not as well known anime/manga recommendations
This is a super weeby post, but for some reason I’ve been going back to anime like a heroin addict needing another fix after withdrawal. It’s quite sad, but hey, let’s make a post about it. Keep it mind this is biased off of what I like as well as what isn’t as well known, but have fun searching through this and seeing if any may interest you. ^^
Toshokan Sensou/Library Wars - Toshokan Sensou, produced by Production I.G. and aired in 2008, is based off of a series of four light novels by Hiro Arikawa. A girl named Iku joins a task force called the Library Defense Force, and her experience, struggles, etc. are chronicled throughout the 12 episodes (and the animated movie, ‘Library wars: The Wings of Revolution’...and the two live action movies, one released in 2013, and the other released on October 10, 2015). The Library Defense Force exists to protect books from the censorship that has buckled down hard on Japan by an act that was passed in 1989. Very lighthearted for the most part, a bit of romance, a bit of action, and at the very least something quirky and fun to watch. c:
Rideback - This anime is also 12 episodes, same as Library Wars. I initially watched a few episodes about three years ago, so I don’t remember much from it, but the premise really intrigued me. A ballet dancer breaks or sprains her ankle and, in the wake of the devastating injury, decides to become a motorcyclist. Except, the futuristic motorcycles that are used are called ‘Ridebacks’ and can transform a bit. Like, transformer motorcycles, except I don’t think they talk like transformers do. Something about the anime is very charming and unique to me.
Barakamon - I watched 3 episodes of this anime and fell in love with it (and it’s also 12 episodes - there’s a trend here). It’s very hilarious, lighthearted, and cute. It’s about a master calligrapher who moves from Tokyo to a small seaside village after his calligraphy work was harshly criticized at a gallery. When he arrives at the village, a charming cast of characters appear. It’s just cute and I don’t want to spoil much. c: Actually...is this well known? It’s very highly rated, so it might be. Sorry if it is. cx
Chouyaku Hyakuninisshu: Uta Koi - If you want an anime with gorgeous, very distinctive animation and a tad bit of kinky shit happening in the first episode, adorned with feudal-era Japanese poetry, then this is the anime for you. Each episode is a different story about certain characters, although the stories do overlap a bit. It has 13 episodes.
Haibane Renmei - This anime is about angels, but it’s very uniquely expressed. Angels are instead called ‘Haibane’, and they’re a group of children/teens who are brandished with small, gray wings and halos. It’s really quite fascinating. It, as expected, has 13 episodes. :)
Ao no 6-gou/Blue Submarine No. 6 - This anime has only 4 episodes and was aired from 1998 to 2000. The show is based in a dystopian world where the water level has risen past skyscrapers and only a few are left standing above the waterline. In this dismal world, there is a water fleet called the ‘Blue Fleet’ that was formed to bring an end (or attempt to, lol) to creatures that thrive underwater and seek out to destroy and kill humans. It’s a really odd anime.
Planetes - This anime is very well regarded, and I can see why. Aired from 2003 to 2004, it’s about space travel from planet to planet and specifically, the consequential debris that has leaked into outer space and is a safety hazard if it were to bump into a spacecraft. Ai Tanabe, the protagonist, joins Technora Corporation, the organization that collects debris. It’s very fascinating and I like that it delves into a possible problem that could arise as space travel becomes more prevalent in the future. It has 26 episodes.
Toaru Hikuushi e no Koiuta - I don’t recommend this one quite as highly as the other anime in this list, but I suppose it’s still worth a shot. So, like, there’s this island in the sky called Isla. And this guy named Kal-el is sent there to learn how to fly an aircraft. Then there’s a war. It’s a somewhat intriguing premise that I haven’t really seen before. There are 13 episodes.
Fractale - This anime was produced by Funimation in America, but it sort of went under the radar. It’s not the best anime I’ve come across, but there's something so unique and mysterious about it. It’s very unorthodox from more typical anime plots. I’m really not great at explaining it since it’s a bit hard to explain, so here’s a link to its page on MyAnimeList.net. :)
Well, anyway, there’s a list of not as well known anime for you to look at and explore, some of which are there if you want to watch something a bit odd or different. Enjoy! :)
