My Top 10 May 01 '01    Write an essay on this topic. Tweet Popular Products in Movies 1776 From $8 Alias - The Complete Fifth Season From $20 The Bottom Line If you are interested in starting a collection, or just taking a peek into the genre, then I highly recommend any of these. I remember a long time ago when anime was scarce in the US. Only the most popular titles were ever released here. These days however there's more anime out there then I will ever be able to watch, and that's not all a bad thing. There are a lot of junky titles being released now, and I've seen my share. However, here's a list in no particular order, of the best animes that I have scene, whether it's plot wise, graphically, story, characters, are just by enjoyment level. I would like to say right now, that most of these are either two graphic, violent, explicit, or mature (complicated) for children. Anime may be cartoons, but they are attended for adults as well. -Neon Genesis Evangelion This is a really cool series. I have the first 7 DVD's and I am eagerly awaiting the rest of them. The story is deep and intricate; the characterization is astounding, and surpassed only by the depth of the plot. The story deals with a mysterious organization called NERV, the weapons they create and an attempt to control called EVA's, and the children who have to pilot them. It borrows heavily from religion and is very intricate. This is not your standard action focused mech series; there is real substance here. Combine that with top-notch imagery and artistry, as well as good voice acting and you have a winner. The music used in the series was also very well picked, giving almost A Clockwork Orange feel to it at time with brutal scenes and imagery combined with light soulful hymns and tunes. Holistically this is an impeccable series. For more info see 32Footstep's review: http://www.epinions.com/mvie-review-1757-160499D2-38433985-bd1 -Cowboy Bebop This series looked corny when I first heard of it and saw the first DVD (6 DVD series). However, my friend told me that it's considered one of the best so I picked it up. CB is about a pair of bounty hunters that turn into a group and their adventure in the high skies. Each character also has a past that works its way through the series, and it's a past that none of them can quite escape. This is another series with distinguished characterization. The plot suffers through repetition at times, but for the most part I thoroughly enjoyed the entire series. The ending was astounding. The music used throughout the piece is also beautiful and highly poignant. For more info see Jaderabbit's review of episode 10: http://www.epinions.com/mvie-review-4B4E-CD92C33-39FA0D39-prod2 -Bastard!! The plot isn't superb, and the characters don't have that much depth, but this is nonetheless one of the most enjoyable series that has been released. It follows the deeds of Dark Schneider, an arrogant, cocky, mischievous, and seemingly all-powerful dark wizard. The main focus of this series is on the action and the dialogue. The artwork is not the greatest either, but lends to the comical atmosphere of the series. It is not a pure comedy series, it has several serious moments, but I would have to say this is more of an enjoyable adventure series than an artistic series. -Ghost in the Shell This anime boasts some of the finest detail and artistry out there. It's blend of hand drawn graphics and cgi is remarkable. I still remember one of the opening scenes when the coating on the skin peels of the cybernetic body. It was amazing the level of detail involved. The plot was also deep, too deep at some points. The plot jumped around a lot and left out important bits of information. I am not sure if I figured out what every scene was about by seeing the movie so many times, or if it wasn't until after I read the manga. The story deals with a human cyborg, a mysterious hacker, a conspiracy, and a question of reality and about what definition really comprises life. There is a lot of philosophy in the movie, and it is not really action oriented, though it has some great action scenes. This is a great flick that really makes you have to think to follow it. For more info see Mordred's excellent review: http://www.epinions.com/mvie-review-54C2-36C0644-390D9200-prod2 -Akira Akira has a love hate relationship. I think it's Michael Jordan syndrome. Notorious as the defining Anime, a lot of fans feel that it is over hyped. In the argument, I think they get so carried away trying to take it down a notch as not the greatest anime of all time, and then they forget that whether it is or isn't; it is at least a great anime. Akira is known for its great animation and its confusing, complicated plot. It deals primarily with experimentation and evolution, as man struggles to grow and expand out of mankind's current boundaries. Seemingly action oriented, it never the less leaves it's own philosophical message in the end, asking you to think and reflect on the movie's contents. This is the other side of the proverbial quarter from Ghost in the Shell, which was more philosophical and artistic than action oriented. However, they both strive to balance both philosophy and entertainment and I think they both do a great job. For more info see Furie's review: http://www.epinions.com/mvie-review-7FF3-17A8B1CC-39A40274-prod1#ow -Ninja Scroll This is my definition of an action/adventure anime. With strong characters, a decent plot, and plenty of creative action sequences and for the mast part excellent animation, this is bar I judge the others by. The story follows Jubei, a master swordsman, as he gets involved in a plot to overthrow the government by one of the government’s spies. There is no superior philosophical message, like Aliens, it's just a great ride. For more info see my review: http://www.epinions.com/mvie-review-4C13-1928E69C-384B69D4-prod1 -Vampire Hunter D I think the reason why I liked this so much was just because of that great Castlevania: Symphony of the Night feel to it. From the hero, his personality, his behavior, it was like watching the anime version of the game. On it's own merit, it boasts decent animation, with some creative artistic visuals. However, it doesn't stand out as the most stunning visuals, they are good enough. In a genre that is filled with movies about demons and vampires and other mystical/magical/superhuman entities, I always felt Vampire Hunter D stood out from the rest of the common junk. For more info see Strahd's review: http://www.epinions.com/mvie-review-799-5740577-3A290A12-prod1#ow For more info on Castlevania: Symphony of the Night see my review: http://www.epinions.com/cmd-review-610A-191D2440-384B4BBA-prod1 -La Blue Girl One may argue that hentai is a separate category from standard anime; however I feel La Blue Girl is deserving of this list nonetheless. LBG is one of the most graphic, twisted, and sexual animes that I have seen. Regardless, it manages to have humorous overtones and I have to admit I enjoyed it in an awkward kind of way. Shocking, disturbing, and exceptionally creative are the words that best come to mind when I think of it. This is DEFINITELY not for children. For more info see my review: http://www.epinions.com/mvie-review-32B0-181C3FAE-3848BA17-prod1 -Outlanders This is a bizarre and simplistic anime that I believe made me laugh harder than any other that I have seen. This movie has no shame, and it's a pretty awful flick. However like all great b movies, it does not pretend to be something that it isn't. My friends and I had a blast the first time we saw it as we completely ripped it apart. The film gives you ample ammunition to hurl at it with its bizarre senseless humor. A great film this is not, but an enjoyable experience it proved to be. I am sure the alcohol helped though. -Perfect Blue PB is an intriguing psychological thriller. It was an intricately woven tale of pressure, character growth and development, and insanity. A remarkable tale, Perfect Blue is one of my all-time favorite psychological thrillers, sharing space with movies like The Silence of the Lambs. It follows a young pop star that is in the process of progressing her career to that of an actress, the changes of her life style, and the questioning of herself and her morals and her scruples. When things start to fall apart, things really become intense as the borders of the real world and her projected self start to fall apart. For more info see my review: http://www.epinions.com/content_19969838724 Well, that's about it. These are all exceptional flicks that holistically will show you just about everything that anime has to offer. If you are interested in starting a collection, or just taking a peek into the genre, then I highly recommend any of these.

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