Alright, so I have had some requests from friends who are going to be bored over this Christmas break and needed some good anime to entertain them. Everyone has told me that it has been really hard to find good anime recently but I beg to differ. I am usually very good at finding the best anime/manga as I’m sure some of you know. Here are some reviews I have taken the time out of my day to make for anyone who is interested. I’m sorry if my tastes are completely different than yours, but this is the sort of stuff I like.

I have provided a summary, the genres/themes, number of episodes, and my own personal notes about why I like it or anything else I felt should be mentioned. There are clickable screenshots at the end of each review that link to the larger image. I wish I could talk more about each of these, there are so many things I would like to tell you, but I had to keep it short. This took a lot of time and effort on my part so I hope you use it to your advantage.

Oh, if you have your own anime recommendations that you want to share with everyone else I would love it if you could add them into the comments section!
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Gundam 00

Genre: mecha (duh), action, drama, science fiction, military/war
Episodes: 50
Summary: It is the year A.D. 2307. Fossil fuels on Earth have been depleted entirely, with mankind turning to the next available power source: solar energy. During this time, 3 orbital elevators with solar power generation systems are built, each under control by the Union of Solar Energy and Free Nations (formerly United States of America), the Human Reform League (Russia, China and India) and the Advanced European Union. However, not all countries are able to enjoy the benefits of this system, leading to widespread resentment and war. Arising out of the conflict, a mysterious military organization known as Celestial Being appears, dedicated to end all warfare using Mobile Suits called Gundam. This begins the stories of Gundam Meisters Setsuna F. Seiei, Lockon Stratos, Allelujah Haptism and Tiera Erde as they are thrown into conflict between the 3 superpowers and the various other factions.

My Notes: Well, first of all, it has the same director as Fullmetal Alchemist if that tells you anything. The plot is superb, the characters are awesome, and the art is very nice quality. I don’t even like Gundam series and I LOVE this anime. It is without a doubt in my all time top 3.


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Casshern Sins

Genre: action, drama, science fiction, end-of-the-world
Episodes: 14 (26?)
Summary: In a world where the powerful robot leader known as Braiking Boss rule over humanity with an iron fist, a mysterious girl named Luna is summoned by the people for salvation. To retaliate against this potential threat, Braiking sends 3 of his most powerful cyborgs, Casshern, Dio and Reda to dispose of her. Casshern manages to kill Luna, plunging the world into a slow descent of annhilation. Hundreds of years later, humanity is almost extinct. Robots constantly replace their body parts, fearing the corrosion of rust: their only form of death. In this wretched time and place, Casshern returns after a lengthy disappearance since his murder of Luna. Having lost his memory, Casshern now defends the humans from the robots, and find out his true identity and purpose.

My Notes: This is a remake of an old 1970’s anime (NO, it’s not Megaman) and the art style just takes my breath away. It has this old feel to it while at the same time is still new and good quality… with this odd glow to it. I am such a whore for dramatic, beautifully choreographed fight scenes and fluid animation. *drool* God, Casshern is a sexy beast when he fights.


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Code Geass

Genre: action, drama, supernatural, mecha, military/war
Episodes: 50 (2nd season called “R2” )
Summary: The world is now being taken over by the Empire of Britannia, and the area once known as Japan has been renamed Area 11. Lelouch, a Britannian who is living in Japan ends up stumbling upon some terrorists trying to take back their country and uncovers a military secret which they have stolen from Britannia. As a result, he ends up with a new mysterious power, called Geass, which makes anyone obey any order. He decides to use this power to his advantage and eventually leads a rebellion trying to destroy Britannia for the people… and his own personal vendetta.

My Notes: This one reminds me of Death Note… on crack (also character designs by CLAMP but, given time, I found it was easy to get used to). The plot is extremely complex, and absolutely ridiculous sometimes I will admit, but if you love twists and turns and backstabbing and controversial stuff then this is for you. I love it for its entertainment value and it has never failed me. You will get hooked. It always leaves me guessing about what new big development will happen in the next episode.


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Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann

Genre: action, adventure, comedy, drama, science fiction, mecha,
Episodes: 27
Summary: Simon and the spirited Kamina live in an underground village and are forbidden by the village leader to go up to surface. When drilling one day Simon finds something interesting just as a violent intrusion breaks the village’s peace by crashing through the ceiling… leading them to the outside world where they eventually find out just why they have been forced to live underground.

My Notes: OMG this is the ridiculous of the ridiculous. Lots of humor, a lack of respect for physics, and plenty of innuendos. Even though it’s hard to tell, yes, there is a plot in there somewhere… it just takes a little while for it to become clear and its only halfway through the series that you start understanding what and why things are the way they are.


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Kuroshitsuji

Genre: mystery, supernatural, comedy
Episodes: 26
Summary: One of the noble families of England - Phantomhive, has a butler, Sebastian Michaels. He has unquestionably perfect knowledge, manners, talent with materials, martial arts and much more. But for some reason, he serves a 12 year old master.

My Notes: A moody shota with an eye patch, a sexy demon butler, psychotic shinigami with a chainsaw for a scythe, and lots of random antics and mysteries to solve… what more could anyone ask for?


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Tales of the Abyss

Genre: fantasy, adventure, drama
Episodes: 26
Summary: Luke fon Fabre, the spoiled son of a noble from the kingdom of Kimlasca-Lavaldear, has been confined inside his father's mansion ever since he was kidnapped seven years ago by a rival country, the Malkuth Empire. Now Luke's memory of the life he led before is missing, and a strange voice, which only he can hear, has been calling out to him ever since. One day while training with his mentor, Van Grants, a strange woman called Tear breaks into the mansion with the sole intent of taking Van's life. During the struggle Luke is transported far from home, along with Tear, and now that Luke has finally gained the freedom he's been dreaming of, what awaits him in the outside world will shatter everything he's ever known about himself.

My Notes: Yes, this is the anime version of the RPG of the same name. It is from the “Tales of…” video game series, but you don’t have to have played or watched any of the others to get this one. The plots are all completely separate. Unlike most video games turned anime/movie, this one seems to follow the actual game almost exactly I hear (finally I get to see it even though I don’t have a game system!) and it is very well done (good quality art, good plot, good script, good characters).


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Gankutsuou: The Count of Monte Cristo

Genre: adventure, drama, mystery, romance, science fiction, thriller, revenge
Episodes: 24
Summary: Trying to escape his uneventful life, Albert, the son of a renowned general from Paris, makes a journey with his friend Franz. During his travels, he meets an immensely wealthy nobleman named The Count of Monte Cristo. Living in luxurious hotels, surrounded by beautiful women and strong bodyguards, the charming but enigmatic count fascinates Albert. Albert invites the count to join the high society of Paris. However, unknown to Albert, his father had once framed the count and took the Count's fiancée as his own.

My Notes: If you have read the book, this makes for an interesting twist to the story. It’s the same plot and characters… but set in the future/space. This particular animation style is very interesting and different. Some people it may bother, but I got used to it fairly quickly.


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Mononoke (NOT Princess Mononoke)

Genre: mystery, supernatural
Episodes: 12
Summary: A man only known as the medicine seller can be found wherever evil spirits gather and there are mysteries to be solved.

My Notes: Anyone who likes creepy mystery stories will love this one. Another odd sort of animation style, reminiscent of the Gankustuou one, but it really just seems to fit the odd atmosphere and mood of the series. I really wish this series was longer.


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Moyashimon: Tales of Agriculture

Genre: comedy, slice of life, supernatural, college (microbiology)
Episodes: 11
Summary: College student Tadayasu Sawaki has a unique ability. He can see and communicate with bacteria and other microorganisms. Hijinks ensue.

My Notes: This one is just so random and off the wall. There is not really much of a plot from what I could tell. The microbes he can see are sort of cute though and they definitely make a unique theme for an anime. Basically a lot of weird antics as new freshman at an agriculture college… sound like NC State anyone? lol


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Kaiji

Genre: action, psychological
Episodes: 26
Summary: Itou Kaiji is a bum who steals car emblems and slashes tires on what seems to be a regular basis. This routine changes one day when he is paid a visit by a man in a trench-coat. Once the two get talking, it seems that the visitor is a debt collector. The reason for his visit is an unpaid loan which Kaiji had previously co-signed for a work-mate. After Takeshi disappeared, the loan then fell on Kaiji. He is then told of a way to clear the interest compounded debt, which involved getting on a boat with others in his position. Once on the boat the debtors would then have to gamble with loaned money, which would end with a few winning, and others getting into deeper debt and having to work to pay of their debts. After some coercing Kaiji accepts a position on the boat, in order to clear himself and make a bit of money as well...

My Notes: Yes, this animation style is odd to say the least. I would barely even call it anime if I didn’t know it came from Japan. BUT, it’s the story and characters that count in this case. This series totally will keep you on the edge of your seat. It is all about the mind games and backstabbing. And, unlike most, instead of everything working out in the end and everyone ending up relatively happy… bad things do happen and people do die needlessly. Please don’t judge a book by its cover like I almost did.


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Other anime I am watching that other people seem to think is good, but I havn’t gotten far enough into it to make my own recommendation:
Nabari No Ou
Sayonara Zetsubo Sensei
Monochrome Factor
Soul Eater
Toradora
Natsume Yuujinchou
Toward the Terra