# What are your top favorite animes and why? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** cartoons-animation\ **Created:** [December 3, 2025, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-top-favorite-animes-and-why/1025351 "2025-12-03T01:42:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![lilybug0309](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lilybug0309/32/20349_2.png) [@lilybug0309](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lilybug0309)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2025, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-top-favorite-animes-and-why/1025351/41 "2025-12-04T14:42:39Z")
I would say that it’s not particularly anime due to the fact that they have a different style of art, I’m not completely sure what I would call if but I would say that if it’s not in a Japanese production and style personally wouldn’t classify it as an anime. ---
**Author:** ![lilybug0309](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lilybug0309/32/20349_2.png) [@lilybug0309](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lilybug0309)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2025, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-top-favorite-animes-and-why/1025351/42 "2025-12-04T14:43:31Z")
I would say it doesn’t count, but I also feel as though it would be the opinion of the person watching/reading it. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2025, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-top-favorite-animes-and-why/1025351/43 "2025-12-04T14:56:51Z")
Lessee… Astro Boy, because I liked his horns. I used to bend a wire coat hanger and put it on my head and run around the back yard. I also liked how his feet were rockets. Marine Lad, because I liked the idea of chewing gum to be able to breathe under water (cos my mom wouldn’t let us have gum). Also his mermaid girlfriend made eight-year old me feel kinda funny inside. Gigantor, because he made me feel safe and protected. And I thought it was hilarious that the kid with the remote controller always for a suit and tie! ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2025, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-top-favorite-animes-and-why/1025351/44 "2025-12-04T15:55:04Z")
> [@OldManLogan](#): > > Some problematic shows (usually bad to really bad fan service) but have a lot of other things to offer: **Gurren Lagann** , **Kill la Kill** , **Mushoku Tensei** , Mushoku Tensei really disappointed me, because… - Season 1: Rudeus is reborn into a fantasy world that is shattered by a magical catastrophe that scatters his family and friends to the ends of the world. - Season 2: Rudeus attempts to deal with his erectile dysfunction. Seriously. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2025, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-top-favorite-animes-and-why/1025351/45 "2025-12-04T21:19:12Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > **Lord of Mysteries** , which I mentioned earlier, is a Chinese series based on a Chinese webnovel. Does that mean it doesn’t count? To me, no. Just as manhua and manhwa do not count as manga. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2025, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-top-favorite-animes-and-why/1025351/46 "2025-12-04T21:22:39Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > Astro Boy, because I liked his horns. I used to bend a wire coat hanger and put it on my head and run around the back yard. Astro Boy doesn’t have horns. That’s his hairstyle. ---
**Author:** ![lilybug0309](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lilybug0309/32/20349_2.png) [@lilybug0309](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lilybug0309)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2025, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-top-favorite-animes-and-why/1025351/47 "2025-12-05T16:16:40Z")
Has anyone watched The Eminence in Shadow? ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2025, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-top-favorite-animes-and-why/1025351/48 "2025-12-05T16:26:10Z")
In my opinion the first season was just watchable, second season was terrible. Kind of edgy, creepy and not really going anywhere all at once. It has a surprisingly high score on [MAL, an 8.23](https://myanimelist.net/anime/48316/Kage_no_Jitsuryokusha_ni_Naritakute). So it looks like mine is a minority opinion. ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2025, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-top-favorite-animes-and-why/1025351/49 "2025-12-05T18:40:53Z")
I’d distinguish between “most enjoyable” and “most respect”. Like, One Piece is surprisingly enjoyable but it ain’t Grave of the Fireflies. In general, I haven’t seen much anime since the 00’s, I think, so I can’t say anything about Attack on Titan nor the OP’s Akame ga Kill. In terms of enjoyment, it’s hard to beat **Cowboy Bebop**. And, towards the end, I’d say that it even does veer into substance, not just fun. In terms of pure fun, it’s hard to beat some of the crazier titles like **Excel Saga** , **Proton** , and **Burn-Up Excess** , since these start getting into Looney Toons level craziness and zanity. (Unfortunately, the latter two also go pretty hard core into fan service.) On the more serious side, though, I’d like to point out: **Grave of the Fireflies** **Princess Mononoke** Most of **Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water** (There’s a few episodes where it feels like they were asked to remember that it’s a kid’s show, somewhere in the middle, and it goes stupid for a bit, but then it goes back to being good.) **Darkside Blues** **Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust** **Perfect Blue** **Jin-Roh** **Akira** **The Wings of Honneamise** Most of **The Hakkenden** (There’s one episode where they screwed up all of the animation but, outside of that, it’s good.) **Key: The Metal Idol** **Rurouni Kenshin: Trust & Betrayal** Honorable Mention: **The Secret of NIMH** That all said, some of the best material only exists as manga. ---
**Author:** ![scabpicker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scabpicker/32/8268_2.png) [@scabpicker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scabpicker)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2025, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-top-favorite-animes-and-why/1025351/50 "2025-12-05T20:23:35Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > Gigantor, because he made me feel safe and protected. And I thought it was hilarious that the kid with the remote controller always for a suit and tie! Hehe, I’ll watch Gigantor just for the theme song. It rules! [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/KLV8hv1LkSI/maxresdefault.jpg "Gigantor: Opening Theme Song") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLV8hv1LkSI) ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2025, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-top-favorite-animes-and-why/1025351/51 "2025-12-05T21:30:34Z")
> [@lilybug0309](#): > > I genuinely want to know why a certain anime is someones favorite Skipping several already mentioned: _Food Wars_ is a personal favourite, and it’s for the food porn, same as _Delicious in Dungeon_. > [@hogarth](#): > > 10 straight episodes of a random tournament which involves blasting and/or punching – **Frieren** , you were doing so well up to that point… Counterpoint - the test tournament episodes were great, and subverted the tropes well enough for my liking. > [@lilybug0309](#): > > Has anyone watched The Eminence in Shadow? I’m watching it now, I like it. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Q](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/898d66/32.png) [@Johnny\_Q](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Q)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2025, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-top-favorite-animes-and-why/1025351/52 "2025-12-06T01:27:58Z")
I prefer the Dickies’ version ![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/R8MGPEiciqI/maxresdefault.jpg)https://www.youtube.com/embed/R8MGPEiciqI?feature=oembed&wmode=opaque&list=RDR8MGPEiciqI ---
**Author:** ![scabpicker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scabpicker/32/8268_2.png) [@scabpicker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scabpicker)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2025, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-top-favorite-animes-and-why/1025351/53 "2025-12-06T02:52:14Z")
Hehehe, I like the Dickies’ cover (and even Helmet’s cover) but when it comes to that song, I prefer the original. It’s so weird, and of course it gets stuck in my head. The jazz flute and synth mixed with the bassy triumphant vocals is crazy. But if we’re talking about the intersection of rock and anime, gotta mention FLCL. I can’t say I recommend it, because it’s surreal to the point where it basically declares it not making any sense is a you problem. The first episode that I saw, I thought “Wow, there must be a lot of backstory that I would need to catch up on.” Nope! That’s the first episode, and it really doesn’t explain itself further, and you just kind of have to accept its kind of pervy, very surreal take on the coming of age story (most likely not Cron’s cup of tea). But I still found it kind of heartwarming and wholesome, none the same. I’ve watched it a few times. If nothing else, the Pillows rock their way through it, and the original is a short series. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/Vx_4wzTP0Q4/maxresdefault.jpg "[FLCL] The Pillows - Little Busters") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vx_4wzTP0Q4) ---
**Author:** ![scabpicker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scabpicker/32/8268_2.png) [@scabpicker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scabpicker)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2025, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-top-favorite-animes-and-why/1025351/54 "2025-12-06T02:56:23Z")
Err, I’m an idiot and I can’t edit it because I embedded a video. That should be “not Kron’s” instead of “not Cron’s”. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2025, 4:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-top-favorite-animes-and-why/1025351/55 "2025-12-06T04:51:02Z")
I haven’t mentioned many series in this thread because there are so many that I enjoyed when they were new 20 years ago that on recent revisiting don’t really stand the test of time for some reason or another. But tonight something made a couple of series cross my mind that are (probably?) worth mentioning. Kron mentioned not wanting to see shows about kids. These are about kids, but they aren’t all sweetness and light. First mention is _Narutaru_. _Narutaru_ is like _Pokemon_ in that some kids find some odd creatures that evolve in form under their care. _Narutaru_ is unlike _Pokemon_ in that some of the kids use the creatures to brutally murder each other and attempt global domination. The opening credits, of course, reflect on the dark and twisted nature of the series: [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/SIF5BLyh3Mk/hqdefault.jpg?sqp=-oaymwEmCOADEOgC8quKqQMa8AEB-AH-BIAC4AOKAgwIABABGDggZSg-MA8=&rs=AOn4CLC00IcSSBz-fQpsk6UyHso_pJezyQ "narutaru op") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIF5BLyh3Mk) The other is _Alien 9_. Aliens are constantly showing up on Earth, some of them harmless, some of them dangerous, some if them looking like Pierson’s Puppeteers. Tween girls are tasked with handling the alien menace because Japan. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/CzvktK3Iu3E/maxresdefault.jpg "alien 9 - OP") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CzvktK3Iu3E) > **[Adolescence as Bodily Invasion: A Review of 'Alien Nine' - deus ex magical girl](https://www.deusexmagicalgirl.com/2016/09/23/adolescence-as-bodily-invasion-a-review-of-alien-nine/)** > > Dispatches from D. G. D. Davidson, creator of Jake and the Dynamo. ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2025, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-top-favorite-animes-and-why/1025351/56 "2025-12-08T04:30:26Z")
> [@lilybug0309](#): > > Has anyone watched The Eminence in Shadow? I’ve seen both seasons, and while it’s solid, I didn’t find it amazing. But again, -for me-, I read the Webnovel/Light novel translations first, and it’s missing so much more of our protagonist winging it and it working out as genius where his enemies and fans assume it’s foreknowledge and planning. It’s the details and the rest that elevate it over and above the fanservice of the slime suits, the tropes (many of which it makes fun of) and the swings from serious to silly. > [@Sage\_Rat](#): > > Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust An additional comment for this one, the soundtrack is frigging AMAZING (so I have the DVD and the soundtrack) and every time I hear [“A bit(e) of Hope”](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zx9f9uzcH0A&list=PLpMIPfVJ5FkXqN3qy8k_3Uk2CESgv0QLI&index=25) it hits me in the feels. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2025, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-top-favorite-animes-and-why/1025351/57 "2025-12-09T00:09:40Z")
Wings of Honneamise: It’s an alternate-world story of a people just barely starting into spaceflight, and the conflict between those who want to do it for science or for its own sake, and those who want to militarize it. Plus reflection on how our idols are really just humans like the rest of us. Princess Mononoke: I’m sure everyone knows this one, but what I like about it is that, first, neither side of the main conflict is really evil, and second, that it acknowledges that there is no easy solution. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2025, 12:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-top-favorite-animes-and-why/1025351/58 "2025-12-25T12:26:10Z")
> [@GargoyleWB](#): > > **Melancholy of Haruhi Suzimiya** - The original first season is amazing, later season and movies are a mixed bag. I was thinking about Christmas-themed anime episodes and googled for lists. Some mentioned the movie _The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya_ taking place around Christmas, which made me want to revisit the series. I watched the first chronological (second aired) episode and it was stll interesting, though I wish it had been made in a more realistic animation style than semi-moe. I watched it the first time during the original airing in 2006 as the fansubbed episodes became available. I _may_ have rewatched season one at some point, and I’m pretty sure I haven’t rewatched season two, but I’m going to give them all a go again. (I know I rewatched the movie once.) The series is weird in that [they intentionally aired the season one episodes out of order](https://i.imgur.com/nXUNbcH.jpeg), even though they were not stand-alone. And in the second season, they had a _Groundhog’s Day_ time loop that lasted eight full episodes. [ The set on the Internet Archive](https://archive.org/details/episode22_202208) is internal chronological order for season one, not original airing order. [Here](https://www.reddit.com/r/anime/comments/6o2gs0/the_melancholy_of_haruhi_suzumiya_why_is_it_so/) is a good Reddit thread from 9 years ago about the series. The series (or at least the discussion) is definitely worth checking out. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2025, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-top-favorite-animes-and-why/1025351/59 "2025-12-26T17:12:28Z")
Some current watches: **The Ancient Magus’ Bride** - This is one of those “fantasy world hiding in the real world” shows. I find it heavy going at times, and often not in expected directions. But it’s well-made and well-told. **This Monster Wants To Eat Me** - I take it back - _this_ is heavy going. A young girl with a tragic past encounters a mermaid who agrees to eat her (that’s _literally_ eat her, you perverts) at some point in the future. Having an actively suicidal protagonist does not tend make for a cheery series\*. **Tower of God** - There’s a tower you have to get to the top of and then you get your wishes granted. I’ve just started S2, but S1 ends with a _serious_ twist. \* An exception being _No Longer Allowed In Another World_ where the actively suicidal protagonist, a mopey writer who guzzles pills, is somewhat entertaining. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2025, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-top-favorite-animes-and-why/1025351/60 "2025-12-26T17:18:43Z")
I loved “Sword Art Online Abridged”. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-top-favorite-animes-and-why/1025351.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-top-favorite-animes-and-why/1025351.md?page=4)