Gushing About Shows You Like (Sugar Wiki)/Anime and Manga: Difference between revisions
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* ''[[Shingeki no Kyojin]]'' is a great, great new series. It's filled to the brim with suspense and emotion, there are honest to god RISKS in this series. Another thing I'm very fond of is that it's the mangaka seems to have thought to himself that "If the character's aren't interesting, why should anyone care?" because he is constantly trying to improve his characters and make them more fascinating. And I'm happy to say that for the most part he's been succeeding so far. It's a LOT darker than your typical Shonen, which may understandably put some people off but I would have to say the dark tone works well with this series. Very good series that is sadly underrated in the States.
* ''[[Rosario + Vampire]]'' is beyond awesome. It is sexy, funny, dramatic, intriguing, beautiful, compelling...absolute perfection. All the characters are lovable and they have incredible development. Akihisa Ikeda, the creator, is a saint in this troper's eyes.
** This troper has a love/hate relationship with ''Rosario+Vampire''. Why? Because it breaks my heart knowing what the girls, Mizore and Kurumu in particular, are going through over their unrequited love. These aren't "just characters in a manga" - they are ''people.'' And goddammit I love them all too much—especially Kurumu—to see them hurt. But I read it anyway because it's too good not to.
* Why hasn't anybody else mentioned ''[[Inuyasha]]''? The unique characters, the captivating art, the lovable characters, the unforgetable fight scenes and the story are all reasons why its no wonder the show remains an [Adult Swim] staple.
* I recently started watching ''[[Yu Yu Hakusho]]'' on Youtube again, and I absolutely love the way it goes from hilarious to awesome to touching and I want to give all (Well, most) of the characters hugs.
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** You know what I love about Tezuka? I love how incredibly ''deranged'' he was. The man essentially created the modern manga and anime industry single-handed, inventing a dozen genres because he felt like it; he is the God of All Manga. And his stories are absolutely ''nuts''. He wrote an epic, serious drama about ''a disease that turns people into dog-like creatures'' that features a subplot with a freakshow where a woman gets ''dipped in batter and then deep-fried'' (and survives). That was ''Ode to Kirihito'', one of his ''less'' bizarre manga. And with it all, he never sacrifices his humanistic vision or his rock-solid plotting or his fluid, intensely ''alive'' art. The man had the most unrestrained imagination I've ever had the good fortune to encounter.
*** LONG LIVE TEZUKA!!!
* Everything everything
** Seconded. ''[[Spirited Away]]'' was my [[Gateway Series]] into the wide, wonderful world of anime, and oh what an introduction it was. When my mom bought it home, I said, "Huh? What's this? It's animated but it's not from Disney?" After watching it, my thoughts were running something like "Oh my god that was absolutely great and wonderful and a ''perfect'' trip of the imagination and I've never heard of this Miyazaki guy but I ''must find the rest of his works pronto.''"
*** The train ride sequence is one of the most beautiful anime sequences ever. There's just a sweet melancholy to it that touched this troper. Beautifully drawn, very moving and Joe Hisaishi's music is [[Crowning Music of Awesome|just. guh. gorgeous]].
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** ''Porco Rosso'' is amazing. The protagonist's war flashback has {{spoiler|the most beautiful portrayal of afterlife}} in any fiction This Troper has ever seen. Also, ''The Castle in the Sky'' is a great adventure film with downright [[Crowning Music of Awesome|gorgeous soundtrack]].
** When this troper feels down or weepy, she just picks up ''[[My Neighbor Totoro]]'' - there's something about its simplicity, its faith in what the eye can't see and the way it's made that always brings her back to the good old days of childhood. Pure magic. She would like to meet a Totoro, just once.
** This troper isn't much of an anime fan but will heartily agree about the awesome of Miyazaki. I hear stuff like, "Well I don't like anime but ''[[Spirited Away]]'' was awesome!"
* [[Hayao Miyazaki|Miyazaki-sensei's]] colleagues are wonderful, too. Honestly, [[Studio Ghibli]] can do no wrong. [[Isao Takahata]], Ghibli's other genius, directed the amazing and [[Tear Jerker|heartwrenching]] ''[[
** Don't forget ''[[Only Yesterday]]''. The ending of that movie caused this troper to burst out in spontaneous tears of joy.
** Their more recent works are amazing as well. ''[[The Borrower Arrietty]]'' is gorgeous to levels of not being humanely possible. Every frame of that film felt like someone put at least 300 hours into making it. [[Scenery Porn]] and [[Awesome Art]] are not sufficient to describe how this movie looks. It's insane how there's realistic water, hair, clothing, and wind physics, in addition to reflection, water surface tension, and lighting. The end result? A product that is absolutely breathtaking to watch. Its slow pacing means that this troper is fully immersed into the world of the film, and that the world of the film feels real, like it could be a part of the real world. It's a portrayal of what our world could be like if it's prettier.
* [[Mahou Sensei Negima]]. I'm still in shock that this manga is that good. [[Ken Akamatsu]] took more than thirty characters, and made every single one of them unique and interesting. Then he created an awesome setting with ridiculously awesome magic. And then he added awesome writing and fantastic humor to the mix, and combined it with absolutely beautiful art. I loved [[Love Hina]], but Negima takes it to another level.▼
** ''[[When Marnie Was There (film)|When Marnie Was There]]'' is also exactly like this. In addition to having all of the amazing visuals of ''[[The Borrower Arrietty]]'', it also has a compelling and emotionally moving story. It's a fitting masterpiece for Ghibli's final work before their restructuring. Some parts does feel manipulative, like Ghibli is just telling you to cry, but other times genuine conflict is created. As is usual for Ghibli, almost every single character is likeable, from the enthusiastic Sayaka to the mysterious Marnie, even Anna gets her fair share after a load of character development. The only unlikeable characters are the maids who bring up Marnie, but those characters have such little time and focus dedicated to them you can just ignore them. One of the admirable qualities about Ghibli's works as a whole is how they manage to create meaningful conflict without making anyone unlikeable in the process, or shifting the blame for everything into them. This leads to authentic and genuine conflicts where you really root for every character to succeed. The film's internal based conflict revolving around character development and Anna having [[No Social Skills]] makes it even more emotionally powerful, as you know that everything that happens is coming from a character's heart. The contrast between the unlikeable and shy Anna at the start and the changed Anna at the end is insane, and props to Ghibli for being able to do this in a hour and half.
** ''[[The Tale of the Princess Kaguya]]'' is perhaps the most powerful animated film out there. It says so much in so little time, conveying messages about [[Arcadia]], having your path carved out in front of you and having no say, of the fake and pretentious nature of loyalty and the arranged marriages vs. the genuine relationships formed during childhood. Perhaps most importantly, it says that life will be filled with suffering and pain, but those moments are worth it for the few times where you can feel genuine joy. This film can make you feel almost every single human emotion possible after pulling you into its world and never letting go: joy, laughter, anger, and, most of all, deep and profound sorrow, all enhanced by a beautiful animation style that adapts to what is on screen. The film is creative in its use of animation, making the environments lush and green when need, or white and cold. The best segments are those that use its animation in ways live action never could, like the excellent running away scene, or the last (absolutely emotionally devastating) scene in the film. It's the kind of film that can change entire lives. The amount of things to learn from this film is insane, and huge props to [[Isao Takahata]] for pulling this off.
▲* ''[[Mahou Sensei Negima]]''. I'm still in shock that this manga is that good. [[Ken Akamatsu]] took more than thirty characters, and made every single one of them unique and interesting. Then he created an awesome setting with ridiculously awesome magic. And then he added awesome writing and fantastic humor to the mix, and combined it with absolutely beautiful art. I loved [[Love Hina]], but Negima takes it to another level.
** Not to mention that it does an excellent job of [[Genre Shift|shifting]] from an [[Unwanted Harem]] in to a Shonen series. And the fights are some of the best ones out there.
** The best part is the variety, unlike other shonen series that have only a few types of fighters, Negima has mages, swordswoman, Ninjas, Ninjas who are also mages. Also the recent chapters have put in excellent world building, and Fate has become an incredibly interesting character. Its easily the best weekly shonen series being made today, excellent art, beautiful writing, and well balanced between comedy, and drama without derailing the characters for the comedy. When comedy occurs the characters act in character, you don't feel that the comedy is being forced.
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* ''[[Ranma ½]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]''. What's not to love? Three's Company plots, called attacks, [[Wig, Dress, Accent]] disguises, people wielding giant spatulas and umbrellas, on and on...
** What I love about ''Ranma 1/2'' is that even the [[Loads and Loads of Characters|loads and loads of supporting characters]] like Ryoga, Shampoo, Mousse, Ukyo, Happosai and Pantyhose Taro are really distinct characters (several of them are quite sympathetic despite all the [[Comedic Sociopathy]] going on). A lot of them could legitimately star in their own manga series, but Takahashi manages to tie them all together in a never-boring web of love and rivalry. And for a [[Gender Bender]] comedy, the fight scenes are legitimately awesome. Who didn't get chills when Ranma reversed the Hiryuu Shoten-Ha against Herb? Or when Ryoga, seemingly pinned to the ground by Ranma, launched them both into the air one-handed and revealed just how [[Made of Iron]] he was?
** '[[Ranma ½]] is one of my favourite shows. [[Martial Arts and Crafts]] left right and centre, an excellent diverse cast, an amazingly cool urban fantasy setting and some of most interesting relationships ever. The [[
* I absolutely love ''[[
** Everything is the Biggest. Discovery. Ever. -- because, well, it's all new to her. The world hasn't looked so sparkly since I was that age. Only it wasn't nearly so side-splittingly hilarious back then.
** Oh, how do you ''not'' love Yotsuba? [[This troper]] showed it to her fiance, and three volumes later he dissolved into [[Squee|Manly Squeeing]].
** This troper is pretty sure that if Yotsuba were a real little girl, world peace would occur right then and there, the moment she popped into existance. She would give a half-wilted dandelion to a horrible dictator, say, "Enjoy everything!" and walk off acting like an airplane and singing. He would "awwww" so deeply, [[How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (novel)|his heart would grow three sizes]], he'd call off every war or imposition he'd ever made, free the wrongly-imprisoned, and start giving out puppies. Air-lift her to the next country with issues, lather, rinse, repeat. In fact, I'm starting to think this is a pretty good strategy. Yotsuba Not Bombs, anyone?
*** Yotsuba & World Peace? I'd read that chapter.
** Yotsuba (and ''[[Persona 4]]'') MADE ME an optimist. I was a pessimist before I read
** If someone doesn't absolutely adore Yotsuba with every cell in their body, they are a soulless husk. That is all.
*** Regarding the comment directly above; it's ridiculous, but some people dismiss ''
** But to get back to gushing -- ''
* Dragon ball deserves gushing, but now that I think about it, I can't put what I love about it into words...
* ''[[Outlaw Star]]''. This Troper grew up on [[Macekre]]d dubs, and was determined to find the originals after learning that those shows I loved so much sucked compared to their original versions. It's been nearly a decade, and I'm still determined to find out what I missed.
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** This troper agrees with you wholeheartedly, and adds - this was ''the anime'' that saved his vision of comedy anime in general. Actually, scratch that - this was ''the anime'' that reminded him "oh, so ''this'' is why I like this stuff". It's just too awesome to put in words.
* This troper first saw ''[[Cyborg 009]]'' when they were 11, and still considers it one of the best shows they've ever watched. An anime with ''nine'' main characters, all of whom are intensely likeable? An anime where everyone gets character development, not just the main character, and all of their backstories are plausible and well presented? An anime where heartwarming day-in-the-life episodes are comfortably slotted next to epic (and I mean '''EPIC''') fights against malevolent robots without giving viewers [[Mood Whiplash]]? Yeah. It's no wonder that Cyborg 009 has stayed alive since the 70's.
* ''[[Potemayo]]'' is like nothing else. Imagine if [[
* ''[[Sonic X]]''. The [[Macekre]] is an abomination, but the original, subtitled anime is pure awesome (you can find it on [[YouTube]], just look for Setsna2's channel), and an excellent imagining of the characters.
** Also, despite coming off as a fairly light-hearted series, it contains some of the saddest and most poignant moments this troper has ever seen in an anime, thus making her love [[The Woobie|certain characters]] more than ever. [[Tear Jerker|Episode 77]] anyone?
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* ''[[Digimon Savers]]'' was epic, especially with a tough street-fighting trainer, woobie Ikuto and a masterful soundtrack.
* ''[[Digimon X Evolution]]'' from the makers of the CGI ''TMNT'' and ''Astroboy'' in full CGI. It may look outdated, but it lacks the soundtrack of whiney humans, and has some of the most badass Digimon with close-to-saviour status in Alphamon. It also has some interesting contemplations and a heart-filled ending.
* This troper absolutely adores ''[[Aria (manga)|Aria]]''. After I got my new computer and needed some new anime to fill it up, I browsed the "best rated" list at Anime News Network, and stumbled across Origination. It was 13 episodes, so decided to give it a shot, not downloading the other two seasons on the mistaken impression that it was a prequel (it's called "Origination," after all...) The first episode confused me a little, and it took a while to figure out where President Aria's eyes were, but the pace was kind of refreshing. When I went on to watch the second episode, its beauty and warmth convinced me to finish watching. Then I saw episode 9. Oh. My. God. It was so incredible. I got the rest of the series off bittorrent immediately after watching that episode, and watched from the beginning. When it came time to re-watch the portion of Origination I'd already seen, it was like a completely new experience. Then I got to the ending. It was just so well-done and emotional, I cried out of happiness so much that morning. I then got the soundtrack and rewatched a few episodes after listening to it for a bit. It's even better!
** You're by far not alone. The Internets are filled with gushing reviews of this series. Kozue Amano, the maker of the original manga, is a goddess! And she does it again with ''[[Amanchu!]]''. So much talent should be a crime!
** I read this is a manga series when it first came out YEARS ago before its recent re-release and even own most of the Japanese novels. I love it because with all the [[Wangst]] out there, what's wrong with something lighthearted that gives you a warm, fuzzy feeling? Absolutely nothing.
* I've been up and down this list several times....no love for [[Trigun]]???
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* [[The Lucifer and Biscuit Hammer]]. This series [[Needs More Love]]. Far more. This troper would even go so far as to say this is the most touchingly-written piece of character study he's ever read. Despite the rather silly English title, this manga is a delightful inversion of the classic "save the world" motivation behind so many plots. It deconstructs things, but not in an attempt to simply be as dark as possible, a la Evangelion. The Protagonist Yuuhi decides that wants to save the world for his only love... so that she can destroy it herself. This is played to be a positive trait; a man's simple desire to fulfill a girl's final request. In fact, the whole thing is wonderfully subversive. Yuuhi doesn't want to get involved, not because he's spineless, but because he simply can't be bothered. He doesn't win because he's the good guy and he has the willpower to beat up the bad guy - he's devious and crafty and he knows it. [[Anyone Can Die|Characters die]] due to their positive attributes. But they all still have hope, everyone's still optimistic, and {{spoiler|it eventually all pays off for them}}. But, above all, this is simply a touching romance about coming to terms with the fact that you're not going to live long, and so you should make the most out of how you live.
* This troper is no newbie in anime and manga, so he knows high school romance mangas very well, but no other manga has touched this troper heart as much as [[GE - Good Ending]], lets see, it works with common tropes and stories and gives them a twist to keep you entertained? Check, it includes very human and relatable characters? Check, you can actually say: "That same thing happened to me" many times? Check, it has MANY cute and beautiful moments? Check, a great artwork? Check, I dont get tired of saying it, [[GE - Good Ending]] is simply great.
* ''[[Violet Evergarden (anime)|Violet Evergarden]]'' is one of the most emotional series ever. It has incredible animation, beautiful theme songs ''and'' a great soundtrack that all works together to pull you in. Once it does so, it never lets go, and you feel every emotion alongside the characters. The standalone episodes where Violet helps other people write letters are just as beautiful as the episodes which advance the storyline, and each episode is crafted with such care that looking away for a single frame should be considered a crime. The animation isn't the only things worth your while here; the storyline is interesting, both in the standalone episodes and the overarching plot. You get attached to almost every single character. No characters are two dimensional; everyone is hiding something underneath, and [[Kyoto Animation]] fully expoits that to deliver emotionally resounding and compelling stories. It never resorts to cheap animation tricks, cliffhangers, or fan service to generate interest, instead it chooses to retain viewers through genuine, honest work. The only cliffhanger is integrated into the story so well and delivers a punch so strong it never feels like it's trying to trick the audience. It does get dark at times, but it only makes the series more beautiful. Good luck holding back tears in episode 10.
* ''[[Suzume (film)|Suzume]]'' is an amazing film. It's one of the rare standalone anime films not associated with a series. It blends high stakes action-adventure with quiet, cosy moments that wouldn't be out of place in a [[Studio Ghibli]] film (in fact, it pays [[Homage]] to ''two'' Ghibli films). Settings are immersive with beautiful animation that makes them feel alive, like they're a real place on Earth. The many people the [[Hero Protagonist]] Suzume encounters throughout her journey are kind and likeable, helping her in the sweetest ways. It's more than a [[Slice of Life]] flick though, and there are many engaging action sequences with real stakes and emotions that feel both out of the world and grounded. It can be a bit silly at times, though (looking at you, Sota-chair). The story has some problems here and there, but the feeling of immersion it creates is more than worth getting through some story issues.
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