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Anime/Manga You MUST See!
16 years ago
General
The Otaku On FA Journal! Here at 
Otaku_on_FA, there are certain anime that are pretty much considered required viewing by its founder: 
OtakuMan24. Some of these you may have heard of. A number of them you most likely haven't. But that's okay. We're going to regularly take a look at a wide variety of anime and manga here in great detail with links to where you can obtain said anime/manga, what they're about, what makes them so important, who made it, who's in it, and more!
As we go through each anime/manga, their entries will gradually be filled in here on this alphabetically sorted list. If it hasn't been covered yet, wait a while, and it will be. Also, all TV anime listed are either MORE than 26 episodes in length, OR they have a movie that goes beyond (or in between) the 26 episodes.
Anime names are given in their English translation/name (if one exists), followed by their original Japanese Name.
Otaku_on_FA
OtakuMan24THE LIST:UNDER CONSTRUCTION!!TV Anime
12 Kingdoms, The [Jūni Kokuki]
Aim for the Ace! [Ace O Nerae!]
Anpanman [Sore ike! Anpanman]
Asari-chan
Astro Boy [Tetsuwan Atom]
Atashin'chi
Attack No. 1
Azumanga Daioh
Battle of the Planets [Kagaku Ninjatai Gatchaman]
Black Jack
Black Jack 21
Bleach
Candy Candy
Captain Tsubasa
Card Captor Sakura
Case Closed (Detective Conan) [Meitantei Conan]
Cat's-Eye
Chibi Maruko-chan
City Hunter
Cowboy Bebop
Cutey Honey
Cyborg 009
Death Note
Devilman
Dokaben
Dokonjo Gaeru
Doraemon
Dr. Slump
Dragon Ball
Dragon Ball Z
Eightman
Fighting Spirit [Hajime No Ippo]
Fist of the North Star [Hokuto No Ken]
Fullmetal Alchemist [Hagane no Renkinjutsushi]
Galaxy Express 999 [Ginga Tetsudō Surī Nain]
Gegege No Kitaro
Genius Bakabon [Tensai Bakabon]
Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex [Kōkaku Kidōtai Stand Alone Complex]
Gigantor [Tetsujin 28]
Haikara-san Ga Tooru
Hakushon Daimou
Hamtaro [Tottoko Hamtaro]
Highschool! Kimengumi
Hikaru No Go
Himitsu no Akko-chan
Honeybee Hutch [Minashigo Hutch]
Hunter X Hunter
Ikkyu-san
Inu-Yasha
Joe of Tomorrow [Ashita no Joe]
Kaibutsu-kun
Kimba the White Lion (Jungle Emperor Leo) [Jungle Taitei]
Kindaichi Case Files [Kidaichi Shounen No Jikenbo]
Kinnikuman
Kiteretsu Daihyakka
Knights of the Zodiac [Saint Seiya]
Kochi Kame [Kochira Katsushikaku Kameari Kouenmae Hashutsujo]
Lupin the Third [Lupin Sansei]
Maison Ikkoku
Majokko Meg-chan
Martian Successor Nadesico [Kidō Senkan Nadeshiko]
Marvelous Melmo [Fushigina Melmo]
Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, The [Suzumiya Haruhi no Yūutsu]
Mobile Police Patlabor [Kidō Keisatsu Patlabor]
Mobile Suit Gundam [Kidou Senshi Gundam]
Mushishi
Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water [Fushigi no Umi no Nadia]
Naruto
Neon Genesis Evangelion [Shin Seiki Evangelion]
Nintama Rantaro
Obake No Q-Taro
Oishinbo
Ojamajo Doremi
Ojarumaru
One Piece
Pokemon [Pocket Monsters/Pokemon]
Precure [Futari Wa Pretty Cure]
Prince of Tennis [Tennis No Oujisama]
Princess Knight [Ribbon No Kishi]
Ranma 1/2 [Ranma Nibbunnoichi]
Rose Of Versailles, The [Berusaiyu no Bara]
Rurouni Kenshin
Sailor Moon [Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon]
Sally the Witch [Mahou Tsukai Sally]
Sazae-san
Sgt. Frog [Keroro Gunsou]
Shin-chan [Crayon Shin-chan]
Slam Dunk
Star Blazers (Space Cruiser Yamato) [Uchuu Senkan Yamato]
Star of the Giants [Kyōjin no Hoshi]
Tiger Mask
Tranzor Z [Mazinger-Z]
Triton of the Sea [Umi No Triton]
Touch
Urusei Yatsura
Yatterman [Time Bokan Series Yatterman]
Yu Yu Hakusho
Zatch Bell [Konjiki No Gashbell]
TV Anime Based On Classic Literature
3000 Leagues in Search of Mother [Haha wo Tazunete Sanzen Ri]
Anne of Green Gables [Akage No Anne]
Dog of Flanders [Flanders no Inu]
Future Boy Conan [Mirai Shōnen Conan]
Heidi, Girl of the Alps [Alps no Shōjo Heidi]
Moomin
Princess Sarah [Shoukojo Sara]
Rascal the Raccoon [Araiguma Rascal]
Story of Perrine, The [Perrine Monogatari]
OAV (Original Animation Video)
Black Jack
Jojo's Bizarre Adventure [Jojo no Kimyō na Bōken]
Legend of the Galactic Heroes [Ginga Eiyū Densetsu]
Anime Movies
Akira
Castle in the Sky [Tenkū no Shiro Rapyuta]
Ghost in the Shell [Kōkaku Kidōtai]
Grave of the Fireflies [Hotaru no Haka]
My Neighbor Totoro [Tonari no Totoro]
Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind [Kaze no Tani no Nausicaä]
Porco Rosso [Kurenai no Buta]
Princess Mononoke [Mononoke-hime]
Spirited Away [Sen to Chihiro no Kamikakushi]
Wings of Honneamise [Ōritsu Uchūgun: Oneamisu no Tsubasa]
Manga (No anime version)
20th Century Boys
Banana Fish
Buddha
MW
Ode to Kirihito
If you don't see an anime or manga that's not listed here and think it should be on here, then by all means make a suggestion! It just might make the list!
~Otaku-Man
Soul Eater
Toppa Tenge Gurren Lagann
Not sure about Toppa Tenge Gurren Lagann having the lasting appeal it needs to be a MUST see, but Soul Eater and D.Grayman might.
I got to read more Soul Eater and D.Grayman to make a final decision though. Although Soul Eater has gotten some excellent Japanese fan reactions like this one here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UVBHeGzjkxY
There's another one I found in the related videos section... but... that one's a bit weird even for my tastes.
~Otaku-Man
Tenchi Muyo and all related materials
Hare+Guu (Jungle wa Itsumo Hare Nochi Guu)
Ginga Nagareboshi Gin/Ginga Densetsu Weed
Nanoha
Arashi no Yoru ni (movie)
I would also like to make note that the "26 or more" is inaccurate since (at least) Haruhi does not total that many (unless, possibly, you factor in Endless Eight, which is probably a bad idea because it would probably disqualify the series as a must-see due to the fact that it drove away half the fanbase and even Kadokawa admits the DVD sales are probably going to be miserable)
Is there a reason you've imposed such a limit anyway? There are excellent series such as Saikano or Kaiba or (and I hesitate to mention because there's a longer remake) Kanon that are either amazing or had an enormous influence on otaku culture but are only 12-13 episodes.
The secret behind this list is that these are top series to ALL of Japan! Many of these series, if you mention them to the average passer-by in Japan, would be recognizable. They might not have seen it, but they'd know about it. Others might have particular favorites that they grew up on, and some can even still sing the theme song from memory!
I imposed the limit because some anime that are only 26 episodes are relegated only to cult status. Even if they are good, that doesn't mean the average Joe would know them.
A good example is Trigun. I specifically didn't last that because it only has 26 episodes, and no more. While we here in the states know about it, love it, cosplay it, and adore it to death, it's barely recognized at all in Japan. The series has ended and it's time to move on.
My selection here was based on various polls taken by the Japanese Culture Ministry and other Japanese publications to see what series were most fondly remembered and loved in Japan.
These are results from that. (And believe me, I had to do some major digging to get this data and compile all this)
BUT
Of the series you gave me there, I do think that Ginga Nagareboshi Gin / Ginga Densetsu Weed and Nanoha are worth taking a look to see if they make list worthy status.
Thanks for the info! :)
~Otaku-Man
I still feel Haruhi ought to be invalidated for the list because it is not yet technically 26+ episodes and the fanbase is pretty much entirely otaku. If an average joe knows of it, it's likely because it has a significant advantage the vast majority of the list does not: internet hype and infamy. If KyoAni can recoup whatever losses it takes from Endless Eight and eventually deliver on the Disappearance, THEN I think it could earn its place on the list.
I also feel it to be a bit unfair to count the ONA and the Very Short Movie as enough to put Azumanga Daioh over the 26 limit, since the movie was just a series-promoting extended trailer and the ONA is more of a "pilot" episode than anything.
Also Inu-Yasha is only where it is because Takahashi made herself a household name with her previous successes. But maybe I'm just being picky for the sake of being picky now...
As for Azumanga Daioh, even if it may not seem like much, it was still on the Top 50 Manga list compiled by the Japanese Agency for Cultural Affairs in 2006. Any series that makes a government recognized poll merits instant inclusion if you ask me.
Besides, you got to admit that it is a good series.
As for Inu-Yasha, it did last a good 170 some episodes before it finally got pulled. My guess is that it's probably because of the constant:
"Is Naraku dead yet?"
"No."
"Is Naraku dead yet?"
"No."
"Is Naraku dead yet?"
"No, oh wait..."
"..."
"...nope, got away."
I mean fans can only take so much! The good news is that Takahashi FINALLY ended the manga, and so the last portion where they actually find and KILL Naraku (or however the series ends) is going to be animated for a new TV series to actually wrap the series up.
And Urusei Yatsura, Ranma 1/2, and Maison Ikkoku are no flukes either. They all have their own merits.
~Otaku-Man
P.S. I LOVE geeky conversations like this! Makes my Otaku blood boil with joy! :)
I will certainly not dispute Urusei Yatsura or Maison Ikkoku (my sister and I were just discussing today, in fact, about what a damn shame it is that everyone in America has heard of Naruto but you have to search high and low for someone who's heard of MI, let alone read/watched it.. it and Ranma 1/2 were our first manga so it is very near and dear to our hearts, and there really isn't anything like it nowadays except MAYBE Mahoraba but that's kind of too light-hearted and fluffy, and it's not even been brought over here yet anyway) ADMITTEDLY I will waver on Ranma because it started out strong but eventually it did begin to suffer from same-old same-old drawn-out I'm Tired Of These Bizarre Martial Arts Will They Just Get Frickin' Married Already, but that first half is just so solid and classic...
Perhaps it's just that I could never really get into Inu-Yasha. I couldn't bring myself to care about the characters like in MI, and it lacked the comedic gold of UY and Ranma. And with Kyoukai no Rinne giving off such a generic feel, I can't help but think she's past her peak and just riding on past success. (Much like Haruhi at this point, actually...)
As for length being indicative of anything in such a case, I'd like to point out the clusterfuck that is Dragonball GT. I... well, I was going somewhere with this, but I've lost it now, dammit. But I'd still like to point out the clusterfuck that is Dragonball GT. People, don't watch it.
~Otaku-Man
Can't argue that one.
~Otaku-Man
The longest manga ever made is Kochi Kame! It started in the 1970's and is STILL GOING!
~Otaku-Man
~Otaku-Man
As for FLCL, that was a good Gainax OAV, but I got some more of GAINAX's older, classic work here.
Like their first feature film: Wings of Honneamise
Their first TV series: Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water
And of course, their most successful thing in the history of ever: Neon Genesis Evangelion. (The series is how old now, and STILL getting new spin offs, alternate stories, and stuff made for it?)
I admit, I like FLCL, and I think it's a great OAV. But only time will tell to see if it has the lasting power that these other GAINAX works have.
~Otaku-Man
Ghost in shell Great freakin sereis Grave of the fireflies..such a sad movie but wonderfully done, Cowboybebop...is just a fuckin classic
Im slighty sad to see Trigun didnt make the list though it was also a rather classic series...and rather one of a kind in my personal oppinon
The reason I didn't include it was because Trigun, while a good show, just didn't have the same lasting power that the other listed series have. 10 years later and there's nothing to really commemorate Trigun. It was a manga, became an anime, manga and anime ended, the end. It's a shame really since it was a very good series. Maybe one day we'll see more of it, but until then, it's not on the list.
~Otaku-Man
A very sad, but poetic film.
~Otaku-Man
There is a bit of a difference between the anime and live-action movie, but that's because both are based off the same book. Some scenes are handled differently based on their interpretation of the book, but there's also a lot that are the same between the two. I recommend finding it and checking it out if you get a chance.
Also, make sure you have tissues.
~Otaku-Man
Only a few that don't are able to make the list, and that's because they had something really special to offer anime.
Besides, the main point of this list is to highlight series you've probably never heard of and expose you to new/old awesome!
~Otaku-Man
~Otaku-Man
I wanted her to join up but she isn't totally interested in the fandom. Which is fair enough.
Now if you know any other Otaku here on FA who might want in on this little group... :3
~Otaku-Man
Hajime no Ippo IS on the list, but it's under it's given English name, "Fighting Spirit". You can find DVDs of the anime, and probably the manga too, released under that name.
As for Nanoha...
You mean THIS Nanoha: (or should I say THESE:)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNQX0Dj8LHM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3paAnfnGZ_Y
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30rnyG6D3G0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PT5dSuZqiMk
It HAS gotten a lot of parody attention... I shall need to investigate further.
And School Rumble... I know the manga's out there... but has it got an anime?
~Otaku-Man
You come for the Yuri action, you stay for the BEFRIENDING.
School Rumble has 3 seasons out already.
It would be nice to do a weekly Manga, Anime review, so that we can discuss it after viewing it :3