

I'd recommend full metal alchemist: brotherhood. It's my personal opinion that the original FMA is the most overrated anime of all time. It's like the Final Fantasy 7 of anime, in my eyes. People hype it up to the hills, and when you finally go to play it, it's just... mediocre.

 

[Overusedname]

The effeminate male character thing is a culture thing, ya know?

If you want a deconstruction of the cliched things you just mentioned, look up Revolutionary Girl Utena and Ouran Host Club. They take the piss out of every storytelling cliche under the sun, and are very funny. Though Utena get's VERY serious (in a good way).

Utena is also the most abstract, darkly sexual anime ever, so be warned if you don't like that kinda thing. Ouran host club is more approachable.

 

[Matthew Ketchell]

Alright looks like its up to ol' Matt to set things straight here you should just watch Gurren Lagann. It has everything you will ever want, fighting spirit, giant robots, fan service, monkey people, bigger robots that throw entire galaxies at each other with regard towards their well being.

 

[thesilentman]

I'm mostly a manga reader, but I'll have to say 20th Century Boys. It's by the same guy who did Monster and it really is good.

 

[spartan231490]

Hey there anime lovers!

Me, I`ve always hated all kinds of anime series BUT I`ve watched Avatar the Last Airbender and Legend of Korra lately and I have to say they are really good.

So maybe someone can point me to another series that has the same strengths:
- no overly effeminate male characters. (I mean it)
- no big eyed female characters that sound like a squealing mouse and are either helpless tits or exaggerated bad-ass tits on-a-stick.
- reasonably believable world.
- no super exaggerated overpowered characters, all the special powers they have are reasonable.
- good amount of action.
- serious world changing story while also being funny.
- "not too Japanese" visual style

Thanks, and looking forward to finding another series as good as Avatar.

Full metal Alchemist. It meets every one of your requirements.

Black Lagoon. I think you'll like this one as well.

Code Geass is a maybe. How effeminate is effeminate? Is a thin, in-athletic guy effeminate? How reasonable? Are inhumanly fast reaction times gonna be a deal-breaker? This one doesn't have as much comedy. Give it a shot, if you don't like it you're only out 20 min an episode.

You'd probably like Soul Eater or D Gray Man.

Also, do not watch Air Gear. I very much doubt you will like it, it's not something you should watch until you're familiar and comfortable with anime. It's got great action and comedy, but it's pretty sexual, and very over-the-top, it's also unfinished.

 

[Aerosteam]

Pfft, the right anime for anyone is Star of the North Fist

Spoiler: Yup.

 

[K1CKER]

I don't think you mean good.

I think you mean "Show me your pathetic attempts of what you think is good that I have already written off with my own opinion. MWAHAHAHAHAHAAHHA

...Also I hate japanese style."

Why the hell would you look for an anime if you admit to hating japanese style?
That's like asking for a game where you don't have to press buttons.

haha

kinda true but if I can dig up ONE I can watch it`s worth it

also, there are plenty of games where u don`t have to press buttons fyi

 

[wottabout]

I am going to second some shows that others have already mentioned.

Baccano!
Watch the dub. I wouldn't really call the story "world-changing," but it does have a serious overarching plotline. And it takes place in America, so it is a bit less "Japanese" than many other anime. Available on Hulu and YouTube, but only Hulu has the full dub.

Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
Similar themes and plot-setup to Avatar. Starts out with the characters traveling and having episodic adventures, and grows into a saving-the-world plotline. The number of characters expands to epic proportions, and all of the characters are well-developed. I don't think there are any particularly effeminate male characters (except the minor character Garfiel, but he is more "campy cross-dressing" effeminate than "long-haired bishie" effeminate). Hilarious, fun, yet also serious. Available on Hulu(subbed).

Trigun
Again, has a similar setup to Avatar. Traveling the world, episodic adventures, more characters joining the story, then finally saving the world. Available on Hulu and YouTube (subbed).

Also, I guess I will add Fate/Zero, since I loved it so much. I did not see the original Fate/Stay Night beforehand, so the ending of Fate/Zero was less meaningful for me, but it was still very very very good. I'm a bit hesitant to recommend it, as it is a fairly Japanese show. Also some of the male characters might fit your criteria for "overly effeminate." Here [http://keikakudoori.files.wordpress.com/2012/04/fate-zero-masters.jpg] is a picture of the main characters. (And, to clear up any possible confusion, they are all male except the one on the top left.) Also, it has some funny moments, but it is primarily action/drama.

 

[ThePenguinKnight]

Speed Grapher
Cowboy Bebop
Samurai Champloo
Paranoia Agent
Paprika (movie)
Tekkonkinkreet (Movie)

I hate most anime but these are worth your time.

 

[Cheesepower5]

For a funny anime, see Genshiken. Its set in reality, the only pretty boy is played for laughs and the main girl is a no-nonsense punk rocker. No real action, but it's funny and about being a geek.

For action, check out Berserk. It's pretty explicit, I warn you.

Read the manga Vinland Saga; it's about vikings and the effeminite dude becomes badass later on. Did I mention it's about vikings?

 

[the doom cannon]

For a funny anime, see Genshiken. Its set in reality, the only pretty boy is played for laughs and the main girl is a no-nonsense punk rocker. No real action, but it's funny and about being a geek.

For action, check out Berserk. It's pretty explicit, I warn you.

Read the manga Vinland Saga; it's about vikings and the effeminite dude becomes badass later on. Did I mention it's about vikings?

Genshiken is great! But might be a bit out of OPs league, since it's chock full of references to otaku culture that a "newbie" won't understand in the slightest.

It's so hard to come up with action "shounen" anime that doesn't have all sorts of tits-on-a-stick or crazy powers (which I am assuming to be what OP is looking for). I just remembered the anime [C]. It also comes with the title "The Money and Soul of Possibility Control." I thought this one was really interesting, but I have no clue if it's up your alley.

 

[Torrasque]

Avatar is not anime. It has a long running storyline like alot of anime. It looks like alot of anime. It has Asian themes like alot of anime. It looks like alot of anime. But that does not make it anime.

Not that it means anything. It is not any worse or better for not being anime.

From what you identify as "the strengths" of Avatar, I can tell that you hold some very popular cultural notions as to what most anime is like.

One Piece, Naruto, and Bleach.

You should try One Piece, Naruto, and Bleach. I know, I know. Anime Haters would roll their eyes and advanced anime fans are going "entry level, what."

But I've read and watched all three, and they abide by your list about as well as any anime I can think of. Except for the "no overly effeminate male characters" rule, considering each of these series has extremely large casts of widely different characters.

You could also try like Soul Eater and Fairy Tail. Not quite the big three, but they're all barking up the the same tree.

Edit: Oh. and Fullmetal Alchemist. how could i forget that.

I was going to direct you to the thread about that topic, but how you proceeded with that line of thought didn't bother me, so directing you to said thread would be a bit of a waste of time. We are in agreement, Avatar: The Last Airbender is not anime, but the difference between actual anime and Avatar is so slight it mind as well be non existant.

As for your recommendations... /facepalm
Except FMA. FMA is a great anime that I suggest to even seasoned anime veterans.

OP: I suggest:
Ghost in the Shell
Cowboy Bebop
Escaflowne (let me know if you do, there is a slight detail to work out with it)
Akira and Bastard get a +1 from me as well

And thats all I can think of at the moment that fit your criteria. Most of the anime I enjoy are really Japanese.

 

[Marik2]

Since you're coming off of Avatar, I would recommend FLCL, which was apparently very influential for them (probably more in terms of animation than story). Supposedly every member of the team working on Avatar was required to watch FLCL.

Already mentioned above but definitely check out Fate/Zero, highly recommended. Alternate history crossover fanfiction, but professionally written, and good. Second season opens with King Arthur, Alexander the Great, and Diarmuid Ua Duibhne, fighting against Cthulhu, who was summoned by Gilles de Rais. How does that not sound awesome!? But I have to disagree with some of the above posts - watch it FIRST, even if it is a prequel that came out after. For one thing you're not missing out on any story because, you know, prequel, but also the Stay Night anime just isn't good. The story is all over the place because it tried to incorporate elements from all possible endings of the game, and the animation is just subpar, especially when compared to Zero which is practically movie quality.

How about IGPX?


And anime is cartoons.

Holy crap, someone else who watched it!!

I'd also recommend watching the English dub. It's not something you'll hear often from more "hardcore" anime fans, and if you're just getting into anime you'll probably watch the English dub anyway, but man is the voice talent in this show amazing. Haley Joel Osment, Mark Hamill, and Lance Henriksen, I repeat, Lance Henriksen!

Yeah it was originally made in English and then dubbed in Japanese right?

Such a shame that it didn't get much ratings when it aired from what I heard.

 

[Gatx]

Yeah it was originally made in English and then dubbed in Japanese right?

Such a shame that it didn't get much ratings when it aired from what I heard.

I think Cartoon Network just co-produced it, it's still for all intents and purposes a regular Japanese anime as far as production goes. Haley Joel Osment said in an interview that he was dubbing it and listened to the Japanese voice actor's performance to get a sense of how to do his lines.

And yeah the ratings weren't that good, that's why they actually moved it off Toonami near the end of the second season onto a midnight Friday slot. Especially sucked after all the talk about it being a Toonami original series.

 

[SidheKnight]

I'd recommend Saint Seiya.

But it doesn't fill all those requirements.

 

[thebobmaster_v1legacy]

I recommend Monster with no reservations. That is an extremely good, mature, and grounded anime. It does look Japanese though...as does any anime. However, the settings are not the stereotypical Japanese settings, but more of crime drama type settings.

 

[Marik2]

Yeah it was originally made in English and then dubbed in Japanese right?

Such a shame that it didn't get much ratings when it aired from what I heard.

I think Cartoon Network just co-produced it, it's still for all intents and purposes a regular Japanese anime as far as production goes. Haley Joel Osment said in an interview that he was dubbing it and listened to the Japanese voice actor's performance to get a sense of how to do his lines.

And yeah the ratings weren't that good, that's why they actually moved it off Toonami near the end of the second season onto a midnight Friday slot. Especially sucked after all the talk about it being a Toonami original series.

It honestly felt like a Western take on Japanese animation. Felt very western with some touches from the east.

Wonder why it never caught on, seemed like a great blend from 2 different cultures.

Ot: Heres another recommendation OP


And maybe Witchblade as well

 

[ShaqLevick]

You should definitely watch Cowboy Bebop and Full Metal Alchemist Brotherhood, because like the Avatar franchise these don't adhere to common Japanese cliches. Both of these anime beautifully crafted their own universe which rationalizes itself without laying any groundwork.

There are anime out there that rise above the nonsense that turn casuals off, it really just falls along the lines of what separates the Avatar series from your Johnny Test or Jimmy Two Shoes... You really can't expect every show to be of the highest caliber, because every nation is turning out a thousand turds for one nugget of gold. So you know, just give the Japanese a break.