Many of you will see on my insta stories of me watching/catching up on an anime. For those who do not know what anime is well..
anime
definition: is hand-drawn or computerised animation originating from Japan aimed at adults and children
a typical of example of anime that we all watched growing up… Pokemon. Any of you watched that? haha of course you did. Maybe Digimon? or Yu Gi Oh? perhaps Dragon Ball Z? Beylade? all of these are anime that are hand dawn or computerised and produced in Japan. We watched the dubbed versions growing up.
What is the hype?
well, I am glad you asked. The hype is as I mentioned there is anime aimed at adults as well as children. Anime is available in many different genres for all to watch from romance, horror to comedy, historical, mystery etc.
Most anime’s are based on mangas (japanese comic books) and let me tell you the story lines are amazing. Better then any DC or Marvel super hero comic book in my opinion.
The characters, the back story, the main climax… all of it is captivating and told so well. That is not to stay that they are all really good because I have watched some that are awful.
My very first anime
Technically Pokemon, Digimon and Yu Gi Oh were the first anime’s I watched so I guess it is also safe to say you all watched these growing up –well my generation did anyway hehe those of us who were in primary/secondary school from mid 90’s into the early 00’s however when watching these, I was young and did not appreciate the difference in drawing style, production and story line compared to that of a normal cartoon say The Powerpuff girls which by the way I LUUU-HUVED so I do not count these as my first because I did not know better.
The very first anime I got into at my sisters request knowing full well I was watching an anime was Bleach. AND I WAS B L O W N A W A Y!
My sister was watching anime and reading manga from secondary school some may describe her as a weeabo and it was really through her that I was aware of anime and its difference from other supposed cartoons.
I remember watching thinking no other anime can beat this. Soul Reapers, Soul Society, the powerful zampakto’s (swords) and Hollows (demons)… I mean the perfect recipe for a great anime. The anime is actually based on the manga which just finished recently.
I then learnt of other anime’s which were just as good, in fact better so I thought I would share. I know many that are intrigued to get into watching one, I also know many who simply want recommendations so have a read below and take your pick. I hope this is helpful.
Where to stream/watch?
The best places I would recommend to watch are:
- Crunchyroll – you can watch free but the only downside is the adverts because they pop up midway through and do disturb your viewing. Paying monthly is good but it is only worth it if you watch anime like all the time. Crunchyroll is great because it has a lot of anime in its database, like a lot including nearly all of my top 10 except for 1.
- Netflix – now days everyone has a Netflix subscription and it is great that Netflix is building on their collection of anime which is great. Netflix even have Netflix produced anime’s of their own that you can also watch and I have seen a few. You can find some of the anime listed below on Netflix
- Amazon Prime video – for those who have Amazon Prime membership (like me) you as a prime member have access to tons of shows which include anime.
- Anime streaming sites such as kiss.anime.ru and anime-planet.com. With these sites, you do have to be careful with pop ups that can with one accidental click infect your laptop/computer with virus. So if you decide to watch this way, please do be careful which website you use. Simply doing a google search can list you so many streaming websites however as they are free to access they need to pay for their hosting through adverts and pop ups.
- YouTube – you will be surprised that you can find a lot of episodes for certain anime’s. Downside is quality can be awful.
10. Bleach
You are probably thinking why is it number 10 well it was the first anime I watched and it took me a while to understand what genre’s I enjoyed watching so there are other anime’s for me which scored a little bit higher. BUT that is not to say that this anime is not great because it bloody is.
Genre: Action, Adventure, Supernatural, Comedy, Shounen.
Episodes: 366 with movies and even a LIVE action to watch. I have watched the LIVE action on Netflix, it is awful.
Status: Finished airing
Background: Bleach adapts the first 54 volumes of Tite Kubo’s manga series of the same name. In addition, 4 anime-original arcs were broadcast in-between and during the adaptations of original arcs of the manga
Synopsis: Ichigo Kurosaki is an ordinary high schooler—until his family is attacked by a Hollow, a corrupt spirit that seeks to devour human souls. It is then that he meets a Soul Reaper named Rukia Kuchiki, who gets injured while protecting Ichigo’s family from the assailant. To save his family, Ichigo accepts Rukia’s offer of taking her powers and becomes a Soul Reaper as a result. However, as Rukia is unable to regain her powers, Ichigo is given the daunting task of hunting down the Hollows that plague their town. However, he is not alone in his fight, as he is later joined by his friends—classmates Orihime Inoue, Yasutora Sado, and Uryuu Ishida—who each have their own unique abilities. As Ichigo and his comrades get used to their new duties and support each other on and off the battlefield, the young Soul Reaper soon learns that the Hollows are not the only real threat to the human world
The Soul Tamer verdict: Soul Society is basically a heaven for spirits and for the grim reapers to live in, it is pretty much designed as if it was in olden day Japan and I really like that historical factor. The Shinigami wear traditional kimono’s and carry large zampakto’s and I like it. It is not just that… one of my favourite genre’s is fantasy so everything about this anime ticks the boxes.
7.5/10 because I realised there are more amazing anime out there which blew this anime out the water for me. This will not change the fact that this anime is amazing because it is but as you see in my list below I no longer was the Anime Virgin I once was.
9. Owari no Seraph (Seraph of the End)
Keeping in line with the fantasy element and people carrying weapons is this anime. If you like apocalyptic world with vampires and a dark experiments then this is your anime.
Genre: Action, Military, Supernatural, Drama, Shounen, Vampire
Seasons: 2 with 12 episodes in each season. There are also OVA’s and movies to watch also.
Current status: Finished but I hear that a season 3 is in the pipeline.
Background: Is an anime adaptation of Takaya Kagami’s ongoing shounen manga of the same name. The source material has also spawned several other adaptations including two different light novel series, a voice comic, two video games and a spin-off manga
Synopsis:
Season 1: With the appearance of a mysterious virus that kills everyone above the age of 13, mankind becomes enslaved by previously hidden, power-hungry vampires who emerge in order to subjugate society with the promise of protecting the survivors, in exchange for donations of their blood. Among these survivors are Yuuichirou and Mikaela Hyakuya, two young boys who are taken captive from an orphanage, along with other children whom they consider family. Discontent with being treated like livestock under the vampires’ cruel reign, Mikaela hatches a rebellious escape plan that is ultimately doomed to fail. The only survivor to come out on the other side is Yuuichirou, who is found by the Moon Demon Company, a military unit dedicated to exterminating the vampires in Japan. Many years later, now a member of the Japanese Imperial Demon Army, Yuuichirou is determined to take revenge on the creatures that slaughtered his family, but at what cost?
Season 2: Yuuichirou Hyakuya is finally reunited with his childhood friend Mikaela Hyakuya, whom he had long presumed to be dead. Upon their reunion, however, he discovers that Mikaela has been turned into a vampire. Determined to help his friend, Yuuichirou vows to get stronger so that he can protect Mikaela as well as the comrades in the Moon Demon Company. Kureto Hiiragi receives information that a large group of vampires will be gathering in Nagoya, preparing for their assault on the Imperial Demon Army’s main forces in Tokyo. Led by Guren Ichinose, Yuuichirou’s team is one of many selected to intercept and eliminate the vampire nobles. With the Nagoya mission quickly approaching, the members of Shinoa squad continue to work towards fully mastering their weapons, while learning how to improve their teamwork. Yuuichirou must gain the power he needs to slay the nobles and save his best friend, before he succumbs to the demon of the Cursed Gear.
The Soul Tamer verdict: This anime covers a lot of themes. The one theme which perhaps really creeped me out was the whole orphaned children living under vampire control. These vampires exploiting them and these children just being young and naive to understand and accepting that this is life. Aside from that once seeing Yuuichirou’s story develop and his link with everything in particular his relationship with his Cursed Gear is remarkable. The one thing you root for is the humans and Vampires having a showdown because you really hate them.
10/10 – it is brilliant and look forward to watching a season 3 which I know is in the works.
8. Kamisama Hajimemashte
Onto no. 8 and again keeping in line with the fantasy… think you can see a pattern here is this anime. This genre in particular Shoujo is one of my favourites because it consists of romance, drama… all aimed at us ladies (and guys too)
Genre: Shoujo, Romance, Comedy, Demons, Fantasy, Supernatural
Seasons: 2 with 13 episodes in season 1 and 12 in season 2. There are also OVA’s and movies to watch also.
Current status: Finished but I hear that a season 3 is in the pipeline.
Background: The anime is based on the manga created by Jullietta Suzuki. The manga is now finished and published a total of 25 volumes and a 154 chapters.
Synopsis:
Season1: High schooler Nanami Momozono has quite a few problems of late, beginning with her absentee father being in such extreme debt that they lose everything. Downtrodden and homeless, she runs into a man being harassed by a dog. After helping him, she explains her situation, and to her surprise, he offers her his home in gratitude. But when she discovers that said home is a rundown shrine, she tries to leave; however, she is caught by two shrine spirits and a fox familiar named Tomoe. They mistake her for the man Nanami rescued—the land god of the shrine, Mikage. Realizing that Mikage must have sent her there as a replacement god, Tomoe leaves abruptly, refusing to serve a human. Rather than going back to being homeless, Nanami immerses herself in her divine duties. But if she must keep things running smoothly, she will need the help of a certain hot-headed fox. In her fumbling attempt to seek out Tomoe, she lands in trouble and ends up sealing a contract with him. Now the two must traverse the path of godhood together as god and familiar; but it will not be easy, for new threats arise in the form of a youkai who wants to devour the girl, a snake that wants to marry her, and Nanami’s own unexpected feelings for her new familiar.
Season 2: Nanami Momozono and her familiars Tomoe and Mizuki have survived quite a few challenges since Nanami took up the mantle of Mikage Shrine’s patron god. Naturally, the wind god Otohiko comes to invite Nanami to the Divine Assembly in Izumo, the home of the gods, and Nanami chooses to take Mizuki with her, leaving Tomoe to pose as her at school. However, she has an ulterior motive for attending the Divine Assembly: to discover the whereabouts of the missing Lord Mikage, the former god of the shrine. After her adventures in Izumo, Nanami meets Botanmaru, a tengu child looking for someone she knows all too well—tengu turned goth idol Shinjirou Kurama. Botanmaru needs Shinjirou, their prince, to return home to Mount Kurama and stop the tyranny of Jirou, who has taken over the rule of their hometown. However, Nanami soon discovers a force much darker than Jirou is at work on the mountain. As a fledgling god becoming more accustomed to divinity, Nanami finds herself dealing with a tengu rebellion, her blooming feelings for Tomoe, and a strange man with ties to both Tomoe’s past and Nanami’s future.
The Soul Tamers Verdict: I remember so clearly that my little sister was telling me for so long to watch this anime and I was like yeah yeah I will. Now the funny part is by the time I got around to watching it I actually find the anime on my own accord and forgot about my sister’s recommendation so when I told her I was watching it and what it was about she was like I told you to watch this ages ago and then that is when it hit me haha.
Anyway… as mentioned Shoujo anime is my thing because I love the romance element it tends to have and that it is focused on a romance between the main character who is a girl and a male of some sort and in this case Tomoe her fox familiar. I do not want to go into any detail but their romance is so nicely developed but not just that the other supernatural elements in this anime are brought in so nicely. You are really lost in this world that Nanami is in and really do root for her and Tomoe.
10/10 – because it is so friggin good and I really hope there is a season 3 out there… which I did read about so yeah.
7. Hakouki
Now this anime… it is a weird one because I remember before I actually started watching it I tried to watch the 1st episode a good 3/4 times before I eventually was like okay lets watch this fully and go onto episode 2. This anime is more of a Josei Romance but as more historical elements as it is based in Japan during the Edo period. You fall in love more with the male characters of the Shinsengumi and it is amazing.
Genre: Action, Historical, Drama, Supernatural, Demon, Samurai, Josei
Seasons: 3 with 12 episodes in season 1 and 2 and 10 episodes in season 3. I have only watched season 2 and 3 not season 1.
Current Status: Finished
Background: This anime is based on an otome video game series created by Idea Factory. The games were first released on Play Station 2 and since have published a total of 20 games. There is also a manga which was also created based on this.
Synopsis:
Season 1: The year is 1863 and as Japan’s long festering wounds of political discord erupt into violent waves of street clashes and murder, the Tokugawa Shogunate sends a new force of masterless samurai called the Roshigumi to the aid of the Aizu forces in Kyoto. However the new “police” are anything but a cohesive force and assassination has already split them into two opposing factions. The stronger is led by the brutal Serizawa Kamo and the lesser by the more honorable but less assertive Isami Kondo. It is into this pack of wolves that Ryunosuke Ibuki is dragged by the rabid Serizawa. Forced to be a virtual slave by blood debt, he hates the samurai and everything they stand for. But as he sees how the other half of the samurai live, he begins to believe that there may still be a chance, for both himself and Japan, if only Kondo will step up and take down the mad dog Serizawa!
Season 2: In 1864 Japan, a young woman named Chizuru Yukimura is searching for her missing father, Koudou, a doctor by trade whose work often takes him far from home. But with no word from him in months, Chizuru disguises herself as a man and heads to Kyoto in search of him. Attracting the attention of ronin, she tries to hide and ends up witnessing a horrifying sight: the ronin being brutally murdered by crazed white-haired men. In a startling turn of events, members of the Shinsengumi arrive to dispatch the creatures. But Chizuru’s safety doesn’t last long, as this group of men tie her up and take her back to their headquarters, unsure of whether to let her live or silence her permanently. However, once she reveals the name of her father, the Shinsengumi decide to keep her safe, as they too have been searching for him. But Koudou is more connected to the Shinsengumi than they let on, and soon Chizuru finds herself embroiled in a conflict between the Shinsengumi and their enemies, as well as political tension in Kyoto.
Season 3: After the conclusion of Hakuouki, Chizuru Yukimura and the Shinsengumi are forced to flee Kyoto and set sail for Edo. In their commander Isami Kondou’s absence, vice-commander Toshizou Hijikata steps in as acting commander. However, Hijikata is not only struggling with the extra leadership duties—which worries everyone around him—but also a newfound uncontrollable bloodlust. To make matters worse, the urge does not affect him alone, and it is even beginning to drive some of his subordinates mad. Finally, Kondou returns with orders from the emperor to defend the castle, and a new name for their squad: the Kouyou Chinbutai. But in war, the balance of power can shift suddenly and allegiances can waver. Chizuru follows the Shinsengumi into the heart of war and continues the search for her missing father, all while the bond between her and Hijikata grows ever stronger.
The Soul Tamers Verdict: As mentioned I did not watch season 1 because I did not know there was a season 1, I just watched season 2 from the get go and I am glad I did because season 1 which I tried to watch after watched season 2 and 3 was boring as fuck. There was no romance.
Anyway… This anime had me in love with the Shinsengumi. Had me feeling overly jealous because of the attention Chizuru was getting in particular was from bae who goes by the name of Toshizou Hijikata aka the captain of the Shinsengumi. If you are after an anime that is a reverse harem meaning many men are in love with the female heroine then this is your anime. But that being said it is more then that as there is the political aspect of it which is a tad boring. Other then that the story line is not the most brilliant compared to others but I was in love when I watched it at the time and was obsessed because of how the romance blossomed between Chizuru and Hijikata.
7/10 – Again based on what I have said, compared to other anime which maybe a bit more similar… the story line is a tad weak. Season 3 was a bit lacking compared to season 2. The politics are boring BUT it is number 7 because when I watched this anime, at the time to me it was the best because of the romance and its reverse harem-ness. I fan-girled hard for this anime, I bought the otome games, I bought as much merchandise as I could.
6. Vampire Night
Out of the anime’s this is more of an older anime, with a little bit of an older drawing style. This was one of the first my little sister watched back in her secondary school days. Even now when you ask her who her favourite anime character is she will scream as say Zero Kiryu.
As mentioned many times, my little is my little anime recommendations book and she told me to watch this around the time I watched Bleach but as always I didn’t. I remember when I watched this, it was the first year I had gotten married because I was reading the first chapter of the manga which I borrowed from my little sister on my way to work. After reading the first chapter I was hooked and decided what the heck I will just watch the anime which I did.
Genre: Drama, Shoujo, Supernatural, Vampire, Romance, Mystery
Seasons: 2 with 13 episodes in each season.
Current Status: Finished airing and whether there will be a season 3 is uncertain. I have feeling that there will not be though.
Background: The anime is based on a the manga written by Matsuri Hino which has published 19 volumes and 102 chapters. The manga also received multiple drama CD adaptations, three novel adaptations, a fanbook (2008), a Japanese dating simulator titled Vampire Knight DS (2009), and a live action musical adaptation shown from January 21 to January 25, 2015.
Synopsis:
Season 1: Cross Academy is an elite boarding school with two separate, isolated classes: the Day Class and the Night Class. On the surface, Yuuki Cross and Zero Kiryuu are prefects of the academy, and attempt to keep order between the students as classes rotate in the evenings. As the Night Class is full of utterly gorgeous elites, this can sometimes prove to be a bit difficult. It is completely necessary, however, as those “elites” are actually vampires. Yuuki and Zero act as guardians, protecting the secrets of the Night Class and the safety of their ignorant morning counterparts.
As the adopted daughter of the academy’s chairman, Yuuki takes her job with a serious and energetic attitude. It also allows her to interact with her secret crush and savior, the president of the Night students’ dorm, Kaname Kuran. Zero, on the other hand, has a deep-rooted hatred against vampires, and at times, does not hesitate to kill. Can vampires and humans co-exist, even in the strict setup of the Cross Academy? Only time will tell.
Season 2: As a direct continuation of the first season, Zero comes back after his disappearance from the academy. Despite her relief, Yuuki, whose past is still shrouded in mystery, wonders what exactly happened to Zero during the separation. As Zero continues having the strange vision that appeared since the day he drank Kaname’s blood, he visits the now awakened Maria Kurenai in an attempt to find answers. She only provides him with a cryptic answer that suggests who the true enemy really might be. In the meantime, vampires from the Supreme Vampire Council arrive at the academy in order to punish Zero with death for his sin of killing a pureblood. However, Kaname intervenes with the council’s decision with not only the intention of saving Zero but with another purpose unbeknown to everyone around him.
The Soul Tamer Verdict: It is based on a shoujo manga so with these the story tends to include a heroin who is a tad ditsy, weak, gets into danger and needs a male lead to save her. Now me.. I do not mind it so I enjoyed watching it. I loved the concept of the 2 separate classes and the fact that humans and vampires co exist or well try to. I think towards the end of season 2 the build up does surprise you as it did for me but it makes sense. There are some elements of incest in this though which some may find off putting – I kinda did.
7/10 – I love the themes as mentioned previously. I enjoy watching supernatural themed anime’s as their story lines tend to be different. I am a sucker for romance and I love how complicated the romance between Yuuki, Zero and Kaname blossoms and forms. The story line is really good but I do feel it could have been told much better but then again its an anime/manga aimed at teenagers so for me to ask for it to be told different would fundamentally mean I am asking for the manga/anime to have Josei themes
5. Sainkoku Monogatari
This anime was a recommended by one of the friends I made on Anime Amino (a downloadable app on your phone of ipad/tablet designed for anime fans to meet, talk and love all things anime and manga) who goes by the name ‘Sarahi91’. I remember I was asking for recommendations and she recommended me this anime to watch. The drawing style is also a bit older but honestly I didn’t know what to expect. I gave it a go because I thought we both like watching similar genre/themed anime’s and I have to say I loved it and was gutted that it stopped at season 2 because there was so much I wanted to see and know.
This anime has no weak heroine, the heroine is what I would call a feminist. Although the towns/cities are made up, the era that this anime is based in is a much older time, a time where women’s rites were limited so honestly this anime was a breath of fresh air and I really enjoyed it!
Genre: Adventure, Fantasy, Comedy, Romance, Historical, Drama
Seasons: 2 with 39 episodes in each season. Yes the seasons are LONG but they are only 25 minutes each.
Current Status: Finished and I am gutted because I really want a season 3 and there will be no season 3.
Background: The anime is based on a light novel written by Sai Yukino. The light novel has released a total of 22 volumes.
Synopsis:
Season 1: Most people think being born into a noble family means a life of comfort and wealth. That couldn’t be further from the truth for Shuurei Kou. Despite the Kou family being an old and important bloodline, they’ve fallen on hard times. Shuurei’s father works as an archivist in the Imperial library, which is a prestigious position, but unfortunately not one that pays much. To put food on the table, Shuurei works odd jobs such as teaching young children or playing live music in a restaurant―and even then, it’s barely enough. Then, one day, a court advisor makes Shuurei an offer. If she becomes the concubine of the new, but lazy, emperor and teaches him how to become a good ruler, then she will receive 500 pieces of gold. Never one to turn down good money, Shuurei accepts the proposition. After all, the new emperor only prefers men so her virtue is safe… or so she thinks. The more time she spends in the palace, the more her old dream of becoming a court official is reignited. There’s only one problem: she’s a woman and women do not become government officials. Shuurei may be able to turn the emperor into a good ruler, but will it be at the expense of her own aspirations?
Season 2: Shuurei needs to deal with more obstacles in the new series. More danger comes her way but at the same time meeting friends who will help her with her work as an official
The Soul Tamer Verdict: If you are looking for a Josei anime that covers mature themes such as feminism as well as romance and comedy this is your anime. The episodes are a lot, yes but the story line is beautifully developed. You do feel at times that there could be so much more to it such as wanting to understand more of Shuurei’s family background as well as more about her father but the characters are so lovely in their own light.
9/10 – I cannot explain how much I enjoyed it and I have not come across a similar anime like this and it is so sad. This doesn’t get a full 10/10 because this anime was missing some elements which I know wold have made it even better although it was already good.
4. Mahoutsukai no Yome (The Ancient Magus Bride)
This anime I watched because I was looking for an anime to watch when I started my maternity leave last year. Now what made me watch this was because it was at the time ‘one of the top anime’s of the autumn 2017’ to keep an eye out for. By the time I decided to watch it all the episodes were aired but for some reason it took me ages to watch. I think it took me a long time to get into the story line because it does start off a bit weird because of the lack of information but that doesn’t mean you don’t get into it’s flow and become hooked wanting to know more.
It covers the same themes I like, supernatural, fantasy and romance.
Genre: Slice of life, Shounen, Fantasy, Magic
Seasons: 1 with 24 episodes.
Current Status: Finished and I have a feeling a season 2 will be made.
Background: This anime is based on the ongoing manga by Kore Yamazaki. Prior to the release of this anime a 3 episode OVA was released.
Synopsis: Chise Hatori, a 15-year-old Japanese girl, was sold for five million pounds at an auction to a tall masked gentleman. Abandoned at a young age and ridiculed by her peers for her unconventional behavior, she was ready to give herself to any buyer if it meant having a place to go home to. In chains and on her way to an unknown fate, she hears whispers from robed men along her path, gossiping and complaining that such a buyer got his hands on a rare “Sleigh Beggy.” Ignoring the murmurs, the mysterious man leads the girl to a study, where he reveals himself to be Elias Ainsworth—a magus. After a brief confrontation and a bit of teleportation magic, the two open their eyes to Elias’ picturesque cottage in rural England. Greeted by fairies and surrounded by weird and wonderful beings upon her arrival, these events mark the beginning of Chise’s story as the apprentice and supposed bride of the ancient magus.
The Soul Tamer Verdict: As mentioned above, the story line does take a while to unfold and I did find I had to re-watch the first couple of episodes to understand what was going on because nothing was making sense. I did get annoyed because well i just wanted to understand it all, I wanted to know Chise’s story and more of Elias’s but alas not for season 1. I did really love how their romance did start to develop, the way it was done was done so well. I found myself really rooting for this romance along with feeling even happier that Elias’s was feeling these human emotions.
There is a lot more to this anime so I hope in season 2 we find out more – if there is a season 2 that is
9/10 – Although this is not a 10/10 compared to others that I have ranked much lower, it is at number 4 because of how beautiful it’s story is so far and that the rest of the story must be pretty epic.
3. Fairy Tail
Now, I would be a fool if this was not in my top 3. This anime screams, wizards, dragons, demons and magic with a side of romance, comedy, action, adventure… the full works.
I remember my little sister again was like ‘booboo lets watch Fairy Tail’ and this was years ago. I remember I sat to watch the first episode with her and I just could not get into it, fast forward some couple of years later amidst the hype of Fairy Tail I decided to give this anime another go and honestly I was kicking myself after I watched the 1st episode thinking why on earth didn’t I give this a go? Anyway since then I have been a loyal Fairy Tail fan where I have spent money on a Happy plush, my current text alert sound is a snippet of the irish like Fairy Tail melody and I was even tempted to spend lots of money at Comic Con and Hyper Japan to buy Lucy’s celestial keys – I didn’t because well it was a stupid amount of money
Genre: Action, Adventure, Comedy, Shounen, Fantasy, Magic
Seasons: 3. Season 1 has 175 episodes. Season 2 has 102 episodes and current season 3 is still airing.
Current Status: Season 3 is currently airing.
Background: This anime has won many awards such as the
Animax Asia’s Anime of the Year Award in 2010, The anime is based on the manga written by Hiro Mashima, the manga first debuted back in August 2006 and has spanned over 63 volumes and 549. The manga has finished with its final chapter published in July 2017. As well as the anime, the manga has 2 feature films available to watch.
Synopsis:
Season 1: In the mystical land of Fiore, magic exists as an essential part of everyday life. Countless magic guilds lie at the core of all magical activity, and serve as venues for like-minded mages to band together and take on job requests. Among them, Fairy Tail stands out from the rest as a place of strength, spirit, and family. Lucy Heartfilia is a young mage searching for celestial gate keys, and her dream is to become a full-fledged wizard by joining this famous guild. In her search, she runs into Natsu Dragneel and his partner Happy, who are on a quest to find Natsu’s foster father, the dragon Igneel. Upon being tricked by a man, Lucy falls under an abduction attempt, only to be saved by Natsu. To her shock, he reveals that he is a member of Fairy Tail and invites her to join them. There, Lucy meets the guild’s strange members, such as the ice wizard Gray Fullbuster and magic swordswoman Erza Scarlet. Together as a family, they battle the forces of evil, help those in need, and gain new friends, all the while enjoying the never-ending adventure that is Fairy Tail.
Season 2: The Grand Magic Games reaches its climax following Natsu Dragneel and Gray Fullbuster’s stunning victory over Sting Eucliffe and Rogue Cheney of the Sabertooth guild. This success pushes the Fairy Tail guild closer to being crowned the overall champions, but obtaining victory isn’t the only challenge they face. A mystery still surrounds a hooded stranger and the ominous Eclipse Gate, leaving more questions than answers. More crazy adventures are on the horizon for Fairy Tail as their destructive antics and joyful rowdiness continue unabated. Their greatest trial is quickly approaching, but united as a family, the guild will always be ready to face any threat that comes their way.
Season 3 (Final Season): Although Fairy Tail has been disbanded and its members are now spread far across Fiore, Natsu Dragneel hasn’t given up on reuniting the guild he and others once called home. Along with his companions Happy and Lucy Heartfilia, he will stop at nothing to keep Fairy Tail and its fiery spirit alive even as they face their most difficult trial yet—the invasion of Fiore by the Alvarez Empire’s immense army and their all-too-familiar ruler .
The Soul Tamer Verdict: This anime really does give you life and meaning when you watch it. At times for me I felt it would have made it so much better if some more mature themes where mixed in but it is a shounen anime so understandable why the sole focus on friendship is key. I think what is amazing about this anime is the story line. It is based in this fictional world where wizards are part of guilds and just do amazing and awesome things. How all the different factors of this anime were brought in and kept exciting is honestly really good. The anime has been around since 2009 and its in it’s final season with a large mass following so it is obviously doing something right. I love fantasy themed anime’s and each character plays such an important role with their own back story. You feel like you are there, with them.
10/10 – Some might agree but for me this is a 10/10. Just watch it and you will know what I am talking about.
2. Shingeki no Kyojin (Attack on Titan)
I had to stop and think about when I first started to watch this anime and if I am honest I think this was recommended to me by a friend after I graduated university. I think also my little sister was recommended to watch this too so I think we both started to watch this together. and since then we have not looked back.
Everyone has heard of Attack on Titan in the anime/manga world and you are sure to find cosplayers dressed up as a member of the Survey Corp at every comicon. (well this is what I have seen when I have attended MCM Comicon in London) Attack on Titan has a mass following and too right. It is a really good no GREAT anime.
Genre: Action, Military, Mystery, Super Power, Fantasy, Shounen
Seasons: 3. Season 1 with 25 episodes, Season 2 with 12 episodes, Season 3 with 2 parts: Part 1 with 12 episodes and part 2 which is yet to be aired with 10 episodes.
Current Status: All seasons have been aired but with part 2 of season 3 to be aired end of April 2019 – excited!
Background: The anime so based on the currently ongoing manga by Hajime Isayama. This manga has won many awards and has been nominated for many others being the 2nd top selling manga in Japan and the world. It has received several spin-off series—both manga and novel; as well as a two-part live-action film directed by Shinji Higuchi which was released in Japanese theaters.
Synopsis:
Season 1: Centuries ago, mankind was slaughtered to near extinction by monstrous humanoid creatures called titans, forcing humans to hide in fear behind enormous concentric walls. What makes these giants truly terrifying is that their taste for human flesh is not born out of hunger but what appears to be out of pleasure. To ensure their survival, the remnants of humanity began living within defensive barriers, resulting in one hundred years without a single titan encounter. However, that fragile calm is soon shattered when a colossal titan manages to breach the supposedly impregnable outer wall, reigniting the fight for survival against the man-eating abominations. After witnessing a horrific personal loss at the hands of the invading creatures, Eren Yeager dedicates his life to their eradication by enlisting into the Survey Corps, an elite military unit that combats the merciless humanoids outside the protection of the walls. Shingeki no Kyojin follows Eren, along with his adopted sister Mikasa Ackerman and his childhood friend Armin Arlert, as they join the brutal war against the titans and race to discover a way of defeating them before the last walls are breached.
Season 2: Eren Yeager and others of the 104th Training Corps have just begun to become full members of the Survey Corps. As they ready themselves to face the Titans once again, their preparations are interrupted by the invasion of Wall Rose—but all is not as it seems as more mysteries are unraveled. As the Survey Corps races to save the wall, they uncover more about the invading Titans and the dark secrets of their own members.
Season 3, part 1: More secrets about the Titans and who they are plague Eren and the gang. Can Mikasa and Armin help Eren in his time of need? Eren hopes to find answers that may lie with his father.
Season 3, part 2: TBC
The Soul Tamer Verdict: You have to watch episode 1 season 1 honestly. The manga is still ongoing so you can imagine just how talented and creative the author of this manga is. This is what I mean when it comes to anime’s. Each story line created by it’s author has distinct and unique and this anime/manga is no exception. As each season goes you want to know more about these Titans, why Eren and the humans live behind the walls, what makes Eren special? Questions, Questions…! I am now on season 2 waiting for part 2 and I cannot wait. One thing though… the anime does leave me squirmish because of the violence etc. The drawing and animation is stunning so all the violence and blood is very effective. The story develops and you find yourself hooked! I do find Eren’s character annoying at times but he has his reasons behind why he is like that LOL.
10/10 – you get me though? hehe.
1. Akatsuki no Yona (Yona of the Dawn)
This anime… is gorgeous. Yes I use the word gorgeous because it is. I mean it makes you laugh, makes you want to cry, makes you feel happy and makes you feel sad to. I loved the anime so much I decided I could not wait any longer for the 3rd season of the anime that I am currently reading the manga.
I came across this anime as at the time it was one of the best shoujo anime’s to watch out for and I was a hard core shoujo fanatic where all I wanted to do was watch shoujo anime’s. But this anime is more then it’s shoujo-ness. The heroine is more then a weak, cute girl… the story line grows and so does she. The very funny thing about this is my little sister was reading the manga way before the anime was even in production and it so happens that she did at one point tell me about this manga she was reading. Turns out I was watching the anime and when I told her she wasn’t even aware that there was anime made for this.
Genre: Action, Adventure, Historical, Comedy, Romance, Shoujo
Seasons: 1 with 24 episodes.
Current Status: Finished. Waiting for a season 2 which I think well from what I have heard is possibly, maybe in the pipeline.
Background: As mentioned I am reading the manga so the anime is based on the manga written by Mizuho Kusanagi. The manga was first published back in 2009 and it is still on going and really good!
Synopsis: Princess Yona lives a life of luxury and ease, completely sheltered from the problems of the seemingly peaceful Kingdom of Kouka; however, the sudden murder of the king and betrayal of her beloved cousin Su-won places Yona’s life in mortal peril. Forced to escape only with Son Hak, who is both her childhood friend and bodyguard, the naïve princess soon discovers that Kouka is not the idyllic place she envisioned it to be. Poverty, strife, and corruption run rampant, making reclaiming the throne nothing more than a wishful fantasy given the kingdom’s current state.Akatsuki no Yona follows Princess Yona on a coming-of-age adventure as she faces the harsh realities of her kingdom. With only a mysterious legend to guide her, Yona must discover a way to restore Kouka to its former glory while being pursued relentlessly by the forces of the new King of Kouka.
The Soul Tamer Verdict: I am the biggest sucker for romance and fantasy and this anime has both plus more. It is really funny. I am reading the manga and I find myself giggling. This anime is set in a fictional, historical town of Kouka kingdom and just how the story is told from the first episode does leave you wanting to know more. I watched the first episode and was not bored as with some first episode’s they can be boring. The character development for all the characters is beautiful in the anime although a lot of ground needs to be covered in terms of the volumes of the anime that being said it is done so well. You are on Yona and Hak’s side. You fall in love with the 4 dragons and most importantly you feel part of Yona’s mission and her journey. Yona does not stay this weak, annoying little girl, she grows up and becomes a woman. Watching this you will applaud Yona for her change (although she has help but Hak plays a massive part for this)
11/10 – LOL that is how great it is and how amazing it is. It truly is GAWJUS!
… and there you have it!
I hope the above has proven really helpful. I found this very hard to narrow down to a top 10 because there were other anime’s which did not make the list which are really good.
If any of you do watch any of these, please do let me know how you get on because I really want to have someone I can share my love of one of the top 10 with. It would be great to know what you liked, disliked, loved, thought could be better and what you thought was not needed.
If you have an anime recommendation which you think I will really enjoy please do get in touch and let me know. I am always looking for new anime to add to my list to watch although since being a mum trying to find the time is not easy.
Hugs,
The Soul Tamer x
Key:
| Shoujo | is anime/manga aimed at teenage girls. |
| Shounen | is anime/manga aimed at teenage boys. |
| Josei | is anime/manga aimed at older teenage girls & adult women. |
| Weeaboo | a non Japanese person who is obsessed with Japanese culture |
the soul tamer 