Late blooming anime intermediate who has been a fan of them movies forever.
Real world: I'm in my 50s and born and living in a northern German state's capital, doing IT related stuff for which I've formal higher education. Male, single, meeting more nerd clichés than I like to at times. Dealing with sensitive data for ages I grew cautious about privacy. So please don't ask for random personal details. Once warmed up with a group or person, change will come and I'll become more trusting.
Anime: My anime exposure divides into three distinct phases. First, in the 1970s when I was exposed to a lot of dubbed kids' anime on TV. Second, in the 1990s, after the Akira bug had bitten. From there on I've included anime movies in my regular diet of movies (I'm a movie buff). This way I watched many 1990/2000s anime movies at release time. And finally now. I return to anime to finally embrace TV anime.
Taste: My taste leans towards well written, heady and dark, with sprinkles of feel good, slice-of-life, and iyashikei. In movies I love dark comedy, sci-fi and fantasy, and arthouse; in music I'm in jazz-funk, indie rock and some hip-hop. But I'm fairly open minded. While prefering quality and art over trash and fast food, I'm not do-or-die at it. A regular dose of trash is something I can enjoy the doki-doki hack out of. The other way around, not every pretentious arthouse labeled thing is good. The genre is just like any other and just being obscure is not sufficient to be good or even art.
Genres and Picks: Favorite genres according to MALgraph are seinen, mystery, supernatural, and dementia/psychology,. I'm again no purist, CGDCT is just so typical for anime (and enertaining too, sometimes), that it makes no sense to ignore and hate it. My plan-to-watch hasn't popcorn level anime in it, but seasonal and spontaneous watches should ensure enough supply of that. However, life is too short to build a history of popcorn anime retrospectively. This in return means I focus on old shows more than on seasonal anime.
Rating and Friends: I'm invested into rating using the full range of MAL grades and Gaussian distribution over them. This is relevant for friend requests, I'm grooming my friend list to be a comparison tool by adding people I know to follow a similar approach. If you care about fair full-range rating, I'd love to be your friend. I don't consider friends a facebook style "nice guys" list.
Growing up in the 1970s there were shows on TV which at that time had no association with Japan or anime. Unaware of their true nature I watched and loved Jungle Taitei (1965), Chiisana Viking Vickie (1974), Alps no Shoujo Heidi (1974), Mitsubachi Maya no Bouken (1975), Pinocchio yori Piccolino no Bouken (1976), Arabian Nights: Sindbad no Bouken (1976), Captain Future (1978), and Nils no Fushigi na Tabi (1980) as a kid. These got buried deep inside of my unconciousness, only to resurface much later.
Along with my first DVD player, rather accidentally, I bought a bargain priced copy of Akira (1988) for testing purposes. And was impressed, this was not the kid stuff. I've been a fan of anime movies ever since and watched many of Ghibli's and Satoshi Kon's creations when they were released. The cinematic masterpieces, that are Mononoke Hime (1997) and Perfect Blue (1998), were the most influential.
Still a cinematic snob for most of the 2000s, I refused to watch any TV series in a long time. The opening up happened when the golden age of TV series took off in mainstream, with Battlestar Galactica (2003) being the gateway drug. Later on this also opened my eyes for adult audience animation series, with Archer (2009) serving as the starting point.
Finally, in 2019 I decided to expand my horizon into the quirky world of 'Chinese cartoons'. For much of my life I had exposure to anime, but never completely embraced it as an independent art form. Until now. I came for the boobs of Shinmai Maou no Testament (2015), got hooked by the suspense of Death Note (2007) and stayed for the art that is Mushishi (2006).
My approach is rather systematic, almost archaeological. I'm trying to broadly cover periods, genres, and classics quickly, while at the same time witnessing the evolution of current seasonal anime culture. Speaking of which: Holo best waifu and Monogatari best franchise. Fight me.This is how far I got by now.
👁 Image 👁 Image 👁 Image 👁 Image 👁 Image 👁 Image 👁 Image
Categories: I'm aiming to use the full rating range and have an approximately Gaussian distribution over it.- 10 - Perfect: Given infinite resources, I couldn't realistically suggest changes to improve this anime. It's a 9 which resonates with me in a special way. Kami.
- 9 - I love it: God-tier anime transcending it's genre and style. Watch it even if you hate the genre, which it probably innovated or perfected. Aishiteru.
- 8 - I recommend it: Anime I'd recommend to be watched by everybody. Skip only if you really hate the genre. Sugoi.
- 7 - I like it: Outstanding material within it's genre and style. Daisuki.
- 6 - Above Average: Entertaining and well-rounded, with minor flaws you can't fully ignore. May be a 7 of a genre I hate or a 5 of one I love. Ii.
- 5 - Average: Run out of the mill mainstream anime you will not regret watching, but forget later on. Maa maa.
- 4 - Boring: Still worth watching, but major flaws become visible. Don't fall asleep. Lowest I'd watch as a fan of it's genre, except for campy stuff. Omoshirokunai.
- 3 - Painful: Serious flaws in more than one of the compartments characters, animation, plot, sound, or enjoyment. Tried to be average and failed at that, or is exceptionally well-done camp material. Hidoi.
- 2 - Trash and Camp: Trash and camp material that at least tries to be a real anime. Only die hard genre fans can enjoy this. Kuso.
- 1 - Seek Medical Help: Gives you eye cancer, requires mind bleach, or makes you want to clean your toilet instead. Saitei.
Fine Tuning: Anybody's anime rating is influenced by her world view, genre preference, runtime, and the media format. I am not trying too hard to hide those advantages and disadvantages a particular movie or series has. However, I'm really trying hard to resist impulses such as fanboy upvote and genre/format/plot subject/SJW-ing downvote punishment. Nevertheless, formats such as short and genres such as ecchi by their very nature have it harder to deliver complex plot and character development. So it's hard for them to break the grade 7 ("fun") glass ceiling. Movies typically have higher per frame production values than TV and OVA, and this shows as well. Longer series have an advantage over short ones at plot complexity, but it's also harder for them to maintain top-tier quality over the full runtime.
Examples: The examples are picked to ease comparison to your own preferences in each format. Given I'm a completionist and can compare all seasons of the Monogatari Series, many of those were included to showcase quality differences within a single francise. For TV shows I've tried to pick widely known examples, with a bias on controversial ones to showcase my ideosyncratics. A feature film length movie is included where available to cover that format as well.
When possible I've included shorts, which are usually easy to find on youtube or vimeo. Those are underlined for quick reference, just look them up and judge by yourself. See the section on my profile page for direct links for those available on youtube.
- 10: Monster (TV), Monogatari Series: Second Season (TV), Nana (TV), Mononoke Hime (movie)
- 9: Mushishi (TV), Bakemonogatari (TV), Steins;Gate (TV), Sen to Chihiro no Kamikakushi (movie)
- 8: Made in Abyss (TV), Nisemonogatari (TV), (short), Akira (movie)
- 7: KonuSuba (TV), Tsukimonogatari (TV), (short), Kimi no Na wa. (movie)
- 6: No Game No Life (TV), Nekomonogatari: Kuro (TV), (short), Mimi wo Sumaseba (movie)
- 5: Angel Beats! (TV), (short), Koyomimonogatari (TV), Gake no Ue no Ponyo (movie)
- 4: DanMachi (TV), Nande Koko ni Sensei ga!? (TV), Inferno Cop (TV), (short)
- 3: Bikini Warriors (TV), Eromanga-sensei (TV), Violence Jack II (OVA), (short)
- 2: Corpse Party: Tortured Souls (OVA), Sleeping with Hinako (OVA), (short), Ame-iro Cocoa (TV)
- 1: Shinmai Maou no Testament Specials (OVA), (short), Pupa (TV), (OVA)
My Monogatari Series: Beginner's Video Guide moved to it's MAL fan-club. These videos are a good starting points for the journey. Wish me luck, and godspeed yourself!
Anitubers I care about (in order): Under The Scope, Glass Reflection, Anime Abandon.
- GR: Top 25-ish Recommended Anime (02/2014) ▶
- UTS' Top 30 Anime Series of All Time (So Far) (05/2016) ▶
- UTS' 30 More Top Anime Series Of All Time (05/2016) ▶
- Top 20 Under Appreciated Anime Series (04/2017) ▶
- Top 50: Best Anime Movies of All Time (04/2017) ▶
- GR: Top 25-ish Anime of the Decade (12/2019) ▶
Top 20 TV anime songs of all time, according to inim's ever evolving opinion. Only one song per show to keep it compact. No movie OST pieces. Listed shows tend to contain some more good music because of either other songs by the same composer, or because the production just put higher emphasis on the music. Your mileage surely will differ, I'm no big fan of hyperactive shounen anthems, mainstream j-rock, or of drowning mediocracy in violin sauce. Sorry, Attack On Titan and Sword Art Online.
The single, highly subjective criterion is that songs are good compositions, independent of style or function in it's show. A catchy funk bass line helps as does a sweet voice. I'd be willing to put this list on my heavy rotation playlist without getting tired of it.
- Neon Genesis Evangelion「Zankoku na Tenshi no Thesis」(1995, Yoko Takahashi) ▶ 📺
- No Game No Life「This Game」(2014, Konomi Suzuki) ▶ 📺
- Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuuutsu「Kadokawa」(2006, Aya Hirano) ▶
- Captain Future「 Auf Wiedersehen, Captain Future」(1978, Christian Bruhn) ▶
- Nisemonogatari「Hakkin Disco」(2012, Yuka Iguchi) ▶ 📺
- Shoujo Kakumei Utena「Rinbu Revolution」(1997, Masami Okui) ▶ 📺
- Bakemonogatari「Renai Circulation」(2009, Kana Hanazawa) ▶ 📺
- Steins;Gate「Hacking to the Gate」(2001, Kanako Itou) ▶ 📺
- Nana「Rose」(2006, Anna inspi' Nana ~Black Stones~) ▶ 📺
- Higurashi no Naku Koro ni「Higurashi no Naku Koro ni」(2006, Eiko Shimamiya) ▶ 📺
- Tokyo Ghoul「Unravel」(2014, Ling Tosite Sigure) ▶ 📺
- Cowboy Bebop「 Tank!」(1998, Seatbelts) ▶ 📺
- Elfen Lied「Lilium」(2004, Kumiko Noma) ▶ 📺
- Death Note「the WORLD」(2006, Nightmare) ▶ 📺
- K-On!「Cagayake! GIRLS」(2009, Sakurakou Keion-bu) ▶ 📺
- Texhnolyze「Guardian Angel」(2003, Juno Reactor) ▶ 📺
- Koukaku Kidoutai: Stand Alone Complex「Inner Universe」(2002, Origa) ▶ 📺
- Serial Experiments Lain「Duvet」(1998, BOA) ▶ 📺
- Ookami to Koushinryou「Tabi no Tochuu」(2008, Kiyoura Natsumi) ▶ 📺
- Aku no Hana「Hana -a last flower- (花 -a last flower-)」(2013, ASA-CHANG & JUNRAY) ▶ 📺
Honorable Mentions
- Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood「Again」(2009, YUI) ▶ 📺
- Mahou Shoujo Madoka★Magica「 Connect」(2011, ClariS) ▶ 📺
- Yojouhan Shinwa Taikei「Kamisama no Iutoori」(2010, J. Ishiwatari & Y. Sunahara + E. Yakushimaru) ▶ 📺
- Angel Beats!「 My Soul, Your Beats!」(2010, Lia) ▶ 📺
- Mushishi「The Sore Feet Song」(2005, Ally Kerr) ▶ 📺
- Tate no Yuusha no Nariagari「Kimi no Namae」(2019, Kevin Penkin) ▶ 📺
- The End Of Evangelion「Komm süßer Tod」(1997, Arianne) ▶
- Alps no Shoujo Heidi「Heidi」(1974, Gitti und Erika) ▶
- Sarazanmai「Massara」(2019, KANA-BOON) ▶ 📺
- Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon「Moonlight Densetsu」(1992, DALI) ▶ 📺
- Hunter x Hunter (2011)「departure!」(2011, Ono Masatoshi) ▶ 📺
- Eromanga-sensei「Hitorigoto」(2017, ClariS) ▶ 📺
- Yuri Kuma Arashi「Ano Mori de Matteru」(2015, Bonjour Suzuki) ▶ 📺
- Kaguya-sama: Love is War「Chikatto Chika Chika♡」(2019, Konomi Kohara) ▶ 📺
- Made in Abyss「Deep in Abyss」(2017, Kevin Penkin) ▶ 📺
- JoJo no Kimyou na Bouken (TV)「Roundabout」(2012, YES) ▶ 📺
- Cardcaptor Sakura「Catch You Catch Me」(1998, Gumi ▶ 📺
- Lucky☆Star「Motteke! Sailor Fuku!」(2007, Lucky☆Star cast) ▶ 📺
- Versailles no Bara「Bara wa Utsukushiku Chiru」(1979, Hiroko Suzuki) ▶
- Eizouken ni wa Te wo Dasu na!「Easy Breezy」(2020, chelmico) ▶ 📺
- Beastars「Wild Side」(2019, ALI) ▶ 📺
- Macross「マクロス (Macross)」(1982, Makoto Fujiwara) ▶ 📺
- Paniponi Dash!「Roulette☆Roulette」(2005, Momotsuki Gakuen Ichinen C Gumi) ▶ 📺
Random good music from Japan in no particular order. Just one song per artist, except for a few favorite anime song live performances not related to anime.
- Ryuichi Sakamoto:「Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence」 ▶
- Takayoshi Ohmura:「Band Solo」 ▶
- Ishikawa Sayuri:「Tsugaru Kaikyo Fuyugeshiki」 ▶
- Band Maid:「Thrill」 ▶
- Maximum the Hormone:「 korekara no men katakotteri no hanashi o shiyou」 ▶
- Shibusashirazu Orchestara:「 Theme of Honda Komuten」 ▶
- Babymetal:「 Ijime, Dame, Zettai」 ▶
- X Japan:「 Endless Rain」 ▶
- ClariS:「 Hitorigoto」 ▶
- Wagakki Band:「 Senbonsakura」 ▶
- Ladybaby:「 Nippon manju」 ▶
- Dir en Grey:「 Obscure」 ▶
- Kyary Pamyu Pamyu:「 Ponponpon」 ▶
- Radwimps:「 Zenzenzense」 ▶
- DOLL$BOXX:「 Take My Chance」 ▶
- Yousei Teikoku:「 Astral Dogma」 ▶
- Natsumi Kiyoura:「 Tabi no Tochuu」 ▶
- Kana Hanazawa:「 Renai Circulation」 ▶
- Asian Kung-Fu Generation:「 Rewrite」 ▶
- Kimi no Na wa. Orchestra Concert:「Nandemonaiya」 ▶
- Kimi no Na wa. Orchestra Concert「Sparkle」 ▶
- Kimi no Na wa. Orchestra Concert:「Zenzenzense」 ▶
- Sayuri Ishikawa 「Tsugaru-Kaikyo Fuyugeshiki」 ▶
|