My anime top 10

While having lunch with Lauri and Carmen last week, we decided to write a top 10 of our best manga/anime series in our blogs during Easter. I've just been reminded today, how could I forget? So I've been pondering on the subject for a long while, and I've decided I'll settle with this list. This is not say I am sure I'm not forgetting any others I love, and then ranking is dead hard, so I'm ranking them as objectively subjective (!) as possible. Might I feel different about them some time from now? I might. But it is something at least.

Then also, I'm listing complete series. I am struggling to list more than 5 manga series, I'm more into anime watching after all, plus some of the series I follow faithfully (FB and Inuyasha) are still being published in Japan. So it goes for some of my fav animes, like Naruto and Yakitate!! Japan. So I'll be listing those I really like from those I remember, shall add more, hopefully up to 10 as the kami instil some inspiration unto my soul :P

And so, the winners are...

ANIME

1. Ranma 1/2. I'm pretty sure about this one. Not that many animes are so consistently brilliant. I still laugh my head off remembering favourite bits. And I did support the canon couple Akane/Ranma. I do pity Ryouga, though...

2. Fruits Basket. I only wish it were as long as the manga. What brilliant characters, such cracking scenes, moving bits and such awesome voice actors. Shi-chan, in his becoming kimono *sigh* The otouto and I are still hoping to one day release a video collage of our fav bits. One of those projects we never get to do! Highlight the following for a spoiler: OMG, Akito is a WOMAN!!!! And she was sleeping with Shigure-san!! (how can he, the girl is nuts!) Gosh, I just had to write it. I bounced into my brother's room one friday night just to tell him that - it was such a shock to learn that at the time. I spoiled it for him, but he's not following the manga and I just HAD to tell someone.
I must add, though, the series has one of the dullest opening themes EVER.

3. Inuyasha. I WANT TO CHAAAAAANGE THE WORLD.... he he he. Takahashi sensei is just my most favourite mangaka ever - yep I love CLAMP and Watase, but no one beats her in creating the maddest plots. I'd need to add Maison Ikkoku and Lum, but I had to choose, you see. I couldn't choose a favourite character, they are all brilliant. Osuwari!

4. X 1999. See? CLAMP. The movie was a very depressing bit of work but the anime was really good, and the ending not too bad considering. Kamui dies *sob*, but what did you expect of a good uke-ish bishie? Sacrificing himself for the world and such trifles is in his DNA. Carmen would rather have KamuixKotori, but I definitely support FuumaxKamui. Ah yes. Somewhat tortuous and bittersweet, but oh so beautiful. I'm also with Carmen and my brother in SorataxArashi. He's not your average bishounen, far from it, but he's got an endearing personality - notwithstanding the hideous yellow coat!
On this post, one of the manga illustrations I love best. The only anime poster in my room (the rest are XIXth century art and Harry Potter film posters). Isn't it nice or what?? Notice their outfits are actually different though they look similar - I still need to decide what's that improvised canopy on their heads - Kamui's jacket?? Send answers in a postcard, please.

5. Full Metal Alchemist. What a wonderful story, one of the best pieces in anime. None of your easy-peasy lemon squeezy, complete suspension of disbelief plot. It still is fantasy, but it is all rather plausibly explained in its own terms. Great art, too. Am I the only one who loves Ed's costume? And the long braid? Cool hairstyle - there should be more men in the world wearing them (and sober coloured kimonos, with those straight waists *swoons*). But no I don't fancy him. It is really moving approaching the end - I can't wait to see the film. That was a nice twist to get their ancient dad into the story. Oh yes.

6. Yami no Matsuei. Oh dear. What beautiful art, what an intriguing story, oh why, why is it so short? I like a good story with touching scenes that can still make you laugh every now and then. I also love the coupling TsuzukixHisoka. Best s-ai couple in my list - because none of them is def an uke or a seme. Both can be rather strong and vulnerable at once, both rescue each other. No need to worry about how power struggles spoil the relationship. And they are both oh so beautiful. Hisoka is somewhat girlie, but just in the right degree. And no matter how often I watch it, I always cry my eyes out at one of those last scenes when Hisoka rescues Tsuzuki from the terrible flames, as he lies stunned, having lost the will to live (or something like that, he is not technically alive, is he?) - if you have nothing to live for...then live for me! Gosh, people know I'm not much of a drooling romantic, but I am really moved by that bit. Muraki's harassing Tsuzuki is also great fun, what sort of villain goes around lusting after the good guy? LOL

7. Great Teacher Onizuka. Yoroshiku! Very nice story about how one can find kindness and warmth in the oddest places, and a good instructor is not necessarily the brightest crayon in its box. Onizuka's rather inspired approaches to problems are rather er, original, but he really grows on one. They've spoiled that wonderful creation in the live drama, where he's portrayed as a pretentious, self-confident git full stop. Nothing endearing about him. But the one in the anime - what about his imitation of Hokuto no Ken? Dear me.

8. Jungle wa itsumo Hale nochi Guu. Surrealistic but still such fun! Franctic Hale witnesses the oddest acts by Guu - what is she, an alien, a spirit, a demon? Don't miss her version of the magical girl. And that laughter! And that youkai obachan running after that doctor like an avid predator. And the soppy couple fighting and reconciling in the most overcloying (if such a word exists!) way ever. Oh dear. I love the opening theme - TO-RO-PI-CA-NA!

9. Pita Ten. Childish, yep, but such cute art and such a funny story. A demon girl will not plot against people in order not to annoy them, and bakes biscuits for her angel flatmate, a klutz who never gets any of her miracles right. I love that mad kid shouting "Mononoke!" after Shia-chan. He he.

10. Rose of Versailles. Oldie but goldie, in spite of the crappy title. I really want to be like Oscar-sama when I grow up. The ending is appropriately sad, and the story is really nice, though not particularly historically accurate, but what did you expect. I love the opening theme.

And I know I'm missing my manga list, but I still haven't made my mind up!