Now that it’s no longer April 1st, I figure I’d be clear that this is meant to be a funny gag and not at all indicative of what I find “best,” though I do unironically love Inferno Cop and think it’s a very fun way to spend an hour or so of your time. As for everything else… I’ll leave that to you to decide.
Hi everyone! I thought today would be a great day to talk about some of the best anime ever made, because who doesn’t love learning about great anime? I know my taste is the best on the internet, so this ought to stand for all time as the definitive best-of list out there.
10. Cipher
Perhaps one of the best integrations of music into animation I’ve ever seen, this classic OVA from 1989 has stood the test of time with its spectacular English-language dialog and incorporation of some great musical hits into the drama and passion of the narrative. Even though these aren’t the “official” versions of great songs like “Footloose,” I think these reimaginings are probably way better.
9. Panzer Dragoon
As we all know, great video games are easily adapted into other forms of media, and this OVA is no exception. The iconic Sega Saturn Game “Panzer Dragoon” gained a similarly-memorable OVA adaptation, during which we learn that the most important aspect of the narrative is… Alita. AliTA. Alitaaaaaaa! Only Alita.
8. Inferno Cop
Studio Trigger is known for its madcap stories told through bombastic animation, and among their catalog I think Inferno Cop is probably the best example of that. With its sublime comedic timing and detailed character designs, this short-form journey to Hell and back is a wholly satisfying experience.
7. Dogeza: I Tried Asking While Kowtowing
It might seem surprising to have something so new and unknown on the list, but even though this short series flew under most people’s radar, I was really surprised by how impressed I was. It really does a great job of tackling the subject of sexual kinks in a sensitive and accurate way. And the ending, wow! It was really surprising, and such a great set-up for a sequel!
6. Puni Puni Poemy
This magical girl series, directed by the famed Shinichi Watanabe, otherwise known as “Nabeshin,” is an offshoot of the popular 1990’s comedy Excel Saga, and does what no other magical girl series has managed to do since. It takes the genre and, get this, deconstructs it, bringing its tropes and story to their logical, dark conclusions. Nabeshin was once asked why there were only two episodes of the series, and he remarked that two was enough… but I feel like I could easily watch 2-cours of this enchanting story.
5. Butt Attack Punisher Girl Gautaman
Religion isn’t a topic that gets covered in anime directly most of the time, which is one reason this 2-part OVA is special. It follows the internal conflict of a devout Christian character whose abilities to fight crime and defend the innocent revolve around her ability to channel the power of the Buddha through a magical fundoshi. Butt Attack Punisher Girl Gautaman really exemplifies the ways in which anime is able to present real-life issues in a straightforward and entertaining way, while giving subjects like this the gravitas that they deserve.
4. EX-ARM
I know, I know, this is another really recent series. But it’s difficult to deny the impact that EX-ARM has had on the anime landscape since its premiere in January. I hear fans complaining about CG animation in anime, but this series demonstrates just how well CG can be used to portray action and subtle human emotion while still telling a compelling sci-fi story. I implore you to check out this masterclass in modern Japanese animation.
3. Garzey’s Wing
Yoshiyuki Tomino is known for writing and directing Mobile Suit Gundam, but his real masterwork arrived on the scene in 1996 in the form of Garzey’s Wing – an early isekai series in which a college student Chris is whisked away to the world of Byston Well to help liberate its people. Not only is Byston Well a richly-detailed fantasy land with terminology that makes complete sense (unlike certain copycats *cough*The Twelve Kingdoms*cough*), but the English language release features some dynamic voice work that really brings the story to the next level. If you can find a used DVD floating around out there, be sure to snatch it up: why anyone allowed it to go out-of-print I’ll never understand!
2. Musashi Gundoh
Based on an unused story by the late, great Monkey Punch, this series is an exceptional example of creative anachronism in anime and likely strongly inspired its more mediocre copycat, Samurai Champloo. Known for its idiosyncratic animation style, which does wonders using limited animation and photographic backgrounds, this series unfortunately never reached the US due to its being too mind-blowing for American audiences. In the meantime, it’s gained quite the cult following, so be sure to check it out if you get the opportunity!
And the #1, most bestest, greatest anime series ever conceived of in this timeline…
Eiken
Eiken is difficult to describe, not just because its plotline is so highbrow as to be impenetrable to the typical anime fan. But one thing that should be clear to anyone as how strikingly and completely it manages to achieve with it story both a deft appreciation of sexuality and a body-positive outlook on character designs. There are no one-note character design archetypes here! In Eiken, you’ve got overbearing big-breasted girls, big-breasted girls with bovine expressions on their faces, and even big-breasted kindergarten-looking girls. It’s really refreshing to know that character-designer Masashi Ishihama, who’s gone on to direct such memorable series as From the New World and Horimiya, approached the material with such an expansive philosophy focused on diversity. In any case, I think it would be difficult to argue with the proclamation that Eiken is one of the greatest anime ever made.
So, do you agree with my choices? NO? Well too damn bad, because I’m an authority on anime and know what I’m talking about. This is the list; it might as well be chiseled in stone, because that’s how authoritative it is.
Oh, and April Fools!!!!