Get to Know Your Guyver: My Top 25 Favorite Anime (#25-21: Mechas, Space Battles, and Sorcery) · 1:22am Jun 2nd, 2014
If it isn't obvious from my author name or sole work of MLP fanfiction, I am a HUGE fan of anime. 
While I would by no means call myself the biggest or most knowledgeable anime nerd around (despite the fact that I actually have a list of all 230-some anime titles I've seen at one point or another 
), there is no denying the appeal that the genre/medium has held for me ever since I stumbled into it during my early adolescence. I imagine my entry into the anime scene was much the same as many others out there; starting with "gateway" series like Dragonball Z and Voltron, Defender of the Universe, expanding with the rise of Cartoon Network's Toonami and similar anime-centric TV blocks, and gradually spreading outwards into more serious titles as I came of age and was able to rent or purchase titles from my local Blockbuster or Media Play (yeah, you remember those?) 
It's hard to say what the appeal of anime was to me versus other mediums, but I think the biggest thing was probably the fact that it conveyed worlds and ideas that I had only read about before in books in a fairly accessible and entertaining way. It probably helped that I'm a visually-minded person by nature, and while I do love using my imagination to make fantastic worlds described in print come to life, seeing actual moving pictures of those same worlds always had a slightly greater appeal. There is also the fact that, unlike most Western animation around when I was growing up, anime works run the gamut from childish to very mature and adult, since the stigma didn't exist that animation was only a "kid's medium." Thus, as I grew up and matured, the stories that I could relate to in animated form grew with me, moreso in anime than anywhere else. 
To honor this expansive medium, for the next several days I'm going to list my Top 25 Favorite Anime of all time. These aren't necessary what I consider the best, most technically proficient, or most thought-provoking anime works, but are simply the ones that have had the most impact on me and stayed with me the longest. Here's hoping you enjoy this new look into my warped and twisted psyche: 
#25: RahXephon
"Sing, RahXephon, so that someday all will become one!"
Starting off this list is anime that I affectionately like to think of as "Evangelion done right," or perhaps, "Evangelion, less f@#$ed up." That's not to say I don't listen to the arguments that say RahXephon isn't an NGE-clone (or that I completely understood everything that was going on without having to consult the anime's Wikipedia page), it's just hard for me to not to draw the comparison. Let's see: You've got a teenage protagonist kept in the dark about his mysterious purpose by a distant parent with a secret agenda, a mysterious waif who also happens to kind of be the protagonist's biological mother, a mecha with God-like powers that's more human-like in form and function than similarly manufactured machines, a secret cabal of old men plotting to bring about the next stage in human development through a vague and convoluted series of plans, a best friend character who later becomes an enemy who has to be killed off with much angst, an older, purple-haired female who creates a high level of emotional and sexual tension for the protagonist, a younger, red-tint haired female who regularly harasses the protagonist due to her own attraction and level of sexual tension . . . You see what I mean?
What made this anime work for me was the characters, their relationships, and how those wove together with the underlying plot to drive it forward to a very satisfying conclusion. Take RahXephon's protagonist, Kamina Ayato, for instance. Like his NGE counterpart, he's a teenager torn out of a world of safety and monotony to the forefront of a war between fantastic forces beyond imagination, all because he happens to have a connection with the titular RahXephon. However, he's far better equipped psychologically, emotionally, and developmentally to deal with all the crap he has to go through over the course of the series, and far easier to both connect with this struggle and root for him as a hero. He's no less complex a character, just different. Similarly, the development of his relationships with the other main members of the cast, and the choices he makes over the course of the series, are fascinating to watch unfold. And I will admit that I did feel some liquid pride brewing when he and Haruka were reunited as lovers; both times.
Add in the absolutely gorgeous mecha designs and animation, and you have an instant anime classic.
#24: Tekkaman Blade
"Brush away those tears underneath your mask!"
It was a close race between this Tatsunoko Productions anime and Karas, another favorite from the "henshin hero" genre. However, when it comes to the combination of story, character development, and visual design, there is no comparison. Karas may be a visually stunning and interesting OVA (Original Video Animation), but Tekkaman Blade is the more complete package.
And what is Tekkaman Blade? It's a story of one man's single-minded pursuit for vengeance against an alien race who also happens to be invading planet Earth. Why is D-boy (the titular Tekkaman Blade) so bent on eradicating his alien foe? Maybe it's because they captured his entire family and turned them into enemy Tekkamen that D-Boy/Aiba Takaya now has to kill in order to end their suffering. While D-Boy may make allies in the Space Knights--a paramilitary group assigned to fight back against the alien invaders--he always feels he must stand alone, not allowing himself to get close to anyone because his journey only has one possible outcome.
Tekkaman Blade is as much a tragedy as it is a Sci-Fi/Action Adventure, with rich backstories for most of the main characters that give the events in the series added heft and gravitas outside the standard "Monster-of-the-week" formula. While the animation itself is not the cleanest or most consistent, the designs for the main characters and Tekkamen are all interesting and distinctive. Add in a kick-ass musical soundtrack, and you get an anime that continually rewards you all the way until its epic conclusion.
#23: Vandread
"Don't shut it away, LONELY BOY."
Vandread is another anime that works based on the strength of its extensive ensemble cast. It also effortlessly blends together action-adventure, slice-of-life, harem comedy, and thoughtful sci-fi which asks interesting questions about what it means to be male, female, and simply a human being. However, while the series does have its serious, sad, and poignant moments, it never allows itself to become too serious, and is quick to shine a light whenever the darkness seems to be getting too much.
The series begins in the middle of a war between two rival planets--one completely inhabited by men, the other completely inhabited by women. Both groups are completely unknown and alien to the other, so naturally a group of men and women get stuck on a sentient starship and hurled across the galaxy. Hilarity ensues as the two groups try to bridge their seemingly insurmountable differences, survive multiple perils presented by other worlds they encounter, and learn more about the mysterious purpose of the "Harvesters" and their connection to their worlds' pasts. Good thing one of the male's "Vanguard" mecha and three of the females' Dread mecha can now combine, forming 4 different variations of "Van-dreads" to take on any threat that happens to present itself!
As I said before, the strength of this anime comes from the varied members of the ensemble cast and their interactions with one another. Each character (and there are many, many characters) gets his or her moment to shine, and their interactions and relationships allow them to grow and evolve beyond their initial characterizations. Impressive for a two-season, 26-episode total anime series. Equally impressive is the animation, which is fluid, colorful, and distinctive in its blending of traditional cel drawings and CGI. While the CGI is obvious, it's never overused. and helps to add character to the mecha designs in a way that traditional animation may not have been able to (another series that pulled this off was Dual! Parallel Reality Adventures). All-in-all, an enjoyable "Wagon Train to the Stars" and exploration of the Great Gender Divide.
#22: Tears to Tiara
"I'm going to marry the Demon King!"
Tears to Tiara is an enjoyable blend of high fantasy, action-adventure, harem comedy, and historical fiction. Based on a role-playing game, the anime is in many ways a loose retelling of the Legend of King Arthur, with an additional helping of Welsh, Celtic, Roman, and Christian mythology thrown in for good measure.
The main story centers on the resurrection of the so-called Demon King by the Holy Empire; however, it turns out that the Demon King was never really all that evil and that his reputation was mostly due to 1000+ years of misinformation and propaganda. Quickly dispatching of the Imperial forces, Demon King Arawn quickly alleys himself with the Gaels--a pseudo-barbaric tribe of warriors descended from the ancient elves led (at first) by their deceased chieftain's son, Arthur. In the midst of all of this, the priestess Rhiannon (and Arthur's sister) declares her intent to marry Arawn, starting the beginning of what will become a fairly extensive harem, mostly as a result of accidents or happenstance.
The success of this anime can be attributed to great cast chemistry, along with an involving narrative and rich degree of world-building. Though the anime was adapted from a game I've never seen nor heard of, I never felt like I was "missing" anything over the course of the series, as so often happens with video-game adaptations when they pick-and-choose plot points from their respective series. The cast, as I said, is excellent, with a wide range of character types that are all familiar, but are very-well portrayed and easy to root for as the story progresses. Another plus in this anime's favor is the well-done dub it received, as the actors did a very respectable job of giving their characters accents and expressions characteristic of their implied national backgrounds.
"Mission, Accepted."
Ahh . . . Gundam Wing. Who of us anime fans out there aren't aware of this title? For me, it was one of the many entry series I encountered during the heyday of Toonami on Cartoon Network, and it has never left my collective consciousness since.
While certainly not the most innovative or unique of anime series, it has definitely earned its place in the Pantheon of Gundam established all those decades ago by the venerable RX-78-2. It tells the story of five pilots from the Space Colonies, sent to planet Earth to fight against the United Earth Sphere Alliance's military organization OZ, in order to end the Alliance's military grip over the Colonies. What follows is a series of military gambits, political ploys, shifting alliances, and sudden betrayals as the various parties involved all work to out-maneuver the other and gain the upper-hand. Caught in the middle are the five Gundam pilots; notably, Heero Yui, the pilot of the titular Wing Gundam, and Relena Peacecraft, an ordinary girl who is far more important than she intially appears.
Though I still hold fond memories of this series and its follow-up OVA/movie Endless Waltz, I'll admit that I always found the plot a little too confusing and hard to follow. It's definitely not one of those series you can jump into in the middle and understand what the hell's going on. Still, the series still has staying power, and the Gundam Wing Zero Custom will always be my favorite out of all the various Gundams out there, just as the series itself will always be my Gundam series. When people say this series is a weaker entry in the Gundam franchise and multiverse, I just start playing "Wings of the Boy Who Killed Adolescence" and walk away with a satisfied smile on my face.
Honorable Mention: Studio Ghibli films
"We depict hatred, but it is to depict that there are more important things. We depict a curse, to depict the joy of liberation."
It's hard to talk about one's favorite anime without Studio Ghibli coming up at some point or another. Their movies are some of the most beautiful, thought-provoking, and endearing works ever committed to celluloid. Their characters are iconic, nuanced, and for the most part fully-fleshed out and allowed to evolve over the course of their respective stories. Among animation studios, probably only Pixar could be said to hold an equally venerated status due to their consistent quality, unmatched passion, and breadth of imagination. I have not yet found a Studio Ghibli production or film by Miyazaki Hayao that I actively disliked (and I've seen nearly all of them!), though some I certainly liked better than others. As a result, I can't really place them in this list as all the Studio Ghibli/Miyazaki films I've seen would crowd everything else out!
If I had to name my favorite Studio Ghibli film, it would probably be a close tie between Spirited Away and Laputa: Castle in the Sky. Both films are exquisite, and I like them equally but for difference reasons. Spirited Away has astonishing detail in its animation, a wonderous character arc for its main character, Chihiro, and a unique world which the film freely explores. Laputa: Castle in the Sky, on the other hand, is more of an old-school, rip-roaring, high-soaring adventure, and is more about the ride than the places the story travels through, though once again the visuals are exquisitely detailed and rendered.
A talk about Studio Ghibli (and Miyazaki Hayao) would not complete, in my eyes, without mentioning one of the other main attractions of these films: the Ghibli Girl. Nausicaa, San, Chihiro, Sheeta, Sofi, Kiki, Ponyo, Shizuku, Arrietty--all of these girls are variations on the same kind of character, and it's a kind of character I love and personally would like to see more often. Well-rounded and balanced, these characters are confident and cocky, feminine but never limited, perky but not overbearing, and positive but not overly naive. They are real. They live and breathe, have dreams and aspirations, and are positive exemplars on how to be wholly-realized people in a world that would strive to put them into a box. Even maligned members like Haru from The Cat Returns (one of my guilty pleasures) fall into this character spectrum, and while some might see Haru as an outlier because she's less confident and assured than the average, a closer look reveals that the same traits and qualities are there, just waiting to bloom (I also appreciate how natural her bemusement at the circumstances she goes through seems). While Studio Ghibli films are replete with awesome characters, it is the omnipresent Ghibli Girl that makes these films stand out all the brighter to me.
And that's all for now! 
Gundam ftw!~