What does your top 5 anime say about you?
As I was listing down my 5 favourite anime in an anime forum (trying to farm for posts to sell my figures you see), I was surprised how much one could infer from your top 5. In that thread, there were through and through Gundam fans, Typemoon fans, shoujo fans, very new anime fans (where all 5 were 2008/9 series), the mainstream anime fan (Dragonball, One piece, Naruto) etc etc. And that got me wondering -
What does your top 5 anime say about you?
For example, a siscon's top 5 should look like....
1. Koi Kaze
2. Da Capo
3. Boku wa imouto ni koi wo suru
4. True Tears
5. Kagihime Monogatari
and for the record, those are not my top 5 though there are so very excellent shows in there. I probably should surrender my siscon membership. The 5 I listed on the forum were, in no particular order of love -
1. Da Capo
2. X TV
3. True Tears
4. Mai HiME
5. Ga-rei Zero
A list which I thought should also acquit me of the lolicon charge that Zyl has been leveling against me. XD So what do I see in my own list?
Personally I thought it was a nice balance of old and new series. GRZ and True Tears were 2008 productions while the rest are pre-2006 with X TV being the oldest @ 2001. Next, this is probably proof that I'm not yet old and jaded about anime (which a phase I thought I was sinking into given my poor anime intake of late). The jaded anime fan tends to rave about the anime golden age in that distant past. Finally, I think the list coherently explains once and for all, which the tanuki is into Da Capo - not for the siscon, but for the drama.
If there's one consistent theme threading all 5 favs, it's the heavy dose of drama. Betrayals, love intrigues, taboo love - all the elements I enjoyed about those series were undergirded and driven by drama. Of course having bishoujo helps but that's my reason for loving anime as a medium and hence warrants a separate post.
So what do your top 5 anime say about you? Come share and maybe you'll realise something about your anime tastes/profile you have never realised.
PS: Incidentally, here's Dark Stripey's list....
1. Sora no Iro, Mizu no Iro
2. Innocent Front
3. Seifuku Shojo
4. Accelerando
5. Hime Kishi Lilia
NOT! Just kidding... the Dark tanuki is not amused though. *shrug* XD
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October 28th, 2009 - 01:56
I can sympathize a bit with all the ‘golden age’ style top-5 lists, from a non-jaded perspective; I feel like I tend to look back on shows much more fondly than I looked at them while watching them (forgetting about the bad parts and emphasizing the good).
It’s gotten to the point where I’ve put Shiori^H^H^H^H^H^H Kanon on some sort of pedestal solely on the basis of being my second fansub / my first gateway bishoujo / VN anime!
Well, I say this, but I don’t seem to feel like I have a consistent ‘top X anime’ which I can put on some sort of plateau above the other anime; I think School Days and The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya’s Fanbase were incredible, not-to-be-missed anime, but not for the same reasons as say, a Hayate, Higurashi, or ef, all of which have their own appeals and reasons.
Heh, it makes me think that my ideal ranking for ‘top anime’ would be some sort of harem in itself. One to fill out each ‘role’, whether that be a genre or elsewise, rather than just having a classless grouping. Maybe I should expound on that later.
Ah, the perils of ranking…
October 28th, 2009 - 01:57
My top 5 all happen to be scifi!
Planetes, GitS, Last Exile, Gintama and arguably either Eureka Seven or Darker than Black. Only Gintama is vaguely less scifi though it has aliens and alternate history.
October 28th, 2009 - 02:47
My “top 5″ are all over the place, though dominated by ‘life slice’ and ‘romance’. Caveat: I have a rotating top 5 that changes depending on my mood of the day. In no particular order:
ARIA
Mahorabi: Heartful Days
Love*Com
Kamichu
Spice and Wolf
which leaves off… AIR, Kanon, Eve no Jikan, Lucky*Star, Hidamari, Sketchbook, Azumanga Daioh, Tsukuyomi Moon Phase, REC, Haibane Renmai, Ai Yori Aoshi, 5cm/sec, and many other wonderful moments of time well spent.
October 28th, 2009 - 03:24
Three words: Di Gi Charat
October 28th, 2009 - 04:05
Tough list to make
Evangelion
El Hazard
Nanoha A’s
Macross
Kimi ga Nozomu Eien
i think my list says more about my age then my personality.
October 28th, 2009 - 04:35
Somehow I’ve never been able to name my favourite series, 5 or more. There’re just too much good ones. And I can’t really put good series in one genre above or below good series in another genre.
October 28th, 2009 - 04:50
2007 must’ve been one helluva banner year, because 4 of my top 5 faves come from then:
Code Geass
Higurashi Kai
Gurren Lagann
Seto no Hanayome
And 2006 seemingly wasn’t that far behind:
Haruhi
1st season of Higurashi (would be my 6th choice)
Not one of these shows did I actually watch when it first aired… which makes me wonder if I’m subconsciously ranking shows higher that I marathon vs. watch on a weekly basis. Either way, I think it shows that I’m a relative noob.
October 28th, 2009 - 05:19
A tanuki never changes his stripes, no matter how hard he tries to paint over them :p
October 28th, 2009 - 07:25
Being a recipient of the Shin Brofist, all that remains is for Stripey to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award from abq who awaits resurrection.
Anyway my accusation is more subtle than that: Stripey is also a lolicon.
More on topic, my top five tells me that my memory is failing me – must update MAL, eat more fish oil and fap less.
Appreciated this post very much as an addendum to Stripey’s MyAnimeList favourites.
October 28th, 2009 - 06:18
My top five:
1. Revolutionary Girl Utena
2. Monster
3. Eureka Seven
4. Kaleido Star
5. RahXephon
My top five, for whatever else they do in the series, all have a strong heart that goes beyond being emotional (even amid Utena’s craziness or Monster’s bleakness there is a steadily beating heart). My top four especially are shows that touched me more than I could really express with words. (Though I have tried often over the years!) I love intelligent series, and all these series are very intelligent, but what I value most is an experience that will reach down into my soul and give it a good shake.
October 28th, 2009 - 06:20
it is still a siscon, just with more action.
October 28th, 2009 - 07:14
I wrote about this last May, how we inevitably brand ourselves by choosing a list of favorites.
My list looks slightly different now from the list I put in the post:
1. Super Dimension Fortress Macross
2. Eureka Seven
3. Cowboy Bebop
4. Neon Genesis Evangelion
5. Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann
What does this say about me? Mechafag, but with a conspicuous absense of Gundam titles in there. Instead I have sub lists.
Macross hierarchy:
1. SDF Macross
2. Macross 7
3. Macross Plus
4. Macross Frontier
5. Macross Zero
(Where’s Do You Remember Love? Shocking, I know)
Then let’s have some Gundam!
1. 0083: Stardust Memory
2. 0080: War in the Pocket
3. Turn A Gundam
2. Zeta Gundam
5. 0079 Movie Trilogy
This was harder than I thought.
October 28th, 2009 - 09:57
Hmm…
1. Monster
2. Gunslinger Girl
3. Princess Mononoke
4. Full Metal Alchemist 1
5. ARIA the Origination
Guess I’m a sucker for some really big psychological drama along with some relaxing fare that really make me feel good. I think redemption and/or tragedy plays a role in the kinds of shows I like, which is why these are always going to stick out as my favorites.
October 28th, 2009 - 10:19
From MyAnimeList:
Cardcaptor Sakura
Princess Tutu
Kaleido Star
R.O.D The TV
Shugo Chara!
I think I tend to like series that leave me feeling cheerful, like Cardcaptor Sakura and Kaleido Star. Shugo Chara is almost like a modern-day Cardcaptor Sakura, but something that’s generally fun to watch. Although it just says R.O.D The TV, I also would include the OVA. Yomiko and the Paper Sisters are just so awesome, and the concept of an ability to manipulate paper at will is just fantastic. I really liked the somewhat dark fairy tale storytelling of Princess Tutu.
Maybe eventually, more slice-of-life and cheerful titles will dominate my top anime. Need to watch more ARIA.
October 28th, 2009 - 20:16
No particular order:
ARIA
Escaflowne
Crest/Banner of the Stars
Nanoha
Claymore
(Hellsing comes very close, but no cigar!)
I have a big heart and my tastes are all over the place!
October 28th, 2009 - 23:00
Hmm, let’s see… My top five, not in any order, are Kanon, Da Capo, Clannad, Macross, and Gundam. This probably means that I’m a deep-feeling battle maniac… LOL!
October 29th, 2009 - 03:46
Interesting indeed and a top 5 can say a lot about certain anime fan or viewer.
My current top five is:
- Cowboy Bebop
- Ghost in the Shell
- Aria
- Kimi ga Nozomu Eien
- Elfen Lied
October 29th, 2009 - 05:36
1) Azumanga Daioh
2) Lucky Star
3) Elfen Lied
4) Clannad
5) Minami-ke (first season)
Humour is the key for me, plots are optional. yuri and brokeness is also good (have a seperate list for those shows!)
October 29th, 2009 - 13:50
1) Crest/Banner of the Star
2) Kare Kano
3) Haibane Renmei
4) Kino’s Journey
5) Castle in the Sky
Hmm, first three focus on close, personal relationships, and there’s also themes of fantasy and pondering on human nature.
To extend through my top 10:
6) Macross: DYRL
7) Cowboy Bebop
8 ) Azumanga Daioh
9) Rurouni Kenshin Prequel OVA (whatever it’s called)
10) Gurren Lagann
In addition to the previous trends, a sci-fi preference emerges. Also, by-and-large the list is made of shows from that ‘98-’03 year range, the first five years of my fandom; anime from my infancy, so to speak. I suppose I imprint these series and am prone to nostalgic themes.
October 29th, 2009 - 18:14
Id even go and say many people go and make up their Top 5 with Animes that project a good taste rather than listing their true favorites in mind.So you like trashy Ecchi series?Fine! Dont post Animes just for the Image though.
Personally I always thought that Top 5s of any kind are a really difficult matter.Id have to think pretty hard about making one up at the moment
October 30th, 2009 - 00:40
Woah thanks all for your thoughts!
CCY / LexXxich / Blowfish: Ah I understand your dilemma of choosing the 5 five. Personally I’d base it on the 5 you enjoyed most and would like to recommend it to another with a passion. That’s how my list was born at least
tj_han: I need to catch Gintama some time
Vexx: Since I’ve only seen 2.5 of your list… can I say endearing characters with slice-of-life?
Di Gi Kazune: LOL! Now that’s Passion!
Xellos^_-: An eclectic selection! Shows the breadth of your anime appreciation!
Zyl / Nazarielle: *Brofist*
ghostlightning” Your list screams “EPIC!!!”
zzeroparticle: With the exception of Aria, I’d say you enjoy drama with a good sprinkling of tragic?
Shinmaru: Wow! Now that makes me want to catch Utena and Kaleidostar!
RP: It looks like strong, coherent tales are right up your alley.
Asrialys: LOL! Yeah, Shugo Chara is the post-milllenium CCS. Aria is cheerful, positive and a series with a lot of anime. Aria should have been on your list indeed
Ryuusei: So… SOOO moved to meet another DC fan!!!
Smithy: Ah I think you enjoy shows with soul.
Andy Janes: Light humour is in for you although Elfen lied looks a little out of place there.
kadian1364: I heartily agree with you on the deeper implants during the early stages of our fandom.
Often we don’t remember the shows per se but vividly recall our state of emotions while watching.
October 30th, 2009 - 08:48
So hard to choose. Let’s see here, in no particular order after the first one…
1. Kimagure Orange Road
2. Noir
3. Slayers
4. Black Lagoon
5. Cowboy Bebeop
Though, I must say, Soul Eater is edging its way into my heart as I currently watch it.
October 30th, 2009 - 10:50
I have never really thought of my favs >< I have a LOT of them, but I guess its about time I pick my favs ones
1. Code geass
2. Darker than black
3. Blood+
4. Claymore
5. Macross Frontier
Even though I already have my top 5 I really love Tetsuwan Birdy DECODE,Eden of the East, Ouran High School Host Club and Air gear had the potential I didn't get why they just cut it off like that :/ yeah thats all the ones I can think off the top of my head, basically I really like actions shows or ones that are really suspenseful. But theres just so many other shows I like too, I have like a whole list but I won't put it on here cuz it would probably take up half the page haha xD
October 30th, 2009 - 11:54
It really is quite hard to put a top list together. To make it a bit simpler, I consider a whole series (all seasons, OVAs, movies) as one entity. A rough list for me would go like this, in unranked order:
Full Metal Panic (particularly Fumoffu)
Scrapped Princess
Cardcaptor Sakura
Azumanga Daioh
Kaleido Star
Runners up include Monster, “Jungle wa Itsumo Hale Nochi Guu,” Rurouni Kenshin series, Nanoha series, Shakugan no Shana series, Full Metal Alchemist series and more.
You know, I never really considered myself a big shoujo anime watcher, but the rare one that I do like usually leaves a big impression on me. I even surprise myself when CCS and KS come to mind for my top 5 list.
Alternately, I watch plenty of action shows but I can’t really remember any that I like enough to rank in my “best ever” list.
As for studios, I’m a fan of damn near anything made by Studio Bones. KyoAni has dropped a few ranks for me lately because of their super moe shows and refusal to produce “Fumoffu 2.” I seem to be one of the few who still really favors JC Staff these days.
October 30th, 2009 - 12:27
NinjaSin: While I can group Bebop, Lagoon and Noir together, I’m not quite sure what to make of KOR and slayers on the list
Still am glad to see a fellow fan enjoy a good range of anime! 
Dr_Tenma: I can DEFINITELY identify with your list. Save for Kaleidostar which I haven’t seen, the rest are in my top 15.
It also looks like we have a lot in common on studios.
I have a lot of respect for BONES and am looking fwd to completing Darker than Black. On JCStaff, personally I think they have been one of the MOST consistent studios in recent years. Of course Index was somewhat a let down but I attribute that to the faithfulness to the source. KyoAni, once the darling of the 2D world is no longer on my watchlist. Like yourself, I thought they went wayyyy to deep into the moe end (hey I like moe too. But not the otaku-pandering kind. Felli Loss embodies all I enjoy in moe) and haven’t provided anything that makes me go “Katsugichi!!!” (Something I bellow when I’m moved/passionate).
October 30th, 2009 - 20:49
When you have Dejiko-sama and Puchiko-chan, there is nothing more you need-nyo! :3
October 31st, 2009 - 17:53
1. Aoi Hana
2. Cowboy Bebop
3. Azumanga Daioh
4. The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya
5.Its a tie between FLCL and Paranoia Agent
Aoi Hana, Cowboy Bebop and Azumanga are a close race for number 1 but Aoi Hana just tops because it was so beautiful, or maybe it was because it is the most recent?
If I include manga on my list it would definitely reflect my darker tastes, then again I read too much yuri. ^^
October 31st, 2009 - 21:12
My Top 5 anime list used to be:
1. Honey and Clover
2. Full Metal Panic!
3. Card Captor Sakura
4. Ouran High School Club
5. Toshokan Sensou
though when ghostlightning mentioned my list in his post I thought it was… shameful lolol. Except Honey and Clover, which I feel deserving of its place.. forever. My list was ‘juvenile’, and didn’t reflect what I really really love. I didn’t even watch FMP and CCS completely -_-; Then again I also didn’t finish watching Aka-chan to Boku but now I feel it deserves a spot on my list.
Tastes change in time, and so is my list. Up until now I still am in that (epic) journey in search of what I’d call my ‘All Time Favorites’. Darker than Black and Princess Tutu made it to my list now, probably Cross Game too, in the near future.
November 1st, 2009 - 00:44
Gather there might be some who put anime series in their top five to project good taste but in my case I put my favorites of series I thouroughly enjoyed and that really had an impact on me.
Especially “Aria”, a series I continuously grow to love more and more. Many do not like the slow pace, lack of story, but I loved its calm, soothing joy of life, always looking at the bright side and finding a new miracle in each day. If I would ever desire a fictional universe to be real, it would be that of “Aria”.
“Cowboy Bebop” and “Ghost in the Shell” are simply incomparable classics. As cyberpunk sci-fi goes, nothing has ever outmatched Masamune Shirow’s great vision with GITS and “Cowboy Bebop” is what it subscript says, a genre onto its own. How can you not love them?
“Kimi ga Nozomu Eien” is a solid romantic drama but has plenty of contenders in its genre, but this series gripped me right in the heart when I first watched it, the same way the underlying fatality of the love story in “Elfen Lied” did.
Each of these series really grabbed me and stuck with me, striking a chord so to speak that other perhaps technically better shows I also enjoyed just didn’t reach.
November 1st, 2009 - 01:16
Ah well I guess I might just post my List from Animelist.I atleast gave that some though ^^
So in no particular order:
GTO
Black Lagoon
Welcome to the NHK
Baccano!
Monster
I know that these are rather mainstream choices but those were the ones that came up first ^_^
Youre Analysis please? XD
November 2nd, 2009 - 12:37
Ah, Baccano. A contender for my top list but I forgot about it at the time. Brain’s Base is rising on my “studios to follow” list as well, I liked Natsume Yuujinchou and Kurenai was interesting enough.
I wouldn’t call Baccano or Monster mainstream shows. Not many people watched them (at least in my social circles). As good as they are, I wouldn’t recommend them for “beginners” either, due to Monster’s pacing/art and Baccano’s nonlinear direction.