4.0. Anime Recommendations S-W
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This article is from the misc anime FAQ, by nikkou with numerous contributions by others.
4.0. Anime Recommendations S-W
SAILOR MOON. A current example of the "Magical Girls" anime genre, with a ditzy young teen granted magical powers to fight nasty demons, if she'll quit crying. Her growing horde of planetary sailor sidekicks provide a large cast of cute young girls in short skirts. TV comedy (mostly) for young girls with an embarrassingly large male following. Now dubbed by DIC on American TV with a video release by Buena Vista. SAZAN 3x3 EYES. Bloody OAV horror series about a triclops (immortal three-eyed sorceress) who comes to Japan to become human. Her two-eyed alter-ego is sweet and cute and doesn't have a clue. Her boyfriend's not going to live a normal life. Available dubbed from Streamline.
SILENT MOBIUS. In the near future, demons threaten the Earth. The Attacked Mystification Police, an all-female force with psychic powers, protects mankind from the menace. The 2 movies tell the origins of AMP heroine Katsumi. Available dubbed from Streamline Pictures. SOL BIANCA. SF OAV series about five sophisticated (?) pirate women and their alien spaceship. Sort of like a cross between BUBBLEGUM CRISIS (from the same studio, Artmic) and BLAKE'S 7. Nice mecha design. Available subtitled from AD Vision.
SPACE CRUISER YAMATO, the SF TV series that turned into STAR BLAZERS in North America. Also has several movies (YAMATO, ARRIVIDERCI YAMATO, THE NEW VOYAGES,BE FOREVER YAMATO, FINAL YAMATO.). The series is available dubbed from Voyager Entertainment as well The series is available dubbed from Voyager Entertainment as well as the movies (both dubbed and subbed).
SPACE ADVENTURE COBRA. A cigar on one side of his mouth, a wise-crack on the other, a psycho-gun on one arm, a lovely woman in the other, notorious space rogue Cobra travels about in his cruiser doing good deeds, but just can not seem to keep his lady friends alive.
SPEED RACER, known in Japan as Mach Go Go, is a classic TV series. Available from NOW Video.
SUPERNATURAL BEAST CITY. Definitely for adults. Demon terrorists resist treaty to separate demons & mankind. Stylishly drawn. Available dubbed from Streamline as WICKED CITY.
TENCHI MUYO. He releases an ancient demon who turns out to be a lovely ancient astronaut. Her guardians are as dumb as she is (the cast's IQs can't total a dozen.) Many yuks in this SF action comedy. Available subbed, dubbed, and close captioned from Pioneer.
TIME STRANGER is an involving variation on THE TERMINATOR, with slight nods of the head towards TIME BANDITS. The animation is very good and the story, complex. Feudal Japan is depicted nicely and in detail, as is the far future. Great plot complications throughout.
TOTORO, MY NEIGHBOR. Miyazaki's most gentle film is about two kids who meet an odd-looking forest-spirit (Totoro) in their new rural neighborhood. In part a celebration of Japan's countryside, with a touch of pure magic. Available dubbed from FOX Video. TOUCH. High-school baseball drama, plus a little romance. Quiet, a little sad. TWILIGHT OF THE COCKROACHES. A mixture of live action and animation in which a man becomes friends with the tiny inhabitants who share his apartment, until The Woman arrives. Funny. Available from Streamline Pictures in dubbed (videotape) or subtitled (laserdisc) versions.
URUSEI YATSURA (translates as something like "Those Obnoxious Aliens"), a slap-stick screwball comedy about Lum, the flying electro-demon girl from space, Ataru, the earth boy she wants, and a host of other crazy characters. Popular madness in TV, OAV, and movie formats by Rumiko Takahashi. This entire series is being released from AnimEigo in dubbed and subbed formats. (The second movie is available subbed from USMC. Don't ask...)
VAMPIRE HUNTER 'D'. Mutants roam the countryside, and a vampire has set up shop in the castle. A bite victim sends for 'D' to save her. D's a strange one indeed. Horrors. Available dubbed from Streamline Pictures.
VAMPIRE PRINCESS MIYU. A supernatural horror series about a contemporary "vampire" who stalks wayward demons (Shinma) loose on Earth and sends them back to Darkness, while pursued by a persistent exorcist not as enthused about unlife as Miyu. Quiet, moody brooding chiller, hopeless to follow without understanding the dialog. Available from AnimEigo. Recommended.
VIDEO GIRL AI is a romantic fantasy comedy/drama. He's been dumped by the girl he loves for his best friend. Ai pops out of the TV and comes to life when he plays a tape to cheer him up. But his VCR isn't working very well, and the Video Girl is behaving a little oddly. Nicely animated with some bright tunes. VOTOMS. Old TV series of post-WW3 world. The army controls the world with their mecha, but not everyone goes along. Mellowlink is a related series in the same universe (set before Votoms, made after.) Votoms has been licensed by USMC. WEATHERING CONTINENT. A sword and sorcery tale in a land fallen to ruin. Takes its time and tells a small story of three travelers with a dark, spooky mood, well supported by a fine musical score.
WINDARIA is a lovely fantasy story of two kingdoms at war, and how that disturbs two pairs of lovers - one peasant, one royal. A tragedy. Well worth the watch, IMHO. Nice music, too. Available dubbed from Streamline Pictures.
WINGS OF HONNEAMISE. SF. Man's first trip into space, from the fictional nation of Honneamise, explores issues of morality, bravery, and dedication to a cause in first-rate animation. Some find it slow, though. Available dubbed from Manga Entertainment.
YOTODEN, Legend of the Mysterious Sword, is an historical sword & sorcery saga in 16th century Japan, with a trio of Ninja opposing the despot and his demon minions; (or is the despot the minion of the demons?) 3 parts. Crisp action.
YOMA is another historical demon vs ninja tale, but is not on as grand a scale as Yotoden. Suppose your brother was possessed and out to kill you? Told in 2 parts. Available subtitled from AD Vision.
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