Anime That Makes You Think

[Dark Lilly]

Here you go Anner.

The ones with a * are very deep and perhaps disturbing.

Just going to provide a list for starters. Check Anime Profiles or go to Anime on DVD to get a good idea of what they are about.

I'd love it if others would add to the list and offer discussion. Tried reviewing some non mainstream titles a while back and generated very little interest.

Angel Sanctuary - Drama, Romance, Supernatural
Arjuna - Dram, Action, Environment
Aquarian Age - Drama, Romance Supernatural
Arc The Lad - Heroic Fantasy, Romance
Argentosoma - Drama, Mech
*Berserk - Heroic Fantasy
Betterman - Drama, Action, Science
Black Jack - Drama, Mystery, Medicine
Ceres: Celestial Legend - Drama, Romance,
Earthian - Drama, Romance, Supernatural, Yaoi
Fushigi Yugi - Drama, Romance, Supernatural, Action
*Gasaraki - Drama, Mech, Current Events, Supernatural
*Grave of the Fireflies - Drama, History
Gravitation - Drama, Music, Yaoi
Haibane-Renmei- Drama, Supernatural
*Jin-Roh: The Wolf Brigade - Drama, Action
Kaze no Yojimbo - Mystery, Action
*Kino's Journey - Drama, Action
Knight Hunters Eternity- Drama, Action
Last Exile - Drama, Action, SciFi
Mirage of Blaze - Drama, History, Action, Supernatural
Mobile Suit Gundam 0083 - Drama, Mech, Action
Neon Genesis Evangelion - Drama, Mech, Action
*Now and Then, Here and There - Drama, Action
RahXephon - Drama, Mech, Action
Revolutionary Girl Utena - Drama, Romance, Action
Rurouni Kenshin - Drama, Action, History, Supernatural
Saiyuki - Drama, Action, Supernatural
Samurai X - Drama, Action, History
The Heroic Legend of Arslan - Heroic Fantasy
X - Drama, Action, Supernatural

[Kyle Bloodheart]

I would like to discuss anime with you, but my access to anime is EXTREMELY limited. There are no places to rent or buy anime around where I live.

Virginia is the least important state in the nation. Even the weather channel ignores the state of Virginia. Being at college doesn't help much either; or being unable to purchase things online, poor college student.

I am willing to discuss anime, but I won't be much help in keeping the discussion going for too long.

[WAKAI]

one well two FLCL and evangelion

[Hey]

I LOVE you Dark Lilly, I really really do. All of my favorite anime are in this list...


I'm glad to see that you have Argentosoma in your list, I thought I was the only one out there who appreciated it. At first it's a little like Neon Genesis Evangelion, but as you get deeper into the story it becomes clear how different they are.

I was reading the Angel Sanctuary Manga a while ago (haven't gotten to finish it yet...20 volumes!) and it's unlike ANYTHING I've ever seen/read before. It's one of the best Manga I've read. And now, I know that watching the anime will be worthwhile as well, thanks to you! Hmmm, I wonder, is the anime different from the manga..? I hope not... Off to the "Anime Profiles"!!

I've wanted to see Gasaraki and Now and Then, Here and There for the LONGEST time. I'm on a very tight budget right now (I'll have to buy them online since Vancouver's a horrible source for anime) But I'll see them even if it means I have to kill.

Whenever I go to Rogers I always see Jin-Roh: The Wolf Brigade, and I'm always like "Hmm.... should I? I don't know...Naw, might be horrible" (even though I kinda knew I'd love it from the producer/director), but now, I won't have to doubt myself anymore! Whatever Dark Lilly likes, Anner will like.



This thread has got to be my favorite! (I really liked the Grave of the Fireflies as well)



Dark Lilly, have you seen Serial Experiments: Lain?

[The Naturalist]

Only anime that really made me think was Princess Mononoke

[Baka-Tenshi]

Well.... let me see... I know Angel Sanctuary and Rurouni Kenshin are deep, also Gravitation is good (but I'm not into Yaoi, just like the story). Rahxephon is also good, other then that, Spirited Away... I'll come back if I can think of something else...

[WAKAI]

dna2

[Kenshin]

Rurouni Kenshin

[Dark Lilly]

Accidently omitted one from the original list.

Kaze no Yojimbo. It is a 13 episode series devoid of magic, mecha, or critters with tentacles. It is mystery with a capital M. There is some gang violence and death but without gratuitous blood and gore and a brief bit of nudity but that's it. Great looking anime with a mystery plot that reveals itself one thin layer at a time.

[Guest]

I would like to discuss anime with you, but my access to anime is EXTREMELY limited. There are no places to rent or buy anime around where I live.

Virginia is the least important state in the nation. Even the weather channel ignores the state of Virginia. Being at college doesn't help much either; or being unable to purchase things online, poor college student.

I am willing to discuss anime, but I won't be much help in keeping the discussion going for too long.

That sucks. I live in the Philippines, and anime stuff is everywhere. If you have a good internet connection, you could just download unlicensed anime from various fansub websites

[darkdriver]

I can think of a couple that can go on the list of anime that makes one think.
Vandread, for its premise and setting alone does that.

But for the real thinker's anime, I can't think of one better than that blend of wirehead commercial and supernatural thriller...Serial Experiments: Lain. Just figuring out what's going on on it requires a careful eye and a good memory.

[sarusakana]

Serial Experiments: Lain. I just finished watching the first two volumes last night and I still don't get it. Still like it tho... If someone could explain it to me though...

[KoYasha]

Trigun and Fullmetal Alchemist are my favorite thinking animes. Rurouni Kenshin is awesome too though!

[WhoWantsToKnow]

There's one I'm anticipating, one I hear that'll make you think and then send you in the wrong direction. It's also quite disturbing: Satoshi Kon's Paranoia Agent.

[deity of death1]

Most definitely Paranoia Agent. I can only think of one at the moment, and that is Millennium Actress.(It's an movie, not a series. It's also a complete tear-jerker...at least...to me. )

[Raoul Duke]

Samurai X is a definate. The animation is beautiful and the storyline is orgasmic.