anime, onegai!

a recommended anime list, sorted by intuitive tags and themes.

[animeonegai]

Usagi Drop

❣ type: tv series ❣ eps: 11 ❣ season: summer 2011 ❣ studio: production i.g. ❣ synopsis: Daikichi Kawachi is a 30-year-old bachelor working a respectable job but otherwise wandering aimlessly through life. When his grandfather suddenly passes away, he returns to the family home to pay his respects. Upon arriving at the house, he meets a mysterious young girl named Rin who, to Daikichi’s astonishment, is his grandfather's illegitimate daughter! The shy and unapproachable girl is deemed an embarrassment to the family, and finds herself ostracized by her father's relatives, all of them refusing to take care of her in the wake of his death. Daikichi, angered by their coldness towards Rin, announces that he will take her in—despite the fact that he is a young, single man with no prior childcare experience. Usagi Drop is the story of Daikichi's journey through fatherhood as he raises Rin with his gentle and affectionate nature, as well as an exploration of the warmth and interdependence that are at the heart of a happy, close-knit family. ❣ comments: I watched this anime after my grandfather passed away. It was exactly the kind of anime I needed to watch. It’s sweet and heartwarming. It was a cathartic experience for me and gave me a soft, fuzzy feeling inside. ❣ quote: “You can’t lose focus! As the adult, you have to stay calm and tell her it’s going to be alright.” - Yukari Nitani

[animeonegai]

Charlotte

❣ type: tv series ❣ eps: 13 ❣ season: summer 2015 ❣ studio: p.a. works ❣ synopsis: While on the surface Yuu Otosaka appears to be just another charming and intelligent teenager, he has a secret—he has the ability to slip into people's minds and fully control their body for five seconds at a time. Yuu has been using this skill for years to gain the highest grades, which allowed him to enter a prestigious high school. When the enigmatic Nao Tomori catches Yuu using his power, she coerces him and his sister Ayumi into transferring to Hoshinoumi Academy, a school for students with supernatural abilities. The student council of the school, led by Nao, is tasked with secretly tracking down adolescents who abuse their powers. Yuu is forced to join the student council and together, they face formidable challenges that bring him closer to the shocking truth that his own, seemingly incomplete ability, might be more powerful than he could have ever imagined. An original story from Jun Maeda, creator of Angel Beats and Clannad, Charlotte explores the supernatural lives of these teenagers and the price they must pay for being special. ❣ comments: Damnit, I liked this anime. And I felt guilty to admit it, because so many people are quick to judge P. A. Works secondary to their meteoric previous titles. I think its strength doesn’t lie in its pacing, but rather the moral values it brings across and the way the characters have to grapple with these values. Something I’ll also never forget is the way that the show gets so real at one point. No spoilers but...I will say that this anime deals with a character’s darkest moment in a way that no other anime typically will. And I applaud it for doing this 👏. ❣ quote: “I’ve said this before in a different world, I threw myself into despair and kept falling into an abyss. You were there next to me, watching over me the whole time. But that still saved me.” – Yuu Otosaka

[animeonegai]

Kuroko no Basket

❣ type: tv series ❣ eps: 25 ❣ season: spring 2012 ❣ studio: production i.g. ❣ synopsis: Teikou Junior High School's basketball team is crowned champion three years in a row thanks to five outstanding players who, with their breathtaking and unique skills, leave opponents in despair and fans in admiration. However, after graduating, these teammates, known as "The Generation of Miracles," go their separate ways and now consider each other as rivals. At Seirin High School, two newly recruited freshmen prove that they are not ordinary basketball players: Taiga Kagami, a promising player returning from the US, and Tetsuya Kuroko, a seemingly ordinary student whose lack of presence allows him to move around unnoticed. Although Kuroko is neither athletic nor able to score any points, he was a member of Teikou's basketball team, where he played as the "Phantom Sixth Man," who easily passed the ball and assisted his teammates. Kuroko no Basket follows the journey of Seirin's players as they attempt to become the best Japanese high school team by winning the Interhigh Championship. To reach their goal, they have to cross pathways with several powerful teams, some of which have one of the five players with godlike abilities, whom Kuroko and Taiga make a pact to defeat. ❣ comments: This was my gateway sports anime. I never thought I would enjoy sports anime until I tried this show, and now it is one of my favourite genres. Why? Because it redefines what rivalry is. ❣ quote: “The only times we're fated to lose are in fictional stories. This is our drama! We decide what the plot will be!” - Taiga Kagami

[animeonegai]

Tsuki ga Kirei

❣ type: tv series ❣ eps: 12 ❣ season: spring 2017 ❣ studio: feel. ❣ synopsis: With a new school year comes a new crowd of classmates, and for their final year of junior high, aspiring writer Kotarou Azumi and track team member Akane Mizuno end up in the same class. Though initially complete strangers, a few chance encounters stir an innocent desire within their hearts. A yearning gaze, a fluttering heart—the hallmarks of young love slip into their lives as fate brings their paths to a cross. However, though love is patient and love is kind, Kotarou and Akane discover it is not always straightforward. Despite the comfort they find in each other's company, heartache and anxiety come hand in hand with pursuing the feelings in their hearts. With the uncertainty of how the other truly feels as well as the competing affections of those around them, the road ahead is unclear. Even so, under the shining light of a beautiful full moon, Kotarou gathers his courage to ask Akane a single question, one that forever changes their quiet relationship. ❣ comments: You would expect this anime to be a mundane, generic romance anime. It’s so much more than that. It’s beautiful, it’s real, and super calming to watch. And it’s actually a romance anime with actual 👏 romantic 👏 progression 👏 by the end. ❣ quote: “Dazai once said, ‘There is such a thing as love in this world. I’m sure of it.’” - Kotarou Azumi 

[animeonegai]

Akira

❣ type: movie ❣ eps: 1 ❣ season: summer 1988 ❣ studio: tokyo movie shinsha ❣ synopsis: Japan, 1988. An explosion caused by a young boy with psychic powers tears through the city of Tokyo and ignites the fuse that leads to World War III. In order to prevent any further destruction, he is captured and taken into custody, never to be heard from again. Now, in the year 2019, a restored version of the city known as Neo-Tokyo—an area rife with gang violence and terrorism against the current government—stands in its place. Here, Shoutarou Kaneda leads "the Capsules," a group of misfits known for riding large, custom motorcycles and being in constant conflict with their rivals "the Clowns." During one of these battles, Shoutarou's best friend Tetsuo Shima is caught up in an accident with an esper who finds himself in the streets of Tokyo after escaping confinement from a government institution. Through this encounter, Tetsuo begins to develop his own mysterious abilities, as the government seeks to quarantine this latest psychic in a desperate attempt to prevent him from unleashing the destructive power that could once again bring the city to its knees. ❣ comments: Akira is a piece of art. And guess what? After the premise, it’s set in 2019! It’s a classic that every anime fan should watch. The animation is astounding, making this movie age incredibly well. ❣ quote: “The future is not a straight line. There are many different pathways. We must try to decide that future for ourselves.” – Kiyoko

[animeonegai]

Akatsuki no Yona

❣ type: tv series ❣ eps: 24 ❣ season: fall 2014 ❣ studio: studio pierrot ❣ synopsis: Princess Yona lives a life of luxury and ease, completely sheltered from the problems of the seemingly peaceful Kingdom of Kouka; however, the sudden murder of the king and betrayal of her beloved cousin Su-won places Yona's life in mortal peril. Forced to escape only with Son Hak, who is both her childhood friend and bodyguard, the naïve princess soon discovers that Kouka is not the idyllic place she envisioned it to be. Poverty, strife, and corruption run rampant, making reclaiming the throne nothing more than a wishful fantasy given the kingdom's current state. Based on the popular manga of the same name by Mizuho Kusanagi, Akatsuki no Yona follows Princess Yona on a coming-of-age adventure as she faces the harsh realities of her kingdom. With only a mysterious legend to guide her, Yona must discover a way to restore Kouka to its former glory while being pursued relentlessly by the forces of the new King of Kouka. ❣ comments: Ask yourself; are heroines born or are they forged in fire? Yona fights to become stronger and worthy of her heroine title and that’s why I love her. A fierce princess that is worthy of being a little girl’s idol. The character development is excellent in this anime and it does not degenerate into a typical reverse harem cliche.  ❣ quote: “No matter how foolish or incomprehensible, some love cannot be discarded. You may try to stop your heart, unable to forgive yourself, but there will be times when you lose hope and your heart is moved again.” – Ik-su

[animeonegai]

Shirobako

❣ type: tv series ❣ eps: 24 ❣ season: fall 2014 ❣ studio: p.a. works ❣ synopsis: It all started in Kaminoyama High School, when five best friends—Aoi Miyamori, Ema Yasuhara, Midori Imai, Shizuka Sakaki, and Misa Toudou—discovered their collective love for all things anime and formed the animation club. After making their first amateur anime together and showcasing it at the culture festival, the group vow to pursue careers in the industry, aiming to one day work together and create their own mainstream show. Two and a half years later, Aoi and Ema have managed to land jobs at the illustrious Musashino Animation production company. The others, however, are finding it difficult to get their dream jobs. Shizuka is feeling the weight of not being recognized as a capable voice actor, Misa has a secure yet unsatisfying career designing 3D models for a car company, and Midori is a university student intent on pursuing her dream as a story writer. These five girls will learn that the path to success is one with many diversions, but dreams can still be achieved through perseverance and a touch of eccentric creativity. ❣ comments: Ah, so much meta. Such a great little anime. Perfect for those who want to watch a show about the anime industry itself. It has surprising depth and is relatable for anyone trying to navigate their own work environment. ❣ quote: “I realized that anime is made by hundreds of thousands of people, decades’ worth of time, and the thoughts and feelings of all the people who watch it.” - Aoi Miyamori

[animeonegai]

Amagi Brilliant Park

❣ type: tv series ❣ eps: 13 ❣ season: fall 2014 ❣ studio: kyoto animation ❣ synopsis: Kanie Seiya, a smart and extremely narcissistic high school student, believes that the beautiful but reserved Sento Isuzu has invited him on a date at an amusement park called Amagi Brilliant Park. Much to his chagrin, not only is the location a run-down facility, the supposed date is merely a recruitment tour where Sento and Princess Latifa Fleuranza, the owner of the theme park, ask him to become the park's new manager. Their cause for desperation? As stipulated in a land-use contract, Amagi has less than three months to meet a quota of 500,000 guests, or the park will be closed for good and the land redeveloped by a greedy real-estate company. Seiya is won over by the revelation that Amagi is no ordinary amusement park; many of its employees are Maple Landers—mysterious magical beings who live in the human world and are nourished by the energy created by people having fun. Entrusted with the hopes and dreams of this far-off enchanted land, Seiya must now use his many skills to bring Amagi back on its feet, or watch it crumble before his eyes. ❣ comments: This show is pure fun and I truly looked forward to every episode. It doesn’t have a cult following or rave reviews but it’s hilarious, silly and doesn’t take itself too seriously. For anyone having a bad week, this is bound to cheer you up. ❣ quote: “If you wanna make people dream, you've gotta start by believing in that dream yourself.” - Kanie Seiya

[animeonegai]

Monster

❣ type: tv series ❣ eps: 74 ❣ season: spring 2004 ❣ studio: madhouse ❣ synopsis: Dr. Kenzo Tenma, an elite neurosurgeon recently engaged to his hospital director's daughter, is well on his way to ascending the hospital hierarchy. That is until one night, a seemingly small event changes Dr. Tenma's life forever. While preparing to perform surgery on someone, he gets a call from the hospital director telling him to switch patients and instead perform life-saving brain surgery on a famous performer. His fellow doctors, fiancee, and the hospital director applaud his accomplishment; but because of the switch, a poor immigrant worker is dead, causing Dr. Tenma to have a crisis of conscience. So when a similar situation arises, Dr. Tenma stands his ground and chooses to perform surgery on the young boy Johan Liebert instead of the town's mayor. Unfortunately, this choice leads to serious ramifications for Dr. Tenma—losing his social standing being one of them. However, with the mysterious death of the director and two other doctors, Dr. Tenma's position is restored. With no evidence to convict him, he is released and goes on to attain the position of hospital director. Nine years later when Dr. Tenma saves the life of a criminal, his past comes back to haunt him—once again, he comes face to face with the monster he operated on. He must now embark on a quest of pursuit to make amends for the havoc spread by the one he saved. ❣ comments: I watched this anime way back when I was first getting into anime. It appealed to me because the protagonist was a doctor like myself. This anime, however, is definitely not an anime version of Grey’s Anatomy.  ❣ quote: “"What is education? Isn't education meant to create a person that conforms to society? What kind of education must be administrated to create a human being that meets the society's demands? Education is an experiment."- Mikhail Petrov 

[animeonegai]

Kuragehime

❣ type: tv series ❣ eps: 11 ❣ season: fall 2010 ❣ studio: brain’s base ❣ synopsis: Ever since her late mother took her to an aquarium when she was young, Tsukimi Kurashita has been obsessed with jellyfish, comparing their flowing tentacles to a princess's white dress. Now living with five other unemployed otaku women, 19-year-old Tsukimi spends her days as a social outcast dreaming of becoming an illustrator. However, her life changes forever when one day, a beautiful woman unexpectedly helps her save a jellyfish in a local pet store. From then on, the stranger—confident, fashionable, and the complete opposite of Tsukimi and her roommates—begins to regularly visit the girls' building. This trendy hipster, though appearing shallow at first, harbors some secrets of her own, starting with the fact that "she" isn't really a girl at all, but a wealthy male college student named Kuranosuke Koibuchi! ❣ comments: I’m genuinely not the biggest slice-of-life fan, but this is an underrated gem. This is a fairy-tale in the truest sense; just throw in jellyfish, a crossdressing prince, a band of anti-male hobbyist women and an otaku-princess. Watch this if you are a serious anime fan. ❣ quote: “Every girl is born a princess, some of them just forget is all.” - Kuranosuke Koibuchi

[animeonegai]

Zankyou no Terror

❣ type: tv series ❣ eps: 11 ❣ season: summer 2014 ❣ studio: MAPPA ❣ synopsis: Painted in red, the word "VON" is all that is left behind after a terrorist attack on a nuclear facility in Japan. The government is shattered by their inability to act, and the police are left frantically searching for ways to crack down the perpetrators. The public are clueless—until, six months later, a strange video makes its way onto the internet. In it, two teenage boys who identify themselves only as "Sphinx" directly challenge the police, threatening to cause destruction and mayhem across Tokyo. Unable to stop the mass panic quickly spreading through the city and desperate for any leads in their investigation, the police struggle to act effectively against these terrorists, with Detective Kenjirou Shibazaki caught in the middle of it all. Zankyou no Terror tells the story of Nine and Twelve, the two boys behind the masked figures of Sphinx. They should not exist, yet they stand strong in a world of deception and secrets while they make the city fall around them, all in the hopes of burying their own tragic truth. ❣ comments: I may be slightly biased towards this film because the animation and OST are phenomenal. This series asks a lot of important questions, and speaks to rising Japanese nationalism and other political themes. The story is not 100% perfect and lost a bit of momentum, but I still enjoyed this show. ❣ quote: “Are you going to destroy the whole world?” - Lisa Mishima

[animeonegai]

Hunter x Hunter 2011

❣ type: tv series ❣ eps: 148 ❣ season: fall 2011 ❣ studio: madhouse ❣ synopsis: Hunter x Hunter 2011 is set in a world where Hunters exist to perform all manner of dangerous tasks like capturing criminals and bravely searching for lost treasures in uncharted territories. Twelve-year-old Gon Freecss is determined to become the best Hunter possible in hopes of finding his father, who was a Hunter himself and had long ago abandoned his young son. However, Gon soon realizes the path to achieving his goals is far more challenging than he could have ever imagined. Along the way to becoming an official Hunter, Gon befriends the lively doctor-in-training Leorio, vengeful Kurapika, and rebellious ex-assassin Killua. To attain their own goals and desires, together the four of them take the Hunter Exam, notorious for its low success rate and high probability of death. Throughout their journey, Gon and his friends embark on an adventure that puts them through many hardships and struggles. They will meet a plethora of monsters, creatures, and characters—all while learning what being a Hunter truly means. ❣ comments: This is not Fairy Tale and this is not Naruto. This is far, far better. This is a masterpiece and my all time favourite anime. I laughed, I cried, I went on an amazing 148 episode journey. You become invested in every character you meet. Of all the anime on my blog, this is the one you must watch.  ❣ quote: “You should enjoy the little detours to the fullest. Because that's where you'll find the things more important than what you want.” - Gin Freecss