Hey everybody, and welcome back to my weekly series, Carter Sigl's Guide to AnimeLand! I've been on hiatus from writing this series for a while, so I'll give you a refresher in case you're just joining us on this wonderful trip through the world of anime. This series is meant to provide a window into the entire medium of anime, specifically for those whom have little to no experience with it. It can be daunting to begin this journey, even if only through the sheer amount and variety of content available. All the series and films I recommend I've seen personally, and I only recommend the good stuff (naturally). For an even more in-depth examination as to why I'm writing this, check out the introductory article I wrote at the start of the series (a year and half ago!)
Anyway, each Wednesday I'll be writing about a different film or series. However, this week is a special round-up of many of the series and films we've covered in the past (plus a few which are coming soon). Specifically, all these entries are ones that are available via the awesomeness that is Netflix (and no, I'm not being sponsored by them). Of course, not everything I've covered in the past is on Netflix (including Neon Genesis Evangelion and Cowboy Bebop, two of my personal favorites), but much of it is, and a huge number of people have access to it. In addition to Netflix, Hulu and Crunchyroll are excellent platforms for anime.
So, on to the series!
Anyway, each Wednesday I'll be writing about a different film or series. However, this week is a special round-up of many of the series and films we've covered in the past (plus a few which are coming soon). Specifically, all these entries are ones that are available via the awesomeness that is Netflix (and no, I'm not being sponsored by them). Of course, not everything I've covered in the past is on Netflix (including Neon Genesis Evangelion and Cowboy Bebop, two of my personal favorites), but much of it is, and a huge number of people have access to it. In addition to Netflix, Hulu and Crunchyroll are excellent platforms for anime.
So, on to the series!
Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann
Series at-a-glance:
Genre: Mecha, Action, Comedy
Creators: Hiroyuki Imaishi & Kazuki Nakashima
Studio: Gainax
Length: 27 episodes
Year: 2007
This is the story of a boy named Simon, his big brother Kamina, and how they accidentally dig up a mecha suit and use it to save the universe. It’s utterly ridiculous, extremely hilarious, and completely over-the-top. One of my all-time favorite series, made by the mad geniuses of Studio Gainax.
You can read my full article of Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann here.
You can watch Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann here.
Genre: Mecha, Action, Comedy
Creators: Hiroyuki Imaishi & Kazuki Nakashima
Studio: Gainax
Length: 27 episodes
Year: 2007
This is the story of a boy named Simon, his big brother Kamina, and how they accidentally dig up a mecha suit and use it to save the universe. It’s utterly ridiculous, extremely hilarious, and completely over-the-top. One of my all-time favorite series, made by the mad geniuses of Studio Gainax.
You can read my full article of Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann here.
You can watch Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann here.
Kill la Kill
Series at-a-glance:
Genre: Action, Comedy
Creators: Hiroyuki Imaishi and Kazuki Nakashima
Studio: Trigger
Length: 25 episodes
Years: 2013-2014
The spiritual successor to Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann (made by many of the same creators) it somehow manages to be even more insane and awesome. This time it’s the story of a girl named Ryuko and a talking school uniform which gives her awesome powers in order to save the world.
You can read my full review of Kill la Kill here.
You can watch Kill la Kill here.
Genre: Action, Comedy
Creators: Hiroyuki Imaishi and Kazuki Nakashima
Studio: Trigger
Length: 25 episodes
Years: 2013-2014
The spiritual successor to Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann (made by many of the same creators) it somehow manages to be even more insane and awesome. This time it’s the story of a girl named Ryuko and a talking school uniform which gives her awesome powers in order to save the world.
You can read my full review of Kill la Kill here.
You can watch Kill la Kill here.
Fullmetal Alchemist and Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
Series at-a-glance (FMA):
Genre: Fantasy, Action
Creator: Seiji Mizushima, Shō Aikawa, Hiromu Arakawa
Studio: BONES
Length: 51 episodes
Years: 2003-2004
Series at-a-glance (FMA: Brotherhood):
Genre: Fantasy, Action
Creator: Yasuhiro Irie, Hiroshi Ōnogi, Hiromu Arakawa
Studio: BONES
Length: 64 episodes
Years: 2009-2010
Edward and Alphonse Elric made a grave error by trying to resurrect their mother using the science of alchemy. Now they roam the land in search of the Philosopher’s Stone in order to undo their terrible mistake.
You can read my full review of Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood here.
Click here to watch Fullmetal Alchemist and Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood.
Genre: Fantasy, Action
Creator: Seiji Mizushima, Shō Aikawa, Hiromu Arakawa
Studio: BONES
Length: 51 episodes
Years: 2003-2004
Series at-a-glance (FMA: Brotherhood):
Genre: Fantasy, Action
Creator: Yasuhiro Irie, Hiroshi Ōnogi, Hiromu Arakawa
Studio: BONES
Length: 64 episodes
Years: 2009-2010
Edward and Alphonse Elric made a grave error by trying to resurrect their mother using the science of alchemy. Now they roam the land in search of the Philosopher’s Stone in order to undo their terrible mistake.
You can read my full review of Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood here.
Click here to watch Fullmetal Alchemist and Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood.
Mushishi
Series at-a-glance:
Genre: Fantasy, but see below
Creator: Yuki Urushibara
Studio: Artland
Length: 26 episodes (season 1) and 20 episodes (season 2)
Year: 2005-2006 (season 1), 2014 (season 2)
Ginko is a wandering doctor and shaman, with the rare ability to see the nature spirits known as mushi with which we share our world. A unique series which often seems like a fantastical nature documentary, with hauntingly beautiful animation.
You can read my full review of Mushishi here.
You can watch Mushishi (second season only) here.
Genre: Fantasy, but see below
Creator: Yuki Urushibara
Studio: Artland
Length: 26 episodes (season 1) and 20 episodes (season 2)
Year: 2005-2006 (season 1), 2014 (season 2)
Ginko is a wandering doctor and shaman, with the rare ability to see the nature spirits known as mushi with which we share our world. A unique series which often seems like a fantastical nature documentary, with hauntingly beautiful animation.
You can read my full review of Mushishi here.
You can watch Mushishi (second season only) here.
Samurai Champloo
Genres: Action, Comedy, Chanbara
Creator: Shinichiro Watanabe
Studio: Manglobe
Length: 26 episodes
Year: 2004
Join vagrant swordsman Mugen, mysterious ronin Jean, and ditzy waitress Fuu as they travel across medieval Japan searching for “the samurai who smells of sunflowers”. Director Shinichiro Watanabe fuses together the classic samurai story with beat-boxing, graffiti, and modern hip-hop music.
You can read my full review of Samurai Champloo here.
You can watch Samurai Champloo here.
Creator: Shinichiro Watanabe
Studio: Manglobe
Length: 26 episodes
Year: 2004
Join vagrant swordsman Mugen, mysterious ronin Jean, and ditzy waitress Fuu as they travel across medieval Japan searching for “the samurai who smells of sunflowers”. Director Shinichiro Watanabe fuses together the classic samurai story with beat-boxing, graffiti, and modern hip-hop music.
You can read my full review of Samurai Champloo here.
You can watch Samurai Champloo here.
Puella Magi Madoka Magica
Series at-a-glance:
Genres: Dark Fantasy, Horror, Magical Girl
Creators: Shinbo Akiyuki and Urobuchi Gen
Studio: Shaft
Length: 12 episodes and 1 film
Year: 2011
The first few episodes of this series try to trick you into thinking it’s a cute show for little girls about friendship and magic. In actuality, it is a dark and twisted tale of madness, despair, and the high cost of hope.
You can read my full review of Puella Magi Madoka Magica here.
You can watch Puella Magi Madoka Magica here.
Genres: Dark Fantasy, Horror, Magical Girl
Creators: Shinbo Akiyuki and Urobuchi Gen
Studio: Shaft
Length: 12 episodes and 1 film
Year: 2011
The first few episodes of this series try to trick you into thinking it’s a cute show for little girls about friendship and magic. In actuality, it is a dark and twisted tale of madness, despair, and the high cost of hope.
You can read my full review of Puella Magi Madoka Magica here.
You can watch Puella Magi Madoka Magica here.
Durarara!!
Series at-a-glance:
Genres: Drama, Crime, Urban Fantasy
Creators: Takahiro Omori, Noboru Takagi, Ryōgo Narita
Studio: Brain's Base
Length: 26 episodes (season 1) and 36 episodes (season 2)
Years: 2010 (season 1), 2015-2016 (season 2)
The district of Ikebukuro, Tokyo- a city of many stories and many secrets. Durarara!! is the story of three friends named Mikado, Masaomi, and Anri and how they discover those secrets and stories, including those of the city's "color gangs", a "colorless" gang called The Dollars, a pharmaceutical company rumored to be illegally experimenting on people, a mysterious serial killer called "the Slasher", and the urban legend of a black-clad motorcyclist known as "The Black Rider".
My full review of Durarara!! is coming soon!
You can watch Durarara!! here.
Genres: Drama, Crime, Urban Fantasy
Creators: Takahiro Omori, Noboru Takagi, Ryōgo Narita
Studio: Brain's Base
Length: 26 episodes (season 1) and 36 episodes (season 2)
Years: 2010 (season 1), 2015-2016 (season 2)
The district of Ikebukuro, Tokyo- a city of many stories and many secrets. Durarara!! is the story of three friends named Mikado, Masaomi, and Anri and how they discover those secrets and stories, including those of the city's "color gangs", a "colorless" gang called The Dollars, a pharmaceutical company rumored to be illegally experimenting on people, a mysterious serial killer called "the Slasher", and the urban legend of a black-clad motorcyclist known as "The Black Rider".
My full review of Durarara!! is coming soon!
You can watch Durarara!! here.
Psycho-Pass
Series at-a-glance:
Genre: Cyberpunk
Creators: Naoyoshi Shiotani, Katsuyuki Motohiro, Gen Urobuchi
Studio: Production I.G.
Length: 22 episodes (season 1), 11 episodes (season 2)
Years: 2012-2013 (season 1), 2014 (season 2)
Set in a near-future version of Japan ruled by a computer network called the Sibyl System, this series follows young detective Akane Tsunemori of the Public Safety Bureau. But in the future, you’re not arrested based on evidence and testimony; you’re arrested (and executed) based on your emotions and thoughts.
My full review of Psycho-Pass is coming soon!
You can watch Psycho-Pass (season 1) here.
Genre: Cyberpunk
Creators: Naoyoshi Shiotani, Katsuyuki Motohiro, Gen Urobuchi
Studio: Production I.G.
Length: 22 episodes (season 1), 11 episodes (season 2)
Years: 2012-2013 (season 1), 2014 (season 2)
Set in a near-future version of Japan ruled by a computer network called the Sibyl System, this series follows young detective Akane Tsunemori of the Public Safety Bureau. But in the future, you’re not arrested based on evidence and testimony; you’re arrested (and executed) based on your emotions and thoughts.
My full review of Psycho-Pass is coming soon!
You can watch Psycho-Pass (season 1) here.
The Animatrix
Film at-a-glance:
Genre: Science Fiction
Creators: The Wachowskis, Andy Jones, Mahiro Maeda, Shinichirō Watanabe, Yoshiaki Kawajiri, Takeshi Koeke, Koji Morimoto, Peter Chung
Studios: Studio 4°C, Madhouse, DNA, Square Pictures
Length: 8 short films, 101 minutes total
Year: 2003
Neo may be the One, but he’s not the only one fighting against the Matrix. This anthology film features many different directors, studios, and animation styles, but all them trace the less well-known stories of The Matrix universe.
You can read my full review of The Animatrix here.
You can watch The Animatrix here.
Genre: Science Fiction
Creators: The Wachowskis, Andy Jones, Mahiro Maeda, Shinichirō Watanabe, Yoshiaki Kawajiri, Takeshi Koeke, Koji Morimoto, Peter Chung
Studios: Studio 4°C, Madhouse, DNA, Square Pictures
Length: 8 short films, 101 minutes total
Year: 2003
Neo may be the One, but he’s not the only one fighting against the Matrix. This anthology film features many different directors, studios, and animation styles, but all them trace the less well-known stories of The Matrix universe.
You can read my full review of The Animatrix here.
You can watch The Animatrix here.
Fate/Zero
Series at-a-glance:
Genres: Fantasy, Action
Creators: Urobuchi Gen, Aoki Ei
Studio: Ufotable
Length: 25 episodes
Years: 2011-2012
Wizards would seem to have it all, what with the magical powers and unimaginable wealth. Than what’s so valuable that it would cause them to start killing each other? Why the Holy Grail of course, with the ability to grant any one wish.
You can read my full review of Fate/Zero here!
You can watch Fate/Zero here!
Genres: Fantasy, Action
Creators: Urobuchi Gen, Aoki Ei
Studio: Ufotable
Length: 25 episodes
Years: 2011-2012
Wizards would seem to have it all, what with the magical powers and unimaginable wealth. Than what’s so valuable that it would cause them to start killing each other? Why the Holy Grail of course, with the ability to grant any one wish.
You can read my full review of Fate/Zero here!
You can watch Fate/Zero here!
Deadman Wonderland
Series at-a-glance:
Genre: Action
Creators: Kōichirō Hatsumi, Yasuyuki Muto, Jinsei Kataoka
Studio: Manglobe
Length: 12 episodes
Year: 2011
Ganta has had a rough day. First a mysterious man with magical powers massacres his entire high school class. Then he’s blamed for it and sent to a prison which is also an amusement park. And in this prison, you only survive as long as you can keep the guests smiling.
My full review of Deadman Wonderland is coming soon!
You can watch Deadman Wonderland here!
Genre: Action
Creators: Kōichirō Hatsumi, Yasuyuki Muto, Jinsei Kataoka
Studio: Manglobe
Length: 12 episodes
Year: 2011
Ganta has had a rough day. First a mysterious man with magical powers massacres his entire high school class. Then he’s blamed for it and sent to a prison which is also an amusement park. And in this prison, you only survive as long as you can keep the guests smiling.
My full review of Deadman Wonderland is coming soon!
You can watch Deadman Wonderland here!
Attack on Titan
Series at-a-glance:
Genre: Action, Fantasy, Post-Apocalyptic
Creator: Hajime Isayama
Studio: Production I.G. and Wit Studio
Length: 25 episodes
Year: 2013
With his hometown in ruins, young Eren Yeager becomes determined to fight back against the giant Titans which threaten to (quite literally) devour the human race.
You can read my full review of Attack on Titan here.
You can watch Attack on Titan here.
Genre: Action, Fantasy, Post-Apocalyptic
Creator: Hajime Isayama
Studio: Production I.G. and Wit Studio
Length: 25 episodes
Year: 2013
With his hometown in ruins, young Eren Yeager becomes determined to fight back against the giant Titans which threaten to (quite literally) devour the human race.
You can read my full review of Attack on Titan here.
You can watch Attack on Titan here.
Genius Party
Film at-a-glance:
Genre: Fantasy
Creators: Atsuko Fukushima, Shoji Kawamori, Shinji Kimura, Yoji Fukuyama, Hideki Futamura, Masaaki Yuasa, Shinichiro Watanabe
Studio: Studio 4°C
Length: 7 short films (85 minutes total)
Year: 2007
This collection of seven short films often venture into the incredibly strange surreal, from the story of a Chinese boy who finds a paintbrush which can alter reality to some that are barely comprehensible. But all are incredibly beautiful.
My full review of Genius Party is coming soon!
You can watch Genius Party here!
Genre: Fantasy
Creators: Atsuko Fukushima, Shoji Kawamori, Shinji Kimura, Yoji Fukuyama, Hideki Futamura, Masaaki Yuasa, Shinichiro Watanabe
Studio: Studio 4°C
Length: 7 short films (85 minutes total)
Year: 2007
This collection of seven short films often venture into the incredibly strange surreal, from the story of a Chinese boy who finds a paintbrush which can alter reality to some that are barely comprehensible. But all are incredibly beautiful.
My full review of Genius Party is coming soon!
You can watch Genius Party here!
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