Yes, I usually publish Anime Dreamer on Animeted, but I'll publish this one here first so should anyone want to talk about it, they can.

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In my short time watching anime, about 2 and a half years now, and having seen over 100 animes, and still not seen some of the animes people rave about (Samurai Champloo, Fullmetal Alchemist, Code Geass, Death Note) and that probably because of my inclination to look away from the serious theme. I love romance, drama and comedy and recently I've been thinking, and looking back at some of the series I hold as truly special moments in my time watching anime.

Two titles that have come to mind as of late are NANA & Honey and Clover.

Now I think its a given that fanservice anime (K-on! included ;P) dominate the majority of anime chit-chat with the exception of some of the more popular serious anime, like Code Geass; but for those inclined to look at these more "mature" anime I think they deserve more attention than they get.

NANA, for example, is the story of two girls who happen to have the same name, and bump into each other on their way to Tokyo, and that's the beginning of a 47 Episode rollercoaster ride of a story choc full of Drama, Romance and Music as their lives unfold to the reality of our world not often considered with animes out of this more adult-orientated genre.



Same goes for Honey & Clover with its very distinct animation style that eventually makes it really unique from the usual offerings, and its refreshing. The story about a girl who is introduced to two guys who instantly fall in love with her, but she isn't the protagonist. The story goes down many paths about their feelings, and the decisions they are making in life to make it what it is, as students in an art college in Tokyo, it goes through a different, enthralling wave of thoughts as the stories of their lives, and maturity for some, become reality. And this happens over the course of 2 Seasons, of which their time is captured perfectly.



So in both cases wee have mature or coming-of-age, much more down to our earth stories.

What makes them both special, I think, is how much you can relate to them. A bond, even, as you watch these anime that are indeed superior in length to an extent you get to know all the of the people involved in these stories and do get caught up in their lives - and that's a story-writers success - to engage the person as they take you through the story.

So while I reminisce, and see many stories go by season by season, I will say, treasure the stories you hold dearest, because I'm sure even with your own favorites, that are distinct from the others through your eyes, its worth remembering how they made you think differently, how they did effect you in some way or other, and you know its worth looking back at these stories more than once because you know its a time spent that was really worth it.

I'll watch these again, and make sure I'll never forget them and perhaps you'll pass along a treasure to someone you know as well.

Thanks for reading.

~ Senseito

(This post was last modified: 23/10/2009 02:40 AM by S7*.)

Haven't read everything, but I tend not to like serious fictional stories too much because there's usually many flaws in reasoning/story etc, which, personally, really kills the mood for me.  Comedy in general doesn't have this issue (since it may meant to be stupid), though I often see it mixed with drama, which usually doesn't work quite well.

ZiNgA BuRgA Wrote:Haven't read everything, but I tend not to like serious fictional stories too much because there's usually many flaws in reasoning/story etc, which, personally, really kills the mood for me.  Comedy in general doesn't have this issue (since it may meant to be stupid), though I often see it mixed with drama, which usually doesn't work quite well.

NANA Anime Box 1 Rating on ANN:

Quote:Overall (dub) : A
Overall (sub) : A+
Story : A
Animation : A
Art : A+
Music : A

+ A nearly flawless adult drama: powerful, insightful, and most importantly, human; in short, one of the greatest anime of all time. No joke.

Not trying to convince you, but theres good reason why I mentioned those titles in specific.

And I very much agree with your reasoning, hence why I´ve ended up hating Zero no Tsukaima, H2O and Myself Yourself..

(This post was last modified: 23/10/2009 03:22 AM by S7*.)

I'd hardly call Zero no Tsukaima a serious anime; in fact, it's overly stupid in parts.
Stuff like in Death Note - someone there's this one investigator guy who is more capable than like 200 police investigators - something I'd seriously have to question.  There's all sorts of other questionable things in there that really undermine the credibility of the entire story (but nonetheless, it's still an interesting watch if you blind yourself to these issues; but takes a serious hit on the "seriousness" side).

(This post was last modified: 23/10/2009 03:31 AM by ZiNgA BuRgA.)

ZiNgA BuRgA Wrote:I'd hardly call Zero no Tsukaima a serious anime; in fact, it's overly stupid in parts.

Hence why I didn't see S3.

ZiNgA BuRgA Wrote:Stuff like in Death Note - someone there's this one investigator guy who is more capable than like 200 police investigators - something I'd seriously have to question.  There's all sorts of other questionable things in there that really undermine the credibility of the entire story (but nonetheless, it's still an interesting watch if you blind yourself to these issues; but takes a serious hit on the "seriousness" side).

This is the purpose of my article, though, hence why I noted ~ "...and still not seen some of the animes people rave about (Samurai Champloo, Fullmetal Alchemist, Code Geass, Death Note) and that probably because of my inclination to look away from the serious theme." ~ but NANA and Honey and Clover are serious in their own way, they are mature animes in the way they are realistic and relatable - so they can be classified beyond the lovey-dovey/überdrama animes out there [Kimi ga Nozomu Eien, ef - a tale of memories]

krystabegnalie Wrote:and yeah like zb, i like anime with comedy theme, sometimes out of this world stories that normally do not happen in real life and sometimes with stupidity, and i think that's the main purpose of animation, to pursue more freedom in movements not unlike in real life acting (well it can be done today through hitech technologies)

Thanks for reading.

Yeah, I wrote in "Why do you watch Anime?" my reasons for falling in love with the escape from reality aspect of it.

What's interesting about these more mature animes is that they are relatable ~ and the silly ones not so much..

The unique elements are such "real" moments, and such well made stories. I'd love to hear what you make of NANA. ^^

Zero no Tsukaima... serious?      You really haven't watched enough serious stuff then.

Senseito7 Wrote:In my short time watching anime, about 2 and a half years now, and having seen over 100 animes, and still not seen some of the animes people rave about (Samurai Champloo, Fullmetal Alchemist, Code Geass, Death Note) and that probably because of my inclination to look away from the serious theme.

Samurai Champloo... Sort of Guren Langann like "overdoing-ness" (not as much though). So not really serious.
FMA... Serious story, but has quote a bit of light funny parts mixed in.
Code Geass... You got "srs bsns mode" and "I'm at highschool mode", the later which isn't all that serious business.  Mostly serious business mode though.
Death Note... Not a single comedy part in it at all (not that I remember at least).

(This post was last modified: 23/10/2009 06:19 AM by Assassinator.)

@ Assassinator, you completely got the wrong idea. I was referring to the serious parts of ZnT, the actual story which existed, sort of, until Season 2 killed it.

ProperBritish Wrote:i like service.

LOL

Nothing wrong with that..

*sigh for ignorance*