Accounting for taste

Simply put, I'd like to ask about the tastes of people on this forum about their tastes in anime and manga. Don't just say "likeable characters" or "complicated yet consistent plots" — say what you like about those characters or what kind of complicated but consistent plots you'd like to see.

My favorite genres are urban fantasy and slice-of-life, generally. I like shows with characters who are successful in evoking a certain emotion in the audience, i.e., they'll make you laugh if you're supposed to laugh or cry if you're supposed to. I also love stories which you can tear apart, analyze, and discuss after watching it.

I like a serious tone and an intent of ending at some definite point. Generally, I also like my characters smart, but Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann is my second-favorite, so it's not a solid requirement.

I have the best taste.

Hm... I'd say my favorite would be mecha anime, though I also do love high fantasy and non-mecha science fiction. I have a thing for those genres throughout all mediums, though.

I prefer things that wrap up things at a decent pace, though; I can't stand it when things run for too long without resolving the plot, or just adding new things once earlier plot points are finally resolved.

Hmmm.

I like humour because it adds fun to the mix, self-awareness because it makes me feel like thought has gone into the work, I like fantasy, magic or magic realism to add a fantastical edge to the work. I also like to feel that a work is unique and that I haven't seen these characters and events played out somewhere before. I believe a good soundtack is important for atmosphere building.

I'm not actually sure how well my favourite shows actually match these criteria, so I will add that some works you just like.

I like shows that have, you know, interesting characters, decent plots, original and striking art styles, and cool ideas. In other words, the stuff that no one buys DVDs of because they're too busy watching the new show with all the moe-moe girls who show their panties.

Honestly, though, lately I've hardly been interested in any anime period. Right now I'm kind of in the middle of a western media phase. I'm sure the pendulum will swing back to anime eventually, though.

edited 29th Nov '11 2:01:32 PM by Sporkaganza

Harems. Because I love laughing at the poor sod who'll be forced into all sorts of situations.

I like a lot of types. Mostly I do love Fighting Series, Mecha series, Fantasy and Science Fiction and a few others here and there.

edited 29th Nov '11 2:13:56 PM by Demongodofchaos2

Anything goes for me. Before watching any anime for the first time, I have absolutely no expectations, so anything that remotely amuses me is good in my book.

In other words, I have no taste.

Similar to this, as well.

I like shows that have, you know, interesting characters, decent plots, original and striking art styles, and cool ideas. In other words, the stuff that no one buys DV Ds of because they're too busy watching the new show with all the moe-moe girls who show their panties.

This. So much.

I enjoy stories where the humor is present, but knows its place, and is preferably gallows-flavored. Characters should be, on the whole, likeable whether they be good or evil, and get up to lots of shenanigans in their spare time. Plot I care less about, provided it isn't stupid as hell and filled with more holes than speakeasy after a drive-by (and of course stupid is subjective, I loved the hell out of TTGL)

Also, tone should be consistent, and humor definitely should not interfere with this. Rather, it should complement it.

edited 29th Nov '11 2:18:13 PM by KSPAM

I don't mind humour if it's not that annoying "Guy accidentally touches girl's chest and gets punched hahaha." joke which apparently a lot of people like. I also dislike too much Fanservice.

I say that the more fanservice the better, if its meant to be in series that would obviously have it, like something akin to a hentai (obviously).

Hell, Negima's first few volumes, while bad, were deliberately set up to trick Ken Akamatsu's editors while he turned it into a Fighting Series behind their backs, and when they tried to do something about it, it was too late for them, and the sales skyrocketed as a result of the change. It's becoming a Major Favorite on Tvtropes.

Medaka Box did something similar, but was more forced upon, but did it much sooner and in a much darker way.

Actually, You'd be surprised how many people in recent years hate that joke nowadays.

edited 29th Nov '11 2:50:50 PM by Demongodofchaos2

lets see here, mine varies from time to time, but i guess my preference would lean toward action, fantasy and sci-fi related manga/anime

how i would like them structured: well ive never had a problem with the length of a series, so long as their are no contradicting plot point's, strong continuity, im happy.

characters: well they can't be too generic, nor can they be too complicated either. just have a clear set goal in mind for them, and stick too it, unless the plot calls for some change and it is hinted/ foreshadowed ahead of time. character development is always crucial, like many here prefer,, i too prefer it to be a gradual process.

edited 29th Nov '11 2:48:54 PM by ARC1300

I watch anime for the fanservice. Everything else is a bonus.

On the topic of fanservice, I don't mind it as long as it's not detrimental to the plot or tone of the show. Or maybe I've learned to ignore Male Gaze when it appears (looking at you, Boku Tomo).

I like Male Gaze, Actually.

Sadly, not every anime can make the Male Gaze work for them, like Ben To.

@Noimporta: Yeah, I know, it's a smartass answer. But I can't really put into words what exactly I like about an anime. I just watch it, and if it grabs me in some way, I can probably enjoy it. I enjoy different anime on different levels - the way I enjoy, say, Neon Genesis Evangelion doesn't have much in common with the way I enjoy Code Geass, which in turn isn't much like the way I enjoy Azumanga Daioh.

I love anime because it has interesting stories and characters. Story and characters are really at the core of what I like about various anime, with action, scifi/fantasy and art being slightly secondary. Anything that doesn't have well done story or characterization I tend to dislike. Which includes just about any purely comedy series, and all this extremely moe and fanservice-y crap out these days. I mean there are just about zero decent animated series in America that actually have a storyline its all this comedy shit (this poor generation), or it's episodic to the extreme that you can barely tell a story and/or every episode has a silly, contrived aesop. And its so sad because animation is a great way to portray fantasy and scifi because it's very difficult and expensive to do so in live-action. Also tends to be a lot less convincing.

edited 29th Nov '11 9:05:40 PM by NoirGrimoir

I generally like an anime based on it's premise. If you give me an interesting premise (Wuxia with giant robots! Immortal gangsters in the 1930s! Batman as a surgeon!), and you don't entirely drop the ball on the execution of said premise, I'll probably enjoy it.

I also look for anime that gives me something that other shows don't. For example, I can't get very far through One Piece, but love the fuck out of Tiger And Bunny. Is T&B better than OP? Nope, but OP is a (hypothetically) well-executed retread of a concept that's been done before, whereas T&B is all, "Hey, instead of an Ordinary High-School Student, why don't we do something new and make the dorky single father our superpowered hero?"

I like anything that doesn't have Shizuru Fujino in it.

I like how you expect us to know who the fuck that is immediately. They're called potholes, dude.