Mt. Moon Community - Top Ten Anime and Manga

What are your top ten favorite anime and manga? Want to share your opinion? Great!

The only rule to this thread is that you must give a reason for each anime/manga you list (at least a sentence. You don't have to be lengthy like me - unless you want to. XD) Thanks. ^^

Here's mine! (The anime is in no particular order other than #1 <3)

Anime:

1) Fullmetal Alchemist - What's not to love about this series? The characters are always different and well-developed. The plot is solid and sound and the emotion is raw and real - everything I love about an anime series is wrapped together in this anime. <3

2) Naruto/Naruto: Shippuuden - I've been following this series since about 2002 and I just can't leave it alone. While there are many faults in the series, along with Kishimoto not really knowing what he's doing anymore with the manga (I won't spoil chapter 393 for anyone...), I still love it to bits, especially my Naruto-kun.

3) Texhnolyze - An amazing story that takes a normal genre for a very interesting and surprising twist. I'm only about three episodes into this series but I love it to bits. Ichise is one of the coolest anime characters I've seen in quite a while.

4) Paranoia Agent - Most people find this series a little off kilter and you know what? I don't blame them. XD It is a pretty fun series to watch and if you watch it enough, you'll catch a lot of things you didn't see before.

5) s-CRY-ed - I'll admit, I first saw this anime on [adult swim] and you know, I'm glad I stayed up late one day and saw it. :D I fell in love with the concept of alter power and the characters were pretty solid. So...it became my Saturday Night crack. XD

6) Samurai Champloo - I can help but put this series in the list. It took the samurai genre of anime for a spin and it did it in such an awesome way. I still love the baseball episode and its always the one I catch late nights by accident.

7) Death Note - I'd have to be crazy not to put this one on my list. Ohba-sensei and Obata-sensei put together an amazing plot, cast of characters and complex problems of the world into this series. Sure, its mocked for its 'over intelligence' but you know what? It's still amazing and I never get tired of reading it or watching it.

8) Blood + - I had seen vampire like anime before, but this is a whole new ball game with the chiropterans, schiff and chevaliers. It's an beautiful story plot with real characters that take everything to the next level. I definitely recommend this series to anyone who loves the vampire genre but doesn't like the same old same old.

9) The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya - I caught the Haruhi bug. XD I couldn't help it. A friend of mine showed me the dance only a year ago and I was addicted ever since. I learned the dance, watched some of the Japanese version I could find and then watched the English version. I love it so. :D

10) Eureka Seven - This should probably be higher, but this isn't in order anyway. XD I love this series so much, its hard to explain. The instant relationship between Eureka and Renton is so...cliche, but its done in a beautiful and natural way from just attraction to true love. The idea of lifting is astounding and makes me want to learn how. D: I also love all the members of Gekkostate. Especially Moondoggie (I lobve him. XD) and Holland. That's another thing - the relationship between Holland and Talho is so adorable. It takes place actually before the series begins, but its interesting to see how they get back together (and even have a child! ^^ I would like to know the kid's name and gender though...>_<;). I'm rewatching this series right now and I just love it!

Manga (These aren't really in order at all either.)

1) Immortal Rain - I randomly picked this series up at Books-A-Million and fell in love. Rain and Machika have an instant connection, but there's still a lot of development before their relationship actually starts. Rain's past also got to me too. ;; Read for a very cute and different kind of series about an immortal character.

2) Black Cat - I found this before the anime series, and boy do I love it more. The anime was so fast and short while the manga takes its time will well needed character development and more understanding of what exactly Chronos and the Numbers do and the Apostles of the Stars true intentions. This is one manga I prefer over its anime version. Still, that doesn't keep me from owning all the anime. XD

3) Vampire Knight - As I mentioned, I love the vampire genre. This is yet another series that takes away from the normal aspect. It takes place in a school where the Day Class doesn't know that the Night Class is solely made up of Vampires. I love the main character, Yuki. She's not a weak main character and she's actually really cool. It's a neat combination. XD

4) Someday's Dreamers - I hadn't ever tried a slice-of-life genre manga or anime, but I gave this one a shot. It's a series about a young girl named Yume who's a magic user. In this series, magic users are not outcasts (persay) and can be trained to be mages to do services with their magic. Yume hasn't ever really been good with magic and has to make a decision on what she wants to do. She goes to meet her teacher (who's a woman - a relief to Yume who's nervous around men) only to find out that Masami Oyamada is actually a young, handsome man. The troubles only get worse from there. XD It also has a sequel called Someday’s Dreamers – Spellbound which tells the tale of another girl, named Nami, trying to figure out if she wants to use magic or not. She’s really bad at it (no offense to her XD) and she gets herself in trouble with it. She meets a badboy Ryutaro (omg, yay. <3) and she tries to fix his motorcycle after he dodges her in the middle of the street. She only makes it worse but this one chance meeting could change everything. It’s a really awesome series. <3 I prefer the sequel over the original and the original has an anime. ;; I wish the second one did too.

5) Fullmetal Alchemist – Whenever the anime ended, I realized I hadn’t ever read the manga and I knew it was different than the series I had come to love. Soooooo. I went out to Books-A-Million and bought the first three. It was a lot different in the plot order, but it wasn’t until about volume seven or eight that it really changed to be different. I still enjoy it and it keeps the Fullmetal Alchemist part of my heart alive. <3

6) Millennium Snow – Yet another Vampire genre with a twist. In this one, young Chihiro is dying with a weak heart and her only wish is to see the winter’s snowfall. On a twist of fate, she meets Toya – a vampire who hates blood but is stuck living for 1,000 years. He has a companion of sorts, a small bat named Yamimaru. Yamimaru tells Chihiro that Toya needs blood to keep his stamina up and she offers hers. She wants him to be able to live the life he was given. Toya doesn’t want a human partner because he doesn’t want to see them die. The series gets better and its really cool.

7) Soul Rescue – Who doesn’t have some angel series on their list? My list is no exception and this is my choice. Renji is an amazing character and I just love the plot of this series where Renji is a rogue angel and has to save 1,000 souls before he’s allowed back into heaven. Such a cliché sounding plot but so good. ;D

8) Naruto: Shippuuden – Do I need to say why? It’s the same as the manga, but with Kishimoto’s original art and intended plot. :D

9) Saiyuki – Haven’t read much of this series, but a big enjoyment. Sanzo-san is definitely my kind of priest – wields a gun, smokes and curses. XD This is the better story of Son Goku than DBZ, imo.

10) Fushigi Yuugi: Genbu Kaiden – A different take on Miaka, Yui and Tamahome’s story and its really well developed. The main character isn’t a pushover, she’s actually very confident and strong. Makes for a whole new style of action! ^^

There we go. A good example! XD Hope you like my list, so let’s see yours! :D

Wall of text incoming!

animu~

1. Higurashi no Naku koro ni (Kai)
It's rare when an anime is much more than what you just watch. Higurashi requires one to study every scene to really appreciate it. Blending great characters with an amazing story, a killer soundtrack with amazing mood and keeping it consistent for two seasons is not an easy task, but Higurashi manages it.

2. CLANNAD
Every kind of media is better when you get attached to the characters- anime, movies, books, all of it. In CLANNAD, it's difficult not to get attached to -every- character. Blending drama with comedy in a perfect way, it was one heck of a ride. A beautiful tale worth rewatching multiple times.

3. Dennou Coil
Dennou Coil presents us a science-fiction world so well developed and explored that it's hard not to feel like you're there. Besides the fact that all characters feel realistic, the plot quality can be compared to any best seller book. With an amazing art direction and direction, it's truly a masterpiece.

4. The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya
Ah, the famous "Haruhi animu". While I have to admit it is very overhyped, it for sure isn't overated. The pure genial-yet-silly writting, plus the incredible characters and perfect-like animation make this one of the most entertaining anime I've seen.

5. Simoun
Not unlike Dennou Coil, Simoun presents us a futuristic, fantasia-like world, and develops it to its max. And even with a big cast, not one character is left out- all of them have their personalities developed, their own dramas presented, and it all wrapped in a metaphorical, yet so beautiful story.

6. Tegen Toppa Gurren-Lagann
You might've realized that I have a thing with anime that give us a setting located in a sci-fi future. And again, Gurren-Lagann does that and expands it to the darkest pits of universe! This is just so awesome! Gurren-Lagann kicks reason and logic to the curb, and is the most hot-blooded anime ever! Who the heck do you think I am?

7. Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion
An alternate future where the britains take over the world and tanks are a thing of the past? Robots with rollerblades? Mind-controlling powers? What more could we ask for? Geass blew up every expectation I had, proving to be as clever as Death Note and as action-packed as a mecha show. Great.

8. Death Note
This one doesn't need any introduction, does it? Genius minds confroting eachother, epic potato chip bites, exagerated pen-writing scenes, and remarkable and quotable lines made Death Note a very fun ride, keeping you in the edge of your seat every time something happened.

9. Hidamari Sketch
Nothing really happens in Hidamari Sketch. I mean, it's the everyday life of four students. It's not meant to be funny or exciting, and yet, the simple everyday comedy and cute dialogues give Hidamari Sketch a fresh, relaxing feel. The art style and art direction increase the experience greatly. Certainly, the most artistic anime I've ever watched.

10. Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha A's
Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha was a nice surprise- it look like it would be just another Mahou Shoujo anime, but had some great twists and a much deeper and entertaining plot than all others. Nanoha A's took everything that was good from the first segment, improved them, improved them yet again, and shoved it in our face with a great story and awesome action sequences. Unforgetable.

now, more walls of text~

mango~

1. Mirai Nikki
A good mangá needs two things: great art and great story. Mirai Nikki has awesome art and incredible story. The way everything and every character is presented always makes my jaw drop with awesome. If you're going to read it, prepare to get addicted.

2. Cardcaptor Sakura
Well, a good mangá doesn't necessarily need great art and story. It may need cute art and a cute story, too. And CCS has an art that's cute, but a story that's both great and cute. Superior to the anime counterpart in every way, the Cardcaptor Sakura mangá is a must read for anyone who wants a cute, entertaining story to get addicted to.

3. Rozen Maiden
Hikikomori drama blended with gothic lolita-dressed dolls, dark humour and magic battles doesn't sound like something that would work. But it does. Peach-Pit managed to make all those elements blend with eachother so well it feels almost natural that living dolls would fight with eachother in search for their creator.

4. Chobits
"Internet relationships" is a huge topic nowadays. "Robot + Human relationships" will be the next huge thing, trust me. If in the future the AI is as good as a human's mind, will it be wrong to love a machine? Will you form a real bond with it? Chobits deals with this matter in a surprising and deep way.

5. Fruits Basket
A classic in the shoujo manga department that is, once again, much superior to its anime counterpart. The fact that they manage to create distinct personalities for over 10 characters and develop them all is really impressive. With a great story and likeable characters, it's no wonder Furuba is considered a classic.

6. Uzumaki
Have you ever been afraid of going to sleep after reading a manga? No?
Well, I have. Thanks to Uzumaki.

7. Death Note
Basically, read what I said about the anime, but remove the "epic potato chip bites, exagerated pen-writing scenes" part and add the fact the the drama is much better developed, as are the characters.

8. Pokémon Special
Pokémon Special is not a special case- it's, as most mangá, way better than its anime counterpart. Except it's much, much, much better. Satoshi Tajiri, the creator of Pokémon, said the PokéSpecial mangá is the best representation of the world he had imagined. Even if you don't like Pokémon, it's always a very entertaining read.

9. xxxHOLiC
Another mangá by CLAMP in my list. xxxHOLiC deals with the human being's inner problems in a metaphorical, yet comical way. The great characters and beautiful art help this already entertaining story become a great series, which again, is much superior to the anime.

10. The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker - Link's Logbook
Uh, yeah. It's not really a mangá- it's more like a huge compilation of 4-komas. But holy heck, those are the funniest 4-komas I've ever read. If you have played The Wind Waker and you haven't read Link's Logbook, you should either kill yourself or go find it now.

hehehe well i only have a top 5 anime so here it is

1)naruto shippuden~i love to ninja action packed shows and naruto shippuden is one of them
2)bleach~cool weapons haha
3)naruto~same as naruto shippuden
4)deathnote~i like the storylines in the episodes
5)inuyasha~they kill demons haha

1. Bleach (woo! Love the manga. And the characters. And the plot. Yayness. I've been a Bleach fan since '04.)
2. NANA (I love the characters and how sophisticated they can be sometimes. But they also have a more humorous side. Like Nana O. and Misato fooling around.)
3. Paradise Kiss (Another Ai Yawaza manga, except it's about fashion. Something I have always loved. And George + Yukari is love.)
4. xxxHOLiC (Yuuko and Watanuki are hilarious! So is Ame-Warashi, my favourite character. :3)
5. REC (It's simple, so maybe it does have a little ecchi. I don't mind. I like how Aka and Matsumaru live together. It's cute.)
6. Full Metal Alchemist (COOLNESS. That is all I can say. Lust is coolness.)
7. Serial Experiments Lain (It makes you feel a lot of things. And it's psychological and sad in most/some parts, so I can really relate with Lain sometimes.)
8. Higurashi no naku koro ni (actually watched this one. It's a cool thriller. I like watching the murders. >:])
9. Shakugan no Shana (A pretty action-y anime, like Bleach. That's why I like it. I also like Shana because of her element, fire. Being a Flame Haze rocks.)
10. School Days (love the ending. It's so normal in the beginning, I liked it a lot. But the ending... wow. I mean, what a sickly cool ending. That's why I like it.)

Yeah, kind of scrambled. Don't read manga much, except for a bit of REC, NANA and the new Bleach chapters.

jose and yvette, could you please expand on the reasons you like the shows? Thanks.

@iruchii: Is Higurashi really good? I've been wanting to watch it, but I don't know if its the kind of anime I want to watch. D:

@Amanda;
Well, the first season of the anime does cut some important stuff from the visual novel, and even though the second season kind of corrects that, I still recommend that you watch it while reading this thread in Animesuki.

Those are the various "tips" and important bits that were left out from the anime, and the generous guys over there even put what episode they refer to. Like "Why does our school have mixed grade levels? (Ep. 01)" means that you might want to read it after you've watched Episode 1, and so on.

But overall, I can say for sure it got the best plot I've ever seen in any kind of media, be it anime, book or movie. It's definately worth a watch, even if suspense/horror isn't your kind of thing.

Here We Go!

~Anime~!

1.FullMetal Alchemist-Hello! The action of this anime never gets you bored! Im also Edward on my DS game(FullMetal Alchemist Dual Sympathy).

2.Death-Funny! It funny when the investigator shreds the Death Note and pours it on people an the news reporters like "See That"! I like the characters too.

3.Fruits Basket-Its an original! This is a really cute and hilarious anime! Tohru and Kyo were meant to be!

4.Solty Rei-Roy Revent is so awesome! He's probally the best bounty hunter in anime history! Lots of action. Watch Solty punch the big robot!

5.Moon Phase-This is a really good vampire series. Although the vampire is a little girl who is kinda a brat. Lol!

6.InuYasha-Hey! This anime is something everyone will laugh at! Sit Boy! Haha!

7.Naruto-Awesome! Lots of action! I'd have to say this is even better than One Piece! Naruto vs Sasuke- FIGHT!!!! Everyone should love this awesome butt kickin anime.

8.The Melchony Of Haruhi Suzumiya-I exactly dont know why I like this anime. Maybe it's cause it HILARIOUS!

9.Burst Angel-The girls in this anime will knock your heads off! Plenty of action. This anime will have you not wanting it to ever end.

10.My Santa-Lots of comedy! This funny anime will have you laughing so hard that you cant breathe anymore. If you like Negima or Love Hina, this is gonna be your favorite anime.

~Manga~!

1.Vampire Knight-This manga, is just WOW! I like that Yuki is trying to save Zero from becoming a level E vampire. Lots of fun just reading it.

2.FullMoon O Sagashite-This manga is really sweet. Whats really awesome is that she wants to become a singer and she'd do anything to become one too.

3.Naruto-Just as awesome as the show. The manga also shows some things that have not been on the anime. FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT!

4.Fruits Basket-Like I said, really cute and hilarious! Probally one of the best in shoujo. Volume 19 already too! Wow!!!!!!!!!

5.The Gentlemen's Alliance Cross-This manga...well....just read it dang it! You'll probally cry when you find out a family sells their own be loved daughter. *sniffles*

6.Honey And Clover-The reason I like this manga is 1.I love art, 2.FUNNY! 3.It's part of Shojo Beat. If you have siblings who love art and is always motavated, there Hagu!

7.Millineum Snow-This vampire genre manga is just way to awesome. It's also calming.

8.The Melchony Of Haruhi Suzumiya-Its just like the anime. Something that is a pot of gold.

9.EyeShield 21-I dont really care for the anime. The manga is way more funny than the series. It also has a good plot too.

10.Negima-A boy in an all girl's school???? You'll have to find out if you read this. Can he survive in this all girls school? Vampires, Witches, and sorcery. Its all before gym class! Lots of laughs!

Well...Those are my favs!

Cute-Cleffa[/font][/size]