For someone who says they don't watch much anime, I sure watch a lot of anime. Of course, compared to my wife, very few people "watch much anime." There are a few shows I'm well into and expect to finish and a few that I'm just starting.

Shows I'm Well Into

One Outs

In the last few years there's been this trend of manga, anime, and tv shows about gambling, con jobs, and manipulation coming out of Japan. On the anime side, they're all from the same crew, same voice actors, same studio, etc. The latest is One Outs, about a pitcher named Tokuchi Toua. I'm really enjoying it.

Much like Mahjong Legend Akagi before it, it's not about the game they're playing so much as the exchanges that occur while they're playing. You don't have to like baseball to get into it, either. I loathe baseball. There is literally, in my opinion, nothing more boring. So if you like a good psychological show, give this one a look.

Michiko to Hatchin

This show has two things I like: A hot chick with big boobs, and subtle show-not-tell character development. Best sentence I've written all day, that.

Michiko and Hana pose for a picture against the picturesque desolate highway of Brazil.

Anyway, Michiko to Hatchin introduces us to convicted felon Michiko Malandro and abused foster child Hana. Michiko is busting out of prison (and her shirt, amirite?) to track down a long-lost lover. On the way she stops to rescue Hana from her miserable life. The original thing that attracted me to the show was word of involvement by Shinichiro Watanabe - the mind behind Cowboy Bebop and Samurai Champloo, two of my all-time favorites. Instead of directing/producing, though, he's the music director. Despite that limited involvement, the show has a lot of what I liked about those others. Instead of just telling you that Michiko, for all her bravado and flourish, is fucking miserable, they just show you. There are a lot of nice shots of people just being people. The show also takes place in Brazil (roughly modern day), giving it not only a variety of backdrops but gorgeous ones as well. The art is as much as the characters are watchable.

Hajime no Ippo: New Challenger

I was a Huuuuge fan of the first Hajime no Ippo show, with its 74 episodes, movie, and 90 minute OVA. The mix of action and comedy and slow-growing characters gave it a long life and through all those episodes it rarely dragged.

Now the new series has started, and it feels like I never stopped watching. All my old friends are back, doing what they do. And once again, it's a mix of great action, solid (if not very penis-centric) comedy, and really memorable characters.

If you watched and enjoyed the first series you'll definitely like this. If you haven't, dig around online and you can find the first series in English for something like $5 or $10 a disc for the legit release.

Kemonozume

This show had me by the end of the theme song.

The art is gorgeous and alive, the music is great. The show is definitely adult and not just because it has sex and nudity. Also there's a funny monkey. If that doesn't get you, what will?

Soul Eater

Soul Eater has the potential to be the 'next big thing' over here. Following in the footsteps of shows like Naruto and Bleach, Soul Eater is essentially a shounen anime. Considering that Naruto and Bleach bored the shit out of me, what keeps me coming back? Well, the show oozes style. Normally it's not good when one thing oozes another thing, but here I'll allow it. Constantly cool fight scenes, bright color, and fun characters keep me coming back, as does the occasional Excalibur episode.

After all, he's from United Kingdom. I'm looking for him, I'm going to California. Excalibur!

 

Astro Fighter Sunred

Hearing a title like Astro Fighter Sunred, you wouldn't be blamed for thinking that it's a show about this guy.

But, as you might know, I have a penchant for short-form gag anime. Yes, that is the main character, but when you're so overpowered that the villains have to beg you for a battle, what happens?

Oh right. You turn into this asshole. AFS turns the sentai genre on its head, making the evil organization Florsheim the sympathetic faction. Vamp-sama and his cohort are polite, giving, and generally very Japanese about the way they interact with everyone (not to mention no one seems to notice they're horrible monsters...). Sunred on the other hand is grumpy, lazy, and generally unpleasant to be around. Despite that, he has a cute girlfriend named Kayoko. She of course adores Vamp-sama and all his friends because they're so helpful and nice. The show is also strangely food-centric. Almost every episode includes a video about how to make some simple snack. If you want to know how to make some easy Japanese dishes, that's yet another reason to pick up this weird show.

Shows I'm Just Starting

Valkyria Chronicles

Valkyria Chronicles is the story of a soldier with a tiny sniper that rides on his should--oh wait, that's not the story at all! No, Valkyria Chronicles is based on the PS3 strategy game of the same name. And it doesn't suck. How often do you get to say THAT about a video-game anime? Of course, it could quickly slide downhill but signs are good so far. the show nails the look of the game for the most part (though it does manage to soften up some of the side characters' looks), and brings the same feeling the game held throughout.

The story takes place in a fictional version of Europe, in a neutral nation that just so happens to be stuck between the Allied and Imperial forces and has the largest supply of the much-fought-over resource, Ragnite. Valkyria? Ragn-arock? Yay for random Norse words! Anyway, the main characters get swept up in the war effort and we get an interesting view of war from the point of view of citizens and career soldiers alike.

Guin Saga

Japan's Conan. That's the easy description. Guin Saga's about an amnesiac warrior with a leopard mask fused to his face. So far, he's protecting a young prince and princess from a nearby kingdom, and also punching dudes so hard that their helmets leaves divots in the trees and start fires.

Guin Saga has been going for years and years in Japan, with over 120 novels published so far. Obviously the anime isn't going to cover nearly all of what's out there. However, if it keeps with the low-fantasy style it's unlikely to turn me away. The little prince on the left there is a total wiener, but his sister is badass. Anyone who likes sword-and-sorcery kind of stories ought to check this out.

 

Queen's Blade

If playing Dead or Alive Extreme 2 was a guilty pleasure, what is this? Guilty, sure. Of mass murder, molestation, bank robbery, and being a nuisance.

There's no reason I should like this show. It's stupid, pandering, tripe. There's no character development to be had, or even much of a plot. Why do I like this show?

Because it's hilarious. Spoilers: The first episode ends with the main character hugging the Evil Liquid Bunny Girl until her Acid-Milk-Firing Breasts overload and explode. Watch at your own risk.