History Gush / AnimeAndManga

* ''Manga/GirlFriends2006'' is defiantly a well written GirlsLove series. Mari and Akko are both well written characters, the fact that you get to see things form both of their points of view really help to flesh out there relationship. While their {{angst}} can get annoying at times its mostly done on a reasonable level. Morinaga Milk's art style really lends well to Akko and Mari's Heartwarming moments. Defiantly a most read for any YuriFan.

%%** I love Baccano. Easily one of my favorite anime. It's just pure, unadulterated high-energy fun. Packed to the brim with likable and entertaining characters, it's a series where all you have to do is sit back and have a good time. And you will. You will indeed. It has great animation, a good score that fits it well and an amazing dub to go along with the hijinks. And if you're a fan of 1920's/1930's culture, this will be an excellent series. It's just got that special something to make it shine. Bright.

%%** This troper first saw ''Manga/Cyborg009'' 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 MoodWhiplash? Yeah. It's no wonder that ''Cyborg 009'' has stayed alive since the 70's.

%%** And ''Manga/ChronoCrusade''...ahh, Chrono Crusade. Like Tutu, lots of juicy character development. An unusual setting for a manga series--1920's America. The theme of the passage of time handled expertly well. The shining idealism in the series, even when things start getting really dark. The clean, well-drawn art. The badass action sequences. The absolutely whacked-out ending and origin of the demons that still somehow makes sense when taking the whole work into account (...for the most part, it's not without its flaws). But particularly the characters--I care about those characters so much it almost hurts. (Of course, I'm talking about the manga. The anime is decent, but pales in comparison, but those complaints aren't for this page.)

* It's a massive shame that the ''Anime/{{Tamagotchi}}'' anime (yes, the [[Toys/{{Tamagotchi}} digital pet fad of the 90's]] has a TV show) doesn't get as much recognition in the West as it does in Japan, since it has genuinely enjoyable plotlines and characters on top of being ''absolutely adorable''. It should be considered a crime that the short-lived English dub didn't get released in the United States at all.

%%*** What this troper was amazed by was how near-perfect the series' pacing is. This series never wastes any time but also remembers to spend enough time developing its plot lines and characters. It's basically a 50/50 blend of Shonen and Shojo tropes which is very refreshing. Animation and music are stellar and the characters are a likeable and intriguing bunch. Definitely one of the best series of the 90's.

* Do you like Creator/{{Sega}}? Then you'll love ''Anime/HisCooolSehaGirls'', a delightful FanService-laden tribute to one of the most well-known video game companies of all time. Watching the protagonists mature over the series as they travel through various Sega games and rub shoulders with legendary characters like VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehog, [[VideoGame/VirtuaFighter Akira Yuki]], and [[VideoGame/SpaceChannel5 Ulala]], is a treat for fans of anime, video games, and Sega alike.

* ''Manga/{{BECK}}'' is one of the best series of the past five years, at least in part because it's so very, very unassuming. No giant robots, no super-deformed humor, no magic, no absurd relationships between characters that neither will ever admit, none of that crap. It does what it does, youth drama with romance and friendship and bullying all woven through with the power of great music, and does it really, really well. Slice of life anime with a great climax? Not since [[Anime/KikisDeliveryService Kiki]] has it been done so well, and never since. But the characters are what really make it. Everyone acts like a normal person, and the illusion of deep characterization is so pervasive. The coming-of-age story is masterful, the bonding of the band members [[spoiler: and their breakup and reformation]] is wonderful, and Maho and Koyuki have one of the best-written romances EVER. Seriously, it's incredible. The style is nothing to scoff at either. The art is very unique, but not in a strange way like Creator/StudioShaft or ''Anime/{{Kaiba}}'', just in its realism and its very, very low-key nature. The atmosphere and sound effects are never anything less that functional, and that's all they ever need to be, because of the MUSIC. Oh my dear sweet Jesus, the music. The dub voicetrack is incredibly good, too, and it's the icing on the dense, small, incredibly tasting cake that is ''BECK''.

%%* ''Manga/TheKurosagiCorpseDeliveryService'' deserves to be better known,if only for reviving some old tropes and making them fresh again. The MonsterOfTheWeek, the FiveManBand and nearly all the [[HorrorTropes tropes associated with horror]] are passed through the WidgetSeries mangler to give something creepy,funny,{{squick}}y ''and'' uniquely Japanese. Coupled with superlative art (no BarbieDollAnatomy here) and '''the''' best translation [[@/AckSed this troper]] has ever read,it's no wonder it's on his list of "Possible [[GatewaySeries Gateway Manga]] for recommending to non-fans".

* ''Anime/{{Potemayo}}'' is like nothing else. Imagine if [[Manga/{{Yotsuba}} Yotsuba]], [[Manga/AzumangaDaioh Osaka]] and [[Literature/ShakuganNoShana Shana]] were genetically spliced with a cat... and the result was a foot high and unbearably cute. Do the same splice again,this time using Sakaki and [[Literature/HaruhiSuzumiya Asakura Ryouko]] as the source and giving her worm-things that fire [[BreathWeapon laser beams from their mouths]] on the side of her head. Place them both in a PuniPlush anime series,populate it with gently parodic AnimeCharacterTypes and introduce them to the big,confusing world. Have TheStoic as the oblivious LoveInterest of both the moe-blob and a ShrinkingViolet. Sprinkle with HoYay and ParentalBonus-style humour. Strain through the pure essences of Japan. Now you're close to the twelve episodes of charm,joy and just plain [[WidgetSeries "Wait,]]''[[WidgetSeries what]]''[[WidgetSeries ?"-ness]] of Potemayo. Caveat: the last episode. [[TearJerker Bring tissues]]. - @/AckSed

* ''Manga/GirlFriends'' is defiantly a well written GirlsLove series. Mari and Akko are both well written characters, the fact that you get to see things form both of their points of view really help to flesh out there relationship. While their {{angst}} can get annoying at times its mostly done on a reasonable level. Morinaga Milk's art style really lends well to Akko and Mari's Heartwarming moments. Defiantly a most read for any YuriFan.

%%* ''LightNovel/ACertainMagicalIndex'' is one of the bestest anime I ever seen, it involves magic VS science, AlternateUniverse and features a WhatIf of: What if the scientific advanced population encounter Magic from the same dimension? Add Chibi Index and [[SugarWiki/MomentOfAwesome Crowned With Awesome]], and you've got yourself a must see~! Squee!

* ''LightNovel/{{Baccano}}'', where every episode involves cuts to events taking place minutes, days, months or years before or after the scene you were just watching. Combine that with the 1930s, trains, monsters, immortal alchemists, and a whole pack of wacky, lovable characters and you're in for an awesome series. And if that doesn't make you want to check it out, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Msg8ypnLqaw the opening sure as hell will.]]
%%** Oh, I am one of the many fans who watched ''LightNovel/{{Baccano}}'' ''because'' of the OP. In fact, I first started reading the first novel (1930 novel) and just had to watch the anime. After watching the anime, I can say that I love all the characters, I love Ryogo Narita (I like {{LightNovel/Durarara}} too) , and I love everything about it. Oh, and I became a Graham Specter Fangirl.
%%** This troper feels like she's in the thirties whenever she watches ''LightNovel/{{Baccano}}''. Also to this troper, the show ''feels'' so realistic that at one point she thought that she's ''with'' the cast when they're doing their crazy antics.

* ''LightNovel/{{Bakemonogatari}}'' was the best series on TV summer of '09, hands down. While too much dialogue would normally be a complaint, the dialogue in ''Bakemonogatari'' is ''exactly what makes it so awesome.'' Seriously, episode 3 was nothing but the two leads having a conversation on a playground for 20 minutes ''and it was completely amazing.'' Combine that with SHAFT's visuals and the best ED ever and you have an amazing series.

* ''LightNovel/CrestOfTheStars'': Great characters, interesting story and ''magnificent'' world building. And that's just the anime. The light novels just add extra layers of detail and information that you just can't put in an anime to make it sheer genius.

%%* I find it terrible that ''LightNovel/{{Durarara}}'' does not have an entry. At first this troper was skeptical, but from the second the first episode aired on Adult Swim she was hooked on the highest level possible. Not long after her computer was loaded with so many Shizuo/Izaya pictures that she needed over ten folders to organize it.

* Awwww, show some love for ''LightNovel/FullMetalPanic''. Funny, awesome, and often heartwarming. No need to say more.
%%** Seconded by this troper so hard. ''LightNovel/FullMetalPanic'' is one of those anime which I consider to be absolutely, utterly flawless and perfect even if it isn't my number 1 favorite anime (that honor goes to Elfen Lied). It is gut-bustingly hilarious, rather sad and yet sweet sometimes with the ship tease parts being very well done (the scene where Chidori cuts Sosuke's hair is HOW you show sexual tension) and msot of all, fun. There isn't a need for every show to be utterly depressing or have an aesopish moral like Evangelion: FMP! is a perfect blend of comedy, action and drama with the comedy part being extremely well done.

%%* Where is the love for ''LightNovel/TheGardenOfSinners''??? Not only does it have some of the most beautiful animation this troper has ever seen, but it has an engaging puzzle-of-a-story, intriguing characters, a soaring soundtrack, and the perfect mix of almost every genre you can think of. The movies are brimming with complexity yet the final movie ends with one of the most satisfying conclusions this troper has seen in any movie or anime. This is the first time this troper has loved an anime this much in a long while.

%%* ''LightNovel/HighSchoolDXD'' takes the title of best {{ecchi}} series of recent times, for me, at least. The main character, Issei Hyodo, is an OrdinaryHighSchoolStudent who is also [[LovableSexManiac a huge, HUGE pervert]]. He gets killed by his significant other during his first date, but gets revived as a devil by the school's local "most popular girl", Rias Gremory. From that point on, he is part of the [[BadassCrew Occult Research Club]], which is actually [[NonIndicativeName anything but an occult research club.]] As a matter of fact, it serves as a front for Rias's Peerage, of which Issei becomes part as [[ChessMotifs "Pawn"]]. The best thing for him is that he's now got his own harem. His biggest dream has come true, much to his unbeknownst. Seems pretty standard so far, right? Sorry, but you're ''dead wrong.'' It is one of the most exciting anime of recent times, with many (and I say MANY) extremely likable characters, a very in-depth storyline, and lots of mythological and religious references. There also are two licensed games, one for the Nintendo [=3DS=] and one for the Playstation Vita. [[NoExportForYou Too bad they won't be released overseas]], they seem to be pretty fun.

%%* ''LightNovel/IsItWrongToTryToPickUpGirlsInADungeon'': Oh, my god. Volume 1 could be put on a shelf with loads of other harem series, and Volumes 2-4 were only "good". But Volume 5? People often criticize the series because the main character is too overpowered and there are absolutely no stakes, but if so they have never read the light novel. If you had read Volume 5 before watching the anime, at the end of it all you would be amazed that in the end everyone lived. After I did both, I was exhausted. Even though I knew how it was all going to end, the suspense was killing me and I read it in one afternoon. The killer here is that after Volume 5, apparently there's a huge WhamEpisode, meaning that chances are things are only going to get even more insane. It seems ridiculous how often people dismiss the series after reading Volume 5, because it really is THAT good. I would recommend it to anyone willing to go through 4 books, with some harem-ish moments, just to see a series [[GrowingTheBeard grow the beard]].

%%** Just recently finished watching the entire ''[[WesternAnimation/AvatarTheLastAirbender Avatar]]'' series and ''VisualNovel/{{Tsukihime}}'' anime ([[FanonDiscontinuity I know, I know]], but I had to find out), am about to finish watching the ''VisualNovel/FateStayNight'' anime (getting my father interested in the VisualNovel), and have just discovered their cache of ''LightNovel/{{Slayers}}'' [=DVDs=]. I will second your notion.

* ''Anime/{{Potemayo}}'' is like nothing else. Imagine if [[Manga/{{Yotsuba}} Yotsuba]], [[Manga/AzumangaDaioh Osaka]] and [[LightNovel/ShakuganNoShana Shana]] were genetically spliced with a cat... and the result was a foot high and unbearably cute. Do the same splice again,this time using Sakaki and [[LightNovel/HaruhiSuzumiya Asakura Ryouko]] as the source and giving her worm-things that fire [[BreathWeapon laser beams from their mouths]] on the side of her head. Place them both in a PuniPlush anime series,populate it with gently parodic AnimeCharacterTypes and introduce them to the big,confusing world. Have TheStoic as the oblivious LoveInterest of both the moe-blob and a ShrinkingViolet. Sprinkle with HoYay and ParentalBonus-style humour. Strain through the pure essences of Japan. Now you're close to the twelve episodes of charm,joy and just plain [[WidgetSeries "Wait,]]''[[WidgetSeries what]]''[[WidgetSeries ?"-ness]] of Potemayo. Caveat: the last episode. [[TearJerker Bring tissues]]. - @/AckSed

%%* I don't care what anyone says, ''LightNovel/ShakuganNoShana'' is a wonderful series that, while flawed in quite a few ways, manages to come together brilliantly. The premise is very dark, and the action is excellent, and yet it manages to be funny and lighthearted at times as well. Most (I won't say all) of the characters are very unique and compelling, especially Shana, the greatest {{tsundere}} of all time. Here's hoping the third season finishes the story well.

* ''{{LightNovel/Slayers}}''. Tons of fun. It's like a raucous, drunken D & D session with all of your favorite friends (if your friends happened to be highly attractive and likable people....)

%%** ''LightNovel/HarukaNogizakasSecret'': This series is [[TheyJustDontGetIt often misunderstood]] as a {{Fanservice}} fest for an OtakuSurrogate. It's not; in fact, pretty much everything about the main plot is explained in entertainingly good detail if you just think about it for a little bit. The story also portrays the {{Otaku}} subculture in a very empathic and understanding manner, something not many Anime think to do. It's the RomanticComedy that any anime fan should appreciate, especially since the supporting cast actually ''[[ShipperOnDeck supports]]'' the protagonists.

%%** ''LightNovel/ScrappedPrincess'': As its main page will tell you, this is one of the better shows [[SugarWiki/NeedsMoreLove you're probably not watching]]. This is one of the most original premises I've come across, and it always keeps some kind of tension. There is much drama and action; and you will absolutely care about the protagonists' struggle in the world which condemns them as they try to ScrewDestiny. Hell, [[Creator/StudioBONES the studio that gave us]] mainstream hits like ''Manga/FullmetalAlchemist'', ''Manga/SoulEater'', and ''Anime/EurekaSeven'' also gives us this treasure of a show [[SugarWiki/SuperlativeDubbing with a worthy English cast]] to match.

* ''LightNovel/BludgeoningAngelDokuroChan'' is proof that mindless and needlessly bloody entertainment can be a work of art! This show doesn't even try to shove an {{Aesop}} down your throat and works completely on RuleOfFunny. Oh, and the SugarWiki/SuperlativeDubbing is also SugarWiki/SoCoolItsAwesome.

%%* ''Manga/OnaniMasterKurosawa.'' Yes, the title literally translates to "Masturbation Master Kurosawa." Yes, its first few chapters are essentially a ''Manga/DeathNote'' parody... but with [[ADateWithRosiePalms jerking off.]] Oh, and the protagonist is a teenaged misanthrope who spends all day in an unused bathroom alternatively doing the above or ruminating on how [[{{Hypocrite}} utterly disgusting the rest of his student body are.]] But then the story goes on. And it goes from something {{ecchi}} and [[SatireParodyPastiche parodic]] into something heart-wrenching and ''beautiful.'' Were it possible, this troper would make it required reading in middle-school English classes, and she only wishes it had been around for ''her'' to read when she was that age. "Yes, middle school sucks. Yeah, KidsAreCruel. But you know what? You can still be strong. You can still better yourself. Reach out to others. Find your place. ''You will prevail.''"