====================
Anime & Manga I like
====================
:CreationDate: 2015-11-27 16:19:14
:Id: anime/anime-manga-list
:tags: - anime
- personal
Manga
=====
These are grouped by author.
`TORIYAMA Akira <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akira_Toriyama>`_
Mostly known as the author of Dragon Ball, the work of his that I
most like is `Dr Slump <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dr._Slump>`_:
humorous and surreal story of an inventor who builds sentient
robots with the most absurd issues. Toriyama's humour still echoes
in recent Japanese works.
`TAKAHASHI Rumiko <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rumiko_Takahashi>`_
You probably know her for Inu Yasha and Ranma½, I would suggest
instead reading her short stories (`Mermaid Saga
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mermaid_Saga>`_, `One-pound Gospel
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/One-pound_Gospel>`_, `Rumic Theater
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rumic_Theater>`_) and her first long
series, `Urusei Yatsura
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urusei_Yatsura>`_: probably the
first example of harem story / sudden girlfriend appearance, funny
and sweet.
`YUKINOBU Hoshino <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yukinobu_Hoshino>`_
Read everything he's written. `2001 Nights
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2001_Nights>`_ and the sort-of
sequel, 2001+5, are great examples of golden-age hard SF seen from
a different perspective.
`TEZUKA Osamu <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osamu_Tezuka>`_
The god of manga. Japanese popular culture would be very different
without him. Favourites of mine:
- the `Phoenix
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phoenix_%28manga%29>`_ saga, an
exploration of life, death, rebirth, across time and space.
- `Message to Adolph
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Message_to_Adolf>`_, story of
three men named Adolph through WW2
- `Princess Knight
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Princess_Knight>`_, adventures of
the two-hearted princess who lives as a man (more or less, it's
complicated)
- `MW <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MW_%28manga%29>`_: chemical
weapons, serial killers, gay relationships
- `Ode to Kirihito
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ode_to_Kirihito>`_
But seriously, read as much Tezuka as you can get your hands
on. Warning: some characters are depicted in a way that looks quite
racist today, but was "common" at the time. Make of that what you
will.
`OTOMO Katsuhiro <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katsuhiro_Otomo>`_
Writer and director, justly famous for `Akira
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akira_%28manga%29>`_. The movie is
good, but the manga has much more depth and breadth.
`SHIROW Masamune <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Masamune_Shirow>`_
- `Ghost in the Shell
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghost_in_the_Shell_(manga)>`_,
obviously: the manga has similar themes to the movie, but it's
filled with jokes
- `Appleseed <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Appleseed_(manga)>`_,
slow and complicated story of political manoeuvres and
discrimination
- `Dominion <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dominion_(manga)>`_,
not-very-competent militarised police
- `Orion <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orion_(manga)>`_ fantasy /
science fiction inspired by the Japanese myths of creation
In general, Shirow puts plenty of jokes in his works, and his
obsession with guns and tanks &c may be off-putting, but there's
serious thoughts underneath it all.
`MIYAZAKI Hayao <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hayao_Miyazaki>`_
Yes, one of the founders of Studio Ghibli also wrote manga. His
masterwork is `Nausicaa of the Valley of Wind
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nausica%C3%A4_of_the_Valley_of_the_Wind_(manga)>`_,
a story of epic proportions about war, friendship,
environmentalism, and the future of humanity. The movie of the
same name is a pale shadow of the manga.
`KEI Toume <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kei_Toume>`_
Her manga are dark and melancholy. `Kurogane
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kurogane_(manga)>`_, `Hitsuji no Uta
(Lament of the Lamb)
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lament_of_the_Lamb>`_,
Hatsukanezumi no Jikan (Time of the Mice).
`KITOU Mohiro <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mohiro_Kitoh>`_
Raw and bloody. `Narutaro
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shadow_Star>`_, `Bokura No
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bokurano:_Ours>`_, `Wings of
Vendemiaire <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wings_of_Vendemiaire>`_
`HAGIO Moto <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moto_Hagio>`_
One of the founders of shoujo manga. Only work of hers I've read so
far is `They Were Eleven
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/They_Were_Eleven>`_, '70 SF at its
best.
`TSUDA Masami <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Masami_Tsuda>`_
`His and Her Circumstances
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kare_Kano>`_ is a very nice romance
story: the characters talk to each other! And when the obvious
couple get together, they stay together and work through their
problems!
`TAKAHASHI Shin <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shin_Takahashi>`_
Author of one of the saddest stories I've ever read, `Saishou Heiki
Kanojo <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saikano>`_ (a.k.a. "she, the
ultimate weapon").
`YAMAGUCHI Takayuki <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Takayuki_Yamaguchi_%28artist%29>`_
`Kakugo no Susume <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apocalypse_Zero>`_
half-serious, half-parody post-apocalyptic fighting story: cursed
power armours built by Imperial Japan, mutated insects and
monstrous plants used to frame shoujo-style panels, Buddhist
precepts, and a tremendously queer antagonist.
`IWAAKI Hitoshi <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hitoshi_Iwaaki>`_
`Kiseiju <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parasyte>`_: the aliens
have invaded, and they look just like us. Is pacific co-existence
possible?
Also `Historie <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Historie>`_, but I
haven't read it yet.
CHOUYA Koyama
`Space Brothers
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_Brothers_%28manga%29>`_, a love
letter to space exploration and the people who make it possible.
UEO Hisamitsu
`The Qualia of Purple
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qualia_the_Purple>`_ mind-bending
story of a girl who sees people as robots, and of her friend who
wants to protect her.
Puyo, inspired by `TANIGAWA Nagaru <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nagaru_Tanigawa>`_
Tanigawa wrote the `Haruhi Suzumiya
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haruhi_Suzumiya>`_ series of light
novels, later adapted to manga and anime. I think that the best
manga set in that universe is `The Disappearance of Nagato Yuki-chan
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Disappearance_of_Nagato_Yuki-chan>`_
(warning: spoilers for `The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Disappearance_of_Haruhi_Suzumiya>`_)
`URASAWA Naoki <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naoki_Urasawa>`_
- `Pluto <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pluto_(manga)>`_ a
re-interpretation of Tezuka's Mighty Atom (Astro Boy) with a more
modern, realistic look
- `Monster <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monster_(manga)>`_ killer
psychopaths
- `20th Century Boys
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/20th_Century_Boys>`_ can childhood
make-believe spell out the end of the world? can they help prevent
it?
MURAYAMA Kei
`A Centaur's Worries
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Centaur's_Life>`_ starts as a
school comedy with centaurs, angels, sheep-people, mermaids. It then
mixes in SF elements, conspiracy theories, international politics,
and I'm still not sure where it's going.
`Chiho Saito <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chiho_Saito>`_ and `Kunihiko Ikuhara <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kunihiko_Ikuhara>`_
`Revolutionary Girl Utena
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Revolutionary_Girl_Utena>`_ the manga
has a different story than the anime; I still have to watch the anime.
`ASHINANO Hitoshi <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hitoshi_Ashinano>`_
`Yokohama Kaidashi Kikou
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yokohama_Kaidashi_Kik%C5%8D>`_ slice
of life of an android running a country café in a world after a
global flood, very slow and poetic, beautifully drawn.
Anime
=====
Series
------
`Haibane Renmei <http://anidb.net/a271>`_
maybe a metaphor for Purgatory, maybe for socialism, maybe just a
story to learn to forgive one's self, this series is beautiful
`Top wo Nerae - Gunbuster <http://anidb.net/a185>`_
One of the first works by Gainax, with character design by `MIKIMOTO
Haruhiko <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haruhiko_Mikimoto>`_ and
direction by `ANNO Hideaki
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hideaki_Anno>`_. Giant robots, teen
angst, special relativity. The sequel, `Daibuster
<http://anidb.net/a2120>`_, is also remarkable for keeping up with
the scale of the original.
`Cowboy Bebop <http://anidb.net/a23>`_
See `my review </anime/review/cowboy-bebop/>`_.
`FLCL <http://anidb.net/a117>`_
The start of the "surreal" period of Gainax. A weaponised guitar, a
Vespa, double-entendres, unusual relationships.
`The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya <http://anidb.net/a3651>`_
“I have no interest in ordinary humans. If there are any aliens,
beings from the future, or super-humans, come see me. That is all!”
Between zany and profound, this is one of the most intriguing series
I've even seen. Originally broadcast intentionally out of order, I
think it works better watched in that order than in the straight
internally chronological one.
`Future Boy Conan <http://anidb.net/a330>`_
Early work by, among others, `MIYAZAKI Hayao
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hayao_Miyazaki>`_ and `TAKAHATA Isao
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isao_Takahata>`_. Many Ghibli films
will use themes and character details from this series.
`Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt <http://anidb.net/a7529>`_
See `my review </anime/review/panty-stocking/>`_.
`Durarara!! <http://anidb.net/a6671>`_
See `my review </anime/review/durarara/>`_.
`Madoka Magica <http://anidb.net/a8069>`_
See `my review </anime/review/madoka-magica/>`_.
`Gatchaman Crowds <http://anidb.net/a9820>`_
See `my review </anime/review/gatchaman-crowds/>`_.
`Lupin III: The Woman Called Fujiko Mine <http://anidb.net/a9031>`_
See `my review </anime/review/fujiko-mine/>`_.
`Nadia - Secret of Blue Water <http://anidb.net/a40>`_
See `my review </anime/review/nadia/>`_.
`Kyousougiga <http://anidb.net/a9992>`_
See `my review </anime/review/kyousougiga/>`_.
`Sora no Woto <http://anidb.net/a6783>`_
Young girls crew a military base in not-quite-Switzerland. War,
relationship between military and civilians, trumpets, old myths.
`Dai Mahou Touge <http://anidb.net/a4149>`_
This is *not* a standard magical girl story. If Punie can't win with
magic, she'll win with uncontrolled brutality.
`Dennou Coil <http://anidb.net/a4345>`_
Intrusive virtual reality, hacking, friendship. Oh, and cute girls
with glasses.
`Eve no Jikan <http://anidb.net/a5132>`_
Exploration of a society with humanoid, Asimov-style robots. Also
watch the `movie <http://anidb.net/a7249>`_ and the related short
`Mizu no Kotoba <http://anidb.net/a4346>`_.
`Macross <http://anidb.net/a77>`_
If you've only seen Robotech, you owe it to yourself to see the
original version of one of the three works that were mashed together
for the US rewrite. The best summary of Macross is "humans win a war
against violent aliens by singing at them".
`Hibike! Euphonium <http://anidb.net/a10889>`_
High school brass / marching band club, working hard to pass the
selections toward the national contest. Good music, good portrayal
of the amount of work involved in learning to play musical
instruments, and a very sweet romance.
`Shin Seiki Evangelion <http://anidb.net/a22>`_
The series that re-booted the "giant robots" genre. Gory, messy,
with an ending that still has people arguing after twenty years and
several animated reiterations.
Movies
------
All movies by `Studio Ghibli <http://anidb.net/cr729>`_
From Nausicaä of the Valley of Wind (technically pre-dating the
founding of Ghibli) to When Marnie was There, via Totoro, Pon Poko,
Kiki, Porco Rosso, Mononoke, Spirited Away, Howl's Moving Castle,
Arrietty, The Wind Rises, `Princess Kaguya
</anime/reviews/princess-kaguya/>`_. Ghibli has been essentially the
benchmark of excellence in animation for thirty years.
`Avalon <http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0267287/>`_
Live action movie by `OSHII Mamoru <http://anidb.net/cr131>`_, about
immersive games, subjective realities, and Arthurian myths.
`Ghost in the Shell <http://anidb.net/a61>`_
Oshii's best known work, keeping close to the events narrated in the
original manga but injecting a very personal meaning.
`Wolf Children <http://anidb.net/a8832>`_
Growing up, responsibilities, following one's true calling.
`Garden of Words <http://anidb.net/a9589>`_
See `my review </anime/review/garden-of-words/>`_.
`009 re:Cyborg <http://anidb.net/a8699>`_
See `my review </anime/review/009-re-cyborg/>`_.
`The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya <http://anidb.net/a7221>`_
See `my review
</anime/review/disappearance-haruhi-suzumiya/>`_. This movie is set
after the second season of the series.
`Pale Cocoon <http://anidb.net/a4158>`_
By the same author as Eve no Jikan. A story about re-interpreting
the present by re-discovering the past.
`Hoshi no Koe <http://anidb.net/a104>`_
`SHINKAI Makoto <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Makoto_Shinkai>`_'s
big debut, about very-long-distance relationships.
`Urusei Yatsura: Beautiful Dreamer <http://anidb.net/a379>`_
Oshii's first movie, all his trademarks can bee seen already.
`Puni Puni Poemi <http://anidb.net/a65>`_
Over-the-top absurdist magical girl. If you thought that Excel Saga
was too long, and not surreal enough.
