Early Anime that needs to be re-watched through older lens

As a teen I saw a couple of animes. As a college students I started to rewatch these shows and saw that I missed a lot of things. These three animes that defiantly need to be rewatched as an adult.

Cowboy Bebop”

Classic anime that has stood the test of time.

Classic anime that has stood the test of time.

Summary:

We follow a group of bounty hunters, in the future space, and their adventures attempting to catch criminals.

Why it’s great:

We see this group of bounty hunters in different roles and emotions that are not typical from this genre of anime. The world created is the perfect representation of a beautiful dystopia.  The soundtrack is stunning.

What I thought as a child:

“Oh my gosh, this is so cool seeing space bounty hunters lock up space bad guys.”  I was basically watching the show as a cops and robbers series.  I never looked at the deeper meanings that were said between characters.

After a rewatch:

I began to pay closer attention to dialogue between characters. Spike, one of the main characters, deals with depression and loneliness because of his tough past.  Faye, suffers from loneliness, but because she choose to not trust anyone. Their character develops so much through the course of this anime.

“Neon Genesis Evangelion”

Classic that is slightly confusing but regarded highly.

Classic that is slightly confusing but regarded highly.

Summary:

We follow a group of teenagers who battle in giant robot armor to fight off alien beings to save the world.

Why it’s great:

For starters it’s a classic. For many anime lovers you cannot even being to call yourself an anime buff without watching this series. It’s great mecha action and good drama for a coming of age story.

What I thought as a child:

“Cool dumb action between robots. What’s not to love?” I remember watching this and thinking about how much damage these two giant monster were doing. Once the action was over I got bored. The dialogues between characters bored me as a child; I wanted action not drama.

After a Rewatch:

I began to see how abused the characters were throughout this series. The main character Shinji Ikari deals with abandonment and guilt issues over the absence of his father and death of his mother. Asuka Langley Soryu has suffered through trauma with the suicide of her mother and needing validation from others to praise her.

“Full Metal Alchemist”

Great series, even better with brother hood out.

Great series, even better with brother hood out.

Summary:

Following two brother on a quest to find philosopher stones. The stones will bring back one bothers arm and leg and the other brother his whole body back.

Why it’s great:

After watching this series I had a better understanding and appreciation for the research that was done in order to make this series. Aside from the science of the series, all the characters in this show are very likable.

What I thought as a child:

“What a cool story! The laws of alchemy are really interesting. I wonder what would happen if I tried this?” I just could not stop thinking about creating something out of nothing.

After a Rewatch:

This anime deals with family and sins. It is through the love of family that they triumph in the quest. There are seven sin that are portrayed in the anime and their emotions once dealing with the brothers amazes me every time.

Favorite Studio Ghibli Films

My love and excitement for this studio is real.

My love and excitement for this studio is real.

The magical world of Studio Ghibli is an animation studio with gripping stories and incredible visuals that pull you into their world. This animation giant has made countless great movies, but here are just three that I will always love.

“Grave of the Fireflies”

I've never cried so hard in my life.

I’ve never cried so hard in my life.

This is the type of great film that you do not want to watch again. I haven’t met someone who is willing to watch it again, because it is just a depressing film.

In this war film we follow Seita and Setsuko, siblings, in Japan who are trying to survive World War II.  After the Americans drop the atomic bomb on Japan, the nation is left in chaos.  The war turns those who are alive into selfish people. The siblings quickly learn that all they have is each other and they must learn to survive on their own.

Why it’s great:

  • Great Anti War film: It shows the other side of war. We see the lives of innocents destroyed by war. No one is left unaffected.
  • Great story: A disheartening story of war through the eyes of siblings trying to overcome adversity.
  • Great Animation: The visuals are stunning for a film that was made in 1988. The grim style only helps the tone of the film.

Cons: I was depressed after I watched this film.

“Spirited Away”

Fun times getting lost, just like my childhood, expect not in a magical land.

Fun times getting lost, just like my childhood, except not in a magical land.

A children’s classic and a distant cousin to the Disney family; “Spirited Away” is an adventure film filled with incredible character design and story.

We go into a magical land where Chihiro Ogino gets lost and has to find her way back home. In this world she is put to work the second she gets there. She must now find a way to escape this world and return to her own world.

Why it’s great:

  • Brings you back to childhood memories: Our main character is Chihiro Ogino, a 10-year-old girl whose curiosity gets her into trouble. When we were about that age we got curious and went off on our own adventure. It just reminds me of good times.
  • Beautiful animation:
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I wonder how long this took to animate.

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This scene gets me every time.

I wish I had a garden that looked that good.

I wish I had a garden that looked that good.

I mean do I even have to say anything for this.

Cons: I wish he had made a sequel.

It feel this way with most Studio Ghibli films

It feel this way with most Studio Ghibli films

 “Howl’ Moving Castle”

Howls-Moving-Castle-2004-2-poster

My first exposure to Studio Ghibli

Another classic that is part of the Disney family.

In this film we meet Sophie, a young hat maker and Howl, a young wizard, who try to help one another with their curses from an evil witch.

Why it’s great:

Great Story: In this film we have action, adventure, and romance; without a single romantic cliché.

Character Development: By the end of this film, our main characters get a new outlook on life. None of their story lines are cut short. This doesn’t seem like much but when you look at the amount of characters in this film you will appreciate that they have a resolution.

Animation:

The only time when I don't like anime is when it makes me hungry.

The only time when I don’t like anime is when it makes me hungry.

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The sequence alone is amazing.

Simple and so effective.

Simple and so effective.

no one will ever say bad animation in conjunction with Studio Ghibli.

Cons: I wish it had a bit more romance.

Anime Influence in Adult Theme Cartoons

I wish this meme would appear on American Dad. I would lose it!

I wish this meme would appear on American Dad. I would lose it!

It’s fun to see how anime is viewed in different ways in America. It’s even funnier when our favorite cartoons show their interpretations or homages to the anime world.

South Park was one of the first to introduce the anime style into their own show. A bizarre feeling comes over me when I see these adults anime characters with a fourth-graders voice.

Then came the Family Guy anime bit. This was ok. It was more so mocking anime shows, but hey, that’s Family Guy.

Most recently was The Simpsons, and wow did I enjoy it. There where so many Studio Ghibli characters packed into one seamless scene. Just perfect.

Anime Pick of the Week: Breakups

giphyMan, does this anime make you look back. This week’s pick is Breakups and is available on Crunchy roll and Dailymotion.

The walk down memory lane isn't always so great.

The walk down memory lane isn’t always so great.

It is more so an anime short than a full length season with multiple episodes, one similar to last week’s pick, with the exception this is one episode.

We follow a couple who have been in an on again off again relationship. They use a device that takes them through key breakup moments to possibly see what went wrong.

This is a very different art style than what anime watchers are used to. Which for some people makes this slightly hard to watch. If you just get past that small detail, it’s worth it. It is a pleasant story that just hits you and makes you think: “Could I have done something different?”