Anime Apolyton

[Wraith]

--"but the fact that it was a planned giant reset button doesn't lessen the fact that it was a giant reset button."

No, but the fact that it's completely different at the end than at the beginning does (reset button is not the same as deus ex). Oh well, it's up to you. You don't have to like it and I won't bother trying to persuade you otherwise.

--"That is, I want devious plotting and scheming, interesting morality discussion, and main characters that aren't necessarily paragons of virtue."

Devious plotting and scheming is pretty much an anime staple, but how believable it is would be another question ^_^ If you liked Death Note, I'm assuming that's not a problem.

For this one, again, I'd have to recommend Berserk, but only if you're willing to read the manga as well. Definitely along the lines of what you're looking for, although with much more violence.

The various Ghost in the Shell series would probably work well for you.

I'd like to add in Twelve Kingdoms. The main story arc of the anime is completed, but there's another story arc that isn't (the novels are still coming out, so the story isn't near done).

GTO probably isn't exactly what you're asking for, but it might be worth checking out to see. The students come up with some pretty heavy-duty plots against their teachers, and Onizuka is very much not a paragon of virtue.

Probably others, which I'll think about, but those are a start.

Wraith
"Her positive way of thinking is as horrifying as ever."
-- Nozomu Itoshiki ("Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei")

[Seeker]

the kids have turned me into a Narutard Wraith....I've watched everything up to Shippuden 26, and the movies, and I really want the games too....is this wrong??

My favourite characters are Kakashi, Gaara, and Shikamaru.

The most useless character is Ten Ten.

[Lorizael]

I'm taking notes, Wraith. Thanks.

[DaShi]

Originally posted by Seeker
the kids have turned me into a Narutard Wraith....I've watched everything up to Shippuden 26, and the movies, and I really want the games too....is this wrong??

My favourite characters are Kakashi, Gaara, and Shikamaru.

The most useless character is Ten Ten.

What?! Jiraiya is the best!

[Seeker]

But only teachers can possibly relate to Jiraiya...Ero-sensei...

[Varwnos]

I just watched a few episodes of Elfen Lied.
Interesting concept, ultra-violent. The characters themselves dont appear to be developed though. Probably the most violent first ep ever.

It does seem to be way too sensationalist, with sexual images in random scenes.

I disliked the introduction of the main characters. All too immediate, and based on countless other sci-fi anime settings- no originality there.

[Kataphraktoi]

I know jack about anime. Yu Yu hakusho(?) was on for awile on cable and i watched that Big fan of dragonball1 (is that even anime? )

So what are some of the top anime series to watch? I like fighting(the best scenes are where its smooth and continous). I dont like alot of dumb talk and standing around alot(see naruto...) I dont care how old they are, only how good they are. Crappy graphics+awesomeness is fine with me

There is a kids show here, teen titans. But a few of the slade episodes show great promise if they went in that direction. But the show is designed for $$$. Anybody seen the teen titans and know what im talking about? Something like aprentice part 1&2(but a whole series like that) could be awesome

[Wraith]

I won't be responding for a few days, since I'll be at AnimeFest. With Yo****oshi ABe as a guest, I couldn't pass it up ^_^

--"the kids have turned me into a Narutard Wraith."

You only become a Narutard when you start proclaiming that everything else sucks ^_^ Being a Naruto fan isn't a problem in itself.

I never really got in to the series myself, but I'm not a major fan of the shounen action shtick.

--"Big fan of dragonball1 (is that even anime? )"

Yup, although the versions that have aired in the US have been bowdlerized a bit.

--"So what are some of the top anime series to watch?"

If you're in to the shounen action/fighting stuff, the main one right now, other than Naruto, is Bleach.

If you're in to Judo, you'll definitely want to check out Yawara when AnimEigo starts putting it out next year. Excellent series. This one is about a girl who's been secretly trained by her five-time national champion grandfather in Judo since she 3. He's got plans for her to win the gold at the Olympics, but she just wants to be a normal girl. Good characters and story, and the judo is spot-on.

Rurouni Kenshin is also worth a shot. Some real bad episodes here and there, but some good story arcs, and the OVAs (under the Samurai X name, sadly) are quite good. This is a samurai action series.

One Piece is also worth checking out, as long as you skip all the stuff 4Kids dubbed (they really hacked it up). Funimation is taking it over, but I don't think any of their stuff is out yet, so you'd have to go for fansubs. This one is heavy comedy, with all sorts of unusual moves made possible by the setting. Does have some problem with anime-only arcs and fights dragging out, but if you like Dragonball you probably won't notice that part ^_^

If you're doing fansubs, Hunter X Hunter is also worth checking out. Somewhat surprised this hasn't been licensed yet, but it happens. This is fairly serious. It's about a kid who's trying to become a "Hunter", which in the game-world is a big deal and gives you all sorts of benefits. It also involves a lengthy and potentially fatal practical exam (which is what a big chunk of the early show is about). IIRC, it's by the same guy who did Yu Yu Hakusho.

Hajime No Ippo, under the title Fighting Spirit in the US, might be worth a look. A bit more realistic than the others. This one is boxing focused.

Maybe Flame of Recca. I haven't seen it, but the name comes up fairly often, although usually as Yu Yu Hakusho lite.

Seriously, though, you're spoiled for choice. Shounen action type shows are probably the single most commonly licensed ones. They sell well in the US.

Wraith
"Doctor! Doctor! Oh, right. That's me."
-- Tony Tony Chopper ("One Piece")

[Seeker]

"One Piece is also worth checking out"

Huh??!

[Wraith]

One Piece in the original, as opposed to the 4Kids dub, is actually pretty amusing. It's not a deep, thinky masterpiece or anything, but it is fun and entertaining. The anime suffers from the usual Shounen Action problems, and I prefer the manga, but if you're in to the genre it's definitely worth watching.

The 4Kids dub, of course, manages to rip out every ounce of charm the show has, so skip it. Funimation is taking the project over, though, and should do an actual translation rather than a hack job.

Wraith
"Zoro... is more arrogant than god..."
-- Tony Tony Chopper ("One Piece")

[Nostromo]

I saw Paprika in a theatre. The animation and art direction are top notch. They did a really impressive job. The 2D and 3D are really, really well integrated. The story is pretty good, too (even though I have some reservations). I highly recommend it. Well worth seing it in theatre.

[DanS]

This one just tickles my funny bone. From the WSJ...

Japanese Anime Shares Rise
Stocks Linked to 'Otaku' Jump on Speculation
Comic-Book Fan Aso Could Be Prime Minister
By BRIAN FOWLER
September 12, 2007 8:58 a.m.

Score one for the nerds! Shares of Japanese companies involved in the production of animated films and comic books soared in Tokyo Wednesday amid speculation that Taro Aso, secretary-general of Japan's Liberal Democratic Party -- and a well-known comic-book fan -- may be the nation's next prime minister.

Following Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's surprise resignation, shares linked to hobbies associated with "otaku," or nerds, jumped. (See related article1.)

Shares of Broccoli rocketed 71% to close at ¥157 ($1.37). Broccoli runs a string of retail stores catering to gamers and its subsidiary Broccoli Books publishes "manga," or comics, such as "Murder Princess Volume 1," which looks into what happens when a pretty princess trades identities with a mercenary warrior.
[Taro Aso]

Animation TV and film producers also benefited. Shares in We've, which produces a Japanese version of Sesame Street, rose 14% to ¥34,500, while shares in GDH increased 8.2% to ¥51,400. Among GDH's hits is "BRAVE STORY," a 2006 film chronicling a lonely boy's journey into a magical land where he befriends a talking lizard and fire-breathing dragon.

"Aso-related shares [companies in game, comics and animation businesses] started soaring after the resignation reports," said Hiroaki Kuromachi, head of the cash-equities department at Bear Stearns in Tokyo. "If Aso becomes the prime minister, these shares may gain another 10% or so."

The moves of these shares stood in contrast to the broader market, which slumped on concerns that political uncertainty could lead to temporary policy paralysis. The Nikkei 225 Index closed 0.5% lower at 15797.60. (See related article2.)

Analysts have said for weeks that Mr. Abe might have to step down after a spate of cabinet scandals, a humiliating electoral defeat and continuing resistance to his efforts to keep Maritime Self-Defense Force ships in the Indian Ocean, where they supply fuel and water to the U.S. and its allies fighting in Afghanistan. But the common view was that Mr. Abe would retain power until November or so.

Mr. Abe's sudden departure leaves the door wide open to a handful of likely successors, among whom Mr. Aso is the leading candidate. An avowed fan of comic books, Mr. Aso has said his interest allows him to understand the country's legions of nerds. He also has strived to use "manga" as a tool for diplomacy.

In May, while serving as Japan's foreign minister, Mr. Aso unveiled plans to establish the International Manga Award to recognize foreign cartoonists. When the winners were announced in July, Mr. Aso told Kyodo News, "It is my hope that manga, through these works, will act as a bridge to the world." Mr. Aso's official Web site contains an ode to "manga" published in August that praises the genre for lifting Japan's standing on the international stage and urges his countrymen to be proud of this success.

"We didn't develop manga, karaoke and conveyor-belt sushi because we wanted to be valued overseas. We just liked it, and while becoming nerds and immersing ourselves in it, it became popular," he wrote. "We should be confident and proud of our [cultural] transmissions and keep transmitting."

Mr. Aso, who participated in the 1976 Montreal Olympics as a clay-pigeon marksman, worked in his family's cement company before getting elected to the lower house of Parliament for the first time in 1979, at the age of 38. He has been in office ever since, securing a slew of cabinet posts such as Minister of the Economic Planning Agency, Minister of Internal Affairs, and Communications and Minister of Foreign Affairs.

--Ayai Tomisawa and Hiroyuki Kachi contributed to this article.

[DinoDoc]

I'm not getting the connection between his rise to power and why that should cause a rise in share prices of Japanese companies in the anime/manga industry.

[DanS]

It shouldn't make a bit of difference to the stock price. Short-term speculative sentiment is a strange thing, however...

[Kataphraktoi]

If you're in to the shounen action/fighting stuff, the main one right now, other than Naruto, is Bleach.

How about the best of all time? Thats what i mean when i say good ones to check out. TV schedules are irrelevant